Profits rise in store for Scotmid

Hello and welcome to our daily digest of business, financial and economic news from around Scotland.

1. Scotmid has reported a near 40 per cent increase in its trading profit in spite of rising wage costs and weak consumer sentiment.

The damp summer weather did not help sales in the core convenience store business or the Semichem chain in the six months to the end of July.

The property arm performed strongly, with higher rental income across commercial and residential operations.

Group turnover edged up 1 per cent to £214 million while profit was at £2.1 million, compared with £1.5 million.

Karen Scott, who took over as chief executive from the long-serving John Brodie in August, said trading conditions remained difficult but she was hopeful