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.