Scottish Business Briefing – January 13th 2012

BANKING

NAB pumps further £400m into Clydesdale to raise capital ratios

CLYDESDALE Bank has received a further £400 million in capital from parent company National Australia Bank in a fresh sign that the group expects no easing of economic difficulties in the months to come. (Scotsman)

ECONOMICS

SCC chief calls for 0.5% rate to remain in 2012

SCOTTISH Chambers of Commerce declared that next month would provide an “ideal opportunity” for further loosening of monetary policy, and highlighted the “challenging” economic outlook, after the Bank of England stood pat yesterday. (Herald)

INDUSTRY

Scottish surge helps to drive Barratt’s sales

Housebuilder Barratt yesterday revealed a rise in revenues and a burgeoning order book, helped by a 25 per cent increase in Scottish sales. (Scotsman)

MEDIA & LEISURE

8% increase in visitors to Scotland

The number of people visiting Scotland has risen, according to new figures. While the number of visitors coming from overseas fell by 4% in the first nine months of 2011, there was a 10% increase in people from other parts of Britain travelling. (Scotsman)

RETAIL

Tesco stuns the City after sales slide leads to profit warning

TESCO, Britain’s biggest retailer, stunned the City with its first profits warning in living memory yesterday, wiping billions off its share price and starkly highlighting consumer pressures. (Scotsman)

Big names adding to woes on the UK’s troubled high street

ANALYSTS have warned of even tougher times ahead for Britain’s shops after weak trading figures from some of the high street’s best-known brands saw investors dump retail stocks yesterday. (Scotsman)