The Week in Retail 62

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

LEGISLATION

HFSS CLAMPDOWN BEGINS

AD BAN TO BE FOLLOWED

BY PROMO AND SITING RESTRICTIONS CHARITY

MADL HANDS OUT £160K NISA CHARITY’S BIGGEST-EVER DONATIONS

D ATA

CJ LANG DATA SALES FIRST

SPAR OFFERS WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DATA TO SUPPLIERS

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ACCOLADE BUYS LAMBRINI SMIRNOFF’S RASPBERRY CRUSH SUN SHINES ON KEYWORKERS

SKITTLES GOES BLACK AND WHITE WITH PRIDE Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 62 Wednesday 30th June 2021

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEW S AND VIEW S W IT H M E AT ABEGLEY@ 55N ORT H .C OM

HFSS: the end of an era?

Or the dawn of a new one?

So, the Government has confirmed a raft of new restrictions on the advertising of foods that are high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). We’ve known it’s been coming for a while and it could have major consequences for local retailers – but it’s the bit the Government is yet to clarify that potentially is of more interest and concern to retailers.

There will be restrictions on promotions in-store and also on where retailers can site HFSS foods. At a broad level, any promos that encourage shoppers to buy more than they intended to when they entered the store are likely to go. And BOGOFs will surely come to a end, at least in HFSS categories.

Similarly, in-store siting restrictions are likely to ensure that ‘impulse’ sales of products like confectionery and crisps will become a thing of the past.

And these are, of course, very complex issues with moral, practical and financial implications for retailers. The slow but steady crackdown on the product categories that once defined a convenience store has been going on for years, and more enthusiastically in Scotland than down south.

Tobacco, alcohol and soft drinks have all been

give the treatment already, to varying degrees of severity – and now it’s the turn of confectionery and crisps, among other categories.

As a general rule, retailers have a genuine and heartfelt interest in the health and wellbeing of their shoppers. Local retailing is more than just transactional. Supermarkets need to be seen to be doing the right thing. Local retailers more often than not do the right thing because they actually care about their customers. But should it be the local retailer’s job to police the consumption habits of their customers? And it has never been clear that restricting access to products either by hiding them or making them prohibitively expensive ever achieves the desired results.

At any rate, what’s most remarkable is that the local retailing sector is in better shape than ever to manage this latest challenge to some of its biggest-selling categories. Local retailing appears in remarkably good condition and, if the sector can successfully navigate its way through this HFSS challenge, it will be another important step in the evolution of our remarkable industry.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 23RD JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 61 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 30 JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 W W W.SLR M AG.C O.U K

6

10 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

12

JUNK FOOD PROMOS The Government announces new restrictions on junk food advertising but has yet to clarify rules on promotions or siting.

Proposed business rates revaluation changes welcomed as Nicola Sturgeon confirms SGF conference attendance.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE LOCALLY Nisa’s charity donates more than £160,000 to good causes in its biggestever funding giveaway.

9 Covid-19 update

18 Symbol spotlight: Nisa

27 Out the box: SalesTrack

15 Newstrade: Who Cares Wins

A new partner proposition and a fully

The Sun’s awards recognise and reward

updated rebate model offer two more

healthcare heroes, key workers and others

reasons for retailers to align with the

who shone over the last year.

symbol group.

17 Off-trade: Molson Coors

20 Picks of the week

Brewer’s £25m investment in its Burton-

Spar Scotland’s innovative SalesTrack project, which makes the company’s sales data available to suppliers, goes live.

29 Before you go...

In this week’s Retail Randoms we give

A look at the latest new products and

Innis & Gunn’s ‘Lager Line’ a tinkle and

upon-Trent site includes a new hard seltzer

marketing campaigns, including Smirnoff’s

uncover a worrying – if unsurprising – link

canning line.

Raspberry Crush variant.

between Scots, alcohol and ambulances.

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WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

HGV EMERGENCY

BUSINESS RATES

shortage of HGV drivers will

Proposed business rates revaluation changes welcome

have a serious impact on

HM Treasury is consulting on the possibility of business rates revaluations every

maintaining delivery levels to

three years, instead of five.

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has warned that a

stores, prompting the NFRN to urge the government to take immediate action to avoid empty shelves in stores. The RHA says it needs access to EU and EEA labour to address the shortage and has asked for the introduction of a temporary worker visa for HGV drivers. It also called for this occupation to be added to the Home Office Shortage Occupation List.

ASDA HOUR Asda has become the first major mult to make it entire range available for one-hour delivery.

TURING CASH The Bank of England’s new polymer £50 banknote featuring scientist Alan Turing has entered circulation. The new note contains advanced security features and, like the £20, incorporates two windows and a two-colour foil, making it very difficult to counterfeit.

The current paper £50 and £20 notes both cease to be legal tender on 30 September 2022.

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A new consultation has been launched

by HM Treasury, proposing a framework for moving towards three-yearly revaluations of business rates from five-yearly and simplifying the appeals system.

The consultation proposes a number of new requirements on retailers, including a duty to notify the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) about property changes that affect business rates liabilities – for example, structural alterations, extensions or conversions. Also included is the mandatory provision of rental and lease information – for example rent amounts and what it includes, agreed incentives, responsibilities and rent reviews. These

would need to be provided after events where these might change.

The consultation is part of the government’s review of the business rates system. In response, the Association of Convenience Stores has called for a move to three-yearly revaluations from 2023 to strike a balance between certainty for business and VOA resource.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “While we welcome the opportunity to engage further with the Treasury on these proposals, we do not believe they represent fundamental reform to the system by themselves. The Chancellor should take this opportunity to reimagine the system so it incentivises business investment.”

Retail food market growth to ‘slow sharply’ The unprecedented 8.5% growth experienced by the food and consumer goods industry in 2020 will slow to just 1.7% in 2021 before falling further to 0.9% in 2022. That the conclusion in IGD’s latest annual retail food and grocery channel forecast.

The key drivers will be shoppers economising and the eating out industry reclaiming sales.

This sharp decline will be followed by a period of modest recovery, says the report, that will see the UK retail food and grocery market grow by 8.1% to £229.1bn over 2021-2026. Recovery will be fuelled by rising employment levels, growing consumer confidence, economic recovery and the new channels and opportunities created by the unique disruption of Covid19, such as quick commerce.

NEWS DIGEST

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

PROMOTIONS

HFSS ad ban confirmed – but no clarity on promos or siting

LOMOND LEVELS UP Lomond: The Wholesale Food Co has reported that it has

The Government has confirmed new restrictions on the advertising of

hit 98% of its pre-Covid sales

products considered high in fat, sugar and salt, but has not yet clarified

during June despite 400 of its

promotions or siting restrictions.

regular customers still waiting to reopen post pandemic.

New restrictions on the advertising of products containing high levels of fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) have been formally announced by the Government, which has yet to provide clarity on what restrictions will be placed on promotions of HFSS foods and where HFSS foods can be sited in-store.

Under the proposals, products considered to be HFSS will not be able to be advertised on television before the 9pm watershed. There will also be a

ban on paid for online advertising of HFSS products. Brands that manufacture HFSS products will still be able to advertise online and on television, as long as there are no identifiable HFSS products within the adverts themselves.

There are a number of other exemptions to the ban, including an exemption for small businesses with fewer than 250 employees.

See this week’s cover story for more information.

During 2020, the wholesaler saw sales fall to 45%, as many of its foodservice customers had to close or significantly restrict sales.

PUPPIE POWER Vimto Out of Home has signed an agreement with Slush Puppie owner J&J Snack Foods Corp to revive the iconic frozen drink brand. The long-

Sturgeon confirmed as SGF speaker

term agreement covers the

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation has announced that First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will once again give the keynote address at its annual conference later this year. In her letter of acceptance, the First Minister said that she was “delighted to attend”.

This will be the fourth time that Sturgeon has spoken at the annual conference and is a clear signal about the continuing close relationship between the industry, the Federation and the Scottish Government.

It is expected that the First Minister’s address will highlight the crucial role the convenience sector has played in

across the UK, Ireland and

supporting communities throughout the pandemic and the key and ongoing role it is playing in ensuring Scotland’s recovery.

SGF CEO Pete Cheema said: “The First Minister’s acceptance of our invitation shows how greatly her government values the contribution our sector has made to Scotland and its communities throughout the course of a completely unprecedented public health crisis.”

The annual SGF conference 2021 will take place as a physical event at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Glasgow on 16 and 17 September.

rights to manufacture, manage, distribute and sell the brand Europe.

ACHIEVERS OPENS The Scottish Wholesale Association’s Achievers Awards 2022 is now open for entries. Absent in 2021 thanks to the pandemic, they will return next year to once again highlight best practice and innovation within the industry and highlight the people who keep its wheels turning.

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

Javid sets 19 July in stone

GROCEMANIA LAUNCHES ‘DARK STORE’

New Health Secretary Sajid Javid has confirmed that England’s lockdown will end in just a few weeks.

Lockdown restrictions in England “must come to an end” on 19 July, according to new Health Secretary Sajid Javid. Speaking in his first Commons appearance since taking over from Matt Hancock, Javid went on to describe the easing as “irreversible” and stated that both Ministers and the public would have to “learn to live” with coronavirus.

Javid hailed 19 July as the start of an exciting new era for the country and clarified that no date the Government could have chosen would have come

with zero risk for Covid.

His primary task, he said, would be to help bring back “the economic and cultural life that makes this country so great, while, of course, protecting life and the NHS”.

UK food and drink delivery business Grocemania has launched its first ‘dark store’ in the UK. The store in Kingston in London will soon be joined by a second in Twickenham next month.

The dark stores are part

Scots lockdown lifting on hold can receive. This reduced package is due to continue until April 2022.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is clear that measures in the March Budget have not provided retailers with enough time or support to tackle the core issues facing the industry or plan their recovery out of the pandemic and secure jobs across the sector. Many retailers continue to face an uncertain future.

“Usdaw is deeply concerned that full business rates relief ends today, leading to additional cost pressures that could push many retailers to scale back, cut jobs or collapse completely. This also coincides with reductions in furlough support.”

Local initiative to support local producers by digitally connecting them to customers.

The dark stores offer

TECH SOLUTIONS

Retail trade union Usdaw has warned that today’s reduction in business rates relief could further devastate already struggling high streets across the UK. Usdaw is calling on the Government to provide immediate assistance for retail, which was already in crisis before the pandemic, and work with the union and retailers to agree an industrial strategy to tackle future challenges.

In April last year, the Government paused business rates for hard-hit retail, leisure and hospitality firms, with almost 400,000 benefitting from the tax break over the past 15 months. However, the holiday ends in its current form today, reducing to a 66% discount for companies with a £2m cap on the support they

of the company’s GM

local retailers “a more cost-effective storage system, while typically providing consumers with a quicker, more efficient service”.

Grocemania lays claim to a first in the UK multivendor marketplace, with tailored pricing for every retailer and its own stock control system.

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C OV E R

HFSS ADVER

LEGISL

Government confirms HFSS ad ban The Government has confirmed the introduction of new restrictions on the advertising of products

N

considered high in fat, sugar and salt, but has not yet clarified promotions or siting restrictions.

ew restrictions on the advertising of products containing high levels of fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) have been formally announced by the Government – but the local retailing industry remains in the dark around what restrictions will be placed on promotions of HFSS foods and where HFSS foods can be sited in-store.

Under the proposals, products considered to be HFSS will not be able to be advertised on television before the 9pm watershed. There will also be a ban on paid for online advertising of HFSS products. Brands that manufacture HFSS products will still be able to advertise online and on television, as long as there are no identifiable HFSS products within the adverts themselves.

The restrictions on paid-for advertising will mean that brands can continue to advertise within ‘owned media’ spaces online such as their own blog, website, app or social media page.

There are a number of other exemptions to the ban, including:

The regulations, which are set to be enforced by the UK communications regulator Ofcom, are due to come into force by the end of next year.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We’re pleased that small businesses have been made exempt from these regulations. With social media, web sites and local advertising an increasingly important part of convenience stores’ marketing activity, we will now be making sure that there is absolute clarity on the application of these rules so that retailers who do have to comply don’t inadvertently breach these regulations.”

The regulations on TV and online advertising are just part of the Government’s overall Obesity Strategy, which also includes proposals to limit the placement of HFSS products in stores and introduce tighter restrictions on promotions, also due to come into force next year.

Despite the short timeframe until implementation, the Government is still yet to clarify important details in the regulations, such as the number of stores that will be in scope.

Lowman continued: “While we now have more clarity on the advertising regulations, we are still waiting for details of rules to limit certain types of promotions and to state where products can be sited in stores. These rules are due to be implemented in just nine months’ time, and it is already too late for thousands of the affected stores to make the necessary

“While we now have more clarity on the advertising regulations, we are still waiting for details of rules to limit certain types of promotions and to state where products can be sited in stores.”

S mall businesses with fewer than 250 employees will not be subject to the ban T rade and business to business advertising will still be permitted

Audio only advertising (radio / podcasts) will still be permitted.

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S T O RY

RTISING BAN

LATION

changes to their layouts. We need a delay to give retailers enough time to comply.”

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has accused the government of pursuing “headline chasing policies” that would undermine its existing plans around reformulation programmes to calories, sugars, salt and portion sizes.

The FDF’s Chief Scientific Office Kate Halliwell said: “The proposals would make it difficult to advertise many products that have been carefully reformulated or created in smaller

portions in-line with the Government’s own targets. For example, Cadbury would not be able to advertise their 30% reduced sugar Dairy Milk.”

Halliwell said the proposals signalled a lack of joined-up policy and concluded: “While we are disappointed that Government is pressing ahead with its plans for the bans, we will continue to work with Government constructively to ensure the policies are practical.”

The full details of the regulations are available here.

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CHARITY

MADL £160K GIVEAWAY NISA

Nisa’s charity donates £160k in biggest ever giveaway

N

Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity has helped retailers support local projects and good causes with over £160,000 in donations in its latest round of awards.

isa’s long-established Making a Difference Locally (MADL) charity has helped Nisa retailers support over 50 local projects and good causes with donations totalling more than £160,000 in its latest round of Heart of the Community Awards.

Following a successful initial round of funding last October, the Heart of the Community Awards initiative enabled Nisa partners to nominate a local community project to receive up to £5,000 of funding from MADL, with the emphasis in this round being on good causes that encourage communities to enjoy and spend time outdoors as we emerge from national lockdown restrictions.

Nominations were accepted from Nisa partners via a dedicated website throughout April and May and the winning good causes have now been notified.

The latest round of Heart of the Community Awards saw 53 good causes nationwide benefit from donations totalling £163,000, cementing the initiative as MADL’s biggest funding giveaway to date.

Winning donations will fund a wide range of projects and equipment including village fairs, sensory gardens at primary schools, kayaks for a watersports club, equipment for use by Scout groups, outdoor play and gym equipment and community growing gardens.

One good cause to benefit from funding of £5,000 was Penrhyncoch and Trefeurig Recreation and Sports Association (PATRASA), a committee of volunteers who help to maintain the community’s park and recreation areas, providing a safe, fun play space for children of all ages, as well as a pleasant space for the whole community to enjoy with a play area, inclusive activities and features that encourage nature such as bug hotels and fruit trees.

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PATRASA 1

NORTH BERWICK IN BLOOM

BURY AND WHITFIELD JEWISH PRIMARY SCHOOL READING ROOM

Clare Larke, PATRASA Chair, said: “We are extremely grateful to Lynwen at Nisa Local Ty Mawr for nominating us.

The team there are a constant source of support to PATRASA and the wider community; they are always willing to support PATRASA and have helped us immensely through the years through promoting and assisting with our events and fundraising efforts.

FALCON BOAT CLUB

PATRASA 2

“As a group of volunteers, PATRASA works hard to provide a safe and enjoyable space in our community for people of all ages.

“The park and play area have been especially important to our community during the Covid crisis; families have been able to use the park, giving children a much-needed chance to play outdoors, giving parents and grandparents a chance to exercise and play with their children and grandchildren, and giving everyone a place to take daily walks and to be able to meet up with friends outdoors in a safe way. “£5,000 will allow us to purchase seating that would be accessible to all, i.e. an inclusive seating space that has easy access for the elderly or others with mobility issues. We will not only be able to provide a lovely space for all members of the community to sit and enjoy the outdoors, but any excess will go towards the new play equipment which is so sorely needed.”

PATRASA 3

Kate Carroll, Nisa’s Head of Charity, added: “We received a fantastic response to our first round of funding last year and the feedback from good causes that have benefitted has been incredibly heart-warming, so we were delighted to be able to bring back the Heart of the Community Awards for a second round of donations.

“With many of us likely to have spent much of the last year indoors due to national restrictions, we were keen to support causes that encourage or help communities to spend time outdoors this time around and we again received hundreds of very deserving nominations.

“The Heart of the Community Awards have also provided a great opportunity for independent retailers to engage with local causes and projects in need of support and we look forward to seeing how the funding will really make a difference for their local area.”

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

Award-winning Teas

for

Four Generations Scottish Sales Manager James McFarlane james@punjana.com

NEWSTRADE

WHO CARES WINS THE SUN

The Sun shines on NHS heroes The Sun is partnering with Channel 4 and NHS Charities Together

T

to recognise and reward healthcare heroes, key workers and ordinary people who shone over the last year.

he Sun has partnered with Channel 4 and NHS Charities Together to make the annual Who Cares Wins awards the biggest and best yet. Backed by the Prime Minister, the awards will celebrate and thank all the healthcare heroes, key workers and ordinary people who helped get the nation through one of the most difficult years in living history.

This will be the first partnership with Channel 4, who will broadcast the awards, and see the return of the partnership with NHS Charities Together, for whom The Sun’s generous readers raised over £1m last year to get vital support to staff in their hour of need.

The awards were set up in 2017 as a way for readers to celebrate their NHS and healthcare heroes, and are now in their fourth year after being pioneered by The Sun’s late Health Editor Christina Newbury, who died suddenly aged 31.

The Christina Newbury Memorial Award is named in her honour.

The winners of the Who Cares Wins Awards 2021 will be revealed

at a star-studded ceremony later this year. The awards’ host, location and date have yet to be announced.

Victoria Newton, Editor-inChief of The Sun, said: “The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards has always celebrated our NHS heroes, and that’s why we’re so pleased to be partnering with Channel 4 and NHS Charities Together this year to make Who Cares Wins even bigger, after such an extraordinary effort by our health care key workers.

There is a crucial public interest in commemorating those who went above and beyond to keep us safe, and I look forward to celebrating the tremendous effort given by those people in such challenging circumstances.”

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “There can’t have been a more fitting time to celebrate The Sun’s Who Cares Wins Awards, and it’s great they’ll be even bigger this year – recognising more of our key workers and giving the public the chance to watch on TV. I can’t wait to meet all of the worthy winners in person, hear their stories, and give them my very personal thanks.”

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C AT E G O RY N E W S

BEERS, CIDERS & HARD SELTZERS MOLSON COORS

Molson pumps £25m into Burton Molson Coors is spending £25m on a new hard seltzer canning line and upgrades to its packaging facilities at its Burton-upon-Trent brewery.

M

olson Coors Beverage Company has announced a £25m investment in its Burton-upon-Trent brewery that includes a new hard seltzer canning line and upgrades to its beer and cider packaging facilities to drive efficiencies.

The new canning line will package the brewer’s 4% ABV hard seltzer brand Three Fold as well as support future innovation in the RTD and premium beers categories.

The investment follows the unveiling of a £5m campaign this month to support the launch of Three Fold, Molson’s biggest-ever brand investment into a new category.

Phil Whitehead, MD of Molson Coors in Western Europe, said: “The RTD category is the fastest growing in alcohol globally and, while it’s early days, we’re seeing strong indications that hard seltzers will prove as popular in Western Europe as they have in the US.

“This investment will allow us to scale up at speed and help our customers to rapidly respond to that growing demand from consumers in this quickly emerging category.”

Work to install the new hard seltzer canning line will begin in late 2021 and the first cans are due to roll out in late spring 2022. Molson Coors will also upgrade its beer and cider packaging lines which will significantly improve efficiencies in its operations. This work will also begin later this year and is expected to be complete by early 2022.

The ongoing modernisation programme has seen Molson Coors invest more than £100m in its Burton brewery over the past decade. As part of this, the brewery has been self-sufficient in CO2 production since 2018, the equivalent of removing more than 2,300 tonnes of emissions from its operations, is zero-waste to landfill and is now powered with 100% renewable electricity, as are all of Molson Coors’ UK operations.

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PROMOTED

NIS

SYMBOL S

Fresh Thinkin

N

Nisa’s new Fresh Thinking partner proposition and a fully update even more compelling reasons to join the r

isa is proud to work with multi award-winning stores including Pinkie Farm, Ardeer Services, and Greens of Markinch, to name a few, making Nisa the proven partner of choice for many market-leading, independently-minded retailers in Scotland.

And with a record number of retailers moving to Nisa Retail in 2020 and those investing in new and upgraded stores enjoying average sales uplifts of 11%, there has never been a better time to join us.

Retailers get access to best in class support through Nisa’s new partner proposition, Fresh Thinking, including retail expertise and thought leadership to help continually improve customer experience through instore solutions, category insights, store format innovation and expert account management teams.

In addition, Nisa’s new rebate model is set to launch on 28 June. Built on simplicity and fairness, Fresh Rewards gives independent retailers the opportunity to unlock up to 5.5.% rebate with additional benefits available for those with a Nisa fascia store. Retailers can see how much rebate they could earn by visiting the Nisa website.

Fresh Thinking also provides Nisa partners with access to convenience and symbol expertise through an in-house Insight team to help retailers truly understand their customers and their marketplace, access to planograms, marketing support, central helpdesks and expertise and the Co-op promotional plan. With recent industry recognition including

our Symbol/Franchise Group of the Year win at the Retail Industry Awards and the Grocer Gold Awards accolade for Symbol/Franchise Retailer of the Year, retailers can depend on award-winning support, access to an extensive product range comprising more than 13,000 SKUs and over 2,400 Co-op own brand products – all delivered by Nisa’s industry-leading supply chain.

Retailers have the option to operate under a symbol fascia: Nisa Local, Nisa Express or Nisa Extra; or dual branded, whereby a Nisa partner can maintain their own local identity whilst also benefiting from the strength of the Nisa brand. Alternatively, a retailer can choose to trade under their own independent fascia.

The latest format, Nisa Express, offers a dedicated fascia option for retailers operating in spaces up to 1,000sq ft. A choice of three format design options – food centric, forecourt and essentials – helps to accommodate the individual demographic and shopping missions of each store, with formats and ranges that are tailored for the specific market.

The Nisa format team works closely with partners and shop fitters to create the ideal solution for each individual location, and retailers can benefit from the bespoke service Nisa offers with an added incentive of a 10% saving on all new refits until the end of the year.

“Built on simplicity and fairness, Fresh Rewards gives independent retailers the opportunity to unlock up to 5.5.% rebate with additional benefits available for those with a Nisa fascia store.”

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D F E AT U R E

SA

SPOTLIGHT

ng from Nisa

ed rebate model launching later this month offers independent retailers ecord number of retailers aligning with the group.

Nisa provides a complete retail support package which comprises a strong retail focused team, an enhanced category management system, a bespoke staff training facility and a comprehensive marketing package incorporating social media and PR support, leaflets, point of sale material, a personalised Nisa FM radio network and national advertising.

A comprehensive support structure is provided to ensure retailers continue to push their business forward. Support comes from a strong field team including retail development

managers, regional retail managers and fresh food development managers, as well as an induction team dedicated to supporting new partners during their first 90 days with Nisa.

Partners can also support local causes through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity, which has raised more than £12.5m for UK communities to date. ● To Join Nisa complete the form or contact our development team on 0800 542 7490.

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

LAMBRINI

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

ACCOLADE SWALLOWS LAMBRINI

Global wine giant Accolade Wines has acquired the Lambrini brand from Halewood.

Leading global wine company Accolade Wines

Accolade Wines MD, Europe, Caroline Thomp-

has expanded its UK portfolio with the acquisition

son-Hill, said: “We believe this acquisition is a

of Lambrini which is, apparently, the nation’s

great thing for the industry and the consumer as

number one brand of perry [Nielsen, 2021].

we continue to invest in our partnerships, innovate

Created almost three decades ago, Lambrini

the category, and deliver products that excite the

will join Accolade Wines’ diverse and UK mar-

consumer. We are also delighted to announce

ket-leading portfolio of brands that includes popular

that the carbon-neutral status of Accolade Wines

wine labels Hardys, Echo Falls, Jam Shed, St

Europe will be extended across the Lambrini port-

Hallett, Grant Burge, and House of Arras.

folio, further supporting our ambition to reduce

The acquisition from current owner Halewood

emissions across the industry.”

Artisanal Spirits is part of an ambitious sustainable

Halewood Chief Executive Officer Stewart

growth strategy being pursued by Accolade Wines,

Hainsworth said: “The sale of Lambrini marks the

which is already the number one wine company

final stage in our corporate strategy to focus on our

in the UK. It is Accolade’s third acquisition in the

core portfolio of artisanal spirits with award-winning

past year, following the purchase of Katnook Estate

brands including Whitley Neill Gin and JJ Whitley

and Rolf Binder Wines in Australia.

Vodka as part of a larger emphasis on the gin,

Accolade Wines Chief Executive Officer Robert Foye said: “Accolade Wines is delighted to

vodka, rum and whisky categories from our 12 artisanal distilleries.”

welcome Lambrini into its portfolio. Lambrini has

Halewood UK MD John Bradbury said: “We believe

such a strong heritage and is loved by British con-

Lambrini is in capable hands with Accolade Wines.

sumers. We are excited about the role the brand

We will work closely with Accolade Wines and our

will play in our broader strategic growth plans for

customers through the period of transition to ensure

the UK and Europe.”

continued delivery of the Lambrini brand to market.”

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 62 / WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021

SMIRNOFF

PICKS OF THE WEEK DAVID SELLERS

SMIRNOFF UNVEILS RASPBERRY CRUSH The world’s biggest vodka brand is set to introduce a new Raspberry Crush variant to the UK. Smirnoff, the world’s number one vodka brand,

Nick Payman, Head of Smirnoff, comments:

is set to introduce a new flavoured vodka –

“The launch of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush is a

Smirnoff Raspberry Crush – to the UK. Available

big step towards further invigorating and adding

in wholesale from 12 July, the 37.5% ABV line

excitement to the vodka category.

features a new vibrant pink liquid with natural raspberry flavours and has an RSP of £16.

Smirnoff, a renowned and trusted brand, is perfectly placed to do this as well as recruit new

Flavoured vodka is experiencing the fastest

audiences to vodka. The vibrancy of the new pack

growth within the vodka category, having increased

and liquid, from its colour to its taste, will provide

30% YOY [IWSR, 2020]. The new bottle features

maximum shelf stand out and menu appeal for the

eye-catching packaging and aims to grow sales for

trade to capitalise on.

retailers, offering greater choice to vodka drinkers,

“The new launch provides consumers the

5.5m of whom say they don’t drink gin [Kantar,

opportunity to enjoy vodka serves at a wide range

Sep 2020].

of events, from casual, early evening occasions

The launch of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush will be supported with a £2.93m marketing investment.

to elevated experiences and get-togethers, and focuses in creating fun, delicious serves.”

“Smirnoff Raspberry Crush offers greater choice to the 5.5m vodka drinkers who say they don’t drink gin.”

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

NPD AND

PICKS OF THE W

TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEAS

SKITTLES SUPPOR IS BLACK AND

Skittles is once again be giving up its rainbow colours centre stage with the brand going black an

Mars Wrigley is to continue its support of Pride for the sixth consecutive year with a £550,000 investment. For more than half a decade its Skittles brand has given up its iconic rainbow colours to allow Pride’s rainbow to take centre stage, acknowledging that “it is the only rainbow that matters during the LGBTQ+ celebrations”.

A new campaign, ‘Recolour The Rainbow’, sees the brand re-colour four iconic LGBTQ+ images, restoring them to full colour for the first time ever, and ultimately bringing new life, visibil-

ity and celebration to each image.As in previous New York 1975

During Pride, only one rainbow deserve from Pride’s history. To help

years, limited-edition Skittles sharing packs have turned black and white with the colourless packs

available across convenience and grocery nationwide, remaining on-shelf throughout the summer to coincide with scheduled Pride celebratory events.

PRIDE SHOULD ALWAYS BE FULL COLOUR 1976 San Francisco

e n. That’s why we’v erves to be see one rainbow des To help fill Pride’s history.

During Pride, only lour moments from o.uk reco ow.c to ainb ours ther given up visit recolour LGBTQ+ archive, the gaps in the Rainbow.

w.

Give the Rainbo

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 62 / WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021

Taste the

The campaign is being supported with a £550,000 investment that focuses on experiential initiatives and the promotion of togetherness. In addition, there will be in-store activations to support retail customers and drive awareness of Pride and the ‘Recolour The Rainbow’ campaign partners, Switchboard, Queer Britain and Gay Times.

London 1971

D MEDIA

WEEK – SKITTLES

SE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

RT FOR PRIDE D WHITE

Recolour the rainbow

s this year to let Pride’s rainbow take nd white instead this month.

Victoria Gell, Skittles Portfolio Director, says:

For the campaign, the expertise of renowned colourist Dynamichrome was utilised to re-colour four LGBTQ+ archive images. The featured images are:

“Our Pride campaign is bigger and better every year and this year we are proud to be able to continue to show our support with this unique

A 1971 Gay Liberation Front protest

in Trafalgar Square

and important initiative. With this new campaign,

A Lesbian Strength March in 1985,

we are taking our rainbow messaging one step

including prominent activist Femi

further and restoring colour and awareness to a

Otitoju

community that continues to grow its voice.

“Sharing memorable moments is part of our

Photos capturing Pride events held

in New York City in the 1970s.

brand DNA. Skittles Pride packs are stand out on shelf and we are helping support our customers with disruptive in-store activations designed to drive awareness and sales throughout the summer.”

The images will be donated to Queer Britain, a charity working to establish the first national LGBTQ+ museum.

PRIDE SHOULD ALWAYS BE FULL COLOUR

es to be seen. That’s why we’ve given up ours to recolour moments p fill the gaps in the LGBTQ+ archive, visit recolourtherainbow.co.uk Give the Rainbow. Taste the Rainbow.

PRIDE SHOULD ALWAYS BE FULL COLOUR

PRIDE SHOULD ALWAYS BE FULL COLOUR

to recolour moments why we’ve given up ours deserves to be seen. That’s herainbow.co.uk During Pride, only one rainbow LGBTQ+ archive, visit recolourt help fill the gaps in the the Rainbow. from Pride’s history. To Give the Rainbow. Taste

London 1985

During Pride, only one

rainbow deser ves to be seen. That’s why we’ve from Pride’s histor y. To given up ours to recolo help fill the gaps in the ur moments LGBTQ+ archive, visit recolourtherainbow.co.u k Give the Rainbow. Taste the Rainbow.

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

NON-RECYCLED D-DAY

LAVAZZA SMASHES IT

From September, all plastic bot-

Lavazza has announced its 10th

brought back its Minis Get Mov-

tles of 500ml or less produced

anniversary as the official cof-

ing on-pack promo which encour-

by Coca-Cola Great Britain will

fee partner of The Wimbledon

ages children to get active by

be made using 100% recycled

Championships. The company

offering instant-win prizes across

plastic. Coca-Cola’s use of recy-

has also unveiled its Lavazza A

the Maryland Minis and Jammie

cled plastics in Great Britain now

Modo Mio Voicy, the first coffee

Dodgers minis portfolio of 99 cal-

saves 29,000 tonnes of virgin

machine to be equipped with

orie snacks. The campaign runs

plastic each year.

built-in Amazon Alexa.

from 1 July to 23 September.

SMOOTHIE FIRST

MAGICAL TOUR

SUGAR SAVER

Müller is launching its first

A new on-pack competition gives

Petits Filous has launched two

ever kefir product, Müller Kefir

consumers the chance to win

No Added Sugar flavours –

Smoothie. Gut friendly, it con-

a magical VIP Swizzels fac-

Raspberry and Apple – into its

tains real fruit and is low in fat.

tory tour. Winners will be able

Mess Free range. In July, the

It will be available in two 312ml

to explore the Swizzels factory

brand is also launching Mess

variants: Raspberry & Pome-

with up to three friends or fam-

Free in a single format to boost

granate and Mango & Orange.

ily members, and have a go at

its on-the-go offering.

RSP £1.30

creating their very own sweet.

RSPs: £2 / 65p

GET MOVING Burton’s Biscuit Company has

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

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:

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX SPAR SCOTLAND SALESTRACK

Spar Scotland makes sales data available to suppliers Wholesaler and retailer Spar Scotland’s innovative Sales Track project which makes the company’s sales data available to suppliers is now live.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

IT team and its traders have completely embraced the TWC technology and, as a result, the launch schedule has been met and supplier feedback has been fantastic, which means the onboarding process has been extremely rapid.”

CJ Lang & Son, the Spar Scotland wholesaler and retailer, is making its wholesale and shipment data and company owned retail sales data available to suppliers and stakeholders.

HOW DOES THAT WORK? Spar Scotland has been working with data and digital specialist TWC since last year to develop SalesTrack. For an unspecified consideration, Spar Scotland will now make its own wholesale data as well as data from its portfolio of well over 100 stores available to its suppliers offering them “a very clear read as to what is happening in the Scottish market”.

WHO’S USING IT? Since it was first launched, several key suppliers are now using the portal including Hovis, PepsiCo, Nestlé, St. Pierre and Coca-Cola. Regional suppliers such as Tunnocks are also on board.

IS IT A BIG DEAL? In a word, yes. It’s typically very difficult for suppliers to get an accurate handle on sales in the convenience channel.

Accurate grocery data is relatively easy to come by, but convenience data is much more problematic to both access and analyse. SalesTrack offers suppli-

ers a very valuable source of data that’s otherwise all but impossible to access.

WHAT IS SPAR SCOTLAND SAYING? Colin McLean, CEO, said: “Harnessing data in a way that gives all our partner suppliers visibility and knowledge of what is happening across wholesale shipments and at a retail point of sale will enable us all to work closer together.

Importantly, we wanted to create a system that is easy to navigate and interpret and TWC impressed us with their ability to apply tech in a way that is manageable, understandable and surprisingly addictive.

“We believe SalesTrack will deliver a range of benefits that include sales growth, more customers, greater loyalty and customer retention.”

WHAT IS TWC SAYING? Tanya Pepin, TWC, said: “We see this as the first step in a long-term strategic data partnership, where insight from sales data drives growth for Spar Scotland and its suppliers. The Spar Scotland

WHAT IS COCA-COLA SAYING? Kate Taylor, National Account Manager at Coca Cola, said: “We believe data is key in making decisions to mutually grow our businesses, through understanding how the retailers are working and how the consumer is shopping. As we try different instore solutions its vital that we can understand the impact of such investments. SalesTrack allows us to analyse basket spend, understand rate of sale impact and how we are performing against competitors, against our own brands and within off-shelf features such as gondola ends, FSDUs and meal deals.

“We are very excited to be able to get a category view as well as a CCEP view of performance and how use of such data will shape and focus the way we work going forward.”

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? Suppliers interested in learning more about SalesTrack can email gill.scott@ cjlang.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

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Event: 27th October Event: Event: November Event: November November 2021 2021 2021 Winners celebration: November

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT EVENTS@55NORTH.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION FOR FOR CONTACT MORE MOREEVENTS@55NORTH.COM INFORMATION INFORMATION CONTACT CONTACT EVENTS@55NORTH.COM EVENTS@55NORTH.COM

WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM @SLRMAG WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM WWW.SLRAWARDS.COM @SLRMAG@SLRMAG @SLRMAG @SLRMAG

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

Hello? Is that the Lager Line?

It’s human nature. Who can resist a challenge like the one Scottish craft brewer Innis & Gunn issued on billboards across the UK recently?

Launched as part of brand’s ‘If You Know, You Know’ summer campaign, the billboards invited consumers to contact a special WhatsApp ‘Lager Line’. While it hasn’t been made clear exactly what happened when they did, it appears that many curious consumers were rewarded with cans of beers and pint glasses. Which is more than you usually get for joining a WhatsApp group.

Live for just 24 hours, the Lager Line apparently also offered “an exchange with the award-winning brewer”, whatever that means.

HelloFresh for cats?

We don’t think we’re unveiling any closely guarded national secrets when we reveal that, as a general rule, Scottish people like a drink. A year of Covid and an early exit from The Euros has hardly helped, but even so, we were alarmed to learn that there are more than 230 ambulance callouts a day that are identified as alcohol-related in one way or another. Yup, 230 a day.

This astonishing fact was brought to our attention by the good academics of Glasgow Uni who have been analysing

notes taken by paramedics at the scene. While we are a little hazy on how many ways there can be of analysing notes – other than just reading them – the research claims that the new analysis method has revealed that the number of alcohol-related callouts is more than three times what had previously been reported.

Interestingly, alcohol was a factor in a whopping 25% of all callouts for patients under 40.

WEDNESDAY 30TH JUNE 2021 / ISSUE 62 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

The revolution will be digitised!

Ho me d e liv e r y | In tegr at ed Epos | Digit al loyalt y | F ri ct i o nle s s s o lu tio n s | Cust omer dat a | Amazon Fr esh a n d much mor e

CLICK TO READ ‘TECH & DATA I N LO CAL RETAI L’ NOW! One of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic has been a huge acceleration of the adoption of technology in the local retailing sector across the UK. While home delivery was the undoubted star of the 2020 tech boom, there are countless other examples of technology being used to either save money or make money.

So, with that in mind, we present our retailer’s guide to tech, data and why the revolution will be digitised. We hope you enjoy it and that it helps you improve your business.