Autumn Statement adds to mounting pressure on retailers

The measures announced in the Autumn Statement should provide a small boost to consumers’ incomes next year relative to the July Budget. But at just 0.2% of nominal income, it is unlikely to be transformative. And the big picture is still that the fiscal squeeze will hit incomes in 2016. Meanwhile, there were few positives for retailers, with the apprenticeship levy adding to mounting pressures from rapid rises in wages and the introduction of the National Living Wage next year.