Karen Millen is a premium British fashion retailer selling womenswear. Founded by Millen and partner Kevin Stanford in 1981, the retailer initially sold white shirts. Since then, its product range has developed, but the brand is particularly known for its tailoring, coats and eveningwear. In 2018, it bought sister brand Coast out of administration. Less than a year later, both brands tumbled into administration and were bought in a shock deal by Boohoo. Since the acquisition, all Karen Millen stores and concessions have been closed, including those abroad. The two brands were relaunched as online only as of September 2019. Karen Millen’s older target demographic and premium clothing contrasts with fast-fashion retailer Boohoo’s typical customer. Boohoo is working to maintain the target audience and brand handwriting, while upping the SKU count to create a NastyGal-style success. The acquisition will act to ensure the Boohoo Group retains customers later in life.
Fashion etailer Boohoo has acquired office premises in central London that will provide a base for 600 people.
As pureplays Boohoo and Asos scoop up the brand rights to former high street darlings Debenhams and Topshop, switching them to online only, Retail Week gleans lessons from brands that have already ditched their stores.
Boohoo has been embroiled in scandal this year and has set out an “agenda for change” that will supposedly turn things around – but what will it really take for the business to undo years of ignorance?
Boohoo has wasted no time making good on its plan to snap up distressed fashion brands for a song in the post-pandemic retail landscape.
Boohoo has acquired the intellectual property of Oasis and Warehouse in a £5.2m deal alongside posting a jump in first-quarter revenue.
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