Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has snapped up a former BHS site in Wales, which is set to be named after the group’s owner Philip Day.

The eponymous Days Department Store is slated for an April opening with an outlet that will take over the entirety of the former BHS unit.

Which of the retail group’s brands, which include Peacocks, Edinburgh Woollen Mill and Austin Reed, will feature in the department store is not yet known.

The cynical onlooker may say that Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group is going where angels fear to tread, given the recent fate of BHS.

However, it appears that Day is not short of ambition, as a job advert for the outlet describes the store as “a two-floor retail department store embracing fashion, home, premium brands and a new concept restaurant, all under one roof.”

While Edinburgh Woollen Mill broadened its retail horizons, chocolate specialist Hotel Chocolat’s sweet success continued at pace as the retailer reported a 28% leap in interim pre-tax profits to £11.2m.

And the business rates debate continues to rumble on with aforementioned BHS throwing their proverbial hat into the ring, as liquidator FRP Advisory seeks a refund for a portion of the multi-million-pound bill incurred by the retail chain.

Quote of the day

“The experiential side of the business is vital to us being a brand that has emotional connections with our customer base”

– Hotel Chocolat chief executive Angus Thirlwell on the retailer’s plans to drive its customer experience offer.

Today in numbers

16,900

The square footage of the former BHS unit in Carmarthen, South Wales, that Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group has acquired.

£62.5m

Hotel Chocolat’s interim sales, which rose 14% during the period

Thursday’s agenda

There are no trading updates scheduled for tomorrow, but keep an eye out for our fascinating photo report investigating how business rates have affected retail on Clapham High Street in London.

Grace Bowden, junior reporter

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