With the rather disparaging headline “VAT-dodge firm The
Hut looks to float”, the Guardian reports that online retailer
The Hut Group has appointed Rothschild to advise
on a possible IPO.
Online designer-goods retailer Brand Alley has
appointed Merrill Lynch to raise €100 million (£87
million) in order to fund its acquisition strategy, reports
Bloomberg, citing the Sunday
Times.
ECMOD Award winner Naked Wines has introduced a
scheme that allows wine producers to sell directly to customers
via its online marketplace. The Mail on Sunday writes that producers can set
the price of the wine and Naked Wines will take 10 percent
commission.
Tim Waterstone, the founder of the bookstore chain that bears his
name, has been linked to a possible acquisition of the struggling
business, writes the Guardian.
British handbags and accessories label Anya
Hindmarch has appointed former Gucci
and Harrods boss James McArthur as chief
executive, reports the Financial Times. The business’s eponymous
founder will step down from her position as CEO to take a more
creative role in the company.
France-based Kesa is reportedly planning to
delist and sell its British electricals business
Comet. According to the Telegraph, the move will allow Kesa to divest
its loss-making UK arm to focus on Darty, its
better-performing French chain.
The Daily Mail writes that as
Amazon launches a publishing business, book
publishers warn that traditional publishing houses and book shops
will be driven out of business.
Apparel cataloguer Boden has signed up to the
Collect+ scheme allowing customers to return items via the
Collect + network of 3,500 local shops.
Jewellery firm Signet may sell its high street
chains H Samuel and Ernest
Jones following declining UK sales, writes the Scotsman.
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