David Jones boss signals fight over leases

David Jones chief Paul Zahra says it will play hardball with shopping centre landlords over leases. Source: AAP

DAVID Jones says it will play hardball with shopping centre landlords over leasing arrangements.

The retail giant and its arch rival Myer have been pressuring shopping malls to make concessions as online sales threaten department store trade.

In this environment, chief executive Paul Zahra wants lease terms reduced from 25 years to 15 years.

"We have no reason to open another store unless those rental agreements reach our terms and conditions," he told the Nine Network's Financial Review Sunday program.

The retailer has previously announced a review of its stores, in particular six in less profitable locations with leases that are due to expire within five years.

In another bid to win back customers, Mr Zahra revealed that David Jones had poached leading fashion labels from Myer, including Givenchy, Joseph, (Pucci) and Sunseeker.

"You can expect you'll see more international brands in our portfolio," he said.

David Jones is this year celebrating its 175th anniversary.

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David Jones boss signals fight over leases

David Jones chief Paul Zahra says it will play hardball with shopping centre landlords over leases. Source: AAP

DAVID Jones says it will play hardball with shopping centre landlords over leasing arrangements.

The retail giant and its arch rival Myer have been pressuring shopping malls to make concessions as online sales threaten department store trade.

In this environment, chief executive Paul Zahra wants lease terms reduced from 25 years to 15 years.

"We have no reason to open another store unless those rental agreements reach our terms and conditions," he told the Nine Network's Financial Review Sunday program.

The retailer has previously announced a review of its stores, in particular six in less profitable locations with leases that are due to expire within five years.

In another bid to win back customers, Mr Zahra revealed that David Jones had poached leading fashion labels from Myer, including Givenchy, Joseph, (Pucci) and Sunseeker.

"You can expect you'll see more international brands in our portfolio," he said.

David Jones is this year celebrating its 175th anniversary.

View the original article here

EU backs Apple in patent fight

EU anti-trust officials say Google-owned Motorola was abusing its leading position in Germany's mobile phone market by filing a patent injunction against Apple over some core smartphone functions.

A statement on Monday says the European Union has reached a "preliminary view" on a competition investigation opened in April 2012.

It has decided that Motorola Mobility's action "amounts to an abuse of a dominant position prohibited by EU anti-trust rules".

The commission says "while recourse to injunctions is a possible remedy for patent infringements, such conduct may be abusive where standard-essential patents (SEPs) are concerned and the potential licensee is willing to enter into a licence on Fair, Reasonable and Non-Discriminatory terms."

EU Competition Commissioner Joaquin Almunia said, "The protection of intellectual property is a cornerstone of innovation and growth. But so is competition.

"I think that companies should spend their time innovating and competing on the merits of the products they offer, not misusing their intellectual property rights to hold up competitors to the detriment of innovation and consumer choice."

Almunia's spokesman said the row centred on "general packet radio services technology" concerned with "intermediate technologies between 2G and 3G standards" - in other words older mobile phone functioning.

In April 2013, the US International Trade Commission tossed out a Motorola Mobility patent claim that threatened to block the importation of some Apple iPhone models into the United States.

Motorola had accused Apple of infringing on patented technology that makes touch screens ignore fingers when people are holding smartphones to their ears for calls.

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