The government has unveiled its Postal Services Bill, outlining its plans for the privatisation of Royal Mail. The Bill, which is set to be scrutinised and debated by parliament in the coming months, proposes that at least 10 per cent of the shares in a privatised Royal Mail will go to its employees. In addition, Royal Mail will be relieved of its pension deficit by the government. With regards to the requirements of the universal postal service–collection and delivery of post six days a week at uniform, affordable prices–the government says it has no intention of downgrading them and has written the requirements into the Bill. Further, privatisation, said business secretary Vince Cable, “will remove the risk to taxpayers of an expensive bail out”.
Following the launch of its US website in September, apparel etailer ASOS will launch its French and German-language sites by the end of October. In a trading statement for the three months ended September 2010, retail sales at ASOS soared 47 per cent year-on-year. UK sales rose 21 per cent to £43.7 million and international sales more than doubled, up 128 per cent to £26.0 million in the second quarter.
In the first half of 2010, overseas retail sales at Mothercare exceeded UK retail sales for the first time. Total UK sales were down half a per cent in the 28 weeks ended 9th October despite direct sales delivering a 15.8 per cent growth in the first half. International retail sales rose 17.3 per cent during the period. “So far this year we have opened 112 new overseas stores, increasing retail space by 13 per cent,” said chief executive Ben Gordon in a statement. “We expect to open at least 150 new overseas stores this year, 50 more than our previous estimate, increasing retail space by at least 20 per cent.”
The Hereford Times reports that home and country wear retailer Philip Morris & Son has launched its first-ever mail order catalogue to complement the success of its online store.
According to Channel Info magazine, wholesaler Spicers has made marketing and communications director Jane Rowe redundant. Her responsibilities will now be handled by Jeanette Bresitz who becomes head of marketing.
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