Interest Rates
This coverage explores UK interest rate movements and their impact on the retail industry, focusing on monetary policy decisions, borrowing costs, consumer spending, and retailer financing strategies. Reporting highlights how rate changes affect sales dynamics, investment planning, and operational budgets — providing insight for executives, finance leads, and business strategists navigating economic volatility.
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Nov- 2022 -16 NovemberAdvice
Retail faces multiple challenges – A key one is fixing the data layer
As the UK consumer battles rising inflation, interest rates, scary heating bills and even considering back-up generators to avoid potential power cuts, retailers have needed to consistently up their games to maintain customer loyalty. On the supply side, the latest uncertainties are an unwelcome addition to the disruption from…
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15 NovemberHigh Street
Footfall sees modest rise amid consumer nervousness over costs
Footfall rose by just +1.3% across UK retail destinations last week from the week before, after a decline of -7.5% following the school half term in the week before last, according to Springboard. Springboard said that the modest increase indicates “consumer nervousness” in the midst of the cost of living…
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3 NovemberEconomy
BoE raises interest rates to 3%
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised the base rate of interest to 3%, an increase of 0.75%, as it warned that the UK is set to face its longest recession since records began. At its meeting ending on 2 November 2022, the Bank’s MPC voted by a majority of…
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Oct- 2022 -28 OctoberOnline & Digital
Amazon shares fall as group predicts sales slowdown
Amazon has seen its shares plummet by as much as 20% after it warned of a slowdown in sales for the upcoming quarter. It comes as the group reported that sales hit $127.1bn (£110bn) in the quarter ended 30 September, 2022, a rise of 15% against the prior year yet…
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11 OctoberEconomy
Retail sales rise 2.2% in September
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) Sales Monitor reports that, on a total basis, sales increased by 2.2% in September, against an increase of 0.6% in September 2021. According to the BRC, the UK retail sales also increased 1.8% on a like-for-like basis from September 2021, when they had reportedly decreased…
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6 OctoberHigh Street
Footfall slows to +6.8% in September
UK footfall slowed for the third consecutive month and now sits just 6.8% compared with the same period in 202, as the rising cost of living cuts consumer visits according to the latest data from Springboard. Springboard revealed that superficially September’s results suggest that footfall has largely been unaffected by…
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3 OctoberSupermarkets
Morrisons faces £100m hit to borrowing costs amid debt pile up
Morrisons is facing a near-£100m hit to its borrowing costs amid market turmoil adding pressure on the supermarket chain. According to The Times, over half of the grocer’s longer-term debt is at a floating rate and it has no interest hedging in place. Ratings agency Moody’s reportedly estimates that recent…
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Sep- 2022 -29 SeptemberSupermarkets
Morrisons profits halve in Q3 as inflation pressures hit
Morrisons has seen its profits halve in its latest quarter, falling from £356m to £177m, with the group warning that consumer sentiment continues to be “very subdued”. Despite total revenue rising by 4.5% to £4.8bn in the quarter ended 31 July, 2022, the group’s profit was hit by record inflation,…
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22 SeptemberEconomy
BoE raises interest rates to 2.25%
The Bank of England has today (22 September) announced that interest rates will be raised by 0.5%, with rates rising from 1.75% to 2.25%. The latest announcement from the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) comes as inflation remains at record highs for the UK, and marks the seventh consecutive rise in…
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12 SeptemberEconomy
BoE delays interest rates decision
The Bank of England (BoE) has delayed its interest rates decision for one week, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee, which was expected to further raise interest rates, is now expected to be held at 12pm on 22 September, in light of…
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