The Week in Retail 101

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SYMBOL GROUPS

RE-ENERGISED

MERSEYSIDE RETAILER JOINS GO LOCAL EXTRA NETWORK LEGISLATION

LAND OF CONFUSION HFSS CONTINUES TO DIVIDE CONSUMERS

MONEY TALKS COST OF LIVING

RISING INFLATION A ‘BARRIER’ TO SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING

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KP SNACKS ON THE CASE FOR HFSS CHANGES

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Issue 101 Wednesday 20th April 2022

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T H E W E E K I N R E TA I L

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Money talks This week’s most interesting and disappointing story come in the form of new research that reveals that the cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation is creating a barrier to adopting more sustainable shopping practices in the UK. The UK inflation rate rose to 7% in March with food inflation at 5.9%, partly driven by a sharp increase in petrol and diesel, which affects retailers through transport costs.

The research by Quantilope finds that just one in five shoppers in the UK is making planet-friendly choices due to inflation concerns.

It’s so disappointing after all the effort retailers and food manufacturers have put into becoming more sustainable. This has seen some move their products into more recyclable packs or no packs at all, change ingredients, introduce new plant-based ranges and sell more local products, and ban products with unnecessary plastic.

Others have stopped printing receipts, joined food waste apps, trialled eco traffic labels, and lobbied the government.

However, three-quarters of the consumers surveyed by Quantilope strongly agreed that protecting

the environment is one of the most important issues of our times.

Let’s hope that all this work hasn’t been in vain and that as soon as the cost of living starts to fall, consumers will once again turn to more sustainable products and the retailers stocking them.

Meanwhile, further interesting research came from Lumina Intelligence, which looked at the HFSS regulations. The research shows most consumers believe the regulations will help reduce unhealthy eating, but reactions are very mixed.

The HFSS location restrictions could impact 46% of confectionery, crisps and snacks, and soft drink purchases in convenience, the research finds.

You can read more about it on page 19.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

£6m BRAND ON TV INVESTMENT FROM MARCH

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101

6

10

20

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

NEW STORES

COMMUNITY

PayPoint offers free marketing support for the growing digital voucher category and rising inflation hinders sustainable shopping.

A switch to Parfett’s Go Local Extra fascia means a “reinvention of the wheel” for a store in the Merseyside village of Oxton.

Scotmid becomes prime sponsor of the world’s only menopause festival, #FlushFest2022, which makes its return in June.

9

Covid-19 update The latest coronavirus-related news.

13 Crime Nottinghamshire Trading Standards

17 Advertising feature Golden Wonder celebrates 75 years as a much-loved British snacking icon.

18 HFSS regulations

22 Picks of the week A look at the latest new products and marketing campaigns.

28 Out the box: food waste

successfully prosecutes two traders after

KP Snacks unveils product cases stamped

US online grocer Farmstead unveils ‘Eat

the seizure of illicit tobacco worth £20,000

with a non-HFSS flash to help retailers

This First’ receipts to remind shoppers

and a Northampton store owner is fined

adapt to new regulations, while more than

more than £6,000 after illicit cigarettes

half of consumers would still buy HFSS

were found on his premises.

products if they weren’t on promotion.

15 National Lottery

21 Community

Camelot reveals that 90% of National

Spar unveils a £100,000 Community

Lottery retailers visited passed their first

Cashback scheme, to give grants to

‘Operation 18’ mystery shopping visit.

community organisations and charities.

what items are expected to perish first.

31 Before you go...

Our latest Retail Randoms feature a pair of Easter stories from Australia and the USA.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

EGG EXODUS British egg farmers are warning that customers could face empty shelves as they consider a mass exodus due to a lack

SERVICES

PayPoint’s free marketing support for growing digital voucher category The move follows a successful trial in 1,000 stores at the end of 2021.

of support from supermarkets amid spiralling costs. The British Free Range Egg Producers Association said the cost of feeding hens has jumped 50%, while energy prices have increased by 40%.

DELIVEROO DONATION Deliveroo is launching a UKwide partnership with food charity Trussell Trust to add a round-up donation to their in-app food orders. Deliveroo employees will also volunteer for the charity and support by sharing their time and expertise with food banks in the Trussell Trust network.

ASDA CFO FALLON QUITS Asda’s Chief Financial Officer John Fallon has left the business to “take on new challenges”. Fallon will be replaced by Michael Gleeson, who last month stepped down from the same role at Morrisons. He has also worked for Tesco in a number of senior finance roles.

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PayPoint is launching further marketing support for its retailer partners to promote the growing digital voucher category.

PayPoint retailers currently offer six big brands, including Amazon, Xbox, PlayStation, Paysafecard, Neosurf, and Love2Shop. More major brands are expected to follow later this year, PayPoint says.

The move follows a successful trial in 1,000 stores at the end of 2021. Trial

stores saw uplifts of up to 300% in sales of digital vouchers and retailers also benefited from the enhanced uncapped commission of 2% offered on Love2Shop vouchers.

All retailer partners can now order free-of-charge display units and point of sale [www.paypoint.com/pos] to promote these services in-store.

Danny Vant, Client Services Director at PayPoint said: “We want to help our retailer partners tap into this trend, which is why we’re delighted to be launching our free marketing support to all our retailer partners following a trial last year.

“Our digital voucher category has the biggest range of consumer brands for gaming, streaming, shopping and making digital payments, whilst offering our retailer partners great opportunities to earn more from PayPoint services in their store.”

SuperValu unveils €35m stores investment SuperValu has revealed that it will invest more than €35m in approximately 50 stores during 2022, creating at least 150 new jobs.

The Irish supermarket chain has also launched a new food experience-based store in Knocklyon. The outlet offers a taste of local range, plant-based alternatives, as well as a home eco-range. The store also provides customers with new

delicatessen, bakery, meal solutions and fresh food offerings alongside the Happy Pear and Donnybrook Fair ranges.

Managing director Ian Allen said Supervalu planned to further cement its leadership position by continuing to offer even more great value, supporting local producers, investing in technology and food innovation, and delivering the best customer experience in the market.

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

COST OF LIVING

Rising inflation a ‘barrier’ to sustainable shopping

Inflation concerns means just one in five UK shoppers make planet friendly choices

he cost-of-living crisis and rising inflation is creating a barrier to adopting more sustainable shopping practices in the UK and Germany, according to a new study.

Despite nearly three-quarters of British and German consumers strongly agreeing that protecting the environment is one of the most important issues of our times, just one in five shoppers in the UK make planet friendly choices due to inflation concerns.

The 2022 Consumer Trends in Sustainability research also found that half of consumers in each market look for sustainable ingredients on packaging and pay attention to the displays/information shown on shelves.

Peter Aschmoneit, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of research platform Quantilope, said: “While consumers

CO-OP DEBUTS DEPOT The Co-op’s new regional distribution depot in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, is gearing-up to serve communities with the first deliveries now underway to stores across the south-east.

The site isset to serve over 600 Co-op stores when it becomes fully operational later this year.

expect brands to take responsibility for the sustainability of their products, they are more than willing to do their bit to save the planet.

“However, there are barriers that need to be removed, or reduced, to make sustainable behaviours easier; money is the biggest barrier with uncertainty about what is sustainable and limited access to sustainable products also reducing sustainable actions.”

MIDWEEK BONANZA Nisa’s latest Midweek Meal promotion, available until 10 May, is made up of five Co-op own-brand lines: Lasagne sheets 500g, British 20% Fat Beef Mince 500g, Onions 3pk, White Lasagne Sauce 430g, and Italian Passata 500g. It saves the shopper more than £2 off the RSP.

ACS launches people hub for members

GREEN ALDI

The Association of Convenience Stores has developed a new package of employment resources for retailers, supporting effective recruitment, retention, and progression across the convenience sector.

The ACS People Hub has been launched to support members within a competitive labour market and follows the launch of the ACS Wellbeing Guide in September. The People Hub,

Aldi is trialling an all-electric

accessible via the ACS Member Portal, includes content on recruitment, retention and progression.

ACS chief executive James Lowman commented: “Given greater competition for talent beyond the pandemic, we have developed the People Hub to be relevant throughout job tenures, from assessing candidates to onboarding and helping people grow and thrive within the sector.”

refrigerated trailer as part of its efforts to reduce its carbon emissions. The trailer converts kinetic energy into electricity to power the on-board batteries as the wheels turn, meaning products are kept cool – all while reducing energy consumption and minimising environmental impact.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

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NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

Scotland ditches facemask rules

INDIA TO ALLOW CARDLESS CASH WITHDRAWALS The Reserve Bank of India

The Covid testing regime in Scotland has also changed this week

(RBI) has proposed to make cardless cash withdrawals more commonplace across the country’s ATM networks.

Until now, only existing customers of some banks could withdraw cash without a card at their own bank’s ATM network.

Once interoperability is implemented, customer will be able to withdraw cash from any other bank’s ATM Unified Payments Interface

circumstances where this can help reduce the risk of infection, and I encourage everyone to do likewise.”

Professor Stephen Reicher, a behavioural psychologist at St Andrews University, said: “If I choose not to wear a mask, I make it dangerous for somebody who’s vulnerable and I take their choice away. So we should be acting as a community so everyone can go out in public and everybody can be safe.”

The Covid testing regime has also changed in Scotland. Free lateral flow tests are no longer generally available.

Scots with Covid symptoms are still required to isolate and get a PCR test.

These will be available to people with symptoms until the end of April.

(UPI) facility.

The process would involve the scanning of a UPI QR code on a relevant app,

TECH SOLUTIONS

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cotland’s face-covering rules, which required people to wear a face mask in-store, have been lifted after nearly two years of enforcement.

The move brings Scotland into line with the rest of the UK. The lifting of the remaining laws had been delayed twice before by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, amid record levels of Covid cases and high numbers of people in hospital with the virus.

However, the Scottish government and health experts are still strongly advising people to continue to wear masks voluntarily.

Sturgeon said: “While the law no longer requires face coverings to be worn, I will continue to do so in

in their location, using the

which then normally prompts a pin check before money is allowed to be withdrawn.

However, it is feared the plan could potentially lead to additional fees being levied on customers, because banks will need to spend on upgrading ATM software and creating other payments infrastructure.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

NEW ST

GO LOCA

Re-ene

A Merseyside-based store has undergone sign

P

aul Edwards, who has operated his store in Oxton in Merseyside for 20 years, has become part of the Go Local Extra network.

Paul oversees the 1,000sq ft store with his wife Kirsten, who operates the

integrated Post Office at 23-25 Rosemount, Oxton. The store’s day-to-day running is handled by store manager Mike Fletcher, who first started at the store as a paperboy at the age of 13 more than 15 years ago.

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The store currently employs a team of 10 people.

Paul worked with Parfett’s Store Development Manager, Antony Downing, who challenged his thinking in terms of store layout with a real focus

TO R E S

AL EXTRA

ergised

nificant improvements since switching fascias.

new chiller units and increased shelving space.

In addition, Paul has extended the store’s range to generate greater footfall. This includes stocking fresh, handcrafted doughnuts from Planet Doughnut together with daily fresh cakes, sandwiches and savouries from the independent bakery next door, which Paul and Kirsten also own.

INTERVENTION

the re-opening. Parfetts have also been supportive with stock availability and delivery. The support team is always on hand to help us operate efficiently. As a result, the store was wholly stocked within two days before launch.”

Steve Moore, head of retail at Parfetts, said: “Paul is an experienced, firstclass retailer who we’ve enjoyed working closely with to ensure the store is not only high impact, but well equipped to meet the needs of all customers. The

“We wanted to reinvent the wheel with our new look store and provide our customers with a facility and service that would knock their socks off.”

given to customers’ in-store experience.

As Oxton is a conservation area, all the renovations and improvements needed to fall within with local guidelines.

The retailer has now undertaken significant store improvements, including

The store is part of the nationwide ‘Reducing the Strength’ campaign, an increasingly popular intervention in which local authorities ask retailers to stop selling ‘super-strength’ beers and ciders to help combat alcohol abuse.

Paul commented: “We wanted to reinvent the wheel with our new look store and provide our customers with a facility and service that would knock their socks off, but we also wanted to be sympathetic to local conservation guidelines. I’m proud to say that all the hard work has paid off, and we have achieved our goals.”

He added: “It was easy to team up with Parfetts and Go Local. The store staff are delighted with the new look and are completely re-energised since

store has embraced the promotions we offer with real enthusiasm. This has translated into strong sales, and the availability of own-brand produce on the shelf means customers are getting value and great choice.

IMPACT “The new look Go Local Extra store looks great and has already made an impact on customers with footfall steadily increasing. Paul and Kirsten are hard-working retailers who know what they want to achieve but are open to new approaches and systems. We are fully behind the couple and their dedicated team and look forward to building on this success as they further develop their retail offering.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11

CRIME

ILLEGAL TOBACCO

Illegal tobacco traders prosecuted in Nottinghamshire Trading standards officers caught the traders with illicit tobacco worth about £20,000.

N

ottinghamshire County Council Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted two traders after the seizure of counterfeit and illicit cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco, which had an equivalent retail value of about £20,000.

Serwan Ali of 7a Bridge St, Wigan, pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court to possession and supply of counterfeit and illicit tobacco products at Friends Mini Market, Low Street, Sutton in Ashfield in October 2021.

Serwan was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay £600 prosecution costs.

Also at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court, Kargar Mushini of 47 Whitacre Close, Huddersfield, pleaded guilty to four offences relating to counterfeit and illicit tobacco found at Delisha of 3 Toothill Lane, Mansfield.

Mushini was sentenced to a 12-month Community Order with 120 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs of £200 and a £95 victim surcharge.

Councillor Tom Smith, Vice-Chairman of the Communities Committee at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “These products are very dangerous for consumers. They often won’t

self-extinguish, which makes them a huge fire risk. We’ve also seen how the trade in illicit tobacco attracts other crime and anti-social behaviour to an area, further damaging our communities.

“We want to send out a message to other unscrupulous traders that we will not tolerate the sale of counterfeit goods in the county. Taking action to stop these criminals and make our communities safer is our priority. We would encourage anyone who has information about the sale of illegal tobacco to report anonymously report concerns to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 13

CRIME

ILLEGAL TOBACCO

Store owner fined after illict tobacco find

Many of the cigarettes falsely carried the names and logos of well-known brands, while hundreds of others carried no English-language health warnings.

A

Northampton store owner has been fined more than £6,000 after hundreds of packets of illicit cigarettes were found at his store.

Officers from Northamptonshire County Council’s Trading Standards team and HM Revenue and Customs seized the cigarettes and a number of tobacco pouches after finding them in an electronic hide during a visit to Xoshawi Kalend’s UK Monopol store in St Leonard’s Road, Far Cotton.

Many of the items falsely carried the names and logos of well-known brands, while hundreds of others carried no English-language health warnings, as is

required by law. In addition, a number of the cigarettes were not made with firesafe paper, meaning they would be more likely to cause fires if left unattended.

Kalend pleaded guilty to five offences at Northampton Magistrates’ Court. The charges included: possessing with intent to sell 86 packets of cigarettes carrying false branding; possessing 239 packets and four tobacco pouches that were not labelled with the proper warnings; and failing to act with due care to ensure that 36 packets of cigarettes complied with safety requirements.

Magistrates fined Kalend £6,388, including a contribution to prosecution

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costs, and ordered him to pay a victim surcharge of £189.

Kalend had pleaded guilty to five similar charges in July 2019 and received a financial penalty of £3,000 including a contribution to prosecution costs.

Councillor David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for community safety and engagement and regulatory services, said: “The Trading Standards team at West Northamptonshire Council take a very tough stance on the issue, and I hope this prosecution sends a strong message that if shopkeepers deal in illegal tobacco, they should expect to face legal action.”

BUSINESS SERVICES

NATIONAL LOTTERY

Lottery retailers pass first Operation 18 visits Visits were introduced in April following the change to the minimum age to play.

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amelot had revealed that 90% of National Lottery retailers visited correctly asked for ID as proof of age on their first ‘Operation 18’ mystery shopping visit – rising to 95% for second visits.

These visits replaced the previous ‘Operation Child’ visits – which had been running for two decades – following the change to the minimum age to play The National Lottery from 16 to 18, which came into force in April 2021.

These results come alongside interim findings from a recent player survey that looks at the effectiveness of a relatively new feature on the National

Lottery terminals in retail, which allows retailers to print and discreetly give healthy play handouts to players by pressing the ‘Responsible Play’ button on their terminal.

If a retailer is concerned about a customer’s playing habits or if a customer asks a retailer for support, the button allows retailers to subtly print a pink ticket with details of where support is available. The initial survey findings show that 72% of National Lottery players who received the handout felt positive about it, and that two in five players are going to think about their play after seeing the handout.

Camelot’s Retail Strategy Manager, Guy Goodacre, said: “With the age to play change from 16 to 18 in April last year, this has been a critical year for The National Lottery – and we can’t thank our retail partners enough for their hard work and dedication every step of the way.

"From updating all of their in-store POS and reminding customers in the lead-up to the change last year, to showing their ongoing commitment to preventing underage play through these fantastic ‘Operation 18’ results – it’s plain to see that our retail partners are totally committed to responsible retailing.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 15

ER

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•1947-2022•

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WO

D

FUL

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WE’RE CELEBRATING SO GET THE CRISPS IN!

LOOK OUT FOR OUR EXCITING ON-PACK PROMOTION supported by social, digital and trade activity

DON’T MISS THE SALES & PROFITS PARTY

STOCK UP NOW!

GOLDEN WONDER

75 WONDERFUL YEARS

Golden Wonder is celebrating… so get the crisps in!

This year, Golden Wonder is celebrating 75 years as a much-loved British snacking icon.

T

his year, Golden Wonder is celebrating 75 years as a much-loved British snacking icon. Founded by baker William Alexander in Stockbridge, Edinburgh in 1947, it’s been an unforgettable family favourite ever since.

Matt Smith, Marketing Director at Tayto Group (owners of Golden Wonder) says: “We really felt 75 years of delivering fully-flavoured crisps and snacks is a major milestone worth celebrating – particularly in Scotland where the brand was born. We wanted our devoted consumers to be part of the celebration by giving them just what they want – their favourite flavours in packs that bring back wonderful memories – as well as offering them the opportunity to create some new memories.”

Flavour is at the heart of this year’s anniversary celebrations. Loyal fans recently voted to bring back their all-time favourite flavours. Beef & Onion and Chip Shop Curry will return to the Golden Wonder range this month, initially on a limited edition run, in classic 1970s packs.

Cheese & Onion, Golden Wonder’s flagship flavour which launched in 1962, will also join this heritage range in impulse pack and six-pack multipack formats. Both formats

feature an on-pack promotion to win one of 75 experience vouchers. And there’s also 10% off at experiencedays.co.uk for every entrant.

The on-pack promotion is also running across Golden Wonder’s recently launched £1 crisps range which is performing ahead of expectations.

Golden Wonder’s big anniversary comes at a time of resurgence for the brand – particularly in Scotland. Over one-third of Golden Wonder’s total sales are in Scotland – where they over-trade in symbols and independents.

Matt shares the secret to 75 years of success for the much-loved brand: “Our fans say, ‘I buy Golden Wonder because it tastes better, the flavours are stronger, they are unique.’ The fact we’re still here 75 years after we started is a testament to us making brilliant products. It’s all about flavour for us – we won’t put our names to anything that doesn’t taste great!”

“And we have no plans of stopping! So here’s to another 75 years – or more – of fully-flavoured crisps and snacks with more punch per crunch!”

The promotional packs are available now and the campaign is being promoted across social, digital and trade channels throughout 2022.

Find out more here.

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE PARTY – STOCK UP NOW!

HFSS

KP SNACKS

KP Snacks on the case for HFSS changes The brand is introducing product cases stamped with a newly developed non-HFSS flash to help retailers adapt to the regulations.

K

P Snacks has unveiled measures to support retailers ahead of government HFSS legislation being introduced in October.

The brand is introducing product cases stamped with a newly developed KP Snacks non-HFSS flash to help retailers adapt to the regulations and easily identify appropriate products.

The non-HFSS cases will make it easier to navigate the wholesale aisle and locate products free from restrictions on positioning and promotions. The easily identifiable product cases will also make it simpler for in-store staff to arrange and replenish non-HFSS stock.

The new product cases will be launched across KP Snacks’ leading

non-HFSS brands ahead of the introduction of HFSS legislation.

In addition, the brand has developed a simple step-by-step HFSS retailer guide that provides retailers with a straightforward and comprehensive overview of KP Snacks’ HFSS strategy and product reformulation programme.

The KP Snacks HFSS retailer guide provides retailers with tips for optimising their CSN fixtures to prevent lost sales as they adapt to the new regulations. It also includes a QR code which points to the official ACS HFSS guide.

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Matt Collins, Trading Director at KP Snacks, commented: “At KP Snacks, we are committed to supporting retailers as they respond and adapt to the new HFSS legislation.

“As an industry leader, we have ensured we are prepared for the upcoming changes, and we’re working hard to make sure our retail partners feel similarly ready to continue driving category growth once the legislation is introduced.”

KP Snacks has been working on improving the health credentials of its products for a number of years; by the time HFSS legislation comes into play, more than 100 SKUs and a quarter of the KP range will be non-HFSS.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

HFSS LEGISLATION

Potential impact continues to divide consumers Lumina Intelligence research reveals that 57% of respondents would continue to purchase HFSS products if they weren’t on promotion.

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onsumers remain divided on the potential impact of HFSS legislation on unhealthy eating habits, research from Lumina Intelligence reveals.

The research shows 41% of consumers agree on the efficacy of HFSS overall.

However, despite this, 55% of those who agree with its efficacy will still purchase HFSS products.

In addition, the data shows that 57% of respondents would continue to purchase HFSS products if they weren’t on promotion, just 12% indicating that they would not purchase HFSS products if they weren’t on offer.

HFSS location restrictions could impact 46% of confectionery, crisps and snacks, and soft drink purchases in convenience, the research finds.

Meanwhile, the figures show 46% of HFSS products purchased are picked up from locations set to be restricted under HFSS legislation. HFSS products were picked up on the main product shelf (44%), the end of an aisle (23%), the front of the store (11%), the till (9%), free-standing displays around the store (5%), and within the queue system (3%).

Confectionery is at most risk with 50% of purchases made in HFSS restricted locations, while soft drinks purchases are least impacted with 44% bought in restricted locations.

HFSS volume restrictions could impact 32% of confectionery, crisps and snacks, and soft drink purchase in convenience, the research found.

Increasing non-volume offers and introducing new promotional deals will be essential as 32% of HFSS category purchases are made on multi-buy and buy one get one free promotions.

Other promotions were: percentage off (21%), multi-buys (20%), meal deal

(16%), buy one get one free (11%), and bundle deal (1%).

Blonnie Whist, Insight Director at Lumina Intelligence, commented: “Retailers are going to have to think hard about merchandising and promotions. Nearly half of all HFSS products purchased are picked up from areas set to be restricted and 32% are purchased as part of promotions set to be restricted.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19

COMMUNITY

SCOTMID

Scotmid sponsors world’s only Menopause Festival The festival aims to encourage more open conversations about a stage of life that can have significant impacts for women.

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cotmid has become a prime sponsor of the world’s only Menopause Festival, #FlushFest2022, which will return in June.

The core aim of #FlushFest is to increase awareness of menopause around the world by changing attitudes, opening-up conversation and increasing knowledge, understanding, and support of a stage of life that can have significant impacts for women.

In its fourth year, the festival has set out a packed programme of speakers and entertainment to continue driving open conversation about menopause among family and friends.

TV presenter and journalist, Kirsty Wark, who featured in the ground-breaking BBC documentary ‘Menopause and Me’ will headline the festival as a keynote speaker and share her own experiences with attendees.

The festival will also host a comedy evening and will feature a leading line-up of speakers and workshop leaders, including Haitham Hamoda, Consultant Gynaecologist and Chairman of the British Menopause Society.

Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Membership and Community at Scotmid, said: “We’re proud to sponsor #FlushFest22. We recognise the impact

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menopause has on the health and wellbeing of our employees and the communities that we serve.”

Rachel Weiss, founder of Menopause Café charity that is organising the festival, added: “We’re excited to launch the fourth annual #Flushfest in an online, interactive format so that everyone around the world can access it. We hope that the festival provides a supportive community for participants to learn, laugh and share about their menopause experiences.”

The festival will run online from 17-18 June.

COMMUNITY

SPAR UK

£100k Community Cashback scheme introduced The scheme will be the first initiative to launch the ‘nurture our neighbourhood’ pillar of the symbol group’s new brand positioning.

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par has launched a £100,000 Community Cashback scheme, which will give grants to local voluntary or community organisations and charities that need it most.

Shoppers from across the UK can apply for a grant for an organisation or charity they feel deserves funding. All applicants need to do is share the exceptional contribution a local organisation has made to their community and what the grant would be put towards.

There are 30 grants available, covering all geographical regions across the UK. Amounts available are 5 x £10,000, 5 x £5,000, 5 x £2,000 and 15 x £1,000.

Successful applicants will then be visited and awarded their grant from their local Spar representative. Applications can be made on until 4 May 2022.

The campaign will be supported in-store with POS and on all Spar UK and RDC digital channels with paid advertising across social media.

The scheme will be the first initiative to launch the ‘nurture our neighbourhood’ pillar of the symbol group’s new brand positioning, called ‘The Joy of Living Locally’.

Suzanne Dover, Spar UK Brand and Marketing Director, said: “Spar believes in nurturing our neighbourhoods and supporting the communities we serve.

One way we are helping to do this, is by giving back to local organisations who are actively working in these communities.

“Our £100,000 Community Cashback scheme will invest back into the local communities and provide deserving local organisations some extra financial help to support their aims in providing benefits to those communities.

“We know the importance of looking after our shoppers and this will help build and strengthen neighbourhoods. We look forward to helping thirty deserving causes over the next few months.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – LUCOZADE ENERGY

SAY HALO TO LUCOZADE’S NEW XBOX PROMO Convenience retailers also have the chance to win an exclusive Xbox prize pack.

Lucozade Energy has teamed up with Xbox to give

500ml, 900ml, and 4x380ml multipacks. The promo

shoppers the chance to win big with a new on-pack

will be supported by £2m total spend, which includes

promotion landing in stores from early May.

out-of-home advertising, a Snapchat lens, a web-

By scanning a QR code on pack, Lucozade Energy drinkers will have the chance to win a host

page takeover on gaming fan website Fandom, and a partnership with live streaming site Twitch.

of prizes to meet all their gaming needs – includ-

Convenience retailers also have the chance to

ing Xbox Series S consoles, complete with Xbox

win an exclusive Xbox prize pack, including an Xbox

Game Pass Ultimate 12-month subscriptions. And,

Series S console, to raffle off to their shoppers. The

to celebrate the Season 2 launch of Halo Infinite,

winning retailers will receive a full toolkit to run the

shoppers can redeem exclusive in-game bonuses

competition, consisting of posters, entry cards for

with every promotional bottle purchased.

the till, and point-of-sale materials to create a buzz

The promotion will see bottles of Lucozade

in store and encourage shoppers to enter the raffle.

Energy, Orange, Original, Apple and Cherry transformed with limited-edition Halo sleeves that

To be in with a chance of winning, retailers

feature the game’s Master Chief character.

should email SBFTrade@hanovercomms.com

It will be live on-pack from May until August across multiple formats: 380ml (standard & PMP),

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 101 / WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022

with their name, store name and address by 27 May 2022.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – GUINNESS

GUINNESS LAUNCHES COLD BREW COFFEE BEER The new brew aims to capitalise on the increasing popularity of flavoured alcoholic drinks and recruit new adult drinkers to the brand.

Guinness has added Guinness Cold Brew Coffee Beer (4% ABV) to its portfolio.

The brand says the new launch boasts the

The latest innovation, which will be available in a 440ml can format, will roll out across the off-trade throughout April, May, and June.

“perfect balance of bitter and sweet roast coffee

To support the launch, Guinness Cold Brew Cof-

tasting notes” and creates an “elevated experience”

fee Beer is being supported by marketing spend in

for beer and coffee lovers.

its first year which includes social media, influencer

To deliver this new taste, cold brew coffee –

and advocacy activity.

which has been steeped in cool water for long

John Burns, Head of Guinness GB, said: “We

periods of time instead of brewed with boiling water

firmly believe we have created a taste experience

– is added to Guinness Draught, alongside addi-

truly unrivalled in the market and with over 95 million

tional roasted barley flavours, to balance delicate

cups of coffee being consumed every day in Great

notes of coffee, chocolate and caramel. It offers

Britain alone, now is the moment to offer a product

approximately 2mg of caffeine per can, the same

which plays to an excitingly vast consumer space.

as a decaf coffee.

There is already a natural connection with coffee

The new brew aims to capitalise on the increas-

notes in Guinness’ signature offerings like Draught

ing popularity of flavoured alcoholic drinks and also

and Extra Stout, so the creation of Guinness Cold

recruit new adult drinkers to the brand.

Brew Coffee Beer was a perfect match.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – LAMBRINI

DENISE VAN OUTEN BRINGS THE BRINI

Lambrini’s new campaign sees Denise Van Outen encourage consumers to add some fun to everyday moments.

Lambrini has unveiled its latest ‘Bring the Brini’

ABV companion for cocktail recipes or for those

campaign in partnership with Denise Van Outen

looking to moderate their consumption.

– the perry brand’s first big activation since it was acquired by Accolade Wines in June 2021.

Denise Van Outen commented: “Those of you who have read my autobiography will know that

The ‘Bring the Brini’ social campaign encour-

I’ve always thought of myself as a ‘Lambrini girl’,

ages consumers to enhance everyday moments

and I still really enjoy relaxing at the end of a busy

with an extra sense of celebration and fun, whether

day with a glass of Lambrini in hand.”

it’s successfully getting the kids to bed or meeting with friends on a Friday night.

Tom Smith, Marketing Director – Europe, Accolade Wines, added: “Lambrini recruits a younger

The partnership sees Lambrini and Van Outen

drinker who is less likely to buy traditional wine

share lifestyle imagery and videos on their social

as they have a preference for lighter, sweeter

channels. The content features Lambrini’s core

tasting products and lower alcohol drinks. These

consumption occasions of relaxation and partying,

consumers are also becoming more financially

with a celebratory twist and a nod to the 90s era,

strained and are looking for good value, accessible

when Lambrini was created.

drinks. We’re looking to raise awareness of the

At 6% ABV, Lambrini offers drinkers a lighter alternative to sparkling wine, providing a lower

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 101 / WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022

brand within this demographic, which is why the campaign will focus on social media.”

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – JUUL

NEXT-GEN JUUL2 SYSTEM ROLLS OUT TO STORES The update includes the newly designed Juul2 pods that are available in six menthol and tobacco flavours.

Juul Labs has launched its next-generation

Each pod, which is only compatible with the new

Juul2 system into retail following six months of

Juul2 device, has an 18 mg/ml nicotine strength.

e-commerce trials.

The device is also supported by a new Juul2

Rolling out to all channels now, the upgraded

app which gives users insights into their usage

system features an array of updates, including

and allows them to keep track of their device and

newly designed Juul2 pods with 70% more e-liquid

locate it if lost.

per pod.

In a bid to combat the illicit trade and underage

The system also offers a “more consistent

use, the new device and app also automatically

vapour experience,” that Juul says better competes

check and confirm product authenticity when new

with combustible cigarettes.

Juul2 pods are added.

It also features a larger battery with over 20% more capacity than the original Juul.

Designed with “adult smokers in mind” the new

The company is also trialling a take-back and recycling programme for used pods and devices, which it hopes to roll out later this year.

Juul2 pods are available in six menthol and tobacco

Starter kits, which include a device, charging

flavours including: Virginia Tobacco, Polar Men-

dock, Virginia Tobacco and Crisp Menthol Juul2

thol, Crisp Menthol, Ruby Menthol and Summer

pods will launch with an RSP of £9.99, while new

Menthol, plus a newly launched Autumn Tobacco.

Juul2 pod packs will launch at £6.99.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – COCA-COLA

A COCA-COLA THAT’S OUT OF THIS WORLD Coca-Cola Intergalactic is the first limited-edition product under the brand’s new Creations platform.

Coca-Cola has launched limited-edition

we had the opportunity to ask ourselves what could

Intergalactic, inspired by the world of space.

space taste like, and we couldn’t be more excited

Intergalactic delivers a new take on the much-

to introduce our first Coca-Cola Creation in Europe

loved Coca-Cola taste, it has zero sugar, a reddish

- Intergalactic – our limited-edition, space-themed

hue, and comes in a 250ml can inspired by the

Coca-Cola that aims to bring some of the magic

stars.

and mystery of everything that we love about space

The new launch is the first limited-edition prod-

to life with every single sip.”

uct under Coca-Cola Creations, a new platform

Coca-Cola Intergalactic is a limited edition,

that takes the Coca-Cola brand and lends it to

available in small volumes in GB to grocery, man-

new expressions.

aged convenience, and some wholesale retail club

Over the course of 2022 and beyond, CocaCola will collaborate to create new flavours, designs, and experiences, reimagining its product in time-limited editions inspired by relevant moments across culture, music, and gaming.

Martin Attock, Vice-President Commercial Development at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners GB, said: “Innovations like Intergalactic give us an opportunity to drive excitement, talkability and momentum around the Coca-Cola brand – engaging new and existing shoppers with innovative flavours and experiences unlike anything they’ve had before.”

The Intergalactic cans will allow viewers access to the world’s first ‘Concert on a Coca-Cola’, featuring global popstar, Ava Max. The augmented reality concert can be accessed by scanning the QR Code on a Coca-Cola Intergalactic can, launching the Coca-Cola Hub where the performance will live. Other digital elements for fans to interact with include Instagram filters, ASMR experiences and more.

Joshua Schwarber, Senior Director, Global Digital Design, said: “For this first Coca-Cola Creation,

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 101 / WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022

members. Intergalactic has an RSP of 77p.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

SYRUP SURPRISE

PINK GIN

SPICY SUMMER

Weetabix has partnered with

Diageo has launched Gordon’s

Wagamama has introduced a

Lyle’s Golden Syrup to launch

Premium Pink 0.0% to capitalise

collection of mayo products just

an HFSS-compliant cereal that

on the growing momentum in

in time for BBQ season. Katsu

pairs the syrup with the iconic

the non-alcoholic category. The

Curry Mayo and Firecracker

biscuit. The launch will be sup-

new launch combines flavours

Mayo are perfect for bringing a

ported with in-store and online

of raspberry and strawberry

touch of Wagamama into any

shopper activity, and digital video

blended with redcurrant and dis-

meal. The mayos are both vegan

adverts. The cereal has an RSP

tilled botanicals. It is available in

and suitable for plant-based diets,

of £3.29 for a 24-biscuit pack.

a 70cl bottle.

and have an RSP of £2.25.

SOBER BRUMMIE

ALTERNATIVE CHEESE

BOMBAY MIX

Birmingham Brewing Company

Bombay Sapphire has unveiled

has launched a low-alcohol beer

Nurishh, Bel’s first range of plant-

Bombay Citron Pressé – a gin

with a 0.5% ABV. The Sober

based alternatives to cheese,

bursting with the taste of freshly

Brummie has notes of citrus and

is expanding with Plant-Based

squeezed Mediterranean lem-

pine with a mild bitter aftertaste.

Garlic & Herbs Spread – perfect

ons, made from a 100% natural

It is also vegan and gluten-free,

for adding to bread or a cracker

fruits infusion with no added

and available to order from the

for a quick snack – and Gran

sugar. It retails at £23 (70cl,

brewer’s website now, starting

Vegiano, which comes in a con-

37.5% ABV) and is available

at £10 for a four-pack.

venient pre-grated format.

from BombaySapphire.com now.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Tackling food waste one app at a time

A new feature from Farmstead will remind customers what’s in their refrigerator to reduce food waste.

US online grocer Farmstead has

HOW DOES IT WORK?

rolled out a new ‘Eat This First’ fea-

The grocer is thought to be the first online-only store to have precise sell-by date inventory control and automated procurement systems for perishables

ture, designed to tackle food waste by reminding customers what items are expected to perish first.

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 101 / WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022

allowing items to be kept fresh for longer, but the new feature helps take the effort to the next step.

Farmstead’s email receipts have now been updated with ‘Eat This First’

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX

sections to alert customers when it makes sense to consume particular products sooner rather than later, reducing in-home food waste.

Farmstead customers are also automatically signed up to receive the new ‘Eat This First’ receipts via email.

CAN THIS REALLY HELP WITH THE ISSUE? Food waste is a massive problem in the fight against climate change – and although shoppers are conscious of it, tackling it can prove difficult.

In the UK, households waste on average the equivalent of eight meals a week, WRAP has found, or 87,000 tonnes of food waste across all households in seven days. The biggest culprits are bread, potatoes, milk, meals (homemade and pre-prepared), fruit juices and smoothies, pork/ham/bacon, poultry, carrots, and processed potato.

In a recent survey, over a third of people admitted their freezer is sometimes “a total disaster” and extremely hard to work out the contents, while 19% of people threw away something frozen in the past two weeks, because it has laid dormant for too long.

Food waste is responsible for nearly 25 million tonnes of CO2 emissions,

equivalent to 5.4% of the UK’s total emissions.

WRAP notes that the majority, 4.5 million tonnes, is food that could have been eaten and is worth approximately £14bn.

So, the problem is there and people do possibly need a nudge on how to best deal with it.

Pradeep Elankumaran, co-founder and Chief Executive of Farmstead, said: "We developed our own in-house logistics and inventory software specifically to reduce food waste in our own warehouses.

“While a typical grocery store has 30-40% food waste, Farmstead is in the single digits. In introducing ‘Eat This First,’ we’re extending that capability

out to each customer. We are the only online grocer able to deliver it due to our digitised inventory control.”

COULD THE TECHNOLOGY MIGRATE TO PHYSICAL STORES? It’s not beyond the realms of possibility.

It would require meticulous inventory capabilities on part of the retailer, but the result may well be worth it.

And concerns about the climate is not the only reason why food waste needs to be eradicated; there’s a costof-living crisis, and according to Sarah Clayton from the Love Food Hate Waste initiative: “For the average family with children, the cost of binning food can be more than £700 a year.”

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29

BO O K NO W! THE SLR AWARDS ARE BACK AND THEY’RE LIVE FOR OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

LIV E EV ENT:

7 S EPT 2022 R ADIS SO N, GLASGOW

TICK ETS AVAILABLE NOW TAB LE OF 10 £ 125 0 EX VAT TICK ET £ 14 0 EX VAT

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

When you hear that a store owner traipsed round several local supermarkets to buy 700 Easter baskets to give away to their customers, your first question must be: “Were they high?”

In this instance, the answer is probably yes.

The store – Bmillz in Waverly, New York – coyly describes itself as a ‘premium gift shop’ – but one that offers free marijuana with every purchase.

If this strikes you as an unorthodox business model, it’s to get round local laws that make the sale of cannabis illegal but the gifting of cannabis products perfectly above board.

This means the store’s online reviews run along the lines of: “I got a water bottle and a t-shirt. Love them both.

The free gifts were bomb as well. Love them even more!”

Y A D H G I H R E T EAS

The situation is reminiscent of a dodgy unlicensed club night where the organisers just happen to be running a tombola, where every ticket just happens to win a can of warm beer. Happy days.

And happy days for Bmillz. The store had – according to local TV station

WBNG – “lines of residents wrapping around the corner waiting to get their Easter treats”. I’ll bet it did.

“It brought tears to my eyes because I love being a part of something special like that,” said Bill Fenton, one of the store’s joint owners. Pun intended.

NOT CROSS BUNS Coles, a supermarket chain which operates 800 stores across Australia, has been crucified on social media after selling hot cross buns over Easter missing one vital ingredient – the cross.

A Sydney-based shopper posted an image on Reddit of what are best described as ‘hot line buns’, under the headline ‘You had one job, Coles’.

Bakers were quick to jump to the supermarket’s defence, pointing out that when you’re crossing

thousands of buns an hour, “something goes wrong at some point”. Others suggested the hapless bun-crosser probably ran out of icing at the end of batch.

Further comments pondered on the increasing secularisation of society, with one labelling the offending cakes as a “non-religious iconography version”.

This isn’t entirely accurate, however. Given their belief that Jesus was executed on a single vertical stake, the buns cater nicely to Jehovah’s Witnesses.

At any rate, you have to draw the line somewhere; Coles duly apologised with an entirely predictable “We hope our customers aren’t too cross” response.

WEDNESDAY 20TH APRIL 2022 / ISSUE 101 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31

01.09.2022

Live music EVENT A musical celebration for grocery and convenience colleagues

TICKETS £

60+ VAT

SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE For more information visit groceryaid.org.uk/events/checkout-scotland or contact peter.steel@groceryaid.org.uk

BOOK NOW

Money raised from this event will go to GroceryAid, the grocery industry charity A Registered Charity Reg No. 1095897 (England & Wales) & SC039255 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No 04620683