Newspaper retail roundup

Supermarkets take on sports brands

Supermarkets are moving into the branded sportswear market. Asda angered Nike-owned Umbro last week by slashing the price of Official England football shirts by 50%. Asda sourced 50,000 indirectly because Nike refuses to trade with supermarkets.

M&S childrenswear gets mixed reviews

Marks & Spencer has grown its share of childrenswear by 50% since 2005 but more than 100 posts on Mumsnet, the social networking site, slam M&S childrenswear for being tacky. M&S school uniforms are praised for their quality.

High street fashion sales up

Fashion sales on the high street rose by 0.3% last month, according to the Office of National Statistics. It was a more modest rise than the 0.5% increase in March, but beat forecasts of a 0.2% rise.

From The Times

Topshop opens store opposite Harrods

Sir Philip Green has opened a Topshop store in upmarket Kensington opposite Harrods in London.

Jewellery sales surge

The jewellery group that owns Goldsmiths, Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland believes the UK’s coalition Government brought about an upturn in sales.

Sir Stuart Rose says minimum booze price is insane

Sir Stuart Rose, the executive chairman of Marks & Spencer, has called the idea of minimum pricing for alcohol as “insane”.

From The Telegraph

M&S should link with Ocado, say analysts

Analysts told M&S chief executive Marc Bolland the chain should partner with online grocer Ocado to become a full-range high-street supermarket, ahead of full-year results this week.

American Apparel reports $18m Q1 loss

Fashion retailer American Apparel reported a $18m loss in the first quarter and cited the sudden loss of labour after it had to lay off 1,500 immigrant workers with suspect papers.

From The Guardian

Mulberry opens new flagship
Luxury handbag maker Mulberry is moving to a new flagship store in Mayfair. The company has signed a 25-year lease for 50 New Bond Street.

From The Evening Standard