NEWS
6 ASIAN TRADER 24 JANUARY 2025
The new age-of-sale
regulations in the Tobacco
and Vapes Bill could present
significant hurdles for
retailers, according to Inga
Becker-Hansen, policy
adviser at the British Retail
Consortium (BRC).
Speaking before a House
of Commons committee,
Becker-Hansen outlined
the complexities of
enforcing a rolling age limit
for tobacco and vape
products, as well as
concerns about staf
training, licensing
schemes, and advertising
restrictions.
She noted that while
current rules are straightfor-
ward - with a fixed age of sale
for tobacco and alcohol
products - the rolling age limit
could introduce operational
difculties.
“At this point, it is quite
identifiable, with those under
the regulation being 15,” she
explained. “But in 30 years’
time, if you have someone who
is 45 versus 44 from the date of
January 2009, it may lead to ID
for each sale of a given
product. This will eventually
lead to potential issues.”
Becker-Hansen highlight-
ed that points of sale are
often flashpoints for
violence and abuse against
retail workers, raising
concerns about the
practical implementation
of the regulations. “It is a
real concern for retailers
that that could be an issue
in the future,” she said.
To mitigate these
challenges, the BRC is
advocating for the use of
digital ID systems, which
are already being promoted
by the Department for
Business and Trade for
alcohol sales. “A digital ID
could possibly make things
easier,” she suggested,
adding that it could streamline
age verification processes for
both retailers and consumers.
The licensing scheme for
tobacco and vape products also
drew concern, particularly
regarding its impact on
smaller retailers.
Retailers in firing line of angry customers BRC warns MPs
New age of sale regulations
New age of sale regulations
could present major challenges
could present major challenges
The Co-op has revealed a
planned 75 new Co-op estate
and franchise stores for this
year across the UK.
Co-op’s plans for new
stores in 2025 include up to 25
new Co-op operated stores
– with the first new Co-op
stores to open in early 2025 in
Salford Quays – The Anchor-
age and East Benton – Newcas-
tle Upon Tyne.
Furthermore, up to 50
stores are expected to open
and operate as a franchise this
year, enabling Co-op to bring
its products and the benefits
of membership to more
communities, and operate in
locations where it may not
otherwise be able
to access.
The move
builds on franchise
growth in 2024
which included
innovative new
locations where
Co-op shares its
convenience
expertise with
quality partners.
Last year saw
Co-op franchise stores open
on more university campus; a
first for Co-op with a store
opening in a hospital, on
petrol forecourts (in partner-
ship with EG On The Move),
plus a Co-op store at HMS
Collingwood (in partnership
with ESS) to enhance the lived
experience of service
personnel.
An additional 80 stores
will also undergo major
refurbishments.
Co-op to open 75 new
stores in 2025
Million still to file tax
Million still to file tax
return, as deadline looms
return, as deadline looms
With just days to go, the pressure is
on for 5m customers who still need
to complete and pay their Self-As-
sessment to avoid penalties, HMRC
has warned.
HMRC has revealed that more
than 24,800 people filed on 1
January. A further 38,000 had even
squeezed theirs in before the bells
on 31 December, with 310 filing
between 23:00 and 23:59.
Some 97% now file online and
one benefit is that they don’t have
to complete it all in one go – they
can save and continue later.
Village shop admits
Village shop admits
using illegal worker
using illegal worker
A shop has had its premises licence
revoked after police discovered an
illegal worker being paid below
minimum wage.
Lincolnshire Police ofcers urged
North Kesteven District Council’s
alcohol and entertainment licensing
sub-committee to revoke the licence
for Vino Convenience Store on
Metheringham High Street during a
review. The committee heard
management had been “operating in
a manner that amounts to criminal
activity”.
Ofcers first carried out a
compliance check last March, where
they found no evidence of a written
policy to prevent alcohol sales to
under-18s or staf training.
Hershey’s rejects
Hershey’s rejects
Mondelēz’s sweet ofer
Mondelēz’s sweet ofer
Hershey’s main controlling owner
has rejected Mondelez Internation-
al’s preliminary takeover offer,
terming it as too low.
The deal, which could’ve
created one of the world’s largest
confectioners, wasn’t realistic for
the Hershey Company as they
declared it was “too low to
entertain.”
The Hershey Trust Company’s
approval remained key in any
takeover deal, given its voting
control of the chocolate maker.
It is not the first that Mondelēz
has sought to acquire Hershey, with
the brand rejecting a £18bn
takeover bid in 2016, then also
calling the offer too low.