Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday February 1, 2012

Published on 01/02/2012 08:47

WELCOME to scotsman.com’s Scottish Business Briefing. Every morning we bring you a comprehensive round-up of all news affecting business in Scotland today.

ENERGY & UTILITIES

North Sea sector in rude health as wages surge

Wages and contractor rates for oil and gas workers in the North Sea continued to climb last year reflecting a “buoyant” industry, figures have revealed ({http://www.scotsman.com/business/north_sea_sector_in_rude_health_as_wages_surge_1_2088255

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Dunfermline firm M&C Energy expands US footprint

M&C Energy has expanded its American footprint by acquiring Arizona-based energy consultants Coleman Hines. The move comes only a few months after the Dunfermline-based energy management consultancy firm opened its first US office (BBC).

Read all today’s energy and utilities news from scotsman.com

INDUSTRY

Firm makes a splash home and away

LUXURY spa and swimming pool installer Barr and Wray has reported a 17% rise in turnover from £15 million to £17.4m. The company, based in Hillington near Glasgow, also saw pre-tax profits for the year to September 2011 increase from to £1.15m ({http://www.heraldscotland.com/business/company-news/firm-makes-a-splash-home-and-away.16636035

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Read all today’s industry news from scotsman.com

MEDIA & LEISURE

Scottish ‘chain hotels’ outperform UK growth

Scottish hotels outperformed their English counterparts in the run-up to the New Year break with profit and occupancy levels on the rise, industry figures have revealed (Scotsman).

Read all today’s media and leisure news from scotsman.com

PERSONAL FINANCE

Standard Life rates cut to hit 750,000

HALF of Standard Life’s 1.5 million with-profits customers will see their investment return squeezed again this year, hit by a second successive reduction in bonus rates and a 50% cut since 2010 (Herald).

Read all today’s personal finance news from scotsman.com

RETAIL

Fresh blow as Tesco loses further ground to supermarket rivals

Tesco has seen its crown slip further after its share of the grocery market dipped below 30 per cent for the first time in nearly seven years {http://www.scotsman.com/business/fresh_blow_as_tesco_loses_further_ground_to_supermarket_rivals_1_2088297

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Read all today’s retail news from scotsman.com