Retail news round-up on February 5, 2016: EasyFoodstore forced to shut after running out of stock, Superdrug agrees sexist pricing review and Rangers sends notice to end Sports Direct JV.

EasyFoodstore supermarket runs out of stock just days after launch

EasyJet’s founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s discount grocery store has been forced to temporarily shut its doors to shoppers after opening for less than two days as it has run out of stock.

EasyFoodstore, which charges just 25p each for essential food items, closed after bargain-hunters flocked to the store in London's Park Royal West to snap up the low-priced groceries.

The budget shop is due to re-open today morning after it has re-stocked the shelves.

A spokesman said: “The level of interest has been completely overwhelming. The last people through the door today had travelled up from Canterbury. We anticipated we had enough stock to last a couple of weeks but it has just gone in a day and a half.”

Superdrug becomes latest to review ‘sexist pricing’

Superdrug is following its rival Boots in agreeing to review its ‘sexist product pricing’.

The decision comes after an investigation by The Times revealed that women were being charged more than men for similar products.

The health and beauty retailer said that it was reviewing its “disparity of pricing based on gender” and had already made some changes.

It said: “We are making price cuts on our own-brand razors. As part of our mission we remain committed to delivering exceptional value for our customers. Some suppliers charge us more for women’s products and that’s why we’re writing to all our suppliers challenging this on behalf of our customers.”

Rangers sends notice to Sports Direct on ending merchandise deal

Rangers has issued a formal notice to end its commercial joint venture with Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct, the Guardian reported.

Dave King, the club chairman, said he had written to the sports retailer about the termination “while still reserving our right to proceed with challenges to the existing suite of contracts and side agreements in a court of law”.

“For the first time, a board of this club has stood up to the threats of Sports Direct and has achieved resounding success in court proceedings, including the substantial recovery of legal costs,” King said.

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