Here are the business stories making the headlines across Scotland and the UK this morning.
McDonald’s scraps plan for new Aberdeen restaurant after years-long battle with neighbours
Global fast food giant McDonald’s has axed plans to build a new £4million restaurant in Aberdeen after a three-year fight with neighbours.
The popular burger chain has withdrawn proposals for a new venue on Ashgrove Road West, which was planned to be the company’s first net-zero restaurant in Scotland.
A representative from the firm confirmed the project has now been axed for good.
Read more in the P&J.
Tesla to launch in Saudi Arabia as sales slump in Europe
Tesla has announced that it will launch in Saudi Arabia next month in a sign of improved relations between the kingdom and the electric-vehicle maker’s chief executive Elon Musk.
The carmaker already trades in some Middle Eastern countries but will start selling in the kingdom for the first time on April 10 with a display in Riyadh of electric vehicles and products powered by solar energy.
Musk fell out with Saudi Arabia’s regime when the billionaire attempted to take the company private in 2018. Musk tweeted in 2018 he had “funding secured” to take Tesla private after meeting Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund.
Surging cost of cocoa leads UK shoppers to shell out more for smaller Easter eggs
Shoppers are shelling out for smaller eggs this Easter as shrinkflation takes a bite out of the favourite seasonal treat.
The price of eggs made by big names including Cadbury, Mars and Terry’s have risen by as much as 50% in some cases while some have also shrunk in size, according to research by consumer champion Which?.
While official figures published on Wednesday showed inflation slowing to 2.8% in February, a breakdown of the headline figure shows food prices rose 3.3%.
Click here to read more.