Retailers were left waiting nearly an hour to exchange non-compliant tobacco after operational issues hit the cash & carry Philip Morris roadshow.

Nigel Crocker of Hayes News in Cardiff said: “After waiting 45 minutes for them to deal with the retailers in front of us I stormed out. A ludicrous way to do business.”

Leeds retailer John Sheret told Retail Express that the roadshow was inaccessible for many small retailers.

However, Steve Bassett from Abbotsbury Road Londis in Dorset said: “It was completely hassle free, a very easy experience, I think they’d only seen three people so far that day.”

A spokesperson from PMI told Retail Express: “Unfortunately, we have experienced some operational issues and I would like to sincerely apologise to anyone who has been affected.

“We are working on resolving these issues as quickly as possible and we will be in direct contact with all of our affected customers with a solution.”