TalkingShop April 2023

Winning in Winsford

A transformational refit has prompted sales and goodwill to leap at Ken’s Convenience

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A very warm welcome to your latest edition of Talking Shop, and we have a packed issue for you as we look forward to the next couple of months and another set of fantastic opportunities. One of the biggest opportunities, of course, will be the coronation of King Charles III on the 6th of May. This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity –the last coronation was 70 years ago – and represents a massive chance to capitalise on the excitement that is sure to sweep the nation.

Premier has created a full POS kit for retailers to help them bring the coronation to life in-store and on social media. Thanks to a unique partnership with craft brewers BrewDog, we also have a very exciting Group Exclusive beer that they have produced just for us. Ale To The King will be a fantastic product to focus on around the coronation to drive sales, but we expect sales to rise in most categories before, during and after the coronation.

Also on the horizon in Premier’s popular Beer & Cider Festival, which kicks off in April and runs for a month. This year we have three Group Exclusive products, three firstto-market products and 11 new products to shout about and to help drive footfall, sales and profits, all supported with some great POS.

It’s worth checking out the feature on our new Added Value Services brochure in this issue. The deals and discounts available from 28 selected suppliers could save you as much as £10,000 a year, a great chance to boost your bottom line and one of the many benefits of being part of a bigger group.

There’s all this and more in this latest issue of Talking Shop – so please do take the time to have a good look through and I wish you all fantastic trading over the next couple of months.

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

Martyn Parkinson, Sales Director – Booker Wholesale

Methwold

Game-changing

in savings.

The

52 Beer & Cider festival

Premier festival returns with Group Exclusives and first-to-market lines.

60 Jack’s ‘2 for’ deals

Jack’s is being further enhanced with new 2 for’ promo mechanics.

72 Save on

Exclusive new deal sees Premier retailers save 11% on waste management.

75 Adding value

New Added Value Services brochure offers £10k in savings.

80 Vape regs action

Retailers selling vapes are required to act now on recycling.

The new Added Value Services brochure offers £10k

52 Premier festival returns with Group Exclusives market lines.

The first coronation in 70 years is a huge opportunity for retailers.

Methwold convenience novices get careers off to a flyer.

Shoppers love Norfolk Premier store’s community focus.

THE UK’S NO.1 CHILLED COFFEE*

PremierNews

ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER

Booker redistributes five million meals

INBRIEF

SELL VAPES? ACT NOW!

Booker is reminding Premier retailers that if they sell vape products, they have a legal obligation to offer their shoppers a free of charge, safe recycling point.

Booker has redistributed enough food to provide the equivalent of five million meals through its partnership with leading charity FareShare and food sharing app OLIO.

To help tackle the UK’s escalating food waste problem and the current cost of living crisis, OLIO and FareShare are working together on a ‘200 Million Meals’ initiative with the aim of getting food businesses to redistribute good to eat surplus food instead of letting it go to waste.

Booker currently redistributes food via its UK branches directly to FareShare’s network of charities and OLIO’s Food Waste Heroes.

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.

Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “With living costs continuing to rise, there are millions of people struggling to make ends meet

across the UK. That’s why we’re incredibly grateful to Booker and OLIO for their commitment to reducing the needless waste of good food.”

OLIO’s Food Waste Heroes collect food directly from Booker, which is then be added to its app for people in the local area to collect.

Tessa Clarke, OLIO’s CEO and co-founder, said: “Five million meals is a phenomenal achievement for Booker and we are delighted to have played a part in hitting this milestone. Now, more than ever, we all need to be playing our part in ensuring perfectly edible food is saved rather than wasted.

Catherine Marston, Head of Sustainability at Booker, said: “Eliminating food waste is something that is very close to our hearts here at Booker. We are constantly looking at ways to ensure no edible food goes to waste, whether that is through being more efficient or collaborating with our supply partners, and we are really pleased that we have been able to play our part.”

As vaping products are classed as electrical and electronic equipment, they are covered by WEEE regulations and retailers who sell vapes must provide a recycling solution for their shoppers, even if they didn’t buy the products specifically from your store.

Failure to comply could lead to prosecution and heavy fines. To find out in detail how to comply with the regulations quickly and easily, please turn to page 82.

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

Working with FareShare and OLIO, Booker has now redistributed enough food to provide the equivalent of five million meals to people struggling to make ends meet.

NEWS,

SHOPPERS ‘KEEN TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE’

Food-to-go growth to outpace eating-out market

New research has shown that the cost-of-living crisis is encouraging shoppers to reduce their food waste with a quarter of shoppers admitting they generate a ‘lot’ of food waste –and one in 10 keen to reduce this.

Commissioned by long-life bakery brand Baker Street the survey of 2,000 shoppers found that more than a third (34%) think more needs to be done to raise awareness of food waste and 10% would like to reduce the amount they personally create, but don’t know how.

Baker Street suggests that stocking long-life products is one way retailers can help shoppers reduce waste.

A total of 29% said the cost-of-living crisis has made them more aware of the ingredients and meals they personally waste.

New research from Lumina Intelligence has found that growth in the food-to-go market is set to outpace growth in the eating-out market in 2023, presenting a significant opportunity for Premier retailers this year.

The insight specialist’s Food-To-Go Report 2023 found that, despite slow recovery in footfall, the value of food-to-go sales nonetheless increased by 31.7% in 2022 to a value of £21.4 bn. This means that the market in 2022 is actually 0.9% higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Part of that growth in value has been fuelled by inflation but a recovery in footfall has also been a major contributing factor.

The report forecasts that the UK food-to-go market will reach £22.2bn in 2023, with a growth rate of +4.1%. The market is set to reach its highest level of outlet growth since the pandemic with independent retailers among those capitalising on opportunities for more diverse outlets.

The report predicts that food-to-go growth will

Food-To-Go Market

l 7% increase by value

l Total market value now £21.4bn

l 2022 value 0.9% higher than pre-pandemic

l Market to grow 4.1% in 2023 to £22.2bn

outpace the total eating-out market growth, and key channels, such as convenience stores, are well placed to benefit from that increased value.

Go Local wins phase 4 approval

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s Go Local Programme has secured approval for the next phase of the project.

The fourth phase will provide even more support to help Scottish convenience stores provide dedicated, long-term display space for locally-sourced Scottish products.

The target is to increase the turnover of locally and nationally produced Scottish products within the convenience store sector, to mitigate lost volumes in other sectors, and to aid economic recovery for Scottish manufacturers and producers.

Phase 4 will see a further allocation of £190,000 for the programme, the selection of at least 40 geographically and demographically diverse stores to secure increased display space for Scottish products and using the available Scottish supplier databases to grow the number of suppliers and improve customer choice.

New research suggests that growth in the foodto-go market will outstrip growth in the eating-out market in 2023, creating opportunities for Premier retailers.

Two more Booker butchers join the butchery elite

FOOTFALL ON THE RISE

Total UK footfall increased by 10.4% in February year-on-year while High Street footfall increased by 17.8%, according to the latest data from the rolling British Retail Consortium (BRC) Footfall Monitor.

Two more Booker butchers have been accepted as an Institute of Meat (IoM) accredited Master Butcher, joining a very select group of fewer than 70 butchers nationwide who have received the accreditation.

Letitia Redfern MB.Inst.M and Steven Russell MB.Inst.M received their much coveted titles at the Institute of Meat and Worshipful Company of Butchers Annual Prizegiving, which took place in February at the ancestral home of the meat industry, Butchers Hall in London.

In doing so, Letitia became only the second woman in history to receive the prestigious accreditation.

The long-running programme seeks to recognise and reward outstanding achievement in the meat industry. Alongside awards for exceptional apprentices, the prizegiving is where the highest levels of attainment in butchery are acknowledged, with the granting of Institute of Meat accredited

Master Butcher (MB.Inst.M) status to a select few accomplished butchers.

Commenting on her accreditation, Letitia said: “Achieving the title of Master Butcher is the highlight of my career. I am incredibly proud to be only the second female who has achieved such a prestigious award with the Institute of Meat. I hope that I can continue to pass on my knowledge and skills to future generations of butchers, inspiring more women to follow in my footsteps of becoming IoM Master Butchers in the future.”

Steven added: “The vast majority of my working life I have been involved with butchery, at all levels and serving a variety of markets. I am grateful to Booker for enabling this qualification. With experience and credentials, I feel empowered and invigorated, looking forward to the challenges ahead with greater vigour and increased confidence.”

BRC Chief Executive HelenDickinson OBE said: “Footfall remained in good growth although slower than the rush of Christmas shopping and January sales. Retailers will need to build on the improving footfall with further investment to encourage shoppers to visit their stores. However, it is vital that Government does not burden the retail industry with additional costs that hinder the evolution of thriving retail locations.”

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

Two more Booker butchers have been formally accredited as Master Butchers, including Letitia Redfern – only the second women to receive the hallowed title.

NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER

Premier retailer rewarded with trip of a lifetime

Premier retailer Sheraz Awan, of Westerhope Convenience Store in Newcastle, has been rewarded for his heroic community efforts with an all expenses paid holiday to Florida.

Sheraz, who has run the Premier store for the last 20 years, was surprised with the prize by tv-personality Fleur East on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway earlier this month.

Sheraz, who started handing out free loaves of bread to the community during the Covid-19 pandemic, has now donated more than 150,000 loaves to those in need.

“Some weeks I handed out more than 1,000 loaves and on one day in particular, I donated 1,500. I couldn’t bear the thought of any child going hungry. I obviously didn’t do it for the fame but it was pretty wonderful to be recognised for all the effort!” he told Talking Shop.

£6.5k for Breast Cancer

Big-hearted shoppers at Khaira’s stores, which operates two Premier outlets in Alloa, have helped raised an amazing £6,479.44 for the Breast Cancer Now charity.

The fundraiser took place over two days outside Khaira’s Medway store and raised the impressive sum as well as helping increase awareness about breast cancer among the store’s shoppers.

The event has been so successful that the store says it will run the event for another two days later in the year.

Food friends

Premier Bruton, in Somerset, has been supporting local food bank Brue Larder.

The store acts as a collection point for the food bank, which supplies food and household items to those struggling with the cost of living or those that cannot work because of disability or health issues.

The food bank said: “A huge thank you to Bhavin and his team for the continued support of having a collection point.

“Also a massive thank you to everyone who donates each week and supports the Brue Larder food bank. It makes such a difference –the box was bulging this week.”

BONE BENEFACTORS

Peak Stores Premier in Duckmanton, Chesterfield, has raised £335 for Bone Cancer Research Trust.

The store had an in-store collection tin to raise sponsorship for Wendy Robinson to take part in the charity’s Team Bones 100km Dog Walk with Dudley the Golden Retriever.

Robinson said: “A huge thank you to everyone who donated in the charity pot and sponsored me for our 100km walk.”

FOOTBALL FUNDS

Aberdeen-based L&M Stores Premier sponsored Northstar Community Football Club 2010 Thistle’s race night as it continued fundraising to take its team to Belgium to compete in a tournament this year.

The store said: “It’s always great to give back to the community, especially when the coaches are working so hard to create memories that will last forever for their team.”

IndustryNews

INDUSTRY

Sales in the convenience retailing market rose by 8% in the four weeks to 25 February, says new NIQ data.

VEGANUARY HITS RECORD NUMBERS

Veganuary, the global organisation encouraging people to try vegan in January and beyond, has released its 2023 campaign review revealing recordbreaking participation levels this year.

February was a strong month for the independent retailing sector with total convenience store sales up 8% by value and 1.4% by volume in the four weeks to 25 February, according to NIQ, the consumer intelligence company previously known as NielsenIQ.

NIQ says the data suggests

many shoppers prefer to visit convenience stores to limit their overall grocery spend. The report found that volumes at the supermarkets fell by 4.1% in the same period.

Online sales fell by 2.5% as a result of ‘fewer shoppers and less spend’.

Mike Watkins, NIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “Longer-term price cuts and price locks are now favoured by retailers and shoppers to short-term promotions. This also helps give shoppers more price transparency.”

More than 700,000 shoppers officially signed up with participants from nearly every country in the world. A record 4% of UK shoppers participated in Veganuary for at least part of the month of January and almost 100 UK organisations took part in organisation’s Workplace Challenge.

The organisation also says at least 1,610 new vegan products were launched globally during January - the largest number yet.

Booker Group has launched its first Colleague Network to champion gender equality and to help women be at their best.

The initial aims of the network, called Women in Booker, are to raise awareness of gender imbalance, to create network opportunities and to support, inspire and motivate female careers across the business. The network is sponsored by members of the Booker Executive including Sheila Gallagher, Rebecca Mallows, and Helen Williams – alongside Stuart Hyslop - a male ally to the network.

The network will be chaired by National Accounts Controller Abbie Hackwell with support from Head of Transport Maria Chittenden.

Following the launch, a colleague Steering Committee is being created that will help to form and shape the developments of the future.

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

IndustryNews

Retailers with Post Offices see £1bn of spending

A new independent report by economics and policy consultancy London Economics has found that visits to post offices generate more than £3bn a year of spending in nearby shops and businesses and nearly £1bn of spending in host retailers because of the additional customers that post offices attract.

London Economics also found that money was spent in neighbouring shops and premises on over two-in-five visits to branches. For every £1 spent by Post Office, an additional £1.51 is generated across the wider economy.

Nick Read, Chief Executive of Post Office, said: “Post Office branches are essential to the high street ecosystem. The report shows that this economic contribution is felt in every corner of the country, supporting 50,000 jobs, and generating an aggregate economic impact of £4.7bn every year.

“Post Office is essential for the independent retailers, traders, and nascent businesses of the nation as a whole, who rely on our continued presence in towns and villages everywhere.”

The report also reveals that Post Office is the mainstay of the UK’s banking infrastructure, with 15% of the population depending on their local Post Office branch for cash and banking services.

Read added: “Simply put, post offices, and the dedicated postmasters and postmistresses who run them, keep people connected to one another in what may, for some, be the only human contact in the day. It is very telling that half of customers believe Post Office fosters a sense of belonging in the community.”

Consumer confidence hike bodes well for retail

Consumer confidence increased by 7% in February, according to GfK’s long-running Consumer Confidence Index. All five measures tracked in the index were up in comparison to January’s figures, suggesting that shoppers are becoming more optimistic about their financial circumstances and boding well for independent retailers.

Joe Staton, Client Strategy Director at GfK, said: “Despite the ongoing household challenge from the

cost-of-living crisis, shoppers have suddenly shown more optimism about the state of their personal finances and the general economic situation, especially for the coming year. The uptick across all measures should be welcomed.

“The headline shopper confidence score is still behind pre-lockdown levels, but a little consumer resilience might be what we need to soften any downturn in 2023.”

PERSONAL CASH WITHDRAWALS UP 8% YEAR ON YEAR IN FEB

Personal cash withdrawals exceeded £700m at Post Office counters in February – up 8% year-on-year.

However, the short month and continuing cost of living and high street challenges contributed to monthon-month falls in personal and business cash deposits.

Personal cash deposits totalled £1.22 billion in February, down 12.7% month-on-month, but up 7% year-on-year.

Business cash deposits totalled £985 million in February, down 9.7% month-on-month, but up 4.7% year-on-year.

Post Office is giving 1p from every cash withdrawal over the counter at its 11,500 branches to the Trussell Trust.

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

A new report has found that post offices generate almost £1bn of spending in host retailers because of the extra footfall.

ENJOY TASTY SALES THIS RAMADAN

IndustryNews

Working from home ‘is here to stay’

More than 40% of British shoppers continue to work from home at least once a week, according to a new Office for National Statistics (ONS) report.

The report reveals that between September 2022 and January 2023, 28% of shoppers reported hybrid working and a further 16% worked solely from home, creating significant opportunities for local independent retailers across key shopper missions like food to go and meal for tonight.

Home delivery expert ParcelHero believes people working from home is now a firmly established market that presents independent retailers with major potential for growth – if this new audience can be targeted effectively.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research David Jinks said: “These latest ONS figures show home working is far from a flash in the pan. Before the pandemic, very few people worked from home. As recently as 2019, just 12% reported working from home at some point in the previous week. Of course, Covid changed that. At its height, 49% of us worked from home at some point during the week.

“Crucially, that number has not fallen nearly as

far as many suspected. With more people spending more time in their local area, there are many opportunities for local independent retailers who actively target this market.”

ACS highlights retailers’ role in tackling loneliness

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is highlighting the vital role that independent retailers play in alleviating loneliness in communities across the UK as part of a new government campaign.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has launched its new loneliness campaign activity as part of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign. The shopper-facing campaign includes advice and tips for those who may be experiencing loneliness.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Local shops operate at the heart of communities across the UK and this means that they are well placed to help alleviate loneliness and support their customers. We are encouraging retailers to engage with their colleagues and customers and build on the fantastic work that they’re already doing to tackle loneliness in their communities.”

ALCOHOL DISPLAY BAN PLANS ‘UNWORKABLE’

Plans to restrict the display of beers, wines and spirits in Scottish stores are “unworkable”, the Scottish Government was warned by NFRN Scottish President Alex Farooqi.

The Scottish Government is consulting on measures to restrict the advertising of beers, wines and spirits as part of a campaign to reduce problematic drinking across society. In small stores, alcohol would have to be displayed out of sight while bigger stores would have to keep alcohol away from entrances, exits and checkouts.

Farooqi has dismissed the proposals as “simplistic, unworkable and another threat to the livelihoods of independent retailers”.

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

The working from home trend established during the pandemic is set to remain in the longer term, creating opportunities for retailers.

A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY

GroceryAid Day 2023 is fast approaching!

Independent retailing industry charity GroceryAid is set to host its official GroceryAid Day awarenessraising event for 2023 on 10 May.

GroceryAid Day was created to be a high-profile opportunity for the entire industry to come together and make sure everyone in our industry is aware of the free and confidential support services the charity can offer to industry colleagues in need of financial, emotional or practical help. Support is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Grocery Aid’s far-reaching support includes financial grants, practical advice, business money advice carers support and more. There are also a wide range of counselling services available for grocery colleagues struggling with emotional and relationship challenges, traumatic experiences and bereavement.

The charity works on behalf of the entire industry from head office through to factory and shop floors and, unfortunately, demand for its services has never been higher following the challenges of the last few years.

Last year over 220 companies in the trade took part in GroceryAid Day and the charity reached millions of people through company engagement. This increased level of awareness contributed to a 61% increase in incidences of support last year, but there are still so many people who don’t know about the free and confidential support available to them. By getting involved in GroceryAid Day 2023 you and your team can help share the message and ensure that everyone within your business knows that professional help is available, free and confidentially, should they ever need it.

GROCERYAID DAY MILESTONES:

l Today: Add GroceryAid Day to your personal and team calendars, register your interest and order your materials.

l April: Let GroceryAid know you’re taking part.

Taking part in GroceryAid Day earns you one point towards a GroceryAid Award and helps the charity track engagement levels.

l 10May: Enjoy GroceryAid Day! GroceryAid can’t wait to see your pictures and posts on the day.

Industry charity GroceryAid will hold its official GroceryAid Day for 2023 on 10th May and is encouraging Premier retailers to get involved.

Heart of the community

Community spirit is riding high at Billy and Shelley Hartlett’s Premier store in Bacton, Norfolk.

As the owners of a successful convenience business just a stone’s throw away from the beach in the seaside village of Bacton in Norfolk, Billy Hartlett and his wife Shelley certainly know a few things about waves and storms.

And the pair, who made the brave decision to relocate to the coast and establish new careers as convenience retailers in 2012, have certainly weathered more than a few storms in that time.

Billy tells Talking Shop: “We were originally living and working in the Midlands but Shelley, who had grown up in Norfolk, had always wanted to go back and we’d always wanted to own our own business. Retail was the obvious choice. I’m a real people person, as is Shelley, and the idea of playing an active role within a local community really appealed.”

“When Bacton Superstore came up for sale in 2012 we jumped at it. It had a fantastic location on the main road to the beach, with a large car park. It was also surrounded by holiday parks and residential housing, including many holiday lets. We viewed the store one weekend and we put our house up for sale in the Midlands the very next day.”

The store was virtually “on its knees” when Billy and Shelley purchased it, but over the following four years they built it up to a level that they were “really proud of,” forging close-knit bonds with local shoppers, and suppliers, in the process.

Then, one hot day in August 2016, disaster struck when an electrical fault triggered a fire in a stockroom freezer and gutted the store.

“It was devasting,” recalls Billy. “The fire took hold so quickly. Despite the best efforts of the local fire brigade, the fire burned everything back to the bare brickwork. Everything was destroyed including thousands of pounds worth of stock.”

Incredibly, less than three months later, Bacton Superstores re-opened its doors following an outpouring of help from the local community.

“The support that we received was incredible,” says Billy. “All manner of local tradesmen helped us to get back on our feet. We had one local plasterer who would do his day job and then come and work in the store at night to help us get it done. We’d only been there for four

years but in that time Bacton Superstore had become a real community hub and local people were desperate for us to re-open again.”

In December 2016 they did just that, re-opening as a fresh new 1,000sq ft Premier store boasting an even stronger community focus than before.

“Everything we do, we do for the local people of Bacton who showed us such incredible support when we needed them,” says Billy.

“We decided to join a symbol group at the same time and Premier was the obvious choice. The range, pricing and frequency of deliveries was perfect for us. The support that we received from Premier during the planning, fit-out and merchandising process was also second to none and our RDM Alex Levinson was always on the end of the line when we needed him.

“The Premier team pretty much set the whole shop up for us, it was a huge weight off our minds.

“Shoppers were so thrilled when we re-opened, it was incredibly heart-warming.”

And thanks to sky-high levels of community support and sustained investments in the store’s range and services, local shoppers have continued to be delighted with Bacton Superstore ever-since.

Since re-opening Billy and Shelley have continued to invest in the business, installing smart new extendable canopies under which the store can house an expanded range of seasonal products during the summer months. A highly popular 24/7 self-service laundrette has also been added in the car park, featuring 8kg and 18kg washing machines and an 18kg tumble drier.

Fresh and chilled participation currently stands at 32%

Everything we do, we do for the local people of Bacton who showed us such incredible support when we needed them.

The store, whose fresh and chilled participation now stands at 32%, also boasts an ever-increasing range of local products including local milk, eggs and meats including BBQ products and locally made sausages. “We’ve also just taken on The Craft Bakery which offers a fantastic range of fresh cakes and breads,” Billy says.

“The local products perfectly complement the Premier range, where the Jack’s own-label brand and Euroshopper are both performing strongly. Jack’s, in particular, is proving to be a big success with locals and holidaymakers alike, who recognise and trust the brand thanks to its ‘part of the Tesco family’ messaging. Our own brand sales are definitely much higher now that we have Jack’s compared to previous own brand sales.”

The top-selling categories at Bacton Superstore currently include alcohol, alongside fresh, chilled and frozen products.

“Fresh, chilled and frozen are becoming increasingly important to our business,” explains Billy. “Local people and holidaymakers alike

are relying on us to meet so many more of their daily and weekly needs.”

Billy’s increasing focus on chilled produce has also led him to invest in a string of energy-saving measures including solar panels, LED lights and doors on all chillers.

Fifteen new solar panels were added to the store’s roof at the start of 2023, with more to come this summer – an investment which Billy expects to pay back in just over a year.

“Solar panels are a big outlay but one that I think is well worth it given how much energy prices are rising by,” he says.

Also on the up is local goodwill, thanks to the store’s wealth of community support and local initiatives. From free home-delivery to Bacton’s elderly and vulnerable shoppers, to sponsoring and donating to all manner of local events including the local football team and school, Billy and Shelley strive to give back to the local community wherever possible.

The support that we received from Premier during the planning, fit-out and merchandising process was also second to none and our RDM was always on the end of the line when we needed him.

That also includes donating Christmas trees to the local school and supporting local suppliers with in-store tasting events. Each year Billy and Shelley also provide work experience for local children.

“Providing work experience to local kids is so rewarding, we are a family business and there is a strong family feel in the store.

“Every single one of the kids that we have ever taken on for work experience has ended up staying on with us for summer jobs. We have one local boy who has now come back every single summer for the past five years. When you work here, you become part of the family. We like our local shoppers to feel the same way. We’re all part of something very special here,” Billy says.

Footfall and sales are equally rosy, with both up year on year; Billy and Shelley are looking forward to a profitable summer ahead.

“Despite all the challenges, this was without doubt the best decision we have ever made. We love this job more and more every day, it was made for us,” Billy concludes.

Store Profile

Name: Premier Bacton, Norfolk

Retailers: Shelley and Billy Hartlett

Size: 1,000sq ft

Staff: 8

Services: Free ATM, Paypoint, 24/7 laundrette, Opening hours: 6.30am-8pm Mon to Fri, 7am-8pm Sat and Sun

15 new solar panels have been installed on the store’s roof this year

A refreshing change

After 21 years of successful trading at the heart of residential Winsford, independent retailer Pinny Singh Sohal and his family have always had a strong bond with the local community and their valued local shoppers.

Following the successful completion of a major store development project in May 2022, that bond has become even stronger – and the number of local people carrying out regular shops at Ken’s Convenience Store has soared.

Pinny, who took over the reins of the family business eight years ago, following the passing of his father Kewal, explains: “The store has always traded very successfully, and especially since we joined the Premier symbol group in 2015. However, last year the time was right for us to make some big changes.

“The Covid-19 pandemic had had a huge impact. Demand for new products

and services, such as fresh, chilled and frozen had boomed, and we needed to meet those new needs.

“However, at just 700sq ft, we were really restricted by the old store’s size. A big expansion was called for to give shoppers what they wanted.”

With Premier’s help, wheels were put into motion that would lead to the creation of a large new store brimming with innovation and a vastly expanded range.

A visit to the award-winning Singh’s Premier store in Sheffield also provided Pinny with further inspiration and drive.

However, given the scale of Pinny’s project, which included expanding the existing store to 1,200sq ft and totally revamping the interior, Pinny first had to navigate a month-long closure.

“Initially we thought we might have to close for around a week but given how much steelwork was needed, it soon became apparent that we would need to close for much longer,” he recalls. “I

knew I couldn’t leave my local shoppers without access to daily essentials for that long, so with Premier’s help we arranged to trade out of a 20 ft-long shipping container in the car park while the work was being carried out.

“The container was amazing, we managed to get some fridges in there, the tobacco gantry, alcohol and more. Shoppers were thrilled, it meant we could carry on meeting their needs and crucially not lose too much trade. The staff loved it too.

“It was hard work but a great experience and one which we will all remember.”

Pinny’s brand-new store re-opened at the end of May 2022 – just in time for arrival of warmer weather.

“One of the first things that shoppers see when they enter is our striking new Refresh@Premier zone,” Pinny explains.

“We’ve gone all out on Refresh with two flavours of Tango Ice Blast, Fanta Frozen, and Jolly Rancher Slush each

A

“game-changing” refit of Ken’s Convenience Store is helping to forge even stronger community ties.

Average basket spend is up from £3 to £10

plus Hershey’s and Reese’s Freeze, Reese’s Hot Chocolate, F’real Milkshakes and Costa Coffee. It’s been a total gamechanger for the business.

“Everything in the Refresh zone sells well, but Tango Ice Blast and F’real are the real drivers. In the summer months we were selling over 100 large cups of Tango Ice Blast a day and Freal was around 80 too. You hear about how successful the Refresh concept can be from other Premier retailers but when you actually see those sales figures climbing for yourself, it’s pretty mind blowing.

“This year will be the first full summer that I’ve had the zone and I’m expecting it to be

FAMILY MATTERS: Pinny Singh Sohal with wife Harjinder Kaur Sohal, mother Ajmer Kaur Sohal and brother Sunny Singh Sohal.

Name: Ken’s Convenience Store, Winsford, Cheshire

Retailer: Pinny Singh Sohal

Size: 1,200sq ft

Staff: 6 plus family members

Services: Free ATM, Paypoint, National Lottery, Payzone, Mersey Crossing Tickets

Opening Hours: 7am-10pm Mon-Sat, 8am-9pm Sunday

bigger than ever now that it’s well bedded in.”

On food-to-go, the store also boats Rollover hotdogs and cheeseburgers, which are complemented by a quality range of chilled homemade pies and sandwiches from local suppliers.

“We also have a local butcher who supplies us with some fantastic chilled meats. Finally, we can offer shoppers the range they were hoping for,” says Pinny.

“We only had two fridges before but now we have more than six metres of double-door fridges for chilled foods, plus a five-door freezer. Prior to the refit, we hardly sold any frozen foods, and I could barely run meal deals; it was so frustrating. Now, I can offer shoppers a fantastic range supported by eye-

catching deals too.”

Another “game changing” development included the creation of a new Beer Cave.

“I was planning on having a nice large stockroom but, when I saw the Beer Cave at Singh’s Premier – I thought ‘I’ve got to have one of those!’,” Pinny laughs.

“In a small town like Winsford, no one has ever seen a Beer Cave. The reaction from shoppers has been incredible. The look on their faces when the doors slide open to reveal the cave is priceless, they love the experience.

“It’s enabled me to double my chilled alcohol range. I can now chill down all my multi-packs and I’ve introduced real ales. We only did Newcastle Brown before but now I’ve got a great range of real ales and they’re

selling really well.

“The Beer Cave and Refresh have both paid for themselves already, which is pretty great going, less than a year later.”

All in all, total store sales have climbed from £15,000 a week to just under £30,000 since the work was completed and Pinny says that he’s seen “hundreds if not thousands of new faces” shopping the store.

“I wasn’t prepared for just how many new faces we would see as a result of the changes,” Pinny says.

“We’ve always been supported by a fantastic, close-knit community of local shoppers but, since the development, that community has expanded with new shoppers coming to us from further afield,” he adds.

You hear about how successful the Refresh concept can be from other Premier retailers but when you actually see those sales figures climbing for yourself, it’s pretty mind-blowing.

“An investment of this size can be daunting so it’s wonderful to see it paying back and paying back so fast – and that’s before we’ve even started doing home delivery yet which is my next project!

“The buzz on social media has been fantastic too. Shoppers are constantly tagging us, and we get great reactions and interactions with our posts. There’s a lot of love for Ken’s Convenience Store on socials,” he laughs.

“I’m so made up with everyone’s reactions and so proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Average weekly sales have climbed from £15,000 a week to £30,000

I wasn’t prepared for just how many new faces we would see as a result of the changes. I’m made up with people’s reactions.

WINS PRESTIGIOUS PRODUCT OF THE YEAR 2023

Juul Labs’ all new JUUL2 system has been awarded Product of the Year 2023 in the ‘Vaping & Heated Tobacco Products’ category, following an independent nationwide survey of 8,000 adult consumers by Kantar.

The annual Product of the Year Award is the largest and most comprehensive study of product innovation in the UK, shortlisted by a panel of experts and awarded by the public.

The 2023 Award coincides with the launch of a new JUUL2 Blackcurrant Tobacco variant - a classic tobacco flavour with ripe blackcurrant notes, which further extends the JUUL2 portfolio in the UK. The new Blackcurrant Tobacco JUULpods launched on the JUUL website in January and will be rolled out across Booker from April.

Outlining the company’s ambitions for the UK, Richard Cook, Director of National Account at JUUL Labs UK commented: “It is testament to our continued focus on technological innovation, adult-focused portfolio

range, and responsible market stewardship that we’ve been awarded recognition as Product of The Year in the Vaping and Heated Tobacco Products category. We have been encouraged by the number of adult smokers and vapour users who have transitioned to the new JUUL2 system since launch last year, and we are confident that the introduction of our new Blackcurrant Tobacco pods will provide even more adult smokers with greater choice to help them move away from combustible cigarettes.”

The new blackcurrant product will be available in 18mg/ml nicotine strength and will join Virginia Tobacco, Autumn Tobacco, Crisp Menthol, Polar Menthol, Ruby Menthol, Summer Menthol and in the JUULpods portfolio.

Blackcurrant JUULpods will be available to Booker customers from the beginning of April with a RRP of £5.99 for a 2pack of pods. To order Blackcurrant Tobacco and all other JUUL2 products, scan the QR code and visit juullabsretailer.com for advice on how to retail vaping products responsibly.

Starter Kit Device, Charging Dock, Virginia Tobacco and Crisp Menthol JUUL2 pods JUUL2 pods

Virginia Tobacco, Crisp Menthol, Polar Menthol, Autumn Tobacco, Ruby Menthol, Summer Menthol and Blackcurrant Tobacco flavours (2 pods, 18mg/mL strength)

scan here

Netting local needs

Fish and chip shop owners Serkan and Turgut have opened their first convenience store in the Norfolk village of Methwold – and shoppers are hooked.

As the owners of a successful fish and chip shop in the bustling Norfolk village of Methwold for the past eight years, business partners Serkan Araz and Turgut Imanli, were all too aware of the local need for a well-stocked, professionally run convenience store.

“Methwold is a great community of around 1,700 people, with a primary school, secondary school and lots of independent businesses,” Serkan explains.

“There was however, no convenience store in the village, meaning that local people had to drive more than four miles to go to the nearest local store for their top-up needs and even

further for a full supermarket shop.”

“There are lots of families living here, plus many retired people and we also get a fair bit of passing trade. We’d run ‘Rumbles’ Fish Bar in the village for just over eight years and were well aware of the opportunity that a convenience store could present.”

In late 2021, the opportunity that Serkan and Turgut were waiting for presented itself, when an old house located directly opposite Rumbles came up for sale.

The pair bought the premises, and after a four-month planning procedure to change its use, work to convert the building from old house to contemporary store began.

Like many of Methwold’s older buildings,

the former house had been constructed using an old building material called ‘chalk clunch,’ meaning that weak internal walls had to be strengthened with steel supports as part of the extension and refurbishment project.

It was during this time that Serkan and Turgut also decided to join the Premier fold.

“Having worked with Booker on the catering side we were well aware of the strength of its retail offer,” Serkan explains. “Premier was so clearly the perfect fit for us. The range, pricing and promotions were exactly what the village needed.

“As first-time retailers we needed a symbol partner that we could rely on to offer high levels of support too, and Premier has

certainly done that. Our RDM Gopan Vijayan has also been incredible.

“The Premier team advised us on everything, analysing local and national trends to help us create the perfect range for local needs in a store with a real ‘wow’ factor. Shoppers at Premier Methwold Convenience Store can now access quality products from across every key convenience category and even more besides.”

Methwold’s brand-new convenience store opened its doors on 3 August 2022, offering shoppers a winning mix of fresh and chilled produce, essential groceries and household goods, plus an array of footfall-driving extras, such as Refresh@Premier, Vaping@Premier

and American Confectionery – all of which are “totally unique” in the local area.

The new store boasts 6.5 metres of chilled produce which already accounts for 15% of sales and growing. “Dairy products and chilled ready meals are particularly strong sellers, along with fresh fruit and vegetables,” Serkan says. “Shoppers are delighted that they no longer need to get in the car and drive for 10 minutes to top up.

“The Jack’s brand is another string to our bow. Shoppers love the Tesco association. It gives them instant confidence in the brand and once they buy the products, they keep on coming back for more. Jack’s-branded fresh and chilled products are selling particularly

well, as are ambient groceries such as Jack’sbranded pasta sauces. With a great-value price mark of just 75p or ‘any 2 for £1.25’, on 70g bags, Jack’s-branded crisps are also a top seller. I expect own-brand sales to climb considerably over the coming months, as more and more shoppers catch on.”

The store’s successful chilled offer is housed within smart and ultra-energy-efficient chillers with doors and enhanced by moodboosting ‘blue sky’ light panels which shine down from up above.

“The blue sky light panels created a real buzz when we opened,” Serkan laughs. “Local people hadn’t seen anything like them around here before, so they were a big talking-point.

We get very positive feedback about the lights, shoppers say they really lift their mood, especially on cold, grey days.”

And moods aren’t the only thing being lifted.

Alcohol sales have climbed month on month since the store opened, and currently account for around 17% of sales, driven by beers, wine and cider. “The strength of cider sales has surprised me,” Serkan says. “It’s fast becoming our top-selling alcohol category. Shoppers buy right across the range from ultra-value brands including 3L bottles of Barnstormer Dry Cider, right through to midpriced and more premium options such as Strongbow, Thatchers Gold and Old Mout.

“The Premier pricing is a big driver of sales, especially the promotions which we always ensure are well supported with the relevant POS.”

Grocery and tobacco account for 10% and 14% of sales respectively, but Serkan is also reporting mounting success with frozen foods, of which he has three metres, and vape products which are housed in a dedicated Vaping@Premier shopfloor display.

As first-time retailers we needed a symbol partner that could offer us high levels of support and Premier has certainly done that.

Serkan Araz

The store sells more than 100 cups of slush a day in the winter

“Our Refresh@Premier offer also set us apart and has created a further ‘wow’ factor,” Serkan adds. “No other store in a 15-mile radius has anything like our Refresh offer, which includes two flavours of Jolly Rancher slush, Hershey’s and Reeses Freeze, and a Costa Express. The slush is proving to be a real hit with the local secondary school kids, and parents and passers-by are popping in for coffees. We sell at least 20 cups of each of the slush flavours a day, which is pretty good considering the size of the village and we’re expecting Refresh to really take off this summer.”

“American sweets have also been a big surprise to me,” Serkan adds. “Being new to retail I wasn’t previously aware of the trend and it’s shocked me how popular the range

is. From day one American Confectionery created huge excitement, driving footfall from local shoppers and from much further afield. With great profit margins of more than 40% on many of the products, it’s a real win.”

As the only store in the village, it also includes a small but perfectly formed range of OTC medicines, including cough and cold remedies, plasters and other essential first aid items.

Premier Methwold Convenience Store is also a proud supporter and stockist of local products, including freshly baked bread and cakes from Hyam’s bakery, as well as local ciders and ales.

Just over six months after opening, weekly sales at the 900sq ft store now average £20,000, although during the summer of

2022, that figure hit £24,000, with Serkan anticipating even hotter sales this summer, now that the store has bedded in.

Average basket spend is also £8 and growing.

“Local shoppers are delighted with their new store and they are also really happy for us, having known us previously through Rumbles,” says Serkan. “The two businesses actually complement each other really well, with lots of shoppers ordering their fish and chips and popping into the store for a pack of beer or bottle of wine plus a dessert, while their food is cooking.

“We’re so proud of what we’ve achieved and we can’t wait to see what the year ahead holds.”

Premier was so clearly the perfect fit for us. The range, pricing and promotions were exactly what the village needed.

Serkan Araz

The full package

A transformational refit of Reuben Sittampalam’s former alcohol store is delivering benefits.

The full package. That’s how convenience retailer Reuben Sittampalam describes his newly transformed store in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

And, having opened just four days ahead of Christmas 2022, Premier Princes Road was a full package that local shoppers simply could not wait to unwrap.

Reuben explains: “I’ve been a convenience retailer for almost 17 years now and bought this store just over a decade ago.”

Originally purchased as a Bargain Booze, Reuben had continued to operate the store with a primary focus on alcohol. However, following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and growing cost-of-living crisis, in late 2022 he decided that the time was right for a total rethink, and rebirth of the business.

“Times were getting harder, and I knew that in order to generate bigger and better sales and profits that I needed to make some drastic changes to the store’s offer,” he says.

“It’s just not enough to major on alcohol anymore. Shoppers want so much more from their local stores these days. They want fresh and chilled products, frozen foods and quality, innovative food- and drink-to-go solutions – and that’s where Premier came in.”

With the help of the Premier team, Reuben’s old booze-focused store was transformed in a top-to-bottom refurbishment project that took just under one month.

“The change was incredible, and I literally

Shoppers want so much more from their local stores these days. They want fresh and chilled products, frozen foods and quality, innovative food- and drink-to gosolutions – and that’s where Premier came in.

couldn’t wait to get the doors open and show it off to local shoppers,” Reuben says. “We managed to open just before Christmas and shoppers literally couldn’t believe their eyes,” he says.

And it’s little wonder why. The comprehensive refit has gifted local shoppers a totally new and locally unprecedented convenience offer which majors on fresh and chilled produce and food- and drinks-togo. There’s also a comprehensive ambient grocery offer, including crisps, snacks, juices, cakes and frozen foods – all of which are also backed with a strong focus on value, thanks to the powerhouse Jack’s and Euroshopper brands.

The store’s alcohol heritage hasn’t been forgotten in all the changes though, thanks to the creation of a Beer Cave in which to showcase its bestselling range of lagers, ciders and RTD cans, including large multipacks of 12.

The store’s chilled offer meanwhile, has grown from just four lines to a

comprehensive range including deli items, fresh meats, ready meals and dairy goods, all of which are housed in a high-specification, eight-door chiller.

“Prior to the refit I just stocked one line of bacon, one line of ham, some milk and some margarine, but now we are more akin to a mini-supermarket and shoppers are delighted!” says Reuben.

“We even sell some wonderful locally made sandwiches, wraps and sub rolls from a local bakery.”

A new range of fresh cakes is also set to land in-store in late March, where they will complement its popular range of ambient cakes and biscuits including bestselling Euroshopper Jaffa Cakes and Chocolate Chip cookies.

The store also boats a further eight-door chiller for its soft drinks range, which is further enhanced with an eye-catching Refresh@Premier zone featuring Tango Ice Blast and Costa Express.

“Coffee sales are going really well,” says

Name: Premier Princes Road, Ellesmere

Retailer: Reuben Sittampalam

Size: 1,500sq ft

Time with Premier: Three months

Opening hours: 8am-10pm Mon-Sun

Services: Free ATM, National Lottery, Paypoint, Beer Cave, Vaping@ Premier, Refresh@Premier, local goods

Reuben. The machine was only installed in late February but on the first day alone we sold more than 10 cups and numbers are rising every day, with local marketing still to come!

“It’s still early days but so far shoppers are thrilled by our new offer. “We also sell vapes from a dedicated Vaping@Premier unit on the shop floor and on Premier’s advice we have introduced one shelf of top-selling American Confectionery lines including products from the Nerds and Hershey’s brands – which local kids love.

“This is the third refit I’ve done in my time as a retailer and it’s by far the most radical. I’ve never had such a positive response from shoppers before.

“The offer is totally different from the old store but so too is the experience. Our store is totally different from any other store in the local area, especially with the addition of the Beer Cave. The look and feel is very high spec, we’ve got smart, dark energy-saving chillers, striking LED lighting, including blue skylight panels, high-impact, professionallooking signage and smart new fixtures and fittings throughout.

YOUR LAUNDRY ESSENTIALS

NEW PRICE MARKED PACKS

“Shoppers literally describe the changes here as ‘jaw dropping, stunning and incredible,’ which is fantastic to hear.”

Similarly fantastic are the sales figures, which Reuben says are growing week on week. “Every week the sales just keen on getting better and better. We’ve only been open two months but our sales are already double what they were this time last year. Everything is selling, there are no weak links in the range and again that comes down to the excellent support and meticulous planning from Premier.”

“We are attracting so many new faces and new types of trade. Shoppers now pop in for a sandwich, snack and coffee on their way to and from work or during lunchtime and we’re much busier in the evenings too.

“Shoppers used to just pop in for four cans of lager but now they will buy chilled ready meals, snacks or desserts to go along with their drinks. As a result, our average basket spend has soared from around £4 to just over £10.

“I’m so pleased with the results, we really are the full package now and I can’t wait to see how far we can go from here.”

Everything is selling, there are no weak links in the range and that comes down to the excellent support and meticulous planning from Premier.

Average basket spend has soared from around £4 to just over £10.

King size opportunity

As all Premier retailers know, public holidays and major seasonal events represent fantastic opportunities to grow footfall, sales and profits as shoppers take advantage of the long weekends and stock up for get-togethers with friends and family.

The next few months present Premier retailers with a glut of bank holidays but one of them stands out more than most as a key sales opportunity: the coronation of King Charles III on Saturday the 6th of May.

This is set to be a truly historic occasion, as

events like this don’t come along very often. The last coronation in the UK took place almost 70 years ago on the 2nd of June 1953 when Queen Elizabeth II took the throne for the first time.

An additional public holiday has been created to mark the new King’s big day which means that there are no fewer than five bank holidays in the space of just a couple of months – and that means five outstanding opportunities for retailers to cash in.

HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY

With the last coronation taking place 70 years

The coronation of King Charles III in May presents a massive opportunity for Premier retailers to help their shoppers celebrate this historic occasion.

“I think it’s been something like 70 years since the last coronation so I can see the whole nation getting excited about this one. The whole weekend of the coronation will be a fantastic opportunity to engage with our community and join in this historic celebration – plus it will offer a great chance to grow sales.”

ago, there is obviously no data to show the type of uplifts a coronation bank holiday is likely to drive but it doesn’t seem unreasonable that the excitement around the coronation could lead to big sales growth over the whole weekend of the coronation as Prince Charles formally becomes King Charles III.

To help Premier retailers build shopper excitement and momentum in the run up to the event, Booker has

Saturday 6th May Coronation of King Charles III

Forthcoming Bank Holidays

Mon 10th Apr – Easter Monday

Mon 1st May – May Day

Mon 8th May – Bank Holiday for the Coronation of King Charles III

Mon 29th May – Late May bank holiday

created an extensive pack of highquality POS to add theatre and drive interest.

The pack includes everything from shelf edge strips and bunting to special opening hours posters.

CROWN JEWELS

The official coronation websiteavailable at coronation.gov.uk - is a great place to start when planning your

Useful contacts

l Official coronation website: coronation.gov.uk

l The Big Help Out: thebighelpout.org.uk

l TheBigLunch: edenprojectcommunities.com

JAZ ALI Premier Grangemouth

RETAILER VIEW

celebrations. The site features a lot of useful information and advice, including tips and support on organising street parties. It also includes a helpful toolkit that contains items and resource that you might find useful in your store around the coronation. There’s everything from join-the-dots and colouringin packs for the kids to downloadable postcards that your shoppers can personalise and send to friends and family.

There’s even themed recipes and suggested music playlists to help take the work out of making the coronation a festival to remember in your store and community.

COMMUNITY FOCUS

The coronation is clearly a great chance for retailers to further engage with their local communities – which is why Booker is supporting several community-focused events and initiatives around the coronation.

This includes ‘The Big Help Out’ which

kicks off on the 8th of May, a special nationwide event created to encourage shoppers across the nation to ‘lend a hand and make a change’.

Booker will be helping Premier retailers get involved by providing bespoke ‘empty belly’ posters which retailers can use to communicate any local events to their shoppers. Visit thebighelpout.org.uk to find out more about the event.

BIG LUNCH

In addition, Booker will be supporting retailers who are keen to get involved with ‘The Big Lunch’, the UK’s biggest annual gettogether for neighbours. Created by The Eden Project, the event helps people in communities across the country generate new connections, celebrate their community and help them to make a positive change where they live.

The Big Lunch takes place every year in the first weekend in June and Booker is

Organising a street party

If you’d like to organise a street party around the coronation, it’s probably a lot less complicated than you think. Here’s the official government guidance or organising one:

Q. WHAT IS A STREET PARTY?

A. Street parties are where groups of residents get together to arrange with their neighbours. They are not technically public events in that only those in the local community are expected to attend.

Q. DO I NEED A LICENCE?

A. No, as long as amplified music is not one of the main purposes of the event. Your local council may require you to complete a simple application form.

Q. DO I NEED A RISK ASSESSMENT?

A. No. As long as consideration is given to the safety needs of all those attending, common sense precautions should be enough.

Q. CAN I SELL ALCOHOL?

A. Yes, but you will need to check whether you need a Temporary Events Notice. This costs £21 and covers events of fewer than 500 people.

Q. CAN I REQUEST A ROAD CLOSURE?

A. Yes. For most small parties in quiet streets where you need to close a road, all your council needs to know is where and when the road closure will take place so they can plan around it (for example, so emergency services know). They will need around 6 weeks’ advance notice.

Q. DO I NEED EXPENSIVE INSURANCE?

A. No. There is no requirement to have public liability insurance.

Q. DO I NEED A FOOD LICENCE?

A. No. The Food Standards Agency has confirmed that one-off events such as street parties aren’t usually considered food businesses, so there are no forms to fill in. However, you must ensure that any food provided is safe to eat.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN PMP

STOCK UP NOW

PEPSI MAX IS THE NO.1 SOFT DRINKS BRAND IN GB RETAIL*

encouraging Premier retailers to consider helping organise a Big Lunch in their community.

It needn’t be big, complex task and it can be held any time in June that suits you and your community. It can be as simple as a small gathering in a nearby garden or park or a larger party with trestle tables down the middle of your street outside your store. The idea is that by starting simple, and bringing people together to share friendship, food and fun with a Big Lunch, all sorts of ideas and projects can follow.

It can lead to people doing more within their community and together tackling the issues that matter to them most.

Visit edenprojectcommunities. com to find out more.

EXCLUSIVE BREW

To help shoppers mark the coronation in style, Booker has worked in collaboration with leading craft brewer BrewDog to create a special limited-edition beer just for the event.

Ale To The King is a top-quality

“The coronation is set to be an amazing event and I think we’ll see a huge wave of excitement in the community as it draws closer. It’s a very rare occasion and I think we’ll see the community coming together to celebrate it. Hopefully we can help them do just by providing our shoppers with everything they need to celebrate in style!”

craft beer brewed exclusively for the Group to commemorate the Coronation and will be available only to Booker customers. This is the first time that a collaboration of this type has happened and Ale To The King gives Premier retailers a unique product to sit at the heart of their coronation communications with shoppers.

particularly in key, high volume categories like alcohol, soft drinks and snacks.

Group Exclusive!

By stocking the ale and shouting about it on social media, Premier retailers will be able to set themselves apart and drive additional footfall, sales and profits as the big day approaches. And, of course, what better way for your shoppers to celebrate Coronation Day itself than with a glass or two of this exclusive, unique beer?

MULTIPACK FOCUS

The coronation, as well as the four other bank holiday weekends, are likely to see shoppers looking for a wide range of products to make their get-togethers with family and friends a success – particularly if the weather is good.

This will create big opportunities for retailers,

Multipacks and sharing packs will be particularly important for gatherings such as these, so why not consider a dedicated coronation or bank holiday multipack bay in store? That way you can flag the holidays up to your shoppers, making them unmissable, as well as making it easy for them to shop and driving up basket spend.

Coronation shelf edge strips and posters will help bring the bay to life and attract attention.

GET SOCIAL

The importance of strong social media communications in the runup to the coronation cannot be overstated. The event is certain to be front of mind for many shoppers but, by letting everyone know about the exclusive products and the great deals on offer in your store, you can make a big difference to footfall, sales and profits around this once-ina-lifetime opportunity.

After the challenges of the last few years, the forthcoming coronation and glut of public holidays represents the perfect opportunity to ensure that the next few months keep your 2023 heading in the right direction.

OMRAN AWAN Premier Michael’s Superstore, Newcastle

RETAILER VIEW

EXCLUSIVES AND UP BEER & CIDER

Premier’s Beer & Cider Festival returns in April with a raft of group exclusives and exciting NPD set to drive footfall, sales and profits in these key categories.

NPD TO LIGHT CIDER FESTIVAL

The Premier Beer & Cider Festival is set to return during NP3 (26 Apr – 23 May), bringing with it a massive opportunity to grow footfall, sales and profits in these vitally important categories at the perfect time of year.

This year’s Festival features an extensive array of Group Exclusive products, NPD, firstto-market packs, outstanding deals and more. As always, the activity will be supported by a comprehensive programme of high quality in-store POS and digital support to make sure the Festival is unmissable for your shoppers.

It’s the perfect opportunity to bring more shoppers to your door more often and to encourage them to spend more on each trip.

EXCLUSIVELY YOURS

As Premier retailers will be aware, there’s nothing quite like Group Exclusive products for driving footfall and sales. Stocking products that are not available in your competitors’ stores is a powerful way to generate fresh footfall, particularly if you shout about the exclusive products on your social media channels.

New products

Leffe Blonde 4-pack

Corona Extra 4-pack

Brooklyn Pilsner 4-pack

The Festival will feature a range of fantastic Group Exclusive products that will help you set yourself apart from the competition.

These Group Exclusives include BrewDog’s Ale To The King, a top quality craft beer brewed exclusively for the Group to mark the Coronation of King Charles III in May. With excitement set to reach fever pitch as we approach the first Coronation in the UK for more than 70 years, this is the perfect product to help you cash in on one of the most important sales opportunities of the year.

Another Group Exclusive from BrewDog is Black Heart draught stout, a great quality product in an eye-catching black and gold can that is likely to be popular with fans of the black stuff, as well as helping bring new shoppers into the stout category.

Also available as a Group Exclusive during the Beer & Cider Festival is a Kopparberg Strawberry Mixed pack. The innovative 10-pack features six cans of the popular Strawberry & Lime variant as well as two cans each of Strawberry & Pineapple and Strawberry & Mango.

Kopparberg is the UK’s number one fruitflavoured cider brand and the Group Exclusive

Premier Singh’s, Sheffield

“The Premier Beer & Cider Festival is always a big hit with shoppers and, by the sounds of it, this year’s looks better than ever. We all know that Group Exclusives are fantastic for Premier retailers as they give us a real point of difference. I’m particularly excited about the BrewDog Ale To The King exclusive. It’s great to see a popular brand like BrewDog creating a beer especially for our Group and I can see it flying during the coronation.”

MANDEEP SINGH

RETAILER VIEW

BROOKLYN PILSNER 4X440ML CAN NOW AVAILABLE CRISP.

BRIGHT. REFRESHING.

mixed case is certainly one to focus on when it comes to shouting about the Festival on social media.

FIRST CHOICE

As well as Group Exclusives, the Beer & Cider Festival will also see Premier retailers among the earliest to have first access to a range of important big-brand products.

Booker Group will be first to market during the Festival with a new price-marked Thatcher’s Gold 4-pack. This enormously popular cider will be available to Premier retailers for the Festival in £5.49 PMP format, helping to drive sales and profits in the cider category.

Booker Group will also be first to market with Kopparberg’s new Strawberry & Pineapple variant, a huge opportunity to capitalise on the popularity of this market-leading brand.

In beer, Premier retailers will be among the first to have access to a new Peroni 4-pack of cans, creating the chance to further exploit the power of the UK’s number one premium lager.

ALL NEW

Adding further excitement to the Festival will be a selection of additional brand new lines that will help ensure the Festival appeals to as wide a range of shoppers as possible. Appearing on Premier shelves for the first time during the Festival will be 4-packs of Stella Artois Unfiltered, Peroni, Leffe Blonde, Corona Extra, Strongbow Tropical Cider, Brooklyn Pilsner and BrewDog Lost Lager.

3 Group Exclusive products

BrewDog Ale to The King

Brewdog Black Heart Draught Stout

Kopparberg Strawberry Mixed 10-pack

RETAILER VIEW

SOPHIE WILLIAMS

Premier Broadway, Edinburgh

“I’m really looking forward to the Beer & Cider Festival and it’s the perfect time of year for it. Beer and cider are huge categories for us and with so many Group Exclusives, first to market products and NPD we’ll have plenty to shout about on Facebook and get our shoppers excited. It’s always great to get products first as we know from experience that it drives new footfall.”

3 First To Market products

Thatcher’s Gold PMP 4-pack

Kopparberg Strawberry & Pineapple

Peroni Cans 4-pack

The No.1 spread brand*

WSP: £9.10

POR: 20.2% RRP: £1.90

WSP: £15.10

POR: 20.1% RRP: £3.15

M-Code: M279194

M-Code: M279209

POWER OF FREE

As part of the Beer & Cider Festival, Premier will almost literally be handling retailers free cash by allocating three Power of Free deals for the Festival. The deals feature Stella Artois Unfiltered, BrewDog Lost Lager and Strongbow Tropical Cider.

These deals are worth £117 per store, with every penny dropping to your bottom line once you’ve sold the stock through.

3 Power of Free deals – worth

£117!

Stella Artois Unfiltered

BrewDog Lost Lager

Strongbow Tropical Cider

HEADLINE DEALS

As well as bringing your shoppers exclusive and first-to-market products, the Beer & Cider Festival will also deliver footfall and sales-driving deals throughout the duration of the event.

These deals include a Super Premium Basket offering 4-packs of Leffe Blonde, Stella Artois Unfiltered, Birra Moretti, Corona and Peroni for just £6.50.

A Mid Pack Upweight deal will see 10-packs of Stella Artois, Foster’s, Budweiser and Strongbow available for just £10 while a Cider Basket sees 4-packs of Kopparberg Mixed Fruit, Kopparberg Strawberry & Pineapple, Strongbow Tropical and Strongbow Dark Fruits on sales for just £5.50. Tropical and Strongbow Dark Fruits on sales for just £5.50.

WHY IS RED BULL GOOD FOR BUSINESS?

EDITIONS 250ML

RED BULL EDITIONS

GROWTH IS 3X FASTER THAN FLAVOURS GROWTH

77% of Red Bull shoppers agree Flavours are important. The Red Bull Editions line up is proving to grow 3x faster than the Flavours category, with the latest line up delivering the functional benefits of Red Bull Energy Drink, along with an invigorating burst of flavour in Tropical Edition, Coconut Edition, Red Edition, Green Edition, Apricot Edition and the all new Summer Edition (with a taste of Juneberry) all offering shoppers a wide choice of tastes.

NO.2 BEST SELLING FLAVOURED DRINK LAST SUMMER.2

Available now

Red Bull 250ml Range

Order today

+22% FLAVOURS

EDITION YOUR NEW MUST STOCK

Based on the success of last year’s summer flavour release, Red Bull Edition with the taste of ApricotStrawberry is now a perminent addition to your starting line-up.

93% RED BULL EDITIONS

See this year’s summer sales fly and stock up on the new Red Bull Summer Edition with the taste of Juneberry.

MORE CHOICES. MORE SALES.

Deal of the day

Booker’s exclusive Jack’s brand is being supported by a new approach to its powerful ‘2 for’ promotional mechanic.

Spring might have sprung but shoppers are continuing to keep their spending zipped up tightly as they attempt to weather the current economic climate.

In fact, according to NielsenIQ’s Consumer Outlook 2023 report, 34% of British shoppers are planning to “closely monitor” the cost of their overall basket of goods in 2023, while 31% will chose to buy own label products over branded alternatives as a way of managing their spend.

PINNY SINGH SOHAL

Ken’s Convenience Store, Winsford, Cheshire

“Jack’s is doing very well, especially on fresh fruit and vegetables and ambient groceries such as crisps, snacks and confectionery. It ticks all the boxes for shoppers, the quality and price are great. Price is a big focus right now and promotions are key, shoppers are always on the lookout to bag a bargain. The Jack’s ‘2 for’ promotional mechanic is a very powerful one. I think the key to its success is probably its simplicity. It’s very easy and straight-forward for shoppers to understand. Categories such as crisps, nuts and confectionery work really well and it’s very rare for shoppers to only buy one product. The take up of ‘two for’ offers is very high.”

New approach: Jack’s Confectionery

The Jack’s range of great value and quality confectionery products is being further enhanced with a bold new ‘2 for’ brand that will cover 27% of the pack to drive the value for money message home.

Packaging has also been updated to include:

l A bigger window

l Brighter colourways

l Bolder product titles

RETAILER VIEW

ONLY MAJOR BLENDED WHISKY BRAND IN GROWTH IN UK OFF-TRADE

New approach: Jack’s Crisps and Snacks

Given the spending squeeze, the need for convenience retailers to offer a competitive value for money proposition, supported by highimpact promotions, remains critically important.

Helping them to do precisely this is Booker’s exclusive Jack’s own label brand, which now includes just under 400 quality products at great value for money prices.

Since launch, the Jack’s brand has boasted a strong promotional approach, led by its powerful ‘2 for’ mechanic, which retailers say has always helped to drive footfall, sales and repeat purchases.

Recognising the need to shout even louder about this winning promotional mechanic, Booker has just launched a new on pack approach for Jack’s ‘2 for’ deals, designed to enhance shoppers’ awareness of the offer and increase buy-in yet further.

The mechanic, which is already available across a raft of profit-rich

in-store categories, such as crisps, nuts, confectionery, chilled foods and many more, is being bolstered with an even bigger and brighter ‘2 for’ band to help land the value message with even greater force.

With redemption levels on Jack’s ‘2 for’ offers already reaching 85%, the bold new approach is expected to drive take up even higher, bolstering retailers’ sales and cash profits in the process.

The new approach means that the bright yellow ‘2 for’ band will now cover a larger 27% of packs, communicating value to shoppers in an even more eye-catching, clear and simple way that strongly appeals to the current shopper mind-set.

The enhanced yellow ‘2 for’ bands will also continue to be supported with bold red pricemarks that highlight individual pack prices.

Given the current economic challenges, retailers say that PMPs continue to play an increasingly important role.

Jack’s Crisps and Snacks products, including bestselling Cheesy Puffs, Bacon Rashers and Salt and Vinegar Sticks, are also being supported by a larger ‘2 for’ band across the top of packs.

The bold yellow band will now cover 27% of packs.

Product Images have also been moved away from the yellow ‘2 for’ band to ensure that the value message is as clean and clear as possible.

Messaging masterclass

Jack’s products are supported by a powerful on-pack suite of promotional messages including ‘2 for’ offers, pricemarks and ‘Part of the Tesco Family’ messaging.

Premier retailers can further enhance this on-pack messaging with an array of high-impact POS materials to make Jack’s products truly unmissable in-store.

All Premier retailers have access to a high-quality POS kit including:

l Shelf cards

l Shelf strips

l Freezer vinyls

l SEL backers

l Posters

l Barker ears

l Pennants

l Toblerone toppers

Additional materials can also be ordered from the Premier Print Shop including Banners and spare POS kits. Speak to your RDM for more information.

RETAILER VIEW

BILLY HARTLETT

“The ‘2 for’ offers really do work. There’s no doubt that they drive footfall and sales and they also drive repeat purchases.

In the current economic climate, shoppers have gone back to topping up every day as opposed to doing larger less frequent shops and promotions are more important than ever.

Our own brand sales are much higher now that we have the Jack’s brand compared to previously and I think a lot of that is due to the ‘2 for’ offers, along with the Tesco connection.”

The Tesco branding gives shoppers a great deal of reassurance and trust. Our own brand sales are now much higher now that we have the Jack’s brand compared to previous own brand sales. People are shopping day by day. People are very conscious about what they are spending. Promotions are more important than ever.”

In fact, just under 60% of independent retailers say that PMPs are more important than ever, according to a new study by Plum Ideas Marketing Communications Agency, while a fifth of shoppers now say they would choose a particular convenience store if they knew it stocked PMP products, according to Lumina. The vast majority of Jack’s products feature prominent pricemarks on packs,

Get social!

along with the powerful ‘Part of The Tesco family’ messaging, to further reinforce faith and confidence in the brand.

With many Jack’s-branded products also offering retailers PORs of at least 30%, and some offering PORs as high as 50%, the brand’s bold new ‘2 for’ approach also looks set to help retailers’ profits shine brighter too.

Social media can be another effective way to encourage trial and repeat purchases of Jack’s products.

Channels such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok can help you to flag up Jack’s promotions and new products as-well as highlight the range’s value and quality.

Premier offers a great suite of social media assets that you can use to create attention-grabbing posts to promote the Jack’s range and much more. Speak to your local RDM for more information.

Premier Bacton, Norfolk

New Products

Crystal Vapes

Case WSP: £27.99

RSP: £5.99

POR: 43.9%

Cadbury Salted Caramel Nibbles

CaseSize: 10x95g

WSP: £7.64

19 new lines added

RSP: £1.25

POR: 26.7%

Milkybar Gold

Case Size: 14x90g

WSP: £10.29

RSP: £1.25

POR: 29.4%

Aero Golden Honeycomb

CaseSize: 15x90g

WSP: £10.95

RSP: £1.25

POR: 29.9%

New Products

Hovis Simple White 800g

WSP: 90p

RSP: £1.19

POR: 24.4%

Mccoys Epic Eats

Spicy Salsa And Nacho Cheese

Flavours

Whitley Neill

Banana & Guava Gin

Case Size: 6x70cl

WSP: £95.89

RSP: £28.49

POR: 32.7%

Group Exclusive!

WSP: £11.65

RSP: Any 2 for£2

POR: 30.01%

PricesDown

Don’t miss out on an extra 2% POR with Premier Tobacco Club

New pricing and products were recently introduced for the Premier Tobacco Club with members continuing to benefit from an additional 2% POR simply by selling at RSP or below.

PREMIER TOBACCO CLUB

INCREASE FOOTFALL, SALES AND PROFITS WITH:

l Lower WSPs

l Improved PORs

l Market-leading RSPs

l Over 20 lines across cigarettes and RYO

l New products

New pricing and products were recently introduced for the ever-popular Premier Tobacco Club with members continuing to benefit from an exceptional 2% POR boost on Tobacco Club products.

To benefit from the extra profit, all that Premier retailers have to do is agree to sell qualifying lines at Tobacco Club RSPs or below. The lower WSPs are charged on invoice so there are no credits required. It’s that simple.

The Premier Tobacco Club features many of the bestselling tobacco products with new products added regularly.

New pricing was introduced on 15 February and means that Club members benefit from PORs of up to 14% on key brands such as Chesterfield and Marlboro

Latest Tobacco Club Lines

2%

– which also offer the cheapest prices on display.

Chesterfield Red and Blue cigarettes have a Tobacco Club RSP of £10.60 while 30g packs of Marlboro Gold Original RYO have RSPs of £14.75 – offering Premier retailers PORs of 12.8%.

Two new products – Sovereign King Size Blue and Sovereign Superkings Blue – were added to the Club and offer retailers PORs of 10% when sold at the Tobacco Club RSP of £11.60.

Blue and Sovereign Superkings Blue – were added to the Club and offer retailers PORs of

Most recently, Premier has added two new products for stores in Scotland: Regal Signature King Size and Regal Signature Superkings. Retailers can secure big PORs over 11% when selling at the RSP of £11.60.

Speak to your RDM now to sign up to Tobacco Club and benefit from lower WSPs and larger PORs.

Benefits:

l Booker Group exclusive discount of up to 11% on collections

l Simple, online booking to organise collections for general waste, mixed recycling and more

l Instant quote showing best price for each service, including Booker discount

l Get real-time updates about your collections

l Professional, friendly drivers

FAQs

How do I obtain a quote?

Visit collectmywaste.com and use the code ‘BOOKERWASTE’ and your Booker customer number for a free, discounted quote, and follow the quick and easy steps.

What types of waste can I get collected?

General waste, dry mixed recycling, cardboard, food waste and glass.

Every pound that Premier retailers can save on their costs helps boost profits and build stronger businesses – and Booker is helping you do exactly that with a Group exclusive deal which will help you make significant cost savings on waste management.

Working with its waste management partner Valpak, part of the global Reconomy Group, Booker has secured a brand-new deal that will help Premier retailers save up to 11% on collections of general waste, mixed recycling and much more.

The service is available via a simple, easy-to-use website –collectmywaste.com – which provides instant quotes showing the best prices for each service, including a Booker Group exclusive discount. Simply choose the service you require, and you will be kept up to date in real time on the progress of your collection, helping you organise your team and maximise efficiency.

Collections are made by professional, friendly drivers who know their way around and can ensure fast, no-fuss pick-ups to let you get back to the business of running a great store and focusing your attention on your business and your shoppers.

RETAILER VIEW

GIRISH JEEVA

Premier

Barmulloch, Glasgow

“With costs rising across the board, every cost saving we can make is important these days, so this new waste disposal deal is fantastic new for Premier retailers. Savings of up to 11% represent a significant benefit and, once again, it’s great to see Premier retailers gaining real value from being part of a bigger Group.”

What bins or containers can you provide?

A variety of wheelie bin and front-end loader containers are available in all sizes to suit your needs. A skip hire service is also available.

Once I have my quote and have agreed to proceed, what is the next step?

Once your services are set up and processed, you will be contacted by your Collect My Waste Account Manager to discuss any further specific requirements. A welcome email will be sent confirming all relevant details such as delivery date, collection schedule and contact details.

When will I need to make my first payment?

Your first payment will be taken by credit/debit card or Direct Debit shortly before the service starts.

How can I request an extra collection or arrange or excess waste to be cleared?

You can request an emergency collection or arrange for excess waste to be cleared via your online account or by contacting the customer service department on 01992 765260.

Am I able to view my account information and collection history?

Yes. All information will be readily available to you via a quick and easy-to-use online portal where you can view all your important waste and recycling statistics.

How do I keep up to date on the progress of my collections?

You can contact Valpak at any time to discuss any issues but as soon as you’ve downloaded the app, you will receive notifications on the morning of each waste collection day indicating which collection(s) are due. Similarly, in the afternoon, notifications will confirming that collection(s) were made.

BetterService

IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

Save up to £10k a year!

The latest edition of Booker’s Added Value Services Brochure is now available, offering exclusive rates and discounts from 28 selected suppliers, all tailored for your store.

One of the many real-world benefits of being part of a bigger group is the substantial savings and discounts that Premier retailers can secure on a range of added value services that help them make more and save more.

As part of its ongoing commitment to help retailers do just that, Booker has recently published the latest edition of its Added Value Services (AVS) brochure which features exclusive rates and discounts from 28 selected suppliers. All these services have been carefully created and tailored to specifically meet the needs of Booker retailers.

Many of the discounts and savings available are exclusive to Booker Group customers.

NEW edition available at booker.co.uk

Benefits galore!

The Added Value Services brochure offers Premier retailers discounts and savings of up to £10,000 a year in the following areas:

l Energy saving

l Finance

l Epos

l Store equipment

l Licensing

l Marketing

l Store Services

l Cleaning

SAMPLE DEAL: ESKUTA Eskuta is the leading e-cargo last mile delivery brand in the UK and Premier retailers can benefit from a great Booker Exclusive deal offering an electric delivery bike for just £1,450 + VAT.

Recommended suppliers

SAVE £10K

In total, the AVS brochure includes up to £10,000 worth of savings that Premier retailers can benefit from across a wide range of disciplines such as energy saving, finance, sustainability, food waste management, Epos, marketing and cleaning.

Booker Group has secured exclusive savings of up to 40% from 28 of the leading and most prominent businesses in the independent retailing industry including Barclaycard, Costa Express, InPost, PayPoint, Just Eat, Valpak and Eskuta.

To take a closer look at the many savings available, simply log onto the website at booker.co.uk and find out how you could start adding to your bottom line.

SAMPLE

Premier retailers can benefit from Group Exclusive debit card rates of just 0.29%* per transaction, credit card rates of just 0.699%* and terminal rental of just £10 per month.

*+ £0.005 authorisation fee SAMPLE

TWO O BARRELS GOOD THEETHIRD GRANT’S MAKES S IT MAKE E IT

Still just £16.99 price mark pack

NP1 to NP3 look out for special discounted price.

Triple Wood for a smoother taste

Ideal for a treat, for a gift or just to try

Let this top trending malt whisky add to your profits.

Sell vapes? You need to act now!

If your store sells any type of vaping or e-cigarette products, including disposable vapes, you are required by law to comply with Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling legislation. These products are officially classed as electrical and electronic equipment and, as such, retailers are legally bound to help with the recycling of them.

ENFORCEMENT DRIVE

Critically, the Office for Product and Safety Standards will begin carrying out enforcement activity on retailers who are not WEEE compliant from the end of March onwards.

The legislation requires you to offer your

shoppers a free of charge, safe recycling point – and it makes no difference where your shoppers originally bought their vaping products. Even if they didn’t buy the products in your store, you are still required to provide a recycling point.

ACT NOW

If you fail to comply with the WEEE regulations you can be prosecuted and fined up to £5,000 at a Magistrates’ Court – or get an unlimited fine from a Crown Court.

To comply with the legislation, Premier retailers first have to calculate the value of vaping products they sell in their store each year. If that value is less than £100,000 you

can join the Distributor Take-back Scheme.

If that value of products you sell is in excess of £100,000 however, you are required to provide your shoppers with a free in-store take-back service that complies with WEEE regulations.

HELP AT HAND

To help Premier retailers quickly and easily put the relevant solution in place, Booker is working with leading environmental compliance business Valpak.

Valpak can help answer any questions you may have as well as helping you put in place the solutions you need to become fully compliant with the WEEE regulations.

Stores selling any type of vaping or e-cigarette device are required by law to assist with the recycling of them, and a new Booker partnership can help Premier retailers do just that.

How to comply:

To comply to the WEEE regulations, you must first establish what value of vaping products you sell per year.

Under £100,000

For stores selling less than £100,000-worth of electrical equipment – including disposable vapes – per year, you can join the Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS). You can do this by contacting:

1. Website: dts.valpak.co.uk

2. Email: DTS@valpak.co.uk

3. Tel: 03450 682 572

Over £100,000

For stores selling more than £100,000 worth of electrical equipment – including disposable vapes – per year then you must provide your shoppers with a free, in-store take-back service that complies with the WEEE legislation.

You can find more information on the government website (www. gov.uk) and searching for ‘takeback-waste-in-store’.

VALPAK

recycle-more.co.uk/vapes

info@valpak.co.uk

03450 682 572

BetterService

Printshop: everything in one place

The Premier Printshop is a fantastic resource for retailers, offering instant access to a wide range of equipment and solutions, all at the click of a mouse button.

How to log on…

If you’re new to the Premier Printshop, or haven’t used it in a while, here’s what you need to do in order to get started:

1. Visit printshop.premier-stores.co.uk

2. You will be asked to provide your User Name and Password, which are as follows:

l User name: your store email address

l Password: ‘Prem’ plus your Customer Number (e.g. Prem898314017)

NEW benefits!

There are a range of new benefits to using the Premier Printshop including:

l NEW simple invoicing via your Central Billing Account.

l NEW equipment solutions now available.

l NEW unifor ms now available.

The Premier Printshop is a fantastic resource for all Premier retailers offering instant online access to a range of high quality materials that can be downloaded and printed in your store as well as allowing retailers to order a vast array of POS, uniforms, equipment and communications materials that are invaluable in helping ensure that your store looks its best.

High quality, professionally designed POS is a must in today’s highly competitive market and the Printshop provides everything Premier retailers need to keep their store looking in top condition.

The Printshop offers a selection of customisable self-print templates that let you create your own store-specific barkers for everything from Multibuy deals and BOGOFs to half-price deals and strikethroughs.

WELL EQUIPPED

As well as letting retailers instantly download various materials, the Printshop also lets you order a wide range of equipment and clothing.

A selection of new equipment in-store and display solutions are available now, as are the latest Premier uniforms, including fleeces, t-shirts and polo shirts.

What’s more, if you are already set up for Central Billing, then everything that you order on the Printshop can be invoiced to you via your Central Billing account, speeding the entire process up and making it much simpler for you by reducing your admin and paperwork burden.

START TODAY

If you haven’t seen the Printshop before, or haven’t used it for a while, why not visit the site today and find out what’s available.

All you need to do is visit printshop.premier-stores.co.uk and log in using your store email address.

Don’t have a Central Billing account?

If you don’t currently have a Central Billing Account set up, it’s quick and easy to join. All you have to do is contact our Central Billing team:

l Tel: 0845 850 5051

l Email: centralbilling@booker.co.uk

More support needed on energy costs

Rising energy costs are one of the single-biggest concerns for businesses, including local shops, at the moment and we know that many retailers have had sleepless nights worrying about how they will keep the doors open in the face of these dramatic price increases.

The current Energy Bill Relief Scheme, which is running for six months from October 2022 to March 2023 is worth around £18bn and has provided many businesses with a lifeline, but for months we were all left with the question of what will happen after March.

Recently, the Government announced its plans to dramatically reduce the amount of money that it will provide to businesses to help them with soaring energy bills.

Under the new scheme, a total of £5bn

will be scattered across all businesses, with a maximum discount of just under 2p per kWh available and this approach doesn’t go far enough to provide businesses with the support that they need to stay open.

In our submission to the Treasury ahead of the Budget, we highlighted the detrimental impact that rising energy costs are having on our sector and made some specific recommendations on how the Chancellor can support local shops. Our three key recommendations are:

Firstly, to increase the level of discount available under the Energy Bill Discount Scheme so businesses receive meaningful support to manage their energy costs.

Secondly, to better target discounts at the most vulnerable businesses that renegotiated their contracts when the wholesale energy prices were at their highest in 2022.

Thirdly, to put pressure on energy companies to allow the most vulnerable businesses to negotiate new contracts to better reflect lower wholesale prices.

We’re calling on retailers to write to MPs to outline the impact that rising energy costs are having on their business, now is the time for us to come together and make sure that our voices are heard.

More info including our postcode tool can be found here: www.acs.org.uk/campaigns.

The ACS has made three key recommendations on how the Government could better support local independent stores with rising energy costs.

James Lowman calls on retailers to tell their local MPs about the impact of rising energy costs on their businesses.