MBS News
Tuesday
August 24, 2010
Industry headlines from Moira Benigson Executive Search
Retail
Marks & Spencer To Open In Egypt
Marks & Spencer is to open its first store in Egypt within the next year. The department store chain will open a shop in Cairo, followed by a second in the city by 2012.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Waterstone's To Open Food Outlets In Two Stores
Bookseller Waterstone’s has confirmed it will next week open a restaurant and bar in its Deansgate branch in Manchester, as well as a new café in its Cambridge shop. Both venues will be known as 2nd View.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Consumer Goods
Enotria Winecellars Adds On
Enotria Winecellars has acquired Bath-based wine distribution firm Great Western Wine Company for an undisclosed amount.
Nestlé To Launch Nescafé Original 3in1 In The UK
Nescafé is launching Nescafé Original 3in1, a combination blend of coffee, whitener and sugar, in the UK. It has been available in Europe since 2003. Nestlé, intends for the product to attract students and young professionals.
Read more on www.marketingmagazine.co.uk »
Digital And Online
Google Likes Like.com, Buys Visual Search Team
Google has acquired shopping comparison and visual search website Like.com, in a deal speculated to be worth as much as $100m.
YouTube Relaunches Mobile Video Site
YouTube has launched a revamped version of its mobile video site. The new site is faster, more touch-friendly and has enhanced usability when it comes to sharing videos via social media platforms.
Read more on www.brandrepublic.com »
Fashion, Lifestyle And Luxury
Fenwick Awards £3.8m Dividend Despite Falling Profits
The Fenwick family, owners of the eponymously-named chain of luxury department stores, will receive a dividend of £3.8m despite a drop in both sales and pre-tax profit at their 11 outlets during 2009.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Bally Launches Made-To-Order Service
Luxury brand and retailer Bally is to launch a bespoke footwear service in its stores. The luxury footwear, accessories and womenswear label will introduce the Scribe Made-to-Order service in selected stores from next month.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Living In A Material World
Madonna faces legal action over her new clothing line, Material Girl, which was recently launched in Macy's. California clothing company LA Triumph has claimed it has been using the name since 1997.
Read more on www.vogue.co.uk »
American Apparel Receives NYSE AMEX Letter
American Apparel has received a letter from the New York Stock Exchange, warning that the retailer is in danger of being delisted because of the late filing of its second-quarter results.
Travel And Leisure
Merlin Confirms Legoland Hotel Plans
Merlin Entertainments has confirmed plans to open a 150-bedroom themed hotel next to its Legoland theme park in Windsor.
Read more on www.leisuremanagement.co.uk »
Virgin Pilots Threaten Strike Action
Virgin Atlantic pilots are reportedly considering strike action over a holiday entitlement dispute. The airline and pilots' union are in “last ditch” talks to reach a settlement.
Read more on www.breakingtravelnews.com »
On The Move
Swannell Will Replace Rose At Marks & Spencer In January
Marks & Spencer has confirmed that Sir Stuart Rose will be succeeded by Robert Swannell as chairman of the retailer in January, but will join the Marks & Spencer board in October this year, enabling a smooth transition.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Former Selfridges Director Joins Arnotts
Arnotts, the iconic Irish department store that was recently taken over by its banks, has appointed former Selfridges finance director Ray Hernan as chief operating officer. Chartered accountant Hernan was previously responsible for both Selfridges and for Brown Thomas in Ireland.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Barneys Appoints Former Gucci Boss Mark Lee As Chief Executive
US luxury department store Barneys New York has appointed Mark Lee, a former global president and chief executive of the Gucci brand, as chief executive. He replaces Howard Socol, who left in May 2008.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Sewell Exits Liberty
Yasmin Sewell has left Liberty, where she held the post of chief creative consultant. Her duties will be covered by managing director Ed Burstell and other Liberty team members.
The Weatherman Says...
Someone told me about a new way of eating. Apparently, sportspeople eat this way. Five meals a day, they say. Mini-meals. Suits me. I get to eat every three hours. How exciting never having to wait for the next meal. Scoffing all day. And it makes you lose weight. Crisps for breakfast, apple for snack, Tangfastics on toast for lunch, nuts for snack, soup and bread and pasta and chocolate for dinner. Cereal for bedtime snack (wouldn't want my belly to have to wait a whole seven hours till breakfast). The sky is obese with potential rain.