Healey urged to cut business costs as consumer confidence slips Economics Retailers have called on John Healey to slash the “burdensome” costs of doing business at the Budget next month, warning that consumer confidence will continue to stumble without urgent action. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents top retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer, has urged the Chancellor to tackle the “triple blow” [...]
Staff would turn down promotion to keep flexibility at work Retail Half of the UK’s part-time staff would turn down a promotion if it meant losing the flexibility of their current role, according to fresh polling, leading industry chiefs to warn against an overzealous crackdown on agile working. The Yougov data, commissioned by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and shared exclusively with City AM, found exactly [...]
Retail sales jump as third-warmest May on record sends Brits to the high street Retail UK retail sales climbed in May, as consumers flocked back to the high street amid the heatwave and showed sustained demand for new electronic products. Retail sales volumes are estimated to have increased by 1.2 per cent in May, following a 1 per cent fall in April as fears over the Iran war caused Brits [...]
Podcast: Nvidia chief dismisses tech sell-off, Brewdog founder promises comeback, Hamilton calls for no more billionaires June 9, 2026 In today’s episode of City AM’s Business As Usual podcast, we get stuck in the top stories of the day – from a catastrophic start to the week in the Asian markets to the ex-reality TV star making a killing off non-alcoholic spirits. City Editor Simon Hunt gives his round up on the major business [...]
British American Tobacco shares slide as cigarette volumes decline June 2, 2026 British American Tobacco suffered a fall in share price in early morning trading, as investors opted to take profits despite updated revenue growth for the full financial year. Shares slipped 2.9 per cent to 4,447.3p, as investors ignored growth in its new category business and US momentum for declining cigarette volumes. Global cigarette industry volume [...]
Food industry warns of inflation ‘calm before the storm’ March 25, 2026 Food and retail bosses have warned the fall in food inflation is the “calm before the storm,” as business brace for the Iran war to push up energy costs. Trade body Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said Wednesday’s drop in food inflation – from 3.6 to 3.3 per cent year on year – could be [...]
Fortress prepares to offload Majestic Wine March 21, 2026 The owner of Britain’s biggest specialist wine retailer are drawing up plans to offload the retailer nearly seven years after its operations were bought out of its London-listed company. Fortress Investment Group is in the early stages of preparing to launch a sale of Majestic Wine, which it took control of in 2019, according to [...]
Removing UK’s tariff exemption could hurt small businesses, trade body warns March 8, 2026 Removing the UK’s tariff exemption for low value imports could risk pushing up prices, reduce trade intensity and damage small businesses, a leading trade body has warned. The British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) warning comes amid the government considering the move after the US removed its ‘de minimis’ exemption for certain commercial shipments. The EU [...]
Monsoon CEO: high streets will pay the price for mishandled jobs reform March 6, 2026 Retail supports better pay and conditions for employees, but with labour costs rising and declining footfall, a poorly implemented Employment Rights Act will do harm than good, says Nick Stowe You might not have thought it, but we are seeing some of the best retail ever emerging in parts of the UK, from major shopping [...]
Primark appoints Eoin Tonge as chief executive March 5, 2026 Fast fashion juggernaut Primark has appointed a new chief executive, as the company looks to tighten its product offerings and bolster marketing firepower. Primark owner Associated British Foods (ABF) appointed Eoin Tonge permanent chief executive on Thursday, cementing him in the top job following his tenure as interim chief. Tonge has served as a director [...]