THIS WEEK'S NEWS

NEWS DIGEST

SHOPWORKER PROTECTION

SGF URGES GOVERNMENT TO BACK SHOPWORKERS

SGF URGES SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT TO BACK VITALSHOPWORKER PROTECTION LEGISLATION

The SGF is putting the Scottish government under pressure to support key legislation aimed at protecting convenience staff from abuse. In a strongly-worded letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, SGF made it clear that one positive legacy of the current Covid-19 crisis must be to create a safer in-store environment. The intervention comes as the process around Daniel Johnson MSP’s Protection of Workers Bill reaches a crucial phase: the Economy Committee will approve the Bill to parliament or reject it this month.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION SLOWS

Somewhat remarkably, theresults of the latest surveyfrom CGA claims to showthat the majority of Brits aredrinking the same or lessduring lockdown. Some 83%of respondents said theywere drinking the same, lessor no alcohol while only 17%of respondents say they aredrinking more than they did.

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME

SCOTLAND PLOUGHS ON WITH DRS DESPITE COVID-19

THE INTRODUCTION OF A DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME IN SCOTLANDMOVES A STEP CLOSER AS KEY COMMITTEE VOTES THROUGHPROPOSALS PAVING THE WAY FOR THE SCHEME.

Scotland’s proposed Deposit Return Scheme has moved a step closer after the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee voted through the proposals after a formal debate.

The scheme was recently delayed by 15 months until July 2022 and will see customers pay a 20p deposit when buying drinks in cans and bottles which will be refunded when they take them back to a store for recycling.

A proposal to charge a deposit on disposable coffee cups has been parked for the time being as the government maintains its focus on tackling Covid-19 but is likely to make a return in the future.

SPAR SCOTLAND VETERAN DAVID LAMB RETIRES

David Lamb, Trading Director at Spar Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang, retired at the end of April after 25 years with the Dundee-based company.

CJ Lang boss Colin McLean said: “Over the years David has made a significant contribution to the Board and has helped steer the direction of the business. In the two years since I’ve joined Spar Scotland, David has been a huge asset in sharing his wealth of experience in wholesale trading with CJ Lang and Spar UK.”

David Lamb

Lamb added: “I am very proud of the role I have played alongside CJ Lang colleagues and Independent customers in building the success of Spar in Scotland. Now though, I’m looking forward to enjoying more time with my wife and family.”

SNAPPY LANDS BLAKEMORE

Snappy Shopper, themobile app and web-basedconvenience store home delivery platform, has securedits most signifi cant deal to dateafter finalising a partnershipwith West MidlandsbasedSpar wholesaler AFBlakemore.

Following very successfultrials in the Wrexham area,AF Blakemore plans to offerSnappy Shopper in up to 250sites across Blakemore Retail’scompany-owned stores and itsindependent retail estate.

MFG SEEKS SCOTLAND MANAGER

Motor Fuel Group, the UK’slargest independent petrolstation operator, is looking fora Regional Manager basedin Scotland to lead a teamcovering around 100 contractmanaged sites.

Apply at www.motorfuelgroup.com/vacancies/