Newspaper retail round-up

A roundup of retail stories from the newspapers this week… LVMH, John Lewis, White Stuff, high street, Tesco, Starbucks, Oddbins.

The Telegraph:

LVMH to buy Italian jeweller Bulgari

LVMH, the French luxury goods retailer, has agreed to buy Italian jewellery house Bulgari in a cash-and-shares deal.

Invest in John Lewis – for vouchers

John Lewis has unveiled a pioneering five-year bond that will allow its customers to invest in the business, and receive gift vouchers in exchange.

Retailers endure ’ugly’ February on the high street

High street retailers suffered an “ugly” February, with like-for-like sales rising by just 0.3% in the month, according to new research from the advisory firm BDO.

White Stuff plans to expand abroad

White Stuff, the fashion retailer which began life as a ski brand, is to appoint a new chairman as it plots its course into the foreign high street.

The Independent:

High street sales stall as consumers tighten belts

Retailers suffered their weakest sales growth for nearly two years in February, as hard-pressed consumers reined in their spending in the wake of soaring petrol prices, tax increases and uncertainty over jobs.

The Guardian:

Oddbins to close a third of stores

The loss-making wine retailer, which is searching for a new investor, is to close 39 outlets as part of a strategic review

Tesco backs Fresh & Easy by opening a dozen new stores in California

Tesco has signalled faith in its loss-making American chain Fresh & Easy by announcing a store opening spree in northern California

Financial Times:

M&S to open fifth Shanghai store

The high street retailer has signed a letter of intent to lease a 3,700 square metre store in a City Centre shopping mall in Shanghai owned by Treasury China Trust.

International demand boosts McDonald’s

US fast food chain says its international restaurants led strong sales growth in February, as consumers in Europe and Asia were lured by expanded menu offerings.

Tesco push on CD deals with music groups

Tesco is pushing music companies to accept minimal upfront payments for the compact discs they ship to the UK retailer, in a renegotiation that will test how record labels’ bargaining power has diminished in line with shoppers’ interest in CDs.

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Mark Lund quits COI

Russell Parsons

Mark Lund, chief executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), is to leave the Government’s marketing services provider to return to the private sector.