The Week In Retail Issue 25

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

CONTACTLESS

STORE PROFILE

PREFAB SPROUTS UP IN NORFOLK

COMMUNITY GROUP DRIVES NEW NISA STORE

COSTA EXPRESS GOES CONTACTLESS

ADDED SAFETY FOR 9,000 STORES SHOPPING LOCALLY

FIVER FEST TO BOOST INDIES

ASDA SOLD TO BILLIONAIRES NEW COMMISSION RETAILER MODEL CANVENT CALENDARS

‘SPEND £5 IN A LOCAL STORE’ PROJECT

+ HOW TO BECOME A ‘DESTINATION STORE’ Commercial Partner:

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Issue 25 Wednesday 7th October 2020

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THE WEEK IN RETAIL

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

FIVER FEST AND THE MIRACLE ON HIGH STREET Coronavirus has changed us all, consumers and retailers alike. Our priorities have shifted, and arguably in the right direction in many instances.

One shift in sentiment that appears to be pretty clear cut is growth in interest among consumers about the long term health of the high street and local independent retailing outlets.

Yet another new study – this time from Visa – has found that four-fifths of consumers think their high street needs help to pull through this whole episode and are determined to do their bit to help make that happen. Fine sentiments, of course, but the big challenge is in turning those sentiments into action. Which is where Visa’s Fiver Fest initiative comes in.

It’s a simple enough idea: around half of the UK small business owners interviewed by Visa believed that if everyone in their local community spent just £5 extra each week with small businesses either on or offline, it would help them to survive in the long term. It’s a small step but it’s easy to understand for consumers and easy to act on – and almost 60% of consumers surveyed said they could afford to spend an extra fiver a

week in small, local businesses. So there might be some potential in helping Fiver Fest become much more of a feature of the dialogue around community retailing, the potential collapse of high streets and the growing interest in the health of local economies.

Visa is partnering with grassroots initiative Totally Locally to offer free ‘Town Kits’ to small business owners and community groups looking to work together to protect the future of independent high streets. They’re asking retailers to sign up to ‘Fiver Fest’, a two week celebration of small businesses and local communities from 10 to 24 October.

Dozens of towns across the country will be hosting £5 special offers, thanking their communities for supporting the local high street.

Who knows, it could help drive a fundamental change in the way shoppers see their local stores and an even more fundamental change in helping them decide where to spend their money.

It’s hardly the answer to the high street’s problems, but it’s a step in the right direction to reviving communities across the UK.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

6

12 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

22

STORE PROFILE: LITTLE PLUMSTEAD WALLED GARDEN

Billionaire brothers buy Asda and United Wholesale (Scotland) deep cleans its depots.

Determined locals add a vital new resource to their isolated community.

8 COVID-19 UPDATE

20 CORONAVIRUS: BIO-FOGGING

15 TRADING MODELS

SPAR WHOLESALER UNVEILS A NEW ‘COMMISSION OPERATOR’ TRADING MODEL.

18 RESEARCH: FIVER FEST

DESTINATION RETAIL

29 OUT THE BOX: CANVENT CALENDAR

UNITED WHOLESALE (SCOTLAND)

DISINFECTS ALL ITS SITES.

AN ADVENT CALENDAR WITH A CAN OF BEER BEHIND EACH DOOR.

24 TECH: COSTA EXPRESS CONTACTLESS

30 PICKS OF THE WEEK

A NEW ORDERING SYSTEM LETS SHOPPERS

OVER 80% OF CONSUMERS WANT TO HELP

REQUEST THEIR FAVOURITE DRINK FROM

SAVE THE HIGH STREET.

THEIR PHONE.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

A new Handbook from SLR examines why becoming a destination store matters more than ever – and explains how to do it.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.

33 BEFORE YOU GO...

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

KITKAT KERFUFFLE More than 300,000 people have signed petitions protesting Nestlé’s decision to stop using using Fairtrade

SUPERMARKETS

BILLIONAIRE BROTHERS BUY ASDA

cocoa and sugar in KitKats.

AFTER A MERGER WITH

The petitions were delivered

SAINSBURY’S WAS RULED

to Nestlé’s KitKat factory in

OUT LAST YEAR, WALMART

York, just as the annual cocoa

HAS SOLD ITS CONTROLLING

harvest in the Ivory Coast

STAKE IN ASDA TO FORECOURT

started. Nestle said it will now

OPERATOR EG GROUP.

source cocoa “on Rainforest Alliance terms”.

KEEP CALM AND CURRY ON Nisa is marking National Curry Week with a host of spicy offers. Among the deals are two pack sof Patak’s naan bread for £1.25, Patak’s 450g curry sauce jars for £1.25 and Tilda 250g rice pouches for £1

Forecourt operator EG Group has bought Asda from Walmart for £6.8bn.

The US grocery giant had put its controlling stake in the British supermarket up for auction after the Competition and Markets Authority blocked Asda’s £7.3bn merger with rival Sainsbury’s last April.

EG Group, which is owned by self-made billionaire brothers from Blackburn Zuber and Mohsin Issa, made the deal with additional funds

provided by private equity firm TDR Capital.

Walmart paid £6.7bn for Asda in 1999 and will retain an equity investment in the business, maintaining an ongoing commercial relationship and a seat on the board.

Three EG Group sites in the Midlands are currently taking part in a trial for Asda’s recently-launched ‘Asda On The Move’ foray into the convenience channel.

each.

SUBWAY ROLLS ‘NOT BREAD’

NISA’S CHARITY PASSES £12M FUNDRAISING MILESTONE

Ireland’s Supreme Court has ruled that the rolls Subway makes its hot sandwiches with contain too much sugar to be considered bread, after an Irish franchisee tried to avoid paying VAT on them. Bread is zero-rated in Ireland, but only if the flour contains less than 2% sugar and fat; Subway’s rolls have around 10% sugar.

The total raised for good causes to date via Nisa’s registered charity, Making a Difference Locally (MADL), reached the £12m mark last month.

Since the charity’s formation in 2008, just over £12.04m has been raised for local communities, with

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just over £1m raised during the last 12 months alone.

Nisa partners have supported local causes with more than 14,500 donations to date, with recipients ranging from foodbanks, hospices and refuges to youth sports teams and community groups, to name a few.

MADL raises funds in Nisa partner stores from sales of all Co-op and Heritage own-label products, a percentage of which goes into a virtual fund for retailers to donate locally.

NEWS DIGEST

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

WHOLESALERS

UNITED REPEATS DEPOT DEEP-CLEANS

PUTTING THE BRAKES ON FOOD POVERTY A 10 year partnership between foodservice wholesaler Brakes

UNITED WHOLESALE (SCOTLAND) HAS GIVEN ITS DEPOTS A

and the FareShare charity

SECOND BIO-FOGGING DEEP CLEAN TO REASSURE CUSTOMERS AS

has seen enough surplus food

THE NUMBER OF CORONAVIRUS INFECTIONS RISES SHARPLY.

diverted to frontline charities and community groups to

Glasgow-based United Wholesale (Scotland) has repeated a ‘bio-fogging’ disinfection of its depots and head office. UWS was the first wholesaler in Scotland to utilise bio-fogging at the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the UK. Each of the three UWS depots have now been successfully decontaminated during closing hours once more to ensure no harm can come to customers or staff. The operation was again performed by specialist contractor PSS Group.

The ‘bio-fogging’ technology is the same used to disinfect hospitals.

It is deployed via a specialised handheld device that delivers a disinfectant solution in a mist form.

Several of UWS’s retail customers are now also preparing to deep clean their stores using the technology.

Additionally, the company has just purchased new ride-on floor washing machines to ensure the floors in all depots are cleaned and sanitised before opening.

Find out more on page 20.

provide more than five million meals for vulnerable people.

CO-OP IMPROVES BAME OPPORTUNITIES Central England Co-operative has signed the Race at Work Charter as part of its ongoing efforts to improving opportunities for black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) colleagues across the business.

LIDL’S LARGEST SCOTTISH STORE PREPARES TO OPEN Lidl is set to unveil its largest store in Scotland, with doors opening tomorrow on Edinburgh’s Granton Road.

Originally opened in 1995, the Granton Road store was Lidl’s first Edinburgh site, and was previously extended in 2014. The new expansion will increase the sales area to 1438sqm, making it the retailer’s largest store in Scotland. This comes ahead of the Granton Waterfront regeneration

PERNOD RICARD TAKES LEAD ON SUSTAINABILITY Following the launch of its ‘Good times from a good place’ 2030 sustainability and responsibility roadmap in 2019, Pernod Ricard has been awarded ‘Lead’ status

project, which will bring 3,500 new homes to the area.

The store will be the regional pilot for new display features in Aldi’s chilled food sections,

by the UN Global Compact for the third consecutive year in recognition of the progress it has made against key environmental targets.

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

NEWS SPECIAL

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

New Springboard data has

COVID CASES RISE ACROSS EVERY REGION IN ENGLAND

shown that UK retail footfall

THE LATEST WEEKLY BRC COVID HOTSPOT TRACKER SHOWS

dropped by 3.5% last week

ALARMING GROWTH LEVELS IN CONFIRMED CASES OF THE VIRUS.

10PM FOOTFALL DROP

from the previous seven days.

Footfall declined by 7.1% in high streets but remained flat in shopping centres and edged up 0.8% in retail parks.

The declines were driven by torrential rain and the 10pm hospitality curfew.

OCADO PIPS TESCO

The latest weekly BRC Covid Hotspot Tracker for the week ending 21 September paints an alarming picture of the rise of confirmed cases, with increases across every region.

The data is only available for England and reveals 291 cases in Burnley as well as 872 new cases in the South East, driven principally by big spikes in Slough and Crawley.

The rise in the number of cases may

be at least partially accounted for by an increase in testing, particularly in identified hotspot areas.

Ocado has overtaken Tesco as UK’s most valuable retailer after a surge in its share price. The company is now worth £21.7bn, a rise of 155% since March despite Ocado’s market share being just 1.7%, compared to Tesco’s 26.8%.

AMAZON ‘IN DENIAL,’ SAYS UNION The GMB union has said Amazon is in denial about its safety record after a new report suggested accidents increase in warehouses with robots.

The Center for Investigative Reporting said serious injuries are 50% higher for fulfilment centres that have robots than those without.

ONE-O-ONE BACKS CASH FOR KIDS Glasgow-based retailer One-O-One Convenience stores has announced its Charity of the Year Partnership with Radio Clyde Cash for Kids as part of its efforts to support the communities they trade in during the complex times of coronavirus.

One-O-One is the largest independent licensed convenience store group in Scotland with 45 shops in and around the Glasgow area.

Paul Stirling, Group Retail Director, said: “Cash for Kids is a wonderful charity that will be wholeheartedly supported by our colleagues in stores who will be fundraising through various innovative ways. Our loyal

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customers will, I am sure, also embrace the opportunity to raise funds and donate to a wonderful cause which is really close to home in its ambitions to support local kids.“

NEWS SPECIAL

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

NEW CAMPAIGN URGES CUSTOMERS TO BE KIND A NEW CAMPAIGN FROM THE NFRN IS URGING SHOPPERS TO BE PATIENT AND KIND TOWARDS SHOP WORKERS AS CORONAVIRUS RESTRICTIONS TIGHTEN.

hoppers BE are being asked to be patient and kind and always wear a face mask in a new poster campaign launched by the Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) to help protect Shop Local Shop Little the health and well#BEKIND being of shopworkers.

The campaign has been launched as coronavirus restrictions tighten and the potential for an increase in-store tensions rises.

To remind shoppers of government requirements to wear a face covering BE PATIENT

Tesco has confirmed it will begin using a traffic light system at the entrances to some of its bigger stores to manage the flow of customers in and out as coronavirus restrictions continue to be tightened.

and to maintain social distancing while inside shops, the NFRN has created two new posters for members to display in-store.

This latest poster campaign is an extension of the NFRN’s Shop Local, Serving our community Shop Little poster initiative launched earlier this year to remind customers that local stores could provide all their needs and to encourage them to shop sensibly.

The two posters can be downloaded from www.thefedonline.com.

KIND

BE KIND

BE COVERED

ONLINE FACES ‘MOUNT EVEREST OF CHRISTMAS PEAKS’ Online retailers and couriers are already experiencing record peak volumes and many are stretched to full capacity, so the prospect of a bumper Christmas could spell chaos, says delivery service ParcelHero.

The company predicts Christmas 2020 could be as much as 50% busier than last year, potentially triggering a capacity crisis as online sales faces ‘the Mount Everest of Christmas peaks’.

ParcelHero says the double-whammy of families separated by Covid restrictions mailing their gifts, plus a shortage of skilled drivers created by Brexit, could prove a mountain too high to climb. It is urging retailers to start escalating their Christmas planning immediately.

The supermarket is also deploying staff at the entrances to some of its larger stores to help guide and advise customers as well as to ensure that coronavirus safety measures are in place and being followed.

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TESCO READIES TRAFFIC LIGHT SYSTEM

CEO Jason Terry said: “We continue to prioritise making our stores as safe as we can, and we are continually looking at new ways to do so.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

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

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY.

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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.

STORE PROFILE

LITTLE PLUMSTEAD WALLED GARDEN NISA

PREFAB SPROUTS UP IN NORFOLK THREE YEARS OF EFFORT FROM DETERMINED LOCALS IN A SMALL VILLAGE IN NORFOLK HAVE CULMINATED IN THE OPENING OF A BRAND NEW PREFAB STORE WHICH ADDS A VITAL NEW RESOURCE TO A ONCE ISOLATED COMMUNITY.

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 20 / WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020

STORE PROFILE

LITTLE PLUMSTEAD WALLED GARDEN NISA

T

hree years of sustained effort by a committee of determined locals has been rewarded with the grand opening of a new village shop with a difference in Norfolk, which will serve a community once isolated and with no access to groceries..

The community shop in Little Plumstead, in partnership with Nisa Retail, opened this week providing villagers with a modern local store in which to buy their essentials.

Joining Nisa as a business to business account with an independent fascia, the store is housed in a property acquired as part of an agreement between the local authority and a housing developer who gifted the community a Victorian walled garden that was originally part of an old hospital.

The shop, named The Walled Garden Store, also incorporates a café and offers a range of goods across all categories with chilled and frozen featuring. There’s also a strong Co-op own-brand presence as well as many locally sourced products.

Nisa is now delivering to the store with one ambient and three freeze and chill orders every week as local people make the most of having a local provision once again.

A group of locals raised close to £250,000 to fund the project after the village shop closed in 2016, leaving residents with no provisions. The committee also received support from the Plunkett Foundation, a charity that helps rural communities facing difficult times when village stores are forced to close.

Together they have organised the construction of a modular building, decorated the interior, restored part of the land and employed a manager and two supervisors to be supported by volunteers in running the store.

Retail Director Bronwen Barnes, who is the only member with experience in grocery as the retired Head of Personnel at Roy’s of Wroxham, said the project was no mean feat.

“I knew from my time at Roy’s that Nisa would be able to give us the support that we needed as a new business in these difficult times and our ambitions to open a café and an instore Post Office,” she said.

“I think we are going to be lots of things to lots of people and I think, because the shop is the result of local people coming together for their community, people will be loyal and make use of the facility.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

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TRADING MODELS

COMMISSION OPERATOR STORE AF BLAKEMORE

AF BLAKEMORE UNVEILS ‘COMMISSION OPERATOR’ MODEL SPAR WHOLESALER AF BLAKEMORE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT SPAR LEOMINSTER TODAY BECOMES THE FIRST STORE SERVED

BY THE GROUP TO BE RUN UNDER A ‘COMMISSION OPERATOR’

S

MODEL, WHERE THE STORE IS OWNED BY THE GROUP BUT RUN BY INDEPENDENT RETAILERS.

par wholesaler AF Blakemore has unveiled a new alternative to the traditional symbol / fascia model with the launch of a ‘commission operator’ structure. The first store to open under the new model structure is Spar Leominster in Herefordshire, which relaunches today.

Formerly operated by Blakemore Retail, AF Blakemore’s company-owned store division, the site is now being run

by MIH Traders, owned by Dasitha Gamage and Janaka Watowita.

Under the commission operator model, retailers will be self-employed but the store will be owned by AF Blakemore with the commission operators responsible for developing sales and profitability within their stores. It’s a similar model to the one already used by the likes of forecourt giant MFG and has proven to be successful and mutually beneficial.

AF Blakemore will now have three Spar trading models: independent, commission operator and company owned.

The company’s estate currently consists of 277 companyowned stores and 689 independently run stores.

Blakemore Trade Partners Sales Director Louis Drake commented: “We are delighted to be embarking on this new

partnership with Dasitha and Janaka and working alongside them to grow and develop their business.

“AF Blakemore’s new commission operator trading model will enable entrepreneurial independent retailers to operate their own businesses and will provide a platform for growth and expansion in the coming years by broadening our scope of retail outlets.

“The model will provide us with new opportunities to acquire sites that would not have fitted our previous trading models and therefore will bring us greater flexibility.”

The store is about to undergo redevelopment, which will enhance the existing food-to-go proposition and enable the operators to build on the sales growth achieved over the last six months of trading.

Retailer Dasitha Gamage commented: “AF Blakemore’s new commission operator store model is a great opportunity for retailers like us who want independence but extensive backing from a big business.”

Dasitha went on to say AF Blakemore “have a flexible approach to working in partnership and have provided us with all the support we need to drive our business forward and make it a success.”

“The commission operator store model is a great opportunity for retailers like us who want independence but extensive backing from a big business.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

RESEARCH

FIVER FEST VISA / TOTALLY LOCALLY

FIVER FEST AND THE MIRACLE ON HIGH STREET NEW RESEARCH FROM VISA SUGGESTS MANY CONSUMERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THEIR HIGH STREETS – BUT OVER 80% WANT TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE TO HELP OUT, MAKING NEXT WEEK’S ‘FIVER FEST’ A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR LOCAL RETAILERS.

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video

A

s lockdown measures evolve, new research among 2,000 adults by Visa reveals mixed sentiment towards the future of the high street with both consumers and small business owners tentative about their local town centres. The

18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 20 / WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020

research also discovers that four in five shoppers (81%) believe their high streets need support to pull through.

More than eight in 10 (84%) consumers are worried about the future of their high street but Scottish consumers are determined to play their

RESEARCH

FIVER FEST VISA / TOTALLY LOCALLY

As a result, Visa is partnering with grassroots initiative Totally Locally to offer free ‘Town Kits’ to small business owners and community groups looking to work together to protect the future of independent high streets.

Together they are encouraging small business owners to sign up to ‘Fiver Fest’, a two week celebration of small businesses and local communities from 10 to 24 October. Towns across the country will be coming together to host £5 special offers, thanking their communities for supporting the local high street. With over half of consumers (58%) saying they could spend £5 extra a week with small businesses, Totally Locally and Visa are calling on consumers to make a change to their spending habits and shop locally where they can.

Dominic White, Head of Merchants and Acquirers at Visa, says: “We know 2020 has been exceptionally challenging for small businesses

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video

FIVER FEST

so we’re doubling down on our commitment of support. Visa is proud to work with Totally Locally in its mission to bring communities together, and we encourage all small businesses to sign up to Fiver Fest ahead of 10 October. The next three months will be such an important period for small businesses, so we are urging the nation to back the spirit of Fiver Fest and shop local, either online or offline, to help communities recover.”

Chris Sands, Founder of Totally Locally, adds: “We’re pleased to see how Fiver Fest has grown over the past couple of years and we hope that through the partnership with Visa more consumers and businesses will be a part of it than ever before. It may not feel like a big contribution but that’s why we say just diverting £5 a week to small businesses will make a huge difference. If we all make this small change in our spending habits, it will go a long way to reviving our communities.”

Visa’s partnership with Totally Locally is part of its ongoing Where You Shop Matters campaign, a long-term commitment that recognises the essential role that small and independent businesses play in our communities. Visa has been drawing on its network of industry, technology, and community partners to provide much needed assistance to the small businesses as they rebuild for recovery.

For the first time, Totally Locally is also creating a virtual shopping experience helping towns to get local businesses online – launching initially in Hebden Bridge, Leek and Crickhowell, with many more towns to follow.

For more information, visit www.fiverfest. co.uk for a list of towns taking part or if you want your town to join in.

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part in supporting their local businesses with 81% of Scots, for instance, shopping as frequently or more frequently with small businesses since lockdown lifted and 63% admitting they could personally do more to support small businesses by shopping locally, either in person or online.

As for the UK’s small businesses, the majority remain cautiously optimistic about the future with over half (53%) confident they will bounce back over the next year. Over one in five (22%) small business owners, however, are not confident about the future.

The research from Visa also revealed that half (46%) of UK small business owners say that if everyone in their local community spent just £5 extra a week with small businesses either on or offline, it would help them to survive in the long term.

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

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COVID 19

BIO-FOGGING UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

THE BIO-FOGGERS ARE BACK AT UWS WITH CORONAVIRUS CASES ON THE RISE ONCE MORE, GLASGOW WHOLESALER UNITED WHOLESALE (SCOTLAND) HAS CALLED IN THE BIO-FOGGERS AGAIN TO DEEP CLEAN AND DISINFECT ALL ITS SITES AND PROTECT CUSTOMERS AND STAFF.

A

s every week goes by, the likelihood that the country will once again return to full lockdown increases and it’s more important than ever that wholesalers and retailers ensure that their customers and staff are as safe as possible when they shop.

With those concerns now front of mind, Glasgowbased United Wholesale (Scotland) has called in specialist

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 20 / WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020

contractor PSS Group again to carry out ‘bio-fogging’ disinfection of its three depots and its Head Office.

UWS become the first wholesaler in Scotland to utilise bio-fogging technology earlier this year but with the number of Covid-19 cases once again on the rise, Managing Director Chris Gallacher decided it was time to do another full deep clean.

COVID 19

BIO-FOGGING UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

The ‘bio-fogging’ technology used is also deployed in hospitals and is implemented using a specialised hand-held device to deliver a disinfectant solution in a mist form. After a few hours, the treated areas become safe to the public.

“The safety of our workforce and customers has always been our number one concern throughout the pandemic, which is why we implemented bio-fogging for the first time earlier this year,” said Gallacher. “But with coronavirus concerns growing once more we felt that it was important that we respond positively and proactively so we have decided to repeat the bio-fogging process once more across our depots and head office.

“We want to do everything we can to not only protect our workforce and customers, but to help drive down coronavirus cases and care for our NHS. Deep cleaning is a sensible plan for all businesses. I would encourage all wholesale and retail groups to carry out this procedure.”

Each of the three UWS depots have now been successfully decontaminated during closing hours once more to ensure no harm can come to customers or staff. The operation was again carried out by PSS Group and means that the nearly 3,000 retailers who shop at UWS can continue to provide the nation with vital supplies without any worry of catching the virus.

Additionally, the company has just purchased new rideon floor washing machines to ensure the floors in all depots are cleaned and sanitised before opening for trade the next day.

Mohammad Abdur Rajak, Owner of Day-Today Bridgeton, said: “It’s fantastic to see UWS is taking the safety of its customers and keyworkers so seriously. The recent second deep clean at its depot with fog technology gives us

“There is no doubt these guys are going above and beyond. Not only do they have security at the front door they are making sure everyone has facemasks on before entering the cash and carry. The trolley is sanitised and the central cash team are protected with high screens. The Bio Fogging just gives you that extra confidence to shop at UWS.” Maxwell Rd customer Ali, Day-today Elite, Blantyre

that much needed confidence and that added layer of security whilst shopping at any of their three warehouses.”

Gallacher also confirmed that a number of UWS’s retail customers are also in the process of preparing for implementing bio-fogging in their stores.

“This is a great move from UWS. I’m always concerned when doing the weekly shop but this just gives us the confidence we can come to M9 and shop without worry about the risk Covid 19 brings.” [ M9 customers Asiyah & Jav Javid, Day Today Express Elite, Alloa Rd Stenhousemuir ]

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

BUSINESS INSIGHT

DESTINATION RETAIL SLR HANDBOOK

BECOMING A DESTINATION STORE IT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOUR SHOPPERS AS MANY REASONS AS POSSIBLE TO CHOOSE YOUR STORE OVER A COMPETITOR’S. A NEW HANDBOOK FROM SLR EXAMINES WHY

I

BECOMING A DESTINATION STORE MATTERS MORE THAN EVER – AND EXPLAINS HOW TO DO IT.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

n these most remarkable of times, most convenience stores are performing way above average and that’s just reward for the heroic role that the sector has played at the heart of communities across the UK over the last six or seven months. But when the pandemic ends, as it surely will, what will the future look like and what will retailers need to do to ensure long term success?

The pandemic has thrown a new light on what the role of the convenience channel is, and we have also seen huge scale blurring of previously well-established boundaries.

The demarcation lines between retail, foodservice and online retail are, if not obliterated, at least smudged out of all recognition. So what does that mean for local retailers?

It probably means the traditional convenience retailing model is no longer fit for purpose Competing on price and promotions with a similar if not identical product and service range is no longer a sustainable strategy. Evolution is the way forward, revolution is a distinct possibility.

With so many retailers and hospitality providers chasing every pound coin in every consumer’s pocket, the store of the (near) future will have to be a true destination store that offers customers as many reasons to visit as possible. That means products and services and solutions that customers can’t easily find anywhere else nearby. But how exactly do you go about building a destination store?

This is the challenge tackled in a new Destination Retail Handbook from SLR that you can access here. A key

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 20 / WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020

message from the Handbook is that a destination store is a living beast that will change quickly and regularly over time.

What customers want tomorrow won’t be the same as what they want the following day. But by committing to becoming a destination store you will already have built an attitude, a frame of mind that prepares you for the need for relentless and constant change, always adapting and improving your offer and always responding to customer demand.

Ultimately, a destination store is nothing more than a frame of mind. Don’t get attached to what you’ve always done or even what’s working for you now. Develop a commitment and passion for understanding your customers and anticipating what they will want next – then give them it. You won’t get it right every time, but your customers will respect you for trying.

It’s not easy or everyone would be doing it. But everyone isn’t.

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 READ NOW

DESTINATIO RETAIL N

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

RS... AND HO

W TO DO IT .

OCTOBER 20 20 HOME DELIVE RY

/ FOOD-TO-G O / DIFFERENT LOCAL SOUR IATED RANGE CING / SUS / TAINABILITY / TECH

IN-STORE TECH

COSTA EXPRESS CONTACTLESS COSTA EXPRESS

COSTA EXPRESS READIES MOBILE CONTACTLESS ORDERING COSTA EXPRESS IS ADOPTING A MOBILE CONTACTLESS ORDERING SYSTEM WHICH LETS SHOPPERS

C

REQUEST THEIR FAVOURITE DRINK FROM THEIR PHONE.

osta Express is rolling out a mobile contactless ordering system across 9,000+ machines in independent retailing outlets this autumn. The solution is activated when a customer is near a machine and will be available through the Costa Coffee Club app. It allows shoppers to order their drink of choice through their mobile phone.

The solution lets shoppers order and collect their coffee without touching the machine’s screen.

Scott Martin, MD of Costa Express, said: “Costa Express is synonymous with exceptional coffee on-the-go, so we’re delighted to roll out this state-of-the-art system, which ultimately demonstrates our position as the category leader in intelligent coffee.

“The technology is nothing short of a goldstandard level of innovation – a UK first for the coffee machine industry – and we’re proud to lead the charge as our customers enjoy a new and exciting way to order their favourite barista quality coffee.

“Customers from all over the country are blown away by the quality of our product and during these uncertain times, their daily coffee run has proven to be all that more important as they try to include a bit of normal in their routine.”

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 20 / WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020

Feeling lost & confused We can shed with your some light. business? Access free 1:1 business adviser support and online resources for a brighter future.

Connect with us at

bgateway.com

MADE IN ENGLAND’S OLDEST WORKING GIN DISTILLERY

PROPER LEGEND

SUPER PREMIUM GIN GROWS

+9% YOY,

CONTRIBUTING 14% OF GIN CATEGORY VALUE.*

STOCK UP NOW

Please drink Plymouth Gin responsibly.

*Source: Nielsen, Total Coverage, Value Sales, MAT to WE 13.06.20

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX FLAVOURLY CANVENT CALENDAR

THE CANVENT CALENDAR CASHING IN ON THE GROWTH OF THE CRAFT BEER CATEGORY, THE FLAVOURLY CHRISTMAS BEER CANVENT CALENDAR IS BACK FOR 2020 OFFERING 24 FULL SIZED 330ML CANS FROM INDEPENDENT BREWERS.

HOW DOES IT WORK? For the fourth consecutive year, online craft beer specialist Flavourly is offering 24 cans of top notch exclusive beers for £39.95 with free delivery on ‘pre-orders.’ After the pre-order period, the price rises to £44.95.

NICE IDEA...

The pack sold out last year so the company is expecting it to be a popular offering again this year. Stock is available on a timehonoured first come first served basis.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? An advent calendar with a can of beer behind each door.

What’s not to like?

SO, A CAN OF BEER FOR EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER? Exactly. Well, every day except Christmas Day (and the days in December after Christmas). 24 full sized 330ml cans.

WILL THEY BE WITH SHOPPERS BY 1 DECEMBER? Yes, any pre-orders will be despatched via DPD from 16 Nov, ensuring they are with consumers in good time for the first day of December.

WHAT IS FLAVOURLY SAYING?

Yes, premium beers from independent craft breweries across the UK.

Flavourly co-founder and CMO Assean Sheikh said; “The Flavourly Canvent Calendar is the perfect way to try some of the best craft beers being brewed at the moment and if ever there was a time when we all deserve to give ourselves a wee daily treat – 2020 definitely feels like the year.”

SUCH AS?

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

ALL CRAFT BEERS?

Fourpure, Freedom and By The Horns.

Visit www.flavourly.com/CANVENT2020

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

NPD AND MEDIA

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

ALCOHOL-FREE T

HALO PROMO

GOOD TO GLOW

Tennent’s has launched

Monster Energy has

Ready brek is back on TV

Tennent’s Zero, a 0.0% beer,

announced a new gaming

this month with its ’Central

into the convenience channels

partnership with Microsoft’s

heating for everyone’ creative.

in 4 x 440ml packs. The new

new 2021 Halo Infinite game.

Alongside the TV slots, which

line has the same flavour

Gamers can collect codes from

will be supported via a social

profile as Tennent’s Lager,

promotional packs of Monster

media campaign, Ready

Scotland’s top-selling beer but

and exchange them for in-

brek is also having a feast of

has just 17kcal per 100ml.

game boosts, as well as have

Halloween fun instore and in

RSP: £3.50

a chance to win prizes.

wholesale depots.

100% RECYCLABLE

FESTIVE PETCARE

TRIPLE X

Weetabix On The Go has

Mars Petcare is introducing a

Valeo Confectionery has

redesigned its bottles to make

selection of new products to its

launched new XXX Softmints

them 100% recyclable so that

Christmas range across three

in response to consumer

the bottle, cap and sleeve can

of its brands: Pedigree, Sheba

demand for the brand’s

now all be recycled together.

and Dreamies. The Pedigree

mint flavour in a new, softer

The breakfast drink has also

and Dreamies launches are

format. The new mints deliver

moved to a clear PET bottle,

supported with TV advertising

a powerful, fresh burst of

made from 30% recycled

in the brand’s biggest seasonal

peppermint in a chewy format.

plastic.

campaign to date.

RSP: £1

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 13 / WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY 2020

NPD AND MEDIA

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

BEEFEATER PMPS

NIKKA ADDS TWO

WHITLEY FLAVOURS

Beefeater is launching a new

Japanese whisky brand Nikka

JJ Whitley Vodka has added

£16.99 PMP across its London

is bringing two new permanent

two new variants to its growing

Dry, Pink Strawberry and Blood

expressions to the UK: Nikka

portfolio of flavoured vodkas:

Orange variants, to continue

Tailored and Taketsuru Pure

Peach & Apricot and Apple &

driving value growth. Beefeater

Malt. Tailored is a premium

Lime. Both of the 38% ABV

has grown by almost 100%

blend of malt and grain

products fuse smooth, crisp

YOY in the off-trade, according

whiskies; Taketsuru is a blend

vodka with on-trend autumnal

to Nielsen data from June.

of aged single malt casks.

flavours.

RSP: £16.99

RSPs: £110 / £60

RSP: £16

MASONS’ NEW LOOK

PEATHEART 2

G & TEA

Masons of Yorkshire is

The anCnoc Highland Single

Scottish craft distillery Old

rejuvenating its brand with

Malt Scotch Whisky has

Curiosity has released a

a bold new look and a new

released Peatheart Batch 2.

range of herbal teas that uses

Orange & Lime Leaf variant.

The first batch was released

the same botanicals as its

The developments are being

in 2017. Peated barley adds

Secret Garden Gin. Three

supported by a national print

a rich, smoky twist before

flavours are available: Lemon

and digital media advertising

maturation in American Oak

Verbena, Apothecary Rose and

campaign.

ex-bourbon barrels.

Lavender.

RSP: £30

RSP: £52

RSP: £5.95

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

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 ALBERT BARTLETT / ICEBLOC / NATIONAL SARCASTIC MONTH

BALLET GOES TO SEED

It has to go down as one of the more random sponsorships we’ve come across, but spud supremo Albert Bartlett has somehow done a deal with The Royal Ballet to produce a version of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ performed “as seed potatoes go to sleep”. Yeh, go figure.

Shot in Albert Bartlett’s factory in Jersey, the Jersey Royal seed potatoes are “preparing to be tucked in themselves before being woken up in November and planted early in the New Year.”

Apparently ballet superstar – their words, not ours – Reece Clarke has been moonlighting with the potato producer since 2012 and is now first soloist with The Royal Ballet. Whatever. Watch the video.

It’ll brighten up your day.

THE COMPLICATED ALTERNATIVE TO STRAWS

NATIONAL SARCASTIC MONTH – THAT’S A GREAT IDEA

Now that straws are off the menu in England and socially unacceptable everywhere else, a Hampshire engineer has designed what he’s calling “an eco-friendly alternative”. It allegedly stops ice and various other bits in your drink hitting your lips and teeth, a first world problem if ever there was one.

Made of plants, re-usable, easy to clean and compostable, the clever design fits any glass and “let’s your drink’s flavour flow”.

Adrian Potter, who clearly has a lot of time on his hands, has invented the gadget to take on the single-use straw. He apparently came up with the clever design at the age of 17 while struggling with his gin and tonic at a golf club in Hong Kong: “There was so much crushed ice, lemon and garnish in the G&T, I couldn’t take a swig.”

Thirty years later he has perfected his design. We give you Icebloc, a steal at just £3.99 for six on Amazon.

We couldn’t let October pass by without acknowledging that it’s apparently National Sarcastic Month. It came to our attention via a press release offering a range of hilarious products to help us all sarcastically rip the piss out of one another.

And what could be more hilarious than a coffee mug saying “Why, yes I am a rocket scientist” or a hoodie offering “S.A.A.S - Sarcasm As A Service”.

For more sarcastic and side-splitting tat, feel free to visit www.allteeallshade.store. Or don’t.

WEDNESDAY 7TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 25 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

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