The outgoing chairman of the retail giant Tesco, John Allan, has stepped down from the same role at Barratt Developments, the housebuilder said Tuesday following misconduct allegations which he denies.
Caroline Silver had been due to take the reins in September but will now start at the end of June.
"The board believes it is in the best interests of Barratt to accelerate the planned transition to the new chair of the board to prevent the ongoing impact of the allegations against John from becoming disruptive to the company," it added in the statement.
Barratt stressed it "has not received any complaints about John Allan" during his nine-year tenure at the firm.
Allan meanwhile blamed "anonymous and unsubstantiated allegations" of misconduct for his exit.
"It is with regret that at the request of the board I am stepping down as chairman of Barratt Developments Plc as of June 30, 2023, ahead of finishing my tenure in early September as planned," Allan said in a separate statement.
"My early departure from Barratt is a result of the anonymous and unsubstantiated allegations made against me... which I vehemently deny."
Earlier this month, The Guardian newspaper reported that Allan "faces claims of inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour from four women".
It said that Allan, 74, allegedly touched the bottom of a senior Tesco staff member at last year's annual general meeting.
The Guardian had recently revealed similar accusations against staff at the CBI - Britain's main business lobby group - triggering a major shake-up at the organisation and a police investigation.
The newspaper said it was also claimed that Allan touched the bottom of a member of staff at the CBI's annual dinner in 2019, when he was president of the lobby group.
The Guardian said the one allegation that Allan admitted to was a comment about a CBI staffer's appearance that she found to be offensive in 2019.
In-store food sales will see muted year-on-year growth over the festive period, states a new report, claiming that this year, Christmas is set to be a subdued affair for grocers as inflation continues to bite.
According to UK Christmas Grocery Forecast released by consulting firm AlixPartners, in-store sales this Christmas are expected to increase by 2.5 per cent in value terms. However, when adjusted for inflation, this figure becomes a 0.7 per cent decrease.
The forecast, which is based on AlixPartners’ analysis of UK ONS retail sales and consumer confidence data, mirrors findings from the AlixPartners 2025 Global Consumer Outlook, which recently surveyed 2,000 UK consumers on their intended spending for this holiday period. The outlook reveals that only 13 per cent of British consumers are planning to spend more on food this Christmas than last Christmas. 55 per cent intend to spend the same amount as last year, while 21 per cent of British consumers intend to spend less.
Matt Clark, Head of EMEA Retail at AlixPartners, commented, “With the legacy of inflation continuing to bite and consumer confidence holding back spending, this Christmas is set to be a subdued affair for grocers. Last month’s Budget brought difficult news, with many preparing to take a significant financial hit as a result of the National Living Wage and National Insurance Contribution increases. A good ‘Golden Quarter’ has therefore become more important than ever.
“There is some hope on the horizon for the industry. The increase in the National Living Wage should create a small window of optimism for lower-paid customers, during which those consumers will feel more able to spend.
"This is an opportunity that grocers should grab, as it is unlikely to last given likely price increases as costs are passed on. Those businesses that can move fast and decisively may yet be able to retain or grow their share of wallet over the festive period.
“The increased pressures on profits means it is unlikely that we will see a reduction in turnaround or transformation activity as we move into next year. In this vein, agility remains vital, with all businesses needing to be prepared to make tough decisions and to adapt and innovate at pace in the weeks and months ahead.”
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised serious concerns in response to the Welsh Government’s decision to create its own Deposit Return Scheme specifically for Wales, instead of delivering a UK wide scheme.
In a written statement published today (18), Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies said, “We have been working to initiate a joint process to appoint the Deposit Management Organisation for our respective schemes later this month.
"However, in the time available it has not been possible to address the issues to the operation of devolution caused by the United Kingdom Internal Market Act 2020, inherited by the UK Government from the previous administration. This unfortunately means that we are not able to proceed with the joint process or notify the WTO in relation to the scheme at this point.”
“As a Government, we remain committed to bringing forward a DRS which will deliver for Wales by supporting our ongoing transition to a circular economy. We will therefore continue our active engagement to develop a scheme that supports the transition to reuse for all drinks containers including those made from glass.”
The UK Government had previously committed to delivering a deposit return scheme for the whole of the UK in October 2027. Today’s announcement from the Welsh Government means that there will be two separate schemes set up in the UK, working on different timelines and management systems. Under the Welsh scheme, there will be a greater focus on the reuse of materials.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said, “We are extremely concerned that the Welsh Government is doubling down on insisting on a different approach to a DRS (deposit return scheme) than the rest of the UK. A unified approach across the UK is best for consumers, retailers and producers, and has the best chance of achieving meaningful change in recycling rates. The Welsh Government’s separate approach will be confusing for everyone involved and disruptive to the delivery of DRS across the rest of UK.”
The Welsh Government have not set out its intended timescales for the introduction of its own Deposit Return Scheme, meaning that it is possible that the rest of the UK will have a scheme in place before Wales.
Snappy Shopper, the UK’s leading quick-commerce platform, has entered into a ground breaking strategic partnership with Foodhub, one of the country’s fastest-growing online food ordering platforms.
Through this collaboration, customers will now gain convenient access to Snappy’s wide selection of grocery items alongside Foodhub’s popular range of local restaurant offerings.
This innovative partnership, building on recent partnerships with Allwyn UK, Booker Wholesale and One Stop Retail, combines Snappy Shopper’s market-leading in-store grocery technology with Foodhub’s established takeaway platform, creating an “all-in-one” experience for customers. Through this integration, customers can now order groceries from Snappy Shopper’s UK wide network of convenience stores, directly with the Foodhub app.
The collaboration aims to enhance convenience for shoppers at the same time as maximising the audience reach for Snappy’s retail partners, at no additional cost.
Mike Callachan, CEO of Snappy Shopper, said, "Our mission at Snappy Shopper is to fuel growth for retailers and bring unmatched convenience to communities. “With partnerships like those we’ve recently established with Allwyn UK, Booker Wholesale, One Stop Retail and now with Foodhub, we’re expanding access for both small and large retailers to reach more customers - by taking the best that local convenience stores have to offer, directly to digital customers. We will continue to innovate and create new opportunities for our retailers to grow their sales during a period when market conditions are tough.”
Snappy Shopper’s market leading in-store tech can now be used to accept orders from multiple platforms. It's order aggregation feature ensures that orders are received seamlessly, arriving directly on the existing in-store devices for quick and efficient fulfilment using the already established in store process our retailers are familiar with.
This enhancement allows Snappy Shopper’s retailers to access online customers across multiple channels while managing in-store operations with one streamlined system. Launching with a phased rollout, select Snappy Shopper stores will initially join Foodhub’s marketplace, with plans to expand nationwide.
Ardian Mula, CEO of Foodhub, said: "Foodhub's partnership with Snappy makes life even easier for our loyal customers. They're now going to be able to order essential groceries from store to door in around just 30 minutes at the tap of a button through our app. And, as the UK's fastest growing takeaway marketplace platform, this partnership means we're going to offer even more people the chance to enjoy their food and drink at great value prices."
Snappy Shopper listed grocery, convenience and retail stores that are interested in availing of this opportunity are encouraged to reach out to their dedicated point-of-contact, or if new and keen to explore delivery fill in this form.
Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched an extended version of its ‘Selling Vapes Responsibly’ guide to support retailers with the transition away from disposable vapes ahead of a ban on the products on June 1st 2025.
The guide is produced with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards as assured advice, which means that ACS members can rely on this advice and the interpretations of how to comply with the new regulations.
The new guidance outlines the features that vapes need to have to be legal for sale from June 1st, as well as what to do with any disposable vapes that are unsold when the ban comes into force. Vapes that are legal to sell from June 1st must be chargeable and refillable, as opposed to disposable vapes which are intended for a single use and are limited to 2ml of vape liquid.
Anyone selling disposable vapes from June 1st 2025 could be subject to a £200 fixed penalty notice, followed by further enforcement action if illicit activity continues.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The introduction of a ban on disposable vapes next year will mark a major change for thousands of retailers that currently stock these products. We have produced this guide to help retailers with the transition and ensure that nobody falls on the wrong side of the law on June 1st. It is important that any retailer selling vapes not only prepares themselves for the change, but also communicates with customers on the implications of the ban to avoid any potential confrontations or flashpoints in store.
“By having this advice assured as part of our award-winning scheme with Bucks and Surrey Trading Standards, retailers can have confidence that following this guidance will see them operating legally and without fear of prosecution.”
Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “Single-use vapes are a major source of litter and waste precious resources, which is why we are banning them from June 2025.We are working with local authorities, trading standards, and industry organisations to help businesses prepare for the ban, and we welcome this guidance to support the transition.”
The Government is introducing the ban to deal with the millions of disposable vapes that are thrown away every week. These products contain lithium batteries which are important to recycle, not just because they are a limited resource but because they are a potential fire risk if sent to landfill.
Since the start of 2024, retailers who sell vapes have been required to provide a takeback service for customers on a minimum of a ‘one for one’ basis (a customer can return a vape when they purchase a new one). ACS’ guide sets out all of the requirements on retailers when taking back used vapes, storing them in their business and arranging for regular collection so that they can be recycled.
The Selling Vapes Responsibly guide also includes advice for retailers on how to spot an illicit product, with information on all of the things to look out for on the packaging and where to check the list of legitimate products, as well as advice on preventing underage sales and the use of Challenge25 to support colleagues.
The full guide, as well as posters for retailers to display in their store to communicate the ban to customers, are available here: https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes
Earlestown Athletic Junior Football Club have a brand-new training kit thanks to the support of SPAR Newton-le-Willows.
The club’s Under-17s Celtic team have SPAR sponsored yellow and black shirts and black shorts helping the players look and feel more professional at training sessions and on matchdays.
SPAR advertising boards have also been put up at the club’s ground, The Hive, and the sponsorship came about after Club Manager Carl Hollingsworth made a beeline for the SPAR Newton-le-Willows store when seeking a kit sponsor for the 2024-25 season.
Carly Ashurst, Store Manager at SPAR Newton-le-Willows, said: “I am very pleased we have been able to help out Earlestown on this occasion and are proud to be a sponsor of the club.
“SPAR is a community retailer, and I was delighted to visit the ground with my Area Manager Gill Leech to meet the team and give them our support for the rest of the season.”
Dave Edwards, Club Secretary at Earlestown Athletic JFC, said: “Huge thanks to SPAR for supporting our club with the training kit and advertising boards at our ground.
“The training kits look fantastic and are a much-valued resource for our players who train in them twice a week and also wear them to warm up before kick-off on Sundays.”
James Hall & Co. Ltd is a fifth-generation family business which serves a network of independent SPAR retailers and company-owned SPAR stores across Northern England six days a week from its base at Bowland View in Preston.