Drapers Fashion retail industry news, trends and analysis
Power 100 2018
This year, we have shaken up our list of the 100 most influential people in fashion retail: we have looked at the big hitters in each part of the market, and weighed up their performance and influence against their peers.
The list shows that, although it has undoubtedly been a difficult year, there is still a lot of innovation, growth and opportunity in the industry.
There are some notable omissions this year. While 2018 has been challenging for many, New Look, Debenhams, Clarks and French Connection have had a particularly tumultuous time.
Arcadia Group boss Sir Philip Green and Ray Kelvin, founder and chief executive of Ted Baker, also fall off this year’s list following allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour, although the latter has launched an independent investigation.
Many of the heavyweights from last year make a deserved reappearance – JD Sports, Asos, Primark and Inditex, for example, have all had an exceptionally good 2018. Mike Ashley may be a more controversial figure to include, but his growing influence on high street retail – whether you consider it good or bad – is hard to argue with.
This year, we have introduced a section recognising the upcoming names in fashion retail, as well as the recent hires that we think will have a big influence on their businesses in 2019, and the famous faces influencing consumer trends. From the high street to online, fashion retail is evolving at a rapid pace, driving innovation at established businesses and allowing new stars to rise to the top. Read on to find out who made this year’s Power 100 list.
Click on the categories below to find out who is leading their field in this year’s Power 100.
As competition grows fierce on the high street, brands must do more to attract customers and drive sales. Unperturbed by a changing retail landscape, these brand bastions have embraced innovation to successfully adapt and diversify. Implementing digital initiatives and launching pioneering bricks-and-mortar approaches has kept these retailers ahead where others falter.
This category highlights the mix of fresh and long-standing brands that packed the biggest punch in 2018.
This year’s creative class defined 2018 with their industry-leading catwalk collections and season-defining trends.
While the success of brands such as Gucci and Balenciaga shows little sign of slowing, Off-White’s Virgil Abloh proved himself the king of fashion’s dominating trends: his high-low, streetwear-inflected designs influenced everyone from the high street to high fashion brands.
And 2017’s merry-go-round of designers moving to new roles also injected this year with a slew of fresh ideas, from Burberry to Givenchy.
Where luxury goes, the rest follow, and the leaders on this list have made an impact in their own businesses and beyond – whether through product trends or business innovations. These luxury leaders are producing exceptional sales and profit growth, rapid expansion or diversification, strategic acquisitions and inspiring innovations, with a particular focus on sustainability and tech.
François-Henri Pinault
Kering
Bernard Arnault
LVMH
Daniela Rinaldi and
Manju Malhotra
Harvey Nichols
Ulric Jerome
Matchesfashion
These footwear giants upped their game in 2018, with successful strategies that helped them to weather stormy conditions on the high street. A new partnership between Aldo and Kurt Geiger was particularly interesting, as it will underpin the former’s “aggressive” expansion.
As always, product is king, and Dune and Skechers were among the leaders in this area: their designs caught the attention of celebrities and Drapers Footwear Awards judges alike.
The retail leadership merry-go-round continued apace in 2018. These new hires will have their work cut out to maintain positive momentum or, in some cases, to dramatically turn around the fortunes of their businesses.
This section celebrates the leaders behind the up-and-coming brands, retailers and businesses making waves in the industry this year. All have enjoyed a strong year, whether they have received investment, experienced soaring sales, launched new stores or expanded into untapped markets.
All of these entrepreneurs offer a unique proposition that perfectly appeals to their target consumer, from In the Style’s celebrity-focused and trend-driven fast fashion range to Me + Em’s pared-back, affordable luxury. These are businesses on the rise.
Fashion and celebrity go hand in hand: designers rely on star power to show off their creations, and celebrities influence the high street as retailers rush to copy influential outfits. Here are this year’s biggest names.
