Tailored e-commerce initiatives will be at the heart of a new range of
support plans for UK businesses
PetQuip has welcomed a series of new government measures to help boost exportsas UK businesses look to recover from the pandemic.
The measures were announced yesterday (8 September) by exports minister,Graham Stuart MP, and are set to offer immediate support to companies byensuring specialists provide advice on online retail and international market-places.
PetQuip has also welcomed the launch of a new Consumer and Retail ExportAcademy, that will provide businesses with the “critical” knowledge, skillsand networks needed to increase exports.
The plan is also set to outline long-term support for the sector as new exportopportunities arise from trade deals being negotiated with the US, Japan, NewZealand and Australia.
E-commerce will reportedly be “at the heart” of the plans, with measurestailored to help consumer and retail businesses develop international, multi-channel and e-commerce for the “changed retail environment”.
It comes as the value of retail sales made online has risen by more than 300%in the last 10 years, a trend that is expected to continue as a result ofcoronavirus.
Amanda Sizer Barrett, director general of the Federation of Garden and LeisureManufacturers Ltd has been working actively with DIT and other governmentdepartments, as well other sectoral trade bodies, to help shape thegovernment’s export strategy.
Barrett said: “We are very pleased to continue to encourage exports inconjunction with DIT, and we will be running more of our sectoral e-commercewebinars and other initiatives in conjunction with DIT’s e-commercespecialists, as well as signposting new specific sectoral international marketand business opportunities and continuing to inform and support our Gardenexand PetQuip members preceding and following the end of the EU-Exit TransitionPeriod.”
Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP said: “We recognise that coronavirushas brought challenges to many industries, not least the consumer and retailsector, where so much depends on face-to-face interactions.
“This package of support will give businesses the helping hand they need toadapt their methods and thrive in the future. More trade and investment isabsolutely critical if the industry – and our whole economy – is to overcomesuch challenges.”
He added: “These measures provide both short and long-term support forbusinesses that employ so many people across the UK. As we continue toencourage businesses to increase their trade overseas, we will also ensurethat they can take full advantage of the opportunities that will be unlockedthrough our negotiation of Free Trade Agreements with countries around theworld
“The retail industry is a key pillar of the UK economy, contributing £104bn ofGVA to the UK economy in 2019, with the value of retail sales reaching £395bnin 2019, a 3.8% increase from 2018.”
Source:Heather Sandlin __UK Pet Gazette
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