National President of The Federation of Independent Retailers, Mo Razzaq, says that throwaway culture should not be used as an excuse to throw away a prime opportunity to recycle and help cut crime
Single-use disposable vapes are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England
ast month, the government confirmed that disposable vapes will be banned across England and Wales from June 1, 2025.
Single use vapes were also due to be banned in Scotland from April of next year but shortly after the UK government’s announcement, the Scottish government advised that this date would be pushed back by two months – to June of next year – to align with the legislation in the rest of the UK. Northern Ireland is also expected to follow suit.
Announcing the ban – which will not apply to rechargeable or refillable devices – circular economy minister Mary Creagh said that it was to end the nation’s “throwaway culture” and marked the first step on the road to a circular economy, where resources are used for longer, waste is reduced and the path to net zero is accelerated.
Now this key date is known, the Fed will work with the respective governments and with vape suppliers to ensure that members are prepared for next summer’s ban coming into force and to ensure they have sold through their existing stock ahead of June 1.
But we can’t help thinking that rather than banning single use vapes in a bid to reduce littering, that the governments have missed a trick.
Mo Razzaq
Fed members are responsible retailers. We care about our communities and we accept that discarded disposable vapes do damage the environment.
In fact, according to the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), almost five million single use vapes were either littered or thrown into general waste each week last year – a nearly four-fold increase on the year before. Typically ending up in landfill, their batteries can leak battery acid, lithium and mercury into the environment, the government said.
And yes, this is truly shocking – but here at the Fed we believe there is still a better solution to an outright ban, and it is one that we have pitched to ministers on several occasions.
A disposal scheme, similar to that due to come into force in October 2027 on single use drink cans, and with a £1 deposit on all single use vapes which is paid back when they are returned, would help resolve the littering issue overnight. The price change and the returns system might also push people towards using refillable vapes instead.
Many retailers already offer a recycling option, so rather than just banning disposable vapes, the governments should be looking at making available more ways for these products to be disposed of safely and in an environmentally friendly way.
Introducing a disposal scheme on disposable vapes, we believe, would better address the government’s concerns on the environmental impact that they currently have.
Retailer Eric McGill showcases vape recycle bin in his store
As well as tackling environmental damage, the ban is designed to end the surge in young people vaping, but – again – the Fed and our members have serious concerns about it. In short, it will simply fuel the illicit market even further.
Disposable vapes are usually more affordable, which is why many adults turn to them when they want to quit smoking. Ban them and it is highly likely that many vapers will turn to unorthodox and illicit sources where there is no compliance to tobacco and vaping laws and a danger to health, as the products being peddled are likely to contain dangerous and illegal levels of toxic chemicals.
What is particularly concerning is the kind of groups who will benefit from this. Gangs who smuggle do not just transport illicit cigarettes and vapes. Many of them are also involved in some of the most dangerous and darkest elements of the black market, with the profits used to fund the smuggling of weapons, drugs – and even people.
Many children and teenagers are already obtaining vapes from unorthodox sources including cafes, take-away shops, hair salons, car boot sales and tanning salons. That’s in addition to deliveries by dealers to the home or on street corners just 30 metres from the school gate.
What’s more frightening is that these rogue sales will take place regardless of the buyer’s age. The peddlers couldn’t care less whether the customer is 18 or over. They just want the profit.
Just like shoplifting, selling counterfeit and non-duty tobacco and vapes is not a victimless crime. It damages legitimate retail businesses and communities, as well as robbing the government’s coffers of billions of pounds.
Since the date of the ban was confirmed, we have written to Mary Creagh to set out our concerns and to offer to meet so we can discuss ways of expanding schemes that enable disposable vapes to be recycled and to better educate the public on these.
And Asian Trader readers can play a part in helping to stub out illicit sales.
I’d ask that you report any suspicions about illegal vape and tobacco sales to the authorities.
This can be done by calling Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice consumer hotline on 0808 223 1133; HMRC’s Fraud Hotline on 0800 788 887; or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 Alternatively, you can report suspicions via https://suspectit-report-it.co.uk/; or by emailing suspectit.reportit@ uk.imptob.com.
Concerns should also be raised with your local MP. Council and police and crime commissioners.
As Tobacco and Vapes Bill makes its way into parliament with promises of a healthier smokefree UK, convenience retailers across the country are anxious, fearing an impending storm of challenges on the horizon, finds Asian Trader.
Ignoring the outcry from small business owners and consumer freedom advocates alike, Labour introduced the Tobacco and Vapes Bill in the parliament on Nov 5.
Reviving the bill from previous Conservative government, Labour has made the legislation even more stifling with a couple of additional measures, such as looking into extending smoke-free places and introducing a licensing scheme for tobacco and vape retailers.
The core of the bill is a ban on selling "tobacco products, herbal smoking products, and cigarette papers to anyone born on or after January 1, 2009”.
Notably, the focus is on selling here, thereby placing the entire burden of enforcement on retailers with no repercussions on the “under-age adult” asking or rather coercing for a cig.
Touted as a world-leading idea, the bill's intentions are noble, but in practice, it is expected to impose severe operational challenges for store owners.
Like in 2040, it will be still legal to sell cigarettes to 32-year-olds but a retailer will face a criminal offence for selling the same to 30-year-olds, probably facing the customer wrath too on being denied the sale.
According to the proposals, after Jan 1, 2027, each cigarette or tobacco product sale will come with the mandatory checking of a government-approved ID (namely passport, UK driving licence, a driving licence issued by any of the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, European Union photo card driving licence, or an identity card issued by the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and bearing its hologram) to make sure the buyer is “born after 2009”.
Asian Trader reached out to some of the leading convenience retailers across the UK, and the air was thick with frustration and despair, majorly over the fact that the government is pressing ahead with the bill, ignoring their pleas.
Highlighting the bill’s daunting implications, retailer Neil Godhania, who owns and runs Neil’s Premier in Peterborough, heavily criticised the move, saying that such a law, if it comes into effect, will put a multi-level burden on retailers.
He said, “The ban requires that stores verify each customer’s birth year to ensure they’re not part of the restricted generation, adding an extra layer of complexity to existing age verification.”
This increased scrutiny will demand rigorous staff training, higher operational costs, and a heightened risk of penalties—all of which erode the quality of customer service and increase stress on staff, he explained.
Not only are these restrictions impractical, but they also risk exacerbating an already tense retail environment.
According to ACS 2024 Crime Report, most (87 per cent) colleagues in convenience stores have faced verbal abuse over the last year while enforcing the law on age restricted sales has been named among the top three triggers for abuse.
With customer abuse cases at record high levels, Godhania fears that the bill’s requirements will only escalate confrontations.
Elsewhere in Croydon, Nisa retailer Benedict Selvaratnam (also known as Ben) is having similar concerns about this new added layer of complexity. Sharing Godhania’s concern, Ben also fears both customers’ backlash as well as delay in service at the till.
Ben said, "The added layer of complexity will slow down transactions at the point of sale, leading to potential delays, especially in busy stores like ours where every minute counts."
Retailers like Bobby Singh, who manages BB Nevison Superstore and Post Office in Pontefract, fears that these measures will force them into adversarial roles with customers.
Sharing his apprehensions, Singh told Asian Trader, “Through such laws, the government is basically expecting us to question grown adults on their choices.
"We will be questioning grown up responsible adults on their freedom of choice and this is just going to cause confrontation for me and my teams.”
Retailer Bobby Singh
Across borders in Wales, independent retailer Trudy Davies, who runs Woosnam and Davies News in Llanidloes, is worried about what she is going to do if this bill becomes law. She shares her apprehension over the strain the law would impose on her already overburdened staff.
Davies told Asian Trader, "When adult customers are asked for id - it then becomes a ‘flashpoint’ for disruptive purchasers whom the store staff will have to deal with. Their anxiety levels and stress with just daily things they deal with is enough for them.
"Now with more and more put onto them, particularly ‘policing’ as part of their job, it will be more worrisome for us business owners.
"Moreover, it is unimaginable how each cigarette or basic tobacco product will require an ID check every single time, putting other customers behind in line waiting to be served.”
Boost to illegal tobacco
Such age-restrictive ban might be a challenge for law-abiding stores though the move seems a blessing for illegal traders.
As perfectly summed by Davies, traders of illicit and contraband tobacco products are now eagerly looking forward to the ban coming in, “rubbing their hands together as we speak”.
A look at a recent research carried out by the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association shows that most (80 per cent) UK smokers have bought illicit tobacco in the past year while the number of smokers that had bought illicit tobacco increased 6 per cent on the previous year.
Clearly, buying a fake or a contraband cigarette is neither unfamiliar nor new for smokers.
With weak penalties for perpetrators, poor border controls, low arrest rates and tobacco taxes creating disparity between neighbouring countries, it’s a problem that’s only set to grow. And the proposed ban is only expected to add wings to it.
Singh said, “The UK will see a boom in illicit trade, if such a ban comes into effect. We all know that illicit traders do not care about compliance or any kind of responsibility. Such a ban is only going to make things harder for convenience stores.
"People are anyway going to consume cigarettes if they want to, and they will get them from illicit sources.”
Sharing the concern that the ban will unintentionally fuel the already significant illegal tobacco market, Ben told Asian Trader, "Restricted legal access may drive younger generations to seek illicit sources, impacting legitimate retailers like us who are already affected by illegal trade competition.
"This situation could exacerbate the problem of counterfeit and untaxed tobacco flooding the market, posing further risks for community health and retail safety."
The knock-on effects don’t stop there.
Retailer Priyesh Vekaria, a One Stop retailer in Manchester, highlighted the risk that illegal trade funds organized crime, "The key concerns for me are that illicit trade and grey markets will boom.
“The bigger concern is that often illicit trade and grey markets are linked to and fund organised crime and this could pose much more serious implications to communities, if this is not carefully and practically enforced."
Dear Government
It is clear that implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, if it comes into effect, will require retailers to make significant changes in their businesses.
At this critical juncture, the government is being called on to support convenience retailers in implementing any proposed changes.
Retail bodies like the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) are urging for clear guidance and public awareness efforts to ease the transition.
They are also stressing that the onus should be on policymakers to equip retailers with resources rather than leaving them to bear the brunt of implementation alone.
As Vekaria explains, “Advocating health in the community is key to being a responsible retailer.
"The government needs to own their decisions and support implementation with due diligence and consideration for the businesses who are facing customers at the grass root level.
Retailer Priyesh Vekaria
“Support us and work with us, understand our concerns to help us to implement your legislative changes,” he added.
Vekaria’s call for support is echoed by other retailers too, both for support and killing illegal trade.
Ben said, "I would urge the government to consider support measures for retailers as they roll out this ban. This could include investment in training, technology, and clear guidelines.
“Additionally, the government should prioritise combating the illegal tobacco trade with stricter enforcement and increased resources. Without tackling the illegal market, the impact of this ban might undermine its intended health benefits."
Furthermore, the bill will also include powers to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
ACS chief James Lowman warned that this scheme, introduced without prior consultation, risks pushing legitimate businesses out simply based on location, impacting investment and growth in the sector.
“We now need proper discussion of the details as regulations are drafted, or we fear that this legislation will significantly impact investment, growth and service provision in our sector,” he said.
Unnecessary, impractical, delusional
In 2011, 20 per cent of UK adults smoked, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) while in 2023, just fewer than 12 per cent did so. Fewer than one in 10 young adults in the UK smoked cigarettes in 2023 - down from a quarter of 18-24-year-olds 12 years earlier.
Overall, there has been a shift of mindset among people and the change can be seen at convenience stores too.
And this brings us to a fundamental question: with smoking rates already on a steady decline, is such a complex ban even required?
Singh feels such a ban is “not practical or real, not even required.” as people themselves are getting more health conscious and smoking rate is reducing massively.
“People are already making better choices but to suppress their freedom is not the right answer here,” he said, adding that rising the age from 18 to 21 would have made more sense.
Singh’s message to the government is blunt but poignant: “Put resources into education. Bringing awareness in the masses will and is showing better results as smokers are reducing.”
Retailer Trudy Davies
Retailers across the UK are speaking with one voice. They want the government to understand the practical realities and to respect the efforts they already make to promote responsible retail.
As Davies succinctly puts it, “Government needs to stop thinking only on the lines of ‘Ban, Ban, Ban’. Please, go to your local shop and stand in our staff's shoes for a few hours.
"Those people on the shop floor who have to handle your new legislation on a daily basis should be included in any discussions before laws are made.”
Clearly, if Labour’s goal is truly to create a healthier UK, then it needs to listen, understand and collaborate with convenience sector; maybe even refine and realistically re-imagine the otherwise seemingly lopsided bill to make it more practical and impactful?
Convenience stores have come far. Today, some of the UK’s top convenience stores are at par with larger supermarkets and with extra leverage on convenience and unique, tailored experiences, some are even better.
A perfect face of such store which is bringing fun to convenience is RaceTrack.
While RaceTrack operates a dozen stores across Scotland, RaceTrack Pitstop Premier store in Strathclyde stands out due to its rapid growth and unique offerings, a testament to the vision of the next-generation star of Sud family Guna Sud, who discovered the site while living in the building as a student.
His insight into retail business as well as foresightedness of serving a vibrant student community laid the groundwork for what has become a thriving destination store within a mere three years.
Speaking with Asian Trader, retail veteran Shamly Sud dived in detail about the store’s origin, the idea and the future plans.
"My eldest son stayed in the building for a year when he went to Uni," Shamly Sud explains. "He saw the demand, especially with the large student population and limited convenience options."
The store finally opened in October 2021, after a massive refit lasting nine months and £1million investment.
Though a recent addition to the RaceTrack portfolio, the Strathclyde location carries all the signature elements that define the brand.
From its unique in-house brands—Tubbees for dessert, VAPED4U, Hoagies, and, of course, RaceTrack itself—the store sets itself apart through an inviting, destination-style experience.
Asian Trader of the Year 2022
Winner Shamly Sud (Racetrack Pitstop Premier, Strathclyde)
at The Asian Trader Awards 2022 held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London. (Edward Lloyd/Alpha Press)
Shamly explained, “We aim to make convenience more fun and inviting, creating more of a destination store, separating us from competition and giving customers a unique shopping experience.
“We are also very competitively priced across the store, running deep discounts on our new power bays, with an offering that competes with likes of Tesco, Aldi and so forth, again, providing something unique for our customers. We basically pass on any savings we find.”
The store's interior is designed with flair, and each brand occupies its own distinct section, from Tubbees’ colorful dessert corner to VAPED4U’s vast vape section, which boasts over 3,000 SKUs.
This dynamic model is mirrored across the RaceTrack chain, where innovation is constant. RaceTrack stores distinguish themselves through exclusive partnerships and custom features that go beyond standard retail.
In a first for an independent chain, Strathclyde’s RaceTrack hosts bespoke POS and displays from brands like Elf Bar and Gold Bar.
She said, “We are constantly making changes, analysing each bay, changing layouts, working with suppliers to create new bespoke displays, like our recent agreement with Elf Bar and Gold Bar. We are currently the only independent retail chain with such an agreement.
"Both brands have provided bespoke pos and displays for this store, and their own media agreements.”
RaceTrack currently has 11 stores within the group and a 12th one is about to be opened soon.
Yet, not all challenges are within the business's control.
Like most of their peer, the Sud family is also facing the ongoing retail crime epidemic. The lack of consistent support from local authorities exacerbates the problem, with incidents of theft and violence affecting daily operations.
"Every day brings new security challenges," Shamly said. "The violence escalates, and the support from authorities just isn’t there."
Despite the challenges, the Strathclyde Pitstop Premier is deeply committed to community engagement.
"Each month, we donate to a local charity, and we provide free fruit for schoolchildren through the Healthy Living Scotland initiative," Shamly shared.
The store’s proximity to several universities has spurred partnerships that benefit the student community, from event sponsorships to recruitment opportunities.
"We’re the only business offering this level of involvement with the local student population," she added.
For Shamly, retail is more than a profession; it’s a legacy. Her journey into the industry began in childhood, assisting her parents in their family business.
Even as her family life expanded, Shamly never shied from challenges. After having two children and the youngest just a few months old, she embarked on a new path, completing a postgraduate degree to become a mathematics teacher.
But it was the 2008 financial crisis that truly cemented her return to retail. Working alongside her husband, initially in property renovation, they found that retail offered a stability that property could not.
As she put it, "I couldn’t purchase goods with bricks. Cash was essential to survive day to day."
Together, they made a bold move and opened their first forecourt, Braeside Services, in 2011. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter, fueled by a unique partnership.
"My husband and I have a fantastic relationship," she shares. I am often the face, negotiating with suppliers, while he ensures everything runs smoothly behind the scenes."
This synergy is what drives their success. In Shamly’s words, "We work as a team," a formula that’s become central to their business philosophy. But beyond teamwork, Shamly brings her own unique strengths to the table.
And her motto? A straightforward yet powerful one: "Just get on with it."
Looking ahead, plans are underway to give the store a chilled alcohol room.
“Even though the store is new it doesn't stop us from further reinvesting. We are currently looking at introducing ordering hot food on a tablet and having a serve over for it at the till.
"The sales on the food to go are increasing all the time and we want to raise it to it's full potential,” she said.
Under the Sud family’s leadership, it exemplifies how a well-thought-out, community-centric modern and innovative approach can transform a convenience store into a beloved local destination and a model to look upon.
Consumer goods manufacturer and wholesaler Supreme Plc on Thursday confirmed that it is participating in a “process regarding the potential acquisition” of Typhoo Tea, which has fallen into administration on Wednesday.
“Whilst discussions with the administrators are now at an advanced stage, there can be no certainty that the potential acquisition will be completed,” Supreme added in a regulatory filing.
Typhoo Tea has filed a notice to appoint administrators earlier this month, allowing the company temporary protection from creditors while exploring options to address their debts.
Founded in 1903 by Birmingham grocer John Sumner, Typhoo was once among the UK’s best-loved tea brands. However, in recent years, the company has struggled as Britons increasingly shift towards coffee, energy drinks, and novelty beverages like bubble tea.
Typhoo’s revenues fell from £34 million in 2022 to £25 million in 2023, while losses surged from £9.7 million to £38 million in the same period, as per publicly available accounts.
Supreme supplies products across categories including batteries, lighting, vaping, sports nutrition and wellness, and soft drinks.
In addition to distributing brands such as Duracell, Energizer and Panasonic, and supplying lighting products exclusively under the Energizer, Eveready, Black & Decker and JCB licences across 45 countries, Supreme has also developed brands in-house, most notably 88Vape, has a growing footprint in sports nutrition and wellness via its principal brands Sci-MX and Battle Bites.
The company has recently expanded into the soft drinks market with the acquisition of Clearly Drinks, adding established brands such as Perfectly Clear and Northumbria Spring to its portfolio.
Trade union Usdaw said its members at the Ashby-de-la-Zouch site of KP Snacks have “overwhelmingly” voted to strike in a dispute over pay.
The strike action is set to commence in the week beginning on 9 December. The union said the formal strike ballot resulted in a nearly 80 per cent vote in favour after a 73.67 per cent turnout.
“This overwhelming result clearly demonstrates the strength of feeling among our members and we urge management to immediately come back to the table to negotiate a fair pay deal and avoid disruption to the business in the busy pre-Christmas period,” Ed Leach, Usdaw area organiser, said.
“The 2024/25 pay negotiations have so far failed to reach a satisfactory outcome. The company’s offer of 6.5 per cent fails to adequately address the narrowing of the gap between the value of the National Living Wage and the consolidated rates of pay at the site. We regret that the company has flatly refused to increase the offer and we urge them to change their stance.”
Responding to the announcement, KP Snacks expressed disappointment over the pay dispute, while reiterating its willingness to engage in further discussions to resolve the issue.
“We are disappointed that we find ourselves in this position and remain open to further discussions. The 6.5 per cent pay rise we are offering is very competitive and almost three times the current rate of inflation, which stands at 2.3 per cent,” a spokesperson of KP Snacks told Asian Trader.
Combined with last year's increase, the offer represents a 15 per cent rise over two years, the company said.
KP Snacks, whose brands include Hula Hoops, McCoy’s and Butterkist, assured customers of minimal impact in the event of industrial action.
“We have robust processes in place across our supply chain and should we end up in the unfortunate position of strike action taking place we are confident there will be minimal disruption to our customers,” the spokesperson said, adding: “We are focused on working closely with our colleagues as we appreciate this is a difficult time.”
The dominance of retail on high streets is something of the past. Whilst shopping will still be a key feature, there is greater demand and opportunity for restaurants and leisure activities, as well as for more public services, such as health centres and libraries, in town centres, points out a recent report by House of Lords.
The Built Environment Committee's report, "High Streets: Life beyond retail?", published today (28), sets out how high streets can be regenerated and become more resilient, emphasising that retail will remain vital but must be part of a broader mix including leisure, services and community spaces.
The committee found that local authorities often lack adequate resources and skills to support high streets, recommending investment in training town centre managers and highlighting the need for greater coordination between Government departments.
The report states that what communities want and what can be sustained on the high street is constantly evolving, so a fixed vision and monolithic approach to their future should be avoided. Local authorities, communities and businesses need to work together to shape high streets that are reflective of local conditions, adaptable, and resilient.
High streets will only thrive if people can get to them easily and safely. Access by car and sufficient parking are necessary for commercial sustainability, though their adverse consequences can be mitigated by better public transport connectivity, particularly through improved bus networks, states the report.
As retail occupancy declines and leaves behind vacant units, cafés and restaurants have taken their place. There has also been a rise in the number of charity shops, which benefit from substantial business rates relief and often have lower staff costs, making them more able to afford high street rents. Public authorities are also tentatively moving public-facing services (such as surgeries and libraries) on to high streets. This can both improve access to those civic functions and increase footfall to sustain local businesses, states the report.
Leading trade association British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has welcomed a major new report from the House of Lords that calls for empowered local leadership and simplified funding to help revive Britain's high streets.
"People, particularly young people, value having space to socialise and spend time without spending money on the high street. They also value green spaces on or near the high street. More green space and an improved public realm should be a key consideration in proposed regeneration programmes.
"Local authorities and the Government create the structures for high street renewal. The planning system, taxation and funding can all impact the success or failure of projects to revive local places. But, the previous Government's plans to revive high streets were not well co-ordinated.
"The new Government's local growth funding reforms must ensure that high streets are enabled to flourish in the long term, and that those responsible for their future have enough expertise to deliver improvements. The Government should recognise that local authority bidding for central funding has become expensive and wasteful and should consider replacing that approach with a transparent system of funding distribution that commands greater confidence," states the report.
Commenting on the report, Andrew Goodacre, CEO of Bira, which represents 6,000 independent retailers across the UK, said, "This report has identified some of the key elements to a successful high street, whilst recognising that each place needs to find its identity and solution to create a vibrant high street.
"For some time Bira has been saying that retail is no longer the dominant feature of high streets, with consumers looking for more services and leisure opportunities. We also agree with the conclusion that high streets need diversity and adaptability, - characteristics often delivered by independent retailers and independent business in general.
"It is also good to see recognition of the need for good accessibility by investing in infrastructure where possible and highlighting the importance of good car parking.
"Finally, we absolutely support the idea of local business leaders and local communities being involved with future plans to regenerate a place. Funding can also then be devolved to a local level, supporting coherent plans. Independent retailer care about their high street and the their communities, and all too often their voice can be ignored," he added.
The report urges the Government to provide local authorities with more targeted support and calls for a radical simplification of the current funding landscape, which it describes as "patchy and uncoordinated."
It also emphasises the importance of providing resource funding alongside capital investment to ensure sustainable regeneration.