All articles by Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘The Labour Party Conference offered moments of political clarity and economic ambiguity’
The Labour conference in Liverpool shows that some of retail’s demands are breaking through to government, writes Helen Dickinson. But it also reveals that Labour’s priorities lie in fighting off the rise of Reform, not focusing on business
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OpinionExplainer: how business rates may change and what it means for retail
As the government considers business rates reform, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson looks at the implications – and urges retailers to make their voices heard
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Opinion‘It’s time for government to make some good choices for retail’
Retail didn’t feature in the government’s industrial strategy but there is plenty that could be done to help the industry remain a strong foundation of the economy, argues BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Traders from outside the UK may take advantage of our rules to sell displaced US stock’
As tariffs dominate the headlines, action is needed to stop stock ‘dumping’ in the UK says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘On Covid’s five-year anniversary, remember the retail staff who worked day in, day out’
During lockdown, retail employees kept the UK going, putting themselves at risk of the virus while most of us were being told to stay at home. BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson and shopworkers’ union boss Paddy Lillis pay tribute to them and make a plea for respect
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Opinion‘Retail prices will rise as the pressures from the Budget take effect’
Rates reform is some distance away and new employment regulations are still to play out, so retailers will be rolling up their sleeves to tackle the challenges of the coming year says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘How retailers operate will change post-Budget as they confront new economic reality’
‘Last week’s Budget is likely to prompt changes to the operating models of retailers as they seek to adapt to new economic realities, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Government commitments are welcome but now it’s about turning words into action’
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson reports back from the recent Labour Party conference, which brought an opportunity for retail to influence the decision makers of the next five years on key issues such as business rates and crime
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Opinion‘One new government bill has sparked more debate and concern among retail leaders than others’
There are legitimate questions to be answered about some of the bills in the King’s Speech, but engagement is key to shape policy, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘What should retailers do in response to more riots in the coming days?’
Retailers have prioritised the needs of colleagues during the recent rioting and are working closely with the police and authorities to make use of the latest intelligence, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Now it’s all about the government’s follow-through on the commitments that matter to retail’
Retailers are ready to help the new government leverage their scale and reach to deliver policy goals that will benefit the industry, our economy and communities, says BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
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Opinion‘It will take a combined effort from retail to win over politicians of all stripes’
As a general election nears, retailers can show the next government that the key to successful leadership is to work with the industry, not against it, believes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘We need a government that offers business leaders a seat at the table’
Retail needs to see joined-up government thinking that understands you cannot increase costs from every angle all at once, says the BRC’s Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘The retail industry was largely sold out by the chancellor’
While the dust has settled on the chancellor’s autumn statement, the frustration felt by many retailers has not, says BRC boss Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Everyone should sign the petition calling on government to fight retail crime’
As violence and abuse of retail staff becomes a pandemic, BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson urges the industry to pressure politicians to take decisive action
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Opinion‘The government must end its scapegoating of retailers’
If the government wants to halve inflation by the end of the year, it would be well advised to spend less time criticising retailers and more time listening to them, argues British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Packaging rules are changing and the bill is likely to be substantial’
Retailers must prepare for new rules requiring them to cover the full costs of packaging management and recycling, says British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘The next few months will be challenging, but we’re reaching the eye of the storm’
Managing the next year must be about containing downturn impact while building foundations to capitalise on opportunities when recovery comes, advises British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Putting sustainability at the heart of retail isn’t virtue signalling, it’s vital’
It would not make sense for retailers to cut their focus on and investment in sustainable business, argues BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘Retailer focus is on how to help customers caught in cost-of-living crunch’
At a time of unprecedented national and global challenges, retailers are determined to support their people and their customers, writes British Retail Consortium chief executive Helen Dickinson.