SLR Awards 2021: The Shortlist

THE SHORTLIST NEW AWARDS FOR A NEW NORMAL

AWARDS CEREMONY

6PM, 27 OCTOBER 2021 WINNERS CELEBRATORY LUNCH

NOVEMBER 2021

Booker is a proud sponsor of the SLR Awards Choice up

Prices down

BIG BRANDS

Better service

OFFERS AVAILABLE 2nd JUNE 6th JULY 2021

BIG PROFITS

SOFT DRINKS | CONFECTIONERY CRISPS | SNACKS | BEERS | CIDER

50%POR

% 47SAVE POR

Buy any 6 for £37.50

£2.10

equates to £6.25 a case Single Case

£6.29

£9.59

P/M £1.19 or 2 for £2.20

P/M £1

12x500ml

15xBag

48SAVE

50SAVE

% POR

% POR

£3.50

£1

Offers available 01/09/21 to 28/09/21 www.premier-stores.co.uk

only

Save stated off normal WSP

£2

ANY

£2.99

GREAT VALUE 480g, 550g

2 £1.20 ANY

2 Litre

£2

2 £1.50

FOR

ANY

FOR

FOR

89p Amazing Value £1.29

ANY

ANY

any 2

£2

FOR

PM £2 15 Pack

950ml, 850ml

Varieties as stocked 750g/800g

4 Pack

Brought to you by

£11.19

WINNER The Shoppers’ Favourite Convenience Fascia

2L

£9.49

£1

454g

£1.49

£8

500g

500g

69p

£8

£2

8 Pack

4 Pack

460ml

Each

6 Pack

89p 250g

99p 2 Pack

Some offers may not be available in all stores and are subject to availability. The higher price shown relates to the Londis recommended retail price and may differ in some stores.

The cheapest product is free in Buy 1 Get 1 Free offers. All offers are correct at the time of going to print. E&OE NP7 Neighbourhood Large

£1.19

only

Incl. Orange 900ml

500G BIG VALUE PACK

£2.19/£2.37

12 Pack

£6

.50

Sell £3.29

ONLY

only

EACH PM £3 500g

£2.49 410g

OFFERS AVAILABLE 01/09/21 TO 28/09/21

£3.73

£3

2 for

PM £1.49

ONLY

£2£1 £312x620ml£6.49 NRB M194577

PM £2 15 Pack

105739 NP07 Retail Club Leaflet - ENG.indd 1

29/07/2021 12:56

£1.19

£9

£3 £18.49

95g/114g

only

£1.09

EACH 750g/800g

ENG NP07

£5

11/08/2021 11:42

£9.49

180g

HALF PRICE

Incl. Tempranillo/Garnacha 75cl

BUY ONE GET ONE

ONLY

ONLY

89p

FREE

£8

24 Wash

£11.19

£10

PM £1.19

49 Wash

£1.49

Incl. Bombay Bad Boy 90g

ONLY

£11.19

95p

ANY 2 FOR

£2

ONLY

£2

Offers available 30/08/21-26/09/21

londis.co.uk/findyourlondis Varieties as stocked 750g/800g 105740 Family Shopper NP07 Leaflet - ENG.indd 1

PM £2 15 Pack

14/05/2021 09:35

4 Pack

FAMILY ESSENTIALS £11

12x330ml, 10x440ml

2kg

£2

10x440ml/12x330ml

Incl. PM £1

ONLY

£2

50

Only

ANY 2 FOR

NEW EACH

£1.69 only 155g/170g

£1

£3.73

£4 £5.

OFFERS AVAILABLE 01/09/21 TO 28/09/21

ONLY

£1

06/08/2021 14:19

104348 NP04RetailMailerBigBrandsE&W.indd 1

89p

£2

EACH 1L

10x440ml

90g

ANY 2 FOR

£1.50

OFFER ENDS: 02/11/21

£2.49 410g

£11.19

4 Pack

GREAT PRICES

59p

2 FOR

P/M 39p

12x25g

£4.75

105695_BUD_NP7_LEAFLET_BB_8PP_V5.indd 1

£1.65

400g

500G BIG VALUE PACK

PM £3 500g

AMAZING 89p VALUE

105738 P7 Premier 250g Leaflet - ENG LIC.indd 1

NEW

30x30g M258084/M258093

Offers available 02/09/2021 to 29/09/2021

£3

£4.85 £3.50

£3

£6

£2.50 £3 www.booker.co.uk £3.99

FREE

£1.69

PM £1 Varieties as stocked 65g/70g

10x440ml/12x300ml/330ml

£12 45 Wash

www.familyshopperstores.co.uk

NEW

BUY ONE GET ONE

each

155g, 170g

£1.49

£3 £6.49only

£2

for

24 Wash

75cl 12x330ml

500g

SAVE £2.65

ANY 2 FOR

£3.50only

95p

2£3.25, £3.50 £2

FOR

P7 ENG LIC 500g, 505g

BUY ANY PACK OF YOUNG’S FISH FILLET S, MCCAIN OVEN CHIPS, MIXED VEGETABLES + CLASSIC MINI ICE CREAM ST ICKS FOR £5

only

HALF PRICE

300g

2 £2.50

4 Pack

£3.75

2x130g, 2x143g

£5

£3.59

£1.49 Essentials

FARM FRESH APPLES

800g

only

89p

£9.49

75cl 9 Roll

BETTER THAN

HALF PRICE

Only

EACH PM £1.39 306g/308g

PM £2.75 80’s

£8 £1.14

£6.49

MEGA DEALS £5.25

49 Wash

12x330ml

FROZEN MEAL DEAL

only

£3.73

BETTER THAN

HALF PRICE

Incl. Tempranillo/Garnacha 75cl

only NEW

Only

£1.25

EACH £1.69 155g/170g

£1.32 FAMILY £5.50 £1 SHOPPER SAVE

£9.49

180g

12x25g

£10 £2.50

£11

22.5g

£2£4

£5

95p

155g, 170g EVERYDAY LOW PRICE

£2

PM £1.29 2L

only each

15x750ml M253802

43%POR ANY 2 FOR

£1

114g

£6.49

240g, 220g

£2.19/£2.37

BUY ONE half price GET ONE FREE £1.69

2 £2.20

EVERYDAY LOW PRICE

£3

each

12 Pack

BACK TO SCHOOL

% 50SAVE POR only

£3.73

NEW

Only

Incl. Orange 900ml

£1 £4.79

each

NEW

PM £1.49

250ml

£2

Sell 80p

6x200g

£1.99

DEALS

NEW

£2 P/M £2.99

104348 NP04/21 E&W

NEW

£1.69

£4.99

any 2 for

each

155g/170g

Bi

£7.69

only

£1

2L

10x440ml/12x300ml/330ml

ONLY

£3 500G BIG VALUE PACK

PM £3 500g

2 FOR

£3.50

£2.49 410g

P7 ENG LIC

BUY 1 GET 1 FREE

06/08/2021 09:49

www.booker.co.uk

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

SLR AWARDS 2021 SHORTLIST BROCHURE NEW AWARDS FOR A NEW NORMAL

TABLE OF CONTENT 07 15

JUDGING PROCESS

IN-STORE AWARDS Q CONFECTIONERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

09 21

JUDGING PANEL

IN-ACTION AWARDS Q COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q FORECOURT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q FOOD-TO-GO RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q FRESH & CHILLED RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q HOME DELIVERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q NEW STORE OF THE YEAR

Q NEWSTRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q REFIT OF THE YEAR Q OFF-TRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q SCOTTISH BRANDS RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q SUSTAINABILITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q #THINKSMART INNOVATION AWARD

Q SOFT DRINKS RETAILER OF THE YEAR Q TEAM OF THE YEAR Q VAPING & NICOTINE REPLACEMENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q SYMBOL GROUP AWARDS Q COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR Q INNOVATION OF THE YEAR Q SYMBOL GROUP OF THE YEAR

www.slrawards.com

3

S PO NSO R

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

NEW AWARDS FOR A NEW NORMAL The SLR Awards 2021 are fast approaching and for the second consecutive year we will be hosting the awards virtually, at 6pm on Wednesday 27 October. We’ve had to make a lot of changes to the way we run the awards, just as you have had to make a lot of changes to the way you run your businesses over the last 18 months – but it’s clear to us that the Awards have never been more important.

It’s never been more critical to recognise the heroic way that the local retailing has risen to the challenge of Covid-19. Scotland’s communities have relied on local retailers more than ever in living memory over the last year or so – and the SLR Awards is our way of paying tribute to not only to the shortlisted entrants in this handbook and not only to the winners on the evening, but to the entire Scottish independent retailing sector.

For all its many challenges and heart-breaking moments, the pandemic has shone a light on the absolutely fundamental role that local retailers play at the heart of every community across Scotland. Never has the sector been so highly regarded by so many – and not before time.

The challenge now, of course, is to secure a legacy from the pandemic. Most retailers enjoyed commercial success in 2020 and many have retained high sales to this very day. However, securing a much longer benefit from the last year will be critical in ensuring a vibrant, creative and positive future for what is a truly unique and truly outstanding industry sector.

Over the coming pages you will see many of the stars of Scotland’s local retailing family – and we thank each and every retailer who took the time to enter. We know and understand how difficult that can be when you have so many day-to-day challenges going on to deal with. So to take the time to submit an entry or two and be part of this virtual festival of excellence is an achievement in itself. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

We wish the very best of luck to every retailer shortlisted and, also, to the symbol groups shortlisted in our new Group categories. The world is moving on at pace and we intend to keep moving with it.

We look forward to seeing you all at the virtual ceremony on 27 October at 6pm. We salute you.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR, SLR

www.slrawards.com

5

£1 PMP BOTTLES AVAILABLE

®

DELICIOUSLY FRUITY

REASSURINGLY ROBINSONS

STOCK UP NOW

ROBINSONS IS ENJOYED BY 11 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS* 68% OF JUICE DRINKERS IN THE UK SAY THEY PROACTIVELY CHOOSE PRODUCTS WITH NO ADDED SUGAR**

ALSO IN PEACH&MANGO FLAVOUR *Kantar Worldpanel, Take Home Panel, Total Robinsons Dilutes + Ready to Drink, Buyers (11.224m), 52 we 16.05.21 **Mintel, Health and wellness in non-alcoholic drink categories, August 2020 Refresh’d / 52we 19-Apr-20

Time to

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

CHAIR: ANTONY BEGLEY PUBLISHING DIRECTOR, SLR

Antony launched SLR back in 2003 and has run the title for the past 17 years. SLR is Scotland’s only award-winning magazine in the sector, having won the PPA Business Magazine of the Year Award, among other accolades. Antony is also on the Scottish committee of GroceryAid.

HELEN LYONS SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR, SLR

Helen 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 EDITORIAL MANAGER, SLR

David worked at William Reed Business Media for 20 years, spending the last 15 of these as Editor of Convenience Store magazine before it was taken online last year.

JAMIE BUCHANAN GO LOCAL PROGRAMME DIRECTOR, SGF

Jamie has spent 33 years at senior management and Director level in Foodservices, Cash & Carry, Wholesale and Retail channels in Scotland. Overlapping with his retail career, he has spent 10 years as a Director for the Scottish Grocers Federation. He has also raised over £200,000 for charity.

SAM COLDBECK RETAILER, WHARFEDALE PREMIER CONVENIENCE

Samantha Coldbeck is co-owner of Wharfedale Premier Convenience, a busy Premier convenience store in Hull. A community retailer at heart, she also works closely with Tesco/ Booker on the Premier Development Group, helping to build a symbol model that works well for all Premier retailers.

TOM FENDER DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, TWC

Tom has worked in the convenience and wholesale sectors for over 20 years. Alongside Mike Greene, he led a management buyout of HIM before selling the business after a decade of rapid expansion. At TWC, he helps wholesalers and convenience retailers improve their performance through a better understanding of data.

www.slrawards.com

7

STOCK STOCK UP UP

NOW

LOW AND ZERO SUGAR SPARKLING SOFT DRINKS ARE WORTH

ON THE LIGHT TASTE OF

SCAN THE BARCODES

TO ADD TO YOUR NEXT ORDER. AVAILABLE IN PLAIN AND PRICE MARKED PACKS.

5

017726

170196 5

017726

170158

5 5

017726

170165

5 5

SCAN TO REQUEST YOUR POS KIT* ©2021 Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. All rights reserved. All brands are registered trade marks of their respective owners. Sources: 1. AC Nielsen Value Sales Independents & Symbols MAT w.e. 22.05.21, 2. AC Nielsen Value Sales Independents & Symbols Latest 12wks w.e. 22.05.21. *Whilst stocks last.

017726

017726

017726

109448

108298

135393

To find out more email connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit my.ccep.com

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

BLAKE GLADMAN STRATEGY & INSIGHT DIRECTOR, KAM MEDIA

Blake has over 15 years’ experience delivering shopper and consumer insight. He started his career at Kantar before joining HIM in 2009. He left his Director role at HIM in 2018 to help KAM Media drive forward its expertise in delivering market-leading research products.

LESLEY ANN GRAY STRATEGIC INSIGHT DIRECTOR, KANTAR WORLDPANEL

With over 30 years’ experience in the Scottish food and drink industry Lesley Ann has worked in roles across marketing, category management, new product development and in commercial positions for branded, licensed and own-label businesses, supplying retail and food service sectors.

JOHN MURRAY FOUNDER & CVO, HIGHLAND FOOD & DRINK CLUB

With 30 years’ experience in the region’s food and drink industry, John founded the Highland Food & Drink Club to celebrate the great food and drink produced in the Highlands of Scotland.

He also founder of a chain of Scottish convenience stores and served on the SGF’s executive committee.

CHRIS NOICE COMMS DIRECTOR, ACS

Chris joined ACS in October 2009 and is responsible for all of ACS’s external and internal communications, media relations and a growing research portfolio which includes the industryleading Local Shop Report. Chris is also an official spokesperson for ACS.

KAREN PEATTIE FREELANCE JOURNALIST; SLR CONTRIBUTOR

Karen, an honorary member of the SGF and contributor to SLR, is a highly respected freelance journalist, editor and PR consultant with almost 40 years’ experience. Specialising in the retail, wholesale, food & drink, and travel sectors, she is a recognised industry expert.

JON RONS CO-FOUNDER, C-STORE COLLECTIVE

Jon has worked for almost 30 years in convenience retailing, wholesaling and shopper understanding, including spells at Conoco, Musgrave and HIM. With vast experience in store development, store operations, buying and other support functions, he co-founded C-Store Collective to helps retailers grow sales, increase margins and add efficiencies into their business.

www.slrawards.com

9

***

Excellent **** *IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Nicotine Pouch Category, Total UK, YTD Jun-21. For more information or to verify comparison contact Nordic Spirit on Facebook or Instagram: @nordicspirit_uk or using our details at nordicspirit.co.uk/contact. **RRP effective as of 28/07/2021. You are, of course, at all times free to sell JTI’s products at whatever price you choose. ***Winner Nicotine Pouch Category, Survey of 9,865 people by Kantar. ****Trustpilot rating correct as of August 2021.

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

PETER STEEL JOINT CHAIRMAN, GROCERYAID SCOTTISH BRANCH

Peter started his career in convenience retail, moved to B&Q then spent 30 years with Glasgowbased field marketers McCurrach, sitting on the company’s operating board for 20 of these before heading up its Irish operation. Now semi-retired, he is actively involved with industry charity GroceryAid.

DAVID VISICK DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, FWD

Formerly Deputy Editor of Convenience Store magazine where he worked for four years, Visick joined FWD in 2010 as Director of Communications, a newly created role to help publicise the Federation’s work in promoting the interests of its members and their customers.

KATHRYN NEIL DIRECTOR, SGF HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME

Kathryn has over 20 years’ experience managing and supporting operations within independent businesses. Since 2014 she has worked to promote the SGF Healthy Living Programme. As its Director, Kathryn is responsible for developing the Programme and works with the government, NHS and retail industry to help Scots lead healthier lives.

STEPHANIE RICE DIRECTOR, RICE MARKETING

Stephanie has spent over 35 years at senior management and Director level in the Wholesale and Retail channels. She has an in-depth understanding of the independent convenience sector and her consultancy helps local authorities, the GLA and charities to improve the local food environment. She is a non-exec Board member for Newtrade Media.

PATRICK MITCHELL-FOX SENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST, IGD

Patrick supports IGD’s UK research across a wide range of subjects. Wholesaling is his focus, and he helps develop IGD’s expertise and insight on route-to-market channels globally.

www.slrawards.com

11

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

IN-STORE AWARDS CONFECTIONERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

FOOD-TO-GO RETAILER OF THE YEAR

FRESH & CHILLED RETAILER OF THE YEAR

DAY TODAY ARMADALE

DAY TODAY ARMADALE

DAY TODAY BOURTREEHILL

The store recently underwent an £80,000 mini refit, which saw new shelving added along with hooks to accommodate its hanging confectionery range. An American candy section and a pick & mix offering were also added. The store’s overall confectionery category is sitting at 50% up year-on-year.

The store recently underwent a mini refit and the biggest part of the investment revolved around food-to-go. Changes withing the category consisted of adding Costa Coffee, Rollover Hotdogs, Chicago Town Pizza, Tango Ice Blast, F’Real, an ice-cream serve over, hot counter, cake counter, and chilled snacks.

The store’s chill offering currently includes 2.5m of fruit and veg, 8.75m of fridges, 8.75m of shelving, a food-to-go area, and a standalone butcher counter. The retailer invested in a Joalpe merchandising kit, which enables it to display every individual product in its own dedicated space, and wooden crates for the fruit and veg.

DAY TODAY STENHOUSEMUIR

PREMIER BIRNAM STORES

Confectionery is the heart of this store, and this year has seen it more than double its footfall through confectionary sales. The store has built strong links with buyers in Australia, Dubai, Russia, and India, where it sources limitededition confectionary from big brands. The store also features pick n mix, confectionery hampers, and Day Today sweet jars.

A wide selection of hot food is offered by the store - from pizza, to hot filled rolls, pasta, burgers, chips. It also houses a coffee machine offering a wide selection of hot beverages. A local baker supplies the store with rolls, cakes, pies and sausage rolls and recently the retailer switched its meat supplier to a local butcher.

PREMIER BIRNAM STORES The store recently underwent a totally refit, which saw the confectionery section double in size to 6m, with hanging bags on end panels. This store has right combination of core, new products, and good displays to keep its customers happy, resulting in a massive increase in sales.

SPAR FALKIRK The store new owner has introduced multisiting of confectionery products and an increased range, coupled with bringing in an American confectionery range, and new Millions machine. A recent store refit also saw video ticket rails installed to make the category more aesthetically pleasing and eye catching for the consumer.

SCOTMID BO’NESS The store recently moved into a newly built facility where is offers a different hot menu for every meal of the day. It offers a range of pies and cakes from its local craft bakery partner Stuarts, alongside baguettes, authentic Italian sandwich ranges of flatbreads and paninis, and a deli bar.

SPAR FALKIRK The store recently introduced food-to-go and sales are continuing to grow week-onweek. Two new ovens and serve overs were bought and a food-to-go island was installed at the heart of the store. The outlet also offers products such as Costa Coffee, Rollover Hot Dogs, F’Real Milshakes, Fwip Ice Cream, and Tango Ice Blast.

SCOTMID BARNTON A full refit saw an additional 3m of chilled footage added to the store. The retailer introduced new ranges, such as pre-packed toasties and burritos to enhance its food-to-go offering, and Cook Frozen meal solutions. Since launch sales are averaging more than £1,200 per week.

SPAR COYLTON New refrigeration was recently added to the store, which has helped reduce its carbon footprint by 22%. The store has separated out its lunchtime meal deal offering from its main chilled section of to help impulse shoppers complete their shopping mission more efficiently. This has created more space and new ranges have been added.

SPAR GARTHAMLOCK Recently the store removed Subway and we refreshed the range in the chilled section to capture more breakfast\lunchtime\dinner products extending all of the ranges and space in these categories. We also added Freal, Whip, Hot Dogs and a hot food serve over CJs Counter to compliment the offer along with a McGhees cake serve over unit. This has helped to increase the store margin by 2% from last year.

www.slrawards.com

13

Fresh thinkers wanted Find out more about Nisa opportunities at nisalocally.co.uk/retailers or call

0800 542 7490

Scan the QR code to see Sunny’s story.

Nisa’s fresh thinking has helped Sunny grow his business and double basket spend.

Through the latest retail expertise, innovative format design, a best in fresh range and access to Co-op own-brand range we’ve helped Sunny add value to his business.

He also has the chance to earn up to 5.5% rebate as part of our Fresh Rewards scheme.

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

NEWSTRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

OFF-TRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

SCOTTISH BRANDS RETAILER OF THE YEAR

PREMIER TURRIFF

DAY TODAY ARMADALE

NISA GREENS OF ELLON

During the initial stages of the pandemic the store’s daily HND customers increased by 9% and Sunday HND customers by 18% despite titles disappearing overnight. The news and magazine category currently contributes 19.1% of the store’s income and 27.2% of the store’s profit margin.

The store has secured supply from Beerhawk, which sells mini kegs that go into a Phillips Perfect Draft machine. The store has been selling the kegs and machines for 7-8 months and the revenue growth has been nearly 12% of its total sales when it has full supply of all keg variants.

The store’s local community has a strong ethos of supporting local and regional products, which it aligns itself with. The store works closely with its suppliers to make sure it’s able to offer lines at attractive prices, and regularly reviews each category to make sure its offering the very best Scotland has to offer.

SEAFIELD STORES, AYR

NISA GREENS OF ELLON

SPAR FALKIRK

The retailer is in the process of exchanging its small diesel van for an equivalent all-electric vehicle, which is used for 12 HND postcodes and to delivery for the pharmacy and for groceries.

The vehicle will help the store’s eco-credentials and has the potential for advertising on the side.

A range of European and world beers has recently been added to the store - it now stocks 30 SKUs and has added in multi packs. The store also offers ‘surprise’ boxes that offer a few different beers to as a tasting box, as well as new craft lagers, seltzers and RTD cocktails.

WHAT EVERYONE WANTS, HAMILTON

PREMIER LINKTOWN LOCAL

This store operates very differently to others.

It makes no revenue from the HND delivery charge instead passing this entire payment on to the delivery agents, keeping only the margin from the titles. The retailer still manages the customer relationship, but the delivery agents are expected to organise and manage the rounds themselves.

The store has become a destination in Fife for specialist spirits brands. It has quadrupled the size of its spirits offering, going from 1m to 4m, in recent years. It has also expanded refrigeration for alcohol by 1m - to give more space for chilled multipacks – and has started selling beer kegs.

This store stocks thousands of local and national Scottish SKUs, including Stuarts of Buckhaven, Cakes by Rebecca, Colden Cross, Castleton Fruit, Grahams Dairy, Cairn O’Mohr, and Broxburn Browns. The store uses POS, social media, the Scottish Government’s Go Local Program, in-store promotions, and the use of in store digital screens to market the ranges.

PREMIER RACETRACK AUTOPORT The store stocks a range of specialist wines and spirits that are usually only available in specialist off licences. It has now added its own range of Tubbees vodka, which is locally sourced, and has introduced custom-made hampers that are idea for special occasions.

The store developed a click-and-collect app for customers.

www.slrawards.com

15

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

SOFT DRINKS RETAILER OF THE YEAR DAY TODAY BELLSBANK

VAPING & NICOTINE REPLACEMENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

The store has recently had additional shelves fabricated to increase its linear metres. It makes the most of advice from its symbol group regarding what new products it should be stocking and where it should be located in the fixture.

PREMIER RACETRACK AUTOPORT

SPAR FALKIRK

SPAR FALKIRK

The store’s owners have increased soft drinks sales by 289% since taking over. The store makes use of HODS, in-store promotions, social media, in-store media screens and for staff to upsell at counter. It also drives cross-category sales via a meal deal and food-to-go meal and promotions with frozen and chilled food.

Only a year old, Spar Falkirk has done a great job of embracing the latest trends, and features a very strong vaping offer, well parented and well supported by trained staff able to offer shoppers all the advice they need.

SPAR RENFREW The store’s soft drinks sales are trading 40% up on pre-pandemic figures. The store is boosting sales by having linked deals in store, for example our very successful meal deal, customers can choose from a variety of sandwiches, soft drinks and snacks. The store also sites crisps and snacks alongside soft drinks.

An outstanding store with a firm commitment to vaping. The store features a 6m coloured LED-lit vaping island with a huge range of products and hardware. It also boasts its own online e-commerce vaping website.

SPAR SAUCHIE A striking store, Spar Sauchie offers its customers a great range of vaping products with solutions for everyone from first-timers to more experienced vaping veterans.

SPAR SAUCHIE The store recently started merchandising its ambient take home soft drinks next to its alcohol section because customer often pick up juice when they are purchasing alcohol, it is also situated next to the till point for additional sales.

The store has increased sales of soft drinks by 22% this year.

www.slrawards.com

17

Join over 900 local convenience retailers delivering the goods with Snappy Shopper

Register your interest here

Call: 0333 900 1250 Email: contact@snappyshopper.co.uk Web: retailers.snappyshopper.co.uk

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

IN-ACTION AWARDS COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

FORECOURT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

HOME DELIVERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

DAY TODAY STENHOUSEMUIR

BP MEARNSKIRK

NISA GREENS OF ELLON

During the pandemic the store offered food parcels for those locals who were in need or were vulnerable. These parcels were comprised of bread, milk, sugar, tea, and tinned goods. In addition, the retailers decided to give out free hand sanitiser and hand wash, together with a mask, to all older people for free.

The store, which recently rebranded to Londis, has high retail standards throughout. It offers an extensive range of chilled goods and fruit & veg, a wide range of groceries, and provides other services such as laundry, car wash, and Hermes.

The forecourt will soon rebrand to BP.

The stores delivery service began as a direct response to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the very beginning of the pandemic the store was overwhelmed with more than 500 orders each week and rapidly had to take on staff to meet this demand. The numbers of orders has gradually decreased over the past year to around 50 deliveries a week now.

PREMIER LINKTOWN LOCAL

PREMIER RACETRACK AUTOPORT

The store launched ‘Linktown Community Aid’ at the start of the pandemic to combat food poverty, but with the ongoing pandemic, its focus has also been on loneliness and isolation.

The store also delivered to people in need and helped set up a ‘storage unit’ in the local hall.

This store prides itself on constantly updating and keeping up with the trends. It features a Tubbees dessert lab with 80 flavours of slush, nitro ice-cream, and all the desserts you can dream of. In addition, the store stocks imported sweets and drinks and has partnered with Vaped4U to stock a wide range of vaping goods.

PREMIER WATSON’S GROCER

WATERMILL SERVICE STATION

The store and staff support, participate and organise events with the local primary school, playcare, Moniaive initiative, Moniaive Gala, Moniaive Festival Village, Comic Festival and Living Advent Calendar. In addition, the store supported all vulnerable people within the community with deliveries and checked in and spends time with them.

This family run business in Fraserburgh invested in a major refit costing a six-figure sum and store expansion in 2020. The main focus was to expand food-to-go, alcohol, impulse and created more floor space for promo displays. The changes helped increase footfall and revenue by 60%.

PREMIER LINKTOWN LOCAL When the pandemic struck, the store was asked by more and more customers for home deliveries, so it created a website, added 1,500 products online, and bought two vans. The store also works with local producers to deliver fresh bakery and butchery products every day.

PREMIER NEWS FOOD & WINE NETHERGATE Since changing from Zippy D to Snappy Shopper the store’s delivery business has increased by 60% to around 1,500 deliveries per week. The store, which also offers a click-and-collect service, delivers to the full Dundee Area. Providing the service has helped the store increase its range and drive footfall.

www.slrawards.com

19

Let’s create a great recycling experience.

The deposit return scheme (DRS) is due to come to Scotland in July 2022.

Make it easy with TOMRA, the global leader in reverse vending technology.

Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

NEW STORE OF THE YEAR

REFIT OF THE YEAR

SUSTAINABILITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

LONDIS RENTON

NISA GREENS OF KIRKCALDY

PREMIER WATSON’S GROCER, MONIAIVE

The store’s owners bought a derelict pub on the high street in Renton, which had only one other retail unit, and renovated it. The store features a range of canned and packet foods, along with impulse items, and American candy and drinks.

The store also has an ice cream parlour and takeaway.

This store has been winning the praises of its local community since investing in its offer. The retailer invested in new chiller space, energy efficient chillers, a food-to-go counter, an instore concession, an expanded alcohol section, installed LED lighting, moved the till, and reworked the tobacco gantry.

Among the first stores in Scotland to trial a DRS machine, this fantastic rural business takes sustainability incredibly seriously. The latest developments include gravity dispensers for loose produce including nuts, seeds, and porridge. The business drives the green agenda for the whole village of Moniaive.

PREMIER RACETRACK CROWWOOD

SPAR COYLTON

SEAFIELD STORES, AYR

The objective of this site was to introduce a ‘flavour’ of everything. The big focus is on convenience, but it also has 30 flavour of slush, a small Tubbee offering, vape and food-to-go. In addition to the dessert bar, beer cave, bank of slushes, and vape unit.

Replacing failing chillers enabled this store to introduce a food-to-go section with Tango Ice Blast, Rollover and F’real, add a hot foods section, and increase its beers, wines and spirits offering. In addition, the new efficient chillers helped the store reduce its carbon footprint by 22%.

A thriving business 100 yards from the beach, Seafiled Stores boasts a Post Office, a pharmacy and a bustling home news delivery service – and now offers delivery using a new 100% electric vehicle.

SCOTMID BO’NESS During the middle of October 2020, the store finally moved from trading in the portacabin, and into the newly built store next door. The new store offers an extended chill and grocery range, a new impulse and non-food offer, and a full food-to-go offer was also introduced to the store.

SPAR FALKIRK The store is reaping the rewards of its recent refit, with sales 289% up on last year and growing, which tailored it more to its community’s needs.

The front half of the store now focuses on on-the go with food-to-go and the back half of the store focusing on household, soft drinks, and grocery.

SPAR COYLTON As part of a recent major refit, Spar Coylton has embraced a wide range of environmentallyfriendly solutions from LED lighting and closeddoor low energy chillers to solar reflective glazing. The retailer has embedded sustainability into every aspect of the store’s operations.

WATERMILL SERVICE STATION The store’s owners recently invested in a refit to double the sales area and improve the look, range and shopping experience for customers.

The highlight of the refit is the alcohol area and its eye-catching modular display system. Sales are up 60% and the feedback from the customers is extremely positive.

www.slrawards.com

21

Helping you to make an extra 3% Gross Profit Ease of use

Simple to use touch screen till software

Backoffice admin software

Cigarette Gantry integration

Indepth reporting and analysis

Touch screen handheld device to control the shop from the shopfloor

Supplier Data links with all major Wholesalers

Credit Card integration

Weekly health check reports to guide you to improve your sales and margin.

Access to background database with over 100,000 products

Benefits of MPos ✓ Built around a retailer, not a computer user ✓ Simple to use till, powerful admin tools ✓ Built from retailers perspective ✓ Reduces labour by downloading products, price changes, invoices and promotions

✓ Reduces labour by allowing one click order generation and one click invoice downloads - easily shave off 10 hours of work per store

✓ Increased control on stock; all stock deliveries downloaded and all stock adjustments emailed to the owner; NO stock is unaccounted for

✓ Emails store performance to the user with real actionable data once a week rather than stats heavy reports that overwhelm the user

✓ Based in Scotland with excellent support and training program

✓ Easy to use Hand Held terminal to control the store from shop floor ✓ Integration with Credit Card terminals, Zapper, Cigarette Gantry, Loyalty Schemes and more ✓ Developed and supported by people that know the retail trade

So How much Could our System make for you?

We can demonstrate a 3% uplift in Gross Profit in using our system.

£5,000 £10,000 £15,000 £20,000 £25,000

£7,800 Current Weekly Turnover Extra profit per annum

£15,600 £23,400 £31,200 £39,000

Even a Single Lane system can more than pay for itself in the first 4 months!

MHouse, 349 Shields Road, Motherwell, ML1 2LD

Tel: 0800 242 5360 email sales@mhousesolutions.com

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

TEAM OF THE YEAR PREMIER BARRY’S@CLARKSTON During Covid the store came up with the idea to deliver fresh produce to vulnerable members of the community. Not only did this give them quality food,but also gave them someone to interact with in times of isolation. Staff have personal development plans so they know what is expected of them.

PREMIER BLACKADDER MINI MARKET AND DELI The store’s staff were recognised by the community on social media for the way they continued to operate the store safely throughout the pandemic, keeping on top of changing restrictions.

The team also went above and beyond making deliveries to the elderly and vulnerable people throughout lockdown.

PREMIER GIRVAN The staff came up with idea of setting up a basket at the front of the store for the local food bank and any fresh bread left at end of day is donated to our local Milestone church, which helps homeless people. The store’s staff also took it upon themselves to deliver to vulnerable customers, whether it was on foot or by car.

SPAR RENFREW The store’s team goes above and beyond for their local community, from dressing up to dressing down to raise money for charity, to personally delivering groceries to vulnerable and isolating customers during the pandemic, to even paying for customers’ shopping using their own money.

#THINKSMART INNOVATION AWARD LONDIS RENTON The retailer realised that the store could get better use out of its space by creating a takeaway and serve its local customers needs better than any other competition in our area. We created a space instore to open a full fast food sri lanken takeaway and ice cream parlour. The takeaway etc is on the Local app for ordering food for delivery and customers can also select items from the Londis to be delivered along with the takeaway items.

PREMIER RACETRACK AUTOPORT In the past 12 months the retailer has invested a further £150,000 in more carbonated machines, so it can now offer over 80 flavours of slush. The retailer also launched its own Tubbees vodka range and a Tubbees dessert bar - that runs the entire length of the back wall – and has introduced custom-made hampers for special occasions.

SYMBOL GROUP – COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR NISA RETAIL SPAR SCOTLAND UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

SYMBOL GROUP – INNOVATION OF THE YEAR SPAR SCOTLAND – ESELS SPAR SCOTLAND – TRADE SHOW UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

SYMBOL GROUP OF THE YEAR BOOKER – LONDIS BOOKER – PREMIER NISA RETAIL SPAR SCOTLAND UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

www.slrawards.com

23

As an independent retailer, you need a Symbol and franchise partner that can help grow your footfall, sales and profits.

Costcutter and best-one retailers enjoy access to the Bestway Cash & Carry depot network with rebate rewards on qualifying purchases

Whatever your store. Whatever your shopper.

Bestway Retail now has the right offer for you.

The best value offer for busy shoppers in high footfall locations from best-one

A destination for both alcohol and food that is fit for the future through Bargain Booze

An exceptional fresh offer for top-up to full shop missions from Costcutter

And for retailers simply wanting access to the very best of Bestway Cash and Carry we have a leading retail club scheme, Xtra Local

Find out how Bestway Retail can help you grow your food and drink business.

www.bestway-retail.co.uk

SLR AWARDS 2021 A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

www.slrawards.com

25

Scotland’s got the bottle!

Let us help get yours with the RVM Mega from RVM Systems • High-speed bulk and single feeds • Collects up to 100 containers per minute • Delivers an easy, mess-free recycling experience With a wide range of freestanding and modular reverse vending machines suitable for different types of customers, markets and applications and with over 20 years of experience providing deposit return scheme (DRS) solutions, we can help your business deliver a greener future.

To find out more visit us at rvmsystems.com or call UK Sales on 01506 537305