The Week in Retail 85 by 55 North

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

STORE OPENINGS

RETAILER OPENS 13TH ONE STOP STORE DANNY WILSON’S NEW STORE IS IN YORKSHIRE

● ONE STOP HITS DEMENTIA FRIENDS MILESTONE ● POST OFFICE

RESTARTS OPERATIONS AT HEATHROW AIRPORT

● NISA ADDS FESTIVE

LINES TO FOOD-TO-GO OFFERING

SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA LOCAL BELLSHILL FOCUSES ON FOOD-TO-GO FOOD IS SOLD UNDER BABA’S KITCHEN BRAND

RETAIL VIOLENCE

CONFRONTING CRIME GOVERNMENT SET TO MAKE ASSAULTING SHOPWORKERS A SPECIFIC OFFENCE

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Issue 85 Wednesday 8th December 2021

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THE NO.1 SCOTTISH GROCERY BRAND

*Source: Kantar World Panel, Value Sales, Take Home Non-Alcohol Brands, MAT to 06.09.20, Total Scotland

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Government finally acts to protect shopworkers It is with great pleasure that I can finally write, after years and years of following the subject, that the UK government has decided to act to introduce tougher sentences for attacking shopworkers. The Home Office notified the National Retail Crime Steering Group, of which ACS and the NFRN are members, that an amendment has been tabled for the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that would make attacking a retail worker an aggravated offence, resulting in tougher sentencing for offenders. In a letter, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “This amendment will send a very strong signal that assaults of this kind are totally unacceptable. This government wants to ensure that retail staff and those who are serving the public can feel protected from abuse when working. It will reinforce in statute the seriousness with which the courts should treat these offences.” It is about bloody time – Scotland introduced a new law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats, and abuse on 24 August this year.Earlier this year the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee heard from the ACS that 89% of individuals working in local shops had experienced some form of abuse, and the British Retail Consortium reported that the number of incidents recorded last

year amounted to the equivalent of one a minute during a typical shopping day. Indeed, hostility from customers usually rises in the run up to Christmas. New research from The Institute of Customer Service reveals that more than 60% of staff have reported hostility from customers in the last year and more than 40% said that hostility has become more aggressive in the face of stock and staff shortages in the past six months. The amendment is due to be debated during the Report stage of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill in the House of Lords, scheduled to take place before Christmas – that is unless Omnicron gets in the way. I hope the Lords come to the right conclusion and act to protect all those hardworking shopworkers out there so they can have a 2022 free of fear.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 8 DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85

10 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

C-stores help in the battle against knife crime, and Spar distributor James Hall is hit by a cyber-attack.

21 COVER STORY

LOCAL SOURCING

Does an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, mean the UK government is finally taking retail violence seriously?

The second phase of SGF’s Go Local programme is advancing with 21 retailers and will continue to develop 10 pilot stores.

9 Covid-19 update

22 Trade associations

35 Wholesalers

The latest coronavirus-related news.

ACS makes several recommendations

12 Symbol groups: Nisa

for how the government can support job

creation in the convenience sector.

Nisa launches festive food-to-go products,

Hunt’s Foodservice rebrands as The Hunt’s Food Group to reflect its diversification and plans for the future.

a longstanding Nisa partner retires, and

24 Invest NI

36 Sustainability

father-and-son retailers look to recreate the

Northern Ireland model.

A rich heritage underpins Northern Ireland’s success in distilling.

KP Snacks announces a 410 tonne reduction in plastic packaging in 2021.

15 Symbol groups: One Stop

28 Business intelligence

37 Acquisitions and mergers

One Stop reaches a ‘Dementia Friends’

IGD says shopper confidence has risen for

milestone, a franchisee opens his 13th

the first time since April 2021, and TWC

store, and One Stop partners with food

research confirms the home entertaining

charity FareShare.

opportunity as a pandemic legacy.

19 Store openings

32 Community

Post Office restarts operations at Heathrow Airport as traveller numbers increase after the easing of Covid restrictions.

Scottish soft drink giant AG Barr diversifies with the purchase of a 60% stake in oatbased brand Moma Foods.

38 Picks of the week

James Hall & Co donates hampers to

A look at the latest new products and marketing campaigns.

help new tenants being supported by the

40 Out the box: GoodMaps

Lancashire Mind charity.

20 Legislation

33 Wholesalers

Asda trials an indoor map service for blind and visually-impaired customers.

Parfetts hires an employee voice manager

43 Before you go...

pressure to increase minimum unit pricing

and Hunt’s Foodservice rebrands to reflect

for alcohol.

its diversification and plans for the future.

The Scottish Government comes under

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A Pimp My Snack special looks at giant Dairylea Lunchables and Ferrero Rocher.

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WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

MCCOLL’S TRADING UPDATE McColl’s has reported a 11% fall in full-year revenue to £1.11bn for 52-weeks ended

CRIME

C-stores help battle knife crime Stores in Wellingborough, Raunds, Irchester, Finedon, and Kettering are housing bleed boxes.

28 November, citing supply chain disruption in the second half and the conclusion of its store optimisation programme. Its pre-tax earnings post IFRS 16 are expected to be between £46m and £48m.

ASDA FACES STRIKE ACTION Asda faces potential industrial action as the GMB ballots workers over Asda’s failure to make a “meaningful pay offer” to distribution staff.With inflation rampant, the union says this is “a kick in the teeth” for key workers. The ballot closes on 20 December.

MORRISONS’ KINDNESS Morrisons is committing over 25,000 Community Champion hours to spreading kindness this Christmas. Across 12 days, over 500 Community Champions will donate gifts to key workers, giving away flowers and mistletoe, making donations to local food bank, and surprising customers with gestures of kindness.

A number of convenience stores in Northampton have begun taking delivery of ‘bleed boxes’ – first aid kits designed to treat stab wounds – as part of a community initiative to stop knife crime. Bleed boxes work in the same way as public-use defibrillators – a cabinet attached to the side of a building, with the kits inside for use by a first aider.

Shops that store the kits can be identified by a red sticker in the window. Members of the Off the Streets Team NN have organised the purchase and distribution of bleed boxes to seven stores around Northampton. These stores with bleed boxes include: Londis in Grange Place, Kettering; Spar in High Street, Raunds; Premier Irchester Park Store in Wollaston Road, Irchester; Finedon Premier in Irthlingborough Road, Finedon; Shelley Park Stores, off Shelley Road; Budgens in Berrymoor Road, and Josan Xpress Store in Elsden Road. Group co-founder Rav Jones told The Northamptonshire Telegraph: “We are going to get bleed boxes everywhere. Some people seem to think it won’t happen in their area, but we want them all over the area.”

Retail tech expose risk of underage sales Tech-enabled convenience is exposing retailers to risk around underage sales, new research by compliance auditor Serve Legal shows. In the past 12 months, 2,600 Serve Legal mystery shoppers made test purchases using rapid delivery services. All were under 25, yet only 45% were asked to show proof of age when their order was delivered, despite it containing restricted products like alcohol and

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cigarettes. Standard home delivery services fared better, with 72% of mystery shoppers asked for ID on delivery. In-store, retailers were far more diligent, with 78% of mystery shoppers asked for proof of age. However, in 8,000 test purchases using self-scan checkouts, 73% of our mystery shoppers were asked to produce proof of age, compared to 79% who used a conventional checkout with a member of staff.

NEWS DIGEST

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

TESCO REOPENS PAY TALKS

WHOLESALERS

James Hall hit by cyber attack

Tesco has agreed to reopen

Many Spar stores in the north reportedly remain closed for a fourth day.

talks with Usdaw after members in nine distribution

James Hall & Co, the Spar distributor for the north of England, has thanked customers for their patience after many of its stores were disrupted by a cyber-attack on its IT system that began over the weekend. Many stores reportedly remain closed for a fourth day and are waiting for guidance on when they might be able to reopen. Shops have not been able to take card payments with those remaining open taking cash only. Earlier in the week, the company, which serves more than 600 stores in the region, tweeted: “This has not affected

all Spar stores across the north of England, but a number have been impacted over the past 24 hours and we are working to resolve this situation as quickly as possible.” It added: “We apologise for the inconvenience this is causing our customers and we are working as quickly as possible to resolve the situation.” The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Lancashire Police are investigating. A spokesman for NCSC said: “We are aware of an issue affecting Spar stores and are working with partners to fully understand the incident.”

centres voted to strike over pay. The drivers and warehouse workers had rejected a 4% annual pay increase. Industrial action in the week before Christmas is still set to go ahead.

RISE IN EV REGISTRATIONS Registration of all electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrids and hybrids, rose by nearly 70% year-on-year in November, saysthe Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The data shows

Christmas sales strong despite price rises UK grocery sales are staying strong compared with the pre-pandemic market and spend remains 7% higher than in 2019, new Kantar figures reveal. The figures show online grocery sales fell by 12.5% in the four-week period, despite concerns growing over rising case numbers and the emergence of the Omicron variant. The research reveals grocery prices increased by 3.2% in the four weeks to late November, the highest rate of inflation recorded since June 2020. Fraser McKevitt, Head of Retail and Consumer Insight at Worldpanel Division, said: “Consumer behaviour

26.5% of the new car market

hasn’t caught up with these changes though. Habits we’d expect to see shift, like swapping branded products for own label or seeking out promotions, haven’t altered just yet.”

has to date during 2021 has been electrified.

SAINBURY’S HELPS FAMILIES IN NEED Sainsbury’s has brought back its annual ‘Help Brighten a Million Christmases’ campaign, which sees the retailer work with its customers to donate to help feed families in need over the festive period. The supermarket has pledged to match donations up to the value of £1.5m.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

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NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

England expects new Covid restrictions

TESCO TARGETS ADVERTISERS Tesco has launched

Prime minister Boris Johnson is expected to introduce Plan B restrictions this evening in a bid to slow the spread of the new coronavirus variant.

a new grocery media and insights platform, powered DunnHumby, to help brands create

lockdown to deal with the threat of the Omicron variant cannot be ruled out. Currently Wales’ Health Minister Eluned Morgan said the country is expecting a significant wave of Omicron that would peak in January, and in Scotland, Covid rules are going to be reviewed daily as Omicron cases rise. However, it is being widely suggested that the imposition of new restrictions is intended as a distraction from the scandal over an illegal Christmas party at Number 10. Meanwhile, Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup has marked one year since the first vaccine was administered, by urging people to get their booster jabs. She said: “Those who have received their booster are likely to have a stronger immune response, so it is absolutely vital that you get boosted as soon as you can to protect yourself and your family during winter. “And I want to stress that the offer of a first and second dose will always be available if you haven’t had the jab. There is still time.”

customers and deliver a more personalised offer. The platform taps into Tesco Clubcard data and in-store insights, and features a suite of five products, from oneto-one personalisation through to broader mass reach campaigns. It will also offer advertisers the chance to use firstparty data to target key audiences away from

TECH SOLUTIONS

rime minister Boris Johnson is expected to reveal fresh Covid restrictions in England today (8 December) to slow the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant. There are currently more than 400 confirmed cases of Omicron in the UK, figures show, and experts believe the variant is spreading fast. Johnson told The House of Commons that Omicron is infecting people at a “much faster” rate than previous iterations of the virus. And multiple media outlets are now reporting that Johnson is set to announce the introduction of Plan B restrictions – mandatory face masks and vaccine passports, along with working from home orders – at a press conference this evening. The restrictions would then come into effect from tomorrow (9 December). Limits are not expected to be placed on socialising, meaning Christmas plans will not be affected at present. However, a prominent member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has warned that a full UK-wide

better engagement with

Tesco’s digital store and create customer-led experiential propositions. Tesco said three of the insight products will help brands access relevant and comprehensive insights to inform new product development, packaging, ranging and campaign effectiveness.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

C OV E R

RETAIL V

Confronti

The retail sector has been calling for the government to make

he government is to table an amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which will make it an offence to assault shopworkers. In a letter to members of the National Retail Crime Steering Group, to which the ACS and NFRN belong, Policing Minister Kit Malthouse said: “This amendment will send a very strong

signal that assaults of this kind are totally unacceptable. This government wants to ensure that retail staff and those who are serving the public can feel protected from abuse when working. It will reinforce in statute the seriousness with which the courts should treat these offences.” He added: “This legislative change recognises the very strong public and

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Parliamentary feeling about assaults against public-facing workers, and builds on the important work already under way by this group to ensure that assaults are not seen as part of a retail worker’s job.” In response, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman, said: “Introducing tougher sentences for those who attack people providing a service to the public,

S T O RY

VIOLENCE

ing crime

e it an offence to assault shopworkers for a number of years.

in place to stop those with substance and alcohol dependencies from reoffending.” The amendment will be debated during the Report Stage of the Bill in the House of Lords, which is expected to take place before Christmas. NFRN National President, Narinder Randhawa, said: “Everyone involved in retailing deserves to work in an environment that is safe. Sadly, the reality is that theft, vandalism, and physical and verbal attacks are all too familiar for many NFRN members.

“Police and Crime Commissioners must prioritise crimes committed against retailers and their colleagues.” – Lowman

including shopworkers, marks a significant step forward, but it does not solve the problem by itself. We need to ensure that abuse is not seen as part of the job and that all incidents are reported, and in response, Police and Crime Commissioners must prioritise crimes committed against retailers and their colleagues. We must also put the right interventions

“For some considerable time, the NFRN has been calling for the government to get tough on those who assault retail workers. News of this amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that will make it an offence to assault anyone providing a public duty is very welcome.” Trade union Usdaw said it is currently looking at the wording of the amendment and is keen to work with the government and members of the House of Lords to ensure that the draft

provisions deliver the protections retail workers deserve. Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “After years of campaigning we are pleased to have secured movement from the government and that they have finally accepted the need to legislate to protect shopworkers from violence at work. We are studying the amendment to the Policing Bill and are keen to engage with the government and politicians from all parties so that our members can be absolutely clear that the provisions in the Bill will deliver the protections they deserve. “Usdaw members working in retail have for too long been in the firing line of appalling behaviour from a significant minority of customers. Nine in 10 shopworkers have faced abuse in the last year, with far too many also suffering threats and violence. A protection of workers law is long overdue and this could be a step in the right direction.” Meanwhile, the ACS is calling on retailers to share their experiences of retail crime over the past 12 months for its annual crime report. Lowman added: “We need to keep pushing the government to ensure that our colleagues get the protection that they so desperately need and deserve. We are urging all retailers to take the time to take part in this important survey so that we can ensure that the sector is represented, and that all your voices are heard.” ● Take part in the ACS survey.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA

Nisa adds festive lines to food-to-go offering The category is back on the up and the symbol group is encouraging its retailers to get the right range for their shoppers.

isa has launched some festive food-to-go products to help retailers grow sales as Christmas approaches. The symbol group says the category is back on the up and is encouraging its retailers to get the right range for their shoppers. As well as the traditional Co-op Turkey Feast Sandwich alongside a Co-op no-turkey vegan alternative from the Co-op Gro range, other festive flavours available to tempt shoppers with include Co-op Pork, Sage and Onion Stuffing Scotch Eggs, Co-op Pork, Stuffing and Cranberry Sausage Roll, and Co-op Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Pasta Salad.

Jonny Lambert, Wholesale Category Lead for Co-op, said: “Having the right range for customers is key and we’ve launched some great new lines this autumn taking us through to Christmas to get people into the spirit of the season.” In addition, merchandising tips have been shared to support partners in-store with pointers on how and where best to site the food-to-go fixture to drive maximum sales. A food-to-to ‘Category Talk’ film, first aired at the Nisa Expo in the autumn, has also been made available to partners. It offers insights and advice from Co-op’s food-to-go buyer, Nisa’s

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wholesale category controller for foodto-go, as well as a representative from key supplier Greencore. The film touches on the impact Covid lockdown had on the category and how the food-to-go offer can be differentiated in stores. There is also supplier advice on how to grow sales, quick wins, current trends, and drivers of growth including how to make the most of own-brand and branded opportunities. Claire Parker, Co-op Marketing Manager for category growth in wholesale, said: “The category talks are a simple way of sharing some insights and ideas from experts in the field.”

SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA

Longstanding Nisa partner retires The changes – particularly in fresh and chilled – are based on advanced data analysis.

aylor’s of Tickhill, a family-run grocery store that has been part of its Doncaster community since the end of the Second World War, has been sold as the owners retire. The store has seen three generations take the reins since 1946, growing from a small off-licence and food store to the much larger grocery shop it is today, specialising in fine wines and cheeses. The store – run by husband and wife Chris and Julie Taylor – has pioneered numerous initiatives over the years, getting involved in various trials and working groups during their time as a longstanding Nisa partner. Chris, who was part of Nisa’s IT development committee, helped to develop

PRESENT DAY

TAYLOR’S 1964

solutions to support fellow retailers. His store was the first to take Nisa’s Evolution Epos system, as well as trialling the order capture system and electronic delivery notes. Chris also joined Nisa’s National Retail Council in 2006 and served as chairman before joining the advisory committee for independent and specialist fascia stores in 2014.

He said: “I’ve always found collaborating with other retailers to be really valuable and these meetings were a superb melting pot of ideas.” Chris has also been a big supporter of Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity too, sitting on the board of trustees for the past six years. The store has supported good causes with around £18,000 in donations via the charity. The store will remain trading with Nisa under its new management. “I have so many really happy memories of my time in retail. Overall, I think if you can give people a positive experience in your shop and they leave with a smile, you’re doing something right,” Chris concluded.

TAYLOR’S 1984

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SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA

Nisa Local Bellshill focuses on food-to-go

The retailers want to create something more akin to that seen in the Northern Ireland market.

ather-and-son team Abdul and Umar Majid, who run Nisa Local Bellshill in Glasgow, are moving their focus away from groceries and on to fresh food for now and food for later. The retailers want to create something more akin to that seen in Northern Ireland and visited the country to learn how the food-to-go market operates there. Abdul said: “We want people to think of us more as a food store where they can come to buy their fresh meals, not just as a grocery shop.” He added: “We really like the Irish model and the cornerstone of what

they do is their fresh food. In the long term we want to have shoppers coming in for their freshly prepared food and picking up their groceries on the same trip.” The store began by creating a food take out offer and has now moved on to sell freshly prepared meals including casseroles, soups, pies, and pasta dishes that shoppers can pick up from the chiller, take home, and heat up for dinner. Made on site and sold under the Baba’s Kitchen brand – after Umar’s grandfather – the choice is expanding and has been well received by shoppers.

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Abdul said: “We dipped our toe in and were surprised by how successful it was and so we now have a longer-term plan to build up the offer.” Umar, who has taken on responsibility for developing this side of the business, hopes to make significant changes over the next five to 10 years and ensure the store is future fit. He said: “Currently we are selling out of most of what we make every day, and we don’t have the capacity to prepare any more. So, the long-term plan will see us create a larger kitchen space which will allow us to make more products.”

COMMUNITY

ONE STOP

One Stop reaches Dementia Friends milestone The symbol group’s Dementia Friends can be found in stores, head office, and its distribution centre.

ore than 10,000 One Stop colleagues are now ‘Dementia Friends’ and are equipped with a greater understanding of how the disease impacts its customers and how they can help. There are an estimated 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK, a figure projected to rise to 1.6 million by 2040. This year a further 209,600 people will develop this progressive illness – one every three minutes. Those affected are not just the elderly. Liz Fox, One Stop’s Head of Sustainability & Social Responsibility, said: “Dementia Friends is a very simple but powerful initiative which educates and

provides an understanding of what it’s like to live with dementia and understand a little more about how challenging everyday tasks can be. Our colleagues wear the Dementia Friends pin badge in stores to highlight to customers they can be relied on to assist any customers who may need it. This could be anything from supporting customers to locate the right products, to helping them at the till in a sensitive manner that builds trust.” Joe Swan, Alzheimer’s Society Account Manager, added: “Knowing there are One Stop colleagues who understand a little about dementia and can offer a helping hand when it’s needed

makes the world of difference to the 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK.” It is not just One Stop store colleagues who now call themselves Dementia Friends, they can also be found in head office and its distribution centre. Fox added: “The programme has really developed a greater understanding of dementia and fosters a sense of understanding and care. “Supporting our local communities is at the heart of everything we do and this initiative has shown how our colleagues are passionate about supporting our customers with that extra bit of help when they visit our stores.”

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STORE OP

ONE S

Retailer celebrates openin his 13th One Stop store Danny Wilson’s new store is in a former hardware shop in Bridlington.

ne Stop franchisee Danny Wilson is celebrating after opening his 13th store in Bridlington, East Yorkshire. The retailer’s new store is in a former hardware shop in the town that was run down. Danny worked with One Stop to give the building a significant facelift and the result is 1,800sq ft of space that has been customised to create a new store for the community. The store features One Stop’s extensive range of chilled, frozen, fresh and ambient lines, and boasts many other top-up treats including f ’real Milkshake, Tango Ice Blast, and Robinson’s Fruit Ice.

Danny employs mostly from the local communities where his stores are based, around the Scarborough, Bridlington and northeast areas. He said: “We’ve opened a number of One Stop stores in quick succession. Once you have one store, you follow the same One Stop systems and replicate what you’ve done, focusing on what’s been successful and the demographic of the area. “We’ve found the technology allows the stores to virtually run on their own as the orders automatically curate whether you’re there or not. We just look through the order and check if we need

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any additional stock and that’s it. Other symbol groups we’ve worked with weren’t nearly as advanced, so this allows me to operate multiple sites with ease.” Danny has tapped into the strength of local community stores since the pandemic, with Bridlington seeing significant investment with the rise in popularity of British seaside towns and staycations. “Our new One Stop store is not the only shop to open in the area – there’s competition around us but we remain the best value thanks to the promotions we can offer,” he said. “I’m really pleased with how trading has been since we’ve opened, and

PENINGS

STOP

ng e

the look of the store has also exceeded expectation. We’ve got the new yellow and grey promotional POS, which has created a standout impact from the roadside.” John Miller, Head of Franchise at One Stop, said: “It only feels like yesterday when we congratulated Danny for opening his 12th store. He has a

strong team that leads by example, and he has worked hard to build a solid and well-respected portfolio of One Stop stores in the northeast. “The speed with which Danny is opening our stores shows the opportunities available for franchisees and the ease of running multiple sites. All our stores, whether they are ‘core’ or franchise, are

treated the same. Franchisees have all the systems, technology, promotions, prices, quality, and standards that are synonymous across the whole estate. Franchisees also have their own Business Development Manager who works with them on every aspect of the store, from the initial refit, to growing sales, all with up to the minute data helping them in every aspect of decision making. “Danny has a strong vision for where he wants to take his business. He can see how much the local convenience industry has grown and is keen to harness this in an area he knows well. Our job at One Stop is to help support this growth and work with Danny to bring out the best in each store and allow him to run his sites as efficiently as possible.” Danny is already planning to move his other Bridlington One Stop – which he only opened earlier this year – to a larger site. In addition, he plans to open more stores and is already looking at possible sites.

WEDNESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 84 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

COMMUNITY

ONE STOP

One Stop partners with food redistribution charity The symbol group has donated £80,000 to FareShare to support the provision of meals to children during the school holidays.

ne Stop has formed a partnership with FareShare, the UK’s longest-running food redistribution charity. The retailer has donated £80,000 to FareShare, which will support the provision of meals to children during the school holidays over the festive period and February half-term next year. One Stop has also launched a fun-filled Christmas activity book, which will be available to purchase in store from 8 December to help raise further funds. The book will cost £2.50 – raising funds that will help FareShare to deliver the equivalent of 10 meals to support children through the holidays – and will be available from all One Stop stores. The activity book includes colouring pages, the opportunity to find festive characters including Carol the Cranberry and Lesley the Leek, and houses a template for a gingerbread house on the back page that can be cut out and made. In 2022 and 2023 One Stop’s 900 stores in the UK will continue with their support of holiday hunger and further activity books will be launched, including over Easter and summer.

Liz Fox, Head of Sustainability & Social Responsibility, said: “Our stores are based in the heart of community neighbourhoods so we see firsthand how some people may need additional support. It’s key that we work with organisations like FareShare to help make a difference and influence change.” Lindsay Boswell, FareShare Chief Executive, added: “Two-thirds of groups FareShare supply with food support children and families. The holidays should be

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a time of fun and excitement yet, in the aftermath of the pandemic and with rising costs to contend with, many more families will struggle to put food on the table over the Christmas break. “We are very thankful to One Stop for their support, which will help us deliver 320,000 meals-worth of food to our network of frontline charities supporting families this winter.”

STORE OPENINGS

POST OFFICE

Post Office’s Heathrow Airport operations take off The openings coincide with an increase in travel bookings, particularly since the re-opening of the US border to UK citizens travelling for leisure.

ost Office has restarted its operations at Heathrow Airport as traveller numbers increase after the easing of Covid restrictions. The new branch at Terminal 5 and the restored branch at Terminal 3 are both situated in WHSmith stores and operated by WHSmith. Post Office says the openings coincide with an increase in travel bookings, particularly since the re-opening of the US border to UK citizens travelling for leisure. Post Office added that it will be closely monitoring what impact the emergence of the Omicron

variant of coronavirus could have on visits to its branches. The branches offer travellers the opportunity to send any last-minute letters or parcels before departing on holiday or pay a bill. They also give the tens of thousands of airport employees the ability to access cash quickly and conveniently or make deposits, and make use of mail and bill payment services. In addition, travelling customers can also choose to take advantage of the ‘Local Collect’ service where they can get any holiday or business travel purchases sent to the Post Office at Terminal 3 or

Terminal 5 and collect them prior to boarding their flight. The branches, which are located on the ‘landside’ sections of the airport, are open between 6am and 7pm. Katie Secretan, Strategic Partnerships Director, said: “I’m delighted we’re now back up and running at one of the world’s busiest airports with our trusted strategic partner WHSmith. Tens of thousands of airport workers will benefit from being able to use our services; and for travellers who need to send off an important letter or parcel before jetting off on holiday, our branches will enable them to do that.”

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LEGISLATION

MINIMUM UNIT PRICING

Scottish Government under pressure to increase MUP

Campaigners believe Scottish Government could save and improve more lives by increasing the minimum unit price.

lcohol Focus Scotland (AFS) and Scottish Health Action on Alcohol Problems (SHAAP) are calling for an increase in minimum unit pricing. In a letter to Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Health Humza Yousaf and Public Health Minister Maree Todd, the campaigners recommend the Scottish Government increases the current price of 50p per unit to 65p. The letter, which is signed by leading health and children’s charities and royal colleges, highlights that while the initial findings from the Public Health Scotland evaluation have been positive, the impact of a 50p MUP is likely to have been significantly eroded by inflation. The campaigners believe that Scottish Government could save and improve more lives by increasing the minimum unit price. The original modelling of MUP calculated that setting a higher price will deliver greater benefits – a price of 60p per unit was predicted to save twice as many lives and hospital admissions as 50p per unit, while 70p was expected to deliver three times the effect.

Dr Alastair MacGilchrist, chair of SHAAP, said: “The Scottish Government committed to review the price two years after the introduction of the policy. While this has understandably been delayed due to the pandemic, we cannot afford to wait any longer. MUP came into force in 2018 and, in the two years following, there was a reduction in alcohol consumption and decreases in hospital admissions from alcohol-related liver conditions. Scotland also saw a 10% decrease in the number of alcohol-specific deaths in 2019. However,

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probably due to changing drinking patterns during the pandemic, alcohol-related deaths rose by 17% in 2020. Blantyre retailer and national deputy vice-president of the NFRN, Shahid Razzaq, said: “While MUP proved to be very successful initially, it is clear that it needs to be reviewed and acted on by government to address this worrying trend and we fully support the proposed increase.”

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS

SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

SGF marks progress of Go Local Programme

The second phase of the programme is advancing with 21 retailers and will continue to develop 10 pilot stores.

GF welcomed Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon to Scotmid’s Broxburn store to mark the progress of the second phase of the SGF Go Local Programme, which helps convenience stores across Scotland provide dedicated, long-term display space for locally-sourced Scottish products. The original 10-store pilot, which ran from December 2020 until June 2021, saw the SGF choose 10 diverse stores across a range of fascia groups to prove proof of concept. Each store received match-funding. The trial resulted in a 34% increase in the number of local products stocked thanks to more space dedicated to them, and a 40% rise in sales of local produce at shops that took part.

The success of the pilot has led to the second phase of the programme, which is advancing with 21 retailers, and will continue to develop the 10 pilot stores.

Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Mairi Gougeon, said: “The initiative has also shown that our diverse and successful convenience store sector is ideally placed to give customers the greater choice of healthy produce they are looking for, while at the same time helping to achieve our net zero targets by reducing food miles.” SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema added: “The SGF Go Local programme has been an outstanding success to date, and we are delighted that in recognition of this that the Cabinet Secretary has come to visit Scotmid’s Broxburn store to see an excellent example of type of benefits the programme can bring to the local community through collaborative working.”

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TRADE ASS

ASSOCIATION OF CO

ACS responds to Kickstart Scheme consultation

The trade body made recommendations on how the Department for Work and Pensions can support job creation in the convenience sector.

he Association of Convenience Stores has responded to a consultation on the government’s Kickstart Scheme, which provides retailers with funding to create new job placements and training for 16-24-year-olds on Universal Credit and deemed at risk of long-term unemployment. The trade association made several recommendations for how the Department for Work and Pensions can support job creation in the convenience sector: ● Consistent turnaround times for DWP administration and feedback on applications for funding. ● A more proactive DWP role to foster and encourage effective local

partnerships for jobs between retailers, candidates, and training providers. ● Adapting employer resources for different business audiences.

The latest ACS Voice of Local Shops Survey in April showed that 16% of retailers were participating in the scheme, 24% had applied but not yet started placements, and 20% would be interested in offering opportunities. ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “Convenience stores provide local, secure and flexible employment opportunities to hundreds of thousands of people across the UK and the introduction of the Kickstart Scheme has supported job creation in the sector.

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“We are calling for the DWP to work to foster local partnerships between employers, candidates and training providers. With these changes, the scheme

SOCIATIONS

ONVENIENCE STORES

should be used as a template to inform future job creation initiatives.” More than 100,000 young people across the country have now started jobs

through the government’s landmark Kickstart Scheme. Retailers wishing to participate in the scheme must apply for funding by 17 December and arrange

placement start dates by 31 March 2022. More information about the Kickstart Scheme, including guidance for employers, can be found here.

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PROMOTIONA

INVEST NORTH

RICH HERITAGE UNDERPINS NORTHERN IRELAND’S SUCCESS IN DISTILLING

ast year, food and drink companies generated over £5 billion for the Northern Ireland economy, with the sector remaining resilient throughout COVID-19. Invest Northern Ireland is working with hundreds of companies across the sector to help them remain competitive by growing sales, increasing exports, engaging in innovation and investing in the skills of their staff. Distilling/brewing has re-emerged as one of Northern Ireland’s most dynamic and export-driven industries in little more than a decade. The region is now home to over 20 craft breweries

and around 12 distilleries producing award winning single malt, pot still and blended Irish whiskeys, gin, vodka, rum, craft beer, hard seltzers and fruit infused grain spirits and poitin, a traditional pot still spirit distilled from a range of ingredients such as potatoes or cereals. From Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed distillery, to newcomers including Hinch, Echlinville, Rademon, McConnell’s, Copeland, Killowen and Boatyard you can be sure of Pure, Natural, Quality drink and a warm welcome. As a result of this growth, virtually

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every city and many towns and even villages across Northern Ireland (population 1.8m) are home to either a distillery or at least one craft brewery, often both. The region has also a thriving cider sector. Several distilleries and breweries are now selling products abroad in markets such as Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, other parts of Europe, Asia and the US. In addition to its growing reputation in brewing and distilling, Northern Ireland, a successful dairy farming region, is a recognised leader in the production of Irish cream liqueurs.

A L F E AT U R E

HERN IRELAND

BELFAST DISTILLERY COMPANY Belfast Distillery Company, the company behind McConnell’s Irish Whiskey, is pushing ahead with plans for a £20 million distillery development and world-class tourist attraction at one of Belfast’s most historically important buildings, the Crumlin Road Gaol. McConnell’s, which dates back to 1776, has been revived as a brand by Belfast Distillery Company and is proving to be a real success in its’ home city of Belfast, being available in all of the top outlets across the city. A quality, 5 year old blend, it has recently won another gold medal, this time at the Warsaw Spirits Competition. These awards have helped build the whiskey’s portfolio internationally, boosting its distribution network. McConnell’s is available in several key global spirits markets, including the US, Canada, Russia, Australia and important Irish Whiskey markets in Europe. E: info@belfastdistillery.com https://mcconnellsirishwhisky.com/

THE BOATYARD DISTILLERY The Boatyard Distillery was founded by Joe McGirr in 2016 in a transformed boat house overlooking Lough Erne in Co, Fermanagh and focuses on crafting premium spirits that combine quality with provenance and heritage. Boatyard Double Gin represents its core expression. This 46% ABV Irish distilled gin contains a locally foraged botanical called Sweet Gale, in an otherwise classic recipe. The double in its name refers to a double contact with juniper during distillation resulting in a juniper forward gin, perfect for Martinis. In May 2021, Boatyard launched its award-winning double gins in New York State through a deal with established distributor Empire Merchants and announced the appointment of Michael Smoley as market manager, in New York. Late 2020 saw Boatyard appoint previous director of bars of the Savoy, Declan McGurk as commercial director, and this recent appointment bolsters the distillery’s on trade credentials, as they strive for expansion. https://www.boatyarddistillery.com/

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PROMOTIONA

INVEST NORTH

COPELAND DISTILLERY Established in 2016 by Gareth Irvine as a producer of natural fruit-infused gins, Copeland Distillery now produces a range of award-winning spirits including whiskey, rum and Poitin. Copeland retail their products throughout the UK, ROI and across Europe. It operates from a 102 year old converted cinema in the coastal town of Donaghadee, Co Down which also offers a visitor centre with a coffee hub. In May 2021 Copeland launched its first whiskey product, a blended whiskey called Merchant’s Quay, having introduced a rum range in November 2020 amid the pandemic which joined its successful range of gins. The have also produced malt and pot-stilled whiskeys that are undergoing the maturation process and are expected to launch in 2024. E: info@copelanddistillery.com https://copelanddistillery.com/

ECHLINVILLE DISTILLERY Since establishing in 2012, Echlinville Distillery has been at the forefront of Ireland’s spirits renaissance. The independent, family-owned distillery is home to a portfolio of award-winning brands which are making their mark on the international whiskey and gin market. Echlinville is the proud custodian of Dunville’s Irish Whiskey. The ‘Spirit of Belfast’ is held in high esteem throughout the whiskey industry for its premium and super premium single malts and vintage blends. The iconic brand is synonymous with premium quality, exquisite taste and rich heritage. Echlinville recently announced a new distribution partnership with Hi-Spirits, which will see an increased presence for Dunville’s Irish Whiskey across the UK market. As Northern Ireland’s first farm distillery, Echlinville whiskey has ‘field to glass’ traceability, something that is increasingly important in the global food and drink industry. In October 2020 the Kircubbin based distillery announced an investment of over £9m to help it increase production capacity and grow its brands of Irish whiskey and gin globally and the development of a new immersive visitor’s centre. E: info@echlinville.com https://echlinville.com/

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A L F E AT U R E

HERN IRELAND

HINCH DISTILLERY The £15m Hinch Distillery which lies between Belfast and Ballynahinch on the glorious Killaney Estate launched after much anticipation in November 2020. Owned by Dr Terry Cross OBE, Hinch Distillery boasts a quality range of Irish Whiskeys including Single Pot Still, Peated Single Malt plus their award winning Ninth Wave Irish Gin, the most highly awarded gin in the world in 2020. The Hinch distillery complex includes the stunning Hinch Brasserie restaurant, a refined gift store, event spaces, a Hinch Irish Whiskey distillery tour and a Gin School. Recently Hinch won a double Gold Medal for its Irish Whiskey Double Wood Aged Five Years product at ‘The Fifty Best’ - a New York awards event and a Silver and Judges’ Selection at the Alberta Beverage Awards 2021. Meanwhile its Ninth Wave Irish Gin has been awarded “Best in Class” for a second year running at the Alberta Beverage Awards 2021. E: Michael.Morris@hinchdistillery.com https://www.hinchdistillery.com/

RADEMON ESTATE Fiona and David Boyd-Armstrong began distilling their world-famous Shortcross Gin, which has over 30 global awards, on their County Down estate in 2012. Shortcross was the first craft gin produced in Northern Ireland in over a century. The gin has since gained a host of international awards for quality and innovation. Shortcross is now on sale in over 30 global markets. In November 21, Rademon’s first-ever whiskey - Shortcross Single Malt Whiskey was named as the Winner of best New Irish Whiskey at The Irish Whiskey Awards. With the first two casks of Shortcross Single Malt due to be opened in the coming weeks, just 658 bottles from the first-ever release of Shortcross Irish Whiskey are available to reserve at the Rademon Estate Distillery website. The new single malt whiskey has been entirely produced onsite at Rademon. A total of £3.5m has been invested in the distillery since it was established and the Estate now houses the distillery, a state-of-the-art visitor centre and bottle shop. E: hello@shortcrossgin.com https://rademonestatedistillery.com/

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

IGD

Shopper confidence rises in run-up to Christmas Data shows Northern England and Scotland were the only regions that didn’t see an increase in shopper confidence.

hopper confidence has risen for the first time since April 2021, as shoppers prepare for Christmas, research by the IDG reveals. The November 2021 Shopper Confidence Index, from insights organisation ShopperVista, shows shopper confidence increased to -9 in November compared to -11 in October. Shopper confidence increased throughout the month, reaching a high of -6 at the end of the month, with an overall average of -9 for the month. The research finds that 61% of shoppers are looking forward to getting back to a ‘traditional’ Christmas following the dampened 2020 festivities and 67% think that Christmas is a time to splash out on food and groceries. In addition, the data shows shopper confidence increased across most demographic groups, particularly those aged 25+ and lower income households. Meanwhile, Northern England and Scotland were the only regions that didn’t see an increase in shopper confidence. However, expectations around price increases have reached an alltime high: 85% expect food and grocery prices to increase in the year ahead and 29% expect them to get much more expensive.

Rhian Thomas, Head of Insight, ShopperVista, said: “Following the bleak picture the Shopper Confidence Index painted last month, it’s refreshing to see a slightly brighter outlook. Assuming that no more restrictions are put in place as a result of the Omicron variant, we expect confidence to be elevated throughout the month. “However, it’s unfortunately not a longer-term story of Christmas cheer. Despite the decision by the Bank of England not to raise interest rates at

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Research finds that 61% of shoppers are looking forward to getting back to a ‘traditional’ Christmas following the dampened 2020 festivities

the moment, the media has focused heavily on the rising cost of living. We expect shoppers to increase their focus on saving money at the start of 2022, to make up for any overspending at Christmas and prepare for the energy price cap which could see household energy prices jump by more than 40%.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

TWC

Home entertaining opportunity confirmed as pandemic legacy Research shows almost seven in 10 consumers have entertained friends and family at home in the past month or plan to do so soon.

he importance of entertaining at home, a legacy of the pandemic, has been highlighted in a new report. The TWC report finds almost seven in 10 consumers saying they have entertained friends at home in the past month and/or plan to do so in the next month. This is greater than those that have met friends and family in a pub, and implies a significant opportunity for retailers. The research also shows that four months after full lockdown ended in July, 83% of the nation has visited a hospitality establishment in the past month, higher than the proportion saying that they had visited a supermarket (80%).

Sarah Coleman, TWC’s Director of Communications, said: “Retailers have an opportunity to target home entertaining occasions, to meet the needs of those that don’t want to go out, or indeed those who have enjoyed entertaining at home through the pandemic and wish to continue. If current concerns about the new Omicron variant lead to further restrictions, retailers need to be prepared for an increase in at-home occasions.” The report also shows that businesses who get to know their customers are likely to get ahead. Coleman added: “Over a third of consumers agreed that c-stores should

collect and use customer data to offer personalised products and promotions. If we align this back to the question of home entertainment, stores have a real opportunity to think about marketing new occasions through deals and promotions and driving loyalty with customers. Data plays a pivotal role in this. Our report shows that 53% of the population is happy for businesses to collect data. “Those businesses that aren’t close to their customers will be the ones that lose out. You can be sure that if you aren’t targeting your customers with personalised offers, that the shop or restaurant down the road – or Deliveroo – will be.”

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P U R E W O P S E L A S YOUR

H T I W K N I R D Y G R E N E E HIGH CAFFEIN U R B N R I F O E T S A T E L B A B THE INDESCRI

H S I T T O C S 1 . 0 N FROM THE * D N A R B Y R E C O GR *Source: Kantar World Panel, Value Sales, Take Home Non-Alcohol Brands, MAT to 06.09.20, Total Scotland

ENERGY *1IS GROWING 6 X FASTER THAN SOFT DRINKS & DELIVERS THE HIGHEST*2 PROFIT PER LITRE FOR RETAILERS

NEARLY 1 IN 2 DRINKS SOLD IS AN ENERGY DRINK*3

FLAVOURS NOW ACCOUNT FOR 34% OF MAINSTREAM ENERGY PRODUCTS*4

66% of shoppers always buy the same size*5 energy can

MERCHANDISE WITH ENERGY

FLAVOURED ENERGY IS GROWING FASTER THAN ORIGINAL ENERGY*4

RETAILERS SEE 70% GROWTH FROM LISTING BOTH SIZES*6 OF IRN-BRU ENERGY

BLOCK BY BRAND

2 FACINGS FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT

STOCK THE FULL RANGE TO MAXIMISE YOUR GROWTH OPPORTUNITY *1: IRI MARKETPLACE, VALUE SALES, MAT TO 28/08/2021, SCOTLAND CONVENIENCE. *2: IRI MARKETPLACE, PPL & AVERAGE MARGINS, MAT TO 19/04/2020, SCOTLAND CONVENIENCE *3: IRI MARKETPLACE, VALUE ESALES, DRINK NOW, MAT TO 28/08/21, SCOTLAND SYMBOLS & INDEPENDENTS. *4: IRI MARKETPLACE, VALUE SALES, MAINSTREAM DRINK NOW ENERGY EXCL. ORIGINAL, MAT TO 28/08/21, TOTAL COVERAGE *5: IRI Marketplace, Value sales, MAT to 14/08/21, Total Scotland. *6: RETAILER DATA AUGUST 2021

COMMUNITY

SPAR UK

James Hall & Co supports Lancashire Mind

The wholesaler has donated hampers that provide a helping hand to new tenants being supported by the charity.

ames Hall & Co, Spar UK’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the north of England, has donated of a year’s supply of home starter hampers for charity Lancashire Mind on behalf of the symbol group. The donation of the hampers, which include a range of essentials,

will provide a helping hand to new tenants who are being supported by Lancashire Mind and are moving into one of the charity’s tenancy properties during 2022. It marks a development of the partnership between the wholesaler and Lancashire Mind after the company’s decision

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to sponsor and provide goody bag items for the charity’s Mental Elf 5k Fun Run taking place in Witton Park, Blackburn. James Hall & Co has also funded the production of mental health and wellbeing awareness booklets with Lancashire Mind aimed at supporting secondary school-age children during and post-pandemic. Tom Murphy, Marketing Manager at James Hall & Co, said: “There is a symmetry between the way we deliver for communities and the locations where Lancashire Mind support people. Spar’s brand strapline is ‘There for You’ and we have 129 stores in Lancashire, many of which are in communities where Lancashire Mind has a presence. “It has never been more important to focus on your mental health, and to be able to access the tools to improve and maintain good mental health and wellbeing. The conversation is growing and getting louder, and we’re happy to add our support to amplify it further.” Jeanette Colclough, Tenancy Management Lead at Lancashire Mind, added: “Often people who come to us arrive with nothing, so to have a welcome pack of goodies waiting for a tenant when they move into one of our properties is very helpful. It really will contribute hugely to a positive start to their journey with Lancashire Mind.”

WHOLESALE

PARFETTS

Parfetts champions employee-ownership

New employee voice manager will be responsible for supporting team members through voice groups.

holesaler Parfetts has appointed Zoe Taylor to the new role of employee voice manager. Taylor will be responsible for supporting team members through voice groups and the company and employee trust boards. She will lead the maintenance, communication, and future development of the employee ownership culture at Parfetts. The company was established in 1980 by the Parfetts family. A majority was sold to an Employee Trust Board in 2008, and it became fully employee-owned in October 2018. Parfetts has grown 85% in the past five years. Guy Swindell, joint Managing Director of Parfetts, said: “Employee-ownership

is part of our DNA, and we are always looking for ways to improve the experience for our team members and enhance the benefits of the model to the business. Zoe brings a real passion for Parfetts to the role.” Martin Race, Chairman of the Employee Trust Board, added: “Parfetts’ continuing success is based on its people, who are all part-owners of the business. Zoe’s appointment will further strengthen our employee-owned culture, structure and processes, and I wish her all the best in this important role.” Taylor will also work alongside the voice depot groups to arrange employee activities around social and charity events and keep abreast of employee

ownership developments that may benefit the company. She said: “I’m excited to start my new role and champion employee-ownership within the business. Parfetts is growing quickly and employee-ownership is an essential part of that success.” Employee-owned businesses are totally or significantly owned by their employees and account for 4% of UK GDP annually and businesses that operate this model achieve higher productivity, greater levels of innovation and are more resilient to economic turbulence, according to the Employee Ownership Association. They also have more engaged, more fulfilled, and less stressed workforces.

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We work with local producers to help identify new trends, bring forward innovative products and grow their business.

Northern Ireland.

Bringing our world-class food and drink to your table. Over 100 years ago Northern Ireland introduced whiskey to the world and now our distillers and craft brewers are in the midst of a vibrant renaissance. Over the last decade, our drinks sector has become one of the region’s most dynamic, innovative and export-driven industries. Our drinks producers are winning awards across the globe, driving buoyant sales at home and abroad and our buzzing visitor centres and tap rooms are enticing tourists into cities, towns and villages across the four corners of our beautiful country. Northern Ireland is now home to over 20 distilleries and breweries producing single malt, pot still and blended Irish whiskeys, gin, poitin, vodka, rum, craft beer, cider and hard seltzers. From Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed distillery, to innovative newcomers including Hinch, Echlinville, McConnells, Rademon, Killowen, Copeland and Boatyard you can be sure of Pure, Natural, Quality drinks and a warm welcome. Slainte! Learn how you can serve our quality food and drink.

Northern Ireland. Altogether more.

For further information contact Iain Joannides, Invest NI E: iain.joannides@investni.com Michelle Charrington, Invest NI E: michelle.charrington@investni.com

WHOLESALE

HUNT’S FOOD GROUP

Hunt’s Foodservice rebrands The rebranding reflects both its successful diversification in recent years and its plans for the future.

holesaler Hunt’s Foodservice has rebranded to reflect its diversification and plans for the future, and is now known as The Hunt’s Food Group. While foodservice still represents more than half of its business, the Dorset-based wholesaler also has a broad remit supplying retail and natural products to farm shops, independent stores, coffee shops and online retailers. The Hunt’s Food Group has added new lines, such as health foods and regional products, to appeal to a new and more varied customer base and has

also significantly grown volume with its existing customers. Thomas Hunt, Group Managing Director, said: “Having more to offer our existing customer base has meant we have grown volume dramatically. To our customers’ delight, we’re adding new lines all the time. Our customers benefit enormously from the fantastic relationships we have with them, and we have become a one-stop shop which makes their life much easier. As a result of this, we have grown turnover from £42m in 2013 to a forecasted £110m in 2022.” The business is also focusing on its

environmental impact and is working with specialists to lower its carbon footprint. “We use electric and hybrid vehicles where we can, we’re installing solar panels on at our head office depot, and have planted eight acres of trees. This has always been important to us as a business, but now we are focussed on it as a priority for the future,” Hunt added. The company, which employs more than 600 people, is a Real Living Wage accredited employer and takes measures to ensure its team has a health work/life balance, such as changing its order cut off time to 4pm and stopping Saturday deliveries.

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SUSTAINABILITY

SPAR UK

KP Snacks saves 410 tonnes of plastic

Plastic has been reduced across Skips, Nik Naks, Space Raiders, McCoy’s, Hula Hoops, and Butterkist.

P Snacks h a s announced a 410 tonne re duc t ion in plastic packaging in 2021, reducing consumer packaging by 6.8% across several brands. The business saved 142 tonnes of plastic across Skips, Nik Naks and Space Raiders, freeing up space on retailers’ shelves and resulting in 644 fewer lorry journeys. Additional packaging modifications also saw plastic reductions across McCoy’s, Hula Hoops and Butterkist, as well as KP’s price-marked pack range. The manufacturer also recently joined the Flexible Plastic Fund, a cross-industry collaboration that is working towards a long-term vision of a circular economy for flexible plastics. KP Snacks has also teamed-up with TerraCycle to support the recycling of bagged nuts, popcorn, crisps and pretzels packets nationwide. This

partnership has seen 13 million snack packs recycled so far. Matt Collins, Trading Director, said: “We know that our consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and the impact of their purchases and we’re here to support our retail partners by doing the right thing. “As a category leader, we are committed to building on our existing

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programmes of packaging reduction, recycling and sustainable sourcing to ensure our business – and the planet and communities on which it depends – thrive for generations to come.” Nicola Robinson, Head of Sustainability at KP Snacks, a d d e d : “Wh i l e reducing plastic in our supply chain is a key element of our approach, we also recognise our responsibility to help develop recycling solutions over the long term so that ultimately, we can turn our crisp packets back into new crisp packets. “Achieving this will require deep collaboration across the value chain, which is why we’re proud to be a member of the Flexible Plastics Fund, as well as partnering with TerraCycle to help support infrastructure development within the UK.”

ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS

BARR SOFT DRINKS

Barr buys Moma

Barr says the purchase is a positive indication of its growth ambitions.

arr Soft Drinks has bought a 60% stake in oat-based brand Moma Foods, with an agreed path to full ownership over the next three years. Moma was founded in 2006 as a challenger brand in the porridge market and has more recently diversified into the burgeoning plant-based milk sector. Moma also produces a range of low sugar granola and muesli products. Tom Mercer, Founder and Chief Executive of Moma Foods, said: “I’m

hugely excited to embark on the next phase of Moma’s growth with AG Barr. I believe that together we can harness the passion that is integral to Moma and grow into a significantly bigger brand. “We’re 100% focused on crafting oats into the tastiest food and drink products we can, and I’m looking forward to the next leg of our journey.” Roger White, Chief Executive of AG Barr, added: “I’m delighted that AG Barr is venturing into healthy oat-based

products with such a great brand and an experienced team, led by Tom. Plantbased milk is a fast-growing category, in particular, and Moma’s oat milk is a premium quality product with huge potential. This exciting investment is a positive indication of AG Barr’s growth ambitions.” The deal is not expected to have a material impact on Barr’s profits for the current financial year ending 30 January 2022.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – WKD

WKD CELEBRATES MATES THIS CHRISTMAS

The brand’s campaign builds further on its successful Love Island association. Ready-to-drink brand WKD has launched a

mates mean to him. The tongue-in-cheek

seasonal campaign which celebrates mates,

series of videos will be released throughout

including house mates, teammates, old mates,

December.

best mates, and work mates.

● In addition, two contestants from this year’s

The campaign, called Merry ChristMATES,

series of Love Island – Brad McClelland and

sees the brand embark on a huge social media

Dale Mehmet – have been lined up to create

campaign created to help people celebrate their

fun footage which will showcase some very

friendships and reconnect with mates. The campaign comprises two main aspects: ● A series of light-hearted competitions and

special WKD Christmas cocktails. Alison Gray, Head of Brand – WKD at SHS Drinks, said: “Last year, WKD consumers got to spend

easy-to-enter online activities offers festive

some enforced quality time at Christmas with

prizes to both the entrant and their best

their close family only. Memorable and different

mates. Christmas is all about sharing and

as that will have been, we know that fans of WKD

WKD is providing loads of opportunities for

like nothing more than to be with their mates to

its legions of online followers to give free

make the absolute most of the festive season.

competition winnings to their friends.

Our humorous Merry ChristMATES campaign

● Previous Love Island contestant and social media influencer Chris Taylor will reprise his role as WKD brand ambassador to

will provide both fun content and festive prizes for WKD consumers to share with their mates. “To have enlisted Chris, Dale and Brad to

bring some carefully curated content to

support our festive campaign is the icing on the

his 1.1 million followers. Taylor will enlist

Christmas cake and builds further on our success-

his friends to demonstrate just how much

ful Love Island association.”

38 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 85 WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

FROSTY RECEPTION

MISO MOVE

PINT CANS

Authentic Japanese and organic

Westons Cider is expanding its

A new multi-million-pound

fine foods brand Clearspring

popular Stowford Press brand

national campaign reinforces

has added Chickpea Miso to

with the launch of a new price-

Jägermeister’s perfect serve –

its range. The miso is 100%

marked four pack of Stowford

an ice cold shot chilled to -18°C.

organic, GMO-free, live, fer-

Press Apple Cider pint cans.

The Secret is Ice Cold is sup-

mented, unpasteurised, and

The brand says the new format

ported with out-of-home activity,

suitable for vegans. It can be

will help cater to the increased

across social and digital plat-

used to make miso soup, stews,

demand for premium serves at

forms, and experiential events.

casseroles, and dressings.

home.

BLAST-OFF

SWEET VEGAN

EXTRA DRY

Energy drink brand Carabao will

Confectionery wholesaler, Han-

Speciality Brands is adding a new

relaunch its Mandarin Orange

cocks, has added Swedish

vermouth to its roster – Cocchi

flavour as Carabao Orange Blast

confectionery brand BUBs to its

Vermouth di Torino Extra Dry. This

this month in plain and price-

pick and mix range. The range

vermouth is the perfect addition

marked cans, with an improved

of BUBs available for retailers

to classic cocktails, such as the

recipe. The launch will be sup-

include the iconic Skull Sweets

Martini or the Bamboo, but is also

ported by a Facebook advertising

in Cool Melon, Cool Cola, Sour

equally at home served long with

campaign and a series of activa-

Raspberry and Lemon and Sour

elderflower tonic, soda water or

tions targeting football fans.

Skulls.

sipped over ice.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 39

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX

Leading the bl

Asda trials UK-first indoor map service for the blind and visuall

WHAT’S THE STORY? Asda is trialling new technology that will make it easier for blind and partially sighted customers to navigate their way around stores.The supermarket’s flagship technology store in Stevenage will be the first supermarket in the UK to be integrated into the GoodMaps smartphone app, which is specifically built for use among the blind and partially sighted, but the usability of the app doesn’t stop there.

DON’T YOU MEAN GOOGLE MAPS? No, GoodMaps is a US based company which aims to improve the accessibility, safety, and inclusivity of indoor spaces. This is achieved by “creating and maintaining accurate digital maps, providing revolutionary indoor positioning technology, and delivering a simple and intuitive wayfinding experience to all users”.

HOW DOES WORK? The app can pinpoint the user’s location to within a metre and then communicate directions to an object or area via audio, enlarged visual, and touch commands. Shoppers using the app will be able to search for key landmarks in the store, such as the pharmacy, toilets, and tills. The app can also be used to search for specific goods on the shelves and aims to guide the customer as close as possible to the item they are looking for.

WHAT IS ASDA SAYING?

40 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 85 WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021

blind

ly impaired

shelf labels and holograms, and this trial will teach us how we can make shopping in Asda easier for customers with additional needs.”

WHAT ABOUT GOODMAPS? Neil Barnfather, Vice-President Europe at GoodMaps, added: “It has been a real delight to work with Asda on this project. Recognising not only the commercial value in providing an enhanced retail experience to shoppers, but, equally the ethical stance taken by Asda in this regard has been both humbling and demonstrative of a corporate culture determined to make their offering not only inclusive but truly outstanding for all.”

ARE ANY OTHER COMPANIES USING THE TECHNOLOGY? Kane Stephenson, Inclusion Manager at Asda, said: ‘’We strive to be an inclusive business and that includes making it easier for all our customers to carry out a shop in one of our stores. We hope that by working with GoodMaps we can understand how we can make the in-store experience better for our blind and partially sighted customers.“Our Stevenage store is the ideal testing ground for this tool with it already being home to a number of tech trials including electronic

Earlier this month, TransPennine Express became the first UK rail operator to launch GoodMaps, to help those in need of additional support navigating train stations across the north. GoodMaps was created for seven stations between Hull and Manchester Airport – Hull, Brough, Selby, Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Stalybridge and Manchester Airport. The map plots the location of platforms, toilets, the ticket office, and the nearest coffee shops.

IRN-BRU IS BACK ON TV WITH SNOWMAN ADVERT IRN-BRU IS BACK ON TV SCREENS ON 1ST DECEMBER WITH THE IRN-BRU SNOWMAN, SCOTLAND’S BEST-LOVED CHRISTMAS TV ADVERT. ENSURING YOU HAVE THE RIGHT RANGES FOR BROAD APPEAL AND OFFERING VALUE WILL BE EVEN MORE CRUCIAL THIS YEAR WITH BIGGER TAKE HOME PACKS MEETING THE NEEDS OF SHOPPERS IN-HOME. PROMINENTLY DISPLAY ALL THREE VARIANTS OF IRNBRU TO DRIVE INCREMENTAL CATEGORY SALES.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 41

Top performing JUULpod flavours bring in more revenue.

Designed for adult smokers.

WARNING: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

Lunchables on steroids

It appears that Asda has inadvertently – or maybe not so inadvertently – created a giant-sized adult version of popular kids snack Dairylea Lunchables. Lunchables, as any time-pressed parent will tell you, consists of a number of 10p-piece-sized crackers with accompanying slices of ham and Dairylea cheese. Not exactly the lunch of champions, but that’s pester power for you. Asda’s newly-launched-for-Christmas Party Snack Platter offers a spookily similar scaled-up collection but with the added bonus of two types of cheese and the addition of what it describes on the box as “extra tasty” chicken slices. Its similarity to Lunchables was first flagged up on Facebook’s Extreme Bargains and Savings UK page, where one eagle-eyed shopper asked: “Is it just me or has Asda remade Dairylea Lunchables for adults?” As usual, the public’s opinion was split on whether this was genius or madness,

DIPLOMATIC INCIDENT

with over 1,000 comments running the full spectrum from “Christmas dinner sorted” to “You just know that when you peel back the ham and chicken side you’ll get a waft of fart”. The truth, like a slice of extra tasty chicken sandwiched between two Ritz

crackers, probably lies somewhere in the middle.

unleashing a pack of snarling lawyers

which actually has a single Ferrero

on it by coyly calling its creation the

Rocher nestled at its core, can be

Ambassador’s Golden Balls brownie.

yours for only £26.

Sticking with the pimp-my-snack

For younger readers of The Week

You may, however, be better off

theme, UK gourmet brownie com-

In Retail, this is a nod to the classic

spending your hard-earned cash

pany, Bad Brownie, has rolled-out

1990s ‘Ambassador’s reception’ TV

elsewhere.

(literally) what it’s calling “this fes-

ad which had chocolate munchers up

Since a 300g box of 24 Ferrero

tive season’s must-have stocking

and down the land spouting “Mon-

Rocher retails for something in the

filler” – a giant half-kilo Ferrero

sieur, with zees Rocher you are really

region of £8.50, you could buy a

Rocher-inspired brownie.

spoiling us.”

whopping 900g-worth for £26.

Bad Brownie has deftly avoided confectionery

giant

Ferrero

The giant 500g brownie-fied interpretation of the iconic Italian treat,

And have 50p left over to spoil yourself with.

WEDNESDAY 8TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 85 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 43

NPD AND MEDIA

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

A VERY SPECIAL VINTAGE xxx

xxx

44 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE XX / WEDNESDAY XXXX 2021

xxx

DRIVE NEW AND IMPROVED SALES xxx

The Week in Retail 85

Articles inside

Before You Go

Now That's A Good Idea

NPD and Media

Acquisitions & Mergers

Sustainability

Wholesale

Wholesale

Community

Business Intelligence

Business Intelligence

Promotional Feature

Trade Associations

Trade Associations

Legislation

Store Openings

Community

Store Openings

Community

Symbol Groups

Symbol Groups

Symbol Groups

Cover Story