Breakfast Roundtable: Retail Realities – Tackling Challenges for Small Businesses in 2025

On Monday, 13th January 2025, SME4Labour hosted a Breakfast Roundtable: Retail Realities – The Challenges Faced by Small Businesses in 2025 at Westminster Kitchen. The event brought together Members of Parliament, industry leaders, and retail sector representatives to discuss the pressing challenges facing small businesses today.

The roundtable featured contributions from Mo Razzaq, National President of The Fed, alongside a panel of MPs including Sonia Kumar, Fleur Anderson, and more. Retail representatives such as Simon Winter, Trudy Davies provided invaluable insights from the frontline of the retail sector.

Key Discussions

The event covered critical topics, including:

• • Economic Pressures: Addressing inflation, supply chain disruptions, and rising operational costs.

• • Government Policies: Exploring the impact of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and other legislative measures on small retailers.

• • Workforce Challenges: Strategies to improve recruitment, retention, and workforce adaptation in the retail sector.

• • Future of Retail: Balancing the growth of e-commerce with revitalizing high streets and local retail communities.

Collaborative Insights

Participants shared actionable solutions to support small businesses, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between policymakers, retailers, and industry leaders. The discussions highlighted the resilience and adaptability required to navigate an evolving retail landscape.

Explore More

Relive the highlights and key moments from the event through our photos and videos:

Event Photos

Roundtable Video Recap:

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all speakers and attendees for their invaluable contributions to the roundtable. Together, we can drive meaningful change and support the small businesses that form the backbone of our communities.

Stay tuned for updates on future events and initiatives.