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Press Release

Don't blame shop staff for Welsh bag charge

30 September 2011

Retailers in Wales are warning customers not to blame shop staff who have to charge for most carrier bags from tomorrow (Saturday).

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) says its members are ready to begin charging but customers need to know that the extra cost is being imposed by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG).

The BRC is advising customers to avoid the charge by taking their own bags to stores and calling on the WAG to iron out potentially-confusing anomalies which remain in the bag-charging rules.

British Retail Consortium Head of Environment Bob Gordon said: "We still believe education and encouragement, rather than compulsion, is the best way to achieve lasting customer change. But bag charging is now a reality in Wales and retailers are ready for it.

"If the Welsh Government is right and customers are in favour, avoiding confusion will be key to keeping them onside. Saturday is a busy shopping day when a lot of part time staff are on duty. To avoid flashpoints at tills, customers need to know that charging is the choice of the WAG not retailers or their staff.

"The WAG also needs to explain and address anomalies which mean that, for example, you can have a free bag with a carton of chips but not if it comes with a burger in a box. Or a DIY shop can give you a bag for 500 screws but not for five or six.

"The best way for customers to avoid cost and confusion is to remember to take their own bags to stores. "



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British Retail Consortium

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