SLR October 2023 Edition

OCTOBER 2023 | ISSUE 246

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See inside Premier Whitehills – p36

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OCTOBER 2023 | ISSUE 246

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BUILDING A LEGACY

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RESPONSIBLE VAPING SLR and SGF launch new campaign

CHECKED IT OUT

GroceryAid fest raises £53k

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October 2023

Contents

Contents ISSUE 246

NEWS 08 09 10 12 13 14 30 32

Vaping The Scottish Government consults on a proposal to ban the sale of single-use vapes.

Off-Trade Should the minimum unit price of alcohol increase by 15 pence?

Retail Crime More must be done to combat ‘appalling’ levels of violence and abuse, says Usdaw.

Energy Ofgem is urged to stop suppliers putting nondomestic customers onto expensive out-of-contract rates.

Local Shops Convenience retailers continue to make significant investments into their stores.

News Extra Post Office The P.O. expands its retail offering to help fill the gap left by the demise of local high streets.

Product News Monster and Rubicon Raw both unveil new on-pack promotions.

Off-Trade News Rooster Rojo crows about a new mezcal and there’s sobering news from Captain Morgan.

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INSIDE BUSINESS 34

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42 58

Checkout Scotland GroceryAid Scotland’s second annual music festival was another massive success and helped raise over £53,000 for the industry charity.

Store Profile Premier Whitehills SLR offers a glimpse inside Scottish Local Retailer of the Year Billy Gatt’s stunning Premier store on the north Aberdeenshire coast.

Responsible Retailing SLR and SGF launch a new campaign to help local retailers ensure that single-use vapes are responsibly sold and recycled in the convenience sector.

Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns.

Under The Counter The Auld Boy dozes his way through Sleeptember and welcomes Glasgow’s low-emission zone.

FEATURES 44 46 50 54 56

Christmas The bumper 2022 festive season is a good omen for retailers looking to end this year on a high note.

Big Night In While household budgets remain squeezed, shoppers are looking to recreate great experiences at home.

Crisps & Snacks The category continue to drive sales, due to increased demand and its affordability.

Cigars A perennial favourite during the festive season, brands are now offering cigars in a variety of flavours.

Beer & Cider Despite stalled sales recently, the beer and cider categories still have potential as Christmas nears.

ON THE COVER 18

www.slrmag.co.uk

SLR Awards The 21st edition of the SLR Awards saw Billy Gatt crowned as our Scottish Local Retailer of the Year at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow.

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

7

News VAPING The Scottish government wants to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people

HLP hosts Health Minister The Scottish government Minister for Public Health, Jenni Minto MSP, joined P2 and P3 pupils from Colinton Primary in Edinburgh at the latest big breakfast event held by SGF’s Healthy Living Programme (HLP). The SGF team was also on site to highlight the role of convenience retail in vibrant thriving communities. Breakfast was provided Dennis, Colleen and Sophie Williams from Premier Broadway.

Illegal vapes seized Police Scotland Ayrshire and North Ayrshire Trading Standards have seized illegal vapes during a joint week of action. Inspections were conducted at stores in the Beith, Kilbirnie and Stevenston areas.

Some disposable vapes seized contained well over 10 times the nicotine content allowed in UK devices. In addition, fines were

Scottish government to consult on single-use vapes ban First Minister Humza Yousaf has unveiled his first Scottish Programme for Government that includes a commitment to take action to reduce vaping among non-smokers and young people and to tackle the environmental impact of single-use vapes, including consulting on a proposal to ban their sale.

Following a request of Scottish Ministers, the Circular Economy Minister and Public Health Minister will meet with counterparts in the UK government, Welsh government, and Northern Ireland Executive to discuss the findings of recent research and potential policy responses.

Action to help ensure that children, young people and nonsmokers do not use vapes will also be set out in this year’s refreshed

Tobacco Action Plan, which will set out a road map to 2034.

Yousaf said: “We will be working constructively with retailers and other stakeholders to come up with solutions. While we will be asking for views on a ban, we are also keen to explore other interventions that could have a more immediate impact.”

In response, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “More enforcement action and clearer regulation of the vaping market is needed, but a sweeping

ban on single-use vapes would be an overaction to a category that can play a positive role in meeting Scotland’s 2034 tobacco-free targets.”

The NFRN’s President in Scotland, Hussan Lal, said: “Banning disposable vapes will simply expand an already booming illicit market. Vapes help many give up smoking and are part of life now.

I am confident the black market will become even more active.

These illicit products are already on sale at car boot sales, mobile phone shops, cafes and tanning salons as well as via the internet and by dealers delivering direct to homes.

“Rather than looking to ban single-use vapes, the government should be looking at responsible ways of recycling them and more educational campaigns.”

issued to two retailers that had failed to register their businesses

CRIME

as vape stockists.

NFRN joins call for better shopworker protection

SWA helps producers find new routes to market

The NFRN’s Scottish President Hussan Lal has written to Scotland’s Justice Secretary Angela Constance expressing the ‘extreme concern’ of independent retailers over the apparent epidemic of shop crime and the level of resources Police Scotland has to deal with this.

Commenting on recent figures from Police Scotland that indicate that shoplifting was up by 21% in the year to June, former policeman Lal said: “We very much believe this is an underestimate. Our members, like others in retail, commonly do not report crimes as police may not come for days, if at all.”

The NFRN is proposing that the Home Office establishes grants of up to £1,500 to help small businesses improve their security measures.

Urging the Scottish government to consider financial support to provide better security in small shops, Lal said: “Panic buttons and body cameras would help prevent crime and offer anxious shopworkers some sense of security.”

A new web-based portal from the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) has launched to help local and regional producers find wholesalers that can help them open new routes to market. The scottishwholesaledirectory.co.uk portal forms part of the SWA’s wider work to develop wholesale as a primary route to market for all producers, some of which have not previously engaged with the sector.

NFRN members join Park Super Agents network More than 500 NFRN members have signed up to PayPoint’s Park Super Agents network.

The service gives retailers the chance to earn over £1,000 a year in commission by recruiting savers ahead of the festive period. NFRN members who are not yet PayPoint retailers can take advantage of an exclusive bundle deal of PayPoint One, Park Savings and Parcels.

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SLR | OCTOBER 2023

VAPING SGF has outlined measures that it believes can help dramatically reduce vaping among children

SGF unveils vaping blueprint for Scotland The SGF is calling for a complex and mature debate about vaping in Scotland after it was announced that restrictions will be considered.

The trade body has written to Scottish government Public Health Minister Jenni Minto outlining a series of measures that it believes can help dramatically reduce vaping among children while also ensuring that adult smokers can freely and easily access life-saving alternatives to cigarettes.

The actions being taken by SGF – and the steps it is urging politicians to take – are outlined in a new document, Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities. The document is being shared with all MSPs. SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema said: “The Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities campaign is about balance. We want to help create public policy which simultaneously encourages vaping amongst adults who wish to quit smoking and discourages it amongst non-smokers, particularly given the evidence of young people vaping.”

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News MUP Views are sought on whether to continue the legislation beyond April and the level at which it should be set

Views sought on increasing minimum unit price of alcohol A proposal to increase the minimum unit price of alcohol by 15 pence per unit to 65 pence is included in a new consultation on the future of public health policy.

Views are being sought on whether to continue the Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) legislation beyond the current term, which ends next April, and the level at which it should be set.

A Scottish government report on the operation and effect of MUP in its first five years, an Interim Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment, and a report on public attitudes to the policy have also been published.

These papers assess the success of the measure so far and look at the future impact on health and industry sectors if it is continued

Jisp sees surge in brands signing up to Scan & Save Jisp has reported a “surge” in supplier participation in 2023, with the number of brands signed up to its Scan & Save solution up 41% year-on-year, while retention of supplier partners stood at over 82%. New brand partners to have signed up include KP Snacks, Gallo Wines, Biotiful, and Lactalis. Promotions through the app typically see between 2,000 and 4,000 redemptions.

Spar UK partners with FareShare Spar UK has teamed up with FareShare, a charity fighting

and the potential effects of different minimum price levels.

This builds on previous ministerial engagement with business and health stakeholders.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “We believe the proposals set

out in this consultation strike a reasonable balance between public health benefits and any effects on the alcoholic drinks market and subsequent impact on consumers, but we want to hear from all sides and urge everyone to take the time to respond.”

hunger and tackling food waste, to provide the equivalent of one million meals through local charities as part of the Giving One Million Meals project. Britvic and Coca-Cola will be part of the campaign, which will be supported with POS in-store to hero Spar own-label store

MUP Alcohol-related deaths registered in Scotland increased by 2% in 2022

Slight rise in alcohol-specific deaths

FORECOURTS

Booker and MFG renew contract

cupboard staples, Robinsons Squash and Coke Zero.

Unitas unveils alcohol, tobacco and vape guide Unitas Wholesale has launched a guide to help its members’ retail customers capitalise on the trends in alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products. The 2023

There has been a small rise in deaths caused by alcohol, according to new statistics published by National Records of Scotland.

The data shows that there were 1,276 alcohol-specific deaths registered in Scotland in 2022 – an increase of 2% on 2021. Female deaths rose by 31 to 440, with male deaths unchanged at 836, the data shows.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “We will address the unique challenges women face when accessing treatment, support and recovery, including stigma, while recognising that men still remain at the highest risk of death. We are also working to ensure that people continue to receive the same quality of care as those with problematic drug use. We are supporting a review and update to clinical guidelines for alcohol treatment which will introduce new approaches in a broad range of settings including hospitals. This will help ensure anyone with problematic alcohol use receives the right treatment at the right time.

“This is in addition to wider activity – including our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy. Recent research estimated it has saved hundreds of lives, likely averted hundreds of alcohol-attributable hospital admissions each year, and also contributed to reducing health inequalities.”

www.slrmag.co.uk

Booker has renewed its partnership with forecourt giant MFG for a further five years.

The wholesaler, which won the account in 2015, remains the exclusive supplier to the existing MFG estate of more than 870 forecourt c-stores.

Colm Johnson, Managing Director, Booker Group – Retail, said: “I am really proud of the team that work so closely with MFG and their retailers to optimise their range, offer them great value and also deliver outstanding service levels.

“We have a great relationship and I’m really looking forward to building on this success.”

Licensed, Tobacco and Vaping category guide, which features regional planograms, bestsellers lists, and market insight, is available in selected member depots and for free online.

GroceryAid kits out thousands of schoolkids Industry charity GroceryAid has helped ensure 5,926 children will return to school with the correct uniform and equipment.

A total of £888,900 was granted this year, a 36% increase on 2022. Eligible parents received £150 per school-aged child up to a maximum of £450 per household. Grocery workers experiencing financial difficulties can still apply for a grant.

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

9

News CRIME Shoplifting increases by more than 20% in Scotland in the 12 months to June

Council considers CCTV and wi-fi upgrades Scottish Borders Council is to consider the potential provision

Union calls for retail crime to be taken seriously after rise in shoplifting

of public space CCTV and town centre wi-fi upgrades in Peebles, Duns, Hawick, Galashiels, Kelso, Eyemouth, and Melrose. The council currently operates 70 public space cameras alongside two mobile Police Scotland units, but many of the systems are approaching the point of disrepair and are also operating on outdated technology.

BP bolsters loyalty scheme BP has strengthened its BPme Rewards loyalty scheme with the launch of loyalty pricing that gives customers discounts on retail store products. BPme Rewards Price discounts will be automatically applied at the till on selected products, including M&S Food and Wild Bean Cafe, when customers scan their BPme Rewards card or app at around 300 BP company-owned retail sites across the UK.

GHSL wins alcohol licence for new Glasgow store Shamly Sud’s GHSL retail group is turning its Tubbees dessert parlour on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow into a c-store. An offsales licence has been awarded

There was a 21% increase in shoplifting in Scotland in the 12 months to June, according to the latest recorded crime statistics.

The police data follows reports from the Scottish Retail Consortium, Association of Convenience Stores, Co-op, and many other retailers of significant increases in theft from shops.

Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw Regional Secretary for Scotland, said: “Shoplifting is not a victimless crime, theft from shops has long been a major flashpoint for violence

and abuse against shopworkers.

Having to deal with repeated and persistent shoplifters can cause issues beyond the theft itself like anxiety, fear, and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.”

She added: “Faced with such appallingly high levels of violence and abuse much more needs to be done. There must be better coordination to ensure that government, retail employers, police, and the courts work together to help protect shopworkers, giving them the respect they deserve.”

PEOPLE MOVES Co-operative boss retires

Scotmid chief exec Brodie to step down

despite a health official objecting to the bid over alcohol-related harm. A health and social care partnership spokeswoman warned the licensing board that alcohol admissions to hospital are double the average for the area. GHSL currently has nine licensed premises.

Sanquhar Post Office welcomes new postmaster Postmaster Barry Ford has taken over at the oldest Post Office in the world, in Dumfries & Galloway. Sanquhar Post Office first opened in 1712 and has been in continuous operation for 311 years. Barry has taken over the branch from Postmistress Nazra Alam who had run the branch along with her late husband, Dr Manzoor Alam, who died in November 2022.

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SLR | OCTOBER 2023

Scotmid Chief Executive John Brodie is to retire after 20 years at the helm.

Brodie has been with Scotmid for more than 30 years in total.

A chartered accountant by trade, he worked in an accountancy practice before joining Scotmid in 1993 as Chief Financial Officer. He was appointed acting Chief Executive in 2004 and Chief Executive in February 2005.

He will continue in the role until August next year when a new Chief Executive will be in position. Scotmid said its board has already started the process of finding a successor and is hopeful of making an announcement in the near future.

The overall number of crimes recorded by officers for the year ending June 2023 was 4% lower than pre-pandemic levels in June 2019, according to the latest Recorded Crime in Scotland National Statistics.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “These continued low levels of crime are due to the efforts across policing, justice and community safety partners to deliver safer communities and our investment in the justice system.”

Constance added: “With recorded crime remaining at one of the lowest levels seen since 1974, the latest figures show reductions in crimes such as violence, sexual crimes and damage and reckless behaviour.

“We will continue to focus on crime prevention, reducing reoffending and supporting victims of crime. That is why we are investing £1.45bn in policing in 2023-24.”

OBITUARY

United Wholesale Grocers founder dies Mohammad Ramzan, Founder and Chairman of United Wholesale Grocers, passed away on 27 September at his residence in Pakistan.

Founded by Ramzan in 1977, United Wholesale Grocers began life as one-man counter grocery store in Maryhill, Glasgow, and now employs over 210 people with a turnover in excess of £220m.

Tom Slaven, Retail Director at UWG, said: “He will be remembered for his astute business acumen and philanthropic qualities along with his charitable work.

“He never faltered in his passion and desire to help others and his endeavours will be sadly missed by all.”

SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema added: “He was a pillar of our industry and a great support to everyone who knew him.”

Ramzan is survived by his wife, four children, and a number of grandchildren.

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5 x £50,000 PLUS THOUSANDS OF OTHER

PRIZES TO BE WON IN A DEPOT NEAR YOU* *T&Cs apply. Prize draw runs from 08:00 Monday 16 October 2023 till at 23:59 on Friday 1 December 2023. The prizes are: 5 x £50,000 prizes to be selected by a random draw and multiple £10 Amazon vouchers for every entrant that meet the Go For Gold winning criteria.

To enter you must purchase at least 1 outer of Mayfair Gold. Available in participating wholesale depots only. Full T&Cs and a list of the participating depots can be obtained from your local JTI Sales Representative.

News ENERGY ACS responds to Ofgem’s non-domestic market review

ACS calls on Ofgem to stop excessive use of expensive deemed rates

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ACS has called on Ofgem to take action to limit the way that suppliers can put non-domestic customers onto expensive deemed rates.

In its submission to the energy regulator’s nondomestic market review, ACS broadly welcomed proposals to expand contract protections to more businesses and to make bills easier to understand. However, it called on Ofgem to ensure that retailers are not being unnecessarily put onto expensive deemed rates, for example when completing a change of tenancy.

Currently, when a change of tenancy takes place, retailers are at the mercy of suppliers who can delay and complicate the completion of the process while continuing to charge expensive out-of-contract rates, otherwise known as deemed rates.

In its consultation document, Ofgem sets out a number of proposals for changes to the nondomestic energy market to make it operate more fairly for businesses. These include: Q Changing the rules to require timely responses to complaints and widening the standards of conduct rules and access

to the Energy Ombudsman beyond just microbusinesses.

Q Fairer deemed (out of contract) rates to ensure that they’re not ‘unduly onerous’.

Q Transparency on bills so that businesses understand price changes and have clear information about additional charges that are added to their bills because of dealing with third-party intermediaries (TPIs).

Q Expanding TPI dispute resolution facilities beyond microbusinesses to include larger non-domestic customers.

Q Calling on the Government to regulate the TPI market, which is currently not directly covered by Ofgem.

SUSTAINABILITY Retailers need time to adapt to a UK-wide DRS scheme and extended producer responsibility

Major waste and packaging reforms must ‘not be rushed’

ACS has told a government committee inquiry that there needs to be proper lead times and planning when making major changes like the introduction of deposit return schemes, extended producer responsibility, and single-use plastic bans.

The Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry will question Defra officials on whether the government has effective plans to meet its waste and recycling ambitions.

Measures under scrutiny by the inquiry include the introduction of a UK-wide deposit return scheme and extended producer responsibility. Both of these measures have been pushed back to 2025.

In its evidence, ACS welcomed necessary delays in the introduction of these measures, calling on the government to ensure that enough time is given to legislators, producers and retailers to adapt.

ACS sets out the four pillars of a sustainable deposit return scheme: Q A plan to ensure the scheme works across the UK’s four nations.

Q Draft regulations laid before parliament with significant lead time to the proposed go-live date.

Q A commitment from government to underwrite the finances required for setting up a Deposit Management Organisation.

Q A timeline that properly reflects the time needed for industry to prepare.

PEOPLE MOVES

Spar UK seeks new MD Louise Hoste, Managing Director of Spar UK, is to pursue fresh challenges after four years in the role.

Host joined Spar UK in September 2019 and during her tenure, she helped steer the business through the Covid-19 pandemic. She has driven all of Spar’s Central Office strategic change activity and has been instrumental in the future planning of the business and launching Spar’s ‘Joy of Living Locally’ brand positioning.

Hoste said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Spar UK and working with a great team in Harrow. It was an extraordinary experience navigating the business through one of the most challenging moments in convenience retail history.”

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12

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

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News LOCAL SHOPS The convenience sector is set to generate sales of more than £50.9bn by 2026

Retailers invest £646m to expand services

Convenience retailers are continuing to make significant investments into their stores to diversify the breadth of services that they offer, according to the 2023 Local Shop Report.

The findings from this year’s report show that convenience retailers have invested £646m in their businesses over the past year and of those investing the top areas of investment are refrigeration (56%), shelving (39%), store signage (33%), in-store lighting (32%), and technology (29%).

The report shows convenience stores employ more than 437,000 people and, as staff shortages ease, retailers are employing more people for more hours.

Other key figures from this year’s report include: Q The convenience sector generated over

£47.1bn in sales over the past year, with that figure set to grow to over £50.9bn by 2026.

Q 70% of stores in the convenience sector are run by independent retailers, either as part of a symbol group (31%) or unaffiliated (39%).

Q 79% of independent retailers engaged in some form of the community activity over the past year.

Q A quarter of customers come from half a mile or less and over half of customers (57%) walk to store.

The report also revealed significant growth in the number of retailers that are using social media for their businesses. With more products and stores going viral over the last year, there has been a clear shift towards activity on platforms like Facebook, X (Twitter) and TikTok.

FRANCHISES Glenshire Group has opened its first Pizza Hut branch adjacent to its store in Kirkcaldy

Greens Retail adds Pizza Hut franchise Glenshire Group, which owns Greens Retail, has become a Pizza Hut franchisee through its subsidiary Glenshire Brands.

The group has opened its first branch adjacent to its flagship Greens Retail convenience store in Kirkcaldy, Fife.

The opening weekend saw a “remarkable turnout” with customers “queuing for several hours” to get their pizzas.

Harris Aslam, Managing Director of Glenshire Group, said: “We are excited for the start of our franchisee relationship with Pizza Hut, a global brand with a strong heritage, who are investing and innovating to become the leading pizza brand in the UK. “There are significant synergies between our existing convenience retail business and Pizza Hut, and we particularly look forward to seeing how we can cross-sell by encouraging customers to collect fresh pizzas and shop in adjacent brands during dwell time.”

The franchise is operated by Glenshire Brands, a joint venture of Glenshire Group and Round Box, with plans to rapidly expand the Pizza Hut offering through Scotland and the North of England.

Sohaib Ghafoor, Director at Round Box, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Glenshire and look forward to growing Pizza Hut with various locations already earmarked, as well as exploring other franchise opportunities within the sector.”

www.slrmag.co.uk

UNBORING UNBORIN

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

13

News Extra

Post Office

NewsExtra CASH IN ON CHRISTMAS – P44 BUSINESS STRATEGY Post Office wants to help branches fill the gap left by the demise of local high streets

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

Convenience Matters with the SGF SGF is at the forefront of delivering responsible community retailing in Scotland. Trading Standards and many Local Authorities rely on our Retailers’ Guide on vaping regulation, supporting full compliance on the sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes.

With over 200 restricted products in Scotland, our members actively participate in Challenge 25 and many use till prompts and refusal registers to ensure they go above and beyond the legal requirements.

Scotland has led the way on reducing harm from smoking and both NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government have acknowledged vaping’s role in helping people quit. Yet there are plans which could lead to a ban of some vaping products in Scotland.

Our new campaign, Healthier Choices, Healthier Communities, aims to help the government build upon past successes without making it more difficult for adults to access vaping products.

We now need a more grownup, nuanced debate about vaping. It’s about balance.

We want to help create public policy which simultaneously encourages vaping amongst adults who wish to quit smoking and discourages it amongst non-smokers.

We will strike that balance by calling for a change in the naming and packaging of vapes, particularly single-use products, and cracking down on illicit trade, while also strongly resisting restrictions on the use of flavour – a critical characteristic of vapes which stop smokers from lapsing back to cigarettes.

The campaign will be a big feature at this year’s SGF Annual Conference, alongside our new in-store vape recycling bin. Free for retailers and available at Conference.

So be sure to search them out.

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SLR | OCTOBER 2023

Post Office is evolving and expanding its retail offering The business has been rolling out ‘Branch MOTs’ to help postmasters run successful post offices and also thriving retail businesses within local communities.

Post Office has revealed that it is evolving and expanding its retail offering in branches to turn them into one-stop shops to help fill the gap left by the demise of local high streets.

The business has been rolling out its ‘Branch MOTs’ – part of a ‘Commercial Excellence’ programme – to achieve this aim.

The initiative helps postmasters run successful post offices and also thriving retail businesses within local communities.

Some 2,781 branches so far have had a Branch MOT since the launch of the scheme in the fourth quarter of 2022, with 60% of postmasters saying the reviews have been valuable, and more than 41% of postmasters have made changes following their personalised recommendations.

Overall results show potential savings for branches could be at least £12,615 per year based on simple changes to streamline efficiencies and maximise retail opportunities.

Martin Roberts, Group Chief Retail Officer at Post Office, said: “Branch MOTs are in-depth reviews of our post offices. Area managers visit branches and craft high-level recommendations for each branch to enable postmasters to make positive changes, where needed, based on transactional, commercial and product-level data alongside real-world projections such as location, footfall and staffing.

“They let our postmasters know we care about them and create a sense of family and unity at the

heart of Post Office. Well over two thousand visits have been completed. Visits are happening every week and they are helping postmasters. It’s a privilege to lead a great team of people across the business focused on delivering for postmasters and our customers.”

Although consumers are increasingly ‘online’ and digitalfocused, Post Office has found they still value and consider face-to-face customer service essential.

Roberts said: “Our postmasters are very heavily involved in the community and so the customer service provided is important to Post Office and is a priority. If you look at some of the big retailers and supermarkets, they’ve pulled away a little bit from the community.

“Our postmasters understand their customers and have often known them for decades allowing them to build trusted relationships and I think that’s where you get lifetime loyalty and I’m a big fan of developing lifetime loyalty. I want communities to thrive.”

Personal and local retail is a space the Post Office is perfectly placed to ‘own’ whether that’s through the travel money services offered, ‘Drop & Go’ option for

packages, or banking services and convenience store offerings.

“Many of our Post Offices offer a fantastic retail blend of essential services including banking and also sell everyday products you would find in a supermarket: they have become one-stop shops,” said Roberts.

Post Office has also been enhancing its Branch Hub, an online performance tool, which allows postmasters to see how their products are performing, benchmark that performance over time and with peers, and link revenue with sales data.

The Branch Hub tool has seen significant increase in usage this year, with 22,600 visits to the site in the last week of July alone and almost 90,000 visits across the whole of August, as postmasters across the country look to keep close tabs on how to develop and maximise opportunities for their businesses as they head into the busy Christmas period.

Roberts added: “The changes in place will ensure Post Office is future-proofed and our branches are at the heart of local communities providing face-to-face access to essential retail services.” www.slrmag.co.uk

Comment

HATS OFF TO ONE AND ALL If there’s one thing to take away from the SLR awards this year, it’s the fact that in running the awards for 21 consecutive years, I can confidently say we’ve never seen so much money invested in the sector in a single year.

That’s a massive compliment to each and every store on the shortlist and if you had to tally the money spent in the last 12 months by the stores on the shortlist, you’d easily be heading north of £15m and possibly a lot higher.

It’s not all about money and investment, of course, but you can’t get away from the fact that today’s consumers are spoilt for choice when it comes to where they spend their money. Their expectations, as a consequence, have never been higher.

It says a lot about our sector that the proceeds of the sales boom that accompanied the pandemic have been reinvested to builder an even stronger sector. That’s the legacy of Covid we hoped for and it’s fantastic to see it being realised.

New Scottish Local Retailer of the Year Billy Gatt managed to account for a whopping £1.6m of the £15m or so I mentioned above and, for my money, it’s a glorious store. And it’s a real retailer’s store. What do I mean by that? Well, it’s a store that the people of Whitehills truly appreciate but it’s also a store that retailers will appreciate even more, especially if they get a behind-the-scenes view of the kitchen and storage areas. It’s one of those stores that only a dyed-in-thewool retailer could have created. You need to know retail to know how you want a new-build store to look, feel and function.

The amount of time and effort that must have gone into the planning of the layout of the whole entity – the store, the production kitchen, the logistics hub in the middle – must have been almost as enormous as the amount of money required to make it happen.

If you happen to find yourself on the north coast of Aberdeenshire, make a point of dropping in.

Huge congratulations to all of this year’s winners and a massive well done to everyone who made it onto the shortlist too. With the standards of entry so unbelievably high this year, to have even made the shortlist is something to be proud of.

EDITORIAL Publishing Director & Editor Antony Begley abegley@55north.com Deputy Editor Liz Wells lwells@55north.com Features Editor Gaelle Walker gwalker@55north.com Features Writer Elena Dimama edimama@55north.com Web Editor Findlay Stein fstein@55north.com

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Helen Lyons 07575 959 915 | hlyons@55north.com Advertising Manager Garry Cole 07846 872 738 | gcole@55north.com

DESIGN Design & Digital Manager Richard Chaudhry rchaudhry@55north.com

EVENTS & OPERATIONS Events & Circulation Manager Cara Begley cbegley@55north.com Scottish Local Retailer is distributed free to qualifying readers. For a registration card, call 0141 222 5381. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail).

55 North Ltd, Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY Tel: 0141 22 22 100 Fax: 0141 22 22 177 Website: www.55north.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/slrmag DISCLAIMER

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of 55 North Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.

All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endevoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.

This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.

Scottish Local Retailer is produced monthly by 55 North Ltd.

© 55 North Ltd. 2023 ISSN 1740-2409.

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

GATT’S THE WAY TO DO IT!

The 21st edition of the SLR Awards saw Billy Gatt, whose outstanding Premier Whitehills store won Best New Store, crowned as our Scottish Local Retailer of the Year at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow.

T

he northern lights were shining at the SLR Awards last month (6 September) as Banffshire-based Billy Gatt was crowned our Scottish Local Retailer of the Year.

The Awards turned 21 this year and if there had been a cake then Billy would have taken the biggest slice. Along with the prestigious the top award, his stunning Premier Whitehills store was named Best New Store of the Year.

SLR Publishing Editor Antony Begley said Billy had taken many years’ experience in local retailing and distilled them into one of the finest stores he has ever seen. Describing the £1.6m store as “an absolute belter,” Begley said Premier Whitehills is “easy to service and easy to shop” and “staffed by a team that just love being there”.

Reflecting the current strength in depth across Scotland’s local retailing sector, no individual store won more than one of the evening’s 15 category-based awards, although Premier Girish’s @ Barmulloch picked up the Team of the Year award to go with its Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year gong.

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The Young Scottish Retailer of the Year award was presented to Anand Cheema, in recognition of a busy year overcoming many major challenges, not least of which was changing symbol group. Anand’s Costcutter – Fresh in Falkirk store also won the Off-Trade Retailer of the Year award.

Julie-Ann Whyte of Whytes of New Pitsligo was named Unsung Hero of the Year. The award follows a truly remarkable journey for JulieAnn from the oil industry to local retailing. This started during the pandemic when she helped keep her local community fed and watered during lockdown.

The Special Recognition award went to Premier Broadway Convenience Store, run by Dennis and Linda Williams. The store, which also won the Community Involvement award, was recognised for 40 years of outstanding community service. As Antony Begley said: “For many locals Premier Broadway is the community.”

In the symbol group awards, it was a clean sweep for CJ Lang, with Spar Scotland winning

both the Community Initiative of the Year award and Symbol Group of the Year.

Antony Begley commented: “The standard of entry this year was just extraordinarily high, particularly in light of the challenges the industry has faced in the last few years. In 21 years of doing the awards we’ve never seen so much investment across the trade and that’s a massively encouraging sign. We always said we hoped that the sector would deliver a lasting Covid legacy and the evidence of that is all around us.

“Every retailer who made it onto a shortlist this year can be massively proud of themselves and should make a point of congratulating their entire team. This is, after all, a team game and we can achieve little without our colleagues and team mates.

“The future of Scottish local retailing looks incredibly bright, a remarkable thing to be able to say considering the state of the economy and the challenges that shoppers face. We are the channel of choice and long may that continue.

Well done to everyone.” www.slrmag.co.uk

SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR

BILLY GATT

YOUNG SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR

ANAND CHEEMA

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Scottish Grocers’ Federation

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

PREMIER BROADWAY CONVENIENCE STORE

UNSUNG HERO

JULIE-ANN WHYTE

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SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

BREAD & BAKERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

WHYTES OF NEW PITSLIGO (NISA)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PREMIER ALI’S CONVENIENCE STORE

CONFECTIONERY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

NISA LOCAL CITY STORE

HIGHLY COMMENDED: SPAR RENFREW

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

FOOD TO GO RETAILER OF THE YEAR

DAVID’S KITCHEN GLENROTHES (SPAR)

FORECOURT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

RACETRACK BEARSDEN SERVICES (PREMIER)

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SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

FRESH & CHILLED RETAILER OF THE YEAR

BROUGHTON MARKET (NISA)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PINKIE FARM CONVENIENCE STORE (SPAR)

NEWSTRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

PREMIER TURRIFF

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OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

OFF-TRADE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

COSTCUTTER FRESH IN FALKIRK

HIGHLY COMMENDED: RACETRACK PITSTOP STRATHCLYDE (PREMIER)

SCOTTISH BRANDS RETAILER OF THE YEAR

DAVID’S KITCHEN KIRKCALDY (SPAR)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: GREENS OF ELLON (NISA)

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SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

SOFT DRINKS RETAILER OF THE YEAR

PREMIER GIRISH’S @ BARMULLOCH

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PREMIER SHAK & JENS @ SAUCHIE

TOBACCO RETAILER OF THE YEAR

SPAR ST. GEORGE’S CROSS

HIGHLY COMMENDED: DAY-TODAY SALAMANDER

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OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR

PREMIER BROADWAY CONVENIENCE STORE

HIGHLY COMMENDED: BOURTREEHILL SUPERMARKET (DAY TODAY)

NEW STORE OF THE YEAR

PREMIER WHITEHILLS

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SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

REFIT OF THE YEAR

SPAR CROSSHOUSE

HIGHLY COMMENDED: PREMIER ALI’S CONVENIENCE STORE

SUSTAINABILITY RETAILER OF THE YEAR

PREMIER@DUSA

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OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Cover Story

SLR Awards 2023

TEAM OF THE YEAR

PREMIER GIRISH’S @ BARMULLOCH

#THINKSMART INNOVATION AWARD

PINKIE FARM CONVENIENCE STORE (SPAR)

HIGHLY COMMENDED: JAZ’S PREMIER GRANGEMOUTH

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SLR Awards 2023

Cover Story

SYMBOL GROUP: COMMUNITY INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR

SPAR SCOTLAND

SYMBOL GROUP OF THE YEAR

SPAR SCOTLAND

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OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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News

Products

Boost Drinks appoints ‘flavour guru’ Boost Drinks has appointed Harley Beecroft as Product Controller, responsible for

Product News BUMPER BIG NIGHTS IN – P46

the development, launch and ongoing management of products across the brand’s portfolio of energy drinks.

Dubbed Boost’s ‘flavour guru’,

SPORTS & ENERGY

Duty calls for Monster

Beecroft will play an important role in product management, helping to shape innovation, through new flavour launches and taste development.

Willow spreads out Willow, an alternative to butter from Saputo Dairy UK, has launched in a 500g spreadable tub format. Already available as a 250g block, Willow can be used for spreading, cooking and baking. The new SKU offers an cheaper option for families who are watching their spending thanks to its lower price point.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has announced the return of Monster Energy’s promotion in partnership with Call of Duty.

Running until the end of the year, the new on-pack promo runs across a number of Monster variants including Original, Ultra White and new Zero Sugar.

Gamers can scan QR codes on promotional packs to earn 10 minutes’ worth of double experience points and advance more quickly through the game.

Promotional packs feature the Call of Duty character Ghost to drive standout on-shelf and convenience retailers can request POS materials from My.CCEP. com to generate some in-store theatre.

The promo is supported by gamer influencer activities alonside several high-profile media partnerships.

Saputo is supporting the launch of Willow Spreadable 500g with instore, online and depot activity.

Popchips pops up in cinemas KP Snacks has announced the launch of a £1m media investment for its beacon ‘better for you’ brand popchips.

Running into the beginning of next year, the campaign includes a return to cinema screens, sampling activities, out-of-home advertising, and a social selfie competition. Worth £46.3m and growing in value at +8.9%, popchips holds a 15.9% share of the Healthier Snacking segment.

Walkers’ PMP range gets a whole lot bigger Walkers has expanded its £1.25 price-marked pack (PMP) range with the addition of Wotsits Giants Really Cheesy and Wotsits Giants Flamin’ Hot. The move takes the brand’s total number of PMP launches this year into double figures.

PMPs remain the number one contributor to crisps and snacks growth in value, with Walkers’ PMP portfolio currently growing at +21.4%.

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SOFT DRINKS Scary stuff from CCEP

Fanta unleashes frightful new Halloween promotion Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has announced details of this year’s Fanta Halloween activity, including a spooktacular on-pack promotion offering its biggest pool of epic prizes and scary surprises yet.

Until 7 November, shoppers are invited to scan QR codes on limited-edition, ghoulish packs of Fanta which will take them to the Coca-Cola app to play a Halloween game and then find out instantly whether they’ve won a prize from Fanta’s biggest-ever (£70,000) prize pool – or a scary surprise.

Prizes range from cauldrons of cash and horror experiences across the UK, to home entertainment systems and supplies for the ultimate scary movie night in.

Winners will also receive a list of Fanta’s top 10 scary movies.

Those who don’t win a prize will receive a ‘scary surprise’ in the form of exclusive digital content to scare their friends and family with instead.

The promotion is supported by a multi-million-pound marketing campaign which includes the return of the brand’s spooktacular TV ad. Free POS materials are available whilst stocks last from My.CCEP.com.

SNACKS

Win an electric van with Walkers and Bestway Walkers and Bestway have teamed up for the sixth year running to give retailers the chance to win a van.

For the first time in the competition’s history, the prize is an electric vehicle, helping retailers grow their operations more sustainably.

To enter, retailers must purchase any qualifying case of Walkers, Doritos, Cheetos, Kurkure or Smiths 48g-82g £1.25 RSP PMPs from Bestway – the format that is driving the largest value growth in the savoury snacks category.

Retailers have until 9 November to enter.

In addition, Bestway is giving shoppers the opportunity to win one of three e-bikes from Best One stores. To enter, consumers simply have to purchase any qualifying pack and text to win.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SLRMAG

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Products

News

New packs make a hole lot of sense KP Snacks has enhanced the design of its KP Nuts £1.25 PMP range by adding euroholes to packs. The move,

SPORTS & ENERGY Shoppers can win ‘the ultimate snowsport experience’

Rubicon Raw hits the slopes Rubicon Raw has launched a new snowsports prize on-pack offer, to celebrate its ongoing partnership with GB Snowsport and the beginning of the winter sports season.

Shoppers will have the chance to win ‘The Ultimate Snowsport Experience,’ including a snowsport lesson with a GB athlete, a week’s skiing holiday in Switzerland, plus £1,000 cash.

Special pack designs, featuring GB Snowsport athlete and reigning Team Snowboard Cross World

which improves merchandising options for retailers, has been rolled out across Original Salted Peanuts, Dry Roasted Peanuts, Salt & Vinegar Peanuts, Honey Roast Peanuts, Thai Sweet Chilli Coated Peanuts and Flavour

Champion Charlotte Bankes, feature on more than two million cans, across all plain and pricemarked 500ml packs and some 4 x 500ml multipacks, until the end of November.

Point of sale material is available from Barr Soft Drinks to create instore theatre and drive incremental sales.

Jonathan Kemp, Commercial Director at Barr Soft Drinks, said: “We’re so excited that Rubicon Raw is The Official Energy Drink of GB Snowsport, reaching millions

of snowsports fans across the UK. As part of our partnership, we are driving awareness and excitement with consumers shopping the energy drinks fixture and there’s no better way to kick off the snowsport season than with an unmissable offer like this.

“We know around a third of Rubicon Raw sales come from new entrants into energy, so we’re confident that this fantastic competition will help retailers continue driving those incremental sales.”

Kravers Flame Grilled Steak.

Old El Paso’s turtle tie-in Old El Paso has teamed-up with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles for a new on-pack promotion running across the Mexican food brand’s ‘mess-free’ Tortilla Pockets range. The promo runs until 27 November and gives shoppers the chance to win a three-night family holiday to New York. The partnership is supported by bespoke POS materials, in-store activations, and digital and social media

CONFECTIONERY Chupa Chups teams up with Roblox

Chupa Chups skates into the online world of Roblox

Perfetti Van Melle’s lollipop brand Chupa Chups has teamedup with online game platform and creation system Roblox to launch Chupa Chups: Skate & Create.

The new digital graffiti game lets users head out into a city alone or with friends and other players to spread their artistic creativity far and wide with an assortment of street art and tags to choose from. Spray cans scattered across the map allow players to adorn the streets with vibrant paint inspired

by Chupa Chups’ flavours and colourways to encourage creative expression and collaborative artistic endeavours.

In future, Chupa Chups aims to expand upon the Roblox tie-in with in-person events, seasonal content, out-of-home campaigns and in-store POS.

CONFECTIONERY

Hancocks’ Halloween range revealed Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks has unveiled its seasonal range of Halloween treats.

The new range includes launches from customer favourite brands including Crazy Candy Factory, Pez and Candy Realms.

Crazy Candy Factory’s brand-new and quite frankly disgusting Zombie Brain, a strawberry gummy brain in candy red liquid, is due to be a showstopper in stores as kids will no doubt love it. It comes in outers of 12 x 120g with an RSP of £1.29.

Dialling back the ‘yuck’ factor, Pez has added a new ‘spooky bat’ to its Halloween range of character dispensers for 2023, available in outers of 12 x 17g, RSP £2.

Meanwhile, Candy Realms’ brand-new Halloween offering includes Candy Realms Spooky Tubes, Alien Balloons with Popping Candy, Skull Candy Pops and Spooky Mallows.

activities.

Shoppers can win a road trip with Urban Eat Sandwich brand Urban Eat is giving road trippers the chance to win a holiday package with a competition in partnership with Motor Fuel Group. Ten lucky sandwich eaters will each win a a £500 accommodation voucher, a camera, two Apple AirTags, Sony Bluetooth earbuds, a one-month music subscription, a portable espresso machine, an Amazon Fire tablet, a power bank charger, and a Samsonite suitcase.

belVita initiative swaps smiles for meals Healthier biscuit brand belVita has unveiled ‘Give a Smile,’ a new initiative with food charity FareShare as part of its mission to help fight food insecurity.

Through the partnership, belVita will donate up to 100,000 meals to help make a difference to those in need. The campaign also aims to start conversations and inspire further action to address food insecurity.

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OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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News

Off-Trade

Prepare to meet new Maker American whisky brand Maker’s Mark has launched the first expression of Maker’s Mark Cellar Aged Bourbon, an annual, limited release. The maturation approach of Cellar Aged will be consistent every year, but the specific blend will vary based on which barrels are ready, by taste.

The inaugural release is a blend of 11- and 12-year-old whiskies bottled at cask strength (ABV 58%). It is available from this month at RSP £145.

In the dock A complaint made against Docks Beers’ Carbon Crush has been upheld by the Portman Group.

The complainant said the beer’s packaging, which features a comic strip, had a particular appeal to under-18s. Docks Beers Director Will Douglas said: “We certainly did not mean to create a product that appeals to children, but we can appreciate how the complainant might have reached that conclusion.”

Holy Grass, whole new look

Off-TradeNews CRACKING CRISP SALES – P50 MEZCAL Amber Beverage extends Rooster Rojo roster

Rooster Rojo crows about new mezcal Amber Beverage Group has announced the UK release of Rooster Rojo Mezcal (ABV 43%), which launches during Edinburgh Cocktail Week (5 to 16 October).

The new ultra-premium Mezcal joins five current Rooster Rojo expressions: Blanco, Reposado, Añejo, Smoked Pineapple and Ahumado.

It is available with an RSP of around £45 per 70cl bottle.

The dark, traditional, opaque bottle offers strong on-shelf standout and helps stop direct sunlight affecting the contents.

Mantas Zlatkus, Global Brand Director for Rooster Rojo Tequila, said: “This is a traditional product with a modern take that amplifies

all the best features of a mezcal.

We believe we managed to create something unique, as with our tequilas.

“We wanted to add more character to the drink to make it noble and serious, but without sacrificing the smoothness of the product, so the structure was achieved by increasing the ABV to 43%.”

The launch follows the 2022 release of an Ahumado variant and the ‘Sip don’t slam’ global advertising .

For UK trade sales inquiries, existing Rooster Rojo customers should contact their ABUK representative while new customers can email sales.uk@amberbev.com.

Dunnet Bay Distillers has given its Holy Grass Vodka a makeover, intended to give the award-winning craft vodka its very own brand identity. The new bottle design includes a QR code linking to the brand story and recommended serve. Bottles are hand-numbered and secured with a recyclable Kelpie seal – a nod to the mythical water horse said to reside in the River Thurso next to where Holy Grass grows.

IB toasts cognac deal Airdrie-based spirits producer International Beverage has acquired Larsen Cognac from Anora Group for 54 million euros. The deal includes Larsen’s production site and maturation stock, as well as its cognac brands Larsen, Renault, and Monopol, and brandy brand Ibis. This is IB’s first move into the Cognac category, which looks set to grow in both volume and value between now and 2026.

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LIQUEURS Launch comes as cream liqueurs are forecast to increase market share

Limoncello cream liqueur launches

Limoncello di Capri has unveiled a new liqueur that balances the Italian spirit brand’s trademark zest and zing with a silky and delicate cream.

Distributed in the UK by Mangrove Global, Limoncello di Capri Cream (19% ABV) is available now through Booker Marketplace in 50cl bottles, RSP £17.

According to IWSR projections, the cream liqueur category is forecast to increase its global volume market share from 9% to 13% by 2024. While the festive season presents a large opportunity for cream liqueurs, a growing number of hipsters are enjoying the category in fresh serves and cocktails, all year round.

Mangrove Global boss Nick Gillett said: “The British love affair with Italian liqueurs is well-documented. And with Limoncello rivalling aperitifs as the ‘spritz’ spirit of choice this year, I’m quite sure the appetite for a smooth, creamy variety will be off the charts.”

WHISKY

Highland Park releases London Edition Orkney-based distillery Highland Park has unveiled the latest expression in its limitededition Single Cask Series. Highland Park London Edition is available now at an RSP of £390, with an ABV of 58.5%.

Highland Park has released just 642 bottles of the 18-year-old whisky, which has been matured in a refill sherry-seasoned European oak cask hand selected by master whisky maker Gordon Motion.

Fans of Highland Park should expect the brand’s signature earthy, smoky tones, allied to a deep, rounded nose.

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Off-Trade

News

Johnnie Walker brings ‘fifth taste’ to whisky Johnnie Walker has unveiled Johnnie Walker Blue Label Elusive Umami (ABV 43%) – a LOW/NO Diageo rolls out the alcohol-free barrel

Sobering news from Captain Morgan Diageo has launched an alcohol-free alternative to its Captain Morgan rum brand’s Original Spiced Gold variant.

Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% is available now in cases of 6 x 70cl bottles, which RSP at £15.

The launch comes as almost half of Brits aged 18 to 24 in GB are looking to moderate their alcohol consumption.

Diageo’s innovation team spent two years experimenting with more than 400 recipes to create an alcohol-free spirit “with intricate layers of flavour, starting with rich notes of caramel, molasses, vanilla and warm brown spices”.

Samori Gambrah, Global Brand Director at Captain Morgan commented: “With a resurgence of rum as a drink of choice and 47% of UK adults switching between alcohol and low and alcohol-free drinks, Captain Morgan 0.0% is perfectly placed to not only meet growing demand but also give those looking to moderate their consumption a new alternative.”

Captain Morgan Spiced Gold 0.0% is the latest brand, and first dark spirit, to join Diageo’s alcohol-free portfolio, following the launch of Guinness 0.0%, Tanqueray 0.0% and Gordons 0.0% over the past few years.

new limited-edition expression inspired by the flavour also known as the fifth taste. It is available in numbered bottles exclusively at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, before launching worldwide on 16 October.The new Scotch was created by Master Blender Emma Walker and Chef Kei Kobayashi.

Christmas puds Pud Drinks, a producer of pudding- and dessert-flavoured vodka liqueurs, has launched its Christmas range for 2023, which features a selection of Christmas-themed products including a 12 Days of Christmas Gift Box and a Christmas Pudding-flavoured Vodka Liqueur. For more information or to place an order, please contact chris.rowe@reddistillery.co.uk or

WINE Joyful times from alt-format wine brand

When in Rome rebrand adds some ‘allegra’ Alternative format craft wine brand When in Rome has refreshed its packaging to align with its Italian provenance and invoke sunny, happy, joyful times – or as the Italians say, ‘allegra’.

Taking inspiration from 1950s posters of the Amalfi Coast, vintage Campari adverts and old travel posters, the design is aspirational and fun, whilst remaining true to Italian culture and wine that comes from its regions.

Russ Turner, Head of Marketing at When in Rome, said: “Alt-format wine is seeing a rise in popularity, especially with younger customers and we wanted to ensure our brand spoke to these consumers, in an optimistic and contemporary way, but at the same time staying true to our Italian roots.

“We’re keen to achieve stand-out at shelf level and deliver a consistent brand identity so that people instinctively know when they’re looking at a When in Rome product.”

BEER

Belhaven beers bag brace of awards Dunbar-based Belhaven Brewery has won two International Beer Challenge awards for its brews.

Belhaven Scottish Ale was awarded the Bronze Taste Award, while the Belhaven Craft Range picked up a Gold Design and Packaging Award. The wins follow the brewery’s Scottish Ale scooping silver at this year’s Scottish Beer Awards.

Steven Sturgeon, Head of Marketing at Belhaven, said: “The International Beer Challenge aims to reward and promote excellent beers from around the world. It’s an internationally recognised quality mark that directs consumers to the very best beers. Competition is stiff, so these awards are brilliant news for our customers.”

telephone 01428 771945.

Fettercairn launches latest 16 Year Old Single malt whisky distillery Fettercairn has unveiled the fourth annual release of its limited-edition 16 Year Old expression. Bottled at 46.4% ABV, Fettercairn 16 Year Old was matured in first fill ex-Port Pipes and fully matured ex-Bourbon casks. It is available now, priced at £82 for a 70cl bottle.

Fettercairn’s rolling annual maturation series was created for curious whisky lovers keen to explore more from the distillery and its tropical house style.

House of Suntory celebrates 100th birthday House of Suntory has unveiled the centennial release of Hibiki 21-Year-Old alongside a limitededition bottle design for Hibiki Japanese Harmony. Hibiki 21-Year-Old is bottled at 43% ABV and has an RSP of £5,200 (70cl). The limited-edition Hibiki Japanese Harmony (ABV 43%) is slightly easier on the pocket at a mere £210 for a 70cl bottle.

www.slrmag.co.uk

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Inside Business

Checkout Scotland 2023

WE CAME, WE SAW, WE CHECKED IT OUT! GroceryAid Scotland’s second annual music festival was another massive success and helped raise over £53,000 for the charity.

D

espite being only in its second year, GroceryAid Scotland’s annual music festival Checkout Scotland has already established itself as a firm favourite on the Scottish local retailing calendar.

The recent second running of the event saw major music acts including Example, B*witched and The Supernaturals bring the house down in front of a packed audience of more than 700 industry colleagues.

Importantly, the event also helped raise more than £53,000, which will go towards helping the charity continue to provide free and confidential practical, financial and emotional support to industry colleagues in Scotland who have fallen on tough times.

Tickets for next year are already on sale and can be bought online at the address below. The event will once again take place in Glasgow on Thursday 5 Sep 2024. Don’t miss out!

TO BOOK TICKETS, VISIT: GROCERYAID.ORG.UK/EVENTS/CHECKOUT-SCOTLAND 34

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

Northern Ireland.

Bringing our world-class food and drink to your table.

Invest Northern Ireland is delighted to attend the 2022 Scottish Grocers’ Federation Conference. We look forward to meeting delegates and introducing 10 Northern Ireland producers who have joined SGF under the Invest NI banner this year, offering award-winning drinks and snacks, meat and dairy products.

Armagh Cider www.troughtonspremium.com

Clarke Millar Foods www.clarkemillar.com

Finnebrogue www.finnebrogue.com www.betternaked.com

Hinch www.hinchdistillery.com

Noisy Snacks www.noisysnacks.com

Lakeland Dairies

Punjana/Thompson’s Tea

www.pritchitts.com

www.thompsonstea.com

Milgro www.milgro.co.uk

Woodlab Distillery www.symphoniaspirits.com

Contact Michelle Charrington at michelle.charrington@investni.com M: 07817 173514

Glens of Antrim www.goacrisps.com

Northern Ireland. Altogether more.

Inside Business

Store Profile | Premier Whitehills

THE STORE THAT DREAMS ARE MADE OF SLR offers a glimpse inside Scottish Local Retailer of the Year Billy Gatt’s stunning Premier store on the north Aberdeenshire coast.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

W

inning the coveted Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award is no mean feat at the best of times and this year there was a long list of retailers with strong cases for claiming the title. In the end, however, the judges agreed that none could compete with what is essentially a retail fantasy that has been built in the small and remote town of Whitehills on the north Aberdeenshire coast.

The 3,000sq ft Premier Whitehills store was built from the ground up by long-standing Premier retailer Billy Gatt and his family – and at no small cost. Spending £1.6m of your own money on a mammoth project that involved buying a pub, buying some land next door, adding a new-build store on that land then joining the two together is a major commitment by anybody’s standards. To round it out, Bill built a new 12-bay car park immediately outside which lets shoppers easily wheel their trolleys from till to boot – and they do get a lot of trolley shoppers.

In Billy’s words, he wants Premier Whitehills to be “a legacy for his family”. He wants to leave something of value behind for his nearest and dearest and that was more important to him than simply creating an exceptional store. That partly explains why all corners remained resolutely uncut in the creation of Premier Whitehills.

A former trawlerman, Billy’s career in retail began 22 years ago when he came ashore and made the bold decision to establish a new career.

“I’ve had two stores over the years, a convenience store in the nearby town of Banff and a small 1,000sq ft Premier store in Whitehills which I’ve run for the past 17 years,” explains Billy. “Whitehills is a small fishing village with only around 1,200 residents and our store has always been the only one in the village. As such, it’s always been a real lifeline for local people and that became even more apparent during the lockdown months.

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Inside Business

Premier Whitehills | Store Profile

“The idea of building a new larger store with even more range and facilities for local shoppers had been in my head for a number of years, but the pandemic was what spurred me on to actually do it.”

And while he spent a considerable chunk of change bringing his idea to life – it opened in November 2022 – it’s not the amount of money that was spent that sets the store apart. That’s categorically not why Billy claimed the Scottish Local Retailer of the Year title. It was the quality of thought and the exceptional planning and attention to detail and the way Billy spent the money that put him ahead of an outstanding set of contenders for the title.

This year’s shortlist for the awards was blissfully awash with big-spend refits and newbuilds and upgrades of all sorts. During 21 years of doing the awards, we’ve never seen as much money reinvested in the sector as we did during this year’s judging. Hats off to one and all. It was an uplifting couple of months visiting so many pristine and beautiful stores.

But Whitehills rose above all the rest, and certainly not because they spent more than the rest.

RETAILER’S DREAM So what is it that makes the store so special?

The simplest answer is that it has been built by a retailer who understands retail and has been doing it for years and knows exactly what he wants from a store he’s going to the bother of building himself. Premier Whitehills is certainly impressive to its customers, but it’s even more impressive to other retailers. In my opinion, it’s how you would build a store yourself if you were doing it today.

“The fact that we designed and built everything from scratch allowed me to create a store that would work really well at the back end,” Billy says. “I looked long and hard at the logistics, thinking about exactly where I wanted www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

37

Inside Business

Store Profile | Premier Whitehills

the deliveries to come in, how much space I wanted to devote to spare stock and where to put any waste. As a result, the whole store has a really good flow.”

The short version of the story is that Billy had operated a smaller, fairly typical Premier store a few hundred yards along the road for many years. It was a little tired, a little oddly shaped and a little small. Several of his staff suggested he should buy the pub along the road, which had closed, and turn it into a shop which would allow them to expand the sales space. Billy mulled over that idea then did indeed buy the pub, but he also set in motion a plan to build a brand-new store right next door.

The pub would become the production kitchen for the store, preparing a huge array of hot and cold food, prepared fresh every day for sale in the store. The kitchen produces everything from sandwiches, salads and soups to a range of more than 16 chilled ready meals including favourites such as Steak & Ale Pies, Spaghetti Bolognese, Chicken Curry and Stovies.

Not content with that, Billy then built a third section that linked the old pub and the new store, which effectively acts as part state-of-theart storage and handling facility and part goodsin depot. There’s even a roller door at the front to make deliveries and back-hauling a piece of cake, with zero disruption to customers or store staff. Internal passageways allow the stock to then be moved into one of the holding areas or taken straight out onto the shopfloor. No 38

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

manhandling cases of stock through the front door or via the back store room here.

And even in the store room it’s clear to see where the £1.6m went. The back store and goods area is fitted out to a standard that a lot of stores can’t match out on the shopfloor. Industrial lifts help move stock while enormous walk-in freezers and chillers allow for bulk storage and efficient shifting of stock between the store and the kitchens.

Then there’s the kitchen itself. It’s huge. Really huge. In a past life I’ve been lucky enough to see inside some Michelin-starred restaurant kitchens and some of them weren’t nearly as spacious as Billy’s. Not only that, the kitchen is fitted out with some of the best spec kit you’ll see in any kitchen anywhere. There’s no doubt the kitchen could have been fitted out cheaper, but when you’re building a legacy and not a store, why not go all in?

As for the store itself, it’s a pristine and immaculately executed version of Premier’s latest store blueprint. Being a perfect rectangle (because it was built from scratch), there are no awkward shapes, inconvenient pillars or supporting walls.

It has all the Premier bells and whistles: a beer cave, a big vaping wall, a Refresh@Premier zone with a selection of hot and cold drinks to go, a big American candy section, a huge fresh and chilled fixture plus all the other accoutrements of modern convenience retailing. It also has a Post Office, which is less common these days, www.slrmag.co.uk

Premier Whitehills | Store Profile

but given the store’s very remote location, it’s a community service as much as a part of the business.

And there’s Auntie Meg’s Kitchen, the foodservice side of the store, serviced by the kitchen next door and offering a huge array of hot and cold foods to take away or to eat in the adjoining 18-seater cafe area that sits at the back of the store.

Named in honour of Billy’s wife’s aunt, the kitchen serves a full menu of home-cooked foods including pizzas, burgers, loaded fries and traditional hearty meals. It also serves a selection of freshly baked cakes, pastries and scones, all of which can also be enjoyed with hot and cold drinks from Auntie Meg’s Kitchen counter or from one of the 10 different drink options from the Refresh@Premier zone.

“The Auntie Meg’s Kitchen brand is a perfect complement to our wider range of chilled foods,” Billy explains.

“Auntie Meg’s Kitchen offers a premium choice with ready meal RSPs typically in the region of £5 to £5.50, alongside a range of Jack’s ready meals we offer, which means we have something to suit every shopper’s budget,” he adds.

CATCHMENT AREA As a former commercial fisherman, Billy knew all about luring fish into a net and he knew that he would have to work hard to lure people to his new store. With a local population of just 1,200 he knew that the new store would have to www.slrmag.co.uk

include footfall-driving features to attract trade from further afield to make such a large space commercially successful.

“We had to make it a destination,” he says. “I was well aware of how other Premier retailers were developing their stores, so I decided to do a road trip to visit as many as possible.” The 1,000-mile road trip took Billy to a number of cutting-edge Premier stores, including Singh’s in Sheffield, from whom he netted inspiration.

“I didn’t want to re-invent the wheel at Whitehills, but I was keen to take some of the great concepts from other stores and tailor them to own unique demographic,” he says.

One quick walk around the store suggests that Billy has more than achieved his aims.

Commercially the store is flying, and you strongly suspect it will continue to grow long into the future.

“The feedback has been phenomenal,” concludes Billy. “I’m so proud of what we have achieved here. It’s been a huge team effort from everyone involved, including myself, Premier and the many members of my family who also work in the business.

“I have eight grandchildren and I hope that they will all work here in some capacity or another in the future. This store is my gift to them, as well as to the people of Whitehills.”

As gifts go, it’s pretty decent – and if you get the chance to visit, it would be time well spent, and don’t forget to ask Billy to show around the kitchens when you’re there.

Inside Business

“I have eight grandchildren and I hope that they will all work here the future.

This store is my gift to them, as well as to the people of Whitehills.”

BILLY GATT

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Inside Business

Responsible Retailing

VAPING: LET’S DO IT RIGHT

SLR is joining forces with SGF to launch a new campaign to help local retailers ensure that singleuse vapes are responsibly sold and recycled in the convenience sector.

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

W

ith the debate ongoing around the environmental impact “SGF recognises however that single-use vapes can be extremely of the littering of single-use vaping products, Scottish effective for those quitting smoking, but that they must stop appearing Local Retailer and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) in our streets and parks. Stores participating in the pilot will be able to have launched a new campaign to help local retailers offer customers a return point in-store through a recycling bin for used ensure that the single-use vapes they stock are sold and vapes and retailers will be provided with a convenient waste and recycling recycled responsibly. option as part of this.”

The first phase of the campaign sees the creation of a full vaping ageParticipating stores will have their used vapes collected by Recover, restriction kit for retailers (included with this issue of SLR) and the launch a UK lithium battery recycling company, to responsibly handle the of a pilot programme, in partnership with Elfbar, which provides a fully discarded devices. The products are then 100% disassembled to ensure funded recycling programme for used vapes. the raw materials are properly dismantled and recycled, including plastics The age-restriction kits include everything and the battery, as part of Elfbar’s commitment to the delivery of a closed retailers need to train staff, make them aware of recycling loop by 2025.

AGE VERIFICATIO their responsibilities around vaping, log refusals Anand added: “As a convenience retailer, N POLICY AND STAFF ACKNOW (TO BE KEPT WIT LEDGMENT H STAFF RECORD S) and communicate a Challenge 25 policy to I want to play my part in reducing the consumers. littering associated with single-use vaping The recycling pilot was launched at the end products which in turn will benefit our local environment.” of last month at award-winning retailer Anand Cheema’s Costcutter – Fresh in Falkirk store.

SLR Publisher Antony Begley commented: Anand became the first retailer to receive a “We know that there are many positives to the vaping category, and that vapes can vape recycling bin free of charge. A total of 20 be extremely helpful to people keen to quit SGF member stores from across Scotland will smoking, but we also know that the Scottish begin participating this month. This pilot marks Government has a long track record of using a the first step of a long-term campaign and sledge hammer to crack a nut. programme.

Speaking at the launch, SGF Chief Executive “As a responsible industry sector, we must demonstrate responsibility around all aspects Pete Cheema OBE, said: “A key focus for both of vaping – and that most definitely includes SGF and SLR is the promotion of responsible responsible selling and responsible recycling of community retailing. That is why we value vaping products. Working with SGF we intend to the opportunity to work in partnership with send a clear message to the Scottish Government Elfbar to address the environmental damage that we take our many responsibilities as done by single-use vaping products if they are community retailers seriously.” not disposed of responsibly.

(An Age-Verifica tion Policy is a with the staff ackno legal requirement from 1st April 2017 wledgment form which is recommend and here we have combined it ed to evidence trainin g)

Name of Staff :

Example: Joe Smith

Date of Birth:

Is Staff under the

29.11.99

age of 18?

Name and Addres

Yes / No

Name of the respon sible person registe and/or NVP retailer red as the tobacc o for the above Shop Tobacco Registe on the Scottish r or name of the Shop Manager permit authorise sales if staff is under 18 ted to

Smiths News, 45 Argyll Street, Glasgo w Your name and/or the name of the registered retailer managers of the or list Shop who can author ise sales

s of ‘Shop’:

The sale of tobacco , cigarette papers and nicotine vapour (NVPs) to anyone under the age of products If any tobacco produc 18 is an offence Tobacco and Primary in accordance with ts, cigarette papers Medical Services the or NVPs are sold under the age of (Scotland) Act 2010 to persons 18 then this is an (as amended). offence which may the responsible The above named result in you and/or person named above Store operates facing a fine of £2,500 this age verifica or a term of impriso requirement so tion policy as a or more and/ nment. that steps are legal taken to establis attempting to buy h the age of a person a tobacco produc If you are under t, cigarette papers 18 years old then or NVP. you must be authori responsible person If it appears to sed by the registered as a tobacco staff selling those products that the / NVP retailer or of the Shop (as under the age of customer may the manager named above) to 25 years old (or be sell tobacco, cigarett older if your compan This authorisation the age limit higher) e papers or NVPs. y policy is to set must be recorde , the customer d in the Tobacco will be asked their Record. If you sell staff member require Sales Authorisation age. Where the tobacco produc s assurance of this, ts, cigarette papers the staff membe such authorisation customer for proof or NVPs withou r should ask the then it is the registe of age. t red tobacco retailer employer who has / manager/ committed the offence At this Store, the and not you. following docum ents are accepta forms of identifi ble proof of age cation: Passport, Europe an photocard STAFF DECLARATIO driving licence, Form 90 (Defenc Ministry of Defenc N: e Identity Card), e Photographic identity the national Proof card bearing of Age Standards I have read and Scheme (PASS) understood this Young Scot Card, hologram – such age verification EU identity card to comply with as policy and agree and Biometric Immigr it. ation Document.

If the customer does not show you the correct form the ID does not of ID or the data prove the date of Signed on birth or identification or the document of the customer, appears fraudul ent then you must you are in doubt refuse the sale. then ask anothe If r member of staff verification but to assist you with if this is not possibl the e then you must Date refuse the sale.

TRAINING RECO

Training and Policy

RD

Reviewed (Date of Review

)

Training Leader

Signed by Staff

For official guidan ce and a Scottish Government produc ed form, go to: Selling Age Verification at www.gov.scot/binar Tobacco and/or Nicotin ies/content/documen e Vapour Products verification-guidanc ts/govscot/publicati e/documents/00515 ons/advice-and-guid 512-pdf/00515512-p ance/2017/03/agedf/govscot%3Adoc ument/00515512.pd f

Scottish Grocers’

Federation

Vaping Forms.ind

d 1

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EdgePOS | Henderson Technology

Advertising Feature

RETAIL TECH TRENDS WITH EDGEPOS

Henderson Technology has recently launched two new exciting app integrations.

H

enderson Technology knows that convenience and forecourt retailing is a rapidly changing business and as a result recognises the importance of keeping up with consumer trends and creating innovative technology that meets those trends.

The company provides forward-thinking solutions, enabling businesses to maintain their competitive edge and ultimately boost profitability.

With continuous development and innovative integrations and partnerships, EDGEPoS is now one of the most powerful and feature-rich systems in the UK. EDGEPOS PARTNERSHIP WITH DELIVERECT EDGEPoS, the EPOS software system from Henderson Technology, has been certified and is now partnering with Deliverect, the leading platform for managing online orders.

Deliverect provides a software solution that brings together all online-order and delivery channels, such as Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat, directly to an EPOS solution.

Key benefits include: Q All online orders in one place Q Central menu management Q No need for separate tablets to manage delivery orders (traditionally retailers needed a tablet per delivery channel – sometimes managing up to 10 tablets) Q No need for manual re-entry of delivery orders at the POS Q Get insights and reports on product and delivery channel sales www.slrmag.co.uk

Henderson Technology is currently piloting Deliverect with five EDGEPoS UK forecourt and convenience retailers.

Darren Nickels, Retail Technology Operations Director at Henderson Technology, said: “Deliverect not only provides an integration with EDGEPoS and linked delivery platforms, but it also allows the retailer to amalgamate all of their delivery partners, to have one central point for menu management and order management. It allows the retailer to reduce training and labour hours with one platform managing all channels in a fraction of the time.

“We have also developed an auto snooze functionality when items are out of stock. This will provide to our EDGEPoS convenience and forecourt retailers looking to integrate Deliverect with a super competitive edge.”

EDGEPOS INTRODUCES NEW FUEL PAY APP In partnership with Blu Dot Technologies, Henderson Technology has launched a new mobile pay-at-pump app called Fuel Pay. Motorists can use Fuel Pay to select the pump, fuel grade and the amount to refuel. The pump is authorised in-store and then refuelling can begin. Payment automatically uses the card assigned during initial registration. On completion the motorist simply drives away, with their VAT receipt e-mailed automatically.

Forecourt operators can drive profitability by enabling this new digital payment which offers multiple benefits, such as: Q Driver friendly payment method – intuitive user experience that allows the driver to refuel quickly and easily

Q Put forecourts on the map - drive new customers to forecourts using the station finder Q Modernise businesses – Fuel Pay is integrated with debit/credit cards, fuel cards and local accounts (which forecourts might have e.g., local taxi firms) Q Customer loyalty Fuel Pay is integrated with Azpiral Staff Loyalty and will be further integrated with Azpiral customer loyalty Darren Nickels adds: “Often, Outdoor Payment Terminal (OPT) solutions can be expensive and require the investment of new pumps. This is a cost-effective solution for customers who simply want to purchase fuel without having to enter the store and can be run in conjunction with existing OPT. “Fuel Pay gives forecourt retailers a number of benefits – it is simple and secure to use, it lets retailers stay ahead of their competition, and is quick and convenient for motorists.

“We have also identified an area in the market for drivers who need assistance when fuelling their vehicle and as a result we have developed Fuel Pay Assist.

“We know Fuel Pay Assist will be a huge benefit to the 2.44m Blue Badge drivers.”

Fuel Pay is available as a standalone app or can be added to existing Appetite! app integrations. Appetite! is a pre-order-pre-pay delivery and collection app for grocery and food-to-go, including drive-thru collection and in-store kiosks. It is fully integrated to EDGEPoS, ensuring live stock reporting on both the app and EDGEPoS back office.

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Hotlines

Product News & Media Watch

Rustic Bloomers Hovis Available now with an RSP of £1.90, the Bakers Since 1886 Rustic Bloomers collection includes the Rustic White Bloomer, Rustic Seeded Bloomer, and Rustic Granary Bloomer. The 550g Rustic Bloomers come in White and Seeded, with the latter including Sunflower Seeds, Poppy Seeds, Millet Seeds and Golden Linseed.

The Rustic Granary Bloomer initially launches as a Tesco exclusive and features Cut Wheat & Rye.

Monster Ultra Peachy Keen CCEP Monster Ultra Peachy Keen has a crisp light peach flavour and no calories and no sugar. It is available now in 500ml plain or £1.55 pricemarked single cans, as well as four-can nonPMP multipacks.

The can design pays homage to the ‘summer of love’.

Convenience retailers can request POS materials from My.CCEP.com.

PML unveils ‘game-changing’ IQOS Iluma series Philip Morris Limited (PML) has launched its nextgeneration heated tobacco system, in a move designed to ignite the switch from combustible to heated tobacco products.

Available to convenience retailers now, the new IQOS Iluma series includes a line-up of three new devices: IQOS Iluma Prime, IQOS Iluma and IQOS Iluma One. All three devices feature “the same revolutionary technology at their core” but have been designed to address varied preferences and different price points.

IQOS Iluma One is the most affordable option in the series, with an RSP of £39.

IQOS Iluma has a mid-range RSP of £69.

IQOS Iluma Prime is the most enhanced and customisable device and features a price-tag of £109.

Described by PML as a “step change” in heated tobacco innovation, all three of the new IQOS Iluma devices feature a new magnetic heating system which requires no blade and no cleaning.

The new and improved devices have also been designed to replicate the cigarette smoking experience even more closely – but with 95% lower levels of harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes, PML says.

All IQOS Iluma devices use a new range of TEREA tobacco sticks.

Available in nine different tobacco blends, each TEREA stick features an internal stainless-steel element to heat tobacco from within without burning it.

The new IQOS Iluma devices and TEREA sticks will eventually replace the IQOS Original device and its compatible HEETs sticks.

TEREA sticks are available now via Heatwave Open and cash & carry and wholesalers across the UK. Retailers interested in stocking the device should contact the Heatwave Open Support Team on 0333 320 0777 or email heetwave@iqos.co.uk.

PML Managing Director for UK and Ireland Christian Woolfenden said: “Heated tobacco is seeing huge momentum in the UK, growing a staggering +400% in the last three years.”

Skyr Energy Yoplait

Yazoo Thick N’ Creamy Friesland Campina

Müller Corner Originals Müller Yogurt & Desserts

Soft Naans Warburtons

To capitalise on the popularity of protein yogurt, Yoplait has launched Skyr Energy, the first Skyr product to contain real fruit pieces. High in protein and enriched with Vitamin D and B6 for energy, it comes in two flavours – Strawberry & Blackcurrant and Mango & Passionfruit – and rolls out in 2 x 140g packs, RSP £2. The launch is supported by a targeted in-store and out-of-home campaign alongside sampling, social, digital and influencer activities.

Yazoo has launched a brandnew, HFSS-compliant, indulgent milkshake format, Thick N’ Creamy, the brand’s first permanent NPD since 2016. It is available now in 300ml £1.49 price-marked packs in two flavours – Indulgent Chocolate and Creamy Strawberry. The launch is backed by a £150,000 campaign that includes organic social, paid digital, in-store support and in-depot POS.

The dairy company is tapping into its brand heritage by bringing back retro flavours from the last 30 years, the first of which are Mississippi Mud Pie Inspired and Strawberry and Choc Orange Balls. The launch will be supported by a multimedia marketing campaign later in the year. Further new flavour varieties from the past will be introduced in 2024. Müller Corner Originals is the first product to be rolled out in Müller’s redesigned packaging.

Warburtons has further expanded and diversified its product range with the launch of new mini naan breads, which have a soft, fluffy texture and can be warmed in a toaster in under two minutes.

Certified vegan, Soft Naans is available in packs of four with an RSP of £1.50, and is currently on a phased roll out after launching exclusively in Morrisons.

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Product News & Media Watch Mr Kipling Chocolate & Orange Slices Premier Foods

Red Bull Winter Edition Spiced Pear Red Bull

Available now as part of Premier’s 2023 Halloween range, the individually wrapped slices are intended for trick-or-treating, dessert, snacking at home or on-the-go. With value sales of chocolate and orange flavoured cakes up 11% year on year, Premier hopes the new launch will help retailers capitalise on this demand and attract shoppers into the sweet treats category.

Red Bull’s first-ever Winter Edition offers a blend of pear accented with a dash of cinnamon. It is available in 250ml (RSP £1.50), 250ml £1.45 PMP and 355ml Sugarfree (RSP £1.80) formats.

The launch will be supported with a range of tailored POS and also benefit from Red Bull’s annual winter marketing campaign.

Cathedral City ‘Our Naturally Smoked Cheddar’ Saputo Dairy UK

McVitie’s BN Popping Candy Cake Bars pladis

Saputo says the new product is the first naturally smoked cheddar to launch in the pre-pack cheese category. ‘Our Naturally Smoked Cheddar’ sits as part of the brand’s new ‘Best of British’ range alongside ‘Our Red Leicester’. Both are available in a 300g block format.

Naturally smoking cheese ensures its texture and quality is preserved and also gives a better overall flavour throughout.

The latest BN cake bars are available now in packs of five individually-wrapped bars with an RSP of £1.25. They come in two flavours – Crackling Chocolate and Sizzling Strawberry – which combine chocolate or strawberry sponge with chocolate cream or light cream respectively. Both are filled with popping candy pieces.

St Pierre Belgian Waffles Grupo Bimbo

Werther’s Chocolate Covered Caramels Storck UK

Hotlines

 Toastie of Tinseltown Warburtons’ latest TV advert, Mad About The Bread, stars legendary Hollywood actor Samuel L Jackson and spearheads an integrated campaign that includes social, digital, TV and out-of-home activities. The ad sees Jackson assume the role of Jonathan Warburton to celebrate the effort that goes into making the perfect Toastie loaf.

Hail to the tattie Walkers’ new TV ad champions the brand’s taste credentials and the humble potato. It features a selection of Walkers’ real British farming partners, demonstrating their care and love for the potatoes they grow. The ad also depicts the journey from potato to crisp, with the second half showing moments of taste anticipation and consumer consumption.

Be a bit Barista Müller’s first branded milk advertising campaign in several years encourages consumers to ‘be a bit Barista’ and get creative with its new Good Stuff Barista Milk.

It takes in outdoor, social media, instore, influencer and podcast activities, all of which celebrate amateur frothy-coffee art. The campaign runs until mid-October.

Minty moments

St Pierre’s new waffles launch in two variants: with Butter and with Chocolate Chips. Both come in packs of six with an RSP of £3.50, are ready to eat, are individually wrapped, and are free of any artificial colours or preservatives.

The launch is supported with mass sampling, consumer advertising, dedicated social media activity and an influencer engagement campaign.

Werther’s Original Chocolate Covered Caramels combine the taste of Werther’s caramel with the smoothness of milk chocolate and are rolling into bargain stores now with further listings to follow.

Available in 14 x 100g shelf-ready packs with an RSP of £1.25, the new product is backed by in-store promotions, alongside digital and social media activities.

Smint is encouraging the nation to take a moment to pause and reset with its new £250,000 ‘And breathe’ out-of-home campaign – the first major out-of-home activity for the sugar-free mint brand since 2021. Bold blue adverts feature on large format displays on busy commuter routes and their message is amplified by a stint on digital radio.

Some zing different Lucozade Energy’s new £3.8m campaign is designed to encourage trial and awareness of its new ‘zingy’ Orange and Original flavours and fresh pack design, through a mix of outof-home advertising, in-store shopper and social media activities. The brand will also launch a national sampling campaign aiming to reach more than 1.5 million consumers.

for all the latest product news, head to www.slrmag.co.uk/category/product-news/ www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2023 | SLR

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Feature

Christmas

THE JOLLY SEASON

The bumper 2022 festive season is a good omen for retailers looking to end this year on a high note.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

MONDELEZ UNVEILS 2023 FESTIVE RANGE

L

ast year saw a record-breaking year for grocery Christmas sales and this year can be an equally fruitful one for local retailers, despite shoppers working with tighter budgets.

Last December saw sales pass the £12bn mark for the first time, rising 9% year-on-year, after a unique year of retraction in 2021, according to Kantar Worldpanel.

GIFTING AND SHARING APLENTY There is no doubt that the purse strings will be tight this Christmas, but consumers are still expected to try and look for indulgences and sharing treats.

Confectionery is well placed to offer shoppers the opportunity to trade up in the festive season, after last year’s impressive performance. In 2022, confectionery was worth over £2bn, according to IRI, with 97% of UK households buying into the category in the run-up to Christmas, spending on average £55 per person over the season, Kantar found.

According to Kantar, chocolate dominated confectionery sales in the run-up to Christmas last year, worth more than £1.65bn. Sugar confectionery in general will still play a major part – worth more than £400m over Christmas 2022 and growing faster than chocolate at +6.8% year-on-year, according to IRI. “The Christmas essentials in the confectionery sector are gifting products, stocking fillers, advent calendars, share bags and novelty festive sweets,” Kathryn Hague, Head of Marketing at Hancocks, explains.

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Cybi Capaldi, Mars Wrigley Senior Brand Manager, Christmas, adds: “Echoing 2022, we expect to see shoppers prioritising value for money this Christmas, comparing products and stockists, including discounters, to ensure they are saving money where possible. ”

FESTIVE DRINKS A nice festive drink is among the treats shoppers choose to spend money on at Christmas, either as a gift or self-indulgence.

“Whisky is the number one category for gifting between October and December, having enjoyed 30% share of ‘spirits bought as a gift’ last year,” Lauren Priestley – Head of Category Development Off Trade, at Diageo, says.

“Not only does whisky lend itself to the winter months, but it also makes a great gift. There is a burgeoning diversity within the whisky category, making it even easier to appeal to a broader range of adult consumers, from connoisseur to novice, so we suggest stocking a good variety of whiskies.”

Mixers, sodas and soft drinks are also in high demand. “For those looking to enjoy a cocktail at home during these celebratory occasions, readyto-drink cocktails offer ultimate convenience and a consistently perfect festive serve,” Amy Burgess, Senior Trade Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), explains.

“In Great Britain’s convenience market, the alcoholic ready-to-drink (ARTD) section is already a powerhouse, worth nearly £168m, and it’s gearing up for a significant surge by 2030.”

Mondelez has unwrapped a sleighful of new products to help retailers get set for a bumper festive season.

The brand has added a 296g sharing bag to the Cadbury Mini Snowballs range in cases of seven along with the 360g Cadbury Dairy Milk Winter Orange Crisp, available in cases of 13 and at £3.50 RSP. Shoppers looking to trade up and treat themselves to an indulgent advent calendar could be tempted by the new 340g Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar, which contains 10 Cadbury Dairy Milk Chunks, five Cadbury Dairy Milk Robins, four Hazelnut Jingly Bells, four Caramel Chunks and, finally, a 100g Winter Wonderland Bar for Christmas Eve. It has a £10 RSP and is available in cases of six.

Mondelez is also rolling out a new Cadbury Buttons Selection Box this year.

The 375g packs RSP at £6.50 and include four different flavoured 95g treat bags: Cadbury Dairy Milk Buttons, Cadbury Dairy Milk Orange Buttons, Cadbury Dairy Milk Salted Caramel Nibbles and Caramilk Buttons. It comes in cases of seven.

It is joined by the Cadbury Dairy Milk Money Box Tin (RSP £6), described as “the perfect top-up gift in the final run up to Christmas”. The tins, available in outers of 8 x 230g, feature a playful design and offer a secondary packaging use.

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Feature

Big Night In BIG NIGHT IN NUMBERS

29%

OF PEOPLE ARE STAYING AT HOME MORE

28%

OF PEOPLE HAVE EATEN OUT LESS OFTEN

25%

SHARING BIG

OF PEOPLE HAVE SOCIALISED WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY AT HOME

A recent easing of inflation might have spelled good news for the economy, but with incomes still tight, shoppers are still looking to recreate great experiences at home.

OF PEOPLE HAVE SWITCHED TO A CHEAPER BRAND

BY ELENA DIMAMA

D

emand for sharing products is on the up and the pursuit of value in these challenging times presents a great opportunity for retailers to trade up with the Big Night In occasion.

As shoppers are increasingly looking to enjoy evenings at home as a more cost-effective way to spend time together, sharing formats and fakeaways are the obvious winner for convenience.

SNACKING BOOST Within crisps, snacks & nuts (CSN), it is sharing bags (key for the ‘Big Night In’ occasion) that are driving growth in independent convenience stores (+28%), according to TWC. In Scotland, sharing bags are also performing well (+33.8%).

Meanwhile, strong growth is seen across the board for chocolate confectionery but sharing bags, which are key for the Big Night In, are performing particularly strongly with +17% YOY growth (+14% in Scotland, TWC notes.

“Whether it’s a big get-together to remember, a casual drink paired with nuts, or a family movie night with popcorn, the CSN sharing segment has grown significantly and represents a huge opportunity for retailers,” Matt Collins, Trading Director at KP Snacks, says.

“49% see snacks as a must-have for an evening in. These have become increasingly popular as consumers continue to spend more time at home due to trends towards more cautious spending.”

Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelez International, adds: “We’ve seen 46

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

19%

Source: Norstat | 2,000+ GB representative adults | Jun 23

that shoppers are increasingly looking to enjoy evenings at home as a more cost-effective way to spend time together.

“This subsequent increase in the Big Night In occasion can be catered to with our gifting and sharing formats, such as Cadbury Heroes, Cadbury sharing bags and sugar confectionery.”

What’s more, value for money is continuing to play a crucial role in the way shoppers decide what to add in their basket, with PMPs being a big driver in the crisps and snacks category.

“Consumers are really feeling the pinch at the moment and independent retailers are winning where they can offer great value for money. Instead of raising the headline price of our £1 PMPs, we’ve decided to stick to £1 demonstrating Golden Wonder’s commitment to delivering great consumer value whilst offering strong retailer margins,” Matt Smith, Marketing Director for Tayto Group, explains.

THE FLAVOUR FACTOR Flavour innovations are key growth drivers, with taste being a critical element of sharing occasions as the number one influence for shoppers buying crisps or snacks, according to Mintel.

“91% say spending time family time together is very important and, as recessionary conditions prevail, nights in with family and friends will become more prevalent as an alternative to a night out,” Collins explains. “48% of consumers eat crisps, snacks and nuts when watching a film www.slrmag.co.uk

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Feature

Big Night In

at home and 51% view them as a good low-cost way to boost their mood and celebrate small achievements.”

Mondelez is tapping into the flavour innovation trend with the Cadbury Twirl Mint, as mint was one of the top five flavour additions for standard chocolate, according to Nielsen.

THE SWEET ASPECT “Around events like the Big Night In, we see an increase in demand for sharing options, as customers look for confectionery treats they can share with friends and family,” Chris Smith, Partner Brand Manager at World of Sweets, explains.

“Shoppers feeling the pinch are looking for value options while shopping but are still looking to treat themselves with confectionery and snacking options for big occasions.”

Price-marked packs are a crucial option for this category too, along with the various flavours brands can offer.

“The Bonds of London range offers a great size and value for money. They are clearly marked with prices and are a great option for stores looking to expand their range of PMPs,” Kathryn Hague, Head of Marketing at Hancocks, adds.

“Our Bonds share bags are each marked clearly as £1.25. The range includes Great British favourites like Giant Strawbs, Fruit Pastilles, Jelly Beans, Chocolate Honeycomb, Gems, Fruit Jellies, Chocolate Peanuts and Midget Gems.”

Stocking up on free-from options is also important for the Big Night In occasion. “Consumers expect brands and retailers to care beyond revenue. It’s not as simple as churning out NPD and expecting it to be a success with no regard for the brand, its values and how it’s perceived by the consumer,” Gabriella Egleton – Senior Brand Manager – Kervan Gida UK, notes.

“Consumers are more discerning than they were, and are paying more attention to what they consume, looking for transparency when it comes to product formulation and supply.”

HEALTHY OPTIONS “When stocking up for these Big Night In occasions, healthier sharing options should not be ignored,” Collins adds. KP Snacks offers popchips as a bagged snack options in the sharing pack format that combines health credentials, such as coming in at under 100 calories per serving. What’s more, the brand’s KP Nuts portfolio offers a range of flavours and formats, with nuts naturally high in protein and fibre.

DON’T FORGET THE TIPPLE Creating high-quality alcohol experiences at home, all year round is another attractive element for shoppers looking to complete their Big Night In. “We have seen an abundance of flavoured spirits launching over the past couple of years as they continue to be popular amongst consumers,” Lauren Priestley, Head of Category Development Off Trade at Diageo, tells SLR. “We also recommend maintaining a selection of flavoured vodka.”

What’s more, beer is an “incredibly popular choice” for consumers all year round, according to Priestley, who adds: “Ensuring your beer range is inclusive is key, so stocking non-alcoholic beers is a must.”

Diageo offers Guinness Draught in Can in various formats to allow retailers to offer a large choice. The brand also comes in an alcohol-free ‘0.0’ option.

Another consumer trend is the rising demand for the at-home cocktail occasion, presenting the off-trade an opportunity to help people create great experiences at home during key calendar moments. Easy home recreations can include the classic Gin & Tonic, or rum-based liquids that can form the base of many high-quality serves for shoppers to enjoy.

FAKEAWAY WINS With more shoppers forgoing their weekend takeaway or meal out, people could be looking at fakeaway choices for Friday or Saturday nights.

“In-home meal occasions are on the rise vs. prepandemic times, with +2% more in the latest 12 weeks vs. 2019, and this growth provides a great opportunity for the frozen sector to offer premiumisation options as well showcasing the versatility of the products in consumers’ freezers,” Joss Bamber, Head of Convenience at Birds Eye, says.

“Consumers are being more careful with their spend and, as a result, we expect to see fewer out-of-home occasions, presenting an opportunity for convenience stores to offer quality products that they know and love to attract them into the frozen aisle. If we look at shopper behaviours during lockdown and even the previous recession, we clearly saw a drop in the number of out-of-home eating occasions, such as trips to restaurants and takeaways,” he adds.

“We’re now seeing that shoppers still want to treat themselves, but with less disposable income, many people are prioritising making meals at home.”

“Shoppers still want to treat themselves, but with less disposable income, many people are prioritising making meals at home.”

JOSS BAMBER, HEAD OF CONVENIENCE AT BIRDS EYE

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TIPS FROM KP SNACKS Q Big Night In fixture Dedicated fixtures and promotional offers that make shopping easy are a good way to drive impulse purchases – 51% of shoppers are more likely to visit their local store if they offer themed promotions e.g. Big Night In. Q Interruption Window posters and shelf barkers are great ways to catch the eye on the path to purchase and encourage impulse sales – 68% of Bagged Snacks shoppers buy on Impulse.

Q Secondary display Retailers should implement more than one site of best-sellers at high footfall areas of the store. Displays unlock further purchase with one in 20 shoppers buying from secondary displays.

70%

of shoppers think RETAILERS SHOULD RUN MORE FAKEAWAY MEAL DEALS*

70%

of shoppers intend to

ORDER FEWER TAKEAWAYS

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foodtogo@kepak.com

*

*Source: Savvy Shopper Panel, Base: 1,000 UK shoppers, May/June 2023.

DRIVE BIG NIGHT IN SALES WITH OUR BEST SELLERS

Feature

Crisps & Snacks

SNACKS APPEAL

Crisps and snacks continue to drive sales for retailers, due to increased demand and the category’s affordability.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

T

he Crisps, Snacks and Nuts (CSN) category remains a strong driver of sales for retailers, even in difficult financial times.

According to Lumina, one in five baskets in convenience and impulse includes a CSN product, with the bagged snacks segment growing ahead of total grocery at +16.4% vs +7.2%, as per Kantar figures.

PMP OPPORTUNITY “Consumers are looking for products which are considered to offer good value for money, with retailers reporting that 86% of customers are looking for value and deals,” Matt Collins, Trading Director at KP Snacks, says.

50

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

“PMP formats have seen significant growth in recent years and will stay increasingly relevant as the cost of living remains high. PMPs offer consumers great value for money, with clear pricing reassuring shoppers that they’re getting a good deal,” he adds.

In fact, PMPs are worth over £325m, with 57% of impulse shoppers buying the format, according to Lumina and Nielsen.

As Matt Smith, Marketing Director for Tayto Group, notes: “Convenience shoppers worry that they will pay more for shopping locally and PMPs give them confidence that they are not being ripped off.

“That’s why PMPs have increased to 75% of snacks sales in Symbols & Indies.”

“Having surveyed both retailers and consumers, it is clear how important the £1 price-point is to both groups.”

He adds: “Consumers are really feeling the pinch at the moment and independent retailers are winning where they can offer great value for money.”

Aslı Özen Turhan, Chief Marketing Officer at pladis UK & Ireland, also thinks PMPs present a great opportunity for retailers to drive category sales.

“This channel-exclusive format has long been selling through in convenience stores thanks to the fact PMPs are perceived to represent good value – something more pertinent now than ever before,” she says. www.slrmag.co.uk

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Feature

Crisps & Snacks

TOP TIPS FROM KP SNACKS Q Must Stock Ranging: As recessionary conditions prevail, stock trusted and familiar brands, and offer the right product and price mix to deliver and demonstrate great value. Brands continue to be crucial for shoppers, with 61.3% saying that brand is the most important factor when choosing Crisps & Snacks. Excite and engage shoppers with a sprinkling of NPD alongside a strong core range.

Q Understand your shoppers’ missions and cater for them: Capitalise on the growth of PMPs, they offer great value for money perception and have been a key driver of growth for convenience. Cater to the critical food-to-go mission and capitalise on the growth of meal deals.

Q Make your fixture easy to shop: Blocking similar type products together such as ridged crisps will make it easier for your shoppers to find what they need.

Q Drive impulsive purchases in store: 53% of impulse Crisps & Snacks are picked up in secondary locations away from the main fixture. Utilise displays and secondary sitings to drive snacking sales and locate in complementary categories, e.g. along with soft drinks or sandwiches.

Make use of impactful branded display and POS such as stackers and dump bins to drive basket spend and make impulsive treat categories stand out in store.

BETTER FOR YOU Consumers have been showing a greater interest in nutrition and wellness in recent years, which saw a shift in the crisps and snacks category – whether it was lower-calorie options for favourite items or paying attention to specific ingredients.

“Research has shown that 40% of consumers state a clear preference for healthy snacks,” JP Del Carmen, Head of Snacks at General Mills, tells SLR. “The Better For You Snacks category is therefore in a strong position, totalling £706.5m value sales and +6% uplift.

“People are showing a greater awareness of nutrition and want to combine both an enjoyable eating experience with boosting their intake of certain nutrients. As a result, protein content remains an unwavering trend, and an important purchase criterion in the snacking category.”

Due to the increased demand for healthier products, brands have been busy innovating and reformulating to put health at the heart of their offering.

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SLR | OCTOBER 2023

“With health topping the news agenda, there’s a pool of shoppers who are looking for new, lighter takes on their favourite crisps and snacks – without wanting to compromise on taste,” Özen Turhan adds.

And although it’s not yet come into force in Scotland, the introduction of HFSS legislation in England meant a lot of brands reformulated products or introduced new ones.

“In the past year, the Healthier Snacking segment has grown rapidly at +33.6%,” Collins notes.

“At KP Snacks we have more than 100 nonHFSS SKUs, the equivalent of a quarter of our portfolio.

“Through People and Planet, our responsible business programme, we have committed to generating 55% of our sales through non-HFSS products or products with 100 calories or less per pack by 2030.”

INNOVATION SHINES NPD plays a key role in the category with brands launching new ranges to keep up with demand.

“Earlier this year, we launched McCoy’s Epic Eats, a brand-new product range with two irresistible products, Nacho Cheese and Spicy Salsa,” Collins notes. “Available in a 45g Grab Bag format and £1.25 PMP, McCoy’s Epic Eats brings unique and tempting flavours to the category and has been designed to drive brand penetration.

“Bringing a kick to the Healthier Snacking segment, we also recently launched popchips Hot & Spicy,” he adds.

General Mills has also ramped up innovation, with the brand having shaken up the category with the launch of Fibre One 90 Calorie Doughnuts.

“Fibre One 90 Calorie Doughnuts offer a great taste and texture for a permissible product.

Although not high in fat or fried, the taste evokes the more indulgent versions in bakery aisles.

“They also mirror the visual appeal of fresh doughnuts with their glossy icing and colourful sprinkles and are available in two flavours, Chocolate and Strawberry & Cream, providing customers with that all-important choice.” www.slrmag.co.uk

Feature

Cigars

A GOOD SMOKE

Cigars are still a favourite in the festive season and brands are pulling out all stops to offer a variety of flavours.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

C

igars continue to play an important role in the tobacco category, despite not matching the sales volumes of cigarettes or roll-yourown tobacco (RYO).

According to IRI, the cigar category in Scotland is currently worth £34.8m, with cigarillo sales continuing to grow in the overall cigar sector.

“Cigars are an important part of the tobacco category for convenience retailers because they drive footfall instore and particularly as a driver of profit in tills, as they typically offer up to three times the margin that cigarettes do,” Nataly Scarpetta, Marketing Manager at Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK (STG UK), says.

“For example, our Moments Blue brand offers up to 18% margin when sold at its RRP.”

GOING STRONG The more traditional cigar segments do appear to be in slight decline, due to a combination of factors, such as smokers moving into vaping or pouches, while others cutting down as a result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.

“I think there’s little doubt that the cost-of-living crisis is highlighting the importance of value as a consumer trend at the moment. Many consumers are going to be increasingly price conscious, and this will affect cigars and the wider tobacco category purchases just as much as any other category in-store, so retailers should ensure they are highlighting their value brands to customers to help them save money,” explains Scarpetta.

54

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

“This trend for value has been prevalent in the cigar category for some time now, which is evidenced by the success of our Moments Blue brand.”

THE POWER OF FLAVOURS “Whilst perhaps not as prevalent as elsewhere in Europe, flavoured cigars are growing steadily in popularity here in the UK and this is worth calling out to retailers,” Scarpetta continues.

“Obviously, menthol cigarillos have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years, but it’s not the only flavour of choice.”

Meanwhile, JTI has also expanded its cigarillo portfolio with the launch of the new Sterling Dual Double Capsule Leaf Wrapped, aiming to offer double the flavour with a combination of peppermint and berry mint capsules.

Mark McGuinness, Marketing Director at JTI UK, said at the time of the release: “We know that berry is already a popular flavour within other categories, such as Vape and Heated Tobacco products, so with this innovation we know we can help retailers drive incremental sales in their store.”

STG UNVEILS LIMITED-EDITION PACK FOR HENRI WINTERMANS FESTIVE RANGE Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK has revealed a new limited-edition pack for its for its Henri Wintermans Half Corona brand for the run-up to Christmas.

The new packs come in two different colour schemes to appeal to adult smokers, with a quintessentially British pattern and sophisticated style.

STG’s UK Marketing Manager Nataly Scarpetta said: “It’s well known that sales of cigars, and larger cigars in particular, go up in the run-up to Christmas so these smart new packs should prove especially appealing to adult smokers and we’d strongly recommend retailers stock up to make the most of those additional sales and attractive margins.”

LOOKING AHEAD The festive season is a good one for retailers looking to trade up in cigars, as sales go up around that time.

“It tends to be larger cigars that people will gravitate towards as a bit of a Christmas treat when they are in celebratory mood and typically have more time to enjoy it,” Scarpetta explains. www.slrmag.co.uk

Feature

Beer and Cider

HOP UP Despite stalled sales recently, the beer and cider categories still have potential with Christmas around the corner.

BY ELENA DIMAMA

T

he cost-of-living crisis and the subsequent squeeze in disposable incomes could be a double-edged sword for alcohol sales, but the beer and cider category is still one to watch.

Although less disposable income means less spending, people have also been less inclined to visit pubs and restaurants, choosing to eat and drink at home instead.

THE BIG PICTURE Despite total beer volumes going down, premium world lagers, craft and low/no categories are in demand.

According to TWC, beer and lager sales are declining around -6% in both GB and Scotland, with cider falling more heavily in Scotland vs GB. “The ‘drinking less but better’ trend is still very much prevalent, which has seen consumers increasingly willing to spend more to treat themselves to premium and super-premium lager brands, which is in turn driving increased value in-store,” John Price, Head of Marketing at KBE Drinks, says.

“Trading your customers up to these premium world lagers, such as our very own Sapporo, Kingfisher and Sagres, is a great move for convenience retailers, as they are bang on trend and can typically be charged at a minimum of 30% more than other more mainstream options. And with Christmas on the horizon, many people are in celebratory mood and even more willing to treat themselves to something premium.”

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME “Sporting events will increase sales of beer and cider as consumers watch the events in the comfort of their homes, there will also be large gatherings to invite friends and family to watch the games making it a profitable for convenience stores,” Bestway tells SLR. 56

SLR | OCTOBER 2023

“Retailers should stock the must-stock lines of products such as Big Bottles, Cans and Multi-can formats, this would also include the premium brands for customers looking for a different range of products to try and share during the game.”

Price also thinks stocking up on a broad selection of chilled brands is important around these events: “A good selection of chilled brands is important, whether it’s single serves or four packs, as well as some larger pack formats to appeal to those people who are perhaps looking to save money, enjoy a ‘big night in’ or are attending an outdoor event or summer party. It’s also important to stock a range of low or no-alcohol options, because we know these beers are growing in popularity, so ensure you have some credible options in your chiller.”

MIX IT UP Exploring all the options in promoting ranges is another way to drive up sales, according to Price, such as pairing with food.

“With an increasing number of consumers making less visits to pubs, bars and restaurants at the moment due to ongoing financial pressures, this almost certainly means more eating and drinking at home, where they will still want to make home meals as authentic as possible, which means matching their beer choice to cuisine,” he explains.

“So, for example, if they are eating Indian food, then pairing it with the only authentic Indian beer brand, Kingfisher, is a great idea, or perhaps if they are eating a Nandos-inspired meal, then pairing it with an authentic Portuguese lager like Sagres.

“Retailers should respond to this trend with clearly signposted meal deals and inspirational ideas for pairing beers with food.” www.slrmag.co.uk

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UTC

EMISSION DERISION

TIRESOME RESEARCH

UTC was shocked to discover that Glasgow City Council has spent the best part of £100,000 hiring vehicles to replace parts of its fleet that don’t comply with the city’s new low-emission zone (LEZ).

The Auld Boy is a huge fan of the LEZ. This is understandable given SLR Towers’ close proximity to Hope Street, which every bus in Glasgow is apparently legally obliged to navigate while belching out God knows what from their exhausts. Given that the street includes a fairly steep hill, and the nearest branch of William Hill is at the top, a rush hour trip to the bookies after work isn’t much fun for an unfit geriatric like Under The Counter.

Anyway, it turns out the Council was forced to drop a large chunk of UTC’s much-grudged council tax hiring two eight-tonne trucks, a cherry picker, a refrigerated van, 52 Transit vans and 22 Vauxhall Corsas to cover for its vehicles unfit for the LEZ. Fair play to the corporation though, it also dished out penalty notices to 21 of its dodgy diesels nabbed in the zone during the first two months of its operation.

Under The Counter, who could teach Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng a thing or two about unsound monetary policy, thought this was a genius idea and a brilliant way for the council to quickly recoup all the money it shelled out hiring motors.

And that folks, is a salutary example of what prolonged exposure to diesel fumes will do to your brain.

UTC didn’t have much time for Sleeptember, the latest public health drive that seems to exist solely because some marketing genius smashed the back of a random noun into the front of a month. Think Vapril and Stoptober, if you don’t get the picture. Make the word and the campaign will surely follow.

It’s easy. The Auld Boy didn’t take too long to dream up ‘Snogust,’ a summer campaign to get more people kissing. Mrs UTC soon poured cold water on that one, though.

Anyway, speaking of dreams, Sleeptember focused on promoting better sleep quality with handy tips like cutting down caffeine consumption and avoiding alcohol. Sound advice that fell on deaf ears as far as SLR’s resident jacked-up bevvy merchant is concerned. His top tip for a decent kip would be putting a clothes peg on Mrs UTC’s nose in a bid to stop her snoring like a runaway chainsaw.

It turns out the nation must do something, though. According

to Nuffield Health, two-thirds of Brits feel they are not getting good quality sleep and SLR readers won’t be surprised to discover that the retail industry suffers more than most.

Interestingly, research also suggests a link between sleep and financial wellbeing, with your sleep quality increasing the more you get paid.

UTC’s colleagues, who have long suspected the short-armed, deep-pocketed Auld Boy is secretly minted, tried to question him about this. However, it was mid-afternoon, and he’d quietly drifted off into his usual postlunch snooze.

Bless.

BUM STEER Under The Counter is not the most fiscally prudent of individuals. It is for this reason that Mrs UTC keeps a tight rein on the Auld Boy’s finances, with a grip as powerful as an American XL Bully’s jaws.

The saga of his Premium Bonds is a prime example. UTC invested in the Government’s lottery-based savings account years ago, donkeys before the Government introduced its lottery-based National Lottery as a better way of parting the Auld Boy from whatever wages he’s got left after Mrs UTC and William Hill have taken their cuts.

At least he thinks he invested in Premium Bonds, since he can’t find any paperwork to confirm this.

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SLR | OCTOBER 2023

Worried that he is unwittingly sitting on a potential goldmine of unclaimed winnings, he turned to National Savings & Investments’ online lost account tracker for help.

All was going swimmingly until he came to the section explaining how his data would be stored.

Now UTC likes to think of himself as a man for all seasons and all that but – since he’s not getting any younger and does suffer from the occasional haemorrhoid – the Auld Boy is worried that he maybe shouldn’t have ticked that box after all.

www.slrmag.co.uk

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