‘It will take a combined effort from retail to win over politicians of all stripes’

Now that the local elections are out of the way, all eyes turn towards the next general one. So expect politicians wearing hard hats, holding babies and knocking on doors – probably not all at once.

I also expect more than a few will be getting photos at local retail businesses and on high streets.

While we might not have a date, every boardroom in the country is – or should be – discussing what the next government means for their business.

Organisations such as the British Retail Consortium (BRC), whose job it is to bring a collective voice to the political table, are working overtime to influence the party manifestos and then the implementation of those pledges.

“Retail’s scale and reach puts the industry in a unique position to make a huge contribution to the next government’s policy goals”

The future will be shaped by policies put in place by the next government. While life sciences or gigabit factories might be important and alluring for politicians to hang their hats on, they miss the USP that retail provides.

Small changes at scale can have a much bigger impact. And retail’s scale and reach puts the industry in a unique position to make a huge contribution to the next government’s policy goals.

We set out the power of the ‘everywhere economy’ and our vision for the future in our Manifesto for Retail, launched in January: a vision for a net-zero, digitally transformed industry providing higher-skilled, better-paid jobs and the best shopping experiences for customers.

We’re calling on the next government to help us get there. Pro-growth policies that stimulate investment. A new approach to skills and training policy that supports the upskilling of 5.7 million people working in retail, including 2.7 million in the supply chain – together almost 20% of the UK workforce. And policies that help accelerate the transition to net zero.

“Perception matters. Creating a supportive legislative environment for retailers and their customers only works if policymakers believe retail is worth supporting”

Retail needs to be at the forefront of these debates. This means not only influencing the next government, but perceptions among the elected 650 MPs – many of whom will be new to Westminster and new to the issues facing the industry.

That is why, at the BRC, we are launching the next phase of our election strategy: #BuyIntoRetail.

Perception matters. Creating a supportive legislative environment for retailers and their customers only works if policymakers believe retail is worth supporting.

Such support, only a few weeks ago, provided a new standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker. It is that kind of cross-party parliamentary backing that will fulfil our vision for the future.

It will take the combined effort of us all to win over politicians of all stripes and show MPs and parliamentary candidates the best our industry has to offer: presence in towns and cities; lifelong training to create a higher-skilled, higher-paid workforce; and innovations necessary to build a net-zero circular economy.

Let’s show the next government that the key to successful leadership is to work with the industry, not against it, to ensure policies deliver the right outcomes.

“Every interaction matters. Every politician shown around a warehouse, briefed on key policies or put on record supporting the industry – it all matters”

Retailers can use their wealth of experience to support the next administration, sharing data and best practice, and identifying where retail can really make a difference to realise the full potential of the industry to deliver for customers, colleagues and communities.

So we all have a part to play in getting the next government to #BuyIntoRetail. Every interaction matters. Every politician shown around a warehouse, briefed on key policies or put on record supporting the industry – it all matters.

Whether it’s in person or across social media, we need you to share your vision, your stories and your successes with the MPs and candidates who will help shape retail in the years to come.

When we speak together, our vision for retail cannot be ignored.