Wholesalers will have to wait months to find out if sensitive information supplied to customs officials on illegal operators has helped bring a prosecution.
John Murphy, director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, claimed the delay was very frustrating for members who had stepped forward to provide customs officials with information about rogue traders.
In the run-up to Christmas, wholesalers throughout the UK were asked to step up their watchdog role and report any evidence of traders operating on the fringes of the legitimate wholesale sector to HM Revenue and Customs.
The campaign was launched after top level talks involving the FWD, customs officials and major drinks suppliers. At the time, Murphy claimed that in some instances major lager brands were being sold at up to £2 per case below the cheapest legitimate cost price.
He was this week unwilling to identify any individual wholesalers who had passed on information to customs as the fear of retribution still exists, but confirmed that there had certainly been an increase in the flow of evidence from wholesalers.
Wholesalers must wait until customs officials complete their investigations before being told if any action will be taken.
A spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs said it was too early to tell how successful the campaign had been.
He reiterated that anyone selling beers, wines and spirits at suspiciously low prices would be asked to reveal their source of supply.
Ronan Hegarty
Key Lekkerland has announced 5% like-for-like sales growth in 2005, taking group turnover to £450m. The buying group aims to increase its KeyStore fascia members from 350 to 400 this year. It intends to add to the 500 retailers already signed up to its Smart Buy Retail Club and the 1,000 retailers that are part of its Be First scheme.
Strike action by Wincanton tanker drivers who deliver to Tesco forecourts in the south was averted this week as the T&G union entered talks with Wincanton and TGD, which is to take over the Tesco contract. The 140 workers were due to strike over claims that when the contract is transferred, working terms and conditions may not be honoured.
Retailers could find themselves in breach of new EU legislation brought in this month to improve the energy efficiencies of commercial buildings, due to a lack of information from the government, the British Retail Consortium has warned. The Energy Performance Buildings Directive to cut carbon dioxide emissions came into force on January 4. However, the government is yet to publish any guidance on how it will be implemented and how companies can comply.
A National Occupational Standard for retail buyers is being developed to set a national training standard for the trade. The retail skills council Skillsmart has secured funding for the project and hopes to publish the NOS by the end of the summer. >>p35 It is worth the paper
National Lottery operator Camelot reported weekly sales up 800% for its EuroMillions draw as it emerged that the jackpot was £100m. “This is the biggest jackpot ever for a European lottery,” it said.
Lekkerland up 5%
Strike averted
energy law warning
National standard
Lottery sales soar
John Murphy, director general of the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, claimed the delay was very frustrating for members who had stepped forward to provide customs officials with information about rogue traders.
In the run-up to Christmas, wholesalers throughout the UK were asked to step up their watchdog role and report any evidence of traders operating on the fringes of the legitimate wholesale sector to HM Revenue and Customs.
The campaign was launched after top level talks involving the FWD, customs officials and major drinks suppliers. At the time, Murphy claimed that in some instances major lager brands were being sold at up to £2 per case below the cheapest legitimate cost price.
He was this week unwilling to identify any individual wholesalers who had passed on information to customs as the fear of retribution still exists, but confirmed that there had certainly been an increase in the flow of evidence from wholesalers.
Wholesalers must wait until customs officials complete their investigations before being told if any action will be taken.
A spokesman for HM Revenue and Customs said it was too early to tell how successful the campaign had been.
He reiterated that anyone selling beers, wines and spirits at suspiciously low prices would be asked to reveal their source of supply.
Ronan Hegarty
Key Lekkerland has announced 5% like-for-like sales growth in 2005, taking group turnover to £450m. The buying group aims to increase its KeyStore fascia members from 350 to 400 this year. It intends to add to the 500 retailers already signed up to its Smart Buy Retail Club and the 1,000 retailers that are part of its Be First scheme.
Strike action by Wincanton tanker drivers who deliver to Tesco forecourts in the south was averted this week as the T&G union entered talks with Wincanton and TGD, which is to take over the Tesco contract. The 140 workers were due to strike over claims that when the contract is transferred, working terms and conditions may not be honoured.
Retailers could find themselves in breach of new EU legislation brought in this month to improve the energy efficiencies of commercial buildings, due to a lack of information from the government, the British Retail Consortium has warned. The Energy Performance Buildings Directive to cut carbon dioxide emissions came into force on January 4. However, the government is yet to publish any guidance on how it will be implemented and how companies can comply.
A National Occupational Standard for retail buyers is being developed to set a national training standard for the trade. The retail skills council Skillsmart has secured funding for the project and hopes to publish the NOS by the end of the summer. >>p35 It is worth the paper
National Lottery operator Camelot reported weekly sales up 800% for its EuroMillions draw as it emerged that the jackpot was £100m. “This is the biggest jackpot ever for a European lottery,” it said.
Lekkerland up 5%
Strike averted
energy law warning
National standard
Lottery sales soar
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