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News
Hobbs creates 300 jobs as profits soar
Hobbs’ pre-tax profits soared 137% in the year to January 29 as it recorded like-for-like sales growth of 10% and announced 300 new jobs.
Womenswear chains put a premium on overhauls
Getting shoppers to part with their hard-earned cash is no mean feat with inflation remaining an issue, credit conditions tougher than ever and the economy still on shaky ground, but a host of womenswear retailers are updating their product offer and refreshing their look in a bid to find new routes to growth.
Hobbs to double store sizes to find space for Invitation brand
Mainstream womenswear retailer Hobbs is planning to more than double the footprint of its 64-strong store estate to help accommodate the launch of an occasionwear sub-brand, Hobbs Invitation, at the end of the year.
Hobbs secures £46.5m of funding to accelerate expansion
Mainstream womenswear retailer Hobbs has secured £46.5m of funding to accelerate its brand development and retail expansion plans.
Hobbs to feature in BBC series
Premium womenswear chain Hobbs is to feature in a BBC series about teaching young people about the world of work.
Hobbs pledges not to pass on VAT hike
Hobbs will not pass the January VAT hike on to customers, but will introduce more premium details to its ranges from autumn 11 to justify some bigger prices, chief executive Nicky Dulieu has claimed.
£14m windfall for Hobbs
Hobbs has secured £14m of new investment from its private equity backer 3i, and parachuted in turnaround specialist Iain MacRitchie to replace retail veteran Tony Campbell as chairman.
Indies join in on promotions to rescue Christmas sales
Last throw of the dice for retailers looking to drive trade as forecasts predict snowy weather will return.
Hobbs profits fall
Profits at womenswear retailer Hobbs dropped more than a third in the year to January 30 but the chain said it remained confident over future trading.
Hobbs’ owner calls for strategic review
Private equity firm 3i has ordered a root and branch review of womenswear retailer Hobbs ahead of a major financial restructuring.
Autumn sales stutter
Late deliveries and weak footfall as kids headed back to school have led to a soft start to the autumn season, splitting the high street over the best strategy to drive spend.
Hobbs kicks off NW3 store roll-out at Westfield London
Womenswear retailer Hobbs is to open the first standalone store for its younger NW3 sub-brand next month, which will be followed by up to 30 openings over the next four years.
Retailers report strong July despite poor BRC figures
Retailers have hit out at the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG’s July Retail Sales Monitor after its downbeat report on fashion sales for the month contradicted their own experiences of trade.
Tributes flood in for former Hobbs chief Nick Samuel
Industry mourns death of ‘true gentleman’ who helped to steer Hobbs and Karen Millen to success
Retailers fear impact of hung parliament
With less than a week to go before the result of one of the most hotly contested general election battles, retail chiefs have warned of the negative impact of a potential hung parliament on the industry.
Do homework to make Hobbs’ grade
Hobbs merchandise and production director Susan Millen said that when it came to hiring new talent, she looked for people who can build relationships and who had done their homework on Hobbs.
Nick Samuel joins knitwear brand N.Peal
N.Peal cashmere, the knitwear brand, has appointed former Hobbs chief executive Nick Samuel as non-executive director.
Kim Winser to act as advisor to Agent Provocateur
Kim Winser, the former chief executive of Aquascutum and Pringle, has been hired as a senior adviser to private equity firm 3i.
Hobbs appoints ex-Principles retail director
Hobbs has appointed Alana Mazza as retail director. Mazza was previously retail trading director at Principles.
Hobbs sales hit £100m as Nick Samuel departs chain
Hobbs saw sales creep over the £100 million mark but EBITDA fall back 11.7% to £18.8 million for the 53 weeks ended January 31. Separately Nick Samuel has stepped down from the board.
