Survey shows tough trading conditions

A RECENT survey on retail crime and the illicit trade in tobacco and vape products carried out by Federation of Independent Retailers (the Fed) shows that the vast majority of those who responded are finding it harder to keep trading.

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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?; 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 incidents - including shop thefts, violence and abuse - in their stores since January 2025.