MBS News
Retail Stories
Thursday September 09, 2010
Morrisons Unveils Convenience And Online Ambitions
Supermarket group Morrisons is to test convenience stores next year and is investigating whether also to begin trading online. The initiatives are the first revealed by new chief executive Dalton Philips, and more are likely to follow.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Ikea Buys Six German Wind Farms
Ikea has added to its portfolio of wind turbines, by buying six German wind farms from a Spanish turbine group, as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.
Shareholders Approve Dixons Name Change
DSG International will revert to being called Dixons Retail after shareholders approved the plans at the electricals group’s AGM.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Wednesday September 08, 2010
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 »
Tuesday September 07, 2010
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 »
Monday September 06, 2010
M&S To Raise £1m For Oxfam
Marks & Spencer has partnered with Oxfam to create a one-day event where customers can donate unwanted clothing into M&S stores to raise £1m for the charity.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Sir Stuart Rose Hints At TV Career
Marks & Spencer chairman Sir Stuart Rose has hinted of his interest in fronting a Troubleshooter-style business TV show after he stands down from the retailer.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Waterstone's Founder Poised To Buy Back Bookseller
Waterstone’s founder, Tim Waterstone, is reportedly considering a £100m-plus bid to buy the book chain from its parent HMV, if it fails to turn the business around by the end of the year.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Friday September 03, 2010
Snow+Rock Snaps Up Runners Need
Outdoor specialist Snow+Rock has bought running specialist Runners Need for an undisclosed sum. The sale will allow Runners Need to expand its portfolio and grow a presence outside of London.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Melvita To Open First UK Store In Covent Garden
French organic cosmetics retailer Melvita is to open its first UK store in November at the St Martin’s Courtyard development in Covent Garden. The store stocks more than 300 beauty products certified by EcoCert.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Maplin Owners Consider Sale
Maplin Electronics could reportedly be put up for sale by its private equity owner, Montagu, with a price tag of around £400m.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Thursday September 02, 2010
Mountain Warehouse Deal Values Store Group At £50m
Private equity firm LDC has bought a 23% stake in fast-growing outdoor gear specialist Mountain Warehouse, in a deal valuing the retailer at £50m.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Tesco Joins Auction For Carrefour’s Asian Shops
Food and hypermarkets giant Tesco is among the ten bidders for French counterpart Carrefour’s south-east Asian assets. Tesco is already the market leader in Malaysia and Thailand and it is thought likely to have made an offer for all the Carrefour assets on offer.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Wednesday September 01, 2010
Retailers To Submit Bids For Carrefour Asia
European and Southeast Asian retailers are this week expected to table initial bids for Carrefour's Asian assets, which are reportedly valued at $1bn.
Alliance Boots To Outsource Part Of Pension Plan
Health and beauty giant Alliance Boots is to offload about £300m of retirement fund liabilities to specialist buyout vehicle Pension Corporation.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
JD Sports Acquires DR Shoes
Footwear design and supply company DR Shoes has been bought out of administration by sportswear retailer JD Sports Fashion.
Read more on www.drapersonline.com »
Tuesday August 31, 2010
Findel Considers Sale Of Express Gifts
Multichannel retailer Findel is understood to be considering a sale of its home shopping business, Express Gifts, as part of an ongoing restructure by the listed company.
Read more on www.retail-week.com »
Dwell Secures £5m Funding To Aid Expansion Plans
Furniture retailer Dwell has secured £5m in private equity investment from Key Capital Partners to aid expansion plans. Dwell plans to launch 33 new high street outlets over the next four years - growing its 19 UK stores to 52 by 2014.