RETAIL
THE WEEK IN
DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEME
GLASS HALF FULL
ENGLAND AND NORTHERN IRELAND EXCLUDE GLASS FROM DRS
WHOLESALE
HANCOCKS HITS 60 SWEET WHOLESALER CELEBRATES
● BESTWAY
SUSTAINABILITY
SALES UP 10%
SHE'S ELECTRIC
SWA'S ELECTRIC VEHICLE EVENT
+
●
MURRELLS QUITS CO-OP
●
CRAFT CIDER IN GROWTH
GROCERYAID SCOTLAND UNVEILS MUSIC FEST
Brought to you by:
Commercial Partner:
Issue 98 Wednesday 30th March 2022
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T H E W E E K I N R E TA I L
EDITOR’S COMMENT
Make sure you check out Checkout We're delighted to officially announce the launch of GroceryAid Scotland's exciting new music event in this issue. Held on September 1st, Checkout Scotland will be a fantastic opportunity for the industry to come together, have a really enjoyable day and, critically, to raise awareness of GroceryAid and the amazing work it does for industry colleagues in need of a little help. I'd urge industry colleagues everywhere to join us in Glasgow for what promises to be a banging day and a great chance to meet up with industry pals, make some new ones, celebrate how awesome the sector has been for the last couple of years and basically have a good old knees-up. You don't have to be based in Scotland to come along. Having sat on the GroceryAid Scotland committee for many years, it's fair to say that awareness levels of GroceryAid and the support it can offer are particularly low in Scotland, especially in the local retailing sector. Checkout Scotland should help sort that out in short order. After the last couple of years, it's no surprise that the number of people seeking emotional and financial support from GroceryAid has skyrocketed
– which is why it's so important to get behind this new Checkout celebration. Most pressingly, I would ask you to make sure that all your colleagues are aware of the support that's available if they need it. There's no shame in needing a little help now and again. We all do. We're expecting upwards of 700 attendees with many of the tickets already sold – so get involved. Why not buy a few tickets now and secure your place? Bring some colleagues along and treat to them to a well-earned day off. It promises to be a cracking day and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there. You can book tickets here.
ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3
CONTENTS
WEDNESDAY 30 MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98
7
9
14
25
THIS WEEK’S NEWS
COVER STORY
WHOLESALE
Bestway reports a 10% growth in revenue for 2021 and Co-op Group CEO Steve Murrells is to step down after the company’s AGM in May.
Retailers in England and Northern Ireland will not have to handle glass drinks containers as part of their planned Deposit Return Schemes.
Hancocks prepares to kick-off its 60th anniversary celebrations with an in-store event at its Bristol depot tomorrow.
Store update
26 Vaping
31 Electric vehicles
A Nisa retailer in Hull sees a two-fold
The vaping industry welcomes the
The SWA offers members key insights
increase in basket spend since a recent
Department for Health’s review into
into the electric vehicle and infrastructure
refurbishment.
tobacco regulations.
11 Covid-19 update 17 Checkout Scotland A new music festival promises to raise awareness of GroceryAid’s work in Scotland to an entirely new level. 22 Symbol groups Ascona Group opens its 46th Nisa store,
market.
27 Off-trade
32 Picks of the week
Convenience retailers can cash in on the
A look at the latest new products and
profitable cider category, says Westons.
marketing campaigns.
29 Community
36 Out the box: personal shopping
One Stop celebrates a record year for good
Asda trials a new personal shopping
causes, with £902,000 raised.
service that sees orders exclusively picked,
30 Retailer support
while Kash Retail starts work refitting its
The Scottish Government seeks to upskill
eighth.
retail sector staff post-pandemic.
packed and delivered inside an hour. 39 Before you go... Our latest Retail Randoms.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5
NEWS DIGEST
THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/
UK SCRAPS ‘RETALIATORY’ US WHISKEY TARIFFS The UK has lifted a four-yearold tariff on American whiskies,
BESTWAY WHOLESALE
Bestway reports 10% revenue growth in 2021
Bestway Wholesale has enjoyed a £220m increase in revenues in 2021 to £2.66bn.
following the resolution of the steel-aluminium trade dispute between the UK and the US. The tariff, described as a ‘retaliatory’ measure in the trade dispute, has hit exports to the UK by 42%.
POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT ALERT HMRC has warned Post Office card account holders who receive HMRC-related payments to switch accounts before 6 April to continue receiving their money without
Bestway Wholesale has reported a £220m increase in revenues in 2021, driven by its focus to ensure operations were “as smooth as possible” while “responding fast to changing customer behaviours”. driven by its focus to ensure operations were “as smooth as possible” while “responding fast to changing customer behaviours”. The retailer also saw an operating pre-tax profit of £37.2m during 2021, having also completed the acquisition of Costcutter Supermarkets Group in February 2021. “Aside from Covid-19, market conditions in the wholesale sector remained
challenging, with supply chain issues, staff availability and inflationary pressures,” Dawood Pervez, Managing Director for Bestway Wholesale, said. “We have also had to absorb the continued impact from the National Living Wage increases, as well as additional costs and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit. “Despite these challenges, we remained committed to our strategic plans of offering improved service and convenience to customers and we continued to improve and manage availability of products during this period which resulted in a positive impact on sales.”
interruption. Benefit payments can be made to a bank, building society or credit union account instead.
GROCERYAID DAY OFFER Grocery Aid is providing retailers with free printed materials to help engage staff on GroceryAidDay taking place on 26 April. Celebrating this year's theme #Let'sTalkGroceryAid, the materials include posters, flyers, wallet cards, triangular bunting, and stickers.
Miller leaves McColl’s amid funding talks Jonathan Miller has stepped down from his role as Chief Executive and from the Board of convenience chain McColl’s. The news comes a month after McColl’s was the subject of speculation it was looking for fresh funding to stay afloat. The business released a statement confirming it remained in talks with its lenders towards a longer-term agreement and that it believed “a financing solution will be found that involves its existing partners and stakeholders”. Pending the appointment of a new CEO, Angus Porter, currently non-executive chairman of the group, has
6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
Miller: leaving
assumed the role of executive chairman on a temporary basis. Karen Bird, Chief Operating Officer, has become Interim Chief Executive of the Group to manage day-to-day executive responsibilities. Giles David, Chief Financial Officer, will also assume additional responsibilities.
NEWS DIGEST
THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/
EXPRESS PRICE INCREASE RAP
CO-OP GROUP
Murrells to step down as CEO in May
The NFRN has criticised
Group CFO Shirine Khoury-Haq announced as Interim Group CEO
Reach’s decision not to include pro-rata profit margins as part of increases to the cover price
Co-op Group CEO Steve Murrells is to step down after the company's AGM in May. Murrells will be replaced by Shirine Khoury-Haq, Group CFO and CEO of Co-op Life Services, who will serve as Interim Group CEO. "It is important to put a clear CEO succession plan in place," Murrells said in a statement. "This is especially the case as we begin the process to appoint a new Chairman. "In such circumstances I would either have needed to commit for another five years or step down now to allow a new CEO to become established and allow a smooth transition to occur, ahead of a new Chairman arriving. I have therefore chosen to take that step now." Allan Leighton, Chair of Co-op, added: “Steve’s decision will ensure the
of Express editions. Weekday editions of the Express are set to rise from 80p to 90p from 28 March, while the Saturday edition will go up from £1.30 to £1.45 and the Sunday Express will also increase by 10p to £2.
Murrells: stepping down
transitioning of both Chair and CEO will take place seamlessly. Steve has done a tremendous job at the Co-op in his 10 years of tenure and has been at the forefront of our transition. He is a top class leader and person and his legacy in the Co-op is firmly embedded. “Shirine has excellent leadership skills and a deep level of operational experience. She understands our Co-op and I and the rest of The Board, look forward to working closely with her going forward.”
SGF WELCOMES RETAIL STRATEGY The Scottish Grocers Federation has praised the Scottish government’s publication of a retail strategy for Scotland. The strategy outlines how the government, business leaders and trade unions can work together to unlock opportunities to grow businesses and the economy.
One Stop introduces new ‘care calls’ service One Stop has launched a new service as part of its Franchise Action Line service, which kicked off last year. Managed by a team of support advisors, the action line aims to provide effective ways to gather store feedback and respond to retailers’ needs. Now, One Stop is introducing ‘Care Calls’, conducted by the team within the first two weeks of stores being opened, giving owners the opportunity to ask
for any additional guidance and build relationships with the One Stop team. “No day is the same in the franchise action line team,” Kate Lawton, Franchise Helpdesk Advisor, said. “We are one of the first point of calls for franchisees, so we always make sure that we’re readily available for them. We answer queries such as products needing to be added to an order, any queries around in-store apps and so much more.”
FEB RETAIL SALES FALL BY 0.3% Food store sales volumes fell by 0.2% in February 2022, but with large falls in alcohol and tobacco stores, according to the latest ONS figures. The drops may be linked to higher spending in pubs and restaurants as confidence increased in going out.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7
ENT ER NO W! THE SLR AWARDS ARE BACK AND THEY’RE LIVE FOR OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
ENTR IES NOW OPEN LIV E EV ENT:
7 S EPT 2022 R ADIS SO N, GLASGOW
TO ENTER, VISIT SLRAWARDS.COM
ENTRY DEADLINE
20 MAY 2 022
Scottish Grocers’ Federation
S T O R E U P DAT E
NISA HULL
Basket spend ‘doubles’ in four weeks after refit The re-fit was aimed at improving the range available in the store
A
Nisa retailer in Hull has seen a two-fold increase in basket spend since a recent refurbishment. “Everyone loves the window,” store owner Mindy Dhaliwal said. “We get people standing outside admiring the photo and pointing at different parts. It’s become a talking point and it really makes the store feel part of the community.” The development included re-locating the 1,500 sq ft shop entrance and replacing the shop front, a complete re-lay of the shop floor, new lighting, ceiling and flooring, as well as new, higher shelving, an extra gondola and doubling the number of chillers. Dhaliwal said the key objective for the re-fit was to offer a much wider choice to shoppers. “Before the re-fit the average basket spend was about £4.50 and now it’s £9 or more,” Dhaliwal noted. “Our range is so much bigger and our shoppers are coming in more often and spending more because they can get it all from us.” The store also includes an aerial photograph of the 120-acre local park on the front window.
WEDNESDAY 23RD MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 97 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9
£6m BRAND ON TV INVESTMENT FROM MARCH
NEWS SPECIAL
COVID-19 UPDATE
Profit bonanza for Asda as costs related to Covid-19 drop
COLLECT+ PRINTER UPGRADE Collect+, PayPoint’s parcel network, is replacing
Operating profit in 2021 grew by 42%.
the old, print, in-store process with new thermal label printers across the 6,000 Collect+ stores that operate the Yodel service. The Collect+ Printer works alongside the existing PayPoint One and the Collect+ StoreScan App, replacing the current Yodel ‘print on till receipt and sticky wallet’ process.
hiring 22,000 temporary employees to cover absences and manage increased demand, while also providing 2.6 million home deliveries free of charge to shielding customers. In the online channel, sales decreased by 5% in 2021, as lockdown restrictions eased, but demand remains “significantly above pre-pandemic levels” with sales 75% up on 201, Asda added. The supermarket's Co-owner Mohsin Issa commented: "When we bought Asda we were clear that we wanted to grow this great business and our ambition is for Asda to regain its position as the UK’s second-largest grocery retailer.
requests will print a selfadhesive shipping label directly from the thermal label printer, instead of
TECH SOLUTIONS
T
he lift of Covid restrictions has helped Asda see a 42% rise in profits to £693.1m in 2021, compared with the previous year. Grocery like-for-like sales decreased by 0.5% in 2021 compared with 2020, when the UK spent most of the year under Covid-related restrictions, resulting in more meals being consumed at home. However, like-for-like grocery sales remained strong on a two-year basis, with growth of 4.6%, the retailer said. The costs the retailer refers to represent the investment Asda made in 2020 to keep its staff and customers safe, including shielding 15,000 clinically vulnerable staff on full pay for 12 weeks,
Any unlabelled parcel
using retailers’ till roll and taking the time to seal it within a wallet. The new process promises faster service to customers using the free of charge self-adhesive labels, along with seamless integration with the PayPoint One terminal or iOS and Android devices.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11
C OV E R
DEPOSIT RET
Glass to be excluded from DRS in England and Northern Ireland Retailers in England and Northern Ireland will not have to handle glass drinks containers as part of their planned Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), DEFRA has confirmed.
N
ews of the exclusion, made within The ACS has consistently called for DEFRA’s response to a consultathe exclusion of glass in any deposit tion on reforms to the Extended return schemes, because of "the operProducer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, ational and health and safety issues” has been welcomed by the Association that it would present for store owners of Convenience Stores (ACS) which and staff. once again called for policymakers in Wales and Scotland to reconsider including glass in their schemes. Glass bottles will now fall within the scope of EPR in England, which will place targets on producers in relation to glass recycling and require them to pay for the cost of ACS CHIEF EXECUTIVE, JAMES LOWMAN managing glass packaging generated by households. Northern Ireland will keep the incluCommenting on the news, ACS chief sion of glass under review until after the executive James Lowman said: “Retailers DRS is fully operational to ensure that in England and Northern Ireland will be glass drinks containers are meeting the relieved that they won’t have to handle required recycling targets. the return of glass drinks containers as
part of a DRS. “All of the operational problems related to a DRS – colleague safety, storage, handling heavy waste and breakages - are made much more acute by the inclusion of glass. “We are disappointed that retailers in Wales and Scotland will have to face into these problems and bear the significant financial and operational costs of doing so. “Furthermore, having different packaging types included in different parts of the UK will be a nightmare for wholesalers and producers who will have to make, store and distribute two versions of many products. “We hope that policy-makers in Wales and especially in Scotland, where the scheme is due to come into effect in just over a year’s time, will reconsider the impact of including glass in the scheme.”
“All of the operational problems related to a DRS – colleague safety, storage, handling heavy waste and breakages - are made much more acute by the inclusion of glass.”
EPR REFORMS SEEK TO REV-UP RECYCLING RATES Through the introduction of the pro-
rate of 78% by 2030, with the estimated
As part of the wider proposals for
posals set out in their EPR consulta-
recycling rates fexceeding those set in
EPR reform, packaging producers
tion and other environmental measures
the EU, and a minimum recycling rate
will be made responsible for the cost
like DRS, the Government is aiming to
for packaging that falls within the EPR
of managing the packaging that they
reach a total UK packaging recycling
scheme of 73% by 2030.
place on the market – this is expected
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S T O RY
URN SCHEME Elsewhere in the consultation, it was confirmed that plans for a mandatory take-back scheme for disposable fibre-based composite cups (such as coffee cups) will go ahead, with businesses that employ more than 10 full time employees required to comply by the start of 2024 and smaller businesses by the end of 2025. The requirements include the provision of a dedicated bin for the collection of cups, and for businesses to report to regulators the tonnage they have placed on the market/sent to recycling. Lowman added: “The introduction of a mandatory take-back scheme for disposable cups with additional reporting requirements could have a significant impact on convenience stores, especially when many will be making major changes as a result of the introduction of DRS. “We are disappointed at the Government’s definition of small businesses in this context, which is inconsistent with other policy areas. "We urge the Government to rethink its proposals to include the smallest businesses in the reporting requirements for this take-back scheme, and instead use the success of the universal carrier bag charge as a model which does not require small stores to report.”
to be around £1.7bn per year after pre-
● The collecting, sorting and recy-
vious estimates had put the cost at
cling of packaging waste from
£2.7bn per year.
households and businesses.
The cost of managing packaging waste includes:
packaging in the residual waste stream from households only. ● Litter and refuse management
● The collecting and disposing of
costs, including bin, ground litter.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 15
01.09.2022
Live music EVENT A musical celebration for grocery and convenience colleagues
TICKETS £
60+ VAT
SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE For more information visit groceryaid.org.uk/events/checkout-scotland or contact peter.steel@groceryaid.org.uk
BOOK NOW
Money raised from this event will go to GroceryAid, the grocery industry charity A Registered Charity Reg No. 1095897 (England & Wales) & SC039255 (Scotland). A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No 04620683
G R O C E RYA I D S C O T L A N D
CHECKOUT SCOTLAND 2022
1st
SEPTEMBER GLASGOW TICKETS ONLY
£60
Check this out!
Checkout Scotland offers industry colleagues a day of live music, DJs, food and fun – and promises to raise awareness of GroceryAid’s work north of the border to an entirely new level.
G
roceryAid Scotland has announced the launch of what will be the largest event in the Scottish convenience retailing sector this year with a new music-based celebration in September. Checkout Scotland will be a musical celebration of our industry and a unique opportunity for the trade to gather and recognise their colleagues’ efforts during the Covid crisis while supporting our industry charity. Due to be held on the 1st September in Glasgow, the event will see upwards of 700 convenience and grocery industry
Critically, the event will also help raise awareness of the GroceryAid charity and the life-changing work it does for industry colleagues in need of a little help.
MUSICAL SPECTACULAR colleagues gather for a day of live music, DJs, food and fun. Checkout Scotland will celebrate an industry that has shone during the pandemic, serving communities across the country with passion and energy.
The event will be a musical celebration of our entire industry and it's a great opportunity to have a day away from the store, possibly with a few colleagues. The Scottish committee is currently busy working on securing what we are sure will be an exciting line-up of acts including live bands and performers,
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 17
G R O C E RYA I D
CHECKOUT SC
TICKETS ONLY
£60
DJs and more. The event is being managed by Alasdair Fowle, former Head of Partnerships and Events at the Co-op. There he pioneered some of the largest partnerships and events in UK retail including Co-op Live, which will be the UK’s largest music arena opening in December 2023. He also helped organise nine music festival partnerships with festivals such as Glastonbury, Leeds and Reading. He even helped open a Co-op store on Coronation Street! Producers and suppliers have already been exceptionally supportive with AG Barr already confirmed as Headline Sponsor and Tennent’s signed up as
Main Bar Sponsor. Several other major sponsors have also confirmed including BrewDog, Snappy Shopper, Highland Spring, Warburtons, Bobby's Foods and JW Filshill. Many more sponsors will be announced soon, and many of the available tickets have already been sold – so if you want to join an outstanding day, book your tickets now.
REVITALISED CHARITY The GroceryAid charity has been revitalised beyond recognition in the last few years under Chief Executive Steve Barnes who has breathed new life and
18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
energy into the charity and made it relevant, effective and driven in a very short space of time. Credit for the revitalisation of GroceryAid Scotland must go to JointChairs Peter Steel, ex-McCurrach, and Jim Harper of G One O One. Similarly, they have reinvented the Scottish Committee, bringing on around 25 new Committee members from across the convenience retailing and grocery channels in Scotland and driving new events, new initiatives and record-breaking fundraising achievements. Checkout Scotland, however, promises to take GroceryAid Scotland to an
D SCOTLAND
COTLAND 2022
entirely new level in terms of awareness. It’s more important than ever that as many of our industry colleagues as possible are aware of the invaluable emotional and financial support that is available to them should they fall on tough times. Checkout Scotland will go a long way to giving GroceryAid Scotland the profile and awareness it needs if it is to help as many colleagues in Scotland as possible. Peter Steel commented: “The initial response from the trade has been simply fantastic. We have already signed up a brilliant list of partners for the event and all in a very short space of time.
We have had support from all corners of the industry and that’s a reflection of how committed our industry is to helping us help our colleagues who need a little support.” Jim Harper added: “Our main aim is to spread awareness of the support the charity offers to all colleagues in the industry, whether that is the free confidential helpline or the provision of financial support in the form of oneoff non-repayable grants. The need for the support that GroceryAid offers has never been greater following the Covid crisis, and the more recent increases in the cost of living. We know that there
are too many colleagues working in the trade who are not aware of all the help they can access. We want to change that by really generating some noise this year and Checkout Scotland is a key element of our plan.” Checkout Scotland promises to be a day like there’s never been for our industry in Scotland so why not buy a few tickets now and secure your place? Bring some colleagues along and treat to them to a well-earned day off.
Sponsorships available via peter.steel@groceryaid.org.uk
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19
Our Bread. Our Brand. Our Story. Here at Hovis we have been baking bread from the finest ingredients for more than 130 years. Our range may have changed and evolved over the years, but our exceptionally high standards of care and expertise never will.
Since 1886...
® Established back in 1886, have had a long presence in Scotland, first starting on Paton Street then moving to Duke Street, Glasgow in 1983. We employ approx. 350 colleagues locally, all who show fantastic commitment in baking and delivering excellent quality bread every week. The Glasgow team have an average service of over 20 years across the site; this is testament to the family spirit everyone ® brings with them every day to bake our best and Mothers Pride® bread.
We were proud to launch the Hovis Bakers Since 1886® range in April 2021. Since the launch, new loaves, rolls, burger buns and hot cross buns were created using our extensive baking experience to deliver products with great quality and taste.
Hovis has the #1 unit share across three types of bread in the impulse channel #1
#1
IN LARGE WHITE
IN LARGE WHOLEMEAL
30.5% Unit Share1
36.2% Unit Share3
#1
IN LARGE SEEDED & GRAINS 29.9% Unit Share2
White:
Half & Half:
Wholemeal / Brown:
Bread with Bits:
Other Bakery:
1. Source: NielsenIQ Scantrack, unit sales for the pre-packaged white bread loaves category, loaves 600g and over, for the 12-month period ending 04/12/21, for the total GB impulse channel (Copyright © 2021 NielsenIQ)
Regional:
2. Source: NielsenIQ Scantrack, unit sales for the pre-packaged bread loaves with seeds and grains category, loaves 600g and over, for the 12-month period ending 04/12/21, for the total GB impulse channel (Copyright © 2021 NielsenIQ)
3. Source: NielsenIQ Scantrack, unit sales for the pre-packaged brown/ wholemeal bread loaves category, loaves 600g and over, for the 12-month period ending 04/12/21, for the total GB impulse channel (Copyright © 2021 NielsenIQ)
SYMBOL
NIS
Ascona converts Nisa Local store to new Express format The forecourt site has been entirely overhauled with new flooring, ceiling and lighting.
A
Nisa Local store in Chard, Somerset, has been converted to the symbol group’s new Nisa Express format in a bid to better cater to local needs and attract new shoppers. Owned by the Ascona Group, the forecourt site has been entirely overhauled to include a fresh new range and more chilled snacking options – in line with local requirements. A new Tchibo Coffee machine and food-to-go area has also been installed, including a bay dedicated to cereal and protein bars; a hot tower, to enhance
the range already offered; and a slush machine. Interior works include new flooring, ceiling, and lighting throughout the shopfloor space along with extra shelving to increase capacity. Commenting on the fascia change and internal works, Nisa Store Development Manager Chris Yates said: “We worked with the team at Ascona to really bring this site up to date with the look and feel as well as the range to ensure it suited the site and its customer base as well as entice new customers in.”
22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
The Ascona Group currently operates 45 Nisa fascia stores, with further conversions to the Express format planned for this year. Launched in October 2020, the new Express format was designed to cater for retailers operating in more compact spaces. The design is intended for stores that are up to 1,000sq ft in size. It offers three different format options: food centric, forecourt and essentials, with each design differing to cater for specific local demands.
GROUPS
SA
Kash Retail to open new store with ‘eat in’ concept
Kash Retail to open its eighth Nisa Local store in the North Yorkshire market town of Bedale next month.
W
ork to open the new 2,300sq ft store has started, with a host of new services to be offered as well as a broad range of products. Working with Nisa’s format and development team and Active Shopfitters, Nisa Local Bedale will fuse cutting-edge energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration with the listed building’s many original features. The store will also boast a “strong” food- and drinks-to-go offer
complemented by a new “eating in” concept. Located close to the store’s entrance, the new seating area will seek to encourage shoppers “sit and enjoy the surroundings.” The Bedale site is the eighth for Nisa key account Kash Retail with other stores all operating under a Nisa fascia in North Yorkshire and the north-east of England. Area manager Alistair Bush said: “This will be one of our largest stores
and we are trying out a few new ideas to see what works. “It will be the first time we have tried the food to go coupled with the eating in concept and so we are interested to see how that goes. “We’ve worked closely with the team at Nisa to get the store design right and have tried to personalise it. We’re now looking forward to finishing the project and opening our doors to shoppers.” The former Spar store had been standing empty for more than 18 months.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23
BO O K NO W! THE SLR AWARDS ARE BACK AND THEY’RE LIVE FOR OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!
LIV E EV ENT:
7 S EPT 2022 R ADIS SO N, GLASGOW
TICK ETS AVAILABLE NOW TAB LE OF 10 £ 125 0 EX VAT TICK ET £ 14 0 EX VAT
Scottish Grocers’ Federation
WHOLESALE
HANCOCKS
Hancocks marks 60 years with birthday bash The celebrations get underway tomorrow with an in-store event at the wholesaler's Bristol depot.
Hancocks Bristol opened in 1983 when Ray and Liz Hancock began wholesaling confectionery from their sweet shop.
H
ancocks is kicking of its 60th anniversary celebrations with an in-store event tomorrow for customers and suppliers at its Bristol depot. Sponsored by Haribo, Nestlé, Mondelez and Frisia, the celebration will include a number of retailer offers, prize draws and giveaways. Retailers will also have the chance to hear about Hancocks’ plans for the year ahead and new confectionery lines to be introduced.
Hancocks’ Bristol depot was the sixth to open back in 1983, just 21 years after the businesses original founding in 1962 – when Ray and Liz Hancock began wholesaling confectionery from their sweet shop. The depot, one of 14 Hancocks locations around the UK, supplies a number of busy seaside resorts and theme parks along the South West coast with seasonal treats including lollies, candy floss and pick and mix.
Hancocks’ Bristol store manager Daniel Hancock said the event would be the perfect chance to talk to retailers about its plans for the year and new lines. Hancocks’ Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Summerley added: “Reaching such a milestone anniversary is a testament to how our teams across the business work together, the service and products we’re able to supply to retailers, however large or small and the suppliers we work with on a daily basis."
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25
VA P I N G
UKVIA
UKVIA hails regulations’ review as ‘win’ for vaping The government's review found that existing regulations meet original objectives.
T
he UK Vaping Industry Association has welcomed the Department for Health and Social Care’s (DHSC) review into the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations (TRPR). Describing it as a “win for the UK’s vaping sector”, the association notes that while the review has not changed existing measures, it “clearly states the positive impact that vaping can have in helping people to quit smoking”. “What this tells me is that the industry is doing its job in bringing to the fore some of the things that have been holding back vaping’s ability to support the Government’s smoke-free targets to full effect,” UKVIA Director General
John Dunne said. “Today’s development with its acknowledgement of vaping’s value towards smoking harm reduction goes at least some way to paving the road for us to move on from the frankly dangerous misinformation that has stopped vaping from realising its full public health potential in the past, and we will continue our campaigning to make this happen and support the Government’s smoke-free agenda,” he added. The Government has set itself a target of reducing the amount of UK smokers to just 5% of the population in the next eight years with the TRPR and other developments, such as the yet to be
26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
published Tobacco Control Plan (TCP). The DHSC’s review, published on 25 March, found that existing TRPR regulations “met their original objectives” and that they “could not be better achieved through alternative regulatory measures”. The UKVIA submitted a package of recommendations to the TRPR consultation, including the use of Government-approved expert health claims on products to address misinformation; greater opportunities for the vaping industry to engage with smokers; and the extension of certain regulations to cover additional vaping products, such as non-nicotine e-liquids.
OFF-TRADE
CIDER MARKET
Press ahead with premium and crafted ciders
Convenience retailers have a “significant opportunity” to cash in on the UK’s profitable cider category, by focusing on premium variants and craft brands this summer, the 2022 Westons Cider Report suggests.
C
rafted cider was the only segment to have posted growth in 2021 - having increased its market share from 14.2% in 2020 to 16.4% in 2021, the report reveals. Crafted’s 2021 value share was also significantly up on 2019 pre-pandemic levels. The top ten crafted brands currently account for 82% of crafted category value, with the Henry Westons brand itself having seen year on year growth of 20.6% in 2021. The craft segment also commands a higher price per litre at £3.28, compared with the market average of £2.31, meaning that crafted cider “continued to play an important role in driving value into the cider category,” Henry Westons said. When it comes to crafted cider by format, glass bottles are the ‘go-to’ with a 69.3% share in 2021 compared with 63.8% in 2020. By comparison, can or other formats only make up 30.7% of crafted sales value, down from 36.2% the previous year. In terms of flavours, apple cider attracted the highest spend in 2021, with the average shopper spending £81.30 per year on apple cider. Apple cider increased its share by 2.1% year on year to claim 62.5% of all off-trade sales, compared to fruit and pear, which both posted declines on
2020’s record sales. Compared with 2019 figures, value sales of apple cider were up 11.4% in 2021, vs fruit or flavoured ciders which grew by 2.7%, while pear declined. Total retail cider sales hit £1.2bn in 2021 - down 11.9% on the “unprecedented” year of sales posted in 2020, but up 6.8% on 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Commenting on the cider category’s 2021 performance, Westons Cider head of business development Darryl Hinksman said: “While it was always
going to be a challenge to lap a, quite frankly, unmaintainable boom in cider sales during 2020, in 2021, the category showed clear signs of promise.” “The exceptional circumstances of 2020 rocked the boat– with off-trade sales achieving unprecedented growth and reaching record heights. “Now that the dust is beginning to settle, cider sales are steadying once more – and household penetration, frequency and volume are up compared with 2019.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27
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COMMUNITY
ONE STOP
One Stop records epic year for charity fundraising One Stop is celebrating a record year for fundraising, having drummed up £902,000 for a number of national charities and local good causes.
T
he week-long trial involved a 19-tonne Electra e-Cargo refrigerated rigid vehicle, which can travel up to 130 miles on a full charge. The lorry made deliveries to Spar retail stores within a 100-mile round trip of AF Blakemore's West Midlands depot. The vehicle then took up to 10 hours to charge at the company’s Willenhall lorry park. Blakemore said replacing one of its standard diesel rigids with this type of electric vehicle could save the company
more than 30 tonnes of CO2 emissions over the course of a year. AF Blakemore Logistics Compliance Manager, Dave Higgs, said: “This trial will move AFB a step to introducing its first electric HGV, and we are excited to be involved in the drive towards a more sustainable future. “If the test week is successful, the business will be looking at more suppliers of electric vehicles. We are hoping to do a number of trials over the next
five years to understand the potential of electric HGVs and how they could be incorporated into our fleet.” AF Blakemore has already begun to roll out electric home delivery vans to its Spar stores. The company’s commitment to reducing its transport emissions is part of a wider focus on sustainability, and in January AF Blakemore added a new environmental sustainability manager to its Responsible Business team.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29
S C O T T I S H G OV E R N M E N T
RETAIL SUPPORT PLAN
Government sets out new retail sector support plan
The Scottish Government is seeking to upskill retail sector staff and improve working conditions, as part of a newly published strategy to better support retailers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
D
eveloped in partnership with the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) the Getting the Right Change: A Retail Strategy for Scotland plan outlines a number of actions to be taken by the Scottish Government, business leaders and trade unions in a bid to grow businesses, improve wellbeing and address inequality. These include:
● Promoting town and city centres and local businesses while supporting ways to re-purpose vacant retail units. ● Harnessing opportunities in the National Strategy for Economic Transformation that will directly support the retail sector, like actions to grow businesses, boost productivity and support
● Developing and promoting a Fair
entrepreneurship.
Work Agreement that retailers can voluntarily sign up to, to improve fair work conditions across the sector and contribute to reduction of in-work poverty. ● Working with Skills Development Scotland and other partners on a Skills Audit and Action Plan, to support retail re-skilling or
A new Industry Leadership Group will also be established to drive delivery of the retail strategy, co-chaired by Public Finance Minister Tom Arthur. Commenting on the strategy, Arthur said: “As we have seen during the pandemic, our retailers have played and continue to play a vital role in creatively supporting our communities.
up-skilling as jobs change, for example due to technology like self-scan checkouts and online ordering systems. ● Developing a Just Transition Plan for Retail to protect jobs and contribute to net zero emissions by 2045 through developing local supply chains, reuse of materials and sustainable travel choices by staff and customers.
30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
“Our retail strategy sets out actions to support the sector to rebuild from the effects of the pandemic, address longer-term challenges and maximise opportunities to fulfill its potential. “We want to support innovation and entrepreneurship, and seize opportunities from new technology and markets, to boost productivity and grow businesses. SRC chairman John Brodie MBE added: “Retail is Scotland’s largest private sector employer and this more strategic and collaborative approach to supporting and nurturing the growth of the industry should help it flourish and fulfill its potential over the decade ahead. “This will benefit retailers and the millions of customers they serve in Scotland, as well as the supply chain and broader economic ecosystem that retail touches, and help drive forward Scotland’s economy.”
WHOLESALE
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Wholesalers offered insight into electric vehicle market SWA to offer members key insights into the electric vehicle and infrastructure market next month.
T
he Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) is to offer its members key insights into the electric vehicle and infrastructure market, as part of its first Electric Vehicle Experience on 5 April. The event, created in partnership with Volvo Trucks, forms part of the SWA’s Decarbonisation of the Wholesale Sector project. Taking place at the Donald Malcolm Heritage Centre in Linwood, Renfrewshire, the event will allow qualifying participants to drive one of the UK’s first all-electric HGVs and hear talks from sector leaders. Aimed at all wholesalers who want to glean more information about electric vehicles and how best to start making the transition to EV fleets, the event will also provide an opportunity to meet and question Volvo engineers about EV vehicle technology. The event will include talks from Transport Scot"This event will provide an excellent land which will speak on the platform for wholesalers to learn more nation’s transition to net-zero about the technology and ask pertinent fleets, Volvo Trucks on accelquestions." Colin Smith, SWA erating the shift to electromobility, and Scottish Power SWA boss Colin Smith said: “This Energy Networks whose speaker will dis- event will provide an excellent platform cuss resourcing and support the power for wholesalers to learn more about the demand. Traffic management systems technology and ask pertinent questions. specialist Swarco, which provides much “Last November, we shared the findof the EV charging infrastructure that ings of the first phase of our Decarbondrivers use across the country, will also isation of the Wholesale Sector project which focused on our vehicles and fleets, talk about smart charging solutions.
calculating and reporting on the sector’s fleet emissions baseline and producing a fleet emissions roadmap to net zero. “Phase two is focusing on our buildings and cold storage, while phase three will shine a spotlight on our people and employees and how they move around.” ● The event is free for SWA members and £100 for non-members. Registration closes on 29 March.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK – LILY'S KITCHEN
PUKKA UNVEILS ‘FAMILY FAVOURITE’ FOUR-PACKS
Premium natural pet food brand Lily's Kitchen has launched new On the Go Bars and Protein Bites. and innovation to the frozen aisle. “We’ve been bringing the people of Britain great-tasting and award-winning pies for nearly 60 years and our latest recipes are the next step in propelling frozen sales,” said Rachel Cranston, Head of Marketing and Innovation at Pukka. “And the category needs food which delivers Hot pie brand Pukka has launched a new range
full on flavour. Our research shows that over half
of frozen four-pack puff pastry pies.
of UK shoppers have negative perceptions of fro-
The ‘Family Favourites’ oven-baked range includes Beef & Vegetable and Chicken & Vegeta-
zen food when it comes to taste and quality. This needs to change.
ble variants. The Beef & Vegetable recipe features
“That’s why we’re on a mission to fulfil unmet
minced beef with diced carrot, swede and peas
needs. By bringing our oven baked chicken and
with a tasty, beef gravy. Chicken & Vegetable
beef puff pastry pies to the frozen aisles, we’re
contains tender pieces of chicken, diced carrots,
raising the bar in the category when it comes to
peas and onions in a chicken gravy. Both recipes
quality and flavour, with recipes that we know the
are wrapped in a light puff pastry case and bake
whole family will love.
from frozen in 35 minutes.
"In fact, our existing range of frozen pies already
The pies join Pukka’s existing frozen line-up
outperforms competitors on quality and taste, with
including its microwaveable twin pack pies – avail-
over half of consumers saying they’d choose Pukka
able in All Steak, Cheese, Leek & Potato, Chicken
above other brands.”
& Bacon – and a recently launched Vegan Minced Steak & Onion recipe. The launch coincides with a disruptive packaging makeover across Pukka’s entire frozen portfolio. Using clear quality food imagery to stand out and entice shoppers to frozen, the revamped look brings warmth, quality
32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK – WEETABIX ON THE GO
WEETABIX ON THE GO BRINGS BACK £1 PMPS
The £1 price-marked packs are back by popular demand and backed by a substantial field sales campaign across the convenience channel.
Weetabix On The Go has brought back its £1
bottle containing no more sugar than a glass of
PMP offer by popular demand across its 250ml
milk. Weetabix On The Go recently redesigned
core range.
its packaging to ensure that the bottle, cap and
Designed to further drive impulse purchases and bring incremental shoppers into the category, the limited-edition £1 PMP bottles are available in wholesale and convenience now. Weetabix’s field sales teams have hit the road to
sleeve are 100% kerbside recyclable, whilst they are also made from 51% rPET plastic. The price-marked packs are available across 250ml Strawberry, Chocolate, Vanilla, Banana and Caffé Latte flavours.
coincide with the launch and are visiting over 1,000
Christian Sarginson, Marketing Manager, Weet-
convenience stores across the UK with the aim of
abix On The Go, said: “We know that once trialled,
increasing distribution of the On The Go range.
we generate strong repeat sales with shoppers
The first of several Weetabix field sales cam-
loving the great taste and smoothness of the
paigns this year, retailers will be provided with
drink. After we first launched the £1 PMP offer on
POS materials and merchandising support for
a limited-edition basis back in December 2020, we
their drinks’ chillers.
saw phenomenal demand from both retailers and
With HFSS legislation on the horizon, Weetabix
consumers, bringing newcomers to the category.
On The Go remains ahead of the game in terms of
We’re pleased we can continue to offer great value
sugar content and nutritionals. The entire Weetabix
to customers in this channel with the PMP, which
On The Go range is HFSS-compliant, with each
is an easy breakfast option at an affordable price.”
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 33
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK – MCVITIE'S
MCVITIE’S LIGHTENS UP WITH RICH TEA DELIGHTS A new reduced-sugar version of the classic Rich Tea biscuit is the first of several new healthier products from McVitie's.
Global snacking company pladis is expanding its
of-pack hero the McVitie’s brand and highlight the
established McVitie’s portfolio with the introduction
product’s health benefits.David Titman, Marketing
of a lighter version of one of its bestselling biscuits,
Director – McVitie’s at pladis UK&I, comments: “As
the classic McVitie’s Rich Tea.
biscuit category leader, we understand we have
The launch of McVitie’s Rich Tea Delights marks the start of a pipeline of innovation with added benefits from the brand, which will offer more choice to health-conscious shoppers.
an important role to play when it comes to helping consumers enjoy healthier lifestyles. “We’re excited to be bringing a product to market which caters to evolving shopper needs and
An evolution of the brand’s £31m McVitie’s Rich
a nationwide focus on health, while retaining the
Tea product, the new variant includes 30% less
great taste that’s synonymous with McVitie’s. Now,
sugar than the typical semi-sweet biscuit, and 38
whether shoppers are looking for an indulgent treat
calories per biscuit, while retaining the familiar crisp,
or something a little lighter, it’ll be even easier
golden and richly flavoured biscuit that shoppers
for them to enjoy McVitie’s biscuits as part of a
know. The reduced-sugar recipe does not include
balanced diet.
any artificial sweeteners. McVitie’s Rich Tea Delights sits outside of upcoming guidelines relating to HFSS products.
“This launch will also show shoppers they don’t need to forego the biscuit aisle entirely in a bid to choose lower-calorie options.”
This means its position in store will not be restricted and it can be used to signpost the biscuit fixture
McVitie’s Rich Tea Delights (RSP £1.59)
at end-of-aisle.
is available now in 300g packs across
Stand-out packaging which incorporates the
multiple retail, convenience and wholesale.
recognisable colour and font cues of McVitie’s
Packaging is recyclable through pladis’
Rich Tea, plus distinctive and bold flashes front-
partnership with Terracycle.
34 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
NPD AND MEDIA
PICKS OF THE WEEK
NORDIC SPIRITS
X-TRA ENERGY
FAMOUS ONE
A new partnership sees Man-
Ready-to-drink brand WKD is
The Famous Grouse has
grove UK distribute Danish brand
set to launch WKD X, an 7%
unveiled The Famous One, a
Stauning’s portfolio of whiskies
ABV drink containing caffeine,
new blend of grain and malt
including Stauning Rye, Stauning
guarana and taurine. It will be
whiskies matured in sherry sea-
El Classico and Stauning Smoke.
available from May in two flavour
soned American oak casks and
Mangrove will develop Staun-
variants: WKD X Blue and WKD
ex-bourbon American oak bar-
ing’s awareness in premium
X Gold. Plain and £3.29 PMPs
rels for a softer, sweeter, flavour.
retail, its on-trade footprint, and
will be offered in cases of 12 x
It retails at £23 for a 70cl bottle
raise its UK e-commerce profile.
500ml single cans.
and is available from Amazon.
REVAMPED OLDIES
TAILS YOU WIN
FEVER PITCH
Bonds of London has launched
Originally created for the hos-
Mixer brand Fever-Tree has
its brand new Our Heritage
pitality industry, Bacardi has
launched a new limited-edi-
range, updating traditional treats
launched Tails Cocktails into
tion Passionfruit & Lime Tonic
and old favourites with a modern
the off-trade with Rum Dai-
Water for the summer season.
twist. The range includes Black
quiri, Whisky Sour, Gin Gimlet,
Made with no artificial flavours
and Red Liquorice sticks, three
Espresso Martini, and Passion
or sweeteners and at only 18
flavours of Candy Canes, and a
Fruit Martini variants. QR codes
calories per 100ml, it is availa-
Candy Floss Tub. All are availa-
on the 50cl bottles link to a 30
ble from Tesco, Asda, Ocado &
ble from Hancocks.
second ‘how to prepare’ video.
Sainsbury’s.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 35
NOW THAT’S A
OUT TH
Asda trials one-hour personal shopper service New feature allows customers to communicate directly with a ‘personal shopper’ whilst in store.
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? Asda has partnered with buymie, a platform that boasts a network of personal shoppers that will exclusively pick, pack and deliver orders for customers. The new ‘thing’ is twofold; the ‘personal shopper’ experience, combined with a one-hour delivery within a threemile radius, to start with. “The trial in Leeds and Bristol will give access to our full online range and a
‘personal shopper’ experience for bigger basket shops through buymie’s interactive platform,” Asda Senior Vice President of e-Commerce Simon Gregg said.
HOW DOES IT WORK? Customers in Bristol can place orders via the existing buymie app, whilst those in Leeds have to download the new ‘Asda Express powered by buymie’ app, created for the three-month trial.
36 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 98 / WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022
Shoppers can then scroll through the app aisles to select their groceries, and buymie’s shopper will then pick them and pack them. Groceries are then delivered at a time of choice, but the big attraction is the one-hour option. There is no limit on the number of items that can be ordered with delivery fees ranging from £3.49 to £4.99. What’s more, for a limited time, delivery will be
A GOOD IDEA…
HE BOX
free on orders of £50 or more to mark the launch. “By partnering with buymie we are able to offer express delivery in more locations more quickly, without the need to implement new technology, infrastructure or cause disruption to our store teams,” Gregg added.
COULD THIS CATCH ON? The recent Covid lockdowns accel-
erated retailers’ investment in technology in order to facilitate speedy deliveries; the trend is unlikely to suddenly stop now. If successful, Asda is planning to roll out the service further than the stores it is currently available, namely Longwell, Bedminster, Filton, and Patchway in Bristol, along with Killingbeck, Harehills, Kirkstall, Wortley, Beeston, and Middleton in Leeds.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 37
BEFORE YOU GO
RETAIL RANDOMS
BE WRONG A D S A THAT It looks like Asda has lost a loyal customer after a care home worker was told to leave its store in Thornaby, North Yorkshire because staff didn’t like the way he shopped. Matthew Scholes, 49, had just picked up a bottle of Ouzo when a clipboard-wielding staff member who had been trailing him round the store said: “I want you to leave the shop right now.” A subsequent email sent by Asda Executive Relations to Scholes compounded his misery: "I have spoken to the store leadership team who have informed me they do not like the way you shop.” In what’s an early frontrunner for understatement of the year, the email continued: “I appreciate this may not be the response you were looking for
Asda may be bouncing punters for the way they shop, but it appears rival Sainsbury’s is taking a more laidback attitude towards a retailer who’s called his off-licence Singh’sBury Local. Sainsbury’s has been quick to resort to legal action over similar moves in the past, so its reticence is all the more surprising when you see the sign above Mandeep Singh Chatha’s store in Wolverhampton. ‘Striking’ and ‘similarity’ spring to mind.
and I am sorry for any disappointment this may cause." We can only wonder what Scholes did wrong. Had he parked his trolley right up against a chiller, blocking access to the cooked meat? Stopped to talk to a mate,
WHAT'S IN A NAME? Mandeep combined his middle name and part of the street where the store sits (Bushbury Road) to come up with the name and
double-parking in the middle of the aisle? Or maybe he was messing up the facings to get at products with a better date? Who knows? At any rate, he shops in Aldi now. Heaven help him if goes the wrong way down that first aisle…
insists any resemblance to the Sainsbury’s logo is entirely coincidental. The store has been trading for more than two years so it looks like Singh’sBury Local won’t be changing its name any time soon. The same couldn’t be said for Singhsbury’s in North Tyneside. Retailer Jel Singh Nagra decided on a name change in 2017 after Sainsbury’s unleashed the lawyers. His store was renamed – with the blessing of its namesake – to Morrisinghs.
WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2022 / ISSUE 98 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 39
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