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.
-
Mar- 2021 -12 MarchFeatures
A look at what an online sales tax means for businesses
In last year’s Business Rates Review: Call for Evidence, Jesse Norman MP, financial secretary to the Treasury, said the government would explore the potential options of “alternative” property and online taxes which could act as “possible replacements” for rates to tackle the increases in businesses online presence. The proposition would…
Read More » -
9 MarchHigh Street
UK retail sales up 9.5% in February, says BRC-KPMG
Like-for-like UK retail sales increased 9.5% last month against February 2020, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor, which covered the four weeks between 31 January – 27 February 2021. The data revealed that over the three months to February, in-store sales of non-food items declined 38.9% on a…
Read More » -
3 MarchEconomy
Shop prices continue to fall in February
Shop prices continued to fall in February, down 2.4%, marking the lowest deflation rate since May 2020. According to the latest figures from the BRC-Nielsen Shop price Index, the decline was below the 2.2% experienced in January and is also below the 12- and six-month average price decreases of 1.7%…
Read More » -
Feb- 2021 -25 FebruaryDIY
Ikea UK hit with £33m loss amid pandemic
Ikea UK has announced that total sales fell by £200m to £1.9bn in its full-year ended 31 August 2020, down from sales of £2.12bn reported in FY19. While the furniture giant decreased its costs by 3.4% to help shore up its finances, it still reported an overall loss impact of…
Read More » -
23 FebruaryGovernment
Gov should ‘remain flexible’ when lifting retail ban, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said the government should “remain flexible” and allow non-essential retailers to reopen as soon as the data suggests it is safe to do so. The statement comes in response to Boris Johnson’s roadmap’ out of lockdown, where the PM said it is possible that…
Read More » -
11 FebruaryEconomy
Non-food retailers see £22bn sales hit due to Covid
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is reporting that the country’s three national lockdowns have cost ‘non-food’ stores – mainly ‘non-essential’ retail – an estimated £22bn in lost sales. The trade association said stricter restrictions in the crucial run-up to Christmas hampered retailers’ ability to generate much-needed turnover, which would have…
Read More » -
9 FebruaryCoronavirus Featured Content
January retail sales slump to lowest level since May 2020
January saw retail sales growth decline to its lowest level since May of last year, figures by the BRC and KPMG show. According to the pair’s sales monitor, total retail sales dropped by 1.3% in January compared to 0.4% in January 2020 as national lockdown measures continue to disrupt trading. …
Read More » -
1 FebruaryCoronavirus Featured Content
BRC chief calls for rates extension as vacancies rise by 13%
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to extend business rates relief beyond April as the number of retail stores lying vacant rose to 13.7% in Q4 2020. The plea follows figures published by the consortium which show that all retail locations saw…
Read More » -
Jan- 2021 -12 JanuaryHigh Street
British retailers suffer worst year on record, BRC reveals
British retailers suffered one of the worst years on record for sales growth, a new study by KPMG and BRC reveals. According to the pair’s ‘retail monitor’, total sales declined 0.3% compared with 2019. Sales on non-food items such as clothing also witnessed a 5.0% dip, due to national lockdowns…
Read More » -
11 JanuaryFeatures
What’s next for Primark?
Primark’s opening statement for 2021 had a slightly more sombre tone than you would expect from one of the UK’s reigning fast fashion champions. In a brief statement issued by its parent company Associated British Foods, the store revealed how it now expects to lose and additional £220m in sales…
Read More »
