NEWS
21 FEBRUARY 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
The Labour government is
getting rid of a “shoplifters’
charter” to take a grip on
rising retail crime left behind
by the Conservative party,
prime minister Keir Starmer
stated in the Commons Cham-
ber.
Starmer was answering a
question raised by Labour MP
Claire Hughes when he
acknowledged that shoplift-
ing is no more a “low level”
crime.
Citing an example of
seaside town Llandudno
where businesses are
struggling with a rise in
shoplifting, Hughes raised the
concern in the Commons
Chamber, adding that
thieves are now
committing robbery in
full view of staf
because they have no
fear of consequences.
She stated, “The
recent funding boost for
neighbourhood policing is
very welcome, but will the
Prime Minister please tell my
constituents what more the
Government are doing to
tackle retail crime and deter
repeat ofenders?”
Starmer agreed, saying
shoplifting is not a victimless
crime.
He said, “For far too long,
crimes such as shoplifting
have been written of as ‘low
level’.
“That is wrong; such
crimes are devastating. The
Conservative party left us
with rising crime and
efectively told the police to
ignore shoplifting of under
£200-worth of goods.
“We have got rid of that
shoplifters’ charter, and we
are working hard to ensure
that we take a grip where they
lost control.”
PMQs: Starmer vows to tackle
rising retail crime
Trending tipples in 2025 –
Trending tipples in 2025 –
here’s what to expect
here’s what to expect
Nick Gillett is
Co-founder and
Managing
Director of
successful spirits
distributor
Mangrove
Global, as well as an industry
expert and commentator. In his
column for this issue, Nick looks
ahead to what might prove to
be a very volatile – but for spirits
a very interesting – year
The time has come, once again, for me to
weigh in on what we’re expecting from
booze, here in Britain, in 2025. And
there’s a lot to pack in! So, let’s get
started …
Top of the pack for this year, is likely
to be similar to 2024 – Tequila and Rum
will dominate. When it comes to
Tequila, we’re expecting more growth
and a bit of diversification – flavoured
varieties and maybe people delving
further into the agave category with
Mezcal. Rum will remain popular as ever
with a continued leaning towards
brands that show provenance of
production – so get a few Caribbean
varieties on your shelf. Whisky is seeing
more and more drinkers look to
diferent world varieties while vodka is
as popular as ever (although I find
there’s not too much to get excited
about there).
Another success story from this year
was low- and no-alcohol spirits. I think
the success will continue but we’re
going to see a ratification of the
category as the lower-quality liquids
drop out of the market, and Ready to
Drink (RTD) products continue to be
popular in the right setting, with the
right customer.
Aside from the categories them-
selves, look out for brands who boast
sustainable credentials and a social
conscience – we know consumers care
more and more about this, and they’re
getting more experimental too, so don’t
be afraid to jazz up your range.
Finally, this year will be tricky for
some producers as duty rates are set to
go up again in April, so support the
creative, independent producers who
care about the quality of their liquids.
Your customers might just notice the
diference!
MPs have voted to approve plans
to introduce a Deposit Return
Scheme (DRS) in England and
Northern Ireland in October
2027.
The materials that will be
included in the scheme will be
single use plastic (PET) and
metal drinks containers. Glass
will not be part of the scheme.
While the regulations apply
only to England and Northern
Ireland, it is expected that
Scotland will introduce a scheme
that will be interoperable across
the diferent UK nations.
Despite concerns raised by
retailers, suppliers and other
stakeholders, the Welsh
Government still intends to
introduce its own scheme that
will include glass and focus on
reuse.
During the debate Members
of Parliament highlighted the
need to work closely with
convenience retailers to deliver
an efective DRS across the coun-
try. You can see clips from the
debate here.
Speaking in Parliament,
Environment Minister Mary
Creagh emphasised the urgency
of addressing waste.
“Keep Britain Tidy estimates
that two waste streams, plastic
bottles and drinks cans, make up
55 per cent of all litter across the
UK. When it comes to addressing
waste, this Government will not
waste time,” Creagh stated.
The scheme is aiming to
collect 70% of containers by
2028, increasing to 90% by 2030.
By the third year, this must
include at least 85% of contain-
ers made from PET plastic and
85% from other in-scope
materials, such as aluminium
and steel.
This comes a few days after su-
permarket chiefs urged the
government to postpone the
launch of the DRS as it claimed
the proposed October 2027 roll
out was “not feasible”.
Govt ignores supermarkets’ plea that date is ‘unworkable’
Deposit Return Scheme
Deposit Return Scheme
plans advance in Parliament
plans advance in Parliament
NEWS/COMMENT