The Week In Retail Issue 41

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

WIN FERRERO VALENTINE’S PRIZES JET ADDS 10 ASCONA SITES RED BULL DIGITAL PLANOGRAMMING

REGULATIONS

FDF TELLS GOVERNMENT TO BOGOF

TRADE BODY ADVISES AGAINST NEW PROMO REGS COVID-19

NFRN BACKS JAB’S ARMY

GENDER EQUALITY

MARS UNVEILS #HEARTOBEHEARD CAMPAIGN

HELPING WOMEN ACHIEVE THEIR POTENTIAL

RETAILERS BACK VACCINATION INITIATIVE

+ DCS GROUP DROPS THE ‘C’ BOMB Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 41 Wednesday 3rd February 2021

Symbol Partner:

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THE WEEK IN RETAIL

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

IT’S A FUNNY OLD GAME, IS RETAIL The world has been turned on its head over the last year and the consequences of that have been farreaching. Mostly, it’s just been brutal and weird – but very, very occasionally it has also turned out to be wonderful. Having known former IRN Publisher Helen Lyons and former Convenience Store Editor David Rees for over 20 years, it would have nonetheless been unthinkable even a year ago that we would be able to welcome both of them onto the Scottish Local Retailer and The Week In Retail teams.

But that’s exactly what we did last week and we now find ourselves, all former competitors of one another, working on the same team. It’s a funny old game, is retail.

I’m not suggesting for one moment that this was all part of some grand plan. No, it was more down to dumb luck – and coronavirus – than anything else. Helen left IRN publisher emap in 2019 for a fresh start after decades with the same

company while David’s 15 year reign as Editor of Convenience Store came to an abrupt halt last year when the magazine was taken online.

Two recognised leading lights of the industry like this don’t become available every day so we were delighted to be able to secure their services and bring them into the SLR team on a permanent basis.

It’s a sobering thought that, between the three of us, we have over three-quarters of a century’s experience in the local retailing sector. The new appointments give us an even stronger platform to build upon in future and it just goes to show that, if you keep your eyes open for opportunities and if luck shines on you, there are treasures to be discovered even in the darkest of times.

I thoroughly look forward to bringing you, our readers, the fruits of their experience and expertise in forthcoming issues of The Week In Retail and SLR.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

7

11 COVID-19 UPDATE

PROMOTIONS

The NFRN backs The Sun’s Jabs Army vaccination campaign as shopworker protection demands are raised in Parliament.

A new report from the Food and Drink Federation warns the Government against meddling with restrictions around promotions.

THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF SLR magazine recruits two convenience retailing experts as the sector goes from strength to strength.

23

15 FERRERO RETAILER COMPETITION

29 SEASONAL SALES: CHRISTMAS 2021

35 PETCARE: THE ‘DREAM SIXTEEN’

19 RETAIL TRENDS: HOME COOKING

31 SOFT DRINKS: BESPOKE PLANOGRAMS

37 WELLBEING: GROCERYAID

NEW REPORT SHOWS HOME COOKING

NEW ONLINE TOOL LETS RETAILERS

CONTINUES TO GROW DURING LOCKDOWN. 21 FORECOURTS: JET/ASCONA

10 ASCONA-OWNED SITES SWITCH TO JET.

27 DIVERSITY: WOMEN IN WHOLESALE

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

CREATE THEIR STORE’S IDEAL RANGE. 33 TOBACCO AND VAPING

CHARITY OFFERS A NEW SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE.

39 PICKS OF THE WEEK

UK GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES NEW

45 OUT THE BOX: #HERETOBEHEARD

CONSULTATION ON REGULATIONS.

49 BEFORE YOU GO...

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

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NEWS DIGEST

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

APPOINTMENTS

HELEN LYONS AND DAVID REES JOIN SLR TEAM

IGD REBRANDS Grocery industry education and training charity IGD has unveiled a new brand and purpose, featuring a new visual

SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILER MAGAZINE HAS ANNOUNCED THE

identity. The new brand has

APPOINTMENT OF TWO OF BEST-KNOWN AND MOST EXPERIENCED

been used to strengthen the

CONVENIENCE RETAILING EXPERTS IN THE INDUSTRY.

identity and understanding of the organisation’s two halves.

SLR had made two major new appointments to strengthen its commercial and editorial teams.

Helen Lyons has been named Sales & Marketing Director of SLR publisher 55 North while David Rees joins to head up the company’s editorial team, with direct responsibility for its client publishing division as well as SLR. Helen Lyons is the former Publishing Director of Independent Retail News (IRN) and TalkingRetail.com. She also managed the Retail Industry Awards and the Quality Food Awards at Emap. David Rees worked at William Reed Business Media for 20 years, spending the last 15 years as Editor of Convenience Store magazine before the magazine was taken online last year.

Together, Helen and David have around 50 years’ experience in the local retailing industry and bring unrivalled expertise to SLR.

Its Trading Company has been rebranded to Commercial Insight, while the Charity will now be known for its Social Impact.

NEW JAMES HALL STORE James Hall & Co, Spar wholesaler for the north of England, has launched a new company-owned store in Maryport, Cumbria. The 24 hour, 3,000sq ft store and Shell fuel pumps are now open.

Full forecourt services will be available once the previous

COSTCUTTER HOOKS UP WITH APPY SHOP Costcutter has partnered with online shopping platform Appy Shop to offer home delivery and click-andcollect to its independent retailers.

Appy Shop can be used as a standalone service by store owners.

The cloud-based platform can be accessed via PCs, mobile devices or tills and retailers have the flexibility to make as much of their range available

store has been demolished by

to shoppers online as they want.

Shoppers can place orders for home delivery or click-and-collect, either for immediate delivery or collection, or for a future time slot. An order history function is available for repeat orders and a shopper favourites option enables quick and repeat orders. Charging is completed at the point of picking.

April 2021.

COLLECTIVE GROWTH C-Store Collective, the panel of associate consultants supported by convenience industry experts, has unveiled retail technology company, NearSt, as its 19th partner company.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

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NEWS DIGEST

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

TRADING

INDIES UP 20.9% IN LAST QUARTER

BEZOS STEPS DOWN Jeff Bezos is to step down from his position of Chief Executive of Amazon and become Executive Chairman

KANTAR DATA SHOWS THE LOCAL RETAILING SECTOR CONTINUES

of the business in the third

TO FLOURISH WITH SALES UP BY A FIFTH IN THREE MONTHS.

quarter of 2021. He is being succeeded by Andy Jassy, the

Kantar data reveals that sales through the independent and symbol channel grew by 20.9% in the last 12 weeks with the channel now accounting for 1.7% of the entire market over the period.

Total grocery sales grew by 12.2% in the last quarter, ending 24 January,

thanks in part to the latest set of lockdown restrictions.

Alcohol sales soared 29% YOY while no-alcohol beer rose 12%.

British families spent £50 more on average on groceries in January compared to the same period last year.

current leader of Amazon Web Services.

ACS APPOINTMENTS The Association of Convenience Stores has

WAITROSE TOPS UP HEALTHY START VOUCHERS

appointed two new directors as new representatives from the Co-op and from BP. Hanna Hofer, Vice President of BP’s UK operations and dealer business is taking over as their representative from Dave Newton. Ali Jones, Customer Director at the Co-op, is also joining the board, replacing David Roberts who has moved to become MD of Co-op Power.

TELEGRAPH TROUBLE The price of the Saturday

Waitrose has announced that it will begin ‘topping up’ the value of the Government’s Healthy Start Vouchers with an additional voluntary commitment of £1.50, taking the value of each voucher from £3.10 to £4.60.

The vouchers are provided to pregnant women and low income families with children under the age of four and can be spent on designated ‘healthy’ foods.

edition of the Daily Telegraph is rising by 20p from Friday, but the publisher will be keeping back the improved retail margin for six months.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

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NEWS SPECIAL

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

NFRN BACKS JABS ARMY

ALDI TARGETS ARCADIA STAFF

THE NFRN IS BACKING THE SUN’S JABS ARMY VACCINE CAMPAIGN

Aldi is actively encouraging

WHICH

Arcadia and Debenhams staff

T

HAS

SMASHED

ITS

TARGET

OF

RECRUITING

50,000

VOLUNTEERS TO HELP WITH THE VACCINE.

he NFRN is getting behind The Sun’s Jabs Army vaccine campaign to recruit volunteers to help with the rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine programme.

The crucial Steward Volunteer roles form a key part of the Covid-19 vaccination team, guiding people onsite and helping the vaccination process run safely and efficiently by ensuring social distancing and identifying people who need additional support.

Retailers can also get involved by downloading The Sun Jabs Army poster on The Fed’s website to show their support and enter The Sun’s news bill competition. NFRN members will

to join the discounter to help fill the 4,000 jobs it intends to create across the UK in 2021.

MIRROR VIEW Newspaper publisher Reach is to accompany forthcoming price rises on its Monday to Friday editions of the Daily Mirror with pro-rata terms.

From Monday (1 February), weekday editions rose by

receive a free poster in the February edition of The Fed magazine, which will reach members this week.

Retailers should send a picture of The Sun Jabs Army poster displayed in store to growsales@news.co.uk to be entered into a prize draw to win £50 off their news bill.

NEW LOCKDOWNS EDGE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE TO NEAR RECORD LOWS New Deloitte research reveals that the final quarter of 2020 saw consumer confidence in Scotland fall by a further two percentage points to -18%, as the country headed into the New Year under fresh lockdown restrictions. Except for personal finances, all other measures of confidence were below YOY comparisons.

Deloitte’s analysis is based on a nationally representative sample of more than 3,000 UK consumers, (295 from Scotland) between 1 and 4 January 2021, after a Brexit deal had been reached, and as a third national lockdown was announced.

The emergence of a more virulent strain of Covid-19 saw Scottish confidence around health and wellbeing fall 11% in Q4 2020, the lowest level ever recorded at -39%.

5p. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the new price is 90p, with retailers earning 18p per copy sold. In Scotland, the new cover price is 95p, with stockists getting 19p for each copy they sell.

ASDA FORECOURT DEAL EG Group has entered an agreement to acquire Asda’s forecourt business including petrol stations, car washes, and land. The deal is understood to be around £750m and the sites will remain Asda-branded. EG Group had earlier concluded a deal to acquire the entire Asda business, subject to CMA clearance.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

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NEWS SPECIAL

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

SHOPWORKER PROTECTION DEMANDS RAISED IN PARLIAMENT

T

FRESH PROTECTION DEMANDS RAISED AS REES-MOGG DISMISSES CALL FOR NEW LAWS.

mask going into the store. Can we have a debate in Government time on the impact of Covid-19 on retail workers?”

While he praised retailers for their work, Rees-Mogg stressed that attacks on retailers and shop workers should be dealt with through existing laws.

He said: “The protection of the vital work done by people in supermarkets is one that we should not forget.

“They are protected by the normal law, and if somebody has spat at a worker in a supermarket, that is illegal and the police should be notified and the law should be enforced. Certainly, the Government will do everything they can to encourage the correct enforcement of the law.”

ACS WELCOMES KICKSTART PLANS

The Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed an announcement from the Government on plans to simplify the ‘Kickstart Scheme’. The improved scheme would make it easier for retailers to create new job placements in their local communities.

The amended plans would mean employers could apply directly to the Kickstart scheme from 3 February, regardless of the number of jobs to be funded. Previously, retailers had to apply in partnership with an official ‘Kickstart Gateway’ if they were applying for funding for 29 or fewer placements.

The scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16-24 year olds on Universal Credit at risk of long-term unemployment.

Find out more about the scheme here.

OCADO TESTS ELECTRIC AND PEDALPOWERED VEHICLES Ocado is trying out new vehicles powered by a mix of electricity and pedal-power to deliver grocery orders.

TECH SOLUTIONS

he NFRN has welcomed the fact that the issue of increasing attacks on retailers during the Covid pandemic has been raised in parliament. Last week, the MP for Blaydon, Liz Twist, asked the Leader of the House, Jacob Rees-Mogg, to open a debate on the matter in parliament.

Twist said: “Shop workers have really been on the frontline during this pandemic, keeping us supplied with the essentials of life. They do not have the option of working from home.

“Yet, too often, retail workers face abuse and poor treatment from a few customers. Just yesterday, one of my staff witnessed a shop worker being spat at for asking someone to wear a

Being trialled by its Zoom rapid delivery arm, the service operates out of the retailer’s flagship site in Acton in west London.

The vehicles include electric refrigerated vans, electric-assisted refrigerated vehicles and pedal-powered cargo bikes that can travel distances of up to 40 miles.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

RRP

£7.99

Available at

RETAILER COMPETITION

VALENTINE’S DAY FERRERO UK

FERRERO SHARES THE VALENTINE’S LOVE WITH RETAILERS FERRERO UK IS LAUNCHING AN EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION FOR CONVENIENCE RETAILERS THIS

F

VALENTINE’S DAY, HELPING THEM ENGAGE WITH THEIR LOCAL SHOPPERS DURING A CHALLENGING START TO THE YEAR FOR MANY.

TO ENTER

errero UK is launching an exclusive competition for local retailers this Valentine’s Day to help them engage positively with their shoppers. Three SIMPLY ORDER lucky retailers will each win three luxury A FERRERO Ferrero Rocher rose bouquets (worth £50 FSDU HERE each) to gift to loyal shoppers or those in their community who they feel deserve a reward, as well as a case of Ferrero Rocher T24 too.

The activity is set to further highlight the importance of stocking the core Ferrero range ahead of key spring occasions, while available POS materials will also help retailers encourage cross-category purchases of chocolate confectionery and flowers in-store.

For the chance to win the bouquets, retailers can simply visit Ferrero’s dedicated trade website and order the Ferrero Rocher FSDU and add-on to be entered automatically. believe the appetite to gift premium products will still Alternatively, those who share an image of their be high. People want to treat their loved ones or boxed chocolate range via Ferrero’s @FerreroYPS give to those closest to them, and we’re keen Twitter account or to FerreroYourPerfectStore@ to support retailers in making this possible. cirkle.com will also be entered. The competition Ferrero Rocher is the perfect gift and our will run until 5pm on 7 February, with the winners bouquets are back by popular demand from receiving their bouquets ahead of the big day. retailers as they are a great way to engage with Ferrero’s Customer Development Director shoppers, whether creating in-store displays, Levi Boorer says: “While Valentine’s Day is likely gifting them or including them in a community to be celebrated slightly differently this year, we raffle to raise money for local charities.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS

SUPERCHARGE YOUR ENERGY DRINKS SALES WITH MONSTER WITH SALES UP AND GROWING FASTER THAN ALL OF ITS COMPETITORS, MONSTER IS THE DRIVING FORCE IN THE ENERGY CATEGORY.

Energy drinks are worth an incredible £667m to the convenience channel1, and are now the largest soft drinks segment2.

Up by 18% in value and growing faster than all its competitors3, Monster’s the driving force in the category4.

HERE’S THE LOWDOWN The core Monster range includes Monster Green, the third-biggest soft drinks SKU in convenience5.

Monster Ultra is the number one range in the Zero Sugar energy segment6, and includes Ultra Paradise – hot off the press as the winner of the sports and energy category at the SLR New Product of the Year Awards 2020.

And the great-tasting Monster Juiced range is worth £92m and in 44% growth7… not to mention relative newcomer Reign Total Body Fuel, already the number one performance energy brand in GB, and four times bigger than its nearest competitor8.

But Monster’s not stopping there.

MONSTER BRANDS, MONSTER PERFORMANCE

With energy drinks accounting for one in three on-the-go soft drinks sold in convenience in GB10, they should be given the space they deserve in the chiller. The challenge is to make that space work as hard as possible.

To help retailers determine which segments and variants to stock, how many of them, and how to bring the category to life in-store, Monster and its distributor Coca-Cola European Partners have launched an exciting new retailer support platform: salessupercharged.co.uk.

Visit www.salessupercharged.co.uk for more tips, trends, inspir

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 41 / WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021

ADVERTISING FEATURE

MONSTER ENERGY DRINKS

MONSTER’S TOP TIPS FOR SUPERCHARGED SALES 1. STAY COOL

throughout your store. Monster-

Shoppers are more likely to buy

branded coolers and display

an energy drink for immediate

units are a great way to maximise

consumption if it’s chilled. Make sure

standout.

they have easy access to cold cans.

NEW PRODUCTS FOR 2021

5. GET BEHIND PROMOTIONS 2. GET YOUR RANGE RIGHT

Bring the category to life by offering

72% of the energy sector’s

It’s important to stock products in

exciting promotions that tap into

growth over the last year has

all the main energy segments. Using

your shoppers’ interests. Who

come from new products , and

sales data is a good way to identify

doesn’t want to win a money-can’t-

more than half of that’s been

which lines can be removed to make

buy Monster prize?

down to Monster.

space for new launches.

9

6. KNOW YOUR SHOPPERS

Eager to maintain momentum, the brand’s come

3. KEEP IT CLEAR

Price Marked Packs can reassure

straight out of the blocks in

Help shoppers navigate the fixture

shoppers that they can get the

2021 with three new product

by grouping brands within each

products they want, at an affordable

launches:

sub-sector. If you can, signpost your

price11. Monster, Reign and

Q An energy twist on the iconic

Traditional, Zero Sugar, Flavoured

Relentless 500ml packs come in

and Performance Energy offerings.

PMPs, as do the Monster Green and

Moscow Mule, Monster Mule is the latest addition to the

Monster Ultra White four-packs*

brand’s core line-up, and the

4. ALLOCATE SECONDARY SPACE

– don’t forget to allocate space to

first ginger-flavoured energy

Energy drinks are big drivers of

take-home packs, especially at the

drink in GB.

impulse sales, and need to be visible

moment.

Q Monster Ultra Fiesta blends a juicy mango flavour with the Monster energy blend, delivering a delicious energy boost with no calories or sugar.

Q And bringing together a mix of peach and nectarine, Monster Juiced Monarch uses real fruit juice to create maximum taste.

*The recommended prices on CCEP PMPs are intended only as a guide for retailers, who are free to set prices as they wish.

Plain packs are also available.

1 Nielsen MAT Total Impulse w.e. 05.09.20 2 Nielsen MAT Total Impulse w.e. 05.09.20 3 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage incl discounters w.e.

05.09.20 4 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage incl discounters w.e.

05.09.20 5 Nielsen Week ending 5.9.2020 MAT Symbols and Indies Monster Green 500ml is the 3rd biggest SKU in value 6 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage inclu discounters w.e.

05.09.20 7 Nielsen Home MAT Total Coverage inclu discounters w.e.

05.09.20 8 Nielsen Answers Value Sales Total GB Ytd we 05.09.2020 (Reign Value is £4.6m/ Nearest competitor Value is £1.1m) 9 Nielsen Home MAT Total coverage value MAT: w/e 03.10.20 10 Nielsen: IC Energy drinks, Units Sold in Symbols and Indies YTD w.e 03.10.20 11 HIM Focus on price-marked packs 2019

“Monster Ultra is the number one range in the Zero Sugar energy segment and includes Ultra Paradise, winner of the sports and energy category at the SLR New Product of the Year Awards 2020.”

ration, equipment info and POS – and chances to win free stuff!

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

Security, operational efficiency and business development within your store.

Control pricing, product and reporting across multiple locations.

A reliable new and innovative offering to the convenience and fuel market for Self-Checkout.

Innovational integrations with many third party Apps. Connect with your customers.

Learn more about our EPOS products at henderson.technology/edgepos

The EDGEPoS Electronic Shelf Edge Label (ESEL) System is a tool used by retailers to display specific product pricing on shelves.

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RETAIL TRENDS

HOME COOKING FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND

HOME COOKING GROWTH OFFERS POTENTIAL FOR RETAILERS A NEW REPORT FROM FOOD STANDARDS SCOTLAND SHOWS HOME COOKING CONTINUES TO GROW DURING LOCKDOWN, OFFERING PROFITABLE OPPORTUNITIES TO RETAILERS CATERING TO THE LEGION OF WOULD-BE GORDON RAMSAYS OUT THERE.

F

ood Standards Scotland (FSS) has published a new report revealing the impact of Covid-19 on food and drink retail purchasing in Scotland between January and July 2020.

The FSS data confirmed that shoppers bought more home cooking and meal ingredients including sweet and savoury cooking ingredients, canned goods, dried pasta, rice and pulses during lockdown. This directly corresponds with results from the recently published FSS Covid-19 tracker which showed that in May, 40% of people reported cooking from scratch more often compared to before lockdown.

Encouragingly, 29% also reported eating healthy meals more often which aligns with the increased amount of vegetables we bought over lockdown.

However, the data showed shoppers also bought more biscuits, confectionery and crisps during this time. This is backed by results from the Covid-19 tracker which showed that in May, 44% of people reported snacking more often than before lockdown.

The results also showed that that shoppers bought 44% more food and drink from shops and supermarkets in

40% 44% OF SHOPPERS COOKING FROM SCRATCH MORE OFTEN

OF SHOPPERS ALSO BUYING MORE TREATS AND CONFECTIONERY

the week before the national lockdown in March 2020, compared to March 2019. People in Scotland made fewer trips to stores during lockdown compared to 2019 as they spent more time at home. Overall during lockdown, people in Scotland shopped for food less often and bought more from discounters, smaller retailers and convenience stores than over the same period in 2019.

This strong uptick in retail purchases was sustained throughout lockdown when most restaurants and cafes were closed.

FSS’s Chief Executive, Geoff Ogle, said: “Scotland’s battle with excessive weight and obesity has been brought into sharp focus by the pandemic, as poor diet is a contributory factor to increased risk of poorer health outcomes from Covid-19. This is in addition to the well-established links between poor diet, obesity and coronary heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, stroke and some cancers.

“The increase in vegetable and home cooking ingredients purchased is encouraging, with people reporting that they were cooking more from scratch. We need both government and industry to build on these encouraging findings.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

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ACQUISITIONS

ASCONA GROUP JET

JET ADDS 10 ASCONA SITES JET HAS TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT 10 NEW ASCONA-OWNED SITES WILL BE JOINING ITS GROWING NATIONWIDE NETWORK OF JET BRANDED DEALER SITES.

THE 10 NEW JET DEALER SITES ARE: Q Wednesbury Road Service Station, Palfrey, West Midlands Q Bedworth Service Station, Bedworth Heath, Warwickshire Q Glendale Service Station, Croft Road, Warwickshire Q Putnoe Service Station, Putnoe, Bedfordshire Q New County Service Station, Clophill, Bedfordshire Q Henlow Service Station, Henlow, Bedfordshire Q Ash Service Station, Wendover, Buckinghamshire Q Desborough Park Service Station, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire Q Bassett Service Station, North Weald, Essex Q Thamesmead Service Station, Abbey Wood, Greater London

M

ajor fuel supply brand JET has today confirmed that it has added 10 new Ascona-owned sites to its network, further strengthening its relationship with the roadside retailer.

JET currently supplies Ascona Group, one of the fastest growing independent forecourt operators in the UK, at three sites: Fyfield Service Station in Marlborough; Jack Service Station in Stoke-on-Trent and Deepcar Service Station near Sheffield – a relatively new joiner having signed up to the network last November.

The 10 new sites, mainly in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, will provide depth and strength in these areas – boosting JET’s total portfolio of UK JET dealer sites to more than 300. And with Ascona sites now numbering 13 and with

the potential for further sites in the future, Ascona is fast becoming one of JET’s largest retail customers.

Commenting on the decision to move to JET, Darren Briggs, MD, Ascona Group says: “JET provides an industry-leading fuel supply package and together with their new JET brand image, is recognised in the industry for great value and service.

They are the perfect partner for Ascona as we continue to expand our operations in the UK via both organic and acquisitive growth and focus on building best-in-class retail roadside destinations that cater to changing customer needs.”

Working closely with Ascona, the 10 sites will be rebranded and repumped including two knock-down and rebuilds.

The licensed supply contract with Ascona Group is in place until 2026.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

Following Orders

Introducing Appetite, the app for delivery, click ’n collect and hot food orders, now integrated with EDGEPoS.

Grocery and alcohol click ’n collect or delivery Corporate ordering facility Hot food/deli click ’n collect and delivery Grow existing sales and acquire new customers Food nutrition and allergen information (EU 1169/11) Optional in-store self-service kiosks (additional costs apply)

VIVO Larne reported 80% of Appetite shoppers are new customers

Take control of your orders Live stock view on app

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Receive a terminal and printer for managing all orders

Bludot Technologies Dashboard for marketing and reporting

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PROMOTIONS

HFSS CONSULTATION FOOD AND DRINK FEDERATION

FDF TELLS GOVERNMENT TO BOGOF! A NEW REPORT FROM THE FOOD AND DRINK FEDERATION HIGHLIGHTS HOW IMPORTANT PROMOTIONS ARE TO SHOPPERS AND WARNS GOVERNMENT AGAINST MEDDLING WITH RESTRICTIONS AROUND PROMOTIONS.

A

survey by BritainThinks, commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), has found that the overwhelming majority of in-store shoppers – 73% – say they usually or always purchase products that are on promotion when shopping.

A quarter (25%) of the 1,748 respondents said that if there were no promotions, they would be concerned about the affordability of their shopping.

Nearly two-thirds of participants (62%) also agreed that promotions are an important way to save money on food and drink, with nearly three-quarters of participants (72%) wanting promotions to continue, finding them useful for saving money, stocking up on food for the future and trying new products.

The findings come following news that the government remains committed to plans that would restrict promotions, including multibuys and buy-one-get-one-free deals, particularly around High Fat Sugar and Salt (HFSS) products.

Commenting on the findings, the FDF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Kate Halliwell, said: “The survey results clearly demonstrate that a large majority of in-store shoppers use promotions as a way to save money on their food and drink shopping. We’re extremely concerned that removing these promotions will add to the household’s food bill.

“There is evidence that during a recession, many people increasingly rely on promotions to help them save money.

It’s predicted that the average shopping basket may increase by £600 a year without promotions in retail. We have already seen evidence of rising food costs; at the start of lockdown we saw a spike of 2.4% increase in food prices, fuelled by a 15% fall in promotions which accounted for over half of this inflationary spike.

“We urge the Government to consider these findings as they press on with their plans to restrict retail promotions and think about the impact this may have on the shopping basket and for shoppers during an incredibly difficult economic time.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

STEPS TO SOFT DRINK

SUCCESS

Making sure shoppers can easily find the soft drink they want is crucial for growing sales. Craig Starling from Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) joined Kuldip Dhariwal at Butts Convenience Store in Reading to find out how small changes to your display can get customers coming back for more.

MEET THE RETAILER

THE STORE AS IT STANDS

KULDIP DHARIWAL BUTTS CONVENIENCE STORE, READING

CRAIG STARLING BDM, SBF GB&I

“Our store sits in a residential area, and my customers are a real mix of ages – from young students up to retirement age. The store is busiest in the evenings, with locals buying meals and drinks.

“Kuldip’s store is great, and he’s got a good soft drink display. He’s got a massive range which helps him clearly show his point of difference to larger grocery stores.

“Kuldip’s soft drink range caters for his customers excellently. He has a drink for every occasion and need. The key is to get the right drinks in front of the right people, so they can find the drink for the occasion they are shopping for.”

“Soft drinks are my second biggest seller behind alcohol. My range sits in a three-metre chiller and is worth around £2,500 per week. Sports and Energy is the biggest contributor, making up 40% of sales.”

LESSONS FOR YOUR STORE

1.

MAKE EACH SUB-CATEGORY CLEAR

2.

VERTICALLY BLOCK CATEGORIES SO THEY STAND OUT

1 EXT IRI, MarketPlace GB, latest data to 23.08.20 (Total Drink-Later change YTD) 2 Retail Data Partnership data, 2,921 independent, symbol and unaffiliated store, w/e 07.11.20

3.

GIVE PROMINENCE TO GROWING SEGMENTS LIKE TAKE-HOME ENERGY

9.3%

1

GROWTH IN LUCOZADE ENERGY’S DRINK LATER RANGE THIS YEAR

THE RESULTS

BASKET SPEND IN THE FIRST WEEK OF NOVEMBER WAS

£2 HIGHER

2

THAN THE SAME WEEK LAST YEAR.

33%

200%

RISE IN SALES OF LARGE FORMAT TAKE-HOME BOTTLED SOFT DRINKS

RISE IN SALES OF FLAVOURED CARBONATES

Based on data from the past four weeks

Based on data from the past four weeks

THE CHANGES WE MADE

1.

MAKE EACH SUB-

CATEGORY CLEAR

BEFORE

AFTER

We separated each category - for example still juice drinks, and then flavoured carbs - into vertically blocked areas, so shoppers can easily find the type of drink they want, for the occasion they’re shopping for.

2.

VERTICALLY BLOCK BEFORE

AFTER

CATEGORIES SO THEY STAND OUT:

Kuldip’s energy offering was ranged in one long line. We’ve kept them in the same area, but displayed over two shelves, so it is easier for consumers to shop.

3.

GIVE PROMINENCE TO BEFORE

AFTER

TO SEE MORE OF KULDIP’S SHOP AND FOR ADVICE FOLLOW @SUNTORYBF_GBI ON TWITTER

GROWING SEGMENTS LIKE TAKE-HOME ENERGY

Kuldip’s take home drinks range is fantastic but energy was in the corner of the chiller. We moved this to a more prominent position, tapping into the growth the category has seen this year.

DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

WOMEN IN WHOLESALE FWD

GROWING STRONGER TOGETHER WOMEN IN WHOLESALE IS PARTNERING WITH NATIONAL WHOLESALE TRADE ASSOCIATION FWD TO FURTHER PROMOTE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

W

omen in Wholesale (WiW) has joined forces with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD) in a new partnership to raise awareness and further expand the reach of the burgeoning inclusion initiative.

The intention of the new partnership is to help put diversity, inclusion and mental health awareness at the top of the wholesale industry’s agenda.

WiW is an educational networking event set up by Elit Rowland in 2016 to inspire, support and progress women working in wholesale. Launched before the first tranche of gender pay gap data, the initiative has proven to be ahead of the curve. Now in its fifth year and with more than 700 members, WiW will be part of the FWD’s Supporting Wholesale mission, giving the initiative wider reach and visibility.

WiW consists of an annual conference, a Speed Mentoring event and two exclusive reports – Six Steps to Advance Talent in Wholesale and How to Market Wholesale Jobs to Women.

WiW was awarded Best Business Initiative of the Year at the Grocer Gold Awards in 2018.

WiW Chair Clare Bocking said: “With this partnership we can achieve greater lobbying influence, helping us to truly achieve the change that we want to see.”

Since the inception of WiW, the FWD has dedicated 50% of bursaries and awards to females.

Coral Rose, Chair of FWD, added: “The past ten months have taught us that creating an inclusive work environment is not just about gender and race equality. It’s about mental health and well-being, too. Working together we will be able to expand our support and knowledge to the sector, creating a truly effective workforce in the pandemic era.”

Elit Rowland will continue to run the WiW brand and events, coordinating with the FWD.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

SEASONAL SALES

CHRISTMAS 2021 DCS

AND THE PRIZE FOR EARLIEST MENTION OF CHRISTMAS 2021 GOES TO...

RETAILERS ARE USED TO PLANNING MONTHS AHEAD ON MAJOR SEASONAL EVENTS, BUT LEADING

L

DISTRIBUTOR DCS HAS WON THE PRIZE FOR BEING THE FIRST MAJOR COMPANY TO START TALKING

ocal retailers are used to living out of sync with the ‘real world’, planning for Easter before we’ve even got the festive period out of the way, but a special mention must go to leading distributor DCS Group for its release this week discussing...

Christmas 2021.

With most retailers struggling to plan next week, never mind 11 months away – thanks to Covid, Brexit and all manner of other challenges – DCS has already kicked off a campaign to help wholesalers and retailers drive more Christmas gift sales in the lead up to the 2021 festive period.

DCS is the UK’s leading distributor of household, health, beauty, baby, and healthier snacking brands. Brand partners include: P&G, Unilever, Colgate, SC Johnson, PZ Cussons, Johnson & Johnson, Danone, Graze and Grenade.

The DCS Christmas Gifting webinar took place over two days on 26 and 27 January with guest speaker Sarah Ward, MD of the British Allied Trades Federation, kicking the session off. A number of major brands working

ABOUT CHRISTMAS 2021!

with DCS including P&G, Unilever, Beiersdorf, Colgate, T2 and Childs Farm took advantage of dedicated webinar sessions to showcase their 2021 gifting products directly to wholesalers and retailers.

The Christmas Gifting interactive sales meeting has been a key event in the DCS Group calendar for many years, but this is the first time it has been held via a video conference. The webinar was attended by 36 DCS wholesaler and retailer customers, with the remote webinar format proving convenient for busy customers to attend.

Matt Stanton, Head of Category and Insight at DCS Group, said: “It has been fantastic to see so many of our valued partners joining us to kick off the 2021 campaign. The Q4 festive period is such an important time for businesses that it is crucial we start early and help our wholesaler and retailer customers get a head start.”

Content presented during the event included insight into the latest retail and gifting trends, Christmas shopping habits, and detailed overviews of each brand’s 2021 gifting strategies and

products. In her opening address, Ward explained that early execution of in-store gifting plans is more important than ever.

“We saw shoppers starting their Christmas shopping earlier than usual in 2020,” she said. “Retailers who launched their in-store activation early were able to capitalise whereas those starting later were negatively impacted.

The presence of gifts in-store triggers the Christmas shopping behaviour in shoppers,” she said. “Whilst there is still uncertainty about the future, the best way for wholesalers and retailers to plan is to treat the occasion as business-as-usual.”

For more information visit www. dcsgroup.com.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

ENERGY DRINKS

IN-STORE PLANOGRAMMING RED BULL / BESTWAY

S

ENERGISING SALES ONLINE

RED BULL AND BESTWAY HAVE PARTNERED TO DEVISE A NEW ONLINE TOOL SO RETAILERS CAN CREATE AN IDEAL SOFT DRINKS PLANOGRAM TAILORED TO THEIR SPECIFIC STORE.

oft drinks innovator Red Bull has partnered with Bestway Wholesale to create a digital consultancy category tool enabling retailers to receive tailored advice on how to maximise soft drinks sales in their store.

The planogram is built around giving brands their ‘fair share’ of space, based on sales in a particular area.

The online platform takes retailers through a stepby-step consultancy process, first asking for the store’s geographic location, the chiller size (either via pre-suggested measurements or bespoke entry), and the number of facings per branded line. The tool then calculates the best SKU ratio, delivering a personalised, downloadable planogram.

The tool is intended to help retailers remove poorperforming soft drinks from their chillers and replace them with more popular SKUs to maximise sales and profit, and to advise them which facings should be upweighted or reduced.

The tool also allows retailers to simply access the suggested replacement SKUs through Bestway online, delivering a seamless purchasing transaction from start to finish.

In addition to offering bespoke ranging advice, the platform offers category insight and information, via a downloadable education resource, ‘Three Steps to Sale Success’.

The category tool is available to stores within England, Wales and Scotland, and will roll out across additional wholesale partners during 2021.

The new category tool can be accessed here.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

Product Launch of the Year winner.

• Menthol JUULpods win Vaping Product Launch of the Year from Scottish Local Retailer magazine.

• JUUL is the U.K.’s #1 vaping brand growing 63% year-over-year* • Full JUUL portfolio is available from your symbol operator and Batley’s, Booker, Filshill, and United Wholesale.

• Are you stocking the JUUL product range your customers want?

• Scan the barcode to add Menthol JUULpods to your basket.

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 Total Market Value Sales 4 weeks to 27th September 2020 TM and © 2021 JUUL Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.

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

TOBACCO AND VAPING

TRPR REVIEW UKVIA

THE SMOKEFREE FUTURE? THE UK GOVERNMENT HAS LAUNCHED A

T

he Government has asked for trade and public views on the perceived effectiveness of recent tobacco legislation.

Specifically, opinions are being sought on two items – The Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015 (SPoT), which introduced plain packaging for cigarettes and hand rolling tobacco, and the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 (TRPR), which introduced a range of provisions covering health warnings and flavours for tobacco, plus restrictions on product formulation, advertising and promotion of electronic cigarettes.

UKVIA, a trade association representing the UK vaping industry, welcomed the consultation as an opportunity to change the way that e-cig manufacturers can communicate the harm-reduction benefits of vaping.

CONSULTATION ON THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RECENT TOBACCO LEGISLATION, WHICH COULD HELP CREATE A NEW NATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUT VAPING.

UKVIA Director General John Dunne said: “As the UK has taken control of its regulatory landscape post-Brexit, and ahead of the announced development of a new Tobacco Control Plan, there is an enormous opportunity to seize the public health potential of vaping.

Across areas as diverse as advertising and enforcement, opportunities exist like never before to empower adult smokers and vapers and drive down smoking prevalence.

“Whilst smoking prevalence has declined across the UK between 201819 by 0.6% according to the Office for National Statistics, there are still 6.9 million smokers, representing some 14.1% of the adult population.

Moreover, despite vaping being acknowledged as one of the best ways to quit smoking, there are still nearly a third (32.4%) of adult smokers in Great

Britain that have never tried vaping.

Therefore, positive regulatory change has the potential to unlock the public health prize presented by vaping.

“Our members have been working tirelessly to agree what a new settlement for vaping should look like, to bolster harm-reduction opportunities and support the Government’s ambition for a Smoke Free 2030.

“As an industry, the vaping community has done much to provide vital information and alternatives to smokers for many years, but there is only so much we can do in the confines of current EU regulations.

With the support of all stakeholders, including Government and regulators, the potential improvements to public health can increase tremendously.”

The consultation closes on 19 March 2021. You can take part in it here.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

THANKS FOR THE

TAAAASTY AWARD

• Up to 3 hours’ hold time • New quarter slice and self serve boxes • New branded hot-hold equipment for self-serve day or night • 4 takeaway flavours

YOUR GO-TO PIZZA EXPERTS Contact foodtogo@oetker.co.uk for further information

CATEGORY FOCUS

PET FOOD MARS PETCARE

MARS PETCARE GUIDES RETAILERS WITH NEW MUST-STOCK RANGE THE DREAM SIXTEEN SELECTION IS DESIGNED TO BE THE CORE OF CONVENIENCE RETAILERS’ PETCARE OFFERING.

P

et ownership has risen significantly during the pandemic, but many convenience retailers have found it a challenge to offer the most effective range of products in-store.

However, Mars Petcare is addressing this with the launch of its ‘Dream Sixteen’ – a reinvigorated range of 16 muststock SKUs to form the core of a retailer’s petcare offering.

More than half (55%) of pet owners have stated they fail to purchase in the convenience channel due to lack of choice, according to Mars research. In response, Mars Petcare has developed the Dream Sixteen core range, which includes lines

from well-known brands such as Whiskas Pouches, Pedigree Dentastix, Pedigree Pouches and Dreamies, to enable retailers of all store sizes to provide choice for shoppers and capitalise on the opportunity of increased sales by attracting lucrative pet-owning consumers to their stores.

The Dream Sixteen selection also includes three new price-marked packs – Pedigree Pouches 12-pack (£3.75), while Cesar Trays 8-pack and Sheba Pouches 12-pack are both marked at £4.75.

In September, Mars Petcare launched its first annual category report, The Rising Power of Pets in Pandemic Britain, which highlighted the significant opportunity shoppers with pets represent to retailers. These consumers shop more categories than their non-pet owning counterparts and spend on average 26% more on groceries (Nielsen).

Alex Smith, Convenience Channel Director at Mars Petcare UK, comments: “After a challenging year for many, coupled with a marked increase in pet ownership as a result of more time being spent at home, we recognise that shopper habits and priorities have changed. Reacting to this, we’re adapting our range and recommendations accordingly, working with retailers in the channel to showcase our new Dream Sixteen core range. This is a selection of must-stock products we have specifically selected to drive sales success for our convenience customers.

“We are set to inspire retailers with Dream Sixteen and show them the opportunity the petcare category represents – we have big plans for the year ahead and look forward to supporting the channel.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35

WELLBEING

SUPPORT SERVICE FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE GROCERYAID

GROCERYAID LAUNCHES NEW SUPPORT SERVICE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

CLICK

T

his week is Children’s Mental Health Week and to mark the occasion GroceryAid has partnered with Kooth, an organisation who specialises in digital mental health for children and young people.

Through Kooth, GroceryAid now offers a mental health and wellbeing platform which can give confidential online counselling and support to children, students and young people aged 11-25. If you work in the grocery industry your

children or dependents can access HERE TO this free service by signing up to FIND OUT Kooth.

MORE Parents and carers are doing such a great job of juggling home schooling, working and parenting and this service could help you help alleviate some pressures that your children might be feeling. Students away from home or those who have been unable to go back to university may be showing heightened anxiety and Kooth’s self-help tools and forums could help them talk about their feelings.

WHAT IS KOOTH? Kooth gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors. Access is free of the typical barriers to support: no waiting lists, no thresholds, no cost and complete anonymity.

#DONTDOITALONE

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 37

6 WEEKS’ FREE DELIVERY

*

*New customers only.

We know it’s not nice out there at the moment.

But there’s no need to leave home with 6 weeks’ free delivery of your newspaper straight to your door (you only pay for the paper).

Visit: DELIVERMYNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Or if you don’t have internet access call: 0800 980 6907 New customers only. Free delivery for 6 weeks. The price of the newspapers will apply and must be paid in full to your newsagent. Terms and conditions apply, see delivermynewspaper.co.uk/terms/the-sun for details.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – ECHO FALLS ROSÉ SELTZERS TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

ECHO FALLS SELTZER ADDS TO ITS ACCOLADES

ACCOLADE WINES’ ECHO FALLS SELTZER BRAND HAS ADDED ANOTHER AWARD, JUST A WEEK AFTER WINNING AN SLR PRODUCTS OF THE YEAR 2020 AWARD.

Echo

Falls’

Blueberry

&

Rose varieties, the seltzers

Manager, Echo Falls, said:

Hibiscus Rosé Seltzer has won

are intended to appeal to

“2020 saw a boom in the trend

the ‘Product of The Year’ award

consumers looking to moderate

for seltzers, offering a lighter

in the Hard Seltzer category,

their alcohol consumption and

alternative to traditional drinks

just a week after retailers voted

calorie intake.

such as beer or wine.

the range the winner of the

Anne Uva, Assistant Brand

“We’re very proud to be

Hard Seltzers category at the

named Product of The Year and

SLR Products of the Year 2020

it’s testament to the hard work

Awards.

of our innovation team who

Products are shortlisted the

developed these lower calorie

Product of the Year award by a

and

jury of journalists and industry

in three delicious flavours to

experts, before being voted on

capitalise on the category’s

by nearly 10,000 consumers

continued growth.”

based on appeal to buy and product satisfaction.

lower

alcohol

seltzers

The accolade for the brand comes just a week after being

Blueberry & Hibiscus Rosé

named SLR Product of the Year

Seltzer (ABV 4.5%) is a mix of

in the hard seltzer category, an

rosé wine, sparkling water, and

awards programme decided by

fruit flavours or sweeteners,

a poll of Scottish retailers.

with the 250ml cans containing only

69kcal.

August

Launched

2020

in

alongside

Echo Falls Rosé Seltzers is

available

in

convenience, and wholesale in

Strawberry & Pink Pepper,

12 x 250ml cases.

and

RSP: £1.80

Raspberry,

Lychee

&

grocery,

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 39

Smarter Shopping It’s already in your customer’s hands Scan, Pay, Go! by Ubamarket® integrates seamlessly with EDGEPoS to provide retailers with their own ‘scan and go’ in-store app. A high-tech, low-cost solution that’s simple to implement and revolutionises the shopping experience.

1 SCAN

2 PAY

3 GO!

Customers simply scan an item they want to buy with their smartphone.

Customer pays at Self-Checkout till by scanning the QR code on screen.

Customer has paid and is free to leave the store.

Scan, Pay, Go! Benefits for retailers Personalised Offers

Increase Basket size

Shoppers can scroll through personalised offers by category and tap to add them to their list, increasing sales by up to 30%.

Engaged app users consistently spend up to 21% more in store.

Reduce Overheads

The Magic Shopping List

Put the customer in control and streamline your business.

Enabling shoppers to build, locate, scan and buy live stock items.

+44 (0)28 9094 1900

www.henderson.technology

enquiries@henderson.technology

@_HendersonTech | @Ubamarket

Future Proof your Store Remove in-store friction forever and engage with customers in real-time.

Powered by:

www.ubamarket.com

NPD AND MEDIA

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

MEDITATION TIME

IT’S A WRAP

COOL KOMBUCHA

Coca-Cola has partnered with

Mission Foods has launched

Good Earth Kombucha

Katy Perry to create a limited-

a dedicated convenience

is executing its biggest

edition can. Nearly 9,000 cans

range of tortilla wraps, plain

promotional activity to date

will feature Perry’s personal

pitta bread and naan products.

through United Wholesale

resolution for 2021: “I promise

The lines are available in

Scotland. The Good Earth

to meditate”. All proceeds

smaller pack sizes than usual

range was recently named

from sales of the packs will be

and PMPs specifically for the

Product of The Year in the

donated to anti-poverty charity

convenience channel, available

Chilled Fortified Drinks

ONE.

in Booker depots countrywide.

category.

GRAB N GO

DO YOUR DUTY

GET RICH

Cadbury has expanded its

Premier Foods is giving

Rich Products has extended

range of Mini Bite Grab Bags

gamers the chance to win Call

its partnership with CJ Lang,

with Cadbury Dairy Milk

of Duty Warzone items and

which will see a roll-out of

Flapjack Bites, Cadbury Dairy

prizes in an on-pack promo

bakery lines across 108

Milk Mini Cookies and Cadbury

across 17 Batchelors products.

company-owned Spar stores.

Dairy Milk Caramel Flapjack.

Retailers can win FSDUs and

Having launched with cookies

All will launch in Sainsbury’s on

stock in a weekly prize draw,

last summer, the partnership is

10 February, individually priced

with a top prize of £500-worth

now being extended to include

at £1 per bag.

of gaming vouchers.

muffins and buns.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 41

RE HE R K TE IC EN C L TO

The Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards

All supermarket and convenience own label products made using ingredients sourced from Scotland are eligible to enter the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards. The combination of the great value offered by own label lines and the perceived high quality of Scottish produce and ingredients will continue to see the market grow. Winning a Scottish Retail Food & Drink Award is the perfect way to help drive sales of your own label Scottish lines. Do you have a star product in your own label range? There’s still plenty of time to get your entries in to be judged...

SPONSORS Small Producer Sponsor

M E D I A PA RT N E R S

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

PA RT N E R S

Entry deadline Friday 26 Feb 2021 Awards presentations take place April 2021. Full information & entry online www.scottishretailfoodanddrinkawards.com Follow us on Twitter @ScottishRFD

NPD AND MEDIA

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

COOKIE MONSTER

JUICY ADDITION

EXTRA SHOTS

Pladis is expanding its Flipz

Haribo has enhanced the

Instant hot snack Mug Shot

range of sweet and savoury

recipe for its Starmix sweet

has undergone a full brand

pretzels with a Cookies &

brand with the addition of

refresh with new flavours,

Cream variant. The new line is

fruit juice. The new Starmix

a new pack design and

available in national retailers

also now includes an apple-

enhanced recipes across its

as well as in wholesale and

flavoured green bear, a

top 12 varieties. New flavours

convenience, in a 90g pack

blackcurrant-flavoured purple

include Chicken & Mushroom

format.

bear, and an apple and lemon-

Noodles and Original Curry

RSP: £1.50

flavoured ring.

Noodles.

BETTER BOTTLE

SNOW BUSINESS

SAVOURY SELECTION

Absolut vodka has launched

Lees of Scotland’s famous

Spar has launched three new

a limited-edition bottle made

Snowballs brand is now

own-label savoury biscuit lines:

of 60% recycled glass,

available across 48 M&S

Spar Breadsticks, Spar Salt

described as the brand’s

stores in Scotland. Six-

& Pepper Crackers and Spar

most sustainable glass bottle

packs of Snowballs began

Rosemary Crackers. Marketing

yet. The 70cl pack will be

rolling out to M&S stores last

support includes Spar Radio

supported by media activity

week, marking the brand’s

and in-store POS, plus digital &

and point of sale material.

third product listing with the

social media.

RSP: £20

prestigious retailer.

RSP: £1

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 43

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:

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX #HERETOBEHEARD

WOMEN ARE #HERETOBEHEARD MARS HAS UNVEILED A NEW GENDER EQUALITY CAMPAIGN AIMING TO ASK WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR WOMEN TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL IN THE WORKPLACE.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? A new global gender equality campaign driven by Mars that will see the voices of real women collected to ask “what needs to change so more women can reach their full potential?”

The campaign is being promoted as #HereToBeHeard.

HOW WILL THAT WORK? The initial phase of #HeretoBeHeard will see submissions collected and analysed by the Oxford Future of Marketing Initiative (FOMI) at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. Voices can be contributed to the study here. With influential voices kicking off the conversation, the new global crowdsourcing campaign will look to elevate the voices of women to shape a more inclusive business environment and world where all women can thrive.

WHY ARE MARS GETTING INVOLVED? The company has a long-standing tradition of treating its colleagues well and embracing positive change. Company Board Member Victoria Mars is personally involved in the campaign and is calling on all businesses to “listen and step up.” The campaign supports Goal Five of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER HIGH PROFILE SUPPORTERS? Yes, Emmy award-winning actress and host Tamera MowryHousley leads a heavyweight roster of global influencers inviting women to use their voice to galvanise change.

WHAT HAPPENS ONCE THE RESPONSES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED AND ANALYSED? As part of the company’s Full Potential platform for action on gender equity in its workplaces, sourcing communities, and the marketplace, Mars intends to take concrete actions

“Business can have an outsized impact on driving change at scale and at Mars we’re seizing this opportunity to expand the conversation and drive action.” [ Victoria Mars ]

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 45

BIGGER ON THE OUTSIDE SOFTER ON THE INSIDE

• Skittles Giants are softer and 3x bigger!

• Brand New Texture Innovation!

• Giants will build on the success of Skittles Chewies, which is the best performing NPD in the FC category since launch! *Nielsen Value Sales October 2019

Skittles® is a registered trademark ©2020 Mars or Affiliates.

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX #HERETOBEHEARD

Mars based on the findings – both within its value chain and in broader society – to close the gender opportunity gap.

HOW ARE MARS DOING SO FAR ON THESE ISSUES? Pretty well. The Full Potential program was only launched last year but Mars has already achieved gender pay equity across its workforce of 133,000 Associates, more than half of whom are women.

It has progressed to a 43% gender balance across business leadership teams, with a target of having 100% gender balance across these teams. It has expanded its partnership with humanitarian aid agency CARE to empower 50,000 people in cocoa sourcing communities, the primary beneficiaries of which are women. It has also been working with the Geena Davis Institute and UNStereotype Alliance to eliminate gender bias and stereotypes in its advertising.

WHAT ARE MARS SAYING? Victoria Mars, Mars Board Member and ambassador of Mars’ Full Potential programme, says: “Women have played a powerful role in our history and leadership at Mars. But we have more to do. We’re striving to empower more women within our workplace, and across our extended value chain.

“The magnitude and urgency of gender inequality in society demands more action. If global business doesn’t listen and step up now, then when? Business can have an outsized impact on driving change at scale. At Mars we’re seizing this opportunity to expand the conversation and drive action.

“The #HereToBeHeard movement is about ensuring that all women’s voices have a chance to be heard and translating what we hear into impact plans that advance gender equality.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 47

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

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS VALENTINE’S DAY CARDS / OVERWEIGHT CYCLISTS

HOW’D YOU LIKE THEM APPLES? This one falls under the ‘you couldn’t make it up’ banner.

Here’s the story... Stirling Distillery, owned by June and Cameron McCann, recently launched a new Pink Lady gin.

Fairly innocuous. Then they received a letter from Apple and Pear Australia Ltd (APAL) threatening legal action against them.

Why, you might naturally wonder? Well, APAL apparently owns the Pink Lady trademark and take a dim view of people using the term without a licence (and, presumably, paying a fee).

Ordinarily, registered trademarks tend to be issued for use within a specific trading sector – in this case, ‘apples’. Or maybe the wider-ranging ‘fruit’. Which begs the question, why does a big Australian company feel threatened by a gin made by a tiny Scottish distillery?

The Stirling Gin owners commented: “We named our latest gin after a famous local legend, The Pink Lady, a young noblewoman who died defending Stirling castle in the siege of 1304.” In other words, it was nothing to do with apples.

As these things tend to work out, the distillery chose to rename and rebrand the gin (at significant cost) rather than face a lengthy legal battle.

BOOKS FOR KIDS? SOUNDS LIKE A FAIR SWAP

While it’s not strictly retail related, we thought we would bring you some news of a great new initiative from The Sun on Sunday. The paper is launching a Books For Kids campaign to help bring the joy of reading to more families during lockdown.

Running for the next four weeks in conjunction with BookTrust, the UK’s largest children’s reading charity, the title is calling on readers to send in their old children’s books, no matter how ripped and tatty they are.

The Sun on Sunday will then pay to recycle them before BookTrust begins free distribution of bright and colourful new publications carefully chosen by its children’s books experts.

Kids’ author David Walliams is backing the initiative.

He said: “I wholeheartedly support this campaign. Some of my fondest memories are of reading with my parents and it’s devastating to think some families don’t have access to books.”

The books will be passed on to youngsters who need them most via schools, children’s centres, food banks, refuges and family support teams. Readers can post their old books or send them via a special 70% discounted Hermes collection service without leaving their home.

To get involved, people can either post old books to: Books For Kids, PO Box 485, Grays, Essex RM17 7HY, or send them via Hermes at the reduced cost of £1.99 for a medium-sized box. Step by step instructions are here.

WEDNESDAY 3RD FEBRUARY 2021 / ISSUE 41 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 49

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Y G R E N E R A G U S O .

E R E V Z A O W T S N I E L T A E S G A H C T A C OWTH. R G % 2 2 + .

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