Online business strikes half-million sale deal

A SOLE trader who runs an eBay business selling seconds for fashion brand Superdry has struck a £500,000 sale deal with its parent company.

Chris Griffin operated 888 Clothing under an agreement with SuperGroup and was supplied with slightly defective garments to sell on eBay.

SuperGroup, which recently raised 125 million as part of its stock market flotation, is now paying 500,000 in shares to Griffin to terminate the agreement and for the online outlet to be taken inhouse. Griffin has also been appointed as head of e-commerce at the firm.

Julian Dunkerton, chief executive of SuperGroup, said: "This appointment represents a huge step for us as we move towards creating a dynamic, fully integrated e-commerce capability."

888 has been selling Superdry clothing seconds products since September 2009, and by March this year the company was ranked first for sales among all UK eBay sellers in the clothes, shoes & accessories category.