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 -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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6 SeptemberGovernment
CBI boss calls for gov to fix ‘antiquated’ rates system
CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith has called on the government to fix the “antiquated” business rates rules in England to boost investment and grow the economy. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the CBI convened firms from 12 sectors, including retail and manufacturing, to develop cross-economy solutions for a competitive and transparent…
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Aug- 2024 -12 AugustSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s urges gov to reform business rates
Sainsbury’s and USDAW have together called on the new government to deliver on its promise to reform business rates.The call follows research which “demonstrates that failure to act could lead to 17,300 retail closures over the next ten years”. The research, carried out by Development Economics, warned that an increase…
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6 AugustEconomy
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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