UK cannot teeter on brink of Brexit indefinitely, says BRC

As the EU officially confirmed today that Britain's exit from the EU had been delayed for a further three months to avoid a no-deal crash out, the British Retail Consortium has once again called for Parliament to resolve the issue once and for all.

At the time of writing MPs were poised to vote through a General Election on 12 December as Prime Minister Boris Johnson seeks to break the Brexit impasse. 

While a no-deal Brexit in the lead up to Black Friday and Christmas was the least desirable option for retailers. A general election in the lead up to Christmas and further uncertainty through January is also likely to lead to subdued spending during what is supposed to be the most buoyant quarter of the retail year.

British Retail Consortium CEO Helen Dickinson said: "For the third time, the UK has required an extension to avoid a chaotic no deal Brexit. While we have been clear that a no deal Brexit would be disruptive for both consumers and retailers, each repeating cycle of parliamentary impasse and extension is costing retailers hundreds of millions that would be better spent improving customer experience and reducing prices.

"The UK cannot teeter on the edge of Brexit indefinitely. Brexit uncertainty continues to take its toll on retail businesses and the three millions retail jobs that exist today. This extension does not offer time for complacency and it is essential that Parliament commits to resolving Brexit once and for all,” she added.