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OUR SHOPS SAVE OUR SHOPS SAVE OUR SHOPS SAVE OUR SHOPS SAVE OUR SHOPS SAVE
Convenience retailers are facing crisis
You need to act now – complete this postcard
and send it to us (postage paid).
Dear Prime Minister,
The Generational Smoking Ban will hurt local
retailers like me.
Retail crime is at an all time high, and this is going to
make it much worse.
Labour promised change. But you have not listened to
small businesses like mine.
Introduce policies that support small business, not
hurt them. Stop the Generational Smoking Ban -
otherwise small businesses will never forgive
Labour for it.
This postcard has been sponsored by the Save Our Shop Campaign in partnership with AMG.
SIGNED:
ADDRESS:
Do Not Ignore
Dear Prime Minister,
The Generational Smoking Ban will deeply afect small retailers like me.
We’re already struggling with rising retail crime and mounting pressure
just to stay open.
We cannot be tasked to police smoking ban and face fixed penalties.
This ban feels like another heavy blow.
Labour promised to stand with communities and bring real change. But
right now, it feels like small businesses are being lef behind and unheard.
Please, listen to us.
Support local shops that serve and employ people in your own neighbourhoods.
We’re not asking for special treatment — just a fair chance to survive.
Raise minimum legal age to 21 or 25 instead of generational ban.
Avoid blanket ban on advertising for vapes and nicotine
Tackle growing wave of retail crime
Engage with us
The Voice of Independent Retailers
18th April to 1st May 2025
Volume 37 No. 962
Local stores
firebombed by criminal
gangs in adelaide
Dear Retailer,
Local shops are facing an existential crisis. The black market for illicit tobacco and vapes is
booming, and the Government plans to introduce a Generational Smoking Ban, which will
make it illegal for those born after 1st January 2OO9 to ever purchase tobacco. A noble
cause but an ill thought out policy.
This will mean in a few years time, local retailers will have to ID people in their 40s, and you could
be fined for not asking a clear adult for their ID.
Tobacco will be so heavily regulated, the illicit market will boom. In Australia, where the
restrictions on tobacco are some of the toughest in the world, local shops have been firebombed
by rival gangs because they refused to stock illegal, under the counter tobacco.
So far, the Government has ignored retailers when they have raised their concerns about the
impacts of this deeply flawed policy.
We need your help to make them see sense. That is why the Save Our Shop campaign has been
launched. While the Government may be trying to ignore retailers, we can force them to listen to
us, and protect our businesses, our property, and our employees from criminal gangs.
Attached i s a postage paid postcard to the Prime Minister, calling on him to see sense and
abandon this nonsensical proposal. If you agree and share these concerns, please sign and
address it and pop it in the postbox. It will take less than a minute of your time, and could make all
the difference to help Save Our Shops.
URGENT CALL TO ACTION FOR
ALL LOCAL BUSINESSES AND RETAILERS
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Government
official says
retail crime is
just “part of life”
Disgraced former health
minister claims those
with concerns do not
“believe in britain”
45
SGF highlights true cost
of NLW and NI hikes
Chocolates and
Confectionery
Spring Cleaning
21
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4 NEWS
Leader: Making a stand
SGF highlights true cost of NLW and NI hikes
Commons clears Tobacco and Vapes Bill
Ministers: sell remaining stock of single-use
vapes now
Bean shortages stir up 25% hike for coffee
prices
Bestway commits to support Costcutter
retailers
‘Awful April’ for consumers as food inflation
rises
New report reveals financial struggles of
retail workers
Shrinkflation hits Easter chocolate prices
Guest column: Chancellor’s statement was
bad for business
Guest column: April and Beyond – Practical
Steps for Independent Retailers
10 NEWS FEATURE: Price of
Survival
As wages and tax hikes pile on the pressure,
c-store retailers across the country spoke to us
about a system that is leaving them behind
14 WORLD OF WHOLESALE
A regular round-up of news and views in the
wholesale sector
15 “NOT” TWITTER
The best observations and comments from
retailers (and friends) on the ground
16 MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Keeping up with the latest industry moves
and promotions
17 DATA CART
Your at-a-glance guide to the big issues in the
sector
18 AWARD-WINNER
INTERVIEW
Asian Trader’s 2024 Independent Retailer of
the Year worked his way up before bursting
onto the convenience scene as a wildly
successful entrepreneur
21 FEATURE: CHOCOLATES
AND CONFECTIONERY
Treating is still top of mind with consumers
despite the rise in cocoa prices, and there is a
rush to both value and quality, NPD and retro,
to preserve the experience
32 MUST STOCK
The latest product news
36 SPIRITS
Consumers are enjoying their spirits like
never before, but less often straight and old-
fashioned. Instead, long drinks, cocktails and
mocktails, RTDs and exotic distillations are
colouring the bar-shelves
44 RETAIL CORNER: Just
pure connection
Success at this convenience store isn’t built on
flash but on familiarity and trust, says Pooja
Shrivastava
45 FEATURE: SPRING
CLEANING
The weather is warming up and suddenly we
can see dust motes in the rays of sunshine:
the spring-cleaning season has arrived, so
prepare yourself to clean up on household
sales
50 CLASSIFIED
52 GUJARATI
Responsible Retailing and In-store Services
18th April to 1st May 2025
THE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS
VOLUME 37 NUMBER 962
NEWS
4 ASIAN TRADER 18 APRIL 2025
The House of Commons passed
the Tobacco and Vapes Bill after
MPs voted 366 to 41 to approve
it at third reading.
The Bill, which will now
proceed to the House of Lords,
proposes to increase the legal
age for tobacco sales by one
year every year, starting in
2027, ensuring that individu-
als born on or after January 1,
2009, will never legally be able
to buy tobacco (key word:
legally).
It will also give the govern-
ment powers to stop vapes and
other consumer nicotine
products (such as nicotine
pouches) from being deliber-
ately branded and advertised
to appeal to children.
“When this government
took ofce, we promised to
create a smokefree generation.
Today we are delivering on that
promise,” public health and
prevention minister Ashley
Dalton said, concluding the
debate.
Commenting on the
development, leading vape
brand Elfar has warned that
two million UK vapers may
turn to illegal vapes or return
to tobacco if the government
over-regulates the sector.
Commons clears Tobacco
and Vapes Bill
Making a stand
o, the beginning of April turned out to be somewhat
eventful. With “Tarif Tuesday” the USA finally got its
own back on the world and stopped being a victim of
everybody else, so let’s hope it is feeling better now, and not
upset about any soon-to-arrive stagflation. Here in the UK,
we received the NI increases and the raft of other legislative
measures that were being feared for many months, the
efects of which we shall now observe in real time. The
Tobacco and Vapes Bill, new recycling rules and so on are still
to kick in, so that will be fun over the summer.
That’s mostly just economics, though. When looking at
the plight of independent retailers from street level, one of
the very biggest problems, apart from the oncoming Trump
Slump and the ongoing Starmer Drama, is the unprecedent-
ed crime wave.
Since lockdown – and it was in lockdown, with its suspen-
sion of normal rules and arbitrary ordering around as if we
were all naughty children – that the ultra-high levels of
violent and brazen shop crime took of. Since that time,
something has happened to the criminal classes that has
made them utterly unafraid of punishment and incentivised
to act exactly as they want and to take whatever they wish,
knocking down anybody who stands in their way.
As we are constantly told by our know-everything
betters, society (meaning brutal and greedy capitalists –
that’s you, by the way) and not the criminal is to blame for all
bad things that criminals do. In a fair society there would be
no crime because everybody would have sufcient for their
needs.
Well, good luck with that. Grown-ups who live in the real
world understand that malevolence is innate and that hard
lines need to be drawn to keep crime away from innocent
lives as much as is possible. Those lines have been ever more
rubbed out by a teary judiciary and a sobbing political class
for many decades. They always knew who the real ofenders
were, and it wasn’t the shoplifters and robbers.
The £200 rule for shoplifting value – always an insult to
convenience, which does not yet specialise in Fortnum &
Mason hampers – has evolved into a situation where
retailers rarely report anything less than a fatal stabbing, as
they have grown accustomed to ofcial disinterest in their
plight.
The aggravated legislation has always been an insult on
top of this kind of injury. But now, with such laws as the
Tobacco and Vapes Bill, legal jeopardy and economic mock-
ery blend together, further destroying the ability to make a
living, while putting retailers at physical risk (not to men-
tion legal obligation to act in place of absent law enforce-
ment), refusing fully grown and doubtless angry men the
cigarettes they demand.
With this issue of Asian Trader, we are sending out the call
that enough is enough. Join us by using the postcard at-
tached to the magazine to contact the Prime Minister to let
him know that the storeowners of the UK will no longer take
it. It is time to make a stand.
The University of Stirling and
the Scottish Grocers’ Federa-
tion have highlighted the
impact of rising staf costs on
the convenience retail sector.
The UK National Living
Wage is now £12.21 per hour, a
6.7% increase on 2024/25. This
is alongside employer’s
National Insurance (NI)
contributions swelling from
13.8% to 15%, while the
threshold from which employ-
er NI is charged falls from £9.1k
to £5k.
This means the true cost for
retail employers will be as
much as £16.72 per hour, a
jump of £1.33 on the previous
year, accounting for statutory
costs, such as National Insur-
ance and Holiday Pay, as well as
additional employment
expenses such as uniforms and
administration costs.
Meanwhile, a recent survey
of SGF members shows that
more than 97% of respondents
were less likely to hire more
staf, due to the wage increas-
es. Nine out of ten of owners/
managers reported working
over 55 hours per week, just to
keep costs down.
If the trend continues the
NLW will almost double
within a decade (£7.20 in 2016
to £12.21 in 2025). As a result,
additional staf costs will
inevitably be passed onto
customers, many of whom are
also struggling to manage their
household budgets, and stores
will be open for fewer hours or
will have to consider whether
they can continue to trade.
“Despite many retailers
working longer and longer
hours to keep staf costs down,
it means some stores will need
to cut staf hours yet again,”
said SGF Chief Executive, Dr
Pete Cheema OBE.
New financial year brings new financial horrors
SGF highlights true cost
of NLW and NI hikes
NEWS
18 APRIL 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
Cofee futures are
rising as roasters such
as Lavazza, Illy, Nestle
and Douwe Egberts
maker JDE Peet’s hold
talks with retailers
about passing on costs
from a near doubling of
arabica bean prices
over the past year,
according to eight
industry sources.
Raw arabica prices have
spiked due to four successive
seasons of deficit as adverse
weather makes it harder to
grow enough of the delicate
beans to meet consumer
demand.
As roasters press for price
hikes, grocery stores and
supermarkets push back,
postponing signing new
supply deals to the point
where some have run out of
cofee stock.
In the Netherlands, lead
supermarket chain
Albert Heijn ran out of
cofee products like
Douwe Egberts and
Senseo.
Global prices for
arabica, typically used in
roast and ground blends,
have gained more than
20% this year after
soaring 70% last year as
Brazil – producer of
nearly half the world’s
arabica – sufered one of its
worst droughts on record.
On average, the raw beans
account for about 40% of the
wholesale cost of a bag of
roast and ground cofee.
Bean shortages stir up 25%
hike for cofee prices
Chancellor’s statement
Chancellor’s statement
was bad for business – we
was bad for business – we
need to work together
need to work together
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 takes issue with
the lack of support for the sector
from the government
Whilst the Chancellor’s Spring Statement
delivered no new unwelcome surprises
for businesses, it made clear that no
support for the spirits, hospitality, or retail
industries will be coming any time soon.
And with businesses playing a large part
in driving economic recovery in this
country, it looks as though it’s being left to
us to take care of it ourselves.
For spirits, the global landscape is
tricky right now. Not only are drinks
businesses facing the same challenges
that you are, as business owners, but
trade tarifs and expensive bureaucracy
like the Extended Producer Responsibili-
ty for Packaging (EPR) scheme are
looming. This means that independent
brands – who don’t have the deep
pockets and cash reserves of a global
corporation behind them - could
especially struggle.
In spite of everything the Govern-
ment’s done to hammer businesses,
there are glimmers of hope on the
horizon. And I firmly believe that the
resilience of our sector comes from
supporting each other.
As a distributor, we’re taking steps to
provide stability to our trade partners,
like increasing stock levels of American
products now, so that we can keep prices
level for as long as possible if tarifs come
into play. Alongside our brand partners
we’re also finding new ways to support
the on and of-trade, with activations and
innovative marketing, to help you sell
more bottles.
In return, try stocking a few of the UK’s
incredible, independent brands – if you
don’t already. Not only will you be
ofering your customers a top-notch
liquid, but you’ll also be protecting the
diversity and creativity of our sector,
which the Government has tried its
damnedest to stamp out.
C-stores have been urged to
deplete their stocks of single-use
vapes ahead of new legislation
coming into force banning their
sale.
The deadline for selling any
remaining single-use vapes was
confirmed as 1 June when
legislation was laid in parliament
last year.
“Our ban comes into force in
just a few weeks so businesses
must play their part by running
down stocks and ensuring the
remainder are collected for
recycling,” waste minister Mary
Creagh said.
Ashley Dalton, the minister
for public health and prevention,
added: “Single-use vapes are one
of the most wasteful products on
our high streets, with 13 being
thrown away every second.”
Analysis by Material Focus
found an estimated 8.2 million
vapes are now discarded every
week in the UK, which is the
equivalent of 13 each second.
However, recycling single-use
vapes is notoriously arduous,
with waste industry workers
needing to take them apart by
hand which can be a slow and
costly process. Their contents
also present a fire risk to
recycling facilities and can leak
harmful chemicals into the
environment.
With under two months until
the ban comes into force,
businesses must take action now
to ensure they are prepared for
its implementation. This
includes ensuring all remaining
stocks of single-use vapes are
sold, and only buying vapes that
follow the new regulations.
In England, any businesses
which fail to comply with the
ban could face a stop notice or a
fine of £200 and all products
seized by Trading Standards. If
further infractions occur, they
could be hit with an unlimited
fine and prosecution.
Retailers told to ditch disposables ASAP as ban looms
Ministers: sell remaining
Ministers: sell remaining
stock of single-use vapes now
stock of single-use vapes now
NEWS/COMMENT
NEWS
6 ASIAN TRADER 18 APRIL 2025
Bestway Group confirmed it
is committed to support
Costcutter retailers to help
them thrive, said the
wholesaler, after reports
that Nisa is not extending the
long-term supply arrange-
ment to the symbol group.
Nisa, now rebranded as
Co-op Wholesale, will cease
supplying fresh, chilled and
own-label to Costcutter stores
from January 1, bringing an end
to the long-term supply
arrangement with The Co-op.
The present contract,
initiated in 2018, is ending on
December 31.
A Bestway spokesperson told
Asian Trader, “At Bestway, our
number one priority is support-
ing our customers and, in this
case, our Costcutter retailers.
“Like all businesses we are
looking to the future to remain
competitive in the market and
provide our customers with the
best ofer, to help our retailers
thrive.
“We appreciate your
understanding and will provide
additional information when
appropriate.”
Meanwhile, the ceasing of
Bestway Nisa contract has been
confirmed by a Nisa spokesper-
son.
It is understood that Bestway
is in talks with Sainsbury’s to
procure supplies for Costcutter.
Morrisons is also reportedly
being considered though
the wholesaler is yet to
confirm the details.
Costcutter retailers have
not received any formal
communication yet from
the wholesaler.
Contrary to media
reports, some of the leading
Costcutter retailers to
whom Asian Trader spoke to
appeared unperturbed by the
reports and are looking out for
more details and clarification.
The report comes amid as
Co-op rebranded Nisa as Co-op
Wholesale, marking a fresh new
era for Nisa.
Co-op Group has re-afrmed
its commitment to the
independent retail sector
through the launch of Co-op
Wholesale, led by Katie
Secretan.
Clarity from Group amidst supply arrangement fiasco
Bestway commits to
Bestway commits to
support Costcutter retailers
support Costcutter retailers
The British Independent
Retailers Association has
voiced serious concerns over
the latest figures from the
BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index
for March 2025.
Bira, which represents
over 6,000 independent
businesses across the UK,
highlighted that while
overall shop prices remain in
deflation, the acceleration of
food inflation poses signifi-
cant challenges for both
retailers and consumers.
According to BRC report,
food inflation increased to
2.4% year on year in March,
with ambient food inflation
increasing to 3.7% year on
year in March.
Fresh Food inflation
decreased to 1.4%.
“The retail market
continues to show a concern-
ing split with essential
categories such as food
showing increased inflation
while non-essential sectors
are forced into deflation to
drive sales,” said, Bira CEO
Andrew Goodacre.
“Food inflation has a
disproportionate impact on
consumer spending habits,
significantly reducing
demand for non-food items
that many independent
retailers specialise in.
“We’re facing what can
only be described as an
‘Atrocious April’ for inde-
pendent retailers.
“The Spring Statement
did nothing to bolster
consumer confidence. It’s an
‘Awful April’ for consumers,
but an even more atrocious
one for independent
retailers.”
‘Awful April’ for consumers
as food inflation rises
Unilever acquires
Unilever acquires
personal care brand Wild
personal care brand Wild
The FMCG major said this marks
another step in the optimisation of its
portfolio towards premium and high
growth spaces. Launched in the UK in
2020, Wild has built a loyal consumer
base through its DTC and retail model
with desirable, natural and refillable
products. The brand’s premium
deodorants, lip balms, bodywashes
and handwashes are powered by
plant-based ingredients and
packaged in unique plastic-free
materials. Unilever said Wild’s
growth, premium ofering and
position as No. 1 refillable deodorant
brand, make it a strategic addition to
its portfolio.
Two stores in Cornwall
Two stores in Cornwall
closed for illegal tobacco
closed for illegal tobacco
Truro Magistrates’ Court granted
closure orders for Saltash Smoke
Point and Zabka.
Devon and Cornwall Police
submitted two closure order
applications to the court after
Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards
team supplied evidence of illegal
tobacco sales at both premises.
The application was supported by
intelligence from members of the
public that both shops had been
selling illegal vapes, and supplying
vapes to under 18s.
Elizabeth Kirk, team manager at
Cornwall Council’s Trading Standards,
said: “I’m delighted that we have been
able to disrupt the illegal activity.
Cereal maker closes f
Cereal maker closes f
actory as sales decline
actory as sales decline
The manufacturer of Nestlé Cereals,
Cereal Partners UK (CPUK), has
announced plans to close its
Bromborough factory, putting
approximately 300 jobs at risk.
Production at the Merseyside site,
which produces Cheerios and
private-label rice crispies and
cornflakes, is set to move to another
facility in Staverton, Wiltshire, as part
of a £74 million investment plan.
CPUK also revealed that it will
cease production of supermarket
own-brand cereals at the end of its
current contracts.
Matt Denton, regional organiser
from the GMB union, expressed
concern over the announcement.
NEWS
18 APRIL 2025 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
The media has dubbed this
month “Awful April” as
consumer price increases
taking efect, and with this
new tax year, retailers are
facing a perfect storm of cost
increases that threaten to
squeeze already tight margins.
Business rates are rising by a
staggering 140%, the National
Living Wage is increasing by
6.7%, and National Insurance
Contributions are also up.
Since these challenges were
announced, Bira has been
engaging with the govern-
ment, urging them to reconsid-
er policies and provide more
support. While our eforts have
not yet yielded change, we
remain undeterred. Most
recently, we submitted a
comprehensive response to the
business rates reform, again
emphasising how the proposals
fall short of addressing the
needs of indies.
While we continue to
campaign for policy changes at
the governmental level, there
are immediate steps you can
take to potentially reduce some
of the costs coming your way.
I strongly urge all members
to verify that your rates bill is
correct. You can do this easily
by visiting the government
website: https://www.gov.uk/
find-business-rates. The
process requires only your
postcode and is certainly worth
it as mistakes do occur. If you
find inaccuracies, contact your
local authority and valuation
ofce.
Some of you may see your NI
contributions decrease in the
new tax year. This is due to the
employers’ allowance for NICs
being increased from £5,000 to
£10,500. We believe that this
increase means that if you
employ fewer than 7 people,
you should pay less. It’s
certainly worth consulting
whoever manages your payroll
to ensure the full allowance is
being claimed.
With costs rising faster than
sales, the economic landscape
was challenging even before
these latest increases; the lack
of support in the Spring
Statement has only compound-
ed these issues.
At Bira, we are working to
ensure that “your voice” is
heard by government. As the
representative body for
independent retailers, we
continue to campaign on
critical issues including retail
crime, business rates, and
legislation.
Bira members can access our
free advice line service, Bira
Legal, in partnership with
WorkNest. This can provide
valuable guidance on navigat-
ing these challenging econom-
ic conditions.
Through Retra and the
wider Bira network, we will
continue to champion the
cause of independent shop-
keepers, focusing on revitalis-
ing and preserving the high
street.
Together, we form a
powerful collective voice for
independent retail in the UK.
While the Spring Statement
may not have delivered the
support we had hoped for, we
remain committed to fighting
for policies that recognise the
vital contribution of independ-
ent retailers to our economy
and communities.
In his regular column, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre gives advice on
ow retailers can try to survive the government’s latest measures
April and Beyond – Practical Steps
April and Beyond – Practical Steps
for Independent Retailers
for Independent Retailers
Following the Spring Statement
Following the Spring Statement
SPAR UK reaches Marie
SPAR UK reaches Marie
Curie milestone
Curie milestone
SPAR UK is celebrating a major
achievement in its partnership with
Marie Curie, having now raised £4
million since 2017.
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading
end-of-life charity, providing
expert care and support for people
with any terminal illness and their
loved ones, with Marie Curie Nurses
carrying out vital work every day
and night.
Through a combination of
national campaigns, regional
fundraising, and supplier collabo-
rations, SPAR has made a signifi-
cant impact on the charity’s ability
to deliver essential end of life care
in communities across the UK.
ShopMate unveils
ShopMate unveils
c-store EPoS solution
c-store EPoS solution
ShopMate has introduced Shop-
Mate 360, a “streamlined and
affordable” EPoS system designed
for convenience retailers.
ShopMate said the new solution
ihas been developed with small
retailers in mind, ofering an easy-to-
use till interface that requires minimal
training. With an intuitive design, even
those new to retail technology can
quickly get up to speed, ensuring
smooth daily operations.
The system separates store
operations from business manage-
ment, allowing retailers to focus on
till functionality while still having
access to key back-office tools
such as product and category
management.
Co-op joins in Aldi price
Co-op joins in Aldi price
match race
match race
Co-op is stepping up the price war
in the convenience sector by rolling
out its version of the Aldi price
match pledge, which has been
adopted by several of the super-
market multiples in recent years.
Co-op is matching the discount-
er’s prices on over 100 everyday
essentials, including fresh fruit,
milk, eggs and bread.
However, the savings will only
be available to Co-op members, of
which there are currently six
million. And all of the items covered
by the offer will be Co-op own
brand lines.
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)
NEWS
8 ASIAN TRADER 18 APRIL 2025
The new State of Financial
Wellbeing Index report,
published by the Financial
Wellbeing Forum and support-
ed by Wagestream and the
Retail Trust, found a staggering
92% of retail workers think the
cost-of-living crisis “will never
end” – even higher than the UK
average of 88%.
Money was already the top
concern at the beginning of the
crisis, when the index was
launched in 2022, but the gap
between money and other
wellbeing concerns has
widened – by 59%.
Employers have rushed to
put additional financial support
in place, with around 75% of
retailers ofering new types of fi-
nancial education since the
cost-of-living crisis began.
But the report delves into
the complexities of retail
workers’ financial situations,
revealing that they often hold
conflicting views about money
– making it challenging for
employers to provide efective
support.
Rather than focusing on
short-term reactions, research-
ers say there is still time for
employers to pre-emptively
tackle the wider “Cost of Life”
from colleagues’ financial
stress.
This shift would see retailers
considering pflexible initiatives
both for the long-term, like
workplace savings schemes and
financial coaching, and
immediate relief such as debt
helplines and discounts.
“Retail’s large workforce and
the fact that wages are skewed
to the lower end of the scale
means that the cost-of-living
crisis is more acutely felt in our
sector,” said Chris Brook-Cart-
er, CEO of the Retail Trust.
“While many of the
employers we work with have
been taking steps to address
this, the report highlights what
they can do to support the
long-term financial wellbeing of
employees and foster a
healthier and happier work-
force.”
Money worries even worse than other stresses, including crime
New report reveals financial
New report reveals financial
struggles of retail workers
struggles of retail workers
According to consumer
magazine Which?, the price
of eggs made by big names
including Cadbury, Mars and
Terry’s, and the prices of
other chocolate products
have risen by 50% in a year
while many have also shrunk
in size, states a recent report,
raising the concern of
shrinkflation among
shoppers ahead of Easter
celebrations.
While the latest ofcial
figures showed inflation
slowing to 2.8% in February,
a breakdown of the headline
figure shows food
prices rose 3.3%
with the cost of
chocolate racing
higher, up by a
massive 16.5%.
Chocolate has
been getting more expensive
for several years due to poor
harvests in west Africa,
where over half of the
world’s cocoa beans are
harvested.
The recent Which?
analysis shows that in one of
the discounters, the cost of
Terry’s Chocolate Orange
mini eggs has risen from 99p
to £1.35, while its packet is
now reduced from 80g to
70g.
The price of a Cadbury
Creme Egg 5 Pack Mixed
Chocolate Box 200g rose
from £2.62 in Easter 2024 to
£4 this year, equating to 53%
price increase per 100g.
Shrinkflation hits Easter
chocolate prices
NewstrAid launches
NewstrAid launches
General Hardship Fund
General Hardship Fund
Industry charity NewstrAid has
initiated a new General Hardship
Fund to provide financial relief for
those from the newstrade who are
finding it difcult to keep up with
essential household costs.
The fund ofers grants of up to
£250 per household, helping to ease
the burden of rising bills and
everyday expenses for anyone who
has worked in the sale or distribu-
tion of newspapers and magazines
in the UK.
“Every day, we hear from people
who are struggling just to cover
basic living costs,” said Katie
Babooram, Welfare Manager at
NewstrAid.
Fever-Tree reports strong
Fever-Tree reports strong
revenue growth
revenue growth
The mixer brand saw its revenue
growth accelerate to 7% to 31
December, helping it recover from a
wet start to the summer season in
2024.
The firm’s total revenue was up
4% to £364 million over the
12-month period, with performance
was driven by its operation in the
US, where revenues jumped 9% to
£128m after growing its presence in
the of trade.
Meanwhile, a significant gross
margin improvement resulted in a
66% increase in adjusted EBITDA to
£50.7m, which was in line with
analysts’ expectations.
Lucky Saint first
Lucky Saint first
zero-alcohol member
zero-alcohol member
of Portman Group
of Portman Group
The Portman Group has welcomed
Lucky Saint as an associate
member, making them the first
alcohol alternative member
company in our history.
Lucky Saint was launched in the
UK in 2018 by its founder Luke
Boase with a 0.5 per cent unfiltered
lager product. Since then, it’s
become one of the most recog-
nised and popular alcohol alterna-
tive brands, now featuring on
draught in over 1250 pubs in the UK
and expanding their range to
include a 0.5 per cent hazy IPA in
January 2024.
A HOT NEW
FLAVOUR HAS
LANDED.
HOT
SALES
TIP.
For easier shopper
navigation place new Hot
Blazin’ Fried Chicken next to
Pringles Hot Sweet Chilli.
TM, , © 2025 KELLOGG Europe Trading Limited.
•Price is at the sole discretion of the retailer.
NEWS FEATURE
10 ASIAN TRADER 18 APRIL 2025
ammered by the double whammy
of a rise in National Insurance
Contributions (NICs) and an
increase in the National Living Wage
(NLW), plus reductions in business rate
relief, convenience store owners are being
forced to take some harsh and radical
decisions to stay afloat, finds Asian Trader.
From April, Employers’ NICs increased
from 13.8 per cent to 15 per cent, while
the threshold – the point at which
employers begin to pay NI on an individu-
al’s salary – has been reduced from £9,100
to £5,000.
To put this in perspective, in a typical
c-store (nine colleagues, 196 total paid
hours per week), the change in NIC will
result in an increase from
£8,170 per year to around
£12,606 per year in the
business’s annual payroll bill.
Thanks to reduction in
Retail, Hospitality and
Leisure (RHL) relief from 75
per cent to 40 per cent,
business rates are also set to
rise. A store with a rateable
value of £25,000 will now
face a payable rate of £7, 485,
which is more than double
what it was in 2024.
Additionally, NLW rose from £11.44 to
£12.21 per hour. For 18–20-year-olds, it
jumped by a record £1.40 to £10—mark-
ing the first step towards a single adult
rate.
According to convenience sector body
ACS, the cost increases would amount to
over £666 million for the convenience
sector in the coming year. And that’s
without factoring in the tsunami of
As wages and tax hikes pile on the pressure, c-store
retailers across the country spoke with Pooja
Shrivastava about frozen investments, squeezed
margins, and a system that is leaving them behind
spare at the end of the month.
“We usually pay our staff, who have
been with us longer (but with no extra
responsibility), 31p an hour more than
minimum wage, but not this year.
“We have made anticipatory changes
since the autumn, and have used manage-
ment to cover all holidays to save where
we can.
“It feels relentless, like dodging a
meteor shower of increases coming from
every direction, with the biggest cost to
the business now being staffing.”
Meanwhile, in Peterborough, retailer
Neil Godhania, owner of Neil’s Premier in
Tyesdale, is throwing everything at the
situation from scrutinising stock,
training staff, and trying to keep morale
and margins above water.
He told Asian Trader, “We are closely
monitoring stock levels to reduce waste,
optimising our product range to focus on
higher margin items, and negotiating
better supplier deals.
“Additionally, we are
actively promoting
multi-buy offers to drive
sales volume, helping
offset the increased costs.
“While reducing staff
hours is always a last resort,
we are forced to review our
shifts to ensure maximum
efficiency during peak
trading hours.
“Also to support our
Price of Survival
incoming legislation and regulatory
burdens.
When Asian Trader spoke with leading
convenience retailers, it became clear
that the impact of rising costs is already
being felt on the shop floor.
While Chancellor Rachel Reeves hopes
to boost consumer confidence, for
retailers these moves are hitting like a
double-edged sword.
In a sector that runs on razor-thin
margins, these added costs are not just
inconvenient; they are proving to be
existential. Jobs are being lost. Owners
are overworked. Investments are stalled.
And the mood is despondent.
Bracing for impact
In Wellingborough, Budgens
Berrymoor owner-retailer
Biren Patel has decided to
pause investment this year.
“It’s very difficult to
maintain the balance be-
tween not spending too much
on wages and keeping the
staff happy.
“We haven’t reduced
contract hours but in future,
we will have to cut down on
overtime and new recruitment,” Biren
confided to Asian Trader.
“We are not considering investing in
the business due to the current volatile
market. We don’t know what the future
holds – whether it will get better or worse.
So we decided not to risk it.”
Further south in Truro, the story is no
different.
Retailer Judith Smitham, who runs
Trelander Stores and The
old Dairy Pydar store, has
always been focused on
good customer service.
Today, she stands at a
crossroads.
Smitham told Asian
Trader, “Staff salaries have
always placed me in a
dilemma because £12.21
[per hour] is probably not
enough for someone to pay
all the bills and have a bit
Biren Patel
Neil Godhania
Judith Smitham
We are not
considering
investing in the
business due to
the current
volatile market
We usually pay
our staff more
than minimum
wage, but not this
year