Retailers large and small are being urged to have their say on an important consultation paper that will help shape future government policy relating to the sector.
The paper has been produced by the Retail Strategy Group. This industry-led body was formed in autumn 2002 to identify ways of improving the sector’s competitiveness and productivity. As well as retailers, it includes representatives from the government, trade unions
and academic institutions.
Asda president and CEO Tony DeNunzio, who chairs the group, said the strategic framework paper was currently a draft document. And he said it was up to the industry to help shape the final report. “We want all retailers to have a say in the final outcome and in the direction of the final report. So we are inviting comment, input and suggestions,” he said.
Retailers should send their thoughts on the report to retail.strategy@dti.gsi.gov.uk by the end of January. The group’s final report will then be sent to DTI secretary of state Patricia Hewitt in April
DeNunzio said the group had been working in a number of key areas - planning; property (specifically leasing arrangements); retail crime; and the cost of complying with government regulations.
In each case, the document identifies a number of possible action points for both industry and government.
DeNunzio stressed these were not “hollow recommendations”. He said the group had seen a strong level of buy-in from across Whitehall and that was one reason why it was confident the government would act on the final report.
Given that - and the fact many of the recommendations would require action from retailers if adopted - DeNunzio said it was vital the industry made its views known. The draft report is on the DTI website.
At the same time, the group is producing a piece of research that looks in detail at the whole issue of competitiveness and productivity in the sector compared with the US and Europe. This will be published in the new year.
The Retail Strategy Group was formed partly out of industry frustration that government seemed to be largely ignoring its voice - even though retail is one of the key drivers of growth for the national economy.
DeNunzio welcomed the fact that, for the first time, there had been a forum to discuss the sector with government. And he hoped this sort of dialogue would be maintained in future.
Julian Hunt
The paper has been produced by the Retail Strategy Group. This industry-led body was formed in autumn 2002 to identify ways of improving the sector’s competitiveness and productivity. As well as retailers, it includes representatives from the government, trade unions
and academic institutions.
Asda president and CEO Tony DeNunzio, who chairs the group, said the strategic framework paper was currently a draft document. And he said it was up to the industry to help shape the final report. “We want all retailers to have a say in the final outcome and in the direction of the final report. So we are inviting comment, input and suggestions,” he said.
Retailers should send their thoughts on the report to retail.strategy@dti.gsi.gov.uk by the end of January. The group’s final report will then be sent to DTI secretary of state Patricia Hewitt in April
DeNunzio said the group had been working in a number of key areas - planning; property (specifically leasing arrangements); retail crime; and the cost of complying with government regulations.
In each case, the document identifies a number of possible action points for both industry and government.
DeNunzio stressed these were not “hollow recommendations”. He said the group had seen a strong level of buy-in from across Whitehall and that was one reason why it was confident the government would act on the final report.
Given that - and the fact many of the recommendations would require action from retailers if adopted - DeNunzio said it was vital the industry made its views known. The draft report is on the DTI website.
At the same time, the group is producing a piece of research that looks in detail at the whole issue of competitiveness and productivity in the sector compared with the US and Europe. This will be published in the new year.
The Retail Strategy Group was formed partly out of industry frustration that government seemed to be largely ignoring its voice - even though retail is one of the key drivers of growth for the national economy.
DeNunzio welcomed the fact that, for the first time, there had been a forum to discuss the sector with government. And he hoped this sort of dialogue would be maintained in future.
Julian Hunt
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