Leading UK retailers including Asda and Tesco are calling for a review of underage sales legislation.

A reform of laws governing the sale of cigarettes, alcohol and a variety of other products has been demanded by British retailers, who claim that existing rules are too complicated.

The group of retailers, which operate more than 250,000 outlets across Britain including independent stores numbering in their thousands, has urged the government to review and streamline the current regulations. Presently, there are 18 separate pieces of documentation that govern sales of items to underage children, which retailers claim are far too complex and should be combined into one, single, over-arching piece of legislation. Retailers are also calling for trade bodies and local regulators to grow stronger partnerships to tackle the problem.

Increasing pressure has been placed on retailers to tackle the problems of underage drinking and knife crime at the point of sale. However, they believe they are being singled out for what is a community issue. They also suggest that the complexity of the regulations, while increasing staff training and vigilance, has done little to protect their employees in the event of prosecution.

Chairman of the CBI’s Consumer Affairs Panel, Geoffrey Budd, said that using retailers as a part of the solution rather than the source of the problem would be far more effective in tackling issues.

The end of an era in fashion as Kate Moss leaves the leading high street retailer.

Supermodel Kate Moss has designed her last regular range for the fashion giant run by Sir Philip Green, ending a successful four-year partnership.

Topshop has confirmed that the 14th collection from Moss, the upcoming autumn/winter collection, will be her swansong, although she may feature in a number of one-off designs in the future according to parent company Arcadia, who also owns fellow fashion outlets Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge and Bhs.

Industry insiders claim that the separation has been amicable, highlighted by the opening of the New York flagship store last April when Moss and Sir Philip appeared side by side. It is understood that the considerable amount of time required to put a collection together was the main reason for the departure of Moss, who has chosen to concentrate on other opportunities. Only recently, Ms Moss appeared on the cover of British Vogue magazine, marking the incredible 30th time in her career she has graced the iconic magazine.

The four-year collaboration with Topshop, considered to be a lengthy relationship in the fashion industry, was believed to have netted Moss around £3 million per year. She was snapped up by Sir Philip in 2005 after the tabloid scandal which featured photos of her snorting cocaine, when many thought her career was over. Her last collection will be released in October.

Leading music and enytertainment group HMV has announced the launch of a new fashion arm.

HMV will partner with Boxfresh and Lee as it enters the world of fashion retail, the latest phase of the group’s evolution into what calls a ‘broad based entertainment brand’.

The move will see HMV stores add a dedicated fashion section in their stores, to be called ‘The Studio’. These will feature predominantly menswear and accessories from well known brands including FLY53, Lee Jeans, Boxfresh and Eastpak, and are set to debut on September 1.HMV’s Oxford Street London flagship store will also feature items from Rocawear, the designer label from hip-hop star Jay-Z. UK rapper Kano will also be involved in the new initiative, along with the indie band Everything Everything, who are brand ambassadors for Boxfresh and Lee respectively. It is understood that both artists will make live, in-store appearances to celebrate the launch of the new fashion direction.
 
The entertainment group said that it sees itself as the perfect outlet for which to capitalise on the crossover between the music and fashion industries, claiming that the fashion foray was a natural progression.

The new clothing range will also feature online at the e-commerce site run by HMV, with the possibility of making an appearance at stalls run by the group at music and festival sites. Richard Stockwell, the HMV fashion manager, said that the two genres over-lapped each other strongly, making HMV the perfect fit to showcase both.

Fashion label Biba is returning to the roots of High Street style.

In a move that evokes images of iconic sixties glamour, the retailer has announced that renowned party girl Daisy Lowe will become the new face of the chain.

The cheap, trendy clothing offered by Biba has won favour with many leading celebrities and has become associated with the style of the swinging sixties, epitomised by Twiggy and followed by the likes of Marianne Faithfull and Bianca Jagger.

Biba attempted a high-end re-launch in 2006 with minimal success, leading the group to go into administration two years later. Now, the re-launch is on again, with proud devotee Lowe at the forefront. Initial campaign images have revealed the smouldering Lowe, 21, play on the sixties roots of the brand in a leopard-print coat and kohl-rimmed eyes. The model, who has been seen at several summer festivals sporting the Biba range, said she was honoured to be involved with a label that she has worn since a teenager. Lowe claimed that Biba was one of the first names that she became aware of when she entered the world of modelling, and she leapt at the opportunity to be part of the new campaign.

The new range from Biba features denim and jewellery in addition to favourites such as faux fur and marabou jackets and a series of limited-edition party dresses. The label will be exclusive to House of Fraser, who said that the confident, fashionable and glamorous Lowe was the perfect representation of the brand.

In a bid to make the most of the free hand luggage allowance on airlines, travellers have taken cunning steps.

A new study by Debenhams has found that rather than pay excess baggage charges when travelling by plane, savvy passengers have developed a habit of ‘wearing’ large amounts of their belongings.

The move has become popular since airlines have introduced cheaper ticket prices for those travelling with only hand luggage, with the leading fashion retailer reports that sales in the summer period of oversize coats with multiple pockets have skyrocketed by as much as 350 per cent. The five-pocket Mantaray jacket, with a hidden compartment in the sleeve, has risen by 200 per cent, while the John Rocha six-pocket parka has gone up by over 300 per cent.

Debenhams attributes to sales growth on the shop floor to travellers choosing to pack heavy items such as laptops, books, cameras and towels onto their person rather than pay for bags to be stowed in the airplane hold. This can save an individual up to £40 in some situations with budget carriers. Debenhams sales staff have even witnessed customers bring their travel items into the store to test the fit of jacket pockets, with the latest novel, netbook and even pants, socks and sarongs all stuffed inside parkas in the quest for travelling light. Though the trend may seem a smart way around charges, increased testing is likely before boarding, and excess baggage usually attracts a hefty surcharge, in some cases up to £20 per kilo.