Articles by Rachel Douglass
Rachel has been with FashionUnited since mid-2021. Descending from the UK, she moved to the Netherlands in 2014 to attend Amsterdam Fashion Institute, where she studied a BA in International Fashion and Branding with a specialisation in Journalism.
At FashionUnited, Rachel covers daily news, from store openings to acquisitions, alongside which she focuses on research-based stories, interviews and on-the-ground event reporting. Her topics of interest include digital fashion, independent retail and current trends.
Bestseller owner snaps up majority stake in Drake’s
Anders Holch Povlsen, the owner of Danish fashion giant Bestseller Group and the largest shareholder of e-commerce retailer Asos, has snapped up a majority stake in British menswear brand Drake’s. New Companies House filings have revealed that a 75 percent stake in Drake’s has been transferred to 28.10.2025 Limited, a firm overseen by Povlsen....
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Asos adds Noughts & Kisses to brand portfolio
E-commerce giant Asos has reportedly acquired Noughts & Kisses and is preparing to launch the fashion brand on its site later in 2026. The news was confirmed to Drapers by Noughts & Kisses founder Jemma Bramley, who said the retailer’s customer “aligns closely” with Asos’ own. “Asos is the perfect next step for us because it expands our reach...
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Phoebe Philo forecasts threefold revenue increase in 2025 as growth accelerates
Phoebe Philo’s return to the industry in 2023 with an independent label bearing her name was one of the most closely observed developments in modern fashion. Insiders took interest in not only the creative significance of a seasoned designer establishing control over her output, but also the business model behind it. The brand launched with a...
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Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop due to enter administration
The parent company of Claire’s and The Original Factory Shop (TOFS) is preparing to enter the two retailers into administration. Private equity firm Modella Capital said the current climate was “extremely challenging” for high street retailers, particularly due to “an alarming drop-off in pre-Christmas footfall”. In a statement to The Guardian,...
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China eases tariffs on certain textile and leather products
The Chinese government has introduced a reduction to tariffs on certain raw materials, including strategic inputs for textiles and leather, as it looks to bolster its position as a key sourcing hub. The new plan, which came into effect January 1, 2026, was approved by the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council and published by China’s...
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Bain Capital secures majority stake in South Korea’s Echo Marketing
US private equity firm Bain Capital has snapped up a majority stake in Echo Marketing, the South Korean parent company of activewear brand Andar. The stake, valued at 344 million dollars, reflects Bain’s efforts to expand its presence in consumer brands, particularly in South Korea’s athleisure sector. A regulatory filing seen by Reuters stated...
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Tesco launches on New York’s OTCQX
Supermarket giant Tesco has broadened its reach to US investors by listing on New York’s OTCQX Best Market. The company, which can be found under the symbols ‘TSCDY’ and ‘TSCFD’, has been upgraded from the Pink Limited Market. By listing on this platform, Tesco joins a number of UK-based companies seeking to provide “transparent trading” for US...
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Farfetch owner Coupang to dish out 1.2 billion dollars in compensation following cyber attack
Coupang, the parent company of Farfetch, has said it will be dishing out approximately 1.685 trillion won (around 1.2 billion dollars) in compensation to customers impacted by a cyber incident that saw 33.7 million accounts accessed. In an SEC filing, Coupang stated that starting January 15 vouchers will be issued via a customer compensation...
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Seasalt preps retail expansion, eyes EU opportunities
Cornish retailer Seasalt is preparing for an expansion this year despite tackling a challenging business environment that doesn’t seem likely to subside. The company has confirmed to The Times that it is in the final stages of signing three new store openings in 2026, with further locations also on the cards. Seasalt is particularly targeting...
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Asda appoints chief information officer
British supermarket giant Asda has named Cal Corcoran as its new group chief information officer. Corcoran, who joined the company January 5, has been tasked with leading Asda’s technology and data teams, specifically as it develops and optimises its systems following a separation from Walmart. In a press release, Asda said Corcoran brings a...
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