​Armani Group’s 2022 results have shown ongoing progress at one of the world’s best-known luxury names as net revenues jumped 16.5% to €2.35 billion and profit rose even faster.

Central London is the place to be if you’re renting prime commercial and office space. Demand is sky-high and in Wednesday’s year-end results, key landlord GPE referred to its “strong strategic positioning".

​UK inflation — including clothing prices — slowed again in April, although the rate remains high and prices continue to rise, which means consumers are thinking long and hard about discretionary purchases. 

M&S’s annual results offered more evidence of the strength of its turnaround with the retail giant reporting higher sales and headline profits, although operating profits were hit by tough comparisons and higher costs. 

One of the UK retail’s highest-profile execs — Richard Price, MD of Clothing and Home at M&S — is to join Fabacus, the data management and bureau service for the licensing industry, as a member of its Advisory Board.

Klarna’s UK boss Alex Marsh is stepping down from the buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) financier for personal reasons. A replacement has yet to be announced.

​Mallet London has been quietly reimagining its shoe collection in recent months with a focus on widening its appeal via the creation of new styles. And with this in mind it has unveiled a new shoe, the Neptune Sneaker.

Menswear brand Lestrange is opening a store in the popular Coal Drops Yard retail area of King’s Cross, London. The “impact-conscious” brand, which is “rooted in the principles of biophilic design”.

Joe Fresh has teamed up with Loblaw's in-house homeware brand Life at Home to launch their first co-branded collection with lifestyle maven, Jillian Harris.

After recently buying Zanotta, another premium Italian furniture and design brand, Cassina has opened on North Robertson Boulevard in West Hollywood a 1,200 square-metre store on two levels, its largest worldwide.

Free Market Los Angeles opened its first space with the opening of a pop-up art gallery. Several brands including M5, Museum Peace and Quiet, and concept store Alchemy Works should be part of the project. 

UK consumer confidence continues to move higher. From the record lows of late 2022, a steady recovery has gathered pace. 

Atelier Jolie aims to empower customer creativity by utilising surplus garments, promoting a fashion movement rooted in recycling, and actively involving refugees.

​Greenwashing isn’t only a problem simply because the authorities are focusing on it these days. It’s an issue for consumers too. They don’t like it and will shun brands caught embellishing their green credentials.

Shares in Italy's Italian Design Brands (IDB), a hub of Italian furniture and lighting companies, jumped more than 3% on their Milan bourse debut on Thursday.At around 1000 GMT IDB's shares were up 3.

​The result might not have been a good one for the UK’s entrant at last weekend’s Eurovision Song Contest, but Liverpool, which staged the event, enjoy record 2023 footfall and sales at its key shopping mall.