Global Vibes

Rent review
UNITED KINGDOM: The man who controls 12 per cent of the UK's clothing retail market, Sir Philip Green, will join other retail heavyweights in a meeting with landlords next month to discuss demands for wide-ranging rent reform. According to UK media reports, the tycoons have scheduled a summit where they will discuss retailer's calls for monthly rather than quarterly rent terms.
The retailers are also gunning for lower service charges and a review of the way leases are structured. Also on the agenda is the possible introduction of 10-year leases such as those offered by some European landlords.

Lane loss
HONG KONG: The president of the Lane Crawford Joyce Group, Bonnie Brooks, has been named president and CEO of Canada's oldest department store Bay. Brooks, who will head a 94-store strong portfolio, has spent more than 25 years building retail formats around the world such as Canadian store Holt Renfrew, UK chain Harvey Nichols and leading designer brand stand-alone stores in Asia. She has previously served as editor-in-chief of Flare, one of Canada's largest fashion and lifestyle magazines. Brooks begins her new position in September.

Topshop heads east
CHINA: Speculation is growing that the head of multinational retailer Topshop, Sir Philip Green, is planning to sign a deal to rent space for Topshop in China. According to reports published in the UK, Green intends signing for space in Shanghai's Superbrand Mall and is also said to be eyeing other locations for stores in Beijing and Hong Kong. Green is understood to want to capitalise on his collaborative collection with Kate Moss in the country with reports suggesting he has asked her to spearhead the Chinese launch.

Sander sale?
GERMANY: Hamburg-headquartered womenswear brand Jil Sander may soon be up for sale. The luxury brand, which in 2006 was bought by the UK's private equity fund Change Capital Partners from Prada, is thought to be on offer to potential investors. According to some media reports, Change Capital Partners is considering exiting its investment in the company after its bottom line failed to match its high-end appeal. The label, which launched its first collection in 1973 but didn't open its first store until 20 years later, currently operates around 20 Sander stores and 50 franchised stores worldwide. It also has wholesale distribution in Asia, Europe and North America.

Nordics combine
DENMARK: The fashion bodies of Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Finland and Denmark have joined together in an attempt to promote sustainability among their countries. The announcement, made as 55,000 visitors arrived to see the latest Nordic collections at the capital's fashion week will see the Swedish Fashion Council, the Icelandic Fashion Council, Oslo Fashion Week, Helsinki Design Week and the Danish Fashion Institute form a new group dubbed the Nordic Fashion Association. The group aims to extend Scandinavia's global reputation for healthy living and sustainable energy to its fashion industries.