Industry News

Premier retailers to access hundreds of new lines as Jack’s rollout continues

Jack’s, part of the Tesco family, is making an increasingly big mark across Premier stores as the brand’s full-scale rollout continues this summer.

In a move designed to simplify the group’s own label offer for shoppers, the new range sees the Happy Shopper, Farm Fresh and Discover the Choice brands brought together under one quality Jack’s brand.

While an extensive range of fresh Jack’s products have been available for some months, completion of the full-scale rollout will provide retailers with access to more than 400 lines across all key food and non-food categories.

The new range will also provide a number of benefits to Premier retailers too, with PORs of more than 30% across the vast majority of lines, consistent branding, simplified ordering and more effective merchandising in-store.

Commenting on the rollout, Premier retailer Justin Whittaker, of MJ’s Premier in Royton, Manchester, said: “We’ve had the Jack’s range in since it first launched and I have to say I’ve been really, really impressed, as have my shoppers.

“The products look great on shelf, the packaging is really strong and modern, the pricing is spot on and the quality is just fantastic.”

All Jack’s packaging will also carry the ‘Part of the Tesco Family’ logo - giving retailers and shoppers alike the reassurance of Tesco quality for an affordable price.

INBRIEF

ACS BACKS ONLINE SALES TAX

The Association of Convenience Stores has submitted evidence to the Government’s consultation on the development of an online sales tax to support local businesses. ACS is also calling on the Government to reduce business rates for retail properties.

In its submission, ACS highlights the current imbalance in the way that businesses are taxed, with physical stores being at a disadvantage compared to their online counterparts. The introduction of an online sales tax that funds reductions in business rates would take significant steps toward redressing the balance between online and bricks and mortar retailers and give retail outlets more opportunities to invest.

The submission also advises that click and collect orders should be exempt from the online sales tax, as they encourage consumers to visit physical retail stores.

Welsh Government to regenerate retail sector

The Welsh Government has launched a new strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales, outlining the challenges faced by retail businesses in Wales. The shared strategic vision sets out how the Government and the sector will work together in partnership to ensure that the retail sector has a bright future in Wales.

The vision identifies key areas where action is needed, including improving career opportunities within retail, greater job security, ensuring Wales’ town centres and high streets are thriving through investment and support for non-domestic rates.

The strategy also aims to help retailers seize the opportunities of decarbonisation and digitalisation

Association of Convenience Sstores chief executive James Lowman said: “We are pleased that the Welsh Government has recognised the vital role that the retail sector plays in the economy and in the day to day lives of people living in Wales.

“Local shops operate at the heart of our communities, providing customers with access to vital products and services, as well as acting as a social hub for those who may be more isolated or vulnerable.”

CommunityNews

OPINION, NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FROM PREMIER RETAILERS

Deer and orchids fl ourish at Makro bio-diverse branch

A Makro branch in Hull has enjoyed some heartwarming success with a bio-diverse zone that has seen wild deer and orchids flourish alongside the branch.

Wild deer, orchids and a range of wild fl owers have been fl ourishing at a Makro branch in Hull after an area of 1,365 m2, to one side of the building, was designated by Booker’s sustainability team as an offi cial ‘bio diverse’ area.

The team has been working with Yorkshire Wildlife trust to protect some rare orchids and, to help them grow and develop, they have planted some additional wild fl ower which orchids need in order to pollinate.

An unintentional bonus has been the arrival of wild deer on the site.

Booker Sustainability Manager Cath Marston told Talking Shop: “It’s hard to believe that we have such beautiful fl owers and creatures in that small bio diverse space. The branch is on an industrial estate next to a dual carriageway, yet we have succeeded in creating a small wildlife haven. It just shows what you can do if you look after even a small space and allow it to fl ourish.”

Premier Blyth adds electric van

Broadway Premier in Blyth has taken its sustainability credentials to a new level by investing a brand new zero emissions fully electric van which it is using for its popular home delivery service.

Owner Peter Saleem said: “Investing in zero emissions technology like this refl ects our belief in the importance of taking sustainability seriously. It has greatly enhanced our image and our shoppers love it.” Our new Electric Volkswagen ABT e-Transporter Vehicle is amazing. It’s great for the environment and great for business, especially when fuel prices are the way they are. “Our shoppers also really appreciate the fact that we are delivering their products in an echo-friendly manner - sustainability is becoming an increasingly big concern for them.

“We are currently charging the van in a local carpark but we are just about to have a brand-new charging point of our own fi tted at the store and at our home which will make things even easier.”

INBRIEF

ST MARY’S KEEPS UP THE GOOD WORK

Devon Premier store St Mary’s Supermarket has once more supported the local Northam Community & Northam Local Foodbank with generous donations.

The products were very much appreciated by the Foodbank and use as part of the charity’s Foodbank baskets, benefi tting over 50 local families.

IndustryNews

A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY

Convenience retailing growing ‘ahead of market’

New data from NielsenIQ shows that growth in the independent channel outperformed the supermarkets in May.

Data specialist NielsenIQ has published its latest findings which show that the convenience channel outperformed supermarkets in May with 3.7% growth in sales. This means that the channel now accounts for almost a quarter (24%) of FMCG sales.

The figures also show that UK grocery sales values grew by 0.6% in the same month, even though volume sales fell by 6%, the first positive growth since the turn of the year. Footfall was also up 7% while online grocery sales remained static.

The report suggests the growth in convenience was partly down to shoppers stocking up for the long Platinum Jubilee weekend. The report also noted an increase in “little and more often” shopping which drove sales in convenience.

DRS handling fee revealed

With Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) scheduled to be implemented across the UK at various dates in the future, the handling fees that retailers will receive for returned containers when Scotland’s DRS goes live have been revealed. Scotland will be the first nation to implement a DRS on 16 August 2023.

For retailers using approved automated Reverse Vending Machines, the fee will be 3.55p for the first 8,000 containers received each week and 1.35p for each additional container.

For manual returns, retailers will receive 2.69p per container.

INBRIEF

INDEPENDENT STORES ‘KEY’ IN PREVENTING UNDERAGE SALES

The Community Alcohol Partnerships (CAP) scheme has reported significant reductions in children’s drinking and anti-social behaviour in areas where its local partnership schemes operate, thanks to the support of local independent retailers.

CAP partnerships are made up of retailers, local authorities, police, schools, neighbourhood groups and health providers, who work together to make a positive difference to the health and wellbeing of young people and improve the communities where they live. There are currently over 250 schemes across England, Scotland and Wales.

Key findings from CAP’s 2021/2 annual report says evaluations over the last six years show CAP areas have achieved a 62% reduction in weekly drinking for 13–16-yearolds, a 42% reduction in antisocial behaviour and a 68% reduction in residents reporting children and young people drinking in public places to be a very big or fairly big problem.

In addition, after CAP training, 98% of retailers passed a Challenge25 compliance test – from an average baseline of 50%.