Retail news round-up on March 6, 2014: Amazon inks Mexican food deal; AO.com writes to suppliers over Dixons terms; House of Fraser to open 12 click and collect shops; and consumer confidence in Ireland up

Amazon inks deal with Mexgrocer.co.uk

Amazon has sealed an agreement with Mexican food company Mexgrocer.co.uk to sell its goods on its British website, The Telegraph reported. With this deal, Amazon has made its latest stride into food retailing.

The Mexican food company will sell an initial 100 products, such as margarita mix and chilli sauce, on Amazon.co.uk. Mexgrocer.co.uk says it will be able to dispatch orders within 24 hours of them being made.

AO.com writes to suppliers seeking clarification over Dixons terms

Online white goods company AO.com has written to suppliers asking them to clarify whether rival Dixons gets better terms than they do, The Independent understands. However, some AO suppliers were left ‘furious’ at being sent the letters and responded saying they would never discuss arrangements with rival businesses.

The letters were sent after Dixons claimed its products were 3% cheaper than online-only rivals, such as AO, and that they had better relationships with suppliers. The suppliers were asked if there was any truth in the claim and asked for a meeting if there was.

House of Fraser negotiates to open 12 standalone click and collect stores

House of Fraser is in negotiation to open 12 standalone click and collect outlets, according to Andy Harding, executive director, multi-channel. The UK department store chain is also seeking partners with sympathetic collection locations, Retail Times reported. Harding, speaking at the BRC Omni-Channel Retailing conference, said the move followed the launch of a click and collect floor at its Frasers department store in Edinburgh last year and two standalone click and collect stores in Liverpool and Aberdeen.

Consumer morale in Ireland rose to 85.5 in February

Consumer confidence in Ireland hit its highest level in nearly seven years in February, Reuters reported. The KBC Bank Ireland/ESRI Consumer Sentiment Index surged to 85.5 in February from 84.6 in January, its third monthly gain in a row to reach its highest since May 2007. The sub-index for current economic conditions jumped to a seven-year high of 100.2 from 97.6 in January.

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