BIRA warns of rising retailer costs

Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s chief executive, has warned that increased costs in almost all areas of businesses could pile pressure on hard-pressed independents.

In a radio interview with LBC Goodacre said: “Smaller retailers are not the largest energy users, but this is a cumulative effect on their business having seen costs increase due to Covid, debt, Brexit, cost of shipping, delays in stock and  supplier price increases.

“We hope independent retailers will have a great festive period as it is the most important one ever.

“Despite all these current pressures, business rates are still the single biggest cost to retail and there are great concerns about rates returning at the full level in 2022.”

Bira has been lobbying for the Chancellor to reduced business rates in his forthcoming Autumn Statement.