Newspaper retail round up

A roundup of the retail stories from the newspapers this week… Tesco, Co-op, Borders, Selfridges, Christmas, Online retail, New Look, Mamas & Papas

Tesco brings rewards forward

Tesco surprised customers by sending out Clubcard points scheduled for February 2010 this week in a bid to drive loyalty during the festive shopping season.

Co-op launches loyalty drive

The Cooperative has joined the battle for supermarket loyalty with an aggressive price campaign and a “triple dividend” giving customers vouchers worth 6p in every pound over Christmas.

Selfridges to push £100m

Selfridges the department store is on track to record profits exceeding £100m in its 100th year of trading, boosted by wealthy tourists.

Borders prepares to sell stores

Borders the book seller is preparing to sell 45 stores after going into administration. It leaves 1,100 staff without jobs.

Retailers use online vouchers to boost footfall

Retailers including footwear chain Aldo and Gap are luring shoppers into stores with online discounts and vouchers.

Retailers optimistic about Christmas on the high street

Retailers are optimistic about strong sales starting this weekend and say that confidence is returning to the high street in the run up to Christmas.

From The Times

Cyber Monday hailed as busiest day online

Monday (30 November) was predicted to be the busiest 24 hours of online sales with British shoppers expected to spend £300m online on Cyber Monday.

New Look lines up investors

Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan Cazenove, Credit Suisse and Nomura have all met with New Look as it prepares for a possible IPO next year. The high street retailer could be valued at £1.7bn.

From The Telegraph

Ronnie to return to high street

Chris Ronnie, the former chief executive of JJB Sports, says two parties have approached him to take on a senior role. Ronnie left the sports retailer earlier this year under acrimonious circumstances.

From The Financial Times

Mamas & Papas in deal with Shop Direct

Maternity and childrenswear chain Mamas & Papas has struck a deal with Shop Direct to sell its products through several of the group’s catalogues, including very.co.uk, which rebranded from Littlewoods Direct earlier this year.

From The Mail