Uthayakumar ‘Uthay’ Soundararajan, The Fed’s Scottish President, has written to First Minister John Swinney requesting an opportunity to discuss how the government will support independent retail and raising concerns about SNP’s price cap plan.
The letter flagged the continued uncertainty caused by the potential price cap and the “distortionary” impact it could have on the wider sector, including small independent shops.
Key challenges and opportunities likely to face small shops during the coming four-year term of the Holyrood Parliament were also highlighted in the letter, including theft, cost increases for small shops and a smooth roll-out of the deposit return scheme (DRS).
Uthay also spoke of the significant social aspect of independent retailers who provide countless Scottish communities with a vital “sense of place.”
