FTSE 100 Live: Vodafone shares lead blue-chip rally; Unemployment rises Economics Good morning from the City AM liveblog team. What are you looking forward to more – Black Friday or Budget day? They are two vital days that UK retailers are bracing for in this month’s calendar, both of which can provide a major boost to firms – or crushing disappointment. Retail sales today show another [...]
AI-assisted shopping starts to go mainstream Retail The promised AI revolution in shopping is starting to materialise, with shoppers increasingly trusting agents for personal recommendations ahead of the festive season. Traffic to retail sites from AI tools is expected to surge fivefold year-over-year, with particular boosts on Cyber Monday and Black Friday, according to Adobe. “Traditional models of how consumers react with [...]
Retail in 2025: The year of personalisation, AI, wellness – and no more barcodes Retail 2024 has been a tough year for retail. From companies sounding the alarm on business rates in the first half of the year to low consumer confidence and footfall proving stickier than expected, the festive period has now been overshadowed by stark warnings about further cost rises next year. Restructuring partner at RSM UK, Gordon [...]
UK adults spent more on Black Friday than they invested the entire year. Something’s gone wrong! December 6, 2024 When the average UK adult spends more on Black Friday than they invest in an entire year, it’s clear we’re losing the battle for consumer attention.
Black Friday: Retailers look to cash in as early spending surges November 29, 2024 Black Friday spending is up by more than a fifth as Brits look to find deals online and on the high street, according to early data. The discount day last year was the busiest shopping day on record for Nationwide customers, and the lender said by 9am spending was up 21 per cent compared to [...]
Black Friday is letting small retailers suffer November 29, 2024 Consumers say they want to support small businesses, but Black Friday tells a different story, writes Holly Tucker in today's Notebook.
Retailers pin hopes on Black Friday and Christmas after footfall tumbles November 29, 2024 The holiday season could bring much more than some festive cheer this year.
Black Friday TV deals: Save on Sky Sports, TNT Sports, Amazon and more November 28, 2024 Watching sport on TV in the UK can be eye-wateringly expensive – accessing all the available Premier League games costs a minimum of £740 for a whole football season – but Black Friday sport subscription deals could bring that cost down. If you need to watch absolutely all of the football, such as the Nations [...]
The Debate: Is Black Friday actually good for business? November 28, 2024 As a tumultuous year for retail draws to an end, the next five weeks are arguably the most important for UK retailers. With consumer confidence remaining unsettled, many retailers are reportedly hopeful that the upcoming Black Friday sales will give them the boost they need to meet their targets. However, consumers are increasingly savvy about [...]
Black Friday: Amazon workers to strike on one of busiest retail days of the year November 25, 2024 Amazon workers in more than 30 countries, including the UK and US, will strike this Black Friday in a protest against the labour practices of the tech giant. The strike, coordinated by the Make Amazon Pay campaign, is the fourth consecutive year of organised action. Protests will also take place in major cities in dozens [...]