Sharp increase in retail sales amid ‘subdued’ outlook due to inflation – but is there a ‘chink of light’ with Easter holidays? March 24, 2023 British retail sales grew sharply last month compared to pre-pandemic levels, but price increases continue to deliver a “subdued” longer-term outlook. Sales volumes are thought to have increased by 1.2 per cent in February after a rise of 0.9 per cent in January, suggesting the industry is recovering from the pandemic well. Industry figures are [...]
Cost of living squeeze deals financial crisis level blow to Brits’ optimism April 4, 2022 Brits’ optimism is eroding at the fastest pace since the financial crisis amid the tightest cost of living squeeze in a generation, reveals a closely watched survey released today. A combination of inflation scaling to its highest rate in three decades, tax hikes, swelling energy bills and weak wage growth have bound together to deal [...]
Sales slow at J D Wetherspoon as costs rocket and punters dip May 4, 2022 Sales at J D Wetherspoon dipped four per cent in the third quarter as the pub group struggles to keep pace with pre-pandemic levels.
Brits turn to criminality as living costs skyrocket: 15 people added to insurance fraud register every day July 26, 2022 Around 15 people are being added to an insurance fraud register every day amid concerns that more could be tempted into criminality as living costs rise. The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) said it has seen a 17 per cent increase in people being added to the Insurance Fraud Register (IFR). The IFR is a national [...]
London house prices grow in December with UK homes falling, but 2023 set to bring good news for property owners January 6, 2023 London’s average property price grew by almost 3 per cent, while the average UK home fell 1.5 per cent between November and December 2022. The average property actually rose two per cent when compared with the same month in 2021, according to the latest Halifax house price data, while annual rate of house price growth [...]
Asos warns profit will be hit as shoppers return more clothes amid cost of living crunch June 16, 2022 Asos has warned it is expecting lower profit this year after an increase in customers returning clothes due to the pressures of higher living costs. Asos lowered forecasts for the year, with sales anticipated to be in the range of four per cent and seven per cent, which it put down to “market volatility and [...]
Quilter boss: Why Westminster needs to keep its ‘tinkering’ hands off the City May 2, 2024 Every week, Charlie Conchie sits down with the biggest movers and shakers in financial services. This week it’s Steven Levin, chief executive of wealth manager Quilter
The Notebook: Jimmy McLoughlin on ChatGPT, a healthy EY boss and the Scotch industry January 25, 2023 The political aide turned podcast host riffs on ChatGPT, the Scotch industry and RSVPs to the party of the year
Ovo Energy says sorry after it tells customers to do star jumps and cuddle pets to cut down bills January 11, 2022 Ovo Energy has apologised after it advised customers to do star jumps, cuddle pets and eat porridge to cut down energy bills and stay warm.
Red Wall Conservative voters will abandon Johnson if he backs down on net zero April 25, 2022 Barely two years have passed since Parliament unanimously introduced the world’s first legal commitment to deliver net zero carbon emissions by 2050. But with energy prices rising and cost of living pressures tightening, some on the right wing of politics – from Nigel Farage to Steve Baker – are leading a rearguard action to overturn [...]