Footfall across Britain’s shopping destinations fell over the crucial post-Christmas trading period even as retailers slashed prices to lure customers. (The Times £)

US regulators have unveiled long-awaited restrictions on some flavoured e-cigarettes in an attempt to contain an “epidemic” of teenage vaping, while stopping short of an outright ban, in a decision criticised by public health campaigners. (The Financial Times £)

Are the UK’s rules on e-cigarettes too lax, asks The FT? Over 20 countries have banned vaping but it is seen as much safer than tobacco in the UK. (The Financial Times £)

Forget food storage boxes with leftover nut roast and bean curries, the quarter of a million Britons set to ditch animal products for Veganuary this month are unlikely to be stuck for on-the-go options (The Guardian).

Pret a Manger will next week become the first major high street coffee chain in the UK to sell vegan croissants, as consumer demand for plant-based foods continues to soar. (The Guardian)

Manufacturing output fell at its fastest pace in seven and a half years in December as the boost from Brexit stockpiling faded, according to a influential survey. (The Times £)

Beleaguered retailers face a fresh squeeze to their finances from footing the bill for swathes of returns on “Takeback Thursday” as families ditch unwanted gifts (The Telegraph). Royal Mail expects 2 January, the first working day of the year for postal workers in the UK, to be the busiest for returning unwanted Christmas gifts (The BBC).

Marks & Spencer is looking to shed its reputation for selling frumpy clothes aimed at the over-50s in 2020 by going after the booming athleisure market with a range of affordable sportswear. (The Guardain)

Brazilian meat giant JBS could reportedly exploit strong trading momentum and high pork prices by listing its US unit: JBS Foods International. However, the FT says it should not go “hog wild” yet. Pressure on big investors to blacklist companies associated with Brazilian deforestation could throw a monkey wrench into these plans. (The Financial Times £)

Despite UN hand-wringing and corporate pledges, demand for plastics grew a further 3.5% in 2019 and up to 16% in much of Asia. Latest figures suggest 359 m tonnes were produced in 2018. Nearly one-third went to single-use packaging and less than 10% was recycled. (The Guardian)

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