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Retailers paying one-third of all UK business rates despite making up only 9% of economy

30 Oct 2024

Retailers and hospitality businesses are paying three times their economic share in business rates, according to analysis by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and UK Hospitality.
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How much cash do you still accept? Independent cycling retailers can respond to this survey today

30 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira is working with UK Finance and other organisations who form the UK’s wholesale cash industry to gain vital information to ensure businesses get the best possible... Read more…

Bira Conference a huge success with ACT members in attendance

25 Oct 2024

ACT members were in attendance at the hugely successful Bira Conference in London last week, featuring an inspiring line-up of speakers providing valuable insights from independent retail... Read more…

Bira cautiously welcomes retail sales growth but calls for continued support

11 Oct 2024

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor for September 2024
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FSB launches blueprint to revitalise UK high streets and boost tourism

3 Oct 2024

The Federation of Small Businesses has launched a new initiative, which it says aims to transform high streets across the UK, by advancing economic, social, and cultural benefits, while also... Read more…

Award-winning gin distillery to open new shop in Morecambe

3 Oct 2024

A family-run gin company is set to open a new distillery and shop in Morecambe.
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‘Largest independent bookshop in the country’ to open in York

3 Oct 2024

Independent booksellers Topping & Company will open a new bookshop over multiple floors in central York in autumn 2025.
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Three quarters of British shoppers would ban paper receipts on eco grounds, new data shows

3 Oct 2024

3 in 4 Britons (77%) would ban paper receipts if they knew how many trees were cut down to generate them – and millennials are the most eco-conscious (rising to 87%).
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Bira Urges Chancellor to Safeguard Independent Retail in Upcoming Autumn Statement

24 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) is set to address critical issues facing the UK's high streets at its upcoming Annual Conference, marking the event's return after a six-year... Read more…

Independent Retailers Association says steady inflation at 2.2% provides stability, but calls for interest rate reductio

19 Sep 2024

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has said the inflation rate holding steady at 2.2% in August provides some stability for the high street - but stresses the Bank of England... Read more…

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Convenience stores saw record levels of theft in 2022, according to ACS report

Posted on in Business News

New figures from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) have revealed record levels of shop theft being committed against local convenience retailers over the last year.

According to ACS’ Voice of Local Shops survey of over 1200 independent retailers, 63% of independent retailers reported that theft in their businesses had either increased (35%) or stayed the same (28%) over the last year, with just 9% reporting a decrease in levels of shop theft.

The survey has been tracking levels of shop theft since the start of 2012. It claims the ‘theft index’ has been reasonably steady from 2016 through to early 2021 but has since gradually risen to now record highs amid ongoing inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

Across the UK, London retailers are reportedly the worst affected, with 48% of retailers surveyed saying that theft has increased over the last year. This compares to 28% of retailers in the North East who reported an increase in theft, the lowest of any UK region.

Figures from the ACS 2022 Crime Report show that convenience stores spent over £246m in the previous year on crime prevention measures like CCTV, security staff and alarm systems.

“We are extremely concerned about the continued increase in theft levels in local shops,” ACS chief executive James Lowman said.

“Retailers tell us that the vast majority of incidents are committed by repeat offenders, usually well known in the area, that are stealing high value items like meat, coffee, alcohol and household/beauty products to then sell on, either as part of an organised crime group or to fund a substance addiction.

“Theft is not a victimless crime; it takes an enormous financial and personal toll on the retailers that are trying to run a business in their communities. Theft is also the biggest single tigger for abuse of colleagues and violent incidents in stores.”

Lowman added: “We need targeted action to stop the repeat offenders that are stealing on a regular basis without any concern about being apprehended by the police.”

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