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- 2021 -25 MayHigh Street
BRC calls on government to ‘accelerate use’ of green goods vehicles
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has written to the secretary of state for transport, Grant Shapps MP, calling on the government to act to encourage the take up of green technologies and reduce emissions from goods vehicles. According to the BRC, retailers are “making progress” to address this issue, but…
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18 MayClothing & Shoes
Shoe Zone reports £2.6m loss as revenues fall 40%
Shoe retailer Shoe Zone has reported a loss before tax of £2.6m for the six month period ending 3 April. The retailer attributed the loss to “tighter cost controls and an increase in digital”. It comes as it also saw revenues for the period plunge over 40% to £40.4m. As…
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18 MayCoronavirus
Landsec swings to £1.39bn loss amid pandemic
Land Securities has fallen to a pre-tax loss of £1.39bn in the full-year ended 31 March, 2021, in results that “clearly reflect the challenges” of the pandemic over the period. As the vast majority of its portfolio was either closed or “substantially unoccupied” amid ongoing lockdowns, revenue plummeted 39.4% to…
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14 MayAnalysis
The return to the high street: friend or foe?
With our clocks adjusted to British Summer Time and Government guidelines easing off shopping restrictions for non-essential shopping, the return to the high street is back in swing. However, with non-essential shops implementing social distancing measures to ensure they remain as safe as they can be, the handling of stock…
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13 MayHigh Street
Retail sales up by 7.3% in April after reopening
Retail sales increased substantially between 4 April and 1 May 2021, around the time non-essential retail was allowed to reopen, compared to April 2019, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG’s survey of retailers in the UK. Due to 2020 being a “turbulent time” for the sector, BRC…
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10 MayCoronavirus
PM confirms further easing of restrictions from 17 May
Prime minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that indoor hospitality can return next week as the government moves ahead with the next step in its roadmap out of lockdown. From the 17 May, six people or two households will be allowed to meet inside, whilst indoor hospitality will also be able…
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4 MayDIY
USDAW praises Ikea for continuation of living wage commitment
Ikea has been praised by the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) for its continued commitment to be a living wage employer and pay its employees at least £10 per hour. The news follows the Living Wage Foundation announcement of new rates for the “real” living wage last…
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Apr- 2021 -29 AprilClothing & Shoes
Asos calls for new law to strengthen Modern Slavery Act
Asos has called for the implementation of a new mandatory human rights due diligence legislation in the UK in order to strengthen the 2015 Modern Slavery Act. The legislation, which is currently being developed by the European Commission for the EU, would help ensure that UK companies take steps to…
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8 AprilHigh Street
Co-op to repay £15m furlough relief as profits rise to £77m
The Co-op has revealed it will repay £15.5m of the Covid relief it received from the government’s furlough scheme but will retain what it received in business rates support. The news comes after it reported a bumper rise in profits after tax and discontinued items for the year to £77m.…
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8 AprilHigh Street
Retailers rally behind hospitality and reject Covid status certificates
Retailers have rallied behind pubs and clubs in their rejection of Covid status certificates, according to The Guardian. The news follows on from the announcement made by the prime minister last Sunday to confirm the reopening of shops in England from 12 April 2021. In his announcement, Boris Johnson suggested…
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