Newspaper retail round up

New plans for Battersea Power Station unveiled

A £5.5bn scheme to redevelop the Battersea Power Station has emerge that would include a retail development and residential and office space built on the 40-acre site on the Thames in West London.

From The Independent

Debenhams chief expected to quit

John Lovering, is expected to announce that he will stand down as chairman of Debenhams next year, as Debenhams unveils its full-year results this week. The retailer is forecast to report profits of £120-£130m, up from £110m last year.

Anticipation for Microsoft shops builds

Microsoft is release Windows 7 this week as its first retail store opens this week in Arizona.

From The Sunday Times

Former JJB chief under investigation

Chris Ronnie, the former chief executive of JJB, claims he would be entitled to immunity from prosecution if the OFT find evidence JJB colluded with its rival Sports Direct to fix prices. He is the subject of five probes including a fraud investigation

Burberry in legal row with Pets at Home

Burberry is suing the Pets At Home chain, claiming it copied the famous Burberry check on items including dog coats and baskets. The dispute is yet to be resolved.

From The Observer

Debenhams in £2m TV push

Debenhams is to reveal its first TV ad campaign for two years as part of a strategy to reposition as a designer-focused chain. The £2m ad, voiced by Withnail & I actor Paul McGann, will feature the strapline ‘Design in every department’.

From The Sunday Telegraph

Qatar rumoured to be bidding for Sainsbury’s
Sainsbury’s shares rose sharply this week amid rumours that the Qatar Investment Authority is to make a bid for the supermarket chain. The QIA currently holds a 26% stake in the retailer.

HMV opens temporary shops

Entertainment retailer HMV is opening a chain of pop-up shops in the run up to Christmas, to fill the void left by Woolworths and Zavvi.

Walmart ups price war with Amazon

Walmart, the largest US books retailer, has cut its prices in a pre-Christmas assault on Amazon’s online book operations.

From The Financial Times

Tesco chief slates schools

Sir Terry Leahy says standards in schools are “woefully low” leaving employers such as Tesco to pick up the pieces.

Steve Jobs to help Disney Stores

Apple boss Steve Jobs is helping Disney to restructure its stores to be more like themes parks and boost appeal for children

M&S plans return to Spain

Marks and Spencer is returning to Spanish shores after eight years, with plans for a franchise operation in Marbella.

From The Times

Retailers prepare for Christmas ‘Delia Effect’

Food manufacturers and retailers are bracing for a surge in demand as the ‘Delia Effect’ is set to lead to sales of traditional ingredients for Christmas meals as the sequel to the chef’s Delia Smith’s Christmas cookery book hits shelves.

From The Telegraph