Retailers

Research shows cost of crime for each affected business was on average £83,000 in past yearNine in 10 retailers based in rural locations have been victims of crime in the past 12 months, according to research, underlining the widespread impact of the rise in shoplifting and theft even in more remote parts of the UK.Rural retailers include farm shops as well as stores selling machinery and other equipment. The financial cost of crime for each affected retailer was on average £83,000 during the past year, according to a survey carried out by the commercial insurer NFU Mutual. Meanwhile, one in 20 victims said crime had cost them more than half a million pounds. Continue reading...

• Singapore retailers are shifting away from traditional points-based loyalty systems toward real-time loyalty models that offer immediate rewards and personalized customer engagement. • The transition reflects changing consumer preferences for instant gratification and data-driven personalization, with retailers leveraging AI and mobile technology to enhance real-time interactions. • Industry analysts view this shift as critical for retail competitiveness in Southeast Asia, where digital adoption rates among consumers continue to accelerate.

Experts report more young people with conditions such as bunions after wearing shoes that are too small or narrowParents should care for their children’s feet in the same way as their eyes and teeth, according to footwear specialists who say they are seeing more young people with painful conditions such as bunions.Bunions are bony lumps on the side of the foot. People can be genetically pre-disposed but ill-fitting shoes are seen as an aggravating factor. Continue reading...

More than half of roles could be hit and young shop workers in particular could lose out, trade body warnsMore than half of retail jobs could be affected by reform to guaranteed working hours, making it harder for shops to employ people – particularly young workers – in part-time roles, the industry’s lobby group has warned.From April, the Employment Rights Act will introduce new protections for workers on sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition. Continue reading...

Trade body attends meeting with Rachel Reeves, hours after saying it was pulling out over suggestions of price gouging• Watchdog puts UK fuel retailers ‘on notice’ over profiteering from Iran warThe trade body for the UK’s petrol station industry has got into a row with the government after claiming the “inflammatory language” used by ministers to describe rising pump prices may have incited abuse against forecourt staff.The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) said ministers had for several days suggested that forecourts might be “price gouging” and “ripping off” motorists as global oil markets have surged in response to the war in Iran. Continue reading...