BHS speeds up drive into food

THE new owner of clothing and homewares group BHS is to hire 250 staff and form two strategic food partnerships to help kick-start a turnaround after its takeover from retail billionaire, Sir Philip Green.

A model shows off an outfit from BHS, which is focusing on forming two food partnerships

Retail Acquisitions Ltd, which bought the business last month, said yesterday the extra staff and contracts with Compass Group, the food service business, and food wholesalers Booker Group, would help drive forward a new “convenience food” offer at the retailer. It follows three successful pilot projects.

Darren Topp, chief executive of BHS, said the company aimed “to surprise consumers with an expanded range of products and services”.

He added that the alliance with Compass and Booker would also “free up” the BHS management team to focus on the main business of selling clothing and home products at its 171 British stores.