BRC chief says 2017 will be "tough" for retailers

British Retail Consortium CEO Helen Dickinson OBE has predicted 2017 will be "tough" for retailers with increasing costs, low growth and the need to invest in digital channels.

In a video statement released today, Dickinson said: "We have a triple whammy. Cost pressures - input inflation coming through, unreformed business rates and another year of an increase in the national living wage, apprenticeship levies - and all of these at the same time as a market that is not growing very quickly and retailers needing to invest in digital to respond to the changing way that people shop."

Dickinson added that the BRC's campaign priorities to help its members during 2017 were "a fair Brexit for consumers - 'no new tarrifs' is the mantra", a reform of business rates and looking forward to 'Retail 2020' and building better jobs in the sector.

Of Christmas 2016 trading, which got off to a slow start in November, Dickinson said she expected "probably a marginal increase in pound terms over 2015".

The BRC represents 90 retail and 80 associate members accounting for 70% of the industry by turnover.

View the full statement above.