Cash and Carry Management June 23

2022’S BIGGEST 500ML ENERGY RANGE *

47% OF ENERGY DRINK SALES ARE 500ML *

FLAVOURED 500ML VARIANTS ARE DRIVING CATEGORY GROWTH +18% **

Unitasrole forVisick

DavidVisick(pictured),the formerdirectorofcommunicationsfortheFederation ofWholesaleDistributors (FWD)formorethan12 years,istojoin Unitas Wholesale inJuneina communicationsandevents managementrole.

CityPubGroupsupplydeal

ThomasRidleyFoodservice –acquiredbyBidcorpearlier thisyearintoitsCaterfood group–hascommenceda newhospitalitycontractto supply37ofthe43CityPub Groupestablishments.

TheCityPubGroup’s portfoliostretchesacross southernEnglandandinto Walesandincludesawide rangeofpubs,restaurants andhotelsinEastAngliaand London.

Thenewsupplycontract marksasignificantinroadfor ThomasRidleyinsupplying hospitalitycustomersacross amuchbroadergeographicalarea.

Visick’sappointmentfollowsthedepartureofAnita Mauriello(neeOakhill),who workedatUnitasforfourand-a-halfyearsasmarketingcontrollerandbeforethat inthesameroleforToday’s Groupfornearly11years.

Pricelock

OneStop –asubsidiaryof Tesco–hasannounceda newpricelockonover80 productsuntil17Julyaspart ofitsLowEverydayPrices campaign.

Theinitiativefeatures own-brandandbranded productsacrossfreshfood, storecupboard,snacking andhouseholdcategories.

OneStophasalsointroduceda‘CelebrateSummer’ campaigninallstores.

Therearepromotional offersonawideselectionof summerfoods,drinksand snacks,andthecampaign alsoincludesinteractive summer-themedgames,with prizesworthover£4,000.

Tofulfiltheagreement, ThomasRidleyhasadded57 newlinesandissupporting theCityPubGroupwith ongoingmenudevelopment.

NatalieEdwards,group SugroUK revealedanew logoandbroaderfocusatits annualconferenceandtrade showinLiverpool.

accountcontrollerat ThomasRidley,said:“The sizeandgeographicalspread ofthiscontractshowsthat we’regeareduptoaccommodatethistypeofcustomerandfeelthatourreputationforprovidingahigh levelofserviceandgreat productspairsreallywell

withCityPubGroup’sreputationforcreatinggreatspaces andfantasticfoodanddrink experiences.”

VincentGlouton,group executivechefofCityPub Group,added:“Thomas Ridleyhavereallyimpressed usandwefeelthatourdeliveriesareingoodhands.We neededThomasRidleyto addquiteafewnewnominatedlinesforusacross frozen,chilledandambient andthey’veturnedeverythingaroundreallyquickly andefficiently.”

ThomasRidleysupplies morethan2,000customers acrosseducation,healthcare andhospitality.Itsmain depotisinBuryStEdmunds, andthisissupportedbya satellitedepotinKentfor deliveriesacrossLondonand thesoutheast.

Newlogoandbroaderfocus

Sugro,whichhasa membershipofmorethan 90independentwholesalers withacombinedbuying powerof£1.8billion,primarilyfocusedonimpulsecategoriesbutitisdiversifyingits traditionalbusinessmodelto offersupportforcatering, alcoholandnon-foodcategoriestoitsmembers.

Therebrandingis designedtoprovidean insightintotheSugrovalues of‘Strength,Unity,Growth, ReliabilityandOpportunity’ andreflectthegroup’sdigitalisationanddiversification.

Havingbroughtnew membersandsupplierson boardinrecentmonths, Sugropredictsastrongyear

ofgrowthin2023.Inthefirst quarter,itachievedgrowthof 31%comparedtothesame periodin2022.

SugroUKsawarecord attendanceattheannual conferenceandtradeshow, withover200membersand suppliersattheevent.

EmmaSenior,managing directorofSugroUK,said: “ThetimingofourMaytrade showwasperfecttolaunch thenewSugrobranding.Our designteamhavedonea fantasticjobincreatinga newfreshandmodernlook andIverymuchlookforward toseeingitcomealiveinthe comingweeksandmonths onleaflets,ourwebsites, letterheads,etc.”

Inothernews,SugroUK hasappointedSophieJames astradingmanagerforconfectionery,seasonaland crisps&snacks.

James(pictured)formerly workedinabuyingroleat OneStopfromAugust2020 untilMaythisyear,covering crisps,snacksandseasonal confectionerycategories. Shealsopreviouslyworked atMatalanforfiveyears.

AragonHouseinLondonis oneofthevenuesnowbeing suppliedbyThomasRidley.

Diversificationdrivesgrowth

Pricecheck hasachievedits secondsuccessiveyearof double-digitgrowth.Audited accountsfortheyearended 30April2023willbepublishedlaterthisyearbutthe expectedrevenuegrowthwill bebetween14%and15%, resultinginannualturnover ofaround£129million.

ThisperformancerepresentsPricecheck’sninthconsecutiveyearofgrowth, whichitattributestodiversificationofthebusiness.

Thebusiness’scoreofferingofdeliveredwholesale remainsthebiggestcontributortoturnoverbutinnovationinbranddistributionand exploringemergingmarkets havecontinuedtopush Pricecheckforward.

Pricecheckoffersmore than8,000brandedproducts tocustomersintheUKand tomorethan80countries globally.Overthepast12 months,ithassecured

exclusiveandsemi-exclusive distributionarrangements withBatiste,Arm&Hammer, Nair,Femfresh,W7cosmetics,andEnjoy!Chocolate. ThisisinadditiontoenhancingexistingdealswithMalibu suncareandAstonish.

DebbieHarrison,joint managingdirector(trading), commented:“Everyyear sincewemovedtonew premisesin2016wehave grownbydoubledigits, apartfromtheCovidyear endingApril2021,andthat wasstillayearofgrowth.

£9min contracts

BlakemoreFoodservice has beenawardedfivenew contractsworthatotalof£9 million.

Thisissomethingwe’re incrediblyproudofasit demonstratesthehardwork fromtheteam.

“Overthepast12months, we’vefocusedoninnovation acrossthebusinessto enhanceandchangeour offering.Asaresult,we’ve securedmoreexclusivedistributiondeals,diversified ourretailofferingand improvedefficiencies.

“It’salwaysbeenexciting atPricecheck,butI’mmore excitedthaneverforwhat thefutureholds.”

Thecontracts,whichwill beservicedfromthewholesaler’s80,000sqftsitein Wakefield,willaddover400 newaccountsacrosseducation,carehomes,leisure facilitiesandothercouncilrunservices.

MattJohnson,tradesectormanager,said:“Thewins demonstrateourongoing commitmenttosupporting educationcatering.Our knowledgeofthesectoris exceptionalandourteam’s experienceandunderstandingareoutstanding,enabling ustodeliverqualityconcepts andsolutionsthroughdedicatedclientsupport.”

BlakemoreFoodserviceis anapproved‘FoodforLife’ supplier.

DRSinScotlandwillnotincludeglass

As Cash&CarryManagement wenttopress,the depositreturnscheme(DRS) inScotlandwasstillscheduledforMarch2024but wouldnotincludeglassas originallyplanned.

TheUKGovernmentsaid itwouldgrantaexemption totheinternalmarketact (IMA)toallowtheDRStobe introducedinScotlandon theconditionthatglassis excluded.

Glassbottlesarenot includedintheplansfor EnglandandNorthern Ireland,duetobeimplementedin2025,andifthe schemescovereddifferent materialsthiswouldcreatea tradebarrier.

LornaSlater,theMSP

responsibleforoverseeing theDRSinScotland,said: “Wearenowgoingtohave tolookveryseriouslyat wherethisleavestheviabilityoftheScottishscheme.”

However,themovehas beenwelcomedbymany businesses.ColinSmith,

chiefexecutiveofthe ScottishWholesaleAssociation, said:“Weseethisasa positivemoveinthedelivery ofasuccessfulScottishDRS nextyearanditsfuture expansionUK-wide.

“AsmembersofCircularityScotland,we’vebeen

proactivelyworkingtoensure Scotland’sschemeiseffective andgoesliveasdesignedby theScottishGovernment.

“However,wehave arguedforseveralyearsthat aUK-wideapproachmade moresenseandthatincludingglassincreasedcostsand complexity.

“Glassinclusioniscurrentlythemaindifference betweentheScottishand Englishschemessoitrepresentsamajorchange.This movewillbeparticularlywelcomedbylicensedwholesalerswhoarewineandspiritsimportersandtreatedas producersunderDRSregulations.Thiswillalsomassively reducethenumbersofSKUs affectedforallwholesalers.”

Schools strategy

JJFoodservice hasbecome anassociatememberof LACATheSchoolFood Peopletocontinueitsdrive tosupplymoreschooland localauthoritycaterers.

TheLACAnetworkof morethan3,000caterers deliversthreemillionlunches everydayin27,000schools.

BarisKacar,chiefsales officerofJJFoodservice, said:“LACAmembership helpsustoreachavaluable networkofcaterersand schoolstaffwhoarepassionateaboutmakingsure schoolchildrengetaccessto nutritious,healthymeals.”

Inothernews,JJ Foodservicehasadded wholelobster,scallops,crab meatandmade-to-order freshpastatoitsrangefor Londoncustomers.

BeneficialmembershipofECD

Caterforce isreapingthe rewardsofitsmembership oftheEuropeanCatering Distributors(ECD)groupby learningaboutbestpractice atthebusinessesof Europeanwholesalers.

Theannualshareholder meetingofECDwasrecently hostedbyCaterforceat LynasFoodservice in Coleraine,andattendedby GaryMullineux,MDof Caterforce,andthebuying group’snewchairman, CastellHowell’s MDMatt Lewis.

Establishedmorethan30 yearsago,ECDnowhas15 membersfrom17different countrieswithatotal turnoverof10billioneuros. Theorganisationwasestablishedforindependentfoodservicebuyinggroupsand wholesalerstoshareknowledge,bestpracticeand

Electricinvestment

mutualtradingtermswith globalsuppliers.

Mullineux,whojoinedthe boardofECDlastyear,said: “ECD’sfocusonindependent foodservicemeanstheir membershavethesame ambitionsandchallengesas ourownbuyinggroup.

“Membersshareknowledgeandbestpracticeon everythingfromcentralised enterpriseresourceplanning tomulti-countrypurchasing collaborationsaswellas

strategiestoservicenational accounts.”

ThemeetingatLynas Foodserviceincludedatour ofthedepotanddemonstrationsoftheefficiencies madesincethewholesaler launcheditsnewwarehouse managementsystem.

TheLynasteamalso showcaseditsambitionto achieve75%renewable energybyOctober2023 throughinstallationofsolar panelsandawindturbine.

Birminghambranch

As Cash&CarryManagement wenttopress, ICSUK wasjustabouttoopenanew siteinBirminghamunderthe CaterChoice FoodService name.

The48,000sqftdepotisa distributionsiteandwillalso offeraclick&collectservice.

than£120million.TheICSUK headofficeandmainwholesaledepotisinBradford,and thereareadditionalsitesin Sheffield,BoltonandLeeds thatalloperateas CaterChoiceCash&Carry.

UnitedWholesaleScotland (UWS) hasinvestedinanew fleetofelectricforklifttrucks, whichwillenablethe Glasgow-basedwholesaler toreduceitscarbonoutput byanestimated55tonnes peryear.

“We’rethrilledtointroducesustainabletransportationbyreplacingouroldgas forklifttruckswithstate-ofthe-artelectricvehicles.With

zeroemissionsandreduced noisepollution,we’recommittedtocreatingahealthier environmentforeveryone involved,”saidmanaging directorChrisGallacher.

UWSworkedwith Auditel,anorganisationthat helpsbusinessestobecome carbonneutral,andthe forklifttruckmanufacturer Jungheinrichtointroduce thenewtrucks.

TheCaterChoicedivision ispartoftheICSUKgroup ofcompanies,whichwas established45yearsagoand nowhasaturnoverofmore

ASugromember,ICSUK offersanextensiverangeof ambient,frozenandchilled foodsandpackagingproductssuitableforalmostall sectorsofthecateringand hospitalitytrade.

ECDmembersattheannualshareholdermeeting.

Symbolgroupdevelopmentplans

ThefourteenthBargain BoozewithinaCostcutter storehasjustopened(in CrawleyDown,West Sussex),and Bestway is scheduledtoopenonea weekbetweennowandthe endoftheyear,accordingto retaildirectorMikeHollis.

SpeakingatBestway’s firstRetailShowcaseatthe LiverpoolExhibitionCentre, Hollisalsoannouncedthat thewholesalerhasopeneda totalof400newaccounts since1July2022.

Around1,000retailers fromCostcutter,Bargain Booze,best-one,WineRack andBestway’sXtraLocal retailclubattendedthe event,where140suppliers tookstandsandtherewere over100specialdeals.

Newbest-onebranding wasonshow,andHollis promisedmoresymbol development.“We’vestill gotfurtherworktodoon thebest-oneevolution,and we’realsolookingatWine

RackandBargainBooze. Andthen,inthenext12 months,we’llbelookingat Costcutteraswell.”

Headded:“We’veputup 90newbest-onefascias [since1July2022]–we’ve hadabigpushonthat,and that’sgoingtocontinuefor theforeseeablefuture–and we’vegrownourown-label salesacrossalloursupply chainsbynearly20%tobe worthover£60million.”

Followingsimplification oftheCostcutterrebate

duringthepastyear,the best-onerebatewillbesimplified,anddetailsofthatwill beannouncednextmonth.

Bestwayisalsoplanning toupskillitsfieldteam,startingattheendofthesummer. JamieDavison,whotakes overfromHollison1July, said:“We’regoingtoputthe teamthroughthisupskillto helpyouasretailerslookat yourbusinessthroughthe lensoftheshopper,because keepingyourshopperscomingisimportantbutmaking

Apprenticeshipforfishmongers

Bidfreshbusiness Direct Seafoods isofferingskills developmentforitsnewand moreexperiencedfishmongerswithadedicated apprenticeshipscheme.

Therearefivestudents, acrossthreeDirectSeafoods sites,enrolledonthebespoke scheme,whichwasdevelopedwithCrosbyTraining.

Thecourseiscarriedout over12monthsandcovers modulesinthekeyareas involvedinwholesalefishmongeroperations.These includefoodsafety,health& safety,picking&packing,and knifeskills.Oncompletionof anassessment,eachof thesemodulescontributesto

aLevelTwoDiploma.

Extrasupportisavailable forcandidatestoachieve

yourbusinessmorerelevant toawidercatchmentis reallywherethemagic’sat. That’showwe’regoingto driveyourfootfallandmake yourturnoverbaseeven bigger.”

Bestwayrecentlyheldits firstretailerworkingparty,in NorthernIreland,andit intendstointroducemore workinggroups,withsome ofthemfocusingonspecific topics.“Whenwe’vegot certaintopics[todiscuss]or strategicdevelopmentswe wanttomake,we’regoingto bringretailerstogetherand we’regoingtoinviteour supplierstogetinvolvedas well,”heexplained.

Davisonsaid:“AtBestway wedon’twanttobea cold,calculated,transactional wholesaler.Wewanttobe reallyengaging.Wewantto listentoourretailers.Wewant toworkwithoursuppliers. Collaborationisgoingtobe againakeyfocusareaforus becausewe’veallgottowin.”

InpartnershipwithTWC, CJ Lang&Son hasupgradedits SPARScotlandSalesTrack platformtogivesuppliers andretailersmorewaysto understandwhat’sworking andwhatisn’tinstore.

Thenewfeaturesinclude customisedsegmentations forcustomers,timereportingforCJLang’sfinancial year,andinternalreportsto monitorprofitabilityand drivecategorydevelopment.

theirLevel1and2Mathsand Englishqualificationsifthey donotalreadyhavethem.

Theseimprovementsare inadditiontoTWC’splanned upgrades,whichinclude newchartingoptionsfor spaceandranginganalysis, apivotfunctionforlargedata extracts,andnewreportsin retailandwholesale.

ThreeofthefiveapprenticesfromthreeDirectSeafoods sites,includingTaylorFoodsinNorthShields.

Risein revenue

O’ReillysWholesale, of Newry,NorthernIreland, boostedrevenuefrom£35.7 millionto£42.7millioninthe yearto30September2022. Pre-taxprofitsrosefrom £588,653to£691,180.

Getawaypromotion

Support targetset

Throughitspartnershipwith non-governmentalorganisation(NGO)Hope4, Bidfood hassetatargettoincrease thefoodanddrinkaidit givestopeopleaffectedby theconflictinUkraine.

Establishedin1959, O’Reillyssuppliesavarietyof customersincludingconveniencestores,supermarkets, discounters,hotfoodoutlets andservicestationsin NorthernIreland,the RepublicofIrelandandGB.

TheSugromemberoffers around4,000linescovering confectionery,crisps& snacks,softdrinks,grocery, personalcareandhomecare.

DirectorDerekO’Reilly saidthatoverallhewassatisfiedwiththegroup’sperformancefortheyearand expectsittobesustainedfor theforeseeablefuture.

JamesHall&Co has launcheda‘£10KToGetaway’promotioninSPAR shopsintheNorthofEngland.

Runninguntil28June,the web-basedgamegivescustomersthechancetowin dailyprizes,aswellasa £10,000grandprizevoucher tospendonaholiday.The rewardpoolhasavalueof wellover£100,000.

Inothernews,morethan 150retailersattendedJames

Tradingmanager

NationalBuyingConsortium (NBC) hasappointedElenie Abbottasconsortiumtradingmanager,supportingthe group’srelationshipswith suppliers.

Formerlypurchasing

manageratTheEssential HousewaresCompany, Abbott(pictured)hasalso workedaskeyaccounts managerforGMC Publicationsandinbuying rolesatvariousbusinesses includingIdealShopping Direct,CarltonPackaging andTheWorks.

NBCmanagingdirector DavidLuntcommented: “Elenieisastrongadditionto themanagementteamand willfocusuponoursupplier partnersandhowwecan maximisethebenefitsof coordinatingtheactivitiesof majorbrandswithour membershareholders.”

Hall&Co’slatestretailer updateatitsdistribution centreinPreston.Theywere abletoseeanewrangeof homereplacementmeals thatarebeinglaunchedsoon undertheClaytonPark BakeryKitchenbrand.

Otherhighlightsincluded arefreshedsummeralcohol range,newfood-to-goproducts,anddevelopmentsin thenon-foodareaincluding summerbeddingplants.

Sofarthewholesaler hasdonatedapproximately £400,000worthofproducts anditisdeterminedtoboost thisfigureto£1million.

Thelinkbetweenthe wholesalerandtheNGO datesbacktowhenthewar firstbegan:foodpackages weresenttoMoldova,which becameaplaceofrefugefor manyfleeingtheconflict.

Nowonitsseventhload ofsupport,Bidfoodhasprovidedaround73,000meals forthoseinneed;hittingits newtargetwilltakethis figureto200,000meals.

Inaddition,thewholesaler isworkingwithandencouragingsuppliers,customers andevencompetitorsto donatetothecauseaswell.

Groupsalesincrease

Sincethestartoftheyear, Confex hasseengroupsales riseby23.84%involume and32.47%invalue.

whichwaslaunchedin2022, areforecasttotop£10millionbythefourthquarterof theyear.Thereare350SKUs currentlyavailable,andrange developmentcontinues.

Confexhasalsowelcomedsevennewmembers intheyeartodate:Lakeland Dairies(Cumbria),Pennine Distribution(Lancs),Adams Foodservice(Bradford),Roys (Norwich),DMGWholesale (Walsall),FerrantesFoodservice(Bristol),andMagna Foodservice(Hounslow).

Inaddition,salesofthe group’sownbrandCORE,

FollowingConfex’strade showandawardsceremony inMarch,thegroupisplanningadedicatedFoodserviceFair,whichwillbeheldon 13SeptemberatStratfordon-Avonracecourse.

Thefoodserviceeventwill befollowedbytheConfex Conference,whichwilltake placeinLanzaroteatthe beginningofOctoberand includearecordnumberof memberbusinesses.

JamesHall’sretaildevelopmentdirectorNielsDekkers(left) andmarketingmanagerTomMurphylaunchthecampaign.

Emissionsreduced Swiftpromotion

SavonaFoodservice reduced itscarbonemissionsby26% between2019and2022 acrossitsthreesites: Ilfracombe,Kidlingtonand London.

Thisfigureincludesa 17%decreaseinvehicle emissions–theareaof Savona’sbusinessthatcontributesthemosttoits carbonfootprint.

Thewholesaler’sfleet nowincludestwo100% electric,multi-temperature lorriesthatdeliverdailyin theareasofNorthDevon andOxford.Ithasalsointroducedhybridandelectric companycarsandconsolidateddeliveryroutes.

Savona’selectricityemissionshavedecreasedby 87%asaresultofselecting anenergyproviderthatuses 100%renewableenergy.The wholesalerholdsaBritish

Meanwhile,Savona’s coolingemissionsactually increasedby61%between 2019and2022duetoaleakageinageingequipmentand outdatedrefrigerant.Ithas sincereplacedthiswith moreefficientresources.

ByAugust2024itwill haveinstalledsolarpanelsat bothitsIlfracombeand Kidlingtonsites.

Impulseguide

‘muststock’corerangesfor confectionery,sweetsnacking,crispsandsoftdrinks.

Theguidehasbeen developedwithsuppliers andusesmarketdataand insightfromthegroup’snetworkofwholesalersand industrysourcestoprovidea consumer-drivensuggested coreimpulserangetailored toindependentretailers’ storesizes.

HarlechFoodservice has promotedJosieSwiftto headofpurchasing.

Swift(pictured)joinedthe wholesalertwoyearsagoas apurchasingassistant. Withinsixmonthsshewas supplychainmanager,headingupateamdealingwithall thecompany’spurchasing.

Beforemovingintothe wholesaleindustry,Swiftran pubsforGreeneKing.

Harlechmanagingdirector DavidCattrallsaid:“Thetop levelsofthecateringindustryaregenerallydominated bymen,eventhoughwomen makemostfoodpurchasing decisions,anditisgreatto seeawomanpromotedon

merittobringsomebalance toourpreviouslyall-male leadershipteam.”

Swiftplayedamajorrole inorganisingtheannual HarlechFoodExpoat Llandudnowhichgenerated arecord£600,000inorders andattractedover2,500 tradecustomers.

Herpromotionmeansshe nowheadsuptheteam responsibleforbuying5,000 productlinesforthe Criccieth-basedwholesaler, whichcelebratedits50th anniversarylastyearandis oncoursetodoubleitsturnovertomorethan£50millionafterannouncingamajor contractwithNHSWales.

UnitasWholesale haspublishedanewPlanforProfit ImpulseGuideforindependentretailers.

Availableonlineatplanforprofit.co.ukandinselected UnitasWholesalemember depots,theguideincludes adviceontheimpulsecategoryandhighlightsthe

Inadditiontotheupdated productlisting,theguide providesnewregionallytailoredplanogramsandthe latestcategoryinsights. ValueformoneyandHFSS arealsokeythemesthroughoutthepublication.

Retailerscanalsoaccess separateguidesforgrocery, non-food,chilled&frozen, andlicensed&tobacco.

Hunt’sFoodGroup, of Sherborne,isnowacertified BCorporation.

“Thiscertificationisan importantmilestoneforthe company,”saidaspokespersonforthewholesaler.“It demonstratesourongoing commitmenttousingour businesstopositivelyimpact ourcolleagues,customers, communitiesandtheplanet.

“Ourjourneytoachieving aBCorpcertificationstarted aroundayearagowhenwe noticedalotoftheinternal changesweweremakingran

paralleltothoseoftheB Corpmovement,suchas becomingcarbonneutralby 2025,usingtrustedquality suppliers,pledging£150,000 peryeartocharitablegiving, andimplementingacompanyadvisorygroupto ensurewehavethebest possibleworkspacesanda socialworkplace.”

InordertogainBCorp certification,everypartofthe wholesaler’soperationwas analysedtoensureitmeets highsocialandenvironmentalperformancestandards.

GasBusinessZeroCarbon Electricitycertificate.

ATASTE FORTHE SPANISHSPIRIT

PuertodeIndiasismarketleaderinSpain’s strawberryginsegment,andapioneerin creatingthefirstginfromnaturalstrawberries. Infact,PuertodeIndiasishowthePinkGin categorywasborn,bringingwithitaflavour revolutionandanewwayofdrinkinggin.

THEORIGINALSTRAWBERRYGIN

ThestoryofPuertodeIndiasisoneofabeautifulaccident.The intentionofthefoundershadbeentomaceratefresh strawberriesinalcoholandselltheproducttolocalpatisseries. Whenspringcame,however,theheatinSevillepresenteda uniqueopportunity:thepressedstrawberrieshaddiluted themselvesintothealcohol,colouringitpink.Fromthere, guidedbyintuitionandpassion,cameaspiritthatno-one hadseenbefore–theoriginalstrawberrygin.Theideahas beencopiedmorethan120times.

PuertodeIndiasisproducedinCarmona(Seville),inoneof theoldestandmosttraditionaldistilleriesinAndalusia.Its nameisrelatedtothediscoveryof America,whenSevillebecameoneof themainportsforexchangeofgoods betweenSpainandtheNewWorld.

Wordofmouthamongstfans, combinedwiththerecognisablepink brandinginphotosthat consumerssharetosocialmedia, helpedthebrand’ssuccessto whereitistoday.

Thecombinationofknow-howandinnovation,inadditionto dedication,traditionalproductionandcareinitsmeticulous distillationprocess,haveallowedthecreationofaproduct withitsownpersonality.ThefirstgloballysuccessfulSpanish gin,PuertodeIndiasisnowpresentinover50countriesand haswonprestigiousinternationalawardsintheSanFrancisco WorldSpiritCompetition,theLondonSpiritCompetitionand theBartenderSpiritsAwards,tonamebutafew.

FAVOURITEUKFLAVOUR

Strawberryhasbeennamedthefavouriteginflavourinthe UK.Thisisespeciallytrueamongsttheyoungerdemographic, withoverhalfof18-24-year-oldsratingitastheirfavourite flavour*.Consumersareencouragedtoexperiencethe #SpanishSpirit.

EXPANSIONINTHEUK

Researchshowsthatfondmemoriesandbronzedbodies aren’ttheonlythingthatconsumersreturnfromtheirholidays with–it’sthetastefortheSpanishspirittoo.Aresounding 74%ofBritslookforginbrandsthey’vetriedonholidaywhen theyreturnhome,andwhenaskedwhichSpanishginbrands they’vetriedabroadthattheywouldrecommendtofriends andfamily,PuertodeIndiascameouttopwith37%*.

ThePuertodeIndiasmainvarietiesofginare:Strawberry,the pioneerinthespiritsectorwithanintensestrawberryflavour, andBlackberry,withblackberries,cinnamon,violetand bilberry.

Formoreinformation,visithttps://ginpuertodeindias.com orifyouwouldliketosamplePuertodeIndias, pleasecontactsales@indiebrands.co.uk

*PuertodeIndiasand

3GemUKConsumer Research

SimonHannahhasfollowedin hisfather’sfootstepsinmore waysthanone,fromplaying rugbyatinternationallevelto headinguptheJWFilshillbusiness.

It’sapaththatHannah,45,hasbeen proudtotake,andhespoketo Cash& CarryManagement’s managingeditor KirstiSharrattabouthisrisetoCEO,his personaldevelopmentwhileintherole, peoplewhohaveinspiredhimalongthe way(hisdadRonaldis,unsurprisingly, topofthelist),andambitionsforhimself andtheGlasgow-basedbusiness.

YouhaveworkedatFilshillfornearly 25years.Wasitalwaysyourplantogo intothebusiness?

No,Ididn’treallyknowwhatIwantedto dowhenIleftschool.I

wenttoAustraliaforayear toworkinaboarding schoolontheGoldCoast.

Iwassupposedtobe coachingsportbutthere wasnorugby[union]on theGoldCoast;itwasall rugbyleaguetheresoI decidedtomoveto Sydneytoplay.[Duringhis ownschooldays,Hannah

hadcaptainedtheScottishschools teamandplayedinsixinternationals; hisdadhadachievedsimilarsuccess, earningacapforScotland.]

WhenIcamebacktoScotland,I wenttoNapierUniversityinEdinburgh todoabusinesscoursebutIwasmore interestedintryingtobecomeapro rugbyplayerthanturninguptouni! EventuallyMumandDadfoundoutand theygotcrosswithme,andthenIfound myselfcommutingfromEdinburghto Glasgowtopackshelvesinthewarehouseasapunishment.Nearly25years on,Ihaven’tgotroundtoleaving!

Youstartedfillingshelves.Thenwhat? Ispenttimepickingordersandloading lorries,andthenIworkedinthetobacco store.Iwasalsostilltrying toplayrugby.Dadwas good:hewouldarrange myshiftssothatIcouldget backfortraining.

However,therugby wasn’tworkingoutforme, andIwasstartingtoreally enjoythebusiness.After threeyearsinthetobacco storeIjoinedthebuying team,andIloveditbecause

Iwasdealingwithsomeofthebiggest brandsintheworld.Ialsospenttimein thesalesteam,whichwasgoodfun.

Howdidyouprogresstobecominga directorandthenCEO?

Ijoinedtheboardin2008whenIwasin thecommercialteamandDadwasstill runningthebusiness.Thebusinesshas beengrowing,butin2008–2009things weredifficultbecausethefinancialcrisis hadkickedinandDad’shealthstarted deteriorating:hewasworkingsohard. AftersittingdownwithMumandFraser [Harrison],whowascompanysecretary atthetime,Daddecidedhewould retire,andItookoverasCEOin2010.

Therehadalwaysbeendiscussions withMumandDadandmyolder brotherNick[adirectoratFilshill]about metakingonrunningthebusiness,but ithappenedveryquickly.

Whatchangesdidyoumaketothe businessinitially?

Thecreditcrunchwashavingabig impactonourcustomersandwehad threeyears[2009,2010and2011]of significantbaddebt.Luckily,Ihadspent quitealotoftimevisitingdifferent wholesalers,includingJamesHallin

Inanexclusiveinterview,SimonHannahtalksaboutbeingCEOofJWFilshillandexplains whytheGlasgow-basedbusinessislikelytoremainfamily-ownedwellintothefuture.

‘I’macustodianofthebusiness’

PrestonandNisainScunthorpe,where I’dseensomeimpressivesystemsand processes,andIknewIneededto changehowFilshillwasworking.

Becauseofthebaddebt,thebusinesshadtocontractandIhadtomake 40peopleredundant–thefirsttimein thecompany’shistorythatanyonewas maderedundant.Itwasverydifficultfor everyone.

Didanyonehelpyouinyourrole?

IwasluckybecauseIhadIanMcDonald [salesdirector]andFraseratmyside–stablepillarsthatDadhadtrustedimplicitlytogothroughthisearlytransition.

IcanalsoremembersayingtoJim McIntyrefromRoyalBankofScotland thatIkneweverythingabouttheFilshill business,butIdidn’tknowhowtoruna business.JimintroducedmetoJames Andrewwhowaspresidentofthe GlasgowChamberofCommerce.He wasalsoexCEOofafamilybusiness. Thatledtomegettingtogetherwith Jamesforonedayeverymonthfor threeyears;hebecamemymentor.

Howwouldyoudescribeyourmanagementstyleatthatpoint?

Oneofmybiggestmistakesearlyon wasthinking,‘I’llmakesurethatI’m involvedineverything’.VeryquicklyI createdacultureofupwarddelegation whennodecisionswerebeingmadein thebusinesswithoutmyinvolvement, andIwasdrowning.James[Hannah’s mentor]encouragedmetofocuson goingfromcontenttocontext.Itwasa verybeneficialprocess.

Atthattime,Ianhaddecidedto retire,andI’dbeendoingsomework

withCraigBrown[exSainsbury]and ChrisMiller[exSolsticeBrandsand HarviestounBrewery].Ialsoappointed alogisticsconsultant.

WeknewthatFilshillhadtobecome moreefficient,sowemeasuredevery processinminutedetail.Thattriggered awholelotofthings,includingmoving ourdeliverymethodfrompalletsto cagesandchangingourpaystructures sothatemployeesgotpaidforthework theyproduced.Wemanagedtogenerateamillionpoundsworthofsavingsin thespaceoftwoyears[2012and2013].

Whatotherchangesdidyoumaketo thebusiness?

James[Hannah’smentor]alwayssaidto me,‘Cultureeatsstrategyforbreakfast, lunchanddinner’.Myresponsewas,‘I don’tbelieveyou’.Butactuallyhewas 100%right.

Ihadmyteaminplace:Nickwasa

director,Chrisbecamechiefcommercial officer,Keith[Geddes]becamechief financial&operatingofficer,andCraig joinedthebusinessaschiefsales& marketingofficer.Weallhaddifferent andcomplementaryskills.

Wedecidedtoaddressthecultureof thebusiness.Weaskedallourstaff whatitmeanttoworkforthecompany andwebuiltaseriesofcorevalues together.Windtheclockforwardto 2021:itwasduringCovid,thebusiness wasdoingOK,butwerealisedwehad torevisitourcorevalues.Nick,Craig, Chris,KeithandIlockedourselvesina roomfortwodaysandbuilta10-year target,three-yearpictureandone-year plan,allbasedaroundourcorevalues.

Weagreedthatour10-yeartarget wouldbetohit£350millionturnoverby 1February2031.Wegotallthemanagerstogetherandsaid,‘Today’sdateis 1February2031,wearea£350million turnoverbusiness,wewantyoutotalk toyourteamsandtelluswhatyoudid inthelast10yearsinyourdepartment thatgotustothispoint.Bebold,bebrave, thinkcompletelyoutsideofthebox’.

Theideascameback,andwebuilt anaccountabilitychart.Everybitof functionalitywasappointedtoanindividualoradepartment,andwealso introducedweeklyandmonthlyKPIs [keyperformanceindicators].Allofa sudden,thingsweremotoring.People wereempoweredtomakedecisions.

Now,everyweek,themanagement teamgettogetherforanupdateandto flaganyissues.Thisgiveseveryonein thebusinessthesamemessage.It’sthe singlesourceoftruth,Iguess.

SimonHannah(right)witholderbrotherNick,whoisalsoadirectorofFilshill.

WarehousebannershighlightFilshill’scorevalues,whichwerechosenbythestaff.

Hasyourownroleevolvedasyouhave developedthecultureofthebusiness?

Yes.Iwaspreviouslyveryactively involvedinseniorsupplierengagement andcustomerengagement,butalot moreofmytimeisnowaboutcontext. Myfiveareasofaccountabilityare culture,vision,strategy,innovationand diversification.

EveryJanuary,Ipresenttoevery personinthebusinessabouthowwe didagainstourcompanyobjectives: wherewesucceeded,wherewemissed, howmuchturnoverandprofitwe made,howmuchweinvested,etc.Ifeel that’simportantbecauseyoushouldn’t beworriedaboutsharingthatinformationwithyourpeople.Itbuilds employeeengagementandalignment.

Howwouldyoudescribeyourmanagementstyletoday?

I’vealwayshadempathyinmyleadershipstyle,butI’mdefinitelymoreempatheticnowthaneverbefore.Covidhas taughtusalot,andIcan’toverstatehow importantmentalhealthandwellbeing arewithinthebusiness.

I’mstrategicandenergetic,butI’m alsoveryrelaxed.Idon’tgetstressed–Igenuinelydon’t–becauseIknowthat ifthere’saproblem,Icanshareitwith myteamandwewillworkoutawayof sortingit.Ialsomakesurethatwehave alotoffun.

Irecognisethateverybusinesshas lotsofspendalignedtotrainingand learning,buthowmanyleadersinvest

Filshillinnumbers

intheirownjourney?There’saperceptionthatbecauseyou’retheleaderof thebusiness,youknoweverything.You don’t.Noonedoes,soI’vegottokeep learning.Iamconstantlysearchingfor newinnovationthatIcanbringbackto ourbusinessthatisgoingtogetusin greatshapeforthesixthgeneration ratherthanjustfocusingonthenow. That’swhereYPO(seeboxopposite) hasbeenhelpful.

Whatarethetopbusinesslessons you’velearnedalongtheway?

Knowyourweaknessesandyour strengths,andsurroundyourselfwith peoplewhosegreateststrengthsare yourbiggestweaknesses.Trustyour people,buildaccountabilityand empowerthemtomakedecisions.

Also,liveanddiebyyourcorevalues,whichneedtobebuiltfromthe employeesup.Therearelotsofbusinessesouttherethathaveaseriesof values,butaretheydemonstrated?At Filshill,foreverydecisionwemakewe askourselvesthequestion:whichone ofourvaluesdoesthisalignto?

Asafifth-generationfamily-runbusiness,whatisyoursuccessionplanning strategy?Haveyouconsideredthe employeeownershipmodel?

Interestingly,youlookatbusinesses thathavegonethroughemployeeownership–Parfettsforexample–andoften thefamilywantedtoexitthebusiness. I’msurethatSteveParfetthadaqueue ofthebiggestcompanieswantingto

acquirethatbusiness–it’safantastic business–buthechoseemployeeownership.Itofferslotsofbenefitsfor employeesandit’sincrediblytaxefficient,butforuswe’recommittedtothe Filshillbusiness.Asafamily,we’renot lookingtoexitit.Weloveit.

We’vebeeninthebusinesssince 1875.Intwoyearstime,we’regoingto be150yearsold.Iseemyjobasacustodian,gettingthebusinessreadyfor thenextgeneration.

I’vegotlotsofideas,lotsofenergy.I seehugeopportunitiesforthesector,I seehugeopportunitiesforconvenience specifically.Thebusinessisingreatshape andwe’rereadytocontinuetogrow.

Ifwewanttobea£350million turnoverbusinessby1February2031 therolesandresponsibilitiesofthe seniormanagementaregoingtogrow. Successionisaboutidentifyingwhothe individualsareinthebusinessthatare goingtostepupandexpandtheirroles andresponsibilitiesinthefuture.

By2031I’llbe53.Stillprettyyoung. MysonAdamwillbeinhislate20s,my daughtersAbbieandZoewillbe22and 18.Iftheywereinterestedincoming intothebusiness,Idefinitelywould wantthemtogoandworkinabigcompanyfirst.Ialsohavenephewsand nieces.Thebusinessisbigenoughfor themalltoworkinit,iftheychooseto, butthere’snopressureonthemtodo that.Ithinkthey’retheluckiestkidsin theworldbecausethey’vegotachoice.

Also,there’snothingwrongwitha businessremaininginfamilyownership

SimonHannah(centre)withchieffinancial&operatingofficerKeithGeddes(right) andpicktowerreplenishmentoperativeJohnMeazhinthenewwarehouse.

evenifthefamilydon’twanttorunit.CJ Langisagoodexampleofthis–the familystillownitbuthaverecruited highlytalentedpeoplelikeColin McLean,JimHepburnandStephen Browntorunthebusiness.

Forusthebiggestbenefitofbeing familyownedisthatwedon’thaveto reporttoshareholdersortheCity.Ifwe decidethatourstaffneedabitmore support[forexample,werecentlymade acost-of-livingsupportpaymenttoall staff]wecantakethatstepwithout havingtojustifyanyimpactonprofit.

YouacquiredtheIainHillbusinesslast year.Areanymoreacquisitionsinthe pipeline?

I’mprettysurethatin15yearstimethe businesswillbeverydifferent.Diversificationisgoingtocomefromwithinthe sector,andthatcouldinvolveacquisitions.Therearealwaysgoodbusinessesthatyouwatch.However,our primaryfocusrightnowistomaximise theefficienciesinthenewenvironment becausethelastthingwewanttodois takeoureyeofftheballofwhatwe’ve workedsobloodyhardtobuildinthe lastfewyears.

Whodoyouadmiremostinbusiness?

CharlesWilson[exCEOofBooker]isan incrediblysmartguy,andIalsoadmire andrespectAndrewSelley[CEOof Bidcorp]alot.Herunsamassivebusinessandhe’sagreatcommunicator. EveryoneIspeaktoatBidfoodloves workingforAndrew.

But,inanswertothequestion,I’m alwaysgoingtosaymyDad;he’smy hero,he’swhoIadmirethemost.When Icameintothebusiness,hesaid,‘It’s notjustaboutlearningthebusiness,it’s aboutlearningthepeople’.WhenDad

lookedyouintheeyeandshookyour hand,therewasnothingelsethatwas goingtohappenotherthanwhatwas agreed.Heistotallytrustworthyanda truegentleman.Hehashadavery positiveinfluenceonme.

Goodmanners,highmoralstandardsandtraditionalfamilyvaluesalso camefrommyMum.We’reluckyasa family;we’reveryclose.MumandDad stillhaveusroundforSundaylunch, andMumtellsusthatwe’renotallowed totalkaboutthebusinessaroundthe table.Westilldothough!

Dad(now77)isstillreallyinterested inthebusinessandwillphoneevery day,askingquestions.Heissuchagood soundingboardandhe’ssoproudof whatwe’redoing.

Doyouhaveanypersonalorprofessionalambitionsthathaveyettobe fulfilled?

I’dliketobeasinglehandicapgolfer!I playoff11atthemoment.Intermsof businessambition,hittingthat£350millionturnovertargetby1February2031 wouldbeincredible.Andlet’ssaywe messitupandonlygetto£320million–itwouldn’tbethatbad,wouldit?

YPO (YoungPresidents’Organization) is“probablyScotland’sbest-kept secretforbusinessleaders”,accordingtoFilshill’sCEOSimonHannah.

Describedasthegloballeadership communityofextraordinarychief executives,YPOhas34,000members worldwide,andHannahismembershipofficeroftheScotlandChapter.

Herecalls:“Iwantedtolearnabout what’sgoingonoutsideofoursector becausewholesale–andScotland–canbeabitofagoldfishbowlat times.ImetwithDavidSands[former CEOofafamilybusinesswith29 stores]whohadbeeninYPOfora whileanditdidn’ttakehimlongto convincemetojoin.”

Toqualifyformembership,applicantsneedtobeunder45(50for women)andleadabusinesswitha turnoverinexcessof£10million.

“Myforumgettogethereverysix weeksandtheemphasisisontalking aboutyou,yourfamilyandyour

business,”Hannahexplains.“Asthe sayinggoes,itcanbequitelonelyatthe top,andwhenDavidtoldmethatYPOis aspacetooffload,Ithoughtthatwas exactlywhatIneeded.

“PeopleexpectaCEOtobecomposedandcalmallthetime;sometimes it’squitenicetogothereandfeelfreeto beemotional.I’mdefinitelyabetter leader,abetterhusband,abetterdad, asaresultofbeinginYPO.”

Therearevariouselementstothe organisation,includinganonline exchangewhereYPO-erscanreachout tomembersacrosstheworld,andlocal, nationalandinternationalindustrynetworksthatorganiselearningevents.

Memberscanparticipateaslittleor

asmuchastheywish.InHannah’s case,duringlockdownhecompleted acoursecalledTheCultureMaprun byHarvardBusinessSchooland INSEAD,andthisyearhehasalready attendedaneventinAustinandhe hastripsplannedtoKentucky,Toronto andMiami.

“There’ssomereallyinteresting innovationwe’relookingat,around data,machinelearning,artificialintelligencethatIhavepickeduponmy YPOtravels.Iwouldneverget exposedtothisifIdidn’tinvestthe timeinattendinginternationalevents,” hesays.“YPOhasopenedmyeyesto justhowbigtheworldisandhow manythingsinotherindustriescanbe appliedtowhatwedoinwholesale.”

InadditiontoYPO,Hannahis involvedin ScottishEdge, which identifiesandsupportsentrepreneurialtalent.Aspartofthis,Hannah coachesandmentorsup-and-coming entrepreneurs.

SimonHannahwiththepersonhe admiresthemost:hisdad,Ronald.

‘I’m a better leader, husband and dad as a result of being in YPO ’

DanLewis,director,BestwayVansDirect

Howwouldyoudescribeyourpersonalityandwhatapproachdoyoutakein business(andinlife)?

Iliketoreadalotofbusinessbooksto helpmedevelop,andtheonecommon themethatcomesthroughisthatIhave a‘red’or‘fire’personality,whichaccordingtothematerialIhavereadmeansI amambitious,strong-willed,independent,straightforwardand,asmanyof myteamwouldtellyou,opinionated! Thereforeit’sreallyimportanttohave peoplearoundmethatcomplementthis. It’salsoreallyimportanttobeopenwith people,havesomefunalongtheway andtaketimetocelebratesuccesses.

Whatisyourfavouritesong?

Whathavebeenyourbiggestachievementsinworkandoutsidework?

Beingpromotedtotheroleofdirector ofBestwayVansDirect.Backin2005I joinedthevansalesworldwiththenow defunctPalmer&HarveySnacksDirect. Iwasanassignmentsalesrepresentative,coveringterritoriesforsalespeople whentheywereonholidayoroffsick.I progressedthroughtherankstomy currentpositionasdirectorofBestway VansDirect.It’sbeenawhirlwind,but I’veenjoyedeverysingleminuteofit.

Whohasbeenthebiggestinspiration toyou?

Icantellyouthiswithoutmissinga beat:mybiggestinspirationismyDad (pictured).Hewentonasimilarjourney tomewhilstworkingatUnitedBiscuits, wherehestartedasaterritorysalespersonandprogressedallthewaythrough tothenationalsalesmanagerrole.

Hetaughtmesomuch,bothinside andoutsideofbusiness,andIknowhe wasextraordinarilyproudofeverything Iachievedinmycareer.Ourfamilysadly losthimlastJunetocancerbutIcan honestlysayIwouldn’thaveachieved halfofwhatIhaveachievedinandout ofworkandasafamilymanwithouthis love,supportandguidance.

Whatwereyourambitionswhenyou weregrowingup?

Iwasareallykeenmusicianinmy youngerdays[playingtuba,stringbass andbassguitar]andmydreamjobwas tobecomeaprofessionalmusician.On leavingschoolIdidjustthatwhenI joinedtheBritishArmyasamusician.I servedforoveradecadebeforemoving tothemuchmoredangerousworldof sellingcrispsandsnacksfromtheback ofavanintheSouthWalesValleys!

Whatareyourinterestsoutsidework?

Ilovespendingtimewithmyfamily:I haveanamazingwife,Rhian,twobrilliantboysBenaged12andJoeyaged nine,andadogcalledFrankie(named afterFrankLampard).Ispendthemajorityofmyweekendsstandingattheside ofafieldsomewhereindeepestdarkest

Waleswatchingmyboysplaytheir sportsorintheatreswatchingthemacting.WhenItakeabitoftimeformyself Ilovenothingmorethangettingonthe golfcourseandlosingsomeballs–Iget outinthefreshair,getmystepsinand havesometimetothinkthingsthrough. Iamalsoaqualifiedfootballreferee withtheSouthWalesFootballAssociationandthat’sgreatasitgivesmea chancetostillbeinvolvedinfootball.

Ireallyenjoymymusic.I’vegotarather eclectictaste,butmy‘goto‘willalways beTamlaMotown.Thestoryofhowthat companywasledbyBerryGordyis reallycaptivating.I’mkeentogoto HitsvilleUSAinDetroitwhichwasthe homeofMotownRecords.

Whatwouldpeoplebesurprisedto knowaboutyou?

IhaveneverseenaStarWarsorJames Bondfilm. CCM

Militarymusician

DanLewisleftschoolat16and hoppedonatrainfromNewportto Winchesterformilitarybasictraining.Hethenspentoveradecade servingasamusicianintheBritish Armyinvariouscountriesincluding theUK,IraqandBosnia.In2005he decidedtotakeachangeofdirectionandbeganacareerinsaleswith thenowdefunctPalmer&Harvey SnacksDirectbusiness.Hespent thenext18yearsdevelopinghis careerwithP&H,risingtosales directoroftheentirebusiness.After P&Hfellintoadministrationin2017, Bestwayboughtthevansales assets,andLewishasstayedwith thebusinesssince.Hewaspromotedtodirectorin2021.

‘It’sbeenawhirlwind’

CCMChefs’Own-BrandAwards2023

Nowinitssixthyear,theprestigiousCCMChefs’Own-BrandAwardsisrunby Cash&CarryManagementmagazine,inassociationwiththeCraftGuildofChefs.

Weknowthecareandpassionthatgoesintocreatingasuccessfulown-brand.It doesn’tjusthappenbymagic:developmentchefsandsupplypartnersworkhardto bringexceptionalproductsofexcellentqualityandgreatvaluetomarket–products thataredrivenbycustomerneedandprovideinnovationinmanycategories.

Theseawardsgivecash&carriesanddeliveredwholesalerswhoseown-brand productshitthemarktherecognitiontheydeserve,withendorsementfromthe CraftGuildofChefs–theleadingchefs’associationintheUK–whoconductthe judginginblindtastings.

Entriesareopenforproductsinallcategoriesatacostof£125plusVATperproduct, withonefreeforevery10productsentered.

TheclosingdateforentriesisMonday3July2023.Theproductsmustbedelivered onthedateandtothedeliveryaddressthatwillbeconfirmedonreceiptofyourentry. JudgingwilltakeplaceinAugustandthewinnerswillbeannouncedataprestigious awardslunchonThursday2November.

Forfurtherinformation,contactMartinLovellon01342712100.

Salesarebackonthemove

Withashiftinconsumerhabits,it’simportantthatwholesalersandretailersconsiderthe growingopportunitiesandimportanceofvaluewhenmerchandisingfoodanddrinkstogo.

Whilelifestyleshavechangedconsiderably post-pandemic,withshopperhabitsreflecting this,foodanddrinkstogohaveshown resilienceandbouncedbackconvincingly. Thearrivalofwarmerweatheralsoheraldsgoodthingsfor thecategoryaspeopleseekrefreshmentoutandabout,and havemoredesiretobeonthemoveinthesummer.

Currently,valueisattheforefrontofconsumerpriorities asbudgetscontinuetobesqueezed,socross-categorydeals andstrategicpricingareimportantconsiderationsforretailersfortheirfood-to-gosection.

TaytoGroup haslongrecognisedtheimportanceofa valueproposition.“Consumersareverysmartatseekingout valueformoney,especiallywhentheirbudgetsare squeezed.Despitethepricehikes,snacksremainanaffordabletreatbutconsumersarebuyingintowhatisgoodrelativevalue,”saysMattSmith,marketingdirector.“Thecostof-livingcrisiswillcontinuethroughout2023andsooffering greatvalueformoneyiskey.”

‘Independentretailersmuststocka strongrangeofimpulsesnacksto capturetheresurgentfood-to-go opportunitypost-Covid.Yourentry pricepointmustshoutgreatvalue’

MattSmith,marketingdirector,Tayto

Themanufacturerhighlightstheimportanceofpricemarkedpacksintheconveniencechanneltoincreaseshoppertrustinvalue.“While£1PMPshavebeenthepowerhouseofbaggedsnacksinrecentyears,independentretailersmustalsostockastrongrangeofimpulsesnacksto capturetheresurgentfood-to-goopportunitypost-Covid,” advisesSmith.

“Yourentrypricepointmustshoutgreatvalue.Our35p FunSnacksrange,includingTangyToms,SpicyBikers, AwesomeOinksandStrikers,isdelivering16%year-on-year growth.Itssuccessisunderpinnedbytheaddedvalueofa ‘2for60p’on-packpromotion.Witharedemptionrateof 80%,thisofferisgreatnewsfortheconsumer,andretailers, especiallyinacost-of-livingcrisis.”

TaytoGrouphasasummerpromotionrunningonits GoldenWonderTransform-A-Snackbrandtocelebratethe releaseof Transformers:RiseOfTheBeasts. Theon-pack promotion,whichwaslaunchedinApril,issupportedbya socialanddigitalcampaignandispredictedtodrivefurther growthofTransform-A-Snacksales.

Changingworkingpatternshavealsoledtoanincreasein theprofitpotentialofmealdealpromotions,withbreakfast meetingsandpart-timeofficeattendancebringingfurther merchandisingopportunities,as KPSnacks highlights.“‘Tide meover’isanincreasinglyimportanton-the-gosnackingopportunity.Whetheritbeduringtheschool run,eveningcommuteorlunchtime Zoomcall,64%ofconsumerseat snackstokeeptheirenergyup throughoutthedayand53%eat snackstosatisfyhungerbetween meals.

“Whiletastysnacksareahugely importantpartofthismission,we’re seeinganupliftinhealthysnacking salesasshopperslookforapermissibleenergyboost throughouttheday,”explainsMattCollins,tradingdirector.

“Manyofficeworkershavenotgonebacktotheofficefull time.Hybridworkersmayviewfoodtogoasmoreofatreat ifpurchasinglessfrequentlyandwilllikelybewillingto spendmore,meaningthere’sopportunitytocreatepremium lunchdealscateredtopart-timeofficeworkers,”Collins adds.“It’skeythatretailersoffertherightcorerangeinthe rightformatstocapitaliseonmealtimeoccasions,boosted withtherightpromotionsandin-storemerchandising.”

StPierreGroup echoesthisadvice,highlightingtheversalityandrelevanceofitsambientbakeryrangeforconvenienceretailers.“Shoppersarelookingforwaystotreatthemselveswellwhenonthemove.Thetrendwe’veseen

Withworkersspendingonlypartoftheirweekintheoffice, thereisarisingopportunityforpremiumlunchdeals.

recentlyforupgradingeverydaymealsextendstofood eatenonthego,andisnotonlyheretostay,buthasadded newoccasions,particularlybenefitingthemorninggoods category,”sayscustomer developmentdirectorJosh Corrigan.

“Asaresult,productsthat mightpreviouslyhavedominatedthe‘grabandgo’sector arenowbeingboughtby consumerstoenjoyalongsideahotbeverageonthego orathomebypeoplewho arenowhybridworkingandheadingtolocalcoffeeshopsor retailersforpick-me-upsduringtheworkingday.”

Thehybridworkingpatternsuits PremierFoods’ Ambrosiaready-to-eatporridgepots.“Whenitcomesto breakfastoccasions,shoppersarelookingforproductsthat areconvenientandquicktoconsume,”saysBenKnop,foodto-goinnovationmarketingmanager.“Flavourisalsoakey driveratbreakfastoccasions,withconsumerslookingfor productsthatdelivergreattasteaswellastheaddedbenefitsofhealthandconvenience.”

Healthandconvenienceareimportantmerchandising considerationsfor JackLink’s BeefJerky,anambientprotein snackwithapredominatelymale,under-45shopperbase.

“Theambientproteinmeat-snackingcategoryintotal convenienceisworthover£6.4millionatretailsalesvalue, andgrowingat27%,”saysShaunWhelan,JackLink’sconvenience/wholesaleandout-of-homecontroller.

Thereturnof MondelezInternational’s partnershipwith MerlinEntertainmentisawelcomepromotionforbudgeting familiesastheschoolholidaysdrawnear.Runningacross variousCadburyproducts,theon-packpromotionoffersupto 50%offticketpricesfor thefamilyforseveralof theUK’stopattractions.

“Ninein10parents arespendinglesson familyactivitiesand eatingout,soweknow it’sadifficulttimetotreatthefamily,”saysAbiEayrs,brand manager.“Thispromotiongivesconsumers‘something more’onbrandstheyknowandlove.”

Cateringtoagrowingdietarydemand, MarsChocolate Drinks&Treats hasextendeditsGalaxyandTwixcookie rangesintothegluten-freesector.

“Consumersareincreasinglyseekinggluten-freealternativesfrombothadietarynecessityandalifestylechoice,” saysMichelleFrost, generalmanager.

“Ournewcookies deliverontasteand offerthisgrowing shoppersegmentthe opportunitytoenjoy someoftheir favouriteconfectionerybrandswithoutcompromise.”

Refreshmentonthemove

Withthesoftdrinksmarketakeycomponentofthefood-togomission,it’simperativethatretailersmerchandisethis cross-categoryopportunitycorrectly.Thereisasignificant amountofsupplieractivityinthesoftdrinkscategorythat shouldbeconsideredbywholesalersandretailers.

Notableinvestmentincludessummerpromotionalactivity plannedbyleadingsoftdrinksmanufacturers,enabling retailerstoexploittheheightenedbrandawareness.

“Thisisdrivenbyincreasingdemandforhigh-protein meatsnacksfromconsumersseekinghealthieralternatives tomoretraditionalsnacks.Therefore,focusingonthecategoryisagreatopportunityforconvenienceretailersto ensuretheydon’tmissoutontheirshareofoneofthe fastest-growingcategories.”

Sweettreatsforon-the-goconsumersalsoofferaboomingsummersalesopportunityaspeoplelooktogettogether inthesunshine.

RichProducts’ f’realbrandhasaddedMintChocChipto itsportfolio,followingthesuccessoftheBubblegumvariant, intimeforsummerfootfallinconvenienceretailersandoperators.Thelaunchissupportedwithenhancedsupportfor retailers,includingdigitalPoSandsocialmediaassets,as wellasfreshblenderartwork.

RefrescoUK hasinvested£1millioninitsOldJamaica brandwithacampaigntargeting18-34yearolds.Throughoutthesummer,OldJamaica,inpartnershipwithKISSFM, isrunninga‘Flavourverse’campaign,glitchingthe‘Flavourverse’intounexpectedplacesonlineandinreallife.

THERE’S NO MATCHING A SCRATCHING FOR MORE SALES AND PROFITS

45% of Symbol & Independent Retailers 45% of & Retailers who sell Crisps & Snacks don’t sell Pork Snacks – & Snacks don’t sell Pork Snacks – missing out on a sales potential of £6 2m pa out on a sales of £6.2m pa.1

Over half crisp and snacks shoppers buy Over half and snacks Pork Snacks Snacks2

45% scratching buyers are women 45% are women2

1 in 4 men won’t buy another snack if scratchings 1 in 4 men won’t another snack if aren’t available available2

Tayto is the No. 1 Pork Snacks supplier in the UK is the No. 1 Pork Snacks in the UK3

Site pubcards and clipstrips in high footfall areas Site and in footfall areas and with BWS - for incremental impulse sales! and with BWS - for incremental sales!

Site clipstrips with BWS to drive Site with BWS to drive incremental impulse sales incremental sales

No.13 BRAND

Participantswhospottheseglitchescanwinprizes includingfestivaltickets,clothingvouchers,£10,000anda triptoBali.

“Thiscampaignisthefirstinanewstrategicdirectionfor thebrand.Notonlyisitafirstforthe‘Flavourverse’,butit’s alsothefirstcampaignthatseesustargetyoungerdrinkers withalustforadventureandflavour,”saysJoeMajor,head ofmarketingatOldJamaica.“Italsomeanswecanfocusour dedicatedsupportforretailerstodrivefootfallandsales amonganaudiencelookingformorepowerfulflavoursthan manyotherbrandsinthecategory.”

CCEP ispreparingforasummerriseinsoftdrinkdemand byexpandingitsOasisrange.Thebrandisworth£94million andhassold39millionlitresinthelastyear (Nielsen),withasalesboostexpectedthrough theadditionofanOasisZeroExoticFruitsvariant.ThenewSKUisablendofmangoandpassionfruitflavours,withnocaloriesorsugar.

Anaccompanyingsummermarketingcampaignincorporatingsocialmedia,out-of-home advertisingandexperientialactivityfocusing onyoungadultsinurbanlocationswillincrease brandreach.“Thenewvariantperformedwell intastetests,”saysMartinAttock,vicepresidentofcommercialdevelopment.“We’reconfidentthelaunch,andsummermarketingcampaign,willhelpkeepthebrandfrontofmind withconsumersontheirlunchtimeshoppingmission.”

CCEPhasalsolaunchedasummerpromotionforits CostaCoffeeRTDrange,targetingconsumerswitharangeof socialmedia,out-of-home,samplingandexperientialactivity.TherearesummerpartnershipswithPride,MightHoopla, BarcodeFestival,CarFestandKendalCallingfestivals.

“Thissummer,we’reconfidentthatthemarketingcampaignandsamplingactivitywillengagemoreconsumers thaneverbefore,drivingdemandfortheCostaCoffeechilled RTDrangeandincrementalsalesforourcustomersduringa keytradingperiod,”saysPippaFoster,associatedirectorof commercialdevelopment.

WithshopperloyaltyestablishedthroughtheMarsand Galaxybrands,theNPDisforecasttotapintotherisingpopularityofcoffeeflavouredmilk–growingby17%yearon year.Thetwoproductsareavailableasprice-markedpacks andfeatureasportscap.

BoostDrinks hasproductsinRTDicedcoffee,energy stimulationandsportsdrinkssegments,with top-threesellersintheirrespectivecategories. Asconsumerscontinuetoheadtotheenergy categoryaspartofalifestylechoice,Boost Drinksoffersavarietyofoptionsandformatsto includeinfood-to-gomerchandising.

“Itisessentialthatretailersstockanoffering thattakesthetasteandvaluedriversinto account,toeffectivelymaximisesalesto impulseshopperswhilealsoappealingtoan arrayofbudgetsandtastes.Takingthesefactorsintoaccountwhenconsideringwhich brandsandSKUstostockprovidesagreatopportunityfor retailerstoaccesstheirkeyaudiencesonapersonalised levelandensuresuccessfulsalesrates,”saysAdrianHipkiss, marketingdirector.

Salesof500mlcansareupby16%yearonyear,with flavoured500mlvariantsprovingtobeparticularlypopular (IRI).Withthisinmind,the500mlJuic’drange waslaunchedlastyearandaBloodOrange& RaspberryCrushvariantjoinstheline-upthis month.

“Thenewflavouraddstoaformatwhich continuestoperformexceedinglywell,with the500mlmarketbeingthelargest-selling energydrinksegment,amountingto£503million(IRI),”addsHipkiss.

Thesupplierhasalsoreformulatedits 250mlCitrusZingEnergydrink,whichwas relaunchedasLemon&LimeEnergyinMarch. Inaddition,itintroducedalimited-editionSportflavour, RaspberryandMango,inApril.

Emerge,from RefrescoUK, hasalsoexpandedits250ml energyrangeintimeforsummer.“The250mlfunctional energymarkethasgrownby22%involumeinthelast12 months,despitethecost-of-livingcrisishittingretailersand consumershard,”saysNelly Edwards,Emergecommercial manager.

“Withvaluemoreimportant thanever,wewanttosupport independentstoreownersduringthischallengingtrading period.Internalresearchshows thatretailersprefertousepricemarkedpacks.”

MarsChocolateDrinksandTreats istappingintothe growingpopularityoficedcoffeeasafood-to-gopurchase withthelaunchofMarsIcedCoffeeMochaLatteandGalaxy IcedCoffeeMochaLatte.BothSKUsareHFSScompliant, sugar-freeandunder100kcalsper250mlbottle.

TheNPDcomesintwovariants:Cosmic(cherryflavoured) andSupernova(strawberry&watermelonflavoured),both witha70ppricepoint.

OtheractivityfromRefrescoincludesapartnershipwith ToughMudderfor2023and2024asitsofficialisotonicdrinks partner.Emerge500mlisotonicdrinkswillbeservedto approximately120,000participantsattheevents. CCM

AsahiUK haslaunchedanewfour-pack of440mlcansofPeroniNastroAzzurro, exclusivelyintheconveniencesector.

Thenewformatfeaturesa‘TopClip’ cardboardcarriersolution,whichis 100%recyclableandFSC-certified.

SalesdirectorSteveYoungsays: “Retailersshouldconsiderextending thespacetheydedicatetofour-pack canstooffershoppersgreaterchoice astheysocialiseathomeandinthe gardenthissummer.

“WiththebrandequitythatPeroni NastroAzzurrocarries,thisnewpack formatisalsoagreatsolutionfor al-frescooccasionslikeBBQsand festivals.”

Veganadditions

KervanGida hasaddedtwonewvegan lines,FizzyPeachHeartsandFizzyRing Mix,toitsBebetocore150grange.

ThePeachHeartsaresoftgummy, peachandpinkheart-shapedsweets withafizzy,tangycoating,andtheRing Mixcompriseschewy,gummyringshapedsweetsinstrawberry,appleand raspberryflavourswithatangy,fizzy coating.

Bothnewlineshaveaddedrealfruit juiceandnoartificialcolours.Theyare VegetarianSocietyveganapproved andalsoHalalcertified.

TheNPDjoinsBigMix,Strawberries, BigFizzyMix,WatermelonsandJust Bearsinthe150grange.

Cashgiveaway Exclusiveformat Roséoutlook

SovereignBrands ishighlightingthe growthpotentialofitspremiumFrench sparklingroséwine,LucBelaireRosé.

Sparklingroséisupby14%and accountsfor20%ofthesparklingwine market,reportsthecompany.

Presentedinaniconicblackbottle, LucBelaireRoséisoftenseenonthe socialmediapagesofrecordingartists, athletesandinfluencersaroundthe world.

Itisthebest-sellingBelairecuvéein theUKfromtheLucBelairerange, whichalsofeaturesGold,Luxe,Luxe Roséandthemostrecentaddition, Bleu,ingold,white,pinkandbluepackagingrespectively.

Anniversarytins

ScandinavianTobaccoGroupUK has broughtoutarangeoflimited-edition tinsincelebrationofthe60thanniversaryofSignaturesmallcigars.

Thepackmessaginghighlightsthe longevityofthebrandanditsconsistentquality.

STGUKhasalsoannouncedthat tinsarepermanentlyreturningfor packsofSignatureBlue20sand SignatureOriginal20s.

UKmarketingmanagerNataly Scarpettacomments:“Sinceitsarrival backin1963,Signaturehasbecomea trulyglobalbrand.HereintheUK,the brandportfolioiscurrentlyworth nearly£50millioninannualsales.”

AstonManorCider isbringingbackits advertisingcampaign,‘StraightOutta Crumpton’,toTVscreensthissummer insupportofCrumptonOakscider.

Theillustratedanimationadvertwill alsoappearduringTheAshes2023and ondigitalchannels,socialmediaplatformsandoutofhome.

AstonManorisalsoofferingretailersandwholesalersthechancetowin £1,000cash.Toenter,theyneedto stockuponanycaseofCrumptonOaks between1Juneand31Augustand scantheQRcode.Entrantsthenneed touploadapictureoftheirinvoiceto enter.Thereisnolimitsonentrieswith oneinvoiceperentrypermitted.

Creatingabuzz

BuzzBallzCocktails,availablethrough distributor HammondsofKnutsford, arebeingbackedwithacampaigntargetingtheUK’sconveniencesector.

Trademarketing,advertising,social activityandPRaredesignedtodrive awarenessoftherangeandtheopportunitiesforretailers.

AteamofBuzzBallzCocktailsbrand buildersaretakingthebrandintoconvenienceretailers,independentstores andoff-licenceswiththeaimofsecuringfurtherdistributionandadvisingon bestmerchandisingpractice,backed withbrandedPoSmaterials.BuzzBallz Cocktailswillalsotakespaceatkey tradeshowsandeventsthisyear.

Surplus happens

What you do with it matters now more than ever.

FareShare

fights hunger and food waste by redistributing surplus food to 9,500 frontline charities and community groups in the UK.

“ When you have a full belly, it makes a huge difference to your overall wellbeing. We have really brought the community closer together, and we literally wouldn’t be able to do any of it without FareShare.

We believe that good food should go to people, not waste.

We take edible surplus from right across the food and drink industry and get it to people in need.

Ellie Phillips, Matthew’s House

Give us food and make a real difference to people in need.

” Or visit: fareshareuk.com/FDM

Valueisadominanttrend

Suppliers’portfoliodevelopmentreflectsconsumerdemandforbothqualityandvalue intheroll-your-own,accessoriesandnext-generationproductscategories.

Withmanyshopperslookingtocutdowntheir householdspending,therehasbeenan increaseinthenumberofroll-your-own(RYO) sales.Infact,thecategorynowaccountsfor 46%ofthe£14billiontobaccomarket(ITUK).

TomGully, ImperialTobacco’s headofconsumermarketingUK&I,says:“Asthecost-of-livingcrisiscontinues,it’s likelythattheneedfor valueproductsisgoingto continuetobeadominant trendinthecategoryfor sometime,sowholesalers needtomakesuretheycan caterforthisdemandby stockingtherightproduct offering.Withthisinmind, westronglyadvisethatwholesalerscheckthattheystocka widerangeofleadingroll-your-ownbrands,including RiverstoneandPlayersJPS.”

Theeconomysegmentaccountsfor56%ofRYOsales andisgrowingby5%yearonyear(ITUK).

Asdemandforroll-your-owntobaccogrows,thetobacco accessoriescategoryprovidesasubstantialsalesopportunityforwholesalers,pointsoutGully.

Filtertipsareworth£114million,andwhileregularpapers accountfor£40million,kingsizepapers andcombipapersarealsoprovingtobe popularat£31millionand£26million respectively.“Westronglyrecommend stockingawiderangeofproducts acrosseachofthesesegmentsto caterforcustomerneedsand maximisethesalesopportunitiesonoffer,”saysGully.

Oneoptionthatmeets customerdemandforvalueaddedproductsisRizlaSilverKingsize Combi.Withanrspof£1.20,itofferspapersandtipsinone packforconvenience.

Outofthe16,392UKvapeoutlets,AFBlakemore’scompany-ownedstoredivision BlakemoreRetail accounts for22%ofthetop500storesandrepresents25%ofthe top20vapeoutletsintheUK.

HeadoftradingJoWratecomments:“WeareincrediblyproudofourvapeofferingatAFBlakemore.Wehave investedheavilyinapropositionthatcombinesresponsiblesourcing,stockmanagement,investmentinnew rangesandhigh-impact gantriestocreateatruly exceptionalexperiencefor ourcustomers.”

Asthisissueof Cash& CarryManagement wentto press,thebusinesswas finalisingplansfora12weektrialforarecycling schemeinpartnershipwith MitieWaste.Thepilotwas expectedtorunin31 stores.

Wratesays:“Ourpilot schemewillseektounderstandcustomerbehaviourandtake-uprates,withrecyclingdatabeingprovidedbystoreseveryfourweeks.”

Meanwhile,the UKGovernment hasannouncedthat itintendstoclosetheloopholethatallowsthevaping industrytogivefreesamplesofvapestochildren.Italso planstoreviewtherulesonthesaleofnicotine-free vapesandthefinesforshopssellingillicitvapes.

RepublicTechnologies agreesthatthevalueperception associatedwithroll-your-ownproductsisappealingtoshopperswhoarelookingforwaystocutcostswithoutmaking majorlifestylechanges.

Therighttobaccoaccessoriesrangeenablesretailersto meetthesechangingdemands,saysthecompany,which offersbrandsincludingSwan,ZIG-ZAGandOCBthat ‘providenotonlyvalueformoneyforcash&carries,retailers andconsumers,butalsohighqualityandwidebreadthof choice’.

Annualsalesofaccessoriesarenowvaluedat£341million,andthecategoryhasseenyear-on-yeargrowthof5% (IRI).“Asdemandforfactory-madecigarettes continuesto decrease, tobaccoaccessoriesarevery wellplacedto offerconsumersaquality, valuealternative,butthey mustalsobeeffectivelydisplayed,”saysGavinAnderson, sales&marketingdirectoratRepublicTechnologiesUK.

“Ourbrandeddisplayunitsnotonlycreateawarenessand drivepurchase,theyalsoactasasignpostforthewider tobaccocategory.”

Rollingpapersisthefastestgrowingandhighestvalue sectorintobaccoaccessories,worth£105million(IRI).The slim&tipssubcategoryisalsorecordingimpressivegrowth, withvaluesalesofalmost£30million(IRI)asmoreconsumersoptforpremiumformatssuchasOCB,thecompany pointsout.

Blakemore invests in vape offering

Vaping

Asmoreconsumersseekoutalternativenicotinesolutions, thevapemarketiscontinuallyexpanding,withthenumberof vapersintheUKincreasingfrom3.7millionin2021to4.3 millionin2022.IntheUKalone,thecategoryiswortharound £1.2billionandis expectedtoreach £1.4billioninthe nextthreeyears (ECigIntelligence).

“Witharound35% ofcurrentvapingvolumesalesalreadytakingplaceinthetraditionalretailchannel (ECigIntelligence),itis clearthattherewillbe continueddemandfromconsumersforvapingproductsin 2023.Totapintothisrisingtrend,wholesalersneedto ensuretheyarestockingtherightrangefortheircustomer base,”advisesTomGully, ImperialTobacco’s headofconsumermarketingUK&I.

Headds:“We’recurrentlyseeingsignificantgrowthinthe disposablescategory.Nowworth83%ofallvapesales,the marketsawaremarkableincreasefrom£141millionin2021 to£973millionin2022(ITUK).”

Followingthesuccessfullaunchofitsblubardisposable vapebrandattheendof2022,ImperialTobaccohas expandedtherangewithfournewflavours:BlueberryIce, BlueberrySourRazz,BerryMixandGrapeIce.Theyjointhe existingblubarvariantsofKiwiPassionfruit,MangoIce, BananaIce,PeachIce,WatermelonIceandStrawberryIce.

Theblubarvapeproductshaveanrspof£5.99per device.Eachblubarcontains20mg/mlofnicotinein2ml

ofe-liquid,providingupto600puffs,andfeaturesaLED indicatorthatlightsupwheninuse,alongwithacompact pocketdesign.

Gullycommented:“Withincreaseddemandforfruity flavoursindisposables,we’reexcitedtobeextendingour popularblubarrangewithfournewflavoursthatdirectly respondtothistrend.”

Hecontinued:“Withsummerjustaroundthecorner, moreadultconsumersarelikelytobeoutandaboutsocialisinginthecomingmonthsastheweatherwarmsup,so we’drecommendthatretailersstockuponthesenewtasty additionsnowtotapintotheseasonalsalesonofferthis summer.”

Whenaskedwhatadultsmokerswouldlookforwhen choosingasmoke-freealternative,convenienceretailers prioritisedprice–withover half(57%)agreeingthat adultcustomerswouldselect thecheapestproductsavailable,followedbythoseproductsofferingthebestoverall valueformoney(18%), accordingtoasurveycommissionedby PhilipMorris Ltd(PML).

Thesurveyalsofoundthat60%ofconvenienceretailers arelikelytorecommendsmoke-freeproducts,suchas e-cigarettesandheat-not-burnproducts,toadultsmokersas moreaffordablechoicesin2023.

PMLrecentlyenteredthedisposablevapesegmentinthe UKwiththelaunchofVeeba–arecyclablee-vapourproduct thatstrivesforexcellenceindesign,qualityandcompliance. Veebaisavailableinnineflavours,rangingfromclassic tobaccotomentholandaromaticflavours.

‘Pricepointandaccessibilityremaintwindriversofillicittobaccoconsumption’

InNovember/December2022,the TobaccoManufacturers’ Association(TMA) commissionedanationwidepollofover 12,000smokersontheirattitudes,awarenessandunderstandingofillicittobacco.Therewerefivekeyfindings:

a 73%ofthosesurveyedboughttobaccointhelastyear thatwasnotsubjecttoUKtax(upby2%on2021).

a 58%ofsmokersarestillbuying‘branded’cigarettesand roll-your-owntobacco(ienotplainpackagedproducts), eventhoughithasbeenillegalintheUKsince2016.19% ofsmokerssaidthatthey‘only’buy brandedtobacco.

a Everyoneofthe12UKregionshas seenanincreaseinpeoplebuyingillicit tobacco,apartfromLondonandthe EastofEngland,wheretherehasbeen nochange,andWales,whichhasseen adeclineof1%.

a Fewerpeoplearereportingillicit tobacco–29%ofthosesurveyed reportedthetradingofillicittobaccoin 2022comparedto32%in2021.

a Fewerunder18sareseentradingillicittobacco–15%of thosequestionedhadseenunder18stradingillicittobacco comparedto16%in2021.

AccordingtotheTMA,thedecisionbytheGovernment toimposethebiggesteverdutyincreaseintheMarch Budget,coupledwiththecost-of-livingcrisis,‘couldwell seemoresmokersturningtowardsbuyingillegaltobacco’.

RupertLewis,directoroftheTMA,said:“WhiletheTMA supportstheGovernment’snewenforcementmeasures suchasimposing‘onthespot’finesof upto£10,000againstthosewhodeal inillicittobacco,andthesoontobe publishednewstrategytotackleillicit tobacco–whichwillseethoserogue retailerschargedwithtradingillicit tobaccostrippedoftheirlicencetosell legaltobaccoproducts–itdoesn’t escapetherealitythatpricepointand accessibilityremainthetwindrivers whichunderpintheconsumptionof illicittobacco.”

New design

Pleasure

SOFT AND EASY TO HANDLE

BALANCED MOISTURE

GREAT TASTE, SATISFYING AROMA

70% OF CONSUMERS WILL BUY AGAIN AFTER EXPERIENCING THE TASTE*