The Week in Retail 104

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

ADMINISTRATIONS

TIP OF THE ICEBERG? MORRISONS SAVES McCOLL’S HOME DELIVERY

GRUB’S UP

ONE STOP PARTNERS WITH UBER EATS

SYMBOL GROUPS

BBQ READY

SPAR OWN-LABEL EXPANDS FOR SUMMER

● BRITVIC B RITVIC REVEALS

SOFT DRINK SALES OPPORTUNITIES

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● NISA NISA EARLSWOOD

UNDERGOES 850SQ FT EXTENSION

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Issue 104 Wednesday 11 May 2022

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Family affair The one subject that dominated the headlines this week, apart from the Queen’s health, is the sad demise of McColl’s.

The group warned last month that it was in financial trouble because of weak trading and difficulties with costs, debt, and its supply chain.

The company started as a family business and has a long history in the sector. RS McColl was co-founded by Robert Smyth McColl – a Rangers and Scotland player – and his brother Tom in 1901. Together they opened their first small shop in Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow, selling sweets including toffees and chocolate gingers.

The retail group, which started out as a vending business, was founded in 1973. It bought Forbouys newsagents and opened its first food store in 1994, four years later it acquired the Martin’s chain of newsagents and convenience stores, and in 2019 the company announced it was beginning to trial the Morrisons Daily fascia at 10 of its stores.

I got to see the demise of McColl’s up close and personal. My boyfriend’s mother lives in a small and remote village in Sussex, the only store for miles was a McColl’s – now a Morrisons Daily – and

despite the pandemic and the drivers’ shortage having eased ages ago it constantly has lots of empty shelves. As a result, the poor staff repeatedly had to explain to annoyed customers that supply chain issues were the cause of the problems, but little did we know.

The Morrisons deal makes complete sense because of the pre-existing commercial relationship between the two retailers. It’s great that the supermarket giant stepped in to save thousands of jobs, thousands of stores, and the group’s pension scheme.

However, it is worrying that some retail experts are predicting that the failure of Morrisons is just the tip of the iceberg and others will follow because of the cost-of-living crisis and that not enough is being done for retailers.

Let’s hope the experts are wrong and this isn’t the case.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

Fort Matilda Industrial Estate, Greenock, Scotland PA16 7QF Tel: +44 (0)1475 721099 www.goldencasket.co.uk

enquiries@goldencasket.co.uk www.millionssweets.co.uk

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 11 MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104

6

10

32

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

COVER STORY

COMMUNITY

The government pledges to regenerate town centres and high streets, and MPs raise questions over the future of the HFSS promotions ban.

Does the collapse of McColl’s amid soaring costs mark the start of turbulent times for retail, and the convenience sector in particular?

North of England Spar wholesaler James Hall & Co sponsors a Cumbrian running club’s first major race since Covid restrictions were eased.

9

Covid-19 update

15 Business services Jisp Media joins forces with Reposs to create a new insights proposition for independent convenience retailers.

16 Store openings Former Co-op store Nisa Earlswood opens following a full refurbishment.

17 Home delivery

21 Store openings Blakemore Retail opens a new Spar

A London-based National Lottery retailer

convenience store in Spalding.

wins the £10,000 top prize in Camelot’s

22 Soft drinks Britvic’s annual Soft Drinks Review 2022 reveals opportunities for convenience retailers to grow sales.

23 Business intelligence New figures from NielsenIQ suggest

One Stop teams up with Uber Eats to offer

shoppers are becoming more cautious of

home delivery from 500 UK stores.

how much they are spending.

19 Store refurbishments

26 Business intelligence

Spar Scotland kicks-off its company-owned

BRC-Sensormatic IQ data reveals an

store investment programme with the

improvement to footfall, with Northern

refresh of a shop in Gatehouse of Fleet.

Ireland seeing the strongest recovery.

20 Store sales

27 Business intelligence

Appleby Westward grows its company-

Sporting events and the easing of Covid

owned portfolio with the purchase of a Spar

restrictions cause a boost in convenience

store in Porlock, Somerset.

store penetration, says Lumina Intelligence.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

28 Business services

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

latest Site, Stock, Sell quarterly draw.

29 Community GroceryAid Day returns, with the awareness campaign reaching millions.

30 Wholesalers Bestway Wholesale reveals the winners of its Performance Awards.

31 Sustainability Booker customers save more than 300,000 meals from going to waste through a partnership with Too Good To Go. 33 Picks of the week 38 Out the box: rise of the robots Danish supermarket Bilka Odense has deploys 10 mobile robots to help staff.

41 Before you go...

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

CO-OP EXTENDS JUST EAT DEAL Central England Co-op has extended a partnership with Just Eat, which initially began

QUEEN’S SPEECH

Government unveils commitments on Levelling Up and Access to Cash Pledges in this week’s Queen’s Speech have been welcomed by trade bodies.

with 10 of the retailer’s food stores in February. Stores in the new roll-out include Dibdale Road West in Dudley, Birmingham Road in Sutton Coldfield and Stoney Lane, Yardley.

TESCO, WWF FAST-TRACKING SUSTAINABILITY Tesco and WWF have launched an accelerator

The government pledged to regenerate town centres and high streets and protect the millions of people in the UK who still use cash every day in this week’s Queen’s Speech.

One of the headline announcements in the Queen’s Speech was the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. Measures to be proposed in the Bill include: ● Compulsory rental auctions on empty premises that have been unoccupied for more than a year. ● The ability to make pavement

programme that pairs start-ups

cafés and other outdoor dining

with Tesco suppliers to fast-

spaces that were temporarily

track sustainability innovation

introduced during Covid-19 a

in the supply chain and support

permanent fixture.

● Local authorities to be given more powers to use compulsory purchase orders to deliver new infrastructure and regenerate town centres.

A Financial Services and Markets Bill, which aims to protect consumers’ access to cash, was also announced.

Other notable Bills heralded include a Non-Domestic Rating Bill, which aims to modernise the business rates system and incentivise investment, and an Energy Security Bill to protect against global price fluctuations in energy costs.

The ACS and NFRN welcomed the commitments on Levelling Up and Access to Cash.

UK food security. The start-ups will also each receive up to £150,000 in funding support.

CO-OP OPENS IN MEDIACITY Co-op is to open a new store in MediaCity, Salford, later this month. The 5,300sq ft store will include a host of added services, including John Lewis parcel collection and return, Amazon and DPD parcel collection, Deliveroo, a free ATM, and the click-and-collect of groceries.

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Motatos discount store arrives in UK in June Discount supermarket Motatos, which offers reduced prices on excess inventory from wholesalers and distributors, has scheduled its UK opening for June.

The online supermarket – already successful in Europe – sells food that would otherwise be thrown away due to changes in packaging, seasonal changes, or short best-before dates.

The retailer, launched in Sweden eight years ago, will offer ambient goods such as large packs, beverages, snacks, household goods, pet food and beauty products.

Motatos is reportedly working with distributors Wholegood and Pricecheck.

UK country manager Christabel Biella said the nation’s shoppers needed “easy and cost-effective ways to make sustainable choices”.

NEWS DIGEST

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

LEGISLATION

MPs questions over future of HFSS promotions ban

ACS says now not the time for legislation that makes feeding families more expensive.

HANCOCKS CELEBRATES Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks is marking its 60th anniversary at its Liverpool depot. The facility will celebrate

MPs have alluded to a proposed ban on special offers for HFSS products being scrapped as part of a range of measures to mitigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

The ban, which is due to come into force in less than five months’ time, will stop thousands of retailers from providing multibuy offers and extra free deals on a range of products, including cereals, juices, yogurts, and ready meals.

However, news coverage in the FT and The Express and on Sky News has reported that the plans are set to be shelved.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Our members are telling us that customers are watching every penny, so now is not the time to put new legislation in place that makes feeding families more expensive. Scrapping the ban on

the milestone on 12 May with an event for customers and suppliers. Customers will have hundreds of offers to take advantage of, as well as prize draws and giveaways.

‘buy-one-get-one’ deals and other promotions would help retailers to deliver value for customers in stores.

“We are also urging the government to rethink whether to continue with location restrictions. These measures are complex, unnecessary and expensive to implement, and retailers tell us that they cannot just absorb the cost as they are dealing with increased costs in every area of their businesses.”

Updates to alcohol labelling guidelines Drinks industry watchdog the Portman Group has updated its Alcohol Labelling Guidelines.

The Guidance sets the minimum recommended best practice elements for product labelling, which includes the provision of unit information, a pregnancy message or symbol, and a direction to Drinkaware.

The updated guidance is formally supported by the Society of Independent

Brewers, ensuring that there is a more explicit consideration of the role of smaller producers in sharing public health information.

Portman Group boss Matt Lambert said: “We are proud of the huge progress made by the industry which already widely commits to responsible alcohol labelling. This updated guidance will further enhance adherence.”

Read the full guidance here.

NISA EXPO REGISTRATION OPENS Registration for Nisa Expo has now opened for partners to sign up for the two-day show.

Held once again at the NAEC at Stoneleigh, more than 200 suppliers will be there to share their latest products, talk about trends they are seeing, and engage with Nisa partners.

CO-OP HATCHES CUNNING PLAN Co-op is making click-andcollect even more convenient with trials of a dedicated external service hatch to enable customers to grab their shopping and go. The hatch is being trialled at its Lewes Road, Brighton store, which is one of Co-op’s busiest in the UK for click-and-collect orders.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

Let’s create a great recycling experience.

The deposit return scheme (DRS) is coming to Scotland.

Make it easy with TOMRA.

The global leader in reverse vending technology tomra.com/uk | Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

Fourth vaccine offers ‘excellent’ immunity protection, study finds

SMART SHOPPING ASSISTANT RAISES £5m IN FUNDING Smart personal shopping

The fourth dose provides stronger immunity boost than the third one, research suggests.

assistant platform Lollipop has raised £5m in a new seed round.

Lollipop has already teamed up with the likes of BBC Good Food and Sainsbury’s to help families plan meals, shop quickly and cook.

The platform lets shoppers add recipes, build custom meals and import external recipes to their baskets.

Personalised ‘playlists’ can be created so household essentials can also be

results underline the benefits of the most vulnerable people receiving current spring boosters and gives confidence for any prospective autumn booster programme in the UK, if the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation considers it needed at that time.”

Fourth doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been offered as a spring booster for those most vulnerable in the UK as a precautionary strategy to maintain high levels of immunity prior to the study data being available.

A wider group of people may be offered a fourth dose later this year.

added to baskets.

TECH SOLUTIONS

Covid-19 vaccines given as fourth doses in the UK provide higher antibody levels than that of a third dose, according to the latest research.

The latest results from the Cov-Boost trial, led by University Hospital Southampton, has shown that the fourth dose mRNA booster vaccines for Covid-19 are “effective at increasing both antibody and cellular immunity up to and above baseline and peak levels observed following third dose boosters”.

Professor Saul Faust, trial lead and Director of the NIHR Southampton Clinical Research Facility, commented: “These

Recipe recommendations are tailored based on users’ dietary and lifestyle preferences in-order to personalise the shopping experience.

The Sainsbury’s partnership aims to ensure delivery covering 98% of the UK with a range of more than 30,000 items “at a low cost”.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

C OV E R

McCO

Tip of the iceberg?

The deal for McColl’s sees all 16,000 staff and 1,100 shops transfer to Morrisons.

P

wC, administrator for McColl’s Retail Group, has completed a sale of the business and assets of the Group to Alliance Property Holdings.

Alliance is part of the Morrisons Group, the failed convenience chain’s largest supplier. McColl’s collapse has come after a financial struggle over the past

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two years as it witnessed soaring costs due to supply chain disruption, inflation, and its large debt burden.

The deal for McColl’s comes less than a year after Morrisons itself was bought for £7bn by US private equity company Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. The supermarket giant has seen off competition from

Asda owners the Issa brothers and TDR Capital after its initial offer was turned down by McColl’s lenders.

Prior to the deal being struck, Honor Strachan, Food & Grocery Analyst at GlobalData, warned: “During a period of intense cost pressure on UK grocers, and an unfavourable outlook for

S T O RY

OLL’S

margins and profitability, an acquisition for either of the private equity-owned grocers would be a massive undertaking and a distraction from their core business – especially as raising cash to help absorb these pressures and to invest in retail prices should be the primary focus this year.”

The deal transfers all 16,000 staff, 1,100 shops across the UK and includes Morrisons agreeing to rescue the Group’s two pension schemes, which have more than 2,000 members.

Rob Lewis, Joint Administrator and Partner at PwC, said: “Especially during the current economic climate, the completion of this transaction provides much-needed certainty to McColl’s 16,000 staff after a period of understandable concern following the Group’s challenges over the past months. As well as saving thousands of jobs, this deal secures a platform for the trustees of the Group’s pension schemes

to enter into arrangements which will protect the pensions entitlements of so many people.

“Morrisons’ Wholesale Supply Agreement will continue in place after the transaction, minimising disruption to customers and employees as all stores will continue to trade. We wish Morrisons well with integrating McColls into their business.”

business and to building on the proven strength of the Morrisons Daily format.”

Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed Morrisons’ intervention, but is now seeking assurances for the future for staff along with trade union recognition to give them a voice in the business.

Joanne McGuinness, Usdaw National Officer, said: “It is great news that Morrisons has been successful in their bid to buy McColl’s out of administration, and it will be a huge relief for the staff.

We are now seeking urgent discussions with Morrisons to help secure the future for the staff.

“McColl’s was a non-unionised business, which meant their staff had no real voice in the future of the business. Usdaw has a long-standing and productive relationship with Morrisons and we will be looking to extend trade union representation to all staff in McColl’s.”

Looking forward, there are fears that this episode is the start of a new chapter for grocery retail. Mo Razzaq, Deputy Vice President of the Fed, told Channel 4 News: “The cost of electric and gas is causing huge issues. The cost of petrol and diesel is also causing a lot of issues.

McColl’s are the tip of the iceberg, there’s more to come. The reason there is more to come is that not enough is being done for the retailer.”

Dr Gordon Fletcher from the University of Salford Business School agrees.

He told BusinessLive: “The trajectory towards too many, too large stores and too few smaller convenience retailers is not a game that can be won on an inevitable downward spiral towards the lowest price point.”

The completion of this transaction provides much-needed certainty to McColl’s staff following the Group’s challenges over the past months David Potts, Morrisons Chief Executive, said: “This transaction offers stability and continuity for the McColl’s business and, in particular, a better outcome for its colleagues and pensioners.

“We all look forward to welcoming many new colleagues into the Morrisons

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11

ER

RS A

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•1947-2022•

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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

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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.

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The future of retail technology is here

It was great to meet you!

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BUSINESS SERVICES

JISP

Jisp Media partners with Reposs

The partners have a shared vision of empowering retailers and connecting brands with shoppers.

J

isp Media has joined forces with Reposs in a partnership to create a new insights proposition for independent convenience retailers.

The partners will be offering thousands of retailers the opportunity to use Jisp’s ‘Scan & Save’ solution, helping them drive footfall, sales, and increase loyalty locally at no additional costs to them.

Jisp Media will bring together a suite of products across online, in-app, in-store media and customer insights, to enhance greater brand engagements with customers.

In addition, brands will have access to more than 2,000 stores nationwide and 500,000 shoppers a day with

in-store screen media which will help them, and their media agencies, engage more effectively with independent retail customers.

Jisp Media will also raise money for GroceryAid through its collaboration with FMCG brand partners by donating money every time a customer interacts with Jisp’s Scan & Save service in-store.

Ilann Hepworth, Managing Director of Jisp, said: “We are delighted to be working with another true leader in the sector who shares our vision of empowering retailers and connecting brands with shoppers for mutual benefit maximising commerce and connecting communications.”

Paul Lansdale, Managing Director of Reposs, added: “This is an incredibly exciting time for Reposs and for our retailers. We look forward to working with Jisp who share our aims and objectives to help the independent retailer grow their businesses now and into the future working collaboratively with brands in the channel.”

Scan & Save continues to grow weekly with more than 100 stores nationwide delivering over 184,000 scans of the shelf edge, 86,000 vouchers issued, 72,500 vouchers redeemed and saved shoppers £91,600. The top-performing retailers are delivering more than £2,000 in weekly RSV incrementally.

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S TO R E O P E N I N G S

NISA

Everything you could ask for and much more

Nisa Earlswood, previously a Co-op store before it was bought in October, has undergone an 850sq ft extension.

R

etailer Bal Singh Aulakh has opened a new Nisa Local near Solihull, in the West Midlands.

Nisa Earlswood, which is on the main road from Shirley to Solihull, was previously a 750sq ft Co-op store before it was bought by Singh in October.

Singh, who operates two more Nisa stores nearby alongside sons Manny and Aaron, carried out a full refurbishment of the premises which included an 850sq ft extension to create a 1,600sq ft space, which now incorporates a full convenience offer.

The complete refit, carried out

by Activ Projects, has allowed for a much-enhanced selling area in store including a large beers, wines, spirits (BWS) section that is a key footfall driver for the store alongside a large choice of Co-op own brand.

Singh said: “BWS is probably our biggest strength, and we have a phenomenal range, the kind that you’d expect to find in a large supermarket not a convenience store.

“And with our complete fruit and veg range and selection of fresh meat, which is both Co-op and locally sourced, we’ve got everything you could ask for and much more than our customers could get in the old shop.”

The store also hosts a Post Office counter, as well as services including

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

Costa Coffee, Tango Ice Blast, and a Rustlers hot food option along with paninis, wraps and breakfast rolls all available to ‘heat and go’.

The first week of trading in February saw sales almost double compared to what was being taken prior to

the takeover and, with steady growth since, Singh believes there is more to achieve.

“We didn’t do any marketing to advertise the new store, we just stocked it up, opened the doors and let the shoppers come in,” he said.

H O M E D E L I V E RY

ONE STOP

One Stop agrees Uber Eats partnership

The agreement will see 500 One Stop stores added to the food delivery app by the end of the fourth quarter.

O

ne Stop has formed a partnership with Uber Eats to offer home delivery across the UK. The partnership – which combines One Stop’s vast product range and the convenience of Uber Eats doorstep deliveries – has already seen more than 100 One Stop stores launch on the app over the past month, with a further 400 stores to be added by the end of the year.

Product offerings range from confectionery and alcohol to fresh meats, fruit and vegetables, as well as ongoing seasonal deals and offers.

Alex Troughton, Head of New Verticals and Grocery at Uber Eats UK, said: “One Stop shops are known for their

convenience and play an integral part in many communities.

“We’re excited to have them onboard the Uber Eats app, allowing us to offer our customers an even wider variety of grocery and convenience goods seven days a week.”

Jonny McQuarrie, Managing Director at One Stop, added: “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Uber Eats and as always, we are committed to making it as easy as possible for our customers to shop with us.

“Customers will be able to have great quality products at their doorstep within minutes. We look forward to offering the Uber Eats service to both our existing loyal customers and new customers across the country.”

The One Stop stores offering the service are now live on the Uber Eats app between 7.30am and 9.30pm seven days a week, delivering to customers within 30 minutes.

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S TO R E R E F R E S H

SPAR SCOTLAND

Spar Scotland starts store development programme The refreshed store at Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfriesshire, is the first of several more seasonal concept stores the retailer will open soon.

S

par Scotland has refreshed its store at Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfriesshire, as part of its company-owned store investment programme.

The new-look store features the retailer’s food-to-go offer CJ’s, backlit spirits, local craft bakery, and locally sourced ranges. In addition, the store features the retailer’s new chilled beers, wines, and spirits zone.

The store also has the latest Spar internal and external graphics package, which modernises the overall look of the store, and enables the retailer to highlight the strong links built with the community over the past 30 years.

Brian Straiton, Operations Director, said: “This is all about a fresh look and feel for the Spar offer in Scotland. Ahead of our peak summer tourist season the fresh-look Spar store at Gatehouse of

Fleet is the first of several more seasonal concept stores to open shortly. We have completely modernised our Gatehouse of Fleet customer offer by investing in the latest energy saving refrigeration

to expand and highlight the best of the Spar Scotland chilled and produce offer.”

The store was relaunched on 6 May with Store Manager Pamela Dale and her team welcoming both existing and new customers into the store. Local resident Kym Telford, who cut the ribbon on the original opening of the Spar store 30 years ago, also attended the in-store event.

The store refresh comes hot on the heels of the launch of the company’s first Spar Market store, which opened last month in Dalbeattie, Dumfriesshire. The Dalbeattie store has a strong focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled foods, and caters for key customer missions including ‘making a meal’ and ‘grab and eat’.

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S TO R E S A L E S

APPLEBY WESTWARD

Appleby Westward snaps up Somerset store The wholesaler will continue to operate the Porlock-based store under the Spar-brand.

A

ppleby Westward, the regional distribution company for Spar in southwest England, has bought the Spar store in Porlock, Somerset.

Located on the High Street in the heart of Porlock, an affluent coastal village on the edge of Exmoor National Park, this well-established and profitable leasehold convenience store has been owned and operated by Peter and Jill Lister since 2002. The store came to the market as they are looking to move overseas and retire.

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Appleby Westward will continue to operate the business as a Spar-branded store, run under full management as part of its portfolio.

Jamie Williams, Retail Associate Director at Christie & Co who led the marketing process, said: “The business was sold during challenging times, so it was great to finalise a deal with a corporate buyer and allow our clients some well-deserved time off.

“The demand for convenience stores remains at an all-time high and this was

clearly demonstrated through the sales process, with this particular business alone attracting seven offers.”

Spar Porlock was sold on a leasehold basis, off a guide price of £135,000.

In February Appleby Westward bought the lease on Bampton’s Costcutter in Devon, and at the end of last year the wholesaler bought two Spar forecourt stores in Dorset out of private hands.

Appleby Westward currently operates more than 100 company-owned stores.

S TO R E O P E N I N G S

BLAKEMORE RETAIL

Blakemore Retail opens Spalding store The store is located on a main road connecting Spalding and the town of Bourne and will serve the local community and commuters.

B

lakemore Retail has opened a new Spar convenience store on Winsover Road, in Spalding, Lincolnshire.

The purpose-built 2,584sq ft retail unit, which is located on a main road connecting Spalding and the town of Bourne, opened its doors on 28 April.

The store features a DailyDeli hot food counter that converts from a serve-over style solution at breakfast to a self-serve, pick & mix-style offer at lunchtime. Meals from the counter will be available from 7am to 6pm, as well as chilled food-to-go, including sandwiches, baguettes and salads that have been freshly prepared onsite.

Takeaway beverage options include self-serve F’Real milkshakes and smoothies, Tango Ice Blast frozen drinks, and Philpotts coffee.

Customers looking for meal solutions can choose from AF Blakemore’s County Bridge fresh meat range and

hundreds of products across fresh, chilled, and grocery categories.

Blakemore Retail Managing Director, Matt Teague, commented: “We are very excited to have opened this brandnew modern convenience store here in Spalding, and I know that the local

community will enjoy all of the services it has to offer.

“As the store is purpose-built, all of the features have been designed specially with the customer in mind and offer something for everyone.

“The site is a major investment for Blakemore Retail and part of our longterm commitment to growing our business profitably and sustainably for the benefit of colleagues, customers, and communities.”

Two self-scan checkouts have been introduced to the store and a defibrillator has been fitted to the exterior.

The store has created 20 full- and part-time jobs for the local community.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

SOFT DRINKS REVIEW

Polarisation of soft drinks market unveiled

The brand says consumers’ contrasting personal finances present new opportunities for convenience retailers.

B

ritvic’s annual Soft Drinks Review 2022 has revealed opportunities for the convenience channel to grow soft drinks sales by appealing to shoppers at both ends of the value spectrum.

The report found consumers on average are £1,200 worse off this year than last, with one-in-five feeling squeezed due to inflation. However, the easing of restrictions means overall consumer spend is expected to be higher in 2022 compared to the previous two years, with one-in-five consumers claiming they are better off financially.

Britvic said this polarisation in personal finances presents new

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

opportunities for convenience retailers to maximise customer spend from soft drinks that cater to ‘premium’ and ‘value’ shopping occasions.

With consumers increasingly looking for new ways to treat themselves during lockdown, the soft drinks category saw a move towards premiumisation. This was primarily driven by the resurgence of on-the-go drinks and the accelerated growth of the energy drinks segment – two trends that are predicted to continue throughout 2022.

Chris Newman, Head of Category Management for Convenience and Impulse at Britvic, said: “It’s vital that

retailers stay on top of these trends by updating their soft drinks ranges and merchandising to cater for different need states and missions.”

Larger numbers of consumers are looking to make their money go further.

A total of 43.9% of sales in the convenience market now come from PMPs. Pressured shoppers are also expected to move toward smaller transactions and smaller pack sizes in a bid to make their money stretch further.

Newman added: “Convenience retailers must be alert to the budget pressures of these customers and adapt their soft drinks ranges accordingly.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

TILL RECEIPTS

UK shoppers start managing basket spend

Figures from NielsenIQ suggest shoppers are more cautious of how much they are spending.

S

ales at UK supermarkets fell -1.8% over the four weeks ending 23 April, with spending during the Easter period helping to lift sales up from the -4.1% seen in March, according to new data from NielsenIQ. The data reveals that UK shoppers spent £10.1bn on groceries in the four weeks ending 23 April. This is down from £10.5bn in the same fourweek Easter period in 2021, but it is above the £9.6bn in sales recorded during the same period in 2019, as UK shopping behaviour returns to pre-pandemic levels.

NielsenIQ’s figures show that in the four-week period there was a slight

decline in the number of items in the basket – 11.2 items compared to 11.5 in March – suggesting shoppers are more cautious of how much they are spending.

Meanwhile, online sales fell 18.5% compared to a year ago, shopper penetration is holding at 26.5% of households.

However, in-store sales are growing (+0.8%) and visits to stores are up 5.1%.

The strongest category in the fourweek period was confectionery (+35%), aided by the timing of Easter. This was closely followed by pet and petcare (+13.6%), health and beauty (+8.3%), soft drinks (+3.3%), and delicatessen (+2%). Within these categories, mineral waters (+11%), deodorants/sprays

(+16%), sandwiches (+21%), and suncare (+29%) all reflect the return to pre-pandemic lifestyles.

However, NielsenIQ reveals that there was a decline in sales for beers, wines and spirits (-15.9%), meat, fish and poultry (-7.8%), as well as frozen food (-7.5%).

Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “Although sales this year are subdued, they are still above levels recorded pre-pandemic in 2019, and indicates the start of normal shopping behaviours returning, which now includes a wider choice of where to shop: online, in store or a mix of the two.”

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

RETAIL FOOTFALL

UK sees encouraging improvement to footfall Research shows that Northern Ireland saw the strongest recovery of all the UK’s nations in April, while Scotland fell behind.

T

otal UK footfall decreased by 13% in April compared to pre-pandemic figures, but rose 2.3 percentage points from March, according to BRC-Sensormatic IQ data.

The figures show footfall on high streets declined by 17.2% in April compared to pre-pandemic figures, but was 0.6 percentage points better than March, and improved on the three-month average decline of 18.4%.

Shopping Centre footfall declined by 27.6% in April compared to pre-pandemic figures, 8.2 percentage points better than last month’s rate, and saw an improvement on the three-month average decline of 34.5%.

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

Northern Ireland made the strongest recovery of all the UK’s nations in April, with a decline of 11.7%. This makes it the best-performing nation during six out of the past seven months.

Scotland fell behind the rest of the UK, with a decline of 14.8% in April, but narrowed the gap by showing the best improvement when compared to last month. England and Wales saw a footfall decline of 12.7% and 18.8%, respectively, in April.

On a total basis, footfall across all cities in the UK was, once again, down on the levels seen pre-pandemic. The best performing city was Manchester, and the worst-performing city was Leeds.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of British Retail Consortium, commented: “While footfall continues to make its return towards pre-pandemic levels, consumer confidence saw a different trend, falling to its lowest levels since the 2008 financial crisis.

“Shoppers are now being forced to make tough decisions in the face of rising inflation and higher energy prices, exacerbated further by the war in Ukraine.

“This threatens to stall improvements to footfall, as consumers reign in their discretionary spending. Retailers will have to work twice as hard to sustain customer loyalty and engagement.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

CONVENIENCE TRACKING PROGRAMME

C-stores increasing their reach, says Lumina Stores have been boosted by sporting events, such as the Six Nations and Formula One, as well as the easing of Covid restrictions.

T

he proportion of UK consumers that shopped in convenience increased by +5.1ppts to 63% in the 12 weeks ending 3 April, according to the Lumina Intelligence Convenience Tracking Programme.

The increase was driven by sporting events, such as the Six Nations and Formula One, as well as more shoppers being out and about after eased Plan B restrictions. Despite the increase in penetration, during the same period visit frequency, spend and basket size all declined. Average visit frequency declined -8.4% to 2.6 times per week, basket size fell -2.3% to 2.8 items per trip and spend was down -11.8% to £9.33 per visit.

However, in-store purchases have seen a boost of +4ppts in the past 12 weeks, after eased Plan B restrictions and shoppers returning to their pre-pandemic habits. In-store shopping accounted for 91.5% of all convenience store occasions. The in-store boost has come at the expense of delivery and click-and-collect, which declined in share by 3ppts and 1ppt, respectively, in the past 12 weeks.

The shopping mission with the strongest growth was the top-shop shop, which increased +1.2ppts. More shoppers are out and about and back to workplaces, with drink-to-go occasions rising by +1ppt, contributing to

lower spend and basket size. Treat-led occasions have also increased by +1ppt, driven by seasonal events including Valentine’s Day and the run-up to Easter.

Senior Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence, Katherine Prowse, said: “As we face into this rising cost of living crisis, consumers will become more cautious on how and where they spend their money. This is already evident,

with spend, frequency and basket size all declining in our latest 12-week period.

“However, the increase in penetration provides retailers with a big opportunity to demonstrate the value that they offer to a wider audience. If they can demonstrate this, alongside their fantastic community spirit, then the opportunities to grow during challenging times will present themselves.”

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27

BUSINESS SERVICES

NATIONAL LOTTERY

London retailer scoops £10k prize draw

Ten second prizes of £1,000 were given to retailers who maintained high in-store standards during the quarter.

N

ational Lottery retailer Mahendra Patel, who owns Mike’s News in London, has won the £10,000 top prize in Camelot’s latest Site, Stock, Sell quarterly draw.

The 10-point Site, Stock, Sell programme helps retailers to improve their in-store standards and increase sales throughout the year.

Any retailers scoring eight points or more are automatically entered into a quarterly prize draw for the chance to win cash prizes.

Mahendra said: “The money will make a big difference to our lives. We’re already planning to treat our two boys to a family holiday.”

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

He added: “When I found out that I’d won £10,000, I honestly couldn’t believe it. We’re always taking part in the National Lottery Retailer Hub online events – it’s really easy to use and gives us the chance to win, which this time we did.”

There were also 10 second prizes of £1,000 handed out by Camelot to retailers who maintained high in-store standards during the quarter.

These winners included Gareth Pidgeon of Brooklands Convenience in Ballymoney; Arti Patel of Corner Shop in Castleford; Gareth Marshall of Marshall’s Newsagents in Ebbw Vale; Shantilal Patel of White Lodge Newsagents

in Morden; Jasbir Mann of Simply Local in Birmingham; and Shazad Ali of Ali’s Store in Falkirk.

Jasbir Mann said: “I was overwhelmed when I found out I’d won – it was so hard to believe, but I was ecstatic at the news. The money will make life a bit easier, and I can take the family out to a posh restaurant and go to park and treat the kids to ice creams.”

Shantilal Patel added: “We have a surprise holiday booked next week which was organised by our sons, and they haven’t even told us where we’re going yet. This will be great spending money to make the holiday extra special.”

C H A R I T Y A W A R E N E S S C A M PA I G N

GROCERYAID

GroceryAid Day returns The charity’s Awareness Campaign received ‘record’ support from across the industry.

G

roceryAid Day returned for the fourth time this year, reaching more than five million people. The awareness campaign saw more than 225 companies take part to raise awareness of the charity across the industry, with 117 of them participating for the first time.

GroceryAid said there were more than 2,500 downloads of its new communications toolkit, which inspired supporters to undertake a variety of activities, including wellbeing sessions, quizzes, virtual triathlons, baking

competitions with GroceryAid posters, flyers, wallet cards, stickers and bunting in thousands of depots, factories, stores, and head offices.

Thanking everyone who supported this year’s GroceryAid Day, the charity’s Chief Executive Steve Barnes said: “The demand for GroceryAid welfare services is growing at an unprecedented level.

“Last year, GroceryAid experienced a 139% increase in applications for financial support grants and we are proud to be supporting so many colleagues. We want everyone in our trade to know we are there for them when they need support.”

Any employee working in the grocery industry can access the charity’s emotional and practical support, plus financial advice, from the first day of their employment. After six months of continuous employment, colleagues may be eligible for a non-repayable financial grant.

To access GroceryAid’s services, colleagues can call the free and confidential helpline on 08088 021 122, which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can provide immediate support. More than 200 languages are also supported through the Helpline, on request.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29

WHOLESALERS

BESTWAY WHOLESALE

Bestway reveals winners of Performance Awards The wholesaler has recognised outstanding colleagues, stores and depots from across the business.

B

estway Wholesale has revealed the winners of its Performance Awards at a ceremony in London.

The Bestway Performance Awards are open to all employees and the nominees and winners are selected by staff from across the business.

Store of the Year was won by flagship store, Costcutter Dunnington, for its outstanding results and community work.

The Store Colleague of the Year was won by Daniella Jordan, Store Manager of Costcutter Dawlish.

Category Controller for Bestpets, Adam Moore, won the ‘We Are One Family’ Company Value Award.

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

The Gold Depot of the Year was won

by Batley’s Cardiff Hatfield Road. The depot has seen double-digit growth for three successive years and has increased customer numbers, sales and profit while simultaneously finding cost efficiencies. The depot has successfully incorporated three different operations into one, becoming a ‘super hub’ offering collect cash and carry, pet cash and carry, catering, and more.

The Silver Depot of the Year was won

by Bestway Nuneaton, and the Bronze Depot of the Year was won by Bestway Aintree.

Meanwhile, Regional Support Manager Dawn Whitworth won the

Champion What is Right Company Value Award.

Prizes were also awarded to Unsung Hero Chris Cox, Team Leader of Depot Operations, Field Colleague of the Year Jason McKay, Territory Sales Manager, and Depot Colleague of the Year Ummar Choudhary, General Manager of Bestway Enfield.

Bestway Wholesale Managing Director, Dawood Pervez, said: “We have over 6,000 colleagues across over 60 sites, who continue to work hard to support our customers.

“Our colleagues are our greatest asset, and I’m incredibly proud of what they have achieved over the past year.”

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

BOOKER WHOLESALE

Booker symbol group retailers save over 300,000 meals More than 500 Premier, Londis and Budgens stores are signed up to reduce food waste via the Too Good To Go app.

B

ooker’s symbol group retailers have saved more than 300,000 meals from going to waste through its partnership with Too Good To Go. In total, 525 Premier, Londis and Budgens stores around the UK are signed up to reduce food waste via the free-to-download app that allows shoppers to search for and purchase ‘Magic Bags’ containing surplus food items. Contents differ from store-tostore and day-to-day, but guarantee to deliver value worth three times the cost of the bag.

Over the course of the past 12 months, this initiative has saved more than 135,000 kg of food going to waste, the equivalent of 323,293 meals and a CO2 saving of 337 tonnes.

Catherine Marston, Sustainability Manager at Booker, said: “I am proud of our symbol group retailers who have taken the opportunity to reduce their food waste through the sale of magic bags. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it helps families to reduce their outgoings – which has never been more important – and underpins our values to support communities and the planet.”

Jamie Crummie, co-founder of Too Good To Go, added: “It’s been fantastic to see our partnership with Booker’s customers go from strength to strength as we hit this

great milestone. Not only is reducing food waste one of the most important things we can do to fight climate

change, but it also allows for people to try out delicious food in an affordable way – it’s a win-win-win.”

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31

SYMBOL GROUPS

SPAR

Spar sponsors 10k race and family fun run Wharton’s Garage and Spar store has joined forces with James Hall & Co to sponsor a Cumbrian running club’s first major race since Covid restrictions were eased.

S

par has stepped in to sponsor the upcoming Millom Striders 10k Lighthouse Road Race and Family Fun Run event taking place later this month.

Runners from across Cumbria and beyond are expected to line up in Millom for the start of the event on 29 May – the first major race the running club has been able to hold since restrictions brought in by the pandemic were eased.

The start and finish of the race will be at the Ski Bar on the site of the Port Haverigg Marina Village Holiday Park and, as well as the main race at 11am, a

32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

Family Fun Run will kick-off proceedings an hour earlier at 10am.

The profile of the event has been boosted after Tony and Emily Barrow of Wharton’s Garage and Spar store in Millom joined forces with James Hall & Co to sponsor the event. This includes race bib sponsorship, food and water at feed stations, and branding at the start and finish lines.

Millom Striders was founded in 2018 by a group of regulars who initially met at the Millom Parkrun.

“It has been a challenging time for clubs and societies recently, but 2022

has started well for us with some strong performances in our junior ranks, which is a growing area of our membership,” Andrew Rigg, Chairman and one of the founding members of the Millom Striders, said.

“We’re hoping the Lighthouse 10k will be a platform for developing our membership further still with all age groups.”

Tony Barrow, of Wharton’s Garage, added: “Millom is a really close-knit community, and we are more than happy to show our support for grassroots events like the Lighthouse 10k.”

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – SPAR

SPAR THE COLLECTIVE GOLDEN WONDER COSTA COFFEE OTHER PICKS

SPAR OWN-LABEL EXPANDS FOR SUMMER The range will be supported with digital activity, including lifestyle and video content, to support and drive brand engagement.

Spar has launched a variety of own-label products

ning hero lines such as our Spar Basil Houmous,

to help retailers take advantage of the opportunities

Spar Lamb Koftas, Spar Feta and Spinach Parcels

presented by this summer.

and Spar Spicy Tapas Collection. Plus, we have

With 2022 seeing the first fully restriction-free

an ongoing 2 for £6 and 2 for £8 on our range of

summer since 2019, this year’s Spar Brand

marinated and BBQ essentials this summer from

includes several products which will cover shop-

Spar burgers, Chinese pork steaks, and BBQ

per needs for seasonal eating, BBQs, picnics and

chicken drumsticks.”

alfresco dining.

The Spar Brand summer range will be sup-

New for 2022 are Chorizo-style sausages,

ported with digital activity. Lifestyle and video

jumbo hot dogs, quiches, plus range extensions on

content will be available to support and drive

dips. Many products from last year return as limited

brand engagement and the digital team will be

editions. Several categories have new packaging,

using social polls, Instagram and TikTok to target

and a handful of NPD lines have been added.

foodies with a variety of content.

Joanne Cramer, Spar UK Senior Brand Man-

“We know shoppers are always looking to react

ager, said: “This is a huge opportunity for stores to

when the sun shines and Spar stores are ready

support Spar own label. We see stores that engage

and able to fulfil all our customer needs with a

early and support the new lines to maximise sea-

great value, quality and tasty range of fresh foods

sonal performance reap the benefits.

whatever the weather,” Cramer added.

“Shoppers to our stores can get great quality and value from choosing some of our award-win-

The Spar Brand summertime products range is available in participating stores now.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 33

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – THE COLLECTIVE

THE COLLECTIVE LAUNCHES THE YOG SQUAD The nationwide campaign will include out-of-home advertising, digital media, and shopper marketing.

Yoghurt brand The Collective has launched its

ment across all The Collective’s products, while

first Masterbrand Campaign, which introduces

also encouraging families and friends to set up

UK consumers to the Yog Squad.

their own Yog Squads.

The Collective’s new campaign emphasises

The brand says the squads will enable the

how yoghurt can provide something delicious to

coming together of communities that appreciate

eat for everyone, and entices all those in search for

naturally great-tasting food, as well as enabling

healthy, luxurious food items that don’t compromise

these groups to “act as wider forces for good”, for

on taste, to join the Yog Squad.

example, by volunteering their support for local

The nationwide campaign, which includes out-

charities.

of-home, digital media and shopper marketing,

Emma Gooden, Head of Marketing of The

will be supported by an integrated, above-the-line

Collective UK, commented: “We are incredibly

approach, running across 1,222 UK sites, reaching

excited to be launching our first ever Masterbrand

millions and via digital channels.

Campaign in the UK. At The Collective, we are on

This initial launch will be followed by two

a mission to deliver taste and exciting eating expe-

subsequent bursts of activity to increase brand

riences for everyone – with ranges for adults, kids

awareness, with refreshed packaging set to be

and now dairy-free too, we are inviting everyone to

implemented later this year to ensure visual align-

join The Collective and be part of our yog squad.”

34 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – GOLDEN WONDER

RINGOS OF FIRE

The brand says the new flavour taps into continuing consumer interest in spicy flavours.

Golden Wonder has added a new Spicy Thai

Golden Wonder is currently celebrating its 75th

variant to its popular Ringos range to tap into

birthday by bringing back Beef & Onion and Chip

continuing consumer interest in spicy flavours.

Shop Curry flavours in classic 1970s packs. This

Ringos Spicy Thai is available in 55g shar-

follows a vote to discover consumers’ all-time

ing packs (£1 PMP) and 6x12g multipacks (RSP

favourite Golden Wonder varieties. The brand’s

£1.25).

flagship Cheese & Onion flavour, which launched

Golden Wonder’s £1 price-marked pack range

in 1962, has also received an old-school makeover.

is consistently outperforming the market (+49.2%

All three heritage packs also feature an on-pack

compared to +7.8%) and the brand said that early

competition to win one of 75 experience vouchers.

sales of the new flavour were “way ahead” of its

As part of the promotion, every entrant will receive

expectations.

10% off at experiencedays.co.uk.

Matt Smith, Golden Wonder Marketing Director,

The on-pack promotion is also running across

commented: “With a real spicy kick and less than

Golden Wonder’s recently launched £1 crisps

100 calories per serving like the rest of the Ringos

range. Promotional packs are available now and

range, Spicy Thai delivers on Golden Wonder’s

the campaign is being pushed across social, digital

brand promise of ‘more punch per crunch’.”

and trade channels throughout 2022.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 35

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – COSTA COFFEE

COSTA REVEALS INDULGENT RTD FRAPPÉS

The range launches in May with two popular flavours from Costa’s coffee shop business.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) and Costa

As well as having low caffeine intensity – which

Coffee have unveiled a new ready-to-drink Frappé

is attractive to younger adults – Costa’s RTD

range.

Frappés contain less sugar than many of the other

The range launches with two popular flavours

brands on the market, meaning that even though

from Costa’s coffee shop business – Chocolate

they’re designed for treating, they still comply with

Fudge Brownie and Caramel Swirl – in a drink

England’s forthcoming HFSS regulations.

that’s said by the makers to be creamier, thicker

The Costa Coffee RTD range will be supported

and more indulgent than Costa’s existing RTD

by a summer sampling campaign which will tour the

line-up.

nation, visiting 10 different cities and major events.

The Frappés combine Costa’s slow-roasted,

Despite RTD coffee’s current value of £228m,

smooth and nutty Signature Blend coffee espresso

Martin Attock, VP Commercial Development at

with fresh milk, finished off with either fudge choc-

CCEP GB, thinks the category has still to reach

olate brownie or caramel swirl flavours.

its full potential. He commented: “We’re confident

Both variants are rolling out throughout May in

that, along with the great new taste across our

250ml, 100% recyclable bottles which are made

Latte and Flat White variants, the Frappé range

with 100% recycled plastic (excluding caps and

will help attract more consumers to the RTD coffee

labels).

category this summer.”

36 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

NICOTINE BOOST

PROTEIN DESSERT

HOWLING WINE

Swedish Match brand ZYN has

Protein bar brand Grenade has

Accolade Wines has launched

launched a tobacco-flavoured

launched a Lemon Cheesecake

Wise Wolf, a range of wines in

nicotine pouch with no tobacco.

flavour. The 60g bar (RSP £2.85)

recycled packaging. Three vari-

Tobacco Gold (RSP £6.50) is

contains 21g of protein and 1.6g

eties – Chardonnay, Rosé and

designed for nicotine users who

of sugar. Available from June, it

Cabernet Sauvignon – will be

do not wish to consume tobacco,

joins Chocolate Chip Salted Car-

available from June with a rec-

but still enjoy the taste. It is avail-

amel, White Chocolate Salted

ommended retail price of £11

able in medium (3mg) and strong

Peanut, White Chocolate Cookie,

and a promotional offer price

(6mg) strengths.

and Peanut Butter & Jelly.

of £9.

CORDIAL COCKTAIL

WINE TINS

FRUITY BOOST

Bottlegreen, the cordial brand

Wine producer Hardys will

Boost Drinks has reformulated its

owned by SHS Drinks, has

launch a single-serve canned

Fruit Punch 250ml SKU, which

introduced a new lime and mint

format in June. The new Hardys

will replace the existing sug-

flavour for summer. The new

Cans will be available in three

ar-free variant of Fruit Punch.

addition comes in the brand’s

varieties – Rosé, Chardonnay

The new flavour – which contains

iconic 500ml glass bottle, with an

and Shiraz. The aluminium cans

peach, passionfruit and banana

RSP of £3.75. The new launch

are fully recyclable. The range

flavours – is available in whole-

comes alongside the brand’s

has a recommended retail price

salers nationwide in cases of 24

biggest advertising campaign.

of £2.50.

x 250ml cans (65p PMP).

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 37

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Heavy lifti

A new partnership will see robots help ret

Danish supermarket retailer Bilka Odense has teamed up with start-up Coalescent Mobile Robotics (CMR) to deploy a fleet of 10 mobile robots in its ToGo click-and-collect stores.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? The pilot project will see robots assist and work with retail staff “for the first time”, the technology company says.

The robots will take over physically heavy and time-consuming tasks, working with employees to optimise the retailer’s processes.

“We see great potential in the robots, which in the future could be included in all Bilka supermarkets and which could perhaps be used for more tasks, possibly for replenishment,” Bilka Chief Executive Mark Nielsen said.

38 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 104 / WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022

HOW WILL IT WORK? The robots will help by transporting the trolleys from the warehouse to the store and vice-versa. On average, about 40% of the time on the ToGo process is spent performing the same physically demanding tasks as pulling and pushing heavy trolleys.

“The process is streamlined, employees are freed from heavy tasks, the working environment is improved, and time is freed to improve our customer service,” Nielsen added.

WHAT ARE THE ROBOTS CALLED? The robots have been named Serena, after Serena Williams, because according to Clionadh Martin, Chief Executive of CMR, the tennis star is “strong, influential, and not afraid to challenge

the status quo”. He said: “In close and constructive cooperation with Bilka, CMR has developed a sociable, humanfriendly and above all, safe and strong robot adapted to the conditions and needs of the supermarket.”

“After a year-and-a-half of cooperation, the robots are now ready to optimise the processes in the BIlka ToGo service.

“This comes at a time when Bilka ToGo orders have increased from 20 to 400-500 daily orders as a result of the pandemic and when there is a shortage of labour. The robots will bring about multiple benefits to Denmark’s only hypermarket.”

ARE ROBOTS THE FUTURE? The answer is a resounding yes, according to Martin. “Many people

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX A new feature from Farmstead reminds you what’s in your refrigerator to reduce food waste.

ing robots

tail staff with physically demanding tasks.

are afraid of robots, but we want to demystify that and show that they can be great partners.

“It is important to make robots affordable and to make them useful in a fun and healthy way.”

The start-up has ambitious plans for further deployment of robots into retail, with Thomas Greve,

IT Director for Bilka’s parent company Salling Group, noting: “With the ongoing pilot programme, CMR plans to install more robots in stores in Denmark, in addition to expanding to other European countries.

“The company received an investment of DKK 11m in 2021 and has attracted more investors in general.”

POWER UP YOUR SALES

HIGH CAFFEINE ENERGY DRINK WITH THE INDESC

RIBABLE TASTE OF IRN-BRU

FROM THE N0.1 SCOTTISH GROCERY BRAND *

*Source: Kantar World Panel, Value Sales, Take Home Non-Alcohol Brands, MAT to 06.09.21, Total Scotland

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 39

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

F L E S R U O Y E IV H BEE Bees are quite clever. Despite having brains the size of a grass seed, they communicate with each other by dancing and they can count. And they’re the bee’s knees at making honey.

So how then, did a swarm get Hinckley in Leicestershire buzzing with excitement last week by setting up camp in the market town’s Aldi?

One explanation is that they mistook the store for the discounter’s bee hotel, which sits eight miles away along the A5 in Atherstone.

In 2014, Aldi staff voted to build a bee hotel at the company’s head office in recognition of their crucial role in the world’s ecosystems. Or maybe they were just excited by the prospect of their bosses getting stung on a daily basis.

At any rate, the Hinckley bees (not be confused with the Hinkley Point B

power station) were eventually safely removed to a new home by a local beekeeper.

This was not without some drama though. According to beekeeper Pete, his technician made the scene safe and nipped off for some honey to keep the bees healthy. Unfortunately, when he

returned to collect them, a new manager was on shift who allegedly called the police to stop him because the bees were Aldi’s property.

Unlike bees, it looks like the two managers didn’t communicate with each other. But they may well have very small brains.

ET L L A B L A Y O R Y JERSE Fresh potato brand Albert Bartlett has unveiled a new video showcasing the lifespan of the humble potato, with the laudable aim of encouraging people to think twice before chucking spuds in the bin.

Shot over 12 months, the strangely hypnotic short film has been assembled from a series of stills and sped-up video footage and takes the viewer on an educational journey from seed to fork.

It represents a step-change from some of the brand’s other videos, which are – quite frankly – bonkers.

Take, for example, one film which saw Reece Clarke and Fumi Kaneko, two dancers from the Royal Ballet, perform sections of Tchaikovsky’s ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ in Albert Bartlett’s Jersey factory.

Why you ask?

Because the factory is full of Jersey Royal seed potatoes that are going to ‘sleep’ for a couple of

months before being ‘woken up’ again prior to planting. Obviously.

WEDNESDAY 11TH MAY 2022 / ISSUE 104 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 41

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GROWTH

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Stock up now to profit from the spring trade.

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