The Voice of Independent Retailers
Retailer speaks out
Neil Godhania
30th May to 12th June 2025
Volume 37 No. 965
Retail Corner
Rich legacy
Vape & Next Gen
Ban incoming!
It’s graphic
Value beats brands
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30
Economic growth surges but
‘April reality check’ looms
Vape and Next Gen
Summer of Sport
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4 NEWS
Leader: Sweet disposable you
Economic growth surges but ‘April reality
check’ looms
Co-op finally able to restock shelves after
cyber-attack
It’s official: Britain now 7th biggest nanny
state in Europe
Retail staff to get free training on tackling
abuse at work
Nearly half of year 14 pupils in NI are current
vapers
Retailers call for ‘less invasive’ anti-theft
measures in-store
Bestway to announce ‘improved offer’ for
Costcutter retailers
Covid loans delivered £77bn economic boost,
report finds
Guest column: Unlocking the potential of
World Whisky
Guest column: Cyber security – small retailers
in the firing line
Guest Columnist: Neil Godhania speaks out
on tobacco and vape legislation
10 NEWS FEATURE: Sugar,
salt, and shrugged shoulders
Pooja Shrivastava asks whether nutrition
exposés really shift consumer buying
behaviour – or does trust and inertia win out?
12 WORLD OF WHOLESALE
A regular round-up of news and views in the
wholesale sector
13 RETAIL CORNER: Legacy
reinvented
This week’s find is a relatively new store
that is being steered by a family of seasoned
retailers known for excellence and perfection
14 AWARD-WINNER INTERVIEW:
The sweet smell of success
Nuneaton’s Bharat Khunti proves that in the
impulse channel, knowing how to sell is as
important as knowing what to sell
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 “NOT” TWITTER
The best observations and comments from
retailers (and friends) on the ground
19 FEATURE: VAPE AND
NEXT GEN
By now, retailers should be well prepared for
the disposable vapes ban, but there is much
good news for the sector in the form of new
launches and hot categories
26 MUST STOCK
The latest product news
30 FEATURE: SUMMER OF
SPORT
When it comes to winning during a summer
of games, tournaments and events, the real
winners just might turn out to be the ones
behind the till
36 FEATURE: CHILLED AND
FROZEN
Retailers should think afresh about frozen
and chilled, and enter a chill wonderland of
cool sales
42 CLASSIFIED
44 GUJARATI
30th May to 12th June 2025
THE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS
VOLUME 37 NUMBER 965
NEWS
4 ASIAN TRADER 30 MAY 2025
Following a cyber-attack that
severely impacted its opera-
tions, Co-op said it is now in a
“recovery phase”, with it
bringing its systems back
online in a “safe and controlled
manner”.
The incident forced the
convenience retailer to stop
ordering all but essential goods
from suppliers, leading to
empty shelves in many of its
stores.
“There will be improved
stock availability in our Food
stores and online from this
weekend, and we are working
closely with our suppliers to
restock our stores,” a spokes-
person said.
The hack also resulted in
some payment problems, but
Co-op stated that all forms of
payments, including contact-
less and chip and pin, are now
working across its entire store
estate.
But Kam Sanghera, MD at
Select & Save, criticised the
Co-operative Group for
ignoring Nisa and Costcutter in
the aftermath of the cyber-at-
tack.
“To mitigate the impact,
Co-op has prioritised deliveries
to rural and island-based stores,
which has caused shortages in
urban areas,” he claimed.
Co-op finally able to restock
shelves after cyber-attack
Sweet disposable you
he day after tomorrow, disposable vapes will be a
thing of the past – so vape ’em if you got ’em! But is
that really going to be the case? There will soon be
clear legislation on the statute books that forbids the
sale of disposable vapes, but apparently there is some
confusion over a possible loophole that still allows their
importation. Even if that is cleared up, or pulled tight, or
whatever one does with loopholes, the fact is that the
presence of illicit disposables will continue – or perhaps
skyrocket – because they form an extremely popular
part of the full range of illegally manufactured and/or
imported devices.
The difference after June 1 will be that the disposable
vapes for sale will not be in the controlled and regulated
environment of a proper shop, but on the street, out the
back of a van, in a pub or – increasingly – a barber shop
(“Something for the weekend, Sir?”) – that new form of
c-store for the non-law-abiding community. As a result,
they will on aggregate be far more unhealthy, danger-
ous, inflammable, and so on, than those for sale through
legal outlets prior to the new law. Westminster thought
this a better solution than such ideas as vape bins or
deposit schemes which could have reliably collected the
spent e-cigarettes. Oh well. Surely at least the illicit
devices won’t be dropped in parks and on pavements, as
their users are obviously far more responsible than those
who previously bought legal disposables.
We have also heard a loud warning concerning fans of
disposable vapes – the legal ones still on sale for 48
hours, that is – who are already stockpiling them. The
warning is about the instability of the batteries con-
tained within, for apparently, they age like milk after a
certain point, and the risk of spontaneous combustion
increases dramatically. That little pile of disposable
vapes in the cupboard might well reduce the cupboard
(or the building it is in) to a pile of ashes – much like an
EV in an airport carpark. Again, well done Westminster,
you masters of second-order consequences.
In case you think that the world is going to hell in a
handcart, what with all this tariff madness and the
surging flood of ideological laws spilling out of Parlia-
ment to ruin your businesses, make sure not to forget
the war. No, not the one in Ukraine this time, but the
cyber war that appears to have erupted in recent weeks,
and which is focussed on attacking retail companies.
Marks and Spencer was hacked and immobilised, so that
its distribution broke down, and soon after it was
Co-op’s turn to lose data to the black-hats and be left to
deal with empty shelves. Now apparently Dior is the
target. Bira’s CEO Andrew Goodacre in his column in
this issue addresses the emergency in a timely manner
and warns retailers – and yes, that means you – to lose no
time in hardening defences against the onslaught of
data breach attempts. Bira has great advice and resources
for free – do use them.
The UK economy saw a surpris-
ing 0.7% upswing in growth in
the first quarter of 2025, which
has defied gloomy predictions,
but retailers face an imminent
“reality check” as April’s tax,
wage and NI increases begin to
bite, according to the British
Independent Retailers Associa-
tion (Bira).
The latest Ofce for National
Statistics figures released today
show the UK economy expanding
at its fastest pace in twelve
months, outperforming City
analysts’ expectations of 0.6 per
cent growth. While this repre-
sents welcome positive momen-
tum for Britain’s retail sector,
March’s more modest 0.2 per cent
growth signals potentially
challenging times ahead.
“Today’s growth figures ofer a
rare moment of economic
sunshine, but they don’t dispel the
storm clouds gathering over our
high streets,” said Andrew
Goodacre, CEO of Bira. “The full
impact of April’s National
Insurance hikes and persistent
business rate burdens hasn’t yet
materialised in these numbers.”
The unexpected economic
resilience comes despite business
leaders’ earlier warnings that the
Chancellor’s autumn budget,
including £25bn in employer
National Insurance increases,
would risk plunging the economy
into recession.
“Independent retailers are
naturally pleased to see stronger
economic performance, particu-
larly with retail contributing
significantly to this growth.
However, we’re bracing for the
delayed impact of recent cost
increases that threaten to
undermine this progress in the
coming months,” said Mr
Goodacre.
Bira, which represents 6,000
independent retailers across the
UK, also highlighted continued
pressure from Chinese e-commerce
platforms as an ongoing challenge
for British high street retailers
attempting to capitalise on the
current economic strength.
Strongest quarterly performance in a year despite forecasts
Economic growth surges but
‘April reality check’ looms
NEWS
30 MAY 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
Shop workers will soon
have an opportunity for
free training on handling
retail abuse and violence
from a leading retail
charity.
Retail Trust is running
three online sessions in
partnership with retail
technology provider
Sensormatic Solutions to
help retail staf deal with
soaring levels of antisocial
and threatening behaviour,
with the first scheduled for
June 24.
Attendees will be shown
how to manage and recover
from challenging situations
by de-escalating harassment
and protecting their own
wellbeing.
Its research found that
80% of retail staf have
experienced verbal and
physical assaults, one in
three face abuse every week
and nearly half now feel
unsafe going into work.
49% said their
employers needed to do
more to deal with the
current levels of abuse
and violence and 39% are
considering quitting
their jobs or the retail
industry altogether due
to the rise in attacks.
The British Retail
Consortium has said
incidents of retail abuse and
violence increased by 50%
last year, to over 2,000 a day,
and staf sufering poor
wellbeing and working while
unwell reached an 18-month
high at end 2024.
Retail staf to get free training
on tackling abuse at work
Unlocking the potential of
Unlocking the potential of
World Whisky
World Whisky
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
explains how a wee dram can
come from much further afield
than Scotland these days
When we talk whisky, Scotland naturally
springs to mind, but did you know that
Denmark, England, and India have all
produced liquids that have gone on to
win “Best Whisky in the World” titles in
recent years? The category’s centre of
gravity is shifting, and world whisky is no
longer a curiosity, it’s a commercial
opportunity that was celebrated globally
on World Whisky Day, 17 May. From India
to Australia, producers are crafting
exceptional liquids that challenge
assumptions and delight curious
drinkers. But for retailers, the key is
knowing how to translate this momen-
tum into sales. Today’s whisky drinkers are
exploring beyond Scotch, seeking out new
flavours, backstories, and regions. English
single malts, Indian peated whiskies, and
Australian expressions shaped by extreme
climates all ofer something fresh. But
consumers often need help navigating
these shelves – and that’s where staf
confidence makes the diference.
Whisky can be an intimidating
category, but it doesn’t need to be. Equip
your team with the basics: explain the key
flavour profiles, the stories behind the
brands, and ofer tasters where possible.
A confident recommendation goes a
long way toward driving trial and building
repeat sales.Retailers should also look
beyond the core range. By ofering a
curated selection of world whiskies, you
not only stand out on shelf but also open
the door to a broader demographic, from
adventurous younger drinkers to curious
gift buyers. Talk to your distributor about
building the right range for your outlet
and how they can help train your team to
unlock the full potential of this fast-grow-
ing category. With World Whisky Day in
May, it’s the ideal occasion to spotlight
your whisky selection and encourage
customers to explore and appreciate the
stories and craft behind each bottle.
World whisky isn’t just a trend; it’s a
category with staying power.
The UK has re-entered the top
10 of the Nanny State Index
2025, published by the IEA and
the European Policy Informa-
tion Centre. It gives 29 Europe-
an countries a score out of 100
according to how it regulates
lifestyle choices.
Dr Christopher Snowden
revealed that the UK has made a
significant leap in nanny state
intervention, driven by high
taxes, growing restrictions on
food and drink advertising, and
draconian anti-smoking
policies. The UK now ranks
seventh overall, making it one
of the most heavy-handed
regulators in Europe.
Various measures have
accomplished this:
Very high tobacco duty – the
UK has the second highest taxes
on cigarettes when adjusted for
income
Tax on sugary drinks
Punitive alcohol duty – the UK
has the fourth highest taxes on
alcohol when adjusted for income
Indoor smoking ban – includ-
ing in all pubs and restaurants,
and inside vehicles with
children
Plain packaging and a retail
display ban for tobacco products
New restrictions on product
placement for ‘less healthy’
foods
Minimum unit alcohol
pricing (Scotland and Wales)
Britain is set to climb even
higher when the next index is
published in 2027, as new policies
such as the vape ban on disposable
e-cigarettes, a generational
tobacco sales ban, a new tax on
vapes and an unprecedented ban
on “less healthy” food advertis-
ing, come into force.
Despite ever-increasing
restrictions, the report finds
that there is no correlation
between stricter regulation and
better health outcomes like life
expectancy, lower smoking
rates, or reduced alcohol
consumption. A higher score on
the Nanny State Index does not
correlate with higher life
expectancy.
Government says, ‘We care’ so be careful out there – or else
It’s ofcial: Britain now 7th
It’s ofcial: Britain now 7th
biggest nanny state in Europe
biggest nanny state in Europe
NEWS/COMMENT
NEWS
6 ASIAN TRADER 30 MAY 2025
New research published by
the Public Health Agency
Northern Ireland has laid
bare the prevalence of
e-cigarette use among
young people, with nearly
half (46%) of Year 14 pupils
identified as current
vapers.
The “Behavioural
insights into youth vaping
in Northern Ireland”
report, which surveyed over
7,500 students aged 11-18 across
91 post-primary schools, ofers
critical insights into the
motivations, perceptions, and
experiences of young people
regarding vaping and tobacco
use.
The study revealed a stark
increase in vaping prevalence
with age, with Year 14 pupils
being ten times more likely to
vape than those in Year 8 (4%).
Overall, 15% of young people
reported currently using vapes.
The majority of vapers (76%)
had never smoked traditional
cigarettes before trying an e-cig-
arette, and a significant 33% of
these “never-smokers” have
since experimented with
cigarettes.
Peer influence and curiosity
were identified as the primary
drivers for young people
initiating vaping, with 57%
stating they did so “because
most other people are doing it.”
The desire to appear “cool” and
the general popularity of
vaping were also
significant factors.
Among current vapers,
the initial curiosity of
trying a vape remained a
key motivator.
The report also
highlighted the ease of
access to vapes for young
people, revealing that
friends and family were
the most common enablers.
Furthermore, it found sharing
of vapes was widespread, with
nearly three-quarters of
ever-vapers admitting to
sharing their devices.
A concerning number of
young people (around 40% of
ever-vapers) reported experi-
encing side efects such as
headaches, dizziness, breath-
lessness, coughing, anxiety/
stress, nausea, and increased
heart rate and tiredness.
Kids hufÏng their way through high school, study finds
Nearly half of year 14 pupils
Nearly half of year 14 pupils
in NI are current vapers
in NI are current vapers
Retailers are desperate-
ly trying to battle back
against the influx of
theft in stores as the
shop theft epidemic in
the UK continues to
accelerate, with24% of
UK customers witness-
ing shoplifting while
shopping over the last
12 months, according to
BRC.
Asda recently an-
nounced the trial of facial
recognition technology,
comparing facial images to
a list of known offenders.
When a match is detected,
Asda’s head office security
team will be alerted for
further processing.
The trial received a
mixed reception, with
complaints that it turned
innocent shoppers into
suspects, leading to false
accusations. Other retail-
ers had faced similar
responses following
previous trials.
Rolf Whiteman, Sales
Director at Harrison
Retail, commented:
“Retailers should look to
balance technolo-
gy-driven anti-theft
solutions with less
invasive POS loss
prevention solutions to
maintain customer
satisfaction and
safeguard products.
“Gravity risers,
dispenser solutions, Free
Standing Display Unit (FSDU)
Surrounds and customised
dispenser solutions limit
thieves’ accessibility to
high-value merchandise such
as meat joints and baby
formula, acting as a deterrent
and reducing stock loss,”
added Whiteman.
“UK retailers must do
everything possible to
protect their customers.”
Retailers call for ‘less invasive’
anti-theft measures in-store
Lucozade Energy
Lucozade Energy
eco-friendly makeover
eco-friendly makeover
Lucozade producer Suntory
Beverage & Food (SBF) GB&I has
invested £6.3m in a major packaging
redesign for Lucozade Energy
bottles, significantly reducing plastic
use and supporting recycling of its
bottles.
Bottles will now feature a
half-sleeve that covers just 50% of
the bottle height compared to
previous full-length. This would lead
to a 60% reduction in total sleeve
weight, removing 956 tonnes of new
plastic per year. The changes also
reduce water use during production,
equivalent to an Olympic-sized
swimming pool every 289 days.
Premier Foods strong
Premier Foods strong
results as consumers
results as consumers
trade up
trade up
Mr Kipling and Ambrosia-maker
Premier Foods saw sales top £1bn last
year as its “premiumisation strategy”
helped lift volumes.
Excluding disposals, total headline
revenue grew 3.5% to £1.15bn over the
year to 29 March, driven by branded
revenues, which grew 5.2% to £1.01bn.
Non-branded revenue slid 7.2% to
£139.7bn, partly as a result of contract
exits and lower volumes.
Total headline grocery branded
revenue was up by 4.6% while sweet
treats branded revenue grew by 7.3%,
and Trading profit rose 6%.
Survey reveals positive
Survey reveals positive
opinion of flavoured
opinion of flavoured
vodka
vodka
Flavoured vodka is “on the cusp of a
transformation”, recent research has
shown. Ricky Gervais-backed Dutch
Barn asked questions on its Instagram
page regarding consumers’ views on
flavoured vodka. 88% of respondents
stated that they would give flavoured
vodkas a “shot” if it was known that
the product wasn’t cheaply made
with artificial flavours and tasted
good. 60% believe current flavours
tasted artificial, assuming them to be
loaded with sweeteners, synthetic
flavourings and sugar.
The survey comes after Dutch
Barn released a new flavour last week,
British Raspberry Vodka.
NEWS
30 MAY 2025 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
The cyber-attack on Marks &
Spencer has sent shockwaves
through the retail sector.
With operations disrupted
for weeks, stock shortages,
and customer data compro-
mised, it’s a stark reminder
that cyber-crime poses a
genuine threat.
But while M&S will
weather this storm with their
substantial resources, I’m
deeply concerned about our
independent retailers – small-
er businesses are increasingly
in the crosshairs of cyber
criminals.
Why? Because fraudsters
know that independents often
lack the robust security
measures of larger chains,
seeing them as low-hanging
fruit. This is the reality our
members face.
One in seven retailers takes
no steps to protect their data.
Meanwhile, remote purchase
fraud was £432.3 million in
2016, and the figure continues
to climb. Perhaps most telling
is that while 95% of businesses
consider cyber-security
important, nearly half have no
formal strategy in place.
For independent retailers,
the stakes couldn’t be higher. A
successful cyber-attack can
cause catastrophic cash-flow
problems, irreparable damage
to your reputation, and the
permanent loss of customer
loyalty. In a sector where 71%
of retailers place the highest
value on their customers,
protecting their data isn’t just
good business—it’s a funda-
mental responsibility.
Some members tell me,
“We’re too small to be
targeted” or “We don’t sell
online, so we’re safe.” Let me
be clear: if you hold customer
data for CRM purposes or
process payments electroni-
cally—you have something
cyber criminals want. In
today’s interconnected world,
no business is too small to be
noticed.
The most common attacks
against our members come
through deceptively simple
means. Phishing emails
claiming to be from HMRC or
your bank can look startlingly
genuine.
The good news? Protecting
yourself doesn’t require
massive investment or
technical expertise. The Cyber
Essentials Readiness Tool is an
excellent starting point,
guiding you through the
essential requirements with
clear, actionable advice.
This is why Bira partnered
with the Cyber Resilience
Centres across England and
Wales to provide members
with expert support. This
partnership ofers tremen-
dous value, including a free
30-minute review of your
current cyber setup, access to
resources from the National
Cyber Security Centre, and
regular updates on emerging
threats.
Simple measures make an
enormous diference. Train
your staf to spot suspicious
emails. Use strong, unique
passwords. Keep your systems
updated. Back up your data
regularly. These basic steps
significantly reduce your
vulnerability.
The M&S breach should
serve as a wake-up call. If a
retail giant with extensive
resources can fall victim,
independent retailers must be
especially vigilant.
For more information
about Bira, visit www.bira.
co.uk and search for cyber
security in our resource
section.
In his regular column, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre looks at the big
new threat to retail, that involves ransoms rather than robbers
Cyber security – small
Cyber security – small
retailers in the firing line
retailers in the firing line
AB InBev dominates
AB InBev dominates
global beer brands
global beer brands
Corona has been recognised as the
most valuable beer brand in the
world for the second year in
Kantar’s BrandZ 2025 Most
Valuable Global Brands report.
Eight out of the 10 most valuable
global beer brands belong to AB
InBev, according to the report
ranking the top brands in the world.
In 2024 AB InBev produced
all-time high revenue, including
double-digit growth for Corona out-
side its home market of Mexico and
triple-digit growth of no-alcohol
Corona Cero.
Corona is celebrating its
100-year anniversary this year.
Snappy Shopper initiative
Snappy Shopper initiative
for disabled shoppers
for disabled shoppers
Snappy Shopper has announced a
partnership with disability discount
platform Purpl to launch a new
initiative aimed at easing the cost of
living for millions of disabled people.
Through the collaboration,
eligible Purpl members will receive a
25% discount on their first online
grocery order, available through the
app and website.
It includes same-day delivery
(30–60 minutes) or click-and-col-
lect at local retailers. Additionally, all
Purpl users will benefit from three
months of free delivery, which
supports the 16.1 million people in
the UK – 24% – living with disabili-
ties.
East of England Co-op
East of England Co-op
returns to profit
returns to profit
The East of England Co-op has
returned to profit after a year of
investment and reshaping of its
business portfolio.
The regional co-operative made
a trading profit on continuing
operations of £1m, recovering from
a previous annual loss of £3.6m.
However, its revenue slipped
from £393.3m to £384.2m over the
12 months to 25 January 2025,
following several planned business
disposals.
CEO Andy Rigby said, “The next
challenge is ensuring this profit is
sustainable for our co-op and the
colleagues, members and commu-
nity that make us.”
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)
NEWS
8 ASIAN TRADER 30 MAY 2025
Bestway said it will soon
announce “an improved
ofer for Costcutter
retailers” after Co-op
Wholesale decided not to
extend the long-term
supply arrangement to
the symbol group.
Co-op Wholesale
announced in March it
would cease supplying
fresh, chilled and
own-label to Costcutter
stores, bringing an end to
the long-term supply arrange-
ment.
The present contract
stemming from 2018, ends on
Dec 31.
Bestway meanwhile has
once again assured Costcutter
retailers that eforts are
underway to bring them an
improved ofer very soon.
During the recently held
Bestway Retail Showcase 2025
which was attended by several
Costcutter retailers, the
wholesaler announced, “We
understand how important this
is for your business, and let me
start by saying that we are
committed to announcing our
plans at the earliest practical
opportunity. We appreciate
your continued patience as we
work through the final stages of
this process.
“We have been conducting a
thorough analysis of the market
as part of an exhaustive process
to ensure we deliver a supply
partnership that is future-fo-
cused and tailored to
your needs, creating
the best possible ofer
for Costcutter
retailers.”
According to
Bestway Wholesale, its
aim is to: strengthen
the value and competi-
tiveness, improve the
ease of doing business,
enhance product
availability, consisten-
cy, and responsiveness,
and drive the growth of the
Costcutter brand.
“We are excited about the
opportunities ahead and remain
fully focused on ensuring the
best possible outcome for all our
retailers,” stated the wholesal-
er.
Contrary to earlier reports,
some of the leading Costcutter
retailers to whom Asian Trader
spoke to earlier appeared
unperturbed await and
clarification.
Plans in place following shock Co-op Wholesale walk-away
Bestway to announce ‘improved
Bestway to announce ‘improved
ofer’ for Costcutter retailers
ofer’ for Costcutter retailers
The government’s
Covid-19 loan guaran-
tee schemes delivered a
substantial £77 billion
boost to the UK
economy and prevent-
ed the potential
closure of hundreds of
thousands of business-
es, according to a newly
released evaluation by
the British Business
Bank.
The third annual report,
conducted by London
Economics and Ipsos, assessed
the impact and value for
money of the Bounce Back
Loan Scheme (BBLS), the
Coronavirus Business
Interruption Loan Scheme
(CBILS), and the Coronavirus
Large Business Interruption
Loan Scheme (CLBILS).
The report highlights that
absent the £77bn in lending
guaranteed by these schemes,
between 158,000 and
669,000 businesses could
have permanently closed by
December 2022 and up to 3.5
million jobs could have
been lost as a result.
The schemes were
rapidly implemented
in March 2020 to
support businesses
grappling with lost
revenue and cashflow
disruptions caused by
the pandemic
While the impact
on turnover appeared
to be greater in the initial year
of the pandemic, the report
underscores the vital role the
loan schemes played in
enabling businesses to
continue operating and
maintain employment during
a period of unprecedented
economic uncertainty.
Covid loans delivered £77bn
economic boost, report finds
Tate & Lyle Sugars rolls
Tate & Lyle Sugars rolls
out electric lorries
out electric lorries
Tate & Lyle is accelerating its
sustainability agenda with the launch
of two 100% electric Volvo lorries,
saving 55,000 diesel miles annually
across its East London logistics
routes.
The move is part of the company’s
mission to be the most ethical and
sustainable cane sugar refiner in the
world and has set itself a UK net-zero
target by 2040.
The electric fleet cuts urban
emissions while meeting rising
customer demand for greener supply
chains, backed by internal research
showing 67%t of consumers favour
brands using EVs.
PayPoint partners Roblox
PayPoint partners Roblox
in digital gaming ofer
in digital gaming ofer
PayPoint has partnered Roblox to
expand its digital gaming voucher
service ofering for retail partners,
further enticing younger customers.
The partnerships will see retailers
across the PayPoint network now
ofering customers the option to
purchase Roblox digital gift code
vouchers from over 30,000 stores.
The partnership comes as
PayPoint looks to expand its digital
gaming voucher portfolio, which
already includes Google Play,
Nintendo, PlayStation and Xbox as
demand rises for digital vouchers. A
trial launch of the partnership has
seen nearly 10% of stores issuing
Roblox vouchers.
Climate change threatens
Climate change threatens
future banana supply
future banana supply
Almost two-thirds of banana-grow-
ing areas in Latin America and the
Caribbean may no longer be suitable
for growing the fruit by 2080, new
research has found, putting a
question mark on the future supply of
the world’s most popular fruit.
According to Christian Aid’s,
“Going Bananas: How Climate
Change Threatens the World’s
Favourite Fruit”, rising temperatures,
extreme weather and climate-related
pests are pummelling banana-grow-
ing countries such as Guatemala,
Costa Rica and Colombia. An
estimated 80% of banana exports
which supply supermarkets around
the world comes from the region.
NEWS
30 MAY 2025 ASIAN TRADER 9
ith upcoming legislation, be it the
disposable vapes ban or the
looming Tobacco and Vapes Bill,
independent convenience retailers fear that
honest businesses will be unfairly penalised by
the new laws while criminals will go unpun-
ished.
However, with proper planning, govern-
ment support and enforcement, retailers can
help make the transition to smoke-free UK
safely, smoothly and more efectively.
We are not just convenience stores
anymore; we are vital community hubs and
the backbone of the areas we serve.
In the case of the ban on disposable vapes
efective from June 1, I am well prepared.
The government announced it advance and
trading bodies have issued guidance. For
example, the Association of Convenience
Stores (ACS) has advised members to stop
ordering new disposable vapes, sell through
existing stock quickly, and separate any unsold
disposable stock after June 1 for recycling.
With all this in mind, we have already
started trimming back disposable vape lines
and stocking more compliant kits.
However, in my area, the illicit market is
very large and booming. Trading Standards
raids regularly uncover significant stock,
predominantly from pop-up stores and the
Lincoln Road area in Peterborough.
For example, a recent operation in March
2025 seized 683,400 cigarettes, 37.45kg of
hand-rolling tobacco, and 35 cigars – all of
which were found to be illegal.
They also found £14,886 in cash, as well as
large sums of foreign currency, and a substan-
tial amount of sildenafil tablets, commonly
known as Viagra, which is a prescription-only
drug. This is all easily accessible to young
people and these criminals profits fund other
serious crimes.
These findings mirror national data. In
2023–24 UK-wide Trading Standards seized
about 1.19 million illegal vapes (a 59 per cent
jump on the year before) and roughly 19
million illicit cigarettes (5.1 tonnes of
hand-rolling tobacco) in a single campaign.
What this clearly means is many consum-
ers can buy duty-free tobacco and dodgy vapes
from shady stores, thus harming legal shop
sales and public health, as these products often
have unknown contents.
With the disposable vape ban now on the
horizon, most experts expect the illicit market
to expand further.
The ACS warns that removing single-use
disposables from shops will “receive a boost”
in the black market. Public health groups
agree. Action on Smoking and Health has
warned that an outright ban on disposables
could “turbo-charge” the illicit vape trade.
Basically, any gap left by legal retailers will
likely be filled by criminals selling non-compli-
ant devices or bootleg tobacco.
Additionally, independent retailers also
worry that some ex-disposable vapers will turn
to illegal sellers or even return to cigarettes.
This means that, unless enforcement
tightens, local illicit trade will grow, making it
harder for law-abiding retailers as well as
undermining the public health intent of the
ban.
This concern was echoed recently in
Parliament as well.
Recently, I was invited to speak at Lord
Wharton of Yarm’s Parliamentary Reception
at the House of Commons, joining fellow
industry representatives to highlight key
concerns surrounding Illicit trade in the UK.
During the session, MPs voiced support for
the public health goals but also shared
concerns about implementation.
They are concerned that there is a huge rise
in youth vaping and the number is growing at
an alarming rate which will cause long term
addiction. Many Labour and government MPs
have backed the ban.
However, a minority of MPs have raised
practical objections, particularly in the
implementation of generational smoking ban,
pointing out that people that are born a day
apart will have permanently diferent rights.
MPs agreed on the aim of driving down
smoking rates and creating the UK’s first
smoke free generation, but they also acknowl-
edged and stressed the need for robust
enforcement and support for retailers to
manage the transition.
Well, the government has promised new
resources but many of us retailers feel it may
not be enough.
In March 2025 the Department of Health
announced an extra £10 million to Trading
Standards, funding about 80 new apprentice
enforcement ofcers to target illegal tobacco
and vapes in local communities.
This builds on an HMRC “illicit tobacco
strategy” with £100 million for Border Force,
and will be supplemented by a new vaping duty
(from 2026) that brings 200 additional
customs and compliance staf to seize illegal
vapes.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill itself includes
stronger penalties and even a proposed retailer
licensing scheme, which is strongly welcomed
by me as I think it’s a way to shut out criminal
sellers.
However, I believe this will still leave a big
gap.
ACS research shows the current funding
works out to only about £30k–£50k per local
authority per year, with TS teams already
stretched this is barely enough to pay for one
extra Trading Standards ofcer in each area.
I am worried enforcement will remain
patchy. I can see the government has taken
steps to bolster enforcement, but speaking to
most retailers, they believe further funding
and coordination will be crucial if Trading
Standards are to keep illicit sales in check and
support compliant shops.
From a retailer’s point of view, the biggest
issue is ensuring that honest businesses aren’t
unfairly penalised by the new laws while
criminals go unpunished.
Independent stores take youth protection
seriously. We already require ID for tobacco
and vaping sales, participate in quit smoking
initiatives, and support local awareness
campaigns.
However, many of us feel we are being
blamed for a problem that has grown despite
our best eforts.
As one trade federation put it, we are often
the “soft target” for regulation while “crimi-
nals profit greatly from the illicit tobacco
trade”.
Basically, we are urging the government to
pair the ban with strong support – a clear,
phased implementation and an efective
licensing scheme for tobacco and vape outlets
(as the Bill proposes) so that only legitimate
sellers can operate.
With proper planning and enforcement,
retailers can help make the transition safely.
“We want to and need to
“We want to and need to
be part of the solution”
be part of the solution”
Neil Godhania, of Neil’s Premier and Dodds Road Store in
Peterborough, speaks out on tobacco and vape legislation
GUEST COLUMNIST
NEWS FEATURE
10 ASIAN TRADER 30 MAY 2025
espite recent media investigations
exposing alarming nutritional flaws
in baby food and ready meals,
consumer buying habits continue to remain
largely unchanged, forcing independent
retailers to walk the tightrope between
shopper trust and practical business deci-
sions, finds Asian Trader.
In the past few weeks, some headlines
were hard to miss.
A damning BBC Panorama episode alleged
misleading nutritional claims by major baby
food brands, while another report on ready
meals alleged scandalously high levels of salt
and fat. In all cases, the scrutiny of what’s on
store shelves was sharp and merciless.
But beyond the outrage and media buzz
was a more commercially loaded question:
how much do such exposés actually afect
consumer behaviour in-store, particularly in
convenience retail; and how swiftly should a
retailer react?
For many retailers, the answer is nuanced.
Contrary to media uproar as well as heated
discussions on online forums like Mumsnet,
most convenience retailers saw little to no
efect on sales or selection.
There were subtle shifts in shopper conver-
sation or increased scrutiny of product labels,
but overall there was no immediate sales
plunge following such media storms. In some
Pooja Shrivastava asks whether nutrition exposés
really shift consumer buying behaviour – or does
trust and inertia win out?
forum Mumsnet was abuzz with the
discussion – though the tone was more
resigned than disbelieving.
“They’re like microwave dinners for
babies,” wrote one user. “Fine in an emer-
gency, but not daily.”
Others voiced frustration over misleading
marketing, likening the pouch phenomenon
to “unnecessary follow-on formula” driven by
corporate profits.
“I always knew that the pouches would be
rubbish but was still shocked at just how
rubbish they are – I’d assumed some work had
gone in to making sure they contained
sensible amounts of RDAs [recommended
dietary allowances] for protein, vitamins and
minerals. But apparently not,” wrote another
Mumsnet member.
Ella’s Kitchen, singled out for its fruit
puree-heavy recipes and high sugar content,
was quick to hit back at the BBC findings.
In a statement, the company defended its
range as safe, nutritious, and supportive of
busy parents.
“We have always looked at what is on the
shelves and worked hard to create healthier,
better-for-little-ones alternatives that taste
good too.
“Over the past few years, we have worked
harder than ever to improve our products
even further, especially when it comes to
reducing naturally occurring sugars, and we
are not stopping there,” stated the public
statement.
While the Panorama episode sparked
strong reactions on social media, brands in
question like Heinz’s Sweet Potato, Chicken
and Veggies pouch remained widely available
and visually dominant on shelves. Shopper
baskets too did not show a dramatic exodus.
However, for some retailers, such reports
came as a red flag.
Experienced retailer Bobby Singh, who
runs BB Superstore & Post Ofce in West
Yorkshire, strongly feels that trust must be
earned and protected.
“As a retailer, I take concerns like these
very seriously,” he told Asian Trader.
“Parents place immense trust in the
products they buy for their children, and it’s
absolutely essential that this trust is hon-
Sugar, salt, and
shrugged shoulders
brands, it just might be the case of unshake-
able trust that the consumers have formed
over the years.
Either way, it is clear that headlines may
grab attention, but unless media outrage taps
into deeper consumer sentiment or is
followed by a policy change, its impact on the
aisles is limited.
The baby food category, however, carries a
diferent kind of emotional weight. For many
parents, trust in brands is paramount, and any
disruption to that trust can hit harder.
The Panorama report tested 18 popular
baby food pouches, finding many lacked
essential nutrients like iron and vitamin C.
Included in the investigation were leading
names like Ella’s Kitchen, Heinz, Piccolo,
Little Freddie, Aldi, and Lidl.
Some pouches reportedly contained more
sugar than a one-year-old should consume in a
day. Others were marketed for babies as
young as four months, despite NHS and WHO
guidance that solids shouldn’t be introduced
earlier than six months. Experts warned that
while convenient, these pouches should not
replace home-cooked meals.
The findings raise concerns about a
multi-million-pound baby food pouch market
that has become a household staple, valued
for its convenience and long shelf life.
Shortly after the Panorama report, online
Stay aware
Five things retailers can do to respond to media reports
questioning brands
1. Stay informed. Keep up with health reports, documentaries, and campaign findings.
Knowledge is your first line of defence.
2. Audit your stock. Take a hard look at high-risk categories like baby food. Consider
whether the brands you stock align with evolving shopper expectations.
3. Communicate clearly. Use shelf labels, posters or social media to highlight
reformulated, low-salt, or high-fibre options.
4. Engage your shoppers. Start conversations. Ask parents what they look for in baby
food, or whether health claims influence their ready meal choices.
5. Work with reputable brands. Back brands that are proactive about reformulation
and open about their ingredients.