All Policy & legal articles
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NewsBadenoch vows to lower retail costs but rules out business rates cuts
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has told Retail Week she would lower costs for retailers to support job creation if she were to win the next election, but ruled out widespread business rates reform.
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NewsCosts and supply chain disruption drive rise in UK retail sourcing from high-risk labour countries
Energy costs, inflation and supply chain disruption are changing how British retailers source their goods. The shift has come with an increase in procurement from countries with high risks to human and labour rights, according to research by sustainability rating agency EcoVadis and verified with official trade data.
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AnalysisNext’s Lord Wolfson on economic prospects, AI adoption, healthy high streets…and menswear opportunity
Next chief executive Lord Wolfson provided a temperature-check for retail as the industry looks forward to the golden quarter and ponders the impact of the forthcoming Budget
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NewsCompetition watchdog flags potential issues with proposed Co-op merger
The Co-op Group’s proposed acquisition of the Southern Co-op has been flagged as potentially harmful to competition in the sector, according to the CMA.
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NewsBRC calls on government to raise NIC threshold to tackle NEETs crisis
The BRC has called on the government to raise the UK National Insurance Contribution (NIC) threshold to help retail tackle the growing youth unemployment crisis.
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Analysis‘We’re willing to be misunderstood’: Amazon’s Prime drones are ready, but is the UK?
Amazon Prime Air’s six-month trial in Darlington is ready to expand, but is the UK ready for drone delivery?
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Retail VoiceNavigating retail’s challenges: Costs, crime and changing consumer trends
Rising employment costs, fragile consumer confidence and retail crime are weighing heavily on the sector, but there are still opportunities for growth and innovation. Business insurer NFU Mutual examines the key challenges and opportunities shaping retail’s future.
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Opinion‘New jobs campaign should raise retail’s currency in corridors of power’
For once there were warm words from Westminster about retailers. The industry’s launch of a drive to address the NEETs employment crisis should help ensure their voice is heard on other issues, believes George MacDonald
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NewsEuropean Commission warned changes to Google Search could backfire
A coalition of European shopping comparison sites has written an open letter warning the European Commission that proposed changes to Google Search could backfire.
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Retail VoiceRetailer insurance – expert cover for shops, stock and premises across the UK
Whether online or on the high street, we can help keep your business selling
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NewsRetailers to create thousands of jobs to combat youth unemployment crisis
UK retailers and the government have created a plan to hire thousands of young people in a bid to tackle youth unemployment, according to the British Retail Consortium.
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NewsNext wins appeal of equal pay case
Next has won its appeal to overturn a 2024 court ruling that forced the retail giant to pay its store staff the same higher basic pay rates as its warehouse workers.
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AnalysisWhy Sainsbury’s holds all the cards in any potential supermarket mega-merger
Rumours are swirling about potential grocery M&A, and bankers are on manoeuvres. Retail Week evaluates some of the proposals being floated, looks at who exactly is floating them and why Sainsbury’s is the name on everyone’s lips
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NewsUK not sufficiently prepared for shocks to food supplies
The National Audit Office has urged the government to act as climate crisis, disease and cyberattacks pose growing risk to nation’s food security.
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NewsBRC calls for retail ‘Budget boost’ after sluggish August footfall
The British Retail Consortium has called on the government to give retail a “Budget boost” after the secured endured a sluggish August.
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NewsBRC urges chancellor to raise national insurance contribution threshold in Budget
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has written to chancellor John Healey urging him to raise the employer national insurance contributions threshold in the autumn Budget.
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NewsFrasers Group says Sports Direct advert ban is ‘fundamentally wrong’
Frasers Group on behalf of Sports Direct has released a statement calling the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) ban on its advert “fundamentally wrong” and is contesting it “fully”.
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NewsLeading retailers warn Burnham that a Budget tax raid would hit jobs and investment
Some of retail’s biggest names, along with shopworkers’ union Usdaw, have written to prime minister Andy Burnham, voicing concerns over the possibility of further tax hikes in the forthcoming Budget.
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NewsBoden posts profit rise as US powers sales
Fashion retailer Boden has reported increased full-year profits and continued revenue growth in the current year, despite challenging conditions.