More on Me + Em – Page 2798
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News
Finlay Enterprises has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Jeweller Finlay Enterprises has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and plans to auction its business and assets.The retailer operates 182 locations across the country, including the upmarket Bailey Banks & Biddle chain, as well as 77 concessions within Bon-Ton department stores.Meanwhile, the country’s leading specialist jeweller by store count, ...
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News
Argentina: Retailers’ sales suffer
Retailers suffered the worst sales month this year in July, according to the Argentine Confederation of Medium-sized Companies. July retail sales fell 16.1% on a year-on-year basis as shoppers, already downbeat from the recession, stayed away from stores and other public places due to concern about swine flu.Argentina has seen ...
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News
Delhaize Group posts revenue rise
Grocer Delhaize Group posted revenues of €10.2bn (£8.74bn) for the first half of the year, representing a 13.8% rise over the same period last year.With the group’s largest market being the US, sales growth was largely attributable to a strengthening of the US dollar against the euro. Nevertheless, the result ...
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News
Auchan signs revolving credit facility
Food and general merchandise retailer Auchan has signed an €800m (£686m) revolving credit facility with a syndicate of international banks, according to local press.The transaction raised a total of €1.3bn (£1.1bn) in syndication and was subsequently increased from the launch amount of €400m (£343m).The transaction was led by Banco Santander, ...
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News
Otto apologises for wrongly priced goods
Mail order and online retailer Otto has apologised to customers after more than 6,500 orders were placed for laptops at massively discounted prices, owing to a pricing error on its website.A variety of laptops, including MacBooks, worth up to e2,000 (£1,714) were advertised at between e30 and e50 (£25.60 and ...
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News
Williams-Sonoma signs franchise agreement with MH Alshaya Co
San Francisco-based home furnishings and kitchen equipment retailer Williams-Sonoma has signed a franchise agreement with MH Alshaya Co covering the Middle East region. The partnership is expected to open its first four stores under the Pottery Barn and Pottery Barn Kids banners in Dubai and Kuwait next year.The move marks ...
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NewsHotter.com sells shoes for the 'active over-50s' market
From its name, you’d be forgiven for thinking it is one of the many adult sites that are widespread on the internet. Actually it sells shoes for the “active over-50s” market.
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NewsPeter Davies brands ‘son of Principles’ venture Mint Velvet
Clarks chairman Peter Davies has named his new fashion venture Mint Velvet and will debut the brand online and in 13 House of Fraser concessions in mid-October.
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NewsLuxury department stores fend off recession with sales gains
Department store operators Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Fenwick have reported resilient trading over the past year, despite the bleak retail landscape.
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OpinionHome comforts
There are new signs of bounce in the hard-pressed homewares and furniture market, on which the springs went more than a year ago.
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AnalysisCVS strategy pays off as it storms ahead of rivals
“This is shaping up to be a very good year and we expect an even better 2010.” Such upbeat words have not been heard often in retail this year, but Tom Ryan, chief executive of US pharmacy retailer CVS, has every right to be on a high after turning in ...
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AnalysisCVAs: A necessary evil or an easy way out?
The supposed abuse of CVAs has caused anger and as Focus becomes the latest to attempt one, Nicola Harrison asks if these arrangements are fair
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OpinionTories should not take VAT hike lightly
With the public finances in such a chaotic state it’s no wonder the Tories are reportedly considering increasing VAT to 20% if they come to power.
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OpinionDon’t become a closed shop
Those without a retail background still have plenty of nous to bring to the sector, says Neil Gillis.
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OpinionSwine flu crisis planning is in hand
The BRC’s been planning for a possible pandemic as long as London’s been preparing to host the 2012 Olympics.
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AnalysisNeed to know... Ethical trading
Retailers continue to come under fire over ethical trade issues. Here, we outline how stores can ensure they stay out of trouble
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GalleryStore of the week: John Lewis Foodhall Bluewater
The John Lewis/Waitrose Foodhall at John Lewis Bluewater has now been up and running for two weeks. At 16,500 sq ft, it is around a third larger than the Oxford Street format on which it has been modelled and is now the biggest food collaboration between the two retailers that ...
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AnalysisTerry Burman welcomes tough times
A slip in sales may have taken the shine off Signet, but boss Terry Burman welcomes tough times as a chance to gain market share.
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AnalysisRetailers shaking up contact centres
Whether it’s headcount cuts, outsourcing or in-sourcing, retailers are shaking up their contact centres in line with the changing face of home shopping. Joanna Perry asks what the future holds
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AnalysisOlder workers invaluable to retail
Not everyone has welcomed the Government’s plans to review the standard retirement age, but older workers are invaluable to retail. Here, Charlotte Hardie talks to some of the industry’s mature stars