Retail news

• Beales to close 12 of its 23 department stores

  07-02-2020 19:30
  
  Stricken chain to permanently close a dozen stores with potential loss of around 500 jobsThe stricken department store chain Beales is to close more than half its shops in the latest blow to struggling UK high streets.The Bournemouth-based retailer collapsed into administration last month and on Friday it was announced that 12 of its 23 stores would close. The historic chain, which began trading in Bournemouth in 1881, has around 1,300 employees.High street closures in 2019BournemouthHexhamWorth
  
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• Asos chief increases stake 

  07-02-2020 19:00 via ft.com
  Online group reports improved sales performance over Christmas
  
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• Vans owner shuts 60% of stores in China due to coronavirus fears

  07-02-2020 17:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Vans owner VF Corp closes 60% of stores in China
  // The stores that are currently open have experienced a significant decline in footfallVans owner VF Corporation has temporarily closed 60 per cent of its stores in China due to the coronavirus outbreak.
  The retail group, which also owns Timberland, said the stores that are currently open have experienced a significant decline in footfall.
  “The safety and well-being of our associates and partners in China is our highest priority. Our tho
  
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• Supermarket property investment rises 80% as confidence improves

  07-02-2020 17:20 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Supermarket property investment has surged 80% to £1.78bn thanks to higher confidence
  // While supermarket investment has risen, other sectors of retail industry have suffered from drop in activityInvestment in supermarket property has increased by 80 per cent to £1.78 billion in the last year as confidence in the outlook for UK grocers improved, according to new research.
  The increase in investment is in sharp contrast to other sectors in retail which have suffered from a decline
  
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• Retail Gazette Loves: Waitrose’s new “slow-TV campaign

  07-02-2020 17:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Waitrose has launched a new “slow-TV’ advertising campaign, giving viewers a behind the scenes glimpse of its farms and produce while focusing on the importance of taste.
  The multi-channel campaign You can taste when it’s Waitrose & Partners will highlight the stories behind Waitrose product and how its commitment to sourcing the best quality ingredients is reflected in the taste.
  The new campaign will initially kick-off with four TV adverts.
  Produced without music and voic
  
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• Friday Fun One: Prince Charles’ amazement at TK Maxx

  07-02-2020 16:30 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Stop the press. Prince Charles visited a TK Maxx store for the first time in his life this week. We even have pictures to prove it.
  Upon entering the fashion retailer’s store in Tooting, south London, he spoke to team leader Rachel Crawford about the store’s interior – because that’s what royals do when they go shopping, apparently.
  “He walked in and said it was amazing,” Crawford revealed.
  No one knows the last time the Prince of Wales even entered a store, l
  
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• Indie Corner: Life’s Little Recipes

  07-02-2020 16:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  Everyone knows that the British are infamous for their aversion to express emotions, but even when you want to, it can be hard to find the right words.
  The Life’s Little Recipes online store offers a solution to this cultural idiosyncrasy.
  Its products consist of individual bags with six items inside and each ingredient is connected to a sentiment. There are over 20 bags on the site, spanning from a caring recipe and even a divorce recipe.
  Founder Fiona Thomas was a cancer nurse for 21 yea
  
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• Burberry says impact of coronavirus worse than Hong Kong protests

  07-02-2020 13:26
  
  British brand closes 24 of its 64 stores in mainland China as shopper numbers plummetBurberry has said the coronavirus is having a devastating effect on the luxury goods market, as wealthy Chinese consumers stay away from shops and travel restrictions curb overseas shopping sprees.The British company closed 24 of its 64 stores in mainland China and those that remained open were operating with reduced hours because shopper numbers had plunged 80%. None of the group’s employees in China had
  
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• M&S hires ex-N Brown CFO Craig Lovelace as food finance boss

  07-02-2020 12:51 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // M&S drafts in Craig Lovelace from N Brown as food finance chief
  // Lovelace will replace Nick Hewitt, who stepped down earlier this week
  // Lovelace served as N Brown’s CFO since 2015Marks & Spencer has appointed Craig Lovelace as its food finance chief in a bid to accelerate its turnaround strategy.
  Lovelace will replace Nick Hewitt, whose departure was announced this week.
  M&S said his start date has not been confirmed yet.READ MORE: M&S follows Sainsbury’s
  
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• Apprenticeships failing retailers, BRC says

  07-02-2020 10:55 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // The BRC warns apprenticeship levy is “not working” for retailers
  // In the first quarter of the 2018-2019 financial year, apprenticeship schemes’ number of retail starters dropped 15%The BRC has criticised the government’s approach to the apprenticeship levy, which it says is failing retailers despite the sector contributing £160 million to the scheme annually.
  The trade body warned that the apprenticeship levy is “not working” for retailers as the fa
  
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• M&S follows Sainsbury’s steps in offering checkout-free service

  07-02-2020 10:50 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // M&S expands Mobile Pay Go offer to more stores for “busy Londoners”
  // Mobile Pay Go was launched to help reduce queuing times
  // M&S said it will continue to roll this technology outMarks & Spencer has extended its technology service to 50 stores, of which 49 are in London, to provide customers with a checkout-free payment offering.
  The retailer said “busy Londoners can purchase their lunch in under 40 seconds” with its Mobile Pay Go offer.
  The extensive r
  
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• How SARS led to the birth of China ecommerce

  07-02-2020 10:36 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  As the coronavirus crisis in China surpasses over 20,000 infected patients, international ecommerce solutions proivder Azoya looks back at the 2003 SARS crisis to understand how the retail industry adapted to worsening market conditions.
  Many will remember that over 8,000 people were infected by SARS, and nearly 800 perished. Schools, factories, and shops were closed, and China’s bustling cities quickly turned into ghost towns.
  While the fatality rate of the current cor
  
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• Burberry says coronavirus impact “more serious” than Hong Kong protests

  07-02-2020 10:10 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Burberry closes 24 of 64 stores in China due to coronavirus outbreak
  // Burberry shares opened down more than 2% on Friday morningBurberry has closed 24 of its 64 stores in mainland China as the coronavirus outbreak continues to raise fears.
  The luxury retailer said the store closures are a result of taking action to ensure that staff remain safe.
  However, it warned investors that the outbreak was having a “material negative effect” on demand for luxury products.READ MORE:Mic
  
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• Pets at Home names new chairman

  07-02-2020 09:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Pets at Home welcomes new non-executive chairman to the board
  // Outgoing non-executive chairman Tony DeNunzio will eventually step down after handover processPets at Home on Friday announced Ian Burke will take over from Tony DeNunzio as non-executive chairman at the retailer.
  The specialist pet care business said that “after an extensive external and internal search process the board is pleased to announce Ian Burke to the appointment of the role”.READ MORE: Pets at Home’s
  
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• Waterstones full year profits rise 39%

  07-02-2020 09:38 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Waterstones posts full year results at Companies House
  // Profit rose 39 per cent in the full year to April 27
  // Lack of a bestseller cited for reason behind marginal sales gainsWaterstones this week posted a 39 per cent rise in pretax profits for its full year after being sold to US hedge fund Elliott Advisors in April 2018.
  Accounts filed at Companies House on Wednesday show pretax profits came in at £27.7 million for the full year to April 27 2019, up  per cent from the &p
  
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• 2,000 business rates appeals filed every week

  07-02-2020 08:47 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // The Valuation Office Agency says almost 2,000 appeals are made on a weekly basis over business rates bills
  // Altus Group says “the settlement rate must increase significantly during 2020” in order to help businesses
  // Government should change the law to reduce the maximum response time for appeals from 18 months to six months – argues Altus GroupAlmost 2,000 appeals a week are made by companies over their business rates bills, according to official statistics by the Valuat
  
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• Burberry says coronavirus impact ‘worse than HK protests’

  07-02-2020 08:41 via ft.com
  About a third of China stores shut and footfall down 80% at remainder
  
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• Poundland expands Pep & Co trial of children’s clothes

  07-02-2020 08:24 via retailgazette.co.uk
  
  // Poundland steps up Pep & Co childrenswear trial
  // Concessions will roll out across Poundland and Dealz storesPoundland will sell more children’s clothing in its stores as it expands its partnership with sister brand Pep & Co.
  The value retailer operates over 800 locations in the UK and Ireland, and is now piloting a wider range of children’s clothing in 50 of its Pep & Co concessions.READ MORE: Poundland Christmas sales rise thanks to Pep&Co concessionsPoundland s
  
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• Pets at Home appoints Ian Burke as new chairman

  07-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Pets at Home Group has appointed Ian Burke to succeed its outgoing non-executive chairman Tony DeNunzio. The move follows both an external and internal search process.... View Article
  
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• Colette makes European debut on London’s Fulham Road

  07-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Colette, the new gourmet traiteur and delicatessen, has opened an 861 square foot outlet on London’s Fulham Road. With the food offering headed up by former... View Article
  
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• Burberry says coronavirus is impacting sales in China

  07-02-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Luxury brand Burberry has said the coronavirus outbreak is having a negative impact on sales in China and Hong Kong. In a statement, the company said... View Article
  
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