The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported that retail sales in August rose by 3.3% compared with the same month a year earlier and by 0.3% on a month-to-month basis. This has surprised economists who had expected shoppers to rein in their spending. The unexpected results were driven by a rise of 4.5% in the
As an incentive for people to shop in person and for online retailers to lease physical stores, international property firm Colliers International suggests that the government should create a two-tiered VAT system where shoppers would be charged 15% for purchases in stores and 22.5% for online transactions. Meanwhie, Tesco chief executive David Lewis has again
Alan Monahan writes: I wonder how many of you really believe that politicians care about the welfare of small businesses or think that they just regard them as cash cows. A couple of weeks ago there were murmurings when I cast doubt on the statement by Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium,
Alan Monahan writes: A month ago I mentioned in my column that the British Retail Consortium was calling for a two-year freeze on business rates. Helen Dickinson, its chief executive, has now reopened discussion about the outmoded tax system and the woes of our industry. She doesn’t believe that a successful transformation can be achieved
Retail Reflections: Why small retailers matter Read More »
Alan Monahan writes: And so to Harrogate. Next week I will be happily heading to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in the spa town as I have done for the past 23 years. Driving to North Yorkshire, my spirits will be lifted as I re-enter the time warp that is Harrogate in the knowledge
Almost half (44%) of British consumers interviewed by YouGov said that the way independent retailers make them feel valued made it more likely they would shop with them. However, just 22% of those polled said they currently visit an independent retailer in the first place, with 44% of those polled stating that, compared to the
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