Wages
This coverage examines wage trends and policies in the UK retail sector, focusing on pay levels, employer contributions, labour cost management, and compliance. Reporting highlights how changes in wages impact staffing budgets, recruitment, retention, and operational planning — offering insight for executives, HR leaders, and finance professionals managing workforce investments.
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Jun- 2025 -10 JuneEconomy
Retail sales rise 1% in May despite low non-essential spending
Total retail sales rose by 1% year-on-year in the four weeks to 31 May, up from 0.7% in the same period last year, despite customers cutting back on non-essential purchases, according to new figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC). It comes as consumer confidence had risen in May, supported…
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May- 2025 -16 MayClothing & Shoes
Next suffers shareholder rebellion over pay transparency
Next’s shareholders have pushed back against what some deemed as a lack of transparency over its staff pay after more than a fifth backed a resolution calling for more information. The vote at the retailers AGM yesterday (Thursday 15 May) saw 26.9% of shareholder votes in support of a resolution…
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9 MayEconomy
UK agrees trade deal with US but 10% tariff remains
The UK and the US have reached a “first-of-a-kind” trade agreement, under which the US will slash tariffs on UK carmakers, steelworks and farmers – protecting jobs and providing stability for exporters. According to the trade deal, car export tariffs will reduce from 27.5% to 10% – saving hundreds of…
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Apr- 2025 -24 AprilFeatures
Retail’s staffing crisis: why jobs are disappearing and what’s next
Across the UK, retail employment remains 5% below pre-pandemic levels, according to Deputy’s Big Shift 2025 report. The decline is steady, pushed along by automation, e-commerce, and shifting worker expectations. In contrast, London’s hospitality sector is booming – fuelled by the city’s night-time economy, now worth a quarter of all…
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15 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-15/4/25
Halfords has appointed Henry Birch, former CEO of The Very Group, as its new chief executive, replacing Graham Stapleton, who steps down after seven years. Under Stapleton’s leadership, Halfords transformed from a cycling and motoring retailer into an omnichannel motoring services specialist, growing annual revenues from £1.1bn to £1.7bn. Birch,…
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8 AprilNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-8/4/25
Levi Strauss & Co reported a strong start to 2025, with Q1 sales rising 3% to $1.5bn (£1.17bn) and adjusted EBITDA surging 47% to $204m (£159m), exceeding expectations. Direct-to-consumer revenues grew 9%, while wholesale sales increased 3%. The Levi’s brand saw an 8% global organic growth, with the Americas up…
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8 AprilHigh Street
Clintons returns to FY profit following store closures
Clintons has returned to profit following a period of store closures and job losses, with pre-tax profits rising to £8.1m in the year ended 29 June 2024, up from a loss of £5.4m the prior year. Full-year sales fell from £96.5m to £82.6m over the period, which was a “satisfactory…
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Mar- 2025 -24 MarchFeatures
Are consumers stuck in an endless cycle of ‘aesthetic’ dupes?
The retail landscape is increasingly defined by a relentless cycle of “aesthetic” dupes – fast, trend-driven products designed to mimic high-end styles at a fraction of the cost. From Pinterest and Primark’s new trend-inspired collection to Temu’s staggering 77% product overlap with Amazon – where every tenth item is identical,…
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10 MarchNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-10/3/25
WH Smith is nearing a decision on the sale of its high street business, with two bidders, Alteri Investors and Modello Capital, remaining in the race. The retailer, which has seen its Travel business outperform high street outlets, confirmed in January it was exploring strategic options, including a potential sale.…
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Feb- 2025 -24 FebruaryNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-24/2/25
Shein, the global online fashion retailer, saw its profits plummet by 40% to $1bn in 2024. The company faced a challenging final quarter and intensified competition from rival Temu. Shein’s declining profitability complicates its efforts to secure regulatory approval for a London listing, with some investors urging a valuation reduction…
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