UK retail sales unexpectedly fell 0.3% in December, following a revised 0.1% rise in November. The decline, driven by weak food sales, adds to concerns about the economy and raises expectations for a Bank of England interest rate cut next month.
UK retail sales unexpectedly declined in December, according to official figures released on Friday. This adds to a series of disappointing economic data, strengthening expectations that the Bank of England may lower interest rates next month.
Retail sales, adjusted for the impact of Black Friday, dropped by 0.3% month-on-month in December, following a revised 0.1% increase in November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported. Economists had predicted a 0.4% rise in sales from November.
The drop was largely driven by weak food sales, which fell to their lowest level since 2013, with supermarkets hit particularly hard, said ONS senior statistician Hannah Finselbach.
In response to the data, the pound slipped around a quarter of a cent against the U.S. dollar, falling below $1.22.
For the fourth quarter as a whole, retail sales were down by 0.8%, which the ONS noted could reduce economic growth by approximately 0.04 percentage points.
MOSCOW, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that any British plan to send troops to Ukraine as part of a potential peacekeeping mission would be unacceptable for Russia and that it was monitoring statements by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer with concern.
Iranian authorities have filed espionage charges against a British couple detained in January, as reported by local media citing Iran's Judiciary spokesperson, Asghar Jahangir.
The UK government has unveiled a multibillion-pound plan to strengthen its steel industry and maintain its global competitiveness.
UK troops could be sent to Ukraine as a peacekeeping force. That's according to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. His remarks come as world leaders prepare for high-stakes talks on ending the conflict.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has signaled his readiness to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of a postwar peacekeeping force, emphasizing the need for lasting stability in the region
China has voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while U.S. allies reaffirmed their backing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine is ready to work quickly on a strong security and investment agreement with the U.S. after meeting with envoy Keith Kellogg.
Greece is struggling with severe water shortages as climate change intensifies droughts and aging infrastructure leaks nearly half of its drinking water. The crisis threatens agriculture, public health, and daily life.
The Trump administration has halted U.S. scientists' participation in key U.N. climate change assessments, marking another step in its retreat from international climate efforts. The decision affects researchers working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Estée Lauder and L’Oréal are facing challenges in the Chinese market as local beauty brands gain popularity. Rising competition, shifting consumer preferences, and economic factors have impacted sales, forcing global cosmetics giants to adapt their strategies.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
Michael G. Wilson, and Barbara Broccoli, long term producers of the British spy thriller James Bond have stepped down from their respective positions.
Egyptologists have made a historic discovery—the first royal tomb uncovered since Tutankhamun’s in 1922. A British-Egyptian team has found the long-lost burial site of Pharaoh Thutmose II in Luxor, solving a major archaeological mystery.
Netherlands has become the latest European country to return artefacts to Africa after it signed an agreement pledging to return 119 'stolen' historical artefacts to Nigeria after extensive consultation with its Colonial collections committee.
Rick Buckler, drummer of The Jam, has died at 69, his former bandmate Paul Weller confirmed.
Archaeologists in London’s financial district have uncovered a massive section of Roman masonry, revealing the remains of a nearly 2,000-year-old town hall—one of the most significant finds in the city since an ancient amphitheater was discovered in the 1980s.
China has voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s direct negotiations with Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while U.S. allies reaffirmed their backing for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a G20 meeting in South Africa.
Israel has accused Hamas of violating a ceasefire agreement after discovering that one of the bodies handed over during Thursday’s exchange did not belong to any known hostage. The military is demanding the return of the missing remains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Thursday that Ukraine is ready to work quickly on a strong security and investment agreement with the U.S. after meeting with envoy Keith Kellogg.
Greece is struggling with severe water shortages as climate change intensifies droughts and aging infrastructure leaks nearly half of its drinking water. The crisis threatens agriculture, public health, and daily life.
The Trump administration has halted U.S. scientists' participation in key U.N. climate change assessments, marking another step in its retreat from international climate efforts. The decision affects researchers working with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
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