Redundancies at M&S following dismal Christmas

Total sales at Marks & Spencer fell 1.2 percent for the 13 weeks ended 27th December, with UK sales down 3.4 percent and like-for-like store sales down 7.1 percent. Online sales were up 29 percent, but that wasn’t enough to stave off redundancies: The company plans to cut about 780 store jobs as it closes 27 stores. It will also reduce its head-office staff by 15 percent, or 450 employees.

New development for job seekers at ecmod360.co.uk

CataloguesCatalogues publisher Synergy Partnership is offering all individuals in the sector who are seeking employment a month long advertisement in the new Recruitment & Resourcing Hall at the ecmod360.co.uk virtual exhibition site. The digital marketplace which launched at ECMOD 2008 in October will also host listings of individuals available for interim positions and independent consultants in all disciplines.

Ecommerce a holiday bright spot for Next, Debenhams, Thorntons

Total year-on-year sales at Next for the 21 weeks to 24th December were down 1.9 percent from 2007. The Directory catalogue and ecommerce division offered a glimmer of good news: Its sales were up 1.1 percent from the previous year. Total retail sales were down 3 percent for the period, however, and like-for-like store sales tumbled by 7 percent.

Ecommerce was also a bright spot for department store chain Debenhams. Year-on-year online sales to 3rd January were up 37.4 percent on a 39.2-percent rise in website visitors. But for the 18 weeks ended 3rd January, total sales were down 3.5 percent from the previous year.

Direct sales at chocolatier Thorntons for the 12 weeks to 27th December grew 3.5 percent from the previous year, to £4.0 million. This sum includes corporate sales, which declined, as well as web sales, which jumped 24.7 percent. The company’s total sales for the period, however, fell 2.3 percent, to £77.6 million, because of a 5.4-percent tumble in own-store sales.

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Other Breaking Stories...

EBTM seeks "strategic options"

Poor Christmas sales and a disappointing performance from its wholesale division have led EBTM, which specialises in music-related fashion, to “explore strategic options”, including a sale of the entire company or individual divisions. The company’s net sales for December were down 33 percent from the previous year. EBTM had sold its Lowlife accessories brand in October as part of a restructuring of its wholesale business.

Book Club Associates sold

German conglomerate Bertelsmann has sold Book Club Associates (BCA), the UK’s largest mail order bookseller, to another German firm, Aurelius. BCA’s brands include Books Direct and Books for Children. Aurelius is a turnaround specialist, and it expects to return BCA to profitability this year.

Pandora Books buys competitor

Pandora Books, a direct seller of books to schools, has acquired competitor Badger Publishing. Pandora was acquired by Key Capital Partners last year. Pandora and Badger have a combined estimated annual turnover of £10 million.

ECMOD Awards entry fees waived

Hot off the press comes news that the entry fees for the ECMOD Awards will be waived thanks to the generous support of one of the UK’s leading parcel carriers - Citipost. This means that all businesses may enter as many of the categories that are relevant to them without incurring an entry cost. There may have been tougher times of late but that is no reason not to focus on and celebrate your team’s achievements. Entry forms for these coveted annual awards are downloadable now at www.ecmod360.co.uk/awards. The closing date for entries is Friday 20th February 2009.

Waterford Wedgwood in administration

Venerable tableware manufacturer/marketer Waterford Wedgwood called in the administrators after its lenders refused to postpone payments for a fourth time. Deloitte, which is now in control of the company’s British and Irish operations, says that at least three US companies have expressed interest in acquiring assets of the 250-year-old brand.

Blooming Marvellous about to go bust?

2008 in review

Our sister magazine, Catalogue/e-business, has put together a roundup of the biggest industry stories of 2008: who bought whom, who sold whom, who made how many redundant… You can refresh your memory at www.catalog-biz.com.

There’s never been a better time to join The Catalogue Exchange

With an all new website poised to launch, along with a roster of regional networking and training events, The Catalogue Exchange is offering all businesses concrete help and support during these turbulent times. Annual membership enables all of your key people to access an exhaustive library/research centre, engage in online discussion forums and live events, take advantage of special member deals, and gain valuable insights to help them and your business succeed. With client side membership for small businesses (under £1 million sales) offered at just £245 per year; and larger client side businesses paying just £495 – our rates are pegged for yet another year. Call us on 0871-855545 to discover what you have been missing.

Acquisitions sought

Despite the general view that no one is prepared to invest in sector businesses right now, there are well funded businesses ready and willing to look at all propositions. If you are thinking of selling to change direction, reduce debt or can see the writing on the wall please get in touch. Our MD & Publisher is in touch with several would be buyers of distressed or underperforming businesses and will gladly make introductions. Refreshingly we require no fee or consideration for the service. It is simply an extension of our service and commitment to you during these challenging times.