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ScS sofa chain upbeat over investor talks

Struggling sofa chain ScS Upholstery today attempted to offer some comfort over its financial position as its fundraising talks with investors continue. Read

Bellway issues warning over North West housing market

Housebuilder Bellway today said the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West were being “particularly hard hit” in the housing market slowdown. Read

Morrisons sales up 7%

Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons has kept up the pressure on its rivals after unveiling further strong sales growth. Read

Halfords cashes in on cycling trend

Halfords said today it was benefiting from a “resurgent” cycling market as more commuters swapped their cars for bikes to get to work. Read

Pre-tax profits up 17% for United Utilities

United Utilities today said it had beaten leakage targets for the second year in a row and posted higher than expected annual profits. Read

Ryanair plans 5% price hike

Budget airline Ryanair, one of the largest Liverpool Airport carriers, warned today that its fares may have to rise 5% this year as costs increase. Read

Vodafone in for Tiscali

Mobile phone giant Vodafone is poised to table a formal takeover bid for Italian broadband group Tiscali, it was reported today. Read

Credit crunch hits corporate travel

Business travel group Hogg Robinson today said firms were cutting back on foreign travel in signs that the credit crunch is putting paid to extravagant corporate junkets. Read

Woolworths to stop selling CD singles

High street chain Woolworths today announced it was to stop selling CD singles, saying the format was in “terminal decline”. Read

Battle brewing over Budweiser

Budweiser brewer Anheuser-Busch is planning a defence as speculation grows over a takeover approach from rival and Stella Artois firm InBev, according to reports today. Read

Vodafone chief expected to stand down

Vodafone’s chief executive will announce he is standing down from the mobile phone giant, it was claimed tonight. Read

M&S profits tops £1billion

Marks & Spencer’s annual profits topped £1 billion for the first time in a decade today. Read

All Bar One owner switches tax status

All Bar One owner Mitchells & Butlers said today it would switch to tax- efficient REIT status as part of attempts to revive its fortunes. Read

Asda demands better Government deal on recycling

The Government must ensure a fair deal over recycling, with all local authorities providing an equal service, Leeds-based supermarket chain Asda has said. Read

BA shares fall sharply over gloomy outlook

Shares in British Airways fell sharply today as City gloom deepened over the airline’s trading outlook. Read

Microsoft launches fresh bid to join up with Yahoo

Microsoft has launched a fresh attempt to tie-up with internet giant Yahoo! but is stopping short of a renewed takeover bid, it emerged today. Read

Ethel Austin bought out of administration

About 2,500 jobs have been saved at discount fashion group Ethel Austin after the group was today bought out of administration by the former boss of clothing chain MK One. Read

Duo plan £100million buy-up of hotels

ENTREPRENEURS Simon Matthews-Williams and Paul Bolton are on a spending spree after teaming up to create a £100m hotels empire. Read

Business confidence takes a battering

Business confidence has fallen for the fourth quarter in a row as fears of an economic slowdown loom, a survey said today. Read

FTSE preview: M&S annual profits set to be highlight of busy week

Annual results from retail giant Marks & Spencer should be the highlight of another busy week for corporate news, with figures also due from pubs group Mitchells & Butlers and babycare retailer Mothercare. Read