Selfridges calls for longer Sunday trading hours: 1994 law faces new test

Sunday trading hours

Selfridges Group chief executive Andre Maeder and Paul Smith chairman Ewan Venters have called for Sunday trading hours in England and Wales to be extended by two to three hours. The 1994 law has seen off three reform attempts, and independent shops and the union Usdaw are already lined up against a fourth.

Mayors get tourist tax powers: independent shops demand a high street share

England tourist tax

The government has confirmed that English mayors can charge a percentage-based Overnight Visitor Levy on hotel and short-let stays, with no statutory cap and first charges expected by 2029. Independent retailers’ body Bira warns the money must be spent on the high streets that serve visitors or the levy will drain local spending.

CBP launches Entry Type 13 on September 22: mail imports need a broker

Entry Type 13 international mail customs entry

US Customs and Border Protection switches on Entry Type 13, its first electronic entry type for international mail, in ACE production on September 22, 2026. A second deadline on October 22 pushes free trade agreement claims, Chapter 98 and 99 goods and partner-agency merchandise out of the simplified postal process entirely.