News roundup--VetUK snaps up Nutrecare, Yoox partners with PPR

France-based PPR and Italy’s Yoox Group have created a joint venture designed to accelerate the ecommerce development of PPR’s luxury brands around the world. The new business, 51 percent owned by PPR and 49 percent by Yoox, will launch online stores globally for the Sergio Rossi and Bottega Veneta brands in 2012. Online stores for Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen and Balenciaga will follow by the end of 2013, with the potential to launch some of PPR’s other brands online in the future. As part of their overall strategy, each PPR brand will be in full control of its online store and will be in charge of product assortment, editorial content, art direction and digital communication. The brands will gain access to Yoox’s global logistics and technology platform, its worldwide reach with local expertise and its experience in new geographies for luxury ecommerce, such as China.

Yorkshire-based VetUK has acquired its Worcestershire-headquartered rival Nutrecare, an online seller of veterinary and pet supplies, for an undisclosed sum. The deal sees the Kidderminster business relocate to Thirsk, but it’s understood that none of its five employees have chosen to make the move. VetUK will now take on four new members of staff, bringing the total number of employees to 32.
 
Expectations of a major boost to growth are being downgraded, notes the Guardian, as the Olympics fail to deliver the “hard cash”.