Economy
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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
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NewsRetail distress surges to highest level since financial crisis
Tight credit conditions, cost inflation and weak consumer demand have contributed to a sharp rise in financial distress in the sector
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NewsHeatwave sparks healthy eating sales boost
Yoghurt and berries were among the biggest winners as summer got off to a hot start
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NewsAmazon announces thousands of new jobs in £40bn UK investment plan
The investment will include four new fulfilment centres and thousands of ‘new permanent, full-time’ jobs.
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NewsGrocery sales flop in May, latest retail figures show
A slump in food store sales in May has powered the worst monthly fall in retail sales since December 2023
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NewsConsumers gain confidence in economy – but not their wallets
Consumers’ thawing attitude towards the UK economy has powered a modest two-point boost to their overall spending confidence, according to GfK’s latest barometer
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NewsFood inflation hits 15-month high as chocolate and meat prices rise
Spiking food prices has offset cheaper transport to keep UK inflation levels steady in the year to May, new official data out this morning has revealed
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NewsBRC blames ballooning bills for poor May footfall
The BRC has blamed high household bills for May’s “disappointing” footfall figures, as consumers proved reluctant shoppers despite the warmest start to May on record
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NewsLarge food manufacturers at their most confident in a decade, says BDO survey
BDO surveyed 100 UK food and drink manufacturers with a turnover of between £10m and £300m
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NewsBrits put brakes on spending as retail growth slows
Food was the main driver of growth, supported by a run of bank holidays and seasonal events including football tournaments
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NewsMedia Bites 6 June: Trump vs Musk, Pret a Manger IPO, P&G jobs
A rift between US president Donald Trump and Tesla boss Elon Musk is shaking up markets this morning
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NewsUK business confidence rebounds to nine-month high
Two new surveys have shown business confidence returning to its highest level since August last year
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NewsFood inflation hits one-year high with steaks ‘more expensive’
Food inflation hit a one-year high in May as fresh foods like beef, milk, and eggs all grew more expensive
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NewsUK retail sales jump again as Brits’ confidence improves
It marked the fourth consecutive monthly rise and builds on the best quarter for British retailers since 2021
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NewsConsumer confidence nudges up as tariff concerns ease, says GfK
All five key indicators including personal finance, savings, and general economic situation saw an improvement
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NewsConsumer confidence edges up as UK economy improves
The over-60s saw the biggest boost in confidence although they remain the most pessimistic of any generation
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NewsMedia Bites 16 May: Walmart prices, UK economy, Holland & Barrett’s GLP-1 boom
Wallmart, a ‘bellwether of US consumer health’, is preparing to raise its prices in the wake of Donald Trump’s tariffs
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NewsFood companies scaling back growth plans as costs rise by up to 10%
Food and drink business have been massively scaling back growth plans as confidence remains at rock bottom, a new survey by the FDF reveals
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NewsMedia Bites 13 May: consumer spending, pub sales, immigration and labour market
Warm weather has boosted consumer spending but wage growth has slowed
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Comment & OpinionBudget pressures are here. Food needs a long-term strategy
Short-term fixes like workforce reductions are already underway, says James Walton, chief economist at IGD