What are cost burdens?

Cost burdens refer to the various expenses and financial obligations that individuals, businesses, or organisations face. These burdens can arise from different sources and impact different aspects of financial operations. Understanding and managing cost burdens is crucial for individuals and businesses to maintain financial stability and make informed decisions. 

Our position

  1. Business Rates: Engaging with stakeholders including the Low Pay Commission to address the challenges round business rates  

  1. Energy costs: Emphasising the need for companies to pass down the benefits of lower energy prices as wholesale gas prices decrease, ensuring fair treatment for retailers 

  1. Labour costs: Advocate for the implementation of a living wage and seek government intervention to reduce the employer's burden of national insurance liabilities 

  1. Rent: Highlighting a need for a revision of the landlord and tenant act to ensure greater security of tenure for tenants and the removal of upward-only rent reviews 

What you can do

Keep us informed by letting us know of any current issues, opinions or updates. Email membership@bira.co.uk. 

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Types of cost burdens

Businesses face a range of cost burdens that affect their profitability and overall financial health. These may include: 

  1. Operational Costs: Expenses related to day-to-day operations, such as rent, utilities, salaries and wages, raw materials, inventory, marketing and advertising, maintenance, and technology.
  2. Regulatory and Compliance Costs: Expenses associated with meeting legal and regulatory requirements, such as licences, permits, certifications, safety standards, and compliance with labour laws, environmental regulations, and tax obligations.
  3. Taxation: Taxes imposed on businesses, such as corporate income tax, value-added tax (VAT), payroll taxes, business rates, and customs duties.
  4. Insurance and Risk Management: Costs associated with insurance coverage to protect against potential risks, including property insurance, liability insurance, workers' compensation, and cybersecurity insurance.
  5. Financing Costs: Interest payments on loans, credit lines, or other forms of borrowing used to finance business operations or investments
  6. Capital Expenditures: Costs related to acquiring or upgrading physical assets, such as equipment, machinery, vehicles, or office space. 

Managing cost burdens

Effectively managing cost burdens involves careful financial planning, budgeting, and evaluating expenses to optimise financial resources.

By effectively managing cost burdens, individuals and businesses can enhance financial stability, improve profitability, and make informed decisions for sustainable growth.

Strategies to manage cost burdens may include: 

  1. Conducting regular cost assessments to identify areas of excessive or unnecessary expenditure. 
  2. Exploring cost-saving measures, such as negotiating contracts, seeking competitive bids, or adopting more efficient technologies. 
  3. Utilising tax planning strategies to optimise tax liabilities within legal frameworks. 
  4. Seeking opportunities for financial assistance, grants, or subsidies that may be available for specific sectors or industries. 
  5. Diversifying revenue streams to reduce reliance on a single source of income. 
  6. Monitoring and adapting to changes in regulations and policies that may impact cost burdens.

Additional information

The rising costs of operating a shop on the high street present significant challenges for retailers. Business rates, rents, energy costs, labour expenses, and the impact on inflation and profit margins are all areas of concern. 

Bira recognises these issues and is addressing them through separate discussions and lobbying efforts.

Business Rates

Bira acknowledges the significant impact of business rates on retailers and treats them as a distinct issue.

We are engaging with relevant stakeholders, such as the government and the Low Pay Commission, to address the challenges faced by smaller businesses. By advocating for reforms and seeking government support, Bira aims to alleviate the burden of business rates. 

Energy Costs

Bira also sees the importance of energy costs and their impact on retailers. They have been lobbying the government for support in this area and are in ongoing discussions with entities like Ofgem (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets) and the Department of Energy. Bira emphasises the need for companies to pass down the benefits of lower energy prices as wholesale gas prices decrease, ensuring fair treatment for retailers.

Labour Costs

Bira also acknowledges the challenges posed by labour costs, particularly in relation to the National Minimum Wage. They advocate for the implementation of a living wage and seek government intervention to reduce the employer's burden of national insurance liabilities. By addressing these concerns, Bira aims to support retailers in providing fair wages to their employees while managing their overall labour costs. 

Rent

Rent is a significant cost for retailers, and Bira recognises the need for a fair and balanced approach to rent reviews. We want to highlight the current practice of upward-only rent reviews, which can create an unfair burden on tenants. Bira advocates for a revision of the landlord and tenant act to ensure greater security of tenure for tenants and the removal of upward-only rent reviews. We also want to emphasise that rents should reflect market conditions rather than being solely dictated by landlord demands. 

Bira's lobbying efforts and engagement with relevant authorities aim to address the rising costs associated with running shops on the high street. By advocating for reforms, seeking government support, and pushing for fair practices in business rates, energy costs, labour expenses, and rent reviews, Bira strives to create a more supportive environment for smaller retailers and enhance their chances of success in the challenging retail landscape.