United Kingdom

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In 2018, UK household expenditure on recreational services declined in real terms, influenced by slower wage growth and weak sentiment regarding job security, as a result of Brexit. Over the year, consumer expenditure on recreational and cultural ...

The healthcare and social services industry has been experiencing increasing demand for treatment of chronic diseases. Around 15 million people in the UK suffer from chronic diseases, and around three million of these have more than one long-term ...

In 2018, education remained the second largest category in the UK’s public spending, accounting for 4% of national income. However, although the level of government spending on education increased slightly over the year, spending in real terms ...

The UK’s housing market remained relatively resilient in 2019, thanks to modest price growth. According to the Nationwide Building Society, the average property value edged up to GBP215,282 in December 2019, representing a 1% rise compared to the ...

In 2018, the industry declined at the fastest pace since the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. Brexit uncertainty weighed on private sector performance, as business confidence and investment deteriorated further. Despite relatively low borrowing ...

Motor vehicles and parts production value declined in 2018, and continued to do so in 2019. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), car production volumes during January-September 2019 declined by 16% in comparison to the ...

Information and communications turnover in the UK continued on a growth path over 2018. The main driver remained the country’s IT industry, which was responsible for over 70% of growth in turnover over the year. While Brexit-related uncertainty has ...

The UK’s hi-tech goods industry’s growth accelerated slightly in 2018. The industry benefited from a slump in the value of the UK currency, which helped increase exports and also raised inflation in the country. Although in nominal terms, turnover ...

The machinery industry in the UK has been experiencing growing demand for innovative products. Such features as the use of artificial intelligence, which makes production lines more efficient and able to adapt to changing manufacturing needs, and ...

In 2018, the UK’s food and beverage industry stagnated, dragged down by falling demand from B2B buyers. During the year, B2B sales declined, mainly due to reduced customer flows and a shift towards more budget-friendly options in the foodservice ...

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In 2018, the UK’s steel exports recorded significantly slower growth, owing to higher US import tariffs on steel. The UK exports nearly half of its steel production, with around 6% of that going to the US. Following the Trump-imposed 25% import ...

In September 2018, the crude oil (WTI Cushing) price reached USD69.8 per barrel, the highest price since December 2014, resulting in a record high producer price increase for chemical products. The UK’s Office for National Statistics reported that ...

In 2018, the crop and cereal sector was the growth driver for the UK’s agricultural industry, despite poor volume output. Given the severe winter weather and relatively dry conditions during the summer, harvest yields were constrained, but value ...

Sainsbury’s has launched chilled processed fish in ovenable stand-up pouches as part of its Taste the Difference private label range. The packaging, made by FFP, is aimed at reducing pack weight, storage space and waste within the home. It won the ...

With their own plastic reduction targets in mind, retailers such as Morrisons and Waitrose are offering frozen fruit refills in selected stores. Although Lidl has been offering plastic-free dried fruit and nuts, plastic-free frozen fruit is a novelty...

Pouches is already the dominant pack type in prepared baby food and continues to record strong growth in its popularity. Tesco launched its own range of baby food in pouches in November 2018. Convenience for on-the-go consumption, improved shelf ...

Packaging sustainability, particularly recyclability, is expected to become a major axis for innovation in the forecast period as pressures mount on confectionery brand owners. Leading brands in confectionery, namely Mondelez, Mars, Nestlé and ...

Plagued by uncertainties surrounding Brexit, the pace of growth will be weak in 2019. The biggest risk to the UK economy is that of a no-deal Brexit and business confidence and fixed investment will be weak owing to the uncertainties. Wage growth is ...