SLR August 2021 edition by 55 North

AUGUST 2021 | ISSUE 220

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FERHAN ASHIQ

Adding impulse confectionery sales with PVM

AUGUST 2021 | ISSUE 220

JAMIE BUCHANAN

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SGF Go Local is a win-win-win

PASS THE PARCEL

LOTTERY TERMINAL REVOLUTION?

Could UK follow Italy using Lottery terminals as ATMs?

Post Office’s historic DPD deal

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION HGV driver crisis worsens

RELX INTO IT

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August 2021

Contents

Contents ISSUE 220

NEWS p6

Legislation The long-awaited landmark Protection of Workers Act comes into force. p7 Card Payments The Treasury and FCA decide to raise the contactless card payment limit to £100 from October. p8 Research Convenience stores, pharmacies and post offices are the services most valued in local communities, according to a new report. p9 Home Delivery Snappy Shopper reports a 44% month-onmonth increase in new customer numbers in July. p10 News Extra Eco-labelling Major suppliers sign up to help develop a traffic light system that will give an at-a-glance indication of a product’s sustainability credentials. p16 Product News Walkers gets behind the hospitality industry and Perfetti Van Melle has Halloween covered. p18 Off-Trade News Dead Man’s Fingers rolls out new bottle designs while Malibu lets the fun shine.

INSIDE BUSINESS p21 Parcel services The Post Office signs a deal with DPD, the first time it has worked with external carriers in 360 years. p22 Local Sourcing The SGF Go Local Programme is helping local retailers benefit from a rise in consumer interest in Scottish products. p24 InAction+ Perfetti Van Melle We find out how Natalie Lightfoot and Ferhan Ashiq have been getting on growing footfall, sales and profits in the confectionery category. p26 SLR Awards The shortlist for the SLR Awards 2021 has been unveiled after the successful completion of the first phase of judging. p28 Driver Shortage Availability issues keep troubling retailers as the HGV shortage and other problems hit wholesalers. p30 Company Profile RELX The world’s leading independent vaping brand targets the UK. p34 Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns. p46 Under The Counter The Auld Yin uncovers the ultimate footfall driver and reveals a surprising penchant for the finer things in life. FEATURES p36 Soft Drinks The functional wellness drinks segment offers an £812 opportunity to every convenience store, says Britvic. p40 Tobacco Illicit tobacco continues to be a huge challenge but major suppliers like Imperial Tobacco are leading from the front in support of legitimate retailers. p42 Healthier Options The slow but steady drift towards greater demand for healthier options shows no sign of relenting. p44 Forecourts There are challenges and opportunities lie ahead as the CMA highlights concerns about a lack of choice and availability of electric vehicle chargepoints.

ON THE COVER p14 Could the UK follow in Italy’s footsteps and use lottery terminals as ATMs?

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News LEGISLATION The long-awaited Protection of Workers Act comes into force.

Scotmid adds shelf edge technology Scotmid is rolling out electronic shelf labels by SoluM to stores after a successful trial. Herbert Retail, a long-established business known for leading retail technology solutions, will be driving forward with the next phase of the rollout over the coming months.

Sign up with Circularity Convenience retailers operating in Scotland are urged to sign up with the appointed scheme administrator for the deposit return scheme, Circularity Scotland, to stay up to date with information surrounding the scheme’s introduction. The scheme is currently scheduled to come into effect in summer 2022. Visit circularityscotland.com.

Lottery proposal welcomed

Scottish retailers welcome landmark law The new Protection of Workers Act, which gives shopworkers in Scotland greater protection if they are assaulted or abused, has been welcomed by retailers. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation welcomed the law’s introduction. It has launched its Don’t Put Up With It Campaign to encourage everyone in retail to take a zerotolerance stance and contact police. Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “The Protection of Workers Act will give confidence that these crimes are taken seriously and those responsible will be brought to justice. To ensure that, we need to get even tougher on trouble and report every crime in Scotland’s shops.”

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman added: “The introduction of legislation in Scotland on the protection of retail workers sends a clear message to offenders that violent and abusive behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Now we need the police, courts and businesses to take these offences seriously and to use these enhanced penalties effectively. “We need Westminster to provide the same reassurance and protection for all UK retail workers who have been working tirelessly to serve their communities

throughout the course of the Covid-19 crisis.” The NFRN Scottish President Ferhan Ashiq also welcomed the decision by the Scottish Government to support the bill introduced by Daniel Johnson MSP. Ferhan said: “Shop workers are at the front line and have to deal with physical and verbal threats on a near daily basis for simply doing their jobs. “The rules around the enforcing of Covid-19 regulations merely strengthened the case for the need for this law more than ever.”

ACS has welcomed government proposals to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to continue selling lottery products after new age

FOOD-TO-GO New legislation will have major impact on food-to-go retailers.

Get ready for Natasha’s law

restrictions come into force. The minimum age to play the National Lottery will be raised from 16 to 18 in October, but under the original proposals staff aged under 18 would not have been able to sell lottery products after that date.

Imperial launches updated anti-illicit trade website Imperial Tobacco has launched a new anti-illicit trade website as part of its continued ‘Suspect it? Report it!’ trade campaign to tackle illegal sales of tobacco. The redeveloped website, launching on 1 September, contains the latest developments in illicit tobacco.

Post Office ID app The Post Office has launched its new EasyID identity verification app in partnership with digital tech firm Yoti. The free app makes it simpler and easier for customers to prove their identity when collecting parcels sent to their local Post Office for

Retailers are being urged to start making the preparations needed ahead of the introduction of ‘Natasha’s law’ on 1 October 2021, as food safety and labelling related breaches can lead to significant fines. The law, which affects local retailers who sell food-to-go, will make it mandatory for food businesses to include the product name on labels for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) foods – including sandwiches, pies, burgers, ready meals or cakes/baked goods prepared and packaged by a food business and items which have been packaged in-store – and make sure a full list of ingredients, including allergen information, is clearly stated. PPDS labelling should include the 14 ‘most common’ allergens listed in food information law, as well as other ingredients which could trigger reactions. Similar laws are being introduced across the rest of the UK. Food Standards Scotland has developed a range of resources to help. Visit foodstandards.gov.scot/prepacked for more information.

NEWSTRADE

Retailers welcome Express rates news Publisher Reach has decided to include pro rata terms for newsagents as part of new price increases for its Express news titles. The price of weekday editions of The Express has increased from 75p to 80p. The Saturday edition has gone up from £1.20 to £1.30, while the price of the Sunday Express has increased by 10p, from £1.80 to £1.90. Retail margins remain at 20% of the new prices, as follows: Monday to Friday Express 16p; Saturday Express 26p; and Sunday Express 38p. John Howard, Circulation Director for Reach, said: “In the last 16 months, the support that our business has received from the news trade, and the NFRN in particular, has been magnificent. As we hopefully return to normal trading, all elements of the newspaper supply chain will benefit.”

collection, instead of carrying documents such as a passport.

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News CARD PAYMENTS Chancellor says rise will give retailers “a welcome boost”.

Contactless limit to increase to £100 The contactless card payment limit will rise to £100 from 15 October 2021. The decision to raise the contactless limit from £45 to £100 was made by HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority following a public consultation and in discussion with both the retail and banking sectors. It follows on from the successful increase in the limit from £30 to £45 in April 2020. Chancellor Rishi Sunak added: “Increasing the contactless limit will make it easier than ever to pay safely and securely – whether that’s at the local shops, or your favourite pub and restaurant. As people get back to the high street, millions of payments will made be simpler, providing a welcome boost for retailers and shoppers.” David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said contactless payment has proved very popular with consumers and an increasing number of transactions are being made using contactless technology. He said: “The increase in the limit to £100 will allow people to pay for higher value transactions like their weekly shop or filling up their car with fuel.

The payments industry has worked hard to put in place the infrastructure to enable retailers to update their payments systems so they can start to offer their customers this new higher limit.” Contactless cards were first introduced in 2007 and payments were capped at £10. This rose to £15 in 2010, £20 in 2012, £30 in 2015, and £45 in April last year in the early days of the pandemic.

Spar Scotland tradeshow draws closer The Spar Scotland virtual tradeshow takes place on 23 September, with the theme of ‘One Family, One Vision’. The event will feature presentations from Spar Scotland and key supplier partners, alive Q&A sessions, and promotional deals on the day for retailers.

Initiative aims to help retailers go green The UK’s Retail Sector Council has launched a national online initiative to help independent retailers become more environmentally friendly. Built by retailers for retailers, The Green Street hub can be found at greenstreet.org.uk.

Unitas focuses on return to work Unitas Wholesale has launched new Focus On guidance on the return to work and education and the opportunities that this

CASH ‘Cashback without purchase’ is coming.

Banking industry takes further steps to protect access to cash The Access to Cash Action Group has announced the rapid rollout of ‘cashback without purchase’ to thousands of smaller shops and the extension of shared Bank Hub pilots. Under the scheme, customers insert their bank card into an eligible terminal on the counter and can withdraw exactly the amount they need – with the cash provided by the retailer directly from the till. Link and PayPoint will now embark on the rapid rollout of ‘cashback without purchase’ to thousands of smaller shops over

the coming months following a successful pilot. Nick Wiles, the boss of PayPoint, said: “PayPoint has plans to make cashback without a purchase available through a rapid rollout plan into over 2,000 shops before March next year. PayPoint retailers are located in some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK where it is even more important that consumers are able to withdraw their cash to the exact penny without paying a fee.” During the pilot, customers made thousands of withdrawals and balance enquiries. Many

withdrawals were for ‘non-round’ amounts that would not be available from an ATM. In addition, the bank hub pilots in Cambuslang and Romford – which offer a Post Office counter service alongside face-to-face access to community bankers – will now run until at least April 2023. Post Office boss Nick Read added: “We will continue to develop and test new ideas with our bank partners, ensuring that between us we continue to deliver the very best service to the millions of people UK-wide who use cash as a vital part of their everyday lives.”

NEW STORES

Greens snaps up Peterhead store

Nisa retailer Greens, part of Eros Retail, has bought Neish Supermarket at Clerkhill Road, Peterhead. The store was traded for more than 67 years by the Neish and Anderson families, and will now gradually transition from Nisa Local to the independent Greens of Peterhead fascia. Louise Moreland, Commercial Manager at Eros Retail, said: “We look forward to focusing on retaining and growing local offerings such as JG Ross and Bert Fowlie whilst also introducing fancy pieces from the likes of Gladstone Bakery which are manufactured less than a mile from the store. “We are particularly thrilled to be expanding the butchery in the weeks after takeover, which will now be overseen by our master butcher from Greens of Ellon, Barry Bartlet.

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presents for retailers. The Focus On series is available the Plan for Profit website and app. Copies are also available in selected member depots.

McColls speed ups Morrisons Daily rollout McColls has raised £30m to increase the number and speed up the rollout of Morrisons Daily stores from 56 to 350 by the end of November 2022. It will also use the funds to improve the grocery infrastructure in the Morrisons Daily sites by improving refit standards and expanding the chilled offer.

Speakers announced for ACS conference The ACS has confirmed Retail Minister Paul Scully and Ipsos MORI Chief Executive Ben Page as speakers at its Heart of the Community conference, which takes place on 18 October at One Great George Street, Westminster. Visit acs.org.uk/ events/heart-community-2021 for more information.

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News RESEARCH ACS report reveals the importance of local retailers in communities.

Shoppers value c-stores more than ever Convenience stores, pharmacies and post offices are the services that have the most positive impact in local communities, according to a new report. The 2021 Community Barometer, published by the ACS, looks at how people feel about the services that are available to them locally, and the impact that they have on key measures like reducing loneliness, how positive an impact they have on the community and how essential they are. People could choose from 16 services including restaurants, pubs/bars, pharmacies, specialist food shops, coffee shops, non-food stores and others. When asked which ones were must-haves, pharmacies came out on top, followed by convenience stores, Post Offices, banks and petrol stations. ACS boss James Lowman said: “Throughout the pandemic, and even now with more people working from home on a long-term basis, many have rediscovered their local shops and realised the huge breadth of products and services that

they offer, as well as their invaluable contribution to the wider local community.” Lowman said the report’s findings were “a testament to the work that convenience store retailers and their colleagues have put in over the last year to keep their communities going”. This year, for the first time, the Community Barometer looked at the effect of services on house prices. When it came to having the biggest impact on pushing the value of houses up, the top five services were: Post Offices, pharmacies, specialist food shops, coffee shops and c-stores. Lowman concluded: “Many of the positively viewed services in this report, such as Post Offices, coffee shops and pharmacies, are featured within modern convenience stores, especially in rural and isolated areas where there’s only one place for people to go to get their essentials locally. In other locations, our members are part of a mix of businesses all tailoring their offer to local customers and working together to help maintain vibrant and safe local communities.”

CORONAVIRUS Younger staff hardest hit in mental health crisis.

Pandemic burns out 90% of Scotland’s frontline retail workers Nine in 10 frontline retail workers in Scotland have reported worsening mental health since the pandemic began, new research has revealed. The figures from Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) also found that younger people, aged between 25 to 34-years-old, have been hardest hit. Increased feelings of stress and anxiety are also commonplace, with 86% of those surveyed noting a rise, the research found. Those surveyed said the main barriers stopping them from accessing support include feeling like the problems they have are not big enough (51%), waiting times (45%) and feeling too busy (27%). Now, burnt out workers across Scotland will be able to access Time for You – a new, free service which offers immediate access to three different levels of mental health support, ranging from self-help resources, to access to talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy with trainee psychologists from Glasgow Caledonian University. Fiona Benton, Assistant Director of Delivery and Development at SAMH, said: “We know from the research that frontline workers feel they would benefit from help such as talking therapies like cognitive behaviour therapy and access to self-help resources, so we hope that Time for You will be a valuable resource for many people. We urge anyone who is struggling to reach out and take the first step – it’s ok to not be ok.”

TRADING

Call to keep Ne’erday trading Thirteen leading business representative groups – including CBI Scotland, Scottish Chambers of Commerce, Scottish Retail Consortium and Scottish Wholesale Association – have jointly written to Scottish ministers urging them to reject a legal ban on shops trading on New Year’s Day. The letter said: “Curtailing this through legislation would diminish consumer choice and add to the economic pressures facing retailers, their supply chain, and our town and city centre economies. A strong, varied and open retail offering in turn benefits the wider tourism and hospitality sector as well as the recovery.” The call came on the last day of the Scottish Government’s consultation on prohibiting stores from trading on New Year’s Day.

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News HOME DELIVERY Huge rise in customers.

Snappy Shopper delivers record sales

Snappy Shopper registered record home delivery numbers in July. The home delivery platform has reported a 44% month-onmonth increase in new customer numbers, while total transactions and frequent customer numbers both increased by 16% month-onmonth. Mike Callachan, Chief Executive of The Snappy Group, said: “The digital world has disrupted the way consumers view and interact with retailers for goods. Local retailers are able to keep up with shopper expectations by offering them a digital ordering solution with Snappy Shopper. “The acceleration to digital highlights retailers’ need for a solid omnichannel strategy which is vital today. Retailers who have

integrated the Snappy Shopper home delivery app into their physical store will thrive.” One independent retailer who is benefitting from the Snappy Shopper home delivery app is Imran Akhtar of Best One Hurlford, Kilmarnock. Imran started offering the app to his customers in January this year and sales via the platform have since soared, as a result he has started to offer Snappy Shopper to customers at his second store – Premier Cairnhill. Imran said: “Since we took the decision to start a home delivery service by partnering with Snappy Shopper in January this year, we haven’t looked back. In eight months we have taken over £200,000 in additional sales via the platform.”

OPERATION 18 MYSTERY SHOP VISITS

help prevent sales to those under the age of 18. Make sure your store is ready and prepared to pass a visit:

TOP TIPS

z Always look at customers to assess their age z If in doubt, ask for ID z Ensure all staff are fully trained to correctly ask for ID at all times

HOME DELIVERY Retailers make the most of online shopping

Snappy Shopper’s partners cash in Snappy Shopper has revealed that more than 20 of its independent retailer partners are averaging over £500,000 a year in sales, with the top retailer achieving delivered sales of more than £1.25m. Spar Renfrew has made more than 20,000 deliveries. Owner Saleem Sadiq said: “Shoppers have learned to live and think differently and that’s why the Snappy Shopper app has been a blessing especially to vulnerable people or those living on their own. We have really engaged with our online community, making sure that when they can’t come to us, we can go to them. We have been there for customers through the whole pandemic journey and our relationship with them has cemented our position in the community. “Everyone is getting used to online shopping and we have been doing exceptionally well with the Snappy Shopper app. We have maintained a rhythm of over 250 deliveries a week since lockdown rules were eased and it is all incremental sales.” Mike Callachan, Chief Executive of The Snappy Group, says home delivery will enable retailers to compete effectively against the fastgrowing dark store operators.

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REMEMBER: If your store doesn’t correctly ask for ID on 3 separate occasions, you could lose your National Lottery terminal.

Rules & Procedures apply. Players must be 18+.

246158 TNL ATP Op18 Vertical Ad SLR AW1.indd 1

AUGUST 2021 | SLR 9 28/07/2021

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News Extra

Eco-labelling

NewsExtra ADD SOME FIZZ TO YOUR SOFT DRINKS SALES – P36 SUSTAINABILITY Big industry hitters join forces for new green initiative.

Eco-labelling drive gathers pace Scottish Grocers’ Federation

Convenience Matters with the SGF Governments find it difficult not to interfere. Unfortunately, these interventions – even when well-intentioned – are not always beneficial. At the most basic level, politicians should ensure that they do not make things worse! The Scottish government is currently consulting on a proposal to impose a mandatory order on larger grocery retail stores (those over 280 metres squared) to stay closed on New Year’s Day. At first glance this might sound like a very attractive proposition. It could help to rebalance the dominant position of the big mults and put smaller stores in a position to realise the benefits of being open without competition on what is still the biggest holiday of the year in Scotland. Let us be frank about this: many convenience retailers would welcome this proposal being implemented. However, as a national trade body we must represent all our members’ view. We have several members who have stores in the larger category, and they would be impacted by these proposals. In fact, we have members who have both larger and smaller stores within their estate. On New Year’s Day the large stores would have to close, and staff would have the day off while their colleagues in the smaller stores would still be working. In many ways it is the underlying principle that concerns us. Should government have the right to say to some stores, ‘you must close’ while others can stay open? We are currently consulting with all our members to gauge their reactions, which will allow us to take a balanced viewpoint on this. We will then feed back to the Scottish government. Watch this space.

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As more consumers take an interest in the environmental impact of their purchases, major suppliers and supermarkets have signed up to help develop a Europe-wide traffic light system that will give an at-a-glance indication of a product’s sustainability credentials. PepsiCo, Danone and Starbucks have teamed up with Tesco, Lidl, Waitrose, Aldi and Morrisons in joining the Foundation Earth industry advisory group, as moves to introduce front-of-pack environmental scores gather pace. The new additions to the group, which already includes Nestlé, Tyson, Co-op, Sainsbury’s and M&S, have signed up to help develop an environmental scoring system to be rolled out at scale across Europe. Work will begin next month to bring together the best of the world’s two leading systems – Enviroscore and Eco-Impact – for measuring and communicating food and drink’s environmental impact. The new labelling system will give shoppers a better understanding of the environmental consequences, at a glance. PepsiCo’s Gloria Gabellini said: “We believe that consumers have the right to transparency from producers, and we want to give them easy-tounderstand information to help them make sustainable choices. For PepsiCo as a producer, it is important that environmental labelling encourages practices that are positive for our planet. “We see great potential in Foundation Earth’s initiatives, and we want to be an active part of this journey.” Meanwhile, Lidl GB has unveiled plans to roll out Eco-Score labelling across key categories for sustainability across its 105 Scottish stores this October. The supermarket will apply Eco-Score labelling to more than 50 of its own-label products including teas, coffees and hot chocolate, and will support it with wider communication in its stores. Eco-Score uses open-source data to independently grade products on their sustainability credentials and assigns a colour code ranging from green ‘A’ (low impact) to red ‘E’ (high impact). The system independently assesses various factors including production methods, impact on biodiversity, packaging and carbon footprint. Products also receive better scores where they are certified to third party schemes, such as Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance. Amali Bunter, Head of Responsible Sourcing and Ethical Trade at Lidl, said: “Rolling out the Eco-Score trial in Scotland is a huge milestone for Lidl, one we’re

extremely proud of. We know that shoppers want more support in understanding the environmental impact of the products they buy day-to-day and Eco-Score will do just that. “The trial will help customers in our 105 Scottish stores road test the new traffic light system and ultimately make greener shopping choices in the process.” Over the course of the trial, Lidl will take feedback from its customers on the labelling system before deciding how to progress with the scheme. In addition, Lidl will share the findings from this pilot to help shape an approach that works for customers and the industry in the long term. Former UK Cabinet Minister Chris Grayling MP, who currently has a private members bill in the House of Commons calling for environmental labelling of food and drink products, said: “I applaud the companies that are taking part in the pilot launch this autumn and hope it will prove to be a really positive step in the right direction. “To build a more sustainable planet, reduce carbon emissions and minimise biodiversity loss we must build a more sustainable food industry. Foundation Earth’s frontof-pack scoring system provides us with the potential to drive positive change in a commercially viable way.” www.slrmag.co.uk

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A VIRTUAL FESTIVAL OF EXCELLENCE REGISTER TO WATCH WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM/REGISTER-TO-ATTEND

Winners Announced 27 October 2021

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT EVENTS@55NORTH.COM

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Comment

AVAILABILITY ISSUES MAY HAVE LONG TERM IMPACT The on the road judging for the SLR Awards 2021 is now underway and the two most noticeable differences this year are: 1) a huge amount of investment is going on; and 2) availability issues are at a level we’ve never seen before. Point one is interesting and massively positive for the sector. With many retailers having enjoyed a bumper 18 months, lots of them have clearly decided to allocate some of that new found cash to investing in their stores to secure longer term benefits out of the pandemic. A very wise move indeed. Undoubtedly, a little of that new-found urge to invest in stores has been driven by a desire to minimise what gets handed over to HMRC at the end of the financial year but, whatever the reason, we have never seen so much investment in stores in a single year since we first started the awards nearly 20 years ago. The second and equally evident difference is availability. Having been inside maybe 25 stores so far, the judging team has seen availability issues literally everywhere. Invariably it’s the first thing a retailer will say as we walk through the door: “You’ve come at a bad time...”. The unfortunate reality is that it’s a bad time for everyone, regardless of symbol group or wholesaler. Some retailers have been able to handle it better than others, usually by having big storage spaces or by being part of an informal buying group with other stores so that they can snap up stock wherever they find it. But most retailers are getting hammered and simply can’t find what they need. I’ve lost count of the retailers who told me that they ordered three cages of stock and only two turned up. And that’s if anything turned up at all. Despite the understandable complaints about their symbol group or wholesaler, however, it’s worth remembering that everybody – absolutely everybody – is in the same boat. Even the supermarkets. A quick jaunt to your local Tesco or Asda is all you need to satisfy yourself that the mults are having plenty of their own issues. But the big imponderable here is what will happen once availability returns to normal, as it surely must at some point? Virtually every retailer we speak to is sourcing from four, five, or six different sources – because they have no choice. We’ve all become traders again, even if we historically used to buy the vast majority of stock from our symbol group. It strikes me as hugely unlikely that retailers will all just slip back into their compliant ways of old, once the availability issues are sorted out. When you’re forced to shop around, you inevitably find new sources that work for you. I can see it taking the symbol groups a long, long time to restore the loyalty and order their model requires when this whole thing is sorted out.

EDITORIAL Publishing Director & Editor Antony Begley 0141 222 5380 | abegley@55north.com Editorial Manager David Rees drees@55north.com Web Editor Findlay Stein 0141 222 5389 | fstein@55north.com Editorial Contributor Karen Peattie

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CIRCULATION & SUBSCRIPTIONS Circulation Manager Cara Begley 0141 222 5381 | 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. 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.

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STERLING

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.35 RRP* 30G

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THE STERLING RANGE UK’S FASTEST GROWING TOBACCO BRAND** BLEND

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*Based on a retailer buying at the current wholesale selling price and selling at RRP as of 09/04/2021. You are, of course, at all times free to sell JTI’s products at whatever price you choose. **IRi Market Place, Volume Share, Total RYO/MYO, Total UK, over the last 12 months to March 2021 (based on slope calculation)

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Cover Story

Access To Cash

A LOTTERY TERMINAL REVOLUTION? 14

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Access To Cash

Cover Story

Could the UK follow in Italy’s footsteps and use lottery terminals as ATMs? BY LIZ WELLS

taly is set to introduce a new access to cash solution, which will see financial platform specialist Sonect enable 35,000 lottery terminals across the country to act as ATMs. The company’s deal with Lottomatica and BNL Bank will see lottery terminals go live with cash withdrawals later this year. Sonect says it is confident that this technology can provide a simple solution to the access to cash crisis in the UK when the fourth UK Lottery licence begins in 2023. “It would also increase customer footfall at many community shops and make lottery retailers the public’s number one choice for withdrawing cash freely, simply and locally,” the company adds. Swiss-based Sonect already has a track record in the UK, being the only overseas company to take part in in the Community Access to Cash pilots. As a result, Sonect’s new pilot cash scheme in Burslem and Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, has seen hundreds of residents signing up to a ‘click & collect’ cash service in just two months. Ron Delnevo, UK Director of Sonect, said: “In the UK we’re under-utilising the potential of modern lottery terminals to provide a widerange of services to customers of community retailers. The terminals can become a vital convenient local touchpoint for access to cash and other services the public have a right to expect on their doorsteps. “This is far too good an opportunity to waste. With the new National Lottery licence award

coming soon, now is the time to ensure that there is lottery terminal revolution when the fourth licence begins in 2023. “Around 45,000 brand new terminals will need to be installed under the terms of the licence to be granted by the UK government. We really need to seize this technical innovation opportunity in the UK to support all the local needs of the public and the retailers who serve them and, critically, to solve the huge access to cash crisis.” Sonect’s suggestion has been welcomed by retailers. Richard Mason, who operates a Spar store in Burslem, said: “The Sonect solution of transforming a lottery terminal into my shop’s ATM sounds ideal. It would enable me to offer customers cash free of charge, at the same time as buying their lottery tickets and picking up any other purchases they want.” Richard said this was especially important after the closure of numerous bank branches and ATMs, making access to cash far more difficult, time-consuming and costly. “It would be a win-win for Spar and the local community,” he added. Tony Riaz, who runs a One Stop in Burslem, added: “This lottery terminal solution sounds like a ‘no brainer’ to me – I already know my customers would love the speed and convenience of getting some cash at the same time as their lottery tickets. A simple idea like this would be perfect for guaranteeing a free access to cash solution in the UK.”

MOST UK COUNTIES ‘STILL RELIANT ON CASH’ Over two-thirds (67%) of all purchases in PayPoint’s network of convenience stores were made in cash over fiscal year 2020/21, new data reveals. The new research, which looks at cash as an overall percentage of transactions in its network of 28,000 UK stores over the financial year, shows that of the 48 counties included in the study, 43 have an overall cash reliance score of more than 50%. The research reveals the most cash-reliant counties are spread across the north of England, the West Midlands, and the devolved nations. In addition, the data shows that 21% of people across the UK still use an ATM two to three times a week and 64% of Brits think more should be done to protect cash, rising to 67% in Scotland. PayPoint will begin a nationwide roll out of a new Over The Counter service for those who require cash in exact denominations, following its hugely successful 2021 trial period. Steve O’Neill, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Director, said: “We’re also making more progress on important issues like a cashback without purchase solution that will roll out this year. We trialled it in 10 stores and the results were very positive. It will help improve access to cash for customers and, importantly, it will offer retailers a commission model similar to an ATM. They’ll get paid for the service, rather than paying for it.”

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News

Products

Oreo plays to win Shoppers can win hundreds of musical prizes in Oreo’s latest on-pack promotion, ‘Press Play To Win’. Shoppers just need to scan any Oreo packs with their phones to see if they’ve won. The top prize is a ticket to a UK music festival of the winner’s choice in 2022. Other instant

Product News WINNING THE FIGHT AGAINST ILLICIT TOBACCO – P40 SNACKS New limited-editions and on-pack promo supports the hospitality industry

Walkers backs restaurants

win prizes include headphones, speakers and a personalised Oreo mixtape. The promo is backed with social, digital and PR activity, and in-store POS.

One Stop picks Fruit Ice One Stop customers can now buy Robinsons Fruit Ice drinks from the retailer’s companyowned stores after a successful trial. The new non-fizzy drink has no added sugar and real fruit in every drop. The self-service machines sell both Orange and Apple & Blackcurrant flavours at £1.50 a cup, or £2 for two. Drinks are dispensed through a

Walkers has launched four new limited-edition Local Taste Icons flavours, inspired by the UK’s bestloved local restaurant dishes. Available now, in multipacks of five, grab bags and £1 PMPs, the line-up includes Madras Curry, Thai Green Curry, Fish & Chips and Chicken Burrito variants. A supporting on-pack promotion also aims to drive footfall to local restaurants by offering a £5 off discount at participating eateries. Packs direct shoppers online where they can search for a local restaurant and claim £5 off using a QR code voucher.

The launch will also be supported with a light-hearted TV campaign airing across September and October and in-store media, social media and out-of-home advertising. Katherine Cook, Walkers Senior Brand Manager at PepsiCo, commented: “The new limitededition flavours will help to add excitement to the crisps segment, allowing retailers to offer their

shoppers something new and drive sales. “We have developed a bespoke in-restaurant point of sale kit to drive passing football to local establishments, digital assets and also worked with independent retailers to provide them with customisable posters to direct their shoppers and staff to their nearest local restaurants. “In essence, this campaign will help to bring communities together after a challenging 18 months, giving independent businesses an innovative way of supporting each other.”

Robinsons Ice Freezer Unit that has a fresh, grown-up design and twin bowl.

Betty Crocker backs cancer charity Baking mix brand Betty Crocker is getting behind Macmillan Cancer Support’s Coffee Morning and will raise £100,000 for the cancer charity by donating 10p for every pack it sells across four key SKUs. The ‘Bake a Difference’ campaign runs until the nationwide Coffee Morning is held on 24 September and includes PR, social media, influencer, e-commerce and shopper activity.

Lucky dip? Doritos has launched a new on-pack promo for its Dippers range that gives shoppers the chance to win a £20,000 jackpot, with daily £200 prizes also up for grabs. To enter, shoppers have to share a photo of their Dippers nacho creations on Instagram, including #NachoYourWay and @DoritosUK in the caption. The promo ends on 17 October and

SOFT DRINKS

New look for Coke Zero flavours Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is rolling out Coca-Cola Zero Sugar’s new-look packaging to its Cherry and Vanilla variants. The design features black lettering and the Coca-Cola logo has been moved to the top of the label on bottles and to the top of each can. The brand said the new design was launched to “provide a simple and intuitive” navigation system across all Coca-Cola variants. CCEP says the new and improved Coca-Cola taste and impactful new packaging design is helping to recruit new shoppers to the zero sugar colas segment. Research has shown that Coca-Cola Zero Sugar’s new-look packs are easier for shoppers to find at the fixture, which means the Cherry and Vanilla variants – worth a combined £25m and up £4m on last year – will also gain from their redesign. In addition, a continuation of the ‘Open That Coca-Cola’ campaign which launched earlier this year is targeting young adults. More than one million Coca-Cola Zero Sugar samples will be handed out at festivals and when students return to university.

BREAKFAST CEREALS

Weetabix celebrates lockdown easing Weetabix is back on screens this autumn with a £2m advertising campaign designed to encourage children and adults to have a healthy start to the day. The campaign, which runs during August and September on TV and video-on-demand, shows various topical serving suggestions referring to the easing of lockdown restrictions, including ‘goodbye rule of six a-bix’ and ‘festival moshing a-bix’. The ad, like the brand’s other recent campaigns, aims to inspire consumers with new recipes to show how tasty the cereal can be when paired with a variety of different toppings. Gareth Turner, Head of Brand at Weetabix, said: “The campaign will present retailers with a golden opportunity to drive sales of Weetabix Original.” Weetabix Original currently features an on-pack promotion in partnership with the national Football Associations, which runs until October, encouraging kids to get active.

is supported by a digital, social and influencer campaign.

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Products

News

Retailers can win £100 There’s a host of family prizes up for grabs in Cadbury’s latest retailer competition, including 10 £100 Love2Shop gift cards and a pair of family days out at a

CONFECTIONERY Perfetti Van Melle unveils the mummy of all campaigns

PVM has Halloween covered

Merlin Entertainments attraction. The competition, hosted on deliciousdisplay.co.uk, runs across Cadbury’s range of

Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) is set to launch ‘All Wrapped Up’ – its biggest-ever Halloween campaign. The campaign, which will run from September across Fruittella and Chupa Chups, includes £1m of multimedia support and new product launches to drive awareness during the event. The first of these, new Chupa Chups Sour Lollies (RSP £1), contains 10 individually-wrapped cherry-, apple-, and lemon-flavoured pieces, giving shoppers a trick or treat option. The second launch, which builds on the growing trend of portion-controlled

pack formats, is a 300g tub in the shape of the Chupa Chups logo (RSP £3.50), containing 32 individually-wrapped favourites such as Classic Lolly and Mini Lolly. The PVM field sales team will support the launches with visits to selected outlets that will be creating festive in-store displays using Halloween-themed POS. The confectionery giant will also be raising awareness of Fruittella through a series of Spooky Sunday videos that encourage consumers to get involved in seasonal activities such as pumpkin carving and costume

RETAILER INCENTIVES Rewards app unveils latest campaign

Shopt goes on staycation Shopt, a cash rewards app for convenience retailers, has launched a new Staycation campaign that runs until the end of September and offers big-name promotions so that stores can ensure shelves are stocked with bestselling core lines, the latest NPD and on-trend products. The free Shopt app, which has over 24,000 users, connects retailers with FMCG brands and lets them earn cash rewards. Depending on the offer, retailers upload photos of the products on shelves for Shopt to review, engage with supplier content or provide feedback to receive cash rewards. The Staycation campaign brings multiple brands together, offering cash rewards up to £10 per promotion. Exclusive supplier content is also available through the app, which retailers can claim incentives against. Alexa Hester, Marketing Communications Manager at Shopt, said: “Our aim is to help convenience retailers grow their business by connecting them with brands, regardless of size of store or location. Shopt gives every retailer the chance to hear about new products, core lines, ranging advice and market trends – and earn rewards for stocking the products that their customers love. “Between 100-150 offers go live every month – across multiple brands from all the categories – so there is something for everyone.” The Shopt app is available via Google Play or the App Store.

creation. The content will then be amplified on Pinterest. PVM will partner with TikTok influencers for the Chupa Chups Charm challenge, where participants can use lollies as ‘magic wands’ to tap on phone screens to take part in beforeand-after Halloween makeup and costume transformations. The challenge will use the hashtag #ChupaChupsHalloween. Broader awareness of the content will be generated through Snapchat advertising and interactive in-app filters. In addition, vinyl-wrapped POS digital displays at key grocery locations will act as final prompts to purchase for consumers of both brands for the full campaign duration.

SOFT DRINKS

Highland Spring has holiday home up for grabs Highland Spring is giving consumers the chance to win the use of a holiday home for a year, valued at more than £33,000, in its latest promotion. Nestling in the Trossachs, the holiday home will include a fridge stocked with Highland Spring products. To enter, people must follow Highland Spring on Instagram or Facebook then share a photo of a new fruit flavoured Highland Spring sparkling water can in an outdoor natural setting, tagging @highland_spring and adding #HighlandSpringHoliday.

treats predominantly purchased by parents for their children including Curly Wurly, Chomp, Freddo and Freddo Treasures. It closes on 10 October.

Sixty days of Squashies Swizzels has launched Squashies Squashathon, a new campaign across its social channels that gives consumers 60 days of challenges to get involved in, with daily prizes on offer. The campaign is supported with point-of-sale and display unit materials. Clare Lynch, Squashies Brand Manager, said: “Squashies continues to help grow the category and is now the number one sugar confectionery brand.”

Join the club Fibre One has invested £3.5m as it returns to screens with a new advert to mark the launch of its biggest campaign to date, ‘Crave Club’. Live now, the ad exposes the ‘Crave Club’ as a secret society of people who have found the freedom of having what they crave – like a Fibre One Brownie – without any fear of self-judgment. The campaign is expected to reach four million new target consumers.

Fizzy bottles top poll Fizzy bubble gum bottles have been crowned the nation’s favourite pick & mix sweet, beating off stiff competition from fizzy twin cherries and tongue painters to take the accolade. Almost 4,000 Brits voted in the poll, run by confectionery wholesaler Hancocks. Sugarcoated strawberries came fourth, with retro classics flying saucers, strawberry bonbons, fizzy cola bottles and watermelon slices also appearing on the list.

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News

Off-Trade

Molson pumps £25m into Burton site Molson Coors has announced a £25m investment in its Burtonupon-Trent brewery that includes a new hard seltzer canning line and upgrades to its beer and cider packaging facilities. The canning line will package the brewer’s Three Fold hard seltzer brand as well as future launches in the RTD and premium beers categories. The investment follows launch of a £5m campaign to support Three Fold.

Luxury breaks up for grabs with Peroni Peroni Nastro Azzurro has launched a new on-pack promotion across a number of multipack formats, offering three UK winners a luxury five-star two-night trip to the Amalfi Coast for two adults. The prize includes a pizza cookery course and visits to cliffside village Positano and

Off-TradeNews HEALTHIER SALES FROM HEALTHIER OPTIONS – P42 RUM Limited edition bottles herald start of nationwide sampling tour

Dead Man’s Fingers rolls out new designs Dead Man’s Fingers has released new limited-edition bottles for its Spiced Rum. The bottles include three different designs, including flaming red and green skulls, and are in a 1.75 litre size to tap into the trend for larger pack formats. They are available to order now and have an RSP of £50. The new skull artwork will be adorning the Dead Man’s Fingers RV, which will be touring the UK from August, providing free slushy samples made with a range of Dead Man’s Fingers rums in a £250,000 campaign to raise awareness of the brand.

James Stocker, Marketing Director at Halewood Artisanal Spirits, said: “We know that our fans love the personality and iconic skull imagery of Dead Man’s Fingers Rum. “This summer we’re excited to bring a new take on this with our new, limited edition flaming skull bottles, which capture the unconventional nature of the brand. “Our new UK tour is also a really exciting way of continuing to drive awareness for the brand on a massive scale.”

the Emerald Grotto in Conca dei Marini. Minor prizes include FLAVOURED CIDER

2,000 branded designer bottle openers.

FLAVOURED SPIRITS

Zest of both worlds

Stirling toasts Tokyo

Pernod Ricard has added a zesty flavour to its Irish whiskey portfolio with the launch of Jameson Orange (ABV 30%). Jameson Orange comprises tripledistilled Jameson Irish Whiskey infused with natural orange flavouring and is available from Booker and Costco. October marketing activity will include digital, social, video-on-demand, off-trade, on-trade and e-commerce.

Stirling Distillery has launched OlympiGIN, a limited-edition in celebration of the Tokyo Olympics. The gold-flaked gin is made using Stirlingshire nettles and Japanese yuzu. The gin is limited to 500 bottles and will be sent to British and Northern Irish Olympic and Paralympic gold medal winners from the Games. A percentage of the profits from the sale of the remaining bottles will be donated to UK charity Sported.

BrewDog kicks off carbon negative campaign BrewDog has launched a new advertising campaign focusing on its claim to be the world’s first carbon negative brewery. ‘The Planet’s Favourite Beer’, which runs throughout August and September with the intention of reaching 26 million adults, highlights that the Ellon-based brewer’s environmentally-friendly

BEER

Carling comp is just the ticket Carling has launched a new instant-win giveaway for football fans by hiding 20 golden tickets inside special cans that are designed to look and feel the same as regular ones. The tickets can be redeemed for an at-home match-day experience bundle worth more than £4,500. This includes a 65-inch smart TV, soundbar, TV Sports Pass, £1,500 sofa voucher, and £200 takeaway voucher. The promotion runs for 20 weeks until the end of the year.

Frosty turns Frosé With 18 to 35-year-olds firmly in its sights, cider brand Frosty Jack’s has launched a limitededition strawberry flavour. Frosty Jack’s Frosé is available in 440ml cans exclusively from Bestway. Grace Anthony, Brand Manager for Frosty Jack’s at Aston Manor Cider, said: “We are excited to introduce a new strawberry flavour to the Frosty Jack’s brand. “We believe the sweet Frosé is an unexpected variation on what is already a wellknown and popular cider. We anticipate high levels of demand from young adults willing to ‘crack open the unexpected’ and try something new.”

way of working makes “a better world for everyone”.

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Off-Trade

News

Havana’s partner-in-grime Grime and hip-hop artist Skepta has once again teamed-up with Pernod Ricard to design his second limited-edition Havana Club 7 bottle. The launch is

LIQUEURS New campaign celebrates ‘social rustiness’

Malibu lets the fun shine Malibu is inviting consumers to ‘Let The Funshine’ with its new global media campaign, which celebrates the real-life awkwardness that’s surfaced as the world starts to open up again. The campaign playfully highlights the social rustiness that can happen after a year of restrictions, and encourages everyone to embrace the sunshine and the joy of being back together, whatever happens. It runs until the end of August across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and digital display. Consisting of a series of short films, the campaign depicts

a group of friends who try to get their summer vibe going whilst attempting different activities to varying degrees of success, such as creating the first summer playlist, playing team sports, debuting a new outfit, making a cocktail and attempting to dance. Furthermore, singer-songwriter Anne-Marie, actor Michael Dapaah and nine UK influencers will be releasing their inner ‘Funshine’ all summer long and inviting their followers to join them. The integrated campaign seeks to capitalise on the popularity of the brand, as Malibu is experiencing +26.5% value growth.

backed by out-of-home and digital advertising, as well as POS. Retailers listing the bottle will also be part of a footfall driving campaign where consumers are geo-targeted with details of its nearest stockists. It is available from Bestway with an RSP of £24.99.

Magical Magners Magners Irish Cider is back on screens with its first major marketing activity in four years. The six-figure ‘When Time Bears Fruit’ campaign runs across TV, video-on-demand, digital and social media. The campaign revolves around a 60-second advert titled ‘The Alchemy of The Orchard’, which aims to build a deeper emotional connection with cider drinkers, while also

RESPONSIBLE DRINKING New campaign targets binge drinkers

Young adults should drink more... water

Pernod Ricard has launched a global digital campaign through its Responsible Party initiative, aimed at tackling the issue of binge drinking. The brand’s Responsible Party programme, which has been engaged in the prevention of alcohol misuse by young adults since 2009, has intensified its efforts to coincide with the reopening of bars, clubs and restaurants. The digital campaign is spearheaded by a 50-second film. The campaign looks to persuade young adults that there is no fun in excessive drinking and to empower them to make the right choices for themselves, including choosing to drink more water if they don’t want to become a human canvas.

HARD SELTZERS

Hardened criminals Treasury Wine Estates’ 19 Crimes brand has broken into the hard seltzer category with the launch of two new products. The 19 Crimes Seltzers (ABV 5%) are available in cases of 12 x 330ml cans (RSP £2.50) in two flavour combinations – Lime Bitters and Raspberry & Black Pepper – with 99 calories per can. The launch will be supported on social media and through sampling activity. Hard seltzers are forecast to be the fastest growing section of the RTD category over the next five years. Ben Blake, Head of Marketing, EMEA at TWE, said: “This is a first for Treasury Wine Estates, as we launch a seltzer under the disruptive 19 Crimes brand. “The new seltzers will not only appeal to those seeking refreshment occasions, but they will also meet the increased demand for lower ABV drinks options.”

reminding them that Magners is refreshing.

Pamper hampers galore Echo Falls has unveiled a new ‘Luxury Pamper Night In’ promotion. Running from August to October, the competition features on just under three million neckflags across multiple 75cl lines. Shoppers have the chance to win one of 500 luxury pamper hampers plus a sample of the new Echo Falls Seltzers. The promo is supported with additional in-store POS and displays for retailers, as well as a paid social campaign.

Fountain floods festivals Fountain Beverage Co.’s Hard Seltzer has partnered with Live Nation to become the Official Hard Seltzer Partner across Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Parklife, TRNSMT and Warehouse Project festivals. This will see Fountain provide branded bars on-site, as well as digital activity and on-screen ads across all festival events, in order to reach almost three-quarters of a million consumers.

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Parcel Services

Inside Business

PASS THE PARCEL The Post Office has signed an historic new deal with parcel carrier DPD, the first time it has worked with external carriers in 360 years. BY LIZ WELLS

he Post Office has signed a deal with DPD which will see parcels delivered directly to its branches, opening its network to external carriers for the first time in its 360-year history. Previously the Post Office only had an agreement with Royal Mail Group for parcel collections directly at its branches. The click-and-collect service will initially be available at around 250 Post Offices this month before rolling-out to around 1,500 branches across the UK ahead of the peak Christmas period. Customers making a purchase online will be able to choose their local post office as the collection point for their parcels. DPD will deliver parcels directly to branches and postmasters will process customer collections at the counter. Nick Read, Chief Executive of the Post Office, said: “Combining the biggest physical retail network with one of the Europe’s best-known logistical carriers provides greater customer convenience, footfall for postmasters and helps people back to the high street as Covid-19 restrictions ease. “I’m delighted that through our partnership with DPD, customers can select their local post office to collect their parcels and know

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that they are often open longer hours, staffed by a knowledgeable postmaster and located moments from where they live.” Elaine Kerr, DPD Chief Executive, added: “This is a significant, long-term partnership between two brand leaders in the parcel industry and comes at a time when the convenience of online shopping and delivery is more valued than ever. It is great news for DPD parcel customers and for Post Office branches too. Our aim is always to get parcels delivered safely, on time, and provide recipients with as much choice as possible. This partnership enables us to offer more options at the point of purchase, while the parcel is in-flight and, on those occasions, when we can’t leave a parcel safely.” The news comes weeks after Hermes unveiled a new partnership with Tesco to provide ParcelShop services across its convenience estate nationwide from 6 September. The Post Office and DPD said the deal will also reduce the environmental impact of having vans making multiple stops to drop off parcels. DPD Group has conducted a review of the last mile delivery and the impact of click-an-collect on the environment. Its studies have established that there is a reduction of, on average, 63% of greenhouse gases in the last mile delivery when using the DPD Pickup network.

Read added: “As a society, we are increasingly considering the environmental impact of our activities. This will mean ensuring the last mile of delivery is ‘carbon free’. Our physical network of branches helps make this a reality, encouraging people to walk or cycle to their local post office to collect their parcels.” In recent months DPD has unveiled a string of green initiatives including the roll-out of a major new air quality monitoring programme across six of the biggest cities in the UK and the pledge to deliver by only all-electric vehicles in 25 of the largest towns and cities in the UK by 2025. DPD currently has more than 1,000 electric vehicles on the road, expected to rise to over 1,700 by the end of the year. Kerr said: “Our sustainability strategy is based on looking at every single aspect or our operation and challenging ourselves to make it more efficient by reducing emissions and miles, improving the service for customers at the same time. Having the option to deliver to post offices helps us achieve that. DPD will provide allelectric delivery to 10 major towns and cities by the end of this year and 25 locations by 2025. With that and recipients having the option to walk to their local post office to collect a missed parcel, the vision of a carbon-free ‘last mile’ is becoming a reality.” AUGUST 2021 | SLR

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Inside Business

Local Sourcing | SGF Go Local Programme

GOING LOCAL:

GOOD FOR BUSINESS, GOOD FOR SCOTLAND The SGF Go Local Programme is helping support the recovery & regrowth of Scotland’s food and drink sector, as well as helping local retailers benefit from a rise in consumer interest in Scottish products.

ne of the many consequences of the pandemic was an apparent rapid increase in consumer interest in buying local. There were a number of reasons for this, with more shoppers than ever keen to support local producers and retailers as lockdown forced people to narrow their focus onto their immediate surroundings. Availability issues were also critical back at the beginning of the pandemic, when many major suppliers were either struggling to produce enough stock or, worse, prioritising supplies to supermarkets over local retailers. Those availability issues have obviously returned – and with a vengeance – so there is arguably no better time to take a fresh look at what’s available locally. Local producers can often be a lot more flexible and creative, and the growing interest in local, regional and national products means there is a market for more artisan, arguably higher quality local produce. With local retailers being forced to find stock wherever they can, why not look on your doorstep? The SGF Go Local Programme is helping local retailers do just that. Funded by the Scottish Government, the programme was created specifically to help convenience retailers across Scotland provide a greater range of Scottish products to their shoppers – and match funding of up to £5,000 per store was made available. The programme was designed to aid the economic recovery of Scotland’s’ food and drink sector by increasing the sales of Scottish local products in the convenience sector to help mitigate losses in other channels as a result of Covid 19. The closure of foodservices, hospitality and school sectors because of the pandemic considerably reduced the home market for 22

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Scottish producers and manufacturers, with a significant reduction of pre-Covid outlets available for these products. As consumers turned out-of-home eating spend towards supermarkets and convenience stores, coupled with being physically confined to local areas, there was greater exposure to shopping local, and buying locally sourced products. The project aims to support convenience stores throughout Scotland to provide dedicated, long term display space for locally sourced Scottish products, with a bias towards fresh and healthy, coupled with enhanced consumer engagement, and helps retailers achieve this. The application process formally ended on 31 August, but SGF says “this window may be extended subject to the number of applications received”.

“Outlets who took part in the initial pilot saw a 40% increase in sales of local products.” The project is being delivered in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink and aims to support convenience stores throughout Scotland to provide dedicated, long term display

space for locally-sourced Scottish products, with a bias towards fresh and healthy, coupled with enhanced consumer engagement. Outlets who took part in the initial pilot saw a 40% increase in sales of local products and delivered additional local economic benefits in excess of £157,000 per store. The programme enables stores to support local, Scottish producers and give these businesses a vital route to market to help with the recovery and regrowth from Covid-19. Programme Director Jamie Buchanan says: “Working in close partnership with Scotland Food & Drink (SF&D) to develop a sourcing strategy not only provides retailers access to new products, it also provides suppliers access to the retail market – a real win win. “Our collaboration with SF&D also delivered strong branding which tapped into a national marketing plan to create great in store theatre and drive the consumer message – ‘We Support Local’. “We launched a 10-store pilot on the 1 December 2020 and following a robust selection process chose 10 geographically and demographically diverse stores across a range of fascia groups to prove proof of concept. Each of the stores has received grant funding to enable them to maximise the range of Scottish products they offer to customers which in turn enables the stores to support local, Scottish producers and give these businesses a vital route to market. “Much as there are many common product ranges across stores, the programme is deliberately flexible to ensure the areas developed and ranges introduced are right for each store. This approach has allowed us to deliver a diverse range of developments from in store butchers to food-to-go production.” www.slrmag.co.uk

30/08/2021 17:59:00

SGF Go Local Programme | Local Sourcing

The selection criteria for funding aims takes a number of factors into consideration. These include: Q a fair spread across fascia groups Q geographic location Q programme potential Q demographics Q date of application All stores selected for the programme will be approved by the SGF for the purposes of fairness and transparency. The grants for successful applicants will be released on the completion of the agreed work, which must be completed within six months of grant approval. www.slrmag.co.uk

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Participating in the programme not only gives retailers access to the SGF’s and Scotland Food & Drink’s teams to help develop their store local proposition, it also allows them to play a crucial role in the recovery and regrowth of Scotland’s food and drink industry by providing new routes to market for producers. “As a Scottish organisation that operates in both the on- and off-trades, we know better than most the commercial impact that Covid has had on local suppliers,” says Paul Stirling, Group Retail Director at G101. “We were delighted to participate in the pilot programme to offer support to local suppliers, which sits well with our principles of offering

Inside Business

our customers greater value, choice and quality. The application process was straightforward, the commitment to receive the grant clear, and the additional space dedicated to Scottish products is working well for us.” And supporting local is far more than a stop gap during a pandemic. Thanks to reduced food miles, products are better for the environment and thanks to reduced time in the supply chain are fresher and therefore more nutritious. The biggest impact, however, is that on the local economy – by supporting local, retailers can strengthen the local food economy, sustain local jobs, which in turn provides money that is spent in the local store. AUGUST 2021 | SLR

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Inside Business

Perfette Van Melle | InAction+

Driving fresh confectionery growth with PVM In the latest instalment of our special InAction+ series of features with confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle, we catch up retailers Natalie Lightfoot and Ferhan Ashiq to find out how they’ve been getting on with growing footfall, sales and profits in the confectionery category.

PVM TOP 5 MUST-STOCK PRODUCTS WITHIN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY

he last year or so has been a challenging one on many fronts for both retailers and consumers – but the fact that more shoppers than ever have come to rely on their local store has been a boom for the sector. The impact of that trend has been seen in the till as sales across most categories have experienced significant increases – but there’s always room for more growth. That’s why we hooked up with international confectionery giant Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) and a couple of Scotland’s leading local retailers: Natalie Lightfoot of Londis Solo in Baillieston and Ferhan Ashiq of Day Today Prestonpans. The challenge? To bring some fresh excitement to the confectionery category and see if, by working together, we could boost footfall, sales and profits even more in an already buoyant category. And let’s face it, with the challenges of lockdown and the pandemic, it’s hardly surprising that many shoppers have been looking for affordable, enjoyable treats that can add a little sparkle to their day. 24

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To put this in-store trial in to some sort of context, it’s worth noting that the total Sugar Confectionery market is worth a whopping £1.22bn in the UK. Within this, PVM’s share is worth over £55m with sales driven primarily by key brands like Mentos – worth £20m – and Fruittella, worth £18m. The confectionery giant is, however, targeting further growth and is placing special emphasis on the Scottish market. This upweighted focus on Scotland is centred around the critical impulse occasion and the opportunity to grow unplanned sales and further increase basket spends. Confectionery remains one of the top purchases in the local retailing channel and in this project we are

Mentos Pure Fresh Rolls Fruittella Juicy Chews £1 PMP Mentos Mint £1 PMP bag Smint 8g Chupa Chups Wheel

working with our partners to help unlock more opportunities to grow sales and profits.

WHAT HAVE WE BEEN UP TO? In this project we were keen to keep it simple and to illustrate how small changes can make a big difference in-store. A new range of products and POS was installed in both test stores and sited in various high traffic areas to help drive impulse sales. Natalie and Ferhan also received professionally-designed social media collateral to help them advertise their new products to their customers on Facebook and Instagram. Part of the project focuses on the recently refreshed packaging and design for the entire Fruittella product range, which runs across all 30 SKUs. www.slrmag.co.uk

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Inside Business

InAction+ | Perfette van Melle

MEET THE RETAILERS… Taking part in our very first InAction+ in-store project are Londis retailer Natalie Lightfoot and Day Today retailer Ferhan Ashiq.

NATALIE LIGHTFOOT

FERHAN ASHIQ

Together with her husband Martin, Natalie runs the multi-award winning Londis Solo Convenience Store in Baillieston in Glasgow. Natalie and Martin are the reigning SLR Confectionery Retailers of the Year so are the perfect partners for a project aiming to boost sales in this vital category. The pair have been retailers for over 13 years and despite the store’s small size at under 600sq ft, they manage to maintain a strong range of products with a particular focus on confectionery.

Another seasoned retailer, Ferhan owns and runs a highly successful Day Today store in Prestonpans that offers a great range of products and services, including a significant food-to-go business. Ferhan is a very active, engaged retailer and is the current Scottish President of the Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN). He also has a very strong confectionery offering and relies heavily on his EPoS system to ensure his range is optimised and reviewed regularly.

The aim of the refresh was to grow the appeal of the brand to young adults. Fruittella’s carbon footprint was reduced through the use of thinner and more lightweight packaging that will save over five tonnes of plastic every year.

RESULTS We are delighted to report that the new ranges and POS were a big hit in-store for both Natalie and Ferhan – with full support from a PVM rep, both retailers embraced the opportunity enthusiastically. Ferhan comments: “When we first received the new gelatine-free stand, we sited it next to the ATM to try to drive impulse sales as customers waited on their cash. Sales were good and we were pleased – but then we moved the unit to the till point just to see what would happen. Wow! We sold the entire outer of Mentos Choco & Mint in a day and half. Our customers couldn’t get enough of them! “The Mentos Fruit product was also hugely popular and was our second-best seller, selling 24 packs in the first 24 hours. Mentos Rainbow and Spearmint were also popular and sold really, really well.” Mentos Choco & Mint was also Natalie’s star performer, as she explains: “Mentos Choco & Mint was our best selling product, and still is. We rattled through the outers in no time and, despite availability challenges from our wholesaler, we managed to get stock in and keep our customers happy! We sold 73 units of Mentos Choco & Mint in the first week and 59 and 50 respectively of the Mentos Mint and the Mentors Rainbow roll. “You have to remember that we didn’t stock most of these lines before so we’re growing the

category and we’re growing choice for our shoppers. We work hard to introduce new and interesting confectionery, so these lines have really helped.” Both Natalie and Ferhan said that a 2-for-£1 deal they trialled was an enormous success. “At the till point, a 2-for-£1 deal will always sell well and we will definitely be keeping these lines in stock moving forward,” says Natalie. “The stand is really vibrant and eye-catching too, so that definitely helps drive impulse sales. We’ve been really pleased!” Ferhan agrees: “The 2-for-£1 deal was a massive hit for us too. That really took sales up to another level and, as Natalie says, the stand

itself is really well designed. It’s quite compact but very eyecatching.” The lines have also been popular with shoppers doing home delivery orders, particularly when Natalie and Ferhan highlighted the new range on their social media posts. Ferhan explains: “PVM kindly did a very professional post for us, and we suggested that customers added a product or two to their home delivery order – and lots of them did! Every little additional sale matters, so it’s been a great project!”

For more information on this article, or PVM’s loyalty reward scheme, call 01753 442 112 www.slrmag.co.uk

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Inside Business

SLR Rewards 2021

SHORTLIST UNVEILED FOR SLR AWARDS 2021 The shortlist has been revealed after the successful completion of the first phase of judging.

A Virtual Festival of Excellence

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SLR Rewards 2021

Confectionery Retailer of the Year Q Day Today Armadale Q Day Today Stenhousemuir Q Premier Birnam Stores Q Spar Falkirk Food-to-Go Retailer of the Year Q Day Today Armadale Q Premier Birnam Stores Q Scotmid Bo’ness Q Spar Falkirk Fresh & Chilled Retailer of the Year Q Day Today Bourtreehill Q Scotmid Barnton Q Spar Coylton Q Spar Garthamlock

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Community Retailer of the Year Q Day Today Stenhousemuir Q Premier Linktown Local Q Watson’s Grocer Forecourt Retailer of the Year Q BP Mearnskirk Q Premier RaceTrack Autoport Q Watermill Service Station Home Delivery Retailer of the Year Q Greens of Ellon Q News Food & Wine Nethergate Q Premier Linktown Local New Store of the Year Q Londis Renton Q Premier RaceTrack Crowwood Q Scotmid Bo’ness

Newstrade Retailer of the Year Q Premier Turriff Refit of the Year Q Seafield Stores, Ayr Q What Everyone Wants, Hamilton Q Greens of Kirkcaldy Q Spar Coylton Q Spar Falkirk Off-Trade Retailer of the Year Q Watermill Service Station Q Day Today Armadale Q Greens of Ellon Sustainability Retailer of the Year Q Premier Linktown Local Q Seafield Stores, Ayr Q Premier RaceTrack Autoport Q Spar Colyton Q Watson’s Grocer Scottish Brands Retailer of the Year Q Greens of Ellon #ThinkSmart Innovation Award Q Spar Falkirk Q Londis Renton Q Premier RaceTrack Autoport Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year Q Day Today Bellsbank Team of the Year Q Spar Falkirk Q Barry’s@Clarkston Premier Q Spar Renfrew Q Blackadder Mini Market and Q Spar Sauchie Deli Q Premier Girvan Vaping & Nicotine Replacement Q Spar Renfrew Q Retailer of the Year Q Premier RaceTrack Autoport Q Spar Falkirk www.slrmag.co.uk

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Inside Business

Driver Shortage

LONG ROAD AHEAD Availability issues continue to hit retailers and consumers as the HGV shortage and other issues hit wholesalers. BY LIZ WELLS

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Driver Shortage

hoppers are increasingly reporting availability issues as the sector battles the effect of the driver shortage, the ‘Pingdemic’ and Brexit, new research reveals. Consumer research conducted for IGD over the weekend of 6 to 8 August 2021 finds that 56% of adults claim to have experienced shortages of some food and groceries in-store or online recently, up from 48% a week earlier. Claimed shortages remain highest for fresh produce (27% compared to 17% last week). Other high-ranking categories include fresh meat or fish (16%), dairy (13%), tins & packaged foods and soft drinks (both 11% each), bakery and household paper (both 10% each). The research shows that more adults (32%) have recently felt the need to stock up or purchase more than they normally, up from 27% last weekend. This is still relatively low: the figure was 50% in January 2021, with a high of 64% in April 2020. A third (34%) say they will or might stock up. This has remained stable compared to last weekend (33%). However, this is still lower than in January 2021 (45%) and March 2020 (60%). Stockpiling is highest among 18-24s (45%) and those with children at home (38%).

RETAILERS ACT In recent weeks independent retailers have been taking matters into their own hands by collecting their supplies from smaller wholesalers. Walsall retailer Amrit Singh has even bought a forklift to help. He tweeted: “I’m buying so much out of symbol so consistently pointless breaking mine and my staff ’s backs. This tool is a testament to our belief that buying from multiple suppliers and not relying on one will pay dividends.” Coventry-based retailer Paul Cheema was pictured in the Financial Times unloading stock he’d bought from a wholesaler in Birmingham. He told the newspaper: “It’s a pain, but we are here to serve our community and we need full shelves.” www.slrmag.co.uk

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Adrian Costain, who owns stores on Merseyside, also told the newspaper that he too has resorted to stocking up at a cash and carry. “We are obtaining a much better service from our smaller suppliers,” he said. Meanwhile, supermarket staff have hit the headlines for coming up with ingenious ways of hiding empty shelves – including single lines of products, filling shelves with cardboard boxes featuring pictures of missing items, and removing aisles all together. One shopworker tweeted: “Feel like permanently having a tab open on my phone regarding the issue. How can people be so blind to the fact that having a driver shortage is the issue not that the staff are too thick to order the stock in?”

NO END IN SIGHT And there seems no quick resolution in sight. Using military drivers had been touted as an easy solution to the problem, but the boss of the Road Haulage Association (RHA), Richard Burnett, told Sky News that deploying army personnel “will not scratch the surface” of the crisis. Reports suggest there are potentially 2,000 military drivers who could step in, but both the Department for Transport and Ministry of Defence have said that no official request had yet been made. The RHA estimates the shortfall of drivers, which stands at 100,000, will take 18 months to solve. Burnett says drivers are underpaid and wage increases will need to be paid for by customers. He RHA says the industry needs more government help with training and apprenticeships and is calling on the government to relax Brexit immigration rules to allow foreign drivers to return on a temporary basis. The call is supported by the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, which tweeted: “Putting the army on standby and extending drivers hours may be necessary short-term fixes for the

Inside Business

food distribution crisis, but don’t solve the HGV driver shortage. We need a seasonal visa scheme to bring in skilled EU drivers until longer-term measures are in place.” However, in a letter to Labour MPs – seen by PoliticsHome – Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said he was opposed to foreign workers being used to tackle the current shortfall in truck drivers. Writing to Shadow Roads Minister Kerry McCarthy, Shadow Home Secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds and Shadow Transport Secretary Jim McMahon, Shapps said: “Leaving the EU has provided us with the opportunity to introduce a new immigration system while building a more resilient domestic workforce.” He added: “I am sure you would agree on the importance of utilising our domestic workforce and supporting the many UK-based workers who now face an uncertain future due to the impact of the measures to tackle Covid-19 and need to find new employment opportunities.” So far the government has extended the relaxation of drivers’ hours until October. The move has been criticised by the Unite union, which believes that the relaxation of the driving regulations will not resolve the problem of driver shortages and could actually make the situation worse. They claim that more drivers will decide to leave the profession because of being required to work even longer hours. Unite National Officer for Road Transport, Adrian Jones, said: “Minimum driving hours are there to keep people safe. Relaxing them for six months of the year is foolhardy and will inevitably put workers and road users at risk. “We will continue advising our members not to put themselves in danger and to exercise their legal right to refuse to drive if they are too tired. The union will fully support those who make that decision, legally and industrially.” The government is also currently consulting on a package of measures to support recruitment and retention within the road haulage industry to ease pressure on the sector. AUGUST 2021 | SLR

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Inside Business

Company Profile | RELX

RELX: THE WORLD’S LEADING VAPING BRAND COMES TO SCOTLAND RELX is the world’s leading independent vaping brand, and now it’s targeting the UK market.

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RELX | Company Profile

Inside Business

“RELX has already secured listings in more than 2,000 outlets including WHSmith, VPZ, United Wholesale Scotland, off-licences, grocery and convenience.” www.slrmag.co.uk

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he vaping market has settled down in the UK over the last few years thanks to a period of consolidation - but that may all be about to change once more as RELX ramps up its presence in the UK market. RELX is the world’s leading independent vaping brand, yet very few in Scotland will even have heard of the brand. That is set to change. RELX branded products are designed at a cutting-edge research and development centre, and produced in the world’s largest e-cigarette factory. The brand mission is to make RELX a trusted brand for adult smokers through state-ofthe-art products, industry-leading technologies and scientific advances in collaboration with talented and committed people around the globe. The goal is to develop “future-forward solutions for one billion adult smokers*” and to be a truly global brand with deep local presence. The company has bases in 10 countries international any employs a team from more than 15 countries. Founded in 2018, RELX brand has been a fast growing vape brand globally and is now the world’s leading independent e-cigarette brand, based on Customs worldwide export data and sales data in the Chinese market. Using its own unique technologies, the company has developed a ‘SuperSmooth Performance’ product that delivers for modern vaping customers. RELX believes in finding “small but meaningful ways to design products to find the right balance of aesthetic appeal and an incredible user experience”. This translates into a device with up to two days’ extra battery life, an in-built vibration alert to let users know they’ve been perhaps using the device more often than they had intended to and an ergonomically designed mouthpiece for maximum comfort. All products are subject to RELX Standard quality control processes ensuring every product is of the highest quality and are produced in the world’s largest e-cigarette manufacturing facilities which adhere to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification, an internationally recognised standard which ensures every product is manufactured responsibly, and with high quality and sound production equipment. Every product, in fact, has to pass 18 individual Quality Control tests. AUGUST 2021 | SLR

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Inside Business

Company Profile | RELX

“RELX has 40,000 users in the UK and through OOH campaigns, social media presence, trade press and in-store activity, is helping grow that figure by the week.”

Since its inception, RELX has been committed to preventing the use of e-cigarettes by minors and people who are not smokers or vapers through its ‘Guardian Program’. RELX International works closely with all our partners throughout the value chain to ensure that our products are not designed, marketed, or sold to underaged users. The company undertakes proactive education and training of its retailers to ensure strict compliance with this commitment. It also adheres to its own voluntary International Marketing Guidelines which provide extensive guidance on how the company should market its products in a responsible and ethical manner. As a company that prides itself in its commitment to youth prevention, it sets high standards of responsibility for all its trade and retail partners. The company’s RELX Infinity device is now available in the UK in a wide choice of colours and limited edition designs with an RSP of £19.99 while it’s RELX Essential device is available for just £9.99. 32

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Pods for the device are available in two variants: the premium RELX Pod Pro at £7.99 and the RELX Pod at £5.99. An array of 16 flavours is available across the tobacco, menthol, fruity and drinks and desserts segments with more flavours coming next month. Despite being relatively new to the UK market, RELX has already secured listings in more than 2,000 outlets including WHSmith, VPZ, United Wholesale Scotland, off licenses, grocery and convenience. The company works together with YHJ Trading as a main distributor. RELX has 40,000 users in the UK and through OOH campaigns, social media presence, trade press and in-store activity, is helping grow that figure by the week. www.slrmag.co.uk

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Hotlines

Product News & Media Watch

Cesar Natural Goodness Mars Petcare The new natural-inspired range features a multipack format, and Cesar’s first wet multi-serve option that caters for two to three servings. Available now in three flavours, the products come in 100% recyclable packaging, contain 100% natural ingredients with vitamins and minerals, and are grain-free. The launch is supported by TV, digital and in-store promotion. Single cans RSP at £1.80 and a multipack of six at £10 (£8 on promotion).

Ritter Sport Mini Alfred Ritter Ritter Sport has launched its first countline, Ritter Sport Mini, which is available now in the brand’s top-selling milk chocolate varieties – Cornflake, Whole Hazelnuts, Alpine Milk Chocolate and Butter Biscuit. The 33g ‘duo’ packs RSP at 60p or 2 for £1 and the launch is supported by a consumer-facing social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram.

Full Mix Bars Nature Valley These ‘real food’ bars come to the UK after a successful US launch last year and are available in packs of 3 x 40g bars with an RSP of £2.89 (promotional launch RSP £1.50). The bars offer a multi-texture, multiflavour experience and come in two variants: Peanut Butter & Blueberry and Peanut Butter & Cranberry. Both are packed with berries, seeds, peanuts, wholegrain oats and peanut butter. The launch is supported by a £1.5m marketing campaign.

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Four new from Ferrero As summer starts to slip away and retailers’ thoughts turn to Halloween and Christmas beyond that, Ferrero has announced the launch of four new products across its Kinder, Ferrero Rocher and Thorntons brands.

Kinder Cards

Kinder Surprise Natoons

Following successful launches in Ireland, Italy, Germany and France, Ferrero is expanding its Kinder brand in the biscuit category with Kinder Cards. Available now, the launch is supported by a £1.82m media investment, including a TV campaign. Kinder Cards come in singleserve packs containing two biscuits, suited for on-the-go consumption. It also “provides shoppers with an ideal treat that is perfect for the whole family to enjoy during afternoon activities”. RSPs are T2: 55p (also PMP) and T8: £1.80.

Kinder Surprise is launching a new licence for its Kinder Surprise eggs in September, a range of animals from North America called Natoons, which will be available across both single and multi-pack Kinder Surprise eggs in convenience. Natoons will benefit from a £3.2m media spend including a TV advert that focuses on the new range. In addition, a dedicated suite of Natoons POS materials will be available. RSPs are T1 (20g): 99p and T3 (60g): £2.56.

Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Tablet Bars The confectionery giant is bringing its taste to the UK chocolate tablets segment for the first time, Ferrero Rocher Chocolate Tablet Bars will available in the convenience channel from October. The 90g bars come in three varieties: White Chocolate, Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate. The launch will be supported by a £2.55m campaign, including TV and in-store theatre. RSP: 90p

Cadbury Gifting Bars Mondelez Cadbury Dairy Milk is encouraging shoppers to spread around a little kindness this summer with its new limited-edition chocolate gifting bars. The new bars revamp the traditional Dairy Milk packaging with uplifting quotes that include ‘Perfect just the way you are’ and ‘You’re all kinds of amazing’. The limitededition Dairy Milk bars are available until the end of September with an RSP of £4.23.

Thorntons Pearls Ferrero UK is expanding Thorntons’ boxed chocolate range with the launch of Thorntons Pearls in two premium flavours: Hazelnut Delight and Salted Caramel Sensation. Available now, the range offers shoppers the perfect treat to enjoy while sharing with loved ones. Thorntons Pearls will benefit from support across multiple touchpoints including TV, shopper activations, social activity and sampling. RSP: £4.50

Chocolate M&M’s Hi Protein Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats New Chocolate M&M’s Hi Protein whey protein powder (875g) contains 21g protein and 141 calories per serving, with an RSP of £19.99. It follows on from the launch of M&M’s Hi Protein Chocolate and M&M’s Hi Protein Chocolate Peanut bars last year, which proved to be the range’s bestselling launch of 2020.

Nurishh Bel UK Nurishh, Bel UK’s first range of plant-based alternatives to cheese, approved by the Vegan Society, is available now. The range comprises: Plant Based Alternative to Camembert (RSP £3.50, 140g, cases of 4), Cheddar & Mozzarella Style Blend Grated (RSP £2.50, 150g, cases of 6) and Mozzarella Style Block (RSP £2.50, 200g, cases of 6). Over 20% of shoppers say they are interested in following a vegan diet.

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Product News & Media Watch Rockstar Original No Sugar Britvic

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Chicken Meatballs Princes

Offering the same flavour, functional benefits and Vitamin C content of Rockstar Original, a No Sugar variant is available now in a £1.19 price-marked 500ml can format in cases of 12. A plain (non-PMP) and four-pack will also roll out in October. The brand has also launched a new international platform, titled ‘Life is your stage’. This includes a digital campaign, in-store activity, out-of-home advertising and digital POS.

Rainbow Magic Dr. Oetker

Princes has launched a range of canned chicken meatballs to cater for an increase in demand for canned foods. Two variants are available now, both with an RSP of 69p: Princes Chicken Meatballs in Tomato Sauce and Princes Chicken Meatballs in Gravy. There were 3.7m new shoppers in total Canned Ready Meals last year, with the category holding a particular appeal for younger shoppers.

Harvest Snaps Calbee

The latest addition to the home baking brand’s ultimate sprinkle range follows other fun sprinkle products Unicorn Confetti and Glamour & Sparkle. Rainbow Magic (RSP £2.99) can be added to buttercream or icing just before it sets as a finishing touch to cupcakes or fullsized cakes. It can also be added onto ice cream for some extra colour. ‘Rainbow’ is a growing trend across home baking.

Already popular in the USA and Australia, Harvest Snaps launches in September in two options: Sour Cream & Chive Lentil Rings and Thai Sweet Chilli Lentil Puffs. A variety of pack formats are available, including portion-controlled six packs, singles and sharing bags. The vegetable and pulsebased snacks provide a healthy alternative to traditional fried crisps and snacks, as they are baked not fried.

Hotlines

The taste of magic Irn-Bru is back on screens as part of a £6m investment in the brand. The ad is set in a wild west saloon, where a bar brawl of heated Bru fans erupts – with each patron declaring their variant is the definitive Irn-Bru taste through fisticuffs. Thankfully, order is restored by a lone cowboy, who strikes peace by proposing everyone agrees “it tastes magic”.

Feel the good Working in partnership with the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes, Mars Petcare has unveiled a new £1.3m TV campaign for Pedigree with the tag line ‘Feel the good. Adopt’. The ad aims to highlight the good that can come from pet adoption, showcasing the unconditional love and happiness that adopted pets can bring to families.

Barr’s bans boring Barr Soft Drinks is bringing back its ‘No Added Boring campaign’ for Rubicon as part of a £4m investment in the brand. The campaign invites shoppers to step away from the mundane and try something more interesting. It will reach 87% of 16-34 years olds seven times and includes TV, video-on-demand, Spotify, social media and out-of-home activity.

Melts in mouths Old El Paso Tortilla Pockets Smoky BBQ General Mills

Soreen Malt Lunchbox Loaves Samworth Brothers

Available now with an RSP of £3.79, the SKU combines the brand’s firstto-market sealed bottom wraps with its classic and best-selling smoky BBQ flavour profile and aims to build on the success of the Old El Paso Tortilla Pockets range. Since launching last summer, the platform has been 64% incremental to the category, driving +13% of all value growth in Mexican over the last year.

Previously only available as a multipack of five, Soreen’s individually wrapped Lunchbox Loaves are now available in a more convenient 10-pack size (RSP £2). A school compliant snack, the loaves contain 100 calories a portion and 50% less sugar than the average cake bar, as well as being low in fat and a source of fibre. They are also vegan-friendly.

Weetabix Melts is hitting TV screens for the first time this summer as part of a £2.5m brand investment. The ad brings to life Melts’ key messaging of taste and excitement, through a combination of live action and animation, playing on the humorous contrast between a relatable family breakfast scene and the taste sensation in their mouths.

Just the tonic Schweppes has launched a new multimillion-pound marketing campaign which celebrates the Great British public’s resilience and determination to enjoy the summer. Two 10-second TV adverts that celebrate the return of summer social occasions are backed up by out-of-home advertising and social media activity.

for all the latest product news, head to www.slrmag.co.uk/category/product-news/ www.slrmag.co.uk

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Feature

Soft Drinks

HEALTH AND WELLBEING:

THE KEY TO UNLOCKING NEW GROWTH

Britvic’s Soft Drinks Review has identified an £812 opportunity for every convenience store through the functional wellness drinks segment, as almost half of people eat foods to support their immune system. BRITVIC’S STEPS TO SOFT DRINKS SUCCESS 1. Protect loyalty in take home – Take home soft drinks shoppers are hugely valuable to convenience versus an average shopper, spending £894 a year versus £446 on average, with spend growing by £58 in 2020 [Kantar, 2020]. 2. Recover and reset food-to-go sales – with soft drinks the leading category bought on food-to-go missions, it is well placed to support retailers recover and reset sales by having the right range to meet new consumer needs. 3. Hero functional wellness to drive more value per drink – provide a range of great tasting drinks for consumers to manage their health, whether that be sugar free, low calorie or natural options, or through functional wellness drinks with added benefits that offer a chance for retailers to drive up the cost per drink.

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t will come as no surprise to learn that more shoppers than ever are interested in their health and wellbeing in general, and in the proper functioning of their immune system in particular. In fact, almost half of all consumers (47%) surveyed by ShopperVista for IGD in recent research said they intended to eat more foods that will help support their immune systems going forward. According to the same research, around one in five people have also begun taking vitamins since the start of the first lockdown, with 66% stating ‘added ingredients to make it healthier’ as important vs 60% pre-Covid. More than a quarter (27%) want to reduce sugar. Phil Sanders, Out of Home Commercial Director at Britvic says this represents a major opportunity for local retailers: “The functional wellness market is currently worth an impressive £240.1m [Nielsen, Jan 2021], and what’s more, shoppers are willing to pay more than double the average price for premium soft drinks with added benefits than a soft drink or 34% more than the average single serve, which is already priced at a premium. “It’s vital that retailers are adapting their ranges accordingly to take advantage of this shift in consumer demand.” Sanders recommends Britvic’s Purdey’s as being perfectly placed to lead the wellness soft drinks category. It’s already the UK’s leading sparkling vitality brand and is made with naturally sourced ingredients – real fruit

juice, boosted by botanicals and energising B vitamins – and offers a no added sugar energy lift, something that Britvic says shoppers are on the lookout for. In its recent Soft Drinks Report, Britvic says local retailers are in a great place to leverage the strengthened bond between local retailers and communities across Scotland. Sanders comments: “Convenience retailers and their stores have been a lifeline for many through the pandemic – proven by the sector’s growth as shopper habits shifted and evolved. Local retailers are perfectly placed to capitalise on the growth of the functional wellness drinks segment. We calculate that there is a £27m opportunity this year, equating to an additional £812 per store [Nielsen IQ, Britvic]. At a time when the pandemic has shone a light on health and wellness for many, 37% of people are now positively interested in premium soft drinks with added benefits [Mintel].” One brand making no sugar waves this summer is Rockstar, thanks to the launch of Rockstar Original No Sugar for the convenience channel. Providing the same great flavour, functional benefits and Vitamin C content of Rockstar Original, the no sugar alternative offers customers greater choice when it comes to energy drinks. Rockstar Original No Sugar will help entice new shoppers into the segment and is available in a £1.19 price-marked 500ml format. It also supports independent retailers in driving www.slrmag.co.uk

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Boost Rio Trade_IND RETAIL NEWS 210x297 copy.pdf

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BRAND GROWTH OF +14% VALUE YOY FASTEST GROWING FLAVOUR

DELIVERING GREAT CASH MARGINS DON’T MISS OUT, STOCK UP NOW! www.drinkrio.com *IRI Marketplace Data Symbols & Independents 52 weeks Total Soft Drinks 21st February 2021

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Feature

Soft Drinks

impulse sales, as more people return to on-thego activities. The brand will also be front of mind this summer, through the brand’s new international platform ‘Life is your stage’ – which includes a digital campaign, in-store, out-of-home, and digital points of sale. A plain (non-PMP) and 4-pack will also roll out in October. Energy giant Red Bull agrees that healthier options represent a big opportunity for retailers. A spokesperson said: “Red Bull has long committed to offering shoppers choice across the portfolio. From core SKUS like the iconic single-serve Red Bull 250ml to sugar free and flavours, the Red Bull proposition has something for every shopper and every retailer. “As consumers increasingly pick up a sugar free alternative, the Red Bull portfolio has been enhanced to include a sugar free variant of almost every pack in the range. This has clearly resounded with shoppers as in the latest six months, Red Bull sold 33.3% more sugar free volume through multipacks – with these variants also growing penetration by 31.9%. “Bringing a reformulated Red Bull Zero back to the market last year has driven brand growth and driven engagement with new shoppers. Selling more than 1.4m cans since its 2020 re-launch, Red Bull Zero is one of the biggest NPD contributors of growth to the overall Sports & Energy category, adding almost £1.9m of value as part of Red Bull’s £35.4m MAT growth vs 2019. Due to strong rate of sale, trade and shopper demand for this pack, we have launched a Red Bull Zero 250ml four-pack to meet these emerging needs for bigger packs for sharing, storing and enjoying.” Matt Gouldsmith, Channel Director, Wholesale, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I also sees the same opportunity: “We have seen a long-term trend towards drinks with lower sugar as consumers are becoming more aware of their health and wellbeing. Diet continues to outperform regular soft drinks, with a 63% volume share of total soft drinks. As such, retailers should ensure to stock up on pricemarked formats of lower-sugar drinks such as Lucozade Zero and Ribena Light to capitalise on the ongoing trend towards lower-sugar choices.” While healthier options may be in the limelight with sugar free options mopping up almost two-thirds of sales, that still leaves a third of sales in traditional full sugar products, so there’s still plenty of scope for sales, particularly around NPD from major brands like Ribena. 38

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New this summer is Ribena Cherry Twist, available in price-marked 500ml bottles made from 100% recycled plastic – just as the rest of the core Ribena range is. Sales of cherry-flavoured drinks are growing at 20.2% [IRI, Feb 2021] year-on-year. Given Ribena brings in more shoppers than any other juice brand [Kantar, 2021], Ribena Cherry Twist in its eye-catching bottle design is set to be a hit with consumers. With one third of shoppers now choosing to buy from brands that they believe are doing social or environmental good, and 92% [Unilever] saying sustainable business practices should now be standard, the 100% recycled bottle should be another reason to buy for many shoppers. “We’ve also unveiled new transparent sleeves to enable bottle-to-bottle recycling on our biggest brand, Lucozade Energy,” says Gouldsmith. “The new transparent sleeves mean that all the brand’s bottles can be funnelled into a clear plastic waste stream, helping give every bottle the optimum chance of getting recycled back into a new bottle.” Barr Soft Drinks is also embracing sustainability and has unveiled plans to become carbon net zero by 2040. Under its No Time To Waste initiative, the company will be bringing together multiple energy, packaging and waste programmes to become more sustainable. Building on changes that have already been implemented, such as 100% recyclable soft drinks packaging, clear on-pack messaging and a 41% reduction in greenhouse gases, No Time

To Waste will drive forward even more measures to reduce overall environmental impact. This will include, significantly reducing the use of virgin plastic through 100% recycled film on all multipacks, introducing paper straws on smaller juice packs and being one of the first in the UK to introduce plant-based plastics in its 1-litre cartons.

RETAILER-TESTED ADVICE Suntory recently worked with independent retailer Suki Athwal of Shop Around the Clock, Kent, to find out how small changes can help to grow soft drinks sales: 1. Give drink-later drinks more prominence Drink-later drink sales have grown by 8% during lockdown, so bringing these formats into the main chiller can help to drive sales. 2. Give your biggest sellers the prime position To drive sales, put the biggest sellers on a priority shelf in line with where shoppers’ eyes will naturally be drawn. 3. Range drinks by category, not supplier A lot of retailers range their drinks by supplier – but shoppers don’t shop this way. Range products together by type – colas with colas and all flavoured carbs together, for example – so shoppers can easily find what they want.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

INCREASE YOUR SUMMER SOFT DRINKS SALES

PHIL SANDERS GB Out of Home Commercial Director, Britvic

Despite the pandemic limiting the on-the-go opportunity for many retailers,

28M consumers still bought drinks to enjoy on the move last year1. Coupled with the fact that soft drinks remain the number one category bought on a food to go mission2, retailers have an opportunity to drive further soft drink sales this summer and beyond by following Britvic’s simple steps to success:

Range for today and tomorrow balanced range in order to meet consumers’ evolving needs while on-the-go. A balanced range includes core bestsellers such as Robinsons Ready to Drink, low and no sugar options including Pepsi MAX® and 7UP Free, exciting NPD like Tango Sugar Free Dark Berry, and drinks with functional benefits such as Purdey’s.

Easy to navigate Ease of shop is the fourth-most important factor to shoppers when choosing a convenience store2, so it is crucial that retailers signpost their onthe-go range for shoppers in a hurry. By creating a ‘Food to Go Zone’ and grouping meal deal and snack deal items together, stores can do

just that. When it comes to soft drinks, the chiller should be segmented so products for similar occasions are grouped together, with the most popular brands stocked at eye-level to make them stand out.

Soft drinks preferences are changing, and all generations are choosing healthier, more experiential, innovative and sustainable products3. There is an incredible amount of choice in the market, but whether shoppers are looking for drinks to enjoy with food, to provide a boost of energy or to hydrate and relax, retailers should aim to achieve a

DELICIOUSLY

FRUITY REASSURINGLY ROBINSONS

Robinsons has relaunched Refresh’d to Robinsons ‘Ready to Drink’ in two great tasting flavours: Raspberry & Apple and Peach & Mango. Sporting a brand-new look, the duo delivers full taste with real fruit in every drop and is ideal for shoppers who are looking to stay refreshed and hydrated while on-the-go this summer.

Connect complimentary categories Connect complementary categories – 52% of shoppers are always on the lookout for a meal deal when buying food to go, so retailers can 1 2 3

boost on-the-go soft drinks sales by creating and clearly highlighting meal deal solutions, encouraging cross-category purchases.

In fact, soft drinks are chosen on 35.3% of snacking visits too2, so including a thirst quencher in a bundle with snacks can help boost spend.

Kantar OOH Purchase Panel, Total Market, Total Soft Drinks Single Serve, 52 w.e. 27.12.2020 Lumina Intelligence Convenience Tracking Programme, 4 w/e data from w/e 22nd November 2020 to w/e 27th June 2021 IGD ShopperVista Food-to-go: what next for shoppers? May 2021

SLR August 2021.indd 39 OTG brief - Robinsons - Advert - A4 - FV.indd 1 OMG197810 - ETP - SLR-

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Feature

Tobacco

ILLICIT BATTLE GATHERS PACE Illicit tobacco, the scourge of the independent retailing sector, continues to be a huge challenge but major suppliers like Imperial Tobacco are leading from the front in support of legitimate retailers.

llicit tobacco has long been an enormous challenge for legitimate retailers and the flux of the last year and a half has no doubt contributed to the problem – but the fightback continues and is being led by major suppliers like Imperial Tobacco. The company has recently removed the gantries from two retailers found to be in possession of counterfeit tobacco and has also upgraded and improved its antiillicit trade website. The two retailers, in Bolton and Banbury, had their gantries removed by Imperial Tobacco following discovery of violations of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016. They will no longer receive any sales support from Imperial. Mr Din of AHZ News in Bolton was convicted by magistrates for possession of counterfeit tobacco after pleading guilty to a total six offences relating to Imperial brand cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco. A raid by local Trading Standards resulted in Din’s premises licence being revoked by Bolton Council and he was ordered

to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work. In addition, Din was banned from being a company director for five years and ordered to pay costs of £2,000 towards Bolton Council’s prosecution costs, plus an £85 victim surcharge. Banbury shop owner, Mr Malhotra, of Rowley’s Food, was ordered to pay back £75,000 after local Trading Standards seized nearly 3,000 illegal cigarettes. As a result of the conviction, Malhotra and the company were sentenced to fines of £2,450 each and ordered to pay £75,000, alongside £6,220.70 in prosecution costs. James Hall, Anti-Illicit Trade Manager, Imperial Tobacco UK, comments: “We are fully supportive of law enforcement agencies in their endeavour to demonstrate that illicit tobacco trade will not be tolerated. It harms honest retailers and damages communities. We applaud the local Trading Standards teams for securing these convictions, whilst also recognising the wider success Trading Standards authorities are achieving across the UK in the ongoing fight against illegal tobacco.”

To help retailers report suspected illicit activity, Imperial has also announced the launch of its new and improved anti-illicit trade website as part of its continued ‘Suspect it? Report it!’ trade campaign to tackle illegal sales of tobacco. The redeveloped website is set to continue as a valuable resource for information about the illegal tobacco problem in the UK, with the site containing information about the latest developments in illicit tobacco via an updated news page and Twitter feed. Hall comments: “Illicit tobacco remains a serious problem. Between 2018-19, estimates show 8% of cigarettes and 33% of handrolling tobacco were non-UK duty paid, meaning the Government lost £1.9bn in tobacco tax revenue. That means that since 2000, £47bn in tax revenue has been lost as a result of non UK duty paid cigarettes or tobacco being sold in the UK. “With many illicit tobacco sellers having links to other organised crime activities, the money raised from the sale of these ‘cheap cigarettes’ is often funnelled

towards other illegal operations. It is therefore vital that staff are educated and aware of the signs, so that they, alongside the store owners, can keep a watchful eye and notify the relevant authorities.” Hall adds: “According to recent figures, 78% of those who are aware of illicit tobacco being sold in the last 12 months haven’t reported it, with just 19% saying they did. Our aim is that this redeveloped site will help retailers to remain vigilant and raise awareness of the scale of the problem at hand. As well as keeping retailers informed, we want to encourage retailers to report any suspected sellers in their area to our salesforce through our dedicated SARA (Suspicious Activity Reporting App) trade platform, or our anti-illicit trade hotline.” Since the site’s initial launch in 2018, there has been a steady increase in reporting, with percentage rates rising year-onyear and over 2,858 reports shared to date. To find out more visit suspectit-report-it.co.uk and follow @suspect_report on Twitter.

“Banbury shop owner Mr Malhotra of Rowley’s Food was ordered to pay back £75,000.” Before

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After

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Stock up on Players Easy Rolling Tobacco Our cheapest Rolling Tobacco* High qualitty y

Easy rolling blen

30g RRP ††

£11.95

For Tobacco Traders Only. *Based on ITUK RRP as at July 2021. **For promotional dates, contact your local supplier. Based on a retailer buying at wholesale price and selling at RRP from June Jun 2021. ††RRP: For the avoidance of doubt, retailers are free at all times to determine the selling price of their products.

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Feature

Healthier Options

HEALTHIER OPTIONS, HEALTHIER SALES

The slow but steady drift towards greater consumer demand for healthier options shows no sign of relenting and could even have been accelerated by the pandemic – a trend that retailers may be wise to reflect in their ranges.

hen the Scottish Government committed in 2018 to halving childhood obesity by 2030, the direction of travel could only be in one direction for foods designated to be ‘unhealthy’. Fairly robust legislation such as the soft drinks sugar tax shows the seriousness with which the government views this issue and while the implementation of the new HFSS (high fat, salt, sugar) legislation has been postponed in Scotland, it seems clear that the war on products and categories that have traditionally been at the core of convenience retailing will be fought until it is ‘won’. 42

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But it’s not just legislative pressure that is impacting upon ranges in many key categories. Good quality research clearly shows that there is also growing demand for healthier options instore. So, what does that mean for retailers? Well, it certainly doesn’t mean turning every convenience store into an old-school greengrocers offering nothing but fresh fruit and veg and pure Scottish water. As always, it’s about balance and about offering shoppers more choice, giving them the option to choose a healthier product a little more often. The key suppliers in most categories have embraced this trend, particularly in high volume ones like soft drinks. Sugar-free drinks now outsell full sugar options, and that trend is only set to continue. But there’s also a trend towards products that are not simply ‘less bad for you’, but products that actively contribute to a healthier lifestyle. Phil Sanders, Out of Home Commercial Director at Britvic, comments: “Following the pandemic, consumers have become considerably more health conscious, with 59% of people stating they are now considering their health more when they shop [Accenture, Mar/ Apr 2020]. An additional one in five people have begun to take vitamins since the start of the first lockdown, while 47% agree they will eat more foods to support their immune system [IGD, Sep 2020]. This trend looks set to continue, driving demand for ‘natural’ energy that also offers additional functional benefits to meet different needs.” These health trends, accelerated by the pandemic, have driven the growth of the

‘wellness’ drinks segment, and resulted in an increase in first-time customers. The trend is good news for retailers: the average spend on wellness drinks is now more than twice the average price per litre spent on soft drinks [Nielsen, Feb 2021], so it is unsurprising the segment is booming. “It will be particularly important in the convenience channel, as lockdown restrictions are lifted and customers increasingly look for on-thego drinks that will help them manage their daily energy levels, or for relaxation – depending on the type of wellness drink,” says Sanders. Britvic’s Purdey’s, the natural energy drinks brand, has broad appeal, says Sanders, making it ideally placed to lead in the wellness drinks segment. The brand’s ambition is to make wellness drinks accessible to more people, by aligning with current consumer trends and providing great taste. “The brand delivers the important factors customers look for in functional soft drinks – clear benefits, great taste and healthier ingredients,” believes Sanders. “Purdey’s has had a successful past four years, seeing growth of almost 70% [Nielsen, Dec 2020] and adding £3.5m of additional value to the soft drinks category [Kantar, Dec 2020]. As a result, the brand is now worth £10.9m [Nielsen, Jan 2021]. The brand is aiming to continue this growth in 2021, with the introduction of two new flavours for those seeking energy but looking for a more ‘natural’ lift: Q Refocus is a blend of dark fruits, naturally caffeinated and contains guarana and www.slrmag.co.uk

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Healthier Options

B-Vitamins – inspired by people wanting to stay sharp Q Replenish is a lighter refreshing blend of sparkling raspberry juices with rose extract. It is under 50 calories per bottle, enriched with B-Vitamins and magnesium to help to restore natural balance. The brand is also undergoing a complete redesign with the functional benefits further highlighted to increase stand-out on shelf and help make wellness more accessible for consumers. Unsurprisingly in the current climate, nearly half of people (47%) are eating more foods to support their immune system [IGD, Sep 2020]. This trend has also been visible in the soft drinks category, with 31% of shoppers now interested in premium soft drinks that contain additional functional attributes [Mintel, April 2020]. The megatrand of veganism and vegetarianism may have gone a little quieter in the last year but plant-based eating is most definitely still a thing and has, arguably, gone mainstream. With many major retailers and wholesalers investing significantly in their vegan product ranges, it’s becoming even easier for people to make the switch or at least cut down on their meat consumption. According to the Vegan Society, 7.2 million British adults currently follow a meat-free diet

– an increase of 40% over the past 12 months. What’s more, it predicts that 13 million Brits will be meat-free by the end of 2021. The fact that Purdey’s has always been made from naturally sourced ingredients and is Vegan approved, recognised by The Vegetarian Society, helps broaden its appeal. This trend is also great news for plant-based brands such as Quorn which is currently back on TV. The campaign, which is set to reach over 22m shoppers, will continue throughout September and October, with Quorn Nuggets as the hero SKU. The campaign focuses on ‘tasteimonials’, in-store activation, targeted social media and experiential activity to drive sales and increase brand awareness. “The UK’s No.1 nugget in the meat-free category and ‘Netmums recommended’ product is a firm favourite in shopping baskets already,” says Gill Riley, Marketing Director at Quorn Foods UK. “We know great tasting food is key to encouraging people to try meat-free and we believe we have the best-tasting meat free nuggets on the market. One of our missions at Quorn is to inspire future generations to eat healthily and establish sustainable eating habits. One of the best ways we can protect the planet is by reducing the meat in our diets, and it doesn’t have to be difficult.”

Feature

“The average spend on wellness drinks is now more than twice the average price per litre spent on soft drinks in general.”

LIFT YOUR SALES WITH PURDEY’S NATURAL ENERGY +£3.5m incremental value to soft drinks over 4 years*

New £27m category opportunity**

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*Kantar Worldpanel, Total Take Home Soft Drinks, 52w data to 27.12.2020 **NielsenIQRMS, Total Impulse, Value Share of Soft Drinks vs. Functional Wellness –opportunity calculated based on functional wellness matching fair share of soft drinks, 52we 4.1.19 vs. Yr. Ago

Time to

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Feature

Forecourts

EV BRINGS CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES There are challenges and opportunities in equal measure for Scottish forecourts as the CMA highlights concerns about a lack of choice and availability of electric vehicle chargepoints. BY LIZ WELLS

s political momentum continues to build around electric vehicles (EVs), there are both challenges and opportunities aplenty for forecourt retailers in Scotland. The latest salvo sees the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) set out measures to ensure a UK-wide national network of electric vehicle chargepoints is in place ahead of the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. The CMA is concerned about the choice and availability of chargepoints at service stations, particularly on main roads and motorways and is also concerned that the roll-out of onstreet charging by local authorities is too slow. It also highlights how rural areas risk being left behind with too few chargepoints due to lack of investment. The CMA’s key recommendations are that: Q UK government sets out an ambitious national strategy for rolling out EV charging between now and 2030. This must sit alongside strategies from the Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland governments, building on the work already being undertaken by all governments. Energy regulators should also ensure that it’s quicker and cheaper to connect new chargepoints. Q Governments support local authorities (LAs) to boost roll-out of on-street charging – including defining a clear role for LAs to manage the roll-out in their area and providing funding for the expertise needed for this to happen. Q UK government attaches conditions to its £950m Rapid Charging Fund, which it is planning to use for grid upgrades at motorway service stations, to open up competition so

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that drivers have a choice of charging provider at each service station. Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “There needs to be action now to address the postcode lottery in EV charging as we approach the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars by 2030. “Our recommendations will promote strong competition, encourage more investment, and build people’s trust, both now and in the future. The CMA has also opened a competition law investigation into EV charging along motorways and will continue to work with government and the industry to help ensure electric vehicle charging is a success.” Meanwhile, seven major British companies, including the operators of some of the largest commercial vehicle fleets in the country, are working together to work to help accelerate the mass adoption of electric vehicles across the UK. The seven companies – BP, BT, Direct Line Group, Royal Mail, Scottish Power, Severn Trent and Tesco – are working together as the Electric Vehicle Fleet Accelerator (EVFA). The companies are aiming to use electric fleets as a catalyst to speed up widespread conversion to electric vehicles across Britain. The EVFA has published a 35-page report which details how supportive government policy could help unlock private sector investment of £50bn in infrastructure and in electric fleets in the UK over the next five years. If the government delivers on this agenda, the EVFA members have committed to converting their fleets to electric vehicles by 2030, and to buying 70,000 British-built vans by 2030 or sooner.

The EVFA report spells out detailed recommendations for action, immediately and over the next decade and by both industry and government. It is focused in four key areas: Q Future-proofing the electricity network infrastructure: ensuring that price controls and funding measures reflect the scale of the challenge, the need to invest in the network ahead of need, and support levelling up with investment in areas the market doesn’t reach. Q Enabling the UK-wide rollout of charging infrastructure: fast-tracking EV charging infrastructure in the planning system, aligning with local authorities to unlock land for charging infrastructure, and setting clear funding frameworks. Q Overcoming demand obstacles: increasing capital support for grid reinforcement costs, introducing minimum standards for reliability, safety and interoperability, and improving access to public charging networks. Q Expanding the supply of UK-made vehicles: providing strong demand signals to OEMs from fleets, setting increasing requirements for zero-emissions vehicles for manufacturers, and incentivising the second-hand electric vehicle market with VAT exemption. Tesco Chief Executive Ken Murphy said the supermarket giant will fully electrify its fleet by 2028 as part of its commitment to net zero. He said: “Businesses can support the UK’s transition to zero emissions transport by switching to electric company fleets and helping customers do the same. If implemented, the recommendations in this report will deliver game-changing electric vehicle infrastructure for businesses and the public.” www.slrmag.co.uk

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UTC

IS THAT A JET FORECOURT? Despite appearances, UTC is very much a man on top of the biggest trends in local retailing, so he’s all over ‘destination stores’ like a cheap suit. These days, as we all know, you have to become a ‘destination store’, you have to give your customers compelling reasons to pass someone else’s store to get to yours. For some retailers, that means a Costa machine or maybe a Fwip unit. But not Ian Aitkenhead, former owner of Bishopmill Service Station in Elgin. He plumped for an RAF Cold War-era Blackburn Buccaneer attack jet. Clearly a man ahead of his time, Ian said he got the jet for a “few thousand pounds” back in 1996 and it’s been proudly taking up a lot of space on the forecourt ever since. As footfall drivers go, it’s been pretty reliable with streams of tourists visiting to get a selfie with it. “It has been very well photographed over the years,” said Ian with the sort of laidback understatement that endeared him to UTC. Unfortunately, Ian has now sold his store and the new owners want shot of his plane. It’s a snip at just £28k, so if you’re interested just visit Gumtree. It shouldn’t be too hard to find. There aren’t that many Buccaneer attack jets for sale.

A TRUFFLE EXCESSIVE

WATER YOU PLAYING AT?

As regular readers will know, despite the auld boy’s fondness for a Gregg’s sausage roll and a Scotch pie, he actually fancies himself as a bit of a foodie. So he’s always lurking around the darker corners of the internet looking for that something special to liven up a Friday evening in with Mrs UTC. His latest find is genuine truffle crisps – and he thought he would share his find with some of SLR’s more upmarket local retailers. At a tenner a bag, they’re reassuringly extortionate and should help sort the wheat from the chaff in your store. Made using real truffles by a company called TruffleHunter, they come in two suitably posh flavours: White Truffle & Lobster and Black Truffle. We’re not talking Walkers Prawn Cocktail here. We’re talking the real deal. And they even come in compostable bags so your more sophisticated shoppers can feel smug about saving the world while they offer a glass of Dom Perignon and some truffle crisps out to their dinner guests before watching Love Island on the sofa. You’re welcome, he says.

As the auld boy will angrily tell you, the only thing you should put in a glass of whisky is more whisky. Connoisseurs insist, however, that adding a little touch of water helps to release the flavours of the whisky. Lots of whisky buffs people swear by it – but UTC isn’t one of them. Grouse tastes just fine on its own, thank you very much. So you can imagine the flurry of flabbergasted emails to his colleagues when he received a press release from Scottish firm Birkentree which has specifically launched a birch water that “naturally complements single malts”. A what water? Did they just say birch water? As in, water from birch trees? Apparently so. It’s a snip at £5.95 for 100ml and, according to Birkentree, the optimum ratio of whisky to birch water is 50:50. UTC’s fine comments shall go unrecorded.

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SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic. Grocery colleagues have access to:

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.” - Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President

Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry. Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.

GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us:

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