Red Tape Review has to be the start, not the finish

Remember the Gerry Murphy red tape review, led by the then-Kingfisher chief executive, in January 2005? Thought not. After all, retailers have become so used to successive governments announcing red tape reviews that not much excitement greets them any more.

So credit to the Government for this week’s announcement that more than 160 unnecessary regulations affecting retailers are to be axed. Former BRC boss Kevin Hawkins has done a good job of identifying those pieces of legislation that are obsolete, too complex, or just plain daft, while also recognising those rules that are still important such as hallmarking.

Removing the need to notify TV licensing about the sale of a TV or to have an alcohol licence in order to sell liqueur chocolates won’t save multiple retailers much time or money, although they will be welcomed by independents. But they are symbolically important and show the Government is listening to retailers.

It’s disappointing Sunday trading has been ignored though. The review did get a huge number of responses from people opposed to relaxing the Sunday trading hours. But if the high street is to retain its competitiveness in the age of the web, retailers must be allowed to trade whenever customers want them to.

And it’s important that this positive move isn’t undermined by new consumer legislation being brought in to take its place. The Red Tape Review counts for nothing if central government – and the devolved administrations – replaces it with new and actually more onerous legislation.

Nothing lasts Forever

If there’s one thing UK retail doesn’t need, it’s another fast fashion chain catering for the young female market. Yet that’s what we’re getting in the shape of Forever 21, which opened its Oxford Street flagship this week and is aggressively going after sites right across the UK as it seeks to become a national chain.

While its debut store in Birmingham was overspaced, it appears to have got the formula right in London and is clearly going to give its rivals a run for their money. For those on top of their game, like Primark, Topshop and H&M, this will be a minor irritation. For those on the back foot – notably New Look, the retailer Forever 21 has most frequently been compared with – the impact could be more significant.