http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/ Retail news for executives in the UK. Covering issues in wholesale retailing, internet retailing, globalisation, retail marketing, economic growth, recession. Euro zone retail sales fell much more than expected in October, underlining weak consumer demand in the recession-hit economy and adding to arguments for a deep interest rate cut by the European Central Bank on Thursday. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Euro-zone-retail-sales-sink_12302.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Euro-zone-retail-sales-sink_12302.aspx Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:15:58 GMT Retail Digital UK Tesco, the country's biggest retailer, said its new budget range was luring an extra 300,000 UK shoppers a week and it was on track to meet profit forecasts, boosting its shares on hopes it can cope in a consumer downturn. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-says-quarterly-sales-up-2-0-percent_12213.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-says-quarterly-sales-up-2-0-percent_12213.aspx Wed, 03 Dec 2008 06:11:24 GMT Retail Digital UK Game Group , the video games retailer, has continued to buck high street gloom with a rise in underlying sales but its rate of sales growth has slowed http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Game-Group-sees-sales-growth-slow_12216.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Game-Group-sees-sales-growth-slow_12216.aspx Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:11:01 GMT Retail Digital UK The bright "50 percent off" signs plastered over the windows of London's plush new Westfield shopping centre don't hold much sway over Helen Marlow http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Dreaming-of-a-cheap-Christmas_12202.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Dreaming-of-a-cheap-Christmas_12202.aspx Tue, 02 Dec 2008 01:04:16 GMT Retail Digital UK Deloitte LLP, the administrator of the retail and distribution businesses of retailer Woolworths Group Plc, has received dozens of inquiries from companies and individuals for parts of the business, according to newspaper reports on Sunday. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-potential-rescuers-circle_12120.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-potential-rescuers-circle_12120.aspx Mon, 01 Dec 2008 10:24:49 GMT Retail Digital UK Heavy discounting by retailers has failed to boost shopper numbers and the rate of business failures in the industry is accelerating, surveys by researchers Experian showed http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Discounts-fail-to-boost-shopper-numbers_12144.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Discounts-fail-to-boost-shopper-numbers_12144.aspx Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:56:13 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned group seen as a barometer of British retail spending, said on Sunday its department store sales fell 13 percent in the week to November 29, from a year earlier http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-stores-sales-fall-13-percent_12122.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-stores-sales-fall-13-percent_12122.aspx Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:43:46 GMT Retail Digital UK Downbeat results and gloomy outlooks at leading retailers DSG and Kingfisher underlined the severity of the economic slowdown on Thursday, as Woolworths collapsed into administration. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retailers-gloomy-as-Woolworths-falls_11998.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retailers-gloomy-as-Woolworths-falls_11998.aspx Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:04:53 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis , the employee-owned group seen as a barometer of retail spending, said on Thursday the sales performance of its department stores so far this week was in line with the previous two weeks. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-trading-in-line-with-previous-weeks_12009.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-says-trading-in-line-with-previous-weeks_12009.aspx Fri, 28 Nov 2008 05:57:52 GMT Retail Digital UK Billionaire Philip Green said on Thursday he has no current plans to bid for men's fashion retailer Moss Bros Group , having decided now "was not the right time." http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Philip-Green-says-won-t-bid-for-Moss-Bros_12010.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Philip-Green-says-won-t-bid-for-Moss-Bros_12010.aspx Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:01:22 GMT Retail Digital UK DSG International, Europe's second-largest electrical goods retailer swung to a first-half loss and suspended its dividend as it grapples with the deepening consumer downturn. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/DSG-slumps-to-loss-and-axes-dividend_11991.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/DSG-slumps-to-loss-and-axes-dividend_11991.aspx Thu, 27 Nov 2008 10:03:16 GMT Retail Digital UK DVDs-to-sweets retailer Woolworths Group on Thursday said it had put its retail and distribution businesses into administration after discussions relating to the potential sale of its 815 stores ended on Wednesday. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-to-sell-retail-business_11913.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-to-sell-retail-business_11913.aspx Thu, 27 Nov 2008 09:52:11 GMT Retail Digital UK U.S. consumers cut spending during October at the steepest rate in more than seven years and orders for costly manufactured goods plummeted, according to Commerce Department reports on Wednesday that implied a steep recessionary downturn was at hand. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/U-S--consumer-spending-plunges-in-October_11940.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/U-S--consumer-spending-plunges-in-October_11940.aspx Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:07:56 GMT Retail Digital UK Midtier jewellery chains Zale and Signet Jewelers reported quarterly losses on Tuesday as the threat of a recession caused consumers to refrain from unnecessary purchases http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Consumer-frugality-hits-Zale-and-Signet-results_11855.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Consumer-frugality-hits-Zale-and-Signet-results_11855.aspx Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:11:46 GMT Retail Digital UK The largest shareholder in Woolworths , Ardeshir Naghshineh, said Monday he was determined the struggling sweets-to-CDs retailer should not be forced into administration but should continue as a going concern. In a statement, issued after he held talks with Woolworths' lending banks Bank of Ireland division Burdale and GMAC Commercial Finance, Naghshineh, who owns just over 10 percent of the reta http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-investor-says-firm-can-avoid-administration_11758.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-investor-says-firm-can-avoid-administration_11758.aspx Mon, 24 Nov 2008 16:03:27 GMT Retail Digital UK The John Lewis Partnership said on Sunday its department store sales fell 13 percent in its latest week to November 22 compared with a year earlier due to the current slowdown in consumer spending http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-store-sales-fall-13-percent_11719.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-store-sales-fall-13-percent_11719.aspx Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:19:38 GMT Retail Digital UK Department store group Debenhams has extended its pre-Christmas sale by another two days, underscoring retailers' worries about the weakness of consumer spending as the economy slides into recession http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Debenhams-chain-extends-pre-Christmas-sale_11687.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Debenhams-chain-extends-pre-Christmas-sale_11687.aspx Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:35:52 GMT Retail Digital UK The competition watchdog said on Friday the market for retail payment protection insurance (PPI) needed improving and suggested remedies aimed at boosting competition and aiding consumers. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Watchdog-calls-for-reform-of-retail-PPI-market_11616.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Watchdog-calls-for-reform-of-retail-PPI-market_11616.aspx Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:29:25 GMT Retail Digital UK Public finances posted their first October deficit in 14 years, data showed on Thursday, just days before Chancellor Alistair Darling is expected to unveil costly measures to boost the economy. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-fall-less-than-expected-in-October_11496.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-fall-less-than-expected-in-October_11496.aspx Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:21:04 GMT Retail Digital UK Halfords , the car maintenance and cycles retailer, on Thursday posted a 3.2 percent increase in first-half profit and forecast full-year profit in line with expectations despite a slow-down in second-half sales. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Halfords-first-half-profit-up-3-2-percent_11482.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Halfords-first-half-profit-up-3-2-percent_11482.aspx Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:18:17 GMT Retail Digital UK Maternity and baby goods retailer Mothercare on Thursday said half-year profit had almost doubled due to strong performances from its international and online businesses. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Mothercare-profit-doubles-on-global-growth_11483.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Mothercare-profit-doubles-on-global-growth_11483.aspx Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:00:37 GMT Retail Digital UK Struggling sweets-to-CDs retailer Woolworths is in talks to sell its high-street business to company restructuring specialist Hilco for a nominal sum, illustrating the pain being felt by store groups as they grapple with the economic downturn. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-to-sell-stores_11388.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-to-sell-stores_11388.aspx Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:09:21 GMT Retail Digital UK Marks & Spencer and Debenhams, two of the country's biggest retailers, will this week hold pre-Christmas sales to stimulate trade after a tough October. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Marks---Spencer-reported-to-hold-one-day-20-percent-off-sale_11367.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Marks---Spencer-reported-to-hold-one-day-20-percent-off-sale_11367.aspx Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:20:52 GMT Retail Digital UK Struggling British sweets-to-CDs retailer Woolworths said on Wednesday it was in early stage talks about a possible sale of its retail business http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-on-1-pound-retail-sale_11375.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Woolworths-in-talks-on-1-pound-retail-sale_11375.aspx Wed, 19 Nov 2008 08:36:02 GMT Retail Digital UK Marks & Spencer said on Tuesday that George Davies is to retire as part-time chairman of the retailer's Per Una fashion brand. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/M-S-says-George-Davies-to-retire-as-Per-Una-chairman_11333.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/M-S-says-George-Davies-to-retire-as-Per-Una-chairman_11333.aspx Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:41:05 GMT Retail Digital UK Carphone Warehouse said the economic outlook was the toughest it had ever seen, sending its shares plunging by over a quarter and eclipsing news it might split off its telecoms arm. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-Warehouse-may-demerge-telecoms_11281.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Carphone-Warehouse-may-demerge-telecoms_11281.aspx Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:06:03 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis Partnership, the employee-owned group seen as a barometer of retail spending, said on Tuesday sales at its department stores plunged 14 percent year on year in the week to November 15. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-store-sales-down-14-percent_11309.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-dept-store-sales-down-14-percent_11309.aspx Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:49:20 GMT Retail Digital UK Swedish fashion group Hennes & Mauritz posted a shallower-than-expected fall in October underlying sales on Monday, raising hopes its focus on low-cost clothing would shield it from a consumer downturn. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/H-M-sales-fall-less-than-feared-as-ASOS-eyes-abroad_11225.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/H-M-sales-fall-less-than-feared-as-ASOS-eyes-abroad_11225.aspx Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:55:47 GMT Retail Digital UK ASOS, the AIM-listed British Internet fashion retailer, on Monday posted a 68 percent increase in first-half profit and said current trading remained buoyant. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Online-fashion-firm-ASOS-profit-up-68-percent_11215.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Online-fashion-firm-ASOS-profit-up-68-percent_11215.aspx Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:58:47 GMT Retail Digital UK John Lewis Partnership , the employee-owned group seen as a barometer of the country's retail spending, added to the gloom in the sector as it posted a 9.7 percent fall in weekly sales at its department stores. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-store-sales-down-9-7-percent_11085.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-weekly-store-sales-down-9-7-percent_11085.aspx Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:49:34 GMT Retail Digital UK Asda, Britain's second-biggest grocer, reported a pick-up in sales growth on Thursday and said profit was rising ahead of target as wealthier shoppers flocked to its stores to save money in the economic downturn. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Asda-quarterly-sales-surge_11009.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Asda-quarterly-sales-surge_11009.aspx Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:34:53 GMT Retail Digital UK Wal-Mart Stores reported better-than-expected quarterly profit on Thursday as shoppers seeking relief from deteriorating global economic conditions scoured its aisles for discounts on groceries and medicine http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Wal-Mart-reports-better-than-expected-profit_11005.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Wal-Mart-reports-better-than-expected-profit_11005.aspx Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:48:03 GMT Retail Digital UK Mid-market clothes retailers will continue to lose market share to premium stores as shoppers, who have been saturated by product choice in recent years, become more selective, a report released on Thursday said http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Clothes-shoppers-abandon-mid-market_10975.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Clothes-shoppers-abandon-mid-market_10975.aspx Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:49:17 GMT Retail Digital UK Grocer J. Sainsbury posted first-half profit towards the top end of forecasts as it lured cash-strapped shoppers away from upmarket rivals with promotions and a big push in own-brand goods. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Sainsbury-profit-towards-top-end-of-forecasts_10865.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Sainsbury-profit-towards-top-end-of-forecasts_10865.aspx Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:45:35 GMT Retail Digital UK WH Smith, the newspapers, books and stationery retailer, said on Wednesday it has traded as expected in its first quarter but remains cautious on the outlook in the run-up to Christmas. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/WH-Smith-trading-in-line-but-outlook-cautious_10870.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/WH-Smith-trading-in-line-but-outlook-cautious_10870.aspx Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:19:17 GMT Retail Digital UK Tesco , the world's third-biggest retailer, plans to enter the Chinese provinces of Shandong and Fujian next year to extend its reach along the full length of the country's eastern coast, it said on Tuesday. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-to-extend-reach-along-China-s-east-coast_10794.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-to-extend-reach-along-China-s-east-coast_10794.aspx Tue, 11 Nov 2008 13:20:55 GMT Retail Digital UK Retail sales fell for a fifth straight month in October on a like-for-like basis and by the biggest amount in more than three years, a survey showed on Tuesday http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-see-biggest-drop-in-3-years_10767.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Retail-sales-see-biggest-drop-in-3-years_10767.aspx Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:04:22 GMT Retail Digital UK Telecoms regulator Ofcom has completed an investigation of independent retailer Phones4U which concluded that it broke the law by mis-selling mobile phone contracts http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Phones4U-found-guilty-of-mis-selling_10732.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Phones4U-found-guilty-of-mis-selling_10732.aspx Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:51:39 GMT Retail Digital UK Tesco , the world's third-biggest retailer, reported a dip in recent underlying sales at its South Korea business on Monday, but growth in both China and Malaysia http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-says-latest-S-Korea-underlying-sales-down-2-percent_10678.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Tesco-says-latest-S-Korea-underlying-sales-down-2-percent_10678.aspx Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:59:41 GMT Retail Digital UK Department store John Lewis has announced plans to open its first new shop outside the UK in Ireland, as part of its plan to double the business http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-to-open-store-outside-UK_10566.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/John-Lewis-to-open-store-outside-UK_10566.aspx Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:06:24 GMT Retail Digital UK Asda had a strong October driven by higher customer numbers and sales of groceries and clothes, its U.S. parent company Wal-Mart Stores Inc said on Thursday. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Wal-Mart-s-Asda-says-had-a-strong-October_10442.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Wal-Mart-s-Asda-says-had-a-strong-October_10442.aspx Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:46:22 GMT Retail Digital UK Dunnes Stores has declined to comment on speculation that it is about to be taken over by supermarket giant Asda http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Dunnes-refuses-to-comment-on-takeover-rumours_10426.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Dunnes-refuses-to-comment-on-takeover-rumours_10426.aspx Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:36:11 GMT Retail Digital UK Fashion and homewares retailer Next on Wednesday reported underlying sales at the top end of its expectations for the third quarter and said it would meet full-year profit forecasts, lifting its shares as much as 4.4 percent. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Next-sees-full-year-profit-in-line-with-market-hopes_10317.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Next-sees-full-year-profit-in-line-with-market-hopes_10317.aspx Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:49:45 GMT Retail Digital UK Marks & Spencer, the nation's biggest clothing retailer, posted a smaller-than-expected fall in profit and reassured investors on its dividend, as it warned trading will be tough next year. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Marks---Spencer-profit-slumps-34-percent_10231.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/Marks---Spencer-profit-slumps-34-percent_10231.aspx Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:52:59 GMT Retail Digital UK Discount fashion clothes chain Primark defied the UK downturn with better than expected annual sales, but owner Associated British Foods warned of flat earnings this year helping to push its shares down http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/AB-Foods-warns-of-flat-earnings_10264.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/AB-Foods-warns-of-flat-earnings_10264.aspx Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:52:04 GMT Retail Digital UK Primark stores owner Associated British Foods , on Tuesday posted a 3 percent rise in annual profits but added it expected little change in earnings in the coming year due to additional interest expenses. http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/AB-Foods-year-profits-rise-3-percent_10233.aspx http://www.execdigital.co.uk/Retail/AB-Foods-year-profits-rise-3-percent_10233.aspx Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:21:09 GMT Retail Digital UK