The Week in Retail 116

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

HOME DE LIVERY

HOME DELIVERY HEATS UP TIKTOK TO SELL FRESH FOOD FOR FIRST TIME BUSINESS RATES

● Parfetts to open eighth depot

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

SHOPPERS FOCUS ON HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

CONSUMERS STRUGGLE TO BALANCE VALUES WITH COSTS

+

TRANSITIONAL RELIEF VITAL ACS GIVES GOVERNMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

● Sussex service station

transformed

● One Stop extends

FareShare partnership

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Issue 116 Wednesday 3rd August 2022

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Next logical step This week came the momentous news that social media giant TikTok is to sell fresh food in the UK for the first time.

Food content has now clocked up more than 26 billion views on TikTok, well-known and amateur chefs share their content on the platform, and TikTok says it has seen some of the biggest viral food trends over the past year start on its website. Therefore, opening TikTok shops is the next logical step.

The new shopping feature works by letting the platform’s users visit TikTok Shops where they will be able to order and complete purchases. From that point, each individual merchant handles delivery directly.

There is also a chance for users to get discounts, with brands able to run exclusive TikTok LIVES, giving the #FoodTok community access to discounts and the content they’ve come to love while driving sales.

The shopping service will provide a huge opportunity for new food brands looking for a springboard to market, which hopefully convenience retailers will be able to capitalise on.

Already TikTok has signed up Pasta Evangelists, online fishmonger The Fish Society, The Veg Box Company, ready meal firm By Ruby, and juice and smoothie specialist EXALT to use its shopping service.

Finn Lagun, co-founder and chief marketing officer at Pasta Evangelists, has called TikTok Shops “an exciting opportunity to change the face of modern retail”.

Indeed, it will be interesting to see whether any of the other social media networks will follow suit and start selling food. Will we soon be able to order tomorrow’s work lunch while looking for a new job on LinkedIn or do our weekly shop while catching up with old friends on Facebook?

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 3 AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 116

6

10

19

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

COVER STORY

STORE REFITS

ACS says consumers want investment in local neighbourhoods, while Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak outline their plans for HFSS and the high street.

TikTok users in the UK will soon be able to purchase fresh food directly on the platform, with a number of brands already on board.

Power Service Station, operated by Nisa key account retailing group Pricewatch, relaunches under the Nisa Local banner.

9

20 Sustainability

Covid-19 update The latest coronavirus-related news.

13 Forecourts The ACS highlights the limited impact that retailers can have on the overall fuel price.

14 Cost-of-living crisis

25 Wholesalers

New figures show the average person now

Parfetts will open its eighth depot, a

buys around three single-use carrier bags

100,000sq ft site in central Birmingham,

a year, compared to around 140 in 2014.

21 Shopper insight

later this year.

26 Legislation

Almost 60% of UK consumers believe

Walkers launches a new guide to help

The ACS says the Welsh government

companies should be taxed heavily for

England’s retailers cope with forthcoming

must provide ‘targeted support’ to help

producing or promoting unhealthy choices.

businesses cope.

15 Business rates

22 Charity

HFSS regulations.

27 Picks of the week

One Stop launches a summer holiday

A look at the latest new products and

The ACS highlights the importance of

activity book, with all profits going to food

marketing campaigns, including some

transitional arrangements in advance of

poverty charity FareShare.

spook-tacular Halloween lines from

next year’s business rates revaluation.

17 Newstrade

23 Community Spar sponsoris the City of Preston 10k for

Mondelez International.

30 Out the box: backing black brands

Retailers ‘betrayed’ as newspaper

a second time in association with primary

Sainsbury’s aims to help more black

publisher Reach accompanies cover price

wholesaler and distributor James Hall.

entrepreneurs enter the retail sector with a

rises with margin cuts.

18 Store sales

24 Charity Nisa retailers raise £11,363 for good

new incubator programme.

33 Before you go...

A South Wales c-store attracts a new

causes by siting clothing banks outside

Our latest Retail Randoms mark the

owner after one day on the market.

their stores.

demise of an ice cream legend.

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WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

SELF-SERVE LEON Food-to-go chain Leon is launching its own self-serve coffee kiosks in 68 EGoperated petrol forecourts across the UK after a

COMMUNITY

Consumers want investment in local neighbourhoods

Around 70% of consumers would prefer to see investment in their local neighbourhood, compared to just 30% who would prefer investment in the nearest town or city centre.

successful trial. Kiosk users will be able to choose from the company’s list of hot teas and coffees, all of which are made using organic dairy milk.

ICELAND EXPANDS UBER EATS DELIVERY Iceland is expanding its partnership with Uber Eats to Northern Ireland, following a successful trial covering six stores. Around 3,800 products will be available on the Uber Eats app, with orders picked

by Iceland staff, before being delivered in about 30 minutes.

MORRISONS ROLLS OUT GREEN EGGS Morrisons is to launch a line of carbon-neutral eggs from farms where hens are fed a soya-free diet of insects, which are fed on food waste from its bakery, fruit and vegetable sites. The eggs are set to be the first to feature the British Lion Egg green stamp to indicate the lower environmental impact.

Around 70% of consumers would prefer to see investment in their local neighbourhood, compared to just 30% who would prefer investment in their nearest town or city centre.

The polling, commissioned as part of ACS’ 2022 Community Barometer report, also revealed that support for existing local businesses would be the top investment priority for consumers, followed by better community policing, and support for new businesses locally.

Government policy around levelling up and supporting businesses has long been focused on high streets and town and city centres, rather than parades, villages and rural hubs.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “Our Community Barometer polling clearly shows that people want safe local neighbourhoods with vibrant established businesses and innovative new services. This should shape the government’s priorities as it takes forward its levelling up agenda. The services in our communities, including local shops, need more support and incentives to invest.”

The poll reveals consumers believe that convenience stores have the most positive impact locally, followed by pharmacies and post offices. In addition, they think pharmacies, convenience stores and post offices are the most essential service in their local area.

James Hall & Co opens County Durham store James Hall & Co has opened a new £3m Spar convenience store opened in Willington, County Durham.

The 3,000sq ft Spar and Shellbranded forecourt store features include a Graham Eyes Butchers, a Clayton Park Deli, a Cheeky Coffee unit, and a Tango Ice Blast machine.

The forecourt features six pumps, water, air and vacuum machines, an ATM, and customer parking.

Fiona Drummond, Company Stores Director at James Hall & Co,

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commented: “We feel we have the right location with the Willington store, and what’s more, there is more to come in County Durham with a Bishop Auckland Spar coming soon.”

NEWS DIGEST

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

ACS REVEALS LOCAL SHOP REPORT SPEAKERS

POLITICS

Truss and Sunak outline plans for HFSS and high street

The two candidates to be the next prime minister have this week outlined their plans on HFSS regulations and the high street.

More speakers have been announced for the launch of ACS’ 2022 Local Shop Report, taking place virtually

The two candidates to be the next prime minister have this week outlined their plans on HFSS regulations and the high street. Liz Truss said she would scrap plans to restrict multi-buy deals on food and drink high in fat, salt, or sugar. She added that she would not impose any new levies on unhealthy food products.

She told the Daily Mail: “Those taxes are over. Talking about whether or not somebody should buy a two-for-one offer? No. There is definitely enough of that.

“What people want the government to be doing is delivering good roads, good rail services, making sure there’s broadband, making sure there’s mobile phone coverage, cutting the NHS waiting lists, helping people get a

at 10am – 12pm on 15 September. The event aims to explore the report’s findings and take a look at stores, people and services within the convenience sector.

GP appointment. They don’t want the government telling them what to eat.”

Meanwhile, Rishi Sunak launched his plan to ‘save the high street’, vowing to reduce the number of empty shops, protect cash machines from closure, and crack down on graffiti and littering.

Sunak has promised to give the police greater powers to punish antisocial behaviour and double the fines councils can issue.

DHL STRIKE TO HIT SAINSBURY’S A week-long DHL strike action will hit supplies to Sainsbury’s stores throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland after DHL workers rejected a pay offer.

Trade union United said 96% of DHL workers voted to take strike action following the rejection of DHL’s final offer.

Collect+ sees surge in parcel traffic for Amazon Prime Day

NISA OFFERS SALAD SAVINGS

There was a huge surge in Amazon parcel collections at convenience stores as shoppers took advantage of Amazon Prime Day (12-13 July) sales, according to new Collect+ data.

The week of the deal saw the number of parcels collected by consumers across 10,000 Collect+ stores nationwide reach 49,956, a 20% increase on the week before, and 13.3% year-on-year increase.

Nisa has revealed its latest

Nick Williams, Head of Strategic Partners and Product at PayPoint, said: “Online shoppers have always been eagle-eyed when it comes to online discounts and the surge in parcel deliveries during Amazon Prime Day is testament to more people than ever seeking bargains amid the rising cost of living, inflation and other economic pressures.”

promotion, including includes Co-op Baby Leaf Salad 115g, Co-op Sweet Peppers 150g, Co-op Cucumber and Co-op British Chicken Breast Fillets 300g for £6. To complement the promotion, Co-op Limetree Chardonnay 75cl is also on offer at £5.50 a bottle.

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

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NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

TESCO TOOL OFFERS ACCESS TO PLANOGRAM

Infections down but variants still here

Tesco-owned retail

Data shows Covid infection rates seem to have plateaued, but the emergence of new variants could throw a spanner in the works.

data science company dunnhumby has launched new software that gives

T

brands instant access to the supermarket giant’s planogram.

The Planogram Publisher lets users see how their product is displayed across multiple locations and store formats and is expected to provide insights from more than 3,500 stores.

It aims to tackle some of the biggest sales and marketing challenges that brands face today – from

Antonio Sarria-Santamera, Associate Professor, from Nazarbayev University School of Medicine said.

“Lab studies also suggest antibodies triggered by vaccination are less effective at blocking BA.4 and BA.5. Even antibodies from people with hybrid immunity, stemming from vaccination and previous infections, struggle to incapacitate BA.4 and BA.5.”

TECH SOLUTIONS

he percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 has decreased in England, Wales and Scotland, but scientists warn that more variants are to be expected.

Although rates remain high in the latest week of figures (29 July), infections decreased in all English regions, except for in the North East, where the trend was “uncertain”, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Percentagewise, 4.38% people in England tested positive, 5,14% in Wales, and 5.17% in Scotland.

Meanwhile, coronavirus antibodies have remained high across the UK, with 97.1% of adults in England estimated to have them, 97.3% in Wales, 96% in Northern Ireland, and 96.8 in Scotland.

However, scientists have cautioned that more variants are expected to emerge in the future, presenting a “challenge to putting an end to the pandemic”.

“Globally, we are seeing a new surge in cases related to BA.4 and BA.5 variants. The rise of these new variants seems to stem from their capacity to infect people immune to earlier forms of Omicron and other variants,” Dr.

consumer-packaged goods

how to maximise at-shelf experience through to which packaging to use to deliver the greatest impact.

It will also support brands in navigating the challenges and opportunities posed by changes to store layouts that will occur when the new HFSS regulations come into force in October.

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C OV E R

HOME DE

Home delivery heats up

TikTok is to sell fresh food for the first time, with Pasta Evangelists, The Fish Society and The Veg Box Company among the first brands to launch on the platform.

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ikTok users in the UK will soon be able to purchase fresh food directly through TikTok Shop.

The UK currently has more than 17 million active TikTok users and they tend to spend over 60 minutes a day on the app. Food content has now clocked up more than 26 billion views on the platform, with everyone from amateur foodies to celebrity chefs taking to TikTok to share their love of all things food, and it has been the catalyst for some of the biggest viral food trends over the past year.

Now users will be able to purchase fresh food directly from brands including pasta brand Pasta Evangelists, online

fishmonger The Fish Society, The Veg Box Company, ready meal firm By Ruby, and juice and smoothie specialist EXALT by downloading the TikTok app and going to the brands’ TikTok Shop pages.

Patrick Nommensen, Senior Director, eCommerce Operations, said: “TikTok has made it easier than ever for food brands and creators to be discovered, and we have an active community of food lovers on the platform. Enabling fresh food brands and creators to sell directly to our community through a seamless transaction on TikTok Shop is a logical next step. There will also be a huge opportunity for new food brands looking for a springboard to market, and

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I am excited to see more fresh products available on the platform.”

Finn Lagun, Co-Founder and CMO at Pasta Evangelists, added: “We were early innovators in bringing fresh, artisan pasta to people at home and now we’re going to be one of the first fresh food brands in the UK to be sold through TikTok. It’s an

R S T O RY

ELIVERY

testing platform, Certific, earlier this month to provide customers with UTI and STI test kits delivered within minutes.

CONTRACT EXTENSIONS

exciting opportunity to change the face of modern retail.”

LUXURY ITEMS Meanwhile, rapid grocery delivery app, Zapp has launched a new premium store – ‘Zapp Boutique’ – a 24/7 convenience service for luxury items.

The service offers premium products ranging from food, beauty, and tech. Zapp Boutique users can order items from brands such as Cîroc, Aesop, Antinori, Belvedere, Ginori 1735, La Roche-Posay, Lina Stores and Moët and Chandon for delivery in minutes.

Other products include Apple AirPods Pro (£239.99), Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Super Anti-Aging Face Cream 50ml (£225), Lelo Tiani Duo (£189.99), Antinori Tignanello 2018 75cl (£144.99), Daylesford Diffuser Fig Gift Set (£48.99), and Trudon Mary and Reggio Candle 270g (£89.99).

Zapp vice-president of strategy, Steve O’Hear, said: “Our mission is to delight customers with things that make them happy, the moment they want it and so it made perfect sense to take the Zapp experience to the next level with Zapp Boutique.

“Premium products have always been incredibly popular with our customers and now it’s easier than ever to shop premium and luxury on Zapp.”

This news comes as Zapp unveiled a new partnership with remote medical

More conventionally, Co-op and Deliveroo have extended their partnership for a further three years, with plans for the rapid grocery delivery service to be available from up to 1,400 of the convenience retailer’s stores by the end of the year.

Co-op and Deliveroo first joined forces in 2017 and, following the contract renewal, they plan to have 110 additional Co-op stores available on the Deliveroo platform this year.

Meanwhile, following a trial, Deliveroo Signature is also being rolled out across hundreds of Co-op stores. It makes Deliveroo’s network of riders available to deliver orders placed directly with Co-op through its own online shop.

ALL TO PLAY FOR These developments come as new figures suggest that total online grocery penetration is plateauing following rapid growth through the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

The TWC Trends research, which was conducted in June 2022, suggests there is little loyalty in online grocery, with only 18% of consumers saying they always use the same retailer and 13% saying they use an online delivery.

Sarah Coleman, Communications Director at TWC, said: “The low level of loyalty in the online grocery channel means it’s all to play for and, given the current cost-of-living crisis, any play on price is likely to be well received by consumers and may just encourage them to switch their shopping habits.”

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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

G O L D PA R T N E R S

S I LV E R S U P P O R T E R S

R E G U L AT I O N

FUEL PRICING

ACS submits evidence to CMA on fuel market pricing The trade association has highlighted the limited impact that retailers can have on the overall fuel price.

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he Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA’s) detailed market study into fuel pricing, highlighting the competitive nature of fuel pricing and the limited impact that retailers can have on the overall fuel price.

This follows a review ordered by Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng in June, which was requested after the price of petrol and diesel increased by more than 60p in the previous 12 months.

The market study is focusing on what the CMA sees as the two main factors affecting the increase in the fuel price:

● The crude oil price, including the fall of the value of sterling against the dollar. ● A growing gap between the crude price and the wholesale price – the refining spread.

One area of concern raised ahead of the review by campaigners focused on whether the 5p cut in fuel duty on 23 March was passed on to customers. In the publication of its review, the CMA state that they see “no evidence… that retailers in aggregate have profited from failing to pass on the duty cut,” noting that there were price reductions in fuel

from supermarkets, company-operated sites, and independent forecourts alike.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We welcome this follow up review into the fuel market, which is examining the key drivers of price changes that are ultimately outside of retailers’ control.

We will continue to engage with the CMA through the process of their formal market study into the fuel market.”

The CMA’s initial findings are expected in the autumn, with a decision due to be taken on whether to make a further market investigation by 7 January 2023. The deadline for the final review report is 7 July 2023.

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L E G I S L AT I O N

WELSH GOVERNMENT

Welsh businesses need ‘targeted’ support ACS says the Welsh Government needs to help retailers invest in energy efficiency measures and take action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries they need.

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he Association of Convenience store has given oral evidence to the Welsh Parliament’s Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee, which has published a report on the impact of the cost-of-the living crisis on businesses and communities across the country.

ACS is cited in the report, highlighting the need for the Welsh Government to provide support to local shops in Wales by helping them to invest in energy efficiency measures, recognising the status of employment in convenience stores, and taking action to ensure that stores can get the deliveries that they need.

The report includes a number of recommendations, including:

the reasons behind high rates of economic inactivity.

● Use business rate relief to support the most affected businesses until inflation returns to a level close to the Bank of England’s target. ● Consider supporting businesses to invest in efficiency savings which will help them lower fuel and energy costs. ● Set out plans to provide further cost-of-living-related support to households at the start of the 2023-24 financial year. ● Commission labour market

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research to better understand

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has had a significant impact on people living in Wales but it is vital to remember that businesses, including convenience stores, are also experiencing a cost-oftrading crisis.

Local shops provide thousands of jobs to communities across Wales and access to essential products and services but this is becoming increasingly difficult as a result of rising costs and issues with the supply chain.

L E G I S L AT I O N

BUSINESS RATES

Transitional relief vital ahead of business rates revaluation With business rates revaluations due next year, ACS believes transitional arrangements are important to smooth out fluctuations caused by the pandemic and significant changes in consumer shopping habits.

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he Association of Convenience Stores has highlighted the importance of transitional arrangements in advance of the business rates revaluation due in 2023 in a submission to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. In the submission, ACS makes several recommendations including: ● Deliver faster downward transition to businesses that have seen a reduction in their business rates bills; ● Retain upward transitional rate relief for businesses that have seen an increase in their business rates bills funded through central government;

● Continue to recognise small businesses in the transitional rate relief caps.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “Transitional arrangements are important to smooth fluctuations in business rates at revaluations. A revaluation has not taken place since 2017 so the latest revaluation will result in big fluctuations in rates bills given the disruption that has occurred as a result of the pandemic and significant changes in consumer shopping habits.”

Meanwhile, the government has launched a public consultation on digitising business rates.

It is seeking views on how it proposes to connect business rates and tax information, which will impact all ratepaying businesses.

The new system would link business rates information to tax records and enable businesses to view a copy of business rates billing information for all their non-domestic properties in England in one place, alongside other tax information.

The government said the new system would allow opportunities to better target business rates policy, more effective compliance, and a better experience of the business rates and wider tax system for businesses.

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C AT E G O R I E S

NEWSPAPERS

Retailers ‘betrayed’ as Reach cuts terms on more titles The NFRN says its members are being “forced out of selling news as profits are falling”.

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ewspaper publisher Reach has increased the price of the Daily and Saturday Mirror editions, but cut margins.

The news came just two days after the publisher announced a price rise and margin cut on the Sunday Express.

The weekday editions of the Daily Mirror in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have increased in price, from £1 to £1.10, while the margin will be cut by 0.5% to 19%. In Scotland, the cover price will rise from £1.10 to £1.20, with a 1% cut to the margin, taking it down from 20% to 19%.

Saturday editions are also increasing in price. In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the price will rise 10p, from £1.70 to £1.80, but terms remain pro rata at 19%. The Scottish edition, however, will see a 20p price hike to £1.80 with a 1% margin cut down to 19%.

Jason Birks, National President of the NFRN, commented: “I feel betrayed by these margin cuts, as they are basically wage cuts to retailers. Five years ago, we were receiving margins of 21.4% on weekday editions and 20.6% for the Saturday newspaper and look where we are now.

Birks said the situation in Scotland “is even worse”. Retailers north of the border used to receive 32p for every Saturday Mirror sold, but now – with the 20p price hike and latest 1% margin cut – they will receive 34.2p per copy sold, around only 10% of the price increase. “Our members are simply being forced out of selling news as profits are falling,” Birks said.

He added: “I am looking forward to meeting the decision makers at Reach soon and seeking reasons why the retailers are always the ones who are hit in the pocket the most.”

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S TO R E S A L E S

CHRISTIE AND CO

South Wales c-store attracts new owner The Neath store has been owned and operated by Mike and Anita Phillips since 1983.

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etailers Venu and Rajitha Mittapally have bought Mike’s Newsagents, a popular South Wales convenience store located in Briton Ferry, Neath.

The Lifestyle Express-branded store has been owned and operated by Mike and Anita Phillips since 1983 and came to the market as they were looking to retire.

Venu and Rajitha secured funding for their purchase through Jimmy Johns, Finance Director at specialist business property adviser Christie & Co’s sister company, Christie Finance.

Joe Brayne, Business Agent – Retail at Christie & Co, said: “To sell a business within one day of being on the market demonstrates the appetite for convenience stores at present.

“It’s a fantastic time to consider selling so please get in touch if you’re thinking about putting your business up for sale.”

The sellers, Mike and Anita Phillips, said: “Many thanks to Christie & Co for helping us achieve the sale of our business in record time. We couldn’t have done it without your support and can now enjoy the rest of the summer at our

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leisure, and travel when the weather gets cold and wet.” They added: “All the best to the new owners, it’s very rewarding being self-employed.”

In response, Briton Ferry Town Council, said: “We would like to offer our thanks and best wishes to Mike and Anita Phillips who retired last week from Mike’s Newsagents, Neath Road, Briton Ferry.

“The couple have served the community of Briton Ferry for many years and will be greatly missed. Best wishes both for a long and healthy retirement which is well deserved.”

S TO R E R E F T I T S

NISA

Sussex service station transformed

Power Service Station, operated by Nisa key account retailing group Pricewatch, has relaunched under the Nisa Local banner.

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forecourt store in Storrington, West Sussex, has seen shopper numbers spike after undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment.

Power Service Station, operated by Nisa key account retailing group Pricewatch, underwent the transformation at the end of June, adopting a more contemporary look and relaunching under the Nisa Local banner.

The 2,500sq ft store has been fitted out to the latest Nisa Local Evolution specification, with new interior and exterior signage, fixtures and fittings.

A more comprehensive chilled range has also been introduced, as has a larger selection of beers and ales.

In addition, the improved food-to-go area now offers an extensive choice of drinks and snacks, including Rollover hotdogs, Smokin’ Bean coffee, Moo Shakes, slushies, soft scoop ice cream, and an increased range of pastries and bake-off breads.

Claire Partridge, Marketing Manager at Power Petroleum, said: “The main reason for the changes was to enable us to reap the benefits of trading under a nationally recognised name, allowing customers to shop with confidence, knowing they will be able to purchase quality products at reasonable prices.”

The Storrington store is the first of 10 Pricewatch forecourt stores across

Suss ex to b e rebranded as a Nisa Local, with plans to move them all over to the symbol group in the near future, including four by the end of this year.

A fun day was held for the local community to mark the store’s reopening, which raised £500 for a local social group supporting those with memor y loss, Chanctonbury Leisure Centre’s Memory Café.

Partridge added: “We’ve seen a tremendous uplift in both sales and footfall since the refit, with Co-op lines in particular really popular with customers and the new food-to-go offerings going down a storm.

“Feedback from customers on the new look store has been overwhelmingly positive too, with many commenting how the store looks and feels bigger and brighter and more inviting.”

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

SUSTAINABILITY

Bag charge turns tide on plastic waste

Government figures show the average person in England now buys around three single-use carrier bags a year from the main supermarkets, compared to around 140 in 2014.

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he single-use carrier bag charge has stopped billions of plastic bags from blighting our towns and countryside, according to new government figures.

The 5p charge was introduced in supermarkets in 2015 and since then usage at the main retailers has dropped by 97%. Meanwhile, over £200m has been voluntarily donated by retailers to good causes in that time.

The charge was last year increased to 10p and extended to all businesses. This has helped further bring the number of

bags used down by more than 20% from 627 million in 2019/20 to 496 million in 2021/22.

The number of single-use carrier bags reported by the main retailers was 197 million in 2021/22, down from 271 million in 2019/2020, the previous comparable year – a reduction of 27%. This is a huge drop from the 7.6 billion used in 2014 before the charge was introduced.

As a result of the charge, the average person in England now buys around three single-use carrier bags a year from

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the main supermarkets, compared with around 140 in 2014.

In 2021/22, retailers donated £10m to good causes in education, arts, heritage, sports, environment, health, charity or volunteering sectors, or causes chosen by customers and staff.

Environment minister, Steve Double, said: “Our plastic bag charge has ended the sale of billons of single-use bags, protecting our landscapes and ensuring millions of pounds is redistributed to worthy causes.

“There is much more to do to tackle the problem of plastic waste. That is why we are building on our single-use plastic bans and introducing the deposit return scheme for bottles to fight back against littering and drive up recycling rates.”

Adam Herriot, Sector Specialist, Resource Management at climate action charity WRAP, added: “Flexibles remain one of the most common plastics in our bins, but just like pots tubs and trays we’re now at a point where the tide is turning on flexible plastics. Today, nearly 5,000 stores nationwide have front-of-store collections where people can drop off their unusable bags once they reach their end of life.

“So not only do we have less single-use shopping bags to worry about, we have somewhere convenient to put them when we go shopping to make sure they are recycled.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

SHOPPER INSIGHT

Shoppers still seeking healthy and sustainable products Research shows shoppers are struggling to balance their values with inflationary pressures and value for money.

A

lmost 60% of UK consumers believe that companies should be taxed heavily if they are producing or promoting unhealthy choices, according to new research from NielsenIQ. The survey also shows that 60% of UK households also say it is important to buy sustainably produced grocery products to help save the environment.

The data reveals that 54% of UK consumers pay attention to labelling/food nutritional values when grocery shopping, with sugar (45%), fat (41%), and salt (31%) content having the biggest impact on purchase decisions.

However, data from NielsenIQ shows that shoppers in the UK face a challenge of doing good for their personal health and planet while managing the rise in food and living expenses because of the current inflation in the country.

The research shows the three most important concerns about grocery products for UK shoppers are reducing food waste (45%), buying local/British (36%), and minimal/no packaging (26%). However, although consumers expressed a will to switch to sustainable packaging, their behaviour didn’t always reflect this.

Recent data from NielsenIQ from the week ending 4 June 2022 shows that

value sales for bagged salad rose 2.7% year-on-year, while total salad declined by 4.8%. This is also the case for prepared fruit (+15.6%), compared with total fruit (-3.9%).

Katrina Bishop, UK thought leadership activation manager at NielsenIQ, said: “With 49% of households focussing on value for money when buying new food and drink products, UK shoppers find themselves in a bit of a fix as they struggle to balance tight budgets with their health and sustainability values.

We may see a slight shift in priorities from shoppers as they seek to find alternative ways to balance this.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

COMMUNITY

ONE STOP

One Stop continues partnership with FareShare The retailer is selling a summer holiday activity book with all profits going towards helping FareShare provide food to struggling families.

O

ne Stop is working with charity FareShare, which fights hunger and tackles food waste, over the summer holidays in a bid to help vulnerable families.

The symbol group launched its partnership with FareShare at the end of last year, with an £80,000 donation that supported vulnerable families over the festive season and February half-term this year.

To further support these fundraising activities, One Stop is launching a Summer Holiday activity book which will is available to purchase in-store for £1 until 2

September. All profits from the sale of the books will go towards helping FareShare provide food to struggling families.

This is the third time that One Stop has launched a children’s activity book to help raise funds for FareShare, featuring a new protagonist and hero. The latest book has a summer theme, with Suzi the Strawberry’s summer holiday journey charted through fun activities, with fun characters to find along the way.

The limited-edition book is available to purchase for £1 across all of the One Stop stores and includes colouring pages, word searches and dot-to-dot pictures.

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In addition, One Stop is donating 2p to FareShare from every individual and multipack of fresh fruit and vegetables sold, helping to increase fundraising and provide food to people going hungry across the UK. This promotion also runs until 2 September.

The partnership will be promoted in-store with POS and digital marketing.

Neil Thomas, Head of Transformation at One Stop, said: “We believe that with over 900 stores throughout the UK, we’re able to continue making a real difference this summer and support FareShare.”

COMMUNITY

SPAR

Spar sponsors Lancashire race

Spar is sponsoring the City of Preston 10k for a second time in association with primary wholesaler and distributor James Hall & Co.

S

par is the primary sponsor Lancashire’s leading running event the City of Preston 10k, delivered by health and wellbeing charity the Running Bee Foundation.

More than one thousand runners are expected to take to the streets of Preston on 25 September for the race.

The event also sees the return of MyFirst Mile, an initiative created and delivered by the Running Bee Foundation, which encourages people of all ages to complete a mile and begin their health and fitness journey, whether they run, walk or jog.

Spar is sponsoring the event for a second time in association with James Hall & Co, Spar’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the North of England.

Niels Dekkers, retail development director at James Hall & Co, said: “The Spar City of Preston 10k is aligned to Spar’s brand pillars as it brings the

community together and is an occasion for families to link up in one place, all while promoting the benefits of exercise and its role in a healthy lifestyle.

“James Hall & Co. Ltd is proud of its Preston base and we will have a number of our employees running under the banner of Team Spar in what is a home race for many.”

Steve Kenny, The Running Bee Foundation lead, said: “We believe we have planned the best Spar City of Preston 10k yet in terms of overall package, and it is one where entire families can participate in either by running or spectating to get into the spirit of the occasion.

“The support Spar has shown for the race again is gratefully received by everyone at the Running Bee Foundation.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

COMMUNITY

NISA

Making a Difference Locally clothing banks raise over £11k

Nisa Local Ely in Cardiff has raised £2,275 for good causes by having two MADL clothing banks sited outside the store.

N

isa retailers have raised £11,363 for good causes over the past year with an initiative designed to prevent unwanted textiles from going to landfill.

There are currently 45 Making a Difference Locally (MADL) clothing banks situated outside Nisa stores. May saw the highest monthly figure raised so far, with £2,626 raised in the month.

MADL clothing banks are available free of charge to Nisa retailers and every clothing and textile donation is either sold, reused, or recycled. Once clothing banks have been weighed and emptied, funds raised are banked into the store’s MADL account and donated to a local good cause of the store’s choosing.

Nisa Local Ely in Cardiff has had two MADL clothing banks sited outside the store since last June, which have raised £2,275 to date.

Keith Hocking from the store commented: “We introduced the clothing

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK/ ISSUE 116/ WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022

banks as we know from past experience that our customers are generous at helping charities.

“They also demonstrate that we help the community and it increases trust with our customers.

“It has also helped to increase footfall in store as people pop in when they drop off the clothes.

“Since the clothing bins arrived we have been able to support more great causes within the community as well as providing more regular donations to our existing ones.”

SYMBOL GROUPS

PARFETTS

Parfetts to open eighth depot The 100,000sq ft depot will launch later this year in the Midlands.

E

mployee-owned wholesaler Parfetts has secured its eighth depot – in central Birmingham – to support the expansion of Go Local and The Local symbol groups across the West Midlands and beyond.

The wholesaler’s fast-growing symbol groups offer a range of fascias with Go Local, Go Local Extra, and the off-licence focused The Local. More than 1,000 retailers now benefit from membership.

The 100,000sq ft depot, which will launch later this year, will provide independent retailers across the Midlands with access to a wide range of regular promotions from weekly manager’s specials to quarterly showcases. There are regular three-weekly promotions with

120+ products plus EDLP lines offering increased value and margin across key products in any promotional period.

The depot will create more than 100 new jobs.

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “Our eighth depot is an important milestone in the development of Parfetts and our symbol groups. It brings our employee-owned and value-led cash and carry model to the Midlands, which we believe will help to support independent retailers across the region.”

Noel Robinson, joint managing director of Parfetts, added: “We continue to invest in our offer with an award-winning symbol group, rapidly expanding own label offering and a

value proposition designed to support retailer margins. We are excited to launch the depot later this year.”

The wholesaler recently invested in a digital agency to support the development of its digital platforms to create a best-in-class experience for retailers.

Parfetts aims to mirror its depot experience online and provide retailers with friendly and efficient service.

Swindell added: “As an employee-owned business, Parfetts can reinvest back into the business and support customers.

“We remain focused on keeping things simple for our retailers. Go Local and The Local offers retailers a flexible package bespoke to store location, size, current turnover, and growth potential.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25

NPD AND MEDIA

THIS WEEK WALKERS MONDELEZ CHICAGO TOWN + PICKS OF THE WEEK

PICKS OF THE WEEK – WALKERS

WALKERS SUPPORTS RETAILERS AHEAD OF HFSS A new guide aims to help retailers understand whether they are likely to be impacted by junk food regulations when they come into force in October.

Walkers has issued a new digital HFSS guide to

In support of the guide, Walkers will be releas-

assist retailers in navigating the implications of

ing a ‘Walkers Hub’ on *shopt – a dedicated area

the forthcoming English legislation for the savoury

where convenience retailers can access indus-

snacks category.

try-leading content. A crisp display generator tool

The guide is intended to help retailers under-

will be available; retailers can receive bespoke

stand whether they are likely to be impacted this

crisp layouts for their shelves by entering a few

October and includes information that Walkers

simple details about their store and shoppers. The

hopes will help them to take appropriate action

area can be found here. [https://shopt.digital/gb/

for their stores while maximising their savoury

pepsico/]

snacking sales.

Retailers can also earn ‘rewards’ for stocking

The guide will also become available in differ-

specific Walkers Hero 25 products (Walkers’ list

ent languages, including Punjabi and Hindi, for

of best-selling SKUs) and merchandising display

greater inclusivity.

support via the *shopt app.

In addition, Walkers will be applying clear labelling to product cases, offering guidance to retailers on whether the product is non-HFSS and where best to position in-store. The outlined approach aims to drive awareness of the legislation and clear up any confusion on the specifics.

It will also help retailers navigate the upcoming changes in regulations and continue to grow savoury snacking sales.

Kirsten Reid, Impulse Category Management Channel Lead for PepsiCo UK, said: “Our focus right now is on helping retailers to navigate and prepare for the upcoming HFSS regulations. Our digital guide will focus on snacking growth strategies and includes dos and don’ts and handy visuals too.”

Earlier this year, Walkers set an ambitious goal that by 2025, half of its snacks sales will come from products that are non-HFSS or from products sold in portions of 100 calories or less. A wide-ranging NPD pipeline has already seen the launch of Walkers 45% Less Salt and non- HFSS Walkers MAX Hot Sauce and Fiery Prawn Cocktail.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – MONDELEZ

MONDELEZ’S EERIE-SISTIBLE HALLOWEEN LINE-UP

Mondelez is aiming to repeat last year’s Halloween success, when it achieved a 42% year-on-year growth.

Mondelez has unveiled its Halloween range for 2022, as it bids to repeat last year’s success, when the confectionery giant’s seasonal portfolio saw 42% year-on-year growth.

Fondant-filled Cadbury Goo Heads make a return for this year’s season in both five-pack and mini sharing bag formats. New for this year, however, Cadbury Goo Heads are available in a clip strip format to help drive impulse and incremental sales.

Treatsize chocolate bags – like Cadbury Dairy

Cadbury Heroes Treatsize Bag

Milk Buttons, Cadbury Fudge, and Cadbury Crun-

● 216g, RSP £2.79 RPP £2, cases of 14

chie – are also back, as are Cadbury Skeleton

Maynard Bassetts Wine Gums 400g Bag

Fingers: a combination of Cadbury White chocolate

● 400g, RSP £2.51, cases of six

and crispy biscuit in a sharing box.

Maynard Bassetts Jelly Babies 400g Bag

Also returning are Oreo Spooky Biscuits. The

● 400g, RSP £2.51, cases of six

vanilla-flavoured biscuits have orange-coloured creme

Maynard Bassetts Jelly Babies 400g Bag

middles and a special spider-web embossed detail.

● 400g, RSP £2.51, cases of six

The Maynard Bassetts sharing range rounds off

Oreo Spooky

the Mondelez Halloween offer, with Wine Gums,

● 154g, RSP £1.19, RPP 75p, cases of 16

Jelly Babies and Liquorice Allsorts available in

Cadbury Skeleton Fingers

400g packs.

● 114g, RSP £1.85, RPP £1.25, cases of 20

THE LOWDOWN… Cadbury Goo Head Five-Pack

● 200g, RSP £3.13, RPP £2.20, cases of 28 Cadbury Mini Goo Heads (now available in

TOP TRICKS FOR HALLOWEEN FROM MONDELEZ ● Shoppers will look to embrace the missed rit-

clip-strip)

uals of previous years, so stock up on sharing

● 78g, RSP £1.49, RPP £1, cases of 22

formats and treatsize packs for social events.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons Treatsize Bag

● Increase your incremental and impulse sales

● 170g, RSP £2.79, RPP £2, cases of 12

by building excitement in store with seasonal

Cadbury Fudge Treatsize Bag

● 202g, RSP £2.79, RPP £2, cases of 14

decorations, costumes and promotional packs. ● Ensure you’re well stocked throughout the

Cadbury Crunchie Treatsize Bag

season to provide for varying seasonal shopper

● 210g, RSP £2.79, RPP £2, cases of 10

missions, from self-eat and treats, to sharing

Cadbury Freddo & Friends Treatsize Bag

and ‘big nights in’.

● 191g, RSP £2.79, RPP £2, cases of 16

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – CHICAGO TOWN

CHICAGO TOWN KICKS OFF FESTIVAL CAMPAIGN

The brand is taking Chicago-inspired Deep Dish to four different festivals across the UK. Frozen pizza brand Chicago Town has launched a

Festival attendees can become part of the

campaign across the festival scene this summer.

brand’s full gallery wall, made up of branded con-

The brand is touring Chicago-inspired Deep

tent, by taking a selfie with their Deep Dish sample.

Dish around four different festivals across the

Chicago Town is also giving consumers the

UK; it has already visited Tramlines Festival in

chance to win free tickets to the festivals via owned

Sheffield (22-24 July) and Kendal Calling in the

channel social media competitions.

Lake District (28-31 July).

Rachel Bradshaw, Marketing Manager from

Chicago Town will further showcase its Deep

Chicago Town, said: “Festivals are such a big

Dish range at Boardmasters in Cornwall (10-14

attraction during the summer months, with millions

August), and Victorious in Portsmouth (26-28

of the British public attending a range of different

August).

festivals every year.

As part of the campaign, 75,000 samples of

“Whilst they enjoy the music and everything

Chicago Town’s Deep Dish pizza are being given

else that comes with the festival experience, we

out across 15 days. Festival goers can choose from

really wanted to introduce festival goers to the great

four different flavours – Four Cheese, Pepperoni,

taste of Deep Dish and a chance to offer them

Cheezeburger (vegan), a festival exclusive flavour,

an exciting festival exclusive flavour, sausage &

and Sausage & Blueberry, inspired by the brand’s

blueberry, alongside the favourites we know our

trips to Chicago.

customers love. With each Deep Dish pizza fully

Chicago Town is distributing free pizza vouchers

loaded with toppings and lashings of our signature

to festival attendees so they can continue their love

tomato sauce, we know festival-goers are going

for Deep Dish when they get home.

to love tucking in.”

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK/ ISSUE 116/ WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

MALTS LAUNCH

PAPER INNOVATION

JUICY NEWS

Wemyss Malts is launching a new

Greenall’s, The Original London

Mondelez is tapping into the trend

exclusive single cask range. The

Dry Gin, has launched in a paper

towards authentic ingredients

launch will bring 19 new single

bottle. The bottle is made from

with the launch of ‘Juicies’. The

cask whiskies to global markets

94% recycled paperboard, with a

new range comprises Maynards

after years of sampling, sourcing

food-grade pouch to contain the

Bassetts Wine Gums Juicies,

and ageing by a team of experts.

gin, and is five times lighter than a

Maynards Bassetts Sports Mix

The packaging has a premium

glass bottle. The new bottle (70cl,

Juicies, and The Natural Confec-

design reflecting the whisky

RSP £15.50) is available to order

tionery Co. Juicy Snakes. All are

inside.

now.

available in 130g bags (RSP £1).

CARAMEL TREAT

GIN-NOVATION

CHUNKY CARAMEL

Cadbury has revealed a limit-

Stoli Group has launched small

Kitkat has launched a limited-edi-

ed-edition salted caramel Wispa

batch Tulchan Gin, distilled in

tion caramel version of its Chunky

Gold bar. The new flavour is

Speyside. Taking its name from

range. The latest edition to the

available to retailers in a single

Tulchan Estate in Scotland,

Chunky line-up features a thick

45g bar with a recommended

Tulchan Gin is inspired by its nat-

layer of runny caramel on top the

selling price of 69p. Wispa will

ural surroundings with botanicals

brand’s classic wafer, covered

publicise the new limited edition

including sloe berries, elderflower

by smooth milk chocolate. The

through in-store activity, online

and blackberry leaves, which are

43.5g bar has a recommended

advertising and PR.

found on the estate.

selling price of 70p.

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Supporting b

Sainsbury’s is aiming to help more black entrepreneurs

.

Black-led businesses in the food and drink industry are set to receive Sainsbury’s backing with the retailer’s new incubator programme.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? BAME businesses and entrepreneurs have long struggled for breakthroughs, facing various barriers, including inadequate funding, lack of social capital and networks, or limited industry knowledge and expertise.

Now, Sainsbury’s has designed an initiative designed specifically to help address these obstacles, offering a bespoke programme of support for black founders of food and beverage businesses, in partnership with Foundervine and Mission Ventures.

HOW WILL IT WORK? The initiative, called Thrive with Sainsbury’s, will offer a welcome grant of £20,000 to nine successful applicants, as well as more than 150 hours of practical 1:1 support and group learning opportunities with a variety of subject matter experts during the process.

Up to five new brands will land in Sainsbury’s stores by the end of the programme, with each participant’s journey to be tailored to their specific needs.

There will also be additional funding available at various stages throughout the process, up to the value of £105,000 per brand that makes its way to a listing at Sainsbury’s.

The scheme is open to any food and drink business founded by a person who identifies as being of Black ethnicity or heritage. They must have an exciting new product, an ambition to grow and scale-up to supermarket level distribution and a vision for what the future of their brand could be.

Applications for the programme will close on 16 August and hopeful participants can apply online.

Silika Shellie-Manso, Director of Grocery Innovation at Sainsbury’s, said: “A key focus of our Win in Food strategy is to bring innovation to our customers and at Sainsbury’s we’ve always been passionate about seeking out new or emerging brands. As an inclusive retailer, we believe that to offer great food and drink for everyone, it should be made by everyone. We know that despite the strength of ideas and potential amongst Black founders,

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK/ ISSUE 116/ WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022

often opportunities and success can be hindered by ethnicity, which is we are starting with this group of the most underrepresented founders first.

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX

black brands

enter the retail sector with a new incubator programme.

.

forward to seeing what pioneering products are out there.”

WHY DOES IT MATTER? Representation and inclusivity are huge issues for every business sector, as demonstrated in the past few years.

“We know that despite the strength of ideas and potential amongst Black founders, often opportunities and success can be hindered by ethnicity, which is we are starting with this group of the most underrepresented founders first,” Shellie-Manso said.

“As one of the most important industries in the UK, representation in the grocery sector has the potential to create immense social change.

“Thrive by Sainsburys opens up the possibility for black-led brands to become household staples across the country, to ignite conversations about supplier and supply chain diversity,” Cecil Adjalo, Chief Operating Officer at Foundervine, added.

ARE ANY OTHER RETAILERS FOLLOWING SUIT?

Shellie-Manso added: “It’s a new approach for us and our hope is that it will drive both meaningful change within the retail sector, while also ena-

bling us to bring more innovation and a broader range of product to our customers. I would encourage anyone who relates to this to apply and am looking

Other than inclusivity, penetrating the busy food and drinks sector for any small brand and win listings at big supermarkets is always a challenge.

Tesco similarly launched an incubator programme in 2017, supporting the development and scale-up of six emerging brands. Last spring it welcomed Oggs, Pip & Nut, Kendamil, Denzel’s, OceanSaver and Acti-Vit.

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31

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.

www.pgma.co.uk

Scan here to be taken direct to the PGMA website

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

?

K C U R T E H T T A H W It was George Bernard Shaw who said: “England and America are two countries separated by a common language.”

They are also oceans apart when it comes to ice creams. We have the Magnum; Yanks have the Choco Taco. At least, they did until makers Klondike axed it recently.

If you’ve never heard of the Choco Taco, it’s a chocolate-coated taco-shaped waffle cone packed with ice cream, peanuts and artificially flavoured fudge.

Which makes one wonder why it got the chop; it sounds a million times better than a boring old Magnum.

Oddly enough, both Magnum and Klondike are owned by Unilever, the world’s largest soap producer. Which is ironic, given the lather US shoppers got into over the Choco Taco’s demise.

A Twitter storm erupted, the co-founder of Reddit offered to buy the manufacturing rights, and a senator threatened to invoke legislation to keep the frozen treat in stores.

But what has this to do with the English language? In response to the

public outrage, Klondike tweeted it was “working hard to find a way to bring Choco Taco back to ice cream trucks”.

Trucks? You mean vans, Americans, ice cream vans. And anyone who says otherwise will receive a swift kick in the fanny.

TATTOO HULLABALOO

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so Ralph Rivera must be feeling extremely flattered.

Regular readers will that recall that our 100th edition featured reckless Ralph, after the Australian got the barcode from his supermarket loyalty card tattooed onto his arm. Now, 10,000 miles away and

16 editions later, a Tesco shopper from Horsham in Sussex has done the same with his Clubcard QR code.

The father of seven children, Dean Mayhew describes himself as “not the cleverest of guys”.

Perhaps. Most people realise their colossal error once their firstborn takes a dump on the floor.

And – if he’d bothered to read The Week In Retail – he would have discovered that the inside of the forearm is not the easiest part of the body to present to a self-scanning checkout. Rivera almost dislocated his shoulder getting a beep and, as the video shows, Mayhew fails miserably; a staff member with a hand-held scanner has to rack up his points instead.

Mayhew said: “Anything you can do with a normal Clubcard I can do with my arm.”

Let’s see you scrape baby poo off the carpet then.

WEDNESDAY 3RD AUGUST 2022/ ISSUE 116/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 33

Make sweet profits with

Grow your confectionery sales Chances to win monthly and quarterly cash prizes Join the 4,500+ retailers who have already signed up

“It’s already helped us to grow our sales in such a short period of time” Samual, Valley Convenience Store Manager and the latest winner of a £1,000 Buy A Gift Voucher

scan the QR Code to access a digital copy of the membership brochure

For further detail please contact the team at Mercieca E: perfettivanmelle@mercieca.co.uk