Economy
This coverage explores how economic trends and policies affect the UK retail sector. Reporting focuses on GDP, inflation, consumer confidence, interest rates, and broader fiscal measures, assessing their impact on retail sales, pricing strategies, and operational decisions. Tailored for professionals evaluating market conditions, financial risks, and opportunities within a shifting economic landscape.
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Sep- 2025 -16 SeptemberGovernment
Usdaw calls on peers to end opposition to Employment Rights Bill
Retail union Usdaw has urged Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers to drop their opposition to the Employment Rights Bill after the government rejected all amendments proposed in the House of Lords. It said the Employment Rights Bill would enact “major” changes to UK employment law. Key proposals include banning exploitative…
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12 SeptemberHigh Street
400 large stores at risk under new business rates proposals, BRC finds
Around 400 large-format stores are at risk of closure, if they are included in the Government’s new business rates surtax on premises with a rateable value over £500,000, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC anticipates that if all 400 at-risk stores were to close, up to 100,000…
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9 SeptemberClothing & Shoes
Decathlon appoints new leadership team for UK and Ireland
Decathlon has appointed Elena Pecos as chief executive and Romain Gravigny as chief operating officer for its combined UK and Ireland business. Pecos takes over from Eric Mazillier as the two territories formally merge under one leadership team. She previously led Decathlon Ireland as chief executive, a role she took…
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2 SeptemberHigh Street
Oxford Street to go traffic-free for a day ahead of pedestrianisation plans
Oxford Street is set to go traffic-free between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus on Sunday 21 September as part of a one-day event showcasing proposals to pedestrianise London’s most famous shopping street. The “This is Oxford Street” event will run from 12pm to 8pm and feature themed zones spanning fashion,…
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Aug- 2025 -27 AugustSupermarkets
Lidl invests £435m in warehouses network
Lidl GB has completed a major expansion of its Belvedere warehouse in London and begun work on a new site in Leeds, as part of wider plans to grow its UK store network. The discount supermarket has invested £285m in a two-stage development at Belvedere. The first phase, costing £160m,…
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26 AugustHigh Street
Business rates ‘double hit’ to cost English firms £2.5bn
Businesses the length and breadth of England are “staring down the barrel” of a £2.5bn hike in property taxes from April 2026, as inflation and a new government stealth tax will combine to drive up business rates bills, according to analysis by global tax firm Ryan. A nationwide revaluation of…
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26 AugustSupermarkets
M&S launches first resale service through Ebay
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has launched its first resale service for clothing, footwear and accessories on Ebay. The retailer said the partnership will allow customers to trade in M&S items they no longer wear, and create a new medium to shop for M&S items. Customers will be able to complete…
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22 AugustHigh Street
Retail bosses urge chancellor to cut industry tax burden in Budget
More than 60 retail leaders have written to the chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that rising costs are driving up prices and threatening jobs. Chief executives from companies including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Asda, Boots and Ikea signed the letter, which calls for a reduction in business rates for…
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21 AugustEconomy
Consumer sentiment improves slightly but remains in ‘doldrums’, BRC finds
Consumer expectations for the next three months improved marginally in August but remain historically low, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium. Expectations for the state of the economy rose slightly to -32, up from -33 in July. Views on personal finances also improved…
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14 AugustEconomy
UK quarterly GDP beats expectations despite slowdown
UK GDP grew 0.3% in the three months to June, behind the 0.7% it grew in the first quarter, as a result of US tariffs and higher business costs, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). However, it is better than expected growth as economists polled by…
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