Dalton Philips, chief executive of Morrisons, has added his voice to the growing number of high profile retailers urging the government to introduce an online sales tax in order to strike a balance between internet and bricks and mortar retailers.
In an interview with The Telegraph, Philips argues that there is no logic to the current tax system which currently sees a rise of rates for bricks and mortar retailers, mainly from property rents, whereas online retailers are exempt.
He said: “As a country, we need to look at how we’re going to tax retailers in general wherever they operate, because we’ve all got to contribute to society, but one can’t be disadvantaged over the other.
“I’m not into intervention for intervention’s sake but you’ve got to have a level playing field. As more and more sales migrate online, it seems to me intuitive that you would tax the online channels as well. It’s an issue we’re going to have to face.”
