News roundup--Hotter expands to US, Karen Millen and Coast parent posts solid growth

Hotter Comfort Concept, a multichannel retailer of footwear, is launching a catalogue in the US this autumn. Managing director Stewart Houlgrave told Manchester Evening News that Hotter would invest around £250,000 to develop its product ranges, “which are likely to include footwear for the gym and sports such as tennis”. If sales take off in the States, Hotter will target European expansion, Houlgrave added.

Aurora Fashions, the parent company of Coast, Karen Millen, Oasis, and Warehouse, reported sales of £661 million for 11 months to 30th January. The group’s first annual results also saw net debt reduce to £109 million, ahead of schedule. Online sales were up 32 percent, growing to £42 million in the period. International sales were also up—by 10 percent—and now represent 34 percent of the group’s total retail sales.

Cornwall-based childrenswear cataloguer Frugi has moved from a converted barn into a purpose-built office at the Wheal Vrose business park, reports This Is The Westcountry.

The Guardian interviews Simon Fox, chief executive of HMV, on his plans to turn the business into an “entertainment superbrand”.

The Financial Times has a piece on the launch of the menswear website from Net-a-Porter. For more on “Mr Porter” and how other online retailers are handling range expansions see All in the Family in the July/August issue.

Maternity and nursery products retailer Mothercare is investing in social media and has hired Diffusion to develop an “online engagement strategy” that will see it bolster its presence on parenting blogs, forums and social-networking sites. The agency will also work on increasing the profile of Mothercare’s social network Gurgle in the national and lifestyle press.

Menswear brand Bagga Menswear has entered creditors' voluntary liquidation. According to Drapers, “technical problems with its website and falling sales and rising overheads” were to blame.

Net sales increased at Amazon.com increased 41 percent to $6.57 billion (£4.25 billion) in the second quarter, compared with $4.65 billion this time last year (£3.01 billion). International segment sales, representing the company’s UK, German, Japanese, French and Chinese sites, were $2.98 billion, up 35 percent from second quarter 2009.

Marks & Spencer has announced it is launching a range of plus-size clothing for children. Among the headlines are: “Marks and Spencer to sell 'plus size' clothes to three-year-olds” from the Telegraph, UNIFORMS IN XXXL from the Mirror, and from the Daily Mail: M&S launches size 18 school uniforms as childhood obesity soars.