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.
Marks & Spencer technology chief exits months after cyber attack
A new report has suggested that Josie Smith, Marks & Spencer’s chief technology officer, has exited the British retailer. Her departure comes months after the company faced a cyber attack that impacted operations businesswide. A memo seen and reported on by Sky News said Smith had “decided to leave M&S”, a statement that was then confirmed to...
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AEO, trust signals, and digital assistants: Adapting fashion brands to the new rules of AI shopping
AI commerce is quickly becoming a norm in fashion. As consumers increasingly turn to AI assistants for product discovery and recommendations, brands are being encouraged to rethink their approach to digital shopping journeys. Traditional search and e-commerce funnels are shifting towards AI-led experiences that prioritise speed, relevance and...
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Kingpins NY prepares for January 2026 edition, with Kering-backed denim lab
Kingpins is gearing up for its January 2026 edition, during which it will not only welcome back an array of leading denim suppliers, but also pave the way for emerging creatives championing sustainability at their core. The event will run from January 21 to 22 at Pier 36/Basketball City in New York, where exhibitors representing the global...
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Tiffany & Co. appoints David Ponzo as deputy CEO
Tiffany & Co. has appointed David Ponzo as its deputy chief executive officer. He will take over the responsibilities of the company’s former chief commercial officer Gavin Haig, who exited last year, in a newly expanded role at the LVMH-owned jeweller. The news was confirmed to WWD, to which president and CEO of Tiffany & Co., Anthony Ledru,...
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Tala CEO steps down amid expansion plans
Activewear brand Tala has lost its chief executive officer. Morgan Fowles has stepped down from the helm as the business prepares for expansion amid “record-breaking” financials. Documents filed with the UK’s Companies House revealed Fowles resigned on January 13. Tala has now confirmed her departure in a statement to The Times. The company...
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Liberty appoints new CFO
British department store Liberty has named Alex Pregnolato as its new chief financial officer. He joins the company from De Beers Group’s BCM business, where he most recently served as CFO, head of transformation, over the course of three and a half years. During this time, Pregnolato oversaw a simplification initiative designed to cut overhead...
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Bench owner Apparel Brands reportedly joins suitors for Russell & Bromley
Apparel Brands, the parent company of Bench and Nicce, is believed to have joined the race for footwear label Russell & Bromley. According to The Times, the group is among the parties circling the ailing business, joining the likes of British retail giant Next, who is said to be eyeing the brand’s IP, and Auralis, a firm led by Weird Fish CEO...
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Womenswear retailer Francesca’s begins liquidation process
US womenswear retailer Francesca’s is believed to have begun closing its stores after sources suggested it had launched a liquidation process last week. A bankruptcy filing is also anticipated. According to WWD, when contacted for a comment, a customer service representative told the media outlet that “we are liquidating our inventory and...
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Saks Global secures 500 million dollars in funding to support restructuring
Luxury retail group Saks Global has unlocked 500 million dollars of funding to support operations and transformation plans under its ongoing bankruptcy process. The financing is an initial tranche of a 1.75 million dollar committed capital the company secured when it filed for Chapter 11 protection with a Texas court last week. Saks said the...
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Topshop launches European site across 23 countries
Topshop is continuing its rollout, this time on the digital front. The British brand has now introduced a dedicated European website, launched across 23 EU countries. The Shopify-based platform offers curated edits, new collections, hero categories, and seasonal drops, expanding the availability of its refreshed identity. The EU platform serves...
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