James Lowman news, comment and analysis – Page 4
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Analysis & FeaturesCould police ‘most wanted’ lists help tackle shoplifting?
The ACS wants more forces to adopt a model used in Nottingham
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Comment & OpinionIs the ‘most wanted’ list the right answer to rising convenience store crime?
The ACS 2023 Crime Report shows theft across the sector has reached record highs – and the organisation’s suggestions have been successfully acted on before
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News‘Most wanted’ list needed to stop shoplifters hitting convenience stores
The impassioned plea comes from the Association of Convenience Stores which found theft across the sector had reached record highs
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NewsConvenience stores losing profits from free ATM services
One Premier retailer said his store’s ATM transactions had dropped by around 70% to 45 a day, with a 15p payment per transaction
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NewsACS urges cautious approach to future wage rates
In a submission to the Low Pay Commission, ACS has urged it to recognise the unique challenges faced by businesses caused by the cost of living crisis
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NewsSoft drink suppliers pull support for 2024 Scottish DRS launch
BSDA says only sensible move now is for a UK-wide deposit return scheme to be delayed until at least October 2025
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Comment & OpinionSix key takeaways from the UK Food & Drink Shows 2023
Forget year of the rabbit, this is quite clearly the year of the vape
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NewsScotland’s deposit return scheme: industry reacts to delay
The launch of the UK’s first deposit return scheme (DRS) has been delayed until at least 1 March next year
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Analysis & FeaturesSmokers to get free vape kits to help them quit cigarettes
Almost one in five smokers will be given devices in the ’swap to stop’ initiative, the Department of Health & Social Care said
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NewsConfectionery sales up despite HFSS display ban, say retailers
Some convenience stores have reported an increase in sales of sweets, snacks and other HFSS goods
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NewsShop theft reaches record highs across convenience sector
Of the areas worst affected across the UK, London was at the top, with 48% of retailers saying theft had increased over the past year
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Comment & OpinionBudget fails to alleviate pressure on companies caught in cost of living crossfire
After the chaos unleashed by the mini-budget last November, Jeremy Hunt’s ‘steady as she goes’ budget was not exactly unwelcome – though it left grocery industry participants frustrated that more help isn’t being offered
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Analysis & FeaturesGrocery’s spring budget wish list: what are the odds?
Ahead of this week’s red box reveal, here’s what heads up the sector’s wish list – along with best-guess odds in the face of reality
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NewsViolence and abuse against shopworkers remains above pre-pandemic levels
According to retail trade union Usdaw 74% have experienced verbal abuse, 49% were threatened by a customer, and 8% were assaulted over the past year
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NewsWales ban on price reductions a ‘hammer blow’ for cash-strapped families, claim trade bodies
The Welsh government looks set to introduce legislation following that in England to crack down on promotions of HFSS products
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Analysis & FeaturesIs convenience still enough in the cost of living crisis?
Convenience stores provided many people with a lifeline during Covid, but now face the challenge of persuading hard-up shoppers they’re more than a costlier alternative to Aldi
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NewsThousands of firms to go bust without energy bailout rethink
Earlier this month the government announced a £5.5bn package of support, due to come in from April, as part of a drastic scaling back of help for companies
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Comment & OpinionCut-price energy bailout could further inflate food and drink prices
Prices will be capped by a maximum unit discount of £40.00/MWh for gas and £89.10/MWh for electricity for those in the most “energy intensive” sectors
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NewsEnergy bailout branded ‘pointless’ as level of support for food and drink companies plummets
The government is to provide a £5.5bn package of support for 12 months after April, compared with the £18bn it will have provided by the time the initial bailout expires
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NewsEnergy bill support decision delayed until January, leaving businesses fearing closure
It follows repeated promises from the government that businesses would find out by the end of December if they would be entitled to more money