MELBOURNE: Ragtrader has republished a letter sent to major suppliers of Target Australia, advising that all orders received up to December 23 will be subjected to a five per cent discount.MELBOURNE: Ragtrader has obtained the letter sent to major suppliers of Target Australia, advising that all orders received up to December 23 will incur a five per cent discount.

Last year, Sarah and Jeff Figgins watched as the third generation Figgins footwear group shattered into liquidation. But in a climate still vulnerable to major corporate topples, Sarah is proof that the end of an empire does not spell the end of a ragtrader.

Myer has cleared the air over a pledge made by its chief executive at a recent conference held by the Australian Centre for Retail Studies (ACRS), which stated the company was “investing $25 million into staff training”.

Top milliner Paris Kyne has melded fashion and fantasy to create an eclectic new store in Melbourne’S CBD. Daniela Aroche discovers his store concept.

Fashion house Noni B has revved its focus on manager training and customer-service initiatives in an effort to prepare the company for the major expansion ahead.

Lifestyle retailer Esprit will take its local partnership with iconic merino supplier Gostwyk Farms to a global audience next year.

Figgins, Diana Ferrari, Mathers, Williams. Over the last two years, some of Australia’s most iconic footwear retailers have fallen victim to tough times. Is there hope on the horizon? Nadia Stennett and Assia Benmedjdoub investigate.

MELBOURNE: Over 28 trade representatives descended on the first meeting of creditors for collapsed womenswear chain Brown Sugar, with initial claims totalling $15.4 million.

Ragtrader touched base with independent retailers affected by New Zealand’s earthquakes in the last edition. Here, Nadia Stennett checks on the majors.

Well, why not? Why can’t we have our equivalent Harry Potter hero? Readers of the Murdoch press may have seen a short piece that revealed Harry Potter’s best spells.

A survey conducted by youth fashion chain Supre last month found that despite increasing retailer complaints that local stores are losing customers to online, a significant segment of the brand’s teen demographic still prefer the bricks and mortar experience.

SYDNEY: Fashion retailer Seduce Group is among the first majors to sign with eBay’s fledgling fashion sub-site, a fresh venture for the Australian market.

It’s the iconic London-based brand with 135 years of cool under its printed belt. Now two partners are preparing to unleash Liberty across the Australian fashion market.

Discount department store Target has unleashed the first of a brand-new store format: smaller in size but promising the latest edited looks at a value price.

Australian designer brand Ksubi is boosting its Melbourne presence with the launch of a second store on Chapel Street this month, ahead of new category launches and designer collaborations.

SYDNEY: Colette Accessories is forging ahead with a national retail rollout despite an ongoing trademark dispute with Australian designer Collette Dinnigan.