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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Dec- 2023 -20 DecemberEconomy
UK inflation falls to two-year low of 3.9%
UK inflation has fallen to 3.9% in the year to November, the lowest level seen in two years, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The rate of inflation was lower than expected after falling from a rate of 4.6% in October, though the ONS said prices…
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15 DecemberHigh Street
Currys boss criticises gov’s minimum wage plans
Currys CEO Alex Baldock has accused the government of not caring about the retail industry after claiming its decision to raise the minimum wage would “load more costs onto an already overburdened sector”. It comes after chancellor Jeremy Hunt outlined plans to raise the legal minimum wage by 10% to…
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11 DecemberEconomy
Black Friday fails to rally shoppers during ‘bleak’ November, BDO finds
Significant discounts in the run up to Black Friday failed to rally UK shoppers, resulting in “another disappointing month” for retailers, according to new figures released today by accountancy and business advisory firm BDO. According to its High Street Sales Tracker, total like-for-like (LFL) sales in November fell by 0.3%…
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8 DecemberAnalysis
What’s in store for retailers in 2024?
The announcement made by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in the Autumn Budget has unveiled a series of measures aimed at bolstering the UK economy, with the aim to particularly benefit retail. Hunt believes that the reduction in National Insurance, the freezing of business rates, and increments in the National Living Wage…
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Nov- 2023 -28 NovemberEconomy
Falling inflation under threat in 2024, BRC warns
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the current trend of falling inflation could be under threat in the New Year in the face of new headwinds such as rising business rates and new regulations. This comes despite Shop Price annual inflation having decelerated further to 4.3% in November,…
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23 NovemberGovernment
BRC accuses Hunt of ‘selling out’ retailers and customers
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has accused the chancellor of selling out retailers and customers in his Autumn Statement delivered yesterday (22 November). In the budget Hunt froze the business rates multiplier for small businesses but offered nothing to larger ones. He also increased the National Living Wage to £11.44…
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22 NovemberEconomy
Chancellor cuts National Insurance to 10% alongside NLW rise
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced a series of measures to help boost the UK economy as part of his Autumn Budget including slashing National Insurance by 2% and freezing business rates for retail and hospitality. As part of the new measures, Hunt revealed that National Insurance will be cut from…
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Apr- 2023 -20 AprilHealth & Beauty
Lush raises staff pay in line with Living Wage Foundation
Lush Cosmetics has increased wages for staff in the UK this month as an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer. The real living wage, according to the foundation and based on the true cost of living, is £10.90 per hour in the UK, and £11.95 per hour in London for all…
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Mar- 2023 -1 MarchDepartment Stores
M&S set to increase salaries by 7% from April
British retailer M&S will raise the salary of more than 40,000 customer assistants by 7%, in a bid to help with the cost of living crisis. Starting from April, the hourly pay will jump from £10.20 to £10.90, an increase well ahead of the National Living Wage. Customer assistants in…
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Jan- 2023 -31 JanuaryNews
Pets at Home raises profit outlook
Pet retailer Pets at Home has raised its profit outlook after record Q3 consumer revenues, for the 12 weeks ended 5 January 2023. Its consumer revenues rose 9% year on year boosted by a record number of consumers. Consumer revenues were also up 30% compared to pre-pandemic levels. The company…
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