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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Jan- 2025 -16 JanuaryEconomy
UK economy narrowly returns to growth in November
The UK economy narrowly returned to growth in November as real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 0.1%, largely because of a growth in services. The increase comes after two consecutive months of decline, however, real GDP is estimated to have shown no growth in the three months to November 2024,…
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15 JanuaryAnalysis
Is New Look right to close up shops?
The tax increases unveiled in the October 2024 budget have further complicated the outlook for retailers in the new year. One such high street retailer, New Look, which has managed to narrow its pre-tax loss to £21.7m in the year to March 2024, now faces the difficult task of balancing…
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13 JanuaryNews
Tesco urges gov to deliver plan for UK agriculture
Tesco is calling on the government to provide a clear and comprehensive plan to support UK farmers transition to net zero as it announces new plans to set up two low carbon concept farms in its supply chain to trial low carbon farming methods and help suppliers accelerate innovation. Speaking…
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9 JanuaryDepartment Stores
M&S celebrates bumper Xmas as sales top £4bn
M&S has reported a successful Christmas trading update as its total group sales increased by 5.6% to £4bn in the 13 weeks to 28 December 2024. The group’s food sales increased 8.7%, with LFL sales up 8.9%. Core categories, such as meat, produce, grocery and in-store bakery grew double-digits as…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail warns that higher costs will hamper investment
The retail industry has warned that increased costs following the Autumn Budget may hit businesses hard, with retailers facing higher costs amid new measures that come into place next April, with some warning the sector will face over £2.5bn in new costs in 2025.Yesterday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series…
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25 OctoberEconomy
UK consumer confidence falters ahead of budget
UK consumer confidence has dropped to -21 in October, according to GfK’s long-running index. The survey revealed that out of the five measures three declined and two rose compared with September’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year was down one point at -10. Meanwhile,…
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23 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-23/10/24
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering imposing higher taxes on Amazon as part of a broader effort to support British high streets, which have been struggling to compete with online giants. The proposed measures could come after her upcoming autumn budget, which is expected to introduce tax hikes and spending…
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8 OctoberEconomy
September retail sales see biggest boost in half a year
UK Total retail sales increased by 2% year on year in September marking the largest increase in over six months, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Food sales increased 3.1% year-on-year over the three months to September, against a growth of 7.4% in September 2023. This is below…
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Sep- 2024 -20 SeptemberNews
UK consumer confidence falls sharply to -20 in September
UK consumer confidence has dropped sharply to -20 in September, according to GfK’s long-running index. The survey revealed that all measures were down in comparison with last month’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year was down two points at -9. Meanwhile, the survey revealed…
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6 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-6/9/24
Burberry, a fixture in the FTSE 100 for the past 15 years, has been demoted to the FTSE 250 following a steep decline in its share price, which has plummeted by around 50% over the last six months. The luxury fashion house has been hit hard by a slowdown in…
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