Breakfast briefing: Retail news on BHS, Greggs and more

MPs support Sir Philip Green’s knighthood elimination

Former BHS owner Sir Philip Green will face calls from nearly 50 MPs, as they backed the proposal for the businessman to lose his title following the company’s collapse, the Daily Mail reports.

MPs also plan to debate that Green should "fulfil his promise" to resolve the retail chain's multimillion-pound pension fund black hole.

Green will meet the pensions regulators by end of the week to discuss recovery plans for the collapsed retailer’s pension fund.

Research predicts 2.5% rise in UK retail sales in December

UK retail sales is expected to grow 2.5% during December taking total sales to £42.2bn according to research from Mintel, The Industry London reports.

Customers are turning to etail in increasing number to avoid crowds, get goods for cheaper prices and shop at their own convenience.

Research shows that 23% of consumers will delay their purchases until they see the Black Friday and Cyber Monday offers.

Director of research at Mintel Richard Perks said “December 2016’s results will very much depend on what retailers do about Black Friday, but if they cut back on such promotions then there will be a knock on benefit to December, as sales roll over into this month. In 2015, December’s results were weak, partly because of Black Friday and partly because of the unseasonal weather, which seems to have been a constant story over the last year. So the comparisons this Christmas are easier.”

Greggs decides to launch its first delivery service

The bakery chain Greggs is trialling a delivery service scheme in Newcastle with an aim to expand it nationwide, The Evening Telegraph reported.

Greggs have chosen to test the new service in North Tyneside at Cobalt Business Park.

Workers at the business park would get their order delivered to their office door.

Greggs’s retail director Raymond Reynolds said “Convenience is key in the food-on-the-go market and we are extremely excited to offer delivery of a selection of our great-tasting, freshly prepared food directly to our customers by trialling a free delivery service in one of our Newcastle shops.”