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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
The average price of a pint rises AGAIN across UK – how much more are Scots paying?
Scots will have to cough up more than a hangover for a trip to the pub as prices increase again. OH BEER The average price of a pint rises AGAIN across UK – how much more are Scots paying? A TRIP to the pub will cost Scots more than a just hangover as punters are being forced to cough up more than ever. The average price of a pint has now soared to £5.17 across the UK, leaving a bitter taste in punters' mouths. 1 Pint of beer next to a map of the UK highlighting a region. In February we reported how Scotland saw the biggest percentage price increase across the whole of Britain. Now it has gone up again with the cost increasing by 34p compared to figures reported by the Office for National Statistics at the start of the year. Beer prices have risen sharply as manufacturers and pubs grapple with higher alcohol taxes, soaring utility bills and increased staffing costs. Trade magazine The Morning Advertiser regularly examines the average cost of a pint across London, the Midlands, the North East, the North West, the South East, the South West, Scotland, and Wales. According to its latest research, London tops the list for the priciest pints, with pub owners charging an average of £6.10. On the more affordable end of the scale, Tennent's and Carlsberg emerged as the cheapest options, with drinkers paying an average of £4.23 per pint across England, Wales, and Scotland. UK pub numbers have now plunged by more than 2,000 since the start of 2020. A number of breweries are facing trouble too, including the Fourpure brewing company which appointed administrators in October and the Magic Rock Brewery which said it would bring in administrators at the start of the year. Meanwhile, Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) said in November it would stop making eight classic British cask beers following a review. A number of pubs also warned they would have to hike prices for customers this year after the Government's Autumn Budget. Stunning beer prices at Miami GP revealed as F1 fans face staggering cost for drinks, steak sandwiches and pizza Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage both rose in April. But businesses cautioned this would force them into upping the price of drinks as they try and absorb the extra costs.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
UK retail growth hits eight-month high in April
Retail sales in the UK experienced a notable increase in April 2025, with volumes rising by 1.2% compared to the previous month, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This marks the fourth consecutive month of growth and the strongest quarterly performance since July 2021. The surge in retail sales was largely attributed to the sunniest April on record, which coincided with the Easter holiday. Food store sales volumes increased by 3.9%, rebounding from declines in February and March. Retailers noted heightened demand for items associated with outdoor gatherings, such as barbecues and picnics. Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at the British Retail Consortium, commented on the figures, stating that the combination of Easter and unseasonably warm weather contributed to the highest retail sales growth since August 2023. He highlighted that consumer spending was up across various categories, with food and drink performing particularly well as people hosted gatherings and outdoor events. The warmer weather also influenced consumer behaviour in the apparel sector. Sales of clothing and footwear saw an uptick as shoppers updated their wardrobes in response to the early onset of summer-like conditions. This seasonal shift prompted increased spending on summer attire, contributing to the overall rise in retail sales. Despite the positive trends in certain sectors, the ONS reported a 0.7% decline in non-food store sales volumes for April, indicating a mixed performance across different retail categories. While the retail sector experienced growth in April, industry representatives have expressed concerns about increasing operational costs. The British Retail Consortium highlighted that April brought an additional £5 billion in costs to retailers due to increases in Employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage. These costs are expected to rise to £7 billion with the introduction of a new packaging tax later this year. Furthermore, proposed changes to business rates could result in higher expenses for approximately 4,000 shops, potentially impacting local employment and business sustainability. The consortium has urged the government to ensure that no shop faces increased costs under the forthcoming reforms. As the retail sector navigates these financial pressures, the recent boost in sales provides a temporary uplift. However, the long-term outlook remains cautious amid rising costs and economic uncertainties. "UK retail growth hits eight-month high in April" was originally created and published by Retail Insight Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Fashion United
13-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion United
UK: Retail sales welcome YoY increase in April due to warm weather
Retail sales in the UK rose 7 percent year-on-year in April, according to new figures by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), as a later Easter holiday helped boost activity. This was a significant uptick on the decline of 4 percent reported in April 2024, and also above the three-month average growth of 2.9 percent, data shows. With March and April combined and compared with the same two months in 2024, mitigating the timing of Easter, retail sales still showed a YoY increase of 4.3 percent. Over April, food sales saw the sharpest increase at 8.2 percent, while non-food sales also remained strong, rising 6.1 percent, against a decline of 6 percent in the same month last year. Online non-food sales drove the way, increasing 7 percent. In-store sales followed at a rise of 5.6 percent. The online penetration rate, reflecting the proportion of non-food items bought online, decreased, however, to 36.4 percent. Akin to other categories, Helen Dickinson, the BRC's chief executive, noted that clothing sales, which had experienced more 'sluggish' growth in recent months, 'also improved as consumers refreshed their wardrobes for the new season'. While Easter's later date was a benefactor of the positive results, Dickinson also noted the impact of the warmer weather, which she said had encouraged increased activity. Looking ahead, Dickinson continued to express caution over increases to business rates like Employer National Insurance Contributions and the National Living Wage, implemented in April. 'If the Government wants to secure the future of our high streets, then it must ensure that no shop pays more as a result of the upcoming business rates reforms, or it will be our local communities that pay the price,' Dickinson concluded.
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Popular UK pub chain with Glasgow branches to hike beer prices
Find out how much your favourite drinks will cost Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A POPULAR UK pub chain with several Glasgow branches is set to hike beer prices in a fresh blow for punters. Stonegate Group, which owns boozers such as Slug & Lettuce, Walkabout and Popworld, says the change will come into force from Friday, May 2. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Stonegate Group is set to hike beer prices Credit: Roddy Scott Their portfolio also includes The Merchant, Home, The Ark and The Howgait in Glasgow, among others. Bosses say the move follows "significant cost pressures and challenges" affecting the hospitality industry. The sector was hammered by closures during the Covid-19 pandemic and was immediately dealt another blow by supply issues and the cost of living crisis. A spokesperson for Stonegate said: "Our annual price review this year reflects the significant cost pressures and challenges faced by our sector over the last 12 months. "We are absolutely committed to supporting our publicans, enabling them to continue to play the vital role in the communities they serve." Stonegate is hiking beer and other booze selling prices by 4% for its leased and tenanted pubs. Boozers will likely then have to push this cost onto drinkers, which could add an extra 15 to 20p onto drinks. For example, a pint like Hofbräu Original Lager that typically costs £5.50, could now cost £5.75. Similarly, the Thistly Cross Traditional Sparkling Apple Cider that would usually sell at £5, could increase to £5.20. A number of pubs are also warning they will have to hike prices for customers this year after the Government's Autumn Budget. First look inside new Glasgow pub with a live train timetable board and hi tech cocktail machine Employer National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the national minimum wage are both rising. But businesses have cautioned this will force them into upping the price of drinks as they try and absorb the extra costs.
Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Import tax rise would punish consumers
It was perhaps inevitable that Rachel Reeves's visit to Washington would result in the Chancellor developing a taste for the most damaging and protectionist elements of President Donald Trump's economic agenda. Hopes that Ms Reeves might develop an interest in cutting government waste and spending, or mimicking the pro-growth dynamics of the mooted extension of Trump's 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act were never particularly high, but it appears that Ms Reeves has instead identified a new way to squeeze a little extra blood from the British taxpayer. The Chancellor appears to be preparing to alter de minimis rules for import duties with the intent of slapping additional taxes on low-cost consumer goods. At present, parcels valued at less than £135 are exempt from duties. Under the guise of preventing the 'dumping' of cheap goods, this exemption appears to be threatened, with Ms Reeves claiming the Government is 'standing up for the British high street against ... cheap imports of products that undercut retailers'. This is a rhetorical sleight of hand that should fool very few. The move is protectionist and anti-consumer, prioritising revenue and the special pleading of a few stores over the British public being able to enjoy the benefits of free trade. The removal of the threshold may well result in shoppers encountering unexpected charges or delays, and higher administrative charges to boot. To plead the necessity of defending the high street as rationale, moreover, rings somewhat hollow given the repeated blows dealt to retail stores by this Government over the past year. From hikes to the minimum wage and rises to Employer National Insurance Contributions to the proposed introduction of higher business rates, Ms Reeves and her colleagues have gone out of their way to make it harder for businesses to serve communities profitably. Having raised the costs of domestic retail, they now appear to want to even the playing field by raising the costs of imported goods, which, by virtue of being produced overseas and bypassing the high street, manage to avoid most of this self-inflicted damage. In the process, the Government may risk the mooted £50 billion floating of fast-fashion brand Shein in London. Thriving high streets are a community asset of great value that should be cherished. The key to resurrecting them, however, is lowering the burden of the state, not once more raising taxes.
