Minister for Victims and Community Safety, Kirsten Oswald MSP, hosted the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) and other industry representatives in the Scottish Parliament last week to address the growing concern of illicit trade and its impact on local businesses and communities.
SGF Chief Executive Dr Pete Cheema OBE highlighted the increasing impact that rogue sellers are having on the viability of local stores. The trade body welcomed the work of Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce, but called for more action to tackle a growing prevalence in illicit trade, including tougher punishments for offenders and dedicated enforcement on the issue via Trading Standards.
Cheema said: “Local stores are at the very heart of their communities, providing lifeline goods and services, while boosting local employment and the local economy. Illicit trade not only damages the viability of those businesses, it also funds organised crime and represents a genuine risk to communities and their wellbeing.”
Oswald thanked SGF for meeting with her to discuss the matter.
She said: “We value the important work being done by Trading Standards and law enforcement partners to tackle illicit trade and we continue to work with them and stakeholders, including SGF, as well as the UK Government, to address the concerns raised. This includes reviewing how closure orders currently work and considering changes that may be required to strengthen enforcement.
“As well as harming legitimate businesses, profits from illicit trade often fund other forms of criminality, and we are committed to doing everything we can to disrupt this damaging activity.”
