Just Eat has posted rapidly growing sales in the third quarter despite a backdrop of "softer consumer spending".

The food delivery company saw sales jump 25% to £247.5 million in the three months to September, although this represented a slowdown from the prior half-year.

Revenues jumped as orders continued to rise, increasing 16% to 62 million across the group for the period.

The company said it has made progress with its recent turnaround plan to deliver "strong growth" across a number of markets.

READ MORE: Hotelier highlights tax burden on sector amid 'oversupply' of Airbnb

In July, Just Eat announced plans to merge with Dutch delivery firm Takeaway.com in a £9 billion deal.

Just Eat said it expects a general meeting to be held in December where shareholders will get to vote on the deal.

Just Eat said it has witnessed a "structural shift" in the UK market with more customers opting for takeaways from fast-casual restaurant chains rather than independent takeaway restaurants, Just Eat's core area.

However, the company hailed strong growth as orders in the UK increased by 8% to 33 million driven by "rapid growth in the delivery proposition".

The company held firm on its expectations for the year, stating that it expects to hit its revenue target of between £1 billion and £1.1 billion as well as its underlying earnings target of £185 million and £205 million.

Peter Duffy, interim chief executive officer at Just Eat, said: "We are seeing strong growth in many of our markets, including Canada, Europe and pleasingly Australia, where we are starting to reap the benefits of our turnaround plan.

"Our UK marketplace business is a strong and clear leader; however, we are seeing a structural shift, with increasing demand on our platform from customers for broader cuisine choice and more meal occasions, led by quick service restaurant chains.

"The strong growth in our UK delivery business shows that we can successfully meet these needs."

Property tycoon Nick Candy has confirmed that he is part of a consortium eyeing up a takeover bid for Earl's Court owner Capital & Counties (Capco).

Candy Ventures, the tycoon's investment vehicle, told investors that "it is in the early stages of considering a possible cash offer" for the FTSE 250 property business after reports over the weekend.

READ MORE: First female RBS chief executive to take over 'challenging figures'

Mr Candy, who developed One Hyde Park with his brother Christian, is reportedly in contact with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund over the deal.

He confirmed that there "can be no certainty" that a bid will be made or what the terms of any offer would be.

Capco, which also owns Covent Garden, has seen its share value cut almost in half over the past four years.

In July, Capco affirmed its intention to split its business in order to contain the impact of a slide in the value of its Earl's Court redevelopment project.

Shares in the company increased by 7.1% to 267.5p in early trading on Monday.

The chief executive of medical devices firm Smith & Nephew has announced plans to step down.

The news comes less than 18 months after Namal Nawana joined the FTSE 100 company from US diagnostics firm Alere.

READ MORE: Monday Interview: The Highland hotelier with a success Story to tell

His departure follows reports that Smith & Nephew was mulling plans to move its share listing to the US to partly escape the UK's stricter attitudes towards pay for executives.

Chairman Roberto Quarta said: "During his time with Smith & Nephew, Namal has substantially transformed the business with a new strategy, purpose and culture, and renewed commitment to innovation, returning it to an improved growth trajectory.

"I would like to thank Namal for his leadership and many contributions to the company, our employees, customers and stakeholders.

"On behalf of the board, I am delighted to welcome Roland Diggelmann as Smith & Nephew's incoming CEO.

"I am certain that Roland's leadership qualities, combined with his excellent track record of delivering results in an innovation-led business, his deep expertise in the medical devices industry, and his knowledge of Smith & Nephew, make him the right person to build on the company's success into the future."