MBS News
Tuesday
September 07, 2010
Industry headlines from Moira Benigson Executive Search
Retail
Woolworths In Sale And Leaseback Plan
Australian grocer Woolworths will put part of its property portfolio, worth more than AU$900m up for bids, as part of a sale and long-term leaseback plan.
Read more on www.just-food.com »
Debenhams Launches Surprise In-Season Sale
Department store chain Debenhams has launched a four day Sale Spectacular on new Autumn stock, a highly unusual move for the department store.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Consumer Goods
Twinings To Leave Britain For Poland
Iconic British tea company, Twinings, has announced that it is shutting its North Tyneside factory and moving production to Poland and China.
Read more on www.telegraph.co.uk »
Nestlé Ramps Up Work To Slash C02 And Waste
Nestlé is stepping up its efforts with regards to sustainability in the UK and Ireland with a pledge to slash CO2 emissions and reduce waste by 20% and increase renewable energy usage by 10% by 2015.
Read more on www.thegrocer.co.uk »
Digital And Online
Britt Lintner Goes Online
Britt Lintner has launched her range of dresses for working women online. The website includes a ‘Real Women’ feature, which will profile one of Lintner’s customers each month.
Read more on brittlintner.com »
Entertainer Offloads Gadgetshop To WHSmith
The Entertainer has sold its Gadgetshop online business, which it rescued from administration in 2005, to WHSmith.
Read more on www.licensing.biz »
Ariella To Launch Online Label
Eveningwear brand and supplier Ariella is to launch an online label as the company seeks to reach sales of £100m in the next five years.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Fashion, Lifestyle And Luxury
SC51 And Fullcircle Menswear To Cease Trading
Brandhouse World Design and Trade is removing young fashion brands SC51 and Fullcircle menswear from its portfolio, following an “extensive” company review.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
H&M Proposes Global Employee Incentive Scheme
Swedish fashion retailer H&M is launching a major global employee incentive scheme, whereby the Persson family, which owns the chain, will donate just over four million shares to a Swedish foundation, to be distributed to staff over time.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Kate Kicks Into A New Gear At Topshop
Kate Moss has reportedly changed, not severed, her relationship with Topshop - she will no longer front seasonal collections but will work with the company's design team to create Limited Edition 'drop-in' ranges.
Read more on fashion.telegraph.co.uk »
Travel And Leisure
‘Largest UK Restaurant’ Set To Open In November
An 800-cover restaurant, claiming to be the largest restaurant in the UK, will open in Croydon this November. It will be the UK's tenth branch of Cosmo and will serve 300 different dishes from all over the world.
Read more on www.bighospitality.co.uk »
JD Wetherspoon To Create 1,000 Jobs For School-Leavers
Pub operator JD Wetherspoon will create 1,000 new jobs for school-leavers over the next year. They will be offered positions working front-of-house, as well as in the pubs' kitchens.
Read more on www.caterersearch.com »
On The Move
Lidl UK Boss Steps Down
Lidl UK managing director Frank-Michael Mros is understood to have stepped down from his post, having joined only in late 2009.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Bob Diamond To Be New Barclays Chief
Head of Barclays Capital, Bob Diamond, is to become chief executive of Barclays bank. He will replace the current chief executive John Varley next year.
Two More On Board At LoveFilm As It Considers Flotation Plans
LoveFilm has appointed Kristian Segerstrale, CEO of Playfish, and Roland Steindorf, former head of Kabel Deutschland, as non-executive directors on its board. This is the latest move in its board-strengthening strategy, as the business looks to float.
Read more on www.telegraph.co.uk »
Kallo Foods Hires Cairns
Organic and natural food company, Kallo Foods, has appointed Patrick Cairns as CEO. He was most recently CEO of Plum Baby and has previously held senior marketing roles at Unilever.
Read more on www.marketingmagazine.co.uk »
TUI Managing Director To Take Marketing Lead
Customer director of TUI Tim Williamson, is leaving his top marketing position to pursue other opportunities within the group or externally. His two marketing divisions will be overseen by CEO Johan Lundgren for now.
Read more on www.brandrepublic.com »
Tesco Director Lucy Neville-Rolfe Joins ITV Board
Tesco corporate and legal affairs director Lucy Neville-Rolfe has joined the board of ITV, the UK’s biggest commercial broadcaster.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
The Weatherman Says...
Some serious rain up in them clouds today. A low pressure system is bringing some potentially very heavy rainfall at times across much of the country. I fetched my mum from Heathrow airport this morning. I left at 5.30am and returned during the rush hour, only to find out there was a tube strike. I could have cycled back from Heathrow quicker than it took to drive. Get on yer bikes.....it is the ONLY way around. Selena The Astrologist has already spent more in three months on parking tickets than I have spent in two years of public transport. Her crystal ball is pretty good but it can't get her out of bed in time to move her car!