News roundup--Snow and Rock, H and M

Outdoor apparel retailer Snow + Rock has acquired running accessories retailer Runners Need for an undisclosed sum. Runners need operates seven stores and an online shop.

Following the unveiling of fashion website Zara in the UK yesterday, H&M, the Sweden-based apparel retailer, is gearing up for the launch of its UK ecommerce site later this month. Via its Twitter feed (@hmunitedkingdom), it posted a link to its website inviting consumers to sign up for H&M fashion news ahead of go-live on 16th September.

The Telegraph reports that Montagu, the private equity firm behind IT products retailer Maplin, is interviewing investment banks with a view to carry out a strategic review of the business and sell the company. The new buyer will most likely be another private equity house.

The Irish Independent profiles the latest Ikea catalogue—the company’s 60th.