http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/ Retail news for executives in the UK. Covering issues in wholesale retailing, internet retailing, globalisation, retail marketing, economic growth, recession. Retail bellwether John Lewis said on Monday like-for-like sales, excluding VAT, at its department stores were flat for the five weeks to January 3 compared to the same period in the previous year. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-holiday-like-for-like-sales-flat_13972.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-holiday-like-for-like-sales-flat_13972.aspx Tue, 06 Jan 2009 03:20:41 GMT Retail Digital UK Around 850 staff were made redundant at retailer Adams Childrenswear on Monday after administrators announced the immediate closure of 111 stores. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Adams-axes-850-jobs-as-stores-close_13974.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Adams-axes-850-jobs-as-stores-close_13974.aspx Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:39:39 GMT Retail Digital UK Shopper numbers were up 2 7 percent on Friday, Saturday and Sunday compared with the corresponding days in 2008, according to a survey on Monday http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/More-shoppers-over-weekend_13970.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/More-shoppers-over-weekend_13970.aspx Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:29:40 GMT Retail Digital UK Mosaic, the owner of the Karen Millen, Oasis and Principles fashion brands, is to begin talks with its lenders, further evidence of the gloom on Britain's shopping streets, the Sunday Times reported http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Karen-Millen-owner-may-be-in-crucial-debt-talks_13936.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Karen-Millen-owner-may-be-in-crucial-debt-talks_13936.aspx Sun, 04 Jan 2009 23:18:05 GMT Retail Digital UK Whittard of Chelsea, the tea and coffee retailer owned by Icelandic investor Baugur, was on Tuesday on the verge of filing for administration but was still talking to potential buyers, according to an industry source. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Whittard-may-be-close-to-administration_13588.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Whittard-may-be-close-to-administration_13588.aspx Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:13:56 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis, the employee-owned group seen as a barometer for the retail sector, said sales picked up during the last weekend before Christmas but were still down on a year ago. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-sales-pick-up-but-still-down-on-last-year_13501.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-sales-pick-up-but-still-down-on-last-year_13501.aspx Mon, 22 Dec 2008 08:46:14 GMT Retail Digital UK Woolworths Group said on Monday that it notes the recent speculation relating to its discussions with BBC Worldwide relating to the possible sale of its 40 percent interest in 2 Entertain http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-says-2-Entertain-talks-continuing_13524.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-says-2-Entertain-talks-continuing_13524.aspx Mon, 22 Dec 2008 07:31:11 GMT Retail Digital UK Administrators to stricken furniture chain MFI said on Friday they had been unable to find a buyer and had closed its 111 stores, with the loss of around 1,200 jobs. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Discounts-lift--consumer-confidence_13446.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Discounts-lift--consumer-confidence_13446.aspx Sun, 21 Dec 2008 04:22:02 GMT Retail Digital UK Laura Ashley Holdings, the fashion and homewares retailer, on Friday reported a sharp fall in underlying sales, blaming the difficult economic climate, and said the outlook was "challenging." http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Laura-Ashley-underlying-sales-fall-sharply_13430.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Laura-Ashley-underlying-sales-fall-sharply_13430.aspx Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:18:04 GMT Retail Digital UK A surprise pick-up in retail sales last month met with scepticism on Thursday, given mounting evidence the economy is deteriorating and growing belief interest rates may have to fall to zero to spur spending http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-rise-contrasts-with-wider-gloom_13377.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-rise-contrasts-with-wider-gloom_13377.aspx Fri, 19 Dec 2008 06:09:40 GMT Retail Digital UK Retail sales rose unexpectedly in November, helped by online shoppers, official data showed on Thursday, but record high government borrowing and shrinking mortgage lending underlined the scale of the country's economic downturn. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Nov-retail-sales-firm-as-government-borrowing-at-record-high_13320.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Nov-retail-sales-firm-as-government-borrowing-at-record-high_13320.aspx Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:28:36 GMT Retail Digital UK Woolworths, a bastion of the high street that sold everything from sweets to toasters, will close by January 5 with the loss of 27,000 jobs unless a last-minute buyer can be found. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-stores-set-to-close-by-January-5_13259.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-stores-set-to-close-by-January-5_13259.aspx Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:25:00 GMT Retail Digital UK Topshop, the fashion retailer owned by billionaire Philip Green, said supermodel Kate Moss has signed a new contract to continue to endorse the brand. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Topshop-says-Kate-Moss-signs-new-contract_13237.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Topshop-says-Kate-Moss-signs-new-contract_13237.aspx Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:32:41 GMT Retail Digital UK Discounts and promotions have hit new heights in the run up to Christmas as struggling retailers try to lure shoppers with huge price cuts, a report released on Wednesday said. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retailers-ramp-up-pre-Christmas-discounts_13222.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retailers-ramp-up-pre-Christmas-discounts_13222.aspx Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:02:39 GMT Retail Digital UK Retailers Kesa Electricals and Carpetright added more misery to the sector, both posting slumps in profit, slashing dividends and warning on the outlook as even massive discounts fail to tempt consumers to part with their cash. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Kesa-and-Carpetright-add-to-gloom_13154.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Kesa-and-Carpetright-add-to-gloom_13154.aspx Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:30:32 GMT Retail Digital UK Carpetright , the country's biggest floor covering retailer, on Tuesday warned its annual profit would fall well below expectations as it reported a 67 percent fall in first half profit and slashed the dividend. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carpetright-profit-down-67-percent_13140.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carpetright-profit-down-67-percent_13140.aspx Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:47:22 GMT Retail Digital UK Europe's third-largest electrical goods retailer Kesa Electricals posted a 71 percent fall in first-half retail profit, halved its dividend and said trading was set to remain tough, sending its shares 11 percent lower. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Kesa-retail-profit-falls-71-percent_13137.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Kesa-retail-profit-falls-71-percent_13137.aspx Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:27:43 GMT Retail Digital UK Car retailer Inchcape on Monday warned on its 2009 profit and said sales declines would be wider than previously anticipated, underlying the severity of the downturn in the global automotive retail market. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Inchcape-warns-on-2009-results_13049.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Inchcape-warns-on-2009-results_13049.aspx Mon, 15 Dec 2008 09:50:05 GMT Retail Digital UK Sentimental shoppers flocked to Woolworths stores across London on Friday, hunting for bargains on the second day of the troubled retailer's closing down sale http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/-Woolies--sale-brings-out-bargain-hunters_12948.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/-Woolies--sale-brings-out-bargain-hunters_12948.aspx Sun, 14 Dec 2008 10:33:49 GMT Retail Digital UK David Ross, the co-founder of mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse , has stepped down as chairman of Cosalt after breaching share disclosure rules. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-s-Ross-steps-down-as-Cosalt-chairman_12932.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-s-Ross-steps-down-as-Cosalt-chairman_12932.aspx Fri, 12 Dec 2008 17:03:07 GMT Retail Digital UK (Reuters) - Citigroup and Altium Securities cut their price targets on sportswear retailer JJB Sports and recommended that investors sell the shares. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Citigroup-and-Altium-cut-targets-on-JJB-Sports_12898.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Citigroup-and-Altium-cut-targets-on-JJB-Sports_12898.aspx Fri, 12 Dec 2008 15:19:28 GMT Retail Digital UK HMV Group , the music, DVD, computer games and books retailer, narrowed its first-half loss but said its markets had deteriorated since October. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/HMV-says-markets-weaker-as-first-half-loss-narrows_12824.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/HMV-says-markets-weaker-as-first-half-loss-narrows_12824.aspx Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:38:43 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis , the employee-owned group viewed as a barometer of the retail sector, said on Thursday it had seen an improving sales trend at its department stores so far this week. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-dept-store-sales-trend-improving_12813.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-dept-store-sales-trend-improving_12813.aspx Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:06:41 GMT Retail Digital UK Tesco unveiled a half-price sale on about 1,000 products on Thursday, seeking to lure shoppers amid signs they are holding out for bigger post-Christmas bargains. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-to-launch-half-price-Christmas-sale_12798.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-to-launch-half-price-Christmas-sale_12798.aspx Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:43:52 GMT Retail Digital UK Closing down sales at Woolworths stores will start on Thursday and some shops could shut before the end of the month if no offers for the troubled sweets-to-DVDs retail chain emerge, its administrators said. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-to-start-closing-down-sales_12760.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-to-start-closing-down-sales_12760.aspx Thu, 11 Dec 2008 09:39:46 GMT Retail Digital UK JJB Sports, the struggling sportswear retailer, said on Wednesday its sales continued to fall in its latest trading period, and it would only meet profit forecasts if it traded well in January. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/JJB-Sports-says-sales-fall-worsens_12728.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/JJB-Sports-says-sales-fall-worsens_12728.aspx Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:28:29 GMT Retail Digital UK (Reuters) - Television shopping company Ideal Shopping Direct said on Wednesday it expects a full-year trading loss of around 4 million pounds ($5 9 million) before exceptional items on lower sales and margins, and its shares fell 55 percent http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Ideal-Shopping-sees-trading-loss-as-shares-tumble_12718.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Ideal-Shopping-sees-trading-loss-as-shares-tumble_12718.aspx Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:29:27 GMT Retail Digital UK Monday was the biggest online shopping day in Britain this year, with sales up 14 percent on the comparable day last year to 320 million pounds, Internet retail industry group IMRG said on Tuesday. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Online-retail-sales-up-14-pct-on--Mega-Monday-_12684.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Online-retail-sales-up-14-pct-on--Mega-Monday-_12684.aspx Wed, 10 Dec 2008 08:20:28 GMT Retail Digital UK Retailers Marks and Spencer and Debenhams both said on Tuesday they would offer short-term price cuts again this week, to give another boost to faltering Christmas sales http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/M-S-and-Debenhams-cut-prices-again-in-Xmas-run-up_12682.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/M-S-and-Debenhams-cut-prices-again-in-Xmas-run-up_12682.aspx Tue, 09 Dec 2008 16:54:00 GMT Retail Digital UK Retail sales fell at their sharpest annual pace in more than three years in November, a survey showed Tuesday in a grim portent of the all-important Christmas shopping season. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-post-sharpest-fall-in-3-years-in-November_12639.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-post-sharpest-fall-in-3-years-in-November_12639.aspx Tue, 09 Dec 2008 15:23:33 GMT Retail Digital UK Profits at high-street stores are set to plunge by 3 6 billion pounds next year, as a 4 percent drop in sales is compounded by rising costs, according to a report published on Tuesday http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Profits-at-high-street-stores-to-plunge_12632.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Profits-at-high-street-stores-to-plunge_12632.aspx Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:00:36 GMT Retail Digital UK David Ross, the co-founder of mobile phone retailer Carphone Warehouse, has resigned as deputy chairman after failing to declare he had pledged shares he owned in the company against personal loans http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-co-founder-quits-over-disclosure-breach_12576.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-co-founder-quits-over-disclosure-breach_12576.aspx Tue, 09 Dec 2008 00:05:58 GMT Retail Digital UK The major supermarkets cleared their shelves of all Irish pork products on Sunday because of concerns they may contain toxic dioxins. http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Asda-withdraws-Irish-pork-products-on-dioxin-fear_12551.aspx http://www.retail-digital.co.uk/Retail/Asda-withdraws-Irish-pork-products-on-dioxin-fear_12551.aspx Mon, 08 Dec 2008 10:00:22 GMT Retail Digital UK