Under the Spotlight

SYDNEY: Spotlight stores nationally have issued a product recall notice on its children's bathrobe range, after the nightwear failed mandatory product safety standards issued under the Trade Practices Act. The Australian Competition and Consumer Corporation (ACCC) launched an investigation into the range after it was found the company breached the standard requiring all children's nightwear items to be labelled with fire safety labelling that corresponds with the proven tested behaviour of the fabric from which the garment is made.

Thai anything once
PERTH: A visiting delegation has issued its strongest hint yet that Thailand intends eating into China's mantle as the manufacturing place of choice for Australian labels. Visiting at the invitation of the Textile, Clothing and Footwear Resource Centre in Western Australia, the high-ranking group did much to emphasise its willingness to accept smaller boutique-size orders as well as the country's attention to quality and design. The visit, prompted by the introduction of the Australia-Thailand Free Trade Agreement on January 1 has prompted the TCFWA to investigate a reciprocal visit. For more: carol.hanlon@tcfwa


MELBOURNE: Jeans queen Bettina Liano has hired design company BKK to help fashion its new store in Melbourne's Chadstone Shopping Centre. The boudoir inspired store, designed to be a reflection of the label, is due to open later this year. The Chadstone store will be the label's sixth with further plans for expansion in the future.

DJ's reviews profits
David Jones expects its net profit to grow by five to 10 per cent during 2005/06. The department store giant also lifted its guidance for 2004/05 by approximately 20 per cent, stating it expects a net profit of between $77.5 million to $78 million. The company also reported 3.3 per cent sales growth for 2004/2005 on a like for like basis. Chief executive Mark McInnes said David Jones anticipates a continuation of challenging retail conditions over the next six months.

Difficult times
Apparel and accessory retailer Country Road has reported a 28.5 per cent increase in annual net profits to $3.2 million for 2004/05. The company said its margins were adversely affected by the one-off costs associated with the move to a new design timetable, along with higher than anticipated markdowns required to clear stock in the fourth quarter following the short winter. Country Road expects trading conditions will remain difficult during the first half of the current financial year.