Alistair McGeorge is to step down as the chief executive of Matalan after four years at the helm, becoming the latest senior executive to leave the value fashion and homewares retailer.

The discount fashion retailer Primark has poached a director from rival Matalan to the strategically important role of chief operating officer.

The budget fashion and home-wares chain Matalan has shrugged off consumer concerns to post a 30 per cent leap in earnings, and said growth plans remained on track.

So, what's up with him?

If you ask me, now that newspapers and magazines are giving tips on "how to get a bikini body in 14 days", it is time you put in your order, which may take 14 days but does not have to. If you pay extra, most companies will send out a bikini body by special delivery, and some even offer a next-day service.

Home entertainment store Richer Sounds and kitchenware chain Lakeland have been voted the UK's best shops in a survey by consumer group Which?

A former Asda store manager took over the top job at the supermarket yesterday.

The high street shain Mothercare is understood to be closing in on acquiring the brand of Blooming Marvellous, the maternitywear retailer, and possibly a few of the remaining Blooming Marvellous shops.

More than 1,000 jobs at embattled retail chain Ethel Austin were safe today after the firm's previous owner bought it out of administration for a second time.

A gang member who stabbed a store manager to death during a botched raid was given a life sentence today.

Double killer Anthony Maina's first victim was a popular and kind-hearted teenager whose death tore his family apart, they said.

A teenager who knifed a shop manager during a botched cash raid was found guilty of murder today.

High street fashion chain New Look shelved plans for a stock market flotation today in the wake of recent financial turmoil.