THIS WEEK'S NEWS

ASCONA STRENGTHENS NISA LINKS

FAST-GROWINGFORECOURTOPERATOR ASCONAGROUP HITS 41STORES WITH NISA.

Nisa is continuing to grow its footprint in the forecourt sector following the expansion of independent partner Ascona Group. The fast-growing forecourt operator, who signed a deal to be supplied by Nisa in spring, now has 14 stores converted to the Nisa fascia and a further three due to be completed by the end of the month.

In total 41 stores are now trading with Nisa, all of which will convert to Nisa stores, and plans are in place to grow this number during 2021.

Ascona is also showcasing the very first Nisa Express store format which was unveiled at the group’s New County Service Station in Clophill, Bedfordshire in October (pictured).

SHOPWORKERS’ PROTECTION BILL CLEARS SECOND HOLYROOD HURDLE

THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT VOTED YESTERDAY TO SUPPORT KEYPROPOSED LEGISLATION THAT WILL MAKE IT A SPECIFIC OFFENCETO ASSAULT A SHOPWORKER.

Daniel Johnson MSP’s Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill moved a lot closer to becoming law yesterday as the Scottish Parliament voted in support of it.

The Stage 2 vote represents a crucial step forward and the Bill will create a new statutory offence of assaulting, threatening or abusing a retail worker and provide further legal protections when the worker is carrying out their statutory duties around age-restricted sales.

Daniel Johnson said: “I’m delighted to see my bill pass Stage 2 at the Economy Committee, especially as it is Respect for Shopworkers Week. It was encouraging to hear so many supportive voices recognising the important work of our retail workers.

“I now look ahead to championing our retail workers in the final Parliamentary Stage debate before my Bill becomes law.”

The Bill now faces a final Stage 3 vote before it can be made law. A date for this vote has yet to be confirmed.

CENTRAL ENGLAND CO-OP GOES APPY

Central England Co-op has linked up with Appy Shop to offer shoppers a home delivery service. The trial service is running in parts of Norfolk, Leicester, Stafford and Burton and allows customers to order via a dedicated app.

Deliveries will be made in a special electric vehicle and all deliveries will be made without the use of plastic bags.

SPAR SCOTLAND BACK ON TV

Spar Scotland returned to TV screens on Monday with its latest ad campaign. The ads highlight the “great value available” in Spar stores across the country and follow TV campaigns in January and September.

Running until 29 November, the latest activity comprises four 20 second adverts running at peak viewing times on STV over a two-week period.

The ads will be supported by a social media campaign, in-store radio and in-store POS. Promotions will focus on nine key deals from brands including: Golden Wonder, Walkers Doritos, Irn- Bru, Coca-Cola, Magners, Tennent’s, Kopparberg, Kellogg’s, Birds Eye and Aunt Bessie’s.

DIAGEO GREEN GONG

Diageo has again beenrecognised in the Dow JonesWorld Sustainability Index2020, for the third consecutiveyear. The maker of JohnnieWalker, Smirnoff and Guinnesshas been ranked in the topfour beverage companiesworldwide.

OWN LABEL COFFEE

Co-op has unveiled a newethically-sourced hot drinksbrand called Ever Ground asit strengthens its food-to-gooffering. The range is beingtrialled in nine stores thismonth with products in therange including coffee, hotchocolate and tea. All are100% Fairtrade.

COOL IDEA

Aldi is launching a 100%recyclable freezer bag withtrials taking place in 230 storesin England. Made from a fullyrecyclable polyethylene andseafood waste, the bags retailat 99p and are also treatedwith an antimicrobial agent thatinhibits the growth of commontypes of bacteria and mould. Ifthe trial is successful, the bagswill be rolled out UK-wide.

UNITAS PRINTING SERVICE

Unitas Wholesale haslaunched a new andcompletely free Plan for ProfitPOS printing facility givingretailers access to high quality,customisable point of salefor their stores. The POS isavailable to print from theretailer’s own computer.

VIRTUAL TOURS

Nisa’s logistics team has launched a virtual tour of the company’s Scunthorpe warehouse to allow it to continue to provide suppliers and colleagues from partner organisations with a better understanding of how its distribution centres operate

LIDL GRADUATES

Lidl has launched a graduateand placement programme asit searches for undergraduatesand students to join the teamin Scotland. The programmeoffers a starting salary of£37,000 as well as a fullyexpensed premium companycar and 30 days’ annualleave. Over 90% of placementstudents and graduates fromthe last five years are nowin permanent managementpositions with Lidl.