Latest News
Retail sales prospects gloomy
The UK’s latest high street sales performance statistics are the weakest since May.
High street sales down on 2010
High street sales volumes fell on a year ago in November for the sixth consecutive month, with retailers expecting another decline in December, according to the Confederation of British Industry.
Businesses identify customer service weakness
Four fifths of small businesses feel their customer service could be improved, despite two thirds identifying that responsiveness is the most important factor in their company.
SMEs anticipate Xmas hit
Some 78 per cent of businesses expect their turnover to either take a hit or stay the same over the Christmas period, research finds.
New RGF money for small businesses
Some £95 million of new Regional Growth Fund money has been allocated for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Retail sales still shaky
Retailers expect sales growth next month, but sales are still down on last year.
Google AdWords fall short for SMEs
Less than a fifth of small businesses using Google AdWords say they recoup the cost of their investment, research finds.
Businesses struggle with stock records
Half of UK SMEs have lost sales due to low stock levels, research finds.
Social media influentual in reputation management
Three quarters of consumers who heard about a bad customer experience via social media stopped doing business with the offending company, research finds.
Manufacturers predict production growth
UK manufacturers predict that production will continue to grow over the next three months, despite order book levels slackening during September, the Confederation of British Industry says.
Promising export success for SMEs
Online businesses are defying the economic downturn and flying the flag for Britain on the international stage, finds research.
Pace of growth in construction sector is slowing
Growth in the UK construction industry slowed in August and confidence fell as the sector was hit by economic conditions, according to new data.
Promising order books for manufacturing
UK manufacturers are reporting healthy order books and expectations for output growth are above their long-run average, the Confederation of British Industry says.
Riot impact on retail revealed
Retailers lost more than 7,500 hours of trading and 11,000 members of their staff were affected by the violence caused by riots two weeks ago.
Exports still promising
UK exporters are showing continued signs of strength year on year as export sales grew by 3.6 per cent on the same quarter in 2010.
