Scottish Business Briefing - Wednesday 15 August, 2012
BANKING
Nish’s focus on UK market pays high dividend for Standard Life
ROBUST trading on its home turf drove Standard Life’s halftime operating profits up 15 per cent, with the Edinburgh-based life assurer’s army of 1.5 million private shareholders benefiting from a solid hike in the dividend (Scotsman).
ENERGY & UTILITIES
Aker predicting rise in North Sea investment
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Hide AdOilfield service group Aker Solutions said yesterday that strong North Sea activity had helped to boost turnover by more than 50%. The company predicted investment in the region would continue to rise over the next three years, adding to demand for its services (P&J).
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Highland brewery looking overseas for new markets
A Highland brewery is looking to international markets to complement domestic success. Black Isle Brewery sent its first shipment of beer to Japan earlier this year and now has its sights set on exports to France and America (P&J).
MEDIA & LEISURE
Bidders line up to offer ‘local’ TV for Scotland’s biggest cities
FOUR bidders are behind plans to bring local TV to Scotland’s two largest cities in what has been described as the biggest shake-up of British television since the advent of satellite (Scotsman).
RETAIL
Olympic supermarket sales boost fails to cross the Border
Scotland’s retailers missed out on any boost in sales ahead of the Olympics as figures released today showed the weakest food sales in 14 years. Despite signs of stronger growth at supermarkets across the UK, like-for-like food sales north of the Border fell by 2.1 per cent last month as the wet weather continued and shoppers went hunting for bargains (Scotsman).
TRANSPORT
Virgin Trains loses West Coast Mainline franchise
Virgin Rail has lost its bid to continue running the West Coast Mainline and will be replaced by the UK’s largest rail operator, FirstGroup. FirstGroup said it would “offer substantial improvements in the quality and frequency of services” (BBC).