Retailers cut the price of Easter treats, clothing and electrical items as consumer spending slowed

Inflation in shop prices in the UK has eased to the lowest level for more than two years after retailers cut prices on Easter treats, clothing and electrical goods amid a slowdown in spending by consumers in the cost of living crisis.

Industry figures show prices rose at an annual rate of 1.3% in March, down from a rate of 2.5% in February – the slowest pace since December 2021, according to the latest monitor from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) trade body and the market research firm NielsenIQ.

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• Formal talks mark next step in Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul
• Saints’ football director previously oversaw City’s academy

Manchester United have made a formal approach to take Jason Wilcox from Southampton as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s summer recruitment overhaul. United want Wilcox, who joined Southampton as director of football last year, to fulfil a prominent role in the revamped footballing department as technical director.

United are confident of securing Wilcox but Southampton, who are vying for an immediate return to the Premier League, are seeking a greater compensation package and are unhappy at the timing of United’s approach. United are believed to have offered around a year of Wilcox’s salary in compensation with Ratcliffe viewing him as a pillar in his reshaping of the club.

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Crunch talks expected after investors pull plug on emergency funding and parent company due to pay back £190m loan

Thames Water has assembled a team of City experts to lead urgent restructuring talks this week amid fears that its parent company may collapse by the end of the month.

The crunch talks are expected to take place days after Thames Water’s investors signalled they would not pour further funds into the company to secure its short-term cashflow, according to a source.

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Shares fell sharply during early trading as investors scrutinize fundamentals of company’s business

Shares in Donald Trump’s Truth Social dropped more than 18% on Monday morning as the company revealed it lost $58.2m last year, raising questions about the extraordinary stock market debut which left it valued at more than $7bn.

Trump Media & Technology Group generated sales of just $4.13m in 2023, according to regulatory filings . The company’s stock fell sharply during early trading in New York on Monday, as investors scrutinized the fundamentals of its business.

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Figures suggest China-founded firm is among world’s most profitable fashion companies as it prepares for stock market listing

Shein, the online fast fashion retailer founded in China, has more than doubled its profits to more than $2bn (£1.6bn) as it awaits approval for a stock market listing in New York or London.

The company, which is growing rapidly around the world by using social media to promote its goods, recorded sales of about $45bn last year, according to a report in the Financial Times based on information from sources close to the company.

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Lowest-paid will be £1,000 short of the figure paid by some employers to reflect actual household costs

Millions of UK workers will still be left more than £1,000 a year short of a real living wage, despite the biggest cash boost in the minimum wage set by the government for more than a decade.

The “national living wage” (NLW) is increasing from Monday from £10.42 to £11.44 an hour , and is being expanded to cover younger workers with a cut in the age threshold from 23 to 21. The increase is worth £1,800 a year for a full-time adult worker.

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Hot and dry conditions could force measures despite country experiencing wettest 18 months since records began

• Why is the UK facing water shortages despite record rainfall?

The UK could face water shortages and hosepipe bans if this summer is hot and dry, despite having experienced the wettest 18 months since records began.

Leading scientists have said that because the UK is not storing its water properly, the country is vulnerable to the “all or nothing” rain patterns being experienced more frequently due to climate breakdown.

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Viral X thread highlighted prevalence of apple juice in drinks – but why is it so popular?

Last week, an X user shocked the internet in a viral thread by pointing out that most mixed juices and smoothies are mainly made from apples.

The post looked at 13 juices in a supermarket aisle, noting that the majority were made with 50% apple juice or more, despite not having any apple in the name. It was described as “applejuiceification and the illusion of choice”.

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The studio’s shareholders will decide in an upcoming meeting whether they trust Bob Iger’s vision or billionaire Nelson Peltz

Disney faces a showdown over its future this week as the Hollywood giant’s investors decide whether to back its leadership – or throw their weight behind a billionaire activist investor demanding change .

The Magic Kingdom is under pressure, amid lackluster box office returns, an expensive bet on streaming and looming questions over the future of its legacy TV business.

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