News roundup--WHSmith buys Gadgetshop.com, more

WH Smith has acquired Gadgetshop.com from toy retailer The Entertainer. In a letter sent to its suppliers, The Entertainer said the sale was part of its “strategy to focus on our core business and proceeds of this sale will be reinvested in our new store opening programme”. The online store has been closed since 1st September as Gadgetshop moves to a new warehouse. WHSmith confirmed the acquisition, but declined to comment further.

Profits slipped 2.4 percent at Thorntons. The confectioner delivered flat sales of £214.6 million in the year ended 26th June, whilst profits fell to £6.1 million compared with £6.3 million the previous year. Its online and catalogue division Thorntons Direct, however, grew sales by 15.1 percent to £9.2 million.

Gross sales at online grocer Ocado increased 29.5 percent to £126.5 million in its third quarter. What’s more, in its first statement to the City, Ocado delivered sales of £372.2 million, a 29.8 percent sales increase for the 36 weeks to 8th August.

Sales at luxury group Richemont rose 37 percent in the five months ended 31st August. At constant exchange rates and excluding the impact on sales of the acquisition of fashion etailer Net-a-Porter.com in April, sales increased by 22 percent. The company, which divides its business into “jewellery maisons”, “specialist watchmakers”, “writing instruments maison”, and “others”, saw sales in the “others” category rise 62 percent at actual exchange rates, largely thanks to strong sales at Net-a-Porter.

Sportswear retailer Intersport.co.uk has selected The Hut Group to create its new online store in a bid to become one of the largest online retailers in the sports market. As part of its new features, Intersport.co.uk will offer free delivery as standard.

The Bookseller reports that Blackwell’s will close its head office, shifting power to stores and emulating the John Lewis model whereby the staff own the business. The plan put 25 jobs at risk.