UK Shopping News: Food Sales Up, Other Sales Down

Introduction

New reports show how people in the UK spent money in March. More people bought food, but fewer people bought other things.

Main Body

Total sales in UK shops went up by 3.6%. Food sales grew a lot. This happened because of Easter and higher prices. But sales for clothes and shoes were low. People bought some toys and computers. Problems in the Middle East make people worried. This makes them spend less money. Shipping and insurance now cost more. This is hard for shops. Barclays says travel spending went down by 3.3%. This is the first drop in five years. People are staying in their own country for holidays. Some people are saving more money because they are afraid of the crisis. Most people think things will cost more for the rest of the year. An expert says the economy is slow. He thinks the Bank of England should not change interest rates right now.

Conclusion

People are careful with their money. The economy is in a difficult position. Now, everyone is waiting for the Bank of England to decide on interest rates.

Vocabulary Learning

cost
The money you pay for something費用 / 代價
Example:Shipping and insurance now cost more.
crisis
A time of great danger or difficulty危機
Example:Some people are saving more money because they are afraid of the crisis.
economy
The system of how money and goods are produced and used經濟
Example:An expert says the economy is slow.
grew
To become larger or more in number增加 / 生長
Example:Food sales grew a lot because of higher prices.
interest rates
The amount of extra money you pay when you borrow money利率
Example:The Bank of England should not change interest rates right now.