British Retail Consortium
@britishretail.bsky.social
🛍️ The voice of British Retail. Follow for the latest thinking, news and data from the British Retail Consortium.
⚠️It's #Budget week.⚠️
📢The asks of the retail industry are clear:
🏪Significant business rates reduction for stores < 500K rateable value.
✅Remove all shops that are >500k rateable value from the business rates surtax.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
📢The asks of the retail industry are clear:
🏪Significant business rates reduction for stores < 500K rateable value.
✅Remove all shops that are >500k rateable value from the business rates surtax.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Supermarkets request exemption from top business rates band
Retailers have warned that they will be forced to raise prices and may have to close up to 400 stores if they are hit with higher costs next year
www.thetimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:08 PM
⚠️It's #Budget week.⚠️
📢The asks of the retail industry are clear:
🏪Significant business rates reduction for stores < 500K rateable value.
✅Remove all shops that are >500k rateable value from the business rates surtax.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
📢The asks of the retail industry are clear:
🏪Significant business rates reduction for stores < 500K rateable value.
✅Remove all shops that are >500k rateable value from the business rates surtax.
www.thetimes.com/business/com...
Scotland risks falling behind as England & Wales move to permanent business-rates cuts for shops.
Without action in the Scottish Budget, high streets could lose investment. 📜
SRC urges a permanent rates reduction to keep Scotland competitive. 💬
#Budget
Without action in the Scottish Budget, high streets could lose investment. 📜
SRC urges a permanent rates reduction to keep Scotland competitive. 💬
#Budget
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Scotland risks falling behind as England & Wales move to permanent business-rates cuts for shops.
Without action in the Scottish Budget, high streets could lose investment. 📜
SRC urges a permanent rates reduction to keep Scotland competitive. 💬
#Budget
Without action in the Scottish Budget, high streets could lose investment. 📜
SRC urges a permanent rates reduction to keep Scotland competitive. 💬
#Budget
CEO of BRC member, Richer Sounds, Julie Abraham, has urged the Chancellor to bring stability at the #Budget.✏️
'Uncertainty makes it harder for retailers like us to decide whether to refurbish a store, hire more colleagues, or invest in new technology.'💬
www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market...
'Uncertainty makes it harder for retailers like us to decide whether to refurbish a store, hire more colleagues, or invest in new technology.'💬
www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market...
Chancellor must put stability first, says Richer Sounds' JULIE ABRAHAM
For retailers, November is usually a time of optimism - the crucial run-up to Christmas when stores see months of hard work pay off.
www.dailymail.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 9:28 AM
CEO of BRC member, Richer Sounds, Julie Abraham, has urged the Chancellor to bring stability at the #Budget.✏️
'Uncertainty makes it harder for retailers like us to decide whether to refurbish a store, hire more colleagues, or invest in new technology.'💬
www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market...
'Uncertainty makes it harder for retailers like us to decide whether to refurbish a store, hire more colleagues, or invest in new technology.'💬
www.dailymail.co.uk/money/market...
BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has reacted to today's ONS Retail Sales Index.👇
November 21, 2025 at 10:52 AM
BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has reacted to today's ONS Retail Sales Index.👇
Standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker must cover delivery drivers. 🚲
In the House of Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, outlines why her amendment to include delivery drivers is needed and should be taken forward. 💬
#retail
In the House of Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, outlines why her amendment to include delivery drivers is needed and should be taken forward. 💬
#retail
November 20, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker must cover delivery drivers. 🚲
In the House of Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, outlines why her amendment to include delivery drivers is needed and should be taken forward. 💬
#retail
In the House of Lords, Baroness Neville-Rolfe, outlines why her amendment to include delivery drivers is needed and should be taken forward. 💬
#retail
BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, spoke to BBC News at Six last night, urging to Chancellor to use her #Budget to help ease food inflation.📺
Changes to business rates must give small and medium sized businesses a significant reduction in rates and ensure no shop pays more.🏪
Changes to business rates must give small and medium sized businesses a significant reduction in rates and ensure no shop pays more.🏪
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, spoke to BBC News at Six last night, urging to Chancellor to use her #Budget to help ease food inflation.📺
Changes to business rates must give small and medium sized businesses a significant reduction in rates and ensure no shop pays more.🏪
Changes to business rates must give small and medium sized businesses a significant reduction in rates and ensure no shop pays more.🏪
BRC Economist, @harvirdhillon.bsky.social, spoke to LBC News earlier about the ONS CPI figures released this morning. 📻
While headline inflation eased to 3.6%, food inflation rose to 4.9% as a result of ongoing cost pressures. 📈
#inflation
While headline inflation eased to 3.6%, food inflation rose to 4.9% as a result of ongoing cost pressures. 📈
#inflation
November 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
BRC Economist, @harvirdhillon.bsky.social, spoke to LBC News earlier about the ONS CPI figures released this morning. 📻
While headline inflation eased to 3.6%, food inflation rose to 4.9% as a result of ongoing cost pressures. 📈
#inflation
While headline inflation eased to 3.6%, food inflation rose to 4.9% as a result of ongoing cost pressures. 📈
#inflation
📢 Food inflation back on the rise ahead of the #Budget. CPI falls to 3.6% but food inflation climbs to 4.9%.
💬BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has warned that with consumers still feeling the pinch, the Chancellor must avoid adding new cost pressures.
#retail #inflation
💬BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has warned that with consumers still feeling the pinch, the Chancellor must avoid adding new cost pressures.
#retail #inflation
November 19, 2025 at 10:10 AM
📢 Food inflation back on the rise ahead of the #Budget. CPI falls to 3.6% but food inflation climbs to 4.9%.
💬BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has warned that with consumers still feeling the pinch, the Chancellor must avoid adding new cost pressures.
#retail #inflation
💬BRC Director of Insight, Kris Hamer, has warned that with consumers still feeling the pinch, the Chancellor must avoid adding new cost pressures.
#retail #inflation
WRC members met Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford MS to discuss plans for business rates and the Welsh #Budget.
We welcomed recognition that retailers need a rates reduction but stressed Welsh competitiveness must be considered as decisions on discounts & any surtax are made.👍
We welcomed recognition that retailers need a rates reduction but stressed Welsh competitiveness must be considered as decisions on discounts & any surtax are made.👍
November 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
WRC members met Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford MS to discuss plans for business rates and the Welsh #Budget.
We welcomed recognition that retailers need a rates reduction but stressed Welsh competitiveness must be considered as decisions on discounts & any surtax are made.👍
We welcomed recognition that retailers need a rates reduction but stressed Welsh competitiveness must be considered as decisions on discounts & any surtax are made.👍
Fantastic to see Baroness Neville-Rolfe propose an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would see delivery drivers protected under the new standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker. 👏
75% of delivery drivers have been the victim of abuse while on the job. ❌
75% of delivery drivers have been the victim of abuse while on the job. ❌
November 18, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Fantastic to see Baroness Neville-Rolfe propose an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which would see delivery drivers protected under the new standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker. 👏
75% of delivery drivers have been the victim of abuse while on the job. ❌
75% of delivery drivers have been the victim of abuse while on the job. ❌
Business leaders have warned the Chancellor to not hit industry again at the #Budget.⚠️
Last year, retail was hit with billions of additional costs which has caused higher prices, job losses and store closures.❌
There is no room to absorb further burdens.
www.cityam.com/industry-chi...
Last year, retail was hit with billions of additional costs which has caused higher prices, job losses and store closures.❌
There is no room to absorb further burdens.
www.cityam.com/industry-chi...
Industry chiefs warn Reeves not to hit business after income tax U-turn
The Chancellor must not rely on firms to plug the gaping fiscal gap left by Thursday's income tax U-turn, industry body chiefs have warned.
www.cityam.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Business leaders have warned the Chancellor to not hit industry again at the #Budget.⚠️
Last year, retail was hit with billions of additional costs which has caused higher prices, job losses and store closures.❌
There is no room to absorb further burdens.
www.cityam.com/industry-chi...
Last year, retail was hit with billions of additional costs which has caused higher prices, job losses and store closures.❌
There is no room to absorb further burdens.
www.cityam.com/industry-chi...
🌍 #BuyIntoRetail: Sustainable Sourcing 🌍
BRC member Dunelm is making big strides in responsible sourcing — from products using 50% lower-impact materials to progress on cotton, timber, polyester & steel. 👏
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
#BuyIntoRetail #Sustainability #Sourcing
BRC member Dunelm is making big strides in responsible sourcing — from products using 50% lower-impact materials to progress on cotton, timber, polyester & steel. 👏
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
#BuyIntoRetail #Sustainability #Sourcing
November 17, 2025 at 10:31 AM
🌍 #BuyIntoRetail: Sustainable Sourcing 🌍
BRC member Dunelm is making big strides in responsible sourcing — from products using 50% lower-impact materials to progress on cotton, timber, polyester & steel. 👏
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
#BuyIntoRetail #Sustainability #Sourcing
BRC member Dunelm is making big strides in responsible sourcing — from products using 50% lower-impact materials to progress on cotton, timber, polyester & steel. 👏
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
#BuyIntoRetail #Sustainability #Sourcing
📜The Employment Rights Bill returns to the Lords today.
📢We’re urging peers to stand firm on their amendments.
❌Without these changes, the Bill could reduce flexible, local job opportunities across the UK.
#KeepBritainWorking
📢We’re urging peers to stand firm on their amendments.
❌Without these changes, the Bill could reduce flexible, local job opportunities across the UK.
#KeepBritainWorking
November 17, 2025 at 9:18 AM
📜The Employment Rights Bill returns to the Lords today.
📢We’re urging peers to stand firm on their amendments.
❌Without these changes, the Bill could reduce flexible, local job opportunities across the UK.
#KeepBritainWorking
📢We’re urging peers to stand firm on their amendments.
❌Without these changes, the Bill could reduce flexible, local job opportunities across the UK.
#KeepBritainWorking
Great to meet Paul Bristow, Mayor of Peterborough & Cambridgeshire, at Costa Coffee in Huntingdon 🤝
He even tried making a cappuccino! ☕️
We talked business rates, the #Budget, and the Employment Rights Bill. 💬
#BuyIntoRetail
He even tried making a cappuccino! ☕️
We talked business rates, the #Budget, and the Employment Rights Bill. 💬
#BuyIntoRetail
November 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Great to meet Paul Bristow, Mayor of Peterborough & Cambridgeshire, at Costa Coffee in Huntingdon 🤝
He even tried making a cappuccino! ☕️
We talked business rates, the #Budget, and the Employment Rights Bill. 💬
#BuyIntoRetail
He even tried making a cappuccino! ☕️
We talked business rates, the #Budget, and the Employment Rights Bill. 💬
#BuyIntoRetail
SRC-KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor – Oct 2025 📊
📈Scottish sales up 1.9% YoY — 4th straight month of growth — but tax & rates uncertainty cloud outlook.
🥗Food +2.7%, 👖Non-Food +1.3%.
SRC Director, David Lonsdale, has reacted to the figures.👇
#retail
📈Scottish sales up 1.9% YoY — 4th straight month of growth — but tax & rates uncertainty cloud outlook.
🥗Food +2.7%, 👖Non-Food +1.3%.
SRC Director, David Lonsdale, has reacted to the figures.👇
#retail
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
SRC-KPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor – Oct 2025 📊
📈Scottish sales up 1.9% YoY — 4th straight month of growth — but tax & rates uncertainty cloud outlook.
🥗Food +2.7%, 👖Non-Food +1.3%.
SRC Director, David Lonsdale, has reacted to the figures.👇
#retail
📈Scottish sales up 1.9% YoY — 4th straight month of growth — but tax & rates uncertainty cloud outlook.
🥗Food +2.7%, 👖Non-Food +1.3%.
SRC Director, David Lonsdale, has reacted to the figures.👇
#retail
Good to see Liam Kerr MSP raise the issue of thefts from shops in Parliament and Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce to be sustained. 👏
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...
Meeting of the Parliament | Scottish Parliament TV
www.scottishparliament.tv
November 12, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Good to see Liam Kerr MSP raise the issue of thefts from shops in Parliament and Scottish Retail Consortium’s call for funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce to be sustained. 👏
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...
www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/meet...
Ahead of the #Budget, the BRC team have been out and about getting our the retail industry's asks across to MPs. 📢
A significant reduction in business rates for small and medium sized stores. 📉
No shop pays more. ❌
#BuyIntoRetail
A significant reduction in business rates for small and medium sized stores. 📉
No shop pays more. ❌
#BuyIntoRetail
November 12, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Ahead of the #Budget, the BRC team have been out and about getting our the retail industry's asks across to MPs. 📢
A significant reduction in business rates for small and medium sized stores. 📉
No shop pays more. ❌
#BuyIntoRetail
A significant reduction in business rates for small and medium sized stores. 📉
No shop pays more. ❌
#BuyIntoRetail
The Scottish Retail Consortium were delighted to welcome Liam Kerr MSP & Sharon Dowey MSP Board to discuss theft, anti-social behaviour & violence against shopworkers.👮
#retail
#retail
November 11, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The Scottish Retail Consortium were delighted to welcome Liam Kerr MSP & Sharon Dowey MSP Board to discuss theft, anti-social behaviour & violence against shopworkers.👮
#retail
#retail
For all the latest insight into our October Retail Sales Monitor, follow BRC Economist, @harvirdhillon.bsky.social.👇
#retail
#retail
🛍️📉 Consumers hold back for Black Friday
The @britishretail.bsky.social - @kpmguk.bsky.social retail sales measure rose 1.6% YoY in October, the slowest growth since May. Many shoppers delayed purchases, waiting for Black Friday deals and cooler weather before buying toys, electronics & clothing. 📊
The @britishretail.bsky.social - @kpmguk.bsky.social retail sales measure rose 1.6% YoY in October, the slowest growth since May. Many shoppers delayed purchases, waiting for Black Friday deals and cooler weather before buying toys, electronics & clothing. 📊
November 11, 2025 at 9:54 AM
For all the latest insight into our October Retail Sales Monitor, follow BRC Economist, @harvirdhillon.bsky.social.👇
#retail
#retail
🛍️ BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor – Oct 2025
Consumers held back for Black Friday deals.💲
🛒UK retail sales +1.6% YoY (vs +0.6% in 2024), below 12-month average of +2.1%.
🥗Food +3.5%, 👚Non-Food +0.1%. 💻Online flat.
#Retail #UKEconomy
Consumers held back for Black Friday deals.💲
🛒UK retail sales +1.6% YoY (vs +0.6% in 2024), below 12-month average of +2.1%.
🥗Food +3.5%, 👚Non-Food +0.1%. 💻Online flat.
#Retail #UKEconomy
November 11, 2025 at 9:15 AM
🛍️ BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor – Oct 2025
Consumers held back for Black Friday deals.💲
🛒UK retail sales +1.6% YoY (vs +0.6% in 2024), below 12-month average of +2.1%.
🥗Food +3.5%, 👚Non-Food +0.1%. 💻Online flat.
#Retail #UKEconomy
Consumers held back for Black Friday deals.💲
🛒UK retail sales +1.6% YoY (vs +0.6% in 2024), below 12-month average of +2.1%.
🥗Food +3.5%, 👚Non-Food +0.1%. 💻Online flat.
#Retail #UKEconomy
MP for Warrington North, @charlotte2153.bsky.social, visited Boots in her constituency earlier today as part of our #BuyIntoRetail campaign. 🤝
Good chat around local healthcare, business rates and retail crime. 💬
Good chat around local healthcare, business rates and retail crime. 💬
November 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
MP for Warrington North, @charlotte2153.bsky.social, visited Boots in her constituency earlier today as part of our #BuyIntoRetail campaign. 🤝
Good chat around local healthcare, business rates and retail crime. 💬
Good chat around local healthcare, business rates and retail crime. 💬
🏪BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor – Oct 2025:
❌UK footfall ↓0.7% YoY (vs -1.8% in Sept).
📈High Streets ↑0.6%, 📉Retail Parks ↓0.5%, Shopping Centres ↓0.9%. 👎
6th month of decline – Government must back retail at the #Budget. 📜
#RetailStats #UKEconomy
❌UK footfall ↓0.7% YoY (vs -1.8% in Sept).
📈High Streets ↑0.6%, 📉Retail Parks ↓0.5%, Shopping Centres ↓0.9%. 👎
6th month of decline – Government must back retail at the #Budget. 📜
#RetailStats #UKEconomy
November 7, 2025 at 10:10 AM
🏪BRC-Sensormatic Footfall Monitor – Oct 2025:
❌UK footfall ↓0.7% YoY (vs -1.8% in Sept).
📈High Streets ↑0.6%, 📉Retail Parks ↓0.5%, Shopping Centres ↓0.9%. 👎
6th month of decline – Government must back retail at the #Budget. 📜
#RetailStats #UKEconomy
❌UK footfall ↓0.7% YoY (vs -1.8% in Sept).
📈High Streets ↑0.6%, 📉Retail Parks ↓0.5%, Shopping Centres ↓0.9%. 👎
6th month of decline – Government must back retail at the #Budget. 📜
#RetailStats #UKEconomy
BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, has reacted to the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates at 4%. 🏦
The Bank noted once again that food inflation would remain elevated as a result of costs from last year's #Budget. 📈
Full reaction.👇
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
The Bank noted once again that food inflation would remain elevated as a result of costs from last year's #Budget. 📈
Full reaction.👇
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
November 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
BRC CEO, Helen Dickinson, has reacted to the Bank of England's decision to hold interest rates at 4%. 🏦
The Bank noted once again that food inflation would remain elevated as a result of costs from last year's #Budget. 📈
Full reaction.👇
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...
The Bank noted once again that food inflation would remain elevated as a result of costs from last year's #Budget. 📈
Full reaction.👇
brc.org.uk/news-and-eve...