Newspaper retail round up

A round up of retail stories from the past week… Carpetright, Comet, Liberty, Asos.com, Matalan, Hut Group

Carpetright hands public sector discounts

Carpetright is to offer public sector workers discounted prices as part of a plan to boost sales in face of a slowing consumer market.

Knight Vinke takes 3% Kesa stake

The activist investor Knight Vinke has bought a 3% stake in the electricals chain Kesa, which owns Comet, a week after it outlined plans to fight the impact of Best Buy’s entrance to the UK.

Liberty appoints new chief

Luxury London department store Liberty has appointed Marco Capello, managing partner of BlueGem Capital Partners, as its chief and outlined plans to return to profit in 2011.

Asos founder launches homewear site

Quentin Griffiths, co-founder of Asos.com who left the online fashion retailer in 2005, has launched a homewares website called Achica, which offers high-end discounts on homewares brands.

Matalan reports strong performance

Matalan has reported profits up 84% as the demand for cheap clothes has continued. Its own brand ranges Et Vous and Be Bau performed particularly well

From The Financial Times

Imperial Tobacco takes legal action against display ban

Imperial Tobacco has launched legal action to stop the Scottish Parliament from banning in-store tobacco displays. The tobacco firm says it does not have the power to ban the displays or ban cigarette vending machines.

Hut Group extends into fashion

Internet retailer Hut Group, which runs online CD and DVD operations for Asda, WHSmith, Dixons, Argos and Woolworths, has expanded into handbags, jewellery and gifts with the launch of new websites gifted.com, mybag.co.uk and washbag.com.

From The Guardian