Bright bursts of colour figure strongly in Esther N McCarthy’s cheerful choices.

Dare I mention the ‘C’ word in October? I’d prefer if it were banned until a week before December 25, but while I indulge in a little bah-humbug, I admit certain preparations need to take place weeks before we celebrate the high feast of retail.

It is what’s on the outside that counts, or so the fashion cognoscenti have declared with the humble coat being heralded as the autumn/winter ’14 hero piece.

THERE were many wine, whiskey, beer and cider highlights at the Ballymaloe Literary Festival this year so make sure to put the third weekend of May in your diary for 2015.

CHILD’S PLAY

Pic 1: Let's just go along with this pretence of eh, "summer" with some outdoor dining options.

Yes, we will have a summer.

THERE was an embarrassment of riches at the annual New Zealand wine fair last week.

Suzanne Harrington joins the worldwide hordes who aren’t just moaning about the economic crisis — they’re getting out and doing something about it

Retailers saw sales growth slow sharply in September as demand for non-food goods slid for the first time in more than a year, according to retail figures today.

BODY-CONSCIOUS men can now beef up their bulge with a new pair of pants launched by Marks and Spencer.

IT looks like this year’s sales could be some of the best ever — as all the top stores are set to slash prices even lower than before Christmas.

MARKS & SPENCER (M&S) has teamed up with the Marie Keating Foundation to educate women on cervical cancer.

TWO candidates are preparing to do a U-turn on a retail store controversy which has become an emerging election issue in north Kerry.

Marks & Spencer shareholders were today being braced for further gloom on trading as fears grow of a wider slowdown in high street spending.

Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Rose was today given a two-hour grilling by the City watchdog over dealings in the group’s shares.

Tennis star Greg Rusedski has been caught in his undies for a charity calendar, along with other celebrities from the sport, TV and pop worlds.

Marks & Spencer is bracing itself for a 3,000-strong demonstration by former employees at its flagship London store.

Union leaders are finalising plans for a demonstration by Marks & Spencer staff from across Europe in protest at store closures.