AUCKLAND: The global slowdown in consumer spending has claimed another regional victim.

<p>MELBOURNE: Fashion retail will be crucial to Melbourne's future profile as a leading global city, according to a statement from the city's governing powers.<br /></p>

<p>NATIONAL: Debate over the sexualisation of underage models has intensified following news an Australian magazine is under investigation for featuring pictures of a topless 16-year-old model.</p>

<p>NATIONAL: Luxury jewellery brand Tiffany has teamed with&nbsp;Sydney-based company&nbsp;Luxottica Group &nbsp;to launch a new range of eyewear.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

NATIONAL: Subversive UK boot brand Dr Martens has included budding designers across Australia and New Zealand in a global contest to design a new boot style.<br />

NATIONAL: Brands which exaggerate the environmental sustainability of their products are at a risk of breaching the Trade Practices Act, the ACCC has warned.

<p>NATIONAL:Retail property giant Westfield's first quarter (Q1) 2008 results have been positive, despite economic adversity.</p>

MELBOURNE:Melbourne's foremost nurturer of emerging fashion talent has revealed a busy schedule for the remainder of the year.<br />

SYDNEY: Department store David Jones has attributed a lull in sales growth to&nbsp;the national slowdown in consumer spending.

<p>NATIONAL: Peak retail body the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) has welcomed the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA)&rsquo;s decision not to raise the official cash rate. </p>

NATIONAL: David Jones is expecting to generate an additional $60 million per annum with the opening of a new store on Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

SYDNEY: Hip hop superstar Kanye West has provided music to the ears of Sydney-based streetwear label Ksubi.

<p>SYDNEY: Shopping centre giant Westfield Holdings will hold its annual general meeting later this month.</p>

NATIONAL: Fashion, homewares and lifestyle brand Laura Ashley has been forced to amend its pricing policy following a review by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

MELBOURNE: National&nbsp;budget jewellery chain Kleins has collapsed beneath a $20 million mountain of debt.&nbsp;

MELBOURNE: Australian clothing, footwear and intimate apparel giant Pacific Brands has announced the appointment of a non-executive director to its board.