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.
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Mar- 2023 -10 March
UK GDP grows by 0.3% in January
Monthly gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have increased by a narrow 0.3% in January, with a faster recovery than expected, according to the latest figures released by ONS on Friday. The news comes after economists predicted the UK could go into recession, considering that in the three months…
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7 March
UK sales receive Valentine’s Day boost despite inflation
February retail sales have benefited from Valentine’s Day but numbers remain low compared to last year, according to the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) survey. The analysis, which was monitored by BRC and the consultancy KPMG, shows that UK total retail sales increased by 5.2% in February, against an increase…
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2 March
Shop Price inflation hits 8.4% in February
Shop price inflation reached a record high in February amid warnings that consumers are unlikely to see prices dropping again for months, according to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Shop Price annual inflation accelerated to 8.4% in February, up from 8.0% in January and well above…
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Feb- 2023 -28 February
PM agrees new Brexit deal with EU for NI
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a deal with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for new post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, and aims to deliver free-flowing trade in goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland…
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24 February
UK consumer confidence rebounds to highest level since April 2022
UK consumer confidence has bounced back in February to its highest level in almost a year, demonstrating consumers’ resiliency in the face of the cost of living issue. According to the report published by Research group GfK, its index of consumer confidence rose by seven points to -38. The index,…
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15 February
Inflation falls to 10.1% in January
Inflation slowed for the third consecutive month in January to 10.1%, down from 10.5% in December, but remains close to a near 40-year high. According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), on a monthly basis, inflation fell by 0.6% in January 2023, compared with a…
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10 February
UK narrowly avoids recession as economy flatlines in Q4
The UK economy narrowly avoided recession as the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows there was no growth in the fourth quarter from Oct to Dec 2022. It comes as monthly estimates show that GDP fell by 0.5% in December 2022, following an unrevised growth of…
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8 February
Inflation to add £18.2bn to UK non-food sales
Inflation is set to add around £18.2bn to non-food sales in the UK according to the Ecommerce Delivery Benchmark Report 2023, commissioned by Auctane in partnership with Retail Economics. Sales values are expected to hit £249bn in 2023 with the additional £18.2bn, a 2.6% increase, driven entirely by rising consumer…
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7 February
Jan retail sales rise 4.2% but fall YOY
Total retail sales in the UK rose 4.2% in January, a marked drop off when compared with the same period in 2022 when sales rose 11.9%, according to the latest data from the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. The 4.2% increase is below the three month rolling average of 5.2% but…
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6 February
Trade bodies urge Govt to reform ‘broken’ apprenticeship levy
Four trade bodies within UK retail and hospitality, including the BRC, have called on the government to reform the “broken” apprenticeship levy system, as so far, £3.5bn has reportedly expired before businesses could make use of it. This call on the government comes as businesses were also unable to meet…
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