The Week in Retail 67

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

AC CESS TO CASH

LOTTERY TERMINAL ATM REVOLUTION? ITALIAN MODEL COULD REVOLUTIONISE ACCESS TO CASH DRIVER SHORTAGE

BESTWAY OPENS CASH & CARRY TO ALL

BESTWAY CUSTOMERS GRANTED ACCESS TO DEPOTS FERRERO NPD WAVE EMPTY STORES GROW 4-DAY WEEK TRIALS

HOME DELIVERY

HOME DELIVERY RY CUSTOMERS ‘SPEND MORE’

36% BIGGER BASKETS, 128% MORE SPEND

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A true revolution?

The word ‘revolution’ is a tired shadow of its original self, frequently applied to all sorts of things that patently are not revolutionary. But the prospect of Lottery terminals becoming ATMs probably just about squeaks into a legitimate use of the ‘R’ word.

Access to cash is a hot topic at the moment, particularly when it comes to a community level and how hard it can be for shoppers in certain areas to actually get their hands on a few quid in cold, hard cash when they need it. Banks (and their ATMs) are disappearing like now off a dyke and free-to-use ATMs, like giant pandas, are becoming an endangered species.

So the prospect of a solution that could potentially put ATMs into every store with a Lottery terminal is a game-changer. A revolution, if you like.

Zurich-based fintech company Sonect provides a rather neat platform that makes financial services easily accessible for anyone, anywhere. The company

plans to resolve the access to cash problem in the UK using National Lottery terminals. And this isn’t a pipe dream. They’re already doing it in Italy and will turn 35,000 Lottery terminal into ATMs. With the UK National Lottery licence up for renewal in 2023, this could be the perfect time to embrace what looks like an exciting new opportunity which could have massively beneficial impacts for local retailers, and their customers.

Like all great solutions, it’s simple. Around 95% of the UK population live within a mile of a lottery terminal. Imagine all that extra footfall and all those extra sales opportunities. It’s hardly surprising but still very encouraging to see that retailers approached by Sonect have reacted positively to the suggestion.

So, it might be worth keeping an eye on Italy for the next few months to see if there’s anything we can learn...

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 4 AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 W W W.SLR M AG.C O.U K

6

10 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

14 ACCESS TO CASH

HOME DELIVERY

Bestway opens depots to all of its retailers and new research shows home delivery customers spend more.

With the number of free-to-access cash machines falling, will the UK follow in Italy’s footsteps and use lottery terminals as ATMs?

Sustainability-minded grocery delivery app Zapp continues its expansion outside of London, with a launch in Manchester.

9 Covid-19 update

17 Tobacco: illicit trade

22 Symbol spotlight: Nisa

Imperial Tobacco steps up the fight against

24 Picks of the week

illegal tobacco with a new website.

The latest coronavirus-related news.

13 Charity: GroceryAid

An increase in demand for its services sees

18 Shop vacancies

GroceryAid help more than 17,000 industry

colleagues in need during 2020 -21.

20 Sustainability: electric vehicles

15 Technology

Snappy Shopper and Central England

work together to speed up mass adoption

Co‑op extend their partnership.

of EVs in the UK.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

marketing campaigns.

The latest BRC/LDC shop vacancy monitor.

Seven of the Britain’s largest companies

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

A look at the latest new products and

33 Out the box: the 4-day week

New research suggests a 4-day working week could help increase UK high street sales by 20%.

35 Before you go...

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

GREGGS BACK IN BLACK Greggs has returned to profit in the first half of its financial year with a pre-tax profit of £55.5m to 3 Jul. That compares with a

DRIVER SHORTAGES

Bestway opens cash & carrys to ‘all its retailers’

Bestway is tackling driver shortages by opening up cash & carrys to all its retailers and allowing them to collect rebate rewards in line with its current structure.

£65.2m loss in the same period

incidents are linked.

All retailers within the Bestway Retail symbol estate are being given access to the Bestway and Batleys Cash & Carry Depot network with immediate effect.

Bestway’s Retail Director, Mike Hollis, said the move is important to ensure retailers can maintain consistency of service and keep their shelves fully stocked.

He said: “The last two weeks has seen grocery retail experience unprecedented disruption with some of the major supermarkets experiencing driver shortages and supplier shortfalls as a result of the ‘pingdemic’, which has led to shelf-gaps.

This move to invite retailers into our depots is also timely in supporting continuity in convenience retail at a time of need.”

Bestway has also confirmed that retailers can collect rebate rewards

WAITROSE SHELLS OUT

Devlin is SGF buying group boss

a year ago. Total sales climbed to £546.2m from £300.6m.

During the first half, Greggs opened 48 new shops, taking its total to 2,115.

ARMED ATTACK A store in Inverness has been targeted by an armed robber twice in 12 hours. A man first attempted to rob Laidlaws just before 10pm on Saturday, threatening staff with a knife. The next morning a man armed with a knife stole around £200 from the till.

Police Scotland believes both

Waitrose has partnered with Shell to install hundreds of electric vehicle charging points in the supermarket’s car parks, as well as doubling the number of Shell forecourt shops where Waitrose food is stocked. They aim to have 800 Shell charging points in up to 100 Waitrose locations by 2025.

Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF) has announced the appointment of Martin Devlin as the new Commercial Manager of PGMA, the Federation’s buying group.

Devlin has over 30 years’ experience in Scottish retail, working up through the industry from Branch Manager, Regional Business Manager and most recently in Head Office functions.

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in line with their current rebate structure. Tobacco and one day deals are not eligible for rebate.

The shortage of delivery drivers, which has been worsened by Brexit and Covid, has left producers and wholesalers unable to get products to shops. Retailers including Tesco and Aldi have started offering better pay and bonuses to attract drivers and prevent existing staff from leaving the industry. Logistics organisations are warning that August could be a pinch point as drivers take their summer breaks.

He has worked for Somerfield, Scottish Co-op and Semichem. More recently he diversified into the wholesale side of the industry with Booker.

He steps into the shoes of Jim Amabile, who will officially retire on 31 Aug after 21 years with SGF.

NEWS DIGEST

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

FURLOUGH PLUMMETS

HOME DELIVERY

Delivered customers ‘spend more’

The number of people on

New Lumina Intelligence research shows home delivery customers spend more

furlough in the UK has fallen to

and also have bigger baskets.

its lowest level since the start of the pandemic. At the end of

Convenience shoppers that use delivery have a 36% bigger basket than in-store shoppers and spend 128% more, new research reveals.

The Lumina Intelligence UK Convenience Market Report 2021 shows that the average convenience store shopper that uses delivery purchases 4.5 items and spends £24.09 per trip. In comparison, the average in-store convenience store shopper buys 3.3 items and spends £10.56.

Over half (52%) of all convenience store delivery orders are placed on Fridays (21%) and Saturdays (31%). In comparison, just 37% of all in-store convenience occasions take place on these days.

Deliveroo and Uber Eats are the two delivery operators that have the

highest brand awareness, followed by Snappy Shopper (6.9%), Zapp (3.6%), and Gorillas (3.1%).

Katie Prowse, Senior Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence, said: “Delivery is key to broadening reach and demographic. Retailers should focus on the key areas that outperform through delivery, for example, shoppers using delivery are 100% more likely to be purchasing for a daytime meal occasion or 500% more likely to be purchasing a gift.

Targeted messaging around key occasions and missions will help drive online footfall and boost sales.”

June 1.9m people were still on furlough, half a million fewer than in the previous month.

Under-25s are coming off furlough roughly twice as fast as all other age brackets.

PETROL PEAKS Petrol prices have reached an eight-year high after nine straight months of rises, says the RAC. The average price of a litre of petrol is now 135.13p, the highest since Sept 2013, as rising oil prices push up fuel costs. Diesel now costs an average of 137.06p a litre, its highest price since 2014.

MCVITIE’S MOVE

Ubamarket links with EPoS firms

A fresh bid to secure the

Ubamarket has formed partnerships with two leading EPoS providers, IT Retail Systems (ITS) and EDGEPoS, powered by Henderson Technology.

The partnerships will enable Ubamarket’s retail technology to be implemented across Nisa, Premier, Costcutter, and Spar stores, and extended across existing partners with EuroSpar.

McVitie’s biscuit factory in

future of a closure-threatened

Customers will be able to utilise Ubamarket’s ‘Scan, Pay, Go’ app to personalise their in-store experience.

Ubamarket boss Will Broome said: “We are delighted to be partnering with some of the retail industry’s finest and most forward-thinking EPoS vendors who recognise that the future of the in-store retail world is ‘frictionless’, with the choice of till-less payment.”

Glasgow has been made to try and save nearly 500 jobs.

The factory opened almost a century ago and an action group is proposing building a new factory on a nearby site. Pladis plans to close the factory in late 2022 and move production elsewhere.

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NEWS SPECIAL

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

Scotland to relax Covid rules

RUSSIAN RETAILER TRIALS ‘PERSONALISED PRICING’

The use of face coverings indoors and the collection of contact details to stay.

Scotland will remove the legal requirement for physical distancing and limits on gatherings on 9 August when all venues across Scotland are able to re-open.

However, some protective measures will stay in place such as the use of face coverings indoors and the collection of contact details as part of Test and Protect. These will be reviewed on a three-weekly basis to ensure they remain proportionate. The government will continue to advise home working where possible.

In addition, adults identified as close contacts of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 will no longer be automatically required to self-isolate

for 10 days from 9 August. Anyone who is double-vaccinated with at least two weeks passed since their second dose and who has no symptoms will be able to end self-isolation if they return a negative PCR test.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This change is significant and it is hard-earned. The sacrifices everyone has made over the past year-and-a-half can never be overstated.

However, while this move will restore a substantial degree of normality, it is important to be clear that it does not signal the end of the pandemic or a return to life exactly as we knew it before Covid struck.”

Russian retailer M.Video, part of consumer electronics retailer M.Video-Eldorado Group, is launching an AI-powered personalised pricing solution for consumers using its mobile platform.

Customers signed into the app get guaranteed discounts based on their purchase history and any other available bonuses.

The service will be rolled out to website customers

Frontline retail workers burnt out by the pandemic The majority (90%) of frontline retail workers in Scotland have reported worsening mental health since the pandemic began, new research reveals.

The figures from Scottish Association for Mental Health also found that younger people, aged between 25-34-years-old, have been the hardest hit.

Increased feelings of stress and anxiety is also commonplace, with 86%

of those surveyed noting a rise, the research finds.

Burnt out workers across Scotland will be able to access Time for You – a new, free service which offers immediate access to three different levels of mental health support, ranging from self-help resources, to access to talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy with trainee psychologists from Glasgow Caledonian University.

TECH SOLUTIONS

in the near future too.

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

C OV E R

ACCESS T

LOTTERY TERM

A Lottery terminal revolution?

Could the UK follow in Italy’s footsteps and use lottery terminals as ATMs?

I

taly is set to introduce a new access to cash solution, which will see financial platform specialist Sonect enable 35,000 lottery terminals across the country to act as ATMs. The company’s deal with Lottomatica and BNL Bank will see lottery terminals go live with cash withdrawals later this year.

Sonect says it is confident that this technology can provide a simple solution to the access to cash crisis in the UK when the fourth UK Lottery licence begins in 2023. “It would also increase customer footfall at many community shops and make lottery retailers the public’s number one choice for withdrawing cash freely, simply and locally,” the company adds.

TRACK RECORD Swiss-based Sonect already has a track-record in the UK, having been the only overseas company chosen to participate in the Community Access to Cash Pilots. As a result, Sonect’s new pilot cash scheme in Burslem and Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, has seen hundreds of residents signing up to a ‘click & collect’ cash service in just two full months of operation.

Ron Delnevo, UK Director of Sonect, said: “In the UK we’re under-utilising the potential of modern lottery terminals to provide a wide-range of services to customers

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of community retailers. The terminals can become a vital convenient local touchpoint for access to cash and other services the public have a right to expect on their doorsteps.

“This is far too good an opportunity to waste. With the new National Lottery licence award coming soon, now is the time to ensure that there is lottery terminal revolution when the fourth licence begins in 2023.

“Around 45,000 brand new terminals will need to be installed under the terms of the licence to be granted by the UK government.

We really need to seize this technical innovation opportunity in the UK to support all the local needs of the public and the retailers who serve them and, critically, to solve the huge access to cash crisis.”

WELCOMED The suggestion from Sonect has been welcomed by retailers. Richard Mason, who operates a Spar store in Burslem, said: “The Sonect solution of transforming a lottery terminal into my shop’s ATM sounds ideal.

It would enable me to offer customers cash free of charge, at the same time as buying their lottery tickets and picking up any other purchases they want.

“This is especially important after so many local bank branches and ATMs have closed,

making access to cash far more d time-consuming and costly. It wou win-win for Spar and the local com Adds Tony Riaz, who runs a O in Burslem, added: “This lottery t solution sounds like a ‘no brainer’ t already know my customers would speed and convenience of getting so at the same time as their lottery ti simple idea like this would be per guaranteeing a free access to cash in the UK.”

S T O RY

TO CASH

MINALS / ATMS

difficult, uld be a mmunity.”

One Stop terminal to me – I d love the ome cash ickets. A rfect for solution

Italy’s move to enable 35,000 lottery terminals across the country is seen as a simple solution to the access to cash crisis in the UK.

MOST UK COUNTIES ‘STILL RELIANT ON CASH’ Over two-thirds (67%) of all purchases in PayPoint’s

PayPoint will begin a nation-wide roll out of

network of convenience stores were made in cash

a new Over The Counter service for those who

over fiscal year 2020/21, new data reveals.

require cash in exact denominations, following its

The new research, which looks at cash as an overall percentage of transactions in its network of

hugely successful 2021 trial period.

Steve O’Neill, the payment services provider’s

28,000 UK stores over the financial year, shows that

Corporate Affairs and Marketing Director,

of the 48 counties included in the study, 43 have an

commented: “We’re also making more progress on

overall cash reliance score of more than 50%.

important issues like a cashback without purchase

The research reveals the most cash-reliant counties spread across the north of England, the West Midlands, and the devolved nations.

In addition, the data shows that 21% of people

solution that will roll out this year.”

He added: “We trialled it in 10 stores and the results were very positive. It will help improve access to cash for customers and, importantly, it

across the UK still use an ATM two to three times a

will offer retailers a commission model similar to

week and 64% of Brits think more should be done

an ATM. They’ll get paid for the service, rather than

to protect cash, rising to 67% in Scotland.

paying for it.”

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CHARITY

GROCERY AID IMPACT REPORT

More colleagues relying on GroceryAid than ever

G

Charity reports increase in demand for its services and helps more than 17,000 industry workers during 2020-21.

roceryAid spent £5m delivering emotional, practical and financial supporting the trade and key workers in the grocery industry to colleagues in need in 2020-21.

The charity’s 2020/21 Impact Report reveals 17,492 incidences of support were given to colleagues from manufacturers, convenience stores, wholesalers, supermarkets, distribution, sales and support functions.

The report shows 4,200 colleagues received financial support and more than 13,000 colleagues contacted the 24/7 helpline (+12%), with a 148% increase in relationship counselling, and 40% of all law advice sessions being about family law.

In addition, the report reveals that the charity received 3,737 applications for financial support, 1,327 children helped with school essentials, 416 working carers received a grant, and 493 colleagues received support through the Covid-19 fund.

TOP REFERRER Employers remain the top referrer to the charity for colleagues in need with the main reason for applications being financial hardship triggered by illness.

Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President, said: “We anticipated rising demand for the GroceryAid services and were able to provide assistance to record numbers reaching out for support. This was possible as a result of the generosity from trade in backing the charity through an extraordinarily difficult period. This has been one of the biggest challenges the trade

charity has faced in its 164 year history and the Impact Report demonstrates how we were able to accelerate our support available to colleagues when it mattered most.”

LONG WAY TO GO Mandi Leonard, GroceryAid Welfare Director, added: ‘‘‘We still have a long way to go for financial and emotional recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Covid-19 Fund remains open for those who need mental health support, financial grants and bereavement financial assistance. We know that normality for many of our colleagues is still far away. We will continue to be the rainbow after the storm and we are here for all colleagues in the grocery industry.” ● The GroceryAid Helpline is available 24/7, 365 days a year on 08088 021 122.

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SERVICES

HOME DELIVERY ZAPP / SOUTHERN CO-OP

Zapp continues UK expansion The delivery app now covers most of Manchester city centre.

G

rocery delivery app Zapp has launched in Manchester, as it continues to expand outside of London.

Zapp, which operates its own stores supported by employed delivery riders, covers most of the city centre, with additional areas being covered in the next few weeks.

Customers need to download the Zapp app to order from almost 2,000 products, including brands such as Coca-Cola, Red Bull, and Haribo, as well as local favourites.

Once an order is placed, products are picked, packed and delivered within 20 minutes. There is a flat delivery fee of £1.99 per order and no minimum order. For orders over £30, the delivery fee is waived.

Steve O’Hear, Zapp’s Vice-President of Strategy, said: “After delivering for tens of thousands of happy customers in London and Amsterdam, we’re excited to begin bringing Zapp to other cities in the UK, starting with Manchester.”

The service has been designed with sustainability in mind, employing an all-electric fleet, using a mixture of e-bikes and

e-mopeds. Products are delivered in recyclable paper bags, and the company has partnered with Planetly to track and reduce its carbon footprint.

Zapp, which has raised $100m in funding, has a leadership team spanning former employees of Deliveroo, Just Eat, Domino’s and Tesco.

Southern’s same day deliveries are all Wight now Southern Co-op is extending its same day delivery service, accessed via the Snappy Shopper app, on the Isle of Wight.

The delivery service, which was originally launched to residents in the west, has been extended to the PO30, PO31, PO38, PO39, PO40, PO41 areas.

Southern Co-op is hoping to roll out the delivery service, which provides

more than 3,000 products to order, to the rest of the island on 13 September.

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Matt Elliott, Retail Buying & Services Manager at Southern Co-op, said: “We know our convenience store colleagues offer their communities a great personal service so we’re aiming to replicate this with quick deliveries and a phone call to talk through any changes to their order.

“So far this has gone down well as we’ve seen a number of repeat customers.”

TECHNOLOGY

CENTRAL ENGLAND CO-OP HOME DELIVERY

Snappy Shopper, Central England Co-op extend home delivery partnership

S

Shoppers in the Midlands and East Anglia now able to order groceries online from 141 Central England Co-op stores.

nappy Shopper and Central England Co-op have extended their home delivery partnership following successful trials.

The agreement will enable shoppers in the Midlands and East Anglia to order groceries online from 141 local Central England Co-op stores and have them delivered straight to their homes in as little as 30 minutes.

The number of Central England Co-op stores operating with Snappy Shopper will rise to 200 by the end of 2021 after trials at 15 stores in Derby and Birmingham.

Consumers ordering via the Snappy Shopper app have access to more than 5,000 products including everyday groceries, alcohol and snacks and are able to request delivery seven days a week via an electric vehicle. All prices will be the same as in store with a flat delivery charge of £3 on all orders.

Mark Steven, Chief Operating Officer of Snappy Shopper, said: “Post-lockdown the demand for home delivery and the desire to shop locally is greater than ever and we are ideally placed to provide convenience stores with an affordable and

high-performing tech solution to compete in the fast-changing home delivery market.”

Andy Peake, Chief Commercial Officer at Central England Co-op, added: “We are also pleased that our work with Snappy sees products picked and packed by colleagues at a local store and then delivered in an environmentally-friendly way with our special electric vehicles.”

UBAMARKET AND CENTRAL ENGLAND CO-OP EXTEND PARTNERSHIP Central England Co-op’s new store in Worsop, Mansfield, will feature Ubamarket’s shopping app technology.

Ubamarket’s technology enables retailers to offer: AI-driven loyalty points and personalised offers, scan-and-go shopping, and

alerts regarding the environmental footprint of products.

The move follows trials at various sites across the retailer’s portfolio.

Will Broome, founder of Ubamarket, said: “We are delighted to be enabling the Ubamarket app

to correspond with the launch of the new Central England Co-Op Mansfield Road, Warsop store.

This clearly demonstrates Central England Co-op’s innovative approach with their new stores and is the first step towards a groupwide roll-out.”

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TO BAC C O

ILLICIT TRADE IMPERIAL TOBACCO

Imperial Tobacco steps up fight against illegal tobacco

I

A new anti-illicit trade website is part of Imperial’s ‘Suspect it? Report it!’ campaign.

mperial Tobacco has launched a new anti-illicit trade website as part of its continued ‘Suspect it? Report it!’ trade campaign to tackle illegal sales of tobacco.

The redeveloped website, launching on 1 September, is set to continue as a valuable resource for information about the illegal tobacco problem in the UK, with the site containing information about the latest developments in illicit tobacco via an updated news page and Twitter feed.

James Hall, Anti-Illicit Trade Manager at Imperial Tobacco UK, said: “Our aim is that this redeveloped site will help retailers to remain vigilant and raise awareness of the scale of the problem at hand.”

Imperial removes gantries from retailers convicted of selling counterfeit tobacco Imperial Tobacco has removed gantries from Bolton and Banbury-based tobacco traders after the discovery of violations of the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016.

Zeashan Muhammad Din, of AHZ News in the Breightmet area of Bolton was convicted by magistrates for possession of counterfeit tobacco after pleading guilty to a total six offences relating to 15 packets of Richmond cigarettes, nine packets of Lambert & Butler and seven packets of hand-rolling tobacco.

A raid by trading standards resulted in Din’s premises licence being revoked

by Bolton Council and he was ordered to carry out 70 hours of unpaid work.

In addition, Din was banned from being a company director for five years and

ordered to pay costs of £2,000 towards Bolton Council’s prosecution costs, plus an £85 victim surcharge.

Banbury shop owner Narinder Singh Malhotra, of Rowley’s Food, was ordered to pay back £75,000 after trading standards seized nearly 3,000 illegal cigarettes. Malhotra and the company were sentenced to fines of £2,450 each and ordered to pay £75,000, alongside £6,220.70 in prosecution costs.

The retailers will no longer receive sales support from Imperial Tobacco.

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BUSINESS IN

STORE VA

BRC/

Store vacancies continue to rise Shop vacancies have continued to grow, according to a new report, with big disparities in vacancy rates between the north and south

S

hop vacancies increased to 14.5% in the second quarter of 2021, from 14.1% in the first quarter, new data reveals.

The latest British Retail Consortium (BRC) and Local Data Company (LDC) shop vacancy monitor shows all locations saw an increase in vacancies in the second quarter. On the high street, vacancies increased to 14.5% from 14.1%, and shopping centre vacancies increased to 19.4% from 18.4% in the first quarter.

The UK has now seen more than three years of increasing vacancy rates, from the first quarter of 2018.

The report highlights the disparity in vacancy rates between the southern regions and those towards the north, with only Scotland bucking the trend. In the second quarter London had the lowest level of vacancies across all regions once again, with the North East also seeing the highest.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of British Retail Consortium, said: “It comes as no surprise that the number of shuttered stores in the UK continues to rise, after retailers have been in and out of lockdown for over a year.

While vacancy rates are rising across all retail locations, it is shopping centres, with a high

18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

proportion of fashion retailers, that have been the hardest hit by the pandemic. Almost one in five shopping centre units now lie empty, and more than one in eight units have been empty for more than a year.”

She added: “The vacancy rate could rise further now the Covid-19 business rates holiday has come to an end. The government must ensure the ongoing business rates review leads to reform of this broken system, delivering on its commitment to permanently reduce the cost burden to sustainable levels. The longer the current system persists, the more jobs losses and vacant shops we will see, hurting staff, customers and communities up and down the country.”

Lucy Stainton, Director at Local Data Company, said: “Vacancy across GB high streets, retail parks and shopping centres continued to rise in the second quarter, however the increase was half that of the same period in 2020, alluding to the fact that, like the pandemic, there is hope that we are over the worst. After an initial flurry of CVAs, closures due to consumer behaviour shifts and cost-cutting exercises, retailers are now starting to dust themselves off with cautious optimism, keeping a close eye on the rapidly

“The vacancy rate holiday has come to business rates

changing infection rate and the pa which vaccinations are taking pl two measures that could seriously d recovery efforts should they not g the right direction.

“Vacancy now sits at the hig rate ever recorded by the Local D

NTELLIGENCE

ACANCIES

/LDC

SHOP VACANCIES

STATS

14.5%

vacancy rate

180,000

retail job losses in last year

200,000

predicted job losses this year

could rise further now the Covid-19 business rates an end and the government must ensure the ongoing s review leads to reform of this broken system.”

ace at lace; derail go in

ghest Data

Helen Dickinson, BRC Company. With appetite for new space increasing but still modest, there will simply never be enough demand to meet the supply. The property market will be forced to think of more creative ways to utilise this space, to avoid exacerbating the already high rates of long-term voids

across our retail destinations which are not only unsightly and costly for landlords, but also have a negative impact on surrounding stores.”

Retail trade union Usdaw has expressed its “deep concern” over the figures and is continuing to call for the government to

work with it and employers to develop an industrial strategy for retail.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “With over 180,000 jobs lost across the industry last year and 200,000 predicted for this year, we need immediate action from the government to reduce rents and rates for high street retailers, alongside levelling the playing field with an online sales tax. The coronavirus pandemic has pushed many retailers and retail workers to breaking point, so we need government measures to be equally significant.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

S U S TA I N

ELECTRIC

ELECTRIC VEHICLE F

British companies work together to speed up mass adoption of EVs in the UK Seven of the Britain’s largest companies are working together as the Electric Vehicle Fleet Accelerator.

S

even major British companies, including the operators of some of the largest commercial vehicle fleets in the country, are working together to work to help accelerate the mass adoption of electric vehicles across the UK. The seven companies – BP, BT, Direct Line Group, Royal Mail, Scottish Power, Severn Trent and Tesco – are working together as the Electric Vehicle Fleet Accelerator (EVFA). The companies are aiming to use electric fleets as a catalyst to speed up widespread conversion to electric vehicles across Britain.

The EVFA, which grew from Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Build Back Better Business Council, has published a 35-page report which details how supportive government policy could help unlock private sector investment of £50bn in infrastructure and in electric fleets in the UK over the next five years.

If the government delivers on this agenda, the EVFA members have committed to converting their fleets to electric vehicles by 2030, and to buying 70,000 British-built vans by 2030 or sooner.

The EVFA report spells out detailed recommendations for action, immediately and over the next decade and by both industry and government. It is focused in four key areas:

Future-proofing the electricity network infrastruc-

ture: ensuring that price controls and funding measures reflect the scale of the challenge, the need to invest in the network ahead of need, and support levelling up with investment in areas the market doesn’t reach.

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

Enabling the UK-wide rollout of charging infra-

structure: fast-tracking EV charging infrastructure in the planning system, aligning with local authorities to unlock land for charging infrastructure, and setting clear funding frameworks.

Overcoming demand obstacles: increasing capital support for grid reinforcement costs, introducing minimum standards for reliability, safety and interoperability, and improving access to public charging networks.

Expanding the supply of UK-made vehicles:

providing strong demand signals to OEMs from fleets, setting increasing requirements for zero-emissions vehicles for manufacturers, and incentivising the second-hand electric vehicle market with VAT exemption.

Boris Johnson said: “I wholeheartedly welcome this commitment by leading employers to fully electrify their van fleets by 2030. This announcement will be a major boost to British vehicle production.

“The government is committed to providing the electric charging points and other infrastructure the UK needs as we build back greener.”

Jonathan Brearley, Ofgem Chief Executive, added: “We are already accelerating investment in the energy networks that support a step change in charge points. We are reducing

NABILITY

VEHICLES

FLEET ACCELERATOR

costs for installing new charging stations and building a market that will make sure that cars can charge at the cheapest possible time.

“We look forward to ongoing work with government, businesses – including members of the EV Fleet Accelerator – and the energy networks to ensure we have the energy system we need to support the electric vehicle revolution.”

Bernard Looney, Chief Executive of BP, said the company is also committed to playing its part. “We are growing our BP Pulse charging network across the UK, aiming to double its size by 2030. Working closely with government and partners, we can support and enable the transformation of transport in the UK,” he added.

In addition, Tesco Chief Executive Ken Murphy said the supermarket giant will fully electrify its fleet by 2028 as part of its commitment to net zero. He said: “Businesses can support the UK’s transition to zero emissions transport by switching to electric company fleets and helping customers do the same.

“If implemented, the recommendations in this report will deliver game-changing electric vehicle infrastructure for businesses and the public. We look forward to working with government alongside the members of the EVFA to achieve this ambition.”

Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, added: “With the right policy and infrastructure in place, government and industry can turbo-charge the faster rollout of electric vehicles built in the UK.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

PROMOTED

NIS

SYMBOL S

Fresh Thinkin

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

N

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.”

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

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 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

NPD AND MEDIA

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

COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR FLAVOURS GET NEW LOOK Coca-Cola Europacific Partners unveils new pack designs for Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Cherry and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Vanilla.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is rolling out

will see more than one million Coca-Cola Zero

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar’s new-look packaging to its

Sugar samples delivered to festivals, via digital

Cherry and Vanilla variants this month.

couponing, and when students return to university

The design features black lettering and the CocaCola logo has been moved to the top of the label on bottles and to the top of each can.

in September.

Martin Attock, Vice-President of Commercial Development at CCEP, said: “We know that our

The company said the new design was launched

refreshed packaging designs help Coca-Cola

to “provide a simple and intuitive” navigation system

Zero Sugar stand out on-shelf, and now that

across all Coca-Cola variants.

our flavours are included, the line-up looks

CCEP says the new and improved Coca-Cola taste

stronger than ever.

and impactful new packaging design is helping to

“Flavoured zero sugar colas represent an excit-

recruit new shoppers to the zero sugar colas segment.

ing opportunity for retailers – if growth continues

Research has shown that Coca-Cola Zero Sugar’s

at the current rate, there’s scope for an additional

new-look packs are easier for shoppers to find at the

£14m in sales this year.

fixture, which means the Cherry and Vanilla variants

“That’s why we’re distributing more than a

– worth a combined £25m and up £4m on last year –

million packs with our latest sampling initiative

will also gain from their redesign.

– supported by another £3m media investment

In addition, a continuation of the ‘Open That Coca-

to keep the full Coca-Cola Zero Sugar range

Cola’ campaign which launched earlier this year will

front of mind with shoppers, this summer and

target young adults from the middle of August. This

beyond.”

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

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

CARLING LAUNCHES INSTANT-WIN GIVEAWAY FOR FOOTBALL FANS The giveaway will see 20 customers win an at-home match-day experience bundle worth more than £4,500.

Carling has launched a new instant-win giveaway

pany, said: “After a brilliant summer of football,

for football fans ahead of the new domestic season.

anticipation is building for the new season and

Twenty consumers will find golden tickets hidden

next year’s tournament like never before. Our

inside special cans of Carling, which are designed

new promotion captures that sense of excite-

to look and feel the same as regular cans, that can

ment with an innovative mechanic that will keep

be redeemed for an at-home match-day experience

shoppers guessing until the moment they open

bundle worth more than £4,500.

the can and provide an instant moment of delight

The tickets will be stashed in special Carling

for the winners.

cans, inside promotional four-can multipacks across

“There’s nothing else quite like our Golden

retailers nationwide. The special cans will still look

Ticket competition on the market and the prize

and weigh the same as normal ones but, instead of

itself is a one-of-a-kind package that we’re sure

containing beer, their tops easily twist off (no tools

consumers will love. We’re confident this will help

are required) to reveal a golden ticket inside for

maintain the momentum of the nation’s football

an instant surprise and an unexpected moment of

fever into the new season and beyond.”

delight for the lucky winner.

Winners can redeem the tickets for a prize that contains everything a football fan will need to enjoy the

The promotion will run for 20 weeks and gives shoppers the chance to win a prize every week throughout the remainder of 2021.

season ahead in comfort and style. This includes a 65-inch smart TV, soundbar, TV Sports Pass, £1,500 sofa voucher, and £200 takeaway voucher.

On top of this, they will receive a one-year supply of Carling, a Carling football table, Carling beer fridge & Carling glassware fourpack for the ultimate football watching experience, best shared with mates.

Kevin Fawell, Off-Trade Sales Director at Molson Coors Beverage Com-

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

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

WAVE OF INNOVATION FROM FERRERO Ferrero has unveiled four brand new product ranges across its Kinder, Ferrero Rocher and Thorntons brands.

The Ferrero NPD team have clearly been busy

KINDER SURPRISE NATOONS

recently as the chocolate giant has announced

Kinder Surprise is launching a new licence for

the launch of four innovative new products across

its Kinder Surprise eggs next month featuring a

its Kinder, Ferrero Rocher and Thorntons brands.

range of animals from North America. The new

KINDER CARDS Ferrero is expanding its Kinder

licence, called Natoons, will be available across both single and multi-pack Kinder Surprise eggs in convenience.

brand in the biscuit category

There are 16 different Natoons animals to discover,

with Kinder Cards now

each with realistic features and ‘playabilities’. All 16

available. The UK launch will be

toys can be scanned by parents looking to unlock a

supported by a £1.82m media

set of activities for their children to complete on the

investment, which includes a

app developed by Kinder, Applaydu.

TV campaign.

The Natoons range will benefit from a

Kinder Cards come in

£3.2m media spend including a TV advert

single-serve packs con-

that focuses on the new range. In addition

taining two biscuits, for

to this, Natoons will also receive support

on-the-go consumption. It

across multiple channels including BVOD,

also offers shoppers with a treat for the whole family to enjoy during afternoon activities.

RSPs:

Kinder Cards T2 55p Kinder Cards T2 PMP 55p UK exclusive Kinder Cards T8 £1.80 FERRERO ROCHER CHOCOLATE TABLET BARS

digital and in-store media. A dedicated suite of Natoons POS materials will be available.

RSPs:

Kinder Surprise Natoons T1 (20g) 99p Kinder Surprise Natoons T3 (60g) £2.56 THORNTONS PEARLS Ferrero UK is expanding Thorntons’ boxed chocolate range with the launch of Thorntons Pearls in two premium flavours: Hazelnut Delight

Ferrero Rocher is bringing its iconic taste to the UK

and Salted Caramel Sensation. Available now,

chocolate tablets segment for the first time. Ferrero

the range offers shoppers an ideal sharing treat.

Rocher chocolate tablet bars will be available in

Thorntons Pearls will benefit from support

October. The 90g bars come in three varieties: white

across multiple touchpoints including TV, shopper

chocolate, milk chocolate and dark chocolate. The

activations, social activity and sampling, to help

launch will be supported by a £2.55m campaign,

make the launch unmissable to shoppers.

including TV and in-store theatre. RSPs: 90p

RSP: £4.50

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

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

WEETABIX UNVEILS ITS BACK-TO-SCHOOL CAMPAIGN Weetabix is continuing to support the cereal category with fresh investment.

Weetabix is returning to TV screens this autumn with

Advantage’ every morning when they sit down for

a £2m creative campaign designed to encourage

breakfast. Weetabix Original is a low sugar cereal,

children and adults to have a healthy start to the

and our entire Weetabix-branded portfolio is non-

day as they head back to school and work.

HFSS – so retailers can be confident we’ll continue

The campaign, which runs across August and

to fully get behind our brands in the years to come.

September on TV and video-on-demand, shows var-

“Landing ahead of the new school year, the

ious topical serving suggestions making reference to

campaign will present retailers with a golden oppor-

the easing of lockdown restrictions, including ‘good-

tunity to drive sales of Weetabix Original and

bye rule of six a-bix’ and ‘festival moshing a-bix’.

other fun recipe ingredients and help the nation’s

The advert is the latest in Weetabix’s recent creative campaigns, which aim to inspire consum-

schoolkids, and their parents, get the healthiest start to the day possible.”

ers with new, exciting recipes to show how tasty

Weetabix Original currently features an on-pack

and fun the nation’s favourite cereal can be when

football promotion in partnership with The national

paired with a variety of different toppings.

Football Associations, which runs until October,

Gareth Turner, Head of Brand at Weetabix,

encouraging kids to get active and help the nation

said: “This latest investment reaffirms our ongo-

to embrace healthy breakfast choices. Weetabix is

ing commitment to driving category sales and

also the headline partner of The Football Associa-

brand awareness at what is always a key period

tions girl’s participation programme, the ‘Weetabix

for cereals. Here at Weetabix, we’re passionate

Wildcats’, which helps girls aged 5-11 who want

about providing our consumers with the ‘Weetabix

to get involved with football.

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

NPD AND MEDIA

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

DORITOS GIVES CONSUMERS THE CHANCE TO WIN £20K The on-pack promo also offers shoppers the chance to win £200 every day.

Doritos has introduced a new on-pack promo across

nation to have fun, get creative and show us

its leading Dippers products: Cool Original, Lightly

their most elaborate and delicious creations with

Salted and Hint of Lime.

Doritos Dippers. We challenge you to Nacho Your

The promo offers shoppers the chance to win a grand prize of £20k plus an additional opportunity to win £200 every day.

To enter, shoppers have to share a photo of their nacho creations using the Doritos Dippers range on their Instagram feed, including #NachoYourWay and @DoritosUK in the caption.

Way to win.”

The dips category has benefitted from the lifting of Covid restrictions, as more people looking to get together with their friends and family for a barbecue or a big night in together.

Macedo added: “Our recent insight shows that at least four people usually enjoy these moments

Juliana Macedo, Doritos Marketing Director at

together, so we wanted to ensure our Dippers

PepsiCo, said: “With slightly lighter flavours than our

range catered for this by increasing the size of

standard range, they are perfect to complement dips

our share bags, in May 2021, from 230g to 270g.”

and nachos with a hint of great flavour.

“The #NachoYourWay promotion aims to raise awareness of this great versatility and inspire the

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

The Doritos Dippers promotion kicks off on 9 Aug and will end 17 Oct. It will be supported by a digital, social and influencer campaign.

NPD AND MEDIA

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

PERNOD RICARD CAMPAIGN TACKLES BINGE DRINKING The brand has intensified the efforts of its Responsible Party programme to coincide with the reopening of bars, clubs and restaurants. young adults that there is no fun in excessive drinking and to empower them to make the right choices for themselves, thanks to a peer-to-peer approach.

Pernod Ricard said: “The campaign aims to connect with the Gen Z audience by not shying away from showing the unpleasant, embarrassing and harmful consequences of alcohol abuse.

Featuring snapshots of what can happen when people drink to excess, the campaign appears to encourage them to drink more, before revealing at the end of the video the true message – drink more water.”

Alexandre Ricard, Chairman and Chief Executive of Pernod Ricard, said: “This ambitious campaign reflects the new digital dimension of our Responsible Party programme. By addressing young adults with codes that are specific to them, we will expand the reach of our message across many countries in an impactful way.”

The Responsible Party programme launched its first digital prevention campaign, ‘Sharing Good Pernod Ricard has launched a global digital

Vibes’, at the start of the pandemic in April 2020,

campaign through its Responsible Party initiative,

to continue raising awareness at a difficult time.

aimed at tackling the issue of binge drinking.

Over a six-month period, the campaign reached

The brand’s Responsible Party programme,

six million people in 30 countries.

which has been engaged in the prevention of

Pernod Ricard is not the only drink manufac-

alcohol misuse by young adults since 2009, has

turer trying to prevent alcohol misuse. In June

intensified its efforts to coincide with the reopening

Accolade Wines and Campari Group UK funded

of bars, clubs and restaurants. The digital cam-

Community Alcohol Partnerships which plans to

paign is spearheaded by a 50-second film.

extend its work programme to reduce alcohol harm

The campaign is based on the Responsible Party programme’s main drivers: to persuade

among young people and improve their health and wellbeing.

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

NPD AND MEDIA

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

PVM’S BIGGEST-EVER HALLOWEEN CAMPAIGN The confectionery brand will also add two new Chupa Chups lines.

Perfetti Van Melle (PVM) is set to launch its biggest-ever

videos that encourage consumers to get involved in seasonal

Halloween campaign.

activities such as pump-

The ‘All Wrapped Up’

kin carving and costume

campaign, which will

creation. The content

run from September

will then be amplified

across Fruittella and

on Pinterest.

PVM will partner with

Chupa Chups, includes £1m of multimedia support and new product launches to drive awareness during the event.

TikTok influencers for the Chupa Chups Charm challenge, which will see lollies transformed into metaphorical wands that

The first of these, new

once tapped on screens will let users

Chupa Chups Sour Lol-

engage in before-and-after Hal-

lies, contains 10 individual-

loween makeup and costume

ly-wrapped cherry-, apple-, and

transformations, using the hash-

lemon-flavoured pieces, pro-

tag #ChupaChupsHalloween.

viding shoppers with a trick or

Broader content awareness of the

treat option.

The second launch, which builds on the growing trend of por-

content will be generated through Snapchat advertising and interactive in-app filters.

tion-controlled pack formats, is a

In addition, vinyl-wrapped POS

300g tub, containing 32 individu-

digital displays at key grocery loca-

ally-wrapped favourites such as

tions will act as final prompts to pur-

Classic Lolly and Mini Lolly. The

chase for the full campaign duration.

recyclable plastic tub is in the shape

Jas Ghag, Senior Category and

of the Chupa Chups logo.

Insights Executive at Perfetti Van

The PVM field sales team will

Melle, said: “Halloween continued

support the launches with visits to

to be the most important season for

selected outlets that will be creat-

confectionery last year, that’s why

ing festive in-store displays using

we’re starting our activity in Sep-

Halloween-themed POS.

tember and investing heavily through our above

The confectionery giant will also be raising aware-

the line ‘All Wrapped Up’ campaign, including new

ness of Fruittella through a series of Spooky Sunday

product launches and in-store support for retailers.”

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 67 / WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

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

BACK TO SCHOOL

DEAD HEADS

BOXING CLEVER

Quorn Foods will be targeting

Dead Man’s Fingers has

Haribo has invested £4m in a

record Back to School growth

released three new limited-edi-

new ad for Tangfastics which

with a major multi-channel mar-

tions for its Spiced Rum. The

features two boxers who come

keting push, including a new TV

1.75 litre bottles come in three

face to face during a weigh-in

ad, on screens from 23 Aug. The

different flaming skull designs.

and – as usual for the brand –

campaign will continue through-

They launch ahead of a £250k

speak using children’s voices.

out Sep and Oct with Quorn Nug-

consumer awareness campaign

Launched on Mon, the 20- and

gets as the hero SKU.

that will visit 12 UK cities.

30-second slots run until 31 Oct.

BONEY BEER

CHERRY PICKERS

TOAST TO COAST

Beavertown Brewery has

Fry’s has launched new limit-

Peroni Nastro Azzurro is rolling

launched a new 4.4% lager

ed-edition Turkish Delight multi-

out an on-pack promo across key

Bones, described the com-

pack in cherry flavour. The brand

multipack formats offering three

pany as “simple and immensely

believes the new flavour will help

UK winners a luxury five-star

drinkable”. Bones is available in

retailers to tap into the growth of

two-night trip to the Amalfi Coast

330ml cans on the Beavertown

adult multipacks. Fry’s Turkish

for two adults. The ‘Win the Ulti-

web shop and has already been

Delight Cherry will be available

mate Amalfi Experience’ on-pack

listed in selected independent

from August in a multipack of 3

will run until 31 Dec 2021 across

stores across the UK. RSP: £2

x 51g bars. RSP: £1.49

a range of multipack SKUs.

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

Let’s create a great recycling experience.

LY EVER YM BAL O L I G

1M IL

E PURCHASE AR D ES

Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com

TE NU

PLASTIC BOT TL ON LI

The deposit return scheme (DRS) is due to come to Scotland in July 2022.

Make it easy with TOMRA, the global leader in reverse vending technology.

Source: Global Packaging Trends Report by Euromonitor International (2017)

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX 4-DAY WEEK

The 4-Day week...

With many countries trialling 4-day working weeks (without loss of pay) and some UK businesses already embracing the idea, new research suggests it could help increase high street sales by 20%.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

at combatting the headline-grabbing driver shortage by helping them attract new drivers – and it worked.

A 4-day week.

LIKE IT. WHY IS IT IN THE NEWS?

WHAT IS PARCELHERO SAYING?

More and more countries and businesses are trialling the idea to see what happens in the real world. So far, the results have been surprisingly positive. There have been extensive trials in Iceland, Spain and Norway. A comprehensive study in Iceland where public sector workers were moved onto 4-day weeks found that the move was cost neutral for both employers and the Government. Microsoft has trialled a four-day working week in Japan and has found a 40% increase in productivity.

BUT IT AIN’T COMING TO LOCAL RETAILING ANY TIME SOON...

No, but new research suggests that retail would benefit significantly from a move like this. ParcelHero, an e-commerce specialist, has just conducted research that seems to show that a 4-day week would increase high street sales by 20%, as well as benefitting the hard-hit hospitality sector.

GO ON… A Survation survey found that – perhaps unsurprisingly – 64% of UK adults support the idea and ParcelHero says

Head of Consumer Research David Jinks says: “Covid lockdowns have made us all re-evaluate our work-life balance. Far from costing the economy money, our latest research found that a 3-day weekend would lead consumers to increase much-needed spending in local stores and restaurants by up to 20%, bringing an extra £58bn spend to local businesses.

its own research has indicated that the introduction of a four-day week, without loss of pay, would give the high street a £58bn boost. Not only that, a 4-day week would provide economic and environmental benefits that more than outweigh the costs.

ANYBODY BITING IN THE UK? The Scottish Government. It has already announced a £10m fund to help businesses explore the benefits of a fourday week. And, most recently, Walkers Transport has launched the first fourday working week ever recorded in the logistics industry. The move was geared

“It’s not just employees and retailers that would benefit from the switch.

Employers have also found some significant gains. The move would also have significant environmental benefits.

Campaigning group Platform London says Shifting to a 4-day working week without loss of pay would reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by 21.3% by 2025.

“Admittedly, it’s counterintuitive to think that, by working less hours, the UK economy will expand but, over the past year, we have already seen how swiftly work practices can evolve to meet new challenges. Retail revenues could rise if consumers were given more time to shop and socialise.”

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

STOCK STOCK UP UP

NOW

LOW AND ZERO SUGAR SPARKLING SOFT DRINKS ARE WORTH

ON THE LIGHT TASTE OF

SCAN THE BARCODES

TO ADD TO YOUR NEXT ORDER. AVAILABLE IN PLAIN AND PRICE MARKED PACKS.

5

017726

170196 5

017726

170158

5 5

017726

170165

5 5

SCAN TO REQUEST YOUR POS KIT* ©2021 Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. All rights reserved. All brands are registered trade marks of their respective owners. Sources: 1. AC Nielsen Value Sales Independents & Symbols MAT w.e. 22.05.21, 2. AC Nielsen Value Sales Independents & Symbols Latest 12wks w.e. 22.05.21. *Whilst stocks last.

017726

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To find out more email connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit my.ccep.com

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

What do David Attenborough, Marcus Rashford and Elton John have in common?

This may be the first (and last) time you ever see environmental elder statesman David Attenborough, ageing prima donna pianist and singer Elton John and social campaigner/professional footballer Marcus Rashford in the same sentence. Enjoy.

What the three have in common is that they’ll be featuring on pairs of socks this Christmas to help homeless and vulnerable people in the UK. Social enterprise Stand4 Socks [insert https://www.stand4socks.com] have come up with the festive gift that gives twice.

For every pair of socks purchased, a thick, antibacterial sock is donated to a homeless person in need. The company expects to reach over 250,000 socks donated by the end of this year.

So if you want an unusual pressie for a loved one this year, you could do worse than this.

Show ‘em how it’s done, Amrit Anyone that knows Walsall Nisa retailer Amrit Singh knows he’ doesn’t do things by halves. Judging by his Twitter feed, he’s been taking this whole availability challenge seriously.

POS explaining to customers why you’re out of stock on some lines? Won’t be needing that. Bin. Amrit has also taken a forthright approach to dealing with the problems most symbol group retailers are facing at the minute around availability. He’s buying so much stock from where he can, in fact, that he’s invested in a forklift truck to unload the stuff. As you do.

Top retailing Amrit. We like your style.

WEDNESDAY 4TH AUGUST 2021 / ISSUE 67 / 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: