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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Dec- 2024 -17 DecemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-17/12/24
Shein’s potential London IPO may challenge regulatory norms as the company reportedly seeks a waiver from the UK’s 10% public float requirement. If successful, it would mark a first for London’s stock market. Shein filed confidentially with the FCA in June but faces delays due to regulatory scrutiny, including concerns…
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Nov- 2024 -21 NovemberComment
Third spaces: The changing face of retail outlets
Nicky Lovell, Head of Outlets and Retail Business Development at Global Mutual, embodies the transformation of retail over the past few decades. From her beginnings as a buyer at Selfridges to leading a portfolio of outlet centres across the UK, Lovell has witnessed and influenced the evolution of shopping destinations,…
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14 NovemberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-14/11/24
The Range and Wilko owner, CDS Superstores, has acquired 70 Homebase stores after the DIY retailer entered administration. This move, intended to save about 1,600 jobs, will allow Homebase stores to continue operating under CDS while administrators from Teneo Financial Advisory manage the transition. Homebase’s decline, attributed to low consumer…
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14 NovemberDIY
CDS Superstores acquires 70 Homebase stores out of administration
The Range and Wilko owner CDS Superstores has acquired 70 Homebase UK stores after the DIY retailer collapsed into administration. Gavin Park, Gavin Maher and Adele Macleod of Teneo Financial Advisory Limited were appointed as joint administrators of HHGL Limited and Hampden Group Limited, which trade under the Homebase name.…
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7 NovemberEconomy
Bank of England cuts interest rates to 4.75%
The Bank of England has cut interest rates for the second time this year, with rates now cut to 4.75%. The bank voted by a majority of 8–1 to reduce Bank Rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.75%. One member preferred to maintain the previous rate of 5%. It had previously…
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Oct- 2024 -11 OctoberNews-In-Brief
Today’s news in brief-11/10/24
Ikea reported a 5.3% decline in retail sales to €45.1bn (£37.7bn) after implementing significant price reductions across 63 markets. Despite the sales decrease, the strategy led to a 4.5% increase in store visits and a notable 21% rise in online traffic, driven by heightened consumer demand. This period also saw…
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3 OctoberSupermarkets
Sainsbury’s chief calls for Budget action on consumer confidence
Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts has called on the government to introduce measures to improve consumer confidence in the Budget this month. He told Reuters that despite falling inflation, higher wages, and solid employment levels, UK shoppers remain nervous about spending on bigger ticket items. Recent surveys have shown UK consumer…
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Sep- 2024 -24 SeptemberNews
Today’s news in brief-24/9/24
Harrods has launched an internal investigation to determine if any current staff were involved in allegations of rape and sexual assault made against its former owner, Mohamed Al Fayed. The inquiry follows a BBC documentary and podcast titled Predator at Harrods, which detailed claims made by multiple women who worked…
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24 SeptemberHigh Street
Card Factory HY profits fall 43% amid rising wages
Card Factory has reported that adjusted profits before tax fell by 43% to £14.5m in the six-month period to 31 July, due to “substantial” increases in National Living Wage as well as freight inflation and the phasing of strategic investments. This comes despite group revenues rising by 4.9% to £238m…
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23 SeptemberDepartment Stores
Two Frasers Group brands face audit issues amid missing payroll data
Frasers Group has encountered issues with the audits of two of its brands, I Saw It First and Choice, according to reports from This Is Money. Auditors from Cooper Parry working on I Saw It First were unable to verify almost £7m of wages and salary payments. Meanwhile, auditors at…
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