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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Sep- 2022 -6 SeptemberGovernment
Retailers call for strong leadership and high street support from new PM
The retail industry has urged Liz Truss to work alongside the sector and provide “strong leadership” amid the deepening cost-of-living crisis, as she succeeds the role of prime minister today (6 September). The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said that while the retail industry is ready to work with the new…
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Aug- 2022 -17 AugustFeatures
The business pledges of the Conservative leadership finalists
Business Rates On 9 August, the Retail Jobs Alliance, a coalition of retailers including Morrisons, Greggs and Tesco, called on both Sunak and Truss to pledge to cut business rates which are charged on most non-domestic properties, such as shops, offices, pubs, warehouses, factories, and holiday rental homes or guest…
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Jun- 2022 -27 JuneSupermarkets
Investor support for Sainsbury’s real living wage mounts
A group of investors have put their support behind a shareholder resolution that could see all Sainsbury’s employees secure the real living wage when it goes to a vote at Sainsbury’s AGM on 7 July. The resolution, co-ordinated by ShareAction, is set to be the first Living Wage resolution to…
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Apr- 2022 -11 AprilEconomy
UK economic growth slows in February to 0.1%
Gross domestic product (GDP) slowed in the UK as the economy only saw 0.1% growth in February, down from a growth rate of 0.8% in January. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), services grew by 0.2% and was the main contributor to February’s growth in GDP, although this…
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Mar- 2022 -24 MarchEconomy
Retail industry responds to ‘underwhelming’ Spring Statement
Both Bira and CBI have expressed disappointment in the chancellor’s Spring Statement, with Bira having declared it is “underwhelmed with the offerings for independent businesses”. In his speech yesterday, Rishi Sunak outlined a series of measures to help combat the rising cost of living in his latest spring statement, including…
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17 MarchEconomy
BoE raises interest rates to 0.75%
The Bank of England has raised interest rates back to the pre-pandemic level of 0.75% as it tries to mitigate the effect of the rising costs of living and the impact that the conflict in Ukraine is having on the global economy. The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted with a…
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Jan- 2022 -14 JanuaryEconomy
UK economy surpassed pre-Covid levels in November
Gross domestic product (GDP) has surpassed its pre-pandemic level for the first time as it grew by 0.9% in November 2021, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. In the latest release, output in consumer-facing services grew by 0.8%, mainly because of a 1.4% increase in retail…
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Nov- 2021 -24 NovemberComment
The £15bn question – are you still investing in instore expertise?
With the Golden Quarter in full swing and the risk of another lockdown receding, it feels like physical retailers can finally focus on the future and doing what they do best. Namely serving the varied interests and needs of our nation of shoppers. While the terminals are processing payments, amidst…
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19 NovemberEconomy
UK Consumer Confidence improves in November despite high inflation
UK consumer confidence improved by three points in November despite concerns over rising inflation, according to GfK’s Consumer Confidence Index. GfK revealed that four of the index’s measures increased during the period, with a seven-point jump in the major purchase index indicating “good news” for retailers in the run-up to…
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11 NovemberEconomy
UK recovery slows to 1.3% in Q3
UK economic growth slowed to 1.3% in Q3, down from 5.5% in the second quarter of the year. According to the latest figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the level of quarterly GDP is now 2.1% below where it was before the coronavirus pandemic at Quarter 4 (Oct…
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