The Week In Retail Issue 27

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

DATA-DRIVEN RETAIL

BIG DATA, BIGGER PROFITS

COSTCUTTER’S DATA SOLUTION FOR RETAILERS

STORE FORMATS

FOOD CENTRIC FORMAT

NISA’S NEW FORMAT FOR SMALL STORES

SUSTAINABILITY

LEAN, MEAN AND GREEN

CHECK OUT ASDA’S NEW SUSTAINABILITY STORE

+

SCOTTISH CO-OP FRANCHISE NESPRESSOSTYLE ICE CREAM CONTACTLESS CHARITY DONATIONS

WHOLE FOODS FARMS PRODUCE IN-STORE Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 27 Wednesday 21st October 2020

Symbol Partner:

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.

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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

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

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

IF YOU’RE NOT FAST, YOU’RE LAST Well, we’re onto Issue 27 of The Week In Retail already. Time flies when the world is collapsing around your ears and everything you thought you knew turns out to be wrong. But the thing that is most striking to me about producing a weekly magazine under coronavirus is just how dizzyingly fast the world of retail has become.

It’s impossible to miss how the pandemic has accelerated all sorts of trends with retailers, wholesalers and suppliers surprising even themselves with how quickly they’ve been able to adapt and evolve when they’ve absolutely had to.

That thought struck me again as we were putting this issue together. There’s hardly a week goes by without a wave of major announcements to choose from when selecting the content for The Week In Retail. Nisa launches a new food centric format for smaller stores, Asda opens a fullon sustainability trial store, Costcutter unveils a predictive analytics solution for retailers, the

Co-op opens its first franchise store in Scotland and so on. The pace of change has moved to an entirely new level.

What can independent retailers learn from this? Well, firstly that the major retailers and groups are racing towards to the future under the pandemic, rather than sitting tight and waiting to see what happens. Secondly, that there are some clear trends there as to where they’re placing their bets with regards to what will be important to post-pandemic shoppers: sustainability, tech, digital, food-to-go, health, home delivery and so on. And last, but certainly not least, the clearest lesson of all is that now is the time to be investing both time and money in re-shaping your own store for a very changed future.

If you choose to stand still at the moment, there’s a significant risk that you won’t just be left behind, you’ll be cut adrift. Retail is hurtling ahead. We all need to be hurtling along with it.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

6

12 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

Royal Mail’s new parcel collection service makes waves and ‘vertical farming’ sprouts up in two stores.

10 COVID-19 UPDATE

A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS.

19 SGF HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME

30 NISA EXPO 2020

SUSTAINABILITY

Nisa’s first-ever trade show marked the official launch of a new format for smaller stores and a whole lot more besides.

Asda has just opened a new trial sustainability store in partnership with some of the UK’s most popular household brands.

21 DATA

29 WHOLESALERS

COSTCUTTER DEPLOYS A NEW PREDICTIVE

ANALYTICS SOLUTION.

SWA SAYS SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT IS WELCOME BUT ‘NOT ENOUGH’

24 PICKS OF THE WEEK

FOLLOWING TIGHTER LOCKDOWN RULES.

NEW INITIATIVES AND IN-STORE POS

28 OUT THE BOX: COLDSNAP

33 BEFORE YOU GO...

SHOULD HELP RETAILERS ‘NUDGE’

FRESHLY-MADE ICE CREAM IN UNDER 60

SHOPPERS TOWARDS HEALTHIER CHOICES.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

SECONDS FROM NESPRESSO-STYLE PODS.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

IF THERE’S ONE THING RETAIL TEACHES YOU, IT’S THE VALUE OF PERSISTENCE.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

PP-EG DEAL

PARCEL DELIVERY

in a move that will see the

NEW RM PARCEL SERVICE WILL ‘HIT RETAILERS HARD’

continuation of its bill payment

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS WILL BE HIT HARD BY ROYAL MAIL’S NEW

and parcel services in nearly

PARCEL PICK-UP SERVICE, SAYS NFRN.

PayPoint has extended its partnership with EG Group

400 of EG Group’s forecourt sites across the UK. The deals means EG Group locations can continue to offer PayPoint’s integrated bill payment solution in addition to Collect+.

CAMPARI SIGNS UP The Portman Group, the social responsibility and regulatory body for alcohol in the UK, has welcomed Campari UK as its newest member. They are the

NFRN says the new parcel collection service announced by Royal Mail will be a severe blow to many of its members. Royal Mail’s Collect Plus will see postal workers pick up packages directly from customers at their doors for a fee of 72p per parcel, in addition to postage costs.

Many smaller independent retailers already offer a parcel collection and return service to customers during opening hours, and will lose vital revenue because of the move by Royal Mail.

NFRN member Graeme Pentland, who owns Ashburton Village Store in Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne, said: “This is definitely going to be a blow to us. We have contracts with two of the major parcel delivery companies and also have our own service, whereby customers can have their parcels delivered to the shop.

“This is a growing part of our business, so the move by Royal Mail is bound to have a detrimental effect on us and other independent retailers, as well as the couriers.”

fifth member to join this year, bringing total membership to 13. The Campari Group was founded in 1860 and now has a portfolio of over 50 major brands in the premium and super premium sectors.

GINSTERS BACKS FARMERS Ginsters is extending its longterm support of British farming by contributing in 2020-21 to The Prince’s Countryside Fund and showcasing the hard work of farming families with regular donations and support onpack.

BRTIVIC RENEWS PEPSICO TIE UP Britvic today has reached agreement with PepsiCo for a new and exclusive 20-year franchise bottling agreement in Great Britain for the production, distribution, marketing and sales of its carbonated soft drink brands – including Pepsi, 7UP and Mountain Dew. The new agreement extends the relationship to 31 December 2040, and includes the Rockstar energy brand, for which Britvic will take responsibility from 1 November this year.

Britvic also announced its intent for all plastic bottles in GB to be made from 100% recycled plastic (rPET) by

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

the end of 2022 – three years earlier than originally planned, and ahead of the previous target of 50%. This will cover the entire GB portfolio of Britvic-owned and PepsiCo brands.

NEWS DIGEST

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

SUSTAINABILITY

WHOLE FOODS ADDS INSTORE FARMING

PAYPOINT SELLS ROMANIA PayPoint has agreed to sell its Romanian business to Innova Capital for a cash

AMAZON-OWNED WHOLE FOODS MARKET IS TO INSTALL ‘VERTICAL

consideration of around £47m.

FARMING FACILITIES’ IN TWO STORES ALLOWING SHOPPERS TO

The sale is consistent with

BUY PRODUCE GROWN IN-STORE.

PayPoint’s focus on its key strategic priorities and the

Whole Food Market is to install ‘vertical farming facilities’ in its High Street Kensington and Fulham stores as part of a partnership with urban farming company Infarm. The modular units will let shoppers buy produce that has been grown in-store.

Products available will include herbs, lettuce, kale, and sorrel.

Measuring 2sq m, Infarm’s units can produce more than 8,000 plants per year, with the first harvest from the Kensington store due on 19 November.

Vertical farming is marketed as a way to grow fresh produce closer to where it is consumed, helping shorten the food supply chain and cut down on field to fork mileage.

delivery of enhanced growth and value in its core UK market, which is where the net proceeds will be invested.

UKVIA APPOINTS DUNNE Vaping industry stalwart John Dunne has been confirmed as Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association after a vote by the trade body’s full membership. Dunne was previously responsible for the

CO-OP EXTENDS HOME DELIVERY IN SCOTLAND Co-op is expanding the roll-out of its online shop in Scotland and increasing the number of slots available for customers. The retailer has partnered with same-day delivery specialist Gophr to offer a new service that will

UKVIA’s member recruitment activity. He is also the UKVIA’s primary media spokesperson.

initially go live with six Co-op stores this month in Glasgow. This will be followed by a roll-out to more than 50 shops across Scotland in the coming weeks.

The service will result in thousands more delivery slots being made available across Scotland. Deliveries can be made up to four kilometres from a store and in as little as two hours. Customers can choose from around 4,500 products and can track their deliveries in real time.

IN THE BAG Scarborough retailer Proudfoot Group has raised £10,000 for good causes in its four stores this year from the sale of 5p carrier bags alone. Proudfoot stores have also supported local causes with more than £67,000 in donations raised through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

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

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY.

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

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

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

NEWS SPECIAL

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

Industry charity GroceryAid

SCOTTISH HOSPITALITY CLOSURE EXTENDED BY A WEEK

says it is facing increased

BARS AND RESTAURANTS IN SCOTLAND’S CENTRAL BELT WILL

demand for services as the

REMAIN CLOSED FOR ANOTHER WEEK AFTER SHORT-TERM

pandemic presents new

RESTRICTIONS WERE EXTENDED.

GROCERYAID IN DEMAND

challenges. The charity had to assist more than 17,000 people during the period and distributed £4.25m in financial support to help almost 3,200 colleagues.

LEARNING FUNDING CUT Retail trade union Usdaw has written to the Secretary of State for Education urging the Government to reconsider

The two week short-term closure of the hospitality industry in Scotland’s central belt has been extended by another week as a further 28 deaths linked to Covid-19 have been recorded.

Scotland is due to move to a five-tier system of virus alert levels from 2 November with the extended hospitality closures enabling “a smooth transition”.

These measures were originally meant to expire on 26 October, but First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said

they would now continue until a new “strategic framework” comes into force.

The five-tier system will see different levels applied nationally or regionally depending on infection levels. Sturgeon said the middle three tiers would be “broadly equivalent” to the three-tier system in England but the Scottish system would add an extra tier at the top and an extra one at the bottom which would be very close to a full lockdown.

its shock announcement to withdraw all funding for the Union Learning Fund from the end of March 2021 in England.

The union said the the funding cut was “shocking”.

CO-OP BRUM STORES The Co-op is to open two food stores in Birmingham this month creating 30 local jobs.

A brand new shop will open in the city’s University Locks while a complete overhaul of its Harborne petrol station enables it to extend the existing food store on the site by almost a third.

POST OFFICES ‘A LIFELINE’ TO STRUGGLING HIGH STREETS New research carried out among more than 2,000 adults by Public First has found that visits to the Post Office help drive another 400 million visitors to other shops, restaurants and local businesses.

Some 33% of respondents said that on their last trip to the Post Office they had stopped at another shop, cafe, pub or restaurant, driving an estimated £1.1bn in additional revenue. Additionally, 43% of small businesses say they would not be able to continue functioning without the Post Office.

The research showed that 82% of the public see their local Post Office as an essential service, with young people valuing it almost as much as older people. A Post Office came out as the top choice when respondents were asked what would make up their ideal High Street – far ahead of supermarkets or a GP surgery.

10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

NEWS SPECIAL

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

CONSUMER MOVEMENT DROPS AS LOCKDOWN BITES

CONTACTLESS CHARITY DONATION

THE LATEST CACI CUSTOMER MOVEMENT TRACKING STUDY SHOWS

T

TapSimple is a simple, pocket-size device that pairs with a smartphone and can be used to help charity fundraising efforts in-store by allowing shoppers to quickly and conveniently donate money with zero contact.

CONSUMER MOVEMENT CONTINUING TO FALL AS RESTRICTIONS TIGHTEN.

Even within London there is a clear divide between the north and west of the city with above average mobility, and the south and south east, which sit below the UK average.

The least affluent groups have reduced their movement most this week, a function of their greater presence in the regions impacted by lockdown and because the more cautious affluent groups were more able to start to limit their movement earlier.

The impact on shopping and leisure destinations is universal, with all centre types declining this week, continuing to reverse earlier gains.

SMALL BUSINESS CONFIDENCE INCREASING Despite the impact of Covid-19 on much of the retail sector, the proportion of small retail businesses predicting growth for the next quarter rose from 27% in Q3 of this year to 35% ahead of the critical Christmas period, according to the latest findings from the rolling Hitachi Capital Business Finance study.

This quarter, small retail firms were more optimistic about their growth plans than they were pre-pandemic in Q1 2020 when just 31% of small retailers foresaw modest or significant growth in the months ahead. This is the best growth outlook figure for small retail businesses since Q4 2019 when 39% of retail SMEs predicted growth.

The top priorities for small businesses to secure growth for 2021 were increasing new business income/sales (39%), diversifying the business by offering new lines of services and products (36%) and reducing fixed costs (24%).

Shoppers simply tap their card, as they do with normal contactless transactions, and donate set or tailored amounts. The solution is fully customisable and comes with a back office dashboard for retailers to track and analyse donations.

TECH SOLUTIONS

he latest CACI Customer Movement tracking study for the week ending 11 October shows another drop in consumer movement as lockdown restrictions tighten. Mobility reduced by a further 2% on the previous week with regional lockdowns encompassing over 50% of the population.

The largest declines are in the North West, Northern Ireland and the North East while Wales restricted movement earlier than the English regions and has now become the least mobile region in the UK, below London for the first time since early June.

The service is currently being used by Lidl to raise money for NSPCC. For more info, visit tapsimple.org.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

EVENTS

TRADE SHOWS NISA EXPO

NISA UNVEILS NEW FORMAT AT VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW NISA HAS BEEN STORING UP A LOT OF NEWS TO BE RELEASED AT ITS FIRST EVER VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW WITH A NEW STORE FORMAT, ITS FIRST CO-OP FRANCHISE IN SCOTLAND AND A

N

WHOLE LOT MORE BESIDES.

isa’s first ever virtual trade show has been taking place today and yesterday as the symbol group rolled with the Covid-19 punches and embraced large scale digital events for the first time. As part of the show, Nisa has clearly been storing up a lot of ‘new news’ to reveal as part of the online festival with some big new projects, initiatives and news being released as the show opened its virtual doors yesterday morning.

Here are some of the highlights...

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

EVENTS

TRADE SHOWS NISA EXPO

NEW STORE FORMAT FOR SMALLER STORES A new Nisa Express format has been officially

ESSENTIALS

unveiled at this year’s online Expo specifically

The essentials version of Nisa Express serves

targeting retailers with smaller stores up to

the needs of the average smaller store, largely

1,000sq ft. The new format embraces the latest

based in neighbourhood environments and

technology and contemporary design to provide

often the hub of the local community.

“a first-class shopping experience for the consumer.”

This format ensures all the requirements of the small store are maximised to their potential

Three different tailored format options are

including generous chilled range, BWS, a focus

available: food centric, forecourt and essentials.

on value and other services such as Post Office

FOOD CENTRIC

to drive footfall.

Head of Format at Nisa Darren May said: “Our

Based around the on-the-go and meal for tonight

new Nisa Express format is designed to meet

customer, the format enables entry into markets

the needs of Nisa partners who operate smaller

currently not available to Nisa partners, providing

stores but who want to ensure their business is

a “credible offering and a unique, market-leading

contemporary, has the right look and feel and

food for now format”.

provides their customers with the best shopping

The proposition is particularly designed to

environment.

service the cash rich, time poor consumer, living

“Importantly, we want to ensure all partners

predominantly in a city centre location where

have access to a Nisa fascia and format that

shoppers want to be wowed and inspired when

complements

entering a store.

location, and we believe this is achievable with

Key to the food centric format is the enhanced

their

individual

offering

and

the Nisa Express format.”

food-to-go offering, premium coffee offer, fresh focus complemented by the latest vending machine offers, seating area and on-trend category offering.

FORECOURT In the fast-moving forecourt sector, the concept store combines current market trends with where the market is heading, achieved by establishing all the key propositions under one roof whilst ensuring the core theme is the right focus for the particular site and suits the inevitable market changes within the sector.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

EVENTS

TRADE SHOWS NISA EXPO

FIRST CO-OP FRANCHISE UNVEILED Co-op will open its first franchise store in Scotland at Stirling University tomorrow, managed and run by a Nisa partner. Stirling University is set to be the 14th Co-op franchise store and the first north of the border.

Martin Rogers, Head of New Channels at Co-op said: “Our franchise stores operate in exactly the same way as a company owned store and all of our partners have access to a full service model, receiving support, tools and training to enable them to grow their business with Co-op.

“Our Co-op purpose is about connecting communities, bringing people together and making a difference and we are looking to generate mutual value with likeminded partners and succeed together.”

Located in the Andrew Miller building on the university’s campus, the store will be open to serve customers between 7am and midnight daily and it will also run on 100% renewable electricity. With an ATM and Seattle coffee point, Stirling University Co-op will focus on fresh healthy produce, award-winning wines, ready meals and pizzas, free-from and vegan products, Fairtrade, food-to-go and everyday essentials.

Students who are Young Scot cardholders can pocket a 10% discount off groceries and contactless card payment limits up to £45 will be accepted, making it easier, quicker and safer to shop.

In addition to personalised offers and exclusive in-store deals, Co-op Members are rewarded with 2p in every pound they spend on Co-op branded products added to their Membership account balance. The retailer also shares a further 2% with community causes – double what it had shared before. As well as unlocking value in food stores, Members are eligible for discounts across the Coop, with savings also made on funerals, insurance policies and legal products and services.

MADL BIGGEST EVER GIVEAWAY Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity launched its biggest-ever round of funding giveaway yesterday to support a number of small good causes and further cement Nisa partners at the core of their local communities.

The giveaway, named the Nisa Heart of the Community Awards, will encourage Nisa retailers to nominate a local project or cause to receive a donation of up to £5,000, and will see a total of £150,000 donated to around 30 good causes nationwide.

Nominations will be accepted from Nisa partners via a dedicated website and will remain open until 20 November.

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

EVENTS

TRADE SHOWS NISA EXPO

COMMUNITY EFFORTS RECOGNISED

RETAIL ACADEMY TRAINING REBOOT

The Making a Difference Locally charity is

Nisa retailers and their staff are

celebrating some of the symbol group’s most

to benefit from an overhaul of the

community-focused retailers with a campaign

bespoke training facility that offers

to mark their milestone donations. Retailers that

support for all their learning and

have supported good causes with over £10,000

development needs.

through the charity will be sent rosette graphics

The Retail Academy, which is part

to display in-store, highlighting to customers the

of the Nisa membership, ensures

outstanding charitable support provided to good

store colleagues have the very latest

causes in their community.

information on relevant practices,

A total of 39 Nisa partners will receive recognition as part of the initiative, with donation

legislation and retailing must-knows.

Delivered in partnership with the

milestones ranging from £10,000 up to a huge

Co-op, a new eLearning platform

£90,000. Collectively, these retailers have

will be introduced this month. This

donated almost £1.5m to local causes through

will drastically enhance the learning

the MADL charity since 2008.

experience of retailers.

The collaboration between the Learning and Development teams

RETAILERS AND SUPPLIERS HONOURED

at Nisa and the Co-op will give Nisa partners access to a new and fresher style of training that is interactive and engaging and – because it is

Nisa’s retailers and suppliers have been

supported by the Co-op’s legal and

celebrated at the 2020 Nisa Expo.

risk teams – partners can be confident

Among these were Nisa Local Pinkie Farm, Musselburgh was presented with the award for Store of the Year (over 3,000sq ft), with M&S

that the very latest legislation is always there.

All data from the previous platform

Nisa Local in Blidworth taking home the 1,500 to

will be migrated over to the new one,

3,000sq ft award. Also recognised with a Store of

meaning no accounts will need setting

the Year award was Nisa Local in Saint Austell,

up, no training will need repeating and

who picked up the Under 1,500sq ft accolade.

no information previously stored on the

Two Own Brand Retailer of the Year awards were presented to Nisa Local Fitzwilliam and

original system will be lost.

Partners are required to complete

Filco Supermarkets – Boverton Road, who

an agreed level of training to qualify

received the awards for Under 1,500sq ft and

for their Symbol Group Development

Over 1,500sq ft respectively.

Fund.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.

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RETAIL TRENDS

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

NUDGING SHOPPERS TOWARDS HEALTHIER OPTIONS THE SGF HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME HAS UNVEILED NEW PROGRAMMES AND NEW IN-STORE POS

T

TO HELP RETAILERS STEER SHOPPERS INTO MAKING HEALTHIER CHOICES.

he SGF Healthy Living Programme (HLP) has been a fundamental driving force in helping encourage retailers in Scotland to increase the range of healthier products they offer for many years now. The Partnership has recently unveiled a refreshed package of in-store POS materials to help retailers more effectively highlight healthier products and ‘nudge’ shoppers to make healthier choices more often.

New recipe cards have been created to show shoppers how they can find everything they need to make a healthier meal at home in-store and, while helping to drive healthier diets, the recipe cards also help drive basket spend for retailers.

HLP is also ramping up the profile of its Welby Loyalty Club that rewards younger shoppers for buying fresh fruit.

The Club encourages children to make a healthier choice when it comes to snacking and incentivises kids to choose a banana, apple, orange or pear instead of confectionery by giving them a loyalty card that is stamped each time they buy a piece of fruit – the fifth piece of fruit is then completely free of charge.

HLP Programme Director Kathryn Neil comments: “We know that shoppers are increasingly interested in living a little more healthily and we are asking retailers to help grow that momentum by using the new POS and programmes to highlight healthier options in-store. We also know that retailers who do offer bigger ranges of healthier lines have

seen sales increases of up to 30%, so it’s a real winwin opportunity.

“The POS helps draw shoppers’ attention to healthier products and the recipe cards are a great way of encouraging consumers to use their local store to purchase all the ingredients they need to prepare a healthier meal at home. Through the Welby Loyalty Club we are trying to link the stores with the younger generation and the future shopper. If children start purchasing fruit at a young age at their local store, then hopefully this then becomes natural and forms part of their ongoing shopping habits.

“It’s all about taking small steps, getting the balance right and ensuring the local convenience store has the right offering for modern consumers.”

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

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

DATA

PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS COSTCUTTER

COSTCUTTER DATA SOLUTION TO GROW SALES AND CUT COSTS COSTCUTTER IS PARTNERING WITH PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS EXPERTS DATA REVOLUTION TO HELP

C

RETAILERS MANAGE COSTS AND MAXIMISE SALES

ostcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) is embracing the shift to a data-driven world with the news that it has partnered with data experts Data Revolution, part of the Talysis Group, to allow the symbol group to provide independent retailers with vital insights powered by predictive analytics on issues including shopper trends, pricing, range and promotions.

Ultimately, the data-driven solution should help retailers manage costs and maximise sales.

Working in partnership with Big Data management experts Data Revolution, CSG began a trial of a predictive analytics portal across 100 independent stores in the south of England late last year. Following the success with trial stores the partnership will seek to support more retailers across the symbol group’s estate.

David Morris, CSG IT Director, said: “Our trials, initially in stores who operate our CPOS system, took place before the Covid crisis and the results were outstanding, with retailers reporting increased sales, improved margins and achieving higher rebates, as a direct result of the data they could access.

“We’ve used the lockdown period to analyse those results and refine the offer, to give our retailers the best possible insights and advice. Predicting what will be their bestselling lines, what ranges they can look to rationalise, what promotions deliver the best results and what ordering and pricing decisions will maximise their sales and help manage costs. A dedicated portal will be introduced to retailers through their BDM in future, who will provide detailed guidance and recommendations to optimise the benefits.

“It will add projected performance data on shopper behaviour to the rich insights we already provide retailers on their customers, through our Shopper First programme.

Retailers will be able to access segmented data, tailored to their store type, location and demographics.”

Ed Roberts, Managing Director at Data Revolution, said: “We have worked with CSG for over 15 months, giving them data and insights to guide operational efficiencies and optimise retail opportunities. We’re delighted with the trial results for our predictive analytics portal and look forward to sharing the benefits with all Costcutter retailers as the programme rolls out.”

Plans for CSG’s predictive analytics portal will see each retailer provided with all their relevant data, actionable insights and recommendations in one place. Data will be refreshed and updated weekly and will enable the Group’s BDM and field-based teams to provide additional expert guidance to each store owner based on the data.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

NPD AND MEDIA

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

ROLL UP

FANTA ON TV

BREAK WITH

Walkers is launching a festive

As part of its ‘Release the

TRADITION

five-pack limited-edition ‘Power

Stupid Side of Halloween’

KitKat’s famous ‘Have A Break’

of Sausage Roll’ flavour in

2020 campaign, Fanta is back

slogan is taking a well-earned

partnership with LadBaby and

on TV for the first time in five

10 day break itself to celebrate

the Trussell Trust, with 5p from

years. Running until the end of

the brand’s 85th birthday in a

every pack sold donated to

October, the campaign’s light-

new campaign which invites

the charity, which helps to fight

hearted spin on Halloween

consumers to suggest their

against poverty.

aims to help retailers maximise

own versions of the slogan on

RSP: £1

soft drinks sales.

social media channels.

SMALL STEPS

TRAFFIC DRIVER

STILL LIFE

Quorn will be back on TV next

Gleann Mòr Spirits Company’s

Drumshanbo Single Pot

month with an ad for Quorn

Glasgow Gin has been

Still Irish Whiskey has been

Mince emphasising how easy

relaunched with a new

introduced to the UK market

it is for families to reduce

look and ad campaign. The

for the first time by premium

their carbon footprint through

branding features a new

spirits agency Speciality

making more sustainable food

version of Glasgow’s iconic

Brands. Produced by The

choices. The activity forms

Duke of Wellington statue,

Shed Distllery in Co. Leitrim,

part of the brand’s ‘Step in the

complete with traffic cone.

Drumshanbo is 43% ABV.

Right Direction’ campaign.

RSP: £23

RSP: £50

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 24

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK: PRODUCT OF THE WEEK VERY IMPORTANT BISCUITS

MCVITIE’S GIVES BISCUITS THE V.I.B. TREATMENT

Produ ct of the week

MCVITIE’S IS ENCOURAGING SHOPPERS TO TRADE UP WHEN THEY’RE BUYING THEIR EVERYDAY TREATS WITH THE LAUNCH OF A RANGE OF LUXURIOUS VERY IMPORTANT BISCUITS. Pladis has launched a range of McVitie’s V.I.Bs Very Important Biscuits - to encourage shoppers to trade up when they’re making their everyday treat purchases.

The V.I.Bs are available in three flavours in 250g packs: Classic Caramel Bliss, Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut and Luscious Blood Orange.

V.I.BS CLASSIC CARAMEL BLISS The ultimate combination of golden baked biscuit,

“We’re

seeing

a

huge

opportunity

to

topped with a generous layer of delicious chewy

encourage shoppers looking to make snack-

caramel and finished off with a thick coating of

time a little bit special to trade-up, but at present,

McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk chocolate.

shoppers on the look-out for special biscuits are likely to have to spend up to 200% more than

V.I.BS LUSCIOUS BLOOD ORANGE

they do on everyday treats, so we’re setting the

FLAVOUR

RSP for VIBs very competitively, providing even

A generous layer of Luscious Blood Orange

more incentive to trade-up at the same time as

flavour chewy caramel is at the heart of this

making them affordable enough to enjoy on a

golden baked biscuit, finished off with a thick

regular basis, whilst still feeling premium,” says

coating of McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk

Emma Stowers, Brand Director for McVitie’s at

chocolate.

pladis UK&I. The launch is being supported with a ‘Very

V.I.BS HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE

Important Biscuits, Very Hard To Describe’ social

HAZELNUT FLAVOUR

media campaign.

A generous layer of Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut flavour chewy caramel is at the heart

RSP: £1.79

of this golden baked biscuit, finished off with a thick coating of McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk chocolate.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

BOURTREEHILL IRVINE

www.uniteduk.com

UnitedWholesaleScotland

www.day-today.co.uk

MyLocalDayToday

www.usave.org.uk

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

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

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

Imran Ali”

CO-OWNER IMRAN ALI

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

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NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX COLDSNAP

NESPRESSO-POD ICE CREAM COLDSNAP OFFERS A QUICK AND CONVENIENT ICE CREAM SOLUTION IN UNDER 60 SECONDS WITH NO-MESS NESPRESSO-STYLE PODS.

the counter or simply sell the pods to shoppers who can insert them into the device and make their product of choice themselves following the on-screen instructions.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

WHAT’S THE ICE CREAM LIKE?

A machine that makes ice cream, frozen yoghurt and smoothies in under a minute using Nespresso-style pods.

We haven’t tried it, but ColdSnap says the machine creates “micro-sized ice crystals that are 40% smaller than storebought products, guaranteeing ColdSnap’s amazing taste and the smoothest texture possible”.

HOW DOES IT WORK? ColdSnap requires no machine set up, no installation and no refrigeration or freezing, even for the recyclable aluminium pods. The rapid-freezing device produces personalised single servings in 60 to 120 seconds.

WHAT’S COLDSNAP SAYING?

The company says the product is suitable for both domestic and commercial use. Specifically, it says “convenience stores can place a ColdSnap machine to generate revenue and profit through the continuous sale of ColdSnap Pods without having to worry about keeping the Pods frozen and without the daily clean-up required of contemporary frozen confection and beverage machines”.

Matt Fonte, President at Sigma Phase Corp, says: “ColdSnap ice cream is creamy with a smoother mouth-feel than ice cream that undertakes a deep freeze that is required when shipping in refrigerated trucks and kept frozen in the grocery store. Frozen yogurt made with the ColdSnap machine has a dense, velvety texture. In short, ColdSnap makes a smoother, better tasting product.

“ColdSnap does not require environmentally-unfriendly refrigeration systems of factory-frozen ice cream, and therefore, will reduce carbon emissions associated with making and distributing ice cream by 25% to 50%.”

SO THE PODS ARE AMBIENT?

WHERE DO I GET A MACHINE AND PODS?

Yes, they’re shelf-stable and can be stored and merchandised anywhere.

Direct from ColdSnap ­– the only slight issue is that the pods won’t be available to buy until the second quarter of 2021.

SO THEY COULD BE SELF-SERVE?

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

Yes, retailers could either service ready-made ice cream over

Visit www.coldsnap.com.

IT LOOKS DOMESTIC...

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

WHOLESALE

COVID-19 SUPPORT SCOTTISH WHOLESALE ASSOCIATION

WHOLESALERS WELCOME SUPPORT, BUT ‘IT’S NOT ENOUGH’ THE SCOTTISH WHOLESALE ASSOCIATION HAS WELCOMED THE NEWS THAT WHOLESALERS WILL HAVE

T

ACCESS TO A LIMITED AMOUNT OF FUNDING – BUT SAYS IT’S NOT ENOUGH.

he Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has welcomed confirmation from the Scottish Government that some food and drink wholesalers will be able to gain access to a small amount of the £40m support package announced for hospitality businesses affected by the latest round of lockdown restrictions.

Following the implementation of temporary tighter rules relating to hospitality opening hours and the serving of alcohol in a bid to stem the spread of coronavirus, the Scottish Government confirmed that wholesale businesses and producers based in Scotland and supplying primarily short-life goods to hospitality businesses required to close or operate in a restricted way can apply to a hardship fund to receive payments of £1,000 or £1,500 per depot, dependent on rateable value.

Colin Smith, SWA Chief Executive, said: “Our working relationship with the Scottish Government has allowed us to reiterate the inextricable link our members have to the hospitality sector and led to us receiving recognition for those members who will gain access to the £40m support package announced last week.

“While both the SWA and Scottish Government recognise it’s a small amount and without further funding from the UK Government, it is a most welcome intervention. We are, of course, still fighting for a bigger share of the UK Government consequentials announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak earlier in the week as part of its local lockdown support package.

“The hardship fund announced for Scotland will support some businesses that remain open but are still significantly impacted by the restrictions, including those in the wholesale and direct supply chains of firms that must close. An upper limit of £10,000 will apply in total to any eligible business operating multiple premises.

“There is a finite budget available for this new support and the SWA urges members to apply quickly when the application process goes live on local authority websites on Tuesday, 20 October. Applications will close on Tuesday, 3 November, at 5pm.”

Smith said that the SWA will be available to assist any member wishing for help in the application process.

Further details can be found on the Scottish Government website.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

SUSTAINABILITY

ASDA TRIAL STORE LEEDS

ASDA TRIALS SUSTAINABILITY STORE AS PART OF ITS ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME, ASDA HAS JUST OPENED A NEW

A

SUSTAINABILITY TRIAL STORE IN LEEDS.

sda has opened a new sustainability trial store and unveiled a new plastics reduction strategy with a promise that customers will not pay more for greener options.

The supermarket has partnered with some of the UK’s most popular household brands including PG Tips, Vimto, Kellogg’s, Radox and Persil to create the store located in Middleton, Leeds.

The store is designed to help shoppers reduce, reuse and recycle with ease and Asda estimates the numerous initiatives being trialled in Middleton will save one million pieces of plastic per year.

Asda will use the Middleton store to test and learn which elements of its new offer appeal most to customers and can be developed at scale to be potentially rolled out to more locations in 2021.

And to encourage customers to shop sustainably, the supermarket has also launched ‘Greener at Asda Price’ a national price promise that loose and unwrapped products will not cost more than wrapped equivalents.

The new store includes the following features: Q 15 refill stations offering customers a selection of more than 30 household staples sold in refillable format.

Q Products include a selection of different Kellogg’s cereals, PG Tips tea bags, Quaker Oats, Lavazza and Taylors of Harrogate coffee beans, Vimto cordial and Asda’s own brand rice and pasta.

Q The refill zone includes popular brands of shampoo, conditioner, Persil laundry detergent, hand wash and

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 27 / WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020

shower gel from Unilever brands such as Simple and Radox, sold in refillable format – a retail first.

Q 53 fresh produce lines in total, sold in loose and unwrapped format including 29 new lines such as cauliflowers, mushrooms, apples, cabbages and baby plum tomatoes.

In addition, all Asda plants and flowers are sold either unwrapped or with a paper wrapping.

Q Removal of the outer plastic wrapping on several popular Heinz and Asda Brand canned multipacks including beans and soups.

Q Recycling facilities for items that are difficult to recycle in kerbside collections such as crisp and biscuit packets, plastic toys, cosmetic containers and toothpaste tubes.

Q Asda’s first reverse vending machine for cans, plastic and glass drinks bottles and a hanger recycling facility that will be rolled out across all stores.

Q The store will also showcase sustainable fashion lines including clothing made from recycled polyester.

Q A new community zone for pop ups and partnerships with charities; the first is a three-month trial with the Salvation Army of a Drop and Shop outlet for customers to donate their unwanted clothing and bric-a-brac seven days a week.

Q A partnership with Pre-Loved, a vintage wholesaler who will be selling bespoke vintage clothing from well-known brands.

In line with the opening of its new sustainable store, Asda has launched its new strategy for plastics and sustainability.

SUSTAINABILITY

ASDA TRIAL STORE LEEDS

Asda recognises that sustainable shopping must be affordable and accessible to all customers and has committed that customers won’t pay more for greener options. The company is also committed to generating zero carbon emissions by 2040, reducing waste by 50% and having a net regenerative impact on nature no later than 2050.

In 2018, Asda set a weight-based target of 15% reduction in plastic packaging by 2021, with the company removing over 9,300 tonnes of plastic from its own-brand products since then. Now it has added a commitment to remove 3bn pieces of plastic from own-brand products by 2025.

It has also committed to introduce over 40 refillable products by 2023 and invest in 50 closed loop and circular projects by 2030, working closely with waste management companies, recyclers and product developers.

Asda’s CEO Roger Burnley said: “Today marks an important milestone in our journey as we tackle plastic pollution and help our customers to reduce, re-use and recycle. We have always known that we couldn’t go on this journey alone, so it is fantastic to work in tandem with more than 20 of our partners and suppliers, who have answered the call to test innovative sustainable solutions with us.”

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / 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

TWEETS OF THE WEEK BYLINE / NAME / TITLE / COMPANY

STICK IN THERE, SON

SAFETY IS SAFETY, BUT A DEAL’S A DEAL With social distancing now part of how we live, most people these days start coming out in hives if a stranger gets within six feet of them. That is, unless you happen to be in the supermarket and they’ve just stuck the reductions out. Thanks to Bryan Roberts for this one.

If there’s one thing that a life in retail teaches you, it’s the value of persistence. Just stick in there, work hard, keep your head down and eventually good things will happen, as this Tweet from Tom De Silva demonstrates admirably.

ONLY IN LONDON As we all know, they do things differently in London. And that very much appears to apply to lockdown, as this Tweet from Maloof Hoof shows.

WEDNESDAY 21ST OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 27 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

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.

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