Breakfast briefing: Retail news on Waitrose, Robbie Williams and Sainsbury's

Waitrose puts staff at heart of digital strategy

Waitrose staff are to play a more prominent role in its digital operations through initaitives such as greater participation in social media conversations.

The grocer websites across desktop, mobile and tablet were relaunched last week, featuring more images and content from its staff. The retailer also aims to add more videos to its Waitrose TV platform, some featuring Partners, according to Marketing Week.

Waitrose director of commerce Robin Philips said: ““In the next year or so we are looking to create a lot more video TV content so customers can see our specialists, talk to them about food and drink and [it will also] help them to enjoy it.”

Robbie Williams’ fashion line files for bankruptcy

Farrell, the menswear line founded by singer Robbie Williams, has gone into liquidation and filed for voluntary bankruptcy the Daily Telegraph reported. A Farrell shop closed its doors on Monday and the e-commerce site is no longer functioning.

Williams launched the line in September 2011, taking its name from his grandfather, Jack Farrell.

Sainsbury’s launches employee engagement campaign to save energy

Sainsbury’s has launched an employee engagement campaign designed to encourage staff to help it be the UK’s Greenest Grocer, according to Business Green.

Under the initiative, training and toolkits will be provided to all employees and “energy leads” will be appointed at each store to drive the adoption of energy-saving behaviour and provide their colleagues with monthly updates on their performance against the company’s targets.

As part of its 20x20 Sustainability Plan, Sainsbury’s is committed to cut its carbon emissions 30% against 2005 levels by the end of 2020 and is investing heavily in energy efficiency measures and clean energy technologies such as solar panels.