Interest rate hikes triggers house price fall and analysts think there’s further to go June 1, 2023 House prices remain below their August peak as demand softens following a spike in interest in early spring. The annual rate of house price growth slipped back to -3.4 per cent from -2.7 per cent in April, figures from Nationwide show, as the Bank of England’s decision to hike interest rates rattled buyers confidence. In [...]
Bumper Bank Holiday drives footfall levels up June 1, 2023 Bumper bank holidays in May helped hike footfall levels as work-free Brits flocked to the high streets to drink and shop in a welcomed boost for businesses. Footfall over the last month climbed 3.6 per cent, the second month in a row in which levels have risen following a 3.3 per cent jump in April, [...]
Supermarkets scramble to cut diesel pump prices amid watchdog probe June 1, 2023 Supermarkets are rushing to cut the cost of diesel after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced a probe into whether a “failure in competition” between supermarkets is leaving Brits paying more than they should be at the pumps. According to RAC analysis, major retailers have “quickened the pace” of diesel cuts, with the average [...]
House sales drop by almost a third as market braces for slowdown in mortgage approvals May 31, 2023 The number of houses sold in the UK has fallen by almost a third as the market struggles to upkeep the momentum from a surge in sales at the start of spring. UK residential transactions fell 32 per cent in April with 67,220 homes sold, figures from HMRC show, 32 per cent lower than April [...]
It has to be Heinz? Not in this economy, till reports suggest May 31, 2023 Shoppers are continuing to switch to supermarket ketchup, milk and cereal own-brands to cut down on spending amidst the cost of living crisis. Volume sales in store branded products surged 63.3 per cent in the fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) category during May, figures by consumer intelligence company NIQ show. Food prices have surged since [...]
Slowing UK economy appears good news for discount retailer B&M May 31, 2023 Brits seeking out bargains has helped drive B&M customer numbers up every month since June, as the group plans to roll out 30 more stores across the UK to up keep demand. For the year, the budget chain, which sells homewares and food, gained revenues of £4.9bn up from £4.6bn, as the group improved its [...]
Global travel and weak pound fuels London prime property recovery amid fears of Labour stamp duty plans May 30, 2023 The return to global travel and the weak pound helped the fuel recovery of London’s prime property market in the first third of 2023. Data by estate agents Knight Frank, shows that sales on luxury pads above the five million pound price point are up 40 per cent compared to the same period last year [...]
Issa Brothers double-up Asda and EG Group to create forecourts giant May 30, 2023 Asda has confirmed plans to acquire the UK and Ireland division of petrol giant EG in a deal that will create a UK consumer giant with £30bn-worth of revenues a year. The supermarket, which is headed by the billionaire Issa brothers, has purchased the brothers’ other business, the EG Group, for £2.27bn. Asda is now [...]
Unilever CFO departs ahead of new CEO’s arrival May 30, 2023 Unilever has announced a shake up at the top with both its chief financial officer and chief digital and commercial officer departing their roles just weeks before new CEO Hein Schumacher takes the reins. Graeme Pitkethly, who headed the consumer goods giant’s finances, is retiring after 21 year at the business. He will retire from [...]
Are gone-off goods the answer to the cost of living crisis? May 30, 2023 An online grocery store which sells goods that would otherwise be sent to landfill is growing in popularity in the UK, as cash-strapped Brits search for new ways to save money amid the cost of living crisis. “I think there’s a lot of focus on price at the moment… and we can cater for something [...]