Chocolate Prices Rise

The cost of cocoa beans has soared since the start of the year, signalling a rise in the price of chocolate for consumers. More chocolate is being bought, which is though to be due to an easing in the economic crisis, despite the price of raw materials rising by more than 20%.

Chocolate Prices Rise

Egypt Holiday Demand Slump

UK tour operators say the recent violence across large parts of Egypt has taken its toll on demand for holidays in the country. Some classic economic theory behind this story but could you draw the demand graph for it?

Egypt Holiday Slump

Low Fat Chips

Burger King have launched lower-fat chips called Satisfries as pressure begins to mount in the US for food firms to help tackle obesity. They contain 40% less fat than those sold by McDonalds and will go on sale in the US on Tuesday at a slightly higher price than regular fries. Will this help Burger King & the American wasteline line?

Satisfries

iPhone 5s Shortage

The new iPhone models have gone on sale, with eager shoppers - many of whom had camped out - flooding into Apple's flagship stores. But hundreds of people took to Twitter to say that many of the stores had ran out of the new devices. Phones then began appearing on eBay for as much as £2,000 as Apple pushed back its dispatch date for new phones to October.

5s Shortage

Plastic Bag Tax

A 5p charge for plastic bags in England is to be introduced by the government in a bid to discourage their use. The charge, which will only apply to supermarkets and larger stores, will begin after the 2015 election, with the proceeds going to charities. Will the 5p tax be enough to discourage use? What other methods could be used to solve the market failure?

Plastic Bag Tax

GTA V Set To Smash Sales Records

Grand Theft Auto V, one of the most eagerly-anticipated video game releases of the year is expected to smash sales records after going on sale worldwide today. The game reportedly cost around £170 million to make and market and retails at £35 but with such high demand for the game online seller Amazon has already sold out and copies have started appearing on eBay for in excess of £90. Experts predict the game could generate £1 Billion in its first year on sale.

GTA Smashes Sales Record

Rising Onion Prices Sting India

The Indian economy is facing one of its worst crises in a decade and while that is worrying the political and economic fraternity, what is worrying ordinary Indians is the price of onions. People in India eat their way through 15 million tonnes of onions a year and in the last month the price has gone up nearly five-fold and is stinging everyone in India. The reason for this is a classic case of supply and demand. Find out more by checking out the article below.

Rising Onion Prices

Most Expensive Dish Ever

Scientists from a university in The Netherlands have created the first ever burger made from entirely from meat grown in a lab - a bargain at £250,000. It is part in answer to the worlds unsustainable farming practices which is a classic case of supply and demand in action. With the price of food on the rise why not check out some of the most expensive dishes ever! Would you pay for them?

Most Expensive Dishes Ever

The Price To Pay To See Los Galacticos

Bournemouth hosted the European giants Real Madrid in a friendly at the weekend. The result didn't quite go the way of the championship side as Madrid ran out 6-0 winners however Bournemouth still cashed in with tickets for the friendly a healthy £55 to £60. How can they charge so much? 

Sunshine Sales

As Britain is basking in a heat wave the better weather has brought a long overdue boost to the majority of retailers tills. Primark has seen a boost to the sales of its clothing and footwear as shoppers catch up on delayed purchases. Supermarkets have also seen disposable bbq's, burgers and hair removal cream fly off the shelves. Some great Economics behind this story. 

Sunshine Sales

Popcorn & Parking

All companies are allowed to place a mark-up onto their products. This is how they make a profit. But what happens when companies appear to charge whatever they think they can get away with? Some interesting findings here about popcorn and parking charges which show excellent examples of inelastic demand. Very useful report for A2 Economics and part of a great programme you can catch up on BBC called Your Money, Their Tricks.

Popcorn & Parking

BitCoin On The Money

BitCoin is a peer-to-peer digital currency which, unlike the currencies found in virtual worlds such as Second Life's "Linden Dollars", it can be used to purchase real-world goods as well as online goods and services. So how has this come around?

BitCoin Money

Wimbledon's Ultimate Complement

Strawberries and cream are a Wimbledon essential. The demand for these is very high throughout the two week period with 28,000kg of Strawberries consumed over the tournament served with over 7000 liters of fresh cream. The price of a punnet of ten berries and cream has been on the rise also. In 1990 a punnet of ten strawberries and cream would cost you £1.60 and in 2011 it would set you back £2.50. How inelastic is the demand before, during and after Wimbledon?

Strawberries & Cream

Ice Cream Economics

How much would you pay? Fantastic article about the economics behind the pricing of Ice Cream. Brilliant reading for all Economists.

Ice Cream Economics

AS Micro/Macro Exam Tips

An excellent selection of hints and tips for Economics students to help them prepare for the upcoming unit two exam or the re-sit of unit one. Take a look by following the link:

Hints & Tips

Secrets Of The Shops

9 tricks that shops use to get you to spend more. Convincing shoppers to part with more cash can be as simple as putting the price in red or tucking everyday items at the back of stores. Read through the article and see how many you have fallen for!

Shop Tricks

Economics of Superbowl

The U.S is set to spend $12 billion for its annual sporting event this weekend. Most of that consumer spending comes through snacks where approximately $30 million will be spent. If you want to go to the game live it will cost between $850 and $1250 plus a few hundred dollars for parking. 

Economics of SuperBowl

Fizzy Drinks Tax

Leading medical bodies are calling for a 20p-per-litre levy on soft drinks to be included in this year's Budget. Will this help correct the market failure that arises from sugary drinks?

Fizzy Drink Tax

£20 Cap On Tickets

Fans are demanding a £20 limit on the price of away tickets amid fears that the growing costs will hit match attendances, affecting the atmosphere of games. The Football Supporters Federation's 'Twenty's Plenty' drive aims to get clubs to peg the cost of away tickets. This comes after Man City returned 900 tickets for their trip to the Emirates after fans refused to pay £62 to watch their team. Interesting economics in this!

£20 Cap on Tickets

Coca-Cola Addresses Obesity In TV Ad's

Fizzy-drink giant Coca-Cola has launched an advert addressing obesity for the first time on TV. This news comes as New York steps up its attempts to ban large sugary drinks in cinemas, restaurants & spots arenas.   As the governments are trying to correct the market failure caused by over-consumption of sugary drinks, Coca-Cola are trying to ensure they are not going to be hit hardest. Great story for Economists studying Markets In Action. 

Coca Cola Adverts