Footwear retailer Pavers Shoes has become the first foreign retailer to be allowed to set up wholly-owned stores in India after the Indian government cleared a multimillion-pound investment proposal from Pavers after six months’ deliberation. Pavers England plans to open 120 new retail stores in India and increase the number of concessions within department stores to around 350 over the next two years. The company is also looking to acquire its Chennai-based franchise partner Triton Retail, which currently runs 30 stores across India.
Frank Keenan has been named the new managing director of Marshalls Seeds. He joins from Play.com where he was category director. He succeeds Martin Harvey, who leaves the business after six years at the helm. Announcing Harvey’s departure, Marshalls chairman Edward Conroy said, “Martin has done an outstanding job in the last six years, trebling the sales of the business, providing exceptional leadership and developing a stable business model upon which we can continue to build. Whilst we are in some ways sad at his departure, the goals we set for the turnaround have been achieved and the business is in excellent shape. I am also pleased to say that he will retain an interest in the business for the immediate future.”
PPR is to sell the sports and leisure activities of Redcats USA, including the Sportman’s Guide and the Golf Warehouse to Northern Tool + Equipment for $215 million (approximately £135 million). The Sportsman’s Guide, the Golf Warehouse and Northern Tool + Equipment would continue to run as standalone retail brands and businesses, while benefiting from common commercial opportunities, synergies and large economies of scale, according to a company statement. Pending regulatory approval, the deal will transform Northern Tool + Equipment into a company nearing $1.5 billion in sales. According to a statement, no job cuts are expected as a result of the acquisition.
UK consumers are forecast to spend £4.6 billion online over the two weeks commencing 3rd December, according to IMRG and Capgemini. What’s more, £920 million is expected to go through smartphones and tablets, after the popularity of making purchases through the mobile channel has accelerated throughout the year.
Zulily’s UK managing director Kristine Kirby has left the flash-sales specialist. Kirby joined the etailer last year and had previously worked at Monsoon and Fat Face.
Some 330 Comet staff have been made redundant, primarily from head office and central functions such as finance and marketing roles. Deloitte confirmed that all 236 Comet stores continue to trade as normal, and staff will continue to be paid for the work they do while Comet is trading in administration.
Ning Li, the founder of furniture detailed Made.com, is interviewed by City AM. Choice quote: “Made.com cuts importers, wholesalers and high street retailers out of the production chain, directly connecting customers with the manufacturers. Li doesn’t have the risk of inventory, so ‘the consumer gets a low price, designers get a cut and we make a profit’. So everyone’s a winner, I suggest. ‘Perhaps not the people selling leather chesterfield sofas for €3,000’, he quips.”
The Financial Times talks to Joe Dixon, vice-president of production at US apparel retailer Brooks Brothers, about supporting manufacturing in the UK.
Starting in the new year, the Co-operative Group is introducing its new Christmas savings scheme. To create the scheme, Co-op has worked closely with the Farepak Victims Committee to ring-fence money into a trust, which it says will give consumers greater protection for their Christmas savings. The collapse of Farepak in 2006 led to nearly 120,000 people, many from low-income households, losing on average £400 each.
Marketing and technology agency LBi has acquired Sceneric, an eCommerce consultancy and systems integrator for an undisclosed sum.
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