August’s 0.9% decline misses forecast of 0.5% increase and raises concern for pace of UK recovery
Consumers spend more on going out to cinemas and bars and less on groceries
Company says customers are purchasing cards less often than during full lockdowns
Staff shortages and squeezed supply chains dampen growth outlook
Retailer says pent-up demand has supported spending, allowing it to pay special dividend
Frothiness remains given the pressure on profitability
Fashion group’s shares fall 14% after company says demand has softened in recent weeks
Strong spending on clothes, food and beer eases fears of slowing economic recovery
Grocery shopping hit as restaurants and bars reopen across parts of the UK
UK sales up just 0.5% in the three months to May but still 9.3% higher than same period in 2019
CBI says consumer spending will be ‘linchpin of recovery’ driving 70% of growth in 2022
High demand for pets among those aged 16 to 35 boosts company’s long-term outlook
Businesses report quickest pace of growth in activity for more than 20 years as shoppers head to stores in ‘hordes’
April uptick driven by many sectors reopening and older people booking holidays
Official data show rising retail sales and acceleration in hiring of new staff as lockdown measures ease
Florists benefit while people have been unable to celebrate occasions during pandemic
Cash generation through the pandemic is impressive but takeover talk looks premature
Pandemic move to online buying leaves retailers wrestling with their store estates
Volume grew 2.1% in February, reversing sharp contraction the previous month
Reopening of schools and increased spending on home improvement drive recovery
Growth in sector activity falls to a 9-month low in February, according to survey
Sales up year-on-year in December but figure for 2020 is 0.3% below 2019, the worst performance on record
UK retailer nevertheless says trading robust as food sales rise
Data show signs of renewed economic activity in several countries
Volumes fell almost 4% last month but sector is coping better than in the spring
International Edition