RETAIL/CONSUMER

Troubled retailer to close 41 in-stores by end of November if it cannot find a buyer for stores.

Home Depot also raises its full year forecast

Ebay launches an online fashion store in partnership with Xiu.com in China in order to target the growing number of internet users in the country.

Companies to face Public Accounts Committee over payment of lower taxes.

Comet cuts jobs at Rickmansworth head office and support centres in Hull and Clevedon.

The company reports a pre-tax profit of £111.9m, down from £158.7m a year ago primarily to due to a payment of £73.8m to end a fragrance and beauty licence relationship.

Apple and four publishers allow retailers to set prices for a period of two years and to suspend "most-favored nation" contracts for five years.

American Suzuki Motor Corp, with $346 mn in debt, to file for bankruptcy.

Disruption of power and telecommunication systems due to superstorm Sandy affect the businesses of online retailers.

Shares in Home Retail Group jumped on the FTSE 250 in morning trading after the Argos and Homebase owner reported a better than expected set of half year results.

Shares in British American Tobacco were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading after the cigarette maker reported a decline in volumes from subsidiaries in the nine months ended September 2012.

Shares in Whitbread Plc, the owner of the Costa coffee chain, saw its shares decline on the FTSE 100 in afternoon trading despite the group reporting a rise in profits in the half year ended 30 August 2012.

China's largest online retailer 360buy launches its English website targeting US and European consumers.

In Marissa Meyer's first quarter in charge, Yahoo's latest quarterly revenue increased to £680m, a rise of 2 percent year-on-year.

US fast food chain's profits take a hit from competition and rising commodity prices.

IHC, which already has a 7% stake in Orient-Express, bids for the remaining 93% at $12.63 per share.

Coca-Cola sales in China record fall of six percent year on year, raising concerns of slowdown in the world's second largest economy.

Starbucks made £398 million in sales last year yet paid noting in UK corporation tax.

Italian yacht maker Ferretti and Industrial and Commercial Bank of China sign deal to finance potential yacht buyers.

Chinese sales impacted by slowing economy and upcoming change in Communist Party set-up.

Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, posts increase in profits, beating expectations.

European giants Tesco and Carrefour also expected to follow Walmart's decision to set up shop in India.

Under the deal, Universal will sell off labels including Parlophone, home to artists such as Pink Floyd and David Guetta.

Few new releases in music, visual and games markets impact sales.

Adidas scales down Reebok's sales target following a decision to not renew NFL licence and a change in reporting of NHL-related licence sales.

British fashion retailer hit by weak consumer demand because of sluggish economy.

Britain's iconic toy store Hamleys bought by Groupe Ludendo which could set the stage for further international expansion.

Boots, which already has a foothold in China, expects the deal to strengthen its Asian presence.

Shares in retailer Next dropped on the FTSE 100 despite the group reporting a rise in revenue and profit in the half year to July 2012.