the Pulse

Against the usual seasonal fluctuations and ongoing issues with supply and material prices, merchants’ sales expectations and confidence remain strong. Sales expectations... Learn More

Merchants’ sales expectations remain high, despite the continuing constraints of supply problems, long lead times and rising prices. Year-on-year sales expectations improved... Learn More

Merchants’ outlook improved in September, with sales expectations and business and market confidence up compared to August. Pressures in the supply chain... Learn More

Merchants’ sales expectations weakened in August compared to July as frustrated merchants battled with long lead times, material and staff shortages, and... Learn More

Merchants’ confidence in the market and in their business remained very strong in July. Sales expectations are also high. Material supply problems... Learn More

Merchants’ sales expectations remained strong in June. However, issues around supply with shortages, lengthy lead times and price increases have had a... Learn More

Confidence in the market and sales expectations in May compared to April remained strong. However, merchants’ concerns have shifted from Brexit and... Learn More

Merchants’ sales expectations and confidence in April compared to March remained high, and they continued to rise sharply compared to April last... Learn More

Merchant’s views in March were boosted by the Prime Minister’s announcement of a roadmap out of lockdown. But increased sales activity and... Learn More

Across all aspects measured by the Pulse, merchants are noticeably more positive in February than they were in January. Expectations are also... Learn More