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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Oct- 2024 -2 October
Shop prices move further into deflation
Shop Price deflation was at 0.6% in September, down from deflation of 0.3% in the previous month and below the three-month average rate of -0.3%, according to the latest figures from the BRC-NielsenIQ shop price index. This means shop price annual growth was at its lowest rate since August 2021.…
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Sep- 2024 -19 September
BoE holds interest rates at 5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has decided to hold interest rates at 5% this month, having lowered them for the first time in four years in August. The bank voted by a majority of 8-1 to keep the rate the same in a bid to help “sustain growth and employment”.…
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18 September
UK Till sales slow to 4% this month, NIQ finds
Total Till sales growth at UK supermarkets slowed to 4% in the four weeks ending 7 September, down from 5.5% in August, according to NIQ. New data revealed that the slowdown in growth is likely due to cool weather and a return to regular routines for shoppers after the summer…
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18 September
Inflation holds steady at 2.2% in August
The rate of inflation remained steady at 2.2% in August, unchanged since July, yet is still above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.Although food and energy prices continued to fall over the month, this was in part offset by transport, where prices rose by 1.2% in the month. This…
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11 September
UK economy stagnates for second consecutive month
The UK economy experienced no growth for the second consecutive month in July, underperforming analysts’ expectations of 0.2% growth for the month. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that services output is estimated to have increased by 0.1% in July 2024, following a decrease of…
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3 September
August sales jump 1% YOY despite weak back to school performance
UK Total retail sales increased by 1.0% year on year in August, against a growth of 4.1% in August 2023, despite back to school sales performing weaker than expected, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. The performance was above the three-month average growth of 0.4% and below the…
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Aug- 2024 -16 August
Retail sales rebound in July as Euros give needed boost
Retail sales increased 0.5% in July after falling 0.9% in June, as retailers saw a welcome boost from Euro 2024 alongside summer discounts encouraging spending, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Non-food stores sales volumes, the total of department, clothing, household, and other non-food…
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15 August
UK economy grows by 0.6% despite June flatline
The UK economy has grown by 0.6% between April and June, in part boosted by the service sector, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics. The second quarter growth follows a GDP rise of 0.7% in the first quarter of the year. Despite this, GDP showed no…
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14 August
Inflation rises to 2.2% due to energy prices
Inflation increased for the first time this year in July, as energy prices fell less than they did a year ago, according to the latest figures from the ONS. Prices rose 2.2% in July, up from 2% the previous month, but came below analysts previous estimates of 2.3%. Although monthly…
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6 August
Retail sales jump 0.5% in July as clothing performance improves
UK Total retail sales increased by 0.5% year on year in July, against a growth of 1.5% in July 2023, amid improved performance from clothing as shoppers enjoyed the summer weather, according to the latest figures from the KPMG-BRC retail sales monitor. This was above the three-month average growth of…
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