Economy
The latest news, updates and analysis on the economy and how it is affecting the UK retail industry. Sign up to the Daily Briefing and let Retail Sector’s business journalists keep you in the picture.
-
Jul- 2023 -13 July
UK economy shrinks in May
The UK economy contracted by 0.1% in May as output was negatively affected by the King’s coronation, according to the latest statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On a three month basis GDP has shown no growth, however, monthly GDP is now estimated to be 0.2% above its…
Read More » -
12 July
Cost of living crisis to wipe £65bn from household finances
Inflation and the cost of living crisis are set to wipe £65bn from household finances across the UK, with real earnings not expected to return to growth until May 2024, according to a new report from Grant Thornton and Retail Economics. The report, which asked 2,000 adult consumers in the…
Read More » -
11 July
UK retail sales rise 5% in June
Total retail sales in the UK were up 4.9% in June, compared with a 1% decline in June 2022, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. This 4.9% increase is above the three month rolling average of 4.6% and above the 12 month rolling average of 4%. As well…
Read More » -
Jun- 2023 -27 June
Shop price inflation falls to 8.4% in June
Shop price inflation in the UK has fallen to 8.4% in June, down from 9% in May, according to new data from the British Retail Consortium. The inflation figure for June is also below the three month rolling average of 8.7%. The fall in inflation was led by a decrease…
Read More » -
23 June
Consumer confidence improves by a further three points in June
GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased three points to -24 in June. after three measures improved, one was down and one was unchanged in comparison with the previous month. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last 12 months was up five points at -15; this is eight…
Read More » -
22 June
BoE raises interest rate to 15-year high
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates for the 13th consecutive time to 5%, the highest level in 15 years, after it was revealed that inflation remained at 8.7% in May. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7-2 to increase the rate by…
Read More » -
21 June
Inflation fails to fall in May
Inflation in the UK remained unchanged at 8.7% in the year to May, dashing hopes that prices would continue to fall. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) rising prices for air travel, recreational and cultural goods and services, and second-hand cars resulted in the…
Read More » -
7 June
UK consumers feeling cost-of-living more than EU counterparts, EY finds
Cost-of-living pressures have affected UK consumers more than their European counterparts, according to the latest EY UK Future Consumer Index. The 12th edition of EY’s survey of 1,000 UK consumers found that 62% of UK consumers say they are “extremely concerned” by the cost-of-living squeeze, compared with 50% in the…
Read More » -
May- 2023 -24 May
Inflation falls to 8.7% in April
Inflation has fallen to 8.7% in April, marking the first time it has been in single digits since last summer, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. Inflation was down from 10.1% in March 2023 and increased by 1.2% in April 2023, compared with a rise…
Read More » -
16 May
Unemployment rises to 3.9%
The unemployment rate for January to March 2023 increased by 0.1 percentage points during the first quarter to 3.9% amid a surge in those not working due to ill health, according to the latest statistics from the Office For National Statistics (ONS). The ONS also found that the UK employment…
Read More »
