MBS News
Wednesday
September 08, 2010
Industry headlines from Moira Benigson Executive Search
Retail
Blackwell To Shut HQ And Hand Power To Stores
Academic books retailer Blackwell is closing its head office and decentralising power to its individual stores as it creates a new ownership structure modelled on the John Lewis Partnership. The chain consists of 77 stores.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Ikea Eyes Reading For Next Store
Swedish furniture giant Ikea is preparing a planning application for a new store in Calcot, near Reading. It would be its first store opening in the UK and Ireland in more than a year.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Consumer Goods
Foster's Knocks Back AU$2.7bn Offer For Wine
Australia's largest brewer, Foster's Group, has rejected a private equity offer of AU$2.7bn (£1.6bn) for its wine business on the grounds that it was too cheap.
William Grant & Sons Opens New Office In Dublin
William Grant & Sons has announced the establishment of its new global marketing office in Dublin, from where the company's non-Scotch portfolio will be managed.
Read more on www.foodbev.com »
Digital And Online
Ocado’s Chief Defends Float As Shares Fall
Ocado has defended its flotation, in spite of the 11p drop in shares yesterday. CEO Tim Steiner has justified the move, by pointing out that the online retailer has, in fact, raised all the money it intended to.
ASOS And HP Build Up Video Coverage Of Fashion Weeks
ASOS and Hewlett-Packard have launched a large-scale campaign to support the London, Milan, New York and Paris Fashion Weeks. The etailer has launched ASOS Tee-V, which will feature a series of films behind the scenes and videos from catwalk shows.
Fashion, Lifestyle And Luxury
Lily Allen Opens Fashion Boutique In Selfridges
Singer Lily Allen has launched a temporary shop-in-shop in Selfridges’ Wonder Room Concept Store to showcase her new designer rental and boutique shop Lucy in Disguise.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Levi Strauss And H&M Announce Ban On Sandblasting
Levi Strauss and H&M have announced plans to ban sandblasting in future product lines. Despite safeguards at their own factories, the process of creating a worn look for denim is reportedly dangerous, and the two brands are looking to implement a global ban.
Read more on www.theappointment.co.uk »
Travel And Leisure
Sheraton To Reinvigorate Spa Concept
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts has confirmed it will launch a new upscale spa concept, Shine, in 12 of its sites over the next 15 months.
Read more on www.breakingtravelnews.com »
On The Move
Ex-C4 Chief Takes Over At HR Owen
Andy Duncan former CEO of Channel 4, has been appointed chief executive of HR Owen, the luxury car dealer.
Read more on www.independent.co.uk »
Contract Caterer Elior UK Appoints Marketing Director
Elior UK has named Carl Morris to the newly-created role of marketing director. He joins from Sodexo where he was development director of corporate services.
Read more on www.costsectorcatering.co.uk »
The Weatherman Says...
I have become addicted to cold water swimming. The water right now isn't that cold - in unheated outdoor pools and ponds it is hovering around 17°C. I am excited about experiencing the slow and gradual drop in temperature. To be honest, a little bit of me was hoping that cold water would burn lots of calories (and fat) thus turning me into a sleek, watery machine. But then I thought...seals, polar bears, cold water, blubber...hhmmm? Maybe this is the wrong sport for burning energy and better for becoming Simon Sealface, Billy Blubberbelly, Waddling Weatherman. Time will tell. Seems to be muggy and dark outside. Rain must be imminent.