This box summarises the main findings from recent contacts between ECB staff and representatives of 76 leading non-financial companies operating in the euro area. According to these exchanges, which mainly took place between 22 June and 1 July 2026, activity continued to grow moderately in the second quarter with similar momentum expected for the third quarter. While the war in the Middle East was weighing on consumer spending somewhat, the overall impact on activity seemed limited as some firms benefited from less competition and precautionary stockbuilding.

Constantly namedropped in Absolutely Fabulous – one of the sharpest and funniest sitcoms of the 1990s – London’s most iconic fashion department store is up for sale following a significant downturn in business over the last five years.

When sustainable practices are pitched to business startups as good for the bottom line and core to the founder's mission, they're more likely to succeed. Alisa Bright on Unsplash, CC BYSustainable business practices are often seen as a luxury that only rich countries can afford.

The president said punishing 50 percent tariffs would begin by Aug. 19, a significant escalation of the trade war between Canada and the U.S. that he started over a year ago.