Newspaper retail round up
A roundup of retail stories from the papers this week… M&S, Best Buy, The Body Shop, Burberry, Ocado
M&S researches effects of budget
Marks & Spencer has begun a major piece of market research to find out how tax rises and spending cuts will impact on customers.
From The Independent
Best Buy in trademark row
Electronics retailer Best Buy, which launched in the UK this year, is facing a row over claims that it does not control its trading name in Europe. A rival electronics retailer claims to have the European Union trademark rights to the Best Buy name and has asked the US chain to stop using it in the UK.
From The Daily Mail
Body Shop doubles direct selling
The Body Shop is looking to double the size of it’s At Home direct selling division, which accounts for 10% of the retail chain’s business. The cosmetics and toiletries retailer is looking to recruit 3,500 women to host its brand parties.
From The Times
Burberry sales get a boost
Burberry sales have been boosted by a tighter grip on promotional activity int eh second quarter. The fashion chain posted a 27% sales rise to £229m in the three months to the end of June.
Djalili boosts Moneysupermarket.com
Moneysupermarket.com’s advertising campaign starring actor and comedian Omid Djalili has boosted traffic to the price-comparison website, offsetting declining revenue at its travel division.
Ocado valuation raises doubt
Analysts have said that Ocado is worth less than the £800m-£1.1bn that the online grocer has set out for its stock market float which is causing big investors to shun the float.
From The Financial Times
Harrods eyes Shanghai
Harrods’ new owner wants to cash in on China’s wealth and is eyeing Shanghai as its first overseas location.
Hamleys back in profit
Hamleys has returned to profit after a six-year decline. The upmarket toy store reported a pre-tax profit of £100,000 compared to a loss of £4.1m last year.
From The Guardian