All Policy & legal articles
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NewsTourist tax cost UK more than £1bn in lost spending last year
The tourist tax caused the UK to miss out on £1.3bn in lost spending by Chinese visitors last year, new research showed.
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NewsMajority of UK consumers think it’s easy to steal from retailers
Exclusive survey data from YouGov shows that more consumers in the UK believe it would be easy to steal from retailers than their international counterparts, Retail Week can reveal.
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Opinion‘Demise of the retail Saturday job is more significant than it sounds’
Is the retail industry’s longstanding reputation for fostering the careers of young people at risk of being lost, asks Charlotte Hardie
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Opinion'What retail needs from the government in 2026'
From employment through to advertising and producer responsibility, this will be a year of regulatory change for retailers, observes BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson
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Opinion‘There are powerful signs that the social media tidal wave is ebbing’
Retailers have poured resources and expertise into social media, but the prime minister’s announcement this week on a consultation over a ban for under-16s is another sign the mood is turning against such networks. What will happen if that route to customers closes, asks Charlotte Hardie
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NewsM&S faces legal row over Brain Food snacks
Marks & Spencer is facing a fresh legal dispute over one of its “Brain Food” snacks.
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NewsOxford Street regeneration plans pick up pace as Khan convenes improvement team
Plans to revitalise London’s Oxford Street to make it a world-leading urban space for shopping, leisure and outdoor events have moved ahead as City mayor Sir Sadiq Khan convened the team leading the new Oxford Street Development Corporation Board.
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NewsInflation likely to remain ‘sticky’ in 2026, BRC warns
The impact of policy costs and regulation on retailers is expected to result in “sticky” inflation this year, trade body the British Retail Consortium has cautioned.
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NewsFewer businesses expect sales rise in 2026 as confidence drops
Business confidence has deteriorated within SMEs, with companies reducing investment in response to tax increases and rising labour costs, a leading survey has found.
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Opinion‘Our hard-earned taxes are being misallocated on an epic scale’
Tech platform and ticket seller Trainline’s share price performance raises questions about the impact of the government on business, argues Matt Truman
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NewsCurrys grows revenue and profit despite higher UK costs
Currys’ earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) dropped slightly in the UK, attributed to higher employment costs, but was offset by strong performance in its Nordics business.
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OpinionExplainer: What revaluation means for retailers’ business rates bills
The rateable values announced in last month’s Budget represent the biggest shift in support for 30 years. They reveal structural tensions, but big retailers should benefit, observes tax specialist Ryan’s Alex Probyn
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NewsMorrisons faces £17m tax bill on rotisserie chickens
Morrisons is facing a £17m tax liability following an unsuccessful High Court challenge regarding the classification of its rotisserie chickens.
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NewsRetailers need to ‘step up’ to tackle shoplifting, says Met chief
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has said retail stores must increase efforts in response to the unprecedented rise in shoplifting incidents.
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NewsRetail jobs hit ‘record low’, official data reveals
The number of retail jobs has reached its lowest ever level after the industry shed more jobs than some other sectors combined.
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InterviewFacial recognition: Facewatch CEO on why retailers can’t just rely on the police and the government to protect workers
Facewatch was recommended to Retail Week by Frasers Group, and also works with B&M and Home Bargains.
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NewsIceland boss to be made Labour peer
Iceland chief executive Richard Walker is to be nominated for a seat in the House of Lords.
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NewsWaterstones boss says Budget business rate change will help high streets
Waterstones chief executive James Daunt has welcomed changes to business rates revealed in last week’s Budget.
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NewsNike, Superdry and Lacoste ads banned for exaggerating sustainability claims
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned three adverts from Nike, Superdry and Lacoste over exaggerating the environmental benefits of their products.
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NewsUK public’s economic gloom continues post-Budget
Over half of Britons think the financial situation of their household will get worse over the next 12 months, according to a new YouGov poll, with 48% saying that the Budget was “unfair”