Josie Clarke
Business News
Chocolate prices up by almost half in three years
Chocolate price inflation is accelerating as climate change hits West African cocoa producers, the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit said.
By Josie Clarke
17 Apr 2025
Business News
Toy industry seeing ‘remarkable resurgence’ ahead of Christmas, figures show
The Toy Retailers Association has released its annual DreamToys list of the 20 predicted top sellers this Christmas.
By Josie Clarke
13 Nov 2024
Business News
Second ad for artificial grass firm banned for objectifying women
The poster for Great Grass featured a woman holding a potted plant with a headline stating ‘No trimming needed!’.
By Josie Clarke
13 Nov 2024
Business News
Grocery inflation rises again as household supermarket trips hit four-year high
Supermarket prices were 2.3% higher than a year ago in October, up slightly on September’s 2% increase, Kantar said.
By Josie Clarke
12 Nov 2024
UK
Ofwat launches new standards to improve services for vulnerable customers
Ofwat is also set to make a final decision on household water bill increases on December 19.
By Josie Clarke
7 Nov 2024
Business News
Two in five households will struggle with water bill increases, report warns
The figure is more than double the 18% who say they have difficulty paying their current bill, the Consumer Council for Water said.
By Josie Clarke
6 Nov 2024
Transport
Eurostar given fresh reprimand over ‘misleading’ fare ads
Eurostar exaggerated the availability of £39 fares between London and Amsterdam and Brussels, the Advertising Standards Authority found
By Josie Clarke
6 Nov 2024
Business News
Waitrose enlists all-star cast for ‘whodunnit’ Christmas campaign
The cast includes Matthew Macfadyen, Joe Wilkinson, Rahkee Thakrar, Sian Clifford, Dustin Demri-Burns and Eryl Maynard
By Josie Clarke
5 Nov 2024
Business News
Retailers suffer ‘disappointing’ October amid pre-Budget jitters
Total UK retail sales were up 0.6% year-on-year last month against a 2.6% increase last October, according to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.
By Josie Clarke
5 Nov 2024
Business News
Christmas TV ad season under way as supermarkets release festive campaigns
Television screens are now full of retailers’ Christmas ad campaigns as the all-important ‘Golden Quarter’ gets into full swing.
By Josie Clarke
4 Nov 2024
London
London's most popular Deliveroo orders revealed
The most popular UK food delivery via Deliveroo was the dish of eight boneless chicken wings from Wingstop, according to the platform’s annual report
By Josie Clarke
4 Nov 2024
Celebrity News
Greggs enlists Nigella Lawson to star in its first Christmas ad
The ad features the television chef and cookbook author enthusing about the ‘rapturous riot of flavour’ of the high street chain’s festive bakes.
By Josie Clarke
3 Nov 2024
UK
Man arrested in connection with theft of 22 tonnes of cheese
Metropolitan Police detectives arrested a 63-year-old man on suspicion of fraud and handling stolen goods on Wednesday afternoon.
By Josie Clarke
31 Oct 2024
Politics
The Budget: Winners and losers
Who are the winners and losers from the Budget?
By Josie Clarke
30 Oct 2024
Business News
Price of wine and spirits to rise but pub pints to fall by a penny
Rachel Reeves announced that alcohol duty rates on non-draught products will increase in line with RPI from February next year.
By Josie Clarke
30 Oct 2024
Business News
Evri and Yodel the worst parcel firms at helping their customers – Ofcom
A report found that although 78% of parcel recipients are satisfied with delivery firms, two-thirds (67%) have had an issue in the past six months,
By Josie Clarke
29 Oct 2024
Business News
Shop prices ease for third month amid warnings of potential volatility
Overall prices are now 0.8% cheaper than a year ago, according to the BRC-NielsenIQ Shop Price Index.
By Josie Clarke
29 Oct 2024
Business News
More than 5m low-income households have no energy credit ahead of winter – poll
One in 10 homes (11%) with a household income of less than £20,000 a year already owe money to their energy supplier ahead of winter, Uswitch found.
By Josie Clarke
19 Oct 2024
Business News
EBay announces sales restrictions on e-bikes and batteries from end of October
The site said only “eligible business sellers” will be allowed to list e-bikes and e-bike batteries after this date.
By Josie Clarke
9 Oct 2024
Business News
82% of pensioners below or just above poverty line ‘to lose winter fuel payment’
Age UK has published its own Equality Impact Assessment of the Government’s cut to eligibility for the winter fuel payment.
By Josie Clarke
9 Oct 2024
Business News
Watchdog rules against six broadband providers over mid-contract price rise ads
The Advertising Standards Authority said that BT, EE, Plusnet, TalkTalk, O2 and Virgin Media Broadband all misled consumers.
By Josie Clarke
9 Oct 2024