Eighteen months ago, Cooksons Tools, a builders' merchants in Cheshire, north-west England, was contemplating joining the ranks of small companies that have given in to the muscle of the DIY multiples, and shutting up shop for good. "We were battling hard just to hold our own, rather than being able to grow the business," says Stuart Armstrong, managing director. "To stay in business, we had to change the way we operated"...more

IT CONSULTING
Global companies 'turning to new e-consultancies'  May 3

MINES ADVISORY GROUP
Web site gives small charity a global reach  May 3

MASTERMELTS
Precious metals meltdown viewed over the web  May 3

ASP
Claims about savings questioned  May 3

MARKETPLACES
New e-business services for smaller companies  May 3

VIEW FROM THE TOP
Key questions on Wall Street's strategic analysis  May 3

Payment over the web

any  3

Multi-channel retailing


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