Strict global regulations and enforcement actions have moved from a future concern to an immediate business reality. How large are the gaps between regulatory expectations and the fashion industry's current operational readiness? Supply chain solutions provider TrusTrace surveyed 57 insiders of fashion, apparel and footwear brands from 24 countries and compiled the findings in the report, “The Enforcement Era: Fashion's Compliance Readiness in Numbers”.

Brunello Cucinelli's results for the first nine months of the year have led the company to further revise its 2026 estimates upwards. The forecast has been raised from an expected +10-11 percent to a projected revenue growth of +12 percent at constant exchange rates.

Specialty apparel retailers in Canada face the sharpest pullback of any store format this holiday season, as consumers shift their gift budgets towards Amazon, dollar stores and other value channels. According to Deloitte Canada's 2026 Holiday Retail Outlook, published on October 14, 2026, net shopping intent for specialty apparel stands at -9%, while Amazon gains +9% and dollar stores +7%.

Interview

At the beginning of August, FashionUnited speculated what kind of consequences the European Union’s abolishment of the duty-free exemption for low-value packages may have. The replacement with a transitional flat-rate customs handling fee per tariff classification line resulted in parcel volumes dropping overnight while bulk inventory movement surged. This means that ultra-fast retail platforms have merely shifted their volumes from individual parcels to bulk warehouse stock. For the European supply chain, this means adapting to a permanent baseline of regionalised, high-density distribution.

Crowdfunding platform Kickstarter has launched a fashion advisory board featuring designers behind Collina Strada, Luar and Brandon Blackwood, as it expands support for independent fashion creators through its one million dollar Culture Fund.

Creative agency collective Platform6 announced on Wednesday the acquisition of Without Production, a Milan-based company specialising in the design and production of fashion shows. Platform6, which already operated in the luxury events sector through its entities Marcadé and Superbien (an agency specialising in the creation of moving images), now adds fashion show management to its expertise. Through this transaction, the group expands its geographical reach, building on its presence in Paris, New York, Shanghai, Dubai, Monaco and now Milan.

TFG London, owner of Hobbs, Whistles and Phase Eight, and Swedish fashion retailer H&M Group are investigating separate cyber security incidents, adding to growing concerns over attacks targeting the fashion industry ahead of the peak trading season.

US-based supply chain group Reshoring Textiles has completed the acquisition of American yarn manufacturer Sans Technical Fibers. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

CTR Group, the owner of fashion rental platform Hirestreet and resale marketplace Thrift+, has launched Zoa Group, bringing together its circular retail businesses under one umbrella to help brands recover value from unsold stock.

The Spanish children's footwear company Pablosky will no longer feature identifiable children's faces in its campaigns, proprietary channels and brand materials. The company, headquartered with its factory in Toledo, attributes this decision to the undeniable impact that social media and artificial intelligence have on the potential use of images of minors.

Canadian apparel retailer Roots Corporation (Roots) has announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a special resolution approving its plan of arrangement with US brand management firm Marquee Brands.

A collective of 10 polyester filament manufacturers in North and Central America has launched YarnProof, a supply chain physical verification technology powered by material authentication firm FibreTrace Technologies Limited.

CEO interview

CEO Interview

As announced at the 2025 Better Cotton Conference in Izmir, Turkey, the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) is now officially operating as a regenerative standard system.

This means reinforced farmer support through stronger requirements, targeted capacity strengthening and improved impact measurement. For retailers, brands and suppliers, it provides a reliable means of setting and meeting corporate regenerative sourcing targets, while BCI's traceable offering opens the door to product-level claims.

Keeping nature, farmers and industry in mind

“Our transition to a regenerative standard system is about unlocking a triple win for nature, farmers and industry. When nature thrives, farmers thrive. And when retailers and brands support those conditions through their sourcing and investment, they help build more resilient supply chains and future-proof the supply of cotton,” comments BCI CEO Nick Weatherill in a press release.

"As the world's largest cotton sustainability organisation, we are uniquely positioned to drive change across the entire cotton supply chain. That’s why we have spent the last year strengthening our system and creating the tools, frameworks and partnerships needed to promote regenerative outcomes at scale,” he adds.

Over the past year, a series of changes were introduced across BCI's system as part of the move. For example recent updates to its Principles and Criteria, which now require BCI farmers to adopt locally regenerative farming practices and set continuous improvement targets across key environmental and social indicators.

At farm-level, BCI has adapted its investment, capacity strengthening, assurance, impact measurement and member claims to better support and prioritise regenerative farming.

Digitally supported by Co:Farm platform

To support these efforts digitally, BCI has acquired the team and technology behind mobile and web application Co:Farm from Materra, a platform that enables more efficient field-level data collection and reduced administrative burdens for growers and implementing partners.

“Co:Farm is more than a technology acquisition. We are investing in the infrastructure needed to support regenerative agriculture and the transparency the market increasingly expects. Very few organisations can take an innovation proven with 10,000 farmers and scale it across one of the world’s largest farmer networks. Combining BCI’s scale and reach with Co:Farm’s technology and expertise will help deliver the data, visibility and assurance needed to translate regenerative ambition into impact,” explains Alia Malik, BCI’s chief commercial officer.

One example of BCI’s regenerative approach is the Gujarat Regenerative Agriculture Project, which was launched in partnership with H&M in India in 2025. Its aim is to increase support for farmers adopting or expanding regenerative practices. More than 12,000 farmers in Gujarat are currently being trained and supported through the project, with 1,764 receiving incentive payments in the first year of the project. To date, 1,700 metric tonnes of traceable BCI lint cotton have been linked to H&M’s supply chain, representing 50 percent of the project's initial target.

UK-based retail conglomerate Frasers Group (Frasers) has increased its holding in British luxury house Burberry Group plc (Burberry) to 7.42 percent of voting rights. The step follows recent incremental acquisitions, with Frasers previously disclosing a 6.32 percent position at the end of September, up from 4.16 percent earlier in the year.

French luxury conglomerate LVMH recorded revenue of 57.15 billion euros (63.85 billion dollars) in the first nine months of 2026, marking organic revenue growth of 2 percent year-over-year (YoY) despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic climate. Reported revenue changed by minus 2 percent for the period.

Interview Inclusivity has long been an issue in the fashion industry. For most e-commerce brands, showcasing their clothes on a variety of bodies comes with a high cost that few can afford. Generative AI promises to break that arithmetic, allowing a single garment to be shown on dozens of bodies without multiplying the budget. But showing more bodies doesn’t necessarily mean paying for them, raising the question whether these emerging tools are really solving the diversity issue or optimizing it away.

Next, Primark and Tesco are backing a new industry-wide programme led by NGO Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to redesign the UK’s textile collection system, addressing rising waste volumes and falling resale values put pressure on the sector.

Interview

British accessories brand Radley has appointed Lloyd Baker Leather Ltd as its new licensing partner for handbags and small leather goods, as its owner Gordon Brothers pursues an international growth strategy following the brand’s administration earlier this year.

Indian Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met senior leadership from US sportswear giant Nike in Milwaukee during the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting. Discussions focused on broadening the company's long-standing commercial relationship with India across domestic manufacturing, local sourcing, and supply chain infrastructure.

Consumer prices (August)

Canadian consumer price inflation was 3.0 percent year-on-year in August 2026, matching July, according to Statistics Canada (StatCan). Clothing and footwear prices rose 1.2 percent YoY, down from 2.4 percent in July, and remained below headline inflation. Clothing prices fell 1.1 percent YoY after rising 0.9 percent in July, StatCan said.

CEO Interview

The Karl Lagerfeld brand is partnering with Mexican developer Grupo Bosque Real to develop its first residential complex in Latin America. Located in Huixquilucan, Mexico, this 73-residence project translates the designer's aesthetic into an architectural context. This project joins other residential complexes developed by the brand worldwide.

After announcing the opening of its first café in Amsterdam last July, the Karl Lagerfeld brand (owned by G-III Apparel Group) is tackling a 38-storey tower. The real estate project will include 73 residences, including two penthouses and a ground-floor flat. Each apartment, with a surface area of over 475 square metres, will offer three bedrooms and large private terraces. The interior spaces were developed in collaboration with The One Atelier studio, under the supervision of Caroline Lebar, creative director of interior design at Karl Lagerfeld.

Pier Paolo Righi, chief executive officer of Karl Lagerfeld, explained in a statement: “Our partnership with Grupo Bosque Real gives us the opportunity to translate Karl's distinctive perspective into a whole new context, with our first residential project in Latin America”.

The interior architecture combines the fashion house's heritage with the natural and cultural environment of Mexico. The main lobby features a monumental brushed stainless steel library, 9.71 metres high, paying homage to Karl Lagerfeld's passion for books. Furniture from the Karl Lagerfeld Maison line is also used in the communal areas, which include a private cinema.

The brand states that the design favours locally sourced materials, such as basalt, tezontle and Tzalam wood, which contrast with polished concrete and artisanal terrazzo finishes. Residents will also have access to shared facilities including a swimming pool, a panoramic wellness area, a padel court and various reception areas.

The project's inauguration was held in Mexico City on October 8. Its completion, scheduled for early 2029, will add to the brand's international residential portfolio, which already includes developments in Lisbon, Marbella, Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah. As a reminder, the brand opened a luxury hotel in China (Karl Lagerfeld in Macau) in June 2023.

This article was written in part with the support of an artificial intelligence tool before being verified, completed and edited by a FashionUnited journalist.

Report

Movado Group, Inc. (Movado Group) has entered into a binding agreement to sell a 95 percemt interest in its Swiss luxury watch brand Ebel for 66.5 million dollars to a strategic buyer group.

Canadian apparel brand Aritzia Inc. (Aritzia) reported strong financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2027 ended August 30, 2026, driven by broad-based demand across retail and digital channels.

Japanese retail giant Fast Retailing Co., Ltd. (Fast Retailing) has announced financial results for the 2026 fiscal year ending August 31, 2026, marking its fifth consecutive year of record performance. Group revenue rose 16.6 ercent year-over-year to 3.96 trillion yen (25.03 billion dollars), driven by strong international expansion and steady momentum at Uniqlo. Operating profit for the full year climbed 31.7 percent to 743.1 billion yen, while profit attributable to owners of the parent company increased 25.3 percent to 542.5 billion yen.

US fashion group Levi Strauss & Co. (Levi Strauss) has reported net revenues of 1.6 billion dollars for the third quarter ended August 30, 2026, representing an increase of 4 percent on a reported basis and 5 percent on an organic basis compared to the same period in 2025.

Madrid – It has been exactly one week since the launch on October 1 of the first collection designed by John Galliano for Zara. The collection was set to be a turning point in the commercial dynamics of the Inditex group's main fashion chain. However, it has been met with a very cold reception from the markets. This is despite the latest analysis of the company issued by the US investment bank Jefferies.

Japan and US-based asset management firm Nexroc Group (Nexroc), alongside its entertainment and fashion holding company SVCV, Inc. (SVCV), is preparing to launch tender offers targeting American and Japanese fashion and luxury groups.

Puma has a new largest shareholder. The Herzogenaurach-based sportswear company announced on Wednesday that Anta Sports Products Limited has successfully completed the acquisition of the 29.06 percent stake previously held by French investment holding company Artémis SAS.

Nike, Patagonia, Under Armour, Lululemon, Cotopaxi and REI Co-op are among the founding members of a new industry initiative focused on reducing microfibre pollution across the apparel supply chain.

E-commerce giant Asos has confirmed it was hit by a cyber attack after thousands of customers received a threatening notification through its app on Tuesday, initially leaving the nature and extent of the incident unclear.

Making a pair of jeans is no small feat; in fact, it requires many steps. Not all of them are easily traceable or even visible. While the mills producing the fabric and the washing and dyeing businesses are on the radar — and the factories sewing the garments too, due to recent efforts — following the cotton is harder.

UK activewear brand Sweaty Betty has published its financial statements for the 53-week period ended January 3, 2026, reporting revenue growth alongside reduced operating profits following a year of structural transformation.

CEO Interview When Jackson Wirht and creative director Justin Saul bought Elwood Clothing in 2020, the skate label had been dormant twice and was leaning on heavy discounting. Their first change was a question. "We switched from the existing product strategy of 'will this sell' to 'will WE actually wear this'," Wirht told FashionUnited.

Swiss fashion retailer Metro Boutique has added the streetwear brand Iets Frans to its product range, becoming its exclusive brick and mortar stockist in Switzerland.

US-based smart eyewear manufacturer Innovative Eyewear has reported preliminary unaudited net sales of approximately 1.04 million dollars for the third quarter ended September 30, 2026. This represents an increase of approximately 55 percent compared to the third quarter of 2025 and marks the highest quarterly net sales in the company’s history.

Asos shares, traded under ticker ASC on the London Stock Exchange, have dipped more than 11 percent as of Tuesday at 12h20 GMT, following reports of a cyberattack.

Another day, another stripe case for Adidas.

UK-based Frasers Group, parent company of Sports Direct, has acquired an 8.78 percent stake in Under Armour, according to a Schedule 13G regulatory filing dated October 1.

On September 17, 2026, the Paris Judicial Court delivered a judgment in a trade mark dispute between French luxury label Louis Vuitton and French apparel firm Kamad Reworked, which manufactures and markets clothing made from authentic Louis Vuitton products.

Amsterdam-based eyewear brand Ace & Tate has reduced the CO2 emissions from the production of its frames and lenses by 43 percent in 2025, from 2,030 to 1,155 tonnes of CO2 equivalent. This is according to its 2025 impact report. The company's total CO2 footprint decreased by 10.2 percent to 6,446 tonnes.

Amid the broader implementation of the EU’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Ireland has published its own proposals outlining offences, penalties and enforcement powers supporting the regulation.

British retailer Dune London is reportedly exploring strategic options for the business as its founder and chairman, Daniel Rubin, prepares for retirement.

UK retail conglomerate Frasers Group has announced the launch of Frasers Group Luxury, a dedicated luxury ecosystem spanning the UK and US markets. The initiative marks the next phase of the group’s luxury strategy, integrating its high-end retail businesses, digital capabilities, and portfolio investments into a unified platform aimed at international expansion.

As circularity becomes a regulatory requirement, strategy consulting firm Kearney identifies four levers for integrating it into brands' business models.

US outdoor footwear brand Merrell and Sundance Collab, the digital learning platform for filmmakers created by US non-profit organization Sundance Institute, have announced a three-year global storytelling partnership. The collaboration brings the brand platform of Merrell, titled 'It Starts Outside', to life through social-first films created by international directors.

US sportswear giant Nike has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended August 31, 2026, reporting a revenue decline alongside lower net income.

CEO Interview Tommy Bahama sells camp shirts. It also sells beach chairs, furniture, rum, Airstream RVs, restaurant meals and, since 2023, hotel rooms in Indian Wells. Doug Wood, who joined as chief operating officer in 2001 and was named chief executive officer in 2015, says almost all of it came from the same signal: customers asking for more than the clothes.

Stüssy has selected Finnish retail planning software company Relex Solutions to connect its forecasting, replenishment and merchandise financial planning across its global operations.

Austrian fiber producer Lenzing has announced a fully underwritten ordinary capital increase against cash contribution with subscription rights for existing shareholders, aiming for gross proceeds of approximately 300 million euros (339 million dollars).

Interview The latest London Fashion Week edition marked the 20th anniversary of Fashion Scout, the platform led by Billie and Martyn Roberts to champion emerging designers and create opportunities for UK and international talent. Iris van Herpen, David Koma, Phoebe English and Tolu Coker are just some of the names discovered by the platform, which has supported more than 1,500 designers from over 70 countries in the last two decades.

Paris - The French Rugby Federation (FFR) has extended its contract with sportswear supplier Adidas until 2036, the two organisations announced to the newspaper L'Équipe on Wednesday.

The current contract linked the two entities until 2028 and will therefore be extended, and upgraded, for an additional eight years.

The FFR has been partnered with Adidas since 2024, after a disappointment with its former supplier, Le Coq Sportif. Adidas had notably proposed a special jersey for the 120th anniversary of the first England-France match during the 2026 Six Nations Championship.

Facing significant financial difficulties after the 2023 World Cup held in France, the FFR has since found some breathing room through the renewal and acquisition of partnerships and an increase in ticket revenue.

Madrid – On the evening of Tuesday, September 29, 2026, one of the most anticipated moments of the French president's two-day state visit to Spain took place. A gala dinner was held at the Royal Palace in Madrid, hosted by the King and Queen of Spain in honour of Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron. Just a few hours after its conclusion, a great deal has already been written and commented on about the event. The evening's co-stars were none other than the French multinational holding company LVMH and the Spanish fashion and beauty multinational, the Puig group.

Interview Dean Davidson, founder of the eponymous Toronto-based jewellery brand, is setting his sights on international growth, guided by lessons learned far from the design studio on the Canadian farmland where he grew up.

US fashion giant Revolve Group has invested 15 million Canadian dollars for a minority stake in Toronto-based activewear brand 437, according to WWD.

The presence of a consortium involved in the revival project for the Aeffe Group has been confirmed at Italy's Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), as part of the negotiated crisis settlement procedure. The luxury company, headquartered in San Giovanni in Marignano in the province of Rimini, owns historic brands such as Alberta Ferretti, Moschino and Pollini.

A project between Spanish hydroponic farming company Magtech and H&M Group’s Circular Innovation Lab is testing if cotton can be grown without soil using a closed water system and AI-powered monitoring.

UK circular economy and reverse logistics firm CTR Group has acquired fashion rental platform Hirestreet, bringing the rental and resale businesses together under one owner as it looks to scale subscription fashion rental nationally.

US Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), founder and chair of the Congressional Slow Fashion Caucus, has introduced the Textile Waste Reduction Act (TWRA), legislation aimed at creating the first coordinated federal framework for reducing textile waste and advancing circularity in the US textile industry.

Hong Kong – Fast fashion giant Shein saw its share price plummet by more than 11 percent during mid-day trading on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Tuesday. The drop followed the publication of lacklustre financial results the previous day, which were undermined by stricter regulations, particularly in Europe.

Hong Kong - Fast fashion platform Shein announced on Monday that its operating profit, or adjusted earnings before interest and taxes (adjusted EBIT), fell by 50.4 percent in the first half of this year, year-over-year.

US-based brand and entertainment platform Authentic Brands Group (Authentic) has announced a long-term partnership with US-based company W Heritage Supply (WHS) to design, develop and distribute Champion Pinnacle. The line represents the premium expression of sportswear, activewear, footwear and headwear for menswear and womenswear across the US and Canada.

Pepco Group expects full year revenue to exceed 4.5 billion euros (5.11 billion dollars). The UK-registered discount retailer released a pre-close trading update for the 51 weeks to September 20, 2026, ahead of its full year preliminary results scheduled for December 9, 2026.

Budget retailer Primark has signed a long-term purchase agreement with textile-to-textile recycling company Circ to introduce recycled polyester made from textile waste into its clothing from 2029.

On scored 16.22 million dollars in media impact value with the launch of On Football last week, according to a new report from Launchmetrics. Kylian Mbappé, who left Nike after 20 years to lead On’s football, was the brand’s top placement, with his Instagram post announcing the new partnership hitting 1.13 million dollars in MIV — MIV is a proprietary algorithm and metric developed by Launchmetrics to assign a specific monetary value to brand exposure and marketing efforts across print, online, and social media.

Australian womenswear group Cue Clothing Co has entered receivership and voluntary administration after a sale process failed to secure a buyer.

US-based fashion giant Capri Holdings could be on the market, with potential buyers understood to be circling the fashion group, according to WWD. The media outlet reported that Capri, which sold Versace to Prada in December 2025 and continues to own Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo, has connected with investors possibly interested in acquiring the business.

In the legal dispute over imitations of Birkenstock sandals, the Gelderland District Court in Arnhem, the Netherlands, has ruled in favour of the footwear manufacturer. The court has prohibited the food and retail group Lidl from selling certain sandal models. According to the judges, these models infringe on the copyright-protected design of the Birkenstock footbed, Birkenstock announced on Thursday.

The UK's Maidstone Borough Council is testing whether discarded textiles can be repurposed into pothole repair material as part of a new trial with sustainable materials company Recool.

The family behind H&M is slowly increasing its stake in the Swedish fashion group, sparking speculation that it could eventually take the retailer private amid continued turnaround efforts.

British retail giants Marks & Spencer, New Look and Sainsbury’s have joined UK charity Oxfam in partnering with textile development company Circle-8 to launch The Circuit, an initiative designed to develop circular textile supply chains using clothing collected in the UK.

The US-Africa Trade Desk (USATD), alongside the governments of Mauritius, Lesotho and Kenya, has launched the Trans-Atlantic Cotton Partnership (TACP) to strengthen cotton, textile and apparel trade between the US and Africa.

Superstudio Events, a Milan-based group active in the events and production sector, is entering the US market by acquiring a majority stake in Spring Studios New York Llc, the company that manages the Tribeca venue and its events business.

This week, the board of directors of Geox, a company listed on the Euronext Milan market, approved an update to the group's 2027-2029 industrial plan. The board also approved a technical change to the execution methods for any remaining balance due from Lir srl, as part of the financial manoeuvre defined on December 30, 2024.

Denim Deal is expanding its approach beyond making jeans circular solely through the use of recycled materials. The signing of a partnership with United Repair Centre now integrates repair into its sustainable fashion strategy.

US apparel firm Digital Brands Group (DBG) has announced significant revenue growth and improved marketing efficiency for its collegiate licensing brand, Avo.

In a statement released to the market last night, September 23, Iguatemi S.A. announced the sale of five stakes in shopping centres to the investment fund TRX Real Estate (TRXF 11). Iguatemi S.A. is one of Brazil's largest shopping centre companies. The total value of this transaction is 876.1 million reais (168.7 million dollars).

Interview

Paris, France - The Christian Dior holding company gained over 17 percent on the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday. This follows the announcement of a proposed reorganisation of the structure that controls the global luxury giant LVMH.

Abercrombie & Fitch has signed a multi-season partnership between its activewear brand YPB and the boutique fitness chain Barry's, producing a collection of six men's styles and 12 women's styles that reaches Abercrombie.com and selected Abercrombie stores on October 1, followed by Barrys.com and 75 Barry's studios worldwide on October 15.

Four years after a reorganisation, the Arnault family group aims to simplify the structure overseeing the global luxury giant LVMH. This move is intended to “ensure the long-term stability of its control” through several operations that will result in the creation of a single entity.

Madrid – Munich, the iconic Barcelona-based footwear brand owned by the Berneda family, appears to have found some initial relief from its difficult financial situation. The company has successfully reached an agreement with its financial creditors. It has reportedly agreed on a new payment schedule for a debt of just over 18 million euros (20.50 million dollars).

Out of 110 major fashion and footwear brands, 32 percent have publicly committed to a living wage for garment workers, yet only 4 percent are making tangible progress. This is according to the seventh edition of the Fashion Checker, the monitor from labour rights organisation Clean Clothes Campaign.

Adidas has signed a multi-year deal to become the official uniform and performance apparel partner of Unrivaled, the women's 3-on-3 basketball league, taking over a contract held since the league's launch by Under Armour. The partnership debuts on court at the start of Unrivaled's 2027 season, which begins in early 2027. Neither side disclosed financial terms or the length of the agreement.

Swedish apparel group Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M) posted a surprisingly strong profit increase in the third quarter of its 2025/26 financial year. Sales, however, remained virtually flat compared to the same period last year. This was revealed in an interim report published on Thursday by the parent company of brands including H&M, Cos, Weekday, & Other Stories and Arket.

US-based fragrance developer Interparfums, Inc. (Interparfums) has entered into an exclusive, worldwide license agreement with German sportswear brand Puma. The deal grants Interparfums responsibility for the creation, development, production, and distribution of fragrances under the Puma brand name.

US-based online personal styling service Stitch Fix, Inc. (Stitch Fix) has reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2026 ended August 1, 2026.

Farm Rio, a key brand within the Azzas 2154 (Azzas) group, recently dissolved its merger with Soma. The brand, which is now being considered for sale, is receiving non-binding proposals until the end of September. It is worth noting that following the demerger, Farm Rio will become an independent entity, with capital from both controllers, Alexandre Birman and Roberto Jatahy.