Campaigns

Independent retailers operate in a world where trade issues and legislation can and do have an enormous impact on businesses and livelihoods. Through our public affairs work we enable members to engage politically on the issues that matter to them and provide the tools to get elected political representatives to become effective advocates during policy making.

If you need any help in contacting your MP or political representatives, or have any questions relating to the political aspects of any campaign, please do not hesitate to contact the public affairs team at publicaffairs@nfrn.org.uk

 

Enough’s Enough – end the carriage charge rip off

Enoughs Enough logo

The NFRN is stepping up efforts to show news wholesalers that enough is enough when it comes to sky high carriage charges.

We want you to demonstrate your anger and frustration at these ongoing charges by signing our Carriage Charge Petition which will help our attempts in calling for a full, transparent and independent review of them.

It is really important that you support this campaign so we can share your views, not just with news wholesalers but with the wider industry as a whole.

We want wholesalers to realise that local and traditional news retailers will continue to close unless the carriage charge model is changed. In turn, these closures will accelerate a sharper decline in the availability of newspapers and magazines to consumers, further impacting on sales.

View the latest updates on this campaign >

NFRN launches Independent Retail Report

The NFRN has launched its Independent Retail Report 2018 at a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons. Read more

Scottish Independent Retail Report launched

During a parliamentary reception at the Scottish Parliament on 24 April 2018, the NFRN launched its 2018 Independent Retail Report for Scotland. Read more

Review of our 2017 Receptions

The NFRN launched its Independent Retail Report 2017 at a parliamentary reception in the House of Commons on  21 February 2017.

On 4 April 2017 the NFRN launched its Independent Retail Report for Wales 2017 during a reception at the National Assembly for Wales in Cardiff.

Current Campaigns

Find out the latest ways that the NFRN is developing its profile and building recognition of the needs of independent retailers in all parliaments and assemblies. More importantly, see how you can help!

Retail Crime
Retail Crime victim and NFRN member Niru Patel in hospital after attack

On Christmas Eve 2015, Mrs Patel (pictured) was attacked in her store in Luton and sustained life threatening injuries. Six years prior, Mrs Patel’s husband, Jashbhai was murdered outside their store.

Over the past few years, our members have voiced their growing concerns with the level of retail crime affecting their business and their way of life. Retailers across the UK report that one of the biggest threats to their business is customer theft – with 377,172 incidents recorded for the year ending June 2017.

Yet, the Public Accounts Committee also found that the total proportion of crimes resulting in a charge or summons fell from 15% in March 2015 to 9% in March 2018. The proportion of victims who were not satisfied with the police response rose from 29% in the year ending March 2016 to 33% in the year ending March 2018. For these reasons, some NFRN members no longer bother reporting crimes to the police. Crimes remain largely unpunished.

The NFRN believes that its members should be supported when they fall victims to crime. In 2018, the NFRN set up an All-Party Parliamentary Group on Retail Crime to raise the issue up the political agenda. The APPG will look to undertake a number of inquiries to deliver workable recommendations designed to assist Government, law enforcement and the private sector in retail crime.

In 2019, the NFRN will also encourage its members to engage with their local Police and Crime Commissioners. Local PCCs must understand the seriousness of retail crime – and send a clear message: no crime is too small to be punished. The NFRN will also press for build partnerships with local police staff, and ensure that retail crime is put high on the local police’s agenda.

The NFRN calls for: The government to introduce transparent data on the real extent of retail crime. The local police should be more proactive in inquiring into incidents and encourage retailers to report crimes when they occur.

 

British Retail Consortium. 2016 Crime Survey, 2017.
Public Accounts Committee, Financial sustainability of police forces in England and Wales, 2018.
Home Office, Crimes against Businesses – Victimisation Survey, 2017.

National Living Wage & Auto-enrolment

In the Autumn Budget in October 2018, the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced further increase to the national living wage, as follows:

National Living Wage table

Whilst the NFRN is sympathetic to calls to increase the National Living Wage, our members cannot easily absorb these and they hinder their business growth.

In its latest report, the Low Pay Commission found that in the retail sector, NLW had negative effects on employment retention and amongst women working part-time. Many retailers were forced to reduce staff hours and staff numbers, while taking on more hours themselves. The Commission also found that the national minimum wage reduced profit for many shop owners, leading to cuts to, or reductions in, investment.

This impact has not been anticipated by the government. It is important that the government and the Low Pay Commission consider the financial burden this places on independent retailers and provide support.

Additionally, the increase coincides with other challenging and costly policies affecting independent retailers. One such policy is the rollout of workplace pension auto-enrolment. Many independent retailers had to outsource auto-enrolment and payroll, adding to the already high cost resulting from minimum employer contributions.

The NFRN calls for: The government to review the impact that the Living Wage and auto-enrolment have on small and micro businesses and to assess the level of increases scheduled.

Support for independent retailers and the High Street

Independent retailers are at the heart of the local community by offering a vital service through convenience retailing, payment services, news, and even postal services. That’s why one of NFRN’s campaigns is to save the High Street, by ensuring the cost of running your business does not overtake profit margins.

In the Autumn Budget 2018, the Chancellor Philip Hammond announced a string of measures aimed at reviving our High Streets, including a £675m High Streets Fund to help councils invest in the improvements needed. The NFRN actively seeks ways to engage with local authorities to ensure that small retailers receive a fair share of the funding. The NFRN will also ensure it is closely involved in the work of the future High Streets Taskforce – to be led by Sir John Timpson.

On Budget Day, the Chancellor also announced that for the next two years, retailers in England with a rateable value of £51k or less will have their business rates bill cut by a third. That’s a much-needed relief for retailers, but it’s only a temporary fix. This will not help retailers get back on their feet and start investing again, as they are struggling with crippling taxes.

The NFRN calls for: The government to look at sustainable measures to support the High Street. The NFRN urges the government to simplify the tax system for retailers, and increase the £12,000 threshold for business rate relief.

Offensive Weapons Bill

Retail staff continue to suffer an unprecedented level of violence and abuse in their workplace. The Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers found that during 2018, 6 in 10 shop workers experienced verbal abuse and there were over 230 assaulted every day. 59% of those who experienced violence, threats or abuse at work did not report the incident.

In 2018, the NFRN has been closely involved in amending the Offensive Weapons Bill to give retail workers greater protection. Delyn MP David Hanson tabled an amendment to make obstructing or threatening a worker carrying out age verification on corrosive or bladed products an aggravated offence. NFRN members have been encouraged to contact their local MPs to get their support in Parliament. The issue found echoes in Parliament and the NFRN was mentioned a number of times during the debates.

As a reply, Minister for Crime Victoria Atkins organised a roundtable with the NFRN, MPs and other representatives of the retail industry on 11 December 2018. The NFRN will update its members shortly on the outcome of the meeting.

The NFRN calls for: The government to make an aggravated offence to obstructing or threatening a worker carrying out age verification on corrosive or bladed products.

 

Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, Freedom from Fear Interim Survey, 2018.

Deposit Return Scheme (Scotland)

In September 2017, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced that Scotland would introduce a deposit return system (DRS) for used drinks cans and bottles. A one-way DRS usually involves an initial deposit added to the purchase price of a drink, which is then refunded when the container is returned to a collection point. If consumers decide not to return the used container, they will lose the deposit. The specific design for Scotland has yet to be finalised but is aimed at reducing the high number of litter ending up in the Scottish countryside and sea.

Independent retailers have long called for a deposit refund scheme for plastic bottles and cans in Scotland and agreed to a proactive policy of engagement with like-minded stakeholders in a bid to increase recycling levels within Scotland. Speaking at the NFRN’s Scottish Conference in March 2017, Gail Winfield, then its president, said: “NFRN members are responsible retailers who want to play a role in protecting the environment and who recognise the damage that plastic bottles and cans can do to their surroundings. It’s for that reason we have agreed today to support the Scottish government’s aim of increasing the rate of recycling but we want to ensure that any schemes to achieve this are developed in co-operation with the independent retail sector.”

Research suggests that a deposit return scheme could cut litter by 18 million cans and 21 million bottles in Scotland. With such compelling evidence, the NFRN wants to pro-actively engage with like-minded stakeholders in discussion and debates, leading to an industry solution that will benefit, not hinder, independent retailers.

In developing a DRS in Scotland it is important that the challenges and opportunities that such a scheme would present to the independent retail sector are considered and addressed. That way, a scheme that works for the customer and for retailers of all sizes can be introduced.

The building of a resilient infrastructure is the key to DRS being a success for independent retailers. To achieve this a number of issues will need to be addressed. These include:

  • A strong infrastructure that can be relied on to collect the returns on a daily basis.
  • An administrative system that does not impose a heavy burden on retailers but does pay them the refunded deposit and handling fee quickly, accurately and efficiently.
  • The possibility of exemption or opt-outs for small shops and kiosks.
  • Support from the manufacturers by investing in the success of the project, both with the development of the infrastructure but also helping independent retailers by providing capital to obtain reverse vending machine for use in independent retail stores.

The NFRN is keen to continue working with the government to ensure that the scheme will reflect the specific needs of the independent retail sector. Consideration must be given to the nature of members’ stores and the need to avoid excessive red tape, to the need for manufacturers to invest in the success of the scheme, ensuring that the infrastructure can be put In place that benefits independent retailers.

The NFRN calls for: Proactive engagement with like-minded stakeholders and the Scottish government to devise an industry solution that works for everyone.

Illicit Trade - Suspect it? Report it!

The illicit trade market, in particular tobacco and alcohol is a costly burden not only to legitimate retailers but also to the Treasury, with a loss of more than £3.6bn each year in lost revenue. The NFRN has campaigned against any measures which may increase the volume of illicit trade, such as plain packaging. In addition, the NFRN has called for the Government, Trading Standards, Police and HMRC to do more to combat illicit trade. Counterfeit tobacco and alcohol are a particular concern to independent retailers as the proliferation of such products results in a substantial loss of sales for legitimate retailers as well as having serious health risks to consumers.

NFRN and Imperial Tobacco team up to fight illicit tobacco

Suspect It, Report It banner

50,000 anti-illicit trade (AIT) packs branded with Imperial’s award-winning Suspect it? Report it! campaign were distributed to all retailers throughout the UK during January 2017. Each pack contained a range of in-store activation materials, including infographics, posters and stickers. These resources have been specifically created to raise awareness among retailers, their staff and adult smoker customers in understanding the multitude of threats to government, retail industry and society posed by the illicit tobacco trade.

Peter Nelson, AIT Manager, Imperial Tobacco comments: “Latest reports* suggest around 1 in 6 factory made cigarettes and 2 in 5 hand-rolled cigarettes smoked in the UK are of an illicit nature, which is among the highest in the EU. This illegal product can often be unregulated; it also threatens retailers’ livelihoods, brings criminal elements into local communities and deprives the Government of billions of pounds in much-needed tax revenue each year.

“With the full transition to standardised – or ‘plain’ – packaging on 20 May fast approaching, it is likely that tobacco manufacturers, enforcement bodies and retailers alike will have to contend with a increased threat from the illicit trade in the near future, so the release of these Suspect it? Report it! information packs comes at a particularly crucial time.

“We strongly believe that collaboration between government, industry and law enforcement is the only way to achieve long-term success, with all partners working together in a focused manner to achieve the Government’s objectives of not only reducing the illegal trade, but also helping restrict youth access to prohibited products.”

What to do if you suspect illegal tobacco is being sold

If you have any suspicions around the sale of illegal tobacco where you live, report it! Please act by contacting either the Customs Hotline on 0800 59 5000, NFRN Connect or your local Trading Standards/Police. Retailers can also contact their designated Imperial Tobacco sales representative.

How to follow the campaign

If you would like to read more about the illicit trade, please visit the Suspect it? Report it! website at www.suspect-it-report-it.co.uk, or follow the campaign on Twitter at @suspect_report. New to Twitter? Check out our Twitter Beginner’s Guide for all the basics.

Campaign updates

To view the latest NFRN articles on illicit tobacco, visit https://nfrnonline.com/tag/illicit-trade/

Past Campaigns

The NFRN works hard on behalf of its members, building relationships with industry partners and key ministers and parliamentarians to ensure that the concerns of independent retailers are at the forefront of discussions.

Carrier Bag Levy

The carrier bag levy in England came into force in October 2015, following similar initiatives in Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland where plastic bag usage has dropped significantly as a result.

The NFRN has always supported a carrier bag charge with the aim of reducing waste and protecting the environment. Unlike Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the levy was only applicable for large stores in England. Despite extensive lobbying efforts by the NFRN, including conversations with the coalition Government’s Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the then Minister for Water, Forestry, Rural Affairs and Resource Management, Dan Rogerson, smaller shops in England are excluded from making a charge for single use carrier bags.

The NFRN maintained that this is unnecessary, would confuse customers and lessen the impact on the environment that an all inclusive levy would have had. In December 2015, the NFRN submitted a ‘voluntary code of conduct’ for smaller shops to charge for single use carrier bags, this was submitted to then DEFRA Minister, Rory Stewart.

NFRN welcomes extension of carrier bag charge to smaller shops

On 10 January 2018 the government announced plans to extend the 5p plastic bag charge to smaller shops in England, with its National President Linda Sood saying this shows that government has listened to independent retailers’ concerns.

Since the charge was first imposed in England in October 2015 the NFRN has campaigned against the exemption, saying it would confuse customers and lessen the impact on the environment that an all inclusive levy would have had.

Mrs Sood said: “Our members have always been baffled by the fact that they were excluded from the requirements in England, although their retail colleagues in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have been able to charge. Because of their desire to be environmentally friendly and to help support local charities, many of them have chosen to implement the charge, with the proceeds donated to local good causes.

“Over the past few years we have lobbied government ministers, including then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, then minister for water, forestry, rural affairs and resource management, Dan Rogerson, former environment minister Rory Stewart and, more recently, Thérèse Coffey, asking them to think again. Most have been supportive and have backed a voluntary code we drafted to help retailers make clear to their customers when they are being charged, and where the proceeds are being donated.”

Mrs Sood continued: “There is no denying the fact that the 5p charge has made a huge difference to plastic bag usage, with nine billion fewer bags used and more than £66 million given by supermarkets to good causes. But the NFRN has consistently argued that while this is impressive, these figures could have been so much higher had independent retailers been included from the start.

“However, we are delighted that the government has listened to our calls and that Theresa May is set to announce that the legislation is to be extended to stores of all sizes. We look forward to playing an active part in the consultation process and working with government to ensure a smooth transition, although we will continue to press for reduced reporting requirements for businesses with fewer than 10 employees.

“Extending the levy is good news as it will bring an end to customer confusion while helping NFRN members cut costs, play their part in reducing waste and raising money for local worthy charities.”

Camelot Free Retailer Hotline

The NFRN has welcomed the news that Camelot is reinstating a free retail hotline for retailers to use for day to day help and advice from 5 June 2017.

The new free Retailer Hotline number from June 5 is 0800 8 40 50 60

In autumn 2015 the national lottery operator enraged NFRN members by transferring its previously free retail hotline to an expensive 0844 number. No formal notice was given about the move before the new telephone number took effect from Friday October 8.

The NFRN raised members’ concerns directly with Camelot warning that the move would mean retailers would be paying more to use the hotline than they would earn in commission from selling lottery tickets and scratch cards. It described the move as “unwarranted and unfair”.

On 2 June 2017 Camelot announced the launch of its “AllStars” support package for independent retailers, which along with the reinstatement of the free retail hotline number includes a £4 million plus investment in new and extra pos materials and signage and increased contact from its team for expert advice and support.

 

Sugar Tax

Giant canthetax poster submitted to the Chancellor

The NFRN has joined forces with a host of industry associations representing more than 400,000 people across several sectors to fight against the Government’s proposed sugar tax.

The ‘Face the Facts, Can the Tax’ campaign is supported by a coalition of British businesses who have come together to highlight the damaging economic consequences of the tax and urge the Government to rethink the policy and focus instead on proven solutions that will address obesity.

The group includes soft drinks manufacturers, wholesalers, small shops, newsagents, restaurants, bars, and pubs. They are warning the tax will do nothing to tackle obesity, and risks causing thousands of job losses and higher prices for those who can least afford it.

“Education not legislation on sugar ” says NFRN

13 October 2016

The NFRN has reiterated its calls for education rather than regulation in its response to the government’s consultation on the proposed sugar tax.

In its submission, the NFRN has warned that instead of reducing instances of obesity, a tax on sugary soft drinks will only hit hard working independent retailers who are already reeling from higher costs arising from the newly launched National Living Wage, business rates and from complying with the tobacco display ban.

The NFRN reminded the government that in Mexico a soft drinks tax only reduced the daily sugar intake by six calories per person.

Instead, the NFRN said that consumers needed to be better educated into the effects of sugar and the alternatives available.

NFRN’s Day of Action against the sugar tax 

Customers holding up canthetax postcards

27 September 2016

Nearly 2,000 independent retailers got behind the NFRN’s call for the government to rethink its plans for a sugar tax on sugary drinks.

Since the NFRN’s Day of Action against the proposed sugar tax on Friday September 16, almost 1,500 store owners have filled out a postcard to Chancellor Philip Hammond registering their objection to the proposal and saying no to the tax.

A further 459 have written to their MP, warning that the move will devastate their businesses while failing to tackle the UK’s obesity problems.

Posters stating that a potential 58p price increase on a two litre bottle of a sugary soft drink will cause shop closures and job losses have also gone up in thousands of stores nationwide.

NFRN Chief Executive Paul Baxter said: “While we understand that the government has got to get to grips with rising obesity levels, we believe the proposal for a sugar tax is flawed. That’s why thousands of independent retailers are joining our call for Chancellor Philip Hammond to reconsider and come up with a solution that will not threaten the survival of local independent shops.”

#canthetax

Twitter is a great way to get your voice heard, so make sure you follow the campaign on the NFRN Twitter page and by using the hashtag #canthetax. New to Twitter? Check out our Twitter Beginner’s Guide for all the basics.

Please help us get the government to face the facts and rethink its approach to tackling obesity.

Campaign Page

For more information about the NFRN’s campaign against the sugar tax, visit nfrnonline.com/sugartax

Payzone Contracts

On 27 July 2017, the NFRN expressed concern at new contracts being imposed by Payzone.

The changes, which represent a fundamental change from existing arrangements, were being forced through with a minimum time for retailers to consider the detail of the new contract.

Visit our Payzone Contracts Update page for the very latest.

 

#PayPointPayFair Campaign

In May 2015, PayPoint informed retailers that it was reducing the cap that applies to transaction commissions. The NFRN responded by referring this matter to its lawyers and are considering making a formal complaint about PayPoint to the Payment System Regulator (PRS) in an attempt to seek a full market investigation into the Over-the-Counter Payment and Collection Services market. A letter to energy regular, OFGEM, has also been posted and warns of the invidious situation that PayPoint retailers now find themselves in and calls for an immediate investigation.

The NFRN escalated its dispute against payment service provider, PayPoint, by urging its 9,000 members who operate terminals with them to write to their MPs asking them to raise concerns in Parliament about PayPoints decision to reduce the cap on retailer’s commissions. Independent retailers play a vital role in ensuring consumers have access to over the counter payment and collection services but it is inconceivable that they are expected to operate at a loss.

In letters to MPs, many retailers are considering removing terminals from their stores, denying vulnerable and elderly customers the opportunity to pay bills, top up keys for their electricity or gas metres or pick up their benefits.

Sunday Trading

Whether it was through the NFRN’s Parliamentary Receptions, responses to Government Consultations, our Budget 2016 submission or through members actively engaging with their MPs in their shops or at their surgeries; plans to relax Sunday trading hours was defeated in the House of Commons and recorded the first defeat to the Conservative Government, after 317 MPs voted against the proposal to allow councils to extend opening hours on Sundays through the Enterprise Bill.

However, this is still contested and is being monitored by NFRN Public Affairs and will always stand up for the independent retailer and make sure their voices are heard in Westminster and in the devolved Assemblies.

Business Rates 2017

Independent retailers have faced a tough business climate during the financial uncertainty over the past few years. Given their relatively small size, our members are particularly affected by any changes to their trading conditions.

After extensive campaigns through Parliamentary receptions, meeting with Ministers, letter writing campaigns and a strong proposal put forward before the 2016 Budget, the NFRN’s campaign for a reduction in business rates met success. As of April 2017, more than 600,000 small businesses will be taken out of business rates all together. Rateable properties of less than 15,000 will be paying no rates at all, meaning a typical corner shop or newsagent will be paying no rates.

You can see the NFRN’s submission to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, here and the response.

Plain Packaging
The NFRN challenged the Department of Health to think again about putting tobacco products in plain packs, our submission can be found here. We submitted concerns made by newsagents and convenience stores that the introduction of plain packaging will provide a boost to counterfeiters and the illicit market, which in turn has a negative impact not only on legitimate and responsible businesses, but on public health too.
Press for Reform

For far too long the news and magazine supply chain has been dominated by over-mighty publishers and wholesalers that exert their market share in a manner that alters the market itself.

In July 2011, the NFRN launched the ‘Press for Reform’ campaign, which lobbied Parliamentarians and the Office of Fair Trading to refer the news supply chain to the Competition Commission for a full market investigation. In October 2012, the Competition Appeal Tribunal dismissed a joint appeal from the NFRN and the ACS over the Office of Fair Trading’s decision not to order a review of the News industry.

Related Member Benefits

NFRN Connect

NFRN Connect

Dedicated member call centre to assist you with all queries and new business opportunities.

NFRN Legal

NFRN Legal

A free member legal helpline for telephone based legal advice available 24 hours a day.

The Fed

The Fed

Free member magazine keeping you up to date on all industry and business developments.

NFRN Political Engagement

NFRN Political Engagement

Working to make sure all your concerns and opinions are represented and heard by MPs, MSPs and industry decision makers.