Equal Pay
This coverage addresses equal pay issues and developments within the UK retail industry, examining their impact on employers, employees, and business strategy. Reporting includes legal cases, regulatory changes, company policies, pay gap data, and executive commentary — providing retail leaders, HR professionals, and executives with insights to navigate compliance, workplace equity, and reputational considerations.
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Sep- 2024 -24 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-24/9/24
Harrods has launched an internal investigation to determine if any current staff were involved in allegations of rape and sexual assault made against its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. The inquiry follows a BBC documentary and podcast titled Predator at Harrods, which detailed claims made by multiple women who worked…
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24 SeptemberSupermarkets
Over 150 MPs call on Asda to end equal pay dispute
More than 150 MPs have written to Asda bosses calling for them to end an ongoing equal pay dispute, the GMB Union has said. According to the union, 159 MPs have written to majority owner TDR Capital urging it to settle the legal battle, which has seen “tens of thousands” of…
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20 September
Today’s news in brief-20/9/24
In August, UK retail sales saw a 1% increase, marking a continued recovery with a 2.5% year-on-year growth, the strongest since early 2022. While overall volumes remain slightly below pre-pandemic levels, supermarkets and clothing stores benefited from warmer weather and seasonal sales. Online spending remained steady, showing a 4.3% increase…
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20 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Next warns of store closures if equal pay appeal fails
Next has warned that store closures may be necessary if its appeal against a recent equal pay ruling fails. Last month, more than 3,500 current and former Next employees won a six-year legal fight for equal pay, with the total amount payable by the retailer estimated to be over £30m. An…
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Aug- 2024 -27 AugustNews
Today’s news in brief-27/8/24
UK shop prices have fallen for the first time since October 2021, with the BRC-NielsenIQ index reporting deflation of 0.3% in August, down from July’s 0.2% inflation. Non-food items saw a deeper deflation of -1.5%, driven by heavy discounts on summer stock, while food inflation slowed to 2%, with fresh…
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27 AugustDepartment Stores
Over 3,500 Next workers win equal pay claim
More than 3,500 current and former Next employees have won a six-year legal fight for equal pay, with the total amount payable by the retailer estimated to be over £30m.According to Leigh Day, the firm that represented the workers, this marks the first equal pay claim of this type against…
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Apr- 2024 -19 AprilNews
Today’s news in brief-19/4/24
Wilko, the retailer that faced collapse last September, is back with a revamped click and collect service. After successful trials in Exeter, Luton, and Plymouth, the company is reintroducing its free click and collect option. Customers can now access this service from reopened stores and over 200 collection points through…
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19 AprilSupermarkets
Asda Lowestoft workers to stage 48-hour strike
Asda employees at Lowestoft have announced they are set to strike for 48 hours over “a litany” of workplace problems, as GMB Union claims the workers have “had enough”. Some 122 workers voted in favour to strike for 48 hours from 00:01 on Friday 10 May until 23.59 on Saturday 11…
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Mar- 2024 -28 MarchHealth & Beauty
The Perfume Shop appoints two new directors amid Gender Pay Gap report
The Perfume Shop has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of two female directors, Karen Harris and Laura Wilkinson. Harris, who was previously head of marketing, will take up a new position of customer director and be responsible for all areas of Customer, Loyalty, Marketing and PR. Wilkinson, previously…
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May- 2023 -23 MayDepartment Stores
Next staff secure ‘significant’ win in equal pay battle
More than 2,000 Next store staff who are taking legal action against the group for equal pay have won the second stage in their legal battle, which has ruled that their jobs are equal to warehouse jobs within the group. The store staff, who are all current or former sales…
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