Food price inflation slows as world commodities spike ends May 7, 2012 PRICE pressures on consumers eased in April as food price inflation slowed sharply and non-food prices fell for the third consecutive month, industry data showed today. Food prices were 4.3 per cent higher than in the same month of 2011, down from the 5.4 per cent rise recorded in March, according to the British Retail [...]
Union aims fire at relaxation of opening hours for the Olympics April 30, 2012 A TRADE union has lashed out at government plans to liberalise Sunday trading laws during the Olympics, saying that shop staff would be forced into working longer and less sociable hours – an argument dismissed by retailers. The Usdaw union has said plans to allow wider Sunday trading for eight weeks, starting from 22 July, [...]
Business world wins praise in the honours list June 17, 2012 CARPHONE Warehouse founder Charles Dunstone was the sole business leader awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s birthday honours for 2012, announced over the weekend, in a year that saw industry and economic leaders garner just 12 per cent of accolades, down more than a full percentage point from 2011. However, Sir John Parker, chairman of [...]
Shops hit out at plans to force cigarettes into plain packaging April 15, 2012 BRITISH retailers have reacted angrily to a government plan to force tobacco products to be sold in plain packaging, labeling it “crazy”. The legislation would make the recent costly ban on tobacco display redundant, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said. The BRC’s Andrew Opie hit out: “Having just forced large retailers to spend almost [...]
FTSE jumps as Chinese rate cut and UK services stats hearten traders June 7, 2012 BRITAIN’S top shares hit a three-week high yesterday as China’s surprise move to cut interest rates and firm UK services sector data boosted investors’ appetite for risk, although charts signalled strong resistance on the way up. German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s comments that her country stood ready to use the existing instruments already created in the [...]
Minimum wage rise kept down to help firms hire March 19, 2012 THE MINIMUM wage will be increased in October for most workers, the government announced yesterday – but those under the age of 21 will not see their pay rise as ministers fear it could price them out of the labour market. Adults aged 21 or over must be paid at least £6.19 per hour from [...]
The week ahead could offer signs of recovery April 9, 2012 THE Easter Bank Holiday may have shortened the week, but the market may not be short on volatility. Given the lack of major economic and corporate announcements, this week, volume could well be below average. However, traders would be unwise to take their eyes off the ball. It is usually at times like these that [...]
Warm weather aided UK retail sales in March April 10, 2012 RETAIL sales continued to recover in March, after the warm weather encouraged consumers to hit the high street for seasonal merchandise, according to industry figures published today. The latest monthly survey from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) showed that total retail sales rose 3.6 per cent in March from the same month last year, and [...]
Retail sales on the rise March 5, 2012 RETAIL sales grew strongly in February, continuing the revival seen in recent months and adding to hopes that UK consumer confidence is returning, according to industry figures published today. Numbers from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) revealed total sales rose 2.3 per cent compared with February 2011, an acceleration from the 2.1 per cent rise [...]
UK inflation rises April 17, 2012 British inflation ticked up in March, driven by higher food and clothing prices and reinforcing expectations the Bank of England will not inject more stimulus into the economy next month. The Bank of England and the government have been hoping that falling price pressures will ease the squeeze on Britons’ budgets and boost consumer spending. [...]