NATIONAL: Thirteen Australian labels are preparing to strike up business in New York this week, as part of the Australia Week G'Day USA celebrations.

SYDNEY: Specialty Fashion Group has announced a decline in sales for the first half of the current financial year, amid news of store closures across flood-ravaged Queensland.

NATIONAL: Cotton On has pledged to raise $1,000,000 for Queensland's flood victims, the latest apparel retailer to sign on to help mitigate the impact of the natural disaster.

NATIONAL: High-end accessory brand Mimco will take the extraordinary step of donating 100 per cent of all net profits from sales tomorrow to the Queensland Flood Relief Appeal.

VICTORIA: An iPhone app developed by Consumer Affairs Victoria is among the tools available to retailers and consumers struggling with the new Australian Consumer Law (ACL).

SYDNEY: Following a turbulent 2010, David Jones is starting the new year with the introduction of 30 new department store exclusive brands to its stable.

MELBOURNE: The two creative directors of Bally have been announced as surprise guest speakers at the forthcoming L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF).

NATIONAL: Karen Walker, Trelise Cooper and Romance Was Born are among a wave of labels turning their hand to costume design in 2011.

SYDNEY: Leading designer brands Alex Perry, Aurelio Costarella, Samantha Wills and Henry Roth are just some of the industry names lending their support to a fundraising event for Queensland flood victims.

NATIONAL: A decline in November 2010 retail sales was a key cause of heavy pre-Christmas discounting, according to the Australian Retailers Association (ARA).

MELBOURNE: New graduates from various fashion colleges have been granted an industry break by L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) and Sportsgirl.

SYDNEY: It appears campaigns staged by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) against Camilla Franks have had the desired effect.

NATIONAL: The Australian consumer watchdog has instituted legal proceedings against an online retailer for misrepresenting the origin of its products.

SYDNEY: Twelve emerging designers have been named as finalists in the Fashion Exposed Debut competition to be held in March.

NATIONAL: Ragtrader magazine and www.ragtrader.com.au would like to wish all of its readers a very festive season, as both platforms wind down for 2010.

NATIONAL: Budget fashion retailer Rivers Australia is among 12 companies to have allegedly flouted laws concerning women in the workplace.