Spending Habits
Young consumers can be smart consumers
The OFT is today highlighting problem sectors for young consumers as schools from across the country take part in the final of a competition testing pupils' consumer skills in areas such as shopping and finance.
Poland, Bulgaria and Croatia now on tourists’ most wanted list
Tourists are heading east on holiday to a trio of former Eastern Bloc countries in search of low prices and new sights to stimulate sore eyes.
One call to Consumer Direct could save you hundreds
A recent customer survey has shown that over half the callers to Consumer Direct who successfully resolve their complaint save more than £100 per person.
Consumers and businesses could get more out of the Internet
The rapid growth of Internet shopping is a success story that benefits both consumers and businesses across a range of markets, but that both could do more to make the most of the opportunities it provides, according to a report by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).
Britain’s biggest bill? UK digital switchover to cost consumers £2.2bn
As the countdown to the digital switchover gathers pace, nearly half (46%) of UK consumers remain blissfully unaware that their home video recorder will not work in the same way once they have ‘gone digital’, reveals independent comparison and switching service uSwitch.com.
Online guide provides top tips for making payments abroad
APACS, the UK payments association, and ABTA, the travel association, have published a consumer advice guide - Payments abroad - giving UK consumers advice on how to make their trip overseas safer and easier.
Elderly inflation rate 36% above headline rate
While the official rate of headline inflation fell back to 2.5% in May, an independent study reveals that the inflation rate facing the over-75s is 36% higher.
UK retail sales growth remains firm
Underlying growth in retail sales volume remained firm, buoyed by an increase in monthly sales volume in May, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Inflation rate falls to 2.5% in May
Consumer price inflation (CPI) was 2.5 per cent in May, down from 2.8 per cent in April, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
NCC welcomes call for rethink on post office closure plans
The National Consumer Council (NCC) welcomes the Trade and Industry Select Committee’s announcement today that it will publish a further report seeking substantive answers on aspects of Post Office closure plans.
OFT launches interactive scams guides
The OFT is launching a series of interactive scams guides designed to help people avoid being tricked into losing money.
Ofcom reviews additional charges on customer bills
Ofcom has today launched an industry wide review of additional charges made by communications providers on customers.
Peopleschampion.com gives a ‘Fistful of Dollars more’ than the High Street
Ordering your US dollars over the internet is the easiest way to give yourself more holiday spending firepower in America this summer.
Consumer confidence returns with a bang
Consumer confidence in May increased dramatically with the Nationwide Consumer Confidence Index rising nine points to 99 – its highest point since November 2005.
Credit Unions welcome OFT’s “Save Christmas” campaign
Mark Lyonette, Chief Executive of the Association of British Credit Unions (ABCUL), has lent his support to the campaign launched this week by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).