Small, entrepreneurial retailers can be the drivers of redistributing wealth and opportunity across the UK, believes eBay UK general manager Murray Lambell.

Ebay-web

eBay has launched a £1m investment programme for start-ups

Levelling up will be a defining economic and political issue of this decade. Research shows that the UK is the most regionally unequal country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development except for Ireland and Slovakia, and tackling this problem will require enormous effort.

Infrastructure and manufacturing are much discussed when it comes to achieving this aim. New roads, new rail links, new industrial hubs.

But what about retail? Retail employs more than 3 million people across the country and, as an industry, we have a presence in all corners.

More than 29 million UK shoppers come to eBay alone each month, while our sellers deliver goods nationwide.

“Our industry plays an important part in everyone’s daily lives. As the cost-of-living crisis grows, our role will become even more important”

That’s why we recently announced the eBay Business Roadshow, a £1m investment programme and our first ever regional roadshow in the UK, focused on helping would-be and fledgling entrepreneurs to both start up and scale up their online businesses.

Collectively, our industry plays an important part in everyone’s daily lives. No matter where you live, you need to feed and clothe your family. As the cost-of-living crisis grows, our role will become even more important.

Despite our scale, however, the retail industry features only in passing in the debates around the government’s levelling-up strategy. That’s a mistake.

We are – and always have been – a nation of shopkeepers. Now it’s time for big business and politicians of all parties to recognise the part the retail industry can play in levelling up the UK.

Small retailers are the engine

Putting small retailers at the heart of the levelling-up strategy will be critical. Small retailers can be the driver of redistributing wealth and opportunity across all parts of the UK, by boosting revenues and employment, all the while creating thriving local communities.

The 300,000 small businesses on eBay UK are already doing just that. These retailers sell their products around the world, fuelling both international trade and growth at home.

Many are also employers, providing local jobs for communities, or have physical shops, helping to sustain local high streets.

These small businesses and entrepreneurs were already ‘levelling up’ before it was a tagline.

Our own data shows that, contrary to popular opinion, the region that saw the fastest growth in the number of new retail start-ups created over the pandemic wasn’t London or the southeast.

In England, it was the northeast, driven largely by towns such as Durham, while across the UK as a whole, Scotland saw the greatest growth.

Support will be crucial to make ambition reality

Something I’ve seen over the course of the pandemic is how resilient and adaptable our retail industry is, weathering constant challenge and uncertainty through Covid, supply chain issues and now the cost-of-living crisis.

But, for many small retailers, these macro challenges are compounded on a new scale, hindering revenue, confidence and growth on a local and national level.

“Not supporting and investing in small retailers now will hamper our ability as an industry to level up the UK”

Our recent research found that 69% of small businesses were facing inflationary pressures across all parts of their business. 

Almost half (47%) also told us that a lack of investment is preventing business growth. Not supporting and investing in small retailers now will hamper our ability as an industry to level up the UK.

Of course, the rising cost of living is biting retailers of every size, from the smallest kitchen table enterprise to retail giants. But, as larger retail businesses, we have lessons and resources to share that can be invaluable for smaller retailers or aspiring entrepreneurs.

It is all about using the retail industry to help level up the UK economy, and give small retailers a leg up on the ladder.

That’s the crux of our regional roadshow. Training sessions, support, networking and grants will all help smaller retail businesses tackle the challenges they’re facing in this turbulent environment and gain the skills they need to grow and thrive.

It’s time now for big retailers to support their smaller counterparts, especially in their local areas. It’s the best way we can help the country to level up and move forward.

  • Don’t miss the best of the week – sign up to receive the Editor’s Choice every Friday

Retail Week Live 2022: Time for Radical Change

Retail Week Live 2022

Sarah Bryant, Director of Trading, Programmes and Initiatives for SMBs at eBay, is among the speakers announced for Retail Week Live 2022, which takes place in London on May 24-25.

Join us 24-25 May when we take Retail Week… Live! 120+ speakers will bring their stories to life on stage. They will reveal the nitty gritty behind the headlines. They will open themselves up for questioning, not just by our editors but by you, our community. 

Day one: Digital Transformation & Innovation with:

  • Jo Graham, CIO, Boohoo
  • Richard Corbridge, VP & Chief Information Officer, Boots
  • Sean Hallows, COO, The Very Group

As well as Levi’s, Shopify and Alibaba. 

Day two: People & Planet with:

  • Karen Pflug, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ikea
  • Alessandra Bellini, Chief Customer Officer & Executive Sponsor for D&I, Tesco
  • Richard Walker, Managing Director, Iceland

As well as Ocado Retail, John Lewis & Partners, Nespresso and many more.

Together, our speakers make for a fierce group of leaders who will inspire you, and provide you with the practical tools to deliver radical change. 

Register today with your 20% subscriber discount code: RWSUBS20