Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Asda, Whistles, Debenhams and M&S

Asda shoppers get £50 due an online payment glitch

Asda has faced an online payment glitch which allowed customers free £50 discount vouchers. Customers when buying groceries valued at over £50 had to use a discount code, whereupon they received £50 off the cost of their shopping, however the delivery charges still applied.

Customer took advantage of this loophole and used the discount voucher on items including alcohol, chocolate, computer games and DVDs, The Independent reported.

Asda has now removed the page and said that any outstanding orders that used a rogue voucher code will not be honoured.

Whistles to debut menswear collection

Whistles is to launch a menswear collection for the first time for autumn/winter 2014. Whistles has hired a new menswear design team to work under its design director Nick Passmore.

The collection will be available online and in key Whistles stores, as well as some luxury department stores, The Guardian reported.

The move is part of an on-going expansion plan. In June, the label launched in Hong Kong in tie-up with department store Lane Crawford and plans to move into mainland China with concessions in Beijing and Shanghai for the first time, and in February the company made its official debut on the London Fashion Week schedule.

Debenhams introduces new ticket purchasing service

Debenhams has launched its own online box office which allows people to enter their postcode and find local events between one and 25 miles from their home, according to the Evening Standard.

Debenhams piloted the service, which allows consumers to search by date, location or category, earlier this month and is now available to customers from its website. The department store chain plans to introduce an app next year.

M&S unveils Best of British collection

Marks & Spencer has launched Best of British collection with Britain’s design and textile heritage starting from £45.

The Best of British collection, which comprises of 34 capsule wardrobe items in a palette of neutrals and monochrome, peppered with loud pinks, marks the start of a three-year partnership between M&S and the British Fashion Council, The Telegraph reported.