Business IN BRIEF.

INSURANCE firm Friends Provident's UK life and pensions sales slumped 27 per cent in 2008.

The group said yesterday that a lack of confidence after their failed merger with Resolution, and concerns over a possible takeover, had taken its toll on new pension business.

Friends Provident reported pounds 549million for UK life and pensions business against pounds 751million the previous year.

Friends said they had reduced their workforce by 10 per cent over the year and were considering closing an office in Manchester.

THE makers of Imperial Leather soap were bubbly yesterday about a 13.5 per cent rise in their half-year profits.

PZ Cussons saw revenues rise by 31.5 per cent to hit pounds 393.8million in the six months to November 30 and also had the benefit of product launches which helped profits for the period jump to pounds 36.9million.

Profits were higher in both Europe and in Nigeria, where the firm has a strong presence.

In the UK, Imperial Leather was relaunched with an updated look and new fragrances and Carex handwash remained a brand leader.

AROUND450 jobs are to go at an industrial and agricultural engine firm.

Perkins Engines said 100 office staff and 350 workers would lose their jobs at their main Peterborough site.

The firm are also considering offering voluntary redundancy to remaining hourly-paid employees.

"We regret this action is necessary, however, it is in the long-term interests of our business," said a spokesman.

The plant has already cut its temporary workforce, cutting 70 jobs in November due to a lack of product demand.

ELECTRICALS giant Comet have been accused of demanding payments in return for stocking manufacturers' products.

Suppliers say they have been told they must pay up to pounds 15,400 to get products into stores and labelled the demand "outrageous".

They also allege that commercial director Bob Darke has blamed the consumer downturn for the move.

Comet last night confirmed they were in negotiations with suppliers but said the talks were "commercially sensitive" and would not comment on details.

THE January sales failed to provide relief to retailers and the situation is expected to worsen, business leaders said yesterday.

Sales fell for the 10th month in a row, with 47 per cent of retailers registering drops in the first two weeks of the year, said the CBI business group's Distributive Trades Survey.

And in a sign of deepening gloom, 52 per cent expect sales to decline in February - the worst forecast since the survey began in 1983.

Meanwhile, Office of National Statistics research showed sales volumes up 1.6 per cent in January.