Getting the Right Change - Scotland's Retail Strategy - CHAMBER UPDATE

On the 24th March , the Scottish Government published *Getting the Right Change: A Retail Strategy for Scotland*. You can view it here: Getting The Right Change Retail Strategy

Key actions from the strategy:

- developing and promoting a Fair Work Agreement that retailers can voluntarily sign up to, to improve fair work conditions across the sector and contribute to reduction of in-work poverty

- working with Skills Development Scotland and other partners on a Skills Audit and Action Plan, to support retail reskilling or upskilling as jobs change, for example due to technology like self-scan checkouts and online ordering systems

- developing a Just Transition Plan for Retail to protect jobs and contribute to net zero emissions by 2045 through developing local supply chains, reuse of materials and sustainable travel choices by staff and customers

- promoting town and city centres and local businesses while supporting ways to repurpose vacant retail units

- harnessing opportunities in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation that will directly support the retail sector, like actions to grow businesses, boost productivity and support entrepreneurship

A new Industry Leadership Group will be established to drive delivery of the retail strategy, co-chaired by Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur.

On the 15th April, Moray Chamber of Commerce hosted a round table with retail members from across the region. From this we created a feedback report to send to Scottish Government.

You can view that report here: MCC Retail Strategy Feedback April 22

Moray Chamber of Commerce has since had dialogue with Scottish Government to ensure that Moray's voice is represented on the Industry Leadership Group going forward. Moray Chamber of Commerce then received this reply on 26th May - Scottish Government letter to Moray Chamber

Moray Chamber looks forward to continuing this dialogue with Scottish Government and with a representative from Moray on the ILG. Retail is suffering now so whilst this strategy is just that, an Operational Plan to move forward with this should be done imminently.