Basket & Barometer March 2026

Send us Fan MailDiane Wehrle CEO at Rendle Intelligence and Insights joins Simon for their monthly chatThey break down why February 2026 turns into a tough month for UK retail, with record rain dragging down footfall and high street sales. They also zoom out to consumer confidence, inflation pressures, and the April policy changes that could reshape hiring and costs.• Record wet weather and why it hits retail demand fast• Footfall declines across high streets, centres and retail parks• High street debit card sales tracking below last year• Category performance across fashion, food and drink, general retail, grocery, health and beauty• GfK Nielsen consumer confidence falling and what it signals for March• Major purchases weakening and the savings index rising• Inflation staying at 3% overall while essentials run hotter• Discounting effects in clothing and muted inflation in big-ticket categories• Average transaction value rising in food and drink and health and beauty• National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage rises from 1 April• Key headlines from the first phase of the UK Employment Rights Act  #theproductivityexpertsRegister for the 2026 Productivity ForumDownload a copy of our first ReThink Productivity Retail ReportConnect to Simon on LinkedInFollow ReThink on LinkedIn