Haese diversifies

ADELAIDE: Former Youthworks and Sole Shoes owner Martin Haese has launched his own retail consultancy service. The business, dubbed Watsongate, aims to help small, medium and larger retailers with a variety of services including new store feasibilities, reporting systems, supply chain, staff training and strategic planning. For more: watsongate.com.au

ACCC alleges breach
MELBOURNE: The ACCC has instituted legal proceedings against H & Y Trading, alleging misleading and deceptive conduct in respect to fibre content labelling. The ACCC alleges that certain Aussiesox brand socks, which H & Y Trading imports and distributes, were represented as pure cotton when they were not composed entirely of cotton. The company is also alleged to have misrepresented that a range of its "Cotton Rich" socks was composed of 98 per cent cotton when they were composed of no more than 84.8 per cent.

Buddying up
SYDNEY: Self proclaimed "uber cool" concept store Buddy & Rose has opened its first store at 128 Oxford Street, Paddington. Catering for children aged between four and 14, the store stocks a host of designer brands including Diesel, Miss Sixty and Belgium-based labels Max and Lola, and Inge van den Broeck. Price points are from $60 for a T-shirt to $800 for a leather jacket.
An official launch party will be held on March 26. For more: 02 9331 7209.

Tarocash gets Evocatif
SYDNEY: Menswear retailer Tarocash have upgraded its marketing and communications support program with the appointment of new agency Evocatif this month. The appointment coincides with the launch of Tarocash's latest winter 06 catalogue with a new logo and a more simplified stylish corporate look. For more: tarocash.com.au

Spinning out
SYDNEY: Bare by Rebecca Davies publicist Sally Brown will shortly join forces with Merchant Communication Group's Christina Biasotto to launch a new public relations company. The Surry Hills-based entity, dubbed Tailor Maid Communications, will specialise in fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands with foundation labels including Bare by Rebecca Davies, Useful Chick Stuff Company and Moi Moi Jewellery.

SVI hits the road
SYDNEY: Retail software company SVI Retail has announced plans to undertake a road show to launch its new merchandising module. The Bondi Junction-based brand will travel around Australia and New Zealand later this year to explain the finer points of the new system, dubbed Pyramid. Show dates are: Sydney (May 29 to 30), Melbourne (May 31 to June 1) and Auckland (June 5 to 6). For more: sviretail.com.au