RETAIL
THE WEEK IN
GRAZE DEBUTS ON TV RUSTLERS UNVEILS ‘COOK IN BOX’ ALDI IN COPYCATERPILLAR BATTLE
...MORE IF YOU PLEASE
GROCERY
COULD AMAZON STEAL CO-OP’S 6TH SPOT?
TWC SAYS AMAZON COULD BECOME SIXTHLARGEST GROCER
COVID-19
SCOTLAND STEPS UP EASING
HOSPITALITY AND RETAIL TO RE-OPEN ON MONDAY
SUSTAINABILITY
MOLSON COORS RINGS THE CHANGES
BREWER DUMPS RINGS FOR CARDBOARD
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THE WEEK IN RETAIL
EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS WITH ME AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM
COULD AMAZON REPLACE THE CO-OP AS THE UK’S SIXTH-BIGGEST GROCER? TWC Development Director Tom Fender is no stranger to taking an offbeat view of apparently mundane retailing issues and coming up with an eye-catching angle – or headline. After all, in his previous business with Mike Greene – HIM – they made a very healthy living by developing a canny knack of seeing convenience retail from a fresh and challenging perspective, one that made us all look at things we all thought we understood just a little differently. So his latest prediction in TWC’s first Trends Report that Amazon could become the UK’s sixth largest grocer is very much in character. Leftfield clickbait, but with more than an element of the plausible, the more you think about it. Yes, the logic used to get to that prediction is certainly up for debate, but it’s hardly an impossible scenario. Basically, it runs like this: according to TWC research, around 72% of the UK population has an Amazon account and around 61% of those customers claim to “regularly buy from Amazon”. Fender’s argument has it that, if just 60% of that 61% did one big grocery shop a week with Amazon, it would make Amazon the sixth largest grocer in the UK. Hey presto.
OK, there’s a lot of ifs in there, but the scenario Fender describes is hardly off-the-chart unlikely. Yes, the vast majority of purchases made by those Amazon loyalists will be non-food – but with the mammoth growth we’ve seen in home delivery of food and drink, it’s not inconceivable that Amazon could start converting more of those ‘traditional’ non-food Amazon customers into food buyers too. Particularly if it keeps growing its bricks and mortar Amazon Fresh estate as quickly as it’s been doing; its third UK store in just over a month recently opened. And, as you’d expect from a data and tech company, Fender also reiterates the importance of data to Amazon, a factor that seems to be entirely missing from most industry observers’ analysis of the potential threat of Amazon Fresh in the UK. For my money, Fender is bang on there. The shopping experience, the range, the pricing – all that conventional retail stuff – is all beside the point when discussing the threat of Amazon. Data is the four letter word we should all be using when discussing Amazon. Customer data is what makes Amazon such a fearsome opponent.
ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY
ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3
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CONTENTS
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK
6
19
20
THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF
STORE PROFILE: NISA WILLENHALL RD
TWC TRENDS SPRING REPORT
Politicians agree more robust policing is needed to combat retail crime and Booker sees sales spike by over 18%.
Harry Dhillon sees 40% growth after transforming a former McColl’s store into an modern, attractive Nisa.
New research suggests that Amazon could be in line to become the sixth biggest grocer in the UK.
9 COVID-19 UPDATE
17 RETAILER COMPETITIONS
35 OUT THE BOX: MOLSON COORS
10 MEDIA: #SHOPKIND CAMPAIGN
THE FULL SWAN FILTER AND FUSION
BREWER REMOVES PLASTIC RINGS ON
CUSTOMERS ARE URGED TO #SHOPKIND
CARDS RANGE AS WELL AS £300-WORTH OF
ALL ITS BRANDS IN FAVOUR OF FULLY
AS THEY RETURN TO THE HIGH STREET.
AMBER LEAF STOCK IS UP FOR GRABS!
RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD SLEEVES.
13 SUSTAINABILITY: SODASTREAM
25 PICKS OF THE WEEK
37 BEFORE YOU GO...
SODASTREAM LAUNCHES A NEW ‘DON’T JUST SHARE, CARE’ CAMPAIGN.
TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG
A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG
M&S THINKS ALDI’S CATERPILLAR CAKE LOOKS STRANGELY FAMILIAR.
WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5
NEWS DIGEST
THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/
OCADO GOES DRIVERLESS
RETAIL CRIME
teamed up with autonomous
MORE ROBUST POLICING REQUIRED, SAY POLITICIANS
driving software company
FIVE LEADING SCOTTISH POLITICIANS AGREE MORE ROBUST
Oxbotica to build self-driving
POLICING IS REQUIRED TO TACKLE RETAIL CRIME.
Online grocer Ocado has
vehicles that could include selfdriving forklifts and delivery vans, as well as robots to take deliveries to front doors. Ocado bought a £10m stake in Oxbotica as part of the deal.
PORTMAN CBD GUIDE Alcohol watchdog The Portman Group has released new guidance on the naming, packaging and promotion of alcohol products containing CBD. The guidance is designed to aid producers in complying with the Code, should they choose to market a CBD-infused product.
WELSH WEEKLY WIN News retailers have welcomed the launch of a new weekly printed title. The National launched in Wales on St David’s Day as a digital news service and with a special launch print edition. Now publisher Newsquest has decided to take the print title weekly from 17 April.
As part of NFRN’s digital hustings on Monday, ahead of the Scottish elections on 6 May, five leading politicians agreed more robust policing is required to tackle the scourge of retail crime. Taking part in the debate were Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar; SNP Minister for Community Safety Ash Denham; Conservative candidate in West Scotland region Maurice Golden; MP for Edinburgh West and the Liberal Democrats’ spokesperson for the Treasury and Trade Christine Jardine; and the Scottish Greens’ Anne Thomas. Admitting that retail crime was “a massive issue”, Sarwar said this was exacerbated by police failing to engage when small value items were stolen. He
described policing efforts as “not good enough”, adding that too many women and BAME shopkeepers felt targeted. “Too many people have to live in fear at work because of the colour of their skin, accent or sex,” he said. Denham called for more education and more reporting of incidents to raise awareness of the scale of the issue. Citing poverty as one of the factors behind retail crime, Thomas called for “better, more responsive policing”.
ISMAIL AND JACOBS ELECTED TO POST OFFICE BOARD Two serving Postmasters have been elected to the Post Office Board as NonExecutive Directors for the first time in the Post Office’s 360-year history. Saf Ismail who operates six post offices in Lancashire and Manchester, and Elliot Jacobs who runs seven post offices in London and Hertfordshire received the most votes. The appointments are a key milestone in the sustained reset of the relationship between Post Office and Postmasters that places them front and centre of the business. Following approval by the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Rt Hon Kwasi Kwarteng MP, Saf Ismail and Elliott Jacobs will formally join the Post Office board after an induction and training programme.
6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 52 / WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021
NEWS DIGEST
THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/
SPAR VIRTUAL TRADESHOW
WHOLESALERS
BOOKER RECORDS 18.5% SALES GROWTH
Spar Scotland will host its second annual virtual tradeshow on 23 September.
WHOLESALE GIANT BOOKER HAS SEEN SALES SPIKE BY OVER 18%
The 2021 virtual tradeshow
AS SHOPPERS TURNED TO CONVENIENCE OVER THE LAST YEAR.
is themed ‘One Family, One Vision’ and the retailer and
Preliminary figures released by Booker owner Tesco show that the wholesaling giant saw retail sales rise by 18.5% over the last year. The results reflect the growth in popularity of convenience stores
during the Covid pandemic and helped soften the blow of an enormous 40.8% drop in sales in Booker’s foodservice division, Best Food Logistics. Booker’s total sales rose by 10.5% in the year to the end of February.
wholesaler expects it to be bigger and better than last year’s virtual event.
ALDI TRIALS LOOSE Aldi is trialling a range of
POUNDLAND EXPANDS CHILLED AND FROZEN
packaging-free products in a store in Ulverston in Cumbria that lets shoppers buy loose rice and pasta. The discounter is providing customers with free recyclable paper bags and, if the trial proves successful, Aldi will look to develop its refillable options in other shops.
ASDA AXES 1,200 Asda is set to shed up to 1,200 jobs at its in-store bakeries as demand for traditional loaves declines in favour of speciality products. The
Poundland is in the process of rolling out chilled and frozen food to 46 more of its stores, taking the total offering of the ‘store within a store’ concept to 175. The retailer intends to offer the new range in 250 shops by the end of September with 500 stores offering chilled and frozen within two years. Six stores will have the range in May with another be added to the programme in 70 being added from July.
supermarket intends to move to a central bakery model and says it hopes to “move as many colleagues as possible into alternative roles with redundancy the last option”.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7
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Issue 49 ay Wednesd 2021 ch 31st Mar
Partner:
NEWS SPECIAL
COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/
SCOTTISH EASING MOVES UP A GEAR ON MONDAY
THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED SIGNIFICANT COVID
S
RESTRICTIONS EASING ACROSS RETAIL, HOSPITALITY AND TRAVEL FROM MONDAY.
travel within the UK will be permitted for any purpose. If everyone continues to follow the rules, it is expected that all of Scotland will move to Level 2 on Monday 17 May. Sturgeon said: “The changes that come into force next week have been hard earned by all of us. I know that many will be looking forward to their first drink in a beer garden, to catching up with a friend in a café, or to going on holiday somewhere in Scotland. “But even as we enjoy those moments, we still need to be careful. We must remember the virus is more infectious now than it was when bars and cafés were last open, so we must still stick to the rules.”
BESTWAY DONATES 80 TONNES OF FLOUR Bestway Wholesale has donated over 80 tonnes of self-raising flour to The Felix Project, a London based charity that uses surplus food to help people in poverty and need. The flour has been sent to hundreds of charities across London. Dawood Pervez, MD at Bestway Wholesale said, “We chose to donate the flour to this wonderful charity because as we know it will help many other charities across London right in the communities that Bestway serves. Frighteningly, 1.5 million adults and 400,000 children go hungry and we need to do everything we can to help make this change.”
Temperature-controlled logistics specialist Gist is trialling the UK’s first fully autonomous, all-electric engineless refrigerated trailer system. The unit uses a battery to power the fridge system which gets recharged using kinetic energy fom the trailer’s axle when the vehicle is moving.
TECH SOLUTIONS
cotland’s faster-thanexpected journey out of Covid restrictions has continued with an announcement from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon this week that there will be “significant easing of restrictions across retail, hospitality and travel” from Monday. Hospitality venues such as cafés, pubs and restaurants can reopen, along with tourist accommodation as all parts of the country will move to Level 3. Non-essential retail outlets and close contact services such as beauty salons can also reopen, in addition to indoor attractions and public buildings. The remaining travel restrictions within Scotland will be lifted and
GIST TRIALS ENGINELESS ELECTRIC REFRIGERATED TRAILERS
Unlike current setups, this loop creates a fully autonomous system that produces no direct carbon dioxide or particulate emissions. The fridge is lighter than a standard fridge and associated red diesel fuel tank, and very quiet.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9
MEDIA
SHOPKIND CAMPAIGN CRIMESTOPPERS
CUSTOMERS URGED TO #SHOPKIND A NEW CAMPAIGN FROM CRIMESTOPPERS, THE HOME OFFICE AND RETAILERS IS URGING CUSTOMERS TO #SHOPKIND AS THEY BEGIN TO RETURN TO THE HIGH STREET.
R
Kevin Tindall, MD, Tesco Convenience “Our colleagues and those across retail work hard to serve customers every day and the vast majority of customers
etailers, the Home Office and independent charity Crimestoppers have come together to launch a new campaign that urges the public to ShopKind after the reopening of more shops. The #ShopKind campaign encourages the public to be mindful of shopworkers’ essential role in supporting people during these difficult times, and emphasises that they should treat workers and also other customers with respect, kindness and gratitude.
are very appreciative. Our stores should be safe places to work and shop, and any form of antisocial behaviour is unacceptable. We support the ShopKind campaign in reminding shoppers of the vital role that those working in retail have played during the pandemic and the amazing job they continue to do in keeping customers safe and feeding the nation.”
10 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 52 / WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021
The campaign is backed by the Home Office and supported by major high street retailers, supermarkets and the local retailing sector, as well as trade associations and shopworkers union Usdaw. The Association of Convenience Stores’ 2021 Crime Report, which was published last month, shows that over the past year there have been over 1.2 million incidents of verbal abuse, and around 40,000 incidents of violence against people working in convenience stores. Of these, more than a quarter
MEDIA
SHOPKIND CAMPAIGN CRIMESTOPPERS
James Lowman, Chief Executive at the Association of Convenience Stores “Convenience stores have been open throughout the pandemic, keeping communities going and being first to adapt to keep customers and colleagues safe through Covid-secure measures. While the majority of customers have been incredibly supportive and embody the messages of the ShopKind campaign, there are still too many people being abusive and violent to retailers and their colleagues. We fully support ShopKind, which serves as an important reminder of the essential work that convenience stores have done over the last year and continue to do to as the rest of retail
involved a weapon, such as a knife, hammer, axe, or syringe. Two-thirds of retailers (65%) had experienced Covid-related threats, with the most common causes of abuse being reminding customers to wear face coverings, reminding customers of social distancing measures and queueing outside stores. Home Secretary Priti Patel said: “Throughout the pandemic, shop staff have been the lifeline for many in our communities, and I am grateful for their vital service. Violence and abuse towards shop workers is utterly despicable and unacceptable, everyone has the right to feel safe at work. “As the daughter of shopkeepers, I fully support ShopKind, a reminder to customers to consider their behaviour towards shop staff, and I encourage all retailers to fully support it.” If you have any information about someone who is abusive or violent
reopens.”
Paul Gerrard, Co-op Director of Campaigns and Public Affairs “No one should have to face violence and abuse just for doing their job, and nothing is more important to us than the safety and wellbeing of shopworkers who work tirelessly within communities – they deserve thanks, not abuse, threats and violence. They also deserve for the law to better protect them as they go about their daily working lives. It does now in Scotland, but not in the rest of the UK and so we continue to call for Government to show that it is listening and to send out a clear message that anti-social behaviour and attacks on shopworkers is not acceptable.”
towards retail and shop staff, please let Crimestoppers know. You can contact them 100% anonymously on
freephone 0800 555 111 or through its untraceable Anonymous Online Form.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11
Let’s create a great recycling experience LY EVER YM BAL O L I G
1M IL
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Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com
TE U N
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The deposit return scheme is coming to Scotland in July 2022. Make it easy with TOMRA, the global leader in reverse vending.
SUSTAINABILITY
SODASTREAM EARTH DAY
SODASTREAM RECRUITS ZUCKERBERG FOR GREEN PUSH
SODASTREAM HAS PARTNERED WITH MARK ZUCKERBERG’S SISTER TO LAUNCH A ‘DON’T JUST SHARE,
T
CARE’ CAMPAIGN AHEAD OF EARTH DAY TOMORROW.
omorrow is official Earth Day and to mark the occasion, SodaStream has hooked up with Randi Zuckerberg, sister of Facebook’s famous CEO, to launch its environmental campaign video, ‘Don’t just share, care’. The tongue in cheek video sees Randi stress the importance of not just simply sharing posts about the environment on social media but of taking a stand and transforming social concern into real action for the planet. The campaign comes as SodaStream announces a massive increase in its ambitions to rid the world of plastic waste, committing to save the use of 78 billion single-use plastic bottles by 2025, a 16% increase on its 2020 goals. SodaStream, which was bought by PepsiCo for $3.2bn in 2018, claims to be the world’s leading sparkling water brand and is targeting growth in the UK with Asda and Sainsbury’s as well as its first foray into the convenience market with Nisa. To support the campaign SodaStream has released new research which shows that 30% of people in the UK are sick of people ‘green-washing’ on social media, sharing posts about the environment when they know they don’t live sustainably themselves. To help consumers make sustainable choices from their
own home, SodaStream has gone greener than ever for Earth Day with the launch of a new Country Green colourway. The new machine, and the entire SodaStream Spirit range, has been certified as reducing carbon by the Carbon Trust. SodaStream will also begin developing its sparkling water makers from recycled or plant-based material for the first time in the brand’s history and will also switch all its flavour bottles from plastic to metal before the end of the year, saving another 200 million single-use plastic bottles. Finally, SodaStream offices across the globe will close tomorrow as the brand calls employees to join clean-up activities in their local areas, and where possible as allowed by Covid-19 restrictions.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13
£1.25M
sales generated by our top retailer in 12 months (1)
17.6K
av. weekly delivery sales by top 10 stores in January (2)
£27.74
average basket spend vs £7.60 industry average (3)
Fully supported onboarding, sales ramp up and dedicated Account Manager to help you succeed call: 0333 900 1250 email: contact@snappyshopper.co.uk web: retailers.snappyshopper.co.uk
(1)
12 Months to 31st January 21 /
(2)
Sources: Lumina UK Convenience Market Report 2020 /
(3)
Sales W/C 31st January 21.
AND UNIMPROVED
BAC K F O R G OOD
RETAILER OFFERS
COMPETITIONS AMBER LEAF / SWAN
WIN £300-WORTH OF AMBER LEAF STOCK! To celebrate Amber Leaf turning 30 years old, and being the No. 1 RYO brand in the UK for 10 of those, the brand and The Week In Retail have teamed up to give away over £600 of Amber Leaf stock. The Virginia blend tobacco launched in 1991. The Original is available in a 30g pouch with an RSP of £15.85, 50g pouch with an RSP of £26.25 and a 3-in-1 30g box format with an RSP of £15.95. Premium quality tobacco all at an affordable price point. Each includes hand stripped, fine cut Virginia blend tobacco, 100 premium quality cigarette papers and 77 filter tips. Alongside the Original, the Amber Leaf range also includes the Blonde 30g Box: a smoother tasting version with an RSP of £15.85. To share the celebrations, JTI is launching a competition in which two lucky retailers will win £300 worth of Amber
Leaf stock in the form of Amber Leaf Outers. Entries close on Friday 23 April, and JTI will select and announce the two lucky winners later in the month. To enter, simply answer the following question: How many years has Amber Leaf been the No. 1 RYO brand in the UK? Q 5 years Q 10 years Q 30 years Send your answer, along with your store and contact details to raitken@55north.com by Friday 23 April.
WIN THE FULL SWAN FILTER AND FUSION CARDS RANGE! The Week In Retail has hooked up with Swan to offer five retailers the opportunity to win the entire Swan accessories range, including filters and Fusion Cards. Republic Technologies UK launched its biggest ever programme of NPD last year, with the introduction of six innovative filters from the iconic Swan brand, allowing retailers to build a tobacco accessories range that suits every shopper while also helping
them to increase their sales within the category. Republic Technologies is giving five retailers the chance to win the full range plus its brand new innovation, Swan Flavour Fusion Cards. 1 x outer
of each product: Swan Fresh Burst Crushball, Swan Cool Burst Crushball, Swan Cool Menthol, Swan Graphite, Swan Eco Loose and Swan Long Extra Slim, Swan Flavour Fusion Cards Menthol and Swan Flavour Fusion Cards Fresh Burst, worth more than £60 RSP. To enter, simply email your name, store name and contact telephone number to raitken@55north.com by Friday 23 April.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17
Helping you to make an extra 3% Gross Profit Ease of use
Simple to use touch screen till software
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Supplier Data links with all major Wholesalers
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Weekly health check reports to guide you to improve your sales and margin.
Access to background database with over 100,000 products
Benefits of MPos ✓ Built around a retailer, not a computer user ✓ Simple to use till, powerful admin tools ✓ Built from retailers perspective ✓ Reduces labour by downloading products, price changes, invoices and promotions
✓ Reduces labour by allowing one click order generation and one click invoice downloads - easily shave off 10 hours of work per store
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✓ Emails store performance to the user with real actionable data once a week rather than stats heavy reports that overwhelm the user
✓ Based in Scotland with excellent support and training program
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STORE PROFILE
NISA WILLENHALL RD, WOLVERHAMPTON HARRY DHILLON
RIP IT UP AND START AGAIN WEST MIDLANDS NISA RETAILER HARRY DHILLON HAS SEEN 40% GROWTH AFTER
A
TRANSFORMING A FORMER MCCOLL’S STORE INTO AN UNRECOGNISABLE MODERN, ATTRACTIVE NISA IN WOLVERHAMPTON.
West Midlands retailer is reaping the rewards of his newlydeveloped store, with customers wowed by the shop that is unrecognisable from the store it was previously. Harry Dhillon bought the former McColl’s store in Willenhall Road, Wolverhampton last autumn, seeing the potential with its prime location just off a busy road, close to the city centre and good parking outside for passing trade. Closing the store for a fortnight to carry out a full refit, Harry removed all interior fixtures and fittings to provide a blank canvas enabling him to start the refurbishment from scratch and the result is a new-look store that is delighting shoppers. Since launching the store in October sales have increased by almost 40% in the six months to April and Harry believes, now he is embedded into the community and shoppers know what they can get from his store, sales will continue to grow. “It’s a great-looking store and my customers have all been really impressed with the shop as well as what we’re stocking,” says Harry. “They love the promotions and are spending well.” The refit included the replacement of all existing chilled refrigeration, allowing for a new layout to be introduced. This changed the flow of the store and improved the shopping experience. At just over 2,500sq ft the store now offers nearly 9m of chilled products and a further 10.5m of chilled BWS.
Fresh meat and fruit and vegetables sell well although it took a few weeks to establish the range. “When we first opened there was a bit of waste with fresh stuff going out of date, but it didn’t take long for customers to realise what was available to them and now we sell everything very well,” says Harry. “The new offer is really working. Every day we are seeing new faces coming in and shopping with us. People who have not been in for a while are coming in and they are really impressed.” And with housing as well as local businesses neighbouring the store along with passing traffic on the nearby main road, the footfall is strong and growing. Average basket spend is also creeping up since opening day and now sitting at £10 to £12. “Our shoppers know us now, they know what they can get from us, and so we are going to make the most of it and push on to improve our sales,” concludes Harry.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19
RESEARCH
TWC TRENDS SPRING 2021 REPORT TWC
AMAZON SET TO BECOME SIXTH BIGGEST SUPERMARKET? THE INAUGURAL TWC TRENDS REPORT SUGGESTS THAT AMAZON COULD BE IN LINE TO BECOME THE
I
SIXTH BIGGEST GROCER IN THE UK.
ntelligence and technology consultancy TWC launched a new series of planned regular reports last week with the headline-grabbing prediction that Amazon could become the sixth largest supermarket in the UK. All it would take for that to happen, said TWC Development Director Tom Fender, is for existing, committed Amazon customers to do just one big grocery shop with Amazon a month. The inaugural TWC Trends Spring 2021 Report also suggests that supermarkets may start to lose their dominance in the future, especially with the younger generation and more affluent shoppers. It also highlights that the online delivery trend that is here to stay and will only get bigger with convenience stores needing to increase their participation in order to combat Amazon growth.
20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 52 / WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021
The report, which is available to buy here reveals the very latest perceptions, thoughts and behaviours of 1,200 consumers in convenience retail, hospitality, foodservice and wholesale. The company says it responds to a market gap for straightforward sentiment research and opinion mining on current and future trends, and that the research has been overlaid with incisive interpretation and calls to action. Fender said the report digs into what is happening in the market – and most importantly why – and identifies emerging future trends. “We believe that although Amazon is discussed a lot as a threat to our channel, the fact that 72% of the population has an account really emphasises that threat. And now, it is now a double threat with the launch of Amazon Fresh and a triple threat with its investment in Deliveroo. “Their online platform may not impress Gen Z but their food-to-go and delivery solutions are sure to be winning hearts and minds in this consumer cohort. What we are
RESEARCH
TWC TRENDS SPRING 2021 REPORT TWC
“What we are most impressed with is the knowledge Amazon has on its customers which all comes from an obsession to gather, analyse and interpret data. It is the fuel of their engine.”
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21
RESEARCH
TWC TRENDS SPRING 2021 REPORT TWC
most impressed with is the knowledge Amazon has on its customers which all comes from an obsession to gather, analyse and interpret data. This is something which many people in retail overlook. It is the fuel of their engine!” In the report TWC has segmented shifting trends into five themes that operators must focus on and gives clear indicators of what the future holds and explores how retailers, wholesalers and the supply chain can adapt to thrive. The five themes are:
1. ONLINE EXPLOSION The Digitalisation and Delivery of Food and Drink and the impact on Convenience and Foodservice
2. EXPERIENTIAL HOSPITALITY & ‘RETAILTAINMENT’ Re-thinking the role of bricks and mortar as customers seek personalised, engaging experiences out of home.
3. DO GOOD FEEL GOOD Working for a Better World. Social Impact and wellbeing influences consumer choices.
22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 52 / WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021
4. DATA & PERSONALISATION Data is the new oil, one size does not fit all.
5. SAVE V SPLURGE Balancing value as well as premiumisation to meet divergent customer needs. “This report deliberately focusses on the long-term impacts on consumer behaviour” says Fender. “We believe that the immediate aftershocks of Covid-19 have been copiously covered and the industry has a firm grasp of the likely sales patterns for 2021. “Meanwhile, there is a paucity of analysis of the seismic shifts that are taking place beneath the surface that will fundamentally and irrevocably change our sector. We predicted that this period of uncertainty would change the way consumers and shoppers will behave for years to come. The changes have important implications for our industry and our report highlights some of the opportunities that will help prepare you for this new normal.” A further report will be published in October 2021 as part of TWC Trends twice yearly tracker study.
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NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – NEW YORK BAKERY CO. TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
IT’S NEW YORK OR NOTHIN’
THE NEW YORK BAKERY CO. DECLARES ‘THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO BAGEL’ IN ITS NEW £2M MULTI-CHANNEL CAMPAIGN: ‘NEW YORK OR NOTHIN’.
The New York Bakery Co. bagel range: Q The Original Q Cinnamon & Raisin Q Sesame Q Red Onion & Chive Q Wholemeal Q Original Bagel Thins New York Bakery Co., the UK’s biggest bagel brand* , has unveiled a new £2m campaign by claiming to define the gold standard in bagels: it’s ‘New York or Nothin’. The multi-channel campaign includes a 30" TV ad that debuted on Monday and features a New Yorker called George who reckons that anything other than a New York style bagel is a “lousy imitation”. Over the past year, over 1.1 million new shoppers bought the New York Bakery Co. brand, bringing the highest share of incremental shoppers to the category*. Consumers of the New York Bakery Co. brand also buy 33% more frequently than those who buy any other bagel brand*. The new campaign aims to tell the story of the brand whilst emphatically setting them apart from any other bagel.
Q Soft Seeded Bagel Thins Q Wholemeal and Rye Bagel Thins Q Gluten Free Original Bagels Q Gluten Free Seeded Bagels Q Four Cheese Deli Bagels Q Loaded Everything Deli Bagels Q Sourdough Deli Bagels
*All data Kantar Feb 2021
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – WALKERS CAMPAIGN TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
WALKERS SPARKS CRISP SARNIE DEBATE
WALKERS’ LATEST MARKETING CAMPAIGN SEES THE BRAND REVISIT THE AGE-OLD CRISP SANDWICH DEBATE.
Walkers has kicked off a marketing campaign to help retailers win at lunchtime, called #crispIN or #crispOUT. The conversational and disruptive campaign seeks to reignite the age-old British debate around the crisp sandwich across multiple channels, as the brand encourages consumers to share their opinions on their lunchtime and sandwich habits. The
#crispIn
or
#crispOut
advertising
campaign launched on Friday and be active for nine weeks until 20 June. Lunch is the number one snacking moment across the day and is responsible for 40% of all salty snacks consumption [Kantar, Jul 2020].
ultimately link the discussion to the Walkers brand. “Regardless of how shoppers enjoy this
Since sandwiches and crisps go hand in hand,
lunchtime
says Walkers, this campaign will encourage
encourage them to pause and think about how
combination,
the
campaign
will
people to grab a bag of their favourite Walkers
their Walkers choice can add the flavourful
crisps with their lunch. With 78% of Brits already
crunch their sandwiches have been missing.”
enjoying the occasional bag of crisps with their
The campaign will be rolled out across TV,
sandwiches [Forge Research, Jun 2020], the
social and PR. It will feature social media content
company sees a huge category opportunity to
from A-list celebrities.
celebrate the love of the classic sandwich and crisp combination.
As well as being inspired to create their own #crispIn or #crispOut sandwiches at home,
Philippa Pennington, Marketing Manager
consumers will have the ability to experience the
at Walkers, comments: “We all know that
choice in Subway stores across England, Wales,
sandwiches and crisps are a match made in
Scotland and Northern Ireland. In a first of its kind
heaven, but there remains a very real, very
collaboration between Walkers and the sandwich
heated debate about whether you should enjoy
franchise Subway, Subway guests will be asked
your crisps in or out of your sarnie! By tapping
‘WhichWay’ they want their Sub when ordering
into the controversial (but fun!) world of the crisp
in-store until 25 May, and will able to choose to
sandwich debate, Walkers will be encouraging
add Walkers Ready Salted Crisps as a topping
the nation to voice their thoughts – whether that
on any Sub, wrap or salad from an extra 20p to
be #crispIN or #crispOUT of the sandwich – and
create a #crispIN meal.
26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 52 / WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – GRAZE TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
GRAZE HITS SMALL SCREEN FOR FIRST TIME
UNILEVER BRAND GRAZE HAS UNVEILED ITS FIRST EVER TV AD AS PART OF A £5M CAMPAIGN AIMING TO REACH 80% OF THE UK ADULT POPULATION.
Healthy
snacking
pioneer
graze
has
launched its first ever TV ad for its retail
Pia Villa, Chief Brand Officer at graze, commented: “We’re on a mission to
range as part of a £5m media value plan for
reimagine snacking and we won’t settle for just
2021 – the brand’s biggest investment to date.
great ideas, we want graze ideas! For us it’s not
The Unilever brand aired on TV screens earlier
enough to be merely healthier than unhealthy
this month with the ad set to reach around 40
snacks, we want our snacks to be as healthy as
million shoppers, equating to 80% of UK adults,
they can possibly be, whilst never compromising
as it looks to recruit new grazers.
on taste.
The first burst will run until July and gives
“With health front of mind and more people
shoppers a behind the scenes glimpse into the
looking for healthier snacking alternatives, now
work going on at the graze HQ, hosted by graze’s
is the right time for us to be ramping up the
Chief Eating Officer (CEO) – a squirrel.
awareness of our graze retail range. This new
The ad features the brand’s Cocoa Vanilla
campaign will see us reach 80% of UK adults,
Protein Oat Bites which graze says contain 45%
helping us on our mission to grow our loyal fan
less sugar than the average cereal bar, while
base of grazers by highlighting how we can help
maintaining great taste.
them enjoy healthy living every day.”
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – ROBINSONS TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
ROBINSONS TARGETS FRUITY SUMMER WITH £6.4M CAMPAIGN ROBINSONS IS LAUNCHING A NEW DESIGN AND A ‘LET THERE BE FRUIT’ SUMMER CAMPAIGN INCLUDING TV, RADIO, DIGITAL, OUT OF HOME AND IN-STORE ACTIVATION.
Robinsons is launching a £6.4m ‘Let There
Phil Sanders, Out Of Home Commercial
Be Fruit’ campaign that will run throughout the
Director for Britvic, comments: “Research shows
summer to encourage shoppers to liven up their
that the number one need state for dilutes is
tap water.
taste [Kantar, Feb 2021]. The ‘Let There Be
The campaign includes TV, radio, digital,
Fruit’ campaign will reinforce the messaging
out-of-home and in-store activation. It runs from
that Robinsons livens up the water occasion
this month until September 2021, uniting the
with great taste and real fruit. The campaign will
full Robinsons portfolio, including Robinsons
also ensure that Robinsons is front of mind for
Squash, Minis and Fruit Creations.
shoppers when in store, and every product in the
The marketing drive will also include a
range will benefit.”
refreshed pack design across the Robinsons squash range with the depiction of fruit more prominent,
enhancing
the
brand’s
flavour
credentials. The 1L double concentrate packs will feature bolder messaging highlighting their double strength and the number of serves the liquid provides. The TV ad kicked off earlier this month and saw Robinsons squash back on screens for the first time in four years. Three versions of the ad will look at the day-to-day routines of people and the situations they encounter. The first ad features 1L Orange, Apple & Blackcurrant and Summer Fruits squash, while the second will hero Robinsons Fruit Creations Peach & Raspberry and the third will focus on Minis. Throughout the ads the Robinsons range and the ‘Let there be Fruit’ slogan is championed by children to liven up everyday occurrences.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29
SUMMER CHOICES. SUMMER SALES. 5M
£
TO
R E C AT E G O
T
H
Y*
RED
ADDED
NGE RA
LL 250ml BU
*SPORTS & ENERGY CATEGORY. SOURCE: NIELSEN SCANTRACK, SPORTS & ENERGY, LATEST 26 WEEKS TO W.E. 16.01.21).
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – RUSTLERS COOK IN BOX TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
RUSTLERS DEBUTS ‘COOK IN BOX’ CONCEPT
RUSTLERS HAS LAUNCHED A ‘COOK IN BOX’ CONCEPT THAT LETS CONSUMERS HEAT THE BURGER WITHOUT EVEN OPENING THE BOX, ELIMINATING MESSY PREP.
Following the successful launch of its new range
Rustlers All Day Breakfast Sausage Muffin,
of food-to-go equipment solutions, Rustlers is
worth almost £2m in convenience and with
aiming to help retailers grow their hot food to
22.2% growth YoY across independents and
go sales with an innovative new ‘Cook in Box’
37.5% total market [Nielsen, Mar 2021], will be
solution.
available in the innovative format, served with
Rolling out this month across the convenience channel, Rustlers Cook in Box lets shoppers heat
cheese and brown sauce (RSP £2.50), aimed at the breakfast occasion.
a fully assembled burger without even opening
New to the Rustlers range, and available
the pack, eliminating any messy preparation
exclusively as ‘Cook in Box’, the Supreme Cheese
whilst also acting as a product carrier to enable
Melt burger topped with Rustlers’ signature sauce
easy consumption on the go.
(RSP £2.50) will cater for lunchtime and evening shoppers. Retailers interested in Rustlers’ food to go solutions can book a consultation by emailing foodtogo@kepak.com.
Cook In Box Range Q Rustlers All Day Breakfast Sausage Muffin (RSP £2.50) Q Supreme Cheese Melt Burger (RSP £2.50) - NEW
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31
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NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM
UNBORING CHOICE
BEEFEATER GOES RTD
SUMMER BLOSSOM
Rubicon is launching two new
Beefeater is unveiling three
Treasury Wine Estates is
products, Rubicon Raspberry
new RTD cans: Beefeater
launching a new pack design
& Pineapple Sparkling and
London Dry Gin & Tonic,
for its Blossom Hill varietals
Rubicon Spring Pineapple
Beefeater Pink Strawberry Gin
portfolio next month to recruit
Passion in 330ml, 500ml and
& Tonic and Beefeater Blood
new and younger consumers
2l. The launch is supported by
Orange & Tonic. The 25cl
into the wine category and
a ‘Make The Unboring Choice’
slimline cans have an ABV of
attract new audiences to the
comms investment strategy.
4.9% and are available now.
Blossom Hill brand.
RSPs: 69p to £1.49
RSP: £2
RSP: £6
GOOD NEW LOOK
HANCOCK’S MIX
POUCH PERFECT
Goodfella’s is rolling-out
Confectionery wholesaler
Ritter Sport has launched
updated packaging across its
Hancocks has expanded
the brand’s first ever sharing
entire pizza portfolio, as the
its pick and mix range in
pouch. The Mini Chocolate
brand looks to reinforce its
preparation for the relaxation
Mix Pouch features nine
‘Made With Respect’ platform.
of Covid regulations. The
individually–wrapped mini bars
Packs embed the Italian-
new confectionery includes
(150g) in a variety of flavours,
American brand positioning
something for all ages with
while Mini Nut Selection Pouch
with a strong, block design and
gummy fruits, mallow treats
has seven mini bars (116g).
put product imagery to the fore.
and vegetarian sweets.
RSP £2.50 (£2 at launch)
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33
R E T A I L L I A RET TH E W EE K IN
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ALDI WINS THE L O T T E RY TERY
SUSTAINABILITY
M O L SO N C L A IM S G R E E N FI R ST BR EW ER FI RS T TO RE LY 100% O N W IN D POW ER
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Issue 49 Wednesday 31st March 2021
Symbol Partner:
NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…
OUT THE BOX MOLSON COORS
MOLSON COORS RINGS THE CHANGES
Molson Coors’ sustainability strategy In 2019, Molson Coors joined the New Plastics Economy
MOLSON COORS IS REMOVING PLASTIC RINGS ON ALL ITS BRANDS
Global Commitment, an
IN FAVOUR OF FULLY RECYCLABLE CARDBOARD SLEEVES FOR CAN
initiative led by the Ellen
MULTIPACKS.
MacArthur Foundation in collaboration with UN
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Molson Coors Beverage Company is ditching plastic rings on can multipacks in the UK.
AND REPLACING THEM WITH WHAT? Fully recyclable and cardboard sleeves.
sustainable
ON WHICH PRODUCTS? All of its major brands, including Carling and Coors.
WHY NOW? The company had previously committed to removing all singleuse plastic from Carling and Coors packaging by the end of this month, following the introduction of recyclable cardboard large-format multipacks in 2020.
GO ON... HOW MUCH PLASTIC HAS IT SAVED? 700 tonnes, apparently.
WHAT’S THE NEW PACKAGING LIKE? Produced by the American paper-
Environment, and set out a
based solutions supplier Graphic Packaging International, the one-piece cartonboard wrap features a shaped interior design that securely holds the cans, as well as a locking mechanism so that adhesive isn’t required to keep the box closed. It’s made from renewable wood fibres from certified sources and includes “up to 17% recycled cartonboard, alongside virgin fibre for increased strength, improved machineability and stability in the supply chain”.
global sustainable packaging strategy, including four clear 2025 goals: Q Make 100% of plastic packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable Q Incorporate at least 30% recycled content in plastic packaging Q Improve recycling infrastructure and support a better recycling system for communities, government and industries
NICE. ANY OTHER INITIATIVES?
Q Reduce carbon emissions from packaging by 26%.
In March, the firm began trialling low-carbon, circular-economy glass beer bottles for its Staropramen brand. The trial produced two million bottles, manufactured using biofuel and made entirely from cullet – that’s recycled or waste glass to you and me. This reduces the carbon impact of bottle production by up to 90%. The company also recently announced that it has become the first major brewer in the UK to produce all of its beers and ciders using 100% renewable electricity.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35
SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic. Grocery colleagues have access to:
“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.” - Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President
Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry. Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.
GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us:
BEFORE YOU GO...
RETAIL RANDOMS #FREECUTHBERT
ALDI’S COPYCAT-ERPILLAR GETS IT TIGHT FROM M&S The discounter’s timehonoured habit of making blatant copycat versions of big brand products seems to have done them very little harm so far – and even sometimes turns into something positive, as happened during the whole Aldi/BrewDog fiasco a while back. But M&S doesn’t appear to share the same sense of humour as BrewDog and has spat the dummy over Aldi’s Cuthbert The Caterpillar cake – which bears more than a passing resemblance to M&S’s Colin The Caterpillar cake. M&S has begun legal action, lodging an intellectual property claim with the High Court. Naturally Aldi took to Twitter with some proper ‘ouch’ Tweets and the spat has rolled on. The latest development
sees Aldi challenging M&S to drop the case and instead donate the money it will save by not hiring expensive lawyers to charity.
IN THE LINE OF COLIN
Maintaining the Aldi/M&S battle theme and aimed at all the Lie of Duty Fans out there, here’s what actually happened at the end of last week’s cliff-hanger episode. Apparently.
WEDNESDAY 21ST APRIL 2021 / ISSUE 52 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 37
More than meets the eye!
B awarrand eness Our delicious snowballs and teacakes have been family favourites for 90 years. Following 2019's TV campaign, awareness is at its highest level ever, with 76% of Scots surveyed saying they liked Lees Snowballs and 44% buying Lees products every month. There’s never been a better time to stock up.
Scotland loves Lees 01236 441 600
sales@leesofscotland.co.uk *Source: JLral. Post TV Campaign Evaluation- Sept 2019 **Refers to Scots who viewed the 2019 TV ad
76%
**
of Scots like Lees Snowballs
