SLR July 2026 Edition

HOT IN THE KITCHEN

SHOCKER

Over one in five Scottish stores selling kids vapes

David’s Kitchen takes the Scottish Local Retailer of the Year title.

NEWS

06 Post Office Postmasters voice concerns over payment reductions set to cost individual branches hundreds of pounds every month.

07 SLR Awards David’s Kitchen is named Scottish Local Retailer of the year, rounding off a successful evening for the food-to-go experts.

08 Underage Sales Trading Standards reports that more than one in five Scottish stores are selling vapes to children.

10 News Extra Smokeless Alternatives UKVIA fears Biffa’s proposed £5 deposit for vapes risks driving shoppers towards illicit sellers.

30 Product News Retailers can win £200 with Tango Sours, while Spider-Mana appears on Barr packs.

32 Off-Trade News Poretti unveils a 0.5% ABV four-pack and Crumpton Oaks returns to the 90s.

INSIDE BUSINESS

34 Tradeshows Spar Scotland More than 800 retailers, representatives and suppliers to come together at the symbol’s annual tradeshow.

36 Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns.

50 Under The Counter The Auld Boy fails to get a grip of the squishy toy craze.

FEATURES

38 Deposit Return Scheme Return handling fees are announced alongside confirmation of £60m in RVM grant funding for small indies.

42 Advertising Feature RVM Systems The Deposit Return Scheme will be as much about the customer experience as it is about compliance

44 Cider The category presents a golden opportunity for convenience retailers willing to tap into the latest trends.

46 Retail Technology Retailers are improving their operations by letting the tech do the heavy lifting.

48 Packed Lunch and Back to School Retailers who home in on parental priorities can ensure their packed lunch offer is top of the class.

SLR Awards David’s Kitchen takes the coveted Scottish Local Retailer title, alongside three awards for its stunning new Bo’ness store.

SGF summit success

Retailers, officials and industry leaders gathered in Falkirk on 11 June for the Scottish Grocers Federation’s annual policy event, the SGF Mini-Summit, to discuss upcoming regulatory changes. These include new restrictions on the sale and promotion of less healthy food and drink (October 2026); tighter controls on the sale and supply of tobacco and vapes (October 2026/January 2027); and the Deposit Return Scheme launch (October 2027).

Tubbess on VSL Trade app

The award-winning RaceTrack team has struck a distribution deal with VSL Trade, the app from wholesaler Vape Supplier Ltd, to accelerate the growth of the Tubbees sweet treats brand. Tubbees slush syrups, machines and branded cups are now available via the self-proclaimed “fastest-growing convenience app”.

Calls for action on youth unemployment

The heads of Spar UK, Scotmid and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation joined more than 80 of Britain’s biggest retail CEOs to urge the Prime Minister to take urgent action to tackle the unemployment crisis. Retailers are being priced out of hiring young people as government taxes and red tape push up the cost of entry-level jobs, they told the UK Government in a letter coordinated by the British Retail Consortium (BRC).

Greens Retail runs scratchcard promo

In celebration of Scotland’s return to the FIFA World Cup, Greens Retail has kicked off its biggest-ever customer promotion, featuring 70,000 scratchcards and more than £100,000 worth of prizes. The promotion, which runs across all 29 Greens Retail stores throughout Scotland until 19 July, will see Scratch & Win cards given to customers who spend £15 or more in-store.

Postmasters pan payment cuts

New Post O ce payment reductions are expected to cost individual branches hundreds of pounds each month, according to independent group Voice of the Postmaster. It said the changes were “further squeezing already fragile businesses” and claimed that it was “enforced change” rather than negotiated.

e cuts included postmasters’ Royal Mail Returns Local Collect

payments dropping from 39.5p to 30p, while Labels to Go payments have been slashed by 83% to just 2.5p each.

“Wages have just gone up … Anything being reduced is unacceptable,” a disgruntled Scots retailer told SLR.

“I’m considering getting rid of the post o ce. I put £1,000 into the post o ce a month. e last time I made money from it was 10 years ago.”

However, Neill O’Sullivan, Post O ce Parcels and Mails Director, claimed the reductions were necessary for competition purposes.

He said: “ e new agreement with Royal Mail protects and grows postmaster remuneration by ensuring the Post O ce remains competitive and relevant in a rapidly changing parcels market. For the rst time in many years,

SUPPORT Retail Family provides more than 100 hours of support

Through its weekly Zoom calls, Retail Family has provided more than 100 hours of peer-to-peer support to convenience retailers over the past 18 months.

During its first face-to-face event – a friendly football match at Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium – the group revealed that it had given support on more than 630 occasions.

The event was attended by Manchester United legend Denis Irwin, Cadbury representatives and retailers from across the UK. Glasgow Londis retailer and group co-founder Natalie Lightfoot encouraged everyone to spread the word to more retailers about the confidential mental health help that is available. “Everything that’s said in the room stays in the room”, she told SLR. “It’s not just facilitators giving advice, it’s retailers who can share their experience.”

Premier retailer and fellow co-founder Neil Godhania said: “Independent retail can be one of the most rewarding industries in the world, but it can also be one of the toughest.

“That’s why Retail Family exists. Every Monday at 7pm, retailers come together for a simple [online] conversation where people can talk openly, share experiences, celebrate successes, discuss challenges and support one another.”

Visit retailfamily.co.uk to find out more.

our Parcels & Mail business is delivering sustainable growth, supporting our wider ambition to create a better deal for postmasters.

“ e agreement is designed to secure growing parcel volumes within the Post O ce network while reducing the cost to serve through automation and simpler processes. Together, these changes will help postmasters bene t from continued growth in parcel demand.

“ e broader direction of travel and the challenges facing the parcels market have been discussed with postmaster representative groups over a considerable period. As with any commercial negotiation, we are unable to share detailed terms while negotiations are ongoing. We remain committed to engaging with postmasters and their representatives as the agreement is implemented.”

Stained-glass windows retained

Scotmid goes to church

Scotmid in Burghead, Moray, has moved from a smaller store in the village into a 150-year-old former Church of Scotland building.

e re t remained sympathetic to the church’s original features, keeping its spire, clocktower and stained-glass windows.

e 2,000sq store is twice the size of the previous Scotmid unit and boasts a food-to-go o er and an InPost parcel locker service.

e doors o cially opened on 16 June, with the rst 50 customers receiving goodie bags. e launch was attended by a local bagpiper and a singing performance from pupils at Burghead Primary School.

NEW STORE

David’s Kitchen turns up heat at SLR Awards

Food-to-go specialist David’s Kitchen emerged as the standout winner at the SLR Awards 2026, held at the Radisson blu hotel in Glasgow on 17 June.

David’s Kitchen secured four accolades in total, including the prestigious Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award. e top honour capped an impressive evening for the business, with its new Bo’ness store also picking up awards in the Food To Go, Scottish Brands and New Store of the Year categories.

SLR Publishing Director Antony Begley praised David’s Kitchen for reshaping local retailing in just over 10 years. He noted that the company had anticipated the rapid growth of the food-to-go market well ahead of others and has maintained a strong focus on this area to achieve high margins.

COMMUNITY C-store supports student safety

Company founder David Sands described the evening as “a stunning night for the team”. He added: “Winning such awards is not a right, nor do we allow complacency. Every day, we focus on how we can improve.”

e Glasgow-based RaceTrack chain also enjoyed success on the night, collecting four awards. Its Strathclyde branch took home honours in the O -Trade, Smokeless Alternatives and So Drinks categories. Meanwhile, its Wishaw store earned the # inkSmart Innovation Award for its custom-built RaceTrack & Tubbees app.

Co-founder Shamly Sud said: “ ese awards represent far more than trophies. ey represent years of di cult decisions, countless debates, late nights, ambitious

Spar Clyne Condorrat extends life-saving LifeVac kit rollout

Kind-hearted Spar Clyne Condorrat is extending its LifeVac anti-choking equipment rollout further into North Lanarkshire.

A er an initial investment in the installation of LifeVac kits in 31 schools throughout Cumbernauld and Kilsyth last year, the retailer has since gone on to equip every school, nursery, family learning centre and a number of care homes, private nurseries, childminders and support groups in Cumbernauld with the life-saving devices. Furthermore, the dedicated sta at Spar Clyne Condorrat are now fully trained to assist in a choking emergency.

e shop has now announced plans to install three LifeVac kits at New College Lanarkshire’s Cumbernauld, Motherwell and Coatbridge campuses. Additionally, an extra travel kit will be provided to Glencryan Additional Support Primary School, along with essential training for sta and children.

In addition, pupils from Cumbernauld Academy will also participate in rst aid and LifeVac life-saving skills training.

Matt Banagan, CEO of LifeVac, said: “What makes this project special is that it has been driven by local people who genuinely care about their community. To see every school and nursery in Cumbernauld equipped with LifeVac devices is a fantastic achievement. We hope it inspires other communities across Scotland to consider what more can be done to improve choking awareness and emergency preparedness.”

ideas, and a team that never settles for ‘good enough’.”

Premier New Elgin Service Station won two awards – Forecourt Retailer of the Year and Re t of the Year – helping its parent company, SRJ Convenience, secure the Outstanding Achievement award.

Local legends Dennis and Linda Williams of Broadway Convenience Store were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award for more than 40 years of service to the Oxgangs community in Edinburgh.

NEW STORE Dundee welcomes second 1st Stop 2 Shop

Third-generation retailer Umar Sher has opened the second 1st Stop 2 Shop store in Dundee. The first outlet was set up in 1972 by Umar’s uncle Mohammed Issa, who was brought to the city from Pakistan as a child by his father, Haji Ahad Din.

The store, which was previously a Royal Bank of Scotland site, has a strong focus on food to go, with a Spud Stop specialising in baked potatoes coming soon.

Umar claimed that the launch celebrated the family’s new venture and also honoured the legacy and sacrifices of their elders, especially the late Haji Ahad Din.

“The launch was amazing,” he told SLR. “We are overwhelmed with the love people have shown us so far.”

Food inflation likely to last Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 2.2% in the 12 months to May 2026, down from 3.0% in the 12 months to April, according to the Office for National Statistics. The rate in May was the lowest since December 2024, when it was 2.0%. IGD has warned that, while food inflation is no longer expected to peak as high as a severe energy shock scenario, the impact is now expected to last much longer, into 2028.

ACS unveils DRS hub

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has launched a new resource hub for convenience retailers to help them prepare for the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The hub includes the latest version of ACS’ DRS guide; learnings from Vienna, where DRS has been in place for just over a year; and information on how retailers in Ireland have delivered the scheme.

Glasgow retailer receives lottery ‘Scratch-Coins’

Go Local Dumbarton Road in Glasgow is the only store in Scotland to receive National Lottery’s limited-edition ‘ScratchCoins’ to gift with scratchcard purchases. National Lottery operator Allwyn launched the coins, created in collaboration with artist and illustrator Hattie Stewart, to celebrate 30 years of National Lottery Scratchcards.

Morrisons Daily closures

Morrisons has announced plans to close over 100 underperforming company-owned former McColl’s Morrisons Daily stores, including two in Scotland. The Peterhead branch on Clerkhill Road in Aberdeenshire and a high street store in Crieff, Perth and Kinross will both close their doors. Morrisons also highlighted its intention to grow its convenience business by adding “hundreds more” franchise shops.

Illegal cigarettes seized

Trading Standards teams in West Dunbartonshire seized almost 30,000 illegal cigarettes last month after two days of enforcement action in the area. Officers visited six shops in Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria. The activity resulted in the seizure of 29,540 counterfeit cigarettes and 9.9kg of hand-rolling tobacco.

CJ Lang & Son Life President dies

Joan Scott-Adie, Life President of CJ Lang & Son, has died after a long illness. Scott-Adie was the granddaughter of Charles Lang Snr, who founded the Dundeebased business in 1919. As long-serving chairwoman and majority shareholder, she led the company through a period of significant growth, helping to establish the business as a leading independent food wholesaler and retailer, and the Spar wholesale partner for Scotland.

Card spending returns to growth in May Consumer card spending rose 0.8% year-on-year in May, up from April’s 0.1% decline, but still below the latest CPIH inflation rate of 3.4%, according to the Barclays Consumer Spend report. Essential spending climbed 0.7%, led by an 11.9% increase in fuel spending. Spend in supermarkets fell 2%. However, May’s sunny weather and the early bank holiday supported several seasonal categories, with spend in food and drink specialist stores growing by 4%.

Retail Crime Taskforce helps in over 1,300 arrests

More than 1,300 arrests for retail crime offences were made with the support of Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce in its first year. The Taskforce secured over 6,400 charges for retail crime in its first 12 months of operation, with the detection rate rising to just under 51%, compared with 49% the previous year.

More than one in five Scottish shops sell vapes to children

Twenty-two per cent of Scots retailers sold vapes to an under-18 volunteer during test purchases, while the gure stood at one in seven for cigarettes, according to a 2025/26 report by the Society of Chief O cers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

O cers with young volunteers attempted 677 test purchases of vapes and 289 test purchases of tobacco at premises across Scotland, with 148 failures for vapes and 38 failures for tobacco, where sales were made to under-18s. In total, 207 xed penalty notices and ve banning orders were issued by Trading Standards o cers.

Orkney recorded the highest percentage of tobacco test purchase failures (42.9%), followed by Shetland (37.5%), Stirling (30%) and Dundee (23.1). Of the 20 local authorities that carried out tobacco test purchase visits, only East Renfrew, Edinburgh and Midlothian reported zero failures.

Over in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire Trading Standards has banned a retailer from selling tobacco and vapes a er they sold products to an underage customer.

As well as witnessing the shop sell a vape to a 16-yearold volunteer, o cers found that the store was not operating an Age Veri cation Policy by not checking

photographic ID of any customer appearing to be under the age of 25. Fixed penalty notices were issued for both o ences. A third xed penalty was issued as the trader sold a nicotine vaping product to an 18-yearold volunteer without asking for photographic ID. Following the enforcement action, West Dunbartonshire Council was successfully granted a Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Banning Order following a hearing at Dumbarton Sheri Court, and the sanction was imposed on the shopkeeper. e Tobacco and Nicotine Vapour Product Banning Order will be in place for 12 months from 19 May 2026 and is displayed within the shop. It must remain there for the duration of the banning order.

Nearly 6,000 illicit squishy toys seized in Glasgow

Glasgow City Council (GCC) Trading Standards o cers seized more than 5,900 counterfeit viral TikTok toys from a warehouse on Commerce Street last month (4 June 2026).

Aberdeen City Council has also issued a warning a er a number of fake squishy toys were seized from Aberdeen shops.

Many of the fake toys were dumplings, which come in a dim sum box. e rising popularity of these types of squishy toys has seen an increase in counterfeit, incorrectly labelled products that have not passed health and safety regulations.

Unsafe versions may contain substances such as phthalates, solvents and formaldehyde, and emit strong chemical odours. Safety risks include skin irritation, nausea, headaches and even

breathing problems.

e toys may present a choking hazard to younger children, and many do not specify any age warnings.

Products may fail to meet ammability standards and can split open, resulting in the unknown contents spilling out and posing a further risk of harm.

Cllr Laura Doherty, Convener for Neighbourhood Services and Assets, said that the GCC intervention prevented more than £400,000 worth of harm to consumers and businesses.

She added: “Trading Standards will continue to monitor the supply and distribution of counterfeit goods through targeted inspections and enforcement activity, particularly within lower-cost retail sectors and non-traditional supply chains.”

Scottish retailers are being told to check and update their registration details ahead of new legal restrictions on the sale of tobacco and vape products coming into force later this year.

From 29 October 2026, it will be illegal to sell tobacco products, vaping products, herbal smoking products or nicotine products to anyone under 18. e change comes ahead of a wider shi in age restrictions due in 2027.

Retailers are being asked to log into the national register system now, review their business and premises details and make any necessary updates, even if nothing has changed. is is intended to ensure businesses are ready for the next phase of regulation.

GIVEYOUR SHOPPERSA

Convenience Matters

with the SGF

Next October, the UK Deposit Return Scheme launches across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland — the most significant change to convenience retail in a generation, comparable to the National Lottery and the tobacco display ban.

The 20p customer deposit was confirmed earlier this year. More recently, scheme administrator Exchange For Change announced the Return Handling Fee, outlining payments available to retailers operating as Return Points.

DRS will soon become an essential service for the communities retailers serve. It is therefore vital the Handling Fee is set at a fair level, enabling participation without additional financial pressure.

Retailers can choose between manual return, paying 3p per container, or a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM), paying 5p per container for the first 225,000 containers annually and 1.3p thereafter.

The principle behind DRS is that participation should be cost-neutral for retailers. However, SGF remains concerned the proposed Handling Fee may not fully cover RVM operating costs for some stores. Retailers with lower-than-expected return volumes could face significant staffing, cleaning and servicing costs – alongside the loss of valuable floor space.

The Handling Fee will be reviewed in early 2027, and grants will be available to support independent retailers. Those choosing not to participate, however, may see an impact on footfall and consumer behaviour.

Ensuring the Handling Fee is fair and sustainable is vital. SGF welcomes ongoing engagement with Exchange For Change and will continue to ensure the sector’s views are reflected in final decisions.

£5 vape DRS could fuel black market

UKVIA fears Biffa’s £5 proposal risks driving shoppers to illicit sellers.

e vape industry has slammed Bi a’s proposal for a vape deposit return scheme (DRS), which would require customers to pay a £5 refundable deposit on purchases, as “completely unworkable”.

e waste management rm has called for the introduction of a mandatory vape DRS, where consumers would have their £5 deposit returned when the vape was disposed of via existing retailer takeback schemes.

While the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) supports the principle of a vape DRS, it has claimed that £5 is much too high and may result in shoppers turning to the illicit market.

A Bi a survey showed that two thirds (66%) of 1,000 respondents know that vapes improperly disposed of in household and commercial bins can cause res, yet fewer than four in ten (38%) take them back to stores for safe disposal and recycling.

e company’s research found that 85% of consumers would be motivated to return devices if a deposit return scheme was in operation.

Carla Brian, Bi a’s Director of Public A airs & Partnerships, said: “Takeback schemes are available across the UK, but participation remains relatively low – suggesting there’s an opportunity to make them more accessible and appealing for consumers. Introducing a simple incentive could make a real di erence, giving people a tangible reason to return their used vapes and helping ensure more devices are recycled safely.”

However, UKVIA has proposed that a £1 deposit would be a more viable option. “ at could provide a simple, visible incentive for consumers to do the right thing, while also supporting retailers who are already required to provide takeback and recycling routes

for used vapes,” said UKVIA Director General John Dunne.

“However, a £5 deposit would be totally unworkable. It would add a signi cant upfront cost for consumers at the point of purchase, at a time when the sector is already preparing for the introduction of the new vape duty.

“ e danger is that such a high deposit would make regulated products materially more expensive and push some consumers towards illegal sellers who will not apply the deposit, will not comply with recycling obligations and will not follow age veri cation rules.”

He claimed that any policy intended to improve recycling must not create a further price gap between the legal and illegal markets.

Dunne added that the onus to provide recycling options should not sit with retailers alone. “Disposal points should be made available in high-footfall, pointof-use locations such as public spaces, transport hubs and shopping centres, so consumers can recycle used devices conveniently wherever they are,” he said.

Scottish Grocers’ Federation Chief Executive Pete Cheema said the trade association supported the idea of a return scheme “in principle”.

He said: “Retailers already provide a takeback service for customers, as part of existing electrical waste regulations, so a deposit would help incentivise customers to return old units to the store.

“However, convenience retailers are already facing an incredibly challenging trading environment, with higher than ever running costs, employment costs and ever tighter restrictions. Like the bottle return scheme, a similar system for vapes should also be cost neutral for retailers.”

Success with DRS is Scotland’s retailer-first event designed to help local retailers prepare for the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme.

l Exchange for Change speakers

l

l Retailer Insights from Ireland

l Live demos of leading Technology & Solutions

l Practical Advice

A VERY REWARDING EVENING

We may have been doing it for almost quarter of a century, but the SLR Awards remains an absolute highlight of the year for the team at SLR. It’s a huge amount of work but it’s the most rewarding event of the year for us as it gives us the opportunity to really celebrate all that’s fantastic about local retailing in Scotland and it lets us do it in style.

Our Grado may have stolen the show once again with his madcap banter and manic energy, but the true stars of the night were the retailers – and that’s exactly how it should be.

First off, it was an utter pleasure to help hand over that coveted Scottish Local Retailer of the Year trophy to David’s Kitchen. A truly visionary business that saw the potential of food-to-go long before it became a thing in local retailing, they’ve only continued to grow and progress with the newest store – Bo’ness –an absolute masterclass in building a new store. The chain’s relentless focus on cash profit was also visionary and that too stands it in good stead in the tough times we’re all facing today.

It was also fantastic to recognise both Racetrack and SRJ Convenience who, in their own ways, have rewritten the rule book on what a convenience store is and does.

There was also a wee moment of very personal satisfaction at handing over a Lifetime Achievement Award to Dennis and Linda Williams who have dedicated well over 40 years of their lives to their local Oxgang community while also finding time to play very active roles in the Scottish local retailing sector. Plus, they’re just a lovely pair of human beings.

And none of that is to underplay the joy it gave to hand out awards to every other winner on the night. All of them totally deserving.

The room was awash with passionate, outstanding retailers and it felt like a big retail family coming together to celebrate each other and have a good old communal rammy.

There’s so much for us all to learn from one another and the SLR Awards helps share that best practice and innovation and energy and passion with a wider audience.

Every winner and every shortlisted retailer should be proud as punch because they are among the elite in our sector. They are also the custodians of local retailing in Scotland and, for my money, it couldn’t be in safer hands.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

EDITORIAL

Publishing Director & Editor

Antony Begley abegley@55north.com

Deputy Editor Sarah Britton sbritton@55north.com

Features Editor Gaelle Walker gwalker@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 22 22 100. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail).

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©55NorthLtd.2026 ISSN1740-2409.

RETAIL STARS SHINE!

The stars of the local retailing industry were celebrated last month at the SLR Awards 2026, with David’s Kitchen claiming the coveted Scottish Local Retailer of the Year award.

It was a night to remember at the SLR Awards last month, thanks in no small part to the madcap energy of host Grado, as the cream of the Scottish local retailing sector gathered at the Radisson blu in Glasgow to celebrate our very special industry. Food-togo experts David’s Kitchen proved to be the hottest dish on the menu taking away a total of four awards, including the much-coveted Scottish Local Retailer of the Year title.

The event’s top gong rounded off a successful evening for the group, which saw its stunning new Bo’ness site also win awards in the Food To Go and Scottish Brands categories, as well as New Store of the Year.

SLR Publishing Director Antony Begley said David’s Kitchen had turned local retailing on its head in little more than a decade. “Predicting the spectacular rise of food to go, long before it was obvious, the chain continues its laser focus on food to go and locally sourced produce to deliver high-margin, high-turnover stores,” he commented, adding that the new Bo’ness store represented “a further huge step forward”.

The Glasgow-based RaceTrack chain also enjoyed a hugely successful evening, collecting four awards. Its Strathclyde store scored a hat-trick in the Off-Trade, Smokeless Alternatives and Soft Drinks categories, while the #ThinkSmart Innovation Award went to Wishaw.

Premier New Elgin Service Station bagged a brace of awards: Forecourt Retailer of the Year and Refit of the Year. These helped propel owner SRJ Convenience, described by Begley as “one of the biggest, fastestgrowing and most progressive local retailing chains in Scotland,” towards the Outstanding Achievement award.

Premier DUSA won the Sustainability Retailer of the Year category for a fourth year in a row, which is surely a record-breaking feat.

Industry stalwarts Dennis and Linda Williams of Broadway Convenience Store

received the Lifetime Achievement award as they begin preparation for their retirement. The husband-and-wife duo have served Oxgangs in Edinburgh for more than four decades. Community retailers to the core, they have raised funds, organised events, provided free breakfasts and worked with local schools throughout. “A retail career they can both be proud of,” said Begley.

Read on to find out about every winner in every category and check out next month’s SLR as we begin explaining precisely why every winner won – and how you can learn from their experience.

CHRISTIE CO

SCOTTISH LOCAL RETAILER OF THE YEAR

DAVID’S KITCHEN

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT

DENNIS & LINDA WILLIAMS, BROADWAY CONVENIENCE STORE

Local retail, built around communities

What we o er

15 retail sites across Scotland from South Ayrshire to Orkney

Operated in Partnership with Booker Londis & Morrisons Daily

Each site shaped around local shopping missions, customer demographics and community demands and footfall patterns

Listening, Learning & Responding

Staying close to our customer remains central to our retail strategy

Consistently monitor shopping habits, track emerging trends and actively seek feedback

Trial new concepts and continuously adapt where we can so we can evolve alongside the communities we serve

Raising standards through operational excellence

Each site follows a new operational guidance document to maintain standards and consistency across the group. This allows for better day to day execution and an improved experience for our colleagues and customers.

“Strong Local retail succeeds when

you listen first – and respond fast!”

At Highland Fuels, our company owned retail sites play a vital role in supporting the communities we serve. Across Scotland we operate a growing estate of forecourts built around strong local brands of relevance, trusted national and international brands built on a consistent operational standard.

What we o er

“We deliver a convenient, reliable and great value roadside retail experience.”

Everything you need, right when you need it

Fast fuel, fresh food, Convenience and speed

Fuel you can trust, keeping drivers moving

Great service at every site, it’s your local site –we are always ready to serve

Local brands side by side big brands

Sites that are proud to serve their local communities

A range of forecourt amenities and in store service

SMOKELESS ALTERNATIVE RETAILER OF THE YEAR

STRATHCLYDE

SOFT DRINKS RETAILER OF THE YEAR

COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE

SHIVAKUMAR KANDASWAMY –PREMIER DUNBAR / DAY TODAY HADDINGTON

KINCAIDSTON

Terry’s launches £10k shopper giveaway

Terry’s Chocolate’s new campaign gives shoppers the chance to win £10,000 or one of thousands of other prizes worth up to £50. The ‘gift it or give in’ promotion invites consumers to purchase selected products and scan a QR code to enter. Running until the end of August, the activity is backed by a sixfigure marketing spend across in-store activation, digital, PR, out-of-home media and POS.

Radnor Fruits gets Toy Story 5 makeover

Radnor Hills is extending its collaboration with Disney/ Pixar with a new Toy Story 5 on-pack promotion across its Radnor Fruits range. Specially branded 200ml Tetra Pak cartons feature characters including Woody, Buzz and Jessie. The packs are available now in Morrisons, Ocado and selected Co-op societies, supported by advertising, sampling and a TikTok live event with giveaways.

From school dining halls to Scotmid stores

A pizza snack that has built a strong following across Scotland is now available in Scotmid stores after being named a winner in Scotmid’s Scottish Favourites competition – giving shoppers wider access to the product beyond its traditional school setting. A familiar option in school dining halls, the grab-and-go twist on pizza is particularly popular among younger consumers.

Werther’s unwraps English Heritage on-pack promo

Werther’s Original is launching a new on-pack promotion in partnership with English Heritage. Running from 1 September 2026 to 14 February 2027, the promotion will appear on selected packs and offer shoppers 2-for-1 entry to English Heritage sites, alongside the chance to win annual memberships and cottage holidays.

SOFT DRINKS Five prizes up for grabs

Retailers can win £200 with Tango Sours

Tango is giving retailers the chance to win one of ve £200 prizes to mark the launch of its new zero-sugar Tango Sours range, available in two avours – Watermelon and Tropical. e competition is designed to drive in-store visibility and help retailers tap into demand around one of the brand’s biggest launches this year. It runs until 12 July.

To enter, retailers need to register on At Your Convenience, stock Tango Sours bottles or cans in chillers or on shelf, and submit a photo of their best ‘sour face’ alongside the display.

BISCUITS

Murray steps in as ‘spectator coach’ for Walker’s Shortbread

Tango Sours is available now in a 4x330ml multipack (£4.09 RSP), 1.5-litre bottles (£3.35 RSP) and 500ml bottles (£2.39 RSP).

more adventurous avours. It features visual

e range is supported by the tagline ‘Brace yourself, it Tangs back’, targeting younger consumers seeking more adventurous avours. It features Tango’s updated visual identity, designed to strengthen shelf standout and appeal to Gen Z shoppers.

from new product launches than any other avoured carbonate brand over the past

Tango has generated more value sales from new product launches than any other avoured carbonate brand over the past three years.

SNACKS Kellanova unveils £25k retailer prize

Andy Murray has swapped rackets for recommendations as part of a new campaign with Walker’s Shortbread, taking on the role of ‘Spectator Coach’ for the summer tennis season.

The initiative is tied to the brand’s position as an Official Supporter of the Queen’s Club tournament, placing the Scottish biscuit maker at the centre of the UK’s grass-court calendar.

The light-hearted campaign is built around a series of videos in which the former world number one offers his take on how fans should behave courtside. Murray shares advice on everything from warming up your neck to watch long rallies, to cheering on the underdog, and what not to do during a point – such as popping a champagne cork or shouting “Come on, Tim!”.

Leaning into Murray’s on-court experience, the content plays on the frustrations players face with noisy or mistimed crowd reactions, turning them into humorous “tips” for spectators.

Kellanova is running a summer football promotion across Pringles and Cheez-It, giving retailers the chance to win up to £25,000.

Running until the end of July, the activity targets one of the biggest sales-driving periods in the snacking calendar. Retailers who purchase large sharing formats – Pringles 165g price-marked packs and Cheez-It 120g pricemarked packs – are entered into a draw to win up to £10,000. Those that also stock single-serve formats – Pringles 70g price-marked packs and Cheez-It 65g price-marked packs – taking their total to four qualifying SKUs, are entered into a separate draw with a top prize of £25,000.

Barr rolls out Spider-Man on-pack promo

Barr has launched a major on-pack promotion to celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated SpiderMan: Brand New Day, which hits cinemas on 29 July.

Running across Barr’s 500ml and 2L formats, alongside 24 x 330ml can multipacks, the promotion will appear on more than 4.4 million packs, giving shoppers the chance to win a holiday to New York City, the home of Spider-Man.

e promo is supported by a marketing push running through to mid-August, spanning social

media, YouTube, Disney+ and outof-home advertising. e campaign is expected to reach more than nine million shoppers.

e collaboration builds on the proven success of Barr’s previous on-pack promotions, with the brand’s last on-pack activity delivering growth ahead of the total carbonates category during the promotional period in 2025.

In-store and depot activation will include display materials designed to drive visibility and encourage purchase.

SOFT DRINKS National campaign will increase visibility for athletes

Special Olympics GB teams up with Coca-Cola

Special Olympics Great Britain has named Coca-Cola, alongside Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners (CCEP), as headline partner of the 2026 National Summer Games in a move designed to increase visibility for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

A national campaign launches this month featuring Special Olympics GB athletes, highlighting their journey from grassroots clubs to national competition and aiming to encourage wider recognition of athletes as role models.

More than 1,200 athletes from across England, Scotland and Wales are set to take part in the 2026 National Summer Games, which will include a range of single-sport competitions nationwide alongside a multi-sport event in Birmingham from 27-30 August. e Games will also act as a potential pathway for athletes seeking selection for the 2027 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Chile.

e partnership brings together Coca-Cola GB and CCEP in a co-ordinated approach for the rst time at the National Summer Games, combining national brand activity with onthe-ground activation.

SOFT DRINKS

7UP rolls out summer promo with £5k prize

7UP is running a summer on-pack promotion giving shoppers the chance to win a £5,000 cash prize, alongside more than 200 instant-win rewards.

Running until 30 September, the activity spans the brand’s zero sugar range, including 7UP Pink Lemonade, and is designed to boost Gen Z engagement.

To enter, shoppers purchase a promotional product, scan the on-pack QR code and submit their details. Instant-win prizes include Reward Choice e-gift cards redeemable against items such as an Instax Mini Camera, JBL portable speaker and portable BBQ.

The promotion is supported by a multimillion-pound push across out-of-home, radio, digital and social, alongside in-store activation.

Premier Foods launches Roald Dahl promotion Premier Foods has rolled out a Roald Dahl-themed on-pack promotion across Ambrosia, Angel Delight and Birds, giving consumers the chance to win “splendiferous prizes every hour”. Featuring Quentin Blake’s illustrations of characters including Matilda, The BFG and The Witches, the activity is designed to drive visibility in the ambient desserts aisle.

Kynd Dough rolls out

convenience-led range

A new UK bakery brand, Kynd Dough, has launched, targeting demand for high-performing, convenience-led bakery. The brand’s approach centres on maintaining freshness over an extended shelf window “without compromising taste or texture”. Its launch range includes White and Brown Sliced Loaves, Classic and Seeded Burger Buns, Brioche Buns, and Hot Dog Rolls and Burger Buns.

Double Dip turns 50

Swizzels has launched a new Triple Dip to mark the 50th anniversary of its cherry and orange Double Dip. The new product features three sour sherbet flavours – strawberry, apple, and blue raspberry –alongside a Swizzelstick for dipping. It joins the brand’s countline range with a RSP of 50p. Bold packaging is designed to stand out on countertop displays and drive impulse purchases.

Rice work

Tilda’s 2025 Impact Report has highlighted progress in responsible rice production, with the brand’s basmati farming programme expanding across 3,840 farms in northern India. Alternate Wetting and Drying has delivered up to 45% lower methane emissions and 36% less CO2e per tonne, while saving 36.9bn litres of water annually, alongside gains in yields, farmer incomes and reduced fertiliser use to date overall.

SOFT DRINKS New York holiday to be won

Stella serves up strawberries & cream

Stella Artois has introduced a limited-edition strawberries & cream beer to mark its partnership with The Championships, Wimbledon 2026. The 3.4% ABV lager is available exclusively through Sainsbury’s and Co-op Wholesale-supplied stores in a four-pack of 440ml cans until the end of the tournament, and the launch is supported by a marketing campaign.

Campo

Viejo rolls out lighter Rioja range

Campo Viejo has unveiled new lighter-style Rioja range, marking a shift for the traditionally red-led brand. The Contemporary line comprises a Blanco and a Rosé, both at 10.5% ABV, significantly lower than the brand’s core Riojas, which typically sit between 12% and 14%. The range has an RSP of £9.50 per 750ml bottle. The launch is backed by social media, creator content and in-store activation.

Kestrel extends Santa Pod partnership

Kestrel Beer has renewed its partnership with Santa Pod Raceway for a further two years, maintaining its role as official beer partner and lane sponsor at the Northamptonshire drag racing venue. The extension comes at a landmark moment for both parties, with Santa Pod celebrating 60 years of drag racing in 2026 and Kestrel approaching its 50th anniversary in 2027.

Mangrove to distribute Le Philtre vodka

Mangrove has been appointed UK distributor for premium French organic vodka Le Philtre. Produced in Cognac, the vodka is made using organic winter wheat and Gensac spring water, and is distilled six times before being rested for 15 days. It is not filtered, aiming to preserve its character and texture. Le Philtre is available in 70cl and 35cl formats.

O -TradeNews

LET TECH DO THE HEAVY LIFTING – P46

LOW/NOW Carlsberg Britvic expands world lager range

Poretti launches alcoholfree four-pack

Carlsberg Britvic has expanded its premium world lager range with the launch of Birri cio Angelo Poretti Alcohol Free, a 0.5% ABV variant brewed in Valganna, Italy. e new lager is designed to deliver the brand’s signature taste while catering to shoppers seeking alcohol-free options.

Birri cio Angelo Poretti is currently the fastest-growing world lager brand, and the introduction of an alcohol-free SKU aims to drive further growth and strengthen its presence in the category.

PROXY PURCHASING

e product has been introduced to recruit new drinkers and open up additional consumption occasions. It also gives retailers the opportunity to broaden their Poretti range and tap into changing drinking habits, with moderation in uencing purchasing decisions. Available now in Waitrose, the product is sold in a four-pack of 330ml bottles with an RSP of £5, ahead of a wider rollout from August. e launch will be supported by a media campaign and summer sampling activity.

‘It’ll cost you’ campaign returns for summer holidays

A campaign warning adults not to buy alcohol for under-18s has returned to Scotland.

‘It’ll Cost You’ runs until 10 August across the country and is fronted by Police Scotland with support from convenience stores, supermarkets and alcohol companies.

Underage drinking is linked to disorder, antisocial behaviour, crime and violence. People caught buying alcohol for children could face a fine of up to £5,000, up to three months in prison, or both.

CIDER Strongbow is ‘Refreshing the Nation’

Heineken has launched ‘Refreshing the Nation’, a new campaign for it Strongbow cider brand that runs until 31 July across TV, out of home and digital.

The campaign focuses on celebrating everyday moments of refreshment, with a creative approach built around regional language and expressions from across the UK.

Magners adds 0.0% pint bottle

Magners Irish Cider has expanded its zero-alcohol range with the launch of Magners 0.0% in a pint bottle format (568ml).

Available now across both the on- and o -trade, the new format delivers the same taste as Magners Original but without the alcohol.

e Magners pint bottle helped popularise the over-ice cider serve in the early 2000s and remains the number one packaged apple cider in the on-trade.

e launch responds to growing moderation trends, with 23 million GB adults aiming to reduce their drinking.

At the centre of the activity is a focus on how the first sip of Strongbow can prompt different reactions depending on where consumers are in the country. The outdoor campaign features more than 50 different posters, each using regionally recognisable phrases – including ‘Braw’ in Scotland.

A shopper promotion gives consumers the chance to win branded Strongbow sliders.

CIDER Launch responds to increase in moderation

Crumpton Oaks raves again

Aston Manor has relaunched its nostalgia-led Crumpton Oaks ‘Happy Applecore’ marketing campaign for summer, following strong performance for the brand.

Running until the end of August, the three-month campaign builds on last year’s activity, using 90s music nostalgia to drive visibility, footfall and cider sales during the key summer trading period. It is expected to reach more than ve million core consumers.

e multi-channel push includes video on demand advertising across

BEER German favourite comes to Britain

ITVX, 4 Streaming and YouTube, as well as social media, in uencer activity, out-of-home, PR and experiential sampling. A PayPoint promotion is also running, with 10,000 £1 vouchers available.

e campaign is soundtracked by a rave-inspired track created with Happy Hardcore DJ Hixxy and MC Whizzkid, with creative designed to stand out in xture and keep the brand front of mind.

Crumpton Oaks continues to outperform the wider cider

RTDs

Erdinger Brauhaus Helles rolls out to UK off-trade

Erdinger Weissbräu has launched its Brauhaus Helles into the UK o -trade.

Helles is the second-most-popular beer style in Germany, and Brauhaus Helles has been brewed by Erdinger in its home town of Erding, Bavaria, since 1991.

e 5.1% ABV lager is now available in 500ml bottles with an RSP of £2.75 and can be ordered from UK distributor Carlsberg Britvic, alongside an initial rollout across more than 300 Sainsbury’s stores nationwide.

Brauhaus Helles is a pale lager with a smooth, balanced pro le, featuring a rounded body and gentle, spicy malted barley notes. e beer undergoes extended cold storage to fully develop its aroma and is brewed in line with the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516.

category, delivering 11% volume growth in Impulse and 15% volume growth in the total market.

e activity comes as value cider gains momentum. e brand’s pint can format remains a key driver of sales in convenience.

Emily Seddon, Brand Manager for Aston Manor, said: “We saw a fantastic response to last year’s campaign from both shoppers and retailers.”

Smirnoff crushes it with c-store exclusive

Smirnoff is building on the performance of its Crush range with the launch of Smirnoff Crush Blueberry & Pomegranate, rolling out first as an exclusive to independent convenience retailers ahead of a wider launch in September 2026.

The new variant combines blueberry and pomegranate flavours with Smirnoff vodka in a 440ml can (6% ABV), with an RSP of £2.99, giving retailers a higher-ABV RTD option aimed at driving impulse sales.

The launch follows strong results for existing Crush variants Mango & Peach and Lemon & Lime, now the third and fourth fastest-growing high-ABV largeformat RTDs in Great Britain. Together, the two flavours have generated nearly £1.1m in value sales, with 76% of volume incremental to the category.

Berry flavours are a key driver of growth in RTDs, delivering +64% incremental growth year on year, while flavour remains the primary purchase driver in the category.

Heineken gets behind Pride Edinburgh

One hundred of Heineken

UK’s colleagues paraded through Edinburgh last month as part of the brand’s Pride partnerships. Drag Race UK winner Lawrence Chaney and broadcaster Tiara Skye headed up the procession, travelling from Horse Wynd to Bristo Square under the banner ‘Brewing with Love’. A brass band and bagpipes played pop tracks along the route.

Poretti launches Italian Lakes holiday competition Birrificio Angelo Poretti is giving shoppers the chance to win trips to the Italian Lakes with a new on-pack promotion. The campaign offers weekly prizes, with 10 Grand Tours of Lakes Maggiore, Como and Garda up for grabs. Shoppers can also win one of 500 £150 Virgin Experience Days gift cards. Entry is via an on-pack QR code or by visiting the campaign website. Entries close on 19 July 2026.

Brulo unveils ‘world’s first’ high-fibre beer

Scottish craft brewer Brulo has launched what it claims is the world’s first high-fibre beer. All Good IPA, a 0.5% ABV West Coast-style beer contains 5g of soluble fibre per 330ml can –enough to meet the UK threshold for a “high in fibre” claim and more than a bowl of porridge. Brulof founder James Brown said the aim was to create a beer that “gives something back” to your body.

Bud Light squeezes out lemon variant

AB InBev has launched Bud Light Lemon Squeeze as part of a wider move into fruitflavoured beer. The new variant is a 3.4% ABV citrus-led twist on Bud Light. Flavoured beers have gained traction in recent years as suppliers look to respond to demand for variety and sessionable drinks with lower bitterness and more approachable taste profiles.

CIDER ‘Happy Applecore’ returns

COLLABORATE TO CONQUER

Spar Scotland retailers, representatives and suppliers to come together at the symbol’s annual tradeshow.

Adventure awaits in Aviemore as Spar Scotland’s annual tradeshow returns on ursday 24 September, bringing together hundreds of retailers, suppliers and industry representatives for one of the biggest dates in the convenience calendar.

e one-day event at the Macdonald Hotel and Resort is expected to attract more than 800 delegates, including independent Spar retailers, company-owned store managers and CJ Lang support sta . Attendees will also include representatives from Spar UK, Spar International and other Spar regional distribution centres, alongside non-Spar retailers keen to explore the latest developments across the sector.

More than 200 FMCG suppliers are set to exhibit at the show, showcasing a wide range of products and exclusive on-the-day deals aimed at helping retailers drive sales and stay competitive in an increasingly challenging market. e tradeshow marquee, now a well-established feature of the event, will once again provide the focal point for supplier engagement.

is year’s event will be held under the theme ‘Collaborate’, highlighting the importance of partnership working across the Spar Scotland network and the wider supply chain. e theme re ects the organisation’s focus on working closely with retailers, suppliers and stakeholders to deliver growth and innovation across the business.

e day will begin with a series of morning business brie ngs tailored for suppliers, retailers and CJ Lang sta . ese sessions will provide an update on recent performance and outline key priorities for the months ahead.

CJ Lang will update delegates on progress since its last business update in April, including a review of campaigns already delivered, new initiatives introduced and a forward look at upcoming developments across the business. e update will place particular emphasis on what lies ahead, giving retailers greater visibility on Spar Scotland’s future initiatives and support.

roughout the day, retailers will have the opportunity to engage directly with suppliers. In addition to product showcases, there will also be tailored deals designed speci cally for independent stores. is remains a central draw for many attendees, o ering genuine opportunities to drive margin and refresh ranging.

e tradeshow will culminate in a presentation from one of the top performance coaches in customer service, motivational speaker Alf Dunbar.

Proceedings will then continue into the evening with the highly anticipated Spar Scotland Awards, which will take place alongside a gala dinner in the Osprey Arena. e celebrations will conclude with entertainment and dancing, providing an opportunity for delegates to network and mark the achievements of the past year.

e event’s strong focus on collaboration, commercial opportunity and insight will provide retailers with both inspiration and practical tools to support their businesses in the months ahead, while reinforcing relationships across the wider Spar network.

With strong attendance expected and a packed programme planned, the 2026 Spar Scotland tradeshow looks set to build on its reputation as a key event for the convenience sector.

Boost Sport Tropical Punch AG Barr

Limited-edition Tropical Punch is available in 12 x 500ml bottles, price-marked at £1. The launch is supported by digital activity, sampling and bespoke retailer toolkits. Alongside the product launch, Boost has invested in a multi-million-pound marketing campaign that spans out-ofhome advertising, digital and social media, as well as on-the-street sampling reaching more than 500,000 consumers.

Biona Thai Green Curry Paste Windmill Organics

Made with organic ingredients, the paste can be used with coconut milk, vegetables or protein to create curry dishes, and is also suitable for stir-fries, marinades and noodle recipes. Plant-based and additive-free, it comes in 125g jars (RSP £3.39) with a long shelf life, providing a convenient option for shoppers looking to recreate restaurant-style meals.

Skittles Flavour Flip Mars Wrigley

The range includes pouch (136g) and treat (109g) bags aimed at younger adult shoppers, built around a shareable, multi-sensory eating experience. Each sweet combines two flavours and colours in one bite. Five sweet and sour combinations are available: Strawberry & Watermelon, Lemon & Raspberry, Pomegranate & Apple, Lime & Cherry, and Mandarin & Pineapple.

Swizzels targets impulse sales with new Atomix range

Swizzels has launched Atomix, a new confectionery range aimed at boosting impulse sales in convenience and independent stores.

The range reworks Rainbow Drops and Refreshers into bite-sized products, combining a colourful outer shell with a soft chewy centre.

Two SKUs are available: Atomix Rainbow Drops, with strawberry, orange, lemon, apple and raspberry flavours, and Atomix Refreshers Sour, featuring mango, strawberry, lemon and apple.

Both products are available in 100g £1 pricemarked packs, developed for convenience retail. The brand is using foil packaging and bold branding to drive visibility on shelf and encourage trial.

McVitie’s Digestives

Jaffa Cakes pladis

The limited-edition crossover between Jaffa Cakes and Digestives leans into the long-standing debate over whether Jaffa Cakes are cakes or biscuits, with the new product (RSP £2.35) reinforcing the brand’s stance that Jaffa Cakes are cakes. Each biscuit combines a classic Digestive base with a Jaffa Cakesflavoured layer, bringing together two of the company’s best-known brands in a single product.

The launch taps into demand for sour flavours, nostalgia and affordable treats, while aiming to deliver strong stand-out and broad appeal.

The range is backed by a digital out-of-home campaign, social media and PR activity, alongside a trade push, ‘Mix your range, Max your sales’.

The launch builds on Swizzels’ strategy of reworking established brands such as Drumstick, Love Hearts and Double Dip into new formats.

Clare Newton, Trade & Shopper Marketing Manager at Swizzels, said: “We’re confident the range will help retailers drive impulse purchase, attract shoppers looking for something different, and add excitement to their summer confectionery offering.”

The highest-strength product in Zyn’s UK portfolio delivers a cooling eucalyptus and menthol flavour, adding a high-strength option to the brand’s existing mint and fruit variants. The launch provides retailers with a broader offering to meet a range of preferences within the category. The product is available from wholesalers, with more support via PMIOpen, PML’s digital trade platform.

Fox’s Chocolatey Matcha Indulgent Creams

Fox’s Burton’s

The second limited-edition in the brand’s viral-inspired range, follows the success of its ‘Dubai Style’ Indulgent Creams. The launch pairs a chocolate-covered biscuit with a shortcake base and a matcha cream filling. It is available now in packs of eight with an RSP of £3 (122g). A social media sensation, matcha has more than 10bn TikTok views and 9.5m Instagram posts linked to the ingredient.

Zyn Menthol Ice 16.5mg Philip Morris Limited

Dairylea Snackers with Strawberry Fruit Bites Mondelez

The first non-HFSS product in the Snackers range combines the brand’s cheese and crackers format with soft cubes made from strawberries. It comes in a 64g pack, RSP £1.65. The launch will be backed by in-store, digital and influencer activities to drive awareness and trial. Pre-launch research recorded 97% likeability and appeal, as well as 94% purchase intent.

Sour Patch Kids

Paradise Twist/Peach Mondelez

Monster Energy Lando Norris Zero Sugar CCEP

The limited-edition gold can ties into the driver’s 2025 Formula 1 World Championship win and launches ahead of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix at Silverstone (Sunday 5 July 2026) to help retailers capitalise on increased shopper interest and impulse purchases. The launch will be supported by POS materials and digital assets via My.CCEP. com to help retailers drive visibility in store.

Baker Street Light Rye

St Pierre Groupe

Shorn sheep

Peperami has rolled out ‘Be Bold. Be Meaty.’ – a new story-led brand platform designed to engage with 18 to 25-year-olds. The campaign is spearheaded by a short film about a barber in a rural town who drives interest in his business by giving mullets to sheep. It also includes a social-first content series featuring former footballer Micah Richards.

Life is Biotiful

New Sour Patch Kids Paradise Twist features a mix of mango, watermelon, pineapple and tropical flavours in the brand’s signature shapes, while Peach offers a vegan and halal option in peach-shaped sweets. Both flavours launch in 120g packs with an RSP of £1.40, as well as 105g packs price-marked at £1.25. They come alongside new Maynards Bassetts Tropical Fruit Mix.

East

The new range delivers a longer shelf life than comparable products which Kepak modelling suggests could reduce sandwich waste by up to 50%. The premium line-up includes five sandwiches – Chicken & Stuffing, Chicken & Bacon Mayo, Tuna Mayo, Egg Mayo and Cheese & Onion Mayo – alongside two wraps: Sweet Chilli Chicken and Chicken Caesar. Products are available at an RSP of £2.89.

Available in a 500g pack with an RSP of £1.85, the loaf is a source of fibre and protein and contains vitamins and minerals including iron, magnesium and thiamin, tapping into demand for ‘everyday health’ choices. Made with a sourdough starter, it has been developed to appeal to shoppers new to rye, with a milder flavour and softer texture designed to provide a more familiar eating experience.

Biotiful Gut Health has launched a national campaign aimed at maintaining consumer engagement with functional dairy products as routines shift over summer. Running across TV, radio, digital, social, retail and experiential channels, the activity focuses on keeping gut health top of mind during a period when habits become less structured.

Vin-da-new

Pukka’s new nationwide campaign, ‘Vindaloo, by Pukka’, is built around the 1998 Fat Les song ‘Vindaloo’ and its association with English football culture. Running throughout the summer, the campaign uses PR, social, digital, broadcaster video on demand, audio, experiential and shopper activity to promote the brand’s newly launched hottest-ever pie.

Dairy Milk Strawberries & Creme Frappe Mondelez

The new limited edition blends Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate with a strawberry and creme frappestyle filling. It is available in a 115g tablet format, RSP £2.20, as well as a 115g £1.75 price-marked pack. The launch aims to capitalise on the shopper trend of chilling chocolate during the warmer months, with research indicating that 69% of consumers do so.

Rubicon returns

Rubicon is returning to screens and streets this summer with the latest instalment of its ‘Big Flavour Behaviour’ campaign, backed by its largest investment to date across TV, out-of-home, digital, experiential and sampling. Running until the end of September, the campaign is designed to drive shopper demand during the key summer selling period.

Slightly spicy

Philadelphia’s new ‘Spicy but not THAT spicy’ social campaign introduces the brand’s New Mexican Style cream cheese and taps into the popularity of ‘spicy’ romance audiobooks. Short films see FoodTok and BookTok creators prepping meals using Philadelphia’s New Mexican Style while cult voiceover artist Ryan Mairs provides an innuendo-strewn narration.

St Deli sandwiches Kepak

RETURN HANDLING FEES REVEALED

Exchange for Change has announced the DRS return handling fees (RHF) and confirmed £60m in Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) grant funding for small indies.

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) administrator Exchange for Change has set the RHF to be paid to return point operators across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland ahead of the scheme’s launch in October 2027.

e RHF will operate on a tiered basis across manual and automatic return points, covering a range of return volumes.

Following industry consultation, the fees have been set at 3p per container for manual return points. For automatic return points using an RVM, the structure is split into two tiers: 5p per container for up to 225,000 in-scope items returned annually, and 1.3p per container for volumes above that threshold.

e structure is designed to re ect di erences in store size and return volumes across the UK retail landscape, from small convenience stores handling lower volumes manually through to larger operators using RVMs.

e RHF will be reviewed ahead of launch and on an annual basis therea er, using operational data from producers and retailers to re ne assumptions and ensure the scheme remains balanced.

In addition, Exchange for Change has con rmed that it will make £60m available in grant funding to help up to 10,000 small independent retailers meet the cost of installing RVMs.

Grants of £6,000 will be available per qualifying site, paid in three annual instalments of £2,000, beginning three months a er RVM installation.

An extension to the DRS exemption criteria has also been agreed. While stores in urban areas with a retail footprint of less than 100sq m are automatically exempt, those with a sales

area of 100–199sq m and rural retailers with a sales area of less than 200sq m can now apply for an exemption.

Additional exemptions may also be granted on the basis of proximity, heritage or listed building restrictions, site access or lack of utilities.

Russell Davies, Exchange for Change CEO, says: “Retailers will play a fundamental role in transforming how we increase recycling and reduce litter in every corner of the UK through the Deposit Return Scheme.

“ is package of support has been developed following extensive consultation with industry and intended to help retailers of di erent sizes make the best choice for their business, whether that’s installing an RVM or applying for an exemption.

“Together with the Return Handling Fee, the extension to exemptions and the provision of grants for small, independent retailers is another signi cant milestone in our work to deliver a scheme that is fair for business and accessible and easy to use for all consumers.”

e Scottish Grocers’ Federation and Association of Convenience Stores have raised concerns that the fee will not fully cover the expense of running an RVM for some convenience stores.

However, Stephen Stothard, Business Development Manager at Aco Recycling UK, begs to di er. With over 30 years’ experience working in existing and emergent schemes, Stothard has handled RVM installations at numerous Tesco stores in Ireland.

“In Ireland, with a far lower [RVM] handling fee [2.6 cents, approx. 2.24p], most machines were paid for in full in year one,” he states.

“ e grant funding and very high and generous handling fee is perfect.”

Smart returns. Built for every space.

Envipco is a leading provider of reverse vending machines, with more than 40 years of dedicated experience in beverage container recycling. As the UK prepares for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on 1 October 2027, we are helping retailers, municipalities, and the beverage industry get ready with smart, reliable solutions that make recycling easier for consumers, simpler to manage, and more scalable. Since our founding, our mission has been to support material recovery, promote reuse, and help customers contribute to a circular economy.

Today, we combine proven technology with local expertise to develop solutions tailored to the unique needs of each customer and market. With the exciting ouncement from Exchange for Change of the Retailer Handling Fees (RHF) heavily weighted to showcase our most applicable machines tonight.

announcement for convenience, we are excited

Compact is a space-saving RVM built for small retailers. It’s plug-and-play, easy to move, the smallest and most cost effective scheme compliant RVM. Proven in other markets, it delivers performance without complexity.

Smallest footprint — just 0.42m2

Large capacity — 265L tote

Runs on standard 230V socket

Lowest cost fully compacting RVM

Easily moved by store staff, no engineer required

Plug & play installation, ready in minutes.

Eligible for scheme grant support

Flex® handles higher returns without taking up space. It compacts PET, cans, fits through walls, and stays easy to clean and install.

Small footprint — 0.54 m²

Suitable for indoor or outdoor installation

Accepts PET bottles and cans

Front-or rear-emptying for easy store-layout fit

Easy to clean and maintain

Customizable appearance (branding)

Up to 45 containers per minute, fast and accurate sorting

Eligible for scheme grant support

Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) Launching 1 October 2027

Retailers selling in-scope drinks containers will have obligations under the scheme and must decide how they will participate.

Option 1 — Exemption

Retailers may be eligible for an exemption if they meet the

Option 2 — Manual Take-Back

Best for smaller stores with lower return volumes

Low upfront cost

Simple to implement

3p per container handling fee

Fraud risk and staff errors

Heavy impact on staff time and store space No grant available

Option 3 — Reverse Vending Machine (RVM)

Best for retailers with space and

Automated return process

No staff handling

Better customer experience

Scheme Funding*

5p per container handling fee

Reduced space with compacted containers

Eligible for RVM grant

The Retailer Handling Fee (RHF) will operate on a t iered basis across manual and automatic return points, an d will provide for small to large volumes of returned containers

As a result of extensive industry consultation, engagement and research, Exchange For Change has set the RHF at:

Manual return points – 3p per container

Automatic return points

Tier 1 – 5p per container, up to 225,000 in-scope items returned annually

Tier 2 – 1.3p per container, for annual in-scope returns in excess of 225,000

*Source - https://exchangeforchange.co.uk/

DRS IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE MACHINE

By Stewart Vincent, Managing Director, RVM Systems UK

For most Scottish retailers, the DRS conversation has been about machines, fees and exemptions. e other half of the conversation, and a very important one, is the customer.

Live markets across Europe tell a consistent story. In Ireland, overall recycling rates for plastic bottles and cans jumped from 49% to over 90% in under two years, and shoppers have built the empties run into their regular routine. Customers come to the store to return their containers, and they spend while they are there. Reverse vending machines drive footfall, and footfall drives basket spend. at is the commercial story Scottish retailers should be planning for, not just the compliance one.

Where you put the machine matters as much as the machine itself. Front of store keeps the experience visible and connected to the till, but risks creating a bottleneck at the busiest point of the shop. Back of store frees the front but routes customers carrying empties past your food displays, with hygiene risk and a basket full of bottles making it harder for them to pick up the items you want them buying. Indoor keeps the unit clean and easy to service. Outdoor protects oor space but needs lighting, security and weatherproo ng. Every option has a trade-o , and the right answer depends on your store, your customers and your peak times.

Cleaning will be a daily reality. Leaking cans and sticky residue do not stay in the machine. Plan for it from day one. e biggest opportunity is the experience itself. A wellsited, well-run, well-promoted RVM turns the empties run into a habit. Habits drive repeat returns, repeat returns drive repeat visits, and repeat visits drive basket spend. e voucher is the mechanic. Loyalty is the outcome.

With over 30 years in DRS markets globally, RVM Systems is ready to help Scottish retailers plan for the customer, not just the kit.

Visit our UK showroom in Watford, explore our RVM’s, and plan your DRS path with the UK team.

SEE OUR RVMs IN ACTION

We offer the widest range of RVMs in the market, starting from 0.41m2 plug and play solutions through to larger bulk feed models.

TALK TO THE UK TEAM

Our team of experts are on hand to answer your questions and provide tailored DRS advice.

PLAN YOUR DRS PATH

Machine upgrades, flexible purchase options, bespoke service packages, and timelines to meet your needs.

The

Ripe FOR THE PICKING

Cider is a golden opportunity for convenience retailers willing to tap into the latest trends.

BY SARAH BRITTON

Scotland’s convenience cider market remains a signi cant category for local retailers, currently worth £42m, with total volume sitting at 11.5 million litres [Circana Market Advantage Convenience Exc Major Mults Scotland 52 w/e to 16 May 2026].

“While the category has so ened slightly year on year in both value and volume, cider continues to play an important role in convenience, particularly around social occasions, seasonal events and chilled impulse purchases,” says Claire James, Senior Shopper Marketing Manager at Kopparberg, noting that performance is increasingly polarised.

Apple cider is bene ting from changing drinking occasions and evolving consumer tastes, particularly among younger adult shoppers who are increasingly discovering the category for the rst time, claims James. “Traditionally, apple cider skewed older and drier in avour pro le, but there is now growing demand for sweeter, more accessible apple variants that o er refreshment and easy drinkability without losing the familiarity of apple cider.”

Kopparberg Crisp Apple provides a lighter, slightly sweeter take on traditional apple cider that appeals to both existing apple cider drinkers and shoppers who would typically choose fruit cider, states the rm. “It o ers retailers an opportunity to recruit younger consumers into the

apple cider segment while broadening appeal across occasions,” says James.

Young adults are also driving the trend towards low and no. “Low- and no-alcohol cider continues to grow within Scottish convenience, with the category currently up +13.2% in Scotland [ibid]. Moderation remains a clear long-term consumer trend, particularly among younger adult shoppers looking for balance across di erent occasions,” says James, adding that Kopparberg Alcohol-Free singles are currently the number one and number two alcohol-free cider SKUs within Scottish convenience [ibid].

Demand for low-and-no alcohol is shaping the cider category, with innovation in this segment helping to drive this, concurs Jonathan Ford, O -Trade Director at Heineken UK.

brand variant growing 180% in the last year alone [Nielsen IQ –Full year 2025].”

Price is also a key consideration for cider drinkers, highlights Aston Manor Cider.

“With shoppers still feeling the pressure on household budgets, and 69% of occasions now taking place in the home [IGD ShopperVista research 2025], the warmer months o er retailers a strong opportunity to drive sales through trusted value brands,” says Trade Marketing Manager Natalie Marshall.

Earlier this year, the rm announced the launch of Inch’s 0.0, the rst dealcoholised cider in the UK. e process of dealcoholisation involves removing alcohol a er the cider has been fermented, ensuring the cider retains its depth and character while being no more than 0.05% alcohol.

“Innovation within the low-and-no alcohol segment not only caters to those consumers looking to moderate alcohol intake, but it also attracts those consumers who do not drink alcohol to explore the cider category,” says Ford. “Strong performance from Old Mout Berries & Cherries 0.0 supports this, with the

“Consumers still want to socialise and enjoy quality experiences, but they’re being more mindful about how and where they spend their money. Summer and BBQ occasions allow them to enjoy time with friends and family without the cost of going out, which puts a ordable cider rmly on the menu.”

Marshall claims that Crumpton Oaks is the No.1 value cider brand in the impulse channel [Nielsen, Cider, GB Impulse, Value Segment, Volume, MAT to 01/11/2025] and sells twice as much as its nearest competitor in convenience [TWC, Cider, Product Performance, Volume, Last 13wks to 30.11.2025].

“ ere are areas of enormous opportunity emerging [in cider],” she concludes. “Retailers that take a critical approach to their range and make changes to re ect areas of demand can stand out and become a destination.”

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Stock up now for the summer.

ALL SYSTEMS GO

Retailers are improving their operations by letting the tech do the heavy lifting.

BY SARAH BRITTON

With tough trading conditions making retail challenging for even the most successful business owners, you need all the support you can get. More retailers than ever are tapping into technology to help them make smarter decisions that boost sales and lower costs.

As a third-generation retailer, Arif Jehad of Shop Local Wishawhill Stores in Glasgow was keen to invest in some new kit from MHouse to make his operation more e cient. “ e challenge we faced with our last point of sale system was the fact that it was very old, with 1970s or 80s-style tills,” he says.

is made it nigh-on impossible to keep tabs on pricing and margins. “Prices are shooting up. Unless you’re checking over the invoices for every single item, you never know if the price has increased or not,” he says. “ e bene ts we found of using the MHouse system [are], rst, keeping up to date with the prices and the reporting system. ey’ve been fantastic to make sure that they’re always in pro t.”

He also praises the system’s ability to aid promotion management. “We know that we’re constantly running promotions at the right price – when they start and when they’re ending,” he says.

Arif is a big fan of the handheld device as it enables him to walk around scanning, updating prices and setting promotions on the move.

He is equally positive about Nisha and Shajeel on the MHouse support team. “Any issues, you phone the number and they’re always there to help you and support you,” he beams. “I actually recommended MHouse to other fellow retailers and friends. e reason being the simplicity of it.”

Retailer recommendations have also been spreading the word about ShopMate EPoS. e rm is set to reward Londis Solo Convenience owner Natalie Lightfoot with £150 o her ShopMate fees for recommending their system to fellow Glasgow retailer Nathalie Fullerton.

“It’s exactly what this [refer a friend] scheme is all about – retailers sharing what works, helping each other get set up for success, and being rewarded along the way,” says ShopMate.

Retailers can make up to 10 successful referrals, earning up to £1,500 o their ShopMate fees.

Nathalie Fullerton, who changed her Dumbarton Road store over from One Stop to Go Local earlier this year, has already seen a big di erence from using ShopMate.

e new system can integrate with Nathalie’s Snappy Shopper online delivery o er. “It helps so much with time-consuming stu – adding promotions can just be done automatically, and if you sell out of something in store, it automatically marks it as out of stock online, which saves so much hassle,” she says. “It will help us manage our stock levels a lot, lot better.”

She is also hoping to gain more insights through the system. “ ey give you so much data you don’t know what to do with half of it, which is great!”

Most convenience stores operate with small teams and tight margins, so owners need systems that save time, reduce waste and give better dayto-day business visibility, states Gander.

“We help retailers maximise the value of reduced-to-clear products by making them visible to nearby shoppers in real time,” says Business Development Director Stacey Williams. “Traditionally, reduced items rely on customers already being in the store at the right moment. at o en means products are missed and end up wasted.

“Our technology connects directly into existing store systems and automatically promotes live reductions through digital channels including retailer apps, websites and partners such as Olio.”

Williams’ advice to retailers is to start simple and focus on technology that solves real operational problems.

“Independent retailers should not feel they need to transform everything overnight,” she says. “Even relatively small technology improvements can make a meaningful di erence to pro tability and operational e ciency.”

IN THE BAG

Retailers who home in on parental priorities can ensure their packed lunch offer is top of the class.

BY SARAH BRITTON

Kids are notoriously fussy eaters, but even pickier are the parents packing their lunches.

Health is, of course, a major factor in purchase decisions, and cheddar ticks the box on multiple fronts, claims Ornua Foods UK & Europe, which owns Pilgrims Choice.

“Cheddar is one of those go-to staples you can always rely on,” says Marketing Director Nicola Blackmore-Squires. “We’re seeing more and more parents prioritising food that feels natural and wholesome. In fact, over three quarters say it’s very important their children eat nutritiously [Mintel Database, UK Food & Drink and Family Trends 2025], and just as many are actively looking for minimally processed options when they shop for lunchbox staples [ibid].

“ at’s where cheese really stands out – it’s a simple, recognisable food that parents trust. Pilgrims Choice delivers on that ‘real food’ expectation, while also providing protein, which is increasingly important in helping kids stay fuller for longer [Mintel, Stretching Cheese brands in new directions, 2026].”

Convenience is also a core sales driver, she observes. “Over 70% of parents say ease of preparation is a top priority when it comes to lunchboxes [Mintel, UK Lunchbox Trends 2025], and this is another area where cheddar really comes into its own. It’s quick to slice, easy to grate, or can be prepped into simple portions like cheese sticks – ideal for hectic mornings.

at’s why it makes sense for retailers to o er a mix of formats.”

e brand’s block range, which includes Mature, Extra Mature, Vintage and Lighter options, continues to perform well, up 16% in value and 35% in volume in convenience stores across Great Britain in the last quarter [Circana All Outlets Total Cheese data to w/e 52wks 18 April]. Extra-convenient formats are also driving sales. “We’re seeing particularly strong growth in sliced, with volumes up nearly 40% year on year [ibid],” adds BlackmoreSquires.

Another easy t for packed lunch is Peperami, suggests Jack Link’s. “Protein-rich snacks are performing strongly because they o er a lling, convenient option that

works across multiple occasions, from school lunchboxes to a er-school snacking and family top-up shops,” says Shaun Whelan, Head of Convenience.

“Within meat snacks speci cally, the category has doubled in value over the past ve years to more than £335m, with demand for protein snacks continuing to surge as one in ve UK households now seeks out protein-rich options. Brands that combine strong value perception with excitement and innovation are well placed to perform strongly during the time running up to Back to School.”

Peperami Lunchbox Minis remains a standout performer, notes Whelan, while smaller multipack formats continue to resonate strongly with families looking for convenient, lling lunchbox options.

Mondelez International also boasts a healthier lunchbox solution with new Dairylea Snackers with Strawberry Fruit Bites.

Natalie Wong, Brand Executive for Dairylea at Mondelez International, says: “By combining the much-loved Dairylea Snackers format with fruit bites made with fruit, we are o ering families more choice within snacking while helping retailers respond to evolving shopper expectations.

“As Dairylea’s rst non-HFSS Snackers product, this launch also represents an important step in strengthening our healthier credentials and attracting new shoppers into the category.”

Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners also has its eye rmly on meeting the non-HFSS criteria with its Oasis drink. Kate Abbotson, Senior External Communications Manager, says: “Oasis’ innovation strategy is focused on delivering bold, fruity avours that shoppers love, while meeting growing demand for low sugar and HFSS-compliant options.”

Oasis Summer Fruits is the top avour variant in the Oasis range [Nielsen Total GB MAT Val w/e 04.10.25], worth £86.28m in value, with sales up 17.4% year on year [Nielsen & CGA Combined Data to end 2025].

By swotting up on products that deliver on taste, health and convenience, retailers can ensure their packed lunch fodder appeals to both parents and kids this Back to School season.

TANKS FOR NOTHING

Under The Counter was shocked to discover that the cost-of-living crisis is now so bad that Britain’s supercar drivers are struggling to pay for petrol.

According to fuel crime prevention platform Forecourt Eye, the number of NMOP incidents has risen sharply since the Strait of Hormuz started getting blocked more often than UTC’s coronary arteries.

NMOP is short for ‘no means of payment’ and is not, as the Auld Boy erroneously thought, the catchy smash hit single from 90s long-haired, angel-faced sibling popsters, Hanson.

An NMOP occurs when motorists fill up and then claim they’re skint – and they’re fast overtaking traditional drive-offs.

Speaking of which, check out the guy with the badly redacted coupon in the picture. You don’t need to be Jeremy Clarkson to see that’s not a clapped-out Vauxhall Corsa he’s refuelling at the retailer’s expense.

The vehicle is, rather, a McLaren 720S. At £208,600 – before you add on metallic paint, mudflaps and a set of mats – there are surely cheaper ways of indulging a mid-life crisis.

The 720S is not a car one normally associates with drive-offs. Given that it goes

from 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds though, it is possibly the ideal choice.

UTC has some sympathy for the driver, however. He can’t buy a tank of unleaded, nor even afford full-length breeks. Even worse, judging by the blacked-out area on the CCTV still, the poor guy must have a napper that would make ET shudder.

GONE SQUISHING TUBE STRAIN

Under The Counter stopped trying to understand crazes when clackers were a thing back in the 70s (the 1970s not the 1870s, that is).

Rubik’s Cubes, Cabbage Patch Kids, Beanie Babies, loom bands, fidget spinners, Prime energy drinks and Echo Falls Blue Raspberry wine, the Auld Boy has seen them all fly off shelves over the years. And scratched his increasingly baldy napper as to why.

that people enjoy squeezing. The Auld Boy does not enjoy squeezing, although he’s never considered eating fewer cakes and gubbing some fibre instead.

And it’s not just buns: pizzas, cheese, butter, dogs, octopuses and jellyfish are all feeling the squeeze. UTC thinks a squishy jellyfish toy is a proper waste of money; the real thing will happily ooze between your fingers if you press gently.

So he wasn’t surprised when he heard squishy buns are now enjoying their 15 minutes of retail fame.

UTC was disappointed to discover these are not the squishy buns he enjoys –the ones that are basically a roll topped with icing and desiccated coconut and filled with fake cream. They are, rather, malleable plastic toys

And, much like Labubu dolls before them, counterfeiters are keen to cash in on the craze. Almost 6,000 fake squishy toys were seized from a Glasgow warehouse last month. Many of these were dumplings – much like anyone who buys one, if you ask the Auld Boy.

Not that he cares. UTC may well be in his twilight years, but he still loves to play with his clackers.

Under The Counter hasn’t got much time for the young whippersnapper who takes care of SLR’s social media shenanigans.

However, he felt the poor lad was hard done by when he tried to inject some humour into a Twitter/X post giving some free publicity to Pringles’ new football-based campaign – which just so happens to coincide with the World Cup. Funny that.

Despite the campaign supposedly celebrating friendly rivalries, someone at Pringles failed to see the funny side and, quicker than Morocco’s goal against Scotland, promptly blocked SLR. You can take Pringles out the tube, but it seems you can’t take the tube out of Pringles.

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