Cost of living

AG Barr chief executive Roger White: 'We are now in an investment phase.' Picture: Stewart Attwood

Irn-Bru maker AG Barr enjoys double-digit sales growth and signals end of era Scott Reid

Pub giant JD Wetherspoon runs some 840 pubs across the UK and Ireland, including Dunfermline’s Guildhall & Linen Exchange. Picture: Scott Reid

Wetherspoon cheers return to profit as chairman eyes easing of inflation Scott Reid

Jeavon Lolay, head of economics and market insight at Lloyds Bank Corporate & Institutional Banking, said February’s data underlined the economy’s 'relative robustness'.

Number of business sectors in growth mode hits ten-month high Scott Reid

John Lewis has department stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow, above, having closed its Aberdeen store. Further cost cutting is now on the cards across the business. Picture: John Devlin

John Lewis: Bonus blow and huge cost-cutting as retail icon slumps to £78m loss Scott Reid

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs

Best home energy efficient lighting: eco-friendly low-cost bulbs Jacob Little

The Scottish Retail Consortium said total sales grew by 0.6 per cent in February, compared with the same month last year and once prices had been adjusted for inflation.

Scots retail sales rise for fourth month as grocery inflation hits 24-year high Scott Reid

Surgeons Quarter managing director Scott Mitchell: 'The performance showcases that we are an ambitious and forward-looking organisation.' Picture: Ian Georgeson Photography

Edinburgh hospitality firm sees sales surpass pre-Covid peak but profits hit Scott Reid

Back row: Dana Jupp (Library Assistant), Lynn Kinmont (catering team), Brooke McHale (catering team) and Becky Shanks (Library Assistant). Seated: Council Leader, Councillor Kelly Parry and Marie Dickinson (catering team).

Two more Midlothian warm spaces opening Kevin Quinn

Wind energy is proving vast amounts of green electricity (Picture: Ben Birchall/PA)

Scotland's renewable energy bonanza should lead to cheaper bills Angus Robertson

Mairi Spowage, director of the Fraser of Allander Institute: 'Scottish firms have had to weather a number of storms over the past 25 years, and their resilience is once again being tested.'

Scottish firms tested by 'cost-of-doing-business crisis' as exports falter Scott Reid

Margaret Gillan from Tranent who launched the pet foodbank in East Lothian last year, pictured with her dog Oscar.

Woman launches pet foodbank as owners struggle to feed animals Kevin Quinn

The past couple of weeks have seen results from Britain's big banks, including RBS owner NatWest.

Cost of living Bank of Scotland owner Lloyds wraps up reporting season 'in some style' Scott Reid

Shoppers hit the high street last month leading to a modest rise in sales but the outlook for consumer spending remains stormy.

Shoppers take advantage of January sales but retail recovery 'deeply fragile' Scott Reid

AG Barr is behind one of Scotland's most famous products, the iconic Irn-Bru soft drink. Picture: Phil Barton

Irn-Bru maker flags higher profits but warns over inflation and return scheme Scott Reid

Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chairman, says Scotland’s small business community has endured an 'unprecedented sequence of challenges over the last two and a half years'.

Scottish business group pushes button on biggest 'state of the nation' project Scott Reid

Robin Bulloch is the chief executive of TSB Bank. Picture: Andrew Parsons/Parsons Media

TSB Bank posts higher profits and says borrowers 'coping well', for now Scott Reid

FTSE-100 spirits giant Diageo has a vast portfolio that includes Johnnie Walker whisky, pictured, Guinness stout and Smirnoff vodka.

Diageo cheers stronger sales as 'savvy' drinkers splash out on premium tipples Scott Reid

Alan Cumming plays Robert Burns in dance-theatre show Burn at the King's Theatre during Edinburgh International Festival (Picture: Jane Blarlow/PA Wire)

Council's incompetence may have sealed fate of King's Theatre – John McLellan John McLellan

Alan Shanks, head of Scotland at Addleshaw Goddard, says Scottish businesses are 'resilient'. Picture: Renzo Mazzolini Photography

'Cost of doing business crisis' overriding concern for Scottish firms - report Scott Reid

ABF’s budget fashion chain Primark accounts for nearly 47 per cent of group revenue.

Primark hails record Xmas week as spending proves more resilient than expected Scott Reid

One of the staff members at North Edinburgh Community Resource Centre having a conversation with a client at its warm bank.

Warm banks bringing the community together during the cost of living crisis Kevin Quinn

Edinburgh-headquartered Tesco Bank was founded in 1997 and has thousands of people working across its main centres in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle and Reigate.

Thousands of Scottish Tesco Bank workers to get £1,250 'cost-of-living' pay rise Scott Reid

Martin Lewis has given an update to households still waiting to receive a cost of living payment (Photo: ITV)

Martin Lewis reveals the best charities for help with overcoming debt Neve Wilkinson

Martin Lewis with the TV Expert award in the winners' room at the National Television Awards 2022 at OVO Arena Wembley on October 13, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Martin Lewis reveals how to cut the cost of train tickets Neve Wilkinson

The average Edinburgh household is paying almost double compared to last winter.

Capital energy prices almost double Andrew Dowdeswell, Radar

Marks & Spencer is among the major retailers to update investors on its festive trading performance. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

Festive splurge: Tesco and M&S hail strong Christmas trading but outlook cloudy Scott Reid

Sainsbury's is ranked as the UK’s second largest supermarket chain, behind market leader Tesco.

Sainsbury’s enjoys bumper festive sales but challenges lie in store for 2023 Scott Reid

JD has become one of the most familiar brands on the UK high street while also running a successful online operation.

Younger profile helps cushion JD Sports as festive sales leap ahead Scott Reid

Majestic now operates more than 200 stores across the UK, including 14 in Scotland, and plans to open further sites.

Wine retailer Majestic toasts second-best Christmas performance ever Scott Reid

Greggs has more than 2,300 shops across the UK after opening far more than it closed over the past year. Picture: Greggs plc

Cost of living winner: Greggs sees sales jump 23% after adding scores of stores Scott Reid

Pure Pizza owner Mark Wilkinson outside his Morningside Drive shop.

Takeaway owner offers free pizza to residents Kevin Quinn

A change to cold-weather payments could see people in Scotland receive less money (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

Sturgeon risks short-changing people on cold-weather payments to make a point Susan Dalgety

The retail sector has endured a stormy 2022 and the outlook for the new year remains mixed.

Scotland's retail sector has 'grounds for cautious optimism' despite headwinds Scott Reid

Many people are having to ration their use of energy to heat their homes (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Angus Robertson: If you're struggling, there are many places to keep warm Angus Robertson

The UK retail sector is now well into the crucial 'golden quarter' for sales.

Cost of living: Fall in UK sales amid festive countdown 'far from catastrophic' Scott Reid

High energy costs have prompted some people to seek warmth in 'heat banks' (Picture: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)

Gap between rich and poor feels like the worst it's been since I was a child Christine Grahame

The hospitality and tourism sector, encompassing the likes of pubs, hotels and restaurants, has been facing massive inflationary pressures.

Hospitality and tourism firms hardest hit amid soaring food and energy inflation Scott Reid

Industry experts say the next few weeks are likely to be critical to many retailers' survival.

Consumer November rebound in Scottish retail sales offers 'smidgen of hope' Scott Reid

Innes Smith is the chief executive of Scottish housebuilder Springfield Properties.

Scottish housebuilder cautions over profits and reservation activity Scott Reid

The research found that just 38 per cent of adults aged between 50-54 are confident that their retirement provisions will meet their needs, with this figure only rising to 55 per cent among those aged 60-65 years.

Vast majority of over 50s plan on returning to work amid retirement squeeze Scott Reid

There are fears the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home could have to close (Picture: Lisa Ferguson)

Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home needs you! – Christine Grahame Christine Grahame

Many employees will be able to spend a couple more days jetting off to the sun thanks to additional holiday allowances.

Festive cheer: SMEs to reward employees with 120 million extra days off Scott Reid

Laura Paterson who runs eco-friendly candle and gifts business Earth, Mother & Soul in Glasgow is celebrating Small Business Saturday.

Small Business Saturday 'most crucial ever' as firms battle soaring costs Scott Reid

Many homeless people find themselves sleeping on couches or in other short-term forms of accommodation (Picture: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Cost-of-living crisis makes working to prevent homelessness even more vital Ewan Aitken

Halfords said it was launching a recruitment drive to fill 1,000 new automotive technician roles over the next year to boost its burgeoning car servicing offer. Picture: Will Ireland / Halfords

Halfords to take on 1,000 car technicians but profits sag amid spending squeeze Scott Reid

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt's budget cuts are going to make life worse for many (Picture: Rob Pinney/Getty Images)

Vulnerable people will pay a high price for Tory austerity – Kayleigh O’Neill Kayleigh O’Neill

An electric blanket is a way to stay warm without putting on the central heating (Picture: Adobe)

Family snuggles under electric blanket is a lot cheaper than central heating Hayley Matthews

Discount supermarket chain Lidl already has about 100 stores across Scotland and is continuing to expand UK-wide.

Lidl sees profits leap as UK shoppers switch in droves to discounters Scott Reid and Anna Wise

Retailers have generally seen a quiet start to the festive shopping period, known as the golden quarter.

Cost of living: Scottish retailers warn of 'humdrum' start to golden quarter Scott Reid

The vast JD Wetherspoon pubs empire has scores of Scottish watering holes including the Caley Picture House in Edinburgh.

Wetherspoon chairman Tim Martin 'cautiously optimistic' despite cooling sales Scott Reid

M&S recently said it is speeding up a major shake-up of its stores estate.

M&S warns of 'more challenging' trading despite summer sales boost Scott Reid

People queue outside the flagship Scottish Primark store on Princes Street in Edinburgh after it reopened following the initial spring 2020 lockdown. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

Primark holds back from raising prices for a year despite costs soaring Scott Reid

Brian Gilda is the chairman and entrepreneur who founded the Ford Peoples car dealership business. Picture: Martin Shields

Scottish Ford dealership group books record profits but bumpy road lies ahead Scott Reid

The outlook for the retail sector heading into the crucial festive trading period is looking stormy. Picture: David Mirzoeff/PA Wire

Cost of living: Stark warning as Scottish shoppers 'batten down the hatches' Scott Reid

Newcastle-headquartered Bellway is one of the UK's major housebuilders with several developments in Scotland.

Bellway sees buyer demand cool as mortgage and economic woes intensify Scott Reid

In the 1970s, Britain knew how to keep calm and carry on in a power cut (Picture: PA)

If Truss says there'll be no power cuts, it's time to prepare – Susan Morrison Susan Morrison

NatWest chief executive Alison Rose: 'We recognise that there are instances where customers would benefit from speaking with an independent advisor, particularly where debts are spread across multiple lenders.'

Struggling SMEs to get 'independent debt advice' as RBS seals charity tie-up Scott Reid

The historic Marston's business has more than 1,400 pubs and some 12,000 workers across the UK. Picture: Alex Styles Photography

UK pub giant with 20 Scottish sites says sales holding up despite cash squeeze Scott Reid

Jak Carlin's media expertise will be tuned into Scotland's first energy training as cost of living bites

New role at The Energy Academy as cost of living continues to soar Stephen Wilkie

The reception area of the new Virgin hotel in Edinburgh city centre. Picture: Virgin Hotels/Avison Young

Scotland’s hotels enjoy post-Covid bounce but 'significant' pressures remain Scott Reid

The vast JD Wetherspoon business empire has scores of Scottish watering holes including the Caley Picture House in Edinburgh.

JD Wetherspoon cuts losses but warns of 'momentous challenge' and rising costs Scott Reid

Tesco remains the UK's biggest supermarket operator in terms of market share, by some way. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Tesco feels the pinch amid spending squeeze but staff to get further pay rise Scott Reid

DWP said that those on means-tested benefits will get it paid directly into their bank, building society or credit union account from November 8 to November 23.

Eligible households to receive second cost of living payment Rahmah Ghazali

Greggs has more than 2,200 outlets across the UK and still plans to add hundreds more.

Greggs enjoys sales surge despite inflation woes and looks to open stores longer Scott Reid

The UK is not North Korea (Picture: Ed Jones/AFP via Getty Images)

Rich TV celebs can keep their 'let them eat grass' advice – Hayley Matthews Hayley Matthews

Labour leader Keir Starmer, with his wife Victoria, leaves the stage after giving his keynote address to the party conference in Liverpool (Picture: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

Only Labour can stop Truss from trashing the economy – Ian Murray MP Ian Murray

Scotmid, whose trading roots stretch back more than 160 years, runs scores of local convenience stores.

Scotmid warns of 'substantial external challenges' as costs eat into profits Scott Reid

A general view of Edinburgh Castle on February 7, 2012 in Edinburgh, Scotland

When will the second cost of living payment be paid? Benjamin Jackson

AG Barr is behind one of Scotland's most famous products, the iconic Irn-Bru soft drink.

Irn-Bru maker pledges action on rising costs as sales buoyed by summer demand Scott Reid

Aldi launched in the UK about 30 years ago and now has more than 100 outlets in Scotland.

Aldi makes pledge to millions of cash-strapped households as profits slump Scott Reid

Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield's recent antics on This Morning did not impress Hayley Matthews (Picture: Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images)

Boycott This Morning over mockery of poor people – Hayley Matthews Hayley Matthews

Stephen Pearson, chair of Financial Inclusion for Scotland, with Sharon MacPherson, CEO of Scotcash. Picture: contributed.

Cost of living: Boosting financial inclusion in Scotland aim of new venture Emma Newlands