Littlewoods Shop Direct Group has rebranded, changing its name to
Shop Direct Group. A statement from group chief executive Mark
Newton-Jones on the company’s blog said that the abbreviated name
follows other “significant” changes, including the
creation of one head office and one IT platform. In addition to
the flagship Littlewoods brand, the company’s titles include
Additions Direct, Marshall Ward, Kays, Great Universal and
Choice. And as of 1st July, customers will have the option of
shopping from the Empire fascia. A rebranded Empire website will
launch complemented by a new catalogue, which will be mailed to
existing Empire customers. Littlewoods acquired Empire’s customer
database and brand name from Redcats UK in January after Redcats
announced it was closing the home shopping stalwart to focus on
its “healthier”, web-driven brands.
Restructuring is also taking place at other divisions of the
company, with Shop Direct Group-controlled marketing services
provider CDMS becoming an independent entity as of 1st May. It
has formed its own board of directors to “facilitate
further rapid development” following an increase in
turnover from £18 million in 2006 to £29 million in
2007. CDMS now projects revenues to reach £70 million in the
year ending April 2008. Speculation surrounds Shop Direct-owned
delivery business Home Delivery Network and whether it too has
become independent. At press time, Home Delivery Network had
neither denied nor confirmed suspicions.
Share