The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has released its manifesto 'Scotland's Future High Streets' ahead of next year's Scottish election, emphasizing the need for the next government to place town and city centers at the core of economic policy-making.
Facing challenges from Covid lockdowns, supply chain disruptions, the Ukraine conflict, and economic downturns, the retail sector has adapted with fewer stores and a shift to online sales.
Consumer behavior has evolved, favoring out-of-town or online shopping, value, and pre-loved items.
SRC data shows a 0.9% drop in shopper footfall and shopping center visits from July 2024 to 2025, with government costs rising by nearly £200 million due to business rates and national insurance hikes.
Director David Lonsdale stated, 'This five-year parliamentary session has presented the Scottish retail industry with a series of almost overwhelming challenges...
Retailers have had to adapt to this new economic norm.' The five-point plan includes making Scottish high streets competitive via lower business rates than England, simplifying planning for new/refitted stores, investing in anti-retail crime measures like a directly elected police commissioner, improving transport accessibility, and enhancing safety.
Lonsdale urged, 'The next Scottish government needs to put town and city centres...at the heart of economic decision making.' Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes highlighted the competitive non-domestic rates regime, freezing the Basic Property Rate and providing £733 million in reliefs, but noted limitations without full economic powers and criticized UK national insurance increases.
Scottish Conservative Murdo Fraser blamed anti-business policies for harming high streets, calling for a focus on growth.
The manifesto aims to revitalize vibrant high streets for the decade's second half.
2025-09-15 10:24:00
Cyber-attack halts Asahi production, leading to potential shortages of Super Dry beer and other products in Japan.
2025-10-04 18:27:00
Strike action planned by some staff at Bournemouth Airport, which was set to begin on Tuesday, has been suspended after the Unite union secured an improved offer from the employer.
2025-10-02 10:37:00
Medical technology firm Convatec announces £500 million UK investment but will relocate R&D jobs from North Wales to a new Manchester hub.
2025-10-01 21:52:00
Beverage giant Asahi has confirmed that its European and UK beer supply lines, including brands like Peroni and Grolsch, have not been impacted by a cyberattack limited solely to its operations within Japan.
2025-10-01 17:29:00
Energy giant BP is proceeding with a $5 billion project to tap oil in the Tiber field, a Gulf of Mexico location previously considered too hazardous to exploit.
2025-10-01 17:11:00
Government allocates 25m to Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester for film, TV, music, and video games industries.
2025-10-01 17:00:00
Administrators announce 125 redundancies at Prax Lindsey oil refinery, leaving 255 workers amid ongoing sale efforts.
2025-10-01 13:09:00
Cannabis company stocks, including Canopy Growth and Tilray, jumped on Monday after President Trump shared a nearly three-minute-long video on his Truth Social platform promoting the use of hemp-derived CBD as a pain and stress reliever for seniors and advocating for its coverage under Medicaid.
2025-10-01 12:33:00
A Las Vegas man has pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges related to an investigation into the area's cannabis licensing process, following a high-profile case involving a former Clark County Commissioner.
2025-10-01 12:26:00
Japanese brewer Asahi, the parent company of brands like Peroni and Grolsch, has been hit by a cyberattack causing a 'system failure' that is limited to its operations within Japan, while assuring consumers that its UK beer supply remains unaffected.
2025-10-01 12:05:00
BOE's Catherine Mann indicates UK inflation persistence scenario is unfolding, signaling caution for policy.
2025-10-01 11:00:00
Supermarket giant Asda has been hit with a £130,000 fine after products, including ham and cheesecakes, were found to be sold past their use-by dates.
2025-09-30 23:26:00
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has confirmed it expects to restart operations in the 'coming days' after a sophisticated cyberattack earlier this month impacted its manufacturing plants across the UK, Slovakia, India, and Brazil.
2025-09-30 22:17:00
Supermarket giant Asda has been fined £130,000 for multiple failures in food safety, specifically for selling expired meat, including out-of-date ham and cheese, following inspections by environmental health officials.
2025-09-30 21:35:00
New factory activity data for China reflects persistent weakness in the world's second-largest economy, with analysts noting that manufacturing measures show 'sluggish domestic demand' and companies are under pressure to cut prices amid fierce competition.
2025-09-30 19:57:00
The President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Akihiko Tanaka, apologised after the agency announced it would scrap its 'Africa Hometown initiative' due to misinformation and an excessive burden on participating municipalities.
2025-09-30 15:07:00
Mitsubishi Estate Co plans more UK investments amid US uncertainties, diversifying from American markets.
2025-09-29 17:34:00
Britain's largest car manufacturer, Jaguar Land Rover, has secured a £1.5 billion rescue to maintain operations until Christmas following a crippling cyberattack that has halted production for nearly a month.
2025-09-28 20:28:00
Liverpool sees surge in tech startups in 2025, with £100m in investments fueling job growth.
2025-09-23 21:11:00
A roundup of today's business news, featuring Porsche's struggles, HSBC becoming the UK's most valuable company, and a new deal for Vodafone-Three.
2025-09-23 14:42:00
A collection of recent UK business news, including financial struggles for major companies, new investment deals, and warnings about AI adoption.
2025-09-22 20:03:00
A fashion retailer has announced the closure of 35 stores, including one in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of a restructuring plan following a £33.2 million loss.
2025-09-22 17:52:00
Norwich launches £10m plan to revitalize high street with pop-up shops and cultural events.
2025-09-22 17:27:00
UK retail sales fall 0.3% in November 2025, raising concerns for high street ahead of Christmas.
2025-09-21 21:27:00
Audi is marking its 60th anniversary by simplifying its model naming system and launching a new electric vehicle, the A6 Sportback e-tron.
2025-09-21 19:36:00
BoE poised to slow QT, leave rates unchanged; stocks rise post-Fed cut.
2025-09-21 18:59:00
Fed adjusts interest rates for first time in 2025, impacting economy amid inflation concerns.
2025-09-21 17:32:00
Northern Ireland's working-age economic inactivity rises to 26.5%, with more young people out of work or education.
2025-09-20 21:13:00
Failure to meet Labour’s public sector productivity targets could cost billions, forcing increased spending.
2025-09-20 19:26:00
Elon Musk makes first Tesla stock purchase in over five years, worth millions, boosting investor confidence.
2025-09-20 16:49:00