Local shops across the UK are being asked to provide the evidence needed to prove the damaging impact of future increases in National Minimum Wage.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is encouraging retailers to return a questionnaire that probes the impacts of past increases on job creation, hours and investment in business growth. The findings will be the centrepiece of ACS’ submission to the Low Pay Commission later this year.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Each year we give written and oral evidence to the Low Pay Commission that reflects how the industry is coping with the National Minimum Wage rate, and support from local shops is vital in building our case for a freeze in minimum wage.”
As part of its detailed programme to increase awareness of the impact of the wage on convenience stores, ACS is bringing the decision makers of the Low Pay Commission out to meet those that their decisions affect. Managers from leading convenience chain Tates met with the Commissioners in Wrexham on the 30 June.
Geoff Hallam, Tates managing director, said: “We are grateful to the Low Pay Commission for considering our position while gathering evidence ahead of their report to Government. The rising Minimum Wage has a significant impact on our business, and caused us great difficulty trying to remain competitive and has impacted on our profitability. We hope that the Commission will take this into account when setting their recommended rate early next year.”
Source: ACS
