Economy
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KVI TrackerSupermarket competition keeps food inflation in check despite cost pressures
Retailers absorbed added energy costs through price cuts and promotions in September, according to the latest figures from the BRC-NIQ price monitor
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NewsConsumer optimism inches higher despite gloomy forecasts
Consumer sentiment inched up for the third month in a row in September, continuing its recovery from April’s low of –25 and reaching the highest point in two years
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NewsConsumer confidence ‘stumbles’ in September as autumn budget looms
The worsening Middle East crisis caused consumer confidence to dip in September, according to the latest BRC-Opinium sentiment survey.
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NewsRetail sales rise in August as consumer confidence picks up
Retail sales volumes picked up by an estimated 0.5% in August, topping off a solid three months for food retailers
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NewsFood inflation to hold at 6% through 2026 and 2027, IGD says
The IGD has predicted food inflation will rise to 5.6% to 6.6% in 2027 and remain around 5.3% to 6.3% in 2028
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NewsIran war pushes inflation higher in August despite steady food prices
While food inflation stayed steady on July at 1.3%, transport costs – in particular motor fuel – helped to push headline inflation from 2.9% to 3.1% in August 2026
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NewsShopper optimism rebounds to hit five-year high in PwC survey
Consumer confidence over spending has risen across all age groups in the UK
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NewsChristmas reprieve as FDF slashes food inflation estimates
Shoppers have been handed a Christmas reprieve in the ongoing cost of living crisis, as food inflation will now fall six points short of previous estimates by December
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NewsFood sales grow despite cooler temperatures leading to ‘disappointing’ August
Cooler temperatures prompted shoppers cut back discretionary spending on “big-ticket” items like furniture and household appliances, in favour of treating themselves to ’smaller luxuries’, latest data from BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor showed.
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NewsConvenience sector hits the brakes on investment amid rising costs
Inflation is outpacing sales across the sector, according to the ACS
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NewsFootfall improves in August but high streets face ‘uphill battle’
Despite shoppers returning to stores in August, the BRC warned high streets faced an ‘uphill battle’ without more government support
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NewsPromotions and price cuts keep a lid on rising inflation
Inflation on fresh produce fell in August as retailers focused their promotions on summer lines, according to the latest BRC-NIQ sales monitor data
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NewsConsumer confidence hits two-year high, says GfK
Rising optimism throughout the summer has seen consumer sentiment soar past the low of –25 registered in April
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NewsRetail sales dip in July after two-month summer boost
Retail sales volumes dipped 0.5% in July 2026 after two consecutive months of increases in May and June when retailers brought promotions forward for early heatwaves and the World Cup
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NewsBurnham ‘boost’ leaves consumer confidence at highest levels since February
A return to cooler ‘shopping-friendly’ temperatures over the next few weeks will see families return to the high street, according to the latest BRC-Opinium data
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NewsFood the winner as heatwave thaws July retail sales
Food was the winner according to BRC’s July retail sales data, as shoppers cut back on their trips to the store amid continued record temperatures
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NewsRetail footfall ‘under pressure’ as heatwave stifles high streets
High streets, particularly those in bigger cities, were the worst affected as shoppers chose to stay at home to escape the continued heatwave
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Analysis & FeaturesDo the numbers add up for Burnham’s business rates promises?
A question hangs over how much the funding plans can raise
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NewsBurnham bounce and World Cup optimism give consumers reasons to be cheerful
GfK’s index showed confidence climbed six points higher in July to –17 thanks to a mixture of the feel-good factor from the World Cup, a long run of hot weather, and new optimism in the economy as Andy Burnham moved into 10 Downing Street
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Analysis & FeaturesShopper spend: why coffee is the new posh meal out
Supermarkets are growing their Share of Stomach as diners eat out less