Helen Dickinson
This coverage follows Helen Dickinson’s leadership and contributions to the UK retail industry. Reporting includes her public statements, policy advocacy, industry insights, and role in shaping retail strategies and government relations. Designed for senior retail professionals and decision-makers, it offers context on her influence over regulatory developments, sector challenges, and opportunities affecting retail operations and management.
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Jan- 2026 -6 JanuaryPeople Moves
Shop price inflation edges up in December as food prices rise
Shop price inflation rose to 0.7% year on year in December, up from 0.6% in November, as food prices increased at a faster pace, according to new data covering the week of 1–7 December 2025. The increase was in line with the three-month average of 0.7%. Month-on-month prices were flat…
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Dec- 2025 -18 DecemberEconomy
Consumer confidence remains subdued despite slight December uptick
Consumer confidence remained weak in December despite a modest improvement in expectations about the wider economy, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Data from the BRC-Opinium survey showed expectations for the state of the economy over the next three months rose to -38 in December, from…
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5 DecemberHigh Street
Footfall slips in Nov as Black Friday fails to lift shopper numbers
Total UK footfall fell 0.8% year-on-year in November, compared with a 0.7% decline in October, as Black Friday failed to produce the much needed boost for retailers, according to the latest data from the BRC. High street footfall decreased 1.2% after a 0.6% rise in October, while retail parks saw…
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2 DecemberEconomy
Early Black Friday discounting slows shop price inflation to 0.6%
Shop price inflation fell to 0.6% in November, down from 1.0% in October, as retailers launched Black Friday discounting earlier than usual. Non-food prices declined by 0.6% year on year, compared with a fall of 0.4% in October. Food inflation eased to 3.0%, from 3.7% a month earlier. Fresh food…
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Nov- 2025 -28 NovemberGovernment
BRC welcomes unfair dismissal u-turn
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed news that the government is no longer planning to include unfair dismissal from day one in its Employment Rights Bill. Under the proposals, employees would have been able to take their employers to tribunal for unfair dismissal from their first day of employment…
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27 NovemberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail split as business rates and import rules shift
The retail industry has labelled the Autumn Budget as a “mixed bag” for retail, offering relief for many shops, but bringing in new costs for others Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered Labour’s first Autumn Statement, outlining permanent business rates reductions for 750,000 retail, hospitality and leisure businesses and confirming new customs…
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24 NovemberGovernment
Reeves to delay end of low-value import tax break until 2029
Britain will scrap the long-standing tax exemption on low-value imports in 2029, delaying a move sought by major retailers who say the current regime hands an advantage to fast-growing overseas platforms, The Times has reported. It comes as the Treasury has confirmed it will abolish the “de minimis” rule –…
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11 NovemberHigh Street
Retail sales slow in October as shoppers hold off for Black Friday
UK retail sales rose by 1.6% year on year in October, down from growth of 0.6% a year earlier and below the 12-month average of 2.1%, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG. Food sales increased by 3.5% in October, matching the 12-month average and up from 2.6%…
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7 NovemberEntertainment
Footfall drops for sixth consecutive month as shoppers await Budget impact
Retail footfall across the UK fell by 0.7% year on year in October, marking the sixth consecutive monthly decline as shoppers remained wary ahead of a possible tax-raising Budget, according to new BRC-Sensormatic Solutions data. Although footfall continued to remain down, the four-week period to 1 November showed an improvement…
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4 NovemberGovernment
BRC urges MPs to back peers’ changes to Employment Rights Bill
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has called on MPs to support amendments made by peers to the Employment Rights Bill when it returns to the House of Commons tomorrow (Wednesday 4 November). While the trade body has supported the government’s aim of tackling “unscrupulous employers”, it also warned that parts…
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