TalkingShop July 2021

Talking Shop ISSUE 112 JULY 2021

The magazine for Premier retailers

PLUS

The sizzle of summer

Lapping it up!

The Singh brothers create a new vibe with their modern refit

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 1

Products to help make the most of warm weather and super sport

Take a fresh look

How to enjoy the benefits of having a focus on chilled foods

09/07/2021 15:30:34

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 2

09/07/2021 15:30:37

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 3

09/07/2021 15:31:05

Talking Shop | July 2021

Welcome Talking Shop ISSUE 112 JULY

Welcome to your latest edition of Talking Shop. Retail is ever-changing, and it is great to see how many Premier retailers are making some significant developments to their stores to bring them up to date with changing shopper needs and to increase their appeal to a wider community.

There are four great examples of these developments in this issue of Talking Shop, in a variety of store sizes and locations, and with each one tailored to the needs of the local community it serves.

One of the key trends we are seeing is the demand for high quality dispensed drinks and treats, as shown by the new Refresh@Premier zone at Singh’s Premier in Sheffield. Innovative products such as milkshakes, gelato and frozen carbonated drinks are prime examples of the new generation of products that are in demand by shoppers, and drive footfall, basket spend and profits for retailers.

For those stores with sufficient space, the creation of a chilled Beer Cave is proving to be another innovation that creates an important point of difference locally, enabling them to sell a ready-chilled multipack of beer or cider.

Now we are in the height of summer we can hope for some prolonged spells of good weather and the continued progress out of the lockdown environment should all help to bring more people into your stores, so products and services with a point of difference and those that create a unique atmosphere are going to be more important than ever.

2021

The magazin

e for Premier

retailers

PLUS

The sizzle of summer

Lapping it up!

The Singh bro thers create a vibe with the new ir modern refi t

Products to hel make the mo p st of warm we ath and super spoer rt

Take a fresh look

How to enjoy benefits of havthe a focus on chi ing lled foods

COVER STORY A radical refit for Singh’s Premier in Sheffield boosts basket spend THE THREE BIG STORIES 25 Under one roof Peter Saleem makes his store a destination 49 A summer of sport Grab yourself a medal from the Olympics 69 Refreshing change Why the future could be all about slush and shakes Share your shop news

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

talkingshop@booker.co.uk Martyn Parkinson, Brand Director Premier

DISCLAIMER: Prices are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change.

4 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 4

09/07/2021 15:31:06

57

Hooch getting into gin, as well as other Ones to Watch

21

69

Points of difference

Refresh yourself

49 Cool tips for summer

25

A bigger and better Broadway Supermarket

7 8

Premier News

An innovative refit and the Premier scratch card returns.

News

A £1million milestone for Premier MJ’s delivery service.

11 Community News

Premier retailers named among the “Newsangels” in a national competition.

13 Industry News

Changes to food labelling law plus a boost for local shopping.

15 Future perfect

The inside story of Singh’s Premier latest store redevelopment.

21 Ahead of the competition

Premier Cash Care Mini Market is transformed with new points of difference.

25 See you on Broadway

A three-year plan pays off for Premier Broadway Supermarket.

30 Small is beautiful

The 700sq ft Premier Llysfaen packs a big punch locally.

34 Fresh focus

Premier retailers explain why fresh food has made a difference to their stores.

41 Be a winner

Key sporting events to drive sales this summer.

72

Cadbury ice cream tubs are a treat.

49 Summer loving

Some key tips on how to make the most of the warm weather.

57 Ones to Watch

61 Prices down

Great value on Discover the Choice ready meals.

63 Natasha’s Law

Vital information you need to know about allergen labelling.

69 Refresh@Premier

Retailers explain the benefits of slush, frozen carbonates and milkshakes.

72 Launch review

Why Cadbury ice cream tubs have been such a treat.

77 Guest column

Imtiyaz Mamode of Premier Wych Lane shares the secrets of his success.

79 ACS Viewpoint

The #Shopkind campaign seeks positive change.

81 Your shout

Martyn answers your questions.

The latest batch of exciting new products available to order.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 5

5

09/07/2021 15:31:09

EXCE ED INGLY GOOD CA KES

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 6

09/07/2021 15:31:09

PremierNews NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER

Exciting new look for Singh’s Premier A state-of-the-art refit for the award-winning retailer combines a host of innovative new features

INBRIEF £1.3 MILLION IN SCRATCH CARD PRIZES Shoppers at Premier stores are currently enjoying the chance to win over £1 million worth of prizes as part of the group’s biggest ever scratch card promotion.

Shoppers spending £10 or more (excluding tobacco and services) receive a scratch card, with one in three cards yielding a prize.

Prizes include a Mini car, electrical goods such as a

Premier retailer Mandeep Singh has completed a full refit of his family’s store in Teynham Road, Sheffield.

The development includes a new kitchen section, allowing the store to prepare and sell its own sandwiches and baguettes as well as hot food, while food to go options have also been boosted by a range of pies and cakes from local bakers.

More space has been allocated to fresh and chilled products, while frozen food has increased from a four-door section to ten-door, creating space for a bigger range and better displays of meal deal options.

A browsable three-metre Vape unit creates an area for shoppers to take their time to inspect products before they buy as well as accommodating a much larger range than before.

A chilled ‘beer cave’ creates additional theatre and means multipacks and even kegs are available to purchase already chilled.

The store also features a new ‘Refresh@ Premier’ zone combining an array of slush, frozen carbonates, iced coffee and milkshakes, plus hot drinks, into a colourful, brightly-lit section.

Overall, the sales area has been expanded from 1,400sq ft to 1,750sq ft, and lighting has been improved throughout, with the windows at the front of the store cleared so shoppers can see in and out of the shop more easily.

Working with the Booker team, market

research was carried out in store, asking shoppers what they wanted to buy and what other products and services they were looking for locally.

Mandeep said: “Shoppers told us that convenience was very important, choice was very important, price was very important – as always – and also that customer service had to be second to none.”

All of the new features are combining to boost basket spend and to draw in new shoppers from further afield, reports Mandeep.

“The Refresh zone has boosted the basket spend massively already, and so has the beer cave and the vape section.

“Our last refit was in 2006. We knew we needed to go to the next level with the store, to bring it up to standard and to be in line with what’s happening in the market. We wanted to get a lot of ‘newness’ into the shop.”

For more on the refit, turn to the feature on p15.

For more on Refresh@Premier, turn to p69.

Sony 4K TV, Apple iPhones and a MacBook, and free stock items with a combined value of £1.3 million.

Every Premier retailer has by now received 1,000 scratch cards and POS material, as well as 21 cases of free stock for the prizes that can be redeemed instantly in store.

Free stock prizes include major brands such as Lucozade, McCoy’s, McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes, Pepsi Max, Rockstar, Cadbury Buttons and Ribena Sparkling.

Shoppers that win the electrical goods or the car need to email ScratchCardWin@superior. co.uk to claim their prize.

Winning cards must be redeemed by the 30th July, 2021.

TALKING TACTICS TALKING TACTICS What are you doing in-store to stand out you in your local market?

What are doing in-store to Share out it with us and your stand in your local market?

Premier retailer colleagues Share it with us and your at talkingshop@55north.com Premier retailer colleagues at 0141 222 5380 talkingshop@booker.co.uk

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 7

7

09/07/2021 15:31:11

NEWS

Premier MJ’s reaches £1million delivery milestone The service has been a “game changer” for the business says store owner Justin Whittaker.

Justin Whittaker’s Premier MJ’s store in Royton, Lancashire, has reached the milestone of £1million in sales achieved through its delivery app.

In a little over 12 months of operation, the store’s 30-minute delivery service is now the most profitable part of the business.

Averaging between 100–120 deliveries a day Monday to Thursday, and over 150 drops on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the store’s catchment radius is only three miles, which helps Justin and his team operate a smooth and efficient service. With a minimum order value of £10 and a delivery charge of up to £3.49, the average basket spend is over £25 and, because of the high fresh mix, margins are over 30%.

Justin now has four vehicles all brightly

coloured and branded to raise more awareness of the service. Demand for deliveries increases after 5pm and at the busiest times there can be up to eight members of the team working on the service, and this continues to grow.

“We are delighted with the delivery service – it really has been a game changer

for us,” said Justin. “I can’t actually believe that sales have hit £1million already. Of course, we were very lucky to launch the service when we did, however we have worked really hard to exceed our shoppers’ expectations.

“Making sure we arrive within 30 minutes is crucial. We always offer great value as a Premier retailer and this has been a real advantage for us. We also have to ensure the quality of the items we are delivering – they have to be as perfect as bought in the shop. Shoppers demand this as delivering a substandard or damaged product means you will probably lose that customer forever.

This is even more important when we know the majority of our most popular products are fresh, such as milk, bread, bananas and mushrooms.”

He added: “Covid has definitely accelerated the success of the service, but it’s here to stay and I’d encourage all retailers to start a delivery. We are still growing strong and, as far as I can see, the sky is the limit.”

Premier stores recognised in national awards An amazing 17 Premier stores have made it onto the Independent Achievers Academy’s (IAA) list of the Top 100 independent convenience stores in the country.

The annual list is compiled following a process of benchmarking, store assessments and interviews.

One of the stores named in the list is Premier Wharfedale in Hull. Store owner Sam Coldbeck said: “We hadn’t entered the awards scheme for a few years but we felt we needed a bit of a lift after the lockdown period. To be named in the top 100 is really big morale boost for the staff and the store.

“Shoppers do notice awards. The fact that we are recognised like this gives them confidence, and gives us an edge in the local area. People new to the area who haven’t shopped with us before might be more tempted to come in and have a look, and we can generally surprise people because we can offer more than they expect to see.”

Premier Wharfedale is also nominated for the programme’s Responsible Retailing Award.

The full list of successful Premier stores in the IAA Top 100 is as follows: Boghar Brothers Premier, Pontefract; Chartham Premier & Post Office, Canterbury; Eldred Drive Stores Premier, Orpington; Hayers of Meadvale Premier, Weston-Super-Mare; J R Green Newsagent Premier, Huntingdon; Jimmy’s Shop Premier, Northampton; Jules Convenience Store Premier, Telford; Millerfield Store Premier, Kennoway; MJ’s Premier Store, Royton; Premier Linktown Local, Kirkcaldy; Premier Morley, Morley; Premier Upholland, Upholland; Shaldon Village Store Premier, Teignmouth; Sturry Road Premier & Post Office, Canterbury; Tenby Stores & Post Office Premier, Tenby; Wharfedale Premier, Hull; and Wych Lane Premier, Gosport.

8 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 8

09/07/2021 15:31:12

Booker brands triumph at The International Wine Challenge Booker own brands Quirky Bird and Seven Tenths have been commended by an international panel of wine experts.

A number of wines from Booker’s everyday low price (EDLP) Quirky Bird and Seven Tenths Bin 201 ranges have triumphed at the 2021 International Wine Challenge (IWC).

Seven Tenths Bin 201 Juicy Rose, Quirky Bird Merlot, Quirky Bird Shiraz, Quirky Bird Sauvignon Blanc and Quirky Bird Chenin Blanc all received a ‘Commended’ accolade at this year’s Challenge.

The Seven Tenths Bin 201 and Quirky Bird ranges have been popular with retailers since launch. Each bottle has a peelable yellow price mark (£5.49 for Seven Tenths, £6.49 for Quirky Bird), giving Premier retailers more flexibility on pricing and making the ranges suitable for gifting, The IWC is claimed to be the world’s most influential, impartial and rigorously judged wine competition, and winning an accolade at the Challenge is a significant achievement. Thousands of wines from over 50 countries were judged by a panel of international wine experts in a two-week blind tasting, run under Covidsafe measures, in London this April.

Overall, 62% of all Booker own-brand wines have won medals at the IWC this year. Silver medal winners include Los Picos Distantes Argentinian Malbec, Campo Dorado Rioja Reserva and Champagne Paul Langier Brut NV. Bronze medals went to Campo Dorado Rioja Crianza, Prosecco Spumante, Prosecco Rose Spumante, Marques de Sardana Cava Rosado, Marques de Sardana Cava, Finca Vistosa Argentinian Malbec, El Mestengo Argentinian Malbec, Paterson’s Grove Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, La Pintora Valle Central Merlot, Henri La Fontaine Chablis and Regimental Port LBV.

To celebrate the achievements, own brands Quirky Bird and Distant Vines will be available on an enhanced deal in Premier during promotional periods 5 and 6 (7th July until 31st August).

Quirky Bird Merlot, Shiraz, Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc (PM £6.49) will be on sale at a promotional RSP of £4.99 with a WSP of £21.19 per case (POR 15%), while Distant Vines Fruity & Zesty, Light & Refreshing, Soft & Mellow, Juicy & Spicy and Blush (PM £4.99) will have a promotional RSP of £3.99 and a WSP of £16.89 (POR 15%).

Free four-bottle wine carriers, featuring the award-winning own brand lines, are available to retailers who stock the new EDLP ranges. Contact your RDM or your local Booker branch for more information.

GroceryAid provides a rainbow Industry benevolent charity GroceryAid has launched a new summer campaign entitled “After Every Storm Comes a Rainbow”.

Getting ready to come out of lockdown might prove challenging for some colleagues, the charity maintains, as anxiety, money worries, relationship breakdowns or bereavement could all be having an impact on individuals during the summer months and beyond.

The new campaign is a reminder to everyone

working in food and drink retail – including store team members – that emotional, financial and practical support is always available from GroceryAid. For help and support, call the helpline number on 08808 021122 or visit www. groceryaid.org.uk/get-help. The service is available 24 hours a day, and support materials such as posters can be downloaded from the website.

Getting ready to come out of lockdown might prove challengin g for some people.

Anxiety, money worries, relationsh ip breakdowns or bereavement could be some of the reasons that colleagues in our industry need support.

We’re here for yo u through the 24/7 Helpline and webs ite Scan the QR Code

GROCERYAID HELP

LINE:

08088 021 122

Follow us:

groceryaid.org.uk

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 9

9

09/07/2021 15:31:23

Financial Grants Covid-19 Fund & Advice Counselling & CBT Support AI Emotional Support Health and Wellbeing

WE’RE HERE We provide emotional, practical and financial support for all grocery colleagues through the 24/7 Helpline and website.

Online Wellbeing Community for ages 11-25 Family & Relationship Support Workplace Critical Incident Support Managers Help & Information line Telephone Information Specialists Debt Advice

Scan the QR Code

GROCERYAID HELPLINE:

08088 021 122

Gambling Support Legal Advice

Follow us: Back to Work Support

groceryaid.org.uk TS May-Jun - V2.indd 10 GA-0944 Booker Ad Resize - Feb 2021.indd 1

09/07/2021 15:31:23 25/02/2021 09:25

CommunityNews OPINION, NEWS AND ACHIEVEMENTS FROM PREMIER RETAILERS

Premier retailers’ efforts in the community recognised National competition gives great publicity for store owners going the extra mile.

INBRIEF LOCAL SHOPPING BOOSTED IN LOCKDOWN Spending on food and drink at local shops has surged by 69.3% in the past two years

Three Premier members are among the retailers nominated for the Daily Express ‘Newsangels’ competition, organised by media group Reach in partnership with National Lottery operator Camelot and the National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN).

Dennis and Linda Williams of Broadway Convenience

Store in Edinburgh, Julie Kaur of Jule’s Convenience Store in Telford and Tahir ‘Nico’ Ali of Premier Top Shop in Jarrow have all been nominated for the award, which carries cash prizes as well as supporting articles in the Daily and Sunday Express plus local newspaper titles owned by Reach.

The retailers were all nominated by local shoppers for their charity fundraising activity and community support, particularly during the pandemic lockdown.

Nico said that the articles about his store published in the Daily Express and local newspaper the Evening Chronicle had been widely shared on his shoppers’ Facebook pages.

“It’s had a big effect, a lot of

people have seen the articles and know about us!” he said. “I would say it has made a 10% difference to business – we’ve seen a lot of new faces coming into the shop and some of them have become regulars. One man from Lancashire even sent me a copy of the article to autograph and send back to him!

“The regulars have started calling me Dev, as one of the judges is the actor who plays Dev in Coronation Street.”

He adds: “We are still supporting vulnerable people with deliveries if they need them, but some are coming back to the shop, which is nice to see.”

The winners of the competition are expected to be announced shortly.

according to the latest data from Barclaycard.

The company, which sees nearly half of the UK’s credit and debit card transactions, reported that spending on essential items has grown by 11.4% since May 2019, including a 69.3% increase in local food and drink specialists, a category that includes independent convenience stores as well as businesses such as butchers.

Consumer spending overall rose 7.6% in May compared to the same month in 2019, Barclaycard also reported. This is the highest growth recorded over a two-year period since lockdown restrictions began.

Consumer confidence in the economy and household finances remains noticeably higher than this time last

Good causes benefit from record Lottery sales

year, the company added, holding up at 35% and 72% respectively, compared to 20%

Good causes benefited from a record level of National Lottery funding in the last year despite disruption caused by the national lockdown.

According to results announced by Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd, £1.89 billion was generated for good causes in the year to 31st March 2021 – the equivalent of £36 million every week. Total National Lottery sales for the year surpassed £8 billion for the first time at £8.37billion.

In-store sales were worth £4.9 billion, a decline of 10.7% year-on-year, but this reflects something of a recovery as sales were down by 18.9% at the half-year stage. Since the year end, retail sales have now recovered to near pre-pandemic trading levels, Camelot stated.

Announcing the results, Camelot chief executive Nigel Railton said: “I’m very grateful to our partners in retail who went to work each day to serve their communities, and to National Lottery Distributors who got funding out the door when it was essential.”

and 67% in May 2020.

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

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 11

11

09/07/2021 15:31:23

WIN HOME BAR A

BESPOKE

JACK

WITH

PLUS 1000’S

MORE PRIZES

MAKE IT

COUNT

LIVE FREELY, DRINK RESPONSIBLY. UK 18+ only. Purchase any promotional 35cl, 70cl or 1L bottle of Jack Daniel’sTennessee Whiskey, Tennessee Honey, Tennessee Apple, 70cl Tennessee Fire, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Cola 4 x 330ml pack or Tennessee Whiskey 20cl and Coca-Cola gift pack with glass at participating stores to enter, go online and enter your details. 5625 instant win online prizes available during the Main Promotional Period of 06/04/21 – 27/07/21 incl. 25 x Jack Daniel’s Drinks Carts, 100 x Jack Daniel’s LED lights, 500 x Personalised Jack Daniel’s Glasses and 5000 x T-shirts. Automatic entry into the Grand Prize draw to win 5 x Bespoke Home Bars. Bonus Draw to win 1 x Drinks Carts ends 30/09/21. One win per person. Max. 8 entries per person. Non-transferable and non-refundable. Winners picked at random. NI: No Purchase Necessary. See WinwithJack.co.uk for full T&C’s.

Promoter: Brown-Forman Beverages Europe LTD, 45 Mortimer Street, London W1W 8HJ

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 12 All Access Mag Ad 280x210mm.indd 1 BF_9636 Booker / BRP

M187063 M218932 M258184

Jack Daniels 35cl PM1299 Jack Daniels Tennessee Honey 35cl PM1299 Jack Daniels Apple 35cl PMP1299

09/07/2021 15:31:25 02/02/2021 17:47

IndustryNews A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY

Natasha’s Law in force from October

INBRIEF PLASTIC STRAWS BAN EXTENDED Retailers are reminded that it is now an offence to sell products which contain singleuse plastic straws as part of the

The UK Food Information Amendment, also known as Natasha’s Law, comes into effect from 1st October 2021, requiring businesses to provide clearer allergen labelling on foods that the retailer has prepared on-site.

packaging.

Since October 2020 it has been illegal to supply or sell individual single-use plastic straws or drinks stirrers to shoppers, and this ban has now been extended to drinks

Under new legislation coming into force from October, labelling for so-called prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food will have to include the name of the food and a full ingredients list with allergenic ingredients emphasised, for example in bold, italics or a different colour. The 14 key food allergens covered by the legislation include milk, nuts, mustard and cereals containing gluten, such as wheat.

The new law applies to food products that the retailer has prepared and put into packaging themselves, such as home-made sandwiches that are selected by the shopper from a chiller cabinet.

The business applying the label to the food is the one legally responsible for ensuring that it meets the new requirement from the start of October. For unwrapped products, such as food to go items in a display cabinet or delivered direct to shoppers’ homes, allergen information still has to be provided but this can be done orally or via a menu rather than on a food label.

The legislation has been passed by the UK government and the national assemblies so will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from the same date.

For more information, see the feature on p63 or visit www.food.gov.uk/PPDS.

products where a single-use plastic straw is attached to the packaging, such as a lid, with effect from 3rd July this year.

Paper straws containing plastic adhesives within the inner lining are considered acceptable alternatives, the government has confirmed.

Local authorities are responsible for enforcing the ban and are empowered to make inspections and test purchases in retail stores and to issue fines if single-use plastic

Call for cost-neutral DRS ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has made its case for how a deposit return scheme (DRS) should be introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure that it is workable for local shops and does not leave them out of pocket.

In its submission to government department DEFRA, ACS has called for a number of key elements to be included in DRS legislation to avoid disadvantaging local shops. These include exemptions for very small stores with limited storage space, consistent schemes

across the UK to avoid confusing shoppers, and a fair handling fee so that it is cost-neutral for retailers.

ACS has also raised concerns about the inclusion of glass bottles in any scheme, as it requires bigger and more expensive reverse vending machines and presents additional health and safety problems for retailers that are taking back containers manually.

DRS is scheduled to be introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by late 2024, and in Scotland in 2022.

straws or stirrers are being supplied to shoppers. The level of the fine is set by the local authority concerned.

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

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 13

13

09/07/2021 15:31:26

NEW

MAXIMUM LIME NO SUGAR

EXCLUSIVE FIRST TO MARKET LAUNCH* AVAILABLE FROM JUNE IN 2L, 8X330ML AND 24X330ML Exclusive to the Total Tesco Group for a period of 3 months

*

Time to

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 14

09/07/2021 15:31:27

Sheffield | STORE PROFILE

Innovative

Experience BAND OF BROTHERS: Mandeep Singh (centre) with his brothers Baljeet and Vrinder.

Mandeep Singh and his brothers Baljeet and Vrinder have brought in a host of innovations to their thriving Premier convenience store in Sheffield

A

lthough Mandeep Singh and his brothers are renowned as innovative retailers, the last time their store in Teynham Road, Sheffield, had a fullscale refit was in 2006, so it was due for one.

“We knew we needed to go to the next level, to bring it up to standard and in line with what’s happening in the market,” Mandeep says. “We wanted to get more ‘newness’ in.”

This ‘newness’ has been very successful to date – so much so that the brothers are already planning to create an extra till point on the counter, as the two existing tills have been going virtually non-stop since they relaunched in May. Overall margin has also increased by nearly 6% due to the new product mix.

Before settling on the new plan, the store team carried out market research with the help of Booker to understand what shoppers were using the store for, what else they wanted to purchase there and what other services they were using locally.

Mandeep explains: “Our shoppers said convenience was very important, choice of products was very important, price was very important – as always – and also that customer service had to be second to none.”

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 15

15

09/07/2021 15:31:27

STORE PROFILE | Sheffield

It was also clear from the research that there was a large and growing demand for dispensed products such as premium slush, frozen carbonates and milkshakes, and that Singh’s Premier had a big opportunity to grow sales and footfall by adding these to its offer.

In came Tango Ice Blast, F’Real milkshakes, Fanta Frozen, Jolly Rancher, Hershey’s Freeze and Frappina iced coffee, as well as new hot chocolate and coffee machines. All of them are arranged in a single self–service area, labelled Refresh@ Premier in bright colours.

“Some of these products sell for around £4 per serving, and often they are purchased two or three at a time. Our average basket was £7-odd before – so two of these doubles it straight away,” says Mandeep.

“We are now serving over six thousand customers a week and our basket spend is almost £10.”

As one of the leading retail exponents of social media, Mandeep hasn’t missed the opportunity to highlight the new zones and the range of refreshing options to the store’s many followers.

Food to go has been further enhanced

REFRESHING CHANGE: A new Refresh@ Premier zone brings together a variety of self-service dispensed drinks.

OUT OF THE CAVE: Ready-chilled PD kegs have been popular items from the store’s new Beer Cave.

CHILLS ARE MULTIPLYING: All soft drinks are now sold cold, and chiller space has been expanded.

SOCIAL SUCCESS: Mandeep makes good use of Facebook to post about the store’s latest updates and innovations.

YANKEE DOODLE: American confectionery and soft drinks have been in high demand.

SUPER SELECTION: A vape zone on the shop floor has drawn in new shoppers from miles around.

16 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 16

09/07/2021 15:31:30

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

PERFECT PASTRY: Local pies, pasties and cakes are sold from a new deli cabinet.

SPICY OPTIONS: Curry dishes from local firm East-West Catering have enhanced the ‘meal for tonight’ options.

with an in-store kitchen, enabling the business to offer its own hot and cold food, including filled baguettes, wraps and sandwiches made on site and sold in a meal deal along with a large bag of crisps and a drink for £3. “I reckon this is the best value meal deal you can get,” says Mandeep.

A counter labelled Premier Deli displays pies, cakes and cookies from local suppliers including Woodthorpe Bakery and Patterson’s, which also supplies fresh butchery meat. Local curries from EastWest Catering have also proved popular.

In fact, the entire fresh and chilled food offer has been expanded and opened up, with many products now delivered by BRP. Ready meals and other meal solutions have been given more space, and now have more impact for the shopper. “Now they are displayed better, they are doing really well,” explains Mandeep.

In another improvement, all soft drinks are sold chilled, including a range of imported American drinks that create a strong, and very popular, point of difference, enhanced by a huge range of confectionery from the other side of the Atlantic. Frozen food has also been given more space, occupying 10 doors instead of the previous four.

Another display innovation has proven to be particularly successful. The vape zone is now on the shop floor, meaning that shoppers can browse products for

themselves. With increased space comes a wider range, meaning that the store is now attracting shoppers that previously went to specialist vape outlets, and Singh’s Premier can offer the same products at much better value.

“We are seeing loads of new shoppers and repeat vape purchasers, and they are picking up other stuff as well when they visit,” says Mandeep.

Across the product range, some slowerselling grocery skus were taken out as part of the refit, but overall the shop floor space was increased from 1,400sq t to 1,750sq ft.

And this expansion allowed for another of the key innovations – the beer cave.

The 100sq ft chilled room hosts an impressive range of big packs, bottles and PD (PerfectDraft) Kegs, with the latter proving a particular hit.

When the pubs were closed during lockdown, many people invested in a PD system, for house parties or just to enjoy the bar experience at home, and Singh’s is selling the replacement kegs in the beer cave. Here again, social media has been very effective in getting the word out that you can buy replacement kegs, already chilled and ready to drink, from Singh’s.

The only problem the family have found so far is that they completely underestimated demand and have asked the builders to come back to make the beer cave even larger.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 17

17

09/07/2021 15:31:32

As the UK’s #1 vape brand, JUUL brings in 80% more profit than other closed pod systems.* Your store has the potential to earn over £352 in profit per JUUL customer every year.** Upload a picture of your display to win £500 worth of vouchers.

Designed for adult smokers.

Not for sale to minors.

JUUL is an e-cigarette. This is an age-restricted product and age verification is required at sale. TM and © 2021 JUUL Labs, Inc. All rights reserved. * IRI Total Market Value Sales 4 Weeks to 27th September 2020. Based on a single sale of a JUUL Starter Kit and 2 packs of JUULpods per week across leading closed system manufacturers, October 2020. ** Based on average WSP and RRP of JUUL products, October 2020.

WARNING: This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 18

09/07/2021 15:31:33

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

“We couldn’t fill it up quick enough! It brought in so many new customers we were running out of stock. It was embarrassing at first, but we are managing it better now,” admits Mandeep.

The kegs have also proved a popular item for home delivery, a service that has exploded for the business in the past year, so much so that it actually delayed the refit for a while.

Mandeep recalls: “We were looking at the store and realised that with people shielding and staying at home, we had to offer a delivered service and come up with a plan for that first.

We started with a local partner, but they were taking 15% off the top and there came a point when we were growing our delivery business massively but not making money from it. So we decided to plan our own solution, using our own people and our own vehicles.”

The business registered the name Singh’s Drop, and takes orders via a link on its Facebook page, enabled through a piece of technology provided by Zeus Labs.

Deliveries made by a variety of means including two specially branded cars and three scooters, supported by other drivers if needed.

And they are needed, with weekly sales across the two Singh’s stores offering the service reaching £25K, with average basket spends of £24. Branded staff clothing, including face masks, helps to keep the

service front of mind for people visiting the store.

“It’s not just the other shops you have to worry about, it’s the likes of Amazon too,” says Mandeep. “But we can deliver a chilled beer keg within half an hour – not even Amazon can do that!”

Mandeep recognises that customer service is key to the ongoing success of the business. “It’s the people that make it – you need the right people in place to reflect the ethos and the energy of the business. Whether it’s on the shop floor, in the kitchen, at the counter or on delivery, all the aspects have to be correct. If the staff attitude is right, it all falls into place.”

Mandeep and the family understand that the emotional connection with shoppers is vital, and this fed into the refit with good quality lighting throughout the store and clearing the front windows of clutter to let the daylight in.

“Shoppers feel safe here – they can see their car outside, Premier Radio is playing tunes, it’s all about making people feel good.

“We are looking to take our brand forward by offering a retail experience that is different to other stores. Price, range, service and the environment, the whole jigsaw coming together.”

He adds: “We are still learning every day.

We see it as a partnership with our shoppers, and the stronger the partnership, the better the business.”

Store CV:

Name: Singh’s Premier Retailer: Mandeep, Baljeet and Vrinder Singh Stores in group: 3 Size: 1,750 sq ft Staff: 13 Services: Beer Cave, Food to Go, Refresh Zone, Vape Zone, Local Food Trading Hours: 6am – 10pm

COOL SPACE: Keeping the beer cave well stocked has been a challenge, such is its popularity.

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT: The store is bright and welcoming for shoppers to feel comfortable in.

STAYING LOCAL: The local produce offering also extends to the chillers.

ALWAYS DELIVERING: Singh’s Drop, the store’s delivery service, is going from strength to strength.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 19

19

09/07/2021 15:31:35

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 20

09/07/2021 15:31:36

Hartlepool | STORE PROFILE

Keeping cool in

Hartlepool

Vijaya Kalikannan’s latest store development is all about creating a strong point of difference in a competitive area.

LOCAL HERO: Vijaya Kalikannan has developed his fifth Premier store in the North East.

O

ver the past nine years Vijaya Kalikannan has built up a small chain of convenience stores all trading with Booker symbol groups. And you don’t get to that level of success without knowing how to stay ahead of the game.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 21

21

09/07/2021 15:31:37

STORE PROFILE | Hartlepool

Store CV:

Name: Premier Cash Care Mini Market, Hartlepool Retailer: Vijaya Kalikannan Stores in group: Five Premier stores Time as a retailer: Nine years Size: 1,800sq ft Staff: Seven Services: Beer Cave, Food to Go, Fresh cream cakes, American products Nearest competition: Spar and One Stop on the same parade Trading Hours: 7am – 10pm

His latest development, Premier Cash Care Mini Market in the Owton Manor district of Hartlepool, incorporates many of the latest innovations and on-trend features necessary to build footfall, sales and profits in a competitive part of town.

The store was purchased in November last year, and was then closed for two months for a thorough refit which stripped everything out except for the floor. It reopened as a Premier store in February and is now trading at three times the level of turnover achieved under the previous owner, despite its location in a parade of shops alongside two other symbol convenience stores.

“I’m very pleased with the store, trading is very good and we’ve had impressive sales,” says Vijaya. “Shoppers have been very good to us, and many people have been doing a big basket spend.”

There are lots of chimney pots around so there is great potential to attract local shoppers, and the store has a wide range of non-food and pet food products, as well as

highlighting a very important value message.

But it’s the points of difference to other stores in the area that are really making the biggest difference to sales.

First and foremost of these is the new Beer Cave.

“I think we are the first store in Hartlepool to have one of these,” says Vijaya. “Multipacks are a fast–growing area and most stores can’t put multipacks in the chillers. It’s a point of interest: people love the experience of walking into a chilled room, and they know that our alcohol is always going to be cold.”

Although the refit was extensive and brought in completely new equipment throughout the store, the beer cave was the only extension to the space, and only amounts to an additional 200sq ft within an 1,800 sq ft store.

“It actually saves space, and is no more expensive than it would be to have the equivalent number of chiller units,” explains Vijaya. “We’ve had really good sales so far, and we’re expecting more throughout the

COOL MOVE: The chilled beer cave is a significant point of difference in the area.

FRIENDLY FOCUS: The new look store is spacious and very easy to shop.

HOME COMFORTS: Pet care, non-food and value lines are important for local shoppers.

SLUSH WITH FAME: Dispensed drinks sell well in a dedicated food-to-go zone.

22 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 22

09/07/2021 15:31:40

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

CABINET RESHUFFLE: Smart new freezers and chillers have enhanced the range of mealtime options.

FRESH TREATS: Cream cakes are supplied by a local bakery.

summer.”

A second big commitment was the creation of a large food to go area, with Tango Ice Blast, Jolly Rancher and Brain Freeze slush machines, two varieties of Hershey’s Freeze and a F’Real milkshake service, plus hot coffee and Rollover hot dogs.

The dedicated area, backed by a picture of HMS Trincomalee, a local landmark from the Hartlepool Headland, with its wide range of products has proved popular at all times of day and with a wide range of shoppers.

“It gets very busy in the morning when people come in for coffee, hot food and sandwiches,” says Vijaya. “There are two schools near the store so it also gets busy at lunchtimes and in the rush after school. We find that people come in for drinks and Tango Ice Blast even if it’s cold outside!”

Brand new equipment was installed everywhere as part of the refit, including some smart new chiller cabinets. There has been an increase in chilled space overall, plus more room for fresh produce and frozen

STATESIDE SWEETS: American candy has been a big draw for shoppers in the local area.

TEAM TACTICS: Vijaya is supported by his brother-in-law Ravi and a strong customer service team.

300%

“Every store we develop, foods, meaning we learn something new,” he that the store can says. “We are always looking to offer shoppers increase in sales since the refit update, and to implement new complete mealtime ideas.” solutions.

Vijaya’s sister Sudha and brotherTreats are taken in-law Ravi help with the operation of care of too, with a local the store, and Vijaya also gives special bakery (The Breadbasket) mention to store manager Leanne Salisbury. supplying fresh cream cakes and other goodies, and generating “really good “She has good experience as a retail manager and is really excellent. She really runs the sales”, says Vijaya.

“They can deliver every day except place!” he confirms. “We have seven other Sunday if we need them to, but now we have staff too, all local and all very good.”

He adds: “Booker gave us lots of ideas and been going a few months we have a good idea of what sells and what to order, so they plans, and they give very important support, now deliver four times a week. We get good too.

“I knew food to go would do well because support from them, and it’s good to support it is something different, and the American a local bakery.”

Not exactly local, but equally popular is products have done well from day one, but the store’s range of American confectionery I was a little bit worried at first about the and drinks. These are now spread across chilled food just because we have local two bays, and Vijaya recognises that the competition selling it too. But it has gone range brings more people to the store, and very well, and I can see that the convenience increases the basket spend when they arrive. aspect of everything we do is very popular.”

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 23

23

09/07/2021 15:31:41

READY TO RECHARGE YOUR SALES? BRING IT ON

AVAILABLE IN 7 FLAVOUR VARIANTS

STIMULANTS NO.1 GROWTH SEGMENT*

ROCKSTAR NO.3 ENERGY STIMULANT BRAND IN CONVENIENCE**

* IRI Total Convenience including Co-op, 52 weeks to 27/12/20, Value Sales TS May-Jun - V2.indd 24

ROCKSTAR MULTI-£MILLION RELAUNCH

** IRI Total Convenience, 52 weeks to 21/02/21. Value Sales 09/07/2021 15:31:43

Blyth | STORE PROFILE

one roof All under

Peter Saleem has transformed his shop in Blyth into a modern convenience store where shoppers can get everything they need in a single trip.

FAMILY VALUES: Peter Saleem and his mother Sheila have traded in the same location for more than three decades.

T

he Saleem family have a long history with the Broadway roundabout in the Northumberland town of Blyth.

The family have been trading on the roundabout’s parade of shops since 1988, for most of that period with two stores – one an off licence, the other for newspapers and everything else. But Peter Saleem recognised that what once worked well for his parents David and Sheila was no longer the most convenient thing for their shoppers.

Peter came to the conclusion that what was

MODERN MAKEOVER: A major refit has brought the Broadway store right up to date.

Sales up groundworks and then, in late needed was a single, modern December the former paper convenience store, but to shop was stripped out while create a single shop out of the Peter continued to trade from two non-connected businesses two sites – the wine shop for on the parade was no easy task. licensed products and a container “It was three years in the parked outside for the day to day ambient planning,” says Peter. “We had to extend the paper shop out the back to make room for goods.

“Closing was not an option,” he explains. an alcohol department, and to do that meant we had to move a lot of drainage, as well as “We have served so many shoppers for so all the paperwork for the new licences and long, and we wouldn’t be in a position to do all this work without them. We are there to so on.”

In October last year, the builders began the provide a service, so we had to continue.”

40%

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 25

25

09/07/2021 15:31:44

STORE PROFILE | Blyth

COFFEE FIX: A Costa machine has been a major draw in the area.

Staff volunteers worked on a rolling 24– hour shift to strip out the old store, even though it was in the period between Christmas and New Year, and everyone pulled out all the stops to complete the project on time, ready for opening on January 29th.

“We all worked in harmony: the staff, the builders, and Booker,” says Peter. “It went like clockwork, which is testament to all the planning we did. The store looks lovely now, but to get here it was like climbing Mount Everest!”

As well as being completely remodelled, it has been extended from 1,000sqft to 1,500sq ft, to accommodate the new alcohol section, including a smart new beer cave.

“I saw a beer cave in the USA some years ago and I knew I wanted one’” Peter says. “It’s a unique USP that all our alcohol (spirits excepted) is sold chilled, including multipacks of beer. It feels like the days of the four-pack are numbered – 10s, 12s, 18s, that’s where the market is going. All our big packs are heavily promoted – we do all the leaflet offers and some more of our own on top. And the good deals keep the shoppers happy.”

Something else keeping shoppers happy is a new food to go section.

“It’s a massive footfall driver,” says Peter.

“We didn’t have things like F’Real, Fwip and Tango Ice Blast before. They take up a lot of space, but it’s a new way of bringing shoppers into the store. We have the only F’Real machine in Blyth, and some people used to drive ten miles to get a Costa coffee, now they can just come here.”

Basket spend has also improved because shoppers are enjoying the benefit of doing all their shopping under one roof, maintains Peter, pointing out the huge difference that the new chilled offer has made.

“We’ve gone from half a metre of chilled to seven metres of chilled,” says Peter. “We

ROOM WITH A VIEW: Ready to drink chilled multipacks are available from the beer cave.

MILKSHAKE MAGIC: The food to go zone has successfully driven new footfall.

SUPER CHILLED: Shoppers can get everything they need for mealtimes from the chilled range.

had half a fridge dedicated to it before – no meat, no deli items. Now we are selling fresh pizzas, and all the ingredients for a family supper. We have the Discover the Choice meals on the deal and they are flying out.”

The store’s visitors have always been a good mix from nearby council estates and private housing, but Peter and store manager Kirstie Parker have also noticed a lot of new shoppers recently.

Kirstie says: “One type of shopper comes in for the ready meals, but we have another type who comes in for avocados, strawberries and sour cream.”

The additional chilled space meant a reduction of ambient skus, but a more logical and effective display means that sales have increased overall.

“We were selling 16 different washing up liquids, 18 washing powders and 14 types of tinned peas!” says Peter. “We thought shoppers might be disappointed when we got rid of some of these, but in fact they think we have more now!”

In some categories, however, a wide range is a big advantage, and one of the key USPs of the store is its selection of 126 gins.

26 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 26

09/07/2021 15:31:46

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

Open

365 days a year

Store CV:

BRIGHT IDEAS: New cabinets and in-store lighting have enhanced the store’s appearance.

TOP TIPPLES: The stores huge range of gins is one of its major USPs.

“I think we’ve got the biggest range of gins of any independent store in Northumberland, and the second biggest in town,” says Peter.

Another USP is the range of local products, including bread and pies from Geordie Bakers, eggs from nearby Consett and a frozen curry supplier Shahi.

“They have supplied us for 30 years,” explains Peter. “Our relationships with local businesses have held us in good stead, and they have told us they really appreciated our support during the lockdown. Booker asked us which ones we worked with, and they were all allocated a space in the plan. Sales

Name: Premier Broadway Supermarket Retailer: Peter Saleem Store Manager: Kirstie Parker Size: 1,500sq ft Services: Beer Cave, F’Real, Costa Coffee, Tango Ice Blast, local food, specialist gins Staff: 15 Opening hours: 5.30am – 10.30pm, 365 days a year

LOCAL FLAVOUR: Frozen curries, bread, pies and eggs are all sourced locally.

of local lines have doubled since we had the new shop!”

Customer service is key – the shop opens at 5.30am every single day of the year, including Christmas Day – and a delivery service that began as a means of supporting vulnerable people during the lockdown is set for further expansion as the store has just signed up with the Snappy Shopper delivery app.

Staff numbers, which stood at ten during the refurbishment process, are up to 15 now.

“Our ethos in the business is that we aim to be the best at whatever we do, and I’ve been

TEAM EFFORT: Manager Kirstie leads a dedicated and reliable store team.

very fortunate to have such loyal, dedicated staff,” says Peter.

Kirstie adds: “The staff take so much pride in the shop, and we all feel lucky to have been part of this. We achieved this as a team, and we are still a team.”

And the store is also appreciated by the most important group of all – the shoppers.

“It’s been massively well received,” says Peter. “Some people come to visit and look around and then they might buy a milkshake too.

“Sales are 40% up – I wish I’d done it 10 years ago!”

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 27

27

09/07/2021 15:31:48

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 28 6271575_Trebor 100 Years DPS Advert_BOOKER_V3.indd 1

09/07/2021 15:31:48

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 29

09/07/2021 15:31:48 29/04/2021 15:23

STORE PROFILE | Llysfaen, Conwy

Making a big noise

in a small village HAPPY COUPLE: Siva and Vahini Satgunanathan have been at Llysfaen Stores for five years.

Store CV:

Despite measuring just 700sq ft, a recent move into food to go means that Premier Llysfaen Stores is keeping local shoppers happy and satisfied

A

good way of describing Siva Satgunanathan’s Premier store in Llysfaen, North Wales, would be to say that it is small but perfectly formed.

And it is perfectly maintained too, with a recent refit and a new shop plan bringing it up to date to deliver higher footfall, sales and profits.

Siva and his wife Vahini took over the 700sq ft store in 2016 and converted it to Premier more or less straight away. This involved some initial changes, but he knew that some more significant changes would be needed at some point later on in order to get the store fully up to date. And earlier this year he was able to realise his

Store Name: Premier Llysfaen Stores Retailers: Siva and Vahini Satgunanathan Size: 700 sq ft Services: Tango Ice Blast, F’Real, coffee, licensed, fresh food, National Lottery scratchcards Staff: 4

vision with the introduction of a number of key developments to build on the already excellent community credentials that he has maintained in his five years trading at the store.

The biggest single innovation was to bring in Tango Ice Blast and F’Real service units, and to unify all the food to go offerings into a single section of the store, where the two new dispensers sit alongside a coffee machine.

“I really wanted to get Tango Ice Blast in,” says Siva. “I knew that we needed it in order to be on trend and up to date.”

The Ice Blast machine was the most expensive piece of equipment in the store refit, and Siva thought it might take as much as three years to make a return on

30 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 30

09/07/2021 15:31:49

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

FOOD TO GROW: Tango Ice Blast and F’Real milkshakes have boosted footfall, sales and profits.

ENTRY LEVEL: A new shop front and automatic door has improved the store’s appearance.

200

cups of F’Real per week

BE HAPPY: The success of food to go encouraged Siva to add a donut offer.

the investment. But, such was the product’s instant popularity in the area, it only took one and a half months to pay back the cost in full!

“I’ve sold more than 1,600 cups of Tango Ice Blast already,” he laughs. “And we are also selling about 200 cups a week of F’Real!”

Such has been the success of the food to go section that Siva has recently enhanced the product selection still further with the introduction of a donut unit from Donut Worry Be Happy.

Siva has no doubt that Facebook has been key to raising awareness of the new products and driving sales.

“I was a bit worried at first about the

SPACE SAVING: Putting tobacco into drawers at the counter has freed up space in store.

investment for Tango Ice Blast, but we put it on Facebook that it was coming soon and you could see it grabbed people’s attention straight away. People were telling their friends about it on Facebook before it even arrived here.

“So I knew it was going to be a big thing.

On the day we started with it, I put on Facebook that the first ten customers would get a free cup and it worked so well I did the same thing with F’Real and with the donuts, too.

“People travel from quite a long way away to get Tango Ice Blast, and they are often requesting certain F’Real flavours on Facebook as well. I post something on there a couple of times a week, mainly when new

MEDIA FRENZY: Posting products on Facebook has driven footfall and brought shoppers in from further afield.

products are in the shop.”

As part of the refit, Siva also wanted to expand the store’s alcohol range. Tobacco is now kept in drawers and the space where the cigarette gantry used to be is occupied by a wider selection of spirits, nicely backlit to help them stand out.

The whole shop front has been remodelled with an automatic door which not only makes the store more accessible to wheelchair users, but also frees up more space in the counter area because the previous door opened inwards and there was always some dead space behind it.

News and magazines, which previously took up two metres of shelving, have been found new, more space-efficient locations, July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 31

31

09/07/2021 15:31:51

chilled

The UK’s No.1 chilled coffee brand*.

Starbucks accounts for

50.1% of all ic

ed coffee

category sale s*

CODE

M184018 M181570 M183294

Chilled coffee is worth

£167m

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Chilled Cup Latte Chilled Cup Skinny Latte Chilled Cup Cappuccino

*

PACK SIZE

10 X 220ML 10 X 220ML 10 X 220ML

Brand worth

£84.9m CODE

M131978 M132013 M132015

*

Starbucks outperforming the category at

+30% value and +40 % volume*

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Frappuccino Coffee PET Frappuccino Mocha PET Frappuccino Vanilla PET

PACK SIZE

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

coffee

M209757

Doubleshot

12 X 200ML

Stock up now. *Source: Nielsen 27/03/21

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 32

09/07/2021 15:31:51

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

NEAT AND TIDY: Magazines have relocated to an efficient position.

BRAND NEW: A new Farm Fresh branded chiller creates a feature for fresh food.

SERVICE CENTRE: The new counter area is bright and welcoming.

while fresh fruit and vegetables have been given a more eye-catching position at the front of the store, housed in a smart Farm Fresh–branded chiller.

“We have always sold fresh food, but it used to be in the dairy section, so we put the chiller in the food to go area to give it more prominence,” explains Siva.

“This is a small village and we are the only store so we need to make sure people know they can buy everything they need from us.”

This clear awareness of local shopper needs extends to pricing too, and is another reason for Siva’s continued success.

“When I took over the store, I felt the retail prices were really high. So I reduced them as much as I could, and brought in a lot

GOOD CHEER: The alcohol range has been expanded, including backlit spirits.

60% increase in sales

of pricemarked items, so people feel happier about shopping here.

“We do a ‘two for £2.50’ deal on bread and milk: Warburtons bread and two-litre milk, you can mix and match any two. We’ve been doing the same deal for five years now, and it’s always popular!

VISIBLE VALUE: Pricemarked lines send an important message to local shoppers.

The value message combined with the product range means many local people do most of their shopping locally, and £20 basket spends are not unusual for Siva.

“In the first lockdown a year ago we were mad busy!” he recalls. “But I didn’t put any of the prices up, and I ran all the promotions I could, because I knew that was the right thing to do.

“We delivered to some of the elderly people during the lockdown, but I can see they are coming back to the store in person now. The staff who worked here before I took over tell me they are also seeing a lot of new customers who never used to use the shop before. We’re now trading 60% higher than when we took it over!”

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 33

33

09/07/2021 15:31:53

FEATURE | Fresh Food

It’s time for some

fresh thinking

Fresh food is growing in importance and always in demand, so should be considered a key component of a local shop’s offer.

34 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 34

09/07/2021 15:31:54

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

KEY FRESH CONSUMER OFFERS l Muller milk: two-litre any two for £2 l Hovis loaves: soft white, tasty wholemeal and best of both 750g/800g only 95p l EuroShopper 15 eggs: PM £2 l EuroShopper back bacon: smoked/ unsmoked 500g PM £3 l Richmond sausages: 410g two for £3.50 Offers end 31st August.

W

ith shoppers looking to use their local store more frequently and for more product categories, fresh should be considered a huge opportunity to make your store the first one that shoppers choose to visit.

Arjan ‘Ajay’ Singh has seen huge growth in fresh and chilled sales at the Premier Morley store he runs with his father Jazz.

“We had a refit about 18 months ago and, while I was researching it, I could see how important fresh food is to the supermarkets.

So we made it a priority and we’ve gone from around £1k–£2k worth of fresh sales per week to £9k–£10k now.

“If your offer is strong and your availability is good it gives you more of a competitive edge and a really good feel in the store. Once your shoppers know that you sell fresh food they keep coming back.”

Ajay says he has noticed a lot of new shoppers in store since the range was expanded.

“We stock things like avocados and parsnips now, and we sell loads of them,” he says. “People’s lifestyles have changed, they want to eat more healthily, plus the area has changed and there are more people wanting fresh food in the store and on delivery so we

put a bigger offer in.

“We do a lot of deliveries now, and fresh food is a really big part of that.”

Vijaya Kalikannan installed a suite of new chillers as part of a major refit of his Premier Cash Care Mini Market in Hartlepool, and expanded the fresh food offer considerably.

“I was a little worried about chilled food at first because the local competition sells it, but sales have been really good,” he reveals.

“There are lots of chimney pots around here so there are lots of potential shoppers.

We find that with fresh food it means that people do a big basket spend. The convenience aspect of fresh food is very popular.”

For Sam Coldbeck of Premier Wharfedale in Hull, fresh food is one of the central foundations of the business.

“We have always offered fresh, and we have a large amount of space for chilled food relative to the size of the store – it’s now about 10% of our business. It’s a key part of our USP to offer ‘more than you’d expect’.

“We have an offer for all times of day such as breakfast baps, lunchtime food and evening meals. We’ve seen big increases in sandwiches, butchery meat, cheese, pizzas and ready meals – especially on a deal.

“Absolutely critical is the milk offer of two x two litres for £2. It’s a massive footfall July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 35

35

09/07/2021 15:31:55

SCORE BIG SALES

WITH PROMOTIONAL UEFA EURO 2020TM PACKS GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS THE CHANCE TO WIN M265213 Coke Energy 250ml PMP £1.00 WSP £6.59 POR 34.1%

M266722 Coca-Cola Zero 500ml PMP £1.09 WSP £7.39 POR 32.2%

ORDER YOURS TODAY To enter, scan QR code on promo pack or visit coke.co.uk/energyeuros & enter code under ring pull from promo pack between 24.05–18.07.21. *GB 16+ (U18s need parentl consnt). Purchase & online reg req’d. Chance to win instantly online incl. Coca-Cola UEFA EURO 2020™ prizes; (1k each: Bags, Towels & Fan Kits), 20 Hisense TVs, 5k £5Just Eat vchers & 2k PS4 codes for eFootball PES 2021. 10,020 total. Prizes randomly allocated. 1st to enter on/after winning moment wins. No guarantee prizes will be won. Max 2 entries/day & 1 win/person/prize type.

Bonus draw 1 Hisense TV 30.08.21. Excl. apply. Subject to availability, while stocks last. Full T&Cs: coke.co.uk/ energyeuros. Promoter: Coca-Cola GB. © 2021 The Coca-Cola Company. High caffeine Content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breastfeeding women (caffeine 32mg / 100ml) consume moderately. Niacin (Vitamin B3) and Vitamin B6 contribute to normal energy-welding metabolism. Consume as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 05236f CCEP EUROS362021 NP3 TALKING SHOP FULL PAGE AD 280MM X 210MM v3.indd 1

09/07/2021 15:33:49 19/04/2021 16:14

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

ADVICE ON FRESH FOODS l Talk to your RDM about how to get started l Take advantage of deals on bread and milk l Keep chillers full and looking attractive l Ensure staff are trained to examine date codes and rotate stock l Use social media to advertise your range and prices

driver.”

Sam continues: “We are showing our shoppers that they don’t have to go to the hypermarkets, they can pop in here and pick up what they need. Fresh food is a key component of convenience store. If shoppers don’t see chilled when they walk in, they will question whether your store is right for them, or if they will have to go somewhere else.

“As long as it is managed well and advertised well, I think that any store can have a chilled offer.”

Sam’s advice to Premier retailers taking their first step into chilled is to start small, perhaps with a core of 20 lines or so.

“Use pricemarked packs, and maybe some longer-life products too’” she says. “Use social media to advertise your range and prices.”

A key step to creating your chilled offer is to accept some wastage, she maintains.

“Wastage goes hand in hand with chilled, we have understood this from an early stage.

You have to make your chillers look full and attractive and it’s important that customers have confidence in you, so we aim to never sell out completely.

“We are careful what we order, watch the weather forecasts and adjust accordingly – if it’s going to be hot and sunny then we’ll order more BBQ meat, salad and so on, and then cut back on the order if it’s raining.

“We do a sweep of all the chillers first thing in the morning and anything that is soon to come out of date we mark down to half price – yes, we are making less but it takes the pressure off the day. We make sure that staff are fully trained to take care with use-by dates and stock rotation and give them the tools to manage it.”

Following a refit in January, Peter Saleem’s Premier Broadway Supermarket in Blyth, Northumberland has been trading with a significantly expanded chilled range.

“We’ve gone from half a metre of chilled to seven metres,” says Peter. “We had half a fridge dedicated to it before – no meat, no deli items. Now we are selling fresh pizzas, and all the ingredients for a family supper.

We have the Discover the Choice meals on July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 37

37

09/07/2021 15:33:51

ASAHILTD-2021-0098 PNA Trade Ad PREMIER 210x280_HR.pdf

1

08/04/2021

12:41

MAXIMISE YOUR SALES WITH PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO PERONI NASTRO AZZURRO BRAND I N 5 0 % G R O W T H W I T H I N P R E M I E R*

L4W DATA ENDING 21ST MARCH 2021 WITHIN PREMIER STORES*

*D u n n h u m b y 2 9 t h M a r c h 2 0 2 0

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 38

09/07/2021 15:33:51

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

the deal they are flying out.”

The refit included brand new chillers and with help from Booker’s merchandisers and, an additional two deliveries a week, initial wastage has been manageable.

“It was a big learning curve for us, but we put our trust in Booker,” says Peter. “We are starting to understand and to manage it much better now.”

Helping to manage the waste is the Too Good To Go app, which notifies shoppers that there is short-dated food available at a bargain price at the store.

Peter recalls: “We had a lot of waste to start with that was going into the bins and we thought it was terrible, just a no-no.

“We are managing it better now, and using the app means we are doing something positive about it. We get 33% of the sale, but we know that someone is benefiting so it feels a lot better. Shoppers are loving it!”

TOO GOOD TO WASTE? Premier retailers are encouraged to sign up to the Too Good To Go (TGTG) app designed to cut food waste.

The retailer parcels up food that is nearing its end of date into a number of bags and the app notifies its users that the bags are available at a bargain price. This minimises the amount of food going in the bin and ending up in landfill, cuts the time spent on product reductions, increases footfall and also reaches new customers – younger shoppers, for example, are more likely to shop with retailers that have an environmental strategy.

Each app is unique for each retailer’s business, and TGTG can provide full training and social media content for retailers to use on their own accounts.

Contact your RDM for more information.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 39

39

09/07/2021 15:33:53

Official Team Partner M247645

KP Snacks are the Official Team Partner for the action-packed, unmissable 100 ball cricket competition.

M233269

M265045

M264949

M264967 M263163

BOOKER GROUP EXCLUSIVE

RETAILER INCENTIVE

CATCH SOME AMAZING PRIZES

WIN 1 of 100 prizes w with The Hundred!

You could WIN 1 of 32 ‘Money Can’t Buy’ Signed Merchandise Bundles of a Shirt, Bat and Ball or a £100 cash prize*

Every time you buy 1 x case of each of the 6 x products above sponsoring The Hundred between 28th June and 4th August 2021, you will be entered into a FREE Prize Draw for a chance to WIN!

STOCK UP TO WIN!

*Open to Premier, Family Shopper and Shop Locally retailers in GB only. NI excluded.

Must purchase from Booker 6 cases (each of a separate KP Brand) from the Qualifying Products Sponsoring The Hundred between 28.06.2021 and 04.08.2021 to be automatically entered into the prize draw to win one of 32x Merchandise Bundles and 68x £100 KP Vouchers or Store Credit. Full Terms available at https://thedeltagroup.co.uk/KPTermsandConditions/.

Promoter: KP Snacks Limited, The Urban Building, 3-9 Albert Street, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2BE

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 40 Hundred ad.indd 1 10477 Talking Shop_The

09/07/2021 15:33:55 23/06/2021 17:23

Summer of Sport | FEATURE

Be a champion

this summer

A bumper summer of sport has already kicked off and there are plenty of big events still to come, driving winning sales opportunities for Premier retailers.

July xxx 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 41

41

09/07/2021 15:33:56

FEATURE | Summer of Sport

S

ummer means the return of eating and drinking outside and long daylight evenings, but it also sees some serious sporting action in the UK and around the globe for shoppers to enjoy.

There is some big sporting action happening almost every day during the summer months, and this all adds up to tremendous opportunities for extra footfall, sales and profits for the best–prepared and

WINNING TACTICS l Mid–packs (10s and

RETAILER VIEW

12s) are the key

BEN MATTHEWS Premier Tuxford Convenience Store, Nottinghamshire

drivers of beer and cider sales l Build stacks of beer

You always notice a big increase in sales when there’s a big football match coming up. Beer is the big thing. It’s not as much about four-packs as it used to be, the bigger packs and multipacks are much more popular now so we are stocking more of them that we used to do, you just have to find the space. People who buy beer for the match quite often pick up some snacks too so it all helps with the basket spend.

and cider to create theatre l Get behind multipacks and multibuys in soft drinks and snacks l Check the calendar for key days where sporting events will provide a big uplift

Description

Pack size

WSP

RSP*

POR%

Budweiser

10 x 440ml

£7.15

£10

14.2%

Stella Artois

10 x 440ml

£7.15

£10

14.2%

Heineken

10 x 440ml

£7.49

£10

18.3%

Carling

10 x 440ml

£6.69

£10

19.7%

Strongbow

10 x 440ml

£13.49

£10

19.1%

Magners

10 x 440ml

£10.49

£8

21.3%

Thatchers Gold

10 x 330ml

£13.99

£10

16.1%

San Miguel

10 x 440ml

£14.79

£10

11.3%

Kronenbourg 1664

12 x 275ml

£6.99

£10

16.1%

Kopparberg

10 x 330ml

£7.35

£10

11.8%

*Minimum unit pricing applies in Scotland and Wales

42 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 42

09/07/2021 15:33:58

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

Sporting Calendar Cycling: Tour de France 26 June – 18 July

Golf : Open Championship 15–18 July

Formula 1: British Grand Prix 18 July

Cricket: The Hundred creative retailers to take advantage of.

There is no doubt that this summer is going to be a treat for sports fans. The year’s big football tournament, the UEFA Euros, and the Wimbledon tennis championships have already created tremendous excitement and the bumper summer of sport is set to continue with British Grand Prix and the Open Golf Championship later this month.

And hard on the heels of all that is the start of the long-awaited Tokyo Olympic Games on 23rd July, which will run for three weeks.

All of these big sporting events will create occasions for both planned and impromptu get-togethers within families or with groups of friends, which in turn creates sales opportunities for Premier retailers.

Making the most of these opportunities depends on preparation and execution in-store. Check the calendar for the start of big events or important matches and create themed displays for each occasion, or at least merchandise related items together, such as strawberries and cream with sparkling wine or prosecco for Wimbledon,

or beer and snacks for the football.

Always look to spread your message via your social media accounts, as this will tell your shoppers that you are ready for the big sporting events and should be their first port of call when the action starts.

And why not create some fun and engagement in-store with a special event of your own, such as shopper giveaways or a children’s colouring competition for Wimbledon or the Olympic Games?

WINNING DEALS

Afternoons and evenings in front of the TV or computer screen are sorted with an array of great offers highlighted on an alcohol– based Summer Savings leaflet, with deals running until 31st August.

Big brand spirits including Absolut and Gordon’s flavoured varieties are available to the shopper at the low price of £15.99, while one-litre bottles of Smirnoff vodka and Gordon’s gin carry a value price of £20.

Summer wouldn’t be summer without a glass of fizz and Dino Prosecco is on offer at £6.99, a great saving compared to the usual

22 July – 21 August

Olympic Games 23 July – 8 August

Rugby Union: British Lions v South Africa 24 July 1st Test 31 July 2nd Test 7 August 3rd Test

Paralympic Games 24 August – 5 September

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 43

43

09/07/2021 15:33:59

THE NO.1 WAY FANS PREPARE FOR A MATCH IS TO BUY SNACKS AND DRINKS*

220977

*Source: Onepulse, n = 501 UK Adults (Nat rep) Data collected 23/07/2020

220978

155396

NP3 CONSUMER DEAL

Buy a Pepsi MAX 8x330ml Get a Doritos 180g FREE

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 44

09/07/2021 15:33:59

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

Description

Pack size

WSP

RSP

POR%

Coca-Cola

10 x 330ml

£9.56

£4.50

15.0%

Diet Coke

12 x 330ml

£6.23

£4.50

16.9%

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

10 x 330ml

£6.23

£4.50

16.9%

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

1.75l

£5.39

2 for £3

28.1%

Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Cherry

1.75l

£4.89

2 for £3

34.8%

Diet Coke

1.75l

£5.39

2 for £3

28.1%

Pepsi Max

1.5l

£7.99

2 for £2

20.1%

7–Up

1.5l

£7.99

2 for £2

20.1%

Tango

1.5l

£7.99

2 for £2

20.1%

RETAILER VIEW SURESH PATEL Premier Upholland Convenience Store, Wigan The Euros football has been really good so far, I think it’s brought in a lot of extra sales.

People are not going to the pub in such large numbers as before and some people aren’t going at all so there’s more people watching the games at home and having a drink while they are doing it. We always have a look to see what big events are coming up and make sure everything is displayed nicely for the shoppers to see it.

RSP of £8.75, while Canti Prosecco is at £8.49, compared to an RSP of £9.99.

Premier retailers in Scotland and Wales have their own versions of the Summer Savings leaflet, with the retail prices adjusted for Minimum Unit Pricing legislation.

Multibuy offers have been converted into keen single pack prices, such as 70cl bottles of Smirnoff Ice for £2.75 and a range of RTD spirit cans at £1.50 each.

One-litre bottles of High Commissioner whisky are available with an RSP of £20 which, because it is at the legal minimum price for a one-litre bottle of 40% abv spirit, can be marketed to your shoppers as the cheapest price available in Scotland or Wales.

THE BIGGEST EVER PREMIER SCRATCH CARD

£1.3 MILLION IN PRIZES IT’S BACK

TO COINCIDE WITH NP04 AND THE EUROS WE ARE RUNNING OUR BIGGEST EVER SCRATCH CARD GIVE AWAY WITH OVER £1.3 MILLION WORTH OF PRIZES TO BE WON AND A FANTASTIC TOP PRIZE OF A MINI SCRATCH AND WIN

103530 NP04 PremierScratchcardPages.indd 104307.46 Premier NP04 Promo Pack.indd 4 1

17/05/2021 17:39 16:37 17/05/2021

The popular Premier scratchcard has returned this summer with a sporting theme.

Over £1.3 million in prizes will be given away during the course of the promotion, with a top prize of a Mini car, plus lots of free stock prizes instantly redeemable in-store in return for a winning scratchcard.

The promotion, which is the most valuable Premier scratchcard ever, has been designed to coincide with the Euros football tournament, with the football theme reflected in POS material.

So with plenty of ways to reward your loyal shoppers, the great summer of sport can be a big winner for your business.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 45

45

09/07/2021 15:34:06

STOCK THE

BUDWEISER FAMILY

AND ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN INSTORE MEET & GREET EVENT WITH

AN ENGLAND

FOOTBALL LEGEND!

EVERY ENTRY RECEIVES 1 FREE CASE OF LIMITED EDITION CUPS 18+ Booker Group customers only. Buy 1 x case of Budweiser, 1 x case of Bud Light and 1 x case of Bud Zero and enter your details at winwithbudtrade. com between 17/04/21 and 02/06/21 for the chance to win an England football legend meet and greet in your store. Please retain your invoice as proof of purchase. 1 x winner selected at random at the end of the promotion. First 500 entries will receive a countertop unit of 15 Budweiser aluminum cups. One entry per retailer. One entry per invoice. Meet and greet subject to COVID-19 restrictions.

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 46 204653_Bud_Euros_Budgens_TradingPack_Resize_DPS.indd 1

09/07/2021 15:34:07

SCAN

TO ENTER

de. of ne

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 47

09/07/2021 15:34:07 09/04/2021 17:21

©2021 The Coca-Cola Company. FANTA and FANTA ZERO are trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.

Source: Nielsen RMS Data MAT Jan 2020 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 48

09/07/2021 15:34:09

Get Set For Summer | FEATURE

Get sizzling for summer sales Summer has arrived, and a great line-up of products is available to boost sales and profits at Premier stores.

l Check the weather forecast for hot days l Be prepared for big sporting events l Charcoal, bags of ice and condiments are key BBQ lines l Make extra profit with summer speciality drinks such as Pimm’s and prosecco l Highlight availability and deals to your shoppers via social media

W

hen the sun shines, the mercury rises in the thermometer and the daylight extends well into the evening, Premier retailers can make the most of a bright range of new opportunities to delight their shoppers and boost basket spend and profits with additional sales of barbecue food, drinks, ice cream and other impulse items.

Most families and households are expected to again be spending more time at home this summer than used to be the case, creating more occasions for barbecues, picnics and garden parties to enjoy a long, lazy days in the sunshine or one of the many major sporting events taking place in the next few weeks and months.

FIRE UP THE GRILL

The first thing that many households decide to do when the sun starts shining is to organise a barbecue for family and friends,

and with staycations and domestic holidays likely to be more popular than ever this year it could be another bumper summer for the BBQ category.

With the decision to cook a BBQ meal often taken only at the last-minute then a well-prepared Premier store is ideally placed to provide everything that shoppers require. An eye-catching display of charcoal and disposable instant barbecue trays will show shoppers passing by every day that you are ready to be their BBQ destination when the sun starts to shine. Special shopper deal prices are available on a range of charcoal and firelighting products this summer, with PORs of 31–48%.

A good fresh meat offer is a further signal to shoppers that you can be relied upon for their BBQ, and there is a great range of great quality and good value meat lines under the Discover The Choice range including burgers, chicken fillets and drumsticks perfect for al fresco eating.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 49

49

09/07/2021 15:34:10

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 50

09/07/2021 15:34:13

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

they need for a barbecue by posting a message on your social media account on the days when the temperature starts to rise.

THE BIG FREEZE

It’s also well worth keeping a stock of long-life burger buns and hot dog rolls so you can stay in stock on days when demand suddenly peaks, and don’t forget the condiments either, as no BBQ is complete without ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard and salad dressings.

It’s also a good idea to remind shoppers in your locality that you have everything

RETAILER VIEW SAM COLDBECK Wharfedale Premier, Hull You can’t always rely on the weather, but on hot days you really see a big uplift. We always watch the weather forecast closely and if it’s going to be good we order more barbecue meat, salad, fresh fruit and seasonal vegetables.

I think that fresh food is a key component of being a convenience store, if shoppers don’t see fresh in store they will question whether it is the right store for them in the long-term.

Impulse ice cream really comes into its own in the summer and with PORs of 30% and upwards for many lines, it is highly profitable, too. And Premier retailers can enhance this even further with a great multibuy deal, giving an additional £10 discount when you buy any six cases from selected lines within the Wall’s impulse ice cream range.

The products covered by the deal are Feast, Cornetto, Twister, Callippo Orange, Solero Exotic, and a number of lines from the Magnum range including Classic, Ruby and White styles. The £10 saving deal runs until 3rd August.

With more families expected to stay at home this summer, it is worth considering upping your stock of multipacks and sharing tubs to provide greater volume sales and better value for the shopper.

Impulse Ice Cream deal Description

Case size

WSP

RSP

POR

Twister

35 x 80ml

£21.99

£1.10

31.5%

Callippo Orange

24 x 105ml

£14.99

£1.10

31.9%

Solero Exotic

25 x 90ml

£20.69

£1.40

29.1%

Feast

35 x 90ml

£19.99

£1.00

31.5%

Cornetto Strawberry

24 x 120ml

£19.99

£1.40

28.6%

Cornetto Classic

24 x 120ml

£19.99

£1.40

28.6%

Magnum Classic

20 x 110ml

£21.79

£1.90

31.2%

Magnum White

20 x 110ml

£21.79

£1.90

31.2%

Magnum White Choc & Cookies

20 x 90ml

£22.79

£2.00

31.6%

Magnum Ruby

20 x 90ml

£22.79

£2.00

31.6%

Magnum Double Choc & Strawberry

20 x 88ml

£22.79

£2.00

31.6%

NEW Magnum Double Gold Caramel Billionaire

20 x 85ml

£22.79

£2.00

31.6%

BUY ANY SIX CASES, SAVE £10

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 51

51

09/07/2021 15:34:14

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

NEW

*AC Nielsen, Value Sales, Total Coverage, MAT, w/e 24.04.21

**Nielsen MAT, Singles and Sharing combined in Total Coverage 27/02/21

£1 PMPs

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

UK’S NO.1 ‘BETTER FOR YOU’ BRAND**

UK'S NO.1 RIDGE CUT CRISP*

UK’S NO.1 NUTS BRAND*

BEST SELLING FLAVOURS

UK’S NO.1 POPCORN BRAND*

CHECK OUT THE KP £1 PMP RANGE, GROWING +14.4% YOY!*

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 52Range ad.indd 1 10477 Talking Shop £1

09/07/2021 15:34:18 23/06/2021 17:02

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

Summer Stock List

LIQUID GOLD

Retail sales of beer, cider, wine and spirits have boomed during lockdown and this is set to continue throughout the summer as people continue to enjoy garden parties and barbecues at home.

With a high-profile summer of sport already underway and many more exciting events still to enjoy, Premier stores can capitalise on the benefits of convenience by keeping four-packs of beer, white wine and prosecco chilled and ready-to-drink.

Popular summer drinks such as Pimm’s also bring incremental sales of garnishes and accompaniments such as fresh fruit, mint, cucumber and lemonade.

Where space allows, consider stocking larger mid-packs and multipacks of leading beer and cider brands, and also go big on take-home and impulse soft drinks formats for children and adults.

Bags of ice will support sales of all the above and are always popular last–minute choices for barbecues and parties every summer.

l Soft drinks & mixers – Ready chilled and take-home bottles. l Summer alcohol – Pimm’s, Prosecco, Gin and Vodka. l BBQ essentials – fresh meat, bread buns and napkins

RETAILER VIEW MANDEEP SINGH Singh’s Premier, Sheffield When the sun shines, everyone wants to cool down so the more product you can sell chilled, the better. Soft drinks and ice cream all go really well, and cold beer, white and sparkling wine all fly out when it’s hot and people have parties or relax at home. Ready to drink spirit cans go well, too. The summer is a really big time of year for stores like ours so you have to be ready and prepared to stay in stock.

l Fresh food – Salad, strawberries and dips l Ice cream – Impulse lines and take-home tubs.

Hot prices on charcoal Description

Case Size

Promo WSP

Consumer Deal

POR

Charcoal Briquettes

1 x 5kg

£3.19

£5.99

36.1%

Instant Light Charcoal 2kg

1 x 2kg

£2.29

£3.99

31.1%

Disposable BBQ Minigrill

12

£17.99

£2.99

39.8%

Happy Shopper Firelighters PM100

24 x 15

£11.89

£1.00

48.0%

BBQ Lighting Fluid

12 x 1l

£21.49

£3.49

38.4%

Tasty prices on Discover The Choice fresh meat Description

Case Size

WSP

RSP

POR

Discover The Choice Skinless Chicken Fillets PM3.75

4x500g

£10.50

£3.75

30%

Discover The Choice Peppered Grillsteaks (2s) PM250

4 x 288g

£7.00

£2.50

30%

Discover The Choice Quarter Pound Burgers (4s) PM 350

4 x 454g

£10.00

£3.50

29%

Discover The Choice Chicken Drumsticks PM250

4 x 430g

£7.50

£2.50

25%

Discover The Choice Rump Steaks PM450

4 x 227g

£13.50

£4.50

25%

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 53

53

09/07/2021 15:34:19

20007_SDCLW 10s-20s 420x280mm_LS_PMP_ad.pdf

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 54

1

14/05/2021

10:03 am

09/07/2021 15:34:32

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 55

09/07/2021 15:34:35

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 56

09/07/2021 15:34:36

To purchase these products now, visit talkingshop@booker.co.uk

Ones to

watch

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

Birthday bonanza

Mega Deal available from

WHAT? I HEART WINE WHEN? P5 MEGA DEAL AVAILABLE FROM 7TH JULY

7th July – 3rd August buying in starts 30th June

WHY? After a decade of trading in the UK, this summer I Heart wines are celebrating their 10th Birthday in style with a national campaign to give back to loyal shoppers. With the overarching message of ‘Our Birthday, your party’, shoppers have the chance to win £10,000 cash, plus hundreds of other prizes in an on-pack promotion.

WHO? I Heart is the fifth-largest wine brand in convenience and is growing at 36% year on year (IRI). The campaign will be supported with an advertising campaign across TV and Video on demand airing in the beginning of July, plus in-store POS, digital and social media.

The campaign is also supported with a Premier Mega Deal in promotional period five (buying in until 3rd August).

WHERE TO STOCK? In the wine chillers and fixtures.

I HEART PINOT GRIGIO, ROSE, MERLOT, SAUVIGNON BLANC Case Size: 6 X 75cl WSP: £21.95 RSP: 2 for £10 (£5 per bottle in Scotland) POR: 12.2% July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 57

57

09/07/2021 15:34:36

Sweet new flavour

Getting into gin

WHAT? SHEEP DOG PEANUT BUTTER WHISKEY GROUP EXCLUSIVE

WHAT? HOOCH PINK RASPBERRY & LEMON GIN

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW

WHY? A new 37.5% ABV gin extension of the popular Hooch drinks brand, this light and fruity flavoured gin is perfectly suited for summertime drinking.

WHY? Sheep Dog is a 35% ABV new flavoured whiskey from the Sazerac Brand portfolio. It can be drunk neat on its own or over ice, or can be mixed as a long drink with Coke, ginger beer, ginger ale or lemonade. The product is a Group exclusive until the end of December.

WHO? Flavoured Whiskies are gaining in popularity in the UK and are already well established in the US, where Sheep Dog Peanut Butter Whiskey has grown to a two million case brand within two years, says the manufacturer. Peanut

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW

Butter flavoured Whiskey is a new flavour profile expected to appeal to male and female shoppers alike.

WHERE TO STOCK? Within the American Whiskey range, ideally alongside Southern Comfort.

WHO? The product will help to drive sales and interest among gin lovers, as well as providing a stepping stone to gin among younger consumers already familiar with the Hooch brand.

WHERE TO STOCK? With other flavoured gin lines.

HOOCH PINK RASPBERRY

SHEEP DOG PEANUT BUTTER

& LEMON GIN

FLAVOURED WHISKEY

Case size: 6 x 70CL WSP: £83.94

Case size: 6 x 70CL WSP: £83.94

RSP: £20.99 POR: 12.5%

RSP: £20.99 POR: 20%

Affordable spice

Green is the colour

WHAT? LAMB’S SPICED RUM PM £13.99

WHAT? AU VODKA GREEN WATERMELON

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW

WHY? A new spiced rum under the established Lamb’s brand, the product was launched in the grocery trade last year and is now available in a £13.99 pricemarked pack for the convenience market.

WHY? Green Watermelon (32.5% ABV) is the latest flavour addition to the AU Vodka range. The summer flavour adds a new colour to the growing range and enhances the opportunity to capitalise on growth in the Flavoured Vodka category.

WHO? With a pricemark of £13.99, Lamb’s Spiced offers shoppers value and the assurance of a well-known brand in the spiced rum category, where most of the brands currently available are premium-priced.

WHO? The five-times distilled British vodka is filtered through charcoal into a chamber containing Gold, hence the name AU. The brand has already successfully established three flavours – Black Grape, Fruit Punch and Blue Raspberry – and built up a significant following on social media.

WHERE TO STOCK? On the spirits shelf alongside other spiced rums.

LAMB’S SPICED RUM PM13.99

WHERE TO STOCK? Alongside the rest of the AU Vodka range on the spirits shelf.

Case size: 6 X 70CL WSP: £59.34 RSP: £13.99 POR: 15%

AU VODKA GREEN WATERMELON Case size: 6 x 70CL WSP: £137.89 (single bottles £22.99) RSP: £34.49 POR: 20%

58 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 58

09/07/2021 15:34:39

To purchase these products now, visit talkingshop@booker.co.uk

Party in a can WHAT? LAMBRINI RTD CANS WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW WHY? These lightly sparkling fruit wine cans (4% ABV) are available in Strawberry and Mango varieties. Lambrini is the number one perry brand in the UK (Nielsen). At an RSP of £1.69 they provide a value option for picnics and summer gatherings.

Smooth move WHAT? FUNKIN NITRO COCKTAILS PM 1.99

WHO? The new additions to the Lambrini line–up have been created in response to growing demand for convenient formats, whilst also tapping into trends for lower calorie, low ABV drinks.

Cans carry a ’99 calories’ flash.

WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW

WHERE TO STOCK? In the alcohol chiller.

WHO? Consumption of cocktail-style drinks at home is a growing trend and this single-serve RTD format delivers a simple solution for shoppers.

WHY? New Funkin Nitro Cocktails (5% ABV) are available in Passionfruit Martini, Strawberry Daquiri and Pina Colada styles, in 200ml cans. The product is infused with nitrogen for a velvety texture and a smooth head when poured.

LAMBRINI RTD CANS Case size: 12 x 250ml WSP: £10.99

WHERE TO STOCK? In the alcohol chiller.

RSP: £1.69 POR: 34% FUNKIN NITRO COCKTAILS PM 1.99 Case size: 12 x 200ML WSP: £14.89 RSP: £1.99 POR: 25%

Sustainable steps WHAT? COCA–COLA IMPULSE PORTFOLIO

Blackcurrant favourite WHAT? JAFFA CAKES BLACKCURRANT GROUP EXCLUSIVE

WHEN? SEPTEMBER 2021 WHEN? AVAILABLE NOW WHY? Coca–Cola European Partners (CCEP) has announced a major packaging initiative for all its brands, including the Coca– Cola family, Fanta and Oasis. From September 2021, all 500ml products will be supplied in bottles made from 100% Recycled Plastic (RPET), which is material recycled from other plastic items.

WHO? The change is designed to reduce plastic waste and cut the company’s carbon emissions, and will be communicated to shoppers on packs, via POS material, posters and on social media and digital platforms.

WHERE TO STOCK? In the impulse soft drinks chiller.

WHY? A Blackcurrant version of the hugely popular sweet snack. It is an exclusive line only available to retailers inside the Group and will be on sale for a minimum of a year.

WHO? New flavours are a great way to drive interest and incremental sales in impulse and snacking products.

WHERE TO STOCK? On the biscuit fixture next to Orange Jaffa Cakes.

JAFFA CAKES BLACKCURRANT Case size: 12x122g WSP: £9.59 RSP: £1.29 POR: 38.1%

Coca–Cola PM129 Case size: 24 x 500ml WSP: £17.99 RSP: £1.29 POR: 30% Oasis Summer Fruits PM100 Case size: 12 x 500ml WSP: £7.09 RSP: £1.00 POR: 29% Fanta Orange PM109 Case size: 12 x 500ml WSP: £7.55 RSP: £1.09 POR: 30% July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 59

59

09/07/2021 15:34:40

AA H H H Best

A

ever?

NEW

H

H

Coca-Cola Zero 6x1.75ltr £1.75 PMP M258253

TASTE & LOOK

WSP £5.89 POR 32%

STOCK UP NOW

Coca-Cola Zero 4x6x330ml £2.75 PMP M265232

WSP £7.19 POR 21%

Coca-Cola Zero 12x500ml £1.09 PMP M266722

WSP £7.39 POR 32%

©2021 The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved. COCA-COLA and COCA-COLA ZERO are registered trade marks of The Coca-Cola Company. Source (1): Kantar Purchase data – 52 w/e 06 Sep 2020 (2) CGA Total Home and OOH Value Sales MAT Data period ending December 20.

ZERO SUGAR

AA H H H A

z

All the

H

Z’s z zz z

without losing

Try it

H

ZERO CAFFEINE

EXCLUSIVE TO BOOKER RETAIL PARTNERS AVAILABLE IN DEPOT NOW

M268232

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 60

©2021 The Coca-Cola Company.

09/07/2021 15:34:40

PricesDown

FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITIES TO SAVE ON COSTS AND BOOST YOUR PROFITS

The best value for evenings in Capture more of the evening meal market with a great value deal across the Discover The Choice ready meals range this summer.

Deals run until August 31st

P

remier retailers have a new opportunity to drive footfall, sales and profits this summer with an amazing value deal on Discover The Choice meals.

Value-seeking shoppers looking for the best options for their evenings at home need look no further than the “Three meals for £5” offer now available across the Discover The Choice range.

A total of 21 DTC meals feature in the offer, including popular favourites such as Beef Lasagne, Beef Stew & Dumplings, Chicken Tikka Masala, Sweet & Sour Chicken and Macaroni Cheese.

With a standard RSP of £2.99 per meal and products already pricemarked as two for £5, the great value already available on DTC meals will seem even better to shoppers with a third pack effectively free when they buy two.

Reduced wholesale prices mean that the meals still deliver 15% POR when sold as part of the three for £5 deal when purchased in full cases of six.

Full POS kits have already been sent to Product

21 meals in the offer

Premier stores to help maximise the impact of these deals and to draw your shoppers to the ready meal fixtures.

Case size

WSP

RSP

Beef Lasagne PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

Beef Stew & Dumplings PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

Chicken Tikka Masala PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

Sweet & Sour Chicken PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

Macaroni Cheese PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

DTC Chilli Con Carne PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

DTC Shepherds Pie PM2/500

6x450g

£8.50

£2.99

The prices are locked down right throughout promotional periods four, five and six right through until August 31st.

Shopper Deal

POR

Buy any three meals for £5.00

15%

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 61

61

09/07/2021 15:34:42

STOCK UP NOW. CODE: M267136

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 62

09/07/2021 15:34:42

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

Introduction to allergen labelling changes

Act on labelling law changes for prepared food What businesses need to know about the new allergen labelling for prepacked for direct sale (PPDS) food

New legislation coming into effect from October this year will make it a legal requirement to label food allergens more clearly.

The new law applies to food products that the retailer has prepared and packed on-site.

A

n estimated one in five people in the UK suffer from some form of food allergy (BDA estimate) and new legislation comes into force this Autumn designed to protect allergy sufferers and give them confidence in the food they buy.

The UK Food Information Amendment, also known as Natasha’s Law, comes into effect from 1st October 2021 and will require businesses to provide full ingredient lists and allergen labelling on foods pre-packaged for sale on the premises.

The legislation is being introduced for what is described as ‘prepacked for direct

Take action before 1st October 2021 to comply with the law.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 63

63

09/07/2021 15:34:43

to naming the food and listing ingredients.

INGREDIENTS: Malt flour (wheat flour, ca Please note: The detailed rules regarding niacin, thiamin), wate the content, form and presentation of the wheat bran, wheat p name, ingredients and allergen information barley flour, salt, em are not covered in this guidance. For more CHEESE IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE diglycerides of fatty a information on this and the 14 allergens AND PICKLE diacetyl tartaric acid SANDWICH visit www.food.gov.uk/PPDS diglycerides of fatty a MATURE CHEDDAR CHEESE AND malted CHEESE, PICKLE AND wheat flour, r Mature Chedda BUTTER IN SLICED treatment agent butter in (asc sliced MALTED BREAD wheat flour, palm oil, INGREDIENTS INGREDIENTS: Malted bread (wheat flour (wheat flour, calcium cheese Cheddar (mi wheat flour (w carbonate, iron, niacin, thiamin), carbonate, iron water, malted wheat flakes, wheat sugar, swede, onion, bran, wheat protein, yeast, malted malted wheat barley flour, salt, emulsifiers (monowater, vinegar, and diglycerides of fatty acids,spirit protein, yeast, mono- and diacetyl tartaric acid emulsifiers (mo esters of mono-modified and diglycerides of maize starc fatty acids), spirit vinegar, malted fatty acids, mo wheat flour, rapeseed oil, flour (sulphite ammonia acid esters of c m treatment agent (ascorbic acid), palm fat, wheat flour, palm oil, fattylemon acids), sp concentrated wheat starch), mature Cheddar cheese (milk), pickle (carrots, flour, rapeseed sugar, swede, onion, barleyextracts), malt herb butter (ascorbic acid) vinegar, water, spirit vinegar, apple

BetterService

pulp, dates, salt, modified maize starch, rice flour, colour (sulphite ammonia caramel), onion powder, concentrated lemon juice, spices, spice and herb extracts), butter (milk).

sale’ (PPDS) food. PPDS product is food which is packaged at the same place it is offered or sold to consumers and is in this packaging before it is ordered or selected.

It can include food that consumers select themselves (eg from a display unit), as well as products kept behind a counter.

For food to be considered ‘packaged’ it must be fully or partly enclosed by packaging, cannot be altered without opening or changing the packaging in some way, and be ready for sale to the shopper.

From 1st October, labelling for PPDS food will have to include: l Name of the food. l A full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised (for example in bold, italics or a different colour).

For more information on this and the 14 allergens visit www.food.gov.uk/PPDS.

palm oil, whea cheese (milk), swede, onion, spirit vinegar, a modified maize *Source: FSA (sulphite amm powder, conce spice and herb

The 14 key allergens Celery Cereals containing gluten (eg wheat, barley, oats) Crustaceans (eg prawns, crabs) Eggs Fish Lupin Milk

Molluscs (eg mussels, oysters) Mustard Peanuts Sesame Soybeans Sulphur dioxide/ sulphites Tree nuts (eg almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios)

64 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 64

09/07/2021 15:34:44

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

PPDS FOOD CHECK l Is the food presented to the shopper in packaging? l Is it packaged before the shopper selects or orders it? l Is it packaged at the same place it is sold?

MAKING A DELIVERY? If you are making a home delivery of PPDS food, you do not need to have a new-format label on the product but you still need to ensure that the mandatory allergen information is available to the shopper: l Before the purchase of the food is completed - this can be in writing (on a website, catalogue or menu) or orally (eg by phone). l When the food is delivered - this can be in writing (allergen stickers on food or an enclosed copy of a menu) or orally (eg by phone). l The mandatory information is the presence of any of the 14 key allergens listed on page 64. For a definition of PPDS food, refer to the panel above.

The legislation has been passed by the UK government and the national assemblies so will apply across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland from the same date. Remember: if you are the business applying the label to the food, you are legally responsible for ensuring that it

If the answer is YES to all three questions above, then the product is PPDS food and must carry a new format label from 1st October onwards. meets the new requirement from the start of October.

WHAT IS PPDS FOOD?

PPDS food can include the following: l Sandwiches and bakery products which are packed on site before a consumer selects or orders them. l Fast food and food to go items packed before they are ordered, such as a burger under a hot lamp or in a display cabinet where the food cannot be altered without opening the packaging. l Products which are pre-packaged on site ready for sale, such as pizzas, rotisserie chicken, salads and pasta pots. l Burgers and sausages pre-packaged by a butcher on the premises ready for sale to consumers.

EXEMPTIONS

Any food that is not in packaging or is packaged after being ordered by the

consumer is not covered by the legislation.

These are types of non-prepacked food and do not require a label with the name, ingredients and allergens emphasised.

Allergen information must still be provided but this can be done through other means, including orally.

The new labelling requirements also do not apply to PPDS food sold by means of distance selling, such as food which is purchased over the telephone or the internet.

However, businesses selling PPDS food this way will need to ensure that the mandatory allergen information is available to the consumer before they purchase the product, as well as at the moment of delivery.

Food packed by one business and supplied to another business, such as regular ambient grocery, must already have full labelling, including the name of the food and a full ingredients list, with allergenic ingredients emphasised within it.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 65

65

09/07/2021 15:34:45

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 66

09/07/2021 15:34:46

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 67

09/07/2021 15:34:47

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 68

09/07/2021 15:34:47

BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE

Slush, frozen carbonates, milkshakes and other dispensed drinks are becoming an essential part of a modern convenience store offer, driving footfall and enhancing profits.

Refresh yourself

O

ne of the most visually striking features of Mandeep Singh’s recently refitted Singh’s Premier store in Sheffield is the Refresh@Premier zone, an area hosting a variety of self–service dispensers of frozen carbonated drinks, slush, milkshakes and hot and chilled coffees.

It marks the first time that a dedicated Refresh@Premier zone has been created, but many retailers are already enjoying the uplift to sales and profits that the likes of Tango Ice Blast and F’Real machines deliver.

At Singh’s Premier, the Refresh zone features not just Tango Ice Blast and F’Real, but also Fanta Frozen, Jolly Rancher, Hershey’s Freeze and Frappina iced

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 69

69

09/07/2021 15:34:49

REFRESH ZONE TIPS l Create theatre – putting all the products in a single, well-lit zone will communicate choice and encourage repeat visits. l Promote, promote, promote – use social media to highlight the products and to stimulate demand. l Be diligent – you will need to clean, tidy and maintain the zone at very regular intervals. l Be smart – check out the equipment deals available through Booker and ask your RDM for more details.

RETAILER VIEW SIVA SATGUNANATHAN Premier Llysfaen Stores, Wales

coffee, as well as new hot chocolate and coffee machines.

Key to the new offer is the brightly coloured department labelling and the integrated cup dispensers, to create theatre in-store and an immediately visible wide choice of products.

“We’ve had loads of positive comments about it – shoppers tell us it feels like they are in Cineworld!” says Mandeep.

“It creates excitement, and kids love all the colours and flavours. It’s a real feel-good zone.”

“We’ve gone from a £1 slush to the Rolls Royce version. These products sell for £4 a time, and often they are bought for two or three members of the family at the same time, so it can double your normal basket spend.

“But it’s not just about the product, it’s about the atmosphere too. You can’t suddenly go from a £1 product to £4 without doing the rest as well – it’s all about creating a retail experience that is different to other stores.”

“I knew we needed to be on trend and up to date. Tango Ice Blast was the most expensive piece of new equipment in the store, but I’ve sold over 1,600 cups already. I thought it would take three years to pay back on the investment – it actually took one and a half months!”

Before starting the refit, the Singh’s team surveyed their shoppers and found that they were losing a lot of potential custom to one particular symbol group store in Sheffield that was highlighting Tango Ice Blast and milkshakeson social media. So, in order to redress the balance, Singh’s Premier is now promoted the Refresh zone heavily on its own accounts to actively help drive new shoppers their way instead.

For Siva Satgunanathan of Premier Llysfaen Stores in north Wales, social media has been key to the success of his Tango Ice Blast and F’real milkshake offer.

“We posted on Facebook that Tango Ice Blast was coming soon and you could see

70 TalkingShop July 2021 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 70

09/07/2021 15:34:51

TANGO ICE BLAST

SNOWSHOCK SLUSH

l Profit: £10,000 per year; up to 72% POR

l Profit: £7,500 profit per year; up to 42.5% POR

l RSP £3.50 per 21oz cup, sales of 75 units per week

l RSP: £1.25 per 300ml, sales of 20 cups per day l Launch deal: retailers ordering the ‘Regular Treble’ 12–litre machine will also receive 24 x five–litre bottles of slush concentrate, worth £4,000 at retail, completely free.

FWIP ITALIAN GELATO AND SORBETS l Profit: £7,000 per year; up to 42.5% POR l RSP: £2.49 per serving, sales of 56 units per week l Exclusive offer: Each new store signing up receives six cases free (one of each flavour) at launch. Worth £269 at retail prices.

Slush concentrate prices locked down for the entire summer at Booker

RETAILER VIEW it grabbed people’s attention – they were telling their friends about it before it even arrived,” he says.

Despite his store measuring only 700sq ft, he made sure he found the space for the dispensing units when he initiated a refit earlier this year.

To offset the initial outlay, a number of equipment starter deals are available through Premier, including payment by instalments and free stock incentives on brands such as Tango Ice Blast, Snowshock slush and Fwip gelato – see the panel below or ask your RDM for more details.

Investment is likely to pay back quickly as all the products come with high margins, but they also act as important footfall drivers, according to Peter Saleem of Premier Broadway Supermarket in Blyth.

“These food to go services are huge footfall drivers,” he says. “F’Real, Tango Ice Blast and Costa all have their own different clientele, so the effect is magnified.”

Vijaya Kalikannan created a food to go

zone as part of the recent refit at his Premier Cash Care store in Hartlepool and he has found that different products are in demand at different times of the day.

The zone at Premier Cash Care features Tango Ice Blast, Jolly Rancher and Brain Freeze slush machines, two varieties of Hershey’s Freeze and a F’Real milkshake service, plus hot coffee and Rollover hot dogs. The zone is decorated by an image of HMS Trincomalee, a local landmark.

“It gets very busy in the morning when people come in for coffee, hot food and sandwiches,” says Vijaya. “It also gets busy at lunchtimes and in the rush after school for slush and milkshakes. We also find that people come in for drinks and Tango Ice Blast even if it’s cold outside!”

More and more Premier retailers are discovering that with the right choice of products and the right level of in-store theatre, ‘Refresh’ zones drive footfall and shopper engagement while at the same time boosting basket spend and bottom-line

PETER SALEEM Premier Broadway Supermarket, Blyth “In my opinion, slush and milkshakes are the new way to bring shoppers into the store. The equipment does take up a lot of space, but these services are bringing in people that we didn’t used to see before.”

profits.

But there is one last consideration: once you have your drinks-to-go zone set up it’s not simply a case of sitting back and watching the cash roll in, you have to have a strong focus on keeping the area clean and tidy in order to reap the benefits.

As Kirstie Parker, store manager at Peter Saleem’s Broadway Supermarket, explains: “There is a whole new regime you need to follow – cleaning, maintenance, upkeep.

Basically, as long as the shop is open, you will be picking slush up off the floor! But it really brings people in, and shoppers love it!”

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 71

71

09/07/2021 15:34:53

LaunchReview FEEDBACK ON THE LATEST BOOKER PRODUCTS

Confectionery xxxx brands branch out into the freezer

Innovative and indulgent ice cream Cadbury ice cream tubs have been going down a storm with stay-at-home families and shoppers looking for an affordable treat or dessert option.

Take-home ice cream has boomed during the lockdown period and the momentum is set to continue as manufacturers continue to develop innovative and indulgent products.

Sales of take-home ice cream in the convenience sector grew by more than 22% during 2020 (Nielsen), which is faster than impulse ice cream sales during the same twelve months.

This growth was evident during winter months as well as during the summer, showing that take-home tubs of ice cream are being used as family desserts or for sharing snacking during nights in all year round.

Particularly successful has been the range of ice cream tubs designed to build on the appeal of popular confectionery and snack brands Cadbury Dairy Milk, Cadbury Caramel, Cadbury Flake and Oreo biscuits.

Cadbury Dairy Milk Ice Cream is a vanilla-flavoured ice cream with milk chocolate pieces and a chocolate sauce core; Cadbury Caramel features caramel ice cream and Cadbury chocolate pieces, with a smooth caramel core; Cadbury Flake 99 is made from vanillaflavoured ice cream with Cadbury milk chocolate flake pieces; while Oreo premium tub combines vanilla-flavoured ice cream with original Oreo biscuit pieces.

Products are pricemarked at £3.25 per 480ml tub, and an enhanced shopper deal means any two products from the range can be purchased for £6. At the promotional prices, the POR is 20%.

These prices and the WSP of £12 per case are available at least until 1st September.

The products are manufactured by Froneri under licence from the Cadbury brand owner Mondelez.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 72

72

09/07/2021 15:34:54

shopper’s view…

Fraser Thomson, Aberdeen Everyone loves ice cream, don’t they? I must admit I was quite excited when I first saw these, as the combination of chocolate bars with ice cream seems irresistible. I’ve tried them all now and I like the Caramel and the Flake ones best, I think, but I’m sure the Oreos one will be popular too. I like how there are actual pieces of chocolate or caramel in with the ice cream, it makes the texture more interesting and it seems more premium and indulgent than if it was just a flavoured product.

The tubs look really nice, too. They look just like the wrappers on the chocolate bars and it really makes you look forward to eating it!

I think the price of £3.25 is fine. Two tubs for £6 is even better value but that is quite a lot of ice cream to buy in one go. But it’s definitely worth considering for a party or for feeding a family over a number of days, particularly as you can mix and match the varieties.

RETAILER VIEW VIJAYA KALIKANNAN Premier Cash Care Mini Market, Hartlepool These have been going really well for us. The products look really good, the confectionery branding is strong and people have been coming back to buy them again so it’s obviously not disappointing them at all. Brands like Cadbury and Oreo are really well known so it’s always an advantage when they are on other products like ice cream.

RETAILER VIEW AJITPAL SINGH Premier Capel Hill Stores, Tonyrefail I’ve noticed more people like to buy the big tubs of ice cream these days. It’s like snacks or chocolate or everything else, the packs are getting bigger. I think people have realised that the bigger packs are better value and everyone’s aware of that nowadays. Some people have cottoned on the fact that it’s a better deal when you buy two and that means it’s a bigger basket spend and still a reasonable margin for us.

RETAILER VIEW MANDEEP SINGH Singh’s Premier, Sheffield We’ve been selling a lot more frozen food recently and so we are interested when new products come along. The Cadbury ice cream tubs have been going well for a while now: I think it’s partly because of the offer but I also think people are buying them for dessert for the meals they have at home. You often see people buying pizza, some ice cream and maybe a bottle of wine together so it’s quite a nice basket spend.

RETAILER VIEW

IN SUMMARY

1 2 3 4

Attractive combination of ice cream with popular confectionery brands.

Perfect for family occasions, summer parties and big nights in.

Pricemarked packs give shoppers confidence in your store.

Special ‘two for £6’ deal gives shopper an even better deal than the marked price.

MOS PATEL Premier Heyside Store & PO, Royton Pricemarked products always tend to go well because the shopper has confidence that they are paying a fair price, and at £3.25 they are getting a premium product at a really good price, so two for £6 is even better! The Cadbury tubs with Caramel and Flake really stand out on the shelf, which is great because it’s not always easy for shoppers to see products very well when they are in the freezer cabinets.

CADBURY CARAMEL ICE CREAM PM 3.25; CADBURY ICE CREAM PM 3.25; CADBURY FLAKE ICE CREAM PM 3.25; OREO ICE CREAM PM 3.25 CASE SIZE: 6 X 480ML WSP: £12.00 RSP: ANY 2 FOR £6 POR: 20%

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 73

73

09/07/2021 15:34:55

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

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 74 6384663_MDLZ Intl Chocolate Multipacks Single Page Advert x2_V3.indd 3

09/07/2021 15:34:55

420mm

280mm

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

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 75

420mm

09/07/2021 30/04/202115:34:56 5:37 pm

Available to order now PM £1.35 M264583 TS May-Jun - V2.indd 76

09/07/2021 15:34:56

Winning Tactics | GUEST COLUMN

Imtiyaz Mamode of Premier Wych Lane, Gosport, won the Local Hero Award at the Asian Trader Awards earlier this year and also features on the IAA Top 100 list.

Social media and customer service are key Hampshire Premier retailer Imtiyaz Mamode has built a thriving business based on getting good shopper feedback through the latest social media and old-fashioned customer service. Here he shares the secrets of his success

B

efore my brother took over a shop in Gosport in 2018, I had no knowledge of retailing. My background was in IT, but he wanted help and I wanted to learn something new so I moved down to Hampshire and started in retail.

I had to learn very quickly. Our current shop used to be part of another convenience store chain but it had been shut for a couple of years and people were saying that if they couldn’t make it work, then how could we?

The answer is customer feedback. When we opened, we used social media straight away, and in many ways it has been the key to our success. Social media gives you engagement with the shopper and with the community. We began with Facebook, and invited people in the area to like, share and comment on our posts.

We’d put the latest deals on there, sometimes shoppers could win something by engaging with us, and people started to share our content with friends and family. Our followers grew every day, and we noticed more people were coming into the shop.

We went onto Instagram in 2020 – it’s even more powerful than Facebook, particularly for attracting new and younger shoppers.

Love Island celebrity Demi Jones is from the area and she came into the shop once. She has a million followers on Instagram and posted about us on her feed – I think half of Portsmouth visited the shop after that!

If any shop wants to be successful, social media is essential. It’s so simple – you can do it in ten minutes a day. And it’s never cost us a penny.

When we installed Tango Ice Blast, we put it on social media and we sold 1,500 cups in the first week! This told us we needed more products like this, so we added a second machine, plus Jolly Rancher, F’Real and Fwip.

We find that American products work really well – confectionery, drinks, and grocery too. Demand is really high and it’s a point of difference for us not just in the area but in the country. One guy travelled down from Oxford and spent £275 in a single trip, and it’s down to social media that people like that can find us.

Customer service is absolutely vital as well. We treat our shoppers like they are friends or family – we make a point of talking to them in person and on social media, and if they have a request we will always try to fulfil it for them.

We are always looking for ways to give back to our local community as well. We’ve raised money for autism support and given away prizes like a colour TV. Before the lockdown we used to attend and support all the local events, and we’ll start doing that again as soon as we are able to. At its peak we cooked vegetarian food and gave it away to the vulnerable members of the community – we were reaching 25 houses a day.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 77

77

09/07/2021 15:34:57

DAL

19 3 2

DRIVE VALUE TO YOUR FLAVOURED CARBONATES! #1 ADULT PREMIUM

FLAVOURED CARBONATED DRINK1

+53% SALES GROWTH2 AHEAD OF FLAVOURED CARBONATED AND SOFT DRINKS

+52.2%

PENETRATION GROWTH IN MARKET PENETRATION3 NEW CAN SAME GREAT TASTE

30% LESS SUGAR

*

1

Based on product singles that are priced at £3 per lt or higher - IRI MarketPlace, Waters Database, MAT, Value Sales, 6th Sept 2020, Convenience GB. 2.IRI, Total Market, IRI, Value Sales Growth, MAT 7th Nov 2020 vs previous period.

3 IRI, Total Retail, YTD wk/e 13th March 2021 * With 30% less than similar sugar sweetened beverages.

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 78

09/07/2021 15:34:57

Gaining Respect | ACS Viewpoint

James Lowman A new campaign under the #ShopKind banner seeks to bring about a positive behaviour change for shoppers in-store

Crime has been at the forefront of retailers’ minds over the course of the pandemic, as local shops have had to contend with the introduction of new regulations such as social distancing measures and face coverings.

T

hroughout the pandemic, local shops have stayed open, working tirelessly to provide their communities with essential products and services. The harsh reality is that this has meant we have also been a constant target of criminals, with incidents of theft, violence and abuse.

Earlier this year, we launched our 2021 Crime Report which revealed that 89% of colleagues working in local shops have experienced some form of abuse, with over 1.2million incidents recorded over the last year. Sadly, Covid-related abuse has become one of the biggest issues facing retailers and is now one of the top triggers of violence in store.

Violence and abuse against colleagues working in our

sector has become not just more common, but more serious with weapons being used in over a quarter of violent incidents.

I don’t need to tell you about the serious and long-lasting impacts of these incidents on the individuals, stores and communities involved.

Against this background, we were proud to be asked by the Government to coordinate #ShopKind, a new campaign bringing together the whole of the retail sector and the Home Office with the aim of encouraging positive behaviour in stores and raising awareness about the scale and impact of abuse towards shopworkers.

Hundreds of key names in the UK retail industry have come together for this campaign, urging the public

to #ShopKind and treat shopworkers with kindness and respect. The campaign will be visible across highstreets up and down the country and on social media to spread the message that our colleagues should be treated with kindness and respect.

More information about the #ShopKind campaign, including how you can get involved, downloadable in-store posters and social media graphics can More be found on www.nbcc.police. information uk. Will this campaign end about the #ShopKind the violence and abuse that’s campaign, including the scourge of our industry? downloadable in-store No, but it will serve as posters and social media a constant reminder that graphics can be found on abusive behaviour towards www.nbcc.police.uk retailers and shopworkers is unacceptable, should not be tolerated and must always be reported.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 79

79

09/07/2021 15:34:58

Group Machine Offer_BOOKER_Talking Shop_Feb2021.qxp 15/04/2021 11:11 Page 1

SLUSH SYRUPS NOW ONLY £11.99

PROFIT 84%

HUGE COST PROFITS 16%

FREE delivery 10% OFF your first online order snowshock.com/bookerdeals

BOOKER CENTRAL BILLING EXCLUSIVE SAVE 10% AND GET A HUGE FREE STOCK BONUS!

COMPACT

FREE STOCK

TWIN 6 ltr

WORTH

£3000*

REGULAR

FREE STOCK

TWIN 12 ltr

WORTH

£3000*

£1618 +

£1978 +

MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS:

MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS:

3 x £570 +VAT

3 x £675 +VAT

VAT

|

VAT

6 x £295 +VAT

|

6 x £345 +VAT

USUALLY £1798

USUALLY £2198

Includes 18 x 5ltr bottles of slush concentrate

Includes 18 x 5ltr bottles of slush concentrate

10% OFF ALL SLUSH MACHINES

COMPACT

TREBLE 6 ltr

FREE STOCK WORTH

£4000

*

REGULAR

FREE STOCK

TREBLE 12 ltr

WORTH

£4000*

£2158 +

£2518 +

MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS:

MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS:

VAT

3x

£740 +VAT |

VAT

6 x £380 +VAT

3 x £890 +VAT

|

6 x £450 +VAT

USUALLY £2398

USUALLY £2798

Includes 24 x 5ltr bottles of slush concentrate

Includes 24 x 5ltr bottles of slush concentrate

Free POS with each machine Free cups & straws included *at RRP £1.50/Reg 300ml

T’s & C’s Apply

AVAILABLE

CALL TODAY 0330 053 6132 VISIT snowshock.com/bookerdeals VOUCHER CODE BCBE2101 Same price to call as 01 or 02 landlines - including from mobiles. Prices correct at time of publishing - Q1 2021.

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 80

09/07/2021 15:35:05

YOURSHOUT GOT A QUESTION? Want to post a question or raise an issue with the Premier Team?

Get in touch by email at talkingshop@booker.co.uk.

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

Help with allergens

Top lines for the summer What are the key products I should be focusing on this summer? What are going to be the most important items to stock?

SURESH PATEL, PREMIER UPHOLLAND MARTYN PARKINSON, BRAND DIRECTOR – PREMIER SAID: Shoppers have generally been using their local shops more during the past year or so, and this will continue as long as you have the right offer. The more convenient you can be for them the better, so think about fresh

food that provide simple solutions such as fresh pizzas and some essential fruit and vegetables.

There is also a great summer of sporting events to look forward too.

The Euros football is already moving towards the exciting final stages, there is tennis at Wimbledon and these will be followed by the Olympic Games. Families and groups of friends will be looking for great deals on beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks to consume while they enjoy these events.

Bringing more shoppers in With the lockdown gradually easing, what are the best ways to attract and retain shopper footfall to my store?

PRASSANA WERAGAMA, PREMIER WOOLWELL STORES, PLYMOUTH MARTYN PARKINSON, BRAND DIRECTOR – PREMIER SAID: The best way to retain existing shoppers and to attract new ones is to make sure your store remains relevant and up-to-date. Many Premier stores are already enjoying success with products such as frozen carbonated drinks, selfservice milkshakes, gelato and the like. These products not only drive footfall and create in-store theatre, they are highly profitable too. Outside of that, bread and milk remain the key footfall drivers to our stores and great prices are available from Premier so that you can offer a great deal for your regular shoppers.

I want to make sure all the products that I sell in my store are correctly labelled for shoppers with food allergies. What do I need to do to make sure that my store remains safe for these shoppers?

JUSTIN WHITTAKER, MJ’S PREMIER, ROYTON MARTYN PARKINSON, BRAND DIRECTOR – PREMIER SAID: The law is changing from October for products where you apply the label yourself, such as those packed in an in-store kitchen and then put in a display unit.

For these, you need to make sure that the label highlights the common allergens – such as gluten, milk or nuts – in bold text or a different colour.

For products that are delivered to store already labelled, it is the suppliers’ responsibility to make sure the label is correct.

If you sell products without a label, such as from a deli cabinet or via home delivery, then you need to inform shoppers of the allergens either verbally or via a menu. For more information visit the FSA website.

July 2021 TalkingShop

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 81

81

09/07/2021 15:35:06

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 82

09/07/2021 15:35:07

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 83

09/07/2021 15:35:07

TS May-Jun - V2.indd 84

09/07/2021 15:35:11