4 d. ago Retail sales rise 1.4% in March as shoppers stock up on big ticket items ahead of tariffs

U.S. shoppers increased their shopping last month, fueled by a spending spree on foreign-made new big ticket items from gadgets to cars before President Donald Trump’s expansive new tariffs started kicking in

Economics

4 d. ago UK inflation falls to 2.6%, increasing pressure on Bank to cut interest rates

March annual rate comes before expected rise because of household bills going up this monthBusiness live – latest updatesUK inflation dropped to 2.6% in March, increasing the pressure on Bank of England policymakers to cut interest rates next month.Prices growth was weak ahead of an expected rise in April as households begin to pay higher council tax and utility bills, as well as an uncertain outlook posed by Donald Trump’s tariff war. Continue reading...

Economics

5 d. ago Warm weather and Mother’s Day spending gives retailers March boost

Total UK retail sales were up 1.1% year on year in March, despite Easter’s later arrival this year, BRC-KPMG figures show.

Events

6 d. ago Car boot culture moves online: Checkout.com reports 127% uplift in pre

The traditional car boot sale – once the spring / summer hallmark of British grassroots retail – is transitioning online, as online platforms are increasingly being used to sell pre-loved items to reach wider audiences and optimise returns. Checkout.com, which processes billions of transactions for thousands of companies that shape the digital economy, has reported a 127% uplift in pre-loved transactions from February to March this year.

Politics

1 week ago Every UK shop where the Nintendo Switch 2 has not yet sold out for pre orders

Nintendo Switch 2 pre orders have flown off the shelves, but shoppers still have options as new UK stock is on the way.

Politics

1 week ago Buy Nintendo Switch 2 as Argos and Very add new stock for in

The new gaming console is back in stock at Very and Argos, but shoppers are advised to act fast

Politics

1 week ago Gold reserves in London vaults rise 0.1% m/m in March, says LBMA

Gold reserves in London vaults rise 0.1% m/m in March, says LBMA  TradingView

Politics

2 w. ago Two popular chocolate bars recalled due to 'possible presence of small stones'

Point of sale notices are being displayed in all retail stores selling the affected Tony's Chocolonely products

Politics

2 w. ago Shoppers 'gutted' as popular Lanarkshire home store announces shock closure

The Home Store + More store at East Kilbride Retail Park is closing with an "everything must go" sale now on.

Events

2 w. ago Incredible moment dad leaps over gap in apartment block's crumbling 600ft

Devoted dad Kwon Young Jun, 36, made the leap as the walkway connecting his block to a neighbouring high-rise collapsed as the 7.7 magnitude quake hit Bangkok on March 28.

Politics

3 w. ago US consumer confidence hit by tariff fears; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago Tariff uncertainty risks ‘significant economic damage’; Thames Water’s finance chief leaving within days – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago China’s Xi urges global CEOs to protect trade supply chains; UK’s 2024 growth revised higher, but households hoard cash – business live

Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsOver in Germany, the number of people out of work has risen at the fastest rate since October of 2024.The German labour office said the number of unemployed increased by 26,000 in seasonally adjusted terms to 2.92 million. Analysts polled by Reuters had expected that figure to rise by 10,000.“March marks the start of the so-called spring recovery on the labour market. This year, however, the economic slump is noticeably slowing it down.”One bright spot was the impressive 1.9% q/q (CE forecast 0.7% q/q) rise in consumers’ real incomes in Q4. The 4.2% rise in 2024 as a whole suggests households experienced the strongest real income growth in nine years.With consumer spending hardly rising, at 12.0% in Q4 (up from 10.3% in Q3), the saving rate remains unusually high, suggesting households are choosing to save rather than spend the bulk of those gains. Continue reading...

Economics

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 28 March: New name for WH Smith high street stores, retail sales beat hopes

The WH Smith name is to disappear from the high street after 233 years.

Politics

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 28 March: WH Smith sells high street stores, retail sales beat hopes

The WH Smith name is to disappear from the high street after 233 years.

Politics

3 w. ago Strong retail sales growth in February point to "green shoots" in the economy

The strong figures will raise hopes in Government that the sluggish economy will start to get moving again

Economics

3 w. ago WH Smith high street stores to be rebranded TG Jones after £76 million sale

WH Smith name will live on at airport and train station branches

Economics

3 w. ago Rush for gold jewellery helps give retail sales a boost in February

The strong figures will raise hopes in Government that the sluggish economy will start to get moving again

Politics

3 w. ago British retail sales outstrip forecasts to rise 1% in February

Department stores and household goods led the increase, while supermarket sales volumes fell back

Politics

3 w. ago Nearly 70 Ariel washing machine pods are now £15 less than supermarkets in Amazon sale

Amazon's Spring Week sale is in full swing, giving shoppers the chance to stock up on their favourite products and household essentials in multipacks for less than supermarkets, including Tesco, Morrison's and Waitrose

Economics