Bathstore.com has been acquired from Wolseley by private equity firm Endless LLP. Endless is investing 15m in Bathstore, improving its e-commerce operation and its 160 stores. Bathstore recorded turnover of 94m in 2011 and had 478 employees.

Lord Harris of Peckham, founder of flooring retailer Carpetright Plc based in Berkshire, has stepped down as Chief Executive as part of a boardroom restructure. Lord Harris will remain as Chairman of the Company. Darren Shapland, a current Non-Executive Director, will become Chief Executive of Carpetright Plc.

It is believed that furniture retailer Clement Joscelyne has been placed in administration, putting 91 jobs at risk. FRP Advisory is seeking a buyer for the retailer which has stores in Cambridge, Norwich, Brighton, Brentwood, Bishops Stortford and in Bury St. Edmunds. 2011 turnover 10.5m, 116 employees.

Home Retail Group recorded a 60% fall in profits to 102m for the year to February 2012, with profits falling at both Argos and Homebase. The group is prioritising future investment into multi-channel capabilities, including online, and may close some Argos and Homebase stores, putting jobs at risk.