Diolch, Llywydd. Last year, in partnership with the retail forum, we published the retail action plan. It provided a clear focus on action and engagement, enabling clarity of contributions towards our shared vision for retail and our economic mission. With our social partners, we have made good progress in delivering against actions outlined in the plan. We have focused our energy on measures to support people who work in retail, the physical place retail inhabits in the wider town-centre landscape and ways in which retail can build its resilience.

Retail is one of the largest private sector employers in Wales, with 121,000 people employed in diverse roles and businesses, from major stores to the wide and varied mix of smaller, convenience and independent retailers across Wales. This is why the sector is important to me and why the Welsh Government is invested in supporting the social partnership to develop, bringing retailers, retail representative organisations, trade unions and Government together to collectively agree how to support this sector in Wales.  

Admittedly, the path is not always smooth. There are no quick fixes, easy solutions or infinite budgets. What we do have, however, is a willingness to work together and a forum that offers a space for members to hear each other’s points of view and reach consensus in agreeing a way forward, benefiting workers and employers alike.

Despite the challenging economic and consumer landscape, which has seen inflationary pressures and other issues impact retail, I am pleased to provide an update 12 months into the plan.