well if you look around, retail is already in exceptionally bad way with stores closing often. While im not disagreeing with you, im mainly addressing this idea that's comes up a lot since brexit that wage rises can be absorbed by all "fat cats" in business.

what I will say is that im not in retail, my sector can indeed afford wage rises and this opinion has been formed by someone whose been in retail all their working life and I am lucky enough to be quite choosy about who I work with.

they opened a store recently and needed 100 people, they got 70 and some already left as happens. this store is already on a time limit and that would mean those 70 lose their job and the local people in the area lose access to cheaper goods.

thats the reality of retail these days and i hear its similar in some other sectors. while asking the economy to take up the slack works well for other sectors, people still need access to very local and affordable stores. so its got another slant to it.

either way, im on your side :D