Many independent retailers are still not passing on to the authorities information about illicit sales of tobacco or alcohol, despite a growing awareness of what is happening in their area.
That is one of the key findings of the annual Bootlegging Survey, published in this issue of Independent Retail News.
The poll found only 11% of retailers had passed on information to the authorities about illegal sales of cigarettes, tobacco or booze – the same percentage as during the previous 12 months. An almost equal number (9%) had known information but not passed it on, up from 5% in 2010.
More than a quarter (26%) of store owners were now aware of locations in their area where illegal tobacco sales were taking place. This compares with just 14% of store owners in 2010.
They were also more clued-up as to where the illicit activity is happening. More than half (54%) knew of illegal products being sold in pubs and clubs, up from just 20% in the previous survey. Nearly one-third (29%) thought other retailers were involved, up from just 3% one year earlier. More than a quarter (26%) knew of illicit goods being sold from people’s houses, an increase from 14% in 2010.
When asked why they had not passed on the information, the most common reason given was a feeling that “nobody would do anything about it”, cited by 46% of respondents. One-third “didn’t want to get involved”, while just over one-fifth were afraid of retaliation.
Of those who did report illegal activity, 83% said either than nothing had happened as a result or they had not received any feedback from the authorities.
Jeremy Blackburn, head of communications at tobacco manufacturer JTI UK, said: “Retailers should realise this is about lost business, lost customers. There are things they could be doing to protect their business. There are services retailers can use to pass on intelligence and it’s really important they don’t let this slip under the radar.”
With the authorities’ budgets increasingly stretched, it was more important than ever that store owners reported any illegal activity, he added. “And from the reports we get from the authorities, my understanding is they do act on that intelligence. The communication lines are open and retailers should use them.”
