Reseach and Policy
A Sector with No Common Voice
Unlike larger retailers, who have sophisticated public relations departments and undisputed lobbying power, small retailers have little opportunity to influence policy at any level, as they have no common voice. This often means they are ignored at policy level leaving them at a competitive disadvantage in the long run.
In addition, the true importance of small retailers to local economies is still unclear. With the large retail sector being the centre of academics fascinations for many years there remains gaps in the research related to the small retail sector. Without a real understanding of the sector it again becomes difficult for small retailers to have any influence on the policy which effects them.
This has led to the creation of the Research and Policy Unit, within the Retail Enterprise Network.
The RPU’s Aim
There has been a recent surge of efforts to fill the gaps in the research by different organisations including academic institutions, trade associations, private organisations and government bodies. The aim of the Research and Policy Unit (RPU) is to coordinate these efforts to produce research that highlights the real positives and negatives of small retail sector and bring to life new methods of using that information to the sector’s benefit.
The RPU’s Objectives
The RPU has six main objectives, which are:
- To gain a detailed understanding of the small retail sector, especially in areas not previously researched. Research priorities include retail crime and security, localisation strategies and secondary shopping areas.
- To raise the profile of the small retail sector amongst the international academic community in the European Union with the aim of producing research with a purpose.
- To raise the awareness of the needs of different types of small retailers amongst those who provide business support such as banks and business links. The RPU will provide consultancy, advice and ‘market testing’ opportunities to those who develop or wish to develop customised business support products and processes.
- To develop an intelligence service which provides information on the small retail sector. This will be made available to the small retailers, those thinking of joining the sector and those who support the sector.
- To act as a central point for three major groups: those in the sector, those supporting the sector and those who influence the sector through their policies and activities.
- To develop a working template for those wishing to create local supply chains in areas of food distribution and retailing of local crafts.
Expected Outputs
The expected outcomes are a series of reports including high profile publications on crime, training, equal opportunities and the identification of key performance indicators.
The factors for motivating target groups to enter the small retail sector and the identification of regions & sub-regions where successful retailers can be found.
The RPU will also create an information point for those supporting the sector and develop an on-line ‘retail intelligence’ service targeted at small retailers.