Retail news round-up on October 9, 2014: Fewer store openings leads to net closures rocketing in first half, Very’s TV ad campaign promotes click and collect, Gap’s boss Glenn Murphy to quit in February

Retail Week's Breakfast Briefing

Fewer store openings leads to net closures rocketing in first half

Net store closures in the first half of this year have outpaced those of the whole of 2013 due to sluggish rates of store openings, according to research compiled by PwC and the Local Data Company.

Store closures in the first six months of 2014 fell to 16 per day, compared with 18 in the same period last year. However, fewer store openings – 2,597 in the first half of 2014 compared with 3,157 in the first half of 2013 – led to a net closure of 406 shops.

That compared with 209 net store closures in the same period of 2013, and 371 for the whole year.

PwC retail lead Mark Hudson said the growing influence of online has led to retailers to halt store expansion.

Very’s TV ad campaign promotes click and collect

Online department store Very.co.uk is promoting the brand’s click and collect offering with the launch of its latest TV ad campaign created by St Luke’s, The Drum reported. It aims to communicate the idea that the consumer can ‘do tomorrow in style’ when they use the retailer’s free next day delivery, which deposits products at one of over 5,500 click and collect locations across the country.

Gap’s boss Glenn Murphy to quit in February

US fashion retailer Gap’s chairman and chief executive Glenn Murphy will step down in February after holding the post for over seven years, BBC News reported. Murphy will be succeeded by its current digital leader Art Peck.