• Exclusive police data shows racist attacks on retailers surged 7% in a single year
• Store owners reveal the devastating toll of abuse on their team’s well-being
Alex Yau, editor
Growing up and living in a flat above my parent’s Chinese takeaway, I would o en hear customers and passersby put on fake Asian accents or make derogatory remarks.
Although it was a food business, these racist experiences aren’t so far removed from the abuse faced by many independent retailers. As much as I’d like to say racism is a relic of the past, this issue’s cover story shows this is sadly not the case.
Exclusive analysis of police data by Retail Express reveals there is still widespread racism in convenience stores. Even more worrying is the rise in physical attacks, showing that discrimination of someone’s skin colour doesn’t just stop with words. It isn’t restricted to the four walls of a shop, either, as the internet has given rise to a wave of online abuse.
This abuse is also evident in the many conversations I’ve had with you. It is still prevalent, not just with the older generation of retailers who have been running shops in communities for decades, but for those in their 20s and 30s.
However, as retailer Mo Razzaq advises, it’s important to report instances of hate crime to the police when they happen. Hate can only be beaten with action.
Correction:
RACIST ABUSE DOESN’T STOP WITH WORDS
In the last issue of Retail Express (2-15 July), a quote on store accessibility on Opinion (p12) was incorrectly attributed to retailer Natalie Lightfoot instead of Diane Lightfoot, chief executive of Business Disability Forum. We apologise for any confusion.
Courtez
020 7689 3371
News reporter Alice Brooker @alice_brooker 07597 588955
Features editor Charles Whitting @CharlieWhittin1 020 7689 3350
7689 3384
Retailers targeted by tobacco criminals in scam
JACK COURTEZ
CRIMINAL gangs have been attempting to steal tobacco from retailers by falsely posing as JTI staff, messages from the tobacco �irm have warned.
The messages sent to retailers by JTI this month, seen by Retail Express, warned
the impersonators had taken several attempts to target JTI customers through email and phone calls. These attempts involved trying to divert deliveries and “physically retrieving orders already delivered to JTI customers”.
The criminals had reportedly “done their research” and asked for staff by their names.
Attempts to get information of “personnel responsible for logistics” had also been made. Sources at two major wholesalers con�irmed they had received warnings from JTI.
JTI communications director Sarah Connor told Retail Express: “JTI has been made aware of attempted supply chain fraud to JTI retailers. To be clear, there is no issue with the supply of JTI product. We believe that all retailers that
could have been potentially targeted have been contacted and made aware of this attempted fraud by their JTI account handler.
“Retailers should stay vigilant and protect against attempted fraud by ensuring they do not engage with any communications from an unknown email address or phone call referencing JTI business and contact their account handler immediately.”
The party’s leader and new prime minister, Keir Starmer, said: “The change begins here. This is your democracy, your community and your future.” Editor
and advertorial
Khaira 020 7689 3379
Production editor
Cooper 020 7689 3354
Sub editors
Findlay 020 7689 3373
Robin Jarossi
Head of design Anne-Claire Pickard 020 7689 3391
Senior designer Jody Cooke
020 7689 3380
Junior designer Lauren Jackson
Production coordinator (parental cover)
Drew Marke 020 7689 3368
Head of marketing Kate Daw 020 7689 3363
Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 07856 475 788
Associate director Charlotte Jesson 07807 287 607
Commercial project manager I y Afzal 07538 299 205
Managing director Parin Gohil 020 7689 3388 Head of digital Luthfa Begum 07909 254 949
Other commitments include making assault on retail workers a criminal offence, leading to harsher penalties, upping the tobacco age, and a vape branding and ad ban.
£1 PMP lines return
RETAILERS are to see more £1 price-marked lines return to their wholesalers, as suppliers face pressure on demand due to the cost-ofliving crisis.
Unitas Wholesale managing director John Kinney said: “Suppliers previously moved away due to high in�lation impacting packaging, production, transport and ingredient costs, resulting in high price increases. We are now beginning to see some of those costs easing.”
RETAILERS have seen a dip in scratchcard sales, due to glitches in Allwyn’s new automatic replenishment system. Andrew Board, of Premier Core Convenience Store in Durham, said: “Scratchcards are supposed to be on an automatic replenishment, but it doesn’t happen. We have been gettingmessages reminding us to make sure our scratchcard dispenser is full, but we have pockets empty.” Allwyn said it is aware of the issue.
SNOWSHOCK has made a bubble tea machine available for retailers, generating an average margin of 50% per cup. The Panda Chai machine is suitable for smaller convenience stores, as it measures 24m wide, 55cm deep and 90cm high.
Retailers can order the kit on rental agreements, with parts and maintenance included. A number of �lavours are available, including peach, apple and strawberry. LABOUR has
Spike in violent racism across convenience stores
BOOKER: The wholesaler is making 90 non-price-marked lines available to forecourt retailers, giving them access to “an even bigger range”. Products such as Skittles Giants Gooey, M&M’s Minis and new Red Bull varieties are included in the expanded lineup, which will be rolled out during the year.
RETAILERS have become an “easy target” for racism, as reported incidents of violent racist attacks in convenience stores increased annually by 7%.
Retail Express analysed freedom of information (FOI) responses from 16 police forces outlining the number of reported racist attacks on convenience store owners and staff in England between 2022 and 2023. Although overall incidents in 2023 remained �lat at 1,175, instances of physical racist abuse rose annually by 7% to 267 – 23% of total attacks that year.
In comparison, verbal abuse declined year on year by 29% to 177 incidents, making up 15% of racist incidents in 2023. It was unknown whether the remainder of instances were verbal or physical.
Of the victims who described their ethnicity to the police, those with an Asian background made up the highest proportion of all attacks in 2023 at 19%. This was followed by white (12%), Pakistani (9%), black (8%), Indian (6%), African and mixed race (3%), and Chinese (1%).
South Yorkshire made up the highest proportion of reported racist abuse in 2023 at 17%, followed by Greater Manchester (12%), Northamptonshire (11%), West Yorkshire (10%) and Lancashire (7%).
Several independent retailers outlined recent experiences of racist abuse to Retail Express, stressing these incidents had often been triggered by shoplifting or the refusal to sell agerestricted products.
been triggered by shoplift-
Anand Cheema, of Costcutter Falkirk in Stirlingshire, said: “I’m fortunate abuse has been more verbal than physical. However, I know many other retailers who have received physical racist abuse.
than physical. However, I many
“It’s always a defence mechanism and triggered when they’re asked to leave the store, refused alcohol or when they’re asked for ID. It’s not just certain age groups, as we get abuse from young and old.
“During the incident, I try know not to retaliate and
“During the incident, I try to keep staff out of harm’s way. If I’m not there, they know not to retaliate and show them out in a nonconfrontational manner.
After, it’s about constantly communicating with staff to make sure they’re okay. Look at how they’re coping mentally and if they’re anxious to do a certain role.”
Similarly, Mo Razzaq, of Mo’s Premier in Blantyre, urged other retailers to contact the police if they are victims of racist abuse. He added: “Unfortunately, in times of economic recession, instances of racist attacks on frontline staff do rise.
People want someone to blame, and convenience can be an easy target.
“Sadly, retailers have got
used to racist abuse as part of daily life. They brush it off so as not to affect their mental health, but inside it hurts. You carry that abuse and it’s depressing.
“Many owners don’t report hate crime because they feel nothing will be done, but it is important to report it, especially if there’s evidence.”
Meanwhile, other retailers reported incidents of underlying racism in their stores.
Ken Singh, of BB Nevison Superstore in Pontefract, told Retail Express: “We’ve been in the area for 40 years,
but there is an undertone of racism from 1% of the community.
“If you catch people stealing, they’ll go straight to derogatory remarks such as ‘Get back to your own country’. When it’s hot, some people make remarks such as ‘I bet you’re used to this weather’. It does get to me, but it’s not meant from a bad place, either.
“There is a colour bias and you can see the switch in people. It still exists and it will in the future. Overall, it does need challenging and, in the most extreme cases,
you can’t let hate win.”
Serge Notay, of Notay’s Premier in Batley, West Yorkshire, added he no longer gets racism in the store, but had spotted instances online.
He told Retail Express: “In May, I posted a video on Facebook of some local white lads dancing to an Asian song and some of the comments were awful. One person suggested that they must be carrying blades.
Another person asked how dare they dance to a song that wasn’t even connected to this country.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Booker’
GOOGLE: Retailers have seen an improvement to their online reputation after leaving stands on their counters giving customers an opportunity to leave a review. After a month, stores who were given personalised stands had received 363% more reviews a month than before, while 95% of these reviews were the highest ve-star ratings.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Google’
BAD WEEK
DIAGEO: More suppliers could follow the alcohol rm’s lead in cutting supply to smaller wholesalers, senior gures have warned. Asked about supplier consolidation, Confex chief operating o cer Tom Gittins said: “It’s coming, but we need to keep the conversation going for independent wholesalers and the independent market.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘consolidation’
GETIR: Some franchisees of the rapid delivery rm are unlikely to get all their investment back following its exit from the UK due to nancial di culties. A source close to the company said money owed to each of the 45 franchisees is based on a sliding scale, determined by their length of partnership and total value of assets.
“FOR smaller retailers like myself, it’s really important that we feel seen. Wholesalers and suppliers can seem like big intimidating corporations, and we’re operating in a tough industry regardless of whether you are male or female. I nd that I build up a far better relationship with the reps that come round. Perhaps wholesalers and suppliers should do a meet and greet with retailers and it might take some of that anxiety away.”
Julia Bywater, Bywater News, Dudley
“THIRTY years ago it was di cult to network with suppliers and wholesalers, but I was quite lucky. Being a Premier retailer, Booker was always very accommodating and my con dence grew because of that. Today, there’s also a lot more female suppliers, so that helps, too, but my advice for any young female retailer starting out is to put yourself out there. Retail is all about building relationships.”
Julie Kaur, Jules’ Convenience, Telford
“I HAVE a great relationship with suppliers and wholesalers. A lot of them are now very forward-thinking and I don’t feel I’m treated any di erently than a man. That said, I do make a real e ort to put myself out there, not just for women, but for young people in general coming into the industry. It can be intimidating and seem like a bit of a boy’s club, but I want to be very visible as a young female retailer.”
Sophie Williams, Premier Broadway, Edinburgh
ALEX YAU
Sophie Williams
NEWS
Retailers hit by flying shopli ers
ALICE BROOKER AND HELENA DRAKAKIS
OPPORTUNISTICseagulls have become the latest shoplifters targeting and swooping into unsuspecting convenience stores.
Bipin Chawla, of Late Stop 24 in Bangor, �irst spotted ‘Steven the Seagull’ helping himself to a free a copy of Cambrian News last month. However, instead of trying
to stop the airborne shoplifter, Chawla has been using him to gather more publicity for the store.
Chawla told Retail Express: “Last year, we had a seagull come in and steal croissants. This year, we’ve caught on camera a very con�ident seagull trying to steal a newspaper.
“It’s caused quite a stir on social media since we put it out, and customers have been
talking about it and coming in and asking about it.”
Alex White, of Arkwhites Best Before in Hastings, has also recently fallen victim to a winged thief called ‘Sidney’.
He told Retail Express:
“A seagull came over and jumped on a basket and got a bag of crisps.
“Everyone was videoing him. He pecked through it and managed to get some. The next day he did the same.
“He’s been trying to get toiletries because he doesn’t know if it’s food or not. He comes every day about 11.30am, waits for the street to clear, waddles over and tries to get through the baskets – I’ve had to make things harder for him.
“I’ve banned him – but obviously he isn’t on Facebook because he keeps coming back. I hope he doesn’t tell his mates to come over.”
MORRISONS has not ruled out a potential cash and carry model for retailers.
Speaking at the FWD Live conference in Manchester last month, the supermarket’s director of bulk and international markets, Kaoutar Touihri, said: “Our strategy is to develop the convenience market and franchise model. Cash and carry is something we are looking into.
“We would like to develop our base convenience and wholesale model �irst and then potentially move into cash and carry.”
INPOST is piloting solarpowered parcel lockers in London.
The rm said the lockers can be installed anywhere, while ‘mother machines’ have also been made available.
M’sons cash and carry PO Horizon admission
These mother machines will help recharge the batteries in the solar-powered lockers when there is bad weather.
InPost’s group chief of marketing, Izabela KarolczykSzafrańska, said: “These machines can make our network more accessible to customers.”
FORMER Fujitsu engineer
Gareth Jenkins has admitted he changed crucial court evidence at the request of the Post Of�ice during the Horizon scandal. Jenkins, currently under police investigation, made the admission last month during four days of intense questioning. Under UK law, expert witnesses must provide impartial testimony. Jenkins claimed he was unaware of this responsibility.
Steven the Seagull
closeEntries10 August 2024
Nominate yourself, a member of your team or a fellow retailer who deserves recognition
‘It’s super-meaningful to be recognised for the work that I’ve done in the business – I’m really, really honoured’ Sophie Williams, Broadway Convenience Store, RN 30 Under Thirty class of 2023
To nd out more, visit betterretailing.com/30-under-30, scan the QR code or contact megan.simoes@newtrade.co.uk Entrants must be aged 29 and under on 14 August 2024
McVitie’s strikes Gold
PRIYA KHAIRA
PLADIS has added a Gold variety to its McVitie’s Digestives lineup, pairing the brand’s popular Gold Bars range with its Digestives.
The �irst co-branded Digestives line became available to convenience stores from midJuly in a channel-exclusive £1.99 price-marked pack, following an initial launch in Sainsbury’s on 7 July.
The new variety consists of the classic Digestive biscuit
topped with golden caramel from a Gold bar.
The supplier aims to build on the success of last year's McVitie’s Gold Billions Wafer, which became the numbertwo confectionery line in impulse after its launch.
“McVitie’s Gold Digestives have been created with the latest �lavour trends in mind to unlock another golden sales opportunity for retailers,” said James King, marketing director – McVitie’s, at Pladis UK&I.
New Pot Noodle Chicken Fajita flavour
A CONSUMER vote has ensured that the latest addition to the Pot Noodle portfolio is a Chicken Fajita �lavour. It will be available to convenience from September after an initial run in Asda.
Chicken Fajita won with 48% of the vote, beating Pepperoni Pizza and Full English.
The new �lavour follows its Doner Kebab launch in 2022, which was the brand’s �irst new product voted for by consumers and became the best-performing launch within the pot snack market, selling more than 2.8 million units.
Pot Noodle will
promote Chicken Fajita in Asda stores with sampling, themed displays and online ads. The �lavour will be exclusive to Asda for 12 weeks before hitting other outlets.
RRP: £1.20
“You only have to look at other snacking categories to see the further scope for growth when it comes to the gold �lavour trend. Take gold confectionery [for example],
which continues to grow in popularity.”
Biona unveils multiseed bread range
ORGANIC food supplier Biona is set to launch a pack of six multi-seed bread rolls this month.
The pack contains an assortment of three white pumpkin seed rolls and three brown multigrain rolls.
The added seeds provide a variety of textures and give the bread more protein and �ibre. They are also made
LAUNCH
without any arti�icial additives or preservatives.
Kelly Shaw, senior marketing manager at Biona’s parent company Windmill Organic, said; “This launch is particularly timely with many consumers increasingly concerned about their health.”
RRP: £3.95
Hit your protein goal with Quaker Oats
Quaker Oats is adding to its Protein range with a new Strawberries & Cream variety, as well as expanding its Peanut Butter variety to a new pot format.
The new variety will be available to convenience stores from July, having initially launched in supermarket Morrisons.
Divesh Parmar, Quaker UK general manager at PepsiCo, said: “Demand for hot protein cereals shows no signs of slowing down, growing by over 20% in the
past 12 months.
“While consumers are recognising the importance protein breakfast items play in supporting their overall well-being, we also know that younger shoppers are looking for different �lavours and in particular more dessert �lavours to enjoy.”
RRP: £3.50 (eight-sachet carton), £1.30 (pots)
SWIZZELS has expanded its Marvellous Mallows range with the introduction of a Marvellous Mallows Giant countline, available now.
The new line is launching in the popular Swizzels Drumstick �lavour, Raspberry & Milk.
category is growing by 29%.
Clare Newton, trade marketing manager for Swizzels, said: “Consumers are rediscovering their appreciation for single confectionery items. We’ve responded to this by creating our Mallows countline.”
Mentos launches sharing duo pack
NEW Mentos gum Duo Packs, consisting of two Mentos Pure Fresh rolls in one outer wrap, have been unveiled by Perfetti Van Melle.
The new formats are available in different �lavours, including Fresh Mint, Cherry, Bubble Fresh and Tropical varieties.
Their launch comes as Mentos gum has grown by 19% over the past year to reach £11.6m in value.
The new Duo Packs' outer wrappers are made from the same material as Mentos Pure Fresh’s paperboard
bottles, which are 100% recyclable.
Sarah Du Plessis, senior brand manager at Mentos, said: “Launching during a summer of major marketing investment, Duo Packs will bene�it from Mentos’ £1.5m media gum campaign, including out-of-home, YouTube, PoS, and in�luencer and social media engagement.”
RRP: £1
Its launch comes as the sugar single category is in 12% growth, according to Circana �igures. The mallows
The supplier will support the launch with a socialmedia campaign.
RRP: 50p
KitKat Chunky Double Choc launch
NESTLÉ’S latest KitKat Chunky Crunchy Double Chocolate launch is now widely available across convenience, following a period of exclusivity with Spar. It consists of a chocolate crispy wafer coated in a blend of smooth milk chocolate.
This marked the second Spar-exclusive launch from a Nestlé brand in 2024, following the launch of Aero Strawberry earlier this year.
symbol-group exclusive with Nestlé was another great opportunity to drive footfall to our Spar stores and increase customer engagement.
“Collaborating with Nestlé again on this product launch allowed us to foster strong relationships and opens the door to more future innovative product developments.”
RRP: 75p
PRODUCTS
Kellanova enters UK markets
PRIYA KHAIRA
KELLANOVA is bringing popular US snack brand Cheez-It to the UK this summer.
The brand, which is worth $1bn in the US, is launching on 1 August with the Snap’d snacking range.
It will be available to wholesale and convenience retailers in 65g packs with a £1.25 price-mark, in Double Cheese and Cheese & Chilli varieties.
Other formats include 150g and 120g sharing formats (with an additional Cheese, Sour Cream & Onion variety), and 40g grab bags.
According to the supplier,
cheese �lavours drive 22% of crisp category sales, the highest proportion of any �lavour. In the US, half of all American homes eat Cheez-It snacks, the supplier said at a launch event.
The launch will be supported by an £18m media investment, including TV, outof-home, sampling, social and in�luencer activity. Retailers will also have access to PoS, including FSDUs.
Kellanova UK and Ireland’s managing director, Chris Silcock, said: “When we became Kellanova in October last year, we said we wanted to become a snacking powerhouse, and bringing our US Cheez-It brand to the
Budweiser to distribute San Miguel
AN agreement has been announced between Budweiser Brewing Group UK&I (BBG) and Mahou San Miguel to distribute San Miguel lager in the UK.
This agreement brings the Spanish brewer’s two leading brands under the same distribution banner,
after BBG began distributing Mahou in 2021.
San Miguel will join BBG’s portfolio from 1 January 2025. The supplier will distribute and promote its full range, including San Miguel Especial, San Miguel 0.0 and San Miguel Gluten Free.
Alberto Rodríguez-Toquero, managing director at Mahou San Miguel, said: “This agreement further extends the relationship between our two companies. The UK is an important market for San Miguel and we are con�ident that Budweiser Brewing Group will succeed in ful�illing our ambitious plans for the brand.”
Sample a case of Cadbury Milkshakes
MÜLLER Yogurt & Desserts has partnered with Retail Express to offer 200 retailers the chance to sample its new 250ml single-serve Cadbury Milkshakes.
Cadbury Creamy Chocolate Milkshake and Cadbury Creamy Chocolate Caramel Flavour Milkshake are available now in £1.69 pricemarked packs (PMPs)*.
Each retailer will receive one case containing eight PMP bottles of either Cadbury Creamy Chocolate Milkshake or Cadbury Creamy Chocolate Caramel Flavour Milkshake. Made in the UK using
milk from British farms and Cadbury milk chocolate, the long-lasting ambient recipe provides a three-month shelf life, perfect for busy convenience stores.
UK is demonstrative of this ambition.
“Great taste is the numberone category driver, and we believe by launching a large-scale product that
delivers on taste, we can provide more choice to shoppers, help increase their repertoire, and drive overall category growth.”
Fuel Up sales with Nomadic meal drinks
and have got to crack on.
NOMADIC has added a range of dairy-based complete meal drinks called Fuel Up to its range, launching nationally in Spar stores.
“They’re packed with vitamins and minerals. They’re complete meal drinks that are full of �lavour.”
The range is available in Strawberry and Chocolate varieties.
RRP: £3.50
Each �lavour features 26 vitamins and minerals, as well as 33g of protein.
Walkers gets
WALKERS is catering to customers looking for healthier snacks with the launch of three multipacks from Wotsits and Monster Munch.
The non-HFSS range is made with chickpeas to offer a source of �ibre and contains 25% less salt than the average extruded product.
The range’s 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.
Phoebe Chapman, senior brand manager at Walkers Snacks, said: “We know consumers are on the hunt for smarter snacking options, but they aren’t willing to
‘Yummy With’ snacks
RRP: £2
They are also free from lactose, gluten and added sugar, and are best served chilled, but have an ambient shelf life of eight months.
Michelle Bloom, marketing manager at Nomadic, said:
“These are perfect for people who aren’t vegans and who are hard-pressed for time
Delamere CartoCans to drink on the go
DELAMERE Dairy has unveiled its new CartoCan Flavoured Milk range for its on-the-go customers.
The CartoCan is 100% recyclable, reduces plastic waste and offers a convenient alternative to its 500ml glass bottle format.
Delamere Dairy’s CartoCan range is launching with Strawberry and Chocolate �lavours, with Banana to follow in 2025.
It can be stored at ambient temperatures, but is best served chilled.
The CartoCan also provides a safer alternative for stadium events and childfocused locations, and can be added to lunchboxes.
It contains less than 5%
sugar and no arti�icial sweeteners, �lavourings, colours or preservatives.
According to Circana data, the UK’s �lavoured milk category in the UK is worth an estimated £628m annually.
Wall’s delivers cool new campaign
THIS summer, Coca-Cola and Merlin Entertainments are teaming up for the third year running to offer VIP experiences at top UK attractions in exchange for recycling empty plastic bottles.
new look and increased accessibility, so guests can easily recycle their bottles and enter the VIP competition for a chance to win the prizes.
WALL’S is embarking on its largest-ever marketing push with a £10m investment in a brand campaign.
At Merlin’s venues such as the Alton Towers and Legoland Windsor theme parks, specially designed reverse vending machines will accept 500ml plastic bottles to give people a chance to win prizes such as behind-thescenes tours and VIP circus experiences.
displays at West�ield Stratford and Manchester One. Wall’s sub-brand Cornetto is growing by 15% year on year, while Solero is growing by 27%. Wall’s Kids brands overall are growing at 13.4% in value sales. compromise on taste, with taste remaining the top reason shoppers choose crisps and snacks.”
Four additional machines have been installed across several attractions over the past year.
Departing from promoting individual sub-brands like Twister and Cornetto, this initiative places the red Wall’s heart logo front and centre.
Central to the campaign is Wallie, a personi�ied Wall’s ice cream freezer spreading joy in urban settings during summer.
The initiative began on 1 July and runs to 6 September across 11 attractions nationwide.
The campaign features vending machines with a
Featured products include classics like Cornetto Classico, Twister Zingerrr and Cornetto Soft.
The campaign spans TV, digital, social media, podcasts, radio, PoS and in-store activations, with out-of-home
PRODUCTS
Mars Petcare caters to kittens
PRIYA KHAIRA
THE Sheba Kitten range is the latest addition to Mars Petcare’s portfolio, marking the brand’s �irst venture into kitten-speci�ic meals.
The new range, available in Mixed Selection and Chicken & Salmon varieties, aims to offer a premium yet accessible option.
This move is part of Sheba’s broader brand refresh, designed to maintain consumer interest and encourage the transition to more premium products that meet diverse nutritional and taste needs.
Kittens represent 14% of
the cat population, and with a signi�icant portion of owners not switching their pet’s food after the initial choice, there is an opportunity to drive long-term value through premium offerings.
Sheba has experienced 5% value growth compared with the broader cat wet singleserve segment’s 0.4% growth.
Adelina Bizoi, Mars Petcare’s category & market activation director, said: “The range will recruit shoppers into the Sheba brand as early as possible within their pet’s lifespan. This will increase their chances of remaining loyal shoppers through adulthood as Sheba products
become preferred by their pet, ultimately helping retailers to attract and retain sales long-term.”
The Sheba Kitten range is now available in grocery, wholesale, convenience and specialist pet channels. The launch is supported by a marketing campaign spanning
TV, social media and digital out-of-home platforms.
RRP: £6.87 (12 x 85g multipacks), £18.47 (40 x 85g multipacks)
Dole unveils its rst celeb collaboration
THE Dole Sunshine Company has partnered with TV presenter Angellica Bell on a major consumer campaign highlighting its range of fruit products.
Get access to Sprite and Pringles PoS
SPRITE has teamed up with Pringles Hot to create crosscategory PoS for convenience retailers.
The launch is part of the soft drinks brand’s ongoing ‘Heat Happens’ campaign.
According to Kantar, the hot and spicy snacks category is growing by 9% year on year.
The PoS and assets are meant to emphasise how Sprite’s lemon & lime re-
freshment can complement spicy food.
Retailers can request the in-store materials via CCEP’s trade website.
Kate Abbotson, convenience environment lead at Sprite’s supplier Coca-Cola Europaci�ic Partners GB, said: “Recent research has shown that activating occasion-led messaging at point of purchase can increase sales by up to 32%.”
The partnership sees Bell, best known for The One Show and winning Celebrity MasterChef, becoming the face of the brand’s campaigns, which will run through to spring 2025.
There will be two campaigns highlighting Dole’s Tropical Gold Pineapple and its snack pot ranges.
Alongside the celebrity partnership, Dole will be undertaking a summer sampling programme at events such as Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place Festival, which takes place in both London and Manchester.
There will also be a social media drive where Dole will team up with a café as well as food in�luencers.
Why PayPoint?
PayPoint stands unique in empowering you to offer a vital cash service to your customers and the wider community, meeting the growing need for convenient cash access.
From bill payments to card payments, parcels to ATMs, we provide everything you need to successfully run your store and generate profit all through one integrated card device.
Chupa Chups adds Sour Bites and Tubes
CHUPA Chups is extending its Jellies range with new Sour Bites and Tubes.
The soft jelly sweets cater to the 29% of UK consumers who are eager to try new formats of sour sweets, according to Innova and Mintel data.
Both new varieties are launching in three formats: a 30g single bag, a 120g pricemarked pack (PMP) and a 130g bag.
The supplier said the laces, belts and wands confectionery segment is worth £93m and growing by 18%, while Chupa Chups is currently valued at £17.7m and is in 14% annual growth.
To support the launch, it will build on the success of the brand’s foray into gaming with an original Roblox world, Chupa Chups: Skate & Create.
Lavazza serves new marketing campaign
LAVAZZA has launched a new Wimbledon campaign starring its global brand ambassador, Jannik Sinner.
social media and out-ofhome activations.
Ribena adds limited-edition PMP
The ‘More than a Cup’ campaign celebrates the coffee brand’s 13-year partnership with Wimbledon.
Corn Flakes and Rice Krispies join forces
KELLOGG’S has introduced a new twist to its Rice Krispies Squares by combining them with Corn Flakes.
The new variety merges the chewy marshmallow texture of Rice Krispies Squares with the crunch of Corn Flakes.
Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Squares is the leading snacks brand in the treat segment, according to IRI data, with
2.9 million UK households purchasing them every year.
Sam Harper, snacks activation brand lead, said: “Corn Flakes have always been a much-loved and celebrated part of Kellogg’s history. To combine such a classic cereal product with the UK’s leading treat segment snack brand is exciting.”
RRP: £2.25 (four-pack), £3 (eight-pack)
Lavazza has been an Of�icial Partner of Wimbledon since 2011 and the ‘More than a Cup’ campaign is part of a strategy to activate the partnership across various areas in venues, including the Wimbledon queue, as well as outside, at the Lavazza London �lagship store.
The 30-second ‘More than a Cup’ commercial will be airing on TV as well as video,
A digital marketing campaign will complement this through giveaways, competitions and exclusive promotions.
RIBENA ready-to-drink is getting a price-mark from Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) for a limited time from July to October.
A Wider World of Cider, with Heineken
HEINEKEN UK, the UK’s largest cider maker with a 27.8% market share, has launched a new campaign, ‘Explore A Wider World of Cider’, to boost cider sales this summer.
Running until August, the campaign targets select
convenience stores, grocery outlets and wholesalers with in-store and in-depot promotions.
The UK cider market is worth £1.1bn, and presents signi�icant sales opportunities, according to the supplier.
It will be available across Ribena’s Blackcurrant, Blackcurrant No Added Sugar, Pineapple & Passion Fruit, Strawberry, Very Berry and Mango & Lime varieties.
Aurelie Patterson, head of Ribena at SBF GB&I, said: “At a time when shoppers are continuing to seek value from brands, Ribena’s new price-marked pack is set to meet this need and is a great proposition for retailers and shoppers alike.”
The Ribena brand is currently worth £120m in retail sales, which the supplier hopes to build on with the PMP range. Its no-addedsugar range is also growing annually by more than 38%.
Purity goes green with new caps
PURITY Soft Drinks is introducing attached caps to its entire Juice Burst range, making the packaging 100% recyclable from this month.
this year, this opens up the potential for the UK to bring in similar legislation. We are proud to be ahead of the curve.”
This change aims to improve recycling by ensuring caps are not discarded separately, reducing waste.
VODKA brand Black Cow has launched premium milkcarton-inspired packaging. Distributed by Molson Coors Beverage Company, the recyclable packaging is available in select Co-op outlets and in Nisa stores nationwide.
The design includes recipes such as the brand’s Three-Ingredient Espresso Martini.
Dorset-based Black Cow uses whey protein left over from cheese-making as part of its zero-waste ethos.
Earlier this year, the brand became the secondbiggest premium vodka, according to drinks data provider IWSR.
The brand is supporting the launch with marketing activations at events including BBC Radio One’s Big Weekend, horse racing events and Edinburgh Fringe.
Heineken UK’s portfolio includes Strongbow, Old Mout, Inch’s and Bulmers.
The update also eliminates foil seals, cutting foil packaging waste by 10 tonnes annually.
The updated bottles will be available across convenience, grocery, foodservice and out-of-home channels from this month.
Sarah Baldwin, CEO of Purity Soft Drinks, said: “With the implementation of attached caps becoming mandatory across the EU
A new look for
Fair elds crisps
FRENCH bakery Bridor has partnered with German chocolatier Milka to launch the new Swirl with Milka Chocolate pastry. The all-butter puff pastry swirl offers a combination of Bridor’s Viennese pastry and Milka’s chocolate.
The pastries, weighing 95g, come frozen and bake in 16-18 minutes.
They are available in boxes of 66, with branded, recyclable greaseproof bags designed for takeaway sales.
FAIRFIELDS Farm, known for its hand-cooked crisps, has launched new packaging.
and uses 30% less plastic. It is also recyclable within the soft plastics waste stream.
The fresh design re�lects the brand’s commitment to quality, sustainability and its heritage as an independent business.
Bridor’s consumer research shows that 87% of UK consumers want to try it.
Erwan Inizan, UK sales director at Bridor, said: “We are excited to be bringing the Swirl with Milka Chocolate to the UK following its great success in France.”
The new packaging, now on all products, combines modern aesthetics with Fair�ields Farm’s classic appearance.
“This redesign is not just about aesthetics; it’s about aligning our packaging with our values,” said Robert Strathern, co-founder of Fair�ields Farm.
The new look highlights natural ingredients, ecofriendly practices, and features swallows and reservoirs from the farm. The design also includes clear nutritional information labels.
Committed to the environment, the packaging is from a carbon-neutral supplier
PRODUCTS
Strawberry Sour Patch Kids
SOUR Patch Kids has added a Strawberry variety to its range as it looks to build on strong recent growth.
The new �lavour comes as the brand is growing by 51% annually, outpacing overall category growth.
Jelly-style sweets overindex with younger adult consumers, with more than three-quarters of this demographic eating them at least once a week.
However, the supplier says these shoppers are showing a clear interest in new �lavours.
Sour Patch Kids Strawberry joins the brand’s UK range which also includes Original, Cola, Fruit Mix and 2022 new
product Watermelon.
Available since the start of July, the newest addition is available in 130g bags with an RRP of £1.50 in line with the other �lavours.
Cieran James, brand manager for Sour Patch Kids at Mondelez International, said: “The growth in this category means there is a real opportunity for an established and thriving brand like Sour Patch Kids to drive incremental sales for retailers by bringing insightful innovation to the confectionery �ixture, and our new Strawberry �lavour is set to do just that.
“This is our �irst new �lavour addition in the UK since Watermelon – which generated impressive results.”
Birds Eye enters frozen chips segment
BIRDS Eye is venturing into the chips segment with the launch of its new Crispy Chips.
Available now, Crispy Chips are straight-cut French fries and they build on Birds Eye’s reputation with products like the Original Potato Waf�les.
Chips are the largest segment in the savoury frozen category, with UK households consuming frozen chips twice a week, on average.
Crispy Chips are also part of a new partnership with Hasbro, running from 1 July to 30 September.
Shoppers who buy four
qualifying Birds Eye products can get a free Hasbro game worth up to £39.
The promotion aims to drive footfall into the frozen category and encourage family activities during the summer holidays.
New milkshake from F’real and Rolo
F’REAL, the leading provider of self-serve milkshakes, is partnering with Nestlé’s beloved Rolo brand to launch a brand-new, limited-edition milkshake offering just in time for summer. Available now, this category-bridging �lavour addition will see the merging of a globally recognised, cult confectionery brand with an indulgent blend-ityourself milkshake format, that promises satisfaction from every sip.
With over 23,000 blenders installed worldwide and upwards of 550 million cups sold1, F’real has estab-
lished a strong presence across the convenience channel by tapping into the burgeoning appetite for indulgent treat occasions –a demand that has been further bolstered by the rise of food-to-go missions among younger consumers.
Peroni partners with Charles Leclerc
PERONI Nastro Azzurro
tial activities.
0.0% has announced a partnership with motorsport icon Charles Leclerc.
New Emily In Parisinspired cocktails
QUINTESSENTIAL Brands
has unveiled its new RTD Kir Royale cocktail, Chamère, inspired by the hit Net�lix series Emily In Paris. Chamère is set to debut ahead of the season-four premiere of Emily in Paris on 15 August.
The 10.5% ABV Chamère comes in three sizes: a 250ml can (£4), and 20cl (£7.95) and 75cl (£22) bot-
tles, featuring packaging designed in collaboration with �ilm studio Paramount and Sunhouse Creative agency, capturing the show’s Parisian aesthetic.
Consumer research indicates strong interest in Chamère for social occasions, with more than 60% of UK respondents keen to try it.
As the brand’s �irst global ambassador, Leclerc stars in the new ‘0.0% to 100%’ campaign, celebrating the brand’s ethos: ‘Live every moment’.
The series will showcase Leclerc’s lifestyle offtrack, embracing the Italian ‘dolce vita’.
To launch the ambassadorship, a short �ilm featuring Leclerc’s celebratory dive at Lake Como was released. The campaign, set in Lake Como, Italy, will also feature a social content series and experien-
The campaign supports Asahi’s goal of having 20% of its portfolio as alcohol-free products by 2030.
Actiph Water joins forces with Marvel
THIS summer, Actiph Water is teaming up with Marvel Studios’ Deadpool & Wolverine, set to hit cinemas on 25 July.
To mark the movie’s release, Actiph is launching limited-edition designs on its 600ml and 1l bottles, featuring either Deadpool or Wolverine.
MARS Wrigley is making a big marketing push with the launch of M&M’s Minis.
M&M’s Minis are a permanent part of the core M&M’s lineup, alongside Peanut, Chocolate, Crispy and Salted Caramel varieties.
They are available nationwide in various sizes including: 70g PMP (RRP £1.65), 115g Core Pouch (£2.55), 176g More-To-Share Pouch (£3.45) and 800g Party Pack (£9.60).
Initially introduced in the US, M&M’s Minis are expected to be consumed while watching TV or used in baking and decorating.
The launch of M&M’s Minis is backed by an extensive marketing campaign, includ-
Actiph’s integrated marketing campaign includes digital and out-of-home activations along with a Potters Fields event on 17 July.
Throughout July and August, consumers can win prizes via a competition on its website.
Barnaby Hughes, chief marketing of�icer at Actiph, said the partnership follows
ing the �irst-ever M&M’s London store takeover and platform-native ads playing up the mini size of the product.
UK MANUFACTURED ecofriendly cleaning brand
Astonish has launched The Original, a cleaning paste that pays homage to the brand’s 55-year legacy.
Astonish’s historic cleaning paste product, The Great Household Cleaner, is known as the ‘original solution’ for tough stains.
In a move harking back to its roots, the launch of The Original features a newly devised formula. The Original is already available nationwide.
Priced at £1, The Original is designed for a wide range of cleaning applications in consumer households, including kitchen surfaces, pans and glass doors.
‘The Original’ cleaning paste
PRIYA KHAIRA
on from the success of its collaboration with Thor: Love & Thunder in 2022.
ENJOY RESPONSIBLY
OPINION
RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS What do you think? Call Retail Express on 020 7689 3357 for the chance to be featured
SUMMER: How has the weather affected your sales?
“ WE see a massive difference when the weather is good. Customers come outside and we see much more footfall. When the weather was hot, we saw an increase in sales of soft drinks, beers and slushies. When the sun is shining, people are willing to spend money.”
Andrew Taylor, Taylors Value & Convenience, Hull
“WE see the opposite to many retailers. When the weather’s bad, our sales go up. Customers don’t want to make a 15-minute trip to a supermarket. I notice people doing little-and-often trips with basket spends of £10£15. For that reason, I always make sure I’m fully stocked.”
We see the opposite to many retailers
PRODUCTS: What new lines have seen major demand recently?
I’ve been able to source new
PMPS: Are you seeing more £1 products return to shelves?
“NO I am now stocking £1.25 price-marked packs (PMPs) of all the major confectionery brands. I’m sure if £1 PMPs are returning, the size will be smaller. Customers notice. In a world where goods and services have gone up in price, you get what you pay for.”
Hitesh Pandya, Toni’s Newsagent, Ramsgate, Kent
“IT makes no difference to me what the price of PMPs are so long as I get the right margin. On confectionery, that’s 30%. I’ve not seen any £1 PMPs recently. Customers have been paying £1.25 with no complaints.”
Ferhan Ashiq, Levenhall Village Store, Musselburgh, East Lothian
“I ALWAYS want to stock a good selection of core lines plus keep the customer excited, so I’m always on the lookout for trends. Recently, I’ve been able to source new US candies called Nerds Gummy Clusters, which are really popular in the US. It seems to be going really well.”
Atul Sodha, Londis Harefield, Middlesex
“ WE are doing really with Pepsi Electric. Post-Prime, customers are loving anything weird and wonderful. I’ve decided to promote heavily in the shop rather than online, as the blue bottle is so unique. I have it on my digital screen on my window and in a display on the counter.”
Aman Uppal, One Stop Mount Nod, Coventry
PMPs are there to serve manufacturers
WHOLESALE: Is your supplier giving you good availability?
“BOOKER in my area is good, but there’s some key seasonal items that I’ve experienced problems getting hold of, like strawberries. With Wimbledon on at the moment, I guess everyone wants them. Lucozade has been another problem, but that is a nationwide issue.”
Jason Birks, Moscis Ltd, Sunderland
“I AM now sourcing from three wholesalers because I just can’t get the stock I need in Booker any longer. Lots of products are being delisted in my cash and carry, so I have to travel to two other cash and carries. Having to go beyond my usual wholesaler wastes time.”
Nilesh Patel, Nils Convenience Store, Ilford, east London
Hussan Lal, Park Licensed Grocers, Paisley
‘I’m unsure about support from MPs under new gov’t’
MY store is based in London, which means there’s potentially twice as much support from government. The mayor, Sadiq Khan, is a Labour party member and, of course, the country is now being run by a new Labour government.
It also means Khan cannot make any excuse on providing support for small shops.
He’s got �inancial backing from central government.
My main concern is rising costs related to rent and electricity. How will this be controlled?
There’s a risk I will go out of business if these keep increasing.
Will the money made from the congestion charge also go back to supporting
independent retailers? Personally, I would like to see more investment in the NHS as well, as there are so many vacancies. There needs to be more money to attract staff to the NHS.
In terms of support from local MPs, will they bring anything back to small shops and have responsibility if
any issues come up? I’m not so sure. I have previously invited MPs to my store to discuss important issues such as retail crime and how they can be tackled. However, I’ve heard nothing when I’ve contacted them later to get feedback.
Ravi
Raveendran, Colombo Food & Wine, Hounslow Look
“WE donated £1,000 to Homeless Aid UK and recently had the privilege of volunteering at the Wigan soup kitchen. Witnessing the dedication of the volunteers was truly inspiring. Our donation helped support their e orts, and we
for the easy wins
WE were on a study tour with the ACS in Poland recently and, while I thought they were ahead of us in convenience the last time I was there, I would de nitely say we’ve overtaken the Polish market now. They’re very heavy on fuel, so drinks and food to go, and very little on anything else. The shops didn’t have great PoS, either. That was a lesson – the importance of having vibrant PoS and a good-looking store. They had no store theatre, no music and no air-conditioning. Here in our store, we’re creating an environment that people want to shop in, but I think people can always do more. You can go on Amazon and spend £4.99 on bunting and it doesn’t take much money to tie in a promotion. Retailers should always be looking at new opportunities in their stores. For example, last week, I installed Rollover Hot Dogs. They’re really easy and have a 38% margin. I sell them at £2.99, but I know retailers who can up their price depending on their location to get an even better margin. Our hot dogs don’t breach the £3 mark, they’re nicer than McDonald’s and they have a sausage mu n option for breakfast.
If you haven’t got a massive kitchen to do your own bake-and-go, having these machines can provide an easy win for margins and sales. It’s the same with the slushie machines. It’s so important to look for the easy wins because we’re all seeing how challenging it is out there. I’ve also got ahead of the disposables ban. I’ve still got them on the shelf – just my top ve sellers – because there’s still money to be made, but the rest of that space has gone to rechargeable models. I’m not sure if they’ll be banned as well, but I’m making money at the moment, and it’s cheaper for my customers to go on the re llables. If you take them on that journey with you, you won’t see that dip in sales.
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
Hepesh and Mitesh Halai, Nisa Local Smithy Green, Wigan
The ultimate stocking guide for independent news and convenience retailers!
What to Stock takes an in-depth look at the sales and profit opportunities for stores like yours, alongside category data and trends across convenience retail’s 35 core categories
On sale now! Only £4.99
Distribution and profit opportunities
EPoS data from 3,918 independent retailers analysed
The rapidly climbing products in ‘Ones to Watch’
Weekly sales and profit data
The top profit drivers in each category INCLUDING:
Order your copy from your magazine wholesaler today or contact us on 020 3871 6490
BOOST BEER AND CIDER
CHARLES WHITTING nds out what retailers can do to take their beer and cider o er to the next level
NOT JUST FOR SUMMER
WHILE the summer weather and summer sports lend themselves to selling beer and cider, retailers need to consider their year-round potential to get the most out of these categories. This means paying attention to national trends and the speci c demands and requests of local customers.
“Over the course of the past year, we have noticed a shift in buying habits among adult consumers, where we have seen more people switch from wine to beer, with beer penetration sitting at 60%
across the UK,” says Alexander Wilson, category and commercial strategy director at Heineken UK. “This could be attributed to several reasons, including more people looking for smaller multipacks of cans – formats that o er a perception of better value for money.”
Having a strong range of pack formats and prices, alongside something a little more interesting to catch people’s attention, can have a real bene t to sales once the excitement of summer has worn o .
World beer
“We have noticed more customers, across all demographics, are keen to explore new styles of beer, including a growing interest in world lagers,” says Heineken’s Wilson. “In fact, research has identi ed an opportunity to o er curious drinkers seeking more flavourful and interesting taste pro les, with an accessible premium twist.”
Apple cider
“In cider, Heineken UK has identi ed that apple cider is growing ahead of flavoured cider, with premium options also doing exceptionally well, even in times of economic hardship,” adds Wilson.
Cans
“There is a noticeable shift towards beer in cans, especially craft beer in 440ml formats,” says Jo Theakston, executive director of Black Sheep Brewery. “These cans are easier to handle and have a lower environmental impact than glass, as it requires less wastage in both retail and wholesale channels.”
Chilled
“When a shopper buys cider on impulse, having it chilled and ready to drink are often more important than price. However, promotions still play an important role in communicating value for money that will help to win longer-term customer loyalty,” says Calli O’Brien, head of marketing at Aston Manor Cider.
Food pairing
“Pairing beers and ciders with food is still an under-explored opportunity for retailers to consider when trying to drive incremental sales,” says John Price, head of marketing at King sher Drinks. “People still want to make home meals as authentic as possible, which means matching their beer choice to cuisine.”
•
CATEGORY ADVICE BEER & CIDER
SUPPLIER VIEW
Sally McKinnon, head of marketing, Westons Cider
Promotions and product launches
Guinness Guinness has con rmed its rst-ever global football partnership with the Premier League. With a four-year partnership kicking o in the 2024/25 season, Guinness will become the o cial beer of the Premier League, and Guinness O.O the o cial non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League.
Fuller’s
Fuller’s Brewery has launched Gri n Gold, a golden ale available in 500ml bottles. It has a 3.4% ABV and uses Hallertau Tradition, Cascade and Citra hops.
Vocation
Craft brewer Vocation Brewery recently unveiled a brand refresh that makes use of a bold and vibrant colour palette and illustrations. Its ‘eye’ icon has been reintroduced, which pays homage to the brand’s heritage and looks to the future.
Strongbow
Heineken UK has launched Strongbow Strawberry, which has a 4% ABV. It is currently available exclusively in Tesco Group, including Tesco, Booker and One Stop stores. Strongbow Strawberry comes in 4x440ml cans and 500ml bottle formats.
Frosty Jack’s
Frosty Jack’s has teamed up with the world’s ‘most famous’ Z-list celebrity hands model, Hans Handerson, for a second year running to encourage the nation to ‘Crack Open the Unexpected’. The tongue-in-cheek advert has returned to screens on on-demand channels including Channel 4 and Sky.
SUPPLIER VIEW
Gail Lumsden, chair and chief executive, Vocation Brewery
“WITH apple cider now accounting for almost twothirds (63.3%) of the market and growing 4.7% year on year, cider is evidently returning to its roots with drinkers favouring traditional flavours and styles over sweet, tropical fruits.
“What’s more, with an ongoing squeeze on households’ disposable incomes, showcasing value for money is important, but this isn’t necessarily always about price. This is all about consumers drinking less frequently, but, when they do, choosing higher-quality options.
“Pack sizes tend to be smaller in this channel than in multiple grocery, with singles and four-packs dominating the top 10 most-popular products.
“Like in total cider, in convenience, apple and cra ed ciders are showing robust growth, up 4.1% and 11.1%, respectively.”
“TO create a well-rounded beer o ering throughout the year, retailers should rstly create a base o ering by stocking the big hitters from leading cra brewers. Make sure to back customers’ favourites in the right formats. Then, overlay regional breweries by including beers from regionally relevant breweries.
“Cra beer drinkers o en like to support local brands, and this can help build a connection with the community and cater to local tastes and preferences. Finally, develop a range of specials that cover multiple styles and ABVs to accommodate all customers. Rotate these specials as they sell through or in line with consumer demand and seasonal relevance. If a speci c beer or brewery starts doing well in this section, consider promoting it to a core o ering.”
A CRAFTY OPTION FOR YOUR STORE?
WHILE mainstream brands will make up the core o ering within beer and cider for most stores, if retailers want to create a point of di erence on their shelves, there is a huge variety of options for them to explore. Low- and no-alcohol has been growing from something unusual to something customers will expect to nd.
“Kantar reported that of 34 beer, wine and spirit categories, only seven saw penetration growth in 2023, and of
those leading the growth were low- and no-alcohol (up 1.3%), and craft beer (up 0.2%), which both welcomed new shoppers,” says a spokesperson for BrewDog.
On top of this, the craft market is also driving value growth. While not every retailer will have a craft-driven demographic on their doorstep, a good craft range can serve to create something of a destination point within the store. Christine Hope, from Hopes of
Longtown in Herefordshire, has focused on local products in her store and much of her customer demographic is made up of tourists looking for local and interesting flavours rather than bulk-buying 10-packs.
“We have a perry alongside our ciders, which is very important for a point of di erence,” she says. “We also have rhubarb and elderflower ciders, which are made locally. We don’t sell big packs of beer, it’s singles and four-packs for us.
For beer, we have the majority of the Wye Valley Brewery range, and then beers from local breweries such as Tudor, Lucky 77 and Hobsons. We’ve also got two bottled gluten-free beers and mead from Hive.” Whether retailers look overseas at premium world beers, nationally to award-wining craft brewers or locally to smaller, independent breweries on their doorstep, there are ways to craft a more nuanced and interesting o er.
PAID FEATURE BRAND SPOTLIGHT
A WIDER WORLD OF CIDER FOCUS ON:
As the summer season kicks into gear, HEINEKEN UK is helping convenience retailers tap into the cider opportunity through its wide range of bestselling brands
What to know
CONVENIENCE retailers should start building their range with apple and flavoured ciders – those from well-known brands, such as Strongbow, that consumers trust.
FOR those with more space, it’s recommended that stores venture into the premium segment, and consider o ering Old Mout, which can facilitate a premium trade-up.
PLACING cider in the chiller during summer, and signalling launches with PoS materials, such as shelf banners and posters, can draw customers into the xture.
Strongbow’s position in the total trade in value and volume sales2 No.1
Cider penetration in the UK3 41%
“STRONGBOW is the bestselling cider brand in store, with the 2l and 440ml cans being popular formats. In the summer, cider makes up a large portion of my alcohol sales – more recently, we got Strongbow Strawberry in store, available from Booker, and in just six days it has become the seventh-bestselling cider product. Strongbow Zest has also really kicked o , as has Old Mout Pineapple & Raspberry, both of which are in double gures. Flavours do really drive sales in this segment.”
What’s new in cider?
HEINEKEN UK’s share in the cider category sits at 27.8%1, worth £689m in convenience2, and come summertime, there is ample opportunity for independents to capitalise by stocking Strongbow, Inch’s and Old Mout.
These brands o er customers a range of flavours to explore –ranging from apple to citrus and berry varieties. This is important because cider drinkers are more likely to buy into the category when tempted by innovation.
To celebrate the upcoming summer of cider, Heineken UK is launching its Cider Festival activation, designed to encourage consumers to shop from its range of apple and fruit ciders through a multi-category approach. The activations are aimed at driving visibility and trial with standout execution and sampling in store.
Top products
Strongbow Zest
RRP £2.50 500ml, £6.29 PMP 4x440ml (on promotion)
Old Mout Pineapple & Raspberry 500ml RRP £2.50 (on promotion)
Inch’s 4x440ml RRP £5.79 PMP
WHAT DO HEALTHIER SNACKING SHOPPERS NEED?
CHARLES SMITH reviews healthier snacking trends, what customers are looking for and must-stock lines to drive sales
WHAT HEALTH MISSIONS ARE TRENDING?
THE health segment is growing 3.6% year on year, with 53% of consumers saying they try to eat healthily most of the time, according to Matt Collins, sales director at KP Snacks.
Only 1% stated they never try to eat healthily. As health becomes a priority, it’s become more overwhelming working out what to stock.
“For some, it’s a focus on positive health, like increased protein or bre, whereas for others, it’s a focus on portion control or calorie reduction,” Collins explains.
The current trend and goal for many retailers is driving sales through added protein products, like Grenade.
However, many have also mentioned snacking with added bene ts is gaining traction.
These include products with vitamins and minerals, low sugar or fat-free.
“We’ve also seen nut-based products increase, like cashews,” explains Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Mini Market & Post O ce in Northamptonshire.
“We still stock a main
range that is lower sugar, as that’s what some suppliers have focused on, but we’re
slowly switching our focus towards nuts and naturalbased products.”
SUPPLIER VIEW
Justine de Monès, marketing manager – culinary solutions + GoGo squeez, Bel UK
“AT Bel UK, we believe most shoppers prefer to take a holistic approach to their dietary choices, which means making more conscious product selections most of the time, but also taking taste, convenience and value for money into consideration.
“For many years, shoppers have increasingly chosen products with intrinsic health bene ts – such as the protein and calcium in dairy cheese, or the vitamins and bre of pure fruit and vegetables. They also understand free-from messaging, such as free-from allergens, preservatives and other arti cial ingredients. However, they also demand products that o er value for money.”
THE PROTEIN PHENOMENON
nade and Huel, for example.”
Warrior Protein Crunch Mini
Warrior has introduced a new flavour, White Chocolate Blondie Bar, to its Protein Warrior Crunch Mini range. The flavour contains 10g of milk protein, 1.2g of sugar and has only 123 calories per service. Health attributes: high protein, low sugar and low calorie
Three Robins kids oat-based smoothie
Three Robins has extended its oat milk range, with the launch of two oat milk-based smoothies for three-to-12-year-olds. The smoothies are rich in bre, have no added sugar and include additional veg, such as carrots, parsnips, courgettes and beetroots. Super Berry and Totally Tropical are available now.
Health attributes: no added sugar, added vitamins and minerals, and vegetables
Pip Organic Rainbow Lollies
Pip Organic has unveiled a new look for its Rainbow Lollies. The new look launched into wholesalers in May. Pip Organic Rainbow Lollies are 100% organic and are packed with fruit and veggies, including pineapple, strawberry, mango, spinach and purple carrot. They also contain no added sugars, sweeteners, preservatives, colourings or flavourings. Health attributes: fruit, vegetables, and no added sugar, sweeteners, preservatives, colourings or flavourings
Cadbury Brunch Light
Mondelez has expanded its Cadbury Brunch range with a Light format. The Cadbury Brunch light range is available now in two flavours, Orange and Honey & Oat. Each bar contains fewer than 100 calories. Health attributes: low calorie
HEALTHIER TREATS
IF a consumer decides to start eating more healthily, snacking is usually the rst thing to go, but it can help make a journey more sustainable. As a result, it’s important your healthy snacking range has a ‘treat’ o ering.
“Consumers still desire something that feels indulgent and tastes delicious, so brands that tick all those boxes are well-placed to do so,” says Gareth Roberts, UK country sales manager at Dole Sunshine Company.
This could be packaged or dried fruit, nuts or low-calorie sweet treats (if they are calorie counting). Last year, for example, Dole redesigned
its fruit-in-juice and fruit-injelly range to help standout on shelf and highlight its health credentials of ‘no added sugar’.
Buying decisions fall into two categories, according to Alex Brassil, co-founder of Jnck Bakery: functional and emotional.
“It’s not just about being a convenient source of energy, they also need to bring pleasure to the consumer,” he says. “There is also a difference in what constitutes a healthy snack – younger consumers focus on protein and gut health, whereas older consumers are concerned about sugar and calories.”
PROTEIN products might have started as a trend limited to gym-goers, but they are here to stay, having expanded to a much larger pool of consumers, according to retailers.
“We base our healthy snacking range around customer feedback and a clear trend has been the growth in protein,” Pandya says. “We stock Gre-
One of the reasons for protein’s growth is shoppers are becoming more aware of what they consume. For retailers, their main growth area has been shakes and bars.
Companies have been investing in higher-protein snacking products for several years, but there are plenty of
daily snacking products that contain protein.
“Seventy-eight per cent of British consumers believe snacking should be part of a healthy diet, and cheese is an important source of protein and calcium,” explains Oliver Richmond, senior brand manager, snacks & spreads, The Laughing Cow and Babybel at Bel UK.
UNWRAP THE POWER OF MINTS AND GUMS
Revisit your mints and gums o ering this summer, writes CHARLES SMITH, and turn their impulse potential into pro t
THE MINTS AND GUMS OPPORTUNITY
MINTS and gums are a big chunk of the confectionery people buy on impulse sales in convenience stores. Chewing gum is four times more impulsive than other impulse categories, according to Kenton Burchell, trading director at Bestway Wholesale.
More than a third (37%) of the population chew gum regularly, and nearly half the buyers are under 25, but there’s a wider opportunity to win consumers of all ages.
Three key shopper missions
are driving mints and gums purchases, according to Mark Roberts, Perfetti Van Melle’s (PVM) marketing and trade marketing director: on-the-go, refreshment and indulgence.
Peppermint, spearmint and bubblegum are the top gum flavours, but more than twofths of under-25s chew fruitflavour gum at home.
Burchell says a prominent gum display can generate £2,000 a year, but much depends on your location. Ravi Raveendran, at Colombo Food
& Wine in Hounslow, west London, says: “In our old shop near the station, people came in on their way to London, and we sold more. These days, however, we have a countertop display unit by the till, and people often buy mints and gums to top up their card purchases to the minimum we accept, which boosts sales.”
Consumers are also migrating from singles to larger packs and multibuys.
Amy Sohal, at Ken’s Convenience Store in Winsford,
Cheshire, says: “Our big sellers are bottles and 10-packs of chewing gum, and Polos in four-packs. Bottles of gum sell more than 10-packs, because they’re more convenient once opened,” she says. This upsizing is pushing up the average unit price of mints and gums purchases is good news for retailers. In a recent example, Wrigley’s Extra Peppermint, Spearmint and Cool Breeze 46-piece bottle £2.25 price-marked packs (PMPs) gave a 30% cash margin.
SUGAR-FREE, FRUIT FLAVOURS, SUSTAINABILITY AND FUNCTION
RETAILERS should grab shoppers’ attention by o ering more choice. Sugar-free alternatives address health concerns, which are a priority for confectionery buyers.
With fewer than 150 calories per pack, PVM’s Smint and Mentos Gum meet HFSS guidelines and enable shoppers to treat themselves guilt-free.
what’s new in mints and gumS
of fruity-gum shoppers don’t buy other gums, and 70% of ‘fruity’ sales are new to the gum category. The fruit-gum segment is worth £33m, 26% up on last year, says PVM’s Mark Roberts.
Discarded gum is a pavement pest, but sustainable packaging is increasingly part of gum products’ propositions.
aging,” says Amy Sohal, “but they’d go with gum bottles switching to paper.”
Following Chupa Chups lollipops changing to paper sticks, saving 5,000 tonnes of plastic globally by 2027, Mentos Pure Fresh Gum’s new 90% paper bottle is targeted to cut the plastic in Mentos Gum’s packaging by 93%.
and gums, addressing the growing demand for immunityenhancing products.
Mars Wrigley’s new Extra Sugarfree Watermelon chewing gum is available in 65p single packs and £2.75 tubs.
Chupa Chups Big Babol Magic Cubes is tutti-frutti bubblegum that changes colour and comes in packaging with bold graphics. The Big Babol range is growing 23% annually, ahead of the bubblegum category’s 10%. It has an RRP of £1.
Mentos Duo Packs for Pure Fresh gum are two Mentos Pure Fresh rolls in a single wrap. They have an RRP of £1 and come in Fresh Mint, Cherry, Bubble Fresh and Tropical flavours.
Specialist sales operation SoSweet Direct launched in May, o ering international confectionery brands, including US bubblegum, and runs regular promotions backed by merchandising support.
HOW TO GROW YOUR SALES
TO grow sales, Avtar Sidhu, at St John’s Budgens in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, says retailers should talk to suppliers and check wholesalers for their latest o ers.
“PVM, Mondelez and Mars Wrigley all call on local retailers,” he says. “Mints and gums might not be their biggest focus in the visit, but they all look at this area of the store.
“Use their assets, including their market knowledge, and their merchandising materials and free equipment.”
Stores in high-transit locations, such as train stations, should have their mints and gums by checkouts.
In larger stores, retailers should revisit mints and look at their frequency of purchase, and consider dual siting with the other confectionery in a dedicated xture.
Know your shoppers, and talk to them about what they would like to see in your store.
One suggestion for retailers is to tap into the popularity of US confectionery, by offering a selection of US-style mints and gums from specialist importers and distributors. Alternatively, o er vitamin-enhanced gums to win shoppers with higher-thanaverage disposable incomes, looking for health, well-being and nutrition.
It’s tough pushing an established category like mints and gums to a new level, so o er something di erent to capture the imagination and bring people in.
“Promoting new products on social media is always good, but elevating a store visit into an experience is even better,” says Sidhu.
Fruity gum is the fastestgrowing gum segment. A third
“My shoppers aren’t really fussed about sustainable pack-
Retailers should also stand by for more functional mints
Of the current options, Mentos Citrus Vitamin Gum contains 25% of recommended daily vitamins B6, C and B12, and Smint Defensive has vitamin C and B6, and zinc. Gums with vitamins might sound like a stretch, but the category hasn’t had many launches recently, so it’s something new to stock.
supplier tips
Get the range and merchandising right
Mark Roberts, marketing & trade marketing director, Perfetti Van Melle
Site mints and gums on countertops at arm’s reach from the main till point. In larger stores, consider secondary siting mints with other confectionery.
Stock a variety of flavours, textures and formats in the leading brands to o er choice.
Include sugar-free products to please healthconscious consumers and parents. Most mints and gums are sugar-free, but check with reps to be sure.
Add signage and PoS to xtures to build visibility. Use front-of-store PoS at eye-level to capture attention.
Talk to suppliers’ reps about deals to advertise at the till.
ADVICE
GETTING ON TOP OF YOUR FINANCES
Sarj Patel, Pasture Lane Stores, Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire
“MY advice is always to not spend or borrow too much. You don’t want to be cash-strapped in this business. It’s far better to just work out what you need and then get it when you need it. You can get carried away very easily, buying lots of stock when they’re on offer or have especially low prices. But the prices are always going up and down, and those low prices will come back round again. So, if you don’t get enough this time, you’ll have another chance.
“When it comes to buying too much stock, it’s seasonal stuff that’s most risky – we’ve not had a proper summer yet, for example – but it can be anything. And if you’ve bought a lot, it’s sat in your store room, which is cash you can’t use any more. And if it doesn’t work, then you’re stuck with it and then you’ll have to reduce it to sell it. Maybe buy �ive extra packs, but don’t go overboard and buy 30.”
Andrew Newton, Nisa Colley Gate, Halesowen, West Midlands
“I’VE always taken the view that I haven’t got time to look at my bookkeeping, so I just ship it out. There are lots of competitive people out there who will handle your accounts and it’s best to leave it to them as much as you can. We’ve got enough problems and things to think about trying to run a store.
“A lot of retailers do it themselves, but a lot farm it out. It depends on what kind of shop they’re running and how much time they have. I’ve been with the same bookkeeper and wages clerk since I started. They were recommended to me by other people. That’s the best way to choose one. We speak to the wages clerk every week.
“It’s important to keep in contact with them, but it doesn’t have to be too regular or take too much of your time. We talk to our accountant and our VAT expert every quarter. We’ve not had any issues at all doing it this way.”
Kopi Kalanathan, Budgens Carcroft, Doncaster, South Yorkshire 3
The RETAIL EXPRESS team nds out what retailers can do to better manage the nancial side of their businesses In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out how retailers are increasing footfall into their stores. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please
“WE can’t do everything ourselves if we want to focus on the store. Ultimately, not every retailer has that kind of knowledge. I certainly don’t have those quali�ications. So, in terms of taxes, VAT returns and payroll, we divide that up and get professionals to do it for us, either internally or externally. With multiple stores, it’s so important to have an external accountant.
“We do all our own bookkeeping �irst, gather all the invoices and then we send all our work over to the accountant to be �iled every quarter. It’s the same approach with payroll – we gather all the hours and then forward them to our HR department. Using an accountant also means you don’t miss any deadlines. They take care of all of that. Sometimes you might think you can save money by doing it yourself, but by paying them you have more time to concentrate on the shop and you can make even more money that way.”
I don’t get too involved in the nancial side of things, but there is lots retailers can do. What are their top tips? – David Wyatt, Bargain Booze Gatwick, West Sussex
