SRC reaction to Scottish Conservative manifesto

In a preliminary reaction to the publication today of the Scottish Conservatives' election manifesto (‘Get Scotland Working'), David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium, said:

“Retailers will take heart that several key industry priorities are reflected in the Scottish Conservatives' manifesto especially the focus on lifting economic growth, reinvigorating Scotland's high streets, and bearing down on thieving from shops.

“Consumer spending is the mainstay of our economy and should be helped by the proposed changes to income tax. The plan to cut retailers' business rates should aid our high streets albeit whether the plan is as ambitious and as competitive as has been introduced in England remains to be seen.

“The cost of operating a retail business is ultimately borne by customers. As such the plan to avoid additional taxes on business and to minimise regulatory divergence with the rest of the UK ought to be good news for shop prices, at a time when retailers are striving to keep down prices whilst facing extra statutory burdens and rising supply chain and commodity costs due to the situation in the Middle East.”