Retail round-up: River Island hires Nicholas Tahir, Fresh & Easy could have succeeded in US, ex-Tesco marketer says, and Yoox Net-a-Porter's soaring sales

River Island appoints Nicholas Tahir as head of menswear buying

River Island has appointed Nicholas Tahir as its new head of menswear buying, The Diary Directory reported.

Prior to joining River Island, Tahir was the head of global menswear at F&F (Tesco PLC). He takes over the position from Fiona Firth, who left River Island earlier this year.

Before F&F, Tahir was men’s buying controller at Primark.

Fresh & Easy could have been successful in US: Tim Mason

Tim Mason, the former marketing boss of Tesco, says grocery store Fresh & Easy could have succeeded in the US and its demise under former chief executive Philip Clarke could have been avoided.

Mason, who spent 30 years at Tesco, was a member of the management team that worked with Sir Terry Leahy to create the UK’s biggest retailer. He left Tesco at the end of 2012.

Yoox Net-a-Porter reports soaring sales despite luxury slowdown

Yoox Net-a-Porter has reported a 14.2% increase in profits and 28 million active customers on its website despite the luxury clothing market slowdown, Daily Mail reported.

Sales in the second quarter increased 17% to £343.5m and 15.8% to £683.3m in the half year to June 30.

Yoox, which acquired Net-a-Porter in 2015 in a £2.9bn deal, stated that demand was strong around the world, especially in Europe.