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Portrait of Vim Maru,Chief Executive of Barclays UK

Black Friday frenzy makes shoppers susceptible to scams – collaboration is the only way to keep them safe

Vim Maru, CEO of Barclays UK, highlights the threat scammers pose to shoppers this Black Friday and shares his views on the cross-industry and Government action needed to co-ordinate the UK’s fight against fraud.

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Latest insights

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The Barclays Business Prosperity Index 

Barclays has launched the Business Prosperity Index – a new quarterly analysis of business performance and future growth opportunities.

A woman looking through a rack of clothes in a shop.

Zoom in: how retailers can engage Gen Z consumers

From social media to spending on experiences: Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, sheds light on the purchasing patterns of Gen Z – and explains why a strong social strategy is crucial for retailers striving to attract this digitally native cohort.

Man and woman holding shopping bags on high street

Retail recovery and enduring entertainment prop up non-essential spending

Retail continued to recover in October amid widespread promotional activity, boosted by online shopping and the strong performance of clothing and department stores.

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Quarterly spend trends: sweet treats, subscriptions and social events

Karen Johnson, Head of Retail at Barclays, explores why the final stretch of summer saw a rise in feel-good spending, and what might be in store as we head into the Golden Quarter.

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Right-sizing revolution: unlocking untapped capacity in the housing market

As the UK grapples with a significant shortage in housing supply, Mark Arnold, Head of Savings and Mortgages at Barclays, takes a look at the opportunities presented by right-sizing – and the bank’s policy recommendations for better incentives in the UK.

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‘Finfluencers’: the rise and risks of investment content creators

Barclays’ Savings and Investments Director discusses the risks of ‘finfluencer’ content and the growing investment ‘advice gap’ on social media.

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Growth in Brits’ non-essential spending reaches 2024-high, as Oasis ticket sales boost entertainment by 14.4 per cent

Consumer card spending increased 1.2 per cent year-on-year in September, after returning to growth in August.

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The beauty boom: redefining consumer ‘essentials’ 

From shifts in spending priorities to the impact of social media – discover the trends that are transforming the health and beauty industry.

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Money mules: how to protect yourself against the wave of scams

Barclays research suggests that 15% of young people have been targeted by ‘mule herders’. Lending Fraud Director Neil Scriven breaks down the rise of this worrying trend.

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Seven in 10 young people unaware money muling could result in criminal record

As freshers week kicks off across the UK, the latest Barclays Scams Bulletin reveals how scammers are targeting students and young people.

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Barclays Business Demography Map: Number Of UK Companies Grows By 300k Year-On-Year

The total number of businesses in the UK has grown for the sixth consecutive quarter. Hannah Bernard, Head of Business Banking at Barclays looks at the reasons behind this growth.

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Graduating from a Junior Stock Market in the UK 

Our latest research shows removing unnecessary frictions for high growth companies looking to graduate into main markets could drive dynamism and agility within UK capital markets.

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Empowering retail savers to engage with investing: the role of public policy

Encouraging a stronger retail investing market in the UK is important both for the economy and for individual financial empowerment. A new Barclays report makes five policy recommendations that could help address the market failures that prevent consumers from investing.

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Are there UK savers who could become investors that grow the UK economy?

Read in more detail about the findings and recommendations in our ‘Are there UK savers who could become investors that grow the UK economy?' report.

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“The biggest driver is confidence”: exploring what’s next for the property market

Mark Arnold, Head of Savings and Mortgages at Barclays UK, shares the bank’s latest property insights – and explores what is on the horizon for rental and mortgage customers. 

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Rent and mortgage spending growth hits 17-month low in August

Consumer confidence has increased following the base rate reduction, with 70 per cent confident in their household finances, up from 65 per cent in July.

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Card spending returns to growth in August as the summer heatwave and ‘Sweet Treat Economy’ lift spirits

Grocery spending saw its highest uplift since March, fuelled by a surge in shopping for picnic and barbecue foods at specialist stores.

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Falling energy bills offset higher rent and mortgage costs in July

The latest Barclays Property Insights report reveals that rising mortgage costs were offset by falling energy bills in July.

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Card spending declines in July, despite Euros final and holidays boosting pubs and travel

The Euros propped up pubs and bars, with transactions tripling on the day of the final.

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Unlocking equity investment for businesses across the UK

Barclays conducted a review to better understand what actions by local government would be most powerful in helping local businesses secure equity investment across the UK.

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Quarterly spend trends: summer showers, streamflation and Swiftonomics

Vim Maru, Barclays UK’s Chief Executive, explains how cooler temperatures can make a huge difference to people’s lives – and play a big role in shaping spending patterns.

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