What does it take to make it in online retail? The ability to put your head down, take risks and follow your vision, says THE ICONIC CFO Anna Lee.
Fashion and design
Featured stories
Design failures: why Alessi has 60,000 fish hooks in its warehouse
Fashion and design identities share their business tips at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Week Business Seminar, supported by NAB.
Why the customer is in control and how fashion brands should respond
Global e-commerce and multichannel retailing expert Martin Newman shares his tips on how to build a better e-commerce business.
Insights, Trends & Case Studies
Five tips for making the most of digital from fashion leaders
Insights on how to use digital from fashion leaders at the Fashion Industry Forum, supported by NAB and part of the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
What Pharrell Williams taught Adidas about collaboration
When Rachel Muscat was talking to Pharrell Williams about collaborating on a new pair of Adidas sneakers, discussions were going well – until the singer dropped a bombshell.
Why ethical fashion makes good business sense
Ethical fashion is the right thing to do and also makes good business sense, guests were told at a Fashion Festival forum on responsibility and transparency in fashion.
Hats off to 50 years in business
Business View dips its lid to a family business celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.
A maternity wear company turns 20
How did a little maternity wear start-up from Victoria grow into an international business?
How an Aussie mum built a babywear empire
When she couldn’t find what she wanted for her baby, Mirabai Winford decided to go out and create it herself.
The ultimate textile
Sixth-generation farmer Charles Downie has managed Glenelg Estate through a period of drought and active stock reduction, to a flourishing flock producing some of the world’s finest fleece.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – September 2016
In the 12 months to September, Australians spent an estimated $20.8 billion on online retail – a level that is equivalent to around 7% of the traditional bricks and mortar retail sector.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index: Indepth report – June 2016
National Australia Bank’s latest Online Retail Sales Index (NORSI) shows online spending grew by 13.5% in the 12 months to June 2016. While still strong, growth has flattened from the year-on-year growth seen back in 2011 when the index was first established.
Kookai’s $100M-plus clothing empire
Rob Cromb has presided over the evolution of Kookai in Australia, from its early years as a Parisian label imported on consignment to its current incarnation as a local designer, manufacturer and retailer.
Using social media to build a cult clothing label
Six years ago, James Lillis founded the clothing label Black Milk, using the power of social media to grow a cult following. Now Queensland’s largest clothing manufacturer, with sales of more than 1000 garments a day, it’s now working on cracking the American market.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index: in depth report – March 2016
Australian consumers spent an estimated $19.3 billion online in the past year, primarily on homewares, groceries, media and fashion. According to National Australia Bank’s (NAB) latest Online Retail Sales Index in-depth report, online spending increased 12.4% over the last year.
Road from practitioner to designer
Queensland podiatrist and physiotherapist Caroline McCulloch launched FRANKiE4 after spotting a gap in the women’s shoe market for styles that are both comfortable and fashionable.
Three steps in designing an e-commerce website to drive more sales
E-commerce consultant Chris Vincent shares his tips for building an effective e-commerce site
NY Fashion Week founder Fern Mallis tells how to get ahead: be nice
Fern Mallis is the founder of New York Fashion Week and has variously been described as an industry titan, doyenne, and The Godmother of Fashion. So her words of advice to those who want to work in fashion, with its reputation for attracting egotistical designers and haughty models could be considered surprising: “Be nice.”
The future of fashion – 3D print your shoes at home
Jodie Fox is revolutionising the footwear industry, but she has a bigger vision for the fashion sector. Custom manufacturing is the way to keep up with evolving customer demands – and one day consumers will be able to 3D print their shoes at home.
How unique design values are gaining a foothold in a prestige market
Wootten is a leather goods workshop in inner city Melbourne that produces bespoke shoes, bags and aprons using time-honoured methods and tools. What inspired founder Jess Cameron-Wootten to run an old-school business in the 21st century?
Don’t grow too quickly, say fashion sisters Beth and Tessa Macgraw
Sisters Beth and Tessa MacGraw are riding on a high after winning a prestigious design award at the Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. They share their story.
Originality the key to fashion pioneer Renzo Rosso’s business success
Renzo Rosso outlined his approach to fashion and business at a business forum supported by NAB as part of the recent Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival. He discussed inspiration and especially the importance of originality and innovation.
Why Yeojin Bae turned her passion into a business
Designer Yeojin Bae never really intended to become a business owner, so when she ended up running her fashion label she had a lot to learn. She shares tips for start-ups.
Why Diesel’s Creative Director says don’t think about Marketing
Fashion supremo Nicola Formichetti has some unusual advice for businesses about marketing. Asked for his top tip, he said “to not think about marketing”.
What businesses can learn about planning from Melbourne’s Fashion Festival
Melbourne Fashion Festival chief executive Graeme Lewsey reveals all the planning that goes into making sure it’s alright on the night - the models and fashion houses, set builders, sound and lighting, caterers, makeup artists and drivers.
Five social media lessons from the fashion world
Social media has opened a world of opportunity for businesses – to engage with customers like never before, to publicise their products through a range of channels and to sell online.
Peter Alexander – from hand model to pyjama king
When Peter Alexander started his business, he always had a Plan B. Alexander says planning for the worst allowed him to focus on the future of his business, which now turns over $150 million a year, has close to 100 retail outlets and is planning to expand overseas.
How Cathryn Wills won the top job at bag and shoe maker MIMCO
Cathryn Wills had never really considered herself as a candidate for the top job at handbag, jewellery and shoe label MIMCO. She told at one of a series of ‘Business Events Program supported by NAB’as part of the 2016 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.
NAB Online Retail Sales Index: in depth report – December 2015
In this December 2015 quarter edition of the NAB Online Retail Sales Index, we have responded to market changes by including separate data on takeaway food and smaller online retailers.
24 Hours with Chelsea and James Ross
Husband and wife Chelsea and James Ross are the dynamic duo behind Venivici, a company that operates three – soon to be four – women’s boutique retreats in Bali and Japan under the Goddess Retreats brand.
Shoes of Prey takes on the US
Shoes of Prey co-founder Jodie Fox has moved the fashion-tech company stateside. She shares her experience tackling the US market from her Santa Monica base.
The watchmaker’s son
Adina clock and watch making company produce 40,000 watches a year, all assembled by hand. Founded by Rob Menzies in 1971, his son Grant Menzies has now taken the reins and plans to make Adina an iconic Australian brand.
A growing mohair revival in the year of the goat
GT Ferreira, who made his mark in South Africa, is leading the charge to make Australia the most valuable mohair producing country in the world.
A visionary approach to business
Australia has proven to be particularly fertile territory for British-based Specsavers since it arrived here in 2008, famously opening 100 stores during its first 100 days down under.
Strictly love and business
Husband-and-wife partners in film, theatre and entertainment production company Bazmark Inq, Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin reveal the secrets to their successful partnership spanning the arts, business and family life.
24 hours with Peter Maddison from Maddison Architects
Melbourne-based architect Peter Maddison splits his days between running his busy boutique architectural practice and his role as host of Grand Designs Australia. He shares a day in the life of running Maddison Architects while moonlighting as a television host.
Collette Dinnigan: For the love of fashion and family
After 24 years in business Collette Dinnigan took the bold move of restructuring her business so she could focus on the purely creative elements of being a designer and devote more time to her young family. One year on, she reflects on her decision.
24 hours with Erica and Trudi from hardtofind
Since 2008, Erica and Trudi’s online gift site has grown to represent more than 700-curated sellers offering 25,000 products. Recently named by SmartCompany as Australia’s seventh fastest growing small business in 2013-2014, the two owners share a day in the life of running hardtofind.
Create a positive first impression with your waiting room
Your waiting room can influence how your patients feel about you and your practice. Caroline Chaplin, Director of Rooms With Style, explains how colour, lighting and soft furnishings can help you convey the right message in a cost-effective way.
Mary Queen of Shops’ top tips for small businesses
Best known for her BBC TV series, Mary Queen of Shops, Mary Portas shared her top tips for small businesses during her recent visit to Australia to promote Support Small Business Day - a Victorian Government initiative in partnership with NAB.