British apparel retailer Hobbs has announced
plans to create up to 300 jobs in its design, head office and
retail functions over the next two years following a strong
financial performance. Chief executive Nicky Dulieu reported that
sales in the year to January 2011 grew by 13 percent, and by a
further 10 percent in the year to date. “Our plans will
enable us to continue to increase market share in the UK, through
our multichannel and multibrand strategy and to expand our
international presence,” she said in a statement.
Carphone Warehouse has announced a change in
strategy that will see it close its Best
Buy-branded “big box” stores to focus on its
CPW Europe stores-trading as The Carphone Warehouse and The Phone
House brands. A consultation is underway about shuttering the 11
stores, with some 1,000 jobs at risk. The company said closing
Best Buy UK will “eliminate significant ongoing losses
within Best Buy Europe”. It incurred operating losses of
£62 million in the year ended 31 March 2011 and £47
million in the six months to 30 September 2011.
Crate & Barrel is also reconsidering its
expansion in Europe, reports the Independent. The American homewares retailer
has postponed its plans to open stores in the UK. Instead, writes
the newspaper, American retailers are concentrating on online
marketing.
Homewares shopping portal MyDeco is launching a
commerce-enabled website allowing consumers to shop from a
marketplace of some 30 retailers, including boutiques
“handpicked” by the MyDeco team.
Mobile-phone accessories etailer Mobile Fun has
gone live with its Dutch and Spanish sites.
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