Tag Archives: woolworths

Key Woolies exec leaves for Universal

Universal Pictures UK has taken on former Woolworths man Jim Batchelor as its new sales director, according to a report on Music Week. The new hire follows Universal Music’s swoop for HMV e-commerce director Gideon Lask – the second instance of Universal flexing its muscles and swiping key execs from …

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Woolworths rejects Iceland buyout bid

Shares in the Woolworths Group PLC jumped 15 per cent today, on the news that it had rejected a takeover bid from Iceland Foods Ltd for its retail division – owner of the frozen foods supermarket. Stock rose to 7.66p-per-share, according to Bloomberg. The chain said Iceland’s bid was ‘unacceptable’ …

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Woolworths announces new chief executive

Woolworths has announced the appointment of Steve Johnson as chief executive with effect from 1st September. He replaces Trevor Bish-Jones, who left in June after more than six years seeking to resolve the group’s difficulties. Johnson, 44, joins from Focus DIY, where he held a post as chief executive for …

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Woolworths sales tumble

Sales in Woolworths stores have fallen 3.2 per cent for the 25 weeks to 26 July 2008, whilst EUK’s and Bertram’s sales were down one per cent over the same period last year. The retailer stated that the fall in sales was due to the ‘continued strength of the entertainment …

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HMV, Woolies swerve VAT on in-store goods

HMV and Woolworths are both installing special kiosks in-store that allow consumers to purchase goods under 18 without VAT. The vending areas allow consumers to order goods directly from the Channel Islands – a method usually reserved for websites. Woolworths already has 40 ordering kiosks in its UK stores, whilst …

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GAME, Woolworths busted selling violent games to underage girl

Three High Street shops have been caught selling 18-rated video games depicting sex and violence to a 15-year-old girl in an undercover investigation by Which? magazine’s Computing desk. Woolworths, Game and Maplin all allowed the teenager to buy age-restricted games, showing ‘scenes of extreme brutality’, on the High Street. Six …

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Woolies boss ousted

Trevor Bish-Jones, CEO for UK retailer Woolworths has left his position at the firm in what the retailer has described as an amicable split. Richard North, chairman for Woolworths, said: The search for his successor is underway but in the meantime we are pleased that he has agreed to stay …

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Woolworths announces £385m refinancing

Woolworths has reached an agreement to refinance its bank revolving credit and other facilities with new four-year facilities totalling 385 million, reports The Retail Bulletin The new financing arrangements provide the Group with flexible long-term facilities which will enable its continued development, and in particular, support the growth in the …

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Woolworths dumps HD-DVD

Woolworths has announced that it is to drop HD-DVD from its product mix in March – leaving Blu-Ray as the sole ‘next-gen’ DVD format in its stores. The decision was made by Woolworths execs after Blu-Ray discs outsold HD-DVD by ten-to-one at the chain over Christmas. Woolworths will continue to …

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Woolworths predicts return to profit in 2008

Woolworths has forecast a return to profitibiliuty for its High Street stores in 2008 – after the High Street chain suffered a 3.2 per cent drop in like-for-like sales for the 49 weeks to January 12th. The firm blamed ‘fierce discounting’ across the electrical products sector for the dip – …

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