Retailers back new assembly in Northern Ireland and Wales

Following last week’s general election across Wales and Northern Ireland, The British Retail Consortium says they are ready to work with the new assembly governments to help their respective economies grow. BRC Director General Stephen

Robertson said that retail is one of the few sectors in the UK that has been able to grow during the economic downturn, and data from the recent BRC-Bond Pearce Retail Employment Monitor shows that there were 3,400 extra retail jobs in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period one year before.

“Retail generates ten per cent of Wales’ GDP compared with seven per cent for the UK as a whole, meaning it is of even greater importance to the Welsh economy,” he explained.

“As the largest private sector employer, retail holds the key to getting people into work. A third of retail staff are under 25. The sector is providing work for some of the young people facing the biggest challenges in the current climate.”

Retail is integral to Northern Ireland’s economy – the proposals to establish a large retailer levy in the country have been widely criticised by retailers.

Robertson added, ‘Successful retailers, creating thousands of jobs and anchoring healthy high streets, deserve to be valued rather than penalised in this way,’

The BRC will be working with governments in both Wales and Northern Ireland in the months ahead to ensure retailers’ views
are made clear ahead of any forthcoming policy decisions.