The latest in Mini’s adventure September 27, 2011 IF you’re not a Mini fan look away now. The relentless march of the Mini brand has taken a further step towards automotive world domination with the introduction of its fifth model in the mini lineup, the Mini Coupé. According to the marketing guys at Mini, a two-seater Mini is just what the world needs. [...]
CAR TALK September 27, 2011 TOYOTA’S PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Toyota’s new Prius Plug-in Hybrid will cost less than £31k when it goes on sale next year. The car has an electric (EV) driving range of more than 14 miles, CO2 emissions of 49g/km (combined) and a claimed potential fuel economy of 134.5mpg. The Ultra-Low Carbon Vehicle grant scheme could possibly [...]
Retail sales hit 16-month low September 27, 2011 British retail sales weakened at their fastest pace in 16 months in September and stores expect little improvement in October as squeezed consumers clamp down on spending, a survey by the Confederation of British Industry showed on Tuesday. The CBI distributive trades survey’s retail sales balance edged down to -15 in September from -14 in [...]
World stocks bounce back on Eurozone hopes September 27, 2011 The FTSE 100 tracked gains in Asia overnight as the mining sector – which has taken a battering over world economic growth fears – bounced back. World stocks rose for a third straight session with European shares up two per cent early on, as investors took comfort from reports that officials were working to add [...]
M&B sales growth slows September 27, 2011 British pubs & restaurants group Mitchells & Butlers reported slowing sales growth in the fourth quarter, giving prospective suitor Joe Lewis more ammunition to stake his claim. The group, which has rejected two approaches from the billionaire currency trader and and said sales growth at pubs and restaurants open more than a year slowed to [...]
BAE announces 3,000 job losses September 27, 2011 Defence company BAE Systems has announced that it will cut around 3,000 job due to slower sales of the Eurofighter jet. The company, which makes the plane as part of a four-nation consortium, said on Monday that it would not comment on the media reports but would update its employees on Tuesday. It said 3,000 [...]
Moss Bros moves into the black September 27, 2011 Moss Bros swung to a first-half adjusted pre-tax profit, helped by cost cuts and strong sales across both its hire and retail markets and said it expected outturn for the full year to be ahead of its prior view. The menswear retailer said trading in the eight weeks ended 24 September has been impacted by [...]
Daily Mail profits at lower end of forecasts September 27, 2011 Media group Daily Mail & General Trust expects its full-year operating profit to be lower than last year after weak advertising revenues hit its consumer business. The company, whose flagship Daily Mail newspaper is the top-selling mid-market tabloid, said underlying revenue at its A&N consumer media business was down three per cent in the 11 [...]
Close Brothers profits rise September 27, 2011 Financial services group Close Brothers posted higher full-year profits that met market expectations, and said its businesses continued to have good prospects despite the current tough economic climate. Close Brothers, whose services include merchant banking, securities dealing and wealth management, said that adjusted operating profits for the full year ending July 2011 rose 13 per [...]
England blow as Wilshere ruled out for five months September 26, 2011 ARSENAL and England have been rocked after midfielder Jack Wilshere was told his persistent ankle problems will keep him sidelined for most of the rest of the campaign. Wilshere, who broke down during pre-season and has not played since, underwent surgery on a stress fracture yesterday after attempts to let it heal naturally failed. The [...]