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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Oct- 2025 -28 OctoberHigh Street
Rates hike threatens 500 big high street outlets, trade bodies warn
UKHospitality and the British Retail Consortium (BRC) have called on the government to exempt hospitality and retail outlets from a proposed business rates surcharge that would apply to 5,000 high street properties with a rateable value above £500,000. The trade bodies warned that around 500 premises could be at risk…
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27 OctoberSupermarkets
Supermarkets urge chancellor to drop new rates surtax
Nine of Britain’s biggest supermarket chains have called on chancellor Rachel Reeves to exclude large retail stores from the government’s proposed business rates surtax, warning it would add pressure to food prices. The letter, organised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), was signed by the heads of Aldi, Asda, Iceland,…
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24 OctoberHigh Street
Bira warns shoplifting data confirms indies face ‘retail crime crisis’
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said new figures showing a sharp rise in shoplifting confirm the “retail crime crisis” facing independent shops across the UK. Latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show shoplifting offences rose by 13% to 529,994 incidents, despite an overall 4% fall…
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23 OctoberEconomy
Usdaw welcomes 6.7% rise in real Living Wage
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a 6.7% increase in the real Living Wage, describing it as “a welcome boost for the lowest-paid workers”. It comes as the Living Wage Foundation announced yesterday (22 October) that the new rates will rise to £13.45 per hour across the UK and £14.80…
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22 OctoberOnline & Digital
Virgin Wines FY profits dip 5% to £1.6m amid cost pressures
Virgin Wines UK has reported a 5% fall in profits before tax to £1.6m in the year ended 28 June, as cost pressures linked to government policy weighed on margins. According to the wine retailer, most of its cost increases stemmed from a rise in alcohol duty and a new…
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22 OctoberEconomy
Inflation holds steady at 3.8% in September
Inflation remained unchanged in September for the third month in a row, as the Consumer Price Index rose by 3.8%, with food prices easing over the period. The September, August and July 2025 figures have been the joint-highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. Transport made the…
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21 OctoberSupermarkets
M&S chief urges chancellor to reconsider tax policy ahead of Budget
Marks and Spencer chief executive Stuart Machin has urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to “change course” on economic policy ahead of next month’s Budget, warning that persistent tax rises risk trapping the UK in a “doom loop” of weak growth. Writing in The Times, Machin described the government’s fiscal approach as…
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21 OctoberEconomy
Retailer profit warnings nearly double in Q3
Profit warnings issued by listed retailers in Q3 have almost doubled against the prior year, according to a new report from EY-Parthenon.Over the period, listed retailers issued nine profit warnings, the highest level since Q4 2023. Over half (56%) of these warnings cited weakened consumer confidence as a driving factor.…
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20 OctoberGovernment
BRC welcomes progress on Crime and Policing Bill
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed progress on the Crime and Policing Bill as it completed its Second Reading in the House of Lords yesterday, and will now go to the Committee Stage. The bill will remove the £200 threshold for ‘low level’ theft which the organisation believes will…
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13 OctoberHigh Street
150,000 retail jobs at risk without business rate reform, Co-op warns
Around 60,000 small shops and 150,000 jobs could disappear without business rates reform, according to new research from Co-op. If reforms are not delivered, 10% of small high street business owners say they would need to lay off staff, and one in eight say they would be at risk of…
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