Woolworths new boss is DIY chief

August 13, 2008

The former chief executive of Focus DIY, Steve Johnson has been named as the new chief executive of troubled retailer Woolworths. Chairman at Woolworths Richard North said he hopes Mr Johnson can contribute to the "recovery and regrowth" of the group. ...

Tesco to open cash and carry in India

August 12, 2008

Britain's largest supermarket chain, Tesco, is making their debut into the Indian retail market with a wholesale cash and carry business. Tesco have also signed a deal with the Indian firm Tata Group to develop its hypermarket business. Tesco will invest ...

Royal Mail to possibly axe 35,000 jobs

August 10, 2008

According union leaders, up to 35,000 jobs could be axed if Royal Mail go through with plans to close dozens of sorting offices. The plans by Royal Mail are to shut five major mail centres in the North West. The offices ...

RBS record second biggest loss ever

August 10, 2008

Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) revealed pre-tax loss of £691m for the first six months of 2008. This is the second biggest loss in UK banking history. RBS said it was hit by £5.9bn of write-downs because the credit crisis cut ...

Barclays profits drop 33%

August 9, 2008

John Varley, chief executive, said of Barclays 33% drop in profits, that they are 2acutely disappointing". The profits slumped to £3.8 billion, Mr Varley also aplogised for the collapse in the banks share price. Mr Varley said "Although I take some ...

Bank of England expected to keep interest rates at 5%

August 9, 2008

The Bank of England is widely expected to keep interest rates set at 5%. Experts have said this will be one of the most difficult decisions the Banks Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has had to make in recent times. The MPC ...

McDonalds create 4,000 new jobs in the UK

August 8, 2008

McDonalds, the world's largest fast food chain, has launched a recruitment drive to create 4,000 jobs in the UK. They say this is due to increasing demand for their food. McDonalds said it needs to increase its workforce because they are ...

Barclays sells life assurance unit

August 6, 2008

Barclays have agreed the sale of their life assurance arm to Swiss Re for £753 million. Around 760,000 life insurance, pension policies and annuity contracts will be acquired by Swiss Re, in a bid to boost its Admin Re business in ...

HSBC say current account drop 5%

August 6, 2008

British people have an average 5% less money in their current accounts than a year ago, HSBC has revealed. This is one of the more graphic illustrations of how many in the UK are feeling the pinch of the credit ...

Northern Rock announces losses

August 5, 2008

Northern Rock is due to announce losses of £585.4 million for the first half of the year. The number of customers falling behind with mortgage payments rose sharply. The lender said their bad debts provision stood at £351.8 million as 1.18% ...