Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
Retail sales rebound in August
Retail sales rebounded in August as the high street inched towards recovery following a gloomy start to the summer.
Sales volumes edged up 0.4% last month, a sharp reversal after a fall of 1.1% in July, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
High Street sales slumped during an unusually damp July, putting further pressure on retailers. Supermarket sales have come under pressure as the cost-of-living crisis forces consumers to cut back.
However, improved weather in August led to a boost last month as food store sales rose 1.2%, compared to a 2.6% drop in July, while non-food store sales increased by 0.6%.
Mountain Warehouse planning to open store at Aberdeen’s Union Square
Aberdeen could be in line to get a branch of popular outdoor retailer Mountain Warehouse in the city.
The P&J says the company has applied for a building warrant from Aberdeen City Council to enable it to undertake £140,000 worth of work on a vacant unit at Union Square.
Works include the internal construction to adapt the space from an existing outlet store, which used to house Outfit, to a Mountain Warehouse.
The vacant unit is at RTU7, which is located outside of the main shopping complex and is next door to Bensons for Beds and Clarks.
Ed Miliband ‘regrets’ interview with Russell Brand
Ed Miliband, the former Labour leader, said he regretted giving an interview to Russell Brand in the run-up to the 2015 election, after allegations of rape and sexual assault were made against the comedian.
Miliband, now the shadow climate secretary, appeared on Brand’s online show in April, 2015 and argued that Brand was saying “what a number of people are thinking” about apathy and voting at the time.
Miliband conducted one interview for the comedian’s web series, The Trews, to discuss young people and voting as he campaigned before the election.
Asked about the interview on Wednesday, he said “I regret doing it”, but added he felt “duty bound” at the time to counter Brand’s comments claiming that voting had no impact.
Brand has denied the “very, very serious criminal allegations” and said all his sexual relationships have been consensual.
John Bercow joins cast of US Traitor
Former House of Commons Speaker John Bercow is to star in the next series of the Traitors US.
He will feature alongside other celebrities including Love Island's Ekin-Su Culculoglu and professional heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder.
Following the success of the British version last year, the first American series was made available on the BBC iPlayer as a box set.
The American version is hosted by Scottish actor Alan Cumming.
Young shoppers give JD Sports a spring in its step
New trainers still lure Generation Z shoppers even if purse strings tighten elsewhere, the boss of JD Sports Fashion said.
The retailer made a dash to the top of the blue-chip leaderboard yesterday after Régis Schultz, the chief executive, said its key customers were “benefiting from salary increases and low unemployment” and were “less affected by mortgage rates, as they live at home with mum and dad”.
Sales at the FTSE 100 retailer rose 8.3% to £4.78 billion in the six months to the end of July. Operating profit rose 20% to £400.1 million.
Profit before tax was £375.2 million, an increase of 25.8% year-on-year.