Helen Dickinson news, features and comment
Helen Dickinson is CEO of the British Retail Consortium.
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NewsRetail crime drops by a fifth but ‘job far from done’, says BRC
In its latest crime report, published today, the BRC welcomed the fall, which it attributed to more than £5bn spent by retailers over five years on CCTV, security staff and data systems, as well as better collaboration with police and government
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NewsMore retail job losses looming amid fears over Employment Rights Act
The BRC’s latest survey of chief finance officers found employment costs were among their biggest fears
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NewsJanuary brings boost to UK retail sales
In food & drink, shopper confidence was ‘muted’ amid concerns about inflation
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NewsBRC and UKHospitality demand Reeves go further with rates reform
The Chancellor today granted pubs and music venues 15% business rates relief for 2026/27
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NewsFood inflation climbs further as ‘retailers grapple with costs’
Fresh food prices rose particularly sharply, according to the latest BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor
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News‘Disappointing’ December footfall takes shine off golden quarter
Total footfall during the year was down 0.8% on 2024, with the difference weighted towards the final, ‘golden’ quarter of the year
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Comment & OpinionUK retail must unite on net zero to drive radical change
British Retail Consortium’s latest stocktake reveals supply chain decarbonisation remains the industry’s biggest challenge on the road to net zero by 2040, says BRC CEO Helen Dickinson
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NewsSpending ‘subdued’ as shoppers prioritise saving amid budget worries
BRC CEO Helen Dickinson used the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor to warn Rachel Reeves not to undermine ‘fragile’ consumer confidence
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NewsFood prices fall at fastest rate in five years, says BRC
Confectionery was a key driver as tumbling global sugar prices helped lower manufacturing costs
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News500 large high street outlets at risk of closure, trade bodies warn
UKHospitality and the BRC are calling for hospitality and retail outlets to be exempt from a business rates surcharge
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NewsSupermarket chiefs in new inflation warning to Rachel Reeves
Reeves has been warned yet again by supermarket chiefs of the danger of driving up food prices if she heaps more tax on large shops
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NewsBrits cut spending ahead of November budget
Two reports out Tuesday suggest shoppers are growing more cautious
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NewsConsumer caution impacts September footfall
‘Low consumer confidence ahead of a potential tax-rising budget kept many shoppers away from retail locations in September,’ said BRC CEO Helen Dickinson
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NewsRachel Reeves ‘set to back down on higher business rates for large shops’
Treasury officials have reportedly said the Treasury is working to exclude retail from a proposed higher rate for larger properties from 2026.
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NewsNon-food prices push up inflation in September
Food inflation held steady at 4.2%, ending seven months of successive growth
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NewsBRC warns government risks ‘losing the battle against inflation’
Food inflation hit 5.1% in August, inching higher than the 4.7% increase in wage growth averaged over May-July
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Analysis & FeaturesFood inflation: seven reasons. Plus: how bad will it get?
Many blame Trump’s tariffs, but others point the finger at ‘domestic policy’
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NewsBrits’ confidence in economy down amid high inflation and budget fears
Half of Brits are now expecting the economy to get worse in the run-up to Christmas
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NewsBusiness rates reforms put 400 large stores at risk of closure, BRC warns
The trade body has warned of a ‘fresh wave of closures’, with up to 100,000 jobs at risk
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NewsRetailers cautious ahead of ‘golden quarter’ despite strong summer
The autumn budget will fall just days before Black Friday, making retailers uneasy about its impact on Christmas spending