All Economy articles
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Analysis & FeaturesWhy the ONS changing its pricing methodology is so important
The ONS is hugely increasing the number of prices counted to calculate grocery inflation – with far-reaching implications
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NewsConsumers still penny-pinching despite hopes for economy
Consumer confidence fell by 1.1 points in the final quarter of 2025 to –11.1%, reaching its lowest ebb in two years of reporting by Deloitte’s Consumer Tracker
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NewsInflation may dip as ONS adopts loyalty pricing data
The ONS will replace 25,000 monthly price points with 300 million from supermarket till data, capturing loyalty card discounts and actual prices paid rather than shelf prices for the first time
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News‘Robust’ year for dealmaking kept M&A afloat in 2025
Despite geopolitical uncertainty – including a start to the year dominated by news of new US tariffs – dealmaking remained steady
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NewsA third of retailers issued profit warnings in 2025
While the number of profit warnings in the sector fell overall in 2025, retailers were hit by a particularly tough Q3
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NewsConsumer confidence stuck in negative territory
It has now been 10 years since the GfK consumer confidence index was last in positive territory, with a small rise this month to –16
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NewsInflation rises once again as tobacco and transport costs bite
Inflation has risen for the first time in five months, hitting 3.4% in December, as transport, alongside alcohol and tobacco, pushed prices higher
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Comment & OpinionDonald Trump’s latest move is a direct hit to UK food and drink
Food producers are having to build in a ‘risk element’ thanks to Trump’s unpredictability
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NewsPressure on liquidity and profits to worsen in Europe in 2026
The European retail and consumer industry – which in Q4 completed a full year as the most distressed of all sectors – will face even more pressure on liquidity and profits this year
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Comment & OpinionFood prices will rise in 2026 – and suppliers need them to
The 2026 pricing round will filter into retail prices across late January and February, taking inflation back up to 5%, says David Sables, CEO of Sentinel Management Consultants
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News‘Disappointing’ December footfall takes shine off golden quarter
Total footfall during the year was down 0.8% on 2024, with the difference weighted towards the final, ‘golden’ quarter of the year
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NewsOcado grows fastest amid shift to online Christmas ordering
Shoppers increasingly turned to delivery for the ‘big Christmas shop’ in 2025
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Comment & OpinionFeatures editor’s picks 2025: robots, chicken shops and pay gaps
With 2025 drawing to a close – and the weekend almost upon us – we thought this would be a prime opportunity to remind our readers of some of the very best features of the year
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NewsConsumer confidence edges up as budget blues settle
Consumer confidence has edged up by two points in GfK’s monthly barometer, as worries over November’s budget settle
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Comment & OpinionCan Minette Batters’ farming review push Defra into action?
Just as MPs were packing up for the festive period, Defra published Batters’ much anticipated Farming Profitability Review – something that had been sat on Emma Reynolds’ desk since October
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NewsUK consumer confidence edges up but ‘remains gloomy’
Consumer confidence edged higher in December after a better-than-expected budget, according to the BRC
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Comment & OpinionTop Products 2025: cash-strapped shoppers seek added value
Intentional spending doesn’t automatically translate into a single-minded hunt for the lowest prices or loyalty-led discounts, says Julian Crane, MD UK&I at NIQ
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NewsNIQ predicts max-value Christmas for shoppers
NIQ has predicted almost £20bn will be spent on groceries in December, just 2.8% up on last year, as 40% of UK households plan to use saved loyalty points and vouchers to maximise savings
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Comment & OpinionRetailers must navigate grocery’s trickiest Christmas trends
Financial pressures remain front of mind for many households across the UK, notes Luke Hand of Mail Metro Media
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Comment & OpinionBudget drama distracts from its very real consequences
A lot of hot air has been expended on attacking Rachel Reeves for ‘misleading the public’ – this has meant that real focus on the radical changes she made has been lost, says Ian Wright, partner at Acuti Associates