The Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has launched a retail manifesto containing proposals for the next Scottish Parliament, to be elected on May 1.
Fiona Moriarty, director of the SRC, wants Scottish retailers to have a louder and stronger voice.
She said: 'Our shopping list for change contains a range of simple ideas that could easily be implemented by a new Scottish Executive to the benefit of retailers, consumers and the Scottish economy.'
Although the current administration has been doing a reasonable job, it must not shackle retailers through legislation, she urged. 'We want to see improved competitiveness. A reduced burden will help us deliver lower costs and better value.'
Demands include a planning charter and the establishment of Business Improvement Districts.
The SRC is also working with tourist agency Visit Scotland to link retail and tourism, a bond that has suffered in the wake of the events of September 11.
'The Scottish Executive has suffered from a lack of dynamism in pushing tourism. There is more to Scotland than whisky and castles,' she added.
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