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NEWS

1 NOVEMBER 2024 ASIAN TRADER 7

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NEWS

The past year has been one of

signiﬁ cant change for the UK.

With a new government at the

helm, there’s cautious optimism

about fresh approaches to

long-standing issues af ecting

our high streets. However, the

challenges facing independent

retailers remain formidable.

As we’ve seen in previous

years, the Autumn Statement

can have far-reaching implica-

tions for our sector. This year,

we’re calling on the Chancellor

to deliver certainty, clarity, and

stability for independent

traders – elements that have

been in short supply recently.

One of our primary

concerns is business rates. For

years, Bira has lobbied for a

comprehensive review of this

outdated system. We believe

that reducing business rates for

all high streets would inject

much-needed conﬁ dence and

stability back into bricks-and-

mortar retail.

Energy costs continue to be a

signiﬁ cant burden for many of

our members. While we

welcomed previous support

measures, we need a long-term

strategy that addresses the

unique needs of small business-

es. We’re hoping to see targeted

support for those most af ected,

coupled with incentives for

energy ef ciency improve-

ments.

The labour market presents

another challenge. Many

retailers are struggling with

recruitment and retention.

We’re looking for measures that

support skills development and

make it easier for small

businesses to invest in their

workforce.

Consumer conﬁ dence is, of

course, crucial to our sector’s

success. We’re hoping for

policies that put more money in

people’s pockets, encouraging

spending on our high streets.

However, it’s not just about

direct ﬁ nancial measures. We

need policies that recognise and

support the unique value of

independent retail. This could

include funding for high street

regeneration projects, support

for local business communities,

or initiatives to encourage ‘shop

local’ campaigns.

Digital transformation

remains a key issue and

sustainability is another area

where government support

could make a signiﬁ cant

dif erence. Many of our

members are keen to adopt more

environmentally friendly

practices but ﬁ nd the initial

costs prohibitive.

It’s clear that the decisions

made will have a profound

impact on the future of

independent retail. At Bira, we

remain committed to being a

strong voice for our members,

ensuring that the unique

challenges and opportunities of

our sector are understood and

addressed at the highest levels of

government.

Independent retailers are the

backbone of our high streets and

local communities. They bring

diversity, character, and

personal service that can’t be

replicated by large chains or

online giants. As such, support-

ing them is essential for

maintaining the vibrancy of our

towns and cities.

We look forward to analysing

the Autumn Statement in detail

and will continue to work

tirelessly to ensure that the

needs of independent retailers

are met, both in this ﬁ scal event

and beyond. Our sector’s

resilience has been tested time

and again, but with the right

support, I’m conﬁ dent that we

cannot just survive, but thrive in

the years to come.

The retail sector eagerly awaited yesterday’s Autumn Statement from

the new Labour government. Bira’s CEO, Andrew Goodacre, shares

his thoughts ahead of the announcements by Chancellor Rachel

Reeves on what independent retailers need and expect from this

crucial ﬁ scal intervention.

The Autumn Statement – What

independent retailers need

Kliro and ICB launch

Fortitude Spirits

Kliro Capital Partners, who acquired

ICB in June 2023, announced the

launch of Fortitude Spirits Group,

with the ambition to become one of

the leading independent UK spirits

companies.

It will comprise three divisions:

Fortitude Spirits, which will

create, nurture and scale distinctive

brands; Fortitude Drinks UK, will

leverage its 35-year history,

distributing Fortitude Spirits and

third-party brands across every UK

channel; and ICB Distillers will

expand its production capacity to

distil, blend and bottle the groups’

brands, as well as private label and

third-party products.

Alzheimer’s Society

partners with PayPoint

Alzheimer’s Society and PayPoint

have announced a partnership to

simplify and enhance cash dona-

tions and transactions. The collabo-

ration addresses the growing

challenges for charities when it

comes to handling cash, particularly

as high street banks and Post Of ce

branches become less accessible.

With nearly 30% of all charity

donations still made in cash, the

partnership provides a timely

solution to prevent any unnecessary

decline or delay in donations received

due to logistical challenges posed.

The service works with PayPoint

extensive network of 29,000

retailers across the UK.

Unilever sells Russian

subsidiary

British consumer goods giant

Unilever has completed the sale of its

Russian subsidiary to Arnest Group,

a Russian manufacturer of perfume,

cosmetics, and household products.

The sale includes all of Unilever’s

business in Russia and its four

factories in the country, along with

the business in Belarus.

“The completion of the sale ends

Unilever Russia’s presence,” said

CEO Hein Schumacher.

Last year, Unilever has come under

ﬁ re from Kyiv, which placed the group

on Ukraine’s “International Sponsors

of War” list, claiming it continues to

proﬁ t from operations in Russia.

By Andrew

Goodacre, CEO

of Bira (British

Independent

Retailers

Association)

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