HMV has announced 190 job losses according to a statement issued by its administrators Deloitte on Thursday. However, Deloitte said that it remained optimistic about the UK entertainment products retailer’s future prospects. The global advisory firm is currently seeking a buyer for all or parts of the business. Deloitte added that HMV retail outlets continue... Continue Reading →

LONDON, January 31, 2013 -- /PRNewswire/ -- John Lewis department stores has appointed Mark Lewis as Online Director. He will join the John Lewis Management Board (JLMB), reporting to Managing Director Andy Street. Mark will take up the position on 4 March, joining from Collect+ where he has been CEO. Prior to this he spent... Continue Reading →

Kingfisher, the FTSE 100 retail giant, said it had applied through the courts to put its nine large stores in the Republic of Ireland into examinership, a process similar to going into administration in the UK. The group said that its losses in Ireland can no longer be sustained and that “in order to have... Continue Reading →

Pick n Pay, has developed two new stand-alone retail centres situated in Chatsworth, Kwazulu Natal and in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. Pick n Pay, has developed two new stand-alone retail centres situated in Chatsworth, Kwazulu Natal and in Roodepoort, Johannesburg. Both the Chatsworth Centre and Little Falls meet growing consumer demands for easy and quick access to... Continue Reading →

British retailer Phase Eight will open seven stores in the UAE as it moves to boosts its international presence, the UK's Retail Week reported. The womenswear retailer, which opened its first overseas store last year in Switzerland, will initially concentrate on stores in Dubai, said a spokesperson. “International growth is a key focus for Phase... Continue Reading →

Mothercare said that Mothercare Australia has been placed into administration after attempts to sell the business in the face of falling sales failed. The UK company had already booked a £10.6m provision to write off its remaining investment in Mothercare Australia, which accounted for 7pc, or around £50m a year, of its international sales. The... Continue Reading →

Investcorp eyeing Italy luxury brands Investcorp, one of the Middle East's largest private equity firms, is on the lookout for Italian luxury and retail brands that want to expand internationally. "We have spent a lot of time talking to the owners of some very well-known Italian brands and are always on the lookout for interesting... Continue Reading →

Hennes & Mauritz AB (HMB), Europe’s second-largest clothing retailer, reported a third straight drop in fourth-quarter profit as European consumers reined in clothing spending and the company invested in new stores. Net income slid 1.3 percent to 5.29 billion kronor ($83 million) in the three months ended Nov. 30, Stockholm-based H&M said in a statement... Continue Reading →

The world’s largest online retailer on Tuesday night reported record sales in the final quarter of 2012, as more consumers did their shopping on the internet. International sales, which includes the UK, jumped 20pc to a record $9.09bn (£5.8bn). That helped drive Amazon's total sales in the quarter to $21.3bn, up 23pc from 2011. "The... Continue Reading →

More than a dozen big shopping malls have sprung up in Doha and its outskirts over the past 10 years, and many more are on their way. At least nine new shopping centres costing a whopping QR20bn are planned in the next three years, according to some reports. The UAE-based Al Futtaim Group has announced... Continue Reading →

Male and female retail employees in Saudi Arabia will be forcibly separated by a partition while working, according to the official Saudi Press Agency. The strict guidelines contained in a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Labour and the Commission for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (CPVPV), the kingdom's religious police, states... Continue Reading →

M&S has 14 stores in China, including one on the upmarket West Nanjing Road in Shanghai, and has identified the country as a key overseas market for growth. However, it is understood that sales at the company’s stores in China have been up to 30pc lower than internal targets set by executives. M&S declined to... Continue Reading →

Lavazza Espression appoints Cushman & Wakefield to advise on UK expansion Lavazza Espression, a new and innovative coffee shop concept from Italian brand Lavazza, has appointed property consultant Cushman & Wakefield to advise on its expansion across the UK. Launched in 2007, Lavazza Espression is a new coffee shop concept from Italy’s number one coffee... Continue Reading →

Zee Report::Fashion news M·A·C Launches Flagship on the Champs-Élysées The Champs-Élysées in Paris is one of the most famous streets in the world and the most valuable retail artery in Europe. Come February 2013, M·A·C Cosmetics joins the legion of luxury retail and fashion names lining this exclusive strip with the opening of the brand's... Continue Reading →

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced it is to open a two-day Oxfam pop-up ‘Shwop Shop’ at its flagship Marble Arch store on Thursday. M&S said the Shwop Shop will be a one-of-a-kind secondhand store that will sell the best items donated to the retailer’s sustainable fashion initiative, Shwopping, from the public and famous faces... Continue Reading →

Jan 28 (Reuters) - Irish retail sales fell 1 percent in December, their sharpest annualised fall in five months, as weak car sales dashed hopes of a Christmas boost to the struggling economy. The weak festive period highlights the country's dependence on exports by multinationals to provide economic growth as high unemployment and austerity weigh... Continue Reading →

* Aims for $1 billion Middle East revenues in 5-10 years * Looking at UAE, Qatar, Lebanon, Saudi and Oman * Partnering with Abu Dhabi Cooperative Society ABU DHABI, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Dutch food retailer SPAR International plans to enter the Middle East, aiming to have 30 stores in the region by the end... Continue Reading →

Saudi-based consumer electronics retailer eXtra has posted sales of more than SR3bn ($800m) in 2012, 22.5 percent higher than the previous year. The company, also known as United Electronics Company, said the improvement in performance was due to increased sales across all of its stores which grew from 24 to 29 branches in 2012. The... Continue Reading →

Wall Street is forecasting that Amazon enjoyed larger than ever revenues of $22bn for the December quarter. Photograph: Sarah Lee for the Guardian Record Christmas takings have swollen Amazon's cash pile to as much as $9bn (£5.7bn), the online retailer is expected to declare on Tuesday in results that will inflame the debate over its... Continue Reading →

A new AED1bn (US$272m) retail, residential and hotel development launched on Abu Dhabi’s Al Maryah Island is forecast to be completed in early 2017, it was announced on Sunday. Sowwah Central will be a mixed use development featuring a 214,000 sqm shopping centre and adjoining hotel and residential towers on Al Maryah Island, Abu Dhabi.... Continue Reading →

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LINGERIE giant Victoria’s Secret has bared all and unwrapped its first UK airport Beauty and Accessories store at Stansted this week. Located in the international departure lounge, the store gives passengers access to tax-free savings on an assortment of its beauty and body care products, fragrances and make-up kits. Also on offer is the American... Continue Reading →

MILAN - Italy's luxury shoemaker Tod's said on Wednesday sales rose 7.8 percent in 2012 to 963.1 million euros ($1.28 billion), helped by a good performance in Greater China. The results were roughly in line with a Thomson Reuters Starmine forecast for average sales of 966 million euros. The maker of leather loafers has boosted... Continue Reading →

Coach Inc. (COH) plunged the most in more than five months after the largest U.S. luxury handbag maker reported fiscal second-quarter profit that trailed analysts’ estimates, hurt by lower demand in North America. Enlarge image Coach Inc. fell to $53.50 at 7:25 a.m. in New York. Photographer: Mauricio Piffer/Bloomberg Coach fell 14 percent to $51.92... Continue Reading →

Clicks CEO David Kneale. Picture: FINANCIAL MAIL In this article JSE-listed companies: Clicks CLICKS Group increased sales by 11.7% to R5.97bn in the 18 weeks to December 30 2012, a figure analysts called ‘reasonable’ given the muted consumer spending environment. The company’s CE David Kneale said on Wednesday: "The trend of consumers delaying their purchases... Continue Reading →

ZURICH - Luxury goods group Richemont, maker of Cartier jewellery, gave a cautious outlook on Monday after slowing wholesale demand for its pricey products pushed sales growth in the last quarter below forecasts. Sales rose 5 percent at constant exchange rates in the three months to end-December to 2.862 billion euros ($3.8 billion), missing forecasts... Continue Reading →

Spar has announced it is to include Amazon Lockers in a number of stores, allowing customers to retrieve Amazon parcels at a local Spar store. The Lockers are currently located in nine Spar stores with further Lockers planned to be added in the future. The initiative lets Amazon customers choose their Locker option and location... Continue Reading →

A shopper at an Ikea superstore. The Swedish firm open 11 new outlets in nine countries in 2012. Photograph: David Sillitoe Demand in emerging markets for Ikea's flatpack furniture has helped the Scandinavian company post an 8% increase in profits in 2012. Worldwide sales last year increased 9.5% to €27bn (£22.6bn) with profits up 8%... Continue Reading →

The surprise arrival of Sir Stuart Rose as chairman of Ocado was welcomed by investors as a major vote of confidence in the future of the online grocery retailer, sending its shares up by more than 6pc. Analysts are sceptical that Sir Stuart Rose, who left Marks & Spencer in 2010, will turn around a... Continue Reading →

Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), has announced a joint venture partnership with L Real Estate to develop ‘The District’ in Saadiyat island’s Cultural District, a retail complex sponsored by Louis Vuitton - Moët Hennessy. The development will cover an area on the island of 168,000m2, while the structure will comprise three levels,... Continue Reading →

Construction of Dubai developer Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) Properties' Mall of Egypt will finally begin next month, but will be a year behind schedule by the time it is expected to open. Despite political and social unrest, MAF Holding CEO Iyad Malas on Tuesday said he was confident in the Cairo market and the company... Continue Reading →

Truworths International (TRU) advised on Friday that it expects both basic earnings and headline earnings per share for the first 26 weeks of the 2013 financial year will be between 16% and 20% higher relative to the corresponding period in the 2012 financial year. In the 26 week period from 2 July until 30 December... Continue Reading →

* EBITDA rises 7 pct to 3 billion dirhams * MAF separates Iran business * In talks to buy UAE fast food chain By Matt Smith DUBAI, Jan 22 (Reuters) - Dubai's Majid Al Futtaim (MAF) expects to bid for the supermarket arm of Egypt's Mansour Group in the first quarter, MAF's chief executive said,... Continue Reading →

Clothing retailer The Foschini Group (TFG) said on Friday group sales for the nine months to December increased by 11.4% from a year earlier‚ with same store sales growth of 5.6%. Christmas trading was mixed across merchandise categories with group sales growth for December (December 2 to December 29) of 10.5% and same store growth... Continue Reading →

India’s overseas investment board approved furniture retailer IKEA’s proposal to open outlets in the country, bringing the Swedish chain closer to becoming the first major foreign retailer to set up its own stores. The Foreign Investment Promotion Board cleared the Swedish furniture retailer’s proposal, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said in a statement today. The revised... Continue Reading →

Kingfisher has confirmed that Euan Sutherland, chief operating officer, will be leaving the board of the company at the end of the month. However, he will officially remain an employee until he resigns in March to become Group CEO of The Co-operative Group. Mr Sutherland joined Kingfisher in 2008 as CEO, Kingfisher UK & Ireland.... Continue Reading →

SCOTTISH clothing giant Edinburgh Woollen Mill (EWM) has helped once troubled chain Peacocks regain its strength after buying the group out of administration. EWM stepped in to save 6,000 retail jobs after agreeing to buy Peacocks for an unclosed sum after the company called in administrators in January. Over the past 12 months it is... Continue Reading →

Donnybrook Fair's tax charge for the year ending in January 2012 was reduced to just €2,034, on pretax profits of €442,734, as a result of allowances arising from the opening of a new outlet in Stillorgan, Co Dublin, during the year. Donnybrook Fair, the retail business owned by Joe and Mary Doyle, made a pretax... Continue Reading →

Hermes International SCA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Thomas said the company had a “fantastic” end to 2012, echoing rival Salvatore Ferragamo SpA and suggesting demand for luxury leather goods remains strong. Last year was “very good,” Thomas said late yesterday before the Paris-based company men’s fashion show in the French capital. Thomas also said that... Continue Reading →

IRELAND'S richest sportsman Rory McIlroy has invested some of his burgeoning wealth in a tax-driven deal to build a €25m Hilton Hotel in Sheffield, England. McIlroy is a backer of the West Bar BPRA limited partnership, which is funding the deal. He is joined in the investment by Ireland goalkeeper Keiren Westwood, who has been... Continue Reading →

South African retailer Mr Price falls more than 2 percent, stretching its rout into the ninth straight session, dragging down other retailers on growing worries the sector is priced for more than it can deliver. Mr Price, which reported a 10 percent quarterly sales growth on Thursday that failed to impress investors, is down 2.14... Continue Reading →

U.S. footwear maker K-Swiss Inc said it has agreed to be acquired by South Korean retailer E-Land World Ltd for $4.75 per share in cash in a deal valued at about $170 million. The offer price is a 49 percent premium to K-Swiss' closing stock price of $3.19 Wednesday on the Nasdaq. The deal requires... Continue Reading →

FRANKFURT - Hugo Boss has extended the contract of chief executive Claus-Dietrich Lahrs, he told German business daily Handelsblatt in an interview published on Thursday. "I received a new five-year contract just before Christmas," Lahrs was quoted as saying. Under Lahrs, Hugo Boss has increased the number of collections it offers each year and shortened... Continue Reading →

About 14,000 staff at Dunnes Stores are to receive a 3 per cent pay increase. The move represents the first pay rise for staff at the retailer since December 2007. The trade union Mandate said the company did not attend a hearing at the Labour Court yesterday but informed its 14,000 personnel that it would... Continue Reading →

Carrefour SA said revenues rose 0.8 percent to 22.85 billion euros, or $30.26 billion, in the fourth quarter of 2012, supported by robust activity in South America and its food sales. The world’s second-largest retailer behind Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said the period had confirmed an improvement in consumption in France, its largest market, although it... Continue Reading →

Childrenswear retailer Mothercare has said that its transformation and growth plan is "on track" despite seeing a further drop in UK sales over the third quarter to January 12th. Despite continued double-digit growth in international sales and a store closure programme targeting loss-making stores, the UK division continued to struggle, with a 5.9% fall in... Continue Reading →

EE is the latest high street retailer to announce store closures, with the 4G network confirming it is to close 78 of its near 700 UK high street shops . Just three months after the network giant merged its Orange and T-Mobile stores to a single, EE rebranded entity, the UK's only 4G provider has... Continue Reading →

The Lisney Review 2012 & Outlook 2013, which I hope you will find interesting and informative. Download the full report here The last 12 months have remained challenging for the property market but, in a general sense, there now appears to be greater transactional activity, particularly over the past four months. From our point of... Continue Reading →

Woolworths profit to soar, shares Johannesburg - Shares of Woolworths Holdings [JSE:WHL] surged more than 4% on Wednesday after the retailer said it expects first-half profits to rise by as much as 24%. Woolworths, one of the best performers on Johannesburg's Top 40 - (Tradeable) [JSE:J200] index in 2012, said it expects to post an... Continue Reading →