Office
This coverage examines Office’s strategy, operations, and role within the UK footwear retail sector. Reporting highlights store performance, online initiatives, product trends, marketing campaigns, financial results, and leadership decisions. Focused on commercial outcomes and brand positioning, it offers insights for retail professionals managing footwear, fashion, and multi-channel retail businesses.
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Dec- 2024 -20 DecemberEconomy
Retail sales fall short of expectations in November
Retail sales in the UK rose 0.2% in November, behind analysts expectations of 0.5%, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. However, this slight increase is an improvement on the 0.7% decline seen in October. ONS stated growth in supermarkets and other non-food stores was partly offset by…
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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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18 DecemberEconomy
Inflation hits eight-month high of 2.6% in November
Inflation has risen for the second month in a row, rising to 2.6% in November, up from 2.3% the previous month, marking the highest level of inflation in eight months. According to the Office for National Statistics, the main drivers behind the rise were fuel and clothing, where prices rose this…
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17 DecemberPeople Moves
Retail loses 225,000 jobs in five years
The retail industry has lost 225,000 jobs in the last five years, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On a four-quarter average there were 40,000 less jobs in the industry compared with last year. Overall there were 2.81m jobs in retail in September 2024, although this…
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4 DecemberHealth & Beauty
SpaceNK opens new store in centre:mk
SpaceNK, the UK’s leading British beauty retailer, has announced the opening of a new store in centre:mk. Situated on Silbury Arcade, SpaceNK’s 1,721 sq ft store showcases a leading selection of makeup and skincare products, with over 100 beauty brands on offer. The new store also includes a dedicated consultation…
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Nov- 2024 -20 NovemberEconomy
Energy bills push inflation to 2.3% in October
The rising cost of energy has pushed inflation up to 2.3% in October, above consensus forecasts of 2.2%, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The figure is up from the 1.7% posted in September and is also above the desired level of 2% set…
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15 NovemberEconomy
UK economy stagnates in three months to September
UK gross domestic product (GDP) is estimated to have stagnated during the third quarter of the year as uncertainty ahead of the budget affected decision making, according to the latest figures from the Office For National Statistics. The ONS found that UK GDP increased by 0.1% in Quarter 3 (July…
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7 NovemberEconomy
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.75%
The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the second time this year, with rates now cut to 4.75%. The bank voted by a majority of 8–1 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.75%. One member preferred to maintain the previous rate of 5%. It had previously…
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Oct- 2024 -16 OctoberEconomy
Inflation falls to lowest rate in over three years
UK inflation fell to 1.7% in September, down from 2.2% in August, marking the lowest rate in over three years.This means inflation is now below the Bank of England’s 2% target, meaning the bank may face pressure to cut interest rates next month. According to the Office for National Statistics,…
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14 OctoberHigh Street
Retailers urge chancellor to apply Retail Rates Corrector
More than 70 retail CEOs have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to ease business rates amid warnings that a £2.7bn tax would hit retailers, leisure and hospitality firms, The Guardian has reported. In an open letter coordinated by the British Retail Consortium, CEOs have called on the government to introduce a…
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