Emily Bendell, founder of lingerie firm BlueBella, expects to turn over more than £1 million this year, writes the Daily Mail. She told the paper that sales are up 40 per cent on last year and that the company’s network of direct sellers is “growing really quickly”. Bendell is now an ambassador for Start-Up Loans, the government’s loan scheme for people aged 18 to 24 who have a business idea. To establish her business, Bendell secured £50,000 three years ago from Addidi Business Angels, a women-only investment club. Her other major investor is sex-toys detailed Lovehoney.
Accountancy firm BDO, which tracks trading across UK stores, has revealed that like-for-like sales increased 3.5 per cent in September, their fastest rise this year. Further, online sales grew by more than 32 per cent last month, accounting for approximately 10 to 15 per cent of all sales in each category.
The growth was corroborated by the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor, which found that UK retail sales, on a total basis, were up 3.4 per cent year on year. It found that online sales picked up from August’s record low, growing 9.9 per cent. However, on average, September showed weaker growth than this year’s trend. Apparel retailers did particularly well, as last month’s colder weather boosted sales of coats, boots and knitwear.
Marks & Spencer will take on an extra 20,000 employees across its UK and Republic of Ireland stores this Christmas, 5,000 more than last year. Last year more than 20 per cent of the 15,000 recruits were made permanent employees after finishing their seasonal contracts.
In more recruitment news, Ironmongery Direct, the online and mail order supplier of ironmongery products to the trade, has announced the appointment of Karla Matthew as HR and payroll coordinator to provide support and guidance to all levels of management and staff. Since its move to new 50,000 square-foot premises in Basildon, Ironmongery Direct has seen staff numbers increase by 15 per cent in the past year. With scope to house 250 staff and with ambitious plans for turnover to reach £50 million in a few years’ time recruitment within the company is set to continue.
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