NO EARLY solution can be expected to Ireland’s continuing gap between high food prices in the shops and low prices at the farm gate.

London: The British Office of Fair Trading reduced fines imposed on supermarkets and food producers who admitted to colluding on dairy prices, after dropping some allegations because of insufficient evidence.

DRINKS group C&C has reported a 9% year-on-year drop in third quarter revenue; driven by sales declines in its core cider business.

A controversial mega-merger between the world’s largest concert promoter Live Nation and ticket-selling giant Ticketmaster faces a probe by UK competition watchdogs, it was revealed today.

A two-year investigation into six dairies accused of fixing the price of milk delivered to schools and hotels was dropped in the UK today.

BSkyB said today its £125m (€185m) takeover of Alan Sugar’s set-top box business was to go ahead after receiving the thumbs up from Amstrad shareholders.

The British government today ordered media watchdog Ofcom to investigate the public interest issues arising from BSkyB’s controversial move to buy a 17.9% stake in ITV last year.

A LEADING consumers’ group has branded a new €3 fee introduced by Ryanair on passengers wanting to avail of priority boarding and online check-in as “a charge too far”.

Nationwide announced today that it is to merge with Portman in the UK's biggest ever building society tie-up.

The Spanish consortium bidding for Heathrow-owner BAA said today it had increased its offer for the company from £8.75bn (€12.8bn) to £9.73bn (€14.2bn).

Ryanair has welcomed the British Office of Fair Trading’s statement that it may look into the UK airports market with a view to establishing whether the current structure works well for consumers.

BAA’s dominance of the UK airports sector was under review today as part of a look into whether the market works well for travellers.

Tesco underlined its dominance of the retail sector today by reporting annual profits of £2.21bn (€3.2bn) – a jump of almost 17% on a year earlier.

The British Office of Fair Trading is reportedly considering holding a fresh competition inquiry into the grocery industry.

HMV secured crucial allies in its takeover campaign for UK book chain Ottakar’s today when independent directors of the company ditched their support for a management buyout.

The financial services regulator (IFSRA) has advised bank customers to shop around for the cheapest current account charges.

Northern Ireland’s big four banks were tonight accused of relying on customer apathy to get away with continuing to offer poor deals.

Two of the biggest names in the British coach tour business announced plans today to join forces in a deal worth £200m (€288.7m).

IN an unprecedented move, the British Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has acted to reverse the €88.7 million off-loading by Independent News & Media of its regional titles in the London area.

The British Office of Fair Trading has concluded that the collective sale of the media rights for 49 racecourses to attheraces was against competition rules.

Waitrose, the quality supermarket arm of UK chain John Lewis, said today it plans to buy 18 Safeway stores and one Morrisons store from Morrisons, subject to approval by the British Office of Fair Trading.

Broadcasters Granada and Carlton were today given the green light to merge in a £4bn (€5.7bn) deal that effectively creates a single ITV network.

The Consumers' Association of Ireland has called for an investigation into whether Irish retailers have been involved in fixing the price of replica football team kits.

Union leaders were seeking urgent meetings with Ryanair today after the airline’s expected take-over of low cost carrier Buzz failed to go ahead.

Ryanair said tonight that its takeover of rival low cost carrier Buzz will not go ahead tomorrow while it awaits clearance for the deal for the British Office of Fair Trading.

Retailers Argos and Littlewoods were today fined a record £22.6m (€33.6m) by the British Office of Fair Trading (OFT) for fixing the price of toys and games made by Hasbro.

US retail giant Wal-Mart made it a three-way fight for the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket chain today after revealing plans to enter the bidding war for Safeway.

Manchester United is refusing to comment on claims that it fixed the price of replica football shirts.