And in the real world... Supermarkets, VAT, Land Rover, ITV and more

The European manufacturing industry is enjoying a surge in confidence, lead by the UK and Italy, according to a new survey by KPMG business outlook.
Optimism over production trends is back to pre-recession levels, according to the report, which also points to a turnaround in developing countries such as China and Brazil.

Source: The Financial Times

House prices are expected to grow by 2 per cent between the end of the fourth quarter of 2009 and the end of 2010 according to figures published by the Centre for Economics and Businesses Research.
The report, which signals that the house price crash could well be over, also suggests that prices could possibly rise at a faster rate thanks to the collapse in the new-build market.

Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Conservatives are refusing to rule out a VAT increase of 20 per-cent, hinted at by high-ranking figures in the party as a potential way to raise funds.
The proposals, which Shadow Foreign Secretary William Hague refused to discount, would cost each family around £5million a week, and could raise up to £10billion a year.  

Source: The Daily Mail

UK supermarkets are rebuffing the economic downturn with all of the "big four" posting significant increases in market share for the 12 weeks ending 12 July.
Tesco, with an increase of 30.8 per-cent has enjoyed the most significant surge in market share, while Asda and Sainsbury's posted more modest increases of 17 and 16 per cent respectively.  

Source: The Wall Street Journal

Land rover has secured a financing facility of up to £75million as part of a package compiled by Burdale Financial, part of the Bank of Ireland Group.
The package comprises a three-year committed finance facility for the car markers parts and accessories inventories and receivables.

Source: The Times

Simon Fox, the chief executive of HMV has been ruled out as a successor to Michael Grade, the chief executive at ITV, after Fox revealed he wanted to achieve a turnaround in the fortunes of the music and film retailer.
Despite being the frontrunner, Fox is understood to have informed the board he can't take the job as he's only two years into a three-year turnaround plan.

Source: The Times

This article was first published on campaignlive.co.uk