Talking Shop
Biggestever support package
Cutting costs
Exclusive deals to slash costs
Brand new Premier Horsebridge Hill has it all. PLUS Christmas cracker
Galloping ahead
OPEN S A C S AS I H A
Welcome
Well, it’s almost that time of year again and I hope you are all looking forward to the exciting festive period as much as I am. Christmas presents a world of opportunities for retailers and Premier is right behind you, providing all the support you need to maximise your footfall, sales and profits.
This year, we’re not just aiming big – we’re aiming for the biggest Christmas ever! We have put together our biggest-ever package of seasonal support for Premier retailers including hundreds of new products, seasonal lines, Group Exclusives and own-label developments. A record-breaking package to help you deliver a record-breaking Christmas.
Don’t forget to check out our NPD Guide too, which is packed full of exciting new lines and Group Exclusives which can really help you set yourself apart from the competition this festive period. And, while they’re not new, don’t forget to stock up on Jack’s Mince Pies. They were a huge hit last year and they’re set to fly once more this Christmas.
With the recent Budget looking likely to pile more pressure onto retailers, it’s more important than ever that we all focus on cutting the costs of doing business. That’s precisely why we have negotiated a new, exclusive deal with Worldpay that can help retailers cut the cost of taking credit and debit card payments. I would also encourage you to check out the article on our Energy Saving Service which can help reduce your energy bills and generate new income streams with services like EV Charging and Solar PV. Critically, the Energy Saving Service allows you to start saving from day one without spending a penny.
Christmas presents a great opportunity to end the calendar year on a high and I wish you all the very best of trading in the weeks ahead.
Martyn Parkinson, Sales Director – Booker Wholesale
Talking Shop
COVER STORY
Premier retailer Vinojan Subramaniam is making the most of his new store's sizeable passing trade opportunity.
THE THREE BIG STORIES
7 Winning ways Premier retailers enjoy awards triumph.
46 Making Merry Premier is gearing up for its biggest Christmas ever!
50 New product bonanza 237 new products to hit this Autumn.
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NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
Premier retailers triumph at industry awards PremierNews
The Better Retailing Awards celebrated retailers at the top of their games.
Premier retailers scooped a trio of high-profile accolades at the Better Retailing Awards 2024.
Held in Birmingham on 14 October, the inaugural event celebrated retailing excellence across 10 specialist categories including Store Development, Responsible Retailing and Customer Engagement.
Each shortlisted candidate in the categories was assessed by store visits and a rigorous judging process prior to the event.
The Team Development award was claimed by Girish Jeeva, owner of Girish’s Premier @ Barmulloch in Glasgow.
Commenting on the win, Girish said: “In my eyes, team awards are the pinnacle of recognition; they symbolise the collective effort and dedication that everyone contributes day in and day out. This accolade truly belongs to my remarkable colleagues, whose hard work and relentless commitment truly shine in every aspect of our store's operations.”
The Community Hero crown was awarded to Sophie Williams, of Broadway Premier in Edinburgh.
Sophie said: “We are so proud to live in the
community that we do – this is for all of us in Oxgangs, we can’t wait to bring the trophy home!
“A huge congratulations to all the other winners and finalists. We are honoured to be up there with you all.”
The Merchandising & In-Store Display award was won by Premier retailer Shilen Madhani, owner of MBROS Premier in Swindon.
Commenting on the outstanding crop of finalists and winners, Better Retailing editor-in-chief Louise Banham said: “It’s not easy to run an independent convenience business in the current climate, where cost pressures, legislation and retail crime plague retailers’ lives every day, but those entering the Better Retailing Awards are proving how resilient independent shops are.
“Our winners are at the forefront of innovation and their communities, providing excellent service and strong development opportunities for their teams, all of which showcases the importance and value of local shops.”
British comedian and writer Shazia Mirza hosted the red-carpet event.
PREMIER RETAILER TAKES HELM AT SGF
Premier retailer Graham Watson BEM, who runs Watson’s Licenced Grocers in Moniaive, has been appointed as the new President of The Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s National Executive board.
A former submariner, Graham took on the village shop in Dumfries and Galloway nearly two decades ago and has proved himself to be a true community retailer.
Regularly taking part in charity drives, such as his recent 5,000 press-ups to raise funds for MND research and awareness, Graham was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the community through the Covid-19 pandemic.
TALKING TACTICS
What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at talkingshop@booker.co.uk
TEAM PLAYER: Girish Jeeva claimed the Team Development Award.
LOCAL HERO: Sophie Williams won the Community Hero prize.
Premier retailers shine at Asian Trader Awards 2024
Multi-site Premier retailer
Jenarthan Saravanamuthu was crowned Independent Retailer of The Year 2024.
Premier retailers were celebrated at the Asian Trader Awards 2024 with two high-profile wins, including the coveted title of Independent Retailer of The Year.
The top accolade went to Premier retailer Jenarthan Saravanamuthu who owns Premier Rassau Stores in the Welsh town of Ebbw Vale.
The multi-site retailer recently completed a total overhaul of his store in Ebbw Vale which he bought in October 2022.
New-look Premier Rassau Stores features a comprehensive fresh and chilled offer, along with a striking Beer Cave and Refresh@Premier.
The store also supports the local community in a variety of ways, including sponsoring local teams.
The judges thanked Jenarthen for his “remarkable contributions to the industry.”
Meanwhile, first time retailer Harman Puni, of HP Convenience in Chesterfield, won the Next Generation Award – an accolade designed to celebrate rising stars “who have already made a lasting impact and show strong potential for growth.”
Judges praised the “remarkable achievements” that 23-year-old Harman has made since opening his first store in September 2023, including more than doubling turnover and becoming an active part of the local community.
23-year old Harman invested more than £200,000 on a showstopping refit – creating a highly-prized new offer for local shoppers. He has also pledged to donate £100 a month to local good causes.
Harman also claimed the Rising Star accolade at the Retail Industry Awards 2024 back in September.
Sunderland store drives excitement with Mini win
Sunderland Premier retailer Kalaruban Thanayasalam had the lovely job of handing over the keys to a brand new Mini car to the lucky winner of Premier’s Scratch 2 Win competition.
Lucky winner Sivani was visiting the area when she popped into Kalaruban’s store to top up on a few essentials and picked up what would turn out to be the prize-winning 'Scratch 2 Win' card.
“It was wonderful to be able to present her with such an amazing prize, Kalaruban told Talking Shop.
“It was a great experience for all of us, as well as for her and certainly created a buzz locally!” he added.
Sivani, who is 20 years old and currently studying at university, said: “I was absolutely
thrilled to have won the scratch card competition! It was such an unexpected and exciting surprise. I honestly couldn't believe my eyes when the scratchcard revealed that I have won a Mini. I am so grateful for this opportunity.”
Premier’s Scratch 2 Win competition gave shoppers the chance to win a scratchcard when they spent £10 or more in store.
Shoppers had a one in four chance of winning a prize, with tech gadgets and store products up for grabs, as well as the grand prize of Mini car.
Every Premier store received 1,000 scratch cards and 18 cases of free stock to use as prizes.
Product prizes were supported by big brand manufacturers, including PepsiCo and CCEP.
First time retailer Kalaruban, opened Premier Gleneagles in Sunderland back in December 2023, following a comprehensive store refit.
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
Julie wins big CommunityNews
Premier retailer Julie Kaur has claimed a duo of prestigious wins at key industry awards.
Julie, of Jules Convenience in Telford, was named as the Gold Winner of the Best Consumer Business category in the Best Businesswoman Awards 2024.
Founded in 2015 by entrepreneur Debbie Gilbert, the awards recognise and reward female business talent in a variety of different industries.
Jules Convenience has been a family run business for over 40 years and Julie has worked tirelessly with the community - raising thousands of pounds for local and national charities.
Judges described Jules Convenience as “a business which seamlessly combines CSR with
traditional consumer services. A wonderful business with a wholehearted community spirit.”
Julie added: “This award has been a true honour to receive, and I will continue working as hard as I can to support the local community in Hadley and Telford.
And Julie's recognition doesn’t end there. Jules Convenience was also honoured with the top spot in the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion category at the Retail Industry Awards 2024. Judges praised the store's staff training on diversity, flexible working conditions and dedicated space for prayer.
PREMIER WHITEHILLS OFFERS PAGETURNING NEW SERVICE
Premier Whitehills has introduced a free ‘little library’ in-store for local children to enjoy.
The little wooden library was made by the Scottish Mens Sheds Association and has been filled with books donated by the 1st Whitehills Rainbows.
The library offers a range of books for all ages, which can be borrowed for free, with further book donations always welcome.
It is located in the store’s main foyer, beneath the community noticeboard.
TALKING TACTICS
What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at talkingshop@booker.co.uk
Pink perfection
Premier Heyside's home delivery service has been given a boost with vibrant new vans.
Shoppers in and around the Manchester village of Heyside are seeing pink - following an eyecatching re-brand of Premier retailer Mos Patel’s home delivery service.
Mos has unveiled a vibrant new look for his fleet of home delivery vans.
The neon pink vans feature both Premier and Snappy Shopper branding and product imagery. They also highlight the service’s pledge to deliver “in as little as 60 minutes.”
In celebration of the new look vans, Premier Heyside and Post Office ran a high-profile social media promotion offering all shoppers who ordered through Snappy Shoppers a free packet of Squares Salt and Vinegar crisps and £12 of their first order when using the code SNAP12.
Premier retailers shine at Scottish Grocer Awards
The achievements of Premier retailers were further celebrated at The Scottish Grocer Awards, with a raft of high-profile accolades claimed at the prestigious ceremony on 6 November.
The coveted title of Independent Retailer of the Year was awarded to Premier retailer Girish Jeeva, of Premier Girish’s @ Barmulloch in Glasgow.
The Entrepreneur Award went to Premier retailer Billy Gatt, of Premier Whitehills in Banff, which also won the Licensed Retailer of the Year prize.
The highly-prized accolade of Community Retailer of the Year meanwhile, went to Premier Broadway Convenience Store in Edinburgh.
The team at Premier RaceTrack Pitstop also picked up a duo of awards, including The Innovation Award for Premier Wishaw and the Vaping Retailer of the Year for Premier Bearsden in Glasgow.
FLASH MOVES AT HALTON MOOR
Barry’s Premier in Halton Moor has introduced a new Flash delivery service replacing its old ‘Barry’s Brings’ offer.
Users of the new service can place orders directly via the Flash Delivery app and enjoy in-store prices, no hidden or service fees and “home delivery in a flash” from its own fleet of drivers.
The new service also allows shoppers to “spend and save” with 1% back on every order.
Shoppers were offered free deliveries in the first week of the new services’ launch and an exclusive bundle deal.
The service also allows shoppers to chose from a range of deals and offers including a special ‘Kevin’s Deals’ category - featuring promotions handpicked by store owner Kevin Wilson.
A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY
Disposable vapes ban confirmed for June 2025 IndustryNews
NEW VAPE LICENSING SCHEME POWERS
The Government has confirmed that a ban on disposable vaping products will come into force on the delayed date of 1st June 2025.
The UK Government has confirmed that a ban on disposable vaping products will come into force next year but the implementation date has been pushed back to 1st June 2025.
The legislation only affects England, but the devolved government in Wales has already followed suit and similar bans are expected to be introduced in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The UK Government has laid legislation to introduce the ban and, subject to parliamentary approval, businesses will have until 1st June 2025 to sell any remaining stock they hold and prepare for the ban coming into force.
The ban was initially due to be implemented on 1st April 2025 and the Association of Convenience Stores has welcomed the delay in implementation after recommending a minimum sell-through period
of at least six months to enable businesses to prepare.
From 1st June, the only vaping products that will be available for sale legally in the UK must be refillable and rechargeable, intended for multiple uses as opposed to ‘disposable’ vapes which are single-use products.
All retailers who sell vaping products must provide recycling facilities in their stores on at least a one-for-one basis.
IMPORTANT DISPOSABLE VAPE UPDATE
We have been notified by Trading Standards that they have been visiting retailers that sell disposable vapes to check products are being sold in compliance with the law.
It has come to their attention that a number of retailers are selling products which do not comply with UK requirements. Visit www.acs.org.uk/advice/selling-vapes for guidance from the ACS, which outlines how to recognise legitimate products. It is important that where you are purchasing vapes that you are able to recognise legitimate vapes. Booker has in place controls to ensure that the product it distributes are legitimate and appropriate for the UK market.
It is important to remember that the consequences of selling illegitimate vapes is incredibly serious, and can result in unlimited fines and two years in prison.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill, introduced in UK Parliament on 5 November will phaseout the sale of tobacco products across the UK to anyone aged 15 or younger this year, and will also include powers to introduce a licensing scheme for retailers to sell tobacco, vape and nicotine products in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The licensing scheme also includes the potential to limit the number of businesses in an area based on their proximity to others.
The generational ban will come into force in 2027, meaning that there will be a single date that retailers have to reference for age restricted sales.
The Bill will also introduce on the spot fines of £200 for retailers caught selling to underage shoppers.
It also includes a ban on vape advertising and sponsorship, plus powers to restrict flavours,display and packaging.
First Labour Budget piles on cost for retailers
The recent Labour Budget is set to land the convenience retailing sector with an additional £666m in costs, says the ACS.
The first Labour Budget in 14 years was unveiled by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and is set to cost the convenience sector an additional £666m, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).
The impact on the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores will be felt unevenly, with some measures, such as the increased employment allowance, mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses, analysis by the ACS revealed.
The key measures affecting UK convenience stores include increases in the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage, an increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions and a reduction in retail rate relief in England.
ACS calculates that the increase in wages alone will cost the convenience retailing sector an additional £513m while the increase in Employers’ National Insurance Contributions to 15% will add around £85m in extra costs.
ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “The cold hard facts are that the measures announced have
added two-thirds of a billion pounds to the direct cost base of the UK’s local shops. At a time when trade is tough and operating costs are stubbornly high, this will be challenging for our members to absorb.”
The Budget also featured:
l Flat rate levy on vaping liquids from October 2026 of £2.20 per 10ml;
l Duty rate on all tobacco products will increase by the tobacco duty escalator of 2% above Retail Price Index (RPI) inflation;
l The duty rate for hand-rolling tobacco will rise by an additional 10%, to 12% above RPI inflation;
l Fuel duty frozen and the 5p cut extended for another year;
l Tax on non-draught alcoholic drinks to increase by the higher RPI measure of inflation;
l A new commitment to tackling shop theft in England, and funding directed to tackling organised gangs.
BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS
l National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 per hour;
l National Minimum Wage (18-20 rate) to increase to £10 per hour;
l Employers’ National Insurance Contributions to rise to 15%;
l Threshold for Employers’ National Insurance contributions to fall to £5,000 per year;
l Employment Allowance to rise to £10,500 a year;
l Retail and hospitality rate relief in England reduced from 75% to 40%;
l Small business multiplier frozen for 2025/26.
Ciroc
Stock this Season’s Must Have
Product of France
GroceryAid awards £1m in School Essentials Grants
GroceryAid recently made £1m of awards to more than 6,600 children of industry colleagues, giving them the best possible start to the school year.
A total of 6,667 children of industry colleagues headed back to school recently wearing new uniforms thanks to awards totalling £1m made through GroceryAid’s School Essential Grant Fund.
The fund gives children of convenience and grocery workers the best start to the school year by equipping them with essential items. Beneficiaries received a £150 non-repayable grant for each child of school age, up to a maximum of three.
With the support of The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust, the number of children helped by the fund has increased by 11% compared to last year.
Mandi Leonard, Welfare Director at GroceryAid said: “Cost-of-living challenges have made it harder than ever before for families to make sure their children have everything they need for school. A huge thank you to The Leverhulme Trade Charities Trust for funding the grants and making such a difference to so many families.”
A recipient of the fund said: “It is a struggle every year to provide uniforms for my children and with the cost-of-living crisis it has made things even harder for us. The GroceryAid uniform grant has really made a big difference to our family.”
2025 CALENDAR UNVEILED
GroceryAid has revealed its 2025 calendar of events and programmes. These events raise more than 80% of all GroceryAid funding, providing vital support for colleagues across the sector.
In 2023/24 GroceryAid raised over £7m from events which were attended by more than 15,700 colleagues. Highlights include:
l GroceryAid Ball, 6 Mar 2025
l Booker Dragon Boat Race, 12 Jun 2025
l GroceryAid Golf Day, 25 Jun 2025
l Barcode Festival, 3 Jul 2025
l Sporting Lunch, 14 Nov 2025
Road to success
Premier retailer Vinojan Subramaniam couldn’t pass up the sizeable passing trade opportunity offered by his fifth site on the Isle of Wight.
Slow and steady is the approach that seasoned convenience operator
Vinojan Subramaniam usually favours when it comes to acquiring new sites. Over the last 14 years, former accountant Vino has slowly and steadily acquired and developed a network of four successful Premier stores on The Isle of Wight.
However, the summer of 2024 saw Vino veer away from his usual slow and steady course –with the opening of two rip-roaring brand-new Premier stores within just a few miles and weeks of each other.
“Normally I would like at least a year or two between new store openings, but circumstances were different with these two and I just had to go with it,” laughs Vino.
Vino was actually in the process of developing his fifth store, in the small village of Gunville, when a second primely located retail unit on nearby Horsebridge Hill, suddenly became available.
“Work on a major redevelopment and build at my newly acquired Gunville site was just about to start when the unit on Horsebridge Hill suddenly came up for
sale,” Vino explains.
“The store had previously been trading as a computer sales and servicing centre and was located on the main road between Cowes and Newport, so I knew that it represented a huge passing trade opportunity.”
Vast volumes of traffic whizz by the prime site every day – with volumes peaking during holiday periods when the road acts as a fast track from the ferry port at Cowes to the centre of the island and its many campsites, beauty spots and attractions.
“There are also no other stores along that stretch of road and a number of existing houses,” Vino says.
But it was the site’s prospects that also set his sales bell ringing – because on land directly opposite the store, one of the island’s largest affordable housing developments in a decade is currently under construction.
Once complete, the new development of 131 houses and 72 flats will provide homes for local people, including key workers and NHS staff from the nearby hospital.
“The site was just too good to pass up,” Vino explains. “I knew that the passing
trade opportunity would be huge and once the development was complete – there would be a whole new demographic of local shoppers who would require quality convenience goods on their doorstep.”
Creating such a super store took place over May 2024, with brand new Premier Horsebridge Hill celebrating its Grand Opening on 1 June.
“The store has performed phenomenally well since opening and especially over those key summer months of July and August when there is always a huge seasonal swing due to all the holidaymakers who visit the island,” Vino says.
“With work on the new housing development underway, we are also seeing a good amount of custom from the many construction workers currently in the area,” he adds.
“We’ve worked hard to create a striking store front that no-one can fail to see as they approach – and with free parking at the rear, it couldn’t be easier for passersby to pull in.”
Inside the store, Vino has opted for a unique and contemporary look that’s a little different from his other Premier sites, with deep black ceilings, sleek back
Store profile
Opening hours: 7am-10pm
Staff: 5
shelving units and smart washed-wood-effect flooring throughout.
Above the chillers and shelves, walls have been fitted with slatted wood panels that give the store a crisp, modern and stylish look. The store also features large aerial photographs of the Isle of Wight.
Stepping inside, shoppers are further wowed by a striking Refresh@Premier bar immediately to their right and a custom-built Beer Cave to their left.
Store name: Premier Horsebridge Hill, Isle of Wight Retailer: Vinojan Subramaniam
Size: 1,100sq ft
A BUBBLY BOOST
FOR THOSE FESTIVE GET-TOGETHERS
I’ve opened a lot of new stores over the last 14 years, so experience tells me that this one has picked up very quickly and I’m certain that there is a huge amount more to come.
Vinojan Subramaniam
Featuring Boba-Licious Bubble Tea, Thick Fresh Shakes, Snow Shock slush and a coffeeto-go offer from Smokin Bean, the new Refresh@Premier bar is proving to be a major footfall, sales and profit driver – popular with the hordes of passers-by who now pull over to take advantage of the store’s winning ‘to go’ solutions.
The vibrant row of self-serve machines is granted even more standout thanks to the crisp white brick wall behind it and dark ceilings overhead.
Located directly opposite the Refresh@ Premier bar at the front left-hand side of the store, the energy-efficient Beer Cave has been granted the feel of a courtyard garden, thanks to brick effect walls and a slatted wood ceiling
featuring festoon-style lights. Outside the swish glass doors sit dedicated bays for red wine and ales.
The store’s centrally located till area is equally commanding, featuring two till points and a striking counter that’s clad in wooden slats and features recessed displays for impulse products.
A wide range of top-selling spirits, including new products and Group Exclusives are displayed along the back wall, along with vape.
Shoppers are also treated to a mouthwatering choice of locally baked goods from Scarrots Lane Bakery in nearby Newport – all of which are displayed in a smart chilled unit by the till point.
Each and every morning the bakery delivers a new batch of freshly baked sweet and savoury delights: from Newport buns and cinnamon swirls to sausage rolls and pasties.
“Scarrots Lane bakery is very popular with locals so it’s wonderful to be able to offer their range here and support another local business,” Vino adds.
Adjacent to the till, the store’s quality confectionery offer includes separate bays for American products, multipacks, block and boxed products, kids sweets and bags.
As they delve deeper into the store and beyond the tills, shoppers are then greeted by a brightly lit run of chillers along the angled right-hand wall, with the first eight doors devoted to chilled food to go, produce, meat,
ready meals and dairy.
“Because of the passing trade opportunity, chilled food-to-go products and snacking items are doing especially well,” Vino says. “We do offer the Premier Meal Deal, and in the summer it was a big hit. Meat and produce are also going well, and I expect both to pick up considerably in the future, once the housing development is complete and we have more local trade in addition to the passing variety.
“For now, convenient ready meals are the biggest sellers; the Jack’s pizzas, pasta dishes and curries are especially popular.”
A large soft drinks range is also on offer behind smart energy efficient
doors, including take-home formats. The seven-door soft drink zone then flows seamlessly into Premier Horsebridge Hill’s five-door frozen zone.
“The overall reaction to the new store has been overwhelmingly positive,” Vino says.
I’ve opened a lot of new stores over the last 14 years, so experience tells me that this one has picked up very quickly and I’m certain that there is a huge amount more to come.”
Talking Shop would certainly agree –and there’s also plenty of positive things to come at Vino’s brand-new Premier store in Gunville store too – the story continues overleaf!
Pots of potential
Households in the growing village of Gunville on the Isle of Wight now have a fresh new convenience solution to enjoy thanks to a lofty development of an old retail unit.
Dick Van Dyke crooned from atop them, Santa squeezes down them and Premier retailer Vinojan Subramaniam looks out for them whenever he’s on the hunt for a new store. We’re talking chimney pots of course! The masonry marvels that Vino always ensures are in plentiful supply around any potential new retail site. Why? Because for Vino, chimney pots equal households – and a smoking hot opportunity.
Vino came across the prime site of 162 Gunville Road in the winter of 2023 and knew at once that it represented a ripe opportunity for development.
“A key thing I always look for is chimney pots – the more of them the better – so this location was perfect,” he explains.
“There’s a good volume of existing homes
A 10-metre extension increased the shop floor to 1,800sq ft.
for local people around the site and in the summer the area also receives an influx of holiday-makers.”
But that’s not all because, just like at Vino’s fifth store on nearby Horsebridge Hill, a large housing development of 100 new homes is currently taking shape in Gunville –on land directly behind the store.
However, with the old unit having lain vacant for almost two years prior to his purchase of it, Vino had a considerable development of his own to contend with before Premier Gunville could open its doors.
“A lot of work was needed to bring the old unit back to life – it had been vacant for a long time and had served as an animal charity shop before that, so we had to rip everything out and start again,” he laughs.
A 10-metre extension to the rear of the store was also part of the project – a move
which took the previously poky unit to a spacious 1,800sq ft of stellar selling space.
Work complete, Premier Gunville opened its smart sliding doors to shoppers on 2 August 2024.
“This store has a very different look to Premier Horsebridge Hill, which I opened shortly before,” he explains.
“Gunville has crisp grey floors and black suspended ceilings with diamond accent light panels, which give it quite a futuristic look.”
The store has also been designed with an ultra-spacious feel, thanks to wide aisles and a roomy entrance zone which gives shoppers the space to absorb the offer in front of them.
As soon as they walk in, shoppers are met with a front-facing produce chiller and Mega Deal bay – a powerful statement to shoppers that this store is all about fresh, quality and value.
The produce chiller is packed to the panes of its shiny glass doors with a wide range of quality Jack’s products from apples to grapes and leeks to lettuces.
To the right-hand side of the entrance is a Refresh@Premier bar featuring Thick Fresh Shakes, Jolly Rancher Slush and coffee to go from Smokin’ Bean.
“I’ve kept space for one more machine too,” Vino says. “I thought it would be nice to ask shoppers what they’d like to see first.”
Engaging with shoppers will be key in this new neighbourhood store, and just like at many of his other sites, Vino plans to forge close links with the local community through sponsorship deals and local support.
Up at the counter, shoppers can also take their pick from a range of locally baked cakes and pastry products, courtesy of the Scarrots Lane Bakery.
Beyond, lies a bright and airy central aisle with six chiller doors dedicated to food to go, fresh meats and ready meals on the left – and desserts, milk drinks and dairy to the right.
“Because of our location, we are getting a lot more basket and topup shoppers than we are at Horsebridge Hill – which is a magnet for passing trade and food to go.
“Here at Gunville, fresh produce, meats, deli items and ready meals are doing really well. The Jack’s meal deals are popular. ‘Any 2 for £7’ on pizzas and ‘Any 2 for £6’ on ready meals is a winning mechanic. We also offer the Premier Sandwich Meal deal. Shoppers around here are quite value-conscious so it’s key that we give it to them,” he adds.
Store profile
Store name: Premier Gunville, Isle of Wight
Retailer: Vinojan Subramaniam
ft
Here at Gunville, fresh produce, meats, deli items and ready meals are doing really well. The Jack’s meal deals are popular. ‘Any 2 for £7’ on pizzas and ‘Any 2 for £6’ on ready meals is a winning mechanic.
Vinojan Subramaniam } {
Past the chilled zone, shoppers are met with two more standout features – a dedicated Beer Cave and separate Soft Drinks Cave.
Featuring a range-roving 14 2,200cmhigh bays, the Soft Drinks Cave offers local shoppers an unrivalled choice, from squashes and juices to take-home waters, bottled carbonates, and impulse products including energy drinks and RTD coffees.
“Shoppers really love the soft drinks cave,” Vino says. “They love the experience of going in and browsing it and, of course, the fact that every product is cold and ready to drink, even the take-home formats. For us, it has major operational and efficiency benefits too, especially energy efficiency.”
Shoppers are also loving the store’s many convenient new services, including parcel collection, PayPoint, Collect+ and the
National Lottery. He’s also in the throes of developing a small parking area to make the store even more convenient for shoppers on a top- up mission.
“Local shoppers have been really welcoming of the new store,” Vino says. “They are delighted with the range and the store’s appearance. We are already seeing a lot of repeat custom as well as lots of new faces every day too. I’m looking forward to seeing those new faces becoming regular ones over the coming months.”
Sustainability champions
Campus store Premier DUSA has been blazing a sustainability trail for many years and has plenty of industry awards to show for its efforts.
Running a busy convenience store is a difficult enough task at the best of times but when you’re running a store on a university campus that’s effectively deserted for big chunks of the year, life can get really tough. That’s the world that Moira Dean and her team at Premier Dundee University Students Association (DUSA) operate in but it’s a world where they positively thrive – and nowhere is that more evident than in terms of sustainability.
It's no exaggeration to say that Premier DUSA is among the leading stores in the UK when it comes to sustainability, a fact highlighted by another major award won recently. Premier DUSA was named Sustainability Retailer of the Year at this year’s SLR Awards, for the second year running.
The store’s relentless focus on sustainability has undoubtedly been driven by Moira but she’s the first to admit that it’s “a full team effort
these days” and that “the entire team buys into our sustainability efforts”.
She explains: “I joined just about eight years ago, and we always wanted to build a store that was brilliant, by any standards. We wanted a store that would look brilliant if it was sitting on the high street in Dundee, rather than on a campus.”
It's fair to say that she has succeeded and in some style. Moira makes no secret of her pride in winning SLR’s Sustainability Award, and she has no hesitation in referring to herself as “a bit of an eco-warrior”.
“Before I came to work here I’d spent a year in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey and that really opened my eyes to sustainability and what we’re doing to the planet,” she says. “After that I got into scuba diving and started doing reef clean-up dives in Egypt where we would basically take rubbish and plastic out of the sea. That’s when my interest in sustainability really took off.”
So when Moira rocked up in Dundee, driving the sustainability agenda was very much front of mind. “It wasn’t easy at the start,” she recalls. “Eight years ago sustainability wasn’t really much of a thing, and certainly not in convenience retailing. Premier DUSA is actually run as a not-for-profit, with any surplus ploughed back into student welfare services run by DUSA.
Moira can certainly claim to have led from that front, even if her natural modesty prevents her from admitting it.
She says: “It took a wee while to get everybody on board, but I kept plugging away and gradually the world moved on, attitudes moved on, and legislation moved on. Now we’re all absolutely committed and united on that front, not just in the store but across the university.”
In the store itself, Moira says that her entire team are “just as passionate” about sustainability as she is, and sustainability is now very much part of the university’s ethos as it progresses on its journey
SEASONAL FLUCTUATIONS
The challenges Moira has faced in eight years building what is a spectacular store by any standard are significant. Running a campus store is very different from running a village or high street store. “It’s tough, it really is,” explains Moira. “At certain times at the year like Fresher’s Week and after exams, the store is utterly packed, and I mean packed! Then during periods like in the summertime, the campus is practically empty because most of the students have gone home. We still have some custom as the university staff obviously use the shop, so we have to stay open all year round, but it makes everything difficult in terms of stock levels, staffing levels and so on.
“The bottom line is that our weekly sales can triple or more in certain periods of the year, but we just need to plan for that. We’ve gotten
to net zero.
pretty good at it over the years.”
And it gets even harder when 250 Italian students turn up out of the blue for a language school, as happened this summer. “I couldn’t believe it,” she laughs. “We’re normally very quiet at that time of year so we stock and staff accordingly. Then 250 students turn up in one go and we’re scrabbling about trying to make sure they get what they need!”
DOING BETTER
If you boil it right down, Moira’s approach to running the business can be summed up quite succinctly. She explains: “Basically, we try to look at everything we do in the store – and I do mean everything – then ask ourselves if there’s a better way to do it. That’s right across food, drinks, clothing, stationery, you name it.”
That applies to every aspect of the business, not just sustainability issues, but it’s most evident in that area. From fully recyclable and recycled food packaging to an endless array of refillable products, from 100% recycled stationery to recycled and organic DUSA-branded hoodies and caps. Large chunks of the store’s range are also chosen on the “better option” principle and that’s across many categories from soft drinks to toiletries. No stone has been left unturned in the search for improvement.
The store was also among the first in Scotland to get a reverse vending machine, in preparation for the on-off arrival of the Deposit Return Scheme that never materialised.
“We got the machine early and decided to keep it, even when DRS
got postponed again,” she says. “We offer a small incentive for the students which gives them money off future purchases and, to be fair, it gets used non-stop.”
CUSTOMER FACING
Another key element of Moira’s in-store strategy is the vast array of customer-facing sustainability signage. Hardly a fixture is missing a little informative tidbit or a quick piece of advice letting customers know about the range available in the shop and how they can keep doing their bit for the planet.
“Students, as a rule, are pretty progressive on issues like sustainability, organic, veganism and vegetarianism,” she explains. “So they are receptive, but we feel a responsibility to take them along with us on our journey.”
Moira says a lot of people also ask her if choosing the “better option” has an impact on her profits, and she’s pretty clear on that issue: “To be honest, better options can often be more expensive but that’s a price we’re willing to pay for what we feel we are achieving – and we believe our customers understand that. It means some products are a little more expensive and it means sometimes we have to accept slightly smaller margins. But don’t get me wrong, this store performs really well commercially – really well – and I think we’re helping to prove that you can do the right thing and still run a very profitable store.”
STORE WIDE SUCCESS
And it’s not just in sustainability that Moira and her team’s diligence
Guinness sold 19% more during the 4 weeks of Christmas 2023 than the rest of the Year and had the fastest growing Alcohol Free Beer in GB Impulse vs Christmas 2022.
Source: Nielsen RMS, GB Total Impulse Market, Beer and Guinness Brand Value Sales, w/e 07.01.23-30.12.23. Nielsen RMS, GB Total Impulse Market, Beer Top 10 Alcohol Free Value Sales chg vs YA.
I spent a year in Antarctica with the British Antarctic Survey and that really opened my eyes to sustainability and what we’re doing to the planet. }
is in evidence. A passion and commitment to best-in-class standards is clear right throughout the store. Premier DUSA also picked up the Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year Award at this year’s SLR Awards, for example, and the store regularly features on industry awards shortlists.
The soft drinks offer was described by SLR’s judges as “faultless” and the same can be said about the rest of the store. Over the course of eight years Moira and her team have learned what their customers want and provide a range perfectly in line with their demands.
“We’re also quite bold in bringing in new solutions and products that we feel are ‘better’ then what is already there,” explains Moira. “That could be plastic-free packaging, cruelty-free cosmetics and toiletries, organic soft drinks or whatever. In a sense we’re challenging our customers but as a general rule they’re more than up for trying these new lines.”
The chilled food-to-go section of the store is also standout, and the store sells literally hundreds of sandwiches, wraps, salads and so on every weekday.
That’s not to say core, traditional ranges and categories get ignored.
The alcohol, soft drinks, and confectionery fixtures are very much on point, for example. “It’s a question of balance,” explains Moira. “We need to cater for all the needs of all of our customers and we achieve that, I think. But we also want to keep nudging them in the right direction. It’s a balancing act but I think we get it right most of the time.”
It’s hard to visit Premier DUSA and not agree. A top-class modern convenience store that has sustainability at its heart is something that Moira and her team can be proud of and it shows what is possible with passion and commitment.
Silver service!
With bags of convenient services and a quality fresh and chilled offer, Premier Kenfig Hill is a true one stop shop.
Providing your shoppers with a good range of quality services is a well-known way of driving footfall to your store and boosting those all-important sales and profits.
Over in the Welsh town of Kenfig Hill, Premier retailers Ram and Pria are taking their service game to a whole new level – packing their spectacular new store with a magnetising range of invaluable new services that are helping to make it a true one-stop shop.
Opened on 19 July 2024 – just six doors
down from their original 500sq ft Premier, Ram and Pria’s new 2,800sq ft store boasts a large 17-space carpark at the rear which they have loaded with convenient services such as electric charging points, InPost lockers and a Wash.ME launderette and dryer that can handle up to 20kg of clothes.
An array of other helpful new services is also on offer inside the large new store, including Evri, DHL, Royal Mail and Amazon parcel services, a free-to-use cash machine, plus The National Lottery and PayPoint. Ram’s also just introduced a new Home
Delivery offer via Snappy Shopper – which is already fulfilling more than 500 deliveries a week.
“There is quite a lot of competition in the local area, so I wanted to load this store with as many helpful services as possible, to make us the ‘go to’ place in Kenfig Hill,” he says. And of course, Premier Kenfig Hill’s spectacular array of services is far from the store’s only pull.
“One of the first things shoppers see when they enter our store is our quality fruit & veg display,” Ram explains.
AVERAGE BASKET SPEND IS £10
Headed up by electric blue signage, the front-facing bay is bursting with quality fresh produce – a bright and bold statement to shoppers about the outstanding range that they can expect within.
“From apples to strawberries, tomatoes to lettuce, we’ve got it all,” Ram says. “Shoppers really can do a full shop here; we’re so much more than a top-up solution.”
Hardly surprising then, that fresh & chilled has already emerged as one of the store’s topselling categories.
“Chilled food is a huge driver of sales,” Ram says. “The Jack’s ready meals are a big hit with local shoppers, especially when they see the ‘2 for £6’ deal. But shoppers are also buying fresh meat and fish products to scratch cook at home. Jack’s Chicken Breasts are a very fast seller.”
The Jack’s range is also complemented by a range of locally sourced meats from Black and White butchers who supply the store with a range of marinaded products such as minted lamb chops, flavoured pork chops and Cajun
“Chilled food to go is another success story. I offer shoppers Premier’s Mega Meal Deal of ‘5 items for £5.50’ which is very popular.
“There’s quite a few shift workers in this area so food to go is a key category especially early in the mornings and at lunchtime.”
As such, Ram is making the very most of the opportunity with a sizeable hot food-to-go offer, including baked goods such as pastries and pizzas from Country Choice.
He’s also putting the store’s new backroom kitchen to further good use with a weekly changing menu of hot specials, including warming dishes such as Chicken Curry and Chips.
“This week’s special is ‘Chicken, beans and chips’ which I’m offering to shoppers for just £3 a portion,” says Ram.
“It’s doing really well and changing the dish once a week is a great way of driving footfall and keeping the offer exciting for shoppers,” he adds.
Ram’s also introduced a special hot
chicken breasts.
Mixing it up beats sticking with the same
To fizz up festivities, ensure you have the right range available
Schweppes
Children’s Meal Deal which includes chicken nuggets and chips, with a piece of fruit and a Robinsons Fruit Shoot for an RSP of just £4.
Other footfall drivers include a striking new Refresh@ Premier bar, featuring Costa Coffee and Thick Fresh Shakes, as well as Jolly Rancher and Tango Ice Blast slush.
“The Refresh offer has blown me away, especially the slush,” Ram says. “We’re already selling well over £4,000-worth of Tango Ice Blast drinks a month and £2,000-worth of Jolly Rancher.
“The Costa Coffee is also a big hit; we were doing around 20 cups a day in the summer when we first opened but it’s closer to 40 now.”
And shoppers are choosing to pair their drinks purchases with an indulgent new range of locally made cakes and cookies from local supplier Mad Bakes. Temptingly displayed in large, chilled cabinets at the payment counter, the range includes fresh cheesecakes, cookies, and ‘dipping boxes’ featuring brownie chunks and cake cubes which can be plunged into a variety of indulgent sauces. A second chilled cabinet also hosts a range of savoury pies from Welsh bakery Lewis Pies.
“The ‘dipping boxes’ in particular, are selling at a rate of more than 20 a day. Shoppers can’t get enough of them,” Ram adds.
A large 10-door frozen food offer towards the rear of the store also caters to a wide range of shopper missions, while their soft drinks and BWS needs are met by a large Beer Cave and Soft Drinks Cave.
Striking overhead signage invites shoppers to ‘pop inside’ the large soft drinks cave which features a host of big-name brands, along with on-trend US products.
“Shoppers love the concept,” Ram says. “A soft drinks cave is totally unique in this area, and creates a real buzz, especially among the younger generation.”
Other elements that shoppers love about Premier Kenfig Hill are its promotions and great-value prices.
A strong value message is trumpeted throughout the
Chilled food is a huge driver of sales. The Jack’s ready meals are a big hit with shoppers, especially when they see the ‘2 for £6’ deal. But shoppers are also buying fresh meat and fish products to scratch cook at home. Jack’s Chicken Breasts are a very fast seller. }
Store profile
Name: Kenfig Hill Superstore
Retailer: Nadarasa Ramakrishn (Ram)
Size: 3,000sq ft
Services: Free ATM, National Lottery, PayPoint, parcel services, home delivery, laundry
Staff: 10
Opening hours: 5am-11pm
store thanks to dedicated Mega Deal and Amazing Value bays, along with other promotional POS.
“I also like to buy in bulk when there’s a great Premier deal and then create my own promotion. I’ll buy a whole pallet of stock and then do a crazy promotion for just one day and plaster it over social media to drive footfall. Shoppers are especially focused on the pounds and pennies at the moment, and offering great value has never been so important.”
Some of Ram’s recent ‘crazy’ offers have included 99p for a multipack bag of 6 McCoys Classics, while on 14 August, he slashed the price of 20-pack boxes of Walkers Classic crisps to £1 for one day only!
With so much excitement, it’s little wonder that the store is already trading well ahead of expectations and with an average basket spend of £10.
“The local community have welcomed this new store with open arms, and we are so
delighted,” Ram says.
“Supporting the local community is really important to us. We already offer quite a lot of local support, including sponsoring three local teams and offering free fruit to kids.
"I’m also part of various community groups and we give back wherever we can. It’s wonderful that we can now support local shoppers even further with this fabulous new store.”
Christmas crackers
Premier retailers are all set to enjoy better than ever Christmas sales thanks to an unprecedented sleigh load of seasonal support.
The lights are twinkling, the mince pies are out, and in stores across the country, elves are eying up shelves which are now brimming with festive favourites.
Yes, Christmas is just around the corner and heralding a bumper buffet of sales and profit opportunities for retailers to tuck into.
Industry experts agree that Christmas 2024 could be particularly sweet for convenience retailers, with sales expected to be driven by improved consumer sentiment after the previous years' challenges – and thanks to the ongoing trend towards stocking up on festive products early.
Premier is helping them to make even more of the opportunity thanks to its biggest-ever package of seasonal support – including hundreds of new products, seasonal lines, Group Exclusives and ownlabel developments, to truly set themselves apart.
Retailers will also be aided in their attempts to crack Christmas 2024 with an outstanding array of deals and great-value price points across key seasonal categories, including fresh produce – where a number of festive favourites will be supported by special price-points.
As ever, retailers will also have a premier package of high-impact POS materials to help them spread that all-important festive cheer and set their displays sparkling.
Premier’s campaign is supported by the strapline ‘Christmas, it’s a big deal’ and features cartoon images of Santa and his red-nosed wingman Rudolf.
NP11 Fresh festive specials
DAZZLING DEALS
As Premier’s sparkling suite of POS suggests, retailers will be able to offer their shoppers a generous serving of amazing-value prices and promotions this festive season.
As the party season gets underway, the NP10 and coming NP11 periods feature a bevy of marvellous Mega Deals on key BWS brands including the lowest-ever price on Krupnik Vodka in NP10, with a promotional RSP of just £12.99 for a 70cl bottle in England, Wales and Ireland.
In NP11, retailers will also be able to offer 10x440ml packs of Carlsberg Export, Budweiser and Stella Artois for just £10 in England, Wales and Ireland, while in Scotland, packs will feature a promotional RSP of £13.16.
And, with the run-up to the festive season also a well-known boom time for sparkling wine sales, the NP10 promotional period currently features a bubbling beauty of a Mega Deal on I Heart Bubbly – which is available on an ‘Any 2 for £12’ deal in England, Wales and Ireland.
Following later in November, the NP11 period will see Premier retailers able to offer their shoppers another Mega Deal on Canti Prosecco Rosé DOC and Canti Prosecco Brut for just £6.99 per 75cl bottle.
Soft drinks have also certainly not been left out of the Mega Deal mix, with an ‘Any 2 for £2.50’ deal currently available on 2-litre bottles of Pepsi Max Original, Diet, Cherry, Mango and Pepsi Regular –perfect for sharing.
6
As retailers will be well-aware, demand for larger sharing formats has been climbing in recent years, as shoppers once again delight in shared moments with friends and family including social gatherings at home.
In fact, when it comes to the salty snacks category, sharing formats now account for the largest segment – making up 69.4% of it according to Nielsen IQ data for the 52-week period ending 15.06.24.
Christmas is the shining star of the sharing opportunity as shoppers come together to enjoy a host of different social gatherings, in the run-up to the big day itself.
Helping retailers to make the most of this sharing bonanza is NP10’s explosive Buy One Get One Free special offer on Pringles tubes, which will also run into NP11.
Available now on some of the brand’s most popular classic flavours, including Original, Sour Cream & Onion, Prawn Cocktail, BBQ, Salt & Vinegar and Cheese & Onion – this footfall-driving mega deal is sure to get shoppers popping in again and again.
Premier retailers can also offer their shoppers sharing formats of Wotsits Giants Flamin Hot, Cheese and Prawn Cocktail on an ‘Any 2 for £3’ deal.
Premier retailers can also look forward to offering an ‘Any 2 for £3’ deal on 140g packs of Doritos Chilli Heatwave, Tangy Cheese and Cool Original when the NP11 period arrives. Packs have an RSP of £2.99 and offer retailers
New lines coming soon! (NP11)
a POR of 20.1%.
And with the run-up to Christmas also featuring a number of synergies with the Big Night In occasion, categories such as chilled and frozen also look set to sparkle.
New Jack’s products such as Stone Baked Three Cheese and Pepperoni pizzas are sure to serve up additional sales. Both pizzas are available as part of an ‘Any 2 for £7’ deal offering retailers a minimum POR of 20%.
Helping shoppers to round their festive feasts off, the coming NP11 period will also include an irresistible BOGOF deal on Ben & Jerry’s ice cream tubs, including Phish Food, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and the brand-new Minter Wonderland flavour – all of which have an RSP of £6.25 and offer a POR of 15.3%.
With so much excitement to come, Christmas 2024 is certainly shaping up to be one that yule not forget!
Autumn Colour
Booker’s NPD Guide for Autumn features a bountiful basket of new products, Group Exclusives and Seasonal lines to help you harvest glowing sales and profits this season.
NPD GUIDE FOR AUTUMN
237 NEW PRODUCTS INCLUDING:
l 150 NPD
l 10 Group Exclusives
l 41 Seasonal products
l Own-label developments
The leaves are falling, temperatures are sliding, and Booker’s brand-new NPD Guide for Autumn has just dropped too.
Laden with a smoking-hot mix of new products, firstto-market goods, Group Exclusives and more, the 2024 Guide is the hottest ticket to help you light a fire under your sales and profits this autumn season.
The NPD Guide for Autumn is also packed with enlightening insights into market trends to help you identify new opportunities to help drive footfall through your doors.
And with Christmas just around the corner, the guide also showcases some of the fantastic new Seasonal products sure to help you unwrap success in the run-up to the big day itself.
GROUP EXCLUSIVES!
MAOAM PINBALLS
ABSOLUTELY APPLE
CASE SIZE: 12X140G
RSP: £1.25
POR: 28%
LINDOR PISTACHIO
CASE SIZE: 8X200G
RSP: £7.50
POR: 30.7%
GROUP EXCLUSIVES
The power of Group Exclusive products is well-known – gifting retailers a potent way to set themselves apart and drive footfall and excitement in their stores. Booker’s NPD Guide for Autumn features a stonking 10 Group Exclusive products across the key impulse, gifting and BWS sectors.
The Group Exclusive line-up includes new Maoam Pinballs Absolutely Apple, which are available in both PMP and non-PMP packs with an RSP of £1.25.
Just in time for the festive season and sure to win big when it comes to sharing and gifting are also 350g Bounty Tubs with an RSP of £6.99 and a POR of 23%.
The Group Exclusive line-up also includes three First To Market products – not seen anywhere else before. These include AU Vodka’s Blue Raspberry variant, which has been launched in a new smaller 35cl format.
Available exclusively until December, the new bottles feature an RSP of £17.99 and offer retailers a minimum POR of 20.1%.
Other first-to-market products include new Fruit Salad-flavoured Cactus Jack’s Schnapps and Tequila Rose Liqueur in 20cl bottles.
NEW PRODUCTS
The NPD Guide for Autumn also features a sumptuous spread of new products, across the Fresh, Chilled, Impulse, Soft Drinks, Grocery, BWS and Vape categories.
BOUNTY TUB
CASE SIZE: 6X350G
RSP: £6.99
POR: 23%
THATCHERS ZERO %
CASE SIZE: 6X4X440ML
RSP: £4.99
POR: 37.8%
There are 61 new Impulse products to take advantage of, including limited-edition Fanta Afterlife – which offers a zingy apple flavour with no sugar for an RSP of £1.35 and a juicy POR or 30.4%.
Not to be missed either are new cans of the fizzy cookie- flavoured Oreo Coca-Cola Zero Sugar with a POR of 42.4%.
New 750ml bottles of Ice Valley Water meanwhile, offer a minimum POR of 66.4% for a round pound RSP of just £1. Did you know that the 750ml format holds the highest value growth in bottled water formats and is the fourth-biggest volume driver? Now that’s an opportunity to soak up.
When it comes to the lucrative Energy Drinks market, don’t miss out on cans of new Lucozade Alert Ultimate Energy, or Cosmic Peach – the latest addition to Monster Energy’s Nitro range. Available now the new 500ml can offers retailers an energising POR of 38.2%.
Sweet pickings can also be had with Red Bull’s new Winter Edition featuring an Iced Vanilla Berry flavour and available in both PMP and non-PMP packs offering PORs of 32.6% and 34.7% respectively.
A number of new products are helping to heat up sales in the chilled aisles, including brand-new Cadbury Creamy Chocolate Milkshakes and Creamy Chocolate Caramel Milkshakes, which are available in both PMP and non-PMP packs.
Containing five times more chocolate than the average milk drink, these indulgent new drinks are designed to help retailers make more of the growing chocolate-flavoured milk market – and with a POR of 26% for the PMP packs – they should drive equally tasty profits.
Other new chilled products sure to help retailers drive footfall, sales and profits over the autumn season and beyond include Oreo Fresh Milk Snacks, as well as three new flavours of Gu desserts, including Banoffee, Black Forest and Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecakes, which have an RSP of £4.30 per pack of two.
Meanwhile, in the frozen aisle, look out for tubs of Ben & Jerry’s new Minter Wonderland ice cream which feature an RSP of £3.75 and a POR of 20%. A cool new tie-up between ice cream brand Carte D’Or ice and Baileys cream liqueur is also bound to prove popular as a festive after-dinner snack or dessert.
NEW JACK’S LINES
The NPD guide also outlines some of the key new developments to the Jack’s own-label brand, including a re-listing of two of it's popular pizza flavours: Stone Baked Three Cheese and Stone Baked Pepperoni.
Both are available for an RSP of just £4 each or as part of the ‘Any 2 for £7’ deal – offering a POR of 30% or 20%.
And, with the countdown to Christmas now well and truly on, Jack’s also has you covered with festive must-haves.
With no festive feast complete without mince pies – the line up also includes six mouthwatering Jack’s Mince Pies which have made a welcome return for 2024.
Featuring a crisp, golden pastry case and succulent spiced mincemeat filling, these festive heroes boast a super-value RSP of £1.75 and offer a POR of 21.2%.
As you can no doubt see, with so much autumn colour up for grabs, the NPD Guide is well worth leafing through. Pick up a copy in depot, ask your RDM, or scan the QR code in this feature to view it online and give your sales some autumn glow.
FESTIVE FAVOURITES
The NPD guide also includes a sleigh-load of new Seasonal products sure to set your tills a-ringing this festive season. These include five-packs of Limited-Edition Galaxy Cake Bars in Salted Caramel and Orange flavours.
Lend some extra bite to your cake offer with limited-edition Christmas Yule Logs and Christmas Iced Buns from The Cottage Bakery, both of which feature an RSP of £1.69 and a minimum POR of 21.2%.
Keep an eye out too for Crispy M&Ms with a crunchy POR of 47% and new 200g Lindor cartons in Tiramisu and Pistachio flavours – the latter of which is a Booker Group Exclusive.
One of the hottest new imports from the US are also Cheez-It Snapped. The billion-dollar US brand is new to the UK market and is available in both Double Cheese and Cheese & Chili flavours in 60g PMP for £1.25.
With additional pack sizes coming soon, this US smash hit is sure to help drive footfall sales and profits throughout the festive season and well beyond.
Springboard to success
Premier retailers serviced by BRP depots can take advantage of Booker’s 2025 Spring Pre-Sell and help their footfall, sales and profits to bloom.
GROUP EXCLUSIVES
NEW! ANDREW PEACE MASTERPEACE SHIRAZ & CHARDONNAY
CASE SIZE: 6X75CL
WSP: £24.99
RSP: £6.50
POR: 23.1%
NEW!
MALTESERS POPCORN MINI BUNNY
CASE SIZE: 24X58G
WSP: £26.25
RSP: £1.75
POR: 25%
NEW TO PRE-SELL! JACK’S CHOCOLATE MINI EGGS
CASE SIZE: 18X87.5G
WSP: £11.39
RSP: £1.15/2 FOR £2
POR: 34%/24.7%
NEW!
As all successful retailers know, staying ahead of the game is the best way to play – especially if scoring strong footfall, sales and profits is your aim.
Helping retailers to do just that, is Booker’s Spring Pre-Sell 2025 – open now to Premier retailers who are serviced by BRP depots.
The Spring Pre-Sell offers those retailers unparalleled choice – with access to 322 seasonal products, including 21 Group Exclusives.
The spring extravaganza also features 123 brand-new products across key categories, all of which are sure to help them make the most of all the season’s blooming array of celebrations and events, including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Pancake Day, Easter and many more.
The Spring Pre-Sell also features ultracompetitive prices across all of the key spring categories to help retailers offer their shoppers unbeatable spring value.
ever mix of Shrove Tuesday treasures from pancake-making kits to toppings and fillings.
The McDougalls American Pancake Mix offers retailers a stirring POR of 44.2% on an RSP of £1.79.
For shoppers who want to flip without the fuss, retailers can also pre-order ultraconvenient Green’s Pancake Mix Shakers, which just require the addition of water. Shakers come in a case of six for a WSP of £4.75 and offer a POR of 38.6%.
Retailers are also well covered when it comes to toppings and fillings, with the Pre-Sell offering a fantastic range of classic pancake pairings such as Nutella – where retailers can make a saving of £2.80 on the WSP for a case of six 350g jars.
New to the Pre-Sell this year are also Nutella-branded Free Standing Display Units – offering retailers a great way to create highimpact displays and drive impulse sales this Pancake Day.
LINDT LINDOR PISTACHIO
CASE SIZE: 4X260G
WSP: £32.45
RSP: £12.99
POR: 25%
Sweetening the deal yet further is the fact that retailers who are able to take advantage of the Spring Pre-Sell can order now and pay later – with extended credit until 21 April.
After a Fast Start on 9 December, the first drop will take place on 6 January, followed by four more drops right up until 31 March 2025 – ensuring that stores are perfectly primed to bloom this spring.
So what are you waiting for? Get your orders in today to toast a tastier tomorrow.
PANCAKE DAY
The Spring Pre-Sell includes a batter-than-
Retailers can also help their shoppers to pimp up their pancakes with even more indulgent and on-trend international fillings such as Strawberry Marshmallow Fluff Spread, Lotus Biscoff Crunchy Spread and new to the pre-sell Nutini Chocolate Spread.
MOTHER’S DAY
The Spring Pre-Sell also includes an outstanding array of gifts to help shoppers treat the marvellous mothers in their lives. The Pre-Sell line-up includes a number of boxed chocolates, from Lindor Strawberries & Cream to Ferrero Rocher Hearts, which have an RSP of £7 and offer a POR of 25.6%.
Retailers can also pre-order themed
Mother’s Day Counter Display Units (CDUs) featuring an assortment of mini gifts, such as pens, keyrings, magnets and bears. With RSPs ranging from £2.50 to £6.50, the products could make ideal pocket-money gifts from children to their mothers. Each pre-filled CDU has a WSP of £79 and offers an average POR of 51%.
Retailers can also unwrap pleasing margins on a range of spring-themed gift and bottle bags including a POR of 55% on Butterfly Swirls Gift Bags and 51.1% on boxes of assorted 3-metre wrapping paper.
EASTER
Retailers will also have a cracking opportunity to give the Easter bunny a run for his money this Easter with a truly eggscellent range, including 18 Group Exclusive Easter products.
The Group Exclusive hoard includes sharing formats, premium gifts and bigbrand shell eggs in a range of sizes. Sure to give your sales a hop is the Group Exclusive ‘Cadbury Fingers Inclusions Ultimate Egg’. Featuring a creamy Dairy Milk chocolate shell, with crispy biscuit pieces and two bags of Chocolate Fingers, the Ultimate Egg has an RSP of £14.99 and offers a POR of 21%.
Fans of US products and sweet and salty flavour combinations will also want to take a crack at the brand-new Reese’s Egg. The Group Exclusive hollow egg features an RSP of £6.49 and offers retailers a POR of 25.2%.
The Easter line-up also includes a mighty mix of top-selling mini-sized eggs – all of which are sure to help retailers bag those allimportant early Easter sales.
The range includes bestsellers such as Milky Bar Mini Eggs, Smarties Mini Eggs, and Aero Mini Eggs, all of which will be available on an ‘Any 2 for £2.50’ offer.
Look out also for Kinder Bueno Hazelnut eggs, Terry’s Chocolate Orange Mini Eggs, Galaxy Chocolate Truffle Mini Eggs and – of course – the bestselling Cadbury Mini Eggs, including the Group Exclusive Orange variety.
Taking advantage of the Spring Pre-Sell and stocking up on Easter treats, such as mini-
sized eggs, early has many proven benefits. Did you know that more than half of Easter confectionery is actually eaten well before Easter? It’s true! As is the fact that 74% of early Easter sales are mini-sized eggs, self-eat eggs and Easter block products.
And with more to Easter than chocolate, the Spring Pre-Sell also includes a delectable selection of spring-themed sugar confectionery, along with cakes and biscuits including a number of new Mr Kipling lines, such as Egg Fancies, Simnel Slices and Hot Crossed Pies – all of which have PORs of between 20.1% and 30.4%.
Shoppers who like to bake a taste of spring at home will also be able to do so with a range of new home-baking kits, including Mr Kipling Signature Collection Belgian Chocolate Brownie kits and Belgian Chocolate & Zesty Orange Cake kits – both of which offer a POR of 25.5%. Look out also for brand-new Betty Crocker Easter Egg Hunt Cake Mix, which has an RSP of just £2.50 and a POR of 25%.
SPRING CLEANING AND ALLERGIES
And of course, spring isn’t all about chicks and chocolate. For many shoppers, spring is also a time to clean up their homes and their health. With many adult smokers making quit attempts at the start of the year, the Spring Pre-Sell also includes great prices on products such as Nicorette Icy White Gum, which has a WSP of £46.99 for a case of 12 packs. Each 30-piece pack has an RSP of £7.25 and a POR of 43.3%.
Also helping shoppers to make a fresh start are a range of spring-cleaning essentials, such as New Elbow Grease Washing Up Liquid and Scrub Mate sponges.
Hay fever sufferers will also thank you for pre-ordering Nuage Hayfever Relief Wipes and Nuage Hayfever Face Mists – the latter of which are available on a 24-piece clip strip. With a WSP of £14.75 and an RSP of just £1.19 these handy spray bottles offer retailers a not-to-be-sniffed-at POR of 38%.
Spring Pre-Sell 2025
Choice
322 Lines including l 123 New Lines
l 21 Booker Group Exclusives
Price
Competitive prices across all the key spring categories.
Service
Order now and pay later with Extended Credit until 21 April 2025
Diary Dates
Promotional Period: NP13
l 14 February: Valentine’s Day
l 17 February-18 March: Ramadan
Promotional Period: NP13/1
l 4 March: Pancake Day
Promotional Period: NP1
l 17 March: St Patrick’s Day
l 30 March: Mother’s Day
l 31 March: Eid
Promotional Period: NP2
l 18 April: Good Friday
l 20 April: Easter Sunday
l 21 April: Easter Monday
l 23 April: St George’s Day
DON’T MISS OUT!
Pre-sell open until 25 November at Booker.co.uk
Make Christmas fly with Jack’s Mince Pies!
For many of your shoppers, Christmas just isn’t Christmas without mince pies, so be sure to stock of on Jack’s Mince Pies to max out those festive sales.
The exclusive Jack’s own-brand range offers retailers a fantastic way to set themselves apart from the competition, and at no point in the year is this more important than during the crucial festive period.
And for many shoppers, nothing says Christmas quite like a delicious mince pie or two to share with friends and family and really get into the festive spirit.
Jack’s Mince Pies offer the perfect combination of quality and value that your shoppers will be looking for this Christmas. They were a huge hit last year and they’re all set to star at this year’s festive show too – so be sure to stock up now and site them prominently in your store.
Shoppers trust the Jack’s brand to deliver, with the Tesco family branding helping to reinforce the quality credentials of the products and giving shoppers the confidence they need to buy into the Jack’s range.
Featuring a delicious shortcrust pastry case, filled with indulgent mincemeat and topped off with a pastry lid and dusted with sugar,
Jack’s Mince Pies are sure to elevate the festive dinner table this year and at just £1.75 for a 6-pack, they provide the exceptional value that shoppers have come to expect of the Jack’s brand.
Just as important, retailers are guaranteed a strong POR of 21.2%.
So stock up now and watch your sales fly this Christmas.
New Products
ROYD’S MULLED WINE
Case size: 6x70cl
WSP: £12.99
RSP: £3.99
POR: 34.9%
WARNINKS ADVOCAAT
Case size: 6x70cl
WSP: £59.89
RSP: £20.99
POR: 42.9%
BOOKER GROUP EXCLUSIVE!
CACTUS JACKS FRUIT SALAD
Case size: 6x 50cl
WSP: £28.09
RSP: £6.79 POR: 17.3%
TEQUILA ROSE LIQUEUR
Case size: 24x200ml
WSP: £95.49
RSP: £6.99
POR: 31.7%
PENFOLDS KOONUNGA HILL CHARDONNAY & SHIRAZ
Case size: 6x75cl
WSP: £37.99
RSP: £8.99
POR: 15.5%
New Products
BREWDOG HOPPY CHRISTMAS
Case size: 1x8x330ml
WSP: £7.79
RSP: £12
POR: 22.1%
TANGO CHERRY
Case size: 12x500ml
WSP: £6.75
RSP: £1.25
POR: 46%
BONDS CHOCOLATE PEANUTS & CHOCOLATE RAISINS
Case size: 12x75g
WSP: £8.49
RSP: £1.25
POR: 32.1%
LOST MARY BM6000 RECHARGEABLE VAPE
9 FLAVOURS!
Case size: 5x1 pack
WSP: £25.99
RSP: £12.99
POR: 52%
About Simon
Simon Robinson has been with Booker since 2008 having previously worked at the Co-op. In his 16 or so years at Booker he has worked across a number of different roles including non-food and, most recently, as Category Manager for Frozen. A few months ago Simon was promoted to a new role as one of four Category Planning Managers at Booker, positions which had never existed before. In his role, Simon has responsibility for the entire fresh and chilled category and is relishing the challenge as he helps retailers grow their footfall, sales and profits in an increasingly vital category.
Meet The Team: Simon Robinson
In this issue we catch up with Category Planning Manager Simon Robinson who looks after the vital and growing fresh category for Booker.
SIMON, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF?
I’m Simon Robinson and I’m one of four Category Planning Managers at Booker. The Category Planning Manager role was only created within Booker a few months ago so it’s an interesting and exciting period for me as I help shape the role. My primary responsibility is fresh and chilled and it’s a great category to work in because fresh and chilled is growing fast in independent retailing and I believe there is huge scope to continue to grow it in future.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE NEW ROLE?
As we speak, about 12 weeks! So it’s still very much early days for me in this role but we have already achieved real progress and we have big plans for the future as we help retailers make more of fresh and chilled.
HAD YOU WORKED IN FRESH AND CHILLED BEFORE?
Yes, I have a lot of experience in the category. My most recent role before taking on the new job was as Category Manager of Frozen but in my 16 or so years at Booker I’ve worked in all sorts of categories and roles. That broad experience has really helped shape my understanding
of Booker and of what our retailers need from us to maximise their sales and profits.
SO, WHAT DOES A CATEGORY PLANNING MANAGER DO?
It’s quite a complex role but it essentially breaks down into two key areas. The first is overseeing the promotions, pricing and range and the second is helping develop a longer-term strategy for the category. The two areas are obviously deeply interlinked but the Category Planning Manager role means someone help the team deliver big picture projects of the category and working closely with every other team in Booker that works in that category to deliver a joined-up approach. That, in turn, allows us to deliver the best possible support to our retailers.
FRESH MUST BE AN ENJOYABLE CATEGORY TO WORK IN?
It definitely is because it has so much potential for growth. So many of the other product categories that you would call ‘traditional’ convenience retailing categories are under pressure of one kind or another, often due to new legislation or just shifting shopper trends. The legislative landscape, as all retailers know, is increasingly difficult as they try to
Around 36% of all sales in the average convenience store are fresh and chilled. It’s already a huge category and it has more than doubled in size in the last decade.
cope with HFSS, DRS, new tobacco and vaping regulations, you name it. And shopper behaviours are changing alongside with more shoppers keen to make healthier choices when they visit a store, whatever that means to the individual shopper. In that sense, fresh and chilled are almost entirely free to grow and develop unhindered and that offers retailers a big incentive to shift more focus onto the category.
HOW BIG IS THE FRESH OPPORTUNITY FOR RETAILERS?
urge retailers to focus on great presentation. That means creating an attractive fixture in the first place and it also means checking up on the fixture, at least once an hour, to ensure the product quality is where it needs to be and to ensure that your fixture is sending out the right messages to shoppers.
HOW IS BOOKER HELPING RETAILERS EXPLOIT FRESH?
In a word, huge! The category has undergone enormous growth in the last decade and it offers retailers a big opportunity to drive profits by pushing at what is effectively an open door. We know that shoppers want to buy more fresh and chilled food. It’s no coincidence that the first thing you see when you walk into any supermarket is the fresh category. Having fresh front and centre sets the tone for the entire shopper visit.
IS THAT SOMETHING INDEPENDENT RETAILERS SHOULD CONSIDER?
It is – and, to be fair, a lot of retailers are already doing it. It’s increasingly common to be greeted with a beautiful fixture of fresh food as soon as you walk through the door. Fresh is what we call an ‘indicator category’ for shoppers. If a shopper walks through the door and the first thing they see is a wall of beautifully presented, colourful fresh products, it indicates that this is a great, well looked-after store with a great range and is therefore as good place to shop.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADVICE BE TO RETAILERS CONSIDERING GOING BIGGER ON FRESH AND CHILLED?
Firstly, I’d say that’s a great idea! Around 36% of all sales in the average convenience store are fresh and chilled. It’s already a huge category and it has more than doubled in size in the last decade. So, the first step is to ensure that you have a strong range. Your RDM can advise on the core lines that you should consider. There are maybe 70 or 80 lines that you should stock as a minimum, if you have the space – but these are genuine high rate-of-sale core lines and you probably already stock a lot of them. I would also advise retailers to be aware of the chilled food to go opportunity. That’s big and getting bigger. Lastly, I would
In lots of ways! The Jack’s range is a massive opportunity because we know shoppers trust the Tesco brand and they understand that they’re getting the same quality they’d find in a Tesco. We’ve also worked hard on managing waste for retailers which is one of the biggest concerns for many. That can mean longer shelf-life products, smaller case sizes or other innovations. For example, we recently launched new vacpac Jack’s mince which helps massively improve shelf life. The mince now has an extended shelf life of up to nine days and That has performed really well. We do listen to retailers and work with them to give them the tools they need to make more profit from fresh and chilled.
HOW IMPORTANT IS VALUE IN FRESH?
In today’s challenging economic climate, value matters just as much in fresh as it does in every category. Shoppers want value and quality and they don’t want to compromise. That’s why the Jack’s range is such a vital tool. Our 'Fresh 4' rolling promotion is also a great way of delivering regular, fantastic value in the fresh category for your shoppers. It can also help bring new fresh shoppers into your store, shoppers that had perhaps never considered buying fresh from you before.
HOW IS 2025 LOOKING?
It should be a busy year and another strong one for the category. The early months of 2025 are a great opportunity to move up a gear in fresh and chilled as many shoppers start a new year with resolutions to eat and drink more healthily. Plus we have lots of NPD planned throughout the year and we’ll be increasing our focus on chilled food to go to let retailers meet that growing demand. There’s a lot to love about the fresh category and I’d love to see more and more retailers up the ante in 2025. Now's the time to get fresh!
Exclusive new deal offers big savings on payments
Unleash your payments potential
Booker Group has agreed an exclusive new deal with Worldpay that can help Premier retailers make major savings on payments and reduce the cost of doing business.
Great local businesses like yours live around every corner and we
Payment
Extensive experience of navigating payment complexity
WManage funds flow
ith the cost of doing business seemingly rising across the board, it’s vital that Premier retailers do everything they can to reduce their outlays. Booker Group has recently struck a new and exclusive deal with payments experts Worldpay that can help retailers cut the cost of taking credit and debit card payments.
Flexible settlement options for access to funds
Security and trust
Robust protection tools that can help tackle fraud
Payment efficiencies
As the number of shoppers using cash continues to fall, retailers will be well aware that the charges they incur for taking credit and debit card payments continues to grow.
Streamline how you take, make and manage payments
Customer experience
Booker’s new exclusive deal with Worldpay, part of Booker’s wider Added Value Services progamme, offers the opportunity to quickly and
Simple payments with more ways to pay
High-performance
easily reduce the cost of every card transaction. Under the terms of the agreement, Premier retailers pay just 0.279% per debit card transaction and just 0.650% per credit card transaction. Additionally, the monthly rental fee for the terminal is only £15 and the auth fee is just £00.01.
Payments powered by
With decades of expertise working with businesses big and small, Worldpay is perfectly placed to support retailers and help them level up their payments and expand their reach.
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PAYMENT EXPERTISE
Extensive experience of navigating payment complexity
MANAGE FUNDS FLOW
Flexible settlement options for access to funds
SECURITY AND TRUST
Robust protection tools that can help tackle fraud
PAYMENT EFFICIENCIES
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TAILORED FOR RETAIL
In today's fast-paced retail environment, optimising payment strategies has become crucial for retailers keen to drive revenue growth and enhance customer experiences. Worldpay’s new report – Retail Payments Performance – found that:
l 94% of retail shoppers think having a range of payment methods to choose from is important
l 57% of consumers report selecting a retailer specifically because of the payment methods they accept
l 51% of shoppers cite convenience as the primary driver for selecting their preferred shopping channel
Unleash your payments
of emerging fraud challenges while maintaining high authorisation rates and minimising friction in the shopper experience.
Worldpay employs robust protection tools that can help tackle fraud while streamlining how you take, make and manage payments. Flexible settlement options are also available to manage access to funds for retailers.
Great local businesses like yours live around every corner, and we champion you by powering your payments With that part of your daily tasks taken care of, you’re free to focus on everything else that makes your business great
l 96% of shoppers consider easy refunds and returns important
As well as meeting these important shopper needs, Worldpay’s sophisticated AI and machine learning tools can help retailers stay ahead
The key to future growth lies in creating seamless, personalised experiences that resonate with modern shoppers’ expectations and values.
So isn’t it time you considered switching your payment experience to Worldpay and started making savings on every card transaction you process?
Simply scan the QR code in this feature and a Worldpay payment expert will be in touch.
BetterService
IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Use facial recognition and video recording technology with care
If you make use of facial recognition and video recording technology to combat crime in your store, it is critical that you comply with all relevant data protection regulations. Here’s how…
By Karen McClymont, Head of Data Privacy & Risk, Booker Group
With retail crime continuing to impact local stores, you might be considering the use of new technology such as live facial recognition technology (FRT), body cameras or CCTV to help protect your staff, premises and stock. These are extremely useful to retailers, but bring with them other challenges, especially from a privacy perspective. Your customers are very aware of their rights in this area and so this article sets out some of the key points you need to consider.
WHAT PERSONAL DATA DOES FACIAL RECOGNITION AND VIDEO RECORDING TECHNOLOGIES USE?
Video recording technology such as CCTV and body worn cameras capture images and in some cases audio footage of anyone in the vicinity of these devices. Images and audio recordings of an individual are classed as personal data/information. Audio is extremely privacy intrusive and should only be used if you have initially considered using alternative, less privacy intrusive methods.
Live facial recognition technology (FRT) is like CCTV, in that it captures images of anyone in the vicinity, but often also involves the automatic collection of biometric data. This is any personal data that can uniquely identify (recognise) the person it relates to, has been extracted or further analysed using technology. It can also relate to someone’s
behaviour, appearance, or observable characteristics for example, a person’s voice, fingerprints, or face.
Biometric is defined as sensitive personal data. This is because FRT systems capture the biometric and image data of all individuals passing within the range of the camera automatically and indiscriminately. Data is collected in real time and potentially on a mass scale. As a result, there is often a lack of awareness, choice, or control for the individuals.
HOW DOES USING THIS NEW TECHNOLOGY AND DATA PROTECTION REGULATION IMPACT ME AS A RETAILER?
The UK Data Protection regulations apply to any company that uses personal information in the process of offering goods and services for sale. This also applies when using CCTV, facial recognition software or use of data to track online behaviour.
Every organisation or sole trader who processes personal information needs to pay a data protection fee to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) unless they are exempt.
Processing personal data means collecting, storing, analysing and recording information about people. You must make sure you know and explain to others why you have this information. You must keep it safe and destroy it securely when it’s no longer needed.
What else must you do as a business if considering using facial recognition technology FRT or CCTV?
l Complete a DPIA (a Data Protection Impact Assessment). As a small organisation this is like how you’d approach many other workplace decisions –you look at the situation you’re in and the options available to you, weigh up the risks and opportunities and decide your way forward.
l For your DPIA, you’ll describe what you plan to do, including whose data will be used and why you need to do it that way. You’ll then assess whether the processing is necessary and proportionate – in other words, a plan that’s balanced and makes sense
Your customers are very aware of their rights in this area, so this article sets out some of the key points you need to consider.
– before setting out what measures you’ll put in place to ensure your plan complies with data protection laws.
l If you think there are any risks to people, you need to make a record of this along with any mitigations or solutions you’ve found.
l Position any cameras in areas with sufficient lighting and not in private areas such as bathrooms and changing rooms. Any recording equipment and monitors should be in a private and secure location.
l It is vital that you ensure that your staff have been trained and know how to use the systems correctly, so you remain compliant. You should know how to retrieve stored data where required for individual rights requests. You should also be able to effectively blur or mask footage if redaction is required to protect the rights and freedoms of any third parties.
l Have visible signs showing that CCTV or other FRT system is in operation, including who is responsible for the system.
l If you use watch lists, these must be constructed in a way as to be compliant with data protection regulation
l For FRT, ensure you can clearly identify false and true matches and correct the system.
l Comply with the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice where required.
Failure to comply with these principles may leave you open to substantial fines. This could mean a fine of up to £17.5 million, or 4% of your total worldwide annual turnover, whichever is higher. Remember too that members of the public have rights and can make complaints about you to the ICO if they don’t believe you are handling personal data correctly. It’s important you know what these rights are – people may object (Right to Object) to you processing their data using FRT or CCTV or want a copy of the information you hold about them (a Subject Access Request), so it’s important to be prepared.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND FURTHER INFORMATION?
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the UK regulator for data protection, and you can find lots of useful guidance on their website:
l www.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/business/
l www.ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidanceand-resources/cctv-and-video-surveillance/
BetterService
IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Save energy, save money
Working with Hawley Energy, Booker’s Energy Saving Service helps retailers cut their energy bills, generate new income streams and make a positive sustainability impact.
How it works:
The Energy Saving Service allows retailers to start saving from day one without spending a penny.
Hawley Energy takes care of every step of the journey by:
l Step 1 – Analysing your energy data to identify optimal solutions.
l Step 2 – Generating bespoke designs to achieve maximum ROI.
l Step 3 – Presenting funding options and financials.
l Step 4 – Installing the chosen solution(s).
With energy costs continuing to rank among Premier retailers’ key challenges, Booker is urging all retailers to consider new ways to save energy, save money and enhance their planet credentials.
Working with partner Hawley Energy, Booker’s Energy Saving Services is a powerful way to slash bills, generate new income streams and make a positive step in the right direction in terms of sustainability.
Delivered via a single point of contact, the service makes it as simple as possible for retailers to have solutions designed and installed with a minimum of fuss.
Equally importantly, the Energy Saving Service allows retailers to start saving from day one without spending a penny.
KEY SOLUTIONS
Hawley Energy offers two key solutions to Premier retailers that can help them take their business to the next level: Solar PV and EV Chargers. Savings through solar can be substantial while EV Chargers are a great way to unlock fresh footfall and generate fresh income streams for retailers with a car park.
SOLAR PV
Hawley Energy has extensive experience working with businesses of all sizes. From small sites that use energy mostly in the daytime to larger sites that have higher energy demands in the evening, Hawley Energy has the experience to size Solar PV systems correctly to ensure that retailers benefit from a cashflow-positive system which saves them money from day one.
Here are two examples of the potential savings that can be made:
It couldn’t be simpler to take advantage with Hawley Energy taking care of every step for you. From analysing your energy usage data to identify optimal solutions all the way through generating bespoke designs and presenting funding options to installing your chosen solutions, Hawley Energy takes all of the hard work away.
EV CHARGING
With more and more electric vehicles on the road today, installing EV Charging facilities is a great way to generate fresh footfall and increase loyalty and customer retention. It also helps increase dwell time, which can have a positive effect on your store sales.
If you have a car park, you can benefit from free-to-fit EV Chargers and, better still, you earn an income from each charger every time it’s used.
With Asset finance, your net saving is your year one saving minus your annual finance payment. In the above examples, the savings would be more than the annual finance payment so the system would be cashflow positive in year one.
TOBACCO-FREE** NICOTINE POUCHES
* Based on NielsenIQ RMS data for the Nicotine Pouches category for the 18-month period ending 30/12/2023 for the UK total retail market (Copyright © 2023, NielsenIQ).
** This product is not risk-free and contains nicotine, an addictive substance. For adult nicotine consumers only. For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left in sight of consumers.
James Lowman urges retailers to report every crime every time.
Every crime, every time
ACS is asking retailers to report every crime that happens in their store to help close the gap between reported crime levels and actual crime levels to help force action.
The latest official crime figures have been published recently with the Office for National Statistics reporting a new record high for the number of shop theft offences. The number of recorded incidents has risen by 29% in the last year, reaching almost 470,000. But what does this actually mean?
The first thing to be clear about is that these figures are a dramatic underestimation of the reality of the situation on the ground. Our Crime Report estimates around 5.6 million incidents of theft over the last year based on responses from retailers, and if you break that down it works out to around two incidents of theft per week per store. I think if you spoke to any retailer, they'd take only two incidents a week in a heartbeat! The ONS figures suggest only one in 10 of those incidents are being reported, and that's for the entire retail sector which is 10 times the size of the convenience sector. So, there's a huge disconnect between
what's being taken from stores and what's being shared with the police.
We know from surveying retailers on a regular basis that theft has been on the increase consistently for the last three years, currently sitting at levels we've never seen before, so in a way it's inevitable that the ONS figures would increase as well. What we hope is starting to happen though, is that more retailers are taking the time to report incidents when they happen, which starts to bridge the gap between police perception of the scale of the problem and the reality. This isn't happening anywhere near fast enough yet, but the alternative is that retailers stop reporting, which then reduces the official figures, which in turn leads to theft becoming even less of a priority and a resource allocation for police forces than it is now.
Whatever the figures say, the impact of repeated, brazen thefts on a business cannot
be overstated. This is a problem that isn't going away any time soon, driven in part by increasingly organised groups that are stealing to order, knowing exactly what they're after and willing to take bigger and bigger risks to steal. Retailers and colleagues are facing into this reality on a daily basis.
The Government has committed to doing more on shop theft, and we've had productive conversations with many of the Police and Crime Commissioners that set local priorities for their forces, but there's clearly much more to be done. My advice to any retailer that is dealing with theft, however frustrating it is, is to report as much as possible. Only by closing that gap between the reality of the situation and the official figures on reporting will we see more attention given to shoplifting, more police on the beat to get these criminals off the streets, and targeted outcomes to stop reoffending.
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