EXPERT OPINION


At the


sharp end of knife sales


Following reports that a surprising number of retailers, including major high street brands, were caught out selling knives to underage customers, we look at what is being done in the industry to support traders and Martin Coles-Evans from housewares business, Hargreaves & Son Limited in Buxton shares his top tips as a retailer selling knives


A styles premium


ccording to a recent report, as many as six in 10 retailers in some UK areas were found to be


breaking the law and selling knives to children as young as 14, whilst Tesco, Amazon and Argos were also caught out by a BBC Watchdog. With age-related sales back on the agenda, organisations within the industry are working to tackle the issue. The British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA) chaired a consultative retailer and supplier workshop on knife retailing on May 15, attended by top retail and supplier brands. The workshop was BHETA’s opening move in its responsible knife retailing campaign, a proactive initiative agreed with members following an initial consultation on March 25.


Retailers representative of all of


kitchen selling, from and mass market,


to discounter - including independents, department stores and supermarkets - attended the workshop. Retail brands, such as John Lewis, Sainsbury’s, Asda,


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Dunelm, Steamer Trading, T K Maxx, Elys of Wimbledon and Harts of Stur joined the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA), BHETA and leading knife suppliers, Taylor’s Eye Witness, Amefa, Fiskars, Meyer, Haus, Burton McCall, Kuhn Rikon and Robert Welch.


The agenda covered all supplier


and retailer aspects of the issue, including product design, packaging and merchandising, point of sale and checkout procedure,


consumer and political lobbying.


Commenting on the workshop event, Will Jones said: “BHETA’s initial action after the March 25 supplier meeting was to write to all major retailers to ask for their input and engagement in support of best practice on this serious and complex issue. It is excellent that we received such commitment from so many leading retailers.


The


level of debate, positive feedback and consensus on collaborative supplier/retailer


action was


heartening and exciting. As a result, BHETA will be able to announce the first actions in the responsible retailing campaign within weeks.”


education Andrew Weiss added: “Supplier


and retailer collaboration ensuring not only proactive but consistent, level playing field action on the important and complicated issue of knife crime is crucial.


Individual


supplier or retailer action in isolation will not be effective, but we believe we now have the principles agreed to make an industry-wide difference.”


Be prepared


Retailers who sell knives can expect test purchasing visits over the coming months, as part of a nationwide crackdown on knife crime. BIRA member, Hargreaves & Sons Ltd’s Martin Coles-Evans shares his top tips as a retailer selling knives


What have been your experiences with age related sales? Our cookshop department offers a comprehensive choice of knives in the mid-to-high price range. The university in the town centre is well known locally and nationally for its hotel catering course and we often get students who wish to buy knives from us… As a result we are very well aware of young people purchasing knives and have fully- trained staff to always check anyone who looks under the age of 25 or over this age if they feel necessary.


Have you ever been test purchased? Yes we have and regularly. Derbyshire County Council and Derbyshire Trading Standards are very active regarding sales of knives and legislation. They offer seminars and guidance for store owners who require advice and information.


What are your major concerns about selling knives? As long as you have systems in place for checking and logging age- restricted sales and refusals at point of sale, good security and fully- trained staff, then there should be no major concerns about selling knives. If these are not in place, you run the risk of heavy fines and possible prison sentences – a position no one wants to be in.


What is your advice for those considering or already selling knives? • Do plenty of research beforehand. • Make sure you fully understand the current legislation through Government websites with advice and training from the local trading standard office. • Make sure your knives are presented in store securely in a position to eliminate theft. • Ensure


every staff member


(including store owners) are fully trained to safely and confidently sell knives and understand the law. • Have systems in place to log any refusals to show compliance when you have an inspection. • Refresh and retrain staff often. • Have good signage for proof of age restrictions for customers to see. BIRA members can obtain free POS signage for this and is well worth taking advantage of. • Lastly, don’t be scared. Most people are flattered when you ask for proof of age!


BIRA members can contact the membership team for a free knife sales pack by emailing membership@bira.co.uk


14 JUNE 2019 DIY WEEK 17


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