Breakfast briefing: Edinburgh Woollen Mill, The Body Shop and more

Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner opens new department store

Edinburgh Woollen Mill owner Philip Day, who acquired the Jaeger brand, has opened his first department store ‘Days’ in Carmarthen in Wales, This Is Money reported.

The Days store will stock goods from brands such as Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Peacocks, Jane Norman, Austin Reed, Country Casuals and Jaeger.

Day is combining all of his businesses under one roof.

A Days spokesperson said: “Over the past decade The Edinburgh Woollen Mill group has built up a portfolio of excellent British brands and we believe bringing these all together with carefully selected partners will deliver an exciting and enjoyable shopping experience for everyone.”

Chinese healthcare group to bid for Body Shop

Chinese healthcare company Renhe Pharmacy is planning a £600m bid to buy the Body Shop from L'Oréal, Sky News reported.

Renhe Pharmacy Co has said that it might participate in the auction.

Renhe could not be reached for comment.

Jack Wills launches German store

Jack Wills is opening a new shop in Sylt, northern Germany, with plans to open 11 more international stores, The Irish Independent reported.

The British fashion brand is expanding in Europe to offset the impact of the drop in the pound.

Founder and chief executive Peter Williams said: “It is only natural that we look to expand our store footprint internationally as we grow as a business and look to reach new customers.

“Our increasingly international store portfolio provides a natural hedge as we look to reap the benefits of a diversified currency base in the face of a prolonged weakening of the sterling.”

Sainsbury’s considers bid for Palmer & Harvey

Sainsbury’s is exploring the possibility of acquiring Palmer & Harvey (P&H), the tobacco, alcohol and grocery wholesaler and major supplier for Tesco, The Telegraph reported.

The wholesale firm was put up for sale several weeks ago and has hired PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to supervise the process.

The move comes amid concerns regarding P&H’s future ahead of a Tesco-Booker deal.

PwC, Sainsbury’s and P&H declined to comment.