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- 2019 -1 AprilEconomy
Shops, pubs and restaurants to get £500m tax reprieve
Small firms on England’s embattled high streets are set to share in half a billion pounds worth of tax cuts as business rates bills are slashed, real estate adviser Altus Group has said. The government announced a business rates discount scheme for small sized high street properties in England which…
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Mar- 2019 -22 MarchHigh Street
Crime cost retailers £1.9bn last year
The British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) annual Retail Crime Survey has revealed the total cost of crime and crime prevention for retailers was £1.9bn last year. This was up 12% from the previous year (£1.7bn) and was made up of £900m direct cost from retail crime, and £1bn spent in efforts…
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21 MarchAdvice
How to curb e-commerce fraud as people migrate to online shopping
Figures from the annual BRC Retail Crime Survey report an exponential increase in e-commerce fraud, specifically fraudulent Card Not Present (CNP) refunds. As consumers shift away from spending on the high street and adopt a proclivity for online shopping, e-commerce fraud is growing at twice the rate of e-commerce sales.…
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11 MarchHigh Street
Feb footfall signals 15th month of decline
Footfall fell by 2% in February, a significant decline compared with the previous year, when it fell by 0.2%, and marks the fifteenth consecutive month of decline. According to the BRC’s figures it was also the weakest February in five years. High street footfall was found to have declined by 1.9%, marking seven consecutive months of weakening…
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5 MarchHigh Street
February retail growth hit by ‘Brexit uncertainty’
February retail growth was hit by “Brexit uncertainty” according to the BRC as on a total basis, sales increased by 0.5% in the month, a slowdown when compared with 1.6% in February 2018. This was found to be below both the three-month and 12-month averages of 0.9% and 1.2% respectively.…
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Feb- 2019 -27 FebruaryEconomy
Shop price inflation hits six-year high
Shop price inflation increased by 0.7% in February, up from 0.4% in January, and is the highest inflation rate since March 2013. According to the BRC, non-food prices rose by 0.2% year-on-year during the month, compared with the January decrease of 0.2%. Additionally, food inflation rose slightly to 1.6%, up…
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21 FebruarySupply Chain
UK and Ireland retailers warn of no-deal tariffs
With just 36 days until the UK leaves the EU the leading retail bodies in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom have said a no-deal Brexit could have “devastating consequences”. The British Retail Consortium (BRC), Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) and Retail Ireland have issued a joint statement highlighting…
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20 FebruaryGovernment
Retailers ‘trying to water down’ bottle deposit scheme
Environmental groups have accused retailers of trying to ignore calls for a catch-all deposit of more than 15p on plastic drinks containers. The deposit scheme is currently being discussed by ministers who are trying to decide which bottle sizes would be included in the plans. Environmentalists say both large and…
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18 FebruaryGovernment
BRC hits out at HMRC over ‘unreasonable’ pay rules
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has demanded HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) ceases action against retailers who have breached pay rules deemed “no longer fit for purpose” by the trade body. Retailers called the minimum wage regulations and chasing from the taxman “unreasonable” while the regulations are under review by…
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14 FebruaryEconomy
UK inflation hits two-year low in January
The Consumer Prices Index (CPI) 12-month rate fell to 1.8% in January 2019, down from 2.1% in December 2018, according to the latest figures from the ONS. This fell below the Bank of England’s inflation target of 2% for the month, with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) also decreasing to…
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