Dalton Philips calls for online sales tax
The chief executive of the Morrisons supermarket chain is urging the government to introduce an online sales tax to level the playing field between internet and bricks and mortar retailers.
In an interview with the Telegraph, Dalton Philips said the existing tax imbalance was “illogical” and was damaging town centres.
Philips 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 others.
“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.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!He added that he would be happy to pay an online sales tax on Morrisons’ new online grocery business which the supermarket is working to launch with Ocado by January 2014.
Other retailers who have voiced their concerns about a lack of sales tax for online retailers include Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King and Topshop founder Sir Philip Green.
