Retail Week
March 2006
View all stories from this issue.
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Tesco gears up to take fashion crown
Grocer aims to overtake Asda and M&S -
£16 million payout for Sainsbury's staff
Bumper Sharesave bonus schemes reach maturity this week -
ACS slams Sunday trading lobby
C-store body claims deregulation will hit small traders -
Adams agrees five-year Boots deal
Childrenswear retailer to develop more brands -
Alexon announces fall in profits
Dolcis drags figures down -
Alpha warns of £2.5m fraud
Airport retail group carrying out investigations -
Amazon snaps up Shopbop
Fashion web site to complement Amazon clothes offer -
Angus Monro quits Instore
Coates to take over -
Apax targets House of Fraser
Department store group lined up for bid -
Apple targets German market
European expansion planned -
Asda ad comes under fire
Morrisons challenges price claims -
Asda complicit in anti-union plot
Supermarket and Blair adviser e-mails revealed -
Asda depot workers threaten to strike
11,000 workers to be balloted by GMB tomorrow -
Asda's George moves into home
Homewares will launch in all George stores -
Asos supply chain chief quits
E-tailer outsources distribution -
Austin Reed hampered by Country Casuals
Full-price sales improve margins -
B&Q blamed for drop in Kingfisher profits
DIY chain battles against tough UK market -
Baugur chief cleared of charges
Fraud claims dropped against Jóhannesson -
Beales to open in Horsham
Department store chain acquires former Allders site -
Bennett brothers to snap up Kookaï
UK business set to be bought from administrator -
Bid on the cards for Wyevale?
Potential bidder considers options -
Bid talks off at House of Fraser
Suitor not disclosed -
Blacks sales slower than last year
Retailer affected by tough comparatives -
Blank to leave GUS
Lloyds chairman-in-waiting to depart after Argos/Experian demerger -
Blooms branches out
Garden centre retailer adds Worcester to group -
Board change at Instore
Finance director to leave value group -
Booksellers rallied to fight Ottakar's deal
Independent retailers 'need a voice' -
Boots Christmas figures beat expectations
Like-for-like sales down 0.7 per cent -
Boots confident of merger go-ahead
Lloyds Pharmacy parent intends to intervene formally -
Boots focuses on costs and stores
Retailer counters redundancies speculation -
Boots sells BHI
Retailer completes £1.9 billion divestment of healthcare division -
Borders books more UK space
Bookseller targets regional towns and Cardiff flagship -
Brown to stay at Instore
Finance director withdraws resignation -
Budget brings little cheer for retailers
... but some muted celebration -
Camden backs regeneration plan
Businesses vote for London district improvement -
Carphone is crowned Retailer of the Year
Joy for Dunstone as mobile phone business triumphs -
Carphone unveils strong growth
Boss hopeful of prosperous year ahead -
Carrefour hit by competition
French retail giant remains upbeat -
Castlepoint tries to salvage Christmas
Some stores to reopen next week -
Central London sales up 10 per cent on last year
Capital's retail sales outperform UK again -
Christmas Countdown: view from the street
How retailers are faring in Peterborough -
Christmas Countdown: view from the street
How retailers are faring in Manchester -
Christmas facts and figures
Enough wrapping paper to cover 33 Hyde Parks -
Clinton Cards warns on profits
Supply chain problems at Birthdays -
Closing time for Open All Hours?
Classic comedy street under threat of wrecker?s ball -
Cold weather freezes sales
Shoppers stay at home as cold snap bites -
Consumer squeeze continues
BRC figures show growth slows in February -
Co-op campaigns on allergies
Food group runs allergy-based promotional campaign -
Co-op clashes with unions over pensions
T&G industrial action possible -
Costco profits drop
But trading up at warehouse club format -
Countdown to Christmas: latest footfall
Positive news for retailers -
Countdown to Christmas: view from the street
Early Sale fever comes to Knightsbridge -
Debenhams flotation in the offing
Department store mulls stock market return -
Debenhams' owners in Oz bid
Department store's directors advising on bid for Myer -
Department stores outperform high street
Cold weather drives shoppers indoors -
Dollond & Aitchison loses court case over tax loophole
Optician eligible to pay VAT on contact lens package -
DSG buys Finnish chain
Electricals giant takes the lead in Finland -
Dutch discounting bites Laurus
Ahold and Colruyt expected to line up bids -
European food sales to top ?1,000bn
Own-brands are key battleground, says Mintel -
European Home Retail expecting trading losses
Turnover flat at Kleeneze business -
European sales boost Carpetright
UK sales flat but floorings retailer steadies ship -
Ex-Halfords boss joins equity group
Hamid and von Spreckelsen move to Merchant Equity -
Fat Face reveals sales hike
Christmas cheer for outdoor brand -
February footfall figures collapse
Shopper numbers hit all-time low -
Floors-2-Go lures former B&Q boss
Alan Smith appointed as chairman of flooring chain -
Football fever at M&S
Sports pundits lead World Cup season fashion campaign -
Footfall boost in February
Valentine's Day draws shoppers -
Former Wal-Mart VC pleads guilty
Fraud charges carry possible 28-year jail term -
Forminster shares suspended
Stalemate in Kookaï talks -
Fortnum unveils royal web sales
Retailer cashes in on Christmas -
Fortune favours big-box retailers
Large-format US stores in most admired league table -
French Connection profits fall 60%
Marks promises comeback -
Gadget trio join forces for technology Mecca
Retailers find innovative way of moving to out-of-town trading locations -
Gadgets boost DSG at Christmas
Mobile phones category suffers -
Green 'considered Bhs sale'
Entrepreneur spoke to rivals over sale or joint ventures -
Grimsey joins FTI Palladium Partners
Former Iceland boss to set up UK arm of US turnaround specialist -
Grocery sector responds to OFT
Supermarkets and pressure groups divided over decision -
Guernsey closes door on VAT dodge
UK retailers no longer able to benefit from tax loophole -
GUS reveals resilient third quarter
UK chains still struggling -
GUS to split businesses this year
Argos Retail Group and Experian to demerge -
H&M makes home shopping push
Online and catalogue sales to boost fashion retailer this year -
Halfords appoints non-exec chairman
Richard Pym steps up as Templeman exits -
Halfords insures shoppers
Cycles and pets products available -
Harrods aims to open more convenience stores
Al Fayed plans to go global with small-store format -
Harrods convenience store to offer milk and massage
Harrods opened its eagerly anticipated upmarket convenience store this week across the road from its Knightsbridge ... -
Harrods pensions shock
Department store to axe final salary scheme -
Harvey Nics tops festive sales chart
Fashion is key to strong performance -
Head office staff swap Asda for arts
Placement will develop managerial skills -
HMV chief to step down
Christmas sales worse than last year -
HMV rejects new Permira bid
Entertainment group says offer undervalues company -
Hobbs signs Next founder
Liz Davies joins as design and buying boss -
Home Depot builds on record results
Acquisition planned this year -
House of Fraser Christmas sales rise
Acquisitions boost overall picture -
House of Fraser in property play
Retailer sells and leases back two former Beatties sites -
HPJ bought from administrators
Founding family buys back into discount jewellery chain -
HPJ Jewellers in administration
Tough Christmas blamed for collapse -
Hughes & Hughes continues Irish expansion
?2 million invested in three outlets -
Hunter buys stake in Wyevale
Shareholding bought from Laxey -
Hunter linked to Wyevale deal
Laxey stake eyed -
Hunter moves closer to buying Wyevale
West Coast Capital builds stake in garden centres business -
Hunter wins Gadgetshop showdown
Former partners left with huge bill -
iBuy to launch TV auction venture
Shoppers can snap up luxury goods -
Iceland on expansion trail
123 locations under consideration -
Icelandic PM tours frozen food store
Baugur-owned Iceland chain welcomes country's prime minister -
Ideal Shopping Direct to hit £7m profits
Seasonal sales boost for TV shopping retailer -
Ideal tunes in to soaring sales
TV shopping channel boosted by Freeview trading -
India relaxes FDI rules
Landmark decision finally opens market -
Instore finds festive relief
Trading behind forecast for H2 -
Internet boosts Flying Brands
Strong second half for home shopping group -
Investors team up to rescue QS from collapse
Hopes for beleaguered fashion chain -
ISold It to make UK debut next year
Internet auction retailer has been a hit in US -
Jamie Oliver extends deal with Sainsbury's
Celebrity chef also continues with food development work -
JD fashion sales plunge
Trading still better than expected -
Jersey closes VAT loophole
End of VAT-free exports for retailers -
Jessops ramps up digital format
200-store roll-out planned -
Jessops unveils positive Christmas
Retailer buoyed by digital camera sales -
Jil Sander bought by Change Capital
Vandevelde leads high fashion swoop -
JJB issues profit warning
Chairman expects improvement -
JLP posts strong trading
Home electricals boost sales -
John Lewis reports Christmas rise
Good figures across the board -
John Lewis reports record turnover
Employee-owned partnership shows pre-Christmas success -
John Lewis warns of tough year ahead
Boss says retailing -
John von and Hamid in private equity comeback
Retail duo join Merchant Equity -
Jonny joins Boots push
Rugby star backs New Year campaign -
Kesa profits nose-dive
White goods blamed for fall -
Kesa rejects £1.7bn bid
Offer -
Kesa reveals mixed trading
Comet sales fall over Christmas -
Kookaï sale complete
Owner goes into administration as deal agreed -
Kroger winning in US grocery wars
Big two report contrasting results -
Kurt Geiger's sales leap
December like-for-likes up 6 per cent -
Kwik Save up for sale
Somerfield to offload troubled chain -
Land of Leather sales up
Concessions planned later this year -
Laura Ashley fashion slumps
Turnaround in second half -
Liberty boosted by own-label offer
Retailer cautious over future of West End -
L'Oréal's Body Shop offer gets green light
Body Shop to stay separate business -
L'Oreal admits Body Shop interest
Offer likely to be cash -
Low temperatures deter shoppers
Town centres particularly hit by cold weather -
M&S appoints pensions head
Former Hermes chief comes onboard -
M&S deepens Fairtrade commitment
Retailer to switch all coffee and tea to Fairtrade -
M&S launches ethical offensive
Campaign to capture consumer concerns -
M&S mulls move into Taiwan
Retailer on the hunt for stores -
M&S reveals strong festive figures
Food is top performer -
M&S squeezes suppliers
Suppliers complain that the retailer is imposing -
M&S workers to bag shares windfall
Employees reap benefits of hard work -
Mamas & Papas poaches Disney Store manager
Prams retailer to open flagship just around the corner -
Management changes at WHSmith
Retailer reshuffles business unit directors -
Management reshuffle at Home Entertainment
Poor company performance cited by analysts -
Marks & Spencer buys Iceland stores
Expansion for Simply Food format -
Matalan boosts its board to pep up performance
Key hirings follow tough Christmas -
Matalan chief quits
King to leave value retailer in December -
Matalan sales slide
Value retailer's like-for-like sales slump -
MBL bolsters supply chain
C-store group strengthens team with appointments -
MFI agrees VAT deal
£21.8 million windfall follows talk of emergency sales meeting -
Minimum wage set to rise to £5.35
New rate will come into effect in October -
More than 1,000 jobs to go as MFI restructures
Stores to close, manufacturing capacity reduced -
MPs against longer Sunday trading
Usdaw survey finds opposition across the board -
Mums are going to Iceland
Like-for-like sales show business is on the up -
MVC collapses into administration
73 stores will remain open over Christmas -
New commercial director for Wyevale
Livingston joins board from B&Q to develop product range -
New MD for Harrods
Former Lloydspharmacy boss joins department store -
Next rethinks Sales stance
Could year-round markdowns become the norm at high street giant? -
Next satisfied with full-year results
Current trading weak -
Next to kick off Christmas announcements
Figures to be released tomorrow -
No recovery in sight for retailers
CBI reports sharp fall in retail employment -
Norman tells grocers to stop complaining
Ex-Asda boss says supermarkets should get on with running their business -
ONS updates its shopping basket
High-tech products added to help measure inflation -
Operator of Kookaï stores enters administration
Forminster subsidiary Adjustbetter hits trouble -
Organic sales beat £1bn mark
Food and drink trend growing -
Ottakar's to review operations
Festive woe prompts rethink at bookseller -
Party time on River Island
Profits up 50% and sales soar as private fashion retailer turns up the heat on rivals -
Payday surge for high street
Shopper numbers up at end of January -
PC World scraps sales commissions
New sales model aims to boost customer service -
Permira abandons HMV bid
Private equity firm unwilling to increase bid -
Permira ups bid for HMV
Private equity firm increases its offer for entertainment retailer -
Philip Auld moves to Dutch M&S
Ex-George boss to oversee 400 stores -
Phoenix takes £45 million stake in Radley
Handbag brand plans more outlets -
President of Levi's Europe quits
Mason leaves after two years -
Primark growth on track
Warehouse fire fails to dent fashion sales -
Private equity firm targets HMV
Music retailer could face £800m takeover -
Profits down as PPR refocuses
French group concentrates on luxury brands -
Profits plummet at Morrisons
Supermarket reports first loss in its history -
Profits slump at Floors-2-Go
Company focuses on operating cost reductions -
Profits up at House of Fraser
Trading this year is ahead of expectations -
Promotions drive Scottish sales
Sales up for retailers north of the border -
Pyaterochka targets three-format growth
Leading Russian retailer focuses on growth and supply chain -
Retail big guns open fire on Mandelson
Leahy and Rose tell Europe to avoid Far East trade barriers -
Retail downturn hits property
Store closures leave shops empty -
Retail figures drawn into Labour loans scandal
Lord Sainsbury helped to finance 2005 election campaign -
Retail hopes rising, says CBI
Industry body says flat January has not dampened hopes -
Retail prices fall in February
BRC figures reveal non-food prices still in decline -
Retail Week Conference: Argos chief says unique business model will fight off grocers
Weller stresses importance of innovation -
Retail Week Conference: Asda non-food boss says George Home launch is 'daring'
George is 'laying its style credentials on the table' -
Retail Week Conference: Boots chief vows to deliver overseas profit
Baker sees potential of global pharmacies -
Retail Week Conference: Burke reveals new Superquinn concept
Grocery boss is building on quality food ethos -
Retail Week Conference: Fox says knowledge will drive sales
Comet managing director targets trust role -
Retail Week Conference: Government defends its economic policy
Economic secretary dismisses minimum wage gloom -
Retail Week Conference: Green calls for landlords to give new retailers chance
Arcadia chief tells property owners to be more flexible -
Retail Week Conference: Leighton says colleagues and customers are key
Former Asda boss reveals secrets of success -
Retail Week Conference: Rose unrepentant on supplier squeeze
M&S boss says discounts reflect higher volumes -
Retailers back Fairtrade Fortnight
UK stores promote Fairtrade as ethical products take centre stage -
Retailers join Bono in Aids fight
U2 frontman launches Red brand at World Economic Forum -
Robust Christmas sales for Majestic
Wine specialist fights back against grocers' strength -
Roddick defends L'Oréal's Body Shop takeover
Dame Anita hopes to boost community trade at cosmetics giant -
Sainsbury's agrees £2bn refinancing
Bond arrangement strengthens pensions pot -
Sainsbury's Bank chief executive leaves
Pile to leave with immediate effect -
Sainsbury's finalises financing deal
£2 billion invested in pensions and bonds -
Sainsbury's first to provide nutrition labels for kids
Guidelines for all own-brand products -
Sainsbury's fishes for ethical pound
Skate and huss are off the menu -
Sainsbury's growth on track
Record customer traffic over Christmas -
Sainsbury's offers reward for capture of rapist
Supermarket pledges £5,000 for information -
Sainsbury's poised to overtake Asda
Supermarket giant ready to reclaim number two slot -
Saks suffers fourth-quarter loss
Department store results -
Sales decline prompts aggressive action from Gap
Fashion giant vows to win back customers -
Sales fall again at Gap
US fashion retailer reports slide in February sales -
Sales flat at Beales
Like-for-likes level with last year -
Sales of 'free-from' foods rise
Market has grown by 329% -
Sales of locally produced food on the increase
65 per cent of shoppers buying local produce -
Sales slide at Wickes
DIY retailer focusing on operating margins -
Save our pint, says BRC
MPs called to rally against EU legislation -
Scotland like-for-likes best since February
December sales up 7.3 per cent -
Scotland's c-stores hit by crime
Attacks on staff rise 15 per cent -
Scots back fair trade
Retailers call for consumers to support next week's promotion -
Scrivens buys Eye Check
Optician chain focuses on range and hearing care -
Selfridges to host Women's Institute branch
Knitting classes and jam-making planned -
Shirts retailer signs rugby captain
Corry to raise Eton's UK profile -
Shoe retailers urged to keep prices steady
Date looms for EU anti-dumping duties -
Shopper numbers fall
Fears of a tough year ahead -
Shoppers called to the stand in Ottakar's bid
Competition body wants to hear views on takeover -
Signet suffers in UK
US arm continues to outperform rivals -
Simon ditches plans to take Monsoon private
Poor trading figures for fashion chain -
Smoking ban to boost chewing gum sales
Smoking restrictions will bolster gum and mint market -
Soaring costs spell misery for retail
Leading retailers warn of further pressures -
Sock Shop goes into administration
1980s icon unravels for the third time -
Somerfield replaces chief executive
Steve Back steps down -
Somerfield sells Kwik Save stores
Supermarket group to focus on main brand -
Strike action looms at Harrods
Staff to be consulted this week -
Stuart Rose takes retail leader gong at Retail Week Awards
Philip Green awarded for outstanding contribution to industry -
Superdrug broadens ranges
Health and beauty chain pushes home and jewellery -
Superdrug unveils expansion plans
London store numbers set to double -
Supermarkets face inquiry
OFT to refer grocery market to Competition Commission -
Ted Baker bucks high street trend
Good start to New Year -
Ted Baker profits soar
Pre-tax profit hits £18.4 million -
Tesco and Wal-Mart chiefs to join Government advisory board
Council to advise Treasury on business competitiveness -
Tesco appoints new marketing chief
Brasher adds UK role to commercial responsibilities -
Tesco gets green light to buy Edeka stores
Czech competition office clears deal -
Tesco gives Apple dedicated space
Retail giant trials concept in Milton Keynes -
Tesco in Ahold bid rumours
Private equity fund also linked to grocer -
Tesco is most admired retailer
Industry survey rates top names -
Tesco mulls REIT venture
Grocer aims to boost shareholder returns -
Tesco narrows gap with Boots
Grocers are snapping up health and beauty market share -
Tesco reveals solid growth
Online business clocks up 1 million orders -
Tesco wins battle against protesters
Supermarket to remove activists -
The Retail Week
Making sense of the past seven days -
The retail week
Making sense of the past seven days -
The retail week
OFT announcement unwelcome for some -
The retail week
Making sense of the past seven days -
The retail week
Making sense of the past seven days -
The retail week
Making sense of the past seven days -
Thorntons deal off
Newco offer undervalues company -
Tiles R Us salvaged
Irish tile giant comes to the rescue -
Tom Ford plans own stores
Former Gucci designer to open first outlet in NYC -
Top retailers lobby Mandelson
Plea to EU over plastic bag levy -
Topshop targets tots with kidswear launch
Young fashion giant to unveil Mini Topshop range in April -
Trade Depot aims to open 50 shops in five years
Expansion plans laid out -
Troubled East gets cash boost
Consortium acquires 50 per cent stake in fashion chain -
UK lags European Staples
British sales flat while US and Europe grow -
Underfivepounds.com launches clothing range
Retailer also looking for store locations across the UK -
US chains keep Signet afloat
Sales fall at UK stores -
US retail sales slide
Surprise fall as consumers rein in spending -
US shoppers dip into savings
Government says consumer spending up -
Usdaw backs Tesco in c-store war
Critics asked to take a 'reality check' -
Usdaw fuels Sunday trading debate
Majority of shopworkers oppose longer opening -
Value blow for Winn-Dixie
Shareholders unlikely to receive any money -
Virgin finds favour on the high street
Games fly off the shelves at Christmas -
Virgin gets second Belfast store
Retailer will join top names at Victoria Square -
Waitrose to open in Scotland
Grocer to make its debut north of the border -
Wealth warning for store cards
Competition Commission targets excessive charging -
Whole Foods targets $12 billion sales
London store will be the best, pledges founder -
Woolworths commercial director quits
Octavia Morley leaves to spend more time with family -
Woolworths eyes Kiwi growth
Australian market leader plans to develop on soaring sales -
Woolworths loses Tesco entertainment contract
Grocer ditches deal with Woolies' wholesale arm -
Wyevale directors ousted
Hodkinson is new chairman -
Wyevale resumes bid talks
Garden centre group talking to potential suitors -
Wyevale to sell 31 properties
Garden centres business to focus on larger outlets
