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Inditex sales grew strongly, but quarterly profitability fell below expectations. Higher transport and input costs are squeezing margins while Zara’s parent continues investing in stores, logistics, and European expansion.
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A £210m fund will back South East growth businesses regionally. The British Business Bank programme offers loans from £25,000 to £2m and equity investments of up to £5m.
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HSBC will wind down German transaction services operations by 2028. More than 300 jobs are expected to disappear as the bank concentrates investment on areas where it sees stronger competitive advantages.
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SThree has received a preliminary takeover approach from Circle8 Group. The possible offer remains highly conditional, with Circle8 facing a 7 October Takeover Code deadline.
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Brussels proposes common rules for local short-term rental restrictions today. The framework would tie housing controls to measurable local stress and require interventions to be justified and proportionate.
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France plans to reduce its exceptional corporate surcharge in 2027. The government is also promising no new business taxes and preparing measures to make employee buyouts easier.
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EU auditors warn Russian energy exit investment remains insufficient today. The assessment raises questions over infrastructure spending, gas security, and the resilience of Europe’s post-Russian energy system.
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The EU plans new rules to commercialise European innovation faster. The proposed Innovation Act targets intellectual-property finance and public R&D procurement as Brussels seeks to improve the route from research to scaled businesses.
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McLaren plans £450m Woking investment creating around 1,000 UK jobs. The programme comes as new ownership reshapes the manufacturer’s product, engineering, and technology strategy.
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Cegid and Silae plan a €10bn European software combination deal. The merger would combine accounting, payroll, HR, payments, and digital finance platforms under a Silver Lake-controlled technology group.