All Policy & legal articles – Page 2
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NewsPeel Hunt downgrades profit forecasts for six retailers due to Budget impact
Investment bank Peel Hunt has downgraded its profit forecasts for six retailers, including struggling fast fashion player Boohoo and cycling and motoring specialist Halfords, due to the effects of changes to national insurance made in the recent Budget.
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Opinion‘Grocers’ Budget anger is understandable, but passing on the pain to consumers would be unforgivable’
The supermarkets have led an uncharacteristically brutal retail response to the recent Budget. While grocers have every right to feel aggrieved, Hugh Radojev writes, they’d do well to have a good hard think before passing costs onto their consumers
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NewsTesco set for £1bn national insurance bill over four years
Supermarket chain Tesco is set to face a £1bn national insurance tax bill over the next four years following the recent Budget.
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AnalysisBudget backlash: Sainsbury’s boss warns tax rises will lead to higher prices
Despite posting surging profits and sales at the half year, Sainsbury’s boss Simon Roberts became the latest retail boss to warn that Labour’s all stick and no carrot approach to business will lead to higher prices.
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News‘Disappointing’ Budget will cost Primark ‘tens of millions’, says ABF boss
The “disappointing” Budget for UK high streets will cost fashion giant Primark “tens of millions” of pounds, according to Associated British Food’s (ABF) chief executive George Weston.
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NewsShop thefts are accompanied by ‘unprecedented levels of violence’, finds inquiry
Shop thefts are going beyond individualised offences to ‘relentless, large-scale, organised operations’ partnered with ‘unprecedented levels of violence’, finds government inquiry.
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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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AnalysisNational Insurance contributions, business rates and crime – what the Budget means for retail
Chancellor Rachel Reeves today delivered Labour’s first Budget in nearly 15 years. But what was in there for retail, and how has the sector reacted?
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NewsBudget 2025: National living wage to rise in April
The Labour government has accepted the recommendations of the Low Pay Commission to increase the national living wage to £12.21 in April 2025.
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NewsBRC calls on government to use budget to keep prices low as inflation hits lowest rates since 2021
The British Retail Consortium has urged the chancellor to help keep prices low at the Budget, as shop price growth was at its lowest rate since August 2021.
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Opinion‘Consumer sentiment is low but some retailers can still be optimistic about golden quarter’
Retailers that can make consumers feel like their purchase is essential or make products feel like an affordable treat are likely to have the greatest success this Christmas, maintains PwC’s Lisa Hooker
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NewsUK consumers 'are in a despondent mood' ahead of the Budget
Consumer confidence in the UK slipped one point in October as consumers hold their breath ahead of the government’s upcoming Budget.
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NewsM&S boss Stuart Machin: Raising taxes at budget ‘easy way out’ for government
Marks & Spencer boss Stuart Machin has urged chancellor Rachel Reeves to not take “the easy way out”, after reports that the government is considering raising the national insurance paid by employers in the upcoming budget.
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NewsHarrods dealing with over 250 claims against former owner Al Fayed
Embattled department store Harrods is in the process of dealing with over 250 claims for compensation being bought against it by former employees alleging historic sexual misconduct against former owner Mohamed Al Fayed.
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NewsTesco boss hails 'significant step' as supermarket giant strikes clean energy deal
Tesco has struck a deal to buy enough solar power to run 144 of its large supermarkets, after buying up nearly two-thirds of the output of a Kentish solar park.
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NewsJohn Lewis has joined the British Beauty Council as a patron
John Lewis has become a patron of the British Beauty Council, a not-for-profit organisation that engages with businesses and government to address the needs of the beauty sector.
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NewsRetailers have urged the chancellor to keep promise on business rates relief
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to maintain the government’s commitment to ease the pressure from business rates on the high street.
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Opinion‘The Employment Rights Bill will hit retail harder than most’
Increased costs, changes to dismissal rules and preventing sexual harassment are among the factors retailers must consider as the new government shakes up employment policy, cautions Anna Elliott
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NewsFormer Harrods executive slams Fenwick for blocked CEO move
Long-serving former Harrods executive Nigel Blow has slammed department store chain Fenwick, claiming it withdrew its offer of making him its chief executive because of his time working for Mohamed Al Fayed.
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NewsRetail CEOs have called on the chancellor to ‘level the playing field’ on business rates
Over 70 retail CEOs have written to chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of the budget later in the month saying “now is the time to level the playing field between industries”.