Thursday 08.00 BST. Global stocks are in sharp retreat, led by a savage plunge in Tokyo, as traders are spooked by the prospect of reduced central bank support and a slowing Chinese economy.

I never set out to be the biggest critic of Ocado. I am a big believer in online retailing, how its growth will improve people's lives and also destroy many household names.

The airline Flybe is dropping its direct flights from Belfast City Airport to London Gatwick. The route has been axed after the Exeter-based company sold its runway slots at Gatwick Airport.

Behind closed doors at the fund's Washington headquarters, Mr Osborne challenged Olivier Blanchard, IMF chief economist, about the Frenchman's comments that Britain was �playing with fire� over its austerity drive, setting up a battle over the impending IMF ...

According to China's political calendar, big decisions about economic policy this year are supposed to wait until the autumn, when a major meeting of the Communist party brings together the country's top leaders.

As unsettled weather and rising food prices put off shoppers, retail sales volumes including fuel sank 1.3pc month-on-month, confounding economists' forecasts for flat sales.

Mothercare posted another big loss in the UK today but insisted there were signs that the business is on a "firmer footing".

British Land and the Universities Superannuation Scheme will today open their �84m Whiteley Shopping Park development in Hampshire.

File photo dated 21/07/11 of an SSE Training Centre in Perth as energy group SSE today said it will increase tariffs by 9% on average in a move impacting around 5 million electricity customers and 3.4 million gas customers.

Eighteen people are to lose their jobs at Britvic in Belfast, after the soft drinks company announced it was to close its factory.