News roundup--MedicAnimal, PetMeds, Big Man's Shop, more

Following its buyout of PetSupermarket, which was announced earlier this year, MedicAnimal is back on the acquisition trail with the takeover of PetMeds. As part of the deal, PetMeds founder Ricky Thomas and his team will join MedicAnimal to form a joint entity. Post-acquisition, the combined company will employ almost 200 staff nationwide.

Big Man’s Shop, a cataloguer of men’s apparel in larger sizes, has been sold to Nick Cooper, who operates rival business Big Tall Order. The acquisition sees Big Man's Shop relocate to Bristol and Paul Deakin, the former owner of Big Man’s Shop, remain with the business as a consultant advising on catalogue design and range selection.

Twenty people have been arrested at Tesco’s dotcom warehouse in south London after a raid by the UK Border Agency found they had been working illegally. The Independent reports: “the university students, who are thought to be primarily Indian and Bangladeshi nationals aged over 18, had the right to work in the UK, but had been working for between 50 and 70 hours during school term. Foreign students are only allowed to work 20 hours a week.” The article adds that Tesco could be fined up to £10,000 per illegal worker.

Toys R Us is trialling products aimed at mums thanks to a partnership with JML.  The “Something for Mums” concept will launch in a six-store trial from early September and will feature several JML products aimed at mothers, including the Belvia Bra and Myleene Klass Nails series of nail wraps.

As it plans to ramp up its international marketing and brand awareness campaigns ahead of its 125th anniversary this September, luxury goods retailer Smythson has completely overhauled its website. Partnering with online agency Session Digital, the new Smythson site uses a single user interface and platform that automatically adjusts to scale to fit any iPad, smartphone or desktop device. Enhanced functionality and graphics have been introduced throughout including personalisation previews and a three-step checkout process.

The Sunday Times speculates that Mark Sebba, Net-a-Porter’s chief executive, is planning to leave the business.

US electricals retailer Best Buy has named Hubert Joly as its new chief executive. Joly replaces Mike Mikan, who took over in the interim following the departure of Brian Dunn, who quit the business amid an investigation into his “personal conduct”.