News
Swedish retail confidence strengthens across all sectors in June
6+ hour, 22+ min ago (262+ words) Confidence in Sweden's retail sector improved across all major trade categories in June, according to the latest Trade Barometer from Svensk Handel, signalling growing optimism among businesses after an extended period of economic uncertainty. " Hyotographics | Dreamstime The June survey shows…...
UK consumer confidence holds steady as younger age group turns notably more cautious
6+ hour, 22+ min ago (148+ words) UK consumer confidence remained unchanged at -23 in June 2026, according to the latest data from the Gf K Consumer Confidence Barometer powered by Nielsen IQ and the Nuremberg Institute for Market Decisions. The headline index showed no movement from May, although…...
UK accelerates crackdown on low-value imports as Shein and Temu reshape e-commerce landscape
6+ day, 6+ hour ago (262+ words) The UK government is considering accelerating reforms targeting low-value imports amid growing pressure from domestic retailers concerned about competition from fast-growing overseas platforms such as Shein and Temu. " Rokas Tenys | Dreamstime Under current rules, goods valued at "135 or less can…...
China rebounds as US imports defy trade uncertainty
2+ week, 5+ hour ago (208+ words) US containerised imports rebounded strongly in May, rising 6. 6% from April as seasonal demand and a surge in shipments from China boosted volumes despite ongoing trade and geopolitical uncertainty. " Nightman1965 | Dreamstime According to logistics technology provider Descartes, imports reached 2. 43 million twenty-foot equivalent…...
Czech industrial output still weak despite modest gains, ING warns of rate pressure
2+ week, 2+ day ago (258+ words) Czech industrial production rose 1. 5% year-on-year in April, slightly above expectations, but ING notes that the broader industrial outlook remains subdued and well below full capacity levels. " Olgacov | Dreamstime While manufacturing showed some resilience, supported by new orders and construction growth,…...
Exchange rates drive Turkish furniture exports, but war threat leads to hoarding behaviour in Iran
3+ week, 1+ day ago (692+ words) Interior Daily Morocco advanced to fourth place among the most important markets for Turkish furniture, paper and forest products in April This is according to recent export figures from the sector, which recorded total foreign sales of $703. 18 million " Ugur Ucan…...
Czech factories stay strong as rising costs slowly feed through to prices
3+ week, 2+ day ago (356+ words) Czech manufacturing continues to demonstrate resilience despite a slight softening in May, according to a new analysis published by ING, with the Purchasing Managers' Index remaining firmly in expansion territory and outperforming expectations. The report highlights that the reading aligns…...
Germany inflation holds at 2. 6% as cost pressures ease unevenly across sectors
3+ week, 3+ day ago (172+ words) Germany's inflation rate is expected to stand at 2. 6% in May 2026, according to provisional data from the Federal Statistical Office Destatis, marking a slight decline from the previous month as price dynamics remain uneven across key categories. " Sjankauskas | Dreamstime The harmonised…...
Consumer caution weighs on European home furnishings retail as sales decline continues
3+ week, 6+ day ago (247+ words) Specialist retail across Europe continued to face subdued trading conditions in April 2026, with home furnishings among the categories most affected by weakening consumer sentiment and reduced discretionary spending. " Tuthelens | Dreamstime According to data from industry federation Procos, in-store sales among…...
Havertys warns Iran war fuel surge is driving up furniture supply chain costs
1+ mon, 3+ day ago (261+ words) Rising fuel prices linked to the Iran war are putting growing pressure on the furniture supply chain, according to Havertys President and CEO Steven Burdette. Speaking during the company's recent earnings call, Burdette said higher fuel costs are increasing expenses…...