UBS upgraded Gildan Activewear Inc to "buy" from "neutral" on improving margins outlook for the T-shirt maker and its strong performance in retail and international markets.

K-Swiss must economise this year. After having seen a plunge of 28% in its results during the last quarter of 2008 and having closed its French subsidiary after just two years of its existence, the sports shoe specialist is parting ways with the brand Royal Elastics.

Saks Inc sought refuge in cost cuts to post a smaller-than-expected quarterly loss amid falling sales as department stores lose customers to lower-priced outlets like TJX Cos Inc, which reported higher revenue.

"Borsalino”, symbol of the French detective novel, versus “Bernardino”: a battle is raging between the hat-makers which are both attempting to conquer the ultra-orthodox market in Israel.

British fashion retailer Bay Trading has been bought out of administration by clothing wholesaler and retailer Rinku Group. However, Bay Trading is still cutting 1,230 jobs, or almost 70 percent of its workforce.

Shares in Europe's No.1 fashion retailer Inditex fell 3% on Monday 18 May on market concerns about the company's first quarter profits.

U.S. shopping center and mall owners can expect to see a lot of vultures circling this year's International Council of Shopping Centers convention in Las Vegas.

Gap Inc's Banana Republic chain is testing a spin-off store specializing in affordable women's accessories, trade magazine Women's Wear Daily reported on Monday 18 May.

In the framework of the “Fashion Against AIDS” project, celebritites from the world of fashion and music have teamed up with H&M and the association of Designers Against AIDS. The objective: to fight against HIV and to educate young people.

Victoria Beckham has changed her partner, professionally of course. The former Spice Girl, who launched her label ‘dVb’ in 2007, has signed an agreement with Cutler and Gross for the manufacture of her line of sunglasses.

Shares of Esprit, the world's No.6 fashion brand by market capitalization, fell more than 6.7% on concern over its earnings outlook amid a recession in its core markets in Europe, in particular Germany, which constitutes half of its revenue.

Bollywood action hero Akshay Kumar was arrested Monday 18 May on suspicion of obscene behaviour during a recent fashion show in Mumbai, police said.

Alliance Boots, the country's biggest pharmacy chain, on Monday 18 May posted an 11.6 percent rise in full-year profit, defying a recession that has hit many of its retail rivals.

Diego Della Valle, the chairman and chief executive of Italian luxury shoe and bag maker Tods SpA, has acquired a 5.9 percent stake in U.S. department store chain Saks Inc over the last few months.

Woody Allen's ex-girlfriend Mia Farrow and his wife Soon-Yi Previn will not be called to testify at a trial pitting the movie director against American Apparel, a lawyer for the clothing company said on Thursday 14 May.