Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Franz Fischler says consumers need to show more patriotism towards local food, as they do in Austria Both sides in the Brexit negotiations face “enormous negative consequences” if they fail to reach a deal, a former EU commissioner has warned. Franz Fischler was EU Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development …
Image copyright Reuters Image caption A lone voice? Italy’s economy minister is at odds with his government on how much there is to spend A vow by Italy’s populist leaders to “end poverty” is in jeopardy because of a clash with the economy minister. Technocrat Giovanni Tria wants to stick to lower spending to avoid …
Image copyright Reuters Petrobras, Brazil’s state oil company, has agreed to pay more than $853m (£650m) to the US and Brazil, ending a long-running corruption investigation. The probe stemmed from a bribery scheme at the firm, which involved millions in payments that were concealed from investors and regulators. The payments were facilitated by executives at …
Image copyright Amazon Image caption The shop will also feature goods and gadgets that are becoming popular online Online retailing giant Amazon is opening a store in New York that will only sell products that receive a high rating on its website. The store will sell toys, household goods and other items that have a …
Image copyright Brewdog Image caption Brewdog founder James Watt said the offer was made without his company’s knowledge or consent Scottish craft brewer Brewdog has pulled out of a tie-up with a US beer maker after it offered free drinks to Donald Trump supporters. Ellon-based Brewdog had planned a series of events with Scofflaw at …
Image copyright Getty Images The merger of Sainsbury’s and Asda could damage supermarket competition in hundreds of areas, the competition watchdog has warned. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said the companies’ stores overlap in 463 areas. It said there could be be a “substantial lessening of competition” if the supermarkets were “insufficiently constrained”. Sainsbury’s …
Image copyright Reuters Shares in Swedish fashion giant H&M – the world’s second-biggest clothing chain – have risen sharply after it reported strong sales growth. Third-quarter sales at H&M – whose brands include Cos and Monki – rose 9%, helped by a 32% jump in online sales. The company’s shares rose 9%, despite profits falling …
Image copyright Geography Photos Shares in womenswear chain Bonmarché have dived 20% after it warned profits would fall short of expectations due to weak consumer demand and warm weather. It said that online sales had grown strongly in the second quarter of the year, but sales in stores had not kept up the pace of …
Image copyright Getty Images Energy regulator Ofgem has ordered 11 of the UK’s biggest suppliers to improve how they deal with complaints. The regulator said it had “compliance cases” open against four companies over customer dissatisfaction with how they handled complaints. It has also asked another seven to improve their procedures. However, the chief executive …
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Goldman Sachs’ new European HQ in London Long-suffering UK savers could soon see higher returns, as one of Wall Street’s swankiest banks boosts its presence on this side of the Atlantic. Goldman Sachs is well-known for its investment bank in London, but from Thursday it will also offer a …