<p>NATIONAL: Fashion retailers are nervously waiting to see how the Beijing Olympic Games will affect their business, following delays reported by international supply chain and logistic providers. The slowdown is the result of Chinese Government efforts to reduce emissions during the international sporting event. </p>

<p>NATIONAL: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has issued a draft determination proposing to grant authorisation to department store Myer to enable it to continue including concession businesses in its various promotions. </p>

NATIONAL: Wool promotion group Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) has given its stamp of approval to a US nanotechnology firm that has discovered a way of&nbsp;permanently &nbsp;guarding wool against odours. Following an extensive testing period NanoHorizons, which claims to be a leader in the creation of nanoscale performance additives for the textile industry, has released a product engineered to bond permanently to fibres so it lasts the life of the fabric.

NATIONAL: The majority of Australian consumers prefer retailers that provide an online shopping option, a new survey has found. The survey, conducted by online comparison shopping website GetPrice.com.au through the News Digital Media network, also found 81 per cent of Australians were now more confident shopping online than in the past.

MELBOURNE: The organisers of Melbourne Spring Fashion Week (MSFW) - scheduled to take place from September 1 to 7 -&nbsp;have announced a 2008 line-up including a new 'face' and ambassador brand, designer parades from high recall Australian labels and a number of highlight festival events.

NATIONAL: Footwear label Havaianas has debuted a new weapon in its fight to remain one of Australia's most popular shoe brands. The label, licensed in Australia by Sydney-based distributor Aqueo, has introduced a new decorative accessory to complement its thong range.

SYDNEY: The developers of a groundbreaking dress made from fermented wine will reveal their technique at a science festival later this month.&nbsp;University of Western Australia academic Gary Cass will take centre stage at the 'Grapeskin Glamour' exhibition during the Ultimo Science Festival, from August 22 to 31.

<p>NATIONAL: One in nine Australian fashion designers are in the dark when it comes to design, copyright or trademark protection, a new survey has found. The survey, carried out by federal intellectual property (IP) agency IP Australia and Fashion Group International, found just 51 per cent of all respondents were &quot;very aware&quot; of IP, 30 per cent were &quot;somewhat&nbsp; aware&quot; and nine per cent of all respondents were &quot;not aware&quot; of IP at all.</p>

<p>PERTH: Womenswear label Morrison has taken out top prize in the Ernst &amp; Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards for the Western Region Young Business Category. A spokesperson for the event confirmed Ernst &amp; Young's Entrepreneur Of The Year program spanned 11 months during which nominations were sought across five regions in four categories. Following the nomination and judging period, each region hosted a gala presentation dinner at which regional winners were unveiled. </p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Just Group has announced it will recommend that shareholders accept Premier Investments' hostile takeover if Premier Investments receives acceptances of more than 50 per cent. Premier has received enough acceptance instructions to take relevant interest to 46.97 per cent of ordinary shares in Just Group. Just chairman Ian Pollard said the special board committee acknowledged that, in light of the changed circumstances, shareholders should accept Premier's offer if it achieved acceptances of 50 per cent or more, or sell their Just Group shares on the market. </p> <p><br /></p>

SYDNEY: Australian Fashion Laureate Akira Isogawa will be on hand to witness the next winner take their place in history. The womenswear designer, who was presented with the esteemed title at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week last year, has been confirmed to attend the 2008 ceremony on August 11.

<p>GOLD COAST: Surfwear brand Rhythym is set to dramatically ramp up its international profile by launching across the United States. The Burleigh Heads-headquartered brand, which launched into the Australian market five years ago, will debut in the market via the Action Sports Retailer trade show in San Diego early next month.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

NATIONAL: Lawson Software is expected to reinforce its portfolio of fashion clients following it's latest executive appointment. The supply chain software provider has appointed Axel van der Smagt as its partner engagement director in a bid to &quot;strengthen&quot; its capability in fashion across Australia and New Zealand.

<p>MELBOURNE: Re-developed shopping centre Westfield Doncaster has revealed a trio of latest roll outs with the opening of Big W, Target and a new childrenswear precinct. The centre would roll out 1700 new parking spaces on Thursday August 7 in anticipation of heightened customer traffic, confirmed Westfield Doncaster centre manager Rachele Godridge.</p>

<p>SYDNEY: A horde of more than 50,000 items of counterfeit clothing has been discovered by New South Wales Police following the arrest of two market stall traders earlier this month. The find occurred after police, with the assistance of private investigation firms Global Brand Protection (GPB) and Trade Mark Investigation Services (TMIS), initiated a search warrant on two market stalls at Sydney's Fairfield markets.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Hostile bid antagonist Premier Investments has slated Just Group's upwardly revised trading announcement released yesterday (July 31).&nbsp;&nbsp;A Premier statement also issued on July 31 stated that Just had downgraded its earnings per share guidance from its original Target's Statement by 11 per cent to 15 per cent in early July. </p>