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.
-
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…
Read More » -
6 SeptemberHigh Street
Nearly 50 high-street stores closed a day in H1, study finds
Over 8,700 chain stores have disappeared from UK retail locations in the first six months of 2021, equating to over 47 stores a day, according to the latest PwC research compiled by the Local Data Company (LDC). The research showed that in total, 3,488 shops opened compared with 8,739 closures,…
Read More » -
3 SeptemberSupply Chain
Ikea faces disruption to 1,000 UK product lines
Ikea is reportedly facing issues with supplying roughly 1,000 product lines to UK customers as a result of Brexit and the lorry driver shortage. According to The Independent, all 22 of the multinational retailer’s UK sites are experiencing disruptions, with some outlets reportedly running out of mattresses and other items.…
Read More » -
3 SeptemberSupply Chain
Gov needs to tackle ‘short and systemic’ supply problems, commission warns
The government has been urged to “get a handle” on the “immediate and systemic” problems currently causing the supply chain crisis affecting the country, by a cross-party commission. The UK Trade and Business Commission, which was setup to scrutinise the government’s post-Brexit trade deals, yesterday (2 September) hosted a hearing…
Read More » -
3 SeptemberHigh Street
August footfall still 18% below pre-pandemic levels, says BRC
Total UK footfall four the four week period ended 28 August 2021 remained 18% below its pre-pandemic August 2019 level. However, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic IQ data, the four week period represented a 10% climb from July 2021. In turn, August’s figures sat above the…
Read More » -
Aug- 2021 -27 AugustGovernment
Contactless limit to hit £100 in October
The Government is set to raise the contactless card spending limit from £45 to £100 from 15 October 2021. Initial plans for the change were first announced in March’s budget announcement, and follow the increase from £30 to its current level at the start of the pandemic. The decision has…
Read More » -
25 AugustHR
UK must follow Scottish example to protect retail workers, says BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called upon the UK Government to follow Scottish Parliament in implementing legislation that will better protect retail workers. The new Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) Act 2021 was unanimously passed in Holyrood, and came into effect on 24 August. Its…
Read More » -
24 AugustHigh Street
BPF calls for business rates reform
The British Property Federation (BPF) has called on the government to set out a roadmap to annually revalue business rates in a bid to avoid “crippling” high streets, citing that a business rates reform is “long overdue”. It comes as the government’s Business Rates Revaluations Consultation, proposing to introduce more…
Read More » -
6 AugustHigh Street
Footfall stalls due to ‘turbulent’ July weather, says BRC
Total footfall across the UK declined 28% for the four weeks to 31 July 2021 when compared to the same period in 2019. According to the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC’s) sensormatic IQ data, the figure sits below the three-month average of a 27.7% fall. The drop has been attributed to…
Read More » -
Jul- 2021 -23 JulyNews
Asda makes electric company car switch
Asda has switched the entirety of its company car fleet to electric vehicles, becoming the first British supermarket group to do so. The change, which will affect over 600 vehicles, is set to save over 2,411 tonnes of CO2 over the next four years, the equivalent of more than six…
Read More »
