The Barclay brothers, owners of Littlewoods, the UK-based retailer and mail order group, have retained UBS to advise on the potential disposal of the Littlewoods stores, according to reports. Sources close to the Barclays confirmed the appointment of a 'major bank'. A Littlewoods spokesperson stressed that the mail order division is not being put up for sale. The stores are believed to represent approximately £1bn of Littlewoods' £3.5bn EUR 5.06bn annual turnover.