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- 2025 -18 SeptemberSupermarkets
Morrisons sales rise 3% in Q3 as online business strengthens
Morrisons has seen like-for-like sales grow by 3.0% in its third quarter, despite rising inflation and “challenging” macroeconomic conditions, marking the eleventh consecutive quarter of like-for-like sales growth. Over the period, total sales rose by 3.5% to £4.0bn, bolstered by a strong online performance which saw double-digit like-for-like growth, making…
Read More » -
17 SeptemberEconomy
Inflation holds steady at 3.8% but food prices on the rise
Inflation held steady last month, with a reported rise of 3.8% in the 12 months to August 2025, unchanged from July’s figures. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the August and July figures mark the joint-highest recorded since January 2024, when the rate was 4.0%. It comes as…
Read More » -
16 SeptemberGovernment
Usdaw calls on peers to end opposition to Employment Rights Bill
Retail union Usdaw has urged Conservative and Liberal Democrat peers to drop their opposition to the Employment Rights Bill after the government rejected all amendments proposed in the House of Lords. It said the Employment Rights Bill would enact “major” changes to UK employment law. Key proposals include banning exploitative…
Read More » -
16 SeptemberSupermarkets
Autumn budget could hit festive spending, warns Aldi CEO
The UK chief executive of Aldi has warned that the timing of the government’s late November budget could dampen consumer spending in the run-up to Christmas. Speaking to The Guardian, Giles Hurley said uncertainty around the measures chancellor Rachel Reeves will announce to address the fiscal gap in public finances…
Read More » -
12 SeptemberHigh Street
400 large stores at risk under new business rates proposals, BRC finds
Around 400 large-format stores are at risk of closure, if they are included in the Government’s new business rates surtax on premises with a rateable value over £500,000, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC anticipates that if all 400 at-risk stores were to close, up to 100,000…
Read More » -
5 SeptemberFeatures
What does the future hold for Poundland?
Last week Poundland was saved from collapse just days before the company ran out of money after its restructuring plan was approved by a High Court. Barristers told a hearing that it would fall into administration by Friday and could run out of money by 7 September if the plan…
Read More » -
3 SeptemberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s to trial facial recognition tech in two UK stores
Sainsbury’s will reportedly begin an eight-week trial of facial recognition technology in two stores this week, with the possibility of expanding the scheme nationwide, according to The Standard. The technology, provided by Facewatch, will be introduced at the Sydenham superstore in London and the Bath Oldfield Sainsbury’s Local. It will…
Read More » -
2 SeptemberHigh Street
Oxford Street to go traffic-free for a day ahead of pedestrianisation plans
Oxford Street is set to go traffic-free between Orchard Street and Oxford Circus on Sunday 21 September as part of a one-day event showcasing proposals to pedestrianise London’s most famous shopping street. The “This is Oxford Street” event will run from 12pm to 8pm and feature themed zones spanning fashion,…
Read More » -
Aug- 2025 -28 AugustPeople Moves
BRC appoints Jo Whitfield as chairman-elect
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has appointed Jo Whitfield CBE as its next chair, succeeding Andy Higginson when his term ends on 2 October 2025. Whitfield has 25 years’ experience in retail, including senior roles at Matalan, the Co-operative Group and Asda. She is currently a non-executive and audit chair…
Read More » -
28 AugustClothing & Shoes
West End loses out on £310m in sales without tax-free shopping
Retailers in London’s West End have lost an estimated £310m in sales in the first half of 2025 due to the ongoing absence of tax-free shopping, according to new research released by New West End Company. The figure represents a 40% increase on the £220m lost over the same period…
Read More »
