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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Sep- 2024 -13 SeptemberHigh Street
Retail industry is overtaxed, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has claimed that the retail industry is overtaxed compared with other sectors of the economy after new research found retail pays 7.4% of all business taxes (£33bn), a share 1.5 times greater than its share of the overall economy (5% GDP). The BRC said this…
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6 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-6/9/24
Burberry, a fixture in the FTSE 100 for the past 15 years, has been demoted to the FTSE 250 following a steep decline in its share price, which has plummeted by around 50% over the last six months. The luxury fashion house has been hit hard by a slowdown in…
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6 SeptemberGovernment
CBI boss calls for gov to fix ‘antiquated’ rates system
CBI CEO Rain Newton-Smith has called on the government to fix the “antiquated” business rates rules in England to boost investment and grow the economy. Ahead of the Autumn Budget, the CBI convened firms from 12 sectors, including retail and manufacturing, to develop cross-economy solutions for a competitive and transparent…
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3 SeptemberEconomy
August sales jump 1% YOY despite weak back to school performance
UK Total retail sales increased by 1.0% year on year in August, against a growth of 4.1% in August 2023, despite back to school sales performing weaker than expected, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor. The performance was above the three-month average growth of 0.4% and below the…
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Aug- 2024 -12 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-12/8/24
Asda’s chair, Lord Rose, expressed embarrassment over the supermarket’s recent performance, citing a 5.3% drop in like-for-like sales and a market share decline from 14.8% to 12.7%. He suggested it might be time for co-owner Mohsin Issa to reduce involvement. Asda has initiated a £50m store upgrade and £30m investment…
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12 AugustSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s urges gov to reform business rates
Sainsbury’s and USDAW have together called on the new government to deliver on its promise to reform business rates.The call follows research which “demonstrates that failure to act could lead to 17,300 retail closures over the next ten years”. The research, carried out by Development Economics, warned that an increase…
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6 AugustEconomy
Retail sales jump 0.5% in July as clothing performance improves
UK Total retail sales increased by 0.5% year on year in July, against a growth of 1.5% in July 2023, amid improved performance from clothing as shoppers enjoyed the summer weather, according to the latest figures from the KPMG-BRC retail sales monitor. This was above the three-month average growth of…
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2 AugustHigh Street
Footfall falls for 12th consecutive month
Total UK footfall decreased by 3.3% in July (YoY), down from -2.3% in June, marking the 12 consecutive month of decline. It comes as high street footfall actually increased by 2.7% in July (YoY), up from -3.1% in June. However this was offset as retail Park footfall decreased by 0.8%…
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Jul- 2024 -23 JulyNews
Today’s news in brief-23/7/24
Tapi Carpets and Floors Limited has acquired the Carpetright brand and 54 stores following its collapse into administration. While over 300 jobs were saved, more than 1,500 employees face redundancy due to the challenging retail climate and recent cyber attack woes. Ikea plans to open 100 additional click-and-collect points at…
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23 JulyHealth & Beauty
Superdrug boss urges govt to reform business rates
Superdrug CEO Peter Macnab has called on the new Labour government to reform business rates in an interview with This is Money, after the King’s Speech last week (17 July) omitted the subject. Macnab, who believes change is essential for the creation of “vibrant” shopping hubs throughout the country, said…
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