The branchless society is a step closer now that the Co-op has set up on the internet. Stephen Pritchard reports

"There is actually a hi-fi buying season," says Brandon, an assistant at The Cornflake Shop as he wrestles with some speaker cables like Captain Nemo overpowering a giant squid. "From about October to April, the days get shorter and people think about new hi-fi."

'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' comes alive at Dorchester's museum - as do a smugglers' den and a riddle book. Fiona Macaulay unravels a few surprises.

A profit warning from Psion, the hand-held computer maker, failed to leave a permanent dent in the company's share price yesterday after David Potter, its chairman and founder, boasted that the new Series 5 model was "walking off the shelves".

Together with the whole country I heard the news of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, with shock and disbelief. When the BBC gave the URL of the official condolences page on the Internet, I was keen to express my sympathy and rushed into my newly acquired Libretto to send the e-mail to http://www.royal.gov.uk.

Victoria Guerrero takes a guided tour of this year's 'Video Positive' festival in Manchester and Liverpool

FLABBY, balding and naked, a middle-aged man convulses as 30 volts pulse through skin and bone, stimulating his nerve endings and producing an involuntary dance. It looks like torture, but this seemingly barbaric procedure is, in fact, a work of art, played out on the body of Australian performance artist Stelarc.

Catalogue retailer has revolutionised the high street, writes Glenda Cooper

GNC, the US giant, is attacking the fusty UK health food market with loyalty cards and touch-screen information as it opens the first of 400 planned stores.

NETWORK The all-singing, all-dancing capabilities of multimedia are tra nsforming everything from education to retailing. George Cole reports on the rise of a multi-billion pound industry

Timeshare's tarnished image could be helped by a program that lets you see your apartment before you buy it.

CD-Roms are being used to rehabilitate offenders. Charmaine Spencer explains

GLENDA COOPER

IT'S time for the million-plus shareholders in one of the most disappointing privatisation issues to date to cough up again for their shares - or sell them.