National Insurance
This coverage explores the impact of National Insurance policies and changes on the UK retail sector, focusing on employer contributions, payroll costs, regulatory compliance, and workforce planning. Reporting highlights how retailers adjust strategies to manage costs and meet obligations — providing insight for executives, managers, and HR professionals overseeing financial and operational planning.
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Jan- 2025 -15 JanuaryEconomy
NI increase will force retailers to raise prices, BRC warns
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the National Insurance Increase, set to come into place this April, will force retailers to put up prices after it found that two thirds of CFOs said they will do so in response to the change. The BRC said its survey of…
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13 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-13/1/25
Asda announced a significant overhaul of its operations, cutting 13 regional manager roles and consolidating management of supermarkets and express stores into 22 sub-regions from 30. The changes, driven by poor Christmas performance with a 5.8% drop in sales and a decline in market share to 12.5%, mark Allan Leighton’s…
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13 JanuarySupermarkets
Sainsbury’s boss criticises speed of Labour tax changes
Sainsbury’s CEO, Simon Roberts, has told the Telegraph that the chancellor gave businesses no time to plan for her £25bn tax changes. He said that the decision to increase employer National Insurance from April was “not something anyone expected – certainly, it wasn’t expected at the speed it was coming…
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9 JanuaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-9/1/25
The BRC-Nielsen IQ Shop Price Index showed shop price deflation at 1% in early December, up from 0.6% the previous month, reflecting strong discounting tied to a later Black Friday. Non-food prices fell sharply by 2.4%, though food inflation remained steady at 1.8%, its lowest since December 2021. BRC CEO…
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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 JanuaryNews
Bestway Retail removes fuel levy charge for Costcutter stores
Bestway Retail has announced the removal of the fuel levy charge, previously at £3.66 per delivery, for all mainland Costcutter stores for deliveries made on or after 1 January 2025. In addition to lifting the fuel levy charge, Bestway has also led the market in announcing an investment of more…
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7 JanuaryHigh Street
BRC warns of 2025 falling sales volume despite December sales growth
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned of possible falling sales volume in 2025 despite the modest increase in total retail sales experienced in December 2024. UK total retail sales in December 2024 increased by 3.2% year on year, against a growth of 1.9% in December 2023, according to new…
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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 JanuaryNews
Waterstones plans dozens of new bookshops in 2025
Waterstones chief executive James Daunt plans to open dozens of new bookshops this year, according to the FT. Daunt, who is also the boss of Barnes and Noble in the US, oversaw the opening of 57 stores in the US and 12 in the UK during the year and now…
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