Economy
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Analysis & FeaturesWhy the ONS changing its pricing methodology is so important
The ONS is hugely increasing the number of prices counted to calculate grocery inflation – with far-reaching implications
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NewsConsumers still penny-pinching despite hopes for economy
Consumer confidence fell by 1.1 points in the final quarter of 2025 to –11.1%, reaching its lowest ebb in two years of reporting by Deloitte’s Consumer Tracker
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News‘Robust’ year for dealmaking kept M&A afloat in 2025
Despite geopolitical uncertainty – including a start to the year dominated by news of new US tariffs – dealmaking remained steady
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NewsConsumer confidence stuck in negative territory
It has now been 10 years since the GfK consumer confidence index was last in positive territory, with a small rise this month to –16
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NewsInflation rises once again as tobacco and transport costs bite
Inflation has risen for the first time in five months, hitting 3.4% in December, as transport, alongside alcohol and tobacco, pushed prices higher
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NewsPressure on liquidity and profits to worsen in Europe in 2026
The European retail and consumer industry – which in Q4 completed a full year as the most distressed of all sectors – will face even more pressure on liquidity and profits this year
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News‘Disappointing’ December footfall takes shine off golden quarter
Total footfall during the year was down 0.8% on 2024, with the difference weighted towards the final, ‘golden’ quarter of the year
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NewsOcado grows fastest amid shift to online Christmas ordering
Shoppers increasingly turned to delivery for the ‘big Christmas shop’ in 2025
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NewsConsumer confidence edges up as budget blues settle
Consumer confidence has edged up by two points in GfK’s monthly barometer, as worries over November’s budget settle
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NewsUK consumer confidence edges up but ‘remains gloomy’
Consumer confidence edged higher in December after a better-than-expected budget, according to the BRC
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NewsNIQ predicts max-value Christmas for shoppers
NIQ has predicted almost £20bn will be spent on groceries in December, just 2.8% up on last year, as 40% of UK households plan to use saved loyalty points and vouchers to maximise savings
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NewsInflation-linked booze duty rise a bitter mouthful for producers
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has ignored pleas for a freeze on alcohol duty, confirming it will rise with RPI to maintain its current real-terms value
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NewsTop suppliers investing again after years of caution
Capex among the UK’s top 150 suppliers rose to 3.4% of revenue in 2024, up from 2.8% the previous year, according to a report from strategy consulting firm OC&C and The Grocer
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NewsFood inflation up to 4.9% despite first fall in CPI since March
Food inflation edged back up to 4.9% in October, making it the largest driver of consumer price rises last month
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NewsRetail sales volumes hit highest level since 2022
Retail sales volumes have hit their highest level since 2022, driven by strong performance from clothing and online retailers
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NewsMajor retail sales events drive bump to consumer confidence
Major retail sales events have helped drive a bump in consumer confidence, according to October 2025’s GfK-NIM Consumer Confidence Barometer
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NewsFood inflation falls to 4.5% in August but CPI holds firm
Food inflation fell to 4.5% in the 12 months to September 2025, despite overall consumer price rises holding steady on August’s levels at 4.1%
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NewsRetail distress now exceeds 2009 financial crisis levels
Weak demand, fragile confidence and continued disruption from US tariffs have continued to weigh on performance
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NewsBRC warns government risks ‘losing the battle against inflation’
Food inflation hit 5.1% in August, inching higher than the 4.7% increase in wage growth averaged over May-July
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NewsHot summer weather warms up retail sales
Retail sales in Britain have increased by slightly more then predicted by economists in August, according to official figures out this morning