Mike Ashley’s Frasers Says It’s Taken Control of Hugo Boss
The British retail group has pushed its stake in the German apparel brand above 50 percent in a move that will turn Hugo Boss into a subsidiary of Frasers.
technology / Data
Technology
The Reason Your AI Investments Aren’t Paying Off
Investment in artificial intelligence promises to help fashion companies work faster, smarter and more efficiently, but one key obstacle stands in the way of good returns.
Technology
10 Problems AI Can Help Fashion Solve
Here's how fashion brands are deploying artificial intelligence to tackle real business problems and work faster, smarter and more efficiently.
Technology
Explainer: How Fashion Brands Should Prepare for Mandatory Digital Product Passports
The deadline for every fashion item sold in the EU to have its own digital identity is inching closer. Brands need to get ready.
Technology
Generative AI Is Revolutionising Virtual Try-On. Will Shoppers Use It?
Open-sourced large language models have made it easier to create realistic images of online shoppers in outfits before they buy them. The next challenge is getting people to actually use the technology.
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Technology
How Small Brands Are Learning to Love AI
Startups are starting to use AI for everything from retail planning to inventory management, while mostly keeping the technology away from the creative parts of their business.
Technology
The Fashion AI Startups to Watch
BoF highlights 17 AI-powered startups that have raised more than $400 million in the last five years by offering design, operation and shopping services that promise to help brands and retailers reduce costs and increase innovation.
Technology
What It Will Take for Consumers to Let AI Shop For Them
A new class of AI-powered shopping platforms is launching agents that can shop on consumers’ behalf. But they'll have to compete with big tech players in the race to get the average consumer to use the technology.
Technology
The Latest AI Fashion Controversy
J.Crew is the latest brand caught up in AI drama, while fashion businesses may want to rethink how they're integrating generative-AI tools, according to a new MIT study.
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Technology
TikTok Is Restoring Service in the US
The ByteDance-owned platform allowed users back on its app on Sunday following President-elect Donald Trump’s promise to grant an extension on the ban.
Technology
TikTok Goes Dark for US Users, App Stores Remove Platform
TikTok on Saturday suspended its services for US-based users while Apple Inc. and Google removed the platform from their mobile app stores to avoid penalties under a new law, as the social media company awaits a possible reprieve from President-elect Donald Trump to continue operations.
Technology
The Best of BoF 2024: Finding Technology’s Value
Technology was forced to prove its worth this year as businesses sought practical use cases for AI and data analytics amid a tough consumer environment that brought a few high-profile businesses crashing back down to earth.
Partner Content
Solving Fashion’s $163 Billion Buying and Sizing Inaccuracy Problem
As competition for customers’ discretionary spend intensifies, smart assortment planning — from size predictions to demand forecasting — can help brands and retailers stay ahead. BoF sits down with Style Arcade CEO and co-founder Michaela Wessels to learn more.
The News in Brief
Shein Agrees to Pay $100 Million to Settle US FTC Probe
The settlement, equivalent to 44 percent of the ultra fast-fashion company’s second-quarter profit, is the latest blow amid regulatory and tax crackdowns in Europe and the US that have hampered Shein’s growth.
Kering Drops 12% as Luxury Braces for Tough Winter
The recovery long promised by luxury brands seems nowhere in sight, as the expansion of war in the Middle East, along with China’s tax crackdown on the wealthy, piled further pressure on the world’s biggest luxury conglomerates in the third quarter, and executives buckled in for a tough winter.
UK Retail Sales Fall 0.4% in September, More Than Forecast
Sales fell in September as above-average temperatures hit demand for autumn clothing.
Elle Launches Moroccan Edition
Hitting newsstands in October, the magazine marks Elle’s 51st international edition, published under licence by the Geomedia group.
David’s Bridal Plans Spinoff and IPO of AI Wedding Planning Platform Pearl
Pearl, a subsidiary of David’s Bridal, will own David’s Bridal and license its intellectual property back to the bridalwear brand. David’s Bridal CEO Kelly Cook will serve as Pearl’s CEO.
L’Oréal Sales Beat Expectations as Premium Products Surge
The French giant handily beat expectations on strong demand for hair products at salons and premium skincare from its dermatological division.
P&G Beats Revenue Estimates, Flags Bigger Hit to Annual Profit
The maker of Pantene shampoo was helped by strong personal care demand, but expects higher commodity costs to reduce profit by about $1.4 billion this year.