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.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met King Charles at Windsor Castle on Monday during a short visit to the UK aimed at strengthening defense ties and increasing pressure on Russia.
The UK government announced plans to cut green levies on thousands of businesses, aiming to reduce soaring energy costs and boost the manufacturing sector, particularly in Labour strongholds.
U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities have drawn calls for restraint and diplomacy from global leaders, including British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.
Eight men were arrested Friday morning following a violent clash near the Iranian embassy in London, police confirmed.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no ceasefire agreement with Israel, directly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim of a truce between the two countries.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran early Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army issued an evacuation alert for the city’s Seventh District, warning of possible strikes..
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire that will end the 12-day war between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Iran launched 18 ballistic missiles late Sunday targeting the U.S. military’s Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, the largest American installation in the Middle East.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel, and its European services to Amman, Jordan, effective immediately until 15 September due to escalating situation in the Middle East. Also, the air carrier temporarily suspended its flights between Astana, Kazakhstan, and Abu Dhabi.
Scarlett Johansson recalls how the original “Jurassic Park” deeply influenced her childhood as she premieres her role in “Jurassic World: Rebirth,” set to release on 2 July.
Dua Lipa has announced her engagement to British actor Callum Turner, calling the decision to grow old together “a really special feeling.”
Azerbaijan's capital of Baku will become a focal point of the international music scene from the 14 to the 28 June as it hosts the 4th Baku Piano Festival.
Liam Payne's final onscreen appearance will air next month as part of a Netflix series, following the approval of his family who reviewed the content and supported his involvement in the music competition.
The fragile genius behind "Good Vibrations," "California Girls," and the revolutionary "Pet Sounds" album has passed away, his family confirmed. Wilson's intricate arrangements and poignant melodies made him one of the most influential recording artists in history.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says there is no ceasefire agreement with Israel, directly rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s earlier claim of a truce between the two countries.
Three powerful explosions were reported early Tuesday at Al-Taji military base, about 30 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Three explosions were heard in Tehran early Tuesday, shortly after the Israeli army issued an evacuation alert for the city’s Seventh District, warning of possible strikes..
U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran and Israel have agreed to a complete ceasefire that will end the 12-day war between the two countries.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London on Monday and signed a new agreement aimed at increasing Ukraine’s production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
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