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Clarity sought on Welsh plans for single-use plastics ban

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called for clarification on timescales for the Welsh proposals to reduce single-use plastics.

The Environmental Protection (Single-use Plastic Products) (Wales) Bill, which has been published as part of the environment and climate change planning and strategy would prohibit the sale of nine single-use plastic products, including: cups, cutlery, drink-stirrers, lids for cups or takeaway food containers, straws, plates, balloon sticks, carrier bags and cotton buds.


Responded to a consultation launched by the Welsh Parliament’s Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee, the ACS outlined support for the Bill as a measure to reduce plastic waste and has recommended a minimum implementation period of 12 months from when the government guidance on the regulations is published to implementation of the ban to allow retailers sufficient time to sell through existing stock and source alternative products.

“Convenience retailers recognise the need to reduce single-use plastics in our communities and have been making efforts to do so through the successful implementation of a charge for single-use plastic bags for a number of years now,” James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said.

“The Welsh government needs to provide clarification on the timescales for the introduction of a ban to ensure a realistic sell-through period for retailers on the prohibited products. We will continue to engage with the Welsh government on the delivery of their plans to ensure that it is workable for retailers.”

A Scottish legislation banning many of the most problematic single-use plastics has come in force in June.

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The wholesalers have welcomed several measures announced in Chancellor Rachel Reeves's first budget but have raised concern the increase in National Living Wage and Employers National Insurance contributions will add an estimated £110 million in direct wage costs to the wholesale sector.

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The Federation of Independent Retailers (The Fed) has launched an exclusive benefits scheme for Fed members.

Called FedPlus, the scheme offers a range of discounts on a host of goods and activities, from everyday purchases to luxury products.

Through FedPlus, Fed members will have access to a range of fantastic money-saving benefits covering a wide variety of areas – from health and well-being to home and car essentials, and from food and drink to fashion and tech, entertainment, travel and experiences.

There is a Savings Calculator to show how much has been saved, based on monthly or annual spending, on a range of everyday categories. The Savings Calculator will generate a personal savings total and provide links to the individual deals.

Launching FedPlus, National President Mo Razzaq said: “In my inaugural speech at the Fed’s Annual Conference in June, I spoke about the importance of providing more benefits to help members make money, save money and make business easier.

“Just four months on, we are delighted to bring you FedPlus. This is an exciting new addition to our ever-growing list of member benefits which brings you quick, at your fingertips access to several offers across a wide range of categories so the money in your wallets and purses goes even further in these financially strained times.”

Members can access the scheme through thefedonline.com website. It went live yesterday (October 31).

FedPlus is managed and run for the Fed by Parliament Hill Limited, which has been providing benefit management solutions for membership organisations for the past 20 years. Top name companies offering discounts include Virgin Experience Days, Nuffield Health, Hotpoint, Halfords, Boots, Curry’s and EE.

Tom Sparke, joint managing director and client services director at Parliament Hill, said: “We are looking forward to working with the Fed to assist them in the fantastic support that it provides for its members.

“The Fed has a strong commitment to supporting its members, which aligns with the Parliament Hill ethos of placing the needs of our clients’ members at the heart of what we do.”

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Carlsberg shifts marketing focus as drinkers choose cheaper beer

Brewer Carlsberg is shifting some of its marketing focus to cheaper brands, it said on Thursday (31), as consumers in major markets bought cheaper beer and in reduced quantities.

The maker of Kronenbourg 1664, Tuborg and Somersby said beer sales volumes fell by 1.3 per cent in the third quarter, noting declines in China, France and the United Kingdom. Premium sales fell 0.5 per cent in the quarter."In Western Europe, there's no doubt that the average consumer is holding back," CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen told Reuters.

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