Croydon Council is set to trial electronic tagging for prolific shoplifters later this year, in a move that could make it the first London borough to use GPS tags to monitor repeat offenders.Croydon's elected mayor Jason Perry told BBC that he hopes to launch the pilot within the next couple of months, with the council currently working with the Metropolitan Police and the local court system on how the scheme would operate.Under the proposed scheme, prolific shoplifters could be fitted with lightweight GPS ankle tags, allowing police to monitor whether they enter shopping areas from which they have been banned by the courts.Perry said the trial would initially be used to assess how effective the approach is before considering whether it should be rolled out more widely.“It's a tagging system that essentially is put on the individual,” he said. “It's run through the police and the local court system so ... Continue Reading »
Convenience store owners in Scotland fear that forcing vaping products behind shutters could further fuel illicit trade.A consultation into how products are packaged and displayed as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act runs until October 2 - with retailers being urged to make their voices heard as part of it.It seeks views on proposals which could lead to new rules around packaging and flavours, along with where and how products are displayed.However, prominent members of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) have raised that a retail display ban - equal to tobacco - could have the unintended consequence of increasing black market trade and could be more dangerous for everyone.Spar operator Ryan Hutchison’s family have run a convenience store in Scone, Perthshire, for almost 70 years.Speaking about the impact of a display ban and taking the products out of sight, he said: “I think it will push people underground.“There’s a ... Continue Reading »
Demand for UK convenience stores and forecourts has strengthened sharply, with offers on retail businesses rising 26% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, shows a report released today (Sept 16).The figures point to continued buyer confidence in the sector despite rising operating costs, labour pressures and a growing regulatory burden.Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has published Retail Market Review 2026 report which has insight into transaction activity, buyer demand, the trading environment, regulatory change and emerging opportunities across the UK's convenience store and forecourt sectors. It also highlights a market underpinned by strong fundamentals, with both convenience stores and forecourts continuing to demonstrate adaptability despite high operating costs, labour challenges and regulatory change. STRONG DEMAND DRIVING TRANSACTION ACTIVITYWhilst it faces challenges common to all retail, the convenience store market remains one of the most active retail subsectors in the UK, supported ... Continue Reading »
Two town centre businesses in Bedford have been closed by the council’s Trading Standards team for supplying and distributing illegal tobacco.As informed by Bedford Borough Council on Tuesday (Sept 15), Frozen Food Plus in Midland Road and Bedford International Express, as well as the adjoining vacant unit on Greyfriars, were served with two-month Closure Orders on Aug 5 following a joint operation with Bedfordshire Police. Luton Magistrates’ Court granted the Orders the following day. Closure Orders prohibit any trading at the premises for their duration, and restrict anyone from entering without prior permission from the authorities. Breaching an Order is a criminal offence, carrying potential penalties of a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 51 weeks.The Orders could be extended for a further three months should illegal activity continue or is likely to continue upon reopening. Magistrates heard that the Council had compelling evidence that a group was trading at ... Continue Reading »
More than 18 tonnes of illicit and unsafe goods, including illegal vapes, toys, cosmetics and non-duty paid shisha tobacco, have been seized in raids at a commercial marketplace located in Southall.According to Ealing Council, the authority has launched a multi-agency taskforce to tackle the long-running counterfeit trade in Southall, with initial raids uncovering tonnes of illegal and potentially dangerous goods destined for high streets across the UK.Operation Linchpin, led by Ealing Council’s Trading Standards team and funded by National Trading Standards, brings together enforcement agencies including the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police, HMRC and Border Force.The operation is targeting businesses operating from the Charles House industrial estate and surrounding area on Bridge Road, an area the council describes as one of the country’s major centres for the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods.Goods previously traced back to Charles House have been found being sold across the UK.The latest enforcement ... Continue Reading »
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced the launch of a merger inquiry into the proposed multibillion-pound acquisition of most of Unilever's food business by McCormick & Company.In March, Unilever has agreed to combine its foods business with US spices and seasonings group McCormick in a deal worth $15.7 billion in cash and shares.The transaction would bring together Unilever's food brands, including Hellmann's mayonnaise and Knorr, with McCormick's portfolio, which includes Schwartz and Ducros herbs and seasonings, creating what the companies described as a global flavour leader.The deal values Unilever Foods at an enterprise value of $44.8 billion. Under the agreed structure, Unilever shareholders will own 55.1 per cent of the combined company, while McCormick shareholders will hold the remaining 35 per cent. Unilever itself will retain a 9.9 per cent stake, which it intends to dispose of over time.The combined business, which will operate under the McCormick name, ... Continue Reading »
The Co-operative Group’s acquisition of Southern Co-op could be referred for an in-depth investigation after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) identified potential competition concerns around 19 convenience stores and two funeral sites.The CMA has concluded its Phase 1 investigation into the merger and found a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in local markets for convenience grocery retail and funeral services.The businesses have until 22 September 2026 to offer undertakings in lieu (UILs) to address the CMA’s concerns. If no remedies are offered, or if the CMA considers them insufficient, the merger will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation under the Enterprise Act 2002.The CMA’s concerns relate to horizontal unilateral effects in the retail supply of groceries in convenience stores in local areas centred around nine Co-op Group stores and 10 Southern Co-op stores.The regulator has also identified a potential SLC in the supply ... Continue Reading »
Britain's annual inflation rate climbed in line with analysts' expectations in August, official data showed Wednesday, as the Middle East war drove up fuel prices.The Consumer Prices Index rose 3.1 per cent in the 12 months to August, up from 2.9 per cent the previous month, the Office for National Statistics said.The average price of petrol stood at 161.3 pence per litre in August, which was the highest price recorded since November 2022.Higher inflation adds pressure on prime minister Andy Burnham and his chancellor John Healey to ease the cost of living for households ahead of the Labour government's budget update next month.The Bank of England is forecast to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 per cent on Thursday as the UK economy struggles for growth.With central bank interest rates on the rise - and government bond yields reaching multi-decade highs in recent weeks - Healey has pledged to ... Continue Reading »
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) has released its latest food inflation forecasts, putting average inflation at between 2.9 - 3.9% for 2026, rising to 5.6 - 6.6% in 2027 and 5.3 - 6.3% in 2028. Plentiful food stocks at the start of the year, hedging and moderate demand have helped retailers absorb costs to protect shoppers this year, but those buffers are expected to weaken as the effects intensify from disruption in the Middle East, input costs and extreme weather from El Niño. The higher inflation that was expected in 2026 has not disappeared. Instead, the timing of price pressure has shifted back, with higher inflation now expected to build through 2027 and remain elevated into 2028. One of the biggest risks is El Niño, previously identified by IGD as a high-severity risk and now affecting major producing regions. Evidence indicates an extremely severe event, with effects on yields, quality ... Continue Reading »
AI-powered operational platform Serve First has unveiled Vision, a new capability that turns a store camera into live operational data, showing retailers footfall, queue length and how long customers spend in each zone, while it is happening. While customer feedback, mystery shopping and audits capture periodic snapshots, Vision generates operational data continuously without asking a customer, auditor or manager to manually capture or record it. The technology gives retailers an always-on view of what’s happening on the shop floor.In recent Serve First research, 63 per cent of the 250 UK customer experience leaders said customer experience platforms should use in-store footage to identify and resolve customer issues.Designed with privacy in mind, Vision analyses camera feeds on a device in each store, with faces blurred at source. No personal data is stored or sent to the cloud for analysis. Instead, only non-identifying data leaves the store, covering operational metrics such as ... Continue Reading »
Britain’s dinner tables have undergone a Mediterranean makeover, with millions of Brits ditching ovens and traditional hot dinners in favour of lighter, holiday-inspired meals, finds a new research.According to HelloFresh, the UK’s largest meal kit provider, while almost two-thirds of Brits (64%) still want home-cooked meals during periods of extreme heat, more than half (56%) actively avoid using the oven during a heatwave.This replicates behaviour in traditionally warmer Mediterranean countries, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where oven-use in the summer typically plummets. Instead, diets focus on salads, cold soups such as gazpacho and light pasta dishes that can be cooked on a stove.This summer, HelloFresh has seen demand for salads, sandwiches and cold soup recipes surge by 244% during the lead-up to and peak of the heatwave, as consumers seek lighter, cooler meals without relying on takeaways. Among the most popular dishes include Thai Style Peanut & Sweet Potato ... Continue Reading »
Red Bull is set to bring a fresh burst of seasonal excitement to the chiller with the launch of its new Red Bull Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries, available to all channels from 28th September. Combining an adventurous, nutty flavour profile with a fresh berry finish, the latest addition to the Red Bull Editions line-up taps into the growing popularity of pistachio while delivering the discovery, novelty and seasonal relevance that help retailers create excitement at the energy fixture. The new flavour proposition has received strong consumer appeal, particularly among Red Bull’s core target audience. Research shows that over two-thirds of 22-44 year-olds would consider a pistachio-flavoured energy drink. The launch comes as sports and energy drinks continue to outperform total soft drinks, with functional energy fuelling category growth and adding more value than any other soft drinks segment. Flavoured energy also continues to be a major growth driver, ... Continue Reading »
Salad brand Florette is launch ing a new line-up of salad dressings, available in three flavours – Balsamic, Garlic & Chive, and Caesar.Perfect for those craving lighter, sunnier bites or the year-round salad enthusiasts, Florette’s new dressings are guaranteed to elevate every bowl. Bursting with fresh flavours, they salads and vegetables into a genuinely exciting meal. “At Florette, we believe a salad should genuinely excite you, not just take up space on the plate,” said Polly Davies, Head of Category & Marketing. “With our new dressings, we’re bringing flavour, fun, and absolute freshness to every meal, proving that eating your greens can be undeniably delicious. Officially launching at the end of September at Iceland, a wider rollout is planned over the coming months. Continue Reading »
The number of jobs in UK retail has fallen to its lowest level on record, with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warning that rising employment costs are making it harder for retailers to create jobs.According to the latest ONS figures, there were 2.75 million retail jobs in June 2026. Using a four-quarter average to smooth seasonal variations, retail employment stood at 2.78 million in the year to Q2 2026 – down 62,000 on the previous year, 122,000 on two years ago and 410,000 on a decade ago.The four-quarter average is the lowest on record, while the number of part-time retail jobs has also fallen to a record low.There were 1.29 million full-time and 1.50 million part-time retail jobs on the four-quarter average. Despite the decline, retail remains the UK's largest private sector employer, ahead of hospitality at 2.62 million jobs and manufacturing at 2.35 million.The BRC said retailers had faced ... Continue Reading »
Hain Celestial has agreed to sell its International business to global private equity firm Aurelius for an estimated $323 million (£241m) in cash, as part of a strategic review aimed at simplifying the group and reducing debt.The transaction will include the majority of Hain’s International operations and a portfolio of brands with a significant presence in the UK, including Ella’s Kitchen, Hartley’s, Linda McCartney Foods, Cully & Sully, Yorkshire Provender and New Covent Garden soups. It will also include plant-based beverage brands Joya and Natumi.Hain expects to receive net proceeds of between $305 million and $310 million from the deal, which will be used to reduce its debt.Alison Lewis, president and CEO of Hain Celestial, said the sale would allow the company to focus its resources on its North American business, which will retain brands including Celestial Seasonings, The Greek Gods, Earth’s Best Organic, Spectrum Organic, MaraNatha and Imagine.“Completing the ... Continue Reading »
Croydon Council is set to trial electronic tagging for prolific shoplifters later this year, in a move that could make it the first London borough to use GPS tags to monitor repeat offenders.Croydon's elected mayor Jason Perry told BBC that he hopes to launch the pilot within the next couple of months, with the council currently working with the Metropolitan Police and the local court system on how the scheme would operate.Under the proposed scheme, prolific shoplifters could be fitted with lightweight GPS ankle tags, allowing police to monitor whether they enter shopping areas from which they have been banned by the courts.Perry said the trial would initially be used to assess how effective the approach is before considering whether it should be rolled out more widely.“It's a tagging system that essentially is put on the individual,” he said. “It's run through the police and the local court system so ... 
Convenience store owners in Scotland fear that forcing vaping products behind shutters could further fuel illicit trade.A consultation into how products are packaged and displayed as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act runs until October 2 - with retailers being urged to make their voices heard as part of it.It seeks views on proposals which could lead to new rules around packaging and flavours, along with where and how products are displayed.However, prominent members of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) have raised that a retail display ban - equal to tobacco - could have the unintended consequence of increasing black market trade and could be more dangerous for everyone.Spar operator Ryan Hutchison’s family have run a convenience store in Scone, Perthshire, for almost 70 years.Speaking about the impact of a display ban and taking the products out of sight, he said: “I think it will push people underground.“There’s a ... 
Demand for UK convenience stores and forecourts has strengthened sharply, with offers on retail businesses rising 26% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year, shows a report released today (Sept 16).The figures point to continued buyer confidence in the sector despite rising operating costs, labour pressures and a growing regulatory burden.Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has published Retail Market Review 2026 report which has insight into transaction activity, buyer demand, the trading environment, regulatory change and emerging opportunities across the UK's convenience store and forecourt sectors. It also highlights a market underpinned by strong fundamentals, with both convenience stores and forecourts continuing to demonstrate adaptability despite high operating costs, labour challenges and regulatory change. STRONG DEMAND DRIVING TRANSACTION ACTIVITYWhilst it faces challenges common to all retail, the convenience store market remains one of the most active retail subsectors in the UK, supported ... 
Two town centre businesses in Bedford have been closed by the council’s Trading Standards team for supplying and distributing illegal tobacco.As informed by Bedford Borough Council on Tuesday (Sept 15), Frozen Food Plus in Midland Road and Bedford International Express, as well as the adjoining vacant unit on Greyfriars, were served with two-month Closure Orders on Aug 5 following a joint operation with Bedfordshire Police. Luton Magistrates’ Court granted the Orders the following day. Closure Orders prohibit any trading at the premises for their duration, and restrict anyone from entering without prior permission from the authorities. Breaching an Order is a criminal offence, carrying potential penalties of a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 51 weeks.The Orders could be extended for a further three months should illegal activity continue or is likely to continue upon reopening. Magistrates heard that the Council had compelling evidence that a group was trading at ... 
More than 18 tonnes of illicit and unsafe goods, including illegal vapes, toys, cosmetics and non-duty paid shisha tobacco, have been seized in raids at a commercial marketplace located in Southall.According to Ealing Council, the authority has launched a multi-agency taskforce to tackle the long-running counterfeit trade in Southall, with initial raids uncovering tonnes of illegal and potentially dangerous goods destined for high streets across the UK.Operation Linchpin, led by Ealing Council’s Trading Standards team and funded by National Trading Standards, brings together enforcement agencies including the Metropolitan Police, City of London Police, HMRC and Border Force.The operation is targeting businesses operating from the Charles House industrial estate and surrounding area on Bridge Road, an area the council describes as one of the country’s major centres for the importation and distribution of counterfeit goods.Goods previously traced back to Charles House have been found being sold across the UK.The latest enforcement ... 
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) today announced the launch of a merger inquiry into the proposed multibillion-pound acquisition of most of Unilever's food business by McCormick & Company.In March, Unilever has agreed to combine its foods business with US spices and seasonings group McCormick in a deal worth $15.7 billion in cash and shares.The transaction would bring together Unilever's food brands, including Hellmann's mayonnaise and Knorr, with McCormick's portfolio, which includes Schwartz and Ducros herbs and seasonings, creating what the companies described as a global flavour leader.The deal values Unilever Foods at an enterprise value of $44.8 billion. Under the agreed structure, Unilever shareholders will own 55.1 per cent of the combined company, while McCormick shareholders will hold the remaining 35 per cent. Unilever itself will retain a 9.9 per cent stake, which it intends to dispose of over time.The combined business, which will operate under the McCormick name, ... 
The Co-operative Group’s acquisition of Southern Co-op could be referred for an in-depth investigation after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) identified potential competition concerns around 19 convenience stores and two funeral sites.The CMA has concluded its Phase 1 investigation into the merger and found a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) in local markets for convenience grocery retail and funeral services.The businesses have until 22 September 2026 to offer undertakings in lieu (UILs) to address the CMA’s concerns. If no remedies are offered, or if the CMA considers them insufficient, the merger will be referred for an in-depth Phase 2 investigation under the Enterprise Act 2002.The CMA’s concerns relate to horizontal unilateral effects in the retail supply of groceries in convenience stores in local areas centred around nine Co-op Group stores and 10 Southern Co-op stores.The regulator has also identified a potential SLC in the supply ... 
Britain's annual inflation rate climbed in line with analysts' expectations in August, official data showed Wednesday, as the Middle East war drove up fuel prices.The Consumer Prices Index rose 3.1 per cent in the 12 months to August, up from 2.9 per cent the previous month, the Office for National Statistics said.The average price of petrol stood at 161.3 pence per litre in August, which was the highest price recorded since November 2022.Higher inflation adds pressure on prime minister Andy Burnham and his chancellor John Healey to ease the cost of living for households ahead of the Labour government's budget update next month.The Bank of England is forecast to maintain its benchmark interest rate at 3.75 per cent on Thursday as the UK economy struggles for growth.With central bank interest rates on the rise - and government bond yields reaching multi-decade highs in recent weeks - Healey has pledged to ... 
IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) has released its latest food inflation forecasts, putting average inflation at between 2.9 - 3.9% for 2026, rising to 5.6 - 6.6% in 2027 and 5.3 - 6.3% in 2028. Plentiful food stocks at the start of the year, hedging and moderate demand have helped retailers absorb costs to protect shoppers this year, but those buffers are expected to weaken as the effects intensify from disruption in the Middle East, input costs and extreme weather from El Niño. The higher inflation that was expected in 2026 has not disappeared. Instead, the timing of price pressure has shifted back, with higher inflation now expected to build through 2027 and remain elevated into 2028. One of the biggest risks is El Niño, previously identified by IGD as a high-severity risk and now affecting major producing regions. Evidence indicates an extremely severe event, with effects on yields, quality ... 
AI-powered operational platform Serve First has unveiled Vision, a new capability that turns a store camera into live operational data, showing retailers footfall, queue length and how long customers spend in each zone, while it is happening. While customer feedback, mystery shopping and audits capture periodic snapshots, Vision generates operational data continuously without asking a customer, auditor or manager to manually capture or record it. The technology gives retailers an always-on view of what’s happening on the shop floor.In recent Serve First research, 63 per cent of the 250 UK customer experience leaders said customer experience platforms should use in-store footage to identify and resolve customer issues.Designed with privacy in mind, Vision analyses camera feeds on a device in each store, with faces blurred at source. No personal data is stored or sent to the cloud for analysis. Instead, only non-identifying data leaves the store, covering operational metrics such as ... 
Britain’s dinner tables have undergone a Mediterranean makeover, with millions of Brits ditching ovens and traditional hot dinners in favour of lighter, holiday-inspired meals, finds a new research.According to HelloFresh, the UK’s largest meal kit provider, while almost two-thirds of Brits (64%) still want home-cooked meals during periods of extreme heat, more than half (56%) actively avoid using the oven during a heatwave.This replicates behaviour in traditionally warmer Mediterranean countries, such as Spain, Greece and Italy, where oven-use in the summer typically plummets. Instead, diets focus on salads, cold soups such as gazpacho and light pasta dishes that can be cooked on a stove.This summer, HelloFresh has seen demand for salads, sandwiches and cold soup recipes surge by 244% during the lead-up to and peak of the heatwave, as consumers seek lighter, cooler meals without relying on takeaways. Among the most popular dishes include Thai Style Peanut & Sweet Potato ... 
Red Bull is set to bring a fresh burst of seasonal excitement to the chiller with the launch of its new Red Bull Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries, available to all channels from 28th September. Combining an adventurous, nutty flavour profile with a fresh berry finish, the latest addition to the Red Bull Editions line-up taps into the growing popularity of pistachio while delivering the discovery, novelty and seasonal relevance that help retailers create excitement at the energy fixture. The new flavour proposition has received strong consumer appeal, particularly among Red Bull’s core target audience. Research shows that over two-thirds of 22-44 year-olds would consider a pistachio-flavoured energy drink. The launch comes as sports and energy drinks continue to outperform total soft drinks, with functional energy fuelling category growth and adding more value than any other soft drinks segment. Flavoured energy also continues to be a major growth driver, ... 
Salad brand Florette is launch ing a new line-up of salad dressings, available in three flavours – Balsamic, Garlic & Chive, and Caesar.Perfect for those craving lighter, sunnier bites or the year-round salad enthusiasts, Florette’s new dressings are guaranteed to elevate every bowl. Bursting with fresh flavours, they salads and vegetables into a genuinely exciting meal. “At Florette, we believe a salad should genuinely excite you, not just take up space on the plate,” said Polly Davies, Head of Category & Marketing. “With our new dressings, we’re bringing flavour, fun, and absolute freshness to every meal, proving that eating your greens can be undeniably delicious. Officially launching at the end of September at Iceland, a wider rollout is planned over the coming months. 
The number of jobs in UK retail has fallen to its lowest level on record, with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) warning that rising employment costs are making it harder for retailers to create jobs.According to the latest ONS figures, there were 2.75 million retail jobs in June 2026. Using a four-quarter average to smooth seasonal variations, retail employment stood at 2.78 million in the year to Q2 2026 – down 62,000 on the previous year, 122,000 on two years ago and 410,000 on a decade ago.The four-quarter average is the lowest on record, while the number of part-time retail jobs has also fallen to a record low.There were 1.29 million full-time and 1.50 million part-time retail jobs on the four-quarter average. Despite the decline, retail remains the UK's largest private sector employer, ahead of hospitality at 2.62 million jobs and manufacturing at 2.35 million.The BRC said retailers had faced ... 
Hain Celestial has agreed to sell its International business to global private equity firm Aurelius for an estimated $323 million (£241m) in cash, as part of a strategic review aimed at simplifying the group and reducing debt.The transaction will include the majority of Hain’s International operations and a portfolio of brands with a significant presence in the UK, including Ella’s Kitchen, Hartley’s, Linda McCartney Foods, Cully & Sully, Yorkshire Provender and New Covent Garden soups. It will also include plant-based beverage brands Joya and Natumi.Hain expects to receive net proceeds of between $305 million and $310 million from the deal, which will be used to reduce its debt.Alison Lewis, president and CEO of Hain Celestial, said the sale would allow the company to focus its resources on its North American business, which will retain brands including Celestial Seasonings, The Greek Gods, Earth’s Best Organic, Spectrum Organic, MaraNatha and Imagine.“Completing the ...