National Living Wage
This coverage explores the implications of the National Living Wage for UK retailers, including its impact on staffing costs, operational decisions, and workforce management. Reporting highlights wage policy changes, employer responses, legal obligations, and strategies to balance compliance with commercial performance — providing insight for retail executives, HR managers, and business owners navigating wage legislation.
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Jul- 2025 -2 JulyDIY
Topps Tiles Q3 sales jump 10% amid boost in trade customers
Topps Tiles has revealed that its group adjusted sales increased 10.1% in the third quarter of the year, up 4.1% compared with H1 and 6.1% higher year-on-year. The tile retailer said its sales trajectory has improved across all divisions in the group, with Topps Tiles, Parkside and Online Pure Play…
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1 JulyEconomy
Shop prices return to inflation as retailers struggle to shoulder costs
Shop price inflation increased to 0.4% year on year in June, compared with a decline of 0.1% in May, as retailers grappled with increases to minimum wage and employer national insurance costs. Furthermore, non-food inflation increased to -1.2% year on year in June, against a decline of 1.5% in May.…
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Jun- 2025 -9 JuneHigh Street
One in 10 part-time retail jobs at risk by 2028, warns BRC
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that around 160,000, or more than one in 10, part-time retail roles are in danger of being lost over the next three years. The warning follows a new report published by the BRC which lays bare the threats to retail employment, which has…
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May- 2025 -27 MayEconomy
Fresh food prices drive food inflation up 2.8% in May
Food inflation increased to 2.8% year-on-year in May, rising for the fourth consecutive month, driven by a surge in the cost of fresh food, according to the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index. It found that Fresh Food inflation increased to 2.4%, against growth of 1.8% in April. This is above the…
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21 MayEconomy
Inflation jumps to 3.5% in April
Inflation increased to 3.5% in April, according to the latest figures for the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which it blamed on a “significant increase” in household bills. The 12-month inflation rate for housing and household services was 7.0% in April 2025, up from 5.1% in March. On a monthly…
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13 MayEconomy
Late Easter sees retail sales rise 7% in April
UK total retail sales increased by 7% year-on-year in April, against a decline of 4% in April 2024, according to the latest BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor. This was above the three-month average growth of 2.9% and above the 12-month average growth of 1.4%. However, the retail sales monitor clarifies as…
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7 MayHigh Street
Card Factory sales and profits rise in FY25 amid growth strategy
Card Factory has welcomed a year of “resilient” trading, with both revenues and profits rising as the group implemented its growth strategy and expanded its store portfolio and product offerings over the period. In the full-year ended 31 January 2025, adjusted profit before tax rose by 6.3% to £66m, while…
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Apr- 2025 -24 AprilFeatures
Retail’s staffing crisis: why jobs are disappearing and what’s next
Across the UK, retail employment remains 5% below pre-pandemic levels, according to Deputy’s Big Shift 2025 report. The decline is steady, pushed along by automation, e-commerce, and shifting worker expectations. In contrast, London’s hospitality sector is booming – fuelled by the city’s night-time economy, now worth a quarter of all…
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23 AprilFeatures
The potential ripple effect of Asda’s Rollback return
Asda has brought back its “iconic” Rollback scheme, reducing prices on more than 4,000 products in stores and online. As a result, more than £4bn has been wiped off the value of Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks and Spencer stock amid fears that rival Asda will step up the grocery price…
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15 AprilEconomy
UK sales increase 1.1% in March thanks to good weather boost
UK Total retail sales increased by 1.1% year on year in March, against a growth of 3.5% in March 2024, with gardening and DIY sales being boosted by good weather. New data from the BRC and KPMG revealed that the increase was below the 3-month average growth of 1.6% and…
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