British Retail Consortium
This coverage focuses on the British Retail Consortium’s role, initiatives, and influence within the UK retail industry. Reporting includes policy advocacy, industry reports, regulatory developments, public statements, and leadership actions that shape the sector. With a focus on commercial implications and operational challenges, it provides valuable context for retail executives and managers navigating industry-wide issues and strategic decisions.
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Sep- 2025 -17 SeptemberEconomy
Inflation holds steady at 3.8% but food prices on the rise
Inflation held steady last month, with a reported rise of 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2025, unchanged from July’s figures. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the August and July figures mark the joint-highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. It comes as…
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12 SeptemberHigh Street
400 large stores at risk under new business rates proposals, BRC finds
Around 400 large-format stores are at risk of closure, if they are included in the Government’s new business rates surtax on premises with a rateable value over £500,000, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC anticipates that if all 400 at-risk stores were to close, up to 100,000…
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9 SeptemberEconomy
Retail sales rise 3.1% in August due to warmer weather
UK retail sales grew 3.1% in August compared with the same month last year, marking a stronger end to the summer thanks to warmer weather, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The figures, covering the four weeks from 3 to 30 August, were above the 12-month average growth of…
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Aug- 2025 -28 AugustPeople Moves
BRC appoints Jo Whitfield as chairman-elect
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has appointed Jo Whitfield CBE as its next chair, succeeding Andy Higginson when his term ends on 2 October 2025. Whitfield has 25 years’ experience in retail, including senior roles at Matalan, the Co-operative Group and Asda. She is currently a non-executive and audit chair…
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26 AugustEconomy
Shop price inflation hits 18-month high in first week of August
Shop price inflation increased to 0.9% year on year in the week ended 7 August, an 18-month high, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. This increase came against growth of 0.7% in July and was above the three-month average inflation of 0.6%, driven by price hikes across butter,…
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22 AugustHigh Street
Retail bosses urge chancellor to cut industry tax burden in Budget
More than 60 retail leaders have written to the chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that rising costs are driving up prices and threatening jobs. Chief executives from companies including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Asda, Boots and Ikea signed the letter, which calls for a reduction in business rates for…
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21 AugustEconomy
Consumer sentiment improves slightly but remains in ‘doldrums’, BRC finds
Consumer expectations for the next three months improved marginally in August but remain historically low, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium. Expectations for the state of the economy rose slightly to -32, up from -33 in July. Views on personal finances also improved…
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12 AugustEconomy
Retail sales up 2.5% in July despite job losses and store closures
Retail sales in the UK rose 2.5% in the four weeks ended 2 August against a growth of 0.5% in July 2024, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). As part of this increase, food sales rose 3.9% year-on-year in July, beating a tough comparative of…
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8 AugustEconomy
Footfall declines in July for second consecutive year
UK footfall fell by 0.4% year on year in July, according to data from the British Retail Consortium–Sensormatic IQ, marking a second consecutive year of decline for the month. The figure was a slight improvement on June’s 1.8% fall. High street footfall declined by 1.7%, compared with a 3.0% drop…
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5 AugustShopping Centres
Network Rail sees retail sales hit record £915m in 2024/25
Network Rail has reported that its 19 managed stations saw retail sales rise by a “record” 8.7% to £914.7m in 2024/25, driven by growth and convenience outlets. During the period, like-for-like sales rose 5.8%, with London Waterloo generating £107.5m and London Bridge £100.1m, making them the first two stations in…
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