Labour Market
This coverage examines the UK labour market as it pertains to retail operations. Reporting includes wage trends, hiring challenges, staffing strategies, staff training and retention, and regulatory changes — all analysed for their impact on store performance, service quality, and workforce planning. The content is tailored for retail HR managers, operations directors, and executives overseeing staff strategy and cost control.
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May- 2024 -29 MayEconomy
Retail sales recover as inflation slows, CBI finds
Retail sales grew at their fastest pace since December 2022 in the year to May, as sales volumes jumped 8% to -44%, according to the latest CBI Distributive Trades Survey. Furthermore, the CBI said it comes as selling price inflation in the retail sector “eased considerably” in May, from 20%…
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Dec- 2023 -14 DecemberNews
Retailers urge government to reform Apprenticeship Levy
Three leading trade bodies and seven food retailers are calling for urgent action to reform the broken Apprenticeship Levy system and address the “critical and persistent” labour shortages in the food supply chains. In a letter sent to the government, the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the National Farmers Union (NFU)…
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Nov- 2023 -13 NovemberNews
Today’s news in brief-13/11/23
Retail theft is projected to cost UK retailers £7.9bn in 2023, with a notable increase in employee theft. Thruvision Group plc and Retail Economics conducted the research, revealing that shoppers contribute to 60% of the theft (£4.7bn), while employees, particularly in distribution centres, contribute 40% (£3.2bn). Employee theft in DCs…
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13 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Theft to cost retailers £7.9bn in 2023, study finds
It has been forecast that retail theft will cost UK retailers £7.9bn this year, according to new research by Thruvision Group plc and Retail Economics. Thruvision, a provider of walk-through security technology, and Retail Economics stated that shoppers account for 60% of the value of the theft (£4.7bn) while employees,…
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Sep- 2023 -26 SeptemberNews
Failure to reform Apprenticeship Levy cost retailers 12,000 lost apprenticeships, BRC says
Retailers could have offered 12,000 more apprenticeships over the past year if it was not for the Government’s failure to reform the Apprenticeship Levy, according to a survey by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The industry took on approximately 17,000 apprenticeships in that period, meaning Levy reform could boost this…
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21 SeptemberEconomy
Bank of England keeps interest rates unchanged at 5.25%
Following 14 straight rate rises, the Bank of England (BoE) has kept interest rates unchanged at 5.25%. At its latest meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a slim majority of 5–4 to maintain the current rate, though four members preferred to increase the rate to 5.5%. The MPC…
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21 SeptemberNews
Next raises full-year guidance amid improved trading conditions
Next has updated its full-year guidance following an increase in total sales and profit before tax during the first six months of the year to July. During the period, the retailer reported a 5.4% rise in sales to £2.6bn and a 4.8% increase in profit before tax to £420m. Operating…
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Jun- 2023 -23 JuneAnalysis
How a 5% interest rate hike will affect trading
It was announced yesterday (22 June) by the Bank of England that interest rates will immediately increase from 4.5% to 5.%, marking the 13th consecutive hike since rates were first increased in December 2021 from a low of 0.1% to 0.25%. So far in 2023, this is the fifth consecutive…
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22 JuneEconomy
BoE raises interest rate to 15-year high
The Bank of England (BoE) has raised interest rates for the 13th consecutive time to 5%, the highest level in 15 years, after it was revealed that inflation remained at 8.7% in May. The BoE’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted by a majority of 7-2 to increase the rate by…
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12 JuneNews
UK economy set to grow amid increased investment, says CBI
The economy looks to have fared better than expected in the first half of 2023, and is set to steer clear of a recession, according to the CBI’s latest Economic Forecast. The CBI has forecasted 0.4% growth in GDP over 2023, picking up to 1.8% in 2024, upgraded from -0.4%…
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