The owner of BHS has secured a loan from an American restructuring company best known for trying, and failing, to rescue Blockbuster. Retail Acquisitions is understood to have borrowed about £10 million from a subsidiary company of Gordon Brothers in an attempt to help it to roll out the food business of BHS, which is performing better than expected. (The Times £)

The inventors of sugar-free ice cream Oppo that mimics popular flavours - such as salted caramel - using only natural ingredients and nutritious “superfoods” have sealed nationwide deals with several supermarket chains. Now, as The Grocer revealed, the start-up smashed its £150,000 crowdfunding target on the Seedrs platform within six hours, and is currently 200% overfunded and likely to hit £350,000. (The Telegraph)

The maker of Absolut vodka, Jameson whiskey, Beefeater gin and Havana Club rum has refused to enter into a supermarket price war. Pernod Ricard, the world’s second largest spirits company, said firms had come under pressure from the big stores to offer bottles of spirits at an offer price of £15 a litre at Christmas. (The Daily Mail)

Wine grapes in Australia are ripening between one and two days earlier each year due to climate change in a trend viticultural experts say could see some traditional varieties abandoned in warmer areas. The Victorian wine industry is partway through what could shape up to be its earliest vintage on record, thanks to an exceptionally warm spring and warm summer. (The Guardian)

Action on Sugar has found that 98% of the 131 hot flavoured drinks found in the big high street chains would carry a “red” warning for excessive levels of sugar if the coffee shops were forced to label them. The campaign group named Starbucks’s Hot Mulled Fruit (grape with chai, orange and cinnamon venti) as the worst offender. (The Guardian)

In wider retail, Game Digital has pushed further into the competitive video game market after acquiring SocialNAT in Spain. The British retailer entered the “esports” market last March after paying £20 million for Multiplay, which organises Minecraft festivals. (The Times £)

Politicians outraged by Mike Ashley’s refusal to appear before parliament may get the chance to grill the founder of Sports Direct over the running of his sports fashion company. The entrepreneur is reported to have offered to meet MPs and answer any questions about working conditions at the retailer’s headquarters and giant warehouse facility. (The Times £)

In macro-economics, a 12-day high for Brent Crude oil yesterday swiftly disappeared following disagreement over a production freeze by major nations. The price of oil jumped to above $35 a barrel on a deal of an oil production freeze to end the glut in supply. However, Russia and Saudi Arabia sunk hopes of an actual supply cut by agreeing only to freeze output if other big exporters joined them. (The Daily Mail)

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