Here’s confirmation of this headline, from just one supplier to a retailer close to me: ‘Since our last increase in May 2018 we have been subject to a 10% increase in the cost of timber and hair (I know), a 25% increase in the cost of springs, foam and hessian and a 40% increase in the cost of stains and solvents, mostly in the last six months. We cannot therefore sustain our current prices, which will be increasing by 10% from 20th May’. They’ve obviously decided to absorb some of the extra costs. Inflation will only return if retailers don’t do the same.
“Marks & Spencer profits plunge as clothing sales continue to fall”
So profits are down at M&S. Not really a surprise, I, like many, buy the occasional chicken Kiev but haven’t found anything I’d wear, even in private, for a long time. However, most of us running our own businesses would say, stop moaning, at least you’re making a...