British Independent Retailers Association
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May- 2025 -13 MayFeatures
What does the new Employment Rights Bill mean for retailers?
The Employment Rights Bill, slated for major implementation in autumn 2026, is being hailed by the government as a bold step forward for workers’ rights. But for the retail sector – a cornerstone of the UK economy that employs over three million people – the swift nature of the proposed…
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchFeatures
Spring Budget 2025: what it means for the retail industry
The UK retail sector has been navigating a volatile economic landscape, with rising operational costs, shifts in consumer spending, and policy changes placing unprecedented pressure on businesses. The Spring Budget 2025, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was highly anticipated by industry leaders, who had hoped for measures that would alleviate…
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Feb- 2025 -26 FebruaryEconomy
Bira ‘cautiously’ backs govt Crime and Policing Bill
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has “cautiously” welcomed the new Crime and Policing Bill but demands more immediate action and concrete funding to address the retail crime crisis affecting British high streets. The bill, which was presented to Parliament on 25 February, contains over 50 measures including stricter penalties…
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Jan- 2025 -20 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-20/1/25
Quiz is reportedly considering closing up to a third of its 60 stores as part of a restructuring effort to stabilise its business amid mounting financial pressures. The company is set to delist from the AIM market and return to private ownership following a shareholder vote earlier this month. Restructuring…
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20 JanuaryNews
Bira calls for gov action following ‘disappointing’ December sales
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling for urgent government intervention following “disappointing” December retail figures, which show sales volumes fell by 0.3% following a modest 0.1% rise in November 2024. The figures, released by the BRC on Friday (17 January), revealed that while non-food stores such as clothing…
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Dec- 2024 -2 DecemberFeatures
What is the Retail Crime Bill and its implications for retailers?
The UK Retail Crime Bill, introduced in the 2024 King’s Speech, is a legislative response to the rise in retail crime, including theft, organized retail theft, and assaults on shopworkers. The bill represents a step forward in addressing the financial, operational, and emotional toll retail crime has on businesses, employees,…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail warns that higher costs will hamper investment
The retail industry has warned that increased costs following the Autumn Budget may hit businesses hard, with retailers facing higher costs amid new measures that come into place next April, with some warning the sector will face over £2.5bn in new costs in 2025.Yesterday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series…
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Aug- 2024 -30 AugustSupermarkets
ACS warns of instances of smaller stores buying stolen goods from shoplifters
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reported that some smaller shops are buying stolen goods from professional shoplifters who work for criminal gangs, according to The Guardian. It comes as ACS members have experienced “very brazen and direct” incidents of shoplifting, with the typical items targeted being meat, cheese…
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Jun- 2024 -7 JuneNews
Today’s news in brief-7/6/24
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has initiated a £1bn damages claim against Amazon on behalf of UK retailers selling on its marketplace. BIRA accuses Amazon of misusing retailers’ data and manipulating the Amazon Buy Box to divert sales and profits from these retailers to its own business. This claim,…
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7 JuneHigh Street
BIRA leads £1bn damages claim against Amazon for UK retailers
The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) has brought forward a £1bn pound damages claim against Amazon on behalf of retailers selling on Amazon’s UK marketplace accusing it of “illegally misusing their data and manipulating the Amazon Buy Box to benefit its own commercial operation and its overall revenues and profit”.…
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