THIS WEEK'S NEWS

LOCAL RETAILERS SEE 85% GROWTH

THE LATEST KANTAR MARKET DATA HAS FOUND THATINDEPENDENT AND SYMBOL RETAILERS ARE SEEING GROWTH INEXCESS OF 85%.

Local retailers are continuing to see huge increases in year-on-year sales during the coronavirus pandemic with the latest figures from Kantar suggesting that independent and symbol retailers saw growth of 85.5% in the four weeks to 19 April.

This compares with considerably more modest growth for the supermarkets, which saw Tesco lead the way with a 12.5% increase while Asda grew by just 3% over the same period.

The Co-op saw sales rise 42%.

COSTCUTTER BACK IN THE GAME AFTER AN ‘OUTSTANDING’ YEAR

Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) has reported one of its strongest set of financial results to date, with sales increasing by 10% to £426m for the period 1 January to 31 December 2019.

The symbol group also saw a £9m rise in earnings before tax (EBITDA) to £5.1m, completely reversing 2018’s loss of £4.2m.

CSG boss Darcy Willson-Rymer (pictured) said 2019 had been an “outstanding” year.

The lockdown-induced resurgence of the convenience channel was reflected in a 22% rise in non-tobacco sales across the first four months of 2020, and Willson-Rymer plans to convert the ‘lifeline’ shoppers responsible for the spike into loyal Costcutter regulars through its Shopper First programme and by helping retailers become even closer to local communities through an increased focus on digital experience and platforms such as Uber Eats.

CO AND PAYPOINT RENEW

East of England Co-op hasrenewed its partnership withPayPoint across its 121 storesin the region.

STAY CLOSED TO CRIME

Crimestoppers Scotland isasking the public to reportsuspicions to ensure businesscan open in the future but stay#ClosedtoCrime. Attacks onATMs and convenience storesare among crimes that harmlocal businesses, disruptingservices and employmentprospects, says the charity.

ODDBINS SAVED

A “substantial part” of the highstreet wine retailing businessOddbins has been bought outof administration by an asyetunnamed buyer. Around28 stores are expected to besalvaged.

SCOTTISH RUM FEST

The inaugural Scottish RumFestival will now be heldvirtually on Friday 24th July fortrade delegates. Find out moreat www.ScotRumFest.com

NFRN UNVEILS ALL-IN-ONE APP

A NEW APP FROM THE NFRN OFFERS RETAILERS ACCESS TO SAME-DAY HOME DELIVERY, CLICK & COLLECT, MOBILE PAYMENTS ANDIN-STORE SCAN & GO SERVICES ALL IN ONE PLACE.

The NFRN has partnered with mobile app Jisp to offer retailers an all-inone solution providing same-day home delivery, click & collect, mobile payments and in-store scan & go services.

Several NFRN members’ stores will trial the app over the coming weeks.

With social distancing measures still firmly in place, the Jisp app provides a suite of contact-free shopping solutions for both in-store and at home. In-store barcode scanning

with a smartphone automatically adds products to a virtual basket and lets shoppers check-out securely.

NFRN National President Stuart Reddish said: “Covid has accelerated digital in retail and, given the current complexities of serving customers, along with future opportunities digital brings, we’re pleased to announce this brand-new partnership with Jisp.

“We’re well placed to provide the most advanced app for our members.”

RECOVERY PLAN ‘MUST INCLUDE CONVENIENCE SECTOR SUPPORT’

The Scottish Grocers Federation has said support for c-stores must be at the heart of Scotland’s Covid-19 economic recovery plan. Responding to a call for evidence from the newly formed Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, the Federation said maintaining and extending the small business bonus should be a key recommendation to the Scottish Government.

SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “The convenience industry has shown how important it is to both the local and national economy – our 5,000 convenience stores provide 44,000 jobs and contribute £530m to the economy in Gross Value Added.

“Two very simple, practical and achievable measures the Scottish government must include in the economic recovery plan are to commit to maintain the small business bonus and to increase the combined rateable value threshold to £50,000.”

GREEN-FINGERED GROWTH

Lockdown has led to hugegrowth in sales of beddingplants with sales of horticulturalgoods through Nisa alonegrowing at 425% comparedto the same period last year.A total of 33,000 cases ofbedding plants were soldbetween Easter weekend andthe third week in May.

PLASTIC FANTASTIC

Central England Co-op hasrevealed that it has removed380,000 items of single-useplastic as it prepares for WorldEnvironment Day on Friday.The company has also redistributedenough food tocreate over one million mealsfor people in need and reducedits carbon footprint by 72%since 2010.

BP’S REAL LIVING WAGE

BP is to adopt the Real LivingWage and will pay all itsdirectly-employed UK retailstaff accordingly from 1 Augustin a move that will affectaround 5,000 staff acrossthe UK. This will representan average pay increase ofaround 5%.