Evening Standard 28/04/21 Electricals retailer Dixons Carphone has decided to close its airport stores business, just months after a scheme allowing VAT-free shopping for overseas tourists was scrapped. The stores will be the first major casualty of the post-Brexit “tourist tax”, which was bitterly fought by retailers, hospitality and other tourism-dependent businesses. Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of … Read More
Zut alors: Why London could lose £1.1 billion in fashion sales to Paris
The Telegraph29/01/21 “These people – who mostly come from China and the Middle East – have contributed a huge amount to the British economy but will simply make the choice not to shop in the UK because it is less advantageous to them,” says Paul Barnes, the CEO of Association of International Retail. “We are now the only country in … Read More
Fortnum & Mason boss hits out over tourist tax that could cost businesses at least £2bn
Daily Mail26/12/20 “Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, said long-distance tourists who travel from places such as China – which puts £1billion into shop tills – may instead skip Britain and head to Paris where the loophole remains. He said: “Non-EU visitors spend around £18billion a year in the UK. Only £3billion is on shopping, which … Read More
Move to end VAT-free shopping for tourists ‘needs more scrutiny’
Telegraph04/12/20 Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, said: “There is every chance that the £400m, they think they will be making will be more than wiped out … the moment you take away tax free shopping they will go to France or Germany.” Read the full article here.
What is the tourist VAT tax and why is Duty Free allowance being cut?
Evening Standard03/12/20 Estimates by business bodies such as the Association of International Retail suggest that more than one million high spending tourists will be deterred from visiting Britain, or at the very least, reduce the number and duration of their visits. Read the full article here.
40,000 jobs are under threat if duty-free shopping is scrapped, retail organisation warns Rishi Sunak
Daily Mail, This is Money21/11/20 Last night, Paul Barnes, chief executive of AIR, said: “I would urge the Chancellor to look again at the numbers. It is not just the high street that he is putting at risk, but also people’s livelihoods”. Read the full article here.
Heathrow Airport to launch legal review over VAT-free shopping ban
Yahoo News02/11/20 The Association of International Retail (AIR) urged the chancellor to “look again at this devastating decision”. Read the full article here.
End of duty-free shopping for tourists may mean big job losses
Telegraph30/09/20 Paul Barnes, chief executive of the Association of International Retail, criticised the decision to scrap tax-free shopping. “Making the UK the only European country not to offer [it] to international visitors sends totally the wrong message to the world. And it needlessly damages the UK’s retail, tourism and manufacturing industries, already struggling to survive Covid-19,” Read the full article … Read More
VAT change ‘will cost Edinburgh £90m’ and could affect 1800 jobs
The National22/09/20 Paul Barnes: “The Government’s decision to eradicate tax free shopping in the UK will impact Britain’s reputation and appeal as a global shopping destination, providing further damage to our struggling economy. Outside of London, Edinburgh is a key tourist attraction for visitors, proven in the growing number of international flights to Edinburgh airport. The removal of tax free … Read More