Revenues at UK-based leather goods manufacturer Pittards dipped by more 45% to £6.6 million in the first half of the year, hurt by the impact of the global pandemic.

The ​JD Williams, Simply Be and Jacamo owner said its challenges have continued in 2020 and on Wednesday, the company updated the market on its six months to the end of August, saying product sales fell more than 20%.

​Budget clothing and general merchandise retailer Studio Retail has seen a “strong retail performance” continuing at its Studio operation, driven by strength in its online offer during the first half.

​The news just keeps coming from The Hut Group, the giant UK-based beauty retailer and technology company. On Wednesday, it announced that it had acquired Perricone MD, the popular US prestige skincare brand, for $60m.

Boohoo seems to have come through the pandemic in robust good health with sales and profits surging in its first half and expectations of more to come as consumers migrate online at a fast pace. 

Following a direct-to-consumer launch in August, the eponymous beauty brand fronted by American television personality Lauren Conrad is making its retail debut at Kohl’s.

The Greensboro, North Carolina-based owner of Wrangler and Lee, has revealed its first set of sustainability goals, unveiling strong targets concerning water usage, renewable energy and responsible sourcing.

The women’s outdoor brand best known for its slim fit hiking trousers is rebranding to Acai Outdoorwear and launching its largest collection to date.

Alphabet unit Google is said to be set to win EU antitrust approval for its $2.1 billion acquisition of fitness tracker maker Fitbit with its latest concessions to address EU antitrust concerns.

The New Zealand-based Kathmandu group, the surfing brand’s owner since the end of 2019, has published the data for its latest financial year. Rip Curl’s sales have slumped, though they recorded a post-lockdown rebound.

​Asda looks set to change hands, possibly as early as this week, with owner Walmart having entered exclusive talks with private equity firm TDR Capital. Walmart is expected to sell a controlling stake for over £6.5bn.

​As data become ever more important in a digitally-driven world, e-tail giant The Very Group has named Steve Pimblett as its chief data officer (CDO).

OneStock offered more evidence of the value of its technology solution this week saying that UK retailer Ted Baker managed to fulfil an extra 101,000 online orders in a year following a new omnichannel initiative.

Allbirds announced the closing of a Series E funding round of $100 million, which will help the footwear maker strategically enter new product categories sustainably. 

​Clothing brand Henri Lloyd has shifted its business model via a new focus on direct-to-consumer with third-party distributors and retailers no longer selling the brand.