THIS WEEK'S NEWS

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME

DRS PASSES INTO LAW, DESPITE LATE SWA CHALLENGE

THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT VOTED LAST WEEK TO PASS DRAFTDRS REGULATIONS, DESPITE AN 11TH HOUR PLEA FROM THESCOTTISH WHOLESALE ASSOCIATION.

Draft regulations for a Deposit Return Scheme in Scotland were passed by the Scottish Parliament late last Wednesday [Insert link to Tomra page], paving the way for the introduction of the controversial scheme in July 2022.

The Scottish Wholesale Association had made an 11th hour plea to MSPs to halt the scheme and instead revisit it after the coronavirus pandemic had passed, but this fell on deaf ears.

NISA ADDS 37 FORECOURTS

Nisa has completed a deal with forecourt specialist Ascona Group that will see 37 sites being supplied by Nisa Retail. Despite coronavirus, 12 stores have already moved across and the remaining sites will migrate over as current contracts end with other suppliers. The stores range from 88sq ft to 3,000sq ft.

TOBACCO LEGISLATION

MENTHOL BAN GOES LIVE

THE MENTHOL BAN WENT LIVE AT MIDNIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH ANESTIMATED 26% OF SMOKERS NOW HAVING TO FIND ALTERNATIVEPRODUCTS.

Midnight last night saw the so-called Menthol Ban come into force across the country with all menthol and capsule cigarettes now prohibited from sale.

Imperial Tobacco estimates 26% of all smokers had previously chosen menthol or capsule products and will now be forced to seek alternatives.

A recent survey of local retailers found that most now believe the majority of menthol and capsule smokers will simply switch into plain versions of cigarettes from the brand they used to smoke, with retailers predicting that only 6% of smokers will quit entirely.

Meanwhile, recent research among 1,000 UK menthol smokers by Vape Club, one of the UK’s largest online vape retailers, found that 39% will quit smoking, with nearly a fifth (18%) indicating they will switch to vaping to do so.

JTI TO TAKE BACK T&T AND MENTHOL STOCK

Today marks the one year sell-through period for non-compliant Track & Trace products and JTI has announced that it will take back all non-compliant Track & Trace JTI stock, as well as all Menthol and Capsule JTI stock held by every retailer visited by its sales reps.

JTI aims to uplift this stock within 12 weeks from the time its reps return to the trade.

Ross Hennessy, JTI’s UK Sales Vice President, said: “Whilst the current Covid-19 situation is clearly unprecedented, we are determined to continue to support our trade partners through this period of uncertainty and JTI sales representatives are in constant contact with their retailers via phone.”

Retailers are advised to keep all stock that needs swapping separate from other stock.

For further assistance, call your JTI representative or the customer care line on 0800 163503.

CAMELOT THANKS PLAYERS

National Lottery players acrossthe country are receiving achorus of ‘Thank Yous’ in aspecial National Lottery TVadvert airing this week. TheThank Yous are from someof the frontline projects andorganisations who are helpingthe nation through the currentcrisis and have receivedNational Lottery funding.

NEW PAYPOINT BOSS

PayPoint has appointed NickWiles as Chief Executive.Wiles has been Chairmanfor the past five years. LewisAlcraft, currently ChiefCommercial Officer, has beenpromoted to the position ofChief Operating Officer.

ASDA SEES 3.5% HIKE

Asda has reported a 3.5%rise in like-for-like sales forthe fi rst quarter, thanks tocoronavirus stockpiling andgrowth in demand for its onlinedelivery services; Asda.comreceived more than 3,500 visitsper minute during the weekbeginning 18 March.