The Scotsman

Asos Sales Up by Almost Half

ASOS, the online fashion retailer, has booked a 47 per cent surge in sales as it continues its global assault on net-savvy fashionistas, writes Scott Reid. A push into overseas markets means that international trade now accounts for a quarter of the UK group's overall business.

Between the Lines: May Adopts Too Conservative an Approach to Pensions Detail

A FEW hours after Gordon Brown came out fighting in Brighton, shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May was in Edinburgh outlining the pensions crisis facing the next government. But whereas Brown's desperation compelled him to produce an unusually policy-heavy conference address, May was content to stick to platitudes and steer clear of specifics.

Comment: Wilson Must Establish Her Plans to Take Se Forward

LENA Wilson is a credit to Scottish Enterprise. A hard-working, passionate believer in the agency's cause and a dedicated servant for more than 20 years, she brings enormous experience of all aspects of its work, having worked her way through various roles. Added to that, she has been through the MBA and Harvard development programmes and spent time on secondment to the World Bank. She has taken the Scottish Enterprise message to 40 countries, embraced the Global Scots network of ambassadors,...

Snp Challenged to Cut Energy Waste As It Is Attacked Over Nuclear Policy

Iain Smith called for GBP 100m cash for energy THE Scottish Government has been challenged to increase its spending on energy efficiency by GBP 100 million a year.

Firstgroup Warns of Challenging Times Ahead As Revenues Slide

TRANSPORT giant FirstGroup has warned that growth in bus and rail revenues has weakened further in recent months. The Aberdeen-based firm, which has shed more than 4,000 jobs as it battles the impact of recession, said the growth in like-for- like rail revenue had slowed to 1.7 per cent in the six months to 30 September.

Ftse Rebound Strongest in 25 Years

LONDON'S blue-chip FTSE 100 index marked the best quarterly performance in its 25-year history last night despite taking a tumble at the final hurdle. The benchmark index has gained almost 21 per cent since the beginning of July, the best performance for the Footsie since it opened in 1984.

Indigovision Unveils Its Maiden Dividend a Year Ahead of Forecast

SECURITY software and digital CCTV company IndigoVision has announced its maiden dividend a year ahead of forecasts. Brokerage Brewin Dolphin had predicted that the Edinburgh-based group would begin returning cash next year, but yesterday IndigoVision revealed that it would pay 5p a share, after pre-tax profits for the year to July rose by more than half.

Kraft Told to Put Up or Shut Up Over Cadbury

CADBURY has reiterated its rejection of Kraft's GBP 10.2 billion takeover approach, as a deadline was set for the US food giant to "put up or shut up". The City Takeover Panel ruling means Kraft has to announce its intentions either to make a firm offer or not to bid for the British company.

Rose Upbeat On Signs of Growing Consumer Confidence

MARKS & Spencer posted an improvement in its quarterly sales trend yesterday, as executive chairman Sir Stuart Rose insisted "Armageddon has not taken place" in the high street. Rose said he was "quietly confident" about trading prospects for Christmas, when the retailer will take on 20,000 temporary staff - 5,000 more than last year. "It's going to be an important third trading quarter for us," Rose said.

Issler's On a Roll in Switzerland

MARTIN Currie, the Edinburgh-based fund management boutique, has named Dominik Issler as its country head for Switzerland. He will join the firm on 4 January and be based in Zurich, reporting to director Eric Bateman, head of European sales.

Travis Perkins Lifted by Rebound at Wickes

BUILDERS' merchant Travis Perkins yesterday offered hope of trading recovery as demand for kitchens and bathrooms boosted sales at its Wickes DIY chain. Like-for-like sales at Wickes jumped 7.8 per cent in the 13 weeks to the end of September as a major TV advertising campaign attracted shoppers to its revamped range.

Schuh Shines with 21 Per Cent Increase in Pre-Tax Profits

RETAIL chain Schuh put its best foot forward yesterday, announcing double-digit gains in sales and underlying profits. The footwear group, which is headquartered in Livingston, West Lothian, said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation rose 21 per cent to GBP 14.3 million in the year to March. Sales at the 55-store chain were up GBP 16m to GBP 135m.

Markets: Transatlantic Blues Hit Footsie

LONDON FTSE 100 CLOSE 5,133.9 -25.8 RETAILERS led the FTSE-100 lower yesterday, with Marks & Spencer, Next and Home Retail Group among the big high street names falling into the red.

Ousted Chairman's Son Takes Helm at Lees

SNOWBALL maker Lees Foods has completed a boardroom reshuffle, with the son of the recently-ousted chairman promoted to chief executive. The Coatbridge confectionery maker, which produces thousands of meringues and macaroons every day, said Clive Miquel, whose father Raymond left the group last month, would become its new chief executive.