Spain’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew faster than expected, by 5.5%, in 2022, as the country avoided a recession in the final quarter, despite fears of a global slowdown, official data showed on Friday. Spain’s GDP grew by 0.2% in the fourth quarter, from the previous quarter, and by 2.7% from the same quarter in 2021, the National Statistics Institute announced on Friday. Public spending drove the economy in the last quarter of the year, compensating for a contraction in private consumption and allowing Spain to notch its seventh consecutive quarter of growth, reports Reuters. Analysts polled by Reuters had forecast 0.1% quarter-on-quarter growth and 2.2% year-on-year expansion. The final GDP data beat both the original official forecast for the year, which was 4.5%, and the 5% anticipated by the Prime Minister in late 2022. The statistics agency also revised up previous quarters. Madrid expects that GDP growth will slow to 2.1% in 2023, though many analysts expect a sharper slowdown.
SPAR Norway has started a collaboration with a popular food blogger to create a weekly menu free from food waste, reports ESMmagazine.com. The SPAR country organisation asked Marit Røttingsnes Westlie, better known as Mrs Timian, to create an inspiring weekly menu that eliminates food waste. The blogger describes the menu that she has created in collaboration with SPAR Norway as “down to earth, with simple dishes suitable for most people.” Mrs Timian advises using seasonal produce, reusing the same vegetables in different dishes, as well as checking what you have in the fridge before you go to the store. The blogger claims that dinner leftovers are great for packed lunches. “My suggestion is to use seasonal ingredients and ensure that a selection of the same side dishes and vegetables are used in different dishes. However, you can vary the main ingredients,” she said.
“Putting customers first” has earned Co. Wexford village store owner Peter Steemers a top award from one of Europe’s biggest employers’ associations. Steemers, who owns Steemers-O’Leary’s in Bunclody, was named Customer Service Retailer of the Year at the exclusive 2023 Fed Awards. The ceremony was hosted by BBC presenter Naga Munchetty at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel on 24 January. The Fed (Federation of Independent Retailers) is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 10,000 members throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland. Commenting on the award, Steemers said, “Service is what me and the team pride ourselves on. We are the heart of the community and know everyone. Even passing trade, we make them feel special, so hopefully they will shop again on their travels.”
© 2023 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
