Retail
How Chinese brands are moving from cheap knock-offs to global luxury contenders
From tacky to tasteful: Long gone are the days when “Made in China” was synonymous with cheap tat and shoddy knock-offs. Now, Chinese retail brands are on the verge of global credibility.


Latest
Where next for luxury retail?
Once touted as unstoppable disruptors of fashion retail, luxury e-commerce companies have struggled to recover their pre-pandemic momentum. We discuss the sector’s future and opportunities to reinvent it for the better.

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…

The Agenda
The stories you should be paying attention to – and the ones you might have missed.

Sharp dressing at The Decorum
The Bangkok-based retailer and fashion label has been recognised as the top emerging fashion outpost in Monocle’s inaugural Retail Awards. We meet co-founder and creative director Sirapol Ridhiprasart to talk about dressing The Decorum…

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…

Pitti Uomo: 97th edition
The year is young but the menswear industry has already wrapped up one of its key events: the autumn/winter edition of Pitti Uomo. The menswear tradeshow, which took place this week in a crisp…

Monocle Christmas Market 2019
Tyler Brûlé and his merry team got festive last weekend with the annual Monocle Christmas Market at Midori House in London. Our favourite retailers brought their yuletide treats and shared Glühwein with subscribers and…

Paris retail: La Grande Epicerie
The newly opened La Grande Epicerie on the Parisian rive droite celebrates the importance of physical retail. Monocle Films pays a visit to admire the heritage brands and tasty produce.

Isetan: shopping as spectacle
One of Japan's most venerable department stores, Isetan stocks everything you'll ever need. We hit the shop floor to find out the secret of its success.
