Retail Week
Alex Lawson

Alex Lawson is Senior Reporter at Retail Week.

Alex joined the news desk in November 2011 covering grocery retail – the cornerstone of the UK retail scene.

Before that he held the position of News Editor at the Fresh Produce Journal for three years following a stint working for several arts and culture magazines in Prague, Czech Republic.

Alex’s interests include new supermarket formats, management changes and international expansion.

Follow Alex on twitter: @AlexLawsonRW

Waterstones inks deal with Amazon to sell Kindle

21-May-2012
Waterstones has signed a deal with Amazon to sell its Kindle e-reader.
Asda reports 'gloomy' shopper sentiment

21-May-2012
An Asda poll of its customers has revealed a “gloomy” picture with shoppers feeling pessimistic about budgets and spending.
Morrisons completes in-store bakery revamp

18-May-2012
Morrisons is relaunching its in-store bakeries and has introduced new packaging to display the products.
How Facebook has changed retail

18-May-2012
As Facebook floats with a valuation of more than $100bn, Retail Week asks what advantages the social network has created for retailers?
Bolland bonus under threat as profits likely to fall

18-May-2012
Marks & Spencer’s chief executive Marc Bolland’s bonus is under threat as the retailer’s profits are expected to fall.
John Lewis enjoys strong bank holiday sales

18-May-2012
John Lewis enjoyed a strong bank holiday last week, recording a 16.6% uplift in sales.
Oak Furniture Land to increase store numbers

May 18 2012
Oak Furniture Land is to more than double store numbers over the next 18 months after strong growth in the past year.
Suppliers and retailers: The difference between partnership and confrontation

May 18 2012
Suppliers are exerting an increasing influence over retailers. Alex Lawson explores what makes the difference between partnership and confrontation.
George at Asda boss Andrew Moore takes on CMO role

17-May-2012
George at Asda executive managing director Andrew Moore is to become the chief merchandising officer across Asda and George.
Analysis: What does Asda's performance mean for the market?

17-May-2012
Asda reported another improving like-for-like performance in the last quarter as it continues to appear on song.
Asda records 2.2% like-for-like sales rise

17-May-2012
Asda has recorded a 2.2% uplift in like-for-like sales in the 12 weeks to March 31.
Online clothing sales record lacklustre growth

17-May-2012
Shopper sentiment was dampened in April as online clothing recorded its lowest ever growth.
My-Wardrobe set to enter Asia

17-May-2012
My-Wardrobe.com is to expand into Asia starting with a business in Singapore.
George targets online growth after multichannel boost

17-May-2012
Asda’s fashion business George aims to generate 10% of sales online after bolstering its multichannel offer.
Westfield Stratford approaches £500m of sales

16-May-2012
Westfield Stratford City has notched up almost £500m of sales since opening last September.
Land Securities: High streets 'may never recover'

16-May-2012
Directors of retail property firm Land Securities believe that some high streets are doomed and “may never recover” from damage inflicted during the recession and downturn.
Musgrave Group reports profits slip

15-May-2012
Musgrave Group has recorded a 1% slip in pre-tax profits to €71m last year.
HMV and Ticketmaster enter partnership

15-May-2012
HMV has entered a strategic partnership with ticket giant Ticketmaster UK to extend the scope of its Hmvtickets ticketing service.
Clarke cuts Tesco store manager bonuses

15-May-2012
Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke has told senior store managers he will cut bonuses by more than 80%.
In pictures: Kwiksave returns to the high street

14-May-2012
The kwiksave brand has returned to the high street with the opening of the first all-new convenience format store in Little Lever, in Bolton last week.
Endless acquires Bathstore for £15m

14-May-2012
Leeds-based turnaround group Endless has bought Bathstore for £15m in cash.
Bolland to scale back M&S growth target

14-May-2012
Marks & Spencer chief executive Marc Bolland is expected to admit his plan to add £3bn of sales in three years was too ambitious.
George at Asda trials new look stores

11-May-2012
George at Asda is trialling a new store format which allows it to have a “shop window” within a supermarket store.
Ocado launches own label webshop

11-May-2012
Ocado has launched an own label shop-in-shop to showcase its looks to ramp up its own brand presence.
Iceland to open frozen food stores in Iceland

May 11 2012
Frozen food specialist Iceland is to launch in the country of the same name after striking a deal with Johannes Jonsson, the father of controversial former Baugur boss Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson.
Primark poaches M&S man for pivotal group sourcing role

May 11 2012
Value fashion giant Primark has hired Marks & Spencer’s head of sourcing Garry Gordon.
Morrisons invests in value to win shoppers

May 11 2012
Like-for-likes have slipped for the first time in years as the battle on deals hots up, but Morrisons is sticking to its guns.
SuperGroup records "disappointing" fourth quarter

10-May-2012
Like-for-like sales at SuperGroup were flat in a fourth quarter chief executive Julian Dunkerton described as “disappointing”.
King: Sainsbury's has the edge in the grocery market

10-May-2012
Sainsbury’s boss insists the retailer is leading the way on quality and service.
Maplin poaches new multichannel boss from Comet

10-May-2012
Maplin has poached a senior Comet executive to become its first multichannel director as it bolsters its top team ahead of an eventual sale.
Thorntons pins hopes on British-branded Jubilee range

10-May-2012
Embattled chocolatier Thorntons is putting its hopes on the Jubilee to avoid its traditional summer slump.
Analysis: Brand Match has helped, but where next for Sainsbury's?

9-May-2012
Sainsbury’s flagged the success of Brand Match, the coupon at till initiative it rolled out in November, as an important contributor to its success as it unveiled full-year figures.
Sainsbury's: What the analysts say

9-May-2012
The City welcomed another strong performance from Sainsbury’s against a tough economic background.
Analysis: What will an adjudicator mean for grocers?

8-May-2012
The Queen is expected to announce that there will be a Groceries Supply Code Adjudicator in her speech to the House of Lords on Wednesday, a move which will be watched closely across the food industry.
Home Retail cuts red tape with landmark agreement

8-May-2012
Home Retail Group has signed a health and safety agreement with a local council that reduce red tape across the country.
Grocery adjudicator draws closer

8-May-2012
The Government is expected to table plans for a grocery adjudicator in the Queen’s Speech on Wednesday.
Fresh & Easy chief operating officer joins Tesco Turkey

4-May-2012
Fresh & Easy chief operating officer Jeff Adams has changing roles and is now leading Tesco’s Turkish business.
Return to profitability in sight at HMV following Game demise

4-May-2012
HMV expects to return to profitability next year in the wake of Game’s demise.
HMV and Asda best-placed to take Game’s market share

May 4 2012
HMV and Asda are best-placed to scoop up market share following Game store closures in a competitive entertainment market.
Asda considers Walmart ‘pay with cash’ initiative

May 4 2012
Asda is mulling implementing a version of its parent Walmart’s ‘pay with cash’ initiative, which allows customers to order online and pay using cash in store.
Analysis: What does a poor quarter mean for Morrisons?

3-May-2012
“We are prepared to sit back from this activity rather than trying to make small market share gains at any cost,” says Dalton Philips.
E-wallets: What do retailers need to know?

3-May-2012
E-wallets provide a quick and easy way for shoppers to pay in store and online and are gaining favour with retailers.
Video: Tesco debuts Everyday Value TV advert

3-May-2012
Tesco launched its Everyday Value advertising campaign with a TV ad last night.
HMV uses augmented reality to bring products to life

3-May-2012
HMV used augmented reality to bring products to life as it celebrated the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures at the weekend.
Ocado: What lies ahead for the etailer?

3-May-2012
The hope is that Ocado’s new fulfilment centre will put operational issues firmly behind it.
HMV polls shoppers on the best of British talent

2-May-2012
HMV is pitting the Beatles against The Who, Oasis against Blur and Chas’n’Dave against Wet Wet Wet in an online poll.
Video: Oxford Street promotes fashion in Jubilee celebrations

2-May-2012
London’s Oxford Street has been decorated with 147 Union Jack flags to celebrate 147 years of fashion on the world famous high street ahead of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Sainsbury's launches music download service

2-May-2012
Sainsbury’s has launched an MP3 music download service.
Former Sainsbury's buyer pleads guilty over corrupt payments

2-May-2012
A former Sainsbury’s buyer has appeared in court accused of receiving corrupt payments totalling £4.9m from a potato supplier.
Next: What the analysts say

2-May-2012
Analysts said Next had a hard act to follow against tough comparatives as total retail sales dipped 3.9%
Home Retail profits slump as Argos struggles

2-May-2012
Home Retail Group pre-tax profits slumped by 60% as Argos battled a weak electricals market.
Boots to close 160 in-store photo labs

1-May-2012
Boots could cut up to 200 jobs when its closes 160 in-store photo processing labs.
Former Morrisons director Richard Lancaster joins Poundland

30-Apr-2012
Former Morrisons corporate marketing and operations director Richard Lancaster is to join Poundland.
Data: HMV makes gains on Amazon's market share after strong quarter

30-Apr-2012
HMV is catching up on Amazon in the battle for entertainment market share.
Former eBay boss Miriam Lahage to join Austrian retailer

30-Apr-2012
Former eBay general manager Miriam Lahage is to join Austrian retailer Peek & Cloppenburg.
Sir Philip Green and the Westons slip down Sunday Times Rich List

30-Apr-2012
Primark and Selfridges owners Galen and George Weston and Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green slipped down the Sunday Times Rich List rankings this year.
Waitrose donates man hours in community scheme

27-Apr-2012
Waitrose is donating staff hours to charities and causes in their local area.
Morrisons' HR director Norman Pickavance to depart

27-Apr-2012
Morrisons human resources and communications director Norman Pickavance is to leave the grocer at the end of June.
John Lewis records strong sales

27-Apr-2012
Sales at John Lewis were up 16.5% to £61.95m aided by a 56.5% uplift in online sales.
Analysis: Warming up shoppers to the new Tesco

April 27 2012
Transforming Tesco’s image and improving shopper experience are at the heart of boss Philip Clarke’s plan to return it to form.
Grocers battle for frozen food market share

April 27 2012
A fight for frozen food spend has broken out in the grocery sector as supermarkets launch a flurry of deals and specialist Iceland gains market share.
Data: BRC figures show employment uplift

26-Apr-2012
The BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor released today show a fragile uplift in job creation and store numbers in the sector.
Iceland enters money-off coupon battle

26-Apr-2012
Iceland has waded into the grocery marketing battle with a new money-off coupon.
Recession sparks fears for retail recovery

26-Apr-2012
Retailers fear further slump in consumer confidence as the UK plunges back into recession.
Data: Asda figures reveal harsh conditions

25-Apr-2012
As the UK slides into recession once more today, Asda figures released yesterday show pressure on household budgets are at their tightest since November 2008.
UK falls into double-dip recession

25-Apr-2012
The UK economy has returned to recession after the economy shrank by 0.2% in the first three months of 2012.
Sports Direct reports strong spring sales

25-Apr-2012
Sports Direct has recorded a 13.2% uplift in total sales to £267.6m.
Asda Income Tracker reveals tightest spending power since November 2008

24-Apr-2012
The Asda Income Tracker has exposed a glaring north-south divide in disposable income while nationwide family spending power is at its lowest since the collapse of Lehman Brothers in 2008.
Data: Waitrose and discounters gain share as grocery spend polarised

24-Apr-2012
Waitrose, Aldi and Lidl all made gains as Tesco and Morrisons market share slipped, the latest data from Kantar Worldpanel reports.
Habitat to open gallery at King's Road store

24-Apr-2012
Habitat is to house an exhibition space at its King’s Road, London store.
Online retailers set to gain from new trust mark

24-Apr-2012
Online retail association Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG) has signed a deal with Trusted Shops which could allow UK retailers to benefit from a potential £1bn of sales.
Allied Carpets timeline: Charting the company's history

23-Apr-2012
A look at the history of Allied Carpets which has been bought in a pre-pack administration deal by a company associated with Floors-2-Go.
Kingfisher appoints corporate responsibility director

23-Apr-2012
Kingfisher has appointed Nick Folland to head up its corporate responsibility strategy.
Tesco launches £10 off voucher deal

23-Apr-2012
Tesco has taken the initiative in the battle to win grocery spend with a new £10 off voucher.
Amazon launches publishing venture

23-Apr-2012
Amazon is to launch a publishing operation in the UK as it looks to fend off competition in the ebook market.
Analysis: Retailing in China

20-Apr-2012
The growing economic powerhouse is now the world’s biggest grocery market, and where the supermarkets go, others are following.
Morrisons opens M Local format in petrol station

20-Apr-2012
Morrisons is to open its first M Local in a petrol station as competition to expand convenience stores in the sector mounts.
WHSmith records 3% profit rise as like-for-likes slip

19-Apr-2012
WHSmith recorded a 3% rise in trading profits to £74m but like-for-like sales fell 5%.
Clarke: 'Good enough' is not good enough

19-Apr-2012
Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke has pledged a return to retailing excellence at the grocery giant’s flagship UK business through renewed focus on the customer.
Q&A: Philip Clarke, Tesco

18-Apr-2012
Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke and group finance director Laurie McIlwee faced a grilling from the press as the grocer unveiled its £1bn turnaround plan for the UK business today. Clarke talks improving in-store experience, Richard Brasher and what went wrong. Alex Lawson reports.
Tesco: Share price analysis

18-Apr-2012
How have Tesco’s shares been performing?
Analysis: What does Clarke's plan mean for Tesco?

18-Apr-2012
Perhaps the most interesting place to be this morning is in the offices of Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King and Andy Clarke and Dalton Philips, his counterparts at Asda and Morrisons.
Hotel Chocolat to enter the restaurant trade

17-Apr-2012
Hotel Chocolat is to enter the UK restaurant business with a flagship eatery in London later this year.
Next boss Wolfson's pay falls

17-Apr-2012
Next chief executive Simon Wolfson’s pay slipped to £1.5m in the last year from £1.8m the previous year.
Asda rolls out new in-store stocking tactic

17-Apr-2012
Asda has rolled out a new top stocking system its chief operating officer Judith McKenna said is saving significant costs.
Aquascutum timeline: Charting the company's history

17-Apr-2012
A look at the history of British luxury brand Aquascutum which has today collapsed into administration.
Food and clothing drives inflation rise in March

17-Apr-2012
Inflation rose slightly in March to 3.5% driven by food and clothing.
Tesco trials electronic shelf pricing

16-Apr-2012
Tesco is trialling a plethora of new technology from electronic shelf barkers to smart badges to be worn by staff.
Tesco takes on Amazon as Clarke poised to unveil strategy

16-Apr-2012
Tesco has begun its attempt to take on Amazon Market Place as the City is poised to hear the grocer’s UK strategy.
Tesco market share slips as Asda continues to gain

13-Apr-2012
Tesco’s market share continued to slip in the three months to the end of March as Asda gained share.
Morrisons marketing director Richard Lancaster stands down

13-Apr-2012
Morrisons marketing director Richard Lancaster has stood down amid a reshuffle of its commercial division.
Tesco set to turn focus on smaller stores

13-Apr-2012
Tesco chief executive is likely to focus on small stores and scale-back store expansion as part of his new strategy for the UK’s largest retailer.
John Lewis records 'superb' run-up to Easter

13-Apr-2012
John Lewis hailed a “superb” run-up to Easter last week with sales up 27.5%.
Portas Pilots to feature in Channel 4 TV series

13-Apr-2012
Mary Portas is to front a new show on Channel 4 covering the progress of the Government’s town centre improvement pilot schemes.
Staples mulls store closures

12-Apr-2012
Staples is considering around 30 store closures as part of a property review.
Morrisons puts 40 staff in consultation

12-Apr-2012
Morrisons has put 40 jobs in its maintenance division at risk.
Hotel Chocolat plans Roast + Conch roll-out

12-Apr-2012
Upmarket chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is to roll out its Roast + Conch format to half of its store estate after debuting the design in Covent Garden in December.
Potential Tesco Fresh & Easy exit branded 'corporate vandalism'

11-Apr-2012
Tesco exiting the US would represent “corporate vandalism”, the City has said.
Tesco puts £110m advertising account under review

11-Apr-2012
Tesco is reviewing its communications strategy as it looks to improve its brand perception in the UK.
Interactive map: Sainsbury's acquires 18 Total petrol stations

11-Apr-2012
Sainsbury’s has bought 18 Total petrol stations pending an Office of Fair Trading investigation, Retail Week has learned.
Co-op trials contactless payment

11-Apr-2012
Co-operative Food is trialling contactless payment ahead of an anticipated uplift in its use during the Olympics.
Heavy rain hits Easter footfall

11-Apr-2012
Persistent rain over the Easter bank holiday weekend put a dampener on retail footfall which declined 12.5% year-on-year.
Tesco pressured to pull out of the US

10-Apr-2012
Tesco shareholders are putting pressure on the grocer to pull out of its US venture Fresh & Easy to concentrate on the UK.
Sports Direct fires warning shot at Dick's-backed JJB

5-Apr-2012
Sports Direct is gearing up for a battle with new JJB Sports investor Dick’s Sporting Goods by cutting prices.
Amazon faces corporation tax investigation

5-Apr-2012
Amazon is under investigation from UK tax authorities over its corporation tax contribution.
Tesco investors put pressure on chairman

5-Apr-2012
Tesco shareholders are putting new chairman Sir Richard Broadbent under pressure over the company’s strategy.
Ikea gets green light for new Reading store

5-Apr-2012
Ikea has gained planning permission to open its 19th UK store in Reading, the first to be built in the UK for three years.
Profile: Nicholas Marshall, Garden Centre Group chief executive

5-Apr-2012
The Garden Centre Group’s entrepreneurial chief executive believes its sale last week to Terra Firma has positioned it to flourish. Alex Lawson reports.
Consumers reluctant to play part in improving high streets

April 5 2012
ICM poll suggests consumers have little interest in helping to turn around high streets.
Riot-hit Lidl reopens

April 5 2012
Lidl has reopened a store that was ransacked and then burned during last year’s riots.
Boris Johnson to mediate in Hammerson-Westfield row

4-Apr-2012
London mayor Boris Johnson is to mediate between developers Westfield and Hammerson in a row over Croydon’s Whitgift Centre.
Tesco Everyday Value: What does this mean for the grocer?

4-Apr-2012
Tesco has taken arguably its most radical step yet to turnaround the fortunes of its UK business by ditching its Tesco Value brand.
Midcounties acquires Harry Tuffin's

4-Apr-2012
Midcounties Co-operative has acquired grocery chain Harry Tuffin’s.
Tesco Value replaced by Everyday Value range

4-Apr-2012
Tesco is replacing its Tesco Value range with a new low price range named Everyday Value.
China becomes world's largest grocery market

4-Apr-2012
China has overtaken the US as the world’s largest grocery retail market.
Sainsbury's ‘Feed Your Family for £50’ campaign banned

4-Apr-2012
The Advertising Standards Agency has ruled that Sainsbury’s ‘Feed Your Family for £50’ campaign was misleading.
Co-op remodels stores to improve local appeal

4-Apr-2012
The Co-operative Food is ditching its “one size fits all” store model to better appeal to local shopper demographics.
Tesco to relaunch Cherokee clothing brand

3-Apr-2012
Tesco has struck a deal with Cherokee to relaunch the clothing brand in autumn.
Morrisons to donate job creation funds

3-Apr-2012
Morrisons is to give away Government subsidies it will receive to create jobs.
Hammerson beats Westfield in race for Croydon centre

2-Apr-2012
Hammerson has pipped Westfield to revamping an ageing shopping centre in south London.
Government under pressure over Morrisons apprenticeships

2-Apr-2012
Government is under pressure after it was revealed Morrisons were given more than 10% of the people eligible for its apprenticeship scheme last year.
Sir Stuart Rose criticises Sunday trading relaxation

2-Apr-2012
Former Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose has criticised the relaxation of Sunday trading laws during the Olympics.
Analysis: What does the Portas response mean for the High Street?

30-Mar-2012
Mary Portas is fiery, controversial and determined. Whether the Government’s response to her High Street Review reflects any of these characteristics is questionable.
Morrisons acquires fresh meat facility

30-Mar-2012
Morrisons has acquired fresh meat facility in North Wales as it continues on a spree of supply chain acquisitions.
Morrisons targets high-end customers with new format

30-Mar-2012
Morrisons said it is able to target a new upmarket customer with its Fresh Format concept with the opening of a new landmark store.
Waitrose appoints retail services director

30-Mar-2012
Waitrose has appointed former John Lewis and BskyB director Ben Stimson as its new retail services director.
John Lewis records "solid" sales week

30-Mar-2012
John Lewis posted a “solid” 6.5% rise in sales to £57.94m against strong comparatives last week.
Strong website helps Ryman bounce back

March 30 2012
A stronger website and wider product range have helped the retailer’s profits to bounce back.
Bibby Retail Services acquires Rhythm & Booze

29-Mar-2012
Bibby Retail Services has acquired off licence chain Rhythm & Booze.
Primark avoids Northern Irish strike action

29-Mar-2012
Primark has agreed to increase pay to workers at its stores in Northern Ireland to lift the threat of strike action.
Shelley in line to replace Neville-Rolfe at Tesco

29-Mar-2012
Tesco may consider investor relations heavyweight Rebecca Shelley to replace corporate affairs director Lucy Neville-Rolfe.
The Co-operative Food records 2.1% like-for-like fall

29-Mar-2012
The Co-operative Food faced a “severe challenge” in 2011 as like-for-like sales fell 2.1%.
Lidl makes fresh move as Easter battle begins

29-Mar-2012
Lidl is stocking fresh fish in store for the first time in its battle for grocery spend.
Sainsbury's makes a play for Game's market share

28-Mar-2012
Sainsbury’s has made a grab for Game’s market share after the troubled games retailer fell into administration on Monday.
Topps Tiles expects 4.5% like-for-like sales fall

28-Mar-2012
Topps Tiles is expected to report a 4.5% fall in like-for-like sales for the first half.
Retailers welcome planning policy shake-up

27-Mar-2012
Retailers have welcomed the government’s revised National Planning Policy Framework which presumes in favour of town centres in England.
Asda grows market share as Tesco loses ground

27-Mar-2012
Asda has reached a record market share of 17.9% in March while Tesco’s share fell on a year earlier.
Comet enjoys best sales for two years

27-Mar-2012
Comet chairman John Clare has said the retailer has enjoyed its best sales for two years and is hoping to break even this year.
Asda introduces Easter price initiative

26-Mar-2012
Asda has relaunched the price initiative it claims helped it “win” Christmas in the run up to Easter.
Asda Income Tracker: UK families have £10 less to spend

23-Mar-2012
The average UK family was £10 worse off in February reversing the improving trend seen in recent months, the latest Asda Income Tracker has revealed.
Vacancy rates reach record high

23-Mar-2012
Vacancy rates on the high street hit a record 14.6% in February.
John Lewis sales surge as iPad launches

23-Mar-2012
Sales at John Lewis surged 20.9% last week buoyed by a strong performance online and in electricals.
Tesco: Who is in the picture to replace Richard Brasher?

23-Mar-2012
Philip Clarke is assuming control of Tesco’s flagship UK operations following Richard Brasher’s exit, but for how long? Alex Lawson looks at key team members, some of whom might eventually run the British business.
Ocado directors denied bonus and pay rise

22-Mar-2012
Ocado directors Tim Steiner, Jason Gissing and Neill Abrams did not receive a bonus in 2011 due to poor performance.
Retail sales fall in February

22-Mar-2012
The value of retail sales fell 0.4% in February, according to the Office for National Statistics.
John Lewis embarks on multichannel recruitment drive

22-Mar-2012
John Lewis has entered a recruitment drive in its IT division as invests in further improving its multichannel offer.
Further redundancies expected at The Co-operative

21-Mar-2012
The Co-operative Group is to make further redundancies in its food division.
Sainsbury's records 2.6% like-for-like sales uplift

21-Mar-2012
Sainsbury’s has recorded a 2.6% increase in like-for-like sales excluding fuel for the fourth quarter.
Online sales growth slows in February

20-Mar-2012
Online sales rose 10% in February, the lowest annual growth rate since January 2010.
Mini Heston stars in Waitrose TV campaign

20-Mar-2012
Waitrose is to feature a ‘mini Heston Blumenthal’ in its new TV advertising campaign.
SuperGroup raids John Lewis for chief operating officer

20-Mar-2012
SuperGroup has made two senior appointments, poaching Susanne Given from John Lewis and hiring former Habitat chief operating officer Shaun Wills.
Asda names new marketing boss as Bendel turns focus to Walmart

19-Mar-2012
Asda has appointed Stephen Smith as its new chief marketing officer replacing Rick Bendel.
Retailers to receive Sunday trading boost during Olympics

19-Mar-2012
Retailers could benefit from eight weekends of extended trading during the Olympics if the government suspends Sunday trading laws as expected.
Sainsbury's closes Fresh Kitchen store

16-Mar-2012
Sainsbury’s has closed its trial Fresh Kitchen sandwich store.
Sainsbury’s cheered by rise in online sales

March 16 2012
Sainsbury’s claimed it has overtaken Asda to become the second- largest seller of online groceries, behind Tesco.
The Co-operative appoints group brand director

15-Mar-2012
The Co-operative Group has appointed former easyJet marketing director David Magliano as brand director.
Hotel Chocolat boss warns against 'complex' personalisation

15-Mar-2012
Hotel Chocolat chief executive Angus Thirlwell has warned retailers not to get tied up with the “complexity” of online personalisation and risk losing sales.
Tesco's Brasher leaves: What next for the business?

15-Mar-2012
The timing of Richard Brasher’s resignation from the board of Tesco, if not the actual fact of his departure, came as a surprise.
Analysis: Morrisons boss Dalton Philips’ ‘killer concept’

15-Mar-2012
Morrisons’ chief executive is sure the grocer’s biggest opportunities still lie ahead, he tells Alex Lawson.
Online grocery shopping to get personal, says Ocado boss

14-Mar-2012
Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner has said shoppers will expect an increasingly bespoke experience on retailer’s websites including targeted searches.
Prisk promises business-led retail strategy in summer

14-Mar-2012
Business minister Mark Prisk has promised a “clear, business-led” strategy to spark retail growth in the summer.
Marks & Spencer sets up Savile Row office

14-Mar-2012
Marks & Spencer is to enter Savile Row with a new design centre and launch suit range.
Tesco forecast strongest growth against global retail rivals

14-Mar-2012
Tesco is forecast to grow faster than its three main global rivals – Walmart, Metro and Carrefour – with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% between 2011 and 2015, according to new research from IGD.
Kwiksave to return to the high street next month

13-Mar-2012
Kwiksave is to return to the high street next month.
Leahy to raise $750m for Chinese shopping mall venture

13-Mar-2012
Former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy plans to raise $750m to launch his Chinese shopping centre venture.
Tesco considers raise in pension age

13-Mar-2012
Tesco is considering raising the age its staff receive a full pension from 65 to 67.
HMV set to benefit as Game struggles

13-Mar-2012
HMV is set to benefit from problems at Game as the latter fights for survival.
Landsbanki prepares to sell House of Fraser stake

12-Mar-2012
Icelandic bank Landsbanki is poised to sell its stake in department store House of Fraser.
Sainsbury's becomes second largest online grocer

12-Mar-2012
Sainsbury’s is now the second largest online grocer with an annualised turnover of £750m.
Oddbins relaunches website with increased personalisation

9-Mar-2012
Oddbins has relaunched its website with increased personalisation.
Malcolm Walker completes £1.45bn Iceland deal

9-Mar-2012
Iceland Foods chief executive Malcolm Walker has completed the deal to buy back the retailer for £1.45bn.
Whittard to expand after good Christmas

March 9 2012
Tea and coffee specialist Whittard of Chelsea is to embark on an expansion drive at home and overseas following a strong Christmas performance.
Office: Strong Christmas sales and expansion plans

March 9 2012
The footwear retailer had strong Christmas sales and plans further expansion
Analysis: Philips faces online dichotomy at Morrisons

8-Mar-2012
Morrisons chief executive Dalton Philips is a man straddling two opposing viewpoints on online retail.
Heathrow reports record retail sales

8-Mar-2012
Heathrow Airport has reported a record retail sales of £1.7bn.
Morrisons reports 'best year' as profits rise

8-Mar-2012
Morrisons recorded its “best year yet” while like-for-like sales increased 1.8% and profits rose.
Ocado expects iPad launch to lift sales

8-Mar-2012
Ocado expects a rise in sales through mobile devices following the launch of the new iPad.
Game supplier Capcom cuts supply

7-Mar-2012
Capcom has become the latest video game giant to refuse to supply Game.
Morrisons appoints former Peacocks boss as its first clothing director

6-Mar-2012
Morrisons has appointed former Peacocks managing director Tim Bettley as its first commercial director for clothing as it seeks to ramp up its non-food offer.
George at Asda acquires Turkish clothes sourcing arm

6-Mar-2012
George at Asda has acquired the sourcing division of Turkish clothing supplier GAAT.
Fresh & Easy could break even in 2012, says Tesco boss

6-Mar-2012
Tesco could break even in the US as early as this year, according to chief executive Philip Clarke.
Iceland backs Stacey Solomon after pregnant smoking scandal

5-Mar-2012
Iceland has backed its brand ambassador Stacey Solomon after she was axed from the shortlist for Celebrity Mum of the Year.
Adderley reduces Dunelm stake

5-Mar-2012
Dunelm executive deputy chairman Will Adderley is sell around five million shares in the business.
Morrisons buys fish factory in acquisition drive

5-Mar-2012
Morrisons has bought a seafood facility in Grimsby as it targets a more vertically integrated supply chain.
Morrisons to host summer music festival

2-Mar-2012
Morrisons has entered the music festival market with the launch of a new summer event.
Primark Northern Irish workers vote for strike

2-Mar-2012
Primark staff in Northern Ireland have voted to strike over a pay freeze.
In pictures: Thorntons launch 1p Easter egg offer with Simply Tap

2-Mar-2012
Simply Tap has launched its image recognition QR code service with a 1p Thorntons Easter egg promotion.
John Lewis records flat sales week

2-Mar-2012
Sales at John Lewis were flat last week after an early half-term the previous week.
Retail’s work record under fire

March 2 2012
Retail’s role in helping young people into work is under fire amid accusations of exploitation and pressure to make people do unpaid work, but protesters miss the point, reports Alex Lawson.
Thorntons plans to test products via website

1-Mar-2012
Struggling chocolatier Thorntons will use its website as a “testing ground” to introduce new products across the business as it relaunches its online operations in the autumn as part of its turnaround.
New Tesco technology aids promotions

1-Mar-2012
Tesco is to share like-for-like product sales data with suppliers through an IT solution that will enable it to plan promotions more efficiently.
Government drops benefit sanctions from work experience scheme

29-Feb-2012
Pressure from retailers has caused the government to backtrack and remove sanctions on Work Experience participants.
Boots pulls out of government Work Programme

29-Feb-2012
Alliance Boots will no longer offer unpaid work placements under a government scheme after it said it accidentally broke its own policy, Retail Week can reveal.
Consumer confidence holds firm in February

29-Feb-2012
An improvement in confidence about the macroeconomic environment was offset by a fall in desire to buy big ticket items as consumer confidence remained static in February.
Tesco reshuffles marketing team

28-Feb-2012
Tesco has made several key changes in its marketing team appointing Carolyn Bradley as its group brand director in the process.
Tesco records lowest market share since 2005

28-Feb-2012
Tesco’s market share has slipped to its lowest level since May 2005.
Co-op sales dragged down by former Somerfield stores

28-Feb-2012
The Co-operative’s former Somerfield stores are performing poorly amid rising complaints in store and overcharging for products.
Asda poaches John Lewis Partnership director for CFO role

27-Feb-2012
Asda has appointed John Lewis Partnership director of shared services Richard Mayfield as its new chief financial officer.
Sainsbury's reshuffles senior management team

27-Feb-2012
Sainsbury’s is to reshuffle its senior management team next month with several key shifts in responsibility.
Fairtrade sales hit £1.3bn as Morrisons makes commitment

27-Feb-2012
Fairtrade sales have hit £1.3bn with all of the major grocers backing the ethical sourcing movement last year.
Tesco unveils next round of Big Price Drop cuts

27-Feb-2012
Tesco has slashed price tags in another round of its Big Price Drop campaign.
Asda Income Tracker reveals slowdown in spending

24-Feb-2012
The decline in disposable income has slowed down although family spending power still fell by £9 a week in January 2012, the Asda Income Tracker has revealed.
Booths appoints Dee as chief operating officer

24-Feb-2012
Booths has appointed Chris Dee to the newly created position of chief operating officer.
Valentine's fuels strong John Lewis performance

24-Feb-2012
Strong Valentine’s Day sales fuelled a “cracking” performance at John Lewis last week.
Poundland pulls out of government work scheme

24-Feb-2012
Poundland has withdrawn from the government’s controversial work programme after media pressure has put the scheme under the spotlight.
Tesco online food sales to double in next five years

24-Feb-2012
Grocery giant already close to controlling 50% of internet food sales.
Iceland expands eastward with partnership in Czech Republic

February 24 2012
Frozen food retailer Iceland has opened its first store in the Czech Republic and is eyeing further expansion in Eastern Europe.
Iceland: Success in a cold climate

February 24 2012
Malcolm Walker is close to winning control of Iceland, the business he founded. He tells Alex Lawson he is as committed as ever to the frozen food retailer.
Video: DFS launches 'emotional' ad as it moves away from price-led campaigns

22-Feb-2012
DFS, one of the biggest spenders in advertising, has launched a new TV ad that represents a major shift away from its usual price-led campaigns.
Retailers to meet with government over Get Britain Working scheme

22-Feb-2012
Argos and Superdrug are to meet with government next week to discuss their involvement in the controversial Get Britain Working scheme.
Tesco offers 'alternative' work experience scheme

21-Feb-2012
Tesco has offered an “alternative” work experience programme after a government-led scheme received a storm of criticism.
Out-of-town shopping drives Christmas footfall rise

20-Feb-2012
Footfall in the three months to January was 1.8% up on a year ago, thanks largely to an increase in out-of-town shopping.
Tesco expected to improve non-food range

17-Feb-2012
Tesco is likely to investment in strong category management across non-food, according to investors.
Sainsbury's to stage Jubilee celebratory festival

17-Feb-2012
Sainsbury’s is to host a festival in London to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Online trade drives January retail sales

17-Feb-2012
Online trade drove an increase in the value and volume of retail sales in January, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Freezing conditions affect John Lewis trade

17-Feb-2012
Freezing weather conditions at the start of last week shifted trade at John Lewis-owned Waitrose into the previous week as consumers stocked up.
Maplin signs deal for 90-minute delivery

17-Feb-2012
Maplin has inked a deal with fulfilment specialist Shutl to launch 90-minute delivery slots and improve its customer offer.
What do I need to know about franchising?

February 17 2012
Franchising is used extensively by many UK retailers, both at home and abroad, but will it help Mothercare revive its business?
A-Wear bought out of receivership

16-Feb-2012
Irish fashion retailer A-Wear has been bought by investment group Jesta after it was placed into receivership by Hilco.
Tesco calms Twitter fury over 'unpaid' job

16-Feb-2012
Tesco has moved to calm the storm on Twitter after it appeared to advertise a job with no pay.
Tesco reveals details of fresh food focus

16-Feb-2012
Tesco has told investors it is to put an emphasis on fresh food and cut back on aggressive space expansion.
Profile: Simon Calver

16-Feb-2012
The Lovefilm boss was an unexpected choice to lead Mothercare’s revival, but his wide-ranging experience should help bring success.
Thorntons to revamp stores after poor trading hits its performance

16-Feb-2012
Thorntons is to spend up to £6m into refitting 75 stores over the next three years to improve performance after profits plummeted.
Asda records strong Christmas performance

15-Feb-2012
Asda has recorded a surge in market share and value growth over Christmas, according to figures released by Nielsen.
The Co-op makes £40m in sustainability savings

15-Feb-2012
The Co-operative has saved £40m through sustainability initiatives.
Thorntons to close more stores after profits hit

15-Feb-2012
Thorntons pre-tax profits plummeted as poor trading and strong competition hit performance.
Feather & Black launches transactional mobile site

14-Feb-2012
Feather & Black has launched a transactional mobile website.
DFS recruits BBC marketing boss

14-Feb-2012
DFS has appointed BBC marketing director Helen Normoyle as chief marketing officer.
The Body Shop records 'solid' growth

14-Feb-2012
The Body Shop enjoyed a 4.2% increase in like-for-like sales growth in 2011 following a “militant” approach to innovation.
Lakeland to introduce contactless payment

14-Feb-2012
Lakeland is to introduce contactless payment in all of its stores this summer.
The Co-op set to launch in-store food magazine

13-Feb-2012
The Co-operative Food to launch a new in-store magazine alongside a digital edition next month.
High street must 'shrink' warns Sainsbury's boss

13-Feb-2012
Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King is to call for a shrinking of the high street and for empty shops to be converted to housing.
Morrisons lays out plans to open 300 convenience stores

10-Feb-2012
Morrisons is understood to be targeting 300 M Local convenience store openings by 2014.
Hotel Chocolat to take dip in beauty market

February 10 2012
Upmarket chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is mulling the launch of beauty products as it enters the European market for the first time.
Asda creates sustainability network for suppliers

9-Feb-2012
Asda has signed a deal to increase sustainable practices in its supply chain.
Watchdog rejects Tesco complaint over Asda ad

8-Feb-2012
Asda has been exonerated after a complaint from Tesco over a national press advert.
Primark Northern Irish workers to be re-ballotted over strike

8-Feb-2012
Primark staff in Northern Ireland are to be re-balloted by Usdaw over a possible strike after a “technical oversight” in the original ballot process left the union open to a legal challenge.
Mothercare appoints Lovefilm's Simon Calver as chief executive

8-Feb-2012
Mothercare has appointed Lovefilm International boss Simon Calver as its new chief executive.
Dixons welcomes OFT warranty study

7-Feb-2012
Dixons has welcomed the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) consultation on proposals over extended warranties.
Tesco expands Korean virtual stores

7-Feb-2012
Tesco is to expand its virtual shopping walls in South Korea to target university students.
Amazon considers first physical store

7-Feb-2012
Amazon is to open its first physical shop as it looks to showcase its Kindle.
Snow hampers grocery supplies

6-Feb-2012
Poor weather conditions across the UK hit grocery supplies over the weekend as retailers battled the snow and ice.
MyDeco chief executive resigns

6-Feb-2012
MyDeco chief executive Nicole Vanderbilt is to step down and will be replaced by the interiors etailer’s ecommerce director.
Game granted breathing space by banks

3-Feb-2012
Game has been granted breathing space by its banks after they agreed to revise the terms of the game specialist’s banking facilities.
Electricals fuel John Lewis sales rise

3-Feb-2012
A strong performance in electricals fuelled a good week for John Lewis with sales up 8.9%.
10 ways to compete with Amazon

February 3 2012
Amazon’s sales growth this week showed that the etailer continues to power on. It commands respect from retailers, but its relentless expansion also generates fear. We assess how retailers can best compete with the digital Goliath. Gemma Goldfingle and Alex Lawson report.
Tesco expands international technology for F&F

2-Feb-2012
Tesco has signed a technology deal to support the expansion of its F&F brand international.
Ocado plots 'agressive' marketing push

1-Feb-2012
Ocado is to embark on an “aggressive” marketing plan over the next two years to increase shopper numbers.
Discount grocer Ugo sold a year after launch

1-Feb-2012
Discount grocery retailer Ugo has been acquired by an unnamed retailer.
Tesco moves UK operations head Robbins

1-Feb-2012
Tesco chief operating officer Bob Robbins will move roles within the business just three weeks after it was revealed he sold stock ahead of a profit warning.
Morrisons acquires meat processing facility

1-Feb-2012
Morrisons has acquired a meat processing facility in Winsford, Cheshire from Vion UK.
Jason Gissing

1-Feb-2012
He may be a former City boy but he shuns a pinstripe image. Alex Lawson reports on the Ocado co-founder and his new role.
Tesco market share slips

31-Jan-2012
Tesco’s grocery market share has dropped significantly in the face of fierce competition according to new figures from Kantar Worldpanel.
Ocado pre-tax losses narrow

31-Jan-2012
Ocado’s full-year pre-tax losses have slimmed to £2.4m from £12.1m in 2010 while sales grew.
Ocado slashes prices in online price war

30-Jan-2012
Ocado has cut prices on a huge range of products as competition for online grocery spend tightens.
Walker lines up £150m as Iceland deadline nears

30-Jan-2012
Iceland founder Malcolm Walker has arranged £150m of backing from a Canadian pension fund to enable a bid for the frozen foods chain.
Dolcis bought out of administration

27-Jan-2012
The Jacobson Group has bought footwear retailer Dolcis out of administration.
Morrisons receives £40m payment to take on Best Buy stores

27-Jan-2012
Morrisons is to be paid £40m to take on the 10 empty Best Buy stores it is converting to Kiddicare.
Strong online sales drive John Lewis growth

27-Jan-2012
John Lewis sales rose 11.4% last week driven by a “cracking” online performance.
Waitrose and Boots pare back product partnership

January 27 2012
Upmarket grocer to phase out health giant’s products and replace with own-brand.
Kiddicare acquires 10 former Best Buy stores

26-Jan-2012
Online baby products retailer Kiddicare has snapped up the leases of 10 former Best Buy stores.
Morrisons brings back pay day offers

26-Jan-2012
Morrisons has brought back its Big Pay Day Price Crunch campaign to capitalise on January pay packets.
Promotional coupons

26-Jan-2012
The economic downturn and Tesco’s underwhelming Christmas results in particular have highlighted customers’ desire for vouchers.
The People's Supermarket to expand

25-Jan-2012
The People’s Supermarket (TPS) is targeting new locations across the UK.
Asda Income Tracker: Weekly spending power falls by £12

25-Jan-2012
Asda has said UK families were £12 a week worse off in December 2011 than a year earlier.
The Co-operative makes senior job cuts

24-Jan-2012
Seven senior managers are to leave The Co-operative as the economic downturn hits one of the UK’s largest businesses.
Flying Brands sales fall

24-Jan-2012
Flying Brands suffered a fall in sales over Christmas from £4.47m to £3.29m.
Sainsbury's appoints marketing director

23-Jan-2012
Sainsbury’s has appointed a new marketing director as it looks to reshape its marketing team.
Tesco considers closing Home Plus stores

23-Jan-2012
Tesco is set to exit its standalone furnishing stores after poor sales led it to review its estate.
Tesco continues coupon drive

23-Jan-2012
Tesco has launched a voucher offer on its clothing lines as the grocer continues its post-profit warning fightback.
Poundland posts positive Christmas

20-Jan-2012
Poundland enjoyed a “very encouraging” Christmas with like-for-like sales up 5.9%.
Retailers enjoy December sales rise

20-Jan-2012
Retailers enjoyed a strong Christmas as sales rose 6.2% by value in December, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.
Clearance drives strong John Lewis sales

20-Jan-2012
Sales at John Lewis soared last week as its Clearance Sale drove strong online custom.
‘We are not going to be an also-ran’ says Tesco chief

January 20 2012
After Tesco’s worst Christmas for two decades, chief executive Philip Clarke reveals how he plans to get the grocer back on track. Alex Lawson reports.
Former Woolworths stores almost filled

19-Jan-2012
Just over 100 former Woolworths stores vacated following its collapse in January 2009 remain empty.
Tesco hits back with voucher campaign

18-Jan-2012
Tesco has launched a voucher offer just days after group chief executive Philip Clarke admitted coupons had proved the difference as it lost out to rivals over Christmas.
Paul Mason appointed toy brand Mayborn chairman

18-Jan-2012
Cath Kidston and Radley & Co chairman Paul Mason has been appointed chairman of Mayborn.
Asda boss calls for planning freedom

17-Jan-2012
Asda chief executive Andy Clarke has called on government to simplify planning legislation quickly to create a “turning point” for UK growth.
In Pictures: Hotel Chocolat unveils chocolate factory store

17-Jan-2012
Hotel Chocolat has opened the UK’s first store which combines making and selling chocolate under one roof.
M&S online customer feedback soars

17-Jan-2012
Customer feedback submitted on Marks & Spencer’s website has surged after it incorporated new technology into its systems.
Morrisons interest in Iceland fades

17-Jan-2012
Morrisons’ interest in buying Iceland Foods in a £1.5bn bid is fading as the deadline for second round bids approaches.
Tesco enters F&F partnership in Saudi Arabia

17-Jan-2012
Tesco has created a new franchise model to enter Saudi Arabia as it looks to turn its F&F fashion label into a major global brand.
Tesco defends Robbins shares sale

16-Jan-2012
Tesco has refuted allegations that its chief operating officer sold £202,000 of shares in the knowledge the retailer’s stock market value was set to plummet.
Tesco's prospects: The City view

13-Jan-2012
Tesco’s poor Christmas trading update wiped £5bn off the company’s stock market value yesterday in what is being dubbed a ‘Black Thursday’ for retail.
Blue Inc posts Christmas sales rise

13-Jan-2012
Fashion retailer Blue Inc delivered strong Christmas sales, led by its eponymous chain.
John Lewis positive despite sales slip

13-Jan-2012
John Lewis department stores recorded a dip in sales last week, when there was one less trading day than usual because of the New Year’s Day bank holiday.
Tesco’s expansion into India undeterred by FDI uncertainty

January 13 2012
Tesco has reiterated its commitment to expansion in India despite the false dawn of proposed changes to the rules on multi-brand Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
Asda outstrips rivals over festive period

January 13 2012
A mix of advertising, promotions and vouchers brought success for Asda.
Q&A: Philip Clarke, Tesco

12-Jan-2012
Tesco group finance director Laurie McIlwee and group chief executive Philip Clarke faced a grilling from the press after the grocer reported its worst Christmas trading for decades today. Clarke talks the Big Price Drop, a move away from large superstores and why the retailer is not crisis. Alex Lawson reports
Thorntons suffers poor Christmas performance

12-Jan-2012
Thorntons failed to meet expectations as it endured a poor Christmas in the face of tough competition.
Ocado enjoys late Christmas sales surge

12-Jan-2012
Online grocer Ocado enjoyed a late surge in sales in the last week before Christmas, up 23.8% on the previous year.
Indian government approves single-brand FDI change

11-Jan-2012
The Indian government has approved proposals to allow 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in single-brand retail.
Tesco to close 12 Fresh & Easy stores

11-Jan-2012
Tesco is to temporarily close 12 of its Fresh & Easy stores in the US in the face of harsh of economic conditions.
Sainsbury's reports 'record-breaking' Christmas

11-Jan-2012
Sainsbury’s has reported a “record-breaking” Christmas with non-food and its online business proving particularly strong.
Retail resolutions for 2012

Janaury 6 2012
Retailers reveal the business resolutions that they will be sticking to during the good and bad of 2012. By Gemma Goldfingle and Alex Lawson.
Waitrose enjoys "very strong" Christmas

5-Jan-2012
Waitrose has capitalised on a strong online offer to deliver a positive Christmas performance.
Lucy Neville-Rolfe

4-Jan-2012
The departure early next year of one of former Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy’s key lieutenants will be the end of an era. Alex Lawson reports.
Retailers take longer to pay suppliers

3-Jan-2012
Retailers including Marks & Spencer, Clinton Cards and Dixons have taken much longer to pay their suppliers over the last year.
January shopper numbers fall

3-Jan-2012
Footfall on the high street has fallen in recent days despite an initial flurry of spending on Boxing Day.
New year grocery discounting begins

3-Jan-2012
The big grocers are responding to a potential fall in January consumer spending with widespread discounting.
Blacks moves closer to pre-pack administration

23-Dec-2011
Blacks Leisure has moved a step closer to entering pre-pack administration.
Waitrose enjoys festive sales rise

22-Dec-2011
Sales at Waitrose were up 3.3% on 2010 figures last week.
Grocery space growth rockets

22-Dec-2011
Supermarkets have added space at an exponential rate since the start of the credit crunch in 2007 and expansion continues unabated.
Sainsbury's celebrates 11 years with Jamie Oliver

21-Dec-2011
Sainsbury’s has released a new TV advert celebrating its 11-year partnership with celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
Foyles reports third year of profitability

21-Dec-2011
Foyles has reported a third year of profitability, although earnings fell because of ongoing works outside its flagship Charing Cross Road store.
Mulberry appoints new chief executive

21-Dec-2011
Luxury goods retailer Mulberry has appointed a new chief executive who will join in March.
Thorntons warns on profits

21-Dec-2011
Thorntons has issued a profit warning after poor consumer spending and heavy high street promotions hit performance.
Grocers: The final countdown

20-Dec-2011
The fight for food spend at Christmas is a retail battle like no other. Alex Lawson looks at how the big grocers are positioned for the last week of festive trading.
HMV vows to turn around its fortunes

19-Dec-2011
HMV chief executive Simon Fox said “we are doing everything we can” to turn the business around after revealing a loss of £36.6m for the first half today.
Sun European makes offer for Jacques Vert

19-Dec-2011
Private equity firm Sun European Partners has made an offer for womenswear retailer Jacques Vert. The deal values Jacques Vert at £41.2m
Neville-Rolfe to step down from Tesco board

19-Dec-2011
Tesco director of corporate and legal affairs Lucy Neville-Rolfe is to retire from its board after 14 years with the company.
Ocado warns on profits

19-Dec-2011
Ocado has warned its profits are likely to be hit because to capacity problems at its warehouse.
B&Q launches 'most aggressive' price campaign yet

15-Dec-2011
B&Q has launched its longest-ever winter sale following a £60m price investment.
Town centre retail to lose share, Portas study shows

15-Dec-2011
The proportion of retail sales through town centres is expected to decline significantly in the next three years, as Mary Portas attempts to reverse a “crisis” situation.
Focus DIY's customers, shoppers and unsecured creditors receive nothing

15-Dec-2011
Landlords, suppliers, customers and employees owed £821.1m following the collapse of Focus DIY have received nothing.
Morrisons plans 2012 expansion

14-Dec-2011
Morrisons is to create 7,000 new jobs and open 25 stores in 2012 as it goes on an expansion drive.
Sainsbury's marketing bosses exit

14-Dec-2011
Sainsbury’s is to lose two key marketing bosses.
M Savers to hit Morrisons shelves in January

14-Dec-2011
Morrisons has confirmed its new M Savers value range is to launch in January.
CPI inflation falls in November

13-Dec-2011
The rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation has fallen during November.
Portas sets out new high street vision

13-Dec-2011
Mary Portas has called for a “shift to a new, multi-functional, social high street”.
Retailers including Asda and Morrisons overturn OFT tobacco price-fixing decision

13-Dec-2011
A consortium of retailers have overturned a controversial decision from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) over tobacco price-fixing.
Essex shopping centre wins rates break

12-Dec-2011
The Exchange shopping centre in Essex has won a 20% business rate reduction due to the threat to trade posed by Westfield Stratford City.
West End takings rise during traffic-free weekend

12-Dec-2011
Takings in London’s West End were at their highest of the year as a result of a traffic-free promotion designed to entice Christmas shoppers to the area.
John Lewis enjoys record sales

12-Dec-2011
John Lewis has recorded its largest ever sales week, driven by Christmas shopping and cold weather.
In pictures: Peter Marks drums up Christmas single

9-Dec-2011
The group chief executive of The Co-operative Group and a cast of colleagues have launched a Christmas charity record in aid of Mencap.
Costcutter hits acquisition trail

9-Dec-2011
Costcutter is to hit the acquisition trail and launch three new fascias in 2012.
Dr Martens to open Scottish store

9-Dec-2011
Dr Martens is to launch its first Scottish store in the St Enoch Centre.
Geoff Quinn

9-Dec-2011
TM Lewin has just broken the £100m sales barrier. Its chief executive wants to add the same again through international expansion, he tells Alex Lawson.
Peacocks 'considering 200 store closures'

8-Dec-2011
Value fashion group Peacocks is considering closing up to 200 stores as part of a restructuring plan.
West End sales fall in November

8-Dec-2011
Sales in London’s West End fell in November but are set to bounce back in December.
Tesco director: Big Price Drop is no quick fix

8-Dec-2011
Tesco has warned the market not to judge its Big Price Drop too early as it is a “medium term strategy”.
Barratts Priceless plunges into administration

8-Dec-2011
Shoe specialist Barratts Priceless Group has collapsed into administration for the second time in two years.
Barratts Priceless 'nears administration'

8-Dec-2011
Barratts Priceless is reportedly close to appointing administrators for the second time in two years.
Return ruled out for Ex-Thorntons director

8-Dec-2011
Former Thorntons chairman Peter Thornton has failed in his attempt to rejoin the troubled chocolatier.
Lakeside £180m extension proposed

7-Dec-2011
Capital Shopping Centres (CSC) has submitted a planning application for an £180m investment which would increase the size of the Lakeside centre by a third.
Indian retail investment talks suspended

7-Dec-2011
The Indian government has suspended talks to allow foreign investment from the world’s largest retailers with no clear timeframe in place to re-start discussions.
Park Group upbeat despite loss

7-Dec-2011
The Christmas hamper, voucher and gift seller Park Group has remained upbeat despite reporting a widening pre-tax loss.
Grocery spending stalls in November, Nielsen reports

6-Dec-2011
Grocery spend stalled in November despite price-cuts, money-off vouchers, fuel discounts and other promotions by the big four grocers.
Sainsbury's expects last minute Christmas shop dash

6-Dec-2011
Sainsbury’s expects shoppers to push their main festive shop closer to Christmas than ever before.
Ex-Tesco boss invests in digital receipt firm

5-Dec-2011
Former Tesco chief executive and chairman Lord Ian MacLaurin has backed a fledgling digital receipt company.
Ocado struggles with late deliveries

5-Dec-2011
Ocado has recorded an increasing number of late deliveries as its Hatfield operation struggles with capacity problems.
Indian foreign investment proposals put on hold

5-Dec-2011
Plans to allow foreign investment from global retailers including Tesco, Carrefour and Walmart in India are on ice as the government looks to find a “consensus”.
Panorama uncovers 'misleading' grocery claims

5-Dec-2011
The UK’s four biggest grocers have been accused of misleading shoppers with confusing and untrue claims that potentially leave them open to prosecution.
Grocery market to hit £184bn by 2016

5-Dec-2011
The grocery market is expected to be worth £184bn by 2016, compared to £156.8bn in 2011, according to new research.
Calzedonia to expand across UK

2-Dec-2011
Hosiery and beachwear retailer Calzedonia is to expand across the UK as it signs for a store in The City of London.
Tesco offers House of Fraser deal

2-Dec-2011
House of Fraser gift cards are to be offered to Tesco Clubcard holders throughout December after the retailers struck a deal to create the promotion.
Sainsbury's and Co-op well placed to poach custom

2-Dec-2011
Sainsbury’s and The Co-operative are in the strongest position to poach custom from rivals, according to a new study.
Festive sales boost Waitrose

2-Dec-2011
Festive purchases fuelled a rise in sales at Waitrose last week.
Sir Stuart Rose linked to Argos bid

2-Dec-2011
Sir Stuart Rose has been linked to a return to Argos as part of a possible private equity approach for parent Home Retail.
Post-sales service vital for multichannel offer

2-Dec-2011
As multichannel sales continue to rise, retailers aim to make customer experience and service consistent across all channels.
Waitrose steps up social media presence

1-Dec-2011
Waitrose is ramping up its spend on social media in the run up to Christmas.
John Lewis sees sales rise

1-Dec-2011
John Lewis has recorded a 10.5% uplift in sales this week with Christmas spending in full swing.
Workers protest at Tesco store in China

1-Dec-2011
Workers at a Tesco store in China have blockaded the shop ahead of its closure.
Tesco expected to win Christmas food spend

1-Dec-2011
More than half of UK households will do their Christmas grocery shopping at Tesco this year.
Sir Richard Broadbent becomes Tesco chairman

30-Nov-2011
Sir Richard Broadbent officially took over as the chairman of Tesco today.
In pictures: A trip through history as JS opens 1,000th store

30-Nov-2011
Sainsbury’s has opened its 1,000th store in Irvine, Ayrshire.
Asda people directors exit

30-Nov-2011
Two senior Asda personnel directors have left the retailer and another is poised to leave its food sourcing division.
Plan A on course at M&S

30-Nov-2011
Marks & Spencer has achieved 105 of the 180 commitments set out in its environment and ethical programme, Plan A.
Co-op revamps electricals site

30-Nov-2011
The Co-operative is ramping up its electricals online offer and launching click-and-collect for the first time.
Consumer confidence remains depressed in November

30-Nov-2011
Consumer confidence levels improved marginally in November but still remain low as the Eurozone crisis and fears over a further recession continues to depress sentiment.
Land Securities and Cortefiel end UK venture

29-Nov-2011
Property group Land Securities and Spanish retailer Cortefiel have ended a tie-up designed to introduce new brands to the UK and shut eight stores.
Iceland non-food expansion recommended

29-Nov-2011
Food retailer Iceland could take a strategic step into non-food when its future becomes clear.
Travelodge in Waitrose link-up

29-Nov-2011
Travelodge and Waitrose are to develop combined sites as the hotel company looks to ramp up operations alongside retailers.
Findel confident in turnaround despite losses widening

29-Nov-2011
Findel is confident of its three-year turnaround plan despite losses widening in its half year to September 30.
Selfridges reveals Christmas frontrunners

25-Nov-2011
Patriotic purchases and trendy technology are dominating sales at Selfridges in the lead up to Christmas.
In pictures: Waitrose enjoys strong sales

25-Nov-2011
Increased sales at Waitrose as a result of its tie up with Delia Smith and Heston Blumenthal have continued with another strong week of trading.
Colin Graves

November 25 2011
He may have sold Costcutter, but that doesn’t mean its founder is taking it easy and stepping back from the business. Alex Lawson reports.
In focus: Co-operative Group

November 25 2011
Following a weak performance this year, the grocer is concentrating on its core strengths.
Indian cabinet approves foreign investment in retail

24-Nov-2011
The Indian government has cleared the way to allow multinational retailers including Tesco, Carrefour and Walmart to enter its retail market.
Morrisons head of brand strategy departs

24-Nov-2011
Morrisons head of brand strategy Danny Micklethwaite has left the grocer after just five months.
Asda: UK families have £13 less to spend

24-Nov-2011
UK families’ spending power fell £13 a week on last year, according to Asda.
In pictures: M&S Paris flagship opens today

24-Nov-2011
Marks & Spencer is to open its flagship Paris store today.
Asda staff share £17m Christmas package

23-Nov-2011
Staff at Asda are to share a £17m ‘Festive Thank You’ this Christmas.
Tesco to launch Big Christmas Price Drop

23-Nov-2011
Tesco will tomorrow up the ante in the supermarket price war in the face of “intense” competition.
Kingfisher boss launches green task force

23-Nov-2011
Kingfisher boss Ian Cheshire is to lead an independent task force aimed at finding new opportunities for UK businesses to drive green economic growth.
WHSmith launches social networking e-reader Kobo Vox

23-Nov-2011
WHSmith has launched Kobo Vox, a new e-reader that connects readers of the same book via Facebook and Twitter.
Former Ethel Austin staff miss out on redundancy pay

22-Nov-2011
An employment tribunal has ruled that 1,200 Ethel Austin staff will not receive redundancy pay.
Signet UK reports flat third quarter like-for-likes

22-Nov-2011
Jeweller Signet’s UK like-for-like sales edged down in the the third quarter.
Sainsbury's contests Ocado bag tax immunity

22-Nov-2011
Sainsbury’s has raised concerns over a new levy on carrier bags in Wales which does not affect Ocado.
Retailers pay charities to reduce rates bills

22-Nov-2011
Retail property owners are avoiding paying business rates on vacant property by tempting charity shops into the units.
Hotel Chocolat reports pre-tax profit jump

21-Nov-2011
A jump in sales at upmarket chocolate chain Hotel Chocolat has led to a 25% rise in pre-tax profits to £2.6m.
Fashion retailers set to sign up to Wembley City

21-Nov-2011
Several key fashion retailers are on the verge of signing up to a new designer outlet in Wembley.
Retailers squeeze their suppliers as spending stalls

21-Nov-2011
Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, N Brown and Debenhams are reportedly putting pressure on suppliers to ease the pain of tough trading conditions.
Iceland auction hit by delays

18-Nov-2011
The auction of Iceland Foods has been delayed until mid-January, according to latest reports.
Collins appointed retail director at Waitrose

17-Nov-2011
Rob Collins has been appointed retail director at Waitrose replacing Tony Solomons who will be retiring after 30 years with the business.
Deloitte forecasts zero Christmas retail growth

17-Nov-2011
Deloitte has forecast zero growth in total Christmas retail sales as austerity measures finally take hold.
Asda launches new mobile app

17-Nov-2011
Asda has launched a new mobile app which allows customers to buy groceries online and compare the price of their shopping to rivals using an iPhone.
Grocers focus on own-labels in the battle for margins and share

17-Nov-2011
Supermarkets are setting their sights on own-label products to create differentiation and drive margin improvements as they fight for market share.
Sainsbury’s plans first standalone pharmacy

17-Nov-2011
Sainsbury’s is to open its first separate pharmacy outside its supermarkets as the grocer looks beyond traditional retailing and expands its healthcare services business.
Sales rise at Ted Baker

17-Nov-2011
Ted Baker has defied unseasonably warm autumn weather to report a 7.8% rise in group sales.
Asda on target for £800m sustainability savings

16-Nov-2011
Asda prices could continue to fall in the next decade as the supermarket hits targets on sustainability.
Video: Majestic Wine launches first TV ad

16-Nov-2011
Majestic Wine has overcome the loss of its City champagne customers to gain new business and launch its first ever television advertising campaign.
Fresh & Easy chief marketing officer departs

15-Nov-2011
One of the original Tesco executives who crossed the Atlantic to forge the Fresh & Easy business has left the retailer.
Costcutter acquired by Bibby Line Group

14-Nov-2011
Costcutter Supermarkets Group has been acquired by financial services and shipping group Bibby Line Group, which already had a 51% stake in the retailer.
Jamie Oliver takes final bow in Sainsbury's Christmas ad

14-Nov-2011
Jamie Oliver has taken a bow from Sainsbury’s with a pantomime performance in his final Christmas television advert, broadcast on Sunday.
Majestic Wine profits up 20% in first half

14-Nov-2011
Majestic Wine has posted a 20% rise in half-year profits as its customer base continues to grow.
Land Securities hails lock-in events a success

11-Nov-2011
Landlord Land Securities has run a series of “lock-in” events targeting cash-strapped customers across the country.
Bolland and King highlight changing shopper behaviour

11-Nov-2011
M&S and Sainsbury’s aim to ensure consumer demand for quality and value is effectively met.
In focus: Sainsbury’s

November 11 2011
The grocer is pulling no punches as it pushes convenience, non-food and value.
Morrisons targets bulk buy payday offers

10-Nov-2011
Morrisons is targeting payday wage packets with bulk buy offers.
Sainsbury's set sights on Tesco territory

10-Nov-2011
Sainsbury’s is to continue to target new areas of the UK as it aims to “give people a choice” that isn’t Tesco.
Supermarket growth slows as shoppers put off Christmas spree

9-Nov-2011
Growth among supermarkets slowed last month as consumers put off their Christmas shop as they await a raft of festive promotions.
Sainsbury's profits up 6.6% in first half

9-Nov-2011
Sainsbury’s has reported “strong” sales with underlying pretax profit up 6.6% to £354m, excluding gains on property sales.
Asda outperforms market for first time since 2009

8-Nov-2011
Asda has outperformed the grocery market for the first time since the beginning of 2010 while Morrisons remains the strongest performer of the big four supermarkets, according to the latest Kantar Worldpanel market share figures.
Thorntons FD to exit next year

8-Nov-2011
Thorntons finance director Mark Robson has left the chocolatier after two years with the business.

Retail WeekAlex Lawson

Retail Week
Alex Lawson