International News - Speedy fashion brands set to grab top spots

Fast-fashion retailers have become the driving force of European fashion and are set to overtake market leaders.

H&M, Zara and Mango are climbing up the European retail ranks, putting pressure on traditional retailers such as C&A, Vroom & Dreesman and Marks & Spencer (M&S), according to Mintel research.

H&M is the pack leader, with sales growth of 91 per cent between 1998 and 2002, when sales reached EUR4.7 billion (£3.3 billion). The third- largest clothing retailer in Europe, H&M is likely to overtake C&A at number two.

M&S is the biggest clothing retailer in Europe at present.