Newspaper retail round up
A look at some of the retail stories from the past week… supermarkets, Howards Storage World, Matalan, JD Sports, Floors-2-Go, Sainsbury’s, VAT, Anthropologie, Arcadia, Christmas
Supermarkets face turkey shortage this Christmas
There may be a shortage of quality turkeys this Christmas because retailers did not order enough earlier in the year, according to two leading suppliers. Supermarkets have misjudged the impact of the recession on consumer spending and reduced their orders.
Australian homewares retailer hits UK
Howards Storage World, the Australian homewares retailer, has opened its first UK store in Scotland. The retailer plans to open 500 stores under franchise in Europe in the next 10 years.
From the Sunday Telegraph
Matalan up for sale
Matalan has hired PriceWaterhouseCoopers to advise on a £1.5bn sale of the fashion chain. The move follows a several approaches from private-equity firms.
JD Sports to buy Powerleague
JD Sports is thought to be considering buying Powerleague, Britain’s biggest operator of five-a-side football centres and installing sports shops in the centres.
From The Sunday Times
Floors-2-Go views expansion
Floors-2-Go, the flooring retailer saved from collapse last year following a pre-pack administration, is close to agreeing a deal with new backers. It is thought the chain is looking for £5m to fund expansion.
From The Independent on Sunday
Sainsbury’s faces Qatar bid
Sainsbury’s is facing a possible bid from the Qatar Investment Authority, which is already the chain’s biggest shareholder.
VAT labelling confusion
Customers may face confusion over prices when VAT returns to the standard 17.5% rate in December as point of sale labels may not be changed quickly enough, meaning shoppers could face higher prices at the till.
From The Financial Times
US retailer Anthropologie opened its first European outlet on London’s Regent Street on Friday. The retailer is a sister brand to Urban Outfitters which already has stores across the UK.
Grabiner named as Arcadia chief
The Arcadia Group reported a 13% leap in profit and Sir Phillip Green named Ian Grabiner as its new chief executive last week.
From The Guardian
Christmas hits the high street
The festive season already appears in full swing on the high street as retailers including John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and Boots have rolled out their Christmas shops, and product ranges.
From The Telegraph
