Like-for-like retail sales rose just 1 per cent – the weakest growth since the 0.5 per cent rise in November 2006. BRC director-general Kevin Hawkins warned of challenging trading conditions for retailers in the run-up to Christmas

IN THE NEWS

Primark was reported to be considering opening stores in Germany, Scandinavia and Holland.

As Bhs posted a 3 per cent rise in operating profits, Sir Philip Green announced that it would be debt free by Christmas.

Woolworths admitted that all the products on its top 10 Christmas toys list could be affected by supplier shortages. It blamed increasingly stringent checks on all toys from China by the Chinese authorities.

Top City analyst Richard Ratner of Seymour Pierce was remembered by the industry after he died of a heart attack, aged 58. Among those paying their respects to the flamboyant retail expert was Sir Philip Green, who said he had lost a friend.

George Davies announced plans to open football stores across Asia to expand the fashion tycoon’s S’porter business.

Tesco announced it would kick-start its US West Coast operation by opening five Fresh & Easy convenience stores in four cities: San Diego, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The grocery giant also revealed it was examining further opportunities in the region.

Asos sales beat City expectations, soaring 80 per cent in the six months to September 30. It was expected to make profits of£8 million by March 2009.

Private equity group Piper sold its stake in home shopping retailer Boden for 30 times what it invested. It made a£4 million development capital investment in Boden in 1999.

Asda director John Longworth called on the Competition Commission to leave the grocery sector alone for 10 years after completing its inquiry.

John Lewis unveiled its first food hall with Waitrose at its flagship Oxford Street store, targeting sales of between£15 million and£25 million a year.

Wal-Mart bet on SAP financial software for the first time, announcing a worldwide roll-out. The deal followed an evaluation of the retailer’s systems and the software was to be implemented to support its next phase of international growth.

Westfield and Hermes’£340 million Derby shopping centre welcomed shoppers six months ahead of schedule. It was anchored by Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Next.

STORE OF THE MONTH

Fat Face, Exeter
Not perhaps the most likely candidate for an annual round-up of the best new stores to hit the UK, but Fat Face came up trumps in Exeter.

The retailer’s two-floor flagship store was in a class of its own, even allowing for its admittedly upscale neighbours in the Princesshay centre. Much has been made of the fact that it is the first Fat Face shop to include outdoor sports equipment as well as clothing.

Features included 3D wire cut-outs of people doing dangerous things on mountain boards and fitting rooms fashioned from outsize sailing kitbags. The curved frontage also proved eye-catching.

ON THE MOVE

Asda appointed former Ilva chief operating officer Colin Haggerty to the new role of business development director for its Asda Living non-food format.

Brian Brick resigned as non-executive director of SRG, the company his grandfather founded in the 1920s.

Jaeger creative director Sandy Verdon, who was instrumental in the fashion retailer’s turnaround, resigned.

In a raft of Tesco departures, commercial director Keith Down left to join JD Wetherspoon, central Europe clothing buying director Julia Reynolds exited for Figleaves and director of development Dido Harding defected to Sainsbury’s.

Westfield silences critics

Despite Australian developer Westfield being the biggest shopping centre brand in the world, sceptics questioned whether it could pull off its first UK venture – a big scheme in Derby. Many were convinced it was simply too big for the small city and would open half empty.

But Westfield Derby – the redeveloped Eagle Centre – defied sceptics and not only opened 98 per cent let, but also six months ahead of schedule, in October.
The£340 million mid-market scheme pulled in anchors Marks & Spencer, Next and Debenhams, alongside the usual array of retailers such as River Island, Topshop and H&M.

Westfield said the 1.3 million consumers in Derby’s catchment area have an annual spend of more than£5 million and, based on its experience of developing schemes worldwide, it was confident the centre would be a success.

Managing director for UK and Europe Michael Gutman said: “When we first came to Derby, we saw 20 million people passing through this place a year and we couldn’t understand what they were doing here. In the US or Australia, a city the size of Derby would have four major shopping centres.”

The scheme pulled in 100 retailers that had not traded in Derby before and Gutman heralded the opening as a “major step towards realising the ambition we have for the British market that will see us open Westfield London next year and Stratford City in 2011”.

The developer’s bigger test will come next year when it opens Westfield London. It has made bold claims that the scheme – more widely known as White City – will change the face of shopping centres in the UK.

Alongside the usual line up of retailers such as H&M, New Look and Topshop, a dedicated area has been created for upmarket retailers. After months of anticipation, Westfield signed Louis Vuitton for the first of these units and retailers such as Mulberry and Gucci are thought to be following suit.

However, the lettings market remains difficult and while Westfield has many names pencilled in above doors, retailers will wait for the right deals.