In the tumultuous year since Mike Ashley returned as chief executive of Sports Direct, the UK retail tycoon has stepped up his deal-making, snapping up everything from a lingerie brand to US sellers of outdoor gear.

Add a little spring to your indoors with these colourful hanging flower pots, I like the leather cord detail. 

EAT THIS

The proliferation of social media has led to a wave of digital influencers, whether it be through their blogs, Instagram, or Snapchat. Paula Burns finds out how they work.

Leah Hearne is from Cork city and is the co-ordinator for Cork County Culture Night which is coming up as part of the nationwide event on Friday, September 16.

Esther N McCarthy goes on a world tour at home and finds a bracelet that’s a real charm.

A primely-set Patrick Street retail unit, being vacated by long-established fashion chain French Connection, is up to let with a reverse premium incentive offered to a new occupant.

Ted Baker’s full-year profit rose by nearly a fifth due to strong demand for its offbeat fashions and the opening of stores from Mexico to the Middle East, setting the UK clothing retailer apart from its rivals in a competitive market.

Hamleys, the 255-year-old toy retailer, is in “advanced” talks to be sold to a Chinese women’s footwear business for £100m.

Fashion retailer French Connection sank deeper into the red yesterday after a poor sales performance over the spring extended into the following months.

Fashion retailer French Connection sank deeper into the red today after a poor sales performance over the spring extended into the following months.

Richard Fitzpatrick visits the massive urban sprawl of Mexico City which has a surprisingly spacious and uncrowded feel to it; however getting around isn’t so easy and taxi drivers will most likely take you for a ride.

With the autumnal weather fast approaching Paula Burns offers some advice for students ahead of the new term with some trends that won’t break the bank

Age: 39 

Improved sentiment on Wall Street helped blue-chip shares shake off worries over Ukraine and wipe out early session losses.

French Connection founder Stephen Marks said the fashion chain was on the “right path” after it narrowed annual losses and stemmed a sales decline.

Global markets took cheer after a key player pulled out of the race to head America's central bank, lifting hopes that the US will keep the printing presses rolling.

Loss-making fashion retailer French Connection has revealed that it is saddled with a number of underperforming stores that it cannot afford to close as it reported another sales slump.

Name: Lisa O’Mahony

French Connection has warned of more big losses after its UK sales remained in decline in the wake of softer trading in the run-up to Christmas.

Street Trend meets Belfast’s Tara Marzuki and Florence Gabriel from Cork.

French Connection said strong demand for winter-warmers helped halt sales declines, but warned conditions remained “inconsistent”.

A PRIME, good-sized store on Cork City’s Patrick Street has come up to let via Savills, at a market-savvy rent, after being vacated during the summer by Mothercare.

Fashion retailer French Connection Group, which has outlets in Ireland, has reported a half-year loss and said it expected to stay in the red for the full year, sending its shares down as much as 23%.

French Connection says it plans to close loss-making branches, after reporting a loss of £6.3m (€7.8m) in the six months to the end of July.

This week street trend meets Caroline Kelleher and Patricia Looney, both from Cork.

Jessica Ennis would love to front a campaign for Alexander McQueen or Victoria Beckham.

This week street trend meets Charlie Greig from Co Donegal and Frances Nash from Co Cork.

I spent my cash on bags, shoes and clothes. I’m a shopaholic but I’ve come ‘clean’ now, swears Katy Harrington

The trading woes at French Connection deepened today after the fashion chain warned it was unlikely to meet profit hopes for this year.

Only a few days until summer!

VISORS

London’s leading shares index lost its momentum today as a stronger dollar hit the heavily-weighted resources sector and dragged the market into the red.

French Connection's UK stores slumped to an £8.2m (€9.78m) loss today after a grim winter for the fashion chain.

The London market slumped 2% today as the increasing likelihood of a Greek debt default shook investor confidence.

French Connection insisted its recovery was on track today despite a near doubling of losses at its UK and European retail arm as it sold more stock on discount.

IF the Devil wears Prada, then God must shop in LK Bennett — alongside Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Angelina Jolie spent £1,500 in 15 minutes during a shopping spree yesterday.

A much-needed rally for London shares was sustained today after the US Federal Reserve helped to address some of the panic in world markets.

French Connection remained upbeat about its recovery today after seeing a “significant improvement” in sales since Easter.

IT’S 10am. My first day of work.

A TK Maxx hat, H&M vest, a|wear trousers, Topshop heels, a Hermes bag and mixed jewellery.

Shares in fashion retailer French Connection soared today after it said profits would be higher than its previous expectations despite the tough conditions on the high street.