THE announcement of the General Election was a strange combination of the surprising and the inevitable. It was coming and allegedly prompted by better economic indicators, but at least now there is some certainty.

Business will welcome that. The end of any parliament creates a degree of uncertainty over which measures will pass and whether there will be a change of government. Once the ballot boxes are counted, industry can look forward with more confidence to what the likely policy agenda will be.

David Lonsdale: New First Minister has opportunity to work with business community

The hope is that delivering a more buoyant economy will be front and centre for whoever wins – and, of course, ensuring the right conditions are in place to support retail.

Retail is a vital part of Scotland’s socio-economic fabric. Shops can be found at the heart of most communities, providing quality products for shoppers, jobs, and support for good causes.

The last few years have been a period of upheaval. Covid, the costs crunch, and a flat economy aren’t fertile conditions for trading. Consumer spending has been in a flux and retail........

© Herald Scotland