Retail Week
May 6 2011
View all stories from this issue.
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5pm deadline for Focus rescue deal
Focus DIY’s owner has entered into exclusive talks with restructuring firm GA Europe about buying the business, but if talks are unsuccessful the retailer could collapse, it is understood. -
A false dawn for the two-speed market?
After two bank holidays, a royal wedding and some cracking weather, this week had a bit of a back to school feeling. -
Absorbing price rises will cost Primark £20m
Analysts forecast that Primark could take a hit of up to £20m on profit margins this year as it absorbs input price rises to continue to offer its cheap chic fashion. -
Administration looms for Focus
Focus DIY has filed an intention to appoint administrators following a credit default. -
Alexon back in the black as turnaround plan bears fruit
Fashion group Alexon has returned to full-year profitability as a result of successful restructuring agreements on loss-making shop leases and more focus on cutting operating costs. -
All Saints sold to consortium led by Lion Capital
All Saints has finally been sold to a consortium led by Lion Capital, it has been reported. -
Ambitious Achica nearing break-even
Private sales home and garden etailer Achica, set up by Asos founder Quentin Griffiths, is gunning to break even in the next three months. -
Asda introduces 6,000 apprenticeships
Asda has pledged to introduce 6,000 apprenticeships by the end of this year, and up to 25,000 by the end of 2012 as it seeks to change the face of retail as a career choice. -
Back to the source
There is much talk about the potential for greater UK sourcing, but is it feasible and what would it mean for retailers’ supply chain teams? Sarah Butler examines the pros and cons -
Bank holidays spell big sales fall for John Lewis
John Lewis sales fell 10.7% excluding VAT in the week to last Saturday, affected by store closures for Easter Sunday and the Royal Wedding. -
BDO High Street Sales Tracker
BDO High Street Sales Tracker data for the week ending May 1, 2011 -
Best Buy Mobile powers Carphone Warehouse fourth quarter performance
Carphone Warehouse has posted strong fourth quarter growth, powered by its Best Buy Mobile venture in the US. -
Blacks banking on new ranges to return to profit
Outdoor clothing and equipment group Blacks intends to boost sales through new product categories as it bids to restore profitability. -
Blacks poaches Figleaves boss Julia Reynolds
Blacks is understood to have poached Julia Reynolds, chief executive of online lingerie retailer Figleaves, to fill its top job. -
Blacks reduces full-year losses and confirms Julia Reynolds as new boss
Blacks Leisure has reported a reduction in its full-year pre-tax loss and exceptional items to £6.6m from £14.4m the previous year but still suffered a “disappointing” year and has confirmed Julia Reynolds as its new chief executive. -
Bringing manufacturing home
Asos is leading the way in developing skills to revive UK production. Rebecca Thomson reports. -
Calls for new Comet boss Darke to shake things up
Electricals retailer Comet’s new managing director Bob Darke needs to bring a completely fresh approach if he hopes to turn the business around, observers believe. -
Can you explain the impact of the Electricity Market Reform on retailers?
Can you explain the impact of the Electricity Market Reform on retailers? -
Carnaby Street to host its largest ever shopping party
London’s Carnaby Street is to host its biggest ever shopping party, offering consumers a 20% discount in over 100 shops. -
Carpetright sheds 350 jobs and 12 stores as cost drive continues
Carpetright has made about 350 job cuts in the past 12 months as it slashes costs in a difficult market. -
City expecting better news from retailers
A downbeat assessment of retail conditions from the CBI on Tuesday unsettled investors but just a day later fashion bellwether Next posted a better than expected first quarter, helped by warm weather. -
Clintons revamps stores
Clinton Cards opened two of its revamped stores last week, in Uxbridge and Bristol. -
Comet like-for-like sales plummet 15.2%
Electricals retailer Comet suffered a 15.2% plunge in like-for-like sales in its final quarter, bringing the full-year fall to 7.7%. -
Comet managing director Hugh Harvey stands down
Hugh Harvey has stood down from his role as managing director of electricals group Comet. -
Darren Blackhurst confirmed as new chief of Matalan
Darren Blackhurst has been confirmed as chief executive of Matalan, according to headhunters Flint Hyde. -
Darren Shapland steps down from Sainsbury's
Sainsbury’s group development director Darren Shapland is to step down from his position. -
Entertainment shift puts Amazon and Netflix top
The shifts in the way we purchase and consume entertainment products was again thrown into stark relief as upbeat quarterly results from Amazon and Netflix contrasted cruelly with stories of investors picking over Blockbuster and HMV. -
Experian Footfall: Week 17, 2011
Experian Footfall index data for the week ending May 1, 2011 -
Experian Footfall: Week 18, 2011
Experian Footfall index data for the week ending May 8, 2011 -
Farmfoods
Low-profile Farmfoods has come up trumps in the face of economic adversity. But what is the secret of its success during a period that has proved challenging for many retailers? -
First quarter sales up at Morrisons
Morrisons like for like sales rose by 2.5% in its first quarter to 1 May, excluding fuel and VAT. -
Focus administrators report “fantastic level of interest" in business
Focus DIY administrators have received a “fantastic level of interest” in the business as it seeks offers for a sale of the retailer. -
Focus in administration
Focus DIY collapsed into administration this morning after filing an intent to appoint administrators yesterday, as revealed by Retail Week. -
Focus shows why CVAs are wrong
The collapse of Focus into administration shows why landlords were wrong to back its CVA. -
Footfall suffers as royal fever grips nation
Shopper numbers slumped on the weekend of William and Kate’s nuptials but food and garden retailers were boosted by wedding fever. -
Game scores online as it fights declining sales
Game has won early successes in its three-year strategy to transform itself into a truly multichannel retailer to fight falling sales, chief executive Ian Shepherd has claimed. -
H&M to open first UK concession in Selfridges
H&M is to open its first UK concession in premium department store Selfridges at the end of August. -
Haldanes and Co-op in legal battle over former Somerfield stores - UPDATED
Independent grocery retailer Haldanes has begun legal proceedings of its own against the Co-operative Group after the Co-op started an action to recover unpaid rent. -
Halfords model is ‘far from broken’ despite setbacks
Motor accessories specialist Halfords’ shares may now have now hit a floor and offer good value, according to Singer analyst Mark Photiades. -
Harrods starts selling super yachts
Luxury retailer Harrods has started selling a collection of multi-million pound super yachts. -
Harvey Nichols owner eyes Aurum
Harvey Nichols owner Dickson Poon is eyeing a takeover of jewellery group Aurum, it has been reported. -
HMV nears Canada sale but Waterstone's talks stall
Struggling entertainment retailer HMV is close to selling its Canadian arm but negotiations to sell its book chain Waterstone’s have stalled. -
James McCann steps down from Carrefour
James McCann, one of Carrefour’s top-level executives, has stepped down from his role after little over a year. -
JJB shareholder takes role on its board
The director of one of JJB’s largest shareholders has been appointed to the sportswear retailer’s board. -
Join the social club
Facebook and Twitter are easy ways for retailers to spread the word about their brand, but how well are they being used for customer service? Rebecca Thomson puts retailers to the social media test. -
Kevin Hawkins
Never far from the action, Kevin Hawkins has eschewed retirement on the golf course for the chance to head up a new Government retail taskforce. George MacDonald finds out why. -
Kingfisher buys 31 Focus DIY stores
Kingfisher is to buy 31 Focus DIY stores from administrator Ernst & Young. -
Kurt Geiger launches discount website
Premium footwear retailer Kurt Geiger has launched its discount website Shoeaholics.com. -
Like-for-like sales jump 5.2% in April, the BRC reports
Like-for-like sales leaped last month as sunny Easter weather and the royal wedding boosted sales. -
LK Bennett to release limited edition version of 'Kate' shoe
LK Bennett is to release a limited edition version of its spring 2010 wedges after they were worn by Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on the day after her wedding to Prince William. -
M&S deputy chairman Michels to stand down
Marks & Spencer deputy chairman Sir David Michels, who led the search for a successor to Sir Stuart Rose as chief executive, is to stand down in February 2012. -
M&S raids Mars and John Lewis to fill key roles
Marks & Spencer has strengthened its senior management with two key appointments. -
More chains sign up to Westfield Stratford centre
Westfield Stratford City has signed a string of new retailers ahead of its opening on September 13. -
Most people oppose moving May Day bank holiday says B&Q
The majority of people are opposed to moving the May Day bank holiday to another date, a survey has shown. -
N Brown full year profits rise 5.5%
N Brown’s full-year pre-tax profit rose by 5.5% and the home shopping retailer said it will open bricks and mortar stores for its Simply Be brand this year. -
N Brown overlooked
While the etail era has made online outfitter Asos a share price star, another retailer well placed to benefit from changing shopper habits has been overlooked. -
New categories overtake media products as Amazon diversifies
Amazon is gunning to grab share outside its core product categories as international sales in its non-media division overtook media for the first time. -
New Look showcases real women in ad campaign
Fast fashion chain New Look has today launched a summer advertising campaign starring ‘real women’. -
Ocado first half EBITDA up as sales growth slows
Online grocer Ocado said it is “encouraged by the progress of the business so far this year” as it revealed that EBITDA is expected to grow 12% in its first half. -
Overseas helps Clarks profits to break £100m
Clarks’ group pre-tax profit has topped £100m for the first time in its 185 year history despite a “challenging” UK market. -
Poundstretcher snaps up Alworths stores
Value retailer Poundstretcher has acquired 15 of the 17 Alworths stores following the collapse of the ‘son of Woolies’ variety retailer, Retail Week can reveal. -
Primark owners highest ranked retailer on Rich List
Galen and George Weston, who hold a 21% stake in Primark-owner Associated British Food (ABF), were the top-placed retailers in The Sunday Times Rich List. -
Reasons to be cheerful
The bank holiday festivities are over and it is back to the grind of tough trading and ferocious competition. But it’s not all doom and gloom for the industry. Here we highlight why there is plenty of reason for optimism… -
Richard Longhurst
Richard Longhurst, Co-founder, LoveHoney.com. -
Rivals circle Focus stores after its collapse into administration
4,000 jobs in the balance as struggling DIY retailer calls in Ernst & Young after defaulting on loan. -
Royal Wedding and warm weather boosts Next sales
Next sales rose 5.2% in its first quarter as warm weather over Easter as well as spending in the run up to the Royal Wedding boosted sales. -
Sainsbury's appoints new heads of clothing and GM
Sainsbury’s has raided Littlewoods and John Lewis for two key roles in its clothing and general merchandise teams. -
Sainsbury's launches 'Feed your family for £50 a week'
Sainsbury’s has today launched a ‘Feed your family for £50 a week’ promotion where it claims shoppers can have three meals a day for an average of 60p per meal per person. -
Sainsbury's profits up 9%
Sainsbury’s has reported underlying pre-tax profit up 9% to £665m in its full year, saying it “outperformed the market in a challenging environment”. -
Sainsbury's to host event to raise awareness of Paralympic Games
Sainsbury’s is to host a family-friendly event in September to support its sponsorship of the London 2012 Paralympic Games. -
Sales of digital books soaring
Sales of digital books are soaring in the UK, according to figures from The Publishers Association. -
Selecting companies in the screening table
There are several ways to change the list of retailers that are displayed in the screening table: -
Shop price inflation edges up to 2.5% in April
Shop price inflation increased to 2.5% in April, up from 2.4% in March. -
Superdrug launches loyalty card scheme
Superdrug is to go head-to-head with rival Boots with the launch of its own loyalty card next week. -
Tesco appoints Barclays' Sir Richard Broadbent as chairman
Tesco has appointed Barclays deputy chairman Sir Richard Broadbent as chairman as David Reid stands down. -
The coalition’s first year report card
In Retail Week exactly a year ago I asked what would be different about lobbying a coalition. -
The Dune Group appoints international director
The Dune Group, the footwear business which comprises the Dune chain and the former Shoe Studio labels, including Pied a Terre and Bertie, has appointed a new international director, to oversee its international expansion plans. -
The Hut gears up for float with adviser beauty parade
Online retailer backed by Rose considering IPO to capitalise on growing appetite for digital stocks. -
The middle tier is at risk
Big and small retailers: they’re both beautiful. But those with a medium-sized operation could be in trouble. -
Thorntons melts in the Easter heat
Thorntons’ poor third quarter resulted from the competitive environment and a structural shift from the high street as well as the warm Easter weather, City analysts said. -
Tried and trusted
By harnessing social media retailers can give customers what they want, says Rick Bendel. -
Trinity Walk opens in Wakefield
Wakefield’s Trinity Walk shopping centre opened today, one of only three schemes slated to open this year. -
Video: Iceland boss reaches Everest target
Iceland chief executive Malcolm Walker and his son Richard have achieved their goal of reaching the summit of the North Col of Everest at 23,030 ft. -
Video: Phil Clarke explains his strategy
Tesco group chief executive Phil Clarke is continuing his policy of openness with a new video explaining his strategy on the grocer’s website. -
Waitrose launches new convenience range
Waitrose has launched a new range to support its ambitious growth in the convenience market. -
What are the benefits of conducting a full review of our business?
What are the benefits of conducting a full strategic and financial review of our business? -
What it’s like to work at Notonthehighstreet.com
The inside view from HR manager Susanne Wehring. -
Whole Foods Kensington store posts profit for first time
UPDATED: Upmarket US grocer Whole Foods has signed for a store in Fulham in London and revealed that its flagship store in Kensington is now EBITDA positive. -
Why fast fashion can be eco-fashion
H&M is resolved to prove that low-priced fashion can still be green. Gemma Goldfingle interviews UK managing director Magnus Olsson to find out why the retailer is on a mission to improve its eco-image. -
Wickes grows market share as like-for-likes rise 1.9%
Wickes like-for-likes increased 1.9% in the 17 weeks to April 30. -
Wiggle gears up for £200m sale
Online bikes retailer Wiggle has hired advisory firm Rothschild to oversee a strategic review which could result in a sale or IPO valuing it at more than £200m, according to reports. -
Window of opportunity
It’s not all been about the royal wedding and Easter. John Ryan looks at shop windows at the opposite ends of the UK as the bank holiday frenzy draws to a close. -
Wolfson remains cautious despite strong performance from Next
Next chief executive Lord Wolfson remained cautious this week despite reporting better than expected sales, warning that any rises in commodity prices or interest rates could slow growth.
