Scottish First Minister celebrates “vital” role of independent retailers across Scotland

The Scottish First Minister’s Office has written to the Fed’s National President in Scotland, Hussan Lal, backing the comments he made highlighting the work of the Fed and its members and also offering to “sincerely thank” them for the Political Engagement work.

Mr Lal had written to the First Minister, John Swinney MSP, ahead of the Scottish Trade Show of Fed on 29th January in Edinburgh, using it as an occasion to highlight the social and economic role small shops play in the communities they serve.

Mr Lal’s letter earlier in January had stated: “The independent convenience sector remains an important part of the retail landscape, providing a vast range of convenience products as well as new services, from payment, postal and parcel options…Nonetheless, as you will appreciate, this is a challenging time for the sector and our members due to retail crime and high costs.”

The response from Mr Swinney stated: “The Scottish Government fully supports the points you make in your letter regarding the importance of the sector. Convenience stores, and the broader retail sector in Scotland, provide vital local accessible services and flexible employment opportunities. They contribute greatly to their communities, towns,villages and neighbourhoods across Scotland.”

The letter continued: “As the largest private sector employer in Scotland, it is important to always recognise the vital part the retail sector plays for the people of Scotland and our wider economy. The Scottish Government also remains conscious the challenges and difficult trading conditions facing the sector due to factors such as the cost crisis, the shift in online shopping and falling footfall.”

The Fed has recently been in correspondence with the SNP Government in Edinburgh around the Budget earlier in January and has further plans to engage with the SNP Government and all major parties in Scotland ahead of the Holyrood election on Thursday May 7th.

For more information about the Fed’s Political Engagement work in Scotland, please get in touch by email at douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk