Ministers are being urged to put retailers and town centres at the heart of Scotland’s economic policy, as the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) publishes its manifesto ahead of the 2026 Holyrood election.
The organisation wants “town, city centres and retail destinations at the heart of economic decision making” and has set out a series of recommendations designed to revitalise high streets.
The SRC document – Scotland’s Future High Streets – highlights the pressures on shops across the country and proposes reforms such as a more competitive business rate than England, along with a system to make refitting premises simpler.
It also argues for “combating retail crime through increased funding for Police Scotland” and the creation of an elected Scottish police and crime commissioner to replace the current Scottish Police Authority.
Infrastructure investment is another priority, with the report calling for improvements to both private and public transport links so that town and city centres become easier to access.
Other suggestions include tackling the mounting costs of running stores, which SRC research says have risen by nearly £200million this year through higher business rates and employers’ national insurance.
David Lonsdale, director of the SRC, said the current parliamentary session had presented the sector with “a series of almost overwhelming challenges” – including Covid and the Ukraine war.
He added: “Retailers have had to adapt to this new economic norm. That means fewer stores operating from fewer locations with decisions made even more on the return on investment. There has been a complete shift with almost all retailers of scale now operating online.”
The report found shopper footfall to retail destinations in Scotland fell by 0.9% in the year to July, with the same decline seen at shopping centres.
Mr Lonsdale added: “The next Scottish government needs to put town and city centres and retail destinations at the heart of economic decision making. That should include reducing the cost of business, making it easier to visit and to invest in the high street, and ensuring it’s safe for shoppers and consumers.”
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes stressed ministers were already working with businesses to boost prosperity. She said Scotland had “the UK’s lowest tax rate for non domestic properties” and that “£733m of relief was provided to retailers through initiatives such as the Small Business Bonus Scheme”.