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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Nov- 2024 -18 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-18/11/24
Sephora is poised for an ambitious UK expansion, planning 20 new stores by 2027, doubling its physical footprint. CEO Guillaume Motte attributes renewed confidence in the UK market to an improved competitive landscape. The brand, which re-entered the UK in 2022 after a 17-year absence, currently operates six stores, with…
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18 NovemberClothing & Shoes
Boohoo faces criticism after reviving ties with controversial supplier
Boohoo is reportedly facing growing criticism after reinstating a supplier it had previously cut ties with amid a modern slavery scandal. According to an investigation from The Telegraph, the Leicester-based GN Euro is again supplying womenswear to the online retailer, despite being struck off in 2021, after Boohoo was hit…
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Oct- 2024 -31 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-31/10/24
The UK retail industry has raised concerns following Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Autumn Budget, which aims to generate £40bn through measures like a rise in employers’ National Insurance to 15% and hikes in minimum wage rates. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the new measures, which will add over…
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31 OctoberEconomy
Budget reaction: Retail warns that higher costs will hamper investment
The retail industry has warned that increased costs following the Autumn Budget may hit businesses hard, with retailers facing higher costs amid new measures that come into place next April, with some warning the sector will face over £2.5bn in new costs in 2025.Yesterday, chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a series…
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30 OctoberEconomy
Budget: Increases to employers’ NI and minimum wage
The chancellor Rachel Reeves has increased Employers’ National Insurance contributions in a bid to help raise as much as £40bn in taxes, pledging to also boost long-term growth and “mark an end to short term-ism” as part of Labour’s first budget since it came into power. Employers’ national insurance contributions…
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29 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-29/10/24
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the chancellor to prioritise keeping prices low as shop price deflation reached 0.8% in October, marking its lowest rate since August 2021. Food inflation also eased, with fresh food and ambient food prices falling. BRC’s CEO Helen Dickinson stressed that although this trend…
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29 OctoberHigh Street
New Look pre-tax losses narrow despite fall in FY sales
New Look has reported that its pre-tax losses narrowed from £87.8m to £21.7m for the year to 30 March, despite sales dropping 8.9% to £769.2m due to store closures and “tough” trading conditions. During the period, New Look saw retail revenues fall by 11.5% to £555.1m, which was impacted by…
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Jun- 2024 -24 JuneFeatures
How can retail recruitment face down the gig economy threat?
One way of achieving that customer experience is to play to the strengths of physical retail, offering something that the online world will struggle with: the human touch. People buy from people, and the use of brand ambassadors to focus on positive customer experiences, is a win for brand, retailer…
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May- 2024 -24 MayEconomy
Retail sales slump 2.3% in April amid wet weather
Retail sales fell by 2.3% in volume over April, following a fall of 0.2% in March, as the retail sector was hampered by ongoing wet weather over the period. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), sales volumes were down across most sectors, with non-food stores particularly “doing badly” as…
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Mar- 2024 -19 MarchSupermarkets
Asda launches new staff benefits as it confirms pay rise
Asda has launched two new benefits for staff and confirmed that its proposal to raise retail pay rates to £12.04 per hour has been accepted by employees. The benefits include Care Concierge, which is managed by Legal and General and offers expert assistance in later-life care for loved ones, while…
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