Budget
This coverage examines the UK government’s seasonal budget announcements and their implications for the retail sector. Reporting focuses on tax changes, business rates, employment policies, and economic forecasts that directly affect retailers, brand managers, and executives. With analysis tailored to commercial strategy, the insights help professionals assess how fiscal policy shapes retail operations, profitability, and investment decisions.
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Jan- 2020 -24 JanuaryOnline & Digital
December online retail sales surge 9.4%
UK online retail sales growth spiked by 9.4% year-on-year in December 2019, according to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index. The report said online retail “defied” forecasts of poor turnouts during the festive season, with Q4 recording a growth rate of 11.3%. This was largely boosted by November’s peak…
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Nov- 2019 -18 NovemberEconomy
Conservatives pledge business rates review
The Conservative Party has pledged a business rates review which aims to “reduce the burden” on UK businesses, as part of its election campaign. It said business rates are one of the “top concerns” of British businesses, and added that a Conservative majority Government will launch a “fundamental review” at…
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Oct- 2019 -16 OctoberEconomy
Retail sector could face £137m rates hike next year
September’s headline rate of inflation is set to cause more business rates increases in 2020, according to calculations from real estate advisers Altus Group. The firm said the 1.7% uprating for inflation will add an additional £536m to the overall gross business rates burden. As a result, the “embattled” retail…
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15 OctoberEconomy
BRC ‘disappointed’ with business rates relief in Queen’s speech
The British Retail Consortium has responded to the Queen’s speech, praising its approach to crime and sustainability but was “surprised and disappointed” at its approach to business rates. Commenting on the speech, which tackled issues such as immigration, crime, business rates and brexit, The BRC said: “The Government should implement…
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Sep- 2019 -23 SeptemberHigh Street
Bailiffs visit 310 premises a day over business rates, study finds
Councils across England are sending bailiffs to 310 companies a day over business rates arrears, new figures show. The investigation by the real estate adviser Altus Group revealed that, during the last financial year, for 2018/19, over 78,000 non-domestic properties from shops to restaurants to pubs to factories to offices…
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Jul- 2019 -9 JulyClothing & Shoes
Primark founder Arthur Ryan dies aged 83
Budget fashion chain retailer Primark has announced its founder and chairman Arthury Ryan has died at the age of 83, following a short illness. Ryan founded the company, then known as Penneys, in Dublin in 1969 with the news coming just days after the retailer celebrated its 50th anniversary. It…
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Jun- 2019 -13 JuneGovernment
Businesses rates to better reflect property value under new law
Business rates payers in England will have bills that more accurately reflect current property values under new legislation introduced by ministers yesterday (12 June 2019). Property revaluations will increase to every three years, from the current five years, and the next revaluation will be brought forward a year from 2022…
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Apr- 2019 -3 AprilSupermarkets
Aldi sees double digit sales growth in March
Budget supermarket Aldi saw sales increase by 10.6% for the 12 weeks to 24 March 2019, according to new figures from Kantar. The research, data and insight company said the results helped the grocer to achieve a new “record high” market share of 8%, and some 13 million households visited…
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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 -21 MarchGovernment
Retailers left waiting for rates discounts as deadline approaches
Businesses in England were promised millions of pounds in support by the chancellor last October but, less than two weeks before the start of the new tax year on 1 April, many are still either waiting for discounts worth up to £8,000 or haven’t yet applied. The government announced a…
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