Talking Retail Grocery and product news for independent retailers
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) chief executive James Lowman (pictured above) tweeted: “Very pleased to see the chancellor focus on investment incentives through the business rates system.
“This is exactly what the ACS has been pushing for over many years. Big step in the right direction.”
He added: “Short-term business rate discount and cancelling of increase to 2022 multiplier also very welcome and a substantial help to @ACS_LocalShops members.”
Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “The chancellor has made a very welcome announcement, giving independent retailers in England a 50% rates discount.
“It is absolutely vital that our finance minister ensures this fully applies to eligible small traders in Northern Ireland.
“Retail NI has long called for the rating system to provide incentives for business to grow.
“It is welcome that the chancellor has included this in his statement. Again, we call on this to be implemented locally.”
“It is important that these initiatives on business rates are followed through in Northern Ireland, as we have a perfect storm coming our way with a forthcoming national insurance hike and huge increases in energy prices.
“Both will add to the considerable burden of many business owners in Northern Ireland.”
Consumer group Wine Drinkers UK said: “We welcome the cancellation of the planned increased in all alcohol duty and the government’s long-overdue decision to abandon the ‘super-tax’ on sparkling wines.
“On the proposed wider reform of the alcohol duty, we await clarification from HM Treasury in the coming days.
“We hope this will put a stop to the historic unfairness of favouring one drink over another.”
Tobacco duty will increase by inflation plus 2% from 6pm tonight (27 October) as expected.
Campaigners have criticised the increases in tobacco duty announced in the Budget.
The rate on hand-rolling tobacco will increase by inflation plus 6%.
Simon Clark, director of the Forest campaign group, said: “Smokers are sick and tired of being targeted every year with above-inflation increases in tobacco duty.
“The majority of smokers come from poorer backgrounds. Many have suffered financially as a result of the pandemic and should not have to face yet another increase in the cost of tobacco at a time when they can least afford it.”
He added: “Increasing the rates of tax on tobacco will inevitably encourage illicit trade, which hurts legitimate retailers and puts consumers at even greater risk from unregulated and counterfeit tobacco.”
