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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Apr- 2024 -17 AprilHigh Street
BRC calls on PCC candidates to ‘get tough’ on retail crime
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates to commit to three pledges that would support the fight against “spiralling” retail crime ahead of local elections on 2 May. As part of its #GetToughOnRetailCrime campaign, the three pledges are as follows: Make retail crime…
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10 AprilGovernment
Assault of retail staff to be made specific criminal offence
The Government has announced that assaulting a retail worker will be made a standalone criminal offence and serial or abusive shoplifters will face tougher punishments under new laws included in its Criminal Justice Bill. Perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and…
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9 AprilEconomy
Easter helps retail sales jump 3.5% in March
UK Total retail sales increased by 3.5% year on year in March, as the early Easter helped boost performance for the month, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. The increase was above the three-month average growth of 2.1% and the 12-month average growth of 2.9%. It comes as…
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8 AprilClothing & Shoes
BRC boss warns greenwashing crackdown will discourage retailers
The CEO of the British Retail Consortium, Helen Dickinson, has warned that the CMA’s crackdown on greenwashing risks retailers scaling back their sustainability efforts. Dickinson’s comments to The Times follows the CMA’s announcement that it had secured “landmark changes” after the authority investigated the eco-friendly claims made by Asos, Boohoo…
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Mar- 2024 -22 MarchEconomy
Retail sales flatline in rainiest February on record
UK retail sales experienced no growth (0.0%) in February, down from 3.6% in the month prior, as wet weather discouraged store sales, according to the latest figures released by the ONS. While the latest figures were still ahead of expectations for a 0.4% decline, food and fuel sellers felt the…
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19 MarchHigh Street
Primark trials ‘sold’ stickers as anti-theft deterrent
Primark UK has started trialling a new anti-theft measure, which sees checkout staff at some of the fashion retailer’s branches seal up paper carrier bags with blue “sold” stickers. This measure means that any customers carrying bags without the stickers will be stopped at the door by store security guards. …
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7 MarchNews
Today’s news in brief-7/3/24
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) criticised Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget, stating that it lacked initiatives to boost investment and growth in communities, particularly for retail businesses. Despite calls to reduce business rates and reintroduce tax-free shopping for tourists, Hunt’s budget did not address these concerns. The BRC emphasised the…
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7 MarchEconomy
Budget will ‘do nothing to turbocharge investment’, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has stated that the latest Budget announcement will “do nothing to turbocharge investment and growth in communities”. This comes after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt revealed his Spring Budget without many big giveaways for retail businesses. Hunt resisted calls from business leaders to reduce business rates, reintroduce…
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5 MarchNews
Today’s news in brief-5/3/24
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), total retail sales rose by 1.1% in February year-on-year, attributed partly to February being the wettest on record. While food sales increased by 6%, non-food sales decreased by 2.5%, both below previous averages. In-store and online non-food sales also experienced declines. Despite positive…
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5 MarchEconomy
Retail sales underperform in February
UK total retail sales rose by 1.1% year-on-year during the four-week period ended 24 February, against a growth of 5.2% last year and below the three-month average growth of 1.4%, according to the BRC. The BRC has attributed the poor retail sales to February 2024 being “the wettest on record”. …
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