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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Apr- 2020 -30 AprilCoronavirus
Next and Dixons urge government for furlough clarity
Retailers Next and Dixons Carphone have called on the UK Government to clarify the exit strategy for its furlough scheme. According to The Telegraph, bosses at the firms are concerned that a quick shutdown could lead to a high level of redundancies before they can fully resume regular operations. Currently…
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29 AprilHigh Street
Shop prices fall 1.7% as non-food items suffer
Shop Prices fell by 1.7% in April, compared with the 0.8% decrease seen in March, making it the highest rate of decline since January 2017 according to the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. Non-food prices fell sharply by 3.7% in April compared to a decline of 1.9% in March. This is…
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28 AprilComment
Furlough – what next?
The Government’s Job Retention Scheme was set up urgently to support employers and protect employees during lockdown. Such state intervention, unprecedented in the UK, is designed to facilitate a quick rebound of the economy once business activity resumes. But as the crisis drags on, the lockdown has already been extended…
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27 AprilCoronavirus
Homebase reopens 20 stores
DIY retailer Homebase has revealed it has reopened 20 of its stores across the UK after it was deemed an essential service. In March, Homebase was classified as an essential retailer by the Government, meaning that its stores could continue trading. However, it said that with the safety of its…
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24 AprilCoronavirus
Government introduces new measures to protect high street
The business secretary has announced a new set of measures that will be introduced to protect high street businesses “under strain” from the ongoing pandemic. High street shops, and other companies facing financial difficulties, will now be protected from “aggressive” rent collection and asked to pay what they can as…
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22 AprilHigh Street
Cath Kidston shutters entire UK estate, over 900 staff made redundant
The administrators of Cath Kidston have confirmed that all 60 Cath Kidston stores in the UK have now closed, resulting in 908 staff being made redundant. Richard Fleming and Mark Firmin from restructuring practice Alvarez and Marsal were appointed as joint administrators to Cath Kidston yesterday. Immediately following the administrators’…
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21 AprilCoronavirus
11.7 million people at risk of furlough or unemployment over coming months
Almost 11.7 million people could be furloughed or unemployed in the coming months, according to new research from independent think-tank Resolution Foundation (RF). The group said that although the UK Government’s Job Retention Scheme (JRS) will “substantially limit” the growth of unemployment, it added the “evidence is clear” that the…
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20 AprilCoronavirus
UK retail footfall plummets in March
UK retail footfall decreased by 44.7% in March due to the mandatory lockdown, according to the latest BRC-ShopperTrak footfall monitor. The report said the figure is a record decline for the industry that saw “unprecedented challenges” during the month as the UK continues to battle the Covid-19 pandemic. In the…
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20 AprilCoronavirus
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme portal goes live
The portal for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme is now live, with the government saying that businesses with validated claims will receive payments within at least six days. Under the scheme announced last month, employers can claim a grant covering 80% of the wages for a furloughed employee, subject to…
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16 AprilCoronavirus
Government extends lockdown for ‘at least’ three more weeks
The government has announced an extension to the coronavirus lockdown for “at least” a further three weeks. The decision was announced at today’s (16 April) press briefing which was led by foreign secretary Dominic Raab. It also comes after Raab led an emergency Cobra committee and cabinet meetings about the…
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