Scottish Business Briefing – Monday 20 August, 2012
ECONOMICS
Lift for UK’s economy as Scottish insolvencies fall to two-year low
THE number of Scottish businesses going bust fell to a two-year low in July, adding to hopes that the economy is in better shape than official figures suggest. Data from information firm Experian published today shows Scotland saw the biggest month-on-month fall in business insolvencies of any part of the UK, both on a month-on-month and a year-on-year basis. (Scotsman)
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Hide AdYoung Scots jobless feel pressure of slowdown in recruitment
ALMOST three-quarters of young people in Scotland claim that life is harder than ever for the young unemployed, according to a new report, as another reveals that a slowdown in the recruitment sector indicates that the job market is losing momentum. (Scotsman)
INDUSTRY
Bovis Homes sees profits double as sales increase
UK housebuilder Bovis Homes has reported a doubling of profit and has increased its dividend after selling more homes at a higher average price. Pre-tax profits for the six months to 30 June were £16.2m, up from £8.1m in the same period last year. (BBC)
e-BUSINESS
Openreach boss hails Scots broadband plan
THE chief executive of broadband infrastructure provider Openreach believes Scotland has one of the most ambitious plans in Europe to provide better connection speeds to its population and businesses. (Herald)
RETAIL
Scottish retailing hit by 8.2% decrease in shoppers
SCOTLAND’S struggling retail sector suffered a deeply worrying start to the summer, with the number of shoppers in the three months to July down 8.2 per cent on the same time last year. Latest figures from the Scottish Retail Consortium show a steep decline in the number of people hitting the shops, with the lack of business in Scotland worse than everywhere except London. (Scotsman)
TECHNOLOGY
Organic Digital heading south for business
A WEB design and digital marketing agency has opened a satellite office in London and a franchise in Bristol as it expands across the UK. Organic Digital, based in Glasgow, expects to double its turnover to £300,000 this year on the back of an expanding client list and wants to reach £1 million in the next three years. (Herald)