Government
This coverage examines government actions, policies, and regulations affecting the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights legislation, consultations, economic measures, and public statements with direct implications for retail operations, employment, taxation, and consumer behaviour. Tailored for executives and managers, it offers analysis to support strategic planning and compliance in a changing regulatory and economic environment.
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May- 2025 -9 MayEconomy
UK agrees trade deal with US but 10% tariff remains
The UK and the US have reached a “first-of-a-kind” trade agreement, under which the US will slash tariffs on UK carmakers, steelworks and farmers – protecting jobs and providing stability for exporters. According to the trade deal, car export tariffs will reduce from 27.5% to 10% – saving hundreds of…
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Apr- 2025 -28 AprilSupermarkets
Lidl to invest £500m in store expansion
Lidl has announced that it is set to open more than 40 new stores across the country, investing £500m in the process. The supermarket has published its 2025 site requirements brochure, outlining hundreds of potential locations for new stores, including high streets, retail parks, and mixed-use town centre sites. The…
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16 AprilEconomy
Inflation falls more than expected to 2.6% in March
Inflation has fallen more than expected to 2.6% in the 12 months to March 2025, down from the 2.8% rise in February, driven largely by a fall in petrol prices. According to the ONS, the largest downward contributions came from recreation and culture and motor fuels, with a further large…
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7 AprilGovernment
Entry-level job costs jump over 10% for retailers
The cost of employing people into entry-level jobs has increased over 10% for retailers as a result of the rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) coupled with the increase to the National Living Wage, according to the British Retail Consortium. Alongside this, the trade body has claimed that the cost…
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4 AprilHigh Street
Carphone Warehouse founder to invest £5m in Jigsaw
Carphone Warehouse co-founder, David Ross, is reportedly investing about £5m in Jigsaw, which will result in him becoming the fashion retailer’s majority shareholder, according to Sky News. The multi-million pound investment comes seven years after Ross’ first cash injection, and it is understood that this financing will see him replace…
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2 AprilElectrical
Currys unveils largest ever investment into safety and security
Currys has announced its largest ever annual investment in store safety measures to help keep its employees safe and deter shoplifters, amid “record high” shoplifting in retail. As part of the investment, Currys is implementing a wide range of new technologies and safety programmes, including upgraded specification Public Display Monitors in…
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Mar- 2025 -25 MarchOnline & Digital
AO raises full-year profit guidance amid LFL sales surge
AO has revealed that its adjusted profit-before-tax has grown in the region of 30%, and is expected to be around the top end of its previously upgraded guidance range of £39m to £44m for the year ended 31 March 2025. Alongside this, its B2C retail revenues are expected to increase…
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24 MarchTechnology
Ocado scales back diversity targets amid DEI crackdown
Ocado has scaled back its diversity targets following a wider rollback of diversity initiatives in the corporate world, The Telegraph has reported. The company’s goal of having 10% of senior management roles be held by people from ethnic minorities has been pushed back to 2030, behind its previous target of…
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20 MarchEconomy
Quarter of a million retail jobs lost in five years, ONS finds
There are now 249,000 fewer retail jobs than there were five years ago, according to the latest data from the ONS. While there were 2.88 million jobs in retail in December 2024, that was only because it is traditionally the high point of the year for the sector due to…
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11 MarchHigh Street
Convenience stores victim to over 6.2 million thefts last year, ACS finds
The UK’s local shops recorded an estimated 6.2 million incidents of shop theft last year, compared with 5.6 million in the previous year, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). The ACS said this marked another “record level” of theft committed against convenience store retailers, with the total cost…
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