Scottish government praises independent retailers and Fed role following election

Scottish economy secretary Stephen Flynn has acknowledged the key role that independent retailers play in communities and has praised the Fed for its support of small shops.

His comments came in a letter to the Fed’s Scottish president Uthayakumar Soundararajan. Mr Soundararajan had written to Mr Flynn and other senior politicians including First Minister John Swinney, deputy first minister and finance and local government secretary Jenny Gilruth and justice secretary Neil Grey congratulating them on their success in the May elections.

In his letters, Mr Soundararajan also highlighted the challenges facing the small independent retail sector in Scotland, including concerns about high levels of retail crime, rising taxation and energy costs and the need for support for retailers adjusting to various regulatory changes, including the forthcoming deposit return scheme.

In his response, Mr Flynn wrote: “I agree with your sentiments around independent retail stores being a vital part of local Scottish communities and acknowledge the challenges retailers have faced in recent years.”

He added: “Your continued commitment to the sector is welcomed and greatly appreciated. In the forthcoming weeks and months, myself and my colleagues look forward to working with your organisation to explore avenues for collaboration, share insights, and maximise opportunities for the sector to fulfil its potential and contribute to our economic transformation.”

Mr Flynn also praised the role the Fed plays as part of the Retail Industry Leadership Group, which was established in 2022 under the co-chairmanship of his predecessor Kate Forbes MSP.