Scottish Business Briefing - Thursday August 2, 2012
ECONOMICS
‘Dreadful’ manufacturing figures raise fears of deepening recession
CENTRAL bankers in the UK and Europe face intense pressure today to pump more cash into their struggling economies after “absolutely dreadful” manufacturing data sparked fears that the recession is deepening (Scotsman).
North firms seeking to profit from academic partnerships
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Hide AdNorth businesses expect to increase turnover by a combined £1.5million thanks to university partnerships. Nearly 20 firms from throughout the Highlands and islands are working on projects with education institutions and have forecast improved sales and exports as a result (P&J).
BANKING
Investor confidence is vital, warns bank chief
BUSINESS confidence to invest is key to driving recovery, Bank of Scotland’s head of corporate lending Alasdair Gardner said yesterday. He spoke as the keenly-awaited Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) was launched in London (Herald).
RETAIL
‘Challenging time’ on Scottish high streets as retail sales trail rest of UK
SCOTLAND’S historically-robust shoppers remain cautious amid the lingering economic downturn, with retail sales lagging those for the rest of the UK. Latest Scottish Government figures show falls in both the volume and value of transactions during the second quarter (Scotsman).
Biker clothing chain Hein Gericke latest to go into administration in the UK
BRITAIN’S double-dip recession claimed another high street victim yesterday as it emerged that the UK arm of German motorbike clothing retailer Hein Gericke has gone into administration. The business has 47 UK shops including branches in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow (Scotsman).
TRANSPORT
Delays at Glasgow and Edinburgh airports drop to record low
FLIGHT delays at Scotland’s two busiest airports have dropped to their lowest levels since current records began, official figures show. Improved efficiency at Glasgow airport is seen as boosting the punctuality of its scheduled – non-charter – flights to 88 per cent in the first three months of the year (Scotsman).