Did you know… The Department of Health is not expected to publish details about its consultation with the retail trade over changes to tobacco registration policy until after Q1 of next year? The Convenience Stores & Newsagents Association wrote to the Department seeking clarification on the consultation, which commenced in December 2014. It said that the "response from the Department is that the entire process has been delayed due to prioritising the transposition of the European Directive on Tobacco Products. There is no likelihood, we have been informed by the Department, that this Consultation will be addressed in the first quarter of 2016."
Did you know...Clayton Moore of M&W Meats in Portadown, Co. Armagh, has been awarded the title of Butcher of the Year 2015 at the first Butchery Excellence Scheme Awards in Northern Ireland? M&W Meats also took the award for Butcher Shop of the Year at a special event in the Armagh City Hotel at the end of last month.
Did you know… Reports at the weekend suggest that a powerful pan-European drinks body is ‘prepared to support legal action’ against Ireland, should minimum alcohol laws come into force here, the Sunday Independent has reported? The paper noted that the government appears gung-ho about introducing the measures, despite concerns over its impact on free trade rules.
Did you know... Argos has come under criticism in the UK as ‘Black Friday’ shoppers reported delivery delays, cancellations and long waits to contact customer service as the retailer struggled to deal with a surge in sales? The Guardian reported that Argos apologised to its customers through its Facebook page, and said that it hired extra staff over the weekend to help deal with the delays.
Did you know... A new survey conducted by online parenting community eumom has revealed that 90% of Irish mums will use their smartphone to shop this Christmas? It also found that 58% of mums are mobile shopping at least every month, with 20% using their smartphones to shop weekly. Smartphones are also being used by 70% to check store locations, 67% to check product availability and 66% to compare prices.
Did you know... Research from the AA has revealed that only 7% of Irish consumers plan to go to Northern Ireland for their Christmas shopping this year, down from 27% in 2008? Thejournal.ie reports that there are also fewer shoppers going further afield than the North for their shopping, falling from 13% in 2008 to 10% this year.
Did you know... Parcel broker Parcel Hero reports that 49% of gifts were delayed at Customs last Christmas, with 12% of presents shipped beyond the EU failing to arrive before Christmas Day simply because they had not been properly described on the Custom’s invoice? It is urging the delivery companies to give senders more information to help prevent these delays.
Did you know...The campaign group that prevented the building of a McDonald's in Greystones, Co Wicklow plans to expand its campaign nationwide to create ‘no fry zones’ in areas close to schools? The ‘No Fry Zones for Kids’ group says it will lobby local authorities to include provisions for no fry zones in county development plans, which would mean no new fast food outlets within 400 metres of schools.
© 2015 - Checkout Magazine by Niall Swan
