Latest news with #costofliving
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Shoppers race to Sports Direct as they slash 50% off their sports fashion & it's perfect for all the ‘sock girlies'
WE all love a good bargain, especially with the rising cost of living putting extra strain on our wallets. Whether it's the clothes we wear, the homeware we use to elevate our living spaces, or even our weekly food shop, finding ways to save money has never been more important. 3 It's no surprise, then, that shoppers are flocking to Sports Direct as they slash 50 per cent off their sports fashion range. Fashion enthusiasts are raving about the sale, with many highlighting its appeal for all the 'sock girlies.' Among the standout deals are Nike Everyday Plus long socks, available in a pack of six in cream and light pink for just £13 – down from the original price of £26. These socks are designed to provide ultimate comfort during workouts, featuring 'extra cushioning under the heel and forefoot.' They also boast a snug, supportive arch band, sweat-wicking power, and breathability across the upper part to help keep your feet cool and dry. Emily, a TikTok user known as ' _emily_m_1,' posted a video showcasing the socks on sale at her local Sports Direct with the caption: 'For all the sock girlies, get to @ SportsDirect for your @ Nike sock.' The video quickly gained traction, amassing 73.8k views, 924 likes, and an influx of comments within just 24 hours. Shoppers eagerly shared their excitement, with one commenting: 'I got some of these, bargain.' However, others cautioned that stock might be limited, with one person adding: 'All big sizes when I see them.' And that's not the only thing the fashion fans are racing to buy. I found the best place for bargains & now I'll go every weekend - I got Zara heels for £2 & FOUR pairs of boots for £10 Summer has now officially arrived and there's a great place to head to if you need to refresh your wardrobe but want to do it on the cheap. One shopper, TikToker @ sjslayz, who was stunned when she spotted a fabulous jumpsuit in Lidl. The shopper, from Northern Ireland shared their excitement over a full-length jumpsuit being sold for just £5.99 – an absolute steal. The summer essential boasts a flowy bottom half, a flattering V-neckline, and stylish button-up detailing, making it both comfortable and elegant. 3 For a laid-back vibe, the shopper paired it with classic black Converse trainers, but the versatility of the jumpsuit means it can easily be dressed up. Style it with strappy heels, an elegant updo, and some statement jewellery for a show-stopping look perfect for a date night.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
Puerto Rico's governor pledges to improve island's power grid and economy
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Puerto Rico's governor pledged Thursday to improve the island's crumbling electric grid and boost the economy in her first address after being elected last year as anger intensifies over chronic power outages and an increase in cost-of-living expenses. Gov. Jenniffer González Colón, of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party, spoke for nearly two hours as she listed her accomplishments since taking office in January and announced multimillion-dollar investments to improve Puerto Rico's health, education and public safety.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
New Zealand consumer confidence falls in May
May 30 (Reuters) - Consumer confidence in New Zealand fell in May, with stubbornly high inflation expectations holding back purchasers, ANZ-Roy Morgan data showed on Friday. "Household inflation expectations don't have a tight correlation with actual inflation outcomes," said ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner. "But the perception that inflation is going to be so high is likely to contribute to the sense of a cost-of-living crisis, potentially dampening spending, if anything." The consumer confidence index fell to 92.9 in May from 98.3 in April. A reading above 100 shows optimism, while below that indicates pessimism. Consumer inflation expectations eased by 0.1%, but remained elevated at 4.6%.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
UK housing crisis sees renters hit hardest by rising bills
New data has revealed that renters in the UK are facing a disproportionate increase in living costs compared to homeowners, highlighting the deepening inequalities exacerbated by the ongoing housing crisis. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), inflation for renters surged to 3.6 per cent in the year leading up to March, surpassing all other groups. This figure significantly exceeds the overall inflation rate of 2.6 per cent during the same period, demonstrating the escalating burden of rent on the UK's 5.5 million private tenants. In stark contrast, homeowners experienced a more moderate increase in costs, with inflation affecting them at a rate of 1.8 per cent. These figures underscore the challenge facing the government, as it grapples with an acute housing shortage that has driven up rents and property prices in recent year s. While Labour has pledged to construct 1.5 million homes by 2030, the Office for Budget Responsibility has forecast a shortfall of approximately 200,000 homes. Think tank the Resolution Foundation said housing continues to be a 'major headwind' in the cost-of-living crisis. Senior economist Simon Pittaway told the PA news agency: 'Inflation is at the forefront of everyone's minds but some groups have been hit harder by recent price rises than others. 'As policy makers grapple with ongoing cost-of-living concerns, boosting support for low-income families who rent and increasing the availability to homes to buy should be priorities.' By comparison, people who have mortgages saw inflation ease to 2.8 per cent, well below 5.6 per cent from the year before, after the Bank of England cut interest rates several times in 2024 and early 2025. The base interest rate helps dictate how expensive it is to take out a mortgage or a loan, as well as influencing the interest rates offered by banks on savings accounts. Hikes in recent years, designed to combat skyrocketing inflation, have left mortgage rates much higher than was normal for most of the last decade. Social renters, such as people who live in rented council homes, were the next worst affected after private renters, with average inflation of 3 per cent. The ONS also found that families who are working age faced a higher rate of inflation, at 2.8 per cent, than retired people, at 2.1 per cent. And households with children saw price rises of 2.8 per cent compared to those without, who saw a 2.6 per cent increase.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria's Tinubu touts economic gains at mid-term but inflation and insecurity persist
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday marked his second anniversary in office by declaring that his economic reforms were working, but international bodies have warned of persistent economic and security problems. Since 2023, Tinubu's policies - the removal of a costly petrol price subsidy, cuts to electricity price subsidies, and two currency devaluations - have triggered the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation, fuelled by inflation rates of more than 23%. "Our economic reforms are working. We are on course to building a greater, more economically stable nation," Tinubu said in an anniversary statement. He said the measures were needed to avert a severe fiscal crisis that would have led to "runaway inflation, external debt default, and a plunging Naira and an economy in a free-fall." Tinubu said the fiscal deficit has narrowed sharply to 3.0% of GDP in 2024 from 5.4% in 2023, supported by improved government revenue generation. He claimed inflation had begun to ease, but this is largely because the index was rebased for the first time in more than a decade. The World Bank has said that Nigeria's fiscal position has improved in recent months, but warned that persistently high inflation remains a challenge. Tinubu said security has improved, claiming banditry in Nigeria's northwest has been curbed, highways are safer, and farmers are "back tilling the land". But attacks and kidnappings persist, and insecurity continues across various regions. Amnesty International said in a report on Thursday that at least 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by gunmen in the two years since Tinubu took office. His ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) party has endorsed him to run for a second and final term in the next election, due in early 2027. (Additional reporting by Camillus Eboh in Abuja; writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; editing by Giles Elgood)
