NEWS
19 SEPTEMBER 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
The 2025 biennial
workforce survey
carried out by the
Society of Chief
Officers of Trading
Standards in Scotland
(SCOTSS) across all
local authorities
revealed a drop in
numbers below 250 for
the first time, and a worsen
ing age demographic that
shows 60% of staff are over 50
years of age, suggesting that
Trading Standards in
Scotland is facing crisis.
According to SCOTSS, very
low numbers of younger
officers are coming into the
service, and in addition there
is inadequate support for
modern apprenticeships,
training and development of
other staff.
It said without immediate
government support, and
action to increase resources,
there is a clear risk that
services will fail to adequate
ly protect consumers
across an ever-growing
range of legislation and
be able to offer little or
no support to business
in Scotland against a
complex landscape of
regulation.
The survey echoes
the findings of a Which?
investigation from February
2025 that exposed a trading
standards postcode lottery,
with woefully inadequate
staffing levels in many areas,
leaving millions of people
exposed to crime, fake, illicit
tobacco and dangerous
products and scams.
Trading Standards in Scotland
facing resource crisis
Spice, cream & rum:
Spice, cream & rum:
autumn’s winning spirits
autumn’s winning spirits
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 to
indulge in the range of flavours
and feels that autumn brings to
the spirits shelf
Even when summer sales are still in full
swing, the team is already looking
ahead to what will be driving spirit
sales this autumn. Here’s a heads up on
clear opportunities for retailers to
capitalise on.
As the nights are beginning to draw
in, shoppers will reach for richer,
warmer flavours. Cinnamon, ginger
and nutmeg will replace summer’s
zestier notes – though the Espresso
Martini will hold its ground. Cream-
based serves will make a comeback,
but simplicity wins: quality liquids, neat
pours, and showing customers there’s
more to cream liqueurs than the
obvious big names.
Fruit stays on trend, but in a more
refined way – cherry, sloeberry, pear
and acai. Stock spirits, RTDs and
mixers that let shoppers recreate these
elevated flavours at home.
It’s also the perfect time to switch up
your shelf display. A small seasonal
shake-up can put a spotlight on bottles
carried over from summer, giving them
fresh appeal. Position seasonal flavours
and premium options where they’ll
catch the eye – and prompt a purchase.
Rum remains the standout success
story. Growth is strong in both the
on-trade, with rum taking a bigger role
on cocktail menus, and the off-trade,
where shoppers are trading up to
better bottles. Premium and spiced
expressions with provenance lead the
charge. Chairman’s Reserve and
Bounty, both distilled in Saint Lucia,
keep winning UK fans with tropical
depth and quality.
Refresh your range early, lean into
the seasonal shift, and choose products
that tell a story – your shelves, and your
customers, will thank you.
Co-op Wholesale and Costcut
ter Supermarkets Group (CSG)
have joined together in a new
agreement, Bestway Wholesale
has announced.
According to Bestway, this
partnership signals the start of a
new opportunity, bringing the
collaboration and strength of
both businesses, to unlock
greater value for independent
retailers.
“I am delighted to announce
this new agreement which goes
further than just a supply deal;
we are jointly focused on true
partnership as the key ingredi
ent for mutual success, as we
collectively support Independ
ent Retailers to grow through
our market leading proposi
tions,” said Katie Secretan, MD
of Co-op Wholesale.
Dawood Pervez, Bestway
Wholesale MD, said, “The
continuation of our collabora
tion will see Costcutter stores
continue to benefit from the
market-leading full-service
convenience model from Co-op
Wholesale, including access to
the iconic and best in class
Co-op own brand products.
“Both businesses are
committed to working together
to continuously improve the
offer, supporting retailer
growth in an evolving market.”
What exact changes were
made to the existing agreement
is still unknown.
The announcement breaks
the silence spanning months
after it emerged earlier this year
that Co-op Wholesale had
decided not to renew the
long-term supply arrangement
to Costcutter stores.
The arrangement was ending
Dec 31 thus year, thus implying
that Co-op Wholesale would
have ceased supplying fresh,
chilled and own-label to
Costcutter stores from Jan 1,
2026, bringing an end to the
long-term supply arrangement.
The exact cause was not
known.
Bestway repeatedly assured
that it was working out the best
deal for Costcutter stores and
would soon announce “an
improved offer for Costcutter
retailers”.
New era begins as past doubts about partnership laid to rest
Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter
Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter
sign new agreement
sign new agreement
NEWS/COMMENT