Shop Direct news and archive

Very embracing size diversity with new feature

Online retailer Very.co.uk, part of The Very Group, has launched a new feature on its website that helps customers choose the right size and fit. The move is part of the e-tailer’s commitment to embrace size diversity and will allow customers to see how items will fit by using real-life female models of UK size 8, 14 and 18. The new feature will...

Business

Online retailer Shop Direct rebrands to The Very Group

Online British retailer Shop Direct has today rebranded to The Very Group, a move the company says “reflects the next phase of the business’ ongoing transformation”, and one that brings its name and identity in line with its flagship consumer brand, Very. The company also said it will launch a recruitment drive over the next two years which will...

Business

Shop Direct secures 150 million pounds in funding

Online British retailer Shop Direct has secured 150 million pounds in funding from its parent company, Shop Direct Holdings Limited (SDHL). The The Littlewoods.com and Very.co.uk owner said that 75 million pounds of the funding will be invested by way of equity injection before the end of November, while the group is still evaluating...

People

Shop Direct appoints ex-Clarks executive as group CFO

UK’s online retailer Shop Direct has appointed former European president of Clarks Shoes, Ben Fletcher, as group CFO. The company said in a statement that he will join on January 6, 2020 and report to group CEO, Henry Birch, as a member of Shop Direct’s executive board. He will assume the position currently held on an interim basis by Dominic...

Business

Pilot to improve conditions in India’s fabric mills expands

A pilot by Shop Direct, Next, and Varner alongside non-governmental organisation Save, which focused on improving employment conditions for young women in South India’s fabric mills, is gearing up for a second phase, due to launch later this year, following the initial success. Phase One began in July 2018 and focussed on two mills and five...

Fashion

Topshop and Topman land at Shop Direct

Shop Direct has added Arcadia Group-owned Topshop and Topman to its portfolio of more than 500 fashion brands. The company, which owns Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com, is offering around 500 product lines, spanning clothing, footwear, accessories, maternity, petite and tall - this will expand to around 2,000 during AW19. It will also become the...

Fashion

Shop Direct launches search for 600,000 pound charity partner

Online UK retailer Shop Direct is launching a search for its next 600,000 pound charity partner. The company, which owns Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com, is inviting organisations that invest in children’s future development to submit project proposals linked to the long-term goals of a chosen charity, for which Shop Direct will aim to raise...

People

Guy Farmer to join Shop Direct as Group Trading Director

Shop Direct has appointed Guy Farmer as Group Trading Director, who will join the business in September 2019 and report to Sam Perkins, Managing Director, retail. Additionally, the company announced that Carly O’Brien, who joined the business in early 2019 and has been interim CMO since April, will take over the role permanently. Commenting on...

Fashion

Shop Direct to safeguard 200 jobs through Clipper Logistics transfer deal

Shop Direct has announced an agreement to transfer its 215,000 square foot Raven Mill returns centre in Oldham, Greater Manchester, along with returns activity managed from the site, to Clipper Logistics, in a move that will save up to 200 jobs. The Raven Mill site, which employs 403 people, was due to close by 2021, once Shop Direct’s returns...

Business

Shop Direct to rebrand to The Very Group

Online UK retailer Shop Direct has announced it will be rebranding to The Very Group in order to bring its name and identity in line with its flagship consumer brand, Very. The new corporate identity, which the company said it will be unveiling later this year, will “support Shop Direct’s ambition to recruit hundreds of roles in data and...

People

Shop Direct appoints new chief technology officer

Online UK retailer Shop Direct has announced the appointment of former Sky Betting and Gaming chief technology officer, Andy Burton, to its executive board in the role of group chief technology officer. Burton will take up his new position in May and will lead Shop Direct’s 275-strong technology team, while reporting to the company’s group CEO...