The BRC’s 2025 manifesto outlines how retail and the government can drive economic growth

The retail sector has been battling rising crime, Budget policies, shop closures and higher costs. In response, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched its 2025 manifesto with a focus on investing in growth, people and sustainability.

With retail contributing £105.4bn to the UK economy in the last 12 months, the BRC says the industry has a “major part” to play in economic growth.

Investing in growth

As retailers are expected to pay £7bn in new costs in 2025, the manifesto urges the governments to reform business rates to relieve some of that burden.

While it understands the Labour government has acknowledged the need for reform, the BRC says more can be done in the form of ensuring retail properties with a rateable value under £500,000 see a reduction that is “sufficiently meaningful”. 

It adds that the government needs to confirm its plans “as soon as possible” and the level of tax “must not undermine the viability of shops or limit investment in new openings”.

The BRC also points out how more investment needs to be put into tackling retail crime – and it was announced on Tuesday that a standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker is being put before parliament. 

It wants the government to continue to work with the police to improve the prioritisation of retail crime. A higher response rate will increase retailers’ confidence in the police.

Other areas for investment in growth include improving planning policies to introduce a fast-track planning approval system for low-key planning applications and strengthening supply chain and trade resilience by aligning environmental regulations with the EU.

Investing in people

Retail provides around 3 million direct jobs and 2.7 million more in the supply chain, and these roles are becoming more sophisticated, higher skilled and better paid.

However, it was announced today that one in 10 part-time jobs could be lost because of the Budget and regulatory changes. 

The employment rights bill has 28 separate policies, including a ban on fire and rehire, the right to claim sick pay from the first day of absence, and a right to flexible working.

The manifesto says there are some areas of concern for retailers and proposes that guaranteed hours should change from a “right to have” to a “right to claim”, and small adjustments should be made to the terms and conditions of fire and rehire.

The government should also “reverse” plans to lower the thresholds for union recognition and strike action as it could “disrupt existing engagements” with unions and should reflect the views of the majority of workers.

A flexible growth and skills levy was also outlined in the manifesto. The BRC recommends Skills England, a new government body, should work collaboratively with retailers on apprenticeship, skills and training policies. 

It asks for the new growth and skills levy, which replaces the apprenticeship levy, to give businesses greater scope to spend on high-quality courses such as pre-employment courses and programmes in digital skills to help employees move to new roles.

Investing in sustainability

Over 30% of every UK household’s carbon emissions come from the goods people buy and the retail industry has a significant role to play in reducing this.

The BRC’s manifesto urges more “fit for purpose” recycling and waste schemes, such as a clear strategy for delivering a circular economy.

It says sensible timeframes are needed for introducing extended producer responsibility (EPR), which makes producers responsible for their products along the lifecycle.

It also calls on the government to defer these fees as retailers battle other fresh costs in 2025.

While the industry continues to work towards net zero, the BRC says the government needs to be clear on its strategies for reaching this target.

It proposes new technology solutions for net-zero HGVs, better visibility on how electric vehicle charging points will be rolled out, and a framework detailing how businesses will be incentivised to invest in renewable energy.

In addition, the manifesto asks for a more “robust, resilient and sustainable food supply chain” that reaches net zero by 2050.

There is no national strategy for improving food chain resilience but the government has announced plans for one this year. 

The BRC believes this scheme should “learn from previous attempts” and coordinate work across all government departments to deliver a healthier, sustainable and affordable food system.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson told Retail Week: “By amplifying the voice of retailers and helping them to speak as one, we are a critical friend to Government. There are many important pieces of policy and legislation coming up with huge ramifications for the industry. 

“The UK has a world-leading retail industry, and we all want to see it thrive in the future. Retailers can lead the way on creating a net-zero, digitally transformed industry that provides exciting, higher-skilled jobs. But for this to happen, we need to invest more in our people, more in the circular economy, and more in our capacity to grow and deliver for our customers.

“Government decisions now will either help or hinder retailer’s ability to do just that, so it’s vital they make the right decisions and the industry grasps the opportunity for growth with both hands.”