Business
Neiman Marcus closes the door on a gilded age of American retail
Department stores can only survive if they see beyond the bottom line


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The Agenda: Business
fashion –– portugalCleaning up its act The coronavirus pandemic saw activewear become a fashion staple and demand for casual sportswear continues to grow. Yet this sartorial shift poses environmental challenges. Petroleum-based materials such as…

The Opener
Monocle has a network of correspondents in cities around the world. Our brief updates here include news on an unexpected discovery in London, Bangkok’s marijuana U-turn and an arty theme park in LA.

Starting the ascent
The first stage of Azabudai Hills, a sprawling ‘city within a city’ in the Japanese capital, is open. We explore its shops, which offer everything from fashion to furniture, and see how the mixed-use…

Changing gear
The new Land Cruiser 250 looks set to take the world by storm: an iconic vehicle given a back-to-basics makeover with a steer towards the environment. Get behind the wheel and fall in love with…

The Agenda: Business
A course correction for Berlin Brandenburg Airport, rethinking men’s skincare and behind the scenes at international hotel brand Fairmont.

Making The Move
Naturally, our ideas about travel are filled with the thrills of being out in the unknown – of serendipity and discovery. But what about the more prosaic activities that ensure we get there and…

Helsinki market-hall revival
To celebrate our inaugural Retail Awards, we head to a newly renovated food hall in Helsinki. From cheese and smoked fish to fresh pastries and locally grown vegetables, the Hakaniemi Market Hall is the…

Outward shift
Vietnam’s rapidly growing economy is becoming increasingly appealing to foreign investors, who are tempted by the dynamism of the country’s emerging middle class. Here, we explore the city at the heart of this transformation.

Second wind
As cargo freighters begin exploring the possibility of traversing the oceans with the help of hi-tech sails, smaller vintage fleets are showing them the way.

Ways of seeing
How the rise of AI might not have detrimental effects; why silicon chips might trigger a war in Asia; how Saudi Arabia needs to spare a thought for foreign start-ups; and self-help contradictions
