Booker has opened discussions with EPoS providers and trade bodies to minimise disruption to retailers following the introduction of the deposit return scheme (DRS) in Scotland next year.

When DRS is implemented in August 2023, customers who purchase drinks in single-use containers from convenience stores will pay a premium. The deposit is returned to them when they take the aluminium can or bottle back to the store

Speaking on a panel on DRS held by labelling expert GS1 UK on 20 September, Booker director of programme management John Kane said the wholesaler was working with EPoS providers to support stores.

Unified DRS rollout ‘unlikely to happen within a year’ experts warn

He said: “One of the things we have the great joy of doing is working with a vast number of EPoS providers. We work with 70 and we’ve started engagement with the big ones to ensure they understand what is going on and [ensure a retailer’s EPoS] will understand that a product is fit for refund. We’ve been putting a lot of work into that to ensure DRS is as painless as possible for independent retailers.

“We have resources working for Tesco, but the little guys have fewer resources. We’ve also opened up dialogue with the Scottish Wholesale Association, so they can follow what we do in helping the sector. The smaller wholesalers have a difficult job and it’s a resource issue.”

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