All Policy & legal articles
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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).
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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”.
-
Retail VoiceFaster fit-outs, fewer delays: how framework agreements are reshaping retail construction
Repeated tendering, inconsistent standards and rising costs are slowing retail rollouts. Foot Anstey outlines how framework agreements can cut the friction – delivering faster programmes, tighter cost control and scalable execution
-
NewsCo-op advert banned over ‘misleading’ Aldi price-match claims
A Co-op advert promoting its Aldi price-match scheme has been ruled misleading by the ASA for failing to compare similar products.
-
NewsGovernment issues new guidance for Employment Rights Act changes
The government has today [February 3] launched a website with new guidance for retailers and other businesses to ensure they “get employment law changes right”.
-
NewsTourist tax cost UK more than £1bn in lost spending last year
The number of Chinese visitors to the UK in 2025 was only 82% of 2019 levels, the Association of International Retail said. Spain saw a much higher rate of Chinese visitors, at 121% of their 2019 levels. Tourists from outside the EU were eligible to receive a VAT refund on ...