Retail news

• Fiat warns coronavirus could force closure of European plant

  06-02-2020 19:47
  
  Carmaker among growing list of multinationals affected by Chinese outbreakFiat Chrysler has warned it could close a plant in Europe as the coronavirus outbreak wreaks havoc on a rapidly expanding list of global companies.The carmaker, one of Europe’s largest, joined Virgin Atlantic and Nintendo in adding its name to the list of affected companies on Thursday. Continue reading...
  
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• Intercontinental Exchange chief defends eBay approach

  06-02-2020 19:22
  NYSE owner did not ‘lose its mind’, says Jeffrey Sprecher
  
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• Unsung Hero: Michele Venton

  06-02-2020 16:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Michele Venton’s success as a businesswoman and online retailer can be pinned on one precious thing: her family.
  When the mother of two started the online emporium GirlZone in 2015, she tackled the obstacles women commonly face when returning to work after maternity leave, alongside childcare-related challenges.
  While Venton created her business as a haven for working mothers, more than anything, she was inspired by her daughters.
  GirlZone sells everything a young girl would ever want, fro
  
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• New John Lewis boss Sharon White warns on job cuts & store closures

  06-02-2020 15:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // John Lewis Partnership’s new chair Sharon White warns of “difficult decisions about stores & about jobs”
  // She said any decisions made would not be taken lightly and “humanity” will be shown to staff
  // Sharon White also told managers to “improve the diversity of the partners we are hiring”John Lewis Partnership’s new chair Sharon White has warned of potential store closures and job cuts as the company endures its most difficult period
  
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• Tesco/Asia: winner’s curse

  06-02-2020 15:11
  Shareholders should welcome the forthcoming tussle; the bidders perhaps less so
  
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• New John Lewis chair warns staff of store closures and job losses

  06-02-2020 14:20
  
  Sharon White strikes confident note about retailer’s future but says there is no ‘silver bullet’The new chair of the John Lewis Partnership has warned of potential store closures and job losses as part of a plan to shore up its finances.Sharon White told this week’s private meeting of the employee-owned group’s staff council that it faced making “difficult decisions about stores and about jobs” during what was its “most challenging period” si
  
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• New John Lewis boss warns staff of store closures and job losses

  06-02-2020 14:20
  
  Sharon White strikes confident note about retailer’s future but says there is no ‘silver bullet’The new chair of the John Lewis Partnership has warned of potential store closures and job losses as part of a plan to shore up its finances.Sharon White told this week’s private meeting of the employee-owned group’s staff council that it faced making “difficult decisions about stores and about jobs” during what was its “most challenging period” si
  
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• Elite shoppers spend average £29,700 in UK shops

  06-02-2020 13:32 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // The world’s wealthiest shoppers spend an average of €35,000 (£29,704) in UK stores, according to Global Blue
  // “Elite shoppers” spend an average total of €55,000 (£46,680) during their three international trips per year
  // The UK is the 2nd most popular shopping destination worldwide for elite shoppers, after FranceThe world’s wealthiest shoppers spend an average of €35,000 (£29,704) in UK stores, according to to new research.
  Tax-free
  
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• Three Thai conglomerates enter bids for Tesco stores

  06-02-2020 13:08
  Bidders are Thailand’s biggest department store group, the owner of 7-Eleven and a brewing billionaire
  
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• BRC partners with Time to Change to launch mental health toolkit

  06-02-2020 13:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // The BRC and Time to Change launch a toolkit to address mental health in the retail industry
  // Mental health problems affect 1 in 6 workers each year and is the leading cause of sickness absence
  // Mental health first aid training is one way retailers are tackling this issueThe BRC has partnered with Time to Change to launch a new toolkit that aims to help retailers implement a variety of mental health strategies in the workplace.
  Mental Wellbeing Toolkit for the Retail Sector provides advice
  
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• Waitrose appoints Martyn Lee to executive chef

  06-02-2020 12:39 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Waitrose appoints Martyn Lee as its new executive chef
  // It’s part of the grocer’s ambition to boost its commitment to food quality and innovation
  // Lee will lead a team of development chefs based at the Waitrose Food Innovation Studio in BracknellWaitrose has appointed Martyn Lee to the role of executive chef, as part of the retailer’s investment in food quality and innovation.
  Lee will head up a team of development chefs based at the Waitrose Food Innovation Studio at it
  
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• Ebay’s shares jump 9% after New York Stock Exchange owner eyes takeover bid

  06-02-2020 11:18 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Ebay’s shares have jumped around nine per cent after the owner of the New York Stock Exchange reportedly made a takeover bid for the company.
  Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) is understood to have approached the online marketplace to explore a range of possibilities including a potential takeover, The Wall Street Journal reported.
  On Tuesday ICE confirmed reports that it had approached Ebay to discuss options that could “create value for the shareholders of both companies&rd
  
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• Michael Kors owner warns of £77m hit from coronavirus

  06-02-2020 10:41 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Capri Holdings reports total sales rise but warns of coronavirus impact on revenue
  // The fashion group, which owns Versace and Jimmy Choo, beat analysts’ expectations
  // The company now expects total revenue of £1 billion for the fourth quarterMichael Kors owner Capri Holdings has reported a sales growth in its third quarter, but warned that the coronavirus outbreak in China could result in a $100 million (£77 million) hit to its revenue.
  The fashion group, which also owns
  
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• Retail bucks wider job growth trend as jobs & applications plummet

  06-02-2020 10:13 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Retail job market took a blow in January, with job numbers & applications both falling year-on-year
  // This is despite national growth in both areas, according to CV LibraryThe retail job market took a blow in the first month of 2020, with job numbers and applications both falling year-on-year despite national growth in both areas.
  The latest research from job search website CV Library explores job market data from January 2020 and compares this with findings from the same period in 2019.
  
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• Top 3 challenges Sharon White faces as John Lewis chair

  06-02-2020 09:52 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Ex-Ofcom chief executive Sharon White joins John Lewis Partnership as chairman at a time when the retail business has seen a number of senior management departures.
  John Lewis’ customer director Craig Inglis was the most recent executive to announce his resignation, less than a month after managing director Paula Nickolds revealed she would be leaving the department store chain after 25 years in the business.
  Nickolds’ surprise departure came in the wake of a tough Christmas. While l
  
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• Mike Ashley faces Peta challenge after restocking fur

  06-02-2020 09:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Peta has bought one share in Frasers Group
  // Mike Ashley will be questioned at his AGM in September by activists
  // House of Fraser began restocking fur in NovemberMike Ashley will be challenged by Peta after the animal rights charity bought a stake in his Frasers Group three months after House of Fraser began restocking fur.
  The billionaire tycoon will be questioned at his AGM in September by activists from Peta after the group bought one share in his business.
  Ashley, who also owns Sports
  
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• Casper slashes IPO to lure investors into buying stake

  06-02-2020 09:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Casper slashes the amount it is seeking in its IPO
  // The retailer aims to encourage investors into acquiring a stake
  // It expects to offer 8.35 million shares between $12 (£9.23) and $13 (£10)Casper has reportedly slashed the amount it is seeking in its IPO in a bid to encourage investors to buy a stake in its struggling business.
  The online mattress-in-a-box retailer said it expects to offer 8.35 million shares between $12 (£9.23) and $13 (£10), down from $17 (&poun
  
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• Amazon Choice label is being 'gamed to promote poor products'

  06-02-2020 01:01
  
  Which? says company must ensure algorithmic system is not used to mislead consumersAmazon is promoting poor-quality products with an “Amazon’s Choice” badge as cunning sellers manipulate the algorithmic recommendation system behind the label, according to research from the consumer rights group Which?.Many of the most popular items sold on Amazon.co.uk are labelled Amazon’s Choice, a thin blue badge that renders a product more visible on the search results page. Continue
  
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• Retailers to take on the digital evolution and ailing high street at Retail Week Live

  06-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Senior business leaders from the world’s biggest retailers will be tackling the issues contributing to unprecedented challenges in retail following the worst year on record for... View Article
  
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• Pepco benefits from store expansion programme

  06-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Pepco Group, the owner Poundland, Pepco and Dealz, has posted a 13.3% uplift in revenue in its first quarter. The group said the increase was driven... View Article
  
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• Marks & Spencer hires chief strategy and transformation director

  06-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Marks & Spencer has appointed Katie Bickerstaffe as its chief strategy and transformation director. Due to take up her role on 27 April, Bickerstaffe is currently... View Article
  
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• John Lewis Partnership appoints director of strategy and commercial development.

  06-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  The John Lewis Partnership has hired Nina Bhatia as executive director of strategy and commercial development. In her new role, she will to report to John... View Article
  
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• Brown Thomas to open new Dundrum store

  06-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Hammerson has announced that Brown Thomas is to open a new flagship store at Dublin’s Dundrum Town Centre shopping destination. Following a complete refit, the shop... View Article
  
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