News roundup--HMV, French Connection, more

Group like-for-like sales at HMV declined 12.1 percent to £923.2 million in the year to April 28, while pretax losses hit £38.6 million from breakeven in 2011. The Telegraph notes this is the first time sales have fallen below the £1 billion mark since HMV floated on the stock exchange in 2002. Outgoing chief executive Simon Fox was upbeat for the group’s future, commenting that he expect the company to “make profits of at least £10 million in the year ahead”.

Discounting has hit French Connection, where group revenue in the six months to 31st July 2012 down 7 percent on last year. As a result, French Connection has issued a warned that operating profit for the half-year £7 million below last year’s level.

Katie Starmer-Smith, a former designer and buyer at Jigsaw, has launched a new online shop. Atterley Road is an independent online shop selling a collection high street fashion and boutique labels including Whistles, NW3, Hobbs and Jigsaw, and designers such as Malene Birger, Filippa K, Maison Scotch and American Vintage. The website is supported by Eurostop’s retail management systems.

Online fashion shopping portal ShopStyle.co.uk has teamed up with the Mirror Online to power its 3am shopping site. 3am joins a number of other media partners using ShopStyle’s shopping technology, including Elle, Now and FemaleFirst.  Visitors to 3am’s site will be able to view celebrity inspired looks and style books, and upon clicking on a product will be taken to the retailer’s website to make a purchase.