Spain’s Inditex, owner of clothing retailer Zara, yesterday reported better-than-expected quarterly profits, as its global fast-fashion business model allowed it to keep pace with local economic and fashion trends.

Next Plc has raised its full-year revenue and earnings forecasts as the UK’s second-biggest clothing retailer reported first-half sales that beat analysts’ estimates, helped by its push into e-commerce.

Swedish budget fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) said yesterday that sales in stores open at least a year rose more than three times market expectations in November as cold weather encouraged sales of winter clothing.

Two of Europe’s biggest fashion retailers, Next and Hennes & Mauritz, have endured a tough start to the year, hit by a combination of unhelpful weather and economic headwinds.

Gap, which drew legions of young adults in the 1990s with classic khakis and swing-dancing ads, is again banking on young, hip customers to resuscitate its sales.

FRANCE’S richest man and LVMH’s chief executive, Bernard Arnault, is in talks to buy three trophy stores on London’s most expensive shopping street for £300 million (€349.5m), from the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA), a source said.

Stockholm: Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer, said same-store sales excluding currency moves rose 10% in July, the fastest pace in more than two years.

The owner of clothing retailer Zara today posted a 25% jump in profits after a year of intensive global expansion.

Clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz today unveiled plans for further expansion after it posted forecast-beating gains in 2006.

Over 4,000 new jobs will be created tomorrow as the country’s largest shopping centre throws open its doors.

Clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz today blamed the timing of New Year for its worst sales performance in 15 months.

Swedish group Hennes & Mauritz is set to topple struggling Marks & Spencer as Europe’s biggest clothing retailer, experts predicted today.

Swedish clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz today disappointed investors with a lower-than-expected rise in sales last month.

The UK was today on course to become the second largest market for clothing retailer Hennes & Mauritz after turnover climbed 16% over the summer.

The Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) said a nine per cent increase in sales resulted in first quarter profit of SEK1.78bn (€191.9m), slightly ahead of forecasts and up from the SEK1.68bn (€181.1m) figure in the same period last year.

The Swedish fashion retailer Hennes & Mauritz is expected to open four outlets in Dublin, according to a weekend report.

Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), Europe's largest fashion retailer, have planned to increase the pace of its international expansion in 2004, despite weak sales in the fourth quarter.

Europe’s stock rally may stall next week over concerns about insurers’ cash holdings, while investors remain on high alert as war in Iraq progresses.