Retail news round-up on May 7, 2015: Tesco poaches Kingfisher strategy director for finance role; Apple’s retail director best paid female boss in US, and Net-a-Porter to launch shoppable social network.

Tesco recruits Kingfisher executive as new finance director

Tesco has poached Kingfisher’s Bruce Marsh to fill a crucial role as the grocer’s new UK finance chief, vacated by Carl Rogberg last year, according to Sky News. Marsh, who is expected to start shortly, was previously group strategy director at Kingfisher and before that held a number of senior finance roles at Dixons Retail. His appointment was announced internally by chief financial officer Alan Stewart last month, according to insiders.

Apple’s Angela Ahrendts most handsomely rewarded woman in US

Apple’s director of retail Angela Ahrendts has become the best paid female boss in the US after she reaped £54m for just six months’ work, the Daily Mail reported. Ahrendts has beaten the previously handsomely rewarded woman boss, Marissa Mayer from Yahoo, who received £39m.

Net-a-Porter to launch shoppable social network

Net-a-Porter is to launch a fashion-focused, shoppable social platform this month, which will allow luxury brands to create a one-to-one dialogue with consumers. Dubbed ‘Net Set’, the platform - due to go live on May 13 - will unite the online retailer’s social media, fashion and shopping communities in one place. Users will be able to comment, advise and recommend items and content to friends and upload and share images of themselves wearing different clothing items.

Additionally, each designer stocked on Net-a-Porter will run their own brand portal where they will be able to interact directly with the e-commerce site’s customer base, reports The Drum. Available as an app, the Net Set will be modified over the coming months according to its users’ needs, with new features also to be added. It will be available across iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch and will initially launch with an invite code.