Unit Understanding the handling of customer payments in a retail business

Objectives By the end of the session you will: Outline the cashier’s key responsibilities for serving customers at the payment point List the types and age restrictions of products which can be sold only to customers, or by employees, who are over a minimum age specified by law State the consequences for the cashier and the business if legal age restrictions are not complied with Describe the cashier’s responsibilities for helping to ensure that legal age restrictions are complied with.

Cashier’s key responsibilities Process customer payments/transactions Ensure till has sufficient money to complete cash transactions Politeness and efficiency Answer queries/enquiries Maintain till security Provide bags Follow company policy.

Common problems which arise at the till Incorrect pricing of products Returns/exchanges Credit and debit cards declined Customer complaints Underage customers Faulty equipment Insufficient change in till Long queues Times, shift changes.

Additional services Bag packing Gift wrapping Carry to car Product assembly Demonstration Cash-back facilities

Promoting additional sales Store and loyalty cards Special offers Promotions In-store magazines Additional items (stamps, phone top-ups and insurance)

Medicines The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) classes medicines accessible to the general public at times of need as GSL medicines. They tend not to be as strong as you would find in a pharmacy and come in smaller pack sizes. Responsible retailers, age and quantity restrict medicines where there are age limits placed on their use by the manufacturer.

Medicines The Medicines Act 1968 defines three legal categories of medicines: general sales list medicines (GSL) pharmacy medicines (P) prescription-only medicines (POM)

Medicines GSL medicines can be sold by a wide range of shops, such as newsagents, convenience stores and petrol stations. Often, only a small pack size or low strength of the medicine may be sold. For example: the largest pack size of paracetamol that shops without a pharmacist working in them can sell is 16 tablets, but pharmacies can sell packs of 32 tablets the highest strength of ibuprofen tablets that shops can sell is 200mg, but pharmacies can sell tablets at 400mg strength

Challenge 25 The Challenge 25 procedure is used to verify the age of any person attempting to purchase any age restricted item before any purchase is concluded. Anyone who appears under the age of 25, must be challenged to produce an acceptable form of identification.

What counts as a valid proof of age?

Examples of valid proof of age are… Passport Citizencard (official UK proof of age card) Driving Licence

Consequences Consequences for cashier Fines, loss of employment, imprisonment. Consequences for business - legal Possible litigation, fines, loss of licence, closure of business. Consequences for business – commercial Loss of trade, loss of business, loss of reputation.

Consequences Offences for the sale of age restricted products carry different penalties. Fines vary between £1000 to £5000 and some carry the possibility of a prison sentence anywhere from 6 months to 2 years if convicted.

Consequences Trading Standards can call for a Licensing review which can result in suspension of the licence of complete revocation of the licence, effectively preventing the businesses from selling alcohol, either for a fixed period or permanently. Additionally, a Police Officer or a properly accredited Trading Standards Officer can issue an on the spot £80 fine for the sale of alcohol to a minor in the form of a Penalty Notice for Disorder

Legislation Children and Young Persons Act (If you sell an age restricted product or products including tobacco to an underage customer) Criminal Justice Act (Offensive Weapons) Alcohol Licensing Act (Alcohol) The National Lottery etc. Act 1993 / National Lottery Regulations 1994 (Lotto & Scratch Cards)

Legislation Under the Petroleum (Consolidation) Act 1928 (Petrol) The Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2010 (Fireworks) Video Recordings Acts of 1984 and 2010 (DVD’s & Games) Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 (Solvents)

Over 18s only It is illegal to sell alcohol to an individual who is: under 18 buying alcohol for a person under 18. However, it can be consumed by: an individual aged 16 or 17 if accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian, if the alcohol is to be consumed on site and with a meal.

Proxy Purchasing Proxy purchasing is a term used where a person, over the legal age, buys an age-restricted product on behalf of a child. For example, where a child gives money to an adult to buy alcohol for them - This could be an older brother or sister or a stranger approached outside. In the case of alcohol, both the adult buying the alcohol, as well as the person that sold the alcohol, can commit a criminal offence if they knew or suspected it was being bought on behalf of a child. Aside from a criminal record, they could receive an £80 fixed penalty notice or a £5,000 fine.

Age restrictions

Can you think of any reasons to refuse to sell alcohol?

Reasons to refuse sale It is out of legal opening hours The customers is: o under 18 o drunk, violent, quarrelsome or disorderly o an associate of a drunk person, if the purchase is intended to be consumed by the drunk person o under the influence of drugs o a policeman in uniform o a known prostitute o previously barred

Over 18s only Fireworks can only be sold to persons aged 18 years or older. Sparklers are classed as fireworks and the same laws apply. It is illegal for under 18s to possess fireworks in a public place. It is not a legal requirement to have any kind of licence or training to buy consumer fireworks.

Over 18s only It is an offence to tattoo a person under the age of 18. The only exeption is for medical reason, and would have to carried about by a qualified medical practitioner.

Piercings There is no legal age restriction on most body piercings Some local authorities and piercing businesses may have their own regulations concerning age limits and consent for body piercings. You will usually need to sign a consent form to confirm that you wish to go ahead with the piercing. Children under the age of 16 may need to have a parent or guardian with them.

ProductLegal AgeProductLegal Age Alcohol18Tobacco Products 18 Solvents18Offensive Weapons 18 Fireworks18Liqueur Chocolates 16 Petrol16Party Poppers 16 Lottery and Scratch Cards 16Aerosol Products 16 DVDS and Computer Games As Marked

In summary In todays session, you have learned how to outline the cashier’s key responsibilities for serving customers at the payment point. List the types and age restrictions of products which can be sold only to customers, or by employees, who are over a minimum age specified by law. State the consequences for the cashier and the business if legal age restrictions are not complied with

Unit Understanding the handling of customer payments in a retail business