Trade body speaks out ahead of Scottish roadshows
LEADERS at the Fed have spoken of their concerns about a potential rise in the national living wage ahead of two roadshows being held by the organisation in Scotland.
The Fed is warning the UK Government that increasing the national living wage to £12.10 an hour from April next year could be too much for many independent retailers.
In its latest report, the Low Pay Commission (LPC) said that wages need to rise by about 5.8% to align with earnings growth. This is significantly higher than its March estimate of 3.9%.
Fed president Mo Razzaq said: “Small independent retailers are the backbone of their communities and, as responsible employers, we want to ensure we are paying a fair wage to our staff.
“But raising the national living wage to as much as £12.10 would be a step too far for hard pressed small businesses.
“As so many of the products that convenience store owners sell are price marked, we cannot pass these costs on to our customers. The only solution is to cut staff hours and numbers and, somehow, take on even more hours ourselves.”
Meanwhile, the Fed has announced that its Retail Roadshows are returning to Scotland this month and in November.
Retailers will get the chance to find out more about the latest products, innovations and trends – and hopefully bag a bargain or two at the events.
Ardoe House Hotel, South Deeside Road, Blairs, is the venue for the Aberdeen Roadshow on October 10, from 10am to 2.30pm. Representatives from suppliers including Vapouriz, M D Moore, ivape and Hell Energy Drink will be there to provide product information and advice.
And on November 28, the event returns to Hampden Park, Glasgow, where the very first of the Fed’s Retail Roadshows kicked off towards the end of last year.
Like the Aberdeen gathering, the Glasgow event will run from 10am to 2.30pm.
The Retail Roadshows are the brainchild of Colum Deignan, the Fed’s senior membership development manager.
He said: “There has been a great atmosphere at the events in Manchester and Leicester so far this year and I hope it continues into our autumn shows. We hope to see you there!”
