Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Aberdeen pipeline specialist with 30 staff acquired by Kintore firm
Aberdeenshire pipeline technology specialist Stats Group has acquired a Aberdeen firm with 30 staff in a deal aimed at boosting its global capabilities.
The Kintore-based company has taken over Altens pipeline intelligence and cleaning specialist Pipelines 2 Data (P2D) as part of a long-term growth strategy.
P2D’s 30 staff will join Stats, which already employs 172 people in Kintore and a further 355 staff across its international bases in Canada, the US, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia.
OpenAI pauses Stargate UK investment over high energy costs
The government’s multibillion-pound plan to turn Britain into an artificial intelligence “superpower” was dealt a blow when OpenAI halted its Stargate UK data centre project, citing Britain’s high energy costs and regulatory environment.
The ChatGPT maker announced the Stargate UK project in partnership with Nvidia and Nscale last September, to coincide with President Trump’s visit to Britain. It was part of a £31billion investment package from American tech firms, including £22billion from Microsoft and a £5billion commitment from Google. OpenAI did not disclose the size of its investment.
Billed by the company as a “major step” forward in the technology partnership between the two countries, the project was intended to strengthen Britain’s sovereign computing power capabilities and support faster AI adoption. Sam Altman, OpenAI’s co-founder, said it would “accelerate scientific breakthroughs, improve productivity, and drive economic growth”.
Distillery fulfils its American dream with World Cup deal
A small Outer Hebrides distiller has struck its biggest-ever deal meaning its gin will be stocked in 300 stores in the United States before Scotland’s World Cup campaign.
It is a first move into the US for Isle of Barra Distillers and is part of a partnership with the Total Wine & More chain.
The agreement will give the company a presence in 28 US states including in cities such as Boston and Miami, where Steve Clarke’s team will play games. The deal has been more than a year in the making and had initially been slated to begin in the autumn.
Aberdeen law firm hits record turnover amid strong property demand
Aberdeen-based legal firm Laurie & Co is celebrating a record year for both turnover and property sales.
The independent firm has seen its turnover reach £1.8million, and property sales hit £22million across its city, Ballater and Aboyne offices.
Laurie & Co currently employs 22 staff and is looking to recruit two senior lawyers to expand its employment and family law offering in response to growing client demand.
Jo Malone hopes 'sense will prevail' in lawsuit over her name
Jo Malone, the perfume designer, said she hopes "sense will prevail" in a case against her and retailer Zara by Estée Lauder, the beauty giant, over the use of her name.
Estée Lauder bought Malone's eponymous perfume brand, Jo Malone London, including the rights to her name, in 1999. Malone founded a new firm, Jo Loves, in 2011, which sells perfume, candles and toiletries.
Last month, Estée Lauder Companies launched High Court proceedings over a collaboration between Jo Loves and Zara, over the use of Malone's name on the packaging. It is seeking more than £200,000 in damages.
SNP pledges 'first refusal' for tenants to buy private rental homes
Private tenants will have "first refusal" if landlords put their home up for sale if the SNP wins the Holyrood election, John Swinney has pledged.
Under the plans, when the owner of the property decides to list it on the market, renters would be given a period of exclusivity to purchase it "at a fair market rate".
The Scottish Conservatives called it and "ill thought out" plan which would cause new problems, while Labour and the Lib Dems said the SNP had repeatedly failed to tackle the housing crisis during their time in power.
Vinted sales surge thanks to boom in second-hand fashion
High inflation and rising energy bills are forcing households to cut back on spending, prompting a shift towards second-hand fashion that is boosting revenues at Vinted.
Gross merchandise value at the online marketplace rose 47% to €10.8billion last year, driven by shoppers increasingly substituting new purchases with pre-owned items to save money and listing items to clear wardrobe space and generate extra cash.
Annual revenue rose 38% to €1.1billion during the period, which it also attributed to a turnaround in the German market, category expansion beyond core fashion and into sports and collectables, and a launch into new countries including Latvia, Estonia and Slovenia.