MELBOURNE: Following its announcement on July 18 of a strong sales performance last year, with total sales up 11 per cent for the second half and 21.9 per cent for the full year, Country Road has now advised it anticipates a materially higher profit before tax than last year for both the second half and full year to June 30 2008.

NATIONAL: Department store David Jones has announced a list of nearly 20 exclusive new signings across its womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and accessories categories. The list, released this morning, is the result of an extensive 12 month review by the store's management team of the performance of all existing brands in its portfolio.

<p>MELBOURNE: The Council of Textile and Fashion Industries of Australia (TFIA) has found itself at the centre of heightened debate on the waste created by disposable fashion, following misleading claims of&nbsp;a TFIA report on the subject made earlier this month. An article in online current affairs forum news.com.au dated July 22 quoted a &quot;[TFIA ] report on the throwaway clothing trend to the Federal Government&quot;, however TFIA head Jo Kellock said no such report had been released. </p>

<p>MELBOURNE: The Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research Kim Carr has thrown his support behind the textile, clothing and footwear industry's ability to face increasing competitive pressures. Speaking at the Australian TCF Technology Network's annual conference earlier this week, Carr said the beauty of the TCF industry was that it was constantly reinventing itself. </p> <p>&nbsp; </p>

<p>NATIONAL: Youth fashion retail chain Sportsgirl has announced bold plans for its e-commerce store to deliver up to 10 per cent of overall revenue within the next five years. The news comes as the Melbourne-headquartered brand released figures that showed sales from its online store were rising 30 per cent each month.</p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Premier Investments today (July 23) raised its bid for Just Group, offering a suite of enhancements including more cash to shareholders if it achieves 90 percent control of the company. Premier's offer has risen to $2.245 cash - a 15 cent increase on the previous offer - and 0.25 Premier shares for each Just share. The enhanced offer represents a 43 to 58 per cent implied takeover premium. </p>

<p>MELBOURNE: Childrenswear label Sudo is preparing to take on the US market next month, following an invitation to attend the Bubble Kids Trade Show in New York. One of a handful of Australian labels selected to attend the event, scheduled from August 3 to 5, Sudo plans to showcase its collection&nbsp;at Bubble before travelling to the West Coast for appointments in Los Angeles.</p>

As can be evidenced by the amount of sponsored advertising flooding the free-to-air television networks at present, the Australian Olympic spirit is alive and well.

As local fashion designers gear up to export their Rosemount Australian Fashion Week orders, independent international development consultant Caroline McIntosh offers some advice to the next generation of exporters.

They're young. They're talented. They're human. Three fresh-faced designers offer an insight into the challenges they've experienced as fashion exporters.

A friend of mine is trying to sell his jeanery on the NSW Central Coast. He's been in schmuttas for long enough, he says, and wants to follow his passion in a totally different kind of business.

Indulgence at Melbourne Central MELBOURNE: Arguably there's no better way to relax after a hectic week than a glass of champagne and a mini makeover, manicure and massage; and the 'Too Indulgent at Melbourne Central' experience promised customers the opportunity to do just that.

With minimal protection from import tariffs, accessory manufacturers have had little option but to send production offshore or become local "kitchen-table" manufacturers. Melissa Gulbin reports.

What do bikinis and salmon have in common? Apart from the fact that the performance of the former can be seriously impeded by over-consumption of the latter (particularly when cream and pasta enter the mix) there is a far more profitable overlap between sexy swimming gear and the untimely demise of a certain species of fish, at least according to Chilean fashion designer Claudia Escobar.

Every edition Ragtrader talks to a previously profiled brand about how it has developed in the intervening years. This week, Tracey Porter caught up with LookSmart Alterations founder Abraham Hatoum.

Naomi Davey, sales consultant at womenswear boutique Flirtini Pink, describes Warrnambool's retail scene as continually evolving.