Consumer Confidence
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Jun- 2025 -23 JuneClothing & Shoes
River Island to shut 33 stores with hundreds of jobs at risk
River Island is reportedly planning to shutter 33 shops as part of a restructuring plan that would see hundreds of jobs at risk, Sky News has reported. The family-owned group, which currently operates around 230 stores, confirmed the proposals on Friday (20 June) following reports that it was working…
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20 JuneEconomy
Young adults lift UK consumer confidence despite economic concerns
Consumer confidence in the UK rose modestly in June, buoyed by optimism among younger age groups despite continuing concerns over inflation and global instability, according to new data from GfK. The research firm’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased by two points to -18, with improvements in views of the wider…
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19 JuneFeatures
The price of stars: what the DMCC Act means for fake reviews
At one point online reviews used to be a grey area, but with the arrival of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, the UK has taken a decisive step into a new enforcement regime. Fake reviews, paid praise, and review hijacking, which have long been brushed off as…
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10 JuneFeatures
Why the mood economy is shaping the retail landscape
Retail therapy is nothing new. For decades, shoppers have found comfort in the act of buying here and there to lift their mood, mark a moment, or simply to reclaim a sense of control. But lately something feels different in Britain’s buying habits, and it runs deeper than the occasional…
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10 JuneEconomy
Retail sales rise 1% in May despite low non-essential spending
Total retail sales rose by 1% year-on-year in the four weeks to 31 May, up from 0.7% in the same period last year, despite customers cutting back on non-essential purchases, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). It comes as consumer confidence had risen in May, supported…
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9 JuneClothing & Shoes
River Island owners prepare rescue plan amid tough market conditions
High street fashion brand River Island has reportedly appointed advisers from PwC to draft a restructuring plan amid tough trading conditions, which could result in store closures and job losses, according to Sky News. Sources revealed to the outlet that although no definitive decisions have been made about the company’s…
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5 JuneEconomy
Consumer confidence hasn’t recovered since Brexit vote, Barclays finds
Consumer confidence reached its highest point in the past 10 years in September 2016, at 48%, just after the Brexit referendum, according to Barclays’ “10 Years of Spend” report. Barclays has been tracking consumer confidence monthly since 2015 and also surveyed 2000 people in the UK for the report, which…
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May- 2025 -30 MaySupermarkets
Discounters win out as grocery sales growth slows to 3% after Easter
Total Till sales growth slowed to +3% at UK supermarkets in the last four weeks ending 17 May 2025, following +9.6% recorded last month following a boost in Easter sales, according to new data released by NielsenIQ (NIQ). NIQ said the lower growth rate is a “reset” as shoppers reign…
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28 MayHigh Street
Pets at Home FY profits rise 14% to £120m despite flat revenues
Pets at Home has seen its profit before tax rise 14% to £120.6m for the year ended 27 March 2025, following strong growth in its veterinary sector. Its vet group consumer revenue was up 13%, with record sales supported by higher visits, average transaction values and significant growth in Care…
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27 MayEconomy
Fresh food prices drive food inflation up 2.8% in May
Food inflation increased to 2.8% year-on-year in May, rising for the fourth consecutive month, driven by a surge in the cost of fresh food, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. It found that Fresh Food inflation increased to 2.4%, against growth of 1.8% in April. This is above the…
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