Newspaper retail round up

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