Economy

Retail sales jump 3.4% giving optimism despite recession

Retail sales in the UK jumped 3.4% in January 2024 after falling 3.2% in December, according to data from the Office for National Statistics. This is the biggest rise in retail sales since April 2021 when the UK had just emerged from the third covid lockdown. The price of goods…

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Festive shopping boosts footfall 6.1% in December

Footfall across UK retail destinations rose by +6.1% from November to December as poor weather conditions, rail disruption and the cost of living crisis failed to deter festive shoppers. According to the latest data from MRI Software, December was predominantly boosted by the fourth week of the month, the final…

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Almost half of consumers feel less financially secure, KPMG finds

Four in 10 consumers are heading into 2024 saying they feel less financially secure than when 2023 began, according to new research from KPMG UK. Assessing confidence for 2024, KPMG’s latest Consumer Pulse survey of 3000 UK consumers shows those feeling worse about their financial security outnumber those feeling more…

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Shop price inflation flatlines in December

The annual shop price rise was slower than the three-month average rate of 4.6% at 4.3%, the lowest since June 2022, according to the BRC’s latest shop price index. The index, which compiled data from the first week of December, showed that non-food price inflation picked up to 3.1% in…

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UK retail sales rise 1.3% in November

Retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased by 1.3% in November 2023, from no growth (revised from a fall of 0.3%) in October 2023, according to new figures by the ONS. Non-food store sales volumes rose by 2.3% in November 2023, following a 0.2% increase in October 2023. Retailers…

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UK inflation falls to two-year low of 3.9%

UK inflation has fallen to 3.9% in the year to November, the lowest level seen in two years, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The rate of inflation was lower than expected after falling from a rate of 4.6% in October, though the ONS said prices…

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Early signs of footfall recovery ahead of festive trading, BRC finds

The retail sector experienced early signs of footfall recovery in November as total UK footfall decreased by 0.7% in November(YoY), an improvement on -5.7% in October, according to the latest data from the BRC. High Street footfall decreased by 1.7%, an improvement on -4.6% in October, whereas Retail Parks again…

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UK retail sales growth slows by 0.3% in October

Retail sales volumes fell by 0.3% in October 2023, following a fall of 1.1% in September 2023, according to the new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Automotive fuel sales volumes fell by 2.0% in October 2023, as retailers reported that consumers were spending their money more cautiously,…

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Private labels increase European market share to 34%

Private pet food labels now have a market share of 34% in the six biggest markets in Europe, according to data from Circana. Data collected from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, UK, and Netherlands showed value sales of pet food have grown across Europe by 5.4% over the last four years…

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Retail sales growth slows in July amid heavy rain

The UK’s total retail sales increased by 1.5% in the four weeks to 29 July, against the 2.3% growth experienced in the same month last year. This was below the three-month average growth of 3.5% and the 12-month average growth of 3.9%, according to BRC data. This lacklustre growth in…

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