11th November 2022
Scottish Government - National Strategy For Economic Transformation Delivery Plans published
Plans setting out how the National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) will be delivered in the coming years have been published.
The Delivery Plans prioritise partnership working and highlight where progress has been made since the Strategy was published. They bring forward actions to support people and businesses through the current cost crisis whilst also providing the foundations upon which to transform the Scottish economy over the next 10 years.
An equality impact assessment has been produced for each delivery plan. See the full list of associated documents
SGF host 2-minute survey on the Key Issues affecting the sector
Many businesses are struggling to cope with the mountain of issues affecting both convenience retail and the sector as a whole. SGF are running a short two-minute survey to assess the impact on our members. The issues we have highlighted in our survey include Cost of Living, Legislative Burden (DRS, HFSS, MUP etc.), Interest Rates, Inflation, Energy Prices, Supply Chain issues, Retail Crime and Uncertainty in government & business.
It would be very useful to gather information from a wide range of experiences. Please complete the short survey by clicking here: 2min Survey on Key Issues. The information gathered will help us convince and provide evidence to government ministers that more need to be done to support retailers.
Energy Bill Relief Scheme: discounts fixed, default & variable contracts
This resource provides the daily discount rates available for business and other non-domestic energy users who are on both fixed and default/variable contracts with their energy supplier. For more information, go to: Discounts for fixed and variable contracts
Payment Systems Regulator - final Terms of Reference
PSR have published the final Terms of Reference for both of market reviews into card fees – one on scheme and processing fees, and one on cross-border interchange fees. This work will focus on the fees charged by Visa and Mastercard, and will help make sure that both businesses and consumers are protected from excess fees.
Alongside those Terms of Reference, PSR have set out a timetable. They expect to publish their final report on cross-border interchange fees by the end of 2023, and the final report on scheme and processing fees in the first half of 2024.
If you have any questions, please contact the PSR team at cardfees@psr.org.uk
How HMRC assesses some sole traders & partnerships to change
The way HMRC assesses your profits if you’re a sole trader or a partnership that uses an accounting date between 6 April and 30 March is changing. This change will not affect companies. Your accounting date is the last day of the period that you prepare your accounts for. You choose your accounting date and will normally make your accounts up to that date every year.
If your accounting date is between 31 March and 5 April this change will not affect you. Find more details here.
Office for National Statistics Monthly Digest
For a roundup of the latest data and analysis on the UK economy, business and jobs, go to: UK Economy
Inflation is a measure of how prices of goods and services are changing in the UK, and it can have a big impact on household finances. Use the ONS inflation calculator to see how increases in the cost of living have affected you in the past year here.
Potential non-compliant Nicotine Vapour Products (electronic cigarettes) entering the market
Trading Standards has alerted the Scottish Government that certain sales representatives of Nicotine Vapour Products (NVP) suppliers have been visiting local retailers and supplying non-compliant products. Trading Standards and the Scottish Government are requesting that retailers immediately check their stock to ensure it meets the requirements of the TARP Regulations.
If you identify non-compliant electronic cigarettes, you must immediately remove them from sale and you should notify your local Trading Standards Service (TSS support/advice). If you have any questions about this notice, please can you contact your local Trading Standards Team to discuss further.
Reformul8 Challenge Fund applications open
The Reformul8 Challenge Fund launched by the Reformulation for Health programme is now open for applications.
Apply for up to £5000 to invest in existing product development, to boost the health profile of your produce. The funding can be spent on anything from nutritional analysis, new equipment or labelling, to external consultancy, should this be the best option for your business.
For more details and to apply, click here.
Online guidance on accessing support for Cost of Living
The Scottish Government has launched a new website hosting a range of information on support, grants, benefits and advice, in order to help people find the support they may be entitled to.
SGF members and colleagues may be eligible for a range of Cost of Living support, including in the following areas: Visit gov.scot/costoflivingsupport for more details.
Training Videos to Help Shop Workers – Your Safety First
For information on retail crime and keeping your staff and business safe, please see this useful series of videos from the Police Business Resilience Team at: Protect
Covid 19 guidance
The Find Business Support website has details of support and guidance for businesses affected by the pandemic. Some support incudes:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer businesses and workplaces - Guidance for businesses and workplaces on reducing the risk of COVID-19 and supporting staff and customers. Also you can access the COVID-19 Vaccine Workplace Materials via the Scottish Government Marketing Resource Centre.
The NHS Inform coronavirus webpage – to access he latest health advice and information.
SGF & RetailTRUST supporting your wellbeing
November
New Content Update
Quick-fire stress relief & financial wellbeing
With peak period ahead, it’s an extremely busy time for retailers Therefore, it’s important to check in with our mental wellbeing and take the time to switch-off.
This month’s content theme ‘Take a Breath’ focuses on quick-fire stress relievers.
From easy-to-do stress relief techniques, Ten ways to lower stress levels in 5 minutes, to great expert tips on self-care for busy people in the video, wellbeing 101: selfcare and stress relief for busy people, there’s lots of advice for in-the-moment support.
There is also a great feature on the latest trend - Mindlessness VS Mindfulness – and why you need both in your life.
Individuals are also encouraged to take a Happiness Test – a 5 minute assessment on how you are currently feeling and how you can be happier at work.
From 1832 onwards, the Retail Trust has been caring for and protecting the lives of people working in retail.
We believe the health of our colleagues provides them with the foundation to flourish in both work and life, creating a more sustainable and successful future for retail.
Retail Trust supports retail colleagues through all life events, offering emotional wellbeing resources, counselling, personal legal guidance including our free will writing service, financial guidance and debt support, our financial aid and critical incident support.
Our services are completely free of charge and 100% confidential, available for you and the people you live with. Our telephone helpline is available 24/7 and is here to support you. Register today and put ‘SGF’ as your employer to get started.
Where do you find the guidance?
Visit retailtrust.org.uk and register today, completely free of charge to gain access to our wellbeing hub with over 500 pieces of exclusive content.
Or
Call our telephone helpline on 0808 801 0808
SGF will keep members updated.