Retail news round-up on August 27, 2014: TJ Hughes hires digital marketing agency; Aldi to roll out ‘healthier tills’ and Spree.co.za to stock Next merchandise.

Retail Week's Breakfast Briefing

TJ Hughes chooses theEword to manage SEO

British discount department store chain TJ Hughes has appointed digital marketing agency theEword to oversee its Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and content strategy to boost its online presence, The Drum reported. A blended digital marketing campaign is in the works for the budget retailer with the objective of increasing its search engine visibility to drive shoppers to its website and its bricks and mortar stores. This will emphasise TJ Hughes specialism in discounted, branded products with creative content tailored to reach its target audience.

Aldi to roll out ‘healthier tills’ at all stores across UK

German discount retailer Aldi will introduce ‘healthier tills’ at all 500 of its British outlets, though the change will not happen until January 2015, The Guardian reported. All confectionery, chocolate and sweets will be removed from stands at Aldi’s checkouts and replaced with healthier options including dried fruit, nuts, juices and water.

Giles Hurley, joint managing director of corporate buying at the supermarket, said: “The healthier tills trial quickly showed that healthier foods prove more popular with our shoppers than the traditional checkout offer of confectionery and sweets.”

Spree to stock selected range of Next’s merchandise

UK clothing retailer Next has agreed an online partnership deal with South African e-commerce site Spree.co.za, Business Day reported. Spree, which is part of Naspers’s e-commerce division, said it would ‘take care of international shipping costs and meeting customs regulations’. The website will offer a selected range of Next’s merchandise.