Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

NFRN: Independent retailers must be exempt from pingdemic

The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) is calling for the government to include shopworkers on the list of vital workers allowed to avoid self-isolating if contacted by the test and trace app.

The government announced earlier this week that workers in food production would be exempt from isolating if they had received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine, in a bid to keep the supply chain moving.


But thousands of shop staff are now affected by the so-called ‘pingdemic’, and there are growing fears that stores will be forced to close as a result.

“More and more people are getting pinged and are either going to ignore the notification or delete the NHS app altogether, particularly those who do not get paid for being off work," said NFRN National President Stuart Reddish.

“Before restrictions were lifted on July 19, newsagents and convenience stores were classed as essential and allowed to remain open, even during lockdown.

“By forcing people to isolate, even when they don’t have the virus, makes no sense at all and will lead to shops having to close their doors for days on end.

“All through the pandemic, independent stores have provided a lifeline for their communities, keeping them fed and watered. We welcomed the government’s decision to keep food supplies moving, but that is no use if there is no-one in our stores to sell it.”

More for you

Local Vape Action tackling illegal vapes in Tunbridge Wells

Vape regulations and enforcement in Tunbridge Wells

Photo: West Sussex County Council

'Local Vape Action pilot in Tunbridge Wells tackling illegal vapes'

Local Vape Action (LVA) is a partnership approach to tackling vaping issues at a local level. It brings together local authority partners as well as the vape sector via the Independent British Vape Trade Association (IBVTA), to identify and target specific areas.

LVA began with a pilot in Tunbridge Wells as identified by local authority partners in Kent. As part of the project retailers received visits from trading standards to check that they are meeting their statutory obligations, utilising targeted LVA guidance, including age-verification policies, in-store signage and retailer awareness of compliant vape products and vape takeback for used vapes. This builds on the positive work that Kent County Council has undertaken in tackling illegal vapes. A summary of activities between September and December 2024 included:

Keep ReadingShow less
A person smoking a cigarette as vaping regulations tighten in the UK

Experts warn that banning vape flavours

Photo: iStock

Rising smoking rates: Vapers return to cigs amid misinformation on vapes

Smoking rates in parts of England have increased for the first time in nearly two decades, shows a new research published on Tuesday (18). Industry experts suspect misinformation around vapes and impending regulation on flavours are pushing vape users back to smoking cigarettes.

While smoking rates have decreased since 2006, the rate of decline has flatlined from 2020, and in some areas of the UK smoking rates are increasing again.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fujitsu, the tech company at the heart of the UK's Post Office scandal

Lee Castleton speaking about his legal battle against the Post Office and Fujitsu

Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

Horizon victim to sue Post Office, Fujitsu

Former sub-postmaster Lee Castleton has launched legal action against the Post Office and Fujitsu, becoming the first individual Horizon IT scandal victim to sue the two organisations.

According to recent reports, Castleton has instructed his solicitors, Simons Muirhead Burton, to issue proceedings at the High Court against the Post Office and Fujitsu on his behalf.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trust and Gander partnership display at Retail Technology Show 2025 for inventory management

Gander unveils partnership to  transform inventory management

Trust and Gander are unveiling a strategic partnership set to transform inventory management and markdown processes in grocery and convenience retail.

Presented at the Retail Technology Show 2025, this collaboration integrates Gander’s advanced markdown solution with Trust’s industry-leading inventory management and ePOS systems.

Keep ReadingShow less