Economy
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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
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NewsConsumer confidence on the wane ahead of autumn budget
The long-running GfK consumer confidence index fell by two points to –19 in September
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NewsWarm weather credited with July UK retail sales uptick
Retail sales volumes climbed 0.6% month on month in July 2025, as the UK’s fifth-warmest July on record helped power a boost in shoe and clothing purchases
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NewsRetail footfall takes August hit despite high street gains
Retail footfall declined by a further 0.4% year on year in August, in a repeat of last month’s disappointment to retailers
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NewsConfidence flatlines for food companies as fears grow over Reeves’ budget
A new FDF survey of its members found confidence levels in the second quarter of the year were still at ‘-40%’
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NewsConsumer confidence improves in August but clouds remain on the horizon
Consumer confidence has climbed to its highest level so far this year but remained fragile ahead of the upcoming autumn budget, according to a new report out this morning
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NewsFood inflation will hit 5.5% in 2025, Bank of England warns
Food price increases have been driven by rising key food commodities, higher employment costs and extended producer responsibility levies on packaging
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NewsSupermarket sales bounce back in June as shoppers soak up the sunshine
June’s heatwave has been good news for supermarkets as food sales bounced back from a decline in May
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NewsConsumer confidence falls as Brits save cash ahead of autumn budget
Brits are saving their cash as worries over never-ending inflation continue to haunt consumer confidence ahead of the coming autumn budget
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NewsInflation surge hits spending power for two in five households
Two in five UK households experienced declining spending power last month as inflation reached its highest level in 18 months
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NewsProfit warnings double at FTSE retailers in Q2
The number of profit warnings issued by FTSE retailers has doubled over the second quarter of 2025, as uncertainty over tariffs and geopolitical forces was compounded by government policy shifts
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NewsFood & drink sector most bullish on mergers & acquisitions in 2025
Around five in six leaders in the UK and Irish food and beverage industry expect an increase in M&A in the sector over the next year
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NewsSurprise jump for UK inflation as food prices continue ‘concerning’ rise
Food prices have climbed for the third month in a row, reaching their highest level for more than a year
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NewsInflation on supermarket shelves drives surge in UK food sales
Soaring prices in supermarkets has fuelled a jump in UK food sales in the past month, as volumes in store remained under “sustained pressure” and consumer confidence continued to drop
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NewsShoppers avoid the high street during heatwave
Total UK footfall decreased by 1.8% in June, compared with a 1.7% fall in May