Stuart Machin, who runs one of Britain's biggest High Street chains, said that government levies now make up more than half of the retailer's energy costs - which is 'not sustainable'.
A market-wide review of new models in showrooms found that only 23% have a gear stick, which is rapidly dying out as car makers ramp up their EV efforts.
Britain is set to be hit harder than any major advanced economy by a slowdown driven by war in the Middle East, according to a damning new global forecast.
Among other blunders, NS&I has been accused of short-changing bereaved families by losing track of investments, delaying payouts and withholding premium bond prizes.
Lord Simon Wolfson said war could have 'knock-on effects on costs, selling prices and consumer demand' outside of the region, including in the UK - as well as hitting sales in the Middle East itself.
The boss of the Co-op will step down after four years, as the retailer reported it had taken a significant hit from a cyber attack and higher employment costs.
The worrying survey from the British Retail Consortium and pollsters Opinium comes just as Labour had insisted that there have been green shoots appearing in the economy.