All Policy & legal articles – Page 2
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NewsEU to launch formal investigation into Shein
The European Union is set to open a formal investigation into fast-fashion giant Shein over multiple suspected breaches of the bloc’s laws, including the alleged sale of childlike sex dolls and weapons.
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NewsBank of England urged to cut interest rates to boost consumer spending
The Trades Union Congress has called on the Bank of England to cut interest rates to boost consumer spending and spark economic growth.
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AnalysisFive takeaways from Retail Week’s Crime and Colleague Safety Summit
Retail Week hosted its first ever Retail Crime and Colleague Safety Summit this week, with speakers from the likes of Primark, Tesco, B&Q, Co-op, BP, Boots, and representatives from the Metropolitan Police
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NewsOver 180 claim compensation following former Harrods owner Al Fayed abuse
More than 180 survivors of abuse from ex-Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed are currently “engaged” in the luxury department store’s compensation scheme.
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NewsAsda calls on government to reconsider plans to defund leadership apprenticeships
Supermarket Asda has called on the government to reconsider cutting leadership and management apprenticeships funding, saying a failure to do so could stop young people from going from the shop floor to the boardroom.
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Opinion‘I’m optimistic about UK retail even though this will be a finely balanced year’
Last year was not the disaster many retailers feared and 2026 will not be without risk. Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
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NewsRetail Trust appoints Sainsbury’s and Amazon directors to trustee board
The Retail Trust has appointed Sainsbury’s Tracey Clements and Amazon’s Matt Birch as new members of its board of trustees.
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NewsNike facing US government probe over alleged discrimination against white workers
Sportswear giant Nike has labelled a US government investigation into allegations of discrimination against white employees “a surprising and unusual escalation”.
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Retail VoiceFaster fit-outs, fewer delays: how framework agreements are reshaping retail construction
Repeated tendering, inconsistent standards and rising costs are slowing retail rollouts. Foot Anstey outlines how framework agreements can cut the friction – delivering faster programmes, tighter cost control and scalable execution
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NewsCo-op advert banned over ‘misleading’ Aldi price-match claims
A Co-op advert promoting its Aldi price-match scheme has been ruled misleading by the ASA for failing to compare similar products.
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NewsGovernment issues new guidance for Employment Rights Act changes
The government has today [February 3] launched a website with new guidance for retailers and other businesses to ensure they “get employment law changes right”.
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NewsTourist tax cost UK more than £1bn in lost spending last year
The number of Chinese visitors to the UK in 2025 was only 82% of 2019 levels, the Association of International Retail said. Spain saw a much higher rate of Chinese visitors, at 121% of their 2019 levels. Tourists from outside the EU were eligible to receive a VAT refund on ...
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NewsMajority of UK consumers think it’s easy to steal from retailers
Exclusive survey data from YouGov shows that more consumers in the UK believe it would be easy to steal from retailers than their international counterparts, Retail Week can reveal.
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Opinion‘Demise of the retail Saturday job is more significant than it sounds’
Is the retail industry’s longstanding reputation for fostering the careers of young people at risk of being lost, asks Charlotte Hardie
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Opinion'What retail needs from the government in 2026'
From employment through to advertising and producer responsibility, this will be a year of regulatory change for retailers, observes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘There are powerful signs that the social media tidal wave is ebbing’
Retailers have poured resources and expertise into social media, but the prime minister’s announcement this week on a consultation over a ban for under-16s is another sign the mood is turning against such networks. What will happen if that route to customers closes, asks Charlotte Hardie
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NewsM&S faces legal row over Brain Food snacks
Marks & Spencer is facing a fresh legal dispute over one of its “Brain Food” snacks.
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NewsOxford Street regeneration plans pick up pace as Khan convenes improvement team
Plans to revitalise London’s Oxford Street to make it a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events have moved ahead as City mayor Sir Sadiq Khan convened the team leading the new Oxford Street Development Corporation Board.
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NewsInflation likely to remain ‘sticky’ in 2026, BRC warns
The impact of policy costs and regulation on retailers is expected to result in “sticky” inflation this year, trade body the British Retail Consortium has cautioned.
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NewsFewer businesses expect sales rise in 2026 as confidence drops
Business confidence has deteriorated within SMEs, with companies reducing investment in response to tax increases and rising labour costs, a leading survey has found.