Discounts push retail footfall to first January rise in nearly a decade February 6, 2025 Retail footfall rose year on year in January for the first time since 2016, although the boost was likely due to Brits delaying festive spending in favour of discounted goods in the new year sales. Footfall rose by 1.4 per cent in January 2025 compared to 2024 in all UK retail destinations, according to data [...]
‘Nothing off the table’: Public spending cuts to be ‘ruthless’, cabinet warned January 13, 2025 Public spending cuts are set to be “ruthless”, the Treasury has reportedly warned cabinet ministers. Departments will have to make “difficult” decisions on their budget priorities, according to an internal letter from No11 about the spending review, the Telegraph reported. While the Prime Minister’s official spokesman confirmed “there’s nothing off the table when it comes [...]
Rachel Reeves eyeing spending cuts in spring January 10, 2025 Rachel Reeves is considering cutting departmental spending as UK borrowing costs soar, despite risks it could “dampen” activity and “further dent anaemic” growth. The Chancellor is said to be eyeing further reductions to unprotected government departments’ budgets after she ruled out additional tax rises or more borrowing to avoid breaking her fiscal rules following the [...]
Households cut back on spending at fastest pace in five years December 3, 2024 According to figures published by Barclays, essential spending fell by 3.1 per cent in November, the sharpest monthly fall since 2019.
Gen Z are leading the way on luxury spirits November 27, 2024 For a generation who famously do not drink as much as their parents or grandparents, unlocking the spending habits of Generation Z on alcohol occupies a remarkable amount of brands’ time. For spirits brand Diageo, who own brands like Johnnie Walker whiskey and Don Julio tequila, the answer can be found in the post-pandemic shift [...]
Hospitality firms are bracing for the return of inflation November 21, 2024 October’s inflation figure has worried hospitality firms. While it is not too far above target – 2.3 per cent versus the sweet spot of two per cent – and one month does not constitute a trend, it has exacerbated concerns companies already had about the future of their industry. There are two reasons hospitality is [...]
Burberry, LVMH and Kering: Rebound of travel and China to boost luxury market October 22, 2024 Analysts have stressed the problems in the luxury market are cyclical, not structural, and predicted an upswing at brands like Burberry, LVMH and Kering as international travel looks set to rebound past pre-pandemic levels. The downturn in the luxury market, which has been suffering from the cost-of-living crisis in the West and a slowdown in [...]
The threat of higher taxes is already harming growth October 9, 2024 An important reason why there was zero growth in June and July is that households are saving bigger proportions of their incomes, says Paul Ormerod The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, had made no secret of her desire to make economic growth her top policy objective. She reinforced the message this week in an interview with the [...]
Oasis tickets and discounts ensure September spending doesn’t slide away October 8, 2024 Retail sales in the UK have held up despite a dip in confidence, driven by widespread discounts and a spike in entertainment spending after Oasis‘ tickets went on sale. Consumer card spending increased 1.2 per cent year on year in September, after returning to growth in August, according to data from Barclays. Discounting pushed spending [...]
‘Turbulent few months’ ahead for retailers as low consumer confidence lingers September 26, 2024 One of the UK’s largest retail bodies has warned that retailers could suffer in the next few months during the run-up to Christmas, due to a lack of consumer confidence in the economy. Confidence slumped in September, with an increasing number of Brits saying they expected the UK economy to get worse over the next [...]