Retail Week
July 29 2011
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Indian government panel recommends easing restrictions
An Indian government panel is said to have recommended easing restrictions on Foreign Direct Investment in Indian retail, which could allow international companies to own as much as 51% of multichannel retailers if they invest a minimum of $100m (£61.3m). This would allow retailers such as Walmart and Carrefour access to the -
A big (hairy) thumbs up for M&S lingerie
M&S may be crediting women tempted by its Brazilian knicker offer as having boosted its sales, but its lingerie also has a more specialist following. -
Affiliate marketing: Online retailers’ best friend
Affiliate marketing is invaluable for retailers, but many forget its value in promoting full-price product. Alison Clements looks at how to get more from your affiliate marketing budget -
Amazon on recruitment drive to fuel growth plan
Online giant Amazon intends to recruit 200 staff at its UK head office in the next year as it prepares for future growth. -
Amazon sales surge but profits dip following investment
Online giant Amazon said second quarter group sales surged 51% to $9.91bn but net income fell in the period. -
Analysts pessimistic as sales slip at Halfords
Analysts downgraded their profit forecasts for Halfords after retail like-for-likes slid 1.1% in the 13 weeks to July 1. -
Aquascutum secures £8m loan
Luxury retailer Aquascutum has secured an £8m bank loan to help finance the loss-making business. -
Ashley calls for Blacks chairman to resign
Billionaire Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley has called for the resignation of Blacks chairman David Bernstein. -
Aurora launches 90-minute delivery outside London
Aurora Fashions is rolling out its 90 minute delivery service in Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Edinburgh from lunchtime tomorrow. -
Balderton Capital takes stake in online retailer Achica
Private equity fund Balderton Capital has taken an undisclosed stake in online homewares retailer Achica. -
Banana Republic lands at the Trafford Centre
Gap-owned fashion retailer Banana Republic is to open its first store in the North after signing for a unit at the Trafford Centre in Manchester. -
Banks eye Robert Dyas sale
Hardware chain Robert Dyas is to be put up for sale by the banks which own it. -
Buy It Direct on hunt for growth funds
Online retailer Buy It Direct is considering raising new money next year to fund further growth. -
Can statistics on inflation be used as a benchmark?
Can the official statistics on inflation be used as a benchmark for the spending power of our customers? -
Carphone on track despite sales fall
Carphone Warehouse has reported a “very satisfactory start to the year” despite a like-for-like sales fall at the eponymous division. -
Carrefour Italy inaugurates first Carrefour Planet hypermarket
Carrefour in Italy has inaugurated its first Carrefour Planet hypermarket at Paderno Dugnano in Milan.The store covers an area of almost 140,000 sq ft and uses the concept already developed in France, Spain and Belgium.Together with lower prices, the new store features specialist offers organised by sector, and services including a sommelier, who offers a personal selection from an interactive terminal. -
Clinton Cards hires Starbucks boss as CEO
Clinton Cards has hired the current managing director of Starbucks UK and Ireland to be its new chief executive. -
Crowd sourcing for retailers
Crowd sourcing can form the basis of brilliant marketing. Rebecca Thomson finds out how retailers can use their customer base to inform their campaigns -
Crunch time for the grocers
Shoppers have been cutting back on discretionary items but now even food volumes are declining. Jennifer Creevy reports on how supermarkets are having to adapt to this unfamiliar environment -
Debenhams axes Jane Norman concessions
Department store Debenhams has terminated its concession agreement with Jane Norman after talks with its new owner Edinburgh Woollen Mill broke down. -
Dixons heads for Harrods
Ironic that Dixons, which only two years ago was threatened by Harrods with legal action over a cheeky ad poking fun at the famous department store, is soon to be installed as the electricals concessionaire in the landmark Knightsbridge shop. -
DocMorris Apotek records a loss
DocMorris Apotek has recorded turnover of SEK205.4m (£19.9m) and a loss of SEK121.5m (£11.7m) during its first 10 months of trading to end of December 2010.The company said that its strategy was to invest only in new locations and to establish a brand, which meant that there would be no profit in the early stages. Chief executive Mads Haaland-Paulsen said that figures were in line with budget and that DocMorris was slightly ahead of its plan, which is focused on establishing up to 100 -
Enough already! No more shops
Opening more branches is no shortcut to enhanced profits. Improve what’s there. -
Fat Face’s focus on pricing and product pays off as profits rise
A product overhaul and sharper prices have boosted fashion retailer Fat Face’s profits as its turnaround plan begins to bear fruit. -
Flying Brands enters red and renegotiates financing after difficult first half
Flying Brands entered the red and was forced to renegotiate its financing after a difficult first half. -
Fnac outlines new strategy for growth
PPR-owned book and music retailer Fnac has outlined a new strategy for growth, encompassing store openings, an overhaul of its product offer and a redesign of its ecommerce site.By 2015 the company expects to open 80 new stores in France, including 50 in a smaller format. It will reorganise stores around product areas and introduce new lines such as toys, leisure and technology items. -
Forever 21 boss spells out strategy for UK offensive
US fashion boss vows to have a Forever 21 store in ‘every major city, mall and high street’ -
Fund offering £250m to help retailers gets Green’s support
Sir Philip Green has lent his backing to a new fund that has at least £250m to invest in taking minority stakes in retail businesses. -
Groceries Code of Practice to be strengthened
The Business, Innovation and Skills Committee has outlined the need for a supermarket ombudsman and proposed strengthening the Groceries Code of Practice. -
Grocery chain Woolworths posts sales increase
Grocery chain Woolworths posted a 4.7% increase in net sales to AUD54.1bn (£36bn) for its financial year ended June 26.Excluding fuel, sales rose 4.1%.Food and alcohol sales increased 4.6% to AUD36.18bn (£24bn) or by 3% on a like-for-like basis.The company said that its price knockdown campaign contributed to this growth.In New Zealand supermarket sales rose 3.4% to NZD5.4bn (£2.86bn). -
H&M teams up with David Beckham
Fashion giant H&M has teamed up with footballer David Beckham to stock his Bodywear range. -
Headwinds slow Thorntons strategy
Broker FinnCap has slashed its forecasts for Thorntons following the chocolatier’s strategy and trading update earlier this month. -
HobbyCraft aims new line at value shoppers
Arts and crafts retailer HobbyCraft is to launch an own-brand value range next year as it continues its attempt to appeal to the increasingly value-conscious consumer. -
Home Bargains launches transactional website
Discount retailer TJ Morris has launched a transactional website for Home Bargains. -
House of Fraser pushes button on new-look site
Department store chain House of Fraser unveils its new-look website. -
How do I make sure I don't lose customers through poor service?
I want to make sure I don’t lose any customers through poor service, but I don’t want to spend too much on staff hours? How can I solve this issue? -
How to mix digital marketing campaigns with traditional media
As the digital world continues to grow apace, it leaves retailers in a quandary. How should traditional media marry with digital marketing campaigns? Sarah Butler reports -
In focus: Abercrombie & Fitch
Recent Retail Week Knowledge Bank subscriber searches indicate strong interest in both Abercrombie & Fitch and sub-brand Hollister. -
In pictures: Forever 21 Oxford Street flagship opens
US fast fashion chain Forever 21 has opened its doors on Oxford Street. -
In-store events in a digital world
In-store events are a good way to draw the crowds. But in today’s digital world, have customers’ expectations of these footfall-driving extravaganzas changed? Alison Clements reports -
Intersport Stähle, Bad Dürrheim
German sports retailer Intersport Stähle’s store in Bad Dürrheim is an example of how a large store can be transformed by a makeover and the thoroughly impersonal made personal. -
It’s what’s inside that counts
It’s not just our products customers buy into, but also who we are, says Jacqueline Gold -
Jessops launches personalised cards
Camera retailer Jessops is to launch into personalised greetings cards as part of plans to extend its range of associated and new categories. -
Kingfisher’s sales rise despite slump at B&Q
Kingfisher’s second quarter impressed analysts, despite a slump in UK sales as bust rival Focus launched a closing down Sale. -
Landsbanki director takes seat on Iceland board
Gunnar Sigurdsson, former managing director of collapsed Icelandic retail group Baugur, has been asked to stand down from the board of Iceland Foods so Landsbanki can take full control of the sale of its stake in the retailer. -
Location-based marketing
Appealing to local shoppers using location-based marketing is becoming more effective as mobile technology is connecting retailers right to the customer -
M&S signs up to anchor reborn Bradford scheme
Marks & Spencer is to anchor Westfield’s proposed Bradford scheme, which was mothballed when the recession hit. -
Mappin & Webb expansion part of Aurum’s plan to nearly triple profit
Up-for-sale jeweller Aurum plans to launch Mappin & Webb internationally and push high-margin growth areas as part of plans to grow EBITDA from £16.1m to £40m over the next three to five years. -
Massimo Dutti to launch online this autumn
Massimo Dutti, part of Spanish fashion giant Inditex, is launching an European-wide online shop on September 6. -
Moonpig set for extra categories and European launch after sale
Moonpig is to expand into new categories and launch into continental Europe, after being sold on Monday for £120m to digital photo provider Photobox. -
Musgrave sets up €10m fund for Superquinn suppliers
Musgrave Group has set up a €10m fund to help suppliers who have experienced losses not covered by credit insurance as a result of the receivership of Superquinn. -
Nick Glynne
Managing director, Buy It Direct -
Overseas success brings Hamleys profit joy
Iconic toy shop Hamleys’ soaring international business has helped profits climb in a tough market. -
Potential Comet bidders enter second stage
Directors of Kesa and their advisers at Bank of America Merrill Lynch were deciding which Comet bidders should go through to the second stage. -
Pottery Barn owner Williams-Sonoma eyes UK entry
Upmarket US home furnishing and cookware chain Williams-Sonoma, owner of Pottery Barn, is plotting its entry into the UK next year. -
Profits fall at Original Factory Shop
Value department store group Original Factory Shop has posted a fall in profits after a “challenging year” but is confident of continued long-term growth. -
Putting self-help into practice
Ian Cheshire rightly champions the credo of ‘self-help’ – a tendentious but apt mantra for our leading do-it-yourselfer – for all retailers in these difficult times. -
Red Tape Review has to be the start, not the finish
Remember the Gerry Murphy red tape review, led by the then-Kingfisher chief executive, in January 2005? Thought not. -
Republic plans overseas growth through website
Fashion retailer Republic is to push international sales via its website as part of its growth plan. -
Retail employment falls as non-food stores cut staff
Retail employment fell 0.4% in the second quarter of this year, equivalent to 3,100 fewer full-time jobs. -
Retail red tape to be cut but no change on Sunday trading
Six-hour rule stays but retail review plans to simplify consumer rights and age-restriction regulations -
Rewe Group in negotiations with Conad
German grocer Rewe Group is negotiating with Conad about the disposal of large parts of its loss-making Billa supermarket and superstore division in Italy.Besides Conad, Rewe Group’s partner in the Coopernic buying alliance Coop Italia is also reported to be interested in the 190-store network.Billa in Italy recorded a sales decline of more than 6% last year, despite the retailer’s efforts to boost sales by converting the Standa and Iperstanda stores to the uniform Billa banner. -
Rossmann experiences sales rise
AS Watson-owned Rossmann experienced a sales rise of 4.2% in 2010 to CZK2.3bn (£77.9m), according to documents filed at the Register of Companies.The company edged into the black with a net profit of CZK22.7m (£820,000), up from just CZK1.16m (£41,000) in 2009.The company attributed the rise mainly to a change in management.Last year marked only the second year of profit after a long period of losses at the chain, which had been loss-making since the first store opened in -
Shoppers Drug Mart announces increase in sales
Shoppers Drug Mart announced a 1.4% increase in sales to CAD2.39bn (£1.55bn) for its second quarter ended June 18.Growth was driven by increases in non-pharmacy sales in all regions of Canada. On a like-for-like basis, total sales increased 0.8%.Prescription sales decreased 1% to CAD$1.15bn (£746m) during the quarter, as growth in the number of prescriptions filled was offset by a reduction in average prescription value. Total like-for-like prescription counts were up 4.3%. -
Stakebuilding raises Blacks’ share price
The market edged up over the week but retailers of all types were becalmed. -
Tablets drive Carphone sales but Best Buy concerns remain
Tablet computers have become a key driver of Carphone Warehouse’s performance for the first time. -
Tata Group proposes to open Massimo Dutti stores in India
Tata Group’s retail arm Trent has entered into an initial agreement with Spanish retailer Inditex to open Massimo Dutti stores in India.The proposed joint venture will be 51% owned by Inditex’s Zara Holding, while the rest will be owned by Trent. Trent and Inditex have a similar joint venture to run the Spanish company’s Za -
Tesco enlists help from schoolchildren
Tesco does like to start ’em young – Philip Clarke started in the branch his father managed at 14. -
Tesco's online marketplace faces challenges from beauty brands
Tesco’s plans for an online marketplace to rival Amazon may not be able to stock all beauty brands as some are reluctant to be linked with the Tesco name. -
The new era of retail marketing
A retail marketing team’s job today is nothing like that of even five years ago. -
Thin carrier bag use down 40% on 2006
UK shoppers used 40% fewer thin carrier bags in 2010 than in 2006. -
TJ Hughes stores sold to Lewis's Home Retail
TJ Hughes administrators have sold four of the collapsed retailer’s stores to Lewis’s Home Retail. -
Topshop: Old kid on the block
As young fashion retailer Forever 21 opens on Oxford Street, John Ryan visits Topshop’s flagship to see if new competition can stand up to the shopping destination’s home of fashion -
Trevor Moore
Having learned the retail ropes at Phones 4U, the Jessops chief executive is now thriving in a targets-focused environment, says Nicola Harrison -
Uniqlo UK boss exits after successful market re-entry
The chief executive of Uniqlo in the UK has decided to leave the business, having led its successful re-entry into the UK since 2006. -
Waitrose to try fashion at Canary Wharf store
Upmarket grocer Waitrose is to make a play for fashion as it launches its first clothing offer in its Canary Wharf store in London as part of plans to ramp up its non-food ranges. -
Walmart de Mexico reports net profit decrease
Walmart de Mexico has reported net profit of MXN4.5bn (£232m) for its second quarter, down 3.4% on the previous year.Net sales increased 9.1% to MXN87.9bn (£4.53bn). EBITDA for the quarter amounted to MXN7.7bn (£397m).Executive president and chief executive of Walmart de Mexico Scot Rank said the quarter was characterised by significant investment in store openings, remodels, logist -
Walmart joins US grocers opening in ‘food deserts’
Walmart, Supervalu and Walgreens joined First Lady Michelle Obama to announce plans for the opening of hundreds of stores in neglected areas of the US known as ‘food deserts’. -
Wet weather helps John Lewis, while Waitrose notices shift to value
John Lewis enjoyed a strong week in the seven days to 23 July, helped by the week’s wet weather. -
Winehouse death prompts album sales spike at HMV
Music retailer HMV expects the late British soul singer Amy Winehouse’s best-selling album Back to Black to top the charts this weekend as saddened fans snap up her CDs. -
Withdrawal of court action clears way for Musgrave's Superquinn deal
The door has been opened for Irish retailer Musgrave to go ahead with its acquisition of bust counterpart Superquinn after court action was abandoned. -
Zara UK full year profits surge
Fast fashion chain Zara’s UK business posted a sharp full-year profits jump as it cut back on spending.
