Unitas Wholesale And SPAR have become the latest firms operating in the convenience sector to criticize the government’s alleged plans to suspend Sunday trading laws for a year in a bid to boost the economy.
Darren Goldney, Managing Director of Unitas, which services more than 30,000 independent retail stores, wrote to Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Alok Sharma, Business Secretary, urging them to reconsider any potential relaxation that would allow supermarkets and other large stores to trade for more than six hours on a Sunday.
“During the coronavirus crisis, small independent convenience retailers have provided a vital lifeline to the communities they serve,” he said. “They have continued to trade through the most challenging conditions to provide essential support, products and services, all at huge personal risk. They have adapted their businesses, modified their stores and gone the extra mile again and again to ensure their customers, often the most vulnerable in their communities, have the products they need during the crisis.
“These small convenience stores are already competing with the ever-increasing power of the multiples, and benefit enormously from periods of time such as Sunday trading periods. By relaxing Sunday trading laws, even temporarily, small stores will see their footfall and sales reduce which will result in unemployment and even business closure for those stores already struggling with rising staff costs and the demands of the Covid-19 crisis.
“At Unitas Wholesale, we recognise the need to stimulate the economy, however this must be possible without sacrificing this vital channel. I implore the Government to think again and work with us to protect the livelihoods of small independent convenience retailers across the UK.”
Meanwhile, a statement from SPAR UK’s Managing Director Louise Hoste, said: “We are outraged that the government are planning to suspend Sunday trading laws.
“We feel disappointed that our efforts to feed the nation have not been seen as enough. Independent retailers adapted on a daily basis to ensure the general public all over the UK had access to essential items during the pandemic.
“The proposals to deregulate Sunday trading hours would have a personal impact on independent family businesses who meet local demands in villages and towns every day. Stores are essential lifelines not only for the vulnerable but for a healthy thriving local community. This has never been more evident than it is now during this pandemic, when independent SPAR stores have supported the nation, given their all to communities, and worked tirelessly to help vulnerable people.
“By changing the law now and put independent family convenience businesses at risk would be an affront.
“The current Sunday trading laws help to maintain a balance between large supermarket and small convenience stores providing food and other essential items. Extending Sunday trading hours would divert trade away from smaller community-based stores to larger supermarkets, bringing negative growth to the high street.”
Similar statements were issued by symbol group’s Costcutter and Parfetts earlier this week.
Unions and religious groups also oppose any moves to relax Sunday trading laws, saying retail staff will be forced to work even longer hours and have less time to spend with their families.
Some supermarkets that have local convenience stores unaffected by Sunday trading laws are said to be opposed to reform but others, including Asda and Morrisons, are thought to be in favour.
Responding to the reports earlier this week about the potential move, Downing Street sources confirmed the laws are “being looked at” but did not give further details.
NAM Implications:
- Given the government’s need to kick-start the economy…
- …it is probable that Sunday Trading Laws will be suspended…
- …and NAMs need to factor this into their trading strategies.
