Supermarket Sweep

Top people's shop, Sainsbury's has pledged to match thousands of prices at the mass-market rivals Tesco and Asda as the price war between the UK's leading supermarkets intensifies. The promotion starts on Wednesday and comes two weeks after Tesco launched a £500 million 'Big Price Drop' that cut the prices on 3,000 lines including milk, bread, fruit and vegetables. As a result, Sainsbury's has installed a price comparison system at tills across its branches that will instantly calculate the price of branded goods in a customer's shopping basket against the same brands at Asda and Tesco. If the basket is cheaper at its rivals, customers will get a coupon for the difference that is valid for two weeks. The minimum spend is £20 and the promotion will not apply to online shopping.

Slave Trade Weddings Targeted

The UK Government is to consult on making it a criminal offence in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to force a person to marry against their will. The PM, David Cameron is also announcing plans to make it a criminal offence to breach orders imposed by the courts to prevent forced marriages taking place as already happens in Scotland.

Jag Sales Up In China

Top car brand, Jaguar Land Rover has recorded a 26 per cent increase in global retail sales for September 2011 with China delivering another record month with sales up 157 per cent for Jaguar and 85 per cent for Land Rover. China remains Jaguar Land Rover's third largest market with retails up 60 per cent for the year to September. This record performance has been driven by sales of the XJ following the introduction of the 3.0l engine and a continuing strong performance from all Land Rover models. This positive news comes as China is set to open its 100th authorised dealership in Zhengzhou. The UK continues as Jaguar Land Rover's leading market with retail sales of 10,896 up 12 per cent collectively. Jaguar UK sales for the month were up across all product lines with the new XF 2.2 diesel accounting for one third of total UK registrations. Land Rover UK sales for the month were up 12 per cent thanks to the introduction of Evoque and a 97 per cent year on year increase for Range Rover. Strong developing market performances were recorded in Russia with Jaguar and Land Rover up 24 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. India recorded a record September for both brands with Jaguar up 63 per cent and Land Rover up 155 per cent. Land Rover also continued to demonstrate growth in Brazil where it recorded its strongest ever September with sales up 55 per cent. Strong European market performances were delivered by a number of markets with sales collectively up 38 per cent. This is in large part due to the introduction of the Range Rover Evoque and the XF 2.2l diesel which accounted for 43 per cent of all European XF sales. Positive retails results are also reflected in North American market, up 10% overall, with XF up 33 percent and Range Rover Sport sales up 38 per cent. Phil Popham, Group Sales Director for Jaguar Land Rover said: "This has been our strongest September since 2007 when the industry was hit hard by the recession. Since that time we have introduced a host of new models and engines that has driven sales growth and attracted new consumers to our brands."

(BMcC/CD)