Monetary Policy
This coverage examines monetary policy decisions and their implications for the UK retail sector, focusing on interest rate changes, inflation control, and central bank guidance. Reporting provides analysis of how these policies influence consumer spending, business costs, and strategic planning. Retail executives and managers can use these insights to assess market conditions, adjust pricing strategies, and plan for economic shifts affecting operations and demand.
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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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May- 2025 -15 MayEconomy
UK economy grows by more than expected 0.7% in Q1
The UK economy performed better than expected in the first quarter of the year, with GDP growing by 0.7% between January and March, following a 0.1% rise the prior quarter. This was ahead of analysts’ expectations, who had forecast a growth of 0.6% for the period. According to the Office…
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8 MayEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates to 4.25%
The Bank of England (BoE) has cut interest rates to 4.25%, down from the previous rate of 4.5%, marking the fourth rate cut since last year’s peak of 5.25%. At its meeting ending on 7 May, the bank’s monetary policy committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 5–4 to reduce…
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Apr- 2025 -16 AprilEconomy
Inflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in March
Inflation has fallen more than expected to 2.6% in the 12 months to March 2025, down from the 2.8% rise in February, driven largely by a fall in petrol prices. According to the ONS, the largest downward contributions came from recreation and culture and motor fuels, with a further large…
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Mar- 2025 -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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Feb- 2025 -6 FebruaryEconomy
BoE cuts interest rates to 4.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to cut interest rates from 4.75% to 4.5%, the lowest level since June 2023, but warned that GDP growth has been “weaker than expected”. At its meeting this week, the bank’s monetary policy committee voted by a majority of 7–2 to reduce the…
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Dec- 2024 -19 DecemberEconomy
BoE holds interest rates at 4.75%
The Bank of England (BoE) has voted to hold interest rates at 4.75%, following a recent hike in both inflation and wage growth. At its meeting this week, the bank’s monetary policy committee voted by a majority of 6–3 to maintain the current rate. Three members voted to reduce interest rates…
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Sep- 2024 -19 SeptemberEconomy
BoE holds interest rates at 5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has decided to hold interest rates at 5% this month, having lowered them for the first time in four years in August. The bank voted by a majority of 8-1 to keep the rate the same in a bid to help “sustain growth and employment”.…
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18 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-18/9/24
UK inflation held steady at 2.2% in August, unchanged from July and slightly above the Bank of England’s 2% target. The stability came despite falling food and energy prices, offset by a 1.2% rise in transport costs, driven notably by a 22.2% increase in air fares. Clothing and retail prices…
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18 SeptemberEconomy
Inflation holds steady at 2.2% in August
The rate of inflation remained steady at 2.2% in August, unchanged since July, yet is still above the Bank of England’s target of 2%.Although food and energy prices continued to fall over the month, this was in part offset by transport, where prices rose by 1.2% in the month. This…
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