Edward Stourton is an urbane and humane guide through the tricky terrain of the politically correct. Is the notion of PC speech and behaviour an enlightened, civilised way of fighting unfair discrimination; or is it a bullying, unjustified form of censorship? Good manners, or plain stupid? Stourton's aims are admirably clear: to identify what, exactly, "PC" means, and to distinguish between when it's appropriate and when it has lapsed into its alter ego, "PC gone mad".

The opening of the first Best Buy stores in the UK has been delayed until the first quarter of next year.

Currys and PC World owner DSG International today revealed a 10 per cent drop in quarterly sales after shoppers put off purchases until after Christmas.

Further pressure is likely to be heaped on John Browett, the chief executive of the struggling electronics chain DSG, if City expectations of a disastrous Christmas trading period are confirmed this week.

Tesco, the world's third-largest retailer, is expected to post its worst UK festive sales for a number of years on Tuesday, although many other big retail names are expected to unveil far worse figures next week.

Yule Catto, the chemical group, is the latest UK company to scrap its dividend in the face of economic uncertainty and the need to conserve cash.

Electrical goods chain Comet piled on the misery for the UK retail sector today after crashing to first-half losses of £8.1 million.