Newspaper retail round up

Asda trials vending machines

Asda has launched a trial to provide fabric conditioner via an automated vending machine to cut out prepacking. It could in theory be used for products such as olive oil, fruit juice and shampoo.

Permira and Lovering could buy DFS

The UK’s largest sofa retailer DFS could be sold to UK private equity firm Permira and veteran retailer John Lovering in a deal valued at more than £500m.

5,000 Morrisons staff sign up to Govt funded training scheme

5,000 staff at the Morrisons supermarket chain have signed up to a state-funded apprentice scheme in a significant boost to the Government’s push to promote training in the UK.

From The Telegraph

 

Own-labels essential to supermarket market share

Own-label products have been a key weapon in a retail war against the hard discounters unable to increase market share.

Retailers to collect old batteries

Retailers that sell batteries larger than watch batteries are now required to have a collection point for old ones.

Local flavours appeal

Nearly a third of shoppers have specifically chosen locally produced food in the past month according to IGD

Nigel Northridge to replace Lovering at Debenhams

Debenhams the department store chain has named ex-Gallaher chief Nigel Northridge to replace John Lovering as chairman.

From The Times

 

Amazon defeated by Macmillan
Amazon has withdrawn titles from publisher Macmillan in a row over e-books but has now conceded defeat that it will have to give in to the publisher’s price demands for book downloads

Vodafone marketing chief joins Superdry

Fashion firm SuperGroup, which owns Superdry is expected to appoint Vodafone marketing chief Peter Bamford as non-executive chairman as it prepares for flotation in the spring.

From The Guardian

 

Wal-Mart in online push

Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, has set up a new global e-commerce unit in an attempt to drive online growth in new and existing markets.

From The financial Times