CPI
This coverage explores the impact of the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) on UK retail operations, strategy, and planning. Reporting highlights inflation trends, price pressures, consumer behaviour shifts, and their implications for pricing, margins, and demand. Designed for retail executives, finance teams, and managers, the content supports informed decisions around cost management, stock planning, and competitive positioning in an inflation-sensitive market.
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Aug- 2025 -26 AugustHigh Street
Business rates ‘double hit’ to cost English firms £2.5bn
Businesses the length and breadth of England are “staring down the barrel” of a £2.5bn hike in property taxes from April 2026, as inflation and a new government stealth tax will combine to drive up business rates bills, according to analysis by global tax firm Ryan. A nationwide revaluation of…
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7 AugustEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates to 4%
The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to 4%, down from the previous rate of 4.25%, marking the fifth rate cut since last year’s peak of 5.25%. At its meeting today (7 August), the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5 to 4 to…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyEconomy
Family food bills rise as shop price inflation hits 0.7%
Shop price inflation rose to 0.7% in July, up from 0.4% in June, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The latest figures from the Shop Price Monitor, which was formerly known as the Shop Price Index, show inflation running above the three-month average of 0.3%. Food inflation reached 4%…
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16 JulyEconomy
Inflation jumps to 18-month high of 3.6% in June
Inflation unexpectedly increased to a near 18-month high of 3.6% in June, driven by the rising cost of transport and food, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure is the highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. On a monthly…
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Apr- 2025 -16 AprilEconomy
Inflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in March
Inflation has fallen more than expected to 2.6% in the 12 months to March 2025, down from the 2.8% rise in February, driven largely by a fall in petrol prices. According to the ONS, the largest downward contributions came from recreation and culture and motor fuels, with a further large…
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Nov- 2024 -20 NovemberEconomy
Energy bills push inflation to 2.3% in October
The rising cost of energy has pushed inflation up to 2.3% in October, above consensus forecasts of 2.2%, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure is up from the 1.7% posted in September and is also above the desired level of 2% set…
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Oct- 2024 -16 OctoberEconomy
Inflation falls to lowest rate in over three years
UK inflation fell to 1.7% in September, down from 2.2% in August, marking the lowest rate in over three years.This means inflation is now below the Bank of England’s 2% target, meaning the bank may face pressure to cut interest rates next month. According to the Office for National Statistics,…
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Sep- 2024 -19 SeptemberEconomy
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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Aug- 2024 -30 AugustSupermarkets
Tesco faces strike ballot as warehouse workers reject pay offer
Usdaw has launched a consultation ballot, asking Tesco workers at eight sites if they are ready to take a dispute over pay to industrial action. According to the trade union, members at all eight sites “overwhelmingly rejected” Tesco’s pay offer of between 2% plus £500 and 4.4%, depending on contract.…
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1 AugustEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates for first time in 4 years
The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates for the first time in four years, with the rate falling to 5%. The bank voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce the rate by 0.25 percentage points to 5%, marking the first fall in inflation since March 2020, where…
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