NEWS
4 APRIL 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
Former sub-postmaster Lee
Castleton has launched legal
action against the Post Ofce
and Fujitsu, becoming the
first individual Horizon IT
scandal victim to sue the two
organisations.
According to recent
reports, Castleton has
instructed his solicitors,
Simons Muirhead Burton, to
issue proceedings at the High
Court against the Post Ofce
and Fujitsu on his behalf.
Castleton is seeking
compensation, alleging the
civil judgement against him
was obtained by fraud.
“I want justice and to be
publicly vindicat-
ed,” Castleton told
the BBC.
Castleton is one
of the victims of
Post Ofce
Horizon scandal in
which hundreds of
sub-postmasters
were wrongfully convicted
after faulty software said
money was missing from
their branch accounts.
While other victims have
seen their convictions
overturned, Castleton’s
civil judgement against him
still stands. His legal action
is to set aside, or overturn,
the judgement.
In 2007, Castleton lost a
two-year legal battle against
the Post Ofce after it sued
him to recover £25,000 of
cash it alleged was missing.
Castleton had to repre-
sent himself in court and was
left bankrupt by a legal bill of
£321,000.
Horizon victim to sue
Post Ofce, Fujitsu
Make your spirits shelf
Make your spirits shelf
work harder: what to
work harder: what to
stock and how to sell it
stock and how to sell it
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 tells the secrets of
a successful spirits section
There’s an art to stocking spirits in a
convenience store. It’s not just about
what you put on the shelf – it’s about
making it sell.
First, range. Space is tight, so stock
smart. You don’t need every brand, but you
do need a good mix across categories –
whisky, gin, vodka, rum, plus a few
standouts like tequila or liqueurs. RTDs are
booming too, ofering a grab-and-go
solution for customers who want
something easy and fuss-free. Premium
choices matter – people are drinking less
but better, so trade-up options are key.
And don’t forget lower-alcohol or trending
products that reflect changing tastes.
If space is limited, prioritise what sells
– big names, key crowd-pleasers, and
anything with supplier support
(promotions, POS materials, seasonal
pushes). Be flexible – swap in new lines
when the opportunity arises.
Want to upsell spirits in a small shop?
Make it easy for customers. The “dinner
for tonight” buyer is an opportunity –
suggest pairings, highlight cocktail
ideas, and keep an eye on what’s popular
(big TV events are a prime time for
alcohol sales). RTDs also fit into this,
ofering quick, no-mix options that work
for impulse buyers.
The challenge? Licensing laws often
separate spirits from mixers, so
cross-merchandising isn’t always an
option. A workaround? Use signage –
Perfect with …” shelf-talkers near mixers,
QR codes linking to simple serves, or
stickers on spirit bottles suggesting a
great pairing elsewhere in the store. If
allowed, small cocktail kits with a mini
spirit and a matching mixer can be a
great grab-and-go option.
It’s not just about what’s on the shelf
– it’s about how you sell it. Get that right,
and your spirits range will work much
harder for you.
Heavily criticising the upcoming
disposable vape ban, traders in
Wes Streeting’s Ilford North
constituency are worried the
new law will hurt small business-
es and will backfire badly as the
product will be available illegally
even after the ban.
According to a recent survey
by We Vape, 95% of UK traders
believe the ban will hurt small
businesses.
Some 80% also believe
shopkeepers will continue to sell
illegal vapes after the disposables
ban is enforced on June 1 and
certain flavours are prohibited as
part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill
currently working its way
through parliament.
The poll showed 98% did not
support a ban on e-liquid
flavours, while 57% knew of
shops already selling illegal
products.
Business owners were asked
“With the introduction of a vape
tax and proposed flavour
restrictions, do you think there
will be fewer people visiting your
shop to buy vapes?’, with 93%
saying yes’.
The poll also revealed 97%
thought restricting vapes would
lead to an increase in cigarette
use. When asked if ‘vapers will
try and source illegal vapes as a
result of the proposed restric-
tions?’, 96% answered positive-
ly.
Gurdeep Chahal, owner of
Somerville Convenience Store,
said the disposable vape ban
could force his shop to close:
“The bill is only going to make
the problem of illicit products
worse here and I can’t believe my
own MP is pushing something
that could put me out of
business.
“It’s handing the sale of
cigarettes to criminals and is
going to make it harder for my
customers to move to smoke-
free products.”
Signs point towards vapers deserting market after new law
Retailers concerned over
Retailers concerned over
disposable vape ban disaster
disposable vape ban disaster
NEWS/COMMENT