NEWS SPECIAL - COVID-19 UPDATE

SPAR SCOTLAND SIGNS UP WITH SNAPPY SHOPPER

SPAR SCOTLAND WHOLESALER AND RETAILER CJ LANG HAS PARTNERED WITH FELLOW DUNDEE-BASED HOME DELIVERY APP SNAPPY SHOPPER.

Spar Scotland has announced a new partnership with online grocery delivery app Snappy Shopper following successful trials.

Designed specifically for the convenience sector, Snappy Shopper facilitates 30-60 minute grocery delivery at in-store pricing across a full range of product categories.

Colin McLean, CEO at Spar Scotland, said: “Spar stores are playing a very important role in local communities around the country by helping the vulnerable and those who are self-isolating. With the addition of the Snappy Shopper app, it will make our Spar stores even more convenient by us being able to quickly deliver essential items to consumers without them ever leaving their homes.”

Snappy Shopper currently works with over 300 Spar stores across the UK.

‘SHOP LOCAL, SHOP LITTLE’ GAINS BIG MAGS’ BACKING

NFRN’s ‘Shop Local, Shop Little Campaign’ has gained support from some leading magazine titles. Ads for the campaign have recently appeared in some of the UK’s top-selling lifestyle magazines published by Bauer Media Group including Take a Break, Bella, That’s Life and TV Choice.

Shop Local, Shop Little adverts have also gained national newspaper coverage appearing in the likes of the Sunday Mirror, People, Daily Express, Daily Star, Daily Mirror, Sunday Star, Daily Mail and The Daily Telegraph.

Further information about the NFRN’s Shop Local, Shop Little campaign can be found online. Point your browser towards: www.nfrnonline. com/protect/covid-19-informationadvice/

CLICK & COLLECT TECH

Tech fi rm GraticulePersonalistaion is launchinga unique ordering platform tohelp smaller retailers trademore safely and effectivelyduring the Coronaviruspandemic. Forage Lite willenable customers to order, payfor, and pick up orders withouthaving to come into the storeand is being offered free toretailers.

‘WE ARE OPEN’ MAP

The Independent RetailersConfederation has launched a‘We are open’ online directoryto promote small shops stillopen for business. Shops areinvited to add themselves tothe interactive map at: www.weareopen.uk/register.

DROP & GO SURGE

Drop & Go, the PostOffice’s fast track service forbusinesses and online sellerssending parcels, has seen a30% increase in use since mid-March as small businessesseek new ways to continuetrading during lockdown.

SCOTTISH LOCKDOWN ‘MAY BE EASED’ THIS MONTH

FM NICOLA STURGEON SAYS LOCKDOWN MEASURES MAY BE EASEDFROM 28 MAY, SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF CONDITIONS DUE TO BEPUBLISHED IN A ‘ROUTE MAP’ TOMORROW.

Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has announced that coronavirus lockdown measures in Scotland could begin to be lifted from 28 May with a ‘route map’ set to be published tomorrow.

This would mean people could meet someone from another household if social distancing is maintained. More outdoor activities such as sports will also be allowed.

Sturgeon also confirmed that coronavirus testing will be extended to everyone in Scotland over the age of five who is displaying symptoms, although priority will still be given to key workers, including local retailers and those they live with.

Current lockdown advice in Scotland will remain in place for the time being, however.

UWS UNVEILS HOME DELIVERY DEAL

United Wholesale (Scotland) has struck a deal with Glasgow-based technology firm DrinkSorted to allow up to 1,500 convenience stores in Scotland to introduce a home delivery service.

The move will make DrinkSorted one of the largest home delivery platforms in Scotland following its launch in 2019.

UWS and DrinkSorted expect to handle over 250,000 orders each month, with an average basket spend of £22.

The DrinkSorted app will be made available to stores which are part of the United Wholesale network, including its chain of 500 Day-Today and USave shops, and around 1,000 independent convenience stores.

Chris Gallacher, MD of UWS, said: “Scotland’s convenience stores have been at the heart of their local communities throughout the coronavirus pandemic and with the addition of the DrinkSorted app, it will make our retailers even more convenient for customers with quick delivery of essential items without them ever leaving their homes.”

ASDA TRIALS VIRTUAL QUEUING

As part of social distancing measures during the coronavirus pandemic, Asda is trialling a new virtual queuing system which allows shoppers to log in to a queue remotely and wait in their cars until they reach the front of the virtual queue before entering stores.

The trial is taking place at Asda’s Middleton store near Leeds.

Asda research shows that two-thirds of customers are still concerned about safety in supermarkets.

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