The £335 timepiece, created in collaboration with luxury Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet, drew shoppers and resellers to Swatch stores overnight, with some customers reportedly queueing for several days in the hope of securing one.

However, scenes quickly turned chaotic on Saturday as large crowds gathered at stores and shopping centres including Battersea Power Station, Westfield, Manchester’s Trafford Centre, Cardiff, Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield and Glasgow.

Police dogs were deployed at some London shopping centres, while a dispersal order was put in place in Birmingham. A 25-year-old man was arrested in Cardiff and issued with a Section 35 dispersal notice.

At the Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester Police said officers were called shortly before 6am following reports of a disturbance. No arrests were made, but a large number of people were dispersed from inside the centre.

Swatch kept some stores closed for a second day on Sunday, including its Manchester and Liverpool branches, citing safety concerns for customers and staff.

The frenzy was not limited to the UK.

In Paris, police reportedly used teargas to manage a crowd of around 300 people outside a Swatch store, where security gates and a metal shutter were damaged. Queues also formed in several French cities, while police were called to intervene at a shopping centre near The Hague in the Netherlands after hundreds gathered outside a Swatch store that ultimately did not open.

In Milan, local media footage appeared to show a fight breaking out outside a Swatch store at opening time. In New York, shoppers described pushing and shoving at the Times Square branch, where some customers had reportedly been queueing since Wednesday.

The launch has also triggered a significant resale market. Although the Royal Pop retails for £335 in the UK and around $400 in the US, listings on eBay from UK sellers reached as much as £3,000 over the weekend. Some buyers in New York claimed to have resold watches for several thousand dollars shortly after purchase.

Swatch later urged customers not to rush to stores in large numbers, stressing that the Royal Pop collection would remain available for several months. The retailer said some countries may cap queues at 50 people and pause sales where necessary to protect staff and shoppers.

A spokesperson for Battersea Power Station said the site had seen “unprecedented demand” for the Audemars Piguet x Swatch collection and that the decision was taken to close the store in line with other Swatch closures across the country.

The incident raises fresh questions over how retailers manage high-demand product drops, particularly where limited availability and resale potential risk turning launches into flashpoints for disorder.

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The British fashion house posted a two per cent rise in comparable store sales for the year to 28 March, boosted by a stronger fourth quarter, when sales climbed five per cent.

Revenue fell two per cent to £2.4bn over the full year, although adjusted operating profit rose sharply to £160m, up from £26m the previous year.

Burberry said its performance was supported by growth in key markets, with sales in the Americas and China both rising four per cent over the year. Both regions delivered 10 per cent growth in the fourth quarter.

Sales across EMEIA were flat, as the group continued to be impacted by weaker tourist activity.

During the year, Burberry focused on improving its in-store experience, driving cross-category merchandising and increasing store productivity.

This included the rollout of 200 scarf bars, which helped the category outperform.

Schulman said: “This financial year marks a meaningful inflection point for Burberry. We’ve returned to profitable comparable sales growth, with a strong fourth quarter driven by momentum in Greater China and Americas.

“Our strategy is working and there are clear opportunities for further growth. As we look ahead, while mindful of the uncertain macroeconomic environment, our focus is on disciplined execution of Burberry Forward.

“With increased brand relevance and product authority, I am more confident than ever that Burberry is firmly positioned for long-term value creation.”

Burberry also confirmed that Gerry Murphy will step down as chair in November, after joining the board in 2018.

He will be succeeded by William Jackson, founder and former chief executive and chair of Bridgepoint Group.

The appointment follows a search process led by Burberry senior independent director Orna NiChionna.

NiChionna said: “We are delighted to welcome William to the board. He brings a broad range of skills and experience to support the next stage of our growth, including senior executive and non-executive leadership roles and a strong track record of leading and scaling businesses across international markets.”

She added: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Gerry for his exceptional leadership over the past several years.

“His stewardship during a period of significant disruption and change in the luxury sector has been important in creating a more resilient business with a strong platform for the next chapter of Burberry.”

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The store launched on 11 May and gives JD.com shoppers access to CHANEL’S fragrance, makeup and skincare ranges through the ecommerce giant’s platform.

The opening coincided with a key gifting period in China, covering Mother’s Day and May 20, which is widely known as ‘Internet Valentine’s Day’.

To mark the launch, CHANEL introduced several JD.com-exclusive products, including Les Beiges Healthy Glow Summer Essentials and Hydra Beauty Micro Sérum Lèvres.

JD.com said the partnership ‘reflected its growing role in the imported premium beauty market’, with more international luxury brands using the platform to reach Chinese consumers online.

The group said its beauty division had continued to deliver strong growth in international premium beauty since 2025, supported by its focus on product authenticity, delivery and customer service.

The partnership will see JD.com and CHANEL expand their collaboration with more launches, exclusive collections and limited-edition products for shoppers in China.

JD.com said the tie-up would help it continue to build a more premium online luxury beauty experience for its customer base of more than 700m consumers.

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“The Coach Charm Playground” pop-up, which will run until 22 May, has been designed to help “drive community amongst its growing Gen Z consumers,” The Industry Fashion reported. 

The initiative is described as “rooted in Coach’s spirit of playfulness” and brings its house codes to life.

The pop-up features an installation of Coach’s dinosaur mascot, Rexy, which has been turned into a slide.

A “whimsical” apple-shaped photo booth, which serves as a nod to the brand’s New York heritage, enables shoppers to “capture, create and share” photo printouts.

The space spotlights Coach’s “Tabby” bag, which has been reimagined as an interactive product display which doubles as a monogramming station.

Shoppers can purchase a selection of different “Tabby” styles such as pebble leather and quilted suede iterations, classic staple colours including black, chalk and warm brown, and exclusive colourways such as fuchsia and sky blue.

The company’s “New York” family of bags, including its “Empire” and “Brooklyn,” and its new “Kisslock” and “Turnlock” styles, alongside a limited curation of runway-ready ready-to-wear pieces and accessories are also available to purchase at the space. 

The pop-up features a charm and customisation station, holding a four-week residency with London-based tattoo artist The Social.

Coach SVP, General Manager, EMEA Matteo De Bortoli Albricci said: “Partnering with Selfridges’ Corner Shop is a key landmark for Coach as we continue to explore new and exciting ways to authentically engage with our UK community and strengthen our presence within the EMEA market.

“With self-expression and community at the heart of our global Spring 2026 campaign, collaborating with Selfridges on this localised activation allowed us to create a unique shopping experience within one of London’s most iconic retail locations, with the aim of redefining the retail journey for the end consumer.

“As part of an exciting strategy of continued expansion within the region, this activation allows us to bring Coach’s heritage to life in an immersive, community-focused way, placing our customers and icons at the heart of the experience.”

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The department store chain increased its wages by over 6 per cent to align with the Real Living Wage, which is £14.80 an hour in London and £13.45 across the rest of the UK.

The move coincides with the government’s mandatory increase to the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage starting from 1 April. Salaries were up by 4.1 per cent to £12.71 an hour for those aged 21 and above.

Selfridges joins various UK retailers such as John Lewis, M&S and Primark in rolling out pay rises for their retail staff.

The John Lewis Partnership introduced a 6.9 per cent pay rise for staff from April, increasing its minimum hourly salaries to £13.25 nationally and £14.80 within the M25.

In March, M&S also boosted pay for its shop floor workers by 6.4 per cent, while Tesco recently hiked pay by 5.1 per cent for its hourly-paid employees.

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On a comparable basis, which strips out currency movements and changes in scope, revenue was stable.

The French luxury owner of Gucci, Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta and Balenciaga is due to set out its turnaround strategy to investors at its capital markets day in Florence on 16 April.

Chief executive Luca de Meo said the latest quarter marked “an important first step” in the group’s recovery, but stressed that Gucci remained Kering’s top priority.

Gucci generated roughly £1.17bn in sales during the quarter, down 14 per cent on a reported basis and eight per cent on a comparable basis.

Kering’s wider fashion and leather goods division posted revenue of around £2.48bn, down nine per cent as reported and three per cent on a comparable basis, although the group said Saint Laurent, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Brioni all delivered year-on-year growth in the period.

Jewellery and eyewear provided a brighter note, with both businesses delivering growth in the first quarter.

Kering also said retail revenue in the Middle East fell 11 per cent during the period, though its full retail network in the region is now operating again after temporary disruption.

The group reiterated its ambition to return to growth in 2026. Last year, annual sales fell 13 per cent to about £12.8bn, while net profit dropped to roughly £462m.

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The prestige beauty retailer said the new experience will allow shoppers to ask beauty-related questions in natural language and receive curated recommendations based on their needs and preferences. Users who choose to link their Sephora Beauty Insider account will also be able to access more tailored answers informed by their profile.

The move marks Sephora’s latest push into AI-enabled retail, as the business looks to meet customers in the digital spaces where they are increasingly beginning their shopping journeys.

Speaking at Shoptalk Spring, Sephora global chief digital officer Anca Marola said the retailer’s priority was to ensure it remained a trusted adviser regardless of channel.

“The customer has never had this much opportunity and this much choice at his disposal,” she said. “So the stake for brands and retailers is, how do you remain that trusted beauty adviser for them, no matter the channel?”

Initially rolling out in the US, the Sephora app in ChatGPT will let shoppers seek advice on products and routines through conversational prompts such as requests for help finding foundation for dry skin or recommendations tailored to individual beauty concerns.

The retailer said customers will soon also be able to use Sephora loyalty rewards and member benefits, including free shipping promotions and samples, through the experience. Future updates are set to add payments and checkout directly within the app.

Sephora said the launch reflects its longer-term digital strategy and its belief that AI will play a growing role in how consumers discover and shop for products.

Marola said the business intended to expand the app globally over time, adding that beauty customers would continue to seek expert advice even as the channels they use evolve.

“You cannot stop progress. That’s the baseline,” she said. “So you either embrace progress or you don’t. The risk is in not embracing progress.”

Sephora North America general manager of e-commerce Nadine Graham said the partnership was designed to create a more seamless and useful experience for shoppers.

“Beauty clients around the world are increasingly open to AI-powered guidance, as many use technology to discover brands, trends, and routines,” she said. “By blending our digital retailer expertise with new AI tools, we are creating new seamless and conversational experiences that are not only efficient but helpful for beauty consumers.”

OpenAI head of ChatGPT Nick Turley said the collaboration reflected the platform’s growing role in product discovery and purchase decisions.

“ChatGPT is increasingly becoming a starting point for how people discover products and make decisions,” he said. “This new experience with Sephora explores how beauty discovery and shopping can be more helpful and personalised inside ChatGPT.”

Sephora said it is well placed to trial new AI-powered retail experiences thanks to the scale of its customer base, which includes more than 80 million active members worldwide.

Alongside the consumer-facing app, Sephora and OpenAI said they are also exploring broader collaboration opportunities across the retailer’s global operations.

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The luxury womenswear specialist has extended its discounts across all products from its initial 40 per cent to “at least” 60 per cent, Drapers reported.

The retailer’s closing-down sale started in February, with discounts across all of its products of between 40 per cent and 50 per cent.

Posting on Instagram yesterday (19 March), LK Bennett said: “It’s just got even better. 

“Everything is now at least 60 per cent off in our closing down sale, our biggest offer yet.”

The discounts include dresses, trousers, skirts, shoes and accessories, according to its website, with the price reductions across both its online and in-store sales.

It comes after LK Bennett was bought out of administration in January by investment firm Gordon Brothers. The deal saved the brand and its intellectual property, but did not include its shops.

Following the acquisition, the US firm is focused on transitioning the retailer to an “asset-light model” with its nine standalone shops and 13 concessions anticipated to close by spring. 

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The move completes the retailer’s pre-emergence financing packaging, granting Saks “sufficient liquidity” to sustain its operations and ongoing restructuring. 

The business plan will be detailed in Saks’ plan of reorganisation, which is due to be filed with the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas within the coming weeks.

The group’s CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck, said: “We have made significant progress over the past two months as we work to position Saks Global for the future, quickly stabilising our business, improving inventory flow and investing in our transformation.

“With continued strong support from our capital partners, we are laying the path to realise the combined full potential of our three banners, achieve double-digit adjusted EBITDA margin and drive profitable and sustainable growth.

“As we continue to secure a bright future for Saks Global, guided by our relentless devotion to the luxury customer, we are focused on delivering an expertly curated assortment and personalised service across Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.”

The news comes after Saks initially filed for chapter 11 voluntary bankruptcy in January, following its failed merger with department store chain Neiman Marcus.

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Portman, who is the brand’s newest global House ambassador, plays herself in the hero spot, which spotlights the HardWear collection. It shows the different roles she holds, such as film director, producer and mother.

The film shows Portman writing a letter to her daughter, reflecting on lessons she has learned about self-worth, vulnerability and resilience.

Portman said: “Strength appears in different ways throughout our lives– through courage, curiosity, compassion and joy. It’s found in the thrill of growth and in the discovery of new dimensions within ourselves.

“Mona and Brady have crafted a beautiful and meaningful film that reflects the experience I’ve had over the years and the journey that continues to shape who I am becoming.

It is directed by Oscar-nominated directors Mona Fastvold and Brady Corbet of Magna Studios and explores “five facets of love” embodied through a different design.

The spot pays tribute to Breakfast at Tiffany’s with its soundtrack, Moon River.

Mona Fastvold & Brady Corbet said, “Collaborating with Tiffany & Co. was an honour and a pleasure. We were drawn to the opportunity to create something aligned with their historic identity.

“The film was shot on 70mm, a format that allowed us to reflect the brand’s craftsmanship with extraordinary fidelity. We’re grateful for the trust and care that made the collaboration possible.”

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