Tesco has launched a two-week trial of an
interactive virtual grocery store at London’s Gatwick airport.
The Gatwick opening builds on Tesco’s launch of the world’s first
virtual store in South Korea last year, which allowed commuters
to shop in subways and at bus stops by pointing their mobile
phones at billboards. Tesco is now trialling the concept for the
first time in the UK, using interactive digital displays. At
Gatwick, customers will be able to view a range of products by
scrolling through the moving screens on large virtual fridges. By
scanning the barcodes with their smartphones they can add their
chosen products to their online baskets, book a home delivery
slot and checkout. Their shopping will then be delivered when
they return from holiday.
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is preparing to
launch a boxing brand originally set up by fight promoter Frank
Warren and the founder of Planet Hollywood,
Robert Earl, reports the Daily Mail. According to the piece, Sports
Direct is playing down the Queensberry 1867
launch but it is believed “to want to develop it into a
premium version of its lucrative Lonsdale brand”.
Also from the Mail, celebrity chef Gordon
Ramsay has launched proceedings in the High Court
against Canadian firm Sensio and its boss Danny
Lavy in a bid to stop the company selling kitchenware in his
name. The article explains that Lavy claims he has a binding
contract with Gordon Ramsay Holdings, allowing him to kitchenware
to US discount chain Kmart, but Ramsay argues no such binding
contract exists.
Expansys, an online retailer of wireless
technology and provider of mobile network services, has moved
into the black with a pretax profit of £1.9 million in the
year ended 30th April, compared with a loss of £700,000 in
2011. Turnover increased 33 per cent to £108.5 million, up
from £81.8 million the previous year. During the last
financial year the business added new local language websites for
Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as sites in Thailand, the
Philippines and Malaysia. These sites take the number of
local-language sites operating under the Expansys brand worldwide
to 51, with all management and support being performed in the
regional headquarters.
The Hut Group has launched
Myvitamins, a sister site to its sport-nutrition
brand Myprotein. Initially launching with 46
products in the range such as weight loss aids and fish oils,
Myvitamins is only open to UK consumers. However, following the
success of Myprotein in Europe, the Hut says there’s potential
for expansion. Performance network Affiliate Window has been
tasked to manage its affiliate programme.
According to the Exeter Express & Echo John
Lewis will open a pop-up shop in Exeter ahead of its
planned store opening later in 2012.
Seasalt is following up its debut catalogue with
an autumn/winter edition, reports the Business Cornwall website.
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