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.
-
Sep- 2023 -26 SeptemberNews
Failure to reform Apprenticeship Levy cost retailers 12,000 lost apprenticeships, BRC says
Retailers could have offered 12,000 more apprenticeships over the past year if it was not for the Government’s failure to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The industry took on approximately 17,000 apprenticeships in that period, meaning Levy reform could boost this…
Read More » -
11 SeptemberEconomy
Retail leaders call for business rates freeze
Leaders of major retail businesses have written to chancellor Jeremy Hunt calling for a freeze in business rates in the upcoming budget, according to the Times. The CEOs of 44 of the UK’s biggest retailers such as Aldi and Ikea believe that more than £400m would be added to rates…
Read More » -
6 SeptemberFeatures
How can retailers combat shoplifters?
Retailers have recently reported that they are increasingly dealing with a problem of shoplifting in addition to the rising cost of living issues and inflation. According to the British Retail Consortium, about 850 incidents of violence or abuse against shop workers are recorded every day in Britain and have cost…
Read More » -
5 SeptemberNews
UK retail sales soar by 4.1% in August
UK total retail sales has seen an increase of 4.1% in August, against a growth of 1.0% in August 2022, according to the BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. This was above the three month average growth of 3.6% and in line with the 12-month average growth of 4.1%. Food sales also…
Read More » -
4 SeptemberNews
UK footfall falls by 1.6% in August
Total UK footfall decreased by 1.6% in August (YoY), down from a rise of +1.8% in July, the BRC has said. According to new data covering the four weeks from July 30 to August 26, high street footfall decreased by 0.9% in August (YoY), down from +1.6% in July. Shopping…
Read More » -
Aug- 2023 -29 AugustNews
Shop price annual inflation slows to 6.9% in August
Shop price annual inflation decelerated further to 6.9% in August, down from 7.6% in July, the BRC has said. The figure, which is below the 3-month average rate of 7.7%, is at its lowest since October 2022. Non-food inflation remained unchanged at 4.7% in August, which is below the 3-month…
Read More » -
22 AugustHealth & Beauty
Superdrug calls for apprenticeship levy reform amid new campaign
The boss of Superdrug has called for a reform of the government’s apprenticeship levy, claiming it would help promote social mobility and support the economy, according to The Times. CEO Peter Macnab called for an overhaul of the apprenticeship levy funding system so that “valuable funds are no longer wasted”.…
Read More » -
22 AugustGovernment
Bottle recycling scheme to cost at least £1.8bn a year, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that government plans to introduce a bottle recycling scheme could cost the industry £1.8bn a year from 2025. The BRC also stated that this figure does not include the hundreds of millions that would be needed to set up a body to run…
Read More » -
8 AugustShopping Centres
Retail sales slow in July amid heavy rain
The UK’s total retail sales increased by 1.5% in the four weeks to 29 July, against the 2.3% growth experienced in the same month last year. This was below the three-month average growth of 3.5% and the 12-month average growth of 3.9%, according to BRC data. This lacklustre growth in…
Read More » -
3 AugustNews
John Lewis to train staff to deal with shoplifting violence
John Lewis is training its retail employees to tackle shoplifters following an increase in reports of the crime. In an interview with the BBC, head of security Nicki Juniper said John Lewis was “investing heavily in training” for security and shop staff. Juniper said: “Should they want to take part…
Read More »
