NEWS DIGEST

GOVERNMENT REJECTS SHOP WORKER PROTECTION LAW

RETAIL INDUSTRY DISMAYED AS GOVERNMENT REJECTSPROPOSALS FOR A NEW LAW TO PROTECT SHOP WORKERS FROMVIOLENCE, THREATS AND ABUSE.

Retail trade union Usdaw is among many who have expressed deep disappointment that the Government rejected proposals yesterday for a new law to protect shop workers from violence, threats and abuse, despite evidence that incidents have doubled during the coronavirus emergency.

It has been over a year since the Home Office consultation on violence against shopworkers closed. Usdaw surveying estimates that over 150,000 shop workers have been assaulted since then.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “We are deeply disappointed that the Government has rejected legislating for stiffer penalties for those who assault workers. They have failed to listen to the voices of shop workers and retailers, who had jointly called for a simple stand-alone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.

“At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that the people working to keep food on the shelves for their local communities are being abused and assaulted.”

FACE COVERINGS MANDATORY IN SCOTLAND FROM FRIDAY

FIRST MINISTER ANNOUNCES THAT FACE COVERINGS WILL BE MANDATORY IN SCOTTISH STORES FROM FRIDAY.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that face coverings will be mandatory in Scottish stores from Friday. The measure will apply to customers and staff, although staff working behind protective screens will be exempt. Further detail will be provided regarding age verification and staff involved in food preparation.

Scottish Grocers Federation strongly criticised the move. Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “Staff are already under tremendous pressure and this will only add to this in in terms of enforcing these measures instore and with age verification. Face coverings will further exacerbate retail crime.

“Convenience stores have already implemented social distancing measures very effectively and there is no evidence to show that stores are hotspots for Covid transmission. The Scottish government should have continued with a voluntary approach to face covering.”

SGF is working directly with the Scottish government to develop clear and comprehensive guidance on the new measures but the latest guidance is available by turning to page 10.

CO-UP INCENTIVE FROM COSTCUTTER

Costcutter retailers have hailed Coop Own Brand products as key to helping win over shoppers during the Covid-19 crisis, driving sales and growing basket spend. Consequently, Costcutter is now offering £1,000 of free Co-op Own Brand products for retailers who sign up with the Group and start trading before 31 August.

Costcutter Business Development Director Jamie Davison, said: “Time and time again our retailers tell us that the availability of Co-op Own Brand products is key to that success and has been a major driver for basket spend increases.”

“It is a trusted brand, known for the quality of its products and is helping our retailers converting new shoppers into regular customers.”

Retailers have shared stories of basket spend increases and improved margins on the Group’s recently redesigned website.

SPAR RAISES £1.5M FOR MARIE CURIE

Charity Marie Curie has announced that Spar UK has now raised £1.5m for families living with terminal illness. Spar chose Marie Curie as its national charity partner in 2017.

Thanks to fundraising efforts from independently owned Spar stores around the UK, 80,000 hours of nursing care or almost 9,000 nursing shifts where patients and families have been given expert care and support have been granted.

Tom Heron, Senior Partnership Manager at Marie Curie, said: “It is a phenomenal achievement and we really cannot thank Spar UK enough.”

SWEET SUCCESS

Over 10,000 vouchers havebeen redeemed as part of anNFRN members confectionerypromotion with Booker whichoffered a BOGOF deal on arange of 24 Happy Shopperproducts each offering aminimum of 30% POR.

REACH CUTS 550

Mirror publisher Reach, theUK’s largest newspapergroup, is to shed around 550staff, representing 12% of itsworkforce, as part of a £35m ayear cost-cutting programme.

RINGO DEAL

PayPoint and RingGo havelaunched RingGo Retail, a newoffering that lets drivers pay forparking at PayPoint retailers.The retailer simply entersthe details of the customer’sparking session and it can bepaid for touch-free.

EDGEPOS BP PILOT

Henderson Technology haslaunched the pilot stage ofBP’s new payment and loyaltyterminal in a range of BP sitesthroughout the EDGEPoSestate. The new terminals arefully integrated with EDGEPoS.

PRICE-GOUGING WARNING

The CMA has, alongside seventrade associations, warnedretailers against raising pricesunfairly. The warning is aimedat the minority who are stillseeking to profiteer during thecoronavirus outbreak.

NISA DONATES £280K

Nisa retailers have supportedgood causes with almost£280,000 via the symbolgroup’s Making a DifferenceLocally charity since the startof the coronavirus outbreak.

CJ LANG BACKS FOODBANK

When BBC’s The One Showappealed for help on behalfof foodbanks, Spar Scotlandwholesaler and retailer CJLang & Son donated 50 caseseach of tea and coffee, gettinga mention on the show’sThursday programme.

JOB CUTS HIT 24K

New data from the Centre for Retail Research suggests more than 24,000 jobs have been lost at high street retailers in the first half of the year.