14th October 2022

Written By Chris Terry

Scottish Grocers’ Federation launch annual Scottish Local Shop Report 2022

  • The SGF has published its annual spotlight on the retail market in Scotland, providing the most comprehensive overview available on one of the countries key sectors. The Scottish Local Shop Report 2022 breaks down the substantial contribution of the convenience retail sector to the Scottish Economy and highlights the lifeline services many local shops provide for their communities across Scotland.

  • The latest figures show an increase in the number of convenience stores over the past year, up 61, to 5098 in 2022. Accounting for a total of 49,000 jobs across Scotland - signalling a rise of 16.7% over the same period. Meanwhile, shop owners are working hard to maintain and grow their businesses, with 11% working more than 70 hours each week, 28% taking no holidays throughout the year, and £65 million invested in local stores since 2021.

  • View and download the full report here.

 

Sold-Out SGF Annual Conference shows the retail convenience sector is engaged like never before  

  • Hundreds of SGF members and stakeholders joined suppliers, producers, exhibitors, and elected politicians at the Crown Plaza last week (6th&7th Oct) for our annual conference 2022. SGF wants to thank its members and all those who participated in the event, in particular the sponsors, contributors and exhibitors who supported the occasion, as well as the wonderful hotel conference team.

  • The event hosted industry experts across both days covering issues such as what lies ahead for the convenience sector, the outlook for tobacco and nicotine in Scotland, and how data and technology can help develop businesses in the sector. Delegates also benefited from the highly regarded business breakout sessions and had the opportunity to take advantage of the excellent trade exhibition.

  • A conference first, the event also had both UK and Scottish Government Ministerial representation with Lord Offord of Garvald, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office addressing delegates on day one and Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth at the Scottish Government providing the keynote address on day two.

 

Kantar report UK grocery price inflation up again as shoppers seek alternatives to cut costs

  • Take-home grocery sales rose by 4.8% in the 12 weeks to 2nd October 2022, while grocery price inflation has hit another new peak, according to the latest UK figures by research firm Kantar. Grocery inflation now stands at 13.9%, a record high since 2008. The average UK household is facing a £643 jump in their annual grocery bill to £5,265 if shoppers continue to buy the same items.

  • Read the full Kantar press release here.

 

Department for Business update Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS)

  • The eligibility for EBRS for businesses on a fixed rate contract has now been extended, changing the start date from 1st April 2022 to 1st December 2021. The support will be automatically applied to all eligible bills. Customers do not need to take action or apply to the scheme.

  • The Department for Business (BEIS) has also introduced a floor price for the scheme, which will help to ensure a consistent level of support, as well as helping to avoid unintended consequences in some circumstances, such as a customer’s retail unit prices turning negative after a discount is applied.

  • For more details, visit the BEIS guidance page, here.

 

Paypoint update retailers on the Energy Bill Relief Scheme voucher system

  • The Energy Bills Support Scheme has now launched, with the first of the vouchers being issued by energy suppliers to customers who do not pay by direct debit. The scheme will run for six months.

  • The vast majority of these vouchers will be processed via Paypoint’s network of retailer partners and there has been a programme of regular communications in progress.

 

Official Guidance for retailers on Fireworks & Bonfire Night

  • The Scottish Government has provided the guidance document and a printable A5 leaflet & A4 poster in advance of this year’s Bonfire Night.

  • These materials are intended to help make customers aware of how and when to use fireworks safely. Importantly, this year will see a change in the law regarding the legal purchasing of fireworks. It is now illegal to buy (proxy purchase), or give fireworks to anyone under the age of 18. This is in addition to last year’s changes making it illegal to set fireworks off before 6pm.

 

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.

 

Thousands of UK businesses are to be released from reporting requirements

  • Thousands of UK businesses will be released from reporting requirements and other regulations in the future, as part of UK Govt plans to improve economic growth. 

  • Currently, small businesses are presumed to be exempt from certain regulations. However, according to the UK Govt, many medium sized businesses – those with between 50 and 249 employees - still report that they are spending over 22 staff days per month on average dealing with regulation, and over half of all businesses consider regulation to be a burden to their operation.

  • The Prime Minister has announced plans to widen these exemptions to businesses with fewer than 500 employees for future and reviewed regulations, meaning an additional 40,000 businesses will be freed from some regulations and the accompanying paperwork.

  • Read the full UK Govt press release here.

 

UK Government reverses plans to end 45p tax rate

  • The UK Govt has announced that it has reversed its plan to abolish the 45% top rate of income tax for people on incomes of £150,000 or more. This announcement follows a backlash from the markets in the days after the UK Govt’s ‘Mini Budget’, delivered in September.

 

Payment Systems Regulator issues final decision and takes action on card-acquiring market

  • PRS has announced a series of measures to Improve Card Services for Businesses.

  • The solutions which PRS are introducing, include:

    • Summary boxes containing bespoke key price and non-price information to be sent individually to each business and shown prominently in their online account. The summary box can be used alongside new online quotation tools to help businesses compare prices and other service features more efficiently.

    • Online Quotation Tool using the information provided in the summary boxes to make comparisons with different providers online.

    • Trigger messages to prompt businesses to shop around and/or switch. Messages will be sent by providers of card-acquiring services to businesses and shown prominently in their online accounts.

    • A maximum duration of 18 months for Point of Sale (POS) terminal lease and rental contracts with a rolling monthly contract thereafter to prevent businesses from being locked into length contracts over several years.

 

Self Assessment customers could be a target for fraudsters, HMRC warns

  • Self Assessment customers, who are starting to think about their annual tax returns for the 2021 to 2022 tax year, should guard against being targeted by fraudsters, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has warned.

  • According to government figures, in the 12 months to August 2022, HMRC responded to more than 180,000 referrals of suspicious contact from the public, of which almost 81,000 were scams offering fake tax rebates. Criminals claiming to be from HMRC have targeted individuals by email, text and phone with their communications ranging from offering bogus tax rebates to threatening arrest for tax evasion. Contacts like these should sound alarm bells – HMRC would never call threatening arrest.

  • The UK Govt has said that anyone contacted by someone claiming to be from HMRC in a way that arouses suspicion is advised to take their time and check the scams advice on GOV.UK.

 

Retailers Against Crime Glasgow Conference 2022

  • Connecting retailers, crime partnerships, expert speakers and suppliers together, the RAC Glasgow conference will be held on Thursday 27th October 2022 in the Marriott Hotel, Glasgow. Please follow the link to reserve your free place: Register here

  • Celebrating 25 years of partnership working the event will feature the latest issues impacting upon retail and offering practical advice from expert speakers. Delegates will also have the opportunity to visit exhibitors, promoting and demonstrating some of the latest innovative products to assist in preventing crime. If you are interested in exhibiting at the conference, please contact RAC by emailing: info@retailersagainstcrime.org

 

Date set for 2023-24 Scottish Budget

  • The 2023-24 Scottish Budget will be published on 15 December 2022, the Deputy First Minister John Swinney has confirmed following agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament’s Finance and Public Administration Committee (FPAC).

 

Mental Health & Wellbeing Platform for Employers

 

  • The Scottish Government and Public Health Scotland launched the Mental Health & Wellbeing Platform for Employers in August to streamline employer access to free and reputable health and wellbeing resources.

  • To support and raise awareness about the campaign, access the Updated Stakeholder Toolkit at: Marketing Toolkit

 

Winter Vaccines (COVID-19 and Flu)

  • NHS Scotland has started to offer winter vaccines and the timeline for delivery of vaccines is designed to protect the most vulnerable first. Some groups will be offered both COVID-19 and Flu vaccination. It is safe to get the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. NHS Inform has also been updated and streamlined and includes a self-help guide for individual guidance.

 

The Feed Additives (Authorisations) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 - Signed by Minister and Coming into Force Date

  • The Scottish Statutory Instrument (SSI) ‘The Feed Additives (Authorisations) (Scotland) Regulations 2022: SSI 2022/288’ authorising 11 feed additives in accordance with Retained Regulation (EC) 1831/2003 has been signed by the Scottish Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport and was laid before the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 29th September 2022.

  • This Regulation 2022/288 will come into force in Scotland on Thursday 24th November 2022 and is available on the legislation.gov website.

 

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:

  • Household expenses, rents and travel costs. If you rent your home, you have rights such as being protected from unfair evictions or rent increases.

  • Financial support may be available to help heat homes more efficiently and reduce heating bills.

  • Income support: there are benefits, grants, and free services available which may help you increase your income.

  • Parenting: free school meals or help with day-to-day costs.

  • Support and advice on money or debt management.

  • Support and assistance for older or disabled people, and those who care for them.

 

Covid 19 guidance

  • 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.

 

SGF & RetailTRUST supporting your wellbeing

 

  • This is a topic that has raised to prominence, however this has led to a bombardment of information, specifically on social media, often making it confusing to know what the right advice is. So, the aim is to cut-through the noise by offering all new, expert-led, content. All content can be found here: Coping with menopause | Retail Trust

  • First up is our Everything you need to know about the menopause | Guidance | Retail Trust – an overview of menopause, recommended for ALL to read – not just those experiencing menopause or perimenopause – to give people a good general understanding of what around 50% of the population have to deal with and go through!

  • See the message below from the Retail Trust:

 

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.

Chris Terry
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