Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.
7.40am Pets at Home hires first CIO
Pets at Home has hired United Utilitiesâ tech chief William Hewish as CIO, a new position for the pets retailer.
Hewish has spent the last six years at United Utilities leading its technology, data and business change teams. He previously held senior tech roles in Lloyds Pharmacy, DeVere Hotels and Booker.
Hewish will report into chief executive Peter Pritchard when he joins the business in early 2019.
7.01am United Carpets profits fall but recent trading rallies
Profits plunged from ÂŁ589,000 to ÂŁ121,000 at United Carpets, the UKâs third biggest carpet and floorings retailer, after âvery challengingâ first half but it sees âencouraging signsâ in recent performance.
Like-for-likes fell 1.8% in the six months to September 30 but in the 11 weeks since the period end this returned to positive territory at 0.1% growth. Total sales for the half rose 8.4% to ÂŁ10.8m.
