Global Vibe

Next moves?
UNITED KINGDOM: Mens and womenswear retail chain Next is reportedly gearing up for a push into young branded fashion via the internet. It is believed the brand is working on an etail format where it will sell denim, footwear and sportswear under the working title 'the branded directory'. The retail giant is expected to unveil the site for Northern hemisphere autumn 2007. It understood the brand has already approached up to 20 young fashion brands including denim brands Diesel, Rock & Republic and 7 For All Mankind, along with niche player Paper, Denim & Cloth. Wrangler and G-Star are also believed to have been approached.

Competitors join
INDIA: Nine of India's largest fashion houses have joined together to accelerate the growth of the fashion, lifestyle and luxury retail industry. The move, backed by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) brings together a group that together makes up 90 percent of the buyers of Indian fashion designers' products. The Indian council will address issues of critical concern such as plagiarism and the poaching of trained and qualified staff of fashion houses. It will also lay guidelines and policies on the quality and prices of designer goods and work toward lowering the tax burden on the fashion industry. Its mandate includes generating sponsorships for industry events.
 
New Hot head
UNITED STATES: Surf apparel brand Hot Tuna has appointed former Von Dutch managing director Niels Anders Juul as its new chief executive officer. Juul, who will be based in Southern California, will be responsible for overseeing the overall development of the brand and managing Hot Tuna's worldwide operations located in London, Sydney and Newport Beach. He will be reporting to Elle Macpherson, creative executive director, and on the board of Hot Tuna International.

Sherman change
UNITED KINGDOM: Men's and womenswear brand Ben Sherman has plans to cut its UK distribution by 20 per cent over the next year as part of a move to bring the domestic brand inline with its more premium global positioning. The move will affect up to 150 stockists as the label reduces its UK accounts to 600. The initiative will be counteracted by a new strategy to grow the brand's retail and wholesale business overseas that includes the opening of 30 standalone stores across China in the next two years. The Oxford Industries-backed brand will open new Asian headquarters to support the expansion.

Factory fight
BANGLADESH: Several United Kingdom retailers have been forced to deny allegations that workers in their clothing factories in Bangladesh are being forced to work up to 80 hours a week, abused by supervisors for taking sick time and refused access to trade unions. The brands named in the allegations include Asda, Tesco and Primark. The three companies have defended their position stating they carry out regular audits and are doing their best to improve conditions at the factories they use overseas. All three retailers have signed up to the Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI), a controversial voluntary code of conduct which sets out rights including a working week of not more than 48 hours and payment of a living wage. The three brands have promised to investigate the claims.