We have shopped. Now we have dropped

Food sales tumbled 3.6 per cent last month, the worst since 1986, and that was before Gordon Brown told us to economise

FSA says slowdown is entering third stage

Britain's financial regulator told companies to check whether their business models can withstand the economic downturn

Energy suppliers may be forced into cheaper deals

The Government is threatening to force Britain's big six energy companies to offer the cheapest deals to poorest customers

Shipping sector rides wave of boom in trade

Rapid economic growth in China and India has led to a boom in world trade, which has brought good times for the industry

Energy bills to leap within weeks

Electricity and gas bills look set for double-digit rises as Scottish & Southern Energy warned of unbearable cost pressure

EasyJet says high fares will hit passenger choice

The airline's chief executive Andy Harrison gave warning that the high price of oil would reduce choice for travellers

Rolls-Royce scores on efficiency and emissions

High fuel prices and CO2 emissions have forced the shipping fleet to buy more efficient engines with Rolls-Royce orders up

Fears of recession grow as Britain stops spending

The quantity of goods sold in shops across the UK plummeted by 3.9% during June, the biggest monthly drop since 1986

Tempus at lunchtime

Retail sales reverse from last month ... Scottish & Southern under pressure ... BG Group is good at discoveries

Tempus analysis: Reverse gear

The three monthly figures underline the trend of slower growth in sales, and inflation pressure is picking up