Retail crime and crimes against businesses and staff have been an issue for the industry for decades. Indeed, so serious has it been for retailers here that a process began to protect shop workers from violence.

This new legislation, bringing a raft of changes to sentencing in Northern Ireland, was introduced to the Assembly at the end of February.

The Sentencing Bill, which has been brought forward by the Department of Justice, will deliver more stringent sentences for a range of offences and introduces a new offence and higher sentences for assaulting those providing a service to the public or performing a public duty, notably retail staff and shop workers.

The move has been welcomed by many in the sector, particularly given recent statistics on abuse of staff in the region over the last 12 months.

More than a quarter of shoppers in Northern Ireland (26%) have witnessed the verbal or physical abuse of shop staff in the past year, ranging from foul or derogatory language, racial or sexual abuse, physical assault or threats with weapons.

The shocking insight was revealed in the latest Northern Ireland Retail Consortium – Opinium survey and was markedly higher than the UK-wide figure of 21%.

There was a glimmer of positivity however, with just 12% of customers in Northern Ireland having witnessed shoplifting taking place, compared to 23% across the UK.

Meanwhile, retail trade union Usdaw published its findings from its annual survey of Northern Ireland retail staff, which found that abuse, threats and assaults remain higher than pre-covid levels in 2019.

Its survey of 180 Northern Irish retail staff found that in 2025 87% were verbally abused, 45% were threatened and 7% were assaulted. Indeed, Northern Ireland was the top region for staff enduring the highest rate of abuse.

Some staff revealed what they have endured, with one revealing that a drunk man kicked their inside thigh trying to aim for their privates, while they also had been punched, pushed and had things thrown at them. Another said they had been sexually assaulted multiple times of the years as well as enduring verbal abuse and being stalked by someone too.

The shocking statistics show that abuse and threats remain at high levels, while shoplifting has more than doubled since the pandemic.

“It is difficult to read these testimonies from Northern Ireland retail workers, but regrettably they are all too common, with nearly four in five retail workers suffering violence, threats or abuse,” said Usdaw general secretary, Joanne Thomas.

“No-one should feel afraid to go to work. Retail workers provide an essential service and should be respected and have the protection of the law.

“Violence and abuse are not an acceptable part of the job and much more neds to be done to protect retail workers,” she added.

The post Abuse of retail staff reaches ‘shocking levels’ first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

Deputy president of the UFU, Clement Lynch said many pig farmers have been put on the back foot and many still face significant uncertainty.

“At the beginning of the year, Sofina chief executive, Ash Amirahmadi, addressed stakeholders at the Riddell Hall and outlined what appeared to be a positive vision and a range of plans for the pig sector,” he said.

“However, following those assurances, many farmers were informed that their pig contracts would not be renewed. That decision came as a major blow.

“We recognise that the pig market remains challenging, but there continues to be strong demand for pigs and there is no significant backlog within the system. Farmers are therefore questioning why these decisions are being made and, more importantly, what this means for the long-term future of their businesses.”

The UFU met with Sofina Foods on 27^th February to discuss a range of issues, including the company’s strategic plans for Northern Ireland. However, despite repeated calls for a follow-up meeting with CEO, Ash Amirahmadi, the UFU has yet to receive a response.

“The UFU has held initial discussions with Sofina, but disappointingly there has been no engagement from them since those meetings took place,” added Clement Lynch.

“The lack of communication and follow-up is simply not acceptable. Farmers are already under immense pressure from rising feed and fuel costs, and they need to know what the future holds for them so they can plan accordingly.”

The post Concern grows over future of NI pig sector as farmers await clarity first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

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.

The Markethill store – which was named Butcher of the Year at the 2025 Neighbourhood Retailer Awards – has been taken over by the privately-owned family business based in Mallusk, with the transaction completing on 5^th May.

The store will become part of the Henderson Retail portfolio, with the company planning to invest £2.5 million into the store in the coming months.

Hunters of Markethill employs 128 staff members, who will remain with the business after the transfer of ownership.

Having been owned and managed by the Henderson Group from 2019, in the summer of 2022 it was announced that South Belfast retailer and family-run business, the Creighton Group had acquired the store, with the takeover happening during August that year.

A well-known and popular independent retailer, the group is headed by brother-and-sister team Niall Creighton and Gail Boyd and operates three award-winning stores – Creightons of Finaghy, Creightons of Blacks Road and Creightons of Balmoral.

With a business spanning generations, ‘Hunters’ has long established itself as a reliable retail business across the whole county, with customers travelling some miles to avail of its offers and services.

Mark McCammond, Managing Director at Henderson Retail Ltd, said the company plans to build on what is an already excellent proposition.

“Hunters of Markethill has a tremendous history and heritage of providing significant local employment, supporting local suppliers and giving fantastic value and service to local shoppers for over 100 years,” he said.

“Our plan is to further strengthen that reputation with a significant investment to revamp the store and enhance the shopper experience. We will work with local suppliers to further extend the range of products and services particularly in the area of fresh foods.

“Our commitment to growing our fresh food offering has been a major strategic goal over the last 15 years and we seek to build on the excellent proposition already on offer in the store.

“As an award-winning community retailer, we look forward to engaging with the local community and supporting local initiatives in the coming months and years.”

Niall Creighton and Gail Boyd from the Creighton Group said: “On behalf of the Creighton Group, we would like to thank all the staff, customers and the wider community of Markethill for all their support and take this opportunity to sincerely wish everyone, and Henderson Retail, every success in the future as they invest in and further modernise this wonderful store.”

The post Markethill store JD Hunter & Co acquired by Henderson Retail from Creighton Group first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.

This summer the food retailer is giving local football fans the chance to start collecting limited edition stickers of their favourite Northern Ireland football heroes like Conor Bradley, Justin Devenny and Simone Magill.

The collection includes 50 stickers featuring players and managers, alongside an accompanying album packed with quizzes, player facts and nutritional tips designed to inspire the next generation of footballers. The official album is available for £3 in M&S stores across Northern Ireland, while customers will receive a free pack of stickers for every £20 spent in store.

The launch forms part of M&S Food’s ongoing partnership with the Irish FA, alongside its counterparts in England, Scotland and Wales, which has been in place since 2022. The collaboration uses the power of football to help families make healthier choices.

The ‘Eat Well, Play Well’ campaign connects the eating habits of Northern Ireland’s footballing heroes with their performance on the pitch, promoting positive, relatable health messages for kids in a way that’s engaging, relatable and drives change.

Helping launch the limited-edition sticker collection, Northern Ireland football legend Aaron Hughes said: “There’s something timeless about Panini stickers – they’ve always been part of football culture. To now see Northern Ireland players featured like this is a brilliant moment for the game here.

MAKING POSITIVE CHOICES

“For young fans, it’s a fun way to connect with the players they look up to, but it also ties in with an important message around staying active and making positive choices. That’s what makes this campaign really meaningful.”

M&S is also encouraging the swapping of stickers with others in their area, helping to build a sense of community around the campaign.

Ryan Lemon, Regional Manager of M&S Northern Ireland, added: “We’re delighted to partner with Panini and the Irish FA to bring this exclusive sticker collection to our customers across Northern Ireland.

“Football has a unique ability to connect generations, and this campaign taps into that in a really positive way – combining the excitement of collecting with an important message around healthier lifestyles.

“Through Eat Well, Play Well, we’re creating a fund and engaging way for families to connect with local players while encouraging young people to make positive choices both on and off the pitch.”

Eat Well is M&S’s health seal of approval, found on thousands of products to help make healthier choices easier. Every product featuring the Eat Well flower offers a health benefit and supports a balanced diet.

For more information on the M&S Food ‘Eat Well, Play Well’ campaign visit www.marksandspencer.com/football

The post M&S and Panini launch exclusive Northern Ireland football sticker collection first appeared on Neighbourhood Retailer.