Consideration of Commons amendments/reasons on the bill took place in the House of Lords on 20^th April, and with both Houses having agreed on the text of the Bill, it proceeded to the final stage, receiving Royal Assent on 29^th April, when it became an Act of Parliament (law).

This now means that children born after 1^st January 2009 now face a lifelong ban from purchasing cigarettes, as the government aims to create a smoke-free generation.

Additionally, from 29^th October 2026, it will also be illegal to sell non-nicotine vapes and other nicotine products to under 18s.

NI Assembly members had previously voted in support of the region’s inclusion in the Tobacco & Vapes Bill in February last year, following a plenary debate on the Legislative Consent Motion on the Bill.

There has been some concern and criticism of the bill, with the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association stating the generational ban “lacks common sense” while also completely disregarding the unintended consequences, with the UKVIA adding that while it supports the need to tackle youth sales, it was necessary not to ignore those adult smokers who turn to vapes in a bid to stop smoking.

National President of the Fed, Hetal Patel said that concerns remain, especially around the sale of illicit tobacco and vapes.

“Whilst this Bill has developed, we have engaged closely with the Government and MPs from all parties about the potential impact of changes including the Generational Smoking Ban and licence of tobacco retailers.

“We welcome societal changes which have seen a dramatic fall in cigarette smoking over the past half a century – from about 45% in the mid-1970s, to less than a quarter of that today – but are concerned that a generational smoking ban relating to cigarettes and taxation on vapes will lead to these products being driven underground into the black market. We also worry that licencing will hit legitimate retailers with costs and red tape, unless it is properly used as a deterrent to restrict rogue traders which give our high streets a bad name.

“We are calling on the government to quickly engage more closely with retailers about how the measures in the Bill will be implemented – particularly on the Generational Ban and Licencing – and to provide extra resources for law enforcement, especially local authority trading standards teams, so more can be done to tackle illicit tobacco.”

IN THE NEXT ISSUE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD RETAILER WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE NEW LAW AND ITS IMPACTS IN MORE DETAIL – HOW WILL YOUR BUSINESS BE IMPACTED? LET US KNOW – CONTACT caroline.rainey@pentonmedia.co.uk

The post Tobacco & Vapes Bill passes into law first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Colin Ferguson, Head of Sales at White’s Oats said the company was seeking to build on the momentum of its debut at the 2025 show, which delivered new partnerships and commercial opportunities.

“White’s is seeking to demonstrate its capability and capacity as an innovative partner within the growing oat market,” said Colin.

“Our presence at the show in 2025 led to new international partnerships within the burgeoning global oat market and supported by recent investment in our new manufacturing facility in Co. Armagh.

“The team is excited to be returning to PLMA for a second year. It is an important platform for connecting with existing partners across the retail and foodservice sector and plays a key role in supporting our growth ambitions with new buyers and prospects.”

White’s returns to PLMA with strong investment headwinds and an innovative pipeline of customer-led products. Its portfolio spans traditional porridge oats, organic oats alongside high-growth formats including fibre and protein oats, real-fruit porridges and gluten-free ranges, with further development underway in steel-cut oats and muesli, aligned to evolving customer needs.

Oats are no longer seen as simply a breakfast staple used in porridge oats, reflecting the rising shift towards healthier dietary choices both in and out of the home and the strong market outlook. With the growing awareness surrounding the health benefits of oats, including fibre and protein, the oats market is forecasted to continue to grow at over 6% CAGR over the next five years to 2031.

Each product is developed in close collaboration with customers and consumers, combining deep technical expertise, consumer insights and a focus on commercial success across multiple markets. Building on strong engagement from last year’s show, White’s is now focused on deepening partnerships and converting new opportunities into long-term growth.

PLMA 2026 will also mark the first public reveal of White’s corporate rebrand, a confident step forward reflecting its focus on partnership, innovation and long-term growth, while remaining rooted in its oat heritage. The refreshed visual identity comes at a pivotal time for the business, following significant investment in increased capacity and capability to support future expansion.

“PLMA is a key platform for White’s to connect with partners across the private label and branded sectors and support our growth ambitions,” added Colin.

“With 185 years of experience in oats and oat milling, we combine heritage with technical know-how and the ability to deliver commercially relevant solutions at pace.

“Private label continues to evolve, and customers are looking for partners who understand category dynamics, respond quickly to market trends and deliver consistent quality at scale, and that is where White’s has built a strong reputation.

White’s Oats will exhibit at PLMA World of Private Label, RAI Amsterdam, hall 14.M35 from 19^th to 20^th May as part of the Invest Northern Ireland showcase. Retailers and brands are invited to meet the team to explore new opportunities across private label oat and cereal categories.

The post White’s set to bring proven oat innovation to PLMA 2026 first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

From 18^th May, the Belfast brand’s 50g impulse bars will be available as part of the meal deal across all 29 Tesco superstores in Northern Ireland.

The listing includes three core SKUs – Traditional Butter, Salted Caramel and Madagascan Vanilla.

The move marks a significant milestone for Melting Pot Fudge as it continues to grow its retail footprint and increase accessibility for shoppers in the convenience and impulse space.

Jack McAdorey, General Manager of Melting Pot Fudge said: “Securing a place in Tesco Northern Ireland’s meal deal is a major step for the brand. It gives us strong visibility in a high-footfall retail environment and creates an important opportunity to drive trial among mainstream shoppers.

“For us, this is about making Melting Pot Fudge more accessible and continuing to build our presence within grocery retail. The meal deal format is a highly competitive space, so to secure this listing is a strong endorsement of the brand and the product.”

The launch gives Melting Pot Fudge access to a key impulse purchase occasion and supports the business’s wider growth ambitions as it looks to scale distribution across the island of Ireland and beyond.

Handmade in Belfast, Melting Pot Fudge has built a strong reputation for its traditional production methods, simple ingredients and award-winning flavour range. The Tesco Northern Ireland meal deal listing represents the latest step in the brand’s commercial growth strategy, with the business focused on increasing distribution, driving awareness and bringing the brand to more consumers through mainstream retail channels.

“As we continue to grow, securing listings like this is key to getting more fudge into more hands and building long-term momentum for the brand,” added Jack.

Visit https://www.meltingpotfudge.co.uk/  for more information.

The post Melting Pot Fudge secures Tesco NI listing first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Available exclusively for the S&I channel, IRN-BRU Cherry follows the brand’s recent addition to the core IRN-BRU ZERO range, IRN-BRU Ice Cream, which added £2.9m in category value at original launch in 2023 and rejoined as a permanent addition in April^[2].

This latest flavour extension is set to strengthen the core ZERO range, encouraging retailers to bring additional excitement to the fixture with a three-strong wall of IRN-BRU ZERO variants.

Low calorie carbonates currently account for 55% of carbonates’ category value sales^[3] and are growing 23% faster than regular so it is critical for retailers to offer choice for the growing low-calorie shopper.

IRN-BRU ZERO is currently growing 71% faster than low calorie carbonates^[4] and alongside this, cherry flavoured soft drinks are set to be the consumer pick of the summer this year, currently growing at +42% YoY^[5].

Kenny Nicholson, IRN-BRU Brand Director at AG Barr said: “IRN-BRU is known for its great-tasting limited edition flavours, but cherry is a brand new innovation for us. We’re further strengthening IRN-BRU ZERO’s presence in the chiller, with another trending flavour innovation that’s rooted in consumer insight and macro trend tracking to meet retailer needs.

“Combined with the iconic taste and unmissable chiller presence of IRN-BRU, we’re confident that the new range of ZERO flavours will deliver incremental sales across the crucial summer months and beyond.”

To support the launch, IRN-BRU will be driving UK wide awareness by harnessing its highly engaged social media audience and impactful influencer partnerships.

Retailers should prominently display IRN-BRU Cherry and IRN-BRU Ice-Cream in their chiller next to core IRN-BRU ZERO and use the brand’s eye-catching POS suite to boost impulse sales and drive trial.

^[1] Circana value sales 52 w.e 27.12.25

^[2] IRI Marketplace, Value Sales, 12 wks to 52 w/e 26.8.23 vs YA, Total Marketplace

^[3] Circana Value Sales, 52 w.e 07.03.26, Total Coverage

^[4] Circana Value Sales, 12 w.e 07.03.26, Total Coverage

^[5] Cherry Blend soft drink flavours Up 42% vs 4YA iri to August 2025

The post IRN-BRU launches Cherry-flavoured variant to symbol and independent stores first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Launching in 500ml big cans, the range will be available in Original and Zero Sugar variants, combining the iconic flavour of IRN-BRU’s top secret essence with taurine, caffeine and B vitamins to deliver the taste and boost consumers expect from an energy drink.

The return comes at a time of significant momentum in the category. In Northern Ireland, soft drinks are now worth almost £498m, with Sports & Energy worth £138.5m and growing by 10.7% year on year. Sports and Energy now accounts for 27.8% of total soft drinks sales¹, underlining the importance of the category for retailers.

IRN-BRU Energy is designed to help retailers capitalise on these trends. The launch offers a clear proposition for shoppers who love the distinctive taste of IRN-BRU but want the functionality of an energy drink.

Kenny Nicholson, IRN-BRU Brand Director at AG Barr said: “Energy drinks remain one of the most dynamic parts of the soft drinks category, and retailers know just how important it is to get the range right.

“We’re bringing back IRN-BRU Energy to deliver the iconic flavour people love into the energy category, giving shoppers something genuinely different while delivering strong incremental sales for retailers.”

IRN-BRU Energy was originally launched to meet growing consumer demand for flavoured energy drinks, a segment that has grown rapidly in recent years as shoppers increasingly look for alternatives to traditional energy profiles. The range returns with the same unmistakable IRN-BRU character and a launch campaign that promises to stand out.

Available nationally, the range will give retailers the opportunity to drive incremental energy sales with a product that combines the strength of the IRN-BRU brand with the growth potential of the energy category.

_________________

^[1] Circana, Value Sales, 52 w.e. 24th January 26, Total Coverage

The post IRN-BRU returns to shelves to shake up Energy Drinks market first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.