Latest news with #WelshRetailConsortium
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Welsh Retail Consortium Tells Welsh Government ‘No Store Should Pay More' in Rates
The Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC) has argued that no shop should pay more as a result of proposed reforms set to come into effect next April. The organisation has responded to the Welsh Government's consultation on proposals for non-domestic rates differential multipliers, saying while it welcomed a proposed permanent reduction in business rates for smaller stores, it is unhappy about a proposal to make medium-sized and larger shops pay more through a rates surtax. The Local Government Finance (Wales) Act 2024 provided the Welsh Government with the ability to introduce differential multipliers for Wales using regulations. A consultation which ended on Tuesday sought views on the Welsh Government's proposals to introduce differential multipliers from 1 April 2026. The Welsh Government is proposing to introduce a lower multiplier for small to medium sized retailers. It says the proposal 'recognises the unique challenges faced by 'bricks and mortar' retail shops, not least through their exposure to competition from online retailers'. The WRC said that retailers account for more than a fifth of the business rates paid in Wales, adding that the business rate in Wales was the highest in Britain. The organisation's submission praised the Welsh Government's recognition of the 'disproportionate impact that business rates has on retail', but argued that a rates reduction should be extended to all shops in Wales. The proposal comes against a backdrop of weak shopper footfall and retail sales and 'spiralling' statutory costs as a result of last autumn's Budget, said the WRC. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'Retailers have long borne the brunt of Wales' outdated business rates system, so we welcome the Welsh Government's promise to finally confront this issue. But let's be clear: shifting the burden from one group of shops to another isn't reform – it's a reshuffle. Business rates in Wales are already at a 26-year high and the steepest in Great Britain. With retailers footing a fifth of the total bill, the strain is unsustainable. In April 2025 alone, UK retailers were hit with £2.3 billion in extra costs as a result of the UK Budget – £115 million of that here in Wales. 'A permanent cut to rates for the smallest shops is a step in the right direction, but real change means not leaving medium and larger retailers behind. These stores are the heartbeat of our high streets – drawing shopper footfall, creating jobs, and anchoring communities. Penalising them with a surtax would be a serious misstep. We need a system that rewards investment, not punishes scale. No store should pay more. Wales deserves a fairer, smarter approach – one that strengthens local economies instead of pushing businesses to invest across the border rather than here in Wales.'
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Wales retailers warn against surtax for bigger stores
The Welsh Retail Consortium (WRC) has responded to the Welsh Government's consultation on proposed changes to non-domestic rates, raising concerns about a suggested surtax for medium and large retailers. Retailers currently contribute more than a fifth of all business rates in Wales, which are the highest in Great Britain. The WRC welcomes a permanent reduction in rates for smaller shops but argues that no retailer should face higher costs under the new system. It warns that increasing rates for medium-sized and larger shops could harm high streets, reduce investment, and encourage businesses to look outside Wales. Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: "Retailers have long borne the brunt of Wales' outdated business rates system, so we welcome the Welsh Government's promise to finally confront this issue. "But let's be clear: shifting the burden from one group of shops to another isn't reform—it's a reshuffle. "These stores are the heartbeat of our high streets—drawing shopper footfall, creating jobs, and anchoring communities. "Penalising them with a surtax would be a serious misstep. "We need a system that rewards investment, not punishes scale."
Business News Wales
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Welsh Shopper Footfall Rises But Sector Warns it is 'Increasingly Fragile'
Retail footfall in Wales was up in July, ahead of the UK overall, but the Welsh Retail Consortium is warning that the sector's position is 'increasingly fragile'. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall increased by 0.4% in July (YoY), up from -3.3% in June. Shopping centre footfall increased by 0.3% in July (YoY), up from -5.1% in June. Retail park footfall increased by 1.9% in July (YoY), up from -0.7% in June. In July, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 0.3% (YoY), up from -4.0% in June. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'July brought a decidedly modest but nonetheless welcome lift in footfall across Welsh retail destinations, nudging us back into positive territory after a lacklustre June and May. Shopping centres and retail parks saw a small uplift but Cardiff city centre fell back a touch on the comparable figures from last year. However, this small gain masks deeper concerns — sales of so-called 'non-essential' items remain weak, and the sector continues to tread water. 'Retail's position is increasingly fragile. With statutory costs rising and uncertainty looming over the UK Government's upcoming budget and the Welsh Government's business rates proposals, the pressure is mounting. Add to that years of sluggish consumer spending and additional government-imposed costs, and the message is clear: without urgent, targeted action to reinvigorate our high streets and reduce business rates, policymakers risk undermining the long-term future of retail.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, commented: 'Total retail footfall for Wales hit +0.4%, ahead of the UK, which remains stubbornly negative at -0.4%. Retail parks were positive yet again, at +1.9%, perhaps yielding the benefits of greater occupancy and continued new openings, while Shopping Centres also moved into positive territory at +0.3%. 'The early-July heatwave, following a scorcher in June, may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail, while one year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious. The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but UK-wide there is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures – raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less? Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.'
South Wales Argus
08-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Welsh shopper footfall rises, but retail warnings persist
Sara Jones, head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'July brought a decidedly modest but nonetheless welcome lift in footfall across Welsh retail destinations, nudging us back into positive territory after a lacklustre June and May. "Shopping centres and retail parks saw a small uplift but Cardiff city centre fell back a touch on the comparable figures from last year. "However, this small gain masks deeper concerns - sales of so-called 'non-essential' items remain weak, and the sector continues to tread water. 'Retail's position is increasingly fragile. With statutory costs rising and uncertainty looming over the UK government's upcoming budget and the Welsh Government's business rates proposals, the pressure is mounting. "Add to that years of sluggish consumer spending and additional government-imposed costs, and the message is clear: without urgent, targeted action to reinvigorate our high streets and reduce business rates, policymakers risk undermining the long-term future of retail.' Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: 'Total retail footfall for Wales hit 0.4 per cent, ahead of the UK, which remains stubbornly negative at -0.4 per cent. 'The early-July heatwave, following a scorcher in June, may have lifted leisure footfall more than retail, while one year into a new Labour government, consumer sentiment remains cautious. "The underlying footfall trend may be improving, but UK-wide there is still negative growth on negative 2024 figures - raising the question: are shoppers returning, or simply shopping around more as they try to spend less? Either way, retailers who can offer value, experience, and convenience may be best placed to convert tentative footfall into lasting growth.'
Business News Wales
11-07-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
Retailers 'Need Support to Deliver Investment into Welsh Stores'
The Welsh Retail Consortium is calling for more support for the sector as footfall figures fell in June. The organisation said that rises in the National Living Wage and Employer National Insurance had contributed to a 'hammering' for the retail sector, adding that retailers needed support to deliver investment into stores. It said it wanted to see a positive outcome to business rates reform in Wales to avoid an even higher tax burden for retail. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall decreased by 3.3% in June (YoY), down from -0.4% in May. Shopping centre footfall decreased by 5.1% in June (YoY), up from -5.4% in May. Retail park footfall decreased by 0.7% in June (YoY), down from 1.2% in May. In June, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 4.0% (YoY), down from -2.1% in May. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'June footfall figures failed to ignite a summer shopping renaissance, with numbers down across all retail destinations. Shopping centres across Wales were hit particularly badly by the decline in footfall, with a notable fall of 5.1%. 'With July seeing Wales' women's football team in action in the Euros, and with big name concerts and events across the capital and Welsh cities and towns, retailers will be hoping that last month's figures will be buoyed up by a return to our high streets. 'Whilst retailers are working hard to deliver vibrant, engaging shopping experiences that attract customers and boost footfall, they can't sail a solo recovery to help boost the Welsh economy. Given the hammering the industry has taken over recent months, with increased business rates and hikes to Employer National Insurance and the National Living Wage, the Welsh Government should consider what more can be done to boost the sector and support retailers to deliver investment back into Welsh stores. All eyes are now on the plans for Welsh business rates reform and ensuring this doesn't further dampen retailer confidence and lead to a higher tax burden over the next 12 months.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: 'June delivered heatwaves, storms, and what could be the hottest June on record – but even the sunshine wasn't enough to spark a retail revival. Total UK footfall was down -1.8% year-on-year, a gentler drop than the -2.3% seen in June 2024, but still a decline on last year's decline. Wales saw a steeper decline of -3.3%, reflecting the broader regional challenges. UK High Streets fell -3.0%, while Retail Parks and Shopping Centres dipped -1.1% and -1.6% respectively. 'One year on from the General Election, with footfall still in the red, it appears that consumer confidence has yet to find its feet. That said, the rate of decline at a UK level is easing, and with summer now in full swing, retailers have an opportunity to turn seasonal footfall into sustained momentum – especially those who can deliver value, experience, and convenience in equal measure.'
