National Business News from nebusiness, The Journal and Evening Gazette

Coffee peps up Whitbread Oct 18 2011

Leisure giant Whitbread today said its coffee business Costa continued to thrive after a 42% jump in the division’s half-year profits.Read

BP shares rise on spill deal announcement Oct 17 2011

BP shares rose sharply today after it announced it will receive $4bn (£2.5bn) in a settlement with one of its partners at the site of last year’s Gulf of Mexico disaster.Read

G4S snaps up ISS Oct 17 2011

Security group G4S took its headcount beyond the one million mark today with the £5.2bn takeover of facilities management firm ISS.Read

Concerns over squeeze on older customers Oct 11 2011

Home shopping firm N Brown reported a rise in half-year profits today but said its customers aged 60 and above were being hit hardest by the economic squeeze.Read

MPs call for cashpoint justification Oct 10 2011

Two of Britain’s largest banks have been told by MPs to justify their restrictions on basic account customers using rivals’ cash machines.Read

Concerns over Ladbrokes deal Oct 10 2011

Ladbrokes was today facing its second major takeover blow this year after reports said a potential deal for Sportingbet may fold.Read

Banks' credit ratings slashed Oct 07 2011

Britain’s beleaguered banks and building societies were dealt another blow today after a debt agency said the decreased likelihood of Government backing made them less credit-worthy.Read

Premier Foods issues profits warning Oct 07 2011

The UK’s largest food manufacturer today issued a profits warning as it revealed a slump in sales across well-known brands including Hovis.Read

Tributes paid to Apple pioneer Jobs Oct 06 2011

Apple fans are united in sadness as they celebrate the life of Steve Jobs - who is widely acknowledged as revolutionising the world of technology and media.Read

High fuel prices hit Halfords Oct 06 2011

Soaring petrol prices left their mark on Halfords today after it revealed declining car usage had caused a further drop off in sales.Read

Builders' merchant Wolseley sees sales slump Oct 04 2011

Bathstore dragged on the UK performance of builders’ merchant Wolseley today after the retail chain posted a 15% slump in annual sales.Read

More high street gloom from fashion brand Sep 30 2011

Jacques Vert, owner of the Windsmoor ladies coat and fashion brand, added to the gloom on the high street today as it revealed sales had slowed to a halt.Read

No dividend for Thomas Cook shareholders Sep 29 2011

Thomas Cook heaped more pain on shareholders today after it revealed it will not pay a dividend until it has sorted its battered finances.Read

Airport scanner firm's profits jump Sep 28 2011

Airport scanners and bomb detection firm Smiths today posted a 12% rise in profits but warned three of its divisions were being squeezed by Government spending cuts.Read

Margins squeezed at Mitchells & Butlers Sep 27 2011

A slowdown in food sales heaped more pressure on the owner of Harvester today amid fears boardroom turmoil is impacting on its performance.Read

Game's losses increase Sep 27 2011

Computer and video games retailer Game is pinning its hopes on a decent Christmas after reporting a jump in half-year losses today.Read

Cake maker's profits rise Sep 26 2011

The maker of low-fat cake for the Weightwatchers brand today said supermarket shoppers continued to have a taste for its products despite the downturn.Read

easyJet to pay one-off dividend Sep 22 2011

Budget airline easyJet today announced a one-off dividend of £150m as it looks to cool a feud with its founder and major shareholder.Read

Holiday prices set to rise Sep 22 2011

Britain’s biggest holiday firm warned today that the price of a summer holiday will rise next year as it bears the brunt of higher fuel and accommodation costs.Read

Debenhams boosted by discounts Sep 20 2011

Department store Debenhams today forecast higher-than-expected profits after a summer of discounts and promotions helped boost its market share.Read

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