Up-to-date coverage of the latest events in UK retail.

 

Amazon criticised for new packaging that is non-recyclable

Amazon is under fire from environmental groups and conscious customers after introducing new packaging that can’t be recycled in the UK.

The retail giant has started sending out smaller items in plastic envelopes seemingly to allow more parcels on each delivery truck, according to The Guardian.

An Amazon customer Adrian Fletcher told the Guardian he complained to the online retailer and said he felt the decision to use plastic envelopes felt like a “major step backwards” in the fight against plastic.

Amazon told the Guardian: Our mission is to deliver the very best customer experience.

“We work with manufacturers worldwide to continuously improve packaging design and introduce new, sustainable packaging that delights customers, eliminates waste, and ensures products arrive intact and undamaged for our customers.” 

Hammerson appoints new chief financial officer

Hammerson has appointed a new chief financial officer who will also be made executive director on joining the company in September.

James Lenton will join the company as executive director on September 16 and will start his new role as chief financial officer on October 1.

Lenton - a chartered accountant – has held various finance roles and previously worked as chief financial officer at investment firm AIG, deputy chief financial officer for EMEA and prior to that was appointed partner at Ernest & Young in 2006.

Walmart sues Elon Musk’s electric car company

Walmart is suing Elon Musk’s electric car company, Tesla claiming that solar panels it supplied to the retail giant were responsible for fires at seven of its stores in America.

The lawsuit - filed in New York yesterday – alleged the fires destroyed store merchandise and stores required significant repairs totalling in hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to City AM.

Seven of its stores, including those in Denton, Ohio, Beavercreek and Maryland, had suffered fires due to Tesla’s solar panels.

Walmart said in the court document: “This is a breach of contract action arising from years of gross negligence and failure to live up to industry standards by Tesla with respect to solar panels that Tesla designed, installed, and promised to operate and maintain safely on the roofs of hundreds of Walmart stores.