Rishi Sunak
This coverage explores Rishi Sunak’s policies and initiatives that affect the UK retail sector, with a focus on taxation, government support schemes, regulatory reforms, and economic measures. Reporting assesses how Sunak’s decisions influence consumer confidence, business investment, and supply chain dynamics, offering insight for retail executives, financial managers, and industry professionals responding to policy shifts and economic strategy under his government.
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Feb- 2025 -17 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
West End loses out on £640m in sales due to tourist tax, NWEC says
West End retailers have reportedly lost around £640m in sales last year due to the lack of tax-free shopping for international tourists, according to New West End Company research. The losses rose by 60% last year from £400m in unrealised sales in 2023, and impacted some 600 businesses in the…
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Jun- 2024 -20 JuneNews
Today’s news in brief-20/6/24
Sainsbury’s announced the sale of its banking arm’s personal loan, credit card, and retail deposit portfolios to NatWest, scheduled for completion next year. The sale, which excludes Sainsbury’s Bank’s commission income businesses like insurance and travel money, will involve Sainsbury’s paying NatWest £125m to take over the portfolios. Sainsbury’s plans…
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20 JuneSupermarkets
Starmer reaffirms commitment to crackdown on shop worker abuse
Labour leader Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the party’s commitment to cracking down on abuse against shop workers should his party emerge victorious at the general election. Starmer reiterated the promise from his party’s manifesto to introduce a specific offence for assaults on store staff. He made this commitment to a…
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May- 2024 -22 MayGovernment
General election called for 4 July
Prime minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that a general election will take place on Thursday 4 July. The prime minister informed the cabinet of his plans in a meeting held this afternoon (22 May). As a result the parliament will be dissolved next week. Sunak had previously confirmed that an…
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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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Mar- 2024 -5 MarchFeatures
What are the effects of VAT taxes on the tourism industry?
The term “tourism tax” has recently been used to refer to taxes imposed on goods and services supplied to international tourists. Up until 31 December 2020, VAT-free shopping enabled international visitors in the UK to get a VAT refund on goods purchased in the UK, making them 20% cheaper. Recently,…
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Feb- 2024 -5 FebruaryClothing & Shoes
Jeremy Hunt to review tourist tax ahead of Budget
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has reportedly asked the Office for Budget Responsibility to look at whether the scrapping of VAT-free shopping for tourists should be reversed, delivering a much-needed boost to Britain’s retail and leisure sectors, according to The Sunday Times. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has been asked to…
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Jan- 2024 -29 JanuaryNews
Today’s news in brief-29/1/24
The UK experienced a significant increase in business administrations, with the retail sector being the hardest hit, accounting for 19% of the total administrations. This information comes from a study conducted by full-service law firm Shakespeare Martineau. The year saw a total of 1,641 businesses filing for administration, a 22%…
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29 JanuarySupermarkets
Iceland boss backs Labour government
Richard Walker, managing director of Iceland and former Tory donor, has publicly backed Keir Starmer to be the next Prime Minister. Walker told The Guardian that the Labour leader understands how the cost of living crisis has put an “unbearable strain” on families. He wrote in the newspaper that Starmer…
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24 JanuaryGovernment
BRC launches ‘Manifesto for Retail’ ahead of General Election
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has announced the launch of its “Manifesto for Retail” ahead of the anticipated General Election this year. The organisation has laid out a vision with three main aims, a more coordinated approach to tax and regulation, jobs and Net Zero and the circular economy. On…
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