Christmas news and archive

Despite doubts over economy, Americans set for record holiday spending

Americans are expected to spend a record amount over the holiday season, despite lingering worries in the world's biggest economy about stubborn inflation, tariffs and the knock-on effects of the government shutdown. "Consumers remain pretty concerned about inflation and, there's no doubt, about where prices are going," Mark Mathews, chief...

Culture

Paul Smith announces festive collaboration with the Royal Opera House

British designer Paul Smith is collaborating with the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden for the festive season to celebrate “the spirit of creativity and cultural heritage”. The festive takeover is described as a first-of-its-kind collaboration bringing together “two icons of British design and the arts, united by a shared commitment...

Retail

Selfridges to host the “most magical Christmas” with Disney

British luxury department store Selfridges is teaming up with Disney to celebrate the festive season across its London, Manchester, and Birmingham stores, as well as online. Billed as the “most magical Christmas,” the festive collaboration will see Selfridges stores transformed to excite and enchant visitors with “festive wonderlands filled with...

Featured

Retail

Seasalt reports record Christmas sales

British clothing and lifestyle brand Seasalt, based in Cornwall, has reported a 10 percent rise in total sales for the five weeks to December 28, 2024, across online, stores, marketplace partners and wholesale. In a statement, Seasalt said it had set “new records for the Christmas period” across every channel, led by a “particularly noteworthy...

Member

Retail

December sales boost fails to save UK retail’s “Golden Quarter”

Christmas fails to save 2024 trading, as new data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG International reveals that UK total retail sales for the year increased by just 0.7 percent from 2023, while non-food declined by 1.5 percent. For the three months to December, known as the “Golden Quarter,” sales growth was 0.4 percent...

Retail

US Mastercard report: Sales increase over festive season, apparel leads digital sales

This festive season appeared to be a valuable time of the year for US retailers according to preliminary insights from Mastercard SpendingPulse, which reported a year-over-year uptick in retail sales in the region, with a peak coming in the final five days before Christmas. According to the data, US retail sales (excluding automotive) rose 3.8...

Member

Fashion

Happy Holidays from FashionUnited!

FashionUnited wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

Retail

Urban Outfitters and Gymshark among retailers accused of hiring festive workers without basic rights

A new report has accused a number of UK retailers of hiring young “freelance” employees via hiring apps that leave them without basic employment rights. According to The Observer, Urban Outfitters, Gymshark and Uniqlo are understood to be among those carrying out such practices as they fill out staff in preparation for the festive season. Such...

Retail

Shopping malls see comeback in pre-holiday surge

U.S. shopping mall foot traffic delivered a robust performance in November, signalling a potential renaissance for brick-and-mortar retail that could extend into the December shopping season, according to the latest industry data. The revival is particularly noteworthy for indoor shopping centres, which registered a 6.4 percent year-over-year...

FeaturedMember

Fashion |In Pictures

Christmas displays from around the world

With Christmas fast approaching, FashionUnited has rounded up the best of this year’s festive displays, from Sir Paul Smith’s takeover at Claridge’s in London to Selfridges maximalist take on the holiday season, Saks Fifth Avenue’s dazzling 100th-anniversary showcase in New York, Fenwick’s 12 Days of Christmas in Newcastle, Dior’s showstopping...

Retail

Target offers holiday countdown sale, Christmas Eve delivery

Discount retailer Target Corp. announced its Holiday Countdown Sale from December 12 through 14, and exclusive deals of up to 40% off through December 24. Further, Christmas Eve same-day delivery for orders are available for the last-minute holiday shoppers. The company is offering incredible same-day fulfillment options including straight to...

FeaturedMember

Fashion

Why gift guides have lost their gloss

Holiday commerce has gotten more tedious with the onslaught of the gift guide, which has devolved into a ubiquitous marketing mechanism that has consumers rolling their eyes and scrolling past. What was once a curated selection of thoughtful recommendations has become a relentless affiliate marketing machine, driven more by commission potential...