CBI
This coverage explores the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBI) influence on the UK retail sector, focusing on policy advocacy, economic forecasts, regulatory consultations, and business sentiment. Reporting highlights how CBI initiatives and commentary shape retail strategies, workforce planning, and investment decisions — offering insights for retail executives, managers, and professionals navigating policy and economic developments.
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Feb- 2022 -22 FebruaryCoronavirus
Gov’s living with Covid strategy ‘first step to normality’, says CBI
The CBI has called the government’s ‘living with Covid’ plan the “first step to normality” but warned that businesses still need further guidance on issues such as sick pay and employer liability. The news comes after prime minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday (21 February) that the legal requirement for people…
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3 FebruaryEconomy
BoE raises interest rates to 0.5%
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates for the second time in three months to 0.5%, up from 0.25% previously. The BoE Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) confirmed it voted by a majority of 5-4 to increase Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points, to 0.5%. Interestingly, it revealed those…
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3 FebruaryEconomy
Energy price cap to rise 54% from April
Retail bosses are braced for a spending squeeze after it was revealed the energy price cap is set to increase by 54% from 1 April amid a “record” increase in global gas prices, in a move that is set to affect approximately 22 million customers. Energy regulator Ofgem announced that…
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Jan- 2022 -19 JanuaryNews
Inflation hits 30-year high
Inflation reached 5.4% in December, its highest rate since CPIH stood at 5.1% in May 1992, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). It revealed the consumer prices index including owner occupiers’ housing costs (CPIH) rose 4.8% in the 12 months to December 2021, up…
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14 JanuaryEconomy
UK economy surpassed pre-Covid levels in November
Gross domestic product (GDP) has surpassed its pre-pandemic level for the first time as it grew by 0.9% in November 2021, according to the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data. In the latest release, output in consumer-facing services grew by 0.8%, mainly because of a 1.4% increase in retail…
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Dec- 2021 -23 DecemberHigh Street
December retail sales slow amid Omicron impact, CBI warns
Retail sales growth slowed in the year-to-December to 8%, down from 39% last month, as the impact of the Omicron variant affected trading. According to the latest CBI monthly Distributive Trades Survey, despite the new restriction, retail sales were seen broadly in line with seasonal norms in December, having been…
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Nov- 2021 -26 NovemberEconomy
Shoppers to face biggest Xmas price rises in over 30 years
UK shoppers are set to face the biggest Christmas price rises in over 30 years after the “angst of widespread shortages” sent people rushing to the shops this November, according to the latest CBI quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. It revealed that consumer concerns about a lack of stock this month…
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Oct- 2021 -14 OctoberHigh Street
Over 40 employee groups pen letter urging Sunak to cut business rates
The CBI, along with 41 trade associations spanning the UK economy, have issued a joint statement urging the chancellor Rishi Sunak to reform the business rates system and “unleash a wave of business investment across key government priorities, including net zero and levelling up”. The joint statement from businesses is…
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Sep- 2021 -6 SeptemberSupply Chain
Labour shortages could continue for two-years, CBI warns
Labour supply problems could last for up to two years and will not be solved by the end of the Job Retention Scheme, the CBI’s director-general, Toby Danker has warned. The warning comes as the CBI’s director-general has set out priorities for both business and government to guard against labour…
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Aug- 2021 -24 AugustHigh Street
Retail stock levels reaches ‘record low’, CBI warns
Stock levels in relation to expected sales have hit a “record low” across retail and the distribution sector as a whole, according to the latest Confederation of British Industry (CBI) quarterly Distributive Trades Survey. The shortage marks the fifth consecutive month in which a record low has been reached in…
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