Retail news round-up on September 11, 2014: Sports Direct shareholder revolt over pay and Debenhams partners with Buyapowa

Breakfast Briefing

Sports Direct faces investor revolt over Mike Ashley’s pay

UK’s biggest sports retailer Sports Direct has come under a shareholder wrath over pay once majority owner Mike Ashley’s huge stake in the FTSE 100 business is discounted, the Telegraph reported. Some 14.2% of share votes were against the pay policy at the Annual General Meeting held in Nottingham on Wednesday. However, once executive deputy chairman Ashley’s 57% stake comprising 344m shares which backed the remuneration report is removed from the voting, the proportion of votes against it rises to 59%.

Debenhams, Buyapowa launch ‘co-buying’ campaigns ahead of Christmas

Debenhams has launched a campaign with ‘co-buying’ firm Buyapowa enabling customers to share special offers and rewards on social networking sites, The Drum reported. The first co-buy gives online shoppers the chance to purchase gift cards for Debenhams’s new autumn/winter 2014 collection. The customers who make the most successful referrals to their friends will be doubly rewarded with exclusive prizes, including a personal styling session and hundreds of pounds to spend at Debenhams.