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Strong wool
SYDNEY: Swedish retailer H&M has agreed to continue using Australian merino wool providing it is sourced from farmers who no longer practice mulesing. The condition was expressed during a well-publicised meeting between representatives from the Australian Wool and Sheep Industry Taskforce and the high street retailer in Stockholm late last month. Just days before the meeting, animal rights group PETA leaked details of an email allegedly sent to it from H&M in which it said it would start looking for non-mulesed wool alternatives sourced from countries other than Australia.
Out with the old
NATIONAL: Former Myer CEO Dawn Robertson has left her role as the president of US apparel brand Old Navy after just 16 months. A report in US trade bible Women's Wear Daily, said the move came after a disappointing autumn and holiday season at the struggling division of Gap. It is understood Tom Wyatt, president of Gap Inc's outlet division, will be acting president while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement.
SFG on hunt
NATIONAL: Listed apparel retailer Speciality Fashion Group (SFG) will continue to look for new acquisitions despite remaining cautious about the chances of a slowdown in consumer spending.
In a statement confirming a five per cent lift in half-year profit, group CEO Gary Perlstein said the company would continue to invest in existing brands and selectively examine potential "bolt-on" acquisitions to help drive sales growth. The store added 23 new stores during the half year to December 31, 2007 - 16 of which were through organic growth and a further seven through its acquisition of retail brands Queenspark and Big City Chic - taking its total to 807.
Winter woollies
MELBOURNE: Womenswear label Verduci-Smith has turned up the heat for winter with its first knitwear range. Made from pure, premium quality Australian wool, the collection comprises cardigans and mini dresses in fine to heavy knits. Knitwear prices will reflect those of the rest of the Verduci-Smith collection, which is largely comprised of dresses ranging from $200 to $700. It is hoped the Verduci-Smith knitwear range - designed to complement the brand's signature frocks and currently described as a "capsule collection" - will be expanded in future seasons.
Prouds misled
NATIONAL: The Federal Court has found Australasian jewellery retailer Prouds misled consumers into believing its products were being sold at discounted prices. The case centred around an accusation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that the brand had breached the Trade Practices Act by advertising certain jewellery items its catalogues. The advertising was in the form of "was and now" price comparisons of 17 different jewellery items. Justice Moore found the "was and now" advertising suggested to consumers the items had been offered for sale at a reasonable period immediately before the catalogue promotion. However, each of the items had not been offered at the "was' price in that period.
Morrison in Melbourne
MELBOURNE: Victoria's female style addicts will soon be experiencing one of WA's biggest fashion success stories in a whole new way. Morrison opens its first Melbourne retail outlet at Chadstone Shopping Centre on March 16. Morrison co-founder and designer Kylie Radford said the first Melbourne boutique would feature soft lighting, limed European oak floorboards and recycled timber furniture in a subtle, natural palette befitting the brand. Morrison's winter 2008 collection draws inspiration from nature, with an emphasis on detailing including French seams, leather finishes and intricate stitching. The range will be complemented by Bouvier jewellery and European leather bags and jackets.