NEWS
August/September 2025
housewareslive.net
Product Care Group partners with Backup North West to omeless young peo
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support homeless young people p
roduct Care Group has announced a new partnership
with Backup North West, the Bolton- based charity that helps prevent youth homelessness he collaboration follows 18 months of relationship building between the two organisations and is aimed at providing long-term support to young people at risk of becoming homeless.
Backup North West said the partnership is built on “time, trust
and shared purpose,” with a focus on transforming lives rather than short-term transactions. Through the initiative, Product Care Group and Backup North
West will work together on events and activities designed to raise awareness and funding to help create brighter futures for vulnerable young people. Backup North West commented: “This partnership is about trust.
We value and respect every organisation that chooses to support us, and we’re delighted to be working with Product Care Group. Together, we’ll be helping to stop young people from becoming homeless.” Further details of events and fundraising activities will be announced in the coming months.
Bira condemns Governments inaction over import loophole B
ira (the British Independent Retail Association) has condemned the Government’s inaction over the “de minimis” import loophole following a Sky News
investigation revealing £5.9 billion worth of cheap imports entered Britain last year without paying customs duties. The investigation found that companies like Shein and Temu
have capitalised on the legal clause, which excludes packages worth less than £135 from paying tariffs, representing a 53% increase from the previous year. but do not surprise the independent retail sector as we have been raising concerns for years. This is basically £5.9 billion taken much higher if nothing is done. “As well as a missed duty opportunity, these imports are often
evading many millions of VAT liabilities. Aside from the loss of safety of the products coming into the country. Many of them do not comply with our standards and are downright dangerous.
“We also do not accept the impact on poorer families because the UK high street offers fantastic value to all shoppers, and the products are safe. “We have seen the USA remove this loophole. The EU is also planning to close it. After an announcement to review in April by the Chancellor, we are frustrated at the lack of action on this, especially from a government seemingly short of money.”
Amy’s Housewares closes Palmer’s Green store citing rising costs
higher insurance premiums, and the recent National Minimum Wage rise, which Clark says he “fully supports”, added £80,000 a year in extra costs across the company’s shops. “That extra cost pushed Palmers Green from contributing to the business to making a
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from somewhere. The loss of the store has been deeply felt locally. It has built a loyal customer base and a warm, friendly atmosphere. “Once people found out, I received more emails than ever before,” Mr Clark recalled. “Some weren’t friendly, but many were heartfelt pleas asking us not to close. We had customers in tears. Dogs would come in for treats. Independent stores are just part of the community.” The retailer operates locations in Swiss Cottage and East Finchley, and had started the year hoping to open two more locations but has since had to put those plans on hold.
my’s Housewares has closed its Palmers Green store, citing rising costs and a Managing Director Michael Clark said a combination of increased business rates,
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