Shareholders in Marks & Spencer called into question its decision to promote chief executive Sir Stuart Rose to the role of executive chairman as part of a management shake-up, according to The Independent. Legal & General Investment Management, one of M&S's biggest shareholders, said it strongly believed in the separation of the roles of chairman and chief executive.

Total losses at Ocado have reached almost £300m after an estimated loss of £30m in 2007, according to the Telegraph. Details of the online retailer's performance in 2007, which were published in the full-year accounts of the John Lewis Partnership, showed Ocado losses attributable to John Lewis were £7.1m. John Lewis owns a 24.1% stake so analysts estimated Ocado made a loss of £30m in 2007, it said. 

Up to 23 high-street butchers have closed every month since 2000, HM Revenue & Customs figures show. The Express reported that the number of butchers has plummeted since 2000, when there were 9,081 across Britain. By last year that figure had dropped to 7,186, it said. Owners have now joined forces for the first National Butchers' Week, which started on Monday. 

An accountant who slipped on a grape outside a Marks & Spencer store is suing the company for more than £300,000. Alexander Martin-Sklan claims he developed "deep depression" after tearing a thigh tendon in the fall, said the Mail. The 55-year old accountant had been shopping at an M&S branch in Finchley Road, North London on 18 June 2004 when the incident happened.

Wal-Mart may sell Asda's property development and distribution network arm in the UK, The Guardian reported. The US owner of Asda announced that investment bank UBS had been retained to explore options, including a sale, for Gazeley.