Here are the business stories making the headlines locally and across the country this morning.
Asda sales slide in battle with supermarket rivals
Asda has suffered a fresh slump in sales, new figures reveal, as the heavily indebted supermarket struggles to compete against its rivals.
Shoppers have cut their spending at Britain’s third-biggest supermarket, this month’s Kantar figures showed, with sales down by 4% in the 12 weeks to June 9. It follows a 0.2% decline in the previous 12 weeks.
The figures also showed that overall food price inflation fell for the sixteenth month in a row to 2.1% from 2.4% in June, in a boost for Rishi Sunak before next month’s election.
Asda’s poor performance made it the worst performing supermarket during the period and means the gap with competitors such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s has widened.
Aberdeenshire firm named Scotland’s best small housebuilder
Gourdon-based Fotheringham Homes has been crowned Scotland’s small housebuilder of the year.
The family-owned business also picked up the accolade of show home of the year and community contribution award.
Founded in 2006 it is run by managing director Michael Fotheringham alongside his father, Allan Snr, and brother Allan
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Post Office sabotaged Horizon probe, says investigator
The Post Office was "constantly sabotaging" the work of independent investigators probing issues with the Horizon IT system, an inquiry has heard.
Forensic accountant Ian Henderson said the Post Office unjustifiably withheld documents from his company, Second Sight, which was brought in to investigate the accounting software in 2012.
He said protecting the Post Office brand was the priority, rather than supporting sub-postmasters.
Mr Henderson added that former Post Office boss Paula Vennells tried to steer investigators away from looking into potential miscarriages of justice.
Loo-king for a new project? Aberdeen public toilet to go under the hammer
A former public toilet in Aberdeen will go up for auction this week.
The loo on Skene Street, near Gilcomstoun School, is going under the hammer on Thursday, with a guide price of £1,650.
It’s been out of use for some time – and if the interior photos are anything to go by, love and care will be needed to transform this 58-square-foot space from drab to fab.
It currently houses a single toilet, sink and baby changing table – all thick with mould and damp.