Retail round-up: what the weekend papers said on January 24-25, 2009

The search is being handled by headhunting firm Egon Zehnder and led by senior independent director John McAdam.

The newspaper also reported that Apax Partners has been spending millions of pounds on the discounted debt of New Look, which it owns with Permira. Apax is reported to be taking advantage of the weakening in the debt markets.   

The Sunday Times and The Mail on Sunday both reported that JJB Sports chairman Sir David Jones has demanded the sale of two helicopters used by suspended chief executive Chris Ronnie. The sportswear chain should net around £5m from the sale of the aircrafts.

Tesco has lobbied the Government to push through reforms in UK retirement rules that would allow it to cut its final salary pension payouts if employees live longer than expected, The Observer said.

WHSmith was accused of unfair price lifts in its hospital shops by The Mail on Sunday, which said staff, patients and visitors are made to pay twice as much for products than in its other stores.

The Telegraph on Saturday reported the sale of menswear chain Greenwoods, which was bought out of administration by Chinese clothing giant Bosideng. The sale saved 87 of its 92 stores and 556 jobs.

The newspaper also reported that Harvey Nichols would be opening a branch in Kuwait and that it will open a store in Nottingham, which was revealed by Retail Week (October 28, 2008).