SHARES were suspended at the British retailer Woolworths yesterday as the century-old company frantically moved to avoid a collapse.

Clothing chain Ted Baker was hit by profit downgrades today after sales for the 13 weeks to the start of November came in lower than expectations.

Shares in Bay Trading womenswear firm Alexon slumped more than 20% today as the retailer painted a grim picture of high street trading.

A host of the biggest names on the British high street were under pressure today as concerns over trading in the crucial Christmas season mounted.

British jewellery retailer Theo Fennell today said it had appointed a new boss to head its drive to become a major international luxury brand.

UK Jewellery retailer Theo Fennell today said it had appointed a new boss to head its drive to become a major international luxury brand.

The second attempt to buy British supermarket giant Sainsbury's in six months collapsed today.

British retail chain Woolworths reported weaker store sales today as it geared up for the Christmas trading season in cautious mood.

Sellers of England replica football shirts were under pressure today after the national team’s slump to defeat in Russia.

Jewellers H Samuel and Ernest Jones today signalled the continued revival of its UK brands as the group posted a second quarter sales rise of 6.6%.

UK Retailer Woolworths offered some encouragement on trading today after the wet weather helped boost sales of its indoor products, such as DVDs.

Securing Liz Hurley as the face of Monsoon has failed to help the fashion retailer stage a turnaround in fortunes, after full-year figures today revealed a second year of falling profits.

Dismal summer weather has failed to dent a recovery at Thorntons after the chocolate maker unveiled a sharp rise in sales today.

Supermarket giant Tesco has increased its share of the British grocery market despite more competition from rivals, according to new figures.

Fashion house Burberry pledged to ramp up expansion today as it celebrated an “outstanding” 12% rise in underlying earnings for its 150th anniversary year.

Increased sales to supermarkets and the sunny Easter weather helped lift British chocolate maker Thorntons out of its sales gloom today.

UK retailers John Lewis Partnership today built on its Christmas trading cheer with “a thumping gain” in department store business in the last week of its sale.