Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

BIRA urges new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to face challenges head on

BIRA urges new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to face challenges head on

The British Independent Retailers Association has called on the new chancellor Jeremy Hunt to help find clarity and certainty for independent traders.

Mr Hunt, the former health and foreign secretary was today appointed to the post following Kwasi Kwarteng's sacking.


"It's now a very uncertain time following news of the sacking and the government's U-turn on the recent Mini Budget," said Jeff Moody, Managing Director of BIRA Direct.

"Both events have led to a further lack of certainty and clarity for Independent Retailers in this the Golden Quarter, which is when most retailers look to earn the profits to keep them in business.

"Non-food sales have decreased again by four per cent in total but increased by 2.2 per cent in store, but with retail price inflation of 10 per cent this is still a drop in volume of products sold. So, we are still seeing real decline in non-food retail before this uncertainty of today.

"BIRA believes that reverting to the new proposed 25 per cent Corporation Tax will reduce the unfunded £43b of tax cuts by some £17b. Part of this money should be targeted at reducing the Business Rates for the High Street. The business rate multiplier rate has increased for small business from 41.4p in 2010 to 50.4p in 2022 which is ludicrous given the pressures that small retailers are facing," he said.

Mr Moody added that BIRA was asking for clarity so retailers can plan and invest for the future, and uncertainty was not helping.

More for you

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Glenshire Group appoints Dan Arrandale as property director

Scottish business conglomerate Glenshire Group has hired Daniel Arrandale as its new Property Director.

Starting in the newly created role last week, Arrandale brings a wealth of industry experience to the business, including his most recent position as Acquisitions Manager for Asda and his previous position as Development Manager at EG Group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Carlsberg Zero
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe
Competition watchdog begins Carlsberg, Britvic merger probe

Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

Keep ReadingShow less
sustainability, zero waste store, refil lzone
Photo: iStock
Photo: iStock

Consumers value ethics though 'sustainability needs to be competitively priced'

Consumers now want a greater commitment from retailers in cutting food waste, refilling stations, sustainable packaging, and partnering with social purpose organisations, states a recent research, which also highlights that a good majority (69 per cent) of younger consumers are more likely to shop with what they see as socially responsible retailers though price sensitivity still plays a crucial role.

According to the findings, published in Vypr’s Consumer Horizon Report, reducing food waste is the most important factor for the majority of UK consumers (29 per cent), especially for Gen Z women aged 18-24 (38 per cent). More than a third (37 per cent) of men aged 18-24 said they needed food storage advice. A similar number of women aged 18-24 (33 per cent) want meal kits with the exact amount of ingredients included for them to cut down on food waste.

Keep ReadingShow less
Sugro-Wn-News.png
Sugro UK
Sugro UK

Sugro UK unveils new B2B digital enhancements to empower members, retailers

Sugro UK, the number one buying and marketing buying group*, in partnership with b2b.store, is thrilled to announce a further expansion of its existing E-Loyalty scheme programme, which has proven to be very popular with its members and retailers, by introducing E-Loyalty Extra Compliance and Execution scheme as well as E-Coupons.

The E-Loyalty Extra is aimed to boost compliance and execution at retail store level to drive new product launches, core range compliance, some exciting fixture trials with its supply partners and more! It will be available to all member owned and member affiliated retail stores within the group.

Keep ReadingShow less
Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

iStock image

Paulig acquires Panesar Foods

Expanding its footprint in the World Foods category, Paulig has acquired Panesar Foods, a prominent UK-based producer of sauces and condiments.

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Tipton, Panesar Foods is a family-owned business with three production facilities, employing 308 staff and achieving a turnover of £59 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

Keep ReadingShow less