2026 BRC Campaign Coverage

28 December – Rising number of insolvencies

Our comment featured at the front of the Business and Money section in The Sunday Times regarding the ever growing number of insolvencies in the retail industry.

• The Sunday Times – Retail collapses surge in latest blow to British high streets

27 December – Packaging Tax

Following a briefing from the BRC, the Daily Telegraph outlined the concerns of the retail industry that the new packaging tax may not positively impact the environment as was intended as a result of the lack of legal ringfencing of the funds collected by local councils.

• Daily Telegraph – Shoppers ‘gaslit’ over net zero grocery tax

23 December – Jobs

Our comment around the falling number of jobs in retail and the negative impact the Employment Rights Act, in its current form, featured in the press alongside an op-ed from our CEO, Helen Dickinson, in the Daily Mail.

• Daily Express – Panic as shops across UK fear Rachel Reeves is about to make this Christmas their last
• Daily Mail – Workers' rights bill will lead to 'fewer jobs not better ones', warns head of the British Retail Consortium

17 December – BRC launch Net Zero Report

This week we launched a new report entitled ‘UK Retail 2025 Net Zero Stocktake’ which provides a comprehensive assessment of progress, barriers, and priorities for the retail industry on the road to Net Zero. We secured good coverage in the trades and our CEO, Helen Dickinson, wrote an op-ed for The Grocer.

• Grocer – UK retail must unite on net zero to drive radical change
• Drapers – BRC outlines report to hold retail to account on climate change
• Retail Gazette – Retail carbon emissions 11% higher than at flagship strategy launch

17 December – ONS CPI

The latest Consumer Price Index showed headline inflation easing to 3.2% and food inflation also dropping down to 4.2%. This was driven by heavy discounting from retailers, trying to entice customers ahead of Christmas.

• Guardian – UK inflation falls sharply to 3.2% amid slowdown in food price rises
• Independent – UK inflation unexpectedly drops to 3.2% after food prices fall
• Daily Telegraph – Inflation plunge means recession might be around the corner

16 December – ONS Retail Jobs

New data from the ONS revealed that retail has lost 74,000 jobs in the past year. We stated this represented 74,000 lost opportunities and urged the Government to rethink its plans around Guaranteed Hours in the Employment Rights Bill to prevent further job losses.

• The Times – UK unemployment rate rises to 5.1%
• Daily Mail – Unemployment rises again but public sector bucks trend – with pay rises almost DOUBLE rest of the workforce
• Retail Week – Retail jobs hit 'record low', official data reveals

12 December – Payments Survey

We published our Annual Payments Survey, which showed more people switching to debit cards as well as new payment options such as Buy Now Pay Later. We also did an interview with LBC News discussing the findings.

• The Times – Cash loses out as rate of inflation falls (print only)
• Independent – Shoppers turning to alternative payments such as buy now pay later – BRC report
• LBC Radio –  Shoppers turn to alternative payment methods including 'buy now, pay later,' study shows
• Drapers – BRC reveals latest consumer payments findings

9 December – Retail Sales Monitor

We published our November Retail Sales Monitor, which showed a very disappointing November of sales, with Black Friday failing to deliver in the way retailers had hoped. This was due to weak consumer confidence ahead of the Budget. We used it as an opportunity to encourage Government to ensure that it focuses on policies next year that will stimulate consumer confidence, so that retailers can focus on investment and growth.

• The Times – Bleak Black Friday as retail sales rise 1.4% amid budget fears
• Guardian – UK households cut spending at fastest pace in almost five years, says Barclays
• Independent – Pre-Budget shopper ‘jitters’ dampen Black Friday sales

8 December – Employment Rights Bill

Helen was on the Today Programme discussing what businesses need from the Employment Rights Bill for it to be workable and protect both employees and employment opportunities.

• Today Programme – Radio (from 2 hours 50 mins in)

5 December – Cap removed on unfair dismissal compensation

We responded to Government removing of the cap on unfair dismissal compensation, and our response was included in The Times.

• The Times – ‘Unlimited unfair dismissal payouts will deter hiring’

5 December – Footfall

Our Footfall Monitor was published, showing footfall drop in November due to stormy weather and weak consumer sentiment.

• Retail Week – Budget nerves and stormy weather hit November footfall
• Grocer – Footfall slumps as shoppers stay home for Black Friday deals
• Daily Mail – Frasers' boss blasts 'shambolic' Reeves as retailers face a dismal Christmas

2 December – Shop Price Monitor

Our November Shop Price Monitor saw widespread coverage across nationals and trades. Inflation slowed as retailers kickstarted Black Friday sales from early in November.

• The Times – Black Friday deals came early as competition hits fever pitch
• City AM – Food inflation slows as Black Friday sales dominate shops
• Guardian – Black Friday deals slowed down UK retail price rises in November
• Bloomberg – UK Price Rises Ease as Retailers Roll Out Black Friday Deals

1 December – Scottish Budget

The SRC had a column published in The Herald by David Lonsdale, stressing the importance of what Scottish retailers need from the 2026 Budget. 

• The Herald Scotland – 'One bad budget away from losing our high streets'

1 December - Festive #ShopKind campaign

We also kicked off our festive #ShopKind Campaign, which saw solid coverage in Devolved titles.

• Independent – Shoppers urged to show ‘patience, kindness and consideration’ to retail staff

26 November – Budget response

The Budget proved to be a mixed bag for retailers. A reduction in business rates for lots of shops was welcome but including larger stores in a rates surtax will do little to support retail investment and job creation. Scrapping the de minimis loophole was another welcome move but the 2029 deadline is too far away. On wages, while increases in the National Living Wage were in line with expectations, the rise to the minimum wage for under-21s could limit employment opportunities.

• Guardian – Relief for retailers as business rate changes in budget not as bad as feared
• The Times – Business chiefs fear ‘scattergun’ budget will stifle growth
• The Times – Shoppers may pay price for ‘surtax’ on bigger stores
• BBC News – BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, speaks to BBC News

26 November – Response to rumours of shops being included in a rates surtax

We responded to suggestions made that shops were set to be included in the business rates surtax, arguing that the business rates could not be fixed by simply robbing Peter to pay Paul.

• Financial Times – UK supermarkets set to be hit by higher business rates after Treasury U-turn
• Daily Mail – Supermarkets warn of higher food bills after Chancellor's business rates U-turn

23 November – Last call for rates surtax exemption pre-Budget

To round off our Budget campaigning, alongside our members we made one last call on the Chancellor to remove all shops from the proposed business rates surtax. This would allow more investment in prices, jobs and stores across the country.

• Sunday Times – Supermarkets request exemption from top business rates band
• Sun – GOING UP Your weekly food shop could rise in price AGAIN as supermarkets plea to be saved from Budget tax rise
• Daily Mail – Chancellor must put stability first, says Richer Sounds boss JULIE ABRAHAM
• Times Radio – BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, on Times Radio

21 November – ONS RSI

The ONS Retail Sales Index for October showed sales growing. We stated that retailers would be hoping for more of the same over Black Friday and Christmas. Ensuring no shop pays more when changes are made to business rates at the Budget would allow retailers to invest more in their stores and warehouses which bring jobs and growth for the UK economy.  

• City A.M. – Retail sales drop in pre-Budget disappointment (print only)
• Bloomberg – UK Retail Sales Drop Sharply Ahead of Reeves’ Budget
• Drapers – Retail sales show sluggish start to golden quarter

20 November – Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our Consumer Sentiment Monitor for November showed consumer confidence plummeting ahead of the Budget. We made it clear that the Chancellor must use the Budget to reinject some confidence into the economy.

• The Times – Confidence takes a big dip (print only)
• City A.M. – UK consumer confidence tumbles amid tax unease (print only)
• Daily Mail – Confidence slumps amid Budget fears and cost of living pain

19 November – ONS CPI

We reacted to the last ONS Consumer Price Index. While headline inflation dropped off, food inflation rose back towards 5%. We urged the Chancellor to exempt all shops from the business rates surtax at the Budget to allow retailers to invest more in value for their customers and help curb food inflation.

• Daily Mail – Grim Budget backdrop as food prices surge again despite inflation easing from 20-month high - with fears Reeves will crush growth with fresh tax raid
• Drapers – Inflation cools in October
• Grocer – Food inflation up to 4.9% despite first fall in CPI since March

11 November – Retail Sales Monitor

Our Retail Sales Monitor for October showed subdued growth as consumers held off from making purchases, waiting until the Budget and Black Friday. We urged the Chancellor to inject some confidence back into the economy at the Budget and ensure that shops are taken out of the business rates surtax.

• The Times – Retail sales rise just 1.6% as shoppers save for Black Friday
• Guardian – UK retail sales growth slows as shoppers await Black Friday and budget
• City A.M. – Retailers hit by subdued October as Budget threat looms

7 November – Footfall

Our footfall monitor for October showed shopper traffic declining for the sixth consecutive month. We urged the Chancellor to exempt shops from the business rates surtax so that they can invest more in shopping destinations, encouraging customers to visit stores more often.

• City A.M. – Retail footfall sinks for sixth straight month as Brits fear Budget taxes
• Grocer – Retail footfall down for sixth consecutive month
• Retail Week – Footfall falls for the sixth consecutive month as consumer confidence ‘remains weak’
• Daily Express – New high street woe after sixth drop in footfall (print only)

5 November - BRC respond to the Charlie Mayfield Review

We responded to Charlie Mayfield’s Keep Working Review where we agreed with the review findings that structural issues hold back companies from doing more or activity being more effective. We pointed out however, that Government goals and policies are at odds with one another. While encouraging employers to invest in workforce health and provide flexibility, they risk making it more difficult with the Employment Rights Bill in its current form.

• BBC News Online – Britain sliding 'into economic crisis' over £85bn sickness bill, ex-John Lewis boss warns

30 October – New BRC Chair Jo Whitfield interviewed on BBC Radio

The BRC’s new Chair, Jo Whitfield, was interviewed on the Big Boss Interview on BBC Radio 5 Live where she talked about her new role representing the retail industry, the rise of retail crime, the upcoming Budget and why diversity and inclusion remains as important as ever.

• BBC Radio 5 Live – Jo interviewed on the Big Boss podcast
• BBC Today Programme – Jo’s interview features on the Today at 6.15

28 October – Shop Price Monitor

Our latest Shop Price Monitor showed inflation falling to 1% as a result of early Black Friday promotional activity on non food items such as electricals, health and beauty products and clothing. Food inflation remains elevated and we warned that it could rise even faster than it has been if large shops are included in the business rates surtax.

• The Times – Shop price inflation slowed in October despite fresh food rise (print only)
• Bloomberg – UK Food Prices Fall by Most in Almost Five Years, BRC Say
• Independent – Shop price inflation slows despite soaring cost of fresh food

27 October – Joint BRC-UKHospitality letter on the business rates surtax

BRC united with UKHospitality to call on the Government to exempt hospitality and retail outlets from the planned business rates surcharge, which would see 5,000 high street properties with a rateable value over £500,000 affected by a higher tax rate, leaving 500 outlets at risk. This was launched on BBC Breakfast.

• BBC Breakfast – Helen interviewed with Kate Nicholls at 8.30
• BBC Breakfast – Helen interviewed with Kate Nicholls at 8.30Daily Telegraph - Property tax raid ‘puts 120,000 high street jobs at risk’
• Daily Mail – Reeves' planned business rates hikes could cull 120,000 High Street jobs, bosses warn

26 October – Supermarkets letter to the Chancellor

We coordinated a letter to the Chancellor, signed by nine supermarkets, urging her to tackle rising food inflation. We reiterated our ask for larger retail premises to be excluded from the proposed business rates surtax given these stores support hundreds of thousands of jobs, provide valuable services that may not be otherwise accessible to local communities and drive footfall to nearby smaller businesses.

• BBC News Online – Tax rises could push food prices higher, warn supermarkets
• Daily Mail – Cost of living blow as Britain's biggest supermarkets warn Reeves' tax hike plans will lead to food price rises
• Daily Express – Rachel Reeves tax bombshell could drive up food prices for millions of households (Front Page)
• Media interviews including BBC Breakfast (7.34), Sky News (8.10) and Times Radio (8.48)

23 October – ONS shoplifting stats

New stats from the ONS revealed that shoplifting incidents had increased by 13% to the year ending June 2025. We reiterated our support for the removal of the £200 threshold for shoplifting and repeated our call for the standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker to include delivery drivers.

• Daily Mail – 'Wild West Britain' crisis deepens: Shoplifting soars to 530,000 incidents in Labour's first year in power, as ministers accused of turning UK into 'a soft touch for criminals'
• Bloomberg – Shoplifting Offenses Rise 13% as UK Retailers Battle Crime Wave
• Daily Express – The alarming number of shoplifters getting away with it revealed in new justice crisis

22 October – Packaging tax

Following the Local Government Association rejecting calls for ringfencing of EPR funds for the purpose of improving recycling infrastructure, we said it was more important than ever that DEFRA puts legal measures in place to ensure money raised through EPR is spent by councils on recycling.

• Guardian – ‘It’s 3p on a pack of sausages’: UK food firms say packaging tax adds to inflation
• Grocer – Defra says government must ‘get out of the way’ and let industry run EPR

22 October – The impact of costs on retail

We briefed The Sun on what choices the Chancellor must make in order to alleviate the burden on the retail industry at the next Budget. Following the costs imposed last year, it is essential that she uses it to support local high streets and jobs.

• Sun – Prices will rise further & more shops & jobs will be put at risk if Rachel Reeves makes key mistake in Budget

17 October – Climate Action Week op-ed

BRC Director of Food and Sustainability, Andrew Opie, wrote an op-ed for The Grocer off the back of a keynote lecture delivered by David Halpern CBE which rounded off our annual Climate Action Week. The lecture covered the role retailers can play in influencing sustainable consumer choices as part of the journey to net zero.

• Grocer – How retailers can help close the sustainability ‘say-do’ gap

14 October – Retail Sales Monitor

Our Retail Sales Monitor for September showed retail spending slowing compared to recent months with the Budget only a month ago and households continuing to face higher bills. We continued to make the case for shops to be exempted from a business rates surtax to avoid further inflation which would hamper retail sales.

• Guardian – UK retail sales growth cools amid fears over budget tax rises
• Daily Telegraph – Reeves warned that fresh tax raid will push businesses over the edge
• Sky News Online – ‘Make or break’: Chancellor warned businesses can’t take more tax hikes in budget
• Daily Mail – Shoppers slash festive spending ahead of November Budget as retailers brace for further tax raid

13 October – Business rates surtax

I News covered our warning that food prices will continue to rise at a fast pace if larger format stores are included in a higher business rates surtax at the Budget. Our ask is clear, no shop must pay more as a result of business rates reform.

• I News – Why food prices could rise after Reeves’s Budget, according to retailers

10 October – Footfall

Our footfall monitor for September showed shopper traffic dropping in all three retail destinations for the first time in three months as a result of low consumer confidence ahead of the Budget, tube strikes and bad weather. We urged the Chancellor to allow retailers to invest in high streets and shopping centres, making them attractive to local communities by easing the burden and reforming business rates in a way that leaves no shop paying more.

• City A.M. – Footfall drops in sign of pre-Budget nerves
• Independent – Consumer caution ahead of Budget drives drop in footfall - BRC
• The Times – Shoppers deterred by tax fears, travel trouble and torrential rainfall

3 October – Helen’s Retail Week column

In her monthly column for Retail Week, BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, reflects on the Labour Party Conference and how the focus of the Government has become more political and less economic in recent months.

• Retail Week – ‘The Labour Party Conference offered moments of political clarity and economic ambiguity’

1 October – EPR Survey

We published results of a survey we sent out to major retailers regarding the new packaging tax. 80% of the costs are set to be passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices with retailers unable to absorb the burden. We asked again for Government to legally ringfence funds to ensure they are used by councils to improve recycling rates and infrastructure.

• Daily Telegraph – Shoppers face £1.6bn in price rises thanks to latest net zero tax
• City A.M. – ‘Packaging tax’ to force further price rises
• Independent – Food prices could rise again thanks to new ‘packaging tax’
• Daily Express – ‘Bitter blow’ for shoppers as recycling tax to push up supermarket prices

30 September – Shop Price Monitor

Our Shop Price Monitor for September showed non-food prices driving up inflation. Food inflation remained steady however we warned that prices could rise further if the burden on retail increases at the Budget. This warning got good pickup across the nationals.

• Daily Express – UK shop price inflation hits 1.4% as Rachel Reeves’ Budget drives up costs
• The Times – Hot summer offers cold comfort for consumers (print only)
• Guardian – Retailers say tax rises could further fuel inflation as shop prices jump
• Bloomberg – UK Shop Price Inflation Hits 19-Month High On Extra Costs Burden

28 September – Interview at Labour Conference

BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, spoke to Times Radio live from Labour Conference, previewing the Budget and why business rates reform must leave no shop paying more otherwise prices will continue to rise.

• Times Radio – Helen interviewed at 2pm

23 September – Protecting shops and workers

BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, wrote a joint op-ed with USDAW General Secretary, Joanne Thomas asking the Chancellor to protect shops and people who work in them at the Budget.

• Daily Mirror – EXCLUSIVE: 'Rachel Reeves must protect shops and people who work in them in the Budget

    23 September – Government risks losing the battle against inflation

We conducted a survey which showed that the public’s biggest concern was food prices rising faster than wages. We warned that food inflation could rise further if business rates rise for 4,000 anchor stores in the Budget. We got great coverage across print, online, radio and TV.

• BBC Radio 4 Today Programme – BRC CEO Helen Dickinson interviewed at 7.20 a.m.
• Sun - Food inflation may stay above 5% if Government hits shops with tax rise in Budget, warn experts
• Daily Mail – Britain could 'lose the war on inflation': Higher business rates 'to push up food prices', retail bosses warn Reeves
• Sky News – BRC CEO Helen Dickinson interviewed at 7.40 a.m.

19 September – ONS RSI

Retail sales ended the summer on a high according to the ONS. Despite the good news, we warned that this wouldn’t be enough to mitigate the huge swathe of costs hitting the retail industry.

• Daily Mail – Brits shopping for clothes during sunny August boosts retailers after grim Spring
• City A.M. – Warm weather bolsters retail sales ahead of all-important golden quarter

17 September – ONS CPI

Food inflation increased to 5.1% in August according to the ONS. We stated that the Chancellor must avoid further burdening retailers at the next Budget otherwise it is households who will pay the price through a more expensive weekly shop.

• BBC News Online – Food prices continue to surge as inflation remains at 3.8%
• The Times – Energy bills to rise again as food price inflation hits 5.1% (print only, page 2)
• Independent – Food prices are still rising despite inflation holding steady. Here’s why

16 September – ONS Jobs

The latest data from the ONS revealed that almost 100,000 jobs have been lost in the retail in the past year. We argued that this was a stark warning of what further taxes on retail could do to employment in the industry and got good pickup across the nationals.

• Daily Express – Rachel Reeves is ‘destroying jobs’ with unemployment up 234,000 – but worse to come
• Daily Mail – Almost 400,000 retail jobs lost in a decade: High Street bosses warn firms are being 'taxed out'
• Daily Mirror – Sector suffers after 2024 Budget finance (print only)

12 September – Business Rates reforms will put 400 shops at risk

We published research showing that the government's new business rates surtax for large premises would put up to 400 stores at risk. These stores represent 100,000 retail jobs and well over £100m in rates revenue. This was covered by most national newspapers, creating over 60 pieces of national print and broadcast coverage.

• Daily Mirror – Warning Labour tax shake-up ‘risks 100,000 high street job losses and 400 shops’
• The Times – Hundreds of big stores may go bust if government puts up rates
• Daily Express – Rachel Reeves warned ‘high streets will die’ unless she makes 1 huge move (including an op-ed from Helen)
• Sun – Business Rates hike could force 400 big stores to shut, endangering 100,000 jobs

11 September – Government’s Interim Business Rates Report

We responded to the Treasury’s Interim Report on ‘Transforming Business Rates’ arguing that while some suggestions were positive bringing down the business rates burden on retailers remained the top priority.

• City A.M. – Rachel Reeves explores ‘pro-growth tax reforms’ to business rates
• Daily Mail – Rachel reeves admits UK economy is ‘stuck’ as she vows to ease business rates pain for high street – after hammering firms with huge tax raid

9 September – Retail Sales Monitor

Our Retail Sales Monitor for August showed sales receiving a welcome boost to end the summer. We warned however that with rising costs on the horizon, it could be tough times ahead for the industry.

• The Times – UK retail sales rose 3.1% in August, BRC and KPMG report
• Bloomberg – UK Stores Get Sunshine Boost But Fears Are Mounting, BRC says
• Guardian – UK retail sales rise but stores fear tax worries could hit festive period

7 September – Employment Rights

With the Employment Rights Bill heading back to the House of Commons, we urged MPs to accept reasonable amendments made by the House of Lords.

• The Times – Labour ministers plan human rights overhaul to head off Nigel Farage (page 2 from front page)

28 August – Welcoming Jo Whitfield as our New BRC Chair

We announced the appointment of our first female Chair for the British Retail Consortium, Jo Whitfield.

• Retail Week – BRC appoints first female chair in its history
• City AM – British Retail Consortium appoints its first female chair

26 August – Shop Price Monitor

We used our latest Shop Price Monitor to highlight the Budget's impact, as food inflation hit its highest rate since February 2024. We got widespread print and broadcast overage

• The Times – Cost of living bites after food inflation hits 17-month high
• Guardian – Egg and butter prices drive up UK food inflation as households feel squeeze
• Sky News – Interview with BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, on the latest data, 7.30 a.m

24 August – Joint Op-ed with Ben Houchen

We produced a joint op-ed with Tees Valley Mayor, Lord Houchen, on the need for business rates reform and to warn of the dangers of landing more taxes on the already over-taxed retail industry.  This was also covered in the front page article of the Daily Telegraph.

• Daily Telegraph – Britain cannot afford to lose its most visible engine of growth (Op Ed)
• Daily Telegraph – Britain ‘heading for IMF bailout’ (article – front page)

21 August – CEO Letter to the Chancellor

We coordinated a letter to the Chancellor, signed by over 60 leading UK retailers ahead of the next Budget urging the Chancellor to avoid placing further taxes on the industry, for a significant reduction in business rates, and ensuring that no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform.

• The Times – Rachel Reeves warned that new taxes will hit living standards (page 1 in print)
• Daily Mail – Bosses of UK supermarkets and High Street chains warn Rachel Reeves that new business taxes will force them to hike prices in a fresh blow to Brits' living standards
• BBC Radio 4 Today Programme – Helen speaks to the Today Programme about our CEO letter (6.53 a.m.)
• Other broadcasts included Times Radio, LBC, Sky News and Good Morning Britain

21 August – Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our latest Consumer Sentiment Monitor showed that consumer confidence is 24 points lower than it was a year ago. Full time workers were the only group who expected their financial position to improve in the coming months. Again, we called for business rates reform to encourage more investment into high streets and communities.

• Bloomberg – UK Households Are Bracing For Higher Grocery Bills, BRC Says
• City A.M. – Consumer confidence still a ‘far cry’ from optimism of summer 2024
• The Times – Confidence in the economy remains in the doldrums (print only)

20 August – ONS Consumer Price Index

The latest ONS CPI showed food inflation rising to 4.9%. We stated that this was clear evidence that last year’s Budget was forcing up prices for families and that the Chancellor should alleviate some of the burden through proper business rates reform this autumn.

• Daily Mail – UK inflation jumps to 3.8% as the cost of living for Britons goes up again – nearly DOUBLE Bank of England’s target
• Grocer – UK inflation accelerates amid higher food prices
• Daily Telegraph – Why Britain is suffering from the highest price rises in Europe

12 August – Extended Producer Responsibility

Following the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Report for August which highlighted the inflationary impacts of the new packaging tax, EPR, we stressed it was more important than ever for DEFRA to provide further detail on how funds raised would be legally ringfenced to improve recycling across the country.

• Grocer – Packaging tax driving food inflation and worse to come, says Bank of England

12 August – Retail Sales Monitor

Our latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed sales showing solid growth in July. We warned that this would however not be enough to fend off job losses and store closures and used the figures to reiterate our message of no new disproportionate taxes on retail ahead of the Autumn Budget.

• Daily Telegraph – Reeves warned over taxes amid retail slowdown
• City A.M. – Retail sales boost ‘barely touching the sides’ of costs, sector warns (print only)
• BBC Radio 4 Today Programme – BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, speaks about our Retail Sales Monitor (06.24 a.m.)

8 August – MPC report and interest rates decision

The latest Bank of England interest rate decision included the MPC’s report looking at the inflationary pressures. These included comments about the pressures on food inflation, including employment costs. We used this as an opportunity to push our Budget asks, in a comment which was well picked up by the media.

• Telegraph – Living standards will stagnate under Reeves, warns Bank (Print, Page 1)
• The Sun – Rates chopped.. but grub’s up (Print only, Page 2)
• Daily Mail – Rachel Reeves' NI tax raid is pushing up the price of food and it could get worse in the autumn, experts warn

8 August – Footfall  

Ahead of the autumn budget we are continuing to campaign for a meaningful reduction in business rates for all retail properties. We used our footfall monitor to call for a meaningful reduction in business rates for retail in the upcoming Budget.

• The Times – No summer lift for shops (Print)
• Independent – Why shoppers are shunning the high street as UK footfall continues to decline
• London Standard – Hoped-for summer boost for retailers failed to materialise, figures show
• City AM – July fails to bring summer boost for high streets

3 August – Crime

We spoke to the Sunday Sun on the increasing cost to retailers due to organised crime and shoplifting.

• Sunday Sun – Hidden impact of UK’s shoplifting epidemic revealed as crime wave costs every household £150 a year through price hikes

31 July – CFO Survey

We published a survey of Chief Financial Officers from across the retail industry. 85% told us that they had been forced to raise prices as a result of the Chancellor’s Budget while two thirds said there would be future price rises. 40% said they had to make job cuts following the Budget.

• Daily Telegraph – Shops warn of further price rises amid fears of autumn tax raid
• Daily Mail – Prices will be going up again, warn ‘pessimistic’ retail chiefs (print only)
• City A.M. – Industry chief warns fresh tax grab will push ‘loved’ retailers to the wall

29 July – Shop Price Monitor

Our latest Shop Price Monitor showed food inflation rising for the sixth consecutive month, to 4%. We urged the Chancellor to ease pressure on retailers and households by avoiding further tax rises on the industry this autumn.

• BBC News Online – High meat and tea costs drive up food price
• Financial Times – UK food inflation rises for sixth month running, industry data shows
• The Times – Rising cost of food pushes up shop price inflation

28 July – Response to the Employment Rights Bill House of Lords amendments

We published a response to amendments to the ERB that were suggested and voted through the House of Lords. We urged the Commons to accept these in order to support their own plan to get Britian working again.

• Guardian – Zero-hours contracts: peers accused of ‘trying to block stronger UK workers’ rights’
• Retail Gazette – BRC welcomes Lords amendments to Employment Rights Bill

25 July – Response to ONS Retail Sales Index

We used the Retail Sales Index to push our messaging on business rates.

• Daily Mail – Sunshine helps high street claw back ground in June after grim sales plunge - as Brits spend on drinks and days out despite stalling economy

24 July 2025 – Response to ONS Crime Figures

The ONS crime figures showed that retail theft is spiraling out of control. We briefing the Financial Times with our latest Crime Survey which shows that instances are significantly higher than reported, costing retailers £2.2bn last year.

• Financial Times – Shoplifting in England and Wales at highest levels since records began
• LBC News – Radio

23 July –  24 July 2025 – Employment Rights Bill

We responded to the Employment Rights Bill completing Report Stage in the House of Lords. The House of Lords listened and reacted to the concerns of retailers, putting forward positive, practical amendments.

• Grocer – BRC urges further reform to Employment Rights Bill after Lords scrutiny
• Drapers – Employment Rights Bill amendments agreed by House of Lords

21 July – Business Rates

We did an explainer in Retail Week on business rates to break down what’s changing, and what changes mean for local high streets and town centres.

• Retail Week – Explainer: how business rates may change and what it means for retail

20 July – Business Rates 

We have been ramping up our media engagement as part of our Autumn Budget campaign, particularly on business rates to ensure that there is no disproportionate tax on retail. We also briefed Sunday Times, warning that any increases would lead to higher prices.

• Sunday Times – Business rates hike would drive up food prices, chancellor told
• Sunday Times – Business is an easy target for tax. Ministers should resist
• Scotsman – SNP accused of 'stifling economic growth' after £9m annual retail rates surcharge revealed

18 July – Impact of Budget on Retail Jobs

Featured in The Times, Helen discussed the challenges retailers are facing due to the changes in employer NIC’s contributions and NLW, sharing that the increased the cost of employing entry level workers is up 10%, while the cost for part-time roles has increased by over 13%.

• The Times – Hospitality and retail jobs plummet since Rachel Reeves’s budget

16 - 17 July – ONS Consumer Price Index

We reacted to the latest ONS CPI for June which showed food inflation increasing to 4.5%. We made the point that this was the result of additional costs from the Budget and that the Chancellor must avoid further tax rises on the industry later this year. Our quote got good pickup and CEO Helen Dickinson spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live and Channel 4.

• Bloomberg – UK Inflation Unexpectedly Jumps as Labour Tax Hikes Take Toll
• Daily Telegraph – Reeves’s inflation shock causes Bank of England to gamble
• Daily Express – Rachel Reeves blamed as food prices soar in nightmare for shoppers
• Channel 4 News – BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, reacts to rising food inflation (18:35)
• BBC Radio 5 Live – BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, previews the June Consumer Price Index (06:05)

16 July – Employment Rights Bill

Our Employment Policy Adviser, Luiza Paludo Gomes, wrote an op-ed for Drapers outlining what the retail industry would like to see from the Employment Rights Bill with key asks around guaranteed hours, the definition of low hours and trade union recognition.

• Drapers – BRC: Employment Rights Bill must strike the right balance

15 July – Retail Sales

Our BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for June showed retail sales performing well last month due to good weather. Food sales performed well though this was partly down to rising food inflation. We used this as an opportunity to tell Government that if it wants to help communities and retailers going forward it must exempt all shops from higher business rates later this year.

• Independent – Retail sales heat up in June due to warm weather - BRC
• Guardian – Hot weather lifts UK spending as fans and sports gear add to sales
• Retail Week – Retail sales heat up as temperatures soar

12 July – Business Rates

We briefed the Telegraph on the current proposals to reform business rates, making the case that any reform must give significant relief to stores under £500,000 rateable value and that no shop must pay more as a result of any changes.

• Daily Telegraph – Reeves plots £1.7bn tax on businesses
• Daily Telegraph – Reeves's £1.7bn tax raid risks gutting high streets, retailers warn
• The Times – Retail and hospitality jobs plummet since Rachel Reeves's budget

10 July 2025 – Business Rates 

We responded to a report from the Centre for Cities which examined the health of the high street across the nation. We highlighted that city centres need a mix of businesses, including shopping and hospitality. To support the everyday economy businesses need to be able to invest in local communities, not be held back by an outdated business rates system.

• Guardian – As much as £5bn needed to revive UK’s struggling high streets, study finds

5 – 7 July 2025 – Crime

ShopKind Week has brought media attention to the scale of crime and theft across the industry which has soared over the last year, with incidents of shoplifting doubling to 16.7 million, customer theft up to 20.4 million, costing retailers £2.2bn a year.

• Independent – Second UK supermarket introduces ‘checkout VAR’ after widely-mocked Tesco scheme
• Mirror – Lidl makes major change at self-checkouts to help stop shoplifters
• Sun – THEFT FIGHT H&M takes drastic action at 3 major stores with staff to wear BODYCAMS in desperate bid to deter shoplifters

30 June – ShopKind Week

SRC supported the Association of Convenience Store’s annual ShopKind Week, enlisting the support of MSPs to ask shoppers to show kindness, consideration, and respect to Scotland’s retail workers.

• Scottish Grocer – “Be nice” customers are told ahead of ShopKind Week

27 June – Not for EU Labelling

We raised concerns for consumers in Northern Ireland due to the logistically challenges ‘Not for EU’ labelling will cause retailers.

• The Times – M&S boss says post-Brexit food labels are ‘bureaucratic madness’

24 June – Industrial Strategy

We responded to the Government’s Industrial Strategy, reinforcing Government’s commitment on initiatives to improve skills, reduce regulatory burdens and remove planning barriers to deliver not just for the priority growth sectors but also for retail. 

• The Times – Britain may be 'back in business' but retail and hospitality feel ignored (Print)
• Telegraph – Starmer picks his winners in bid to revive UK industry (Print)

24 June – Diversity & Inclusion in UK Retail Report

We launched our annual Diversity & Inclusion Report, offering a reflection on the industry’s progress, challenges, and commitments to building a more inclusive future for retail.

• Bloomberg – UK Retailers Boost Women on Boards to Almost Half, Study Finds
• Retail Week – https://www.retail-week.com/data/women-now-make-up-nearly-half-of-retail-boardrooms/7048965.article
• Drapers – Gender parity close to equal on retail boards

22 June – Employment Rights Bill

We reinforced the narrative that the upcoming regulation on employment rights needs to be practical to avoid any unintended consequences by ensuring that ensure ballot results legitimately and accurately reflect the consensus amongst workers.

• Express – Angela Rayner's new labour laws 'will devastate' British businesses and UK economy
• Mail Online – Angela Rayner's workers Bill 'is a wrecking ball for the UK economy' that could wipe out struggling businesses, Tories warn

20 June – ONS RSI

We responded to the latest ONS Retail Sales Index which showed sales value and volume falling. In the context of weak demand, we urged the government to ensure that no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform.

• City A.M. – High streets empty out as retail sales plunge
• Grocer – Grocery sales flop in May, latest retail figures show
• Drapers – Retail sales ‘fall sharply’ in May

19 June – Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our Consumer Sentiment Monitor for June showed Gen Z driving improvements in consumer confidence. Consumer confidence reached its highest level since Christmas but remained firmly in negative territory. We urged the Government to not balance the books on the back of retailers, allowing them to invest in communities across the country.

• Bloomberg – Gen Z Drives Britian’s Consumer Confidence to Highest This Year
• City A.M. – Young Brits drive consumer confidence up while high-income households cut back
• Guardian – UK consumer confidence up but fragile amid tariff and Middle East concerns
• Financial Times – UK consumer confidence improves on brighter economic outlook

18 June – ONS CPI

We responded to the latest ONS Consumer Price Index which showed headline inflation remaining at 3.4% in May but food inflation jumping to 4.4%. We highlighted our warning from earlier in the year that food inflation would rise to almost 5% by the end of the year and asked the government to alleviate cost pressures in other areas such as business rates.

• City A.M. – Inflation overshoots expectations ahead of Bank of England meeting
• Grocer – Food inflation hits 15-month high as chocolate and meat prices rise
• Daily Express – Full list of food prices soaring under inflation – from jam and chocolate to meat
• BBC News Online – Retail group calls for government action on rising prices

10 June – ONS Jobs

The latest ONS Jobs statistics showed that retail has lost 360,000 jobs over the past decade. We used these stats to highlight our own 2025 Retail Jobs Report which highlighted the rising employment costs hitting the industry.

• City A.M. – Retail shrinks by over 360,000 jobs in a decade
• Grocer – More than 90,000 retail jobs lost last year amid ‘rising tide’ of employment costs
• Mail Online – Death of the high street job: More than 360,000 retail positions are lost in just a decade – with another 160,000 roles at risk over the next three years

10 June – Retail Sales Monitor

Our BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for May showed thew slowest sales growth of 2025 so far as consumers put the brakes on non-food spending. We used the stats to push the government to enact pro-growth policies and ensure proposed reforms such as the Employment Rights Bill does not undermine retailers’ ability to invest in communities.

• Independent – Spending falls to lowest point in the year as businesses ‘grapple with extra costs'
• Daily Express - Retailers suffer as shoppers cut their spending (print)
• Daily Telegraph – Nervous families freeze spending in blow to growth hopes 
• Financial Times – UK retail sales growth slowed in May, casting doubt on consumer resilience

7 June – Letter on sustainable farming budgets

We sent a joint letter to The Daily Telegraph alongside the NFU and the RSPB urging the Chancellor to protect the sustainable farming budget so that consumers still have access to high quality, affordable food, that has a lower impact on the environment.

• Daily Telegraph – Farmers are the custodians of our countryside

6 June – BRC Jobs Report

We published a report titled Retail Employment in 2025. With government supporting other industries such as steel and fishing, we highlighted how the retail industry has been left to shoulder ever increasing costs on its own, with 350,000 jobs lost in retail since 2015.

• City A.M. – One in ten retail jobs at risk in the next three years
• Grocer – Retail bosses call for steel industry-style intervention to tackle jobs crisis
• I News – Retail sector has ‘lost over 350,0000 jobs since 2015’ (print)
• Daily Mirror – Blow to retail sector (print)

27 May – Shop Price Index

Our Shop Price Index for May showed food inflation at its highest level in 12 months as retailers begin to take on the £5 billion in costs from the Budget. Given these costs, we stated that it is important the government avoids unintended consequences from future policies such as the Employment Rights Bill which could burden the industry further.

• The Times – Rising price of steak helps steer fresh food inflation to 2.4% (print)
• BBC News Online – Beef drives food inflation to highest in a year
• Daily Telegraph – Food gets more expensive as Reeves’s tax raid pushes up prices
• Guardian – UK food inflation rises for fourth month in a row as steaks beef up prices

24 May – ONS Retail Sales Index

We reacted to the latest ONS Retail Sales Index which showed strong sales growth in April as a result of good weather. We urged the government to ensure no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform to protect high streets across the country.

• I News – Warm weather boosts sales in April, especially food (print)
• Daily Express – Warm weather sparks retail sales rise (print)

22 May – Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our latest Consumer Sentiment Monitor showed consumer confidence gradually improving as the trade outlook improved. The over 60s saw the biggest improvement though they remain the most pessimistic of all generations. We reiterated our ask for the reintroduction of tax-free shopping to boost growth.

• The Times – Jobs rise defies fears that payroll taxes would drive unemployment
• Retail Week – Flurry of UK trade deals improve consumer confidence

19 May – UK-EU trade agreement

We welcomed the government new UK-EU trade agreement which will see the removal of SPS checks, easing the administrative burden on retailers who import from and export to the EU. We asked that the next steps should focus on alignment on environmental and product safety regulation:

• The Times – EU trade deal welcomed by British business – with some caveats
• Telegraph – Starmer trying to ‘kiss goodbye to Brexit’
• City A.M. – ‘A leap forward’: UK plc on the EU deal (print only)
• Standard – PM defends ‘common sense’ EU deal as critics condemn ‘surrender’ to Brussels

19 May – Tax free shopping

We signed a joint letter with three other trade associations pushing for tax-free shopping to be reintroduced in the UK. Our ask got picked up in a few outlets:

• The Times – Businesses urge Rachel Reeves to reinstate tax-free shopping
• I News – Businesses call for return of tax-free shopping for tourists in wake of tariff chaos
• Daily Express – Rachel Reeves issued damning high street warning over VAT blunder

14 May – Trade

With the UK/EU Summit taking place on Monday we made it clear that the retail industry would welcome any reduction in SPS checks, easing the administrative burden on retailers.

•  Daily Telegraph – EU offers Briain truce in ‘sausage war’ – but it comes at a cost

13 May – Retail Sales

Our Retail Sales Monitor for April showed retail sales boosted by a late Easter and some sunny weather. We called on the government to ensure no shop pays more as a result of business rates reform, easing the burden on high streets and communities across the country.

• Guardian – Spending in April boosted by sunshine says Barclays
• The Times – Sunny weather boosts retail sales with rise in DIY and gardening
• Daily Telegraph – Sunniest April on record boosts retail spending (print)

9 May – Footfall

Our footfall monitor for April showed a healthy improvement in shopper traffic as a result of a later Easter and some sunny weather. We called on government to ensure business rates reform leaves no shop paying more, paving the way for increased investment in high streets.

• Independent – ‘Small but positive’ rise in retail footfall as sunny April encourages shoppers
• Mail Online – Retailers boosted by rise in footfall last month, figures show

7 May – EPR amendments

DEFRA announced some minor amendments to the EPR. These didn’t go far enough, failing to address our call for the money to be ringfenced and used to improving recycling in the UK. We briefed the Grocer and the article below outlines our concerns.

• Grocer – Supermarket bosses claim packaging tax rescue measures ‘fall well short’

4 - 5 May – Closure of Beales and the burden on the high street

The closure of Beales has brought up many of the challenges facing the UK high streets. We used the opportunity to reiterate our concerns around rising NI, higher NLW and the new packaging tax.

• Mail on Sunday – And if hackers are not bad enough … Rachel Reeves is killing the High St 
• Telegraph – Labour ‘taxing high streets out of existence’

2 May – Cyber attacks

In light of recent cyber attacks, the BRC has been responding to journalists to explain the efforts retailers are making to prevent against further attacks and we urged the public to have patience while issues were being resolved. Our response got good pickup, including an interview with our CEO, Helen Dickinson, on the Today Programme.

• BBC Radio 4 Today Programme – Helen speaks to Today - 7.53 a.m.
• Mail Online – Britain's M&S enters second week of sales disruption after cyberattack

29 April – Lobbying on Employment Rights Bill

As part of our lobbying efforts on the Employment Rights Bill, we published the results of our HR Directors survey. Most said the Bill would reduce job flexibility and hiring while 70% of HR Directors said the bill would have a negative effect on their business. We used this survey to raise member concerns around the Bill as it enters The House of Lords. There was widespread coverage across all forms of media.

• City A.M. – Employment Rights Bill will ‘cut retail staff numbers’ (front page)
• Mail Online – Angela Rayner's plans for workers' rights will force firms to slash jobs and put up prices, retail bosses warn
• BBC News Online – Graduates turned down by supermarkets as vacancies drop

29 April – Shop Price Index

Our BRC-Nielsen IQ Shop Price Index for April showed food inflation rising to its highest level in 11 months following the £5 billion of additional costs which hit the industry last month. We urged the government to ensure that the Employment Rights Bill does not add to the burdens already on the retail industry.

• Daily Telegraph – Food prices jump in reply to minimum wage increase
• Sky News Online – Food inflation highest in almost a year – more to come, industry warns
• Bloomberg – UK Food Prices Rise Most in 15 Months as Tax Hike Starts

24 April - Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our Consumer Sentiment Monitor for April showed consumer confidence plummeting to a record low as a trade war looms. Despite this, good weather did boost the confidence of Gen Z, who plan to spend more on eating out.

• City A.M. – Threat of global trade war pulls down Brits' economic confidence
• Daily Telegraph – Confidence plunges to record low as Trump trade war hits
• Daily Express – Donald Trump sends British economy plunging to record low with latest horror move

24 April – Retail crime

We responded to the latest ONS shoplifting statistics. Our quote highlighted that the ONS continue to significantly underestimate the problem and that our own Crime Survey contained more accurate figures.

• Guardian – Shoplifting offences in England and Wales at highest level ever recorded
• Retail Gazette – Data: Shoplifting soars to highest levels since police records began

23 – 24 April – Tariffs 

We continued to spread messaging to ensure that retailers' concerns were heard around UK de minimis rule and achieved success when the UK Government announced that they intend to review the customs treatment of Low Value Imports.

• The Times – Shoppers warned they will pay for shipping disruption from tariffs
• BBC News – Interview with BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, on the government's review into the de minimis rules, 7.35 a.m.

15 April – Retail Sales

Our Retail Sales Monitor for March showed sales increasing despite a later Easter this year. We used the statistics as an opportunity to make the point that for more investment across the country no shop should pay more as a result of business rates reform and that the Employment Rights Bill must not reduce the availability of part-time and entry level jobs. We got good coverage across print and digital platforms.

• Guardian – 'Welcome green shoots': warm March weather gives 1.1% lift to UK retail sales
• Bloomberg – UK Consumer Spending Remains Strong in Boost for Growth Hopes
• The Times – Jump in retail sales raises hopes of a bumper Easter (print only)

14 – 15 April - Tariffs and 'dumping'

Following the announcement of heavy tariffs on Chinese goods from the US administration, we briefed journalists to make sure retailers' concerns were heard around UK de minimis rule which would allow Chinese goods to be 'dumped' onto the UK market at little to no cost. Our coverage also included Helen Dickinson's op-ed for Retail Week.

• Retail Week – Traders from outside the UK may take advantage of our de minimis rule to sell displaced US stock
• Financial Times – UK retail bosses raise fears of Chinese 'dumping' due to Trump tariffs
• Daily Telegraph – Retail chiefs raise alarm on China 'dumping' goods in UK market (print only)

13 April – EPR

Andrew Opie's comment was used in a City A.M. article which highlighted the inflationary impact of Extended Producer Responsibility. Andrew's comment highlighted the fact that in light of other costs EPR costs will go onto prices.

• City A.M. – 'It's existential': Unpacking a looming tax scarier than the National Insurance hike

5 April – 11 April 2025

11 April – Retail Crime

Off the back of an investigation by the Sun into retail crime, we have pushed our statistics showing the scale of the issue.

• The Sun – Brazen thieves filmed stripping Greggs’ shelves bare across broken Britain with staff powerless to stop (Page 5)
• BBC News (5.45pm) – Helen Dickinson interviewed
• Talk TV (9.20am) – Tom Holder spoke to Mike Graham on the issue

11 April – March Footfall

Our latest data shows footfall down 5.4% on last March, though this was largely due to the shift of Easter. We have used it as an opportunity to talk about the challenge for consumer confidence given the trade war between the US and China. We also called for fixes to both the business rates and employment rights reforms. 

• Daily Mail – Tariff carnage could hit Britain's already battered High Streets, warns the British Retail Consortium
• Scotsman – Scottish shopper footfall latest: Will an Easter rebound lift retailers’ spirits?
• Belfast Telegraph – Retail footfall in NI slumps by 9% as retailers face ‘challenging circumstances’

7 April 2025 – Surge in retail crime in Scotland

David Lonsdale wrote an Op Ed in the Herald on the rise in retail crime in Scotland:

• Herald – Staff and shoppers bear the brunt as retail crime surges

6 April 2025 – NIC and NLW rise

Last Sunday we put out a PR to push the impact of NIC and NLW rises on the availability of flexible, local and entry-level jobs. 

• Independent – Rise in national insurance to hit jobs and investment, high street bosses warn
• The Sun – TAX BOMB Business chiefs warn of high street bloodbath as Labour’s £25billion tax raid comes into force
• Daily Express – Garden centres are being battered by Rachel Reeves in 'triple whammy' tax hit
• City AM – Reeves’ £25bn national insurance tax raid has arrived. What happens now?

3 April 2025 – Payments Systems Regulator (PSR) consultation 

BRC Payments Adviser responded to the PSR’s long-awaited consultation outlining their proposals to tackle harms in card scheme and processing fees market. We put out a PR in response, outlining that these proposals fall well short of what is needed to fix existing problems.

• The Times (Print) – “Retailers hit out at credit card reforms”

1 April 2025 – April Cost Cliff Edge

We spoke to City AM about the impact of the various costs incoming from this month on retail jobs, investment and prices. They quoted us calling the costs a “bombshell” and “This huge cost burden will undoubtedly reduce investment in stores ad jobs, and is likely to lead to higher prices.” 

• City AM - British firms brace for ‘eye-watering’ April cost hikes 

1 April 2025 – BRC-NielsenIQ March Shop Price Index 

We published our March Shop Price Index, which showed overall shop price deflation at -0.4%. But, food rose to its highest rate of inflation since June 2024, at 2.4%. We used it as an opportunity to warn about higher prices as result of new costs, and the risks of the Employment Rights Bill and Business Rates reform making the situation worse. There was widespread coverage in the nationals, including:

• Telegraph - Reeves’s minimum wage rise and tax raid ‘to cost 85,000 jobs’ 
• The Times - Shop prices fall as retailers try to stoke demand 
• Mail Online - Shop prices fall again but retailers warn hikes are on the way 

29 March 2025 – Employment Rights Bill

Helen spoke to Delphine Strauss (Financial Times) to discuss how the Employment Rights Bill could impact entry-level and flexible jobs.

• Financial Times – Low-paid workers to bear the brunt of coming rise in UK labour costs 

26 March 2025 – Spring Statement Reaction

The BRC issued its response to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. While very little in the statement was directly relevant to the retail industry, we used it as an opportunity to point out what the industry needs from Government to support the Chancellor’s goals around growth which she highlighted in her statement. Coverage included:

• The Sun – Business leaders complain Spring Statement fails to ease burden for companies bracing for ‘awful April’
• Daily Mail – Business is fed up with Labour's higher taxes and new workers' rights, says CBI chief
• City AM – Spring Statement 2025: ‘Missed opportunity’ to avoid hospitality cliff edge
• Drapers – Retail reacts to Rachel Reeves’ Spring Statement
• Retail Week – Spring statement brings no new pain for retail – but no relief either

26 March 2025 – ONS Consumer Price Index Response

On Wednesday, the ONS published their monthly Consumer Price Index, which showed headline inflation fall to 2.8%. We used it as an opportunity to not only comment on the figures, but also push our ask that business rates reform does not result in any shop paying more in light of other costs coming this year. Coverage of our response included:

• The Independent, Why has inflation fallen and what does it mean for households?
• The Grocer, Food inflation steady at 3.3% as industry braces for spring budget

24 March 2025 – Pre-Spring Statement

BRC Chairman, Andy Higginson, appeared on The Today Programme to talk through the impact of Budget policies on retail, and what we would need to see from the Government in the Spring Statement on Wednesday.

• The Today Programme (1 hr 19 mins in) - https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m00298gz

24 March 2025 - Five Years Since Covid Op-ed

BRC CEO Helen Dickinson and Usdaw General Secretary penned a joint op-ed looking back at the pandemic and celebrating the actions of the heroic people working in the retail industry.

• Retail Week – ‘On Covid’s five-year anniversary, remember the retail staff who worked day in, day out’

23 March 2025 – P6 quote in Print Sunday Express “Taxes will only make it harder to get people off benefits”

Helen Dickinson was quoted on P6 talking about the vital role of retail to flexible jobs and getting people back into work. Helen explained how the rises to employer NICs threatens this flexibility.

21st March 2025 – Payments op-ed

In light of the decision from the government to incorporate the Payments System Regulator (PSR) into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), our Director of Business and Regulation, Tom Ironside, wrote an opinion piece in City A.M. outlining why it was vital that the FCA continued the work of the PSR, continuing to regulate card fees to ensure retailers get a fair deal in the payments market.   

• City A.M. – https://www.cityam.com/the-fca-must-continue-work-on-cutting-card-fees/

20th March 2025 – Consumer Sentiment Monitor

Our BRC-Opinium Consumer Sentiment Monitor for March showed consumer confidence stabilising. We used the release to urge government to use the Spring Statement to inject some confidence back into the economy, especially in light of the wave of additional costs retailers are facing from next month. We got good pickup including:

• The Times – UK consumer confidence edges upwards, says BRC
• City A.M. – Gen Z spending plans lifts consumer confidence, BRC survey says
• Independent – Consumer confidence stabilises as Gen Z prepares to spend
• Daily Mail – Marginal improvement in consumer confidence in March

20th March 2025 – ONS Jobs stats

The Office for National Statistics published their quarterly jobs figures revealing that 250,000 retail jobs have been lost in the last five years, including 142,000 part time jobs. We used this as an opportunity to talk about both the new Growth and Skills Levy and the Employment Rights Bill, and the need for flexible part-time roles and effective retraining. Our coverage included:

• Drapers – 249,000 retail jobs lost in five years
• Retail Gazette – Data: Quarter of a million retail jobs lost in five years

13th March 2025 – New crime statistics

New BRC-Opinium data revealed that one in four people have witnessed shoplifting, with a similar proportion witnessing violence and abuse. We used this to raise member concerns about retail crime and to urge the Government to protect delivery drivers under the new standalone offence. Coverage included:

• Guardian – Nearly one in four Britons have witnessed shoplifting, study shows
• Daily Express – Shoppers witnessing horrific levels of theft and violence on UK high streets
• Telegraph – One in four witnesses someone shoplifting in the past year
• Bloomberg – Theft Witnessed by Quarter of UK Residents Amid Store Crime Wave

11th March 2025 – Retail Sales Monitor

Our BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for February showed retail sales growing modestly in February though certain categories, such as fashion, performed poorly. The BRC encouraged the government to ‘course correct’ on the Employment Rights Bill to ensure responsible businesses aren’t unnecessarily burdened. We saw widespread coverage, including:

• Financial Times – UK retail sales rise ‘modestly’ as consumers remain cautious
• The Times – Spending on food and online help push retail sales upwards
• City A.M. – UK high streets struggle as food sales jump
• Guardian – Valentine’s Day proves a gift for UK retailers
• Many more pieces of print and online coverage

9th March 2025 – Reaction to proposed amendments to the Employment Rights Bill

Our reaction to the tabled amendments to the Employment Rights Bill was picked up in The Daily Express. The BRC was featured at the top of the article and stressed that the bill should focus on unscrupulous employers and avoid punishing responsible businesses who provide employment.

• Daily Express – Labour's Employment Rights Bill slammed by think tanks for 'punishing businesses'

8th March 2025 – EPR Coverage

Andrew Opie sat down with Oliver Wright at The Times to provide the BRC’s perspective on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The Times wrote a full-page piece covering the potential impact of the packaging tax on prices and the need to ringfence these funds if they are to improve recycling.

• The Times – Shoppers hit by £2bn packaging tax ‘to prop up failing councils’

7th March 2025 – Job Losses and International Women’s Day
In anticipation of International Women’s Day, Helen spoke to Retail Gazette for to highlight the impact of the Budget and the Employment Rights Bill on women in retail.

• Retail Gazette – IWD 2025: How the part-time tax could risk women’s jobs in retail

6th March 2025 - Response to the PSR Final Report on scheme and processing fees
We responded to the Payment System Regulator’s final report into scheme and processing fees, calling for a longer term price cap to limit the cost burden on retailers. This was picked up by the FT. 

• Financial Times – Visa and Mastercard face UK regulatory action over lack of competition

4th March 2025 – Shop Price Index

Our BRC-NielsenIQ Shop Price Index showed shop prices still in deflation however food prices rose on the month as retailers anticipate higher costs from the Budget. The BRC called on Government to ensure no shop paid more in its business rates reform, and for government to mitigate the swathe of new costs. We saw widespread coverage, including:

• Telegraph – Shop prices rise at fastest rate in a year
• Financial Times – UK food inflation hits five-month high, industry data shows
• Independent – Food prices rise at third fastest monthly rate in a year
• BBC Breakfast – TV interview with Kris Hamer
• Many more pieces of print and broadcast coverage

2nd March 2025 – EPR Coverage

Andrew Opie sat down with Szu Ping Chen to provide the BRC’s perspective on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The Sunday Telegraph wrote an full-page piece covering the potential impact of the packaging tax on prices and the need to ringfence these funds if they are to improve recycling.

• Sunday Telegraph – The recycling tax about to push shopping costs higher (print only)