Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Morrisons, high streets and online shopping

Morrisons employee arrested in insider trading probe

A Morrisons employee has been arrested as part of an investigation into insider trading.

The 49 year old man from Harrogate, who wasn’t  named by police, was arrested as part of a Financial Conduct Authority probe. He is not believed to be on Morrisons’ management board, according to The Telegraph.

High streets forum adds representatives from pubs, hairdressers and restaurants

High streets minister Brandon Lewis has extended the reach of the Future High Streets Forum beyond retail to include hairdressers, pubs and restaurants. Lewis, who is currently chair of the Forum, has appointed chief executive of the British Beer and Pubs Association Brigid Simmons, boss of the Spirit Pub Company Mike Tye, head of public affairs at McDonalds Alison Bartlett and secretary general of the Hairdressers Federation Hilary Hall to the group which is aiming to help revive struggling high streets.

The Forum already has representatives from Boots, John Lewis, Tesco, Vodafone, the Association of Convenience Stores, the British Property Federation and the Association of Town and City Managers.

Britons prefer shopping online, says Ofcom

Britons have embraced online shopping more than any other major country, according to figures from Ofcom. British shoppers spend £1,175 each last year, up 16% on last year, £307 higher than Australia, the second-ranked country.
Ofcom found that British shoppers trust online retailers more than other countries and have more confidence in the way products are advertised online.

The research reveals that almost 73% of the population buy goods online at least once a month, while 24% do so every week.