Catalogue shop Argos has appointed former Amazon executive Bertrand Bodson to the newly created position of digital director.
Bodson will oversee development of the web and mobile businesses as parent Home Retail invests £300 million over three years to revitalise the chain. He will report to Argos managing director John Walden and joins the Argos executive board.
Argos saw a 2.1 per cent sales improvement during the 52 weeks to March 2 after it began to fight back against internet rivals and after it benefited from the demise of Comet. Less than half of purchases at Argos come from stores alone with about a third of shoppers using the click and collect system.
Bodson was executive vice president for global digital at EMI and also spent four years at Amazon where he developed its DVD rental business, later merged into Lovefilm. After working at Amazon he founded social networking site Bragster.com in 2006 with former investment banker Wim Vernaeve.
Friday, 5 July 2013
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Dunelm To Open Online Warehouse 'By October'
Home furnishings retailer Dunelm Mill said it plans to open its online fulfilment warehouse in time for 'peak trading' that will allow it to raise internet volumes by 70 per cent.
The retailer said the facility is on track to open by October. Consultancy Verdict says it will be able to increase capacity from 10,000 orders a week to 17,000 with express delivery and next day delivery available at all times.
It said this morning that total sales in the final quarter had slowed. Revenue rose 6.4 per cent to £159.3 million. Same-store sales declined 2.8 per cent because 'extremely favourable' weather conditions last year provided difficult comparisons.
The retailer said the facility is on track to open by October. Consultancy Verdict says it will be able to increase capacity from 10,000 orders a week to 17,000 with express delivery and next day delivery available at all times.
It said this morning that total sales in the final quarter had slowed. Revenue rose 6.4 per cent to £159.3 million. Same-store sales declined 2.8 per cent because 'extremely favourable' weather conditions last year provided difficult comparisons.
Dwell Rescued By Founder Aamir Ahmad
Furniture retailer Dwell has been acquired from administration by its founder Aamir Ahmad.
Ahmad has initially agreed to take five of the 23 stores rescuing about half of the firm's 300 jobs. He told the Daily Telegraph he would do 'everything he can' for angry customers who face losing £1 million in deposits.
Ahmad established the business primarily as a catalogue retailer 10 years ago but left the business in November. The stores he plans to reopen immediately are: Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, Lakeside in Essex, and Barton Square in Manchester. Ahmad is in talks with landlords over leases on other stores.
He told the newspaper: 'Our priority lies with the customers and suppliers who have been let down by the former management. We are working hard to try and resolve the issues, in particular outstanding customer orders.'
He added: 'Although we are not legally obliged to, we are doing everything we can to find a solution for customers who have lost out. Our primary goal is to help customer and suppliers regain their trust in the Dwell brand.'
Ahmad has initially agreed to take five of the 23 stores rescuing about half of the firm's 300 jobs. He told the Daily Telegraph he would do 'everything he can' for angry customers who face losing £1 million in deposits.
Ahmad established the business primarily as a catalogue retailer 10 years ago but left the business in November. The stores he plans to reopen immediately are: Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Westfield Stratford City, Lakeside in Essex, and Barton Square in Manchester. Ahmad is in talks with landlords over leases on other stores.
He told the newspaper: 'Our priority lies with the customers and suppliers who have been let down by the former management. We are working hard to try and resolve the issues, in particular outstanding customer orders.'
He added: 'Although we are not legally obliged to, we are doing everything we can to find a solution for customers who have lost out. Our primary goal is to help customer and suppliers regain their trust in the Dwell brand.'
Morrisons Appoints Online Boss As It Prepares For Ocado Launch
Supermarket Morrisons has appointed an online grocery boss and reorganised its management team ahead of the launch of the new business at Christmas.
Group logistics and supply chain director Neal Austin will take responsibility for the online operation, according to the Independent newspaper. Simon Thompson, with Morrisons since 2011 and managing director of online food, will report to him.
Other key executives include Nicky Hector, online development director, who joined last year from her previous position as head of strategy at Waitrose.
Group logistics and supply chain director Neal Austin will take responsibility for the online operation, according to the Independent newspaper. Simon Thompson, with Morrisons since 2011 and managing director of online food, will report to him.
Other key executives include Nicky Hector, online development director, who joined last year from her previous position as head of strategy at Waitrose.
Britain has 'Most Developed' Online Shopping Market In The World
Britain has the most developed online retail market in the world, according to a report in The Times newspaper.
The study by property firm Cushman & Wakefield said consumers in Britain spend on average £571 each year online compared to £390 in the US. Only Norway and Finland have a higher internet retailing spending per head, the article said.
Britain's advanced infrastructure and consumers' growing tastes for buying goods online were major factors it said.
The US is the largest market in absolute terms but recent studies have calculated that China may be catching up.
The study by property firm Cushman & Wakefield said consumers in Britain spend on average £571 each year online compared to £390 in the US. Only Norway and Finland have a higher internet retailing spending per head, the article said.
Britain's advanced infrastructure and consumers' growing tastes for buying goods online were major factors it said.
The US is the largest market in absolute terms but recent studies have calculated that China may be catching up.
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Ocado Says Waitrose 'Coming Around' To Its Morrisons Agreement
Food delivery firm Ocado said Waitrose was 'coming around' to its new partnership deal but that it had not let lawyers at the supermarket see its contract with Morrisons.
'Waitrose have more than enough information from us to understand that our relationship with Morrisons does not get even close to breaking any single clause in our agreement,' Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner told the Financial Times.
Steiner said he had already held talks on the matter with Waitrose, the main supplier of the groceries it delivers to households and which has reacted angrily to a new 25-year deal with Morrisons. Ocado said the two contracts will run entirely separately and will not affect each other or overlap.
Despite the deal with Morrisons two months ago, which sent Ocado's share price soaring, the online delivery firm yesterday posted a higher than expected pre-tax loss in the first six months of its financial year. The firm made a £3.8 million loss in the period to May 19 compared to a £200,000 profit in the same period a year earlier.
Profit on an ebitda basis, which excludes interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, increased from £14.9 million to £19.2 million as sales rose 15.2 per cent to £382.7 million. Ocado said £2.8 million of the loss was from exceptional costs associated with the Morrisons deal and opening its second Midlands-based warehouse which it will sublet to Morrisons.
'Waitrose have more than enough information from us to understand that our relationship with Morrisons does not get even close to breaking any single clause in our agreement,' Ocado chief executive Tim Steiner told the Financial Times.
Steiner said he had already held talks on the matter with Waitrose, the main supplier of the groceries it delivers to households and which has reacted angrily to a new 25-year deal with Morrisons. Ocado said the two contracts will run entirely separately and will not affect each other or overlap.
Despite the deal with Morrisons two months ago, which sent Ocado's share price soaring, the online delivery firm yesterday posted a higher than expected pre-tax loss in the first six months of its financial year. The firm made a £3.8 million loss in the period to May 19 compared to a £200,000 profit in the same period a year earlier.
Profit on an ebitda basis, which excludes interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation, increased from £14.9 million to £19.2 million as sales rose 15.2 per cent to £382.7 million. Ocado said £2.8 million of the loss was from exceptional costs associated with the Morrisons deal and opening its second Midlands-based warehouse which it will sublet to Morrisons.
Wiggle.com Sales Surge 21 Per Cent From Olympic Boost
Cycling web site Wiggle.com has increased sales by 21 per cent after more shoppers bought cycling gear following Britain's success at the Olympics.
The site said sales in the year to February 3 increased to £140.8 million compared to the previous year. Profit rose 2.1 per cent to £14 million, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were taken into account.
Chairman Andy Bond said trading since the end of the year had accelerated. ‘Current trading is strong with the business posting a faster rate of growth in the year to date compared to 2012. The company is enjoying continued high growth in the UK where it remains the strongest player in the enthusiast bike, run and triathlon market.’
Investment in range, web site improvements, better distribution, IT and marketing had meant Wiggle consolidated its position as the UK’s biggest bike kit web site, he said.
The site said sales in the year to February 3 increased to £140.8 million compared to the previous year. Profit rose 2.1 per cent to £14 million, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation were taken into account.
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| Wiggle Sponsors Women's Cycling Team Wiggle Honda |
Chairman Andy Bond said trading since the end of the year had accelerated. ‘Current trading is strong with the business posting a faster rate of growth in the year to date compared to 2012. The company is enjoying continued high growth in the UK where it remains the strongest player in the enthusiast bike, run and triathlon market.’
Investment in range, web site improvements, better distribution, IT and marketing had meant Wiggle consolidated its position as the UK’s biggest bike kit web site, he said.
Internet Shopping 'To Plateau,' Claims Report
The growth of the internet shopping market is expected to plateau by 2020, according to a study by property consultants Colliers International.
The research suggests the size of the internet market will level off at 20 per cent of the entire general merchandise market, which excludes groceries.
The Scotsman newspaper reported that the study suggests that a new wave of retail developments will begin to be built in 2014 although will not gain significant momentum until 2018.
It said it expected bricks and mortar retailers to find a balance between on and offline that would help reverse the number of empty shops from 12 per cent today to about 7 per cent in 2020. It said growth in new types of retail such as the fast growing pound sector and 'casual dining' outlets such as Nandos and Giraffe would also help.
Colliers, as part of its country-wide 17th Midsummer Retail Report, also warned that some town centres are at a 'critical' stage and called for more action. It said a review of business rates, more flexibility in planning and more widespread free-parking are needed.
The research suggests the size of the internet market will level off at 20 per cent of the entire general merchandise market, which excludes groceries.
The Scotsman newspaper reported that the study suggests that a new wave of retail developments will begin to be built in 2014 although will not gain significant momentum until 2018.
It said it expected bricks and mortar retailers to find a balance between on and offline that would help reverse the number of empty shops from 12 per cent today to about 7 per cent in 2020. It said growth in new types of retail such as the fast growing pound sector and 'casual dining' outlets such as Nandos and Giraffe would also help.
Colliers, as part of its country-wide 17th Midsummer Retail Report, also warned that some town centres are at a 'critical' stage and called for more action. It said a review of business rates, more flexibility in planning and more widespread free-parking are needed.
Vente Privee Aims To Double European Sales to £3 billion
French online store Vente Privee wants to more than double sales in the coming years to €3 billion.
Co-founder of the private members site Ilan Benhaim said the growth will come mainly through sales via mobile devices, according to Dutch web site Retail Detail.
'We realise growth by making the brand big in a country. When people start taking about products and services, new customers will follow. In our home country ten thousand new members register every day,' he is reported to have said.
He said there was no urgency to grow, adding: 'We have [time to grow] because we own the whole company. There is no venture capital or any other interested parties.'
Co-founder of the private members site Ilan Benhaim said the growth will come mainly through sales via mobile devices, according to Dutch web site Retail Detail.
'We realise growth by making the brand big in a country. When people start taking about products and services, new customers will follow. In our home country ten thousand new members register every day,' he is reported to have said.
He said there was no urgency to grow, adding: 'We have [time to grow] because we own the whole company. There is no venture capital or any other interested parties.'
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
N Brown Sales Jump As Weather Improves
Catalogue and internet group N Brown said sales have jumped in the past 10 weeks as fashion sales improved amid better weather conditions.
Total group revenue increased 8 per cent while like-for-like sales increased 7.8 per cent, excluding newly opened stores. The group has begun opening small numbers of stores to better promote brands and capitalise on cheap high street rents.
'Ladieswear revenue has recovered as the weather has improved, and we continue to see strong growth from menswear and footwear. Home and gift’s sales momentum is continuing and it remains our fastest growing product category,' said chairman Andrew Higginson.
'The key brands targeted at customers aged under 50 years old - Simply Be, Fashion World and Jacamo, all delivered good growth,' he said.
Analysts at Cantor said the figures were ahead of City expectations.
Total group revenue increased 8 per cent while like-for-like sales increased 7.8 per cent, excluding newly opened stores. The group has begun opening small numbers of stores to better promote brands and capitalise on cheap high street rents.
'Ladieswear revenue has recovered as the weather has improved, and we continue to see strong growth from menswear and footwear. Home and gift’s sales momentum is continuing and it remains our fastest growing product category,' said chairman Andrew Higginson.
'The key brands targeted at customers aged under 50 years old - Simply Be, Fashion World and Jacamo, all delivered good growth,' he said.
Analysts at Cantor said the figures were ahead of City expectations.
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