Violence on the streets has a long tail in terms of stability August 12, 2024 Starmer has built his vision on stability - but the riots could undermine all that, writes Eliot Wilson
Sainsbury’s results: Will efforts to keep prices low pay off? July 3, 2023 Investors will turn their focus to Sainsbury’s first quarter trading update on Tuesday to see how shoppers are reacting to the impact of food inflation amid the cost of living crisis. The supermarket is expected to post a jump in revenues driven by higher grocery sales over the quarter to June. Analysts at Shore and [...]
New laws don’t stop crime April 12, 2024 Politicians love creating specific new offences to look like they’re tackling a problem, but all it does is make the statute book more complicated without addressing the root of the problem, says Eliot Wilson Retail employees should be safe in their place of work, under the protection of the law. That goes without saying, and [...]
Could Mega May save retail? Hopes are riding high on King’s coronation and bumper May Day bank holiday boost April 21, 2023 Could the coronation of King Charles III help lift the UK’s post-Covid retail industry? Our retail reporter Laura McGuire finds out. March has proved to be another challenging month for the retail industry as sales fell 0.9 per cent due to soaring living costs and the third wettest March in history. However, with Royal celebrations [...]
Retail sales tumble to a rate ‘not seen since depths of pandemic’ amid cost of living crisis July 12, 2022 Retail sales volumes are plunging by a rate not seen since the darkest days of Covid lockdowns, as industry voices have warned businesses will struggle amid historic inflation. Total sales dropped by one per cent in June, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG retail sales monitor for the five weeks to 2 [...]
High street firms face ‘battle’ to recruit staff after labour pool shrinks October 18, 2022 High street businesses are facing a “battle” to recruit staff against the backdrop of a shrinking workforce, with many workers having left the country or unable to work due to sickness. Industry chiefs lamented the vacancy crisis facing businesses ranging from retailers to restaurants to care homes at a committee meeting of the economic affairs [...]
Sofa seller ScS: Shoppers may splurge on home makeovers instead of moving amid high mortgage rates October 11, 2022 Sofa seller ScS has suggested that some consumers may invest in home makeovers instead of opting to move house amid historically high mortgage rates. The furniture firm posted record sales growth on Tuesday morning but warned of “subdued” trading in recent weeks against a backdrop of household bills increasing. Revenue rose 8.6 per cent from [...]
Moving markets: Five things shaping the FTSE 100 today February 26, 2024 Asian markets were mixed as investors awaited inflation data, while oil prices extended their decline. The week ahead promises a flurry of retail and technology earnings reports, offering insights into sector performance and economic trends.
M&S and Harrods pay tribute to ‘selfless devotion’ of Queen as Selfridges’ stores close September 9, 2022 High street leaders have paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, remembering her “comfort, leadership and steadfastness”. The Queen passed away yesterday at Balmoral Castle, after a reign spanning seven decades, aged 96. Luxury department store Selfridges announced its stores in London, Manchester and Birmingham would remain closed on Friday out of respect. The stores [...]
Brits swap pub for nights in as inflation deals heavy blow to finances October 11, 2022 Brits are responding to the cost of living crunch by ditching the pub for nights in to save money, a survey published today revealed. Consumer spending grew at the slowest rate since February 2021 over the last month, jumping 1.8 per cent over the year to September, Barclaycard said. Inflation has hovered around a 40-year [...]