Retail Express - 22 August 2023

• Five independent retailers break the taboo and speak out about the physical and mental toll of life behind the counter

• Ill health and hitting rock bottom: how they took back control of their lives

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Alex Yau, acting editor

FOR the rst 18 years of my life, my parents ran a sh and chip shop in a village outside of Doncaster.

We lived in a flat above the takeaway and the hours they worked were long, o en 14-hour shi s, six days a week. Although it wasn’t a newsagent, this lifestyle reflects what many of you experience running a small shop.

It also means I’ve witnessed rst-hand the physical and mental toll that running a business to support your family can take. Those of you who follow me on social media will o en see me post videos of my weightli ing hobby. Although I am passionate about my job, I also value the importance of stepping away to look a er my well-being, which weightli ing provides an outlet for.

The topic of mental and physical well-being has also come up increasingly in my conversations with retailers at industry events. Some of you have taken up sports such as cycling, swimming or powerli ing, while others have turned to daily meditation as their escape.

THESE CHANGES HAVE BENEFITED THEIR JOBS AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Our cover story on page 3 goes even deeper, with retailers giving honest accounts of how they’ve prioritised their well-being a er major illness or particularly low moments in their lives. They speak candidly about how these changes have positively impacted not just their lives as retailers, but personal relationships.

If you’ve felt like you’ve recently been stuck in a physical or mental rut, the advice these retailers provide might help you get moving again.

@retailexpress

Retailer caught in social media shoplifting incident

A NEWSAGENT was �ilmed �ighting off potential shoplifters on social media, on the same day videos promoting a “mass shoplifting” event on London’s Oxford Street went viral on TikTok.

Social media footage reposted by the BBC this month showed a staff member from Dodo Food & Wine in Soho, Central London, attempting

to �ight off a gang of youths causing trouble outside the store. Retail Express understands staff successfully prevented any issues and the Metropolitan Police were vigilant in speaking to the store’s owner to track down the offenders.

The footage, which has since been deleted, was posted on social media around the same time as TikTok posts encouraging other users to take

part in a mass shoplifting event at nearby Oxford Street on 9 August. Videos showed gangs charging through the busy shopping street, sparking fears of looting.

Police clashed with youths as several arrests were made on the day, with businesses on the street being forced

Wilko collapse Slush

THE collapse of Wilko could offer independent retailers an opportunity to boost confectionery and general merchandise sales.

The �irm went into administration this month, with 400 stores facing closure. In-

dependent retailer John Parkinson told Retail Express any store nearby an affected Wilko would bene�it from new customers. “One of the things Wilko did was pick’n’mix, and there is potential to make a bit of headway,” he said.

Investment drop

RETAILERS taking out equipment leases and loans from 2024 could be hit by high interest rates.

Several �irms that provide leasing and �inancing

to close.

Last month, a video of social media prankster Mizzy wrecking a newsagent in London went viral. Although the video turned out to be a hoax, the popularity of the post sparked fears it would encourage copycat incidents in other shops.

machine re

A SLUSH machine used by convenience stores was alleged to have ignited a �ire, causing millions of pounds worth of damage to �irms.

Court records allege a Slush Puppie-branded machine, made by CAB Spa and

supplied by Tango Ice Blast parent company Frozen Brothers, started a blaze at Regent Superbowl in Great Yarmouth in 2016. More than 30 nearby businesses were impacted. Frozen Brothers and CAB Spa deny the claims.

05

Wholesale the s

A RETAILER has hit out at Costco for not protecting him when he had £5,000-worth of tobacco stolen at its Watford site.

Nilesh Patel said he was accompanied by staff to load

stock into his car on 3 August, when men came out of a black Mitsubishi SUV and took the cigarettes from his vehicle. Thefts were also reported at Costco sites in Farnborough and Hayes this month.

Cover image: Getty Images / Natalya Bosyak

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Wilko’

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Frozen Brothers’

Credit: Mr Julian

Credit: Sky News/Google

Retailers ght back against the strain of shop life

RETAILERS who overcame physical and mental lows have urged fellow store owners to stop long working hours and take care of their health before it’s too late.

Sharing their personal experiences with Retail Express, �ive store owners outlined how illness and hitting rock bottom had forced them to turn their lives around.

Anita Nye, of Premier Eldred Drive Stores in Orpington, south-east London, suffered a cancer scare earlier this year.

She said: “The experience scared the life out of me. I immediately thought of death and everything I should have done in life. It affected my husband, too.

“I was eventually given the all-clear, but it was a wake-up call. Now I’ll do something if I want to, as long as the shop is covered. On Tuesdays, I’ll go for breakfast and a walk with friends.

“I’m still passionate about retail, but I think more about my health now. You need to learn to delegate. Something will happen when you’re not there, but the business will still be around the next day.”

Spar retailer Susan Connolly similarly had to learn to trust her staff more after being diagnosed with a brain illness and rare disorder affecting balance �ive years ago.

GOOD WEEK

CONFECTIONERY: Hancocks has refreshed depots in Bristol and Loughborough to make it easier for retailers to nd products, with more sites to potentially follow. Other changes include new signage at the entrance to help retailers identify depot managers, as well as bells to notify till sta when retailers are ready to check out.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Hancocks’

ALCOHOL: AB Inbev has nearly 180 convenience stores selling its Perfect Draft mini kegs, as it looks to expand the service further. A source close to the company con rmed the supplier was looking to recruit stores in batches.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Perfect Draft’

BAD WEEK

She said: “I have good days, but also bad days where I can’t move and feel sick. I lose balance and have double vision.

“I’ve learned to delegate to staff more and trust them. They do a good job. Previously, I would delegate, but then I’d change what they did. Now, I’m in the shop less, just four days a week for fewer hours.”

Multi-site One Stop retailerDee Sedani has experienced his share of long shop hours in his 25 years as a retailer. Like Nye and Connolly, illness forced him to change his approach.

“I needed to take a break,” he told Retail Express. “I’m 51 years old and I used to be able to lift 10 cases, but can only carry one now. I spend a couple of hours in one store a day, and taking my dog out is my escape. I went

express yourself

“WE have a good team and everyone knows their responsibilities. They work well as a team, and it’s taken me quite some time to get to this point. I believe in recruiting well, not recruiting quickly. It makes sense as the person you want to hire should understand the value of the business. Making the customer number one is the most important element of my business. I’m very thankful my sta know these values.”

Atul Sodha, Londis Hare eld, Uxbridge, west London

to Singapore this year, and I’m going on a cruise soon.

“There are processes in place. Staff let me know of any issues and we go through them before I leave. If you don’t slow down, your body won’t allow you to do certain things.”

Meanwhile, Londis retailer Raaj Chandarana wasn’t forced to change his lifestyle through illness, but from a divorce several years ago. He told Retail Express: “I was in bed last year and realised I hadn’t left the house or spoken to anyone for three days. I didn’t recognise the bloke staring back at me. What happened to him, where did it all go wrong?

“To the world I presented a family man, pillar of my community, a giver, a ‘yes’ man. Really, I was quietly suffering deep down.”

the column where you can make your voice heard

Motivated to turn his life around, Chandarana hired a personal trainer and overhauled his diet, leading to a 25kg weight loss.

The change hasn’t just been physical, as both business and personal relationships have bene�itted.

He said: “I can authentically be the best father to my daughter. While I’m nowhere near perfect, at least I can lead by example. She’s the one who ultimately bene�its as well as others around me. I also want to be the best son, entrepreneur, friend and even the best exhusband.”

Chandarana said other retailers don’t need to hire a personal trainer to see health bene�its, and simple steps such as limiting store hours, regular walks outside and staying hydrated can have a big impact.

Similarly, Aman Uppal, , of One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry, joined a boxing gym at the start of the year after becoming more conscious of his health.

He said: “I go to different events and manage my store by building relationships, but don’t spend much time being active on the shop �loor.

“I decided to go on a twomonth body transformation course at a boxing gym run by a customer. It improved my diet and provided a support group. I’ve undertaken several charity events. I felt healthier, gained more energy and lost nearly 13kg. I’ve become bolder when running the shop and feel more productive.

“I was inspired to go on this journey by other retailers and I encourage others to do the same.”

Are you having issues nding and retaining sta ?

“AT the moment, we’re having more turnover than usual, a lot higher than we have ever had in 25 years. This is for several reasons as we don’t have many people usually leave. Two have gone back to university and another has gone o to have a baby. It can be tough to nd the right sta as many just treat it as a minimum-wage job. There’s much more to it.”

Bay Bashir, Go Local Extra Belle Vue Convenience, Middlesbrough

“WE were, but fortunately we have just become fully sta ed. The past three years was a struggle to recruit quality sta , but this year we’ve managed to nd three employees who are brilliant. We advertised through word of mouth and Facebook. Being fully sta ed is amazing for us and helps the shop. There are a lot of people in the area who are willing to work.”

Fiona Malone, Tenby Stores & Post O ce, Pembrokeshire

Do you have an issue to discuss with other retailers? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk

MARS: The supplier has conrmed retailers were temporarily unable to order Mars readyto-drink milkshakes due to quality concerns. A spokesperson said: “The issue posed no consumer food health or safety risk, but we took the decision to remove the a ected stock from sale and suspend production, which is now running again, to fully resolve the issue.”

PAYMENTS: Retailers could face increased leasing fees for card terminals because of new regulations. This year, the Payment Services Regulator capped the length of contract on terminal hire to 18 months. However, one nancial expert told Retail Express the monthly hire cost could increase to make up for the shorter term.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘payments’

ALEX YAU

Fiona Malone

Aman Uppal: before/a er Raaj Chandarana: before/a er

PO and PayPoint vie for DVLA deal

POST Office (PO) and PayPoint are fighting to win a contract to issue international driving permits in their stores.

Last month, the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) closed applications for a new over-the-counter provider of international driving permits to UK and Northern Ireland driving licence holders. It

expects the new contract to commence on 1 April 2024 for three years, with the holder to issue between 200,000 to 300,000 permits annually.

PO currently holds the existing contract to provide DVLA services in branches until March next year. The firm notably had this contract extended by 12 months, following fears the service would be scrapped after it accused the DVLA of not agreeing to provide “fair”

remuneration”.

Both PayPoint and PO confirmed to Retail Express they had entered the tender process.

PayPoint chief executive

Nick Wiles said: “It’s much more appropriate for the DVLA to talk about what their plans are. We were delighted to be part of that tender and we hope the DVLA would like to work with us. We think we’re really innovative partners and

we brought some interesting ideas to the conversation.”

A PO spokesperson added: “We currently hold the contract to provide International Driving Permits over the counter up to March 2024 and were pleased to take part in a Market Engagement Event on 27 July for the contract post- March.

“We are continuing to engage with the procurement process.”

Vaping loophole

DISPOSABLE vape brands are flaunting loopholes in vaping law by using new designs to offer more than 600 puffs while staying under the 2ml eliquid per tank legal limit.

Recent products from firms such as IVG and Happy Vibes

use four tanks to stay within restrictions and claim to be compliant with trading standards and regulators. The new devices have caused confusion among many independent retailers previously warned to avoid higher-puff devices.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘vaping’

BOOKER DEPOT IMPROVEMENT

BOOKER plans to switch a cash and carry in Hampshire to a delivery hub for retailers across south-east England.

Makro Fareham will be converted into a distribution centre, with capacity to deliver 220,000 cases to symbol and unaffiliated retailers each week.

Booker recruitment and attraction partner Dylan Crooks said: “Our new loca-

tion will enable faster deliveries across the south-east of England.”

Fireworks opportunity

INDEPENDENT retailers can boost sales this year with smaller firework selection boxes ahead of Bonfire Night.

Rish Datta, sales director at fireworks supplier Vikas Buying Group, told Retail

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Booker’ For

Express: “The public might have less money to spend due to the cost-of-living crisis, but they’ll still want to enjoy Bonfire Night. There’ll be more demand for selection boxes with five smaller fireworks in them.”

ALEX YAU

PRODUCTS

Mondelez unveils Xmas range

JASPER HART

MONDELEZ International’s 2023 Christmas range includes eight new lines from Cadbury and Toblerone.

These are: Cadbury Mini Snowballs Family Pack (RRP £4.50), Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar 340g (RRP £10), Cadbury Chunk Collection (£6), Cadbury Buttons Selection Box (RRP £6.50), Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Orange Crisp (RRP £3.50), Cadbury Dairy Milk Coins (RRP £1.99), Cadbury Dairy Milk Money Box Tin (RRP £6) and Toblerone Truf�les (RRP £6.09).

With shoppers continuing to start Christmas shopping earlier in the year, the

supplier recommends that convenience retailers start their seasonal sales from September.

Retailers should tap into the ‘big night in’ occasion at this point, as shoppers will begin to favour sharing formats, multipacks and tablets. The supplier said this is a good time to start stocking products such as Roses, Heroes and Dairy Milk tablets.

In October, ‘seasonal indulgence’ comes to the forefront of shoppers’ minds, so retailers should focus on stocking sharing novelties such as the Cadbury Mini Snowballs Family Pack, and more ‘indulgent’ self-eat lines such as Cadbury Puds, which also

Urban Eat’s ‘microsnacking’ range

URBAN Eat has added to its portfolio with a heat-to-eat ‘micro-snacking’ range.

The sandwich brand’s expansion includes lunchtime �lavours available in Mexican Beef Burrito, Curried Chickpea Wrap, Three Cheese Panini, Cheese & Ham Panini, Spicy Chicken Panini and Tex Mex Chicken Panini varieties. There are also breakfast options available including a Sausage Bap and Bacon Roll.

Wayne Greensmith, head of marketing at Urban Eat, said: “We’ve designed the range to provide our customer channels with options that will not only tempt consumers’ tastebuds, but also provide a hot food option for sites that operate 24 hours.”

The launch is supported with in-store PoS, including barkers and branded SRPs for easy merchandising and restocking.

McGuigan launches Gold Label range

AUSTRALIAN Vintage has expanded its McGuigan wine brand with the launch of the premium Gold Label range.

The supplier says the new range combines accessibility and premium quality for shoppers looking to trade up for at-home consumption.

It is available in Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc varieties, launching initially in Sainsbury’s each at an RRP of £10. The supplier said it is planning to list the range with wholesalers and symbol groups.

According to research from Wine Intelligence, the share of spend of premium wines priced from £8 to £10 is growing among 35-to-55-year-olds.

come in a multipack. By November, consumers begin to prepare for the busy months ahead by stocking up on Christmas essentials, such as the Dairy Milk Advent Calendar.

Walkers partners with Pizza Hut

Finally, December gives retailers the opportunity to tap into the gifting and sharing category, with consumers spending lots of time with friends and family.

Panini gears up for new season

PANINI has relaunched its Adrenalyn XL trading card game in association with the Premier League ahead of the 2023/24 football season.

The collection has undergone a full redesign, featuring categories, new materials and real autographs. Additionally, the game’s Golden Baller cards have a new material and �inish to increase desirability for collectors.

The supplier will send PoS packs, including a branded envelope, window poster and shelf talker, to independents. Retailers are encouraged to email rsmith@panini.co.uk for more information.

Other marketing will take place through national newspaper campaigns with

voucher redemptions, and a digital advertising campaign across YouTube, video on demand and TikTok.

WALKERS Max has partnered with restaurant chain Pizza Hut to launch two non-HFSS crisp varieties – Pepperoni Feast and Texan BBQ.

Both varieties are available now in 50g single bags (RRP £1), 70g £1.25 price-marked packs and 140g sharing bags (RRP £2.50).

Pepperoni Feast is also available in a 5x27g multipack with a £2 RRP. Both varieties feature a new pack design which will roll out across the wider Walkers Max range from the end of August.

The new design features chevron patterns to catch shoppers’ eyes, as well as

visual cues to highlight the range’s taste, spiciness and intensity.

The duo’s launch comes as the supplier tries to tap into the growing demand for pizza �lavours within savoury snacking, as well as Gen Z consumers looking for more intense �lavours.

Golden Wonder expands PMP range

BOBBY’S has added a 65p price-marked pack (PMP) version of the Golden Wonder Ringos snack range to its offering and launched a retailer competition to mark 50 years of Ringos.

The new format is available in Ringos’ Cheese & Onion and Salt & Vinegar varieties. According to the supplier, PMPs now account for 75% of snacking sales in symbols and independents, while 96% of convenience store retailers agree they are as or more important than ever.

Additionally, Ringos have a 73% brand awareness in convenience.

To mark 50 years of Ringos, Bobby’s launched

Heineken renews ITV soap opera tie-up

“We are seeing a growing trend for premium wines, particularly trade-ups with brands consumers trust,” said Oliver Hoey, brand manager at McGuigan Wines.

HEINEKEN and ITV have renewed their product placement partnership that sees Heineken 0.0 feature in soaps Emmerdale and Coronation Street.

The renewed deal means Heineken 0.0 Draught will feature in Emmerdale’s Woolpack and Coronation Street’s Rover’s Return pubs for at least the next 18 months. This includes characters in the shows ordering a “pint of zero”.

Data from market research company Savanta showed that 75% of Coronation Street viewers and 77% of Emmerdale viewers agree with the statement that “drinking low- and noalcohol beer in pubs is

becoming more and more normal”. In addition, 62% of viewers aware of the product placement said they wanted to �ind out more about Heineken 0.0.

a competition offering 10 retailers the chance to win a £50 Amazon vouchers by buying a case of the new packs from their Bobby’s rep.

Scots get Irn-Bru energy range

AG BARR has unveiled PwrBru, a new range of energy drinks from Irn-Bru, available exclusively in Scotland.

Pwr-Bru will be available to Scottish retailers from 28 August in four varieties – Origin Original, Diablo Cherry, Maverick Berry and Dropkick Tropical.

It is launching in 500ml cans as the supplier looks to take a share of the growing big-can energy segment. They are available in £1.19 pricemarked packs) and plain packs, with

an RRP of £1.40. The supplier will support the launch with a £3m investment involving social media, in�luencers, sampling and outdoor marketing. A �ield sales drive will also offer retailers PoS to create in-store excitement.

PRODUCTS

Capri-Sun takes sales in house

JASPER HART

CAPRI-SUN Holding AG has announced it will take back distribution of its pouch drinks brand in several European territories including Great Britain next year, bringing an end to its sales and distribution agreement with Coca-Cola Europaci�ic Partners (CCEP).

The supplier says the decision was taken jointly, and follows the taking of its sales and distribution back in-house in Switzerland, Austria, the Middle East, China and Poland in the past �ive years.

This is part of a “go direct” strategy to be closer

to its trade customers and consumers, accelerate brand growth and invest in sustainability.

“CCEP has been a terri�ic partner for more than a decade, and we are grateful for the successful cooperation over the years,” said Roland Weening, CEO of Capri-Sun Holding AG. “We have concluded on both sides that the future needs both companies to focus on their own brands.”

Weening added that Capri-Sun planned to launch recyclable pouches and more low-sugar products. It has recruited 70 new employees and will invest €42m to aid with the transition, which will begin in March 2024.

Lindt launches Choco Wafer range

LINDT has launched a Choco Wafer range, which is rolling out to convenience stores throughout August and September.

The range is available in three different Milk Hazelnut pack sizes. Retailers can stock a 135g Milk Hazelnut Box, which contains nine individually wrapped milk chocolate hazelnut wafers, at an RRP of £5.50. These contain cocoa powder and gianduja cream.

Milk Hazelnut is also available in a 30g countline bar containing two wafers to offer shoppers “permissible indulgence”. It comes in a plain pack with a £1 RRP and a 95p price-marked pack (PMP).

Chivas Regal partners with rapper

Lindt has also launched a 138g Choco Wafer Assorted Box, which contains a mixture of 10 individually wrapped Dark, Milk Chocolate and Milk Chocolate Hazelnut pieces, at an RRP of £5.50.

Quality Street flavours collide

NESTLÉ Confectionery

has added a new Quality Street variety to its sharing bar range.

The 235g Quality Street Collisions bar is the third addition to the Quality Street sharing bar range, and the �irst “collision” of two �lavours.

It combines The Green Triangle and The Purple One, two traditional Quality Street �lavours, together into a caramel and hazelnut sharing bar.

The bar is available exclusively in Asda at an RRP of £2.50, but will roll out to supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide later this month.

Samantha Hirst, brand

Juice Burst launches Peach Ice Tea

PURITY Soft Drinks has expanded its Juice Burst range with the launch of a Peach Ice Tea variety. The new format is available now in a 330ml bottle at an RRP of £1.29.

Its launch comes as Purity Soft Drinks has become the fastest-growing top 20 soft drinks manufacturer by volume, and has witnessed year-on-year value growth of 33.4%, according to IRI data.

Additionally, the non-HFSS Juice Burst Peach Ice Tea contains more juice than any other line in the tea�lavoured juice market, which is currently growing ahead of the total soft drinks

category annually.

Juice Burst’s Apple and Orange varieties are also the second- and fourth-largest drink-now fruit juice lines, respectively.

Dead Man’s Fingers expands liqueurs

PERNOD Ricard UK has launched a limited-edition bottle of Chivas 12 Scotch in collaboration with rapper Stef�lon Don, as part of its ‘I rise, we rise’ campaign.

Inspired by the rapper’s debut album, Island 54, the bottle (RRP £32.80) updates Chivas 12’s design with a tropical style re�lecting the album’s island theme, includ-

ing palm trees and splashes of blue and hot pink.

Stef�lon Don’s signature will also adorn the bottle in a neon font.

It is the latest in a series of collaborations between Pernod Ricard and popular musicians, following limitededition Havana Club bottles made in partnership with Skepta and Burna Boy.

Vanquish loo Bloos with new range

manager for Quality Street at Nestlé UK & Ireland, said: “We’re sure that Quality Street fans will love the fact that two favourites have been brought together to make a triple-layered treat that’s perfect for gifting or sharing with family and friends.”

HOMECARE manufacturer Henkel is expanding its Bloo toilet gel range with the launch of Spa Moments rim blocks.

The new range will be available to convenience stores in October, following an initial launch in Home Bargains and B&M from 21 August.

It comes in Harmony and Vitality varieties, each at an RRP of £2.80. The supplier says they provide a 30-day scent, and also provide a toilet-cleaning function with anti-limescale and dirt protection.

Rebecca Bland, spokesperson at Bloo, said: “We want to transform toilets into mini home spas across the nation

with carefully crafted scents that help to bring a sense of calm and tranquillity.”

HALEWOOD Artisanal Spirits is continuing the expansion of its Dead Man’s Fingers cream liqueur range with the launch of two tequila-based varieties, Black Cherry and Blue Raspberry.

The two new launches (both 15% ABV) are available in 50cl, 70cl and 1l bottles, with respective RRPs of £13, £15 and £18.50.

The supplier recommends serving them in shots, over ice or as a “hard shake”.

Poppy Williams, marketing manager at Halewood, said: “Cream liqueurs and tequila are both categories that are experiencing strong value growth. Our existing Mango and Strawberry Tequila Cream Liqueur fusions

have already performed well in the market, so we’re con�ident there’s a signi�icant sales opportunity for our Black Cherry and Blue Raspberry additions.”

Oat ‘m!lk’ bars for Christmas

DAIRY-FREE chocolate brand Happi has unveiled two festive-themed oat ‘m!lk’ bars.

The 80g Candy Cane and Gingerbread bars will launch on 1 September and have an RRP of £2.95.

They are available to independent retailers from Happi’s own wholesale site, Hancocks, Diverse Fine Food, Jenbray Foods, Suma, Faire and Ankorstore.

“Quite often we �ind that festive-themed �lavours are aimed at those following standard diets, so we wanted to create two new bars that could be enjoyed more widely,”

said Gavin Cox, founder of Happi. “These �lavours are seasonal favourites, so we expect them to prove particularly popular.”

KP

adds top-selling Flavour Kravers line to £1.25 PMP range

KP Snacks is expanding its nuts price-marked pack (PMP) range with the addition of Flavour Kravers Flame Grilled Steak in a £1.25 pack. According to the supplier, Flame Grilled Steak is Flavour Kravers’ best-performing variety.

The KP Nuts range is worth £95.8m and is growing in value by 18.1%, with a 25.9% market share, nearly �ive times larger than the nearest branded competitor.

The supplier’s £1.25 PMP range is worth £108.1m and is growing ahead of the overall market at 53.4%, compared to 30.5%.

“Flame Grilled Steak has been the most popular variant in our Flavour Kravers range since its launch last year,” said Jenny Blanco Barcia, marketing manager at KP Snacks. “By launching

Flame Grilled Steak as a £1.25 PMP, we are capitalising on both taste as the

number-one category driver in crisps, snacks and nuts, and the growing success of PMP formats.”

PMPs are worth more than £331.5m within crisps, snacks and nuts, bought by 54% of snack shoppers. They are growing twice as fast as the overall bagged snacks category.

Premium Swiss hazelnut spreads from Empire Bespoke Foods

IMPORTER and distributor Empire Bespoke Foods is launching two hazelnut spreads from Swiss brand Mövenpick in the UK.

Mövenpick Hazelnut Cream is available in Original Hazelnut Cream and Hazelnut & Milk varieties. Each is free from colours and preservatives, and free from palm oil. Both come in a 300g jar with an RRP of £3.99.

The supplier says the

range can be enjoyed on breakfast breads, rolls and crepes, or as a snack or dessert.

Benjamin Moody, junior brand manager, USA & cupboard at Empire Bespoke Foods, said: “Mövenpick is extremely high quality and well known around the world, so it is a great opportunity for Empire Bespoke Foods to launch these incredible-quality products into the market.”

Cadbury adds to tablet range

MONDELEZ International is building on the success of two of its Cadbury ranges with the launch of two new tablets: Darkmilk Hazelnut Praline and Caramilk Crispy. Both varieties are available in an 85g tablet, each with a £1.49 RRP.

Darkmilk Hazelnut Praline contains Darkmilk’s highcocoa chocolate with a hazelnut �illing. It joins

the Darkmilk range in its �ifth year, as hazelnut is the number-three chocolate �lavour, growing by 13% annually.

Meanwhile, Caramilk Crispy consists of a blend of white chocolate with a light crisped rice inclusion. According to the supplier, this will build traction with shoppers under 45 and drive incremental growth.

PRODUCTS

SBF refreshes Lucozade design

JASPER HART

SUNTORY Beverage & Food

GB&I (SBF GB&I) has updated its Lucozade Energy Original and Orange varieties with a new pack design and recipe.

The suppler says the changes to the taste are subtle, but the lines now have a more “zingy” taste.

Additionally, their new pack design reveals more of the liquid to shoppers, creating greater appeal.

According to consumer research carried out by SBF, the new-look sleeves increase purchase intent among shoppers.

The new designs are effective across all Lucozade

Energy Original and Orange single and multipack formats, and are set to roll out across other Lucozade Energy varieties in the coming months.

The updated recipe and design are part of SBF GB&I’s Core Brand Innovation programme, which aims to recognise changing consumer tastes and update products to match them.

“We believe across our business that brands must evolve to keep up with changing consumer needs,” said Zoe Trimble, head of Lucozade Energy at SBF GB&I.

“The goal is to better understand the lives of our consumers, what

Kingsland to o er Ukrainian wines

KINGSLAND Drinks has signed an exclusive distribution deal to bring Ukrainian wine brand Bolgrad to UK independent retailers’ shelves.

The Bolgrad range consists of six premium varieties: a Pinot Grigio, a Chardonnay (with 15% Aligoté), a Chardonnay Sukholimansky (which is related to Muscat), a Pinot Noir rosé, a Cabernet Sauvignon, and a Saperavi,

native to Georgia.

An Odesa Black red wine variety will join the range later this year. The wines each have an RRP around £10. The packaging highlights the Ukrainian provenance with the country’s �lag on pack.

In Ukraine, Bolgrad is the top still wine brand, says Kathryn Glass, buying manager at Kingsland Drinks.

they’re looking for and what drives their decision making, so we can adapt our brands

to meet their needs –delivering a win for our customers.”

Jameson becomes EFL partner

JAMESON has become an of�icial partner of the English Football League (EFL).

The collaboration will see the brand highlight its commitment to football across the EFL’s three divisions through to 2026/27.

As an of�icial partner, Jameson will have a presence with all 72 member clubs across the Sky Bet Championship, League One and

Rustlers lines help up basket spend

RUSTLERS is a key contributor to increased basket spend in convenience stores, according to research from data company Retail Spotlight.

The average basket containing a Rustlers product is £13.26, an 82% increase on the average convenience store basket of £7.27 as listed in the ACS Local Shop Report 2022.

The four most-common products bought with a Rustlers are additional convenience meals, singleserve drinks, milk and sliced bread, which supplier Kepak says highlights the variety of shopper missions the brand caters to.

Additionally, the peak sales

Müller yogurt makes plant-based debut

MÜLLER Yogurt & Des-

serts has launched its �irst plant-based range in the UK alongside the return of retro favourite Müller Corner Mississippi Mud Pie.

Müller Corner Plant Based, Müller Rice Plant Based and Müller Corner Mississippi Mud Pie will be rolling out to wider retail in September following a launch in Asda this month in single packs.

The brand’s value sales are up 8% year on year, according to Toby Bevans, strategy and marketing director at Müller Yogurt & Desserts.

“Plant-based and dairy products have co-existed in shopping baskets and fridges for a long time, so making the nation’s favourite dairy

brand accessible to more people is a really exciting and natural move,” he said.

period for Rustlers is on Fridays between 12pm and 2pm, with shoppers buying it for lunch or stocking up for the weekend.

Fazilas adds frozen and chilled lines

CHILLED and frozen food manufacturer Fazilas has updated its branding and launched a range of new products across world cuisines.

New to its frozen range are Beef and Chicken Quesadillas, as well as Chicken Tikka and Beef Taco Pockets.

Also launching are Tandoori Chicken-�illed Naan Breads, and a range of eight frozen curries with basmati rice.

The supplier has also re�ined the presentation of its Peri Peri Chicken and Chicken Tikka Masala pizzas, and added a Doner Meat topping option.

Rashid Ray, sales and marketing manager at Fazilas,

said: “We constantly seek to innovate here at Fazilas and develop products that are ahead of our market competitors. We have had great early customer feedback on our new product lines.”

League Two, along with the EFL’s �ive Wembley playoff �inals.

The whiskey brand will deliver responsible drinking messages on pitch-side LEDs and on big screens in stadiums. It will also have a presence on the EFL website and social media channels. Jameson holds a 74.3% value share of the Irish whiskey market in the UK.

Hancocks adds to novelty range

HANCOCKS has added a selection of novelty confectionery products to its range, including new pick’n’mix sweets, lollipops and other impulse options.

Sour Watermelon Slices and Jelly Snakes join the Kingsway pick’n’mix range, available in 3kg bulk bags with an RRP of £1.29/100g.

The wholesaler is also stocking Zed Candy Jumbo Jawbreaker lollipops, which come in a 30p price-marked display box in Sour Cherry and Blue Razz varieties.

Also available is the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Chocolate Surprise Egg (RRP £1.20), which ties in with

the recently released Mutant Mayhem �ilm. Hancocks has also added Vidal Giant Vegan Strawberry Cables to its vegan confectionery range.

Rest easy with Olbas patches

OLBAS has launched Breathe Easy Patches to aid children in getting to sleep.

Available in packs of six individually wrapped patches at an RRP of £6.99, Olbas Breathe Easy Patches provide an aroma that lasts up to eight hours to help young children sleep easily.

They are recommended for children aged 3 and over, and can be used in the home or while travelling.

Claire Campbell, senior brand manager for Olbas, said: “The Olbas Breathe Easy Patches offer users a quick format, which is perfect for providing soothing vapours for easy breathing while travelling or spending nights away from home.”

FIVE TIPS TO SUCCESS

MAXIMISE MINTS AND GUM SALES

1

Price-marked packs (PMPs) make up 26% of sugar confectionery value in convenience4 so should be considered as part of a wide and varied portfolio.

2

Consider using key products to create bundle deals – for example, incorporate Tic Tac into an ‘essentials’ range whereby commuters can pick up the products along with a magazine, newspaper or co ee.

On-the-go occasions

are driving mints and gum sales. Jason Sutherland, UK & Ireland sales director at FERRERO, discusses how retailers can boost their sales

WHY STOCK MINTS & GUM?

MINTS and gums are seeing positive signs of growth1, as shoppers continue to look for refreshing on-the-go moments. The sugar confectionery segment is on an upward trajectory1, driven by mints and gum, which is the secondfastest growing segment, delivering double-digit growth1.

Tic Tac is an iconic brand when it comes to the mints category1, and a familiar sight for UK shoppers in the confectionery aisles. Tic Tac’s penetration is growing, with half of its buyers aged between 55

LATEST NEWS

and 651, translating into 1.7 million additional shoppers who are spending 8% more1.

The introduction and popularity of fruit flavours has enabled us to expand our portfolio, o ering products for di erent occasions with fruity flavours that work as a little treat throughout the day. Tic Tac has gained more than £2m in sales through winning shoppers with our fruit flavours2, which are predominantly gaining traction with a younger audience under 352.

TOP PRODUCTS

OVER the past couple of years, we have been keeping Tic Tac front of mind with a new TV advert and radio advert, so whether people are at home or on the go, they can always connect with the brand.

Last year, we launched our sugar-free Tic Tac Fresh range, combining the need for a cool, fresh experience with fruit flavours.

New products play an important role in bringing new shoppers to the category, and Tic Tac Fresh aims to help

retailers attract new consumers to the sugar confectionery xture.

A strong mixture of new and core products o ers choice to shoppers, who are particularly interested in a range of flavours.

Available now with an RRP of £1, our new Tic Tac Fresh flavours feature our number-one classic, Strong Mint, our second-most popular flavour, Cool Cherry, and a new and exciting flavour for the UK market, Grapefruit Mint.

Tic Tac Fresh (16.4g)

This sugar-free launch has provided more than £4.5m in value sales1 and £190k in incremental value3. RRP: £1 Case size – 24

With shoppers looking for trusted brands, our original product is still our most popular. RRP: 68p Case size – 24

occasions, with fruity flavours working as a treat. RRP: 68p Case size – 24

3

Stock a strong core range to ensure relevance year-round. Consumers will expect a choice of mints and gums, with an array of varying price points and pack sizes depending on their needs.

4

Take proactive measures to ensure your sugar confectionery o ering attracts shopper interest. PoS is crucial for disrupting shoppers as they journey around the store –head to Ferrero’s dedicated trade hub for more PoS suites.

5

Taste is important in this category, so prioritise the classic flavours and add new o erings to capitalise on impulse purchases. The original Tic Tac Fresh Mint is still our most popular product.

A strong core range is important for your confectionery sales – so keep Tic Tac front of mind

Tic Tac Fresh Strong Mint

Tic Tac Berry Bliss Berry Bliss o ers the chance to tap into different

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

CRIME: Has shoplifting increased in your store?

“ THEFT has been creeping up over the past 12 months and the police are not interested in helping us. The value of the crime is low, £10 to £20 a day, and we deal with it internally. We ask the thief to return the goods to the counter.”

Sasi Patel, Go Local Extra, Oldham Road, Manchester

Sales have been different this year

ALCOHOL: Has the duty change affected demand?

down. I’ll be able to tell the real impact in a few weeks when I raise my prices. I don’t think the changes will impact us just yet.”

Kay Patel, Global Food & Wine, east London

We recycle all carrier bags

“IT’S too early to say as the price changes haven’t filtered through. For example, Stella Artois will increase from £6.99 to £7.49. We still have stock at the older prices. Customers might change what they’re buying depending on the price and alcohol content.”

Avtar Sidhu, St John’s Budgens, Kenilworth

“WE’VE experienced a huge increase. We have barred about 35 people, and some are career criminals that the police are aware of. There’s an informal WhatsApp chat where store owners alert each other to thefts.”

The police are not interested in helping us

SUMMER: How has the weather impacted sales?

“WE normally get a downturn in the summer due to the school holidays, but sales have been good this year. The Women’s World Cup has helped and the Premier League season has started. Many residents have decided to stay home instead of going abroad.”

Sue Nithyanandan, Costcutter Epsom, Surrey

“CUSTOMERS like to have a drink and enjoy a barbecue when the sun is out. Last year, we had beautiful weather and it’s made our figures this year look low. As it’s been raining, we’ve got umbrellas on the counter. Pizzas and ice cream have also been the main focus.”

Sam Coldbeck, Wharfedale Premier, Hull

It’s hard to gauge the impact right now

SUSTAINABILITY: How is your store being better for the environment?

“WE’VE changed our lighting to LED lights and we recycle all cardboard and plastic. We have a factory recycling unit which we use to recycle carrier bags. Customers can bring in their own bags for this. We also give food to a local church kitchen.”

Anita Nye, Premier Eldred Drive Stores, Orpington, south-east London

“WE’VE introduced initiatives. One is a refill area, so customers can put products such as oats into their own containers. Our delivery vehicles are electric and we use paper bags. If this is successful, we’ll look to replace plastic bags with paper ones in store.”

Jack Matthews, Bradley’s Supermarket, Quorn, Leicestershire

Peter Saleem, Broadway Premier, Blyth, Northumberland

‘I lost out on sales due to wholesaler error’

I RECENTLY had an issue when I decided to leave my symbol group and was left without newspapers or baked products. The reason I left was because the allocations weren’t working out for me and I found it was better for me to visit the cash and carry instead.

I asked my retail development manager when I handed in my notice to notify my newspaper wholesaler and baked supplier that I still wanted their services, as payment was being taken out through central billing. However, shortly after leaving, I found out I no longer had accounts with either

of them. When I queried further, they said I’d have to create new accounts and also pay a £1,000 deposit. I’ve been a customer with one of them for nearly six years, so couldn’t understand why I’d have to go through this application process again. It impacted my sales for several weeks.

WIN £50-worth of Swizzels stock

In all fairness, when I raised the issue with my former symbol group, they restored supply for me. I don’t want to name and shame anyone. This is more to alert other retailers about what to look out for if they’re in a similar situation.

Anonymous retailer

COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK

Bobby Singh, BB Nevison Superstore, Pontefract – @NevisonBB

role is to help as many as I can’

Get out there and network

I’VE been working in this industry for 16 years and I’ve been lucky to have my husband working with me for the past six years as well. I love so many aspects of working in the shop, but there’s something really unique about our industry. We can share what we do with other retailers, and while we’re sharing, we’re also learning from and helping other people. There’s something really rewarding in having those open conversations.

Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent

Just working with retailers and then going to the other side of the business to talk with wholesalers, manufacturers and brands has been so enriching. It’s like being a student going into a university library. You learn di erent things and get access to products faster. You get and can give feedback because there are always lots of knowledge gaps about how our industry works. A lot of manufacturers will only think about how many units they sell to wholesalers, but the data we can provide as independents – where we can see how long it takes to turn over product and its true success – is so valuable. When you’re working with suppliers, it’s so useful to have that honest conversation with them and then they can be more responsive.

In the past year, I’ve been heavily involved with Women in Convenience, and it has been so valuable personally because not only was I able to see and learn about things, but it’s created another community for me. In the rst 10 years I was working in retail, I thought I was on my own – I was independent and feisty. But as soon as I started with Londis, I met all these other retailers and that had a big impact on me. Seven years later, and I now have this whole other network of male and female retailers. It’s been amazing to share and use our experiences to support one another and provide a support network for future female retailers, including the daughters and nieces of a lot of male retailers.

Anyone who’s new or experienced in the industry, there’s lots of bene ts to networking. You’re not just giving away secrets, you’re working with other retailers, suppliers and manufacturers, and gaining little nuggets that will enrich your business.

SWIZZELS has partnered with Retail Express to o er ve retailers the chance to win an assortment of its popular price-marked pack (PMP) hanging bag range, worth more than £50 RRP, to celebrate its big-night-in campaign. The campaign, which focuses on PMPs such as Luscious Lollies and Refresher Choos, is being supported by indepot PoS, social media and digital activity.

TO ENTER

Fill in your details at: betterretailing.com/competitions

This competition closes on 19 September.

Editor’s decision is nal.

“I’VE recently started working with Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I to donate cases of Lucozade to support our local communities. These have been given to youth clubs and we’ve been posting messages on social media asking if anyone else in the community would bene t from this. It’s all about giving a few drinks out, connecting with youths and people in the area, spreading a bit of positivity and getting smiles. My aim has always been to try and help as many people as I can. My role in the retail industry allows me to do that.”

‘My

IN THE NIC OF TIME

THE ADVANTAGES OF NICOTINE POUCHES

THE nicotine pouches category is growing at a phenomenal rate, says Gemma Bateson, JTI UK sales director, and is worth £42m annually.

With just under half of sales going through convenience and independent channels, local retailers need to use pouches’ potential as part of the wider tobacco alternatives opportunity. They’re a repeat purchase. And the price can be a sales driver as well. Pouches retail at £6.50 for a standard pack, versus cigarettes, which

cost around £12 for 20.

Nicotine pouches contain a mix of tobacco-derived nicotine extract or synthetic nicotine, llers and flavourings. They’re used in a similar way to Swedish snus, placed under the top or bottom lip and absorbed into the gums. With concern growing over disposable vapes, nicotine pouches are a smoke-free, vapour-free and tobacco-free product format that delivers nicotine on the go, at home, at work and on public transport. In short,

they’re a discreet way to consume nicotine in places where you can’t smoke or vape, giving a steady delivery of nicotine after just a few minutes.

For retailers to maximise sales, they should use these advantages when recommending them to customers.

JTI UK’s Nordic Spirit and BAT’s Velo have become the market leaders. Nicotine pouches are 100% tobacco free, unlike snus, which contains tobacco leaf.

Who’s Buying Nicotine Pouches?

Andrew Cruden, Market Square Newsagents, Northampton: “Our customers are predominantly men in their 20s and 30s, moving from cigarettes to pouches. People use them discreetly at work or on a train or a plane. They often buy them as part of a repertoire with vapes or cigarettes.”

Ellisa Dawson, Ebchester Village Store, County Durham: “The people buying pouches here are mainly female, probably in their 30s and 40s. They tend to go from cigarettes to vapes, then pouches. If people use pouches to give up cigarettes, they’ve got to get past the coughing stage, which could take a month. With pouches, you can wean yourself o – vapes are much harder.

Avtar Sidhu, St John’s Budgens Kenilworth, Warwickshire: “Customers are predominantly men aged between 25 and 40. It’s a mix of people starting on a low strength and going higher. Others start high and stay there. I’ve seen people use them to come o tobacco, so it’s likely some will quit altogether.”

Nicotine pouches represent a growing opportunity for retailers to help smokers quit tobacco, writes CHARLES SMITH, but you need a competitive range and strong product knowledge

CATEGORY ADVICE NICOTINE POUCHES

MAKE CUSTOMERS AWARE

THE key to sales is to make the products visible, and get support from reps.

Ellisa Dawson, at Ebchester Village Store in County Durham, says: “We stock Nordic Spirit, standard size, and have Bergamot Wild Berry, Mint and Spearmint. We put them on the back counter. You’re allowed to have PoS for pouches, and countertop trays. JTI were handing out samples, so we’ve been giving away free pots.”

Andrew Cruden runs Market

Square Newsagents in Northampton town centre. He stocks the full range of Nordic Spirit and Velo, and sells 10 standard size packs a week at an RRP of £6.50.

“Nordic Spirit Spearmint regular is the biggest seller, followed by Velo Ruby Berry. We went to a trade show and got samples, which we’re giving out to customers,” he says.

Avtar Sidhu, from St John’s Budgens in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, sells 25-30 units a

week: “Sales used to be led by Nordic Spirit, now we’re selling more Velo, and purchases of di erent nicotine strengths are building,” he says. “The secret for us is having products laid out openly in the vape concession, ordered by functionality and product type, backed up with printed information and people on hand to talk about the products, and o er samples. We’ve also done instore activation with Velo on various occasions.”

RETAILER VIEW

“IT’S all about visibility. Let shoppers see you’re stocking the products, and they will sell. Our nicotine pouches are laid out in the vape concession by functionality and product type. There’s printed information, and we’re on hand to talk about them. Some conversations are about pouches being better value and cheaper alternatives to cigarettes.

“We’ve got samples, and let people take them away. Try before you buy generally works, but giving them samples to take away does, too, because people come back and buy. We give away Velo Polar Mint and Ruby Berry in two strengths.

TOP TIPS

Range

O er a broad variety of flavours and strengths, particularly in mint, as users will likely move from regular to strong and extra-strong. Stock di erent variants within the higher-strength segment, as this is likely to remain the most popular choice.

Availability

Maintain good stock levels, so customers always have a choice. Observe seasonal trends and busy periods, such as summer, when demand is highest with people going on holiday. Clear signposting helps shoppers navigate the category.

Counter display

Ask suppliers for PoS category solutions, including countertop displays, to help boost sales.

Product visibility

Give nicotine pouches a clear ‘home’ by displaying them on a back-wall solution or in a vape concession with heated tobacco and vaping devices, so customers have a visible choice based on their preferences.

Talk to the suppliers

JTI’s Perfect Store Framework is a ‘how-to guide’ on generating product awareness in store, enticing new customers and boosting sales.

“Retailers also need to keep up with the latest product news and give launches a try. We normally allow them three or four months. A lot of these products are from the big tobacco manufacturers, so retailers should ask them for advice, including what’s selling locally to their store, and the right flavours and strengths. Stock a representative selection and have a choice of flavours, and, importantly, let your customers guide you about other pouch flavours and products they want you to stock, but you may not know about.”

what to stock

JTI’s Nordic Spirit flavours include Spearmint, Mint, Bergamot Wildberry, Elderflower, Mocha and Watermelon. Standard is the most popular Nordic Spirit size. It is available in three strengths: Regular (9mg), Strong (14mg) and Extra Strong (17mg). The bestselling flavour is Mint Extra Strong. Spearmint Mini is also available in Regular strength.

On! is a new range of nicotine pouches from Helix Sweden, handled by Altria. It features a variety of nicotine strengths, including 3mg (regular) and 6gm (strong). On! has 20 pouches per can and is available in various flavours.

BAT’s Velo range comes in strengths from 4mg to 17mg. Standard flavours are Citrus Mint, Watermelon Mint, McLaren Formula 1 Limited Edition, Cooling Storm, Very Vanilla, Dark Mint, Cinnamon Spice, Freeze, Ruby Berry, Tropic Breeze, Ice Cool, Polar Mint and Urban Vibe. Minis flavours are Tropic Breeze, Ruby Berry, Polar Mint and Royal Violet.

Other brands include VID Cola Sour Slim Extra Strong and Ström Minty Orange, Fresh Mint and Juicy Berry 10mg.

Overall, the most popular flavours are mint (making up 81.6% of sales) and fruit (17.7%).

Avtar Sidhu, St John’s Budgens, Kenilworth, Warwickshire

Bruce Terry, portfolio brand manager, JTI UK

10 WAYS TO BE MORE SUSTAINABLE

CHARLES WHITTING uncovers 10 strategies retailers can employ to save energy costs, reduce wastage and run a more sustainable business

USE UP YOUR FOOD

WHEN it comes to fresh and chilled products, shorter sellby dates can be o -putting for retailers looking to reduce their wastage. But by creating a food-to-go station, retailers can use food that’s getting too close to its best-before as ingredients for sandwiches and other dishes, enabling them to make a pro table sale rather

than tossing them in the bin. And there are other knock-on bene ts as well.

“We’re still using products that are well in-date, but it’s kept food wastage down to less than 5%,” says Andrew Newton, from Nisa Local Halesowen in the West Midlands. “And by using the stock, we’re still buying a good amount. If you’ve

got no way of using chicken, for example, that’s going out of date, you might be cautious about buying the same amount again. But if you can make it into sandwiches, then you can keep your shelves fuller with fresher stock and keep your volumes up. We get more deals from Nisa because we’re buying more.”

RECYCLING STATIONS

RETAILERS don’t have to be the only ones recycling their products, they can encourage their customers to do so as well.

By installing vape and battery recycling stations in his store, Newton isn’t just reducing the amount of waste that ends up in land ll. Both are drivers of return footfall and, by giving people 10p o any new purchases when they

bring in old disposables to be recycled, he encourages further spend as well.

“It looks good, it keeps the waste o the streets and the feedback has been really good,” he says. “We’re sending the disposable bins to recyclers every six weeks, the batteries are a bit slower. And we talk about it on Facebook and get lots of likes and comments.”

USE APPS

RAJAN Patel, from Nisa Local in Dartford, Kent, has been using the Too Good to Go app in his store to reduce product wastage, particularly within his chilled and grocery sections.

“We already have a system where we reduce prices as they get closer to their sellby date and most of them get cleared before they have to go

SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS

to Too Good to Go, but I would certainly recommend it,” he says. “It’s a good option. What we save varies from week to week, but we take advantage of it to reduce waste. I don’t like wasting food.”

Patel puts his reduced products on the counter and also makes a special gondola to highlight the reduced items in his store.

WHETHER it’s locally sourced goods or organic options, there are ways for retailers to ll their shelves with more sustainable produce. Another aspect retailers can look at to improve sustainability is to check the packaging.

“Be mindful of the products you stock and favour those that can be most easily and widely recycled. The more

complex the mix of materials a product or packaging contains, the harder it is to collect, separate and recycle,” says Julien Tremblin, general manager at TerraCycle Europe. “Think of stocking products packaged in glass, metal and rigid plastics, for example, rather than a combination of materials or flexible metalised packaging.”

AS well as looking for sustainably sourced products and packaging, retailers should talk to suppliers about what further support they can get when it comes to recycling and other sustainable practices. Most will have something in place and will be looking to get it out there.

“It’s coming up to a year since we launched Smiths News Recycle, a low-cost dai-

ly recycling waste collection service for independent retailers,” says Andrea James, director of talent, communication and culture at Smiths News. “Smiths News Recycle embraces our sustainability strategy, using our newspaper collection network to ensure no further journeys are put into our supply chain and feeding back waste for reuse and recycling.”

CATEGORY ADVICE SUSTAINABILITY

REFILL STATIONS

MAKE IT EASY 06 07

WHILE refill stations can require investment in time, space and energy, they can bolster sustainability in a number of ways.

First, by only filling up on the exact amount they need, customers can reduce wastage – while also visiting stores more regularly for topups, which can grow overall sales. Second, they reduce the need for packaging, which might be thrown away unsustainably.

Depending on the products you choose to offer as a refill

– from pasta to confectionery, washing powder to cereal –retailers can grow their sustainability credentials and bolster the loyalty of their customers.

“The refill market has huge potential, buying in larger sizes and refilling bottles and containers is a quick and simple way of dramatically reducing plastic waste. Bio-D has seen a big shift towards the larger refill sizes we offer – particularly our 20l refill containers,” says a spokesperson for Bio-D.

WHATEVER initiatives retailers are looking to implement in their stores, if it requires customer buy-in, it’s important to remember that in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis and with people leading increasingly busy lives, anything that requires effort, concentration or financial input on your customers’ part is likely to be ignored or outright rejected. Make it easy, simple and rewardable, and you’ll get more buy-in.

“Customers are looking for ways to be more sustainable, but don’t want to have to jump through hoops. Retailers can help by stocking products from brands with good sustainability credentials, offering services like refillable products and reuse platforms, or TerraCycle dropoff points to make recycling easier, or being able to give advice to consumers on sustainable purchases,” says TerraCycle’s Tremblin.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG IMPACT

IT can sometimes feel that sustainability is a signicant investment that retailers don’t have the resources for during a cost-of-living crisis. But this isn’t true. As well as larger-scale investment, there are always smaller things that can be done to reduce a store’s environmental impact.

“Look at environmental practices behind the scenes, recycling product packaging

where possible, changing light bulbs to LED energy-ecient alternatives and reducing paper-use when completing administrative work. All of these small things add up to make a big impact,” says the Bio-D spokesperson.

“Take it step-by-step –changing one thing at a time can make a huge di erence to your eco-credentials. There are options that work for all budgets.”

WORK WITH YOUR SYMBOL

WHILE not every store will be a liated with a symbol group, those that are can use the weight that a larger company has to source sustainable products and get sustainability projects o the ground. Talk to your BDM about what support is available.

“Spar is committed to the responsible sourcing of palm oil. To ensure the credibility of palm oil sustainability claims, all Spar own-label suppliers need to

commit that they are certi ed to the roundtable of sustainable palm oil,” says Lesley Fairhurst, Spar UK quality and responsible retailing controller.

“Since 2016, Spar has been working towards phasing out the sale of caged hen eggs and is committed to switching its own-label retail egg range to cage-free hen eggs by 2025. In Spar stores, a durable £1 carrier bag is available and is made from recycled plastic bottles.”

MAKE PEOPLE FEEL GOOD

WHILE it’s important to make it easy for customers to be sustainable in your store, it’s also important to nd ways to reward them for it This could be through cash incentives like the 10p discounts o ered by Newton or by letting them know what a good thing it is they’re doing.

“We have a drinks machine that o ers re lls of CocaCola, Pepsi Max, Tango and 7Up,” says Newton. “We do it as part of the meal deal, so it costs us a bit more, but every few months we let customers know how many bottles they’ve helped us save from land ll.”

MAKE THE MOST OF WORLD FOODS

PRIYA KHAIRA nds out what retailers should know about the growing world foods category

A GROWING CATEGORY

IN recent years, the world food category has thrived, with studies showing that 58% of British consumers are interested in experimenting with di erent cultural cuisines.

According to Mintel’s UK World Cuisine Market Report 2023, the start of 2023 saw a boost in at-home cooking of

world foods, with 92% of Brits eating international cuisines at home.

The report also found that more than half of British consumers eat at least ve world cuisines at home. It also noted that the category is expected to grow in popularity over the coming years.

The world food category encapsulates a range of di erent types of products and items. This includes UK-produced lines along with imported goods from around the globe. The market o ers retailers plenty of opportunities and a chance to tap into a broad customer base.

ASSESS CONSUMER DEMAND

IF you are thinking about expanding your world food range, then it is important to assess what exactly your customers might be looking for to curate a specialised world foods range that aligns with their shopping habits and caters to their needs and preferences.

A spokesperson for Wanis International Foods says: “A store’s location and its surrounding demographics is an important consideration for retailers looking to widen their

world foods range.

“A core range for average shop items will typically sell well – things like rice, canned goods, coconut milk, and international sauces and seasonings – essentially key food ingredients/flavour product categories.”

A key trend for 2023 is mixing ingredients and using world food items to add a twist to popular dishes. Candice Cadell, campaign and brand executive at Bidfood, says:

“Keeping things simple is key. Use mealtime favourites that people know and love, and o er them a chance to customise them using some worldly flare.

“This could look like suggesting some gochujang mayo or grana Padano to customers making fries.”

This is of particular importance for retailers who might not have the space for a dedicated world foods section, but still want to keep on top of

trends, like Natalie Lightfoot, from Londis Solo Convenience in Glasgow.

“I make sure to keep on top of trends and include a world food section of selected items, which I know will go down well with my customers,” she says.

“For example, we do the popular Nongshim Instant Shin Cup noodle range, along with di erent kinds of American snacks, like candy, jalapeno poppers, pizza curls, bu alo ranch and things like that.”

SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES

THERE are various seasonal opportunities retailers should lean into in order to maximise sales in world cuisines. Talk to your local customers and do your research to nd out how you can create an o er that will stand out and attract sales in a similar way to Easter or Christmas.

Retailers should advertise their world food o erings around the time of these seasonal opportunities. Be sure to display your stock using signage in the front of your store or ensure that displays in store are clearly signposted to show what products are available.

what to stock

Rice is a staple world food item. Basmati, Golden Sella and Easy Cook Long Grain Rice are the popular in a range of world cuisines. Surya’s bulk plain rice has seen an increase in popularity among consumers looking to save money.

Sauces and condiments such as Tropical Sun Caribbean Hot Sauce or Dunns River Jamaican Jerk seasoning are multi-purpose products that can be used in a range of dishes.

Snacks from around the globe are widely popular, especially among a younger demographic. Andy Brown, director of Envis Snacks, says that retailers are maximising sales with a dedicated US area in store. The US snack rolled tortilla chip brand Chipoys is becoming increasingly popular having just launched in the UK in April. The snack is available in Chili & Lime and Fire Red Hot flavours.

know the Trends

Most-popular UK cuisines

Indian food and spices remain the most soughtafter world cuisine by British customers, followed by Chinese and Mexican food.

Emerging world cuisines

Other, more niche cuisines, are also steadily growing in popularity in the UK. According to research conducted by HelloFresh, Korean food is trending as the most popular cuisine Brits are wanting to try in 2023. Research also shows that a fth of Brits expressed interest in trying West African dishes such as Jolo rice and fufu.

Healthy eating

Healthy eating and vegetarianism have dominated world food trends this year, with one-third of world cuisine shoppers expressing interest in products that include ideas on how to make dishes healthier. Currently, 39% of world cuisine eaters are interested in seeing plant-based world foods in store.

Convenience

Ready-to-eat meals are extremely popular products within the world foods category. According to Upuli Ambawatta, brand manager of world food portfolio at Empire Bespoke Foods, customers are seeking convenience and are turning to ready-to-cook meals and food items with a long shelf life.

“The UK boasts some of the biggest celebrations outside of Asia to mark Chinese New Year. Similarly, the UK is already home to some of the biggest Diwali celebrations outside of South Asia,” says Harry Dulai, managing director of Surya Foods.

“With Chinese cuisine ranking second in the world food popularity stakes, second only to Indian food, it is no surprise that retailers across the UK gear up for bumper sales o the back of the growing popularity of ethnic festivals,” says Dulai.

Tinned foods such as beans or tomatoes are a staple buy for many shoppers. Polish food brand Dawtona has extended its UK range of store cupboard ingredients with the launch of two new tomato-based products.

Meal kits are growing in popularity within the world foods category. Empire Bespoke Foods have recently launched Master Cook, an authentic range of plant-based Indian meal kits and readyto-eat dishes.

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CUSTOMER LOYALTY

The RETAIL EXPRESS team nds out how retailers keep customers coming back for more

1Faisal Naseem, two stores near Arbroath, Angus

“IN our store, we have a practice where 90% of the pricemarked packs (PMP) in the off-licence are sold below the pricemarked price. That gives us a little bit of an edge. If a bottle of wine or a four-pack of beer is price-marked at £6, we’ll sell it at £5.75 and that means that the customers come to us.

“It does decrease our margins, but it’s increased our volumes and it entices customers in. Some retailers already associate PMPs as being a promotion in their own right, but what they’re not understanding is that if that’s true, it’s a promotion that everyone else also has.

“So, we sell PMPs and then undercut the prices. Promoting it is really important. We print shelf-edge labels that highlight it prominently in a special shaded section so customers notice the promotion and don’t get confused. It keeps customers coming back to us.”

Soundararajan, Costcutter Inverleith Row, Edinburgh 2

“IT sounds very simple, but we keep our customers coming back by listening to their requests and making sure we get in what they’re after.

“This year, people have been asking for fruit and veg and specialist meats, so we’ve been getting them in. It’s the season for strawberries and raspberries now and they’re selling well. People asked for them, none of our competitors had them, and now that we’re stocking them it’s working really well.

“We never used to stock things like strawberries before because they have such a short shelf life, but it’s important to our customers, so we do it.

“I think that customers are buying into convenience stores more these days and people who might have gone to the supermarket are coming to us because we now have things available that we never had before.”

“FIRST, it’s about talking nicely to customers, asking about their well-being, their families, their health, their holidays – whatever they want to talk about. We don’t sell to them at the counter, we let them talk about themselves.

“Second, whenever someone requests an item, we always try to get it in and make sure to inform them the next time they come in that we’ve now got it. That gives them comfort that we’ll do whatever we can for them. We’ll do this even in categories that we’re not stocking at the moment.

“Third, it’s about price. If we increase the price on something, we’ll try to decrease it afterwards. If we’re lowering the price, we’ll put the price tag on the front of a product, but if it’s something that people always have to buy, then we put it on the back because the price is less important in that instant. These are things that we do to promote our shop as different from others.”

In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out what retailers do to reduce wastage. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email charles.whitting@newtrade.co.uk

Uthay

Ravi Raveendran, Colombo Food & Wine, Hounslow, west London

Customer loyalty and relationships are very important at the moment. How are retailers keeping hold of their shoppers? – Meten Lakhani, St Mary’s Supermarket, Southampton