DRS UNCERTAINTY IS BAD FOR BUSINESS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

In five months’ time, the deposit return scheme is set to launch in Scotland. Or is it?

Of late, this scheme has been beset by twists and turns.

Minister Lorna Slater insists DRS will go ahead as planned on 16 August as delaying this further will be a “kick in the teeth” for businesses.

However, Scottish Conservatives are calling for an independent inquiry into the

VIEW FROM THE COUNTER with Dipak and Jayshree Shah

papers adverts.

These adverts even provide a telephone number, which is imperative for the demographic who orders a paper.

If HND is going to be a big part of your business in the coming years and you’re not on PaperRound or signed up to The Mail subscription platform, I would urge you to seriously consider it – it’s a no-brainer.

So, thanks are due to the Mail’s head of circulation, Shaun Jones, and its senior national account manager, Andy Law, who are always open to conversation and are keen to help those who excel in HND.

We normally stock all the new products when they come through, but launches seem to have slowed down quite a lot. We’re not sure if it’s because of the cost-of-living squeeze, but it does seem to be having affect in a lot of categories. We normally get a couple of takers on new partworks, but the recent ones haven’t had any traction. People are looking at the costs – especially at £10.99 per part now on many issues – and thinking twice before they take the plunge on a new series.

On newspapers as well, price rises are certainly more linked than usual, with cancellations or reducing the number of days they take a paper.

We have a Wilko close by, so the announcement it had stopped offering lottery tickets was certainly a bit of good news for us. We understand Allwyn is taking over Camelot, and we’re hoping we’ll get a few more visits from reps as a result of the changeover.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK

Price-marked packs (PMPs) are a big part of our store – 50% of our lines are price-marked because the value message is really important. The £1 PMP has gone on confectionery and crisps, and we’re seeing some jump from there to £1.59. As the prices move, we’re seeing customer demand move with it, with those holding the lowest prices picking up greater sales.

Yes scheme, claiming key questions have never been answered, while all three candidates to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader have said they will delay the scheme or overhaul it.

Many retailers in Scotland have already invested in changes to the layout and fittings in their shops to accommodate the bottles and cans to be returned.

Others have taken the plunge and invested in leased reverse vend- ing machines to handle the empties. Amid soaring costs and the cost-ofliving crisis, this is more than likely to be with money they can ill-afford.

Not surprisingly, they are angry and frustrated that this troubled scheme could be delayed again. And the Fed is, too.

That’s why we are repeating calls for the Scottish government to think carefully before potentially kicking DRS into the long grass.

If there is another delay, we have told the government that retailers who have lost out financially should be compensated. The last thing that anyone needs is yet more uncertainty.

Unlike others, the Fed has always been supportive of the introduction of DRS as our members want to see more high-quality recycled plastic, metal and glass around, and fewer drinks bottles and cans being discarded as litter on our beaches and streets.

33% No 67%