All Policy & legal articles
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AnalysisFashion fears on price and product grow as conflict grounds buying teams
The leaders of UK fashion retailers have told Retail Week the sector may be just a few months away from availability issues with buying and merchandising teams grounded at home and abroad, and are bracing for added price hikes with supply chains left in chaos by the deepening conflict in the Middle East.
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Chart of the WeekWhat will disrupt the retail industry the most in 2026?
This year’s edition of the AlixPartners Disruption Index showed that nine out of 10 retail leaders believe industry business models need to change, with the report saying that retail was likely to be one of the most disrupted sectors in the economy
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NewsRetail calls on government to do more on inflation after spring statement
Retailers and industry lobbying groups have expressed disappointment that the government did not use today’s spring statement to do more to bring down inflation and encourage customer spending.
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AnalysisWarnings for travel retail and consumer confidence as Middle East crisis deepens
As the conflict in the Middle East deepens, City analysts and experts are warning of the profound knock-on effects the war will have on UK retail.
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NewsConsumer confidence dips in February
Reduced confidence in personal financial situation and major purchase intentions contributed to a three-point dip in consumer confidence in February.
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NewsRetail workers among those suffering most from ‘in-work poverty’
More than a million people working in retail and wholesale are enduring “in-work poverty”, fair pay campaigners say.
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DataThe numbers behind the BRC’s new retail crime survey
The British Retail Consortium’s latest crime report shows that violence and abuse against staff fell last year. However, while the numbers are trending in the right direction, the report also lays bare how much there is still to do.
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NewsFormer Amazon boss named as ‘preferred candidate’ for CMA chair
The Business secretary has named former Amazon boss Doug Gurr as the preferred candidate for the role of permanent chair of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
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NewsIncidents of violence and crime against retail staff down by a fifth
Incidents of violence and abuse against retail staff fell by a fifth last year, as investment by brands, improved police response times and closer collaboration between stakeholders begin to bear fruit.
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AnalysisTariffs 2.0: Where does UK retail stand after Trump’s latest trade tantrum?
US president Donald Trump’s meltdown over the weekend has only heaped further uncertainty on UK retailers and consumers. Retail Week analyses the fallout and what it means for UK retail.
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Opinion‘Retail’s entrenchment in supply and demand with China means it’s open to threats as well as benefits’
China has delivered great benefits in supply and demand, but the direct access it is building to the UK retail market and to data may be a threat, observes Maureen Hinton
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NewsRetailers fear rising employment costs are putting jobs at risk
Retail chief financial officers and finance directors are becoming increasingly anxious about the effect on jobs of rising labour costs over the next 12 months.
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NewsEU to launch formal investigation into Shein
The European Union is set to open a formal investigation into fast-fashion giant Shein over multiple suspected breaches of the bloc’s laws, including the alleged sale of childlike sex dolls and weapons.
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NewsBank of England urged to cut interest rates to boost consumer spending
The Trades Union Congress has called on the Bank of England to cut interest rates to boost consumer spending and spark economic growth.
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AnalysisFive takeaways from Retail Week’s Crime and Colleague Safety Summit
Retail Week hosted its first ever Retail Crime and Colleague Safety Summit this week, with speakers from the likes of Primark, Tesco, B&Q, Co-op, BP, Boots, and representatives from the Metropolitan Police
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NewsOver 180 claim compensation following former Harrods owner Al Fayed abuse
More than 180 survivors of abuse from ex-Harrods owner Mohammed Al Fayed are currently “engaged” in the luxury department store’s compensation scheme.
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NewsAsda calls on government to reconsider plans to defund leadership apprenticeships
Supermarket Asda has called on the government to reconsider cutting leadership and management apprenticeships funding, saying a failure to do so could stop young people from going from the shop floor to the boardroom.
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Opinion‘I’m optimistic about UK retail even though this will be a finely balanced year’
Last year was not the disaster many retailers feared and 2026 will not be without risk. Retailers should double down on the basics of value, quality and trust, believes PwC’s Lisa Hooker.
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NewsRetail Trust appoints Sainsbury’s and Amazon directors to trustee board
The Retail Trust has appointed Sainsbury’s Tracey Clements and Amazon’s Matt Birch as new members of its board of trustees.
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NewsNike facing US government probe over alleged discrimination against white workers
Sportswear giant Nike has labelled a US government investigation into allegations of discrimination against white employees “a surprising and unusual escalation”.