News

In March, UK house prices increased by 3.9% year-on-year as buyers rushed to finish purchases before new stamp duty thresholds come into effect on April 1, with the average price remaining at £271,316. The changes, particularly impacting first-time buyers in high-value areas like London, are expected to cause a temporary market slowdown while underlying fundamentals and renewed confidence hint at steady recovery.

Food inflation in the UK reached 3.5% in March, fueled by early Easter spending on chocolate and sweets, pushing prices higher across supermarket shelves. This surge in inflation comes as supermarkets grapple with maintaining customer loyalty amidst rising cost-of-living pressures, leading to increased promotional spending and a focus on price cuts.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is challenging a Court of Appeal ruling that could lead to potential compensation claims of up to £44 billion in the UK's motor finance commission scandal. The FCA argues that the ruling goes too far by treating car dealers as fiduciaries, obligated to act in the borrower's best interest.

Ten car manufacturers and two trade associations were fined over £77 million by the UK's CMA for colluding on green advertising practices, limiting consumer access to information about the environmental credentials of vehicles. This case highlights the CMA's commitment to tackling anti-competitive practices that harm consumers and hinder innovation, particularly in the realm of environmental claims.

Sportsman’s Warehouse reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates despite an 8.1% year-over-year decline in total revenue. The company’s strong performance in its core hunting and shooting sports category helped its shares jump nearly 50% in after-hours trading, with management issuing cautious full-year guidance for 2025.