Brian McBride, managing director of Amazon UK,
has stepped down from his role to undergo treatment for prostate
cancer. Christopher North, previously vice president for media
products at Amazon.co.uk assumes the role of managing director
with immediate effect.
Homeware and apparel retailer Next estimates
that it lost £22 million of “full-price sales”
due to the adverse weather in December. In a trading statement
for the pre-Christmas period, Next said its direct business
initially benefitted from the bad weather in the run up to
Christmas, but as last-order deadlines approached, consumers’
fear of delivery delays reduced demand. Overall, during the
period from 1st August to 24th December, retail sales dipped 3.1
percent whilst home shopping and online sales at Next Directory
were up 8.7 percent on the same period last year.
Entertainment products retailer HMV is embarking
on a cost-cutting drive that will see it close 60 UK stores
during the next 12 months. The company has also said it has
identified savings totalling a further £10 million per annum
by restructuring other parts of the business, though it has not
outlined specific areas. The group released a profit warning
after total HMV and Waterstone‘s sales for the
five weeks ended 1st January slumped 11.7 percent.
The Telegraph visits Market Harborough, the home town of apparel
retailer Joules.
French mail order business 3 Suisses, which
includes the Blancheporte, Becquet, and
Quelle 1 titles, is investing more than
€70 million (approximately £60 million) in a
modernisation programme that will see it transform the business
into one that is more focused on online operations. Investment
will be made in IT systems, logistics, and customer relations
amongst other areas of the business.
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