Debate seems to heating up over the idea of introducing mandatory tobacco retail licencing. While a leading health charity recently declared that most retailers in England (eight in 10) support the introduction of a licence, a prominent international tobacco maker has dismissed the need for further regulations.
Over some time, there have been calls for the introduction of mandatory tobacco retail licence, on the lines of alcohol licence. Such a step has been recommended as an effective tobacco control strategy though in England as well as in most European countries, retailers do not need a licence to sell tobacco products.
In 2019, the government announced the ambition for England to become ‘smoke-free’ by 2030 – achieved when adult smoking prevalence falls to 5 per cent or less. In June this year, “Khan Review: Making smoking obsolete” came out which claimed that “without further action, England will miss the smoke free 2030 target by at least 7 years.
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Among its 15 recommendations to the government, prominent ones were mandatory tobacco licence for shops, increasing the age of sale “from 18, by one year, every year until no one can buy a tobacco product in this country” and more promotion of vaping.
“Currently, anyone and any enterprise can sell tobacco. Retailers need a licence to sell alcohol, but not cigarettes. This can mean shops that sell to underage children, or stocking illicit tobacco, can go unnoticed,” Khan said at the time.
“A licensing scheme is not just a measure to protect young people. It protects the honest small businesses up and down the country that sell only tax-paid products to adults, but are undercut every day by an illicit trade run by criminal gangs who sell smuggled tobacco to anybody who wants it.”
In a written statement to parliament at the time, then health minister Sajid Javid said that government will consider the recommendations of the report while publishing the new Tobacco Control Plan.
Bring the license
Mandatory tobacco licensing once again came into spotlight when Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) called on the government to include retail licensing as part of new Tobacco Control Plan, citing strong sentiment among retailers to bring such regulations.
Released on Nov 1, ASH’s new report “Regulation is not a dirty word” stated that a whopping “81 per cent of local retailers in England support the introduction of a mandatory retail licence in order to sell tobacco".
The findings are based on the survey of 961 independent tobacco retailers – including newsagents, convenience stores, off-licences and petrol stations.
Other key findings include that 73 per cent support a requirement for tobacco manufacturers to pay a fee to the government for measures to help smokers quit and prevent young people from taking up smoking. While 54 per cent support raising the age of sale for cigarettes from 18 to 21 years. About 83 per cent support mandatory age verification for anyone under 25.
Furthermore, nearly three quarters (71 per cent) support larger fines for breaking the law, 81 per cent support more regular checks by trading standards staff, 84 per cent support quicker action when offences take place and 79 per cent support closure orders for repeated breaches of tobacco laws.
There is currently no licensing scheme in place for tobacco, and no mandatory age verification both of which are supported by over eight in ten local retailers of tobacco.
Citing the ASH report, Bob Blackman, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health, called on the government to publish the new Tobacco Control Plan without any further delay. He urged the government to listen to retailers who want tougher regulations, saying “that’s what they (retailers) think will be good for business, not de-regulation".
“The main argument used by tobacco manufacturers’ against tobacco laws with politicians like me is that they harm small shops. What this survey of nearly 1,000 shopkeepers published today shows is that shopkeepers don’t think that’s true,” Blackman said.
Gateshead-based retailer John McClurey seems to agree with report’s findings here. The retailer, who is now retired, told Asian Trader that the idea of licensing seems comfortable as there have always been some or the other regulations to adhere.
“I retired in July 2022 having been in retail for over 40 years and there have always been regulations to adhere with, not just tobacco but lottery, alcohol, vapes etc. This proposal isn’t introducing a new regulation, it is changing an existing one,” he said.
Retailer John McClurey
Most retailers now operate a Challenge 25 policy, the retailer said, adding that raising the age of tobacco purchase to 21 won’t impact on this as we will just be asking anyone wishing to purchase tobacco who looks under 25 to prove that they are over 21 instead of 18,” the retailer said, in reference to the ASH’s findings.
McClurey added that most customers under the age of 25 are fully aware of all of the various ages at which they can legally buy something.
On the question of licences to sell tobacco, McClurey expressed his approval by stating that it’s a good idea.
“There are a multitude of licences required in many aspects of life. I have a personal licence to sell alcohol which I take seriously and don’t want to risk losing it, same goes for my driving licence. The taxi drivers I used when travelling to launch this report all had taxi licences.
“I have never conducted any research on the topic but this report has and is therefore a good indication of the feelings within the retail trade,” McClurey told Asian Trader.
No Need
In Northern Ireland, since April 2016, retailers have been obliged to register with the tobacco register of Northern Ireland. It was built on a similar scheme already in place in Scotland.
Leading international tobacco maker JTI, however, has dismissed ASH’s report’s suggestions, saying that a regulation is already in place in the form of the existing framework under the tobacco ‘track & trace’ regime.
“ASH’s proposal fails to understand the framework provided by the retailer registration scheme under the tobacco ‘track & trace’ regime administered by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC),” JTI spokesperson told Asian Trader.
Since May 2019, tobacco manufacturers have been required to provide unique identifier codes on cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco products. Cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco must also be tracked through the supply chain.
Pointing out that retailers selling tobacco are already registered on the existing track and trace system, JTI dismissed the ASH’s suggestion of introducing mandatory retail tobacco licensing saying that there is no evidence that it will be beneficial.
“The suggestion that a licensing scheme, on top of existing legislation, would have any benefit is not evident,” said the JTI spokesperson.
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JTI spokesperson reiterated that ‘track and trace’ system requires manufacturers, distributors and retailers to register their business and facilities in order to sell cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco products.
“There are penalties for those that failure to adhere to the law – ‘on-the-spot’ fines of up to £10,000 and/or the suspension or revocation of registrations.
“It has been promised that these powers will be extended to Trading Standards – this is something JTI has been calling for and fully supports, given that Trading Standards undertake the majority of enforcement action on High Streets across the country,” said the spokesperson.
On the way?
Tobacco licensing is a topic that keeps popping its head from time to time. In 2016, a survey by a Tobacco Retailers’ Alliance (TRA) showed 87 per cent of small store owners feared for the future of their shop if they lost the ability to sell tobacco while nearly nine in 10 did not think retail tobacco licensing will reduce illicit trade. TRA at the time called for a pause in the flood of new regulation on local shops.
Reacting to ASH’s recent report, Department of Health and Social Care stated that it is currently considering the wide range of independent recommendations as set out in the Khan Review, which includes further regulation and will provide a further update in due course.
Retailers’ body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) in its latest briefing to Blackman, who was leading a ruling motion on tobacco licensing the day this went to the press, has urged MPs to tackle the illicit market by making use of the “existing systems such as tobacco track and trace” and consider how more resources can be directed to Trading Standards.
Research conducted by ACS of enforcement officers in Trading Standards across the UK has shown that 61 per cent don’t believe they have the resources to tackle the illicit tobacco and vaping market.
“The government should commit to providing additional funding for illicit tobacco enforcement, as set out in the Khan Review and direct this funding to enforcement teams and local authorities to ensure that they have the staffing and resources that they need to tackle illicit traders,” said ACS chief executive James Lowman.
While Tobacco Control Plan 2017-2022 gave tobacco retail licensing a skip, it now remains a game of wait-and-watch to see if the same gets introduced in the upcoming plan or not.
innocent drinks, Europe’s leading healthy drinks company, is announcing a new partnership with Alexandra Rose Charity as it advances its mission to help people live well through the delicious goodness of fruits and vegetables.
Government statistics reveal that just one third of adults, and 12 per cent of 11–18-year-olds, are managing to get the recommended “Five a Day”. This is even starker for lower-income families, with the most deprived fifth of adults consuming 37 per cent less fruit and veg than the least deprived, and their children 29 per cent.
innocent is launching its partnership with Alexandra Rose Charity by teaming up with Co-op, to help donate a portion of fruit & veg for every smoothie bought in stores. The charity helps families in need to buy and eat more fresh fruit & veg. Until 19th November 2024, innocent will donate the cost of a portion of fruit and veg (£0.24) to the Alexandra Rose Charity for every “Mango & Passionfruit” and “Strawberry & Banana” smoothie sold in UK Co-op stores.
innocent’s partnership with Alexandra Rose Charity will see a total of 520,000 portions of fruit & veg donated by the end of the year through the charity’s Rose Vouchers for Fruit & Veg Project. Rose Vouchers are given out to families every week, helping them to afford fresh fruit and veg from local markets for them and their children.
John Taylor, General Manager for UK & Ireland, innocent Drinks commented,“At innocent, we’re on a mission to help make sure everyone can access the delicious goodness of fruit and veg - its why our drinks are crammed full of the stuff. Eating a wide variety of fruit and vegetables is key to a healthy and nutritious diet, but we know that lots of us aren’t getting enough of it. Lower-income families face significant barriers to ensuring they can give their children the nutrition they need.
"Our partnership with Alexandra Rose Charity, and campaign with Co-op marks an ongoing commitment to helping improve access for everyone so they can unlock the health benefits of a balanced diet.”
Jonathan Pauling, Chief Executive at Alexandra Rose Charity, commented, “We are thrilled to be working with innocent Drinks and the Co-op to raise awareness of the challenges that families up and down the country are facing in affording to put healthy food on the table for them and their children. Food related ill-health costs the UK 98 billion a year, to the NHS, the economy and society.
"The long-term consequences of a lack of access to healthy food has a detrimental effect on health, wellbeing, and life chances. Through the funds raised from this promotion, we will be able to help families in need to make sure they can give their children the best possible start with a diet rich in fresh fruit & veg.”
Sinead Bell, Co-op’s Commercial Director, commented,“Supporting campaigns that address the issue of food poverty and access to food is important to us and the millions of Co-op member owners, and we are proud to be partnering with innocent on this fantastic initiative across our stores.”innocent drinks and Co-op team up to donate portions of fruit and veg
As the final key retail season of the year approaches, Nisa retailer NP Group is gearing up for Christmas with a renewed focus on store activation and point-of-sale (POS) strategy to drive sales following a successful Halloween.
With seasonal shopping trends in full swing, effective in-store activation and visibility are crucial for smaller retailers to capture customer attention and keep up with larger competitors. Data from Retail Economics shows that UK shoppers spent approximately £10 billion on seasonal products in 2023, with Halloween contributing £650 million alone, marking a steady increase in seasonal shopping over recent years.
POS and store activation remain pivotal in capturing these sales opportunities, as shoppers are more likely to make purchases when displays are both visually engaging and convenient to access.
Anthony Furnell, Head of Retail Operations at NP Group, which operates six stores, has significant experience in retailing. From his background with major retailers and suppliers, he understands that capitalising on seasonal periods is critical for convenience stores.
“Seasonal activation is really important. It’s a very competitive sector, and we’re not just competing with large supermarkets; we’re competing for convenience and ease for our customers. If a customer doesn’t see it, they don’t potentially buy it, so activation is key.”
NP Group’s Halloween strategy this year exemplifies how store activation can capture attention and improve sales. The Darwen store has allocated a dedicated Halloween space, complete with a hanging spider from the ceiling, vinyl window displays, and strategic POS items like floor stickers and overhead signs. This dynamic approach engages customers, driving incremental purchases and creating a one-stop shop for seasonal needs.
However, it’s not one-size-fits-all; each store location is tailored based on size, layout, and customer demographics.
“Our Menston store, for example, is our smallest, so we have to be selective about our seasonal range. Space is key—making sure the displays are in the right place is essential,” Anthony notes. “We’ve also have a group store WhatsApp to share best practices and ideas across locations, ensuring a cohesive yet unique seasonal activation for each store.”
Planning and evaluation are equally important in maximising seasonal sales. To meet the varying demands of each store, NP Group conducts pre-sales planning and end-of-season evaluations, which allows them to better anticipate the stock and POS materials required for future seasonal events.
“By evaluating what sold well and what didn’t, we can refine our approach and ensure we’re offering the right products in the right places for customers,” explains Anthony. “Seasonal displays and POS act as magnets that draw the eye and engage customers on a whole new level. In today’s fast-paced retail environment, it’s vital to have a captivating, well-organised space for seasonal items that entices shoppers, encourages browsing, and, ultimately, drives incremental sales.”
In addition to Halloween, Christmas activation is also underway, with stores gradually introducing festive products.
According to Anthony, “Christmas is another significant period where creative, well-placed POS and choice can create a festive in-store experience, encouraging customers to shop locally and find what they need without visiting larger stores.”
Both Halloween and Christmas offer strong opportunities for convenience retailers to increase footfall and improve basket spend. The rise in seasonal spending in convenience settings, combined with strategic activation, ensures that stores remain competitive and relevant for shoppers seeking both impulse buys and essential items.
For retailers, these activation strategies not only boost sales but also enhance customer satisfaction by creating an engaging shopping experience that keeps them coming back throughout the winter season.
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Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Around two thirds (65 per cent) of people affected by the Horizon scandal have said it impacted their family and relationships, while many respondents report estrangement from family members because of the scandal, according to a paper published today (1) by the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry’s listening project.
The paper title In Your Own Words illustrates the various challenges the Horizon scandal has inflicted on people’s relationships, with respondents reporting the breakdown of relationships, estrangement from family members, and acute loneliness. Some adult children of former sub-postmasters shared how they experienced bullying, financial issues and mental health struggles because of the scandal. Others reported how their parents have died before knowing the truth about the Horizon scandal, which magnified their grief.
For many the post office was a family business legacy, making subsequent issues more impactful. Many reference their parents dying before knowing the truth about Horizon, magnifying the grief of these bereavements.
240 people — including current and former sub-postmasters, family and friends — have anonymously submitted their stories to In Your Own Words so far. This paper covers responses from March 2024 to August 2024.
Some of the anonymous responses mentioned in the paper are as follows:
"“I’m 66. I’ve lost 18 years of a good relationship with my daughter. I’ve lost me.”
“My children had their childhoods abruptly taken from them when the gravity of the situation became too serious for me to shield them any longer.”
“My mother was worried for us and put a lot of her savings into the account. These savings were meant to be left to her grandchildren a regret I will live with until I die.”
“Seeing the effect on my children was extremely difficult and remains a sore subject for me to this day.”
“We would like to clear Dad’s name, so that this isn’t a part of our families inherited trauma and that his memory left is true.”
“What amount of compensation would be adequate for the stress and pain endured over two decades? What would be considered sufficient?”
“The scandal put an enormous strain on our young family. Instead of enjoying the early years of our marriage and our daughter's childhood, we were consumed by the issues at the Post Office. The stress affected our relationship, leading to frequent arguments and a pervasive sense of frustration and helplessness. Our daughter, though too young to understand, was indirectly impacted by the tension and reduced quality time with her parents.”
“My wife has replaced thousands of pounds of money that she thought she had lost due to her illness and died feeling a failure.”
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.
The wholesalers also pointed out that the lack of clarity on business rates reform means that wholesalers operating large physical premises remain disproportionately impacted by high rates. Without meaningful reform and a set timeline, these businesses will continue to shoulder a heavier burden than those in sectors with minimal property overhead.
Responding to the budget statement, Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) Chief Executive James Bielby stated, “We are pleased to see a number of positive steps in today’s budget that will bolster the wholesale sector. The freeze on fuel duty for another year is a welcome relief for wholesalers facing rising costs, allowing for greater stability in our operations.
“We also commend the government’s commitment to increasing support to combat retail crime, which is essential for protecting wholesalers, but we must ensure that wholesalers are included within this to ensure a safe environment for all businesses in the supply chain.
“Over the coming weeks, we look forward to working closely with the government to ensure that our members, who are central to driving economic growth, are given the support they need within an uncertain economic climate.”
Increase in Employer National Insurance contributions
Wholesale body pointed out that the planned increase in employer National Insurance contributions will significantly impact food and drink wholesalers who are already facing mounting operational costs.
With the Employer National Insurance contribution rate rising from 13.8% to 15.8%, this change represents an additional £30.9 million in yearly NI costs for the sector.
Bielby said, "This increase adds financial pressure on businesses striving to support their workforce while maintaining competitive pricing in a challenging market. We urge the government to set out what support will be provided to wholesalers, particularly the many small businesses that are the lifeblood of the country, to ensure they can continue to invest in their people and operations without compromising their viability.”
Fuel duty freeze and Alcohol duty increase
FWD has also welcomed the decision to freeze fuel duty for another year, which provides much-needed relief for wholesalers who rely on transportation to deliver goods.
Bielby pointed out that this freeze will help mitigate some of the financial pressures facing the sector, allowing businesses to manage costs more effectively.
Delaying the alcohol duty increase until February 2025 provides wholesalers some time to prepare, FWD stated. However, the rise will still present substantial challenges in terms of adjusting prices, managing stock, and maintaining supply chain stability.
Biekby said, "We encourage the government to collaborate with wholesalers to ensure the transition is smooth and that unintended consequences, such as increased costs and disruptions, are minimised.”
FWD has also welcome the government’s increased support to combat retail crime and the commitment to clamp down on organised crime. While these measures are crucial in protecting the retail sector, it is essential that the same level of attention and resources is extended to wholesalers, Bielby said, adding that the wholesale sector plays a vital role in the supply chain, and any rise in retail crime not only impacts its members directly but also has broader implications for the economy and society.
Raising caution in terms of tobacco tax, Bielby stated that the implementation of such measures must be carefully considered to ensure it works for wholesalers as well.
"A tax increase should not drive consumers towards illicit markets, which could undermine the goals of the health agenda and create further challenges for legitimate businesses," he said.
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.”