Independents plan price increase, reduction in staff to tackle higher energy cost: BIRA

Most retailers feel forced to raise prices to meet the higher energy cost, a retailers body said today (25).

According to British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), almost 88 per cent of its members feel they are being forced into raising their prices to shoppers once the energy price jump comes into effect this autumn.

In a recent survey which was completed by members before Friday’s Ofgem announcement in which energy prices are predicted to jump by up to 80 per cent, it’s revealed that business owners are preparing for the worst.

Among those questioned, 65 per cent also said they would be forced to reduce the number of staff they had or reduce wages, while 40 per cent were considering limiting opening hours, and almost 23 per cent would be looking to permanently or temporarily close the business.

Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s CEO said: “Businesses are under great pressure at the moment and with some concerned that they need to reduce hours or even close permanently is incredibly worrying for us and the local economy.

“There has been no specific help coming through from central or local authorities to help businesses who are struggling with their bills which has been very disappointing. While some areas may have hardship funds or slight reductions in business rates, this is not seen across the country. It is clear to us that businesses are being targeted by energy providers to make up for any restricted price caps on consumers,” he said.

Goodacre added that while business rate relief would be welcome, small businesses would still be paying 100 per cent more this year compared to last year.

“We asked the government not to do this because as long ago as last October we were seeing huge increases in retailer energy bills. More recently it has been 500 per cent and keeping rates lower would have helped indie retailers absorb the higher energy costs. They will certainly need help as the rates for electric are increasing daily and we have just been told that one provider is charging 94p per KWH for electric – the highest we have seen so far,” he said.

Bira has written an open letter to the two leadership candidates, Rishi Sunak and Lizz Truss, urging them to take action, and in particular to maintain 100 per cent business rates relief for retailers. The body is also asking them to persuade energy companies to place a cap on energy increases for businesses, reduce to the multiplier for small businesses from 2023-24 and cut VAT for retailers to stimulate demand.

Bira is also calling on to provide more funding to encourage investment in low energy technology in retail shops to protect retailers from higher energy bills in the long term.

Goodacre urged independents to also contact their local MPs to detail their own experiences. The association works with over 3,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK.