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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Apr- 2025 -1 AprilEconomy
Retailers refrain from price rises despite looming costs, BRC finds
Retailers did not resort to price rises throughout March, according to the latest BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index, despite rising cost pressures. It comes as high street retailers are competing for reluctant shoppers, who are more likely to be pulled in with seasonal promotions. Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business…
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchHigh Street
Pets at Home warns of profit drop in FY26
Pets at Home has revealed that it expects its retail profits to drop in FY26 to within a range of £115m to £125m, as a result of the uncertain economic backdrop for both demand and inflation. The retailer also stated that it expects increased costs of around £30m following changes…
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28 MarchSupermarkets
Asda unveils £80m investment into retail pay
Asda has announced an £80m investment in retail pay to increase hourly rates for store-based colleagues to £12.60 from October. Circa 115,000 Asda Retail and Asda Express colleagues will receive an above inflation increase of 4.7% in three phases, taking rates from £12.04 to £12.60 per hour. Hourly rates for…
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27 MarchDIY
Lakeland becomes latest bid target for Modella Capital
Homewares retailer Lakeland has become the latest takeover target of retail investor firm Modella Capital, Sky News has revealed. The investment firm, which owns Hobbycraft and The Original Factory Shop, is among a small number of parties trying to acquire a controlling stake in Lakeland. According to retail industry sources,…
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26 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-26/3/25
John Lewis is close to securing approval for its housing project in Reading, transforming a former customer collection facility into 215 homes, including 49% family-sized units and 10% affordable rentals. The development, featuring shared workspaces, a gym, and communal areas, is part of an £80m investment in rental housing. A…
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26 MarchEconomy
Chancellor resists calls for business relief in Spring Statement
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has resisted calls from businesses for relief ahead of the upcoming tax changes this April, as part of her Spring Statement today (26 March). UK businesses had been hopeful the chancellor would raise the relief rate for retail, hospitality, and leisure after cutting it to 40% in…
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26 MarchEconomy
Inflation ‘unexpectedly’ falls to 2.8% in February
Inflation unexpectedly fell to 2.8% in February in much welcome news for the chancellor ahead of the Spring Statement later today (26 March). A fall in the prices of clothing had the biggest impact on inflation in February, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).…
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20 MarchEconomy
BoE holds interest rates at 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.5%, having cut the rate last month to its lowest level since June 2023. At its meeting ending on 19 March, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 8–1 to maintain the rate at…
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20 MarchDIY
Wickes profits fall amid decreased consumer demand
Wickes has revealed that its adjusted profit-before-tax fell to £43.6m, down from £52m, for the full year ended 28 December 2024, amid weaker consumer demand for larger ticket items and operating cost inflation. Alongside this, the company saw its total revenue fall 1% year-on-year to £1.54bn, down from £1.55bn in…
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20 MarchEconomy
UK consumer confidence improves in March as Gen Z set to spend
UK consumer confidence improved slightly to -35 in March, up from -37 in February, the BRC has revealed. According to the latest BRC-Opinium data, personal spending on retail rose to 0 in March, up from -5 in February. Meanwhile, personal spending overall rose to +11 in March, up from +4…
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