There is always an audible rolling of eyes when a packaged box arrives for me at reception. It is standard form that I track down chunky creditors reports in electronic form, so the box could only contain one thing. A thing that all of my colleagues assure me I have enough of, but a thing I could not bear to receive less than at least once a month.

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.

Online surfwear retailer Surfstitch is reaping the benefits of equity backing from category leader Billabong, with plans to launch a sister website and further extend its brand portfolio.

NATIONAL: Australia’s largest trade union has shot down claims by intimate apparel giant Bras N Things alleging rising penalty rates could force it to reduce employee numbers.

NATIONAL: Fashion accessory chain store Diva has bucked the low retail trading trend with the announcement it will make over all of its key stores and expand its growing youth consumer following to the Philippines, with plans to more than quadruple its stores over the next five years.

As wholesalers start to sell winter 2012 ranges to retailers, IBISWorld senior analyst suzannah rowley investigates the current state of the sector and how it will fair over the next five years.

Streetwear brand Mossimo will release an exclusive capsule collection to celebrate its 25th anniversary,

SYDNEY: Designer label Hussy has broached into childrenswear, as it moves to ramp up its product offering.

Ragtrader reported on the impact of natural disasters on independent operators earlier this year. Assia Benmedjdoub touches base.

The Wearer’s Right trade fashion show is taking a strategic approach to its publicity,

Ragtrader has offered rolling coverage on increased price pressures in sourcing from China. Here, Assia Benmedjdoub asks sourcing experts to predict whether more and more brands will investigate manufacturing in emerging markets.

Historic Spanish espadrille house Castaner, which has a portfolio of private label clients including..