ARSON, VIOLENCE AND DESTRUCTION
Far-right hatred will never be victorious
THIS month, the nation woke up to horri c scenes of right-wing rioting, as racist thugs took to the streets to terrorise and hurt many innocent people and their businesses.
Although most of the UK saw these incidents through national media coverage, it was unfortunately a rsthand experience for many small-shop owners. Some of you had your businesses ransacked to the point you could no longer operate, while others had to close temporarily to ensure the safety of yourselves, family and sta members.
Sadly, incidents like this aren’t restricted to fascist extremism. Racist abuse is something many of you experience on a daily basis, both verbally and physically.
Retailers such as West Yorkshire-based Serge Notay notably reached out to fellow store owners and nearby residents during the rioting, urging them to stand in unity. He said: “If you ever feel threatened or unsafe, regardless of your creed or colour, our doors are open for you.
“We stand in solidarity with those who need support during these challenging times. Let’s come together as a community and li each other up. You are not alone.”
RACIST
ABUSE IS SOMETHING MANY OF YOU EXPERIENCE DAILY
Elsewhere in the UK, residents banded together to protect one local shop, with 10-15 of them standing outside and protecting it throughout the day.
Although I don’t encourage you to get into harm’s way to stand up to racists, it’s very encouraging to see many retailers refusing to back down and let hate win.
@retailexpress
News editor
Ciaran Donnelly @CiaranDNewtrade 07743 936703
News reporter
Alice Brooker
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Stores hit by 20-year high in shoplifting o ences
ALICE BROOKER
SHOPLIFTINGincidents
across England and Wales have hit a 20-year high, according to newly released �igures from the Of�ice for National Statistics’ crime survey.
The report released last month showed a 30% jump to 443,995 offences for the year ending March 2024. It
revealed the worst-hit areas were City of London (up 34.57%), Sussex (up 34.05%), Durham (up 31.79%), Derbyshire (up 31.31%) and South Wales (up 31.18%).
Several retailers highlighted their recent experiences of increased shoplifting. Andrew Board, of Premier Core Convenience Store in Durham, said: “As a small business, it cripples us. With
the increasing number of shoplifters, it’s harder to keep track of the ones that keep coming back, too.”
Sue Nithyanandan, of Costcutter Epsom in Surrey, added that shoplifting is “not recognised as real crime”, but called for retailers to report incidents.
“It takes 20 minutes online, but it can lead to pros-
ecutions if they’re proli�ic,” she said.
Conversely, Gopthias Gnanasekaran, owner of two Go Local stores in Manchester and Cumbria, said he is “not surprised at all” and has only reported theft once “and never again”.
He said: “Anything stolen worth less than £100 and the police don’t show up.”
is to boost homedelivery services for its partnered stores, as part of a new deal signed with Snappy Shopper.
A statement from the �irm said the partnership would “further enhance the delivery options available to Booker retailers, helping to drive sales and cash pro�it”.
As part of the deal, Booker promotions will be advertised to customers using the Snappy Shopper app alongside several incentives.
PayPoint parcels
PAYPOINT has set targets to more than double the amount of parcels stores handle per year, from 100 million to 250 million.
The ambitions were outlined in the �irm’s latest results for the quarter ending 31 July. This increase would be the equivalent of 11,463 extra parcels per store, based on its current estate.
The total number of PayPoint stores offering Collect+ services grew by more than 14 sites per day over the quarter.
INDEPENDENTretailers could bene�it from new rules set by the Financial Conduct Authority to protect access to cash. From 18 September, banks and building societies must fund ATMs, banking hubs and post of�ices if access to cash in an area is harmed by a branch closure. In response, ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “ATMs are one of the most essential services provided by convenience stores.”
RETAILERS are to get a reprieve from paying staff within all age bands the full national living wage next year.
The new Labour government has asked the Low Pay Commission to create a separate pay rate for 18to-20-year-olds in 2025, with a view to removing age bands after.
This means shop owners will continue to save money by employing those aged under 21 next year.
Alex Yau, editor
Retailers’ lives in jeopardy as far-right targets shops
RETAILERS nationwide were in fear for their lives as their stores were ransacked by racist thugs in a series of far-right riots. Weeks of violence starting at the end of last month saw small shops fall victim to a wave of arson and looting. The manager of Sham Supermarket in South Belfast described how the store was “reduced to ashes” on 3 August after rioters ripped down the shutters and forced their way into the shop. They said: “People destroying, burning. I almost got killed. Nobody did anything to help.”
In Stoke-on-Trent, another store owner had bricks thrown at their car as they raced to protect the shop, which was targeted by rightwing thugs. They told Retail Express: “As I’m driving up to the store, they were throwing bricks over my car. There are several other shops around the town centre who woke up with no jobs. Obviously people can’t afford to rebuild.”
Ardalan Othman, of King Store in Liverpool, lost £25,000-worth of stock after rioters rushed into his store and ransacked the premises. He said: “They smashed everything. They’ve broken everything. They took all the cigarettes, vapes, cash, everything. I think probably it’s more than £25,000. That’s just counted from cash, vapes and cigarettes.
“It’s dif�icult. I’m feeling terrible. It’s hard. I don’t know how to manage it.”
Othman has since had a GoFundMe page set up to recoup his losses, which has so far raised £190 of a £15,000 target.
Middlesbrough retailer Bay Bashir was also forced to close his stores to protect staff. He told Retail Express: “I’ve never seen anything like it in all my life. Children as young as 12 smashing windows and taxis, and attacking people. We shut up shop and put the shutters down. Luckily, that was enough.”
Meanwhile, other retailers described moments of disappointment as they realised regular customers had been involved with the hatred. One, who asked not to be named, said: “The worst
thing is we recognised many of those involved. They are our customers.”
Another added: “I’ve seen horrible social media posts from people you would consider to be friends.”
However, many independent retailers have chosen to stand with their fellow store owners and not let the racists win. Serge Notay, of Notay’s Convenience Store in Batley, urged his fellow retailers to offer their stores as safe havens. He said: “If you ever feel threatened or unsafe, regardless of your creed or colour, our doors are open for you. You can come in, �ind comfort and wait safely for help. Your safety is our priority and we stand in solidarity with those who need support during these
challenging times.
“Let’s come together as a community and lift each other up.”
Meanwhile, another store owner had protection from 10-to-15 customers, who formed a picket around their shop throughout the day. Retail organisations also came together to offer support. Insurer Retail Mutual urged stores to ensure they had full cover, while the Fed, ACS, NewstrAid and GroceryAid also offered help to retailers impacted by violence.
Symbol groups Nisa and Select & Save sent messages to retailers offering aid.
The national unrest stems from far-right groups calling for protests over the killing of three children on 29 July in Southport, near Liverpool. Misinformation and online
racism had triggered the violence.
As Retail Express went to print, thousands of police of�icers were reportedly braced for more violence following a leaked “hit-list” by the far-right of targeted riot locations on 7 August. Although these rumours were uncon�irmed, police forces later described the risk of unrest in these places as “credible”.
The London Borough of Harrow and Waltham Forest Council said it was working with the police to verify whether a protest was taking place, while Finchley and Golders Green MP Sarah Sackman released a statement. She urged residents to remain calm as she worked with the police to combat any potential protest action.
“I’VE been enforcing a ban on selling to under-16s for around 10 years, after two headteachers asked that I stop serving students. We were at a bit of a disadvantage at rst because other shops were still selling energy drinks. We had some stroppy teenagers slamming drinks on the counter when they were refused. Someone who is old enough but hasn’t brought ID – they are the ones most likely to throw a tantrum now.”
Judith Smitham, The Old Dairy – Pydar Stores, Truro
“IT will be a knife-edge situation for many store owners. Retailers are in danger. One retailer near me had a teenager say he would put a brick through his window if he didn’t sell him a drink, which would have cost him £1,000. Retailers are professionals, we know what we sell. Unscrupulous retailers will still do it. There are some who don’t want to do it, but they are in a tough spot.”
Arif Ahmed, Ahmed News, Coventry
“WE did think we would lose some footfall when we enforced our ban, but it hasn’t made a huge di erence. We’re still selling a lot of Monster and Relentless. I’m not really worried about confrontations at the counter. You get a few kids shrug their shoulders and moan about it, but they are not so aggressive. If you refuse an adult, sometimes they can be more aggressive.”
Chris
Tomes, Costcutter, Swanage
NATIONAL LOTTERY: Independent retailers will be able to sell scratchcards through online delivery for the rst time, in a new partnership between Allwyn and Snappy Shopper. Previously, only major supermarkets were allowed to do this due to stringent age-restricted sales requirements set by the Gambling Commission regulator.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Allwyn’
FREEZE-DRIED SWEETS: Nisa retailer Amrit Singh Pahal has launched his own freeze-dried sweets brand. He told Retail Express: “I’ve had a partnership with the local council. The ingredients have been tested and labelling has been checked. There’s a real compliance piece for retailers to consider.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Freezy’
BAD WEEK
CCEP: The soft drinks supplier has temporarily halted production of Coca-Cola Original Taste, Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, Dr Pepper and Sprite multipacks to keep up with summer demand. A spokesperson said: “Our top priority is to ensure the best possible service to customers. We want to reassure our convenience customers that we always aim to provide alternatives.”
FINES: Cash-strapped councils have been issuing xed-penalty notices to small shops for minor infringements. Last month, Colombo Food & Wine in Hounslow was hit with a £150 ne for “unlicensed street trading” because a milk trolley was left outside. Londis Bexley Park in Dartford received a £100 “fly tipping” ne for placing a banner advertising its 20th birthday outside.
ALEX YAU
Chris Tomes
Shop prankster vows to reform
ALEX YAU
A FORMER social media prankster who went viral for staging a fake shop attack has pledged to reform his ways.
Last year, Mizzy posted a video of himself and a gang terrorising staff and knocking stock off shelves in Where 2 Save, an independent convenience store in London.
Other independent retail-
ers were worried the clip –which was reposted by the Daily Mail and other national publications – would fuel imitation incidents from copycat criminals at the time.
However, a video posted a week after showed one of Where 2 Save’s staff members admitting the video was a hoax. There have also been other videos of Mizzy causing antisocial behaviour in supermarkets.
Since then, Mizzy has claimed to have reformed his ways, taking on a number of jobs following his notoriety on social media. He has also been banned from posting videos.
Posting across Instagram and X last month, Mizzy said: “As I apply for my ideal jobs, I sometimes get discouraged when people see me doing my side-hustle delivery job because I feel like it’s a step back
from my digital-marketing internship.
“While I’m on this social media ban until November 2025 I need to be more productive and do as many side-hustles as I can. Anyway, I plan to keep my head up and work as hard as usual for my son.
“Future employers, if you are watching, just know that I’m willing and ready to work as hard as I can. All I need is a chance.”
Retail market decline
THE number of convenience stores being put up for sale by commercial property firm Christie & Co has halved.
The company’s report on the first half of 2024 showed 18 stores going up for sale, compared with 39 in the same period last year.
Conversely, the number of forecourts doubled from 22 to 44.
Rising theft, competition and uncertainty around tobacco and vape laws were described as some of the risks causing reluctance from buyers.
KASH RETAIL EXPANSION
MULTI-SITE Nisa retailer Kash Retail is to expand in Yorkshire and Lancashire, with a focus on provenance.
The firm’s operations director, Kevin Polley, told RN each branch would have several hundred lines from their respective regions, with basket spend increased to £20 in sites that have had similar additions.
He said: “We recently
refurbished our Thirsk site in North Yorkshire as part of major expansion plans. It was the first change in 10 years and residents were really impressed.”
Slush age warning
RETAILERS with Tango Ice Blast have been warned not to sell the drinks to children aged four and under.
The warning sent by Frozen Brothers last month, and seen by Retail Express, was in response to Food Standards Agency warnings that glycerol had been causing headaches and sickness in children.
Retailers were advised to place notices by point of sale. This also affects Slushy Jack’s, Robinsons Ice and Fanta Frozen (excluding Frozen Coke) products.
UNI COSTS NOW DOWN
Everyone loves better value. Especially when it comes to uni costs! Our Undergraduate and Postgraduate schemes are here to lighten the load. If you work for a supermarket, convenience store or in grocery sales and you’re a parent/carer of a uni student, they could receive up to £3000 that can be put towards tuition fees, travel, equipment or materials. To check your eligibility and to apply just visit www.leverhulme-trade.org.uk
PRODUCTS
Mondelez unveils festive range
MONDELEZ International has unveiled its international festive range for 2024, featuring new treats and returning favourites.
The run-up to Christmas begins in September, with what Mondelez calls the ‘fast start’ – when retailers should cater to big-night-in occasions by stocking sharing formats, multipacks and tablets.
In October, Mondelez pointed to shoppers starting to get into the festive spirit as the run-up to Christmas continues. The Cadbury Puds range, which made a successful comeback in 2021, expands this year with new Cadbury
Mini Puds. These 73g bags offer a bite-sized version of the festive treat.
Elsewhere, Oreo joins the Christmas celebration with limited-edition Oreo Gingerbread cookies.
On top of this, for 2024, Mondelez is bringing something “unique” to shoppers’ traditional advent countdown with the launch of the Cadbury Dairy Milk Creamy Advent Calendar, featuring 24 Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolates with a soft creamy �illing. Finally, the Cadbury medium Selection Box and Buttons Selection Box now feature card trays instead of plastic ones, and the redesigned Cadbury Roses tin is returning to shelves.
Turn up the music with Coors promotion
A NEW promotional campaign from Coors is offering consumers the chance to win a trip to Colorado for a concert at the Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Additionally, up to 1,000 UK concert vouchers will be available through selected promotional packs until the end of September.
The promotion aims to boost Coors’ sales and solidify its position as one of the top 10 lagers in Great Britain.
Consumers can enter the competition by scanning QR codes on promotional packs and submitting proof of purchase.
Promotional packs will feature illustrations of Red
There are also returns for Dairy Milk Coins and the Winter Mint Crisp block. Updated planogram information will also be available on Mondelez’s Snack Display website.
RRP: Oreo Gingerbread: £1.50; Cadbury Mini Puds: £1.98; Cadbury Dairy Milk
Advent Calendar:
Cadbury
Winter
A popping new snack from the kitchen
POPCORN Kitchen has expanded its range with new 800g bags of gourmet mushroom popping kernels, available for £5.99.
corn bags to curated home popping kits.
Rocks Amphitheatre and include various multipack options.
The campaign will be supported by in-store activation, PR and paid social media activity including in�luencer partnerships.
NEW CAMPAIGN
Prawn Cocktail joins the PMP Disco
KP Snacks has launched Discos Prawn Cocktail in a £1.25 price-marked pack (PMP) format – the �irst time the �lavour has been available outside of multipacks.
The supplier has also updated the packaging of the entire Discos range, to improve its standout on shelf and support its growth.
The launch comes as
prawn �lavours in crisps, snacks & nuts are worth £154m and are growing by 16% year on year. Additionally, £1.25 PMPs are worth £322.3m and are growing by 10.7%.
Meanwhile, the Discos brand as a whole is growing by 19.1% and its £1.25 PMPs are growing by 33.4%, ahead of the overall market.
This latest release enables popcorn fans to create their own unique snack �lavours from scratch.
“It made perfect sense that its next incarnation would be a stripped-back pack of ‘premium tier’ corn kernels that enable popcorn enthusiasts to create their own bold �lavour marriages.”
Four Loko reveals Pink Melon flavour
PREMIUM vodka-based RTD brand Four Loko has introduced a new �lavour, Pink Melon, combining watermelon, raspberry and lime �lavours.
This caffeine-free drink, aimed at Gen Z and millennials, offers an 8.4% ABV and comes in a pink 440ml can.
The launch is designed to target at-home socialising occasions this summer.
The US brand launched in the UK in 2021 and is now one of the fastest-growing RTD brands, adding £17.3m value growth to the grocery sector, according to IRI data.
The �lavour joins the existing Four Loko range, which comprises Dark Berry Burst, White, Strawberry Lemon-
Known for its innovative range of �lavoured popcorn and home popping kits, the brand’s move to provide premium kernels offers a blank canvas for �lavour experimentation.
Louise Monk, co-founder of Popcorn Kitchen, said: “Popcorn Kitchen has extended its reach in recent times from extravagant �lavoured pop-
Four-strong range from Jacob’s
PLADIS is targeting the savoury snacking category with the launch of its new Jacob’s Bites range.
occasions (64%), which means there’s a huge growth opportunity for the taking.”
RRP: £2
with new PMP
CARIBBEAN food-and-drink supplier Grace Foods has launched a 99p price-marked pack (PMP) format of its Mighty Malt drink.
Speaking about the launch, Grace Foods UK brand manager Dorota Dziedzic said: “We are in a very value-driven market at the moment for many different reasons, and PMPs are a way of us being able to give our customers value for money.”
We also know how important PMPs are to independent retailers as they demonstrate to their clients that they can offer them market-leading brands at a good price.”
Dziedzic added that the success of Grace Foods’ Say
The range includes four varieties: Mature Cheddar & Caramelised Onion, Red Leicester, Sweet Chilli & Sour Cream and Smoked Paprika. They are baked, contain no arti�icial colours or �lavours and come in fully recyclable cardboard packaging.
Asli Ackman, marketing director at Pladis, said: “Brits are snacking more than ever, and this means more and more shoppers are looking for quick, grab-and-go options for sharing.
“The category currently under-trades in almost twothirds of all savoury snack
BOBBY’S has partnered with Bazooka Candy Brands to launch the Mega Push Pop Ice frozen treat range.
The new range is available to retailers exclusively from Bobby’s in a mixed case of 24 units. It comes in Raspberry, Blackcurrant, Strawberry and Cola varieties.
Its launch comes as Mega Push Pop is the number-one lollipop in the UK off-trade, with a current growth rate of 153%.
Bobby’s marketing manager Carmelina Mancini said: “Our new Mega Push Pop Ice, a Bazooka Candy Brandsowned brand, re�lects our commitment to creating products that resonate with convenience shoppers, offer-
Bobby’s partners with Bazooka Candy
ing value and choice.
“With a keen understanding of consumer trends, we’re thrilled to meet the demand for affordable treats, reinforcing our role as a trusted retail partner.”
ade, Tropical, Blue, Fruit Punch, Gold, Sour Blue Razz and Sour Apple. RRP: £3.49
PRIYA KHAIRA
Creamy
£4.99;
Buttons Selection Box: £6.50; Cadbury Dairy Milk
Mint Crisp: £3.50
Aloe Vera £1.29 PMP launch earlier this year prompted the supplier to examine which of its other drinks lines could bene�it from a PMP.
PRODUCTS
New Lucozade Alert duo
tion drinks are growing by 26%.
SUNTORY Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has released a 250ml can format of its Lucozade Alert range, across Ultimate Energy and Zero Sugar Mango Peachade varieties.
The supplier says the new format comes off the back of a survey of stimulation-drink shoppers, half of who said they’d prefer a smaller can.
Ultimate Energy is a guarana �lavour, which was chosen to drive interest in the new format, while the expansion of Zero Sugar Mango Peachade is aimed at offering a no-sugar option in the smaller can size. Currently, zero-sugar stimula-
Research also indicates that there is a steady demand for can formats.
According to Aoife McGuigan, head of category expansion at SBF GB&I: “The research shows us there is strong demand for smaller cans in the category, with 31% of stimulation drinks now sold in 250ml cans.
“We also know they’re especially popular with shoppers over 25 years old, so can help retailers to unlock new shopper demographics.”
The 250ml cans contain caffeine and vitamin B3 to help combat tiredness.
They are available this month, at an RRP of £1 each
Vapes Bars rolls out Angel 2400 device
NEXT-GEN nicotine supplier
Vapes Bars has unveiled its Angel 2400 four-in-one vape device, which it intends to make available to 40,000 independent retailers within the next 12 months.
The rechargeable device combines four 2ml tanks in one pod device, giving users the option to change �lavours on the go and reduce waste.
There are currently 53 �lavours available, across a series of combinations.
“We are pleased to con�irm that Vapes Bars already has established agreements with a number of reputable wholesalers. These partnerships have been instrumental in our ability to distribute our products ef�iciently and
effectively,” a spokesperson for the supplier said.
Adam Matliwala, chief executive at Vapes Bars, added that the move is driven by tougher regulations for disposable vapes.
Imperial’s latest Blu Bar pod kit
THE new Blu Bar vaping pod kit, launched by Imperial Brands, offers up to 1,000 puffs per pod.
The new kit has a 550mAh battery and a USB-C charging port for reusability. It also has a visible liquid level so users can see when their pods need to be replaced, as well as a security lock to prevent leakage when the device is not in use.
There are four �lavours available: Cherry, Pineapple, Blueberry Sour Raz and Watermelon Ice. Shoppers can buy a kit containing a device and pod.
Yawer Rasool, UK&I consumer marketing director at Imperial Brands, said the kit offers another revenue
and 75p for price-marked formats.
SBF GB&I will support the
launch with out-of-home advertising, social media activity and shopper sampling.MAYNARDS Bassetts is releasing limited-edition Spooky Gums and Liquorice Mix lines as part of a partnership with the upcoming �ilm Beetlejuice Beetlejuice alongside an on-pack promotion.
Corona Cero reveals its sporting spirit
AS part of its sponsorship of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Corona Cero has unveiled new limitededition packs.
stream ahead of the disposable vape ban, which is set to come into force on 1 April 2025. RRP: £5.99 (device + pod) LAUNCH LAUNCH NEW
The packs display the Olympic rings and carry a promotion offering shoppers a chance to win a range of rewards.
Prizes include tickets to sporting events, as well as holidays to Greece and Los Angeles, and various items of Corona Cero merchandise.
The partnership with the Olympic and Paralympic Games comes as Corona Cero has grown its market share across the total trade by 20%, with the low- andno-alcohol market worth £172m across the off-trade.
a
Day
to Remember promo
AS part of Cadbury’s 200th anniversary celebrations, Mondelez International has kicked off its largest on-pack prize and reward giveaway to date.
bury chocolate and biscuit treats. To enter, shoppers need to buy a participating pack and enter the barcode at winaday.cadbury.co.uk.
Maynards unveils spooky collaboration
ments of nostalgia that link with our sweet brand.”
Retailers can support the promotion with in-store displays to capture shoppers’ attention.
Promotional packs of the new varieties will be available this month, giving shoppers the chance to win vouchers for a two-night city break.
Amy Lawson, senior brand manager for Maynards Bassetts at Mondelez International, said: “With an all-star cast, the collaboration with this iconic return will appeal to fans of the original movie by tapping into those mo-
STG pushes nicotinepouch campaign
SCANDINAVIAN Tobacco Group UK (STG) has announced a consumer marketing push to help drive awareness of its new XQS nicotine pouch range.
The campaign includes a 60-day sampling campaign across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds.
This will be supplemented by festival sampling, targeted of�ice drops and a social media campaign across a variety of channels, including Instagram and TikTok.
STG acquired Swedish brand XQS last year. The brand is currently the fastest-growing nicotine brand in Sweden, having more than doubled its market
share and become a top-�ive brand in the country since the acquisition.
Weetabix invests £1m in TV campaign
WEETABIX has launched a new campaign in partnership with ITV and The Chase to ask ‘Have You Had Yours?’.
The promotion is being supported with in-store PoS materials.
The partnership is being ampli�ied further on social media. It follows its ‘The Weetabix Discovery’ campaign, which debuted in April.
Win a Day to Remember offers more than 200,000 prizes, including tickets and experiences for Merlin Entertainments, Arsenal FC, F1 Arcade, Sky, Goodwood, Jet2Holidays, Liverpool FC, Manchester United FC, Odeon and Winter Wonderland.
Every single entrant also receives a £75 voucher for Jet2holidays.
The Win a Day to Remember promotion is live from August until November across a range of Cad-
The TV ad spots, which appear in a variety of 10-second and 20-second variants at prime-time moments between each show’s �inale, feature all six of The Chasers, as well as the yellow packs of Weetabix Original and Weetabix Chocolate cereals.
Each advert is speci�ically tailored to �it the natural progression of the show, highlighting a bowl of Weetabix as the key ingredient for either the contestant or The Chaser’s success.
NEW CAMPAIGN
PRIYA KHAIRA
PRODUCTS
Catch a flight with Yazoo
PRIYA KHAIRA
YAZOO has launched an out-of-home competition for retailers offering �light credit and free stock.
Running until 13 October, the competition offers �light and hotel credit to �ive winners, while 200 more winners can get �ive free cases of Yazoo stock.
The competition forms part of the rollout of the brand’s new £1.29 pricemarked 400ml packs (PMPs), which were phased in from July to replace the existing £1.49 bottles.
To enter, retailers need to buy any four cases of Yazoo 400ml £1.29 PMP or Yazoo Thick N’ Creamy 300ml
standard pack in Booker, Bestway and Unitas-partnered depots.
They then scan the QR code on in-depot PoS, enter their details and provide proof of purchase. Retailers can enter as many times as they like.
Gabriella Sudall, marketing manager at FrieslandCampina, said: “Our core 400ml PMP, which is comprised of Chocolate, Strawberry, Banana and Vanilla, is positioned to cater to the growing food-to-go mission.”
The supplier is supporting the competition with £150,000 in marketing, in the form of in-depot PoS, PoS kits, van sales, presence on wholesaler websites and advertising in the Shopt app.
Specialty Brands enlists Starward
PREMIUM spirits distributor Speciality Brands will exclusively represent the Australian whisky brand Starward, starting from 2 September.
Starward was created in 2007 in Melbourne by David Vitale with the aim to offer distinctive and approachable Australian whiskies and put the country on the whiskyproducing map.
The brand joins Speciality Brands’ world whisky range, which spans Japan, Canada, USA and Taiwan. It includes Nikka, Kavalan, Michter’s, Amrut, Chichibu and Lot 40. Speciality Brands will build Starward’s footprint, increasing distribution across all channels with a programme of events, tast-
ings and sampling.
Chris Seale, managing director of Speciality Brands, said: “We have been following the progress of Starward for some time now and have always been impressed with the brand’s liquid and positioning.”
Ruta Maya Rum enters UK market
RUTA Maya Belizean Rum has landed in the UK, featuring four infused rums: Rum Blanco, Rum Ouro, Coffee Rum and Cocolime Rum.
Produced by Travellers Distillery in Belize City, each 70cl bottle is priced at £29.
Boutique Brands distributes the range, available at Master of Malt, Amazon UK and Whisky Exchange.
The rums are crafted sustainably, with materials sourced from local Belizean farms.
Ruta Maya Rum pays homage to Belize’s natural landscape and Mayan heritage, with 10% of pro�its dedicated to preserving local rivers and biodiversity.
The range offers a variety
of �lavours, from the smooth and citrusy Rum Blanco to the richly �lavoured Coffee Rum.
Plenish hits TV screens for rst time
PLENISH, the UK’s fastestgrowing dairy alternatives and juice shots brand, has announced its �irst TV sponsorship with Channel 4.
shots, which have seen value sales grow by 80.3%.
Plenish will now sponsor Channel 4’s breakfast programming for six months, featuring idents during shows such as The Simpsons and Frasier.
SodaStream gets fruity with new trio
SODASTREAM has introduced three new fruit �lavours to its portfolio: Cloudy Lemonade, Orange Mango and Passionfruit.
To launch the Classics range, SodaStream partnered with celebrity bartender Merlin Grif�iths to create a summer drinks menu.
The menu features the Sunshine Spritz, a non-alcoholic twist on the passion-
fruit martini; The San Carlo, a citrus spritz; and Dream Soda, inspired by retro soda fountains.
SodaStream products are available via Amazon and on the SodaStream website.
LAUNCH
This partnership aligns with Plenish’s ‘Wake Up with Plenish’ campaign and aims to reach more than nine million viewers.
The campaign highlights key sales periods such as Organic September and Veganuary, promoting Plenish’s plant-based milks and health
Russell Goldman, managing director at Plenish, said: “With 69% of adults trying to proactively lead healthier lifestyles, the brand recognises the opportunity to deliver.”
Rose reveals scary sweets range
ROSE Marketing UK has launched a new Halloween confectionery collection for 2024, featuring spooky treats such as sour candies, eyeballs and rotten teeth.
The new additions include three Fizzy Gummies: Fizzy Freaky Mix, Fizzy Gummy Brains and Fizzy Gummy Pumpkins, all priced at £1 per 90g grab bag.
The halal-friendly treats join existing favorites such as Slush Puppie and Tango candies.
The range is designed to be budget-friendly, catering to the rising demand from shoppers for affordable Halloween sweets.
Steven Watt, chief executive of Rose Marketing, said:
“Forty-four per cent of candy shoppers are looking for Halloween-speci�ic confectionery options related to taste, shape and packaging. The current economy has led to a greater desire for affordable treats.”
Cool down with Twinings Coolers
FRUBES has launched its biggest-ever on-pack promotion, offering £45,000 in cash prizes to help drive sales during the back-toschool period.
There will also be 7,000 instant-win opportunities worth £5 each.
The ‘Golden Ticket’ promotion will appear on limited-edition packs offering the chance to win one of �ive golden tickets, valued from £1,000 to £5,000, from the end of August until 30 September.
Ewa Moxham, head of marketing for Yoplait, said: “This promotion is perfectly timed to drive awareness and sales during the backto-school period.”
Yoplait will support the promotion with in�luencer marketing and advertising across on demand, online video and social media.
TWININGS has unveiled a new range of Fruit Coolers in two �lavours, Peach and Tropical. These caffeine-free infusions are designed to be brewed hot and enjoyed chilled, and feature four calories per 200ml serving.
ing for new, exciting ways to elevate their cold drink experiences.”
The Fruit Coolers are available now and have an RRP of £2.49 per pack.
Data from Twinings shows that 32% of British consumers have enjoyed iced or cold tea and infusions in the past year.
The new range aims to complement Twinings’ existing range of infusions.
Gill Close, marketing director at Twinings, said: “Consumers are always look-
LAUNCH
OPINION
RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS
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It has no sell-by date, so you don’t risk wastage
CARD MACHINES: How have you chosen the right terminal?
“I’M with Elavon. Other providers have approached me, but they can’t integrate with my EPoS system. It’s important to me because it saves loads of time. I’m not in a fixed contract with them, but won’t shop around.”
Suresh Patel, Millbrook Supermarket, Stalybridge, Greater Manchester
“I USE two card terminals: Dojo and Viva Wallet. Every retailer should be aware of authorisation fees, they’re a big killer. My rule of thumb is a rate of 2.9% for debit cards and 6.9% with credit cards. I try to look at a 1p minimum authorisation fee.”
Arjun Patel, Premier Cavendish Square, Swindon, Wiltshire
ENERGY: How are you cutting your energy-bill costs?
“ WE store all chocolate in the chiller in summer along with chocolate biscuits because we can’t afford air conditioning. When we put them in the chiller, we saw a big uplift in sales. Cleaning the chiller’s air intake vents helps with bills, too. It’s like changing the pollen filter on a car.”
Bhavin Patel, Tylers Green Stores, North Weald, Essex
“WE run an electric van, which reduces fuel costs. We charge it overnight because there’s a lower rate for electricity at night. The next thing I’ll try is sensors for the fridges that link up to your mobile so you can see any issues and shut them down remotely overnight.”
We run an electric van, which reduces fuel costs
SCHOOL: What are you doing for the new term?
“YOU get good returns on stationery – it has no sell-by date, so you don’t risk wastage. Items like pens, pencils, pencil cases, geometry boxes and note pads are some of the products that retailers could offer to parents and their children ahead of the new term.”
Abdul Arain, Al Amin Stores, Cambridge
“KIDS are often drawn to brightly coloured items over standard stationery, making these products easier to upsell. If possible, display a standard stationery item for general customers and a kid-specific version with an extra 10p or 20p added to the price.”
Jonathan Cobb, Miserden Stores & Post Office, Gloucestershire
Retailers should be aware of authorisation fees
NEW PRODUCTS: How do you research new products?
We speak to other retailers in the area
“WE’RE a South Korean convenience store, but we stock products from all over Asia. We research the product range by visiting as many Asian convenience stores as we can, while also speaking to our customers. It also helps to speak to an Asian wholesaler to find out its bestsellers.”
Nathan Cho, Saba, London
“IN three of our stores, we have hundreds of lines sourced from local producers in Yorkshire. These include pastries, alcohol, meat, milk and pasta. It all stems from research. We speak to other retailers in the area and visit as many trade shows and suppliers as we can.”
Kevin Polley, Kash Retail, Thirsk, Yorkshire
Craig Warren, The Corner Stores, Mildenhall, Suffolk
‘We’re in a wealthy area, but still seeing rising the ’
SHOPLIFTING is a crime that’s often associated with stores based in lessaf�luent areas.
This is true, but we’ve seen an increase in shoplifting incidents over the past year and we’re based in a wealthy residential location near central London.
We’re not one to make judgements based on some-
one’s appearance, but we’ve caught shoplifters who don’t look like they’re struggling for money, based on what they’re wearing.
Of course, the cost-ofliving crisis affects everyone, regardless of their income or socio-economic background. You can’t make a judgement on what someone is going through based on their
Tabrez Hussain, LA Foods, London
‘We believe in giving more than just
“TO date, LA Foods has contributed more than £100,000 to local charities and organisations through Nisa’s Making a Di erence Locally (MADL) charity, and we’ll continue community-focused initiatives with our partnership with Nisa. We believe in giving more than just value through our products; it’s about creating an enriching environment that extends into our community. Our relationship with Nisa and MADL has not only helped us in maintaining high operational standards, but also in reinforcing our bonds with the community. We are more than a retail space; we are a part of our local community.”
appearance.
It’s not just low-value items such as chocolate bars or soft drinks that are being stolen, either.
For example, we put an outer of premium protein bars on the shop�loor one day and they were all gone within a few hours.
While there has been an increase, we’ve been in the
fortunate position so far that none of this shoplifting has been violent.
If a staff member spots a shoplifter, we advise them not to confront the thief and escalate the incident.
We want to prioritise our staff’s safety over a couple of pounds taken by a shoplifter.
Anonymous retailer
Amit Puntambekar, Ash’s Shop, Fenstanton, Cambridgeshire
“WE’VE started supporting a small SEND (special educational needs and disabilities) group. One of my friends from school has a baby with Down’s syndrome, and she created the group to support other children with special needs. There is nothing like it in our area, and there is such little support for children in certain age brackets, plus a huge knowledge gap. It really hit home for me. We have donated £500 to help support with the group’s toys and classes. Hopefully, this year, we can spend a day with the kids and see how all the funding is being used.”
Glasgow
Understand the trends and react quickly
WE try to use as many supplier tools as possible, but you have to be careful because you don’t want to use ones that only reference their own brands.
A good supplier tool mentions competitor products, otherwise you end up losing sales.
Also be mindful of your type of shop and be prepared to adapt as some products may not work. One size doesn’t t all.
Retailers can sometimes forget what it’s actually like to walk into a convenience store and what customers go in for. The tools can remind you what you want to be stocking and where. A supplier I work with found that lots of people are missing popcorn these days, for example. Nights in are a serious mission of most convenience store customers. We review data regularly and delist or double face based on information found. It’s about making the range exciting, creating signposts for every customer and leaving room for new products. Launches should always be on every retailer’s agenda.
I’m in a tight-knit group of retailers and we always look at what the others are doing. It’s gone beyond just talking to each other; we’re following each others’ social media accounts so we’re just naturally immersed in what each other is doing. We’re on forums with manufacturers, getting information from trade press and every possible direction. It ends up lling your sub-conscious a little bit. Surrounding yourself with good people de nitely helps to nd the next best thing.
That being said, products may not always sell as much as you want. We saw canned water and tried it, but it just didn’t work. However, bubble tea has worked a treat. You’ve got to try these things, give them space and time, and then analyse your data. But you’ll never know about it unless you’re engaging with other retailers, reading trade press and connecting on social media. The days of wandering around a cash and carry and looking for interesting ideas are gone. You need to be on this.
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
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THE HEAT IS ON
Heated tobacco is a hot opportunity for stores reviewing their nicotine o er ahead of next April’s disposable vapes ban, writes CHARLES SMITH
THE HEATED-TOBACCO OPPORTUNITY
HEATED tobacco has o ered retailers potential pro ts for some years, but now it’s rmly in the spotlight.
With the upcoming ban on disposable vapes, switchedon stores are actively making heated tobacco a core part of their nicotine o erings.
The two leading suppliers are investing in the convenience channel, so how can retailers use heated tobacco to replace lost disposable-vape income?
Heated tobacco o ers an alternative yet familiar tobacco experience.
The devices heat re llable tobacco sticks, releasing a vapour with a similar taste and nicotine hit to tobacco smoke, but with 90-95% less of the harmful constituents.
Re lls last the same time as standard cigarettes, but cost around £6 for 20, saving smokers around £3,000 a year.
Heated tobacco is bigger
WHAT’S IN IT FOR RETAILERS?
JOHN Rennie, PML’s director of commercial operations in the UK and Ireland, says the percentage of convenience outlets selling Iluma devices and Terea and Heets tobacco sticks has risen by 42% in two years.
Aman Uppal, from One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry, has enrolled in PML’s Heatwave
Open programme. He buys stock from PML’s website, and sells one or two Iluma devices a month and £200 of Terea rells a week in his dedicated vape area, which is part of the counter section.
“We sell the full Terea range,” he says. “We had the Heets range before, but now
in the rest of the world than here, with Philip Morris Limited’s (PML) Iqos recently overtaking its Marlboro cigarette brand in global sales. Iqos launched in other regions before the UK, including Eastern Europe, hence it’s likely to be familiar to shoppers from those countries.
Here, heated tobacco sales in traditional retail are worth £120m annually, according to Mark McGuinness, JTI
UK’s marketing director, who predicts the gure reaching £400m by 2027.
Grasping this opportunity depends on stores stocking a good range and promoting and explaining it well.
A combination of chats with customers and o ering di erent re ll flavours looks to be the key to encouraging switching. Menthol varieties generate 40% of re ll sales, chasing tobacco flavours’ 50% share.
our customers are pretty much all converted to Terea.”
As part of PML’s programme, Uppal has leaflets, crib sheets and refresher cards to help the sales conversations.
“The rep sometimes also brings refurbished devices, which we sell at reduced prices,” he adds.
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EPoS data from 3,918 independent retailers analysed
CATEGORY ADVICE HEATED TOBACCO
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN HEATED TOBACCO?
THE two main suppliers of heated tobacco have invested in their o er to independent retailers in recent months.
PML launched its Heatwave Open site in April, as the sole channel for independents and symbol retailers enrolled in PML’s Heatwave Open programme to order the Iqos Iluma device, Terea re lls and the rest of their range.
Retailers can also access support and educational tools,
and reward schemes.
Uppal’s top seller is Mauve, which has a menthol and forest fruits flavour, followed by Amber, which tastes like tobacco.
“Our customers are ex-cigarette smokers, and Mauve is the only way to get authentic menthol, so it’s a big selling point,” he says.
In May, JTI UK launched JTI360, its online platform for independent retailers. Sales of its Ploom X Advanced heated-
tobacco device have doubled since last year, while Evo tobacco sticks have tripled.
Evo comes in 11 flavours, including tobacco and menthol variants. Ploom X Advanced was only available in London until May, when JTI rolled it out in She eld and Glasgow.
Ploom is available as a bundle deal with one device and two packs of sticks for £19. JTI is running wholesale promotions on Ploom and Evo sticks
and bespoke PoS. A third option, Teo Neafs comprise a heating device and Neaf re llables, which use a premium tea leaf base for a comparable experience. Original is the closest flavour to cigarettes.
Other options are Menthol, Co ee and Strawberry. Nicotine-free versions are available.
Check online for local Teo distributors.
Range
WHAT TO STOCK & HOW TO DISPLAY IT
Mark McGuinness, marketing director at JTI UK, gives his tips
Draw on reps’ knowledge to decide the right range for your store, and keep xtures fully stocked. Have demonstration devices ready to show to customers.
Visibility
Make sure heated tobacco is visible on a back-wall unit with your other next-gen nicotine products, including vapes and nicotine pouches, so shoppers can see the choice.
Promotion
Display ‘Heated tobacco sold here’ signage in store and outside.
Education
Use all the information platforms available to you, including suppliers’ trade websites.
Trends
Keep updated on the latest products, and be able to talk con dently about launches.
HOW TO GROW HEATED-TOBACCO SALES
BETWEEN now and when the disposable vapes ban comes in, local stores should start running down disposable vape stock, and push heated tobacco as one of the alternative routes to quitting cigarettes.
PML’s Rennie says 73% of adult smokers have tried vaping, but only 23% have stuck.
Arif Ahmed, at Ahmed’s Newsagents in Coventry, says his main heated-tobacco buy-
ers are those aged under 40 and students, “because it’s cheaper than cigarettes and it’s trendy”, but you should include tobacco buyers of all ages in the conversation.
Begin by contacting the various reps and talking through what’s right for your store. If space is a premium, it’s worth focusing on the top half-dozen flavours.
Retailers should familiarise
sta with the devices and products, so they can talk through how heated tobacco works and the cost savings.
Promote your heated-tobacco range like this and by January, your regular vape and tobacco customers will know you o er an attractive selection.
January is also a big time for people to make new year’s resolutions about giving up cigarettes, and be likely to switch
to heated tobacco as the rst step. Uppal says some of his shoppers regularly buy several outers of 10-pack re lls.
“Getting customers to buy heated tobacco in quantity in local stores is certainly achievable,” he says.
“Whether you’re in a residential area, or have high levels of passing trade, it comes down to engaging and connecting with your customers.”
YOUNG ADULTS & FRESHERS
CATERING TO A NEW ADULT AUDIENCE
TAMARA BIRCH o ers retailers advice on how to capture a young-adults-andfreshers audience ahead of the new term
WHAT ARE YOUNG SHOPPERS AND FRESHERS LOOKING FOR?
YOUNG adults and freshers can be two di erent demographics, so your approach to them should be adaptable.
For example, not all young adults go to university, and won’t necessarily want to buy large bottles of alcohol each weekend, whereas freshers are more likely to do this – especially during Freshers Week.
To best prepare for freshers, make sure you’re aware of key
events in the university calendar. For example, when are they moving in? When does their Freshers Week start?
Some universities are trialling two Freshers Weeks, instead of the traditional one week, so if you’re unsure, reach out to the university to nd out. With young adults, this could be those who chose not to go to university and instead are working professionals, or
those who are still in full-time education, like college. These customers, aged between 18 and 35, are likely to buy food regularly on the go.
In terms of what they share in common, young adults are among the most healthconscious shoppers, but also require a di erent approach to boost loyalty.
They are also looking for strong flavours and ‘social-
media-worthy’ lines.
“The younger shopper is looking for bold flavour proles to satisfy boredom and snacking urges that aren’t part of the weekly shop,” explains Becky Allan, marketing manager at Takis.
“Putting Takis on shelf is an opportunity for retailers to appeal to this audience, as it is a product ripe for the Gen Z market.”
CATEGORY ADVICE
YOUNG ADULTS & FRESHERS
INCREASING LOYALTY AMONG YOUNG SHOPPERS
“WE always try to keep on top of trends, like anything we nd on TikTok,” says Reuben Singh Mander, from The Three Singhs in Halifax, West Yorkshire. “We stock new varieties of Monster we nd on social media and noodle lines as well.”
He says vaping is popular with young adults, as they like to experiment, and that new products are more important with this demographic above anything else.
“Young adults will often buy a new flavour Monster in addition to their original or favourite flavour, boosting spend for us as a store,” he adds.
While new products will help bring young adults and freshers through the door, you can also build loyalty through promotions and o ering good value.
“We do promotions with alcohol and vapes, which helps encourage loyalty to our
stores,” says Singh Mander. “Young adults know they can come to our store and get two Au vodka cans for £4.99 or two vapes for £10. But it’s also about making a point of talking and engaging with them. We speak in store about their plans if they buy alcohol, or ask them to tag us on socials, which helps bring new customers in store.”
When it comes to marketing, your approach needs to be dif-
ferent. Young adults are time poor and are more responsive to images on social media, so keep your captions short and introduce emojis. The key, though, is to keep it simple.
“We never take pictures of products in store because it can take the focus away,” says Singh Mander. “Instead, we take it on our post box with the store in the background. This helps bring our store to the forefront, too.”
Becky Allan, marketing manager, Takis SUPPLIER VIEW
“WHEN it comes to shopper attitudes to snacking, bold and strong flavour choices are dominating purchase decisions. While planned purchases lend themselves to ‘weaker’ flavours, impulse purchases (57% of shoppers buy bagged snacks at least once a week) is where intense flavours, such as chilli and paprika, have their moment to shine. In fact, snacks are growing at a rate of 13.9% value sales year on year and Takis sales overindex on distribution.
RETAILER VIEW
Rashik Trivedi, Food & Wine at Newlands, Sydenham, south London
“WE have lots of young professionals in the area and for the past 43 years, di erent people have come here, and you need to cater to those people and give them what they want. In the past ve years, we have seen lots of young professionals come in and we cater to that.
“I’m near a train station, and we get clientele coming in the evening because people work long hours. We like to keep lots of fresh meals and other stu for them, so they don’t have to cook. In our area, there has to be a lot of fresh food. We sell a lot of fresh stu , and we’ve noticed young adults have started buying healthier options. People want to be healthier, so we’ve stopped selling some products that slowed down as a result. We’re also selling more diet versions of so drinks.
“We trained our sta to speak to the customers because that’s how you get feedback. We keep really good products and we actually converse with the customer, too. You have to do that. Speak to your customers to see what they want.”
TRENDS TO FOCUS ON
HEALTH is a top priority for young adults, according to Matt Collins, sales director at KP Snacks, with most seeking out healthier options for their lunch and snacks.
“At KP Snacks, we o er a broad range of tasty and permissible snacks, including more than 100 non-HFSS lines,” he says. “We believe that snacks can be enjoyed as part of a balanced lifestyle, and we are continually working to provide snacks that are delicious and permissible.”
Meanwhile, Kepak’s head of convenience, Ross Davison, says young adults and fresh-
“The ‘Need for Heat’ is not showing any signs of stopping either, as 33% of snackers are looking to explore new intense flavours in the category, suggesting a continued interest in spicy flavour pro les.”
ers are looking for lunchbox llers and food-to-go options.
“The total food-to-go and eating-out market is continuing to recover with growth in value sales of 7.3% year on year,” he says. “This is spurred on by schools being back, as well as a gradual return to overall pre-pandemic behaviours.”
Lines such as sandwiches and Rustlers’ Cook in Box range can all be strong products, but tie your range in with health trends, by stocking high-in-protein items, like Fridge Raiders that o er up to 10g protein per pack.
To find out more, email connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit My.CCEP.com for POS materials and downloadable digital assets.
CATEGORY ADVICE
YOUNG ADULTS & FRESHERS
LAUNCHES
VIEW
Matt Collins, sales director, KP Snacks SUPPLIER
“AS the summer draws to a close, retailers should be ready to boost sales by capitalising on students returning to university. Bagged snacks are a popular lunchtime and food-to-go choice for students, making the ‘back to routine’ occasion a critical opportunity for retailers to drive crisps, snacks and nuts sales.
“Retailers nearby universities and student accommodation should prepare for increased footfall and the growth of food-to-go missions. Fi y-three per cent of shoppers look for meal deals when buying food to go and our Hula Hoops BBQ Beef, McCoy’s Salt & Vinegar and McCoy’s Flame Grilled Steak are the top three meal-deal choices.”
ARE YOUNGER SHOPPERS
Health products
Walkers non-HFSS crisps
PepsiCo has launched three new multipacks under its Monster Munch and Wotsits brands. The nonHFSS range is made with chickpeas to o er a source of bre and contains 25% less salt than the average product. Its launch forms part of the supplier’s new ‘Yummy With’ platform and comes in three new varieties: Wotsits Cheese Toastie, Wotsits Crispy Bacon and Monster Munch BBQ Sauce.
Nomadis Fuel Up
Nomadis has added a range of dairy-based complete-meal drinks called Fuel Up to its range, launching nationally in Spar stores. The range is available in Strawberry and Chocolate varieties. Each flavour features 26 vitamins and minerals, as well as 33g of protein. They are also free from lactose, gluten and added sugar. They are best served chilled, but have an ambient shelf life of eight months.
Energy
Lucozade Alert 250ml
Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has launched a 250ml can format of its Lucozade Alert range, across new Ultimate Energy and Zero Sugar Mango Peachade varieties. Ultimate Energy is a guarana flavour and will drive interest in the new format, while the expansion of Zero Sugar Mango Peachade is aimed at o ering a no-sugar option in a smaller can size. The 250ml cans are available now, either with a 75p price-mark or with a £1 RRP.
Snacks and grocery
M&M’s Mini Cookies
Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats has unveiled Cookies with Chocolate M&M’s Minis following a recent release of M&M’s Minis confectionery. The move aims to attract a younger demographic to the biscuit aisle and is available in both grocery (180g) and convenience PMP packs (144g), priced at £1.90 and £1.99, respectively.
Pot Noodle Chicken Fajita
Pot Noodle is set to launch a Chicken Fajita variety, following the results of a fan vote that saw the flavour win overwhelmingly. The new variety will launch in convenience stores from September and will be the latest flavour after a fan vote, which follows on from 2022’s Doner Kebab flavour.
MORE PRICE-CONSCIOUS?
VALUE missions are sweeping the convenience store industry as shoppers continue to budget and get the most from their money.
However, it seems young people and some freshers are exempt from this trend when it comes to certain categories.
“Young people are willing
to spend more, and price is almost irrelevant or at least at the very bottom of the list,” Singh Mander says. “Availability is more important.”
Singh Mander says younger shoppers want to have the product immediately, and the experience they receive with that product trumps any-
thing else.
“Take the freeze-dried sweets. They are almost more interested in the packaging,” he explains.
“It’s more about the aesthetic the product o ers than the price. It helps us as a store because we get higher margins as they’re priced at £5.99. This
is where the di erence between our younger and older customers come in.
“Younger shoppers don’t question the price, but our older customers often question it because they don’t always understand what we’re trying to achieve with these particular products.”
ADDING A DELIVERY SERVICE
PRIYA KHAIRA uncovers how retailers are making the most of home delivery and nds out what steps are needed to create a successful service
TAKING THE PLUNGE
A GROWING demand for both convenience and speed has led to home-delivery services becoming a critical point of difference for a lot of stores.
With delivery service Getir recently exiting the market, now is a good time for independent retailers to set up services with other players, such as Snappy Shopper, Uber Eats, Zapp, Deliveroo and Just Eat, as customers previously covered by the service look for alternative places to order from.
For Anish Panchmatia, from
One Stop Wylde Green in Sutton Cold eld, West Midlands, home delivery has become a lifeline for raising his store’s pro le and driving sales.
Panchmatia decided to partner with Uber Eats last summer, and since then it has brought in almost £17,000 in online delivery sales.
“Initially, we were nervous about whether it would be worth it. At rst, homedelivery sales were slow, but we decided to stick with it and really focus on our marketing
and branding,” he says.
By utilising social media and interacting with customers, retailers can drive awareness of their home delivery services to customers in their local communities.
Panchmatia posted regularly on social media and provided leaflets and signage in store, which he says led to raised awareness of the service and encouraged customers to shop online for lastminute top-ups or emergency purchases.
Availability
FIVE THINGS TO
CONSIDER
Commission fee
Make sure you get a clear quote on how much the commission fee will cost with di erent services. Be sure to measure how this will impact your pro t margins and how much you would need to raise prices to combat this.
Integrations
Consider how well the delivery platform integrates with existing EPoS systems and your online ordering platforms.
Geography Research how well-known and used certain services are in your area.
Autonomy
Consider how involved you want to be in the marketing and branding of your service. In addition to how much control you want over the delivery logistics and customer experience. If you want to be less involved, then consider working with services that cover these aspects for you.
Support
Look for platforms that o er support and clear communication to ensure smooth operations.
STEPS TO SUCCESS
Availability is crucial for a successful home-delivery service. Customers want to know that they can rely on your service for quick top-ups and bigger shops.
Stay up to date
Utilise your EPoS system to ensure your inventory is up to date, your product descriptions are accurate and you have the correct delivery times to avoid any disappointment at checkout.
Convenience
Ensure your delivery service is available during convenient hours. If you are located in an area that attracts lots of workers, you might want to make your service available 24 hours a day.
Promotions
If possible, try to price match products online to in store, or o er exclusive online promotions to attract new customers.
Complaints
Make sure that you address any negative reviews or complaints swiftly in a calm and understanding manner. This is important for maintaining customer trust and satisfaction.
Allocation
Allocate a small team of sta members to deal directly with online-delivery orders, inquiries or issues. This will make it easier to spot ongoing issues and identify areas of improvement.
CATEGORY ADVICE HOME DELIVERY
A SUCCESSFUL OPERATION
SMALL-SCALE retailers will rst want to consider whether they have an e cient inventorymanagement system and space for sorting orders before taking the plunge and nding a homedelivery service. They should consider whether there is demand for the service in their area and examine whether they have the capacity to facilitate delivery operations.
Next, retailers will want to decide what kind of delivery service would work best for them. Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat are ideal for retailers looking to join a large delivery service that covers the marketing and delivery logistics.
However, Natalie Lightfoot,
co-owner of Londis Solo Convenience in Glasgow, says that working with services that allow for more autonomy over internal and external operations, like Snappy Shopper, work better in her store.
“The system is integrated into our till system, which makes it easy to use. We can easily run banners on the app. This allows us to focus on speci c products or promotions, which helps draw customers in,” she explains.
A critical component of this service is ensuring you have a reliable delivery team. To nd this, be sure to de ne what geographic area you plan to cover to help determine how many
drivers are needed.
You will then need to establish a delivery schedule, which will outline how many hours of the day you will be o ering online delivery and what qualications and skills you want your drivers to have.
Once these key bases are covered, post job advertisements via social media, local community groups, job portals or via your selected deliveryservice network.
Priyesh Vekaria, from Carlton Convenience in Manchester, o ers at home delivery via Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, and has noticed a £20 increase in online basket spend since expanding his services.
These services work better for Vekaria, as the delivery logistics are covered separately by each platform.
Vekaria o ers a select number of items on Deliveroo and Just Eat that are price matched to in-store promotions. Prior to this he was seeing £10 online basket spend, which has now risen to £30-£50.
“Traditionally, we would take the price up on products by 35% to ensure it covered overhead costs.
“Now I run a marketing campaign funded by One Stop that allows me to match my online prices to those in store, which has driven online spend,” he says.
Deliveroo
Pros:
• Can provide extensive reach around urban and residential areas.
• Integration with PoS and online platforms is simple. The application o ers support and has a user-friendly interface.
• Delivery time is often fast. There is a large network of riders working with the app around the country.
Cons:
• Deliveroo receives around 25%-35% of order value, which can signi cantly impact pro t margins.
• Retailers will obtain limited control over the branding and driver customer service.
Uber Eats
Pros:
• App o ers di erent delivery and pickup options, catering to varied customer needs.
• Delivery is reliable and fast, and there is a large network of drivers.
• The app is already popular and well established in metropolitan areas, leading to increased customer trust in the service.
Cons:
• High commission rates, taking around 25%-30% of the order value.
• Retailers lack the ability to customise options on the interface to meet their store’s speci c needs and branding.
Snappy Shopper
Pros:
• Commission fee is lower than bigger delivery services, sitting at around 15%-20% of the order value.
• The service has a strong focus on community stores.
• Retailers can have a reasonable input into branding and customer service. Allows greater control over the delivery process.
Cons:
• The delivery network is smaller compared to services that are more prominent in the market.
• This means retailers will need to handle more aspects of the delivery service, including sourcing and managing delivery drivers.
Just Eat
Pros:
• Just Eat has a large customer base and driver network.
• It is a user-friendly platform, allowing for high order potential.
• The service already has a strong marketing presence around the UK.
• Commission rates sit at around 15%.
Cons:
• Less flexibility when it comes to customising service and marketing to suit your store.
Zapp
Pros:
• Zapp promises ultra-fast delivery times.
• Retailers can have autonomy over logistics.
• Operates typically 24 hours, catering to varied customer needs.
Cons:
• The app is new to the market and mainly caters to central London.
• Its limited product range might not service all categories.
ADVICE
SEIZING THE BANK HOLIDAY
The RETAIL EXPRESS team nds out what retailers do di erently around bank holidays to drive extra sales
1
Dyfed Thomas, Thomas Spar, Llandysul, Ceredigion
“IT’S such a weather-dependent thing. If the weather looks like it’s going to be good, we double our orders. If it looks like it’s going to be bad, we just prepare for a normal Monday and don’t do anything differently. It’s always worth doubling up in advance of good weather because even if you don’t sell that much over the weekend, you can just cut down on your next order the following week.
“We work with suggested ordering, so whatever promotions we have on beer and wines, we’ll double up and cut down later. In terms of the products you need to focus on, it’s all about soft drinks and beers.
“Another one to think about is fruit and veg. If you can get strawberries for a reasonable price, you should stack them high and prominently so you can sell them quickly. We also double up on bread, baps and meat for barbecues.”
2
Neil Ramlagan, Jays General Store, Bolton, Greater Manchester
Pat Hoy, Mams Convenience Store, Liverpool 3
“WE always get extra bread, milk and other essentials in for the bank holiday. People tend to stay locally around the long weekend and shop with us. We’ll also stock more beers around the bank holidays and we’ll run more offers.
“Weather has a huge impact, and it’s been a rough summer for us this year. It can add £300-£400 to your till when the sun is shining. We don’t move anything around in the store for bank holidays, partly because we don’t have the space and partly for security purposes. If something is easy to access, we’ll often get people running in, grabbing it and running out of the shop. We put up lots of posters in the window and around the shop so people can see what we’re doing differently. It’s worth looking out for offers from the manufacturers so you can offer deals to customers. We saw lots of offers from crisps and beer manufacturers during the Euros, and took advantage.”
“THE August bank holiday is the busiest one of the year for us because it coincides with the kids going back to school. Easter is usually busy, but it depends so much on when it actually falls. Around Easter, it’s about concentrating on more than just eggs. We offer little gifts and secondary choices for people who don’t like chocolate. It could be little bits and bobs or toys – anything like that at a decent price.
“This August bank holiday, everyone will be back from their holidays and getting ready for school, so they’ve not got as much money. They’re going to be having more nights in, so we offer a big-night-in promotion and range around that time. Wine is the big seller in the bank holiday, along with soft drinks and chocolate. I look back on last year’s sales data to �ind out what did well and what I have to increase. I also make a note of what the weather was like last year so I can order appropriately.”
In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out how retailers create a bit of theatre in their stores. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email
I mostly close the shop on bank holidays to spend time with the kids. But what do other retailers do with their stores? – Bhavin Patel, Bownass Newsagents, Leeds, West Yorkshire