John Lewis to open 10 mid-sized stores
John Lewis has announced plans to open ten smaller-format stores to expand its presence in more locations across the UK. The new format will offer a full John Lewis assortment, tailored to each individual location and focusing on homewares, fashion and electricals, with the first store to open in Exeter in 2012. The retailer says …
July 27, 2011
Wolseley heats up with £310m sell-off
Leamington Spa-based Wolseley has disposed of its Build Center division as part of a £310m sell-off. The heating and plumbing specialist has agreed a deal with Coventry-based Saint Gobain, through which its Build Center and Brossette businesses will be bought. Wolseley said the deals were the “last significant disposals planned” following last year’s strategic review. …
July 26, 2011
Consumers shift towards higher value bathrooms
New research on the UK bathroom market has found bathroom retailers will benefit from shifting consumer preferences toward higher value bathrooms, with product development and sustainability driving growth this year and beyond. MTW research says the recession has resulted in a £250m loss for bathroom retailers, and asserts that without the downturn, the market would …
July 20, 2011
John Lewis launches online product reviews
John Lewis has launched product reviews on its website, with thousands of comments from both customers and staff going live on johnlewis.com yesterday. The retailer has already had more than 25,000 reviews and is hoping to have 130,000 by the end of the year. Commercial director Andrea O’Donnell said: “As a multichannel retailer it is …
July 19, 2011
Increased Sales for The Garden Centre Group
The Garden Centre Group (formally Wyvale Garden Centres) has reported an 8% rise in sales to £152m for the six months to 30th June 2011. When plant sales increased by 14% gardening products increased by 12%. The group’s 91 restaurants saw record revenues up 14% to £18m. The group, which operates from 119 garden centres across …
July 19, 2011
Debt due from TJ Hughes
GA Europe has acquired Endless’ secured debt due from TJ Hughes and will work with administrators Ernst & Young to liquidate stock from the retail chain’s 57 stores. Ernst & Young added that the move by GA Europe, a subsidiary of the Great American Group, will “not impact on the administration strategy”. Turnaround specialist Endless …
July 13, 2011
Sharps Bedrooms sold back to previous owner
Sharps Bedrooms has been sold back to Homeform Group owner Sun European Partners, after Homeform appointed administrators Deloitte on 6th July 2011. A statement from Deloitte said the company, which trades under the brands Moben Kitchens, Dolphin Bathrooms, Sharps Bedrooms and Kitchens Direct, had “experienced significant difficulties due to the current economic climate, particularly in …
July 13, 2011
Credit Forum – There's never been a better time to join
by Laurie Beagle, divisional director, P&A Receivables With a number of big – and sometimes surprising – names disappearing from our High Streets and retail parks as a consequence of cashflow and credit shortage, there’s never been a more important time to get a head start in the race to know the creditworthy customers from …
July 7, 2011
Habitat in administration
All but 3 UK Habitat stores are being put into administration in a deal to sell the undebted furniture chain. Home Retail Group, owner of Argos and Homebase, will buy the Habitat brand and 3 central London stores for £24.5 million in cash. Habitat has appointed administrators for it’s other 30 outlets which will continue …
July 6, 2011
Suppliers need to enforce Retention of Title
5th July 2011 With the past two weeks having seen some high profile names fall into financial difficulties, including the likes of T J Hughes, Habitat and Focus, BHETA is advising suppliers to act on Retention of Title as quickly as possible, if they are to have any chance of reducing bad debts. Specialist credit …
July 5, 2011
