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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Oct- 2024 -29 OctoberEconomy
BRC calls for chancellor to keep prices low
The BRC has called on the chancellor to keep prices low ahead of the budget as shop price growth hit its lowest rate in over three years. Shop Price deflation was at 0.8% in October, down from deflation of 0.6% in the previous month. This is below the three-month average…
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25 OctoberEconomy
UK consumer confidence falters ahead of budget
UK consumer confidence has dropped to -21 in October, according to GfK’s long-running index. The survey revealed that out of the five measures three declined and two rose compared with September’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year was down one point at -10. Meanwhile,…
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23 OctoberEconomy
M&S boss calls tax rises ‘the easy way out’ ahead of budget
M&S CEO Stuart Machin has accused chancellor Rachel Reeves of “taking the easy way out” amid reports she is considering a slew of tax increases in the budget. In an open letter written in The Times, Machin stated that he hoped reports of an increase in employer national insurance contributions…
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22 OctoberSport & Leisure
Halfords sales flat in H1 as consumers remain cautious
Halfords has reported broadly flat revenues in the first half of FY25, with group sales down by 0.1% as consumers were “cautious” with their spending over the period. According to the group, this was compounded by ongoing uncertainty ahead of this year’s Autumn Budget. In the 26 weeks ended 27 September…
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16 OctoberEconomy
Inflation falls to lowest rate in over three years
UK inflation fell to 1.7% in September, down from 2.2% in August, marking the lowest rate in over three years.This means inflation is now below the Bank of England’s 2% target, meaning the bank may face pressure to cut interest rates next month. According to the Office for National Statistics,…
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14 OctoberHigh Street
Retailers urge chancellor to apply Retail Rates Corrector
More than 70 retail CEOs have urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to ease business rates amid warnings that a £2.7bn tax would hit retailers, leisure and hospitality firms, The Guardian has reported. In an open letter coordinated by the British Retail Consortium, CEOs have called on the government to introduce a…
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8 OctoberEconomy
September retail sales see biggest boost in half a year
UK Total retail sales increased by 2% year on year in September marking the largest increase in over six months, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. Food sales increased 3.1% year-on-year over the three months to September, against a growth of 7.4% in September 2023. This is below…
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3 OctoberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s chief calls for Budget action on consumer confidence
Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts has called on the government to introduce measures to improve consumer confidence in the Budget this month. He told Reuters that despite falling inflation, higher wages, and solid employment levels, UK shoppers remain nervous about spending on bigger ticket items. Recent surveys have shown UK consumer…
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2 OctoberEconomy
Shop prices move further into deflation
Shop Price deflation was at 0.6% in September, down from deflation of 0.3% in the previous month and below the three-month average rate of -0.3%, according to the latest figures from the BRC-NielsenIQ shop price index. This means shop price annual growth was at its lowest rate since August 2021.…
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Sep- 2024 -20 SeptemberNews
UK consumer confidence falls sharply to -20 in September
UK consumer confidence has dropped sharply to -20 in September, according to GfK’s long-running index. The survey revealed that all measures were down in comparison with last month’s announcement. The index measuring changes in personal finances during the last year was down two points at -9. Meanwhile, the survey revealed…
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