Central looks to build up Selfridges stake

Selfridges co-owner Central Group is looking to take greater control over the department store chain as Signa’s stake comes up for sale. The Thai conglomerate is looking to tighten its grip as co-owner Signa, the Austrian property empire, works through its administration. The two bought Selfridges Group for £4bn last year. Signa Prime Selection, the division that co-owns Selfridges, filed for insolvency last week. The vast majority of the division’s €19.3bn (£16.8bn) of assets are expected to be sold to recover creditors’ money. The Times (£)