The Week In Retail Issue 33

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

COVID-19

UK FIRST TO APPROVE

VACCINE GETS THE NOD

£100K LOCAL SOURCING PILOT BREXIT MUD DEEPENS RAMPAGE IN ALDI

NPD

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

VOTE FOR YOUR TOP NPD OF 2020

RETAILER PROTECTION

TIME FOR DRAMATIC DIVERSIFICATION?

CONSUMERS HUNGRY FOR HYBRID STORES

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Issue 33 Wednesday 2nd December 2020

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BACK ON TV FROM 1ST DECEMBER Copyright © Snowman Enterprises Limited 2020 THE SNOWMAN (TM) Snowman Enterprises Limited

*Source: Kantar World Panel, Value Sales, Take Home Non-Alcohol Brands, MAT to 06.09.20, Total Scotland

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

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

IS A COVID-FREE COUNTRY NOW A REAL POSSIBILITY? Despite claims that the government was rushing through the process without sufficient due diligence, it has been announced today that the UK is to become the first country on earth to approve a Covid-19 vaccine for widespread use.

The ferocious battle between the Big Pharma giants has been won by Pfizer and as early as next week we’ll start seeing hundreds of thousands of Brits able to access the vaccine for free via the good old NHS. It’s quite a lot to take in after what has been a tumultuous year. Could the end of this horrific virus truly be in sight?

And, more pertinently for the purposes of The Week In Retail, if this truly is the beginning of the end of coronavirus, what will the world look like once it’s gone? So much has changed beyond recognition in the last eight or nine months that it seems hugely unlikely that we will return to the ‘normal’ of old. And would we want to return to that old normal, even if we could?

It’s a little early to be looking for silver linings to the coronavirus cloud with people still dying

from the virus to this day, but it seems to me that the world is already a very changed place - and a lot of that change has been for the good. We seem to have rediscovered our passion for community, we seem to have found that there is more room in our hearts for others than we had previously been aware of and we seem to have at least made a start on straightening our priorities out.

In tough times you really do learn what matters and, ultimately, that comes come down to helping each other out - and accepting that it’s ok to need help sometimes. The ‘me-me-me’ culture of the 90s and noughties has taken a battering under coronavirus and that’s definitely A Good Thing.

The main challenge moving forward is to ensure that we don’t lose sight of what we’ve discovered about ourselves and our communities when normality does return. So perhaps our communal New Year’s resolution for 2021 should be to commit to ensuring that the new normal is a better one than the old one.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

6.50

RRP

£

**

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO

FOR 20 POUCHES

*Source: IRI Market Place, Unit Share, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, Aug 2020. To verify contact us via nordicspirit.co.uk/contact **RRP effective 16/11/2020.

You remain free to price as you choose.

NORDIC SPIRIT OF SWEDEN

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

9

15

THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020

ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER RAMPAGE

The UK becomes the first country in the world to approve a Coronavirus vaccine for widespread use.

The Week In Retail exclusively reveals the shortlist for the first ever Scottish Local Retailer Products of the Year Awards.

Footage of a shopper running riot and destroying 500 bottles of wine and spirits in an Aldi store.

27 VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

39 BREXIT MUD THICKENS

8 COVID-19 UPDATE

A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS FROM THE LAST SEVEN DAYS.

27

TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO REGISTER FOR THE SLR REWARDS 2020.

10 TIME TO GET EXTREME?

33 ENERGISING SALES

SHOPPER APPETITE FOR ‘HYBRID STORES’ EXISTS - SO WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

THE WINNERS OF AN IRN-BRU ENERGY RETAILER GIVEAWAY ARE REVEALED.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

IMACT OF BREXIT NO CLEARER FOR MAJORITY OF BUSINESS LEADERS.

41 £100K GO LOCAL FUNDING

SGF UNVEILS NEW PILOT TO PUSH SALES OF LOCAL PRODUCE.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

NISA SITE DELIVERS

MINIMUM WAGE

seen the number of enquiries

CHANCELLOR UPSETS EVERYONE WITH WAGE RISE

from prospective partners

RISHI SUNAK DIDN’T MAKE MANY FRIENDS WITH HIS

“rocketing”, according to the

ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RISE IN THE NATIONAL LIVING WAGE LAST

group. Since its launch in

WEEK.

Nisa’s new website [insert link: www.nisalocally.co.uk] has

July this year, up to the end of October, Nisa has seen an increase of 230% in leads generated from the website year-on-year.

HANCOCKS INVESTS Hancocks is investing in anew 140,000 sqft distribution warehouse in Worksop to support online growth. In 2020 its online business has

Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement last week that the National Living Wage is to rise from £8.72 to £8.91 upset both sides of the employer/employee divide with retailers claiming the rise will put jobs in jeopardy and trade unions disappointed that the rise isn’t big enough.

The new rate – a 2.2% increase – will be extended to workers aged 23 and over from April 2021. Earlier last month, the Living Wage Foundation announced a new rate of £9.50 per hour for the ‘real’ Living Wage.

The NFRN said the increase will have a negative impact on thousands of small businesses and threaten jobs while retail trade union Usdaw expressed disappointed that low paid workers will not get the full minimum wage increase they were promised – the Government had previously projected a rate of £9.21.

grown in excess of 200% and the wholesaler now offers direct delivery and click and collect services to over 20,000 customers across the UK and Europe. The company’s facility in Dunstable will close.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRESS The Post Office has appointed Katie Secretan as its new Strategic Partnerships Director.

Formerly Partnerships Director UK and Ireland at Costa Coffee, Secretan will focus on “deepening engagement with strategic retail partners”.

ILLICIT RETAILERS FACE BOOT FROM TRACK & TRACE The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has welcomed proposed action from HMRC to tackle tobacco duty evasion, highlighting the impact that the illicit trade has on legitimate retailers.

The 12 week consultation, published yesterday, is considering a range of measures including extending the ability to enforce selected track and trace sanctions to Trading Standards, a new penalty of up to £10k for holding or possessing products that do not comply with the track and trace requirements and the power to seize any track and trace compliant

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

tobacco products where they are found alongside product that does not comply with the track and trace requirements.

The measures also include the withdrawal of the track and trace operator ID from retailers who found with products that do not comply with the track and trace requirements and from retailers that have had their ability to sell tobacco restricted or curtailed under any other legislation.

More details about the consultation are available here. ACS will be responding to the consultation in due course.

NEWS DIGEST

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

PAPA GROWS

COVID-19

TESCO TO REPAY BUSINESS RATES RELIEF

Pizza franchise Papa John’s has opened six new stores across England. There are now over 450 Papa John’s in the UK. The company said it

TESCO HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT

is “exploring the opportunities

WILL REPAY THE £585M OF BUSINESS

to partner with third-party

RATES RELIEF IT RECEIVED FROM

organisations.”

THE UK GOVERNMENT AND DEVOLVED ADMINISTRATIONS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

In the wake of sustained and fierce criticism from many quarters, Tesco has announced that it will repay all £585m it received in business relief rates during the coronavirus pandemic.

Tesco hailed the relief as a “game-changer” in the early stages of the pandemic, helping to quickly rebuild confidence across the industry. It stated that all of the money had been used in its response to the pandemic and estimated that its total pandemic-related costs will be around £725m.

Tesco Group Chief Executive Ken Murphy (pictured) said: “While business rates relief was a critical support at a time of significant uncertainty, some of the potential risks we faced are now behind us. Every decision we’ve taken through the crisis has been guided by our values and a commitment to playing our part. In that same spirit, giving this money back to the public is absolutely the right thing to do by our customers, colleagues and all of our stakeholders.”

ARCADIA COLLAPSES Arcadia Group has entered administration, putting 13,000 jobs at risk and piling pressure on high street footfall figures. The group owns eight fashion retail brands including Topshop, Topman, Dorothy Perkins, Outfit, Burton and Miss Selfridge.

SAINSBURY’S BUCKS TREND

UNITAS DATA PLAY HITS £1.35BN

Unlike many retailers who

Unitas Wholesale has added data from a further £250m worth of member sales into its Unitas Data Service Data, in partnership with TWC. As of December 1, a total of 25 Unitas members are now contributing their sales data to the service bringing the total read to over £1.35bn worth of sales.

Launched nine months ago, the service has seen key suppliers

to give staff a well earned

signing up to the service, gaining access to immediate and valuable insight into what’s happening from a category, brand, member and supplier perspective . Participating suppliers include JTI, PepsiCo, Treasury Wine Estates, KP Snacks and Mondelez.

Users have already visited the platform over a thousand times since going live, providing suppliers with insight on over 30,000 SKU’s.

are reducing their opening hours over the festive period break, Sainsbury’s is to extend its opening hours in the week before Christmas and awarding extra Nectar points to customers who shop early between 4 to 13 December for longer life products. Between 21 and 23 December, most of Sainsbury’s shops will open from 6am to midnight.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

NEWS SPECIAL

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

BAKKOVAR FATALITY

INDIES IN LINE FOR £3.5BN BOOST

A worker has died at the

NEW RESEARCH SHOWS INDEPENDENT RETAILERS ARE SET FOR

Bakkovar Factory which

A £3.5BN BOON IN THE RUN-UP TO CHRISTMAS WITH HALF OF

supplies salads to M&S amid

SHOPPERS PLANNING TO GO LOCAL.

a coronavirus outbreak at the factory. Cases at the facility have risen from 35 in the third week of November to 79 by the end of the month and the GMB trade union is calling for mass testing of staff and full pay for all Covid-related absence.

CSG GOES LOCAL Costcutter Supermarkets Group has launched its festive campaign, ‘Shop Local This Christmas’, with a firm focus on value and local communities.

The campaign aims to help the group’s independent retailers

Independent retailers could be in for a very welcome £3.5bn boost this festive period, if new research from the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA) and Starling Bank proves accurate.

The report found that almost half (43%) of consumers want to support small local businesses and their community due to the impact of the pandemic. Consumers also plan to spend around £119 on gifts from independent businesses with food and bdrink are the most popular items to buy from small local shops (43%).

Andrew Goodacre, BIRA Chief Executive, said: “This research shows

the importance of independent retail to the communities throughout the UK.”

engage shoppers, drive footfall and focus on the benefits of shopping locally.

DEBENHAM’S POPULAR The Debenhams website crashed as it was overwhelmed by shoppers searching for bargains after the department store chain collapsed. Virtual queues were hours’ long and the site finally crashed completely due to “unprecedented levels of visits”.

MAJOR RETAILERS URGED TO REJECT BOXING DAY TRADING Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has today written an open letter to the heads of the UK’s major retailers calling on them to reject Boxing Day trading and give staff “a decent break over Christmas”.

The letter stated: “With the country facing a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, retail and distribution workers have stepped up and kept food on all of our tables.

The extraordinary response of essential retailers to the crisis has been rightly praised, and that response is down to the hard work and efforts of shopworkers on the frontline. When others stay safe at home, they go out to work. They have faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as huge worries about their health and that of their families.

“For key workers, who have done so much this year, asking for shops to close on Boxing Day, so that they can have some quality time with their families, is really not too much to ask for. 2020 has been a year like no other, so let’s ensure that retail workers get a decent break at Christmas.”

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NEWS SPECIAL

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

UK FIRST TO APPROVE COVID VACCINE

ASDA ADDS MOBILE PHONE RECYCLING KIOSK

THE UK HAS BECOME THE FIRST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD TO APPROVE A COVID-19 VIRUS.

Asda’s innovation store in Stevenage has introduced a new mobile phone recycling machine from Music Magpie SmartDrop Kiosk which allows shoppers to recycle their old mobile phones and get cash paid straight into their bank accounts. It’s that simple!

SHOPPERS MOVED TO TIERS IN ENGLAND Shoppers across England have returned to non-essential stores after retailers r-opened their doors at the end of the four-week national lockdown. A new tiered system of Covid-19 rules has now come into force with more than 55 million people in the strictest two tiers.

The new three-tiered system was backed by MPs in a Commons vote only hours before it came into effect, despite significant rebellion from within OM Boris Johnson’s own party.

TECH SOLUTIONS

T

he prospect of a Covid-free country moved a step closer today as the UK become the first country in the world to approve a vaccine for widespread use. The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been approved by government with regulator Dr June Raine insisting that “no corners have been cut” in approving it.

It is expected that immunisations could begin as early as next week with around 800,000 doses likely to be available next week.

A priority list of those who will get the vaccine first has been published, focusing principally on care home residents, the elderly and the vulnerable.

The vaccine is being rolled out free to people via the NHS and people will not be able to jump the queue by paying for it.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

MARKET RESEARCH

HYBRID STORES TWC

TIME TO PUSH THE DIVERSIFICATION ENVELOPE? A NEW REPORT INTO THE CONVENIENCE SECTOR HAS FOUND THE MORE THAN A THIRD OF SHOPPERS ARE INTERESTED IN HYBRID STORES THAT SEE TRADITIONAL CONVENIENCE STORES CROSSED WITH

I

OTHER TYPES OF OUTLET - SO IS IT TIME FOR SOME MORE EXTREME DIVERSIFICATION?

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

t’s a story I’ve told before, but every time I read about possible ‘extreme’ diversification in the convenience channel, it always reminds me of a conversation I had in a previous life with a senior executive from Google. We had both been speaking at a data-focused event in London and afterwards we chatted over a beer about this and that. Long story short, he asked me what I thought Google was. I gave all the obvious answers - search engine, tech company - but what he told me will stay with me forever. He told me that Google and c-stores had one key thing in common: they were both places that people came to on a very, very regular basis.

Google, in a word, is footfall. Everything else is secondary.

The big question, he pondered out loud in a bar in some swanky hotel in London, was why all we tried to do with all that footfall was sell it Mars Bars and cans of Coke. He assured me that Google would never own c-stores, but if they did, they certainly wouldn’t run them the way the convenience retailing industry does. So what exactly would Google do with c-stores?

That’s the question that occurs to me every time I hear about diversification or hybrid stores concepts - and that’s the question that once again popped into my head when I was reading TWC’s new report this week. The ‘Growing Role of Convenience Stores’ report is interesting for many reasons, as TWC’s increasingly penetrating reports are, but

10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

the bit that really caught my eye was the finding that 35% of consumers would ‘probably’ or ‘definitely’ use a convenience store that was “a cross between a convenience store and another type of outlet”.

The hybrid trend is certainly well established in the sector, albeit on a small scale (in that very few retailers are actually doing it) and on a relatively non-extreme basis (in that it invariably it involves exclusively food and drink).

David Sands has been doing store-deli-cafes for a while in Scotland, Dan Cock took the store-pub idea to impressive heights in Cornwall while in Manchester Mital Morar is pushing boundaries as fast as anyone in the sector.

To return to the musings of my Google friend, however,

MARKET RESEARCH

HYBRID STORES TWC

DAVID SANDS’S HYBRID STORE-CAFE OFFERING IN KIRKCALDY.

DAN COCK’S STORE/PUB HYBRID.

“Google would never own c-stores, but if they did, they certainly wouldn’t run them the way the convenience retailing industry does. So what exactly would Google do with c-stores?” is it perhaps time for some brave retailer to have a go at a more extreme form of diversification? As my Google chum put it, and I’m paraphrasing here because it was many years ago and I didn’t have a notebook to hand, “With all that footfall and all those customers shoppers visiting you on a daily basis or even more often, you clearly have have a deep relationship with them and they trust you. So why don’t you try to leverage that footfall and trust and provide them with something that isn’t just food and drink? If they trust you enough to buy sandwiches or hot food made by hand in your store, they’ll trust you enough to buy anything.”

IT’S A THOUGHT, ISN’T IT? The TWC report explores that hybrid theory, citing stores with Post Offices as the original hybrid model and moves on to stores that partner with coffee or foodservice brands to broaden the offering - and suggests that there’s still plenty of room for growth there. The report found that eating food on the premises (restaurant/coffee shop/eat-in tables) could drive further traffic as well as upsell opportunities for

retailers with 35% of UK adults saying they would embrace this European-style approach when visiting a retail store.

Unsurprisingly, 29% also said they would “probably” use the store if they could consume alcohol on premise, the storepub hybrid mentioned above.

Interestingly, the figure increased significantly to 42% if the store could include a proper pharmacy, with real pharmacists working in it. Again, that’s not a new model, but it’s not common.

The world of convenience has changed, argues TWC Development Director Tom Fender: “There is far greater competition for top-up shopping today than there was 20 years ago. A huge percentage of visits to supermarkets are top up trips (10 items or less, contents of a basket only) as well as discounters taking a chunk out of c-stores’ top-up market.”

The consequence, believes Fender, is that c-store operators “have had to go fishing in ponds other than the ones they are used to”. This, he says, has predominantly involved services, food-to-go and coffee although he does add that it’s

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

MARKET RESEARCH

HYBRID STORES TWC

a constant surprise that industry data shows that a majority of UK c-stores to this days still do not have a coffee offer.

To fish in other ponds, then, means recognising trends, evolving to adapt to changes in shopper behaviour and offering a differentiated range of products and services (ideally while delivering higher margins). In other words, becoming a destination store.

Coronavirus has caused the single biggest period of upheaval in this industry that anyone alive today has ever seen and there is no way of telling what the convenience store of the future will look like, but the chances are it doesn’t look the convenience store of today.

“Take stores across Asia, which are small but always packed, with an eating-in area,” says Fender. “No-one can possibly know what changes in on-premise consumption will occur once we get through this pandemic but all the signs are indicating that consumers are keen to use c-stores for a bit of dwell-time.

“And it’s not just about food, although food and coffee

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

are powerful draws. As yet we have to see the emergence of pharmacy aligning to c-stores, which feels a symbiotic partnership and one that would have great appeal to residents in local communities. Almost half of 7-11 stores in Japan have a pharmacy within them. And when we say ‘pharmacy’, we don’t mean sticking a few cans of Lynx on-shelf, but having an actual pharmacy offer in-store with the right expertise (an on-site pharmacist). What is often forgotten in our channel is that if you look at the most common types of retail business consumers visit, pharmacy is usually one of the highest. So it makes sense for retailers to consider introducing business concepts which are clearly successful in their own right and attract high levels of footfall too.”

The hybrid logic is compelling, as Fender concludes: “Why go into two shops when you could do it all in one?”

The big question, as our learned from from Google would no doubt point out, is what exactly could we successfully and profitably sell to our loyal customers that isn’t just food and drink?

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

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

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INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

INTRODUCING… THE SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 AS VOTED FOR BY RETAILERS ENGAGING AND NEW PRODUCTS ARE THE LIFEBLOOD OF THE LOCAL RETAILING INDUSTRY AND WE’RE HELPING CELEBRATE THIS YEAR’S BEST LAUNCHES - WITH THE WINNERS CHOSEN EXCLUSIVELY BY

A

LOCAL RETAILERS.

ll local retailers know the vital role that new products play in helping generate excitement among customers in-store and on social media, as well as driving footfall, sales and profits.

This year more than ever, retailers have been relying on a steady stream of innovative, engaging and attention-grabbing new products - and the big brands haven’t let them down.

Which is why Scottish Local Retailer is introducing a new SLR Products of the Year Awards for 2020 with every winner chosen by the people that matter most: local retailers themselves.

All local retailers will be able to vote for their favourite products of 2020 and will have the opportunity to explain why their chosen products were so important to their success this year.

The brand new SLR Products of the Year Awards 2020 will shine a light on the incredible role that suppliers have played in this most challenging of years for the sector. The Awards will recognise and reward the innovation, creativity and adaptability of the many suppliers who have delivered for the local retailing sector this year.

Once the votes have been cast, the winners will be announced in a special supplement as part of the January 2021 issue of SLR and will also be featured in a special edition

REQUEST YOUR VOTING FORM

of The Week In Retail in January.

All winning and shortlisted products will be entitled to carry the SLR Products of the Year Awards 2020 winner or shortlisted logo on-pack and in their marketing materials - thereby completing a virtuous circle by helping drive further sales in the future in local retailing outlets across the country, because we all know that shoppers love an awards-winning product.

To have your say click here.

HOW DID WE ESTABLISH THE SHORTLIST? The list of outstanding NPD that you will over the next few pages has been carefully curated using a complex scoring formula with only the topperforming products making it into the shortlist.

Every new product that was carried in SLR in print or digital format in 2020 was analysed and scored against a range of the most important engagement criteria including digital views, reads and clicks as well as offline retailer feedback.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

BEER & LOW / NO ALCOHOL BEER Doom Bar Zero

Grolsch Relaunch

Tennent’s Zero

Border Biscuits Dark Chocolate Gingers Bars

Jammie Dodgers VeganFriendly recipe

Maltesers Biscuits

Maryland Choc Chip and Coconut Convenience Exclusive

McVities VIB range

BISCUITS

BREAD AND HOME BAKING Warburtons Half White Half Wholemeal range

Dr Oetker Spectacular Science Cake Mix

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

CANDY Haribo’s Springtime Friends and Jelly Bunnies Easter range

Mentos Xtra Strong

Skittles Giants

Swizzles Great British Puds range

Tic Tac CocaCola Limited Edition

Vimto Juicy Mixups

CHOCOLATE CONFECTIONERY Cadbury Dairy Milk Freddo Treasures Space

Cadbury Darkmilk Giant Buttons

Cadbury Orange Twirl

Mint Maltesers Buttons

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

CIGARS & SMOKING ACCESSORIES Mr Wintermans Limited Edition UK theme

Rizla Flavour Infusions range

Zig-Zag lighters range

Doritos Stax

Doritos Flamin’ Hot Tangy Cheese

CRISPS & SNACKS Bobby’s Strips range

KP £1PMP range

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INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

FOOD TO GO Batchelors Super Noodles 100g pots

Chicago Town Pizza To Go Range

Spar food-togo range

Quorn Vegan Pepperoni Slices

Rustlers Moroccan Vegetarian Burger

Mentos Pure Fresh Fruity bottled range

Mentos Pure Fresh Gum

Wall’s Healthier Chicken Scotch Egg

FREE-FROM Hellmann’s 100% recyclable Squeezy Vegan Mayo

GUM Mars Wrigley Extra Refreshers

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

HARD SELTZERS Echo Falls Rose Seltzers

Mikes Hard Seltzers

White Claw range

Bodega Bay range

Smirnoff No 21 Premier range

ICE CREAM / ICE LOLLY Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chunks

Cornetto Mermaid

New Calippo range

Zyn Espressino

Zyn Spearmint

NICOTINE POUCHES Nordic Spirit Elderflower

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INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

PERSONAL CARE Life Bouy Hand Sanitiser Gel

Aquafresh Splash & Senses ranges toothpaste

PET FOOD Mars Petcare’s Pedigree Dentastix Chewy Chunx

Denatastix Dreamies

Pedigree Xmas Dinner

Blossom Hill Gin Fizz range

Cockspur Rum Punch

Hoopers range

Pink Hooch

WKD Lemon

RTDS

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

SOFT DRINKS Capri-Sun 330ml Blackcurrant

Diet Coke Sublime Lime

Drench PMPs

J2O Spritz cans

Levi Roots Tropical Punch

Ribena Sparkling range

Beefeater PMPs

Captain Morgan Tiki

Dead Man’s Fingers Range

Gordon’s Sicilian Lemon

Havana Club Skepta Limited Edition

Old Curiosity Alcohol-Free Gin

7 Up Sugar Free Cherry

SPIRITS

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

SPORTS & ENERGY DRINKS Coca-Cola Energy Cherry range

Lucozade Energy Citrus Chill

Monster Pacific Punch

Monster Ultra Paradise

Red Bull Summer Edition

Red Bull Zero

Reign Total Body Fuel range

Rockstar 25% more caffeine range

SQUASH Ribena Raspberry & Rhubarb

Robinsons Fruit Creations Blackberry & Blueberry

Vimto Remix range Orange, Strawberry and Lime

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

TOBACCO Imperial Tobacco Green Filter ranges

JPS Players Crushball Cigarillo

Sterling 3-in-1

3-in-1 Kensitas Club pouch

Sterling Dual Capsule Leaf Wrapped

VAPING Logic Compact Intense Berry Mint

Logic Compact Nicsalts Range

JUUL Menthol pods

JUUL Rich Tobacco pods

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

Logic Compact Polar Menthol

INNOVATION

SLR PRODUCT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2020 NPD

WINE Campo Viejo Rioja Tempranillo PMP

Echo Falls Botanicals

Samuel Wynn range

19 Crimes Sauv Block

Jam Shed Malbec

OWN LABEL WINES Spar Malbec Rosé

Spar Orbis Organic range

Spar Perlezza Rosé Spumante

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

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

COVID-19

SHOPWORKER PROTECTION ALDI, STEVENAGE

ALL IN THE LINE OF DUTY? YET ANOTHER SHOCKING VIDEO, THIS TIME SHARED BY THE SUN, DEMONSTRATES ALL TO CLEARLY WHY RETAILERS ARE INCREASINGLY IN NEED OF GREATER PROTECTION AS THEY SIMPLY GO ABOUT DOING THEIR JOBS.

H

aving shared the horrendous video of a female customer wrecking a Co-op store in Lichfield last week, more shocking footage has come to light about a similar incident in an Aldi store in Hertfordshire.

The mayhem took place last week and was shared

by The Sun and demonstrates once again why the four governments in the UK must act to offer greater formal protection for shopworkers who are simply trying to do their jobs but increasingly face abuse, threats and mindless violence.

The latest incident saw an apparently unprovoked woman go an a five-minute rampage, smashing around 500 bottles of wine and spirits and throwing bottles at fellow customers. Despite slipping on the broken glass and spilled wine and sustaining a slash to her right hand, the woman picked herself up and picked up where she left off.

She was finally detained by a security guard from a nearby store who bear hugged her until the police eventually arrived.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

ADVERTISING FEATURE

IQOS PMI

IQOS: FROM A STANDING START TO THE UK’S NUMBER ONE SMOKE-FREE PRODUCT A THANK YOU FROM PHILIP MORRIS LIMITED (PML) TO OUR GROWING RETAILER COMMUNITY NATIONWIDE. IQOS has become the UK’s number one product in the smoke-free category, including all e-cigarette and heated tobacco products, Nielsen figures show1. PML’s Head of Field Force Kate O’Dowd, explains how the success of IQOS has

F

accelerated the growth of the heated tobacco category in the UK; the role PML’s personalised customer support has played, and gives thanks to a UK-wide community of retailers offering adult smokers a better choice.

or some time now, IQOS has

abandoning cigarettes and switching

been the world’s number

completely to IQOS4, which emits on

one

average 95% less harmful chemicals

heated

tobacco

product with more than 16 million users 2

compared to cigarettes5.

helping smokers make the switch from

in over 60 countries3. Where IQOS has

In Japan, for instance, there are

launched, impact has followed with

now six million IQOS users , with heated

72% of adult smokers who try IQOS

tobacco products (HTP) making up

6

cigarettes, UK customers began to see the benefit.

We

ramped

up

the

support

about a third of all tobacco sales . This

we offered our customers through

phenomenal rise is matched against a

IQOS Care - a comprehensive and

32% drop in cigarette sales since the

increasingly

introduction of HTPs in 2014 .

service.

7

8

personalised

IQOS

Care

support

Experts

are

IQOS launched in the UK in 2016. As

available seven days a week, with

the first heated tobacco product on the

lockdown restrictions not preventing

market, we worked tirelessly to establish

the delivery of remote services through

the category through our channels –

live chat, email and over-the-phone.

increasing the understanding of this

When restrictions ease on international

sophisticated

adult

travel, UK customers can also access

smokers who were seeking a cigarette-

technology

to

IQOS Care support in over 60 countries.

like alternative that no other smoke-

This commitment to our customers has

free alternative was able to deliver.

led to IQOS Care receiving a Trustpilot

We knew it would take time, but

rating of 4.4, with more than 1,300

with an unparalleled success rate in

reviews and 77% of customers rating

9

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 33 / WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020

ADVERTISING FEATURE

IQOS PMI

the service as ‘Excellent’10. customers, retailers nationwide were

ST JOHN’S BUDGENS: AN IQOS SUCCESS STORY

increasing access to heated tobacco

Avtar ‘Sid’ Sidhu, St John’s Budgens in

by becoming HEETS and IQOS stockists.

Warwickshire is one of the UK’s leading IQOS

Asda,

Sainsbury’s,

and HEETS stockists: “We’ve had an extremely

Shell, Tesco, Waitrose and WH Smith

strong couple of months of sales on IQOS and

High Street, have joined thousands

HEETS, including new customers that we’ve

of independent convenience stores

converted over since the menthol cigarette

in stocking a range of HEETS. The

ban. We stock seven varieties of HEETS at the

IQOS device can also be purchased

RRP of £5 and this is a bonus for us. Shoppers

at

perceive this as good value for money and tend

While we served the needs of our

BP,

select

Morrisons,

Sainsbury’s

stores

and

Sainsbury’s online, and from May this

to buy as they would traditional tobacco, one

year, the opportunity to stock IQOS was

pack at a time. This means

extended to thousands of independent

we have more footfall into

retailers.

store and generally more

By

working

in

partnership

with

basket spend - approximately

our growing retailer community, we

60% will go on to buy

have been able to meet customer

something else.”

demand

in

the

heated

tobacco

category throughout the country. This has resulted in the retail value share of IQOS and HEETS surpassing that for the products of PML’s nearest competitor in the smoke-free category11. Importantly for

me,

however,

has

been

the

combined effort to offer adult smokers a better choice – one that could see them quit cigarettes for good. And with our field force expanding, we’ll be able to reach more adult smokers in new regions and cities in 2021.

So, here’s to you – our retail partners.

I know it’s been a difficult year but you have made a difference to the lives of thousands of adult smokers.

We promise to continue increasing the availability of our products and

SOURCES 1 Nielsen data as of September 2020, which encapsulates “smoke-free” product categories e-cigarettes (hardware and consumables) and IQOS (Device and HEETS) specifically - in multiple grocers and General Trade in retail. IQOS and HEETS surpassed the products of PML’s nearest competitor in June, 2020.

2 PMI global estimate of total in-market sales of heated tobacco units, as of December 2019 (excluding China and U.S.).

3 PMI Third-Quarter Earnings, as of September 30, 2020.

4 PMI Third-Quarter Earnings: ‘Over 16 million IQOS users’, as of September 30, 2020.

5 Average reductions in levels of a range of harmful chemicals (excluding nicotine) compared to the smoke of a reference cigarette (3R4F). Important information: it does not necessarily equal a 95% reduction in risk. IQOS is not risk-free.

6 PMI, Third-Quarter Earnings: ‘grew to an estimate total of 6.0 million’, as of October 20, 2020.

7 Burning Issues: Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction 2020. London: Knowledge-Action-Change, 2020.

8 Ibid 9 Studies showed that the satisfaction of those who switched completely to IQOS is comparable to those who continued to smoke cigarettes. 3 month clinical studies conducted in US and Japan with 160 adult smokers each under real conditions (ambulatory) 10 Trustpilot, IQOS UK (as of Tuesday 10th November, 2020) - https://uk.trustpilot. com/review/uk.iqos.com 11 Nielsen data as of September 2020, which encapsulates “smoke-free” product categories e-cigarettes (hardware and consumables) and IQOS (Device and HEETS) specifically - in multiple grocers and General Trade in retail. IQOS and HEETS surpassed the products of PML’s nearest competitor in June, 2020.

delivering unrivalled customer support, so that many more benefit.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

NEW HEETS Teak selection Now your customers have even more choice for use with IQOS. The UK’s No.1 heated tobacco product.1 At only £5 RRP,2 your sales opportunities, like our range, have just got even bigger.

STOCK THE FULL RANGE OF HEETS

NOW!

1. Nielsen data as of September 2020, which encapsulates “smoke-free” product categories - e-cigarettes (hardware and consumables) and IQOS (Device and HEETS) specifically - in multiple grocers and General Trade in retail. IQOS and HEETS surpassed the products of PML’s nearest competitor in June, 2020. 2. All on-shelf prices are selected by the retailer alone and margin may therefore be affected. This material is restricted to those who are involved in the business of the sale or distribution of tobacco who are aged 18 years or over. This material should not be made available to the public or sent to anyone else. Important information: IQOS is not risk-free. It delivers nicotine, which is addictive. Not for sale to persons under the age of 18.

INDUSTRY AWARDS

SLR REWARDS 2020 TO REGISTER, VISIT: WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM

JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE! IT’S NOT LONG UNTIL THE SLR REWARDS 2020, SO MAKE SURE YOU REGISTER TO JOIN THIS CELEBRATION OF THE ENTIRE LOCAL RETAILING INDUSTRY IN SCOTLAND.

SLR REWARDS 2020 - 6PM, FRI 11 DEC

S

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE

LR’s Virtual Festival of Excellence, the SLR Rewards 2020, is only a week or so away and we invite all of you to join in a fantastic celebration of a fantastic industry on Friday 11 Dec at 6pm.

It has been a year like no other with many highs, many lows and far

too many challenges to mention - but in general, it’s been a landmark year for the sector. Not only have most retailers been enjoying significantly increased sales, but they have also been thrust into the limelight and, after long last, the vital role that they play at the heart of communities everywhere has finally been recognised.

The SLR Rewards 2020 will provide the perfect platform to come together - virtually - and raise a glass to local retailers everywhere. Their efforts this year deserve recognition.

Whether you’re in your DJ or your PJs, grab a glass, get settled in and join us for an end-of-year virtual kneesup with your industry friends and colleagues.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

STOCK UP NOW

READER COMPETITION

IRN-BRU ENERGY COMPETITION WINNERS

INNES AND JAVED SCOOP THE IRN-BRU ENERGY GOODIES!

T

INNES MACDONALD AND JAVED IQBAL WERE THE LUCKY WINNERS IN OUR RECENT READER COMPETITION WITH IRN-BRU ENERGY AND PICKED UP SOME TIDY SWAG AS A RESULT.

he Week In Retail ran a reader competition recently to help local retailers re-energise their soft drinks fixture with the help of IRN-BRU Energy, the innovative addition to the soft drinks category from the UK’s No.1 flavoured carbonate brand [IRI, Apr 2020].

The lucky winners were: Q Innes MacDonald of Spar Culbokie in Smithfield in the Scottish Highlands Q Javed Iqbal of Day Today Kingsport Avenue in Livingston.

merchandise both variants of IRN-BRU Energy in the chiller next to other slim can energy products to offer shoppers choice and drive incremental sales.

THE SNOWMAN IS BACK! It wouldn’t be Christmas without another quirky ad from IRN-BRU and this year sees the return of the iconic Snowman. Have a phenomenal Christmas everyone!

Huge congratulations to both!

Innes scooped a brand new iPad Air 64GB worth £479 while Javed picked up 10 IRN-BRU Energy hoodies for him and his staff.

Launched in June 2019, IRN-BRU Energy has performed really well, selling over 5 million cans with over 80% of those who tried it saying they would purchase again [AG Barr research, Aug 2019].

This year, IRN-BRU Energy has been supported by a £1m brand investment, which included heavyweight outdoor and digital advertising, to drive trial and awareness amongst energy drink shoppers.

Energy is a really important category for retailers to get right, with nearly 1 in 3 soft drinks sold in convenience stores being an Energy drink [IRI, Apr 2020],” says Adrian Troy, Marketing Director at Barr Soft Drinks.

Available in sugar and no sugar options, retailers should

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

NPD AND MEDIA

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

SPEND TIME IN GROUSE COUNTRY The Famous Grouse Blended Scotch Whisky has unveiled its new Spend Time in Grouse Country campaign, encouraging consumers to enjoy their special occasions in these strangest of times, whether by the fire, in the great outdoors or catching up with friends in a socially distanced setting or online.

It will be rolled out in a number of markets this winter and will focus on above-theline advertising and social engagement, as well as retail execution.

PG TIPS HIGHLIGHTS SUSTAINABILITY CREDENTIALS After becoming the first major tea brand to make the switch to biodegradable tea bags across its entire range, PG tips is investing in a £3.8m campaign to support the range and increase awareness around this new sustainable choice.

The 30 second TV ad with sustainability at its heart aired for the first time last week and highlights how each small sustainable choice can make a big difference and touches on the benefits of ‘sharing a cuppa’ together.

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

NPD AND MEDIA

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

CREAMING CHRISTMAS

HOT CHIPS

LIGHT BITES

Premier Foods is bringing its

With a huge hike in home

Weetabix Food Company is

Ambrosia brand back to the

delivery of hot food to go, JJ

launching a new variant to

UK’s TV screens for the first

Foodservice has launched

its Alpen Light bars range

time in four years as part of a

Warmer for Longer chips which

appealing to UK consumers

£2.5m multi-channel campaign.

have been designed to stay

who are looking for healthier

The TV advert launched

hotter and crispier in takeaway

snacks. The White Chocolate,

yesterday to drive awareness

packaging, even during the

Raspberry & Shortcake variant

in the crucial period ahead of

home delivery process.

is available in 5-packs at just

Christmas.

67 calories per bar.

MUFFIN TOPS

WORLD’S BEST

DEAD GOOD

CSM Bakery Solutions has

MARTINI

Spiced Rum brand Dead

added four new muffins to its

Daffy’s Gin has added a new

Man’s Fingers has launched a

Baker & Baker premium range:

‘world-first’ product, Daffy’s

limited edition line-up of new

Red Velvet, Carrot Cake, Triple

Orange Blossom Martini-

flavours in time for Christmas.

Chocolate and Banoffee. The

the official winner of the

The unique 50cl 37.5% abv

new range is palm oil free,

IWSC’s ‘World’s Best Martini’

range includes Dragon Fruit,

uses only free-range eggs,

competition. The product has

Liquorice & Blackcurrant,

has no TFA, preservatives or

for the first time been bottled in

Cherry, and Banana, all in their

artificial colours or flavours.

a ‘ready to serve’ format.

own eye-catching skull glass.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35

Mint and Menthol JUULpods account for £3 of every £10 spent.* Sales of closed system menthol products are growing at 66% year-on-year.** Become a JUUL retail partner.

Email uksales@juul.com today.

Designed for adult smokers.

Not for sale to minors.

JUUL is an e-cigarette.This is an age-restricted product and age verification is required at sale. *Source: IRI value sales , closed systems, 4 Weeks to 13th Sept 2020. **Source: IRI value sales in tracked channels 4 Weeks to 13th Sept 2020.

TM and © 2020 JUUL Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.

WARNING: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

WHOLESALE

DIGITAL EXCELLENCE ACADEMY UNITAS WHOLESALE

UNITAS ACADEMY TO SHARPEN WHOLESALERS’ DIGITAL SKILLS UNITAS WHOLESALE HAS LINKED UP WITH LUMINA INTELIGENCE TO OFFER ITS 165 WHOLESALE MEMBERS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO UPGRADE THEIR DIGITAL SKILLS IN AN INCREASINGLY DIGITAL WORLD.

Unitas Wholesale has announced that it is launching its own Digital Excellence Academy in partnership with Lumina Intelligence [insert link: www.lumina-intelligence.com]. The initiative has been developed to offer advice and support to Unitas Wholesale’s 165 wholesale members, covering a wide selection of digitally related topics important for wholesale businesses.

As part of the Digital Excellence Academy, Unitas Wholesale members will have the option to undertake digital health checks carried out by Lumina Intelligence that score and benchmark their online capabilities and identify opportunities to develop and grow sales across this increasingly important trading platform.

To kick off the programme, Unitas and Lumina will be hosting a member-exclusive Digital Excellence Academy virtual event on 2 February 2021 that will focus on best practice for B2B wholesale transactional platforms, including websites and apps.

Consisting of two sessions dedicated to wholesalers servicing retail customers and out of home outlets, the event will highlight the results of previous online health check audits carried out for a sample of Unitas Wholesale members and its competitors. Following which, members will be able to book their own online audit, as well as access a host of

DARREN GOLDNEY.

JILL LIVESEY.

tools including a self-help checklist designed to improve their online transactional offer.

Darren Goldney, Unitas Wholesale Managing Director said: “The events of recent months have highlighted the importance of the need for efficient and effective online capability more than ever, and as the digital agenda is a key strand of our forward strategy we are committed to supporting this type of initiative with our wholesale members.”

Lumina Intelligence Managing Director, Jill Livesey added: “We are thrilled to have partnered with Unitas Wholesale for the Digital Excellence Academy. Using our expertise and experience in operator behaviour across the wholesale online channel, we are excited to be supporting Unitas members with market leading insights to support their future digital strategy.’

“The digital agenda is a key strand of our forward strategy we are committed to supporting this type of initiative with our wholesale members.”

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 37

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR FREE

BREXIT

FUTURE GAZING LUMINA INTELLIGENCE

BREXIT FUTURE REMAINS CLEAR AS MUD MORE THAN HALF OF ALL FOOD AND DRINK LEADERS REMAIN VERY UNCLEAR ON HOW BREXIT WILL

W

IMPACT THEIR BUSINESSES OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS.

ith coronavirus pushing all other considerations onto the backburner, even the massive game-changer that is Brexit has been pushed into the shadows - and new research among around 100 business leaders across the UK food and drink industry suggests the industry remains equally in the dark about what Brexit will mean in real terms for the retailing sector.

According to Lumina Intelligence’s new Top of Mind Report 2020/21, food and drink business leaders “remain unclear on the impact that Brexit will have on their business over the coming 12 months, despite the looming Brexit deadline”. A modest understatement if ever there was one.

Some 56% of grocery retail business leaders stated that they were unclear, with a further 14% saying they simply ’don’t know’, leaving just three in 10 believing they have clarity on the Brexit impact.

According to the report, import tariffs are the top concern among both grocery retail and hospitality business leaders.

Across both channels, leaders remain concerned about the additional costs to be incurred from cross border tariffs, in addition to the availability of goods from the European Union.

One unnamed retail business leader said they were particularly concerned with the “potential increased cost of goods from manufacturers”.

Sarah Coleman, Insights & Communication Director at Lumina Intelligence says: “Due to the significant impact of the coronavirus pandemic, it is understandable that focus

has shifted to fighting the immediate challenges, but the Brexit deadline is looming and businesses need clarity on how they will be impacted and how best to prepare for this.”

Compared with December 2019, however, there has been a 33% increase in the proportion of grocery retail business leaders describing current business conditions as ‘positive’.

Increased footfall and basket spend, driven by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, have resulted in 14% of grocery retail business leaders describing current conditions as ‘very positive’ (+12% vs Dec 2019) and 49% as ‘positive’ (+21% vs Dec 2019).

The three most important long-term consumer trends highlighted by respondets are: Q demand for home delivery (44%) Q decrease in footfall Q squeeze in household budgets Having relied more on delivery services under lockdown, many consumers have now overcome a technology barrier, meaning these services have now reached older/ less tech savvy consumers.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 39

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NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

£100K INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE RETAILERS TO ‘GO LOCAL’ THE SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION HAS UNVEILED A NEW GOVERNMENT-FUNDED INITIATIVE TO ENCOURAGE SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS TO CHOOSE LOCAL PRODUCE.

profitable, responsible growth across the farming, fishing, food and drink sectors, doubling their size to £30bn in turnover by 2030”.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? A government-funded initiative, delivered by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation, to demonstrate the benefits of stocking more local produce. Jamie Buchanan, previously the Formats and Merchandising Director with Spar Scotland, has been appointed as the Director of the Go Local Program.

HOW MUCH FUNDING? £100k initially for 10-store pilot and, if successful, it will be rolled out more widely with additional funding.

WHAT’S THE POINT OF IT? Ultimately, to help grow sales for Scottish producers as part of the Scottish Government’s wider Ambition 2030 strategy programme to “drive

HOW DO RETAILERS BENEFIT? Convenience stores have a major role to play in helping meet the growing demand for more local products.

Meeting that demand means increased sales and stronger local and regional economies.

HOW WILL IT WORK? 10 local retailing outlets will increase the space given to Scottish products and broaden the range of Scottish products offered.

WHO ARE THE 10?

No idea. The only one confirmed publicly so far is Watson’s Grocers in Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway, a Premier store run by Graham Watson (pictured).

WHAT’S THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SAYING? Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP said: “Convenience stores have played a vital role supporting their local communities through the pandemic – this initiative offers the chance to enhance their offering by stocking more Scottish produce. It will also make a difference for Scottish producers – with many struggling with other markets closed off to them, reaching more customers here at home could make a big difference to their businesses.

WHAT’S SGF SAYING? Chief Executive Pete Cheema OBE said: “At a time when the food and drink industry in Scotland faces unprecedented challenges, we are delighted that the Scottish government is funding the Go Local programme.

The programme supports not only Scottish retailers but also Scottish manufacturers and will strengthen the entire supply chain.”

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 41

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 xxxx

DANCE LIKE NOBODY’S WATCHING...

If you can’t cut loose a bit this Christmas after a year like no other, then what chances have you got? That’s clearly the logic behind the Christmas #SPARDance2020 Challenge that’s been issued by north of England Spar wholesaler James Hall & Co. Staff at Spar stores across the region have been adding a bit of festive SPARkle, helping cheer shoppers up and raising some money for Marie Curie into the bargain.

And if you feel like chipping in a couple of quid yourself, feel free.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO YARDLEY GOLD? Ever wondered what happened to Yardley Gold? No, didn’t think so. Anyway, retailers of a certain age, before the days of Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabbana, will no doubt remember that Christmas invariably involved receiving a bottle of some iffy smelling aftershave like Brut or Yardley Gold from a well-meaning aunty.

Well, they say that if you wait long enough, everything comes back into fashion.

Well, have we got news for you. It’s back! So now you can bring back the good old days by buying a bottle for your least favourite nephew. It’s been renamed, mind you, and is now simply called ‘Gold’ - and we’ve no idea what it smells like, but we’re guessing a mix between hand sanitiser and Raspberry Tango Ice Blast.

Go on, you know you want to.

WEDNESDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2020 / ISSUE 33 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 43

500ml

EwW N e l b a l i a no av big can

• IRN-BRU ENERGY IS GROWING 4 X FASTER THAN TOTAL ENERGY* • 60% OF SHOPPERS ALWAYS BUY THE SAME SIZE CAN** •

ADD 500ML TO TURBo CHARGE YOUR SALES