British fashion and homewares retailer Next expects underlying sales at its stores to fall by a greater amount in November and December than they did in its third quarter, said finance director David Keens. "We don't expect the minus 4.

Athletic-shoes maker K-Swiss Inc posted better-than-expected quarterly results, helped by the acquisition of Palladium SAS and raised its 2008 outlook.

- Cosmetics maker Revlon Inc posted a quarterly loss, excluding a gain from the sale of some of its Brazilian brands, and said the uncertain economic conditions may affect sales for the remainder of 2008, sending its shares down as much as 29 percent.

Swiss watchmaker Hublot, part of luxury group LMVH LMVH.PA, is bracing itself for a tougher 2009 even though sales have continued to improve this year, it said.

Underwear maker Maidenform Brands posted better-than-expected third-quarter results on higher sales across most of its distribution channels, but cut its 2008 outlook.

Heelys Inc , maker of novelty sneakers that double as roller skates, said its board had retained investment bank Houlihan Lokey as financial advisor to help it evaluate possible strategic alternatives.

The German cosmetics group Beiersdorf, maker of Nivea creams, said Tuesday, October 4th it would meet its 2008 targets despite a drop in third quarter net profit."We remain optimistic that we will meet our targets for 2008," chairman Thomas-B.

Iconix Brand Group Inc posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit, as licensing and other revenue rose 29 percent, but forecast 2008 results at the lower end of its earlier range.

BMO Capital Markets downgraded clothing retailers Reitmans Ltd and Lululemon Athletica to "underperform" from "market perform," and said the companies' margins will be hit by their exposure to a weak Canadian dollar amid a slowdown in the economy.

John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned store chain seen as a barometer of the retail sector, said on Friday last week's sales at its 27 department stores fell 9.8 percent year on year.

China appears to be tightening supervision of foreign investments in the country amid a widening investigation of two senior commerce ministry officials, people with direct knowledge of the matter said.

Dutch-British food and cosmetics giant Unilever posted a 60-percent rise in third-quarter net profits Thursday, October 30rd in spite of the global economic downturn.

Avon Products Inc AVP.N, the world's largest direct seller of cosmetics, posted a quarterly profit that missed Wall Street expectations due to a drop in North American sales, sending shares down nearly 22 percent.

French cosmetics group L'Oreal on Thursday cut its full-year sales forecast for the second time in three months, citing tougher trading conditions, and posted third-quarter sales that came below forecasts.

Underwear maker Hanesbrands Inc posted a 59 percent fall in third-quarter profit, partly hurt by restructuring charges, and said it would raise domestic prices effective mid-first quarter of 2009.