Independents

Independent retailers are hoping that warmer weather continues to encourage shoppers this bank holiday weekend, amid an uncertain trading environment.

East Anglia-based J&B Menswear owner Darren Hoggett has called on the government to ramp up support for small businesses as the out-of-town fashion independent celebrates its 60th anniversary.

Goodhood director and co-founder Kyle Stewart told Drapers that the cult independent fashion and lifestyle retailer is in conversations for further stores beyond its flagship on east London's Hanbury Street.

Womenswear independent Muse Boutique in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, has announced "the difficult decision to close" its Jackson Square store after 15 years of trading.

Independent fashion retailers in Ireland are battling "huge" impacts on footfall as a result of ongoing fuel protests which have caused disruption to roads, despite reporting a strong start to the summer 26 season.

The former head of buying for Coggles at THG, Ryan Haynes, is opening a new independent fashion store in Royal Leamington Spa, Warwick, next month, Drapers can reveal.

Mixed in-store trading and price-sensitive consumers underlined the fragile path to sustained sales growth this Easter bank holiday weekend (3-6 April).

Tyne and Wear's independent fashion retailer Jules B has completed a pre-pack administration.

Womenswear brand Little Mistress aims to increase margins for selected independent retailers following a strategic review of its wholesale model.

The run-up to Christmas 2025 delivered a varied trading performance across UK independent fashion retailers, underlining widening disparities in local markets and conflicting consumer confidence.

Drapers is delighted to announce the winner of the 2025 independents Christmas windows competition is Frontiers Woman in Edinburgh.

Drapers’ annual Christmas windows competition for independent fashion retailers across the UK and Ireland is now open – see the latest entries here.