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King’s speech includes proposed bills to reform retail industry

22 Jul 2024

The King’s Speech in Parliament last week, which outlined 40 draft laws that the government is aiming to pass in the coming parliamentary session, included some that will directly affect... Read more…

Convenience Stores Top List of Services that Promote Local Growth

22 Jul 2024

The nation’s local convenience stores are the number one service for promoting local growth, according to new findings.
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Business rate reform called for as industry reacts to landslide Labour election win

9 Jul 2024

Following Labour’s general election win, the retail industry has stressed the need for a business rates overhaul to protect high streets across the country.
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Bira calls on new Labour government to prioritise independent retail sector

9 Jul 2024

Following Labour’s landslide Election victory, Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, has urged the new government to make good on its promise of change by prioritising the... Read more…

Much loved toyshop saved by owner's daughter

9 Jul 2024

A much-loved toy shop in Aberystwyth that was facing closure has been saved after the former shopkeeper's daughter decided to take over the reins.
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Inverness-based retailer wins coveted Drapers Award for Best Independent Footwear Retailer

9 Jul 2024

A family-owner retailer in Inverness, Begg Shoes, has been named Best Independent Footwear Retailer at the 2024 Drapers Footwear Awards, held annually to celebrate the outstanding achievements... Read more…

'Pay-as-you-feel' barber wins hairdressing award

9 Jul 2024

A man who offers "pay-as-you-feel" haircuts has been named the UK's best barber.
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The Times publishes its list of the seven best shopping streets in the UK

24 Jun 2024

The Times has just published its list of the seven best shopping streets in the UK.
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Indie retail village wins Hospitality Hero Velvet Award for 2024

24 Jun 2024

An independent retail village in Ely that celebrates its one-year anniversary this month has won the Hospitality Hero Velvet Award for 2024.
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Bike shop owner slams police’s “abject apathy” after three shops broken into in one night

24 Jun 2024

A cycle shop owner has criticised the police’s “abject apathy” towards bike theft after thieves attempted to break into his store for the second time in a year, on the same... Read more…

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More people leaving shops without paying amid cost-of-living crisis

Posted on in Business News, Cycles News

This covers the type of theft where on the spot payment is expected. It can include leaving a restaurant without paying the bill, putting fuel into a car and driving away, jumping out of a taxi without paying, or failing to scan items in a shopping basket through a self-service till.

It could also involve using a credit card to buy goods without the authority to use that card, depending on whether the card company honours the payment. The increase in this type of offending is partly due to shops reopening after the pandemic - but it also comes as costs are rising at an unprecedented rate.

These rising figures coupled with the cost-of-living crisis have raised fears that many may turn to this type of offending through desperation. Andrew Goodacre, CEO of the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), says:

“It is disappointing to see the increases in making off without payment.

"This type of event is damaging to retailers whose margins are already being eroded due to the rising costs of running a business. The increase may reflect shops being open as usual, but I believe there may also be other factors starting to influence this.

"The cost-of-living crisis will invariably influence consumer behaviours and desperate people will do desperate things."
In almost eight out of 10 completed making off without payment investigations last year (78%) no suspect was identified, while only one in 100 cases (1%) resulted in someone being charged or summonsed to appear before a court.

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