Welcome to a brand new addition to the My Retail Media blog; each week we’ll be bringing you our top five highlights from the retail world, zooming in on certain niches or trends developing in a specific sector of the industry. Ranging from the headline grabbers to lesser known brands, we’ll be taking a closer look at some of the key stories throughout the week.

For our first post we’ve compiled our Top 5 Ones to Watch in the fashion and lifestyle apparel sector- we'd love to hear any others you've got an eye on, just leave your suggestions in the comment box beneath.

1. Asos

An obvious choice perhaps, but if this week’s report from the brand is anything to go by, there seems to be little to hinder Asos’ meteoric rise to the top of fashion retail. Asos practically wrote the book on fast fashion e-commerce, and since moving into social media has become the brand to watch. Interaction, trend setting and against the grain are buzz-words following this business wherever it goes.



2.  Superdry

Another big achiever, the SuperGroup-owned label suffered a wobble in shares last month, which made its sales figures released this week even more impressive. With a gutsy growth strategy and infectious branding, the Superdry takeover is well underway.



3. Kenzo X Opening Ceremony

You could practically hear the fashion industry whoop for joy when news broke this week that Opening Ceremony founders Humberto Leon and Carol Lim had been drafted in as creative directors as Kenzo. Let’s hope the hipper than hip duo can rustle up a Kenzo makeover in time for Spring 2012, when their first collection for the LVMH brand launches.



4. Forever 21

Consider this the calm before the storm on Oxford Street, as the Forever 21 takeover is set for an autumn 2011 arrival, and if its stateside performance is anything to go by, it’s going to cause quite a stir. Having secured the former HMV store opposite Bond Street tube, Forever 21 has since signed up for a second store in Lakeside, Kent, by 2013.



5. Scotch & Soda

This Amsterdam-based label has been around since the 1980s, but a 2001 revival has put it firmly on the radar for many lifestyle fashion fans. Kellwood’s acquisition of Scotch & Soda on Tuesday will see the street wear brand join Baby Phat, Phat Farm and Sag Habour under the US brand house’s retail holdings. Sporting revenues of USD 350 million, Scotch & Soda is likely to become the under-dog to be reckoned with.