Scottish Business Briefing – August 19th 2013
ECONOMY
Economic forecast is ‘good news for Scotland’
The prospect of an end to the economic gloom of recent years has been given a fresh boost after the UK’s leading business organisation upgraded its prediction for growth this year. The CBI now expects the British economy to expand by 1.2 per cent in 2013, up from 1 per cent, amid signs of a pick-up in business confidence.
ENERGY
Hopes new drill will spark sea change
Aberdeen is to lead a drilling revolution which could save oil companies billions of pounds and turn marginal North Sea fields into money-spinners. New technology which can penetrate rock 10-times quicker that a conventional drill is being developed at Aberdeen University.
FOOD, DRINK & AGRICULTURE
Graham’s moo-ves into new territory with advert
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Hide AdFamily-owned dairy business Graham’s will be looking to raise its UK profile with the launch of a “six-figure” television advertising campaign – its first ever. The 30-second adverts are due to launch this evening during soap opera Coronation Street and run across commercial slots on STV and Channel 4 until the end of the month.
(http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-agriculture|Read all today’s food, drink and agriculture news from scotsman.com|Click here}
RETAIL
Scotland’s shops see drop in footfall
Despite a record-breaking growth in sales for the month of July there was a decrease in the number of shoppers, a report has revealed. The number of shoppers for July was 1.3% lower than a year ago and dropped from the 1.2% rise recorded in June 2013. According to the study by Springboard and the Scottish Retail Consortium , the figures for Scotland are below the average for the UK as a whole, where shopper numbers rose by 0.8% compared with last year.
House of Fraser eyes return to the stock market
Department store chain House of Fraser (HoF), owner of Edinburgh institution Jenners, is considering a possible return to the stock market after an absence of more than seven years. The 161-year-old business, which has been the subject of takeover interest in the past year, could be valued at between £200 million and £300m if a flotation goes ahead.
SCOTSMAN CONFERENCE
The Future of the UK Aerospace Industry, 5 Sept - Prestwick
Full agenda now available. Featuring expert industry speakers including: Scott McLarty of Spirit AeroSystems, Alan Fraser of BAE Systems; Jim Houston of Woodward & Gavin Campbell of Bombardier Aerospace. See The Scotsman Conferences website for more details.
MEDIA, TECH & LEISURE
LiGo recruiting for growth thanks to Scottish Enterprise
LiGo, a Scottish Enterprise-backed specialist in clever telephony, is recruiting for further growth as it celebrates 10 years in Glasgow. Founded by Caledonian University graduate Sam Amdjadi, the group sells higher-end cordless phones to consumers and business and is developing new smart products and services with the help of a £180,000 regional selective assistance grant and backing from the SE high growth programme.