Economic Growth
This coverage reviews UK economic growth trends and their impact on the retail sector, focusing on consumer spending, GDP indicators, inflation, and regional performance. Reporting examines how macroeconomic shifts shape retail investment, pricing strategies, and store expansion decisions—offering insights for retail executives, CFOs, and business leaders navigating market cycles and strategic planning.
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Jul- 2025 -16 JulySupermarkets
Sainsbury’s boss hails government food security plan
Sainsbury’s CEO Simon Roberts has welcomed the government’s Good Food Cycle plan which aims to build a “thriving food sector”. The government has described the plan as “a recipe aimed at driving a generational change in the nation’s relationship with food”. The new initiative focuses on ten priority outcomes which…
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Jun- 2025 -20 JuneHigh Street
Retail sales see sharpest monthly fall since December 2023
Retail sales volumes fell by 2.7% in May, according to the latest retail sales figures from the ONS, marking the sharpest monthly decline since December 2023. The fall followed a revised 1.3% rise in April and was driven largely by reduced spending in food stores and weaker sales of clothing…
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17 JuneHigh Street
Oxford Street pedestrianisation gets go-ahead
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has revealed that the planned pedestrianisation of Oxford Street has been given the green light. The mayor’s office stated that its consultation showed that around seven in 10 back the Oxford Street transformation plans, with two-thirds specifically supporting the idea of pedestrianisation. Alongside this, major…
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12 JuneEconomy
Retailers welcome £2bn police boost but urge for more action
Retail trade bodies have welcomed the £2bn funding boost for police forces in England and Wales, but cautioned that the investment alone will not be enough to tackle rising levels of high street crime. It comes as Rachel Reeves announced in yesterday’s Spending Review (11 June) that the police’s spending…
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9 JuneHigh Street
One in 10 part-time retail jobs at risk by 2028, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that around 160,000, or more than one in 10, part-time retail roles are in danger of being lost over the next three years. The warning follows a new report published by the BRC which lays bare the threats to retail employment, which has…
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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 -28 MayProperty
John Lewis wins approval for West Ealing housing plans
The John Lewis Partnership (JLP) has been successful in its planning appeal to redevelop Waitrose West Ealing and build hundreds of new homes. A government planning inspector confirmed the plans had been given the go ahead after JLP submitted an appeal in summer 2024 on the grounds of a “non-determination”. …
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchFeatures
Spring Budget 2025: what it means for the retail industry
The UK retail sector has been navigating a volatile economic landscape, with rising operational costs, shifts in consumer spending, and policy changes placing unprecedented pressure on businesses. The Spring Budget 2025, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was highly anticipated by industry leaders, who had hoped for measures that would alleviate…
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26 MarchEconomy
Chancellor resists calls for business relief in Spring Statement
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has resisted calls from businesses for relief ahead of the upcoming tax changes this April, as part of her Spring Statement today (26 March). UK businesses had been hopeful the chancellor would raise the relief rate for retail, hospitality, and leisure after cutting it to 40% in…
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19 MarchClothing & Shoes
Office sees profits top £100m amid improved trading and new stores
Footwear retailer Office has seen its full-year pre-tax profits more than double to £102.4m as it experienced better trading conditions and expanded its store estate. According to its latest accounts filed with Companies House, its revenues for the 52-weeks ended 30 June 2024 increased to £294.3m, up from £265.4m the…
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