Retail round-up on April 22, 2016: Arcadia's full-year losses increases at its Irish arm, and Amazon comes under criticism for not providing drone saftey guide.

Arcadia’s annual losses in Ireland swell after ‘extremely difficult’ trading

Losses at Arcadia's Irish arm, which operates chains under the Dorothy Perkins, Evans and Burton brands, jumped to £1.7m last year from £762,000 in the prior year, the Irish Independent reported.

Sales fell 10% to £17.6m in the 12 months to the end of August 2015, compared with £19.5m the previous year.

Arcadia said it incurred an exceptional charge of £726,000 during the period related to lease provisions. It added that customers continue to face “testing times” because of economic conditions.

 

Amazon faces criticism from UK for not providing drone safety manual

Etailer Amazon has received criticism from a UK government official for not offering drone safety guidance to customers who purchase such products from the company.

Robert Goodwill, the minister of state for transport, said that the online retail giant had so far rejected including a government brochure outlining British laws that relate to flying small unmanned aircraft safely, when shipping such products to shoppers -- something other major UK retailers, including Maplin, Currys, and Argos, routinely do.

However, Amazon said British customers buying drones are pointed to a section of its website with tips for responsible and safe flying. The section also includes links to the British Civil Aviation Authority guidelines and rules for recreational drones.