IN BRIEF

Supermarket giant Tesco has asked competition watchdogs to fast track an investigation into its proposed £3.7billion takeover of cash and carry giant Booker. Tesco is also among high street chains appealing against a controversial tax ruling that could spell the end of free cash machines outside shops. Sainsbury’s and the Co-op are the others taking the Government to the Court of Appeal after a costly legal ruling in April over business rates on ATMs. Shares in JD Sports dived yesterday after warning that the timing of the Islamic festival of Eid would dent sales.