Kourtney Kardashian announces imminent arrival of her new collection with Boohoo

OHMYGOSSIP — Kourtney Kardashian Barker has announced her new Bohoo collection is dropping on Friday (28.09.23).
The pregnant Poosh founder – who is expecting a baby boy with husband Travis Barker – chanelled her punk rocker spouse in a Blink-182 tee, fishnets, an oversized trench coat and knee-high boots, seemingly all from the collection.
Alongside the snap of her baring her naked baby bump in the pieces from the line, she wrote on Instagram: “Boohoo by Kourtney Kardashian Barker. launching September 28.”
Despite causing a backlash for launching a sustainable line with a fast fashion brand, Kourtney – who is mother to Mason, 13, Penelope, 11, and Reign, eight, with her ex-partner Scott Disick – previously insisted she doesn’t “have all the answers” about the industry’s carbon footprint, which is estimated to account for 10 per cent of all global emissions.
She said: “I certainly don’t have all the answers, but for someone who has done a fast fashion line collaboration in the past, which didn’t get backlash because I was not calling attention to trying to make better changes, I feel proud about doing it with intention and purpose,”
“I went back and forth about doing this collection with @boohoo because the first thing I think about when I hear the words ‘fast fashion’ is that it’s bad for our planet. Boohoo approached me to be a sustainability ambassador, and though I knew it would get backlash because the two just don’t go hand in hand, I thought about the fact that fast fashion, or the fashion industry in general, isn’t going anywhere.”
The ‘Kardashians’ star asked for anyone with any ideas to come forward.
She added in an Instagram post: “I want to help and from my experience so far working with the team I work with at Boohoo, they do too. I will be elaborating on their changes, how we’ve made this line more sustainable, and what I’ve learned we as consumers can do to help… all to come!!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group ‘in talks to sell its Missguided clothing brand to Shein’

OHMYGOSSIP — Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group is reportedly in talks to sell its Missguided clothing brand.
The firm is bidding to offload it to online fashion titan Shein, according to Sky and the BBC, with the alleged talks coming only a year after Frasers took over the brand.
Frasers Group bought Missguided for £20 million last year after the online fashion retailer collapsed into administration.
Shein was founded in China in 2008 and has become a global giant in the world of fast fashion.
Human rights groups and Western government – including the US and Britain – have accused China of committing crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs.
Shein told the BBC in response to the accusations: “We have zero tolerance for forced labour.
“Our suppliers must adhere to a strict code of conduct that is aligned to the International Labour Organisation’s core conventions.”
According to Sky, a deal is likely to see Shein buy Missguided’s brand and other intellectual property, leaving the head office retained by Frasers.
Manchester-based Missguided was founded by Nitin Passi in 2009 and grew to become one of the UK’s biggest online fashion players.
Following supply chain issues, along with being hit by rising freight costs and increasing competition from rivals amid the cost of living crisis gripping the UK, it fell into administration in May 2022, before being picked up by Frasers Group.
Frasers also owns the Mike Ashley-founded Sports Direct chain, and has rapidly expanded by buying brands that have fallen into trouble. including Game, Evans Cycles, Jack Wills and Sofa.com.
While Mr Ashley is no longer Frasers’ chief executive, he owns a majority stake in the firm.
Shein now has its headquarters in Singapore and benefitted from sales booming during Covid, and was valued at around $66 billion earlier this year.
There has been speculation Shein will seek to list its shares in the US, but there has been a campaign in America for the company to face a probe over claims people from China’s mainly Muslim Uyghur population were used as forced labour to make some of its clothes.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

‘Sunglasses might be my favorite accessory when they’re the right shape for your face…’ Ozark star Julia Garner reveals fashion must-have

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Ozark’ star Julia Garner says “sunglasses” are her favourite accessory.
The 29-year-old actress – who plays Ruth Langmore in the hit Netflix crime drama – prefers to dress in simple outfits but can’t resist a high quality accessory and the right designer shades are a must for her.
Harper’s BAZAAR, she said: “I love a simple outfit—a T-shirt, turtleneck, jeans. But then I do love a bag and a shoe if I’m going to go a little extra. And I love coats so much – it makes an outfit look cooler. Also sunglasses. Sunglasses might be my favorite accessory when they’re the right shape for your face.”
Julia is one of the new faces of the Gucci Guilty fragrance collection, representing Gucci Guilty Elixir.
The parfum pour femme updates the original olfactory profile of the Gucci Guilty collection and contains amber florals, notes of wisteria accord and citrusy mandora, combined with tonka bean, rose and violet.
Garner feels like she “won the lottery” being asked to work with the luxury fashion house.
She said: “[The fragrance] is really celebratory, in a way, so I’m just really excited. I feel so grateful to be a part of, and welcomed into, the Gucci family.
“It’s so rare that you meet people as kind and talented as the people at Gucci, and they’re just so wonderful as human beings. I feel like I won the lottery with them. Every time I work with them, it feels like I’m celebrating something.”
The ‘Inventing Anna’ star revealed that the right scent doesn’t help her get into character for her roles, but that might be because her alter egos “would not wear perfume”.
She said: “It’s funny, because a lot of the characters that I’ve played would not wear perfume. If I were to incorporate the Guilty fragrance with a character, it would probably have to be somebody that is a really strong character, a strong personality. It has a boldness to it that I think I would put to a bold person, if I was playing that type of role.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

‘She’s like a pro when it comes to putting on make-up…’ Victoria Beckham praises daughter Harper’s beauty skills

OHMYGOSSIP — Victoria Beckham says daughter Harper is already “like a pro” at “putting on make-up”.
The 49-year-old fashion designer has 12-year-old Harper and sons, Brooklyn, 24, Romeo, 21, and Cruz, 18, with her husband David, 48, and the couple’s only girl is starting to experiment with beauty products as she nears her teenage years.
But unlike many young girls who endure make-up fails when they first start using products, Victoria insists Harper has a natural talent for knowing what works and what suits her face, and she already realises that less is more.
In an interview with The Daily Telegraph newspaper, the Spice Girls star said: “She’s like a pro when it comes to putting on make-up. But she also knows what’s appropriate. I wouldn’t want her going out wearing lots of make-up. But nor would she. Maybe just a small, natural-looking amount.”
Victoria recognises that Harper “went into summer 2023 a child and has emerged looking much more grown up”.
The pair have been bonding over their mutual love of make-up and spend hours experimenting with cosmetics with one another.
Those hours spent trying various products whilst spending the summer months in Miami – the home of retired soccer legend David’s MLS team Inter Miami – has allowed the ‘Wannabe’ hitmaker to perfect the new Victoria Beckham Beauty mascara.
She said: “I tried everything in the Miami humidity. Ours is the only one that doesn’t end up halfway down your face.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

I get talk show hives! Anne Hathaway’s body reacts to interview stress

OHMYGOSSIP — Anne Hathaway breaks out in “talk show hives” when she has to do interviews.
The 40-year-old actress may have appeared on the most exclusive red carpets, in the biggest movies and attended all the major awards shows, even winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for 2012 musical movie ‘Les Miserables’, but she gets very stressed when she has to appear in front on the cameras and talk about her projects and life.
Anne has revealed that stress causes a physical reaction in her body which results in her breaking out in hives, a trigger which happens when something causes high levels of histamine and other chemicals to be released in your skin.
Revealing about the other symptoms, she added to PEOPLE: “I go blotchy too. I have a makeup artist who evened me out!”
‘The Devil Wears Prada’ star is always learning new things about her body and after making a decision to give up alcohol in her 30s she has now had to adjust her diet now she has reached her fourth decade.
She shared: “Aging is just another word for living. And what you do with it from there is personal and up to you.I feel great — I feel better than I did in my twenties because I’m taking much better care of myself.
“In my 30s, I had to give up alcohol. I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t lead the life that I wanted while drinking. And in my 40s I’m finding I have to support myself differently nutritionally. I want to go back and talk to my 25-year-old self who felt like she didn’t have to do anything and just be like, ‘Oh honey, honey, there’s a whole other world out there and it tastes like an avocado.’”
Hathaway has two sons, Jonathan, seven and Jack, three, with her husband Adam Shulman, 42, and she has some words of advice for all the new moms out there, give your body time to recover from the strains of pregnancy and childbirth.
She said: “It takes three years for your body to fully recover from a pregnancy. I didn’t snap back. I want to be very, very clear about that. With my second it took every minute of those three years. Let your body be a body. There’s nowhere to get to. It’s just now. Be present and take care of yourself and don’t set expectations.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Gok Wan leads stars donating clothes to swap shop

OHMYGOSSIP — Gok Wan, Heidi Range and Joe McElderry are among the stars to have donated clothes to a swap shop.
Fashionistas can mark Fashion Month by heading to the Foxy Laundrette in Hull at the weekend to upcycle or donate old clothes for a wardrobe refresh, and they can even pick up an outfit with a famous former owner, as Ricky Hatton, Molly Marsh, Alison Hammond and Adam Collard have also handed over some of their garments.
Gok, who will open up The Foxy Laundrette on Friday (28.09.23), said: “I’m delighted that people are finally starting to recognise the real fashion capital of the UK.
“The North has delivered some of the most iconic looks of all time, and with the Foxy Laundrette, we’re bringing them to the wonderful people of Hull.
“This research said that over a third of you are waiting for your glow up moment… so what are you waiting for? Enter in your tired, old clothes and leave feeling fabulously Foxy-fied!”.
The pop-up was created after research from Foxy Bingo found Northern cities in the UK are setting the pace in fashion trends, with almost three quarters of Brits descreibing the north as fearless (35%), trend-setting (28%) and iconic (26%) in their fashion choices, compared to the conservative (23%) and boring (13%) southern counterparts.
Elsewhere in the survey, the late Princess Diana’s infamous Revenge Dress was named the top celebrity look, followed by Amy Winehouse’s retro style, Spice Girl Geri Horner’s Union Jack dress, Liam and Noel Gallagher’s parkas, and Sir Elton John’s sunglasses.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, topped the list of celebrity fashion influences, with retired soccer star David Beckham in second place. Supermodels Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell placed third on the list, with Gok himself in fifth.
All items of clothing donated will support a local charity.
The Foxy Laundrette will open 29 September from 12-8pm and 30September from 10am-6pm.
Tickets are free and available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-foxy-laundrette-the-uks-first-celebrity-swap-shop-tickets-709265691777

Source: VacationHunter.Online

H and M becomes latest retailer to charge shoppers returning items bought online

OHMYGOSSIP — H and M is the latest retailer to charge shoppers who return items bought online.
Customers now must pay £1.99 to give back parcels either in store or online – with the cost taken from their refund – but returns are still free for the fashion chain’s members.
Rival retailers such as Zara, Boohoo, Uniqlo and Next already charge for online returns.
An H and M spokesperson told the BBC the move was introduced in the summer, while retail expert Jonathan De Mello told the BBC: “It’s interesting that companies seem to be doing it by stealth, but it’s a sensible thing to be doing.
“It makes economic sense, as it discourages shoppers from bulk buying online products and then returning the majority of them.
“That’s been a real problem for companies.”
He also said even though some customers may react negatively to the charge, most would understand the need for companies to make the move – with
many shoppers are also becoming more aware of the environmental impact of deliveries, returns and ‘fast fashion’.
But Mr De Mello warned that it might spark a backlash among some groups of people, such as those with disabilities, who rely on online shopping.
He added: “Particularly in the cost of living crisis, retailers need to work harder to retain customers, as people are keen to shop around for the best deals.
“Loyalty is fickle, but if you can provide clear incentives, such as free returns, then you’re more likely to retain your customers.”
Shopping on the web spiked during the pandemic, but it has sparked a huge increase in the number of items being sent back because they do not fit, or were not as expected.
Retailers often cover the costs of online returns as a way of winning customers from rivals, and it takes up warehouse staff’s time.
Analysts said other retailers were likely to follow H and M in charging for returns.
The chain’s website tells shoppers they will not be charged the £1.99 fee if items are determined to be faulty or incorrect and urged customers to make sure to note that information when registering their returns.
It also says its members can continue to make returns for free.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Bonmarche gets new lease of life by opening at least seven new stores!

OHMYGOSSIP — Bonmarche has found a new lease of life by opening at least seven new stores.
The retailer, which caters for mature shoppers aged 50-plus, closed 30 stores after it collapsed into administration twice from 2019.
It has not opened around seven new stores with the most recent one launching this week.
Paisley in Glasgow will see a new Bonmarche open on Friday (22.09.23) after it
closed down earlier this year following its lease expiring.
Shoppers greeted the news with joy on social media, with many saying they “couldn’t wait” to get back into its shops.
The retailer is also offering a list of jobs through online recruiters such as Indeed.
Among the new Bonmarche locations are Bridport, Seaham, Crawley, Oban, Thatcham, Spalding and Kirkby.
Bridport’s new shop opened on 17 August while one of its stores has already opened in Warrington.
When Bonmarche first fell into administration in 2019, it put 2,700 jobs at risk.
It was then saved by Peacocks, but 30 of its around 300 branches were forced to shut their doors.
The business collapsed for a second time in 2020 in the middle of the coronavirus crisis when Peacocks fell into administration.
Bonmarche’s first store opened in Doncaster in 1985.
It isn’t the only much-loved chain to be opening new branches.
Last month, B and M announced several new stores across the country, with locations including Glasgow, Reading and Berkshire.
It’s also been reported The White Company, which has more than 60 stores around the UK, will open shops in five new locations by the end of November.
Discount warehouse retailers Costco is also planning a huge expansion in the UK with 14 more stores set to open in the next two years.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Christy Turlington ‘didn’t know the words’ to George Michael’s Freedom!

OHMYGOSSIP — Christy Turlington didn’t know the words to George Michael’s ‘Freedom!’ before she filmed the music video for the song.
The 54-year-old model stars in the iconic video alongside the likes of Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista, and Christy has admitted to having a last-minute panic before the cameras started rolling.
During ‘The Super Models’ documentary, Christy explained: “My very first scene that I shot was where you just see my eyes through, like, this cutout. You see my mouth, then you see my eyes, you see my mouth, you see my eyes. And anytime I dip down it’s because I don’t know the words yet. I’m not that great with lyrics.”
Linda also experienced something similar.
She shared: “When I got to the set and they wanted me to lip-sync, I didn’t know the words. I had to learn them very quickly in the trailer while they were doing my hair and make-up.”
On the other hand, Cindy remembers feeling that she had the worst part in the music video.
The 57-year-old model explained: “I just remember it being super dark and someone explaining to me that I was going to be in a bathtub. I was like, ‘Really?’ I felt like everyone else had a better part than me.”
Meanwhile, Naomi revealed that she negotiated their part in the video during a conversation in a Los Angeles nightclub.
The model recalled: “Basically, I’m in a nightclub in Los Angeles, The Roxbury actually on Sunset, and George is there and he comes up to me and he says, ‘So what is it that you guys want?’
“I said, ‘We want this much money and round-trip Concorde tickets.’ He goes, ‘And that’s it?’ I said, ‘That’s it.'”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Azzedine Alaia treated me like a daughter, says Naomi Campbell

OHMYGOSSIP — Azzedine Alaia treated Naomi Campbell “like a daughter”.
The 53-year-old model has admitted that the designer totally changed her life, explaining that he treated Naomi like a member of his own family.
During an episode of ‘The Super Models’, Naomi shared: “He introduced me to so much in the world. I met so many amazing people, I learned about art, architecture, design, most importantly I got to watch him work.
“I got to be part of his work, and he really treated me like a daughter. I mean, like, made me breakfast, made me dinner.
“We used to fight, don’t get me wrong. I would sneak out the window, go clubbing. They’d call and tell him I was in the nightclub, he’d come down to the nightclub, and before he would take me home, he’d say, ‘You wore the outfit wrong’, and he’d be fixing it. Because you have to imagine, the boutique was my closet. What girl of 16 years old has an Alaia shop as her closet?!”
Alaia passed away in November 2017, aged 82, and Naomi admits that she initially struggled to come to terms with his passing.
She said: “My papa was a genius. I thought my papa was going to live forever. I never imagined … I never even thought about him leaving.”
The model also acknowledged that he had a huge impact on her life and her career.
Naomi shared: “When he passed away, it was a shock to the system. My life would’ve definitely been different without him. He protected me in this business. He guided me.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Ellie Goldstein: Down syndrome has never held me back

OHMYGOSSIP — Ellie Goldstein has never felt she’s been held back by having Down syndrome.
The 21-year-old model has worked with some high-end fashion brands – including Gucci – during her time in the industry, and Ellie insists that the genetic disorder hasn’t stunted her career.
In her new autobiography, ‘Against All Odds’, Ellie writes: “My dreams have come true, and Down syndrome has never held me back. If you have someone in your life with Down’s or another disability, get excited about what they can do, not worried about what they can’t!”
In May, Ellie realised her dream of appearing on the cover of Vogue magazine.
The model admitted to relishing the experience of posing for the publication.
Ellie told HELLO! magazine: “I was like: ‘What? Is this real or am I dreaming?’ I didn’t get nervous on the photoshoot. I just felt wide awake and excited. I loved it.”
Earlier this year, Ellie was chosen as the UK ambassador for the first Barbie doll based on a person with Down’s syndrome.
The model admitted that it was an “amazing” moment in her career.
She said: “My heart melted a bit when they gave me the doll. It was amazing. The Barbie looked like me and my face. I stared at it.”
Ellie previously revealed that she felt “overwhelmed” when she saw the Barbie doll for the first time.
She shared: “Seeing the doll, I felt so overwhelmed – it meant a lot to me and I’m so honoured and proud that Barbie chose me to show the doll to the world.
“Diversity is important to me as people need to see more people like me out there in the world and not be hidden away.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Paris Hilton announces handbag and sportswear collection with ‘the perfect vibe’

OHMYGOSSIP — Paris Hilton is launching her own collection of sportswear and handbags.
The 42-year-old socialite and reality star is expanding her business empire as her own 11:11 Media brand teams up with IHL Group on a new range coming in 2024.
The initial collection will be followed by a spring 2025 range including footwear, activewear, athleisure, outerwear, sleepwear and accessories.
As reported by Women’s Wear Daily, Paris said in a statement: “I could not be more excited to bring my love of fashion to life in this collection.
“I have closets full of inspiration that span decades of looks and IHL has been a true partner in taking the trends I”m most passionate about and turning them into signature looks that have the perfect Paris Hilton vibe.”
IHL’s roster of brands includes the likes of Tahari, Jason Wu and BCBGMaxAzria, and the company are “thrilled” to have Paris on board.
CEO Sami Souid added: “We are thrilled to partner with Paris — a true definition of a multihyphenate.
“She has continued to evolve her brand — through activism work that empowers and inspires the next generation, to storytelling and partnerships through her integrated media company, 11:11 Media.
“We’ve watched her brand grow, and we couldn’t be more excited to be part of that continued growth.”
Souid noted taht Paris has been fully involved in the project as creative director, and stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s and “maybe even Bloomingdale’s” will be targeted.
He added that the collection is aimed at the young contemporary market and “new career woman”.
Hilton pondered: “Choosing a favorite look is like asking me to choose a favorite Hilton pet.
“I’ll admit that I’m most excited about the handbags because they elevate and complete any outfit and the designs are forward-thinking to ensure everything feels fresh and new.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Anitta chooses revealing outfits to show off her dance moves

OHMYGOSSIP — Anitta chooses her outfits to show off her bottom when she dances.
The 30-year-old pop star opts for a more practical style, typically sporting a pair of jean sports to let her embrace the funk carioca style by shaking her backside and put on a show for her fans.
Speaking to InStyle magazine about having to explain the issue with bodysuits to stylists, she said: “I’m always like, ‘That’s not good for showing the movement,’ and they’re like, ‘But this singer dude does it.’
“That singer doesn’t do baile funk. It’s not Brazilian funk dance.”
She pointed out that she needs to be able to twerk “hard” and show off her “bum bum”.
Generally, the star – whose real name is Larissa de Macedo Machado – admitted there is a dichotomy between her true self and the Anitta alter ego, including the way she approaches her style.
She hailed designer Jeremy Scott as “a sweet man” who “sees the kindness in everything, noting she can “feel his emotion” in his items.
She added: “I love the colors, I love the pop.”
At the time, she’s “obsessed” with Pharrell Williams and his collaborations with Louis Vuitton, while she is also a huge fan of the shape of Dolce and Gabbana’s clothes.
She explained; “Nothing wears so well as a Dolce; my body feels insane.”
When it comes to Ronnie Hartleben – with whom she works with frequently, including for the InStyle shoot – they are a good fit together because they both love “taking risks”.
He said: “[It’s meaningful] to work with such a strong powerful Latina woman. We always have fun taking risks and pushing the envelope with our looks.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

‘I didn’t know how to appreciate them!’ Anne Hathaway felt ‘badly’ about herself in certain outfits

OHMYGOSSIP — Anne Hathaway used to feel “badly” about herself in certain outfits.
The 40-year-old star has reflected on the way her outlook on fashion evolved as she’s learned to “enjoy” what she’s wearing.
She told PEOPLE magazine: “I was given so many things at such a young age, and I didn’t always know how to appreciate them.
“I felt badly about myself in certain things, and I didn’t know how to enjoy what I was wearing.
“Now I’m wearing things that I enjoy, and I’m wearing them gratefully — and that seems to be working.”
The ‘Devil Wears Prada’ actress urged people to be themselves when it comes to their style choices, and her team have the same outlook.
She added: “In this moment everybody’s taking risks and I feel like there’s more than one way to do it right now, which means that you don’t have to hit a mark, you just have to be yourself — and that feels wonderful.
“Erin [Walsh, her stylist] and I believe that style is an expression, and I trust her, which makes me feel like I can be braver.
“We don’t take it too seriously. This isn’t a dress rehearsal; this is life.”
Anne has signed on as an ambassador for Shiseido, and she has already started using their skincare products as part of her routine.
She said: “I’m really happy to have been exposed to Shiseido’s Vital Perfection [line].
“I didn’t know there was skincare specifically designed for skin in its fifth decade. I’m thrilled to have that extra bit of support.”
However, Anne does not consider it a compliment when people tell her she looks good for her age.
In an interview with Today, she recently said: “I don’t think about age.
“To me, ageing is another word for living. So, if people want to pay a compliment, it’s nice. But whatever the hype is, I’m interested in what’s beyond the concept of hype.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

Mel B reveals fitness secrets for women in ‘later years’

OHMYGOSSIP — Mel B has urged people to “embrace” body confidence and not be put off by the gym.
The 48-year-old Spice Girls star and her daughter Phoenix, 24, have teamed up with sportswear brand Pour Moi for the Own Your Confidence campaign, which is “dedicated to women celebrating women”.
As part of the collaboration, Mel has offered her fitness and confidence tips for women getting into it in their later years.
She said: “The good thing about getting older is you care less what people think so embrace that.
“Just go for it, make the most of it and enjoy it.
“It can be intimidating for lots of people to walk into a gym for the first time but remember people are there to help you not to judge you and just focus on what you want to do and what you want to achieve… climbing a mountain starts with small steps.”
She encouraged people to find a way to “incorporate weights” into their routines as they get older, as well as walking more often.
She added: “The older you get the more important it is to exercise but once you are over 40 you need to incorporate weights into your routine.
“Do what feels right and is sustainable for you – whether that’s 10/15 minutes a day or a couple of hours a week. And walk more.
“Don’t always take the car for short trips, walk, use the stairs, not the lift – it’s amazing how that can increase your general fitness.”
When it comes to managing expectations, the ‘Wannabe’ hitmaker urged people to remember the natural impact age can have.
She explained: “Expectation wise I think you have to be a lot kinder to yourself and you can’t snap back into shape like you do in your teens and twenties so you have to give yourself a bit more time.
“Definitely add more weights because you need to maintain your bones and your muscle tone but I’m someone who has always enjoyed fitness and exercise and it’s always been part of my daily life.”
Pour Moi is donating to Women’s Aid, of which Mel B and her daughter Phoenix are proud patrons.
For more information visit https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/own-your-confidence.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

H and M becomes latest retail giant to charge customers who return online purchases

OHMYGOSSIP — H and M has become the latest retailer to charge shoppers who return items bought online.
Customers of the retail giant now must pay £1.99 to return parcels either in store or online, with the cost taken from their refund – but returns are still free for H and M members.
Rival retailers such as Zara, Boohoo, Uniqlo and Next already charge for online returns.
An H and M spokesperson told the BBC the move was introduced in the summer, after online shopping rose strongly during the pandemic, which led to a huge increase in the number of items being sent back because they do not fit, or were not as expected.
Analysts said other retailers were likely to follow H and M in charging for returns, with retail expert Jonathan De Mello saying: “It’s interesting that companies seem to be doing it by stealth, but it’s a sensible thing to be doing.
“It makes economic sense, as it discourages shoppers from bulk buying online products and then returning the majority of them.
“That’s been a real problem for companies.”
He added that while some customers might react negatively, most would understand the need for companies to make the decision on the returns policy.
Many shoppers are also becoming more aware of the environmental impact of deliveries and returns – and fewer postal returns means fewer delivery vehicles travelling up and down with parcels.
Mr De Mello warned the policy might spark a backlash among some groups of people, such as those with disabilities, who rely on online shopping.
H and M’s website says customers will not be charged the £1.99 fee if items are determined to be faulty or incorrect and it urges shoppers to make sure to note that information when registering their returns.
The site also says its members can continue to make returns for free.
Mr De Mello added: “Particularly in the cost of living crisis, retailers need to work harder to retain customers, as people are keen to shop around for the best deals.
“Loyalty is fickle, but if you can provide clear incentives, such as free returns, then you’re more likely to retain your customers.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online