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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Dec- 2019 -3 DecemberEconomy
Outstanding business rates challenges increase by 35%
The number of businesses waiting for challenges over soaring business rates to be resolved has jumped by more than a third in just three months, according to new figures issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The figures revealed the number of outstanding challenges has increased by 35% fuelling concerns…
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Nov- 2019 -27 NovemberHigh Street
Shop prices fall for sixth consecutive month
Shop prices fell for the sixth consecutive month, according to the November BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index. Overall prices fell by 0.5% year-on-year compared with a 0.4% price decrease in October. Non-food item prices also decreased by 1.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, food item prices increased 1.4% year-on-year, reflecting an ease in inflation…
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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 -31 OctoberEconomy
Treasury Committee urges MPs to reform ‘broken’ business rates
The government has been urged to fix the “broken” business rates system as it is continuing to affect high street retailers, a Treasury committee has said. An influential group of MPs has asked the government to examine alternatives to property tax, which puts more pressure on high street retailers than…
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30 OctoberEconomy
Shop prices decrease again in October
Shop price deflation decelerated to 0.4% in October from -0.6% in September, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The results are below the 12- and six-month average price changes of 0.2% and -0.2%, respectively. Additionally, non-Food deflation decelerated to 1.5% in October, from -1.7% in September,…
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24 OctoberPeople Moves
85,000 retail jobs lost in the last year
Third-quarter retail employment fell by 2.8% year-on-year, the equivalent of around 85,000 jobs, marking the 15th consecutive quarter of decline in the retail workforce. According to the latest figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), full-time employment saw a decrease of 4.5% compared to the decrease in part-time employees of…
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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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14 OctoberHigh Street
Retail footfall slumps 10% over last seven years
Retail footfall has dropped by 10% in the last seven years, according to the latest footfall figures from the BRC and Springboard. It comes amid another month of declining footfall, as the number of shoppers visiting high streets stores dropped by 1.7% in September, compared with the same point last…
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11 OctoberEconomy
Brexit concerns lead to slump in retail spending in September
Concerns over a no-deal Brexit led to a decrease in consumer spending in September, according to new figures from the BRC. On a total basis, sales decreased by 1.3% in the five weeks to 28 September 2019, against an increase of 0.7% during the same period last year. This is…
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