Retail Week
Amy Shields

Amy Shields is news editor of Drapers and fashion correspondent for Retail Week

Moss Bros sells Gee but sticks with Savoy

June 24 2011
Menswear group Moss Bros insists it will remain committed to its formal menswear chain Savoy Taylors Guild after disposing of its Cecil Gee chain for £1.7m to JD Sports Fashion.
Team behind Aurora vie to snap up Jane Norman

June 17 2011
Aurora management team size up distressed womenswear retailer to run separately
Franchise director latest to exit New Look

June 17 2011
New Look franchise director Alex Cara has become the latest high-profile departure from the value fashion retailer as its new management refocuses on its core UK operations
Rob Templeman

June 10 2011
The Debenhams boss may be stepping down in September, but he isn’t done with retail just yet. Amy Shields talks to the retail heavyweight about his new role with the BRC
Battle for summer sales to kick off a week early

June 3 2011
Hard-pressed retailers’ sales and margins will come under increased pressure as department store chains Debenhams and House of Fraser prepare to launch their summer Sales a week earlier than last year.
New Peacocks chair forges ahead with UK and overseas expansion

May 27 2011
Former Asda chief executive Allan Leighton, who was confirmed as chairman of value retailer Peacocks this week, will focus on overseas expansion and UK consolidation.
Peacocks calls on Leighton

April 28 2011
Former Asda chief executive Allan Leighton in frame to become chairman of value fashion group.
Debenhams to trial 'online shops' in store

April 21 2011
Debenhams is to pilot ‘online shops’ within its mid-sized department stores in a bid to grow its market share in today’s stagnant market.
New TJ Hughes owners to address sourcing after rescue refinancing

April 21 2011
The new chairman of TJ Hughes has refinanced the discount department store business and set out to address its sourcing strategy after soaring costs and slumping margins drove the business to the brink.
Jane Norman revamps to focus on fast fashion

April 15 2011
Jane Norman has embarked on a radical overhaul of its business in an attempt to target a younger, more fashionable customer.
Matalan to close London buying office

13-Apr-2011
Matalan, the value chain, is to close its London buying office and move its buying operations back to its Lancashire headquarters.
Tom Singh lures Horspool back to New Look

12-Apr-2011
Barbara Horspool, New Look’s group design director who quit last month ahead of a spectacular shake-up of personnel at the value chain, has been persuaded to stay at the business in an elevated role by chairman and founder Tom Singh.
Harvey Nics to trial new formats as market slows

April 8 2011
Luxury department store to open beauty standalone as part of innovation plans
Peacock Group enters talks to sell Bonmarché to Duke Street

April 8 2011
The Peacock Group has entered exclusive talks with private equity investor Duke Street about a sale of its mature womenswear business Bonmarché.
Beales targets a return to profit after buying Anglia Co-op stores

April 8 2011
Beales chief executive Tony Brown has vowed the department store chain will return to profit within 18 months following the acquisition of 19 stores from Anglia Regional Co-operative Society (ARCS).
Beales set to buy Co-op department stores

5-Apr-2011
Beales is set to buy 19 department stores from the Anglia Co-op.
House of Fraser scouting for small click-and-collect stores

April 1 2011
Smaller shop formats planned for collection of online orders as customer demand grows
All Saints close to sale deal

25-Mar-2011
All Saints is close to being bought by surprise suitor M1, a Beirut-based business co-founded by the likely next Lebanese Prime Minister, in partnership with Richard Sharp, the former head of Goldman Sachs’ private equity firm. A deal could be finalised as early as Monday.
John Lewis bond fully subscribed

18-Mar-2011
The John Lewis Partnership has closed its first retail investment bond to new applications after it reached its £50m target in 11 days.
Jane Norman chief Saj Shah exits after 35 years

25-Feb-2011
Jane Norman veteran Saj Shah has taken early retirement from the women’s young fashion chain.
New Look’s Horspool to head design at Oasis

February 25 2011
Barbara Horspool, the outgoing group design director at New Look, will build on Oasis’ feminine and contemporary handwriting when she joins the young fashion chain as design director in the summer.
Former Primark buying boss joins New Look to revamp product offer

February 18th 2011
New Look has hired former Primark buying and merchandising director Julian Kilmartin to help it fix the product mistakes it made in the latter half of 2010.
Selfridges to overhaul women’s designwear

February 18th 2011
Selfridges is to revamp its women’s designer floor in a bid to replicate the success of its Shoe Galleries.
Peacocks prompts IPO speculation after beginning hunt for chairman

February 11 2011
Value fashion group Peacocks intends to appoint a chairman for the first time in five years, prompting speculation that an IPO may be on the cards.
Debenhams opens first pop-up shop

February 11 2011
Debenhams has opened its first pop-up shop, timed to coincide with London Fashion Week and featuring the department store’s newest designer collaboration, Edition.
Peacocks delivers full-year profits increase as shoppers trade down

January 14 2011
Peacocks Group, the fashion retail group that operates value chain Peacocks and mature womenswear business Bonmarche, said that EBITDA and sales rose across the group last year.
John Lewis Partnership to invest £500m this year

6-Jan-2011
John Lewis Partnership is to invest a record £500m in 2011 and indicated that the John Lewis chain will be ready to expand overseas by the year’s end.
John Lewis breaks sales records

30-Dec-2010
John Lewis has smashed its single day’s sales record during its post-Christmas Clearance.
Strong Christmas trading at Hammerson centres

30-Dec-2010
Shopping centre owner Hammerson has reported a strong start to the post-Christmas Sales period, with 2.25 million shoppers visiting its nine regional shopping centres over the three days from Boxing Day.
Harvey Nichols reports record Sale

30-Dec-2010
Harvey Nichols, the luxury department store business, said that its post-Christmas Sale had broken records despite tube strikes in the capital, reduced trading hours on Boxing Day and problems with transportation due to the snow.
Paul Smith profits rise

30-Dec-2010
British designer label Paul Smith has paid out a £3.4m dividend after a bumper year in which profits hit the £25m mark.
Debenhams launches biggest ever Sale

23-Dec-2010
Debenhams has fired the starter gun on its biggest ever Sale with discounts of up to 70% online from today and in stores from Boxing Day.
Monsoon refreshes its brand with new look

December 3 2010
Monsoon has embarked on the roll out of a new look fascia, as part of an overhaul of the womenswear chain’s branding.
John Lewis weekly sales surge as cold weather sets in

22-Nov-2010
John Lewis said total sales surged 12% to £88m in the week to Saturday, after a strong performance from cold weather clothing.
Joules makes string of board appointments

November 19 2010
Lifestyle retailer Joules has made a raft of key board-level appointments to drive its ambitious growth plans and focus its strategy on a design-led offer.
New Look hires former Selfridges marketing director for new role

November 19 2010
New Look has hired Nick Cross, the marketer who led the rebranding of Selfridges in the late 1990s, to the newly created role of marketing director.
Brits face expensive Christmas as clothing and footwear prices rise

15-Nov-2010
Clothing and footwear prices could rise by up to 4.7% in the last quarter of 2010, according to retail consultancy Verdict. It would be the highest increase since 1991.
Christmas sales drive John Lewis uplift

15-Nov-2010
Department store John Lewis said that sales rose 11.5% week-on-week in the seven days to Saturday November 13, driven by home entertaining and Christmas decoration products.
New Look profits suffer in challenging conditions

11-Nov-2010
Value fashion retailer New Look suffered stuttering profits and a like-for-like sales fall during its first half, but it increased market share and total sales.
Directors stand down in New Look shake-up

October 29 2010
New Look finance director Patrick Burrows and group business change director Adrian Thompson have left the value fashion retailer.
New Harrods owner weighs up plans for hotel

15-Oct-2010
Harrods is considering opening a luxury hotel on the roof of its iconic Knightsbridge store as part of a review of the business following its acquisition by the Qatari Royal family.
Michael Ward

October 15, 2010
The Harrods managing director has successfully worked alongside Al Fayed to increase the retailer’s profit 40%.
Whistles turnaround on course after losses cut

October 8, 2010
Jane Shepherdson’s turnaround of Whistles is proving a success, with losses slashed and a return to profitability on the horizon.
Harrods reaches record profit on successful ‘superbrands’ revamp

October 8, 2010
Harrods managing director Michael Ward has heralded the renaissance of the superbrand and said shoppers have continued to trade up to investment pieces post recession.
John Lewis: Never Knowingly Undersold... even online

September 24, 2010
John Lewis has broken new ground by extending its Never Knowingly Undersold price-matching policy to its website.
John Lewis extends ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’ price-match policy to online

22-Sep-2010
John Lewis has extended its Never Knowingly Undersold price-matching policy to its website.
Like-for-likes fall at Beales

17-Sep-2010
Department store group Beales has posted a 1.7% fall in like-for-like sales,including concessions and VAT, after a fall-off in demand for big ticket items.
John Lewis profits to bounce back

6-Sep-2010
John Lewis is expected to say that profits at the department store chain have returned to pre-recession levels when it updates on its half-year results this month.
Growing pains at TK Maxx blamed for tumbling profits

19-Aug-2010
TJX Companies, the US parent of off-price retailer TK Maxx and homewares chain HomeSense, has blamed the poor second quarter performance of its European business on operations in the UK and Ireland.
M&S extends payment terms

August 13, 2010
Marks & Spencer is to launch an invoice discounting scheme for suppliers after implementing new, longer payment terms.
Early Sale tactics pay off for West End stores

August 13, 2010
Department stores reaped rewards by moving their summer Sales forward to benefit from the surge in Middle Eastern shoppers ahead of the Ramadan religious festival.
Paul Marchant

August 13, 2010
The former New Look man seems to have fitted in well in the unique setting of Primark
New Look director Lex Gemas exits following float delay

30-Jul-2010
New Look chief operating officer Lex Gemas has exited the value fashion chain after little more than a year at the business.
Primark defies the downturn with strong growth in sales

July 16, 2010
Value fashion retailer Primark has reported that full-year margins are expected to be ahead of last year despite rising input prices, which are forecast to hit the clothing sector generally.
New Liberty owner outlines plans for fewer brands with greater depth

July 2, 2010
Marco Capello, the new owner and chairman of Liberty, has outlined plans to scale back the department store’s brands to focus on increasing its depth of offer.
Joseph Wan

June 25, 2010
The Harvey Nichols chief executive isn’t holding out for UK economic recovery and is instead charging forward with new formats to drive growth.
Budget 2010: VAT to rise to 20%

22-Jun-2010
VAT is to be increased to 20% from January 4, Chancellor George Osborne revealed in the emergency Budget today.
TJ Hughes pulls sale process

7-Jun-2010
TJ Hughes, the discount department store chain, has axed its sale process.
Baugur boss stands down from Iceland board

17-May-2010
Former Baugur boss Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson has stepped down from the board of frozen food specialist Iceland and confirmed that he has also retired from the House of Fraser board after a $2bn fraud lawsuit was filed against him in the US.
Phase Eight in management buy-out

17-May-2010
Phase Eight, the womenswear retail chain, is set to be taken over by its management in a deal backed by Russian investors, ending its links with the private equity arm of Icelandic bank Kaupthing.
Peacocks considers sale

17-May-2010
The owners of Peacocks Group are considering appointing advisers to examine the value retailers’ options as it mulls a possible sale, it is understood.
Aurora hires ex-Asos man as online chief

May 14, 2010
Aurora Fashions has appointed former Asos marketing chief Hash Ladha to the newly created role of group multichannel director.
Liberty signs licensing deal with Italian menswear manufacturer

May 14, 2010
Liberty of London has signed its first licensing deal, the latest move in the department store’s attempt to become profitable.
Primark first-half surge opens door for opportunity in Europe

April 23, 2010
Impressive first-half trading figures from Primark will pave the way for further European expansion, City analysts believe.
Debenhams to ramp up own-label home ranges as it drives margins

April 16, 2010
Debenhams will bolster its homewares with the introduction of a raft of own-label ranges from autumn.
Retailers strike back in National Insurance row

1-Apr-2010
Retail leaders have hit back after top Labour politicians accused them of having been “deceived” into supporting Conservative plans to reverse part of the Government’s proposed National Insurance rise.
New Look vows to become top multichannel fashion retailer

March 26, 2010
New Look has thrown down the gauntlet to Asos and Next and said it wants to topple its rivals to become the number one multichannel fashion retailer within three years.
SuperGroup confirms IPO details

12-Mar-2010
Young fashion retailer SuperGroup has given the green light to its stock market listing and confirmed that it expects to achieve an IPO valuation of £395m.
Matalan founder to pay himself £250m dividend

8-Mar-2010
Matalan founder John Hargreaves is set to pay himself a £250m dividend as part of refinancing plans at the value chain.
Liberty considers freehold sale of iconic flagship store

1-Mar-2010
Liberty has confirmed that investors are circling the luxury department store’s iconic Tudor-style building to lease it back to the company.
Selfridges tests debut transactional website

February 26, 2010
Selfridges has launched a beta version of its eagerly anticipated transactional website.
House of Fraser to open first overseas shops in Middle East

24-Feb-2010
House of Fraser has entered into a partnership with Retail Arabia International to open stores in the Middle East.
Matalan mulls refinance plan

22-Feb-2010
Matalan is reportedly considering a refinancing following its axed sale.
House of Fraser drafts in web guru Robin Terrell

19-Feb-2010
House of Fraser has drafted in multichannel wizard Robin Terrell to lead online and international operations at the department store group.
Halfords mulls £30m Blacks bid

15-Feb-2010
Outdoor specialist retailer Blacks Leisure is reported to be the latest bid target for Halfords.
Carl McPhail: preparing to lead New Look’s IPO

February 12, 2010
With a potential IPO in the offing the New Look chief executive has been thrust into the public glare. Does he have the pedigree to lead the float, asks Amy Shields
John Lewis to invest a further £7.5m in home format

9-Feb-2010
John Lewis will open its second home store, John Lewis at home, in Croydon in the autumn and has committed to investing a further £7.5m in the format.
Ethel Austin in administration

8-Feb-2010
UPDATED: Ethel Austin, which was bought out of administration in 2008 by former MK One boss Elaine McPherson, hit the buffers today after being unable to gain banking facilities, with a poor January’s trading sealing its fate.
Ethel Austin files intention to appoint administrators

5-Feb-2010
Value retailer Ethel Austin has filed an intention to appoint administrators.
TK Maxx parent reinforces senior team as it makes European push

February 5, 2010
TJX Europe, parent of TK Maxx and HomeSense, has strengthened its management team as it forges ahead with international expansion.
New Look reveals global ambitions as it lines up float

February 5, 2010
Fashion giant sets sights on expanding international presence as it aims to raise £650m through IPO
Life after Baugur

February 5, 2010
One year on, Amy Shields assesses the impact of the Icelandic investment giant’s collapse on UK retail and the chains it owned
New Look confirms IPO

2-Feb-2010
New Look has confirmed that it will float on the stock exchange, poised to value the fast fashion retailer at £1.7bn.
Ethel Austin close to refinancing deal

27-Jan-2010
Value retailer Ethel Austin is understood to be in advanced stages of negotiations to secure a refinancing deal.
Beales cuts losses after Christmas sales rise

25-Jan-2010
Independent department store chain Beales said like-for-like sales rose 2.8% at Christmas and that full-year pre-tax losses reduced by more than a third.
Debenhams to cut 170 jobs in Ireland

22-Jan-2010
Debenhams is poised to cut 170 full-time jobs in the Republic of Ireland.
Melissa Potter named as new Clarks chief executive

18-Jan-2010
Clarks has appointed Melissa Potter as chief executive of the footwear retailer.
Strong Christmas brings cheer to House of Fraser

11-Jan-2010
House of Fraser said like-for-like sales over the eight weeks to January 2 rose 7.1%.
Value clothing chain Happit in administration

8-Jan-2010
Scottish value chain Happit has hit the buffers this week after poor trading conditions impacted sales.
Supergroup enjoys record Christmas

5-Jan-2010
Supergroup, the young fashion retailer which owns the Superdry brand and Cult chain, scored a record Christmas with like-for-like sales up 29% in the five weeks to January 3.
Fortnum & Mason December like-for-likes soar

5-Jan-2010
Fortnum & Mason, the luxury department store, said that like-for-like sales rose more than 10% in the first three weeks of December.
Footfall ahead 9% on New Year's Day

4-Jan-2010
Footfall on New Year’s Day rose 9% year-on-year, according to the Preliminary Experian FootFall UK National Index.
Jaeger looks to Europe as sales improve

15-Dec-2009
Jaeger is set to re-enter the European market after revealing sales are on an improving trend.
John Lewis has record week

14-Dec-2009
John Lewis has had another record week of sales, taking £110m in the week to Saturday December 12, the most the department store has ever taken in a week.
Profits drop as Jaeger momentum slows

11-Dec-2009
Profits at womenswear chain Jaeger halved in to £1m the year to February 28.
Till malfunctions hit John Lewis Oxford Street during key trading

December 11, 2009
Trade at John Lewis’ flagship London Oxford Street store was hit by failures at its tills last week as shoppers flocked to the store in the important Christmas trading period.
John Lewis sales continue to grow as it heads for record week online

10-Dec-2009
John Lewis has revealed that sales in the week so far have continued to rise as shoppers flock to the department store in the run-up to Christmas.
Sales improve for Moss Bros

10-Dec-2009
Formal menswear retailer Moss Bros has said that sales improved in the 18 weeks to December 5, with like-for-like sales up 5.5% for the period.
Retail sales rise in November against dire performance in 2008

8-Dec-2009
Retail sales values rose 1.8% on a like-for-like basis in November, in a worse-than-expected performance against a dire November last year.
John Lewis reports record week

7-Dec-2009
John Lewis has notched up its best ever week, with sales in the week to Saturday £1m ahead of its previous record week set in 2007.
John Lewis to unite online with stores

November 20, 2009
John Lewis Direct managing director Robin Terrell will leave in the new year ahead of an integration of the department store operator’s online arm into the main business.
TJX Europe sales rise in third quarter

18-Nov-2009
Sales for the parent of TK Maxx, TJX Europe, rose 1% on a like-for-like basis to $603m (£358.8m) in the third quarter of the year.
Debenhams confirms pre-Christmas Spectacular

16-Nov-2009
Debenhams has confirmed it will launch its pre-Christmas Spectacular on Wednesday, promising more price cuts than the same Sale last year.
Debenhams is on the acquisition trail

12-Nov-2009
Debenhams has snapped up Danish department store Magasin du Nord. But that is only the beginning, and there looks like much more to come.
Peacocks to sell CDs as it goes after gap left by Woolworths

11-Nov-2009
Value fashion chain Peacocks is to start selling CDs to take advantage of the gap left in the market since the collapse of Woolworths.
John Lewis to launch Christmas ad campaign on Sunday

11-Nov-2009
John Lewis will launch its Christmas television campaign on Sunday, aimed at rekindling the excitement felt by children when they open their presents on Christmas Day.
Burberry social network to celebrate trench coat

9-Nov-2009
Burberry, the upscale retailer and brand, has launched a social networking site celebrating its famous trench coat.
Primark juggernaut powers on as expansion spurs sales

November 6, 2009
Primark posted results in line with City expectations, including a 7% rise in like-for-like sales in the year to September 12.
Debenhams to restart store revamps after sales stabilise

October 30, 2009
Debenhams is to resume its store refurbishment programme after revealing sales stabilised last year.
Government mulls concession on VAT

23-Oct-2009
The Government is to consider granting retailers extra time to update price labels in stores when the VAT rate reverts to 17.5% on January 1.
Debenhams sets up online stores with Amazon and eBay

20-Oct-2009
Debenhams has become the first department store to open dedicated online stores on both Amazon and eBay’s UK sites.
Solid performance in UK helps put Ted Baker on track

October 16, 2009
Ted Baker performed ahead of expectations in its first half, with a strong UK performance offset by dire trading conditions in the US.
Strong retail sales for Burberry

14-Oct-2009
Burberry’s revenue rose 6% year-on-year for the six months to September 30 to £572m, boosted by solid retail sales and a particularly strong performance from the UK and Korea.
Shop prices continue to fall

7-Oct-2009
Shop prices have fallen on a year ago and were deflationary for the second consecutive month, according to the British Retail Consortium-Nielsen Shop Price Index.
Aurora appoints Mike Shearwood as chief executive

2-Oct-2009
Aurora Fashions has appointed Mike Shearwood as chief executive.
New Look: From the seaside to the city

October 2, 2009
On the eve of New Look’s 40th birthday celebrations, the retailer has completed its head office move from Weymouth to London. Four figures from across the business explain how they’ve dealt with the challenges the move has created
Charlie Mayfield on a winning employee ownership model

September 25, 2009
Sailing through the choppy waters of recession, the John Lewis Partnership chairman tells Amy Shields why the employee ownership model is a winning alternative in troubled times
Boden reports sales up 20%

21-Sep-2009
Boden, the catalogue and internet retailer, reported sales in the first half to June 30 rose by 20%, or 6% excluding the impact of foreign exchange rates.
Debenhams on track to hit profits despite sales fall

15-Sep-2009
Debenhams has forecast a rise in annual profit despite store revamps impacting on the retailer’s sales.
John Lewis to ramp up fashion credentials

14-Sep-2009
John Lewis is to launch a luxury shop fit for its womenswear range in its Cardiff store to drive its fashion credentials as it relaunches its online clothing site.
Arthur Ryan steps down as Primark chief executive

11-Sep-2009
Primark boss Arthur Ryan will step down as chief executive of Primark from Sunday, but will remain chairman of the value fashion retailer.
House of Fraser sets its sights on overseas expansion drive

September 11, 2009
House of Fraser is planning to open stores overseas in the next stage of its expansion plans under private equity owner Highland Group.
Arcandor boss in multi-million euro pay off

28-Aug-2009
The chief executive of insolvent German retailer Arcandor is in talks to step down from his role on Tuesday and pocket up to €15m for six months’ work.
Italian retail giant Gruppo Coin looks for UK stores

August 28, 2009
Italian retailer Gruppo Coin is seeking suitable UK locations to launch its department stores and fast-fashion chain OVS.
Debenhams upgraded as margin prospects improve

August 21, 2009
City brokers have issued a raft of upgrades for Debenhams ahead of its pre-close update next month.
Luxury department stores fend off recession with sales gains

August 14, 2009
Department store operators Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick have reported resilient trading over the past year, despite the bleak retail landscape.
Arcandor faces break up

13-Aug-2009
German retail group Arcandor, which filed for insolvency in June, has ended its search for an “anchor” investor to keep the business afloat, which may lead to a break up of the company.
Harrods has record year

12-Aug-2009
Iconic department store Harrods has reported a record year after a strong performance from its international brands and womenswear.
Fenwick sales rise as profits slip

12-Aug-2009
Department store group Fenwick has revealed a robust set of full year results.
German fashion house Escada to file for insolvency

12-Aug-2009
German fashion house Escada has failed to get enough backing for a crucial part of its financial restructuring plans and said it will file for insolvency this week.
Interest rates held at 0.5%

6-Aug-2009
Interest rates have been held at 0.5% as the Bank of England announced it will inject a further £50bn in to the economy.
Chris Ronnie calls for investigation

3-Aug-2009
Chris Ronnie, the former chief executive of beleaguered JJB, has distanced himself from Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley and lambasted JJB chairman Sir David Jones’ strategy at the retailer.
House of Fraser drafts in womenswear heavyweight to drive own-label

31-Jul-2009
House of Fraser has reshuffled its operating board and hired womenswear heavyweight Stephanie Chen to drive the department store’s private-label strategy in womenswear.
House of Fraser directors to join Crombie

30-Jul-2009
House of Fraser directors June Lawlor and Colin Porter are to leave the department store to join menswear brand Crombie in September.
Taking Liberty

30-Jul-2009
London department store Liberty announced this week that it has appointed advisers to review its options, which could include a push overseas and expansion in the UK, but is this taking Liberty too far?
Mothercare boss in line for £3.5m bonus

30-Jul-2009
Mothercare boss Ben Gordon is set to benefit from a potential £3.5m bonus after hitting performance targets.
Links of London founders launch fine jewellery business

30-Jul-2009
The husband and wife team behind jewellery chain Links of London have launched a new business in 11 department stores.
Game agrees £175m refinancing

30-Jul-2009
Entertainment retailer Game has refinanced and extended its borrowing facilities to June 2012.
Scott Wheway appointed chief of Best Buy Europe

29-Jul-2009
Best Buy Europe – the European joint venture between Carphone Warehouse and US electricals giant Best Buy – has appointed former Tesco and Boots executive Scott Wheway as chief executive.
Sales set to fall further in August

28-Jul-2009
Retail sales fell for the third consecutive month in the year to July, with little respite forecast by retailers for August, according to the CBI’s Distributive Trades Survey.
Retail round-up: what the weekend papers said July 25 to 26, 2009

27-Jul-2009
Mike Ashley to take action against JJB Sports; Tom Knight considered for return to JJB; Ocado nears completion of fundraising; Zavvi creditors to receive as little as 5 per cent; Tesco to rent out allotment spaces near Dobbies outlets
Findel to raise £81m to accelerate debt reduction

24-Jul-2009
Home shopping retailer Findel has announced a £81m capital raising to accelerate its debt reduction plans and revealed a slump in full-year pre-tax profits.
John Clare appointed to JJB board

24-Jul-2009
JJB Sports has appointed retail veteran John Clare as senior independent non-executive director and announced a slump in first-half sales.
Charles Dunstone: 20 years at the helm of Carphone Warehouse

July 24, 2009
As Carphone Warehouse issues first-quarter results, Amy Shields charts the remarkable growth of the business Dunstone created 20 years ago
Michael Sharp outlines his vision for Debenhams

July 17, 2009
Debenhams deputy chief Michael Sharp might keep a low profile – he hasn’t given an interview in three decades – but behind the quiet exterior is a highly driven man. Amy Shields meets him
Primark becomes more open as Arthur Ryan prepares to step down

July 17, 2009
Change is afoot at value fashion giant Primark as it emerged that retail veteran Arthur Ryan is to step down from the running of the business.
Burberry keeps recession in check

16-Jul-2009
Harry Potter star Emma Watson – the current face of Burberry – has lent some magic to the luxury fashion brand.
Tesco slams 'burdensome' competition test

16-Jul-2009
Tesco has lambasted the Competition Commission after it moved one step closer to implementing the controversial competition test.
Carphone Warehouse considers becoming TV provider

15-Jul-2009
Carphone Warehouse’s telecommunications business is considering becoming a television provider after buying the UK assets of telecoms company Tiscali.
Blacks ‘performing satisfactorily’

15-Jul-2009
Blacks Leisure, the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, has revealed a 1.8 per cent drop in like-for-like sales in the first 19 weeks of its financial year.
Inflation dips below Government targets in June

14-Jul-2009
The consumer prices index has fallen to below the Government’s 2 per cent target for the first time since September 2007.
New Look snaps up Borders stores

13-Jul-2009
Fast-fashion retailer New Look is to take on five stores earmarked for disposal by beleaguered bookseller Borders UK, including its prominent flagship store on London’s Oxford Street.
All Saints secures £30m financing deal

10-Jul-2009
Fashion specialist All Saints has sealed a £30m funding deal from Lloyds TSB Corporate Markets, Retail Week can reveal.
Internaçionale makes fast-fashion shift as it moves buying to London

July 10, 2009
Internaçionale has set its sights on competing with fashion retailers such as New Look, Topshop and River Island in a push to become a broad-reaching fast-fashion retailer.
Marks & sparks as Sir Stuart Rose and Sir David Jones face shareholder concern

9-Jul-2009
Two of retail’s great leaders Sir Stuart Rose and Sir David Jones have faced intense investor scrutiny this week.
Sir David Jones's £2.2m home for sale

9-Jul-2009
Sir David Jones, the beleaguered JJB Sports chairman at the centre of a controversy over a £1.5m loan from rival Mike Ashley, has put his £2.2m home in West Yorkshire up for sale.
Primark sales continue to soar

9-Jul-2009
Primark has continued to defy the retail gloom with a 20 per cent uplift in sales in the 40 weeks to June 20.
M&S shareholders reject motion on Sir Stuart Rose’s chairmanship

8-Jul-2009
Marks & Spencer shareholders have voted against a special resolution calling for executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose to step down 12 months early, in July 2010.
Live: Marks & Spencer AGM

8-Jul-2009
Marks & Spencer executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose will face a stormy annual general meeting this afternoon, as shareholders resolve to vote on his controversial dual role at the retailer. The AGM will begin at 2pm today. Retail Week will be reporting from the AGM as it happens.
M&S shareholder revolt gains pace ahead of AGM

6-Jul-2009
The row among Marks & Spencer shareholders has gathered momentum ahead of Wednesday’s AGM, with former chief executive Sir Richard Greenbury lambasting shareholders for their “vindictive” attitude towards executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose.
T-Mobile UK parent considers asset swap deal

3-Jul-2009
T-Mobile UK parent Deutsche Telekom is seeking an asset swap deal for the mobile phone operator and retailer, as it gears up to pull out of the UK.
Tesco investors urged to oppose share option changes

3-Jul-2009
Tesco shareholders are being urged to oppose changes to share option schemes at the grocer’s annual general meeting today.
John Lewis Clearance hit by hot weather

3-Jul-2009
Sales at John Lewis were lacklustre last week as the hot weather offset the benefits of the start of its Clearance period.
New Look goes rock ’n’ roll with premium brand launch

3-Jul-2009
New Look is to offer a higher-priced edgy new brand in its stores that takes its inspiration from fashion and rock ’n’ roll legends.
DSGi and Kesa powering up for the electricals battle with Best Buy

July 3, 2009
As US giant Best Buy prepares for its UK launch, the dismal results of UK leaders DSGi and Kesa show they must raise their game, says Amy Shields
Asos heads overseas

2-Jul-2009
The subdued share reaction to Asos’s full-year results should be viewed as an opportunity to be seized by investors.
BRC backs advocate to fight for consumer rights

2-Jul-2009
The British Retail Consortium has backed the creation of a “consumer advocate”, but warned that he or she must take an active role in improving customers’ understanding of their consumer rights.
Stock concerns for Threshers franchisees

30-Jun-2009
Some franchisees of troubled off-licence chain Threshers have revealed that they are not receiving stock.
EBay offers retailers a unique route to market

June 26, 2009
With the growth of Buy It Now sales, eBay provides a unique route to market for established retailers. So how does it work and how big is the threat to bricks and mortar?
Theo Fennell founder returns to halt slide

June 26, 2009
Theo Fennell has vowed to restore the eponymous retailer he co-founded to its roots as a design-led jeweller after returning to the board and increasing his stake.
H&M profits rise

25-Jun-2009
Pre-tax profits at H&M rose 6 per cent to SEK5.78bn (£447m) in the second quarter to the end of May.
Debenhams launches Blue Cross Sale

25-Jun-2009
Debenhams has launched a Blue Cross Sale today in its latest move to cash-in on bargain hungry shoppers.
DSGi profits tumble

25-Jun-2009
Profits at PC World and Currys owner DSGi slumped 78 per cent in the year to May 2.
Kesa slumps to full-year loss

24-Jun-2009
Kesa has reported an £81.8m full year loss and said that it does not expect a recovery this year.
Theo Fennell returns to board and ups his stake in celebrity jeweller

23-Jun-2009
Theo Fennell has returned to the board of his eponymous business and taken a larger share in the celebrity jeweller as part of a shake up of the board.
Incoming DSGi chairman appointed non-exec director

23-Jun-2009
Incoming DSGi chairman John Allan has been appointed a non-executive director of the electricals retailer.
Debenhams open offer gets subdued response

23-Jun-2009
The response from investors to Debenhams’ open offer to raise £323m has been subdued, after only 30.3 per cent of the total shares offered were taken up.
Baugur: who knew what?

19-Jun-2009
Baugur’s financial woes were known about almost a year before it finally collapsed, a new book claims.
Harvey Nichols to bolster stores appeal by adding fashion online

19-Jun-2009
Luxury department store retailer Harvey Nichols is to sell a selection of its fashion offer online for winter.
Arcandor teeters as talks to salvage business continue

June 19, 2009
The future of beleaguered German conglomerate Arcandor hangs in the balance after it began insolvency proceedings last week.
Luxury retailers are in danger of falling out of fashion

18-Jun-2009
Bullish comments made by luxury retailers should be treated with caution.
Luxury retail chiefs signal rebound in shopper confidence

18-Jun-2009
Luxury retail chiefs said they are seeing signs that customer confidence is returning to the sector.
Arcandor investor cuts stake in stricken German retail group

18-Jun-2009
Arcandor shareholder German bank Sal Oppenheim has cut its stake in the German retail and tourism group and said it would decide whether to remain its second-largest shareholder only when the insolvent retailer revealed a restructuring plan.
EBay concerned over supplier 'bullying'

18-Jun-2009
EBay has expressed concern that its online traders have been prevented by manufacturers from selling goods at a discount to high street shops.
Mulberry profits down but sales up

18-Jun-2009
Upscale fashion retailer Mulberry has revealed a drop off in full-year pre-tax profits but said that like-for-likes have soared 21 per cent in the past 10 weeks.
Best Buy first-quarter profits fall

16-Jun-2009
First-quarter profits at US electricals retailer Best Buy have been impacted by restructuring costs, including those incurred by its joint venture with Carphone Warehouse.
House of Fraser trading update reassures over covenants

16-Jun-2009
House of Fraser has issued a statement quashing rumours that it is close to breaching its banking covenants, a suggestion that has prompted feverish speculation that it is the subject of a takeover attempt by rival Debenhams.
M&S goes global with online offer

16-Jun-2009
Marks & Spencer is to launch home shopping in 70 countries.
Hobbs appoints Alana Mazza as retail director

15-Jun-2009
Hobbs has appointed former Principles retail trading director Alana Mazza as retail director of the upmarket fashion brand.
Matalan defies retail gloom

15-Jun-2009
Matalan has revealed that like-for-likes rocketed 8.2 per cent in the 14 weeks to June 6 after posting robust full-year results.
Iceland profits skyrocket as it sidesteps recession

12-Jun-2009
Iceland chief executive Malcolm Walker has declared that the retailer is “not taking part” in the recession after revealing record sales and profits.
Debenhams drives down debts with share placing

June 12, 2009
Debenhams has raised £323m by placing new shares in a bid to slash its £972m debt pile.
QS owner resolves to make profit despite losses of £21m last year

June 12, 2009
The owner of QS has vowed to make the value fashion retailer profitable this year despite recording a £21.4m pre-tax loss last year.
Rob Templeman: the man behind Debenhams' share placing

June 12, 2009
Debenhams’ share placing last week is the result of years of work by deal-making chief Templeman to tighten the ship. Amy Shields reports
Food prices continue to fall

11-Jun-2009
Food prices fell for the second month in a row as promotional levels within the grocery sector soar.
Retail's near-wins on policy don't go far enough

11-Jun-2009
The day that VAT will change has been pushed back. But don’t get too excited.
Park Group profits soar

11-Jun-2009
Christmas savings specialist Park Group has revealed robust full-year profits and said it is “holding firm” in a difficult climate.
Gap to open more UK Outlet stores to drive market share

10-Jun-2009
US fashion giant Gap will increase its number of Outlet stores in the UK as part of plans outlined by management to generate growth overseas and online while stabilising its US business.
Sir Philip Green warns against VAT level increases

10-Jun-2009
Arcadia and Bhs owner Sir Philip Green has spoken out against the scheduled increase to VAT levels.
Retail sales in May grow 0.8 per cent

9-Jun-2009
Retail sales rose 0.8 per cent year-on-year in May, as a poor performance in non-food dragged figures down.
Carphone Warehouse to demerge by July 2010

5-Jun-2009
Carphone Warehouse is to demerge from its Talk Talk fixed line and broadband business by July 2010.
TK Maxx and HomeSense in 500-store Euro assault

5-Jun-2009
Discount fashion and homewares retailers TK Maxx and HomeSense are to embark on huge expansion drives in the UK and Europe.
New Look to revamp all shops as it steams into new markets

5-Jun-2009
New Look is to revamp all of its stores after a successful trial, and move into new markets including Ukraine, Poland and Singapore.
Between a rock and a hard place

June 5, 2009
As more retailers squeeze suppliers to offset rising costs and margin erosion, their relationship is suffering. Amy Shields asks what needs to give.
New UK managing director for Inditex as Stefano Sutter moves to Europe

5-Jun-2009
Zara owner Inditex has appointed a new UK and Ireland managing director to replace Stefano Sutter, who has been moved from his role to run other European markets for the Spanish fashion giant.
Debenhams' new shares priced at 80p

4-Jun-2009
The new shares to be placed as part of a £323m fund-raising by Debenhams have been priced at 80p.
Debenhams’ share placing does more than raise funds

4-Jun-2009
So Debs has finally done it. The department store chain has announced the details of a much-anticipated share placing.
Interest rate held at 0.5%

4-Jun-2009
The Bank of England has kept the interest rate at 0.5 per cent.
Tesco to take on Carphone Warehouse with free laptops

4-Jun-2009
Tesco is offering free laptops with its mobile broadband packages, in a move that will compete directly with Carphone Warehouse.
WHSmith reports robust third-quarter sales

4-Jun-2009
WHSmith has revealed better than forecast third-quarter sales and said it is confident on its full-year prospects.
Morrisons first-quarter like-for-like sales jump

4-Jun-2009
Morrisons has revealed an 8.2 per cent rise in first-quarter like-for-like sales as bargain hungry customers flock to its lower-price offer.
Debenhams to raise £323m in share sale

4-Jun-2009
Debenhams has revealed plans to raise £323m in a share placing to slash its debt pile and said profits were growing at the department store chain.
Aquascutum kicks off consulation with all staff

3-Jun-2009
Aquascutum’s entire 343-strong workforce has been put into consultation, raising questions over the future of the luxury brand.
New Look posts record results

3-Jun-2009
Value fashion brand New Look has reported record full-year results.
Asda staff to share record £43m bonus

2-Jun-2009
Asda has revealed that its staff are to share a £43m payout, the largest ever share scheme payout from the grocer.
Aurum first-quarter sales flat

29-May-2009
Jewellery group Aurum has announced that like-for-like sales were flat in its first quarter to April.
Moss Bros reveals sales fall but says performance improving

29-May-2009
Moss Bros has revealed that like-for-like sales dropped 3.9 per cent in the 16 weeks to May 23. Total sales fell 2.3 per cent during the period.
Scott Wheway to use Tesco and Boots experience after Best Buy move

May 29, 2009
US electricals retailer Best Buy will adopt the best practices of retail giants Tesco and Boots when it debuts in the UK next year.
Retailers must not break the supplier chain

28-May-2009
Retailers need to ensure that they don’t squeeze suppliers until they squeak after a stream of bad press this week.
Principles administration leads to email deluge

28-May-2009
More than 5,000 customers and suppliers of defunct fashion retailer Principles have emailed the retailer’s administrator asking to recoup money or redeem vouchers.
Moody’s downgrades outlook on Tesco

28-May-2009
Credit rating agency Moody’s has downgraded its outlook on Tesco to negative over concerns about levels of debt in the business.
B&Q takes on Argos and Ikea with furniture launch

27-May-2009
B&Q is to go head to head with Argos and Ikea by stocking sofas and other furniture for the first time.
John Lewis unveils new home store format name

26-May-2009
John Lewis has revealed that the name of its new format home and electricals store will be ‘John Lewis at home’.
Clarks makes gains as rivals stumble

26-May-2009
Clarks has revealed an annual profits rise of 16 per cent and said it will capitalise on the “relative disarray” of its high street competitors.
Desigual seeks more West End sites after Regent Street success

May 22, 2009
Spanish fashion brand Desigual is scouting for standalone store sites in Oxford Street and Covent Garden.
New Bay Trading owner to focus on concessions

May 22, 2009
The new owner of Bay Trading will transform the young-fashion brand into a niche concessions-focused operation.
Peacocks and New Look make appointments to drive growth

May 22, 2009
Value fashion retailers Peacocks and New Look have shaken up their senior teams as they plough on with expansion plans.
Baugur boss Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson to go to court over tax evasion charges

21-May-2009
Former Baugur boss Jón Ásgeir Jóhannesson will go to court in the autumn to answer charges of tax evasion and fraud.
Vodafone wants to return to Carphone Warehouse

20-May-2009
Mobile phone operator Vodafone wants to end a three-year exclusive deal with Phones 4U and return to Carphone Warehouse.
TK Maxx first quarter profits rise

19-May-2009
TJX Companies, the US parent company behind discount designer TK Maxx in the UK and Europe, has notched up record growth in its first quarter and revealed that profits at the European division have soared.
Bay Trading’s new owners acquire 45 stores

19-May-2009
The new owners of Bay Trading have acquired 45 standalone stores out of the 175-store portfolio.
TV rental and white goods retailer Martin Dawes for sale

19-May-2009
A sales memorandum is in circulation for the family-owned TV rental and white goods retailer Martin Dawes, according to The Independent.
DSGi sells Hungary stores for €1

19-May-2009
Electricals retailer DSGi has sold its Electro World stores in Hungary for €1.
Bay Trading bought out of administration

18-May-2009
Bay Trading has been bought out of administration by the producers of brands Tigi-Wear, Viz-A-Viz and iZ.
Carphone Warehouse scraps sales commissions after successful London trial

18-May-2009
Carphone Warehouse is to scrap its strategy of paying store staff sales commissions in a bid to put customer service ahead of personal financial gain.
TK Maxx gears up to launch e-tail site with bags range this month

15-May-2009
Discount designer-fashion retailer TK Maxx is to launch its much anticipated e-commerce site in the UK at the end of this month.
Maplin profits fly in face of tough market

May 15, 2009
Electricals retailer Maplin has revealed a market-defying increase in sales and profits despite operating in one of the most turbulent markets in retail.
Desigual's designs on Dublin

14-May-2009
Zany Spanish fashion brand Desigual has opened its first shop in the Republic of Ireland in Arnotts’ new lifestyle store at the Jervis Centre in Dublin.
Debenhams launches 25 per cent off Summer Spectacular

13-May-2009
Debenhams has launched a Summer Spectacular offering discounts of up to 25 per cent in stores and online.The promotion will run for four days until Saturday.
Whistleblower ‘despaired’ about direction M&S taking

12-May-2009
The former Marks & Spencer employee who leaked an internal memo to The Times detailing plans to slash redundancy pay did so because he “despaired” about the direction the retailer was taking.
DSGi secures £311m injection to speed up turnaround plans

May 8, 2009
DSGi has raised £311m to accelerate its turnaround plans after credit insurance difficulties led to a sharp rise in debt.
John Browett has risen to the challenges at DSGi

May 8, 2009
John Browett’s job leading DSGi has been a challenge from the start, but he has made plenty of headway in tough circumstances. Amy Shields finds out why
Is Simon Wolfson the master of managing expectations?

7-May-2009
Next boss Simon Wolfson has downplayed the retailer’s better than expected results – is he just hedging his bets?
Retailers must ‘think global, act local’ for international success

7-May-2009
International retailers outlined the key to overseas expansion in developing markets and remained bullish about prospects during the recession.
Staff engagement key to winning over shoppers

6-May-2009
Engaging with staff is essential if retailers are to succeed in meeting customers’ needs, according to key retailers speaking at the World Retail Congress.
Economists optimistic end of recession is in sight

6-May-2009
Leading economists forecast that the end of the recession is in sight, and will be led by a recovery in the US and China, followed by Europe.
New Look to rival fashion giants as it aims to double trading space

1-May-2009
New Look is aiming to double its trading space to over 7 million sq ft in the UK, putting it in the running to become Britain’s biggest fashion retailer by floor space.
Carphone Warehouse seeks talent to prepare for Best Buy debut

May 1, 2009
Carphone Warehouse is to strengthen its sourcing and product development teams as it gears up for the debut of Best Buy next year.
New Look looking to the future

30-Apr-2009
New Look last night opened its doors to a baying fashion pack and gave them a taster of where the retailer is headed.
Jacques Vert womenswear managing director steps down from board

28-Apr-2009
Womenswear retailer Jacques Vert has announced that its managing director of womenswear Shena MacDonald has stepped down from the board and will leave the group.
Retail sales bounce back in March

24-Apr-2009
Retail sales volumes returned to positive territory in March, driven by a strong performance from food and fashion retailers.
Axe looms over all Monsoon shop staff

24-Apr-2009
All Monsoon store staff are facing potential redundancy as the retailer enters into a consultation period with every employee at its shops.
Carphone Warehouse says ‘banks open for business’

April 24, 2009
Carphone Warehouse said that confidence for the coming year is “as high as it has ever been” as the retailer pinpointed signs of “stability” in the banking sector and consumer confidence.
Alexon's war of attrition

23-Apr-2009
Beleaguered Alexon has a fight on its hands if it is to survive in tact this year, after it revealed a dire full-year performance.
Next leads share rally in retail sector

23-Apr-2009
Next led a share rally in the retail sector last night as Citigroup said that share prices in the sector had bottomed out and that it was time to “relight the fire”.
WHSmith profits fall, but margins firm

23-Apr-2009
WHSmith has posted a 5 per cent fall in first-half profits but said it is confident about the full-year outlook.
Sports Direct confident of meeting profit forecast despite margin hit

23-Apr-2009
Sports fashion retailer Sports Direct has revealed that its sales performance has improved at the expense of margins.
Debenhams first-half profits rise and second half starts well

23-Apr-2009
Debenhams has revealed a strong start to its second half after notching up a 10.7 per cent rise in first-half pre-tax profits.
Carphone Warehouse to demerge its retail and telecoms operations

22-Apr-2009
Carphone Warehouse has confirmed that it will split its retail and telecoms divisions in to two separately listed companies.
Primark first half sales hit £1bn

21-Apr-2009
Primark outperformed the fashion market with sales breaking the £1bn mark in its first half, but warned margins will come under increasing pressure.
Debenhams launches outlet site to tap into shift in shopper habits

April 17, 2009
Debenhams will launch an outlet store online on Monday, allowing customers all-year-round access to products at prices up to 70 per cent cheaper than in its stores.
March retail sales something to celebrate

16-Apr-2009
The newspaper coverage of the BRC-KPMG retail sales figures for March was thinner on the ground than usual. A good news story for retail does not seem to command as many column inches as when things are going south.
Halfords to axe standalone bike fascias

16-Apr-2009
Halfords is to close its standalone Bikehut and Cycle Republic stores as it revealed a group sales drop of 1.7 per cent in the first quarter of the year.
March retail like-for-likes fall 1.2 per cent

16-Apr-2009
UK retail like-for-like sales fell 1.2 per cent in March, meaning the decline for the first quarter of the year was 0.7 per cent.
Debenhams woos Henry Holland for Designers at Debenhams

15-Apr-2009
Debenhams is in talks to sign up fashion designer Henry Holland to its Designers at Debenhams offer.
JD Sports in fashion

9-Apr-2009
JD Sports Fashion has hit the ball out of the park with its latest set of full-year results.
Debenhams and Asda suits a sign of the times

9-Apr-2009
Debenhams has proclaimed that “any woman can wear rubbish and look good”, with the launch of a new suit made from recycled plastic bottles.
John Lewis weekly sales hit by Easter comparatives

9-Apr-2009
Sales at John Lewis have suffered from the calendar effect of the fall of Easter this year, slumping 6.7 per cent in the week to April 4.
Harrods to open in Kuala Lumpur

8-Apr-2009
Harrods is poised to open a store in the heart of the Malaysian capital’s shopping district in Kuala Lumpur.
Consumer confidence slowly rises

7-Apr-2009
Shopper confidence is at its highest since May 2008, with the GfK NOP Consumer Confidence Index up five points to -30 for March.
New Look's Phil Wrigley steps down from executive duties

7-Apr-2009
New Look chairman Phil Wrigley has stepped down from his executive duties and become non-executive chairman of the fashion retailer.
Tesco to create 800 jobs at Middlesbrough distribution centre

7-Apr-2009
Tesco will create more than 800 jobs when it opens a distribution centre in Middlesbrough in August.
Theo Paphitis in talks to take majority stake in La Senza

6-Apr-2009
Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis is believed to be in talks to buy back a majority share in lingerie chain La Senza.
DSGi responds to rights issue rumours

6-Apr-2009
DSGi has issued a statement on the London Stock Exchange saying that no decision has been taken on whether it will undergo a rights issue.
DSGi to sell Central European stores, reports claim

6-Apr-2009
DSGi is believed to be poised to sell its Electro World stores in Central Europe to Slovakia-based consumer electronics retailer NAY.
Mothercare is all grown up

4-Apr-2009
Mothercare appears to have its corner of the retail sector all sewn up.
Diamonds & Pearls negotiates on rents as it readies for expansion

April 3, 2009
Jewellery retailer Diamonds & Pearls is in talks with landlords to secure new terms as it primes itself to become a 100-strong store chain by the end of the year.
Hobbs to pilot mother and daughter format

April 3, 2009
Upmarket fashion retailer Hobbs is to try out a new fascia for a range targeting mothers and daughters in the autumn.
John Lewis makes marketing director redundant

April 3, 2009
John Lewis has streamlined its management team in a bid to accelerate decision-making decisions at the department store chain.
Phones 4U reviews roles in service push

April 3, 2009
Mobile phones retailer Phones 4U has begun a consultation period with 290 in-store administration staff.
Primark to face protests outside Oxford Street store

April 3, 2009
Primark will face a demonstration outside its flagship Oxford Street store in London on the eve of its second anniversary as part of a protest against sweatshop labour.
Retailers unconvinced rate deferral is enough

April 3, 2009
Darling’s 11th-hour move only grants temporary relief, top retailers argue
Mike Ashley transfers his stake in Sports Direct

2-Apr-2009
Sports Direct founder and chief executive Mike Ashley has transferred his entire stake in the sports retailer to a company wholly owned by himself.
Findel axes Cotswold Company and Letterbox

2-Apr-2009
Home shopping retailer Findel has decided to shut down its Cotswold Company and Letterbox brands after the completion of its strategic review.
Mothercare storms ahead with strong international performance

2-Apr-2009
Mothercare has revealed strong full-year sales, with a stellar performance from its international division.
Selfridges makes redundancies

1-Apr-2009
Selfridges has made 12 head office positions redundant after a consultation period with 31 staff.
Asda and Morrisons jostle for sales growth position

31-Mar-2009
Asda has notched up record market share figures in the latest TNS Worldpanel grocery market share report.
HSBC places stake in Debenhams

31-Mar-2009
Updated: HSBC has placed a 13.1 per cent stake in Debenhams, previously held by collapsed Icelandic investor Baugur.
Nevada Bob's UK bought out of pre-pack deal

31-Mar-2009
Golf equipment retailer Nevada Bob’s UK has been bought out of pre-pack administration by its US parent company RCD Investments No.4.
Don McCarthy insists that Aurum's future is safe

27-Mar-2009
Aurum chairman Don McCarthy has insisted that the future of the jewellery group is secure and said the retailer has outperformed the beleaguered jewellery sector.
New Moss Boss chief lays out plans to sharpen in-store focus

27-Mar-2009
Moss Bros chief executive Brian Brick has laid out his immediate focus for the business, after taking up the reins permanently at the menswear retailer.
Ray Kelvin: the ‘closest man to Ted’

27-Mar-2009
Ted Baker chief executive Ray Kelvin takes an unorthodox approach to retail. Amy Shields talked to him as he prepared to post results
JJB Sports: a game of two halves

26-Mar-2009
All is fair in retail and football. Or not, it seems, if you are old sparring partners Dave Whelan and Mike Ashley in their battle for control over JJB Sports.
February sales volume growth slows

26-Mar-2009
The volume of retail sales in February was 0.4 per cent higher than last year, showing the lowest growth rate since September 1995.
Moss Bros makes full-year loss

26-Mar-2009
Pre-tax profits at Moss Bros have fallen after bearing the brunt of sector-wide torrid trading conditions in its last quarter.
Kingfisher profits tumble

26-Mar-2009
Kingfisher pre-tax profits plummeted 75 per cent after being hit by a poor performance in China and the closure of its Trade Depot chain in the UK.
Inditex defies gloom with 12% sales increase

25-Mar-2009
Spanish fashion giant Inditex has outperformed the market by recording a 12 per cent rise in full-year underlying sales.
John Lewis reveals new face of menswear campaign

24-Mar-2009
John Lewis has signed model Matthew Avedon as the face of John Lewis’ spring/summer menswear fashion campaign.
Harvey Nichols profits slide as downturn hits wealthy

20-Mar-2009
Despite difficult trading conditions, Harvey Nichols chief executive Joseph Wan sees opportunities to take advantage.
John Lewis Partnership sales pick up

20-Mar-2009
Sales at department store John Lewis in the week to March 14 dropped 4.1 per cent to £45.1m.
Baugur’s bankruptcy

20-Mar-2009
Baugur’s collapse signals the end of one of retail’s most colourful investors. Our new regular column explains what its demise means for the retail scene.
Debenhams no longer 'going south'

19-Mar-2009
Speaking at the Retail Week Conference today, Debenhams international director Francis McAuley revealed how some things can just get lost in translation.
Smallbone bought out of pre-pack administration

19-Mar-2009
Luxury homewares and furniture retailer Smallbone has been put into pre-pack administration and bought by Canburg, a company owned by Leo Caplan.
Retailers should continue to expand abroad

19-Mar-2009
Retailers should continue to invest in overseas expansion in spite of the recession, according to key retail chiefs.
Best Buy aims to ‘take a significant share’ in UK

19-Mar-2009
Best Buy wants to take “significant” UK market share when it debuts with its big box format in the UK in spring 2010.
Brad Anderson: Accelerating international expansion to capitalise on global growth opportunities

19-Mar-2009
Accelerating international expansion to capitalise on global growth opportunities• Taking advantage of the economic situation to grow your business across borders• Identifying the best partners to work with along the way• Beating the home-grown competitionBrad Anderson, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive, Best Buy
Harvey Nichols targets tourist spend with ad campaign

17-Mar-2009
Top end department store Harvey Nichols has launched an advertising campaign targeting tourists visiting London to take advantage of the weak pound.
Baugur directors regroup for fresh retail venture

13-Mar-2009
Directors of Baugur have created a new company to pursue deal-making opportunities in retail as they attempt to “move on” following the investor’s collapse.
Aurora’s dawn

13-Mar-2009
Out of the rubble from Mosaic’s pre-pack collapse, a leaner, more fashion-focused retail group has emerged. Amy Shields weighs up reborn Aurora’s chances for high street success
John Lewis Partnership rides out a rollercoaster year

13-Mar-2009
The John Lewis Partnership said 2009 will present further challenges for the retail bellwether after full-year pre-tax profits slumped 26 per cent to just under £280m.
John Lewis in fashion

12-Mar-2009
John Lewis will dip its toes into the choppy waters of online fashion e-tailing with the launch of its own version of online fashion giant Asos.com.
Baugur files for bankruptcy

12-Mar-2009
Baugur has filed for bankruptcy after an Icelandic court refused to grant its application to extend its protection from creditors.
Morrisons profits surge as like-for-likes climb

12-Mar-2009
Morrisons' like-for-like sales climbed 7.9 per cent in the year to February 1, excluding fuel.
Video: John Lewis partners cheer 13 per cent bonus

11-Mar-2009
The John Lewis Partnership’s 70,000 staff will this year receive a bonus equivalent to nearly seven weeks' pay, the company revealed in its stores on Wednesday morning.
Baugur protection not extended

11-Mar-2009
Baugur’s moratorium process, protecting it from its remaining creditors, has not been extended by the court in Iceland.
John Lewis to launch Asos-style fashion website

11-Mar-2009
Department store chain John Lewis is to launch a dedicated fashion website in autumn to rival online giant Asos.
Most Principles stores have closed

7-Mar-2009
66 Principles stores closed over the weekend, after administrator Deloitte failed to find a buyer for the business as a going concern.
Debenhams to acquire Principles brand

6-Mar-2009
Updated: The assets of Principles will be sold to department store group Debenhams imminently, Retail Week has learnt.
Gap records 'challenging' February

6-Mar-2009
US fashion giant Gap has reported that sales in February dropped 12 per cent to US$795m, a comparable store sales drop of 12 per cent.
George Davies mulls clothing range to sell in indies

6-Mar-2009
Retail guru George Davies is considering a return to fashion with the launch of a clothing range for independent department stores.
Former Principles co-owner battles on to secure chain

6-Mar-2009
The former management of fashion group Mosaic is understood to be working to ensure that former Principles co-owner Peter Davies is successful in his bid for the fashion brand.
Mosaic pre-pack is a matter of Principles

5-Mar-2009
The news that former Principles co-founder Peter Davies might be forced out of the running to snap up the brand is not good news for the high street.
Net-a-Porter to launch discount site next month

5-Mar-2009
Luxury e-tailer Net-a-Porter will launch its discount e-tail site theOutnet.com next month.
Aurora seeks rent relief from landlords

5-Mar-2009
Aurora, the new fashion group that owns Karen Millen, Coast, Oasis and Warehouse, is asking landlords of up to 90 of its stores to reduce their terms to prevent the closure of stores.
Mulberry buoyed by UK Christmas sales

5-Mar-2009
British luxury fashion brand Mulberry notched up stronger than expected sales over Christmas and the new year and expects its full-year financial performance to be ahead of market forecasts.
Kevin Stanford in battle with Kaupthing

4-Mar-2009
All Saints owner Kevin Stanford is understood to owe more than £250m to nationalised Icelandic bank Kaupthing and has been blocked from issuing new shares in the fashion brand.
Selfridges consults with staff in drive for efficiency

20-Feb-2009
Iconic department store Selfridges has begun a consultation with almost 10 per cent of its 400-strong head office staff as it restructures to ensure continued momentum.
Discounter Dollar General lifted by downturn in US

20-Feb-2009
US discount retailer Dollar General has defied the retail gloom and unveiled plans to open more than twice as many stores in 2009 than in 2008.
Kaupthing requests nine-month extension to protection period

19-Feb-2009
Nationalised Icelandic bank Kaupthing has requested a nine-month extension to the period in which it is protected from its creditors.
Sir Philip Green's reasons to celebrate

19-Feb-2009
Sir Philip Green has forecast the end of financial 'jiggery-pokery' and the return to a world of 'real operators' and 'merchants'.
Fortnum & Mason losses narrow

19-Feb-2009
Piccadilly department store Fortnum & Mason has narrowed its full-year losses after posting record sales.
Kingfisher to meet full-year profit forecasts

19-Feb-2009
Kingfisher has said it will meet full-year profit estimates after it reported a robust fourth-quarter performance from its UK division.
Sports Direct sales and profits ahead of expectations

18-Feb-2009
Sports Direct has revealed sales and gross profits ahead of expectations despite a marked impact on gross margins due to sterling weakness.
Credit insurance withdrawn to Topps Tiles suppliers

17-Feb-2009
Specialist retailer Topps Tiles has had credit insurance withdrawn to its suppliers by an unnamed insurer.
Asda reshuffles top management team

17-Feb-2009
Asda retail director Andy Clarke has been promoted to chief operating officer as the grocer restructures its senior management team.
Kaupthing to waive selected Mosaic covenants

16-Feb-2009
Mosaic has issued a statement confirming that Kaupthing will waive interest payments and temporarily waive its rights on selected financial covenants until its next payment date.
Laura Ashley co-founder Sir Bernard Ashley dies

16-Feb-2009
Sir Bernard Ashley, the husband of Laura Ashley and co-founder of the fashion-to-furnishings retailer, has died.
Credit insurer withdraws cover to Threshers suppliers

16-Feb-2009
Credit insurer Coface has withdrawn cover for suppliers to First Quench, the parent of wine retailer Threshers.
Landsbanki keeps retailers at bay over Baugur pickings

13-Feb-2009
Department store groups eager to cash in on the demise of Baugur may have a long wait, after Landsbanki reiterated its intention to retain the shares it now controls in Baugur-backed brands.
Monsoon eyes US shops and e-tail growth in global push

13-Feb-2009
Monsoon is to open up its website to new countries, as it plans an assault on the US market.
For love and Liberty

12-Feb-2009
The owners of luxury department store Liberty are hoping that the retailer can turn fortunes around when it unveils the results of its 'Retail Renaissance' on Saturday.
Ted Baker to launch Baker Baby at Debenhams

12-Feb-2009
Ted Baker is to extend its successful Baker by Ted Baker range for Debenhams.
Vente-privee sales soar 46%

12-Feb-2009
French fashion e-tailer Vente-privee has revealed that sales jumped 46 per cent to £545m last year.
Landsbanki will not sell House of Fraser shares for 'foreseeable future'

11-Feb-2009
Landsbanki has reiterated that it does not intend to sell on the shares it now controls in House of Fraser “for the foreseeable future”.
Delhaize suspends purchases from Unilever

11-Feb-2009
Belgian supermarket Delhaize is threatening to remove 300 Unilever products from its shelves after refusing to agree to meet Unilever’s demands for price increases and product promotion.
JJB Sports to appoint administrators for lifestyle division

10-Feb-2009
JJB Sports has filed notice of intention to appoint administrators for its Qube and Original Shoe Company chains.
Baugur in administration

6-Feb-2009
Updated: Baugur’s stakes in retailers House of Fraser, Hamleys, Aurum and Iceland have been placed in to administration.
Smallbone secures £5.9m financing package

6-Feb-2009
Luxury furniture retailer Smallbone has secured a £5.9m financing package after revealing it had a challenging fourth quarter in 2008.
Glitnir makes demands on Baugur; buyers circle Hamley's

6-Feb-2009
Nationalised Icelandic bank Glitnir has demanded repayments from beleaguered Icelandic investor Baugur, as tensions between it and its lenders intensify.
Tesco develops new department store format for Czech Republic

6-Feb-2009
Tesco is to open a department store under a new fascia in the Czech Republic at the end of February.
Baugur in meltdown

6-Feb-2009
Baugur’s tangled web of retail investments will move closer to unravelling today as the investor begins a moratorium process likely to lead to administration.
Buyers eye Baugur chains as investor's fate unclear

6-Feb-2009
Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green is in a “position to buy” assets that may come into play as a result of Baugur’s likely administration.
Baugur's loss is retailers' gain

5-Feb-2009
The final death throes of Baugur’s retail empire are being very publicly played out, but the brands in which it has stakes should breathe a quick sigh of relief and move on with the business of retailing.
Baugur-backed Aurum confirms business review

5-Feb-2009
Aurum Holdings, the jewellery group backed by beleaguered Icelandic investor Baugur, has confirmed that it has appointed Ernst & Young to review the business and has distanced itself from the investor, which is on the brink of administration.
Baugur boss Johannesson lambasts Landsbanki

5-Feb-2009
Baugur boss Jón sgeir Jóhannesson has hit out at creditors after the Icelandic investor was forced to seek protection from administration yesterday.
Baugur files for bankruptcy protection

4-Feb-2009
Baugur has confirmed that it has filed for protection from its creditors in the Icelandic equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as exclusively revealed by Retail Week this morning.
Baugur on the brink of administration as Landsbanki pulls funding

4-Feb-2009
Icelandic investment giant Baugur is understood to be on the brink of falling into administration after its backer Landsbanki pulled its funding.
New Look signs for London HQ

2-Feb-2009
New Look has signed the lease on its London headquarters as it embarks on plans to become a significant player in the global fashion market.
Sir Philip Green moots Principles bid

2-Feb-2009
Sir Philip Green is understood to be interested in bidding for Principles, the fashion brand owned by Mosaic.
New Look slips into the red

2-Feb-2009
New Look has slipped into the red after notching up a pre-tax loss of £1.8m for the year to March 29.
Tesco to launch own-label fashion website

30-Jan-2009
Tesco is set to launch an online fashion store selling its own-label clothing ranges.
Jewellery giant Aurum reviews business

30-Jan-2009
Baugur-backed jewellery retailer Aurum, which owns Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths, Watches of Switzerland and Mydiamonds.com, has appointed Ernst & Young to review the business.
Mosaic wise to assess options as Iceland rebuilds

29-Jan-2009
A change of government in Iceland heralds a new start for the country, and may signal a thawing of the glacial process of evaluating the UK retail assets held by the administrators to its banks.
Adili's festive sales soar

29-Jan-2009
Ethical online retailer Adili recorded a 102 per cent rise in total sales over the key festive season.
Beales reveals robust Christmas

29-Jan-2009
Department store chain Beales has recorded a full-year pre-tax loss of £1.52m and revealed resilient trading over Christmas.
Blooming Marvellous in administration

28-Jan-2009
Updated: Maternity specialist Blooming Marvellous has gone in to administration as exclusively revealed by Retail Week on Wednesday.
Argos confirms it will discontinue Indian trial

28-Jan-2009
Argos parent company Home Retail Group has confirmed that it will discontinue its trial in India, in a move first predicted by Retail Week.
Retail Trust raises over £1m

27-Jan-2009
Retailers came out in force last night to lend their support to retail charity The Retail Trust and raise nearly £1.1m at its glitzy London ball.
Ocado secures £10m Sharia'a financing

27-Jan-2009
Online grocer Ocado has secured a £10m financing facility, raised using Sharia’a financing.
Further store closures for Adams

26-Jan-2009
The administrators to Adams have closed a further 36 stores after reviewing the childrenswear retailer’s operations.
Redundancy fears at Fortnum & Mason as it consults staff

26-Jan-2009
Iconic Piccadilly department store Fortnum & Mason is to enter in to a consultation period with its 530 staff as it anticipates a “particularly tough” 2009.
Harrods chief executive makes surprise exit

22-Jan-2009
Harrods chief executive James McArthur has left the business after less than a year in the role.
Obama's 'new era of responsibility' comes to retail

22-Jan-2009
Who would have thought that JJB's suspended chief executive Chris Ronnie would be one of the first symbols of “the new era of responsibility” outlined by newly elected President Barack Obama?
Short selling on retail stock doubles

22-Jan-2009
Short selling positions on retail shares have almost doubled between November and January, as investors bet on further misery for the sector.
Sir Tom Hunter slams Flying Brands management

22-Jan-2009
Sir Tom Hunter has lambasted the management of Flying Brands and said he will take a more active role in the future of the home shopping group following yesterday’s profits warning.
Threshers considers 'hundreds' of store closures

22-Jan-2009
The owner of Threshers is locked in talks with landlords about closing unprofitable stores.
Empire Direct goes in to administration

19-Jan-2009
Empire Direct, the UK’s largest independent electricals retailer, has gone in to administration.
Retailer critical list grows

19-Jan-2009
Retailers are set to face further distress in 2009 after the number of companies facing bankruptcy soared 81 per cent in the final quarter of 2008, according to a survey.
Tesco to invest £19m slashing clothing prices

19-Jan-2009
Tesco will invest £19m lowering its clothing prices and has begun by slashing prices on over 700 key clothing lines.
Matalan outperforms at Christmas

19-Jan-2009
Discount retailer Matalan has bucked the gloom to post a 5.9 per cent like-for-like increase in sales over Christmas.
Pre-pack administrations: The last resort?

16-Jan-2009
A sign of the times, pre-pack administrations have become a popular solution for failing businesses. But are they ‘legalised robbery’, as some in the industry claim? Amy Shields reports.
Moss Bros confirms Mountford to step down

16-Jan-2009
Update: Moss Bros chief executive Philip Mountford will leave the menswear retailer.
Original Factory Shop and TJ Hughes cash in on festive trading down

16-Jan-2009
Discount retailers Original Factory Shop and TJ Hughes have delivered stellar Christmas results amid a challenging economic climate.
Mosaic to sell Shoe Studio following review

15-Jan-2009
Mosaic has put its footwear brand Shoe Studio up for sale.
New Look HQ moves to London to further global ambitions

15-Jan-2009
New Look is to relocate its buying, merchandise and design teams to London to create a head office in the capital in a bid to become a global value fashion player.
Primark: too close to home

15-Jan-2009
Primark’s stellar first-quarter trading results have been somewhat overshadowed this week by the revelation that one of its suppliers has allegedly employed illegal immigrants in sweatshop conditions in Manchester.
Primark first-quarter sales up 18 per cent

15-Jan-2009
Primark has revealed that total sales grew in its first quarter, as it continued to open new space across Europe.
Clinton Cards reveals dismal Christmas trading

15-Jan-2009
Greetings cards group Clinton Cards has revealed it had a poor Christmas with like-for-like sales dropping 4.1 per cent in the five weeks to January 4.
Primark first-quarter sales up 18%

15-Jan-2009
Primark has revealed that total sales grew in its first quarter, as it continued to open new space across Europe.
QS like-for-likes climb

14-Jan-2009
Value fashion retailer QS has revealed that like-for-like sales climbed 5.4 per cent in the quarter to the end of 2008.
DSGi restructures executive team

13-Jan-2009
Electricals retailer DSGi has dramatically overhauled its executive team ahead of revealing what is expected to be its poorest Christmas trading performance since the last recession.
Tesco market share falls as grocery market grows

13-Jan-2009
The grocery market grew by 6 per cent in the 12 weeks to December 28 but Tesco's market share has fallen 0.6 percentage points compared with a year ago, according to figures from TNS.
Primark apologises to 'innocent employees' after BBC investigation

13-Jan-2009
Primark has reiterated its stance on ethical business practices and expressed regret at the harm caused to staff employed by two of its suppliers, after the BBC showed video footage alleging it employed illegal immigrants in UK sweatshops.
Mosaic issues profit warning

9-Jan-2009
Fashion group Mosaic has revealed total sales fell 1.2 per cent over the 23 weeks to January 3 and said that it expects full-year profits to be below last year.
Indian retailer takes stake in East

9-Jan-2009
Indian retailer Fabindia has snapped up 25 per cent of womenswear retailer East.
Celebrations makes 1,400 staff redundant

9-Jan-2009
Greetings cards retailer Celebrations has made 1,400 staff redundant after its administrator was unable to find buyers for its 214 remaining stores.
New Look quells sale talk as trade holds up

9-Jan-2009
Private equity-owned New Look has dismissed speculation that a “For sale” sign could be hoisted over the fast-fashion retailer in 2009 as it notched up like-for-like growth over the crucial Christmas period.
Debenhams upbeat as it defies market woes

9-Jan-2009
Department store group Debenhams will continue to reduce SKUs and maintain tight stock control after defying forecasts to report better than expected Christmas trading.
Waterford Wedgwood poised for rescue by US private equity

8-Jan-2009
Waterford Wedgwood, the china and crystal retailer and wholesaler that went in to administration on Monday, is set to be rescued by US private equity firm KPS Capital Partners.
Signet suffers poor Christmas

8-Jan-2009
US jeweller Signet has said it expects profits to be within market forecasts despite revealing that like-for-like sales slumped over the Christmas period.
Marks & Spencer: margins & errors

8-Jan-2009
Marks & Spencer boss Sir Stuart Rose appeared irked yesterday by journalists’ questions about the retailer’s lacklustre Christmas trading figures. Why, he complained, hadn’t the results from Debenhams and Next come under such scrutiny?
Peacocks posts steady Christmas results

8-Jan-2009
Fast fashion retailer Peacocks has reported a solid Christmas and secured a £20 mililon equity injection from its backers to fund expansion in 2009.
House of Fraser reports resilient Christmas

8-Jan-2009
House of Fraser has reported that like-for-like sales fell 1.5 per cent over the Christmas period and has reassured on its financial position after paying back its bank loans ahead of schedule.
Viyella collapses into administration

7-Jan-2009
Iconic womenswear retailer Viyella has collapsed into administration leaving the future of its 645 staff hanging in the balance if a buyer is not found.
Alexon profit forecasts ahead of management expectations

7-Jan-2009
Fashion group Alexon has said that it expects full-year operating profit to exceed management expectations after a robust performance in December.
New Look reports sparkling Christmas

6-Jan-2009
New Look has bucked the retail gloom to reveal a robust performance over the festive period.
Viyella in talks over future of business

5-Jan-2009
The future of iconic womenswear retailer Viyella hung in the balance today amid speculation the company is facing financial difficulties.
John Lewis Christmas like-for-likes flat

5-Jan-2009
John Lewis has revealed that total sales rose 2.4 per cent excluding VAT and like-for-likes remained flat in the five weeks to January 3.
The retail round-up: what the Sunday papers said on January 4, 2009

5-Jan-2009
JJB executive chairman Sir David Jones has revealed he believes the beleaguered sportswear retailer is “salvageable” in an interview in The Sunday Times.
Whittard bought out of administration in pre-pack deal

23-Dec-2008
Whittard of Chelsea has been rescued by private equity group Epic in a pre-pack administration deal.
Theo Fennell slips into the red

23-Dec-2008
Jeweller to the stars Theo Fennell notched up losses of £840,000 in the six months to September 30 and revealed it will consider cutting back its expansion plans.
M&S online Sale to begin on Christmas Day

22-Dec-2008
Marks & Spencer will launch its post-Christmas Sale online on Christmas Day and open the majority of its stores at 6am on December 27 for the start of its Sale in stores.
Do shoppers know it's Christmas?

18-Dec-2008
In the words of an unkempt Irishman and a diminutive Scotsman, 'Do they know it's Christmas time at all?' While the words were originally sung by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure for very different reasons, the Live Aid song's lyrics could be asked of the UK shopping public as we face the final straight in the race to Christmas.
Casino's Cdiscount launches in the UK

18-Dec-2008
French grocery giant Casino has launched its discount e-tail site Cdiscount in the UK, as exclusively predicted by Retail Week earlier this year.
Mike Ashley to halt strategic stakebuilding

18-Dec-2008
Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has signalled that his penchant for snapping up stakes in rival retailers through Sports Direct may have run its course.
Sir Geoff Mulcahy brands Woolworths closure 'disgraceful'

18-Dec-2008
Former Woolworths boss and British Retail Consortium chairman Sir Geoff Mulcahy has said that Woolworths could have been saved and has branded Deloitte's decision to close the chain 'disgraceful'.
United Carpets like-for-likes rebound

18-Dec-2008
United Carpets has revealed a slight improvement in like-for-likes in the past 11 weeks as the retailer experienced an upturn in consumer confidence.
Don McCarthy steps down from Moss Bros

18-Dec-2008
Baugur shareholder Don McCarthy has stepped down from his role as non-executive director of Moss Bros.
Debenhams to launch 50%-off five-day Sale

16-Dec-2008
Debenhams is to spark a final burst of discounting on the high street in the crucial week before Christmas, with discounts of up to 50 per cent over five days.
Best Buy announces redundancy plans as profits slump

16-Dec-2008
US electricals giant Best Buy is offering voluntary redundancy to its 4,000 head office staff and will halve capex after profits slumped and sales fell in its third quarter.
John Lewis posts record technology sales

15-Dec-2008
John Lewis has continued to gain sales momentum after notching up a record week for its technology products.
New Look confident it can grow overseas

11-Dec-2008
New Look international managing director Michael Lemner has told Retail Week that value fashion retailers continue to be well placed to expand overseas despite the global downturn.
Habitat looks East in international assault

11-Dec-2008
Habitat has pushed the button on international expansion plans and will launch stores in the Middle East and Russia next year.
Argos pulls back its international plans

11-Dec-2008
Argos has put the brakes on further international expansion and has reviewed its strategy in its one overseas market, India, after the retailer failed to clock up the level of sales it hoped for.
Bailiffs on alert as landlords fear for rents

11-Dec-2008
An army of bailiffs has been put on standby by the UK’s largest landlords as they expect a raft of retailers will fail to have funds in their bank on Christmas Eve to meet their quarterly rent deadline on December 25.
John Lewis sales gather momentum

11-Dec-2008
Sales at John Lewis have continued to gain momentum as shoppers flock to buy gifts, beauty and clothing.
House of Fraser: to Sale or not to Sale?

11-Dec-2008
When is a Sale not a Sale? When it is a pre-Christmas Sale, according to House of Fraser. Confused? You are not alone.
Mulberry feels economic squeeze

11-Dec-2008
Luxury fashion group Mulberry has revealed like-for-likes have plunged over the past 10 weeks in line with deteriorating economic conditions.
House of Fraser launches pre-Christmas Sale

11-Dec-2008
House of Fraser has launched a pre-Christmas Sale with up to 50 per cent off throughout its stores and online.
HMV warns of weakening book market

11-Dec-2008
HMV has reported flat first-half like-for-like sales and warned of a “marked deterioration” in the book market over the past five weeks.
Primark flagship store breaks sales records

10-Dec-2008
Primark's flagship store on London's Oxford Street notched the biggest single-day sales in its history last Saturday.
Video: John Lewis says trade 'absolutely morale boosting'

10-Dec-2008
John Lewis has described its last week of trading as “absolutely morale boosting” and said this week has continued the growing sales momentum in the run up to Christmas.
Debenhams to launch third three-day Sale

9-Dec-2008
Debenhams is to launch another three-day Christmas Sale, just three days after its last 20 per cent-off promotion and its third in four weeks.
Tesco triggers toys price war

9-Dec-2008
Tesco has sparked a price war after slashing the prices of hundreds of its toys by up to 60 per cent.
John Lewis online sales set to break daily record

8-Dec-2008
John Lewis expects today (December 8) to be its biggest to date for online sales after notching up a record week at Johnlewis.com.
Deep discounting comes at a price for fashion retailers

4-Dec-2008
The unprecedented wave of Sales and promotions on the high street seems to be doing little to lift shoppers' spirits or open their purse strings. Are the likes of Debenhams and Marks & Spencer going about attracting shoppers in the right way? Or is recession depression all-pervasive?
Phones 4U to take on games with new site

4-Dec-2008
Mobile phone retailer Phones 4U is making a play for the games sector by launching a web site devoted to games and consoles.
Relief for Mosaic as it wins monthly rents concession

4-Dec-2008
Deal will bring cash flow benefits for fashion giant Mosaic over the crucial Christmas trading period.
Debenhams confirms three-day Sale

2-Dec-2008
Debenhams has confirmed it will tomorrow launch a three-day Sale, which is expected to be extended to cover the whole weekend.
Game sales soften

2-Dec-2008
Computer and video game retailer Game has announced robust sales growth, despite a slowing performance over the last 18 weeks.
Tesco Discounter range hits UK sales

2-Dec-2008
Tesco has reported UK sales growth halved in its third quarter as its Discounter range hit its performance.
Moss Bros warns on profits

1-Dec-2008
The menswear retailer Moss Bros has issued a profit warning.
John Lewis sales fail to sparkle

1-Dec-2008
Sales at retail bellwether John Lewis have continued to decline as confidence on the high street wanes.
CBI survey: Retailers fear dire Christmas

28-Nov-2008
Retailers are expecting a lacklustre Christmas after reporting a decline in high street sales in November, according to the CBI's Distributive Trades Survey.
Sally Bailey, White Stuff: The right stuff

27-Nov-2008
White Stuff has so far bucked the downturn with storming results and chief Sally Bailey wants to keep it that way. She tells Amy Shields why the tough market needn’t mean growth has to stop.
Chancellor confirms 2.5% VAT cut

24-Nov-2008
Updated: Chancellor Alistair Darling has confirmed he will slash the rate of VAT and has called on retailers to pass on the cut.
JJB confirms bid for Fitness Clubs division

24-Nov-2008
JJB has confirmed that it has received an approach for its Fitness Clubs business.
Alexon sales tumble

24-Nov-2008
Alexon has revealed that sales slumped below expectations in the 17 weeks to November.
John Lewis sales continue to fall

24-Nov-2008
John Lewis has unveiled another set of lacklustre sales figures for the week ending Saturday, November 22.
Two more days added to Debenhams Sale

21-Nov-2008
Debenhams has added two extra days to its three-day pre-Christmas Sale.
M&S versus Debenhams is only round one

20-Nov-2008
Marks & Spencer has gone head to head with Debenhams in what will be round one of the tussle for shoppers' spending in the run-up to Christmas. But will short, sharp and noisy Sales ultimately really benefit retailers?
Peacocks shareholders inject £20m for expansion

20-Nov-2008
Peacocks' shareholders have stumped up £20 million to allow the value fashion retailer to continue with its ambitious store opening plans.
Selfridges appoints former Woolworths FD

20-Nov-2008
Selfridges has appointed former Woolworths finance director to the same role at the department store.
Phase Eight chief executive leaves

19-Nov-2008
Phase Eight chief executive Simon Rider has left the fashion retailer.
Jaeger opens store in Bahrain

19-Nov-2008
Jaeger has opened a standalone store in Bahrain, its second store opening in the Middle East this year.
Asda slashes petrol price

19-Nov-2008
Asda has slashed the price of petrol across the UK and is calling on other retailers to follow suit.
Debenhams' Michael Sharp warns of 'worst Christmas'

18-Nov-2008
Debenhams deputy chief executive Michael Sharp has said the retail sector is “staring into the face of the worst Christmas we have ever had”.
Carphone Warehouse mulls split

17-Nov-2008
Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone is expected to reveal tomorrow that he is considering plans to divide the retail and broadband group he founded nearly two decades ago.
Baugur insists sale of Moss holding is not first of many

13-Nov-2008
Baugur insists it has no intention of disposing of more stakes in its retail investments despite selling its 28.5 per cent holding in Moss Bros at a loss to Sir Philip Green.
Johannesson investment firm raided by tax investigators

13-Nov-2008
Stodir, the company controlled by Baugur executive chairman Jon Asgeir Johannesson, has been raided by tax investigators.
Sir Philip Green should suit Moss Bros

13-Nov-2008
Sir Philip Green burst back in to the limelight yesterday, snapping up Baugur’s 28.5 per cent stake in battle-weary Moss Bros. The swoop has left the retail sector wondering whether this rare dabble on the stock market for Green will presage an offer for the entire menswear business.
Premium retailers responsible for 'greatest growth' in clothing market

13-Nov-2008
2008 will be the second toughest year for clothing retailers since the turn of the century as mid-market players suffer from changing shopper habits, according to a survey by Verdict Research.
Ted Baker retail sales rise but wholesale slumps

13-Nov-2008
Ted Baker has revealed total sales in the 13 weeks to November 8 rose 1.8 per cent, but wholesale sales slumped 21 per cent.
DSGi dealt a blow as insurer slashes cover

13-Nov-2008
DSGi has become the latest retailer to be affected by tightening credit insurance conditions, which are increasingly afflicting the sector.
TK Maxx sales increase in third quarter

12-Nov-2008
TK Maxx has notched up a 4 per cent increase in third-quarter like-for-like sales.
Unity reduces stake in French Connection

12-Nov-2008
Unity Investments has reduced its holding in French Connection to 17.65 per cent.
Alexon turns screws on suppliers

12-Nov-2008
Alexon has turned the screws on its suppliers in the run-up to the challenging Christmas period.
Retailers' Christmas will not be cancelled, survey shows

12-Nov-2008
Christmas will retain its sparkle this year as the majority of consumers plan to spend the same amount as last year, according to new research.
Selfridges unveils centenary celebrations theme

11-Nov-2008
Iconic department store retailer Selfridges has unveiled the theme for its centenary celebrations in 2009.
TK Maxx sales break the £1bn barrier

11-Nov-2008
TK Maxx sales broke the £1 billion barrier in the year to January 26, the discount designer retailer has revealed.
Food and grocery market 'worth £170 billion by 2013'

11-Nov-2008
The food and grocery market will be worth £170 billion in five years, according to retail analysts IGD.
Retail sales worst for three years

11-Nov-2008
Retail sales fell for a fifth month in a row in October and by the biggest amount in three years.
Consumer confidence at record low

10-Nov-2008
Consumer confidence has hit a record low, according to research by Nielsen and the British Retail Consortium.
Tesco's sales in Asia robust

10-Nov-2008
Tesco has revealed robust trading at its Asian stores, ahead of its investors and analysts’ visit to the operations.
Beales sales director quits

7-Nov-2008
Beales sales director Neil Jones has resigned from the department store chain.
John Lewis Partnership agrees new Ocado deal

7-Nov-2008
The John Lewis Partnership has agreed to a five-year brand and sourcing agreement with Ocado and transferred its stake in the online grocer to its pension fund.
Interest rate cut met with caution by analysts

6-Nov-2008
The Bank of England’s shock decision to slash interest rates to 3 per cent will help heavily indebted retailers, but analysts remain cautious about the immediate impact on consumers.
Carphone’s Westfield store rewrites format

6-Nov-2008
Carphone Warehouse has unveiled the blueprint for the roll-out of its cutting-edge technology stores at Westfield London.
Baugur insists it’s ‘business as usual’

6-Nov-2008
Baugur chief executive Gunnar Sigurdsson has said the Icelandic investor has no intention of altering its portfolio of brands and that it is “business as usual”.
Spindler: mutual decision to leave Debenhams

6-Nov-2008
Debenhams managing director Angela Spindler has denied she has been restructured out of the department store retailer, saying her exit at the end of the month was based on a mutual decision.
Interest rate slashed to 3%

6-Nov-2008
The Bank of England has cut the interest rate by 1.5 percentage points to 3 per cent in a move that has been welcomed by retailers.
MK One and Ghost: an uphill battle

6-Nov-2008
The futures of two very different fashion retailers have been assured. But for how long?
Sainsbury's to offer GCSE-level training

6-Nov-2008
Sainsbury’s is to become the first retailer to offer its entire workforce the chance to gain GCSE-level equivalent qualifications.
Dunelm ups market share

6-Nov-2008
Homewares retailer Dunelm reported that it has continued to gain share in a shrinking market as its sales performance improved.
Asda profits hit by OFT fines

5-Nov-2008
Asda’s pre-tax profits have been hit by provisions for fines and legal costs arising from the Office of Fair Trading investigations in to allegations of price-fixing.
Findel posts flat sales

5-Nov-2008
Findel, the home shopping group, has revealed robust first-half sales but warned it expects consumer spending to slow.
Fenwick's full-year profits rise

4-Nov-2008
Fenwick has notched up pre-tax profits of £41.7 million in the year to January 25, up from 35.9 million the year before.
Baugur boss becomes Iceland chairman

4-Nov-2008
Baugur chairman Jon Asgeir Johannesson has joined the board of frozen food specialist Iceland as chairman.
John Lewis plans £20m Bluewater makeover

4-Nov-2008
John Lewis will invest over £20 million refurbishing its Bluewater department store, ten years after it opened.
New MK One chief secures funding

3-Nov-2008
MK One’s new boss, Bali Singh, has secured funding to ensure the future of the value fashion retailer.
Angela Spindler in shock exit from Debenhams

3-Nov-2008
Debenhams managing director Angela Spindler is to leave the department store retailer after less than a year in the role.
Baugur says assets sale 'impossible' before Christmas

3-Nov-2008
Baugur has warned against a quick fire sale of its assets controlled by the Icelandic government, saying it would be “impossible” to achieve this close to Christmas.
Ghost bought out of administration by Hawes & Curtis boss

31-Oct-2008
Hawes & Curtis boss Touker Suleyman has bought fashion retailer Ghost after it fell into administration.
Stylo to cut jobs after losses widen

31-Oct-2008
Stylo posted first-half losses after tax of £9.3 million, up from £7.5 million in the red during the same period last year, and revealed it will slash jobs at the business.
Ton Sur Ton eyes UK comeback

31-Oct-2008
Iconic 1980s fashion brand Ton Sur Ton is to be resurrected with as many as 80 standalone stores slated to open in the UK within five years.
DSGi rating reviewed as downturn takes toll

31-Oct-2008
Ratings agency Moodys has put DSGi under review for a possible downgrade after the retailer suffered a first-half like-for-like tumble of 7 per cent.
Tony Brown: A natural born seller

31-Oct-2008
Department store retailer Beales has changed its direction since ex-Bhs chief Tony Brown joined, with morale on the way back up. He tells Amy Shields how he is reviving the loss-making chain.
MK One boss in shock exit

30-Oct-2008
Mark Brafman leaves fashion chain just six months after staging rescue deal.
Ethical retailing: in celebration of Left-field London

30-Oct-2008
In a far-flung corner of west London, the 43 acre Mecca to mass consumerism that is Westfield London opened today, with thousands of eager shoppers expected to descend upon it. But earlier this week an event with a very different flavour took place closer to what has been the capital’s more traditional shopping destination.
London prices cheaper than Milan and Paris

27-Oct-2008
London is the most alluring place to shop for price-conscious shoppers within the Euro zone and the UK, according to research commissioned by Selfridges.
Amazon UK launches clothing section

24-Oct-2008
Amazon UK has launched a clothing section on its web site, selling clothing and accessories ranges from the likes of La Senza, La Redoute, Puma and Sports Direct
Forget the recession and get retailing

23-Oct-2008
As Gordon Brown and Mervyn King finally uttered the R-word this week, it looked like they had unavoidably twisted the knife for retailers.
Wal-Mart's supplier standards drive could hit profits

23-Oct-2008
Wal-Mart has admitted that its profits could be dented by plans to force Chinese suppliers to meet new quality and environmental standards or risk losing its business.
DSGi to slash capex as like-for-likes fall

23-Oct-2008
DSGi is to slash capital expenditure after revealing first-half like-for-likes tumbled 7 per cent.
Sports Direct trading on track

23-Oct-2008
Sports Direct has revealed today that trading is in line with expectations, but that it continues to be the hardest the group has ever experienced.
Shoe Studio relaunches its web site

20-Oct-2008
Footwear retailer Shoe Studio has relaunched its web site to include a further 50 men’s and women’s footwear brands and free returns.
Tommy Hilfiger records robust sales

20-Oct-2008
Fashion retailer Tommy Hilfiger has posted a 30.5 per cent increase in total sales to €755 million (£582.9 million) in the six months to September 30.
M&S to axe roles after capital expenditure cuts

20-Oct-2008
Marks & Spencer is to axe dozens of jobs after deciding to scale back its store expansion and refurbishment plans.
London retail sales worst since 2005

20-Oct-2008
Retail sales in London outperformed the rest of the country in September but were still the worst since summer 2005.
Average household is £14 a week worse off

17-Oct-2008
The average household in the UK is £14 a week worse off than a year ago, according to Asda’s monthly income tracker.
Alliance Boots buys German distributor Megapharm

16-Oct-2008
Alliance Boots has bought a 90 per cent stake in German specialist drugs distributor Megapharm.
Hats off to Baugur's retail leaders

16-Oct-2008
The tangled web that surrounds Baugur’s future is unravelling by the minute.
Baugur-backed retailers plan buy-outs

16-Oct-2008
The management of a number of Baugur-backed retailers are putting plans in place to buy back equity and debt now controlled by the Icelandic government.
Mothercare records robust second quarter

16-Oct-2008
Mothercare has posted a slight uplift in UK like-for-likes and a rise in international sales.
Baugur: end of an era

15-Oct-2008
The end of an era loomed this week with the likely break-up of Icelandic investor Baugur’s portfolio and the end of its influence on the UK high street.
Alchemy in talks with Mosaic

15-Oct-2008
Private equity firm Alchemy is thought to be in the running to buy Baugur-backed Mosaic.
Best Buy Europe to double revenues in five years

14-Oct-2008
Best Buy Europe, the joint venture between US electricals giant Best Buy and Carphone Warehouse, aims to double retail revenues and operating profit by March 2013, despite the uncertain economic outlook.
Baugur denies appointing advisors

14-Oct-2008
Baugur has denied newspaper reports that it has appointed BDO Stoy Hayward to advise on a restructuring and possible administration.
House of Fraser and Hamleys speak out on Icelandic crisis

13-Oct-2008
House of Fraser and Hamleys have distanced themselves from the fallout of the Icelandic economic meltdown and its impact on backer Baugur.
Baugur rejects claim that retail businesses are for sale

10-Oct-2008
Baugur has denied comments by Alchemy Partners chief Jon Moulton that he was offered a number of the Icelandic investor’s UK retail companies in the aftermath of the collapse of Iceland’s banking industry.
Hardy Amies in administration

10-Oct-2008
Hardy Amies has gone in to administration.
Card group in administration

10-Oct-2008
Celebrations Holdings Group, the gift card retailer with fascias including Card Warehouse and Cardfair, has gone into administration.
Top Baugur man’s role in flux as investment giant refocuses

9-Oct-2008
The role of Baugur managing director of retail Jeff Blue is likely to change as the Icelandic investor adapts its strategy in changing circumstances.
Moss Bros tightens terms for suppliers

9-Oct-2008
Moss Bros has overhauled its supplier terms to fund its three-year strategic plan and a “major” marketing scheme.
Jagtiani targets 250 stores as he mulls global prospects

9-Oct-2008
Dubai-based retail group Landmark is to open a raft of stores and launch in new markets as well as create a Middle Eastern department store format.
Woolworths: Last big credit insurer withdraws cover

8-Oct-2008
Woolworths is facing more instability in the run up to Christmas after another credit insurer has withdrawn cover from the beleaguered business.
Iceland nationalises Landsbanki

7-Oct-2008
Landsbanki, Iceland’s second largest bank, has been nationalised. The move is the latest chapter in the saga surrounding the collapse of Iceland’s economy and subsequent speculation surrounding its impact on UK retailers owned or backed by Icelandic banks or Icelandic investor Baugur.
Aurum posts robust sales

7-Oct-2008
Baugur-backed jewellery group Aurum has posted annual sales of £261.7 million, an increase of 7.7 per cent on the year and 7.4 per cent on a like-for-like basis.
Bhs operating profits slump

7-Oct-2008
Bhs has posted a 40 per cent fall in full-year operating profit to £30.2 million.
Ghost 'seeking funding solutions'

6-Oct-2008
Womenswear retailer Ghost is exploring alternative funding solutions, which could include the withdrawal of its backers from the business.
Baugur reassures Icelandic turmoil will have 'no impact'

6-Oct-2008
Baugur has quashed speculation that turmoil in the Icelandic banking sector may have an effect on the Icelandic investor’s UK retail portfolio.
House of Fraser reassures suppliers

3-Oct-2008
House of Fraser chairman Don McCarthy has written to suppliers to reassure them that the Baugur-backed department store business is financially robust.
Harrods sales dodge high street adversity

2-Oct-2008
Harrods has bucked the retail gloom to post record sales in the year to February 2 and continued growth over the summer.
Nicky Dulieu: Hotting up Hobbs

2-Oct-2008
Having gained a firm grounding in the market at M&S, Hobbs managing director Nicky Dulieu is unfazed by the challenges of a rocky economy. By Amy Shields
Is M&S right to hope for the best?

2-Oct-2008
Sir Stuart Rose’s assertion earlier today that “every morning is a good morning” at M&S seemed fairly terse.
Liberty trading in line with expectations

2-Oct-2008
Liberty has revealed that trading over the past three months has been in line with expectations despite the economic turmoil.
Ted Baker profits rise but trading weakens

2-Oct-2008
Ted Baker has posted a 5.4 per cent pre-tax profits increase to £7.4 million for the first half to August 9, but revealed that trade in the past two weeks has been affected by the turmoil in the banking world and unseasonably warm weather.
M&S slashes spending as like-for-like sales drop

2-Oct-2008
Marks & Spencer suffered a 6.1 per cent like-for-like sales drop in its second quarter and has scaled back spending plans as it is hit by falling consumer confidence.
Harrods announces record sales

1-Oct-2008
Iconic department store Harrods has posted record sales and a profit rise in its full year to February.
Baugur boss reassures on retail portfolio

30-Sep-2008
Baugur has quashed speculation that it will suffer as result of the nationalisation of Icelandic bank Glitnir and the administration of Stodir, an investment business controlled by Baugur executive chairman Jon Asgeir Johannesson.
Mosaic posts first-half EBITDA rise of 6 per cent

30-Sep-2008
Fashion group Mosaic has reported that EBITDA in its first half to July 26 rose by 6 per cent to £33.4 million to represent 8 per cent of sales.
Woolworths to launch Store 21 fashion concessions

30-Sep-2008
Woolworths is to launch Store 21 fashion concessions in 16 of its large high street stores in partnership with value fashion retailer QS.
H&M misses profit expectations

30-Sep-2008
H&M has unveiled a lower-than-expected pretax profit and gross margin performance as it is hit by the retail downturn.
Flying Brands acts to counter poor trading

26-Sep-2008
Home shopping group Flying Brands has said it will take action to offset a number of adverse events that will otherwise affect the group’s full-year performance.
John Lewis sales dive

26-Sep-2008
Sales at John Lewis have fallen in the past week as the retailer contended with good weather and flagging customer confidence.
Bhs latest to freeze head office salaries

25-Sep-2008
Bhs has become the latest retailer to implement a head office staff pay freeze as retailers respond to the economic squeeze.
Beales links up with Allders to save costs

25-Sep-2008
Department store chain Beales has linked up with Allders to achieve greater synergies and economies of scale.
Asda to offer cut-price flu jabs

24-Sep-2008
Asda is to offer customers flu jabs for just £10.
Sales fall for majority of retailers

24-Sep-2008
Sales have fallen for the majority of retailers on the high street, with no respite in sight for October.
Topps Tiles hit as home improvement demand falls

24-Sep-2008
Topps Tiles has announced a further deterioration of sales as demand for home improvement items falls.
Alexon profits slump

24-Sep-2008
Alexon has unveiled a lacklustre set of interim results after “a challenging trading period”.
Macy’s to make overseas debut in Dubai

23-Sep-2008
US department store chain Macy’s is to make its overseas debut with the launch of its Bloomingdale’s chain in Dubai.
Fashion market grows

23-Sep-2008
Shoppers spent more on fashion purchases this quarter than in the same period last year, according to figures published today by TNS Worldpanel Fashion.
Fashion market grows

23-Sep-2008
Shoppers spent more on fashion purchases this quarter than in the same period last year, according to figures published today by TNS Worldpanel Fashion.
House of Fraser to shift discount stock with new fascia

18-Sep-2008
House of Fraser is to launch a second high street format in response to changing shopping habits.
Will there be any fashion victims?

18-Sep-2008
What a difference a few days can make. This week’s financial meltdown is of a scale unknown by many working in retail.
French Connection to slim stores as loss hits

18-Sep-2008
French Connection will downsize its stores in an attempt to drive sales densities after it revealed first-half losses of £3.5 million.
EBay calls on EU to investigate ‘anti-competitive’ practices

18-Sep-2008
EBay has asked the European Union’s antitrust chief to investigate companies that prevent retailers from offering their goods on the auction site or other e-commerce platforms.
Aldi responds to launch of Tesco Discounter range

18-Sep-2008
Aldi has said “it is very much business as usual” for the discount grocer after yesterday’s launch of Tesco’s £100 million Discounter range.
Tesco complaint against Asda upheld

17-Sep-2008
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint by Tesco against a national price comparison advertising campaign by Asda.
Inflation climbs to 4.7 per cent in August

16-Sep-2008
The annual rate of inflation rose to 4.7 per cent in August, an increase on the previous month’s 4.4 per cent rate, following hikes to food and energy bills.
Casino targets UK with discount e-tail site

11-Sep-2008
French retail giant Casino is to debut in the UK with the launch of its non-food discount web site Cdiscount.com.
John Lewis – in fashion?

11-Sep-2008
Prior to the opening of John Lewis’ store in Leicester last week, 700 staff were given a rallying call to rival Churchill’s “We shall fight them on the beaches” speech.
Beales’ like-for-like decline eases

11-Sep-2008
Department store Beales revealed today that like-for-like sales slumped 6 per cent in the 43 weeks to August 30.
John Lewis Partnership profits crash

11-Sep-2008
John Lewis Partnership pre-tax profits have tumbled in the first half as it is hit by the crisis in consumer confidence and the stalling retail and housing market.
John Lewis signs Karen Elson to front fashion ads

8-Sep-2008
John Lewis is to launch its biggest fashion ad campaign to date, featuring supermodel Karen Elson.
Gap sales fall in August

5-Sep-2008
Sales at US fashion giant Gap fell 5 per cent to US$1.14 billion (£639.9 million) in the four weeks to August 30.
Asda to open five Asda Living stores this year

5-Sep-2008
Asda will open a further five Asda Living stores across the UK this year, bringing its total to 21.
John Lewis sales up

5-Sep-2008
Sales at John Lewis were up 1.6 per cent in the week to August 30, driven by back-to-school sales and a strong performance in electricals and technology.
HMV Group sales robust

5-Sep-2008
HMV Group has reported strong interim sales, but suffered at its Waterstone’s fascia in the wake of a weaker book market.
Hobbs to tap younger market in brand rejig

4-Sep-2008
Hobbs wants to tempt back lapsed customers and attract a younger audience under the direction of its new managing director, Nicky Dulieu.
Liberty drives marketing in bid to reach new customers

4-Sep-2008
Liberty will embark on a major marketing assault to recruit new customers and counteract the effects of the wider slowdown in consumer spending.
Viva España

3-Sep-2008
As retailers return from their summer breaks, at least one is confident that it will keep the Mediterranean holiday spirit alive.
DSGi suffers poor first quarter

3-Sep-2008
Electricals giant DSGi has revealed that like-for-like sales and margins have continued to fall during its first quarter.
Out-of-town retail parks to ‘lead retail renaissance’

2-Sep-2008
Out-of-town retail is set to bounce back from the economic gloom and will be more successful than town centres in instigating a retail resurgence, a Verdict survey has claimed.
Slim pickings

28-Aug-2008
London Fashion Week will begin in a fortnight and will be overshadowed, if not disgruntled, by the obligatory size zero debate.
Liberty losses widen after investment

28-Aug-2008
Pre-tax losses at Liberty have increased in the first six months of the year as the iconic department store continues to invest in its Liberty of London brand.
Moss Bros rejigs board

27-Aug-2008
Moss Bros has reshuffled its board and appointed new corporate advisers.
House of Fraser to launch new-look magazine

26-Aug-2008
House of Fraser will unveil a new-look in-store magazine on September 1.
DSGi finance director to earn £375,000 a year

15-Aug-2008
DSGi group finance director Nicholas Cadbury will be paid £375,000 a year in his post, which he took up today.
Sale of DSGi’s overseas operations moves a step closer

15-Aug-2008
DSGi has drafted in adviser Deloitte to guide the sale of its Spanish, Italian and Eastern European businesses.
Zara power

14-Aug-2008
It has been described as “the most innovative and devastating retailer in the world” by its peers, and now it has taken the crown as the globe’s leading fashion retailer.
New Comet site takesservice-led approach

14-Aug-2008
Comet has overhauled its web site to focus on customer service instead of product deals.
Harrods outlines mission to double sales of own-brand

14-Aug-2008
Harrods is to double its own-label sales over the next two years and is remodelling its menswear department.
HyperCity chief to step down

14-Aug-2008
HyperCity chief executive Andrew Levermore is to leave the Indian retailer at the end of the year.
Printemps revamps flagship in plan for luxury Euro chain

14-Aug-2008
French department store group Printemps has embarked on a radical revamp of its iconic Paris flagship as part of plans by its owners to operate a pan-European luxury department chain.
Tesco’s Dunnhumby seals deal with Macy's

14-Aug-2008
Tesco’s consumer insight company Dunnhumby has signed a deal with US department store retailer Macy’s.
Inflation hits 4.4 per cent

12-Aug-2008
Inflation has hit 4.4 per cent, more than twice the Government’s 2 per cent target and up by the highest amount since the Consumer Prices Index began in 1997.
Sainsbury’s and Tesco face High Court battle

12-Aug-2008
Sainsbury’s has won the right to a judicial review in a battle with Tesco over plans to build a large supermarket in the West Midlands.
General Trading Company sold to Mortimers

11-Aug-2008
General Trading Company, which went into administration last month (July 18), has been bought by the management of former gifts and homewares retailer Mortimers and will relaunch in the autumn.
Debenhams to help Wrapit customers

8-Aug-2008
Debenhams will help to ease the disappointment of newlyweds left without their wedding gifts following the collapse of online gift service Wrapit.
China in your hands

7-Aug-2008
It's one day before the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics and it’s not just the eyes of the sporting world that are trained on China.
Carphone axes commission

7-Aug-2008
Focus on service drives mobile phone retailer to radical pay restructure.
Jane Norman targets Russia as UK market begins to slow

7-Aug-2008
Jane Norman will open a raft of standalone stores in Russia as it is hit by falling sales in the UK.
Music and DVD sales continue to slide

7-Aug-2008
The number of shoppers who buy music and DVD products regularly has fallen for the fourth year in a row, according to Verdict Research.
Woolworths courts bid speculation

7-Aug-2008
Woolworths was the subject of bid speculation yesterday after stakebuilding by an overseas property tycoon.
Leaver is front-runner to succeed Rose

7-Aug-2008
Marks & Spencer head of international Carl Leaver has been given further responsibilities at the retailer, placing him as the front-runner to succeed Sir Stuart Rose as chief executive.
Marchpole signs DKNY menswear licence

6-Aug-2008
Luxury brand group Marchpole has signed a joint venture and strategic licensing agreement with Donna Karan International (DKI) to design and distribute DKNY menswear.
Eleven charged in US retail identity theft case

6-Aug-2008
Retailers that fell victim to one of the biggest identity theft crimes on record have learnt that US authorities have charged 11 people from five countries with stealing and selling tens of millions of credit card numbers and data.
Beales’ directors reject offer for shares

4-Aug-2008
Beales has said its directors will not accept an offer to buy up to 4.5 million shares in the department store group for 36p a share from investor Andrew Perloff.
Radley hires Mason as non-exec chairman

1-Aug-2008
Radley has appointed Somerfield chief executive Paul Mason as non-executive chairman.
Tesco completes acquisition of Dobbies

1-Aug-2008
In a stock exchange announcement today, the grocer announced that Tesco Holdings has bought 100 per cent of the issued share capital of Dobbies.
The White Stuff

31-Jul-2008
So has White Stuff got the right stuff? Undoubtedly the answer is yes. But this week the lifestyle fashion retailer announced that it had called off its search for a minority investor.
New Look and Debs to enter North Africa

31-Jul-2008
New Look and Debenhams are to open stores in North Africa in an effort to take advantage of the region’s burgeoning economy.
TJ Hughes grows again after fourfold profit rise

31-Jul-2008
TJ Hughes has reignited its expansion plans after notching up full-year pre-tax profits more than quadruple the previous year.
Retailers rethink business travel

31-Jul-2008
More than half of retailers say they have changed the way they consider business travel out of concern for the environment, a survey has revealed.
Carphone seals Best Buy deal

31-Jul-2008
Carphone Warehouse has completed its deal with US electricals giant Best Buy to launch a European retail business.
Topps Tiles sales slump

31-Jul-2008
Topps Tiles has revealed deteriorating sales as the credit crunch continues to hit demand for big-ticket items.
LVMH reports stellar first half

30-Jul-2008
Luxury retail group LVMH has said that it is confident of a strong performance in its second half, after notching up organic sales growth of 12 per cent for its first half.
July sales volumes plummet

29-Jul-2008
The Summer Sales have bought no respite for beleaguered retailers as they reported plummeting sales volumes in July.
Profits hike prompts TM Lewin expansion

24-Jul-2008
TM Lewin is poised to expand rapidly in the UK and overseas after notching up scorching full-year sales and earnings.
Selfridges to test toyshop in London store

24-Jul-2008
Selfridges is to open its first dedicated area to selling toys as it gears up for the vital Christmas trading period.
What's Next?

23-Jul-2008
Next could surprise the City when it updates on its second quarter performance next week.
Crunch hits the wealthy

22-Jul-2008
The ultra-wealthy are spending less on luxury goods and services as the credit crunch hits, according to a survey.
Diesel buys stake in Viktor & Rolf

22-Jul-2008
Fashion retailer Diesel has acquired a majority stake in Dutch fashion brand Viktor & Rolf.
Grocers cut petrol prices

22-Jul-2008
Supermarkets Asda, Morrisons and Sainsbury’s will lower petrol prices, in a move prompted by falling oil prices.
General Trading Company falls into administration

21-Jul-2008
Iconic London department store the General Trading Company has gone into administration, as predicted in this week’s Retail Week (July 18).
Boots slammed over supplier terms

21-Jul-2008
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has named and shamed Alliance Boots as one of the worst payers to small suppliers.
TM Lewin profits jump 21%

21-Jul-2008
TM Lewin has bucked the downturn, posting a 14 per cent sales rise and EBITDA up 21 per cent in its full year.
Jewellery Channel aims for profitability as sales double

18-Jul-2008
TV shopping retailer The Jewellery Channel is to become profitable this year after nearly doubling its sales last year.
Mamas & Papas sales sparkle

17-Jul-2008
Mamas & Papas has bucked the retail gloom to notch up a like-for-like sales increase of 46 per cent for its maternity fashion ranges during its spring/summer trading season.
Is it worth it?

17-Jul-2008
“Is it worth it?” asked one luxury retail chief today at a press event for the finest of British luxury brands.
Best Buy closes in on first stores as UK arrival nears

17-Jul-2008
Central London flagship location also under consideration as retail park deals are negotiated.
Instore like-for-likes fall

16-Jul-2008
Instore has revealed a fall in like-for-like sales and that its chief executive will step down.
French Connection buys back Japanese joint venture

15-Jul-2008
French Connection has bought back its Japanese joint venture and plans to move the business into profitability within three years.
Ebay triumphs in counterfeit goods case

15-Jul-2008
EBay has survived a four-year legal wrangle with Tiffany over the jeweller’s claim that the online auction site should be held liable for the sale of counterfeit jewellery on its site.
Spar boycotts Vodafone products

11-Jul-2008
Spar UK has joined other independent retailers and convenience store owners today in protesting over cuts in commission paid by the mobile phone operator Vodafone.
BMB set to buy entire Pierre Cardin UK licence

10-Jul-2008
Menswear supplier BMB is poised to acquire all of the UK licences for Pierre Cardin, in a deal that will have implications for Debenhams and Moss Bros.
Signet to delist in UK and relocate to Bermuda

10-Jul-2008
Jewellery retailer Signet has recommended to shareholders that it move to the New York Stock Exchange and relocate the company to Bermuda.
Marks is no Primark – nor should it be

10-Jul-2008
Sir Stuart Rose may have found himself in the unusual position of whispering a prayer of thanks to Primark today.
Interest rate held at 5%

10-Jul-2008
The Bank of England has held the UK interest rate at 5 per cent as spiralling inflation outweighs concerns over slowing economic growth.
Consumer spend to slow to 0.5% next year

10-Jul-2008
Consumer spending growth in the UK will slow to just 0.5 per cent next year as households face high energy and food prices and falling property values.
Co-op to buy Somerfield for £1.6bn

10-Jul-2008
The Co-operative Group is poised to buy Somerfield’s 955 stores in a deal worth £1.6 billion as early as next week, according to reports.
Sports Direct profits plummet

10-Jul-2008
Sports Direct has revealed a 51.1 per cent slump in full-year underlying pre-tax profits to £85 million, during what it called the most difficult trading period in its history.
Primark hit by weather

10-Jul-2008
Primark sales jumped 14 per cent in its third quarter, but like-for-like sales were hit by weak trading in April.
Shop price rise for June stays below inflation

9-Jul-2008
June shop prices were 2.5 per cent higher than last year but below overall inflation, according to the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index.
FL Group buys stake in Baugur

4-Jul-2008
Icelandic investment vehicle FL Group has acquired a 39 per cent stake in Baugur under the new name Stodir.
Bags of passion

3-Jul-2008
Having launched Liberty of London’s standalone store, Tamara Salman tells Amy Shields about her aims for the luxury accessories brand’s expansion
Asos set for overseas assault as profits race booms

3-Jul-2008
Asos is poised to launch foreign-language versions of its web site as it sets its sights on international expansion to continue market-leading growth.
M&S SOS

3-Jul-2008
Is Sir Stuart Rose fair to blame the majority of Marks & Spencer’s woes on market conditions?
Rose may be forced to step down

3-Jul-2008
Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose may be forced to step down or resign after yesterday’s shock profit warning wiped £1.2 billion off the value of the retailer.
EBay hit by retailer backlash

3-Jul-2008
EBay is facing a backlash from retailers and brands after the online auction site was ordered to pay damages of €40 million (£31.9 million) to LVMH this week.
Game sales rocket

3-Jul-2008
Entertainment retailer Game has released a stellar first-half trading statement, with sales ahead of expectations.
Baugur considers move to UK

30-Jun-2008
Icelandic investor Baugur is considering whether it could relocate to the UK after the conviction for bookkeeping offences of executive chairman Jón sgeir Jóhannesson.
DSGi launches broadband deal to take on Carphone

27-Jun-2008
DSGi is to go head on against rival Carphone Warehouse in the mobile broadband and laptop arena by launching an initiative called Get Connected.
Primark poaches New Look's Marchant

27-Jun-2008
Primark has poached senior New Look director Paul Marchant as chief operating officer.
Mind the gap

26-Jun-2008
“Please mind the gap,” retailers will urge Bank of England Governor Mervyn King when he makes a decision about interest rates next month.
Moss Bros shareholders demand new chair

26-Jun-2008
Moss Bros chief executive Philip Mountford faced a hostile reception at the retailer’s AGM yesterday.
M&S shareholders urged to block Rose dual role

26-Jun-2008
Marks & Spencer shareholders are again being urged to vote against chief executive Sir Stuart Rose’s promotion to chairman at next month’s AGM.
Obama appeals to Leahy over union recognition

26-Jun-2008
Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy has been asked by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama to meet with and engage with American trade unions.
DSGi profits plunge

26-Jun-2008
DSGi has revealed a 30 per cent slump in pre-tax profits in the 53 weeks to May 3 and has said it will focus on cost-control and cashflow to counter the customer downturn.
Qataris up Sainsbury's stake

26-Jun-2008
Sainsbury’s shares soared last night on the news that the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) increased its stake in the supermarket giant to about 25.3 per cent.
Simon Berwin snaps up Gee family’s holding in Moss Bros

26-Jun-2008
Simon Berwin has acquired a 4.25 per cent stake in Moss Bros from founding family shareholders the Gee family.
Ilva Furniture collapses

25-Jun-2008
Ilva Furniture has gone into administration becoming the latest big-ticket retailer to be hit by the downturn, Retail Week can reveal.
M&S to anchor southeast Irish scheme

25-Jun-2008
Marks & Spencer is to open its first store in the southeast of Ireland at the Showgrounds Shopping Centre in Clonmel Town.
Simon Berwin buys Gee family stake in Moss Bros

24-Jun-2008
Simon Berwin has acquired a 4.25 per cent stake in Moss Bros from founding family shareholders the Gee family.
Tommy Hilfiger posts record results

23-Jun-2008
Fashion retailer and lifestyle brand Tommy Hilfiger has announced record results for the year to March 31.
M&S gives out discount vouchers ahead of update

20-Jun-2008
Marks & Spencer has given out almost 1 million discount vouchers ahead of its trading update next month.
Moss Bros chairman steps down

20-Jun-2008
Moss Bros has announced that Keith Hamill has today stepped down, leaving the beleaguered retailer without a chairman, as forecast in today’s Retail Week.
Another tough week for John Lewis

20-Jun-2008
John Lewis reported another fall in sales as it comes up against tough comparatives.
Wal-Mart man to take charge at Halfords

20-Jun-2008
Halfords has appointed David Wild as chief executive, with effect from August 4.
May Day or Mayday?

19-Jun-2008
May is traditionally celebrated as the month of rebirth, named after Maia, the Roman goddess of springtime, warmth and increase.
Maplin sales rocket as rest of sector suffers

19-Jun-2008
Maplin has unveiled bumper sales and profits and forecast continued growth, despite the economic downturn and seismic change in the electricals sector.
Moss Bros in turmoil as candidates for chair refuse job

19-Jun-2008
Moss Bros will be left without a new chairman this week after it emerged that potential candidates are unwilling to take the role at the beleaguered retailer.
Mulberry sales buck gloom

19-Jun-2008
Mulberry has announced soaring sales and a strong start to the new financial year.
Land of Leather plans rescue deal as sales collapse

19-Jun-2008
Land of Leather has announced plans to secure a rescue financing deal of £14.8 million, gross of expenses, by way of placing almost 30 million shares, underwritten by its brokers.
May online sales hit £4.5 billion

19-Jun-2008
Online spending in May rose to more than £4.5 billion, an increase of 1.6 per cent on April, according to the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.
Hamleys opens in Jordan

18-Jun-2008
Hamleys has opened its first store in Jordan.
Best Buy to roll out Best Buy Mobile to all stores

17-Jun-2008
Best Buy, the US electricals giant that snapped up half of Carphone Warehouse’s retail business last month for £1.1 billion, has announced a drop in first-quarter earnings.
3G iPhone sparks massive interest

17-Jun-2008
Interest in the next generation 3G iPhone is almost four times than that for its 2G predecessor according to mobile phone retailer O2.
DSGi credit rating cut

17-Jun-2008
DSGi’s credit rating has been cut on the back of its decreasing operating profit margin.
Fifth of M&S shareholders to vote against Rose promotion

16-Jun-2008
Up to a fifth of Marks & Spencer’s shareholders are expected to vote against chief executive Sir Stuart Rose’s promotion to chairman.
Primark sacks factories found using child labour

16-Jun-2008
Primark has sacked three of it southern Indian factories after they were found to have used unauthorised sub-contracting and child labour to produce its garments.
Fortnum & Mason chairman to step down

13-Jun-2008
Fortnum & Mason chairman Jana Khayat is to step down after seven years in the role.
Borders to sell three overseas businesses

13-Jun-2008
Borders is to offload a raft of its overseas businesses and slash 20 per cent of its workforce as it implements its strategic review.
Halfords outshines the sector with profit jump

13-Jun-2008
Motor accessory and bikes retailer Halfords has outperformed the sector, as customers swap cars for cycles.
Tesco takeover of Dobbies almost complete

13-Jun-2008
Tesco now owns 90.13 per cent of the shares in Dobbies, after announcing last week that it would take the retailer private within the next month.
Gee family could sell Moss Bros stake

12-Jun-2008
Moss Bros founding family member shareholders the Gee family are understood to be considering selling their stake in the menswear retailer.
Time to roll up your sleeves

12-Jun-2008
If we have learned anything this week, it is that we are in for a “long slog”, according to Sir Philip Green.
Woolworths fined £350,000 by FSA

12-Jun-2008
Woolworths has been fined £350,000 after being penalised for contravention of disclosure rules in December 2005.
Green warns worst trading is yet to come

12-Jun-2008
Arcadia boss Sir Philip Green has said the worst of the credit crunch has yet to hit the high street.
HMV shareholder sells a third of holding

12-Jun-2008
HMV shareholder Brandes Investment Partners has sold more than a third of its holding in the entertainment retailer.
Carphone: Best Buy tie-up will bolster business

12-Jun-2008
Carphone Warehouse has said its partnership with Best Buy will enable it to offset challenges presented by the downturn, after it reported a cautious outlook because of falling broadband demand.
Argos like-for-likes top expectations

12-Jun-2008
Home Retail Group has recorded flat first-quarter like-for-like sales at its Argos chain ahead of expectations, but has warned that the outlook remains challenging.
Green scouts for Topshop sites in New York

11-Jun-2008
Arcadia owner Sir Philip Green has been eyeing locations for a second Topshop store in New York, ahead of the retailer’s US debut in October.
EBay convicted in French court over counterfeit case

11-Jun-2008
EBay was last week convicted of selling counterfeit goods by a French court and ordered to pay €20,000 (£15,865) in damages to luxury brand Hermes.
LK Bennett to be sold to private equity group

10-Jun-2008
Fashion and footwear retailer LK Bennett is to be sold to Phoenix Equity Partners for between £80 million and £100 million.
Retail sales return to positive territory

10-Jun-2008
The spring sunshine in May helped push UK retail sales into positive territory for the first time since March, according to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) retail sales monitor.
Moss Bros close to appointing chairman

10-Jun-2008
Moss Bros is understood to have approached former BAA retail director Barry Gibson about the role of chairman.
Signet profits down 24%

6-Jun-2008
US jewellery retailer Signet has painted a bleak future for its UK business after posting a 24 per cent fall in first-quarter profits.
Debenhams strategy pays as it builds fashion share

6-Jun-2008
Debenhams chief executive Rob Templeman expects to make further gains in clothing market share this month and has defended his strategy in the face of City criticism.
John Lewis to reveal ad push as sales drop

5-Jun-2008
John Lewis will launch an ad campaign next week setting itself apart from its high street rivals.
Better the devil you know

5-Jun-2008
If the devil wears Primark, then he is not alone.
Debenhams continues to gain market share

5-Jun-2008
Debenhams has continued to increase its clothing market share, while Marks & Spencer has made gains and Next’s market share losses have slowed.
Morrisons like-for-likes outperform grocery market

5-Jun-2008
Morrisons has reported like-for-like growth ahead of the grocery market during its first quarter.
New Alexon chief to start this month

5-Jun-2008
Fashion group Alexon has revealed that new chief executive Jane McNally will join the retailer on June 16. Outgoing chief executive John Osborn will retire on August 29.
WHSmith posts 'reassuring' sales update

5-Jun-2008
WHSmith has revealed a “reassuring” interim trading update, despite a fall in like-for-like sales.
Halfords celebrates 20th year of sales growth

5-Jun-2008
Halfords has reported its 20th consecutive year of sales growth as it benefited from an increase in customer car maintenance and a resurgence in the trend for cycling.
Moss Bros saga costs Baugur £500k

2-Jun-2008
Baugur has had to stump up £500,000 to pay advisers after it walked away from its £40 million bid for Moss Bros.
DSGi chief operating officer joins as consultant only

2-Jun-2008
DSGi chief operating officer Patrick Macdonald, who was due to take up his present role at the electricals retailer permanently, has joined only as a part-time consultant.
Moss Bros supplier on trail of Baugur stake

30-May-2008
Menswear supplier Berwin & Berwin is understood to be interested in buying a slice of Baugur’s stake in Moss Bros after the Icelandic investor walked away from its £40 million takeover bid for the retailer.
Diamonds are forever

29-May-2008
It was one in the bag for Burberry this week, as the luxury retailer revealed a 25 per cent surge in profits for the year to the end of March. The figures confirm that, despite the credit crunch, nothing comes between a woman and a handbag.
Mosaic hires Shoe Studio MD

27-May-2008
Mosaic Fashions has appointed a managing director for its Shoe Studio footwear business.
Debenhams to ramp up international arm

27-May-2008
Debenhams is to more than double its international sales over the next four years.
HoF picks Delaney Lund Knox Warren

23-May-2008
House of Fraser has appointed ad agency Delaney Lund Knox Warren to head its creative account, starting with its autumn ad campaign.
Theo Fennell to triple stores in global push

23-May-2008
Luxury jewellery retailer Theo Fennell is poised to triple its store count over the next two to three years and reveal a new shop fit.
Driving ambition

23-May-2008
Aquascutum is the Aston Martin of fashion, according to chief executive Kim Winser. Named one of Europe’s top businesswomen, she tells Amy Shields how she’s putting it back in pole position
Claire’s picks UK and Ireland MD as it rejigs its European structure

23-May-2008
Claire’s Accessories has appointed a managing director for its UK and Ireland region as it formulates a new structure for its European division.
Deals breathe life into ailing value market

23-May-2008
The reshaping of the embattled value sector began this week with two key deals.
Nightmare in Knightsbridge

23-May-2008
Harvey Nichols boss Joseph Wan’s worst fears have been realised after sales growth at the luxury retailer stalled following tax changes that affected its wealthiest foreign customers.
ONS retail sales growth slows

23-May-2008
Sales volume growth has slowed over the past three months as the household sector reported the largest fall in sales volumes for three years.
John Lewis sales slide

23-May-2008
John Lewis has suffered a fall in sales after a taxing week when home sales dwindled.
Retail’s red card

22-May-2008
House of Fraser could have delivered an own goal in the unfortunate timing of its autumn/winter press and supplier event last night.
Laura Ashley snaps up 2.2 million Moss Bros shares

22-May-2008
Laura Ashley has upped its stake in Moss Bros to 9.79 per cent as Icelandic investor Baugur continues to circle the menswear group.
Mothercare results shine

22-May-2008
Mothercare has delivered a record year of sales and profits and has benefited from the integration of the Early Learning Centre (ELC) sooner than expected.
Aurum profits climb

20-May-2008
Baugur-owned jewellery retail group Aurum has revealed an increase in like-for-like sales and profits during its first quarter.
Sports Direct rapped by OFT over “store closures”

20-May-2008
Sports Direct has had its knuckles rapped by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) after it received complaints that some of its shops misled customers over closing down promotions.
Welcome to our new world

19-May-2008
Charles Dunstone’s £1.1 billion link-up with Best Buy could change the face of European electricals retailing. Amy Shields reports on one of the most dramatic deals since Wal-Mart bought Asda
Jaeger sets out plans for global expansion

19-May-2008
Jaeger is seeking retail partners in Russia, the US and Europe to forge ahead with expansion after revealing barnstorming sales.
Borders puts Paperchase on market following review

16-May-2008
Paperchase has been put up for sale by its US owner Borders.
John Lewis sales plummet

16-May-2008
Sales at John Lewis fell during the spring sunshine, while sales at Waitrose soared.
Au Naturale sold to undisclosed buyer

15-May-2008
Value homewares retailer Au Naturale has been acquired out of administration by an unnamed buyer.
Jaegermeister

15-May-2008
The ears of many a potential retail investor must have been pricked by Jaeger’s sparkling set of full-year results this week.
H&M sales plummet

15-May-2008
Swedish fashion retailer H&M has posted a 10 per cent fall in like-for-like sales for April after bearing the brunt of cold weather, but said trade in the first two weeks of May had improved.
Clinton posts flat sales

15-May-2008
Clinton Cards’ sales were flat in its third quarter and it faces more challenging conditions on the high street.
Findel to halt recruitment of new higher-risk customers

15-May-2008
Home shopping retailer Findel will stop recruiting higher-risk new customers to its credit business and focus on driving revenues from its established customer base, after a “disappointing” year.
ScS issues profit warning

14-May-2008
Sofa specialist ScS has issued the latest in a string of profit warnings after dire sales over the key bank holiday weekend.
White Stuff bucks high street gloom

13-May-2008
Casual clothing retailer White Stuff has unveiled strong sales growth in defiance of the downturn, as it seeks an investor to fuel its expansion plans.
Jaeger sales rocket

13-May-2008
Luxury British fashion brand Jaeger has posted a 16 per cent rise in total sales to £82.2 million for the year to February 23. EBITDA was up 22 per cent to £6.1 million.
Net-a-Porter launches review

12-May-2008
Internet entrepreneur Natalie Massenet is understood to be conducting a review of her fashion e-tail business Net-a-Porter.com.
M&S investors could force vote on Rose's role

9-May-2008
Rebel Marks & Spencer shareholders are considering whether to force a vote on Sir Stuart Rose’s controversial promotion to executive chairman at the retailer’s AGM in July.
The sun is out at last

8-May-2008
The long-awaited sun may be starting to shine on fashion retailers if Next’s interim management statement is anything to go by.
Best Buy strikes deal with Carphone to transform European electricals retailing

8-May-2008
Carphone Warehouse and US giant Best Buy have created a joint venture likely to become one of the biggest electricals retailers in Europe.
New Look poised to make Russian debut

24-Apr-2008
New Look is set to enter Russia through a franchise agreement with Serbian-based partner Delta.
Ethel Austin: Anatomy of an administration

24-Apr-2008
Ethel Austin is the latest fashion name to go into administration, but could it have been avoided? Amy Shields investigates
265 shopfloor jobs to go at Ethel Austin

18-Apr-2008
The administrator of value fashion retailer Ethel Austin has announced that 265 shopfloor jobs will be lost when it shuts down 33 loss-making stores over the next three weeks.
Adili buys Ascension

18-Apr-2008
Ethical e-tailer Adili has acquired ethical fashion brand Ascension.
John Lewis sales ‘defiant’

18-Apr-2008
John Lewis has reported a “defiant” week of trading, but remains cautious as it braces itself to come up against tough comparatives from last year.
On the critical list

17-Apr-2008
Retail in the emergency room as it faces the harshest trading conditions since the 1990s, with the worst still to come
Blood on the shopfloor

17-Apr-2008
To say there is blood on the shopfloor today is an understatement. The fashion sector has been left reeling with uncertainty following the collapse of Ethel Austin, the announcement of store closures from JJB Sports and the For Sale sign hoisted over MK One.
Tommy Hilfiger launches online channel to woo shoppers

17-Apr-2008
Tommy Hilfiger has launched an online music channel in an effort to drive sales, as the credit crunch hits high-end brands.
Ethel Austin administrator to slash 181 jobs

16-Apr-2008
The administrator of value fashion retailer Ethel Austin will close 33 of its 300 stores and slash 181 jobs at head office after it hit the buffers yesterday.
Carphone Warehouse downgrades forecast

15-Apr-2008
Carphone Warehouse has revealed robust mobile phone sales, but provided a weaker-than-expected outlook and growth in broadband customers.
H&M like-for-likes drop 8%

15-Apr-2008
Swedish fashion retailer H&M has reported a like-for-like sales fall for March of 8 per cent.
Alexon chief to retire

14-Apr-2008
Fashion group Alexon has announced that chief executive John Osborn will retire from the retailer later this year.
Carphone Warehouse eyes Tiscali

14-Apr-2008
Carphone Warehouse chief executive Charles Dunstone has confirmed that it is interested in acquiring Tiscali’s UK arm, in a move that could see it become the country’s largest broadband supplier.
Liberty sale postponed due to credit crunch

11-Apr-2008
The owners of iconic department store Liberty have extended the deadline for a sale of the business, because of poor market conditions.
John Lewis ramps up fashion credentials

11-Apr-2008
John Lewis has bolstered its fashion business with exclusive partnerships with UK and international fashion brands.
Mosaic bids to take Principles upmarket

10-Apr-2008
Mosaic has unveiled the first fruits of its turnaround strategy at smart womenswear chain Principles, 18 months after acquiring the retailer.
Aquascutum to launch new store format

10-Apr-2008
Luxury retailer Aquascutum will unveil a new store format this year, 12 months after its owner injected £40 million to revitalise the brand.
Matalan poaches Debs trio for fashion assault

10-Apr-2008
Matalan has lured three executives from Debenhams’ young women’s fashion brand Red Herring to oversee the relaunch of its own young-fashion offer.
Survival of the fittest

10-Apr-2008
Retailers attending the World Retail Congress in Barcelona this week could be forgiven for reaching for a stiff glass of Sangria.
Hunter reviews Dobbies stake after rights issue

10-Apr-2008
Sir Tom Hunter is reviewing his holding in Dobbies Garden Centres after the retailer said it would raise £150 million through the issue of new shares, according to The Daily Telegraph.
Baugur ‘in the mood’ to buy Moss Bros

10-Apr-2008
Baugur executive chairman Jón sgeir Jóhannesson has said the investor is still looking to buy menswear retailer Moss Bros, after dismissing an approach to sell its 29 per cent stake.
DSGi issues another profit warning

10-Apr-2008
Electricals retailer DSGi said it expects full-year underlying pre-tax profits to miss forecasts.
Ossian debt acquired

9-Apr-2008
An investment fund has acquired the debt in Ossian Retail Group, the owners of homewares brand Au Naturale and fast-fashion chain Internacionale.
Moss Bros mystery investor revealed

9-Apr-2008
A mystery investor in Moss Bros has been identified as property and retail trader Paul Singh.
Myners in Tesco libel case

8-Apr-2008
Guardian Media Group chairman Paul Myners has been caught up in the libel case being brought by Tesco against The Guardian.
Ethel Austin to secure rescue refinancing

7-Apr-2008
Value retailer Ethel Austin is on the verge of winning a rescue refinancing deal.
Inditex to cast €1bn growth net overseas as profits jump

3-Apr-2008
Spanish clothing group Inditex has unveiled strong full-year profits and will look overseas to generate growth as its domestic clothing market softens.
Moss Bros could be a late developer

3-Apr-2008
The Mothercare that released its fourth-quarter results this morning is a far cry from the mess that chief executive Ben Gordon inherited in 2002.
City waits for results of Signet price-hikes

3-Apr-2008
Jewellery giant Signet is expected to indicate next week that trading has softened in its key US market.
H&M to link with Comme des Garçons for autumn collection

3-Apr-2008
Fashion retailer H&M will collaborate with Comme des Garçons founder and head designer Rei Kawakubo to create its autumn guest designer collection
Travis Perkins acquires Tile It All

3-Apr-2008
Travis Perkins has further bolstered its tile business with the acquisition of Tile It All.
Carpetright picks finance chief

3-Apr-2008
Carpetright has appointed AS Watson health and beauty finance and IT director Neil Page as its group finance director.
Mothercare sales soar

3-Apr-2008
Mothercare has revealed a robust performance in the year to March 29, led by strong performances in its online and international divisions.
Moss Bros enters the red

3-Apr-2008
Moss Bros has gone in to the red after notching up pre-tax losses of £1.4 million for the year to January 26.
Woolworths’ retail business returns to profitability

2-Apr-2008
Woolworths has announced a return to profitability for its retail business.
Baugur to sponsor London College of Fashion

1-Apr-2008
Baugur has formed a partnership with the London College of Fashion (LCF) to sponsor its graduate shows and offer students work placements, mentoring and guest lectures.
Monsoon appoints managing director

1-Apr-2008
Monsoon Accessorize has appointed Matt Hudson as managing director of its Monsoon fashion chain.
Inditex unveils details of new accessories format

31-Mar-2008
Inditex has unveiled the details of its new accessories chain, set to roll out this year.
Walgreens widens clothing range to halt falling profits

27-Mar-2008
Pharmacy giant Walgreens is to extend its clothing offer in an effort to broaden its range of private-label goods. The US’s biggest healthcare retailer will introduce the Casual Gear collection in most of its 6,000 stores on April 1.
Foyles’ last family member to take a back seat

27-Mar-2008
Foyles chairman Christopher Foyle and vice-chairman Bill Samuel are to step back from their executive roles at the beginning of next month.
Tour de force

27-Mar-2008
Guy Critchlow has steered Kookaï back to profitability just over a year after taking the helm. He tells Amy Shields why its British and French influences have been a winning combination
Easter puts spring in the step

27-Mar-2008
Over the past week, fashion retailers have faced the perfect storm with the early Easter holiday weekend, rent day, consumer confidence and snow all falling at once.
Aurum review turns up heat on suppliers

27-Mar-2008
Baugur-owned Aurum Holdings – parent company to retailers Mappin & Webb, Goldsmiths and Watches of Switzerland – has turned the screws on suppliers following the completion of a strategic review.
Debenhams shares nosedive as key investor sells stake

27-Mar-2008
Shares in Debenhams nosedived yesterday after Merrill Lynch Private Equity sold its remaining stake in the department store group.
Land of Leather like-for-likes tumble

27-Mar-2008
Land of Leather has announced a slump in like-for-like sales and the retirement of chief executive Paul Briant.
Cheshire outlines Kingfisher vision as sales climb

27-Mar-2008
Kingfisher group chief executive Ian Cheshire has outlined his vision for the future of the retailer as it reported a sales increase.
Laura Ashley profits soar but like-for-likes slide

27-Mar-2008
Fashion to furnishings retailer Laura Ashley has announced a fifth year of profit growth, despite a slump in like-for-likes.
Jessops to meet full-year expectations

26-Mar-2008
Camera specialist Jessops has said it is confident it will meet full-year expectations, as it continues to reduce its cost base and improve efficiency.
Wintry Easter weather lifts shopping centre sales

25-Mar-2008
The wintry weekend weather enticed shoppers into shopping centres and away from the high streets, garden centres and DIY stores this Easter holiday.
Borders UK commercial director steps down

20-Mar-2008
Borders UK commercial director David Kohn will leave the business at the end of next month.
Top Banana

20-Mar-2008
Banana Republic has finally planted its first footsteps on European soil.
Banana Republic to investigate factory conditions

20-Mar-2008
Banana Republic has begun an investigation in to allegations that Indian workers that make its clothes are being forced to work in situations that breach ethical best practice codes.
Somerfield sale in jeopardy

20-Mar-2008
The planned £2 billion sale of Somerfield could be dropped after only one bid was tabled by the deadline at the end of last week.
John Lewis sales fall

20-Mar-2008
John Lewis has recorded another miserable performance as sales for the week to March 15 fell 1.3 per cent to £47.18 million.
Banana Republic opens European flagship on Regent Street

19-Mar-2008
Banana Republic will open its first UK store today (March 20) in one of the units created from the former Dickins & Jones site on Regent Street.
Beales like-for-like slump continues

18-Mar-2008
Ailing department store chain Beales has reported a slump in like-for-likes during its first quarter.
Fenwick acquires Williams & Griffin

17-Mar-2008
Privately owned department store chain Fenwick has acquired Colchester department store Williams & Griffin.
Oasis appoints retail operations director

14-Mar-2008
Oasis has recruited Ann Summers director Ian Wallis as retail operations director.
John Lewis sales fall

14-Mar-2008
John Lewis blamed unseasonable weather, Mother’s Day and televised sporting events for a 1.4 per cent fall in sales in the week to March 8.
John Lewis hires ex-Figleaves chief for online

13-Mar-2008
John Lewis has appointed former Figleaves chief operating officer Robin Terrell as managing director of its John Lewis Direct online arm.
Stark reality from Rose

13-Mar-2008
Any remaining rose-tinted spectacles came off at yesterday’s Retail Week Conference, when Marks & Spencer chief executive Sir Stuart Rose warned that he expects the economic storm to rumble on until the middle of 2010.
The house that John built

13-Mar-2008
John King is making strides towards realising his ambition of turning House of Fraser into a UK Nordstrom. He talks to Amy Shields
Sports Direct to hit market expectations

13-Mar-2008
Sports Direct has reported in its interims that it is set to meet market consensus EBITDA in its full year, but has not provided detailed current trading figures.
Liberty pre-tax losses sink to £6.4m

11-Mar-2008
Luxury department store Liberty has posted a pre-tax loss of £6.4 million, largely as a result of the cost of rolling out its Liberty of London brand.
Liberty pre-tax loss deepens to £6.4m

11-Mar-2008
Luxury department store Liberty has posted a pre-tax loss of £6.4 million, largely as a result of the cost of rolling out its Liberty of London brand.
House of Fraser opens Belfast store

7-Mar-2008
House of Fraser has unveiled its first shop to open since the takeover of the department store group in a Baugur-backed deal more than a year ago.
George calls time early

5-Mar-2008
It’s early closing for George after four years on the UK high street. However, it is far from surprising that Asda has called time on the 11-store standalone clothing concept.
M&S mid-season Sale sparks trading fears

5-Mar-2008
Marks & Spencer has kicked off a mid-season Sale days after distributing 800,000 friends and family discount vouchers to staff, sparking fears of weak clothing sales on the high street.
Liberty International in talks to become largest mall group

5-Mar-2008
Property group Liberty International is in negotiations to merge with a major rival to become the world’s largest shopping mall group.
Asda to close George stores

5-Mar-2008
Asda is to close its standalone George clothing high street stores four and a half years into a pilot, after failing to make the economics of town-centre retailing work.
Morrisons achieves record grocery market share

4-Mar-2008
Morrisons has achieved record grocery market share and continued growth in the 12 weeks to February 24, according to figures from TNS Worldpanel.
Next launches Brand Directory

29-Feb-2008
Next has launched its branded young fashion web site Brand Directory, following a soft launch on its own web site at the end of last year.
Next tipped as bid target for M&S

29-Feb-2008
Credit Suisse has suggested that Next could be a bid target for Marks & Spencer, arguing that investors do not appreciate the extent of the structural problems facing Next.
Liberty to raise game with more exclusives

28-Feb-2008
Iconic department store Liberty is to treble its exclusive luxury brands as its customers increasingly seek a unique shopping experience in a challenging retail environment.
McCarthy hits out as Baugur bids for Moss

28-Feb-2008
Moss Bros non-executive director and Baugur board member Don McCarthy has outlined the Icelandic investor’s plans for the retailer if its takeover succeeds.
Cross Bros

28-Feb-2008
There have been more than a few cross words exchanged at Moss Bros this week.
MPs demand tax inquiry following Tesco allegations

28-Feb-2008
MPs and Lords have called for a crackdown on tax avoidance after the Guardian newspaper alleged that Tesco was using an elaborate corporate structure to avoid paying tax.
Peacocks on the hunt for 120 concessions

28-Feb-2008
Peacocks is seeking retail partners to open about 120 concessions in the UK.
Laura Ashley wooed for Moss Bros bid

28-Feb-2008
Fashion-to-furnishings retailer Laura Ashley has been approached by a Moss Bros shareholder to lend its weight to a counterbid to Baugur’s £40 million indicative offer for the retailer, according to reports.
Smallbone posts record results

28-Feb-2008
Luxury furniture retailer Smallbone has posted record financial results and expects growth to continue this year.
Mexx to withdraw from UK

27-Feb-2008
Mexx, the fashion and accessories chain, is to close its 61 retail outlets in the UK.
PPR sales rocket

27-Feb-2008
Luxury retail group PPR, the owner of Gucci, has reported full-year profits ahead of forecasts and expects to achieve further growth in 2008.
Select falls into administration

26-Feb-2008
Value fashion chain Select has gone into administration after poor trading in the first quarter of this year.
Debenhams launches Fairtrade menswear

22-Feb-2008
Debenhams has launched its Fairtrade menswear range with Sir Steve Redgrave.
Benetton forecasts sales surge for 2008

21-Feb-2008
Italian fashion group Benetton has forecast sales growth of between 6 and 8 per cent in 2008, after posting revenues up 9.1 per cent to €2.08 billion (£1.57 billion) in 2007.
Don’t turn your back on the basics

21-Feb-2008
“You don’t turn the lights out when things get tough.” This advice, from BRC chairman Sir Geoff Mulcahy during this morning’s Retail Week Conference 2008 Online Debate about how to succeed this year, may at first seem trite.
Kookai to move into online as part of brand expansion

21-Feb-2008
Fashion retailer Kookaï will forge strategic alliances with online retailers in an effort to extend its brand presence, as it is poised to announce its return to profitability this year.
January sales rebound

21-Feb-2008
Retail sales climbed 0.8 per cent in January – a marked improvement on the 0.2 per cent fall recorded for December – according to the Office for National Statistics.
Phones 4U snaps up online rival

21-Feb-2008
Mobile phone specialist Phones 4U has bought online retailer Dial-a-Phone for £9 million.
Competition test will allow Asda to double store openings

21-Feb-2008
Asda expects to benefit from the Competition Commission’s proposed “competition test” for new supermarket openings, because it will mean it is able to double the number of shops it opens a year.
Tesco calls for 'responsible pricing’ on alcohol

21-Feb-2008
Tesco will call on the Prime Minister today to create new laws to ban the sale of cut-price alcohol.
People Tree gets £1 million injection

20-Feb-2008
People Tree has landed a £1 million cash injection from financier Oikocredit to help fund a year of expansion for the ethical fashion brand.
Old Navy president steps down

20-Feb-2008
Gap is searching for a new president of its Old Navy brand after Dawn Robertson stepped down 16 months after being drafted in to turn around flagging sales.
Ideal receives preliminary bid approach

15-Feb-2008
TV shopping group Ideal Shopping Direct has received a bid approach.
H&M posts stellar January sales

15-Feb-2008
Fashion retailer H&M posted a 17 per cent year-on-year sales rise in January.
Bonmarche delivers ‘stonking performance’ in poor climate

14-Feb-2008
Bonmarché has bucked the trend among value fashion retailers by posting soaring profits.
Is Baugur the new Sears?

14-Feb-2008
Icelandic investor Baugur has changed the face of UK retail over the past five years. But with tougher times approaching, Amy Shields asks if it has overstretched itself
Is love in the air?

14-Feb-2008
On today of all days, talk of a love affair seems appropriate. And the subject? The British shoppers’ affection for overseas retailers.
Baugur to bolster top team as fashion market toughens

14-Feb-2008
Icelandic investor Baugur is to strengthen the management teams at some of its key fashion retailers to help its brands ride out the challenging trading environment.
Bonmarche posts ‘stonking performance’ in poor climate

14-Feb-2008
Bonmarché has bucked the trend among value fashion retailers by posting soaring profits.
John Lewis eyes up India

14-Feb-2008
Department store giant embarks on hunt for a partner to make its debut on the sub-continent
Stylo rescues Dolcis

14-Feb-2008
Stylo has bought Dolcis out of administration.
Harrods to sell £250-a-glass champagne for Valentine’s

13-Feb-2008
Iconic department store Harrods is to have a sparkling Valentine’s Day by selling champagne at £250 per glass.
Handover to chair Alexon

8-Feb-2008
Former WHSmith boss Richard Handover will become chairman of fashion group Alexon when incumbent Jim Martin steps down at the end of this month.
US retail sales performance lacklustre

8-Feb-2008
The mixed performance of US retailers has signalled a shift in consumer spending patterns as sales still fail to sparkle during the sub-prime credit crunch.
Harrods unveils interactive window campaign

8-Feb-2008
Harrods has unveiled an interactive window campaign to encourage its customers to experience its iconic store via the five senses.
John Lewis sales slower than expected

8-Feb-2008
The John Lewis Partnership had a week of mixed fortunes, with new year sales growth slower than expected at the department store business.
Arcandor kicks off ‘radical’ move to luxury at Karstadt

7-Feb-2008
Arcandor has started transforming its Karstadt department stores into luxury destinations for brands in an effort to create a high-end pan-European chain.
Kinnaird buys Envy for £1

5-Feb-2008
John Kinnaird has bought Alexon’s struggling menswear division Style Menswear for £1, as revealed by Retail-week.com (January 18).
Woolworths hires non-exec director

4-Feb-2008
Woolworths has appointed Peter Bamford to its board as a non-executive director.
Egan to leave Shoe Studio

1-Feb-2008
Shoe Studio Group (SSG) chief operating officer John Egan will leave the group.
Maus Frères acquires Gant

1-Feb-2008
Swiss retail group Maus Frères has acquired Swedish fashion group Gant.
Shepherdson comeback hails new era in ethics

31-Jan-2008
One of the first things Jane Shepherdson will do at the start of her tenure at Whistles will be to bring her ethical nous to the table.
Hardy Amies plans to expand in profit drive

31-Jan-2008
Hardy Amies has set out ambitious plans to have 30 stores in the UK in the next five years and push into overseas markets, in an effort to make the retailer profitable next year.
Jagtiani silences talk of a bid for Debenhams

31-Jan-2008
Retail tycoon Micky Jagtiani has ruled out making a bid for Debenhams despite upping his stake in the department store group to more than 9 per cent.
Amazon Q4 profits double but margins slip

31-Jan-2008
Amazon has reported its fourth quarter profits have more than doubled, but Wall Street has reacted badly to a slump in margins.
No respite for Land of Leather

31-Jan-2008
Land of Leather has reported a further slump in sales over the critical January period.
WHSmith to return £90m to shareholders

31-Jan-2008
WHSmith reported a 2 per cent fall in like-for-like sales over the festive period and is to return £90 million to shareholders.
Mamas & Papas picks MD

30-Jan-2008
Marek Laskowski has been promoted to managing director of Mamas & Papas retail business.
January sales weak, but February outlook positive

29-Jan-2008
Sales on the UK high street in January remained weak, but retailers are bullish about the prospects for February, according to the CBI’s Distributive Trades Survey.
Landmark ups stake in Debenhams

29-Jan-2008
Landmark Group has once more increased its stake in Debenhams to total more than 9 per cent, via its investment vehicle Milestone Resources.
Jane Shepherdson buys Whistles

28-Jan-2008
Jane Shepherdson has concluded a deal with Baugur to acquire Whistles from Mosaic, as first reported in Retail Week (November 30).
Metro offloads Extra chain in deal to plug debt by €350m

24-Jan-2008
German giant Metro Group has sold its Extra supermarket chain to rival Rewe in the first sign of the group’s restructuring agenda under new management.
Harrods to open luxury gifts room

24-Jan-2008
Harrods will launch a luxury 'gift and objet” room this spring.
Online, the fashion frontier

24-Jan-2008
So, JD Sports has been voted the retailer with the worst customer service on the high street followed closely by another sportswear retailer, JJB.
Asos festive sales dazzle

23-Jan-2008
Asos sales soared 86 per cent year on year for the seven weeks to January 20.
HMV directors snap up shares

23-Jan-2008
Senior HMV directors have bought shares in the retailer, signalling their confidence in its turnaround.
Gap signs Greek franchise partner

22-Jan-2008
Gap has announced a franchise agreement with Greek retail group Marinopoulos Group to bring Gap and Banana Republic to Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus and Croatia.
Kookaï has a sparkling Christmas

22-Jan-2008
Kookaï UK has reported a 9 per cent increase in like-for-like sales over the Christmas period, in the eight weeks to January 10.
Fifa to open raft of global stores

21-Jan-2008
Fifa will open hundreds of branded outlets around the world in time for the World Cup in South Africa in 2010.
B&Q to stop selling patio heaters

21-Jan-2008
B&Q is to no longer stock gas patio heaters, following claims that they are harmful to the environment.
Sports Direct warns of tough year ahead

21-Jan-2008
Sports Direct has warned that it expects the UK retail sector to become more challenging over the next six months, but it expects to exceed profit expectations for the full year.
Is the luxury sector's crown slipping?

17-Jan-2008
The luxury sector has long been touted as the last bastion of booming sales during the credit crunch.
Thorntons festive sales climb

17-Jan-2008
Thorntons has reported strong festive sales, driven by robust performances at all its divisions.
Primark Christmas sales soar 26%

17-Jan-2008
Christmas trading at value retailer Primark was ahead of expectations, parent company Associated British Foods (ABF) disclosed.
HMV celebrates festive sales surge

17-Jan-2008
Shares in HMV jumped 15 per cent this morning after the tills rang out at Christmas for the entertainment retailer.
Arev buys majority stake in Aspinal of London

16-Jan-2008
Retail investment group Arev has taken a majority stake in luxury leather goods retailer Aspinal of London.
Mothercare Christmas sales rocket

16-Jan-2008
Mothercare has posted stellar third-quarter results and expects profits for its full year to be near the top end of market expectations.
Burberry sales surge

15-Jan-2008
Luxury brand Burberry recorded a surge in third-quarter sales, but retail sales were at a lower level than the retailer planned.
London retail sales slow in December

14-Jan-2008
London retailers bounced back from the worst retail performance in two years in November, but growth slowed in December, according to the London Retail Consortium (LRC).
Instore Christmas sales flat

11-Jan-2008
Variety store group Instore has reported flat trading over the Christmas period, after positive sales growth in its second half slowed in December.
Ashley ups stake in JD Sports

11-Jan-2008
Mike Ashley, the founder and controlling shareholder of Sports Direct, has upped his stake in JD Sports to more than 11 per cent.
Littlewoods Christmas sales rise driven by online

11-Jan-2008
Multichannel retailer Littlewoods Shop Direct's sales rose 7 per cent for the six weeks to January 4, driven by strong online sales.
Landmark fuels bid talk as it ups Debenhams stake

11-Jan-2008
Dubai-based Landmark Group, headed by retail guru Micky Jagtiani, has edged up its stake in Debenhams to 8 per cent in a move that will further fuel speculation that it is to bid for the retailer.
Gap sales slide over Christmas

10-Jan-2008
Fashion giant Gap has reported a slide in sales for December as the credit crunch in the UK and the US continues to bite.
Gap sales slump over Christmas

10-Jan-2008
Fashion giant Gap has reported a slide in sales for December as the credit crunch in the UK and the US continues to bite.
Beales issues profit warning

10-Jan-2008
Department store chain Beales has announced a profit warning and a fall of 6 per cent in like-for-like sales for the nine weeks to January 5.
Gap sales slump over Christmas

10-Jan-2008
Fashion giant Gap has reported a slide in sales for December as the credit crunch in the UK and the US continues to bite.
Fashion dilemma

10-Jan-2008
Fashion retailers faced a tough decision as they tumbled headlong into the toughest Christmas trading period in three years.
Tufnell leads management buy-in at Peter Werth

10-Jan-2008
Former Mothercare boss Greg Tufnell has led a management buy-in of menswear brand Peter Werth, in a deal thought to total more than £10 million.
JD Group set for bumper year

10-Jan-2008
JD Group has forecast that its full-year earnings will be ahead of market expectations as it posted stellar Christmas sales figures.
New Look profits rise at expense of sales

10-Jan-2008
New Look has unveiled a like-for-like sales slump of 3.4 per cent over the 15 weeks to January 5.
Sainsbury's defies market gloom

10-Jan-2008
Sainsbury’s has reported better-than-expected Christmas trading figures, with consumers not shying away from spending on food and drink despite the credit crunch.
Select rescued by foreign investor

9-Jan-2008
Young fashion chain Select has secured a £13 million emergency funding package from an unnamed foreign investor.
Burberry bags clean up

8-Jan-2008
Handbags now account for 31 per cent of sales at luxury retailer Burberry and the five-figure price tag for its latest It Bag has not deterred its devotees.
Tesco to equal discounters’ prices

7-Jan-2008
Tesco will match the prices on more than 2,000 Aldi and Lidl product lines, a sign of the grocer’s concern over the rising popularity of its discount rivals.
Tesco to match discounters’ prices

7-Jan-2008
Tesco will match the prices on more than 2,000 Aldi and Lidl product lines, a sign of the grocer’s concern over the rising popularity of its discount rivals.
Tesco to match discounter's prices

7-Jan-2008
Tesco will match the prices on over 2,000 Aldi and Lidl product lines in a sign of the grocer’s concern over the rising popularity of its discount rivals.
John Lewis sales up 6%

20-Dec-2007
John Lewis has reported a 5.6 per cent uplift in sales for the week so far from Sunday.
Jagtiani mulls partnership in bid for Debenhams

20-Dec-2007
Landmark boss Micky Jagtiani has said he would consider a joint bid for Debenhams in a move first revealed by Retail Week (December 14).
Matalan profits climb

19-Dec-2007
Pre-tax profits at value retailer Matalan rose 8.5 per cent to £28.1 million in the 52 weeks to February 24.
Supermarkets brace for record Christmas week

18-Dec-2007
Supermarkets without adequate stock to cope with unprecedented consumer demand at Christmas will lose sales to competitors.
T-Mobile and 3 to pool networks

18-Dec-2007
Mobile phone retailers T-Mobile and 3 will pool their networks, in an initiative that has sparked speculation that the two rivals might merge.
Mason: I will not succeed Leahy

17-Dec-2007
Tim Mason has said he will not succeed Sir Terry Leahy as chief executive of Tesco.
John Lewis smashes the £100 million sales mark

17-Dec-2007
Weekly sales at John Lewis have broken the £100 million mark for the first time.
Baugur poised to make a move on Debenhams next year

13-Dec-2007
Baugur is expected to launch a bid for Debenhams in partnership with an overseas department store business early next year.
Baugur poised to make a move on Debenhams next year

13-Dec-2007
Baugur is expected to launch a bid for Debenhams in partnership with an overseas department store business early next year.
John Lewis sales up 7.4 per cent

13-Dec-2007
John Lewis sales rose again this week, up 7.4 per cent year on year between Sunday and Wednesday this week.
Friends in the North

13-Dec-2007
Following in the footsteps of its Viking forefathers, Baugur has been successful in changing the fortunes of a whole country – albeit within the retail sector.
Linda Bennett reveals international ambitions

12-Dec-2007
LK Bennett founder Linda Bennett has said that she hopes that the new owners of the fashion brand will take it on to the international stage.
McCarthy appointed Aurum chairman

11-Dec-2007
House of Fraser chairman and Baugur board member Don McCarthy has been appointed non-executive chairman of Aurum, the parent company of Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland.
Mayfield appointed to Government Commission

11-Dec-2007
John Lewis Partnership chairman Charlie Mayfield has been appointed to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
What the Sunday papers said – December 9

10-Dec-2007
Woolworths is under pressure to renegotiate its debt mountain as it faces a make-or-break Christmas, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
Hobbs hires former Jaeger creative director

10-Dec-2007
Hobbs has appointed Sandy Verdon creative director at the womenswear retailer.
Baugur confirms Moss Bros bid interest

10-Dec-2007
Baugur has confirmed it is considering acquiring Moss Bros in a takeover thought to value the menswear retailer at £40 million.
Baugur to bid for Moss Bros this week

10-Dec-2007
Baugur is expected to approach Moss Bros as early as this week in a takeover thought to value the menswear retailer at £40 million
New Look launchs e-commerce site in time for Christmas

7-Dec-2007
New Look has launched its transactional web site just in time to cash in on crucial online sales this Christmas
Monsoon shares suspended

7-Dec-2007
Monsoon has suspended trading on AIM ahead of being taken private by chairman and founder Peter Simon.
Whistles to split from Mosaic as Shepherdson era beckons

6-Dec-2007
Upmarket fashion chain expected to be offloaded after Shepherdson takes the helm next year
John Lewis pushes price pledge to bolster appeal

6-Dec-2007
John Lewis is promoting its Never Knowingly Undersold promise for the first time by displaying discounts on products in stores.
Fashion doyennes are on the move

6-Dec-2007
Word on the high street is that there is not enough going on in the world of fashion.
Woolworths stores 'worthless'

5-Dec-2007
Investment bank Citi has said Woolworths has no future in its present form and has called its stores “worthless”.
Jaeger signs womenswear deal with Saks

3-Dec-2007
Jaeger has teamed up with US department store Saks to launch an exclusive womenswear range.
John Lewis sales still growing

3-Dec-2007
John Lewis reported a 9.3 per cent sales uplift week on week and 4.5 per cent year on year for the week to Saturday December 1.
ScS warns on outlook

3-Dec-2007
Furniture retailer ScS has warned that a downturn in trading means it cannot be confident it will hit expectations for the full year.
SRG sales drop

30-Nov-2007
Sales and profits at Speciality Retail Group (SRG) have dropped in the first year following its management buy-out.
John Lewis sales continue to climb

29-Nov-2007
John Lewis has reported a 4.6 per cent increase in year-on-year sales from Sunday to Wednesday, driven by sales of outdoor clothing and Christmas ranges.
House of Fraser has a spring in its step

29-Nov-2007
The Baugur posse were conspicuous by their absence last night from the spring/summer press preview at House of Fraser.
Kingfisher profits slip

29-Nov-2007
Third-quarter profits at DIY retailer Kingfisher remained flat amid a softening UK housing market and rising mortgage rates.
Findel posts record first-half results

29-Nov-2007
Findel chief executive Patrick Jolly has said the home shopping group may benefit from the UK credit crunch as it announced record first-half sales and profits.
Baugur pursues Shepherdson for Whistles role

29-Nov-2007
Fashion retail guru Jane Shepherdson is being courted by Baugur for a top operational role, most likely at its Whistles brand.
Will November payday trigger spending sprees?

29-Nov-2007
Retailers are praying that this week’s payday will encourage consumers to head for the shops and give a much-needed boost to sales as volatile trading conditions persist.
Jamey Hargreaves backs Julien Macdonald venture

28-Nov-2007
Jamey Hargreaves, son of Matalan founder John Hargreaves, has invested money to help designer Julien Macdonald create a luxury brand around his name.
Signet warns on profits

27-Nov-2007
Jewellery group Signet, which does most of its trade in the US, has issued a profit warning in the face of uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic.
Thanksgiving online high kicks off US Christmas

27-Nov-2007
US online retail sales have exceeded expectations over the Thanksgiving holiday period, which marks the start of the US festive shopping period.
Positive John Lewis sales could kick-start Christmas

26-Nov-2007
Fears of a retail slowdown this Christmas may abate as John Lewis reported a 10 per cent jump in sales last week.
John Lewis faces union anger

26-Nov-2007
The John Lewis Partnership will come under attack from trade union representatives this week, following the sale of two of its factories.
US enters critical festive trading period

23-Nov-2007
All eyes will be on US retail sales today, at the start of the country’s crucial Christmas spending season in the midst of its credit crunch.
Peacocks resurrects international ambitions

23-Nov-2007
Value fashion group Peacocks has revived its international ambitions with plans to double its overseas store count.
The beautiful game turns ugly for retail

22-Nov-2007
Who would have thought that the beautiful game could prove so ugly for retail? But last night Steve McClaren was not alone in contemplating his future after England’s disastrous performance against Croatia knocked them out of Euro 2008.
John Lewis to open smaller shops to hit growth targets

22-Nov-2007
John Lewis plans to open department stores of half its typical branch size to achieve its ambition of doubling in scale over the next 10 years.
Sports Direct blames England defeat for profit warning

22-Nov-2007
Sports Direct has issued a profit warning and Umbro has cautioned kit sales will be hit hard following England’s failure to qualify for the 2008 European Football Championships last night.
Morrisons third-quarter growth accelerates

22-Nov-2007
Morrisons has reported robust third-quarter figures, driven by increased marketing activity supporting the roll-out of its new branding and Market Street store presentation.
Vodafone challenges German T-Mobile iPhone deal

21-Nov-2007
Vodafone has challenged German operator T-Mobile’s exclusive deal to sell Apple’s iPhone in Germany under local competition laws.
PM calls for forum to cut plastic bag use

20-Nov-2007
Gordon Brown has called for a forum of supermarkets, the British Retail Consortium and other groups to investigate how to eliminate plastic bag wastage.
Marks & Spencer in India joint venture talks

20-Nov-2007
Marks & Spencer is in talks with several Indian companies about launching a joint venture that could accelerate its expansion in the country.
Peacocks sale postponed

19-Nov-2007
Peacocks has said it is not in active talks to refinance or sell its value fashion business because of the turmoil on global debt markets.
House of Fraser picks new chief financial officer

19-Nov-2007
Mark Gifford has taken over the role of chief financial officer at House of Fraser as the group celebrates its first anniversary under Baugur-led ownership.
Monsoon shareholders back Simon's buy-out

16-Nov-2007
Monsoon shareholders have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the acquisition of the fashion retailer by chairman and founder Peter Simon.
Mulberry appoints chief financial officer

16-Nov-2007
Luxury accessories retailer Mulberry has appointed Roger Mather as chief financial officer.
Far East up West

15-Nov-2007
After burning its fingers last time around, Uniqlo has returned to London in a new incarnation. Amy Shields meets Fast Retailing chief executive Tadashi Yanai
Uniqlo parent to bring Theory and Princesse Tam.Tam to UK

9-Nov-2007
Fast Retailing, the Japanese fashion retailer and Uniqlo parent, plans to open standalone stores in the UK for its Theory and Princesse Tam.Tam brands.
Primark pursues Irish space as profits surge ahead

9-Nov-2007
Primark will embark on plans to increase its selling space in Ireland substantially as it reaps the rewards of the conversion of former Littlewoods stores in the UK.
Carphone mulls new brand as it shifts focus to wireless

8-Nov-2007
Carphone Warehouse is considering introducing a new fascia as it develops a new generation of stores in response to the dramatic switch towards wireless technology.
Mosaic eyes Bloomingdales for Coast and Karen Millen

8-Nov-2007
Mosaic Fashions is in talks with US department store Bloomingdales about launching trial shop-in-shops for its Coast and Karen Millen brands.
East meets West at Uniqlo

8-Nov-2007
For one retailer, the phrase “once bitten twice shy” does not apply, seemingly. Uniqlo has returned to the UK in style, with the launch of a flagship store in London’s Oxford Street.
Alexon to return cash to shareholders

7-Nov-2007
Fashion group Alexon is to return cash to shareholders and revealed that trading has not improved since its interim results in September.
Urban Outfitters sales soar

7-Nov-2007
US fashion retail group Urban Outfitters posted record sales for its third quarter.
PPR sales soar in third quarter

6-Nov-2007
Luxury goods conglomerate PPR revealed third-quarter sales growth rocketed 22 per cent, driven by sales at its newly acquired Puma sportswear business, as well as demand for Yves Saint Laurent dresses and Bottega Veneta handbags.
Tesco opens first US store

5-Nov-2007
Tesco has opened its first Fresh and Easy store in the US.
John Lewis ploughs £6.2m into Christmas ad campaign

2-Nov-2007
John Lewis will launch its biggest Christmas ad campaign to date on Monday at a cost of £6.2 million – more than triple last year’s spend.
Carphone to sell 10,000 iPhones on launch day

2-Nov-2007
Carphone Warehouse is set to sell up to 10,000 Apple iPhones when it launches in the UK next Friday.
Debenhams ups festive ante on Oxford Street

2-Nov-2007
Debenhams has unveiled an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas window display to raise the bar on Oxford Street this Yuletide.
Fashion sector faces busy week

1-Nov-2007
Next week is a busy one in the retail calendar. As well as the long-anticipated opening of Tesco’s first stores in the US, the long-overdue Sainsbury’s Delta Two bid deadline and the much-hyped UK launch of the iPhone, fashion will once again be under the microscope.
Retail chiefs back West End’s third traffic-free December festival

1-Nov-2007
Retail chiefs lent their support on Wednesday to the third annual traffic-free shopping day in London’s West End, which is to be held on December 1.
Reliance to spin off Fresh chain as it chases alliances

1-Nov-2007
Indian giant Reliance Retail is understood to intend to hive off its grocery fascia Reliance Fresh as it focuses on joint ventures to drive growth.
Debenhams launches menswear in Desire stores

1-Nov-2007
Debenhams has signalled new-found confidence in its menswear by introducing it to Desire stores.
Gerry Murphy to leave Kingfisher

1-Nov-2007
Kingfisher group chief executive Gerry Murphy is to step down in February after five years at the retailer.
Baugur denies bid is on for French Connection

1-Nov-2007
Baugur, which this week upped its stake in French Connection to 20 per cent, has ruled out bidding for the fashion retailer.
Land of Leather like-for-likes slump

1-Nov-2007
Land of Leather recorded a poor first-quarter performance as it began to feel the effects of five successive interest rate rises.
Debenhams unveils Christmas windows

31-Oct-2007
Debenhams has unveiled an all-singing, all-dancing Christmas window display to up the ante for the most memorable festive display on London’s Oxford Street.
Metro Q3 sales climb

30-Oct-2007
Metro has forecast a positive performance for the remainder of this year after recording healthy sales in its third quarter.
Scots to begin switch to digital next year

29-Oct-2007
Scotland will start the changeover to digital television on November 6 next year.
Mike Clare primes Dreams for sale

25-Oct-2007
Dreams is understood to have appointed KPMG to explore the possibility of a sale of the business for £250 million.
Will there be a silver lining for fashion?

25-Oct-2007
Dark clouds are gathering on the horizon, warned Sir Philip Green today. And they are not the kind of clouds that bring a climate the fashion tycoon might welcome.
Debenhams launches menswear in Desire stores

25-Oct-2007
Debenhams has signalled new-found confidence in its menswear by introducing it to Desire stores.
Reliance to spin off Fresh chain as it chases alliances

25-Oct-2007
Indian giant Reliance Retail is understood to intend to hive off its grocery fascia Reliance Fresh as it focuses on joint ventures to drive growth.
House of Fraser slashes debt

25-Oct-2007
House of Fraser dramatically cut its net debt in the few months following its acquisition by a Baugur-led consortium in November last year.
Blacks calls off sale of Freespirit

25-Oct-2007
Blacks Leisure has announced that it will not sell its Freespirit boardswear business, the subject of a controversial row with tycoon Mike Ashley earlier this year.
What the Sunday papers said – October 22, 2007

22-Oct-2007
Nike has recruited Sports Direct joint corporate broker Merrill Lynch to advise it on a bid for England football kit manufacturer Umbro, according to The Sunday Telegraph.
Burberry to expand shop empire as retail sales soar

19-Oct-2007
Luxury goods retailer Burberry is to open more stores in Europe and the US as part of its strategy to drive retail sales.
Peacocks to fly high

18-Oct-2007
A newly preened Peacocks strutted its stuff at a gathering of management and journalists at Shoreditch House in east London last night.
Esprit plans UK launch of young fashion brand

18-Oct-2007
Esprit will bring its young fashion brand edc by Esprit to the UK as part of plans to open 150 stores worldwide in three years.
Wyevale commits to being carbon neutral by 2010

18-Oct-2007
Garden centre chain Wyevale has published a consultation document called the Ten Commitments detailing how it will deliver its plan to become carbon neutral by 2010.
Mothercare driven by soaring multichannel sales

18-Oct-2007
Mothercare has delivered a healthy second quarter performance, led by its UK multichannel arm Direct in Home, which reported a sales increase of 102 per cent – a 27.8 per cent like-for-like lift.
DSGi sales strong despite Italian woes

15-Oct-2007
DSGi has today reported robust sales, despite weak performances from its Italian UniEuro arm and Mircrosoft’s new Vista range.
Investment vehicle snaps up Smallbone stake

15-Oct-2007
Luxury kitchen and furnishings group Smallbone is the latest retailer to become the subject of stake-building, with investment vehicle Toscafield snapping up a stake of almost 7 per cent.
WHSmith profits rocket

15-Oct-2007
WHSmith has reported soaring group profits, but both total and like-for-like sales dropped.
Thorntons celebrates stellar first quarter

15-Oct-2007
Thorntons has reported strong trading in its first-quarter update.
Theo Fennell boss to exit as sales soar

15-Oct-2007
Theo Fennell managing director Barbara Snoad is to leave at the end of this year after six years at the upmarket jeweller.
Baugur snaps up stake in Sports Direct

15-Oct-2007
Serial investor Baugur has taken a stake in beleaguered retailer Sports Direct.
Lovelock steps down from Jacques Vert

15-Oct-2007
Mosaic chief executive Derek Lovelock will retire as non-executive chairman of womenswear retailer Jacques Vert on November 1.
Gap plans push into the Philippines

15-Oct-2007
Gap is set to open a dozen stores in the Philippines by 2012.
Carphone Warehouse UK marketing director leaves

15-Oct-2007
Carphone Warehouse’s UK marketing director Dominic Rowell has left the retailer.
Pension row threatens Sainsbury's deal

15-Oct-2007
The £10.6 billion takeover of Sainsbury’s by Delta Two will not be backed by founding family shareholders unless the Qatari investment fund agrees to inject £2 billion into the deficit-hit pension fund.
Baugur’s interest in Sports Direct is far from innocent

15-Oct-2007
Two of retail’s most high-profile companies have become unlikely bedfellows.
Baugur’s interest in Sports Direct is far from innocent

11-Oct-2007
Two of retail’s most high-profile companies have become unlikely bedfellows.
WHSmith profits rocket

11-Oct-2007
WHSmith has reported soaring group profits, but both total and like-for-like sales dropped.
Baugur snaps up stake in Sports Direct

11-Oct-2007
Serial investor Baugur has taken a stake in beleaguered retailer Sports Direct.
Theo Fennell boss to exit as sales soar

11-Oct-2007
Theo Fennell managing director Barbara Snoad is to leave at the end of this year after six years at the upmarket jeweller.
Ethel Austin kicks off brand assault after £5m injection

11-Oct-2007
Ethel Austin has begun a brand-building offensive after being granted a £5 million cash injection from its owners.
Thorntons celebrates stellar first quarter

11-Oct-2007
Thorntons has reported strong trading in its first-quarter update.
Carphone Warehouse UK marketing director leaves

10-Oct-2007
Carphone Warehouse’s UK marketing director Dominic Rowell has left the retailer.
Lovelock steps down from Jacques Vert

10-Oct-2007
Mosaic chief executive Derek Lovelock will retire as non-executive chairman of womenswear retailer Jacques Vert on November 1.
Gap plans push into the Philippines

10-Oct-2007
Gap is set to open a dozen stores in the Philippines by 2012.
Pension row threatens Sainsbury's deal

9-Oct-2007
The £10.6 billion takeover of Sainsbury’s by Delta Two will not be backed by founding family shareholders unless the Qatari investment fund agrees to inject £2 billion into the deficit-hit pension fund.
Cold weather drives sales at John Lewis

5-Oct-2007
Strong clothing sales following the start of the colder, autumnal weather helped drive sales at John Lewis in the week to September 29.
John Lewis food hall targets £25m sales

4-Oct-2007
John Lewis unveiled its first food hall at its flagship Oxford Street store on Wednesday and is targeting sales of between £15 million and £25 million a year.
Liberating luxury at Liberty

4-Oct-2007
Loss-making department store Liberty has, in the past, lacked a certain je ne sais quois.
Autumn is here

4-Oct-2007
The leaves are beginning to turn and with them the fortunes of fashion retailers.
Close to home

4-Oct-2007
It has been a challenging year for Ikea, but the company is confident its new ad campaign has captured the consumer mood. Amy Shields learns more from its UK head Peter Hogsted
Lambert Howarth falls into administration

4-Oct-2007
Footwear, accessories and homewares supplier Lambert Howarth has gone into administration, resulting in the loss of 72 jobs.
Shopper numbers for September hold steady

4-Oct-2007
The number of shoppers who hit the high street in September remained robust in the wake of the Northern Rock crisis and the ensuing economic turmoil.
Ted Baker posts robust interims

4-Oct-2007
Ted Baker has posted strong interim results led by its retail division.
Carphone Warehouse picks retail director

3-Oct-2007
Carphone Warehouse has appointed Steve Blan as retail director to strengthen its UK retail team, as it diversifies beyond its core mobile phone offer.
John Lewis launches first food hall

3-Oct-2007
John Lewis opened its first ever food hall in its Oxford Street flagship store in London today.
House of Fraser to launch small-format fashion stores

1-Oct-2007
House of Fraser is launching a small footprint store devoted to fashion to bolster its numbers in town centres.
Ex-Moss bros boss eyes Blacks chief role

28-Sep-2007
Former Moss Bros and Speciality Retail Group boss Adrian Wright is in the frame for the role of chief executive of Blacks Leisure.
JJB to add own-labels to revive profits

28-Sep-2007
JJB Sports will back new own-brand labels to reverse its fortunes after profits slumped in the six months to July 29.
Körber’s departure drives divestment talks at Metro

27-Sep-2007
The surprise departure of chief executive Hans-Joachim Körber from German retailer Metro has fuelled speculation that it will sell its troubled department store chain Kaufhof
Matalan accelerates repayment of debt

27-Sep-2007
Value fashion retailer Matalan has paid back more than £47 million of debt to its banks ahead of schedule and has strongly rebuffed speculation that it was heading for a financial crunch
House of Fraser axes chief women’s buyer

27-Sep-2007
House of Fraser is scrapping the role of head of buying for womenswear only nine months after it began a restructure of its buying divisions
Jessops chief executive quits

27-Sep-2007
Jessops chief executive Chris Langley has resigned from the troubled camera retailer as it updates on the first phase of its strategic review and confirmed that losses are set to hit £7.5 million.
Land of Leather ramps up expansion plans

26-Sep-2007
Soaring profits at furniture retailer prompt new store opening target
Liberty still in the red

25-Sep-2007
Increased investment in repositioning widens losses
Ikea changes marketing tack as sales spring back

24-Sep-2007
Retailer focuses on property slowdown in its biggest-ever campaign
Primark launches legal action in copyright battle with Esprit

20-Sep-2007
Landmark retailer Liberty has launched Liberty of London, its own-label, in iconic department stores and exclusive boutiques worldwide.
Liberty unveils luxury own-label worldwide

20-Sep-2007
Liberty has launched Liberty of London, its own-label, in iconic department stores and exclusive boutiques worldwide.
Superdrug tests green health fascia

18-Sep-2007
Superdrug has unveiled a new-format store as part of its£23 million investment to bring fashion-focused health services to the high street.
Primark and Mothercare to launch inquiry into alleged sweatshop pay

17-Sep-2007
Primark and Mothercare have launched inquiries into allegations that factory workers who make their clothes in India are being severely underpaid.
Ahead of her time

14-Sep-2007
Dame Anita Roddick was a retail pioneer
Wal-Mart launches ‘Live better’ strapline

14-Sep-2007
Retailer drops 'Always low prices' slogan
Thorntons full-year profits soar

12-Sep-2007
Online arm bolsters sales, with 60% uplift in final quarter
Thorntons posts a profits surge across all channels

12-Sep-2007
Thorntons has reported a 36.5 per cent surge in pre-tax profits to£7.1 million with positive sales growth recorded across all channels in its full year to June 30.
Tourists lift London sales

10-Sep-2007
Autumn downturn a risk, says LRC
Apple slashes iPhone price by one third

7-Sep-2007
Price cut just 68 days after launch
Steinhoff hails recovery at Cargo and Harveys chains

6-Sep-2007
Cargo pulls itself out of the red
Autumn collection could herald recovery at Next

6-Sep-2007
City sentiment has shifted towards troubled fashion giant
PPR weathers retail storm as luxury market prospers

6-Sep-2007
Profit soars 55% at Gucci division
Fat Face profit and sales rocket

6-Sep-2007
Outdoor retailer bucks high street trend
Smallbone profits dazzle

6-Sep-2007
Group to speed up global expansion
Apple's iPhone sales outstrip rivals in US

5-Sep-2007
Sales of Apple’s iPhone have outpaced its rivals in its first full month on the market in the US.
Primark and Mothercare launch factory inquiries

3-Sep-2007
Factories in India to be investigated after allegations over low pay
Sainsbury's gives Delta Two three weeks

3-Sep-2007
Grocer wants takeover negotiations wrapped up before the end of the month
Habitat closes in on e-tail as it rejigs site

3-Sep-2007
Habitat has overhauled its UK web site this week in a move thought to be its first step towards creating a fully transactional site.
King plans brand influx at House of Fraser

31-Aug-2007
House of Fraser will unveil a raft of big-name brands in stores this autumn, but has warned it will toughen supplier terms.
Debenhams to push upmarket image with ad assault

31-Aug-2007
Debenhams aims to bolster sales of its own-label and Designers at Debenhams ranges with the launch of a multimillion-pound advertising campaign tomorrow.
Boots seals online deal for Pessina’s healthcare drive

31-Aug-2007
Major deal with medical journal steers giant further into the healthcare arena
Qatari Sainsburys deal inches closer

30-Aug-2007
Delta Two up equity offer
Footfall slumps over bank holiday

29-Aug-2007
Saturday worst hit
Organic sales hit £2 billion

28-Aug-2007
Demand for organic clothing, cosmetics and food are helping to fuel an explosion in organic sales
Baugur ups its stake in Debs

24-Aug-2007
Icelandic group controls 11 per cent
Baugur increases Debenhams stake

24-Aug-2007
Share price closes down
Baugur bails MKOne out with £15m injection

24-Aug-2007
Investment made as losses mount
What the Sunday papers said…

20-Aug-2007
Hamleys forced to withdraw poisoned toys

Retail WeekAmy Shields

Retail Week
Amy Shields