Sales at homeware and apparel retailer Next’s
direct division rose 15.1 per cent in the first half of the year,
offsetting a 1.7 drop in retail sales. Total Next brand sales for
the 26 weeks to 30th July rose 3.2 per cent. The figures were in
line with management expectations.
Balderton Capital, whose investments include
WorldStores and MyWardrobe, has
taken a stake in secret-sales website Achica, reports the
Telegraph.
Sir Tom Hunter, the Scottish entrepreneur, has bought £1 million worth of shares in sportswear retailer Sports Direct. The deal comes just under a month since Sports Direct took a controlling stake in Sir Tom’s fashion business USC and in luxury goods retailer Cruise.
Mothercare has named Alan Parker as nonexecutive
chairman, effective 15th August. He succeeds Ian Peacock who
steps down from the role after nine years as chairman. Parker is
president of the British Hospitality Association and previously
served as chief executive at Whitbread where he
was responsible for developing the Costa coffee
brand.
Shoe retailer Hotter Comfort Concept says it’s
on track to open 25 stores by the end of 2011. The company
currently has 18 high street stores, having opened 12 stores in
the UK in the past year.
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