Retail sales volumes fell at a “considerable rate” in September after posting strong growth in August. What’s more the decline in sales is expected to continue next month, albeit at a slower pace, according to the CBI.

An already bruised consumer confidence took a further hit in September, tumbling to a new low.. And with the Bank of England now suggesting the UK has tipped into recession, expect further dips to come.

British lifestyle and fashion brand Skinnydip London said it has enhanced its direct-to-consumer operations by partnering with Wunderkind and, specifically, accessing its performance marketing engine.

​In what has been called a ‘mini budget’, the UK government on Friday not only said that it would bring back VAT-free shopping for tourists to Britain but that it would be a better system than the one abolished in 2021.

​The number of small, independent fashion business — as well as those selling secondhand clothing — has surged in the UK in the past year, new data shows. 

M&S has set out a £15 million package to support its front-line workers in the cost-of-living crisis, introduced an additional autumn pay review for the first time, while extending wide-ranging wellbeing benefits.

It’s going to be the “world’s first luxury virtual reality shopping universe”, we’re told. And although the so-called Xydrobe universe doesn’t officially open until 2023, it has just started taking registrations.

​With the key festive selling season looming, Dior has announced that it’s paying “tribute to the unbreakable ties it has woven with Harrods over nearly 70 years, and to Christian Dior’s love of Christmas celebrations”. 

A third of high street businesses in England have missed out on discounts on their business rates bills.. Just 272,000 out of 400,000 businesses were able to claim a 50% discount on the commercial property tax.

​Upscale department store retailer Liberty has promoted buying director Sarah Coonan to the role of MD of retail, a post she takes up immediately.

​Beauty specialist Warpaint London flagged its latest results a few weeks ago but on Wednesday it offered up more details as it confirmed its figures for the first six months of the year.

​Puig’s Nina Ricci label has named London-based Harris Reed as its creative director, the youngest-ever creative chief at the 90-year-old brand.

John Lewis has appointed at big-hitter to take on the role of its all-new product director for lifestyle, covering fashion and home. It said hiring Zoe Matthews represented a “step-change in our business”.

Zillah Byng-Thorne, the chief executive of specialist media platform Future, is preparing to step down in 2023 after eight years in charge.

For John Lewis, charity certainly does begin at home. The Partnership has admitted it’s to redirect some of its marketing budget to help pay for food for staff struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.

More UK cities could see Selfridges branches opening with new owners Central Group and Signa clearly having ambitious plans for the luxury chain that currently comprises just four stores.