Shoplifting is at “unacceptable” levels and not being tackled properly, a Lords inquiry has found (BBC). The crime is seriously underreported and the problem is so urgent police forces need to take “immediate action”, according to the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee.
It says retailers need to be able to report crimes more easily, more funding is needed for offender rehabilitation, and regulations should be introduced to make it more difficult to sell stolen goods online anonymously.
M&S and Sainsbury’s will this week face pressure to publicly disclose whether they expect a fresh spike in prices next year as the industry grapples with huge tax hikes imposed in last week’s budget (Sky News).
M&S, which will unveil half-year earnings on Wednesday, and Sainsbury’s, which reports interim results the following day, are collectively facing an additional bill of close to £200m as a result of changes to employers’ national insurance contributions announced by Rachel Reeves. “Food price increases from next April are inevitable,” said one.
Proposed legislation aimed at creating the “first smoke-free generation” is set to be introduced in Parliament (The Standard). The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which prevents anyone born after 1 January 2009 from legally smoking by gradually raising the age at which tobacco can be bought, will be introduced in the House of Commons on Tuesday.
The bill will introduce restrictions on vape advertising and sponsorship, as well as restricting flavours, displays and the packaging of e-cigarettes to reduce their appeal to children and young people. Disposable vapes will be banned from June 1 2025 under separate environmental legislation.
Retailers suffered a “disappointing” October after pre-Budget uncertainty coupled with rising energy bills “spooked” consumers, according to the British Retail Consortium-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor (The Independent). Food sales increased by 2.9% year on year in the three months to October, against growth of 7.9% in the same period in 2023. Non-food sales fell 0.1% amid weakness in spending on toys and baby equipment, clothing and furniture (The Guardian).
Fashion sales took the biggest hit as the mild weather delayed winter purchases, but health and beauty sales remained buoyant, boosted by beauty advent calendars “flying off the shelves”, the BRC said (The Standard).
Greggs has released its new Christmas menu for 2024, include the Festive Flatbread, Christmas Lunch Baguette and the Festive Bake (Daily Express).
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