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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Dec- 2025 -5 DecemberHigh Street
Footfall slips in Nov as Black Friday fails to lift shopper numbers
Total UK footfall fell 0.8% year-on-year in November, compared with a 0.7% decline in October, as Black Friday failed to produce the much needed boost for retailers, according to the latest data from the BRC. High street footfall decreased 1.2% after a 0.6% rise in October, while retail parks saw…
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Nov- 2025 -28 NovemberGovernment
BRC welcomes unfair dismissal u-turn
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed news that the government is no longer planning to include unfair dismissal from day one in its Employment Rights Bill. Under the proposals, employees would have been able to take their employers to tribunal for unfair dismissal from their first day of employment…
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27 NovemberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail split as business rates and import rules shift
The retail industry has labelled the Autumn Budget as a “mixed bag” for retail, offering relief for many shops, but bringing in new costs for others Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Autumn Statement, outlining permanent business rates reductions for 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses and confirming new customs…
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12 NovemberFeatures
Will live facial recognition technology help retailers crack down on theft?
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), retailers in the UK have spent £1.8bn combating the rise in retail crime since the pandemic. In its annual crime survey, the BRC found that customer theft rose by more than 20% to £2bn, taking the total cost of crime – including prevention…
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11 NovemberHigh Street
Retail sales slow in October as shoppers hold off for Black Friday
UK retail sales rose by 1.6% year on year in October, down from growth of 0.6% a year earlier and below the 12-month average of 2.1%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. Food sales increased by 3.5% in October, matching the 12-month average and up from 2.6%…
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4 NovemberGovernment
BRC urges MPs to back peers’ changes to Employment Rights Bill
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on MPs to support amendments made by peers to the Employment Rights Bill when it returns to the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday 4 November). While the trade body has supported the government’s aim of tackling “unscrupulous employers”, it also warned that parts…
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Oct- 2025 -28 OctoberHigh Street
Rates hike threatens 500 big high street outlets, trade bodies warn
UKHospitality and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have called on the government to exempt hospitality and retail outlets from a proposed business rates surcharge that would apply to 5,000 high street properties with a rateable value above £500,000. The trade bodies warned that around 500 premises could be at risk…
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28 OctoberEconomy
Shop price inflation slows to 1% in October amid retailer discounting
Shop price inflation eased to 1.0% year on year in October, down from 1.4% in September, as competition led to widespread discounting, according to the latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) figures. The rate was marginally below the three-month average of 1.1%. It comes as Non-food prices fell by 0.4% year…
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27 OctoberSupermarkets
Supermarkets urge chancellor to drop new rates surtax
Nine of Britain’s biggest supermarket chains have called on chancellor Rachel Reeves to exclude large retail stores from the government’s proposed business rates surtax, warning it would add pressure to food prices. The letter, organised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), was signed by the heads of Aldi, Asda, Iceland,…
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22 OctoberEconomy
Inflation holds steady at 3.8% in September
Inflation remained unchanged in September for the third month in a row, as the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.8%, with food prices easing over the period. The September, August and July 2025 figures have been the joint-highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. Transport made the…
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