Breakfast briefing: BHS, Feelunique and more

Insolvency service takes legal action against Chappell

The Insolvency Service is taking legal action against Dominic Chappell for failing to co-operate with its BHS inquiry, Sky News reported.

Sources said that Chappell has to appear at a court hearing scheduled for April 27 in Manchester.

Sources also said Chappell’s documents relating to BHS were seized in a raid by HM Revenue & Customs last year, and as a result he cannot provide information.

Feelunique buys The Beautyst

Feelunique has acquired The Beautyst, a French company which sells beauty products online, The Telegraph reported.

Feelunique said that buying The Beautyst will further its reach in Europe.

Feelunique’s chief executive Joel Palix said: “The acquisition of The Beautyst further accelerates our vision of becoming the leading player in online beauty in France.”

UK retail sales drops in March

British retail like-for-like sales fell in March despite a 5.2% increase in footfall, according to BDO, The Times reported.

The sale of lifestyle and homeware products increased 1.4% and 1.8% year-on-year respectively.

There was a 0.8% drop in fashion sales, while online sales increased 28.1% in March.

BDO’s head of retail and wholesale Sophie Michael said: “The new season should have triggered high-street spending, and retailers will be questioning why they have been unable to convert shoppers into buyers.”