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.
-
Jan- 2025 -13 JanuaryHealth & Beauty
Boots sales rise 8.1% in Q1
Boots has delivered a “strong” first quarter with total comparable retail sales up 8.1% YoY for the three months ended 30 November 2024. The UK’s leading health and beauty retailer saw growth across all categories and channels, on top of a “significant increase” in the prior year. Boots’ digital sales…
Read More » -
13 JanuarySupermarkets
Sainsbury’s boss criticises speed of Labour tax changes
Sainsbury’s CEO, Simon Roberts, has told the Telegraph that the chancellor gave businesses no time to plan for her £25bn tax changes. He said that the decision to increase employer National Insurance from April was “not something anyone expected – certainly, it wasn’t expected at the speed it was coming…
Read More » -
9 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-9/1/25
The BRC-Nielsen IQ Shop Price Index showed shop price deflation at 1% in early December, up from 0.6% the previous month, reflecting strong discounting tied to a later Black Friday. Non-food prices fell sharply by 2.4%, though food inflation remained steady at 1.8%, its lowest since December 2021. BRC CEO…
Read More » -
9 JanuaryEconomy
BRC warns of 2025 headwinds despite lower Xmas inflation
Consumers benefited from lower inflation for the week to 7 December 2024, according to the latest BRC-Nielsen IQ Shop Price Index, yet the British Retail Consortium anticipates fresh headwinds for the new year. The later timing of Black Friday in 2024 meant that the first week of December included the…
Read More » -
7 JanuaryHigh Street
BRC warns of 2025 falling sales volume despite December sales growth
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned of possible falling sales volume in 2025 despite the modest increase in total retail sales experienced in December 2024. UK total retail sales in December 2024 increased by 3.2% year on year, against a growth of 1.9% in December 2023, according to new…
Read More » -
6 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
New Look to speed up planned closures ahead of tax changes
New Look is reportedly set to permanently shutter roughly a quarter of its 364 stores when leases expire, putting some of its 8,000 staff at risk, according to The Times. While the retailer has restructured its store portfolio twice in the past six years and downsized from 600 UK stores…
Read More » -
2 January
Today’s news in brief-2/1/25
Lidl reported its best-ever Christmas performance, with turnover surpassing £1bn for the first time, a 7% increase over the four weeks to December 24, 2024. The retailer attracted over 2m additional customers, with December 23 marking its busiest day. Key contributors included the expansion of its British supply base by…
Read More » -
2 JanuaryHigh Street
Footfall sees marginal YOY rise in December
Footfall in UK retail destinations was marginally higher by +0.4% in all UK retail destinations during the month of December, according to the latest data from MRI Software. This was driven by a +1.2% rise in retail park activity and a +0.3% increase in high streets, however shopping centres saw…
Read More » -
Dec- 2024 -23 DecemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-23/12/24
Fashion retailer Quiz plans to delist from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) and re-register as a private company following weak sales and financial strain. A shareholder vote, requiring a 75% majority, is scheduled for 8 January 2025, with the transition set for 23 January if approved. The company cited regulatory…
Read More » -
23 DecemberHigh Street
BRC warns of ‘spending squeeze’ in January
The British Retail Consortium has warned of a January spending squeeze, as BRC-Opinium data between 10 and 13 December showed that people’s spending intentions dropped 6pts. It comes as public confidence in the state of the economy “took a nosedive”, falling 8pts to -27, creating a widening gap between expectations…
Read More »
