Retailers

Aug- 2020 -

7 August

Usdaw warns business rates increase could risk more jobs

Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed “major concerns” over reports that the government is considering increasing business rates for premises with a rateable value over £51,000. The news comes as reports suggest Rishi Sunak is considering increasing business rates in an effort to boost the UK economy. Instead, Usdaw is…

Jul- 2020 -

31 July

Pets at Home sales stabilise in quarterly results

Pets at Home has announced that total group revenue fell by 1% in the quarter ended 16 July, while like-for-like revenue was down by 0.7% in the period. Amid the onset of the pandemic, the first eight weeks of the period saw like-for-like revenue tumble 13.5%, though this was later…

30 July

New grants to be made available for small businesses

Grants totalling £20m are to be made available to small businesses, the government announced today (July 30). Thousands of smaller businesses in England are set to benefit from the new government funding to help them recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Small and medium sized businesses will have…

29 July

Usdaw urges public to support shopworkers

Retail trade union Usdaw is urging shoppers to follow the law and help to protect shopworkers and other customers by wearing a face covering, while following existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. The union said shopworkers are “not responsible” for enforcing the law, and abuse should not be part of…

22 July

Bira urges PM to ‘give us back our high streets’

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is calling on Prime Minister Boris Johnson to intervene and “give us back our high streets”. In an exclusive Bira survey, three quarters (75%) of independent retailers said trade is being “detrimentally impacted” by lockdown road closures. The survey revealed that two thirds (66.1%)…

21 July

Peach and Pooch to launch first ever shop

An independent pet accessory brand is set to open its first shop in Harrogate later this month. Peach and Pooch creates a range of pet products, with each piece designed and handmade by local resident, Emily Ong, who makes all products from her home studio in Harrogate. Ong creates a…

21 July

Bira backs plans for tougher shoplifting penalties

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed government plans to take a tougher stance on shoplifting. Home Secretary Priti Patel recently announced the Government would be writing to police chiefs to advise that shoplifters stealing items to the value of £200 should be prosecuted. The decision follows a major…

21 July

Barnard Brothers closes after 100 years of trading

An Ipswich pet shop has confirmed it will permanently close its doors after more than 100 years of trading. According to the Ipswich Star, a sign in the window of Barnard Brothers has informed local residents it will close its doors on 31 July. The original Barnard Brothers shop was…

17 July

Pet trade must refocus on small animals, says retailer

A retailer that specialises in guinea pigs has called on the industry to change its “archaic” approach to small animals. HayPigs has warned that the industry must take more “responsibility” in educating owners about caring for small animals at the point of purchase, after warning that “hundreds” of guinea pigs…

16 July

Usdaw welcomes compulsory wearing of face coverings in shops

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the mandatory wearing of face coverings in shops, but warns that it can only be effective alongside existing social distancing and hygiene procedures. Earlier this week wearing a face covering in retail shops and supermarkets will be made compulsory from the 24 July. It…