Auto accessories retailer Halfords has appointed former Pets at Home boss Matt Davies as its chief executive. His appointment comes after the group’s announcement of a 6.2 per cent sales increase in the second quarter-driven by the Olympics and Tour de France-but an overall 1.9 per cent decline in retail revenue in the first half of the year. Given the strong performance in the second half, Halfords now expects full year profits to be at the top end of its £62 million to £70 million estimate.
In other appointments news, Debenhams has hired Google’s UK country sales director Peter Fitzgerald as a nonexecutive director. Prior to working at Google, Fitzgerald worked for Amazon, from 1999 to 2007, in Europe and in the USA.
Group revenue at British fashion brand Ted Baker rose 15.4 per cent to £118.6 million in the 28 weeks ended 11th August. The company delivered solid growth in the UK, with retail sales up 7.9 per cent to £74.7 million. The real star performance came from international sales, however, with US retail sales up 53.3 per cent to approximately £15.9 million ($25.6 million), while rest of the world retail sales were up 58 per cent to £2.8 million. Online sales also soared in the period, up 82.4 per cent to £6.2 million. Pretax profit rose 10.4 per cent to £9.4 million, excluding a one-off cost of £1.6 million relating to the opening of two new stores.
Mothercare has made two senior appointments to accelerate its turnaround, reports the Evening Standard. Philippe Dayraud, most recently at French apparel chain Pimkie, joined Mothercare as global product and sourcing director, while Jude Bridge joins in December as global brand and marketing director, from the charity Save the Children.
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