TheIndustry.vogue displays on one other headline-grabbing month in British retail, one which started with Kim Cattrall’s glitzy Ashish collaboration for Debenhams and closed with Glenn Martens’ excessive-influence H&M drop and 16Arlington’s designer debut at M&S.
Financial outcomes painted a principally optimistic image, with Adidas, Fenwick, Very, AllSaints, Hermès, Uniqlo, LVMH, and Freemans all reporting uplifts, suggesting renewed client confidence throughout classes from luxurious to worth. However, it wasn’t a common win – Sosandar, Kering and Selfridges every confronted harder buying and selling situations.
This month additionally marked TheIndustry.vogue’s inaugural Retail Reset summitwhich introduced collectively a number of the UK’s most ahead-considering vogue leaders for a strong day of networking, perception and strategic planning.
TheIndustry.vogue displays on one other headline-grabbing month in British retail and past, from openings to huge-identify appointments.
New openings
How Champion is redefining retail with its new Manchester idea retailer
Champion, the century-previous athleticwear model that invented the hoodie, is reimagining how customers expertise sports activities retail. The model unveiled a brand new stripped-again idea retailer at Manchester Arndale. Designed as half retail hub and half cultural house, it goals to foster group by inventive workshops, native collaborations and exercise classes.
Asda headed to Hull for second standalone George idea retailer
Following the profitable launch of its first standalone George idea retailer at Crown Point Retail Park in Leeds in May, Asda opened a second at Anlaby Retail Park in Hull on 31 October. The new Hull retailer types a part of Asda’s broader ambition to open an extra 10 George shops throughout the UK subsequent yr.
Uniqlo opened first West Midlands retailer on again of report progress
Uniqlo marked one other milestone in its fast UK enlargement with the opening of its first West Midlands retailer in Birmingham’s Bullring as we speak. The launch follows a string of report-breaking monetary outcomes for its dad or mum firm Fast Retailing, which final week reported its fourth consecutive yr of report earnings.
Gap’s again: The retailer returned to Covent Garden as a part of UK retail revival
Gap is making a assured return to the UK excessive avenue after asserting three new standalone London shops as a part of a wider push to reinvigorate the model globally. The American retailer, synonymous with relaxed denim and laidback model, is bringing standalone shops again to the UK with new shops in Covent Garden, White City and Wembley.
AllSaints opened retailer in Bristol and readies new openings in London
AllSaints opened a 1,719 sq ft retailer on the decrease flooring at The Mall at Cribbs Causeway on the outskirts of Bristol, the place it additionally has a concession within the John Lewis anchor retailer. Another new retailer will observe for the up to date vogue model at Battersea Power Station in London on 5 November, adopted by a 3rd in Stratford on 12 November, changing the earlier location that closed final yr.
Urban Outfitters opened a second Manchester flagship because it continues European enlargement
Urban Outfitters opened its second flagship in Manchestersituated on the Trafford Centre, additional strengthening its UK presence as a part of its ongoing European enlargement. Spanning greater than 6,000 sq ft throughout a number of buying and selling flooring, the brand new retailer incorporates a curated number of the US-primarily based model’s in-home labels.
In Pictures: Jigsaw unveiled refurbished Kensington High Street flagship
Jigsaw reopened its refurbished retailer at 65 Kensington High Street in London. Spanning 2,300 sq ft, the house “marks a striking evolution of the brand’s heritage”, utilizing upcycled supplies corresponding to repurposed elm wooden flooring from Jigsaw’s former head workplace in Kew.
Mulberry wager on Gunwharf Quays pop-as much as enhance its comeback
Mulberry headed to Britain’s south coast with a pop-up at Gunwharf Quaysopened 16 October. The short-term retailer showcases a curated number of the model’s signature leather-based items, from the Bayswater and Alexa purses to smaller equipment forward of the festive season.
Big identify appointments
Grace Wales Bonner named Hermès Creative Director of Menswear
Grace Wales Bonner has earned some of the coveted roles in luxurious vogue. The British designer, celebrated for her eponymous indie menswear label, was named Hermès’ new Creative Director of Menswear. She will current her first assortment for the French home in January 2027, taking on from Véronique Nichanian, who stepped down after 37 years on the helm.
Matalan appointed former H&M MD as CEO following management reshuffle
Matalan appointed Henrik Nordvall, the previous Managing Director of H&M for the UK and Ireland, as its new CEO. He will be a part of the enterprise in February 2026.
Nordvall brings 17 years of expertise from H&M, the place he held a number of roles throughout a number of international locations. Most just lately, he led the UK and Ireland division – H&M’s third-largest market – overseeing revenues of $1.5 billion.
Maria Grazia Chiuri returned to Fendi as Chief Creative Officer
Maria Grazia Chiuri formally returned to Fendi as Chief Creative Officerpractically three many years after starting her profession on the Roman maison. She will current her first Autumn/Winter 2026 assortment throughout Milan Fashion Week subsequent February.
Chiuri’s appointment comes six months after her departure from Dior, the place she served as Womenswear Creative Director and turned the primary lady to guide the model’s design crew.
Marks & Spencer tapped COS director to guide vogue, house and magnificence retail
Marks & Spencer introduced the appointment of Paula Bricks as its new Fashion, Home & Beauty Retail Director, efficient from November. Bricks joins from H&M Group-owned vogue model COS, the place she has spent nearly 19 years, most just lately as Store Experience Director.
Kim Jones revealed as design head for Bosideng’s new luxurious sub-model
British designer Kim Jones, who exited his position as Artistic Director of Dior after seven years in January 2025, has taken up the place of Creative Director for Areal, a brand new luxurious sub-model from Chinese down outerwear large, Bosideng.
Six Stories appointed Commercial Director to gas subsequent section of progress
Altrincham-founded bridal and occasionwear model Six Stories strengthened its management crew with the appointment of Richard Davies as Commercial Director, because it eyes additional enlargement within the UK and internationally. Davies joins following a seven-yr stint on the board at Absolute Collagen, the place he was most just lately the Trading Director.
Vestiaire Collective promoted CFO Bernard Osta to CEO position
Luxury vogue resale platform Vestiaire Collective promoted Bernard Osta to the position of CEOsucceeding Maximilian Bittner, who led the corporate for the previous seven years. Osta has been a part of the Vestiaire Collective journey since May 2021, initially holding the place of Chief Strategy Officer as much as August 2023.
Zalando appointed new CFO to assist subsequent section of European progress
Zalando appointed Anna Dimitrova as Chief Financial Officer and member of its Management Board, efficient 1 January 2026. The Berlin-based vogue and way of life e-commerce platform stated Dimitrova brings “deep financial expertise, a strong strategic mindset and proven leadership”.
East London expertise Aaron Esh joined AllSaints as Chief Creative Officer
AllSaints appointed Aaron Esh as its new Chief Creative Officerin a transfer that felt nearly inevitable given the designer’s East London edge. A Central Saint Martins graduate, Esh launched his eponymous label in 2022, mixing Savile Row precision with the angle of East London evening scenes. His slouchy knits, draped clothes and leather-based jackets really feel like they had been made for AllSaints’ brooding shops.
Giorgio Armani appointed lengthy-time exec as new CEO
Giuseppe Marsocci was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the Giorgio Armani Groupefficient instantly. Marsocci, who has over 35 years expertise within the vogue and luxurious sector, 23 of which have been inside the Armani Group in numerous roles “of increasing responsibility”, succeeds legendary founder Giorgio Armani, who handed away in September on the age of 91.
Monica Vinader handed over CEO reigns to Holt Renfrew Boss
British luxurious jewelry model Monica Vinader appointed Sebastian Picardo as its new Chief Executive Officer, signalling the beginning of a brand new section for the as soon as founder-helmed jewelry model. Picardo brings greater than 25 years of management expertise throughout a number of the world’s most influential luxurious and vogue names.
TOMS tapped former Crocs digital commerce lead as new CEO
Los Angeles-based footwear model TOMS appointed Jessica Alsing as its new Chief Executive Officer, efficient from 8 October. Alsing brings “deep expertise” throughout footwear, digital advertising and world model constructing, having beforehand spent nearly a decade at Crocs (as much as September 2021), the place she served as Vice President of International Digital Commerce.
Lakeside Shopping Centre appointed Fenwick exec as new Centre Director
Lakeside Shopping Centre appointed retail veteran Nancy Foster as its new Centre Director, because the vacation spot embarks on a brand new section of funding and transformation. Foster brings over 15 years of senior management expertise throughout main retail operations.
Reebok returned to London with new HQ and European CEO
Reebok formally opened its new European headquarters in London and appointed former Adidas govt Marc Le Roux as CEO of Reebok Europe, signalling a brand new chapter within the model’s push to reinvigorate itself within the area.
Dunhill appointed new CEO to guide model into ‘next chapter’
British luxurious menswear model Dunhill has appointed Matthew Ives as Chief Executive Officerefficient as of 13 October 2025. He reviews to Philippe Fortunato, Chief Executive Officer of Richemont’s Fashion and Accessories Maisons.
Interviews, options and feedback
The Interview: Liberty CEO Adil Mehboob-Khan on its a hundred and fiftieth anniversary assortment and world ambitions
Inside John Lewis’ vogue revival: Peter Ruis talks recreation-altering methods, unique partnerships, Topshop launch and extra…
ASOS Brands Director on ushering in a retail renaissance by way of model variety, digital personalisation and innovation
Highlights from TheIndustry.vogue Retail Reset Summit 2025
The Interview: NOSO founders on constructing a model for the fashionable polymath
TheIndustry.vogue Awards Winners’ Interview: Donna Stamp, Ethics & Sustainability Circular Economy Manager, John Lewis
5 autumn vogue traits to know this season
Fashion month wrapped: Critics react to a brand new wave of inventive management
The reverse logistics disaster: Fixing vogue’s costliest provide chain weak point
In My View by Eric Musgrave: Laying down the legislation
The Interview: Alistair and Gillian Tusting on sustaining and constructing a really British model