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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Apr- 2025 -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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7 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-7/4/25
US President Donald Trump has defended his newly announced tariffs, describing them as necessary “medicine” to address trade imbalances. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that governments would need to pay “a lot of money” to lift the sweeping tariffs, which include a baseline 10% levy on imports from…
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7 AprilGovernment
Entry-level job costs jump over 10% for retailers
The cost of employing people into entry-level jobs has increased over 10% for retailers as a result of the rise in National Insurance Contributions (NICs) coupled with the increase to the National Living Wage, according to the British Retail Consortium. Alongside this, the trade body has claimed that the cost…
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2 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-2/4/25
Topps Tiles reported a 4% rise in half-year sales to £127.7m, with underlying growth accelerating to 4.4% in Q2. Trade sales surged 12%, supported by an 11% increase in active traders. However, the retailer warned that National Living Wage and National Insurance hikes will add £4m to annual costs from…
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2 AprilDIY
Topps Tiles HY sales jump 4% to £127.7m
Topps Tiles has revealed that its group sales rose 4% to £127.7m for the 26 weeks ended 29 March 2025. Furthermore, it saw underlying sales growth in the second quarter of 4.4% after adjusting for the timing of holiday periods, up from 3.3% underlying growth in the first quarter. Underlying…
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1 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-1/4/25
Retailers are bracing for a £5.56bn rise in costs following the implementation of recent Budget measures, including higher National Insurance contributions and an increased minimum wage. According to Retail Economics, these changes will force businesses to absorb £1.76bn in profit losses while passing £1.72bn onto consumers through price hikes. Chancellor…
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1 AprilEconomy
Retailers face £5.6bn rise in costs as Budget comes into play
New research by Retail Economics, along with frontline specialist Yoobic, has found that retailers face a £5.56bn rise in costs from this week as changes from the Budget are enacted, The Telegraph has reported. The rising bills will reportedly cost shoppers £1.7bn over the next year as costs are passed…
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Mar- 2025 -31 MarchFeatures
Spring Budget 2025: what it means for the retail industry
The UK retail sector has been navigating a volatile economic landscape, with rising operational costs, shifts in consumer spending, and policy changes placing unprecedented pressure on businesses. The Spring Budget 2025, delivered by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was highly anticipated by industry leaders, who had hoped for measures that would alleviate…
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27 MarchHigh Street
Campaign urges Next, M&S and JD Sports to pay real living wage
The likes of Axa and Scottish Widows are backing campaign group ShareAction in its effort to make major high street retailers such as Next, M&S and JD Sports increase their staff’s pay in line with a real living wage, The Guardian has reported. News of this initiative comes as there’s…
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