Post Office has announced the launch of its new International Customs Data Capture (ICDC) platform which will help postmasters cut down on admin time while providing customers with a convenient new digital journey to speed up the process involved when sending international parcels.
Until now, every time a customer wanted to send parcels abroad with Royal Mail, they have been required to complete a paper customs declaration form, which takes on average two minutes to complete. These forms help local customs authorities identify if items are allowed into their destination country and to calculate any duties or taxes due.
The new digital platform will give customers the choice to fill in their international postage details online via the Post Office website, either at home or when they arrive in branch on their tablet, PC or smartphone. The new process doubles the number of items that can be included in a parcel – taking it from five to ten – a particular benefit for small business customers who are looking to send a number of items and want to streamline processes to save time.
With millions of international parcels sent every year, these digital forms produce a barcode that will reduce hours of admin time for postmasters while giving customers the greater choice and convenience to send more parcels more quickly and easily from post offices.
At the Holloway Post Office, PM Krishan Shah handles more than 200 international parcels each week, which amount for about 25 per cent of the total mails the branch handles. With the branch serving over 3000 customers weekly, it’s vital for the Holloway Post Office to provide the international mails service.
Shah, said, “For our customers, particularly those sending multiple international items, the ability to file the customs form online means less queuing at the branch. Instead, they can conveniently complete the process at home, show us the QR code in branch, drop their parcel, and be on their way hassle-free.
“Meanwhile, for me this digitalisation takes away the need of manually entering important customs information and streamlines the process in branch. This is a much more efficient use of my time and that of my staff which means I have a happy team and happy customers.”
Neill O’Sullivan, managing director of parcels and mails at Post Office, said: "Postmasters work tirelessly to provide their communities with the essential services they need. And when it comes to sending parcels abroad, post offices are the go-to place for millions of people and businesses every week. As part of our ongoing commitment to enhance and transform Post Office’s mails services we are continually looking to find new ways to help better support postmasters’ businesses and deliver an enhanced service for customers and local communities alike.
“We recognise that for some customers, sending parcels abroad can be complicated and they often prefer a face-to-face service to get guidance on how to complete their customs form correctly so the option to go through this process in branch with your postmaster will still apply to cater for all needs.”
The government on Friday announced that they will introduce new Respect Orders as part of the Crime and Policing Bill.
The measure, a modernised version of the anti-social behaviour orders that were introduced by the last Labour Government, is aimed at the most serious offenders who plague town centres and neighbourhoods with anti-social behaviour.
The Respect Orders will give the police and local councils powers to ban persistent offenders from town centres or from drinking in public spots such as high streets and local parks. These will be piloted prior to national rollout to make sure they are as effective as possible.
Perpetrators can also be required to address the root cause of their behaviour by being mandated to undertake positive rehabilitation, such as attending drug or alcohol treatment services, or an anger management course to address the underlying causes of their behaviour.
Failure to comply with Respect Orders will be a criminal offence. Police will have the ability to immediately arrest anybody who is breaching their Respect Order.
“Antisocial behaviour chips away at communities’ sense of confidence and pride, undermines local businesses and can have a devastating impact on victims,” Yvette Cooper, home secretary, said.
“This cannot be allowed to continue. Respect Orders will give police and councils the powers they need to crack down on repeated anti-social behaviour, keeping our communities safe and ensuring repeat offenders face the consequences of their actions.”
As well as prison sentences of up to two years, criminal courts will also be able to issue unlimited fines and community orders, such as unpaid work, and curfews as punishment for breaching a Respect Order.
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed the announcement, terming it as key step to tackling the epidemic of retail crime.
“After years of the Conservatives effectively decriminalising retail crime, leading to a more than doubling in shoplifting since the pandemic, we now have a government that is delivering on its promise to bring town centre crime under control,” Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said.
“We very much welcome the announcement of new Respect Orders to tackle repeat offenders who terrorise shops and high streets, striking fear into the hearts of retail workers whenever they enter the store.”
Lord Zameer Choudrey CBE SI Pk, Chief Executive of Bestway Group, and Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, presented a cheque for £100,000 to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) at Bestway Group’s Head Office in Park Royal, London last week.
This significant contribution reflects Bestway's ongoing commitment to supporting impactful charitable initiatives that make a difference to the lives of young people across the UK. The presentation was attended by Ruth Marvel OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Laura Puddefoot-Knaggs, Head of Philanthropy and Clare Harris, Senior Relationships Manager from The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, and Bestway Board of Directors, including Sir Anwar Pervez OBE H Pk, Chairman Bestway Group.
The £100,000 being donated to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was raised through Bestway’s annual Ascot Charity Race Day held in June this year (2024), which was attended by over 750 of Bestway’s key business contacts, supplier partners, colleagues, press and the charity. Each year the company hosts a charity race day at Ascot to raise funds for charity, an event that celebrated 31 years this year.
The Charity Race Day is one of Bestway Wholesale’s largest corporate events in the calendar, supported by supplier partners for over 30 years. Over 27 charities have benefited from funds raised through the event since it began in 1994, including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, widely recognised as the world’s leading youth achievement award.
Lord Choudrey explained why the business has chosen The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as its charity partner this year:
“Charity is at the core of what we do at Bestway, and our annual Charity Race Day cements the ongoing work to such great organisations such as The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award by our family.
“We have worked with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award for over 30 years and take great pride in the Gold Partner status we hold. During this time we have experienced first-hand the incredible work the charity does in preparing our young people for the future in whatever role they undertake.
“The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award inspires and empowers young people, supporting them as they learn new skills, overcome obstacles, whilst helping them build confidence and resilience. This charity ties in with our other efforts to recognise the importance of supporting initiatives that invest in the future of our youth.”
Bestway Foundation was established by Sir Anwar Pervez in 1987, as the charitable arm of the Bestway Group, with a philosophy to support less fortunate people through the advancement of education and healthcare. Since inception Bestway Foundation has donated more than £35m to charitable causes, including donations to charities, hospitals and schools as well as the funding of university scholarships. Bestway Group has donated more than £15 million to the Bestway Foundation in the UK.
Dawood Pervez, Managing Director of Bestway Wholesale, said: “We are delighted to support the work of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award which has seen participation in the Award grow every year since inception. Millions of young people from across the UK in schools, community groups, young offender institutions and workplaces have had the opportunity to build resilience and gain lifelong belief in themselves through the DofE.
“Understanding that our donation will help young people to challenge themselves to attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests – to serve their communities, experience adventure and to develop and learn outside the classroom, really aligns with the values of The Bestway Foundation.”
“The Annual Ascot Charity Race Day is just one of the ways that Bestway Foundation gives back, and we are incredibly grateful to our supplier partners and colleagues for supporting this annual event and donating generously to ticket purchases, the Charity Auction and other fundraising activities.”
Alex McDowell, DofE Fundraising Director, commented on the donation:
“We are delighted to receive this incredibly generous donation to support the DofE’s vital work. The money raised will support the charity’s Resilience Fund which offers free DofE places, bursaries or additional support for marginalised young people facing barriers to participation including financial constraints, additional needs or caring responsibilities.
“The DofE equips young people with the skills, confidence, and self-belief to help them take on today’s toughest challenges. We want to ensure every young person has the chance to take part, no matter who they are or where they live. This generous donation will enable us to continue reaching more young people with a life-changing DofE.”
The Lord Choudrey concluded:
“Charity is at the core of what we do here at Bestway – we are extremely dedicated to our social responsibility and incredibly committed to giving back to the communities within which we operate.”
As we head into the busiest time of the year for the grocery industry, GroceryAid is urging people to reach out to them if they find themselves struggling.
The charity helps grocery workers and their families through difficult times and offers a range of financial, emotional and practical support. This includes support for people facing stress, anxiety, low mood or loneliness, as well as debt advice and impartial financial support through GroceryAid’s online financial hub.
“The festive period is a golden time for the sector but of course, along with an increase in trade comes an increase in pressure," said GroceryAid CEO Kieran Hemsworth. "Across the industry, workers are stepping up the pace to keep shelves stocked and customers happy. We know this can sometimes lead to feeling overwhelmed, especially when everything else, from social engagements to family responsibilities are also at full throttle.
“This is a reminder that if you’re struggling this year, we are here for you.”
GroceryAid’s free confidential Helpline is available 24/7, 365 a year and is answered by trained counsellors – even on Christmas Day. Call 08088 021 122 or visit groceryaid.org.uk/get-help
Leading wholesale buying and marketing group Sugro UK has collaborated with Britvic Soft Drinks, a global organisation with 39 much-loved brands sold in over 100 countries, to launch a groundbreaking Fast Food Sample Box.
The sample box is specifically designed for ICS UK LTD customers, giving them a unique opportunity to sample and experience new Fast Food soft drinks offerings firsthand.
The new Fast Food Sample Box offers ICS customers an exclusive opportunity to explore a curated selection of Britvic's best-selling and new product offerings that drives incremental sales. This trial initiative is designed to provide Fast Food retailers with a hands-on experience of market-leading products, helping them identify key opportunities for growth in the Fast-Food soft drinks categories.
Sugro UK's Fast Food Sample Box represents a pioneering approach to boosting customer engagement, providing tailored solutions that meet the evolving demands of today’s consumers. This initiative is the first of its kind in the sector, giving ICS customers exclusive access to products that are proven to drive sales and offering them a competitive edge in their local markets.
Alice Graham, GB Head of Dining Route to Market Wholesale, "We are delighted to collaborate with both Sugro and ICS with this initiative. The fast-food market has seen double digit growth over the last few years and the growth is set to continue. This initiative with ICS, a leader in fast food wholesale, underscores our commitment to supporting the growth of Britvic brands and advancing our partnerships with fast food establishments.”
Sid Musa, Manager at ICS (UK) added, “At ICS UK LTD, we are thrilled to partner with Sugro UK and Britvic on this industry-first initiative. The Fast-Food Sample Box gives our fast-food customers a unique opportunity to experience top-tier products firsthand, empowering them to make informed decisions that can truly elevate their offerings. We’re confident this exclusive initiative will help our customers stay competitive and drive growth in an ever-evolving market.”
Yulia Petitt, Head of Commercial and Marketing at Sugro UK commented: “We are incredibly excited about the partnership with Britvic delivered with excellence by our member – ICS Ltd. Fast Food sector is a big part of the group commercial strategy, so we see it as a huge opportunity for the group.”
Sugro UK is proudly owned by its 90 plus independent wholesale members, with a combined turnover of over £2.5 billion. The group was recently voted number one across all buying groups in the recent Advantage Group Survey.
British plant-based ready meal maker Allplants has filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators, citing ongoing financial losses, stated recent reports.
Allplants, known as the UK’s largest vegan ready meal brand, has faced mounting losses over recent years. Filing the notice provides the company with a critical window to explore options to avoid liquidation, such as restructuring, refinancing, or negotiating a sale.
According to the founder and CEO Jonathan Petrides, Allplants is working closely with insolvency specialists Interpath Advisory to assess “all possible options for restructuring, refinancing, and ensuring the sustainability of Allplants".
The reports added that while the prospect of a buyer offers some hope, failure to finalise a deal would likely lead to the company’s remaining stock being sold off to pay creditors. The development underscores the challenges faced by plant-based food companies as they navigate a competitive and increasingly crowded market.
Allplants started off as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2016, made its retail debut in November 2022, listing its meals at Planet Organic and several independent stores, as well as online grocer Ocado. It witnessed instant success, selling six million meals within the first three months and becoming the second-most purchased frozen meal brand on the latter platform.
Allplants has raised £67m across several financing rounds from investors including Molten Ventures, Felix Capital, Octopus Ventures, The Craftery, and professional footballers Chris Smalling and Kieran Gibbs.
Allplants’s move to appoint administrators is indicative of the distressed vegan ready meal category in the UK. It was among the categories that have witnessed a drop-off in sales recently, falling by 20 per cent between 2022 and 2023, according to Circana data commissioned by the Good Food Institute, which attributed it to cost-of-living pressures that led shoppers to cut back on non-essential and convenience items.
The country’s largest meat-free company, Quorn, posted pre-tax losses of £63m in 2023, a fourfold increase from the £15m it lost the year before. Meatless Farm and VBites also came close to the brink, before being rescued by VFC (now the Vegan Food Group) and owner Heather Mills, respectively.