Scottish Retail Manifesto warns politicians not to hamper the recovery
The Scottish Government is being urged to limit regulation for retailers and ensure a level playing field for all retail businesses.
The manifesto is part of a plan of action designed to allow the sector to make the best possible contribution to economic growth.
“Creating Conditions for Growth: Manifesto for Retail 2011”, will be launched tonight (Wednesday) by the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) at its Annual Parliamentary Reception. It calls on Ministers to sign up to a retail policy framework which will support the sector in driving the country’s recovery, and aims to inform those running for election in May.
The need for such a framework has been highlighted by the Scottish Government’s counter-productive decision to impose additional business rates on large retailers, which will penalise company expansion and limit job creation. A consortium of organisations, including the SRC, is committed to over-turning the move.
Nearly 250,000 people are employed in the retail sector in Scotland, one in nine of the workforce. Retail sales in 2009 amounted to £25 billion.
The SRC is spelling out a set of principles.
Those principles include:-
– avoid increases in the overall burden of regulation
– ensure business rates remain equitable and affordable for all
– support the development of the technology infrastructure and the roll out of broadband in order to encourage the growth of e-commerce
– champion the importance of the Scottish retail sector in creating employment opportunities
– work with the sector to support locally sourced Scottish products for the Scottish market and beyond
Scottish Retail Consortium Director, Fiona Moriarty, said: “The numbers speak for themselves. Retail is the engine room of economic recovery and, given the right support, will help Scotland work through the difficult times ahead and build a secure and successful future.
“Retail is not a sector that looks for subsidies. It is naturally entrepreneurial. Even in these challenging times it is creating jobs and investing in growth.
“We are now in a crucial period where policy-makers can do a lot to help or hinder the private sector’s ability to lead the recovery. We simply ask that the Scottish Government removes unnecessary obstacles and lets the competitive world of retail continue to offer great value to customers while creating jobs and boosting regeneration.
“Retailers need to see their commitment to Scotland reciprocated in a Government commitment to retail.”
