Cost of living overwhelmingly top concern for UK public, poll finds May 17, 2023 The cost of living crisis continues to be the top concern for Britain’s voters, a new poll has found. Pollsters at More in Common (MiC) found 75 per cent of those surveyed cited the cost of living crisis as their number one priority that the government should address. Only 44 per cent said supporting the [...]
Hospitality: BoE interest rates hike could ‘significantly impact businesses’ May 11, 2023 The hospitality sector has expressed concerns that the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates could “significantly impact business viability,” as the interest rates on loans many pubs and restaurants took out to survive the pandemic are now set to rise. “Hospitality was the business sector most affected by the pandemic, with a large [...]
Supermarkets do butter to ease soaring prices for shoppers May 10, 2023 The price of a slice of toast with butter is about to get cheaper as some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets have slashed the price of the kitchen staples following criticism over high prices. Sainsbury’s said that as commodity prices started to fall on wheat and butter, it is now able to reduce the price [...]
Bring me sunshine! Retailers hit by grim April weather as economy held back by the rain May 9, 2023 Retailers continued to be bruised by soaring inflation and poor weather conditions in April, as the sector holds out hope for summer to give a much needed boost in sales. Data by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed that while retail sales rose slightly over five per cent during the month, overall inflation meant that [...]
UP THE JUNCTION: Why Clapham’s pubs seem to be recession-proof May 8, 2023 Few London neighbourhoods can stir up conversation like Clapham does. Known for its cringey nightclubs and spawning array of trendy coffee shops, the region has long served as a first home for junior account execs and recruiters arriving in the capital to begin their careers and get a taste of city life. It’s also got [...]
House prices rise for the first time in seven months but analysts still expect a rough ride May 2, 2023 The housing market showed “tentative” signs of recovery in April as the price of homes rose 0.5 per cent during the month, however prices remain four per cent below their August 2022 peak. The Nationwide house price index showed that the annual rate of house price growth improved to -2.7 per cent from -3.1 per [...]
Coffee beans and ready meals send food inflation soaring yet again – and peak is yet to come May 2, 2023 Food inflation reached new highs in April soaring 15.7 per cent, according to new data, with the cost of convenience food such as ready meals and coffee beans increasing due to supply chain woes. While shop price inflation fell slightly by one per cent in the month to 8.8 per cent, food prices remained at [...]
Heineken: Beer giant shows love for local pubs with £40m injection May 1, 2023 Heineken will invest £40m into 570 pubs it owns within its hospitality business, as the beer giant looks to show support for local boozers amidst the cost of living criss. Almost a quarter of businesses within its Star Bar & Pub group will receive the boost – with 100 of these scheduled for revamps averaging [...]
Coronation: How much will it be worth to the West End? April 30, 2023 Retail and hospitality businesses across London’s West-End are gearing up for a £50m boost during the Coronation weekend, as a flock of tourists will help temporarily relieve inflationary and cost of living woes. According to figures from New West End Company, which represents 600 retail, restaurant, hotel and property owners spanning from Bond Street to [...]
Sainsbury’s profits takes inflation and cost of living hit as supermarket faces stark choice April 27, 2023 In its full year results for the year ending 4 March 2023, Sainsbury’s pre tax profits fell from £854m to £327m as the retailer battled to keep its pole position as one of the UK’s largest supermarkets. The supermarket giant said it was impacted by non-cash asset impairments, driven by a higher discount rate, and [...]