THE DAILY BRIEFING

DEBS DELIGHT Sports Direct has upped its stake in Debenhams for the second time in a week, taking it to 13pc. The retailer, led by tycoon Mike Ashley, controls the shares through a complex derivative that allows him to hold voting rights. Sports Direct has now installed seven concessions in Debenhams stores. CHANGING SUIT The chief executive of luxury lingerie brand Agent Provocateur has been made boss of Italian tailor Brioni. Fabrizio Malverdi’s departure follows Agent Provocateur’s sale to Four Holdings, a brand agency part owned by Sports Direct. PASSING TRADE High Street footfall rose by 0.1pc in February, picking up from a 0.8pc decline in January. But retail parks saw a 1.6pc drop as families opt to eat and drink in the High Street rather than at out-of-town shopping centres. LAUNCH MONEY Gaming tech firm 123gaming has turned to crowdfunding site Seedrs to raise £1m to launch into the UK. Gaming company Sportech has kickstarted the campaign with a £100,000 investment. DRUG ULTIMATUM Astra Zeneca says it will slash its annual £2bn British drug research programme unless NHS cost-saving plans are dropped. It said delaying the introduction of expensive drugs by up to three years would demoralise scientists. EURO POP Fentimans is considering opening a factory in Europe if trade tariffs rise after Brexit. The soft-drinks maker said quitting the EU would not stifle overseas demand.