BUSINESSES MUST GET BEHIND GREEN THINKING NOW

James Bielby, chief executive, FWD

Sustainability is trending and for a good reason. Businesses are now scrutinised for their sustainable practice as consumers increasingly shop smarter and greener.

Whether it’s generational or not (Generation Z is reportedly the most committed to sustainability, with shoppers willing to spend up to 10% more for eco-friendly products), the demand for sustainably sourced products from a repu- margins.

Thank you for your magazine – I look forward to reading it every Thursday, mainly to keep up with the – often depressing –news in the News & Mags section, or for Neville Rhodes’ brilliant views on the industry. Keep up the good work.

Kevin Passmore Passmores Ltd, Yeovil, Somerset

A News UK spokesperson responded: “Our retail partnerships are incredibly important to us, and we appreciate the challenges the whole industry faces as we all deal with unprecedented inflationary costs.

“We’re incredibly appreciative of the hard work of our retail partners, both in supporting loyal print customers and working with us in partnership to maintain the print subscription business.

“For our part, we are always looking at ways to reduce costs without adversely impacting margins for our retail partners. On this occasion, despite our best efforts, that has not been possible. The margin will, however, increase from 9 December.”

VIEW FROM THE COUNTER with Julie and Joey Duhra

I (Joey) spent the morning playing five-a-side football with some of our old regulars.

When we were opening early and closing late, having the energy to do things like this would have been a stretch.

Having the right staff who can open up or cover is the secret to unlocking your time, and we feel really blessed to have them. When you find excellent team members, you wonder how you ever did it without them.

I’ve been receiving lots of cold calls from card providers, one of them was Handepay, owned by PayPoint. They promised me £1,000 if they couldn’t beat my provider.

I handed over the necessary information and they came back and said that they couldn’t beat it – the bloke said it was the first time this had happened.

I pursued the £1,000, which we'd give to charity, only to be told to read the terms and conditions. Apparently, there is a clause that says that the offer doesn’t apply to any store that’s a member of a group like the Fed, Premier or even just Booker. From the sounds of the terms, there won’t be many stores out there it does apply to.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK

When it comes to football, I may feel young at heart, but my body might disagree.

table seller has increased significantly.

The environmental impact of consumer goods and its suppliers seems as big an issue now as Fairtrade was at its inception 30 years ago.

Retailers need to show what they are doing for our planet, as this is making their shop more attractive to consumers buying food and drink.

This is why FWD unveiled our Carbon Zero Roadmap at our annual conference last month. This exciting project allows us to look at the bigger picture of wholesale and its environmental impact now.

We are committed to working with our members to meet a stretching 2040 Net Zero target.

By aligning ourselves with this goal, we are urging retailers to get on board, too. It isn’t something that can be achieved overnight, but instigating sustainable practices –however small – in busi- ness, can result in lasting changes for the future.

As a starting point, FWD has created a Carbon Calculator for the wholesale sector, which is free for our members to use. In turn, retailers can support the supply chain by looking at things they can do to reduce their carbon footprint, such as reducing plastic waste, using local suppliers where possible and putting doors on chillers.

The road to carbon zero starts here.

No 50% Yes 50%

Funkin goes alcohol-free

Funkin Cocktails has launched its first alcohol-free variety in a Passion Fruit Martini flavour. The new variety has initially launched in Tesco ahead of a wider rollout in 4x200ml packs at an RRP of £6.75. As part of its wider rollout, it will also be available as a single can (RRP £1.80). Funkin’s existing alcoholic Passion Fruit Martini line is worth £6.7m, and represents £1 in every £3 spent on RTD cocktails. RRP £1.80, £6.75 (4x200ml)

New cookies from Baker & Baker

Baker & Baker has added a Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate & Orange variety to its cookie range. The bakery range comes with four cookies per bag and is designed to be baked fresh in store. The Chocolate & Orange variety will accompany the two existing flavours in the Cadbury range: Dairy Milk and Caramel, which now both feature a new recipe including an improved cookie dough and softer texture.

On sale now

TWE takes Pride in Squealing Pig

Treasury Wine Estates has launched its first outdoor campaign for Squealing Pig as it looks to grow sales. It will kick of with a presence at Brighton & Hove and Manchester Pride events this summer as the category sponsor of both festivals. It will also be supported by in-store and social media activity, focusing on its Italian Pinot Grigio Rosé, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and Mendoza Malbec varieties

Campaign spans outdoor, in-store PoS and social media

Schweppes campaign launch

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has unveiled a new multimillion-pound campaign for Schweppes called ‘Born social’. It spans TV, digital and outdoor advertising, alongside paid social media and influencer activity. The supplier said the campaign builds on the brand’s success as “the number-one mixer brand in the off-trade by value and volume”, suited for upcoming social occasions throughout the summer.

Campaign spans TV, digital and outdoor advertising, and social media

Consumer trial from Sanpellegrino

‘Treat yourself to a taste of Italy’ is the new summer campaign from Sanpellegrino, spanning outdoor and digital media in close proximity to stores – directing customers to shops including independents. The campaign will be supported by sampling across Manchester and London as the brand aims to increase awareness. The brand will also activate a pop-up Sanpellegrino ‘piazza bar’ on London’s south bank on 8 July. Campaign spans outdoor and sampling

Brioche’s on-pack Kids Pass promo

Brioche Pasquier is launching an on-pack promotion to tie in with the school holidays offering shoppers the chance to win a 12-month Kids Pass. Between 10 July and 3 September, 2,000 12-month Kids Passes will be up for grabs via promotional packs of Brioche Pasquier Pitch. To enter, shoppers scan the QR code to visit the competition site and enter their contact details as well as the product batch code. Campaign runs until 3 September