The British Retail Consortium described a meeting with the Brexit minister as “constructive” as it looks to argue retail’s case in negotiations.
Retail Week understands that representatives from Primark, the big four grocers and the Association of Convenience Stores were among those that also attended the meeting yesterday, chaired by David Davis.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “It was constructive and a positive step on the road to productive engagement with the Secretary of State and DExEU.”
The group will, she added, “need to work closely with government to ensure that costs and prices do not rise either for retailers or consumers during the negotiation process or through exiting the EU”.
Yesterday fashion giant Next said cost prices were expected to jump 5% next year, in light of the recent devaluation of the pound following Britain’s vote to leave the European Union.
Dickinson concluded: “The BRC fully supports the government’s aim of free and open trade, and we will work with all parties to identify and take full advantage of such opportunities for the industry as may arise.”
An array of retail chief executives reportedly snubbed the meeting as they were given only a weeks’ notice. Instead corporate affairs chiefs were sent as representatives.
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