বিভাগসমূহ: প্রেস বিজ্ঞপ্তি

The Fed Meets Wales First Minister in Pembrokeshire  

Ahead of the Welsh election on May 7, 2026, the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has met with Welsh First Minister, Baroness Eluned Morgan, to highlight the importance of small shops to the Welsh economy and to the villages, towns and cities of Wales.

The Fed was represented by senior member Vince and Fiona Malone at their business in Tenby in Pembrokeshire, which has just had completed a refit and now trades under a Morrison’s Daily fascia.

Since launching its manifesto for the Welsh elections in January, the Fed has been inviting Senedd candidates to visit its members’ businesses in Wales to discuss the opportunities and challenges that they face.

Its manifesto calls for retail grants to be provided for small independent businesses, as well as action to control costs, particularly business rates which are controlled by the Welsh parliament.  The Fed also wants a cost neutral deposit return scheme (DRS) that works for small shops.

Mr Malone described the meeting as “very positive.” He added: In particular, I highlighted the value of our Post Office and the vast range of government services it provides to people in the town and the many visitors who stay in Tenby, especially in the coming summer months.”

Ms Morgan said: “I would like to thank Vince and the Fed for once again highlighting their important work representing the vital small independent shops that serve the people of Wales. I was particularly interested to hear about the work of the Post Office, especially at a time the Westminster government is looking to engage retail stakeholders on modernisation of the Post Office network so businesses like Vince’s can continue to thrive in the years ahead, whilst serving local people.”

Welsh Fed members engage with Labour candidate on key retail issues ahead of Senedd elections

Fiona and Vince Malone, owners of Tenby Stores, in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and members of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed), met with Marc Tierney, Welsh Labour candidate for Ceredigion Penfro and Pembrokeshire County Councillor in the upcoming Senedd elections on May 7. 

 

The meeting on Saturday, February 28, focused on the critical challenges facing independent retailers and followed the publication of the Fed’s manifesto for the Welsh election.

 

Key issues addressed during the meeting included the impact of rising business rates bills on small shops, as well as the significant social and economic value that post offices and convenience stores offer to their neighbourhoods. The Malones highlighted the rising costs resulting from above-inflation increases in the national minimum wage and higher National Insurance Contributions (NICs) that have placed further financial strain on independent businesses such as theirs, and others across Wales and the rest of the UK.

 

The importance of post offices in providing essential banking facilities was emphasised, underscoring their role in sustaining local economies through their range of services including postal and banking as well as government services such as vehicle tax renewal and passport applications.

 

Additionally, the conversation touched on the pressing issue of retail crime. The Malones showed how they had taken steps to reduce this problem, including the implementation of extensive CCTV coverage and the utilisation of AI technology, but that the threat remained.

 

With the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Wales on the horizon, the Malones expressed their support for initiatives aimed at improving recycling rates. However, they raised concerns regarding the inclusion of glass in the scheme in Wales, highlighting that it would be difficult for small shops to implement because of the dangers associated with broken glass and weight involved in moving it.

 

Vince Malone said: “I want to thank Marc again for his visit and discussing these important issues and for his clear interest. Fiona and I remain committed to advocating for the interests of small shops – as members of the Federation of Independent Retailers – working with all parties at the Senedd ahead of May’s election and beyond.”  

 

Marc Tierney said: “Vince and Fiona are active retailers, who go the extra mile for their community and are well known for their advocacy for the independent retail sector, not just in Wales but across the UK. My visit highlighted the importance of their postal service, banking hub and convenience shop.  Providing these services under one roof is exactly the type of model that can sustain services in our rural, coastal communities. I look forward to working with them in the run-up to the election and beyond.”

The Fed Meets with Fine Gael TD, Brian Brennan, in Co Wexford

The Federation of Independent Retailers has met with Fine Gael TD Mr. Brian Brennan in Bunclody in County Wexford on Monday 23rd March to discuss some of the challenges impacting independent retailers throughout Ireland.

Mr. Brennan met at the business of the Fed’s Vice President in Ireland, Peter Steemers, which operated in the town for the past century, but is currently impacting by a range of economic and regulatory headwinds.  Mr Steemers was also accompanies by the Fed’s Membership Development Executive for Ireland, David McKeown.

Topics discussed included the year’s further increase in the National Minimum wage which went up by €0.65 (4.8%) to €14.15 per hour to sit as the second highest in the EU behind only Luxembourg. Mr. Steemers also highlighted Government taxation and associated regulatory costs like the €1,800 combined Tobacco and Vape Licence.

The Fed team also spoke about the rising spectre of retail crime with shop theft causing direct financial costs in terms of lost stock, but also in terms of expensive security measures small retailers need to take in order to better defend their premises.

Mr. Brennan said: “I was delighted to see Peter’s business and to discuss the vast range of product and services it provides. It is so important shops like this continue to both survive and thrive and I look forward to working with them – along with Fine Gael colleagues – in the months ahead.”

Mr. Steemers said: “I would like to thank Mr. Brennan for visiting the business and listening to the concerns of Fed members. He seemed genuinely keen to work with us locally and in Dublin and we hope to meet with him again at the Dáil Éireann.”

The meeting follows a recent discussion with Sinn Féin TD Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin, earlier in the month at the same business which was part of the Fed’s ongoing initiative to ensure retailers are heard across the political spectrum.

Joshua Reynolds MP visits Fed member in Berkshire

Maidenhead Liberal Democrat MP Joshua Reynolds has again met with the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) to discuss the challenges facing small independent shops.

Following a visit to Fed National President Hetal Patel’s shop in Furze Platt, in Maidenhead last October, Mr Reynolds visited Holyport Post Office which is run by Fed members Sanjay and Jaya Patel on Friday, March 27.

Hetal Patel and the Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator Douglas Oliver were also in attendance.

As well as serving as the local MP in the Berkshire constituency, Mr Reynolds is spokesperson for Investment & Trade for the Lib Dems in Parliament. Just recently, he backed the Fed’s call for dedicated retail security grants to help small shops tackle retail crime.

Friday’s meeting came as the new financial year looms in early April, which will see a series of costs impacting small independent retailers including increases to business rates, an above-inflation increase in the National Living wage and the first measures in the Employment Rights Act, including an extension of the obligation for employers to provide staff sick pay from the first day of illness.

The discussion also touched on the growing challenge of illicit trade in tobacco and the unfair competition to responsible retailers provided by this trade which is widely linked to organised crime. The Fed representatives discussed their calls for the government to provide better resourcing for local authority trading standards teams as well as urging them to have better strategic focus so as to support legitimate retailers.

Commenting after the meeting, Joshua Reynolds MP said: “”It was great to speak to Sanjay and Jaya Patel and the team from the Fed about the continuing challenges facing the sector. Having worked in retail myself managing branches of the Co-Op and helping run branches of the Post Office, before entering politics, I know the challenges businesses like this face.

“In particular, we discussed the impact of rising costs like higher business rates taking effect in April, as well as retail crime and illicit traders which undermine responsible retailers.

“I look forward to continuing to work with the Fed and making the concerns of the Patels and their team heard in Parliament.”

Sanjay Patel said: “It was a very positive meeting and I was pleased by Joshua’s interest in the topics we discussed. However, we want to encourage him to continue his support for Fed members and independent retailers in Parliament.”

 

ফেড নতুন এইচএমআরসি “ট্যাক্স কনফিডেন্ট” ওয়েবসাইট ব্যবহারের জন্য সদস্যদের উৎসাহিত করে

The Fed is encouraging members to engage with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC’s) new “Tax Confident” website which helps explain the basics of tax management for people across the country, including those running small businesses.

The website can be accessed through the Government’s website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/got-agap-in-your-tax-knowledge-get-tax-confident and as well as features linked to retirement planning, Fed members may be interested in the small business section: https://taxconfident.campaign.gov.uk/small-businesses-and-tax/

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said:   “We know that tax can feel confusing at times, especially when you are not sure where to start. HMRC’s Tax Confident website is here to help people get to grips with the basics, covering everything from the tax essentials for new businesses to the need-to-knows for retirement.  Tax Confident is designed to help you feel informed, capable and in control when it comes to managing your tax”

The Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator Doug Oliver said: “The Fed always tells Government that our members work extremely hard to deal with the day-day management of their shops and that they do not often have the time or resource bigger businesses have for undertaking certain back office tasks. Consequently, we hope this tool could be a useful way of sharing certain useful basic information about tax for our members; the site was only launched this March, so we look forward to seeing how it develops and hopefully expands in the coming months.”

জ্বালানি সারচার্জের জন্য নিউস্প্রেড সমালোচিত

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) has today (Monday, March 23) strongly condemned the decision by Irish news wholesaler Newspread to add an additional 4.5 per cent fuel surcharge to its existing carriage charge in response to cost pressures caused by current events in the Middle East.

The Fed is now demanding an urgent meeting with senior management at Newspread to share members’ concerns about these additional costs at a time when they can ill afford them as well as the lack of consultation.

National President Hetal Patel said: “This surcharge is unwelcome and has been announced without any consultation with the Fed or our members. At our meeting with Newspread we will be expressing our disappointment. Newspread has rushed through these additional charges without giving their retail customers fair notice. Six weeks’ notice of any changes to carriage charge templates is customary.”

National vice president Hemanshu Patel added: “While clearly there has been a recent increase in fuel prices, data from the RAC Foundation shows that pump prices were significantly higher during 2022-2023 than they are currently and despite reducing from those peaks no corresponding reduction was ever reflected in carriage charges.

“We are simply asking for a consistent approach to be taken, preferably alongside constructive discussions with colleagues across the supply chain, as opposed to the kind of unilateral decision-making on display here.

“I would question why a surcharge appears to have been applied without a mechanism to reduce the overall carriage charge at times of lower-than-expected fuel prices and how the figure of 4.5 per cent has been calculated, including if it has been decided in the context of longer-term price trends rather than short term market volatility.”

Craig Etchells, national deputy vice president and chair of the Fed’s news operations committee continued: “As well as speaking with Newspread, we will be discussing our concerns with publishers, reminding them of the role they are obliged to play in ensuring that carriage charges remain both transparent and fair.  This is particularly important in a marketplace that lacks competition for sales and choice of wholesaler.

“Unlike other products, news continues to have printed cover prices limiting retailer options to pass on costs to customers. Additional surcharges such as this do little to motivate retailers to remain in or to look to stock the category in store.”

প্রজন্মগত ধূমপান নিষেধাজ্ঞা আরও এক ধাপ এগিয়ে গেল

আজকের দিনে কয়েক প্রজন্মের ধূমপান নিষিদ্ধকরণ কার্যকর হতে চলেছে, কারণ হাউস অফ লর্ডসে একটি চ্যালেঞ্জ পরাজিত হয়েছে। এই নিষেধাজ্ঞার অর্থ হলো ১লা জানুয়ারি ২০০৯ সালের পরে জন্মগ্রহণকারী সকলেই সিগারেট কিনতে পারবে না।.

এই সপ্তাহে হাউস অফ লর্ডসে ইংল্যান্ড এবং ওয়েলসে তামাক বিক্রির বৈধ বয়স ২১-এ উন্নীত করার একটি সংশোধনী প্রস্তাবের বিরুদ্ধে ২৪৬ ভোট বনাম ৭৮ ভোটে রায় দেওয়া হয়। এটি মূলত কনজারভেটিভদের দ্বারা সমর্থিত হয়েছিল, সাথে দুজন লিবারেল ডেমোক্র্যাটও ছিলেন।.

ফেড সম্প্রতি এ ব্যাপারে উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছে যে নিষেধাজ্ঞাটি কার্যকর হবে কিনা এবং আরও বলেছে যে আইনি সীমা ২১-এ উন্নীত করলে তরুণদের মধ্যে তামাক সেবন ব্যাপকভাবে হ্রাস পাবে।.

ফেড এখন স্থানীয় কর্তৃপক্ষের ট্রেডিং স্ট্যান্ডার্ডে সরকারি সম্পদের পরিমাণ বাড়ানোর জন্য আহ্বান জানাচ্ছে – এবং পুলিশ ও অন্যান্য সরকারি সংস্থার সাথে অন্যান্য আইন প্রয়োগকারী ব্যবস্থা – যাতে নিষেধাজ্ঞা অবৈধ বাণিজ্যের বৃদ্ধি না ঘটায় তা নিশ্চিত করার জন্য।.

Cut in commission for parcel handling labelled a ‘kick in the teeth’ for independent retailers

The Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) says Evri’s decision to reduce the commission on one of its ParcelShop categories is another blow to hard hit shop owners.

From April 5, parcels that are classified as ‘shop to shop’ will see the commission received by retailers go down from from 20p per parcel to 15p for drop-offs, and from 25p to 20p for shop to shop collections by store customers.

Shop to shop drop offs and collections are parcels that are delivered to one store before being collected by an Evri driver and taken to another store.

The Fed’s national deputy vice president Craig Etchells, who is also a ParcelShop agent, said: “At the moment, we do not know how many of our dropped off parcels are classed as shop to shop because it is not broken down on our invoice.

“The decision by Evri to cut the commission on these sorts of parcel could mean a significant reduction in earnings for retailers.

“There is just as much work to do for the retailer as with any other dropped off parcel, whether it is a customer to customer or return parcel, while it takes even longer to process colections.

“Such a big reduction in commission is yet another kick in the teeth for smaller retailers like me and many of our members.”

Scottish Government Writes to the Fed About Business Rates in Scotland

Scottish Government Minister, Ivan McKee MSP of the SNP, has written to the Fed’s President in Scotland, Mr Hussan Lal, with further information about changes affecting rates in Scotland following the Holyrood Budget which was set in January.

Ahead of the Budget earlier this year, Mr Lal called for Business Rates in Scotland to be controlled so as to benefit retailers, especially small shops like those owned by Fed members. It also called for rates to be aligned with those in England and with those in the Scottish hospitality sector.

Mr. Lal’s letter, ahead of the budget, said that “[In Scotland]…Many small shops are struggling because of rising costs including energy costs and Employers National Insurance Contributions and because many shoppers have less to spend given the current cost of living. Retail crime is also jeopardising the livelihood of many of our members. We understand that factors such as ENICs are a reserved issue but we call on the Scottish Government to take action on rates.”

Mr. McKee, who currently serves as Minister for Public Finance, stated that: “The Scottish Budget 2026-27, announced on 13 January, along with additional relief announced on 12 February, ensures the estimated revenues raised from non-domestic rates in 2026-27 will be 7% lower in real terms measured by the Consumer Price Index than pre-COVID despite the number of properties on the valuation roll increasing in that time.

“It continues to support businesses and communities, ensuring the lowest Basic Property Rate since 2018-19 and offering a package of reliefs estimated to be worth over £870 million, in 2026-27. The Budget offers more than £320 million of support through transitional relief schemes and retail hospitality and leisure relief over the next three years.”

Commenting, Mr Lal said: “The Fed was grateful for the Scottish Government’s response and noted some positive measures in the Budget for Scottish retailers, as we lobbied for.

Nonetheless, this clearly remains a challenging time for Scottish convenience retailers and we are continuing to lobby senior political figures across the political spectrum so they understand the challenges we face.”