The Week In Retail Issue 29

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

FRE

E

BEE RET R FOR AILE R S!

HEAT NOT BURN

JTI ENTERS HEATED TOBACCO SEGMENT

PLOOM DEVICE TARGETS GROWING MARKET

THE LATEST COVID RULES SLR REWARDS GOES VIRTUAL QR COKE CAMPAIGN

RETAILER SUPPORT

SHOP OUT TO HELP OUT

SCHEME PROPOSED TO HELP SMALL RETAILERS

LOCKDOWN RESTRICTIONS

FRENZY OR FLOP?

+

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS

ACS SLAMS ALCOHOL CURFEW Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 29 Wednesday 4th November 2020

Symbol Partner:

L A U T VIR SLR REWARDS 2020 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE With Coronavirus ruling out live events for the foreseeable future, this year’s SLR Rewards will for the very first time in their near 20-year history be going virtual!

On Friday 11th December at 6pm we will be bringing the entire Scottish local retailing industry together, as we do every year, but this time retailers will be able to join the party from the comfort of their own home, or store, via their PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE

FRIDAY 11TH DECEMBER, 6PM

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS WITH ME AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM

IT’S BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS Every store in the land may be decked out like Santa’s grotto already and we’ve hardly got Halloween out the way, but it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas might be the first ever locked down festive period. The direction of travel is all one way and I’d predict that it’s going to get worse before it gets better. So, bearing in mind that lockdown hasn’t been too bad for most local retailers, and purely from a sales perspective, is a lockdown Christmas good news or bad news?

This is a subject I’ve been discussing heavily over the last few days with dozens of retailers (I’m in the middle of the virtual judging for this year’s SLR Rewards), and it’s really interesting to hear what they’re saying. Broadly speaking, the predictions fall into two categories – but there is a third, less palatable category, which I’ll come to.

The first group of predictions is that Christmas will be a belter. With pubs and restaurants closed, there should be huge increases in footfall as shoppers seek out their festive tipples and treats.

This is particularly pertinent in Scotland where MUP means c-stores sell alcohol at the same prices as supermarkets, so there’s little incentive for shoppers to queue up and jostle in the crowed

aisles of a big box retailer when they can nip round the corner to their local store and get what they want, and it’ll probably also be chilled.

Then there’s the second group of retailers who think that, with traditional big family gatherings out the window, shoppers might choose to just do one enormous shop at Tesco or Asda or Aldi and that’ll pretty much be that.

There are obviously shades of grey in between these extremes, but it’s very difficult to plan orders and ranges and merchandising when you don’t know whether you’re facing a flood of festive shoppers or a trickle.

And yes, that third less palatable category I mentioned. A retailer who shall remain nameless but runs a store in a challenging area in Glasgow told me that Christmas “will be just like every other Christmas” for his shoppers because they are, to all intents and purposes, “completely ignoring Covid restrictions”. It’s an unpleasant thought when so many people are turning their lives upside down to comply, but it’s probably a fair point and there will be many areas where shoppers have had enough of all the rules and regulations and the constant flux.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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CONTENTS

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6

14 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS LOOMS

PRODUCT SPECIAL: PLOOM S

Retailers gear up for a bumper Lotto draw and

What will the prospect of the first ever Christmas lockdown mean for local retailers across the UK?

JTI enters the burgeoning heated tobacco segment with the launch of its new Ploom S device.

10 COVID-19 UPDATE

20

A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST

21 PICKS OF THE WEEK

29 BEFORE YOU GO...

CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS.

A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.

13 CRAFT BEER: WOOHA

25 OUT THE BOX: SHOP OUT TO HELP OUT

THE SCOTTISH CRAFT BREWER IS

BURGER KING APPEARS TO HAVE FLIPPED.

A LEADING ADVISORY FIRM HAS

OFFERING LOCAL RETAILERS FREE

SOME RADICAL PROPOSALS TO HELP

SAMPLES OF ITS CORE RANGE.

STRUGGLING RETAILERS.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

RUTLAND ISN’T WHAT IS USED TO BE AND

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

M&S £87.6M LOSS

TRADE SHOWS

of £87.6m in the 26 weeks

BLAKEMORE LOOKS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

to 26 September 2020. The

SPAR WHOLESALER BLAKEMORE USED ITS FIRST VIRTUAL TRADE

retailer said this represents

SHOW YESTERDAY TO ASSURE RETAILERS THAT IT HAS ALL THE

a “better than expected”

INDUSTRY-LEADING INITIATIVES RETAILERS NEED TO MAKE THE

performance, having predicted

MOST OF NEW OPPORTUNITIES.

M&S has suffered a 15.8% fall in revenue and a pre-tax loss

a 22.8% drop in sales for this period.

SGF GOLF DAY The Scottish Grocers’ Federation is to host its annual golf day on 2 June 2021 at Turnberry King Robert The Bruce Golf Course. The event includes breakfast, evening drinks and dinner in addition to use of the golf facilities and participation in the tournament.

Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore held its first ever virtual trade show yesterday with over 1,000 guests attending. Free to all Blakemore retailers, the show was themed around New Opportunities and the wholesaler told retailers that it has everything they need to thrive and exploit the new opportunities that are springing up at the moment.

The main message from Group Commercial Managing Director Jerry Marwood to retailers was one of

continuous investment and backing from AF Blakemore. He said: “It is important that we keep building our businesses to support you, and you keep building your businesses to give customers what they want.”

Anyone interested in attending should contact the Federation’s Irati Ugarte.

OCADO PROFITS Ocado says its joint venture with M&S has remained strong throughout the fourth quarter of its current financial year and consequently has revised its full year EBITDA up from £40m to £60m.The company will also acquire two US robotic companies for a total of around $287m to exploit the opportunities it sees in robotic manipulation solutions.

BESTWAY ADDS ‘SOCIAL PROOFING’ TECH Bestway Wholesale has invested in new innovation and technology to enhance the customer experience with the introduction of Taggstar, a tool for ‘social proof messaging’ which has been added to the Bestway website and functions as a virtual sales assistant, helping customers navigate around the site and offering support and advice as they go, optimising individual search requirements.

Bestway MD Dawood Pervez said: “This is just one of the many tools that we are looking to bring on board to drive the digital experience further

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 29 / WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020

in line with our customers’ changing buying needs.

“We know how important social proofing is to our retailers and initial feedback is 100% positive. Customers are receiving insights into each category as they shop, which is influencing and informing their purchase decisions.”

Furthermore, the new functionality of the Bestway Wholesale site means that customers can now choose alternative SKUs when products are not in stock – or opt to receive an email as soon as the product becomes available at the depot.

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

OFF-TRADE

ACS EXPRESSES CONCERN AROUND ALCOHOL SALES CURFEW THE ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES HAS HIT OUT AT THE DECISION TO BAN OFF-LICENCE ALCOHOL SALES IN NOTTINGHAM FROM 9PM.

BRITVIC GREEN BOSS Britvic has appointed Tom Fiennes as its new Commercial Sustainability Director for Great Britain. With over 25 years of FMCG experience, Fiennes

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has reacted with disappointment to the introduction of additional tier 3 restrictions in Nottingham and the surrounding areas that include a ban off licence alcohol sales from 9pm, a ban that is unique to the area even though other areas are classed as tier 3.

The additional tier 3 restrictions, which will come into force on Friday, affect the whole of Nottinghamshire.

No alcohol sales will be allowed between 9pm and 5am on off-licensed premises. Pubs and other on-trade premises will still be able to sell alcohol until 10pm, after which time they are required to close.

Data from the 2020 Local Shop Report shows that almost half (46%)

of convenience stores in the East Midlands are open after 9pm.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We are disappointed that these additional restrictions have been introduced in Nottinghamshire with very short notice, which will likely lead to confusion from customers and significant stress for colleagues in stores. There is a real risk that theft of alcohol will increase where it is not able to be shuttered or locked down, and we are extremely concerned about the increased risk of confrontation between customers and colleagues.”

ACS has made a poster available to retailers to help communicate the restrictions to customers, which is available to download.

REGISTER NOW FOR THE VIRTUAL SLR REWARDS! This year’s SLR Rewards will now be held in a virtual format on Friday 11 December at 6pm. The most rewarding awards in retail were originally scheduled to be presented in June but the champagne was put on ice because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Antony Begley, SLR Publishing Director, said: “Clearly, it’s not how

VIRTUAL

moves from his role as Britvic’s Director of Strategic Change Programmes, with previous roles at Heineken, Carlsberg, Premier Foods and Mars.

SPAR SHOW Spar Scotland wholesaler CJ Lang kicks its first ever virtual trade show off tomorrow with over 150 suppliers participating. The theme for the event is ‘2020 Vision’ and will be an opportunity for suppliers to promote NPD and new ways of working, as well as sharing industry and category knowledge.

SNAPPY GROWS Snappy Shopper has appointed Pamela McLaren

we had envisaged the Rewards and we would have much preferred to bring the entire Scottish local retailing industry together for a great night as we’ve been doing for almost 20 years – but coronavirus has made that impossible. The safety and wellbeing of all our industry friends is paramount.

Register on the awards website.

as its new Marketing Controller, responsible for the development and implementation of the home delivery app’s marketing strategy, brand and service.

She joins from Hutchison Technologies where she was Head of Sales.

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

JOB FINDER Women in Wholesale has launched a Job Finder section on its website to advertise, free of charge, any vacancies in the wholesale, retail and FMCG sectors. There are no fees and no hidden charges and the site can be accessed here.

LOCKDOWN LOSSES The second lockdown will cost non-essential retail £6.8bn over the four-week period, according to new research from Retail Economics. The closure of non-essential shops will hit hard but boost online

PUBS TO SELL TAKEAWAY BEER IN ENGLAND

T

A GOVERNMENT U-TURN MEANS PUBS CAN SELL TAKEAWAY BEER DURING LOCKDOWN IN ENGLAND.

he UK government has made an abrupt U-turn and is allowing pubs in England to sell takeaway beer during the current monthlong lockdown. Under the new restrictions, customers must order their drink via a website, phone or text message and deliveries are also allowed.

Pre-ordered alcohol can be collected by customers as long as they do not enter the premises.

Plans published at the weekend

suggested that while restaurants could sell takeaway food, takeaway alcohol was to be banned.

It is estimated that around 7.5 million pints of beer will be simply poured down the drain as a result of the latest legislation.

The government stated that public health and safety remains the number one priority, which is why pubs and other hospitality venues cannot serve alcohol on site to take away to prevent people from gathering outside their premises.

sales by an estimated £2.9bn compared with the previous year. Independent high street retailers will be hardest hit.

TEA UP SALES The University of Warwick have helped ensure Tetley tea remains on shelves during lockdown by working with brand owner Tata to analyse Tetley’s sales and stock data to accurately build a reliable demand profile. Based on the analysis, Tetley’s UK factory in Teesside increased production by more than 40% to let the brand meet unprecedented demand levels.

SWA WELCOMES GRANT FUNDING NEWS The Scottish Wholesale Association has welcomed last week’s confirmation by the First Minister that Scottish wholesalers will be able to access much-needed hardship grant funding to help businesses which can remain open but are directly constrained by the Scottish Government’s new fivetier local Covid restrictions.

Eligible businesses will be able to apply for grants worth £1,400 or £2,100, based on rateable value. This is in addition to the UK Government’s new Job Support Scheme launched on 1 November and means that wholesalers are eligible for grants every four weeks for as long as the restrictions last.

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SWA Chief Executive Colin Smith has written to the First Minister and Finance Secretary Kate Forbes requesting a meeting to outline firsthand the “reality of the cliff edge” and the impact it will have on public-sector contracts should wholesale not receive targeted sector support.

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

NEW LOCKDOWN RULES KICK IN

T

NEW LOCKDOWN RULES ACROSS THE UK WILL AFFECT ALL ASPECTS OF LIFE, INCLUDING HOW CONSUMERS CAN SHOP AND MEET UP.

In Scotland, the five-tier system ranges from ‘close to normal life’ up to ‘close to full lockdown’. No council areas have been placed in the most severe tier yet but many are in Tier Three which prohibits meeting at home, allows pubs to open but only to 6pm and they can’t sell alcohol, leisure and entertainment venues closed and non-essential travel advised against.

Wales is under lockdown until 9 November with similar regulations to England with the exception of the much criticised ban on the sale of “non essential goods” in retail.

In Northern Ireland, a four week period of lockdown restrictions is in place with broadly similar restrictions.

NFRN HARDSHIP FUND REMAINS OPEN The NFRN has reminded members that financial assistance is still available through the NFRN Covid-19 Hardship Fund. The Fund offers assistance in the form of a grant to members suffering cash flow and other financial challenges.

Since its launch in April, the Hardship Fund has helped 95 independent retailers and paid out nearly £120,000.

Thanks to generous donations from the Federation’s districts, branches and from individual members, as well as from suppliers and publishers, the fund reached an impressive total of £241,621.

To apply for a grant, visit the NFRN’s website.

ASDA TRIALS DIGITAL SHELF EDGE LABELS Asda has implemented a new electronic shelf edge labelling (eSEL) solution at its Stevenage innovation store.

TECH SOLUTIONS

he UK has begun to move deeper into lockdown as new rules are introduced in England and Scotland while Wales and Northern Ireland are already in the middle of temporary lockdowns.

A new four-week nationwide lockdown across England starts tomorrow while Scotland moved to a five-tier system on Monday.

In England, pubs and restaurants will close but takeaway is permitted, non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will close and no indoor mixing is allowed. People must stay at home (with some key exceptions) and schools, colleges and universities will stay open.

According to the supermarket, it took over a year to implement and has been one of the most difficult tech challenges the retailer has ever delivered.

The fully integrated solution is now in place and covers over 22,000 individual lines in the store.

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

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CRAFT BEER

FREE BEER SAMPLES WOOHA

WHAT’S THE HOO-HA? FREE BEER FROM WOOHA! WITH THE DARK NIGHTS DRAWING IN, SCOTTISH CRAFT BREWER WOOHA IS GEARING UP FOR

F

INCREASED SEASONAL AUTUMN SALES BY OFFERING LOCAL RETAILERS FREE SAMPLES OF ITS CORE RANGE.

ree beer. What’s not to like? Scottish craft brewery WooHa is so confident of the outstanding quality of its beers that it’s offering samples free to retailers.

WooHa is a modern craft brewery, based near Speyside in the Highlands of Scotland, that has been making beer since 2015 using the same cool, clear waters that go into some of Scotland’s most famous whiskies.

The brewer completed a rebrand in June to achieve more on-shelf stand-out in the retail sector, with a new look designed to appeal to beer drinkers looking for something special. It says that results have been “fantastic so far”.

Now, with the leaves falling off trees and the nights getting longer, WooHa has its core range ready in 330ml and 500ml bottles to give consumers a taste to get them through the autumn, whether that’s a hoppy IPA or a smoky porter to accompany toasting marshmallows or cheeseboards of any kind.

There are five craft beers in the core range of 330ml and 500ml bottles: Q Hello Friday – Session Pale Ale 3.8% Q Hop Pinata – IPA 6.2% Q Rauch N Roll – Rich Smoky Porter 5.0% Q Northern Mischief – Scottish Craft Lager 5.0% Q Rogue Clan – Scotch Ale 6.0%

To request free samples or for more information, contact WooHa’s Head of Business Development Scott McCallion.

GET YOUR FREE BEER

The range is competitively priced and ready to ship nationwide through various routes to market. Sales and marketing support is also available, and WooHa is giving retailers a chance to try before they buy.

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

COVER STORY

LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS FESTIVE PLANNING

LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS LOOMS...

WITH THE PROSPECT OF THE FIRST EVER CHRISTMAS LOCKDOWN, WHAT WILL IT MEAN FOR LOCAL RETAILERS ACROSS THE UK. THE WEEK IN RETAIL GOES HUNTING FOR PREDICTIONS.

W

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

ith England in lockdown, Scotland in a curious five-tier form of lockdown and Wales and Northern Ireland struggling through their own forms of lockdown, it’s looking increasingly likely that the key Christmas trading period will be like nothing we’ve ever known. Could it spark another spike in sales in the convenience trade? Or could it end up being a washout for local retailers as consumers hunker down and satisfy themselves with one enormous trip to Tesco?

The latest weekly data from Channel Pulse (w/c 19 Oct 2020), Lumina Intelligence’s weekly measure of shopper and consumer behaviour across all UK food and drink channels, suggest that a huge proportion of shoppers – 59% – are waiting to see what government restrictions will be in place before making any plans for Christmas.

However, despite the reluctance to make plans and the possible restrictions around large gatherings, only 13% of consumers are planning on buying less food and drink for Christmas lunch/dinner than they did last year.

If that turns out to be an accurate prediction, it brings a raft of new challenges for retailers in terms of merchandising and managing stock levels. The research found that, in contrast to those waiting for more information, 10% of shoppers are planning on purchasing their groceries for Christmas lunch/ dinner earlier this year, due to coronavirus. That certainly looks the case with Christmas starting a lot earlier than normal, if the rash of festive displays in supermarkets and convenience stores as early as October is anything to go by.

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 29 / WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020

Historically, Christmas is time when shoppers trade up and treat themselves to more premium products. However, in light of the current circumstances, only 3% of shoppers are planning to trade up to more premium/expensive food or drink products this Christmas, says the Lumina research.

In fact, 79% of shoppers indicated that value for money was important to them when purchasing gifts and groceries this Christmas.

Shoppers are also focusing on sustainability and eating mindfully this Christmas. Over half of shoppers say that sustainability is important to them and four in 10 say ‘mindful’ eating is important to them when purchasing gifts and groceries this Christmas.

Greta Glaveckaite, Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence said: “Christmas and premiumisation generally go hand-inhand, as shoppers look to treat themselves during the festive period. However, this year, as uncertainty around the UK economy and the impact of coronavirus continues, shoppers are looking to tighten their belts and limit unnecessary expenses. Focusing on value for money could be key to driving footfall this Christmas, rather than premium ranges.”

“Retailers are also left with challenges around merchandising, as nearly two thirds of shoppers are delaying making Christmas plans until more information on government guidelines is available. On a positive note, despite the current restrictions around gatherings, only 13% of shoppers are planning on buying fewer food and drink items this year.”

COVER STORY

LOCKDOWN CHRISTMAS FESTIVE PLANNING

STUART REDDISH, NFRN PRESIDENT

“It’s regrettable that we are now about to enter our second national lockdown, although it is needed to keep the country safe. I know that NFRN members will, once again, rise to the challenge ahead whilst putting themselves at risk to keep the nation watered and fed.

“Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, NFRN members have never stopped putting their communities first, ensuring customers have access to all the essentials that they need. For the next four weeks and beyond, they will continue to be a very stable point of contact in such a strange and challenging time.

“As before, the NFRN will continue to support members by sharing government and supplier announcements as news breaks, through our Hardship Fund which we created to alleviate some of the financial pressures that independent retailers may be facing, through advice and help. The NFRN is there for independent retailers in their hour of need. We are here for you and together we can get through this.”

DAVID LONSDALE, SCOTTISH RETAIL CONSORTIUM DIRECTOR

“Shopper footfall continues to buckle under the weight of the pandemic, associated Covid restrictions and warnings about using public transport, and economic uncertainty. Footfall in Glasgow alone was down 36% in October compared to the same period last year.

Visits to retail destinations in Scotland are languishing a third lower than last year, and make for unnerving reading for retailers in this early part of the crucial Christmas trading period.

“Scotland’s shops will only survive with the patronage of the public, especially in the run up to the festive period. Retailers are playing their part in trying to tempt shoppers though promotions and pricing, but policy makers need to think more creatively too about how they can entice people back into our retail destinations, perhaps through free parking for the next seven weeks or vouchers or incentives to encourage customers to the shops.”

PADDY LILLIS, USDAW GENERAL SECRETARY

“While we understand the need for another lockdown to help defeat this appalling pandemic, the Prime Minister cannot ignore the devastating impact this will have on our high streets in the run-up to Christmas. Retail was already struggling before the pandemic and the industry has suffered over 125,000 retail job losses and 14,000 store closures this year.

“Throughout the Covid crisis Usdaw engaged with the Government. However that joint working has stopped and the Government appears to no longer be listening, which is very worrying as we are now in a second lockdown. So we want to hear the Prime Minister set out how the Government is going to support our high streets.

“We have a choice here. Do we want to see the high street go to the wall, or do we want to save it? Retail is an important feature of our towns and cities; it employs three million people across the UK. What retail needs is a tripartite approach of unions, employers and government working together to develop a plan to help the industry through a second lockdown.”

JOHN DUNNE, UKVIA DIRECTOR GENERAL

“While we recognise the predicament that the Government faces, the vaping industry feels extremely disappointed that the vaping sector has once again been overlooked as one providing essential goods and services. Only earlier this year Public Health England acknowledged the contribution played by vaping in helping smokers quit.

“It seems strange – and illogical – that the Government is happy for people to continue shopping for alcohol in off-licences, which don’t appear to be on the non-essential shop closure list, but does not allow them to buy vape products or gain specialist advice in store that can help them to quit smoking, which according to PHE is at least 95% more harmful than vaping e-liquids.

“As a FMCG sector it will be important for the vaping industry to reopen for business in early December, the target date for the end of the second lockdown, so it can maximise sales in the lead up to Christmas and safeguard the thousands of people it employs in the manufacture, wholesale, quality control and retail of vape products.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

PRODUCT SPECIAL

PLOOM S JTI

JTI ENTERS HEATED TOBACCO WITH PLOOM S

J

JTI IS ENTERING THE HEATED TOBACCO SEGMENT WITH THE LAUNCH OF PLOOM S TO CAPITALISE ON 270% GROWTH IN THE SEGMENT IN LAST 12 MONTHS.

TI (Japan Tobacco International), the UK’s biggest tobacco company, has entered the heated tobacco category for the first time with the launch of a new solution called Ploom S. The category, currently dominated by PMI’s IQOS product, saw sales growth of 270% in the last 12 months [IRI, Aug 2020], albeit from a relatively modest base. JTI believes that by following a “consumer-centric approach, supported by data and behavioural insights, the time is now right to launch its premium lifestyle ‘challenger’ brand in one of its major markets, to capitalise on this exciting growth”.

Announced yesterday, the launch follows successful rollouts in Japan, Russia and Italy where Ploom has growing market shares, offering existing adult smokers an alternative but familiar tobacco experience by heating tobacco instead of burning it.

The company says the new Japanese technology and products deliver “superior taste satisfaction” and intends to make use of its market-leading position in the UK to leverage the uniqueness of Ploom: Q Fast heating time Q No smoke smell Q Minimal mess and cleaning Q No puff limit Q A heated tobacco blend with two different cuts of tobacco Q Customers can enjoy 20 sticks from a single charge The Ploom S device will be sold initially through Ploombranded lounges (Argyll Street and Westfield Shopping Centre, London), Ploom pop-up shops, online at

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 29 / WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020

www.ploom.co.uk and through 60 accredited retailers across London.

Available in three colours, the devices uses EVO tobacco sticks based around a high quality and expertly crafted ActivBlend using micro ground and fine cut tobacco. Four flavours are available.

Dean Gilfillan, General Manager at JTI UK, comments: “The time is right for JTI to enter this exciting growth segment in the UK with a proven product that continues to grow in markets in which we have already launched. We are focused on meeting the needs of our consumers and providing them with the quality products they want, both today and in the future. Ploom S offers adult smokers the ultimate heated tobacco taste experience and, as the leading tobacco company in the market by sales and volume, we are ideally positioned to meet their needs.”

Accredited Ploom retailers will have the opportunity to purchase their supply of devices and tobacco sticks through a dedicated JTI Ploom Specialist or on the new JTI Advance Shop, whilst EVO tobacco sticks will be available for all London retailers to purchase through the same channels as well as most wholesalers within the M25.

To mark the launch, a bundle including a Ploom S device and 5 packs of EVO tobacco sticks will be available from accredited retailers and on Ploom.co.uk with an RSP of £39.

PRODUCT SPECIAL

PLOOM S JTI

To drive trial and encourage repeat purchase in traditional retail, the Ploom S device and EVO tobacco sticks will also be available for existing adult smokers to try and buy at Ploom Retail Stores across the capital.

Nick Geens, Head of Reduced Risk Products at JTI, comments: “We predict that by 2025 there will be nearly one million Ploom users nationwide and that traditional retail will contribute to two thirds (67%) of this volume. Ploom provides an exciting opportunity for retailers across the capital to maximise a huge sales opportunity by stocking all four EVO tobacco flavours.

“The heated tobacco category is an exciting prospect for the UK which is why we’ve significantly invested in it with the launch of Ploom.

“We know the profit opportunity that this category presents retailers is significant, and we’re therefore committed to making this launch a success and are supporting retailers across the capital every step of the way; using the dedicated assistance of a Ploom Specialist for Accredited Retailers we have planned extensively to support the launch and introduce the device to existing adult smokers.”

For more information visit www.jtiadvance.co.uk/ploom or talk to your JTI Rep.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

Q Ploom S device available in three colours (Matte Black, Soft Champagne and Steel Silver) Q Device RSP £89 Q Uses EVO tobacco sticks available in four flavours Q BRONZE – full flavoured tobacco for a rich and intense Ploom experience Q SEPIA – smooth and rounded tobacco for a well-balanced Ploom experience Q EMERALD – classic tobacco infused with cooling menthol for a refreshing sensation during every Ploom session Q PURPLE – classic tobacco infused with berry and cooling menthol for a fruity and refreshing sensation during every Ploom session Q Sticks RSP £4.50 Q Initially launches in London only Q JTI has set itself a target of one million Ploom users by 2025

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

BOOST YOUR VALUE SALES AND STOCK UP ON PINT CANS! 60% of shoppers only buy pint can formats, with the pack size growing +£37 million last year.*

Convenience retailers saw their average annual sales increase by £383 when stocking the pint can format vs 500ml can.**

We’re optimising our portfolio to help you meet the growing demand in pint cans. From October, we’ll cease production of the 500ml can.

Stock up on our 568ml and 440ml cans today. ©2020 AB InBev UK Limited, all rights reserved.

*NEILSEN GB Total Impulse – Value (in £M) – 2019 ** Nielsen Scantrack |YTD 05.09.20 | Impulse channel

ALCOHOLIC SPARKLING WATER. YEAH, THAT’S A THING NOW.

Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.

DESTINATION RETAIL AN SLR GUIDE TO BECOMING A ‘DESTINATION STORE’ WHY IT MATTERS... AND HOW TO DO IT. CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO READ IT NOW

DESTINATIO RETAIL N

AN SLR GUID E TO ‘DESTINATIO BECOMING A N STORE’ W HY IT MAT TE

READ NOW

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18:03:05

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

ABSOLUT

CHRISTMAS COKE

PUCK PACK

CONNECTIONS

CCEP kicks off its annual

Haribo has unveiled a new

Absolut has launched a new

Coca-Cola Christmas

160g hanging bag format for its

campaign celebrating the

countdown this month with

Puck Penguin product, which

importance of meaningful

the return of its special edition

is a jelly and foam penguin-

connections and looking

take-home festive packs

shaped sweet in peach &

forward to when we’ll all be

featuring QR codes on 160

vanilla, blackcurrant & vanilla

together again in real life. ‘It’s

million packs for shoppers

and strawberry & vanilla fruit

In Our Spirit’ runs through

to scan and unlock new and

flavour combinations.

November in prime TV spots.

exclusive content.

RSP: £2

WEETABIX PMPS

FESTIVE SARNIES

MAX REFRESHED

Weetabix On The Go has

Urban Eat is bringing back

Pepsi MAX is back on TV

introduced a limited-edition £1

three limited editions for

ahead of the festive season

PMP range to drive impulse

Christmas: Turkey, Bacon

with a new ‘Christmas

purchases and bring shoppers

& Cranberry; Vegan Feast;

Refreshed’ campaign which

into the category. The range,

and a Pigs Under Blankets

went live on Monday. The

previously RSP £1.49, is

panini. The sandwiches will be

brand aims to encourage

available until December in

available in convenience until

people to refresh their old

250ml bottles.

23 December.

Christmas traditions and their

RSP: £1

RSPs: £3.29 – £3.99

way of celebrating.

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

THE UK’S BEST SELLING CRAFT BEER IS NOW CARBON NEGATIVE.

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY.

AT BREWDOG, WE BELIEVE THAT BY HAVING THE CONVICTION TO DO THINGS ON OUR TERMS, AND BY LIVING THE PUNK DIY ETHOS, WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH CRAFT BEER… ONE GLASS AT A TIME. AND OUR WORLD NEEDS CHANGE NOW MORE THAN EVER. From working with the best experts in the world, to double offsetting all our emissions, and from waging a war on waste, to investing heavily to reduce our emissions to zero, we are putting everything on the line for what we believe in.

We are learning as we go and will continue to make mistakes. We promise to share the good and the bad from our journey to become the world’s most sustainable drinks business.

MAKING SURE THAT WE, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE A PLANET TO BREW BEER IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST FOCUS OF BREWDOG. FOREVER.

Helping you to make an extra 3% Gross Profit Ease of use

Simple to use touch screen till software

Backoffice admin software

Cigarette Gantry integration

Indepth reporting and analysis

Touch screen handheld device to control the shop from the shopfloor

Supplier Data links with all major Wholesalers

Credit Card integration

Weekly health check reports to guide you to improve your sales and margin.

Access to background database with over 100,000 products

Benefits of MPos ✓ Built around a retailer, not a computer user ✓ Simple to use till, powerful admin tools ✓ Built from retailers perspective ✓ Reduces labour by downloading products, price changes, invoices and promotions

✓ Reduces labour by allowing one click order generation and one click invoice downloads - easily shave off 10 hours of work per store

✓ Increased control on stock; all stock deliveries downloaded and all stock adjustments emailed to the owner; NO stock is unaccounted for

✓ Emails store performance to the user with real actionable data once a week rather than stats heavy reports that overwhelm the user

✓ Based in Scotland with excellent support and training program

✓ Easy to use Hand Held terminal to control the store from shop floor ✓ Integration with Credit Card terminals, Zapper, Cigarette Gantry, Loyalty Schemes and more ✓ Developed and supported by people that know the retail trade

So How much Could our System make for you?

We can demonstrate a 3% uplift in Gross Profit in using our system.

£5,000 £10,000 £15,000 £20,000 £25,000

£7,800 Current Weekly Turnover Extra profit per annum

£15,600 £23,400 £31,200 £39,000

Even a Single Lane system can more than pay for itself in the first 4 months!

MHouse, 349 Shields Road, Motherwell, ML1 2LD

Tel: 0800 242 5360 email sales@mhousesolutions.com

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX BLICK ROTHENBURG

SHOP OUT TO HELP OUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY SMALL RETAILERS 75% OF LAST YEAR’S TAKINGS AND INTRODUCE A SHOP OUT TO HELP OUT SCHEME, SAYS LEADING ADVISORY FIRM.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Small retailers should be paid 75% of last year’s taking to help them through Christmas and the Government should introduce a Shop Out To Help Out scheme to support small stores.

HOW WOULD THAT WORK? Leading tax and advisory firm Blick Rothenberg says the latest lockdown measures are going to hit small retailers hard just when they were just starting to get their businesses back in shape. They believe the Government should step in now and adopt the German model of guaranteeing small retailers incomes up to 75% of last year’s November takings. By guaranteeing this level of income, it would give retailers the resources to be able to pay rent and other outgoings including salaries. This would enable them to also invest in an on-line presence. Otherwise, says the firm, many of them simply will not be around to trade at all in the new year.

ONLY SMALL RETAILERS? Yes. Limiting this support to small retailers would focus resources on the independent sector and mean that consumers would not have to rely on the internet giants and help ensure that the UK continues to have an innovative retail sector. Thousands of small retailers, says the firm, have already bought in stock for Christmas that they will now struggle to sell, so any form of support would be welcome.

DOES THIS RELATE SPECIFICALLY TO THE CHRISTMAS PERIOD? Blick Rothenberg highlights how the ‘golden quarter’ up to Christmas is when retailers seek to generate the profits which

often see them through the rest of the year. This year, the need to maximise income generation and reduce costs is more important than ever.

Retailers need to focus on understanding their customers’ needs and how their spending priorities will shift as a result of tighter restrictions. They should launch websites if they can, operate a click & collect system and use social media well.

SHOP OUT TO HELP OUT? The company is also proposing that the Government introduce a Christmas bonus of £100 to the unemployed and people on furlough for them to spend with small retailers.

This ‘shop out to help out’ scheme would help families with their Christmas shopping, and would also give small retail outlets much needed support.

WHAT ARE BLICK ROTHENBERG SAYING? Mark Hart, a partner at the firm, says: “We are looking at a very bleak Christmas unless the Government takes action to keep the consumer spending. These interventions are crucial in order for small retailers to continue to trade and protect jobs, considering that the furlough scheme still requires contributions to national insurance and pension. They need to be able to accurately forecast their cash burn and their working capital needs when they are able to reopen.

“The reintroduction of the furlough scheme is a clear sign that the Government sees this as the appropriate jobs support mechanism during lockdown and therefore they should announce now that the scheme will be in place throughout the winter as the threat of further closures of shops must be a real one.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

BOURTREEHILL IRVINE

www.uniteduk.com

UnitedWholesaleScotland

www.day-today.co.uk

MyLocalDayToday

www.usave.org.uk

“Day-Today have undertaken a full critique of my store and they have delivered on every point.

The team at Day-Today have made a number of positive changes to the store layout so I’m now making the sales floor work much harder.

My sales have never been higher and my customers love what we’ve done with the store.”

Imran Ali”

CO-OWNER IMRAN ALI

CO-OWNER S AY I A D H A M I D

J O I N D AY- T O D AY T O B E C O M E T H E V E R Y B E S T I N R E TA I L !

THE BIGGEST & BEST SYMBOL GROUP IN SCOTLAND

Community Focused Stores Best In-Store Promotions Award-winning marketing support Social Media training Dedicated Development team

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07469 149 375

In-House Chill & Freeze Free POS Market Leading Technology Dedicated Support Team, Project Managers, Business Development Managers and an In-House Merchandising Team

“Our stores take great pride in servicing their local communities, providing a ‘one-stop-shop’ for all your essentials. Join Today!”

SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic.

Grocery colleagues have access to:

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.”

- Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President

Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry.

Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.

GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us:

BEFORE YOU GO...

RETAIL RANDOMS MCDONALD’S

WHILE WE CAN HARDLY BE PROUD OF OUR DECISION, WE’VE DECIDED TO DEDICATE THIS WEEK’S RETAIL RANDOMS PAGE ENTIRELY TO BURGER-FLIPPING BEHEMOTHS MCDONALD’S.

ENGLAND’S ONLY MCDONALD’S FREE COUNTY IS NO MORE

BURGER KING URGES CUSTOMERS TO BUY MCDONALD’S Marketing has a lot to answer for these days and the latest example of a faux-controversial, social media attention-grabbing stunt is Burger King’s campaign ostensibly urging customers to buy from its deadly foe, McDonald’s.

It is with a heavy heart and a tear in either eye that we bring you the sad news that England’s only McDonald’s-free county is no more, following the opening of a new store and drive through in Rutland.

Rutland, in the East Midlands, had for many years been the proud and only bearer of the ‘McDonald’s free’ badge of honour – but a new joint on the outskirts of Oakham will open tomorrow.

Before Rutland County Council approved the plan for the fast food chain, there was some resistance among residents with one objection stating: “I’m proud Rutland is the only county not to have a McDonald’s.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 29 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

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Issue 28 Wednesday 28th October 2020

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