Over half (56%) of Belfast residents visit the high street less often than they did 12 months ago, it has been revealed.

The findings from a Capital on Tap survey, come as the Northern Ireland Finance Minister announced plans to introduce targeted rate relief to help businesses expand and bring vacant properties back into use.

The British High Street Report by Capital on Tap shows that understanding the high street landscape of today is becoming increasingly complex, leaving those businesses considering a physical presence with a more nuanced decision.

The report’s author, Alex Miles said the team analysed 30 major UK cities using metrics including retail density, vacancy rates, business activity, footfall and local spending power, alongside which they surveyed 1000 UK consumers to understand attitudes towards high streets.

Interestingly, for SMEs wanting to open a shop and make a positive difference, 27% of respondents said there were too few independent shops, stating they would like to see more businesses in the form of clothing stores, bakeries and butchers.

When asked what they felt there were too many of, 38% said there were too many vape shops/tobacconists, while 30% said there were too many charity shops.

And while the findings also revealed that retail footfall in Belfast has fallen by 7.38% over the past year, there was still some glimmer of positivity as Belfast has shown a birth-to-death ratio of 1.18, indicating more retail businesses are opening than closing.

As he unveiled his plans to support businesses in Northern Ireland, the Finance Minister said he recognised the vital contribution made by SMEs to the economy as well as the challenges they face in sustaining growth.

“To support businesses through a fair and equitable rates system, I am announcing the next steps in my programme of rates reform and my intention to consult on the introduction of a Business Growth Accelerator and changes to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating,” said Mr O’Dowd.

The Business Growth Accelerator would give businesses a specified grace period after making improvements. During that time, they would continue to pay rates based on the property’s value before the improvements, delaying any immediate increase.

Updating the Assembly the Minister added: “The proposal to introduce a Business Growth Accelerator would see temporary targeted relief offered to businesses that are taking tangible steps to expand their operations and is designed to reduce the upfront financial pressure allowing them to recoup costs and encourage development that might not otherwise proceed.”

At present, vacant properties are liable for up to 50% of occupied rates. This consultation proposes increasing that liability on a staged basis to 75% then to 100% to encourage re-use of vacant space.

Turning to Non-Domestic Vacant Rating, the Minister said: “Alongside the Business Growth Accelerator, I want to examine how Non-Domestic Vacant Rating operates and how increases in liability levels can be best implemented. The consultation will seek views on introducing a phased approach to increases in vacant rating liability rather than a single-step change.

“I want the rating system to support development, improvement and investment. I want to see additional support directed to those businesses that provide vital employment supporting workers, families, and communities.

“The measures I have set out reflect my ambition to enable business expansion, tackle vacant properties, and help revitalise our towns, villages and high streets.”

You can view the full Capital on Tap study here: https://www.capitalontap.com/en/blog/posts/the-british-high-street-report/

The post Belfast shop vacancy rates revealed as one of highest as Minister outlines next steps in business support plan first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

In the newly created role, Nikki will take full ownership of the Scratchcards category, including commercial performance, game design strategy, brand development, and category innovation.

She will also lead retail execution across the business, working cross-functionally to support Allwyn’s growth plans in this area.

Nikki brings a strong track record of driving consumer-led innovation, commercial excellence, and brand building. She has held senior roles across organisations including L’Oréal, Henkel, Danone and Dorel, where she has led large teams, managed multi-brand portfolios, and delivered successful category transformations.

Recognised as one of Marketing Week’s Top 100 Most Effective Marketers for five consecutive years, she is known for her collaborative leadership style and ability to build high-performing teams.

Bridget Lea, Managing Director of Retail at Allwyn said: “Scratchcards are one of the most important and complex parts of The National Lottery, and a key focus within our retail strategy.

“As we continue to evolve the category, Nikki’s appointment will help turn our ambition into real growth across the portfolio, benefitting both our retail partners and Good Causes.”

Nikki Vadera added: “I’m thrilled to join the Allwyn team to lead the Scratchcards category. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about helping mature categories evolve by combining consumer understanding, commercial discipline, and innovation to unlock growth.

“This opportunity is particularly exciting as it brings together category ownership, commercial leadership, and the potential for transformation at scale. It represents an opportunity to shape the future of an iconic category, while contributing to increased returns for Good Causes.

“I’m looking forward to working with Bridget and the wider team to help build the next chapter of growth for the category and The National Lottery.”

The post Allwyn appoints Nikki Vadera as Director of Scratchcards first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Shoppers are stocking up more per trip but visiting stores less often, with volume per trip up 2.7% year on year and footfall down 10.2%. Like-for-like grocery prices rose 10.38%, up 0.78 percentage points on the same 52-week period last year.

Retailers ramped up promotional activity over the period, with 31% of products sold on deal, as shoppers made the most of the second May bank holiday and the World Cup got underway.

Branded goods continued to be the standout performer, holding a 56.4% value share and contributing an additional £107 million in value sales compared to last year. Own label ranges lost ground, with value share falling 1.5 percentage points to 41.8% compared to the same period last year. Premium ranges performed ahead of the market, growing in value by 10.2%, adding an additional £15.9 million in value sales to take home grocery sales.

Commenting on the latest figures, Eimear Faughnan, Head of Retail at Worldpanel by Numerator (Ireland) said another bank holiday in May helped shoppers lean more into summer season grocery choices.

“Summer dining occasions drove demand for marinaded poultry, adding £1.46 million in the latest 12 weeks compared to last year, with antipasti adding £1.2 million and frozen savouries almost £2 million,” said Eimear.

“Other summer staples also saw a lift, with shoppers spending an extra £573,000 on suncare and £1.18 million more on carbonated soft drinks.”

Meanwhile, Tesco grew its value share to 39.2%, maintaining its position as the leading take home grocer in Northern Ireland. It grew ahead of the market with 7.4% value growth, with larger baskets being the key driver, adding £132 million to its performance.

Sainsbury’s holds its market share at 17.3% and grew in value by 5.5%. New shoppers contributed £25.9 million to its performance.

Asda’s value share stands at 14.2%, with sales declining 9.7% compared to last year. Lidl grew its value share to 9.8%, up 8.1% in value. Larger basket sizes drove an increase of £24.7 million to overall performance.

The post Northern Ireland grocery sales grow 1.5% as shoppers stock up for summer first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

The £5 Beat The Chasers Scratchcard is now in retail. There are five top prizes of £1.5 million, and the overall odds of winning are 1 in 3.52.

The Beat The Chasers Scratchcard, licensed by ITV Studios, brings the programme’s pace and intensity to The National Lottery. There are three themed games: Cash Builder, which matches ‘answers’ for prizes. The Offer, which lets players ‘predict’ the Chaser’s offer. And Beat The Chasers, where players need to outscore the Chaser for a win.

Allwyn will support the launch through in-store and marketing activity designed to maximise visibility and drive engagement, including retail Point of Sale with a full asset takeover in July, and a Scratchcard dispenser flash and arrow in August. Beat The Chasers marks Allwyn’s second exciting licensed Scratchcard in 2026, following February’s £5 Deal or No Deal Scratchcard, which engaged players and retail.

Steve Parkinson, Marketing Director at Allwyn said: “The Beat The Chasers programme has built a huge and loyal following across the UK, making it a natural addition to our Scratchcard line-up. With our Beat The Chasers Scratchcard, we’ve created a game that captures the competitive edge and quick-fire excitement of the show in a format that’s instantly accessible to players.

“We saw fantastic engagement from both players and retailers with the launch of our Deal or No Deal Scratchcard earlier this year, and we’re confident Beat The Chasers will continue that momentum. And, as always, every time someone plays a National Lottery game, they help contribute to the £33 million raised every week for UK Good Causes.”

Steve Watling, SVP Gaming – Zoo55, ITV Studios added: “Beat The Chasers has been a hit international spin off show and demonstrates the success and popularity of the chaser mechanic. This is the first time the format has been adapted for a game, and this Allwyn scratchcard features all the main elements from the show format. We look forward to seeing this in retail.”

The post Allwyn launches the £5 Beat The Chasers National Lottery Scratchcard first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Responsible for dispensing over 99% of prescription items in the last year, community pharmacies provide a critical service to local communities across the region. Indeed, over 99% of the population live within five miles of their nearest pharmacy.

The Health and Social Care’s Business Services Organisation (BSO) has published its General Pharmaceutical Services for NI Annual Statistics 2025/26, which outlines information on prescription dispensing and payments in relation to community dispensing.

While revealing there are two fewer pharmacies than last year, the report also shows that on average, each community pharmacy dispensed over 91,000 prescription items in 2025/26, an increase of over 2% on the previous year.

Notably, in 2024/25, the most recent year with data available across all UK regions, Northern Ireland had the highest ingredient cost per person at approximately £258. This was 36% higher than England, where the equivalent cost was just over £190 in the same year.

The total number of items dispensed by all contractors increased by 2% to 46.4 million in 2025/26, compared with the previous year and is the highest annual level of dispensing recorded in Northern Ireland, 14% higher than in 2015/16. This equated to 2.3 million prescription forms per month, on average, being processed throughout the year, an increase of more than 3% on last year.

The total ingredient cost (before discount) of items dispensed over the year was £510 million – an increase of 3% on the previous year. The annual total ingredient cost fell each year between 2015/16 and 2018/19 but has since been on an upward trend and is now 16% higher than a decade ago.

In addition to the reimbursement pharmacy contractors received for products dispensed, £135 million of other payments were processed, an increase of 7% (£9m) on the previous year. These payments relate to a variety of services and professional fees, as well as additional payments for services such as advice and treatment of everyday healthcare conditions, stop smoking service and vaccinations.

The post NI loses two more community pharmacies in the last year first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.