Seems like every commenter here is aware of the money laundering hypothesis, except me... could somebody drop a link or anything to explain to the outsider what kind of money laundering is happening so profitably in those shops? Thank you!
Sister commenter posted this about Amsterdam: https://www-groene-nl.translate.goog/artikel/ze-zijn-hier-zo...
Here's one from google about Scotland: https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/news/13308928.crooks-using-sw...
Here's one from PrivateEye (England): https://external-preview.redd.it/nI7Pl0eLeF1y4l6ow_QARxTZ09b...