Helen Dickinson news, features and comment
Helen Dickinson is CEO of the British Retail Consortium.
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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
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NewsRetail footfall takes August hit despite high street gains
Retail footfall declined by a further 0.4% year on year in August, in a repeat of last month’s disappointment to retailers
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NewsSupermarket chiefs tell Rachel Reeves planned business rates hike is their top concern
Chief executives of a string of supermarkets and other national retailers met the Chancellor at 11 Downing Street on Wednesday to oppose moves to raise business rates for larger properties from 2026.
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NewsJo Whitfield to become first female chair of the BRC
Whitfield, whose 25 years in the industry has also included leadership roles at Asda and Matalan, will succeed former Morrisons chairman Andy Higginson
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NewsFood inflation hits 18-month high driven by eggs and butter
The price of staples like butter and eggs shot up due to high demand, tightening supply, and increased labour costs, said the BRC
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NewsSupermarket chiefs warn Chancellor of rising inflation if shops are hit with higher business rates
The chiefs of Aldi, Asda, JLP, Lidl, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are among 60 retail bosses to have signed the letter to Rachel Reeves
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NewsHigher food sales ‘barely touching the sides’ of extra labour costs
Rising food inflation meant increased spending was more due to higher prices than rising demand
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NewsRetail footfall “stubbornly negative” in July
Retail footfall remains “stubbornly negative” compared to 2024, with July the third month in a row to record fewer consumers in shops
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NewsFood inflation will hit 5.5% in 2025, Bank of England warns
Food price increases have been driven by rising key food commodities, higher employment costs and extended producer responsibility levies on packaging