Trade Union
This coverage examines trade union activity and its impact on the UK retail industry. Reporting highlights industrial action, wage negotiations, working conditions disputes, and agreements between unions and employers. Designed for professionals overseeing workforce relations, HR policy, and operational planning in response to labour movements and employee advocacy.
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Sep- 2025 -9 SeptemberSupply Chain
ASOS signs landmark agreement to secure supply chain workers’ rights
ASOS has signed a legally-binding, landmark agreement with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to protect transport workers’ rights and safety across its supply chains. Under a legally-binding human rights due diligence (HRDD) agreement, ASOS and the ITF will cooperate in conducting HRDD in ASOS’ transport operations and logistics. ITF…
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Jul- 2025 -28 JulyEconomy
BRC welcomes Lords’ changes to Employment Rights Bill
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has welcomed amendments put forward by the House of Lords to the Employment Rights Bill, describing them as “positive, practical and pragmatic” steps to protect local, flexible and part-time jobs. Key changes proposed by peers include turning a right to guaranteed hours into a right…
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May- 2025 -13 MayFeatures
What does the new Employment Rights Bill mean for retailers?
The Employment Rights Bill, slated for major implementation in autumn 2026, is being hailed by the government as a bold step forward for workers’ rights. But for the retail sector – a cornerstone of the UK economy that employs over three million people – the swift nature of the proposed…
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Mar- 2025 -28 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-28/3/25
WHSmith has agreed to sell its high street retail arm to Modella Capital in a £76m deal, marking a significant shift for the historic brand. The acquisition includes around 480 stores across the UK, which will be rebranded as TGJones. WHSmith will retain its travel and international operations, including stores…
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28 MarchSupermarkets
Asda unveils £80m investment into retail pay
Asda has announced an £80m investment in retail pay to increase hourly rates for store-based colleagues to £12.60 from October. Circa 115,000 Asda Retail and Asda Express colleagues will receive an above inflation increase of 4.7% in three phases, taking rates from £12.04 to £12.60 per hour. Hourly rates for…
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18 MarchSupermarkets
Tesco announces £180m investment in staff pay
Tesco has reached an agreement with trade union USDAW that will increase the hourly pay rate for staff in stores, from £12.02 to £12.45 from 30 March 2025, and again to £12.64 from the end of August. This two-stage rate increase represents an above-inflation increase of 5.2% builds on the…
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Sep- 2024 -12 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-12/9/24
John Lewis Partnership reported a significant improvement in financial performance, narrowing pre-tax losses to £30m from £59m. Total revenue rose 2% to £5.2 billion, with Waitrose seeing a 5% sales increase. Investment in transformation, including new stores and digital initiatives, remains robust. PwC’s latest data reveals a rise in shop…
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12 SeptemberSupermarkets
Tesco loses ‘fire and rehire’ case at Supreme Court
Tesco has been blocked from its ability to dismiss staff at certain distribution centres and rehire them on lower pay, the Supreme Court has ruled. In a judgement passed today (12 September), five Supreme Court justices ruled on the motion unanimously. In 2021, trade union Usdaw took legal action over the…
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Aug- 2024 -30 AugustSupermarkets
Tesco faces strike ballot as warehouse workers reject pay offer
Usdaw has launched a consultation ballot, asking Tesco workers at eight sites if they are ready to take a dispute over pay to industrial action. According to the trade union, members at all eight sites “overwhelmingly rejected” Tesco’s pay offer of between 2% plus £500 and 4.4%, depending on contract.…
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29 AugustClothing & Shoes
New Look partners with ITF to protect supply chain workers
New Look has partnered with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to ensure that transport workers’ human and labour rights are protected in the fashion retailer’s supply chain. Under a new memorandum of understanding (MoU), New Look will conduct human rights due diligence (HRDD) in its transport supply chain in…
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