MARKET TALK: UK VAT Rise Expected; To Burden Retailers - PWC

1248 GMT [Dow Jones] The rise in value-added-tax to 20% from 17.5% from Jan. 4 next year was expected and will burden retailers, Pricewaterhouse Coopers analyst Mike Bailey says. Says the rise to 20% was well-forecasted before the announcement Tuesday. Says retailers will face a burden although the notice period will soften the blow. Says the question for retailers is whether to pass on the extra charges to consumers. Says the rise will affect high-street retailers like Marks & Spencer (MKS.LN) and Next (NXT.LN) as well as non-food supermarkets like Tesco (TSCO.LN) and J Sainsbury (SBRY.LN). Still, shares in the major retailers are higher given there will be no VAT on food or children's clothes. M&S +1.6% at 348p, Next +1.4% at 2173p, Tesco +1% at 391p, Sainsbury +0.2% at 330p. (simon.zekaria@dowjones.com) Contact us in London. +44-20-7842-9464 Markettalk.eu@dowjones.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 22, 2010 08:48 ET (12:48 GMT)