Why high oil prices could plunge world into recession by the summer March 30, 2026 The world economy is heading for a “rare” recession in the middle of this year as a prolonged war seems likely amid the prospect of US troops heading to the Middle East. Economists have warned that activity will fall in the middle of the year if oil prices surge to $150 per barrel and remain [...]
Just Eat and Autotrader face fake reviews investigation March 27, 2026 Just Eat and Autotrader are among five firms being probed by the competition watchdog as it uses new fake review rules to crack down on businesses. The food delivery firm’s ratings system may have inflated the star ratings of some restaurants and grocers, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), while the used car [...]
Tesco beats Clubcard copycats to claim loyalty scheme crown March 27, 2026 Tesco’s beloved Clubcard has triumphed against rivals Sainsbury’s and Greggs to be named the country’s most valued loyalty scheme. The supermarket giant’s Clubcard is the UK’s most effective, according to an index by software firm HyperFinity which polled Brits on the value, customer satisfaction and rewards offered by loyalty schemes at more than 50 retailers. [...]
Retail sales fall as Brits cut back on supermarket spending March 27, 2026 Retail sales fell in February, as low spending in food and household goods stores could not offset the strong performance of online sellers. The quantity of goods bought in February fell by 0.4 per cent, down from the surprise two per cent rise in January, which was revised up from 1.8 per cent, according to [...]
Consumer confidence collapses as Iran war provokes inflation fears March 26, 2026 Brits’ confidence in the state of the economy has plummeted since the outbreak of war in Iran, as shoppers tighten their purse strings amid fears of sharp price rises. Consumer sentiment over the UK’s economy has fallen to its lowest level on record, down from -30 per cent to -53 per cent, according to trade [...]
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 [...]
Inflation stays above Bank of England’s target before Iran war March 25, 2026 Inflation in the year to February remained well above the Bank of England’s target rate in the last piece of price data covering the period before war in the Middle East erupted. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that CPI inflation over the 12 month period was three per cent, staying flat on the [...]
Reeves pledges targeted support as she blasts Liz Truss’ £40bn energy bailout March 24, 2026 Chancellor Rachel Reeves hit out at a Tory government-era energy support package that cost around £40bn in a further indication that any Labour scheme would only be for the poorest households. In an address to the House of Commons, Reeves said there were “contingency plans” being drafted for different scenarios where energy prices stay higher [...]
Not just oil: Fertiliser and helium are at risk in the Strait of Hormuz standoff March 24, 2026 Since the start of the Middle Eastern conflict nearly a month ago, analysts have kept their eyes glued to the latest energy market data. On 2 March, Iran declared the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway which is responsible for shipping roughly one fifth of the world’s oil and gas, was “closed” and oil prices have [...]
The oil crisis isn’t just financial, it’s physical March 24, 2026 Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz isn’t just an economic shock, it’s harming the physical infrastructure that underpins global markets, says Helen Thomas Five years ago this week, the Ever Given ran aground in the Suez Canal, blocking one of the world’s key waterways for six days. Oil prices jumped six per cent as roughly [...]