Welsh legislators explore role of local shops in retail vision

The Welsh Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Small Shops has recently met to explore the Welsh government’s retail vision and how small shops are contributing to the delivery of the strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales.

The meeting was chaired by Vikki Howells MS and attended by a number of Assembly Members and independent retail trade associations.

During the meeting, ACS government relations director Edward Woodall highlighted the vital role that local shops play in communities across Wales and to the Welsh economy, outlining the issues that these businesses are currently facing including rising energy bills and employment costs.

“Local shops are playing a key role in helping customers to try and manage their money as they navigate the cost-of-living crisis. By shopping in local shops, consumers are shopping little and often, using a range of services in one place, and saving money on fuel by walking to stores,” Woodall said.

“Convenience retailers are committed to helping their communities through the cost-of-living crisis is despite the ongoing cost of trading crisis that they’re currently facing. We will continue to engage with the Welsh government on their retail vision to help shape the action plan to ensure that it reflects the issues faced by local shops in Wales.”

The strategic vision will be backed up with an action plan in the coming months.