Littlewoods to limit expansion

Retailer Littlewoods said this week that it will continue its store refurbishment programme. It is planning to open ten new stores this year under the Berkertex brand name, despite last week’s resignation of Bob Willett, managing director of its chain stores.

Willett’s resignation coincided with the cancellation of an ambitious store opening programme which was to see 40 new Littlewoods stores open over the next four to five years. The company claims that the opening programme is on hold until new MD Mike Wynne has reviewed it. But un-named “design groups involved in the refurbishment will not be affected”, says a spokeswoman.

Designers are believed to have been appointed to work on branding for the Berkertex stores. The first is set to open in Hastings in March, a second in Douglas, Isle of Man, by late summer, with a third in Penzance. A further seven sites will also be identified.