British accountant and chief executive of the British Retail Consortium since 2013
July retail activity across the UK shows mixed momentum. Food and hospitality have benefited from warm weather and England’s World Cup run, while non-food and big-ticket categories lag. Card spending is higher than a year ago, and consumer demand remains fragile as inflation and costs weigh on shoppers.
The latest inflation reports have kept pressure on American households, with both wholesale (PPI) and consumer (CPI) indices showing prices staying above 3%. The Federal Reserve faces ongoing debates over possible rate moves as energy costs and supply-chain dynamics feed through, while investors digest a strong jobs backdrop.
A run of fresh data shows the UK labour market remains resilient despite signs of cooling. Payrolls edge down; unemployment holds at 4.9%; wage growth remains mixed across private and public sectors, with vacancies at a post-pandemic low.