Retail sales in Great Britain fall as struggling households cut back
Latest negative economic update comes as John Healey prepares to announce budget next week
UK consumer confidence falls at fastest rate since Brexit vote as cost of living bites
Economic fallout from war in Middle East adds to pressures on consumers and on chancellor before budget
Tax online sales more heavily to save high streets, Burnham urged
Exclusive: British Chambers of Commerce president calls for overhaul of business rates and greater powers for local leaders
Sainsbury’s expects challenging run-up to Christmas as households feel squeeze
Supermarket urges government not to ‘further aggravate’ pressure on costs for businesses in next week’s budget
Waitrose opens first new supermarket in eight years in north London
Grocer launches Cricklewood store as part of £1bn investment plan, with Hale Barns, Greater Manchester, to follow next month
‘No real sense of appeal’: Vinted sellers complain of unfair account ‘bans’
Some users claim online marketplace’s automated systems stack odds against them when sales go wrong
Stinky business: south London bike shop hit by ‘unbearable’ stench from Thames Water sewer
Owner and mechanics fear for their health and future of the Herne Hill shop with no date for fixing problem
‘I introduce myself to anyone who looks a bit jumpy’: a security guard’s take on anti-shoplifting fixes
A professional reveals the most effective tricks of the trade, from a little bit of empathy to hi-tech cameras
Merry squishmas: £10 squeezy banana on list of top festive season toys
Social media-driven craze puts ‘squishies’ up there with evergreen favourites such as Lego and Barbie, Hamleys says
John Healey ‘targets tax crackdown on online marketplaces’ in first budget
Move aimed at firms such as Amazon and eBay could raise up to £1bn more for Treasury, says report
UK high street bosses urge chancellor to cut cost of employing young people
Retailers call on John Healey to raise national insurance contributions threshold in his first budget
Employees all over the world find themselves monitored by AI at work
The latest example of workers under surveillance comes from Co-op, a British consumer cooperative that runs thousands of businesses
Hobbs and Whistles owner investigates hack that may have exposed customer data
Cyber-attack on TFG London comes less than a week after online fashion seller Asos was hit by hackers
UK shoppers seek deals as grocery price inflation rises again
Price of chocolates falls in run-up to Halloween, while supermarkets use special offers to draw in sales
‘Halloweenmas’: how the spooky one-nighter turned into a month-long spectacular
Welcome to Halloweenmas, weeks of themed fun and gifts – from costume parties to decorating trees – without the stress, rules or cost of Christmas