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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Dec- 2023 -15 DecemberEconomy
Consumer confidence improves during December
Consumer confidence improved two points during December to -22 as sentiment improved ahead of Christmas. All five measures were up in comparison to last month’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year is up two points at -14; this is 14 points better than December…
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Jun- 2023 -5 JuneNews
Supply chain pressures slow down retail growth
Continued supply chain pressures, including cost increases, delayed materials and shortages outrank workforce challenges and increasing business costs as a main concern for over a third (36%) of mid-sized businesses, according to latest research from accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. The bi-monthly survey, which was conducted on 500 medium-sized…
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May- 2023 -9 MaySupermarkets
Lidl to add over 1,500 warehouse staff amid new distribution centre plans
Lidl GB has announced that it is recruiting over 1,500 warehouse colleagues across its existing regional distribution centre (RDC) network, while confirming plans to build a new RDC on a 35-acre site in Gildersome, Leeds. It said the plans submitted to Leeds City Council for a 54,000m2 build represent a…
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Mar- 2023 -16 MarchEconomy
Retailers welcome budget but ‘missed opportunity’ for rates reform
Retail has welcomed the support for households in the face of the cost of living crisis in the chancellor’s Spring Budget but some have criticised it as a “missed opportunity” for business rates reform. Headline measures announced by the chancellor included an increase in corporation tax to 25% for businesses…
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14 MarchEconomy
Retail jobs at lowest four quarter average in over a decade
The number of retail jobs in the UK was down to its lowest average four quarter level in over a decade, according to ONS Labour Market figures. The four quarter average dropped to 3.05 million retail jobs in December 2022, down from 3.08 million in December 2021. The overall number…
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Feb- 2023 -28 FebruaryEconomy
PM agrees new Brexit deal with EU for NI
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has agreed a deal with the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for new post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland. The Windsor Framework replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, and aims to deliver free-flowing trade in goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland…
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6 FebruaryEconomy
Trade bodies urge Govt to reform ‘broken’ apprenticeship levy
Four trade bodies within UK retail and hospitality, including the BRC, have called on the government to reform the “broken” apprenticeship levy system, as so far, £3.5bn has reportedly expired before businesses could make use of it. This call on the government comes as businesses were also unable to meet…
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Nov- 2022 -10 NovemberHigh Street
Next Boss urges gov to allow more overseas workers
Next CEO Simon Wolfson has urged the government to allow more overseas workers into the UK on account of the country’s current “chronic” labour shortages, according to the BBC. As a pro-Brexit Conservative peer, Wolfson’s calls on the government to alleviate staff shortages through immigration come as the UK’s current…
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Sep- 2022 -23 SeptemberEconomy
Chancellor announces sweeping tax cuts in first mini-budget
Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng has today (23 September) announced a ream of tax cuts alongside a £60bn energy support package as part of the new government’s first mini-budget. Setting out his aims for economic growth, Kwarteng said that he wants the economy to increase by 2.5% annually in the medium-term, through…
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9 SeptemberEconomy
UK workers face £2,000 hit to real wages
UK workers are facing a £2,000 hit to their real wages by the end of 2022 as the UK economy confronts a “highly volatile and uncertain” inflationary outlook, according to the latest PwC Economic Outlook. PwC expects that the UK will likely report growth of between 3.6% in the “mild…
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