A vote has been passed in the Senedd on Tuesday introducing new regulations to prohibit the supply of single-use vapes in Wales.
The government said the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (Wales) Regulations 2024 to prohibit the supply (including for free) of single-use vapes will be another crucial step in tackling the litter and plastic pollution.
“This is a major step forward in tackling throwaway culture and the environmental impacts of single-use vapes. This is a key priority for the Welsh government, and we continue to work with the other UK nations to address these challenges,” Huw Irranca-Davies, the deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs, said after the vote.
“Removing single-use vapes from the supply chain will stop them harming wildlife and the environment when they’re littered or sent to landfill. This ban will mean we generate less waste, clean up our streets, and protect nature and wildlife.”
The Regulations will come into force on 1 June 2025, delayed by two months from the previously announced date of 1 April. The Welsh government has worked closely with the UK government and other devolved governments, with all nations commencing the bans at the same time.
No single-use vapes can be sold or given away for free after 1 June 2025. Businesses should speak to their suppliers now about ordering alternatives and start to educate staff and inform customers. Businesses will need to organise, for their customers, the eventual safe disposal of their single-use vapes.
The EU will remain a key resource for the UK food and beverage industry despite the challenges imposed by Brexit, according to new insights from UK industry supply chain professionals.
A survey carried out on behalf of the European Commission, which interviewed wholesalers, importers, producers and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) professionals across seven different food and beverage sectors, revealed that the majority will continue to import from the EU over the next 12 months.
Respondents from the wine and dairy/cheese sectors are 100 per cent committed to sourcing additional SKUs from the EU over the coming year, the data revealed. Whilst beer and spirits (80%), charcuterie and meat (80%) and bakery (70%) also showed a clear commitment to the EU.
In contrast, it is the confectionery and fruit & vegetable sectors which expressed the highest level of uncertainty or non-commitment. Both sectors only showed a 30 per cent commitment to sourcing additional SKUs from the EU in 2025, according to the data.
UK industry respondents cited quality (95%), pricing (81%), authenticity (78%) and sustainability (77%) as the most important factors that they consider when adding new SKUs to their product ranges. In parallel, authenticity and tradition were voted the most popular characteristics of EU food & beverage products (79% and 70%, respectively), whilst diversity (64%), good taste (62%), safety (59%), and high quality (54%) also ranked highly by those who were questioned.
When it comes to the wider merits of EU food and drink, more than two-thirds of respondents (66%) agreed that the EU’s Protected Designation of Origin (PDO), Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) and Organic labels are either ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’ when sourcing ingredients. Overall recognition of the three labels amongst the UK industry is high – around two-thirds know what they are and what they mean. The European Organic Products label is the most widely recognised (93%), while the PGI label is the least recognised of the labels, however recognition is still high (78%).
The research was conducted in April 2024 against the backdrop of the UK government’s Border Trading Operating Model, which set out a new approach to security controls with the aim of maintaining border security while minimising trade burdens.
“These insights demonstrate that despite the challenges and complexities of new cross-border trade agreements, the EU remains a valued partner and important resource for the UK’s food and drink industry and is likely to remain that way”, says Andrew Crumpton, founder of AMC Consulting and advisor to the ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign.
Veryan Bliss, managing director of Food Intelligence and fresh produce advisor to the EU’s ‘More Than Only Food & Drink’ campaign supports this view.
“It is clear that the relationship between the UK and EU is incredibly important. In 2023 the UK was the number one destination for EU agri-food, accounting for 22 per cent of exports and with a value of €51.3 billion,” Bliss said.
“The geographical diversity of the EU ensures a steady supply of seasonal produce and often complements the UK’s own growing patterns. When certain crops are out of season in the UK, EU producers support the offer, ensuring that UK retailers can offer a consistent, high-quality selection to consumers throughout the year.
“However responses from fruit and vegetable industry professionals highlight the impact of controls for fresh produce, which have been complex and changeable.”
“But with an easement on fresh produce checks now in place until July 2025 and confirmation that several fruit and vegetable products, which were previously deemed medium risk have now been changed to ‘low risk’, there is an increased potential for UK importers to benefit from the quality of organically and sustainably grown produce from the EU.”
British American Tobacco (BAT) has reported significant progress in its New Categories segment—comprising vapour, heated products, and modern oral—with strong growth in revenue and profitability during the second half of 2024.
In a trading update on Wednesday, the company said it is on track to deliver its 2024 financial year guidance, with the second-half performance acceleration driven by the phasing of New Categories innovation, the benefits of investment in US commercial actions and the unwind of wholesaler inventory movements.
BAT said its flagship vapour brand, Vuse, maintained its position as the global value share leader, achieving a 40.3 per cent share in key markets. Despite challenges posed by illicit single-use vapour products, particularly in the US and Canada, BAT said its investment in innovation and regulatory advocacy has positioned it well for future gains.
“Our Quality Growth imperative is delivering higher returns on more targeted investments across all three New Categories, and that prioritisation and focus is already transforming our business in Europe,” Tadeu Marroco, chief executive, said.
“We are making further progress increasing profitability across New Categories, and I am particularly pleased with the improvements in Heated Products and Modern Oral.”
BAT reinforced its leadership in the US, where Vuse captured 50.7 per cent value share in tracked channels, benefiting from stronger enforcement against illicit products in states like Louisiana. Globally, Vuse’s share remained stable, reflecting its strong brand equity.
Velo, BAT’s modern oral brand, demonstrated robust growth with its volume share in top markets rising to 28.2 per cent. Enhanced portfolio offerings, including new flavours and nicotine levels under Velo Plus, bolstered its momentum in the US and Europe.
Innovations such as glo Hyper Pro have shown promising results in improving BAT’s share in the heated tobacco market, particularly in Japan and Italy.
The company expects low-single figure organic constant currency revenue growth and low-single figure organic adjusted profit from operations growth in 2024. Marroco highlighted the company’s strategic pivot toward becoming a predominantly smokeless business by 2035, reiterating a commitment to sustainable value creation.
“Building on the strong foundations we have established, I am confident that we will deliver an improved underlying performance as we move from investment to deployment in 2025,” he said.
“We will continue to reward shareholders through strong cash returns, including our progressive dividend and sustainable share buy-back, and we remain committed to returning to our mid-term guidance of 3-5 per cent revenue and mid-single digit adjusted profit from operations growth on an organic constant currency basis by 2026.”
A 5p reduction in business rate multiplier will save convenience stores thousands of pounds per year which will help retailers invest in their businesses, ACS Government Relations Director Edward Woodall has said while giving evidence to a Committee of MPs in parliament today (11).
The Non-Domestic Rating (Multipliers and Private Schools) Bill intends to introduce higher business rates multipliers for the largest business properties (those over £500,000 in rateable value) and lower multipliers for retail and hospitality businesses. Following the Budget, the business rates discount for retail and hospitality businesses is reducing from 75 per cent to 40 per cent in April.
One of the considerations of the Bill is the level at which the new retail and hospitality multiplier could be set at. The small business multiplier is currently set at 49.9p, while the standard non-domestic rating multiplier is set is 54.6p.
During the evidence session, Woodall told the Bill Committee that to make a tangible difference to local shops and other businesses, the new multiplier should be set up to 20p lower than it is currently which would result in savings of thousands of pounds a year for essential retailers that could be put to use effectively.
ACS Government Relations Director Edward Woodall said, “The vast majority of convenience stores would benefit from the new retail and hospitality multiplier. For a retailer that sits just outside the threshold of small business rate relief at £15-16k rateable value, a 5p reduction in the multiplier would save them around £1,000 per year while a 20p reduction would save over £3,000 a year.
"This is a significant sum to help retailers invest in their business, either defensively on crime prevention and detection, or positively in their community.
"There are however thousands of stores that are dealing with increased costs in other areas of their business, particularly on employment, so for those businesses it is likely that the money saved on rates will go straight into keeping that store trading.”
ACS wrote to the Chancellor in advance of the evidence session outlining the costs that retailers are facing as a result of the measures outlined in the Budget. Overall, the convenience sector is looking at an increase in operating costs of around £666m, primarily in additional business rates, National Insurance contributions and National Living Wage increases.
During the evidence session, Woodall also highlighted the importance of discretionary rate relief for rural businesses, particularly those that are operating as the last local shop in that village or rural area.
Woodall said, “Reliefs for businesses that are trading in rural areas with communities that rely solely on them are extremely important, but it is challenging for the Bill to be able to address this effectively as there are often more differences within a region than there are between regions.
"We believe that the most effective relief for these businesses is distributed by local authorities, but we know that their budgets are extremely stretched, so it’s important that the Government looks at putting additional resources and trust in local authorities to deliver discretionary reliefs that support the last shop trading in rural areas.”
News wholesaler Smiths News said it has secured a new long-term contract with Reach Plc, publisher of over 120 media brands including the Daily Mirror, Sunday Mirror, The Sunday People, Daily Express, Sunday Express, Daily Star, Daily Star Sunday and OK! magazine.
The new contract with Reach is for all of Smiths News’ current distribution territories in the UK through to 2029, representing revenues of around £160 million per year at current market values, the company said.
Smiths News has now formally secured long-term contracts with 91 per cent of its newspaper and magazine revenues.
“I am delighted that we have now formally concluded our new contract negotiations with Reach and look forward to ensuring the widespread access and availability of their titles for readers in communities across the UK,” Jon Bunting, Smiths News chief executive, commented.
“The extent of our contracts with major titles continues to demonstrate the pivotal role Smiths News plays in the early morning supply chain. We have now secured over 90 per cent of our newspaper and magazine revenues through to 2029 which provides underlying revenue stability in addition to creating a robust platform from which to support our growth ambitions for the business.”
KTC Food Group has launched a revamped corporate website, marking a significant milestone in its history and recent expansions.
This update follows KTC’s strategic acquisitions of Trilby Trading and Cardowan Creameries, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s premier food oil specialists.
Cardowan Creameries, a leader in plant-based margarines and fats, and Trilby Trading, a top Irish importer of oils, have enabled KTC to broaden its product range and establish a stronger presence in the Irish market.
Since its founding in 1972, KTC has grown from a family-owned retail store in the West Midlands into a powerhouse in the food oil industry. The updated website showcases KTC’s capabilities across food service, manufacturing, retail, and export channels, serving customers throughout the UK, Ireland, Europe, and beyond.