British shoppers opt for diverse selection of models in marketing campaigns, says GlobalData

An H&M 2019 campaign for sustainable fashion.

A huge 71% of UK clothing shoppers would like to see retailers and brands use more models of varying shapes and ages in marketing campaigns, proving that despite retailer investment in this area, there is still a long way to go for consumers to feel adequately represented, according to GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

Chloe Collins, Senior Retail Analyst at GlobalData, commented: “Females and males aged 25-44 feel strongly on inclusivity in clothing campaigns, creating a need for retailers targeting these groups to increase their marketing efforts to stay relevant, or risk losing shoppers.”

Although many fashion retailers such as ASOS and New Look have extended their clothing ranges to cater for plus-size, tall and petite shoppers, more retailers must extend this inclusivity to their marketing campaigns. 

PURE LONDON catwalk shows in July 2019 at London Olympia showcased SS20 fashion.

Photo by Lucia Carpio

A model at

PURE LONDON

July 2019.

Photo by Lucia Carpio.

Collins adds: “More than 80% of women across all age groups said they would like to see retailers using more models of varying shapes, meaning retailers such as Topshop and Zara – which only use slim models in their campaigns and fail to offer ranges that serve those over a UK size 18 – must increase their body type representations or risk losing popularity. One retailer that has achieved this is online pureplay PrettyLittleThing, which collaborated with plus size model Ashley Graham, and selected rap artists Lioness and Ms Banks to front its petite and tall collections and a specialised ‘shape’ range that caters for those with hourglass figures.”


Despite significantly fewer males demanding models of varying shapes (56.6% males verses 82.5% females), demand was much higher for males aged 25-44 at 68.6%. 

London-based MOT Models has a division called RETRO in response to latest developments that the post-war baby boomer generation is leading the way in the world of luxury purchases.  Seen here are two of MOT's top models Remco and his father Aad Van Der Linden. 

Photo by Thomas Kettner.

Collins continues: “Menswear retailers serving this age group such as Matalan, H&M and Primark must strive to include a more diverse selection of sizes within their campaigns, as younger brands such as ASOS and boohooMAN have done. They should also follow Nike’s lead by introducing plus-size mannequin’s instore.”


According to GlobalData, greater age inclusivity is just as sought after by clothing shoppers, with 72.1% agreeing that they want a wider range of age groups showcased in marketing campaigns. This surprisingly declines in the over 55s, the age group you would expect to feel the least represented, but this is heavily driven by males. Women in all age groups would like to see more age inclusivity, with 86% of over 45s agreeing, in comparison with 82.6% of under 45s.

H&M announces bringing Product Transparency to Scale allowing customers to make informed choices.

H&M urges consumers to join its sustainable fashion future by launching transparency layer for all their garments on hm.com starting April 23.  By sharing extended details on where their garments are made they make it easier for customers to make more informed choices when shopping.

H&M's sustainable commitment began in 2013 when they were the first global fashion retailer to publish our supplier list online and starting in 2017 they tried out the transparency layer at a smaller scale on their Conscious Exclusive collections.

They are now taking this work one big leap further by launching product transparency for all garments on hm.com. In addition, the majority of H&M HOME interior products sold on their website will have this as well, according to their statement released today.

For each of their garments, H&M now share details such as production country, supplier names, factory names and addresses as well as the number of workers in the factories. In addition, customers can find out more about the materials used to make a specific garment.

“We are so proud to be the first global fashion retailer of our size and scale to launch this level of product transparency. We want to show the world that this is possible. By being open and transparent about where our products are made we hope to set the bar for our industry and encourage customers to make more sustainable choices. With transparency comes responsibility, making transparency such an important factor to help create a more sustainable fashion industry”, says Isak Roth, Head of Sustainability at H&M.

As of April 23, the transparency layer will be available in H&M’s 47 online markets. Customers can also access this information when shopping in their physical stores by using the H&M app to scan the price tag on a product to see its details.

Some Christmas retail cheer: Mintel forecasts growth of 4% for UK sales in December

With the Christmas countdown in full swing, retail researchers Mintel is forecasting some festive cheer for Britain’s retailers. Latest findings predicts that December’s retail sales will reach £47.7 billion (incl. VAT), growing a respectable 4% compared to last December, when sales hit £45.8 billion.  

Coal Drops Yard new shopping mall - a stunning new favourite retail destination in King's Cross, London, near Granary Square. 

Photos © Lucia Carpio

Sales through non-food retailers are expected to reach £23.5 billion (including £4 billion from online sales generated by physical stores); while food retailers will enjoy sales of £18.6 billion (including £1.4 billion from online sales generated by physical stores). And in the battle between the clicks and bricks, Mintel estimates that internet pure players (online only retailers), will account for £5.6 billion worth of sales.

Mintel December 2018 retail forecast: Non-food retailers (stores + online)  £23.5 bn Food retailers (stores + online)  £18.6 bn Online pure players  £5.6 bn  Total  £47.7 bn With online sales generated by physical non-food and food stores estimated to hit £5.4 billion, combined with the £5.6 billion generated by internet pure players, Mintel expects total online sales this December will be worth £11 billion.   Caravane, one of the upmarket retail shops in Coal Drops Yard, King's Cross, London Richard Perks, Director of Retail Research at Mintel, said: “We think that retailers can look forward to a reasonably good Christmas—not outstanding, but it won’t be bad either. While there are some reasons to be cautious, such as falling consumer confidence, there is no real sign of an underlying slowdown in retail sales growth. Retail sales have held up well this year and we expect the recent momentum is likely to be maintained, with retail sales growing at about 4% both in the final quarter of 2018 and in December itself. “While there’s been much talk of how the High Street is being undermined by online retailing, it still only represents a relatively small part of overall retail sales, with most shopping still taking place in physical stores.” Black Friday still stokes interest, but most Brits think discounts are overhyped Black Friday is now well and truly entrenched in the shopping calendar. According to Mintel research, last year nearly six in ten (57%) Brits browsed for goods during Black Friday promotions, while 41% made a purchase during the event. It’s proving a big hit with the nation’s 25-34s, of whom 75% said they browsed for goods and 62% made a purchase. While Black Friday has been synonymous with scenes of crowding bargain hunters, last year just 16% of Brits engaged with the event in-store, with the majority of shoppers engaging online  (56%). Electrical goods were the most  popular purchase, bought by 51% of Black Friday consumers in 2017, followed by fashion, which was purchased by 42% of these consumers. Overall, half (51%) of last year’s Black Friday shoppers said the majority of the purchases they made during the promotions were Christmas gifts. Meanwhile, a savvy six in ten (61%) Black Friday shoppers said they waited for the Black Friday promotions before making a purchase. However, despite the hype, some cynics remain as 66% of 2017 Black Friday shoppers felt the discounts were not as good as they’re made out to be. “While Black Friday has become a high profile retail fixture, retailers do run the risk of bringing forward festive spending, but at discounted prices. There is always a fear of missing out, so the actual outcome is the big unknown for how the retail sector will perform this Christmas. Given some evidence of growing disillusionment among shoppers for Black Friday, Mintel predicts that retailers would like to pull back from promotions for this event. We think that this year’s event will be no bigger than last year’s, and that means good news for the amount of money left over to spend in December.” Concluded Richard.

Photos by Lucia Carpio.

It’s International Women’s Day. Let’s celebrate the return to Power Dressing, Sonia Rykiel style.

The return of Power Dressing to the Woman. 
 Julie de Libran Artistic Director of Sonia Rykiel presented Autumn-Winter 2018-19 at Paris Fashion Week honouring the spirit of the late iconic Parisian designer Sonia Rykiel: “a spirit that encouraged women to live their lives creatively, individually, and out loud 
– and that includes me,” says de Libran.
The indomitable spirit of self-expression through fashion fuelled the establishment of Sonia Rykiel’s eponymous label fifty years ago, and it continues with Julie de Libran today.
Source and Photo: Sonia Rykiel.

Sonia Rykiel presented Autumn-Winter 2018-19 at Paris Fashion Week.
The artistic director explores the idea of a new Parisienne, a woman at one with the attitude and style of a city but who ultimately goes beyond it.

Sonia Rykiel Autumn-Winter 2018-19 

Above and below: Sonia Rykiel Autumn-Winter 2018-19 

Women are smarter shoppers than men, says relationship marketing platform, Optimove

According to new data, women save on average more than 7 per cent due to preferencing discounted items, according to relationship marketing platform Optimove’s new research, revealing that although women make 2.5 per cent more orders than men, their purchases are less expensive.

"women are without a doubt the savviest shoppers"

Roni Cohen, Data Science Team Leader, comments: “In the world of retail there has been a longstanding assumption that women will pay more than men, and with many retailers recently sticking a higher price tag on Valentine’s cards addressed to “husbands”, it is clear that this notion still exists.

“However, research from Optimove demonstrates that this is far from the truth. In fact, women are without a doubt the savviest shoppers, favouring discounts and remaining loyal to retailers which increases their chance of personalised rewards.       

Roni continues: “Retailers can best serve their female demographic by offering discounts up to 30 per cent – as women are found to buy in larger quantities than men, but typically spend less, offering this reduction aligns well with smart shopping habits and encourages brand loyalty.

“Our research highlights that women are more likely to return to the same retailer after their first purchase. But this shouldn’t be taken as gospel - if retailers want to retain their female customers, they must give them a reason to stay loyal.

“Engaging female customers with personalised offers and rewards, such as birthday gift vouchers or offering free delivery as part of a VIP service, is a great way to provide the treatment they deserve. If customers aren’t treated exceptionally - regardless of gender - they will inevitably go elsewhere.”

Sonia Rykiel Autumn-Winter 2018-19 

Fashion source and photos: Sonia Rykiel

ERDEM x H&M launching 2 November

By revealing that the next designer that H&M is collaborating will be ERDEM, the London-based label, you will know that floral prints will continue to be an important focus come Autumn/Winter 2017.  “I’ve always been fascinated by things that explore femininity,” says the designer, “whether it’s lace or flowers or the aesthetics of beauty.”

H&M creative advisor Ann-Sofie Johansson, designer Erdem Moralıoğlu (in blue), and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann together on location in England.  Image courtesy of H&M.

Designer Erdem Moralioglu is known for his exquisite romantic clothes loved by women and A-listed celebrities for red-carpet moments.  To be launched on November 2 in selected stores and online, the new collection ERDEM x H&M will celebrate the power of beauty by exploring historical references and personal narratives, and feature a full wardrobe of feminine womenswear, an accessories line and, for the first time ever, a collection for men.

H&M has also announced that visionary film director Baz Luhrmann will bring the collection to life through his unique storytelling in the new promotional film.

Erdem was born in Montreal, Canada, to a Turkish father and English mother, a twin with his sister Sara. He moved to London to study fashion at the Royal College of Art in 2000, before launching his own label in 2005.   His label has now grown to become one of London’s most successful, with his shows one of the highlights of London Fashion Week. He’s won multiple awards, including Womenswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards in 2014, and his collections are stocked in the most prestigious stores around the world.

Tom Dixon opens flagship shop in Hong Kong

The historic Hollywood Road in Hong Kong's trendy Soho where antique shops have traded high quality Chinese antiques for more than a hundred years - is now also the new retail home of the iconic British product design brand Tom Dixon, which opened its first standalone shop in South East Asia this week.

The duplex store takes a prime location on the island close to the dynamic city's business and commercial Central district, and houses the brand’s latest furniture, lighting designs and home accessories.

“With an acceleration of interest for our work in this region, 52 Hollywood Road emerges as the new epicentre of our latest expansion in Asia. The two-storey showroom showcases a curated collection of our core products where charred timber cladding and grey marble fixtures complement the concrete floor and walls, and serve as a fitting backdrop to our metallic tones of copper, brass and chrome,”   according to the designer Tom Dixon.

The ground floor of the Tom Dixon flagship offers a veritable Aladdin’s cave of home accessories. From bold table-top architecture to the scent of London itself, the copper cave houses a cabinet of Tom Dixon curiosities. Designed to engage and encourage interaction, shoppers are also invited to explore the versatility of the collections through a plug and play lighting track and the designers tool box engineered to demonstrate finishes, colour and fabric options.

The café, operated by Nodi, offers a selection of artisanal coffee, small snacks and the perfect meeting place for Hong Kong's affluent set and design enthusiasts to slow down and soak in the latest ideas in furniture, accessories and lighting.

Tom concluded: “As our second monobrand in the eastern hemisphere, 52 Hollywood Road is the launch pad for many extraordinary adventures in Asia.”

Over 40% of Millennials will gift digitally this Christmas, reveals new research

New research from the UK Gift Card & Voucher Association (UKGCVA) has shown that Millennials are pioneering the idea of ‘digital gifting’ this Christmas, with over 40% of Millennials planning to gift digitally through gift cards and vouchers this Christmas.

Londoners are the most tech-savvy gifters according to the research, with over a third (35%) intending to gift digital gift cards and vouchers this year.

The research, conducted by Verdict Retail, found that Millennials are the age group most likely to gift digitally this festive season, with less than a third (29%) of Generation X and even fewer Baby Boomers (17%) stating that they plan to do so.

The Christmas spirit also encourages consumers to gift digitally, with over two thirds (68%) stating they are most likely to purchase a digital gift card or voucher for someone during this period.

Londoners are the most tech-savvy gift buyers according to the research, with over a third (35%) of consumers in the capital planning to join in and gift digitally this festive season.

Gail Cohen, Director General of the UKGCVA, comments: “As Millennials are the most likely to purchase digital gift cards and vouchers during the festive season, retailers and other issuers of these products should look to targeting this sub-group with their gift card marketing strategies this Christmas.
Our research also found that Millennials are the most likely to purchase digital gift cards and vouchers full stop. As such, retailers need to be aware of this pattern when developing their marketing strategies, not only at Christmas, but year-round.”