News roundup--Tesco, Sports Direct, Expansys, more

Tesco has launched a two-week trial of an interactive virtual grocery store at London’s Gatwick airport. The Gatwick opening builds on Tesco’s launch of the world’s first virtual store in South Korea last year, which allowed commuters to shop in subways and at bus stops by pointing their mobile phones at billboards. Tesco is now trialling the concept for the first time in the UK, using interactive digital displays. At Gatwick, customers will be able to view a range of products by scrolling through the moving screens on large virtual fridges. By scanning the barcodes with their smartphones they can add their chosen products to their online baskets, book a home delivery slot and checkout. Their shopping will then be delivered when they return from holiday.

Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct is preparing to launch a boxing brand originally set up by fight promoter Frank Warren and the founder of Planet Hollywood, Robert Earl, reports the Daily Mail. According to the piece, Sports Direct is playing down the Queensberry 1867 launch but it is believed “to want to develop it into a premium version of its lucrative Lonsdale brand”.

Also from the Mail, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has launched proceedings in the High Court against Canadian firm Sensio and its boss Danny Lavy in a bid to stop the company selling kitchenware in his name. The article explains that Lavy claims he has a binding contract with Gordon Ramsay Holdings, allowing him to kitchenware to US discount chain Kmart, but Ramsay argues no such binding contract exists.

Expansys, an online retailer of wireless technology and provider of mobile network services, has moved into the black with a pretax profit of £1.9 million in the year ended 30th April, compared with a loss of £700,000 in 2011. Turnover increased 33 percent to £108.5 million, up from £81.8 million the previous year. During the last financial year the business added new local language websites for Egypt, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as well as sites in Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia. These sites take the number of local-language sites operating under the Expansys brand worldwide to 51, with all management and support being performed in the regional headquarters.

The Hut Group has launched Myvitamins, a sister site to its sport-nutrition brand Myprotein. Initially launching with 46 products in the range such as weight loss aids and fish oils, Myvitamins is only open to UK consumers. However, following the success of Myprotein in Europe, the Hut says there’s potential for expansion. Performance network Affiliate Window has been tasked to manage its affiliate programme. 

According to the Exeter Express & Echo John Lewis will open a pop-up shop in Exeter ahead of its planned store opening later in 2012.

Seasalt is following up its debut catalogue with an autumn/winter edition, reports the Business Cornwall website.