Retail Industry Leadership Group meeting minutes: August 2024

Attendees and apologies

ILG members attending

• Polly Jones, Head of Corporate Affairs for Scotland, Asda and Industry ILG Co-Chair (PJ)
• David Lonsdale, Director, Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) (DL)
• Tony McElroy, Head of Communications and Devolved Government Relations, Tesco
• Andrew McRae, Policy Chair - Federation of Small Business (FSB)
• Lucy Brown, Central Operations Director, John Lewis Partnership
• Debbie Harding, Chief corporate Office (Dobbies) Chair of SRC
• Pete Cheema, Chief Executive, Scottish Grocers Federation
• Laura Mitchell, Head of Retail, Greggs

Guests

• Damien Drumm, Partner and Senior Manager, John Lewis

Apologies

• Kyron Keogh, Co-founder and Managing Director, ROX - Diamonds and Thrills
• Sonya Harper, Central Operations Director - CJ Lang and Son
• Reuben Chesters, Project Manager, Locavore
• Colin Smith, Chief Executive, Scottish Wholesale Association
• Karen Stewart, Centre Manager, Livingston Designer Outlet

Scottish Government

• Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment
• James Johnston, Head of Hospitality, Tourism and Retail, Scottish Government
• Allan Clifford, Retail Team Leader, Scottish Government

Secretariat

• Erin Stewart, Retail Policy Officer, Scottish Government

Items and actions

Items and Actions

Item 1: Welcome and opening remarks

• Polly Jones (PJ), Industry Co-Chair, welcomed attendees to the one off meeting of the Retail Industry Leadership Group (ILG)
• Polly welcomed Mr Tom Arthur, Minister for Employment and Investment on his return to Co-Chair the group and thanked Fair Work sub-group Co-Chair Tracey Gilbert for her contributions
• Mr Arthur expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity, this is a good way for the government and retailers to create a partnership and deliver positive outcomes
• PJ explained this ILG meeting is an additional meeting, outwith the usual structure, for the group to review the survey results

Item 2: Discussion on objectives, ILG’s delivery plan and review of groups Terms of Reference (ToR)

• Andrew McRae (AM) has reflected on the ILG ToR, and is concerned that this is aimed at large business’ compared to micro/small businesses. Smaller businesses should be included in a ‘hot topics’ discussion to highlight the different issues they face
• it was suggested that going forward this should be reviewed in a way that incorporates input from smaller businesses and allows room for ‘hot topics’ which may differ from issues faced by larger businesses 
• PJ informed that the structure of meetings has now changed to allow for ‘hot topics’
• Pete Cheema (PC) is concerned that changes in legislation do not happen quick enough or reflect the challenges faced by the sector 
• PJ stated that this is a useful channel to have open communication with the Minister to raise any concerns felt by the retail sector
• Mr Arthur explained that gaining a shared understanding of the government’s decisions is essential, but can only be achieved by open dialogue within the group. The retail sector is important to the Scottish economy and the ILG is a useful way for the Minister to be made aware of the issues being faced, to allow these to be made visible to appropriate parts of Government
• Lucy Brown (LB) suggested that the government could use this ILG as a resource to better understand how legislation/policies may affect Scotland as retailers have the expertise which would allow for them to give recommendations based on experience
• Mr Arthur is conscious of the above and views the ILG as a chance to share experience and elaborate on what realistic changes can be made within  the industry 
• David Lonsdale(DL) suggested that the government share future plans which may affect the retail sector to the group for awareness. It may also be beneficial to have UK government join the ILG. DL also raised that the ToR  Vision Statement  should be revisited to have a clearer focus on what the group should involve such as focus on learning and creating better relationships
• Mr Arthur agreed that a redraft of the ToR may help the direction of the group. Mr Arthur is open to working with UK Government on many of their retail policies that have been introduced regarding regeneration in city centres and towns. Inviting Ministers along to events is a way to work constructively and collaboratively
• Laura Mitchell would like ILG members to have more opportunity to make suggestions to influence government policy
• Debbie Harding made the suggestion that the ILG action plan should be more specific with ILG members making regular updates

Action point

To review the Terms of Reference – (including groups vision). 

Action point

The Group would like to set some achievable deliverables.

Action point

ILG has to consider being a sounding board for new ideas/initiatives, including Gov policy.

Action point

To go out and visit other businesses.

Item 3: AOB

There were no other items raised.