SRC: Scottish Government hit shoppers with disproportionate HFSS restrictions

Commenting on the publication of the Scottish Government’s consultation on restricting promotions of food and drink high in fat, sugar or salt, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium said:

“Scottish Ministers appear determined to put up prices on a range of products despite consumers reeling from a cost-of-living crisis. These proposals will prevent retailers competing on price on any of the products caught by these rules, meaning shoppers miss out both on the benefits of competition but also from any falls in inflation. The restrictions on placing these products in-store will make life harder for Scottish producers who will now have to compete with international brands with much greater consumer recognition.

“Despite endless engagement Scottish Ministers have ignored business voices on this issue. These disproportionate restrictions follow a bumper hike in business rate bills for medium sized and larger shops, as well as a mooted new surtax on food and drink retailers. All this will hinder rather than help retailers’ ability to keep down prices for Scotland’s shoppers during a cost-of-living crisis, the last thing Scotland’s hard pressed consumers need.”