Could a potential merger between Office Depot Inc and OfficeMax Inc enable the companies to be more competitive with larger digital rivals like Amazon?

As US private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice snaps up discount retailer B&M just in time for Christmas, could there be more Yuletide bargains out there waiting for a buyer?

Another iconic British brand was passed from one foreign owner to another yesterday with the announcement that Hamleys was being sold by Icelandic bank Landsbanki to Grupo Ludendo, the French toy retailer.

British retail continues to suffer amidst one of the most difficult economic periods, and just this morning another “high street” name announced that it could no longer continue to finance a planned turnaround programme and put itself up for sale.

Perhaps the next time you think about sending a message to friends or family, take a moment to remember that the way you send it - electronically or by “snail mail” - does ultimately have a much wider economic impact.