12 h. ago ‘It makes me sick’: the Amsterdam shops closing because of soaring rents

As Dutch capital prepares to celebrate 750th anniversary, small business owners fear for independent retailThe floral perfume of tea and coffee fills the air in ‘t Zonnetje (The Sun), as – behind the counter – Marie-Louise Velder weighs out loose leaf tea, parcelling black leaves into paper packets. Mahogany-coloured shelves are stacked with pots containing beans from Ethiopia, Java, India, alongside bric-a-brac, such as vintage tea tins and old master-style pictures.But in less than two months, the sun will set for good on this cosy shop in Amsterdam, which was founded in 1642. For the owner, the rent is just too high. Continue reading...

Politics

13 h. ago Major supermarket chain with over 1,000 sites to close store today in blow to shoppers

Local shoppers took to social media to share their frustration on the closure news with many noting that the next nearest Aldi site was around 1.5miles away

Economics

3 d. ago I saved $36,000 by not buying anything new – here are seven reasons you should do the same

Life was genuinely better once I got off the consumerist hamster wheel, and it could be for you tooIn 2013, I thought: “Hey, wouldn’t it be FUN to see if I could buy nothing new for an entire month?” (which, I recognize, is not most people’s idea of fun). And, thus, my no new things challenge was born.At first, the premise scared the crap out of me. I thought I would be chomping at the bit for the one-month mark to arrive. But the challenge welcomed so many incredible benefits and ushered so much ease into my life that I carried on – for nearly two years. Yep, 683 days of shopping my own closet, gifting experiences and thoughtful secondhand finds, outfitting my life with creative upcycles, and thoroughly enjoying an inbox free from constant promotions and receipts. Continue reading...

Economics

3 d. ago IMF warns that trade tensions could test stability of world economy; Reeves ‘confident’ about US trade deal – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Events

3 d. ago US trade war fears drive UK consumer confidence down to record low; Tesla’s European sales fall again – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsDonald Trump’s tariffs will make it harder for Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s car division, Ineos Automotive, to reach its first profit.Ineos Automotive’s CEO, Lynn Calder, told Bloomberg that the US president’s 25% tariff on foreign cars will make it harder to hit the earnings target.“For sure, this last week has put a dent in that and, for sure, delayed it,”“We’re stubborn as mules. We’re not easy to knock down.”“With fieldwork completed just days after Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs, it is unsurprising that consumer expectations for the economy plummeted to a record low. The original tariff schedule, since reduced for most countries, was expected to reduce growth in the UK and elsewhere. Yet despite this economic pessimism, expectations of retail spending rose slightly as the prospect of Easter shopping drew closer.The state of the economy dropped significantly to -48 in April, down from -35 in March.Their personal financial...

Economics

3 d. ago Major discount home store closes down in Scotland as shoppers left 'gutted'

The award-winning discount chain is shuttering two of its Scottish stores, sparking dismay among shoppers

Politics

3 d. ago How much it costs to rent in every Greater Manchester borough as prices continue to soar

The latest average rent in each of the region's 10 boroughs has now been revealed

Economics

4 d. ago 'Really sad news' say shoppers as Costa Coffee closes another high street shop

The coffee shop first opened in Lyme Regis in 2012 after it took over the site from estate agents Fortnam, Smith and Bennett - and now, shoppers have reacted to the news

Economics

4 d. ago Major coffee shop chain with 2,700 stores to close store within days

The UK's biggest coffee chain, with over 2,000 cafes, has confirmed it will close one of its seaside stores, adding to the 10 branches it had already shut last year

Politics

4 d. ago SARAH VINE: Forget tariffs... it's a proper crisis when the tills break down at our beloved M&S!

Not even John Lewis comes close to Marks & Spencer in the hearts of British shoppers, which is why news of its tills ceasing to work over the Easter weekend was so bad for the nation

Events

8 d. ago ‘I love my country but nobody is safe’: the plight of Cameroon’s exiles, trapped in Nigeria

English-speaking minority refugees caught up in clashes between the military and separatists are stranded in neighbouring countryAmid the sound of children excitedly practising a drama for a forthcoming performance, a yam seller calls to passers by with discounts for their wares. Outside a closed graphic design shop overlooking them from a small hill, Solange Ndonga Tibesa tells the story of being uprooted from her homeland in north-west Cameroon.In June 2019 she and other travellers were abducted with her three-month-old baby by secessionists, who accused them of supporting the military. Their captors repeatedly hit them with butts of their guns, keeping them in a forest without food or water. Continue reading...

Politics

1 week ago Are shops and supermarkets open or closed on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday 2025?

Many shops will have to be shut by law on Sunday

Economics

1 week ago JD Sports to close 50 high street stores next year as it announces huge business shake

The popular brand is set for a massive restructure next financial year. Around 150 new stores will open, while roughly 100 will be converted or relocated.

Politics

1 week ago One of Britain's biggest high street shop chains announces it must close 50 stores next year

The popular brand is set for a massive restructure next financial year. Around 150 new stores will open, while roughly 100 will be converted or relocated.

Politics

1 week ago Major charity shop retailer suddenly shuts three branches with another 47 set to close

Well known high street chain has hit serious financial problems

Politics

1 week ago Poundland is shutting 650 of its stores for 24 hours this weekend

Large shops over 280 square meters are required by law to close on Easter Sunday but smaller shops can stay open, although they normally reduce their opening times

Politics

1 week ago Major greetings card retailer looks to shut more shops ahead of two store closures

Despite the major gift card retailer overturning a profit earlier this week, several Clintons shops may be set to close after the company posted a warning about labour tax hikes

Politics

2 w. ago Sadness as huge UK toy chain to close town centre shop in weeks

The Entertainer, which sells toys, puzzles and board games, has hung closing down sale posters in the window of its Barrow-in-Furness shop, which is set to shut for good on May 3

Politics

2 w. ago UK's biggest toy shop chain to shut high street store for good in just a few weeks

The UK's biggest toy store franchise is set to close the doors of one of its beloved high street shops forever – the cherished high street store has been described as an 'asset' to the local community

Politics

2 w. ago Tesco to shut over 800 stores for 24 hours as it issues update for shoppers

Large shops over 280 square meters are required by law to close on Easter Sunday and Tesco is no exception - you can read the latest on its opening times below

Politics