Retail News UK

Value fashion brand New Look has reported record full-year results.

Total group sales in the year to March 28 grew 14.9 per cent to £1.32bn, with EBITDA up 10.2 per cent to £217.6m. Like-for-likes in the UK and Ireland rose 1.4 per cent.

Technology and entertainment retailer Virgin Media has announced an aggressive roll-out of its store format in an attempt to significantly increase its high-street presence and to capitalise on lower rents and landlord incentives.

Jessops has reported a loss of £5.9m in its first half and said that while it was still working "towards a solvent solution for the business" it does not expect "any value will be attributed to shareholders".

Borders UK has held talks with a restructuring specialist to advise it on its store portfolio.

The bookseller has been working with RSM Bentley Jennison to look at restructuring options for its stores.

John Lewis Partnership recorded a 2.8 per cent sales rise in the week to May 16.

The eponymous department store chain posted a decline of 0.7 per cent, bringing the year to date fall to 5.5 per cent. Grocer Waitrose notched up a 4.9 per cent rise in turnover, bringing the total to 3.2 per cent so far this year.

French Connection's UK and European like-for-likes increased 2 per cent in the 11 weeks to May 16.

Total sales at the fashion retailer grew 8 per cent, while gross margin at its high street and shopping centre arm was at a similar level to last year, although taking into account additional outlet stores, margin across the board was lower.

Carphone Warehouse is to scrap its strategy of paying store staff sales commissions in a bid to put customer service ahead of personal financial gain.

As revealed by Retail Week, the retailer began a commission-free trial with 1,300 staff in London last year, to encourage staff to make a sale using impartial advice.

International fashion giant H&M has posted recession-busting like-for-like growth of 8 per cent for April, when total sales climbed 19 per cent.

The comparable store sales advance ended eight successive months of like-for-like falls.

Marks & Spencer will celebrate its 125^th birthday next week by returning to its origins as a penny bazaar and putting 2 million products on sale for 1p each.

M&S, founded by Russian refugee Michael Marks as a Leeds market stall in 1884, will sell product ranging from purses and cufflinks to socks and sweets at Original Penny Bazaars, which will be set up in about 300 shops.

German discount grocer Aldi will create 650 jobs in the Republic of Ireland over the next three years as it continues apace with growth plans.

The jobs will be created as part of a €350m investment in 35 new stores in the country plus a new distribution centre.