Retail news

• Jeff Bezos: who wants to be a trillionaire?

  14-05-2020 21:00
  The pandemic is feeding Amazon’s two biggest businesses — ecommerce and cloud computing
  
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• Boohoo plans to raise up to £200m as it eyes acquisitions

  14-05-2020 19:41
  Online fashion retailer hopes to ‘take advantage of numerous opportunities’
  
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• Should UK retailers observe EU store re-openings to better prepare?

  14-05-2020 18:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  The UK may have started lifting minimal restrictions on its nationwide lockdown this week, but there are growing signs that the coronavirus pandemic could impose a more permanent change on retailers.
  According to the latest data collected on April 18-19 from global consulting firm McKinsey & Company, a quarter of consumers surveyed in the UK believe that Covid-19 will cause the economy to fall into a long-lasting recession. As such, 36 per cent of consumers were cutting back on spending, wit
  
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• DELIVER

  14-05-2020 18:01 via retailgazette.co.uk
  DATE : 8+9 October 2020PLACE : Taets Art and Event Park | Amsterdam
  DELIVER is Europe’s biggest and most attended elite e-logistics event bringing together all important decision makers and the most famous brands of the retail, e-commerce and logistics industry.
  DELIVER has been created with a focus to unite the e-logistics elite and to provide a platform where global key players can discuss, build relationships and sign the most profitable contracts.
  Founded in 2015, DELIVER is a fast gro
  
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• Indie retailers encouraged to sign up to “We are Open” directory

  14-05-2020 17:23 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Independent Retailers Confederation launches “We are Open” online directory to promote small shops still open
  // Small & indie retailers that are open urged to add themselves to the new “we are open” interactive mapThe Independent Retailers Confederation has launched “We are Open”, an online map and directory of independent shops that are still open and operating responsibly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
  Under the UK Government’s guidance, essenti
  
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• Ikea France to face trial over claims it spied on staff and customers

  14-05-2020 17:00
  
  Two former chief executives and four police officials among 15 individuals charged in caseIkea’s French subsidiary and 15 individuals including former executives and police officials are to go on trial on charges of spying on employees and customers, prosecutors have announced.Two former Ikea France CEOs are among those charged in a case dating back to 2012 when the Swedish-based home furnishings firm was accused of paying for illegal access to police files. Related: Ikea accused of hiring
  
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• Sainsbury's expands Chop Chop delivery service to 20 UK cities

  14-05-2020 16:54
  
  Retailer joins up with courier firm Stuart to make deliveries to homes using bikes Sainsbury’s is taking a bicycle delivery service to 20 cities across the UK in its latest effort to extend grocery home delivery during the coronavirus outbreak.The supermarket is joining up with courier firm Stuart, part of DPD Group, to launch its one-hour delivery product, Chop Chop, in Brighton and Bristol on Thursday with Manchester and Reading to follow. Continue reading...
  
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• Change of hands at Little Black Dress via pre-pack deal

  14-05-2020 16:46 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Little Black Dress acquired by Fashion Ventures Ltd in a pre-pack administration deal
  // The six-person team that runs the retailer will keep their jobs as part of the dealLittle Black Dress has reportedly undergone a change of ownership after it was acquired by an investment firm via a pre-pack administration deal.
  According to Drapers, the online fashion retailer was acquired by private investment firm Fashion Ventures Limited last night.
  The six-person team that runs the retailer will
  
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• New M&S Clothing & Home MD’s start date confirmed

  14-05-2020 16:07 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // M&S confirms that Richard Price will start as the new clothing & home MD on July 6
  // He replaces Jill McDonald, who left in July last year
  // M&S also announced a 50% “rainbow sale” on clothing, with 10% of purchase price donated to the NHSMarks and Spencer has confirmed that the new boss of its clothing and home division will start on July 6.
  Richard Price, chief executive of F&F Clothing at Big 4 grocer Tesco, was first announced as the new M&S clothing and
  
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• Marks & Spencer holds huge sale after clothing piles up amid lockdown

  14-05-2020 15:10
  
  Retailer offers discounts of at least 50% to shift unsold spring and summer stylesCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageMarks & Spencer has launched a huge half-price clothing sale as the high street shutdown leaves retailers with mountains of unsold spring and summer fashion.The retailer has called the promotional blitz a “rainbow sale” and is handing 10% of takings to NHS charities. The sale promises shoppers discounts of at least 50% across the stor
  
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• 5 tips for eCommerce marketing in difficult trading conditions

  14-05-2020 15:00 via retailgazette.co.uk
  MAKING THE MOST OF A TOUGH SITUATION
  The retail sector has been one of the most affected ones during the coronavirus crisis. Now is a crucial time for eCommerce leaders and marketers to plan their comeback and create a path forward.
  As the retail sector faces turbulent times, the actions you take right now will determine the success of your business.
  With comebacks to be planned and tougher trading conditions to navigate, marketers need to start preparing now.
  Start by downloading our brand
  
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• Central England Co-op posts uptick in annual sales & profits

  14-05-2020 13:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Central England Co-op provides coronavirus update as it publishes its annual results
  // Operating profit jumped from £11.9m to £15.5m on the back of 2.7% sales growth to £893m
  // Members, staff and communities benefited by sharing in a £3.2m dividend pay-outCentral England Co-op has posted an increase in sales and profits in its full year trading update, which also details some of the grocer’s updates around the coronavirus pandemic.
  For the year ending January 2
  
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• Deliveroo slammed by 40 MPs for providing “inadequate and ineffective” PPE for riders

  14-05-2020 13:13 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Deliveroo has been criticised by more than 40 MPs for not providing their riders will PPE, calling on the company to do more to protect its riders putting themselves at risk.
  A letter has been penned by dozens of MPs across multiple parties for the delivery giant to provide all its riders with PPE and “full pay” for those who contract the disease and need to self-isolate.
  Deliveroo has set up a coronavirus emergency fund which currently pays its riders who need to self-isolate £
  
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• Morrisons re-opens pizza counters

  14-05-2020 12:49 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Pizza counters re-open at Morrisons stores nationwide
  // Customers will be able to get a handmade pizza to cook at home at a much lower price compared to high street chainsMorrisons has confirmed that it will re-open its pizza counters across its stores this week to give customers the chance to buy affordable handmade pizzas while in lockdown.
  The Big 4 grocer said that while lockdown has made it tougher for people to get their favourite takeaway pizzas, its new £7 combo deal was on ave
  
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• WH Smith pins hopes on autumn rebound after 85% fall in sales

  14-05-2020 12:27
  
  Airport and railway sales plunged 91% during April lockdown but retailer looks to September revivalCoronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageWH Smith is hoping for a revival in trade at its airport and railway station shops from this autumn after coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions prompted an 85% fall in company-wide sales in April.The books-to-paperclips retailer said it continued to trade at 130 stores within hospitals and on 203 UK high streets where it prov
  
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• WH Smith pins hopes on autumn bounce-back after 85% fall in sales

  14-05-2020 12:27
  
  Airport and railway station sales plunged 91% but retailer expects revival from September when travel picks upWH Smith is hoping for a revival in trade at its airport and railway station shops from this autumn after coronavirus lockdowns and travel restrictions prompted an 85% fall in company-wide sales in April.The books-to-paperclips retailer said it continued to trade at 130 stores within hospitals and on 203 UK high streets where it provides post office and banking services, but more than 30
  
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• Amazon faces scrutiny as operations return to normal

  14-05-2020 12:13
  Ecommerce group resumes pre-virus delivery schedules but analysts warn heavy expenses will continue
  
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• Garden centres upbeat on reopening

  14-05-2020 12:05
  Trade group lobbies Scottish and N Irish governments over restart
  
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• Could Jeff Bezos become the world’s first trillionaire?

  14-05-2020 11:27 via chargedretail.co.uk
  
  Jeff Bezos could become the world’s first trillionaire by 2026 and the coronavirus crisis is seemingly accelerating the process.
  #JeffBezos has been trending on Twitter this morning after an article in the Daily Star cited a study, which appears to be at least six months old, that the Amazon founder could become the world’s first trillionaire.
  It comes as Bezos net worth has jumped by more than $20 billion since the pandemic swept the globe, according to Bloomberg.Brid
  
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• Luxury retailers urge businesses to delay end-of-season discounting

  14-05-2020 10:36 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Luxury players urge fashion retail sector to reconsider approach towards seasonality and discounting
  // Signatories include Acne Studios CEO Mattias Magnusson and Liberty buying director Sarah Coonan among othersLuxury retailers have urged the fashion retail sector to rethink attitudes towards seasonality and discounting post Covid-19.
  A consortium of luxury players, including Selfridges and Harvey Nichols, have teamed up to call on the sector to delay end-of-season promotions to January for
  
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• Intu hires chief people officer to “retain talent within business”

  14-05-2020 10:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Intu appoints chief people officer to bring a new focus to its people strategy
  // James Saunders joins from VodafoneIntu has appointed Vodafone’s former head of HR James Saunders to the newly-created role of chief people officer as part of its five-year strategy.
  Saunders is expected to bring a new focus to its people strategy, and “lead Intu’s employee experience, and attract, inspire and retain talent within the business”.
  He has held senior roles within HR and trans
  
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• Watches of Switzerland sales smash £590m despite Covid-19 impact

  14-05-2020 09:34 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Watches of Switzerland revenue rises 5.9% to £819.3m in the year to April 26
  // The group said it experienced particularly strong trading pre-lockdown during the first 46 weeks to March 15Watches of Switzerland has reported a rise in group revenue pre-lockdown “reflecting strong brand partnerships”.
  Revenue at the luxury group rose by 5.9 per cent to £819.3 million in the year to April 26.
  Watches of Switzerland owner Jewel Holdco S.A R.L, which also owns Mappin &
  
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• £6.42m pay package handed to Tesco boss Dave Lewis

  14-05-2020 09:08 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // Tesco CEO Dave Lewis handed £6.42m pay package
  // It is the highest annual pay packet for an exec at the grocer since Sir Terry Leahy’s exit in 2011
  // Lewis is due to leave Tesco in SeptemberTesco chief executive Dave Lewis has been handed a £6.42 million pay package, the highest annual pay packet for an executive at the Big 4 grocer since the departure of Sir Terry Leahy in 2011.
  Lewis’ total pay increased by more than a third last year due to a leap in annual and lo
  
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• WHSmith revenues drop 74% due to lockdown

  14-05-2020 08:40 via retailgazette.co.uk
  // WHSmith sales drop 85% year-on-year in April
  // Airport and train station stores saw revenues tumble 91%
  // High street stores’ revenues dropped 74%WHSmith has seen its sales plummet, particularly at its airport and train station shops as the coronavirus lockdown continues to affect the business.
  The British retailer said revenue in April dropped by 85 per cent year-on-year, as sales made through its growing portfolio of airport and train station stores declined by a colossal 91 per cen
  
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• Moving pay goalposts for Tesco's Dave Lewis is grubby behaviour

  14-05-2020 08:30
  
  He’s been paid £29m over six years – to justify paying him more, Tesco seems to have changed the metricDave Lewis did a decent turnaround job at Tesco, we can agree, but he’s been paid spectacularly well in the process – £29m over six years. It is why an artful manoeuvre within his £6.4m pay packet for his last full year in charge feels so grubby.Tesco’s remuneration committee seems to have been shocked when it crunched the numbers on Lewis’s
  
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• Japan preps ice-cold face masks for summer heat

  14-05-2020 01:07
  Doctors fear covering face to prevent coronavirus could mean deaths from dehydration and heat stroke
  
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• Wickes launches phased store reopening plan

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  DIY retailer Wickes has unveiled plans for a phased reopening of its stores following the coronavirus crisis. After conducting a trial at six stores, the retailer... View Article
  
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• WH Smith revenue down 85% during coronavirus crisis

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Book and stationery retailer WH Smith has said the coronavirus crisis has had a significant impact on its business due to many of its worldwide stores... View Article
  
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• Watches of Switzerland full year sales rise ahead of guidance

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Watches of Switzerland saw its group revenue increase ahead of guidance by 5.9% to £819.3 million in the year to 26 April. The owner of the Watches... View Article
  
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• TRB partner Mention Me launches new customer retention product: Mention Me Retain

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Referral marketing and customer retention technology business Mention Me, has accelerated the launch of its new product, Mention Me Retain, to support brands in the current... View Article
  
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• Intu appoints chief people officer

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Shopping centre operator Intu has appointed James Saunders to the newly created role of chief people officer as part of its five-year strategy. Previously a head... View Article
  
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• H&M owned brands to launch in new online markets

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  H&M has announced that its COS, Weekday, Monki, Arket and & Other Stories brands are to expand their online businesses to nine additional markets across Europe.... View Article
  
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• Central England Co-op reports increase in full year sales and profits

  14-05-2020 01:00 via theretailbulletin.com
  
  Central England Co-op has said its full year gross sales rose  by 2.7% to £893 million and that trading profit came in ahead of budget at... View Article
  
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