Very news and archive

Very to add AI-powered search functions to e-commerce

Online retailer Very has announced a new partnership with US-based tech firm Constructor, which will see the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into its customer experience. Through the deal, Very will integrate new search, browse and autosuggest tools across its website and app, in order to optimise the product discovery...

Business

Very expands CFO role to include transformation capacity

The Very Group has announced that its current chief financial officer Ben Fletcher will be taking on the newly formed role of chief finance and transformation officer, effective immediately. In the position, Fletcher will continue to serve as part of the company’s executive team and board, reporting to the group’s CEO Lionel Desclée. Initially...

Business

Very Christmas sales boosted by beauty and fragrance

British e-tailer Very has reported a 2.2 percent year-over-year increase in retail sales in the seven weeks to December 23, boosted by a 12.7 percent rise in beauty and fragrance sales. Compared to pre-pandemic levels from 2019, sales at Very were up 19.6 percent. On a less bright note, however, fashion and sports sales were down 6.6 percent...

Business

Very introduces virtual make-up try-on to app

E-commerce retailer Very has unveiled a new virtual make-up try-on to its app, allowing shoppers to virtually try an arrangement of lip products from different brands. The feature utilises technology from the L’Oréal-owned tech firm ModiFace, which has integrated augmented reality (AR) features that customers can use via their smartphone...

BusinessFeatured

Very Group posts drop in FY revenue, but pre-tax profits up

The Very Group, which owns brands Very and Littlewoods, has reported a drop in revenue compared to its record period last year. In the year to July 2, group revenue was down 7.3 percent to 2.15 million pounds, while Very revenue fell 4 percent to 1.79 million pounds. However, compared to two years ago, group revenue was up 4.8 percent, while...

Fashion Featured

Very launches value ‘Everyday’ collection amid cost of living crisis

British retailer Very has bolstered its own-brand offering with the launch of a value fashion and home collection called Everyday. The company, which is owned by parent Very Group, said Wednesday the new collection comprises over 700 fashion and homeware products and comes as part of its goal to “offer families even greater value, convenience...

People

Very Group taps new chief marketing officer

The Very Group has named Jessica Myers as its new marketing chief, effective October 3. Myers joins the British retail group from Metro Bank, where she served as director of brands and marketing since joining in 2019. Earlier in her career, she worked at Natwest, The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and American Express in a variety of roles. In...

PeopleFeatured

Very Group taps former Walmart Japan chief as new CEO

The Very Group has named former Walmart Japan executive Lionel Desclée as new group CEO, effective September 19, as current chief Henry Birch steps down after four and a half years in the role. Desclée joins the British retail group from McKinsey & Company, where he spent just under a year as a senior advisor. Before joining McKinsey, he was...

Retail

The Very Group partners with True Fit to offer personalised size and fit

The Very Group has revealed a new partnership with True Fit that will see it provide customers with personalised size and fit guidance across its 300 brands. The retail group, which operates online e-commerce platform Very.co.uk, said it hopes to give customers “greater confidence in choosing the right size and fit” through the implementation,...

Retail

Very to revamp e-commerce platform through new partnership

UK retailer The Very Group has set out plans to rejuvenate its e-commerce platform through a new partnership with commerce site, Commercetools. As one in the first of a series of investments the e-tailer is making in both technology and people, the move hopes to improve the digital customer experience and is part of the company’s strategy to...

Business

Very almost doubled beauty and self-care brands since start of pandemic

British e-tailer Very said it increased its range of beauty and self-care brands by 94 percent since the start of the pandemic in order to meet booming demand. The company, owned by Very Group, added 77 new beauty and personal care brands since January 2020, bringing its total to 159. “The pandemic created huge interest in self-care and...

Business

Very launches stockless fulfilment with Quiz

British online retailer Very has launched a stockless fulfilment model with fashion brand Quiz. Quiz had previously worked with Very on a wholesale basis, and said it saw a “strong customer reaction” to its presence at the retailer. Based on that success, Quiz has now become one of the first brands to partner with Very via its new stockless...