No Christmas cheer for struggling high streets December 15, 2013 HIGH street stores are failing to benefit from stronger economic confidence and higher consumer spending in the run up to Christmas, with footfall below last year’s level. According to worrying figures released this morning by Springboard and the British Retail Consortium (BRC), high street footfall this November was down 4.2 per cent on the same [...]
Here’s how we’re changing our spending habits in post-crisis Britain December 11, 2013 (ONS) Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that households spent an average £489 per week last year. They also show where we scrimped and splurged compared to pre-recession 2006, when average spend was £526.40. (All 2006 and other pre-2012 figures are adjusted for inflation.) Here are some interesting changes: Housing, fuel, [...]
Shop prices fall again to ease Christmas costs December 3, 2013 SHOP prices fell again in November, industry figures showed yesterday, recording the seventh consecutive month of deflation on the high street. Overall prices fell 0.3 per cent compared with the same month of 2012, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said. Food prices increased by 2.3 per cent on the year, but other products saw an overall dip [...]
Italian inflation declines in November November 29, 2013 Inflation data from Italy will do little to alleviate Eurozone deflation concerns. The Italian consumer price index fell 0.4 per cent in November, according to a flash estimate from Istat. Analysts has expected inflation of 0.2 per cent, from October's 0.1 per cent increase. Year-on-year, Italian inflation was 0.6 per cent in November, after expectations [...]
US CPI falls to four-year low of one per cent in October November 20, 2013 CPI in October increased just 1.0 per cent, compared to October 2012 – the smallest 12-month increase since October 2009. Analysts had expected a 1.1 per cent increase, following September's 1.2 per cent rise, which was the smallest gain since April. The drop, says Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics, is unlikely to impact the Fed's [...]
Eurozone consumer price inflation at 47-month low November 15, 2013 Inflation has slowed in the Eurozone in line with analysts expectations, with the consumer price index coming in at 0.7 per cent in October year-on-year. Core inflation was 0.8 per cent for October year-on-year. Eurozone inflation is now at its lowest point since November 2009. The slowdown in inflation will be cause for concern for [...]
Warm weather hits winter clothes sales November 14, 2013 RETAIL sales took a knock in October, official figures showed yesterday, as the mild Autumn hit sales of winter clothes. Sales have been growing steadily as the economy recovers, and analysts believe the 0.7 per cent fall compared with September’s sales will not start a new downward trend. Compared with October 2012, sales were up 2.5 [...]
Surprise fall in UK retail sales hopefully a temporary blip November 14, 2013 UK retail sales suffered a worse than expected fall of 0.7 per cent in October. Analysts had expected retail sales to remain in line with figures seen in September. Capital Economics' UK economist, Mark Beck, comments: Overall, with recent data showing a robust labour market and October’s faster than expected fall in inflation easing the [...]
Stronger growth points to review of the Bank’s forward guidance policy November 13, 2013 THE UK economy is looking up – it’s official! The Bank of England delivered a hat-trick of good economic news yesterday in its latest Inflation Report projections. Economic growth is looking stronger, inflation is coming down more quickly than expected, and unemployment is now projected to be lower than in the previous forecast in August. [...]
What the other papers say this morning – 13 November 2013 November 12, 2013 FINANCIAL TIMES Forex probe widens to 15 banks The global probe into foreign exchange manipulation has widened to include 15 of the world’s biggest banks and some of the most actively traded currencies, as lenders scramble to help authorities in exchange for leniency. The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority – one of seven regulators handling the [...]