Sarwar praises local lifeline stores and calls for fresh leadership on the economy

Ahead of his keynote address to delegates at the Scottish Grocers’ Federation Annual Conference this week, Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP has commended the invaluable service that convenience stores provide for their communities while highlighting the benefits they bring to local economies across Scotland.

The conference, due to take place in Glasgow this Wednesday (2nd Oct), will focus on building a bright future for the sector and ‘The Evolution of Convenience Retail’. However, many local retailers and small businesses are facing a range of challenges, both from the struggling economy and from government policy.

Retail Crime continues to be the top issue impacting shops and staff. With 13,857 cases of abuse and violence toward shop workers reported in the past four years, and the average cost of shop theft for convenience stores soaring to approximately £12,000 per year.

Meanwhile, new restrictions across a range of product areas, and ongoing uncertainty around the cost-of-living crisis, high energy prices and high food inflation, threaten to pull the rug out from under both local stores and the lifeline services they provide.

Mr Sarwar said: “Convenience stores play a vital lifeline role in the communities that they serve.

“Across Scotland, retail workers in convenience stores go above and beyond every day to look after people in the community.

“That’s why I am proud that Scottish Labour lead the way in tackling the scourge of violence against retail workers.

“It is simply wrong that Scotland’s grocery businesses face so much uncertainty due to the harsh economic climate and the complete lack of economic leadership from the Scottish Government.

“Scottish Labour will always stand shoulder to shoulder with retail workers and work with small businesses to deliver the change we need.”

SGF Chief Exec, Dr Pete Cheema OBE, added: “We are delighted that Anas Sarwar is coming along to our conference and has agreed to provide both the keynote address and a Q&A for members.

“Convenience stores are at the very heart of many communities, they are crucial to the Scottish Economy, and the SGF conference is the flagship annual event for the sector. So, it’s hugely encouraging that Mr Sarwar and Scottish Labour have made attending a priority.

“It’s a time of great change for retail. Some good, but there are also many challenges for the sector and small business in general. The agenda for this year’s conference shows that our members are doing their best to innovate and build for the future. That is why we need government to re-focus on supporting retail businesses and helping to build that prosperous future.”

There are over 5,000 convenience stores in Scotland, employing over 49,000 people. In addition, convenience shops are well known to be economic multipliers, providing key services such as Post Office, ATM and bill payment facilities. The UK wide sector generate over £47.1bn in sales and contributes around £10.6bn in GVA and £9.1bn in taxes.