Business News Articles

15 retailers could collapse at start of next year
Up to 15 national and regional retail chains could go bust at the start of 2009, according to insolvency experts. Corporate rescue and recovery specialists Begbies Traynor commented that it would, “not be surprised” if up to 15 chains collapsed before the end of January due to an inability to pay the first quarter of rent. The warning comes as one of the largest post-Christmas sales take... more

Over £100m to be spent online on Christmas day
An estimated five million people in the UK will break with traditional routines and shop online on Christmas day, according to the Interactive Media in Retail Group (IMRG). The IMRG forecast that customers will spend over £100m online – an average of £20 per person – and up 20% from last years total on the 25th of December of £84m. “25 December is an increasingly important day for o... more

Half of small business owners experience 'less stress'
More than half of small business owners say that they feel less tense since starting their own company, according to research by insurance firm Premierline Direct. Over 80% of SME owners reported that their stress levels had not changed since they began running their company and over a third of those surveyed said that they had a better work-life balance and get to spend more time with their fa... more

Slight rise in consumer confidence and retail sales
Consumer confidence in the UK rose for the second month in a row in December, suggesting cuts in interest rates and VAT are having an effect. ... more

Internet Explorer attacked by virus
Businesses are being advised to avoid Internet Explorer as the search engine has been exposed to a security flaw that allows criminals to hack into computers that are using the software. Users are being urged to switch to other browsers such as Firefox and Safari until the problem, which allows cyber criminals to steal passwords and other confidential information, is fixed. Microsoft has sta... more

Mobile sales decline prompts UK firm to cut 40% of staff
Scottish electronics maker Laird has announced that it is to cut 5,000 jobs - around 40% of its workforce - as it gears up for a double digit decline in global mobile phone handset sales. Laird is the global market leader of cellular antenna for mobile phones and its customers include Nokia, SonyEricsson and LG. "Our planning assumption is that the global unit handset volumes will decline by... more

Business rates to rise 5% next year
The government has told local authorities that business rates will increase to 5% next year, a move that could hit many small businesses that are already struggling. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has branded the rise as unnecessary and warned that it will hit firms at the worst possible time. "The CBI had called for a freeze in business rates, to give the economy a much needed ... more

BAA will fight forced sale of airports
The UK competition watchdog has ruled that BAA must sell Gatwick, Stansted and Edinburgh airports - a decision that the airport operator will oppose. BAA is owned by Spanish company Ferrovia and the airline operator currently own seven airports. The final report by the Commission is not due to be published until March, when the airline operator will have the opportunity to appeal. "We don't ... more

Staff face £350 charge to park at work
Business owners have reacted angrily to council proposals to charge ‘workplace parking levies' of up to £350 a year for staff to use company parking spaces. Companies are likely to bear the majority of the coast, by the Department for Transport has left open the possibility that the drivers could be made legally liable for the charge. Under the proposals the Transport Secretary would have... more

Firms warned over TV licences
The Forum of Private Business is warning small firms to ensure they have a valid television licence if they allow staff to watch TV on the premises.... more