Authorities have been alerted to more than 130 retailers suspected of underage and illicit vape sales through the UK Vaping Industry Association’s (UKVIA) nationwide Be Vape Vigilant initiative.
The ongoing campaign, which is supported by Trading Standards, the Association of Convenience Stores and the wider retail sector, has been launched at the end of 2023 to encourage legitimate businesses and the general public to help cut off youth sales and the supply of illegal products at source by turning in those retailers and wholesalers believed to be flouting the law.
A new online platform has been established as part of the initiative, through which suspected rogue traders can be reported. The UKVIA then passes the information on to the relevant authorities who will use the intelligence in their ongoing efforts to crack down on rogue traders. To date 136 reports have been made through the platform.
“Trading Standards services rely on intelligence to target enforcement effectively and efficiently, so we are pleased that the Be Vape Vigilant reporting line is being used to let us know about people selling illegal vapes and/or selling vapes to children,” Kate Pike, lead officer for vaping at Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said.
“The more intelligence the better from our point of view.”
Of those businesses flagged, more than half were non-specialist retailers including convenience stores, corner shops, off-licenses and market stalls. One of the sellers reported through the platform was a dessert shop and one was a private residence.
Almost 20 per cent of all reports related exclusively to the underage sale of vaping products, while 47 per cent related exclusively to illicit and non-compliant products. Overall, more than one third of the reported businesses were believed to be guilty of both.
Other key data includes:
77% of the retailers were physical sellers while 23% were online
84% of the retailers were located in England, 9% in Scotland and 7% in Wales
Swansea was the area with the highest number of reports
At least two of the retailers have previously been reported to Trading Standards and the Police
Eight of the retailers were suspected of engaging in other illegal activity such as the supply of drugs and the underage sale of tobacco
John Dunne, UKVIA director general, said: “I was pleased to see so many people have engaged with the campaign in the short time since its launch and thank all those who have used the Be Vape Vigilant platform to sound the alarm on retailers suspected of underage and illicit vape sales. Many of the reports actually came from legitimate vape retailers, which makes clear that unscrupulous sellers are not welcome and will not be tolerated by our industry.
“The data gathered from the first batch of reports supports the link between youth access to vaping and illicit products with many of the retailers believed to be engaging in both. Further, the sheer number of reports, paired with the fact that two of the retailers have already been reported to the authorities, reinforces the need for greater resources and support for Trading Standards.”
Dunne added: “The UKVIA is currently involved in a major industry-wide consultation to develop a framework for vape retail and distributor licensing – due to be presented to parliamentarians in February - which could generate millions of pounds in additional funding for enforcement and further bring the hammer down on rogue retailers.
“While 100 reports is an excellent first milestone, this only represents a step on the journey to creating a more responsible and accountable sector – which is why the UKVIA will be ramping up this campaign moving into 2024 and is calling on those within and outside the industry to be vape vigilant.”
As part of the Be Vape Vigilant initiative, the UKVIA has also created a range of downloadable materials which responsible retailers can display in-store and online to mobilise the general public in helping to bring cowboy retailers and wholesalers to justice.
Dole Packaged Foods has appointed of Erik Hamel as Managing Director for Dole Packaged Foods Europe, replacing Isabelle Spindler-Jacobs
Isabelle joined Dole in 2019, where she took the lead in relocating the business from Paris to Rotterdam during the challenging time of the Covid pandemic, where she established a fantastic office and team by focusing on diversity and valuing individuals.
Under her leadership, Dole Europe has gone from strength to strength through the exploration of new markets and route to market expansions. Delivering category growth in the UK, now with over 40 per cent share of total ambient fruits, and growing ahead of the category
Isabelle has overseen the relaunch of Doles Tropical Gold canned pineapple into major mults, along with launch of Dole’s 198g Pineapple and Tropical Fruit pots, perfect for a healthy on the go snack, gaining listings in Sainsbury’s and a first ever listing for Dole in B&M. Another first for Dole, under Isabelle’s leadership is the award-winning Add Some WoW campaign, where we stoked controversy for Dole by adding pineapple to the infamous Full English breakfast through a compelling social media and PR campaign that led to two awards.
Previous to joining Dole, Isabelle worked 17 years for Heineken in several roles.
Erik Hamel, will take over the Managing Director role from March 15. Erik joined Dole as Finance Director in 2020 and will continue to drive the company’s transformation, focusing on both short-term and long-term category growth, while promoting Dole’s sustainability work.
Before joining Dole, Erik worked for Heineken for over 25 years covering many different roles in finance, sales and general management across various European markets
“I am very pleased to be given the opportunity to continue our journey in which we strive to enhance nutrition through the goodness of fruit together with our stakeholders,” said Hamel
Widow of the former post master, whose compensation arrived days after his death, has slammed Post Office for delaying the compensation as well as for offering an "utter disgrace" of the redressal.
Terry Walter was one of 555 sub-postmasters who won a legal battle against the Post Office in 2019. He was part of the GLO Group Litigation Order (GLO) Scheme established after the 2019 High Court win.
The scheme's aim is to restore sub-postmasters to the financial position they would have been in had they not become victims of faulty Horizon software which caused false accounting shortfalls.
Walter had his Post Office contract terminated in 2008. He and Janet lost their business and then their family home. They moved in to rented accommodation where they lived for the past 15 years.
Janet said Terry's claim was put forward in February 2024 and it has taken a year to receive an offer for redress from the government.
Terry passed away in February, a week before a letter arrived offering "less than half" of his original claim for financial redress.
"It should have been a 40-day turnaround of an offer. And it's taken 12 months to receive an offer, an offer which came after Terry had passed away.
"They wanted a stroke report back in September to drag it out a bit more, to see if it's being caused by all the stress from the Post Office."
"I think it contributed considerably to the whole state of him.
"I've told them I will not accept [the offer]," Janet tells Sky News. "I think it's an utter disgrace. Not when I look at him and I think, no, what you've been through - I won't just take anything and go away.
"It's a scandal what they did with the Horizon system, it's a scandal now because of the length of time it's taken [on redress]."
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) said, "We are sorry to hear of Terry's death and our thoughts are with Janet and the rest of his family and friends."
They added they have now issued 407 offers to the 425 GLO claimants "who have submitted full claims" and are "making offers to 89 per cent of GLO claimants within 40 working days of receipt of a full claim, with over half of eligible claimants having now settled their claim."
The DBT also said it has "doubled" the amount of payments under the Labour government to "provide postmasters with full and fair redress".
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Decline in plant-based product sales and rise in meat and dairy sales
Meat and dairy products saw a rise in sales in January, while their meat-free counterparts and dairy-free products experienced less demand compared with 2024.
According to a report released by Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), while the meat, fish and poultry (MFP) category saw volume growth of 1.4 per cent, meat-free products had their fourth consecutive year of decline.
This was mostly driven by vegetable-based products such as bean burgers, rather than meat imitation products (like Quorn), as vegetable-based products saw a -12.4 per cent decline.
This weaker performance is likely due to declining engagement with Veganuary, according to Google searches, and only a small proportion of the population (5.65 per cent) taking part in the challenge this year.
Of those who took part, 1.29 per cent are vegan all year round, 2.30 per cent completed Veganuary and 2.06 per cent did not. Of those who managed to maintain a vegan diet for the entire month, 39 per cent stated they are not going to continue with the diet beyond January, states AHDB.
Promotions played a big part in performance this January, and according to Kantar, meat-free product saw a 9.1 per cent decline in promotions year-on-year, which, along with high inflation, likely contributed to its performance.
While meat imitation products did see spend and volume growth in January, it was the only meat-free category to see increases in both, however, this isn’t expected to continue, as historically (2021–2024) there has been an average decline in volume of -22.5 per cent from January to February (Kantar 4 w/e 26 January 2025).
Cow’s dairy volumes increased by 6.1 per cent in January and saw volume increases in almost all product categories, while plant-based dairy sales increased by just 1 per cent, with volume declines in nearly all plant-based dairy categories, including plant-based cheese, spreads and butter.
Hannah McLoughlin, an AHDB analyst, said, “Our data highlights that consumer interest in meat and dairy-free products is not as strong as it was in previous years.
“The demand for meat and dairy remains resilient, with many consumers showing a preference for traditional products over plant-based options.
“This shift in consumption patterns, coupled with fluctuating promotional activity, suggests that the traditional meat and dairy sectors continue to hold their ground in the face of changing dietary trends.
“AHDB continues to promote the benefits of eating meat and dairy year-round, with our Milk Every Moment, Let’s Eat Balanced and Love Pork campaigns focusing on the great taste and health benefits of these products as part of a healthy balanced diet.”
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Retailers cautioned to prep for disposable vape ban
Vapes touted as "nicotine free" to UK consumers can have traces or even considerable amount of nicotine, shows a new report as Trading Standards continue to unearth new intelligence around the illegal vapes market.
As part of Operation Joseph, a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) funded initiative tracking the sale of illicit vapes and underage sales, 76 products sold as nicotine free vapes were tested by Heart of the South West Trading Standards Service, working together with Trading Standards teams in Salford and Berkshire.
More than one in every eight (13.2 per cent) of the products were found to contain nicotine in amounts ranging from 0.06 mg/ml to 27.02 mg/ml – around the amount delivered by a pack of 20 cigarettes.
All ten were also found to exceed the limit on the amount of e-liquid permitted in vapes with two found to exceed both the e-liquid and nicotine strength limit.
As a result, consumers hoping to buy nicotine free products would have been exposed to nicotine and its addictive effects and in significant quantities with eight of the ten failed samples.
Lord Michael Bichard, Chair, National Trading Standards, said, “Nicotine free vapes can be a useful tool to quit smoking and reduce nicotine dependency, but these findings reveal that people can actually continue to be stuck in a cycle of addiction if sold the highly addictive substance unknowingly.
“Businesses should be aware vapes falsely claiming to be nicotine free are in circulation and should make sure they are not breaking the law by selling products that are falsely advertised, especially where they are importing goods or acting as the main UK distributor.
“I urge businesses and consumers to be vigilant and report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service by calling 0808 223 1133.”
Alex Fry, Operations Officer for Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said, “We are pleased to have contributed to and helped co-ordinate the sampling of this project.
"We recognise how important it is for regulators and legislators to have up to date intelligence on what products are being supplied to consumers.
“Trading Standards are at the forefront of ensuring products comply with legal requirements and we hope that the findings will provide valuable intelligence and help shape the future regulation of cigarettes, tobacco and vapes.”
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Shoppers walk through Birmingham's New Street on February 18, 2025.
Footfall in February remained somewhat stable, notes a recent report, showing a considerable rise observed after the post-Christmas lull with Valentine's Day emerging as the key contributor.
MRI Software’s latest retail footfall data for February revealed a minor dip of -0.3 per cent compared to February 2024 across all UK retail destinations, driven by a -1.5 per cent decline in high street activity.
This annual fall reflects historical trends for February but may have been compounded this year by a particularly severe flu season, ongoing travel disruptions, and the arrival of Storm Herminia; all of which created further obstacles in driving retail and office-based footfall.
Shopping centres and retail parks bucked the trend recording rises of +0.2 per cent and +1.9 per cent, respectively, and continues to reinforce the benefits of enclosed retail destinations.
Despite these challenges, February’s month-on-month footfall provided welcome relief.
Total footfall rose by +7.3 per cent from January as the retail sector moved past the traditional post-Christmas lull.
Key events including the February half-term holiday provided a boost for physical retail destinations, particularly shopping centres and high streets where footfall jumped by +9 per cent and +11.6 per cent, respectively, from the previous week.
Valentine's Day was also another key contributor as footfall rose by +22.3 per cent in all UK retail destinations on this day alone compared to the week before; this was led by a +27.1 per cent rise in high streets, a +15.4 per cent uplift in retail parks, and +18.9 per cent in shopping centres.
Year on year, retail park growth was particularly strong from 5pm-11pm with footfall rising by +20.4 per cent in comparison to the same time period on Valentine's Day last year.
Looking ahead, there is cautious optimism among retailers. MRI Software’s weekly Insights from the Inside survey revealed that 55 per cent of retailers saw stronger sales during February’s half-term break compared to last year.
However, the outlook for March is more reserved, with 58 per cent of retailers expecting lower sales than in 2024 likely due to the later timing of Easter, which shifts key spending into April.
As the sector prepares for the upcoming Spring Budget, attention is turning to how financial policies may further influence consumer confidence and retail spending. Potential changes in tax, public spending, and household support will be closely monitored for its impact on disposable income and retail demand in the months ahead.