Oxford Summer School has launched a foundation level programme aimed at developing first appointment store managers, head office department managers, large store department managers, and supervisors who are in line for promotion within 6 months.

To find out more about the programme that will run at Keble College, Oxford from 9-13 July, take a look at the PDF and Retail Week article downloads through the link below or call the OSS on 01295 713391 or email info@oxfordsummerschool.co.uk

OSS Prospectus 2012

RW article May 2012

A UK-wide consultation seeking views on whether tobacco products should be sold in standardised packaging has been launched. This consultation will aid the government in exploring whether action on tobacco packaging has the potential to bring public health benefits over and above those from the current DoH initiatives, including the recent display ban for larger stores.

Standardised packaging could consist of, for example:

• no branding
• a uniform colour
• standard font and text for any writing on the pack

Views are also sought on whether there might be other implications if standardised packaging requirements were introduced, including any potential effect on the illicit tobacco market.

The consultation asks for views on whether:

• tobacco packaging should remain unchanged
• plain packaging should be adopted
• a different option should be considered

You have until 10 July to have your say on the tobacco packaging consultation.

Any decisions to take further policy action on tobacco packaging will be taken only after full consideration is given to consultation responses, evidence and other relevant information.

Only temporary displays in ‘certain limited circumstances’ will be allowed, with the rules phased in to minimise the impact on businesses, according to the Department of Health.

The regulations will come into force for large stores on April 6 2012 and on April 6 2015 for all other shops.

For further information regarding the legal obligations when selling and displaying tobacco products click HERE

Thomson will sell “uniquely designed holidays” while First Choice will focus solely on all-inclusive package holidays.
The rebrand is being spearheaded by TUI retail director Kathryn Ward and distribution director Nick Longman.
Commenting on the move Longman said: “We have two major, distinctive brands, and have a strong presence across the country.  We want to make the biggest, clearest impact we can, for our customers.

“There is certainly room for both brands, and customers will benefit from the breadth and clarity of what we have to offer. To ensure we remain market leaders on the high street we need to give our customers unrivalled accessibility to the best choice of our wide range of products. That’s why we are bringing both our market leading brands to all of the towns we operate in.”

The store revamps will begin in the South West region with nationwide completion expected by October 2013.

Working with prepaid services company PrePay Solutions, the department store chain has launched the House of Fraser Recognition Reward Card which allows customers to check their balance, make purchases and sign up to monthly emails carrying news of special offers and events. Customers collect points on their card can redeem in-store or on the retailer’s website.

Commenting on the new scheme Maureen Dunlop, House of Fraser head of customer relationship management, said: “It’s our goal to treat every customer like a VIP so we’re delighted to be able to reward our customers through the House of Fraser Recognition Reward Card. ”We’re very pleased with the level of uptake, which shows that our customers see the benefit of the card, as well as enabling us to get much greater customer insight.”

Retail sales in the 13 week period to 25 July  increased 0.8% year on year to £368 million while retail gross profit decreased 6.6% to £156 million.  Sports Direct said the results were set  against tough comparatives in the same period last year when sales were boosted by the World Cup.

The Brands division revenue decreased by 2.3% to £42 million  and the corresponding gross profit was flat at £18 million. Sports Direct said it opened nine stores  and closed four during the period, two of which were core relocations.  It also opened three and closed four non-core stores. Its European retail arm opened one new store in France, two in the Netherlands and one in Cyprus.

Dave Forsey, chief executive of Sports Direct International, said: “The group’s underlying performance in the period has been in line with management expectations, while continuing to invest in margin, inventory and extra group marketing.”

The company will hold its AGM this afternoon when shareholders will vote on whether to purchase 32 properties from board member Mike Ashley at a cost of £86.8 million.

The BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index showed that shop price inflation moved down to 2.7% in the month from 2.8% in July.

Food price inflation slowed to 5% from 5.2% in July.  However, the BRC warned that competition between retailers was protecting consumers from the full impact of food inflation saying that “nearly 40% per cent of all groceries going through the tills are on some sort of promotion or special offer.”

Non-food inflation increased to  1.4% from 1.3% in July as a result of increases in the prices of DIY, gardening and hardware goods.

Commenting on the figures BRC Director Stephen Robertson said: “This is a modest piece of good news for hard-pressed households. For the second month in a row a fall in overall shop price inflation can be put down to food inflation slowing. Global commodities, such as wheat, have dropped from the peaks they reached earlier in the year, though costs remain high. And good harvests of fresh fruit and vegetables such as apples, plums and corn-on-the-cob have also helped keep food prices down.”     He added: “There has been a small rise in non-food inflation but it remains well below the level that could be expected following January’s VAT rise. Retailers of big-ticket items in particular are dependent on high levels of discounting to make sales, keeping prices down for customers.”

Prime Minister David Cameron has announced in Parliament this morning a raft of measures to help retailers who have been affected by the riots.

These include:

- Businesses which have suffered damage to or loss of their buildings or property as a result of rioting, will be able seek compensation under the Riot Damages Act, even if uninsured. Whereas normally claims must be received within 14 days, the deadline will be extended to  42 days.

- A new £20 million high street support scheme has been set up to help affected businesses get back up and running quickly.

- To minimise the costs facing businesses, the government will enable local authorities to grant business rate relief, by funding at least three quarters of their costs.

- Tax payments for businesses in greatest need will be deferred through Time to Pay and other practical support.

- For businesses that have been the most badly damaged the government has instructed the valuation office to immediately stop liability for council tax and business rates.

- Planning regulations will be relaxed to make it easier  for shops to put up protective shutters.

- A new £10 million Recovery Scheme has been established to provide additional support to councils in making areas safe, clean and clear again.

- The government has pledged to meet the immediate costs of emergency accommodation for families made homeless by the disturbances.

The Prime Minister said that the government had been assured by The Association of British Insurers that claims will continue to be dealt with as quickly and constructively as possible. The ABI has told the government that it expects the industry to be paying out in excess of £200 million.

Commenting on the measures, British Retail Consortium director general, Stephen Robertson, said: “The Prime Minister has listened to our pleas and satisfied the majority of them. The mindless damage done to shops over the past few days is in effect mindless damage to our communities. The Government has shown great willingness to work with retailers to put our streets back together.

“Our biggest fear is that otherwise successful retailers are pushed into insolvency by the events of this week. Suspending business rates on wrecked shops, flexibility on VAT collection and reassurance that shortfalls in insurance cover will be made up will all help substantially minimise that risk. Planning flexibilities on security measures should also extend to rebuilding.

“The retail sector has been battling difficult trading conditions for much of this year and sadly for some shops these attacks will be the final straw. Even where shops do manage to stay in business it is likely not all jobs will survive. Support for retailers will translate directly into support for employees, and preserve vital local services.

“Our high streets urgently need action which will revitalise them in the long-term. When the rubble has been cleared away and stores have reopened, there will be bigger, underlying problems still to address. We look forward to working with the Government to establish an action plan which will give our communities the vibrant, well-kept and successful high streets they deserve.”

Edinburgh Woollen Mill bought the Jane Norman brand and 33 of its following the fashion chain’s collapse earlier in the summer but the concessions in Debenhams did not form part of the deal.

Debenhams had been talking with administrators and the new owners about finding a way of taking the concessions forward. However, the discussions stalled after Debenhams reportedly complained of “unreasonable” demands for “tens of millions” of pounds to continue the partnership.

The department store said it was trying to find new roles for the staff working in the concessions although unlitmate responsibility lies with administrators Zolfo Cooper.

Debenhams said it intends to use the 80,000 sq ft of trading space occupied by Jane Norman to house new concessions and Debenhams own brands.

Like-for-like shopping centre sales grew by 1.9% in the UK and 1.8% in France.

Group occupancy was 97.2% at 30 June, which was ahead of Hammeron’s target of 97, and the company signed a  total of 125 leases in the period either for new space or renewals. This lowered the vacancy rate to 2.8%  from 3.3% three months earlier. Footfall increased by 2.6% at UK shopping centres, versus a benchmark of -0.9%.

Hammerson said the “positive impact of acquisitions and developments” has been “offset by the effects of disposals and higher administration expenses”.

The company secured planning approval for Eastgate Quarters, a 106,000 squer metre retail led scheme in Leeds which will feature John Lewis and Marks & Spencer, alongside 130 new retail and restaurant units.  In addition, development agreements were obtained for retail schemes at Sevenstone, Sheffield and The Orchard Centre, Didcot.

David Atkins, chief executive of Hammerson, said: “These results show continued momentum in our business, driven by high quality assets coupled with focused management initiatives. In addition we have enhanced the prospective returns from the portfolio through both targeted acquisitions and development activity, and our flexible financing structure will allow us to take advantage of further investment opportunities.”

He continued: “Our regionally dominant shopping centres and convenient retail parks are trading ahead of national benchmarks and continue to attract successful retailers. Despite a challenging retail backdrop in both our markets, we have seen little impact from the recent rise in UK retail administrations.”