The Week In Retail Issue 26

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

RETAILER OFFERS

STORE PROFILE

£4M UP FOR GRABS

CO-OP FRANCHISE IN FREMINGTON

COSTCUTTER COMPANY STORE BECOMES CO-OP

£4M UNCLAIMED IN NFRN GIVEAWAY

TWITTER SPAT SPAWNS ALD IPA UP YOUR ONLINE GAME MENTAL HEALTH IN RETAIL

COVID-19

THREE TIERS FOR BORIS

NEW RULES KICK IN TODAY

+

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 Commercial Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 26 Wednesday 14th October 2020

Symbol Partner:

Helping you to make an extra 3% Gross Profit Ease of use

Simple to use touch screen till software

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Cigarette Gantry integration

Indepth reporting and analysis

Touch screen handheld device to control the shop from the shopfloor

Supplier Data links with all major Wholesalers

Credit Card integration

Weekly health check reports to guide you to improve your sales and margin.

Access to background database with over 100,000 products

Benefits of MPos ✓ Built around a retailer, not a computer user ✓ Simple to use till, powerful admin tools ✓ Built from retailers perspective ✓ Reduces labour by downloading products, price changes, invoices and promotions

✓ Reduces labour by allowing one click order generation and one click invoice downloads - easily shave off 10 hours of work per store

✓ Increased control on stock; all stock deliveries downloaded and all stock adjustments emailed to the owner; NO stock is unaccounted for

✓ Emails store performance to the user with real actionable data once a week rather than stats heavy reports that overwhelm the user

✓ Based in Scotland with excellent support and training program

✓ Easy to use Hand Held terminal to control the store from shop floor ✓ Integration with Credit Card terminals, Zapper, Cigarette Gantry, Loyalty Schemes and more ✓ Developed and supported by people that know the retail trade

So How much Could our System make for you?

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MHouse, 349 Shields Road, Motherwell, ML1 2LD

Tel: 0800 242 5360 email sales@mhousesolutions.com

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS WITH ME AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM

NEW RETAIL MODELS A CHANGED FUTURE This week’s cover features a Costcutter companyowned store in North Devon that has just been transitioned into a Co-op as part of the the group’s ‘retail-franchise model’. It’s an interesting development and only the latest in a series of fresh takes on the traditional symbol group model.

Many large wholesalers walk the tricky line of both owning and operating stores themselves while also supplying independent retailers.

That effectively puts them in direct competition with their customers, depending upon how you choose to view it, but it’s a model that most retailers have grown accustomed to. The symbol group is not the only model, of course, with One Stop being an obvious alternative. Companies like MFG also operate a ‘commission’ model where MFG owns the sites but self-employed independent retailers run them.

The benefits of these models are obvious. It’s notoriously difficult to manage and motivate a huge team of staff across hundreds of companyowned stores. Like it or not, employees often just don’t have the same drive and commitment that store owners do. I’m not staying for one minute that this is true of every store - there are some fantastic managers in company-owned stores and there are some mediocre retailers who own their

own stores - but as a general rule, it’s not to far from the reality.

Which is potentially why AF Blakemore has recently dipped its toe into a commission-retailer model and why Costcutter is pursuing its strategy of transitioning some of its company-owned stores into what are effectively Co-op franchises. The sales pitch has it that “the Co-op franchise opportunity through Costcutter offers retailers and investors across the UK the opportunity to open, own and operate a Co-op store, with the combined support of both Costcutter and the Co-op through every step of the journey”.

It’s likely to be an appealing option for many independent retailers (and investors) and the model appears to deliver. Costcutter says its former company-owned stores that have become Co-op franchises have increased turnover by a minimum of 50%. The model is no longer wholesaler and customer. Franchising in this way brings both sides of the agreement onto the same team. Or, as Martin Rogers, Head of New Channels at Coop, puts it: “Our latest franchise store is a great example of how we are growing our brand to generate mutual value with a likeminded partner.”

Time will tell if it really is a win-win, or whether it ends up being slightly more one-sided than that.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

Join the NFRN and get

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BOOKER VOUCHERS & BIGGEST EVER

SAVE £££ VOUCHER GIVEAWAY

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

Join the NFRN and get

£500 worth of

BOOKER VOUCHERS 4

16

& BIGGEST EVER

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THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF www.THEFedonline.com/general-join

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020

PARTNERSHIP BREWING

The new SGF Scottish Local Shop Report see store numbers rise.

A Twitter spat between Aldi and BrewDog needs with ALD IPA.

or call us on 0800 121 6376 *T&Cs apply - see website for full details

£4m of free stock up or grabs in NFRN giveaway.

10 COVID UPDATE

16 SCOTTISH SHOP REPORT

24 UP YOUR ONLINE GAME

BORIS INTRODUCES THREE TIERS, NICOLA TO FOLLOW SUIT.

12 FRANCHISE FRENZY

A LOOK AT THE LATEST COMPANY-OWNED COSTCUTTER TO BECOME A CO-OP.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SGF SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020.

OFFER.

21 RAJ AGGARWAL TROPHY

26 MENTAL HEALTH IN RETAIL

ACS HONOURS THE MEMORY OF A MUCHLOVED RETAILER.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

ADVICE ON IMPROVING YOUR E-COMMERCE

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

SNAPPY APPOINTMENT

TRADE SHOWS

VIRTUAL NISA EXPO OPEN FOR PREVIEWS NISA’S FIRST EVER VIRTUAL TRADE SHOW HAS OPENED TO ALL REGISTERED NISA PARTNERS ALLOWING THEM A PREVIEW OF THE TWO-DAY EVENT NEXT WEEK.

Dundee-based mobile app and web-based convenience store home delivery platform Snappy Shopper Is targeting further growth with the appointment of ex-Deliveroo executive Alice Wookey as key account controller.

PLAQUE PARADE

The site for the first virtual Nisa Expo opened to all registered Nisa partners on Monday allowing them a preview ahead of the two-day show next week.

Retailers who have confirmed their place now have full access to the site enabling them to browse stands, view the full show agenda, book appointments with suppliers, check out the deals available and download product information. The event goes live on Tuesday next week.

Additional supplier stands and all Nisa services stands will be added

throughout the course of this week with partners encouraged to keep checking back for developments and to plan their live experience.

Partners not yet registered for the virtual Nisa Expo are encouraged to do via www.nisaexpo.co.uk

Watford retailer Chirag Mehta, owner of New Hollands News & Wine, has been awarded a National Lottery Good Causes plaque by Gagan Mohindra MP at a special presentation at his store. Chirag and his customers have helped raise over £1.1m for good causes through the sale of National Lottery products.

This achievement meant he was picked out to receive the award. CEO of National Lottery operator Camelot, Nigel Railton, was also at the event to celebrate Chirag’s and his customers’ accomplishment.

UNITAS BOSS SLAMS TESCO’S RATES RELIEF Unitas MD Darren Goldney has lashed out at the Government’s £600m award of Business Rates relief to Tesco, which last week announced a £551m profit during the coronavirus outbreak.

Goldney said: “The near 30% half-year rise in Tesco’s profit suggests that over the full year it could make an extra £600m – almost exactly the same as the amount of taxpayers’ money the Government is handing over to them. On the same day of this profit announcement, independent wholesalers supplying hospitals, care homes, community pubs etc are shedding staff, loss making and reviewing a future of borderline survival.”

“The Scottish Government has shut down hospitality again, and driven consumers back to supermarkets,” Goldney continued. “Whilst we naturally don’t like and may not agree with measures that hurt, we do respect the government has to make tough decisions. However, what we can’t respect is an absolute failure to manage fairly the consequence of those decisions and allow ‘viable‘ businesses and jobs go to the wall because they’ve put billions into the wrong place.”

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NEWS DIGEST

THIS WEEK’S NEWS FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

ALDI GROWS TRIAL

RETAILER GIVEAWAY

£4M OF FREE STOCK UP FOR GRABS

Aldi is to double the size of its trial of on-demand grocery deliveries with Deliveroo,

THE NFRN SAYS THERE AIMS STILL £4M WORTH OF FREE STOCK UP

increasing the number of

FOR GRABS FOR FEDERATION MEMBERS AS PART OF AN INITIATIVE

participating stores to 42

WITH BOOKER.

including stores in Bristol, Liverpool and Brighton.

The NFRN says retailers are sitting on a £4m mountain of free stock provided by the organisation in partnership with Booker. The scheme launched in early September with all Federation members receiving free vouchers with a retail sales value of £500. The promotion features a wide range of top selling products and comprises a mix of BOGOF offers, free cases and money-off deals.

The vouchers can be redeemed at Booker and Makro branches nationwide on a range of top selling products. So far almost 2,000 members have taken advantage of the offer but with the 3 November 3 deadline looming, a further £4m worth of free products is still up for grabs.

Customers within 6km of the stores can choose from around 400 essential Aldi grocery items for delivery in as little as 30 minutes.

GIFTING £2BN The British Retail Consortium has backed a campaign

DPD TEAMS UP WITH COLLECT+ TO ADD 3,000 STORES

by the Gift Card & Voucher

Parcel delivery firm DPD has announced that over 3,000 Collect+ parcel shops are to be added to the DPD Pickup network, as part of a deal with PayPoint.

The new deal will expand the DPD Pickup network to over 6,000 stores nationwide, meaning 97% of the UK population will now be within five miles of a DPD Pickup store.

Ben Ford, Retail Services Director at PayPoint, commented: “We’re delighted to work with DPD to allow Collect+ retailers to provide parcel services to even more of their customers. We have seen an unprecedented boom in online

Government to increase the

shopping in recent months and our network gives parcel recipients more options for convenient and safe delivery and collection. It also gives our retailer partners another reason for shoppers to use their store, add value and increase sales.”

Association, supported by the Association of Town and City Management, urging tax-free, employer gifting allowance from £50, currently permitted through HMRC’s Trivial Benefits Allowance, to £500. The campaign is encouraging employers across the nation to then use the increased tax-free allowance to thank staff for their hard work and raise morale. They say the move could safeguard thousands of jobs and add £2bn to the high street economy.

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THE UK’S BEST SELLING CRAFT BEER IS NOW CARBON NEGATIVE.

TOMORROW STARTS TODAY.

AT BREWDOG, WE BELIEVE THAT BY HAVING THE CONVICTION TO DO THINGS ON OUR TERMS, AND BY LIVING THE PUNK DIY ETHOS, WE CAN CHANGE THE WORLD WITH CRAFT BEER… ONE GLASS AT A TIME. AND OUR WORLD NEEDS CHANGE NOW MORE THAN EVER. From working with the best experts in the world, to double offsetting all our emissions, and from waging a war on waste, to investing heavily to reduce our emissions to zero, we are putting everything on the line for what we believe in.

We are learning as we go and will continue to make mistakes. We promise to share the good and the bad from our journey to become the world’s most sustainable drinks business.

MAKING SURE THAT WE, AND FUTURE GENERATIONS HAVE A PLANET TO BREW BEER IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST FOCUS OF BREWDOG. FOREVER.

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

Retail trade union Usdaw

PO CASH DEPOSITS BACK TO PRE-COVID LEVELS

is concerned that the

THE POST OFFICE HAS

Chancellor’s decision to extend

ANNOUNCED THAT CASH

the Job Support Scheme

DEPOSITS £2BN A MONTH.

GOV SCHEME FALLS SHORT

doesn’t help retail stores that remain open. General Secretary Paddy Lillis says: “The Job Support Scheme should be extended to cover all businesses that are suffering in this crisis.”

SPENDING UP The latest Barclaycard Consumer Spending Report for September shows spending up by 2%, boosted by warm weather and ‘back to school’ shopping. Spending on

Cash deposits by business and personal customers at Post Office’s 11,500 branches in September were up 7.7% on same month last year, the highest amount of deposits in a single month (£2bn) and the first time since February, before lockdown, that cash deposits exceeded the equivalent month in 2019.

Overall, cash deposits and withdrawals by business and personal customers amounted to over £2.6bn in September, up 11.3% on August Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, said: “We’ll be monitoring

closely what impact the recently introduced lockdown measures have on small businesses’ ability to stay open and deposit their takings at our branches. They will continue to be the place where cash can be quickly and locally deposited helping to give small business owners more time to keep serving their customers.”

essential items rose 6.1% as a quarter of Brits admit to stockpiling goods in case of shortages.

EARLY CHRISTMAS New British Retail Consortium show that retail sales increased by 6.1% in September on a like-forbasis as people began their Christmas shopping earlier this year. The figures also reveal that food sales grew by 5.1% on a like-for-like basis and by 5.6% on total basis in the the three months to September.

FRESH COVID OUTBREAK AT AMAZON A fresh outbreak of Covid-19 at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse is sparking fears among workers, that Amazon Prime Day could be a ‘hive of infection’, says trade union GMB. The union says workers are frightened that if they don’t come to work while waiting for test results they won’t get paid, despite the fact that at least eight workers have tested positive at the facility with two now seriously ill in hospital.

Amazon are testing workers but results take at least a week to come

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back, says GMB, and workers are told they won’t be paid if they don’t come in to work while waiting for test results.

Amazon has not responded to GMB Union’s requests for risk assessments.

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

THREE TIERS FOR BORIS... AND NICOLA SET TO FOLLOW SUIT

SAINSBURY’S SMARTSHOP IN 770 STORES BY CHRISTMAS

BORIS JOHNSON’S ‘THREE-TIER’ APPROACH TO CORONAVIRUS

T

RESTRICTIONS IN ENGLAND KICKED IN TODAY WITH NICOLA STURGEON SET TO FOLLOW HIS LEAD IN SCOTLAND.

Tier one includes areas with fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 of population and will need to adhere to national restrictions such as the

Sainsbury’s is ramping up the deployment of its SmartShop ‘scan, pay, go’ solution and says it will have it in place in all 770 of its Sainsbury’s Local convenience branches by Christmas, as well as in all of its supermarkets.

‘rule of six’ and social distancing.

Tier two kicks in are above 100 per 100,000 with restrictions on household meetings.

Tier three areas would have significantly higher rates and would face full lockdowns excluding schools and essential businesses, like supermarkets and convenience stores, as well as places of worship.

considered by the government.

Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has also announced that “a tiered lockdown system could be implemented in Scotland by the end of October”.

ONLINE DIPS AS IN-STORE GROWS

The growth of online retail sales has continued to fall, albeit gradually, from peak pandemic levels in September, up by 65.1% on a like-for-like basis, according to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker. This was the third consecutive month-on-month reduction.. In April to June, online sales grew by more than 100%. The trend indicates that increasing numbers of consumers are returning to the high street, although eCommerce is still performing far stronger than pre-Covid.

TECH SOLUTIONS

he Government’s new threetier system of Covid-19 restrictions has begun in England with most of the country in the lowest tier - medium - but millions in the Midlands and the North facing much tighter restrictions on household mixing.

Liverpool is the only area to be subject to the toughest rules - Tier Three - at this stage with pubs and bars that don’t serve meals forced to close.

Hours before the top tier rules came into force in Liverpool, police were forced to disperse large crowds in the city.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland is set to extend the half-term holidays for schools, from Monday, alongside other new measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus and in Wales a short circuit breaker lockdown is being

THE TIERS

The retailer says Sainsbury’s says sales through SmartShop have exceeded 50% in some stores and hit 37% of total sales across in the past quarter.

The solution lets shoppers scan their items on the app, then pay for them through Apple Pay and leave without dealing with checkouts.

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STORE PROFILE

CO-OP FREMINGTON COSTCUTTER / CO-OP

COSTCUTTER FREMINGTON

TRANSITIONS TO CO-OP COSTCUTTER HAS ANNOUNCED THE CONVERSION OF ITS COMPANY-OWNED FREMINGTON STORE IN NORTH DEVON TO A CO-OP UNDER ITS RETAIL-FRANCHISE AGREEMENT.

C

ostcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) has completed the transition of its companyowned store in Fremington to a Co-op as part of its convenience retail-franchise agreement, which

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“Previous company owned stores [that have transitioned to Co-op] have increased turnover by a minimum of 50%, and we’re confident that Fremington will follow a similar path.” [ Lucy Frost ]

it says continues to attract strong interest from investors and retailers alike.

The store in North Devon, which was one of the first to undergo CSG’s business growth transformation programme ‘Shopper First’,

STORE PROFILE

CO-OP FREMINGTON COSTCUTTER / CO-OP

opened its doors as a Co-op franchise just over a week ago. CSG says the Shopper First programme proved instrumental in helping the store develop and deliver continuous sales growth by ensuring it had a strong, relevant offer for today’s convenience shopper and helped it realise its potential to become a Co-op franchise.

The 2,600 sq ft store, which underwent a joint £250k investment from both CSG and Co-op, created six new jobs and features the Co-op Own Brand range with a focus on fresh healthy produce, wines and ready meals. The stores expanded range also features a wide selection of Free-From and vegan products as well as Fairtrade options alongside everyday essentials.

The Co-op franchise opportunity through CSG offers retailers and investors across the UK the opportunity to open, own and operate a Coop store, with the combined support of both CSG and the Co-op through every step of the journey.

Lucy Frost, Director of Franchise at CSG, said: “The Fremington store marks another milestone in our exclusive convenience retail-franchise agreement with Co-op and clearly demonstrates our commitment to widening our reach and building on our joint success in convenience retailing.

“Alongside our work with investors and independent retailers to progress Co-op franchise opportunities, we have continued to explore how we can build on the successes we have seen in the transformation of our other company stores to Co-op franchises and Fremington was the obvious next choice to help us expand our franchise footprint. Previous company owned stores have increased turnover by a minimum of 50%, and we’re confident that Fremington will follow a similar path.”

“Our experience of operating in the convenience sector for over 30 years, together with

the strength of the Co-op offer, which shoppers love, has created a strong franchise model. We continuing to work through an exciting pipeline of investors and retailers keen to realise the success that a Co-op franchise can offer.”

Martin Rogers, Head of New Channels at Coop said: “At the Co-op we are always looking for ways to reach new customers and members, and our latest franchise store is a great example of how we are growing our brand to generate mutual value with a likeminded partner. Our Co-op purpose is about connecting communities, bringing people together and making a difference and every time our own brand products are purchased with a Coop Membership card, you know you’re helping communities here and around the world. We have the capability to deliver franchising at scale and we’re confident this will continue to be an attractive proposition for potential investors.”

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

BOOST YOUR VALUE SALES AND STOCK UP ON PINT CANS! 60% of shoppers only buy pint can formats, with the pack size growing +£37 million last year.*

Convenience retailers saw their average annual sales increase by £383 when stocking the pint can format vs 500ml can.**

We’re optimising our portfolio to help you meet the growing demand in pint cans. From October, we’ll cease production of the 500ml can.

Stock up on our 568ml and 440ml cans today. ©2020 AB InBev UK Limited, all rights reserved.

*NEILSEN GB Total Impulse – Value (in £M) – 2019 ** Nielsen Scantrack |YTD 05.09.20 | Impulse channel

ALCOHOLIC SPARKLING WATER. YEAH, THAT’S A THING NOW.

Please drink responsibly. Over 18s only.

RESEARCH

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 DESPITE A HUGELY CHALLENGING YEAR, THERE ARE PLENTY OF POSITIVES TO BE FOUND IN THE

T

LATEST SGF SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT, THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE OVERVIEW OF THE CONVENIENCE MARKET AVAILABLE.

he Scottish Local Shop Report 2020 has just been published by the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) and makes for very interesting reading, given the flux of the last seven or eight months. Produced by the SGF with the support of their colleagues at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), the report is arguably the most comprehensive snapshot available of the entire Scottish local retailing sector and this year’s report paints a quietly positive picture of the state of the retailing nation.

For the third year in a row, total convenience store numbers have risen again, this time to 5,025 stores. There is more good news in that the sector now employs an additional 3,000 staff, taking the total number of people employed in the local retailing sector to a significant 47,000.

Despite the challenges of tackling Covid-19, convenience retailers somehow find the time, energy and funds to continue to invest heavily in their stores. In Scotland alone, over £62m has been invested by local retailers over the last year with an average annual investment of more than £6,000 per store.

Encouragingly, some 85% of independent Scottish local retailers have engaged in some form of community activity in the past year.

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The once burgeoning food to go market has been hit badly by lockdown but the report nonetheless shows that 37% of Scottish stores have a coffee machine, 27% have an in-store bakery, 22% offer hot food to go, 21% have a food preparation area or kitchen and 12% operate a food to go concession.

The wider UK convenience channel now generates annual sales of almost £45bn or, to put it another way, it accounts for about one fifth of the total UK grocery market. The convenience sector also paid almost £9bn in taxes last year.

RESEARCH

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

ay pl

C

here t o il ck video

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 17

RESEARCH

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

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RESEARCH

SCOTTISH LOCAL SHOP REPORT 2020 SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

SOCIAL MEDIA

ALD IPA ALDI / BREWDOG

BREWDOG’S ‘ALD IPA’ HITS ALDI SHELVES AFTER A BIZARRE EXCHANGE OF TWITTER POSTS, ALDI WILL TOMORROW BEGIN STOCKING A NEW ALD

I

IPA LINE FROM BREWDOG, HIGHLIGHTING THE GROWING ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

t all began, as it often does, with a series of fairly innocuous Tweets between Aldi and BrewDog but it rapidly escalated and the exchange of social media banter has resulted in a new product from BrewDog - ALD IPA - being listed from tomorrow in Aldi stores.

The new beer was first created as a joke tweet by BrewDog after fans commented on the striking resemblance between Aldi’s Anti-Establishment beer and BrewDog’s popular Punk IPA. Aldi is, of course, no stranger to the lookalike own brand model. In true BrewDog style, the Aberdeenshire indie giant suggested it might create a special ‘Yaldi IPA’ in response.

Aldi’s response was to suggest that “We would have gone with ALD IPA, send us a crate and we’ll talk”. Next thing you know, ALD IPA has been turned into reality and will feature on Aldi shelves from tomorrow as a Specialbuy on the tried and tested ‘when it’s gone, it’s gone’ model. It’s BrewDog’s first ever exclusive creation for a supermarket and is based on BrewDog’s Hop Fiction recipe. It will cost shoppers just £1.39 per can.

As part of the collaboration, Aldi and BrewDog will each donate a tree to be planted in the BrewDog Forest located in the Scottish highlands. BrewDog announced earlier this year that it is now a ‘carbon negative’ business as it takes twice as much carbon out of the air as it emits.

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director Aldi Scotland,

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says: “We couldn’t resist stocking ALD IPA, which supports our mission to work with the UK’s best independent suppliers.

Plus, with customer enquiries through the roof after the conversation broke on Twitter - it really was a no brainer to give our shoppers what they want.”

James Watt, co-Founder of BrewDog comments: “Ald IPA has been one of our favourite collaborations to date, it’s definitely one no one saw coming! From a mockup on Twitter, to being stocked at Aldi stores across the UK, the response has been incredible. Most importantly, both BrewDog and Aldi have agreed that for every case sold an extra tree will be planted in the BrewDog Forest. A win-win for our customers, and the planet!”

INDUSTRY AWARDS

RAJ AGGARWAL TROPHY ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES

RAJ AGGARWAL TROPHY TO RECOGNISE COMMUNITY RETAILERS THE ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES HAS LAUNCHED A NEW AWARD TO MARK THE LEGACY OF MUCH-LOVED RETAILER RAJ AGGARWAL AND TO REWARD OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY RETAILERS.

T

he Association of Convenience Stores has announced that it has created the Raj Aggarwal Trophy to mark the legacy of independent retailer Raj Aggarwal and to recognise and reward local retailers who have been exceptional in community retailing and helping their fellow retailers.

The trophy was presented to Raj’s widow Sunita Aggarwal

by Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive James

OUR TRIBUTE TO RAJ...

Earlier this year, The Week In Retail worked with dozens of retail industry colleagues to produce a unique video tribute to the great man. We’ll meet again, Raj.

Lowman in recognition of Raj’s incredible contribution to his local community and his tireless efforts in sharing ideas and helping other retailers to improve their businesses.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are delighted to be able to create the Raj Aggarwal Trophy to mark Raj’s enormous contribution to the people around him, the community that he served and the retailers that benefitted from his guidance. We hope that this Trophy will make something positive out of Raj’s legacy for years to come.”

In receiving the trophy, Sunita Aggarwal has asked for the award to be given to retailers that embody the characteristics that Raj will be remembered for – unwavering commitment to the local community and a willingness to help others.

Raj Aggarwal was an award winning independent retailer and member of the ACS Independent Board who passed away from Covid-19 in April 2020. In one of his final social media posts before his passing, Raj was seen dropping off supplies for NHS workers at Glenfield Hospital.

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THOUGHT LEDERSHIP

E-COMMERCE CIARAN BOLLARD, CEO, KOOOMO

ADAPT QUICKLY TO THRIVE PERMANENT CHANGES TO SHOPPER BEHAVIOUR MEAN THAT IT’S RETAILERS WHO ADAPT AND EVOLVE

T

QUICKEST ONLINE WHO WILL WILL REMAIN COMPETITIVE, SAYS CIARAN BOLLARD OF E-COMMERCE PLATFORM KOOOMO.

he ongoing pandemic is having a profound impact on consumer behaviour. As shoppers get to grips with the new normal, discretionary spending is declining, expectations are changing and e-commerce continues to surge. In light of this, retailers must invest more heavily in their digital presence and think innovatively about how they can enhance their services.

The bottom line here is that consumers are increasingly conscious and priorities have changed. Amid the vast economic uncertainty that comes hand-in-hand with Covid-19, people have had to think more carefully about their spending.

What does and doesn’t matter to UK consumers has taken a massive U-turn.

Here are four of the key changes to consumer behaviour and how retailers can adapt:

1. ONLINE SHOPPING HAS INCREASED First and foremost, in this new era centred on safety, online shopping has witnessed an immense surge and is set to near the £175bn barrier by the end of the year. This change in behaviour is here to stay. It is the retailers who recognise this fact and optimise their online services that will be better placed to remain competitive beyond the pandemic. For smaller, indie retailers that do not have the funds or time to facilitate this, marketplace selling is a viable alternative.

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 26 / WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020

2. CONSUMERS WANT SECURE PAYMENT METHODS AND DIVERSE OPTIONS With a greater emphasis on safety, consumers are turning their attention towards secure payment methods and diverse options more than ever before. With cyber-attacks becoming increasingly prominent over the past few months, retailers must ensure they are creating a check-out process that is safe and frictionless for all users.

3. BRAND LOYALTY HAS BEEN JEOPARDISED Consumers have less patience when it comes to online shopping. Brand loyalty has been jeopardised with consumers simply switching to competitors if the items they desire are out of stock or cannot be delivered quickly. Ultimately, consumers look to sites that offer a fast, secure and reliable experience, meaning retailers must get the basics covered if they want to attract and retain customers.

4. CONSUMERS HAVE HIGHER EXPECTATIONS Retailers should look to creating a flawless online experience for users. With everyone and everything moving online nowadays, consumers have heightened expectations when it comes to eCommerce and tend to opt for brands and retailers that offer the ultimate customer

DESTINATION RETAIL AN SLR GUIDE TO BECOMING A ‘DESTINATION STORE’ WHY IT MATTERS... AND HOW TO DO IT. CLICK ON THE BUTTON BELOW TO READ IT NOW

DESTINATIO RETAIL N

AN SLR GUID E TO ‘DESTINATIO BECOMING A N STORE’ W HY IT MAT TE

READ NOW

RS... AND HO

W TO DO IT.

OCTOBER 202 HOME DELIVE RY

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/ FOOD-TO-G O / DIFFERENT LOCAL SOU IATED RANGE RCING / SUS / TAINABILITY / TECH

Destination

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RESEARCH

2020 HEALTH OF RETAIL REPORT RETAILTRUST

‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME’ OPPORTUNITY TO AVOID MENTAL HEALTH STORM THE RETAIL SECTOR HAS A ‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY’ TO PREVENT AN INCOMING MENTAL

T

HEALTH STORM THAT COULD AFFECT MILLIONS OF WORKERS, SAYS RETAILTRUST.

he UK retail sector has a once in a lifetime opportunity to prevent a potential mental health storm that could impact millions of workers, says industry charity retailTRUST. On the eve of World Mental Health Day (10 October) and ahead of National Work Life Week (12-16 October), retailTRUST launched its ‘2020 Health of Retail’ report which identifies a triumvirate of pandemicinduced stress and anxiousness facing UK retail workers.

1. Financial instability: this year so far 13,867 [BRC, 2019] shops have closed, up 24.8% on the same period last year and 125,000 retail jobs have been lost; the imminent end of the government’s Job Retention Scheme (31 October) and uncertainty around the Job Support Scheme, which is set to replace it, are all causing concern.

2. Uncertainty and the fear of the unknown: The Institute for Employment Studies reported 700,000 UK employees at risk of being made redundant in the second half of 2020.

3. Social disconnect: At home and at work caused by lockdown restrictions which have led directly to an increase in physical, verbal and racial assaults from customers and a

‘hero to zero’ change in public opinion about store workers.

“Socioeconomically, the pandemic has been linked with a host of hardships: isolation, bereavement, alcohol and drug use, domestic violence, financial strain and criminality,” says retailTRUST Chief Medical Advisor Dr Adrian Massey who authored the 2020 Health of Retail Report.

“Surveys of mental wellbeing demonstrate widespread distress across the population. Demand for public services is acute and the abrupt decline in economic activity means government access to funding is constrained. Retail workers are especially exposed to Covid-19 related health and wealth risks and, if we are to minimise subsequent harm, we must pull together now to offer support.”

In light of the report, retailTRUST launched a nationwide #forthefour campaign a few days ago, calling on retail leaders to act now to protect the wellbeing of the industry’s 4.5 million-strong workforce. retailTRUST CEO Chris Brook-Carter says: “The retail industry is the second largest employer in the UK after the NHS, so the sector has a huge responsibility to come together during the most challenging period of retailTRUST’s 188-

“The retail industry is the second largest employer in the UK after the NHS, so the sector has a huge responsibility to come together during the most challenging period of retailTRUST’s 188-year history.“

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 26 / WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020

RESEARCH

2020 HEALTH OF RETAIL REPORT RETAILTRUST

industry has to look after the people that contribute to its financial success, and build a healthy, happy, diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects retail’s position as the premier industry in the UK economy.”

The retailTRUST #forthefour nationwide campaign includes a threeday ‘Championing the Health of Retail’ event, which runs from 19-21 October and helps retail leaders to ‘lead the industry’, ‘lead their teams’ and ‘lead themselves’. Presenters include Boots COO Tracey Clements and former Asda CEO Andy Clarke.

Retailers are invited to sign up for free at www.retailtrust.org.uk/ forthefour

FAST FACTS Q retailTRUST launches the 2020 Health of Retail report highlighting the triumvirate of COVIDinduced stress facing retail workers Q #forthefour campaign calls for retailers to protect the wellbeing of millions of industry

year history. One in four UK adults experiences a mental health problem at some point in their lifetime, but four in four – so, every single one of us – will experience a major setback or life event that can affect our mental and physical wellbeing. This situation is getting worse as a result of the pandemic.

“We’ve seen so many fantastic examples of businesses taking action to protect the wellbeing of their colleagues and the response to the #forthefour campaign so far has been brilliant. Our vision for our #forthefour campaign is for every one of our colleagues to have free and quick access to help and preventative support to manage their wellbeing whenever they need it by building a coalition of businesses and leaders that recognises the responsibility the

colleagues Q UK retail workers have reported their mental wellbeing to be lower than that of employees in both education and law, as the next two most impacted sectors Q Abuse, threats and assaults against shopworkers doubled during the Coronavirus emergency reports Shopworker’s trade union Usdaw Q 424 incidents of violence or abuse towards retail staff occurs every day - a rise of 9% on 2019 Q Retail crime costs the economy £2.2bn cost to the industry, according to the BRC

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

BOURTREEHILL IRVINE

www.uniteduk.com

UnitedWholesaleScotland

www.day-today.co.uk

MyLocalDayToday

www.usave.org.uk

“Day-Today have undertaken a full critique of my store and they have delivered on every point.

The team at Day-Today have made a number of positive changes to the store layout so I’m now making the sales floor work much harder.

My sales have never been higher and my customers love what we’ve done with the store.”

Imran Ali”

CO-OWNER IMRAN ALI

CO-OWNER S AY I A D H A M I D

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Find out more today at www.paypoint.com/epos or call 01707 600 605 *Saving based on EPoS Pro for 3 months at £30.75 per week vs. Base at £10.25 per week. Promotion open 1.9.20 to 31.10.20. Requires new term commitment. If Retailer doesn’t downgrade before end of trial period, upgraded package continues. PayPoint hardware subject to terms. Booker EPoS link requires a non-refundable setup payment. Full promotion terms & conditions can be found at www.paypoint.com/terms. App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX SANDAY WAVE

VOUCHER SCHEME KEEPS SPEND LOCAL FORMER SLR COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR JACKIE SINCLAIR HAS LAUNCHED AN INNOVATIVE VOUCHER SCHEME TO DRIVE SPEND IN THE LOCAL ORKNEY ECONOMY THIS CHRISTMAS.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

on the store’s popular Facebook page highlighting the broad range of goods and services available on the island.

A gift voucher scheme that’s redeemable in any business but only on the island.

WHICH ISLAND? The remote island of Orkney. Or to be more precise, the even more remote island of Sanday, just off Orkney.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Former SLR Rewards Community Retailer of the Year Jackie Sinclair has teamed up with a local graphic designer and a local print business to create gift vouchers redeemable only on the island. The idea is to encourage investment in the local economy this Christmas. Jackie runs Sinclair General Stores on the tiny island and has long been a hero of the local economy, as well as a fantastic community retailer.

The initiative is designed to encourage locals to “look to local business before they’re keyboard” and help Sanday recover from a devastating year.

HAS IT BEEN A TOUGH YEAR ON SANDAY? Just a bit. The store supports the island’s Crafters Hub who use use Jackie’s former premises as a shop to sell their

SO IT’S ONLY OPEN TO RESIDENTS? products but they have been unable to operate this year leaving dozens of talented locals on severely reduced income.

WHY THE ‘SANDAY WAVE’?

The vouchers take their name from a popular phrase on the island coined to describe how locals greet each other we they pass each other in their cars.

HOW WILL IT HELP? The scheme aims to encourage friends and relatives who cannot be together at Christmas to send their loved ones a voucher which they can use to select a precious gift or special service, retaining as much trade as possible within the island.There are no rules about where the vouchers can be spent, and no business is obliged to take the vouchers. However, those redeeming them simply return them to the store to receive payment. The campaign will be supported by social media posts

No. Vouchers can be purchased by nonresidents online at sandaywave.square. site or by phoning Sinclair General Stores on 01857 600312, emailing sinclairhaulage@btinternet.com or via their Facebook page - Sinclair General Stores Sanday.

WHAT’S JACKIE SAYING? She comments: “We are very keen on promoting local economic sustainability. We decided to launch a campaign this Christmas to encourage residents to look to local businesses before their keyboard, and help Sanday to recover from a devastating year. We usually sell a lot of gift vouchers for our own shop and thought this year we would broaden their scope.

“The ‘Sanday Wave’ is more than just a greeting, these vouchers support us to pull together as community and repay the amazing community support we have given one another throughout 2020.”

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 31

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

CRUSH VARIANTS

CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN

SHARING IS CARING

Imperial Tobacco has launched

St Pierre has launched its first

Aunt Bessie’s is launching a

new Crush variants for L&B

ever multi-channel Christmas

£3.1m campaign to highlight

Blue and JPS Players, aimed

campaign. The integrated

the role a roast dinner can play

at ex-crushball consumers.

campaign will present the

in uniting families. The brand

The products include a unique

brand as key to Christmas

is on TV this week with its new

filter that delivers a cooling

dining occasions via traditional

campaign. The ad is supported

sensation during smoking.

and digital PR, advertising,

by video on demand, digital

shopper marketing and social

and shopper activity, as well as

media.

a high-profile campaign.

TRUST IN US

FAT-FREE SKYR

BBC’S BEST

New Trust Water has been

Müllerlight has launched

Judges of the BBC Good Food

launched by hospitality experts

its first fat-free Skyr yogurt

magazine have hailed Spar

Mark Bickerton and Richard

supported by a new marketing

Luxury Mince Pies as winners

Bailey specifically to help

campaign starring World

of the category for the first time

support those working in the

Champion Heptathlete

in the 2020 BBC Good Food

drinks industry with 100% of

Katarina Johnson-Thompson.

Christmas Taste Awards. The

net profits from every bottle

Available in two flavours – the

mince pies are available in

sold being donated to The

recipe contains 14g of protein

packs of six.

Drinks Trust.

per pot and 0% added sugar.

RSP: £2

32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 13 / WEDNESDAY 15TH JULY 2020

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK: PRODUCT OF THE WEEK VERY IMPORTANT BISCUITS

MCVITIE’S GIVES BISCUITS THE V.I.B. TREATMENT

Produ ct of the week

MCVITIE’S IS ENCOURAGING SHOPPERS TO TRADE UP WHEN THEY’RE BUYING THEIR EVERYDAY TREATS WITH THE LAUNCH OF A RANGE OF LUXURIOUS VERY IMPORTANT BISCUITS. Pladis has launched a range of McVitie’s V.I.Bs Very Important Biscuits - to encourage shoppers to trade up when they’re making their everyday treat purchases.

The V.I.Bs are available in three flavours in 250g packs: Classic Caramel Bliss, Heavenly Chocolate Hazelnut and Luscious Blood Orange.

V.I.BS CLASSIC CARAMEL BLISS The ultimate combination of golden baked biscuit, topped with a generous layer of delicious chewy caramel and finished off with a thick coating of McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk chocolate.

“We’re

seeing

a

huge

opportunity

to

encourage shoppers looking to make snackV.I.BS LUSCIOUS BLOOD ORANGE

time a little bit special to trade-up, but at present,

FLAVOUR

shoppers on the look-out for special biscuits are

A generous layer of Luscious Blood Orange

likely to have to spend up to 200% more than

flavour chewy caramel is at the heart of this

they do on everyday treats, so we’re setting the

golden baked biscuit, finished off with a thick

RSP for VIBs very competitively, providing even

coating of McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk

more incentive to trade-up at the same time as

chocolate.

making them affordable enough to enjoy on a regular basis, whilst still feeling premium,” says

V.I.BS HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE

Emma Stowers, Brand Director for McVitie’s at

HAZELNUT FLAVOUR

pladis UK&I.

A generous layer of Heavenly Chocolate

The launch is being supported with a ‘Very

Hazelnut flavour chewy caramel is at the heart

Important Biscuits, Very Hard To Describe’ social

of this golden baked biscuit, finished off with a

media campaign.

thick coating of McVitie’s iconic silky-smooth milk chocolate.

RSP: £1.79

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 33

SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic.

Grocery colleagues have access to:

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.”

- Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President

Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry.

Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.

GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us:

BEFORE YOU GO...

RETAIL RANDOMS QUIDDITCH / HANDWASHING DAY

BRACE YOURSELF, WIGTOWN RETAILERS...

Community Council Sandra McDowall was presented with a decorative banner featuring gold Quidditch hoops celebrating the town’s fictitious Quidditch team, Wigtown Wanderers.

Which is nice. And it reminded us of a brilliant Quidditch-related video we once stumble across on YouTube...

Please use me

video

Hand Sanitiser

celebration of a new JK Rowling book, Quidditch Through The Ages Illustrated Edition, described as “an essential companion to the Harry Potter series and guide on the wizard’s favourite sport”.

Chair of the Wigtown

here t o ick ay pl

Local retailers in the Dumfries & Galloway town of Wigtown are no doubt preparing themselves for a sudden influx of Harry Potter fans as the town was officially unveiled as an Honorary Quidditch Town last week. The unveiling was in

Cl

IT’S GLOBAL HANDWASHING DAY TOMORROW...

Somewhat bizarrely, someone somewhere has decided that tomorrow is officially Global Handwashing Day. Which begs the question, what is everyone doing for the other 364 days? You would imagine that hand washing is a pretty popular pastime these days, but we guess it won’t do any harm to remind everyone that keeping their mitts clean is a Good idea.

The theme of this year’s festival of handwashing is ‘Hand Hygiene for All’ and calls for universal hand hygiene for everyone, everywhere. So feel free to get involved. you can download and use these posters in store:

WEDNESDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 26 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 35

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