Consumer confidence continues to rise amid cost-of-living woes September 22, 2023 Consumer confidence is continuing to rise against a backdrop of falling inflation – but many households are continuing to struggle with cost-of-living pressures, according to a survey. GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index increased four points in September, but remains at a subdued minus 21. Expectations for the UK’s wider economy over the next 12 months [...]
Retail sales show signs of recovery after summer washout September 22, 2023 Retail sales volumes rose by 0.4 per cent in August 2023, partially recovering from a fall of 1.1 per cent in July 2023, new government figures show. Non-food stores sales volumes grew by 0.6 per cent in August 2023, following a fall of 1.2 per cent in July 2023 when unseasonable rainy weather drove shoppers [...]
High street struggles: 2,000 local stores, pubs and hairdressers wiped away this year September 21, 2023 Nearly 2,000 independent local stores were left vacant in the first half of this year, as the cost of living crisis continues to eat away at the health of the high street and small businesses. Some 1,915 independent businesses on high streets, retail parks and shopping centres closed in the first leg of this year, marking [...]
Christmas cheer not enough to save pubs from winter pain, sector warns September 21, 2023 A festive boost in trading this Christmas will not be enough to save the UK pubs industry, sector heads have warned.
Wilko: Union calls for former boss to face MPs over £56m pension pot hole September 20, 2023 The union representing Wilko workers called for Lisa Wilkinson to answer questions about a £53m hole in its pension pot.
How Brits (and businesses) fell in love with the humble retail park September 20, 2023 On the outskirts of every bustling town and city lies the reliable, yet boring, retail park. But, as dull as they may be, retail parks are having their moment in the sun.
Till sales surge as retailers boosted by sunny September and back to school deals September 19, 2023 A bout of unusually hot weather in early September helped hike grocery sales at UK supermarkets, with total till sales surging 10.3 per cent in the last four weeks ending 9 September. According to data from NIQ, the figure rose up from 7.2 per cent during the wet July and early August, which deterred shoppers [...]
Kingfisher: Profit warning at B&Q owner as economy bites September 19, 2023 Kingfisher: Profit warning at B&Q owner as economy bites
Wilko: High street chain collapsed owing £400m to creditors September 15, 2023 Wilko collapsed with a well over £400m gap in its finances, according to documents published on Companies House, including £157.3m owed to trade creditors. The reports, first published by The Grocer, show that the high street chain owed £411m to unsecured creditors, and a further £25.8m was owed to HMRC. Some of the creditors included [...]
Supermarkets hike prices to make loyalty card customers feel like they are getting a discount, new study claims September 15, 2023 Supermarkets such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s could be hiking their ‘regular’ prices to make loyalty scheme customers feel they are getting a discount, according to a new report by Which. The consumer choice group analysed 141 Clubcard and Nectar card prices at Tesco and Sainsbury’s and tracked their pricing history back six months. According to [...]