£2m fireworks opportunity for independent retailers

Sainsbury’s will not sell fireworks this year, presenting a £2m opportunity for independent stores, according to one of the UK’s largest importers.

Vikas Buying Group and Emperor Fireworks sales director Rish Datta told Better Retailing: “It’s margins of up to 77%, so it’s a big opportunity for that two- or three-week period. It’s been kept quiet, but Sainsbury’s have stopped selling fireworks. They normally sell around £2m-worth so it’s a chance for smaller retailers to capture those sales.”

Stores need a licence to store fireworks at any time and can sell them without an additional retail licence in the build-up to holidays including Bonfire Night, New Year’s Eve, Chinese New Year and Diwali.

Check ID to stop underage teenagers buying fireworks

Asked who can help stores to legally sell the products, Datta answered: “Trading standards. Or we will help throughout the whole process, we’ll get the forms and advise on how to fill them out. There’s very little required for a retailer to stock fireworks – to get the licence is far, far easier than an alcohol licence.”

The NFRN advises new licence requests will require a floorplan, risk assessment and site visit from the local trading standards department.

Stores trading without the proper licence risk fines up to £5,000 and up to six months in prison.

Five ways to make more from Halloween and Bonfire Night