TalkingShop October 2021 by Talking Shop

Talking Shop ISSUE 114 – October 2021

The magazine for Premier retailers

Sweet Dreams Shamly Sud’s latest Premier store in Glasgow is a template for future growth

PLUS

Wake up and smell the coffee

Make the most of some great deals on coffee machines for your store

Christmas is coming

Exclusive products and special offers to drive extra seasonal footfall

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Talking Shop | October 2021

Welcome Talking Shop ISSUE 114 – Octobe

r 2021

Welcome to your latest issue of Talking Shop and it’s another packed issue as we begin to head into the winter months and a fresh set of opportunities to grow footfall, sales and profits. After a very challenging 18 months or so, now is perhaps a good time to check that you have everything in place for what lies ahead over the coming six months. A great place to start is by ensuring that your team is fully up to speed on the latest regulations and legislation. There’s been a lot of change on that front recently, so it’s definitely a good idea to take advantage of the free training that Premier offers through our training partner CPL Online. Send an email to premiertraining@cplonline.co.uk for more details. Also available free through Premier is the excellent ShopMate EPoS system that could help you improve efficiencies and grow your bottom line. Modern stores are complicated, complex businesses and a great EPoS system can be invaluable in helping you understand your business at a deeper level. Social media is another area that has continued to grow in importance over the last year, and Premier retailers are using it effectively to grow footfall and sales. In this issue we also consider the importance of supporting local, the vital role that fresh has to play in a modern independent store and, of course, we begin to look ahead to Christmas, another fantastic opportunity to keep sales momentum going over the coming months. Enjoy the issue and I wish you all fantastic trading.

The magazin

e for Premier

retailers

Sweet Dreams

Shamly Sud’s late store in Glasgow st Premier for future grow is a template th

PLUS

Wake up and smell the coffee Make the

some great most of deals on coffee mac hines for your store

Christmas is coming

TS.indd 1

Exclusive pro ducts and special offe drive extra sea rs to sonal footfall

COVER STORY Daily essentials and a sense of fun drive footfall at Shamly Sud’s latest Premier Racetrack store in Glasgow 12/10/2021 14:33:26

THE THREE BIG STORIES 40 Supporting local Supporting local communities has never been more important. 44 Festive fun Go early and go hard this Christmas. 57 Coffee counts Great deals to up your coffee game.

Share your shop news

If you’ve got news, tips or feature ideas, please get in touch with Talking Shop: EMAIL:

Martyn Parkinson, Brand Director Premier

4 TalkingShop October 2021

talkingshop@booker.co.uk DISCLAIMER: Prices are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change.

44 Festive fun

Feelgood factor

The benefit of experience

Maintaining a great fresh offer is key.

Premier News

Making more of coffee is easy with exclusive Premier packages.

26 Breaking fresh ground

60 Ones To Watch

Improved Premier Bulletin now

A focus on fresh food has sales

The latest products to hit the

optimised for mobiles.

sales spike in Ayrshire.

shelves.

News

32 Labour of love

64 Ready for the future

Premier wins big at the major

Full refit takes Manchester store to

Free online training for all of your

industry awards events.

a new level.

needs.

10 Community News

40 Supporting local

A round-up of the latest community

Premier stores have never

news.

been more important to their

13 Industry news Spending growing fastest in independent stores.

14 The benefit of experience

communities.

44 Festive fun Go early and go hard to maximise sales this Christmas.

51 Fresh approach

Worcestershire retailer creates a

Maintaining a great fresh offer is

unique look and feel with a major

key.

refit.

20 Feelgood factor Glasgow retailer is on a mission to make shopping fun.

57 Bean counting Making more of coffee is easy with exclusive Premier packages.

68 Getting social A beginner’s guide to social media.

74 EPoS offer Free EPoS deal can drive efficiencies.

85 Guest Column Taking control of your energy contracts.

Stocking up for winter October 2021 TalkingShop

PremierNews NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER

Booker tackles food waste and helps vulnerable people

INBRIEF IMPROVED PREMIER BULLETIN NOW OPTIMISED FOR MOBILES

Keep an eye out for the new and improved Premier Bulletin, now fully optimised for

The wholesaler is partnering with food redistribution charity FareShare and free sharing app OLIO.

mobile phones so it is easier to view and to make use of its functionality while on the move. Following feedback from Premier retailers, the Bulletin now includes more information on a range of topics including

Booker has teamed up with food redistribution charity FareShare and free sharing app OLIO to provide food to vulnerable people across the UK and to help reduce food waste. Through the FareShare Go programme, Booker sites are matched with charities and community groups in the local area that collect the items and turn them into food parcels or hot meals for the people they support. The programme is currently live in all Booker branches. In addition, OLIO’s Food Waste Heroes are collecting food directly from Booker, which will

then be added to its app for people in the local area to collect. Together the three organisations have already redistributed nearly 400,000 meals. FareShare organisations will make the majority of collections from Booker sites, typically five days out of the week, while OLIO Food Waste Heroes are lined up to collect on days when charities can’t. Catherine Marston, Sustainability Manager at Booker, said: “Over the past year Booker has donated the equivalent of over six million meals to local charities and good causes and this will really help us build upon this success.” Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “Demand for FareShare food has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, and we are delivering upwards of two million meals per week to those in need, so this food is needed now more than ever.” Tessa Clarke, Co-Founder and Chief Executive at OLIO, added: “Schemes like this are instrumental in helping tackle food wastage across our communities so we are very proud to be involved.”

new and exclusive products; best-selling promotions; product trends and sales opportunities; important industry updates; new services and support available from Booker and links to social media content to share on retailers’ own platforms. As well as being easier to view on a mobile, the bulletin also allows Premier retailers to click on items that they would like to order and a link via the Booker website will automatically put the products into their online baskets. The new and improved bulletin is issued every Wednesday via email, text message and on the What’s App platform, as well as featuring every week on the home page of Booker.co.uk.

October 2021 TalkingShop

News

INBRIEF Premier retailers win NEW VACCINE big at industry Oscars POLICY POSTERS FOR LOCAL SHOPS ACS (the Association of

A number of Premier retailers have been recognised at this year’s Retail Industry Awards.

Convenience Stores) has created new posters to help retailers communicate national vaccination policies to store teams. The posters can be used by retailers to encourage colleagues to take up their opportunity to have flu and Covid-19 vaccinations. ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “Convenience retailers have worked tirelessly to ensure that they can continue to serve their communities while keeping their staff and customers safe. “We have developed these posters for local shops to encourage colleagues to take up vaccines when they are offered them, and to make clear if the business is willing to pay for colleagues to have their flu jabs where they are not already eligible for these to be free of charge.” The posters are all available to download at: https:// www.acs.org.uk/advice/ vaccinations

8 TalkingShop October 2021

Premier retailers picked up five awards at the prestigious Retail Industry Awards in London last month. Premier Morley Convenience Store in Leeds, West Yorkshire, was named Most Improved Store, while the store was also highly commended in the Food-to-go Retailer of the Year – Independent – award. Store owner Arjan ‘Ajay’ Singh also won Trailblazer of the Year at the annual awards for implementing an array of modern and innovative features at the Morley store. Ajay said: “I’m living on cloud nine at the moment. We had a refit two years ago and we’ve improved the in-store theatre, availability, customer service, and social media. We’ve taken everything to another level. Premier has helped massively. The RDMs gave me information about products, trends, and helped my ideas come to life. My team have been phenomenal during the pandemic, they’ve stuck by me.” “I can’t believe I won the Trailblazer of the Year award – there are so many good people out there, it’s unreal. I couldn’t have done it without Booker or my parents. They allowed me to put my ideas into fruition. It was nice to be at the awards with my mum and dad.” Premier MJ’s Store in Royton, Lancashire, secured Drinks Retailer of the Year – Independent. In the same category, Premier Kenninghall Stores & Post Office in Norfolk was highly commended. Justin Whittaker, owner of Premier MJ’s, said: “We are really proud to win the Drinks Retailer of the Year award. It is a real team effort to maintain the range and to present it well, and our shoppers love the offer.” Glasgow forecourt store, Premier Racetrack owner Shamly Sud was delighted with the award, commenting: “It is absolutely brilliant to win. It’s so nice to be recognised for all the work we have done, it really is the icing on the cake.” Independent Community Retailer of the Year was won by Premier Eldred Drive Store in Orpington, Kent.

WINNING MENTALITY: There were big wins at the Retail Industry Awards for Premier retailers Shamly Sud (top), Justin Whittaker (centre) and Ajay Singh (bottom).

In addition, Premier Linktown Local in Kirkcaldy, Fife, was highly commended by judges in the Independent Retailer of the Year award, while Premier The Avenue Convenience Store in Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, was highly commended in the Store Team of the Year – Independent award.

More for Premier at the Convenience Awards 2021 Accolades were received for the group and for Premier MJ’s.

DELIVERING SUCCESS: Premier retailer Justin Whittaker collects his award for Customer Delivery Store of the Year.

TOP BILLING: Martyn Parkinson, Sales Director – Retail accepts one of the top fascia awards on behalf of Premier.

INBRIEF CONTACTLESS CARD LIMIT TO INCREASE TO £100

The contactless card payment limit will rise to £100 from 15 October 2021. The decision to raise the

Premier picked up two awards at the prestigious Convenience Awards 2021 in London last month. The group was named The Shoppers’ Favourite Convenience Fascia for Impulse Categories for receiving the highest shopper satisfaction ratings for purchases across the soft drinks, snacks, and confectionery categories. Sales Director – Retail, Martyn Parkinson said: “We’re delighted to be voted the shoppers’ favourite convenience fascia for impulse categories. A massive thanks goes out all our retailers, the Premier team and the shoppers who voted for us.” In addition, MJ’s Premier in Royton, Lancashire, picked up Customer Delivery Store

of the Year. The store hit the £1m delivery milestone earlier this year and the new revenue stream has allowed the business to grow bigger and better. The judging panel praised MJ’s for “developing and implementing a pioneering and innovative delivery offer that is bolstered by a strong emphasis on utilising social media to communicate their offer to customers”. Justin said: “We are really proud to win this award for our delivery service. “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this level but it’s been a real team effort and we are continuing to go from strength to strength. The shoppers love it!”

contactless limit from £45 to £100 was made by HM Treasury and the Financial Conduct Authority following a public consultation and discussions with the retail and banking sectors. It follows on from the successful increase in the limit from £30 to £45 in April 2020. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: “Increasing the contactless limit will make it easier than ever to pay safely and securely. As people get back to the high street, millions of payments will made be simpler,

Premier Racetrack cleans up at forecourt awards Glasgow Premier retailer Shamly Sud is flushed with success in her local community after Premier Racetrack Autoport in Ibrox, Glasgow, won the national award for Best Forecourt Loo at last month’s Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards. Shamly said: “We went to the event hoping we would win, and it was absolutely brilliant to get the award because we have put a lot of thought into the design of the toilet area.”

The now-famous loo features a modern design, with pictures on the wall, mood lighting and even plays whale music to calm the mood of visitors. “We are aiming to create

a good experience for the shoppers in every part of the store, and we want that to continue if they go into the toilet,” Shamly explained. “There are some sites you can go to where the store is great but the toilet can spoil the mood, and we didn’t want that to be the case with us. “We get lots of compliments from the shoppers who use the facility – they say things like ‘I could move in here!’” she added.

providing a welcome boost for retailers and shoppers.” David Postings, Chief Executive of UK Finance, said: “The payments industry has worked hard to put in place the infrastructure to enable retailers to update their payments systems so they can start to offer their customers this new higher limit.”

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

October 2021 TalkingShop

CommunityNews OPINION, NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FROM PREMIER RETAILERS

Premier retailer Julie Kaur Duhra wins new retail accolade

The Raj Aggarwal award is organised by ACS to celebrate exceptional community retailing. Julie Kaur Duhra from Premier Jules Convenience, Telford, has been named as the winner of the Raj Aggarwal Award, a new trophy marking the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal. The awards programme is organised by ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) in memory of the late retailer to celebrate store owners who have performed exceptionally in community retailing and in helping their fellow retailers. Julie was acknowledged for her work in the local community during the pandemic, and particularly for the support she showed fellow Premier retailer Bobby Atwal, who was forced to close his shop temporarily. Julie carried out all Bobby’s deliveries for free, and also helped him with restocking. Two other Premier retailers were named as finalists of the award – Nico Ali from Premier Top Shop, Jarrow, and Linda and

Sophie Williams, from Premier Broadway Convenience, Edinburgh. The three finalists were invited to attend ACS’ recent Heart of the Community Conference, where Julie was presented with the trophy. Julie said: “I am very honoured and very humbled to have won this award. It was a very emotional award in memory of Raj, and you could feel there was a lot of empathy in the room.” She added: “The other two Premier retailers deserve the award just as much as me. We all try to work together at Premier as part of one big team.” The three stores made up the entire shortlist for the inaugural awards, showing once again the dedication and commitment of Premier retailers to serve and support their local communities. The entries were judged by: Sunita

Aggarwal, Raj’s wife and Owner of a store in Wigston, Leicester; Jonathan James, Managing Director of James Convenience Retail; Avtar Sidhu, owner of Budgens Kenilworth; and James Lowman, Chief Executive of the ACS.

Julie does Tough Mudder for charity Telford Premier retailer Julie Kaur Duhra has raised more than £1,300 by taking part in the TSD Tough Mudder challenge with friends Satty, Indy and Tara. Tough Mudder is an endurance event in which participants attempt 10-to-12-mile-long obstacle courses. The team raised the funds for Magic Breakfast, which provides healthy school breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the UK. Julie said: “It was an unforgettable experience. We challenged ourselves and raised money for such a worthy cause.”

10 TalkingShop October 2021

Wharfedale Premier store donates life–saving equipment Retailers Sam and Mark Coldbeck presented the local community with a defibrillator with funds raised from carrier bags.

Sam and Mark Coldbeck of Premier Wharfedale in Hull have presented a local community trust with a brand-new automatic defibrillator that could save someone’s life. The store raised funds for the device through carrier bag charges and Sam and Mark were

able to present it to staff from the local Freedom Community Trust, a community-led charity. The defribrillator has been installed at the charity’s Freedom Centre, which provides a range of services including a café, gym and library as well as office and events spaces. “Every time we sell a carrier bag we put the money to one side and keep it to support a community charity,” said Sam. “This is the first donation we have made, and we are already saving up for the next worthwhile cause. “We know how many local people visit the Freedom Centre every day, so we knew it was the ideal location for this vital piece of equipment.” The British Heart Foundation states that having access to a defibrillator in a public place greatly increases the chances of surviving a heart attack. A spokesperson for the Freedom Centre added: “It’s great to know that in the rare event of an emergency we have the very latest life-saving equipment on hand and ready to go.”

INBRIEF NORTH YORKSHIRE PREMIER STORE MAKES PEOPLE HAPPIER!

Premier Stores – The Avenue, in Nunthorpe, near Middlesbrough, has won a civic award to recognise the positive impact the business has had on the local community. The store was presented with the Making People Happier Award as part

Premier retailer recognised in community award scheme Edinburgh Premier retailer Dennis Williams has been named as a winner of the Shop Local, Shop Little Heroes awards for going above and beyond for his local communities during the pandemic. Dennis, who owns Broadway Premier in Oxgangs with his wife Linda, was presented with framed certificates and hundreds of pounds worth of free stock from the sponsors including Booker, Boost, Mondelez and the NFRN. He will now go forward to

the national NFRN Awards, taking place in January 2022, where the overall winner will be revealed. During the pandemic, Dennis and Linda set up a hardship fund for local people who were suffering because of the lockdown. NFRN National President Stuart Reddish, said: “Our members’ stores really are hubs in their communities, but during the pandemic so many of them stepped their efforts up to another level. “As well as working long hours and keeping their doors

of Middlesbrough’s Civic Community Awards 2021. Store owner Sag Hussain, said: “Never in this world would I have thought that we would go and win such an award. “Thank you for everyone’s support. And a special thank you to all my staff, past and present. Without you all, none of this would have been possible.”

open for essential supplies, the moving stories we heard ranged from setting up free delivery services for the elderly and vulnerable and raising money for people in hardship, to giving away free hot meals and donating to local food banks and charities.”

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

October 2021 TalkingShop

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IndustryNews A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY

Shopping habits shifting towards convenience channels

Spending at c–stores is growing faster than at supermarkets, according to Nielsen.

Grocery spend at UK convenience stores grew by +3.3% in the past four weeks ending 11 September 2021, outperforming the growth at supermarkets, new data from NielsenIQ reveals. Supermarket sales rose by only +0.6% during the same period. NielsenIQ says this shift toward the convenience channel is a result of a gradual return of pre-pandemic consumer habits, as workers slowly return to offices and children are back in schools. The data shows visits to all stores are up 10% compared with the same period last year. However, visits are still down 6% compared to 2019, showing there is still headroom for growth

at stores. Online share of sales remains steady at 12.4%, slightly down compared with the same period (13%) last year, mainly due to a trend towards smaller online baskets. NielsenIQ data reveals that total till grocery sales for the four-week period rose to +1.8% compared to the same period last year. This is an improvement from +1.1% in August 2021 and a +7.3% growth in sales against 2019. Meanwhile, shoppers spent £9.8bn at the major supermarkets in the past four weeks, which is £526m more than the same period in 2019 (+6%). Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “UK shopping habits are shifting once again, this time towards convenience channels as Brits return to more impulsive shopping behaviours that correspond with a return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. The warm weather in early September also helped. “For retailers there is a challenge to encourage bigger spends on every shopping trip now that habits are shifting away from a big shop online and towards new, and smaller missions at stores.”

INBRIEF ACS LAUNCHES WELLBEING GUIDE The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has rolled out new guidance for retailers on how to support wellbeing for themselves and their staff. The Wellbeing Guide, developed with the What Works Centre for Wellbeing, provides practical steps to take on the shop floor to improve staff retention and customer service. The guide covers: working environment, relationships and connections, health, learning, work/life balance, personal and purpose, colleague voice, and personal finance. ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “We’re encouraging retailers to take

Shoppers becoming more value-led, says study

a proactive approach to workplace wellbeing and we have developed this guidance

The average weekly value of convenience store shopping baskets decreased by -1% during the four weeks ending 25th July 2021, according to the Convenience Tracking Programme from Lumina Intelligence. Basket spend in the industry declined from £23.56 to £23.27 over the period in question, while average basket size remained stable at 2.8 items per trip. This indicates that shoppers are becoming more budget conscious, says Lumina. Impulse purchasing decreased by -0.7ppts during the four–week period, but sales were increasingly purchased on promotions, further

emphasising a move towards value conscious shopping. The average visit frequency of convenience shoppers fell slightly, from 2.8 times per week to 2.6, suggesting pre-pandemic shopping habits are returning, Lumina maintains, also highlighting a decline in the proportion of shoppers using delivery services.

to provide our sector with actionable steps.” Download the guide at https://bit.ly/ ACSwellbeingguide

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

October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Crabbs Cross

The benefit of

experience 25% increase in footfall

SMART DESIGN: The instore graphics are original and eyecatching.

Simon Grewal has created a unique look and feel to his Premier store at Crabbs Cross, Worcestershire, following a major refit.

14 TalkingShop October 2021

he first impression you get when you see the interior of Premier Crabbs Cross in Redditch, Worcestershire, is that the design is strikingly unique with bright lights and bold category labelling in silver and white. “That’s exactly why we did it this way!” laughs store owner Simon Grewal. “We wanted to be a bit different. “We are trying to create the ultimate shopper experience. We put in more product categories, but I didn’t want the shelving to be too high. This is a community store so I wanted to make sure people would have a good experience shopping here.” There has been a shop of one kind or another on the Crabbs Cross site for over 50 years. Simon bought the site in 2008, his second retail venture following the

acquisition of a store in nearby Malvern with his father in 2004 – also a Premier, and still thriving. He instigated a mini refit at Crabbs Cross in 2016, before embarking on a major overhaul this summer, doubling the size of the store to 1,300sq ft and completely transforming the internal appearance. “We looked at lots of other stores, took a few ideas from elsewhere and combined them with a few of our own, and worked very closely with the shopfitters to make it happen,” explains Simon. “There was around four months of building work and then a five-week turnaround in store, first with the shopfitters and then the merchandisers.” The scale of the project meant that the store had to close temporarily, but Simon and his wife Sonia were determined not to let the local shoppers down so they set up a pop-up

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

Store CV: FOOD TO SHOW: The store’s appealing Food to Go section has drawn new shoppers in.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Simon Grewal’s vision of a modern convenience store has been realised at Crabbs Cross.

shop while the work was being completed. “We focused on the daily basics – newspapers, cigarettes, bread and milk,” explains Simon. “We also equipped staff with walkie talkies so they could fetch anything else that was required from the back of the main store.” He continues: “We used a company called Rapid Retail and I would definitely do it again if needed to, and I would recommend this to any retailer doing a major refit. It reassured our regular shoppers and helped us to maintain relationships with them. It also focused attention on the shop – it helped to build curiosity about the new store, and to make it a talking point.” The strategy paid off, with loyal local shoppers returning and new ones satisfying their curiosity by venturing inside – and being deeply impressed by what they found.

“We’ve seen more footfall and bigger basket spends straight away,” says Simon. “Shoppers grab a basket without even thinking about it. People want to spend time here, either browsing or just looking around! “It’s not a case of merely adding more stock, the shopping experience is important as well. We wanted it to be a destination, and footfall is up by 25% we are getting so many new shoppers.” The new store has successfully retained all its existing shoppers, so the historically strong categories of alcohol, tobacco, grocery and news are still key, but the larger space has also allowed for some additional features to attract additional shopper spending. “Our new food to go section has been huge for us!” Simon says. “We are selling a lot of Tango Ice Blast, Fanta Frozen, Fwip ice cream, a lot of hot coffee and a lot more

Store Name: Premier Crabbs Cross Convenience, Redditch Retailer: Simon Grewal Size: 1,300sq ft Services: Lottery, PayPoint, parcel service, ATM Staff: 14

HOT STUFF: More space has been dedicated to local curry dishes, and sales have climbed as a result.

sandwiches than before. “We’ve had an uplift on everything – more fresh produce, more soft drinks, too. But the biggest new thing is definitely food to go – it has blown us away how popular it is.” The food to go offering is enhanced by a selection of locally-sourced sandwiches, pasties, and morning goods. “We never had the space for local goods before, but we can now make them look good on shelf,” explains Simon. “Products from a local curry supplier, Classic Cuisine, did well in the old store, but sales are up 25% since we reopened. We can dedicate a whole chiller just for the curries now, instead of having them sharing space with other products.” Another local success has been with a range of craft ales from Warwickshire-based Purity Brewing. October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Crabbs Cross

FRESH CHOICE: An expanded fresh range has been a hit with shoppers. LOCAL BREWS: Premier Crabbs Cross has a great relationship with local suppliers such as Purity Brewing.

EXTRA BOTTLE: The expansion of the spirits selection has helped to boost alcohol sales overall.

“We work closely with them, says Simon. “I think it is really important to support local companies, and we’ve had such success with Purity that two other local companies are now working with us too. “We definitely have headroom to work with more too – they are now reaching out to us as well as us having to reach out to them.” The expansion into local craft ale, together with a wider range of spirits, encourages shoppers to spend more time browsing, and has also contributed to a 20% increase in off licence sales since the refit. “The store is designed for people to spend time in, but of course not everyone has lots of time, so we made sure that people can come in and choose a meal for the evening, grab a bottle of wine or beer and then get on their way again quickly,” says Simon. “We offer a good range now. We have more chiller space

16 TalkingShop October 2021

NO BARRIERS: The vape unit is in the main store rather than being behind the counter.

and a better choice of fruit and vegetables.” Browsing is also being encouraged by a two-metre shopfloor vape unit, which is already bringing in a lot of footfall. “Not having the barrier of placing it behind the till really helps sales. We can probably make it bigger yet, and maybe go to three metres in future.” Simon says the biggest dilemma he faced was how to expand the choice of products available without compromising his vision of having a unique and pleasant environment for the shoppers. But here he was grateful for the advice that the Premier team gave him when planning the shop. “We have been pleasantly surprised how well some things have done, like our ‘free from’ area, for example. American confectionery has also been huge, and that was a bit of a surprise. We were originally

only going to have a little bay for it, but the Booker merchandisers recommended we put in a two-metre bay and sales have gone through the roof! “We also have a whole section of the frozen food area just dedicated to the frozen meal deal. This was also Premier’s idea – it wouldn’t have occurred to me. It’s worked really well.” Simon is full of praise for everyone that has contributed to the new store. “The Premier merchandisers worked tirelessly. We had to get the shop open on the right day – a Friday – and we couldn’t have done it without them. Big thanks go to them, it was a huge team effort.” Simon is also thankful for the support of his wife Sonia – “she helps me out such a lot” – as well as the locally-based store staff, whose numbers have swelled by an

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What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

GREAT RANGE: Everything shoppers need is under one roof.

extra four people to cope with the increased demand since the new store opened. Simon looks to return the favour to the local community at every opportunity. He delivers items to a local food bank every two weeks, and is going to set up a collection point in store. “We’ve learned just how much people

rely on these recently,” he points out. During the pandemic, the store made dozens of home deliveries and also gave away free face coverings to those who wanted them. Even more generously, it also offered free flowers: “We put some flowers in bags outside and invited people to take them home.”

Off licence sales up by

20%

SHARING THE LOVE: The store makes good use of Facebook.

LOCAL FACES: More footfall has created additional jobs in the community.

BLOOMING MARVELLOUS: The store gave away free flowers during the pandemic.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: The local community now has a great store to be proud of.

The store is also active on Facebook, often giving away free items to followers in order to create local interest. “I think we can do even more on Facebook,” says Simon. “We want to stress the quality of the shop, not just the quantity of our range. We can promote new products, and our local products too, with our own local offers. I think there is a huge opportunity here.” With so much already achieved and so much energy to develop new ideas in the months and years to come, you can be sure that Simon and his store at Crabbs Cross will continue to turn heads. “I’m very excited about the future,” he adds. October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Chryston

The feelgood

factor 4

metres of vaping products

SWEET SUCCESS: Shamly Sud is expanding her estate of Racetrack stores with Tubbees dessert bars.

Shamly Sud is on a mission to make shopping fun, and her latest store development on the outskirts of Glasgow provides shoppers with plenty of features to enjoy 20 TalkingShop October 2021

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

SUPER CHILLED: A wide range of alcohol is available chilled and ready to drink.

DAILY ESSENTIALS: Shoppers are presented with a great selection of fresh produce occupies.

t’s not always easy to combine business success with a sense of fun, but Shamly Sud is achieving exactly that with her growing estate of Premier–branded Racetrack stores in and around Glasgow. Shamly owns eight stores, six of them forecourts and all of them in the Premier group, with additional stores under development. The latest Racetrack venture to open, trading as Crowwood Service Station in the village of Chryston, a small community to the north east of Glasgow, marks the next phase in the company’s development, with a stronger emphasis on convenience food and drink whilst retaining all the sense of fun inherent in the business’s famous Tubbees slush and dessert bar offer. Shamly’s Racetrack company has owned the Crowwood site at Chryston since 2013.

It was originally purchased as a parcel of land for development but, as a busy and growing company with a lot of other projects underway, the team only got around to fully developing it this year. Initially there was just a set of petrol pumps on the site, equipped with pay-atpump technology. Work started on the store building last year and was finished in time to open at the end of July. Shamly’s company also owns a Racetrack forecourt store at the other end of the village, and the new store is designed to complement it. The area is mainly residential, and additional new houses are currently being built nearby, so the store has a slightly different emphasis to others in the Racetrack estate. “We wanted the new site to be more convenience-based than many of our existing

FRESH THINKING: The new store has an enhanced focus on fresh and chilled food.

LIGHTER TOUCHES: Neon signs are a fun way to help shoppers to navigate the store.

sites,” explains Shamly. “We are trying to ensure that local people can buy everything they need from the store. “We do get passing trade, too,” she continues. “Although the fuel side is separate and people pay at the pump, the motorists come into the shop as well.” Compared to other Racetrack outlets, the Crowwood store has more space dedicated to fresh food and daily household needs, and there is also a wide range of imported lines such as American confectionery and grocery, and soft drinks sourced from Asia. But an important feature of the store, as with all Racetrack stores, is the Tubbees slush and desserts offer. Tubbees is a growing phenomenon, not just in Glasgow but, largely due to social media, across the whole of northern Great Britain. October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Chryston

BUILDING A FOOTPRINT: The Crowwood site is set for further development with new retail units.

FROZEN ASSETS: Luxury ice cream is a big part of the Tubbees offer.

40 varieties of slush

Delicious dessert options include waffles, pancakes, sundaes and a wide choice of premium ice cream, and the choice of slush flavours and styles is among the biggest you would find anywhere, meaning that it draws footfall in from miles around. The Crowwood store is one of four new retail units on the site, one of which will eventually be a standalone Tubbees outlet, so the brand inside the convenience store has been deliberately set up in the style of a concession so that it can continue to be part of the offering when the other unit is up and running. In Crowwood there is a selection of 40 different slush flavours, many more than most stores could dream of offering, but still pared down compared to the mindblowing range of 81 different types at the company’s

22 TalkingShop October 2021

Ibrox store, for example. The choice extends to a range of different slush types: standard (if anything in the store could really be called ‘standard’), carbonated and twisted machines, the latter able to dispense up to five flavours into the same cup. The section is fully self-service, meaning that shoppers choose any flavour they like – or mix a number of different ones into the same cup. “What we are trying to do, is to create pleasant experience for shoppers,” explains Shamly. “Shopping can feel like a chore – we want to create the feeling of ‘I want to go’ rather than ‘I have to go’. We try to make it fun.” The sense of fun extends to the department labelling, with a large neon-style illuminated

SUPER SLUSH: A dazzling array of 40 different flavours and slush types are available to choose from.

arrow pointing the way to the chilled beer cave and a similar ‘Liquid Therapy’ sign for premium spirits behind the counter. The spirits range at Crowwood includes an enhanced range of malt whiskies, plus several flavours of Tubbees vodka made on their behalf by a distillery company. A selection of fine cigars is also available, stored in a humidor. The chilled beer room allows for a wide range of white wines as well as large multipacks of beer to be available chilled and ready to drink, yet another reason for local shoppers – and those living further afield – to drop in. “We would like all our stores to be a destination,” explains Shamly. Supporting this ambition is a large, fourmetre vape section, merchandised with colourful products for the discerning shopper

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MORE CHOICE: An extensive range of premium spirits is available.

VAPE EXPECTATIONS: Shamly sees great potential in the vape market so makes it a key part of the external signage.

EXTRA OPTION: The food to go section includes a coffee machine with dairy–free milk.

Store CV:

OUR BRAND: The company has recently started marketing Tubbees vodka.

to browse and select under the Vaped4U banner. “We see a lot of opportunity in the vape category,” says Shamly. “As well as the wide range, we are very competitive on pricing, and people travel quite some distance to look at our selection and to buy from us.” While the array of slush machines is a unique feature of the new site, more conventional food to go is also given some space. But even here, choice is paramount. Twin coffee machines giving shoppers a choice of three coffee blends, hot chocolate or tea, but there is also a further choice of milks – one machine contains only non-dairy soya or oat varieties. “We weren’t sure before we did this whether it was going to be popular or not, but we have found that there is real demand for the dairy–free option,” reveals Shamly.

MASTER PLAN: The new store will be a template for future Racetrack developments.

“The almond and soya milk sells well, we get through a lot of it.” Hot food is also available as part of the same station, including hot dogs, hot rolls and bakes. In short, the store caters for everyone, and provides many reasons to visit – and to return. As such, it is going to be a template for further Racetrack developments in future. “This is very much the store that we wanted,” says Shamly. “When you finish and look back you always think you could have done this part or that part a bit better – for example we would want more headroom for media screens in the next store – but we are very happy with it. It feels really good to be able to finally realise it.” And that feelgood factor is being experienced by every shopper that walks into the store, too.

Store name: Premier Racetrack Crowwood Service Station, Chryston Retailer: Shamly Sud Size: 2,500 sq ft Services: Paypoint, Lottery application pending Staff: 12

FLAVOUR RANGE: The wide range of vape products draws shoppers in from miles around.

October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Girvan

Breaking

fresh ground

PERFECT PARTNERS: Ian Mitchell (right) and Gordon Colvan have invested for success at Premier Girvan.

Ian Mitchell and business partner Gordon Colvan have seen sales rise strongly at their Premier store in Girvan, Ayrshire following an increased focus on fresh food.

GROWING SUCCESS: An increased focus on fresh food has yielded loyal customers and rising sales.

26 TalkingShop October 2021

remier retailer Ian Mitchell and his business partner Gordon Colvan have made a significant success of their businesses in Ayrshire on the west coast of

Scotland. Between them they own three Premier stores, plus a sandwich and snack business and, supported by the considerable input and assistance of operations manager Richard Cook, they now employ 50 staff across the three outlets. The Premier store in Girvan has been part of the business since 2011, but has gone

from strength to strength in the last three years thanks to a refit that gave considerably increased space and focus on the fresh food category. The site in Girvan was originally intended to be a retail unit for another company, but it didn’t take up the option to develop it. Ian and Gordon took it on and gave the building a full fit out as a convenience store, but by 2018 it was in need of a refresh and a refocus, And they decided to vastly increase the amount of space dedicated to fresh food. “We took out some soft drinks, increased

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UNDER ONE ROOF: The store strives to provide shoppers with everything they need.

Store CV:

BASKET CASES: Good presentation of fresh products is all-important.

the fresh range from seven metres to 19 metres, and put in food to go,” says Ian. “We’ve seen the benefits of these changes come through over the last two years – sales of fresh are up 45% as a result. “The aim of the refurbishment was to increase our range for shoppers, so that they can get everything they need here. People want to shop locally, and they are telling us that they feel more comfortable in our store than in the big supermarket in town.” The refit delivered a 30% increase in trade soon after completion, and sales rose still higher during the lockdown period. “Sales went up to 40% above previous levels during the pandemic, and we have kept most of that additional custom,” says Ian. “Trading here is now as good as it has ever been.” He continues: “Our footfall has also jumped by about 150-200 extra shoppers per day. The thing about fresh food is that people visit more regularly to shop for it.” The Girvan store receives prepacked fruit and vegetables from Premier via the BRP delivery system, and a local supplier, AJR Veg, also makes deliveries three times a week, predominantly of loose product. This

Store Name: Premier Girvan, Ayrshire Retailers: Ian Mitchell and Gordon Colvan Size: 3,000 sq ft Services: Lottery, PayPoint, parcel service, Free ATM Staff: 20

metres of fresh food

GRAB AND GO: The sandwich range offers a choice of homemade and branded products.

combination obviously pleases the shopper base, because sales of fruit and vegetables have tripled since the refit. “We put the locally-supplied items in a separate fixture,” explains Ian. “Loose vegetables are an important part of the offer because lot of people, especially those living on their own, only want a single item rather than pack of four, for example.” For shoppers who prefer the other extreme, there are also large sacks of local potatoes displayed on the shopfloor. Other local suppliers enhance the offer

STRONG SUPPORT: Fresh fruit supplied by BRP makes a great impact on shelf.

October 2021 TalkingShop

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

MEAT TO PLEASE YOU: An award-winning local butcher supplies the store.

HOT STUFF: Coffee, tea and microwave snacks are available as part of the food to go range.

CREAM TEASE: Freshly baked cakes have proven to be big sellers.

all around the store. Fresh and cooked meat comes from John Dawson of Muirkirk – an award winner butcher and really popular brand in the area, Ian confirms. Local eggs from Chalmerston Farm, while two local bakers – Brownings and Del’s – provide a wide range of bakery and morning goods, including some deliciouslooking fresh cakes in a bakery cabinet by the tillpoint. Both Brownings and Del’s breads are also used by Ian and Gordon’s snack company. Situated adjacent to one of Ian’s other Premier stores, the firm makes sandwiches, filled batons and salad pots for sale across their three outlets. “Sales of our sandwiches can be as much as £1,000 per week,” says Ian proudly. “The local bakery cakes work really well in combination with Costa coffee and they sell really well in the mornings.” The Girvan store’s food to go offer also includes hot breakfast rolls in the morning, a microwave for hot snacks and a hot water dispenser by the Costa machine for those shoppers who prefer tea to coffee. “Our core range doesn’t change a lot,” says Ian. “All our categories do really well

– fruit and veg, bakery, chilled and frozen, which is one of the biggest growth markets.” “We expanded from four frozen cabinets to ten in the refit. We have good quality double glazed cabinets so that shoppers can see the full range we have, and sales are really high. The shoppers like it because it is all about low waste.” More premium equipment is driving vape sales, thanks to a shopfloor unit from supplier JTI. “Because our vape selection isn’t behind the counter any more, and shoppers can browse the range, sales have increased,”

LOW WASTE: the investment in more space for frozen food has paid off.

HOME MADE: Sandwiches and filled batons are made in Ian and Gordon’s off-site kitchen.

SINGULAR BENEFIT: Loose vegetables come from a local supplier.

October 2021 TalkingShop

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Footfall up by 200 shoppers per day EASY ACCESS: The store’s large car park is an added benefit for many shoppers.

MEGA MARKETING: Great value is a key part of the store’s DNA.

explains Ian. “The top half of the unit is JTI stock, and we can put in stock from other suppliers in the lower half. Initially, I was a bit concerned about security, but they are relatively low value items. It is possible to have secure fronts on the units but the whole point of it was to not create a barrier for the shoppers, so we go without them.” American confectionery is another category where sales are consistently high. “It’s something a bit different for the area. They are premium-priced products, but they sell very well.” While some premium products remain in high demand, value is a very important part of the offer throughout the store and is strongly highlighted with on-shelf POS and on gondola ends. “We focus on keeping prices low, and having a high turnover, high footfall operation,” says Ian. “We use the EDLP pricing on the fresh food we get from BRP, and keep our prices low even on the things we make ourselves. Our filled batons, for example, are £1.99, which is much lower than you would find in other stores. “We are always focused on making

LOGICAL MOVE: Shopfloor vape units encourage browsing.

products affordable for shoppers. We use Booker, BRP and the drop shipment suppliers for maximum choice and the best price. We are looking to turn stock over quickly based on giving shoppers the best deal they can get.” The area has what Ian calls “a fair mix” of shoppers. “There are a lot of older shoppers in the area, and a big housing scheme nearby. We are always aware that some of our shoppers might be on a budget, so we keep prices down. Many shoppers travel from the other side of town to shop with us because they know we offer choice, a good price and have easy access – we have a good-sized car park. “We also get passing trade from passengers heading to and from the Stranraer ferry, and lots of holidaymakers in the summer heading for the caravan sites. They tend to buy bigger baskets, with more multipacks and the like.” The store regularly contributes to community efforts to look after struggling local families, and supports other community events through raffles and other fundraising. It is also part of a local Food Bank scheme. “Shoppers buy items for the food bank or bring donations from home, and we top

LOCAL HEROES: The store sponsors Girvan’s junior football team.

it up and pass the collection on to the local organiser.” The store also has an ongoing sponsorship of the junior section of the local football team, Girvan FC, which has run since the store first opened in 2011. When asked about the future, Ian says he has plans to refresh the range and modernise the store again. But from the point of view of the local shoppers and any outside observer, it seems to be doing just fine already. COMMUNITY HUB: Premier Girvan works with the local food bank.

October 2021 TalkingShop

STORE PROFILE | Mossley

Labour

of love After trading from the same store for more than 20 years, Shahid Ghafoor was able to fully upgrade it with a complete transformation thanks to Premier.

remier Mossley is a true community store. Located on a housing estate in Mossley, Greater Manchester, the shop occupies two units in a parade of four alongside a takeaway and a local council office. Shahid Ghafoor has been serving the local population diligently at the store for more than two decades, the last 20 years of which with Premier. And this year he finally got to realising his dream of creating a modern convenience store for the local community.

32 TalkingShop October 2021

Open until 10pm

“It has always been good shop for the area, but it was very run down when I first bought it,” Shahid recalls. “I started to upgrade it little by little over time, but I really wanted to do a full refit, which we managed to achieve before Christmas.” Starting in November last year, the store was completely emptied and new fixtures and fittings installed. “We did everything new – the floor, the shelving, freezers, chillers, counter, lighting, plumbing, signage, and the shop front. Even

the paving outside the front of the store is new,” says Shahid. Such was the size of the assignment that, even with and the shopfitters and other contractors working seven days a week, there was no option other than to shut the store for three weeks, before eventually reopening in early December last year. “Everyone that worked on the store did a really good job,” says Shahid. “I even painted the shutters myself! It was the first time I had the chance to do this in years.”

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20 years with Premier

LONG RLATIONSHIP: Shahid Ghafoor has been trading with Premier for two decades.

The store is intended to be there for the community, and so closing for three weeks was painful, he recalls. “The relationship we have with shoppers is like a family, and we know that many people were disappointed when we closed. But we had a sign outside saying we would be reopening better than before, and the shoppers all came back.” The new store has an improved range of products, but is also a much more appealing environment for shopping. “Our old shelving was lower and wider, but the new shelving is taller and narrower,”

SHOPPER FOCUSED: Alcohol remains a strong seller, and the ATM is free to use.

explains Shahid. “The result is that the store looks bigger, and it is more easy to walk around in comfort. We got a great reaction when shoppers walked into the new store for the first time. Even now they still say it is the best shop around!” He continues: “Before, we just focused on groceries, crisps and off licence products. These are still popular, but we have so much more to offer now. “We have a food to go section, with coffee, F’Real, Tango Ice Blast and Fwip. F’Real is very popular, no one else around here sells it, and the coffee machine is

ROOM TO MOVE: A new shelving configuration allows shoppers more space to browse the store.

LOCAL FAVOURITE: Carr’s bakery supplies pies and cakes for the store’s patisserie cabinet.

always busy.” The ideal accompaniment to a cup of coffee is a tasty cake, and Shahid put in a lot of research to make sure he had the right bakery products to put in his new patisserie unit. “I went to the local cafes and asked where they got their supplies from,” he says. “I also spoke to the shoppers in the store, asking them which brands they liked. Everyone gave me the same name – Carr’s. I asked Premier too, and they suggested Carr’s as well, so it was obviously the brand to have! October 2021 TalkingShop

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WIDE RANGE: All the shopping needs of the community are catered for.

Store CV:

Store Name: Premier Mossley, Greater Manchester Retailer: Shahid Ghafoor Size: 1,400sq ft Services: Lottery, Pay Point, Payzone, parcel service, Free ATM Staff: Four

HATCHING A PLAN: Local eggs are a popular part of the offer.

“Carr’s are in Stalybridge, which is near here, and they can deliver six days a week so it was the perfect solution. Bakery has been flying out ever since. Chocolate eclairs, slices, pies – they have all been doing really well.” Shahid has also sourced local suppliers for sandwiches, eggs and a popular line of muffins from Country Oven. And on top of the extended choice of new products available, he still achieves strong sales on the tried and tested favourites of soft drinks, alcohol, crisps and chocolate. “What we find is – everything sells!” he laughs. “We never have anything go out of

date or off sale. We brought in some Gro– bags once just to see how they would go and they sold out in a week! Unfortunately we don’t really have the room to sell gardening products, but it would sell here if we did!” The store opens at 8am and sometimes shoppers walk in almost as soon as the front door is unlocked, says Shahid. “There are two schools nearby, a primary school and a secondary, and we are very busy until 9am, at lunchtime and then again from 3pm once the kids leave school. “Sometimes there is a big rush, but they don’t mind queuing outside if needed. From that point we are usually busy all the way

MORNING GOODS: Muffins from Country Oven are another local favourite.

through until we close at 10pm.” Since the refit, both Shahid and the store have been even busier than they ever have been before. “The main difference about the new shop is that I am seeing shoppers that never used to come in before. We don’t really get passing trade so I know they must live around here! But it shows we have a more appealing shop now than before.” Both local residents and people passing by can’t miss the large banners that Shahid uses to advertise the latest offers. “We get big banners from Premier to put outside the shop,” he says. “They are October 2021 TalkingShop

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

FRESH THINKING: A core range of fruit and vegetables is neatly presented.

TOTAL OVERHAUL: The refit included a new floor, ceiling and entire set of shelving.

SWEET SPOT: Confectionery goes well in store, but “everything sells!” according to Shahid.

BIG IMPRESSION: Premier supplies banners to help drive footfall to the store.

FAMILY BUSINESS: Shahid is assisted in the store by his son Ahsan and other members of staff.

colourful and they make good use of the railings. People can’t help but notice!” And Shahid is hoping to make a positive impact on the local community in other ways, too. “We were helping a food bank by collecting in the shop and topping it up ourselves, but it is currently suspended,” explains Shahid. “I am hoping they can restart it soon.” The store has a presence on Facebook, with most of the posting done by Shahid’s son Ahsan. “I’m not very good at this!” admits Shahid. “My son does it. But we will use it more in future.” We can all forgive Shahid this minor blip, as he has done such a terrific job with the store. “It’s more comfortable for the shoppers, and it is also much easier to work in the shop now,” he adds. “Everyone is happier!” October 2021 TalkingShop

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FEATURE | Supporting Local

Local heroes

The vital role that Premier stores play at the heart of the communities they serve has been rightly recognised and celebrated over the last 18 months – and supporting local communities will continue to be vital in the future.

here can be very little doubt that communities across the country came to rely on their local Premier store in an entirely new way over the last 18 months. Premier stores have always been at the heart of the communities they serve, but during the pandemic, the role that Premier retailers played took on an added significance, particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable. The often heroic role that retailers played in the toughest of circumstances has helped cement the bond between stores and their communities. The pandemic, for all its challenges, helped shine a light on just how vital a role independent retailers play in keeping communities together and providing them with the products and

STRONG BOND: Ajay Singh’s bond with his community has strengthened in the last year.

40 TalkingShop October 2021

services they needed, and often couldn’t find anywhere else. “The fact that we were able to respond so quickly and so positively to the unprecedented challenges we faced under the pandemic were only possible thanks to the loyalty and support of our fantastic community,” says Arjan ‘Ajay’ Singh of Premier Morley in Leeds. “That relationship we have with our communities is the biggest advantage we have as independent retailers. We know our local market and our local area better than anyone and it’s so important for us as a family to give something back to our community.” And that unique relationship meant that Ajay and his team were able to identify urgent needs quickly and

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efficiently – and respond to them. He explains: “During lockdown we delivered free of charge to the elderly and vulnerable and ensure that we helped those most at need.” But Ajay’s commitment to the local community went way beyond just meeting the basic needs of the elderly and the vulnerable. The 2,200sq ft store became a true hub of the community, rallying local shoppers and giving them fantastic reasons to remain positive and engaged. “We also organised a singer, a pianist and steam engine to come to the store when the community was clapping for the NHS!” he says. “This happened every week over a two month period and we think just helped to lift everyone’s mood a little.” The store also sponsored the local children’s rugby team and even installed what Ajay describes as “an epic Leeds United wall” in-store which is “always a conversation point”. Premier Morley also did its bit in terms of supporting local producers by complementing the extensive range it gets from Booker with products from local suppliers too: daily meat deliveries from local butcher Malcom Michaels as well as ranges from Jones Pies, Hughes Bakery and Villa Farm eggs. Another “game-changer” for Ajay during lockdown was Premier’s Everyday Essentials range. He explains: “The Everyday Essentials range of low price products such as bread, milk, eggs and bacon has been a gamerchanger for us. Milk at 2 for £2 has become our biggest single selling fresh product with sales up 500% in 12 months – and that value was exactly what our community needed. “The sandwich meal deal which is a real winner for us too. We are now selling around 15 a day and is vital for driving our daytime footfall. What’s also great is to have the evening meal deal as this keeps the footfall

coming throughout our opening hours.” He continues: “Having great everyday low prices on essential items is really important for the store. It’s fantastic that we can offer local products but also run Hovis 50/50 at RSP 89p and still make 22.5% POR. These products remain the cornerstone of convenience and gives us a real edge over the competition and massively drives footfall.” But just because lockdown is over, Ajay has no plans to take his foot off the gas when it comes to meeting the needs of the local community. “We have recently launched a home delivery service which keeps going from strength to strength,” he says. “Within 12 weeks we have taken our delivery service from zero to 20 deliveries each weekday

and 80 on Saturday and Sunday. This means we now have over £15,000 of incremental sales each week. It’s clearly a service that our community wants and needs – and we’re delighted to be able to help them out.” Similarly, Mandeep Singh has seen the role of his Teynham Road store in Sheffield evolve over the last year with community involvement at the core of what the store does. “We have recently invested over £200,000 in a refit to help us better meet the changing needs of our community.” The extended store is now 1,750sq ft and the entire layout has been reworked to focus more keenly on what the store’s shoppers are looking for today. “The food to go area is completely new

October 2021 TalkingShop

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COMMUNITY SERVICE: Mandeep Singh’s home delivery service has been invaluable for the local community.

and proving really popular,” says Mandeep. “So much so that we’ve had to take on four new members of staff, creating new jobs for the community.” The food to go area already generates £1,000 in sales a day and, says Mandeep, the store is attracting more shoppers from further afield. Importantly, the store is also using the new food to go offer to both bolster its sustainability credentials and grow its bonds with the local community. “All of our food to go is served in compostable packaging and we are teaming up with the local food bank Burn Greave, where we drop off all of our fresh products that are left at the end of the day,” says Mandeep. “The one thing we pride ourselves on is knowing the locals and we work very hard in the community.” One consequence of knowing the community so well was the fact that Mandeep and his team quickly saw the need for a comprehensive home delivery solution. Singh’s Drop, as the service is known, was created to meet the needs of the local elderly and vulnerable but is also available to the entire community. Mandeep explains: “We launched Singh’s Drop

because lots of people were shielding or isolating and couldn’t leave the house. They needed this service – so we decided to provide it. It has gone from strength to strength and we now have home delivery sales of more than £15,000 a week and we delivery to our shoppers’ door within 30 minutes.” The store relies heavily on social media to communicate the home delivery service to shoppers and has built up a huge following of more than 27,000 people. “Any Premier retailer really should be looking to introduce this,” he advises. Mandeep also supports a broad range of local suppliers including Brook Bakery for pies, bread and cakes, Pattersons Butchers for everything from a mixed grill and burgers through to kebabs and East-West Catering, a local curry supplier which offers a full meal solution. Community is the bedrock upon which independent retailing is built and with bonds between Premier stores and the communities they serve closer than ever, the platform is in place to ensure that Premier stores remain as the heart and soul of their local communities.

October 2021 TalkingShop

FEATURE | Christmas Confectionery

Go now

and go hard!

To make the very best of the huge sales opportunity that Christmas represents, it may be wise for retailers to go early and go hard by stocking up now on a range of festive confectionery favourites from Premier’s exceptional festive promotional package.

fter the excitement and challenges of the summer months, a brand new sales and profit opportunity is just around the corner for retailers in the form of Christmas and the festive period. Traditionally a huge occasion for most shoppers and a great excuse to catch up with friends and family, this Christmas coming is likely to take on an added significance for many after the challenges of the last 18 months.

Success at the festive period is all about planning – and this year, it’s likely once more that shoppers’ thoughts will be turning to Christmas early, just as they did last year. To make the very most of the opportunity, then, it makes sense for retailers to stock up early and make an extra effort when it comes to Christmas and festive merchandising in-store. In fact, if you haven’t already got your Christmas plan – and orders – in place then it’s maybe a good idea to start now. As always, Premier has a fantastic selection

Group Exclusives Lindor Milk & White Truffles 200g Cadbury Dairy Milk Mint 360g block

NEW & EXCLUSIVE DEALS Benefitting from being part of a bigger group, Premier has managed to secure some fantastic new and exclusive WIGIG deals for retailers this Christmas: PRODUCT

PACK SIZE

PROM SELL

RSP

POR

Cadbury Large Mint Block

13x360g

£23.69

£3.00

27.1%

Cadbury Large Mint Block

1x360g

£1.85

£3.00

26.0%

Lindor Milk & White

8x200g

£19.75

£4.00

25.9%

Lindor Milk & White

1x200g

£2.47

£4.00

25.9%

Merryteaser Reindeer Single

32x29g

£9.25

£0.65

30.6%

Maltesers Mint Reindeer

32x29g

£9.25

£1.00

30.6%

Cadbury Dairy Milk Puds

48x35g

£14.00

£0.59

30.0%

44 TalkingShop October 2021

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

GREAT PRICES ON CORE PRODUCTS While many products are specifically targeted at Christmas, many others are popular all year round as well as experiencing a sales boost during the festive period. Premier is offering great seasonal prices on a host of products outlined below. PRODUCT

PACK SIZE

PROM SELL

RSP

POR

Maltesers Box

16x110g

Terrys Choc Orange Ball Milk

12x157g

13.99

£1.90

30.1%

£11.99

£3.50

Terrys Choc Orange Ball Milk

20.1%

1x157g

£1.00

£3.50

20.0%

Celebrations Small Assortment

9x240g

£13.09

£3.30

30.2%

Celebrations Small Assortment

1x240g

£1.49

£3.30

28.5%

Cadbury Heroes

9x185g

£12.99

£3.09

30.7%

Cadbury Heroes

1x185g

£1.45

£3.09

30.4%

Cadbury Milk Tray

8x180g

£13.29

£4.25

20.3%

Cadbury Milk Tray

1x180g

£1.66

£4.25

20.3%

Cadbury Roses

9x186g

£12.99

£3.09

30.7%

Cadbury Roses

1x186g

£1.45

£3.09

30.4%

Quality Street Carton

6x240g

£9.49

£3.00

24.1%

Quality Street Carton

1x240g

£1.59

£3.00

23.7%

Celebrations Large Carton

6x380g

£11.99

£4.79

20.1%

Celebrations Large Carton

1x380g

£2.00

£4.79

20.0%

Cadbury Heroes Large Carton

6x290g

£10.99

£4.59

26.7%

Cadbury Heroes Large Carton

1x290g

£1.84

£4.59

26.4%

Cadbury Large Roses Carton

6x290g

£10.99

£4.59

26.7%

Cadbury Large Roses Carton

1x290g

£1.84

£4.59

26.4%

Dairy Box Small

8x162g

£17.89

£3.39

100.0%

Maltesers Std Box

7x310g

£16.29

£4.49

20.2%

Cadbury Milk Tray

6x360g

£16.99

£8.49

32/15.1%

Cadbury Milk Tray

1x360g

£2.83

£8.49

32/15.1%

Cadbury Milk Tray

6x360g

£16.99

£3.99

32/15.1%

Lindor Assorted Carton

8x200g

£19.75

£5.49

25.9%

Lindor Assorted Carton

1x200g

£2.47

£5.49

25.9%

Lindor Milk Carton

8x200g

£19.75

£5.49

25.9%

Lindor Milk Carton

1x200g

£2.47

£5.49

25.9%

After Eight Plain

18x300g

£24.00

£4.00

20.0%

After Eight Plain

1x300g

£1.33

£4.00

20.0%

Rocher T16

20x200g

£56.19

£5.79

25.1%

Rocher T16

5x200g

£14.05

£5.79

25.1%

Ferrero Collection T15

6x172g

£18.69

£5.99

25.2%

of promotions organised that will help you stock up early on many of the products that are likely to set the tills ringing over the next few months. This year’s promotional programme includes everything you’ll need, from an eye-catching Mega Deal on Quality Street Tubs to a huge range of WIGIG (when it’s gone it’s gone) deals on massively popular products from leading brands like Cadbury, Kinder, Ferrero, Kit Kat, Quality Street and Celebrations. There’s also a new pack of free, highquality POS to help bring your deals to life in-store and on social media. October 2021 TalkingShop

KP SNACKS BIGGEST EVER £1 PMP RANGE Even more variety from our most loved brands

NEW

†Nielsen CSN MAT Symbols and Indies w/e 17.07.2021 *AC Nielsen, Value Sales, Total Coverage, MAT, w/e 17.07.21 **Nielsen MAT, Singles and Sharing combined in Total Coverage 17/07/21

£1 PMPs

BBQ BEEF BIG HOOPS -P* FASTEST SELLING £1 PM

UK’S NO.1 ‘BETTER FOR YOU’ BRAND**

UK'S NO.1 RIDGE CUT CRISP*

UK’S NO.1 NUTS BRAND*

BEST SELLING FLAVOURS

UK’S NO.1 POPCORN BRAND*

CHECK OUT THE KP £1 PMP RANGE, GROWING +14.7% YOY!

†

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

‘WIGIG’ DEALS It pays to stock up early on Premier’s extensive array of outstanding ‘When It’s Gone It’s Gone’ Christmas deals: PRODUCT

PACK SIZE

PROM SELL

RSP

POR

Quality Street Tub

1x650g

£2.85

£5.00

14.5%

Kit Kat Santa

24x29g

£6.99

£0.65

30.1%

Puck Penguin PM100

12x160g

£5.89

£1.00

21.5%

Giant Trees PM100

12x160g

£5.89

£1.00

21.5%

Kinder Joy (Xmas variant)

32x20g

£17.05

£1.29

26.9%

Smarties Giant Tube

15x120g

£9.35

£1.19

25.2%

Smarties Giant Tube Pink

15x120g

£9.35

£1.19

25.2%

Munchies Giant Tube

15x120g

£9.35

£1.19

25.2%

Milkybar Buttons Giant Tube

15x120g

£9.35

£1.19

25.2%

Kinder Small Hollow Santa

24x55g

£15.79

£1.19

21.1%

Cadbury Small Selection Pack

24x89g

£15.49

£1.19

22.6%

CDM Winter Orange

22x95g

£14.19

£1.19

22.6%

Aero White Bubbles Bag

12x80g

££6.79

£1.19

32.1%

Aero White Festive Block

15x90g

£9.59

£1.19

23.3%

Aero Festive Block

15x90g

£9.59

£1.19

23.3%

Terry’s Chocolate Orange Ball White

12x147g

£11.99

£3.50

20.1%

Terry’s Chocolate Orange Ball White

1x147g

£1.00

£3.50

20.0%

Terry Chocolate Orange Minis White Chocolate

10x140g

£9.49

£1.75

24.1%

Terry’s Chocolate Orange Crispy Oranges

12x125g

£11.99

£1.75

20.1%

EXCLUSIVE

MEGA DEAL! DAIRY BOX WINTER COLLECTION

RSP £4.99 RUNNING IN P10 UNTIL 4TH JANUARY

Certain to be attracting attention from retailers and shoppers this festive period is a range of new and Group exclusive deals, another benefit of being part of a bigger group. The two exclusive lines are Cadbury’s new large mint block and Lindor’s new Milk & White product. Both are available exclusively through the Group. Feedback from Premier retailers confirms that group exclusive lines are very effective in driving additional footfall, sales and profits – and these new lines are sure to do likewise. Available in cases or as singles, the new lines deliver up to 27.1% POR with a minimum of 25.9%, even when bought individually.

FORMATS The Premier festive confectionery promotional programme also a includes a wide range of formats to suit a wide array of purchase and consumption occasions. There’s Cadbury Selection Boxes and

MEGA DEAL! MATCHMAKERS ORANGE AND MINT BAGS 120G 2 FOR £2 RUNNING UNTIL 4TH JANUARY

Advent Calendars for gifting, there’s block chocolates from Aero, Lindor and more, there’s novelty self-eat products from Lindt and Kinder and, as always there’s a range of Ferrero Rocher, a perennial festive favourite with shoppers. The range caters for all ages and all tastes and has something for everyone and every occasion. With shoppers again able to gather with friend and family after a long time apart, it’s perhaps sensible to ensure that larger and sharing format packs are well represented on your shelves.

AMAZING DEALS It’s not just the range that is outstanding this festive period for Premier retailers and their shoppers: the deals available to shoppers on these lines are just as eye-catching. Many products are available on special ‘2 for’ formats, offering shoppers additional value and driving up basket spend, while every promotional product in the entire programme offers shoppers great discounts on standard RSPs. It’s well understood that value is important to shoppers at the moment and that’s likely October 2021 TalkingShop

We’re new bo les made from old plastic

We’re switching to 100% recycled plastic in all our on-the-go bottles** of 500ml helping us save over 29,000 tonnes of virgin plastic each year. This change is another step on

Coca-Cola’s journey towards 100% recycled or renewable plastic in all our bottles, and the creation of a circular economy for our PET packaging.

To find out more email connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit my.ccep.com *Except label and cap. **From September 2021 onwards. ©2021 Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. All rights reserved. COCA-COLA, COCA-COLA ZERO SUGAR, DIET COKE, SMARTWATER, FANTA, SPRITE, DR PEPPER are registered trade marks.

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk NoRtH PoLe

S CREATIVE CONCEPTS

to be even more important over the festive period. CEP E CON REATIV M AS C

POS

MeRrY aS! ChRiStM

Thank You

CHRISTMA

CHRIST

To help retailers communicate these deals to shoppers, Premier has produced a new pack of POS featuring: l Posters l Hanging panels l Bunting TING YOUR FOR SUPPOR NCE STORE l A3 header cards L CONVENIE l Shelf fins LOCA l Wobblers NoRtH PoLe l Shelf strips

£1 9

each £1.9

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

£1

each £1.99

oLe

ristmas

Ch 105300

Creative

BUNTING

SHELF FIN

each £1.99

PANEL

07/01/20

in all available . The may not be Some offers subject to availability and RRP are stores and the Premier shown is higher price differ in some stores. may at the time are correct All offers print. of going to

NoRtH Po

07/01/20

SHE

NoRtH P

oLe

Sup sup MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

SHELF FIN

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Offer ends 07/01/2

Some offers may not be available stores and are subject to availability.in all higher price shown The is the Premier RRP and may differ in some All offers are correct stores. at the of going to print. time

in early to avoid disappointment on this array of excellent ‘When It’s CHGet R IS AS C Gone T It’sMGone’ festive REAdeals: TIVE CON MeRrY OPTION 1 C E P TS ChRiStMaS! 2 tion.indd PRODUCT

PACK SIZE

PROM SELL

RSP

POR

12x90g

£15.99

£2.69

20.1%

8x145g

£10.49

£2.99

21.3%

Swizzels Treat Time Tub

6x420g

£9.37

£3.00

25.0%

Swizzels Treat Time Tub

1x420g

£1.56

£3.00

25.1%

Lindt Teddy Bear

15x100g

£23.39

£3.19

25.2%

Lindt Teddy Bear

1x100g

£1.56

£3.19

25.1%

Cadbury £1 Dairy Milk

14x360g

£25.49

£3.99

27.2%

Cadbury Dairy Milk

1x360g

£1.85

£3.99

26.0%

Galaxy Milk

17x360g NoR

£33.85

£3.65

20.4%

Mixed Funsize

12x358g

£23.99

£3.99

20.0%

£2.00

£3.99

20.0%

£4.29

30.1%

Presenta

NoRtH PoLe

tH PoLe

MeRrY 1x358g S! ChRiStMa

Mixed Funsize

Some offers may not be available in all stores and are subject to availability. The higher price shown is the Premier RRP and may differ in some stores. All offers are correct at the time of going to print.

1ch £1.99 £ea

A3 HEADE R CARD

each £1.99

Offer ends 07/01/20

only

Offer ends

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

only

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

£1

NoRtH PoLe

MeRrY aS! ChRiStM

NoRtH PoLe HELF FIN S

Advent Calendar maCadbury s Creative Pre sentation.ind d 2

tH PoLe

£1

Offer ends

GROUNDS Cadbury Box NT BACKSelection SPAREMedium TRAN

NoRtH PoLe

only

L G PANE

NoRtH PoLe

105300 Christ

HANGING PANEL

U N DS

MeRrY aS! ChRiStM

D ER CAR EA RtD A3 HNo H PoLe

only

RO BACKG

HANGING

PT CONCE E V I T REA ‘WIGIG’ DEALS AS C H R I ST M

OPTIO

T PAREN TRANS

each £1.99

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

HANGIN

NoRtH P

MeRrY S! ChRiStMa

MeRrY ChRiStMaS!

only

9 each £1.9

P O ST E R S

MeRrY aS! ChRiStM

BUNTIN

MeRrY aS! ChRiStM

£1

FOR SUPPORTING YO UR ly LOCAL COoNVnEN IENCE STORE

MeRrY S! ChRiStMa

This vibrant, attention-grabbing POS materials will help make your festive offer unmissable in-store RS this year. P O ST E And don’t forget to highlight the amazing deals on social media to bring even more shoppers to your door and help them celebrate the joy of Christmas with you and your team.

only

MeRrY Galaxy ChRiStMaS!Milk Selection Large

8x244g

£13.99

Quality Street Tub

1x650g

£2.85

£5.00

14.5%

Lindor Salted Caramel WOBBLER

8x200g

£19.75

£5.49

25.9%

Lindor Salted Caramel

1x200g

£2.47

£5.49

25.9%

Maltesers Orange Truffles

4x200g

£9.89

£4.99

25.8%

Galaxy Truffles

4x190g

£9.89

£4.99

25.8%

1x650g

£3.75

£10.99

18.0%

Offer ends 07/01/20

Celebrations Tub

SHELF STRIP

Superior Creative Services superior.co.uk

October 2021 TalkingShop

GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS A CHANCE TO

WIN EPIC PRICES (OR SCARY SURPRISES)

SOFT DRINKS

GROWING

FASTER THAN 3 OF THE 4 TRADITIONAL

HALLOWEEN CATEGORIES

FANTA GREW

BY 6.5% DURING HALLOWEEN 2020

1 IN 4 FLAVOURED CARBS PURCHASED WAS A FANTA!2

(PUMPKINS, BAKERY & SUGAR CONFEC)1

Fresh produce | FEATURE

Time to take

a fresh look Fruit & vegetable planograms are available at Booker.co.uk

STAY FOCUSED ON FRESH Create a core offer based around the nine lines in the product table, which will enable you to maintain everyday low pricing on these lines all year round. Use the POS material to highlight the competitive RSP on key lines to your shoppers. Look out for improved quality of fresh produce as the supplier base is aligned across the larger group. Look out for Mega Deals on fresh produce, there will be at least one per promotional period from now on.

A core selection of key fresh fruit and vegetable lines are now available with fantastic price reductions, making it even easier for you to stock a great range for your shoppers.

remier retailers are now in a better position than ever to take advantage of shoppers’ desire to shop locally and buy everything they need under one roof thanks to a new initiative to cut wastage, improve competitiveness and boost profit in the key category of fresh produce. Wholesale prices and RSPs have been reduced on a number of key fresh lines to help retailers drive sales all year long on some of the most indemand items.

Products covered by the new pricing initiative include popular Farm Fresh lines such as Closed Cup Mushrooms, Pre-Packed Potatoes, Cucumbers, Salad Tomatoes, Mild Onions, Iceberg Lettuce, Peppers, Red Apples, and Carrots. The pricing initiative sees RSPs and WSPs reduced by up to 25%, representing a saving of 10p–30p on the RSP of each item for the shopper, but with a minimum POR of 20% for you. Eye-catching POS material is available to highlight the new RSPs and bring your fixtures October 2021 TalkingShop

FEATURE | Fresh produce

to life, sure to drive sales in–store and add plenty to your bottom line. Wholesale prices have also been reduced on several loose products, including baking potatoes and carrots, and improved pricing is one of many outcomes that follows. Work is already underway to align the sourcing of produce lines across the entire Group with the aim of being 100% aligned by the end of the process. For Premier, this means that sourcing is moving to a much larger scale operation, which brings a number of benefits – sourcing from a larger pool of product should result in better quality and improved freshness, for example, while it also means that the Group as a whole will be able to draw in a greater level of technical resources. Improved quality control checks across the network will also result in a more consistent and

appealing standard of products on shelf in your stores. There is also a new commitment to have a least one Mega Deal on fresh produce every promotional period. These will be market leading deals aligned across all the symbol groups in the Booker family.

TIME TO REVIEW With the winter approaching, now is the perfect time to review ranges and space allocation across your produce offering. With demand for different products rising and falling with the changes in the seasons, updating your space allocation will allow you to have the optimal in-stock position and reduce pressure on replenishment during the day for the faster-selling lines, as well as reducing wastage for the slower sellers. The winter months tends to see an increase

CORE FRUIT AND VEGETABLE LINES Farm Fresh Closed Cup Mushrooms Case size: 1 x 250g WSP: £0.71 RSP: £0.89 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Pre-pack Potatoes Case size: 1 x 2kg WSP: £0.95 RSP: £1.19 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Cucumber Case size: 1 x 1pk WSP: £0.55 RSP: £0.69 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Salad Tomatoes Case size: 1 x 6pk WSP: £0.71 RSP: £0.89 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Mild Onion Case size: 1 x 3pk WSP: £0.79 RSP: £0.99 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Iceberg Lettuce Case size: 1 x 1pk WSP: £0.55 RSP: £0.69 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Peppers Case size: 1 x 3pk WSP: £1.19 RSP: £1.49 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Red Apples PM Case size: 1 x 4pk WSP: £1.19 RSP: £1.49 POR: 20% Farm Fresh Carrots PM Case size: 1 x 500g WSP: £0.47 RSP: £0.59 POR: 20% Prices correct at time of printing, but are subject to change.

52 TalkingShop October 2021

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

Hints for perfect fruit and vegetables Make sure you clean the shelves regularly. Produce shelving can get dirty very quickly, and residue left on shelves can attract flies.

Handle product as little as possible. Handling increases damage, which in turn increases waste. Ideally, merchandise product in the case it was delivered in.

Price Reduction

Produce ion Produce Price Reduct Now AvailableNo w Available g prices on some of the

This May we are reducin

This May we are reducing

prices on some of the

Reduced WSPs

WSPs ced Redu& RSPs & RSPs

top selling lines to make

Minimum Minim POR 20%um 20% POR

POINT OF SAL RDM from 3rd June.

POS available from your

*Saving based on RSP

tive.

POS POS Available

Available

Up to

Up to 25% 25% Saving* Saving*

E POINT OF SAL E 3rd June. RDM from

*Saving based on RSP

itive.

you even more compet

you even more competi

**Commercials listed

in demand for vegetables and less focus on fruits and salad items. Planograms are available at Booker.co.uk. Good in-store practice will also minimise your wastage and thus maximise your profit – conduct regular quality checks, clean shelving regularly and handle the product as little as possible, ideally merchandising product in the case it was delivered in. Remember it is a legal requirement to display the country of origin so make sure this is visible for loose products as well as pre-packed.

It is a legal requirement to display the country of origin (COO). Mostly this will be on the product already, but for loose produce make sure you have it on display. The COO is shown on the outer case.

relate to single case price

**Commercials listed

relate to single case price

October 2021 TalkingShop

*Source: Nielsen, Independent and symbol Stores , 27/03/2021; ** Source: Kantar 52.w/e 19 April 2020 Total Mkt ***Source- Nielsen, Indie and Symbol Stores, Value Ranking, 27/ 03/2021

*Source - Nielsen, Indie and Symbol Stores, Value Ranking, 27/03/2021

Coffee | FEATURE

Cashing in on coffee

These days, shoppers simply expect to be able to get a great cup of coffee when they visit their local Premier store – and there are some fantastic deals available on equipment to suit every retailer.

October 2021 TalkingShop

FEATURE | Coffee

MAKE OVER £2,500 A YEAR*

Entry level – Douwe Egberts Vitesse Premier’s ‘Good’ recommendation will help you get started in the coffee category. l Sales volumes – 10 to 20 cups per day l Over 70% POR at £1 RSP l Cup size – 10oz l Milk – granulated l Size – (w) 310mm (d) 430mm (h) 625mm l Options – eight drink selections; tank or mains water supply

l Cost: Buy for £2,695 or lease for £22.50 per week l Three year lease *Profit numbers are based on selling 10 cups per day at £1.

Call 0800 585 084 to place your order.

reat quality coffee has become a ‘must have’ in independent retailing in recent years and that trend is showing no signs of slowing down. Today’s shoppers simply expect to be able to get a really good, freshly prepared cup of coffee when they visit their local Premier store. Coffee is also a great way to attract footfall and build big basket spends so having a strong coffee offer is vital for all Premier stores. With this in mind, Premier has built a range of fantastic deals on top quality coffee machines that means there’s a great value solution available to suit every store. Premier has been able to negotiate exceptional deals on three different Douwe Egberts machines that mean you can be up and running with a high end machine for as little as £24.95 a week on lease, or just £2,995 to buy outright. There’s a machine that’s right for you and your shoppers, from the entry level Vitesse which is perfect for stores selling 10–20 cups a day to the top of the line Barista One for stores selling 35+ cups. By adding a Douwe Egberts machine, Premier retailers can earn up to an additional £22,000 profit a year – a huge opportunity and one not to be missed. A great deal is also available on a Costa Express machine, which can earn you an additional £26,000 profit per year.

58 TalkingShop October 2021

Mid-level – Douwe Egberts Grande Premium Premier’s ‘Better’ recommendation is aimed at retailers looking to develop their coffee offer even further. l Sales volumes – 20 to 30 cups per day l Over 70% POR at £1.49 RSP l Cup size – 10oz l Milk – granulated l Options – 12 drink selections; tank or mains water supply l Cost: Buy for £3,795 or lease for £31.95 per week l Three year lease *Profit numbers are based on selling 20 cups per day at £1.49.

Call 0800 585 084 to place your order.

MAKE OVER £7,500 A YEAR*

What are your views? Email talkingshop@booker.co.uk

Advanced level – Douwe Egberts Barista One Premier’s ‘Best’ recommendation will help transform your store into a real destination for coffee. l Sales volumes – 35+ cups per day l Over 70% POR at £1.79 RSP

MAKE OVER £22,000 A YEAR*

l Cup size – 12oz l Milk – fresh l Options – 12 drink selections; mains water supply l Cost – Buy for £6,495 or lease for £49.95 per week

Call 0800 585 084 to place your order.

Costa Express

Exclusive deal

Costa Express is the market leading coffee solution in the UK, start benefitting from the power of the Costa brand today. Recommended for stores achieving £22.5k a week or above with high footfall and a strong food to go offer. Premier retailers can benefit from an Exclusive enhanced cash profit deal. Speak to your RDM to find out more. Costa machines typically sell in excess of 35 cups per day and earn retailers up to £26k a year. l Sales volumes – 35+ cups per day

Included FREE with every Douwe Egberts machine is:

l Rack for cups and lids l Pavement stand l Giant cup (only with Barista One) Additionally, a bespoke merchandiser unit is available from £8 per week.

Costa Express Included FREE with every Costa Express machine is: l A frame

l Milk – fresh l Options – 12 drink selections; mains water supply

l 5 year lease

Douwe Egberts

l Accessories holder

*Profit numbers are based on selling 50 cups per day at £1.79.

l Cost: Buy for £6,495 or lease for £49.95 per week

With a new machine in place, retailers can get all the ingredients and consumables they need from Premier or at their local Booker branch. There is also a huge array of free POS available to highlight your new coffee machine to shoppers.

l Point of sale pack

l Three year lease

l Contactless ordering

POS & CONSUMABLES

MAKE OVER £26,000 A YEAR*

*Profit numbers are based on selling 60 cups per day at £2.40.

To order, request an application form from bookergroup@costa.co.uk or speak to your RDM.

l Giant cup (forecourts only) l Hanging banners l Bollard covers Retailers also have access to a wide range of consumables from coffee beans, hot chocolate and milk portions to sugar sachets, stirrers, cups and lids. In other words, everything you need to grow your footfall, sales and profits with coffee.

October 2021 TalkingShop

Ones to

watch Flavoured fractionals WHAT? CHEKOV VODKA RED BERRIES 35CL; CHEKOV VODKA MANGO 35CL BOOKER GROUP EXCLUSIVE WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW WHY? Chekov vodka has been a great success for Premier retailers and the launch of two new flavoured 35cl fractional variants will help retailers capitalise on that popularity by offering exciting flavours in smaller, more affordable formats. Available in Red Berries and Mango flavours, the launches come at a time when flavoured vodka sales are on the rise, according to the latest IRI data. Both variants are clearly price-marked at just £8.49 to capitalise on the success of PMP fractional bottle sizes and are supplied with a POR of 25.1%. WHO? The new products let retailers offer their shoppers even greater choice in a growing category and will appeal to shoppers looking to minimise spend and secure maximum value while still being guaranteed fantastic quality products. The fractional size will also appeal to shoppers keen to experiment with new flavours but reluctant to purchase a full 70cl bottle. Don’t forget to make use of the ‘new product’ shelf edge ticket. WHERE TO STOCK? Place in a prominent location in the spirits fixture next to other vodkas. CHEKOV VODKA MANGO CHEKOV VODKA RED BERRIES Case size: 6X35CL WSP: £31.79 RSP: £8.49 POR: 25.1%

60 TalkingShop October 2021

A selection of key products that will deliver for you in-store

25.1% POR

To purchase these products now, visit www.booker.co.uk

Eye-catching fizz WHAT? FREIXENET ITALIAN SPARKLING ROSÉ WHEN? AVAILABLE FROM THE END OF OCTOBER WHY? Produced by highly regarded Italian sparkling wine experts, the wine is the number one sparkling rosé in total Off-Trade (IRI/Kantar) and is the stablemate to Freixenet’s widely successful Prosecco. It is a delicate blend of Glera and Pinot Noir grapes, carefully selected from the finest Italian vineyards. Light and effervescent, with notes of red berries and underlying hints of white flowers and apples. WHO? Suitable for vegetarians, and presented in a striking cut-glass bottle, Freixenet Italian Sparkling Rosé will appeal to customers looking for a superior quality sparkling wine that will give special occasions an extra bit of fizz. The line also delivers strong PORs of 26.4% for retailers. WHERE TO STOCK? Prominently in the chiller, where the striking bottle design will catch shoppers’ eyes. FREIXENET ITALIAN SPARKLING ROSÉ Case size: 6x75cl WSP: £45.99 RSP: £12.49 POR: 26.4%

Rise up and shine WHAT? 19 CRIMES THE UPRISING

Sugar free energy WHAT? ROCKSTAR SUGAR FREE

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW WHY? 19 Crimes is one of the UK’s top 10 best-performing wine brands. The brand is performing well at the moment, with volume up 157% and value up 152% compared to last year, adding £52m into the category (IRI, 2021). The launch of a new The Uprising variant offers a great opportunity to Premier retailers to capitalise on that growth. WHO? The brand is popular among 25 to 40-year-olds and this medium red offers them mocha, caramel and cinnamon flavours. Ageing in rum barrels for 30 days brings an extra edge and complexity while augmented reality technology means shoppers can scan the label using the Living Wine Labels app to bring the story of 19 Crimes to life.

WHY? The energy drinks market is worth £1.1bn in the UK (Nielsen) with sustained shopper interest in big brand NPD. Big cans account for over half (55%) of this amount in convenience (IRI) with Rockstar the third biggest stimulant brand in the channel (IRI). WHO? The product will appeal to on-the-go shoppers looking for a sugar-free energy boost while the reassurance of a price-marked pack will help drive trial and repeat sale. Gamers will be also attracted to the tie-in with November’s Call of Duty launch.

WHERE TO STOCK? Alongside other red wines.

WHERE TO STOCK? In the chiller alongside other big can energy drinks.

19 CRIMES THE UPRISING

ROCKSTAR SUGAR FREE

Case size: 6 x 75cl WSP: £36.99 RSP: £9.99 POR:

Case size: 12x500ml WSP: £7.59 RSP:

25.9%

£1.19PM POR: 36.2%

October 2021 TalkingShop

THE ENERGY CATEGORY IS NOW WORTH £1.4bn RUBICON RAW IS THE fastest GROWING ENERGY BRAND OVER 4

million CANS SOLD IN 16 WEEKS FROM LAUNCH

CAFFEINE, B-VITAMINS, 20% FRUIT JUICE

*IRI TOTAL MARKETPLACE MAT 04/10/20 VALUE GROWTH % AND VALUE GROWTH ACTUAL **IRI UNIFY S&I GB 7 WEEKS ENDING 22.05.21* ***AGBARR SALES DATA 05/05/2021

PricesDown

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE ON COSTS AND BOOST YOUR PROFITS

Get ready for winter!

Winter offers Premier retailers a whole array of new sales opportunities and the chance to earn fantastic PORs from seasonal essential product ranges.

once more following a long period of restricted interactions which reduced the spread of these common complaints. With health and wellbeing to the forefront of shoppers minds, this represents a great chance for retailers to grow footfall, sales and profits with medicated products. Winter medicines are among the most frequently purchased distress items, making them important for Premier stores this winter. Booker offers a fantastic range of Winter Essentials products from some of the biggest brands in the sector including Lemsip, Strepsils, Benylin, Beechams, Vicks, Calpol, Nurofen and Panadol. There are products for all common ailments and every product on the Winter Essentials list delivers at least 27.1% POR with many products offering even greater PORs of up to 46.4%. POR Stock up now to make sure you 40.28% make the most of this important 45.6% seasonal opportunity.

ummer may still be fresh in the memory for many Premier retailers, but the winter season is fast approaching - and with it comes a host of new opportunities to drive footfall, sales and profits. By providing the right range of winter products, retailers can make sure that they continue to give their shoppers what they are looking for as well as keeping the tills ringing throughout the coming months. Among these opportunities is over the counter medicines and it is expected that coughs, colds and other common conditions will be prevalent this winter with shoppers socialising

Up to 46.4% POR

Product

Case size

WSP

RSP

Lemsip Max Day & Night Cap

6 x 16s

£14.90

£4.99

Lemsip Max Strength

4 x 10s

£8.50

£4.69

Strepsils Honey & Lemon

6 x 16pk

£10.39

£2.99

Strepsil Blackcurrant Triple Lozenge

6 x 24

£18.49

£5.49

32.6%

Benylin Adult Chesty Cough

6 x 150ml

£16.65

£6.65

49.9%

Covonia Cough Mixture

6 x 150ml

£16.49

£4.75

30.6%

Beechams All In One

6 x 160ml

£17.29

£4.85

28.7%

Vicks Vaporub

6 x 50g

£10.95

£3.65

40.0%

Vicks Sinex Micromist

8 x 15ml

£16.99

£4.29

40.5%

Gaviscon Double Action

8 x 8pk

£9.89

£2.49

40.4%

Calpol Infant 2+ Months Bottle

6 x 100ml

£15.59

£4.49

30.6%

Nurofen Express Liquid Caps

6 x 10pk

£12.35

£3.39

27.1%

Panadol Advance Tabs

12 x 16pm

£11.55

£1.75

34.0%

30.5%

October 2021 TalkingShop

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

New Courses Available HYGIENE FOCUS: Keeping your team up to speed and well trained is vital.

Training for success Premier offers a wide range of high quality and completely free training courses to help retailers stay ahead of the game in many key areas of their business.

n the wake of the challenges of the last 18 months or so, it will be clearer than ever to Premier retailers that staying on top of all hygiene, health, legislative and technical issues is more demanding than it has ever been. Keeping your team fully up to speed on all of the important issues that affect your store and your shoppers can be a daunting task, particularly when the team is already busy with the day to day business of the running the store.

64 TalkingShop October 2021

That’s why Premier has partnered with training specialists CPL Online to provide Premier retailers with all the training support they need for their entire team – and all completely free of charge. Premier is committed to helping you remain fully compliant with all rules, regulations and legislation – and this online training facility is a fantastic way to stay on top of your training regime at a time that suits you and your individual team members. CPL offers fully endorsed and accredited courses across a wide range of eleven vitally important topics from allergen awareness and underage sales to emergency first aid, food safety and manual handling. In fact, the courses have been tailored specifically for the needs of independent retailers and are accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

TOTALLY FREE OF CHARGE

COURSES The courses available include: l Natasha’s Law NEW l Slips, Trips & Falls NEW l Working at Height – Awareness NEW l Allergen awareness l Age verification l Award in Underage Sales Prevention (AUASP) l COSHH l Emergency first aid l Fire awareness l Food safety (Level 2) l Fuel safety l HACCP (Level 2) l Health and safety l Manual Handling

October 2021 TalkingShop

GROLSCH IS BACK. DOUBLE BREWED. DOUBLE THE FLAVOUR. IMPORTED 4% PREMIUM PILSNER

PREMIUM LAGER CATEGORY IS GROWING FASTER THAN THE TOTAL BEER CATEGORY AT 25% DRIVEN BY 4% ABV* *NIELSEN, MAT, MAY 21

FILL UP YOUR CHILLERS NOW!

12 X 330ML BOTTLE M269612

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW… AGE STATEMENT: Underage sales training can keep your team on the right side of the law.

Each member of your team can be given their own login details and can have a bespoke training package created to specifically give them the skills and qualifications they need to remain compliant, and to perform to their very best in their role within your business. The training is available via a web browser or through dedicated mobile apps, so your team can access the courses – and any certification they achieve – at any time and from anywhere. Store owners or managers can work with individual team members to create tailor-made course schedules and the team member can then work their way through the agreed courses at their own pace. Every completed course is marked with an official certificate that your team can access online at any time. CPL Online is a hugely valuable resource for getting the most out of your team, helping them grow their skillsets and unlock their potential and remain 100% compliant with all relevant legislation and regulations. And best of all, it’s entirely free to Premier retailers.

Courses that keep your business compliant in line with the latest legislation.

Simple to set up your entire team with their own login and courses.

Available via a web browser or through dedicated mobile apps.

Access to courses and statistics 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Easy access to your certification.

RETAILER VIEW SAMANTHA COLDBECK Premier Wharfedale, Hull

“Access to CPL on-line allows us to offer a professional training package to our staff at a time that suits us.”

REGISTER YOUR STORE TODAY! EMAIL PREMIERTRAINING@CPLONLINE.CO.UK WITH YOUR SITE NAME, ADDRESS, ACCOUNT NUMBER AND CONTACT NUMBER.

October 2021 TalkingShop

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

Unleashing the power of social Social media has never been more important for Premier retailers and is an extremely powerful way of connecting with existing shoppers and attracting news ones to your door. Our beginners’ guide to social media helps you take those important first steps into the digital world.

ocial and digital media has long been one of the most effective means of communicating with your existing shoppers, as well as grabbing the attention of new potential shoppers in your locality. If anything, the importance of these channels has grown over the last 18 months so it’s the perfect time to embrace the opportunities that social and digital offers to retailers. Social media is easy to access, is widely used by the general public and, in its simplest forms, is completely free. Many Premier retailers have already enjoyed great success with

68 TalkingShop October 2021

their social and digital media presence, boosting footfall and basket spend and increasing awareness of their stores and their value to the communities they serve. If you have not already been using social or digital media to drive business in your store, then it’s the right time to start, but making that first foray into the digital world can be daunting for the inexperienced. In the meantime, Talking Shop is here to give you some highlights from the guide and key pointers to start giving your store an effective digital and social media presence.

BetterService

WHAT TO INCLUDE ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE

l A picture or video of your store – or something branded. Your logo – ideally as it appears above your store IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THElEDGE l Your address details

xxxxxxxx

xxxxxxxx GET GOOGLING

An important first step is to make sure that your store shows up on Google searches and maps. Google is one of the most important channels yourxxx business should be appearing on – it has over 2xxxxx billion monthly users with 3.8 million searches take place every minute! In order to ensure useful information about your business appears alongside any local area search, there are a couple of simple steps to take with Google. If your business already shows up as a location on Google maps, you simply need to “claim” it. In the panel containing the address/hours/phone click on the link saying saying ‘Own this Business?’ and continue from there. Remember to input information useful to a potential shopper. business name, Opening Hours, and phone number. If possible, add pictures too – potential

shoppers will want to see photos of your business, so the better the pictures and the more of them, the more it will attract the shopper. If your business is a new build, you will need to register it with Google. In this case, there is a step-by-step guide they will take you through.

MAKE NEW FRIENDS Setting up a social media presence is easy to do, but it is important to remember that it is an ongoing commitment, not just a one-off. Platforms such as Facebook are interactive, and users are both hungry for new information and likely to make comments of their own on your page, so it is very important to keep posting new content and to monitor the activity on the page itself. Retailers who wish toMORE get involved with

social media should consider the following: l You need to post regularly to keep the shopper engaged. l Keeping a constant stream of interesting material like photos, videos, recipes etc. is difficult, and can be time-consuming. The worst thing you can do is set up a Facebook page that you don’t maintain. Be patient, as you may not attract much attention to start with unless you are investing money in advertising. By having a social media presence, you are potentially opening up a channel for customer complaints that should be monitored frequently and with care. Everything you post, and almost every interaction you have with your shoppers, will be in the public eye.

October 2021 TalkingShop

DELICIOUSLY FRUITY REASSURINGLY ROBINSONS

ROBINSONS IS ONE OF THE TOP FIVE MOST CHOSEN BEVERAGE BRANDS IN BRITAIN*

BOTTLE MADE FROM 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC NO ADDED SUGAR, ARTIFICIAL COLOURS OR FLAVOURINGS

RASPBERRY & APPLE

PEACH & MANGO

269438

269439

AVAILABLE IN PEACH&MANGO Time to

To create a page: om/ l Go to facebook.c pages/create l Click to choose a page category (choose local business or place) ecific l Select a more sp category from the d dropdown menu an fill out the required e information (choos supermarket/ convenience store) d’ and l Click ‘Get Starte follow the on-screen instructions

HOW TO SET UP A FACEBOOK PAGE

You must first set up a Facebook account in order to create a Facebook page. Simply go to www.facebook.com and follow the home page instructions to set up an account. Once that’s done, you can set up a page. Pages are for businesses, brands, organisations and public figures to share their stories and connect with people. Pages can be customised with stories and events, and people who “like” or follow a

particular page can receive updates from it in their personal news feed.

WHAT TO POST? As a retailer, when posting you should focus on what is local to you and what makes you stand out from your competitors. You will need to put some time aside each day to create material for your channels and monitor the interactions. The main Premier brand social network accounts and pages have a constant stream of exciting material, including posts and video content. This material has been created for you to use – you can share what you want from these pages and supplement it with your own created content, local to you. When you see material

on the main Premier channel you wish to use on your own, simply click the “share” button on the bottom left and it will share the content to your own page. In this way, Premier is supporting retailers on social media through the main brand channels with regular, locally-targeted advertising of strong offers and key brand events to keep driving footfall to every store. Many other social media platforms exist, but a presence on Google and Facebook should be enough to get you started.

October 2021 TalkingShop

STOCK THE

TOP 10

GUM LINES FROM WRIGLEY TO DRIVE CATEGORY SALES

GUM IS THE MOST PROFITABLE

EXTRA IS THE UK’S NO.1 ®

PRODUCT PER SQUARE METRE THAT A RETAILER CAN STOCK AFTER CIGARETTES

CONVENIENCE SINGLE BRAND IN THE UK*

MOVING CHEWING GUM

A WRIGLEY GUM DISPLAY

FROM BELOW THE COUNTER TO ABOVE THE COUNTER IS PROVEN TO DRIVE A 20% INCREASE IN SALES

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE A VISIT FROM A REPRESENTATIVE PLEASE CALL THE WRIGLEY DISPLAY HOTLINE ON: 01752 752 094 OR EMAIL WRIGLEYHOTLINE@MDAMS.COM

AT TILL POINT WILL GENERATE 1/3 MORE SALES THAN A DISPLAY 1M AWAY

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

Take control of your business with free EPoS! In today’s complex trading environment, a cutting edge EPoS system like ShopMate can help you improve efficiencies and grow profits – and Premier retailers can get it for free. 74 TalkingShop October 2021

Booker Free EPoS Bund

RETAILER VIEW

Easy to Use EP Meet ShopMate

SIMON GREWAL Premier Crabbs Cross Convenience, Redditch

Promotions and prices updated automatically

“We’ve been using the ShopMate system for eight years now, and we’ve recently upgraded it to the latest version – it’s a great system. Because we have more than one store, the system saves us a lot of time because we can see all the information we need about stock, prices and deliveries for both stores from a single back office. You can view it all on a laptop, wherever you are. The fact that you can get a great system like this for free is one of the big advantages of being with Premier.”

Booker Free EPoS Bundle

Intuitive Ins

Easy to Use EPoS for Bo Meet ShopMate Saves you the time of setting up your pricing and promotions.

Promotions and prices updated automatically

Booker Free EPoS Bundle

Your shop’s fingertips w powerf

Intuitive reports and up y ContactPower your Book Insights value add

information about EPoS System.

Saves you the time of setting up your pricing and promotions.

Your shop’s data is at your fingertips with a suite of powerful reports

Get Back Office, Loca more with

Easy to Use EPoS for Booker Reta Promotions and prices updated automatically

Intuitive reports and up yourRDM till with ContactPower your Booker for further Expert Insights value added services technica

information about getting your ShopMate EPoS System.

Saves you the time of setting up your pricing and promotions.

Your shop’s data is at your fingertips with a suite of powerful reports

Get Back Office, Head Office, Local Loyalty and more with ShopMate

Easy to Use EPoS for Booker Retailers

In the unlike issue, our te h

Promotions and up your till with with theIntuitive Retail reports Data Partnership whose unning a modern Premier and storeprices Contact Power your Booker RDM for further Expert UK based updated automatically Insights value added services technical support information about getting your ShopMate the most can be a complex process ShopMate system is among System. today. Created but after the unprecedented advanced systems availableEPoS challenges of the last 18 specifically for independent retailers and 2020 in Theresponse Retail Data Partnership Ltd - Brand logos are the property of their respective owne to their months, having access to a developed over the©years modern EPoS solution that instantly helps direct feedback, ShopMate offers retailers you run your store more efficiently and grow an array of excellent benefits that can have a your profits is a great way to help take your positive impact on the bottom line, where it shop’s data is at your Get Back Office, Head In the unlikely event of an mattersYour most. business to the next level. Saves you the time of pricing fingertips with a suite of Office, Local Loyalty and issue, our team are here to Not only can Premier offsetting er you up justyour such andofpromotions. powerful reports more with ShopMate help. a solution, it can also offer it free charge! BENEFIT NOW Premier has a long-standing relationship Among the key benefits are automatic price

Contact your Booker RDM for further information about getting your ShopMate EPoS System.

October 2021 TalkingShop

KEY BENEFITS l Promotions and prices updated automatically. l Intuitive reports and insights. l Make more use of your till with added value services. l Expert UK-based technical support. l Premier free EPoS Bundle

WHAT’S INCLUDED… l Flytech touchscreen till system. l Epson Thermal Receipt Printer. l Honeywell Orbit Scanner. l Mono Laser Printer. l Power and Router Connection Cables.

SERVICE FEES

l Standard or Flip-Top Cash Drawer.

One Till: £15.50 per week. Two Tills: £23.00 per week. Three Tills: £25.00 per week.

and promotion updates, a comprehensive selection of intuitive reports and insights and the opportunity to extend the power of your ShopMate till with added value services including full back office or head office functionality and a Local Loyalty scheme. Additionally, ShopMate benefits from an expert UK-based technical support team, ready to help you whenever you need them. The automatic price and promotion updates functionality means you and your team will no longer lose huge amounts of time setting up promotions every period and updating pricing for the shop floor. The reporting functionality offers quick, easy and intuitive access to all of your store’s most important data, allowing you to understand your business at a much deeper level and make better informed decisions on every level.

WHAT DO YOU GET? The Premier ShopMate EPoS bundle includes everything you need to start leveraging the power of a system that can you take your store to the next level. A touchscreen full colour till, a thermal receipt printer and an Orbit scanner are all included, as are a laser printer, power and router connection cables and a standard or flip-top till. Training and installation costs just £450 and, for just an extra £45, retailers can access a pre-install scanner that lets them enter existing stock levels before the ShopMate system even arrives, meaning that they can hit the ground running on day one. The system itself is absolutely free for Premier retailers, while weekly service fees are just £15.50 for one till, £23.00 for two tills and £25.00 for three tills.

Training and Installation is only £450 and, for just £45, Premier retailers can take advantage of ShopMate’s pre-install scanner to enter existing stock levels into ShopMate before it arrives, leaving you ready to trade straight away! The total cost of £495 can be spread across two monthly Direct Debit instalments if desired. CONNECTED With a long history of serving the independent channel, ShopMate work with leading partners including Barclaycard, NetPay, Worldpay, i-movo and PaperRound among others, to ensure that retailers get the right support in the right areas at all times and have access to best-in-class solutions.

CONTACT YOUR BOOKER RDM FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ABOUT GETTING YOUR SHOPMATE EPOS SYSTEM.

October 2021 TalkingShop

An on-pack promotion that makes a difference? Probably. Carlsberg and WWF are working together to help protect UK ocean wildlife and create a better tomorrow.

Stock up now

50p

from every pack redeemed* goes to WWF

M212129

Carlsberg Export

10x440ml

M252324

Carlsberg Pilsner

10x440ml

* Carlsberg UK Limited (“Carlsberg”) will give a minimum of £115,000 to WWF-UK, registered with charity no. 1081247 in England and Wales and SC039593 in Scotland in connection with the sale of WWF promotional packs (“Packs”) for the restoration of seagrass in UK seas. If total Packs redeemed are over £115,000 by 30.11.2021 Carlsberg will give WWF-UK 50p per additional redemption. To activate a redemption follow the instructions on this Pack.

LaunchReview FEEDBACK ON THE LATEST BOOKER PRODUCTS

Smirnoff NPD generates sales and profits

SMIRNOFF RASPBERRY CRUSH

15.3% POR

CASE SIZE: 6 X 70CL WSP: £67.69 RSP: £15.99 PM POR: 15.3%

Crushing it with Smirnoff’s new flavoured vodka New Smirnoff Raspberry Crush has been a huge hit in Premier stores driving footfall, sales and profits since launch. With alcohol sales flourishing over the last 18 months, one of the fastest growing categories of all has been flavoured spirits. While flavoured gin has been the star of the show, IRI data shows that flavoured vodka is also increasingly popular with shoppers. The world’s biggest-selling premium vodka brand Smirnoff has responded to this growth in demand with the launch of an exciting new variant, Smirnoff Raspberry Crush flavoured vodka. A smooth, premium vodka infused with natural, juicy raspberry flavours and based on Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, the new drink is ideal for a number of consumption occasions. Smirnoff recommends that the perfect serve is with lemonade over ice and a slice of lemon or raspberry.

Feedback from Premier retailers shows that the product has been exceptionally popular with shoppers since launch, with many shoppers keen to try the eye-catching new product from one of the biggest spirit brands in the world. Helping to add fresh interest to the growing flavoured vodkas category, the new Smirnoff variant is also helping provide a stepping stone into flavoured vodka for many younger shoppers already familiar with the Smirnoff brand. The line comes in a £15.99 price-marked pack to help communicate the value proposition to shoppers and attract attention on the shelf. It also delivers a POR of 15.3% for retailers and looks set to be a popular choice over the coming months.

October 2021 TalkingShop

shopper’s view… Jason Akerman, Bedford “I’ve long been a vodka lover and in recent years have gotten more and more interested in flavoured vodkas. They’re just perfect for a whole range of occasions, particularly this summer. I first came across Smirnoff Raspberry Crush in my local Premier, after seeing it mentioned on Facebook, and I bought a bottle just out of curiosity. It was absolutely delicious and it was also great value at just £15.99. I tend to try lots of different flavoured vodkas but I’ve kept coming back to the Smirnoff one because it’s just so tasty and refreshing and it’s great for BBQs, parties and lunches. I’ve always got a bottle in the cupboard at home now!”

IN SUMMARY

EXCITING NPD IN A GROWING CATEGORY.

STRENGTH OF THE SMIRNOFF BRAND HELPING DRIVE TRIAL.

PRICEMARKED PACK COMMUNICATES VALUE.

RETAILER VIEW DENNIS WILLIAMS Premier Broadway Convenience, Edinburgh “Flavoured vodka has been a an increasingly category for us recently and shows no signs of slowing down. Our shoppers just can’t get enough of all the new flavours and brands. But there’s absolutely no doubt that a launch like this from such a big vodka brand helps drive sales and profits. We had shoppers coming from miles away for it after seeing our posts on social media.”

RETAILER VIEW MANDEEP SINGH Singh’s Premier, Sheffield “For me, new products from big brands are a great way to unlock growth for Premier retailers. Shoppers seem more interested than ever in NPD these days, especially in the spirits category. The power of the Smirnoff brand means we’re seeing lots of traditional vodka shoppers give the new line a go, and we’re even seeing some flavoured gin shoppers give it a try. The price marked pack helps drive trial too.”

RETAILER VIEW PRASSANA WERAGAMA Premier Woolwell Stores, Plymouth “It’s clear to me that shoppers are more aware of exciting NPD than ever before. There’s always a flurry of activity on Facebook when we announce a new line, particularly in a big volume category like vodka. And the flurry of activity is never bigger than when it’s from a massive brand like Smirnoff which is trusted by shoppers and gives them the confidence to try the new line.”

RETAILER VIEW BALDEV CHIMA Milton News, Food & Wine, Kilbirnie “Spirits are a very important part of our offer in the store. We know from experience that NPD in the category generates new business for us and bring shoppers to our door. Being able to offer our shoppers exciting new lines like Smirnoff Raspberry Crush means we are enhancing their experience and giving them more reasons to visit the store. The new line did exactly that for us – and it continues to sell well.”

STRONG POR OF 15.3%. October 2021 TalkingShop

THE POWER OF PETCARE IN CONVENIENCE 50%

of UK Households own a pet1

TOTAL GB VALUE CHANGE BY SEGMENT 4

Pet Food & Litter worth

£2.9bn2

57%

Pet owners spend

15% more across other categories2

shoppers like Price Marked Packs3

11.2%

4.3% 2.2%

TOTAL DOG

1.6%

DOG TREATS 16.9%

DOG DRY -2.2%

DOG POUCH/TRAY

2.0% TOTAL CAT

CAT TREATS

CAT DRY -5.9%

CAT CAN -3.5%

DOG CAN

3.2%

3.0%

CAT LUXURY POUCH/TRAY

CAT EVERYDAY POUCH/TRAY

CAT LITTER -0.7%

No.1

Dog Wet Single Serve Brand 5

No.1

Dog Care and Treats Brand 7

No.1

Cat Care and Treats Brand 7

No.1 growth driving Cat Wet Single Serve brand6

STOCK UP ON THESE PACKS NOW Sources: 1 Mars Pet Ownership Study 2017. 2 Mars Petcare State of the Nation Pet Report 2020. 3 IGD 2020. 4 Nielsen Homescan Total GB Purchase Value 52 Weekly WE 24.04.21 5 Purchase Value MAT - Nielsen CPS Total GB we 03.10.20. 6 Absolute Value Change YoY MAT - Nielsen CPS Total GB we 03.10.20. 7 Purchase Value MAT - Nielsen CPS Total GB we 31.10.20.

Energy Supply | GUEST COLUMN

Catherine Marston Marston, Sustainability Manager at Booker, explains how Booker can help if you are facing challenges with energy suppliers, as many retailers are.

Energy supply problems? Booker can help. Given the current situation in the energy industry, many retailers may be concerned about ensuring they are getting the best possible deal, but Booker can offer support through Saffron Business Solutions.

he energy sector is facing immense difficulties at the moment, as retailers will undoubtedly be aware. Several major suppliers have already gone under and many caterers will of course be concerned about securing supply and ensuring they are getting the best possible deal for their business. It’s likely that you have already been approached by brokers, but before you commit to a new contract, remember that Booker can help. Through Saffron Business Solutions, formerly Booker Energy, we are able to work

with you and help you secure the best deal for your store. Saffron have been procuring energy supply contracts for Booker and their customers for over 15 years. If you need a new electricity and/or gas supply contract now or in the very near future, don’t panic and don’t feel you need to rush into new agreements. There is a solution: Saffron can help you take control of the situation and choose the best deal for you. It is true that, for a number of unrelated reasons, gas and electricity prices are very high at present causing serious concern for businesses and difficulties for suppliers.

RETAILER VIEW RANJ HAYER Hayer’s Premier Stores, Weston-super Mare “I have been using Saffron Business Solutions (SBS) for the contracting of my business electricity and advice on a range of energy related issues for all retail sites in our group since 2011, and I would recommend their excellent level of service to any business owner. I have always felt they have my best interests in hand and they have at all times been professional, pro-active and transparent in all of my dealings with them. Initially, I saved a great deal of money by contracting my electricity supply through SBS and I have recently undertaken our fourth renewal with them because, apart their excellent service, I have not been able to beat the prices they have offered on renewal.”

So if you do need a new supply of gas or electricity now or very soon, please do not panic. We can help. Firstly, it’s a good idea not to agree to a new supply contract over the phone from someone you do not know or have never spoken to before. Additionally, do not give out information about your current supply, suppliers, current rates or general information to people you do not know – they may exploit it. Instead, call Saffron Business Solutions for free and impartial advice and to discuss the best way to procure you a new energy supply contract. It is a free to customer service; there are no tricks and they will never try to sell you a contract over the phone. They will advise, support, and explain the best way to get a new ‘best price, best fit’ contract and put you in control of the process. Pricing is clear and transparent and you will be assured the best market price for gas, electricity and water supply contracts. Saffron also provides lifetime support, the best available credit terms and no hassle billing, as well as making switching suppliers as pain-free as possible. Simply call them on 03448 222 802 or visit www.sb-solutions.co.uk October 2021 TalkingShop

DRINKS TO GO! FREE

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The real profit in ice cream is a good soft ice cream dispenser. The compact, high performance yet efficient machine from Snowshock is more than capable of meeting any shops needs. Self serve is definitely an option and easier than you think to set up. Snowshock’s set up for Self Serve Ice Cream is a game changer in it’s simplicity and tried and tested operation.

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ACS Viewpoint | Local Shops

James Lowman Retailers are investing in their businesses with modernisation strategies such as social media and contactless payment, but are also working longer hours

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL WORK OF ACS

The tenth edition of the Local Shop Report shows how convenience retailers have overcome many challenges and continued to improve their service to shoppers.

n 2012, we launched the first edition of our Local Shop Report, looking at the stores operating in the convenience sector, the retailers running those stores, and the people working in and living around them. The report has grown over the last decade to become a comprehensive summary of our sector, following local shops through significant legislation changes, increased consumer demand, mergers, acquisitions, Brexit, and of course a global pandemic. We use the Local Shop Report every day to inform our conversations with government, the media and the industry. Now in its tenth edition, what does this year’s Local Shop Report tell us about how retailers and their colleagues have fared over the last twelve months? The first thing that stands out is that despite the huge disruption faced by the entire world throughout the pandemic and even now with

supply chain shortages, the sector has remained remarkably consistent. Sales, as they have in every year since we started putting together these reports, are on an upward trend; retailers are investing north of half a billion pounds a year in improving their offer for customers, and four in five stores are active in their communities. There are however some changes in the way that stores are run that have been accelerated as a result of the pandemic. Social media engagement for retailers has always been a bit of a slow burner, but this year has seen a significant jump in the percentage of stores that are active on platforms like Facebook, with more than one in ten now reaching younger customers on TikTok. We’ve also seen a continued growth in the number of stores accepting contactless payment. Working hours have also shifted significantly over

....................... CALL ......................

01252 515 001 ............. OR LOG ON TO ...........

www.acs.org.uk

the last year, although we expect this is a temporary change rather than a permanent trend. Colleagues in convenience stores worked a combined 9.6m hours over the last year, an increase of over a million on the year before. At all times, but especially this year, we cannot understate the importance of the 392,000 colleagues in keeping local shops going, keeping the shelves stocked for customers and going the extra mile for local people. Over the last decade, the Local Shop Report has demonstrated to Government the incredible work that retailers and their colleagues are doing in every community across the UK. Convenience stores have never been more relevant or important to their customers, and as we move on to the next phase of the pandemic, which is hopefully based on recovery rather than restrictions, we will continue to send the clear message to Government that local shops are worth celebrating at the heart of their communities. October 2021 TalkingShop

YOURSHOUT GOT A QUESTION? Want to post a question or raise an issue with the Premier Team? Get in touch by email at talking shop@55north.com or call 0141 222 5380.

YourShout WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND? RETAILERS PUT THEIR QUESTIONS TO PREMIER

Coffee still brewing? The growth of high quality coffee seems to have persisted through the pandemic. Do you view a strong coffee offer as fundamental to the Premier offer these days? DENNIS WILLIAMS OF PREMIER BROADWAY, EDINBURGH

The festive opportunity It looks like this Christmas could be a special one with friends and families able to gather once more to celebrate the big day again. What tips and advice do you have for making sure that Premier retailers maximise the sales, footfall and profits they make during this important sales period? SHAMLY SUD OF PREMIER RACETRACK AUTOPORT, IBROX MARTYN PARKINSON, SALES DIRECTOR – RETAIL SAID: Christmas presents another fantastic opportunity to maintain and build the momentum that many Premier retailers have

enjoyed so far this year. With shoppers able to meet up in groups again this Christmas, it’s likely that we’ll see opportunities to grow sales in key categories like alcohol, confectionery, soft drinks and crisps and snacks. Larger format and sharing packs are likely to remain important but possibly the most important step is to go hard and go early. We’re already seeing Christmas fixtures in some stores, even earlier than we did last year. Premier has an amazing range of festive deals, including Group Exclusives, that will help you attract both value-conscious shoppers and those looking to splash out after another challenging year. See page 44 for more advice.

MARTYN PARKINSON, SALES DIRECTOR – RETAIL SAID: Coffee has become a core footfall, sales and profit driver in Premier stores and the growth is coming from better quality coffee. If you’re new to coffee and want to add it to your offer for the first time, or if you already offer coffee but want to take your sales to the next level, check out our feature on p57 where we outline the four separate coffee machine packages we can offer through Premier, including a Costa Express package. To find out more, speak to your RDM.

Tackling the compliance challenge After all the challenges of the pandemic and lots of legislative changes and new requirements and regulations, particularly around food to go and hygiene, can you advise on how retailers can ensure that they and

their teams are fully up to speed and compliant with the latest rules? MIKE HUMPHREYS OF PREMIER KENNINGHALL MARTYN PARKINSON, SALES DIRECTOR – RETAIL SAID: It has been

an unprecedented year and we have seen lots of changes, most recently with the implementation of new allergen labelling regulations, or Natasha’s Law as it’s commonly referred to. It’s absolutely vital that Premier retailers ensure their teams are aware of all new

legislation and rules so that they can help you remain 100% compliant. One of the best ways of doing this is making use of Premier’s free online training courses with our training partner CPL Online. These courses cover all of the key legislation and are delivered via the web.

October 2021 TalkingShop

Ferrero Rocher

+42.8% 2

YOY *

5 4

* Source: Kantar, Total UK Market, Value Sales, Christmas Confectionery, 29 Dec 2019 to 27 Dec 2020.

Display units available to order Thorntons Narrow FSDU H:1295mm W:360mm d:295mm Ferrero Narrow FSDU H:1450mm W:336mm d:414 mm

M Code

Description

Standard RRP

CONSUMER Deal

123437

Ferrero Rocher T24 - 300g

£9.29

£6.99

250329

Thorntons Classic - 262g

£6.50

£5.00

260775

Kinder Santa - 55g

£1.19

£1.00

200149

Kinder Joy Egg T32 - 20g

£1.29

2 for £1.60

604587

Ferrero Rocher T16 - 200g

£5.79

£4.50

146343

Ferrero Collection T15 - 172g

£5.99

£5.00

Please order your Christmas POS online via our tr ade website

www.yourperfectstore.co.uk

CODE

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

M209757

Doubleshot

M184018 M181570 M183294

Chilled Cup Latte Chilled Cup Skinny Latte Chilled Cup Cappuccino

PACK SIZE

10 X 220ML 10 X 220ML 10 X 220ML 12 X 200ML

CODE

M131978 M132013 M132015

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Frappuccino Coffee PET Frappuccino Mocha PET Frappuccino Vanilla PET

PACK SIZE

8 X 250ML 8 X 250ML 8 X 250ML