As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.
Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.
These hubs provide shared spaces for consumers to access basic services, such as depositing and withdrawing cash, and are being embraced by businesses keen to support the use of cash, who have been struggling in recent years due to the flurry of bank closures across the UK.
With this in mind, Volumatic welcomes the increase in banking hubs and other facilities but recommends businesses go one step further to make things even easier.
“We have known for some time that more and more people are using cash again on a daily basis and so it’s great that access to cash is being protected by the FCA, something that we and others in the industry have been campaigning for, for a long time,” said Volumatic’s Sales & Marketing Director Mike Severs. “Both businesses and consumers need to have easy and local access to cash, and these new rules ensure cash usage continues to rise and will encourage more businesses to realise that cash is still an important and valid payment method.”
With time being of the essence for most businesses, making a journey to the nearest bank, banking hub or Post Office isn’t always possible on a daily basis, plus there is the obvious security risk to both the money and the individual taking it to consider.
Volumatic offers integration with the G4S CASH360 integration
Volumatic’s partnership with G4S, announced back in April 2024, means every business dealing in cash anywhere in the UK can have access to a fully managed solution. This will be especially relevant to those who currently have to walk or travel a distance to a bank or PO to deposit their cash.
Severs adds: “Although having more banking facilities is fantastic news, Volumatic can help businesses even more by bringing the bank to them through an investment in technology like the CCi that can offer integration with the G4S CASH360 solution. Together, we make daily cash processing faster, safer, and more secure and the combination of solutions will save businesses time and money for years to come, making it a truly worthwhile investment.“
Volumatic offers a range of cash handling solutions, with their most advanced device being the CounterCache intelligent (CCi). This all-in-one solution validates, counts and stores cash securely at POS, with UK banks currently processing over 2.5 million CCi pouches each year. When coupled with the upgraded CashView Enterprise cash management software and its suite of intelligent apps, the Volumatic CCi can offer a full end-to-end cash management solution – and now goes one step further.
It does this by providing web service integration with other third-party applications such as the CASH360 cash management system, provided by the foremost UK provider of cash security, G4S Cash Solutions (UK).
“Ultimately, only time will tell how successful the FCA’s new rules will prove. In the short amount of time the new legislation has been in place, the signs are already looking good, and coupled with the new technology we offer, it is a good thing for businesses and consumers alike in the ongoing fight for access to cash and more efficient cash processing,” concludes Severs.
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has outlined plans to enhance transparency in business rates valuations, with a phased rollout of new disclosures and systems through 2029.
By 2026, ratepayers will gain access to more tailored property valuation details. By 2029, this will expand to include specific valuation evidence, addressing calls for greater transparency. The changes stem from a 2023 consultation that sought input from ratepayers, agents, and other stakeholders.
“We understand the importance of greater transparency in business rates valuations. The consultation showed there are different views about what property valuation information should be disclosed,” Carolyn Bartlett, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at the VOA, said.
“We’ve balanced the desire for greater transparency from some with the concerns of others about the confidentiality of their data and a preference for simplified information.”
The improvements are part of broader reforms to business rates in England and Wales aimed at supporting more frequent property revaluations, set to occur every three years from 2026.
A key reform includes a new duty on ratepayers to provide property information to the VOA. Phased testing of this system will begin after April 1, 2026, with full implementation expected by April 1, 2029.
Under the new duty, ratepayers must notify the VOA within 60 days of changes to:
The occupier.
Lease or rent agreements.
The property itself.
Some ratepayers will also need to provide annual trade information for valuation purposes. Additionally, all ratepayers will be required to confirm yearly that they have reported any changes.
“These changes will help us revalue properties every three years. More frequent revaluations mean fluctuations in the property market are reflected in business rates bills more quickly. This will make the system fairer,” Bartlett added.
Plans to simplify the Check, Challenge, Appeal process are scheduled for 2029, coinciding with the start of new rating lists.
The VOA has committed to a collaborative approach in implementing these reforms, and assured ratepayers that ample notice will be provided ahead of each change, along with guidance to support compliance.
“We aim to build a system that works for all ratepayers. This is whether they have one assessment or thousands, and whether they use an agent or deal with us directly,” Bartlett said.
“We will make sure the system has been thoroughly tested by ratepayers before we formally introduce the new requirements.”
Criminals are increasingly targeting businesses over personal properties yet only about one in ten cases resulted in charges, with nearly half of the investigations being closed without police identifying a suspect, show recent data.
According to Office for National Statistics data cited by The Times, robbery of a business property rose by 52 per cent in the year to June 2024 - rising from 7,884 to 12,000, amounting to 33 recorded every day.
The figures suggest that criminals are increasingly targeting businesses over personal properties, the numbers for which remained relatively stable over the same period. There were 69,931 personal property robberies recorded compared to 69,222 in the previous 12 months, a 1 per cent increase.
The figures come on the back of a record high in shoplifting, with a total of 469,788 events recorded in the year to June, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year.
The Office for National Statistics said there had been a “notable increase” in the number of robberies involving a knife, which rose by 11 per cent during the same period.
Dame Diana Johnson, the policing minister, said that the government will also clamp down on property robbery by introducing a standalone offence of assaulting a shop worker.
The government’s Policing and Crime bill, which is expected to be introduced to parliament in the spring, will attempt to ensure that the police treat shoplifting offences more seriously by scrapping a rule introduced in 2014 that enabled forces to treat thefts of goods valued at under £200 less seriously by making it a summary-only offence.
Johnson said, “Under the last Conservative government, robbery of business property and shoplifting rose to record high levels. It’s vital that businesses are protected, retail crime tackled and staff protected this festive period.
“This Labour government will deliver 13,000 extra neighbourhood police as part of our plan for change. We’ll tackle retail crime and assault of shop workers and scrap the Tory shoplifters’ charter.
"This is a government committed to our mission for safer streets, for safer communities, and for a safer Britain, and we have a plan to get there.”
As Veganuary approaches, a wave of new research highlights the growing potential of plant-based foods to transform health and sustainability. For convenience retailers, this represents an opportunity to align with a significant consumer movement and expand their plant-based offerings.
Recent studies underline the health benefits of plant-based diets. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials by researchers in Spain, published last month, found that replacing conventional with plant-based meat between one and eight weeks reduced LDL – or ‘bad’ cholesterol – and helped with weight management.
Similarly, a systematic review by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) researchers found plant-based meat scored highly in areas such as weight loss, gut health and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, although there was variation between products in nutritional value.
“Although whole foods are still considered the ‘gold standard’ for healthy and environmentally friendly diets, environmental and health outcomes from some novel plant- and fungi- based foods are promising,” Sarah Nájero Espinosa, nutrition and climate change researcher at the LSHTM, said.
“In my review, I found that some products such as legume and vegetable-based drinks and legume and mycoprotein-based meats have the potential to be a useful stepping stone in food system and dietary transformation if they are carefully selected.”
A groundbreaking Lancet study led by University College London took a step closer to understanding the mechanisms connecting ultra-processed food (UPF) and health, building on previous findings showing considerable variation between different UPF subtypes. In particular, the study found plant-based meat and milk were associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, while the animal products they are designed to replace were associated with significantly increased risk.
The environmental case is also strengthening. The German Society for Nutrition changed its position on plant-based milk, recommending that those needing or wanting to avoid cow’s milk should drink fortified plant-based products, recognising the environmental upsides and also its lower saturated fat content.
Likewise, a report by the Food Foundation divided plant-based protein into three categories depending on processing level and found that, on average, all three contained fewer calories, lower levels of saturated fat, and higher levels of fibre than the meat products analysed. It found plant-based meat products to be useful stepping stones to encouraging people to adopt healthier, plant-based diets.
“Plant-based alternatives to meat have a key role to play in encouraging people to adopt more plant-rich diets, which also offer clear environmental benefits,” Rebecca Tobi, senior business and investor engagement manager at The Food Foundation, said.
“Food Foundation research has shown that while they are higher in fibre compared to meat, processed plant-based alternatives could be improved through fortification with key micronutrients like iron and vitamin B12 and reformulated to reduce their salt content.
"More traditional plant-based options like tofu and tempeh are also excellent sources of protein, as are whole plant foods like beans and pulses, which are also the most affordable alternatives to meat. The focus should be on plant-based alternatives that deliver the best outcomes for health and the environment, with minimal potential trade-offs, to ensure the transition to healthier and more sustainable diets."
Amy Williams of the Good Food Institute Europe stressed the urgent need for tasty and affordable plant-based options to combat the overconsumption of processed meat, which harms health and the planet. “Innovative products like plant-based meat and dairy, alongside traditional whole foods such as beans, will both have important roles in achieving this,” she said.
Dr. Alan Javier Hernandez Alvarez from the University of Leeds highlighted the need for reframing the discussion around ultra-processed foods.
“Scientific evidence strongly supports the positive health benefits of plant-based foods, but our focus should shift from the level of processing to actionable factors like reducing excessive salt, sugar, fat, and additives,” he said.
“The plant-based meat analogue field is a frontier ripe for transformative innovation and groundbreaking research. The potential is limitless, and the journey towards healthier, sustainable, and scientifically advanced plant-based solutions has only just begun.”
Dr Roberta Alessandrini, director of the dietary guidelines initiative at the Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) International Foundation, pointed out the enormous potential for this sector to develop healthier, tastier, and more accessible options.
“It is essential to take steps to further improve the nutritional profiles of these products. We must not forget, however, that this sector is still in its early stages and has enormous potential to develop food options that are not only healthy but also tasty and accessible,” she said.
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A Christmas shopper walks on South Molton street on December 6, 2024 in London, England.
UK retail footfall fell by 2.2per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking the second consecutive year of decline, according to the latest data from BRC-Sensormatic.
December’s crucial festive period delivered underwhelming results despite a slight improvement compared to November.
Footfall in December was down 2.2 per cent year-on-year, an improvement from November's 4.5 per cent decline, attributed partly to the later timing of Black Friday in 2024. High streets saw a 2.7 per cent drop in December, while shopping centres experienced a more significant decline of 3.3 per cent. Retail parks remained stable, with no year-on-year change, benefiting from their free parking and larger store formats.
Across the UK, all nations experienced footfall declines in December, with Northern Ireland hit hardest, down 5.8 per cent, followed by Wales (-2.6 per cent), England (-2.1 per cent), and Scotland (-1.5 per cent). Over the three months to December—the critical ‘Golden Quarter’—footfall decreased by 2.5 per cent year-on-year.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, described December as a “drab” end to a challenging year for UK retail. “High streets and shopping centres were hit particularly hard throughout the year as people veered towards retail parks,” she said. “The Golden Quarter, typically the peak of shopping activity, provided little relief, with footfall down over the period.”
Dickinson also highlighted the need for structural changes to support the retail sector. “Investment in town centres and high streets is held back by our outdated business rates system, which penalises town and city centres,” she said, calling for government reforms that do not increase rates for any retailer and instead foster investment and growth.
“With retailers facing £7 billion in additional costs this year from increased tax and regulations, the changes to the business rates system must be made in way that supports retail investment and growth in the years ahead,” she noted.
Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic, echoed the sentiment, noting that December's footfall failed to meet expectations despite some busy trading days. "As footfall limped towards the festive finish line, December's lacklustre performance compounds a disappointing end to 2024, marking the second consecutive year of declining store traffic,” Sumpter said.
“Retailers will now need to look afresh to 2025 and chart a course to adopt innovative strategies to reverse this trend or maximise the sales potential of fewer visitors, finding new ways to make each store visit count.”
Phil Whitehead has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the EMEA & APAC division of Molson Coors Beverage Company.
Whitehead has been Managing Director of the company’s Western Europe region for the past eight years and prior to this was European Supply Chain Director. He will continue to lead the Western Europe business until a successor is appointed.
Starting in the UK and Ireland business back in 2006, Whitehead has worked his way up the ranks over his tenure with the international brewer. During his time as Western Europe Managing Director, he has led for the continued growth of powerhouse brands like Carling and Coors, as well as the premiumisation and diversification of the company’s portfolio with world beer brands including Staropramen, Cobra and Madri Excepcional. As the brewer expanded beyond the beer aisle, Whitehead oversaw the acquisition of Aspall Cyder in 2019 and a distribution partnership with Rekorderlig Cider in the UK.
Commenting on his appointment, Molson Coors Global President & Chief Executive Officer Gavin Hattersley said: “Throughout his time with our business, Phil has proven himself to be the kind of smart and strategic business leader who is capable of driving successful results for our business. I am confident Phil will put his strong combination of leadership traits to work to the benefit of our EMEA & APAC business, and all of Molson Coors.”
A former Chair of the British Beer and Pub Association and strong advocate for the beer and hospitality industry in the UK, Whitehead said of his new appointment: “It has been an absolute honour to have led our Western Europe business over the past eight years. I have been incredibly fortunate to have worked with a fantastic local team and alongside great customers and peers as part of our wider brewing industry.
“I look forward to taking this next step with a company I am incredibly proud has been my home over the past 18 years, and continuing to work alongside my EMEA & APAC and global colleagues to drive the successful growth of our business.”