The Week in Retail 73

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

RETAILERS

AMACOR EXPANDS

NISA RETAILER HUNTS FOR MORE STORES LEGISLATION

MINISTERS MULL GREATER PROTECTION FOR SHOPWORKERS FLAGSHIP CRIME BILL HAS SECOND READING SERVICES

PAYPOINT HELPS DIGITISE BENEFIT PAYMENTS

CLAIMANTS TO RECEIVE SECURE DIGITAL VOUCHERS

+ Brought to you by:

NON-COMPLIANT DISPOSABLE VAPES SPAR’S PARTNERSHIP WITH JET MOTORS ON APPROVED SALES MECHANISM FOR LOTTERY

UK’S FIRST CORK RECYCLING SCHEME Commercial Partner:

Issue 73 Wednesday 15th September 2021

STOCK UP ON

THE No1 WHISKEY AND COLA BRANDS 1

2

IN CONVENIENCE

For more information about Coca-Cola email Coca-Cola Europacific Partners at connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit my.ccep.com.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY Jack Daniel’s and Old No.7 are registered trademarks. ©2021 Jack Daniel’s. All rights reserved.Coca-Cola, Coke, the Dynamic Ribbon device and the design of the contour bottle are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. ©2021 The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved.

Sources: 1.Nielsen; Total Impulse; Value Sales MAT 17.07.21.

2. Nielsen Total Impulse value Sales MAT 17.07.21 (Coke Trademark = Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke).

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

Government leaves door open for a protection of shopworkers law The UK government this week agreed to “actively consider” whether legislative change is necessary to protect shopworkers in response to the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill’s second reading debate in the Lords.

How nice of the ministers to give the thousands of shopworkers, who keep communities up and the down country going, their time. But am I missing something? Violence and abuse against store staff is getting worse by the year with 455 incidents every day in 2019-20, a 7% rise on the previous year. And incidents have soared since the pandemic began as staff have tried to ensure customers follow Covid-19 rules. What exactly is there to consider?

An independent convenience store down the road from me in South London was forced to close early and remained shut this week after the entire staff ended up in A&E, suffering concussion and needing stitches, after an incident. Yet the owners were forced to apologise for the inconvenience caused to their regular customers, not the perpetrators or those who are responsible for setting the law that is supposed to protect them but clearly

doesn’t. What’s more, incidents like this one are happening many times daily.

It beggars belief that some politicians cannot see that the law in its current form is not working and that something must be done. If only they could all be like Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who has given his backing to the campaign for a protection of shopworkers law in England after speaking to many shopworkers over the past 18 months.

The trade associations and unions have once again done a sterling job of trying to raise awareness of the issue and get the ministers to focus on the problem at hand. Let’s hope they come to the right decision this time and the new Justice Secretary, whoever that might be, will have the issue waiting in their in-tray when they take office.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 W W W.SLR M AG.C O.U K

6

10 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

23 ON THE COVER

LANDMARK STORE OPENING

Despite launching four new stores in two months, acquisitive convenience retailer AMACOR Capital is still looking to expand further.

Trade bodies renew calls for greater protection for shopworkers and approved Lottery sales are on the way.

Nisa Retail uncorks the champagne as its 1,000th symbol store opens its doors to shoppers in Camden.

9 Covid-19 update

15 Illicit trade

24 Food-to-go

12 Services

PayPoint unveils digital payments for

Trading standards officers take thousands of illegal cigarettes off the streets.

What exactly does Natasha’s Law mean for food allergen labelling?

16 Sustainability roundup

26 Healthy eating

13 New stores

20 Forecourt news

22 Legislation

27 Picks of the week

benefits claimants with no bank account.

Spar opens two new forecourt stores.

14 Vaping

Boosting consumer fibre intake.

The government launches a new Call for

30 Out the box: drone deliveries

UKVIA calls for action against resellers of

Evidence on food labelling, in a bid to

non-compliant disposable vapes.

improve animal welfare.

33 Before you go...

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

A secure aerial comms system launches.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

SAINSBURY’S REWARDS STAFF Sainsbury’s will close all its supermarkets, convenience stores and petrol stations on Boxing Day to reward staff for

LEGISLATION

Trade bodies renew calls for greater protection for shopworkers The government’s flagship crime bill had its second reading in the House of Lords this week.

their hard work across another year marked by the pandemic.

Around 170,000 staff will have an extended Christmas break as a result of the multiple’s move.

MEAL KITS Almost one-fifth of Brits have signed up to subscription services, such as restaurant meal kits, research by Barclaycard Payments has revealed. The research shows that almost half (44%) of grocery food and drink businesses already provide a subscription service, while a

The government this week faced increasing pressure to commit to greater protection for shopworkers in England and Wales.

Retail trade union Usdaw has written to the Prime Minister urging him to step in and support a protection of shopworkers amendment to their flagship crime bill, which was due to have its second reading in the House of Lords.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “In Scotland, MSPs voted through a new ground-breaking law to give shopworkers the protection they deserve, which came into force last month. We are now looking for the House of Lords to similarly support key workers across the retail sector by

helping to turn around the UK Government’s past opposition to new legislation.”

The ACS, which briefed Peers ahead of the Second Reading of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in the House of Lords, called for the government to consider amendments which would introduce tougher sentencing to address attacks against shopworkers.

ACS boss James Lowman said: “We are calling on the government to take urgent and decisive action to consider amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill to create a separate offence for attacks on shopworkers and provide our colleagues with the protection that they desperately need.”

further 25% are in the process of developing one.

INFLATION FEARS Research from Retail Economics has revealed that more than half of UK consumers are concerned about rising inflation as retailers grapple with supply constraints. The poll shows one in three consumers have faced difficulties in getting the goods they need.

Shoppers report lockdown cash block One in five consumers have been blocked from paying with cash since lockdown rules were eased, news research reveals.

The research by consumer champion Which? shows that of those who experienced cash refusal, 16% were then unable to pay for an item.

Respondents were most likely to be unable to pay in cash when shopping for groceries, which accounted for onethird of incidents. This was followed by

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small purchases in shops and buying refreshments while out and about.

Jenny Ross, Which? Money Editor, said: “Cash is still a vital way to pay for millions of consumers, so it’s very concerning to see many people still reporting difficulties when trying to spend their notes and coins.

“Over 200 businesses have signed up to Which?’s Cash Friendly pledge and we believe more businesses should commit to continuing to accept cash.”

NEWS DIGEST

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

LOTTERY

Government to introduce approved sales mechanism for lottery products Staff who are 16 or 17 will still be able to sell lottery products if they are approved by someone 18 or over....

TRUCK DRIVER SHORTAGE PLAN The government has unveiled plans to merge the separate tests for driving rigid and articulated vehicles, and to axe reversing exercises and

The government has confirmed the introduction an approved sales system for National Lottery products following a short consultation in July and August.

The Minister of State for Media and Data, John Whittingdale, confirmed plans to ensure store staff who are 16 or 17 would still be able to sell lottery products if they are approved by someone 18 or over.

The news has been welcomed by the Association of Convenience Stores.

Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We now encourage the department to build in an approved sales system from the outset, should the Gambling Act review conclude that changes to age of play and sale for other gambling

uncoupling and recoupling from the main test, in a bid to get more truckers on the road.

LIDL ACTS ON BAGS Lidl GB is to replace all single use fruit and vegetable plastic bags with compostable

products like society lotteries are required. This will unify the way all gambling products are sold and reduce the risk of retailer and consumer confusion.”

The legislation to introduce the system alongside the full consultation response is expected to be laid before Parliament and published later.

bags, which are designed to be re-used as caddy liners for domestic food waste collections and are also suitable for home composting.

Lidl is also launching a trial plastic bag and wrapping recycling scheme across 12 stores in the West Midlands, with a plan to expand the

Wilko invests in robot delivery tech High street retailer Wilko is to invest £3m in the UK’s leading autonomous delivery company StreetDrone.

The investment forms a core element of Wilko’s long-term strategy to strengthen its omnichannel model, in line with the ever-changing customer behaviours that have been accelerated during the pandemic.

StreetDrone is aiming to deploy driverless delivery vehicles on the UK’s roads by the end of 2023 and is working

scheme if successful.

with UK- and European-based vehicle safety agencies on defining the standards by which these technologies will be allowed to operate on public roads.

Wilko boss Jerome Saint-Marc said: “One of the key reasons why we’re backing the team at StreetDrone is that this sort of transformative technology can have a huge and positive impact for hard-working families. Ultimately, it has the potential to reduce costs for customers when deployed in the retail sector.”

RETAIL JOBS DECLINE The retail industry has lost 89,000 jobs in the past year, new ONS figures reveal. The sector currently employs 3.015 million people, the data shows, and the number of furloughed retail workers currently stands at 106,000.

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

Hovis Soft White is the fastest growing major white bread brand*

Soft

Hovis® is ** Britian’s favourite wholemeal

Hovis® Seed Sensations® is the fastest selling major branded seeded loaf * * *

Hovis® Best of Both® is No.1 Half & Half product within Impulse ****

*Source data: Nielsen Scantrack Epos, Total Symbols/GB, White Bread Loaves by brand, Unit % Chg YOY, 52 wks to 19th June 2021. **Source data: Nielsen Scantrack Epos, Total Coverage/GB, Unit Sales, 52 wks to 19th June 2021 analysis across all brown/wholemeal breads available in Pre Packed Bread category. Excluding Private Label. ***Source data: Nielsen Scantrack Epos, Total Coverage/GB, Unit % Chg YOY, 52 wks to 19th June 2021, Major Bread Brand defined as greater than 3% of Pre Packed Bread Category Unit % share for same time period as analysis. Analysis across all white breads available in Pre Packed Bread category. Excluding Private Label

NEWS SPECIAL

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

Government unveils Covid winter plan

APP TACKLES SKILLS SHORTAGE

Vaccine booster programme to begin in England next week.

A new app is aiming to change the temp recruitment industry, as the UK struggles to fill thousands of vacancies.

TheJobApp allows businesses to find local shift workers who match their criteria and has a star rating to enable them to source the most reliable staff. The app offers a fully automated service managing tax and and customer service.

at bay, and in the next few months there will be the largest flu vaccination campaign the country has ever seen.

In addition, people will also be encouraged to meet outdoors where possible and try to let in fresh air when meeting indoors.

Javid said the government has a ‘Plan B’ that could be rolled out in England if there are “unsustainable” pressures on the NHS over the autumn and winter.

This includes making masks mandatory again in certain settings and encouraging working from home again, but these measures would only be used if they are “needed and supported by the data,” Javid added.

The app also offers to pay temp workers immediately after their shifts, which not only

TECH SOLUTIONS

H

ealth Secretary Sajid Javid has told Parliament that the government will be accepting the recommendations from vaccine experts to rollout a Covid booster programme, which the NHS in England expects this to begin next week.

The NHS will offer booster doses starting with priority groups 1-9 from the first rollout and will also offer a first dose of vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds.

Javid said PCR testing will continue to be available free of charge, as will symptom-free lateral flow tests, which identify a quarter of all cases.

The government’s new plan also includes steps to keep seasonal illnesses

NI deductions, payroll,

increases motivation, but also increases demand for shift work.

TheJobApp boss Lee Purvis said: “Being the only solution to pay staff immediately we believe is a complete game changer and will benefit both the employees and the recruiters.”

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C OV E R

ACQUIS

AMACOR

AMACOR to continue aggressive buyup strategy

A

Despite recently launching four new stores in two months, the Bury-based convenience chain is looking to expand further.

cquisitive convenience retailer AMACOR Capital four stores, each in a very short spell of time and the team has is on the hunt for convenience stores to add to done incredibly well to get all stores integrated and trading its 16-strong chain. under the Nisa fascia.

The company was established in 2018 by Kevin Amphlett “We are delighted to add these sites to our growing estate and Martin Corban who joined forces to invest in the and look forward to serving the local communities.” fast-growing retail convenAMACOR says it has ience sector. Chairman “clear ambitions” to grow its of the Board and AMAportfolio of stores to 20 by the COR’s principal invesDESIRED ATTRIBUTES end of the year. tor, Amphlett had a long Wilson added: “We have a ● Retail convenience stores with a career in the private medhealthy pipeline and are actively

turnover of at least £25,000 per week ical insurance industry looking for new sites across the

(excluding services) ● National or local managed estate of before creating and buildNorth of England, Midlands

convenience stores ing a multi-million pound and North Wales with ambi● Trading in the North West, North East, tions to surpass 30 stores by company. Corban has more

North Wales or Midlands the end of next year.” than 30 years’ retail experi● Leasehold but would consider freehold opportunities ence following a successful Martin Corban, Manag● Solid relationships with suppliers and career with Sainsbury’s. ing Director of AMACOR, colleagues The group, which said: “It has been a busy two ● 2,000+sq ft retail space became a Nisa Retail key months with four new addiaccount partner in June 2018, tions to the Group. We are always made four acquisitions in quick looking for great new opportunities to expand and succession during May and June, launching all four look forward to further growth over the coming year.” stores in record time under the Nisa Local fascia.

AMACOR also recently completed a refit of its store on The sites – in Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, Bradford Broughton Lane in Salford. The refresh enabled it to signifin West Yorkshire, Newton-le-Willows in Cheshire, and Wrexicantly add to the range of products available and introduce ham in North Wales – include three former Co-op stores. new services Nisa’s Head of Retail, Victoria Lockie, said: “Working with A number of new services have been introduced across such ambitious and progressive retailers like AMACOR is the new stores including Costa Express, fwip and Tango Ice really exciting and the pace at which acquisitions are made Blast, all of which have been well received by customers and and stores start trading is really fantastic. We wish the team helped to attract additional footfall.

Head of Acquisitions at AMACOR, Alex Wilson, said: luck in the expansion of their estate and look forward to “We completed the sales, re-branded and launched our last supporting them along the way.”

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S T O RY

SITIONS

R CAPITAL

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

SERVICES

CASH PAYMENT VOUCHERS PAYPOINT

PayPoint helps digitise benefit payments Claimants can now choose from a range of methods to receive payment vouchers that can be used at PayPoint retailers and Post Office branches.

P

ayPoint has teamed up with the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and ClearBank, a cloud-based bank, to pay claimants without access to a bank account.

The new initiative, the Payment Exception Service, enables each claimant to choose from a range of methods to receive their cash payment vouchers.

These can be used to withdraw funds at any one of 28,000 PayPoint retailer outlets or 11,500 Post Offices.

Secure digital voucher platform i-movo, part of the PayPoint Group,

the unbanked will be able to receive their benefit payments simply, safely and conveniently, just like those who do have access to a bank account.

“Fundamental to its success is i-movo’s leading secure digital voucher technology. By drawing upon its experience of the last three years, we have worked with DWP to deliver an innovative solution that brings new benefits to all stakeholders.”

Charles McManus, Chief Executive of ClearBank, comCustomers can choose to mented: “Today it’s imperuse SMS, a unique ative that everyone is able barcode displayed on a smartphone, PDF to access the benefits of delivered by email digitisation. We believe digor a re-useable receives BACS and Faster ital financial services offer an card Payments and translates these unmatched level of convenience that is crucial in ensuring no-one is into secure digital vouchers, which are issued in real-time using the customer’s left behind as we advance towards a chosen delivery method. These include digital-first future.

SMS, a unique barcode displayed on a “This new service is an important smartphone, PDF delivered by email or step forward in providing help for vula re-useable magnetic stripe plastic card. nerable claimants – one that we are The service also offers customers online honoured to be a part of – and is testaaccess to their payments history, while ment to the vision of i-movo, PayPoint a helpline service provided by PayPoint and the DWP. We’re looking forward is also available. to continuing this collaboration, using the latest financial technologies to help Nick Wiles, Chief Executive at Paythose that need it the most.

Point, said: “Through this new service,

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N E W S TO R E S

SPAR MILLPOOL HILL / SPAR NEWTON PARK JAMES HALL & CO

Spar’s partnership with Jet Retail motors on The partners have opened new stores in Birmingham and near Darlington.

S

par has opened two new forecourt stores, in Birmingham and near Darlington, with Jet Retail UK. A new 2,157sq ft Spar store, situated at Millpool Hill service station on the A435 Alcester Road South in Birmingham, has welcomed its first customers.

Key refreshments include Clayton Park Bakery products, a self-service Costa Coffee machine, hot food-to-go, a wide range of dairy products and an off-licence. The store, which also has an ATM and 10 parking spaces, will trade 24 hours, seven days per week.

MILLPOOL

Peter Dodding, Sales and Marketing The opening follows a comprehenDirector at James Hall & Co, said: “I am sive store refurbishment at another Jet service station, Newton Park, just off J59 delighted with the modern look and feel of the A1M, near Darlington. of both Spar stores. With the range of The fresh-looking store at Newton products that are available at Millpool Park offers a range of food-to-go options Hill and Newton Park, along with the including Seattle’s Best Coffee, F’Real facilities and services offered, I am sure Smoothies and Milkshakes, Polar Krush, this will be welcomed by all who use and the Spar Daily Deli. Other features these new stores. include a lorry park and showers.

“It is also brilliant to grow our partThe stores will be serviced by nership with Jet Retail UK LimJames Hall & Co, the primary ited and we look forward to The new Spar store at wholesaler and distributor developing further business Millpool Hill follows a for Spar stores across the opportunities with them in comprehensive store refurbishment at Jet north of England. the future.” service station, Newton Park

NEWTON PARK

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VA P I N G

NON-COMPLIANT DEVICES UK VAPING INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

Call for action against illegal disposable vape resellers

A

Trade body is in talks with the Medicines & Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency and Trading Standards to address the problem.

“significant amount” of non-compliant vaping products is entering the UK and being sold by convenience shops and on major online marketplaces, new research by the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) reveals.

The research shows that the problem lies with some distributors who are “flouting UK regulations” to get these products imported into the country and sell them onto traders and retailers, as well as a “lack of proper scrutiny” on major online marketplaces.

Disposable vapes are pre-filled with The UKVIA is asking that a hard e-liquids and cost around £6 each; UK regulations mean they should contain line be taken against “unscrupulous” no more than 20mg/ml of nicotine. Yet resellers and retailers, and is in talks evidence colwith the Medicines & lected by the Healthcare Products UKVIA reveals The UKVIA is asking that Regulatory Agency that some listed a hard line be taken against and Trading Standards as this amount “unscrupulous” resellers to address the problem. contain higher and retailers John Dunne, Direcconcentrations tor General at the of nicotine and UKVIA, commented: some products are being openly sold with “Robust enforcement of the current 50mg/ml strength. In addition, prod- regulations is the only answer and it’s uct packaging is not including warnings needed now. We can provide support to about the nicotine content, which is a the regulators and educate the industry legal requirement. on how to distinguish between what’s a

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compliant product or not, and we are in the process of doing this. However, we are not in a position to come down heavy on those breaking the law, that lies with the regulators.”

The association has published a free guide in conjunction with leading vaping compliance specialists, Arcus Compliance. The guide provides retailers with information on the current UK regulations that relate to tank/reservoir capacity of devices, nicotine levels and the elements that must be contained on packaging.

Download the guide.

ILLICIT TRADE

ILLEGAL TOBACCO SEIZED TRADING STANDARDS

Fight against illicit tobacco goes on

I

Trading standards in Warwickshire and Northamptonshire have taken thousands of illegal cigarettes off the streets.

llegal cigarettes and tobacco have been seized in Warwickshire after they were discovered below a manhole cover, suspended above an open drain at the rear of a shop in Rugby.

More than 44,000 cigarettes and more than 400 packets of hand-rolling tobacco were seized when Warwickshire County Council Trading Standards Officers carried out raids on two shops in Rugby town centre.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited two premises and discovered tobacco hidden in a drain, in a wheelie bin, a flat behind one of the shops, and in a rear storeroom.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The National Trading Standards initiative in partnership with HRMC is playing a significant role in disrupting this illicit trade and is helping to take illegal tobacco products off the streets.”

Meanwhile, more than 3,500 packets of illegal cigarettes were seized from shops in Northampton during a crackdown. The haul was sniffed out by tobacco detection dogs as part of an operation led by trading standards officers from West Northamptonshire Council. The operation, which was

supported by the council’s Environmental Health and Licensing team and Northamptonshire Police, visited 15 shops across Northampton.

The NTS initiative in partnership with HRMC is playing a significant role in disrupting this illicit trade

A total of 1,129 packets of illegal cigarettes were seized from one shop, while 2,483 packets were seized from another. Packets of illegal hand rolling tobacco were also recovered from both premises.

All the items were illegally imported into the country without duty being paid and do not comply with UK legal packaging and labelling requirements.

A number of them are also suspected to be counterfeits of popular brands.

Councillor David Smith, Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Engagement and Regulatory Services on West Northamptonshire Council, said: “I hope the results of this operation send a strong message that if shopkeepers deal in illegal tobacco, they should expect to be caught.”

Further investigations are under way to decide what action should be taken.

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

CORK RECYCLING MAJESTIC

Majestic launches UK’s first cork recycling scheme

M

The recycled corks will eventually be sent to The Eden Project, Cornwall.

ajestic, a specialist wine retailer, has unveiled details of a nationwide cork recycling scheme in more than 200 of its stores.

The retailer will place collection hubs in all its stores and, working with the Portuguese Cork Association, aims to recycle more than one million corks per year – equating to over 309 tonnes of CO2.The corks will eventually be sent to The Eden Project, Cornwall, which will be trialling the cork as a mulch around Mediterranean plants.

A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that corks are by far the most environmentally-friendly form of wine closure – more than 20 times more so

than screw caps. However, until now nationwide cork recycling has not been available in the UK – unlike in other parts of the world.

Majestic boss John Colley said: “As a national retailer, we’re always looking at ways we can pull our weight in the climate crisis. Cork represents a perfectly circular, environmentally friendly industry from cork oak to bottle – with just one final missing component: what happens after the wine has been drunk.

“By working with the Cork Association, we’re squaring the circle by giving our customers and stores the opportunity to continue a natural cork’s journey at The Eden Project. I’m sure not only will this give our customers another reason to enjoy a great bottle of wine, but also another reason to visit us in-store – with their pockets brimming with corks.”

Wilko extends in-s Homeware chain Wilko is extending its scheme to recycle single-use face masks after a successful first few months.

The Wilko #ReclaimTheMask scheme, which launched in April and has 150 participating stores across

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the country, is being extended until the end of September.

Shoppers can drop off their used single-use masks in dedicated collection boxes which, once full, get sent to recyclers, ReWorked. The PPE waste is quarantined for 72

h s g h i T m

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

COFFEE POD RECYCLING SAINSBURY’S

Sainsbury’s makes it easier to recycle aluminium coffee pods

S

The supermarket giant has become the first UK retailer to label its own-brand aluminium coffee pods as recyclable.

ainsbury’s has teamed up with coffee pod manufacturer Dualit and On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) to prove that aluminium coffee pods can be recycled at home, despite popular misconceptions and confusion, provided they are empty of coffee grounds.

Until now, it’s been widely believed that aluminium coffee pods are too small to be captured for recycling when items are being sorted, but Sainsbury’s challenged the industry and discovered that waste management companies have facilities that would be able to capture and recycle these smaller items.

Sainsbury’s has now become the first UK retailer to label its own brand

aluminium coffee pods as recyclable. This label will make clear the importance of emptying the pod and rinsing it before placing it in the recycling bin, so that the clean aluminium can be sorted and recycled.

In addition, customers can buy a device that ensures coffee is separated and removed from the aluminium pods, making it ready to be recycled, from their local Sainsbury’s store or online from November. It is hoped the Dualit EcoPress, while not vital, will help encourage more people to recycle.

Claire Hughes, Director of Product and Innovation at Sainsbury’s, said: “We’re always looking for new ways to help our customers live more sustainably

at home, and key to that is making sure any changes are small and easy to implement.

“That’s why we decided to challenge the notion that aluminium coffee pods can’t be recycled and, with consumers more concerned about the planet than ever before, it felt like a natural place to look.

“Whilst we might be the first retailer to label our own brand coffee pods as recyclable, it’s important to understand that many aluminium pods are in fact recyclable. We hope others follow suit and change their packaging to raise awareness and encourage recycling.” own-brand aluminium coffee pods as recyclable.

store facemask recycling scheme

hours before being sterilised and shredded. The shredded facemasks go to the board mill, where they are heated to over 200°C, and pressed into solid sheets of recycled plastic.

The boards are used as building materials, made into shelters, and

some become children’s furniture.

Jerome Saint-Marc, Chief Executive at Wilko, said: “We know that our customers care about the environment, and this scheme has proved again to us just how much. We’re so delighted that it’s

been such a success and that our customers and team members are helping to reduce litter in their communities, our partners are helping to recycle the waste and that we’re able to bring it all together in our stores.”

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

PLASTIC POLLUTION CLIENTEARTH

Supermarkets could face legal action for plastic failures Report suggests many Big Food companies are “failing to recognise, report and act” on the risks of continuing to rely on plastic packaging.

S

upermarkets and food producers that turn a blind eye to the risks related to plastic pollution could face legal action, a new report reveals.

Lawyers at environmental law charity ClientEarth have found that many ‘Big Food’ companies are failing to recognise, report and act on the risks of continuing to rely on plastic packaging, putting them at risk of legal action, and their shareholders in line for financial losses.

ClientEarth plastics lawyer and author of the report Rosa Pritchard commented: “The time is up for single-use plastics, but Big Food is burying its head in the sand. A slew of stricter laws on single-use plastics are rapidly making our continued reliance on plastic packaging untenable, and consumers are turning their back on single-use plastic culture. Yet the companies behind many of our household brands are treating the plastics crisis as a PR problem, rather

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than a serious and escalating business risk.

“Big Food is facing major financial headwinds and yet many are not disclosing the looming financial impacts of their reliance on plastic to investors – something they are legally required to do. This omission puts them at risk of legal action.”

In the report, ClientEarth’s lawyers urge investors, asset managers and financial advisors to engage with Big Food and push for greater transparency, more ambitious targets, and more effective policies on plastics – to protect their holdings and ensure compliance with their own legal obligations.

“Investors and other financial institutions have a huge amount of leverage with Big Food. They could demand better performance from businesses on their plastic strategies, or decide to invest elsewhere to avoid plastic-related business risks – as they too are not immune to serious financial consequences,” added Pritchard.

A recent report by Break Free From Plastic assessing the actions being taken by key FMCG companies to tackle plastic waste found that out of 214 projects, 176 were deemed to be “false solution” projects.

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

REUSEABLE PACKAGING TESCO

Tesco adds reusable range The supermarket giant is trialling a range of 88 products in reusable packaging.

T

esco is trialling a system to enable its customers to buy a wide range of food, drink, household and beauty products in reusable packaging.

The supermarket giant is working with Loop, the reusable packaging platform, to enable customers at 10 large stores in the east of England to buy products in reusable packaging that can be returned to store when finished so it can be cleaned, refilled, and used again.

The range of 88 products includes Alberto Balsam, Bisto, BrewDog, Bulldog Skincare, Carex, Coca-Cola, Dr Will’s, Ecover, Fever-Tree, Finish, Good4U, Hardys, Mackays, Heinz, Meridian, Mud House, Naked Noodle, Original Source, Persil, Quaker Oats, Radox, Simple, Sipsmith, and Tetley.

Tesco has also included 35 own-brand essentials in the range, with more products set to be added throughout the year.

Customers wishing to opt for reusable packaging simply visit the Loop fixture in the store and add the products they want into their trolley as a part of their shop.

The Loop range comes ready prefilled, so there’s no need for customers to bring their own containers or refill themselves.

Prices for the contents of each item are comparable to the original. A fully refundable deposit starting at 20p is paid on each reusable product at checkout and this is refunded via an app when the customer returns the packaging to a collection point in the store.

Loop ambassadors will also be on hand to explain how the system works.

The launch follows a year-long online pilot, launched in July 2020, that allowed customers to order and return products in reusable packaging to and from their doorstep.

Ken Murphy, Tesco Group Chief Executive, said: “We are determined to tackle plastic waste and one of the ways we can help is by improving reuse options available to customers. Bringing Loop to our stores is a significant milestone in this journey.”

Tom Szaky, Founder and Chief Executive of Loop and TerraCycle, added: “The consumer reaction to Loop in these first Tesco stores will prove pivotal in refining the Loop offering and ultimately we hope to scale reuse across more stores and the number of product lines available.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

FORECOURTS

ACCESSIBILITY NATIONAL HIGHWAYS / ACCESSIBLE

The drive to improve motorway journeys for disabled people National Highways and AccessAble have created virtual route guides for key facilities.

S

hopt, a cash rewards app for convenience retailers, has launched a new Staycation campaign.

National Highways has partnered with AccessAble, a provider of accessibility information, to help disabled motorists plan where to stop for a break at any one of the 114 motorway service areas across England.

The new guides, available online or via the free AccessAble app, feature facts and figures and photographs to help motorists plan their visit to the services.

They cover key areas including parking, toilets, petrol stations, shops, and restaurants, with detailed information on hearing loops, walking distances, and accessible toilets.

In addition, National Highways and AccessAble have worked together to create virtual route guides for the services. The guides, which uses 360-degree imagery, enable visitors to explore routes to key facilities like accessible toilets and Changing Places, so they know what to expect when they arrive.

Julia Horsler, National Highways’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, commented: “We’re committed to ensuring our disabled customers can

travel safely on our roads. That’s why we’re introducing new services to break down barriers and help people reliably plan and feel confident about their journeys.”

Moto Hospitality Chief Operating Officer, Nick Tatum, added: “Our vision is to transform the UK’s rest stop experience. This starts with giving our customers the ability to plan their journey in advance of their trip.

“The National Highways and AccessAble guides for motorway services give disabled people and carers the ability to plan their journey with confidence.

From the insight we gained working with National Highways and AccessAble, we’ve also adapted our website to allow customers to plan their journey via facility.”

Lifestyle and disability blogger, Ross Lannon, visited the Moto services on the M5 at Exeter to test out the guides.

He said: “There’s nothing more stressful and embarrassing than getting to a location and there’s poor access, not having information in advance can be a very worrying time.

“The access guides have been incredible, having detailed information takes away the anxiety.

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FORECOURTS

MARKETING ACTIVITY JET

JET unveils new campaign

The series of eight films will be rolled out across all major social media channels over the coming months.

F

uel brand JET is launching a campaign to highlight the services it provides.

The Yellow World campaign is a continuation of the successful Keep on Moving campaign that launched last year.

A series of short films, including one featuring a yellow slinky in perpetual motion on a blue treadmill, are inspired by JET’s yellow and blue branding and highlight the brand’s ongoing commitment to providing UK drivers with everything they want and need to continue their journeys. Áine Corkery, Manager of Brand at Phillips 66, said: “Delivering content with the potential to stand out in a saturated market is no mean feat, and these quirky, intriguing films stand out for all the right reasons – communicating the services we offer whilst showcasing the yellow and blue branding that has become synonymous with JET.” The series of eight films, created

by London-based advertising agency Isobel, will be rolled out over the coming months and will feature across all major social media channels including: TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and Instagram. The films will also play on Sky video-on-demand.

The films highlight JET’s commitment to giving UK drivers “everything they want”.

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

L E G I S L AT I O N

FOOD LABELLING UK GOVERNMENT

Government seeks views on food labelling Says Brexit has provided an opportunity to look at food labelling.

The government has launched a new Call for Evidence on food labelling, which it believes could be better used to empower consumers to support British farmers and improve animal welfare.

The Call for Evidence will seek the views of the public and businesses to ensure the potential new system is simple, cost-effective for businesses, and supports the environment.

It will gather information on the potential scope, regulation, format, and enforcement of a new labelling scheme, as well as the actual welfare standards that might underpin it, building on the

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 73/ WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

existing voluntary assurance schemes in the UK. Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Now that we have left the EU, we have an opportunity to look at food labelling – and whether the information that we give to shoppers helps them make informed choices.”

The labelling for animal welfare Call for Evidence will be open for 12 weeks.

All evidence will be used to inform any future policy proposals on labelling for animal welfare and will also help shape the UK Government’s Food Strategy White Paper.

SYMBOL GROUPS

LANDMARK STORE OPENING NISA RETAIL

Nisa Retail celebrates 1,000th store opening Retailer LA Food Group has opened its 14th store.

N

isa Retail’s 1,000th symbol store has opened its doors to shoppers in Haverstock, in the London Borough of Camden.

Key account partner LA Food Group, which is owned by the Hussain family, already has 13 stores under its belt.

The new 1,800sq ft store employs 12 members of staff and is open from 8am – 11pm Monday to Saturday and 10am – 10.30pm on Sundays.

The store, which locates a busy corner plot with high footfall, offers a large range of fruit and vegetables alongside other popular fresh lines, and multiple has plans in motion to launch others food-to-go and fresh coffee options.

It also features a zero-waste section, before the end of the year. offering customers nuts, cereal and more.

Store Development Manager at Nisa Tabrez Hussain said: “We’re thrilled Derek Saunders commented: “The store to be adding a has a modern finish 14th store to The store, which locates a with a real future-forbusy corner plot with high ward vibe, whilst our remit and to learn that the footfall, offers a large range retaining the unique store is such a of fruit and veg charm of the building.” huge landmark Saunders said that multiple tree bark effect pillars coupled for Nisa just adds to the excitement.

“The store opening went very well with deep Artex canopies, along with and the fresh space received a good reac- brick effect walls, “create a welcoming tion from shoppers.” store that offers a shopper experience LA Foods, which operate multiple that is completely different to any other Nisa Local stores across London, already store in the area.”

Nisa has remained committed to growth throughout the pandemic, opening 624 stores last year and more than 300 stores in the first half of 2021, with upwards of 280 more expected to open before the end of the year.

Darren May, Head of Format and Development at Nisa Retail, said: “Hitting the 1,000th symbol store mark really highlights the success of our recent recruitment and the investment we have made into our retail team to support partners, which is helping us achieve continuous growth and support independent retailers to become the best in the market.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

LEGISL

FOOD ALLERGE

FOOD STANDAR

What Natasha’s Law means for food allergen labelling

By Geoff Ogle Starting October, British shoppers can expect to see far more detailed ingredient

information carried on all the pre-packed food they buy - be that sandwiches from their high-street delis, fresh pizzas from

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 73/ WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

major supermarkets, even small packets of specialist sweets from family-owned local shops.

L AT I O N

EN LABELLING

RDS SCOTLAND

The most common reason for food recalls now is because of issues around allergens.

Every food and drinks business will be required to list every single ingredient used in what the industry calls ‘prepacked for direct sale’ (PPDS) items, but most importantly, they will also have to clearly highlight any one of 14 core allergenic ingredients they might contain, such as molluscs, gluten, fish and sesame.

PPDS technically covers any food item that’s packaged, so that the contents cannot be altered before being sold to the customer.

Sesame, of course, was at the centre of one of the UK’s highest profile cases of tragic allergic reaction in recent years, when in 2016, 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after unknowingly eating a baguette which had also been made with sesame seeds.

Her devastated family - and others affected by what’s considered by many experts to be a growing national epidemic of intolerances and allergic food reaction – spent the next three years tirelessly campaigning for better laws to protect allergen suffers from serious or life-threatening reactions to food or drink, to ensure we can all avoid such tragedies ever happening again.

‘Natasha’s Law’ now requires all British food businesses to have complete lists of ingredients printed on all PPDS food product labels, before they are offered directly to the public, even from market stalls, food trucks, or ice-cream vans.

Food Standards Scotland has always been committed to better clarity on food labels, because informed consumers can make better, more informed decisions that help consumers protect themselves.

The new law’s introduction is a massive step ahead for transparency for

consumers of the UK’s food labelling requirements.

Quite simply, it makes it quicker, easier and clearer for around 200,000 food allergy sufferers in Scotland to make safer choices when buying their food.

Latest figures suggest there were 567 Scottish hospitalisations due to anaphylaxis in 2020.

If this new law can save just one illness or tragic loss of life from allergic reaction to something in food, it’s legislation well founded.

STEP CHANGE Of course, we also appreciate this more complete food signposting now required is a step change, and a potentially complicated one, for many Scottish food and drink producers.

Our figures show 11,230 Scottish businesses – the vast majority small to medium companies, but also 265 larger firms - could be directly affected by the legislation and so could face having to foot potential costs of extra facilities or staff to handle the process.

So Food Standards Scotland has for months been working with countless retailers of PPDS products to ensure they are fully supported and guided in making the necessary changes as they transition to this new era of more comprehensive food labelling.

Core to this has been an exhaustive nationwide engagement process to accurately and economically assess the benefits, risks and impacts of this new legislation.

We have developed a range of products, practical guidance and online resources, including an allergen training package and businesses can also use the free FSS MenuCal tool.

It means, for instance, fresh

sandwiches prepared and placed into packaging before lunchtime shoppers eventually buy them, or food prepared and packaged which an operator then sells at a market stall, will have to be comprehensively and clearly labelled.

At hundreds of supermarkets, everyday items such as boxed salads packed on site and placed onto a refrigerated shelf prior to sale, will also have to have their ingredients more thoroughly signposted.

Buns or cakes made by local bakers, too, packaged on the same premises before being sold to others, will now have to have their contents roll-called in full.

Essentially, this new law means the complete gamut of Scottish packaged food produce will now be better protected for millions of us, our families, our friends and loved ones, who might have food allergies.

Even one case of an allergic reaction to something hidden within our food, is one case too many.

With it now firmly in place, coupled with more awareness by everyone to what they are eating, and the financial and operational sacrifices being made to comply right now by food companies across Scotland, we are confident that ultimately Scottish lives will be saved as a result. ● Geoff Ogle is Chief Executive, Food Standards Scotland

Improved labelling on food sold prepacked for direct sale becomes law to protect Scottish consumers | Food Standards Scotland

Prepacked for direct sale allergen labelling | Food Standards Scotland | Food Standards Scotland

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

ACTION ON FIBRE FOOD AND DRINK FEDERATION

Food and drink industry aims to boost consumer intake of fibre Some of the UK’s best-known food and drink companies have signed up to a range of pledges on fibre.

T

he Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has launched a new initiative to help people boost their fibre intake as part of its new Celebrating Food and Nutrition Week.

Action on Fibre sees some of the UK’s best-known food and drink companies sign up to a wide range of pledges from highlighting higher fibre options on product packaging, to launching new products that are higher in fibre.

Companies getting involved include Allison’s, Aunt Bessie’s, Birds Eye, Dorset Cereals, General Mills, Goodfella’s, Innocent, Jordans, Kellogg’s, Kingsmill, KP Snacks, Nestle, Pladis, Premier Foods, Ryvita, Quorn, Warburtons, and Weetabix.

A recent FDF survey found that only 33% of people are aware of the recommended adult amount of 30g of fibre per day and 70% were unsure whether they achieved this in their diet or stated they didn’t meet the daily recommendation.

This aligns with dietary survey data which shows that only 9% of adults currently meet the dietary recommendation.

Action on Fibre aims to help bridge the gap between fibre intakes and the

Only 33% of people are aware of the recommended adult amount of 30g of fibre per day and 70% were unsure whether they achieved this in their diet

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 73/ WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

dietary recommendation by making higher fibre diets more appealing, normal and easy for the population.

The FDF’s Chief Scientific Officer, Kate Halliwell, said: “It is brilliant that so many of the FDF’s members have signed up to Action on Fibre and we are excited to see their progress. The pledges themselves are broad ranging, and will help to offer consumers more convenient, diverse options to increase their intakes.”

Professor Judy Buttriss, Director General at the British Nutrition Foundation, said that average fibre intakes across all sections of the population have been low for many years despite the well documented health benefits of fibre.

She added: “This gap-bridging initiative is a welcome boost to ongoing efforts encouraging improvement – higher fibre choices need to be easy and appetising options.”

NPD AND MEDIA

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

A LITTLE BOTTLE ON A MISSION Brand marks quarter of a century since launching in the UK.

Yakult has launched a new campaign to coincide with the 25th anniversary of its launch in the UK.

Hiroaki Yoshimura, Managing Director for Yakult UK & Ireland, said: “We are very proud to celebrate

The campaign, A Little Bottle on a Mission, aims to

25 years in the UK and everything the team has

recruit new drinkers into the brand, while strengthening

achieved during this time. We have played an

its wellbeing positioning within the category.

important role in educating consumers about bac-

It takes its inspiration from Yakult’s many missions:

teria and the gut, sharing the science and Yakult’s

from the mission to reach your gut alive, to the brand’s

own 85 years of research, but we’ve also learned

ongoing mission to invest in scientific research into

a lot along the way.

microbiology and bacteria, and the mission to inspire happiness and wellbeing through science.

“We know that British and Irish consumers become loyal fans once they come to know and

The brand, with its two products – Yakult Original

love a product and we are on mission to have more

and Yakult Light, is now enjoyed by more than 200,000

of them try Yakult, with its unique bacteria, and

people every day, holding a current market share of

experience having it as part of their daily wellbeing

11.9%.

routine. We are always a little bottle on a mission.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

NPD AND MEDIA

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

PETITS FILOUS NO ADDED SUGAR RANGE MAKES TV DEBUT The 10 second TV advert will air until 10 October.

Petits Filous, the children’s yogurt brand, is bringing its

throughout September and early October. The

No Added Sugar Pots and Mess Free Drinking Yogurt

brand is also partnering with Netmums, the UK’s

range to TV screens for the first time this month.

biggest parenting website.

The brand recently launched a No Added Sugar

Joanna Goodman, Head of Marketing, Yogurt

variant to its Mess Free Drinking Yogurt range to further

(Northern Europe) at General Mills, said: “Loved

meet the needs of the 58% of parents with children

by kids, our No Added Sugar range is the perfect

aged four or under who are looking for ways to reduce

anytime snack and demonstrates our commitment

sugar. Mess Free Drinking Yogurt No Added Sugar

to reducing sugar in kids’ diets by delivering a

comes in two fruity flavours – Raspberry & Apple and

great-tasting product with important health and

Banana & Apricot - and the SKUs contain just 4.3g

nutritional benefits.

and 4.6g of naturally occurring sugar, respectively.

“The launch of Mess Free No Added Sugar

In addition, the range is a source of Calcium and is

drinking yogurt provides parents with a great

fortified with Vitamin D.

on-the-go snack option, building on the huge

The 10 second TV advert, which is airing until 10

success of the Mess Free format which is now

October, shows children playing both indoors and

worth £5.7m and growing 59.6% year-on-year.

outdoors, while singing ‘no added sugar’.

With our new TV advert and campaign, we’re

The £1m investment is set to reach 64.1% of UK parents with kids, across TV and shopper activity

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 73/ WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

confident we’ll see even more success for our No Added Sugar range.”

NPD AND MEDIA

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

NEW SENSATION

CHOCOLATE BOX

GREEN BEER

Inspired by Japanese cuisine,

Ferrero is rolling out a new

BrewDog has launched Brew-

Walkers Sensations has added

eco-designed box for its Ferrero

Dog Planet Pale (4.3% ABV),

a BBQ Beef Teriyaki flavour to

Rocher range, starting with the

as a sustainable replacement for

its line-up. Sensations BBQ Beef

30-piece and 16-piece boxes.

BrewDog Pale Ale. The launch

Teriyaki looks to capitalise on

New boxes are made from poly-

will be supported by digital and

growing demand for BBQ fla-

propylene, which enables easier

social media activity, as well as

vours and is available now at an

recycling globally. Ferrero’s R&D

in-store POS. It is available in

RSP of £1.99 for a 150g sharing

team trialled over 29 different

packs of 4x330ml (RSP £5) and

pack.

plastic resins for the boxes.

single 440ml cans (RSP £2.25).

THE GOOD BAKER

VAPE DEALS

LYCHEE CIDER

Dr. Oetker’s new Good Baker fro-

Core Group has unveiled some

KBE Drinks has launched a new

zen pizza range offers healthier

new exclusive 88vape deals for

lychee and lime variant for its

ingredients and is big on sus-

independent convenience retail-

Peacock cider brand – the first

tainability. The range includes

ers and forecourts. Retailers

lychee-flavoured cider in the UK

four varieties: Margherita; Veggie

can order 120 bottles of e-liquid

market. Twenty-five pence from

Mix; Meat-Free Bolognese; and

worth £120 at RSP for just £30

the sale of every bottle will go to

Spinach & Pumpkin Seeds. All

(ex VAT). They will also receive a

KBE’s charity partners Hospital-

RSP at £3.69 apart from Vegan

free 88vape countertop Perspex

ity Health, Hospitality Action and

which has a £4.19 RSP.

display unit and full POS kit.

Only a Pavement Away.

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX INMARSAT

Delivering safer skie

A new connectivity solution is expected to serve as a catalyst for the safe and rapid growth o

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Drones. Inmarsat, a specialist in global mobile satellite communications, has launched its new Velaris connectivity solution, which is expected to serve as a catalyst for the safe and rapid growth of the drones industry.

THERE’S A DRONES INDUSTRY? Indeed there is. Velaris, which is powered by the Inmarsat ELERA global satellite network, will provide secure communications for commercial drones to fly beyond visual line of sight and seamlessly integrate with aircraft in commercial airspace. The solution allows operators to access various applications, such as real-time monitoring, to ensure safe integration with other air traffic. In addition, Velaris allows a single pilot to remotely operate mul-

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 73/ WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021

tiple drones at scale, making operations more commercially viable.

$2.32bn (£1.67bn) in 2021 to $11.29 marking a compound annual gro 25.39% during this period. This far-reaching impact on various aspe ness and society, ranging from car and urban transport. In recent year Google and Royal Mail have bee drone deliveries in various guises.

Velaris will unlock unpreced digital automation capabilities withi industry to support this fast-pac leading to significant advances in ductivity, customer service, loca and accuracy, while also reducing cost of operations. Importantly, support the transport of people an an environmentally-friendly mann

TELL ME MORE

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYIN

Over the next seven years, the commercial drone market is projected to increase from

Anthony Spouncer, Inmarsat’s Sen tor of Unmanned Aerial Vehicl and Unmanned Traffic Managem “Commercial UAVs have the p revolutionise a vast array of diffe tries throughout the world. Howev unlock their potential on a comm it is imperative that autonomous v unmanned aviation are safely an integrated into managed commerc That’s exactly what Velaris, as Inm global drone connectivity solution, “Inmarsat’s unparalleled exp air traffic management and avia

YOUR DIWALI MUST STOCK.

es

nior Direcles (UAVs) ment, said: potential to erent indusver, to truly mercial scale, vehicles and nd securely cial airspace. marsat’s first will deliver. perience in ation safety,

combined with our established track record in civil and military UAV communications, ensures that we can support global regulators, air navigation service providers and UAV operators with seamless airspace integration.

In addition, thanks to our ambitious and fully-funded technology roadmap, including our brand new ORCHESTRA communications network of the future, Velaris will continue to develop and evolve alongside the UAV industry, remaining its gold standard connectivity solution for decades to come.”

Spouncer added: “We work with our global partner ecosystem to develop UAV terminals that deliver smaller, more cost effective multi datalink solutions. These are optimised for a wide range of use cases so that our customers can always have the highest possible standard of connectivity. I’m pleased to launch Velaris.

Coming soon after the launch of Inmarsat ORCHESTRA and ELERA, this truly emphasises Inmarsat’s long-term commitment to the commercial UAV market.”

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?

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IN A ST O HT RE

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9bn in 2028, owth rate of will have a ects of busirgo delivery rs, Amazon, en trialling . dented new in the drone ced growth, safety, proation access g the overall it will also nd goods in ner.

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of the drones industry.

O Y 2 .5 SEC

RED BULL ENERGY DRINK AND SUGARFREE, 250ML 4 PACKS. SEE SALES FLY. STOCK UP TODAY.

SOURCE: ¹NIELSEN SCANTRACK, TOTAL COVERAGE, MAT W.E. 24.07.2021

By flying on over to the Inmarsat website.

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

IT

NEW

E L B A L I A V A

NOW

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

A Jim’ll Fix It-upper He has it all – youth, good looks, a chain of multi-award-winning convenience stores – and now it transpires that Harris Aslam is also the proud owner of the Glen Coe cottage that was once home to Britain’s most notorious nonce, Jimmy Savile.

The ramshackle property, which was owned by Saville from 1998 until his demise in 2011, has seen a fair bit of vandalism in the years since his catalogue of crimes was uncovered.

Harris, Director of Fife-based Eros Retail – which operates the Greens chain of stores in the north-east of Scotland, was blissfully unaware of the cottage’s dark history and thought he was getting a bit of a bargain. Albeit one that needed some tender loving care. A Jim’ll Fix It-upper, if you will.

One can’t imagine why the estate agent neglected to mention the

It appears that baking cakes that look like fast food is now officially a thing.

It’s been but a fortnight since The Week In Retail revealed that Asda was

cigar-chomping, gold tracksuit-wearing, kiddie-fiddling former owner at any point during the viewing. Or why the walls smelled of fresh paint so much.

Harris now plans to raze the cottage to the ground and build a state-of-the-art contemporary family home as a tribute to its other famous former owner, pioneer

Pizza cake

punting cakes that resembled buckets of fried chicken. Now pizza chain Papa John’s is getting a slice of the action by offering a limited supply of

of the mountain rescue movement in Scotland, Dr Hamish McInnes.

Who knows, if Harris is as good at property development as he is at running shops then this could be the start of a whole new revenue stream for the retail wunderkind. We understand that Jeffrey Epstein’s old house has just come on the market…

“hyper realistic” pizza cakes to customers, although pedants would argue that a pizza tasting of strawberry jam and icing is as far removed from reality as Boris Johnson getting a decent haircut.

The move comes in celebration of PJ’s 500th store opening on Monday, in the Lancashire town of Ormskirk, which – to keep the cake theme going – is well-known for its gingerbread. So Wikipedia says anyway.

One only wonders how long it will take for someone to produce a pizza that looks like a cake. You read it here first.

WEDNESDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 73 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

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