Future of dairies, convenience stores hangs in the balanceDOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF The owner of Hillcrest Mini Supermarket dairy was hit over the head with a hammer by a robber on Saturday morning. The future of dairies is unclear as tobacco-driven crime skyrockets, the convenience stores association boss says. Some dairy owners have stopped selling cigarettes to try to deter robbers, but are now paying the price. Dave Hooker, the executive director of New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores which mainly represents service stations, said the future of dairies and convenience stores were "at best uncertain and in many cases frightening". CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF Tao Liu says the decision to stop selling cigarettes is costing his business $700 a week.

Source: Stuff March 18, 2018 01:02 UTC