The Week in Retail 110

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

HOME DELIVERY

DARK STORES HIT SKIDS?

COMMUNITY

LOCAL HEROES

SNAPPY SHOPPER HITS RECORD NUMBERS AS DARK STORES STRUGGLE

BUDGENS MARKS 150 YEARS WITH £50K COMMUNITY GRANT FUND

● Flagship Nisa store refit

● Costa Costa Express upgrade

SOFT DRINKS

GOING FOR GOLD CCEP PARTNERS WITH COMMONWEALTH GAMES

● Covid cases climb

+

ERY TRIAL IV L E D E N O R D H THE SKIES WIT O T S E K A T N O AMAZ

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Issue 110 Wednesday 22 June 2022

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

PUBLISHER’S COMMENT

Wheels coming off for dark stores?

The stellar growth of home delivery over the last couple of years may have slowed down a little, but it’s still a fantastic way for local retailers to massively grow their sales and profits. Can you think of any other way you could add £10k or £20k to your weekly turnover without impacting in-store sales?

And you can achieve that in a matter of months if you do it well and commit to it.

There are plenty of local retailers doing £1m+ a year with home delivery and more retailers are getting in on the act every week, which is hardly surprising. Yes, it’s a challenging solution to deliver well and it’s maybe not perfect for every store – but it doesn’t have to be complicated, and it can and will work in most locations.

So, it was interesting to learn this week that Dundee-based home delivery pioneers Snappy Shopper are just about to hit their five millionth order. That’s quite a lot of orders by anybody’s standard. But equally interesting over the last few weeks has been the news that the dreaded dark store operators maybe aren’t going to get it all their own way after all. Several of them had acquired war

chests running into hundreds of millions of pounds and they looked set to become an enormous threat to the local retailing sector.

Europe’s largest home delivery outfit, Gorillas, is apparently burning through £90m a month – ouch – and has announced 300 redundancies and confirmed that it is pulling out of several markets entirely. It’s a common tale over the years. Retailing remains harder than it looks to most outsiders.

Throwing money at something absolutely doesn’t guarantee success, particularly if you don’t understand the dynamics of the market as well as you need to.

So let’s see what the future holds for the dark store lot and let’s hope that local retailers continue to grow their share of the home delivery market and secure more customers for the longer term.

Dark stores remain a clear and present danger, but local retailers won’t cede their ground without a fight, that’s for sure.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 22 JUNE 2022 / ISSUE 110

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9

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12

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

COVER STORY

STORE REOPENINGS

One in four food retail workers are skipping meals every month, while food bills are set to rise by another £43 per month for a family of four.

Home delivery platform Snappy Shopper approaches its five millionth order as its dark store rivals run into major challenges.

Nisa Local Virginia Quays in East London sees like-for-like growth following an extensive refurbishment and relaunch as a Nisa Extra.

Covid-19 update

13 Community

15 Drinks-to-go

22 Out the box: drone deliveries

Costa Coffee upgrades its Costa Express

Amazon brings science fiction closer

Budgens marks its 150th birthday with

machine to deliver both hot and iced

to reality by trialling drone deliveries in

new awards that “give back” to the local

drinks, following a successful trial in Bristol

communities who shop in its 350 stores.

last summer.

14 Sponsorships

16 Picks of the week

CCEP is named as Official Soft Drinks

A look at the latest new products and

Provider to the Birmingham 2022

marketing campaigns, including another

Commonwealth Games.

flavoured vodka from Smirnoff.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

California.

24 Advertorial Retailer Nicole Ross Murray opens her second Spar store, in Dornoch.

25 Before you go...

Our latest Retail Randoms.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

PUBLISHER’S PRO-RATA TERMS Newspaper publisher National World is to include pro-rata terms for newsagents, as part

COST OF LIVING

One in four food retail workers skip meals to pay bills Usdaw has called for action on the cost-of-living crisis.

of price increases for a number of its regional titles. From June 27, the price of 13 editions in the central England region will increase by 5p per copy. All price increases will include prorata profit margins for retailers.

ACHIEVERS AWARDS OPENS Entries are now open for the Achievers Awards, an industry programme that rewards outstanding performance across the wholesale trade in Scotland and marks its 20th anniversary in 2023. The ceremony will now take place at the O2 Academy Edinburgh on 23 February 2023.

TRACK AND TRACE REMINDER ACS is reminding retailers about July’s changes to the tobacco track and trace system. Retailers may have already received an email about a switch from previous IT provider De La Rue over to Dentsu. Retailers will receive a second email between now and 1 July 2022.

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One in four workers in the food retail industry are skipping meals every month to pay bills, according to Usdaw’s most recent cost-of-living survey.

The retail trade union surveyed over 5,500 members and found that the number is up from one in 20 in February

2021, and one in seven in February 2022. Speaking in Parliament Square at Saturday’s TUC rally, Usdaw President Jane Jones said: “One-in-four of the people working hard to keep food on Britain’s tables are struggling to put food on their own table.

“We need a pay rise and a new deal that gives every worker decent pay and secure hours. A new deal that transforms our social security system into a proper safety net. A new deal where working people can thrive, rather than struggle to survive.

“We cannot accept that workers are condemned to live on poverty pay; they are not guaranteed the working hours they need to get by from one week to the next. Shopworkers, distribution workers, manufacturing workers, in constituency after constituency are watching. We need action and we need action now.”

FareShare wins Charity Award for Surplus with Purpose scheme FareShare’s Surplus with Purpose scheme has been recognised with a 2022 Environment and Conservation Charity Award for its environmental benefits.

The scheme helps redistribute unsold good-to-eat surplus produce from farms to people who need it most,

rather than let it go to waste. The extra costs involved in picking, packing and transporting their surplus mean it is often cheaper for famers and growers to let unwanted surplus produce rot in the ground, use for biofuel or send to landfill.

NEWS DIGEST

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

COST OF LIVING

Food inflation likely to reach 15% this summer

The rise in the cost of essential food items is likely to reach a peak of up to 15% this summer and will last much longer than initially predicted, according to IGD.

The rise in the cost of essential food items is likely to reach a peak of up to 15% this summer and will last much longer than initially predicted, according to IGD’s latest report.

IGD has warned that the UK economy is facing its strongest period of inflationary pressure since the 1970s.

It also expects food inflation to persist for longer than official forecasters due to several factors, including the impact of the war in Ukraine, pre-existing supply chain challenges and the limited effectiveness of monetary and fiscal policy.

The analyst said the most vulnerable households in the UK are expected

to be hit the hardest by the spike in food and drink prices, calculating that the average monthly spend on groceries for a typical family of four will reach £439 from January 2023 – a significant increase from £396 in January 2022.

The strongest inflation pressure is expected to come from meat, cereal products, dairy, fruit and vegetables.

In particular, products that rely on wheat for feed, such as white meats, are likely to see prices soar in the short term.

IGD added that the acceleration in food inflation is likely to last until mid-2023.

NET ZERO GRANTS Businesses in Renfrewshire can apply for a new grant bringing them big benefits and playing their part in Renfrewshire achieving its climate change targets. The £500,000 Net Zero Business Fund has been created

by Renfrewshire Council and is now open for online applications.

TWC WELCOMES NEW SALES BOSS Kim Reddick has joined digital and data specialist TWC as Sales Director. She will be responsible for new business development, a key role as TWC navigates its growth strategy for the coming years.

Meanwhile, Rachel James,

Welsh Government launches strategy to regenerate retail The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales, outlining the challenges faced by retail businesses in Wales.

It sets out how the Welsh Government, the sector and trade unions will work together in partnership to ensure that the retail sector has a bright and sustainable future in Wales.

This includes improving career opportunities within retail and providing greater job security amongst other goals.

has been promoted to Client Services Director.

NEW WORLD FOR BLAKEMORE The Blakemore Trade Partners’ Retail Show took place at Telford International Centre on 16 June and attracted over 1,000 suppliers, colleagues

The vision references data from ACS’ Welsh Local Shop Report, highlighting the importance and prevalence of local shops in Wales, particularly in more rural areas.

and retailers from across Spar UK’s Meridian & Welsh Guild.

The event was held under the theme of ‘New World, New Opportunities’.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

THE SCOTTISH BUYING GROUP FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILERS SINCE 1976 Scotland’s best kept retail secret, working with independent retailers for over 40 years providing access to one of the leading convenience retail groups while allowing you to run your store, your way with great ranges and great support delivered direct to your store.

Delivery direct to store, small minimum order quantities.

14,000 SKU count across all categories including Food to Go Access to the excellent Co-op Fresh Range 3 weekly promotion cycle available Year round Seasonal sales opportunities Fascia and branding opportunities through the well established brand Rebate scheme for qualifying members, spend level applies Extensive supplementary Direct to Store ranges and services Central Invoicing*, 1 weekly statement and 1 Direct Debit

If you want to remain independent and have the support of PGMA behind you, drop us an email at pgma@pgma.co.uk or call Martin Devlin, Commercial Manager on 0131 343 7607.

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Scan here to be taken direct to the PGMA website

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

DELIVEROO EXPANDS HOP SERVICE WITH SUPERMARKET OF DREAMS

Over-75s urged to get booster jab as Scotland cases rise

Deliveroo has announced the further expansion of

Cases of two Omicron variants have increased in recent days.

its rapid grocery delivery service, ‘Deliveroo HOP’,

S

Supermarket of Dreams in Holland Park, London.

As part of the tie-up, Deliveroo will provide its HOP operating expertise, inventory management and picking technology to Supermarket of Dreams – and other grocery partners in future – to enable them to offer rapid delivery from their existing stores.

Professor Linda Bauld, of the University of Edinburgh, told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “I think it’s pretty clear to me from some of the data we’ve seen that we are certainly in another wave of infection, if not already it will be soon and that certainly seems to be the case in a number of countries.

“It might be surprising to people though because it’s the summer, and they’re used to hearing from us [that] the weather is better so people are more outside and therefore we reduce the risks through our behaviour.”

The store will manage its

TECH SOLUTIONS

cotland is experiencing an increase in Covid-19 infections, with the Omicron sub-lineages BA.4 and BA.5 being in part to blame.

The over-75s have now been urged to get a Covid booster vaccine, which is available until 30 June to everyone in the older age group and also to people over 12 if they have a weakened immune system.

About one-third of Scots in the immunosuppressed group have not yet come forward for an additional vaccine.

Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are seeing higher numbers of infections across our communities at the moment which is why booster vaccination is needed to maintain the best protection for those at highest risk of severe effects from the virus.

“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered wanes over time.

“Almost 90% of over-75s and around two-thirds of those who are immunosuppressed have already taken a spring booster.”

partnering with grocery store

delivery operations with dedicated staff.

The launch with Supermarket of Dreams is the latest step in the rollout of ‘Deliveroo HOP’ across the UK and international markets with recent new delivery-only sites opening in Bristol and Cambridge as well as Milan.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

C OV E R

HOME DE

Snappy hits record order numb

Snappy Shopper approaches five millionth or

S

nappy Shopper, the home delivery platform, is “expecting to complete its five millionth order” in the coming days, following record-breaking order numbers so far this year.

This, says the Dundee-based company, is “in stark contrast to the outlook for dark stores, as many rapid delivery platforms pivot their businesses away from this model following significant cash burn and stagnating sales, whilst others announce major global staff redundancies”.

Gorillas, for instance, Europe’s largest dark store operator, has announced that it is to shed 300 jobs and is pulling out of four markets.

Snappy Shopper’s continued growth has been achieved post-Series A funding totalling £19.4m while Gorillas has raised more than £1bn of investment and was reportedly burning through €90m a month at the end of 2021 .

2022 has been a record year for Snappy Shopper, with retailers on the platform consistently reporting up to 160% increased basket spend compared to in-store, with average basket spend on Snappy a healthy £26 compared to a £10 in-store average.

As one of the UK’s fastest-growing grocery home delivery solutions, Snappy enables independent retailers to expand their communities by recruiting shoppers who don’t normally visit the store in person, with 80% of sales coming from new customers, according to a Snappy Shopper retailer survey. The technology

“2022 has been a record year for Snappy Shopper, with retailers on the platform consistently reporting up to 160% increased basket spend compared to in-store.” also supports local high streets, allowing retailers to tap into consumer demand for convenience whilst offering value for money – online products are sold at in-store prices.

Mike Callachan, CEO at Snappy Shopper, says: “As we celebrate the

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milestone of our five millionth order through the Snappy Shopper app, we continue to develop our technology to support independent retailers and combat the threat posed to their businesses by dark stores. The sustained growth of the platform and growing demand from

S T O RY

ELIVERY

bers as dark stores hit the skids

rder as dark stores run into major challenges.

COO MARK STEVENS DEPARTS Snappy Shopper Chief Operating Officer, Mark Steven, has left the business. Steven joined as CEO in March 2019 prior to seed funding, before becoming group COO in April 2021.

Mike Callahan, CEO, commented: “Mark leaves with our gratitude.

Mark has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today, most notably navigating us from a fledgling start up, to a scaling business, securing £19.6m at a Series fundraise and also developing key strategic partnerships, including Paypoint plc. He has played a pivotal role in growing the Snappy business and developing it into the foremost convenience store home delivery player in the UK.” Steven said: “I am enormously proud to have contributed to the incredible success of Snappy Shopper. Creating a phenomenal team from zero to grow Snappy from three stores to over 1,500 has been a very satisfying achievement. The most rewarding part, however, has been enabling retailers to not only protect but also significantly grow their businesses in challenging times. I plan to take a short break before embarking on the next chapter of my career.”

both sides of the marketplace (retailers and consumers) confirm our position in the market as being the better, less capital-intensive solution to rapid grocery delivery by driving incremental sales straight into the existing UK convenience store network.”

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11

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

NISA

Flagship East London Nisa store gets refit The store has already seen like-for-like growth since the reopening.

N

isa Local Virginia Quays has re-launched as a Nisa Extra, following an extensive refurbishment that has seen a renewed focus on customer service, energy efficiency and an improved fresh offer for shoppers.

In the first major refit since 2014, the store re-oriented the aisles to alter the flow of the shop and offer store staff a better view for security purposes.

What’s more, the rear of the store has been opened up creating more space for additional chillers and the foodto-go preparation area moved next to the existing Subway counter. This has enabled the introduction of an array of

new ranges including Cooks frozen foods and authentic Asian brands, Nisa said.

A new counter has also been installed to include three Nisa Epositive till positions, along with more self-service check-outs to reduce queuing times at peak trading hours.

In addition, the existing vinyl flooring has been stripped back and regenerated, all the lighting replaced, and every existing dairy cabinet and freezer also replaced, along with new ones added.

“Since the store moved to Nisa in 2014, we’ve made many changes across the store but not done anything major and so it was time for us to invest and

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bring it up to date with a full overhaul of the entire store,” Executive Manager Sivakumar Pandian said.

For the exceptionally busy store, popular with commuters travelling in and out of the city via a neighbouring train line, a key investment was in the installation of more self-service tills.

“Previously we had four manned check-outs and two self-service checkouts and when we were busy, customers would be queuing down every aisle,” Pandian added.

The latest energy-efficient chillers and new lighting are also expected to help reduce energy bills.

COMMUNITY

BUDGENS

Budgens celebrates 150 years with new ‘Hero Awards’ launch The awards will reward local charities with a share of £50,000 to help improve their communities.

B

udgens is marking its 150th birthday with the launch of the Hero Awards as it seeks to “give back” to the local communities who shop in its 350 UK store locations.

The Budgens Hero Awards will reward local charities, good causes and community “heroes” with special grants to help improve the communities that each stores serves.

Each Budgens store will be eligible to nominate for a share of the £50,000

fund, and the first Hero Award recipient will be presented with their grant in July 2022.

The awards launch was revealed at a gala event for Budgens’ retailers held at Twickenham Stadium in celebration of the 150th anniversary.

Supported by key suppliers Accolade, Britvic, Diageo, Heineken, JTI and Nestlé Confectionery, the event also rewarded Budgens retailers with a host of prizes donated by each supplier.

An “immensely proud” BRP Sales Director Stewart Fenn credited independent Budgens retailers, who “remain at the heart of local life”.

“It is our pleasure to give something back to the communities that these stores serve with our Hero Awards, and this, combined with continued commitment to choice, price and service for our retailers, will ensure that the next 150 years will be just as successful as the first.”

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SPONSORSHIPS

CCEP

CCEP named Official Soft Drinks Provider to Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Convenience retailers are well placed to build on the growth achieved during the pandemic, the IGD predicts.

C

oca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) GB has been named as Official Soft Drinks Provider to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Running between 28 July and 8 August, the Games will be held at venues across Birmingham, featuring around 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories.

Athletes will participate in 19 sports and 8 para sports, including athletics, diving and cycling, with CCEP set to supply CocaCola Zero Sugar and other products to the one million spectators expected to attend.

In a bid to help support Birmingham 2022’s ambition to be the first Commonwealth Games with a carbon-neutral legacy, all CCEP bottles sold at the venues’ outlets CCEP will also be working with Birmingham 2022’s waste management and recycling providers to ensure plastics collected from all Games sites are processed and recycled.

Low carbon transport options, such as electric vehicles, will also be used by CCEP, where possible.

CCEP is also partnering with the Canal & River Trust ahead of Birmingham 2022, on a project to improve three key areas of Birmingham’s canal network.

Sam Jones, Head of Climate and Sustainability at CCEP GB, said: “Birmingham 2022 is an inclusive celebration, and we’re

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proud to bring our much-loved drinks to Birmingham for everyone to enjoy together in a sustainable way.

“It’s a privilege to be collaborating with Birmingham 2022 and other participating partners, to deliver a Games which supports long-term sustainable behaviour change and creates a lasting legacy for local communities.”

Katie Sadleir, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Games Federation, added: “Thousands of people will be watching world class sport at 15 incredible venues across the West Midlands this summer and together with CCEP and their well-known brands, spectators can enjoy a top-quality drink during every exciting moment of the Games.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

PLATINUM JUBILEE

Costa rolls out self-serve hot and iced drinks machine The Costa Express upgraded machines will be available this summer.

C

osta Coffee has upgraded its Costa Express machine to deliver both hot and iced drinks, rolling them out across England, Scotland and Wales this summer.

The move follows a successful trial in Bristol last summer, alongside testing dairy alternative milks in a small number of machines.

Customers will now be able to choose from a large variety of hot and iced barista-quality drinks, with drinks ranging from hot or cold lattes and cappuccinos, to iced fruit cordials and milk coolers.

What’s more, for a short time this summer as part of Costa Coffee’s Summer of Ice, Costa Express customers can pick up a limited-edition new Iced Salted Caramel Frappé, created by using a shot of Espresso, foamed fresh milk, ice, and buttery salted caramel syrup.

All coffee beans used in the Costa Express machines are made using Costa Coffee’s Mocha Italia Signature Blend, while the machines also recreate the hustle and bustle of Costa Coffee stores, by using specially created audio sounds of the burring of the coffee grinder and the tinkle of a spoon against a porcelain cup.

Nick Orrin, Costa Express Director UK & Ireland, said: “The technology used in these state-of-the-art machines is nothing short of a gold-standard level of innovation – a world’s first for the

self-service coffee machine industry.

“What’s more, we are giving our customers what they have been asking for from us – their favourite crafted coffee, personalised for how they want it and when they want it.”

In addition to this roll-out, Costa Coffee recently announced that, alongside its franchise partners, it expects to open

over 100 new stores across the UK in 2022, including over 60 new Drive-Thru stores, creating nearly 1,000 new jobs.

The growth in Drive-Thrus is part of Costa Coffee’s growth strategy which will also see Costa Coffee continuing to invest in travel locations, high streets, and retail parks, alongside its growing At-Home and Ready-To-Drink products.

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NPD AND MEDIA

THIS WEEK DREAMIES SMIRNOFF BERRY BURST RITTER SPORT JACOB’S MINI CHEDDARS M*LK BELIEVE

PICKS OF THE WEEK – DREAMIES

DREAMIES CELEBRATES PRIDE WITH LGBT FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP Mars Petcare is supporting the partnership with in-store activation.

Mars Petcare-owned Dreamies has marked Pride

community with a source of vital care and sup-

month by supporting the LGBT Foundation for

port to help protect the mental health of those

the second year in a row.

struggling.

The partnership sees the pet brand feature

“Our independent research reveals that

the charity’s helpline number on seven million

the LGBTQ+ community feel their pets can

packs during Pride month, as well as the LGBT

support them, with 61% of LGBTQ+ adults

Foundation logo and

believing that

iconic Pride rainbow.

cuddling a pet

Mars

Petcare

would

help

is also supporting

them manage

the partnership with

and mitigate

in-store activation,

some mental

including in and out of

health chal-

aisle displays, as well

lenges.”

as digital advertising and PR activity.

Last year, with the

According to the research, 78% of LGBTQ+

additional support from

adults

Dreamies, the LGBT

experienced

Foundation had a 32%

feelings of anx-

have

increase in the total num-

iety, with 69%

ber of emails and phone

admitting that this

calls received by its help-

left them feeling

line during the campaign,

lonely. The exclu-

versus the same period

sive research

in 2019.

also revealed

Kay Brown, European

that 52% of

Brand Director at Mars

LGBTQ+ adults

Petcare, commented: “We

said that talking

are proud to be continu-

openly to their

ing our partnership with

pet without fear

LGBT Foundation for a

of judgement

second year running.

would

Together, we hope to

their mental

provide the LGBTQ+

health.

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help

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – SMIRNOFF BERRY BURST

SMIRNOFF ADDS BERRY BURST FLAVOUR TO PORTFOLIO The new variant is exclusively available at Morrisons before a wider roll-out in September.

Smirnoff is adding a Berry Burst variant to its growing flavoured vodka portfolio.

The latest launch from the brand is available exclusively at Morrisons now, then nationwide across the off- and on-trades from September 2022.

Smirnoff will support the launch alongside its flavour portfolio with marketing investment worth over £2m in the first launch year.

Berry Burst seeks to capitalise on the increasing popularity of flavoured vodka which is growing at 73% in the off-trade.

It combines the natural flavours of blueberries and blackberries with Smirnoff No. 21 vodka.

Nick Payman, Head of Smirnoff GB at brand owner Diageo, said: “The Smirnoff brand is a leader when it comes to delivering consistently high-quality liquids that are trusted by consumers and is also known for its innovation and ability to provide exciting new ways for people to enjoy vodka.

“Smirnoff Berry Burst is a bold new variant that taps into trending berry flavours and is the perfect accompaniment for key social occasions – it’s a great addition to our portfolio following the launches of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush and Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit Twist.”

Smirnoff Berry Burst (70cl, ABV 37.5%) will be available to convenience retailers from September 2022 with an RSP of £16.50 (£14 promotional price). Packs price-marked at £15.99 will also be available.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 17

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – RITTER SPORT

RITTER SPORT LAUNCHES SUMMER RANGE WITH CARAMEL BAR

The limited-edition Taste The World block chocolate bars are available until September.

Ben Daniels, Managing Director at Ritter Sport UK & IRE, said: “Our seasonal edition Taste The World range continues to perform really well, with the range garnering huge interest on social media each year. Consumers know and love the exotic range and look forward to the latest flavours being announced.

“We know consumers are hungry to explore new flavours, just as they are hungry to explore the world post-Covid. This year, we’re thrilled to have secured such wide distribution for the trade, meaning more retailers can get hold of the range, than ever before.”

Chocolate brand Ritter Sport has brought its limited-edition Taste The World range back for another summer with two new exotic flavours.

The range comprises three 100g block chocolate bars made from sustainable, chunky chocolate with ingredients inspired by the flavours of Southwest America, Japan and Costa Rica.

Headlining the range is the new Salted Caramel flavour, inspired by Southwest America, tapping on the caramel trend, making it the third-largest flavour sector in the UK after milk and nut, according to research.

Joining Salted Caramel is the Cherry & Almond Milk Chocolate bar, borrowing flavours and design from Japanese culture, along with the range’s bestselling White Mango and Passionfruit bar.

The Ritter Sport Taste The World block chocolate bars are available until September, from a number of wholesalers.

Consumers will also be able to pick up a bar in store from Poundland and Wilko plus order online via the Ritter Sport online choco shop.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – JACOB’S MINI CHEDDARS S

JACOB’S UNVEILS NEW STREET FOOD-INSPIRED MINI CHEDDARS The two new flavours have been launched to attract younger shoppers to the pladis brand.

Pladis is celebrating the hearty flavours of restaurant favourites with a new duo of limited-edition flavours for its £94.3m Jacob’s Mini Cheddars brand.

Baked with real cheese and inspired by popular mouth-watering meals, the new flavours – Classic Cheese Pizza and Bangin’ Cheese Burger – have been launched to attract younger shoppers seeking exciting, modern flavours, while also driving incremental sales.

“Our continued focus on innovation has helped us leverage scale and reach record heights for our Jacob’s Mini Cheddars brand,” said Leighton Wall, Marketing Director – Savoury, at pladis UK&I. “In

“Classic Cheese Pizza and Bangin’ Cheese

fact, the brand has already reached double-digit

Burger mark the fifth annual limited-edition flavour

growth – but we’ve got our sights set even higher.

rotation for the brand, as well as the next step in

“We’re targeting big growth ambitions for this

expanding our core portfolio,” Wall continued.

household favourite brand. By launching limit-

“After rigorous consumer testing, we’re confi-

ed-edition cheesy street food-inspired NPD, we’re

dent we can replicate similar success for our latest

aiming to accelerate this and unlock new sales

variants, which pack a bold flavour punch that’s

opportunities for our retail customers, particularly

bound to liven up the snacking aisle. We antici-

around the lunchtime treat occasion – whether

pate the range will be received with open arms by

shoppers are elevating an at-home lunch or grab-

established and loyal Mini Cheddars fans, whilst

bing an individual packet to enjoy a moment of

also inspiring younger adults seeking trend-led

cheeky, cheesy pleasure on the move.”

flavour variants to buy into the brand.”

The brand has a successful track record of

Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Classic Cheese Pizza

launching limited editions; the previous four ranges

and Bangin’ Cheese Burger are available now in

have recruited 2.8 million new shoppers.

6x23g multipacks with an RSP of £1.50.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – M*LK BELIEVE

ALPRO BACKS NEW THIS IS NOT M*LK DRINK WITH MAJOR CAMPAIGN

The multi-million-pound ‘M*lk Believe’ campaign challenges consumers to give plant-based a try.

Plant-based brand Alpro has launched a multi-

Sainsbury’s and Tesco stores nationwide. A further

million-pound cross-channel campaign to mark

40,000 samples will be distributed straight to the

the launch of its new oat-based drink This Is Not

homes of potential shoppers, in partnership with

M*lk. The ‘M*lk Believe’ campaign is designed to

recipe box provider Hello Fresh.

challenge perceptions around the taste of plant-

The campaign will be further bolstered through

based and encourage UK consumers to take the

shopper marketing, PR and social media activities.

plunge and try plant-based.

Anna Kochanska, Head of Marketing at Alpro

The campaign spotlights This is Not M*lk’s taste

UK & Ireland, commented: “The launch of Alpro

and texture, formulated specifically to appeal to

This is Not M*lk has provided us with an exciting

the 15 million UK households not currently buying

opportunity to bring plant-based to a previously

plant-based by demonstrating its versatility across

untapped audience, the 15 million households

multiple usage occasions.

across the UK who have yet to be swept up in the

It is supported by primetime television spots on

plant-based revolution.

Grand Designs and Gogglebox alongside a partner-

“We know that taste is still a barrier that some

ship with Channel 4 Breakfast. Digital activity will see

consumers have not been able to overcome in

This Is Not M*lk content broadcast across YouTube

order to give plant-based a go, despite the exten-

as well as a full funnel partnership with Amazon.

sive range of alternatives already on the market.

A month-long sampling campaign via Alpro’s

It’s with these customers in mind that we have

‘This is Not a M*lk Float’ will drive trial with 70,000

worked so hard to create Alpro This is Not M*lk,

consumers at multiple high-footfall sites, as well as

with a taste that’s so familiar.”

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 110/ WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

ABSOLUT-ELY FABULOUS

LAURA LINK-UP

RAW POWER

Blossom Hill has partnered with

Ferrero’s cereal brand Eat Nat-

Absolut has launched its take on

Love Island host Laura Whitmore

ural will launch a new range this

the Passionfruit Martini in an RTD

to celebrate the wine brand’s

July. Gluten-free Raw bars will

format. It combines the brand’s

30th birthday. The campaign

come in three varieties: Hazelnut,

premium vodka with the flavours

is supported across in-store,

Dates & Peanut; Peanut, Almond

of zesty passionfruit and sweet

PR, and social media. It seeks

& Cocoa; and Almond, Cranber-

vanilla. Absolut Passionfruit Mar-

to quash anxieties people may

ries & Pomegranate. All RSP at

tini (5% ABV) is available in cases

have around achieving certain

£1.25 for a 45g single and are

of 12 x 250ml, RSP £2.20.

milestones in life.

HFSS-compliant.

GOING TO TOWN

MINIONS MAYHEM

GET RICH QUICK

Chicago Town has launched a

Hancocks has unveiled a range

Baked by Rich’s and Nestlé Pro-

£1.5m campaign to showcase

of Minions-branded sweets

fessional have launched three

how it “goes to town” on getting

ahead of the July release of The

new thaw and serve cookies for

pizza inspiration from Chicago.

Rise of Gru. Three fruit-flavoured

the convenience channel. The

The brand appears across an

Minion-shaped jelly sweets are

‘Baked by Rich’s, Made with…’

array of national out-of-home

available in 200g share bags,

range includes Matchmakers

media and an on-pack competi-

along with four Pez dispensers

Zingy Orange, Aero Peppermint

tion gives consumers the chance

and a Millions banana-flavoured

and Little Rolo. RSP from £2.29

to win a trip to the Windy City.

Minions edition.

for a bag of four cookies.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Shopping’s in the air Amazon is bringing science fiction closer to reality – by trialling drone deliveries

Amazon customers in California will soon be the first to be wondering whether it’s a bird or a plane – when, in fact, it’s an Amazon drone.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Amazon is to roll out drone deliveries in Lockeford, California, with packages being dropped in backyards.

Customers in the area will be able to give back feedback about Prime Air, which is working with the Federal Aviation Administration and local officials in the area to obtain permission to conduct the deliveries.

IS THAT SAFE? Drone piloting has generally been

marred in the past with headlines of them disrupting planes, violating people’s privacy at home or out and about, as well as being used in warfare.

One of the major challenges in this kind of technology being used commercially has always been avoiding obstacles en route while not interfering with dayto-day life.

Amazon admits that most drones do not have the capability to sense and avoid other aircraft and obstacles, limiting delivery operation to a small radius.

But it says it’s building something different.

According to the commerce giant, its engineers have created a

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 110/ WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022

sense-and-avoid system that allows drones to operate at greater distances while avoiding other aircraft, people, pets and obstacles.

“We designed our sense-and-avoid system for two main scenarios: to be safe when in transit, and to be safe when approaching the ground,” Amazon said.

“When flying to the delivery location, the drones need to be able to identify static and moving obstacles.”

Using this system, the Prime Air drone is supposed to be able to identify a static object, like a chimney, or a moving object, like other aircraft.

“As our drone descends to deliver the package into a customer’s backyard,

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX

the drone ensures that there’s a small area around the delivery location that’s clear of any people, animals, or other obstacles,” it added.

HOW WILL IT WORK IN PRACTICE? Customers in the Lockeford area will be able to see Prime Air-eligible items on Amazon, and after placing an order, they would receive an estimated arrival time with a status tracker.

Amazon boasts that drone delivery could complete the whole operation safely in under an hour; the drone will fly to the designated delivery location, descend to the backyard and hover at a safe height.

It will then release the package and rise back up to altitude.

IS ALL THIS NEW? Not to America, it’s not. In fact, Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos had originally unveiled plans for Prime Air in 2013.

Walmart has also thrown itself in the race to win the skies.

In May 2022, it revealed it is expanding its DroneUp delivery network to 34 sites by the end of the year, potentially reaching four million U.S. households across six states – Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Virginia.

It promises delivery in as little as 30 minutes for items totalling up to 10 pounds.

COULD IT BE TRIALLED IN THE UK? This side of the Atlantic has historically been a lot more hesitant to adopt similar technology, due to the various legislative challenges it throws up, including from an aviation point of view.

However, the Royal Mail has recently said it wants a fleet of 500 drones to help deliver the mail to remote communities across the UK.In the next three years it aims to amass 200 drones to deliver the mail on 50 new routes with the Isles of Scilly, Shetland, Orkney and the Hebrides being the first to benefit.And although there is a UK Prime Air division working on drone delivery here, the company has no official plans for a launch yet.

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

A DV E RTO R I A L

SPAR SCOTLAND

SPAR Dornoch

Retailer Nicole Ross Murray has opened her second SPAR store in the Highlands.

N

icole Ross Murray has been a SPAR retailer for more than twoand-a-half years.

Nicole took over her father’s store SPAR Benview Stores, in Golspie situated in the North Highlands of Scotland – one hour north of Inverness – in January 2022.

In August 2021 following an extensive refurbishment, she opened another SPAR store in Dornoch, 10 miles south of the Golspie store.

On the store’s reopening day back in September, Murray said: “I am so excited to take over the store at Dornoch. It’s been a busy few months re-vamping the

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 110/ WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022

store and we hope customers will like the few changes we’ve made.

“We’ve introduced a great food-to-go range with coffee and bacon rolls, as well as Capaldis ice-cream.”

The store also features lottery services, a news and magazine range, a slush machine, PayPoint, and ATM.

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

P ROPOSAL T N E C INDE You have to credit Salvatore Costarelli for thinking outside the box.

When you live somewhere like Venice you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to romantic locations for a wedding proposal: St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, Harry’s Bar. The list goes on. You could even (carefully) get down on one knee in a gondola. That’s probably never been done before.

None of the above for the bold Salvatore though. The Pitbull lookalike popped into his local supermarket to pop the question, using a microphone at the checkout to let Tiziana Famao – and everyone else in the store – know he had a special question for her.

“I love you, you’re my life, and I want to ask you, will you marry me?” he said (in Italian) before intercepting his bemused trolley-pushing sweetheart in the freezer aisle with a ring

at the ready. Tiziana said “sì” of course – given the circumstances how could she refuse? After a quick kiss and a cuddle,

the lovestruck pair got back to finishing the big shop, or “il grande negozio” as no-one in Italy calls it.

IF THE DOG DOESN’T LIKE IT, YOU KNOW WHERE TO STICK IT Aldi has shown it has a sense of humour after one of its SpecialBuys – a £2.99 dog toy – went viral for all the wrong reasons.

The toy, a plastic corn on the cob that can be stuck to the floor by means of a suction cup, soon whipped up a social media frenzy.

Some of the more filthyminded members of the public channelled their inner Sid James with comments like: “What in the

name of Ann Summers is this?” and “Ribbed for extra pleasure.”

One wag suggested: “Absolutely no one is purchasing that for their dogs,” which our picture of Wee Jock the West Highland Terrier clearly disproves.

At any rate, Aldi wasn’t about to be the butt of the joke, and ended the matter with: “What you buy for your pet is none of our business.”

WEDNESDAY 22ND JUNE 2022/ ISSUE 110 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25

01.09.2022

George Bowie • DJ Cassi • Pretty Ugly Simon Cordiner • Rebecca Vasmant BOOK NOW

For tickets and information visit groceryaid.org.uk/events/checkout-scotland

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

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