Nestle, Danone cut water extraction in drought-hit France
This photograph shows water level indicators showing the low level at the lake Graoussettes, near Serignac-Peboudou, southwestern France on February 8, 2023. (Photo by PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Global food and beverage giant Nestle said Thursday that it would stop extracting from two mineral water wells in eastern France due to drought and increasingly unpredictable weather conditions.
The group's mineral water subsidiary, Nestle Waters, which owns brands such as Vittel and Perrier, said it had suspended operations at two wells used to produce its Hepar water in the Vosges region of eastern France.
Another four wells will continue to be used for the brand, which is coveted for its high levels of magnesium.
"Like the whole of the industry, Nestle Waters faces worsening climatic conditions, with more intense and frequent events, such as regular droughts followed by heavy rain, which affect operating conditions at some wells on its site in the Vosges," the group told AFP.
The two Hepar wells were identified as "particularly vulnerable" because of their shallow depth which means it is "very difficult to maintain the stability of the essential characteristics of a natural mineral water."
Other French mineral waters are also affected by the increasing scarcity of water, including the famed Volvic brand which is extracted from the formerly volcanic hills of central France.
Authorities in the Puy-de-Dome area widened water restrictions on Tuesday this week.
The owner of Volvic, French multinational Danone, is set to decrease its monthly water extraction by 5 per cent in May and June, the company told AFP.
France as a whole saw 32 days without significant rainfall in January and February, a winter drought that followed record heat last summer that saw emergency water measures put in place for most of the country.
An estimated 75 per cent of French groundwater sources were at moderately low or very low levels in April, according to the state-run French Geological Survey (BRGM).
Water restrictions are currently in place for 20 out of 96 departments on the mainland, with three judged to be in crisis in the southeast of the country.
Grocers are set to benefit on Mother's Day this year as more consumers are expected to have a special meal at home, states a recent report, adding that spending on Mother’s Day is set to reach £2.4 billion in 2025.
According to GlobalData Retail Mother’s Day Intentions Report 2025, the proportion of UK consumers planning to purchase at least one item for Mother’s Day 2025 has risen to 56.4 per cent, a 2.9ppt increase on 2024.
Grocers will benefit from decreased interest in takeaways and dining out this year. 17.5 per cent of Mother’s Day shoppers plan to have a special meal at home with mum, a 3.1ppt increase on 2024.
Dine-in options are crucial, given that Mother’s Day shoppers intend to spend £52.32 on average on food and drink for the event. There will be plenty of room in consumers’ budgets to trade up to premium ranges.
Furthermore, consumers plan to spend £17.43 more on their mums than last year, resulting in an average spend of £125.30. Gifting will be the most popular expense this year, with categories such as clothing, fine jewellery and watches and health and beauty among the most sought-after.
Eleanor Simpson-Gould, Senior Retail Analyst at GlobalData, comments, “Retailers should offer personalised gifting options, including customised clothing, bespoke jewellery pieces, and curated beauty gift sets.
"Providing unique and thoughtful gifts will appeal to the customers looking to make a special gesture on Mother's Day. Additionally, retailers must enhance the shopping experience by offering gift-wrapping services and convenient delivery options to make the process seamless for shoppers.”
Simpson-Gould adds. “The UK consumers are prioritising quality time at home with their mums this Mother’s Day, focusing on special meals, presenting a lucrative opportunity for grocers.
"Upselling opportunities include luxury wines, champagnes, confectionery, and premium meats, and grocers must focus on catering to these preferences to maximise sales potential.”
According to the report, 62.5 per cent of Gen Z consumers agree that “retailers do not do enough to provide gift inspiration.” This sentiment is far higher than that of their cohorts. Almost half of this age group plan to spend more on Mother’s Day this year.
Simpson-Gould concludes, “Retailers must engage with Gen Z shoppers on key social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram to promote affordable Mother’s Day gift ideas, offering exclusive discounts and engaging content to attract budget-conscious shoppers.
"Next-day delivery options will be a significant draw for this age group. Given that 63.8 per cent of Gen Z shoppers agree they ‘tend to leave Mother’s Day shopping until the very last minute’ online retailers offering expedited delivery stand to benefit the most from the expenditure ahead of the event.”
Staff at a Bottesford store were threatened with a hammer during a brazen robbery last week, Leicestershire Police said.
The incident, which occurred just after 10:30 am on 12 March, saw a male suspect enter a shop on Grantham Road and brandish the weapon before jumping over the counter. He then proceeded to steal a quantity of cigarettes before fleeing the scene in a silver Volkswagen Tiguan.
No staff members were injured during the ordeal, police confirmed.
Detective Constable Gareth Pallister, leading the investigation, has appealed for witnesses and information.
“While we've already spoken to several people about this incident, I'm appealing to the wider public to identify the person responsible,” Pallister said.
“I'm particularly keen to speak to anyone who saw the silver Volkswagen around the time it happened – and particularly if you have any doorbell, CCTV or dashcam footage. Anything you're able to provide could assist the investigation.”
This violent incident underscores the growing threat faced by retail staff, a trend highlighted in the recently released 2025 ACS Crime Report.
The report, published last week by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), revealed a record level of theft against convenience store retailers, with an estimated 6.2 million shop theft incidents in the past year, up from 5.6 million the year before.
The report also detailed over 59,000 incidents of violence and 1.2 million instances of verbal abuse in the sector.
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Vape products are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England
Heavily criticising the upcoming disposable vape ban, traders in Wes Streeting's constituency of Ilford North have raised the concern that the new law will hurt small businesses and will backfire badly as the product will be available illegally even after the ban.
According to a recent survey by We Vape, 95 per cent of UK traders believe the ban will hurt small businesses.
Some 80 per cent also believe shopkeepers will continue to sell illegal vapes after the disposables ban is enforced on June 1 and certain flavours are prohibited as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill currently working its way through parliament.
The survey, commissioned by campaign group We Vape, targeted over 800 independent traders and franchises via industry and trade fair WhatsApp groups to gather their views on the forthcoming Tobacco and Vapes Bill and its implications for small businesses.
The poll showed 98 per cent did not support a ban on e-liquid flavours, while 57 per cent knew of shops already selling illegal products.
Business owners were asked 'with the introduction of a vape tax and proposed flavour restrictions, do you think there will be less people visiting your shop to buy vapes?', with 93 per cent answering 'yes'.
The poll also revealed 97 per cent thought restricting vapes would lead to an increase in cigarette use. When asked if 'vapers will try and source illegal vapes as a result of the proposed restrictions?', 96 per cent said yes.
With 167 company responses, the data is considered the most comprehensive retailer research of its kind into government plans to create a smoke-free generation.
Gurdeep Chahal, owner of Somerville Convenience Store, said the disposable vape ban could force his shop to close.
"The bill is only going to make the problem of illicit products worse here and I can't believe my own MP is pushing something that could put me out of business," reported quoted Chahal as saying.
"It's handing the sale of cigarettes to criminals and is going to make it harder for my customers to move to smoke-free products.'
After 45 years of dedicated service to the Brookeborough community, independent retailer Benny McClave is retiring from his beloved Nisa store.
A fixture of the village in Northern Ireland, ‘Benny’s Shop’ has been more than just a convenience store - it has been a cornerstone of the community, a place where friendships were formed, and countless memories were made.
Originally from Roslea, Benny took over the shop in 1978 and spent a year renovating it before opening in 1979. Over the years, the store evolved through different fascias before joining Nisa, but its commitment to the local community never wavered.
Reflecting on his time behind the counter, Benny said: “It took me a long time to get to know people and their faces, and I suppose it took them a long time to get to know me too.”
Throughout his career, Benny has been much more than a retailer. He has been a steadfast supporter of local causes, regularly donating to schools and community projects.
One of his most cherished contributions was organising Santa’s annual visit to the store, a tradition that brought joy to generations of children.
With Santa arriving on a trailer to hand out gifts, and adults treated to a warm bowl of soup, it became a highlight of the festive season. Even after the disruption caused by COVID-19, Benny’s legacy endured, with the local playgroup taking on the responsibility of continuing the tradition.
Benny, who handed over the store on Friday, 7 March 2025, acknowledged that saying goodbye was not easy.
“Of course, I will miss it,” he said. “I’ll miss the company and the pleasure of serving the customers. It’s been a lifetime - 45 years - I’m bound to miss it.”
Nigel Maxwell, Regional Retail Manager in Northern Ireland for Nisa, paid tribute to Benny’s incredible contribution: “Benny is the definition of a true community retailer.
"For 45 years, he has served Brookeborough with dedication, kindness, and a wonderful sense of humour. His generosity and commitment to local causes have made a lasting impact, and he will be greatly missed by customers, colleagues, and the wider Nisa family.
"We wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement. Although Benny is stepping away from the shop, he and his family will remain in Brookeborough, a place he fondly refers to as home.
"As he hands over the reins, the entire community celebrates the remarkable career of a man who truly made a difference.
Employment Rights Bill has been passed at all its stages in the House of Commons and will now be considered in the House of Lords.
The landmark legislation seeks to end unfair employment practices and make work more secure.
The Employment Rights Bill will ban exploitative zero-hours contract and provide a right to a regular hours contract and make Statutory Sick Pay available from day one of absence and to all workers, regardless of income.
Day-one access to employment rights, including challenging an unfair dismissal, will be granted while the bill require employers to protect staff from customer harassment.
The bill also give trade unions the right to access workplaces, to recruit and organise workers, simplify the trade union recognition process to give workers a voice and introduce statutory rights for workplace equalities representatives.
The bill will limit the use of fire and rehire and create a fair work agency to put enforcement of employment rights into a single body.
The Bill will now proceed to the House of Lords.
Although it may be a few months before we have the final version, and much of the detail will in any event remain to be set out in regulations, employers may wish to start considering how the new rights will impact their business.
Commenting on the progression of the bill, Paddy Lillis – Usdaw general secretary says,“Usdaw has long campaigned for a new deal for workers and the Employment Rights Bill delivers on that.
"This landmark legislation will contribute to Labour’s mission to grow the economy, raise living standards across the country and create opportunities.
"The Bill also builds on the action already taken by Labour in Government to significantly increase minimum wage rates from April, with the Low Pay Commission for the first time required to take into account the cost of living and make progress towards ending rip-off youth rates.
“Labour won the last election on the promise of change and because the Conservatives failed to grow our economy, didn’t protect workers in the cost of living crisis and repeatedly attacked workers’ rights and trade unions.
"It is disappointing that Tory MPs were whipped into opposing the Employment Rights Bill, which only demonstrates that they’ve not listened to voters or learnt the lessons of 14 years of failure.
“It was no surprise that Reform leader Nigel Farage voted against the Bill. It is clear that Reform is no friend of working people. They continue to seek to divide workers, rather than supporting critical measures to improve their working lives.
"Recent polling shows that voters in every constituency overwhelmingly support key measures in the Bill. We will be asking Members of the House of Lords to give their full backing to this crucial legislation and ensure that it is delivered in full.”
“This historic legislation will help end years of low-paid, insecure employment, which failed our economy, businesses and working people. The Employment Rights Bill will help secure economic growth by improving productivity after years of stagnation.
"It will help stop rogue employers undercutting those who treat their staff properly, while giving workers security, respect and the decency of an income they can live on.”