DECEMBER 2023 | ISSUE 248
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THE £350K A WEEK STORE DECEMBER 2023 | ISSUE 248
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SLR on tour in Ireland
TACKLING ILLICIT TOGETHER
SGF takes on illicit vapes
ABOVE & BEYOND
Help us unearth the heroes in your store
WE’RE COMING HOME!
The SLR Awards to return to traditional June slot in 2024.
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THE NO.1 SCOTTISH GROCERY BRAND *Source: Kantar World Panel, Value Sales, Take Home Non-Alcohol Brands, MAT to Sept 2023, Total Scotland
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December 2023
Contents
Contents ISSUE ISSUEXXX 248
NEWS 08 09 10 12 14 22 24
Business Costs The National Living Wage will rise to £11.44 per hour in April 2024. Crime The Scottish Government sets up a new working group to tackle antisocial behaviour. Vaping A new Scottish Government campaign warns of the dangers of vaping. Acquisitions Glenshire Group, which operates Greens Retail, snaps up 16 Pizza Hut delivery sites. News Extra Community Spar Scotland celebrates a record year with the SGF’s Healthy Living Programme. Product News Coca-Cola and Irn-Bru unveil their Christmas packs while Cadbury’s Secret Santa returns. Off-Trade News WKD X gets a range refresh and Malibu offers free training to help stamp out spiking.
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INSIDE BUSINESS 26
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Business Costs Take advantage of free expert consultancy and interest-free unsecured loans and grants to help you slash your energy bills. Above & Beyond Awards Help us celebrate the store colleagues that make convenience retailing so special. Study Tour Northern Ireland Retailers on a recent study tour across the water learnt some simple but valuable lessons that could help boost sales in Scottish stores. Vaping You can help fight back against illicit vapes and protect your business by anonymously reporting any activity you are aware of in your area. Local Sourcing Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show returns to showcase great products from across the country. Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns. Under The Counter The prospect of a festive Ferrero Rocher shortage strikes fear into the Auld Boy’s ticker.
FEATURES 42
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Christmas Drinks Consumers’ appetite to splash out on their favourite tipples during the festive season remains unabated. Tobacco A flood of recent innovation seeks to offer greater choice to value-driven adult smokers.
ON THE COVER 20
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SLR Awards One of the biggest nights in the retailing calendar returns to its traditional June slot next year in response to huge demand from retailers and partners.
DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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News WAGES National Living Wage to rise to £11.44 per hour in April 2024
Shoplifting triggers ‘staggering’ levels of abuse
ACS warns of impact of wage rises
Around 65% of shopworkers have experienced verbal abuse in the past 12 months, according to an Usdaw study. Statistics from its annual survey for this year’s Respect for Shopworkers Week shows that in the past 12 months: 42% of respondents were threatened by a customer, 5% were assaulted, and 60% of these incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.
Spar UK makes three director appointments Spar UK has appointed three new directors to its central office team. Trudy Hills has become Trading Director – Grocery, Simon Mitchell has been promoted to Trading Director – BWS, Fresh and Frozen, and Jamie Seymour has been promoted to Spar Brand Director. The new directors will begin with
The Association of Convenience Stores has warned about the affordability of wages as the government confirmed that the headline rate of the National Living Wage will rise to £11.44 per hour in April 2024. The new rate will apply to everyone aged 21 and over – it was previously 23 or over – and confirms that the government will meet its target of increasing the National Living Wage to two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.
In addition, the National Minimum Wage rate for workers aged 18-20 will rise from its current rate of £7.49 per hour to £8.60 per hour, an almost 15% increase. The rate for apprentices will also rise from £5.28 per hour to £6.40 per hour, an increase of over 20%. In response, the ACS called for a pause on future increases if they’re shown to be damaging investment and employment prospects. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “This will be tough
for many local shops to afford, having struggled with a cost of doing business crisis for nearly two years now, and with wage bills the biggest expense for most retailers.” Findings from ACS’ National Living Wage Survey 2023 revealed that retailers have already responded to recent increases in the NLW by taking lower profits (69% of stores), reducing staff hours (56%), reducing the amount they invest in their business (50%), and automating certain processes (50%). NFRN National President Muntazir Dipoti added: “As responsible employers, we want to pay our staff a fair wage for a fair day’s work. However, it should be borne in mind that many small shops are also struggling to cope with soaring costs. “Unfortunately, there are hours in the day when some retailers do not generate an income of £11.44.”
immediate effect. CHRISTMAS
20,000 illicit cigarettes seized in Glasgow Glasgow City Council’s trading standards team seized 20,000 illegal cigarettes on 22 November in a joint operation with Police Scotland. Officers carried out raids across four shops in the city, which also discovered around 1,000 illegal vapes and almost 7kg of tobacco. The news came as a report found that, between
One Stop launches Christmas campaign One Stop has launched its 2023 Christmas campaign, which gives customers a chance to win prizes including £2,000 in cash. Customers in-store are being encouraged to look out for a secret present hanging from the ceiling. They will need to scan the QR code to access One Stop’s Christmas webpage and play its Scratch and Win game. Customers ordering through Uber Eats, Just Eat and Deliveroo will receive a small Christmas card, which they can scan to access the Christmas webpage. Here they can play One Stop’s Spin2Win game for a chance to be entered into a prize draw. One Stop will also be giving away instant win vouchers for its online delivery customers. The competition is open until 2 January 2024.
2021 and April 2023, Glasgow Trading Standards issued just £400 in penalties to retailers for underage or illicit vape sales.
Food safety and standards ‘upheld’ despite challenges Food standards remained stable in 2022 despite pressures including inflation, labour shortages, and the war in Ukraine, according to a Food Standards Scotland and Food Standards agency report. The report shows in Scotland, the number of officers undertaking both food hygiene and food standards work has fallen by 25.5% compared to 2016/17.
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SLR | DECEMBER 2023
POST OFFICE Calum Greenhow’s petition put pressure on government to reverse its decision to remove all DVLA services
Borders postmaster takes DVLA campaign to Downing Street West Linton postmaster Calum Greenhow has visited Downing Street to submit a petition to the Prime Minister calling for the retention of DVLA services at post offices. The petition, which has been signed by more than 8,000 postmasters and customers, was created to put pressure on the government to reverse their decision to remove all DVLA services by March 2024. Calum, who is Chief Executive of The National Association of Subpostmasters, was joined by four
postmasters and Marion Fellows MP and Chair of the House of Commons All-Party Parliamentary Group on Post Offices to present the petition. Calum said: “The fact that so many customers signed our petition demonstrates that the public want DVLA services to remain available in post offices. “As de facto business partners of government, we need genuine support to maintain our ability to provide vital services in our communities across the country.”
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News CRIME New working group comes as the number of shoplifting incidents skyrockets
Scottish government looks to tackle antisocial behaviour Preventing and addressing antisocial behaviour will be the focus of a new independently chaired working group being set up by the Scottish government. The group will look at the current approach and make recommendations on what longterm changes can be made to reduce such behaviour and support victims. It is expected that the group will provide regular updates and present their conclusions to ministers by the end of 2024. The formation of the new group follows the publication of a joint report on antisocial behaviour by the Scottish government and the Scottish Community Safety Network. Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown, who is bringing together the working group, said: “It is nearly 20 years
since the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004 was introduced and it is right that we examine whether this remains fit for purpose and that we assess our wider approach.” Joint co-chair Lorraine Gillies, Chief Officer at the Scottish Community Safety Network, added: “We believe in taking evidence-based approaches to what works to reduce crime and
antisocial behaviour, focused on tackling root causes and working together with communities to find solutions.” The news came as figures revealed police in Scotland recorded 2,106 incidences of threatening and abusive behaviour of a retail worker in the year ending September 2023, up from 1,130 offences recorded in the partial year of 2021-22. The data also shows the number of crimes of dishonesty recorded by the police in Scotland increased by 11% to 103,393, including 28,619 accounts of shoplifting (28%). Meanwhile, the ACS welcomed the UK government’s focus on tackling serious crime in the Kings’ Speech and called on it to clarify how measures in the Sentencing Bill will support retailers dealing with unprecedented levels of shop theft.
Finance Secretary urged to freeze business rate SGF and NFRN are among 35 business and industry bodies to have jointly written to Deputy First Minister and Finance Secretary Shona Robison asking her to freeze the business rate in the coming financial year. The Scottish government’s Budget for 2024-25, which is expected to set the business rate and associated reliefs and thresholds, will be unveiled on 19 December.
Scotland to receive £122m regeneration funding Six major regeneration and transport projects across Scotland are set to receive almost £122m from the UK government’s Levelling Up Fund. Proposals for Moray, North and South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Dumfries & Galloway, and the Scottish borders have been awarded a share of the fund to upgrade town centres, high streets, and
DEBATE MSPs recognise retailers’ substantial contribution to communities and the Scottish economy
Ministers recognise importance of Scotland’s c-stores
Scottish ministers have held a debate on the Scottish convenience sector. The debate, lodged by Gordon Macdonald MSP, saw members from across the chamber recognise the work of the Scottish convenience store sector and its substantial contribution to both communities and the Scottish economy. Minister for Local Government Joe FitzPatrick noted the “vital access to services and flexible employment” that convenience stores provide for their local areas. SGF said it “warmly welcomed” the opportunity, which featured information published in the SGF Scottish Local Shop Report 2023, and thanked Macdonald for raising the issue in Parliament. SGF’s Local Shop Report was shared with all MSPs in October. Speaking after the debate, Gordon Macdonald MSP, said: “The SNP Scottish Government continues to champion the work of local retailers through initiatives like Scotland Loves Local and is taking meaningful action to build a wellbeing economy with well-paid jobs and growth at its heart, with the convenience sector playing a crucial part.” Acknowledging its cross-party support and contributions from MSPs to it, Macdonald said the debate “recognised the fantastic role convenience stores play to the wider benefit of local communities and the economy”.
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COMMUNITY
Isle of Lismore community saves store The community of the Isle of Lismore has saved its only shop and post office after raising £80,000. The Lismore store had been threatened with closure earlier this year when the schoolteacher running it returned to the classroom. If the store had closed, local residents would have had to make a threehour round trip to Oban for supplies. However, a share issue campaign by the Lismore Community Trust (LCT) attracted more than 230 backers. LCT Chair Andy Hough told the BBC: “We have employed a manager who has two young children. We pay them through the shop, they spend in the shop.”
local transport.
Nisa enhances support for Scottish retailers Nisa has added two new recruits to its retail development team in Scotland. Joining from Bestway, Phil Knox has over 20 years of experience in convenience, having also worked for Costcutter and Musgrave. Fiona Shearer joins Nisa from Penny Petroleum having spent two years as a Retail Merchandiser following 20 years at CJ Lang.
PayPoint grows partnership with Yodel and Vinted PayPoint is expanding its partnership with Yodel and Vinted across its Collect+ network. The multi-year agreement will see “significant” transaction growth processed through the recently launched Collect+ Store to Store service, leveraging the in-store consumer experience delivered via PayPoint’s retailer partners in more than 10,000 locations across the UK.
DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
9
News VAPING Campaign comes as framework sets out actions to be taken to create a tobacco-free generation
One Stop offers CPR training to staff One Stop is partnering with the British Heart Foundation to provide all staff with access to CPR training through the charity’s new online RevivR tool. The training focuses on how to recognise if someone is having a cardiac arrest; how to push on the chest to circulate oxygen; how to make an emergency call; and how to use a defibrillator. The tool also gives feedback to
Scottish government launches vaping campaign
those taking the course.
Fall in free-to-use ATMs The number of free-to-use cash machines available in the UK has dropped by almost 30% in the past five years, according to ACS’ Access to Cash Tracker. The tracker, which reveals the change in ATM provision in every constituency across the UK, shows the total number of freeto-use cash machines currently stands at 37,836, down from over 53,000 in 2018. ACS has called on the government to review the level of the interchange fee.
Forecourts sold The BP Service Station in Bathgate and Seven Sisters Service Station in Thornliebank have been sold for an undisclosed sum. The new owners are established forecourt operators from England looking to expand into Scotland. Mark Lavery, Associate Director – Retail at Christie & Co, said: “Demand is outstripping supply for modern, large footprint sites with further development potential.”
1,500 retailers sign up for Park Christmas Savings More than 1,500 members of the NFRN have signed up to become PayPoint Park Super Agents. Park Christmas Savings, part of the PayPoint Group, is helping more than 350,000 families to spread the cost of Christmas by allowing them to manage their household budgets better and boost their spending power through regular offers and discounts.
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SLR | DECEMBER 2023
The Scottish government has launched a new marketing campaign informing parents, carers and school pupils of the dangers of vaping. The ‘Take Hold’ marketing campaign will increase awareness of the harms and risks of nicotine addiction associated with vaping, with schools across Scotland provided with digital guidance packs and resources for posters along with radio and outdoor advertising. Its key message is that vapes may quickly become harmfully addictive for children and young people, affecting their concentration, mental health and mood. It comes as a new Tobacco and Vaping Framework is published, setting out actions that will be taken to create a tobacco-free generation by 2034. The framework for reaching the 2034 goal includes action to raise the age limit for sales of tobacco and plans to improve services to help people quit. In addition, the Scottish government will continue to
review what further action is needed to limit the appeal of vapes to children, young people and non-smokers during the first phase of the framework, which will run until November 2025. Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Although we have seen smoking rates decline, and Scotland has already introduced a range of world-leading tobacco control measures, we want to do more to help us achieve our goal of being tobaccofree by 2034. This framework will provide direction for a decade and allow us to be more responsive in dealing with a variety of nicotine and tobacco products. “E-cigarettes are one of a range of tools for adult smokers to quit smoking, but should never be used by young people or adult non-smokers. We must take action to prevent young people using vapes and becoming addicted which will damage their health, and that’s why we’re launching a marketing campaign. It is much easier to never start than it is to give up.”
TECHNOLOGY
CJ Lang launches sales analysis tool powered by TWC
CJ Lang & Son is launching its ‘Indy Track’ portal – a sales analysis tool developed in conjunction with data consultancy TWC. The platform will enable retailers who provide their EPoS data to CJ Lang to interrogate their performance by category, supplier, brand and product. Retailers will also be able to benchmark their performance against other independent retailers, as well as the company-owned stores, within the group. The company was due to begin a soft launch in November with an initial pool of retailers. Many more retailers will be brought on board by the end of the year.
FUEL PRICES New powers will highlight any attempt by retailers to unfairly increase fuel prices
CMA gets new powers to boost competition in fuel market The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is to be granted new powers to monitor the road fuel market under tough new powers that will highlight any attempt by retailers to unfairly hike up fuel prices. Fuel retailers, including supermarkets, will be forced to say how much they are charging customers versus their profits. Those that fail to comply could face a fixed fine from the watchdog of up to 1% of their worldwide turnover, or an ongoing fine of up to 5% of daily turnover. The government is progressing plans to make it a legal requirement for fuel retailers to share daily price information that will help customers to shop around for deals. The news came as the CMA’s first monitoring report on road fuel found that pump prices have increased 11.1 pence per litre (ppl) for petrol and 13.9ppl for diesel since May 2023.
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News ACQUISITIONS Harris Aslam’s empire expands
One Stop launches charity festive merch One Stop is selling a festive range of Christmas merchandise to raise money for its charity partners Young Lives vs Cancer and Alzheimer’s Society. Available in all stores across the UK, customers can purchase pin badges, soft toys, keyrings and sticker sheets. Prices range from £1.50 for a sticker sheet up to £11 for a soft toy.
Nisa appoints new Director of Retail and Sales Nisa has appointed Katie Secretan as Director of Sales and Retail. Secretan, who was previously Retail Transformation Director at the Post Office, will be responsible for setting Nisa’s strategic direction to deliver against its 2030 business plan. She will be accountable for growth objectives, through recruitment and retention across its retail and wholesale partners. Secretan will start in her new role in mid-January 2024.
East Ayrshire Council unveils Christmas competition East Ayrshire Council has launched its Win Your Dream Christmas competition, with a £1,000 East Ayrshire Gift Card as a prize. The East Ayrshire Gift Card, part of the Town & City Gift Card concept, launched in August 2020 and can be spent with more than 240 local businesses, including shops, restaurants and attractions.
Comrie Newsagents & Post Office up for sale Comrie Newsagents & Post Office, in Perthshire, is on the market for offers over £395,000. The sale is being handled by Cornerstone Business Agents. The agent said: “An alcohol licence was granted so there is potential to transform the space fully into a convenience store if required. There is a limited selection of groceries available at the moment along with a good selection of greeting cards, stationery and some gifts.”
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SLR | DECEMBER 2023
Glenshire Group acquires 16 Pizza Hut delivery sites Scottish family-owned Glenshire Group, which also operates Greens Retail and frozen drinks brand Skwishee, is expanding its Pizza Hut Delivery franchise operation having acquired 16 sites after a successful initial launch in Kirkcaldy. The deal was completed on 1 November 2023, with all 293 colleagues transferring to Glenshire, taking the total number of Pizza Hut sites operated to 17. The franchise is operated by subsidiary company Glenshire Brands, a joint venture of Glenshire Group and Round Box, which opened its first Pizza Hut franchise adjacent to convenience store Greens of Kirkcaldy in September this year. The acquisition builds on Greens Retail’s current estate of 21 convenience stores. Group Managing Director Harris Aslam said: “There are significant synergies between our existing convenience retail business and Pizza Hut which has allowed for seamless integration. We now have a group strength of over 700 colleagues and are on a mission to deliver our shared values of putting our customers and our people at the heart of everything we do. “Pizza Hut remains committed to expanding its presence in Scotland, and so we clearly share the same vision for ambitious growth whilst delivering unparalleled quality pizzas.”
Nicolas Burquier, Managing Director Pizza Hut Europe, added: “We are extremely excited by our partnership with our new franchisee, Glenshire Group, and value the opportunities this brings to local communities, as well as the continued investment in the brand our fans know and love. “Our business thrives on strong partnerships with our franchisees, and Glenshire Group has a wealth of experience in convenience retail and operating food service. It’s a partnership we are excited about. It’s clear we have the same goals and ambition to drive growth and continuing to deliver our iconic pizzas, making them an ideal partner to expand our Scottish offering.”
STORE REFITS Co-op has revamped its Stornoway store and opened a new outlet in Aberdeen
Stornoway Co-op relaunches
REFITS Store is totally transformed
Refurbished Spar Co-op has relaunched its MacAulay Road store, on Isle of Lewis, after a Erskine opens multi-million-pound makeover. The near 22,000sq ft store, the largest in the Co-op Group’s estate, has a new look for chilled produce, fruit, vegetables and dairy. At the back of store, new larger and more efficient cold rooms and storage will further improve operational capacity, availability and resilience. The store features new refrigeration that includes a heat recovery system to warm the store by recycling the heat generated by chillers. Steven Cooper, Co-op’s Stornoway Store Manager, said: “We have had a great response, we are delighted to have had the opportunity to carry out such a significant investment to transform the store.” The store is also home to independent travel agent Hebrides Travel, a travel exchange bureau, and The Original Factory Shop, which offers discounts on big-name brands. A Revolution Laundromat sits outside.
Spar Scotland has reopened its refurbished Spar store in Erskine, Renfrewshire. The 2,891sq ft store has been fully renovated and features new energy-efficient refrigeration, shelving, flooring, ceiling, lighting, and internal and external graphics. Its food-to-go offering has also been expanded to include freshly prepared baguettes along with an expanded hot food offer. To mark the relaunch, shoppers were invited to a fun day, which saw goody bags, samples, and prizes handed out. Sonya Harper, Spar Scotland Central Operations Director, said: “We have made a significant investment into the store, and we are excited to see how the new improvements will exceed local shopper expectations.”
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Helping you to make an extra 3% Gross Profit Ease of use
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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
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News Extra
Community
NewsExtra GOT AN IN-STORE SUPERSTAR? – P28 COMMUNITY Spar Scotland has held 19 events and engaged with more than 2,000 primary school pupils as part of the Healthy Living Programme
Scottish Grocers’ Federation
Convenience Matters with the SGF It is often the case that our sector doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Local retailers are at the very heart of their communities and the contribution of convenience stores over the past few years cannot be overstated. So, we were delighted to help organise an MSP debate in the Scottish Parliament in November, celebrating local stores for their contribution to Scottish communities. The Members Business debate was lodged by Gordon Macdonald MSP, Convener of the Cross Party Group for Independent Convenience Stores, and featured information published in the SGF Scottish Local Shop Report 2023. Despite being a very difficult time for many, the sector continues to deliver for both local residents and the economy. This was recognised by MSPs across the three main political parties and, in closing the debate, the Minister for Local Government highlighted that convenience stores “provide vital access services and flexible employment” for their local areas. He is absolutely right. Scotland has 5,171 convenience stores employing over 49,000 people. UK wide, the sector contributed over £9.1bn in taxes last year. The sector is also expected to grow again to £50.9bn, by 2026. Meanwhile, 81% of independent retailers engage in community activity throughout the year, and 65% collect money for charities. The debate was held in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday 8 November. Details of both the debate and the shop report are available on the SGF website. Thanks to Gordon Macdonald for submitting the Motion on behalf of convenience stores across Scotland.
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SLR | DECEMBER 2023
Spar Scotland celebrates record year with Healthy Living Programme
Spar Scotland stores have given out free fruit and made presentations on healthy eating to visiting children.
Spar Scotland is celebrating a record-breaking year with SGF’s Healthy Living Programme (HLP). The company has held 19 events and spoken to and engaged with more than 2,000 primary school pupils with the HLP in Spar stores around the country during 2023. Events have included Big Breakfasts, when HLP goes in local primary schools. Spar Scotland has supported these events by providing the produce for the breakfast and often Spar store staff have also gone along to show their support. Spar Scotland stores hosted HLP visits throughout the year. During these in-store events, free fruit is given out to children when local schools have visited the Spar stores. In addition, tours of the stores and talks on the very best and worst foods to eat are given. Finally, Cooking at Home continues to go from strength to strength. This in-store promotion allows Spar stores to give away a free reusable shopping bag and recipe cards. Colin McLean, Chief Executive of Spar Scotland, said: “Our
partnership with the Healthy Living Programme means we’re not just saying we’re promoting fresh produce and other healthier products in stores, but we’re demonstrating how important we take the role of responsible retailing to ensure our customers have a healthier option to choose from. “We look forward to supporting the SGF and the Healthy Living Programme in 2024.” Going forward into 2024, Spar Scotland has several new events planned with the team at HLP to promote healthier lifestyles to primary school children. The Scottish Women’s Cup will visit a Spar store in Aberdeen in early February. An in-store launch with Scotland Women’s National Team players later in February will support a national school sports day campaign and a miniOlympic roadshow visiting Spar stores during the summer months will be a further opportunity to encourage healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle in the run up to the Olympics. Kathryn Neil, HLP Programme Director, added: “The partnership
that we have developed with Spar Scotland continues to go from strength to strength, the results from events in 2023 certainly proves this. Spar Scotland are always keen to engage with any of the initiatives that HLP run in store and, more importantly, they see the benefit of ensuring that their future shoppers are educated about a balanced diet at an early age. “HLP are looking forward to teaming up with Spar Scotland again in 2024 and taking Spar’s healthy living journey to a new level.” The Healthy Living Programme has been working with convenience retailers since 2004 and highlights fruit, vegetables, and healthier products available in stores. The programme is fully funded by the Scottish government and aims to connect local schools with convenience retailers. So far, they have engaged with more than 28,000 school children across Scotland. In addition, CJ Lang & Son has given away £165,000 to almost 300 local charities and good causes around Scotland during 2023. www.slrmag.co.uk
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MEET
THE RETAILERS BEHIND 150 YEARS OF BENSON & HEDGES
To celebrate 150 years of one of JTI’s most trusted and well-known tobacco brands, Benson & Hedges, we speak to some of the retailers who have supported the brand throughout the years. We caught up with Amer Naveed, Owner of Premier Huntly Supermarket in Dundee, to discuss the enduring importance of the tobacco category and the Benson & Hedges brand. Q: How important is the tobacco category as a footfall driver in your store? Tobacco remains a valuable category for getting existing adult smokers into our store and for increasing overall basket spend. Given our location in a residential area, we’ve found tobacco sales to be consistent across the past 12 months. Q: Has there been any change in what existing adult smokers are looking for from the tobacco category? We’ve seen more existing adult smokers look towards value brands in the past year. They will come in and ask what our cheapest cigarettes are, and existing adult smokers are more price conscious than they were previously. As a result, sales of some of the more expensive products have fallen in the past year.
The number of new innovations in the category is really positive to see. Q: What are the top performing cigarette brands in store? Despite price being high on the agenda for many, existing adult smokers are still looking for high-quality products. We have regular existing adult smokers who have been buying Benson & Hedges Blue for a few years and wouldn’t switch - this has been helped by the fact it is a well-priced product with a good reputation. Kensitas Club has also had a strong year of sales and is popular with our customers.
Q: What tips would you share with other retailers when it comes to the tobacco category? We’ve always placed an emphasis on stocking a full range of cigarettes even keeping some of the smaller lines. This means you’re always ready if a shopper requests a less-common product, and you’re more likely to retain their business. I’d hate to turn away customers because we don’t have the right products. Q: What Support do you receive from your JTI Business Adviser? Our Business Adviser always has something to offer, whether that’s a nugget of category information or a new launch. The number of new innovations in the category is really positive to see. For more information on Benson & Hedges, retailers can reach out to their Business Adviser or visit JTI’s trade retailer website, www.JTIAdvance.co.uk.
Comment
WE’RE BRINGING IT BACK HOME When we first launched the SLR Awards more than two decades ago we put a lot of thought into it, as you can imagine. SLR was a mere pup of a magazine at the time, but we realised quickly that we had to host a public celebration of the amazing industry we were serving and the outstanding people behind it – and the SLR Awards was the result. As part of that process, we settled on June as the ideal time of year for all sorts of reasons. We were trying to avoid clashes with other industry events, we were mindful of school and public holidays, and we liked the idea of a summer extravaganza, among many other reasons. Turns out our plan was sound and, indeed, for about 19 years or so the awards went swimmingly and provided a lovely wee chance for the industry to catch up every year and raise a glass to local retailing as summer kicked in. Then Covid happened. As you may recall we had to do a couple of ‘virtual’ SLR Awards which were fun in their own peculiar way, but which didn’t compare to the real thing. Meeting up face to face over a beer or two is something we all learned to miss and appreciate during The Covid Years. The problem was, on the day that lockdown was consigned to history, we had to work around the reality of the timing, just like everyone else in the industry. The result was that, instead of having industry awards ceremonies and events dotted nicely throughout the year, they all got clumped together, generally in about October and November time. It became clear that entering four or five awards ceremonies and attending six or eight events in the space of just a couple of months was less than ideal for anyone – and retailers certainly made that clear to us. Similarly, it wasn’t working particularly well for sponsors and partners either. The solution was clear: bite the bullet, take the tough decision and return to our home in June. So that’s what we’re doing. We sincerely hope that it makes your life just a little bit easier and we firmly believe that the SLR Awards on 19 June 2024 will be another fantastic event where we get to put local retailing in the spotlight once more. We’re coming home – and I hope you’ll be joining us. Block out 19 June in your diary and make sure you get your entries in on time. We want it to be a homecoming to remember.
EDITORIAL Publishing Director & Editor Antony Begley abegley@55north.com Deputy Editor Liz Wells lwells@55north.com Features Editor Gaelle Walker gwalker@55north.com Features Writer Elena Dimama edimama@55north.com Web Editor Findlay Stein fstein@55north.com
ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Helen Lyons 07575 959 915 | hlyons@55north.com Advertising Manager Garry Cole 07846 872 738 | gcole@55north.com
DESIGN Design & Digital Manager Richard Chaudhry rchaudhry@55north.com
EVENTS & OPERATIONS Events & Circulation Manager Cara Begley cbegley@55north.com Scottish Local Retailer is distributed free to qualifying readers. For a registration card, call 0141 222 5381. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail). 55 North Ltd, Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY Tel: 0141 22 22 100 Fax: 0141 22 22 177 Website: www.55north.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/slrmag DISCLAIMER The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of 55 North Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.
ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR
All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endevoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. Scottish Local Retailer is produced monthly by 55 North Ltd.
© 55 North Ltd. 2023 ISSN 1740-2409.
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Cover Story
SLR Awards 2024
THE SLR AWARDS ARE COMING HOME! 19 JUNE 2024 RADISSON BLU, GLASGOW
The SLR Awards are set to return to their traditional slot in June next year in response to overwhelming demand from retailers and partners.
I
t’s official! The SLR Awards are coming home in 2024, returning to their traditional summer slot in June. As everyone will be aware, the awards have been held in late autumn for the last few years, thanks to disruption caused by the Covid pandemic, but 2024 will see them return to their natural home on 19 June. The decision wasn’t taken lightly, but after wide consultation with retailers, partners and sponsors, it became clear that June was a much better time of year to hold the awards and give everyone the time and space in their diary to prepare for what is undoubtedly a highlight of the Scottish local retailing calendar. The new entry deadline is 21 Feb 2024 so there’s still plenty of time, but make sure you clear some time in the diary in the new year to build your entries and give yourself the best possible chance of being on the stage in June. SLR Publisher Antony Begley commented: “For almost 20 years the SLR Awards were held in the early summer – and for very good reason. We originally chose that date to avoid clashes with other important industry events and to ensure that retailers had the time they need to prepare their entries properly. “When we first started talking to retailers and sponsors, for example, it became clear immediately that everyone would welcome a return to June. The chaos left behind by
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Covid has meant that, unfortunately, many of the key UK industry awards ceremonies and events are now clustered at the back of the year, one of the busiest times of year for retailers – so hardly ideal. “By returning to June, we believe it will be easier for retailers to get ready and give themselves the best possible chance of winning by preparing their best possible entries. “It was also clear that it wasn’t ideal for our partners and sponsors to have to organise around so many events in October and November, so it works much better for them too to give the SLR Awards the attention they deserve. “So it’s full speed ahead for 19 June 2024 and we are thoroughly looking forward to another great event and another fantastic celebration of this fantastic industry. I would encourage all retailers to get June marked off in their diaries and make sure they get their entries in early.” While there may be a few little surprises at next year’s awards, the heart of the awards will remain exactly as they have always been, and the judges are already looking forward to seeing first hand how this remarkably resilient sector is continuing to progress and evolve as the pandemic edges further into the rear view mirror.
Entry deadline:
21 FEB 2024
Shortlist announced:
MARCH 2024
To find out more or to enter, visit: SLRawards.com
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SLR Awards 2024
Cover Story
CATEGORY LIST IN-STORE CATEGORIES Q Bread & Bakery Retailer of the Year Q Confectionery Retailer of the Year Q Food-to-Go Retailer of the Year Q Forecourt Retailer of the Year Q Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year Q Newstrade Retailer of the Year Q Off-Trade Retailer of the Year Q Scottish Brands Retailer of the Year Q Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year Q Tobacco Retailer of the Year IN-ACTION CATEGORIES Q Community Retailer of the Year Q New Store of The Year Q Refit of the Year Q Sustainability Retailer of the Year Q #ThinkSmart Innovation Award Q Unsung Hero of the Year Q Special Recognition Q Team of the Year
Scottish Grocers’ Federation
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DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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News
Products
Signing with Fingers Cadbury Fingers has partnered with the National Deaf Children’s Society to help more people start a conversation in British Sign Language (BSL). The ‘Sign with Fingers Big and Small’ campaign aims to raise awareness of deafness and also offers little lessons in BSL with everyday phrases and conversation starters, so more people can join the conversation. Please visit signwithfingers.cadbury.co.uk to learn more.
Festive nuts KP Snacks has launched a new campaign that centres on Christmas and has been designed to keep KP Nuts front of mind throughout the festive season. The campaign runs across out-of-home, digital and print, and is expected to reach 84% of adults. It features headlines emphasising the taste credentials of KP Nuts, including
Product News RAISE A GLASS TO CHRISTMAS DRINKS – P42 SOFT DRINKS New packs and promotion coincide with launch of Coca-Cola’s Christmas ads
Visit Lapland with Coke’s Christmas packs Coca-Cola has launched new festive packs and an on-pack promotion that gives consumers the chance to win a trip to Lapland. Running until 20 December, shoppers can enter a prize draw by scanning QR codes on festive-themed cans and bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and the CocaCola Zero Sugar Cherry. Five winners will bag a trip for two to Lapland. Other prizes include cooking masterclasses, table decorations and food delivery vouchers, as well as CocaCola-themed collectables.
The limited-edition packs feature eyecatching festive designs with Santa graphics and Christmas decorations to help create a sense of magic in stores. To add more yet more festive sparkle, convenience retailers can also access Christmas-themed Coca-Cola-branded point of sale materials from the brand’s trade website My.CCEP.com. The new packs and promotion coincide with the rollout of the soft drink giant’s new Christmas campaign, ‘The World Needs More Santas,’ and follow the relaunch of its perennial ‘Holidays are Coming’ advert.
‘Santa Claus is coming to flavour town’ and ‘More taste than your Christmas jumper’.
Welcome to Weetabixshire Weetabix has launched a petition to create a new UK county that
BREAD & BAKERY
Ho Ho Hovis unveils Christmas packaging
would see the brand’s factory in Burton Latimer sit at the centre of a circle with a 50-mile radius which takes in the land where all of the wheat used in Weetabix Original is grown. As part of the marketing stunt, three 7ft-tall ‘Welcome to Weetabixshire’ signs were erected, one in Burton Latimer, and two on the edges of St Neots and Rutland to mark the proposed county lines.
Burts’ festive fave returns Burts has brought back its festive-themed Maple Pigs in Blankets for Christmas 2023, following customer demand. The 40g packs of hand-cooked potato chips are made in Devon using locally sourced potatoes. The packs combine smoky sausage and bacon, with a touch of sweet maple glaze. The Burts range is gluten-free, free from added MSG and contains no artificial colours or flavours.
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Hovis has launched its limited-edition Ho Ho Hovis seasonal pack designs, created to infuse a touch of festive spirit into some everyday bakery favourites. The festive packs are rolling out onto retailers’ shelves for a duration of seven weeks. Featuring across some of the bakery brand’s much-loved loaves, including Soft White and Best of Both, the limited-edition designs will bring some seasonal sparkle to bread fixtures across the country. In addition to the light-hearted seasonal pack designs, as part of wider seasonal activity, Hovis has also developed some bold and distinctive Ho Ho Hovis Christmas jumpers and bobble hats to be won as part of an online consumer competition, with a further limited number available for purchase online.
SPORTS & ENERGY
Lucozade Energy moves to standard pack sizes From the start of January, Lucozade Energy will be moving its 380ml single SKUs to 500ml bottles only, including Lucozade Energy Orange and Original, the Lucozade Energy Apple, Cherry and Caribbean Crush flavours and Lucozade Zero Pink Lemonade. The move will also see the introduction of a £1.50 pricemarked variant, available for the first time in 500ml format. The change will be supported through through in-store POS, as well as a shopper-facing campaign that highlights the new bottle size. Lucozade Energy 380ml bottles will still be available in multipacks, while 250ml cans, 330ml cans and 900ml bottles remain unaffected by the move.
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Products
News
‘Hangover cure’ wins Christmas listing Bounce Back, “the first post social replenishment drink,” has secured a listing with Costco just in time for the Christmas
CONFECTIONERY Mondelez brand brings back two popular promotions
Cadbury’s Secret Santa and Winning Eggs return
party season. It comes in both
Cadbury has brought back its ‘Secret Santa Postal Service’ for Christmas 2023, supported by an extensive ad campaign that aims to reach 97% of the UK population. The Cadbury Secret Santa Postal Service gives people the chance to send a free Cadbury chocolate bar to someone special in secret by scanning a QR code from posters. The service is promoted through digital and static posters nationwide, amplified with TV, video on demand, cinema, social media, print, radio and digital activities. Meanwhile, off the back of its most successful Easter ever in 2023, Mondelez has announced the return of its annual Find the
night on the lash.
raspberry and tropical flavours in 250ml cans with an RSP of £2, and contains a blend of 17 vitamins, minerals, prebiotics and amino acids that apparently help the body recover after a
Nairn’s Pop Oats pop up in bigger cases Nairn’s has introduced a new 24-case format for its Pop Oats range. The gluten-free brand said this allowed for automated case packing, helping to keep prices down. Pop Oats have 60% less fat than regular crisps with 83 calories per pack and are available in three flavours – Salt
Winning Egg campaign for 2024, which is back for a third time – and now bigger than ever. If a lucky consumer unwraps a special half-milk, half-white chocolate Creme Egg, they will be rewarded with a cash prizes –
which could be as much as £10,000. Once again, retailers that sell a winning egg could win a top prize of £1,000. There are also a number of other cash prizes up for grabs, ranging from £25 to £500, as well as Amazon vouchers.
& Vinegar, BBQ and Sour Cream & Chive – in 20g bags with an RSP of 89p to 98p per pack.
Varta powers up new winter campaign Battery manufacturer Varta has launched a new winter marketing
SNACKS New campaign nods at popular TV shows
It’s time to grab the Butterkist KP Snacks has launched a new media campaign to drive an association of its Butterkist popcorn brand with relaxing evening occasions. Running until the end of the year, the campaign runs across online video services including Sky, Vevo, and YouTube, as well as across social media platforms. Spotlighting Butterkist’s 100g sharing bags, the new campaign references key entertainment moments from popular shows including ‘I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here’ and ‘Strictly Come Dancing,’ and encourages shoppers to ‘Go Grab the Butterkist’. Rachael Rayner, Brand Manager for KP Snacks, said: “As the nation’s favourite popcorn brand, Butterkist is the perfect choice for making shared entertainment moments lighter, tastier and more fun. We are delighted to have launched this new media campaign, establishing Butterkist as the ideal accompaniment to much-loved TV moments while driving overall brand growth.”
SOFT DRINKS
Irn-Bru Snowman back on packs and TV Irn-Bru is back on Scotland’s TV screens again this year with the Irn-Bru Snowman, marking the start of the festive season for many Scottish shoppers. The ad is running throughout December, reaching over 75% of all adults in Scotland. It is supported by a digital and social media campaign. The Snowman’s return also heralds the start of a busy soft drinks season for retailers, which Irn-Bru is supporting with Snowman-themed festive packs and multipacks across all three variants, as well as Snowman-branded POS.
campaign, which builds on last year’s ‘Varta loves…’ messaging. The campaign “reflects the manufacturer’s love of people who are passionate about what they do and helps empower them with independence through its products”. It includes outof-home advertising, video on demand, and paid social media activities.
Glebe Farm launches retailer-friendly website Glebe Farm Foods – producer of the only certified gluten-free oat drink on the market – has officially launched its revamped website, designed to cater to the needs of retailers of all sizes with a new streamlined ordering process. With a dedicated trade portal, retailers can now set up a quick and easy-to-use trade account with a minimum spend requirement of £40. Visit glebefarmfoods.co.uk to set up an account.
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News
Off-Trade
Drinks Bureau starts party New RTD brand, The Drinks Bureau, has launched a range of 150ml canned cocktails and 10-serving Party Boxes. The 10% ABV cocktails come in three flavours – Spicy Margarita, Espresso Martini and Passion Fruit Martini. All are made with premium quality ingredients and are described as tasting like barmade drinks. For trade enquires, including pricing, email hello@ thedrinksbureau.com.
Eden Mill unveils two new single malts Independent Scottish distiller Eden Mill St Andrews has launched two new whiskies, Bourbon Cask Single Malt (RSP £55) and Sherry Cask Single Malt (RSP £65). The two single malts are natural in colour, non-chill filtered and bottled at an ABV of 46%. Both also officially launch Eden Mill’s refreshed brand identity and are the first to come
Off-TradeNews TOBACCO: EVERY PENNY COUNTS – P46 RTDs New look and new flavours for enhanced RTD
Range refresh for WKD X Enhanced RTD, WKD X, has extended its range of flavours and rolled out new 500ml can designs. Available in single cans only, 7% ABV WKD X also contains caffeine, guarana and taurine. The trend-led flavour range includes Mango Passion, Dark Berry and Blue Raspberry variants. The new pack designs use strong colourways to differentiate the three flavours and maximise onshelf stand-out. The new graphics give greater prominence to the ‘X’ design elements to amplify the subbrand messaging. All three WKD X fruit flavours are available in plain and £2.99
price-marked packs in outers of 12 x 500ml cans. The new cans and flavours will be supported from January by influencer and social media campaigns. In addition, WKD student ambassadors will be active on campuses and in student towns nationwide in the spring term with sampling programmes, presence at key university events, and localised social media content. A series of UK-wide pop-up events and high-profile guerilla marketing activities will also raise awareness of the new packs and flavours amongst WKD X’s core 18 to 24-year-old target audience.
in a new-look single malt bottle. LIQUEURS
Label 5 and Livi team up Blended whisky brand Label 5
Baileys back for Christmas
has unveiled a new sponsorship with Livingston Football Club. The initial deal runs for the remainder of the 2023/24 season, with a view to extending the partnership further. It sees Label 5 appear on the back of the men’s first-team shirts, along with trackside advertising and a presence behind the bar for match day drinks and hospitality at the club’s grounds.
Northern Monk beers excommunicated Two beers produced by the brewer Northern Monk – Rocket Lolly IPA and Wasted Hot Cross Bun Pale Ale – have been discontinued after complaints by members of the public were upheld by the Portman Group. Rocket Lolly’s packaging was
Baileys is back on the box with a Christmas advert starring Ted Lasso actor Hannah Waddingham. Described as a ‘symphony of indulgence,’ the ad sees Waddingham rustle up a Baileys ‘Choc-tail’ while the Gold Vocal Collective performing choir sings in the background. Apparently, two bottles of Baileys Original Irish Cream are bought every second during December.
FLAVOURED VODKA
Love Drinks takes the Virtuous route Independent importer and distributor Love Drinks has added the Swedish handcrafted, organic Virtuous Vodka brand to its growing roster of spirits, liqueurs and craft beers. The full Virtuous Vodka collection now available in 70cl bottles in Scotland includes Virtuous Rye (40% ABV), Chili (40% ABV), Ginger (40% ABV), Raspberry (38% ABV) and Bitter Lemon (40% ABV). RSP for the range is £34.99 apart from the Raspberry, which is £33.99. The Virtuous collection is gluten free, vegan friendly and contains no added sugar or artificial ingredients. The unfiltered spirits also retain the natural colours provided by the raw ingredients, bucking an industry trend for clear flavoured vodkas.
found to have a particular appeal to under-18s while the manufacturer – in its rush to apparently stimulate a discussion about food waste – seemed to entirely miss the popular meaning of the word ‘wasted’.
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Off-Trade
News
Quest for zest Alcoholic lemonade brand Hooch has launched its first-ever mobile game in a bid to boost brand engagement and drive consumers towards its flagship
FLAVOURED RUM Free online training available for c-store staff
Malibu stamps out spiking
Hooch Lemon SKU. Accessed
Malibu has teamed-up with charity Stamp Out Spiking to tackle a growing number of spiking incidents across the UK, with a £20,000 donation and training for 2,000 staff from bars, clubs and convenience stores. The free online spiking awareness training only takes 25 minutes and has been designed for all those interested in the safety and wellbeing of people, and who want to educate themselves on spiking. What to do in a spiking emergency has also been summed in a catchy and memorable new song, ‘I got you B.A.B.E.S,’ which is performed by content creator Munya Chawawa and West End star Amber Davies. Liam Murphy, Brand Director at Pernod Ricard UK, commented: “As a brand, Malibu celebrates living in the moment, embracing the good times and above all enjoying nights out with friends safely. It’s been great to have Munya and Amber at the forefront of this
hands on exclusive Hooch
via a QR code on limited-edition 440ml cans, Zest Quest gives players the chance to get their merch including t-shirts, hoodies and caps. The game is being promoted on the brand’s social media channels.
Shanky’s Whip gets cracking in Scotland Shanky’s Whip Irish Whiskey Liqueur has launched three new formats aimed at the Scottish local retail sector. The 350ml, 1 litre and 1.75 litre bottles are available to now via distributor Craftwork. The 350ml bottle marks a dedicated focus on convenience, being the ideal size and price point for impulse purchases. Contact Craftwork on 02382 145596 or sales@ craftwork.uk.com or visit the spiritswithcharacter.com website.
campaign to share our messaging and raise awareness of what to do in a spiking situation. We’re so glad to be supporting Stamp Out Spiking.”
Visit malibudrinks.com/en-gb/ babes if you’d like to register for the training course and find out more about how to deal with a spiking situation.
Rich new red Hardy’s has added a new Jammy Rich Red variant to its Bin 161 range. The new red offers flavours of ripe blackberry, plum and a hint of spice. It has been
RTDs Bacardi grows its range of cocktails in cans
New Eristoff RTDs roll out Bacardi has unveiled two new ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails built around its Eristoff vodka brand. Launched in response to an emerging consumer demand for berry and tropical flavours, Eristoff Pink It Up and Eristoff Passion Star are available in 250ml cans with an ABV of 5% and an RSP of £2. Pink It Up is made with Eristoff vodka mixed with lemonade and strawberry to give a mix of sweet and fruity while Passion Star is a no-fuss cocktail made with Eristoff, soda and passion fruit. “RTD consumers love to experiment and try new flavours and that’s exactly what we had in mind when we created these fantastic new RTDs from Eristoff vodka,” said Sharon Kearney, Impulse Controller for Bacardi.
RTDs
Four Loko gets ready for a Christmas party With the festive season just around the corner, Scotland’s number two ready-todrink brand Four Loko has launched a new campaign that asks consumers if they’re ‘Ready to Party?’ The campaign includes a couple of digital banners that retailers can use on their social media channels to generate some buzz around the brand and drive footfall.
launched to tap into current demand for rich blends. The range, available exclusively from Booker, has recently had a packaging overhaul that gives each variant a distinct colourway. All bottles have a £6.99 peelable price mark.
Panther M*lk pounces on drinks industry veterans Scottish oat milk cocktail liqueur Panther M*lk has recruited a pair of experienced drinks industry professionals to bolster its commercial division. Former head of brand at Tennent’s Lager and Irn-Bru, Neil Mowat, will lead marketing operations, whilst Paul Miller joins, fresh from the sale of his Eden Mill brand, to offer overall commercial leadership to the team.
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DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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Inside Business
Business Energy Scotland
WANT TO TAKE THOUSANDS OFF YOUR ENERGY BILL? The energy crisis is hitting all retailers hard, so why wouldn’t you want to take advantage of free expert consultancy and interest-free unsecured loans and grants through Scottish Government-funded Business Energy Scotland to help you slash your energy bills? BY ANTONY BEGLEY
“Because of the interest-free loan and cashback we were able to invest more money back into the business to basically bring the store up to a five-star standard.”
E
very local retailer in Scotland has firsthand experience of the devastating impact on their business of the ongoing energy crisis. The rocketing cost of energy has affected everyone, and the last year has been little more than a damage limitation exercise as retailers scramble to renegotiate contracts and try to find ways to cut their energy consumption. So, wouldn’t it be great if there was an organisation out there that could provide you with free expert consultancy as well as facilitating interest-free, unsecured loans and
grants to replace ageing, inefficient equipment with new state-of-the-art kit? Pay down periods on the new kit can be as low as a year or 18 months thanks to massive savings that new equipment can make on your energy bill. It sounds too good to be true – but that organisation exists, and it’s called Business Energy Scotland.
SAVE ENERGY, SAVE MONEY Unlike the many random cold-calling agencies that have undoubtedly been on the line to you over the last year promising the earth, Business
PREMIER MC GIRVAN SAVES £4K With the help of Business Energy Scotland advisers and an interest-free, unsecured loan, Premier MC Stores in Girvan was able to slash more than £4k off its annual energy bill. The store was able to make several improvements throughout the business including: Q New LED lighting Q New refrigeration units Q A new ventilation system Richard Cook, Operations Manager at Premier MC Stores, said: “Because of the interest-free loan and cashback we were able to invest more money back into the business to basically bring the store up to a five-star standard.”
RICHARD COOK, OPERATIONS MANAGER, PREMIER MC STORES, GIRVAN
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Business Energy Scotland
Energy Scotland is a Scottish Governmentfunded body that exists to help businesses save energy, carbon and money. Why would they offer all this support for free to retailers? Because it helps the Scottish Government make strides towards its Net Zero targets and because retail is a huge industry that consumes a lot of energy. Previously known as the Energy Efficiency Business Support Service, Business Energy Scotland launched in April 2022 and is managed by the Energy Saving Trust. It has no commercial interests in supporting retailers and does not take commissions or fees from external suppliers. It exists simply to help you to become more energy efficient, reduce your energy consumption and, ultimately, to reduce your costs and improve your profits. And yes, it’s entirely free. Whether you’re looking to simply replace tired old kilowatt-munching dairy decks with new efficient closed-door chillers or whether you are considering taking advantage of renewables like solar power or wind, Business Energy Scotland can help. All small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Scotland looking to improve their premises can access Business Energy Scotland’s free support. Whether you are just starting out on your energy-saving journey and need some pointers or are looking for expertise and funding to support your current plans, Business Energy Scotland’s team of experienced business advisors and energy-saving consultants provide impartial advice and project support.
WHAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE? Through Business Energy Scotland, SMEs trading for 12 months or more can access
unsecured, interest-free Scottish Government loans of £1,000 to £100,000 to pay for energyand carbon-saving upgrades in their business. The scheme can be used to finance the installation of many energy-efficient systems, equipment or building fabric, including: Q upgrading refrigeration; Q installing LED lighting; Q heating, ventilation, and air conditioning upgrades; Q renewable heat technologies such as installing an air source heat pump; Q improving insulation, draught-proofing, double or secondary glazing; Q installing solar thermal systems, wind turbines and biomass boilers. Recipients can also receive a cashback nonrepayable grant of up to £30,000 when installing eligible equipment: Q 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £20,000 can be claimed for energy efficiency measures; Q 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £10,000 can also be claimed for a range of renewable heat measures (heat pumps, biomass boilers and solar thermal). The SME Loan Scheme has already provided Scottish businesses with over £26m in loans for more than 950 projects.
£200m SAVINGS Business Energy Scotland’s team of advisors has already found over £200m worth of savings for Scottish organisations – with a 24% average energy saving per business. What’s more, nine out of 10 businesses that have received support would recommend them to other businesses.
Inside Business
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW… Q Available to retailers who have been trading for 12 months. Q Interest-free loans of £1,000 to £100,000 from the Scottish Government to pay for energy- and carbon-saving upgrades. Q Cashback non-repayable grants of up to £30,000 when installing eligible equipment. Q Grants covering 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £20,000 can be claimed for energy efficiency measures. Q Grants covering 75% of eligible costs up to a maximum of £10,000 can also be claimed for a range of renewable heat measures such as heat pumps, and solar thermal. Q SME Loan Scheme has already provided Scottish businesses with over £26m in loans for more than 950 projects. Q Business Energy Scotland’s team of advisors has already found over £200m worth of savings for Scottish organisations. Q Average saving of 24% per business.
TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HOW BUSINESS ENERGY SCOTLAND AND THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT’S SME LOAN SCHEME CAN HELP YOUR BUSINESS SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY, VISIT BUSINESSENERGYSCOTLAND.ORG OR CALL 0808 808 2268.
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DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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Inside Business
Above & Beyond Awards 2024
HELP US UNEARTH
THE STARS OF THE INDUSTRY! KEY DATES
SLR’s new Above & Beyond Awards is set to celebrate the store colleagues across our industry that make convenience retailing so special – and we need your help to find them.
ENTRY DEADLINE
FRIDAY 12 JANUARY 2024 SHORTLIST ANNOUNCED
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2024 WINNERS LUNCH
WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH 2024 THE CORINTHIAN CLUB, GLASGOW
L
aunched in last month’s issue, the new SLR Above & Beyond Awards were created specifically to acknowledge and reward the everyday heroics of the true stars of our remarkable sector: the often-unsung colleagues who lie at the heart of all of our businesses and without whom we would have no business. Our store colleagues are the heart and soul of our businesses, and it is upon them that our reputations are built and sustained. The SLR Above & Beyond Awards will put these heroes in the spotlight – and we need you to help us find them. From the shopfloor to the stock room, from behind the till to in front of the TikTok camera, it’s our people that make our businesses what they are – and we believe it’s time those people stepped out of the shadows and into the limelight.
HELP US SHINE A LIGHT ON SCOTLAND’S LOCAL STORE HEROES!
INSPIRING TALES Not only will the Above and Beyond Awards offer the chance to recognise and showcase these store superstars and unearth some of the many amazing stories that unfold in stores across
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Scotland every day, but they will also provide a platform to help inspire other colleagues and future generations along the way. So, we would ask you to take the time to check out the awards categories and criteria on the SLR website and get in touch to let us know about some of the amazing things that your colleagues have done to go above and beyond the basic call of duty. The awards categories cover all major store formats and styles and leave plenty of scope for you to tell us about the heroics that ordinarily go unreported and unheralded. This is your chance to provide some overdue recognition for those members of your team that really do help set your business apart in the local community. The awards are simple to enter, and all shortlisted colleagues will be invited free of charge to a celebratory lunch at the plush Corinthian Club in Glasgow on 13 March 2024. Working with our generous sponsors, we will ensure that everyone joining us on the day enjoys a relaxing day off and receives the recognition they so thoroughly deserve. www.slrmag.co.uk
Above & Beyond Awards 2024
SLR
PRESENTS
THE ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARDS 2024 AWARD CATEGORIES INDEPENDENT STORE COLLEAGUE – SYMBOL GROUP MEMBER Q Open to all colleagues working in independently owned local retailing stores in Scotland that are members of any symbol group, fascia or franchise. INDEPENDENT STORE COLLEAGUE – UNAFFILIATED STORE Q Open to all colleagues working in independently owned unaffiliated local retailing stores in Scotland. MULTIPLE STORE COLLEAGUE Q Open to all colleagues working in convenience-format stores in Scotland owned by a central company, group or organisation (excluding supermarket-owned convenience-format stores). COMPANY-OWNED Q Open to all colleagues working in CJ Lang company-owned stores in Scotland. FORECOURT STORE COLLEAGUE Q Open to all colleagues working in independently owned forecourt stores in Scotland. UP & COMING STAR Q Open to all colleagues aged 25 or under working in any of the store formats detailed above who have shown themselves to be outstanding colleagues with a bright future in the sector ahead of them. LONG SERVICE AWARDS Q Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who have worked in the sector or a single store or chain for an extended period. ASTONISHING ACT Q Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who truly went Above & Beyond to perform an astonishing single act that had a massive positive impact on a customer, colleague or community.
Inside Business
GREAT PEOPLE CREATE GREAT BUSINESSES Many retailers will know Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) for the much-loved soft drink brands that we manufacture and supply to a broad range of customers across Scotland. But much like Scottish convenience stores, it’s the Great People at the heart of our organisation that makes our business what it is today, going above and beyond in areas such as supply chain, sustainability or customer support planning to drive growth and make a positive difference. We work hard to ensure that everyone in our business can be themselves, be valued, belong and, crucially, have a voice so they feel included. We are also focused on driving change across six pillars of diversity where we feel we can work with our colleagues to make an impact: Social Mobility, Culture & Heritage, Disability, Gender, LGBT+ and Multi-Generations to ensure that our workforce reflects society, and that it reflects our customers and the consumers that enjoy our brands every single day. Scottish convenience stores are a seven-days-a-week collective effort, with many unsung colleagues working quietly behind the scenes bringing new ideas to stores, delivering unwavering commitment to business continuity or going above beyond for their team or local community. This is why we wanted to support SLR in recognising and celebrating the efforts and achievements of store colleagues, much like we do with our own colleagues at CCEP. We wholeheartedly encourage Scottish convenience store owners and managers to shine a light on the stars in their teams so they can receive industry recognition and inspire others. Best of luck from the team at CCEP! Amy Burgess, Senior External Communications Manager Great Britain, CCEP
TO NOMINATE STORE COLLEAGUES, PLEASE VISIT SLRMAG.CO.UK/ABOVEANDBEYOND www.slrmag.co.uk
DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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Inside Business
Northern Ireland Study Tour
IRELAND: IT’S A DIFFERENT WORLD
Despite several major differences in the market across the water, retailers on a recent study tour to Northern Ireland learnt some simple but valuable lessons that could help boost sales in Scottish stores. BY ANTONY BEGLEY
ITINERARY: Q Spar Mallusk, Newtownabbey Q Spar Mulgrew’s Carryduff Q Nisa Rathfriland, Newry Q Carlisle’s Supervalu, Ballynahinch Q Hinch Distillery, Ballynahinch Q Clandeboye Yoghurt, Bangor
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Northern Ireland Study Tour
I
f you’ve ever managed to spend any time visiting convenience stores in Ireland, it will have been time well spent, and you’ll be well aware that a visit over the water is many things but never dull. With that in mind, SLR joined a brief two-day jaunt to Northern Ireland last month to check out four stunning convenience stores in the company of some of Scotland’s top retailers. The trip was organised by Invest Northern Ireland – the hugely proactive agency charged with helping grow sales of Irish food and drink both at home and abroad – and delivered a packed and hugely enjoyable and informative couple of days. We all know that the Irish market is different, and we also know that Ireland has long been at the forefront of convenience retailing – so it was interesting to see how things had developed in the wake of Covid.
A DIFFERENT MARKET Firstly, it’s worth addressing some of the major differences between the Scottish market and the Irish one. The biggest of all is the striking lack of supermarkets. During the entire two-day-long trip I don’t think we saw a single supermarket or discounter out the window of the minibus. Not fighting Tesco or Aldi on every corner certainly helps push footfall and sales up because customers shop convenience stores over there the way they shop supermarkets here.
SPAR MALLUSK Bearing all that in mind, the first store we visited was Spar Mallusk, the flagship company-owned store of the Henderson Group, the Spar wholesaler for Ireland. Sited just along the road from the company’s main Regional Distribution Centre, the store gets special treatment and is effectively used as the testbed when the Group is trialling new ideas and concepts. Acquired by Hendersons in 2003 as a 500sq ft store doing £12k a week, it has been completely transformed into a 5,000sq ft stunner of a store thanks to a £2.6m refit – and now does £113k a week. That’s all the more impressive considering the store doesn’t sell alcohol, a Hendersons company policy. It looks like most modern company-owned Spar stores in Scotland, only a bit bigger. The standout features are the huge food-to-go area, the large in-store coffee bar and the drive-through coffee shop. Some 28% of the store’s total turnover comes through food to go which equates to around £30k a week – and the margins are nice and juicy, as you’d expect. The drive-through coffee shop has, apparently, been more effective in driving media coverage than in driving sales although it tells you all you need to know that Hendersons seem disappointed with the fact that the drive through “only does about £3k a week”. It does, however, add to its destination store credentials and brings more customers to what is basically an industrial estate.
www.slrmag.co.uk
Inside Business
As a result, weekly turnovers in Irish convenience stores can be huge. Do you know any convenience stores in Scotland doing £350k a week? The knock-on effect is that you also get very big convenience stores. The definition of a ‘convenience store’ has become a bit elastic over there. The traditional definition in Scotland used to be 3,000sq ft or smaller, although you see quite a few that are bigger than that these days. In Ireland, though, they can be much, much bigger. Some of the stores we visited during the trip were what we would call small to mid-sized supermarkets. The other major issue to note here, and it’s related to the points above, is around alcohol licensing. Long story short, if you don’t have an alcohol licence already, you ain’t getting one unless you have very deep pockets. There is effectively a maximum and limited number of licences issued in Northern Ireland and if you really, really want one, you have to buy it from someone else, someone who already has one and is prepared to sell it. Which makes them extremely valuable. You’ll never end up in the poorhouse if you’re the proud owner of an alcohol licence – and they tend to get handed down through the generations, apparently. It’s more or less a licence to print money. The workaround solution that many stores adopt, especially newbuilds, is to create a special building next door to your store and lease it to someone with a licence. You benefit from the rent and the footfall the offlicence generates, but that’s as good as you’re going to get.
Inside Business
Northern Ireland Study Tour
MULGREWS CARRYDUFF Our next stop was another Spar store, although in Eurospar format, which is essentially the supermarket version of a Spar. Independently owned, it’s a purpose-built monster of a building, and is very impressive in its own way. A big geometric box, it looks neat, tidy and well presented although, somewhat oddly for a store that big, it almost entirely lacked overhead directional signage. Finding the aisle you’re looking for is a case of wandering along the aisle ends and peering down to see what’s on the shelves. Again, no alcohol present but an off-licence next door and the standout features, again, were the food-to-go area, the coffee bar and a very tidy butchery counter featuring local meats, as well as a nice bakery section. Apart from that it was simply a nicely executed store that looks like many good convenience stores you’d see in Scotland, only about four times the size.
NISA RATHFRILAND
Milestone Rathfriland is a Nisa store, but not a Nisa store as you know it. It’s an Extra format store, which means it’s huge – and it’s huge in every sense. It’s a store that simply couldn’t exist in Scotland, for all sorts of reasons. To set the scene, consider that according to the most recent census the town of Rathfriland has a population of just 2,472 souls and sits to all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere. Having absorbed that fact, try to reconcile it in your mind with the fact that the store turns over £350k a week. Now try to imagine what it would be like running a store with 200 staff. How is that even possible? Because it gets shopped like a supermarket. It’s the only big store for miles so people come from all around the surrounding area. To be fair, it’s less a convenience store than a retail and foodservice complex. There’s a full restaurant and bar upstairs, there’s what looks like a fairly normal smallish supermarket downstairs, there’s even an off-trade section in-store and then there’s the crown jewel: an enormous food-to-go section of the store offering everything you could imagine, hot and cold. Everything in the food-to-go area is serviced from a vast kitchen upstairs staffed by what looked to be around 30 or 40 people. Virtually everything that’s for sale downstairs is made fresh and from scratch upstairs. It’s difficult to convey the sheer scale of the operation and it’s difficult to believe that the 20-metre wall of home-made, short-life ready meals sitting in the chillers downstairs will all be sold before they go out of date – but I am assured they will. As you might expect, the store was a little less pristine than the two stores we had already visited, but the amount of work that must go into running a behemoth like this is almost unimaginable. With so much of its turnover coming from high-margin food to go, the store operates off of astonishing margins of 35% and above. To put it another way, the business is clearing the best part of £2m a year.
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The biggest retail event in Scotland, returns on Thursday 26th September 2024. Watch out for your invitation hitting your inbox very soon.
All roads lead to Aviemore! SparScotlandOfficial
@SparScotland
www.cjlang.co.uk
@SparScotland
CJ Lang & Son Limited
www.sparscotland.co.uk
CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Longtown Distribution Centre, 78 Longtown Road, Dundee, DD4 8JU
Inside Business
Northern Ireland Study Tour
“Rathfriland has a population of just 2,472 souls and sits to all intents and purposes in the middle of nowhere – and Nisa Rathfriland does £350k a week.”
ON SHOW We rounded off the day with a trip to the nearby Hinch Distillery, a fantastically impressive distillery built from scratch by Terry Cross, a man who made a fortune by selling his packaging company and decided to treat himself to a commercial vineyard in France and a newbuild distillery in Ballynahinch, as you do. A quick trip to Clandeboye Yoghurt completed the tour before a dinner hosted by Invest Northern Ireland that evening, the obligatory pint or two of Guinness and a wellearned kip. The following day saw the group visit Invest Northern Ireland’s Food & Drink Showcase and find out more about some of the province’s finest food and drink offerings, several of which are now available in Scotland. There’s a thriving food and drink culture in Northern Ireland and there’s a lot we can learn over on this side of the Irish Sea. It’s also worth having a look at what’s available over there if you’re keen to differentiate your range and give your customers new reasons to visit you.
WHAT DID WE LEARN? Having had a chance to digest the trip, it’s clear that the Irish market is indeed different. Granted, we were only seeing hand-picked impressive stores, but they do it well over there. The biggest advantage they have is the lack of supermarket 34
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CARLISLE’S SUPERVALU The last store on the itinerary was Carlisle’s Supervalu, another big and impressive store with the usual high-end food to go, coffee and butchery offer and a separate off licence next door belonging to someone else. The smallest of the four stores we saw, it was the one that looked most familiar to a bunch of Scottish retailers. Looking at it, you’d guess a weekly turnover of maybe £40k. The reality? £180k a week.
competition – and there’s not much we can about that over here. Huge weekly turnovers make everything easier: re-investing, running big teams of staff, riding out lean spells, the lot. But there is still a lot to learn from Ireland. Irish retailers have taken their customers on a journey over the years. Yes, it helps that Irish customers are perfectly happy to buy food to go on an epic scale from c-stores, they’re perfectly happy to buy a broad array of butcher meat and all the rest – but that didn’t happen overnight or by accident. You’ll notice too that food to go, coffee, good butcher meat are things the supermarkets either don’t do or aren’t very good at. Many progressive retailers in Scotland have already started on that journey but it might be an idea to start travelling a bit faster. The Covid boom is now a thing of the past and the future is fast approaching. The big takeaway from our Irish store safari is that Irish retailers aren’t doing anything particularly mind-blowing. There was nothing we saw that we’d never seen before, nothing that made us say ‘wow’ – other than the size of the weekly turnovers. What sets Irish stores apart seems to be simple: fantastic food to go, great coffee and local butchery, all done consistently well. All of that can be replicated over here. It won’t happen quickly and it will take investment, courage and persistence – but consumers can be taken on that same journey in Scotland. www.slrmag.co.uk
DEPOT TO SHELF When launching new products and promotions on big brands, getting wholesale and retail joined up is crucial to ensure success.
Tom Wood and Octavia Ludlam from Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) visited Darren Pugh from Lioncroft Wholesale (Birmingham) and Harj Gill from Select & Save, The Windmill, to follow the journey of Lucozade Alert Zero Sugar Mango Peachade, from depot-to-shelf, to see how retailers can unlock more sales opportunities.
WHOLESALE Tom Wood, Regional Account Manager, SBF GB&I explains: “It is key for wholesalers to engage with NPD, as it drives excitement with both retailers and consumers. Over the last eight months, Lucozade Alert has more than doubled its retail sales value share,1 demonstrating the momentum behind the brand from retailers and shoppers. “It is important to promote NPD in wholesale to bring awareness of new products, and give retailers the information they need to update their shoppers.” Darren Pugh, Head of Purchasing, Lioncroft Wholesale adds: “New launch activity like Lucozade Alert Zero Sugar Mango Peachade is important for our category. Activating these well in depot helps drive sales and awareness for retailers, who are also ultimately consumers as well, to come and shop for these products at our depots. “Soft drinks are a key category within our business, which makes it important for us to work with key suppliers such as SBF GB&I.”
RETAIL
WHY ENGAGE? BACK GROWING BRANDS!
We know NPD gets shoppers excited, and ultimately drives sales
Lucozade Alert is capitalising on year-on-year growth of 64.5%, making the brand worth more than
£120M
Lucozade Alert Zero Sugar Mango Peachade is available through wholesale in 500ml cans, including a £1 pricemarked pack, to help retailers deliver value in their range at a time when consumers are increasingly price-conscious.
So we know this launch starts from a strong position.
Octavia Ludlam, Key Account Executive, SBF GB&I said: “It’s very important for retailers to take advantage of new product launches - straight from the depot and into their store, both on and off fixture. It’s crucial for retailers to make sure that any NPD goes across all the different touchpoints around the store: in a chiller, on a gondola end or on FSDUs, to highlight the product to the shopper. Harj Gill, Select & Save, The Windmill “Lucozade is important to me because it’s a big, well-known brand. We’re always on the lookout for new launches from big brands like this, because our customers are also always looking for new products, formats, and flavours. We always give new launches from Lucozade a try because they always seem to work well. They make a big difference to our sales.” 1 Nielsen, Total Market, value sales 52 weeks w/e 26.08.23
TO SEE THE FULL VIDEO OF SBF GB&I’S DEPOT-TO-SHELF JOURNEY, WATCH HERE, OR FOLLOW @SUNTORYBF_GBI ON TWITTER AND LINKEDIN FOR MORE NEWS.
Inside Business
Illicit Vapes
PLAY YOUR PART IN FIGHTING ILLICIT VAPES It is estimated that illicit vapes make up more than a third of the total vaping market – but you can help fight back and protect your business by anonymously reporting any activity you are aware of in your area.
‘STAGGERING’ LACK OF ENFORCEMENT A new study from Arcus Compliance has uncovered a shocking lack of regulatory enforcement: Q only 21 prosecutions for illicit vape trading in 11 major UK cities between 2021 and early 2023; Q less than £2,500 in penalties; Q 10 of 21 Local Authorities reported zero successful prosecutions.
A
s the government considers new vape legislation, which could see the sale of disposable vapes restricted over fears around their popularity with under-18s, new research reveals a staggering lack of regulatory enforcement is being taken against rogue vape traders selling single-use devices. Data gathered through Freedom of Information requests show that across 11 major provincial UK cities with a combined population of more than 5.5 million people, just 21 successful prosecutions have been made against retailers for underage/illicit sales between 2021 and early 2023. The total amount of fines given out across these cities was less than £2,500. That’s less than the current maximum fine that can be issued to just one offender at £2,500 – and is far less than the £10,000 on-the-spot fines that much of the sector has been asking the government for. The research comes after the Prime Minister put forward plans for a generational smoking ban and the government announced new investment of £30m for illicit tobacco and vape products enforcement functions. There is, however, something that retailers themselves can do to help tackle this problem and protect their own businesses. The Scottish Grocers’
Federation (SGF) is working in partnership with industry partners, Crimestoppers and FACT, the UK’s leading brand and content protection organisation, to make it easier than ever to report any illicit vaping activity you are aware of – and ensure that the information gathered will help drive real action on the ground. When reporting illicit activity, it will be useful to include information on the types of product being sold, how you know they are illicit, who is selling them and where they are being sold. SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema commented: “Illicit vaping is a scourge of our industry and a massive threat to legitimate retailers. The lack of regulatory enforcement is unacceptable and SGF is working with the Scottish and UK Governments to urgently address this issue. “In the meantime, however, I would urge all retailers to use the reporting service to help us clamp down on the illicit market that is harming their businesses on a daily basis. “Please be assured that information provided will be taken seriously and will drive positive action on the ground. It is vital that retailers play their part and help us help them.”
TO ANONYMOUSLY REPORT ANY ILLICIT ACTIVITY YOU ARE AWARE OF, CALL CRIMESTOPPERS ON 0800 555 111 OR VISIT CRIMESTOPPERS-UK.ORG OR FACT-UK.ORG.UK/REPORT-IT
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Report Illicit Vapes Are you aware of illicit vapes being sold in your area?
Why should I report illicit vapes?
The vape sector is the fastest-growing category in the grocery sector but illicit vapes make up more than a third of the total UK market and undermines your business.
What should I consider when reporting?
• • •
What type of products are they selling and how do you know if the products are illicit? (counterfeit or other forms of illicit vapes) Who is selling the products? (Full name, age, DOB, description, address, contact details) Where are they being sold? (home address, shop, stalls, online)
Why is this campaign any different?
FACT works with Crimestoppers to make it as easy as possible for you to report criminal activity, and this now includes a specific focus on illicit vapes.
If you have any information which might be of use to us, please contact Crimestoppers today. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that gives people the power to speak up and stop crime – 100% anonymously. FACT is the UK’s leading brand and content protection organisation You can also report illicit vapes on www.crimestopper-uk.org or on www.fact-uk.org.uk/report-it
Inside Business
Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show
LOCAL FOOD AND DRINK ON SHOW With local sourcing still important for many retailers, a trip to Glasgow next month might be worthwhile as Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show returns to showcase great products from across the country.
F
or retailers keen to grow the range of locally, regionally and nationally sourced Scottish products they sell, a trip to the SEC in Glasgow next month might be worthwhile as Scotland’s Speciality Food & Drink Show returns. The organisers say sales of exhibition space at Scotland’s only fine food and drink show are soaring and almost back at pre-pandemic levels. The event promises once again to be the key buying arena for convenience stores in Scotland and it will see outstanding food and drink products from across the country on show and available for sampling. Scotland is a varied nation in terms of its produce, reflected by the regional stands at the Show. Orkney will return with its large cluster of local producers, as well as Food from Argyll and East Lothian Food & Drink. New exhibitors to look out for are drinks producers such as Arrochar Alps Gin, Brose Oats, Holleys Fine Foods, Highland Moon, Isle of Mull Coffee, Select Drams, Tchai-Ovna Fine Teas and The Inventor’s Gin Company. These will complement Show favourites such as Rora Dairy, Edinburgh Honey, Galloway Lodge Preserves, Great Glen Charcuterie, Dark Sky Spirits, Island Bakery, Island Smokery, Slainte Sauces, Taza Bake, Wark Farm Pies, Persie Distillery and Summer House Drinks.
LAUNCH TIME! The Show will also feature a Launch Gallery for new young companies and this year stars in the Gallery will include Cruice, MYXD Cocktails, D!P Club, Kinnaird Kitchen, Three Robins Oat Milk and Pochle (Inchcolm Distilling), among others. This is the area where new creativity is celebrated, brandnew products will be sourced for the first time, and new young companies are given a leg up to get established in the market. In addition, the Show will feature its usual Talking Shop series of live presentations, panel discussions and masterclasses. Topics to be covered will include digital masterclasses; AI and how to harness for retail; Scottish Tourism Alliance Spotlight Sessions on how to maximise the tourist trade; sustainability, using trends to grow your business in food and drink; and pop-up shops. Nessie’s Den will also return to entertain with emerging suppliers showcasing their products to retailers. The Show is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade Fair, where about 500 home, giftware, jewellery, textiles, stationery and craft suppliers will showcase their products to retailers around the globe. 38
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21-23
JANUARY, 2024 SEC, GLASGOW
TO REGISTER FOR FREE, VISIT SCOTLANDSTRADEFAIRS.COM www.slrmag.co.uk
SLR
PRESENTS
THE ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARDS 2024
SHINING A LIGHT ON SCOTLAND’S LOCAL STORE HEROES Help us recognise, showcase and reward the often-overlooked efforts and achievements of members of your team. Nominate now!
ENTRY DEADLINE FRIDAY 12 JANUARY 2024 WINNERS LUNCH WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH THE CORINTHIAN CLUB, GLASGOW
www.slrmag.co.uk/aboveandbeyond
Hotlines
Product News & Media Watch
Players Max Imperial Tobacco Players Max features cigarette sticks that are 12% longer in size than standard Kingsize. A new intense blend with a full tobacco taste proved “a popular and preferred choice” in Imperial’s consumer testing. The new variant also features a modern and stylish, bevelled-edge pack. Launched to cater to the ongoing demand for value tobacco, Players Max has a £10.50 RSP, £1.35 less than Players’ standard Kingsize format.
McVitie’s launches year-round gifting packs
Urban Eat Brie & Cranberry Toastie Fresh Food For Now This new festive-themed vegetarianfriendly hot option forms part of Urban Eat’s Christmas 2023 lineup and contains Brie, cheddar, mozzarella and cranberry chutney. It is joined by two returning classic Christmas sandwiches: Turkey Feast and Brie & Cranberry. All are available until 24 December. The launch is supported by a widereaching social media campaign.
Pladis is hoping to take a bigger bite out of the biscuit gifting market with the launch of its debut year-round gifting range. Launching under the McVitie’s Victoria sub-brand, the two-strong range comprises McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Orange Dreams and McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations Gifting Pack. By popular demand – and much like Quality Street’s Purple One – McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Orange Dreams makes the leap from McVitie’s Victoria Assortment to take centre stage in a gifting box of its very own, offering eight crunchy chocolate biscuits filled with orange-flavoured cream and fully enrobed in rich, dark chocolate. Meanwhile, McVitie’s Victoria Chocolate Creations Gifting Pack contains a mini assortment of the brand’s
Baileys-infused pralines LiQ
West Cornwall Pasty Co. Christmas Dinner Pasty Fresh Food For Now
Belgian liquor-infused ice cream maker LiQ has launched a new range of pralines which unite two Christmas favourites – Baileys and ice cream. Available now from Costco, the pralines are bites of vanilla ice cream, infused with Baileys and coated in milk chocolate with an Irish cream heart. Each box includes seven bitesize treats which are made to be enjoyed on their own or as a special dessert accompaniment.
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Described as “an indulgent festive treat,” the pasty contains chunks of turkey, sliced Cornish potatoes, parsnips, cranberries, bacon, stuffing, and Brussels sprouts – all wrapped up in hand-crimped, flaky pastry. The launch is supported by at-fixture POS, store posters and social media activity. Last year’s edition sold more than 16,000 pasties across the UK.
most luxurious biscuits. The box is home to six velvety milk, white and dark chocolate-coated crunchy biscuits. Packs come with three on-pack messages to choose from: ‘Thank You,’ ‘Enjoy’ and ‘You’re Great’. Both packs launch with an RSP of £2. “Our existing seasonal range is already proving hugely popular – but we’re looking to turn things up a notch and drive further value into biscuit gifting by enticing Brits with a new range of ultra-premium, decadent gifting selections,” said James King, Marketing Director – McVitie’s at pladis UK&I. Both products are available in Sainsbury’s stores now and will roll out more widely across major retailers – plus the convenience and wholesale channels – from January 2024.
Baby Hasselbacks McCain Foods Billed as McCain’s biggest NPD in over a decade, Baby Hasselbacks (RSP from £3.69) score all green on the nutritional traffic light system and feature skin-on, pre-sliced whole baby potatoes drizzled with vegetable oil and slow baked for added flavour and crispiness. Each 653g bag includes a sea salt and cracked black pepper flavour sachet that lets shoppers customise the potatoes to their specific seasoning preferences.
Paxo Vegan Pork Sausage Meat Flavour Stuffing Premier Foods This festive-themed NPD launches alongside Paxo Vegan Chicken & Bacon Flavour Stuffing. Both come in 170g packs (RSP £2) and contain enough stuffing to make 12 balls. Both cater to a growing number of consumers looking for meat-free alternatives to traditional products. Premier has also launched new Oxo Turkey Stock Pots, and Bisto Best gravy granules in Chicken & Cranberry flavour.
www.slrmag.co.uk
Product News & Media Watch Golden Wonder Saucers £1 PMPs Tayto
Kingfisher Zero KBE Drinks This alcohol-free variant of Kingfisher beer is brewed from only natural ingredients and is available to retailers now in cases of 24 x 330ml bottles with a wholesale RSP of £19.99. With 85% of pubs now serving alcohol-free beer and as many as 50% of adults having purchased from the no or low category in the past year, the launch comes at a time of growing demand for alcohol-free options. To stock, contact info@ kbedrinks.com.
The latest additions to Golden Wonder’s £1 PMP range, the light and crunchy 3D lattice snacks are available in two flavours, Barbecue and Prawn Cocktail. They come as research finds that value for money is now the third-most-important reason for snacks purchase, and that PMPs now represent three-quarters of snack sales in symbols and independents.
Festive Stuffing + Winter Veg Wrap Pollen + Grace
FEELM 2.0 Smoore International
Plant-based food-to-go brand Pollen + Grace has unveiled a new limited festive addition to its wrap range, available now through wholesaler CLF Distribution with an RSP of £4 to £4.50. It contains a rich and herby mushroom, onion and sage stuffing, red cabbage slaw, roasted red onion and butternut squash, fresh crunchy spinach, and a dash of cranberry sauce.
Billed as “the highest value for money disposable vape on the market,” this new device offers more than 1,000 puffs legally using new technology that squeezes the most out of the UK’s maximum permitted volume of 2ml of e-liquid – considerably more than existing 600puff single-use vapes. The new product also comes with a transparent tank so that consumers can monitor their usage and a smaller battery that uses 30% less lithium than a standard device.
Hotlines
Find your inner Santa In addition to its perennial ‘Holidays are Coming’ advert, Coca-Cola has also launched a new 2023 Christmas campaign, ‘The World Needs More Santas’. The new ad celebrates the spirit of Santa Claus in all of us and shows hundreds of Santas helping and supporting others, building to the understanding that we live in a world full of kindness.
Be festive together Schweppes has brought back its ‘Born Social’ campaign for Christmas. The campaign features across cinema, video-on-demand, out-of-home advertising, social media and digital. With the tagline ‘Being festive together beats being apart,’ it is centred around friends and family either going out or staying in, but enjoying festivities together.
All inclusive Cookie brand Maryland is back on TV with a multi-million-pound marketing campaign to showcase its new-look packaging. A new advert “illustrates the inclusivity of Maryland as a ‘family favourite’ whilst evoking the sense of togetherness through the shared excitement the cookie brings, playing a key part of those family moments”.
Top this Non-bio laundry powder Delphis Eco
Sucralose Sweetener Tate & Lyle Sugars
Delphis Eco’s first non-bio, laundry ‘power’ powder for the home domestic market is available in a 1.2kg recyclable tin and is specially formulated for “incredible” results at the lowest temperatures. It is free from optical brighteners and dyes, free from phosphate and phosphonate, is biodegradable and has not been tested on animals.
The new sweetener is available now in both 300 tablet (RSP £2) and 75g resealable pouch (RSP £1.80) formats. It can be dissolved easily in hot drinks, avoids frothing, has a texture close to real cane sugar, and can be sprinkled over dishes.The resealable pouch format is more concentrated to offer a cost saving and is recyclable, using less packaging material than a traditional bag or box.
Malt loaf brand Soreen has launched ‘Try Me Topped,’ a new campaign for its Malt and Banana loaves. The campaign predominantly targets those aged 25 and over, highlighting malt loaf’s long love affair with butter, along with a number of more unexpected pairings. These include cheese, strawberries, smoked salmon, blueberries, and banana.
Made for sharing Walkers is back on screens with a fun and light-hearted Christmas campaign – titled ‘Walkers, Actually Made for Sharing’ – which captures some of the well-known struggles of sharing during the festive season. A new TV ad is supported by out-of-home TV and other out-of-home advertising, radio, and social media activities from now until 31 December.
for all the latest product news, head to www.slrmag.co.uk/category/product-news/ www.slrmag.co.uk
DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
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Feature
Christmas Drinks
FESTIVE BONANZA Christmas is always a time to rejoice, and consumers’ appetite to spend during the festivities seems unabated. BY ELENA DIMAMA
C
hristmas is the biggest socialising occasion of the year for many consumers, despite the current challenging financial times. Drink opportunities are front of mind alongside big dining experiences throughout the festive season, offering retailers the chance to end the year on a high. In Scotland, alcohol’s growth as a category overall has grown by 7.65% year-on-year (52 w/e October 2023), according to TWC. Wines and spirits has become the secondbiggest category, accounting for a share in excess of 10%; in GB cider has grown by 4.5%, driven by traditional, flavoured and premium ciders. In Scotland, the cider category is also experiencing growth of 1.8% along with the wine category, rising by 2.4% and accounting for 27.5% share.
MINDFUL DRINKING The low- and no-alcohol trend shows no signs of slowing down. Heineken’s research from 2022 showed that 41% would be looking for lower alcohol or alcohol-free options to drink at 42
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Christmas, with a whopping 55% of those being Gen-Z consumers. In Scotland, low- and no-alcohol accounted for more than £565,000-worth of sales in the alcohol category this year, according to TWC. In Lager, low and no is also seeing strong growth of 35.6% year-on-year, along with wine, where low and no is experiencing a huge 132.5% growth. Finally, spirits and RTDs are seeing limited sales in low and no, at £8,000 value sales for the total year ending 8 October 2023. Alexander Wilson, Category & Commercial Strategy Director at Heineken, notes: “As stated in our 2030 Brew A Better World ambitions, we believe in empowering consumers by providing a choice, transparency and zero tolerance for the abuse of alcohol. “We will continue to invest in our No & Low alcohol portfolio to make it even easier for consumers to reach for such options, depending on their preference and the occasion. Whenever a consumer encounters one of our beers or ciders, we want to make sure there is an alcoholfree option proudly sitting alongside.”
PREMIUM GROWS Despite the cost-of-living crisis, Christmas is still seen as an occasion for which consumers could spend a little more for a premium product, either as a gift or to share. “Premium offerings are growing despite the cost-of-living crisis,” Wilson notes. “While shoppers are attempting to make savings across large expenditures, such as household bills or eating out, smaller purchases like alcohol are one area where consumers are happy to spend a little more.” The brand expects premiumisation to continue to grow this Christmas, as lager grew by 10.6% already in the last quarter, according to Nielsen.
MULTIPACKS AND IMPULSE Looking for value for money will still be incredibly important for cash-conscious shoppers this festive season, with multipacks playing a crucial role. “Larger multi-packs are especially important to ensure shoppers can keep their home supply www.slrmag.co.uk
GROW SALES WITH BREWDOG THREE RETAILERS SHARE THEIR SALES SUCCESS FROM TRIALLING THE BREWDOG CORE RANGE IN THEIR STORES
RONAK PATEL
DAVE HISCUTT
Budgens of Arbury, Cambridge
Londis Westham Road, Dorset
ARJAN SINGH RHOUD
Ronak stocks a lot of lager and is actively looking to expand his craft beer range to meet demand.
Dave’s store is in a very tourist friendly area, with a mix of regular and transient customers.
AJ has a beer cave in his store and tries to innovate when it comes to alcohol.
+15.7% Across the three stores. BrewDog’s products accounted for 7.7% of all beer sales.
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ALL 3 STORES REPORTED AN UPLIFT IN SALES AND SAID THEY WOULD CONTINUE TO STOCK BREWDOG PRODUCTS
“
Overall, the feedback has been great. It is interesting that people who don’t drink lager are trying BrewDog, and the people who are buying it are saying it’s really nice. AJ Singh
Premier Morley, Leeds
Increase in craft beer sales during the trial period - 2022 vs 2023
7.7% The split between the sales of single cans and packs. Singles sold better with multi buy mechanics.
FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN GROW YOUR SALES WITH BREWDOG
Feature
Christmas Drinks BREWDOG UNVEILS ELF LAGER WITH WARNER BROS
Brewdog has launched a limitededition lager in partnership with Warner Bros. to celebrate the film Elf’s 20th anniversary. Elf is a 4.5% German-style pilsner, available in 330ml cans. BrewDog boss James Watt said: “We couldn’t be more excited about our collaboration with Warner Bros., bringing the best of beer and Christmas films together.”
KBE DRINKS INTRODUCES KINGFISHER ZERO
stocked up for the Christmas period,” Calli O’Brien, Head of Marketing at Aston Manor Cider, explains. “Product packs, such as the pint cans in our Crumpton Oaks four-pack, prove popular but also enable consumers to keep their supply stocked up with single-serve options.” Heineken’s Wilson adds: “We are seeing smaller multipacks – such as small and midpacks growing their share of spend and expect this trend to continue over the coming months as many look to continue shopping but with a more restricted budget.” Impulse also has a key role to play this festive season too, with one-third of shoppers, for example, only ever buying cider in cans, according to Mintel. “When a shopper buys cider on impulse, having it chilled and ready to drink are often more important than price, however, promotions still play an important role in communicating value for money that will help to win longerterm customer loyalty,” O’Brien says. 44
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He adds: “Alongside pack formats and product availability, retailers should also be conscious of the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis. “With rising food and drink prices being the top concern for almost half (49%) of shoppers, Aston Manor Cider has introduced a new range of Frosty Jack’s pack formats, offering more affordability to customers as shoppers look to tighten their belts.”
FESTIVE CONVENIENCE Being able to offer an easy drinking solution is another key factor retailers should consider. “Throughout Christmas, shoppers are on the lookout for premium quality, yet convenient options to entertain guests and enjoy themselves,” Amy Burgess, Senior Trade Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), explains. “Alcoholic ready-to-drink or premix cocktails are a great solution, offering hosts a convenient way to deliver a perfect serve every time, without the need for timeconsuming mixing and preparation.”
KBE Drinks has launched an alcohol-free variant of Kingfisher available to retailers in 330ml bottles. With a wholesale RSP of £19.99 for an outer of 24 bottles, the brand aims to capitalise on the alcohol-free trend. Andy Sunnucks, Senior Brand Manager for Kingfisher, said: “We are delighted to announce the arrival of Kingfisher Zero, a long-requested addition to our portfolio. “After successfully repositioning the brand last year, we want Kingfisher to continue to lead the Indian beer category and have a credible offering to meet the current growth in alcohol-free occasions. “It was also important to us that we’re not just ticking a box and that the new liquid is not only of good enough quality to replicate the original, but also stands on its own as a quality drink.”
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Tobacco
ALL CHANGE!
FEELING FESTIVE Scandinavian Tobacco Group recently unveiled a new limited-edition pack for its Henri Wintermans Half Corona brand in the run-up to Christmas. Available in two distinctive different argyle-patterned colour schemes, the new-look packs have been designed to “bring a bit of excitement to the category” over the festive season – a key time for cigar sales.
BY GAELLE WALKER
21%
A
s a category, tobacco is nothing if not adaptable. Its products, formats and features are in a constant state of flux as manufacturers clamour to meet regulatory requirements and the ever-evolving needs of adult smokers. However, recent months have seen an uptick in NPD as manufacturers rally to fight for their share of a market which is now dominated by the need to deliver value for money. With tobacco prices at their highest and consumer spending power still down in the doldrums, it’s a need that is now outright crucial – especially in Scotland, where 21.2% of all Factory Made Cigarette (FMC) sales are now in the value price sector, according to Regal Signature manufacturer Imperial Tobacco. Hence the wave of recent NPD that has washed over tobacco’s FMC category specifically. We’re talking the launch of new longer sticks, new slimmer formats, new more-intense tobacco blends and a barrage of added-value packaging features. Imperial Tobacco’s most recent bid for value glory saw it launch Players Max in November.
A flood of recent innovation seeks to offer greater choice to value-driven adult smokers.
of FMC sales in Scotland are in the value price sector (Source: Imperial Tobacco)
Available to convenience retailers now with an RSP of £10.50, Players Max cigarette sticks are 12% longer than Players’ standard Kingsize format – yet with an RSP that’s £1.35 less. The new variant also offers adult smokers a “new intense blend with a full tobacco taste” that Imperial says has “proved a popular and preferred choice” in consumer testing. Staying within the limits of the UK’s standardised packaging regulations, the new variant also features a “modern and stylish, bevelled-edge pack,” which offers adult smokers the added-value benefit of a “more robust” and firmer feel. Tom Gully, Imperial Tobacco’s Head of Consumer Marketing UK & Ireland explains the thinking behind the format. “With 68% of
“With household bills and inflation soaring, we expect value to remain the dominant trend shaping sales across the tobacco category.” TOM GULLY, IMPERIAL TOBACCO HEAD OF CONSUMER MARKETING UK & IRELAND
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OTLAND
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11.60*
£
RRP
EVERYTHING IS PREMIUM EXCEPT THE PRICE *
SCOTLAND
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STOCK UP NOW
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REGAL QUALITY IN A MODERN BLEND
SCOTLAND
THE NEW CHAMPION OF SCOTLAND
SCOTL
*Based on ITUK RRP as of November 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, customers are free at all times to determine the selling price of their products. For Tobacco Traders Only.
OTLAND
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Feature
Tobacco
TRACK AND TRACE EXTENSION LOOMS The track and trace rules that have applied to cigarettes and rolling tobacco products since May 2019, are to be extended to Other Tobacco Products (OTP) in May 2024. OTP include cigars, cigarillos, waterpipe tobacco (shisha), pipe tobacco and other niche products that contain tobacco. From 20 May 2024, retailers will need economic operator identifier (EOID) and facility identifier (FID) codes to buy OTP products. To get the codes, retailers need to register and create an account with the UK’s Identifier Issuer Dentsu. Retailers will have until 20 May 2026 to sell through supplies of old stock manufactured in, or imported into, the UK. A small number of handmade cigars will be exempt from the legislation and have an unlimited sell through period. HMRC will provide further details on which handmade cigars will be exempt on GOV. UK in due course.
ALL WRAPPED UP Adult cigarillo smokers will also be able to indulge in JTI’s Sterling Dual Double Capsule Leaf Wrapped brand this festive season. Launched earlier this year, the brand features a blend of peppermint and berry mint capsules designed to offer “a dual flavour and enhanced taste”. The cigarillo category is growing in convenience and is now worth approximately £8m a month according to Circana Market Place data March 2023.
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£14.1BN The value of tobacco in the UK last year
(Source: Circana Market Place MAT to 09/04/23)
tobacco sales now in the lowest price sector, stocking Players Max will enable retailers to further capitalise on the rising demand for value tobacco by offering adult smokers a new costeffective option from a well-known, trusted brand.” The November launch of Players Max came just a matter of months after the unveiling of another new format for Players in August. Featuring sticks that are 13% slimmer in size, the Players Compact variant offers adult smokers a “quicker and more pleasurable smoke” that Imperial says is “ideal for existing adult smokers looking to socialise”. Packs of Players Compact are available now with an RSP of £11.60. The new compact format was also rolled out to Imperial’s Richmond brand – with Richmond Compact available with an ultra-value RSP of £10.99.
premium quality Virginia blend” for a greatvalue price point. It joins Mayfair Silver as one of JTI’s lowestpriced cigarette brands. In addition to a premium blend, packs of Mayfair Gold also offer adult smokers the added-value feature of rounded corners. Mark McGuinness, Marketing Director at JTI UK, says: “Price remains the main consideration when existing adult smokers are making a purchasing decision. By stocking iconic brands, like Mayfair Gold, at ultra-low prices, retailers can capitalise on the sales opportunity from this new launch. “The ultra-value sector remains a key priority for us, as the fastest-growing segment in both RMC and roll-your-own tobacco.” Earlier this year JTI also repositioned its Sovereign Blue FMC brand to a more competitive value-priced RSP, providing existing adult smokers with a greater choice of well-known brands at the value end of the market.
ROLLING ON DOWN Japan Tobacco International (JTI) has also entered the NPD fray – expanding its value range of FMC cigarettes with the launch of Mayfair Gold in October. Available to convenience retailers now at an RSP of £11.60, JTI’s Mayfair Gold brand has been designed to offer adult smokers “a
With 6.4 million kilograms of rolling tobacco sold in the UK each year, the roll-your-own (RYO) category continues to offer retailers a significant opportunity to maximise sales – especially those who stock up on Value RYO products. The shift towards low-priced propositions is particularly prevalent within RYO and especially www.slrmag.co.uk
Tobacco
66%
of tobacco sales in Scotland come from factorymade cigarettes (Source: Imperial Tobacco)
in Scotland, where 27.1% of RYO sales are in the value price sector, according to EPOS SPOT Shares data from Imperial Tobacco. RYO’s robust performance has also resulted in year-on-year growth of 7.2% in RYO accessories, with annual sales of tobacco accessories now valued at £33.2m in Scotland, according to Circana data to August 23. The category’s fastest-growing sector is rolling papers, which is showing double digit growth and is also the highest value sector in Scotland, worth a considerable £10.7m according to Republic Technologies. The Slim & Tips subcategory is also recording impressive growth, with products that offer adult smokers value for money such as combi packs, and ways to economise, such as extra-long filters which allow for the use of less tobacco in each stick, in strong demand. Accessories that offer added-value features, such as filters containing crush balls also continue to drive sales. Republic Technologies offers two types of crushball filter: Swan Cool Burst Crushball and Swan Fresh Burst Crushball.
Feature
“With existing adult smokers increasingly influenced by price, retailers should focus on stocking ultra-value tobacco brands now more than ever. We have continued to innovate our value product offering, launching new products to meet demand and help retailers to drive sales.” MARK MCGUINNESS, MARKETING DIRECTOR AT JTI UK
The Fastest Growing Paper Brand * * (EXT IRI MarketPlace Volume 52wks MAT 29/10/23)
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DECEMBER 2023 | SLR
49
UTC
AFFAIR COP
COCOA NUTS
The good people at Rant casino reached out to Under The Counter recently. Not to see if he fancied squandering his wages with them instead of William Hill, but to inform him that roughly 85% of affairs begin in the workplace, with one-in-five employees confessing to being unfaithful with a colleague. Two thoughts quickly entered the Auld Boy’s enfeebled mind. Firstly, that ‘Rant’ is a terrible name for a business. And, as a quick glance at his co-workers confirmed, he could think of nothing worse than a bite of some forbidden fruit. Or any fruit, come to think of it; the closest UTC gets to consuming his five a day is demolishing two packets of Starburst. Rant had apparently surveyed 3,800 individuals across the UK to reveal which industries are more prone to infidelity, and readers won’t be surprised to discover that retail isn’t one of them. The sales sector topped the survey, with 14.5% of those polled admitting to playing away. However, only 1.4% of shopworkers confessed to cheating. This is probably because they’re far too busy keeping their stores ship-shape from sunup to sundown to have the time and energy to indulge in any stockroom shenanigans. What surprised Under The Counter though, was that law enforcement officers were even more faithful, with only 0.2% admitting infidelity. He’s always assumed the polis are getting up to all sorts with their radios switched off when they should instead be responding to reports of retail crime.
Under The Counter had just about recovered from the possibility of a (now averted) Tetley strike threatening his morning cuppa when news of further industrial unrest nearly brought on one of the Auld Boy’s funny turns. It is now the turn of workers at Cargill Cocoa and Chocolate to bring Britain to its knees – by causing a shortage of that festive favourite, Ferrero Rocher. The business is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of cocoa products, including to confectionery giant Ferrero, and staff are set to walk out in a dispute over pay. GMB union man Cameron Mitchell wasn’t kidding when he said: “The spectre of Christmas without this beloved yuletide treat would be devastating.” Revealing a way with words that extends beyond shouting “Down tools, brothers and sisters,” Mitchell added: “Workers aren’t demanding
gold-wrapped pay-outs, instead they’re asking for a pay packet that covers the bills.” Under The Counter has stared down the barrel of a number of confectionery-based crises over the years – most notably when he sat on a Mars Bar he’d slipped into a hip pocket on one of the hottest days ever recorded – so he took the news with a certain degree of stoicism. Paraphrasing Ferrero Rocher’s classic 1993 TV ad, he even managed to quip, albeit with a tremor in his voice: “Monsieur, with these strikes, you are really spoiling our Christmas.”
NUGGET OF WISDOM Considering he’s SLR’s curmudgeon in chief, it’s no surprise that Under The Counter thinks ‘fun’ and ‘food’ don’t belong in the same sentence. This stems from when Young UTC was on the wrong end of an almighty clip round the lughole after his mum caught him making rude words from Alphabetti Spaghetti. So his hackles were raised when the American ‘Fun’ brand of chicken nuggets made headlines. That is, until he found out limited amounts of the dinosaur-shaped delicacies were being recalled by manufacturer Tyson Foods after some were found to contain small bits of metal. UTC loves a good product recall, you see. Two things struck the Auld Boy about this story. Firstly, that his next-door neighbour was once the proud owner of a Rottweiler called Tyson, a vicious brute that looked like it was permanently chewing
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on a chicken nugget containing small bits of metal. Secondly, that Tyson Foods has an interesting take on what a “limited amount” constitutes. For its recall is “limited” to a mere 30,000lb of nuggets. That’s 13 tonnes. Don’t worry if you can’t get your head round the number; if there’s one thing UTC loves more than a good product recall, it’s a stat involving double-decker buses or Olympic-sized swimming pools. According to the Auld Boy, 13 tonnes is about as much as a double-decker bus weighs. Furthermore, he reckons you could easily fill half of an Olympic-sized swimming pool with the offending nuggets. UTC’s fun stopped, however, when a colleague casually asked him if he was referring to the deep end or the shallow end of the pool. The poor old fellow is still thinking about it.
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