Bounce-back plans introduced for retail industry

It will offer immediate support to businesses by ensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international marketplaces.

The measures include a boosted digital and e-commerce offer consisting of three initiatives:

• International Clicks Fast Track Initiative — access to new DIT partnerships with B2B marketplaces, increasing the routes to market following store closures due to Covid-19
• Omnichannel Optimiser Initiative — tailored advice for consumer and retail businesses to help them develop an international multi-channel strategy to help them succeed online
• FDI e-commerce marketing campaign — digitally-led marketing activity to showcase e-commerce inward investment opportunities to potential international investors.

New plans include the launch of a new Consumer and Retail Export Academy, which will provide businesses with the knowledge, skills and networks needed to increase exports.

In addition, it outlines long-term support for the sector as new export opportunities arise from trade deals being negotiated with the US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

Stuart said: “We recognise that coronavirus has brought challenges to many industries, not least the consumer and retail sector, where so much depends on face-to-face interactions.”

He added that the package of support would give businesses the help they need to “adapt their methods and thrive in the future”.

“More trade and investment is absolutely critical if the industry — and our whole economy — is to overcome such challenges,” the exports minster added.

The British Home Enhancement Trade Association said that, following the Covid-19 outbreak, it is now essential that suppliers and retailers have a strong e-commerce sales channel.

“DIT’s (Department for International Trade) support to help companies develop an e-commerce strategy will be immensely valuable to businesses as they begin and continue to trade overseas.”

Julie Driscoll, UK regional director at Hyve Group plc, said the company was thrilled to be working in collaboration with the UK government and the Department for Trade on plans to “reinvigorate the UK retail industry”.