The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has launched a comprehensive “Manifesto for Retail,” outlining its vision for a progressive future for the industry. The manifesto seeks to propel the sector toward a net-zero future, embracing digital transformation, and fostering a better shopping experience while generating high-skilled, well-paid jobs.
In anticipation of the upcoming election, the BRC is urging political parties to adopt innovative approaches in collaboration with the retail industry. The objective is to shape policies, regulations, and tax frameworks that empower retailers to make rapid progress and work collectively toward a shared vision benefiting consumers, the economy, and the environment.
The BRC emphasizes the need for substantial reforms, advocating for a coordinated approach to tax and regulation. It calls for the implementation of new policies supporting retailers’ investments in technology crucial for achieving net-zero targets. Additionally, the manifesto underscores the necessity of evolving skills policies to enable the sector to train its workforce for the digital and higher-skilled roles demanded by today’s retail landscape.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, highlighted the importance of a revamped collaboration between the industry and the government. She emphasized the need to eliminate hindrances that impede the industry’s growth, hindering its full potential. Dickinson emphasized the urgency to support workforce upskilling, accelerate the journey to net-zero, and address any unwarranted burdens on the industry and its extensive customer base.
“As political parties gear up for the next election, we need a different way of working with government so that we can use the industry’s size, scale and reach to deliver more. By delivering a more business-friendly approach to retail, the industry can deliver on its own vision – a net zero, digitally transformed industry which provides higher skilled, better-paid jobs and more investment in local communities,” Dickinson remarked.
The manifesto reflects a strategic call for a collaborative effort between the government and the retail sector to unlock the industry’s potential and drive positive change, embracing a sustainable and technologically advanced future.
