Inflation
This coverage analyses the impact of inflation on the UK retail industry, focusing on costs, pricing strategies, consumer spending, and operational challenges. Reporting highlights economic trends, retailer responses, supply chain pressures, and leadership decisions to manage margins and demand. Designed for executives and managers, it offers insights to navigate inflationary pressures while maintaining competitiveness.
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Jul- 2025 -16 JulyEconomy
Inflation jumps to 18-month high of 3.6% in June
Inflation unexpectedly increased to a near 18-month high of 3.6% in June, driven by the rising cost of transport and food, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure is the highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. On a monthly…
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15 JulyHigh Street
Warm weather and promotions boost retail sales 3.1% in June
Total UK retail sales grew by 3.1% year-on-year in June, reversing a 0.2% decline in the same month last year, as the summer heatwave and promotions elevated performance, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. It comes as food sales rose 4.1% compared with a 1.8% increase in June…
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14 JulyHigh Street
Claire’s drafts rescue plan as it faces UK store closures
Jewellery and accessories retailer Claire’s has reportedly brought in advisers to draw up a rescue plan amid fears it may be unable to repay a $480m (£355m) loan that is due in December 2026, according to The Telegraph. The company, which operates nearly 300 shops in the UK and more…
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9 JulyFeatures
Can generalist retailers survive in today’s retail environment?
Last month B&M posted results which saw its profit-before-tax fall 13.2% to £431m, with the company’s UK revenues falling 3.1% as a result of inflation. While the headline figures may appear troubling, the company remains optimistic about its future especially as it is embarking on an expansion drive. The bigger…
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4 JulyDIY
Bensons for Beds losses widen as market pressures persist
Bensons for Beds has reported widening losses of £22m for the year ended 28 September 2024, up from £19.9m the previous year, as it continues to face external market pressures and internal operational issues. The group’s pre-tax loss included £8.8m in interest payments, £5.6m in depreciation, and £4.4m in International…
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4 JulyHigh Street
High street sales falter in June as shoppers go online
High street sales growth continued to lag behind inflation in June, as shoppers turned to online retailers, according to new data from BDO. The firm’s latest High Street Sales Tracker showed like-for-like in-store sales in discretionary categories – fashion, homewares and lifestyle – rose by just 0.6% compared to June…
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3 JulyHealth & Beauty
Superdrug FY profits jump 22.6% amid focus on value items
Superdrug has seen its full-year pre-tax profits jump by 22.6% to £136.8m, as store openings, refurbishments and a focus on value helped offset weaker UK footfall and pressure on consumer spending. It comes as the health and beauty retailer saw its sales rise by 7% during the year to 28…
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2 JulyHigh Street
Greggs warns on profits after warm weather hits sales
Greggs has revealed that it expects its full-year operating profit to be “modestly” below FY24 after the heatwave in June caused its sales to fall. The baker stated that cost inflation and wage tax pressures, which caused the company to increase the price of its sausage rolls, were factors which…
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1 JulyEconomy
Shop prices return to inflation as retailers struggle to shoulder costs
Shop price inflation increased to 0.4% year on year in June, compared with a decline of 0.1% in May, as retailers grappled with increases to minimum wage and employer national insurance costs. Furthermore, non-food inflation increased to -1.2% year on year in June, against a decline of 1.5% in May.…
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Jun- 2025 -25 JuneDIY
Halfords profits rise 6.4% to £38.4m in FY25
Halfords has reported that its underlying profit before tax rose 6.4% to £38.4m for the year ended 28 March 2025, above the previously guided £32m to £37m range. Alongside this, its group sales rose 2.5% on a like-for-like basis while its overall revenues inched up 0.1% to £1.72bn. However, the…
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