James Lowman news, comment and analysis – Page 26
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News
No c-store chiller funds as Change4Life rolls out
The government is not making any additional funding available to help c-stores sell fruit and veg, despite announcing plans to roll its Change4Life local stores scheme out across the country.The scheme encourages c-stores to sell more...
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NewsThe Grocer calls on Chancellor to avert Christmas mayhem
The “arbitrary” decision to impose a 31 December deadline for the VAT hike and the end of trade credit insurance support threatens to undermine the Christmas trading period, experts have warned – so The Grocer has launched a campaign to fight it.
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NewsRetailers to keep battling tobacco ban despite Lords defeat
Retailers have vowed to continue fighting the tobacco display ban, despite a crushing defeat in the House of Lords. This week the Lords voted 204 to 110 in support of a tobacco display ban in supermarkets from 2011 and in smaller...
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Gantry costs prohibitive, admit consultants to DH
The figures used by the Department of Health to play down the cost of implementing a tobacco display ban are wrong - says the company quoted in the department's own briefing notes.
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Campaigner Dowdney joins ACS main board
Small shops campaigner Nigel Dowdney has taken a seat on the main board of the Association of Convenience Stores.
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NewsRetailers slam Darling’s Budget
Retail associations have slammed Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Budget for failing to offer help to struggling retailers.
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Five-a-day the city c-store way
Three months in, how is the pilot scheme to increase the availability of fruit and veg in deprived areas shaping up, asks Noli Dinkovski
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Booze stings show stores lead way in responsible retailing
As chief medical officer Sir Liam Donaldson continued his crusade for potentially "devastating" minimum pricing levels on alcohol this week, new research revealed supermarkets and convenience stores were already leading the way on responsible...
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Industry heartened by New Zealand's tobacco display ban rebuff
The tobacco industry's campaign to prevent the introduction of a display ban received a welcome boost this week after New Zealand's PM scrapped his Government's proposed ban because there was no proof it would work.
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Wholesalers forced to chase payments from independents
Independent retailers are proving much less recession proof than their supermarket rivals, The Grocer can reveal.While the multiples have announced thousands of new jobs since the start of the year, wholesalers are increasingly being forced...
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Retailers fret as Government plans to raise business rates
The British Retail Consortium is calling on the Government to freeze business rates in 2009. What are the chances of it doing so, asks Nick Hughes
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C-stores reel as tobacco display ban is confirmed
The confirmation of plans to bring in a total ban on the display of tobacco were met with anger and confusion this week, as hopes of a recession-fuelled reprieve were dashed.The absence of proposals from last week's Queen's Speech appeared...
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First the credit crunch, and now – a retail crime wave?
A new industry report shows retail crime is down, but the worsening economic climate could change all that. Nick Hughes reports
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Display ban won’t cut smoker levels says ACS
The expected benefits of the government’s proposed tobacco display ban have been grossly exaggerated, the Association of Convenience Stores is claiming. The government has set out health benefits worth £1.1bn based on reduced smoking prevalence...
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Independent view: Indies: Learn to make the most of your USPs
Yes, the multiples have posed formidable competition since they entered convenience. And, yes, they are a hard act to follow – but the independent shouldn’t forget their own points of difference
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Brakes plays it cool over its debt levels
Brakes plays it cool over its debt levels: Convenience stores in deprived areas of England and Wales will be given help to sell more fruit and vegetables in a bid to stem the rising tide of obesity. In a joint initiative between the Department of Health and the Association of ...
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News
Hard line shirked by government
The government’s verdict on the Competition Commission’s grocery inquiry has caused anger and relief in equal measure this week. While retailers are welcoming the hands-off approach revealed this week by the Department for Business Enterprise &...
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One-size-fits-all drinks code comes under fire
Industry experts have warned the government against pursuing a ‘one-size-fits-all’ code of practice for the drinks sector. It follows a consultation published this week by the Department of Health, and also independent reviews that revealed the...
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Sales of cigarettes to underage kids up 50%
Retailers' hopes of blocking a ban on cigarette displays suffered a blow this week as new figures revealed the number of shops caught selling cigarettes to underage smokers has increased by nearly 50%.Of 457 retailers across England...
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Independents too can feel the heat of nimby wrath
I ndependent retail chain Booths champions local sourcing and community retailing. But that hasn't prevented it from incurring the wrath of locals when trying to expand. Last week we reported on how the upmarket northern chain was facing its...