In a preliminary response to the publication of the Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation, Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Head of Policy and External Affairs, Scottish Retail Consortium, said:
There is a much in this strategy the retail industry can support, especially the measures on skills, innovation, digital, and transport infrastructure. It’s positive to see commitments to examine improving the Apprenticeship system and it’s essential the strategy complements the commitment by businesses and government to deliver a net zero economy.
It’s heartening to see the commitment to a retail strategy and recognition of the impact the pandemic has had upon the Scottish retail industry. However, retailers would have liked to see greater clarity on what steps are going to be taken to keep down the cost of doing business. To successfully transform Scotland’s economy to be fit for a net zero future will require investment from both government and businesses; hopefully the necessary fiscal measures will be delivered as part of the commitment to multi-year Budgets in the future.
The retail industry is Scotland’s largest private sector employer, providing 230,000 jobs directly with tens of thousands more in the supply chain.