Jack Wills is ditching the Aubin & Wills name after Christmas. A company statement confirmed that “in order to focus on the global rollout of Jack Wills and the significant international opportunity for the brand, we have decided not to expand the Aubin & Wills estate and to close the current stores”. The company also said it would convert, “where possible”, the Aubin & Wills stores into Jack Wills outlets early next year. It is entering into consultations with affected staff in order to minimise redundancies.
Swedish investment firm Kinnevik has become the largest shareholder in Germany-based online retailer Zalando following the acquisition of an additional 10 per cent stake from Holtzbrinck Ventures, Tengelmann and Rocket Internet. Kinnevik now holds 26 per cent directly plus another 9 per cent indirectly through Rocket Internet. Apparel etailer Zalando says it is on track to double last year’s revenue of €510 million this year.
Mothercare chief executive Simon Calver says he’s confident the company can deliver the targets set in its three-year plan, even after announcing that total group sales declined 5.9 per cent in the first half of the year. Sales in the UK were down by 8.3 per cent in the 28 weeks to 13th October, but it wasn’t all bad news; international retail sales were up 10.8 per cent in the half year.
Online marketplace eBay reported a rise in third-quarter sales and profits, as more consumers used the site, as well as its payment service PayPal. Sales were up 15 percent to $3.4 billion (£2.1 billion), while net profit for the three months ended September rose 14 per cent to $718 million (£445 million).
Hilarys Blinds, which has £100 million annual turnover, has relaunched its website on a new CMS platform, which provides it with better content management. The site was developed by Manchester agency Code Computerlove.
PC World has been named Britain’s worst retailer in a customer poll by Which?, reports the Scotsman. In contrast, cosmetics firm Liz Earle scored most highly, with shoppers giving the company a top score of 94 per cent and praising it for offering free samples and personalised packaging.
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