Business

Black Friday sales boosted retail revenue by more than 10% in Scotland, with footfall increasing by almost 5% compared to 2023, latest figures show.

Shopping patterns for Black Friday reveal why 2024 was boom year
“Scotland’s shoppers took advantage of promotions and offers both in person and online as the Black Friday weekend finally kicked off Christmas trading” - Ewan MacDonald-Russell, deputy head Scottish Retail Consortium
Sarah Ward

Harper Macleod said its corporate and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) team advised on 42 transactions in October, as business owners and acquiring companies acted ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ eagerly-awaited, maiden fiscal statement.

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On Wednesday Orbex, a rocket manufacturing company which was also constructing the spaceport, suddenly announced it is pausing development at Sutherland and will instead launch from the rival SaxaVord Spaceport on the northern tip of the Shetland Islands.

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Ms Robison told MSPs: “We are going to ramp up action on housing, investing £768 million in affordable homes.

Analysis Construction is booming but housebuilding is lagging in Scotland

Equinor employs around 300 people in oil and gas roles in the UK, while Shell employs about 1,000 people in similar jobs.

Two North Sea giants combining - what does it mean for Scottish jobs?

New figures from the Law Society of Scotland show the profession is going from strength to strength.

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Black Friday sales boosted retail revenue by more than 10% in Scotland, with footfall increasing by almost 5% compared to 2023, latest figures show.

Shopping patterns for Black Friday reveal why 2024 was boom year

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Clare Macpherson, partner and head of Thorntons Edinburgh, and Lesley Larg, Thorntons' managing partner.

Historic Scottish legal firm nets £12 million as Edinburgh team hails new record

Shoppers in an Aldi supermarket in March 2020 (Photo: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)

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Royal Mail postal workers sort Christmas cards in the Royal Mail Regional Sorting Office in Filton (Photo: Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

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Local councils offering grants of £500 to 1000s of households

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Medium and large grocers shops have avoided a damaging business rate surtax, but still face paying the highest rates since devolution (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell)

SNP Budget was better for retailers, but there was a glaring omission David Lonsdale

Renewable energy schemes are good for the drive to net-zero carbon emissions, but also energy security and the economy (Picture: Ashley Cooper/Construction Photography/Avalon)

How 20-year standoff with MoD is preventing £9bn renewable energy boom Sarah McIntosh

Plans announced in the Scottish Budget by Finance Secretary Shona Robison to locate a new offshore wind hub in Aberdeen and almost triple Government investment support for offshore wind to £150 million have been welcomed by industry leaders.

Why Budget delights wind sector but leaves housebuilders wanting more

A £150m upgrade to an Ayrshire marine yard has been given a boost as it is awarded planning permission, paving the way for increased offshore wind power off the UK’s west coast

£150m plan for one of world's largest energy storage sites at port

Jaguar Type 00 concept and crest

New pictures as Jaguar reveals Type 00 concept car

left to right Margaret (Re-engage Guest), Lyndsey Rafferty (EICC) and Anne Grindley (Group Coordinator, Re-engage) at the EICC

It’s a wonderful life celebrating the festive season

The busy kitchens of The Bracken Hide Hotel restaurant, Am Braigh.

Beth Rehman appointed managing director of Perle Hotels

Educational programme aimed at raising awareness of online safety, with over two hundred secondary school pupils participating in the sessions at Tynecastle Park between 9th-11th December

How Hearts and their sponsor teamed up to teach kids cyber security

Ad Feature Glasgow is home to new precision medicine hub

For many young women, a career in financial services is simply 'not on the radar' says Jen Mair

Financial services industry needs more women now

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How I boost positivity in my WFH office with one 5-minute daily habit

The Bruntsfield Hotel is located in the Edinburgh area of the same name to the south-west of the city centre.

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Full list of energy suppliers offering free energy over Christmas

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Martin Lewis uncovers the cheapest type of decorative Christmas lights

The sales figures spanning the four-week period from October 27 to November 23 were almost as poor as the weather.

Why shoppers could pay the price in 2025 if tomorrow’s Budget misses this target

A couple in a boat on the River Thames at Richmond upon Thames, one of the happiest places in Britain, according to Rightmove

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OEG’s office manager Toto Sanderson and CEO John Heiton outside the firm’s new HQ in Dyce.

Scottish offshore firm creates 300 jobs and opens seven-figure Aberdeen HQ

Asda shoppers urged to claim Christmas rewards before expiry

A Babcock International apprentice metal cutting.

The defence giants taking on thousands of apprentices - including in Scotland

Each of the beer-maker's cans sports the unique Paisley pattern.

Scottish brewer with famed branding eyes bold expansion move

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Royal Mail’s crucial last posting dates for Christmas 2024

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How to stop condensation on the inside of windows

Kirsty Morrison is the Group Chief Executive of Albyn Housing Society

More housing can help unlock the potential of the Highlands - Kirsty Morrison

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The Christmas side hustle that will have you wrapping up extra cash

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I love Winter Wonderland disasters - but here's how to dodge them

Apple has updated the Photos app and users aren't happy. Photo: Astarot - stock.adobe.com

Apple users are all saying the same thing about Photos app update

The Edinburgh Hi-AV Show was recently held at the DoubleTree By Hilton hotel at Edinburgh Airport and featured scores of prestigious brands including McIntosh. Picture: Scott Reid

Edinburgh audio and AV show to return for 2025 after ‘overwhelming’ response

Workers facing redundancy at Grangemouth oil refinery have the “sought-after skills” needed to upgrade Scotland’s electricity grid, an energy firm has said.

Why £11bn grid work could spark 1,000 jobs for Grangemouth workers

Vapes and batteries maker Supreme has bought collapsed tea firm Typhoo out of administration. Typhoo Tea filed to appoint administrators last Wednesday, risking the future of the 121-year-old firm

Why vape makers Supreme have bought UK's oldest tea firm

Innovec was launched in 2009 by its chief executive Iain Wham, using his redundancy pay-off from a manufacturing company.

Fast-growing IT firm eyes push into Edinburgh amid data and AI explosion

(Photo: TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

Iconic baby and parenting brand faces uncertain future

Offshore wind farm crane firm to create 25 jobs in Scottish city

An artist’s impression of the One Five Zero St Vincent Street development

Scotland’s commercial property market must embrace sustainability to thrive - Ma...

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The arguments for and against 'pay-per-mile' road taxing

The M1 motorway in Leicestershire near to Leicester Forrest East services (Photo: Rail Photo/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)

Drivers to face significant road tax hikes in 2025

Trim Castle Hotel, in County Meath, was signed up to a bespoke deal thanks to Radius Energy's tailored service

Luxury hotel shaves thousands off energy bills by recruiting experts

It's time to update Spotify.

Spotify shocks fans by announcing end of key feature

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Two UK millionaires crowned in December's Premium Bond draw

A total of 12 businesses have been fined across Scotland

The 12 Scottish businesses fined for using illegal workers

Hundreds of council houses in Edinburgh have still not been fitted with interlinked smoke alarms.

Exclusive Hundreds of Edinburgh council homes not fire alarm compliant

Suzi Nicol, owner of Sunshine Number 1 in Glasgow, who will be participating in Small Business Saturday on December 7.

Small Business Saturday: The post-Black Friday push to shop local on December 7

Ian Murray meets Grace Fu, Singapore minister of trade relations

Brand Scotland must choose partners wisely

Just because a retailer is advertising Christmas gifts on a big search drive or through social media doesn’t mean it’s legitimate (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Here are the festive season scams that you need to watch out for - Martyn James

Shoppers on Buchanan Street in Glasgow city centre.

Scottish Budget: Pro-business plea after ‘unnerving’ high street shopper numbers

You could be a Lottery winner - check the latest unclaimed prizes

Nicky Deasy (investment director), Ross McDermid (Biotangents), Fiona Marshall (Biotangents), and Jill Arnold (Eos). Picture by Stewart Attwood

Scottish firm’s testing tech set to ‘revolutionise dairy farming industry’

The charity shop is closing after 33 years in operation

Popular charity shop to shut due to 'rising costs'

Andrew Currie, Renault Franchise Manager, Arnold Clark, Aidan Chesters, Scenic Product Manager, Renault UK, and Alisdair Suttie, President ASMW celebrating the win by the Forth Bridge with the Renault E-Scenic

Renault Scenic E-Tech wins top prize at Scottish Car of the Year 2024

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How log burners could be costing you more than central heating

Donald Trump speaks at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire in 2016.

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Shoppers' 'letters of hope' to be distributed to homeless people

The CMA’s report found ‘limited competition on formula prices’ (Picture: stock.adobe.com)

Competiton watchdog targets prices of infants' formula milk - Angelique Bret

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Coca-Cola names two locations on its Christmas truck tour this weekend

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I'm a mortgage expert - my top tips to save for your first home

Marshall Dallas took up the role of chief executive at the EICC in October 2014. Picture by Stewart Attwood

Edinburgh International Conference Centre chief to step down after ten years

Compass Scotland MD, David Hay and Stephen McLaughlin

Compass Scotland partners with leading Scottish Chef

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