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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Sep- 2025 -23 SeptemberHigh Street
BRC warns food inflation could stay above 5% until 2026
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that food inflation could remain above 5% well into 2026 if the retail industry faces further tax rises in the Autumn Budget. The trade body said around 4,000 large shops could see higher bills under a government proposal to impose a new business…
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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…
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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…
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26 AugustEconomy
Shop price inflation hits 18-month high in first week of August
Shop price inflation increased to 0.9% year on year in the week ended 7 August, an 18-month high, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. This increase came against growth of 0.7% in July and was above the three-month average inflation of 0.6%, driven by price hikes across butter,…
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22 AugustHigh Street
Retail bosses urge chancellor to cut industry tax burden in Budget
More than 60 retail leaders have written to the chancellor ahead of the Autumn Budget, warning that rising costs are driving up prices and threatening jobs. Chief executives from companies including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Asda, Boots and Ikea signed the letter, which calls for a reduction in business rates for…
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21 AugustEconomy
Consumer sentiment improves slightly but remains in ‘doldrums’, BRC finds
Consumer expectations for the next three months improved marginally in August but remain historically low, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Opinium. Expectations for the state of the economy rose slightly to -32, up from -33 in July. Views on personal finances also improved…
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12 AugustEconomy
Retail sales up 2.5% in July despite job losses and store closures
Retail sales in the UK rose 2.5% in the four weeks ended 2 August against a growth of 0.5% in July 2024, according to the latest data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). As part of this increase, food sales rose 3.9% year-on-year in July, beating a tough comparative of…
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8 AugustEconomy
Footfall declines in July for second consecutive year
UK footfall fell by 0.4% year on year in July, according to data from the British Retail Consortium–Sensormatic IQ, marking a second consecutive year of decline for the month. The figure was a slight improvement on June’s 1.8% fall. High street footfall declined by 1.7%, compared with a 3.0% drop…
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Jul- 2025 -29 JulyEconomy
Family food bills rise as shop price inflation hits 0.7%
Shop price inflation rose to 0.7% in July, up from 0.4% in June, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The latest figures from the Shop Price Monitor, which was formerly known as the Shop Price Index, show inflation running above the three-month average of 0.3%. Food inflation reached 4%…
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28 JulyEconomy
BRC welcomes Lords’ changes to Employment Rights Bill
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed amendments put forward by the House of Lords to the Employment Rights Bill, describing them as “positive, practical and pragmatic” steps to protect local, flexible and part-time jobs. Key changes proposed by peers include turning a right to guaranteed hours into a right…
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