Retail news round-up on March 26, 2015: Tesco’s Ireland boss to retire, Sports Direct employs 75% of Uk staff on zero-hour contracts, Harvey Nichols opens in Azerbaijan.

Retail Week's Breakfast Briefing

Tesco Ireland boss to retire

Tesco Ireland’s chief executive Phil J Clarke is departing the grocer after less than two years in the role, The Irish Times reported.

Clarke, who has announced his intention to retire, will be succeeded by Andrew Yaxley next month.

Clarke is a 40-year veteran of Tesco, having previously served as chief executive of Tesco’s stores in Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Japan. He was appointed to the Irish job by his namesake, Phil Clarke, who departed as Tesco group chief executive last year to be replaced by Dave Lewis.

Yaxley is currently the managing director of Tesco’s London business.

 

Sports Direct employs 75% UK workers on zero-hour contracts

Sports Direct’s chairman Keith Hellawell has admitted that the sporting goods retailer employs around 75% of its staff on controversial zero-hour contracts.

During a grilling by the Scottish Affairs Committee yesterday, Hellawell said almost 15,000 of its 19,000 UK workers were employed on the zero-hour deals, which do not specify set working hours or guaranteed income.

The retailer had previously refused to confirm how many of its workers were on the contracts.

 

Harvey Nichols opens seven-floor store in Azerbaijan

Harvey Nichols has opened a seven-floor store in Azerbaijan. The 110,000 sq ft outlet in Baku’s Globus Plaza will be the upmarket London department store’s eighth overseas venture, joining others in Turkey, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Dubai.

The outlet will offer stylists, personal shoppers, restaurants, a beauty hall and more than 500 international designer fashion brands.

Harvey Nichols’s group chief executive Stacey Cartwright said: “This market is fast becoming one of the top luxury retail destinations in the world and we are excited to offer the ultimate in luxury shopping and hospitality to the discerning customer in Baku.”