Retail & Consumer Goods

Run a compliant retail business

Every retail business — from a market stall to an online store — shares the same compliance spine: consumer rights, accurate pricing, fair trading, data protection, equality, employers' liability insurance, fire and workplace safety, business rates and the waste duty of care. Put these in place first, then add the rules for what you sell.

UK-wide
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UK-wide

Related guides in Health & Safety

This guide covers the duties every retailer shares, whatever you sell. Most are enforced by your local Trading Standards service, with the CMA, the ICO, the fire and rescue authority and the local council behind them. Get these foundations right first — the specialist rules for alcohol, tobacco, fuel, medicines, firearms and online selling sit on top.

Sell goods that match what the law promises

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 is the foundation of retail law. Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described — and your returns policy cannot reduce consumers' statutory rights.

Trade fairly

Since 6 April 2025 the unfair commercial practices regime sits in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, and the CMA can fine businesses directly — up to 10% of worldwide turnover — without going to court.

Display accurate prices

Every price shown to consumers must be accurate and include VAT. Reformed unit-pricing rules under the Price Marking (Amendment) Order 2024 apply from 6 April 2026.

Weigh and measure accurately

Protect customer and staff data

Customer records, CCTV, loyalty schemes and online accounts all mean you are processing personal data — register with the ICO and pay the data protection fee unless exempt.

Serve every customer fairly

Insure, and keep your premises and people safe

If you employ anyone you almost certainly need employers' liability insurance, and as the responsible person for your premises you must carry out and maintain a fire risk assessment. Retail work also brings its own safety risks — lone working, manual handling in stockrooms, violence towards staff.

Pay business rates and deal with waste properly

Business rates are payable on retail premises — from 1 April 2026 qualifying retail properties in England pay permanently lower retail, hospitality and leisure multipliers. Commercial waste must be stored, transferred and disposed of under the waste duty of care, and workplaces in England with 10 or more full-time-equivalent employees must separate recycling under Simpler Recycling.

Where these rules apply

Consumer rights and fair trading duties apply UK-wide; the Price Marking Order 2004 and the Weights and Measures Act 1985 cover Great Britain, with equivalent Northern Ireland legislation. Fire safety is devolved — the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 covers England and Wales, with parallel regimes under the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire and Rescue Services (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. Waste rules are enforced by the Environment Agency in England, with SEPA, Natural Resources Wales and the relevant Northern Ireland authorities elsewhere. Business rates operate separately in each nation; the Equality Act 2010 covers Great Britain, with equivalent Northern Ireland law.