Minimum Wage
This coverage examines the impact of minimum wage policies on UK retail businesses, with reporting on legislative changes, compliance obligations, cost management, and workforce strategies. Insight focuses on how retailers adapt operations, staffing, and pay structures to meet legal requirements while maintaining commercial performance — supporting executives, HR managers, and owners navigating wage regulation challenges.
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Jan- 2025 -15 JanuaryAnalysis
Is New Look right to close up shops?
The tax increases unveiled in the October 2024 budget have further complicated the outlook for retailers in the new year. One such high street retailer, New Look, which has managed to narrow its pre-tax loss to £21.7m in the year to March 2024, now faces the difficult task of balancing…
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7 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-7/1/25
Quiz has announced plans to delist from the London Stock Exchange, citing regulatory costs and financial pressures. The move requires a 75% shareholder majority, with founder Tarak Ramzan and key investors supporting the decision. Quiz reported a £4.7m pre-tax loss in the six months to 30 September, driven by inflationary…
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7 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
Next raises profit guidance as festive sales beat expectations
Next has revealed that it has raised its full-year pre-tax profit guidance by £5m up to £1.01bn after a better than expected quarter. In this quarter, full price sales rose 6% in the nine weeks to 28 December, beating the previous guidance for the fourth quarter of 3.5%. It stated…
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6 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-6/1/25
Fast-fashion retailer Shein is set to face scrutiny from a Parliamentary Committee over labour practices in its supply chain. The inquiry, part of the government’s employment rights initiative, also involves Chinese firm Temu. The committee, chaired by ex-Labour minister Liam Byrne, aims to tackle forced labour concerns and inadequate protection…
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6 JanuaryClothing & Shoes
New Look to speed up planned closures ahead of tax changes
New Look is reportedly set to permanently shutter roughly a quarter of its 364 stores when leases expire, putting some of its 8,000 staff at risk, according to The Times. While the retailer has restructured its store portfolio twice in the past six years and downsized from 600 UK stores…
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Dec- 2024 -19 DecemberOnline & Digital
Amazon to settle delivery driver dispute worth potential £140m
Amazon is reportedly preparing to settle a group claim from delivery drivers who claimed the retail giant deprived them of thousands of pounds in earnings.According to The Guardian, lawyers involved in the case said the settlements could cost Amazon a total of £140m. Drivers who deliver for the company through…
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6 DecemberSupermarkets
Morrisons CEO urges gov to rethink budget costs
Morrisons’ CEO has called on the government to stagger its “avalanche” of business costs following the latest budget.Speaking to The Sun, Rami Baitieh urged Labour to consider the costs of National Insurance changes, business rates rises and the increase in minimum wage. He told the paper that National Insurance changes…
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4 DecemberOnline & Digital
Evri and GMB sign pay deal to cover courier sickness payments
GMB Union and Evri have announced a new pay deal which will secure sickness payments for self-employed couriers. The deal, passed by more than 80%, will provide self-employed couriers with insurance-backed paid sick leave. Self-Employed plus (SE+) will also get festive support payments of up to £950, subsidised death, disability,…
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Nov- 2024 -28 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-28/11/24
Consumer confidence remains subdued as the festive season nears, according to the British Retail Consortium (BRC). While personal retail spending rose slightly to +3 in November from +2 in October, and overall spending expectations stayed at +17, worries about the broader economy persist. Financial expectations improved marginally to -3, but…
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28 NovemberSupermarkets
John Lewis ‘worried’ about increase in National Minimum Wage
John Lewis has told the Telegraph that it is “worried” about the impact of Rachel Reeve’s decision to increase the National Minimum Wage. As part of the budget, the chancellor confirmed that the National Minimum Wage for 18 to 20-year-olds will rise 16.8% from £8.60 to £10, while pay for…
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