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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Jun- 2019 -14 JuneSupermarkets
Iceland earnings down 8.7% following ‘disappointing’ first half
Frozen food supermarket Iceland has reported an 8.7% drop in adjusted EBITDA to £140.1m, down £13.4m, for the year ending 29 March 2019. The group said the reduction occurred entirely in the first half of the year and reflected sales performance, increased staffing costs as a result of the rise…
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Apr- 2019 -8 AprilClothing & Shoes
Ann Summers calls in advisers after £3.3m loss
Lingerie retailer, Ann Summers, has announced it has appointed a property adviser in order to help with rent reductions, after a £3.3m loss last year replaced a £2.9m profit in the year previous. The retailer blamed rising store costs along with the fall of sterling due to Brexit, which it…
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Jan- 2019 -31 JanuarySupply Chain
Lidl opens 13th and largest UK distribution centre
Lidl UK has announced the opening of its 13th and largest Regional Distribution Centre (RDC) in Doncaster. The warehouse, which represents a £70m investment in Lidl’s expansion and logistics, will initially provide support to 53 Lidl stores across south Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the Midlands. Earlier this month, Lidl opened a…
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Dec- 2018 -3 DecemberHigh Street
McColl’s posts second profit warning amid ‘unprecedented supply chain disruption’
Convenience retailer McColl’s has announced that full-year profits are to come in below expectations as a result of “unprecedented supply chain disruption” following the collapse of supplier Palmer & Harvey. In light of “transitional challenges and continued difficult trading conditions”, McColl’s announced adjusted EBITDA for FY18 is now expected to…
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Sep- 2018 -24 SeptemberGovernment
Retail found to have second highest number of underpaid staff
The retail sector was estimated to have the second highest number of staff who were paid less than minimum wage, accounting for 51,300 jobs. This is according to a report by HMRC as part of the government’s investigation and initiative to clampdown on employers underpaying their staff. The hospitality sector had…
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Jul- 2018 -10 JulyGovernment
Home Bargains ‘underpaid staff £272k’
Discount retailer TJ Morris Limited, trading as Home Bargains, has failed to pay the national minimum wage to its staff according to the UK government. Home Bargains appeared second in a government list of nearly 240 employers who had not paid the National Living and Minimum Wage, with the retailer…
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Jun- 2018 -28 JuneEconomy
Head office jobs more likely to face axe than shop floor following national living wage rises
New research has found that those working in head office are more likely to lose their jobs as the result of an increase to the national living wage. Research by Foot Anstey found that 52% of companies would rather keep front line staff and make cuts to head office headcount.…
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4 JuneOnline & Digital
Amazon faces legal action over alleged ‘bogus’ self-employment
GMB, the trade union for ‘gig economy’ workers, has announced plans to bring legal action against three of Amazon’s delivery companies over what it calls “bogus” self-employment. The action, announced today (4 June) at GMB’s 101st annual congress in Brighton, is on behalf of people working as couriers and delivering…
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May- 2018 -10 MayGovernment
Named and shamed: Underpaid retail staff among 200,000 to receive £15.6m back pay
HMRC has identified £15.6m in pay owed to more than 200,000 of the UK’s lowest paid workers, following an investigation from 2017 to 2018. This was an increase from the £10.9m that was owed to 98,000 workers in the previous year. Earlier this year, Karen Millen, Shoe Zone and bedroom…
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Apr- 2018 -10 AprilHigh Street
Card Factory posts £14.6m drop in full-year profits
Card Factory has posted a £14.6m drop in its full-year profits which it has attributed to the weak pound and soaring wage costs. Pre-tax profits for the fiscal year ending January 31 were £72.6m, down 12.3% on the previous year. This is despite the card and gift retailer’s revenues increasing…
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