Vodafone Group Plc is set to announce on Monday plans to sell its 45 percent stake in the Verizon Wireless joint venture to U.S. telecom giant Verizon Communications Inc for $130 billion, after the British mobile carrier's board met on Sunday to approve the deal.

Peter Agnefjäll, the new chief executive of Ikea, said he was hoping to increase the annual number of store openings from a "record low" of five this year, a distinct slow down from his predecessor's promises to open 20-25 stores a year.

British software company The Sage Group Plc would focus on selling payments services to existing customers, unlike rivals that look at attracting new customers, in an attempt to double organic growth within three years, Chief Executive Guy Berruyer said.