In recent months, the media has shone a light on an ongoing issue facing in retail - rogue traders - where it is estimated that at least £1 billion in cash is laundered  annually.
In particular, the BBC’s 12-month investigation demonstrated the level of crime linked to convenience-style shops, including the sale of illegal cigarettes and illegal vapes.
For convenience stores, tobacco and vape sales account for an incredibly valuable proportion of sales. Rogue traders selling these products illegally is having a significant impact on legitimate sales for the convenience sector and, ultimately, harming revenue.
But recently, the Home Office has announced new measures to target rogue traders.
What’s changed?
The Home Office has set out new measures to back responsible retailers, including a £30 million package to tackle criminal activity linked to high street businesses.
The initiative will support responsible retailers by targeting rogue barber shops, vapes stores, mini markets and other disreputable shops, alongside the creation of a new High Street Organised Crime Unit to coordinate action between enforcement agencies, government departments and Trading Standards.
Where will convenience stores notice an impact?
As part of the new action, £6 million in additional funding from Trading Standards will mean more ‘boots on the ground’ to find and investigate shops acting outside of the law.
Additionally, in areas deemed a ‘hotspot’, there will be an increased police presence to monitor and inspect any potential illegal activity.
With the Home Office’s new measures, we can ultimately expect the retail sector to see those operating illegally held accountable, alongside increased enforcement efforts to reduce the number of rogue traders on UK high streets.
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