ਸ਼੍ਰੇਣੀਆਂ: ਪ੍ਰੈਸ ਰਿਲੀਜ਼ਾਂ

HFSS Changes Affecting Scottish Retailers

The Fed’s Uthay Soundararajan, a retailer based in Leith, pictured (left) taking on the Presidency of the Fed in Scotland earlier this year with his predecessor Hussan Lal (right), a retailer based in Paisley.

The Fed in Scotland is urging members to consider changes coming into force on 1 October 2026 regarding the sale of goods which are High, Fat, Sugar and Salt (HFSS) and will affect some members.

Existing similar measures have had already been in place in England and Wales.

Key points to consider are as follows:

1. Scope: They will apply to Scottish businesses with 50 or more staff or those selling food in stores larger than 2,000sq foot (approx. 185sq metres).
2. Price Promotions: For those affected shops, it will restrict multi-buy offers like “2 for the price of one” or “buy one get on free” in high sugar drinks and high calorie drinks which qualify as HFSS.
3. Prominent Locations: Restricts placements of targeted HFSS products at store checkouts, aisle-end, queuing areas and check-outs, and also on prominent online locations.
4. Fed advocacy: The Fed has been lobbying the Scottish government to ensure retailers are informed of all regulatory change and will continue to raise the concerns of Fed members in Scotland and elsewhere.
5. 50-employee business threshold: With franchises, the 50-employee limit is set by those employed by the franchisor.
6. HFSS and Nutrient Profile Modelling NPM: More information is available on the UK government website about how foods and drink are considered in scope through the NPM.
7. More information: For more information, please consult full regulations which are available on the Scottish Government website.

For more information about the Fed’s Political Engagement work on this and other topics, please email: douglas.oliver@nfrn.org.uk

Shav Taj MS meets with the Fed’s Welsh President in Cardiff

(The Fed’s Welsh President, Mark Dudden, welcomes Shav Taj – who was elected MS for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf in May – to Albany Road Post Office). 

The Fed’s Welsh President, Mark Dudden, met with his new Labour party Senedd Member, Shav Taj, at his business on Albany Road in Cardiff on Thursday 4 August, where they discussed some of the continued opportunities and challenges facing small shops in Wales.

The meeting followed a series of visits Mr Dudden held earlier in the year ahead of the May election, including with Ms Taj’s predecessor as Labour MS for Caerdydd Ffynnon Taf, Jenny Rathbone, in January.

During the meeting Mr Dudden and Ms Taj talked about the continued uncertainty over the adoption of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for recycling, following the decision by the new Welsh Government not to appoint a Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) to manage DRS in Wales and the continued apparent push to include glass in the scheme, following the formation of the new Plaid Cymru Government after May’s election.Mr Dudden explained that the Fed has backed DRS – because of the beneficial environmental impact and because it could help boost footfall and bring shoppers into independent shops like his – but felt that it was necessary it was properly aligned with the rest of the UK and was not over-engineered so it could move forward quickly.

During the meeting, Mr Dudden also spoke about the Fed’s work to encourage the Cardiff and Westminster Governments to tackle retail crime and he spoke about occasional incidents of theft at his business. He also spoke about the need the Fed had identified for greater resourcing for local authority trading standards to tackle rogue trade in tobacco and other goods on the high street in Wales and across the UK.

Finally, Mr Dudden spoke about the tax and commercial cost pressures facing small shops and the need for business rates to be reformed to help lessen the impact. The Fed’s recently written to the new Labour Prime Minister the Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP about his pledge to reform rates in Westminster, but Mr Dudden explained the need for the devolved Welsh government to act further to reduce costs further in Cardiff, as it is a devolved responsibility.

Mr Dudden said: “This was a really very positive meeting and I would like to thank Shav and her team for her interest. We agreed that we would work together in the future and we look forward to speaking again at the Senedd in the autumn after recess.”

Ms Taj said: “I would like to thank Mark for his insights and the very positive meeting we had. I look forward to visiting the shop again soon and speaking with him about the experiences faced by him and other Welsh retailers.”

The Fed works with Crimestoppers to help members report illegal tobacco

The Fed is working with the charity Crimestoppers to encourage members to report illegal tobacco anonymously. Like the Fed, Crimestoppers is trying to raise awareness of the link between illicit tobacco and organised crime.

To report illegal tobacco sales – as well as illicit activity linked to importing, storage or other supply – contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the reporting form on its website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org

You should still contact the Police on 999 in an emergency, or 101 if you need to discuss a non-urgent matter with the Police.

Crimestoppers has emphasised that funds from illegal tobacco are often linked to drug dealing, people trafficking, money laundering and the smuggling of weapons.

The Fed has been vocal in recent months by calling on the government to do more to tackle illicit tobacco by introducing stricter and longer closure orders, better resourcing for trading standards and calling for more coordination across law enforcement on this matter, which is a growing concern.

(The Fed’s National President, Hemanshu Patel, pictured)

Commenting, the Fed’s President Hemanshu Patel, said: “As the Fed has repeatedly said, this matter is a great concern for our members, as it undermines legitimate responsible trade. It is in the interests of responsible businesses and law enforcement alike that illegal behaviour is reported. I encourage Fed members to report through Crimestoppers where they can – and they can be assured it is entirely anonymous”.

The Fed backs government crackdown on dodgy shops

(The Fed’s National President, Hemanshu Patel, pictured above) 

The Fed has welcomed the continued commitment of the government to crack down on rogue traders, whilst continuing its call to back responsible retailers.

The Fed has said it will monitor plans to reform planning rules around businesses selling vapes, emphasising the need for regulations to be focused on those who deal in illicit goods.

In June, the Fed welcomed proposals to extend closure orders for premises linked to criminal activity. This followed months of lobbying on behalf of its members.

The Government has also now confirmed a string of planning controls that would mean new shops who sell vapes would need planning permission. It has also said it is seeking to extend the definition of a vape shop to any business that sells vapes or electronic cigarettes, even if it describes itself as a convenience retailer.

The Fed’s National President Hemanshu Patel said: “We are monitoring the announcement on planning carefully, as this is often a complex area of policy making.

“We welcome the recognition that rogue businesses and the illicit trade are not simply a nuisance – they can undermine legitimate businesses and damage the high streets and communities that independent retailers work so hard to support.

“This is an issue the Fed has been pushing for consistently. We have been making the case to government and enforcement agencies that councils and trading standards need the resources and powers to act against businesses that repeatedly break the rules.

“Those businesses that have been caught breaking the law should be closed down swiftly and permanently, so there is a real deterrent for doing this.”

Former President, Jason Birks, meets Grahame Morris MP in Co Durham

(Left to right: Jason Birks; Kayleigh Shaw and Grahame Morris MP). 

The former National President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) Jason Birks, met with Grahame Morris MP in Horden in County Durham on Friday 7 August where they discussed the impact of rogue trade on responsible retailers, as well as rising inflation in energy bills, both locally and across the UK.

Mr Morris has served as Labour MP for Easington in the Northeast of England since 2005 and had previously met with Mr Birks in Parliament when he has represented the Fed in previous lobbying work for small shops. Mr Birks has decades of experience as a retailer and having served as the Fed’s National President between 2022-2023, as well as a current member of the Fed’s National Executive Committee. Also attending the meeting was Kayleigh Shaw, who is the Fed’s Member Development Executive and helps the Fed’s work supporting retailers across the region.

Mr Birks spoke to Mr Morris about the rising challenge of rogue trade in illegal tobacco on the High Street and the Fed’s continued calls to ensure that national and local government do more to help ensure local authority trading standards have the resources they need to face up to this challenge. Fed lobbying on this issue has included a meeting with the Home Office last year, recent correspondence to new members of Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s government, and support for new measures the government is considering to introduce tougher closure orders on rogue traders.

Mr Birks also passed on feedback about rising shop theft, which remains a challenge for his business and those across the UK.

(Jason Birks and Grahame Morris MP at Mosci’s Convenience Store in Horden). 

In addition, Mr Birks spoke of concern about high energy costs for small independent retailers, pointing out the energy intensive nature of businesses like his – typical of Fed members – which is reliant on refrigeration of perishable goods, which must be powered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mr Birks said that he had particular concern as he was about to enter into a new energy contract, and there was nervousness amongst members throughout the country, with energy price volatility following wars in Iran and Ukraine.

Mr Birks commented: “It was a very positive meeting and I was able to explain my work as former National President and current national Executive Committee member, show Grahame the shop, talk about the way the Fed is shining a spotlight on the problem of theft as well as rogue trade on the high street, along with concerns about rising energy bills. Grahame is welcome to visit the shop at any time and I look forward to working with him and Fed colleagues on the issues we discussed, once Parliament reconvenes in the Autumn.”

Mr Morris added: “I would like to thank Jason and Kayleigh for their warm welcome and for sharing their valuable insights into the challenges facing independent retailers, both here in County Durham and across the UK. Small shops are at the heart of our communities, providing local jobs, essential services and helping to sustain our high streets.

“It is clear that issues such as retail crime, the growth of the illicit tobacco trade and rising energy costs are placing increasing pressure on responsible businesses. Independent retailers should not be left to tackle these challenges alone.

“I look forward to working with the Federation of Independent Retailers and parliamentary colleagues after the summer recess to ensure these concerns are raised with ministers and that independent retailers receive the support they need to continue serving our communities and local economies.”

The Fed Meets Robbie Moore MP in Yorkshire

(Left to right: Doug Oliver; Robbie Moore MP; shop owners Kishor and Hema Patel, at Riddlesden Convenience Store in West Yorkshire)

The Fed met with Robbie Moore MP at the business of Kishor and Hema Patel, Riddlesden Convenience Store, in the MP’s Keighley and Ilkley constituency on Wednesday, July 29, where they discussed some of the challenges facing small businesses, including rogue trade in tobacco as well as high energy and tax costs including the threat of rising business rate bills.

Mr Patel explained that he and his wife had operated the shop for the past 23 years and that he had experienced a growing number of challenges as a retailer. Also attending the meeting was Doug Oliver, the Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator who spoke about the national context facing similar small businesses around Britain.

Mr Patel, who also serves as Vice President of the Fed’s Yorkshire District, focused on particular growing concern about trade lost to black market tobacco and also alcohol across West Yorkshire and the rest of northern England and the need for proper resourcing for trading standards and greater strategic collaboration between them, the police and other branches of law enforcement. He said that this was a particular concern as there was a range of regulatory reforms planned as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, which completed its passage of Parliament in April. The Fed team also discussed concerns about smuggled alcohol, following the end of the Alcohol Duty Stamp Scheme in May 2025, which meant stronger alcoholic items above 30% ABV were no longer physically stamped for duty.

Mr Patel also touched on his concern about the spectre of higher National Insurance Contributions which made it more expensive for him to consider employing new staff, as well as concern about rising business rate bills and the fact the current business rate regime disincentivised further investment in his business because it would raise the rateable value of his business, making it more likely he would lose his small business rates relief and be in scope to pay rate bills. Mr Oliver said that the Fed had engaged with the new Labour Government led by Andy Burnham MP and was looking for more information about its pledge to reform business rate ahead of the budget later in the year and this was a growing concern for Fed members.

(Left to right: Doug Oliver; Robbie Moore MP and Kishor Patel)

Mr Patel and Mr Oliver also spoke about the work the Fed was doing to help members prepare for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for recycling bottles and cans when it goes live in October next year and trying to ensure it is cost-neutral for retailers. Mr Patel spoke about various options he might consider for introducing a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) for the shop or possibly seeking an exemption and not participating in DRS, depending on overall costs.

Commenting, Mr Moore said: “It was a pleasure to meet Kishor and Hema, alongside Doug from the Federation of Independent Retail Businesses, to discuss the current challenges facing their business. Riddlesden Convenience Store is one of many local independent retailers facing pressure from increased taxes, higher energy costs and competition from illegal tobacco trade and alcohol products being sold elsewhere.”

Mr and Mrs Patel said: “It was a very useful discussion and we would like to thank Robbie for this time and interest. Sadly business has become increasingly tough, but we know how important it its that the voice of retailers is clearly heard in Parliament through our MP.”

The Fed meets with new Head of Scottish Retail Crime Taskforce

(DCI Jordan Low (left), head of the Scottish Retail Crime Taskforce meets with senior Fed officials from Scotland)

Senior Fed members in Scotland met with the new head of the Scottish Retail Crime Taskforce, Detective Chief Inspector Jordan Low,  on Thursday, July 30, where they discussed growing concerns about verbal and online harassment and abuse of retailers, as well as theft across Scotland.

The Fed was represented by its Scottish President Uthay Soundararajan, a shop owner based in Leith; Nathalie Fullerton, its National Deputy Vice President, and a retailer based in Partick in Glasgow; as well as its former National President, Mo Razzaq, a retailer based in Blantyre, North Lanarkshire. Also on the call was the Fed’s Political Engagement Coordinator, Douglas Oliver.

The Fed was active in lobbying for the new Task Force’s creation ahead of its establishment a year ago, and was also successful in calls for it to be renewed this year with an additional £3m in public funding and has already urged members to engage with the new body.

The meeting particularly focused on the growing incidents of racism – both in person and on social media – which was creating a threatening environment for retailers from ethnic minority backgrounds. Ms Fullerton stated: “Members have noticed an increase in verbal and online racist abuse in Scotland this summer – particularly following the riots in Southampton in early June.” Mr Razzaq also highlighted the challenge and the massive emotional toll it was having for the small teams and relatively isolated individuals it represents.

DCI Low acknowledged his concern about these challenges and said that this was something he was working on already to improve reporting and awareness, though he also emphasised the need for hate crimes to be reported on the online Hate crime reporting form on the Police Scotland website or 101 so they could be investigated and also recorded properly in police data to help focus resourcing.

Mr Soundararajan also spoke about continued incidences of store theft stating that even common but relatively high value food products like bacon and other food products had been stolen from his and other members businesses, as well as higher value goods like alcohol, making it extremely hard for responsible retailers to turn over a profit necessary to keep their businesses afloat.

DCI Low acknowledged continued challenges regarding retail theft, including recent statistics showing that theft had increased in Scotland. However, as the Fed acknowledged, this was partly a reflection of previous underreporting and better reporting. That said, DCI Low said that his team was working to roll out a new direct reporting tool with a digital element which retailers could use from their mobile phones for convenience and speed. He also said he would be open to supporting the Fed’s suggestion, mentioned by Mr Razzaq, for the government to introduce a targeted retail security grant to benefit small independent shops with CCTV and other security measure.

DCI Low also spoke about accredited training that the Task Force was looking to developing to help independent retailers with their security measures, including personal safety and target hardening. In response to comments Mr Soundararajan made about the role of youths in shop theft DCI Low highlighted educational resources his team was developing through educational videos which are planned to be shown to school children across Scotland in the near future and welcomed Fed input on this, particularly regarding the need for retailers to be treated with respect and the fact that Police Scotland treated racism and harassment of shop workers as unacceptable.

Mr Soundararajan highlighted the many hundreds of retailers the Fed represents in Scotland, both providing vital advocacy as well as business links and introductions. He invited DCI Low or his team to attend the forthcoming Scottish District Trade show which will take place in Edinburgh on 10^ਥ November, as well as other events for members across Scotland. DCI Low said the Task Force would be pleased to participate in the events and also invited Fed retailers to join the Task Force’s Retail Forums where the issues raised in the Fed meeting could be discussed further.