July 2011 Archive

Retail sales fall at fastest pace for 12 months

Retails sales dipped in July, the CBI has reveale

New figures from the CBI have shown a dip in retail sales in July, the biggest since June 2010.

Government to scrap 130 outdated retail laws

!30 antiquated laws including the requirement of a licence to sell liqueur chocolates have been axed

The government has announced that it will cut 130 out of 257 regulations affecting the retail sector in an attempt to ease the regulatory burden on shopkeepers and the retail sector.

British Gas makes £3m a day but says price rises necessary

British Gas made a profit of almost £3 million a day in the last six months

Britain's largest energy supplier Centrica has revealed it made a profit of £1.3 billion in the first six months of this year.

Brits combat rising food costs and inflation by growing own veg

A third of Britons grow their own veg, an HSBC study has revealed

HSBC research has shown a third of Britons are growing their own food to combat rising grocery bills and inflation.

ISPs misleading customers on broadband speeds - Ofcom

The difference between advertised and actual broadband speeds is widening, Ofcom has revealed.

The gap between advertised broadband speeds and what customers actually receive is widening, Ofcom has revealed.

British Gas fined £2.5 million by Ofgem

Ofgem fined British gas £2.5 million for mishandling customer complaints

The utility regulator, Ofgem has issued its second £1 million fine in one month to British Gas, this time for failing to deal with customer complaints properly.

Beer sales down sharply in second quarter - BBPA

Beer prices have rocketed in the last three years because of high taxes, the BBPA has said.

The British Beer and Pub Association has blamed high taxes for a sharp drop in beer sales in the last three months.

Energy companies 'should compensate customers over mis-selling'

Energy companies should pay compensation to customers who have been mis-sold gas and electricity, MPs have suggested

A group of MPs has called for the UK's energy companies to pay compensation to customers who have been mis-sold gas and electricity deals.

John Lewis announces expansion plans

John Lewis has announced store expansion plans

Retailer John Lewis has announced plans to open ten new stores over the next five years creating up to 3,000 jobs in a rare piece of good news for the UK retail sector.

Summer holidays 'costing parents £8.6bn'

Parents are set to spend an average of £110 per child this summer, according to research by LV=.

Many parents believe they will struggle to meet the costs of looking after their children this summer.

Talk Talk rated worst among broadband and landline providers

Talk Talk received the lowest customer satisfaction ratings among broadband and landline providers in a recent poll

Nearly a quarter of Talk Talk customers are unhappy with the level of customer service it provides, although BSkyB and Orange fared well.

Retail sales edge up in June due to early summer sales

Early summer sales have boosted retail sales in June, according to the ONS

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) latest report on retail sale for June show that some of May's decline has been reversed as retailers bring forward summer sales.

Consumer confidence down in June - Nationwide

Consumer confidence dipped in June amid high unemployment and low wage growth, according to Nationwide

High fuel prices, unemployment and inflation have all contributed to a dip in consumer confidence, Nationwide has claimed.

Scottish & Southern Energy raise gas prices by 18%

Scottish & Southern Power are the latest utility company to announce big price rises

Scottish & Southern Energy (SSE) are the latest of the big six energy suppliers to raise prices for both gas and electricity by more than ten per cent following the recent announcements of British Gas and Scottish Power.

A third of holidaymakers 'plan to spend more abroad this year'

A third of holidaymakers are planning to spend more abroad this summer

Almost a third of UK holidaymakers are planning to spend more money while abroad this year compared with last year, despite the economic climate.

Defaqto warns on card charges when abroad

Using an ATM abroad can cost £5.60 abroad, according to Defaqto

Working out the best way to get hold of cash before heading abroad this summer can save holidaymakers significant amounts of money.

Mobile phones drive massive increase in online sales

A huge increase in mcommerce is the driving force behind an online sales boom, according to a report

The current boom in web-based retail is being driven forward by ever-expanding sales growth via mobile phones, new figures have shown.

OFT to investigate "deceptive" websites selling government services

Companies that offer government services for a fee are to be investigated by the OFT

Websites selling government products and services that are available directly free of charge or at a lower cost are to be investigated by the OFT.

Fuel poverty affecting one in five UK household - DECC

Spiraling gas and electricity prices will mean more households in fuel poverty this year, according to a report

One in five households in the UK spent more than ten per cent of their income on energy bills in 2009, new figures have shown.

How to avoid being a victim of energy price rises

Gas and electricity prices are set to rise this summer

British Gas have followed Scottish Power and announced double-digit price rises from August and others are likely to follow. Kate Saines investigates how consumers can mitigate the effects of the price hikes.

Six million households "financially vulnerable"

Over six million households are struggling to keep up with their finances, it has been revealed

New research by Britain's national debt charity has shown more than six million households are walking a financial tightrope.

Southern Railway offering 25% off fares this summer

London Zoo is just one of the destinations available as part of the promotion

Southern Railway is offering holidaymakers in the south of England a discount of 25 per cent when they book online this summer.

Live webcast: How to make your holiday money go further

Join travel currency experts for a live webcast

Join M&S money expert James Yerkess and Sean Tipton from ABTA at 1pm on Tuesday 19th July for a special webcast where you can put your questions to them on how to make your holiday money work for you this summer.

Chris Huhne admits energy prices will rise under new proposals

Chris Huhne has said energy prices 'will rise' under new proposals

Energy secretary Chris Huhne has admitted electricity bills will rise as a result of a proposed £110 billion government investment.

HMRC issues new VAT guidance for liable traders

HMRC has issued guidance to traders who are liable for VAT but have not registered

HMRC's Risk and Intelligence division has issued instructions to traders who have a turnover higher than £73,000 and have become liable for VAT but have yet to regoster

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