All Economy articles
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NewsFood manufacturing costs outstripped CPI inflation in 2025
Data published this morning by the FDF showed production costs jumped 4.4% on average in 2025, compared with a 3.6% increase in the Consumer Price Index reported by the ONS
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NewsIran war fuel price spike ‘will filter into food prices soon’ hauliers warn
Logistics providers are warning inflationary price hikes to customers are inevitable as the war rages on
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NewsFood sector ‘underprepared’ for EU reset deal: BRC
BRC director Andrew Opie said the food sector faced a ‘wake-up call’ over the extent of changes required to meet the demands of the new SPS deal with the EU
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Comment & OpinionHow Strait of Hormuz closure will impact global food & drink
If the Strait is closed for more than a few weeks, the world will see much higher oil, gas and fertiliser prices, and resultant systemic food and crop shortages, says Ian Wright, partner at Acuti Associates
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NewsSustainable farming could increase profits by £1.6bn a year, report finds
Titled ‘The Sustainable Farming Dividend’, the report from cross-party think tank Demos, supported by McCain, found sustainable methods could increase farm profits by £1.6bn a year by 2035 among its key findings
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NewsM&A appetite remains strong after 2025 uplift, figures show
Transaction numbers rose 9% year on year, with total deals up from 169 in 2024 to 184. This growth signalled renewed confidence across the market as economic conditions began to stabilise, said BDO
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Comment & OpinionOil price chaos means choppy waters become a maelstrom
Even with Trump pushing the narrative that the Iran war ‘will be over very soon’, the latest hit to the global economy from US foreign policy now looks increasingly like it could have long-standing implications – for us all
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NewsWet weather hits retail sales in February
The BRC warned conflict in the Middle East would drag on consumer sentiment
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NewsSoggy February compounds challenging conditions for retailers
Shoppers stayed off the high street in their droves in February as constant rain added to the challenges facing the UK retail industry, according to new data out this morning
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NewsFDF calls for government help over energy price spike
Energy prices have surged since the start of the conflict last weekend
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NewsIran conflict raises inflation fears as global trade badly hit
Container costs are surging, while shipments are having to be diverted as a result of the rapidly escalating war
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NewsConsumer confidence drops again as worries over job security set in
Consumer confidence has dropped again, wiping out modest improvements seen in December and January as shoppers worry about their personal finances and widespread job losses
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NewsFood manufacturer confidence remains negative, FDF report finds
Confidence at food makers improved in the golden quarter of 2025, but remained subdued as the industry battled rising production costs, a new report has found
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Comment & OpinionImmigration is a toxic issue but food & drink must face it
Many in the food and drink industry – and indeed beyond it into the NHS and the care sector – would argue that we simply don’t have enough available workers to fill all the jobs that need to be done, says Ian Wright, partner at Acuti Associates
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Comment & OpinionFood strategy is a policy opportunity we can’t afford to miss
This cannot be another strategy that sits on a shelf, or simply says the right things but has no teeth for delivery, says Andrew Stark, senior research and policy manager at Eating Better
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NewsRetail sales volumes up as discounting encouraged January spending
Increased discounting and sales prompted the largest increase in retail sales volumes in nearly two years in January, as consumers splashed out on bigger ticket items
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NewsInflation falls to lowest level in nearly a year
Inflation has fallen to 3%, its lowest point in almost a year, according to the latest ONS figures
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Promotional FeaturesHow can UK businesses survive the consumer spending shift?
UK consumers are reaching their spending limits after years of cuts. Recent research from AlixPartners reveals that, while fewer plan to reduce spending in 2026, this reflects exhaustion rather than recovery. Only groceries show positive spending intent, as households maintain already-reduced levels.
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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