Drapers Record

Overview

Drapers is a British business-to-business magazine and website covering the fashion retail sector. Founded in 1887 as a trade publication for women's clothing retail, it has evolved to span the entire fashion retail industry, including coverage of digital transformation, technological advances, and supply chain management. The publication serves as a key information source for fashion retailers and industry professionals.

History

Drapers was founded on 6 August 1887 to cover the women's clothing retail trade. In 1961, it was acquired by Thomson Corporation as part of Thomson Publications, then sold in 1985. EMAP acquired the magazine in 1993, and in 2002, Drapers Record merged with sister title Men's Wear to become simply Drapers. In June 2017, Metropolis International acquired Drapers as one of 13 titles from Ascential in a £23.5 million deal.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Drapers is a media and publishing company, not a manufacturer of physical goods. Content is produced digitally and distributed through print and online platforms.

Notable Products

• Drapers Magazine - Weekly print and digital publication covering fashion retail news, trends, and industry analysis
• Drapers Online - Digital platform providing real-time news, features, and insights for fashion retail professionals
• Fashion Retail Coverage - In-depth reporting on retail management, supply chains, and digital transformation in fashion

Reputation

Drapers is recognized as a authoritative trade publication within the fashion retail sector, serving as a primary information source for industry professionals and retailers. The publication maintains credibility through its long heritage dating back to 1887 and its comprehensive coverage of both traditional retail operations and emerging digital trends. As a B2B publication, it is valued for its industry-specific insights rather than consumer-facing content.