Wholesale giants Landmark and Today’s Group are set to merge into a single company that will dwarf existing market leader Booker. The two buying groups will join forces to create a single business called Unitas Wholesale, which will boast a turnover of £9 billion. That will see it eclipse Booker, which has a turnover of £5.3 billion, and leave Unitas representing more than 200 depots…

The government faces a new battle in its plans to extend Sunday trading hours following the news that the SNP intends to vote against the proposals. MPs are set to vote on handing control of the issue to local councils, which would give the option to extend Sunday opening in England and Wales by up to six hours. The SNP was expected to abstain in…

The tobacco industry claims criminal gangs will be rubbing their hands with glee at the news that the government has announced a pre-election vote on plain cigarette packs. Public health minister Jane Ellison announced a free vote for MPs ahead of the May general election, calling plain packaging a “proportionate and justified response” because of the health risks associated with smoking. But tobacco firms called…

Whisky Shop founder Ian Bankier is among Scottish business leaders who have put their names to a letter opposing Scottish independence. Bankier is one of more than 120 bosses of Scottish businesses who have signed the letter in a personal capacity. He told OLN: “We’ve a business that operates on both sides of the border – in fact, two- thirds of it is in England and…