Home Retail Group is said to be considering bringing Homebase’s key January winter sale forward into December in a bid to avoid the planned return of VAT to the standard 17.5% rate. The move could force rivals to follow suit. B&Q said it was unlikely to change drastically any plans for its January sale but if necessary, it would respond to Homebase’s pricing.

Ex- M&S boss buys German Hallhuber chain

Change Capital, the private equity firm of former Marks & Spencer chairman Luc Vandelvelde announced the acquisition of German womenswear retailer Hallhuber in a £25m deal. The chain operates 89 outlets in Germany, Austria, the Netherlands and Switzerland. In April, the private equity company abandoned its investment in Robert Dyas, which left it with a £30 million pounds loss.

Lloydspharmacy to add GP services Lloydspharmacy, the high street chemist is setting itself up as a healthcare provider and has introduced online doctor’s surgeries in 300 stores so patients can order prescriptions online and access remote advice from doctors. It has also installed consultation rooms where patients can be given check-ups and vaccines.