Green 'considered Bhs sale'

Philip Green has spoken to rivals including Asda and Debenhams about selling Bhs or forming a joint venture to own the retailer, according to reports today.

Green declined to comment yesterday on speculation that he had talked to other retailers about various business combinations for Bhs.

However, it now appears that he will hold on to the struggling department store chain, which he admitted previously is likely to report operating profits down about 30 per cent on last year, because of tough trading conditions.

In October, Bhs reported total sales of£889.2 million for the year to April 2, with operating profits falling 5.8 per cent to£105.1 million.

Green made an unsuccessful bid for high street rival M&S last year, but since then has refocused on the Bhs business and is taking a more hands-on role in the retailer's operations, which he transformed when he first took over.