Government
Government policy plays a critical role in shaping the regulatory and commercial environment for the UK pet industry. Under this tag, Pet Gazette covers legislation, consultations, and regulatory updates affecting pet retailers, wholesalers, and distributors — from pet food labelling and animal welfare standards to licensing rules, trade regulations, and business rates. We also report on government-backed initiatives, support schemes, and local authority actions that influence retail operations or supply chain logistics. This tag keeps industry professionals informed about political and regulatory developments with direct implications for commercial petcare businesses.
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Sep- 2020 -10 SeptemberBusiness
Government launches new ‘bounce back’ plan for retailers
A new series of measures has been announced by the UK Government to support businesses in the consumer and retail industries during the Covid-19 pandemic. The plans, announced by Minister for exports Graham Stuart, will offer immediate support to businesses by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international…
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8 SeptemberEconomy
UK retail sales increase by 4.7% in August
UK retail sales in August have increased by 4.7% on a like-for-like basis from August 2019, according to figures released in BRC-KPMG’s Retail Sales Monitor report for the month. Overall sales increased by 3.9% in the period, in comparison to a decline of 0.4% in August 2019. This is above…
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7 SeptemberCharities
Third Pet Theft petition reaches 140,000 in signatures
A petition by The Stolen and Missing Pets Alliance regarding pet theft in the UK has reached over 100,000 signatures for the third year in a row. The petition demands that theft of pets be reclassified, amid a dramatic increase in dog theft across the country due to the escalating…
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7 SeptemberCoronavirus
Redundancies planned by 60% of mid-sized firms
More than half (60%) of the UK’s medium-sized businesses are planning redundancies as a result of the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme coming to an end in October, according to new research from accountancy and business advisory firm, BDO. BDO’s monthly Rethinking the Economy survey of 500 medium-sized businesses across…
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3 SeptemberFeatures
HMRC and Covid-19: One hand giveth, the other taketh away
One hand giveth HMRC was responsible for overseeing and implementing the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (“CJRS”) and other furlough schemes. Its ensuring that monies were paid under the Government’s various furlough support schemes has been impressive. Although the guidance on who was entitled to monies under the CJRS was…
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Aug- 2020 -21 AugustFeatures
Dog grooming salons: Lockdown & the new normal?
When the government guidance around business openings changed in mid-May, and dog grooming salons who could accommodate the new safety measures were allowed to reopen their doors; there was a great sense of relief for both grooming salons and dog-owning households. Here at Groomers Online, we have been delighted to…
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14 AugustRetailers
Extra support needed for retailers to meet rent demands, says Bira
“Positive action” is needed to help retail businesses meet rent demands as they continue to recover from the Covid-19 crisis, The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said. It comes as the British Retail Consortium’s (BRC) proposed for a Property Bounceback Grant, after exclusive research revealed independent retailers were concerned…
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7 AugustCoronavirus
Poor July sales rock high street recovery
Poor in-store sales through the month of July have “dampened hopes of a recovery” across UK high streets, according to the latest High Street Sales Tracker from BDO. In-store like-for-like sales decreased by 39.4% last month, down from a marginal base of 0.1% that was reported the year before. According…
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5 AugustFeatures
Barking up the right tree
Prior to COVID-19 completely changing the way we, as consumers behave, the pet industry was leading in terms of innovation, cross-sector development and retail growth. One of the industry leaders, Pets at Home, reported record sales for year ending 26th March 2020, exceeding the £1bn mark. Pet food brands large…
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Jul- 2020 -31 JulyGovernment & Legislation
MPs ‘disappointed’ by lack of action over pet theft
MPs have expressed disappointment at the government’s response to their call to make pet theft a specific criminal offence. Last month, following a string of petitions with more than 250,000 signatures, the Petitions Committee supported calls for the government to ensure the value of pets is fully recognised in the…
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