Retail: Sixth wettest March on record dampens sales as shoppers’ fail to weather inflation hike April 21, 2023 Retail sales fell 0.9 per cent in March as wet weather conditions and high inflation hit consumer spending during the month. Despite Mother’s Day falling within the month retail, non-food sales such as clothing and homeware, fell by 1.3 per cent as the sixth wettest March on record since 1836 deterred shoppers from hitting the [...]
No break for Brits as inflation pushes the cost of kitchen staples by 80 per cent April 18, 2023 Brits are yet to receive a break from soaring food prices as the price of cheddar cheese, sliced white bread and porridge oats are up to 80 per cent more expensive than a year ago. As inflation reached record highs due to the war in Ukraine, consumers were forced to fork out more for kitchen [...]
Quiz takes a dressing down as fashion retailer sounds warning over cost of living April 17, 2023 High street retailer Quiz blamed high inflation and a knock in consumer confidence for a dip in like-for-like revenues during the first two months of the year. The clothing brand sounded a note of optimism, stating its trading remained consistent with that of pre-pandemic levels. The London-listed retailer’s group revenue rose 17 per cent to [...]
Coalition of 15 investors with total assets of £2.4trn plead with firms to protect lowest-paid workers April 14, 2023 A coalition of investors are demanding that businesses take “decisive action” to protect their lowest paid workers during the cost of living crisis. The coalition, which includes 15 investors with a combined £2.4trn in assets under management, argued that the lowest-paid workers are “disproportionately impacted by the rising cost of living.” Companies should ensure that [...]
Shoppers head to frozen food aisles to quell ‘sizzling hot’ inflation hit April 14, 2023 Shoppers are opting for frozen meat and meals like pizza and chips as food price inflation continues to add hundreds of pounds to households’ grocery shops. New figures from research firm Kantar showed frozen food sales were ticking up in British supermarkets. Frozen poultry like chicken and game meats increased in the three months to [...]
Tesco hit by inflation and supermarket war with Aldi and Lidl as profit down almost seven per cent April 13, 2023 Tesco, Britain’s biggest supermarket, was hit hard by consumers tightening their belts during the cost of living crisis, as it reported its operating profit was down almost seven per cent on last year. The London-listed chain said its profit was £2,6bn for the year to the end of February which was down 6.9 per cent [...]
Air fryers and coffee machines send white goods retailer’s shares soaring April 12, 2023 Shares in Marks Electrical soared over seven per cent this morning after the online white goods retailer posted a 21.5 per cent rise in revenues. Despite an ongoing cost of living crisis, consumers splashing out smaller electrical appliances such as air fryers helped hike revenues up to £97.8m compared to £80.5m the prior year. In [...]
Retail sector pins hopes on King’s coronation to lift sales April 12, 2023 Shoppers put cost of living fears behind them as they splashed out on Mother Day gifts in March, helping to slightly boost retail sales, but damp weather and soaring inflation has left the sector holding out for the King’s coronation in May to see a “larger uptick” in sales. According to data by the British [...]
Netflix and starve: Cash strapped Brits cut back on groceries and spend more on TV subscriptions April 11, 2023 Cash strapped Brits have cut back on grocery shopping and dining out last month, but spent more on streaming services services Netflix. Consumer card spending grew just 4.0 per cent year-on-year in March, less than half of the latest inflation rate of 9.2 per cent, as the cost of living crisis drives consumers to cut [...]
Brits embrace ‘value’ fun as Hollywood Bowl’s revenue up 11 per cent and outlook raised April 11, 2023 Bowling operator Hollywood Bowl has lifted its outlook for the rest of the year after a 11 per cent increase in revenue, as Brits turned to the affordable activity in the cost of living crisis. The leisure business, which operates across the UK and Canada, said group revenue in the six months to March 2023 [...]