Consumer Confidence

Trading ‘softer’ for Pets at Home

Pets at Home has reported ‘softer’ trading than in the first half of the year. It also reported that the business may be affected by the “prolonged uncertainty over the UK’s exit terms from the European Union, and the continued weakness in Sterling.” In a statement the company said Brexit “could lead…

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Shop closures at lowest level in five years

The rate of store closures in the UK fell from 16 closures per day in 2014 to 14 closures per day in 2015, claims a new report. According to PwC analysis compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC), 5,138 outlets closed in 2015 compared to 4,640 openings, equating to a…

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Barking Heads now sold by Tesco

Pet Food (UK) Ltd has announced that a limited range of Barking Heads products are now available in Tesco Extra, Tesco online, and select Tesco super stores. Shoppers will be able to buy 2kg bags of Bad Hair Day, Tender Loving Care, Puppy Days, Fusspot, Fat Dog Slim and Golden Years.…

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Retail business running costs up £20bn since 2006

A British Retail Consortium (BRC) commissioned study by Oxford Economics has revealed that retailers’ operating costs have increased by a fifth since 2006. BRC’s new pre-budget research has seen the association call on the Chancellor, George Osborne, to maintain retailers’ contribution to the country by reducing business costs and re-building…

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American Express research points to more prospering businesses in 2013

Small businesses are in store for a better 2013, according to research conducted by American Express. The company’s UK Small Business Barometer found that across Great Britain 51 per cent of small business owners interviewed thought their business would grow in the coming 12 months, 37 per cent expected to…

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BRC calls for support following global financial crisis research

Retail sales growth is now averaging half what it was in the years preceding the collapse of Lehman Brothers. Four years on from the bank’s failure, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) is publishing figures that show how much the global financial crisis impacted, and continues to impact on UK retailers.…

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UK retail sales ‘subdued’ in July

Despite better weather and the feel-good factor surrounding the start of the Olympic Games, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported that UK retail sales were subdued in July. Food and drink sales were beneficiaries of the good weather, in a month that saw sales rise just 0.1 per cent…

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UK retail sales ‘subdued’ in July

Despite better weather and the feel-good factor surrounding the start of the Olympic Games, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has reported that UK retail sales were subdued in July. Food and drink sales were beneficiaries of the good weather, in a month that saw sales rise just 0.1 per cent…

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High street defies gloom and holds steady in June

Britain’s high streets are “holding steady” despite the financial freeze, according to BDO’s High Street Tracker for June. In its latest report, BDO revealed that mid-tier retailers saw like-for-like sales rise 1.1 per cent year-on-year despite continuing economic uncertainty and the wettest June ever recorded on the Isles. The Queen’s…

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High street defies gloom and holds steady in June

Britain’s high streets are “holding steady” despite the financial freeze, according to BDO’s High Street Tracker for June. In its latest report, BDO revealed that mid-tier retailers saw like-for-like sales rise 1.1 per cent year-on-year despite continuing economic uncertainty and the wettest June ever recorded on the Isles. The Queen’s…

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