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press December 2024 Fashion industry faces cautious consumers during Christmas s...
tagesschau24 Update Wirtschaft by Anne-Catherine BeckAchim discusses on German television how this year’s Christmas business is unfolding for the fashion and luxury industry.
He points out that while city centers may seem less busy, people are still shopping, especially now during the holiday season – but there is a noticeable reluctance to spend. Affordable luxury in particular is struggling as aspirational consumers cut back, while high net worth individuals continue to spend at the top end of the segment. There are fewer tourists from SoutheastAsia as they shift their spending to Japan given favorable exchange rates; although Americans and Middle Eastern customers are increasingly present inEurope. In addition, online and secondhand sales are growing and taking sharefrom brick-and-mortar stores. Achim attributes the industry’s challenges to a stagnant market in Europe, economic uncertainty, and an increasinglycompetitive landscape. This has led to a wave of consolidation, as evidenced by the recent acquisitions such as the Zalando-About You or MyTheresa-Net-a-Porterdeals.
event May 2025 The Future of Retail Summit, Milan
Achim Berg joins the opening panel at the first edition of "The Future of Retail" Summit, hosted by FASHION Magazine in Milan on May 5th. The summit gathers leading voices from across the fashion industry from Italy and beyond to explore the evolving dynamics and future of fashion retail. In the discussion, Achim addresses the complex challenges and emerging opportunities that are currently reshaping the industry landscape.
linkedin February 2025 Interview #19 - Michael Werner; Editor-in-Large, Textilwirts...
Where is German fashion heading? That was the central theme of my recent conversation with Michael Werner, Editor-at-Large at TextilWirtschaft in our Wiesbaden offices. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Michael has been a keen observer of the German fashion market. He spent more than a decade leading the editorial team at TextilWirtschaft the leading trade publication for the DACH fashion market, and continues to shape the industry dialogue in his current role as Editor-at-Large. Few have analyzed and narrated the sector’s evolution as extensively as he has.
event September 2025 Chalhoub Group in:sight summit
Back in Dubai for the Chalhoub Group’s in:sight summit, Achim had the pleasure of discussing the future of luxury in the GCC. The region’s economy is experiencing steady growth, fueled by robust GDP, low inflation, and rising consumer confidence. Furthermore, non-oil sectors are building momentum and the economic decoupling is gaining traction. The beauty sector continues to outperform, and while Dubai maintains its position as the region’s luxury hub, Saudi Arabia requires new models to unlock its full potential. Across the GCC, consumers are becoming true luxury connoisseurs who are globally minded and trend-savvy.
press February 2025 Spanish fashion conglomerate conquers Leipzig
Leipziger Volkszeitung by Florian ReinkeAchim shares his perspective on Inditex’s expansion strategy in Leipzig, Germany.
Inditex is expanding its brand portfolio in Leipzig with new stores for Zara, Pull & Bear, Bershka, and Stradivarius. Achim points out that this move reflects broader industry shifts, particularly in the mid-market segment, where competition has weakened due to bankruptcies. Coupled with lower retail rents, Inditex is seizing the opportunity for growth. Achim further explains that Inditex’s vertically integrated business model is a key driver of this success, allowing the company to control the entire value chain and operate with greater resilience.
linkedin Interview #34 - Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman, Landmark Group
During my recent visit to Dubai, I had the privilege of sitting down with Renuka Jagtiani, Chairwoman of Landmark Group - one of the UAE’s leading multinational retail and hospitality groups, with over 2,200 stores across the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, and Africa. The group is behind beloved brands like Max, Splash, Lifestyle, and Home Centre. In our engaging conversation, we discussed why retail in the hashtag#GCC thrives only with true #operational #agility and deeply #localized #strategies. When it comes to #India, Renuka shared her focus on major urban centers, strong product leadership, and a deep understanding of local customer demands in a highly competitive market. I left inspired by her energy, clarity, and leadership - especially amazed to have met my second female chairwoman of a major retail group within just a few hours. Something that, honestly, happens far too rarely in other parts of the world. This conversation is part of the interview series for my upcoming book on the Future of Fashion.
press July 2025 Uniqlo Lands in Munich: The Battle of the Fashion Giants
Münchner Merkur/tz by Dominik GöttlerAchim comments on Uniqlo’s continued push into the German market with its planned Munich store opening in fall 2025.
The company's expansion into Munich highlights both the opportunities and the hurdles of competing in Germany’s saturated fast-fashion landscape. Achim notes that the brand’s focus on durable, high-quality basics aligns with the shift in consumer preferences away from disposable fashion and toward functional, value-driven basics. Its Japanese image of precision and thoroughness further strengthens its positioning, even though production practices are similar to those of its rivals. He adds that durability supports Uniqlo’s sustainability profile; however, recycling challenges demonstrate that the industry is still in its infancy. Achim further states that Germany is a challenging market due to full wardrobes, cautious spending, and strong low-price competition. Achim makes clear that Uniqlo’s future in Germany depends on its ability to seize market share from established players.