Retail round-up: Primark still to confirm acquiring BHS unit, Lady Barbara Judge asks Sir Philip Green to compensate BHS pensioners, and more

Primark yet to confirm BHS unit acquisition

Fashion retailer Primark is still to confirm whether or not it will take over a BHS unit on Parc Llandudno which has gone into administration.

A spokesman for BHS administrators confirmed the Llandudno store is due for closure on Saturday, August 6.

When Primark was asked about its plans for the store, a spokesman said: “Primark does not comment on speculation or plans regarding new store openings.”

In April, a planning application was submitted proposing to expand the current mezzanine level in the BHS store by 857 square metres was approved with conditions.

Lady Barbara Judge demands Green must compensate BHS pensioners

Lady Barbara Judge, the former chairman of the Pension Protection Fund, has asked Sir Philip Green to compensate BHS pensioners, reports the BBC.

Green sold BHS for £1 to Retail Acquisitions last year, but it later collapsed under the new owners with a pension deficit of £571m.

Lady Judge commented: "He should be writing a cheque and saying 'I'm sorry'". Her comments align with Frank Field’s demand that Green "write a cheque" to sort out the pension fund.

Lady Judge stated that the Pensions Regulator required greater powers to prevent a repeat of what happened at BHS.

John Lewis reports sales rise on holiday purchases

John Lewis reported a 3.4% rise in year-on-year sales for the week to July 30, as customers purchased holiday swimwear and garden furniture, Reuters reports.

The department store is the only British retailer to post weekly sales data and provides a recent insight into shopping behaviour following the UK's vote in June to leave the EU.

John Lewis stated its sales rose to £76.6m last week after a 4.3% decline in the previous week, as customers chose not to shop due to a heatwave.

Bassi Group acquires Aldi store for £3.7m

Bassi Group, which also operates Duke Clothing Company, has extended its store estate after acquring an Aldi store in a £3.7m deal, the Nottingham Post reports.

The multi-industry group now owns 15 commercial buildings at a total value of £30m. Last month it took over the 15,000 sq ft Aldi store in Entwisle Road, Rochdale.

It is the biggest investment to date made by Bassi Group.

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