Economy
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Jun- 2015 -11 June
Hallmarking up 3.1% in May
The total number of hallmarked articles in May grew by 3.1% compared with the same time last year, according to new figures released from all four of the UK’s assay offices. According to the data, which was compiled by the Birmingham Assay Office, there was a total of 770,075 articles…
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10 June
Consumer spending up 4.2%, says Barclaycard
Consumer spending in the UK rose 4.2% in May amid falling prices combined with greater confidence. According to the latest monthly spend data analysis by Barclaycard, falling prices in supermarkets helped families boost spending on ‘nonessential’ items, which grew by 6.2% over the period. Barclaycard said that by spending less…
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9 June
UK retail sales flat in May
Retail sales in the UK were flat on a like-for-like basis in May compared with the same time last year, when they increased by 0.5%. This is according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG Retail Sales Monitor which found on a total basis sales were up 1.1%, against…
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5 June
Britain’s Shop vacancy remains at 13% in May
The shop vacancy rate in Britain remained at 13% in May for the third month running after falling in March. This is according to new figures released from the Local Data Company (LDC) which found that the overall retail and leisure shop vacancy rate increased marginally from 11.6% in April…
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1 June
‘Tax freedom day’ falls on 31st May
This year’s Tax Freedom Day, the day when Britons stop working to pay their taxes and start earning for themselves, falls on 31st May, according to Adam Smith Institute calculations. The Institute estimates that Britons will work 150 days this year solely to pay their taxes. This is one day…
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May- 2015 -29 May
Consumer confidence falls in May
Consumer confidence fell in May after holding steady in April at its highest level since 2002, according to new figures from research firm GFK. GFK’s latest Consumer Confidence Barometer decreased three points to 1 this month, with all five of the measures used to calculate the index reporting decreases. The…
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29 May
UK sales boost Signet Q1 results
Jewellery retail giant Signet has reported a strong first quarter with sales up 3.6% on a like-for-like basis in the three months to May 2, 2015. The group’s UK division, which includes Ernest Jones and H Samuel, saw sales rise 6.2% totalling £95.8m. The results also reflect the addition of…
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27 May
High street footfall up 4.4% over bank holiday weekend
High streets have received a welcome boost over the bank holiday weekend, with footfall across the UK up 4.4% year-on-year. This is according to new figures from retail intelligence firm Springboard which found Saturday was the strongest day as families were “out in force” on the first day of the…
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19 May
‘Retailer resurgence’ continues through April
Retail footfall across the UK has continued its recent resurgence with Easter fortnight bringing shoppers to the high street in force compared to 2014. Ipsos Retail Performance, the global retail and footfall consultant compiles the Retail Traffic Index (RTI), which is derived from the number of individual shoppers entering over…
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19 May
UK inflation dips into negative
Inflation dipped below 0% for the first time since records began in April, down to -0.1%, according to the lates figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The Consumer Prices Index has never turned negative in the decades since it was first recorded in 1960. The ONS said the…
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