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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Nov- 2019 -12 NovemberHigh Street
Retail staff ‘abused or assaulted’ over 21 times a year, says Usdaw
An average shop worker is verbally abused, threatened or assaulted more than 21 times a year, according to a new report by trade union Usdaw. It said while not all shopworkers “suffer to this extent”, some experience much higher levels of abuse, threats and violence, and interim results from Usdaw’s…
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12 NovemberGovernment
Government must ‘play its part’ to support retail sector, says BRC
The incoming government must take action to fully support to the retail sector, the BRC has urged in its latest manifesto. The publication, entitled ‘A Vision for the UK Retail Industry’, calls for relief and reform of the industry as it navigates changes driven by new technology and changing consumer…
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11 NovemberHigh Street
Brexit woes and wet weather dampen October footfall
Retail footfall faced further decline in the month of October, according to new figures from the BRC-Springboard Footfall and Vacancies Monitor. Footfall in non-food stores fell -6.2% from October of the previous year, whilst shopper numbers fell significantly by -3.2%. Reduced footfall was felt in all sectors of retail, across…
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Oct- 2019 -15 OctoberEconomy
BRC ‘disappointed’ with business rates relief in Queen’s speech
The British Retail Consortium has responded to the Queen’s speech, praising its approach to crime and sustainability but was “surprised and disappointed” at its approach to business rates. Commenting on the speech, which tackled issues such as immigration, crime, business rates and brexit, The BRC said: “The Government should implement…
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15 OctoberComment
How can the high street survive?
Recent news that fast-fashion retailer, Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy protection in Canada and the United States should have come as a shock. However, the latest high street casualty is just another name pending on a growing list. The troubles facing the UK’s retail sector are entrenched and well-publicised.…
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2 OctoberHigh Street
Shop prices fall by 0.6%, fastest rate since May 2018
Shop prices in September have fallen at the fastest since May 2018, according to the latest figures from the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. The index found September shop prices fell by 0.6% compared with a 0.4% decrease in August. This is the highest rate of decline since May 2018. Non-Food…
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1 OctoberHigh Street
FRC to investigate Thomas Cook auditor following collapse
The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has announced it will be investigating Thomas Cook’s auditor EY, following its collapse last week which left 21,000 staff out of work and as many as 15,000 British tourists stranded abroad. The investigation will look into the audit by EY of the financial statements of…
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Sep- 2019 -16 SeptemberShopping Centres
Council investments in shopping centres to top £1bn
Local councils are set to spend £1bn on buying shopping centres by the end of 2020, in a bid to redevelop town centres “depressed” by a wave of store closures. Research from retail property organisation Revo and property and regeneration advisors Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has found that local authorities…
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3 SeptemberHigh Street
Retail sales ‘flatline’ as discounting and poor footfall ‘hit hard’
Retail sales “flatlined” in August according to the BRC-KPMG sales monitor, as summer discounting and “poor” footfall hitting in-store sales “particularly hard”. On a total basis, sales were found to be flat in August, against an increase of 1.3% in August 2018. This is above the 3-month average of -0.4%…
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Aug- 2019 -28 AugustHigh Street
Shop prices down amid ‘weak consumer spending’ and ‘stiff competition’
August Shop Prices fell by 0.4% compared to a 0.1% decrease in July attributed to “weak consumer spending” and “stiff competition, according to latest BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. This is below the 12 and six-month average price increases, both of 0.3%, and is the fastest rate of decline since June…
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