Archives by Tag 'Growing Businesses'
Apps downloads hit record high at the end of December
For the first time more than a billion apps have been downloaded in a single week according to new research.Analytics firm Flurry said 1.2 billion apps were downloaded in the last week of December. Activity was buoyed by the facts that many users received new devices for Christmas and firms offered discounted apps over the [...]
Luxury carmaker Bentley sees sales rise 37% in 2011
Luxury carmaker Bentley has reported a 37% rise in sales in 2011, claiming global demand has returned to pre-recession levels.The Crewe-based firm sold 7,003 cars, whose prices start at £133,000, in the year to December 31. The US continues to be Bentley’s number one market with 2,021 cars sold in 2011, an increase of 32%. [...]
Gin is the new tonic for business growth
A new generation of boutique gin distilleries – some in residential homes – is driving a British gin revival. London is in the midst of a craft distilling revival. New microdistilleries can be found in residential houses – such as Sacred Spirits, based in London’s sedate Highgate. And they’re tucked away in terraces – such [...]
Big Society projects get £3.1 million boost
Four Big Society projects are to get £3.1 milion in funding from dormant bank accounts, the government has announced.The cash will be used to help the long term unemployed set up business, vulnerable youngsters find jobs, a community energy project and fund the first social business stock exchange. In total, about £400 million in unused [...]
Toyota seeks to boost production by 20%
Toyota has said it plans to increase production by 20% next year as it tries to recover ground lost due to March’s earthquake in Japan and the recent floods in Thailand.The company aims to produce 8.48 million vehicles in 2012 and increase sales by a quarter to 8.65 million. Toyota is due to lose its [...]
UK car production up for sixth month in November
Car production in the UK rose for the sixth straight month in November according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).A total of 136,111 cars were made last month, up 8.5% from the same point last year. UK engine production rose by 1.7% in November. “UK vehicle and engine production continues to lead [...]
Moss Bros reports strong sales increase
Menswear retailer Moss Bros has unveiled a double digit increase in sales as its efforts to turn around its fortunes continue.In the 19 weeks to December 10, gross profits were up 7.9% with sales on a same store basis rising by 10.5%. The figures follow the sale of Hugo Boss and Cecil Gee stores in [...]
Sports Direct sales rise despite fragile business climate
Sports Direct has hailed a “strong performance” after reporting half-year pre-tax profits of £100.3 million- a modest increase from the same period in 2010.The retailer said that an 8.4% growth in sales to £888.6 million came despite a “fragile consumer climate”. Chief executive Dave Forsey said he was particularly pleased because the comparison with last [...]
UK trade deficit narrows as exports hit a record growth
The UK’s trade deficit narrowed sharply in October, as the value of exports hit a record high new official figures have shown.The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the deficit in goods fell to £7.6 billion, down from £10.2 billion September. Exports of goods rose to a record £26.5 billion, while imports fell from September’s [...]
Bellway housebuilder stays upbeat about prospects
Shares in the housebuilder Bellway rose almost 4% after the company gave an upbeat assessment of its prospects despite the troubled economic times.The FTSE 250 firm said in a trading update that its order book grew to £458 million in November, up from £440 million last year, with reservations up 14%. The average selling price [...]