3 d. ago UK households cut spending at fastest pace in almost five years, says Barclays

Bank reports 1.1% drop in card spending despite Black Friday boost for retailersUK households cut back on spending at the fastest pace in almost five years last month as consumers put Christmas shopping on hold, according to a leading survey.Adding to concerns that uncertainty surrounding the budget has helped dampen consumer confidence, Barclays said card spending fell 1.1% year on year in November – the largest fall since February 2021. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Revellers say they will drink less this festive season – as soaring costs and ‘drinkflation’ hits pockets

REVELLERS will spend less cash on booze over the festive period as consumer confidence remains muted, a study shows. Nearly four in ten people expect to drink less than usual over Christmas which rises to just under half for 18-34 year-olds. A report by Barclays reveals that of those knocking back less alcohol some 27...

Events

6 d. ago Tesla cuts Model 3 price in Europe as sales slide amid Musk backlash

CEO Elon Musk says lower-cost electric car will reignite demand by appealing to broader range of buyersTesla has launched the lower-priced version of its Model 3 car in Europe in a push to revive sales after a backlash against Elon Musk’s work with Donald Trump and weakening demand for electric vehicles.Musk, the electric car maker’s chief executive, has argued that the cheaper option, launched in the US in October, will reinvigorate demand by appealing to a wider range of buyers. Continue reading...

Economics

6 d. ago Tesla launches cheaper version of Model 3 in Europe amid Musk sales backlash

CEO Elon Musk says lower-cost electric car will reignite demand by appealing to broader range of buyersTesla has launched the lower-priced version of its Model 3 car in Europe in a push to revive sales after a backlash against Elon Musk’s work with Donald Trump and weakening demand for electric vehicles.Musk, the electric car maker’s chief executive, has argued that the cheaper option, launched in the US in October, will reinvigorate demand by appealing to a wider range of buyers. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Majority of shoppers prefer small businesses to big retailers

Low consumer confidence, tax changes and higher labour costs are all making it harder for small businesses to operate in a struggling economy.

Economics

7 d. ago Frasers warns of 'very subdued' consumer spending after gloomy Budget

Sport's Direct owner Frasers has said consumer confidence is 'very subdued' amid post Budget gloom on the High Street.

Events

1 week ago Shop price increases ease amid hopes of Christmas boost to consumer confidence

Overall shop prices were 0.6% higher than a year ago last month, down from 1% in October, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor.

Economics

1 week ago Photos capture enduring enthusiasm for Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year

Black Friday kicked off the holiday shopping season with enthusiasm, despite consumer confidence in the U.S. economy falling this month in the aftermath of the federal government shutdown, weak hiring and stubborn inflation.

Economics

2 w. ago Christmas market traders are forced to push their prices up to make a profit due to the eye

It's that time of year again, when UK cities are packed with stalls selling Christmas wares, from mulled wine to crafty gifts. But how much do vendors have to pay for their stalls?

Economics

2 w. ago Grim retail sales data fuels concerns about health of US economy

Consumer confidence drops to second-lowest level since pandemic as inflation lingers

Economics

2 w. ago Consumer confidence slides as Americans grow wary of high costs and sluggish job gains

U.S. consumers were much less confident in the economy in November in the aftermath of the government shutdown and amid weak hiring and stubborn inflation

Economics

2 w. ago Falling stock markets and high shop prices push US consumer confidence down; bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Economics

2 w. ago Markets on track for worst week since April, and bitcoin hits nine

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsShares are falling faster than wickets in Perth at the start of trading in London, as fears of an AI bubble rip through markets again.Following losses on Wall Street last night, the FTSE 100 share index has dropped by 104 points, or just over 1%, at the start of trading to 9423 points. That’s a one-month low.it’s been a truly remarkable 24 hours, with a sequence of moves that were almost impossible to predict .After the world’s largest company reported spectacular results, the stock was up around +5% by 3pm London time. It closed down -3.15%. The broader market followed a similar pattern: the S&P 500 initially climbed +1.93%, only to fade and close down -1.56% as doubts about AI valuations crept back in. That marked the biggest intra-day swing for the S&P since the six days of extreme market turmoil that followed the Liberation Day tariffs in early April. Adding to the negative backdrop for crypto were lingering quest...

Events

2 w. ago Retail sales fall unexpectedly in October amid Budget hit to consumer confidence

Official figures showed retail sales by volume fell 1.1% during October, following an upwardly revised increase of 0.7% in September.

Economics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 November: Markets lower as Bitcoin slide continues, retail sales slump

The last major economic releases before the Budget today added to pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Economics

2 w. ago Levies push up energy price cap despite fall in wholesale costs

Ofgem nudges up price cap after Labour election pledge to bring down household bills

Economics

2 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 21 November: Index lower after US reverse, Bitcoin slide continues

The last major economic releases before the Budget today added to pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Politics

3 w. ago UK consumer confidence drops as public braces for a ‘difficult’ Budget

Households are pessimistic about their own spending and the country’s economic outlook

Politics

3 w. ago Budget 2025: Consumer confidence falls as speculation ramps up

Budget 2025: Consumer confidence falls as speculation ramps up - but London mayor welcomes major rail investment  Sky News

Politics