Staggering number of independent retailers struggling to survive, survey finds
An overwhelming majority of independent retailers across the UK are struggling to survive, a new survey has revealed.
Additionally, two thirds of retailers said they had also noticed an increase in the level of retail crime incidents since the beginning of the year.
The survey, carried out by the Federation of Independent Retailers, looked at retail crime and the illicit trade in tobacco and vape products. When asked ‘does the combined impact of rising retail crime, employment costs, goods and services costs, energy costs and the proposed Tobacco & Vapes Bill make it harder for your business to survive’, a staggering 96% answered yes.
Some 66% of members said they had seen an increase in retail crime – including shop thefts, violence and abuse – in their stores since January this year.
However, when asked whether their business would be able to afford to improve security measures over the next 12 months to tackle the increase in crime, 86% said they couldn’t afford it.
Meanwhile, 87% of members felt that local authorities and Trading Standards had not done enough to curb the trade in illicit goods.
The survey also asked members for their views on the forthcoming Tobacco & Vapes Bill and what effect this would have on their business. A staggering 95% of respondents believed more shoppers will turn to illicit traders to buy tobacco and vape products if the proposed restrictions are implemented, while 97% said the government needs to carry out more consultation with the retail community, particularly small businesses.
The survey findings were described as “disturbing” but not surprising by the Fed’s National President, Mo Razzaq.
“Independent retailers are being hit from all sides, with criminals who steal from our shops and attack us and our staff largely going unpunished, and soaring costs and increased legislation pushing more retailers ever nearer to being forced to closing their doors for good,” said Mr Razzaq.
“We have repeatedly warned the government in no uncertain terms that independent retail is on the brink of disaster unless our industry receives the support it so desperately needs to survive.
“We will be making the government aware of the results of our survey to further reinforce our case and continue to impress upon them the very real, serious problems we are facing.”
