Today’s news in brief-7/4/25
US President Donald Trump has defended his newly announced tariffs, describing them as necessary “medicine” to address trade imbalances. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump warned that governments would need to pay “a lot of money” to lift the sweeping tariffs, which include a baseline 10% levy on imports from countries like the UK and up to 45% on goods from Vietnam. The move has sparked market turmoil, with major indices in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong plunging, while London’s FTSE 100 dropped nearly 5%.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is reconsidering rules that restrict major supermarkets from opposing rival stores opening nearby, following complaints that Aldi and Lidl are exempt from the regulations. The current order, introduced in 2010 to promote competition, applies only to Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Waitrose, M&S, and Co-op. Since then, Aldi and Lidl have grown significantly, now holding nearly 20% of the grocery market. Supermarket bosses argue that the German discounters are now using similar restrictive clauses to block competitors, creating an uneven playing field.
Co-op has reopened three refurbished stores in Devon and Herefordshire, featuring upgraded refrigeration, expanded fresh and healthy food ranges, and additional services like parcel collection and Paypoint facilities. The refurbishments are part of a broader plan to revamp around 80 stores this year, enhancing convenience for local communities.
Retailers are facing a sharp rise in employment costs, with entry-level job expenses increasing by over 10% due to higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) and the National Living Wage hike. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) warns that part-time roles have become 13% more expensive, putting 160,000 retail jobs at risk over the next three years. The changes, combined with upcoming packaging taxes, are expected to add £7bn in annual costs to the industry.
Dreams has appointed Sarah Morgan as general manager of its luxury brand Feather and Black, as part of plans to expand the premium furniture line. Morgan, who brings extensive retail experience from Pep&Co and Tesco, will focus on enhancing the in-store experience and broadening the brand’s offerings. Feather and Black is increasing its physical presence with new “shop-in-shop” spaces within Dreams stores, including a recently opened location in Altrincham and another set to launch in Bracknell.
Lidl is trialling a new Click, Reserve and Collect service for its popular Middle of Lidl deals, allowing customers to secure items like the Parkside Robot Lawnmower before they hit shelves. The trial, available via the Lidl Plus app, builds on the success of the digital platform, which boasts over 100 million users globally. Shoppers can reserve products up to two weeks in advance and choose a preferred store for collection.