As we approach the end of the 2020 and enter the final week of eNewsletters, Ragtrader is reflecting on the biggest digital stories of the year.
Each day this week we will count down the top 10 stories from the website this year.
Kicking off our list is Number 10 - Colette in shock administration as another icon tumbles
Accessories brand Colette by Colette Hayman was placed into voluntary administration on January 31 2020. Voluntary administrator Vaughan Strawbridge said it had been hit by hard times.
"Colette By Colette Hayman has, unfortunately, been impacted by the current weak retail environment, as have many others.
"Our focus is on continuing to trade the business while we seek either a recapitalisation of the Group or a sale of the business.
"Given the strength of the brand we are confident we will be able to secure a future for the business and preserve the employment of as many people as possible," he said.
The business was then bought by ex-Myer executives Bernie Brookes and John Skellern.
Next is Number 9 - Who are the 20 most influential people in online fashion?
Our annual Tech 20 list made waves with readers this year, coming in at number 9. According to Statista, revenue in the Australian eCommerce market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5%. This will result in a market volume of US$28 billion by 2024. The best part? Fashion is the largest segment with a market volume of US$7 billion in 2020. The Tech 20 list delves into the strategies implemented by successful eCommerce operators - a key resource for the industry which had to rapidly develop and enhance its eCommerce offering throughout 2020.
Here is Number 8 - Despite everything, this brand has opened its new premises
Despite the challenges that COVID-19 presented, Australian lingerie label Big Girls Don't Cry Anymore opened its expanded premises in Brisbane in April.
Its new location is double in size - growing from 520 square metres to 1100 square metres - and features; a coffee shop; pop up spaces for complementary businesses to launch and showcase their products; customer showroom and fitting rooms; a packing and distribution centre; and, a full size live television streaming studio for the brand's online show, Big Girls TV.
Now, Number 7 - Clothing retailer appoints administrators, but isn't going down without a fight
In June, the owner behind teen clothing brand Pavement said he was determined the fashion chain wouldn't be another casualty of COVID-19. Stephen Meurs, who also co-founded Smiggle, believed the right investor could build market share and expansion opportunities. Pavement entered voluntary administration in late-June, with Pitcher Partners Andrew Yeo and Gess Rambaldi appointed as administrators. It had 26 stores nationally and an online store.
Number 6 - How the PAS Group could have avoided administration
6one5Retail Consulting founder Bill Rooney offers his opinion on The PAS Group administration.
There are lessons to learn from The PAS Group demise. COVID-19 may be the reason for the appointment of PwC partners Stephen Longley, David McEvoy and Martin Ford as voluntary administrators of the group on May 29.
However, it has been a long time coming with deteriorating results over many years.
The cause of the administration is due to a number of moving parts in the industry, from soaring overhead costs to changes in wholesale, retail and eCommerce.
Next is Number 5 - Retail empire with 146 stores collapses
In January, Jeanswest has appointed voluntary administrators from KPMG.
Jeanswest is an iconic Australian retail brand which opened its first store in Perth Western Australia in 1972. The business employs 988 people in 146 stores across Australia. The brand is best known for its quality denim, wardrobe staples and maternity wear. Jeanswest’s operations outside of Australia were not impacted by the administration. By February, administrators had found a buyer for the retailer, signing a deal with Harbour Guidance, an Australian subsidiary of Harbour Guide, a Hong Kong company owned by Mr Chun Fan Yeung - a minority shareholder in Howsea, the previous parent company of Jeanswest.
Number 4 - Shock collapse rocks the sector as retail icon falls
Iconic Australian swimwear retailer Seafolly appointed voluntary administrators Scott Langdon and Rahul Goyal of KordaMentha Restructuring in June. L Catterton, the private equity fund backed by LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, acquired a controlling stake in Seafolly in 2014. Administrators said Seafolly made the appointment because of the crippling financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Seafolly was returned to L Catterton, in August after creditors approved a rescue proposal.
Now, Number 3 - This is when retail is set to reopen in Melbourne
Following sustained lockdowns in Melbourne, the announcement of Premier Daniel Andrews' roadmap out of lockdown was welcome news to retailers and the wider Victorian community. Premier Andrews outlined a four step action plan to ease the state out of Stage 4 and get to a 'COVID Normal', emphasising that it had to be done slowly to avoid another wave of the virus. Non-essential retailers in metro Melbourne had to continue operating via eCommerce channels. Retail reopened completely at 11.59pm on October 27.
We're here. These are the two most-read online stories from Ragtrader.
Number 2 - H&M, Target and David Jones are uniting tomorrow
On June 25 Australian retailers united to thank first responders for their efforts in 2020. First Responders Day took place in stores with retailers offering special deals and discounts to those on the frontline. First responders included medical and health workers including doctors, nurses, paramedics, ambulance staff, police men and women and firefighters. The initiative was launched by the Australian Retailers Association in partnership with its members to thank first responders for their courage, commitment, and contribution during the COVID-19 and bushfire crisis.
And now, Number 1 - How $250 can buy you shares in the world's most sustainable denim brand
Following steady growth and interest, Outland Denim launched an equity crowdfunding campaign in March, allowing fans of the brand to invest in the business and receive shares. Investments started at $250 with consumers and loyal shoppers able to invest and receive shares in the humanitarian-focused brand. At the end of the campaign, the business welcomed 2012 new investors to the team. The majority of investors were 40 or younger, with 80% investing $1000 or less. Women made up 63% of the new investors, while 42% of the new investors reside in Queensland. "With their help, we have been able to pursue our goal of expanding our manufacturing arm to product garments for other brands, we have been able to invest in sales and marketing and create a new Head of Digital position here in Australia, and we have also been able to welcome a new Human Resources Manager in Cambodia," founder and co-CEO James Bartle told Ragtrader.
Ragtrader's 'top 10 stories' list is based on the number of page views (as reported by Google Analytics) each story received between 01 Jan 2020 and 07 Dec 2020.