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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Jun- 2025 -16 JuneHigh Street
Largest retailers to pay £600m extra in business rates from 2026
Major supermarkets and West End stores are set to pay an extra £600m in business rates from April 2026 following government reforms, according to analysis by property firm Colliers for The Times. The changes will lower the business rates multiplier for smaller retail, hospitality and leisure sites, with the shortfall recouped by…
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13 JuneHigh Street
Warm weather fails to boost footfall in May
Retail footfall across the UK declined by 1.7% compared with May 2024, spelling a sharp drop from the 7.2% rise recorded in April, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Sensormatic Solutions. The downturn affected most retail locations, with High Streets down 2.5% year-on-year, and…
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10 JuneHigh Street
ONS Data: Retail loses over 360,000 jobs in a decade
Retail has lost over 360,000 jobs in the past decade, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), further highlighting the difficulties the sector is facing. The figures show there were 2.76 million jobs in retail in March 2025, while the four-quarter average, which smooths out…
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9 JuneHigh Street
One in 10 part-time retail jobs at risk by 2028, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that around 160,000, or more than one in 10, part-time retail roles are in danger of being lost over the next three years. The warning follows a new report published by the BRC which lays bare the threats to retail employment, which has…
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May- 2025 -27 MayEconomy
Fresh food prices drive food inflation up 2.8% in May
Food inflation increased to 2.8% year-on-year in May, rising for the fourth consecutive month, driven by a surge in the cost of fresh food, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. It found that Fresh Food inflation increased to 2.4%, against growth of 1.8% in April. This is above the…
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23 MayEconomy
Retail sales beat expectations in April
Retail sales volumes increased 1.2% in April 2025, up from a rise of 0.1% in March 2025, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth and easily beating forecasts of 0.2%. Food store sales increased 3.9%, mostly recovering from falls in February and March 2025. Supermarkets, specialist food stores such as…
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21 MaySupermarkets
M&S warns of £300m profit hit following cyber attack
Marks and Spencer has reported its highest profits in over 15 years, with pre-tax profits up by 22.2% to £875.5m in its full-year results, but has warned it faces a £300m hit to next year’s profits amid ongoing disruption from a major cyber attack. In the year ended 29 March…
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15 MayEconomy
UK economy grows by more than expected 0.7% in Q1
The UK economy performed better than expected in the first quarter of the year, with GDP growing by 0.7% between January and March, following a 0.1% rise the prior quarter. This was ahead of analysts’ expectations, who had forecast a growth of 0.6% for the period. According to the Office…
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13 MayEconomy
Late Easter sees retail sales rise 7% in April
UK total retail sales increased by 7% year-on-year in April, against a decline of 4% in April 2024, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. This was above the three-month average growth of 2.9% and above the 12-month average growth of 1.4%. However, the retail sales monitor clarifies as…
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13 MayHigh Street
M&S confirms customer data stolen in cyber attack
Marks and Spencer has told customers that some of their personal data has been stolen following a major cyber attack last month. However, it said the data does not include usable payment or card details, which are not held on its systems, and does not include any account passwords. It…
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