Today is 'Manic Monday', where approximately £1.3 billion is expect to be spent on Christmas shopping.

People buying food and last-minute presents face a race against time today as shops have been restricted to only six hours of opening.

Robbers on motorcycles raided a shopping centre jeweller's shop armed with axes today.

The beleaguered fashion chain French Connection has put up the "for sale" sign outside 14 of its UK shops in large shopping centres across the UK.

In last year's Independent Christmas Charity Auction, Pickering won the chance to be interviewed by Deborah Ross. So how would she fare with our fearless interrogator?

This past weekend was always going to see a big influx of people into the capital for three of the year's major sporting events: the two FA Cup semi-finals and the London Marathon. And there are some things for which no one is to be blamed. It was no one's fault that the football brought to Wembley four teams from the North; no one's fault that a scrapyard fire broke out where it did, close to a key stretch of the M1, and no one's fault that the road had to be closed. Not every inconvenience can be put down to overzealous enforcement of "health and safety".

In his 81 years George Walker had noteworthy careers in boxing and big business, amassing a fortune and living the high life, surviving bankruptcy and having a daughter marry into the aristocracy. His experiences in both spheres could be described as bruising. His last fight was described by a veteran boxing commentator as "unquestionably the most brutal battle I have ever seen".

Hammerson, the owner of retail and office property, posted a double-digit rise in profits last year, boosted by strong demand for office space in London.

Northern furniture retailer CSL is to make its southern debut at a former Borders shop near Brent Cross in north London.

Hundreds of thousands of shoppers pounded the high streets today to snap up post-Christmas bargains in a boost for retailers before VAT goes up in the New Year.

It's September at last – but what have we learned over the holidays? Here, Deborah Ross reveals all you need to know about the great British break. It may make you glad to be back at work

Property group focuses on investment in France, where the recovery is stronger

Millions of bargain-hunting shoppers once more hit the stores today as a record-breaking Christmas sales frenzy continued.

The company behind TK Maxx in Europe is embarking on a massive expansion. James Thompson reports