Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 13 July, 2011

ECONOMY

Inflation falls - but food prices spiral on upwards

FOOD prices in the UK continued to rise sharply last month at the same time as the overall inflation rate dropped slightly, new figures have revealed (Scotsman).

Read all today's economics news from scotsman.com

FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE

World forks out 1bn for Scottish cuisine

Scotland's gastronomic delights are the toast of foodies across the globe, as new figures revealed that exports of Scottish produce have smashed the 1 billion barrie for the first time (Scotsman).

Read all today's food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com

MEDIA & LEISURE

Not so sunny as Thomas Cook issues fresh profit warning

THOMAS Cook yesterday warned on profits for the third time in a year after it was hit by the squeeze in consumer spending and turmoil in the Middle East and North Africa, wiping almost a third from its market value (Scotsman).

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

RETAIL

Marks & Spencer gains share in tough clothes market

Marks and Spencer has reported sales growth and a bigger market share despite the stagnant UK clothes market. Like-for-like UK sales excluding VAT in the 13 weeks to 2 July rose 1.7% versus a year ago, in line with expectations (BBC).

Read all today's retail news from scotsman.com

TECHNOLOGY

Teknek is latest Scots firm to be snapped up by a US giant

A SCOTTISH technology company that has been at the cutting edge of the electronics industry since the 1970s was yesterday snapped up by a New York- listed rival (Scotsman).

Aquapharm in deal to create skin products

SCOTTISH marine biotechnology company Aquapharm Biodiscovery has struck a new deal with Croda International, the chemicals and cosmetics group, to develop "next generation" skincare products from marine microbes (Herald)

Read all today's technology news from scotsman.com