Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Vodafone and Karen Millen

Vodafone to open 150 stores in the next year

Vodafone is set to expand its presence in the UK with the opening of 150 stores over the next 12 months, creating 1,400 jobs. The expansion will boost the mobile phone operator’s total number of branded UK outlets to more than 500. The first set of new stores will open in Notting Hill, Fulham, Walthamstow, Wembley, Ilford, Perry Barr in Birmingham and Bicester.

Karen Millen wins another round in legal battle with Dunnes Stores over design infringement

Irish retailer Dunnes Stores has lost the latest round in its continuing legal battle with UK fashion company Karen Millen over the protection of fashion designs following the dismissal of some complaints by the Supreme Court. Karen Millen accused the retail chain of breaching European regulations by copying a woman’s shirt and top, thereby infringing design rights under the 2002 Regulation on unregistered Community Designs, The Irish Times reported. At the centre of the case is a black knit top and a striped shirt sold in blue and brown versions. It has been claimed that Dunnes made almost identical women’s clothing to the items made by Karen Millen.