The Week in Retail 86

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME

SCOTLAND DELAYS DRS

DECISION WINS SECTOR SUPPORT

HOME DELIVERY

SNAPPY SHOPPER AND NISA HIT MILESTONE

PARTNERS SEE AVERAGE BASKET SPEND OF £28

● RETAILERS

BREACH NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE LAW ● YORK STORE PUTS SHOPPER SAFETY FIRST ● BESTWAY PARTNERS WITH PLUNKETT FOUNDATION

FORECOURTS

ELECTRIC AVENUE

GRIDSERVE ROLLS OUT EV CHARGING UPGRADE

+ CAMELOT EXPECTS BUMPER SEASONAL SALES Brought to you by:

Commercial Partner:

Issue 86 Wednesday 15th December 2021

THE NO.1 SCOTTISH GROCERY BRAND

BACK ON TV FROM 1ST DECEMBER Copyright © Snowman Enterprises Limited 2020 THE SNOWMAN (TM) Snowman Enterprises Limited

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

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Sales success

W

elcome to the final issue of The Week in Retail for this year and I’m happy to report it’s filled with good news and promise for the new year.

This week we’ve learnt that convenience retailing has stayed ahead of its pre-pandemic performance and year-on-year figures are also positive, according to Retail Data Partnership figures.

And we’ve also discovered, courtesy of NielsenIQ, that shoppers are set to spend £6.8bn at supermarkets in the next two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. The figures show shoppers are seeking to treat themselves to more premium and higher value items this Christmas and, because of the Omicron variant, it looks like a lot of people will be celebrating at home with their friends and family.

Research from Birds Eye and KAM Media also reveals that more than a third of retailers have seen increased shopper demand for frozen over the past 12 months, while figures from the Office for National Statistics show the number of people who vape in the UK has risen to its highest level since records began.

Also celebrating this week are Nisa and Snappy Shopper who have reached £5m sales together. A

number of the symbol group’s stores have been able to generate incremental sales of more than £100,000 and some have reached more than half a million.

With Omicron in town, I expect the success story of home delivery to keep growing.

Meanwhile, the government has announced that it is making funding available to facilitate final Horizon compensation payments for postmasters whose convictions have been overturned. The government is working with Post Office to finalise the arrangements that will enable the final settlement negotiations to begin as soon as possible.

In addition, the Scottish government has confirmed that a deposit return scheme in Scotland will delayed until 16 August 2023 because of the challenges the pandemic and Brexit have placed on retailers. The news has been welcomed across the sector but concerns remain about Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater’s statement that retailers will begin to roll out a phased approach to DRS in the summer of 2022. Let’s hope the government’s plan continues to take into account the pressure that retailers are facing.

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you all a successful and safe festive period. Thank you for your support and we’ll see you all next year!

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

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

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86

6

14 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

Booker stores could be hit by strike action, and work begins to finalise Horizon scandal settlements.

31 COVER STORY

COMMUNITY RETAILING

Sustainable energy company Gridserve announces 20 new fast-charging electric forecourts, including a flagship site at Gatwick Airport.

Bestway Wholesale partners with the Plunkett Foundation and will be headline sponsor of the charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.

8 Electric vehicles

19 Home delivery

27 Business intelligence

The government updates its grant scheme for zero-emission vehicles to target less expensive models.

9 Deposit return scheme

Nisa partners.

record in November.

28 Flexible working

A York Nisa store prioritises the safety of its shoppers and staff this winter by expanding

a deposit return scheme in Scotland will

its self-serve till area.

13 Covid-19 update

The Post Office breaks its cash handling

21 Symbol groups

The Scottish government confirms that launch on 16 August 2023.

Snappy Shopper reaches £5m sales with

ACS responds to a flexible working consultation, highlighting the flexibility of employment in the convenience sector.

23 Vaping

29 Newstrade

The number of people who vape in the UK

The government aims to administer one

has risen to its highest level since records

million booster jabs a day.

began, according to new ONS figures.

Dismay from retailers as News UK increases carriage charges.

32 Symbol groups

16 National Minimum Wage

24 Frozen food

More than a third of retailers have seen

33 Picks of the week

government for failing to pay their lowest-

increased shopper demand for frozen over

paid staff the minimum wage.

the past 12 months.

More than 200 companies named by the

Nisa retailers introduce festive deals.

A look at the latest new products and marketing campaigns.

17 National Lottery

25 Christmas grocery shopping

34 Out the box: digital watermarking

Camelot predicts mega sales for National

British shoppers are set to spend £6.8bn

Lottery retailers this festive season thanks

at UK supermarkets in the next two weeks,

to two special event draws.

new data from NielsenIQ reveals.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

New technology could help boost recycling rates for hard-to-sort plastics.

37 Before you go...

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

TESCO STRIKE SUSPENDED Tesco distribution workers at nine sites have suspended industrial action after the supermarket tabled a “much improved” pay offer. Usdaw will be balloting more than 5,000 members at Daventry, Goole, Hinckley, Lichfield, Livingston, Magor, Peterborough and Southampton.

CROSS-PARTY GROUP ON SMALL SHOPS Vikki Howells MS has been elected as the chairperson of the Cross-Party Group on

INDUSTRIAL ACTION

BOOKER RETAIL PARTNERS STORES COULD BE HIT BY STRIKES Deliveries to retailers in London and the south-east could be disrupted by a pay dispute at Booker’s Thamesmead site.

Deliveries to 1,500 Booker Retail Partners stores in London and the south-east could be hit after a pay dispute involving drivers at its Thamesmead site flared up again.

Trade union Unite accused management of ‘bad faith’ for reneging on an agreement that the drivers’ pay would be reviewed in February 2022, after they voted to accept a 3.3% pay increase in October.

The 45-strong workforce will walk out from 00:01 on Thursday 23 December 2021 until 24.00 on Christmas Eve.

The strike will hit deliveries to stores including Budgens, Londis, Premier, One Stop, and many petrol stations.

Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham, said: “This is an act of bad faith by the Booker bosses. They promised a further review of pay rates to take place in February. They have now broken that agreement.

“Unite is dedicated to advancing the jobs, pay and conditions of all its HGV driver members. That now includes holding the Booker bosses to account for breaking a union agreement on pay.”

Small Shops, re-established for the sixth term of the Senedd.

Russell George MS has been elected as vice-chair of the group. The ACS has been reelected as group Secretariat.

LOCAVORE WIN Glasgow-based Locavore picked up the top prize at

C-STORES REMAIN AHEAD OF PRE-PANDEMIC PERFORMANCE Convenience stores are still ahead of pre-pandemic performance and their year-on-year figures are also positive, says new Retail Data Partnership figures.

The data shows average sales per store in November increased by 0.1%

the UK Social Enterprise awards ceremony in London.

The retailer, which has three zero-waste supermarkets, has been named the UK Social Enterprise of the Year.

“Passion and commitment shone through” Locavore’s application, said judges.

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

compared to a year earlier, and by 15.6% compared to November 2019.

In the latest three months, average sales per store have increased by 2.1% compared to the same period last year.

These figures are based on EPoS data from over 3,500 stores which, in the latest 12-month period, covered 320 million transactions.

The Retail Data Partnership said shoppers might once again be relying on local retailers for Christmas essentials if potential strike action prevented some large supermarket chains from keeping stores supplied and open.

NEWS DIGEST

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

HORIZON SCANDAL

GOVERNMENT MAKES FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR FINAL HORIZON COMPENSATION Post Office is working with government to finalise the arrangements that will enable final settlements negotiations to begin as soon as possible.

OCADO TRADING Ocado has reported a 9% yearon-year increase in weekly orders in the fourth quarter of the year, driven by a 22% increase in active customers to 832,000. However, the value of the average basket fell 12% to £118, as customer behaviours

The government is making funding available to facilitate final compensation payments for people whose convictions have been overturned where Horizon evidence was essential to the prosecution.

A total of 736 sub-postmasters were prosecuted, based on faulty information from the Post Office IT system, Horizon.

Post Office is working with government to finalise the arrangements that will enable final settlements negotiations to begin as soon as possible.

Ahead of final compensation, interim payments of up to £100,000

have been provided for most people affected, following earlier government funding support in July. These payments continue to be offered as further convictions are overturned.

It is understood that the total amount paid out through the scheme will be in the hundreds of millions.

Post Office boss Nick Read said: “Many former postmasters have waited a long time for justice and Post Office welcomes the government’s announcement that funding is being made available for compensation that recognises the impact on the lives of those affected.”

continued to normalise. Ocado said sales growth was held back by labour shortages.

CHECKOUT-FREE Covid-19 will continue to accelerate the international expansion of checkout-free stores in 2022 and Amazon’s stores will see increased competition, says GlobalData.

Analysis found the number of mentions of ambient commerce in retail company filings more than doubled from 157 in 2016, to 320 in 2021.

SPAR DISTRIBUTOR BUYS TWO DORSET FORECOURTS Appleby Westward Group, the regional distribution company for Spar stores in the south-west, has bought two filling stations in the Dorchester area.

Maiden Newton Services has been owned and operated by the Andrews family for over 40 years. It has a 2,400sq ft Spar store and a Texaco forecourt.

Loders forecourt site in Dorchester is another family-run Spar store with a high-volume BP fuel forecourt.

PETS BIGGEST CHRISTMAS Tesco is gearing up for what it believes will be the biggest ever Christmas for pets and the supermarket predicts that demand for products to

Mike Boardman, Appleby Westward Managing Director, said: “Olly Andrews and Lee Loder are outstanding examples of what can be achieved in a wholesaler/ retailer partnership.”

spoil cats and dogs is set to grow by 25% year-on-year. In readiness, Tesco has launched its first range of plant-based pet treats.

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

ELECTRIC VEHICLES

GOVERNMENT GRANTS

Government changes EV grants scheme The government also plans to introduce new rules next year to increase confidence in the charging infrastructure.

T

he government has updated its grant scheme for zero-emission vehicles to target less expensive models to help more people make the switch to an electric vehicle.

The government will provide grants of up to £1,500 for electric cars priced under £32,000, with currently around 20 models on the market, to ensure as many people as possible can benefit.

Grant rates for the Plug in Van Grant will now be £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.

Motorcycle and moped grants will also be changing, with the government

providing £500 off the cost of a motorcycle, and £150 for mopeds, with a price cap on vehicles of £10,000.

The government is also setting out that it will introduce new rules next year to increase confidence in the charging infrastructure. These rules will mandate a minimum payment method – such as contactless payment – for new 7.1 kW and above chargepoints, including rapids. Motorists will soon be able to compare costs across networks, which will be in a recognisable format similar to pence per litre for fuel, and there will be new standards to ensure reliable charging for drivers.

8 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

Transport Minister, Trudy Harrison, said: “The market is charging ahead in the switch to electric vehicles. This, together with the increasing choice of new vehicles and growing demand from customers, means that we are refocusing our vehicle grants on the more affordable vehicles and reducing grant rates to allow more people to benefit.

“We want as many people as possible to be able to make the switch to an electric vehicle, which is why we will also be introducing new rules to make it easier to find and pay at chargepoints.

This will ensure drivers have confidence in our charging infrastructure.”

LEGISLATION

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME

Scottish government delays DRS until 2023 Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has set out plans for a phased implementation of the scheme.

T

he Scottish government has confirmed that a deposit return scheme in Scotland will launch on 16 August 2023.

The announcement follows an independent review that considered the impact of Covid-19 on the scheme.

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater has set out plans for a phased implementation of the scheme, and said the target of achieving 90% collection rates by 2024 will be maintained.

She added that – as part of the phased implementation – the Scottish Government is working with retailers on a voluntary basis to enable people to start returning their bottles and cans

to stores for recycling from November 2022.

Slater said: “Given the challenges that the pandemic and Brexit have placed upon these businesses, it is disappointing – but understandable – that the independent review concluded the original start date was no longer feasible.”

In response, the SGF, said: “The Scottish government has recognised the reality of the challenges facing convenience retailers and we welcome the delay of the implementation date until August 2023.

“However, we are concerned about the minister’s statement that retailers will begin to roll out a phased approach

to DRS in the summer of 2022. We need urgent clarity on what this will involve, how the Scottish government will support it, and what the objectives of this approach will be.”

Welcoming the move, NFRN Scottish President Ferhan Ashiq said: “Now we have confirmation of a start date, retailers and Circulatory Scotland, the scheme administrator, can begin to work out what this will mean for their stores and how DRS will be incorporated into their offer to customers.

“There is much to be done, but we can now start to focus on delivering a scheme that will work for all retailers – large and small – and achieve its aim.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

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

Top performing JUULpod flavours bring in more revenue.

Designed for adult smokers.

•Menthol JUULpods are U.K.’s #2 refill kit in independent shops.4 •Berry JUULpods are the U.K.’s #1 fruit flavour.2 • Mint JUULpods are the U.K.’s #1 closed pod refill kit.1 •The JUUL Starter Kit is the U.K.’s #1 closed system in supermarkets.3

Not for sale to minors.

JUUL is an e-cigarette. This is an age restricted product and age verification is required at sale.

1.IRI total market, value sales, 12 weeks to 11/04/21 sales comparison of top four performing JUUL skus versus the top four performing SKUs of our nearest competitor. 2. Based on additional sales of Mango, Golden Tobacco and Rich Tobacco JUULpods, IRI total market, value sales, 12 weeks to 11/04/21. 3. IRI total market, value sales, Supermarkets, 12 weeks to 11/04/21. 4. IRI total market, value sales, Symbols and Independnets, 12 weeks to 11/04/21.

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

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

Usdaw encourages retailers to get booster

ISRAELI CHAIN TRIALS SMART TROLLEY Israeli supermarket chain Machsanei Hashuk has begun working with WalkOut to develop a smart trolley.

The government is aiming to administer one million booster jabs a day to stem the spread of Omicron and avoid imposing further restrictions.

R

The system, which can be retrofitted onto trolleys, features multiple high-precision cameras that use algorithms to accurately identify products as shoppers load or remove them with 99.2% accuracy.

the new Omicron variant is a worrying reminder that the pandemic isn’t over and that we can only defeat it by acting together. The best way to do that is to get vaccinated. If you can, make sure you get your first two doses and, when eligible, your booster.

“Usdaw members working in retail and distribution have kept food and vital supplies on the shelves throughout this difficult period. We all need to do what we can to protect them, other key workers and ourselves, our families and friends. We have come so far already, let’s get through this together.”

The union is also calling on retailers and the government to reintroduce social distancing and other safety measures in stores.

Retailers can also use the touchscreen to offer recommendations, store navigation, supplementary product information, and relevant promotions based on the shopper’s history and location in the store.

TECH SOLUTIONS

etail trade union Usdaw is encouraging its members to get their booster jab as soon as possible among rising concern about the Omicron variant.

Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced an unprecedented ramping up of vaccinations, rolling out one million booster jabs a day, to stem Omicron’s spread and avoid imposing further restrictions. Boosters are now available to all over-18s.

Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, told Parliament: “Scientists have never seen a Covid-19 variant that’s capable of spreading so rapidly so we have to look at what we can do to slow Omicron’s advance.”

He added: “Although we don’t yet have a complete picture of Omicron’s severity, even if severity was significantly lower then the much higher transmissibility of Omicron means it still has the potential to overwhelm the NHS.” The army is being deployed across the country to help accelerate the vaccine programme and GPs are being asked to cancel appointments to dedicate resources to offering vaccines to every UK adult by the end of December.

In response, Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said: “The spread of

WalkOut’s edge computing and machinevision algorithms also reduce the need for costly on-cloud servers and high-bandwidth internet support.

Shalom Naaman, Owner of Machsanei Hashuk, said: “The WalkOut solution will significantly shorten the length of stay in the branches, help maximize our operational efficiency, and allow us to offer one of the most advanced shopping experiences in the world.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

FORECOURTS

GRIDSERVE

Electric avenue Gridserve is developing a flagship site at Gatwick – the first be hosted at an international airport.

S

ustainable energy company Gridserve has revealed it is constructing more than 20 Electric Hubs that will open at motorway service stations across the UK by the end of March.

Offering contactless payment, the hubs feature 6-12 x 350kW ultra high-power chargers with CCS and CHAdeMO connectors, capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes.

The company says that in the next phase a further 50 additional Electric Hub sites will follow.

In addition, two electric forecourts situated adjacent to major transport routes and motorways, including flagship sites at Gatwick Airport and Norwich, are also in construction.

The forecourts are due to open in 2022.

Several additional electric forecourt sites now also have planning permission including Uckfield, Gateshead, Plymouth, and Bromborough, with more than 30 additional sites also under development as part of the company’s commitment to deliver over 100 electric forecourts.

Toddington Harper, Chief Executive of Gridserve, said: “Our mission is to deliver sustainable energy and move the needle on climate change, and that is exactly what we are doing – delivering. Getting people into electric vehicles is

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

a big part of our vision but to do that, charging has to be simple and free of anxiety, which is why we’ve designed our network entirely around the needs of drivers, listening to our customers’ needs and providing the best possible level of customer service to deliver the confidence people need to make the switch to electric transport today, eight years ahead of the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars.”

The Gatwick electric forecourt, which has been developed in partnership with Gatwick Airport, is the first in the world to be hosted at an international airport. It will serve tens of millions of passengers, commuters, staff, local residents and businesses that pass through the airport and its surrounding motorway network each year.

Located on the Ring Road South approach to Gatwick’s South Terminal and adjacent to the M23, it will enable 36 EVs to be charged simultaneously, with high-power chargers that can deliver up to 350 kW of charging power, capable of adding 100 miles of range in less than 10 minutes. Multiple charging connectors will cater for all types of electric cars.

The site is due to open in autumn 2022 and will host a café, comfortable waiting lounge with free superfast WiFi, convenience supermarket, children’s play area and a dedicated educational space to increase awareness around electric vehicles.

FORECOURTS

GRIDSERVE

Harper said: “Gatwick isn’t just an airport, it’s an ecosystem of commuters, travellers, staff, taxi drivers, car rental companies, local residents, and businesses, all culminating in a transport hub that hosts tens of millions of drivers every single year. The Gatwick electric forecourt will give these drivers and businesses the confidence to switch away from petrol and diesel cars, making electric journeys to and from one of the country’s most important transport hubs straightforward and sustainable.”

Jonathan Pollard, Chief Commercial Officer, Gatwick Airport, added: “Our new high-powered charging facility will help meet the increasing need for electric vehicle charging infrastructure at the airport, including the growing number of our passengers who own electric vehicles and need fast, convenient and effective charging facilities.

“The new charging infrastructure will also benefit people right across our community, including thousands of staff who live locally, businesses looking to introduce electric vehicle fleets – even those operating busses and trucks – and also local residents who may be considering buying an electric-powered car but were undecided due to the lack of charging facilities.”

The Norwich electric forecourt, which is scheduled to open in April 2022, will mirror the set up at Gatwick and provide unprecedented access to East Anglia for EV drivers.

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

NATIONAL MINIMUM WAGE

HMRC

Government names and shames retailers for breaching National Minimum Wage law

C

Convenience retailers were among the more than 200 companies named by the government.

onvenience retailers were among the more than 200 companies named by the government for failing to pay their lowest paid staff the minimum wage.

The 208 employers were found to have failed to pay their workers £1.2m, leaving around 12,000 workers out of pocket.

The investigations by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs found that: Q Aingaran Somasuntharam, trading as Londis, Tameside, OL7, failed to pay £1,951.98 to 14 workers.

Q Mahmood Raja, trading as Premier Stores, Tameside, OL6, failed to pay £1,847.89 to one worker.

Q David Patrick, trading as DC Patrick Newsagents, Suffolk, IP19, failed to pay £565.48 to 10 workers.

The businesses have had to pay back what they owe to staff and face financial penalties of up to 200% of what was owed.

The employers had previously underpaid workers in the following ways: deductions that reduce minimum wage pay

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

(37%), unpaid working time such as mandatory training, trial shifts or travel time (29%), failing to pay the correct rate to apprentices (16%), and not increasing NMW pay in line with government rises or paying the wrong minimum wage rate (11%).

Minister for Labour Markets, Paul Scully, commented: “We want workers to know that we’re on their side and they must be treated fairly by their employers, which is why paying the legal minimum wage should be non-negotiable for businesses.

“Today’s 208 businesses, whatever their size, should know better than to short-change hard-working employees, regardless of whether it was intentional or not.”

The government recently announced a significant rise to the National Living Wage from April 2022. This will lead to a pay rise for some of the lowest paid workers in the UK, with workers on the National Living Wage seeing a 6.6% increase to £9.50 an hour.

BUSINESS SERVICES

NATIONAL LOTTERY

Camelot expects bumper seasonal sales Lottery retailers will see sales rise thanks to two special event draws and in-store seasonal activity.

C

amelot is predicting mega sales for National Lottery retailers this festive season thanks to two special event draws and in-store seasonal activity.

A £15m Lotto ‘Must Be Won’ draw will provide retailers with the perfect opportunity to boost Lotto sales by up to 95% ahead of the draw. Less than a week later, on 31 December, a special EuroMillions UK Millionaire Maker draw will make a guaranteed 10 UK millionaires in one night. The draw is expected to provide retailers with a sales uplift of up to 84%.

Lotto ‘Must Be Won’ POS will be landing in stores this week, while POS for the EuroMillions New Year’s Eve draw will begin landing on 29 December.

There’s also a range of Christmasthemed National Lottery Scratchcards that would make for the ideal lastminute Christmas gift or an excellent card filler, including £20,000 A Month For A Year Christmas, Christmas Advent Calendar, Christmas Lines, and It Pud Be You. Rounding off this year’s Christmas line-up is a EuroMillions New Year’s Eve bonus event – where retailers can earn a £10 bonus for uploading an image of

the special UK Millionaire Maker event draw POS to the National Lottery Retailer Hub – and a 12-day Christmas countdown, which will see retailers receive a Christmas-themed email from Camelot each day in the run up to Christmas with some festive reminders to help maximise National Lottery sales.

Camelot’s Retail Director, Jenny Blogg, said: “As always, there’s a few things that retailers can do to help

maximise the sales opportunities around this time of year, including making sure all POS is sited, suggesting a Scratchcard game to customers which they can gift to friends or family, and reminding customers to buy a ticket at the till. All this will go towards helping National Lottery players continue raising over £30m every week for Good Causes.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

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HOME DELIVERY

SNAPPY SHOPPER

Snappy Shopper celebrates reaching £5m sales with Nisa Some of the symbol group’s stores have generated incremental sales of

S

more than £100,000, while others have reached more than half a million.

nappy Shopper has reached £5m sales with Nisa partners, more than doubling sales on the platform since February with an average basket spend of £28.

The technology company says it has invested in marketing and promotional spend to support retailers to ensure stores reach their full sales potential as quickly as possible.

A number of Nisa stores having been able to generate incremental sales of more than £100,000, and some have reached more than half a million.

Retailer Daniall Nadeem, of Nisa Bellshill, said: “We’ve been with Snappy Shopper since January 2020 and what a journey it’s been so far. Now we have a full-blown operation and are currently running between 40-50 deliveries a day.

“Around 20% of customers who shop with us in store, also shop with us on Snappy Shopper. The remaining 80% are fully delivered. So, I would say Snappy Shopper is doing its job well, it is getting our store and our products out further than would normally be possible.”

James Taylor, Head of Central Operations at Nisa, added: “We know that delivered services is becoming an increasingly important proposition within convenience retail, so it’s pleasing to see such strong sales growth for our partners using the Snappy Shopper app. We hope to see more success stories in 2022, and any partner wishing to take up the app will benefit from the unique onboarding, launch and sales ramp up process we work hand in hand with the team at Snappy Shopper on.”

In addition, Snappy Shopper has almost doubled the overall number of retail partners since January, growing from 650 to more than 1,100 stores.

Mike Callachan, Chief Executive and Co-Founder of the Snappy Group, added: “We’ve been working closely with

Nisa and the positive feedback we’ve had from partners to date is testament to both teams’ hard work. We’re proud to be supporting local retailers compete in the rapidly expanding home delivery market.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA

York store puts shopper safety first Nisa Local Market Square, University of York, has expanded its self-serve till area.

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isa Local Market Square, University of York, is prioritising the safety of its shoppers and staff this winter by expanding its selfserve till area.

Store manager Stuart Reeve had four self-service checkouts (SCOs) installed last year, but after seeing the benefits that came along with them recently invested in another five.

The upgrade to nine SCOs has allowed the team at the store to place a full transaction into the hands of the customer, minimising need for contact between staff and shopper and speeding up the shopping process.

Reeve said: “As our store is based at the heart of a university campus, we have a high traffic of customers using the store in between lectures. This means we

would have a 20-minute period every hour where the shop would have eight staff on the tills.

“We have a lot of customers who are more likely to use a self-service checkout over a manually-operated till, especially our student clientele. This is because they are faster to use, and the customer can keep away from other members of

the public, making them feel safer when they are out shopping.”

The changes were completed – along with the addition of two more tills to the main till area – by Nisa’s specialist team within two weeks while the students were off-campus, minimising impact to business.

Jonathan Peaker, Nisa’s EPoS Sales Manager, said: “We have seen an influx of stores investing in self-serve tills this year with many wanting to minimise face-to-face contact not only for the benefit of those visiting the shop, but for the wellbeing of the team working there too.

“The easy-to-use system puts the transaction in the shoppers’ hands, aiding safety and freeing up crucial time for workers which is particularly beneficial at this busy time of the year.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

RECHARGE YOUR SALES BRING IT ON

STIMULANTS NO.1 GROWTH SEGMENT*

ROCKSTAR NO.3 STIMULANT ENERGY BRAND*

* IRI Total Convenience, Value Sales, 52 weeks to 23.05.21

Time to

ROCKSTAR INCREASED BRAND INVESTMENT

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

VAPING

VAPING USE HITS RECORD HIGH Research shows that the number of adult smokers in the UK currently stands at 13.8% of the population – its lowest percentage since at least 2015.

T

he number of people who vape in the UK has risen to its highest level since records began, according to new government figures.

The Office for National Statistics’ annual report into smoking prevalence in the UK shows the number of UK adults who smoke has fallen below 14% for the first time in years.

In 2014, when data on the number of UK vapers started being collected, 3.7% of the population reported using e-cigarettes. In 2020 that had risen to 6.4%, equivalent to around 3.3m people.

The report also reveals that the number of adult smokers in the UK currently stands at 13.8% of the population – its lowest percentage since at least 2015.

However, according to the ONS monthly data, smoking rates rose sharply during the pandemic and national lockdown to a peak of 16.3% in August, before slowly decreasing to 13.8% by the end of 2020.

John Dunne, Director General of the UK Vaping Industry Association, said: “While this rise in smoking prevalence during lockdown could be attributed to increased anxiety because of the pandemic, I would also point towards the fact that speciality vape shops were not granted ‘essential retail’ status and therefore had to close their doors as another significant contributing factor.”

Dunne added: “This is a hugely welcome announcement as everyone on the side of harm reduction knows that vaping is far less harmful than smoking – by as much as 95% according to the former health protection watchdog Public Health England – so more people vaping and less smoking can only be cause for celebration.”

The ONS Smoking Prevalence Report highlighted that the number of ex-smokers who now vape had risen from 11.7% in 2019 to 12.3%, while the number of smokers who also vape increased from 15.5% in 2019 to 17.8% in 2020.

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

FROZEN FOOD

Demand for frozen set to stay Research shows more than a third of retailers have seen increased shopper demand for frozen over the past 12 months.

C

onvenience retailers had “sustained high consideration” for frozen food through the past year, new research from Birds Eye and KAM Media reveals.

The survey of 200 independent retailers shows that 34% of retailers have seen increased shopper demand for frozen over the past 12 months, with 25% of retailers intending to invest further in their frozen category in 2022, a growth of 6% compared with last year’s survey results.

However, the data shows that 39% of respondents cited insufficient space for additional freezers as the biggest challenge to growing frozen sales in their store. In addition, many retailers are also missing out on new consumer trends and shopper demands, with 23% sticking with the products they’ve always stocked.

Joss Bamber, Head of Convenience at Birds Eye, said: “Demand for frozen products within the convenience channel is here to stay, so there is a definite need for retailers to prioritise their frozen range in store, ensuring they are stocking the right products to capitalise on a real sales growth area.

“As leaders of the frozen food category, we’re in an important position to support independent retailers with the right category advice and planograms that can help their freezers to work as hard for them as possible. Instore space is always at a premium for store owners, so the challenge for retailers is utilising what little freezer space there already is to ensure maximum frozen sales.”

It is also predicted that the plant-based and free-from segment will keep growing in 2022, with 81% of retailers now stocking free-from, plant-based and meat alternative meals.

Bamber added: “With Veganuary just around the corner, many shoppers will be looking for convenient, healthy and cost-effective plant-based options that can be easily added to their diets.”

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

CHRISTMAS TILL RECIEPTS

Shoppers set to spend £6.8bn at supermarkets in coming two weeks Research shows consumers are seeking to treat themselves

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to more premium and higher value items this Christmas.

ritish shoppers are set to spend £6.8bn at UK supermarkets in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, up from £6.7bn in 2020, new data from NielsenIQ reveals.

The data shows that Total Till grocery sales fell 2.5% in the four weeks ending 4 December. However, grocery spend has already begun to pick up, with sales at -0.9% in the first week of December, indicating that spend is set to increase in the next two weeks ahead of Christmas.

The data shows UK shoppers are seeking to treat themselves to more premium and higher value items this Christmas, with the average value of the shopping basket now 2.6% higher this year. Growth across products includes celebration cakes (+15.6% to £15m), premixed alcoholic drinks (+13.7% to £25m), fresh olives (+7.4% to £9m) and fresh pizza (+13.1% to £50m) and fresh ready meals (+11.3% to £195m), which highlights how shoppers are preferring to entertain and dine at home.

Meanwhile, online grocery sales fall by 13% in the four weeks ending 4 December 2021.

Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “This year more than ever, we can expect shoppers to plan activities and meal occasions around family and friends. The sales figures in November are partly due to lockdown comparatives but also shoppers delaying big shopping trips until the final week before Christmas when fresh foods and any remaining indulgences are purchased.

For one in three households good availability as well as low prices are the most important factors in deciding where to shop and we anticipate that 23 December is likely to be the peak day for trading at UK supermarkets.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

POST OFFICE

Post Office reaches cash record Figures show that business and personal cash deposits, as well as personal cash withdrawals, are all significantly up on last year.

P

ost Offices in November handled more than £3bn in cash deposits and withdrawals, the highest amount for a single month in its 360-year history.

Post Offices also saw the biggest month for personal cash withdrawals with £743m withdrawn over its counters.

The previous highest month was December 2019 when £707m was withdrawn.

In total, £3.01bn was deposited and withdrawn by personal and business customers in November. The figure was £2.92bn in October 2021 and £2.99bn in September 2021.

Personal cash deposits totalled £1.26bn in November, an increase of 5.5% monthon-month, and up 31% year-on-year.

Business cash deposits totalled £1.04bn in November, an increase of more than 4% month-on-month, and up over 45% on a year ago. A recent Post Office survey found 44% of small hospitality

and leisure businesses in the UK rely on cash daily. Business cash deposits have exceeded one billion pounds every month since June 2021.

Personal cash withdrawals totalled £743m in November 2021 – the highest amount ever withdrawn over the Post Office’s 11,500 counters. The figure was up 7.3% monthon-month and up 32.2% year-on-year.

Martin Kearsley, Banking Director at Post Office, commented: “Each month comes news of further bank branch closures and in many communities across the country, Post Office is already the last counter in town. Business and personal cash deposits, as well as personal cash withdrawals, are all significantly up on last year and postmasters are now routinely handling around £3bn worth of cash every month.

“Post Offices services ensure the millions of people who rely on cash everyday can access their cash in a quick, convenient and secure manner and we’re working closely with the banks to develop shared branches and offer wider services.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

LEGISLATION

FLEXIBLE WORKING

ACS responds to flexible working consultation Trade body hopes any changes to regulations will encourage conversations that will “balance business and staff needs and preferences”.

A

CS has responded to a consultation, Making Flexible Working the Default, highlighting the flexibility of employment in the convenience sector.

The government believes there is a compelling business case for flexible working, including helping attract top talent and creating a highly-motivated, productive workforce.

Its consultation proposes making the right to flexible working a day one right, rather than after 26 weeks’ service, and requiring retailers to suggest alternatives to requests for flexible working if the exact request cannot be accommodated.

The proposals would cover England, Wales and Scotland.

At the launch of the consultation, which ran from 23 September to 1 December, Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng commented: “Empowering workers to have more say over where and when they work makes for more productive businesses and happier employees. It was once considered a ‘nice to have’, but by making requests a day one right, we’re making flexible working part of the DNA of businesses across the country.”

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

In its response to the consultation, the ACS recommended: Q Recognise the value of informal flexible working arrangements commonplace in the convenience sector.

Q Retain a right to request flexible working.

Q Publish statutory guidance for employers on responding to requests and considering alternative arrangements.

Q Review the impact of National Minimum Wage regulations on flexible working, including Time Off in Lieu.

ACS Chief Executive, James Lowman, said: “The convenience sector offers genuinely local, secure and flexible employment to thousands of people across the UK and this is achieved through open communication through retailers and store colleagues.

“Flexible working for shop floor colleagues is commonplace in local shops and it is important that any changes to regulations to do not undermine this approach to flexibility but instead encourages proactive conversations which balance business and colleague needs and preferences.”

NEWSTRADE

CARRIAGE CHARGE INCREASES

News UK increases carriage charge Retailers have been told the increase will take place in two stages.

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ews UK Direct to Retail is to increase its delivery charge by 3% next year.

The news was broken in a letter to its retail customers on 10 December. Retailers were told that the increase would be in two stages, with 50% of the new charge deferred until 5 July.

The letter said: “We have worked hard to continually manage our costs and operational efficiencies in order to keep any annual changes to a minimum. In light of this, News UK will increase DDC by 3% from 24 January 2022, which is below inflation. However, 50% of this increase will be deferred for six months as a gesture of goodwill.”

In response, the NFRN’s National President Narinder Randhawa, said: “Last year, we were relieved when News UK DTR, along with Smiths News and Menzies Distribution, took the commonsense decision to suspend any carriage charge reviews in the light of the challenging position that independent retailers were facing.

“Nothing has changed. Times are still incredibly tough for independent retailers and service levels are unacceptably low. News UK DTR pressing ahead with an increase to its charge will only add to newsagents’ angst. The company is also running the risk of causing yet even more news retailers to exit the industry. For swathes of retailers, handling news is becoming increasingly unprofitable.”

Surrey news retailer Bhavesh Patel said that NFRN members served by News UK DTR were “very unhappy”.

He added: “With our energy bills soaring and with wages set to rise this spring, many news retailers will be unable to stand an increase in their carriage charge.

“Publishers and wholesalers must have a long and hard think about their actions if they want the printed word to survive. This latest news will force some news retailers to look again at selling newspapers, particularly when we are served by two news wholesalers and have to find the money to pay two sets of carriage charges.”

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 29

snacKing made right

We are making sure our snacks are right for people and planet – from the raw materials we rely on, to the communities we live in and the climate we all need to care for.

environmental Impact

uK facts

100

swItched to usIng

%

renewable electricity at 6 uK manufacturIng sItes

2021

global facts

20% 30% reduction reduction in total waste from

manufacturing*

in co2 emissions across

manufacturing*

sustainable sourcing

over 50% of the products in our uK biscuit range are made with sustainably sourced wheat through our harmony program**

the cocoa used in cadbury chocolate is sustainably sourced through cocoa life^

pacK light & pacK right

mondelēz International has removed 955 tonnes of pacKaging by switching dairylea and philadelphia products to widely recyclable material and reducing plastic elements in seasonal products while optimising pacKaging design. from 2022 cadbury dairy milK, made in bournville, is set to use pacKaging containing up to 30% recycled plastic.

955 tonnes

For further details on all the above go to mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right/Reporting-and-Disclosure *From 2013 baseline to 2020

^Cadbury.co.uk/Cocoa-life

**Harmony.com

COMMUNITY

BESTWAY WHOLESALE

Bestway sponsors Plunkett Foundation’s Christmas fundraiser Plunkett’s members will be invited to shop at Bestway depots

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and access price-led promotions and special offers.

estway Wholesale is partnering with the Plunkett Foundation and will be the headline sponsor of the charity’s Christmas fundraising campaign.

The Plunkett Foundation is a national charity that assists communities across the UK in setting up and running community businesses, including community-led shops.

This year’s Christmas campaign will raise funds to help Plunkett in it its vital work in supporting community groups. It will also shine a light on the role community businesses play in tackling loneliness and isolation.

Plunkett’s members will be invited to shop at Bestway depots and access price-led promotions and special offers from the wholesaler.

Bestway Managing Director, Dawood Pervez, said: “The Foundation’s members are made up of more than 800 community businesses across the UK, over 400 of which are highly valued community retailers – just like our local independent stores – and we fully appreciate the challenges they face.

“As we all know, local retailers are more than just a place to buy essentials, they bring people together and provide

much needed social contact. We wanted to give these groups the same opportunities as our own independent retailers as they work hard and plough their stores’ profits back into the local communities which they serve. For many, they are a vital lifeline and are an important part of our retail landscape.”

The Plunkett Foundation’s Head of Engagement, Harriet English, added: “Plunkett is proud to be supporting community-owned businesses in their efforts to reduce isolation and loneliness within the communities they serve.

“We are delighted to be working in partnership with Bestway on our Christmas campaign to raise awareness of the important role community businesses play and to raise funds that will help fund the vital support Plunkett provides to over 800 local communities across the UK.”

SUPPORT THE BESTWAY PLUNKETT CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

SYMBOL GROUPS

NISA

Nisa retailers introduce deals on festive favourites

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The symbol group says uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant means many people are opting to celebrate in the comfort of their own homes.

isa retailers have begun introducing a raft of deals on festive favourites to help drive footfall and sales throughout the Christmas and New Year period.

Included in the promotion is I heart Prosecco 75cl and Dark Horse Cabernet 75cl at £7.50 each, Grolsch 12x330ml at £10, Peroni 12x330ml at £13, Bailey’s Irish Cream Liqueur 70cl at £13, and Gordon’s Premium Distilled Pink Gin 70cl and Kopparberg Pink Gin 70cl at £16 each, saving shoppers up to £6.29 off RSPs. Nisa retailers are also providing accompanying mixers and garnishes, including Fever-Tree Tonic Water 8x150ml at £4 and Co-op Oranges 4pk and Unwaxed Lemons 4pk at 99p each.

In addition, Co-op Irresistible Prosecco 75cl is available for £7 a bottle on a One Week Deal from 29 December to 4 January.

Seasonal Manager at Nisa, Hannah Goodwin, said: “Uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant of Covid-19 has meant that many people are opting to celebrate in the

32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

comfort of their homes with family over the next couple of weeks, and many Nisa Local shops are perfectly placed for those looking to avoid a trip to a busier supermarket for celebratory goodies such as buffet food or alcohol.”

The Co-op Party Food range available to Nisa partners features more than 14 different product lines, including Co-op Mac and Cheese Bites, Co-op Mini Duck Spring Rolls and Co-op Chicken Tikka Lollipops, all on a two for £5 multibuy deal.

Goodwin added: “Just because consumers might not be comfortable venturing out to participate in large-scale get-togethers doesn’t mean they don’t want to celebrate; these shoppers will likely be on the lookout for deals that will bring some cheer to their household whilst out picking up essentials.”

The latest holiday deals are supported by a marketing campaign that includes Christmas-themed POS. The symbol group has also provided partners with a New Year Opening Times poster.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

SNOWBALL STOUT

BETTER PACKS

MAX CHRISTMAS

Lees of Scotland has teamed

Imperial has launched enhanced

Pepsi MAX is bringing back its

up with Drygate Brewing Co to

packaging for its pod-mod vape

Christmas Refreshed TV advert

create a limited-edition Christ-

system myblu. The design

for a second year running. This

mas stout in honour of its 90th

includes an improved vignette on

year’s festive campaign, which

year in business. Inspired by

the logo triangle to make it eas-

is set to reach 52 million con-

Lees’ famous snowball, the stout

ier to navigate between ranges,

sumers, will also include a ‘Win

has hints of coconut and sweet

improved readability of flavour

Christmas Your Way’ competi-

mallow, with a deep chocolate

and strength, and more aesthetic

tion, as well as digital, outdoor,

warmth. RSP £4.50.

pod visuals on pack.

social, and POS.

WONDERFUL RTD

RENEGADE RUMS

STORE WRAPS

Dunnet Bay Distillers has

Speciality Brands is bringing

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

launched a canned ready-to-

three pre-cask white rums from

has wrapped several c-stores in

drink cocktail, Wonders of the

Renegade Cane Rums to the UK.

the branding of new Lucozade

Wilderness, which combines

The unaged, fresh sugarcane

sub-brand, Lucozade Alert. The

Holy Grass Scottish Vodka with

juice spirits include Single Farm

full-colour wraps, which cover the

a refreshing, crisp apple tonic.

Origin: Dunfermline Column and

external windows of stores, aim

The 5.5% ABV drink is available

Pot Still and Old Bacolet Pot Still.

to drive awareness and sales

now in 250ml cans with an RSP

The spirits come in 70cl bottles,

of Lucozade’s biggest product

of £2.50.

with a 50% ABV and RSP of £55.

launch in years.

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA

OUT THE BOX

Plastic progress Digital watermarking technology could help boost plastic recycling rates.

34 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 86 / WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA

OUT THE BOX

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

proud of the fact that we have now formed a coalition of New packaging, which allows recycling companies to easily around 30 parties who are united in their desire to further tackle the waste and sorting problem in the Netherlands. identify different types of plastic, has been introduced comWe want to accelerate and believe in high-quality sorting mercially in the Netherlands. and recycling, in the Netherlands, and then also in the rest HOW DOES IT WORK? of Europe.”

Bond Seafood worked with packaging company Multivac and Bond Seafood’s Marcel Bond added: “After an intensive FiliGrade, which creates watermark solutions for packaging, preparation period, in which the Multivac team continually to develop a process to separate food and non-food applicathought along with us and tested, it is wonderful that we are the first (fish) producer to participate in this innovation in the tion packaging.

The newly-created fish packaging features CurvCode, field of waste sorting.” Bond said trays with smoked mackerel which works like Braille, with a number of raised dots enaand herring fillets are now on shelves at one national retailer, bling the type of plastic to with the expectation that Dutch supermarket be easily identified. Packchain Plus, among others, will soon follow aging with the CurvCode suit. watermark can then be Mart de Koning, of Multivac, commented: mechanically separated “We like to collaborate on sustainable (enviusing special detection ronmental) solutions. We think along, test and equipment. fine-tune the packaging and the machines.

This initiative, with Bond Seafood and FilWHY IS IT SO iGrade, with support from the retail market, is a great example of a win-win situation.”

IMPORTANT? CurvCode means other Meiberg continued: “Dealing with plastic waste management waste is a major issue in today’s society which is why we are always open to chain partners strategies which overIRN-BRU IS BACK ON TV look the potential of who are interested. Parties who want to particWITH SNOWMAN ADVERT plastics, like incineration, ipate are welcome to apply.” can be avoided. FiliGrade IRN-BRU is back on TV screens on 1st December also intends for the technology to ANYTHING ELSE? with the IRN-BRU be used on other types of plastic, FiliGrade is part of the Coalition Food2Food 2.0, which Snowman, Scotland’s including PP and PE. It could also includes more than 30 chain partners committed to the best-loved Christmas TV be used to separate different colours, circular use of plastics, this includes FrieslandCampina, advert. Ensuring you have the right ranges for broad and paper laminates.

Spar, and Unilever. The focus is on an industrial test of appeal and offering value CurvCode as efficient sorting is important for transition will be even more crucial WHAT ARE PEOPLE to a circular plastic chain. this year with bigger take

SAYING?

Han Meiberg on behalf of FiliGrade, said: “Collaboration in the production and waste chain is crucial. CurvCode is a chain solution. We are

home packs meeting the needs of shoppers in-home.

Prominently display all three variants of IRNBRU to drive incremental category sales.

WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE PROCESS?

The FiliGrade website offers lots more information about CurvCode.

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

ONE FOOT IN THE KESGRAVE

I

t wasn’t that long ago – 3 November to be precise – that Tesco last graced Retail Randoms, when the public gave it pelters for displaying cardboard cutouts of fruit and veg in a failed bid to cover up empty shelves.

Now it’s getting clobbered once again, this time by the good people of Kesgrave which, we’re at great pains to point out, is a small town slightly to the right of Ipswich on the map.

Kesgravians were outraged to discover the supermarket giant had stuck up a huge poster proudly boasting it was “serving Ipwich’s shoppers a little better every day”.

Ms Marsh, a member of the Kesgrave Community Facebook group, asked: “Why does the new fascia at Kesgrave Tesco say serving Ipswich shoppers?”

“I don’t expect many people travel from Ipswich to do their weekly shop there,” she added, without offering any explanation as to why not.

Tesco, which must be used to this sort of thing by now, duly apologised and promised to update the offending artwork.

Between cardboard carrots and replacement posters, its printing supplier must be doing a roaring trade

THE COLD-BLOODED TRUTH

W

hat with the Omicron coronavirus variant running rampant, the last thing beleaguered Britons – especially reptile owners – need is yet another reason to have to wash their hands.

But here we have one. The Food Standards Agency, along with every other public health watchdog under the feeble December sun, has warned of an outbreak of human salmonellosis linked to frozen mice used to feed snakes and other animals and birds.

The FSA is instructing those who have a supply of the affected frozen mice to return them to the place of purchase so they can be carefully disposed of. As well as

the product recall, it advises everyone to wash their hands thoroughly with warm soapy water every time they handle and feed frozen mice to their pets.

This outbreak is a bit more of a slow burner than Omicron, with almost 900 cases of Salmonella poisoning occurring since the outbreak was first reported… in 2015.

The story raises a couple of questions. First, why has the FSA waited six years to issue a warning?

More importantly, given that snakes are incapable of maintaining a constant body temperature, isn’t feeding them frozen mice a bit cold-blooded?

WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2021 / ISSUE 86 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 37

A VERY SPECIAL VINTAGE

DRIVE NEW AND IMPROVED SALES