British Retail Consortium
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) plays a key role in supporting the UK retail sector, including jewellers, through advocacy, policy development, and industry standards. For jewellery trade professionals, understanding BRC initiatives helps navigate regulatory changes, consumer trends, and challenges facing the wider retail landscape. Jewellery Focus provides coverage on BRC updates, reports, campaigns, and insights into how its work impacts jewellers, suppliers, and stakeholders across the industry.
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Aug- 2022 -10 AugustEconomy
Heatwave helps boost retail sales 2.3% in July
Retail sales increased 2.3% in July as the heatwave experienced across the UK helped boost demand for “hot weather essentials”, according to the latest data from the BRC and KPMG retail sales monitor. UK retail sales increased 1.6% on a like-for-like basis from July 2021, when they had increased 4.7%.…
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Jul- 2022 -13 JulyRetailers
Cost of living crisis starts to impact sales, BRC finds
On a total basis, sales decreased by 1.0% in June, against an increase of 10.4% in June 2021, according to the latest figures from BRC’s sales monitor. This is below the three-month average decline of 0.8% and the 12-month average growth of 3.0%. UK retail sales decreased 1.3% on a…
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Mar- 2022 -16 MarchRetailers
Retail sales monitor shows ‘cause for optimism’, Bira says
The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said there is “cause for optimism” after the recent BRC-KPMG retail sales monitor for February 2022 which revealed that UK retail sales increased 2.7% on a Like-for-like basis from February 2021. According to the BRC the performance comes on top of an improved…
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Dec- 2021 -3 DecemberRetailers
Retailers welcome proposed tougher sentencing for shopworker abuse
The retail industry has welcomed proposed changes put forward by the government that would see tougher sentencing for those that assault shopworkers. Policing minister Kit Malthouse confirmed the government has tabled an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which states that courts must treat assaults committed “against…
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Oct- 2021 -27 OctoberEconomy
Chancellor unveils 50% rates discount for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has unveiled a 50% discount on business rates for the hospitality, retail and leisure sectors (up to £110,000), equating to a business tax cut worth £1.7bn, the biggest single-year rates cut for firms in over 30 years. Unveiling his latest Budget in the Commons today (27 October),…
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Sep- 2021 -23 SeptemberRetailers
Card retail transactions up to 81%, survey finds
Debit and credit card retail transactions surpassed four in every five pounds spent in 2020 (81%, up from 78% in 2019), according to the latest annual payments survey published by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). Cash use now accounts for just 15% of total spending in retail (down from 20%…
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21 SeptemberTrade Organisations
Four in five shops to shut without business rates reform, says BRC
Some 83% of retailers would reportedly be forced to close shops without the introduction of a business rates reform as a part of the Government’s upcoming review. According to research conducted by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), 85% of those retailers surveyed recognised business rates as either an “extremely” or…
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Jun- 2021 -7 JuneRetailers
May footfall decreases 27.7%, latest BRC data reveals
Total UK footfall decreased by 27.7% in May compared with the same period in 2019, according to the latest British Retail Consortium -Sensormatic IQ data. However, the decrease was above the three month average decline of 46.9%. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of BRC, stated May saw footfall levels improve across…
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Feb- 2021 -1 FebruaryEconomy
BRC chief calls for rates extension as vacancies rise by 13%
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to extend business rates relief beyond April as the number of retail stores lying vacant rose to 13.7% in Q4 2020. The plea follows figures published by the consortium which show that all retail locations saw…
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Nov- 2020 -30 NovemberNews
Shops permitted to open for 24 hours a day
Shops in England will be allowed to trade for 24 hours a day in the coming weeks, housing secretary Robert Jenrick has confirmed. The relaxation of trading hours has been made in a bid to support struggling businesses in the run-up to Christmas. Writing in The Telegraph, Jenrick said: “None…
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