Another solid trading update from N Brown Group, which saw like-for-like sales rise 3.7 per cent in the 26 weeks ended 1st September 2012. The company, which operates Simply Be, Jacamo and Julipa, saw total revenue rise 4.3 per cent to £379.3 million in the half-year. The rise was mostly driven by growth in its younger brands and strong online trading. Ecommerce sales now account for 53 per cent of home shopping revenue. Operating profit was down 2.8 per cent, however, after absorbing the anticipated losses of the Simply Be concept stores and a £1.3 million increase in depreciation charge. Current trading is looking positive–up 10.1 per cent in the six weeks to 13th October.
After almost nine years as chief executive, Sally Bailey has confirmed she is leaving apparel retailer White Stuff. She retains her position as chairman of the White Stuff Foundation, a charity helping disadvantaged children and young people in local communities. During her time at White Stuff, the business grew from sales of £14 million to an annual turnover of more than £100 million.
Kingfisher is investing £60 million into B&Q, which will include a revamp of its website and new services such as in-store kiosks. The Telegraph says Kingfisher will use Screwfix as its model for improving digital selling at B&Q.
The Hut Group, owner of Myprotein, AllSole and Mankind.co.uk, has named Richard Pennycook as a nonexecutive director. Pennycook is currently group finance director of supermarket Morrisons.
In Hut-related news, Oliver Cookson, the founder of sports-nutrition website Myprotein, is gearing up to launch a new online retail venture separate to the Hut Group. Disclosing a trail of images and hints on Twitter, Cookson confirmed he’s working on an “online consumer brand” in a different sector to
Myprotein. It is scheduled to go live within eight weeks.
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