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Small Business Strategy Inquiry 2025 - ACT and Bira call for members to share their voice

20 Jun 2025

The House of Commons Business and Trade Committee has asked the ACT, and its parent company Bira, to help them reach out to small business retailers across the country, for their quick input on... Read more…

Beyond the discount: Restoring integrity to the cycle supply chain

18 Jun 2025

The Association of Cycle Traders believes the time has come for greater accountability throughout our supply chain, writes ACT Director Jonathan Harrison in an article published for BikeBiz.
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Bira welcomes Wales' business rates proposals but calls for key improvements

11 Jun 2025

Bira has welcomed the Welsh Government's consultation on business rate reforms for retail shops, whilst calling for significant improvements to ensure the proposals truly support high street... Read more…

New awards launch to champion Britain's independent high street heroes

9 Jun 2025

Retailers on Britain's high streets are being encouraged to put themselves forward for the first-ever Love Your High Street Awards, designed to celebrate the small businesses that bring... Read more…

"Tectonic shift" in employment law threatens independent retailer viability, warns Bira podcast

6 Jun 2025

Independent retailers are facing a "generational" transformation of employment law that could fundamentally change how small businesses operate, according to the final episode of Bira's first... Read more…

Retailers hope warm weather and bank holidays will boost high street sales

16 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has said that members are hopeful the warm weather, Easter weekend and upcoming bank holidays will provide a much-needed boost to high street sales.
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Economic growth surges to 0.7%, but "April reality check" looms for high street retailers

15 May 2025

UK economy delivers strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts of business downturn.
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Communities come together for Local Bike Shop Day 2025 celebrations

13 May 2025

Local Bike Shop Day 2025 brought a wave of... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira welcomes Bank of England's latest interest rate cut

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has welcomed the Bank of England's decision to reduce interest rates from 4.5% to 4.25%, calling it a "much-needed boost" for the retail sector, including for cycling... Read more…

ACT parent company Bira responds to Beales' "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" as iconic store makes final protest

8 May 2025

ACT parent company Bira has responded to the news that the 144-year-old Beales department store is staging a "Rachel Reeves Closing Down Sale" in its final weeks of trading, with giant yellow... Read more…

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Bira calls for level playing field as Amazon UK Services pays zero corporation tax again

Posted on in Business News

Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, has expressed its concern and frustration after it was revealed that Amazon UK Services had, for the second consecutive year, paid zero corporation tax in the UK.

Amazon page

This news has once again raised questions about the fairness of the tax system and the advantage it provides to large international corporations compared to small independent retailers.

Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said:

“It is disheartening to see yet another large international company, making millions of pounds in revenue, avoiding paying tax in the UK. These companies have access to tax experts and can exploit significant tax credits, which places them in a distinct advantage over the small independent retail sector. This glaring example further strengthens Bira’s resolve to advocate for a fairer tax system, ensuring that the tax burden for UK PLC is distributed more equitably among these large corporations.”

The revelation that Amazon UK Services has avoided paying corporation tax for two consecutive years highlights a growing concern among small independent retailers who face the challenges of high taxes and increasing competition from online giants.

Bira believes that a level playing field is essential for the survival and growth of independent retailers, who contribute significantly to the local economy and provide unique products and services to communities across the UK.

Bira continues to lobby for reforms that address the disparity between the tax obligations of large corporations and those of small independent businesses. The association aims to ensure that the tax system fosters fairness and supports the growth of the UK retail sector as a whole.

“We call on the government to review and reform the tax regulations to create a more balanced playing field for all businesses. It is imperative that we address the issue of tax avoidance by large corporations and strive for a system that encourages fair competition and supports the growth of independent retailers,” added Mr Goodacre.

Bira remains committed to representing the interests of independent retailers across the country and will continue to advocate for changes that promote fairness, sustainability, and a thriving retail landscape.

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