Shop bosses plan new 'Yes' vote warning

Key retailers are planning a joint warning of higher business costs should Scotland vote "Yes" as the war of words heats up.

A letter written by the head of the Kingfisher group is expected to be published in the next 48 hours.

It is thought further signatories will include the heads of John Lewis, Asda and Marks and Spencer.

Others, including Gordon Macintyre Kemp of Business for Scotland, say concerns about price rises are unfounded.

A former boss of Sainsbury's and the bosses of Asda and John Lewis have already suggested that prices could rise in an independent Scotland.

Against that, the boss of JD Wetherspoon, the UK pub chain, has accused business leaders and politicians of talking

Kingfisher boss Cheshire to step down

Home improvements retailer Kingfisher has said its chief executive Ian Cheshire is to step down after nearly seven years in charge of the company.

He will be succeeded by the boss of French unit Castorama, Veronique Laury.

Ms Laury will become the fifth female chief executive on the FTSE 100 index.

The succession plan came as Kingfisher reported a dip in first-half profit, as a boost from good weather in the first quarter was offset by a tougher second quarter.

The company, which owns B&Q and Screwfix in the UK, reported pre-tax profits for the six months to 2 August of £375m compared with £401m for the same period a year ago.

Ms Laury joined Kingfisher 11 years ago and is currently a member of the