 By: Leonie Barrie - 7 November 2011 18:42
 By: Leonie Barrie - 7 November 2011 18:42Growth in US same-store sales appeared to cool in October as weather and economic malaise weighed on retailers, putting extra pressure on businesses as they transition into the crucial holiday season. Indeed, sitting between the back-to-school spending rush and the all-important shopping fest that lies ahead, it is probably not surprising the month's sales growth slowed to 3.9%, according to figures released last week.
Retailers have put the blame on several factors, including unseasonably warm weather curbing demand for winter apparel early in the month and a snowstorm in the north eastern US at the end of October keeping shoppers at home.
UK-based online fashion retailer Asos, meanwhile, plans to focus its energies on its international business - revealing that its overseas sales are worth more because they are exempt from VAT and are skewed towards higher-margin own label lines. The company has just booked a 66% hike in underlying pre-tax profit.
But Limited Brands, which operates the Victoria's Secret, Pink, Bath & Body Works, La Senza and Henri Bendel stores, has sold a controlling stake in its Mast Global Fashions apparel sourcing division to New York based private equity firm Sycamore Partners. There are plans to expand the unit, which will be spun off as a standalone company, leaving Limited Brands to focus on its intimate apparel, beauty and personal care lines.
On the footwear front, a World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute panel has largely backed a complaint by China that anti-dumping duties imposed by the European Union (EU) on certain leather footwear imports breached global rules. But while the panel said the anti-dumping duties were inconsistent with the EU's obligations under the WTO, it rejected most of China's claims of violation in connection with the original investigation and expiry review.
And Mexican shoe makers have been lifted by news that Tempe Grupo Inditex, the shoe-making franchise of the Spanish fashion giant, plans to triple its footwear production in the country. Meanwhile, other international brands such as Nike, Steve Madden and Puma are also mulling boosting their output in the Guanajuato region, which has become well-known for making high quality leather shoes.
Following a period of turmoil over the past year as apparel retailers, brands and manufacturers grappled with soaring cotton costs, this month's management briefing from just-style looks at the latest fluctuations in the market. Natural fibres and yarns still hold strong, there is talk of a rise in domestic yarn and fibre sourcing in the west, man-made fibres are waiting in the wings, and cotton supplies fuel the struggle between Indian producers and users.
But while China's domestic cashmere market appears to be booming according to figures released at the annual Cashmere World trade show in Beijing - rising costs cause concern. Cashmere experts have also attacked claims that their industry is unsustainable, and have greeted new China cashmere quality standards with scepticism.
 
 Photo Courtesy of Island RecordsThe Grammy winner?s red and white dress that she wore on the cover of her Back to Black album just sold for £43,200, or about $67,500, at a London auction, according to CBS News. The Fundacion Museo de la Moda in Chile purchased the dress that was designed by Thailand-based designer Disaya in 2006.
 Photo Courtesy of Island RecordsThe Grammy winner?s red and white dress that she wore on the cover of her Back to Black album just sold for £43,200, or about $67,500, at a London auction, according to CBS News. The Fundacion Museo de la Moda in Chile purchased the dress that was designed by Thailand-based designer Disaya in 2006. 
 
 
 Beretta/Sims/Startraks/Jeff R. Bottari/Getty/Jim SmealGetting dressed in the morning doesn't have to be a big ordeal if you're aware of how to dress for your personal body type. There are just certain styles and cuts that aren't going to be as flattering as others if you are trying to force it on the wrong body shape. People magazine took a look at some of
 Beretta/Sims/Startraks/Jeff R. Bottari/Getty/Jim SmealGetting dressed in the morning doesn't have to be a big ordeal if you're aware of how to dress for your personal body type. There are just certain styles and cuts that aren't going to be as flattering as others if you are trying to force it on the wrong body shape. People magazine took a look at some of 


 Straight from the Indian designer, get the fusion expression. Exotic mirror embroidered neckline with 3/4 sleeves cerise pink kurti tunic.Team them up with formal skirts or wear them to a casual picnic over jeans a kurti is the new word for comfort.
Straight from the Indian designer, get the fusion expression. Exotic mirror embroidered neckline with 3/4 sleeves cerise pink kurti tunic.Team them up with formal skirts or wear them to a casual picnic over jeans a kurti is the new word for comfort.
