28th October 2022
UK Govt new ministerial team
The full list of ministerial appointments to Rishi Sunak’s new government can be viewed here. Alister Jack has been reappointed as Secretary of State for Scotland. Meanwhile, Jeremy Hunt will remain in place as Chancellor and Grant Shapps has been appointed as Business Secretary.
Meanwhile the full transcript of the Prime Minister’s first speech can be viewed here.
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.
Scottish Grocers’ Federation publish annual Scottish Local Shop Report 2022
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. View and download the full report here.
UK Department for Business survey: Energy cost support for businesses (Deadline Extended)
The Energy Bills Relief Scheme has been set up to provide support with energy costs to eligible organisations until 31st March 2023.
SGF encourages colleagues to respond to the UK Department for Business survey linked below with as much information as possible to help make the case for extending the energy bill relief scheme for convenience retailers beyond March 2023. Please respond to the online survey linked here, before the new deadline of Sunday 30th Oct.
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. For more details, visit the BEIS guidance page, here.
HFSS - Impact on business of restricting promotions
The Scottish Government are presently conducting a Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) on the proposals set out in the Food and Drink High in Fat, Sugar or Salt consultation. The survey will help government assess potential impacts of the proposals on businesses.
This is a key issue for many retailers and SGF has responded to the HFSS consultation to ensure that the proposed changes are targeted correctly and are both practical and viable for our members. SGF would encourage you to share your views by completing the BRIA survey which is live until 31st October. Please complete the survey online or forward your completed response (attached) to DietPolicy@gov.scot by 11th November 2022. You are only required to respond to the questions that relate to your business.
The Scottish Government consultation on HFSS has now closed, however further information can be found here.
Three months left to complete Self-Assessment tax returns
Self-Assessment customers have until 31 January 2023 to submit their online return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year. More information about Self-Assessment can be found on GOV.UK.
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.
Official Guidance for retailers on Fireworks & Bonfire Night
The Scottish Government has produced a guidance document and a printable A5 leaflet & A4 poster in advance of this year’s Bonfire Night, attached. 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.
More information can be viewed at: www.firescotland.gov.uk/
Retailers Against Crime Statistics for September
The Retailers Against Crime report includes incidents received, suspects identified and top ten items targeted. Incidents reported decreased compared to August with the amount stolen increasing during September due to a high value cash robbery. There continues to be an increase in the number of incidents being committed by travelling groups. Visit: www.retailersagainstcrime.org
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.
Government’s response to the Competition and Markets Authority’s road fuel review
Overall, according to the Government response, the market for the supply of retail fuel in the UK appears relatively competitive, but there are local variations in the price of road fuel, including pricing disparities between urban and rural areas. Retailer spread (the difference between wholesale and retail fuel prices) is a relatively small component (around 10p per litre) of the pump price. Read the full response here.
Recommendations made to improve retail fuel price transparency include an open data scheme, suggesting that the government could consider an ‘open data scheme’ through which individual forecourt prices are collected and made freely available. In addition, Motorway pricing, stating that better information on motorways about pump prices, including those at nearby off-motorway petrol stations, could help consumers make better decisions about whether and where to buy.
Mandatory laden brake testing at annual test (2 months to go)
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has confirmed that most vehicles and trailers will have to be appropriately laden for their annual test from 1 January 2023.
Any vehicles and trailers which are not laden (unless exempt, such as tri-axle semi-trailers or refuse collection vehicles) will be refused a test by Vehicle Standards Assessors (VSAs). You can find more information on how to prepare for a brake test in the best practice guide. Ensure that vehicle operators and Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) have enough time to prepare for the change, especially those who have vehicles and trailers with a test coming up.
Business Energy Scotland free CPD-certified Green Champions training course (3rd Nov)
As the cost of doing business continues to impact, BES are keen to invite as many businesses as possible to this Green Champions training session. The course has been designed to give delegates skills and tools so that they can improve the resource efficiency and environmental performance of their organisation - and, of course, save money too.
This FREE webinar, designed for small and medium-sized enterprises, will pack the entire Green Champions foundation course into one session. Book your place here.
Groceries Code Adjudicator Response: statutory review 2022
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has now published a response to its statutory review 2022. The GCA states that there has been steady improvement in the scores for overall compliance with the Grocers Code since the first survey in 2013. This improvement has continued since the last statutory review in 2019.
According to the response, GCA guidance, paired with effective stakeholder engagement, had a positive impact on the relationships between suppliers and Retailers. Despite extremely difficult trading conditions over the past two years, the GCA survey findings between 2019 and 2022 show: suppliers incurring significant costs because of inaccurate forecasting by Retailers fell from 24% to 18%; retrospective changes to supply agreements fell from 12% to 9%; de-listing without reasonable notice fell from 22% to 16%; and, inadequate processes and procedures in place to in place to enable invoice discrepancies to be resolved promptly fell from 23% to 18%.
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. Please see the attached Q&A for more information. NHS Inform has also been updated and streamlined and includes a self-help guide for individual guidance.
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.
ShopMate EPoS Newsletter – Oct 22
ShopMate have reported that the September turnover for the Retail Data Partnership Estate was £76,190. A drop on the previous month, but an overall increase from October 2021. Estate footfall was 9,544, basket was £8.06 and Cadbury’s Dairy Milk was the top confectionary sellers over the month. Read the full Newsletter here.
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.