Business Rates
This coverage examines business rates policy and its implications for the UK retail sector. Reporting focuses on government decisions, reforms, rate relief measures, and their impact on store operations, profitability, and investment decisions. Tailored for retail executives and managers, it provides analysis to help navigate costs, advocate for change, and plan effectively in response to fiscal pressures.
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Nov- 2024 -5 NovemberEconomy
Retail sales see weak growth in October amid pre-budget uncertainty
Total retail sales in the UK nudged up by only 0.6% in October, compared with a growth of 2.6% in October 2023, as retail was hit by ongoing uncertainty surrounding the autumn budget, the BRC has reported. The BRC also attributed this slowdown to the fact that the October half-term…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-31/10/24
The UK retail industry has raised concerns following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, which aims to generate £40bn through measures like a rise in employers’ National Insurance to 15% and hikes in minimum wage rates. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the new measures, which will add over…
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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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30 OctoberEconomy
Budget: Increases to employers’ NI and minimum wage
The chancellor Rachel Reeves has increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions in a bid to help raise as much as £40bn in taxes, pledging to also boost long-term growth and “mark an end to short term-ism” as part of Labour’s first budget since it came into power. Employers’ national insurance contributions…
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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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23 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-23/10/24
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly considering imposing higher taxes on Amazon as part of a broader effort to support British high streets, which have been struggling to compete with online giants. The proposed measures could come after her upcoming autumn budget, which is expected to introduce tax hikes and spending…
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23 OctoberGovernment
Chancellor considers Amazon tax in bid to boost British high streets
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is reportedly mulling plans to impose higher taxes on Amazon as part of a shake up that aims to level the playing field between online giants and in-store retailers. According to The Telegraph, the chancellor is believed to be reviewing the business rates paid by companies like Amazon,…
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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 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-14/10/24
Mulberry’s majority shareholder has rejected an increased bid from Frasers Group, which had offered £111m to take control of the luxury fashion brand. Frasers, already owning 37% of Mulberry, raised its offer to 150p per share after a previous £83m bid was turned down. However, Mulberry’s majority shareholder, Challice, expressed…
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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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