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.
StockX launches auction feature for collectibles
Resale marketplace StockX has introduced a new bidding feature for sought-after collectibles underlining its commitment to offering rare, hard-to-find items. Dubbed ‘StockX Auctions’, the new function enables exclusive premium bidding on a curated selection of products, from game-worn sneakers to pop-culture memorabilia. The inaugural action,...
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US holiday sales forecast to surpass one trillion dollars for first time
The US’ National Retail Federation (NRF) has outlined its annual holiday forecast for the November and December shopping season, during which it is anticipating record figures despite notable headwinds throughout the year. According to the organisation, retail sales for the final two months of 2025 will grow between 3.7 and 4.2 percent compared...
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Lingerie label Peachaus secures investment from former Matalan CEO
Angus Monro, the former chief executive officer for Matalan, has joined Peachaus as acting chairman after investing 250,000 pounds in the lingerie label. Monro, who has also held various positions at THG and B&Q, is hoping to back the brand’s founder, former Topshop fashion director Gillian Ridley Whittle, in her mission of providing more...
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Shein looks to double profit to two billion dollars despite tariff headwinds
Chinese fast fashion platform Shein is said to be on track to make two billion dollars in profit for this year, doubling what it made in 2024. The uptick comes despite a challenging landscape driven by US tariffs, which the retailer has worked to mitigate through cost-cutting and price rises. According to Bloomberg, Shein is forecasting a...
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Saks Off 5th to close select locations in 2026
Luxury retail group Saks Global has confirmed plans to close select locations among its Saks Off 5th portfolio. The decision comes as part of a wider review underway at the business, which is shuffling its structure both among its retail network and its leadership in an effort to improve financial performance. In a statement to FashionUnited, a...
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Skims names Dawn Vitale chief merchandising officer amid global expansion
Shapewear and apparel brand Skims has appointed Dawn Vitale as its new chief merchandising officer, a move that intends to reflect the next stages in its ongoing international expansion. Vitale joins Skims from Levi Strauss & Co., where she spent six years, initially as vice president before being promoted chief merchandising officer for the...
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Gap returns to UK retail market with refreshed store concept
Gap has officially returned to brick and mortar retail in the UK with the opening of a store in Covent Garden, London. The new site, due to open November 7, marks a return to the area for the brand, which had previously shuttered its UK retail network in 2021. Located at Long Acre 30 to 31, the store spans 3,250 square feet across two floors,...
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Nobody’s Child becomes B Corp certified
Womenswear label Nobody’s Child has secured a B Corp certification after a rigorous review of the business. The brand, which is celebrating its 10 year anniversary, revealed the news on its Instagram page, where it said it was “now part of a global community of businesses that meet high verified standards of social and environmental performance,...
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Marks & Spencer taps Zalando’s B2B unit to handle European orders
British department store giant Marks & Spencer (M&S) has extended its partnership with Zalando, tapping the multibrand platform’s B2B logistics unit to operate its orders across continental Europe. Zalando’s Zeos division will now handle M&S’ online direct-to-consumer business in the region, delivering orders across 21 markets. The latest...
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Victoria’s Secret faces renewed pressure from billionaire investor
Victoria’s Secret is facing heightened pressure from billionaire investor Brett Blundy, who is continuing to pursue a place on the lingerie giant’s board. Blundy – chairman of BBRC International Pte Limited (BBRC), which owns a 12.9 percent stake in Victoria’s Secret – is accusing the brand and its leadership team of shutting him off from being...
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