Year: 2019

Whittard of Chelsea CEO departs

Tea and coffee specialist Whittard of Chelsea’s chief executive Mark Dunhill has resigned, with finance chief Nathan Smith taking the role. Dunhill tended his resignation on 31 July after five years at the retailer. He led the restructure of the retailer, and was involved in the “revitalisation” of its product…

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Co-op urges councils to speed-up home food waste collections

The Co-op is urging local councils to speed-up the implementation of food waste collections from homes as approximately 1,000 tonnes a day ends up in landfills. Currently 156 English councils (48%) do not have a kerbside food waste collection meaning that food waste in these areas is going to landfill.…

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Over 600 JD employees to protest against break reductions

Over 600 employees at footwear retailer JD Sports have signed up to a grievance against the company’s proposals to reduce the number of breaks in 12 hours shifts at its distribution centre in Rochdale. The number of breaks during a typical 12-hour night shift has reduced from three to two,…

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Retail versus digital – can’t we all just get along?

There’s no doubt about it – consumer behaviour has, without question, been one of the main drivers that has contributed to the volume of store closures that we’re seeing now more than ever before. And in some ways, this ‘shift in consumer behaviour’ is to blame for the ‘bricks versus…

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Ideal Shopping Direct wins ITV contract

Multi-channel retailer Ideal Shopping Direct has secured a deal to air its two flagship home shopping channel brands on ITV’s late night broadcasts. Ideal World and Create and Craft will make the move to the UK’s largest commercial channel, boosting viewing figures by five million people. The deal follows a…

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Sports Direct shutters eight Jack Wills stores

Sports Direct has announced the closure of eight Jack Wills stores, according to a report by the Financial Times. The affected shops are located in Marlborough, Derby, Reigate, Rock, Tunbridge Wells, Durham, Kingston and St Albans. Sports Direct acquired Jack Wills from administration on 6 August, after administrators KPMG accepted…

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The case for personalisation

From the dawn of modern consumerism offering a personal touch was a key differentiator for high-quality retailers and service providers keen to set themselves apart from the rest. Remembering client names, previous purchases or children’s birthdays added that ‘je ne sais quoi’ that bonded retailer to customer. It fostered loyalty,…

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Next to replace Debenhams as Ted Baker childrenswear partner

Ted Baker has entered into a product licence agreement with Next to produce and sell its  childrenswear collections.  Under the agreement, which will run for an initial five-year period starting from 2020, Next will create and sell Ted Baker childrenswear products spanning baby, boys’ and girls’ clothing, shoes and accessories…

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Responding to sexual harassment in the retail workplace

A recent survey from regional law firm Foot Anstey found just over 1 in 10 (11%) retail workers have experienced “inappropriate touching of a sexual nature” in their current role – with over a third (36%) of those workers believing their employer “could have done more” to prevent it happening. …

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Homebase appoints Ian Penney as director of Bathstore

Homebase has appointed Ian Penney as director of Bathstore, after the bathroom chain was brought out of administration last month. As director, Penney will take direct management responsibility for all aspects of the Bathstore business, including the concession roll out into Homebase, and digital offerings. Having started his career as…

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