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Retail

Analysis and advice from the front lines of the retail transformation.

How to Launch a Fashion Brand in 2026

A new generation of startups is launching amid a lack of investor funding, a weaker multi-brand retail landscape and a broken supply chain. To beat the odds, they’re going even more niche to attract and retain overstimulated consumers.

How to Launch a Fashion Brand in 2026

A new generation of startups is launching amid a lack of investor funding, a weaker multi-brand retail landscape and a broken supply chain. To beat the odds, they’re going even more niche to attract and retain overstimulated consumers.


What Happens When Heritage Craft Meets Global Ambition

From handmade beadwork to woven bags, small labels that create products via ancestral methods must constantly weigh how to scale without sacrificing integrity.

What Happens When Heritage Craft Meets Global Ambition

From handmade beadwork to woven bags, small labels that create products via ancestral methods must constantly weigh how to scale without sacrificing integrity.


How Brands Stand Out in AI Search

To ensure their products are surfaced on platforms like ChatGPT, brands are turning to startups such as Profound, whose CEO James Cadwallader offers his view on what brands need to know in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2026.

How Brands Stand Out in AI Search

To ensure their products are surfaced on platforms like ChatGPT, brands are turning to startups such as Profound, whose CEO James Cadwallader offers his view on what brands need to know in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2026.


How Community Became Fashion and Beauty’s Strongest Currency

Today’s most resonant brands don’t just sell — they listen, co-create and connect with their consumers. In partnership with GGP, BoF examines how authentic community building is redefining loyalty in fashion and beauty retail.

How Community Became Fashion and Beauty’s Strongest Currency

Today’s most resonant brands don’t just sell — they listen, co-create and connect with their consumers. In partnership with GGP, BoF examines how authentic community building is redefining loyalty in fashion and beauty retail.


This Week: Lululemon’s Low Expectations; A Potential Tariff Surprise

The athleisure giant has struggled this year, but there are bright spots. And the US Supreme Court may or may not issue its decision on Trump’s tariffs.

This Week: Lululemon’s Low Expectations; A Potential Tariff Surprise

The athleisure giant has struggled this year, but there are bright spots. And the US Supreme Court may or may not issue its decision on Trump’s tariffs.


How Centring Community Kickstarted Kotn’s Growth

After growing a post-pandemic cult following and making a shift towards community-first brand building, the independent Egyptian-Canadian brand is now expanding its global footprint.

How Centring Community Kickstarted Kotn’s Growth

After growing a post-pandemic cult following and making a shift towards community-first brand building, the independent Egyptian-Canadian brand is now expanding its global footprint.


How Staud Churns Out Hit After Hit

After a decade in business, Sarah Staudinger’s brand is profitable, on track to hit $250 million in annual sales, with an even split between ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, wholesale and direct-to-consumer. She and co-founder George Augusto spoke to The Business of Fashion about how they did it — and what’s next.

How Staud Churns Out Hit After Hit

After a decade in business, Sarah Staudinger’s brand is profitable, on track to hit $250 million in annual sales, with an even split between ready-to-wear, shoes and accessories, wholesale and direct-to-consumer. She and co-founder George Augusto spoke to The Business of Fashion about how they did it — and what’s next.


Levi’s Answer to an Increasingly Complex World: Simplify

To weather tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty, CEO Michelle Gass reveals how the denim brand is streamlining its business and emphasising profitability in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2026.

Levi’s Answer to an Increasingly Complex World: Simplify

To weather tariffs and macroeconomic uncertainty, CEO Michelle Gass reveals how the denim brand is streamlining its business and emphasising profitability in the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2026.


Reinventing the Online Customer Journey in 2026

At BoF VOICES 2025, BoF and Amazon Fashion & Sports hosted a lunch for fashion business and creative leaders to discuss the future of discovery, loyalty and assisted shopping in e-commerce and beyond.

Reinventing the Online Customer Journey in 2026

At BoF VOICES 2025, BoF and Amazon Fashion & Sports hosted a lunch for fashion business and creative leaders to discuss the future of discovery, loyalty and assisted shopping in e-commerce and beyond.


Inside Toolio’s Vision for the Future of Retail Planning

Cloud-based merchandising platform Toolio provides fashion retailers with an AI-powered technology to optimise forecast planning and overcome excess inventory. BoF sits down with CEO Eytan Daniyalzade to learn more.

Inside Toolio’s Vision for the Future of Retail Planning

Cloud-based merchandising platform Toolio provides fashion retailers with an AI-powered technology to optimise forecast planning and overcome excess inventory. BoF sits down with CEO Eytan Daniyalzade to learn more.


How Brands Got Consumers to Shop on Black Friday

Despite consumer sentiment reaching an all-time low ahead of retail’s biggest shopping event, brands managed to entice cash-strapped consumers with concentrated discounts, new product launches and an emphasis on storytelling.

How Brands Got Consumers to Shop on Black Friday

Despite consumer sentiment reaching an all-time low ahead of retail’s biggest shopping event, brands managed to entice cash-strapped consumers with concentrated discounts, new product launches and an emphasis on storytelling.


Teen Retailers Win Over Black Friday’s In-Store Shoppers

Edikted, Brandy Melville and Kendra Scott were some of the busiest stores in the US on the official start to the holiday shopping season.

Teen Retailers Win Over Black Friday’s In-Store Shoppers

Edikted, Brandy Melville and Kendra Scott were some of the busiest stores in the US on the official start to the holiday shopping season.