Economic Monitor
Keep track of leading economic indicators
The BRC Economic Monitor offers a monthly in-depth analysis of key macroeconomic indicators that set the stage for understanding retail market dynamics.
The monitor provides critical insights into metrics relevant to retailers, including retail sales, inflation, labour market statistics, and credit and currency trends, drawing from multiple data sources, including the ONS and Bank of England, OBR, IMF, HM Treasury, as well as BRC's proprietary in-house data. The analysis aims to cut through the complexity to focus on what matters to retailers most, and to draw out the implications for our industry.
By leveraging this information, readers can make informed strategic decisions, anticipate market shifts, and better navigate the complexities of the retail environment.
MONTHLY ECONOMIC BRIEFING REPORT
Released on the last day of each month, the Economic Briefing is a comprehensive review of both retail performance. The report analyses both the UK and global economies through a retail lens, highlighting trends across a variety of measures. Some of the topics it covers:
| UK Economic Outlook | Inflation |
| UK Regional Economic Outlook | Labour Market |
| World Economic Outlook | Credit & Housing |
| Retail Sales | Exchange Rates |
| Footfall & Online traffic | Weather |
| Consumer Confidence | Forecasts |
The Economic Briefing Report is intended to be:
Concise – every page contains a summary trend & short summary. Our Executive Summary pulls out key findings.
Economic clarity – get a hold on the underlying drivers for consumer purchasing power, such as inflation, wage growth, credit growth, house prices & consumer confidence.
Time saving – we draw on dozens of data sources so you don’t have to, get the latest market data without having to lift a finger.
QUARTERLY TREND ANALYSIS
As the name suggests, the Quarterly Trends Analysis report provides a quarterly view of both key
retail indicators and underlying economic performance. Covering:
| Retail Sales | Underlying Economic Conditions |
| Prices | UK Retail summary (multiple measures |
| Online Browsing & Footfall | Retail in devolved nations (multiple measures) |
The Quarterly Trend Analysis Report is intended to:
Inform – The QTA gives a summary of the structure of UK retail, including figures such as contribution to GVA, number of CVAs and productivity.
Offer a devolved view – it highlights trends in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England.
Latest Economic Monitors
Bank of England Roundtable: 12 Feb 2025
Economic Monitor: Vacancies below pre-Covid levels, consumer sentiment down
Economic Monitor: Wage growth remains robust, labour demand cools
Economic Monitor: Interest rates cut, inflation to remain above 2% into 2027
Economic Monitor: Budget taxes to bite, sales volumes trend upwards
Economic Monitor: Budget taxes to bite, sales volumes trend upwards
Economic Monitor: Oil jumps, GDP revised down
Economic Monitor: Oil jumps, GDP revised down
Economic Monitor: GDP 0.9% higher than a year ago
Economic Monitor: Bank of England cuts rates
ECONOMIC MONITOR: CONSUMER SPENDING POWER IMPROVES
Economic Monitor: Inflation back to target... for now
Economic Monitor: Inflation falls to 2.3%
Economic Monitor: Real wage growth to improve
Economic Monitor: Consumer spending power improves
Economic Monitor: UK enters technical recession
Economic Monitor: Outlook for inflation improves
Economic Monitor: Demand holds up at the end of 2023
Economic Monitor: Consumer Confidence Improves in Run Up to Christmas
Economic Monitor: Consumer Confidence Experiences Hiccup
Become a member, join a community
Our communities are exclusively for our members. Joining is easier and cheaper than you might think. We have three types of membership: one for retailers, one for businesses that supply services to retailers, and one for other retail trade associations. Plus, banks and investors can subscribe to our data and insights.