Tixdaq takes to the stage

THE Tixdaq exchange, which monitors ticket prices in the secondary market for rock concerts, is expanding into the world of theatre.

The service, which allows concertgoers to monitor the cost of seeing bands on ticket sites such as Seatwave and Viagogo, will begin tracking the prices of West End shows such as Dirty Dancing (pictured).

Tixdaq estimates that secondary-ticket sales - those sold by agencies, websites and touts instead of by theatres - accounted for 10% of London theatre tickets last year.

Wolseley woes

SHAREHOLDERS in Wolseley, the building-materials group, are braced for a dismal trading update this week.

Wolseley is expected to say sales in the UK and continental Europe have slowed. The shares have already been pummelled due to the group’s exposure to the American housing market. They closed last week at 297p, having lost nearly three-quarters of their value in the last year. Some analysts predict a restructuring, including the sale of the US arm.

New-look Waitrose

WAITROSE’s 190-store estate is to get a complete image makeover during the summer.

The £6m project, which starts next week, will involve fitters working through the night to rebrand stores with new fixtures, displays and signs, at a rate of around 30 branches a week.

The revamp has been on trial at Waitrose stores in London’s Marylebone and Finchley, and is intended to give customers more detailed information about the food they buy.

Coop bags Somerfield

THE Cooperative Group is this week expected to announce the long-awaited £1.6 billion deal to buy 955 stores from Somerfield.

Somerfield put itself up for sale at the start of the year after an approach from Asda, the supermarket chain owned by the US giant Wal-Mart.

The deal will be scrutinised by the competition authorities and it is expected that the Coop will eventually be forced to sell off up to 200 stores to rivals.

Tour firm in €60m sale

A HOLIDAY company that has been described as a “mini Saga” has been put on sale for up to €60m (£48m). The Travel Department, a Dublin-based tour operator, specialises in escorted tours for older holidaymakers. Founded 14 years ago, the business has hired the corporate-finance arm of accountants Deloitte to carry out a strategic review, which could lead to it being sold.

The business is said to generate annual sales of around €60m. The company offers tours to destinations around the world, including the Taj Mahal in India (pictured) and the Kruger national park in South Africa. It also arranges trips to sporting occasions such as Formula One Grand Prix.

Higher bid puts the bubble in Budweiser

8.6% - The rise in Budweiser maker Anheuser-Busch’s share price on Friday on reports it is in talks over an improved $70 per share takeover offer from Belgian rival InBev.

33% - The premium under InBev’s revised offer to Anheuser-Busch’s share price before takeover rumours first emerged. The shares stood at $53 on May 22.