Allders boss in talks for giftware chain SF Cody

New Allders boss Terry Green is in talks to buy gifts and gadgets retailer SF Cody.

Green is understood to be close to a deal with the present owner, Retail Variations, which also runs the Past Times chain. A deal would give Green ownership of a brand that gives Allders stores a key point of difference, according to analysts and competitors.

SF Cody has concessions in nine Allders stores, as well as three outlets in Bluewater, the Trafford Centre and Milton Keynes. There is also a concession at Arnotts in Dublin.

Retail Variations chairman Robin Klein said talk of a sale was 'premature', but admitted discussions had taken place and a disposal was under consideration. 'Things will happen, but how they happen and what direction it will take is in very early days. It's an important brand for Allders,' he said.

Klein said talks were also under way about introducing SF Cody into more Allders stores and taking more prime positions. In the Oxford Street branch of Allders, for instance, the SF Cody concession is on the ground floor, but at the Croydon store it has a less prominent position in the basement.

SF Cody was originally founded by River Island's owners, the Lewis family.

- Retail Variations has been on the acquisition trail itself. The group bought Hawkshead from Rubicon Retail for an undisclosed price. Hawkshead was previously owned by Klein as part of Innovations Group, which he then sold on to Burton Group.