E-Briefs

RETAILERS BACKTRACK
NATIONAL: Lobby group Fair Imports Alliance has called for an end to the GST campaign being led by several retail heavyweights, including Solomon Lew and department store Myer. The alliance, which represents a coalition of retail and wholesale industry associations, claimed campaigns against a threshold allowing goods under $1000 to be imported into Australia tax-free were “an unmitigated disaster”. The group sent letters to several CEOs and boards involved in the campaign, urging them to focus on the Productivity Commission Inquiry into the Future of Retail instead.

NEW YEAR, NEW LOOK
NATIONAL: 'Invitation only' e-tailer brandsExclusive has debuted a new home page and promotional code function for the new year. The fresh features comes in the wake of the online retailer's declaration at the close of 2010 that it is adding over 80,000 members to its site every month and now hosts sales for over 600 local and international labels, including Lucette, Fendi, Esprit, Scanlan and Theodore and Living Doll. The site is among a number of e-tailers including Estile and OzSale that offer discreet discounts of up to 70 per cent on fashion merchandise via direct emails to members.

SOCIAL SWIM
SYDNEY: Swimwear label Baku Australia has ventured into the online social networking world with the launch of a Facebook site. The label has launched its page with behind the scenes images of its recent summer 2011 campaign featuring model Nicole Trunfio. The site is also designed to generate consumer interest in Baku Australia’s sister label Ginja. Baku Australia creates a variety of swimwear styles and is stocked in David Jones and swimwear independents. It recently
celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

IN.U’S NEW REALM
NATIONAL: New footwear label in.u has wasted no time setting up an e-store. The brand, which debuted in Singapore’s Robinsons department store in October and opened its first Australian boutique in Subiaco (WA) in December, is now offering over 100 womenswear styles at inushoes.com/shop. The “Parisian-inspired” brand’s spring/summer 2010/11 collection includes pony hair, snakeskin and leather elements and is retailing from $129 to $189. in.u is managed locally by Upfront Shoes.