What does the general election mean for retail? Catch up on the latest policy announcements and we give a platform to retailers to have their say ahead of the vote on July 4 on our dedicated election page.
With an election date set and the parties going into full campaigning mode, the next six weeks are likely to be dominated by negativity. To cut through the noise, retail must tell its story positively
As visual metaphors go, the optics of the prime minister’s election launch yesterday were quite striking. On the steps of 10 Downing Street, the shoulders and lapels of his suit soaked with rain, his voice being drowned out by the dulcet tones of D:Ream’s Things Can Only Get Better, Rishi Sunak tried to deliver his opening salvo of the election campaign.
The prime minister’s message to the electorate was that he, and only he, has a plan to turn the UK around. The same man that had neither the foresight to check the forecast nor the wherewithal to bring an umbrella with him.
Whether haunted by the ghosts of England manager Steve McLaren in 2007, or under the misguided idea that somehow standing in the rain would make him seem rugged and tough, all Sunak’s speech achieved was painting a bleakly humorous tableau of the state of UK politics and life more generally.
It was met in retail circles, as far as I could tell, by complete apathy. When one retail source was asked if they had any response to the election announcement, they replied: ‘Honestly, what is there even left to say?”
Like I said, bleak. But also, kind of funny.
“Starmer’s tenure has been marked by his reluctance to rock the boat. He has done little to convince anyone that he has a radically different vision for the future of the UK to what has come before”
While yesterday’s announcement had a black kind of humour to it, the next six weeks of campaigning aren’t likely to be a barrel of laughs.
From what one could hear of Sunak, over Tony Blair’s 1997 campaign song yesterday, his main pitch to voters will be fear: of change, in the shape of Kier Starmer and Labour, and of ill-defined malign forces at home and abroad.
While Starmer and Labour have been quick to paint themselves as the party of change after 14 years of Conservatism, Starmer’s tenure as leader of the opposition has been marked by his reluctance to rock the boat.
On many of the key issues of the day, such as Brexit and immigration and so on, Starmer’s main contention with the Conservatives isn’t that their policies are wrongheaded or bad. More they don’t go far enough.
It has done his opinion polls no harm, yet has done little to convince anyone that he has a radically different vision for the future of the UK to what has come before.
From a retail perspective, Labour’s ‘First Steps for Change’ pledge does at least mention the high street in a roundabout way. Starmer has pledged to crack down on antisocial behaviour – not exactly a positive message for the state of the nation, although it’s a tacit acknowledgement that retail crime has spiralled out of control and more is needed to support the industry.
He has also promised to replace business rates and in April unveiled plans to “breathe life into Britain’s high streets”. It’s unlikely to be a panacea, still, it’s better than nothing.
“Retail has so many stories of positivity – against the odds. From being pillars of employment, to working with local producers to solve the UK’s food security crisis, or leading the race to net zero”
As things stand, the list of the retail sector’s perennial bugbears remains as unaddressed now as it’s ever been. Business rates remain unreformed. VAT-free shopping remains unfree of VAT. Amazon continues to get away with paying little to no tax. Deposit return schemes have been delayed, while plastic piles up in the streets. Apprentices are in shorter and shorter supply. After 14 years, Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives don’t appear to have answers to any of the above.
All of these issues, and more, will be raised time and again over the next six weeks.
But retail surely has more to say for itself than just the same greatest hits list of grievances. It has so many stories to share of positivity – against the odds. From being pillars of employment in local communities to working with local producers to solve the UK’s looming food security crisis, or leading the wider business community in the race to net zero.
There are ways and ways of communicating this, however. Iceland boss Richard Walker’s political interventions in January weren’t met with universal praise by his retailing peers. Leaders looking for an example of how to communicate the hugely important and necessary work the sector does need only look to Boots boss Seb James.
“In an election cycle that is going to be dominated by negativity and fear, retail has a chance to do what it does best: be a beacon of hope and positivity”
Speaking via video at Labour’s general election campaign launch last week, James endorsed Starmer without explicitly endorsing him, all while illustrating the key roles his retail business plays in local communities up and down the UK.
“There is a Boots on almost every high street, but high streets are not just a place that people come to shop, it’s a place of work – in some small towns, the only place of work. It’s a place to meet, to connect, to get health advice from your pharmacist, it’s the heart of our towns, and a thriving high street helps to build communities.”
And he’s right. In an election cycle that is going to be dominated by negativity and fear, retail has a chance to do what it does best: be a beacon of hope and positivity, both in local communities as well as nationally, too.
Hugh is news editor at Retail Week, responsible for managing the news desk which produces our daily coverage, exclusive stories, news analysis, interviews with established industry voices and emerging brands, and store galleries. He covers the grocery beat but also writes about the value and convenience sectors and has also written about fashion, department stores and tech.View full profile
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