The Nectar loyalty launched last year by Sainsbury, Debenhams, BP and Barclaycard has signed up more than 12 million households, according to the Financial Times.

Meanwhile Sainsbury has launched its homeware and cookery range, including everything from bedding and saucepans to DVD players and toys. Twelve stores will begin selling the range of about 2,500 individual products; by the end of October 285 stores will be involved in the scheme, said The Sunday Times.

The FT reported that the health and beauty chain Boots could shut “several hundred” underperforming stores and could be announced as its new chief executive and former Asda executive, Richard Baker, joins the group.

Woolworths has been looking at potential buyers for its Big W out-of-town superstore. But the group told the Sunday Times that no decisions would be made until Christmas time.

Tesco could face a complete freeze on its assets in the Czech Republic related to a row with a local businessman.
The Mail on Sunday said that Jiri Malik claims he is still owed £5m by the retailer for land it bought from him in 1998.
Tesco is appealing against an order, which bars it from selling any assets.

After six months of cheese testing, Tesco said that tandoori-flavoured cheese, followed by a fish and chip version would hit its shelves by the end of October.
According to the Sunday Times, Tesco said that the cheeses could later include Thai or Chinese flavours based on popular British takeaway food menus.

Small business groups have welcomed the introduction of new rules deigned to make it easier to rescue distressed companies from insolvency, the Daily Telegraph reported. Previously, small businesses could be particularly damage when another company that owes them money goes into liquidation.