Next warns of threat to Christmas sales

It was the last thing that investors wanted to hear before Next embarks on its crucial Christmas selling season. The fashion seller said yesterday that its trading was “extremely volatile” and warned that sales could fall again as it heads into the festive period.

New car demand drives leap in retail sales

Scottish retail sales rose in September as higher food prices led to a “bumper” month for grocers and healthy demand for clothes and smartphones helped to slow the decline in non-food sales.

Group helps businesses run with the big dogs

First dogs were allowed into pubs, then into cafés and now their own lobby group has got tongues and tails wagging. The Irish headquarters of Google and Airbnb have joined a new organisation to promote dog-friendly businesses and lobby for the rights of cafés to welcome dogs and their owners.

What does Brexit really mean for your money?

The FTSE 100 had its best week for eight years but the pound has plunged. The Bank of England has hinted that interest rates could be cut after seven years at a record low of 0.5%, possibly in just 11 days’ time. Some economists say Bank rate could sink to […]

Online shopping red alerts

When Sandra Twomey offered to buy a dress for her 15-year-old daughter Karen to celebrate the end of her Junior Cert exams, she thought it would be a simple transaction. That’s not how it turned out.