Retail news round-up: Hammerson revamps Brent Cross shopping centre and Tesco Ireland reports sales growth amid strike

Hammerson to revamp Brent Cross shopping centre

Hammerson is planning to redevelop the Brent Cross shopping centre in north London following the company’s plunge in profits for 2016, The Times reported.

The outlay comes after pre-tax profit for 2016 dropped 56% to £317m, while the adjusted profit increased 9.4% to £231m when revaluations were removed.

Hammerson’s chief executive David Atkins said: “Despite some UK retail headwinds and geopolitical uncertainty, I am confident that we have a resilient and adaptable business with multiple opportunities to drive similar levels of growth.”

The company also wants to redevelop the Whitgift Centre in Croydon, south London, which it owns as part of a 50-50 joint venture with Westfield.

Tesco Ireland claims strong sales despite strike

Tesco Ireland has claimed that the company has made “strong sales" and served 45,000 customers in the 16 affected stores during the weekend amid “unjustified” industrial action, The Irish Mirror reported.

The talks between Tesco and Mandate ended on Friday evening and there are no plans for further negotiations.

The retailer said that the contract changes will only affect 228 out of 14,500 people.

Mandate’s general secretary John Douglas added: “Contrary to what Tesco Ireland have been spinning, most impacted stores are experiencing an average loss in sales of over 80%.”

H&M tests ‘scan and buy’ feature

H&M is testing a scan and buy feature through its mobile app, aiming to bring together online and offline shopping, Drapers reported.

The new feature will allows shoppers to check if an item is available online and then sent to home if it is not in stock or available in a particular colour.

Customers can use the app to scan the barcode on an item and order it online for home delivery.

The company is also to pilot click-and-collect in the UK and allowing online returns in store and next-day delivery.

New etailer to launch in March

Ownthelook.com is set to launch in March in the UK to offer a personal styling service with a multi-brand shopping platform for women, Drapers reported.

The etailer will give advice on how to style different pieces and put together outfits.

Shoppers will be able to purchase a model’s entire outfit as well as buy each piece individually.

Initially, the site will provide an edit of more than 40 global brands, ranging from ready-to-wear, swimwear, accessories to jewellery.

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