Newspaper retail round up

Retail leaders to help tackle social problems

Retail leaders including Tesco chief executive Sir Terry Leahy and Justin King, chief executive of Sainsbury’s have written an open letter recognising industry’s responsibilities to help solve the UK’s issues with binge drinking. The intention is to spark a partnership between industry and government to tackle social problems together.

Morrisons looks for strategy director

Morrisons is looking to appoint a strategy director to drive the supermarket chain’s future expansion. New CEO Dalton Philips is expected to reveal a move into online grocery when it reveals interim results tomorrow (9 September).

World Cup boosts Dixons

Dixons, which also owns the Currys and PC World chains, reported a boost in like for like sales as the World Cup increased demand for televisions.

Bond St attracts luxury retailers

More upmarket retailers are moving into London’s Bond Street as demand for luxury goods grows.

From The Financial Times

Waitrose’s Mark Price spills the beans

The Sunday Times has profiled Waitrose managing director Mark Price, who talks about his appetite for expanding the grocery chain into many areas. Price was Waitrose’s first marketing director.

From The Sunday Times

Waterstone’s founder interested in buying chain

The founder of bookstore chain Waterstone’s Tim Waterstone is said to be considering a £100m-plus bid to take the chain private if parent company HMV puts it up for sale.

From The Observer

Interest rates to remain static

Interest rates are expected to remain at 0.5% when the Bank of England reveals any changes tomorrow (9 September). It will be the 18th consecutive month of unchanged rates.

House of Fraser revives Biba brand

Department store House of Fraser is relaunching the 1960s fashion brand Biba. Model Daisy Lowe will be the face of the brand

LoveFilm appoints digital directors

LoveFilm, the online DVD rental service, has appointed two digital directors ahead of a possible float. Kristian Segerstrale is the former chief executive of Playfish and Roland Steindorf is the former head of Kabel Deutschland.

From The Telegraph