The Autumn Budget has introduced a wave of changes with significant implications for the retail industry, our communities, and the wider economy. As the UK’s largest private-sector employer, retail plays a critical role in sustaining over 5.7 million jobs and contributing more than £100 billion annually to GDP.
However, the cumulative burden of rising costs threatens not only our ability to keep prices low for customers but also will impact jobs, investment and communities across the country.
Through our campaign, we aim to highlight the key challenges faced by retailers in the wake of the Budget, explain their economic consequences, and propose practical solutions to mitigate their impact.
Dive into the resources below to learn more.
In the Headlines
Britain’s high streets are on their last legs – and Labour will deliver the fatal blow | The Telegraph
Retailers offering discounts before Christmas is an ominous sign of things to come
Economy ‘likely to shrink’ as budget gloom spreads | The Times
A drop in confidence and a rise in redundancies have been attributed to Rachel Reeves’ tax increases, as analysts say the UK will end the year in contraction
We need business rates reform soon to save high street, say bosses | The Times
More than 80 business leaders have lobbied the Treasury to accelerate a rethink on the outdated system. What is at stake and what are the options?
Rachel Reeves’s Budget ‘will cost Britain 100,000 jobs’ | The Telegraph
Employers will pass along increased cost of NICs to workers with cuts, warns Deutsche Bank
NICs rise will force businesses to close, warn hospitality bosses | The Guardian
More than 200 leading restaurant, pub and hotel companies say tax rises will cause ‘unprecedented damage’
Rachel Reeves' £25 billion National Insurance raid could force two-thirds of major retailers to hike prices | Daily Mail
Two-thirds of major retailers will hike prices and more than half will cut working hours as a result of Labour’s £25 billion national insurance raid.
Most UK Retailers to Raise Prices Over Budget Costs, Poll Finds | Bloomberg
Most retailers plan to raise prices to cover higher taxes in the UK government's first budget, a lobby group's survey found.
Prmie Minsiter's Questions
Budget Campaign Content

BRC Summer School 2025

Retail Reimagined: Insights, Innovation, and Customer Connection

Leading in the Industry: Seeing a Bigger Picture with the Learning Team

BRC Retail Masters 2025

New Image position

CEO Call Notes | Matt Coode, OC&C | 12 February 2025
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RAM and Illustrative Base Fees Update

Consumers feeling the January blues

BRC 2024 Insight Round-up Briefing

BRC shares non-fiscal measures to promote investment with Chancellor

FMD in Germany Briefing & Advice for Members

Employment Rights Bill - BRC Priorities Jan 2025

Test Customer Article - trying to ungate it

Campaigns Report - January 2025

Campaigns Report - December 2024

Food Community Bulletin - January (1st Update)

January Property Community
