Breakfast briefing: Retail news on online grocery sales, Mothercare and Debenhams

IGD says online grocery sales to double in five European markets by 2016

Online grocery sales will roughly double on average in five key northern European markets – the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands - by 2016, driven by technology, according to research from IGD. It is forecast that online grocery shopping in the UK will be valued at £11.6bn by 2016, while the French market should increase to €10.6bn from €5bn in 2012, said Reuters.

As per IGD predictions, Germany, where dominant discounters Lidl and Aldi have not adopted online grocery selling, is to witness growth in sales to €2.5bn by 2016 from €1.1bn in 2012. The Dutch market is projected to leap to €1.6bn from €0.6bn, and Swiss online grocery sales will grow to €1.1bn from €0.7bn.

Mothercare appoints Anna Harland Martin as group director of corporate communications

Mothercare has appointed former British Airways PR Anna Harland Martin as its group director of corporate communications. As part of this role, Anna will have overall responsibility for Mothercare and Early Learning Centre communications, including supporting the chief executive and executive team on internal communication strategies, and managing the group’s media relations activity.

Anna’s most recent post was as group director of communications for Rocco Forte Hotels, a global company with a portfolio of hotels, restaurants and spas.

Debenhams hires Forward3D for paid search

Debenhams has appointment Forward3D to run paid search, product search ads, and remarketing display activities across all of Debenhams’ extensive product ranges including womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, home and health and beauty, according to The Drum.

Debenhams e-commerce director Ross Clemmow said: “Forward3D’s considerable retail experience and impressive track record makes them the ideal agency for Debenhams, and we look forward to working with them to help grow our online business.”