‘We’re asking a lot of these people’: how fragile is the global supply chain?
A new book looks at how the pandemic highlighted issues with the supply chain and how precarious things still are
May 2024
UK firms accused of profiteering as study finds margins rose 30% post-pandemic
Unite union study of 17,000 firms shows sectors from energy to banking, and vets to car dealerships, profited from inflation crisis
‘It felt like a massive scam’: the minor prangs to cars that lead to huge charges
Readers tell us insurance premiums soared and vehicles were written off after the cost of claims soared
Feeling the pinch: why are so many Australian businesses failing?
The high cost of living and the ‘bullwhip effect’ have had a deleterious effect, particularly on food services and building, resulting in a decade-high 10,000 collapses
March 2024
Next cheers retail sector with bumper profits and price drop
Shares hit record high as fashion and homeware chain says it ‘feels like it is entering a new era’
January 2024
How UK’s new border controls will affect plants and animal imports
Economics viewpoint
Globalisation is not dead, but it is fading: ‘glocalisation’ is becoming the new mantra
Larry Elliott
December 2023
Ikea warns Red Sea attacks could disrupt supplies and deliveries
Firm says it is weighing up options to secure product availability amid Yemeni rebel attacks on shipping
November 2023
Project Syndicate economists
Did the US Federal Reserve rein in inflation? Possibly
Jeffrey Frankel
Why Germany’s economic miracle is facing a new reality
October 2023
Economics viewpoint
As a global energy crisis returns, the UK push for a green economy makes even more sense
Richard Partington
UK interest rates will need to stay high into 2024, warns IMF
August 2023
‘It’s tough out there’: cracks in UK housebuilding sector grow by the day
UK business confidence falls as economy slows and interest rates rise
July 2023
Giant windfarm off Norfolk coast halted due to spiralling costs
Swedish energy giant Vattenfall says costs have climbed 40% due to rise in global gas prices
June 2023
Primark owner upgrades profit outlook as shoppers seek holiday outfits
Associated British Foods says group sales rose by 16% with steeper prices helping to drive Primark’s growth
May 2023
Next forecasts drop in spring sales amid cost of living crisis and cold weather
Chain’s CEO Simon Wolfson warns of ‘very challenging’ 2023 after signalling price rises of 7%
April 2023
Economics viewpoint
The Bank of England was right, inflation has made us poorer. But whose fault is it?
Larry Elliott
Fragmented world’s rival blocs may risk new cold war, says IMF head
March 2023
Britain’s supermarket model is not fit for purpose
Letters: Antony Adorian, Michael Miller and Pete Lavender respond to Henry Dimbleby’s comment about the sector’s ‘weird’ culture