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BIRA expresses disappointment over drop in retail sales volume

BIRA expresses disappointment over drop in retail sales volume

The British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) today (21) expressed disappointment over drop in retail sales volumes in the UK between February and March were "disappointing".BIRA, which works with over 6,000 independent businesses of all sizes across the UK, commented on the figures release by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) which revealed that department and clothing stores particularly suffered during this time frame, which was the wettest March since 1836.Also suffering due to the poor weather was sales at food shops, as these fell by 0.7 per cent following shortages of some products.But BIRA said the poor weather wasn't only to blame.Andrew Goodacre, BIRA CEO said that these figures are very disappointing and reflect much of the feedback we have received from indie retailers throughout the UK. The weather has had a negative impact but there can be no doubting that we are seeing the impact of reduced consumer spending.

"Very high inflation on essential like food (19 per cent last month) means that shoppers have less money to spend on other more discretionary items such as clothing.


"These figures also come at a time when costs for small retailers will increase significantly with increases in National Minimum Wage and especially energy costs. The government support for energy costs has effectively ended and this will result in real business pressures faced by the businesses and clearly increased sales will not compensate."I urge the government and the energy suppliers to rethink their approach to reducing the burden of energy on the smaller businesses. We hope sales will improve in the second half of the year, but we fear that we may lose many businesses before that materialises," he added.Earlier this week, the ONS confirmed that the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation has dropped to 10.1 per cent from 10.4 per cent the prior month.However food prices have soared due to factors such as the war in Ukraine, meaning that prices of grains and vegetable oils have increased. There has also been a rise in transport and packaging costs.Some of the sharpest rises have been in olive oil which have risen by 49 per cent, milk by 38 per cent and ready meals by 21 per cent.

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Fed National President Mo Razzaq

Indies: It’s criminal police and government turn blind eye to shoplifting

Independent retailers are demanding tougher police action, more bobbies on the beat and harsher punishments as shoplifting levels reach an all-time high, a new survey reveals.

A whopping ninety-one per cent of respondents to a survey conducted by the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) called for more police patrols on streets, while a similar number - 90 per cent - said that shoplifters should be handed harsher sentences.

Seven out of 10 respondents (72 per cent) said their stores had experienced shoplifting, break ins and damage to property, while they and their staff had been physically or verbally threatened.

Just under half of respondents (47 per cent) said they and their employees had been threatened or had suffered abuse and violence when asking for proof of age ahead of selling an age-restricted product.

Forty-four per cent reported that they and their staff had faced abuse or violence because they had refused to make a proxy sale – selling an age restricted product to a customer buying for a minor.

The results of the Fed’s survey came as new figures from the Office of National Statistics revealed that shoplifting was at a record high, with almost half a million offences recorded last year.

According to the ONS, 469,788 offences were logged by forces in the year to June 2024 – a 29 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.

The ONS added that this figure was the highest since records began – in March 2003.

“Inadequate responses from the police and a slap on the wrist for offenders means that shoplifting is soaring, and offenders are becoming more aggressive and brazen,” said Fed National President Mo Razzaq.

“From the responses we received, it is clear that real action is needed by police, by courts and by the government to stem the overwhelming tide of crime against retailers and their staff. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

“Fed members are also sending a clear message that one of the catalysts for verbal and physical abuse in stores is asking for proof of age before selling an age restricted product. If the government presses ahead with its plans to phase out smoking and vaping through a progressive ban to gradually end the sale of tobacco products across the country, independent retailers will be subject to even greater levels of violence, abuse and theft.”

Calling for action from the government and not just words, Mr Razzaq continued: “Without effective deterrent, criminals and opportunistic members of the public will continue to commit crimes.”

According to Ministry of Justice statistics, during the year to March 2024, 431 fines were handed out for retail theft under £100, while Home Office statistics for the same period show that 2,252 cautions were accepted for shoplifting.

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