Majority of independent retailers struggling to survive

A RECENT survey on retail crime and the illicit trade in tobacco and vapes carried out by Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) shows the vast majority of traders those who responded are finding it harder to stay afloat.

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When asked “does the combined impact of rising retail crime, employment costs, goods and services costs, energy costs and the proposed Tobacco and Vapes Bill make it harder for your business to survive?”, a staggering 96 per cent answered yes.

A further shocking statistic revealed that 66 per cent of members who replied have noticed an increase in the level of retail crime - including shop thefts, violence and abuse - in their shops since January 2025.