Scottish government pledges new plan to boost retail

First minister Nicola Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament yesterday (7 September) that the new strategy will aim to help innovation and support local supply chains.

The programme includes the development of a scheme to ensure essential services, including convenience stores, are available to everyone within a short walk or cycle.

Sturgeon also confirmed an update is due shortly on the deposit return scheme for Scotland.

Under current plans, all retailers in Scotland will be required to take back containers once the scheme comes into force, unless they are exempt.

All retailers will be required to charge the 20p deposit on eligible containers.

Association of Convenience Stores chief executive James Lowman said: “Local shops will play a key role in the introduction of a deposit return scheme and in order to ensure that that the scheme is workable for both businesses and consumers, it is important it is cost-neutral for retailers via an appropriate handling fee and aligns with the rest of the UK.

“The introduction of this system is likely to be complex, which is why retailers need clarification on the implementation of a deposit return scheme in Scotland, which is currently planned for summer 2022.”