Abbey looks at Woolworths for branch network supremo - 2004-01-31
Abbey, the high street bank attempting to revive its fortunes, hired Jonathan Hart from the bargain basement emporium Woolworths yesterday to run its branch network.

Mr Hart, 43, will join Britain's second-biggest mortgage lender on 1 March. He will bring experience of being managing director of Woolworths' 21 out-of-town superstores under the Big W brand.
Read the full story at Independent

Economic Growth Again, but Slower - 2004-01-31
The U.S. economy grew at a healthy 4 percent annual rate in the final three months of last year, helped by rising consumer spending, exports and business purchases, the Commerce Department reported yesterday.

The fourth-quarter growth rate was encouraging, economists said, even though it marked a sharp slowdown from the torrid 8.2 percent annual rate clocked in the previous three-month period, when tax cuts and a wave of mortgage refinancings sent consumer spending soaring.
Read the full story at Washington Post