Retail sales reach a plateau while company executives see disposable income squeezed
ONS updates list of items used to measure price growth on back of changing spending habits
A dig into the data offers some clues
After hitting pandemic-era records, second-hand watch prices are sinking fast
Belgian company Lotus Bakeries has profited as social media fuels appetite for its spreads and biscuits
Strong spending data has boosted Chinese stocks as trading resumes after week-long break
Shoppers hold back as gloom persists about world’s second-largest economy
Data adds to signs of improved sentiments at the start of the year
Rubies and emerald prices hold up but man-made rivals dull demand of diamonds
Lidl and Next enjoy a successful Christmas
High streets lure bargain hunters looking for fashion items and beauty products
Scandinavian companies to expand physical presence to buck gloomy trends in their industries
The old philosophy of ‘make do and mend’ is making a comeback in Europe
Shops are having to work harder to tempt customers, who are proving savvy about bargains
So how can you continue to enjoy the luxuries life has to offer?
The expanding market is giving designers scope to experiment with different sizes, stones and metals
Pay growth, savings and ‘fomo’ have helped the US economy defy a gloomy backdrop
Survey for October registers biggest month-on-month drop since March 2020
Emergency cash and repayment freeze gave lenders an ‘opportunity to juice up their growth’
Sector sees increased demand and a better-organised supply
Companies are stealthily adding extra charges to the advertised prices of goods and services
Retail sales rise at annual rate of 4.1% after boost from holiday purchases, according to BRC figures
Increase of 6.6% boosts consumer spending power but fuels concern about inflationary pressures
Better than expected figures for August boost recovery hopes
Inflation and interest rates are eating into the spending power of the key demographic group, but the impact is unevenly spread
