SHS, owner of the WKD, Meridian, Bottlegreen and Shloer brands, has announced that group chief executive Arthur Richmond will retire from his role in 2025, after serving the business for over 28 years.
Richmond will continue in his role into the new year, before transitioning to a non-executive position on the Board, overseeing key project-based initiatives.
SHS said Richmond’s tenure has been instrumental in the growth and success of the business. Previously holding the position of chief operating & financial officer, he oversaw finance, IS services, and a range of group divisions. He also led the company’s merger and acquisition strategy and worked with divisions in implementing their long-term plans.
Since becoming the chief executive, Richmond has focused on streamlining trading operations and establishing the executive leadership board, while driving the group’s commitment to people, sustainable growth, and responsible business practices.
“It has been a privilege to be part of the group through the various stages of growth and transformation,” Richmond said.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work with incredibly talented people and I am extremely proud of what we have achieved together. While I am stepping back from full-time duties, I look forward to supporting the business in a new capacity as we enter the next phase of our development.”
Karen Salters, chair of SHS Group, said: "Arthur has been a driving force behind our success. We are delighted that he will continue contributing in a non-executive role, helping to steer the future direction of the business.”
Paul Gillow
SHS Group has confirmed the appointment of Paul Gillow as its incoming group chief executive. Gillow, who will join in January 2025, brings 19 years of industry experience, most recently as vice president and commercial director at Asda.
At Asda, he was responsible for commercial and supply chain operations across five major business units. Known for his expertise in commercial strategy, transformation and people development, Gillow played a key role in shaping business strategy and delivering strong results.
Commenting on his appointment, Gillow said: "I am delighted to join SHS and work with such a dynamic group to drive future progress and foster a culture that prioritises people and innovation.”
Salters added: "Paul is a perfect cultural fit for SHS. His blend of industry expertise and focus on people aligns with our values, and I am confident that he will play a pivotal role as we embark on our next chapter of growth."
A convenience store owner in Wembley has been slapped with a six month custodial sentence and a nearly £2,000 fine including prosecution costs for selling illegal tobacco once again.
Retailer Jaydeep Bharat Thakkar, who owns Sangit Paan House on High Road in Wembley, has been prosecuted five times for selling smuggled tobacco products.
Brent Council on Friday (28) informed that Thakkar who owns Sangit Paan House on the High Road in Wembley has been been given a six month custodial sentence.
This is the fifth time in recent years that he has been prosecuted for selling illegal tobacco products which have been smuggled into the country, stated the council.
Brent Council’s Trading Standards Team raided the business owners premises after a tip-off on Thakkar's final day of his previous eight week suspended sentence.
The team not only found thousands of illegal products that Thakkar was planning to sell, but also found a new storage unit that he was using to hoard a large amount of illegal tobacco.
The products were found in the additional unit that the business had recently purchased, this is despite the business owner suggesting after his fourth sentence that he would be selling his shop and business.
Councillor Krupa Sheth, Cabinet Member for Environment and Enforcement, said, “I am thankful for this judgement as the business owner has been shown to repeatedly ignore or learn after previous sentences.
“It is so important as we enter a smoke free generation, that tobacco controls are complied with and I am so happy with the Trading Standards team for making sure that these illegal cigarettes are not being sold in Brent.
"The Council’s Trading Standards team are committed to tackling the illicit tobacco trade in Brent and will continue with targeted enforcement operations and may prosecute those involved in this illegal activity."
Councils have been doubling down on businesses selling illegal cigarette, vapes and other fake products.
Earlier this year, calls were raised to "name and shame" the businesses which have been prosecuted for selling illegal tobacco or vapes.
West Yorkshire Joint Services, which runs Trading Standards, told members of Bradford Council's Corporate Scrutiny Committee that court fines were often limited and not a deterrent and publicising businesses and people involved in criminal activities could be a more effective punishment than any fine handed out by the courts.
Nisa Local store in Cambridgeshire, Ash's Shop, owned and run by retailer Amit Puntambekar was recently visited by a local MP as he heard about the retailer's issues and contribution.
The store visit took place on Thursday (27), where Ian Sollom MP visited Nisa Local in the village Fenstanto to discuss store owner Puntambekar’s experience with retail crime and his invaluable community work.
The visit began with an introductory chat as well as a store tour, before an in-depth discussion of the following areas:
Operational costs and challenges
Ongoing incidents of shop theft and violence
The importance of investing time into developing staff
The importance of relationship building with regular customers
Over the past few months, convenience store body Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has been encouraging retailers to meet with members of parliament by inviting them to visit local shops, highlighting the important work they do for their communities and sharing what support they need from the government.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “We are glad to see MPs engaging with our retailers to listen to their concerns and show their interest in local issues affecting the convenience sector.
"We strongly encourage everyone to continue to conduct these store visits, as it is important to show real-life examples of local issues that affect your business so you can get the support you need."
Puntambekar has been vocal against rising cases of violent crime and abuse, challenging the general perception that shop theft is "victimless", detailing the intensity and effects of such crimes.
Earlier this year, he was left badly injured in a violent incident when he was punched in the face by a shoplifter.
Puntambekar revealed to Asian Trader at the time, "I was punched in the face by a shoplifter. I then had to detain him for 20-25 minutes until the police came out," said the retailer.
Calling for safety for retail work force, Puntambekar stated, "Shop theft is not harmless.
“It causes major psychological damage and anxiety to retail teams. More worryingly, the physical violence is abhorrent. Nobody should have to think about going to work and being attacked.”
A lifeline for more than 3,400 people of Fenstanton in Cambridgeshire, Ash’s Shop has been serving the community since 1988.
Second generation retailer Amit Puntambekar has been running the store since 2017 after taking the charge from his parents and has plans to take it to new heights.
Almost a third of online deliveries from big supermarkets such as Tesco and Aldi included a swapped item, many of which were deemed as "completely inappropriate” by the shoppers, shows a recent poll.
According to a survey by Which? 29 per cent of online grocery shoppers said they received a substitution in their most recent order, with some stating that they had received some unexpected replacements like receiving fish steaks instead of cupcakes, and sanitary towels in place of sandwich wraps.
Among the supermarkets goofing up, Asda ranks the highest with almost half of Asda shoppers receiving a replacement product in their last order, the survey suggests, and they gave the supermarket just two stars out of five for its choice of substitute items.
One customer reported receiving bananas instead of pizza, another found a roasting tin in place of roast potatoes and a third said they had been given micellar water facial cleanser instead of drinking water.
The poll found a third of Sainsbury’s customers (32 per cent) found a substitution in their latest shop, although the grocer received three stars for its selections, suggesting they were generally well-received.
Among the more bizarre examples reported to Which? were beef dog treats instead of beef steaks and leeks instead of flowers.
Among the 31 per cent of Morrisons customers sent replacement items was one who said they found sanitary towels instead of sandwich wraps and another who received fish steaks in place of lemon cupcakes.
Unlike most independent convenience stores who try to reach out to the shopper before making a swap, supermarkets tend to consider computer-generated options based on factors such as brand similarity, the price and availability.
Retailer Biren Patel, owner of Budgens Berrymoor, and Natalie Lightfoot, owner of Lodis Solo Convenience store in Scotland, are among the retailers who make sure to call the customer if he finds an item from online order out of stock.
In a recent conversation with Asian Trader, Patel explained, “We take extra care with delivery customers, like if we get an order and we don’t have one thing, we call and ask for replacements rather than removing it from list or adding something from our side.
He also added that since most of the time, such online orders are immediate need-based, he makes sure not to miss any item as it might be "a necessary ingredient of a family meal preparation".
Such personalised service is often not present at the bigger chains.
While many saw the funny side of substitutions, Which? heard from several customers who complained about receiving meat or dairy instead of vegetarian or vegan alternatives.
Some supermarkets allow customers to opt out of receiving replacement items altogether, but most will notify customers about substitutions beforehand via email or text and allow them to refuse the new item if they do not want it.
All the supermarkets in Which?’s survey allow customers to hand back unwanted substitutions to the delivery driver, or when they pick up a click and collect, and receive a refund.
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Birmingham Convenience Store License Revoked Over Illegal Sales
The license of a convenience store in Birmingham got revoked after it a knife was sold to a teenager and a hoard of fake and illegal goods were found at the premises.
According to local reports, Sandwell Council revoked the license granted to retailer Mandeep Sharma, owner of Hill Top Supermarket in West Bromwich, after a catalogue of illegal tobacco products, alcohol, prescription-only drugs, and fake mobile phones found at his store last year.
In another incident, a 15-year-old was also sold a pack of knives unchallenged at the store as part of an undercover sting by Sandwell’s trading standards.
A search of the shop in Hill Top in October last year found illegal cigarettes, banned snus and high-strength vapes, as well as illicit alcohol.
Hundreds of packets of Sildenafil, a prescription-only erectile dysfunction medicine commonly referred to as Viagra, were also found last year alongside bottles of Spumante labelled as genuine prosecco.
Sandwell’s trading standards returned later that week as part of an undercover sting which saw the shop sell a knife to a 15-year-old during a test purchase without asking for ID.
In another incident, a shop in Coventry which was selling items illegally has had its closure extended by another three months.
As informed by West Midlands Police, Sol's newsagents in Longford, which was closed for three months in December last year, will remain close for next three months as well.
The police states, "Until 24 May, it remains an offence for anyone not specifically named by the order to set foot in the premises."
The closure order was secured against Sol's following concerns around alcohol, tobacco and other items being sold to children.
As a result, Coventry Police worked with Coventry City Council to take enforcement action.
Coventry North East Inspector Gemma Marston said, "This premises has been a repeated cause for concern from people in the area and we are pleased to have extended the closure.
"All business owners and managers should take steps to ensure they abide by the laws and licensing regulations.
"Selling vapes and alcohol to children is unacceptable and we will continue to take action against premises where this is known to take place.
"If you have concerns about this kind of activity where you live, let us know and we will work with partners to ensure action is taken."
A leading independent retailers association has applauded Barnsley Council's support package for local businesses, calling on other councils across the UK to follow suit with similar measures.
Bira, the British Independent Retailers Association, praised the council's £5 million initiative offering 100 per cent business rate relief for qualifying retail, leisure and hospitality businesses from April 2025 to March 2026.
Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, said, "We strongly applaud Barnsley Council for this exemplary initiative that directly addresses the mounting challenges facing our high streets. This is exactly the type of support that independent retailers desperately need in the current economic climate.
"We are now calling on councils across the UK to follow Barnsley's lead and implement similar support packages. If there is a surplus of business rates income, that surplus should be returned to businesses in this way.
"It's not only fair but makes economic sense for local communities.
"The triple impact of rising costs, cuts to business rate relief, and increased employer National Insurance contributions has created a perfect storm for retailers.
"Barnsley has shown leadership by listening to its business community and taking decisive action. Every council in Britain should be examining how they can replicate this model," he added.
Bira, which works with over 6000 independent businesses nationwide has consistently campaigned on business rates reform as part of its commitment to revitalising and preserving high streets.
Earlier this month, Bira pointed to BRC Consumer Sentiment Monitor's "worrying picture" saying that these figures represent a concerning trend for high street retailers.
Jeff Moody, Commercial Director for Bira, said, "These figures align with what our members are telling us - over 57 per cent of independent retailers surveyed by Bira reported feeling somewhat or highly unconfident about business prospects for the remainder of Q1 2025, with 56 per cent expressing the same lack of confidence for the rest of the year.
"With consumers actively looking to reduce spending and seeking out cheaper alternatives, independent retailers face significant headwinds.
"This situation is exacerbated by the upcoming cost increases set to take effect from April, including higher National Insurance contributions, National Minimum Wage rises, and Business Rates increases," Moddy said.
Bira has been at the forefront of championing the cause of independent traders and shopkeepers across Britain. Its campaigns cover a wide spectrum of issues such as retail crime, business rates, fair legislation and overall reduction in the regulatory burden.