Cited as an alignment of approaches across the UK with each nation progressing its own legislation, the ban was introduced to deliver “shared health and environmental benefits” while also providing clarity for businesses which had been selling single use vaping products.

However, new data has suggested that the ban has not worked as intended and has instead pushed some vapers towards illicit products or a return to smoking.

Ahead of the ban coming into effect last June, NR had spoken to a number of retailers across Northern Ireland with many stating they had spent time selling their single use stock in order to avoid commercial losses, while also introducing the new compliant vapes early in an attempt to rebuild customer bases.

Almost all of those we had spoken to had serious concerns about illicit vapes and the increase in black market sales.

Twelve months on, a survey of 6000 adults, conducted by Opinium for ELFBAR has found that one in six of those who previously used single-use vapes had relapsed to smoking or started smoking more, with the survey identifying a gradual increase in smoking prevalence: 16% of respondents say they now regularly smoke, compared with 15% in December 2025 and 14% in December 2024.

However, the survey also found that seven in 10 (72%) of daily vapers had switched to reusable vapes, with 79% buying refills each time, while 77% said reusable products helped them cut back or quit smoking.

Elsewhere, a separate survey from Haypp, found that 35% of respondents said they had purchased a disposable vape since the ban was introduced, indicating an active black market for the product.

The main sources for the purchase of illicit disposable vapes are corner shops/convenience stores (51%); car boot sales/market stalls (35%); independent vape shops (28%) and friends or family members (28%).

Additionally, the survey found that the ban has resulted in some reduced demand for vapes, with 61% of respondents saying they have reduced how much they vape and 8% said they had quite vaping altogether.

The data has highlighted a shift in consumer behaviour, with the survey showing that some vapers have replaced disposable vapes with traditional cigarettes (41%); nicotine pouches/snus (44%); refillable vapes (17%) and chewing tobacco (12%).

“By introducing a blanket ban, the government has inadvertently fuelled the black market and, most concerningly, pushed 41% of those who have reduced their vaping to cigarettes,” said Dr Marina Murphy, Senior Director of Scientific Affairs at Haypp.

“While it is positive to see 44% moving to tobacco-free alternatives such as nicotine pouches, we must acknowledge that the negative outcomes from the ban far outweigh the positive. As the government begins to implement the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the lesson from the disposable vapes ban is that blanket bans do not work.”

READ THE FULL ARTICLE INCLUDING REACTION FROM RETAILERS IN THE JUNE-JULY ISSUE HERE

The post Impact of disposable vapes ban a year later first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Retailers, particularly independent retailers have witnessed an astronomical rise in their costs in the last few years. However, the increase in wages and National Insurance contributions introduced by the Labour government in the last year have put an unprecedented strain on businesses.

Coupled with decreasing footfall on our high streets and consumers continuing to be conscious of when, where and how they spend their money, retailers are battling hard to offer an increasing range of services and offerings as well as value and top customer service.

Indeed, retailers across the region have reported staggering increases in their weekly wage costs and are struggling to find ways to mitigate these rises without inevitably having to pass these onto the consumer.

Belfast retailer, Chris O’Reilly made the very difficult decision to close his Centra Ormeau Road store earlier this year, citing the decisions of government which he said have only punished independent retailers.

“Before the hikes kicked in, our National Insurance bill was £1250 per week. You amplify that to where it is now, pro rata, and our National Insurance bill is £2950 per week,” said Chris.

“This is something that is going to continue to bite – every time the wages go up, it puts up our National Insurance contribution because it’s a percentage metric. This will continue to grow every year, and I do not think that is necessarily something that everyone recognises.”

Accepting that every business has “spinning plates”, Chris said it was hard not to step back and “wonder where it’s all going”.

“Where we were on the Ormeau Road in Zone A, our rates were £350 per sq ft and we were told this was because the shop had windows and high footfall,” said Chris.

“However, I know larger retailers are paying £200 per sq ft and others in the city are paying less. I know there are multiple nuances inside the rating system, but why are they not looking at what the larger retailers are paying? Why are we squeezing small independent retailers?

“Our business has to find £150,000 extra for wages. It really is preventing the appetite of an investor,” added Chris.

“The strategy is not aligned and we are not on a growth strategy, no matter what the government is saying. We are getting levered at every wheel and turn. The retail dereliction in Northern Ireland is off the scale, the percentages are astronomical.”

Recently elected to be non-executive director of the National Federation of SubPostmasters (NFSP), Chris is a passionate advocate for the Post Office service here and as the majority of Post Offices are now based in a retail setting, there are also added pressures on retailers within this setting.

Earlier this year, a 10-point plan to revitalise the Post Office network here was published, calling for practical and tangible support for postmasters here. At a launch event at Stormont, Jim McCafferty of the NFSP revealed that SubPostmasters are being paid less now than they were in 2012.

He added that government has continually removed services which has led to a decade of decline, rendering many Post Offices unviable.

Chris also outlined to those present that a government green paper has already recognised there is a role for the Post Office and called on Northern Ireland’s MLAs to help revitalise that network here.

The Stormont event was hosted by MLAs Diane Forsythe and Matthew O’Toole. A drop-in centre was also hosted at a later date in Stormont which saw about 13 to 14 MLAs drop in, including Paula Bradshaw who described the session as a “useful opportunity to hear directly from Post Office representatives”.

In a social media post, Ms Bradshaw said it was “important that any changes to the network are carefully managed and that the needs of local communities remain at the forefront of decision-making”.

Chris said that MLA Justin McNulty had also reached out and hosted a meeting with him and the CEO of NFSP, with Chris welcoming Mr McNulty’s interest in the issues that were brought to the table.

“He listened keenly to what we had to say and saw the viability in some of the things we were asking for, such as rates exemption for the spaces Post Offices take up in a shared retail space,” said Chris.

“We also discussed the issue with the NI consumer and NI Postmasters being disadvantaged with no DPD courier services and the issues with Evri coverage in NI. We had asked if it was possibly for the Executive or someone from Stormont to contact these suppliers in the hope that political pressure could provide a solution.

“Unfortunately, his message was rather bleak in that regard but ultimately, it was good exposure for us to get to meet an MLA, present him with the document and articulate some of the concerns we, as postmasters, have in NI.”

Chris added that the NFSP and SubPostmasters want to continue the conversation and highlight the issues they are facing.

“The one area that is very much in place is the ask for the rates to be renewed, as that exercise is being conducted again.

“The rating situation has changed in GB and we are addressing the Finance Minister and telling him that we would like to be given a bit more grace and recognition for the social and economic benefits that we bring to the high street.

“We are also wanting to increase our services and increase footfall. For our customers, the biggest challenge here is that in Northern Ireland you have to have a paper copy of your insurance certificate in order to tax your vehicle. During covid it was okay for it to be digital, but then it returned to having to be a paper copy, but we were not given any reason why this is the case other than the DfI Minister has to sign it off.

“We are in a digital age and you can see the customer’s certificate on their phone, but we aren’t allowed to accept that. I cannot tell you the amount of times we have people coming in and giving off to us about this, it’s unbelievable. That is one small barrier to improving the customer’s journey and experience at the Post Office.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS O’REILLY IN THE JUNE-JULY ISSUE HERE

The post Why are small independent retailers being squeezed? first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

In 2024, there was an estimated 520,000 people across Northern Ireland, including 130,000 children who were living in food-insecure households, an increase from 370,000 in 2022.

Today, one in five Northern Irish households (21%) are experiencing food insecurity, an increase of five percentage points in just two years. Crucially, six in 10 people who faced food insecurity last year did not turn to any form of charitable food support at all – a reminder that food bank statistics capture only a part of a much wider and often hidden crisis.

Carla Smyth, Trussell NI Network Lead has spent many years working to tackle inequality and support people facing hardship. As she took up the role earlier this year, her focus has partly centred on the importance of creating systems that genuinely support people to thrive.

“While inflation has eased slightly over the past two years, this has not translated into a reduction in the need for charitable food support,” said Carla.

“Families across Northern Ireland continue to struggle with the combined pressures of high food prices, housing costs and the cost of everyday essentials.

“The number of food parcels distributed by the Trussell food bank community decreased slightly in 2025, largely due to easing inflation which reflected a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs.”

Carla said it was not simply a case of inflation alone solving the scale of severe hardship.

“We’re now seeing the high cost of living being baked in, with many people still unable to keep up with the cost of essentials and pushed to the brink,” added Carla.

“At the same time, levels of need continue to outpace donations. Many food banks say they are at breaking points and are having to purchase significant amounts of food just to keep shelves stocked.”

Anti-poverty charity, Trussell is a community of food banks working towards a future where no-one needs a food bank to survive. Alongside providing emergency food, its food bank community supports people with practical help and advice when they are left without enough money for the essentials.

The first Trussell food bank opened in Northern Ireland in 2011, 15 years on the network has grown significantly. In 2026, there are 22 Trussell food banks operating across almost 50 locations, working alongside many independent food banks.

As Carla outlined, hunger in Northern Ireland, as elsewhere, is not a food problem but an income one.

“Last year, food banks in the Trussell community across Northern Ireland provided 68,000 emergency food parcels. While this marked a decrease on the previous year, demand remains far higher than before the pandemic, with distribution in 2025 still 60% higher than in 2019,” said Carla.

“This isn’t right. No-one should have to turn to a food bank to get by.”

Carla said their relationship with retailers here is critical, stressing they play a vital role in the charity’s work across the region, while retailers – particularly independents – have a unique role as anchors within their local communities.

“The support we receive – whether through hosting in-store food collection points, allowing store collections, donating surplus stock, or encouraging staff volunteering – makes a really big difference to our food banks,” said Carla.

“Last year, 58% of all food bank stock came from public donations via supermarkets, underlining just how central retailers are to our ability to support people facing hardship.

“Despite this generosity, 2025 saw a significant drop in food donations. As a result, many food banks have been forced to purchase more stock, using already stretched and limited funds to ensure everyone who needs a food parcel receives ones. This highlights why strengthening and expanding relationships with retailers remains so important. We are always keen to work with retailers who feel able to support their local food bank in any way, big or small.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH CARLA SMYTH IN THE MAY ISSUE HERE

The post Retailers central to our ability to support people facing hardship first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Drawing inspiration from both kinship and its island identity, Kinisla is the new corporate identity for the former Kerry Dairy Ireland. Marking a significant new chapter for the company, the new name reflects its deep connection to its people, farming heritage and Irish roots while also signalling a bold, outward-looking future.

The rebrand follows a landmark year for the business, after Kerry Co-Operative Creameries acquired a 70% shareholding in Kerry Dairy Ireland in 2025, marking the beginning of its transition towards a fully farmer-owned co-operative model by 2035 and reinforcing Kinisla’s commitment to supporting farmers and securing the future of high-quality Irish grass-fed dairy.

“This is a hugely exciting time for us, as we mark an important milestone for the business,” said Tim.

“We are proud to reveal our new corporate identity which reflects our heritage and our bold ambitions for the future. Our new name signals our commitment to putting people back at the heart of the business: the dairy farmers who supply our grass-fed milk and the consumers who buy our brands.

“Powered by people and shaped by the land, at Kinisla we are laser-focused on creating and supplying high-quality products that deliver on what consumers really want. This investment will turbocharge our innovation pipeline, strengthen our supply chain and support our ambition to reimagine dairy and inspire what’s next for the category.”

As Tim explained to NR, it was important to involve employees and stakeholders in contributing to the new identity.

“We have taken our time to do this and we have launched with a name that everyone within the business and hopefully our stakeholders and customers all identify with,” added Tim.

“Our new name comes at a time when we are returning to majority ownership bringing us closer to our incredibly important farmer co-operative base.

“The business is performing well and we are moving forward in a position of strength and the new identity celebrates that. It speaks to the two aspects of our business – the kin or our people and the land – the beautiful island that fuels our dairy. Leaning into our rich heritage and our bold plans for future growth.”

With the roots of the company spanning five decades and employing 270 people in Northern Ireland, Kinisla is well known for its market-leading brands including: Golden Cow and Coleraine as well as Strings and Things’ Cheestrings. The company’s core brands, which are well known and trusted by consumers, are also a reflection of the passion to drive innovation that meets ever-changing consumer demand.

“It is very important for us to have a strong relationship with local farmers and suppliers. It’s fundamental to our business and supply chain as it allows us to focus on elevating diary and creating higher value products that consumers want. Our burgeoning snacking business and nutritional ingredients division are the two main priority growth areas for us,” said Tim.

As part of its long-term growth strategy, the business is launching a €300m five-year investment plan across its Consumer Foods and Nutritional Ingredients business divisions.

The investment will fuel growth by supporting manufacturing innovation, operational scale and sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, while creating more than 100 new roles across central functions, innovation and commercial operations over the next 12 to 24 months.

“We have announced the investment programme allowing for us to invest for the future. I have outlined the two growth areas, but particularly relevant for Northern Ireland is consumer foods and continuing to deliver innovative dairy based products,” said Tim.

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH TIM GAULT IN THE MAY ISSUE HERE

The post Connection and commitment at the core of Kinisla first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Debra Johnston is going out on a high. Her last full year as Trading Controller at Food Force Ireland saw a record pay day, with just under £2 million paid back to its members.

From the early days of the organisation to the tour de force it is today, Debra has been a critical piece of the journey for independent Nisa retailers of all sizes across Northern Ireland.

When she announced her retirement at this year’s pay day event at the start of April, Debra’s news was met with shock but was swiftly followed by a deep appreciation of what she has achieved over the last 25 years.

Having started out as a merchandiser with Musgrave Distribution Ltd after she graduated, Debra got the bug for buying while working at Wyse Byse in Newtownards as a Saturday job, curious about the journey of the products from where they came from and how they reached stores.

As a buyer with Musgrave, she toured the world, benefiting from a wealth of experience while working in conjunction with their buying team from RoI. She later moved to Henderson’s where she enjoyed what she described as the three happiest years of her buying career working with a great team. She also credits this time as instilling her interest in the art of negotiation.

So, when Food Force got in touch a few years later with an opportunity to come and lead them in a new direction, Debra jumped at the opportunity, joining in June 2001.

“I have been here since; they have been lovely people to work for,” said Debra.

“It has been the most frustrating but the most satisfying job. Our business is about people and relationships. If we do not go that extra mile to see these suppliers, they will go to someone else. I want them to think of us every single time.”

With approximately 60 members covering 90 stores, Food Force is wholly owned by its shareholders. Unique in that there is no central warehouse, their negotiations are for deliveries to be made direct to stores, with stores having their own direct accounts with the suppliers.

“My job is to represent the members, promote their profile, get the best possible pricing, put promotions together and organise and host the trade shows,” said Debra.

“The end of the year work is the pinnacle of this; it is the end of year earnings and the long-term trade agreements. We do it so the individual store can be judged on its own performance, it is not dependent on the success of all the stores together. You need to make things equal and accessible for everyone, and we have done that successfully for everyone.

“In our early years, we were paying out around £150,000 and now it’s up to almost £2 million. It reflects the calibre of the stores in our group – they are the best of the best. They’re investing in their businesses all the time and you are part of that process all the time to help them grow.

“Because they are getting direct access with suppliers, they are back to that agility that suppliers can go in and influence sales in their stores that they can’t do with wholesale.

“There is a real relationship there with the suppliers and the retailers and that is the core part of all of this. There is a triangle with the member, supplier and myself, and we are working with each other to get the best deal for each other.”

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DEBRA JOHNSTON IN THE APRIL ISSUE HERE

The post ‘It’s time’ – tour de force Debra announces retirement first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.