MBS News
Tuesday
May 21, 2013
Industry headlines from Moira Benigson Executive Search
Retail
Waitrose Re-Imagines Branches
With the rise of Waitrose and John Lewis customers online using Waitrose branches for ordering and collection, the retailer is set to invest in a multi-million pound programme to introduce concierge-style welcome desks across 100 of its stores.
Read more on www.theretailbulletin.com »
New Outlets On Agenda For F&F
Jason Tarry, CEO of Tesco's F&F apparel ranges, has announced plans for more than 50 new franchise stores across the Middle East and Eastern European regions. F&F clothing is already sold in 12 countries worldwide.
Read more on www.reuters.com »
Consumer Goods
Warburtons Announces Giles Foods Deal
Bakery firm Giles Foods has been acquired by Warburtons for an undisclosed sum, the bread maker's first purchase in two decades. The deal gives Warburtons an avenue into foodservice, with Giles supplying many UK supermarkets and restaurants.
Read more on www.thegrocer.co.uk »
Nestlé Puts US$45m Into Indian Factory
Consumer goods giant Nestlé has announced the planned upgrade of its milk processing operation in India's Punjab region, at an estimated cost of US$45.4m. The facility, in Moga, currently hosts around 1,100 employees.
Read more on dairyproducts.food-business-review.com »
Fashion, Lifestyle And Luxury
Armani Profits On The Up In 2012
Profits for the year to 31st December 2012 were up by 20% at luxury fashion brand Giorgio Armani, driven by a strong showing in the Chinese market. Full-year operating profits were at €339m, with sales up by 16% to €2.09bn.
Burberry Driven By Asian Markets
UK luxury fashion company Burberry has reported pre-tax profit increases of 14% for the year to March 31st, up to £428m. Asian revenues were up by 13%, with the area now representing 35% of company sales. Europe and the Americas rose by 6%.
Mary Katrantzou To Expand Offering
Fashion designer Mary Katrantzou has revealed that her label is to develop new leather goods and interiors ranges in the coming months. It is also planning widespread recruitment, to coincide with the launch of the brand's first e-commerce platform.
Read more on www.vogue.co.uk »
Digital/Online
New Revamp For Flickr Brings Extra Storage
Yahoo-controlled photo-sharing website Flickr has introduced new storage arrangements on its site that gives every user one terabyte of free online storage. The firm has also announced the development of a new mobile app.
Read more on gadgetshow.channel5.com »
Latest eBay Initiative Targets Click-And-Collect
eBay has said that it is to link up store-owning retailers with click-and-collect services, enabling customers to pick up purchases as if they were ordering from the retailer's own website. VP for UK trading Tanya Lawler said: "It's a natural extension."
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Private Equity
PE Firms Queueing Up For Joules
Joules, the fashion brand founded in 1994 and with 70 stores in the UK, is thought to be the subject of interest from L Capital and LDC, with the former planning to take a £55m stake in the business. The firm is expected to record profit of around £7m for this year.
Read more on realdeals.eu.com »
Walgreens And Alliance Boots Invest In AmerisourceBergen
Pharmaceutical firm AmerisourceBergen is thought to be the subject of investment from partners Walgreens and KKR-owned Alliance Boots. Initial stakes in Amerisource will be around 7%, with the option to invest a further 16% in 2016 and 2017.
Travel And Leisure
New Campaign From Fuller's
Brewer and pub operator Fuller's has announced the launch of a new £3m marketing campaign for the company's flagship beer, London Pride. Fuller's MD Ian Bray said: "London Pride is a truly wonderful beer and an icon of the ale world."
Read more on www.morningadvertiser.co.uk »
TripAdvisor Teams Up With Samsung
TripAdvisor has announced that its mobile app will be preloaded on to Samsung's S4 smartphone, as well as revealing that Samsung's own native travel apps will use TripAdvisor content. CEO Steve Kaufer said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Samsung".
Read more on www.breakingtravelnews.com »
On The Move
Steven Sharp Exits M&S
Marks & Spencer has said the executive marketing director Steven Sharp is to leave the business next year to take up other interests. At the company's next AGM, strategy director Patrick Bousquet-Chavanne is to be put forward for Sharp's role.
Read more on www.thedrum.com »
President To Depart Calvin Klein
Calvin Klein has announced that Robert Vignola, president of Calvin Klein Collection and global licensing, is to step down from his role, with former finance EVP John Van Glahn taking over. Vignola said: "It was the right turning point for me to depart".
Starbucks Announces New Global Supply Chain Hire
Deverl Maserang, formerly of Chiquita Brands International has been appointed as Starbucks's new EVP for global supply chain. He will report to CFO and chief administrative officer Troy Alstead, and join the firm's senior leadership team.
Read more on www.foodbev.com »
Glanbia CEO To Retire
John Moloney, chief executive of Irish food company Glanbia, has announced that he is to bring his retirement forward by 12 months, leaving before the end of 2013. He will be replaced by current finance director Siobhan Talbot.
Read more on www.reuters.com »
The Weatherman Says...
Utterly dismal, not too chilly though. It's looking like it might be another rainy bank holiday weekend - disappointing news for ice cream vans and dispensers of portable BBQ devices. I will be off to Keats House on Hampstead Heath for a bit of culture at the Keats Festival; highly recommended to anyone in the vicinity.