The Newshound

Selfridges boss urges Andy Burnham to restore tax-free shopping for tourists as chain swings back to profit

From the Newshound archive · first published 29 September 2026 · last updated 30 September 2026.

Selfridges department store on Oxford Street, London. The luxury retailer posted a pre-tax profit of £13 million for the 52 weeks to January 2026, reversing a £15.9 million loss the previous year.
Selfridges department store on Oxford Street, London. The luxury retailer posted a pre-tax profit of £13 million for the 52 weeks to January 2026, reversing a £15.9 million loss the previous year.

André Maeder, chief executive of Selfridges Group, has publicly challenged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reinstate VAT-free shopping for international visitors, warning that the 2021 abolition made an already tough retail climate harder. Selfridges posted a pre-tax profit of £13 million for the year to January 2026, reversing a £15.9 million loss the previous year. Revenue rose seven per cent to £830.8 million, while operating profit leapt 88 per cent to £79.7 million.

The VAT Retail Export Scheme was scrapped by then-Chancellor Rishi Sunak in 2021 for non-EU visitors and never extended to EU tourists either.

Luxury brands including Burberry and Mulberry are also pressing Burnham to restore the policy, while the Conservatives have already pledged to bring it back if they return to government.

Maeder said Burnham restoring tax-free shopping would boost 'high streets and unlock growth across the whole of the UK.'

MoreDaily MailSelfridges boss calls on Burnham to restore tax-free shopping for tourists as group returns to profitCity A.M.Revive VAT-free shopping to boost high streets, Selfridges urges Burnhamdrapersonline.comSelfridges profits surge despite ‘difficult retail and macroeconomic environment’ - drapersonline.comWWDSelfridges Swings to Profit in Fiscal 2025 as Sales Climb, Maeder’s Strategy Takes Hold - WWDArbiterzSelfridges Calls on Andy Burnham to Restore VAT-Free Shopping for Tourists - ArbiterzTheIndustry.beautySelfridges profit lifts as it renews calls for tax-free shopping return - TheIndustry.beautyRetail GazetteSelfridges swings back to profit as it renews tax-free shopping call - Retail Gazette
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