All Policy & legal articles – Page 135
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NewsApril like-for-likes hit by early timing of Easter
April retail like-for-likes fell 2.2% against a 3.3% decline in the same month last year, as the early timing of Easter hit sales.
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InterviewQ&A: Government should give town teams more guidance and incentives, says Mary Portas
Tonight the first episode of the long-awaited Mary: Queen of the High Street series airs on Channel Four following the developments of the Portas Pilot towns. Retail Week speaks to Mary Portas about the show and the impact of her recommendations to Government.
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NewsMary Portas and TV company lobbied Government over Portas Pilots
Evidence has emerged to suggest the Government picked some of the Portas Pilots towns based on recommendations by Mary Portas and the company behind the TV show.
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NewsGovernment rewards towns for high street innovation
The Government has revealed seven towns have been rewarded for boosting their high streets with a share of a £1m pot.
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AnalysisPortas Pilots: What initiatives have been created?
The Portas Pilot towns spawned by Mary Portas’ report to Government have been criticised for not spending funds allocated to them. Retail Week looks at some of the initiatives that have been enacted.
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NewsHalf of second wave of Portas Pilots yet to spend Government funding
Half of the second wave of Portas Pilots have not spent a penny of the £1.5m funding awarded by the Government, Freedom of Information requests have shown.
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NewsFall in consumer confidence indicates recovery is 'a long way away'
UK consumer confidence dropped one point to -27 in April, ending three months of stability and indicating the recovery is “a long way away”.
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NewsApril retail sales flat against forecast growth
Sales volumes were flat in April, defying growth expectations for the month as Easter trade disappointed and bad weather impacted the performance.
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NewsBRC welcomes ‘sensible’ 12p increase in national minimum wage
The Government has revealed that the national minimum wage is to rise by 12p an hour to £6.31 for adults in a move deemed “sensible” by the British Retail Consortium.
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AnalysisBaroness Thatcher's legacy to retail and business: Industry leaders pay tribute
Retail leaders who built companies during Baroness Thatcher’s time as Prime Minister have paid tribute to her impact on business and retail following her death on Monday.
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NewsBiggest retail administrations leave unsecured debts of £1bn
Taxpayers, suppliers and landlords are likely to have lost £1.03bn due to the collapse of big-name retailers since the start of last year.
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NewsGovernment delays Portas Pilot update until later this year
The Government has delayed releasing its update on the 27 Portas Pilot projects until later this year.
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AnalysisThe UK Retail Sector Inquiry: What do retailers need to know?
Parliament is to consider the health of the retail sector as it goes through a period of change.
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OpinionComment: We need a clear-out of archaic retail rules
Easter this year happened to coincide with the birthday of one of my children and the long weekend allowed us to meet up with some of the extended family in London to celebrate.
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NewsNon-food prices rise for the first time in over a year
Prices of non-food items rose for the first time in 15 months in March, edging up 0.2% against February’s 0.4% fall, reflecting a lower level of discounting as consumer demand strengthens.
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NewsGovernment considers relaxation of Chinese visa system
The Government has pledged to improve the visa system to allow Chinese nationals to visit and do business in the UK more easily.
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NewsRetailers’ costs squeezed as business rates increase comes into force
As the new business rates increase came into force yesterday, retailers will be hit with an additional £175m business rates bill this year.
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NewsInquiry into the retail sector to look at business rates impact
Tackling the business rates burden is likely to be a major part of the recently-launched inquiry into the UK retail sector.
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NewsDeputy PM to propose tax break on bonuses in John Lewis-type firms
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg is to propose a tax break on bonuses handed out to staff in employee-owned firms as he attempts to boost what he calls the “John Lewis economy”.
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NewsMarch retail sales flat but retailers confident of rise in April
Retailers are confident sales will grow next month despite recording flat sales in March and bringing six months of growth to an end, according to the CBI Distributive Trades Survey.