Plans to revive the retail sector in Wales have been unveiled by the Welsh Government and the Wales Retail Forum. The retail sector is one of the largest private sector employers in Wales, employing 139,000 people in 2021.
The new retail sector action plan aims to make Welsh retail more resilient and outlines key policies delivered over a two-year period. Its policies include:
championing workforce equality; diversity and inclusion at all levels;
embedding fair work principles by promoting the Real Living Wage, the benefits of the Economic Contract and the role of trades unions;
promoting the benefits of careers in the sector;
assessing skills and training provision;
adopting the Town Centre First policy in planning;
reducing town centre vacant premises by supporting Local Authorities to match businesses to them or encourage community and other worthwhile use;
working collaboratively to promote town centre/high street events to increase footfall;
creating safer working environments;
encouraging the retail sector to move towards net zero.
