The uphill challenge faced by the new boss of Mothercare was underlined as a dismal UK performance dragged the parenting retailer to a £103 million loss.

The Co-operative Group is to create 3,000 new jobs in the legal sector through a continued expansion in the range of services it offers.

Two US government panels are to investigate Facebook's high-profile stock offering amid claims that the bank handling the flotation may have provided only select clients with a negative assessment of the company.

Hewlett Packard has warned of cuts in its UK operation in a global purge that will see it axe 27,000 workers.

Hewlett-Packard plans to jettison 27,000 workers as the growing popularity of smartphones, the iPad and other mobile devices makes it tougher for the company to sell personal computers.

A summit of EU leaders has failed to inspire confidence among investors as European markets suffered further heavy losses amid ongoing fears for the eurozone.

Some 366 people will lose their jobs in the next few days in the first wave of store closures at collapsed retailer Clinton Cards, administrators have said.

Manufacturing firm JCB has won a £36 million contract to build 550 new machines from a UK rental firm, with the promise of more orders to follow.

Department store chain House of Fraser has said sales continued their "positive momentum" despite economic uncertainty and the weather.

Online grocer Ocado has unveiled improved sales growth against a backdrop of more aggressive competition from Britain's biggest supermarkets.

A greater focus on the menswear market has boosted Burberry as the luxury goods group reported a 24% jump in annual profits.

NATIONWIDE today offered a lifeline to small businesses as it revealed a big hike in profits and an increase in loans to homebuyers.