"Car sales are plummeting"
By Kate Pritchard
It’s not just Mini sales that are suffering. Clive Sutton, who has been in the motor trade for more than 25 years, says sales at his St John’s Wood-based dealership have nosedived by 50 per cent.

First British-designed razor hits the high street
By Kate Pritchard
Fed up with razor nicks and sensitive skin, Will King decided to launch his own shaving brand. Fifteen years on, he’s competing against Gillette and his latest product – the first British designed and manufactured razor in 100 years – is about to hit the shelves in Tesco and Superdrug.

Downturn drives up sales for Miroma
By Catherine Woods
The floundering economy has helped barter company Miroma to more than double its turnover to £9.1m during the past 12 months, and founder Marc Boyan says conditions will probably push sales above the £30m mark next year.

“Forget Tesco. To boost turnover, woo the early-adopters”
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
When Harry Briggs, co-founder of Firefly Tonics, wanted to generate brand exposure for his range of health drinks, the supermarkets were too slow and cumbersome for his speedy little start-up.

Online entrepreneur: "We deliver within 90 minutes!"
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Clever warehousing can help you get products out faster, safer and in better condition. Your customers will love you, and fewer breakages will tickle your bottom line. Here’s how Sofa.com cracked the knack.

Want to be super successful? Find your niche
By Rachel Bridge
The first essential thing every budding entrepreneur should know is the importance of finding a niche, says Rachel Bridge, author of You Can Do It Too.

“Buying a sofa shouldn’t be hell on earth,” says sofa.com founders
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
Pat Reeves and Rohan Blacker founded their online sofa retailer in 2006. Their proposition? To make buying a sofa as quick and painless as possible.

Recession-proof your business: clever marketing
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
The second instalment in a series of tips on managing a downturn.

Recession-proof your business: sell smarter
By Rebecca Burn-Callander
The first instalment in a series of tips on managing a downturn.

Keeping your best salespeople during a recession
By John Fedden*
Businesses need to be using the best salespeople they can find to win orders during tough economic times when competition often increases for a more-limited number of sales opportunities.