Retail CEOs: “Time to level the playing field”

Over 70 leading retail CEOs have written to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP, stating that “now is the time to level the playing field between industries”. In an open letter coordinated by the British Retail Consortium, CEOs have called on Government to introduce a Retail Rates Corrector as part of their commitment to reforming the business rates system.

The Retail Rates Corrector – a 20% downward adjustment in business rates paid on retail properties – aims to redress the imbalance that sees the retail industry pay 7.4% of all business taxes (£33bn), a share 1.5 times greater than its share of the overall economy (5% GDP). This tax burden holds back investment in people and places – directly affecting the 3 million people employed by the industry, and the 2.7m additional people employed within the supply chain.

It also matters for the tens of millions of shoppers all over the country and the communities they live in. The UK has been losing shops at a rate of over 1,000 a year, and research suggests that without action a further 17,000 shops could close over the next decade. The Retail Rates Corrector aims not only to stem this tide of shop closures, but to unlock new investment in jobs, shops and communities.

What is clear is that our high streets and town centres are paying far more than their fair share of tax. Retail and Hospitality pay the highest proportions of their pre-tax profits in taxes compared to any of the other main business sectors. Of retail’s £33bn total tax bill, one fifth is made up of business rates – the highest of all business sectors.

Taxes borne by business as a % of profits: sectoral breakdown in 2023

This is why 71 CEOs, covering groceries, fashion, furniture, electronics and more, have come together to write to the Chancellor. The letters notes: “We believe now is the time to level the playing field between industries with a retail adjustment to rates as this is the best way to achieve this manifesto commitment. We are writing to ask you to use the Autumn Budget to apply a Retail Rates Corrector, a 20% reduction to rates bills for retail properties of all sizes in all locations”.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Retail has been the golden goose, generating tax revenues far beyond the industry’s size, but the current situation is not sustainable. The government should act to rebalance the system and ensure all industries are paying their fair share. This in turn would drive increased retail investment in people, places and communities. The Budget is the perfect opportunity to lay the groundwork for local investment that delivers for retail’s customers, delivers for its employees, and delivers for the economy.”