The United Kingdom travel market reached £53.5 billion in gross bookings in 2024, up 7% from the previous year, according to Phocuswright’s latest research report, U.K. Travel Market Essentials 2025. Although growth is expected to moderate to around 5% annually from 2026, the market remains robust—particularly in digital channels. Online penetration climbed to 88% and is…
The distinctive topography of Hong Kong, with steep hills rising majestically from the sea and skyscrapers sandwiched in between, gives the city its beauty. But the presence of densely populated areas so close to soaring slopes means landslides are a constant danger, especially during torrential summer rains. A stark reminder was provided in September 2023,…
Perfect is a provider of AI and AR-powered beauty and fashion technology. Credit: T. Schneider/Shutterstock. Perfect, a developer of AI and AR-powered beauty and fashion technology, has unveiled AI Clothes Try-on, its new generative AI-driven solution to improve fashion shopping experience. With this technology, consumers can virtually try on a variety of outfits, with range…
An H&M store in New York City on Nov. 19, 2024. Charly Triballeau | AFP | Getty Images When Gilberto Loureiro spent summers working in a textile factory as a teenager growing up in Portugal, he discovered that he felt “hate and love” for how clothes were produced. The work was tough: Loureiro’s job was…
Elton John (File Photo ANI) LONDON: British pop legend Elton John branded the UK government “absolute losers” on Sunday over planned copyright law changes that would hand exemptions to tech firms.In a blistering interview broadcast by the BBC, “Rocket Man” star John said he felt “incredibly betrayed” and accused the government of preparing to “rob…
What will shopping for fashion look like 25 years from now? According to Nikki Baird, vice president of strategy and product at Aptos, the future is all about hyper-personalized, tech-enabled experiences. In an exclusive interview with WWD, Baird envisions a world where AI-powered personal assistants revolutionize the way consumers shop, decide and engage with fashion….
Dressing celebrities for the Met Gala is a high-stakes affair. Brands work for months and invest millions of dollars to design elaborate looks, which this year were linked to the exhibition’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” and the dress code, “Tailored for You.” As social media has boosted the visibility of the gala, brands must…
A U.S. Army soldier is facing charges related to receiving material containing child pornography. A federal grand jury indicted Seth Herrera, 35, a U.S. Army soldier previously of El Paso, Texas, with attempted sexual exploitation of a child and receipt of files depicting child sexual abuse. According to court documents, Herrera allegedly used encrypted messaging…
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu (front right), communicates with Chen Jiao (front left), executive CEO of PCI Technology Group, during his Middle East trip. The company is an intelligent transportation service provider headquartered in Guangzhou, Guangdong. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY) Chinese mainland entrepreneurs who visited the Middle East with Hong Kong officials and…
Percentil is a managed marketplace for secondhand fashion with operations in Europe. Credit: Svittlana/Shutterstock. MySize’s strategic acquisition for €610,000 ($679,000) follows the insolvency of Percentil’s previous proprietor within Spanish jurisdiction. It also marks MySize’s first foray into the circular fashion and recommerce sectors. The total cost of the acquisition includes a cash payment of €40,000…