Juul Labs, the Altria-backed e-cigarette group, must pay $438.5m under a settlement with dozens of US attorneys-general after their two-year investigation concluded it had “cynically” advertised vaping products to underage users. The settlement with 33 states and Puerto Rico resolves one of the biggest legal threats facing Juul, in which Altria has a 35% stake. (The Financial Times £)

The UK National Lottery operator Camelot has withdrawn its latest appeal in a legal action against the handover of the lucrative lottery contract to rival Allwyn, removing a key obstacle to the change of operator - Camelot’s technology provider IGT, which was also appealing against the ruling, had not withdrawn its appeal. This means the handover remains suspended for now (The Financial Times £). Camelot decided not to proceed with the appeal after it emerged that more than £1bn for good causes could be lost over its legal action if it delayed the handover of the £6.4bn contract (The Guardian). Camelot, which started running the lottery in 1994, is still taking legal action against the Gambling Commission for giving the licence to Allwyn (The BBC).

A Czech tycoon’s hopes of taking over the National Lottery got a boost yesterday when a major legal challenge was dropped – edging him closer to a windfall of almost £600m. (The Daily Mail)

The end of the pandemic online shopping boom has meant a fall in volumes at DS Smith. (The Times £)

Supermarkets could face gaps on shelves if small businesses go bust this winter as a result of soaring costs, the UK’s leading food industry group has warned. (The Guardian)

Shares in UK pub chains and retailers soared amid reports that the new Prime Minister will soon unveil support for struggling firms and households. (The Daily Mail)

Boots has launched a new budget brand that includes toiletries such as shampoo, shower gel and toothpaste for under £1 as the deepening cost of living crisis leaves UK shoppers cutting back even on essential items. (The Guardian)

How Starbucks became an American punch bag, writes Brooke Masters in FT. “It finds itself squarely in the crosshairs of America’s culture wars and economic struggles. It has been targeted for unionisation by a resurgent labour movement, and was also sued last week by conservatives challenging its diversity and inclusion efforts.” (The Financial Times £)

The Times interviews recently departed Ocado Retail boss Mel Smith. While she will not say what she plans to do next, beyond being in “discussions with a few people”, she has been “approached about more jobs since I announced I was leaving than I have in my whole life”. (The Times £)

 

 

Topics