RETAIL THE WEEK IN Issue 31stWednesday120August2022 BARCODE SCAN-AT-HOME SHOPPING TECH BECOMES REALITY + Brought to you by: BUSINESS COSTS WORRYELECTRICDEALDONE FORECOURTS CO-OP FORECOURTSSELLS TO ASDA OFGEM CONFIRMS 80% RISE IN ENERGY PRICE CAP MARKETRETAILCONVENIENCEPROPERTY‘RESILIENT’ BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE REPORT REVEALS PRICES ARE HOLDING UP ● Food prices hit new high ● Vapingrecordreacheslevels ● growthFood-to-goslows Commercial Partner:
High energy Thankfully the trade bodies and charities are acting to help retailers. This week GroceryAid revealed that it is partnering with Business Debtline, a charity providing free debt advice to self-employed people and small businesses, to raise awareness of the free business money advice and support available for independent retailers and business owners. The move comes as Gro ceryAid is experiencing an increase in demand from independent retailers seeking guidance on business-related issues such as rates, managing business finances, and facing unpaid invoices and debt. More information about the partnership can be found on GroceryAid’s website.
LIZ DEPUTYWELLS,EDITOR
WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3
This week my heart also goes out to Spar whole saler CJ Lang who invested a great deal of effort and money in revamping its store in Crosshouse, East Ayrshire, only for some idiot to come along and drive his Audi through the shop front. Here’s hoping that Police Scotland catch up with the culprit soon, although that won’t undo the damage done to CJ Lang, its employees, and the local com munity that now has to make a 1.4 mile journey to get groceries.
This week we had the news that we’ve all been dreading confirmed – the energy price cap is rising by 80.6%.TheAssociation of Convenience Stores has esti mated that for an average small convenience store at around 1,000sq ft, energy costs have rocketed to more than £45,000 a year, more than doubling for many retailers that have renewed their contracts in recent months. For larger stores at around 3,000sq ft, these costs can be in excess of £100,000 a year. The figures are trulyThemind-boggling.newsprompted many trade bodies to get in touch with the chancellor, whoever holds that role at the moment, and call for action to help retailers and other small businesses survive. Suggestions include introducing a price cap on electricity for small businesses, scrapping business rates bills for stores from 1 October until the end of the finan cial year, freezing the business rates multipliers in 2023/24, cutting VAT for retailers, and providing more funding to encourage investment in low energy technology in shops.
THE WEEK IN RETAIL EDITOR’S COMMENT
But who knows how long it will take for the ruling party to sort that out – they are too busy picking their next leader while we’re all counting our pennies. How many companies will go to the wall while they dilly-dally and how many lives will be lost under the strain?
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The number of vapers in Great Britain reaches a record level of 4.3 million people, according to a report by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH). associations across retail react to the news that there will be a more than 80% rise in the energy price cap in October.
CONTENTS WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5 TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK 9 Covid-19 update The percentage of people testing positive for Covid-19 continues to decrease in the UK, according to the latest figures. 14 Regulations The Association of Convenience Stores highlights concerns with proposed changes to current weights and measures rules that would place added burdens on retailers. 16 Food-to-go TWC’s latest MealTrak data shows growth in the out-of-home eating market dipped under 2% over the past four weeks. 17 Retail property The convenience retail property market remained resilient despite the pressures facing businesses over the past six months, according to Christie & Co. 19 Picks of the week A look at the latest new products and marketing campaigns. 23 Out the box: barcode scanning New barcode scan-at-home technology helps shoppers create shopping lists and reduce the time they spend looking for items in the store. 25 Before you go... THIS WEEK’S NEWS Food inflation hits its highest rate since August 2008, and the Co-op sells its petrol forecourt estate of 129 sites to Asda for £600m. VAPING
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COVER STORY Trade
Director Harris Aslam said Greens had been working to evolve the con venience sector by concentrating on partnering with local suppliers to provide its stores with fresh produce.
He added: “Thanks to HSBC UK, we can continue to do this and reduce food miles, while introducing cus tomers to interesting and exciting suppliers on their doorstep.”
Greens’ £1.3m funding for further expansion
COST OF LIVING CRISIS Shop prices hit new high
6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 1XX / WEDNESDAY XX XX 202X Aviemore ‘22 We’re Back! To find out more contact the SPAR 22ndTradeshowScotlandTeamon01382512000ThursdaySeptember2022TradeshowThankyoutoourkeysponsors!ExhibitionareaisnowSOLDOUT! NEWS DIGEST FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/ THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Food inflation accelerated to 9.3% in August, up from 7.0% in July, the highest inflation rate since August 2008.Data from the British Retail Con sortium and market research firm NielsenIQ shows fresh food inflation accelerated in August to 10.5%, up from 8.0% in July. Meanwhile, ambi ent Food inflation also accelerated to 7.8% in August, up from 5.7% in July. Overall Shop Price annual infla tion accelerated to 5.1% in August, up from 4.4% in July, a new record.
Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight, NielsenIQ, said: “Inflation continues to accelerate, and shoppers are already cautious about how much they spend on groceries, with a fall in volume sales at super markets in recent months. We can expect this level of food inflation to be with us for at least another six months, but hopefully some of the input cost pressures in the supply chain will eventually start to ease.”
Data from the British Retail Consortium and market research firm NielsenIQ shows inflation continued to accelerate in August.
Watkins added: “However, with further falls in disposable incomes coming this autumn as energy costs rocket again, retail spend will come under pressure in the all-important final quarter of the year.”
The funding will enable Greens to open sites in Aberdeenshire and Dun dee later this year. This follows recent openings in Inverurie, Peterhead, Kin ross, Kirriemuir, Shettleston, and Fra serburgh, taking it estate to 13 stores.
Greens Retail has secured a £1.3m funding package from HSBC that will help it achieve its plan to open nine new stores this year.
Police appeal after car hits Ayrshire store Ayrshire Police are appealing for witnesses after a car smashed into the newly reno vated Spar Scotland store in Crosshouse. Police received a report of a black Audi TT crashing into the shop, before a man was seen running from the vehicle in the Springside area at around 01:25 on Monday (29 August).
The Co-op has agreed to sell its petrol forecourt business to Asda for £600m. The transaction includes 129 petrol forecourt sites, spread across the UK, and represents 5% of Co-op’s retail estate of 2,564 stores. The stores being sold delivered net sales of £863m and pro forma pre-tax earnings of £53m for 12 months to June 2022. Co-op says the proceeds from the sale will be reinvested into its core con venience business – in its pricing, store operations, technology, and logistics –and will be used to grow its wholesale, franchise, and e-commerce operations.
Co-op sells petrol forecourt estate to Asda for £600m Says sale proceeds will be reinvested into its core convenience business and used to grow its wholesale, franchise, and e-commerce operations.
CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Longtown Distribution Centre, 78 Longtown Road, Dundee, DD4 8JU www.cjlang.co.ukandSparScotlandOfficialwww.sparscotland.co.uk@SparScotland@SparScotlandCJLang&SonLimitedTofindoutmorejoinourawardwinningteamemailRecruitmentManager,CraigLynn:craig.lynn@cjlang.co.uk • Up to 6% rebate • Delivery to your store –anywhere in Scotland • A smooth onboarding process including market leading aftercare support • Dedicated yourcontactDevelopmentBusinessManagertosupportongoingbusinessneedswith GROW YOUR BUSINESS SymbolGroup of the Ye ar WINNER
DS Holland added: “There will be extra patrols in the area, as officers investigate the incident and engage with the community.”
ACQUISITIONS
Police are asking anyone with information or possible CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Hol land said: “Our inquiries into the full circumstances of this incident are in their early stages and any infor mation could prove vital.”
NEWS DIGEST FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/ THIS WEEK’S NEWS
Shirine Khoury-Haq, chief executive at the Co-op, said: “This transaction is in line with our strategy to move away from operating petrol forecourts and supports our vision of co-operating for a fairer world while building our core leading convenience business.”Mohsin Issa, co-owner of Asda, added: “We see convenience as a significant growth opportunity for the business. This acquisition accelerates our strategy in this area and forms part of our long-term ambition to become the UK’s sec ond-largest supermarket.”
THE SCOTTISH BUYING GROUP FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILERS SINCE 1976 Delivery direct to store, small minimum order 14,000quantities.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 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. www.pgma.co.uk 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. Scan here to be taken direct to the PGMA website
WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9
A total of 1.4 million people in pri vate households are estimated to have had coronavirus in the week to August 16, a drop of 16% from 1.7 million in the previous week, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The ONS says it will “closely monitor” the numbers as children return to the classroom.
However, analysis of new data has shown that twice as many deaths involving Covid occurred this summer
The percentage of people testing pos itive for Covid-19 has continued to decrease in the UK, according to the latest figures, with rates being the lowest in school-age children.
The ONS will monitor infection rates as children return to school this week.
SPAR INSIGHTSSHOPPERSIGNSDEAL
An agreement with Dublinbased VisionR will let Spar leverage instore, shopperdriven insights across its retail network in 48 countries. The start-up’s tech provides retailers with insights straight from the shop floor by aggregating previously inaccessible data to personalise the shopping experience and drive sales. The plug-in solution offered to Spar uses computer vision and machine learning to transform real-world shopper experiences into online data that retailers can access through VisionR’s app.
NEWS SPECIAL COVID -19 UPDATE
A sensor breaks shoppers down anonymously into footfall, shopping groups, shopper profile, shop duration, product engagement, penetration, and spend. Retailers can then make the same informed decisions about marketing, sales, and operations, as they can online, maximising revenues.
Covid infections at lowest level in two months
compared with last summer. Although the overall number of deaths of people with Covid in 2022 remains far below last year, more than 5,700 Covid deaths have been registered since 8 June when two Omicron subvariants became domi nant. This is 95% higher than in the same period last Meanwhile,year.
deaths caused by the latest wave are dropping, with 674 Covid deaths registered in the week to 12 August, down from 802 a week earlier and 924 the previous week. The decrease has caused changes in testing, with most hospital patients and care home resi dents to only be offered tests if they have symptoms. NHS and social care staff in England will also not be offered lateral flow tests unless they fall sick.
SOLUTIONSTECH
Sarah Crofts, head of analytical out puts for the ONS’s Covid-19 infection survey, said: “Infections continue to head in the right direction across all of the UK and are now at levels similar to those last seen in mid-June. Rates remain lowest in school-aged children, and we will closely monitor the data to see how the return of schools in Sep tember may affect this.”
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Goodacre added that while business rate relief would be welcome, small busi nesses would still be paying 100% more this year compared to last year.
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● Scrap business rates bills for all convenience stores from 1 October until the end of the financial year.
Andrew Goodacre, Bira’s chief exec utive, said: “Businesses are under great pressure at the moment and, with some concerned that they need to reduce hours or even close permanently, it is incredibly worrying for us and the local economy.
COVER STORY ENERGY PRICES
The increase prompted ACS to write to the chancellor, calling on the gov ernment to take emergency action to deal with the spiralling cost of energy, which will cost convenience stores at least £2.5bn this year.
“There has been no specific help coming through from central or local authorities to help businesses who are struggling with their bills which has been very disappointing. While some areas may have hardship funds or slight reductions in business rates, this is not seen across the country. It is clear to us that businesses are being targeted by energy providers to make up for any restricted price caps on consumers.”
“We asked the government not to do this because as long ago as last October as we were seeing huge increases in retailer energy bills. More recently it has been 500% and keeping rates lower would have helped indie retailers absorb ● Introduce a price cap on electricity for small businesses in line with the cap that is already in place in the domestic market.
Between February 2021 and August 2022, the Federation of Small Businesses estimates that bills have risen by 349% for electricity, and by 424% for gas over the same period. For a business in that situ ation, it would imply that an electricity bill has increased from just over £4,700 to just over £21,200, and a gas bill has increased from just under £1,350 to just under £7,050 over the period in question.
● Freeze the business rates multipliers in 2023/24.
Thousands of convenience stores will be forced to make extremely difficult decisions in the face of tens of thousands of pounds of additional energy costs in the coming months, which at best will include cancelled investments, reduced staff hours and increased prices in stores, pushing up inflation even further. For some however, the cost of energy will make the business unviable, and so they will be forced to close unless action is taken to provide meaningful support.”
Ofgem this week confirmed an 80.06% rise in the energy price cap, reflecting the continued rise in global wholesale gas prices, which began to surge as the world unlocked from the pandemic, and were driven higher still to record levels by Russia slowly switching off gas supplies to Europe.
He added: “We have been calling on Ofgem for years to ensure that small businesses are treated in the same way as domestic consumers when it comes to their energy. A small business energy cap would take a huge step toward this goal, and pro tect thousands of retailers from the biggest annual cost increases in living memory.”
PASSING COSTS ON Meanwhile, a survey by the British Inde pendent Retailers Association (Bira) has Electric worry
For an average small convenience store at around 1,000sq ft, energy costs have rocketed to more than £45,000 a year, more than doubling for many retailers that have renewed their con tracts in recent months. For larger stores at around 3,000sq ft, these costs can be in excess of £100,000 a year.
ACS is calling for urgent action to help retailers keep the lights on this win ter, urging the government to introduce a £570m rescue package made up of the following interventions: revealed that almost 88% of its members feel they will be forced into raising their prices once the energy price rise comes into effect this autumn. In addition, 65% of members said they would be forced to reduce the number of staff they had or reduce wages, while 40% were consider ing limiting opening hours, and almost 23% would be looking to permanently or temporarily close the business.
ACS chief executive, James Low man, said: “The government needs to understand that this is an emergency.
Trade associations across retail have been reacting to the news that there will be a more than 80% rise in the energy price cap in October.
ENERGYCOVER 12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 120 / WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022
Goodacre is urging independents to also contact their local MPs. Meanwhile, the electricity costs asso ciated with operating a forecourt are set to triple. Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Asso ciation, said: “The prospect of soaring energy costs is extremely worrying. Our members are already operating on razor-thin margins and have very little
Bira has written an open letter to the two Conservative Party leadership candidates, Rishi Sunak and Lizz Truss, urging them to take action, and in par ticular: maintain 100% business rates relief for retailers; persuade energy com panies to place a cap on energy increases for businesses; reduce the multiplier for small businesses from 2023/24; cut VAT for retailers to stimulate demand; and provide more funding to encourage investment in low energy technology in retail shops to protect retailers from higher energy bills in the long term.
the higher energy costs. They will cer tainly need help as the rates for electric are increasing daily and we have just been told that one provider is charging 94p per kWh for electric – the highest we have seen so far,” he said.
room to manoeuvre.”He added: “With electricity bills set to rise by 300%, I have written to the secretary of state for BEIS, the chancellor of the exchequer, and the two leading candidates expressing the need for government intervention to ensure that forecourts are supported to ensure fuel resilience in the UK.”
“Abigpartoftheelectricvehicleappealhasalwaysbeenlowerrunningcosts,butthesepricerisescouldjeopardisemorepeoplemakingtheswitchtoelectriccars.”
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“We’re also aware that public charge point operators are having no choice but to increase their prices to reflect the rising wholesale costs they’re faced with, which will heavily impact drivers who have no choice other than to charge up away from home. The RAC continues to support the FairCharge campaign call for the government to cut the VAT rate levied on electricity from public charge points to 5%, to mirror the rate charged on domestic electricity.”
“Many non-hybrid petrol drivers will still save money by switching to electric, but for many diesel drivers that now won’t be the case. In a recent survey, we found that the upfront cost of buying an EV is the biggest barrier preventing drivers from considering an electric vehicle – and this latest energy price rise could further prevent people from making the switch.”
VEHICLE CHARGING In addition, the cost of charging an elec tric vehicle at home and at public charge points is set to increase following the Ofgem price cap rise. It currently costs £18.37 on average to charge a typical fam ily-sized electric SUV, but after the cap rise it may cost as much as £33.80 to fully charge the same car, according to the RAC.
Emily Seymour, Energy and Sustainability Editor at consumer champion Which?
RAC spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said: “The impact of the energy price cap increase will certainly be felt by drivers who charge their electric cars at home, with a full charge of a typical family-sized electric SUV costing 84% more from 1 October than it did under the old cap – £33.80, compared to £18.37. Despite recent falls in the price of petrol and diesel, the cost of charging at home is still good value compared to paying for either fuel, but again underlines just how the rising cost of electricity is affecting so many areas of people’s lives.
Emily Seymour, Energy and Sus tainability Editor at consumer cham pion Which?, added: “A big part of the electric vehicle appeal has always been lower running costs, but these price rises could jeopardise more people making the switch to electric cars.
STORYPRICES
ACS outlines concerns with proposed changes
REGULATIONS WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
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● Inconsistent pricing and measure ment display of products across businesses in local communities will cause confusion.
● The introduction of a voluntary measure could dilute the common metric system which will lead businesses to de facto use of both measurements.
Trade body is concerned proposed restrictions would place operational burdens on retailers and confuse consumers. and measures operates under a clear and understandable regulatory frame work which gives retailers the choice to display both units of measurement, and we are concerned that the pro posed restrictions would place oper ational burdens on retailers and cause confusion for consumers.
● Enforcement on the policy will create additional regulatory burden on Trading Standards. ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “The existing system for weights
The ACS has responded to a con sultation reviewing the current law on selling in imperial and metric units, highlighting several issues that a move to dual pricing would have on businesses, consumers, and the wider community.Theconsultation was launched to review how measurements are used in trade and consumer transactions.
The consultation wants to explore the views of businesses on the introduc tion of regulatory change that will enable businesses to voluntarily buy and sell in imperial units or imperial units alongside a less or equally prom inent metric equivalent.
In the submission, ACS outlined a number of concerns, including:
“They would also create an addi tional regulatory burden on Trading Standards departments who are already stretched across a wide range of enforcement priority areas that oth erwise be better placed for tackling important issues such illicit vaping, tobacco and alcohol.”
The government’s plans to review weights and measures have already been branded a “waste of time and money” by the NFRN.
In 2022, 35% of current vapers also smoked. Among this group, those who vaped daily smoked fewer cigarettes than those who did so less frequently.
One in five former smokers said they used a vape to help them quit, but 56% who are ex-smokers said they had been vaping for more than three years.
Of the 4.3 million vapers, about 2.4 million are ex-smokers, 1.5 million cur rent smokers and 350,000 have never smoked a cigarette. Cheeseman said vaping among the latter tended to be “rare” and “experimental”.
BUSINESSVAPINGINTELLIGENCE
The report also shows e-cigarettes were becoming especially popu lar among young people, with 18-to 24-year-olds the biggest consumers in 2022, at 11%. This has grown since 2021, when they had the lowest vaping rate at 5%. People 55 and over now have the lowest rate, at 5.9%.
The report found 28% of current smokers had never tried an e-cigarette, with 21% saying they did not want to substitute one addiction for another. In addition, 23% thought vaping was not similar enough to smoking and 10% said they were concerned e-cigarettes are not safe enough. A third of adults said they believed vaping was more, or equally as harmful, as smoking.
Vaping reaches record levels in Great Britain, report reveals
Data from Action on Smoking and Health suggests 8.3% of adults in England, Wales and Scotland vape, up from 1.7% a decade ago.
Vapers said the main reason they used e-cigarettes was for quitting smok ing and to prevent them from returning to smoking.
The data suggests 8.3% of adults in England, Wales and Scotland vape, up from 1.7% a decade ago.
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The number of people vaping has reached record levels in Great Brit ain with an estimated 4.3 million people who are regular vapers, accord ing to a report by Action on Smoking and Health (ASH).
T
The results show strong growth in the traditional ‘meal deal’ product groups and hot drinks, alongside above-average growth in treat sectors, such as confec tionery. Categories underperforming are led by food-to-go hot meals, soups, and cereals, the data shows.
Food-to-go growth slows as economic shocks bite
he number of out-of-home eating occasions has risen 9% year-onyear in the past 12 weeks, according to TWC’s MealTrak data. The data shows there were 807 mil lion eating out-of-home occasions in the 12 weeks ending 11 July 2022. In addition, value sales rose by 19% year-on-year in the 12 week period to £4.9bn. The data reveals that forecourts are rebounding well – with a 17% increase in occasions in the previous 12 weeks compared to 2021. Convenience stores have seen a stronger performance in the past 12 weeks, at +18%. However, sandwich shops (-5%), coffee shops/cafes (-9%), fast food & takeaway (-12%) and high street (-36%) are all in decline.
The growth is currently being driven by older consumers now retiring to the market, especially 45-64s, where growth is much stronger than for the younger age groups across both food-to-go and eatingTomout.Fender, development director at TWC, said: “The market has slowed as the impact of economic shocks bites, with growth dipping under 2% over the last four weeks, but the wider recovery remains solid, with both occasions and value making strong gains over 12- and 52-weekly periods across both FTG and Eating“Encouragingly,Out. for the moment at least, value growth remains ahead of occasions, indicating that spends are holding up and consumers are con tinuing to seek rewarding experiences rather than trying down on prices and functionality. That said, in FTG we are seeing the strongest growth in the Mul tiple and Convenience sectors, whilst Coffee Shops and FTG Specialists are flat and Takeaways have fallen back.”
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BUSINESS FOODINTELLIGENCE-TO-GO
TWC’s latest MealTrak data shows growth dipped under 2% over the past four weeks, but the number of out-of-home eating occasions and value made strong gains.
However, deal times are longer as buyer due diligence is protracted, particularly if there is a requirement to borrow.
T
Across the industry, larger opera tors continued to churn their portfolios and focused on acquiring new stores in key markets, which provided a fan tastic opportunity to the wide pool of independent buyers still seeking sites. Notably, the quality of assets has become a key consideration due to increasing operational costs.
he convenience retail property mar ket remained resilient despite the inflationary cost pressures facing businesses over the past six months, according to specialist business property adviser Christie & Co. Christie & Co’s Retail: 2022 MidYear Insight, which reflects on market activity in the first half of the year and provides an outlook for the second half, reveals:Buyer appetite for retail assets has not been dampened by the challenging economicBusinessbackdrop.pricesare holding up due to the weight of ongoing buyer demand.
Steve Rodell, Christie and Co’s Man aging Director for Retail, commented: “The pool of buyers remains active and whilst some players might be absent for now, there’s a queue of others ready, willing and able to make an investment in our robust sectors.”
The significant increase in the cost of construction materials has caused the multiples to rethink their new store roll-out programmes, which is a cause for concern for developers and investors. However, there remains a steady stream of ‘acorn operators’ likely to ‘grow into oakThetrees’.review suggests the key focus for retailers in the coming months will be to retain the ‘lifeline’ customers that they gained during the pandemic, turning them into ‘lifelong’ customers.
Christie & Co’s latest report reveals business prices are holding up because of the “weight of ongoing buyer demand”.
Convenience retail property market remains ‘resilient’
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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
RETAIL PROPERTY MARKET
18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 118 / WEDNESDAY 17TH AUGUST 2022 Let’s create a great recycling experience. tomra.com/uk | Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com The global leader in reverse vending technology The deposit return scheme (DRS) is coming to Scotland. Make it easy with TOMRA.
BIGGEST MARKETING DRIVE TO DATE GETS UNDERWAY
The refresh also aims at ensuring visual align ment across all the brand’s products.
The move is supported by The Collective’s big gest marketing drive to date, with a 50% increase in spend compared to any previous campaign.
Alongside the launch of the refreshed pack aging, the campaign coincides with the in-store launch of the new dairy-free ‘suckies’ for kids in time for the back-to-school period. The new range addresses the rising demand for dairy-free alternative snacks for kids owing to an increase in dairy intolerances and flexitarian eating habits.
NPD AND MEDIA PICKS OF THE WEEK – THE COLLECTIVE
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The nationwide campaign includes out-ofhome, digital media and shopper marketing, aided by an integrated, through-the-line approach, run ning across 1,222 UK sites, while reaching millions via digital channels.
Sarah Smart, chief executive of The Collective UK, said: “We recognise the importance of provid ing a range of delicious products that can cater to all, and we are proud to be the only yogurt brand offering healthy tasty dairy products for all ages alongside dairy-free options.”
The campaign, which supports the roll-out of the brand’s new packaging, includes out-of-home, digital media and shopper marketing activities.
Yogurt brand The Collective has rolled out its new packaging to UK consumers. The updated packaging will be implemented across the gourmet, dairy-free gourmet and nat ural ranges, highlighting the bold colours used to enhance brand recognition and shelf standout.
Part of the campaign features The Collective’s own Yog Squad, hitting the UK’s streets to provide yogurt samples to thousands of consumers.
Barr Soft Drinks is launching an eye-catching new campaign for Irn-Bru Energy to drive trial and visibility for the brand and generate incremental sales for retailers in the fast-growing £177m Scottish energy drinks market.
CAMPAIGN OFFERS HUNDREDS OF GAMING PRIZES
NPD AND MEDIA PICKS OF THE WEEK – IRN - BRU ENERGY NEW IRN-BRU ENERGY
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“Irn-Bru Energy is currently growing three times faster than the total market, bringing in new shop pers to the brand and driving sales with existing energy consumers,” said Adrian Troy, Marketing Director at Barr Soft Drinks. “We are extending availability of the 500ml £1 PMP can as the pre vious burst of this price-marked pack increased sales of this pack format by almost 50%. This additional layer of activity will drive trial among energy consumers.”
Barr Soft Drinks said retailers should ensure 100% availability of Irn-Bru Energy from Septem ber onwards, increasing facings if necessary, to maximise the sales opportunity. It also advised that Irn-Bru Energy should be ranged beside other energy products in the chiller.
The campaign, which runs from September, will include a consumer competition giving shoppers the chance to instantly win over 200 video gaming prizes, as well as entry into a grand prize draw to win their ultimate gaming set up. In addition, there will be student sampling at every college and university in Scotland, putting over 100,000 cans into the hands of energy con sumers.Afull suite of in-store/depot POS will be avail able, including digital assets.
The campaign gives shoppers the chance to win more than 200 video gaming prizes, as well as their ultimate gaming set up.
COLDGOODNESSPRESSED Coldpress Foods has added lime and lemon variants to its juice range, available in 1-litre bot tles. The additions are aimed at baking, cocktail or mocktail fans, while also providing “professional and ‘enthusiastic amateur’ mixol ogists” with more choice.
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ROLLING, ROLLING Cushelle has introduced tube less rolls as it moves closer to its ambition to contribute to a cir cular economy. Available in both soft Original and soft Quilted rolls, they also come in CO2-reduced packaging. Customers can check recyclemenow.com for the nearest collection point.
DAIRY- FREE ALT
MESH COIL FIRST Vaping and e-liquid manufacturer IVG has launched its new dispos able IVG Crystal vape, described as the UK’s first mesh coil dis posable device. The new vape offers 600 puffs, 2ml capacity, and a new mesh coil providing more touch points for a “full-on” flavour vape.
GIN MANIA Beefeater Gin has revealed a new rhubarb and cranberry fla vour for the UK market. The new spirit boasts Beefeater botani cals, juniper and citrus enhanced with notes of rhubarb and cran berry. It has been developed exclusively by master distiller, Desmond Payne MBE.
NEW ALE Sharp’s Brewery is launching multipacks of its popular Atlan tic Pale Ale in the UK off-trade. The new 4 x 500ml packs are rolling out in stores this month. The cans are encased in a card board sleeve, meaning that the packs are completely plastic-free and fully recyclable.
NPD AND MEDIA PICKS OF THE WEEK
The English Cheesecake Company has teamed up with plant-based dairy alternative Vio life. Their new range is made with coconut oil and includes Double Chocolate Cookies & Cream; Vanilla Cheesecake with Lotus Biscoff; and Salted Caramel Cheesecake Sundaes.
TABLE OF 10 £1250 EX VAT TICKET £140 EX VAT 7 SEPT LIVEGLASGOWRADISSON,2022EVENT: AVAILABLETICKETSNOWAVAILABLENOW BOOKNOW! THE SLR AWARDS ARE BACK AND THEY’RE LIVE FOR OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY! Scottish Grocers’ Fede tion
We’ve all been there. We know what we want to buy, but every time we step into the store, we’ve either forgotten our shopping list or it has deleted itself from our brain. The new tech unveiled by Woolworths helps customers create a shopping list at home then find the itemsDemonstratedin-store. to the public on its official TikTok account, Woolworths used celebrity staffer Liam Kirley to explain to customers how it works using an imaginary customer.
“This is Robin. Don’t worry, she can’t hear me, but look at how she is writing her shopping list by hand. Look how sore it’s getting,” jokes Liam, while Robin shakes out her tired hands. Luck ily, she has her phone and she can make her list through the Woolworths app,” LiamThesays.customer is then seen opening the Woolworths app and navigating to the barcode scanner to start her shop ping list. “In the search bar tap the bar code scanner, then scan the product you want to add to your list, then click ‘Add to List’,” Liam explains, as Robin The app feature has the potential to change the way we all shop in the future.
WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23
NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA… OUT THE BOX
WHAT WAS THE RESPONSE?
TikTok followers of the Woolworths account were very enthusiastic about the prospect of using the app. “That’s how I do shopping and you can also save it,” one shopper chirped. “I cannot shop any other way now! I love the app!” wrote another. A third revealed how shoppers can use the barcode scanner to find the price of items in the wrong place or without a price tag. “Pro tip: Find a random item in store that’s in the wrong place? You want it but don’t know the price? Bar code scanner to the rescue!” they wrote.
A new feature from Farmstead reminds you what’s in your refrigerator to reduce food waste.
Australian supermarket chain Woolworths has revealed its new barcode scan-at-home technology to help shoppers create shopping lists and reduce the time they spend looking for items in the store.
techScan-at-homebecomesreality
WHAT’S THE BIG CONCEPT?
scans a can of olive oil using the barcode scanner in the app. Once the product has been saved to a customer’s shopping list, shoppers can check items off their list while they shop in-store. Shoppers will also find informa tion, such as the aisle and price, to help them locate the product during their shop.
bottlesHYDRATErecyclABLE*WITHOUR
*Bottles
1.5ltr Buxton Still Water bottles in this exclusive pack for Sainsburys are made from 100% recycled content PET plastic, excluding caps and labels. Water contributes to the maintenance of normal physical and cognitive function and normal regulation of body temperature. At least 2L of water, from all sources, should be consumed per day, as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. ® Reg. Trademark used in agreement with the Trademark Owner. and caps are 100% recyclable.
TWIR has now twice reported on men (it’s always men in these stories) who have had supermarket loyalty card barcodes tattooed on their arms for convenience and bants. We’re not sure if Keith Gordon has a barcode lurking anywhere but, even if he did, it’s unlikely he could scan it.
BRIGHTON SHOCK RAGING BULL WEDNESDAY 31ST AUGUST 2022 / ISSUE 120 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25
The energy drink of the same name doesn’t really give you wings, but this red bull certainly knows how to send thingsCaughtflying.on CCTV in the Peruvian capital Lima, the stampeding beast escaped from a truck that was taking it on a one-way trip to the local slaughterhouse. No wonder it wasTheangry.hapless shop owner must have been fairly upset as well, when the bull made short work of their parasol, took out a plastic table and chairs then flattened an A-board. It then took advantage of the open shop front to head inside to continue its wrecking spree.
Locals took 40 minutes to recapture the rampaging lump of beef, but not one before person was injured and had to be taken to hospital.
BEFORE YOU GO RETAIL RANDOMS
Pensioner Keith, 66, hails from Romford and was topping up his suntan on holiday in Brighton at the time. Amazingly, the self-styled ‘coolest looking guy in Essex’ was tattoo-free until he was 52. Now he’s got more ink than a Sunday newspaper, with next to no bare skin left.
Eyewitness Oscar Portales said: “The bull attacked a lady who was selling food. The husband tried to defend her and pull the bull by the horns, then it attacked him.”
For Britain’s ‘most tattooed man’ has been chucked out of an unnamed supermarket after an employee – who was clearly feeling needled – told him he wasn’t welcome in the store.
At least the little dog in the fetching coat seemed to enjoy the proceedings.
The shocked former civil servant later complained to the supermarket in question and received a 20 quid shopping voucher for his pain. Which must pale into insignificance when compared to the pain of a tattoo gun piercing your eyelids 50 times a second.
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