SLR November 2022 Edition

NEWS

p6 Financial Results CJ Lang’s strategy delivers positive results, with a 10% rise in pre-tax profits.

p7 Grocery Sales British shoppers focus on four main coping strategies to manage rising inflation.

p8 Legislation Usdaw supports shopworkers enforcing the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles Act.

p10 Cost-of-Living Crisis Scottish c-stores play key role in giving customers access to key government benefits.

p12 Forecourts Forecourt retailers investing in efficiency and services, says ACS Forecourt Report.

p14 News Extra Vaping The Scottish government’s proposals to ban the promotion of vaping products in stores have failed to secure majority support.

p24 Product News Skittles seeks to document LGBTQ+ history and Coca-Cola expands its football partnerships.

p26 Off-Trade News Pernod Ricard gears up for Christmas and Bombay Sapphire unveils a new global campaign.

INSIDE BUSINESS

p29 Store Profile Premier Racetrack Bearsden SLR visits the stunning store that played a pivotal role in deciding who was crowned Retailer of the Year at the SLR Awards.

p34 SGF Conference 2022 Last month’s event saw the trade gather in Glasgow to reflect on the last few years and plan for a future that’s approaching faster than ever.

p36 Store Profile Premier Talbot Stores, Poole SLR visits the seaside to view Premier’s 4000th store, which offers the latest insight into the direction the symbol group is taking.

p39 SLR Products of the Year Awards It’s time to cast your votes for the products launched this year that have made a big impact on your store’s sales.

p40 Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns.

p58 Under The Counter Has the Auld Boy found his dream job with Heineken? Probably not.

FEATURES

p42 Vaping Sales in the vaping category continue to grow, fuelled by the Stoptober campaign and budget concerns.

p44 Christmas Drinks This promises to be a big Christmas for retailers, with many consumers planning large get-togethers.

p46 Forecourts The Forecourt Report 2022 highlights the valuable role that forecourt stores play in their communities.

p48 Sports & Energy Growth, innovation and opportunity are driving the sports & energy category.

p54 Christmas Top Up SLR reveals the key categories and new products set to help fire up the festive season.

UK grocery price inflation rises

Grocery inflation has hit a new peak and now stands at 13.9%, according to new Kantar figures. The data reveals grocery sales rose by 4.8% in the 12 weeks to 2 October 2022. The average household is facing a £643 jump in its annual grocery bill to £5,265 if it keeps buying the same items, Kantar says. Sales of supermarket own-label lines increased by 8.1% in September, while branded items fell by 0.7%.

ACS signs up to UK Plastics Pact

ACS is signing up as a supporter of the Waste and Resources Action Programme’s (WRAP’s) UK Plastics Pact, joining other business groups in committing to making the convenience sector more sustainable. The Plastics Pact’s main objective is eliminating problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery models.

Morrisons to sell McColl’s Perth store

Morrisons will have to sell the McColl’s store in Perth and 27 stores in England and Wales after the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said it is “minded to accept” the supermarket’s proposals to resolve competition concerns raised by its takeover of the convenience retailer. Morrisons has offered to divest the stores to a purchaser or purchasers to be approved by CMA.

Millions skipping meals due to cost-of-living crisis

Millions of households are skipping meals or finding it hard to put healthy meals on the table as they struggle with the cost-of-living crisis, according to data from consumer champion Which?. The organisation is calling on retailers to ensure that budget lines are widely available across their stores, particularly in those areas where they are needed most.

CJ Lang’s strategy delivers positive results

CJ Lang & Son has reported a 10.7% increase in pre-tax pro ts to £3.4m for the year ending 30 April 2022, with margin up 0.3% to 23.3%.

However, the Spar Scotland wholesaler and retailer’s turnover for the year was down 0.1% to £212.3m.

e company said it continues to implement its strategy for pro table growth. In 2022 there has been a continued focus on enhancing its food-to-go o er CJ’s, as well as improving and implementing consistent store standards while investing in the store estate.

In addition, investments have been made in key resources, both within the board and executive management team to onboard further skills and experience, and within company-owned stores, with signi cant investment in Crosshouse, Gatehouse of Fleet, Spean Bridge and Balmacara in the past 12 months.

CJ Lang & Son CEO, Colin McLean, said: “ e previous 12 months saw changes continue in the retail landscape as we nally emerged from Covid-19 to move into the cost-of-living crisis and a very uncertain future globally. We know that there are tough times ahead for all and our primary focus is to o er a value proposition to help support our customers and sta through the ongoing uncertainty.

Government publishes paper on independent Scotland

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has unveiled a paper that outlines the Scottish Government’s case for Scotland leaving the UK.

e paper – called ‘Building a New Scotland’ – sets out the Scottish Government’s proposals for the economy of an independent Scotland.

e government says independence would “enable the creation of an economy that works for Scotland”. It says the proposals are designed to help businesses to:

Q have lower energy prices and secure energy supplies, by increased, better, and greener use of Scotland’s abundant natural energy resources;

Q get the workers they need, by reversing Scotland’s long-term population trends, and regaining access to talented and committed people from across Europe and the world;

Q bene t from investments made by the Building a New Scotland Fund, including in more energy-e cient business premises, investment in net zero technologies, and better digital and mobile connectivity;

Q increase dynamism and productivity by taking a new approach to fair work, one that is better for employers and employees;

Q bene t from reformed models of corporate governance that evidence shows improve pro tability;

Q in uence government policy directly through new bodies, like the Scottish Fair Pay Commission, which will assume responsibility for setting the national minimum wage.

KEEP

“Being solely Scottish-focused has enabled us to adapt quickly and react exibly to the changing retail landscape and to continue to provide a rst-class service to our independent retail customers, consumers and communities at a time when they have needed us most.”

In September 2022 the company held its biggest tradeshow, with more than 800 delegates, in Aviemore.

SGF reveals impact of energy crisis

Nearly 80% of Scottish retailers are worried that the current energy crisis could put their business at risk, according to a new survey by the SGF.

Its research reveals that retailers are experiencing a wide spectrum of energy cost increases, ranging from 50% to as high as 800%.

Retailers also said it may affect the produce they stock, meaning fewer chilled and frozen items available in store, and their capacity to employ an adequate number of staff.

The SGF warned that rising energy bills over the coming months may mean producers and retailers will have to pass the additional costs on to customers.

ENERGY CRISIS

INDEPENDENCE The Scottish Government sets out its proposals for the economy of an independent country

CJ Lang boss Colin McLean

Autumn sees change in shopping behaviour

Total till sales increased by 4.7% in the past four weeks, although volume sales fell by 6%, according to new data from NielsenIQ. In the past four weeks, most categories saw value growth increase due to in ation, but volume growth slowed. In terms of value growth, this was the highest in the pet (+12.9%), dairy (+11.8%), crisps and snacks (+11.3%), and bakery (+11.2%) categories. Sales for fresh produce fell -3.2% and beer, wines and spirits were down 4.4%.

Volume growths were weakest in household (-9.4%), fresh produce (-8.3%), and meat, sh and poultry (-8%), as well as general merchandise (-7.1%).

HELPFUL launches solution to simplify DRS manual takeback

Payment management platform

HELPFUL has launched a digital payments solution to simplify the administration and financial management of DRS manual takeback.

The deposit return scheme goes live next August, and every retailer selling recyclable containers will be required to accept returned containers, while refunding 20p deposits to consumers, although exemptions will apply.

Reverse Checkout handles the full cashflow, meaning the handling fee for every eligible bottle that retailers accept goes straight into their bank account, and it refunds deposits straight to a customers’ debit cards.

Visit helpful.world/reversecheckout-for-retailers to register for more information.

NielsenIQ’s survey of shoppers in August shows British consumers are focusing on four main coping strategies to manage rising in ation. is includes monitoring the cost of their overall shopping basket (26%), opting for private label products (27%), shopping more at discounters (23%), and opting to stop buying certain products (23%).

In addition, the trend of consumers returning to shop instore continues, with store visits up +6.5% compared with a year ago, and online visits down -9.3%, with one in four households now shopping online, down slightly from last year. erefore, the online share of FMCG sales has now fallen

to 10.9%, down from 11.1% last month.

Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “It’s still very uncertain how big the allimportant Christmas weeks will be based on current trends and the added pressure on shoppers who may look to opt for cheaper alternatives. But what we do know is that shoppers will be monitoring their weekly grocery spend even more closely. Some households may wish to bring forward some seasonal spending to help with budgeting, such as seasonal biscuits, chocolates and a ordable gi s to spread the cost of Christmas.”

Out-of-home eating occasions increasing

The number of out-of-home eating occasions increased by 2% year-on-year in the 12 weeks ending 5 September 2022, according to data from TWC and MealTrak. The data shows there were 793 million eating out-of-home occasions in the 12-week period, while value sales rose by 14% year-on-year.

Convenience stores (+10%) and forecourts (+13%) are also all outperforming the total market.

Jisp reveals strong September performance

Jisp achieved a 32% month-onmonth increase in the number of scans in September, new data reveals. There was a 33% monthon-month increase in the number of vouchers issued and a 35% rise in redemptions. Transactions increased by 24% and Jisp is helping brands achieve industry-leading conversion rates between vouchers issued to redemption of 89%.

Scottish Grocers’ Federation has clari ed an “inaccurate” news report last week that claimed that thousands of retailers would be set for a deposit return scheme exemption.

SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “Convenience store operators have never said that they want to have all their stores exempt, but rather want to be part of the scheme.

“It is essential however that DRS remains cost neutral to Return Point Operators and does not leave them with an additional cost burden or put them out of business. As far as we understand, the First Minister and her government want the same.”

SGF has consulted the Scottish Government and it further reiterated that: “Scotland’s deposit return scheme follows a return-to-retail model that ensures the accessibility of the scheme to all. e regulations speci cally allow for retailers to be able to apply for an exemption for operating a return point if they meet certain criteria.

“While this will be a decision for individual businesses to make themselves, we anticipate that some smaller retailers may choose to do so.

“We are keen to ensure this process is as straightforward as possible and are working with Zero Waste Scotland to deliver additional guidance to support retailers through the exemptions process.”

CJ Lang nails new maintenance partnership

CJ Lang & Son has formed a maintenance services partnership with City Building and Engineering Services (CBES) for more than 100 of its company-owned Spar stores. CBES will provide an assetbuilding maintenance service that includes building fabric and electrical works. The company employs more than 700 people throughout the UK.

Shoppers would ‘still buy PMPs’ if prices rise

More than 60% of independent retailers believe that their shoppers would still buy pricemarked packs if suppliers increased the price of them a little, according to a TWC survey. In addition, 80% of the retailers questioned agree that their shoppers like price-marked packs, while 78% agreed that PMPs demonstrate good value for money to shoppers.

DRS Exemption reports clarified SGF clarifies ‘inaccurate’ DRS exemption report

PGNJ picks up prize at Nisa Expo awards

Retailer Jay Javid’s Cambuslang outlet was awarded Convenience Store of the Year at the Nisa Expo awards, which took place at NAEC Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. The store, developed by Jay’s company PGNJ – a Nisa key account that joined the symbol group in 2019, picked up the award at a black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony that concluded the first day of the two-day Expo.

Booker gives staff an additional pay increase

Booker has agreed to provide additional support for its employees amid the cost-ofliving crisis, with an additional pay increase outside of the annual pay review. The company’s hourly paid retail staff will receive an additional 25p per hour from 13 November, taking the base rate from £9.75 to £10 per hour. This is on top of May’s 6.67% rise, taking the overall increase this year to 9.4%.

Lhanbryde welcomes new Spar store

A new Spar store has opened in St Andrews Road in Lhanbryde, Moray. The 1,000sq ft store, previously a Keystore, opened following a small refurbishment. It offers customers a range of licensed products, lotto, Tango Ice Blast, Tchibo coffee, and a food-to-go area. On opening day customers were able to try free samples of Spar own-label products and pick up free goody bags.

Consumer confidence continues to ‘bump along’ Consumer confidence increased by two points in October to -47, new data reveals. GfK’s longrunning Consumer Confidence Index shows that three measures of confidence were up, one was flat, and one decreased in comparison to last month’s (23 September) announcement. This month’s survey was conducted among a sample of 2,001 people aged 16 years old and over.

Union urges support for store workers enforcing new fireworks law

Retail trade union Usdaw is urging support for the shopworkers who will have to enforce the Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles (Scotland) Act 2022, which came into force on 10 October.

e new law makes it a criminal o ence for anyone to supply reworks or other pyrotechnics to anyone under 18. However, statistics show that age-restricted sales account for nearly one- h of incidents of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers.

Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw regional o cer for Scotland, said: “Agerestricted sales are a real mine eld for our members. If they make

a mistake they are likely to be prosecuted and ned. If they fail to ask for age identi cation from somebody who looks under-25, they run the risk of being disciplined for not following company policy and for the sale of alcohol that is a legal requirement here in Scotland.

“Asking for age identi cation can lead to abuse from frustrated and angry customers and a refusal of a sale can be a real ashpoint. Many of our members feel they are damned if they ask for ID and damned if they don’t. Scottish shopworkers deserve far more respect than they receive.”

Spar Scotland raises £24k for GroceryAid

She added: “We still need employers to make it easier for sta to report attacks and abuse, highlight the legislation to improve con dence, backed up with training, and promote the importance of reporting all incidents. At the same time, we need signi cant investment in the justice system to ensure victims get the justice they deserve.

Gilbert called for retail employers, police and the courts to work together to make stores safer and give sta the support and con dence they need, “particularly when they are on the frontline of enforcing the law”.

Snappy Group unveils new Chief Growth Officer

The Snappy Group has named Daniel Calvert as its new Chief Growth Officer.

The new role will focus on maximising revenue and growth through both organic and strategic development for The Snappy Group.

Employees from CJ Lang & Son have raised more than £24,000 for GroceryAid by taking part in all four Kiltwalks over the summer. e charity has provided grocery colleagues practical, emotional and nancial support since 1857, with a 24/7 helpline and website to help employees when they need it.

CJ Lang sta from across Scotland competed in the events in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Edinburgh.

A total of 186 employees from across the business got involved, completing various lengths, from the Wee Wander, to the Big Stroll or Mighty Stride. is included sta from stores across Scotland, the Dundeebased depot and head o ce on Longtown Road, as well as members of the eld teams who work across the country. Shareholders, the Chairman and the Chief Executive also took part. ree of the senior team completed all four Mighty Stride walks – over 100 miles.

In total, including a top up by Sir Tom Hunter, funds raised for GroceryAid were £24,038.

Sonya Harper, Central Operations Director for CJ Lang, said: “It was great fun getting our teams out walking the fantastic Kiltwalk routes, raising vital funds for GroceryAid while having some fun along the way. Many of our team are already talking about Kiltwalk 2023.”

Calvert has previously held strategic leadership roles with leading tech businesses, including N26, Uber Eats, and Google. He also specialises in scaling start-ups and has a strong background in e-commerce, marketplaces, and DTC models.

Calvert said: “We have ambitions to develop significantly, expanding a number of exciting business areas within the group and increasing our commitment to support local business through effective, efficient tech.”

Post Office sees dip in cash transactions

Post Office figures for September have revealed that cash transactions fell 94% year-onyear due to the additional bank holiday for the Queen’s funeral. The figures show that £3.35bn in cash deposits and withdrawals were handled at Post Offices. Cash withdrawals totalled £785m, a dip of 2.5% month-onmonth. Personal cash deposits were still up 0.6% on August with £1.43bn deposited by personal customers. Business cash deposits totalled £1.11bn, down 7.3% month-on-month.

Nisa opens in Kilbirnie

Retailer TJ Atwal has opened a new Nisa in Kilbirnie, North Ayrshire. TJ – the owner of Dunnings Premier, also in Kilbirnie – bought the former Co-op store at 61-63 Holmhead and closed it for 18 days for refurbishment. Most of the Co-op staff have transferred to the new store. They worked at Dunnings Premier while the refurbishment took place. The store opened to customers on 5 October.

Spar Scotland tradeshow raises £4k for charities

Spar Scotland’s recent tradeshow in Aviemore, the largest event hosted by the retailer, helped raise £4,000 for charity. The company’s national charity partners Marie Curie and GroceryAid both received a donation of £2,000. The charities took part in the tradeshow exhibition on the day.

Lomond introduces Scottish product guide Lomond: The Wholesale Food Co has launched a new product brochure – Taste of Scotland Food Guide – that champions its extensive range of Scottish produce to support foodservice operatives with locally sourced ingredients. The guide features 69 Scottish producers and contains all the information usually found in product guides, but also illustrates the food miles of products.

Scottish c-stores delivering costof-living support with PayPoint

Scottish convenience stores are playing a key role in enabling customers and communities to access key government bene ts and payments through payment solutions o ered by PayPoint, new data reveals.

Housing and local authority payments gures collected by PayPoint highlight that more than £431m has been processed over the past three years, across more than 3,000 stores in Scotland.

Trends also indicate that 26.2% of those transactions happen before 9am and a er 5pm, the earliest transaction is between midnight and 1am, and the latest transaction is between 11pm and midnight. Meanwhile, 19.33% of total transactions happen on a Saturday or Sunday.

e gures show that over £23m

has been distributed for the DWP Payment Exception Service since launching last August in more than 2,200 stores in Scotland. Trends show that 10.2% of those transactions happen before 9am and a er 5pm and 5% of total transactions happen on a Saturday or Sunday. e earliest transaction happened between 6am and 7am, the latest transaction between 9pm and 10pm.

SGF Chief Executive Dr Pete Cheema said: “Scottish convenience stores are at the heart of their communities providing

Fife Creamery introduces new fleet of trucks

key services to their customers, seven days a week, and this is clearly borne out by the latest data collected by PayPoint. Local shops, as the data shows, are able to help facilitate the mass distribution of government bene ts in a quick and easily accessible way to those who need it most.

“Independent convenience stores are core community assets and are the “glue” in social and economic community building.”

PayPoint Corporate A airs & Marketing Director, Steve O’Neill, added: “Our retailer partners have always done a fantastic job delivering vital community services for people across Scotland.

is is even more important now as they help deliver important cost of living support services, including the Energy Bills Support Scheme.”

ENERGY CRISIS

Retailers urged to read latest guidance on energy security

Fife Creamery, the Kirkcaldy-based chilled and frozen food wholesaler, has launched a brand campaign ‘Scotland’s Food Wholesale Heroes’ via a new eet of trucks.

e investment has seen the addition of more than 30 new MercedesBenz 7.5-tonne vehicles.

With the introduction of newly branded vehicles, Fife Creamery saw an opportunity to shake up its public face and acknowledge the role played by its sta in the company’s recent successes.

e campaign launches with the sta members featured on the side of the trucks with some of their favourite products. It will continue throughout the year with the ‘Heroes’ making further appearances in print and online.

Logistics Manager Richard Wishart, who is responsible for Fife Creamery’s eet, said: “As we develop successfully into new market sectors, we’ve been commissioning more vehicles to deliver the increased volumes.”

Graeme Simpson, MD at Fife Creamery, added: “While there remains challenges with rising costs and bumpy supply chains, our team of ‘Food Wholesale Heroes’ continues to shine through.

“ eir work and dedication, from our warehouse operators, our administrative sta , sales representative, and all our loyal sta members, continues to be key in maintaining strong customer relationships and delivering our constantly growing range of services.”

KEEP

The Food Sector Resilience Group is urging retailers to read the latest guidance on energy security and apply for ‘protected site’ status, if they meet the eligibility criteria.

The Electricity Supply Emergency Code outlines the process for ensuring fair distribution of electricity rationing during a prolonged electricity shortage.

Details about the code and advice on how to apply as a protected site can be viewed at bit.ly/3N95AgL.

The National Grid’s gas and electricity operators, alongside the UK Government, have analysed Scotland’s anticipated energy needs over the winter months. They are “confident” these requirements will be met in full.

LOGISTICS Kirkcaldy-based wholesaler takes on 30 new 7.5-tonne vehicles

Geek Bar helps retailers stay on right side of law VapeWatch, the brainchild of disposable vape manufacturer Geek Bar, is a new online platform to help retailers keep on the right side of the law when it comes to supplying and selling disposable vapes. The platform provides advice on distributors, packaging, implementing a vetting process, reporting illicit products, and provides access to useful resources.

Spar opens store in Troon

A new Spar store has opened on Deveron Road, Troon. The store was previously Keystorebranded. The store offers CJ’s food-to-go, Snappy Shopper delivery, off-licence, ATM, lottery, in-store bakery, and PayPoint. The store is open 7am to 10pm, seven days a week. There are already two Spar stores in the town – Spar Logan Drive and Spar Portland Street.

Food sales continue downward trend

Food sales fell by 1.8% in September, continuing a downward trend since summer last year, according to the latest retail sales figures from the Office For National Statistics. Total retail sales volumes fell 1.4% month-on-month, far worse than the 0.5% decline that economists had forecast. Retail sales declined by 6.9% yearon-year in September, the data shows. The ONS said the data was affected by the bank holiday for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Iceland partners with Uber Eats

Iceland is trialling rapid delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. The London-based trial will use Uber’s technology and Iceland’s in-store infrastructure to deliver goods in as little as 20 minutes. More than 1,000 branded and non-branded items from Iceland will be available on the Uber Eats app for delivery to consumers near South Bank, Poplar, and Walworth Road.

Forecourt retailers investing in efficiency and services

with 39% using LED lighting and 8% using solar panels to reduce electricity costs.

Independent forecourt retailers are making signi cant investments in their businesses, spending around £18,000 on average last year, according to the Association of Convenience Stores’ 2022 Forecourt Report.

e report shows that across the sector, the most common form of investment is refrigeration, with stores either looking to expand their range of fresh and chilled goods or upgrade their refrigeration to make it more energy e cient.

Half of the forecourt stores in the sector have doors on their chillers,

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “It’s essential that the government recognises the crucial role that forecourts play in their communities. ese businesses are community hubs in their own right, providing essential services and an ever-increasing range of products for customers along with fuel and alternative power solutions.”

Other key ndings from this year’s Forecourt Report include:

Q e UK forecourt sector creates more than 84,000 jobs, with 23% of sta being in the business for more than 10 years;

Q 69% of forecourt retailers are active in their communities, raising money for local charities, getting involved with local

TECHNOLOGY New tech ‘instantly boosted morale’ Scotmid completes electronic shelf edge technology installation

Scotmid has completed a £4m in-store digital installation programme – hitting its 12-month rollout target.

Following successful trials, Scotmid has now deployed more than 550,000 electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) across its food stores in Scotland and the north of England, in a move aimed at providing more user-friendly and easy-toread product information for customers.

e retailer says the technology also improves productivity across its stores, enabling retail information on shelves – such as pricing and promotion details – to be updated centrally.

In addition, the system has been shown to increase wider store e ciency, improve pricing and product information compliance, reduce paper wastage, and enhance store team morale.

e technology is manufactured by SoluM, a Samsunginvested company, and is run in partnership with Cambridgebased technology integrator Herbert Retail.

projects, and donating to food banks;

Q One in ve customers of forecourt stores visit every day (21%), with 80% visiting at least once a week;

Q ere are currently 768 electric charging devices located on 446 forecourt sites across the UK;

Q Average fuel prices peaked in July this year, at 188.6p for petrol and 197.3p for diesel.

Lowman added: “ is has been a turbulent year for fuel supply and pricing, with international events determining the price that consumers pay at the pump. It is encouraging to see that fuel prices are trending downward a er peaking in the summer, especially as everyone is looking to cut costs where possible.”

OFF-TRADE Co-op granted alcohol licences for Shetland stores

Provisional alcohol licences have been granted for two new Co-op stores on Scalloway and Sandwick, Shetland, despite concerns about “potential overprovision”.

Reports suggest NHS Shetland had responded to the licence applications by saying they would represent a “huge increase” in the availability of off-sales alcohol in the areas.

The health board also raised concerns about the alcohol aisle and associated promotions close to the checkouts.

A representative for Co-op, Eilidh McGuire, said having alcohol at the back of stores does not provide the “benefits” that were hoped and having alcohol closer to tills can increase monitoring.

Councillors said they had sympathy for NHS Shetland’s views, but granted the seven day a week, 10am to 10pm provisional licenses.

Proposed vaping regs come under fire

Convenience Matters with the SGF

Let’s be clear. Our sector is deeply connected to every branch of the Scottish economy and to the wellbeing of our communities. That means every decision taken by our governments in Edinburgh and Westminster can have an impact on people working in convenience retail.

The priorities of the governments of the day affect how people shop, how much money they have to spend and what items they can afford. No industry is better equipped to gauge what policy is working, what people want and how robust a local economy is.

Store owners and staff have families and homes to heat too, so political uncertainty can have a double impact on colleagues. With over 49,000 people in Scotland working in convenience retail, that is a lot of families and a lot of homes.

There is no doubt that global economic headwinds and geopolitical issues have consequences in Scotland. At times like these, we need government ministers focused on rebuilding confidence and stability in the markets.

To some extent, that means setting aside party differences, holding back on impactful and potentially expensive changes, and providing funding where it is needed. There is a time and a place for transformative policy and debate. Now, however, both our sector and the Scottish economy need a clear message, meaningful support and a solid plan for the coming months and years.

It is almost impossible to say just where our industry will be a in a year, but there are many opportunities. We could be at the forefront of advances in technology and the drive toward greener and healthier communities, but only if businesses have the breathing room and confidence to invest and plan for the long term.

BY LIZ WELLS

e Scottish Government’s proposed vaping regulation have again came under re in recent weeks.

e government is proposing a range of regulations, including a ban on e-cigarette advertising on billboards, buses, lea ets and yers, as well as in-store promotional displays, free distribution, brand sharing, and sponsorship agreements.

e SGF has repeated its calls for the move to be scrapped, saying responses con rm its fears that it would hamper the drive for people to stop smoking by making less harmful alternatives less obvious.

e call comes as the proposals to ban the promotion of vaping products in Scotland’s shops have failed to secure majority support in a Scottish Government consultation.

e consultation ran from 3 February to 29 April 2022 on the Scottish Government Citizen Space website. e consultation sought views on proposed regulations that aim to “strike a balance” between protecting non-smokers and making information available to smokers. A total of 757 validated responses were received, the vast majority were from individuals, and there were 43 organisational responses.

More than half (53.8%) of those who responded said that in-store promotional displays should be allowed to remain.

Opponents argued that further regulation would be disproportionate, calling instead for an increased focus on reducing the appeal of e-cigarette products to unintended audiences and on ensuring existing regulations

controlling the sale of them are su ciently enforced.

In addition, 48.6% of those that responded to the consultation said they feared that greater curbs on the advertisement of vaping products would have a negative impact on those living at a socio-economic disadvantage. at compares to 25.5% who believed they would have a positive impact.

Concerns of deepening inequalities echoed those raised by SGF in its response to the consultation. It also highlighted Cancer Research UK projections that suggest the richest h of the country’s population could be smoke-free by 2034, but that the poorest h will not cross the 10% mark by 2050.

SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “ e opposition here is clear – and the concerns completely legitimate. While well-intentioned to improve the nation’s health, these proposals risk the unintended consequences of actually hampering e orts to make Scotland a smoke-free nation.

“Vaping products are a less harmful alternative to cigarettes and a proven route towards people quitting. If displays of them are banned in shops, fewer people will

realise they are available and fewer people will quit.

“We are not opposing these proposals for the sake of it. We genuinely believe they will make the situation worse rather than better, particularly in Scotland’s most disadvantaged communities. Consultation responses con rm our fears.”

Cheema added: “We should be using every tool available –including vapes – to help people stop smoking, rather than hiding them from view in our shops.

“We know there are concerns around children trying to buy these products, but Scotland’s convenience store sector is committed to the responsible sale of all age-restricted products. We work with our members to share and encourage best practice.”

e UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has also called on the Scottish government to go back to the drawing board with its proposal to tighten advertising restrictions on vaping.

e organisation says the feedback from the consultation clearly shows that there is no majority of support for the recommendations put forward by the government, instead it divides opinions and leaves more questions than answers on the future of vaping regulations.

John Dunne, Director General of the UKVIA, said: “Only by working with others, following the evidence and listening to people’s testimonies can we succeed in the goal of tobacco harm reduction.”

e Scottish Government said the responses and consultation analysis will “help to nalise the scope of these regulations”.

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

The SGF and the UK Vaping Industry Association have voiced their concerns about the government’s vaping proposals.

GROCERYAID: THERE FOR YOU WHEN YOU NEED US

The retail industry continues to face challenges, but support is available. GroceryAid’s Welfare Director, Mandi Leonard, advises SLR readers on who GroceryAid are and how they can help.

WHO ARE GROCERYAID?

GroceryAid is a charity that supports the people within the grocery industry, including multiples, wholesalers, convenience stores, independents, manufacturers, and service providers. From store managers to the partners of shop owners, we’ve been helping retailers and their teams for more than 160 years now. We provide a range of support, such as emotional advice and financial assistance, through our free website and confidential helpline.

HOW DOES GROCERYAID SUPPORT RETAILERS AND THEIR STORE STAFF?

Anyone working within the grocery industry can call our free and confidential GroceryAid Helpline, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and translation support in over 200 different languages. People can also visit our website, which has a wealth of information, as well as the eligibility criteria for each service we offer. Our website also has a live chat function for instant conversation. Support is available from the first day of joining the grocery trade.

HOW IS GROCERYAID WORKING WITH MANUFACTURERS, LIKE JTI UK?

We know that manufacturers have a close working relationship with the retailers that stock their products. It’s important that we collaborate with organisations, like JTI UK, to ensure we’re constantly providing educational information about the free and confidential welfare support that’s available, so they can share this with retailers too. Every month, we send a communication toolkit to our manufacturer supporters, containing a range of assets such as posters, social media assets, case studies and editorial content. All these assets can be used by manufacturers to raise awareness of GroceryAid and all the services that are open to retail colleagues.

ARE THERE ANY PROGRAMMES THAT RETAILERS CAN GET INVOLVED WITH?

There are many! The best way for retailers to get involved is to visit our website, familiarise themselves with all the support available and then spread the word to their teams. Everyone working within an independent retailer can use the free and confidential support that we offer. We encourage retailers to get involved with our continued drive to raise awareness of GroceryAid throughout the industry. More information plus free communication toolkits, can be found on the independent retailer page on our website. JTI’s team of Business Advisers are on hand to signpost grocery colleagues to the support GroceryAid can provide.

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW FOR 2023 THAT RETAILERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF?

We’ve recently partnered with Business Debtline, to provide free advice to self-employed people and small businesses with information and advice. More information can be found on our website. All our support is available to grocery colleagues and in 2023 we’ll continue to work with the sector to provide advice and support. We’ll also continue to offer independent retailers support that’s completely free – no charges and no membership fees.

For free and confidential support that’s available 24/7, 365 days a year, for grocery colleagues, their partners/spouses and dependents, call 08088 021 122 or visit www.groceryaid.org.uk

GroceryAid has been there for industry colleagues for more than 160 years, and the level of support it offers, with the help of manufacters like JTI, keeps on growing.

DRS CHALLENGE

Many of you will be aware that retailer Abdul Majid is currently in the middle of legal proceedings challenging the legality of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Retailer Handling Fee proposed by Circularity Scotland Limited (CSL).

That challenge has upset a few people and has also led to a slew of often inaccurate press reports. With that in mind, I met up with Abdul and SGF CEO Pete Cheema to find out what’s really behind this legal action.

First off, both Abdul and Pete were at pains to make it clear that they remain committed to a world-class DRS in Scotland and are fully behind local retailers playing an instrumental role in an initiative that will mark a step-change in how Scotland approaches recycling specifically and sustainability in general.

But the caveat is that they want one that is ‘fit for purpose’. In Abdul’s case, fit for purpose for his store in Bellshill and in Pete’s case, fit for purpose for the thousands of local retailers his organisation is charged with representing.

And by ‘fit for purpose’, they mean one that is indeed ‘cost-neutral’ as set out in the original Bill and as reiterated in public on several occasions since by Lorna Slater, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity.

Abdul’s contention is that the Retailer Handling Fee is insufficient to allow cost neutrality and the lack of transparency around how the Fee has been calculated is at the heart of the problem. As Abdul puts it: “If CSL gets the Fee badly wrong, there’s potential for retailers to be wiped out” and for communities across Scotland to be left with no access to a local store.

There are a host of other problems that Abdul and SGF have with DRS, which we will explore in more length in next month’s issue – but the legality of the Handling Fee is what Abdul is challenging – and he thinks he is likely to win his case.

It’s easy to understand why CSL publishing how the Fee was worked out would have been an open invite to all and sundry to tear it to shreds. But the consequence of not publishing how it was worked out, from Abdul’s point of view, is that our sector is left in the dark footing at least part of the bill for imple menting a Scheme that it had no choice in adopting and which will fail in one of its core objectives on day one: being cost-neutral to retailers.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

EDITORIAL

Publishing Director & Editor

Antony Begley abegley@55north.com

Deputy Editor

Liz Wells lwells@55north.com

Features Editor

Gaelle Walker gwalker@55north.com

Features Writer

Elena Dimama edimama@55north.com

Web Editor

Findlay Stein fstein@55north.com

ADVERTISING

Sales & Marketing Director

Helen Lyons 07575 959 915 | hlyons@55north.com

Advertising Manager

Garry Cole 07846 872 738 | gcole@55north.com

DESIGN

Design & Digital Manager Richard Chaudhry rchaudhry@55north.com

EVENTS & OPERATIONS

Events & Circulation Manager

Cara Begley cbegley@55north.com

Scottish Local Retailer is distributed free to qualifying readers. For a registration card, call 0141 222 5381. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail).

55 North Ltd, Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY Tel: 0141 22 22 100 Fax: 0141 22 22 177 Website: www.55north.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/slrmag

DISCLAIMER

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of 55 North Ltd.

Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.

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.

©55NorthLtd.2022 ISSN1740-2409.

Northern Ireland. Bringing our world-class food and drink to your table.

Invest Northern Ireland would like to thank Scottish convenience retailers for their interest at recent trade events.

A growing array of Pure, Natural, Quality products from Northern Ireland is now hitting Scottish retail shelves. Contact us for more information on all that Northern Ireland suppliers have to offer.

Nort hern Ireland. Altogether more.

TIME FOR LOCAL RETAILERS

SUSTAINABILITY?

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

gather some of the

thought it was time

to discuss not only

the

Scheme but also the

help us create a

issue

in

enlisted the help of

month,

So

specialists Tomra to help provide their unique insight and to answer the trickier questions that were bound to come from the panel

and

that joined the session.

SUSTAINABILITY IS INVISIBLE

SLR’s provocative contention and the starting point for the days discussions was the fact that, from a customer’s point of view, local retailers just aren’t engaging with sustainability. Since local retailers must recycle food waste, plastic packaging and cardboard by law – and are therefore already making huge sustainability gains – why is it that you never see any in-store POS highlighting these facts? Why, when you visit the social media pages of local retailers do you almost never see sustainability related posts?

is is in stark contrast to the other members of the supply chain. Producers are falling over themselves to make sustainability improvements to their product and packaging – and never miss an opportunity to shout about it. Very few supplier press releases we receive at SLR Towers these days will fail to mention sustainability. Similarly, the wholesale channel is making great strides forward and is keen to talk about it. Yet retailers, the nal and arguably most important link in that chain, almost entirely fail to communicate to shoppers, despite the fact that they are the only members in the entire supply chain actually able to talk directly to shoppers on a daily basis.

It’s a provocative point to make, but it’s also demonstrably true – as a straw poll at the roundtable demonstrated. All the retailers around the table admitted that they don’t communicate sustainability credentials to their shoppers.

e contention then, is that local retailers should use DRS as a catalyst to take a fresh approach to sustainability and commit the sector to ‘owning’ sustainability in communities across Scotland before the supermarkets do. And to be clear: this is entirely a communications issue. Retailers are already doing more than their bit for the environment. Recycling? Tick. LED lights? Tick. Low energy chillers? Tick.

All that’s missing is telling shoppers that we’re already doing all these things. As open goals go, this one is unmissable. And if local retailers can move towards ‘owning’ sustainability, they can gain a competitive advantage, particularly over supermarkets which face enormous challenges in convincing shoppers that they put the planet and communities before pro ts.

GRASP THE THISTLE

Barr So Drink Commercial Director Jonathan Kemp was quick to urge the retailers in the room to “grasp the DRS thistle.”

He said: “ ere’s no doubt DRS is a bit of a thistle, but it’s one worth grasping because it’s an opportunity for everyone to gain a competitive advantage.”

Kemp explained how usage and attitude studies have revealed consistently that the

environment and sustainability are big factors with consumers, particularly Gen Z consumers in their early 20s.

“Some of them will only buy brands if they believe those brands are they’re doing the right thing,” he commented. And while he wholeheartedly endorsed the idea of retailers getting more proactive in communicating with consumers on sustainability issues, he emphatically warned against ‘greenwashing’.

“It’s so easy for brands and retailers to be accused of greenwashing,” he said. “So you have to be very careful that any claims you are making are absolutely true and honest.”

Ultimately, he concluded, helping educate shoppers is the right thing to do – and talking about sustainability needn’t be dry and dull. If you’ve seen any of Irn-Bru’s recent virgin plastic ads featuring straplines like “I lost my virginity in a factory in Cumbernauld”, you’ll get the dri .

Kemp also suggested that DRS could end up going “the same way as the sugar levy”.

“Sugar was a huge issue at the time with enormous consumer pressure,” he said. “Since the levy came in, however, when was the last time you heard a complaint about sugar in so drinks? ey all disappeared in 2018 when the issue was very much dealt with.”

Tomra’s Ewan Dryburgh then took the chance to clarify the current state of play around DRS and dispel a few myths, highlighting how Scotland’s DRS will be “retailer-led”, which is not true of many other countries around the world which have DRS systems in place. In other words, the responsibility lies with retailers.

e target capture rate for the scheme is 90%, a huge increase in the “30% or so” that Dryburgh says Scotland currently achieves with kerbside recycling. Retailers will be obliged to return the 20p deposit in cash, if requested, so they cannot o er vouchers redeemable only in their store.

LEGAL CHALLENGE

Having clari ed the position on DRS, Bellshill retailer Abdul Majid MBE took the opportunity to explain the thinking behind his recent legal challenge which saw him raise judicial review proceedings in the Court of Session against Circularity Scotland Limited (CSL), the Scheme administrator. He is challenging “the legality of the retailer handling fees that CSL is seeking to impose on retailers”.

Abdul has hit the headlines of late and has come in for some ak from some corners, so this was a welcome opportunity to discuss his thinking.

“First and foremost, I am absolutely committed to helping deliver a world-class DRS for Scotland,” he said. “ at has never been in question – but that DRS has to be t for purpose. Retailers have been instructed that they are to deliver the DRS but my huge concern is that the proposed retailer handling fees will not cover my costs, or those of other retailers in Scotland. is could be seriously detrimental to my business and to many other businesses both in the short and long term. is could threaten the viability of my stores which provides key services and groceries to our community in Bellshill.”

e heart of the matter here is essentially that CSL has not revealed how it arrived at the proposed handling fees. e logic behind taking that route is obvious: if they did reveal how they did their sums, it would have been an open invitation to all and sundry to publicly tear the calculations apart. e only other option – the one that was taken – was to commission an independent body to calculate the handling fees, thereby distancing themselves slightly from the issue.

“My argument is that the Bill says the Scheme must be cost neutral to retailers,” said Abdul. “And CSL doesn’t appear to have considered a number of factors like the cost of doing whatever

retailers need to do to be able to incorporate a reverse vending machine (RVM) into their store. And these costs will vary store by store.”

Abdul also highlighted how opting out of the Scheme is not a valid option either: “We’ve been told that if you don’t like it you can opt out, but retailers are risking the viability of their business if they opt out. I have absolutely nothing against DRS but livelihoods are on the line here and if CSL gets the handling fee gure badly wrong there’s potential for retailers to be wiped out.”

WHAT IF?

Stephen Jackson of One O One Convenience Retail then pondered what would happen if Abdul wins his case. “What if the judge asks what the solution is?” he asked Abdul.

Abdul’s hope is that some form of grant or interest-free loan is made available to retailers to buy the RVMs and help mitigate the capital outlay.

Stephen also said his business had many concerns over DRS and said that the legal challenge is right if the Scheme isn’t going to be cost neutral as repeatedly promised.

“We too are worried that CSL hasn’t factored in all the costs that we know we will incur in implanting DRS,” he said. “ e removal of selling space for an RVM represents a cost, pest control will be a cost, cleaning the storage bins will be cost and there will be the obvious cost of paying all the deposits upfront when retailers buy from their wholesaler or supplier.

“And even if retailers do choose to do manual handling, they can’t even prepare for that because we don’t know the cost of the bags yet!”

Many of the group also agreed that drinks containers will become a risk because they will have moved from being rubbish to being assets with a substantial value – 20p for every one. Well worth stealing, in other words.

“You can see storage space becoming more valuable than selling space,” said Stephen.

Karina Matuszek of CJ Lang shared that Spar’s modelling predicts that DRS won’t be costneutral to the business because the majority of its stores are under 2,000sq .

Scotmid’s Kevin Lowe added that, from his experiences sitting on the Scottish Retail Consortium DRS forum, the numbers don’t even work for the big retailers either.

MULTIPACK PROBLEMS

Once DRS is in place, however, retailers are likely to see a shi in buying patterns, according to AG Barr’s Kemp. “Our learnings from Australia showed an initial signi cant move into larger containers, and we predict a move away from large 24-packs, for instance, into larger bottles – which is a real opportunity for local retailers.”

With a at 20p deposit regardless of container size or price point, that prediction makes intuitive sense. A 24 pack of anything is going to increase in price overnight to the customer by £4.80. is is another opportunity for local retailers who can o er chilled 4 or 6-packs. DRS may also accelerate the ‘little and o en’ shopping model that is already in evidence.

Interestingly, Kemp also predicted a shi from cans into PET bottles. “If you take the example of schoolkids or o ce workers. ey won’t want to carry an empty, sticky can around in their schoolbag or briefcase all day, so they may shi into re-closeable plastic bottles, which is odd as it would be driving shoppers into plastic rather than out of it as DRS is meant to be doing.”

LET’S OWN IT

Scottish Local Retailer of the Year Shamly

Sud returned to the discussion point around consumer communications, admitting that while her business had made massive strides in improving its environmental credentials, they hadn’t communicated that fact to shoppers.

“We’ve got heat exchangers and smart fridges and solar panels and rainwater capture technology and so on – but we haven’t told our customers about any of that, and we really should have,” she said.

Scotmid’s Kevin Lowe questioned whether customers really wanted to know that Scotmid has digital SELs in every store. It’s a fair question but what could be the harm in telling them? It will surely be viewed positively by at least some shoppers.

Renfrew Spar retailer Saleem Sadiq stated that he believes customers “are only interested in price” and that at the end of the day “will all come down to the price at the tillpoint”.

LAYING GROUNDWORK

One of the most obvious challenges and a clear and present danger is that, come 16 August next year, customers remain oblivious to DRS. Consumer knowledge of DRS at this point is “shockingly low”, according to AG Barr’s Kemp.

“ ere are some radio ads running at the moment,” he said, and believes that producers and brand owners will ultimately do a good job of amplifying the message the closer we get to D-day – “because it’s in our own interests”.

But the fact remains that CSL has a job of work to do in the time that remains if they are to avoid the all too common situation where it’s le to local retailers and their teams to explain DRS to disgruntled shoppers wanting know why the price of their case of beer has shot up by £4.80 overnight.

e lesson, then, is to do what you can to start talking to your shoppers in good time about DRS and what it will mean for them.

Javid Ghafur of Londis Breadiland explained that is already planning to have an RVM installed in his store in February to get ahead of the game and nd out how it works before the system actually goes live.

“We plan to fund four gardening projects in our local area with a 5p deposit from the machine, which we will fund ourselves until August,” he said.

Put recycling to work for you

A bold and potentially expensive move but there is a strong logic there. Not only will Javid truly begin to ‘own’ sustainability in his community, he will also have created shopping patterns and loyalty. If his shoppers get used to bringing their containers back to his store, they’re less likely to go elsewhere in August when the Scheme actually goes live.

Leaving it until the very last minute to comply with DRS means standing on the start line with every other retailer in your area waiting for the gun to go o . Why not start a month or two early and give yourself the chance to create a little loyalty and establish some buying patterns that might then serve you well a er 16 August.

RVMs

e conversation then turned to RVMs with Saleem Sadiq stating that “RVM manufacturers aren’t transparent enough on pricing because I need to know how long it will take me to pay the machine o ”, a query rebutted by Tomra’s Dryburgh as what looks like a simple question actually turns out to be quite complex. What size and type of machine do you want, what type of service package do you need? e list goes on.

But Saleem’s question is one that many retailers will be asking themselves over coming months.

And choosing an RVM is massively complicated by the fact that Bi a, the company responsible for all upli s from all 37,000 return points in Scotland, can’t at this stage con rm

the upli schedule for each individual point, for fairly obvious reasons. Will it be every two days? Every week? Every two weeks?

e answer to that question will have a critical bearing on the type of machine each store will need. And what happens if retailers choose one machine and subsequently nd they need a bigger (or smaller one)? Will the RVM suppliers happily provide a new one and take the old one away a month or two into the contract?

SCHEME ARTICLES

Part of the discussion centred around so-called ‘scheme articles’, the containers in scope of the regulations.

Kemp con rmed that AG Barr produce Scottish-speci c SKUs featuring the deposit information on-pack. “We will absolutely help consumers understand what bottles do and don’t have deposits on it,” he said.

He also explained that manufacturers e ectively have three choices: register existing SKU as scheme articles (opening up the risk of fraud); create Scotland-only SKUs (creating potential confusion between deposit and nondeposit SKUs at transition time); or simply delisting some products in Scotland.

Price Marked Packs will also become a challenge. AG Barr plans to move to new PMPs with the deposit clearly highlighted, but there is some obvious scope for customer confusion depending upon how each producer chooses to implement PMPs under DRS.

CONCLUSION

As the three-hour conversation began to wind up, it became clear that while every retailer around the room would opt for an RVM solution over manual handling, most if not all will also run a manual handling system in parallel, just in case the machine breaks down or an unforeseen problem occurs.

Kevin Lowe said that was certainly Scotmid’s plan and also threw in the quirky and related fact that Mateus Rosé bottles don’t actually t into an RVM.

e hope, however, a er all of this long debate is that DRS ultimately becomes something of a dull non-event. e initial urry of interest will quickly die away and both retailers and consumers will just get used to it and get on with it.

“In the Scandinavian countries, they see recycling as money and they get into the routine of using the same return point,” concluded Abdul Majid. “In Scotland, we’re all small stores in the heart of our communities that people pass by on their way to wherever they’re going. It makes sense for them to come into our stores, getting rid of the bottles and then continue. e potential is huge.”

Recycled packaging first for Cadbury

Mondelez has announced that Cadbury Dairy Milk and Cadbury Mini Snowballs 110g sharing bars are now wrapped in flexible packaging made with 30% recycled plastic. The new packaging, which has started rolling out on more than 28 million sharing bars, will be independently certified by environmental organisation International Sustainability and Carbon Certification.

Frubes enters metaverse with on-pack minigame

Frubes has launched what it says is the yogurt-in-a-tube category’s first-ever augmented reality on-pack minigame. Available now, new packs welcome six new characters to the Frubes family and feature a QR code that allows children to explore the brand’s bespoke augmented reality world. The launch is supported with TV, video-ondemand, gaming platform, and shopper marketing activities.

Yakult campaign helps shoppers feel good As part of its ongoing ‘Feel Good’ campaign, Yakult is giving shoppers the chance to win seven luxury breaks as well as thousands of feel-good prizes. Three million packs of Yakult and Yakult Light (7 x 65ml) feature the on-pack giveaway, available until 30 November. The competition is bolstered by a health and wellbeing influencer campaign, alongside digital and PR activities.

Tyrrells gets festive makeover KP Snacks has unveiled new, Christmas packaging for its Tyrrells brand, running across sharing bags of Lightly Sea Salted, Mature Cheddar & Chive, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, Sweet Chilli & Red Pepper, and Veg Crisps with Sea Salt. Packs feature the usual Tyrrells characters wearing paper crowns, Santa and elf hats, or carrying gifts with big bows.

Product

Skittles seeks to document LGBTQ+ history

As the UK celebrates 50 years of Pride, Skittles has partnered with Gay Times, Queer Britain and Getty Images to ll the gaps within the LGBTQ+ historical archives.

e work is part of the brand’s #Recolour eRainbow campaign, and calls on the queer community and allies to submit their own photos from Pride’s history.

e partners are collaborating to help develop and create the LGBTQ+ archives of tomorrow, shaping them into dynamic and representative collections. Together, the group will document and represent the historical and current experiences of the queer community.

SOFT DRINKS

LGBTQ+ representation in archives, museums and galleries is severely lacking. While queer people have always existed, documentation of the community and experiences has o en been obscured or erased due to legal persecution.

Suntory’s new website helps drive soft drink sales

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has launched SimplySoftDrinks, a brand-new website just for retailers.

Live now, SimplySoftDrinks offers information, advice and tools, including channel-specific planograms, to support retailers in driving their sales in the category. Its free category advice is geared towards independent retailers, including convenience stores, forecourts, foodservice and health & fitness operators.

Crucially, no login details are required – all the information is free to view at any time from any device. Furthermore, the advice appears to be impartial, and there’s at least one Scotland-specific planogram.

The bespoke website features a wealth of SBF GB&I’s latest insights, to give retailers the best snapshot of the soft drinks category. It will be updated regularly with the latest insight as it evolves.

SimplySoftDrinks includes a category insight guide, including a look at the macro trends currently helping to grow the category, including health and wellbeing and sales spikes around events. There are ranging top tips, with actionable, channel-specific insights to maximise the growth opportunities, including online. Retailers can also find advice on how to offer shoppers the right range of products and achieve visibility.

Retailers can view the new website at simplysoftdrinks.com.

e group is hunting for images that have never been published before. ose who submit their images to recolourtherainbow. co.uk are also in with the chance to have their pictures published in Gay Times and donated to Queer Britain’s collection.

APPOINTMENTS

New Imperial boss named

Oliver Kutz has been named as Imperial Tobacco’s General Manager UK & Ireland.

With over 20 years’ experience in the tobacco industry, Kutz brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role, having previously been General Manager

Central & Eastern Europe at Imperial Brands in 2021. Prior to this, he held the position of President and CEO of ITG Brands, a subsidiary of Imperial Brands.

With a PhD in Marketing from the University of Hamburg, Kutz frequently lectures as part of the International MBA Programme at the same institution. He is the author of several books and articles on business strategy and brand management.

CONFECTIONERY New partnership continues #RecolourTheRainbow campaign

Coca-Cola expands football partnerships

Coca-Cola has announced new and extended partnerships with a number of leading football clubs across Europe, in a bid to unite fans over their love of the beautiful game.

Collaboration with women’s and men’s teams from clubs such as Bayern Munich, Juventus, Liverpool, PSG and Spurs will give fans access to matchday experiences, hospitality tickets, money-can’tbuy moments with players, and limited-edition merchandise prizes.

e collaborations focus on Coca-Cola and CocaCola Zero Sugar, to build on the brand’s long-standing association with football, while continuing to drive awareness of its sugar-free alternative.

In 2023, the so drinks giant will also use the partnerships to kick o a brand-new campaign, created to bring football fans across Europe together to enjoy their favourite matchday meals with an ice-cold Coke.

Michael Willeke, Integrated Marketing Experience Director, Europe, Coca-Cola, said: “Having been an integral part of the football matchday for decades, we are excited to o er fans the chance to enjoy incredible experiences and unique moments, at home, at bars and restaurants and in the stadiums, as part of our new campaign.”

FROZEN Roasties get more inclusive Aunt Bessie’s supports partially sighted with packaging first

In what it says is a rst within the Frozen category globally, Aunt Bessie’s has introduced NaviLens technology to the packaging of two of its biggest-selling SKUs, as it partners with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to support visually impaired shoppers.

Initially appearing on Aunt Bessie’s 10 Glorious Golden Yorkshires (190g, RSP £2) and Crispy & Flu y Roasties (1.3kg, RSP £3.35), NaviLens technology uses tags, accessed through an app which provides audible product information and navigation, to assist the visually impaired and making packaging more inclusive.

Navilens tags can be read by devices like smart phones up to 12 times further away than QR codes and with no focus required. is eliminates the need for a shopper to know the exact location of the code and helps them locate items more easily both in-store and at home.

CONFECTIONERY

Jacob’s joins forces with FareShare

Jacob’s has unveiled a year-long partnership with FareShare that will see the pladis brand donate 40,000 meals to support the food waste charity’s network of nearly 9,500 organisations. Fronting the campaign are Olympic goldmedallist Greg Rutherford and his wife, social media influencer Susie Verrill. The couple will create social media content showcasing easy ways shoppers can reduce food waste at home.

KP reformulates popchips to be non-HFSS

KP Snacks has launched its newly reformulated non-HFSS popchips portfolio. The range, which includes Sea Salt, Sea Salt & Vinegar, Barbeque, and Sour Cream & Onion variants, was reformulated to comply with legislation introduced in England last month. The new rules don’t apply north of the border, although the Scottish Government plans to introduce similar measures.

Mackies maker expands with popcorn purchase

Mars Wrigley has said that, from next year, all the cocoa used in its European production will be 100% responsibly sourced.

Benjamin Guilbert, Vice President Procurement at Mars Wrigley Europe, CIS & Turkey, said: “As one of the world’s largest buyers of cocoa, we have a responsibility to help drive positive, long-lasting, systemic impact to support the farmers and communities in our supply chain.”

Taylors Snacks has bought popcorn manufacturer South Yorkshire Foods. The move brings production of the Perthshire-based snack manufacturer’s popcorn range in-house and secures 60 jobs in Sheffield. The acquisition will also see Taylors – formerly known as Mackies at Taypack – take over the production and distribution of South Yorkshire Foods’ ‘Big Night In’ range.

Batchelors unveils pricemarked pots

Batchelors has introduced new 89p price-marked packs across its Super Noodle and Pasta pots ranges. The new packs “support retailers who are looking to display great value credentials in the current climate”. Premier Foods said offering value and delivering a strong, engaging message that provides shoppers with ‘value-confidence’ is “more important than ever”.

Mars Wrigley Europe commits to 100% responsibly sourced cocoa

Jägermeister promo offers cool prizes

Mast-Jägermeister has launched a new on-pack promotion to encourage consumers to store Jägermeister in their freezers. When chilled to -18 degrees Celsius, a secret code appears on the back label of promotional packs, giving consumers the chance to win more than 1,500 prizes including a once-in-alifetime European Jägermeister festival experience for four.

Limoncello di Capri relaunches

Italian drinks company Molinari has relaunched its Limoncello di Capri with a refreshed bottle and packaging. The rebrand comes at a time when the Limoncello market is becoming more crowded and aims to set Limoncello di Capri apart from less authentic competitors. The packaging is designed to appeal to an international market – premium, with a bottle that reflects the region’s island cultures.

Elements of Islay reimagines core range

EOI (Elements of Islay) has unveiled a reimagined core range of three blended malts “which capture the essence of their origin” on the Hebridean island of Islay. The three expressions are Elements of Islay Cask Edit (70cl, 46% ABV, RSP £44.95); Elements of Islay Bourbon Cask (70cl, 54.50% ABV, RSP £59.95); and Elements of Islay Sherry Cask – 70cl, 54.50% ABV, RSP £64.95).

Baileys joins B Corp

Baileys has become the largest global spirits brand to become B Corp certified. The move supports Diageo’s wider 10-year sustainability action plan “Society 2030: Spirit of Progress”. Joining the B Corp community, Baileys is one of 5,500 certified businesses working worldwide to create a more inclusive, regenerative, equitable economy for people and planet.

Bombay Sapphire unveils global campaign

Bombay Sapphire has partnered with lm director Baz Luhrmann to launch ‘Saw is, Made is,’ a new campaign that encourages everyone to unlock their creative talents.

e multi-million-dollar global campaign invites people to capture and share on social media what they see in the world that creatively inspires them, and what they have subsequently made, using #Saw isMade is. rough collaboration with hundreds of artists and creators

from a variety of disciplines, the campaign will feature beforeand-a er ‘Saw is, Made is’ videos and photos, demonstrating how people can reframe the world around them and turn that inspiration into creative expression.

e campaign runs across TV, cinema, video-on-demand, out-ofhome, social and PR.

It will culminate in 2023 in a showcase of the world’s creativity, in partnership with global arts organisations, including London’s Design Museum.

WINE Echo Falls launches Orchard Fruits flavour

Echo Falls has extended its Fruit Fusions portfolio with the launch of new Echo Falls Orchard Fruits (ABV 9%, RSP £5.50).

The blush-pink wine is inspired by an orchard walk, with flavours of apple, plum, pear and subtle notes of spice.

Initially available now as a wholesale and convenience exclusive, it is aimed at the brand’s younger (aged 18-30), female audience, who enjoy fruitier, higher ABV options when socialising.

There is high crossover between purchasers of Echo Falls and fruit ciders, and the NPD aims to give shoppers a reason to select Echo Falls when looking for orchard fruit flavours in-store.

Funkin unveils indulgent winter warmer

Funkin Cocktails hopes to prove cocktails aren’t just for sipping in the sunshine with the introduction of a new Salted Caramel Espresso Martini variant.

Billed as “the perfect luxurious treat,” Funkin Cocktails Salted Caramel Espresso Martini is a bartender-quality mix of rich aromatic co ee and salted caramel, blended with vodka at 10% ABV.

Available in a 70cl gold bottle with an RSP of £9, the cocktail o ers ve servings and simply requires chilling, shaking, and serving. is makes it – in Funkin’s words – “the ideal festive dinner party beverage, perfect for sharing with friends and family”.

For wholesale enquiries, contact kevingarioch@funkin.co.uk.

GIN Consumers urged to unlock their creativity

RTD’s Salted Caramel Espresso Martini lands in time for party season

Pernod Ricard expands tequila portfolio

Flurry of festive frolics from Pernod Ricard

With demand for cocktails-athome showing no signs of slowing down despite the current cost-ofliving crisis and general economic uncertainty, Pernod Ricard has announced the launch of a new YouTube channel to inspire consumers and drive cocktail ingredient sales.

Launching in November in time for the key Christmas trading period and packed with bitesize content that can be easily followed at home, the channel will feature fun, festive tutorials of how to create the most-searched winter cocktails including an Absolut and Kahlúa Espresso Martini and e Glenlivet Hot Toddy.

Branded social media content will also be available to retailers for use on their own social media channels to educate and inspire shoppers before they are instore.

e launch will come, of course, just as everyone is gearing up for an unprecedented winter World Cup that just under half of shoppers think will a ect their usual Christmas behaviour, with 45% interested in watching the tournament with friends and family.

To this end, Pernod’s Jameson brand has put

RUM Campaign seeks to keep students safe Malibu wants #GoodVibesOnly

together a ‘Dream Team’ of football fans’ personalities and brought these to life through a new limitededition bottle range which launches this month. Each of the ve bottles within the range features a unique football shirt. e launch will be supported by a £1m media campaign across digital, social, PR and in-store.

channels to educate and inspire edition bottle range which

Pernod Ricard is to buy a majority shareholding in Co’digo 1530 Tequila, a range of ultra-premium and prestige tequilas. Co’digo is widely available in the USA and is at the early stage of its international development, with a presence in over 30 markets. The brand is now poised to accelerate its global development and reach new consumers under Pernod Ricard’s stewardship.

Lambrini promises the ‘Ultimate Brini Party’

Moving from whiskey to rum, Havana Club 7-YearOld is getting a makeover for the festive season, with a new black and gold limitededition bottle which features a metallic screen-printed nish.

BEER

Heineken gets a grip on sustainability

Heineken has launched a more robust version of its Green Grip sustainable packaging solution.

The Green Grip performs the same function as traditional plastic can rings but without the need for single-use plastic. It first launched in August 2020, replacing plastic can rings with a 100% recyclable cardboard topper for multipacks, and saving 336 tonnes of single-use plastic since its debut.

Lambrini is kicking off the party season with a new ‘Ultimate Brini Party’ competition to share Lambrini serves and cocktail recipes. There are 10 bespoke parties worth £2,000 up for grabs, alongside 500 x £250 custom neon sign vouchers. The competition is part of a wider campaign, which explores how the brand’s fans best enjoy their Lambrini by asking them: “How do you Brini?”

Coconut rum brand Malibu is looking to maximise fun whilst keeping university students safe with its new campaign, #GoodVibesOnly.

e campaign will see the brand provide thousands of discounted Uber rides, as well as branded tuk-tuks, to help freshers travel home safely.

Joey Essex and Olivia Attwood will help support the campaign by calling on everyone to keep freshers safe on nights out as they start university life. e duo are launching Malibu’s #GoodVibesOnly Awards to reward those who go the extra mile in making sure their friends are supported on a night out.

New research commissioned by Malibu reveals that staying safe on a night out is a key priority for almost three-quarters (73%) of 18-25 year olds, with nine in 10 of the young women polled claiming that they’d been made to feel vulnerable.

The new packaging forms part of a wider £14m investment and follows months of research and development. A dedicated team trialled several solutions and found a double layer of cardboard to be the best performing and easier for both retail staff and consumers to handle.

The all-new double-layered Green Grip is rolling out across all Heineken brands in multipack cans, including Heineken, Birra Moretti, Strongbow, and John Smith’s throughout the remainder of 2022.

Cù Bòcan launches limited-edition 15 Year Old Cù Bòcan Single Malt has released a limited-edition 15 Year Old, the brand’s first agestated whisky expression. The liquid has been fully matured in Oloroso Sherry casks for at least 15 years and is bottled at 50% ABV. This 2022 Edition is the first in a series of planned annual batch releases. Cù Bòcan 15 Year Old, 2022 Edition, is available now with an RSP of £95 per 70cl bottle.

Rooster Rojo unveils smoked tequila

Amber Beverage Group has announced a fifth expression in its Rooster Rojo Tequila range. A smoked or Ahumado variant will launch before the end of the year, priced at around £30 for a 70cl bottle. Unlike the other tequilas in the collection, which are 38% ABV, the Ahumado is 40% ABV, which “enables the taste notes of this extraordinary spirit to shine through”.

IT’S LOCAL RETAILING… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Shamly Sud and family made it an historic two victories in a row at this year’s SLR Awards by claiming the top award once more. We visited their Bearsden store to find out why.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

It was another successful night for leading local retailer Shamly Sud and her family at this year’s SLR Awards. As well as claiming the top Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award – for the second consecutive year –the family also claimed no fewer than ve other Awards.

ese victories were shared across two of the group’s stores, Bearsden and Strathclyde, both built in the last year and both taking local retailing to an entirely new level.

To nd out a little more about what makes Shamly’s Premier Racetrack Pitstop stores so unique and so very special, we took another trip

to the agship Bearsden store and attempted to describe the indescribable.

It probably is fair to say that representing the store in words and pictures will never quite do the store justice. It’s a store that just has to be experienced – and what an experience it is.

TRACK RECORD

As a business, Premier Racetrack has long developed a reputation for creating spectacular stores. Drawing in uences from as far apart as the US, the Middle East and Asia, the rst showstopper was the family’s Racetrack Autoport store in Ibrox. A mind-bending fusion

of countless digital screens, liquid nitrogen ice cream, Havana cigars, plush beer caves, 60+ avours of slush and a whole ra of other innovations, the store picked up pretty much every industry award going when it opened.

So how does Bearsden compare? Well, it’s certainly a recognisable evolution of the Ibrox concept, but it takes that concept and pushes it even harder and even further.

e store is built on a former run-down, oldschool forecourt which was levelled and rebuilt from the ground up. How much it cost to build is not something the family wishes to share, but it must have been a lot. An awful lot. Well into six gures.

To put that into some sort of context, during the judging of the SLR Awards Sustainability category – which the store also won – the judges learned of the extreme lengths that Shamly and family went to in order to embrace the latest sustainability concepts. A massive and very expensive heat exchanger to keep the building at a constant temperature, despite the dozens of slush machines and countless other bits of kit churning out heat all day; a rainwater harvesting system that collects water from the roof for use in the carwash; solar panels. e list goes on. In other words, the family spent more money on things that customers can’t see and aren’t aware of than most retailers spend on a full re t.

BREATH TAKING

Needless to say, spending big money in building the store has created a world-class business. But it’s not the money spent that makes the di erence. It’s the quality of the concept and the execution that makes Premier Racetrack Pitstop Bearsden so special.

ere’s also a lot of courage involved. Courage to try things that most retailers wouldn’t contemplate, even if they had the funds available.

From the second you arrive at the store, it’s clear that this is something di erent. Something very, very di erent. e building sits over two levels with the store on the bottom half and a seated area on the top half, complete with oorto-ceiling glass panels.

e entrance is dominated by an enormous digital screen used to share fuel prices, promotions, NPD and, of course, important award wins like the Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award!

Step inside and your senses are overwhelmed by sights, sounds and smells. ere’s an atmosphere and a vibe in the store that’s unlike anything most customers will ever have experience in a forecourt. Another truly

enormous digital screen on one wall highlights everything on o er from the Tubbees dessert bar and the Pret a Manger co ee machine to the festival of slush, the American range of confectionery and so drinks and the Subway.

Venture a little further inside and a world of retail-as-entertainment opens up. A standalone beer cave, a wall of vaping products to meet every need, a range of Havana cigars, a ra of American lines you won’t nd anywhere, a premium dessert bar with hand-made luxuriant, premium-priced o erings.

A neon-lined stairway to the upstairs section is reminiscent of a high-end cinema while the seating area itself overlooks the shop oor and the giant digital screen, while the plate glass windows o er a view over the forecourt and on to Bearsden. It’s experiential shopping at a di erent level.

And, of course, there is a full standard convenience range too. If all customers want is a can of Coke and a bag of crisps, they’ll nd it.

ere’s plenty of grocery and, this being a uent Bearsden, there’s an extensive range of fresh, chilled, organic, food-to-go and free-from, as well as ultra-premium cigars and wines.

But it’s hard to enter this store and leave with just a couple of items in your basket, as we observed. When SLR visited the store, it was around lunchtime and literally dozens of kids from the school across the road were in the store – and they certainly weren’t on economy budgets. Many of them were spending upwards of £10 and £15 each on the most random selection of very expensive American imported crisps, bizarre avours of slush, Subway footlongs and Asian so drinks, many of them retailing for upwards of £3.

EXCEPTIONAL STANDARDS

It’s all very well building a fantasy store, of course. It’s an entirely di erent thing however to keep it looking fantastic day a er day – but this is another area where the hands-on involvement of the family is evident. Visit any of their stores and you will nd the same, pristine standards.

e merchandising is immaculate, the team are extremely well drilled, and the stores always looks great, which is no mean feat in stores as large and complex as these.

e digital screens help, by taking a lot of the spadework out of changing POS as well as agging up promotions and products. It’s all done centrally with the push of a button.

Interestingly, the one thing the stores don’t yet have are digital SELs but no doubt these will nd their way onto the shop oors soon enough.

What is abundantly clear from a retailer perspective, however, is that Premier Racetrack Pitstop Bearsden majors on premium-priced, premium-margin products. e store does not sell itself on price. Customers are coming here for the experience and the range – and they are very evidently prepared to pay handsomely for the privilege.

To all intents and purposes, the store is an experiment, albeit a controlled experiment based on the learnings from the group’s other sites. It’s taking local retailing in a di erent direction, one where the experience is what matters. Probably 50% of the entire range isn’t available anywhere else in Bearsden, so it’s a true destination store in the area too.

And if you haven’t visited it yet, it should be a destination on your list for your next store safari. You won’t regret it.

Method

1. Peel and chop the onions; wash, peelmushrooms and slice; wash, deseed andthe garlic.2. Heat the oil in a pan then slowly brown the onion over a gentle heat.3. Add the mince, stirring to stop it from sticking.4. Add the remaining ingredients, apart from the spaghetti, bring the sauce to the boil,

and then lower the heat and simmer gently for 15-20 minutes, giving

them

THE FUTURE IS NOW!

Last month’s annual SGF Conference saw the trade gather in Glasgow to reflect on the last few years and plan for a future that’s approaching faster than ever.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

Physical events remain something of a novelty a er the Covid years where virtual communications became the norm and the trade had very few opportunities to gather together in the same room – so last month’s SGF Conference was a welcome opportunity for our industry to meet up face to face and discuss the enormous challenges that the sector is currently facing.

e theme for the conference was ‘ e Future is Now!’ and it was certainly appropriate, given the pace of change we’re seeing as the local retailing industry adapts to the ever-dynamic new normal.

In his introduction to the event new SGF President Craig Brown of JW Filshill said that the conference o ered everyone a valuable opportunity to discuss everything from “the fallout of Covid, the problems we’ve all faced retaining or recruiting sta and, of course, the ongoing cost-of-living crisis”.

But the tone and focus of the event wasn’t on dwelling on the challenges; the focus was on nding ways forward and, as Brown put it, “putting the past behind us and looking to a more positive, prosperous future”.

SOLUTIONS, NOT PROBLEMS

Consequently, the agenda for the two-day conference at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Glasgow was on identifying opportunities and adapting positively and optimistically to change, a point that Brown’s boss Simon Hannah, CEO of JW Filshill, made during his upbeat and enthusiastic main stage presentation, the rst of the day.

Hannah’s presentation set the tone for the day, and he was followed by Neilsen IQ’s Mike Watkins who o ered a research and insight specialist’s take on the state of play and the potential opportunities that lie ahead for local retailers.

JTIs James Sanders then o ered an update on all things tobacco, focusing largely on the

continuing impact of the illicit trade before Lord O ord of Garvald, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State concluded the morning session via videolink, reiterating the Scottish Government’s commitment to the local retailing sector.

e a ernoon saw the delegates shu e between ve separate breakout sessions hosted by Amberstone Security, Camelot, JUUL, PayPoint and TOMRA. e small scale sessions allowed retailers to ask questions and get under the skin of a range of important issues from DRS to shopli ing.

NEW PRESIDENT

e highlight of the evening Dinner was undoubtedly the Presidential Handover where outgoing President Dan Brown formally handed over the chain of o ce to Craig Brown a er a very successful and productive period as President in the most trying of circumstances for the sector.

e following morning saw the audience regroup to examine how data and technology can help them develop their businesses.

e main stage presentations saw interesting takes on the role data and technology has to play in driving e ciencies and growth from Ian Macleod Distillers MD Neil Boyd, Premier Foods UK Grocery Customer Director Ellie Krupa and Calbee Head of Wholesale Chris Goodman.

e session was rounded o by Anand Cheema of Costcutter Maggie’s Wood in Falkirk who explored the way he and his team were adopting data and tech solutions to build a future-proofed business.

A er lunch Lumina Intelligence Commercial Director Ed Sibley o ered some research-based insight into how retailers should approach the future before Tobacco Manufacturers Association Director Rupert Lewis delved into the illicit trade once more.

Next up was James ompson, MD of 1314 Electrical Services who discussed the possibilities of ‘smart’, connected business environments before MHouse Solutions COO Faisal Sattar o ered some hard-nosed advice and tips to retailers on how to make more of their Epos systems to tackle thorny issues like sta the .

Brian Hills, CEO of e Data Lab, rounded o the session with a big picture view of how data will change everything moving forward and how retailers can take advantage.

YES MINISTER

Finally, Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth concluded the day with a consummate politician’s presentation, speaking for 20 minutes or so without saying very much of substance. Arthur pointedly refused to address any of the many speci c challenges presented to him by SGF CEO Pate Cheema in his speech welcoming the MSP onto the stage.

GOING LOCAL

An interesting and positive development of the SGF Conference was a new exhibitor’s space dedicated to Scottish producers, many of them smaller businesses.

Hosted in association with Scotland Food and Drink and SGF’s Go Local programme, the mini exhibition allowed retailers the chance to sample great quality Scottish products and consider listing some new lines to capitalise on the trend of local sourcing.

CRAIG BROWN, SGF

“The focus is on finding ways forward, putting the past behind us and looking to a more positive, prosperous future.”

BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Day one saw the entire audience attend a series of small-scale breakout sessions, featuring:

Amberstone Security Highlighting an interesting CCTVbased anti-theft tech solution for retailers to tackle shoplifting.

Camelot

Explaining how retailers can grow National Lottery sales this Christmas.

JUUL

Discussing how retailers can help to tackle under-age sales and help Scotland towards its ‘Smoke free by 2034’ goal.

PayPoint

Discussing the many ways retailers can use PayPoint to earn more from their store.

TOMRA

Hosting a session looking at the challenges that lie ahead as Scotland prepares for a DRS in August next year.

PREMIER UNVEILS NEXT GENERATION

STORE

The

BY GAELLE WALKER

Premier has celebrated reaching its milestone 4,000th store with the unveiling of a groundbreaking new store packed to the ra ers with technology and sustainability rsts.

Owned by long-standing Premier retailer

Karumanithy “Arun” Ehamparam and his wife arsini, the store in Poole underwent a £170,000 re t in September, transforming it into one of the most innovative Premiers to date. So SLR decided to take a trip to Dorset to gain an insight into how Premier is shaping up for the future of local retailing.

e store, which joined the Premier family 12 years ago, is sited within the residential heartland of Bournemouth’s Talbot Village and adjacent to Bournemouth University’s Talbot Campus, lending it a unique shopper demographic.

Arun explains: “ e store’s location means that we have a very large youth demographic making it the perfect place to trial a number of new technology concepts.”

Heading up the store’s ra of technological innovations is a self-scan checkout – the rst of its kind in a Premier.

e hybrid till can be operated as a self-scan till or be turned around to function as an operated till if needs be.

“ e till uses Apple Pay and the reaction from students has already been incredible,” Arun says. “In our second week of trading, more than 20% of all transactions went through the self-scan till and we expect that number to continue climbing over the coming weeks.”

In another rst for Premier, the store also features Electronic Shelf Edge Labels (ESELs) throughout, a development which Arun estimates will save him around 14 hours of sta time a week.

“ e time we will save by not having to manually update pricing information is huge,” Arun says.

e technological innovations don’t end there. In yet another ground-breaking move, the store has also “gone paperless” by scrapping paper promotional lea ets in favour of QR codes which can be scanned by shoppers as they enter the store and as they navigate around its bold, bright interior.

e change, Arun says, also sits well with another key concern for his young demographic: sustainability.

“Sustainability is becoming an increasingly important concern for our shoppers and as a result this store also features a number of new initiatives designed to help it be more sustainable,” he adds.

Also adding to the sustainability piece is a brandnew Re ll zone which enables shoppers to conveniently dispense desired quantities of a range of dried goods into paper bags – saving on food and packaging waste. In the store’s second week of trading alone, Re ll sales topped £200 a week.

In a further move designed to help further the war on single-use plastic, Premier Talbot Convenience Store is also the rst Premier to go completely plastic bag free, with no more single-use plastic bags o ered to shoppers at the checkout. Shoppers who require a bag can of course purchase paper alternatives.

Sustainability was also front of mind for Arun and the Premier team when developing the store’s brand-new, much larger fresh, chilled and frozen o er. New chiller and freezer cabinets have been tted throughout the 1,900sq store, with all cabinets now 35% more energy e cient than the store’s previous models.

The store’s new electronic shelf edge labels will help Arun’s team to save an estimated 14 hours a week.

e energy e ciency win is certainly an important one when you consider that the store’s fresh and chilled range has more than trebled in size since the re t, from four metres prior to 14 metres currently. e vast new chilled range includes a large number of ready meals, fresh meat products, deli items and fruit and vegetables, with 85% of the range featuring a long shelf life of 20 days or more.

While the range’s long-life chill credentials are already helping to ensure that wastage is kept to a minimum, the store has also signed up to the Too Good To Go Magic Bags scheme, meaning that any food nearing the end of its shelf life makes it into mouths rather than bins.

“Our new fresh and chilled o er is being so well received by shoppers,” Arun says. “ ey are so thrilled by the depth of the range and also the brilliant promotions that they can take advantage of on own brands like Jack’s” he adds.

In its third week of trading alone, the store’s fresh and chilled sales hit £4,000 – up from £400 a week prior to the re t.

e store also features a brand-new, and utterly show-stopping 300sq Beer Cave, created in what was previously Arun’s o ce at the rear of the store. Inspired by the Beer Cave at the agship Singh’s Premier on Teynham Road in She eld, the Beer Cave at Premier Talbot Convenience Stores also features a new range of Ready To Serve (RTS) canned drinks – popular with its student demographic.

Accessed via smart electronic doors and featuring “cool” blue sky lighting panels, the cave is already making waves with local shoppers, regularly appearing in TikTok and Instagram posts. Hardly surprising then, that alcohol sales have already jumped by 50% since the re t.

“Shoppers love the Beer Cave, it’s been one of the biggest hits so far,” says Arun. “It’s also great for highlighting our value message as promotional packs have such strong standout in there,” he says.

Also proving to be a smash hit with local shoppers is the store’s new Refresh@Premier zone, prominently located to the right of its bright and spacious entrance area.

Featuring a Costa Express Machine, Tango Ice Blast, Coca Cola Freeze, Jolly Rancher slush, Hershey’s and Reese’s Freeze, the new Refresh Zone is fast becoming one of its most pro table new categories, closely followed by vaping.

In a totally new o er for the store, Arun’s shopoor Vaping@Premier zone took just over £2,500 a week in its second week of trading with disposable vape bars leading the way. “To go from zero to £2,500 is incredible, especially when you consider the margins,” Arun says.

Given the “phenomenal” reception that local shoppers are giving the store just three weeks in, Arun and the Premier team currently expect to achieve payback for the entire re t in just under ve months’ time.

Sales in the third week of trading hit £35,000 – up from £17,500 a week prior to the re t. Even more impressive is the fact that those glittering sales gures have been achieved prior to the return of the university’s full student body for the start of the new academic term. Margin has also increased from 22% to 28% in three weeks.

Arun’s bottom line also looks set to receive a further boost in the coming months when new solar panels, estimated to shave around £500 a month o his energy bills, are tted on the roof.

“I’m just beyond proud of what we’ve achieved here,” Arun says. “I’m blown away by the success we are already seeing so early on and can’t wait to see where the next few weeks take us.

“It’s been a huge amount of hard work and so many new elements to take on board, but Premier have supported me every step of the way and I’m so grateful to the entire team. What a fantastic way to celebrate the milestone achievement of 4,000 stores.”

Fresh and chilled sales have soared to £4,000 a week –up from £400 a week prior to the refit.

By replacing paper leaflets, the store’s new QR code technology will save the equivalent of one tree a year.

From fruity- avoured spirits to avoured chocolate, sugar-free so drinks and restaurant-inspired snacks, the steady ow of innovative new products launched in 2022 has o ered local retailers loads of ways to revamp their ranges with ashes of instore theatre, excitement and fun.

is year there has also been a steady stream of new products to help retailers with new HFSS regulations and sustainability demands and to help consumers deal with the cost-of-living crisis.

anks to the power and pull of social media, new product launches have also o ered retailers an array of opportunities to engage with their local customers online and highlight the freshness and relevance of their in-store o ers.

A quick peek at social media feeds of some of the industry’s leading retailers reveals hundreds of likes and comments from engaged customers who are only too keen to try and buy. e power of new products is clear to see; innovative launches help to keep local retailers on trend and on track.

at’s why as 2022 draws to a close, SLR is once again launching its Products of the Year Awards.

Now in their third year, the Awards are designed to celebrate the hero new products that have had such a positive impact on stores and sales and, crucially, to reward the suppliers who invested in bringing them to market.

Winners of the SLR Products of the Year New Awards will be selected by the local retailing community, with all retailers able to vote for their favourites from our shortlist and explain how their chosen products have helped to shape their success this year.

Once the votes have been cast, the winners will be announced in a special supplement as part of the January 2022 issue of SLR.

All winning products will also be entitled to carry the SLR Products of the Year Awards 2022 winner logo on-pack and in their marketing materials – thereby completing a virtuous circle by helping drive further sales in the future in local retailing outlets across the country, because we all know that shoppers love an award-winning product.

Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin and Lemonade Diageo

Gordon’s has added a Premium Pink Gin and Lemonade RTD (5% ABV). Available in a 250ml format with a £2.19 RSP, it launched in Tesco and Waitrose last month, before a wider roll-out early next year. It combines the balanced berry fruitiness of Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin with lemonade and is aimed at shoppers who prefer a sweeter taste profile.

IQOS Originals Duo

Philip Morris Limited

This revamped and renamed version of PML’s IQOS 3 Duo heatnot-burn product combines updated design features with a flat wide ceramic blade to heat tobacco from the inside. Kits RSP at £39, and contain a two-piece device – with a compact and lightweight holder –and two packs of HEETS tobacco sticks. Retailers will be able to order via PML’s Digital Trade Engagement Platform from December.

Ström approaching UK

Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) has entered the fast-growing nicotine pouch category with the launch of Ström, its first ever non-tobacco product.

Originating from Sweden, the home of snus and most nicotine pouches, Ström (Swedish for stream/ flow) is a premium nicotine pouch inspired by its Scandinavian heritage.

Launching in three flavours (Fresh Mint, Minty Orange and Juicy Berry), Ström will be available to retailers across Manchester for a six-month trial period between October to March, before rolling out to other cities across the UK throughout 2023 and beyond.

Ström offers a long-lasting flavour release and a controlled nicotine delivery. Being a plant-based product (with a resin-based formula in a market of salt-based products) and with a 100% plant-based plastic container (made from 100% bioplastics

created from pine leftovers), STG says Ström “is a perfect choice for all those who seek a more natural alternative with a superb taste”.

STG’s UK Country Director Alastair Williams commented: “Nicotine pouch sales are really gathering pace and that’s why we’re really excited to pilot our Ström brand in Manchester before rolling out the product to the rest of the UK.

“Retailers would be forgiven for thinking that the nicotine pouch category is already quite crowded, but we’re coming to the market with something more authentic, premium and sophisticated than what is already out there.

“Ström offers a prolonged taste delivery which enables an extended flavour sensation for your mouth and throat, as well as providing an equal nicotine release for a consistent and smooth experience.”

Bandero Café Molson Coors

Bandero Tequila has launched Bandero Café in the UK, an authentic Mexican tequila infused with coffee, to fill a gap left when Bacardi discontinued its Patrón XO Café liqueur. Bandero Café is smooth and dry, with notes of fresh roasted coffee, chocolate and vanilla. The small batch tequila uses Blue Weber Agave and is available in 70cl bottles at 35% ABV through Molson Coors.

Pot Noodle Doner Kebab Unilever

Pot Noodle has added a new Doner Kebab flavour to its core range, which is available in the convenience channel now with an 80p RSP. Nearly 100,000 customers took part in a social media vote in which Doner Kebab saw off Mexican Fajitas to be the Unilever brand’s next big flavour. The move follows the launch of a Piri-Piri Chicken variant, which rolled out last year.

Solid Milk Chocolate Shapes Hames Chocolates

The 100g pouches come in a variety of shapes, including dinosaurs, hedgehogs, cats, dogs, bunnies, frogs, butterflies, ladybirds, bugs, owls, unicorns and Santa. The range is made using Rainforest Alliance certified cocoa, and packaging is recyclable. Available now in outers of nine. For sales enquiries, please contact sales@hameschocolates.co.uk.

Barbecue Strikers

Golden Wonder

Golden Wonder has launched new Barbecue Strikers in time for the FIFA World Cup. The ‘baked not fried’ fun snack takes to the pitch in three pack formats: singles, price-marked at 35p/2 for 60p; a 120g sharing bag, price-marked at £1.50; and an 8-pack multipack. The launch comes as IRI data for Scotland finds the Fun Snacks sub-category considerably outperforming the rest of the market.

Doritos Loaded Pepperoni PepsiCo

Doritos’ new flavour is inspired by one of the nation’s favourite takeaways and contains more corn than the brand’s standard 180g UK range for extra crunch. It is available now in cases of 15 x 70g pricemarked packs with an RSP of £1.25. The launch is supported by a largescale media campaign. Aimed at the sharing market the new product targets Gen-Z, which makes up 67% of sharing moments.

Scottish Porridge Oats with Maple Syrup

Nairn’s

Nairn’s has extended its gluten-free range with the launch of Scottish Porridge Oats with Maple Syrup (400g, RSP £2.50), made with wholegrain oats and real maple syrup. As with the rest of the brand’s gluten-free range, the new product is approved by Coeliac UK to carry the Crossed Grain logo and is independently tested to Elisa standards.

Maple Pigs in Blankets

potato chips

Burts Chips

Burts said it saw “phenomenal” sales in 2021 when the crisps were sold via Costa Coffee, so has launched the flavour across all channels this festive season. The 40g packs combine smoky sausage and bacon flavours with a hint of sweet maple glaze and are free from gluten, added MSG, and artificial colours and flavours. Packs are available to retailers now.

Ritter Sport New Flavours

Ritter Sport UK & IRE

Ritter Sport has launched two new 100g flavoured bars: Ritter Sport Salted Caramel and Ritter Sport Orange. Ritter Sport Salted Caramel contains salted caramel crisps and crunchy caramel pieces covered in creamy milk chocolate, while Ritter Sport Orange is made from rich dark chocolate, wrapped around a smooth and zesty melt-in-the-mouth orange fondant filling. Both new bars are available now from Bestway and have a £1 RSP.

Manuka Honey

Taylor Pass Honey Co

Sustainable, sweet and known for its many health benefits including immune-boosting properties, manuka honey from New Zealand brand Taylor Pass Honey Co is now available in the UK through CLF Distribution. Brand ambassadors are visiting leading independent stores to provide information on the honey category, provide in-store POS, and deliver free samples. To stock, contact uksales@taylorpasshoney.co.uk.

Pure Dairy Free Plant-Based Cheese Range Kerry Dairy Consumer Foods

The expansion of the Pure Dairy Free range from spreads into other plant-based dairy alternatives sees the introduction of a new range that is available in three formats: Grated (160g, RSP £2), Block (200g, RSP £2.30) and Slices (160g (eight slices), RSP £2). The new range of plant-based cheese products is vegan-, dairy-, glutenand lactose free.

Suck it and see Fisherman’s Friend is back on TV with its ‘Whatever the Day Throws at You’ sponsorship campaign featuring the brand’s hardy fisherman. The lozenge is returning with a rerun of short films as lead sponsor of Channel 5’s Every Day Heroes series of programming across its main channel, as well as on 5 Action and 5 Star.

Malnutrition labels

Dole Sunshine Company’s new campaign ‘Malnutrition Labels: Nutritional Ink’ calls attention to the low nutritional value in some of Britain’s favourite snacks and on-thego food options by printing ads using inks made almost entirely of fruit. The integrated campaign will be deployed across out-ofhome, social, and digital channels.

What a shave!

Coca-Cola has kicked-off its FIFA World Cup campaign – Believing is Magic – that seeks to encourage people to believe that anything is possible, and to ‘Share a Promise’ as a result. This means fans must commit to doing something unusual should their team win. The campaign shows real fans doing just that, from getting a tattoo to dyeing their hair.

Square affair

Ritter Sport has unveiled a six-figure marketing campaign – the brand’s biggest to date – to support the launch of its new Salted Caramel and Orange flavours. ‘Start your love affair with the square’ features Denise Van Outen and aims to migrate more middle-aged women to the brand. It includes print, digital, social, PR, marketing and sampling activities.

Hot stuff

Quaker’s latest winter campaign – ‘Heat it to Release It’ – encourages consumers to choose the brand’s sachets and pots as the go-to option for hot breakfasts, as research suggests that heat increases how people enjoy flavour. The campaign runs across TV, video-on-demand, out-of-home and YouTube, as well as in-store display units.

ELECTRIC OPPORTUNITY

Vape sales continued to grow in October fuelled by the annual Stoptober campaign and budget concerns.

BY GAELLE WALKER

The UK’s dynamic vape market enjoyed a further boost last month as the annual Stoptober campaign sought to inspire smokers to kick the habit and bin their butts.

Returning for the 11th year in a row, Stoptober 2022 zeroed in on the cost-saving and health-boosting bene ts of quitting smoking, with reputable vape devices from trusted retailers highlighted as one of the most e ective mediums for doing so.

e Stoptober campaign also sought to debunk the many myths and misconceptions that continue to dog the vape category, in a bid to help adult smokers work out “what’s true and what’s not”.

e campaign took great pains to highlight that nicotine vaping was “substantially less harmful than smoking,” as well as being “one of the most e ective tools for quitting smoking” – a message which was also strongly reinforced by the rst vaping evidence review published by the O ce for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) in early October.

Building on evidence previously highlighted by Public Health England, the latest vaping review concluded that “vaping poses only a small fraction of the risks of smoking”.

Communicating this message formed a key part of many vape brand and retailer communication strategies during the Stoptober campaign.

Associate Marketing Director at RELX International Aky Hojeij, which launched its new RELX bar in May, commented: “Stoptober has grown in recent years to become one of the key annual campaigns for local retailers, as it presents an opportunity to engage with a new market of existing adult smokers, who are looking for alternatives to combustible cigarettes.

“As consumer demand for convenience in the vaping sector increases, brands which specialise in and o er a wide variety of disposables and closed-pod devices led the way during Stoptober this year.

“Over the month-long period, retailers experienced increased footfall, as adult consumers looked for alternatives and advice on new next-gen products.

NO MAJORITY SUPPORT FOR NEW VAPE RESTRICTIONS IN SCOTLAND

The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has called on the Scottish government to “go back to the drawing board” with its proposal to tighten advertising restrictions on vaping.

The call comes following the recent publication of the outcomes of the government’s consultation on the idea of tightening rules on the advertising and promotion of vaping products.

The feedback from the consultation showed that there was no majority of support for the government recommendations.

UKVIA Director General John Dunne said: “Following the feedback, we hope that the Scottish Government sees sense and goes back to the drawing board on their proposals, listens to the experts and speaks to the millions of adults no longer smoking. Only by working with others, following the evidence and listening to people’s testimonies can we succeed in the goal of tobacco harm reduction.”

“Stoptober trends this year were also partly driven by the cost-of-living crisis, which made it more important than ever before for retailers to ensure their range was a ordable for all budgets,” he added.

With a current estimated value of £1.2bn and expected to reach £1.47bn in the next three years, according to Imperial Tobacco, it’s certainly clear to see why. Around 35% of current vaping volume sales currently take place in the convenience channel, making it more important than ever for retailers to ensure that they are stocking the right type and size of range to best meet local needs.

While closed pod and basic open systems continue to account for the largest share of the total market at 35% each, the disposables

THE OHID EVIDENCE REVIEW ALSO HIGHLIGHTED THAT:

category remains the fastest-growing segment of the market, having doubled its share from 5% to 10% in the last year according to Imperial.

“Recent gures show that the pre- lled pods category has grown to be worth around a whopping £558m, with the e-liquids category worth £355m,” Imperial’s Head of Consumer Marketing Tom Gully says.

“ is provides a huge sales opportunity for retailers. To e ectively tap into this opportunity, retailers need to ensure they are selling a wide range of pre- lled pods and e-liquids in a variety of avours and nicotine strengths, including nicsalts like myblu Intense, to ensure they have products on o er that can attract and meet the needs of di erent customers.”

Q The proportion of vapers who also smoke has been declining since 2012, from 91.9% to 49.8% in 2020.

Q Fruit (35.3%), menthol/mint (22.5%) and tobacco (20.9%) remain the most popular flavours among vapers.

Q Between April 2020 and March 2021, quit attempts in stop smoking services that involved using a vaping product achieved short-term success rates of 64.9%.

FESTIVE TIPPLE

This Christmas promises to be a big one as consumers will finally be able to organise large gatherings.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

The festive period presents a huge opportunity for retailers to trade up, especially with this year looking to be the rst one post-lockdown without any restrictions.

With many consumers expected to host Christmas dinners and get-togethers with large groups, o ering a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be key for retailers.

SEIZE THE TRENDS

“Christmas is always a big time of year for alcohol sales in convenience, and this year will be no di erent,” says Tom Smith, Marketing Director, Europe at Accolade Wines. “Key trends remain, so we will see more people trade up their purchases and treating themselves to additional items, as well as new shoppers entering the alcohol category who aren’t regular purchasers.”

Sparkling drinks, healthy choices and a varied portfolio are among the big trends that will drive sales for yet another year.

“We see shoppers look to sparkling products during the festive period, adding a pop to those celebratory moments. e share of sparkling fruit- avoured wine within the avoured wine category is up by 19% in volume, compared to last year, as shoppers become more adventurous and look to expand their wine repertoire,” Smith says.

To tap into the surge in demand for fruity zz, Accolade bought the Lambrini brand last summer. “Lambrini currently holds 60% of the Perry category value and has a 26% value share of the Perry and Flavoured Wine sector in the total market,” Smith says. “Celebration is a key motivation for purchasing Lambrini. e brand recently launched its ‘Bring the Brini’ social

campaign to encourage consumers to enhance those everyday moments with an extra sense of celebration and fun, whether that’s an overdue reunion with friends or successfully getting the kids to bed on Christmas Eve.”

THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION

Innovation is also key, says Alexander Wilson, Category & Commercial Strategy Director at Heineken. “We know that innovation is a large sales driver in the beer category, especially among younger adult drinkers who are constantly on the lookout for new products and styles to try,” he notes.

“We introduced Heineken Silver to respond to new and emerging demands from consumers. ese consumers are looking for easyto-drink, less bitter and more refreshing lagers and new Heineken Silver, an extra-refreshing lager at 4% ABV, with a low bitterness of 10 IBUs has been cra ed to deliver this,” Wilson explains.

GO LOW

Meanwhile, Gen Y and Z shoppers, in particular, are seeking out alcoholic drinks that t their desire for a balanced lifestyle. is has led to a rise in no- and lowalcohol products, along with drinks boasting fewer calories.

“Low-and-no wines have typically in the past su ered from negative taste perceptions, with traditional de-alcoholising methods o en heating the wine and therefore detracting from its natural fresh and fruity avours,” Smith notes.

“Our new launches, &then and Hardys Zero are set to change all that. e introduction of these product lines gives people who are moderating their alcohol a selection of truly high-quality zeroalcohol alternatives that showcase

the avours and characters of fullstrength wine.”

Heineken has also launched Strongbow Ultra Dark Fruit in 330ml cans at 30% fewer calories ml-for-ml, tapping into the healthier trend and the lucrative on-the-go occasions.

“While lager holds the lion share of no-alcohol in beer and cider, well-known ale and cra brands are also on the rise within this category,” Wilson emphasises.

“Shopper penetration has been the primary driving force of growth for no-and-low for the last ve years, but we’ve still got a lot of headroom – while beer and cider is purchased by 74.8% of households in the o trade noalcohol is only purchased by 12.3%. Encouragingly, we’re seeing signs that no-and-low alcohol is being purchased and consumed more frequently.

“While January used to be the high watermark for no/low alcohol shopper penetration, the participation in this category now e ectively mirrors total beer and cider throughout the year.”

Top Christmas wine merchandising tips from Accolade Wines:

Q Offer a broad range across all colours and key styles, as well as stocking key brands

Q Make sure white wines and sparkling varieties are chilled for immediate consumption

Q Highlight appropriate gifting options and cater for seasonal changes

Q Site popular brands front and centre

Q Consider educational snippets to help shoppers make informed purchase decisions

“

Retailers should be looking to supply customers with choice and therefore, we offer a range of multipack sizes throughout our portfolio to help cater to a variety of consumer occasions.”

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

BY GAELLE WALKER

Despite what can only be described as a stormy year for fuel supply and prices, the forecourt sector has continued to o er admirable levels of support and access to vital products and services to shoppers both near and far in 2022.

e 2022 Forecourt Report, published by the Association of Convenience Stores, highlights the critical role that forecourt stores have continued to play in their local communities over the past year, with 69% of forecourt retailers playing an active part, either by raising money for local charities, getting involved with local projects, and donating to food banks.

e report also highlights the key role many forecourts and their stores perform in connecting local people to vital products and services, with thousands of customers seeing forecourts as their local store.

According to the report, one in ve forecourt shoppers visit their local forecourt store every day, while four in ve visit at least once a week.

Responding to this demand has prompted many forecourt stores to continue improving their o ers in the last year, with stores across the country introducing new product ranges such as food-to-go along with helpful Post O ce services.

Many others have also invested in alternative power options for vehicles.

And the innovation drive hasn’t ended there. e Forecourt Report 2022 also shows that independent forecourt retailers have made signi cant investments in their businesses, spending around £18,000 on average last year.

Across the sector, the most common form of investment is refrigeration, with stores either looking to expand their range of fresh and chilled goods or upgrade their refrigeration to make it more energy e cient.

Half of the forecourt stores in the sector have doors on their chillers, with 39% using LED lighting and 8% using solar panels to reduce electricity costs.

Key ndings from the report include:

Q ere are 8,379 fuel forecourt sites in the UK and 7,407 of them have shops.

Q e total value of forecourt sales is £4.8bn.

Q e UK forecourt sector creates over 84,000 jobs, with around one in four members of sta (23%) being in the business for more than 10 years.

Q 69% of forecourt retailers are active in their communities, raising money for local charities, getting involved with local projects, and donating to food banks.

Q One in ve customers of forecourt stores visit every day with four in ve visiting at least once a week.

Q ere are currently 768 electric charging devices located on 446 forecourt sites across the UK.

Q Over the last year independent forecourts have invested £17,995 per store with 40% of investments concentrated in refrigeration, followed by store signage at 34%, shelving, at 32% and lighting upgrades at 31%.

e report also revealed that average fuel prices peaked in July this year, at 188.6p for petrol and 197.3p for diesel, before starting to fall in September.

Commenting on the report, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “ is has been a turbulent year for fuel supply and pricing, with international events determining the price that consumers pay at the pump. It is encouraging to see that fuel prices are trending downward a er peaking in the summer, especially as everyone is looking to cut costs where possible.”

ACS has been working with the Competition and Markets Authority on their investigation into the fuel market, highlighting the di erent factors that a ect the cost of a litre of petrol or diesel at the pump. e CMA’s initial ndings earlier this year recognised that retailers have little control over the cost of fuel, making very small margins themselves, while changes in currency markets and the ‘re ning spread’ contributed to much bigger variations in prices.

The Forecourt Report 2022 highlights the valuable role that forecourt stores play in their local communities.

POWER UP!

Health, innovation and opportunism are driving the critically important sports and energy category.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

Energy drinks have become crucial for the convenience sector, especially in an age of increased health and wellbeing awareness.

According to Nielsen, the category is worth £80m in the convenience market, and the growth shown over the past year does not seem to wane.

BIG WINNERS

‘Stimulants’ were the biggest winner in the convenience market last year, according to Britvic’s So Drinks Review 2022, increasing market share to 26.9% and overtaking ‘cola’ as the number one category in the sector.

“Monster Energy and Red Bull remained the key brands driving category growth, with yearon-year value sales up 30% and 21% respectively,” it reads. “While these brands helped meet increasing shopper demand for energy-giving products, there remains a signi cant opportunity for further growth in stimulants, with 91% of the UK population not currently purchasing stimulant drinks.”

Indeed, the sports and energy category has totalled more than £256m compared to 2021, and is now worth over £1.8bn, according to Nielsen Scantrack Value Sales for the 52 weeks to 27.08.22. “ is growth has been fuelled by the increased demand for functional energy drinks amongst shoppers. ese drinks have added over £171.6m in value YOY and have exceeded the billion-pound mark, now worth over £1.2bn annually,” Red Bull adds.

e sports drink segment, in particular, can prove to be quite crucial for retailers, as sports drink shoppers can be quite loyal, according to Matt Gouldsmith, Channel Director, Wholesale, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I. “if retailers don’t have the brand, format or avour they’re looking for, they may go elsewhere. is means leading brands like Lucozade Sport, which has seen year-on-year growth of almost 38% in the convenience channel, are an incredibly important part of any chiller.”

e numbers in the overall category back up the numbers above; a whopping 906 million litres of sports and energy drinks were consumed in the United Kingdom in 2021, according to

Statista. More importantly for independent retailers, energy drinks are identi ed as a drink for the occasional user. Over 4.3 million consumers drink an energy drink less than once a month, while approximately 545 thousand consumers drink energy drinks once a day or more o en, Statista’s research found.

BRANDED SUCCESS

Red Bull unveiled its latest Summer Edition in March, with the launch of an Apricot-Strawberry avour. “A er a successful launch it has proven to be the best NPD so far for Red Bull amassing over £2.2m in the rst six months of launching, and will now become a permanent avour,” Red Bull notes.

“With the performance of the Red Bull Editions portfolio growing across all metrics – achieving a +83.5% upli in sales, now totalling £11.2m – the new SKU delivers all of the functional bene ts of Red Bull Energy Drink, along with a juicy surge of apricot and strawberry that combine to deliver a sweet, refreshing avour.”

e latest Red Bull Summer Edition is also available in a Sugarfree option. According to

recent insight, sugar-free variants have grown spend by 30.5%, and this new edition is expected to appeal to health-conscious shoppers who increasingly opt for low- or no-sugar variants.

In addition, the new Lucozade Alert hit shelves last year – high in ca eine and boasting Vitamin B3 to help reduce tiredness. “ e range responds to a clear consumer need for a stimulation drink which tastes great, is low calorie and more relevant to a wider audience.

is presents a great opportunity to help retailers drive maximum sales,” Gouldsmith says.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners (CCEP) has also identi ed an opportunity for further sales growth in the next three years.

“Monster is the no.1 deliverer of value growth in the whole of the GB so drinks market, worth £455m and adding more than £100m of value in the past year alone,” Amy Burgess, Senior Trade Communications Manager at CCEP, says. “To keep the range popular with customers, we’ve continued to innovate when it comes to avour.

“We’ve recently launched Monster Khaotic – a shake-up of one of the original Monster Juiced variants – and Ultra Gold, which blends a juicy pineapple taste with the renowned Monster energy blend, giving consumers a refreshing energy boost with no calories and no sugar. e introduction of new avours helps to maintain momentum behind the Monster brand.”

LUCOZADE AND THE ARC DEVICE ARE REGISTERED TRADE MARKS OF LUCOZADE RIBENA SUNTORY LTD.

LUCOZADE RIBENA SUNTORY LTD.

RIGHT RESERVED.

Suntory

What’s more, the company has boosted its Relentless range with a new zero-sugar range, including two avours, Peach and Raspberry, accompanied by a new pack design to broaden the appeal of the brand.

THE SUGAR CONUNDRUM

Wellbeing and natural ingredients have been increasingly popular in the last year. With young consumers a particularly crucial age group for the energy drinks segment, this represents an opportunity for the category to expand.

“Retailers should consider evolving their energy away from just stimulants, giving enough space on the xture to growing brands in natural energy, such as Purdey’s to appeal to these consumers and help them to live a more naturally energised and balanced lifestyle,” Britvic’s report adds.

It is a sentiment shared across the so drinks giants, with Red Bull noting that consumers “increasingly pick up sugar-free and zero formats that appeal to the more health-conscious shopper”.

“Sugar-free variants have been growing penetration by 48.8% and, in independent markets, Low or No Sugar variants have seen faster growth than Full Sugar, with 21.8% growth vs Full Sugar 16.9%,” says Red Bull.

“35-year-old a uent females are the most common Red Bull Sugarfree shopper pro le, signalling demand for low-sugar alternatives amongst feminine shoppers looking for a functional boost during their day.”

e healthier lifestyle trend is also one observed by CCEP, with Burgess adding that shoppers are increasingly looking for food and

drink with functional qualities that can help them achieve maximum results during sports or workouts.

“ is has meant the performance energy drinks segment has grown in popularity. Healthier Choices is another key growth driver in our Refresh Tomorrow so drinks category vision,” she adds.

“At CCEP, our Reign Total Body Fuel range is in 20% growth and worth over half of this subsector. e Reign Total Body Fuel range also contains a range of avours, including Peach Fizz and Orange Dreamsicle.

“Reign Total Body Fuel Peach Fizz is packed with the avours of succulent peach and a hint of citrus fruits, while Orange Dreamsicle is inspired by the classic frozen treat with orange citrus and vanilla bean avours.”

FLAVOUR TRENDS

Stocking di erent avours can be key to driving growth in the segment. “Flavours are a proven way of bringing new shoppers to the energy drinks category – over half of whom have trialled Energy Drinks for the rst

time – and driving 83% incremental growth,” Red Bull says.

“Within Sports & Energy, avoured variants have grown by 20.1% and Red Bull Editions have been growing penetration by 165.3%. With tropical and exotic avours growing 23% more than all other mainstream avours on o er, now is the perfect time for retailers to stock up on the Red Bull Editions 250ml range to capitalise on the demand for avoured variants and maximise sales.”

Britvic’s report reiterates the same point, noting that stocking a range of core stimulants avours and new variants “has been key to the success in the category”. “Range expansion has been vital in keeping pace with increased demand and retailers should consider stocking a selection of products and avours to help attract new shoppers into the category, including bestselling brands such as Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar and Relentless,” the report reads.

In fact, 17% of sports and energy drink consumers “actively” seek out new avours, according to the report,

with the demand being met through a variety of NPD and avour expansions across the brands.

PACKAGING MATTERS

Larger formats have driven over £228m in value to the category, seeing signi cant growth of +15.9% vs a year ago, according to Nielsen Scantrack. Penetration of these formats is 49.7% up compared to a year ago, the Kantar Combined Panel has found, while multipacks are in strong double-digit growth (13.2%) and driving 47% incremental growth.

“Now is the perfect time for retailers to stock up on multipacks,” Red Bull says, “with penetration growing by 8.7% in the last 52 weeks.

“Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml 4-pack is the No.1 bestselling multipack in the Sports & Energy category. Energy drink multipacks have delivered 68% incremental growth into the category, driven by existing shoppers trading up from single cans to multipacks.”

Britvic adds that larger packs are “particularly popular with the 34% of energy drink users who consume these drinks at least twice a week”. “Take-home packs of energy drinks are now worth £46m and have grown 16% over the past year,” the report notes.

MERRY MAKERS: CHRISTMAS TOP UP STARS

With two years of muted celebrations behind us, Christmas 2022 is promising to be bigger and better than ever, as shoppers turn up the party dial and make merry with an array of gatherings with friends and family. We reveal the key categories and new products set to help fire up the festive season.

BY GAELLE WALKER

NOVELTY GIFTS

Novelty gifts can provide a tasty way for local retailers to drive excitement and impulse sales among shoppers on a gifting mission.

New from pladis for Christmas 2022 is the McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes Jaffa Hamper – which has been updated this year to include the brand’s innovative McVitie’s Jaffa Jonut.

Also making its return for another year is the Jaffa Cakes Christmas Pole. Containing 40 Original Jaffa Cakes, the “classic stocking filler” perfectly meets demand for novel gifting formats –“boosting higher frequency sales in the run up to Christmas,” says pladis UK&I Chief Marketing Officer Aslı Özen Turhan.

LIMITED-EDITION CONFECTIONERY

Flavour and variety remain key drivers for shoppers when making their festive confectionery purchases and Christmas 2022 is promising no shortage of innovative formats and on-trend flavours. With orange, mint and chocolate expected to lead sales this year, Mars Wrigley has launched an array of new limited-edition offerings from some of its biggest brands.

Responding to the 73% growth in White Chocolate seen last year, Mars Wrigley has launched Maltesers White for Christmas 2022 in a bid to bring younger shoppers to the category.

The Galaxy brand meanwhile has also launched a new limited-edition Truffles Assortment featuring new and on-trend caramel and salted caramel truffles.

Responding to growth in mint-flavoured chocolates, Mars Wrigley has also launched a limited-edition Maltesers Mint Reindeer in self-eat and Mini Reindeer packs.

RTDS

With the Ready To Drink (RTD) market expected to deliver strong growth over the festive season, Gordon’s Gin has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a premium Pink Gin and Lemonade can (5% ABV). Available in a 250ml format, Diageo GB said the innovation tapped into the current trend towards sweeter taste profiles. Jessica Lace, Head of Gordon’s, Diageo GB says: “Following the success of Gordon’s Premium Pink and knowing the huge opportunity within the RTD category, we were keen to replicate the popular Gordon’s Premium Pink & Lemonade in an accessible format for more consumers to enjoy. The launch of Gordon’s Premium Pink Gin & Lemonade ready-to-drink RTD does exactly that and places the brand at the forefront of emerging trends. We’re excited to be offering the high-quality, vibrant liquid in a convenient format that shoppers can enjoy and that retailers can capitalise on.”

PREMIUM LAGERS

With many shoppers looking to indulge in premium quality drinks at home during the festive season, the premium lager category is hotly tipped for success this year. As Kevin Fawell, Off-Trade Sales Director at Molson Coors Beverage Company explains: “The premiumisation trend has been growing for some time now, and that momentum shows no sign of stopping.

“The World Beer category is increasing sales ahead of the core category in the off-trade in Great Britain, appealing to those looking for a more premium option or something a bit different. Molson Coors recently launched European-style lager Madrí Excepcional in the off-trade that features a “crisp, refreshing taste and distinctive branding”.

Heineken is also hoping to answer demand for more premium largers with new Heineken Silver this festive season. Made using an ice-cold brewing process, the brand delivers a crisp flavour and more “subtle finish” which has also been designed to appeal to younger adult drinkers.

“We know that innovation is a large sales driver in the beer category, especially among younger adult drinkers who are constantly on the lookout for new products and styles to try,” Heineken Category & Commercial Strategy Director Alexander Wilson says.

FLAVOURED SPIRITS

With flavoured vodka currently the fastest growing segment within spirits, the run-up to the festive season has also witnessed several new flavour innovations from some of the UK’s biggest vodka brands.

Super-premium brand Cîroc recently unveiled Cîroc Passion in a bid to “help shoppers maximise on celebratory moments.” Inspired by the tropics, Cîroc Passion features subtle notes of pineapple, mango, citrus and hibiscus.

Meanwhile, tapping into the growing trend towards cherry flavours, Smirnoff is also gearing up for the launch of new Smirnoff Cherry Drop this festive season. The launch follows the success of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit and Smirnoff Berry Burst.

PREMIUM CRISPS

Crisps, Nuts and Snacks is a “critical category” for retailers to back at Christmas, with a value of £328m in December 2021, up from £300m the year before.

Worth £1.4bn, Sharing is the largest segment in CSN, and sharing packs see a 74% increase in purchase over the Christmas period versus the rest of the year as shoppers prepare for celebrations with family and friends, according to KP Snacks.

With shoppers “willing” to tap into higher-quality products and seasonal flavours over the Christmas period, local retailers would do well to “broaden their offering with premium options alongside familiar favourites,” Tyrrells Marketing Manager Amy Heap says.

The Tyrrells brand has just unveiled new limited-edition Christmas packaging across sharing bags of the top five Tyrrells flavours: Lightly Sea Salted, Mature Cheddar & Chive, Sea Salt & Cider Vinegar, Sweet Chilli & Red Pepper, and Veg Crisps with Sea Salt.

REDUCED RISK PRODUCTS

With shoppers looking to enjoy more indoor gatherings with friends and family, the festive season can also provide local retailers with a great opportunity to grow their sales of reduced risk products as adult smokers seek to quit or cut back on tobacco.

Leading disposable vape manufacturer Elfbar recently announced the launch of Cigalike, a new product that just looks like a conventional cigarette.

Providing adult smokers and vapers with around 400 puffs, Cigalike features an ultra-compact design with a diameter of just 9mm and an upgraded coil.

Elfbar Chief Executive Victor Xiao said: “According to the NHS, vaping is one of the best ways to quit smoking. Brands and the retail sector have an important role to play in getting this message out there to adult smokers by working closer together.”

LUCKY SEVEN

Under The Counter must have thought he’d finally died and – surprisingly, for a committed atheist – gone to heaven when he heard the latest news from Heineken.

It turns out the Dutch brewing giant is going to pay seven lucky punters a grand-and-a-half each to review the UK’s most environmentally friendly pubs in the role of Green Pub Tester.

Duties will include visiting taverns listed in the Green Pub Guide, and soaking up their eco credentials, food and drink offerings, service, and overall atmosphere.

So far so good for the Auld Boy, whose eco credentials are second to none. Let’s face it, he’s been recycling the same tired old patter since he was at school with Moses’ big brother. He also loves eating and drinking. Here’s hoping the pubs, like his usual lunchtime watering hole the Rhoderick Dhu, serve pie and chips washed down with lashings and lashings of Tennent’s Lager.

Where UTC might falter in the recruitment process though, is the requirement for Testers to share their experiences in a short video, which will feature on Heineken’s social channels.

As anyone who’s ever had the misfortune of meeting SLR’s most senior of citizens will testify, he is the proud owner of what’s best described as “a good face for radio”.

Nae luck Auld Yin, looks like you’ll be lunching at the Rhoddie Dhu for the foreseeable.

UNFORTUNATE FOUR

While Under The Counter may well list drinking beer among his dream jobs, counting penguins doesn’t rate so highly.

But that’s exactly what a Bo’ness woman is about to spend five months doing, 9,000 miles down the way on Goudier Island in the Antarctic.

Mairi Hilton will swap views of the Grangemouth petrochemical plant for the equally godforsaken vistas of the South Atlantic, as the historic Port Lockroy base reopens for the first time since the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with three other women, the conservation biologist will be responsible for, besides keeping tabs on the cast of Happy Feet, running the site’s post office, museum and gift shop. Yes, really.

Amazingly, considering the sub-zero temperatures and icy winds, the site attracts around 18,000 visitors every year. And – unlike all those branches CJ Lang axed – the post office does a remarkably brisk trade – handling in the region of 80,000 cards annually.

Despite a glaring lack of upsides, there is – unfortunately – a downside to the job: no running water and consequently no flushing toilet.

Predictably enough, UTC doesn’t view this as problem. As anyone who’s ever fallen asleep listening to tales of his spartan upbringing in a tenement flat sharing an outside lavvy with five other families will testify.

SOME CANDY MOCKING

He may well be the proud possessor of a bus pass, but Under The Counter’s sense of humour remains firmly juvenile, probably because he was raised on a diet of Carry On films and Viz comics.

The Auld Boy was therefore sniggering like a schoolboy on nitrous oxide when he saw the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party’s attempt to “sweeten” the final sprint of a regional election last month.

The AfD’s plan was to tempt voters with packs of red gummy sweets in the shape of its logo – a Nike-style swoosh with an arrowhead on the tail. Unfortunately, what you want and what you get are often two very different things: the finished articles bore more than a passing resemblance to miniature dildos.

As UTC somewhat uncouthly put it: “The confectioner appears to have made a cock-andballs of it.”

Despite not being best-known for their sense of humour, Germans were quick to poke fun at the ‘kleine penisse’ on social media, although the AfD’s regional chairman Frank Rinck was not amused.

“Everybody sees what they want to see,” he said. “We’re not taking any consequences.”

By consequences, Herr Rinck actually meant seats in the regional parliament: the AfD saw a grand total of zero members (tiny or otherwise) elected.

Nein luck faschisten!