Welsh Government

Welsh businesses need ‘targeted’ support

ACS says the Welsh Government needs to help retailers invest in energy efficiency measures and take action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries they need.

The Association of Convenience store has given oral evidence to the Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, which has published a report on the impact of the cost-of-the living crisis on businesses and communities across the country.

ACS is cited in the report, highlighting the need for the Welsh Government to provide support to local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need.

The report includes a number of recommendations, including:

● Use business rate relief to supportthe most affected businesses untilinflation returns to a level close tothe Bank of England’s target.

● Consider supporting businessesto invest in efficiency savingswhich will help them lower fueland energy costs.

● Set out plans to provide furthercost-of-living-related support tohouseholds at the start of the2023-24 financial year.

● Commission labour marketresearch to better understand the reasons behind high rates ofeconomic inactivity.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on people living in Wales but it is vital to remember that businesses, including convenience stores, are also experiencing a cost-oftrading crisis. Local shops provide thousands of jobs to communities across Wales and access to essential products and services but this is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of rising costs and issues with the supply chain.