Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Tesco, Sports Direct and Sir Stuart Rose

Tesco suffers cyber-attack after over 2,000 login details shared online

Tesco has been hit by cyber thieves after a list of more than 2,000 Tesco.com login names and passwords were leaked online on a popular text-sharing site, BBC News reported. The grocer has deactivated some customers’ online accounts as a precaution. It is believed that hackers gathered the information during cyber-attacks on other websites, who then tried to use the usernames and passwords to access Tesco.com.

A small number of people contacted by the BBC via the e-mail addresses given on the list confirmed their accounts had now been deactivated. All those contacted said their login details were correct and one added the attackers had used them to steal store vouchers.

Sportsdirect.com Retail to sue Heatons over competition

Sportsdirect.com Retail, a division of billionaire Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley’s company, is in the process of initiating legal proceedings against Irish department store chain Heatons on competition grounds, The Irish Times reported. Sports Direct already owns a 50% stake in Heatons.

It is understood, however, that the dispute revolves around the application of non-compete agreements that were allegedly agreed between Sports Direct and Heatons. The case is listed in March for a four-day hearing in the High Court. The case was filed with the High Court in November 2012.

Sir Stuart Rose takes up NHS role

Former M&S executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose is to advise the NHS on how it can attract and retain the very best leaders to help transform the culture in under-performing hospitals, Retail Week sister title the Health Service Journal reported.Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Rose will advise the Health Secretary on how the NHS can build on existing work to recruit top talent from across the public and private sectors and improve the organisation’s culture.

Tesco mulls F&F store openings in Russia

Tesco is looking to open its F&F clothing stores in Russia in a move to expand the brand’s global presence, Reuters reported. It was reported Tesco may partner with Debenhams’ Russian franchise operator, Debruss, for F&F store openings. The two are considering opening the first shops in Moscow in two large malls that are due to open in the fourth quarter of 2014, one of the sources said.

Preliminary plans foresee the opening of up to five stores in Russia this year and a further eight in 2015, although the duo have not yet inked a partnership deal.