Retail Express - 27 February 2024

CAUSE FOR ALARM • Retailers allege failings by security firm Verisure put staff and stock at risk • Verisure claims high approval rating and says customers’ security is the ‘top priority’

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

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GREAT VALUE GREAT PRICE

LUCKY STRIKE

RED & BLUE

It’s an offence to sell tobacco to any person under 18 years of age.

For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left in the sight of consumers.

Smoking kills POST OFFICE

SLUSH MACHINES

STORE ADVICE

Former chairman reveals gov’t ordered him to delay compensation payouts

Symbol groups continue to promote Tango Ice Blast despite service criticism

Retailers share how they cut costs and make savings in their businesses

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Grow your profits responsibly

PRODUCTS • TRENDS • ADVICE IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: • Closed-pod systems: everything you need to know about the vape segment set to take 2024 by storm • Must-stock brands: the top brands to invest in, and how to sell them in your store

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OUT !

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Product spotlight: closed-pod devices Quick guide: heated tobacco Regional trends: open-pod vapes

Vape & Next-gen Retailer cuts through the noise, giving us verified insight into what’s happening in the market Atul Sodha, Londis Harefield

Order your copy from your magazine wholesaler today or contact Kate Daw on 07886 784465 @Vape_Retailer

GET ON TOP OF SOFT DRINKS

Find out what’s new in the category and how to turn it into profit

P19 2024 27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH .com betterretailing

CATEGORY ADVICE SOFT DRINKS

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WHAT’S NEW IN SOFT DRINKS?

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

ers a guide TAMARA BIRCH off latest to capitalise on the this year trends to drive sales

NG COST THE IMPACT OF RISI

S

well to,” he says. further into respondinghas started to rethe case as we get Newton of a chilled drink packs 2024,” she says.

(31%) of convenienceon the go. larger- move price-marked faALMOST one-third This isn’t to say that in soft drinks, in owners say to consume Amy Burincreasing (PMP) rked convenience store This is backed by format sales aren’t footfall vour of non-price-ma It soft drinks drive more other gess, senior trade communica- for retailers, however. Andrew option.

Euany Colley- and a multibuy in their stores than the cat- tion manager at Coca-Cola Newton, of Nisa Local Mid- means he still gets simiWest c Partners (CCEP). category. As a whole, – margins more than ropacifi more gate in Halesowen,sales of 1.25l lar – if not better egory is now worth and higher noticed “While people are has products lands, from the growing. cut back on big expen£1.2bn in retail. as many shoppers crisis is likely to the moment, they and 1.75l formats they’re sales, The cost-of-living “People are realising buy additional products across ditures at will spending and spending keep to money, of the impacting better value for retailers are willing to take advantage pick-me-ups, like soft we’ve started putting them on all categories, but apparent on small promotion. have said this is less reason drinks from leading brands, multibuys, which shoppers are The expect this to remain within soft drinks. want the and we being many shoppers

CAUSE FOR ALARM • Retailers allege failings by security firm Verisure put staff and stock at risk • Verisure claims high approval rating and says customers’ security is the ‘top priority’ P3

POST OFFICE

SLUSH MACHINES

STORE ADVICE

Former chairman reveals gov’t ordered him to delay compensation payouts

Symbol groups continue to promote Tango Ice Blast despite service criticism

Retailers share how they cut costs and make savings in their businesses

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our say

Megan Humphrey, editor

Opportunity remains, despite setbacks IT’S been a tough few week following the vape-ban announcement.

As expected, vaping firms are getting ready to file a legal challenge against the government. As the fallout continues, I want to distract you, turning your attention to some of the opportunities available to you right now, to help lift morale and shift your mindset.

One of the big ones, is how global doughnut manufacturer Krispy Kreme has its sights on independents to support its recent expansion plans.

New cabinets specifically designed for small shops are reportedly in the works. One retailer who partnered up with the brand this year, said the doughnuts were selling like “hot cakes”.

Moving on to home delivery, Snappy Shopper has unveiled a new loyalty scheme. It’s understood that a trial of the rewards scheme is already underway and will be made available to all partnered stores very soon.

POCKETS OF I hope these two examples showcase how attractive conveniREVENUE ARE ence still remains. Multi-millionTHERE FOR THE pound companies are continuing to invest in convenience because TAKING they see value in the market, and it’s clear that pockets of revenue are there for the taking.

Each week, I challenge you to think about a potential new opportunity for your business. It doesn’t matter if you don’t implement it.

It’s important to acknowledge the power of positive thinking, and why it’s instrumental in ensuring you and your business continues to thrive.

The five biggest stories this fortnight 01

Gov’t told PO chairman to delay Horizon payouts

ALEX YAU

FORMER Post Of�ice (PO) chairman Henry Staunton has claimed he was ordered by the government to delay payouts to victims of the Horizon scandal, according to reports.

Staunton, who was sacked in January following bullying allegations, told The Times

he was asked to postpone the compensation ahead of the next general election due to costs.

In separate comments to Sky News, Staunton said: “It was in the interests of the business as well as being fair for the postmasters that there was faster progress on exoneration and that compensation was more generous, but

we didn’t see any real movement until after the Mr Bates programme.

“I think it is pretty obvious to everyone what was really going on.”

Secretary of state for business and trade Kemi Badenoch hit back at Staunton’s claims. She said: “The government made clear to the chair of PO that reaching payment

@retailexpress

ITV drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office

betterretailing.com facebook.com/betterretailing Editor Megan Humphrey @MeganHumphrey 020 7689 3357

Editor – news Jack Courtez @JackCourtez 020 7689 3371

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Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 07856 475 788

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Associate director Charlotte Jesson 07807 287 607

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40,152

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settlements with victims of the Horizon scandal was a priority when he took the role. Claims to the contrary are simply not true.”

Badenoch posted a copy of a letter congratulating Staunton on his then appointment as PO chair. It stated a focus of the role would be “reaching settlements with claimants” of the Horizon scandal.

02

Vape sell through

03

Doughnut sales

TRADE bodies are pushing for “Realistically, it will be the GLOBAL doughnut brand a nine-month sell through pe- summer.”

Krispy Kreme has revealed Marina Murphy, senior di- plans to recruit small shops to riod for vapes amid the ban, as opposed to initial proposals of rector of scienti�ic and medical help support its latest expanaffairs at Alternative Nicotine sion ambitions. six months.

“We’re hearing whispers Delivery Solutions said several UK managing director, all around the place, but the suppliers have begun selling Jamie Dunning told Retail Exban could come in as early as disposables at heavily dis- press: “We are close to having March 2025,” said a source. counted prices to shift stock. a new model available to us

that will allow us to expand into the convenience space.”

Doughnut cabinets in existing partnered stores measure 3ft by 1ft, and it’s understood that new units will be distributed to independent sites to suit stricter space requirements.

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

04

C&C crime failings

FEWER than one in 20 crimes against retailers and wholesalers at cash-and-carry branches end in a charge or summons.

An investigation by Retail Express’ sister title, RN found that only 5% of reported inci-

dents resulted in a charge or summons, while 65.5% were marked as ‘unresolved’ or ‘no suspect identi�ied’.

Only 12 out of nearly 50 police forces responded to freedom of information requests on the matter.

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

05

Yodel saved

PARCEL �irm Yodel has been saved from collapse after a buyout deal from the founder of a rival operator, Shift.

Yodel con�irmed the news stating: “We’re pleased to announce that Yodel has been acquired by YDLGP Limited, a

newly formed company, for an undisclosed amount.”

Yodel parcels account for a signi�icant proportion of Collect+’s commission paid to stores. The number of customers visiting PayPoint for the service doubled in 2023.

Audit Bureau of Circulations July 2022 to June 2023 average net circulation per issue

Retail Express’ publisher, Newtrade Media, cares about the environment.

Reproduction or transmission in part or whole of any item from Retail Express may only be undertaken with the prior written agreement of the Editor. Contributions are welcome and are included in part or whole at the sole discretion of the editor.

Newtrade Media Limited accepts no responsibility for submitted material. Every possible care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information. No warranty for goods or services described is implied.

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

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27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk 07597 588972

Retailers express concern over Verisure failings ALICE BROOKER RETAILERS and insurance experts have expressed concerns about alleged pressure selling, system failures, misleading information and insurance risks related to leading security company Verisure.

The global company, which offers security solutions for commercial and domestic properties, including smart alarms and CCTV cameras, has contested the claims.

The company claims its Alarm Receiving Centre (ARC) will respond to an activated alarm, on average, in 45 seconds, evaluate the situation and activate its security alarm protocol, if necessary. It also states that any customer can bene�it from technical assistance 24 hours a day.

However, Retail Express has spoken to independent retailers who’d experienced cases of the security system failing during incidents of theft.

Ravi Raveendran’s Colombo Food & Wine in Hounslow was subject to a knife-point robbery on 5 February. Raveendran claimed Verisure refused to call the police when the panic alarm was activated due to “an issue with the camera visuals and audio”.

He claimed a Verisure technician later told him that the company had received a warning before the

incident that the Verisure camera in his store was disconnected, and he accused the company of not acting on the information.

Challenged on the incident, Verisure said it “conducted a comprehensive investigation” �inding that the alert was acted on “within seconds” by contacting the customer.

The company added: “Unfortunately, the customer’s camera was not connected to the Wi-Fi of the premises.

As a result, the evidence required by the police to make an emergency response was not available.”

Responding to Verisure’s investigation, Raveendran told Retail Express: “They had failed to contact me about [the camera being of�line]. They should notify the customer when this occurs, instead of discovering the failing at critical moments. I’ve not made any changes to my Wi-Fi or settings, so it would be inaccurate to suggest the camera connectivity issue is anybody’s fault by theirs.”

Lakshman Thirunavukkarsu, owner of Sam Convenience Store in Ferndown, Dorset, experienced a break-in during 2022, and claims his alarm system failed to sound. “[The thieves] tried to break down the glass doors for 15 minutes and the alarm didn’t sound,” he said.

“It only went off when they had left, and then the police were called. If it had

express yourself “OVER the decades, I’ve seen car windows smashed for cigarettes and thousands of pounds lost. Transit isn’t something that will be covered automatically on an insurance quote, so you’ll need to ask about it, and you’ll have to pay extra for it as well. But you have to make sure you’re covered, especially with tobacco. I know it doesn’t enter a lot of retailers’ minds, but a nasty sting like that could put you out of business.”

Mark Dudden, Albany News, Cardiff

03

GOOD WEEK LOYALTY: Home delivery provider Snappy Shopper is to launch a loyalty rewards scheme. A trial of the rewards scheme is already underway, and the tool is to be made available to all Snappy Shopper-partnered stores soon, according to chief executive Mike Callachan. The company recently revealed major “breakthroughs”, including the new scheme and a new partnership with Co-op.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Snappy Shopper’ SAVINGS: Retailer Jonathan James has saved £8,000 on his electricity bills after installing a volt-optimisation unit. The system regulates the supply of electricity to a store. “Mains electricity can go well above the 22v standard,” said James.

“I had no idea of this or the savings that could be had by installing a volt unit until an electrician told me. I’m sure other retailers out there are also unaware.”

BAD WEEK worked, I wouldn’t have lost anything.”

Last year, the company came under �ire amid claims of misleading consumers and mis-selling products from BBC’s Watchdog. Similar claims have been made about the company’s commercial offers.

While Verisure states that its ARC is certi�ied by leading certi�ier SSAIB, insurance experts have claimed that other parts of Verisure’s operations do not carry the certi�ications required by some business insurers, putting stores at risk of having claims rejected or policies voided.

the column where you can make your voice heard

Managing director of Falcon Insurance, Pinder Singh Dhaliwal, warned: “We called both the approval bodies, and both con�irmed only its call centre is approved but its equipment isn’t.

“If you have one of these systems �itted to your business premises or your home and the insurance is subject to a security alarm being �itted, you might �ind you will not be covered for theft or attempted theft.”

In response to claims, a spokesperson for Verisure explained: “Verisure is proud to protect over �ive million families and small

businesses around the world. Our TrustPilot rating in the UK has over 28,000 reviews, nearly 90% of which are at four or �ive stars.

“The safety and security of our customers is our top priority. We take customer concerns very seriously and always investigate thoroughly.

“With regard to our certi�ication, our ARC is certi�ied from SSAIB. SSAIB is a renowned certi�ication body that specialises in ensuring the quality and compliance of organisations in our industry. This certi�ication from SSAIB re�lects our commitment to maintaining the highest standards.”

Image credit: Getty Images/Dario Pena

REPS: An inside source has claimed that reps working for one major tobacco company are being targeted in robberies by an organised crime group. Speaking to Retail Express, the senior figure said large volumes of stock had been taken in the incidents.

The source also alleged there were signs the attacks were an “inside job” with someone who has previous knowledge of the company’s operations tipping off criminal groups.

BEER CAVES: Retailers with beer caves have tightened security in response to increased theft risk due to lower visibility of the spaces. A spokesperson for shopfitting specialist Jordon Group said: “[Retailers have] implemented measures such as video surveillance systems to mitigate this challenge”.

How do you select the best insurance policy for your business?

“NEVER accept the first quote. Take the time to shop around and look at all the quotes. There could be differences in terms of how much cash or stock is covered.

It could be different for tobacco. Your excess could also make a massive difference. Look at the terms and conditions and compare, and don’t be frightened to go back to your existing insurer if you find someone cheaper and see if you can negotiate.”

Mike Mitchelson, Brampton Post Office, Cumbria

“THERE are so many different things to think about.

Cigarettes are usually covered separately, as is alcohol, and then there’s cash you hold overnight which is different to cash you take to your bank. If you’re going to the bank, they might only allow you take a certain amount, or they might specify you have to take someone with you. Building insurance is separate as well, and then there’s staff threat, public liability and more.”

Sue Nithyanandan, Costcutter Epsom, Surrey

Do you have an issue to discuss with other retailers? Call 020 7689 3357 or email megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk

Sue Nithyanandan

NEWS

04

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

Symbols quiet over Tango Ice Blast ALEX YAU

MAJOR symbol groups have stayed silent when challenged on why they are continuing to recommend Tango Ice Blast machines to partnered stores, despite ongoing issues with faults and poor service.

Bestway promoted the Frozen Brothers’ Tango Ice Blast as a “new slush opportunity” in Costcutter direct-to-store

promotions at the end of 2023 while Retail Express understands Booker has been encouraging new and refurbished Premier retailers to have the machines in their food-to-go sections.

The slush company had a stand at last year’s Spar Scotland trade show, with the symbol group highlighting major investment in food to go.

Central Co-op has also heavily marketed the brand’s ser-

vices in its stores to customers.

Frozen Brothers has previously faced criticism from retailers for repeated breakdowns of machines and poor aftercare service.

One retailer who has had issues with faulty equipment told Retail Express: “I’m still having issues and it’s not right that our symbol groups are promoting them if they are aware of these problems.”

Another added they were

recently given the option of going through a compensation process for their broken machine.

Asked by Retail Express if they were aware of the historic issues and whether they were supporting retailers in resolving these problems, Spar Scotland and Central Co-op declined to comment.

Bestway and Booker failed to respond as Retail Express went to print.

SAVE THE DATE

£180 lottery charge NEW National Lottery operator Allwyn incorrectly invoiced Post Of�ice retailers £180 for switching over from Camelot.

Invoices for the amount were sent to subpostmasters on 8 February, but Allwyn acted quickly to rectify the error.

An Allwyn spokesperson said: “Those post of�ices have subsequently received a credit-adjustment noti�ication.

“They were not charged in their weekly invoice on Sunday. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused.”

WATCH OUT FOR CARD FRAUD STORES in Essex are being warned to be vigilant against a string of card-not-present transactions.

CCTV footage from 2 February showed a man attempting to buy £340-worth of cigarettes with stolen cards. A list of targeted stores was seen on the man’s phone in the footage.

The attempt involves entering a 16-digit card number in

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the terminal. The transactions are charged back, leaving the retailer without stock or payment, and extra charges.

EPOS company MHouse Business Solutions has set targets for expansion across England this year.

The company has 1,000 partners, with the majority based in Scotland. Founder Asif Ashraf said: “We have

plans to move south and expand further into England.

“There’s lot of development in the pipeline and we’ve hired a lot of personnel to develop relationships.

Retailers will see a lot more from us in the coming year.”

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘EPoS’ 13/12/2023 10:33

ENTRIES OPEN

29 Februa

ry

Get the recognition you, your team and your store deserve with the Better Retailing Awards Brand new for 2024, the Better Retailing Awards will recognise those retailers who are doing great things in the core principles of retailing, from providing first-class customer service to creating sales-boosting in-store displays, and everything in between.

AWARDS PARTNERS

To find out more and register your interest, scan the QR code above, visit betterretailing.com/ awards2024 or contact Kate Daw on 07886 784465

PRODUCTS

06

Lucozade unveils Blucozade PRIYA KHAIRA

director at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “Blucozade is Lucozade’s biggestever launch, and the feedback from consumers and retailers has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Uniting the Sport, Energy and Alert brands is a huge change in the way we market Lucozade, and there is more to come this year.

“With its three different �lavour pro�iles, we know Blucozade will appeal to different shoppers and make a big contribution to the success of the Lucozade brand.”

Each of the three drinks is uniquely �lavoured, leaving it up to shoppers to discern the �lavour of each product.

Blucozade will be sup-

ported by in-store PoS and a shopper-facing campaign throughout April.

The launch of the range

UNILEVER has added Lynx Jungle Fresh to its core range. The fragrance is available in body spray, antiperspirant, stick and shower gel formats.

Lynx Jungle Fresh has been developed to meet Gen Z’s preferences for “clean” and “refreshing” fragrances, and is inspired by trends for herbal and botanical in�luences.

The Lynx Jungle Fresh Body Spray and Lynx Jungle Fresh Anti-perspirant come in 150ml and 250ml formats, with an RRP of £4 and £5 respectively. Lynx Jungle Fresh Stick is 50ml and has an RRP of £2.25, and the Lynx Jungle Fresh Shower Gel has an RRP of £1.25 for its 225ml bot-

tle and £2.75 for its 500ml bottle.

The launch will be supported by a £2m marketing campaign running from July to September 2024.

NIRVANA Brewery has launched a low-alcohol Chocolate Porter ahead of Easter.

The new release has an ABV of 0.5% and is available in a 330ml bottle with an RRP of £2.50.

It is made with 100% cocoa nibs with hints of spice, coffee and caramel �lavours.

It is the brewer’s �irst beer since the appointment of James Rabagliati as head brewer.

Becky Kean, founder and brand ambassador of Nirvana Brewery, said: “The enduring popularity of our London Porter encouraged us to go on a bit of a �lavour adventure with it.

“It led us to the complex

and indulgent notes you can get from cocoa nibs. It’s one for the Easter season and for chocolate lovers.”

CCEP has expanded its range with the arrival of Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle.

The launch adds to Monster Reserve’s range, now with three �lavours including White Pineapple and Watermelon.

CCEP has also announced the launch of price-marked multipacks for its Monster Juiced Mango Loco (£5.49) and Monster Zero Sugar Lewis Hamilton (£4.99) variants.

According to Unitas, Monster multipacks have added over £16.3m in value over the last year.

Helen Kerr, associate director of portfolio development at Coca-Cola Europaci�ic Partners GB, said: “Monster’s

product-innovation record leads the energy drinks category. PMPs give shoppers a feeling they’re getting better value for money, and price-marked multipacks offer points of difference to customers in these challenging times.”

BROTHERS Cider has revealed its “biggest-ever” relaunch, including new �lavours, packaging and a large marketing campaign.

The supplier relaunched its brand this month in Booker and One Stop for convenience stores.

The updated range focuses on four key, permanent �lavours in an effort to revive the fruit cider category, including: App-Solutely Pear-fect, Un-Berrylievable, Best of the Zest and Berry Sub-Lime.

All of the new �lavours are available in single 500ml and 330ml formats and 6x330ml can multipacks.

Three of the �lavours have a 3.4% ABV, while App-Sol-

utely Pear-fect have a 7.0% ABV. Brothers will support the rebrand with a marketing campaign starting in May and running throughout the summer across TV, in-store activity and social media.

LUCOZADE has launched three blue drinks across its Energy, Sport and Alert ranges.

The Blucozade range marks the brand’s �irst simultaneous launch across all three Lucozade sub-brands.

Lucozade Energy Blue Burst is available in 500ml and 900ml bottles in pricemarked and plain varieties.

Lucozade Alert Blue Rush comes in both plain and price-marked 500ml can formats with an RRP of £1.

Lucozade Sport Blue Force is available in plain and pricemarked 500ml bottles as well as a four-bottle multipack.

Elise Seibold, marketing

comes as Lucozade Energy, Sport and Alert are growing annually by 6.5%, 17.8% and 31.4%, respectively.

Lynx freshens jungle Nirvana Brewery’s Chocolate Porter with new scent

Monster’s dreamy new Orange flavour

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

Proper Shandy for moderate drinkers HEINEKEN UK has expanded its Foster’s range with the launch of Proper Shandy.

The new addition has an ABV of 3%. This caters to research that shows that 40% of adults want to moderate their alcohol intake, and also offers a quality at-home shandy serve.

It is available in 440ml cans in packs of four at an RRP of £3.75. The 440ml cans are also available in packs of 10 at an RRP of £9.25.

Foster’s Proper Shandy will be supported by a marketing campaign this spring, across TV, digital and outdoor advertising.

Richard Barnes, marketing manager for Foster’s at Heineken UK, said: “Foster’s is a well-known brand, and there was a clear gap in the market for a quality shandy in a convenient format at an affordable price.”

DIAGEO has announced an update to its online support platform, Diageo One, aimed at supporting independent retailers.

The free-to-use platform will provide advice, insight and free marketing tools from the supplier’s top brands, including Smirnoff and Guinness, to help retailers improve their business.

Previously only available to the on-trade, it has been revamped with a new look and can be accessed via desktop, mobile and app.

Andy Fell, strategy and transformation director at Diageo GB, said: “We are excited about the transformation of Diageo One, which looks to supercharge busi-

nesses with a range of tools.

“The platform has resources to provide our off-trade partners with better access to support and guidance.”

COUNTRY Choice has added three new Sweet Buns to its confectionery portfolio.

The range contains fewer calories and more sustainable packaging than previous lines. It consists of the Belgian Bun, which contains sultanas, icing and lemon �lavour; the Cinnamon Bun, a round cinnamon bun topped with a soft cream-cheese icing; and the Chelsea Bun,

which is a fruity bun topped with crunchy sugar.

They have an RRP of £1.50 and come in cases of 24.

Once defrosted, the buns have shelf lives of three days.

The buns are individually wrapped in recyclable FSCcerti�ied packaging.

The supplier recommends retailers with strong coffee sales stock the range near their machines.

Diageo One now available to off-trade

Biggest relaunch for Country Choice Brothers Cider unveils Sweet Buns

PRODUCTS

08

World of Sweets grows range PRIYA KHAIRA

Sweet Bandit launches include Sweet Bandit Soda Razzle and The Wicked Dipper.

Data shows that the kids sugar confectionery category is worth £136m to symbols and independents, experiencing growth of 25% in value.

Kathryn Hague, head of marketing at Hancocks, said: “Kids novelty is a popular category among convenience stores and independent retailers. The affordable products are designed with young confectionery fans in mind and are an impulse purchase.

“That’s why they have colourful packaging, fun names and little quirks that younger shoppers love. It’s also an innovative category with new

and exciting �lavours being launched and confectionery that will appeal to all ages.

“Kids novelty is certainly a fun one to have in store. With

BAKER & Baker has launched a new Cadbury Mini Eggs Chocolate Cookie.

The cookies are packaged in a paper bag featuring Cadbury Mini Eggs branding, each containing four cookies.

It will complement the three existing �lavours in the Cadbury fresh cookies in-store bakery range: Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate & Orange, Cadbury Dairy Milk and Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel.

Michael Bancroft, licensing director at Baker & Baker, said: “Our Cadbury Mini Eggs Chocolate Cookies include the number-one Easter chocolate brand and address a growing consumer desire for fresh and exciting

seasonal baked goods.

“Creating a moment of delight for families seeking new �lavour experiences within the in-store bakery channel, we’re con�ident that this new limited-edition cookie will generate signi�icant consumer appeal ahead of the Easter celebrations.”

NESTLÉ Confectionery has unveiled its 2024 Easter line-up, with new eggs from Quality Street, Rowntree’s, KitKat and Smarties.

Among the launches is the Quality Street Golden Collection Incredible Egg (RRP £12) and Rowntree’s Randoms Incredible Egg (RRP £12).

Smarties’ latest egg is the Sea Splash (RRP £7.49).

ALTOS Tequila is launching a ready-to-serve lime margarita.

Olmeca Altos Margarita (14.9% ABV) is made with Altos Plata Tequila, natural lime �lavour and agave syrup.

It will launch in a 750ml bottle with an RRP of £15.

Each bottle contains six servings and will roll out to convenience retailers this spring.

Josh McCarthy, brand director for Pernod Ricard UK, said: “The tequila category is booming and this new, accessible format makes it so simple for people to create the perfect margarita at home.

“Whether elevating an evening in or looking for the perfect dinner party serve,

creating a top-quality cocktail is now as simple as pouring over ice, taking away concerns about balance, technique and leftover ingredients.”

WORLD of Sweets is adding to its Kids Novelty range with new products from Crazy Candy Factory, Warheads, Pez, Buildable Surprise, Sweet Bandit and Kidsmania.

New products include Fruity Gummy Noodles, Gummy Dippers Gels and a Squeezie Hot Dog Pop in strawberry or mango. New from Kidsmania in 2024 are Gater Chomp, Grab Pop, Shark Bite, Chatty Chomper and Froggy Chomp Candy Lollipops.

Warheads will be launching Warheads Sour Ooze Pop this year in Strawberry, Blue Raspberry and Green Apple.

some eye-catching displays and by making good use of the merchandising solutions available, it will be popular among customers.”

Baker & Baker’s new Eggstra eggs on the menu for Nestlé Cadbury cookies KitKat has also added an Easter Egg Hunt pack (RRP £3.99) to its range, which contains eight milk chocolate eggs made with KitKat crunch wafer pieces.

Returning lines for the 2024 season include KitKat Chunky Half & Half Giant Egg, KitKat Caramel Cookie Collision Incredible Egg, After Eight Premium Egg and Milkybar Mini Egg Block.

Diageo’s new RTD Cocktail Collection DIAGEO has launched a trio of premium ready-to-serve cocktails.

The Cocktail Collection will be available from March in 500ml bottles across grocery and wholesale channels.

The trio includes a Johnnie Walker Old Fashioned Cocktail (20.5% ABV), Tanqueray Negroni Cocktail (17.5% ABV) and a Cîroc Cosmopolitan Cocktail (17.5% ABV).

Each cocktail contains �ive serves and has been speci�ically created for sharing and social occasions, tapping into growing consumer interest in at-home occasions.

The Cocktail Collection drinks are to be enjoyed

chilled and served over ice.

Nin Taank, marketing manager for RTDs at Diageo, said: “We recognise that consumers are still looking to create quality, memorable experiences at home, and The Cocktail Collection innovation provides consumers with the means to easily elevate any occasion.”

DIABLO has announced its brand-building campaign for 2024.

The campaign will feature 3D-style advertising across large digital platforms in London underground stations and over 250 sites nationwide.

Ahead of this, a social media campaign will launch

across several brands.

Senior brand manager for Diablo Javiera Moller said: “We’ve seen fantastic growth for the brand and now we have the distribution in place to support a real push.

“We’ve got big ambitions and we’re targeting the younger adult market with social media advertising.”

Diablo announces marketing campaign

Popchips promises Nature Valley gets Ready-to-serve Margarita from Altos to be ‘Better for You’ hectic with TV ad KP SNACKS has released its new ‘Better for You’ campaign for Popchips.

Until April, the campaign will run across out-ofhome and social media channels.

It is estimated to reach 78% of adults and aims to drive brand penetration and awareness.

The campaign aligns with the continuation of Popchips’ partnership with digital cinema media, which features a 20-second ad running until the end of March.

Alex Callender,

brand manager at KP Snacks, said: “Popchips is a leading brand in healthier snacking and we are delighted to be driving awareness of this tasty snack with increased media support.

“By keeping Popchips front of mind for shoppers, we will try to bolster sales for retailers.”

NATURE Valley has unveiled its ‘Happily Hectic’ advertising campaign. It is the brand’s �irst advertising campaign since 2021.

The adverts will appear on ITV, Channel 4, Sky and Good Morning Britain.

The Protein bars speci�ically will appear on GymTV, which puts the snacks in front of gym-goers at popu-

lar facilities such as Nuf�ield Health and Pure Gym. JP Del Carmen, head of snacks at General Mills, said: “The back-to-school period is a time when families need to be extra prepared with snacks during the day.

“Our new campaign aims to make a bar of Nature Valley an essential part of these families’ routines.”

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

Red Bull reveals Summer Edition RED Bull is introducing a Summer Edition Curuba-Elder�lower variety to its range.

Available from 11 March, the new Red Bull Summer Edition aims to tap into a growing demand for �lavoured energy drinks.

The launch follows the success of its Summer Edition Juneberry variety that was released last year.

The new variety will be available in a 250ml format with an RRP of £1.50.

A 250ml price-marked can will also be available with an RRP of £1.45.

The brand is also releasing a 355ml sugar-free variety with an RRP of £1.80, as well

as a 250ml sugar-free fourpack format.

The launch of Red Bull Summer Edition CurubaElder�lower will be supported with a range of tailored PoS.

SUNTORY Beverage & Food GB&I has announced its expansion into the RTD alcohol category with the launch of its pre-mixed alcohol brand, -196.

-196 has already been launched in Japan, Australia and China. The brand aims to see further global expansion of the product this year to Great Britain, Germany, the US and Southeast Asia.

Lemon and Grapefruit varieties, both with a 6% ABV, will be available from April.

Carol Robert, chief operating of�icer at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “The launch marks a signi�icant move for us into the ready to drink alcohol market. We’re proud of our Japanese herit-

age and are honoured to be launching one of Suntory’s iconic brands in our business for the �irst time.”

smooth and mellow with a subtle apple nose.

“Their commitment to sustainability complements our own climate goals.”

09

Cîroc makes a move into RTD category DIAGEO has added its Cîroc vodka brand to the ready-todrink (RTD) segment with the launch of Summer Citrus and Tropical Passion varieties.

Both varieties have an ABV of 5% and are available in 250ml cans, each with an RRP of £2.85.

Conor Brown, Cîroc brand manager at Diageo GB, said: “Our core Cîroc range has performed well for many years across the off trade, with our �lagship Cîroc Blue Dot vodka variety owning the highest rate of sale across the superpremium vodka category.

“The brand’s move into the RTDs space feels like a natural progression, giving our

customers across the grocery, wholesale and convenience channels the opportunity to excite and intrigue their shoppers with brand-new, superpremium RTD options.”

Glidin for over a year, so we’re extremely excited for the market to get their hands on it and see something a bit different from Wha Gwan.”

Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka available

CARIBBEAN-INSPIRED drinks brand Wha Gwan has unveiled its �irst sparkling infused wine, Glidin.

Glidin (8% ABV) combines the brand’s Melon Cherry Rum Tonic with sparkling Glera wine. It is available in a 330ml bottle with an RRP ranging from £2.99 to £3.99.

David Mills, founder of Wha Gwan, said that Glidin’s beer-bottle-style format will help the product stand out to consumers.

“We decided to think outside of the box with the aim of making something special which is how we came about bottling Glidin in a bottle that is usually associated with beer,” he said.

“We’ve been working on

CCEP updates RTD pack designs

ELLERS Farm Distillery has announced that Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka is now available from Costco warehouses across the country.

The listing follows an investment made by Ricky Gervais in November 2023, which saw him become co-owner of Ellers Farm. The move marks the brand’s latest nationwide listing with a major retailer.

Dutch Barn Orchard Vodka is handcrafted with British apples and tasted every 20 minutes during distillation.

Its bottles are made from recycled glass.

Dan Smith, buyer of spirits at Costco, said: “We are excited to be working in partnership with Ellers Farm Distillery.

Their vodka is beautifully

COCA-COLA Europaci�ic Partners (CCEP) has updated its pack design for its Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola Zero Sugar ready-to-drink can.

The redesign features a red collar at the top of the can, which helps to differentiate it from the Original Taste variety, making it easier for shoppers to identify the sugar-free format.

Elaine Maher, associate

director, commercial development, at CCEP GB, said: “Providing choice is a key part of our growth strategy. With this packaging update, we’re making that choice clearer to shoppers.

“Given that two-thirds of what we sell in GB from a soft drinks perspective is now low- or no-sugar, we know it makes sense to offer the same choice within our portfolio.”

SBF to launch -196 alcoholic RTD

Paid feature

Chris Smith, Partner brand manager, World of Sweets

Why you should consider selling pick-and-mix

Wha Gwan reveals new infused wine

PICK-AND-MIX has stood the test of time, with favourites dating back to 1886. With 76% of UK consumers attracted to sweets which remind them of their childhood1, pickand-mix provides a feeling of nostalgia.

Here at World of Sweets, we offer an unrivalled selection of more than 200 pick-and-mix lines, alongside effective point-of-sale units, with marketing solutions available to stores of all sizes.

Weighted goods are not subject to HFSS regulations, making them an even more attractive option.

Kingsway sits at the heart of our pick-and-mix offer, with bestsellers including classic bonbons and flying saucers. It also caters to more modern tastes, with fizzy bubblegum bottles and blue tongue painters.

Our new Pick & Mix Bundle Deal at Hancocks comprises a 20-compartment display, 10 scoops and 1,000 pick-andmix bags. We can also advise on the products to fill your display with depending on your customer base.

To capture consumers’ attention with something new, jump on the nostalgia that pick-and-mix holds and keep on top of current confectionery trends.

To find out more, email sales@worldofsweets.co.uk or call 0330 202 0903

Mintel – Bringing Back the Good Old Days: How Nostalgia Marketing Can Help Your Brand Succeed

1

OPINION

10

COMING UP IN THE 1 MARCH ISSUE OF RN

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 BOOKER: How will the wholesaler’s range review affect you?

“I’M looking forward to it. I’ve seen elements of this happen at my depot, where they’ve reduced the range by 20%.

It’ll be better if they add more fresh lines. I no longer see Euro Shopper cola, mango juices or some curry sauces.”

Boost your sales potential by choosing the right parcel service for your store

Alan Mannings, Shop on the Green, Chartham, Kent

“I HAVE seen the availability of coffee improve at my nearest depot. However, there was still a major difference between the number of catering promotions in comparison with retail.”

Ken Singh, BB Nevison Superstore, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

+ How to ready your store and your customers ahead of the new vaping legislation

I’ve seen elements of this happen at my depot

Pricewatch: see what other retailers are charging for soft drinks, and boost your own profits

MINIMUM UNIT PRICING: Will your alcohol sales be affected by the rise?

At RN, our content is data-led and informed by those on the shop floor

3,451

retailers’ sales data analysed for every issue

69+

unique retailers spoken to every month

71%

of RN’s news stories are exclusive

It won’t tackle the issue of alcohol consumption “ADDING personality to your “I TOOK a nice photo of the social media gets your repushop covered in snow retation out there. People put a cently, and that got the most name to the face and it gives interaction we’d had for a them that social interaction long time. We focus on what’s when they come into the unique. We have our own store. It’s the same impact branded clothing like hats that influencers have when and T-shirts, and we push that they make a vlog on products.” online.”

Umar Majid, Baba’s Kitchen, Bellshill, Glasgow

Stuart Kirk, Betty’s News, Mawgan Porth, Cornwall

Nathalie Fullerton, One Stop, Partick, Glasgow

Add personality to your social media MAGAZINES: How will the Just Ask campaign boost your print sales?

ORDER YOUR COPY from your magazine wholesaler today or contact Kate Daw on 020 7689 3363

betterretailing.com/subscribe

Mo Razzaq, Premier Mo’s, Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

“WE’RE quite indifferent.

On the upside, it could lead to competing more with supermarkets, as we’ll have the same prices, but on the downside, as alcohol becomes unaffordable, it may lead to an increase in thefts. We’re seeing a rise in theft of unexpected items like margarine.”

SOCIAL MEDIA: What are the best methods to increase engagement?

STAY INFORMED AND GET AHEAD WITH RN

To ADVERTISE IN RN please contact Natalie Reeve on 07824 058172

“IT won’t tackle the issue of alcohol consumption. Anyone with alcohol-abuse issues will steal the product if they cannot afford it. The government is not spending enough to get addicts the help they need.

There needs to be a campaign to help change Scotland’s attitude towards drink.”

The initiative will be a breath of fresh air

“PEOPLE aren’t seeing magazines when they come into stores. They know it’s easier to get digital subscriptions.

We would like to see more of this kind of support with publishers. Merchandising from a campaign like this would be really good for visibility.”

Abs Istfanous, City News & Convenience Store, Brighton

“THE initiative will be a breath of fresh air for business. It would be good to see Just Ask to return. Customers not knowing if they can find their title is a big issue. With demand down, we can’t stock the magazine. I’d love to see new merchandising and visuals from Just Ask.” Tilu Patel, Thrive News, Shepherd’s Bush, London

betterRetailing.com

PAID FEATURE INDUSTRY CLOSE-UP

In partnership with

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

11

FIVE TIPS TO SUCCESS

GET READY FOR IFE 2024 IFE, part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, is the ultimate business event for food and drink product discovery. Event manager FEDERICO DELLAFIORE discusses some of the highlights of this year’s event, taking place on 25-27 March at ExCeL London

WHY ATTEND? IFE is an unmissable opportunity for retailers to be immersed in the world of food and drink innovation, with thousands of products on offer from the UK and around the globe. Sample delicious new food and drink ranges, meet directly with brand owners, and learn from inspiring industry leaders from across retail, wholesale, hospitality and much more.

Visitors to the show can meet with small-scale suppliers in the Startup Market, hear from inspiring entrepre-

neurs in the New Products Tasting Theatre and stay up to date on the latest trends at the Future Food Stage.

Highlights of this year’s seminar programme include discussions on how retailers can best navigate the world of startups, how AI might transform the role of a buyer, the industry’s sustainability pioneers, and a full day of content curated by food and drink insight company IGD. More than 27,000 visitors are expected to be in attendance this year.

Check out the exhibitor list on the IFE website to explore different categories and make sure you don’t miss out on innovative products from quality brands.

1 2

Don’t miss the Startup Market, a hub of new product discovery and your chance to speak directly with the entrepreneurs behind the brands.

3

Suppliers from more than 40 countries will be exhibiting at this year’s event, showcasing international innovation and building closer relationships with UK retailers.

4

Check out the show’s seminar programme to keep on top of all the latest trends in the food and drink industry, and hear from retailers including Co-op and Ocado.

5

Visit IFE’s sister show, IFE Manufacturing, to meet with sustainable packaging brands, quality ingredients suppliers, labeling and compliance experts, and much more.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2024?

IFE is now part of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, which will feature more than 1,500 suppliers and thousands of innovative food and drink products from the UK and around the world.

Independent retailers, convenience stores, major multiples and global online retail brands are all attending.

New for this year’s event is the Fresh Produce Section, in partnership with the Fresh Produce Consortium, which will showcase quality produce and suppliers, and the Cheese

Pavilion, where visitors can meet with brands including Consorzio Tutela Grana Padano, Greek feta brand Epiros and Isle of Man Creamery.

This year will also see the IGD curate a day of content on the Future Food Stage, with presentations and panel discussions on topics including a big-picture industry outlook from IGD economic and retail experts, changing consumer perspectives, packaging and sustainability, UK versus international retail markets and more.

TOP THREE BESTSELLERS

1

2

3

Just Desserts RRP: £2.70-£3.20 per unit Just Desserts Yorkshire has launched a luxury cheesecake range housed in retail packaging and available in 12 flavours.

Hendo’s RRP: £2 Henderson’s Relish has created new HFSScompliant soya and potato snacks for a taste of Henderson’s on the go.

Up ’n’ Mellow: RRP: £1.65-£3.03 Startup Up ’n’ Mellow has a new range of Carribean-inspired porridges including Instant Walnut & Mango Porridge.

To find out more about IFE 2024, and to register for your complimentary trade ticket, visit ife.co.uk

12

LETTERS

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

Sunita Spar Hackenthorpe, Aggarwal Sheffield

Letters may be edited

Be ruthless with your range reviews

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

‘Booker range review is restricting our choice’ OUR local Booker branch in Gloucester is undergoing a huge retail range review. This is a national, not local, drive being undertaken by Booker.

As an independent store, we rely on local wholesalers for a large proportion of our stock.

Booker is our closest wholesaler, and our branch has recently had large

swathes of our core ranges removed.

Basic items such as Mini Cheddars, Tuc Biscuits and even Colman’s Mustard have been removed from branch.

Some other value items have also been replaced with premium but smaller alternatives.

Some items have been replaced with Jack’s own label, which are Tesco-branded

items. I don’t sell these because of the Tesco branding.

Customers of Booker were assured by Tesco in 2018 that the buyout would be bene�icial for their customers and that the worries of the independent traders were unfounded.

Jonathan Cobb, Miserden Stores and Post Of�ice, Stroud, Gloucestershire

Colm Johnson, managing director, Booker Group Retail, responded: “We will always ensure as a business, we continue to improve choice, price, and service for many years to come. The ranges we have, offer customers breadth as well as quality allowing them to grow as a business and gain sales on leading market trends.”

COMMUNITY RETAILER

WIN two cases of Cîroc’s new RTDs

TO celebrate the launch of its first-ever ready-to-drink (RTD) variants – Cîroc Summer Citrus and Cîroc Tropical Passion (both 5% ABV) – the brand has partnered with Retail Express to offer five retailers the chance to win a case of each flavour. The new sparkling vodka drinks are available at an RRP of £2.85 in 250ml cans, helping retailers offer their customers affordable indulgence in a convenient format.

TO ENTER Fill in your details at:

betterretailing.com/competitions This competition closes on 26 March.

Editor’s decision is final.

OF THE WEEK

Kaual Patel, Nisa Torridon Convenience, South London

We’re working with our local brewery

“I’VE always been a retailer who tries to support as many nearby businesses as possible, and Brockley Brewery is one of them. Last year, I worked with them to launch a custom beer range that has both my store’s and their own branding on the can. I sold 1,400 of them the last time we did it and we’ve ordered a similar amount this time, expecting demand to be around the same. So far, 140 cans have been sold. Customers like them as the packaging stands out and they’re supporting local businesses with their purchases.”

WE’VE been looking at a range review of the whole store recently, looking at the products and categories where we’ve duplications we don’t need and don’t want.

We’ve been identifying the slow sellers and then finding alternatives.

Where there aren’t alternatives, we’ve doubled the facings of the bestselling Each issue, one of seven top products. retailers shares advice to It’s meant that make your store magnificent we’ve cut back a lot on our overall range and we’ve got a lot less stock taking up space in the storeroom. It’s essentially felt like we’ve revamped the whole store.

It’s always good to do a range review. January and February are the best times to be doing this because it’s a bit slower in the shop and you can have a really close look at things. Where there were products that were out of date, it prompted us to think about whether we really needed to order any more.

Soft drinks is the category where we’ve made the most cutbacks. It’s a category where you can easily get carried away with lines, but we were ruthless and we’ve now increased the facings on the core-selling lines. You have to be ruthless when you’re doing a range review.

Ambient groceries and tinned products are other categories where we’ve reduced our range by a lot. One area where we’ve increased and improved our range is in petfood. We’ve got an independent supplier and that’s going really well. We’ve expanded the range to cover a greater number of pets, so we’ve got a good range of birdseed and things like that. It’s all about finding unique selling points.

We’re also in talks with a new supplier – Fieldfare.

Their frozen products are loose, which is great for helping people who are watching their pennies. They can pick up however many they need rather than buying lots and storing it. They can also get more variety for their family.

If one person doesn’t like fish, they can split between fish and chicken meals. There’s also great variety in their desserts, too.

Get in touch

@retailexpress betterretailing.com facebook.com/betterretailing megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk 07597 588972

The Fed Awards 2024 Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Hilton Birmingham Metropole

Are you the next independent retail

STAR?

The Fed Awards for 2024 are now open for entry and we want to hear from you. There's a chance for everyone to shine in one of the 18 award categories.

Submit your entry today and you could see your name in lights.

Don't wait, scan the QR code now to find out more and submit your entry online. thefedonline.com/fed-awards-2024/

Est. 1919

#FedAwards2024

Federation of Independent Retailers

CATEGORY ADVICE TOBACCO

14

THE FUTURE OF TOBACCO IN YOUR STORE PRIYA KHAIRA investigates the tobacco market and finds out how retailers are reacting to the latest changes within the industry

WHAT DOES THE TOBACCO MARKET LOOK LIKE? ACCORDING to research gathered by IBIS World, the market size for tobacco is projected to decrease over the next five years. Its research predicts that due to rising public awareness of the health implications of tobacco and the imposition of new legislation, tobacco revenue sales will decline at a compound annual rate of 3.4%.

However, further studies indicate that retailers can expect segments within the tobacco category to show signs of growth in years to come.

According to Imperial Tobacco, tobacco is worth £14bn each year before tax, with factory-

made cigarettes (FMC) and roll-your-own tobacco (RYO) holding 54% and 46% of the overall market share. In fact, a report conducted by Statista on the revenue of the tobacco products market from 20242027 shows that cigarettes, RYO, cigars, cigarillos and ecigarettes sales are forecast to increase between 2023-2027.

Tom Gully, head of consumer marketing UK&I at Imperial Tobacco, says that RYO tobacco and the tobacco accessories category provide a substantial sales opportunity for retailers.

“Filter tips are worth a sizeable £114m of sales while reg-

ular papers account for £44m, king-size papers £29m and combi papers £33m,” he says.

Meanwhile, Nataly Scarpetta, marketing manager at Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK, highlights the importance of cigars and cigarillos.

“The total UK cigar category is worth £295m in annual sales, which is a value increase of 3.2% versus the same time last year,” she says. “Cigarillo sales account for the largest of the four segments in the cigar category and is the only one currently in growth, responsible for nearly half of total cigar volume sales.”

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

CATEGORY ADVICE TOBACCO

16

VALUE FOR MONEY VALUE has become a top priority for tobacco consumers and retailers need to stock accordingly. Andrew Cruden, from Market Square News in Northampton, says: “I have found that margins on tobacco have slowed down in recent years as customers look more for value products rather than expensive brands. I would say that 80% of tobacco customers that come in store are looking for the cheapest tobacco option rather than a specific brand.”

Gully says that shopper demands for value have gained momentum as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.

“We are now seeing the low-

er priced products account for the largest proportion of tobacco sales,” he says. “Therefore, we’re seeing a shift towards value products across the entire category.”

Dipak Shah, owner of H&R News in Camberley, Surrey, says that promotions are key when it comes to tobacco sales. Shah runs promotions every month on his Imperial Tobacco brands and Embassy Signature Rolling Tobacco, and has reps from Imperial Tobacco come in store twice a week to discuss products with staff and customers.

“The offers enable customers to get £1 to £1.50 off their

purchase,” he says. “Riverstone Easy Rolling Hand Rolling Tobacco is a popular purchase that customers can get for £16.50 with the promotion.”

Speaking to supplier representatives and running promotional activity in store can encourage repeat tobacco sales and boost store profile.

“There are not a lot of stores nearby that stock a tobacco offering as large as ours, so it is important that we offer reasonable prices and keep our staff and customers as educated as possible on new products within the category,” says Shah.

latest launches Products and promotions Signature Scandinavian Tobacco Group has recently announced a redesign across its Signature Cigar range on packs of Signature Blue, Signature Original and Signature Red Filter.

Players Max Imperial Tobacco has released its new Players Max cigarette sticks. The sticks are 12% longer in size than its former range. The new pack has an RRP of £12.40.

21s Imperial Tobacco has brought back its 21s cigarette packs and 32g rolling tobacco. The 21s packs have an RRP of £12.25-£12.50 and the Riverstone 32g packs have an RRP of £18.50.

Rizla Imperial Tobacco has launched a Classic Combi variant of its Rizla rolling papers brand. The variety is available in a pack of 32 unbleached kingsize papers and has an RRP of £1.20.

Ploom X JTI’s Ploom X Advanced device has been named Product of the Year 2024 within the heated tobacco category.

Embassy Signature Imperial Tobacco has updated its Embassy Signature New Crush Fusion range with the addition of a New Crush Fusion variant.

OCB Papers Republic Technologies has expanded its OCB range by introducing OCB Rice Papers. OCB Rice Papers are organic and made from rice and hemp.

Mayfair Gold JTI has expanded its ultra-value RMC range with the launch of Mayfair Gold.

27 FEBRUARY-11 MARCH 2024 betterretailing.com

17

HOW WILL LEGISLATION AFFECT SALES? THE government has recently announced future plans for a generational ban. The legislation, which is set to be enforced in 2027, will prevent individuals born in 2009 or younger from ever legally being sold tobacco products.

This means that the minimum smoking age in 2027 will increase to 19, rising to 20 in

2028, with one year added with each year that passes. The UK government, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, will make it an offence for retailers to sell tobacco to anyone at or over the legal age.

According to a recent survey from JTI, 55% of retailers are concerned that the proposed changes will make ID checks

more complicated for staff.

A further 67% of retailers said the ban will likely lead to an increase in illicit tobacco activity, while 62% believe that the ban will be costly to their businesses in the long-term.

Shah says that while tobacco sales would likely be unaffected, it could pave the way for smokers to source products

from elsewhere in the future.

The government has also recently announced its intention to ban disposable vapes. The legislation is set to be brought in as soon as possible, allowing space for an implementation period of at least six months.

Pramit Patel, from Epping Stores in Epping, Essex, says that while the disposable ban

could encourage some users to switch to tobacco, he thinks that a complete shift to tobacco is unlikely. He and Shah think disposable vape users might make a switch to heated tobacco devices instead. Retailers concerned about the potential loss of income following the disposable ban should look at other next-gen options.

“We are going to try and switch our focus on to open-pod or refillable-pod vape systems in light of the disposable vape ban,” says Patel. “Tobacco tends to be purchased by older demographics, whereas we find younger consumers were gravitating to disposable vapes, so it is hard to say whether tobacco sales will be impacted.”

D E D I C AT E D TO T H E

E l a P S E u u R t • oF rOlLiNg • Re STOCK UP NOW SUPPLIER

VIEW

Tom Gully, head of consumer marketing UK&I, Imperial Tobacco “BOTH retailers and their staff should be fully trained and prepared to provide customers with a tailored and personalised experience if they want to build customer loyalty and ensure repeat visits to the store. We’d recommend retailers encourage their staff to keep on top of the latest industry trends, news and features in the trade media.

“This provides a great way for employees to achieve a deeper understanding into the current trends, tobacco terminology and any new product launches. With a significant amount of information available at their fingertips, retailers and their staff have the opportunity to increase their knowledge and expertise of the category.

“Staying on top of any new trends within the tobacco category can be a great way to ensure maximum sales impact. Value products, for example, are much more popular at the moment than premium products, given that many consumers are looking to reduce spending, so retailers need to ensure they are responding to this trend in order to grow their sales.

“However, it’s important to remember that every store is different, so retailers should analyse their sales data and talk to their customers on a frequent basis to understand what product they are looking for and purchasing often. Once retailers have an understanding of this, then they can tailor their range accordingly.”

19.00

£

RrP

*

SHARE IN THE SUCCESS OF ONE OF OUR FASTEST GROWING ROLLING TOBACCO BRANDS** *Based on ITUK RRP as at February 2024. For the avoidance of doubt, customers are free at all times to determine the selling price of their products.

For Tobacco Traders Only. **ITUK Market Estimates August 2023.

18

CATEGORY ADVICE TOBACCO TOP TIPS

Get in contact with reps Reps from tobacco manufacturers can help with merchandising advice, especially if you are interested in focusing on a new category.

Cigars and cigarillos Increase your focus on cigars and cigarillos sales as the segment is demonstrating steady growth within the tobacco category.

NEW! FOR NEW! NATURAL ROLLERS

UNBLEACHED VEGAN NON GMO SUPER SLOW BURNING

Next-generation nicotine With the government’s proposed generational ban on tobacco in the pipeline, retailers might want to shift their focus on next-generation products like e-cigarettes, heated tobacco and nicotine pouches.

Staff training Staff training is key when it comes to understanding the category and making customers feel at ease shopping with you. Ensure that staff are up to date on the latest legislation and newest products on the market so they can provide customers with effective recommendations.

SUPPLIER

VIEW

Gemma Bateson, sales director, JTI UK “KNOWLEDGE is key. Having up-to-date knowledge of the latest tobacco trends, such as the growing popularity of ultra-value products, is vital, and enables retailers to provide a good level of customer service.

“Through stocking a full range and maintaining good availability of products, retailers can provide a successful offering and service to their customers.

“Retailers should reach out to reps and suppliers for help identifying commercial opportunities and for advice and tips.”

CATEGORY ADVICE SOFT DRINKS

19

WHAT’S NEW IN SOFT DRINKS? TAMARA BIRCH offers a guide to capitalise on the latest trends to drive sales this year

THE IMPACT OF RISING COSTS ALMOST one-third (31%) of convenience store owners say soft drinks drive more footfall in their stores than any other category. As a whole, the category is now worth more than £1.2bn in retail.

The cost-of-living crisis is impacting spending across all categories, but retailers have said this is less apparent within soft drinks. The reason being many shoppers want the

convenience of a chilled drink to consume on the go.

This is backed by Amy Burgess, senior trade communication manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP).

“While people are more likely to cut back on big expenditures at the moment, they are willing to keep spending on small pick-me-ups, like soft drinks from leading brands, and we expect this to remain

the case as we get further into 2024,” she says.

This isn’t to say that largerformat sales aren’t increasing for retailers, however. Andrew Newton, of Nisa Local Colleygate in Halesowen, West Midlands, has noticed sales of 1.25l and 1.75l formats growing.

“People are realising they’re better value for money, and we’ve started putting them on multibuys, which shoppers are

responding well to,” he says.

Newton has started to remove price-marked packs (PMP) in soft drinks, in favour of non-price-marked and a multibuy option. It means he still gets similar – if not better – margins from the products and higher sales, as many shoppers will buy additional products to take advantage of the promotion.

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CATEGORY ADVICE SOFT DRINKS

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Katie Breadmore, assistant brand manager, Spar UK “IN the past 12 months, our independent Spar retailers have seen good wholesale sales growth. The biggest percentage growth area for independents has been in impulse fruit carbonates. And over the past 12 months, we have seen branded energy and isotonic drinks grow and we are hoping to grow energy and isotonic in Spar own label over the next year. Within our Spar own-label range, fruit carbonates are the biggest growth category currently, and we expect this growth to continue this year.”

top products

WHERE SHOULD YOU BE FOCUSING YOUR EFFORTS IN 2024?

RETAILERS need to look towards summer. With the British weather as unpredictable as it is, thinking about those summer months now will save you a headache later on.

Analyse sales data from last year to determine what your key sellers were and create space within your chillers to chill larger formats – particularly 1.25l and 1.75l. This will help drive sales of those buying for impromptu barbecues, picnics and other social gath-

erings. Within this, flavours are playing a strong role.

“Brands are seeing success in new and more exotic flavours, but more natural flavours, which can be paired with lower-sugar claims, are also on the rise,” says Katie Breadmore, Spar UK assistant brand manager.

This expands into energy, and Red Bull says the key to driving sales this year is having the right range available to help encourage trade up – es-

pecially as many shoppers get more value by doing so.

“Start by getting the right amount of space per category,” says a Red Bull spokesperson.

“Don’t scrimp on facings for your bestsellers. Put your bestsellers at eye level.”

Premium soft drinks are an area to watch this year, too.

Milly Tuck, senior brand manager at Cawston Press, says under-35s are increasingly treating themselves to betterquality drinks.

“Consumers are increasingly looking for high-quality soft drinks, which presents huge opportunities to drive value into the category with sophisticated soft drinks,” she says.

This growth is due to the consumption of fizzy drinks reducing – according to Tuck – due to “high sugar content, artificial colouring and sweeteners and caffeine, creating a greater shift in demand from carbonates towards natural fruit juices”.

Check out the latest product launches on betterretailing.com Red Bull Summer Edition Curuba-Elderflower Available from 11 March, the limited-edition Curuba-Elderflower flavour from Red Bull taps into the 85% of shoppers that say they want to try new and unusual flavours in energy drinks. It comes in 250ml (RRP £1.50), 250ml price-marked (£1.45), 355ml Sugarfree (£1.80) and a 250ml Sugarfree four-pack. The launch will be supported with PoS to raise awareness in store.

Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats range Within this range is Mars, Mars Caramel, Maltesers, Milky Way, Twix, Snickers, M&M’s Brownie and Galaxy. The range can be stored and sold as ambient, but is best served chilled. All lines are suitable for vegetarians and have no added sugar.

Lucozade’s ‘Blue’ trio Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I is launching three ‘Blue’ Lucozade varieties at the end of February.

Lucozade Energy Blue Burst will launch in plain and £1.50 price-marked 500ml bottle, and plain and price-marked 900ml formats. The brand’s Alert Blue Rush will come in plain and £1 price-marked 500ml cans, while Lucozade Sport Blue Force will be available in plain and £1.50 price-marked 500ml bottles, and a plain four-pack format.

Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle Monster Reserve Orange Dreamsicle combines a citrusy orange flavour with creamy vanilla bean. It is the third Monster Reserve launch, joining White Pineapple and Watermelon, which are already worth nearly £5m in retail.

Unitas Local Living Unitas Wholesale has made a range of soft drinks available under its relaunched own-label brand, Local Living. Five carbonated soft drinks – lemonade, diet lemonade, orangeade, cola and cherryade – come in 2l bottles (PMP 95p), and four squashes – lemon, blackcurrant & apple, summer fruits and orange – are available as £1 PMPs. Costa RTD PMP formats CCEP has launched Costa Coffee Latte and Caramel Latte RTD cans as PMP varieties. The £1.49 PMP formats are to help convenience stores drive incremental sales. The launch follows Costa becoming the fastest-growing major brand with RTD chilled coffee in independent convenience, up by 46% in value compared to total segment growth of 12.5%.

Pepsi ’90s-inspired rebrand Britvic has announced a complete ’90s-inspired rebrand across its Pepsi brand, which will roll out across its regular, diet and Max varieties from March. The rebrand will be supported with updated in-store PoS and displays.

YOUR CUSTOMERS’ FAVOURITE CONFECTIONERY BRANDS IN A BOTTLE

STOCK UP ET NOW TO ME GROWING DEMAND!

CATEGORY IN GROWTH

CHOCOLATE BOOMING

MARKET LEADER

Flavoured milk generated sales worth £642 million in the last year with sales up 13%.

Chocolate flavoured milk remains a shopper favourite with 89.5 million drinks sold every year.

Mars Milk is one of the leading chocolate milk drinks in the UK with annual sales of £19 million.

* 52 w/e 23 Dec, 23, Total Market

CATEGORY ADVICE SOFT DRINKS

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THE ENERGY DRINKS PHENOMENON SPORTS and energy was the fastest-growing category in 2023, according to Red Bull, adding an additional £411m to soft drinks and contributing 47% of all category value growth.

“In symbols and independents, sports and energy is already the number-one soft drinks category, accounting for 40% of all value sales and growing share,” says a spokesperson for Red Bull.

Energy drinks continue to dominate the market and are the biggest sales drivers for several retailers, including Goran Raven, of Raven’s Budgens in Abridge, Essex.

“Red Bull is a big player for us, but that might be because we’re a forecourt and shoppers prefer the 250ml format,” he says. “We stock a huge variety of Monster and probably stock about 14 different flavours.”

Raven says the Monster range appeals to a younger adult audience because of its striking packaging, while Red Bull is the “original” energy drink, and an older adult audience are more likely to choose this option.

“Monster has done some great marketing, and the artwork is great – it instantly stands out,” he says.

Newton says sales within

retailer tips Andrew Newton, Nisa Local Colley Gate, Halesowen, West Midlands Do a range review regularly “We do a range review once a month to ensure our bestsellers are on the shelf and occupy the right amount of space. This means every product is earning its space.”

Increase facings of bestsellers “When you have a bestselling line, make more room for it so customers have access to it when it’s needed. Take out slow sellers, which you’ll identify through regular range reviews.”

Ask for advice “Stock new products and work with reps for industry and category advice. Reps can offer advice on planograms, new lines and everything you need – you can then adjust accordingly.”

his store have steadied but make up approximately 60% of his business. “We almost couldn’t keep up with the growth, but Monster and Red Bull are now on multibuys, which is helping,” he says.

While Newton tries selling every new flavour and product that enters the energy drinks segment, he says they quickly downgrade or remove flavours from the store’s range. Having additional facings of your bestsellers helps with availability, which helps to maintain sales.

Different flavours are expected to continue to grow in 2024, according to Red Bull,

as they act as an entry point for consumers. “Last year, 71% of shoppers that were new to energy drinks bought a flavoured product,” says the Red Bull spokesperson.

“Consumers are looking for variety in flavours, with 85% agreeing that they want to try new and unusual flavours in energy drinks.”

With innovation delivering 29% of all category growth, according to Burgess, CCEP launched new Monster Lewis Hamilton Zero Sugar, Monster Juiced Aussie Lemonade, red-berry-flavoured Monster Ultra Rosa and Monster Ultra Peachy Keen last year.

FOCUS ON NEW PRODUCTS WHILE retailers say trends are similar compared to last year, they have stressed the importance of focusing on new products.

“New products are always popular because they’re new and shoppers are open to trying them,” Newton says.

“Even if they fizzle out, it’ll boost overall sales for a short period of time.”

Soft drinks is a fast-moving category and there are lots of new products throughout the year. Just this year, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has launched three new ‘Blue’ varieties across its Lucozade Original, Sport and Alert ranges, and Monster has

launched a Reserve Orange Dreamsicle flavour.

But new products aren’t the only way to drive soft drinks sales. Rebrands or packaging updates and campaigns can help the product stand out to customers.

Britvic, for example, will roll out a ’90s rebrand in March in a bid to attract both new and existing consumers.

On the campaign front, CCEP has launched a Monster extreme sports promo with X Games, live until the end of April. The promotion involves in-store promotional materials with QR codes supporting the brand’s Original and Zero Sugar varieties.

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CATEGORY ADVICE SOFT DRINKS

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COLAS AND CARBONATES COLAS and carbonates are the bread and butter of soft drinks and are highly recognisable among shoppers. That being said, retailers have stated there hasn’t been a huge amount of innovation within this sub-category.

“Everyone knows about Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and that they are the big players

within colas and carbonates,” says Raven. “Therefore, it doesn’t need to work as hard to drive sales.”

The most recent innovation within the sub-category is an expansion of flavours. Pepsi Max has expanded to offer Lime and Mango, while CocaCola Zero Sugar has Cherry and Vanilla varieties.

The good news about colas and carbonates is that it has a wide, diverse audience – and many uses. One of which being a strong mixer.

“Consumers are increasingly bringing the bar experience into their homes, crafting their own mixed drinks, making a strong mixers range more important than ever,” says Bur-

gess. “They are pairing their favourite spirits with quality mixers like Schweppes.

“Premium adult soft drinks, such as Appletiser, can deliver a more sophisticated alternative to alcohol for an at-home occasion, or be used as a flavour base for cocktails or mocktails, or in a mixed drink,” Burgess adds.

COFFEE AND DAIRY DRINKS RECENTLY, retailers have noticed the rise of chilled coffee drinks, with the likes of Costa and Starbucks the most popular. The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee sector is up by 10.3% in value over the past year.

“This growth is being driven by Costa Coffee RTD, up 31.7% in value,” says CCEP’s Amy Burgess.

Newton echoes this sentiment and says Costa Coffee is a strong seller, but also the entire segment is increasing. He says: “We stock a full range – potentially even too many – which includes Starbucks and Costa Coffee, and it’s all selling really well.”

Newton recommends carrying out regular range reviews and decreasing or delisting slow sellers and increasing facings of top sellers.

Within this sub-category, dairy drinks are also in growth – more specifically,

the total flavoured milk category, now worth £642m.

Within convenience, sales have grown by 13% over the past year and now contribute 44% of total category sales with a value of £285m.

“Coffee and chocolate-flavoured milk are the leading sub-categories, with coffeeflavoured milk the largest and is worth £237m and growing by 14% year on year,” says Michelle Frost, general manager at Mars Chocolate Drinks & Treats. “Chocolateflavoured milk is also performing well, with value sales worth £122m.”

If you’re new to RTD coffee and dairy drinks – or looking to expand – research across social media or ask customers about their go-to brands from coffee shops, as this will help you navigate a growing subcategory. Then, trial its success through sales data.

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Milly Tuck, senior brand manager, Cawston Press “SALES in the soft drinks category are on the rise despite challenges presented by the cost-of-living crisis – according to Mintel’s UK Carbonated Soft Drinks Market Report 2023, total carbonated soft drinks volume sales in 2022 exceeded those seen in 2019 by 3.3%. The opportunity for soft drinks sales for independent retailers is particularly big for summer, with soft drinks seeing more growth in the warmer seasons. For every degree celsius increase in temperature, between 18-24 degrees, we see four times growth in soft drinks sales.”

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CATEGORY ADVICE PROTEIN PRODUCTS

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PRO TIPS FOR PROTEIN SALES TOM GOCKELEN-KOZLOWSKI finds out the must-stock trends in the protein market today and how retailers can see sales soar this year

Image credit: Getty Images/Obradovic

A CATEGORY IN GROWTH “PROTEIN products have become a core category that stores need to stock like all the others – they’re really important,” says Dave Hiscutt, who runs several Londis stores in and around Weymouth, Dorset.

While the continued strength of the protein products market will surprise nobody, the extent of its success is attentiongrabbing – as sales data from Epicurium shows.

“Within Epicurium’s pro-

tein and sports category, we witnessed net sales grow 19% from 2021 to 2022 and a further 16% from 2022 to 2023,” says Ben McKechnie, managing director of the specialist wholesaler.

This growth has spawned and been driven by an expanding variety of different options for different purposes.

“What has traditionally been dominated by purely whey protein has expanded into

plant-based alternatives and a greater variety of flavours, moving beyond just functional protein fixes for the consumer into indulgent bars with rich flavours, allowing consumers to treat the traditional protein bar as a snack with benefits,” adds McKechnie.

The success of the category is underscored by other industry leaders, with the total ‘healthier snacking’ UK market worth £148m and “grow-

ing fast”, according to Kieran Fisher, founder and managing director of KBF Enterprises.

“In the past, someone comes in, grabs a drink and a snack bar, and maybe it was a traditional confectionery bar at 60p with 30% POR,” says Fisher. “Now, it’s a protein bar at £2 with 30% POR and the cash margin is substantially more. Giving up confectionery space for protein bars is a no-brainer.”

THE GROWING ROLE OF BIG BRANDS THE success of the protein market has seen a host of new brands emerge – while existing well-known brands continue to launch new products.

One of the most recent arrivals is a collaboration – Grenade Oreo White. The product

is available to independent retailers via Booker and Bestway, and has already found success with Sarj Patel, who runs Pasture Lane Stores in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire.

“Our range of protein products sells well with students

and people going to the gym, but we’re also seeing a lot of builders picking them up, too,” he says.

“They tend to prefer brands they recognise and will choose a protein bar instead of a flapjack or chocolate and buy them

alongside a bottle of Lucozade and a sandwich.”

Another confectionery brand which has successfully transitioned to the protein market, meanwhile, is Mars, with its Mars and Snickers Hi Protein Low Sugar bars.

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NEW FORMATS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES KBF Enterprises says its Warrior Crunch bars have become one of the fastest-selling protein bars in the UK – and are now available in 14 flavours, including Fudge Brownie and Peanut Butter Cup. As brands look to expand the opportunity for retailers, new formats have arrived and the past 12 months have seen the launch of Warrior-branded energy shots, protein cookies and even half-sized bars with an RRP of £1. In addition, a Warrior protein water will also soon appear in wholesalers.

For Dean Holborn, owner of

two Holborn’s stores in Redhill and South Nutfield, Surrey, the shake sector has provided the latest opportunity for his business.

“Protein bars are still very important and we recently moved this range to sit next to the confectionery section, so that customers can decide between the two when they want a snack,” he says.

“Our biggest change has come with the expansion of the protein shake range we offer, particularly the Barebells range. As with other protein categories, customers opting

for these products are trading up, which boosts the basket spend for our whole store.”

According to Nielsen data, the jerky and biltong meat snacks category is growing at 44% in value and 37% in volume, and Shaun Whelan, Jack Link’s convenience/wholesale and out-of-home controller, says his brand has been experiencing 60% value and 50% volume growth.

“It is driven by more shoppers buying into the category who are willing to pay for the high-protein benefits from brands they trust,” he says.

PRODUCT LAUNCHES

SMART MERCHANDISING HISCUTT recently started stocking the Huel range and, because these shakes are marketed more as a meal replacement, he decided to dual site them both with soft drinks and with food-to-go snacks. Within six weeks, he has seen almost £800 of sales and it has inspired him to search for more products in the range.

“Within half an hour, I saw a woman buying one of the shakes and saw that she’d picked it up from the foodto-go section,” he says. “She told me that she’d picked it up instead of buying some cooked chicken for lunch – that taught me a lot about how this category functions for a lot of people.”

Visibility and dual siting are key for this category because not everyone will know

what all of these products are and not everyone will expect your store to be stocking them.

“Dual merchandising is key to ensure shoppers can easily find their favourite brand on the main fixture – ideally alongside crisps, nuts and bagged snacks – to offer customers a healthier option and encourage them to tradeup, and also on clip strips to prompt unplanned incremental purchase,” says Whelan.

Fisher says analysing shopper behaviour is at the heart of good ranging and merchandising for this category.

“Stock what sells and do your own research,” he says.

“Customers aren’t going to drop a 60p bar for a £3 one, but they will drop a £1 bar for a £2 one, if it’s better for you and just as tasty.”

Jack Link’s Ham Snack Joining Jack Link’s original Beef Jerky and Biltong range, its new Ham Snack is made from 100% lean pork and contains more than 50% protein.

Warrior Protein Water Packed with essential vitamins and electrolytes, this high-protein water comes in a range of fruit flavours.

It’s the latest in a range of Warrior products including bars, shots and cookies.

Grenade Oreo White These 60g bars – the 15th flavour produced by Grenade – come with an RRP of £2.85, and are available through Booker and Bestway.

Mars Hi Protein Low Sugar Raspberry Smash Featuring a raspberry-flavoured pink nougat and caramel layer, the latest addition to the low-sugar range boasts 18g protein and only 2g sugar.

C4 Energy One of America’s fastest-growing performance energy drink brands, C4 Energy, has recently arrived in the UK and can be purchased from specialist wholesaler Epicurium.

Surreal Chocolate Hazelnut cereal The Surreal company recently launched a bananaflavoured cereal to appeal to shoppers looking for a protein-packed breakfast, and further extended its range by launching a Chocolate Hazelnut flavour.

Are you struggling to stay warm and cover your heating bills during the colder weather?

Have you been affected by the recent Floods?

NewstrAid is here to help and can provide FINANCIAL, EMOTIONAL and PRACTICAL support to retailers and their staff this winter.

For more information visit www.newstraid.org.uk call us FREE on 0800 917 8616 or email mail@newstraid.org.uk

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FINDING SAVINGS

The RETAIL EXPRESS team finds out where retailers can cut costs and extract even more savings for their business

You’ve got to look at your costs these days.

Where are retailers finding savings? – Mike Mitchelson, Brampton Post Office, Cumbria

1

Sue Nithyanandan, Costcutter Epsom, Surrey

“SHOPPING around is vital, whether it’s with electricity suppliers or with anything else at all. We’ve found that going direct to suppliers has worked well for us. You’ve also got to sit down and look through your costs and identify anything that might be unnecessary. You have to be shopping around for CCTV, broadband, EPoS and even phone lines.

“Recently, I was looking at our telephone costs. From next year, BT is migrating their whole network to �ibre and there are so many companies now that are offering these exact services. Different providers are coming up with different prices.

BT was charging me £60 a month for my landline, but because voice calls are going through broadband now, it’s become much cheaper. I’ve managed to migrate it to my broadband system and now it will only cost me £11. These are all little things, but they add up.”

2

Mark Dudden, Albany News, Cardiff

“WE’VE gone through all our lighting. We have got a lot here in the shop and we found that, even now, not all of it was LED. So, we have replaced the lot with new LED bulbs. We have also looked at how we can cut costs through our waste disposal. The local council removes our waste and recycling at the moment.

But moving forward, while we will still be doing some waste removal with them, we’re actually going to be reducing their services by 50% and switching to a local recycling �irm that’s half the price.

“It’s a bit more effort from my point of view, but you’ve got to make savings here, there and everywhere. The council pick-ups are notoriously expensive, but this recycling �irm will pick up it for a price or I can drop it off at their depot. And as their depot is on the way from my shop to my Booker wholesaler, I drop off all my cardboard and corrugates as I’m on my way there.”

3

Shelley Goel, One Stop Gospel Lane, Birmingham

“WE’VE been clearing out all our fridges and getting new ones.

There’s no point, in my mind, putting timers on them and things like that. You need to bite the bullet and change the fridges.

The technology has moved on so much in recent years that if I change all the fridges, they’ll be so much more energy ef�icient that I’ll save more money that way. And they’re also quieter.

“It’s like having an old car. You can tinker with it, but you’ll end up spending more than the car is worth over two years, but just in smaller increments – a £200 trip to the garage one month, a £300 trip later that year. It’s better to just buy something newer and more ef�icient. We’ve got these Pure Cold fridges now which we got through One Stop. The beauty of that is it gives us more control and clout with them as well because we’ve got the symbol behind us. Nowadays, with the cost of living, the ones who’ll survive are the ones who have their eye on everything.”

In the next issue, the Retail Express team finds out how retailers are building ranges that appeal to children.

If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email charles.whitting@newtrade.co.uk