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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Sep- 2020 -10 SeptemberHigh Street
125,500 retail jobs lost since start of 2020
Some 125,515 retail jobs have been lost since the start of 2020, according to the latest data from the Centre for Retail Research (CRR). Of this figure, 43,381 jobs were lost through administrations, 10,556 through CVAs and 71,578 through rationalisation schemes. The UK’s embattled high street has also seen the…
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7 SeptemberComment
Rethinking your staffing requirements to survive the recession
With a new CBI survey revealing the highest level of retail job cuts since the 2009 crisis, lockdown restrictions, a lack of consumer confidence and less spending power continues to hit Britain’s high streets hard. While some businesses have remained resilient and are now back trading under revised conditions, a…
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Aug- 2020 -26 AugustHigh Street
Retail jobs in sharpest fall since 2009
Retail employment fell at the fastest rate since February 2009 in the year to August, with an even sharper decline anticipated in the year to September, according to the CBI’s latest monthly Distributive Trades Survey. The survey – which featured 63 retailers among its 128 respondents – also showed a…
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Jul- 2020 -16 JulyAdvice
Effective stock management is key to retail revival
Following the optimism of non-essential high street shops reopening in mid-June, pessimism remains about near-term sales. The CBI’s monthly Distributive Trades Survey shows the vast majority of retailers expect sales to be lower than July 2019, with 62% believing lack of customer demand is the biggest operational challenge they are…
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Jun- 2020 -11 JunePeople Moves
CBI names Tony Danker as its next director-general
The CBI has announced that Dame Carolyn Fairbairn, who is stepping down as director-general in November, will be succeeded by Tony Danker, the current chief executive of Be The Business. Fairbairn had expected to complete her five-year term in September this year but agreed with the CBI board to extend…
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May- 2020 -26 MayCoronavirus
Non-essential retailers set to open in June
Thousands of high street shops, department stores and shopping centres across England are set to reopen next month once they are “Covid-19 secure” and can show customers will be kept safe, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. All non-essential retailers including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics,…
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11 MayCoronavirus
Retail industry responds to PM’s conditional plan to ease lockdown
The retail industry has reacted to the prime minister’s announcement last night that outlined a ‘conditional’ to ease lockdown with stores possibly reopening sometime in June. Last night (10 May), Boris Johnson gave a prospective outline for a series of phased store reopenings next month if certain conditions of a…
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Apr- 2020 -28 AprilBusiness Bites
Job support to be wound down, M&S dividend suspended, ventilator production slows, property market halts
Chancellor Rishi Sunack says he will wean the economy off his support schemes in a “gradual” wind-down, to help prevent soaring unemployment on ‘expiration day’. His announcement, made to MPs, came in response to concerns that a definite cut-off date would produce an explosion in redundancies and layoffs. Currently, the…
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Mar- 2020 -18 MarchEconomy
Retail welcomes ‘bold move’ from chancellor to support business
The retail industry has welcomed the “bold move” announced by the chancellor yesterday (17 March), which included announcing a 12-month rent holiday for all retail businesses. Last week in his maiden Budget Speech the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, announced a one-year rent holiday for all businesses of a rateable value below…
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Jan- 2020 -29 JanuaryEconomy
Retail sales fall flat for third consecutive month, CBI finds
Retail sales volumes were flat for the third consecutive month in the year to January with no growth expected next month, according to the latest monthly CBI Distributive Trends Survey. The figures indicate retail sales volumes posted no growth in the year to January (0%, unchanged from December) and that…
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