Click to read the December 2023 digital edition
The list recognises those in UK fashion retail who have left the biggest mark on the industry over the last 12 months across a range of metrics – not just financial, but cultural, environmental, creative, and on representation, diversity and inclusion.
In a year in which soaring inflation, falling consumer confidence, global political instability and unpredictable weather patterns wreaked havoc for the fashion industry, business leaders pivoted and adapted to rise to the challenges before them.
Often making difficult decisions and cutting costs in some areas, there were many bright spots, despite the turbulent landscape. Innovation, growth and opportunity were in abundance across the sector this year as businesses expanded their footprints domestically and internationally, invested in their teams, product and digital capabilities, as well as some snapping up their competitors as the mergers and acquisitions market heated up. Find out who made the list this year.
Continuing with the “power” theme, we celebrated the biggest night in the fashion retail industry calendar on 15 November, when more than 500 professionals and leaders gathered at the HAC in the City of London for Drapers Awards 2023. Among those honoured were Leader of the Year Richard Price, managing director, clothing and home, at Marks & Spencer, and the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award, Mark Fenwick, manager of rock stars and former chairman of the Fenwick department store chain. Find out more about the M&S turnaround, boardroom bust-ups and burner phones in our interviews with them.
At the start of the “golden quarter” there were fears that retailers may not be able to make up the ground lost to unseasonable weather throughout the year, as consumers crushed by mortgage rate rises and inflation held out for discounts from Black Friday onwards. Read our analysis and retailer reactions now.
In another market-leading Drapers event in November, more than 150 top-level executives – including Primark CEO Paul Marchant, Dr Martens global creative director Darren Mckoy, Nobody’s Child CEO Jody Plows and Seasalt CEO Paul Hayes – came together at Drapers Inner Circle Summit to share their challenges and solutions for fashion retailers today.
Our review of 2023 looks back at the mergers and acquisitions, unseasonable weather patterns caused by climate change, and surprise appointments and resignations that dominated the headlines in a year in which clear blue water separated fashion retail’s winners and losers.
Independent retailers up and down the country look back at their trading year, and reflect on the threats and opportunities it has brought.
Lea Cranfield, chief buying and merchandising officer at End Clothing, gives her predictions for 2024
PLUS Autumn Statement disappoints, independents cut back on 2024 orders, Shein float possibilities, Asos diversity U-turn and all the latest people moves.
