The Fed National President

The official X account of the National President of The Federation of Independent Retailers.
Current National President: Hetal Patel

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Stronger and continuous action to curb the escalating scourge of shoplifting and abuse directed at shopworkers is needed.

[The Fed @TheFed_Online]

💬"Retailers are now sick and tired of calling the police because it takes up even more time to report the incident, go through the statement process, capture CCTV, knowing full well that there's no outcome for them"

Fed member Priyesh Vekaria featured on BBC Breakfast this morning to discuss his experiences of retail crime and that independent retailers need more support and security.

📈This is reflected in the latest crime figures released by the Home Office which reveal that shoplifting increased by 20% to 530,643 offences last year.

👉Watch the full discussion (from 1:21:00): https://t.co/2mGOIXMFtn

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

With the reduced margins, we are slowly being squeezed out of business. This means we may have to reduce the titles we offer, stop our home news delivery service, or worse, stop operating.
Consumers pay the price in the end as they get less choice and a reduction of services.

[The Fed @TheFed_Online]

🚨Breaking News: Today the Fed protests against unfair treatment from News UK.

Members of the Fed, along with staff are protesting against News UK’s decision to again defer and cut margins paid to members, urging them to think again and reverse their decision.

Delegations have arrived at News UK’s London Head Office, Glasgow office and Knowsley Print sites to engage with News UK staff and members of the public to discuss the impact of these decisions in their communities.

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

We're in London, Glasgow and Knowsley protesting against @NewsUK. Independent retailers need to be paid fairly for selling @TheSun and @thetimes.

[The Fed @TheFed_Online]

Why are Fed members and staff protesting against News UK?

📈Newspaper prices are going up from July 14

📉BUT publishers are cutting the margins (retailers will earn a lower % rate for each paper sold)

🗓️The Times won’t pay the new rates until January 2026 (retailers will be selling The Times at £3.20 but earnings will still be based on the old cover price)

We’re fighting back at unfair treatment

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

This is most timely and welcomed. @TheFed_Online has been calling for more enforcement for a long time. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work and for their businesses to be protected against criminals.

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

Too many town centres are being disrupted by retail crime, street crime and antisocial behaviour.

That’s why, as part of the Safer Streets mission, we’re launching a nationwide summer blitz to:

👮‍♂️ Put more officers on the streets
🛍️ Make high streets safer
❌ Deter offenders

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

For my year as National President of the Fed, I'll be focusing on these matters to support to our members and independent retailers: https://t.co/RgONeIKa1z

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

"It's been an honour to have been the president for this term and a privilege to work alongside some great suppliers and members. I wish Hetal Patel, the incoming National President all the best!" Mo Razzaq, the Fed National President, 2024-2025.

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

@TheFed_Online namechecked in Westminster. Small retailers need support to tackle the retail crime wave.

[The Fed @TheFed_Online]

Shadow Police Minister @Matt_VickersMP spoke about his recent meeting with the Fed at a Westminster Hall debate on High Street Policing - and the challenges retailers face, but also the opportunities for new security enhancements if they are funded with Government support.

👇View the clip...

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

It's worrying to hear that the majority of independent retailers are finding it increasingly difficult to survive as a result of retail crime and illicit trade.

They also do not have the resources to increase security efforts in their store.

https://t.co/Ig4tgValWD

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Disappointed to hear InPost's decision, Independent retailers will miss out on the much needed footfall the over-the-counter service generated.

Not all members have the facilities or space to house InPost lockers!

https://t.co/shokCTbvKE

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Pleased to hear that the Scottish government is listening to retailers' concerns about the "latte levy"!
https://t.co/6in4MAMBKF

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Shoplifting numbers are shocking and we face these incidents every day. Security grants for small businesses to install equipment such as high quality CCTVs to help crime reporting is much needed! https://t.co/HQbV68JSre

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

The Fed's call for government grants to help small retailers improve security measures such as CCTV was covered in this Mail in Sunday article - Attacks at record high, but shop staff ‘left to fend for themselves’ https://t.co/5iu9dbWsVx via @mailplus

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Great to meet @gareththomasMP last week. Thank you for the discussion on the government's efforts to reduce retail crime and the impact of rising National Insurance contributions and increased National Living Wage on small businesses and members of @TheFed_Online.

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

The upcoming increases in employer NIC and above-inflation increases in the National Living Wage are concerning.
Independent retailers are key to the government's growth agenda but we need help to reduce costs in order to support growth! #SpringStatement
https://t.co/fIJ4eRexFc

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Risings costs and retail crime. What would the Spring Statement bring for the independent retailer? We call on Chancellor Rachel Reeves for a discussion and urge further action to support small businesses. https://t.co/oCs88Mshzi

[The Fed @TheFed_Online]

We sincerely thank @jackiebmsp, @mgoldenmsp, and @MonicaLennon7 for attending our Burns Night Celebration in Glasgow.

We discussed the significant rise in retail crime and its ongoing impact on our members. We also highlighted our efforts to secure additional resources to enhance shop security and strengthen collaboration with the police.

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

72% of independent retailers said that their stores have suffered the impact of retail crime. As shop keepers, we are also concerned about the level of abuse our staff receive. @TheFed_Online

[BBC News (UK) @BBCNews]

Shoplifters 'out of control' and becoming more brazen, say retailers https://t.co/IHEG94EHj6

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

On BBC News Scotland about Biffa's green light to sue the Scottish government over recycling scheme. While it's understandable why they did this, let's work together to design a DRS scheme which works for consumers, independent retailers and everyone! #DRS

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

Great to be speaking about all things independent retail with Michael on Small Business Saturday!

[Michael Shanks MP @mgshanks]

Fantastic day visiting some of our great small businesses for #SmallBusinessSaturday.

From cafes to corner shops to ice cream parlours and everything in between small businesses are the backbone of our economy and keep our main streets going. Thank you for all you do.

[The Fed National President @TheFedNP]

@SeonagM @mgshanks @morazzaq @TheFed_Online @AmericanExpress It was great to showcase what independent retailers do!