Commission for stores in Scottish DRS increased

Megan Humphrey

SCOTTISH retailers participating in the upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS) are to receive increased commission, due to ongoing in�lationary pressures.

accounting �irm PwC.

The �irm said the fee had been recalculated considering the impact of changes to the guidance around exemptions for return points announced last year, and in�lation.

Those operating a reverse vending machine (RVM) will receive 3.7p per bottle for the �irst 8,000 items returned each week, up from 3.55p. They will also earn an extra

1.6p for each additional item, up from 1.35p.

However, those taking bottles back manually will see no change in their handling fee, with it remaining at 2.69p per bottle.

CSL chief executive David Harris stressed the move would not increase the total scheme implementation costs or producer fee.

An industry source suggested the recalculation would “provide an incentive for smaller retailers to choose an RVM”, as well as help them make a more informed decision as to whether to seek an exemption.

The news came a week after the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs announced it would introduce a DRS in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in October 2025.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘DRS’

Prime crackdown Account closures

Deputy insight & advertorial editor Tamara Birch @TamaraBirchNT 020 7689 3361 Production editor Ryan Cooper 020 7689 3354 Sub editor Jim Findlay 020 7689 3373 Sub editor Robin Jarossi Head of design Anne-Claire Pickard 020 7689 3391 Senior designer Jody Cooke 020 7689 3380 Junior designer Lauren Jackson

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Features editor Charles Whitting @CharlieWhittin1 020 7689 3350

Specialist reporter Dia Stronach 020 7689 3375

Editor in chief Louise Banham @LouiseBanham Senior features writer Priyanka Jethwa @PriyankaJethwa_ 020 7689 3355

Production coordinator Chris Gardner 020 7689 3368 Head of marketing Kate Daw 020 7689 3363 Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 020 7689 3367 Senior account director Charlotte Jesson 020 7689 3389 Commercial project manager Ifzal Afzal 020 7689 3382

SPAR has reportedly been clamping down on stores pro�iteering from viral drink Prime Hydration.

The symbol group became the �irst of�icial route into independent wholesale and convenience last month, and will be joined by One Stop

News reporter

Jill Lupupa jill.lupupa@ newtrade.co.uk

Senior account manager Lindsay Hudson 020 7689 3366 Account managers Marie Dickens 020 7689 3372 Megan Byrne 020 7689 3364 Management accountant Abigayle Sylvane 020 7689 3383 Managing director Parin Gohil 020 7689 3388 Head of digital Luthfa Begum 07909 254 949 in March.

Spar sent a message to stores warning them against selling the drink above its £2.99 RRP, otherwise it would ban them from selling it. One store owner con�irmed they reduced the pricing in response.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Spar’

PO’s slim profits

ergy and industrial strategy committee last month, Read revealed a 26% drop in branch sales in December, but still pledged “we will make a trading pro�it bigger than we made in the previous two years”. Retail Express is printed and distributed by News UK at Broxbourne and delivered to news retailers free by their newspaper wholesaler. Published by: Newtrade Media Limited, 11 Angel Gate, City Road, London, EC1V 2SD; Phone: 020 7689 0600 Reproduction or transmission in part or whole of any item from Retail Express may only be undertaken with the prior written agreement of the Editor. Contributions are welcome and are included in part or whole at the sole discretion of the editor. Newtrade Media Limited accepts no responsibility for submitted material. Every possible care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information. No warranty for goods or services described is implied.

RETAILERS have criticised banks for freezing and closing their business accounts for failing to meet “unjusti�iable” deadlines to comply with money-laundering regulations.

having their accounts frozen since late December, and retailers receiving “countless” calls from Santander, NatWest and Barclaycard. The Financial Conduct Authority recently introduced limits on the amount of cash small businesses can deposit. Editor – news Jack Courtez @JackCourtez 020 7689 3371

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘banks’

05 McColl’s site focus

MORRISONS has revealed the acquisition of struggling chain McColl’s helped it deliver a “leading position” in the convenience market.

In its latest �inancial results, the supermarket said it intends to continue investing in McColl’s and “accelerate the conversion programme”, despite closing 132 “lossmaking” stores at the end of last year.

The reduction brought the number of stores across the entire estate to around 900.