Part-Time
This coverage examines the role of part-time work in the UK retail industry, with reporting on employment trends, workforce management, labour market challenges, and policy developments. Designed for retail executives, HR managers, and operations leaders addressing staffing strategies, employee engagement, and productivity in a sector reliant on flexible labour.
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Jan- 2025 -20 JanuaryGovernment
Pets at Home CEO warns Budget will effect part-time workers and women
Pets at Home CEO Lyssa McGowan has warned that the changes to National Insurance in the Budget will negatively impact part-time workers and women. McGowan stated in an interview with Mail on Sunday that Pets at Home faces an £18m increase in costs. The National Insurance contribution threshold will be…
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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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Dec- 2024 -17 DecemberPeople Moves
Retail loses 225,000 jobs in five years
The retail industry has lost 225,000 jobs in the last five years, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On a four-quarter average there were 40,000 less jobs in the industry compared with last year. Overall there were 2.81m jobs in retail in September 2024, although this…
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5 DecemberComment
Why retailers should be making data-driven decisions
In a retail landscape increasingly dominated by e-commerce and consumer-driven expectations, Stefan Loncar, founder and CEO of Loncom Consulting, is on a mission to transform how retailers use data. From inventory management to leveraging AI, Loncar’s insights and expertise have helped retailers across the globe improve their operations, predict trends,…
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Nov- 2024 -22 NovemberFeatures
Reimagining retail through the physical store experience
In an ever-evolving retail landscape, Marcus Fox, CEO of Agile Retail, has distinguished himself as a leader who is rewriting the rules of the game. With nearly two decades of experience spanning supermarket giants Sainsbury’s and Morrisons and now leading a nimble, 50-person business, Fox embodies a unique blend of…
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15 NovemberFeatures
Marketing’s changing landscape, from Boots and beyond
Few individuals have careers that weave through iconic brands, chart industry-defining campaigns, and conclude with a leading role at a consultancy helping the world’s biggest companies adapt to change. David Muldoon, currently Marketing Transformation Partner at MediaLink, has done just that. His journey began at Boots, where he joined a…
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15 NovemberEconomy
BRC warns chancellor Budget could cause inflation and job losses
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the latest budget could cause inflation and job losses, in a draft letter seen by Sky News. In the draft, the BRC estimated that the National Insurance changes would increase retailers’ tax burden by £2.3bn annually. It also argued that the number…
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Oct- 2024 -30 OctoberComment
How does a turnaround specialist help retailers improve their performance?
Erin Brookes’ journey into the world of retail consultancy is a testament to how passion, experience, and adaptability can shape a career in an ever-evolving industry. Now managing director and head of Retail at Alvarez & Marsal (A&M), Brookes’ career has spanned across operational and consulting roles, from working on…
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Apr- 2024 -10 AprilGovernment
Assault of retail staff to be made specific criminal offence
The Government has announced that assaulting a retail worker will be made a standalone criminal offence and serial or abusive shoplifters will face tougher punishments under new laws included in its Criminal Justice Bill. Perpetrators could be sent to prison for up to six months, receive an unlimited fine and…
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Feb- 2024 -14 FebruaryGovernment
Abuse of retail workers almost doubles to 1,300 incidents a day
Violence and abuse against retail workers jumped almost 50% as the number of incidents rose to 1,300 per day in 2022/23 from almost 870 per day the year before, according to data from the British Retail Consortium. This rise comes despite retailers investing heavily in crime prevention, spending £1.2bn on…
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