The government promised to ‘level the playing field between the high street and online giants'. Their current plans break this promise.

The industry makes up 5% of UK GDP, providing 3m direct jobs and 2.7m more in the supply chain.
Retail paid £33bn in tax in 2023 (7.4% of all business taxes) - 1.5x greater than the industry's share of the overall economy.
In 23/24, the retail sector paid 21% of UK business rates, this is higher than any other sector.
According to BRC estimates, recent government measures will create an estimated £7bn in new costs for retailers in 2025.
About the campaign

Rising costs and tax hikes are putting the future of UK retail at risk.

The Retail Jobs Alliance – an industry group comprising some of the highest profile retailers – warns that 300,000 jobs are at risk by 2028.

High street closures are accelerating, and the government’s proposed tax changes will only make things worse.

We’re calling for urgent reform of the business rates system to protect jobs, support bricks and mortar retail, and keep our high streets alive. Specifically, we urge the removal of shops from the £500,000 higher business rates multiplier which will impact over 4,000 physical stores across the country.

Together, we can secure the future of retail. Learn more and join our campaign today.

Learn More
What you need to know

The retail sector is under threat, with 300,000 jobs at risk by 2028.

Regions like the North East are hit hardest, while shops face an unfair tax burden, paying 21% of business rates. 165,000 retail workers have already left the sector since 2019, and new budget measures could make things worse.

Get The Facts

Explore retail trends in your area

Use our postcode tool to explore economic projections on how retail employment could change if current trends were to continue. These projections are based on official ONS data. Enter your postcode to get started.

Projections indicate that
0,000
workers could leave the retail sector in Constituency by 2028 before accounting for new costs on businesses if trends were to continue.
Your area is not projected to see workers leave the retail sector, but nationally current projections show 300,000 workers could leave the retail sector by 2028 before even accounting for the damaging impact of Government business rates proposals.
We don't have any data for your area, but nationally current projections show 300,000 workers could leave the retail sector by 2028 before even accounting for the damaging impact of Government business rates proposals.
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