Helen Dickinson news, features and comment – Page 2
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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
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NewsRetail leaders in fear of tax rises as 42% say they have frozen recruitment
A BRC survey of chief financial officers and finance directors at retailers representing more than 9,000 stores found 85% had raised prices following tax increases in last year’s budget, and 65% expected to
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NewsFood inflation hits 4% as budget cost pressures meet tightening global supplies
Food inflation has climbed from 3.7% year on year in June, with staples such as meat and tea among hardest-hit categories amid tighter global supplies, according to the latest BRC-NIQ Shop Price Monitor
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NewsBRC urges further reform to Employment Rights Bill after Lords scrutiny
Members of the House of Lords proposed amendments to the bill – which has been hailed as the ‘biggest shakeup’ of workers’ rights in 30 years – in a report stage debate earlier this week
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NewsMedia Bites 21 July: John Lewis bonus, taxes, food prices and tariffs
The big news in retail this weekend was the revelation that John Lewis is considering reinstating its staff bonus scheme for the first time in four years
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NewsBRC urges government to exempt shops from business rates hike for large properties
The trade body is hoping ministers will listen to its warnings that taxing large shops more will also harm the smaller ones the plans are supposed to help
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NewsMedia Bites 16 July: Sainsbury’s, Good Food Cycle, ASA, greenwashing, B&M
The Chancellor’s Mansion House speech last night did not trigger many headlines
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NewsInflation on supermarket shelves drives surge in UK food sales
Soaring prices in supermarkets has fuelled a jump in UK food sales in the past month, as volumes in store remained under “sustained pressure” and consumer confidence continued to drop
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NewsShoppers avoid the high street during heatwave
Total UK footfall decreased by 1.8% in June, compared with a 1.7% fall in May
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NewsFood price inflation hits 3.7% as autumn budget costs bite
It pushed overall shop prices into inflation for the first time in almost a year