News roundup--QVC sales up, best UK workplaces, more

The Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For survey pronounced jewellery retailer Beaverbrooks as the third best British workplace. Retailers Bravissimo, Net-a-Porter, Lush, Pets at Home, and White Stuff also made the list which will be published in this week’s Sunday Times.

TV-shopping business QVC reported that net sales for 2009 were £367.9 million, a 2.3 percent increase on the previous year. Online sales were particularly strong--in December, the company's qvcuk.com website took 20.65 percent of all sales during that month.

US department store retailer Nordstrom will stock Boden’s childrenswear range Mini Boden on its website and in 57 stores across the US. Nordstrom had been trialling the range at seven of its stores since August.

Sports Direct is mulling a takeover bid for rival Blacks Leisure, reports the Times. Last week Sports Direct bought a 28.5 percent stake in Blacks and blocked its plans to raise £20 million through a rights issue.