Cracks are continuing to appear in the fashion supply chain as two suppliers of mid-market womenswear hit the buffers.

Alena, which supplies Bhs, Sainsbury’s, Mackays and Arcadia brands Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Wallis and trades as Bianca Alena, filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator at the High Court on Monday.

Meanwhile, Alert Clothing Company, which supplies retailers including Debenhams, Matalan and Tesco, appointed administrators on Tuesday.

Tension is mounting between retailers and suppliers as they contend with dire trading conditions, weakening sterling and lack of credit insurance.

Alert and Bianca Alena are likely to be rescued by their directors, say sources. Bianca Alena is owned by Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green’s friend, Michael Gerrard, who is said to be buying back the supplier as part of a pre-pack administration. Alert is likely to be integrated into parent company Bravado by its directors.

Bianca Alena said the business had taken a£1.8m hit from rising costs in its Serbian operations.

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