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.
Long-term Walmart CEO exits, head of US business takes helm
US retail chain Walmart has announced the scheduled departure of its current president and chief executive officer, Doug McMillon. The executive, who took up the helm of the company in 2014, will retire effective January 31, 2026. John Furner has been named as McMillon’s successor. Furner has also been elected to the board of directors, a...
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Callaway to debut premium line under extended Topgolf and Perry Ellis deal
Topgolf Callaway Brands Corp has extended its licensing agreement with Perry Ellis International for Callaway, which will see the golf apparel label venture into premium wear and embark on a new phase of global expansion. Under the amended multi-year deal, first signed in 2009, the collaboration with Perry Ellis will now continue through...
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US to reinstate duty-free benefits for Guatemala and El Salvador imports
The US government has confirmed plans to reinstate duty-free treatment for qualified textile and apparel goods from Guatemala and El Salvador as part of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). In order to reestablish the agreement, both regions were required to commit to a number of changes regarding...
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Fashion's deforestation challenge: COP30 urges action among leather supply chains
COP30 remains ongoing in Belém, Brazil, where its close proximity to the Amazon rainforest has highlighted an urgency for businesses to act on deforestation risks. Heightened scrutiny towards some of fashion’s biggest players, alongside upcoming European regulations, has intensified pressure on the sector. Despite growing awareness, significant...
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Marks & Spencer becomes first UK brand to join Circulose as scaling partner
British department store Marks & Spencer has become the first UK Scaling Partner of Circulose, a deal that will see the retailer integrate the firm’s next-generation material into select products. The partnership builds on efforts by Marks & Spencer to reduce its reliance on virgin fibres and accelerate its implementation of circular design...
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New report finds Leicester garment exploitation claims overstated
A new review presented to UK Parliament has found that allegations of worker exploitation and modern slavery in Leicester’s garment sector were not supported by evidence from formal investigations. The report, ‘Lessons Learned from Operation Tacit’, published in November 2025 by the director of labour market enforcement, Margaret Beels, suggests...
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Skims valued at 5 billion dollars following new funding
Kim Kardashian’s Skims brand has secured 225 million dollars in new funding, valuing the shapewear and apparel company at five billion dollars. The latest round, which puts the brand ahead of the four billion dollars it was valued at in 2023, was led by Goldman Sachs, and saw further backing from funds affiliated with BDT & MSD Partners. The...
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StockX 2025 Trends: Asics remains market leader, football jerseys and coveted collabs dominate
The latest quarterly trend report by resale platform StockX has seen Asics retain the position of leading brand in the market. In ‘Big Facts: 2025 Trends’, which covers data over the quarter July 1 to September 30, as well as for the year to October, StockX said Asics’ growth continued, with quarterly sales for the footwear brand growing 45...
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Harrods marketing head moves to Dior
Gerard Duran, the head of marketing at Harrods, has announced his departure from the British department store. He will instead be taking up a role at LVMH-owned Christian Dior Couture, thus relocating to Paris, France. Duran took up the helm of Harrods’ marketing team in March 2022, overseeing all of the retailer’s divisions for brand strategy,...
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Columbia Sportswear appoints new co-presidents as part of succession plans
Columbia Sportswear Company has named Peter Bragdon and Joseph Boyle as co-presidents of the group. The duo will take up their positions immediately. Bragdon has been tasked with overseeing the company’s international businesses, as well as the Mountain Hardwear, prAna and Sorel brands. He will also continue his existing executive administrative...
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