1. China’s coronavirus travel ban drives boom in luxury e-commerce, duty-free shopping: Many global luxury brands have begun adjusting their China strategies, because many Chinese who would normally shop abroad are spending locally. – Read More on SCMP
2. As western retail brands exit, Russia looks east for replacements: The Russian Council of Shopping Centres said it was negotiating with its corresponding representatives in the four countries about finding alternatives to western brands. – Read More on Reuters
3. Retail sales fall in February as Covid restrictions ease: After a buoyant January, retail sales fell back a little last month. There was a notable decline for companies that predominantly trade online. – Read More on BBC
4. New York Bill Would Give Fashion Models More Labor Protections: The Fashion Workers Act would require management companies or modeling agencies, which typically serve as intermediaries between clients and models, to register with the state and disclose their ownership. – Read More on Bloomberg
5. Softbank-backed Style Theory taps growing appetite for sustainable fashion among young women in Southeast Asia: “The environmental impact of fashion was starting to be discussed more, and together, we felt that there was something we could do to help the issue in Southeast Asia.” – Read More on SCMP