Happy New Year 2014!

Photo: Nerine flowers at the RHS Wisley Garden, Surrey, UK.
Photo by Lucia Carpio for MY FASHION CONNECT.

Christmas jumpers at Amazon

Season's Greetings

Retailers need to adjust strategies to entice savvy shoppers

One of the Christmas-themed shop-windows at Fortnum and Mason on Piccadilly in London.

This Christmas, while UK retailers are trying to recoup up to 80% of their yearly revenues, they are facing tough economic conditions on the high street according to the Office of National Statistics.  Many hope that tomorrow Friday Dec. 20th being the payday will help shoppers make those last-minute shopping decicions.  While the retail environment is also changing fast, many shoppers are opting to buy online as opposed to going to the high street.

One of the Christmas windows at Fortnum and Mason.
Photos by Lucia Carpio.

Dan Wagner, CEO of Powa Technologies says, "The fragile economy has meant that consumers are much more selective about where they spend their money and retailers have been forced to embark on aggressive discounting far earlier to entice shoppers through the door.
"Consumers are much savvier and are actively seeking for the best deals not only on the high street but also via tablets and mobile phones.  Past loyalties can no longer be relied on and retailers need to revise their business strategies to address rapidly changing consumer buying habits," Wagner added.

Christmas Inspiration from Cath Kidston

Popular British designer for all things kitsch and nostalgic - Cath Kidston - has opened a new flagship store in Piccadilly, London.
It is one big Christmas store – all 7,000 square foot of it - all dressed up for the festive season in Kidston’s distinctive quaint way.  

The new flagship is in a great location just a stone’s throw from the iconic Fortnum & Mason.

In the store, you can find 20,000 items for all  in the family, from Christmas jumpers with a nostalgic Santa motif to sweatshirts, pyjamas, bags, knapsacks, toys, stationery, homeware, tableware, and furniture, plus special services that include bespoke furniture upholstery.

Not to be missed are her floral designs as well as signature “spot and star” and novelty prints and as well as the famous Cowboy motif.

Initially trained as an interior designer under decorator Nicky Haslam, Ms Kidston opened her first shop in West London (Holland Park) in 1994 after recovering from breast cancer in her 30s, with a start-up budget of £15,000.

Now 20 years later, with currently 61 Cath Kidston stores in the UK and 75 overseas, including a store which just opened in Shanghai this autumn, sales surpassed the £100 million mark for the first time in March this year.  Since 2010, the company is 60% owned by private equity investors TA Associates which is pushing expansion plans and is now planning to put it up for sale in 2014 with a price tag of £250million, which reportedly could see the 55-year-old Ms Kidston earn £50million from any deal.