1. Associates & Employees

Retail job losses highlight flawed thinking on business rates relief, says trade body

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British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has called on the chancellor to urgently reconsider business rates relief following new figures showing sharp job losses in the retail sector. Official data from HMRC reveals that employment in wholesale and retail fell by 1.7% in December 2025, with…

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Established in 2007, TalkingRetail.com brings you the latest news, analysis and information across the UK convenience and independent grocery retail sectors. Sister publication Independent Retail News is a monthly magazine for owners of independent convenience stores. Originally launched as Independent Grocer in 1981, the magazine changed its name to Independent Retail News in 1995. It provides must-have information that helps in the day-to-day running of stores and keeps readers up-to-date with the latest news and product information. The publications are brought to you by Metropolis Business Media, which also runs a number of leading annual awards events including The Retail Industry Awards, The Quality Food Awards and The Quality Drinks Awards. These prestigious ceremonies recognize the top performers across both the independent and multiple sectors, and are judged by a highly respected and influential group of independent top industry judges. https://www.talkingretail.com/
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  1. Corporate Strategy

Tout’s extends deal with Co-op Wholesale

Award-winning forecourt operator Tout’s Group has renewed its supply deal with Co-op Wholesale (formerly Nisa), building on its existing five-year partnership. The group runs three stores and petrol stations in the Bristol area and is planning to open further convenience-led forecourt sites. Tout’s chief executive… This story continues at Tout’s extends deal with Co-op Wholesale […]
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  1. International

Met Police and retailers agree action plan to tackle retail crime in London

Senior leaders from the Metropolitan Police, Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, and some of the largest UK retailers have agreed an action plan to help tackle retail crime in the capital. The recent roundtable, which took place at New Scotland Yard, included the assistant… This story continues at Met Police and retailers agree action […]
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Cadbury Creme Egg’s ‘How Do You Display Yours?’ competition returns

Cadbury Creme Egg’s ‘How Do You Display Yours?’ retailer competition is returning for Easter 2026, exclusive to independent convenience retail. The competition invites retailers to dip into their imaginations and share their most innovative and eye-catching Cadbury Creme Egg displays for the chance to win… This story continues at Cadbury Creme Egg’s ‘How Do You […]
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  1. Shopper & Customer

UK shoppers forecast to hit £18bn spending for Mother’s Day

Retail spending for Mother’s Day is forecast to reach £18bn in 2026 (representing 15% growth year-on-year) according to the latest insights from retail and shopper marketing agency, Savvy. Carried out across a representative sample of 1,000 UK shoppers, the findings indicate that growth reflects both the scale of… This story continues at UK shoppers forecast to hit £18bn […]
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  1. Merchandising

Cheestrings kicks off the summer of sport with football-themed packs 

Strings & Things’ Cheestrings is tapping into this year’s summer of sport with the launch of limited-edition football-themed packaging on the four and eight packs. Each individual Cheestrings wrapper also features a different football quiz question, joke or challenge, helping to engage younger consumers with… This story continues at Cheestrings kicks off the summer of […]
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  1. Stores & Formats

What next for Spar retailers | Big story: Appleby Westward

AF Blakemore’s £7m takeover of Appleby Westward, Spar’s wholesaler in the south-west of England, is a major move for the symbol group’s independent convenience stores. But how warm a welcome are retailers giving the new supplier? Some are certainly firmly supportive and looking forward to… This story continues at What next for Spar retailers | […]
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  1. Operations & Supply Chain

VPZ urges MPs to prioritise Tobacco and Vapes Bill as Parliament returns

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  1. Merchandising

Bear unveils new look and more sustainable packaging

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  1. Trends & External Forces

Operation Etone cracks down on ‘dodgy shops’ in Warwickshire

Warwickshire County Council and its partners have carried out the largest co-ordinated operation of its kind in the county to tackle the illegal trade of tobacco and vapes. The operation has removed harmful products from local communities and disrupted organised criminal activity. Operation Etone took place over… This story continues at Operation Etone cracks down on ‘dodgy […]
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Plant power | In focus: Speciality diets

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  1. Department: Adult Beverage

Trivento launches Weber BBQ promotion

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KP re-teams with Luke Littler to give shoppers and retailers chance to win £20,000

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  1. Department: Adult Beverage

Casillero del Diablo launches Jammy Red Devil

Casillero del Diablo has announced the launch of a new wine, Jammy Red Devil, that brings its Casillero del Diablo quality to the sweeter red wine style. The ‘jammy’ red blend category of sweeter styled reds has grown, from almost a standing start a few… This story continues at Casillero del Diablo launches Jammy Red […]
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  1. International

Parfetts reports growth surge as it prepares to leave Unitas

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  1. Trends & External Forces

Leicester East MP vows to back independent retailers

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  1. Trends & External Forces

Pubs get relief, ‘independent shops are flushed down the u-bend’ | Viewpoint: Andrew Goodacre

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  1. International

UK first as Sussex Police fit prolific shoplifters with tags

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  1. Owned Brands (Private Label)

Highland Group renews supply deal with Co-op Wholesale

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  1. Media & Marketing

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  1. Trends & External Forces

Council provides two-way radios to help stores tackle shoplifting

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