SLR June 2026 Edition

NEW BOSS, NEW BATTLES

ACS Chief Exec Ed Woodall gears up to fight for Scotland’s local retailers.

Scotland’s c-stores defy Q1 sales decline CATCH THE WAVE

There’s no stopping RTDs

• Not just a wholesaler, a Scottish based retailer

• A local brand with a global reach

• Strong promotional activities including STV, footfall driving deals, gamification and national promotions

• Access to exclusive initiatives in Scottish convenience retail – Barista Bar Co ee & Iceland Frozen Foods

• A clear focus on profitable sales and growing your business

• Operational, category & range support

NEWS

04 Trading Scotland was the only region to show notable growth in Talysis’ Convenience Q1 2026 report.

05 Research Summer sporting events could drive a food and drink sales surge for Scottish retailers, a new poll finds.

06 Heated Tobacco Retailers need to remove IQOS window vinyls and backwall units in wake of new legislation.

08 News Extra Illicit Trade The SGF sets out key goals following the election, while the UK Government takes a stand against “dodgy shops”.

16 Product News Cole Palmer signs for Coca-Cola and Cadbury gives the gift of music.

18 Off-Trade News Kopparberg unveils its biggest-ever marketing campaign as Au Vodka teams up with Tango.

INSIDE BUSINESS

22 SLR Awards On-the-road judging is complete and Grado will return to host the biggest night in Scottish local retail.

25 Deposit Return Scheme Scotland’s local retailers broadly welcome the flat 20p deposit for all in-scope containers.

26 Store Profile Scotmid Uddingston A small store with a big food-to-go offer causes a stir in South Lanarkshire.

28 Symbol Groups Spar Scotland is hosting a Depot Open Day on 24 June, giving independent retailers a behind-thescenes look at CJ Lang’s support offer.

30 Refit Day-Today Shettleston Road Mohammad Rafi revamps his store with new branding, digital screens and gamification.

32 Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns.

50 Under The Counter The Auld Boy gets to the bottom of one of Britain’s oldest trademarks.

34 Alcoholic RTDs With more and more brands riding the alcoholic RTD wave, find out which products are truly cutting through the noise.

40 Confectionery Suppliers have been busy thinking up new ways to make confectionery fun, engaging and irresistible.

46 Soft Drinks Today’s soft drinks consumers are increasingly demanding functional benefits.

Crime gangs crackdown

A specialist Organised Retail Crime (ORC) team within Opal, policing’s national intelligence unit for serious organised acquisitive crime, has made 257 arrests in its first two years of operation. Offenders linked to the unit’s work were handed more than 118 years’ worth of prison sentences and the team has actioned 22 deportations. Opal reported a 73% reduction in offending by organised crime groups referred to the unit.

Hardship scheme proposed

Retailers were invited to take part in a feasibility study last month to explore plans for a new Glasgowbased Multibank to support people struggling to meet basic household needs across the wider Glasgow City region. Led by The Big House Multibank, the proposed scheme would work in partnership with local retailers to bridge the gap between families experiencing hardship and retailers with surplus goods that would otherwise go to waste.

Food price concerns rise

Food inflation fell to 3.0% in April, compared with 3.7% in March, but this remains above long-term averages, according to IGD.

James Walton, Chief Economist at IGD, said: “The continued elevated food inflation is having an ongoing impact on shoppers, as IGD’s ShopperVista data shows food price concerns are at their highest level for three years, with food prices (94%) sitting above energy prices (86%) as shoppers’ biggest concern.”

Going for gold

A range of convenience and wholesale operators, including Scotmid, Bestway Wholesale, Booker, Filshill, CJ Lang, OneO-One Convenience Stores, One Stop and Co-op, have been recognised as GroceryAid Gold Supporters for 2025. To achieve the top status, companies must have supported the charity in at least seven different ways across Awareness, Fundraising and the GroceryAid raffle.

Scotland leads pack in Talysis Q1 Convenience Report

Scotland was the only region to show notable growth in Talysis’ Convenience Q1 2026 report, with value sales up +1.3% over 52 weeks, while most regions experienced slight declines.

While the UK convenience sector stabilised in the rst quarter of 2026, most regions remained at amid ongoing pressure from in ation, regulation and changing shopping habits. e specialist convenience insight agency noted that Scotland’s standout performance may re ect di erences in category mix or regional shopping behaviour.

Earlier this year, Talysis’ Convenience 2025 report revealed that the channel was down 1.7% overall year on year, with the rate of decline worsening to -2.5% in the nal four weeks of the year

LEGISLATION

to 4 January 2026. Talysis’ latest report shows short-term growth has returned, with value sales up +0.3% over the last four weeks (to 20 April 2026), following an improvement in Q1 to -0.2% versus last year. Medium- and long-term trends remain negative, however, with value sales for the previous 52week and 12-week periods down -0.5% and -0.6% respectively.

e report also highlighted category winners and losers, homing in on the strength of

Price cap speculation spreads south

alcohol and so drinks, while noting a “worrying” decline in sales of tobacco, vapes and smoking alternatives.

Talysis Managing Director Ed Roberts said: “ e convenience market is still facing challenges, despite short-term stabilisation. While there are some more positive signs recently, the overall performance is still weak and potentially masked by price in ation rather than real growth. Nevertheless, our advice still stands: maintaining focus on customer missions, high-growth categories, agile implementation and clarity in pricing are critical to future success.”

e Convenience Q1 2026 report is based on data from thousands of independent and symbol group stores throughout the UK.

Rumours of price caps on food in England gathered pace after reports suggested the UK Government had approached supermarkets about the concept. However, the Government has since denied any such plans. Treasury Minister Dan Tomlinson stated on TV and radio that the UK Government is not looking at introducing this measure but is instead working to increase the powers of the Competition and Markets Authority through regulations first announced in the King’s Speech. Meanwhile, First Minister John Swinney is ploughing on with plans to publish a draft law putting a price cap on essential food items in big supermarkets within the first 100 days of the new government. The proposals have raised eyebrows. “They’re cuckoo,” said Banff retailer Billy Gatt. “The Scottish Government is always trying to be ahead of the game – look at the [first] DRS. It ended up being a shambles. This sounds like another one. I can’t understand what they’re thinking with the price caps.”

Spar Scotland boosts frozen with Iceland partnership

CJ Lang & Son has teamed up with Iceland Foods to strengthen Spar Scotland’s frozen o er.

e Spar Scotland wholesaler has agreed an exclusive convenience retail partnership alongside fellow Spar wholesalers James Hall & Co. (North of England) and A. F. Blakemore & Son (South East, Midlands and Wales) to bring the Iceland brand to 320 Spar stores. e range could be rolled out to almost 2,000 outlets across Great Britain over the coming months.

Iceland-exclusive brands including the likes of Slimming World, Harry Ramsden’s, TGI Fridays and Myprotein will be available in Spar stores alongside Iceland own-label and Greggs products.

World Cup set to net extra food and drink sales in Scotland

Summer sporting events could drive a food and drink sales surge for Scottish retailers, according to polling research from the Scottish Retail Consortium and Opinium.

Eleven per cent of Scots plan to spend more on groceries, alcohol and takeaways to enjoy while watching the World Cup and Commonwealth Games, while 7% plan to host or attend gatherings to watch matches, the poll revealed.

It comes ahead of Scotland’s opening match of the men’s World Cup Finals in Boston on 13 June, a er the national team quali ed for the rst time in almost 30 years. e Commonwealth Games get underway in July, with the European Athletics Championships being held in August.

However, these major sporting events only resonate with just over

DISASTER Award-winning store destroyed

half of the country, with 45% of Scots saying they were not planning any related activities.

It comes a er the latest trading monitor from the Scottish Retail Consortium and KPMG found retail sales in Scotland had barely grown over the last 12 months, with monthly retail sales increasing by an average of 0.4% over the past year.

Retailer ‘absolutely devastated’ as fire hits Rutherglen Nisa

More than 100 re ghters were required to tackle a re at Nisa Local Wee Mill on Baronald Street in Rutherglen, which gutted the store.

No one was harmed, but the incident le Saj Javed, founder of Pro Gro Group (formerly PGNJ), “absolutely devastated”.

e Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the emergency at 6.19pm on 7 May. At its height, Operations Control mobilised 22 re appliances and additional resources to the scene of the re in the basement of the outlet, which is situated within a four-storey tenement building.

Fire crews battled the blaze through the night and remained at the scene until the following evening.

Saj said: “We are absolutely devastated to lose one of our award-winning stores, Nisa Local Wee Mill. ankfully no sta or customers were injured and everyone from the building above was evacuated safely. We would like to thank everyone for their support, including emergency services, local customers and our great team of sta at the store.”

Grocery was the hardest-hit retail category in April, as consumers opted for own-label products. Total food sales in Scotland dropped by 4.0% in April 2026, compared with a 2.2% increase in April 2025.

SRC Director David Lonsdale said: “Sports fans in Scotland are looking forward to a sparkling spectacle of major sporting events this summer and the country’s retailers are hoping this kicks o a brighter period of trading. is could provide a much-needed boon to retailers selling food and drink, sportswear, electricals, merchandise and souvenirs –especially if the likes of footballer Scott McTominay, swimmer Duncan Scott, and runner Laura Muir and their Scotland teammates give fans something to celebrate.”

NEW STORE Co-op franchise store

to open at Glasgow Uni

The University of Glasgow is set to open a Co-op franchise store in time for the new academic year in September.

Co-op’s franchise operation continues to grow, with store numbers increasing by 16% to 65 locations by the end of 2025. Co-op has pledged to grow this number to more than 100 during 2026, with further launches planned across universities, petrol forecourts and hospitals, as well as with independent retailers.

C-Store Collective partners with Zempler

Convenience consultancy

C-Store Collective has joined forces with digital business bank Zempler Bank, which has been built specifically for small businesses and independent operators. Zempler provides fast account setup, real-time visibility of finances through app and online banking, and intuitive money management tools.

Tesco extends Aldi Price Match to Express stores

Tesco has announced that it is extending its Aldi Price Match scheme to more than 2,000 Express convenience stores. The investment marks the biggest expansion of Tesco’s Aldi Price Match scheme since its launch in May 2020. More than 200 products will be available on Aldi Price Match in Tesco Express stores.

Barista Bar rewards app

CJ Lang & Son is aiming to boost repeat custom with its My Barista Bar Rewards+ app, developed to reward regular coffee customers. The app enables customers to collect digital stamps with every purchase, with nine stamps earning a free drink, alongside additional incentives such as birthday rewards and double stamps for using reusable cups. Users can also accumulate points through the Rewards+ programme, redeemable for merchandise and special offers.

Forecourts not profiteering

e store opened in December 2023 and won the SLR Awards’ New Store of the Year title in 2024.

Co-op’s campus stores already serve an estimated university population of more than 200,000 (up 25% year on year to December), a figure which is expected to exceed 300,000 during 2026.

The rapid hike in fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis has been driven by wider cost pressures – in particular higher oil prices – rather than a general increase in fuel margins by fuel retailers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found. The CMA has also commenced enforcement activities, with firms that fail to register with Fuel Finder or submit accurate and up-to-date pricing information risking fines.

Imagecoutesyof CharlieIrvinefrom Pixabay

Advantage Survey results

The Advantage Group has ranked JW Filshill and its Keystore symbol number one wholesale fascia and number one ‘route to market’ for the 16th year in a row. Meanwhile, Spar Scotland wholesaler CJ Lang & Son said it was ranked number one in the convenience sector in its latest Advantage Survey. The group was also ranked number two in wholesale.

ACS duo step up

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has promoted Chris Noice and Jordan Newfield. Former Communications Director Chris Noice has been promoted to External Affairs Director, taking responsibility for strategy development and execution across government relations, research, media and communications. Jordan Newfield, previously Public Affairs Manager, has been promoted to Head of Public Affairs and will lead ACS’ campaigning activity and engagement with policymakers.

Illegal cigarettes and vapes seized

Police Scotland Greater Glasgow has reported the seizure of more than 8,000 illegal cigarettes in Govan, alongside illicit vapes and hand-rolling tobacco. Working with Trading Standards, Govan community officers conducted joint inspections of local retail premises and recovered 8,610 illegal cigarettes, 650g of hand-rolling tobacco and a quantity of illicit vapes.

Digital ID scheme Bill

The King’s Speech announced the Digital Access to Services Bill, which will deliver powers to develop a new voluntary digital ID scheme to access public services. Digital ID will be mandatory for Right to Work checks by the end of the Parliament in 2029, aimed at preventing those with no right to be in the country from finding work.

Tobacco and Vapes Act sees retailers bin IQOS displays

Retailers have been told to remove IQOS window vinyls and backwall units from public view with immediate e ect a er new legislation states they cannot be displayed.

e Tobacco and Vapes Bill became law on 29 April, which means heated tobacco now falls under the Tobacco Advertising and Promotions Act restrictions and is subject to the same marketing rules as traditional cigarettes.

As a result, Philip Morris Limited (PML) UK has con rmed that certain promotional materials for IQOS are no longer compliant and must be removed from the shop oor. ese include IQOS window vinyls, IQOS backwall units and product display or promotional materials that reference TEREA, DELIA or the heated tobacco category as a whole.

PML’s B2B team will be in touch with IQOS retailers shortly to handle the removal and disposal of any noncompliant IQOS vinyls.

Display and advertisement of other categories such as zero tobacco, vapes and nicotine pouches is permitted for the time being under the existing legal framework, and subject to standard age veri cation.

From January 2027, it will be illegal to sell any tobacco product to anyone born a er 2008. e ban

CRIME

Police Scotland names new Head of Retail Crime Taskforce

Chief Inspector Jordan Low (pictured) will replace DCI Jackie Knight as Head of Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce.

Low was previously in charge of the National Acquisitive Crime Prevention Team, working across Scotland with partners to reduce acquisitive crime in communities.

He said: “It’s a great honour to take over as Head of the Retail Crime Taskforce and I can’t wait to get started.

“My intention is to continue the outstanding work that has been undertaken in the last 12 months to tackle retail crime, improve retailer and public con dence in our policing response to such o ences, and increase the number of arrests and detections in this area.”

covers cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, cigarette papers and heated tobacco consumables including TEREA and DELIA sticks. However, LEVIA and IQOS devices are not included in the ban.

e new legislation will also introduce a minimum age of 18 for nicotine pouches.

e Act also includes new restrictions on vaping products, including a ban on advertising and sponsorship of vapes and nicotine products, and powers to introduce tighter controls on packaging, branding and in-store displays.

e Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has highlighted that further detail and regulations on vape product compliance, merchandising and display restrictions are expected and may require operational changes in store.

Stirling

to tackle shoplifting with Shopwatch scheme

e Business Improvement District (BID) for Stirling city centre, Go Forth Stirling, has announced plans to introduce a Shopwatch initiative to help retailers tackle shopli ing and antisocial behaviour.

e project would see the BID facilitate and subsidise a digital radio system that Stirling retailers could use to share information, photographs and intelligence with each other. e scheme would also link businesses with Police Scotland, the istles shopping centre and the city’s CCTV system.

Being part of a shared radio scheme would enable retailers to work together and warn each other of criminal activity.

Project Director at Go Forth Stirling, Danielle McRorie-Smith, said: “ is

is an important investment which will make a signi cant di erence to communication between businesses, help build con dence in Stirling’s economy and enhance its reputation as a safe city.”

e BID already works with Retailers Against Crime (RAC) to o er businesses the SentrySIS crime-reporting platform. Over the past year, Go Forth Stirling and RAC have also hosted several meetings to hear retailers’ concerns about shopli ing and antisocial behaviour.

BID proposes new initiative

RETAIL CRIME New boss “can’t wait” to start

STOCK UP NOW

Convenience Matters

with the SGF

This summer, the winners and losers won’t only be confined to the football pitch. While retailers will be hoping for good weather to capitalise on a busy sporting season, it will also mark a turning point for several key policy areas and regulatory changes.

It goes without saying that SGF, decision makers in both Westminster and Edinburgh, and stakeholders across the convenience supply chain have been busy the past several years.

To begin with, this autumn will bring forward the longexpected in-store restrictions on food and drink high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). Likewise, we expect to see a plethora of new policies announced on tobacco and vapes in the coming months, now that the UK Bill has finally become law. This includes the potential vape display ban announced in the SNP manifesto, alongside major developments on the growing impact of illicit trade, covered at our SGF Scottish Election Hustings in April.

In the meantime, the UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is making steady progress, and we now have a better understanding of key details, such as the deposit level, the Return Handling Fee and grants for retailers.

You can learn about all of this and much more at our SGF Mini Summit: Changing Face of Retail, on 11 June in Falkirk. Topics on the day will address important matters, such as DRS, HFSS, Illicit Trade and Tobacco & Vapes.

We hope the summit will provide clear, practical insight into what these changes mean for your business and how best to respond.

With expert-led panel sessions, industry speakers, and opportunities to engage directly with exhibitors, it is also free to attend for retailers.

Tackling retail crime and illicit trade is top ask of ScotGov

The SGF sets out key goals following the election, while the UK Government takes a stand against “dodgy shops”.

Following the SNP’s election win on 8 May, the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has said tackling retail crime and illicit trade will be its top priority for the new Scottish Government.

e SNP won 58 seats, falling short of an overall majority, while almost half of MSPs are new to Holyrood a er signi cant gains for smaller parties.

SGF said it will engage with MSPs to understand how elected representatives plan to support the industry on issues including crime, illicit trade, business rates, the environment and public health.

e trade body spoke of the need for a meaningful review of the impact of over-regulation and highlighted the immediate need for ScotGov to prioritise cracking down on illicit trade.

“At times when global economic pressures are at an all-time high, the Scottish Government should be working to back sectors such as ours, not bring in ever-tighter restrictions, higher taxation, and a conveyor belt of new regulations,” said SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema.

“Urgently tackling the growing trend in retail crime and illicit trade will of course be our number one ask for the new government.”

He told SLR: “ e [Retail Crime] Taskforce has made signi cant headway, and it has proven the case that targeted funding can make a big di erence. However, in real terms, £10 million is nowhere near the level needed to bring about lasting change. We want to see the success that has been delivered scaled up to the whole of Scotland. While also ensuring Trading Standards and the wider justice system are properly resourced, will be critical.”

He added: “Convenience retailers play a vital role in communities across Scotland, o ering essential goods and services, supporting local employment,

and contributing to local economies within easy reach of customers. It is therefore important that the new Cabinet and First Minister engage early with the sector and recognise the challenges retailers are facing.”

Meanwhile, the UK Government has announced new measures to tackle illicit trade with the creation of a High Street Organised Crime Unit, which is set to embark on a “nationwide crackdown on dodgy shops”.

e Home O ce has set out measures to back responsible retailers, including a £30m package to tackle criminal activity linked to high street businesses.

e initiative will crack down on rogue barber shops, vape stores, mini-markets and other disreputable shops, alongside the creation of the new unit to coordinate action between enforcement agencies, government departments and Trading Standards.

e measures will increase enforcement activity on the ground, including £6m of additional Trading Standards funding to enable o cers to investigate and act against rogue businesses.

e UK-wide scheme will be run by the National Crime Agency (NCA) over the next three years, with 75 new police o cers deployed across NCA and in the English regions of Greater Manchester, the West Midlands, and Essex and Kent.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “Criminal gangs have exploited our high streets to launder their dirty money and undercut honest businesses. We are hitting back with a nationwide crackdown to shut these fronts down, seize dirty cash and drive organised crime o our high streets and put bosses behind bars.”

Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Chief Executive Ed Woodall added: “Local shops tell us that rogue traders on high streets are causing massive damage to their businesses and the wider community, so we strongly welcome this Government action.”

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TOUGH YEAR BRINGS OUT THE BEST

Well, the judging for this year’s SLR Awards is complete – and what an epic six weeks it’s been. I’ve covered 4,000 miles and visited every store on the shortlist. It’s gruelling, but it’s the most inspiring six weeks of my year.

The biggest learning? I can sum it up in two ways: investment and a focus on cash profit. Every year since Covid, investment has been rocketing, but after the torrid year we’ve all had, I was fully prepared to see a lull in investment during this year’s judging. It’s been a horrible year for many, after all.

The reality, however, is that spending on stores is the highest I’ve ever seen it in nearly 25 years of doing the SLR Awards. Of course, I’m only seeing shortlisted stores, which should be among the best in the business – but the scale of investment is reaching mind-boggling levels.

It’s difficult to get an accurate handle on the scale of investment across the shortlisted stores, and there are always some massive single investments that skew the numbers – but I’d be confident that the total spend across all shortlisted stores is comfortably north of £20m. I find that incredible and inspiring in equal measure.

Local retailing in Scotland has entered a new era. We’ve levelled up and that massive investment is being rewarded at the till. And it’s not just throwing money at things for the sake of it. It’s the quality of thought going into these investments, not just the number of pound notes, that is most striking.

It feels like we’re leaving the ‘sales’ model behind and moving towards the ‘cash profit’ model. The nature of local retailing these days, with rapidly increasing direct costs and overheads, means that simply doing a big weekly turnover is no longer enough to guarantee a sustainable business. It’s a big weekly cash profit that makes the local retailing world go round. Sales for vanity, profit for sanity and all that.

How does that look in cold, hard reality? Firstly, it’s an increased focus on high-margin categories – food to go, coffee and vaping, for example – but it’s also an increased focus on reducing overheads through better use of tech and more reliance on self-serve, be that self-serve tills or self-serve units like coffee and premium slush machines.

There’s also a big shift towards differentiation. How do you make your store a destination store? One way is by offering a range that customers can’t find anywhere else. Often that means local suppliers across categories like butchery, bakery and fresh.

The progressive stores I’ve seen this year have long since moved from a reliance on traditional convenience categories. The priority in-store is majoring on specific categories that turn the business into a true destination store: food to go, wine, imported products, high-quality fresh and more. Being famous for something has never been more critical.

The most impressive stores I have seen have a laser focus on profits, not sales. It’s a lesson for us all, and it’s one the entire sector will need to embrace in the near future.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

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FIGHTING YOUR CORNER

SLR speaks to new Chief Executive Ed Woodall about how the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is supporting Scottish retailers.

BY SARAH BRITTON

Ed Woodall was appointed ACS CEO in January this year a er James Lowman stepped down following nearly two decades at the helm of the ‘Voice of Local Shops’. ey’re big shoes to ll, but Ed isn’t lacking in experience. He joined ACS in 2009 as Public A airs Assistant and worked his way up through the ranks to become Government Relations Director in 2020, before nabbing the top job.

When researching Ed ahead of our interview, SLR stumbled across his Facebook pro le photo, where he’s kitted out in a Superman out t, arm thrust up in the air in the classic superhero pose. But has he got what it takes to help the convenience sector tackle the triple threat of rising costs, spiralling crime and crippling overregulation? SLR nds out exactly what he’s got planned to make sure the Scottish Government understands the plight of convenience retailers and recognises their value.

YOU’VE PROMISED THAT ACS WILL BE “A MORE POWERFUL

VOICE” – HOW?

ere are two things in this fragmented political landscape that we’ve just seen happen in the elections in Scotland and across the rest of the UK. To really get cut through in that space, you have to have a real powerful and authentic voice. We’ve got lots of great data and information about the sector, but also I want to elevate the voice of retailers in our campaigning work and make sure that they have the opportunity to tell their story around the impact of crime; the cost of implementing the Deposit Return Scheme. It’s talking about the material impact on their businesses and the decisions they have to take o the back of that, because retailers are facing into making really hard decisions based on regulatory changes.

WHAT ARE THE KEY AREAS YOU WILL BE CAMPAIGNING ON?

ere are three standout areas:

Q Retail crime and the impact that’s having on retailers;

Q e cost of trading, which encompasses lots of di erent issues like business rates, the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme and employment costs;

Q e illicit trade and rogue businesses on the high street.

CORNER

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ENGAGE WITH THE SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT?

Retail crime: ere are some very speci c things in the SNP manifesto that we need to look at, such as the Retail Crime Taskforce and the investment in that. It’s really important that we keep focusing on how we get police investing in retail crime issues. e real di erence is not just legislation that gets passed, but actually how retailers see the interaction with their local police forces and see when there is a the , when there is violence towards their sta , that they actually get that connection. And the only way that’s going to happen is if we keep talking about the impact that it’s having and keep talking about the investments that retailers are making. It’s really great that it’s acknowledged in the manifestos and I want to keep us pushing on that.

Plugging the reporting systems in between the retailers and that Taskforce is going to be really key, and making it easier for retailers to report should be a focus of that money, as well as obviously uniformed o cers on the ground.

Once you have it reported in, you can connect o ences and that can have a much bigger impact long term.

Illicit trade: One key thing in this space that we need to keep banging the drum on is an investment in enforcement activity.

We did some analysis around how much [Trading Standards] funding was needed across the whole country and it was something like £140m across ve years, which I think worked out at about £30m just for Trading Standards in Scotland to be able to enforce new regulations.

So it’s absolutely the case that they need more and separate funding to what’s in that [Retail Crime] Taskforce to be able to do the job and the scale of the challenge of the illicit trade that retailers are seeing out there and report to us and re ect to us. In our recent crime report, 85% of retailers were saying they have seen an increase in the level of illicit trading in their communities.

We can always improve the powers and the laws around nes and around closure orders and the threat – we’re making progress on that. But actually, you’ve got to have Trading Standards teams out there, working with the police to enforce it, to close down locations that are trading in an irresponsible way. Because

unless you’re closing them down, then they are going to carry on trading in another format or another way and pop back up. ey are ultimately undercutting responsible retailers and that’s having obviously a material impact on their trade, but also a material impact on the perception of safety in the community. I think when people see those shops trading, they don’t feel they’re safe and therefore they don’t go out and shop. ey don’t feel as good about the local area and their community.

e best enforcement response is Trading Standards working with the police, working with local licensing teams. ose agencies working together can use all the regulatory levers to be able to shut down stores very e ectively. Sometimes it’s better to use licensing powers, sometimes it’s better to use re safety powers. at cross-agency response is important and that can only really be coordinated and encouraged by government.

SNP’s proposed vape display ban: is will be a key area for us to engage with [the SNP] on and help them understand that that has big implications for retailers in terms of the cost of re tting stores to manage that; the impact on the range of products that they can supply; and also just the visibility of those products to customers around how they can understand and access them if they want to access them in the same way.

Our view would be that a good compromise position is to say, ‘yes, you do need to restrict vape displays’, but probably to on the checkout and behind the checkout, as opposed to treating them the same way as tobacco products. You still get to control the sale of those products. ey’re age-restricted products and having them around the till can help with that, but they are not the same as tobacco products.

Cost of business: Business rates is a big area that retailers are always concerned about in terms of cost pressures and how the system will be reformed over time, in the sense of no retailer being penalised when they invest in their store. So if someone wants to expand their store or invest in new equipment in the store, that they don’t lose things like the Small Business Bonus Scheme or they don’t get charged more for putting things in like CCTV or new racking or new equipment and machines in store.

Looking at how we value physical retail space as serving the community has to be a re ection for the Scottish Government going forward, because those reliefs and those investment incentives are absolutely key.

e other challenge is looking at the whole picture of all the regulations. ey all have a cost, they all have an impact on retailers, and when you take them cumulatively, you start to see why retailers won’t be able to invest in other areas because they’re so focused on having to be compliant with those new regulations. And that’s the balance that really has to be struck. If the government wants growth, they have to help retailers in that space and think about the regulatory environment they operate in.

WHAT ELSE CAN ACS HELP LOCAL RETAILERS WITH?

HFSS: With the High Fat, Salt & Sugar regulations coming into Scotland from 1 October, we have a dedicated piece of guidance to help retailers [within the scope] think about how they have to re-lay out their stores. Probably most front of mind for lots of retailers is understanding where they can put things in stores. In a very graphic way, the guide shows that you can’t put products on end of aisles, you can’t put things at checkouts, and you can’t put things at store entrances, and it helps you navigate that really clearly. Obviously, this policy has already been introduced in England, so the guidance is very much tried and tested. ere’s a resource [acs.org.uk/advice] for retailers to use, which has been updated to re ect the Scottish Government regulations and guidance.

DRS: e introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme [in October 2027] means there’s a lot of big decisions for retailers to make, and we’ve produced some information that helps retailers think about the three options they have: an exemption, manual take-back, or reverse vending machine, and the associated costs.

e decision to introduce a deposit return scheme is going to be very location-speci c to

individual retailers. You’ve really got to think, ‘Will my customers return containers back to the stores?’; ‘Can I t the machine in?’

I think retailers would have to really think hard about manual take-back, especially if they’re doing parcel collection services or Post O ce, because they already have a lot of pressure on the space behind their checkouts. Do you want to add more pressure in terms of customers queuing up to bring back containers, as well as the space there alongside parcels and packages? ere are also just very basic things to consider, like do you have a place for your sta to wash their hands? It’s this level of practicality that we need to really think about before we make those decisions.

e other question we’re really trying to address in that guide is understanding your return rate. e key thing for retailers to try and work out is will they get enough containers back to be able to break even when having a reverse vending machine in their stores.

e generational tobacco ban e nal bit of guidance information we’re giving to retailers is around the introduction of the generational tobacco ban. We’ve launched a campaign called Decline09. is is about helping colleagues and customers understand that from 1 January 2027, anyone born on or a er 1 January 2009 will not be able to purchase tobacco products in the future.

So retailers will have to decline anyone born a er 2009 from buying those products. ere are some resources there, but also mandatory posters for retailers to put in store. at’s key because mandatory signage on tobacco has been so set for so long that people o en have the signage built into their gantries and displays. ose are going to have to be changed before 1 January, which takes some thought and extra planning in advance. So we’ve got lots and lots of materials there to help retailers navigate those challenges now.

ANY LAST WORDS OF ADVICE FOR RETAILERS?

Retailers need to look at what they do in stores to deliver for their customers and really think about ‘what is the customer mission for my store?’ and ‘how am I serving that really well?’ and ‘how am I solving a problem for them’. Being precise around those areas are what I see the most successful retailers doing. It gives the business real focus, and the more you can drive that around shopper missions, the better.

That’s Nuts PMPs

PepsiCo has launched a new £1.35 price-marked pack of its top-selling That’s Nuts flavours, Doritos Chilli Heatwave and Walkers Salt & Vinegar. The new PMP format is available in 60g packs and is designed to appeal to shoppers looking for bold flavours combined with clear, on-shelf value. The pricemarked packs will sit alongside the brand’s existing five-strong range of 160g SKUs.

Toffifee launches movie night promo

Toffifee has rolled out its biggest on-pack promotion to date, in support of at-home entertainment occasions. Running until 24 July across Toffifee 125g packs, the promotion offers prizes including 300 digital Mastercards worth £120, equivalent to a year of streaming, alongside 250 £10 Movies by Rakuten TV digital gift cards and 3,000 Movies by Rakuten TV rental voucher codes worth £5.50.

Frylight unveils fully recyclable spray pump

Spray oil brand Frylight has launched a new fully recyclable spray pump, described as the first all-in-one recyclable spray pump of its kind across FMCG in the UK. Until now, Frylight’s spray mechanism –like most pumps on the market – contained a metal spring, meaning it could not be recycled through standard household recycling. The redesigned pump is now made entirely from plastic, allowing it to be recycled.

‘Rivals’ monkeys to be won PG Tips has partnered with Disney+ to support the launch of the second season of ‘Rivals’ with an on-pack competition. Shoppers have the chance to win one of 3,000 limitededition Rivals-inspired PG Tips Monkeys. Support includes a media campaign across TikTok, Meta and video on demand, alongside in-store activations, as well as a range of shopper marketing activities.

Product News

CASH IN ON CONFECTIONERY – P40

SOFT DRINKS Chelsea’s Cole Palmer signs for Coke

Coca-Cole-a

Coca-Cola has appointed England and Chelsea player Cole Palmer as its latest brand ambassador, linking the partnership to a summer of activation across Coca-Cola and Powerade.

Palmer will feature in activity tied to Coke’s role as Official Soft Drink Partner of the Premier League, alongside wider footballled campaigns. He will also support activations linked to the Fifa World Cup 2026 as part of Coca-Cola’s longstanding partnership with the tournament.

SNACKS

Shoppers can win £20,000

KP launches ‘Catch and Win’ promo

CONFECTIONERY Reena rules roost in Crème Egg competition

KP Snacks has launched a cricket-themed on-pack promotion, ‘Catch and Win’, o ering shoppers the chance to win £20,000 alongside daily cricket-related prizes. Running to 23 August, the promotion runs across Hula Hoops, KP Nuts, Tyrrells, McCoy’s, Pom-Bear, popchips and Skips. Instant-win prizes range from tickets to e Hundred in 2026 and e Ashes in 2027, to England Cricket Store vouchers and cricket sets.

FOOD TO GO Meals That Matter returns to Co-op

Co-op, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners and Special Olympics Great Britain have relaunched Meals That Matter for 2026.

The campaign raises funds for Special Olympics GB through Co-op lunchtime meal deals.

The first burst of activity is fronted by Angus Leckonby, a triathlete and swimmer, whose images appear on in-store materials in participating stores.

Reena Patel, owner of Senners newsagents in Ongar, Essex, has scooped £1,000 worth of vouchers after winning the 2026 Cadbury Crème Egg ‘How Do You Display Yours’ competition.

The competition invited retailers to get creative and share their most imaginative and eye-catching Crème Egg displays on Mondelez International’s retailer site, SnackDisplay.co.uk. In addition to the grand prize, there were four runner-up prizes ranging from £250 to £500 vouchers, as well as 25 x £25 vouchers up for grabs.

CONFECTIONERY

Cadbury wants to ‘Gift a First Gig’

Cadbury has launched a new nationwide campaign, ‘Gi a First Gig’, in partnership with Academy Music Group, Ticketmaster and Camp Bestival.

e campaign is designed to encourage music fans to share the experience of attending a live performance with someone who has never attended a concert.

Consumers can nominate recipients via Cadbury UK’s Instagram channel, with activity running across digital platforms and Ticketmaster.

SNACKS Pepsico goes football crazy

e initiative is supported by England Women’s football captain Leah Williamson, who is acting as a brand ambassador for the campaign.

e campaign also takes in a collaboration with the Camp Bestival event.

Walkers kicks off Fifa World Cup 2026 activity

Pepsico has launched its Fifa World Cup 2026 partnership activity, with promotional packs of Walkers, Doritos and Wotsits o ering shoppers the chance to win instant prizes.

Prizes include Fifa World Cup 2026 merchandise, home viewing bundles and food delivery vouchers, as well as entry into a prize draw for two £10,000 prizes, or euro equivalent.

Footballers David Beckham, ierry Henry and Lionel Messi will appear on packs across the Walkers core 150g sharing range. ey will also feature in ‘ e Greatest Watch Party Ever’ – a new Walkers TV ad.

Walkers is also launching a range of globally inspired limited editions to support the partnership, including English Bangers & Mash, Walkers Wavy Spanish Queso and Walkers Max Portuguese Chorizo & Onion.

Doritos Mexican Beef Taco also launches as a permanent addition to the Doritos range. Wotsits Golden Balls will launch as a limited-edition Smokin’ Cheese avour snack in a golden football shape.

Del Monte unveils Toy Story 5 competition

Del Monte has launched a new competition as part of its on-pack collaboration with Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5. Shoppers can win an ‘Ultimate Action-Packed Family Adventure to San Francisco’ inspired by the new movie, which is released on 19 June. Additional co-branded Del Monte and Disney prizes are up for grabs via social media.

Alongside digital activation, the partnership includes venue activity at O2 Academy sites and wider ticket promotions, with Cadbury products will be available at participating venues.

PROTEIN

Grenade pulls pin on consumer and retailer competitions

Grenade has launched its first nationwide consumer competition for its protein shakes range.

Running to 30 June 2026, the promotion gives shoppers the chance to win hundreds of prizes, including a holiday worth £5,000.

Retailers who buy an 8 x 330ml case of Grenade Protein Shakes can enter a prize draw for the chance to win a share of £5,000 cash, split across five £1,000 prizes. The promotion is supported by digital out-of-home activity and in-store displays.

Retailers can find full details at grenade. com/pages/wincash.

Bold new Bear

Bear has refreshed its entire portfolio with a bold new pack design, aimed at improving shelf standout and making healthier snacking easier for shoppers to navigate. The relaunch is supported by a masterbrand marketing campaign running across digital platforms including Meta, YouTube, Amazon Prime and Disney+, alongside in-store activations at key retail moments such as Back to School and Halloween.

Delice de France launches 2026 Spring/Summer range

Delice de France has published its 2026 Spring/Summer catalogue, introducing 47 new products across bread, patisserie, savoury snacking and chilled food to go. The latest range sees the bakery supplier broaden its offer beyond core bread and pastry, with new sandwich fillings, pizza toppings, spreads and soup designed to help operators simplify ordering and increase basket spend.

Baker Street updates rolls

Baker Street has rolled out a major recipe reformulation and brand refresh across its core rolls range as it looks to better align with changing shopper expectations. The updated recipes apply to Baker Street’s 6 Burger Buns, 6 Seeded Burger Buns, 6 Mega Seeded Burger Buns and 4 Hot Dog Rolls. Each product now features a cleaner ingredient list, with fewer and simpler ingredients designed to improve overall quality.

Brands asks shoppers to share the gift of music

golden football shape.

Inch’s Cider has launched a new brand campaign, ‘The Really Good Cider’, supported by a nationwide rollout across TV, out of home, digital and social channels. The campaign is centred on a new TV ad which shows how an apple becomes Inch’s cider “from pip to sip”.

Rip and sip

Young Spirits has unveiled Vogo, fruit-flavoured 15% ABV vodkabased drinks in Strawberry Splash, Tropical Deluxe, Raspberry Blast and Citrus Zing flavours that come in 35ml ‘rip and sip’ pouches (RSP £1.85). All four are available from Filshill or directly from the manufacturer.

Spanish trip

Estrella Damm has rolled out its biggest UK campaign of the year, which aims to transport drinkers to Barcelona. Soundtracked by Another Sunny Day by Belle & Sebastian, the ad runs for five weeks across TV, video on demand, cinema, outdoor and social media channels.

Kopparberg predicts good weather for new campaign

Kopparberg has rolled out its biggest-ever national marketing push with the launch of ‘Bring Me Sunshine’, backed by a £6m ad spend during peak cider season. Live now, the campaign runs across TV, social media, streaming, out of home and in-store, aiming to drive visibility and sales during a key trading period for the category.

Retail support includes in-store displays, refreshed pack designs that are rolling out now, branded glassware and on-pack ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ messaging. A consumer

RTDs Absolut & Sprite launches multipack and partners Pride

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners hopes to put Absolut Vodka & Sprite at the centre of young adults’ summer plans with the launch of a new multipack format, supported by Pride partnerships across the UK.

Available now, the six-can multipack has an RSP of £10 and spans the full Absolut Vodka & Sprite range, including Original, Watermelon and Pineapple.

POS materials and digital assets are available via MyCCEP.com.

Eldorado rolls out World Cup PMP

Eldorado Tonic Wine is ramping up activity ahead of the Fifa World Cup with the launch of a new £8.99 price-marked 70cl pack, supported by a wideranging summer campaign across trade, media and consumer channels.

e limited-edition pack is loosely themed around the tournament and carries the

brand’s ‘No LD, No Party’ tagline.

Marketing activity includes wholesale and retail activation; out of home and social media; partnerships with the Reilly’s Ga and Football Park Scotland podcasts; and instore competitions o ering a variety of Eldorado-branded merchandise.

promotion also gives shoppers the chance to win a trip to Malta. e activity is intended to keep Kopparberg front of mind while supporting sales across its core range, including formats such as the Variety Pack and Kopparberg Alcohol Free.

Claire James, Shopper Marketing Manager at Kopparberg, said: “Bring Me Sunshine gives retailers a clear, scalable platform to activate in store, simplify choice across the range, and convert peak summer occasions into sales.”

BEER BrewDog gets behind underdog

BrewDog has launched a major summer campaign to coincide with the World Cup, with activity running across retail, bars, e-commerce and digital channels.

For the off-trade, the ‘Underdog’ campaign includes a nationwide ‘Win a Year of Beer’ promotion, with more than 2.8m promotional packs landing in stores. Fifty ‘Underdog’ cans have been hidden across participating packs, with winners receiving free beer for a year.

The promotion spans BrewDog Punk IPA, Hazy Jane New England IPA and Wingman Session IPA 4x330ml packs, alongside Lost Lager and Cold Beer 10x440ml formats.

CIDER Shoppers can win a trip to Malta

TONIC WINE Themed bottle backed by marketing push

Pip to sip

Canned Spritz

Au Vodka’s been Tango’d

Au Vodka has partnered with Carlsberg Britvic and Tango to launch a new premium RTD.

Available now as a limited edition, Au Vodka x Tango comes in both Apple and Orange avours in cases of 12 x 330ml sleek cans.

e apple variant contains 109 calories per 330ml and the orange 96, which Au Vodka Sales Director UK & Ireland Tom Smith said, “is crazy”.

e launch will be supported by a national and trade PR campaign, with further activity planned throughout the summer.

Jackson Quinn, Co-Founder of Au Vodka, said: “Combining the recognition and familiarity of Tango with Au Vodka’s established

consumer audience creates a product with broad appeal across both retail and on-trade channels.”

Munnawar Chishty, Chief Marketing O cer at Carlsberg

Britvic added: “Tango Apple and Orange are two of the brand’s most iconic avours, making them a natural t for a premium ready-todrink collaboration.”

Campari Group has launched Aperol Spritz To Go, marking the flagship aperitif brand’s first foray into the booming ready-to-drink category. At 5% ABV, it delivers the classic sparkling bittersweet orange profile of the GB on-trade’s favourite cocktail serve in a 250ml sleek can.

Wignac debut

Cidres Wignac has launched its range of organic ciders in cans in Scotland for the first time. Available now via Casa Julia, the 250ml can range includes Wignac Organic Pomme Cider (4.5% ABV), Wignac Organic Rosé Cider (4.5% ABV) and Wignac Organic NonAlcoholic Cider.

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: GRADO!

AWARDS CEREMONY:

WED 17 JUNE 2026

Following two rounds of paper judging and a six-week period of onthe-road store visits, the judging for the SLR Awards 2026 is now complete. Editor Antony Begley has covered around 4,000 miles and visited every single store on the shortlist, guaranteeing a consistency of judging standards that is quite simply unique to the SLR Awards.

On his travels, he was joined by more than 20 fellow judges who visited every corner of Scotland, from Lockerbie and Eastriggs in the south to Lochcarron in the north – and everywhere in between.

Antony commented: “The standout feature from this year’s judging has once again been the scale of investment and the ferocity of ambition that is being demonstrated throughout Scotland. It’s something that our sector should be immensely proud of and there’s no doubt in my mind that the future of Scottish local retailing is in fantastically capable hands.

“It’s probably fair comment to say that you could make a strong case for virtually every store on the shortlist to be a winner. The

The judging for the SLR Awards 2026 is now complete and we’re delighted to announce that our host for this year will once again be the force of nature that is Grado, back by popular demand.

standard has been thoroughly impressive, made all the more impressive against the backdrop of what has been an immensely challenging year for the sector.”

STEVENSTON SUPERSTAR

SLR is also delighed to announce that the one and only Grado will be making his way from the tap end of Stevenston to join us at the Radisson blu in Glasgow on June 17 to host the SLR Awards once again.

Grado is very much back by popular demand and will bring his unique brand of chaos and banter to the event for a second year as we celebrate this exceptional industry and have a damn fine time in the process.

It’s an event you don’t want to miss, so grab your tickets to make sure you’ll be there on the night to celebrate the very best of Scottish local retailing.

2026 SHORTLIST

RETAILER

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

FORECOURT CONVENIENCE

RETAILER

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q

Q Spar Drumgelloch

Q

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Costcutter Falkirk

Q Girish’s @ Barmulloch

Q Jaz’s Premier Grangemouth

Q Spar Stenhousemuir

NEWSTRADE

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Costcutter Falkirk

Q

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q

Q

Q

Q

SCOTTISH BRANDS

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q

Q

Q David’s Kitchen Kirkcaldy

Q Spar Erskine

SMOKELESS ALTERNATIVES

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Day Today Overton

Q RaceTrack Strathclyde

Q Spar Greenock

SOFT DRINKS

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Premier DUSA

Q RaceTrack Strathclyde

Q Ravenspark Filling Station (Morrisons Daily)

Q Spar Kilbowie Rd, Clydebank

COMMUNITY

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Day Today Haddington / Premier Dunbar

Q Lochcarron Food Centre

Q Loch Lomond News, Balloch OFF-TRADE

NEW STORE OF THE YEAR

Q David’s Kitchen Bo’ness

Q Go Local Extra Lockerbie

Q Greens on the Go – Morrison St, Edinburgh

Q Spar Ladybank

REFIT OF THE YEAR

Q Londis Solo Convenience Store, Baillieston

Q Spar Eastriggs

Q Day Today Hay Avenue, Niddrie

Q Gibsons Premier, Glasgow

Q Lochcarron Food Centre

Q Premier New Elgin Service Station

SUSTAINABILITY

RETAILER OF THE YEAR

Q Costcutter Coylton

Q Premier DUSA

Q Spar Market Crosshouse

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Q Spar Denny

Q Spar Eastriggs

Q Spar Kincaidston

#THINKSMART INNOVATION AWARD

Q Day Today Anniesland Rd, Glasgow

Q RaceTrack Wishaw

Q Spar Market Crosshouse

LOCAL RETAILERS WELCOME FLAT 20p DEPOSIT FOR DRS

Scotland’s local retailers have broadly welcomed the news that a flat 20p deposit will be applied to all in-scope containers for the forthcoming DRS.

£0.20

Con rmation that a at 20p deposit will be applied for all inscope containers in the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been welcomed by convenience retail trade bodies, although the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) agged that retailers are still awaiting news on the critical retail handling fee.

When the DRS launches in Scotland, England and Northern Ireland on October 2027, the 20p deposit will be applied to all single-use drinks in PET plastic, steel and aluminium containers between 150ml and three litres at the point of purchase. e deposit will be fully refundable to consumers when the containers are returned.

e announcement follows a period of extensive consultation with industry and analysis of existing DRS across Europe and the rest of the world. is work looked at di erent deposit values and variable approaches to consider the most e ective way to ensure the deposit provides a su cient behavioural incentive for consumers to return containers, is proportionate and simple to understand and is workable for producers and retailers.

DRS operator Exchange for Change’s analysis included behavioural market research to test consumer response to deposit levels ranging from 10p to 30p. is showed that deposit levels below 15p are unlikely to

provide su cient incentive to help achieve target return rates of 90 per cent of containers within three years, while it was found that a 30p level could result in a disproportionate consumer cost exposure at the point of purchase.

e analysis also considered the potential of applying a variable deposit value depending on the size of container or material. While variable deposit structures are in place in some countries with a DRS, the analysis found this o en results in consistently lower return rates on smaller containers.

ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall said: “We welcome the announcement of the 20p deposit rate for the scheme as a signal that progress is being made at pace on the details of the scheme operation for retailers. ere are however still crucial parts of the scheme that we do not have clarity on yet, the most important of which is the rate of the retail handling fee, which will play the biggest role in retailers making a decision about how to be involved with the scheme.

“We remain committed to working with Exchange for Change to explain the details of the scheme to retailers, and to ensure that the scheme can be implemented in a targeted, sustainable way that causes minimal operational and cost burdens for the convenience sector.”

SCOTMID ONTHE-GO CONCEPT STORE LANDS IN UDDINGSTON

A small store with a big food-to-go offer is causing a stir in South Lanarkshire.

Scotmid opened its rst smallerformat on-the-go concept store in Uddingston at the end of August. e 1,600sq store on Old Edinburgh Road has been designed to deliver a more focused and e cient range, with more than 2,000 products tailored to the local community. Scotmid said that if the new format were benchmarked against a traditional Scotmid store of the same size, the new store would contain 20% more range.

Food to go lies at the heart of the new o er, which boasts an enhanced e Kitchen proposition, as well as a Chopstix Noodle Bar and Costa Co ee, plus a beer cave.

Head of Food To Go Danny Scobie attended the launch and was delighted by the store’s popularity.

“Wow! Based on the number of customers we served during peak breakfast and lunch today, this is going to be very successful!” said a jubilant Scobie, adding that customers were ‘buzzing’ for the Chopstix o er.

e store changes its o er for di erent times of day, serving a selection of cooked breakfast items, including sausage, bacon and hash browns during breakfast. Chopstix Asian-style fast food, such as noodles, spring rolls, sweet and sour chicken and salt ‘n’ pepper chicken, becomes available from noon until 9pm daily.

“A huge well done and thank you to everyone involved, from our space and format team to our contractors,” said Scobie, giving a special shoutout to Provan Contracts, who “smashed it out of the park”.

He also thanked audiovisual and digital specialist Trison and foodservice supplier Instock, as well as Costa.

e opening was marked by longest-serving team member Christine Steven cutting the ribbon. Christine has worked for Scotmid in Uddingston for more than 33 years, re ecting the retailer’s long-standing connection to the local area.

Residents who attended the launch were treated to a performance from Aitkenhead Primary School choir. ey also enjoyed a free Costa co ee and treats from South Lanarkshire’s Equi’s ice cream. e rst 50 customers were also gi ed goodie bags.

Representatives from Viewpark Church, whose food bank plays a vital role in supporting local people, also attended the opening. Both Viewpark Church and Aitkenhead Primary School received a donation from Scotmid, reinforcing its commitment to supporting local causes.

Brian Boyle, Chief Operating O cer – Retail at Scotmid, said: “ is new concept store re ects how our customers are choosing to shop today, with a greater focus on convenience, food to go and a demand for a more targeted range.

“We’ve designed the format to make the best use of space, while ensuring we continue to o er the products our customers rely on, alongside a strong mix of local suppliers.

“ is store is an important step in how we continue to evolve our estate to meet changing customer needs, while staying rooted in the communities we serve.”

SPAR SCOTLAND PUTS SUPPORT OFFER IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Learn what the country’s largest symbol group has to offer independent retailers at CJ Lang’s Depot Open Day.

Spar Scotland is inviting independent retailers to get up close and personal with a behindthe-scenes look at wholesaler CJ Lang’s distribution operation.

e Depot Open Day on 24 June will give prospective Spar retailers the opportunity to see rst-hand the scale, capability and support behind the group’s o er, bringing its Discover Spar Scotland campaign to life.

With more than 300 convenience stores across the country, CJ Lang operates an impressive distribution network from its Dundee base, employing around 1,800 people and running a eet of 55 vehicles to service stores nationwide.

e event will showcase the commercial, operational, marketing and category support available to Spar retailers across Scotland. Attendees will be able to meet the Spar Scotland team and nd out more about how the group supports independent retailers in building successful, community-focused stores.

Retailers will also have the chance to learn more about Spar Scotland’s brand partnerships with Barista

Bar Co ee to Go and Iceland Frozen Foods. ey will gain a taste of the symbol’s comprehensive fresh and chilled o er, as well as its exclusive CJ’s Food to Go operation and local supplier network.

What’s more, attendees can discover what promotional and marketing tools are available to Spar retailers, including the symbol group’s investment in gami cation, which has helped to grow footfall and increase customer engagement.

e event is designed to provide a true insight into what working with Spar Scotland looks like in practice, going beyond a depot tour to highlight the full package of support available to retailers.

From supply chain strength and depot operations through to people, services and commercial expertise, retailers will pick up a clearer understanding of the many ways CJ Lang supports store growth and day-today trading.

Attendees can also meet key members of the CJ Lang team, ask questions and explore how the business can help retailers improve standards and power up sales, while keeping community at their core.

DEPOT OPEN DAY 24 JUNE

The day will include:

Q An overview of the Spar Scotland proposition and the support available to independent retailers

Q A guided tour of the CJ Lang depot and distribution operation

Q Opportunities to meet key members of the CJ Lang team

Q Category showcases across key areas such as fresh, chilled, food to go, BWS, grocery and impulse

Q Information on Spar Scotland retailers’ exclusive access to Barista Bar Coffee to Go and Iceland Frozen Foods

Q Insight into promotional support, marketing activity and store development

Q Discussion around ranging, availability and operational support

Q A chance to ask questions and understand what joining or working with Spar Scotland could look like in practice

Wednesday 24th June

Discover why SPAR Scotland is the number one team in the country when it comes to growing your independent business.

• An overview of the SPAR Scotland proposition

• A tour of our award winning depot in Dundee

• Insight into category showcases

• Learn about exclusive access to Barista Bar Coffee & Iceland Frozen Foods

• Promotional support, marketing and store development insights

• Meet key members of the CJ Lang team on the day And lots more... Want to know more? Speak to the SPAR Scotland team today

Places are limited and on a first come first served basis. To find out more and book your place today email

SHETTLESTON ROAD RETAILER REVAMPS HIS DAY-TODAY SHOP

Glasgow-based Mohammad Rafi has added a digital dimension to his store.

Mohammad Ra has relaunched his Day-Today Express store on Shettleston Road, Glasgow, following a major re t. e shop now features a striking new black and red Day-Today fascia and refreshed storefront branding.

Working closely with the United Wholesale Scotland team, Mohammad embarked on a full internal shop t and category refresh.

Customer-facing digital media screens were installed across key in-store touchpoints, creating stronger promotional visibility to drive impulse sales. e screens can display key brand messages and help bring the shopping experience to life.

e store has also launched United Wholesale Scotland’s Spin to Win gami cation feature, which gives shoppers the chance to win free products in store and encourages increased footfall. e screens, which are installed at zero cost to the retailer and are wholly controlled by UWS, can run Day-Today group promotions as well as paid-for supplier partnerships.

“Customers like the [new-look] store,” Mohammad told SLR. “ ey’ve been playing the Spin to Win game, and they’ve won lots of products.”

e store is set to launch a Facebook page shortly to give the business a further boost.

Mohammad added: “I knew the store needed a fresh new look, but the nished transformation has exceeded all expectations. e new branding, digital screens and improved layout have completely changed the store.”

He thanked Development Manager Eddie McCrory and the rest of the Day-Today team for their help and guidance throughout the project.

e latest relaunch re ects the continued investment Day-Today is making to help independent retailers evolve their stores and compete in today’s fast-moving convenience sector.

e digitalisation of Day-Today stores began last June, with 15 stores tted out with gami cation and promotional screens.

Customers can spin to win a product every 24 hours, with UWS able to control how many times a customer wins within a set time period. When a customer wins, the screen prints a voucher for the retailer to scan alongside the prize product. e wholesaler then credits the retailer for the product given away.

UWS Managing Director Chris Gallacher said: “A big well done to Mr Ra and the Day-Today team. Keep an eye out for many more stores being transformed in the coming weeks!”

Join our SGF Mini Summit Changing Face of Retail –DRS, HFSS, Illicit Trade and Tobacco & Vapes

Thursday 11th June 2026

9am - 3pm

Inchyra Grange Hotel , Falkirk

Free for SGF Members and also open to Non-Members, the SGF Mini Summit will provide clear, practical insight into what these changes mean for retailers. Book your space today by scanning the QR Code, or contact events@sgfscot .co.uk

Rubicon Twist AG Barr

This new still flavoured water range comprises spring waters with real fruit extract and is designed to help retailers tap into incremental bottled water sales. It in three flavours: Mango Mist, Peach Punch and Berry Blast, with a £1.15 RSP per 500ml PET bottle. The launch comes as flavoured water continues to outpace wider water sales in symbols and independents.

Cornetto Max Magnum Ice Cream Co

Cornetto Max is a more indulgent format designed to drive incremental sales. It features multiple layers, including a chocolatey disk topping, a rich sauce centre and a combination of two ice cream flavours. Two variants are available now in four-packs (RSP £3.99): Hazelnut & Chocolate and Pistachio. The launch is backed by a £6m campaign that includes a new TV advert, radio and out-of-home activity.

Irn-Bru set for summer with Cherry Zero launch

Irn-Bru has strengthened its summer offer with the launch of a new Cherry flavour in its Zero range alongside the return of football-themed packs and a major advertising campaign.

Available now, Irn-Bru Cherry Zero is listed exclusively in the symbols and independents channel as a permanent line.

The launch builds on the recent addition of Irn-Bru Ice Cream to the core Zero range, which added £2.9m in category value at its original launch and became a permanent fixture earlier this year.

The Cherry flavour comes as low-calorie carbonates account for 55% of category value and continue to outpace regular variants, with Irn-Bru Zero growing significantly faster than the wider lowcalorie segment. Cherry-flavoured soft drinks are also seeing strong growth ahead of the summer.

Irn-Bru Cherry Zero is available in a 2L PET format (£1.79 PMP) and a 500ml PET format (£1.29 PMP). The brand encouraged retailers to create a three-strong block of Irn-Bru Zero variants in the chiller, supported by POS, to drive impulse sales and trial.

Red Bull Summer Edition Citrus Zest features the flavour of Sudachi lime, a small citrus fruit from Japan, and comes in single 250ml cans (RSP £1.80/£1.75 PMP), Sugarfree 355ml (RSP £2.20) and 473ml cans (RSP £2.75), as well as a 4 x 250ml Sugarfree multipack (RSP £5.75). The launch is supported by a ‘Work Off. Summer On’ marketing campaign from this month, spanning out of home, social media and sampling activity.

The NPD retains Twix’s established three-layer format of biscuit, caramel and chocolate, with the addition of hazelnut flavour to the caramel layer. Mars Wrigley said the launch is designed to drive brand penetration and recruit younger confectionery shoppers. The new variant will be supported by a major consumer campaign launching in early July, delivered under the brand’s ‘Two is More Than One’ platform.

This six-SKU premium gum range features three flavours: Watermelon Chill with added niacin (vitamin B3), Peppermint Hydro with a Quadra Blend to help keep the mouth feeling refreshed, and Spearmint Deep Clean containing xylitol and a mint scrub to help reduce surface tooth stains when used alongside normal tooth brushing. The range is available in single and bottle formats, and is sugar free and HFSS compliant.

The new adult snack pairs sticks of Pilgrims Choice cheese with flavourled dips in a convenient, fridgeready format designed for modern snacking occasions. Two variants roll out: Cheddar with Roasted Red Pepper dip, and Red Leicester with Mango Chutney dip. Both come in packs of three (3 x 52g) with an RSP of £2.85. The range launches in Sainsbury’s this month, with further listings planned for 2026.

Citrus Zest Summer Edition Red Bull

Extra Plus Mars Wrigley

Twix Hazelnut Mars Wrigley

Pilgrims Choice Dip & Dunk Ornua Foods

Florette Price-marked Packs

Florette

The salad brand’s first-ever price-marked packs are aimed at boosting sales in the convenience channel. Two of its bestselling SKUs – Florette Crispy (90g) and Florette Mixed (125g) – are now available as £1.25 PMPs. By focusing the launch on its highest-penetration lines, Florette said it is ensuring shoppers can easily access trusted products with transparent pricing, thus helping to drive volume, value and loyalty in convenience.

Monster Ultra Vice Guava CCEP

Pepsi ice cream flavours

Carlsberg Britvic

Pepsi’s three new ice creaminspired zero sugar cola variants are Cherry & Vanilla, Raspberry Ripple, and Salted Caramel Ice Cream. They are in Tesco now, ahead of a wider rollout of Cherry & Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple from 14 July. The new flavours come in an eight-can multipack (RSP £7.55), as well as 500ml plain/ PMPs (RSP £2.39). Cherry & Vanilla and Raspberry Ripple will also be available in 330ml single cans (RSP £1).

XQS mint range STG UK

Mülling things over

Müller has launched a new multimillion-pound campaign, ‘You Know How You Like It’. The campaign highlights the different ways shoppers enjoy Müller Corner across a range of snacking occasions, from dipping and mixing on the spoon at work to eating on the go. It runs until November 2026 across TV, online video, social and out of home.

Raiders of the lost trousers

The latest addition to the zero sugar Monster Ultra range is available now from Booker ahead of a wider roll out in late July. It combines ripened guava flavour with the Monster Energy blend and comes in 500ml single cans (plain and price-marked) with an RSP of £1.75. The Miami vice-inspired can design, featuring bold 80s styling, is intended to maximise on-shelf standout. Visit My.CCEP.com for POS materials and digital assets.

The new range includes The Spearmint (6mg), The Peppermint (10mg) and The Menthol, which is available in 11mg and 17mg strengths. All four variants have an RSP of £5.50. The Spearmint offers a milder strength alongside a long-lasting spearmint flavour, The Peppermint delivers a stronger nicotine hit with a cooling sensation, while The Menthol targets more experienced pouch users seeking higher intensity and faster effect.

Fridge Raiders has made a ‘significant’ media investment in its new ‘Chicken for the Road?’ masterbrand campaign. A new TV ad sees two hapless polar explorers suffer several calamities, including losing a pair of trousers, before pressing on with their expedition after opening a pack of Fridge Raiders and having some chicken for the road.

Spanish soul

Madrí Excepcional is back on screens with its advert featuring Spanish DJ duo Mestiza and celebrating ‘El Alma de Madrid’, or ‘The Soul of Madrid’. Rolling out in phases, the campaign is set to reach more than 22 million consumers. Video on demand, social and digital activity went live in May, with TV and out of home following this month.

Crumpet chaos

The launch of a dark chocolate variant builds on the success of Le Petit Chocolat, which is the brand’s number one product in the UK, and is designed to tap into demand for premium, indulgent biscuits. LU said the new variant offers a more sophisticated take on the range, aimed at moments of relaxation and self-treating. The 100g pack has an RSP of £2.25. The LU brand is worth more than £20m in the UK.

This new vape kit features a 2ml plus 10ml capacity click-on box format, and uses dual mesh coil technology with a dual power mode. The range includes eight flavours in total. Three starter kits are available in Blueberry Sour Razz, Pineapple and Strawberry Ice (all RSP £10.99). In addition, five pod-and-refill packs come in Lemon Lime, Blueberry Ice, Pineapple, Strawberry Ice and Blueberry Sour Razz (RSP £7.99).

Anchor butter’s new multi-channel campaign is spearheaded by a new 30-second TV ad that features a woman enjoying a well-buttered crumpet beside a canal, blissfully unaware that her boat is sinking behind her, and closes with the tagline ‘Let’s get absolutely buttered’. The campaign includes TV, online, PR, social media, out-of-home and in-store activations.

Best served fresh

Del Monte has launched a new summer campaign, ‘Fresh for the Win’, in partnership with British tennis player Mimi Xu. The campaign links fresh fruit snacking with active, everyday lifestyles. It targets younger audiences, families and tennis fans through a mix of social media, influencer engagement, retail support and experiential activity.

LU Le Petit Chocolat Noir Mondelez

blu MAX 6000 Imperial Brands

MAKING A SPLASH

The continued momentum of RTDs has driven the alcohol category to become the strongest performer in convenience, alongside so drinks, according to Talysis’ Q1 convenience report. In the rst quarter of the year, RTDs overtook cider, with impressive growth of +33.9% value and +24.9% volume year on year, reported the specialist convenience insight agency.

One of the biggest changes in the UK alcohol market in recent years has been the rapid rise of ready-to-drink (RTD) products, observes CocaCola Europaci c Partners. “Now worth over £735m in GB [Nielsen Total ARTD Value 52 w.e 24.01.26], the category is growing faster than any other alcohol segment [Nielsen Strategic Planner Total GB MAT 18.05.2025], with growth forecast at nearly 4.4% by 2028 [Global Data, Segment Insights (GB data 2024 to 2028)],” says Senior External Communications Manager

With

more and more brands riding the alcoholic RTD wave, find out which products are truly cutting through

Kate Abbotson. “ is makes the long-term opportunity clear.”

CROSS-CATEGORY COLLABS

CCEP has kept a tight focus on big-brand partnerships across its RTD o ering, with the likes of Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola, Absolut Vodka & Sprite, and Bacardi & Coca-Cola, as well as Schweppes canned cocktails.

is March, CCEP continued to drive growth in the alcohol RTD category with the launch of Absolut Vodka & Sprite Pineapple. e new line follows the success of the brand’s Watermelon variant, which made its debut in April 2025 and is now worth nearly £750k [Nielsen GB, Grocery, L52wks to 04.10.25], having achieved 84% purchase intent in testing [June 2024, sample size 417, 54%, Branded, Full Bottle Consumption, UK, South/ Mid/North].

the noise.

BY SARAH BRITTON

March also welcomed Bacardi Coca-Cola Spiced. Hot on the heels of the original Bacardi & Coca-Cola can, which has already generated £1.65m in value sales [Nielsen – Total Coverage – L52w/e 24.01.26] since launching last year, Abbotson claims that the new variant marks the next step in unlocking growth within the rumbased RTD segment.

To spice things up even more, CCEP has launched its rst-ever on-pack promotion across the Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD range, o ering shoppers the chance to win tickets to live music experiences and helping to drive further trial in this fast-growing category.

Abbotson notes how the incredible versatility of RTDs has made them so popular. “ eir grab-and-go appeal makes them particularly well suited to impulse purchases, with 70% of RTDs consumed within just two hours of purchase [BEACH].

NEW BRANDS INCOMING

But CCEP isn’t the only rm experimenting with RTD brand collaborations. Au has just teamed up with Tango to launch Apple and Orange vodka drinks. e 5% ABV drinks come in a 330ml gold can, complete with dual-branding and green and orange fruit graphics. e Apple avour contains just 109 calories while the Orange has 96.

Au Sales Director UK & Ireland Tom Smith explains that an “outside the box email” trying his luck with Carlsberg Britvic turned into “something huge”. e launch day saw six million cans distributed. “Big numbers, big launch, even bigger avour!” he posted on social media, describing the project as “one of my favourite things I’ve worked on at Au vodka”.

Jackson Quinn, Co-Founder of Au Vodka, said: “ is launch combines two brands with strong consumer awareness and gives retailers a product built for familiarity, visibility and high rate of sale.”

Munnawar Chishty, Chief Marketing O cer, Carlsberg Britvic, said: “ is collaboration re ects the growing crossover between alcohol and so drinks, particularly within the avourled ready-to-drink market.”

Another major player investing in RTDs is Campari Group, which has brought its agship aperitif brand, Aperol, into the category for the rst time, with the launch of Aperol Spritz in a can.

#1

cocktail serve in GB on-trade

[NIQCGAthroughitsMixedDrinks ReportfortheCocktail,52-week periodending06/09/2025

“Backed by the strength of the Aperol Spritz as the number one cocktail serve in GB ontrade [NIQ CGA through its Mixed Drinks Report for the Cocktail, 52-week period ending 06/09/2025], the new launch is primed to drive incremental value by attracting both existing brand loyalists and new-to-category shoppers –including younger audiences – seeking trusted, bar-quality serves in convenient formats,” says Matthew Lewty-Lee, Senior Customer Marketing Manager at Campari Group.

“At 5% ABV, it is optimised for sessionability and is perfect for outdoor and on-the-go occasions, helping retailers capture incremental spend as consumers enjoy the warmer weather this summer.”

ere’s more RTD action from Pernod Ricard with its West Coast Cooler, which hit UK shelves in April. Created by Irish Distillers in 1984, Ireland’s number one RTD [Nielsen Total Scantrack incl. Dunnes est. MAT to 22/02/2026] combines a premium wine base with sparkling water and fruit avours.

e range comprises two avours: Original, with citrus, pineapple and passion fruit; and Sunburst, with peach and mango (RSP £2.25, ABV 4%). e drink is set to appeal to healthconscious consumers seeking a lower calorie content and a lower ABV, with the latter a segment of the market which is expected to see volume growth of 7% [IWSR 2025 CAGR 20242028].

Feature Alcoholic RTDs

LOCAL OFFERINGS

Not to be left out of the RTD action, West Highland Spirits is tapping into the opportunity with two canned variants. The family-owned Lowland distillery, located in Dumbarton near the banks of the River Leven and Loch Lomond, has released a Raspberry Gin with Lemonade, alongside a Scottish Dry Gin & Tonic. The 330ml cans offer a lightly carbonated 5% ABV.

Euan MacEachern, Head of Production at West Highland Spirits says: “The inspiration for the cans came from the success of our canned beers. We moved out of bottle and into can exclusively in 2020 and saw our sales double overnight, with the lighter weight and convenience of aluminium cans a clear winner.”

Ian Peart, Commercial Director of Pernod Ricard UK, says: “ e launch of West Coast Cooler here in the UK is a great addition to our growing RTD portfolio and a brand-new proposition for the category, bringing with it loyal and nostalgic fans who will know it from its Irish homeland. e no/low, low-calorie space within this category is a strong source of growth and West Coast Cooler allows us to show up whilst staying true to our focus of premiumisation.”

West Coast Cooler is the latest addition to Pernod Ricard UK’s growing RTD portfolio, joining the likes of Malibu, Absolut and Jameson. It follows the launch of the Jameson, Ginger & Lime (JGL) RTD in its new 330ml format back in October 2025, which was followed by the release of its price-marked pack in March of this year.

HANDS UP FOR HIGHER ABV

At the other end of the ABV spectrum is Red Star Brands, which has evolved its leading Four Loko brand with a Remix range in Pink Pulse and Berry Blitza avours (RSP £4.50 per 330ml). Formulated in response to demand for higher ABV options especially amongst consumers aged 21-34, the 12% ABV drinks come in 330ml recyclable and resealable Tetra Paks.

“High ABV brands have added over £68m to the category in the last year and are growing at +103% in the L12wks [RI RTD L52 & 12wks 28.12.25] which o ers retailers some fantastic opportunities to capitalise on this trend,” says Ryan McCann, Director, Red Star Brands, highlighting that both variants are uncarbonated and ca eine-free for a cleaner sip and a longer drink.

“With High ABV RTDs increasingly popular in nightclubs and at parties and social gatherings, we’re con dent Four Loko Remix will be a big hit with consumers seeking the next big RTD experience.”

e rm is also adding to its popular canned range with Four Loko Jackpot. e 8.4% ABV

Raspberry Ripple avoured drink comes in a bold blue and pink pack design.

David Relph, Commercial Manager at Vogo, needs no convincing of the RTD category’s potential to generate strong sales this summer. “Stores can turn good weather into punchy pro ts with the right selection of drinks, especially new, eye-catching formats.”

PORTABLE POUCHES

And one of the most standout launches of the season is Vogo premixed vodka shots, in handy pocket-sized pouches. Available in four avours – Strawberry Splash, Tropical Deluxe, Raspberry Blast and Citrus Zing – Vogo packs a punch at 15% ABV per 35ml serving.

“When it comes to alcohol, many shoppers will be stocking up on portable, easy to carry, convenient RTDs that bring the avour and fun – either that they can consume on the way or take to the party,” says Relph.

e innovative drinks are aimed at the 20 to 35 age group and can be consumed immediately with a ‘rip and sip’ format – tear open, take a few sips, then recycle.

“With their high ABV, they appeal to established drinkers who love a night out with friends, and who are seeking new products to level up their social lives and make them more memorable,” says Relph.

Vogo is supporting Scottish local retailers with a starter pack, which contains 40 pouches (10 of each avour in shelf-ready packaging), and branded POS including fridge stickers and clip strips to bring the new brand to life and create appeal and interest in stores.

Relph says of the pouches: “ ey are individual, convenient and versatile and the format is portable, enjoyable and recyclable – ticking lots of boxes while meeting avour and taste expectations. ey can also be carried in pockets, rucksacks, bags and even bras, ready to be enjoyed during the event or party!”

All four SKUs in the Vogo range are already listed in Filshill Wholesale Scotland and are rolling out to national wholesalers.

Relph concludes: “RTDs can deliver serious pro t boosts for Scottish retailers as shops become the high street heroes for consumers on their way to garden parties, gatherings in the home and for the all-important pre-drinks before a night out on the town.”

ere’s no time to waste. Make sure you’re ready with an RTD range including big brands, a variety of ABVs and a fruit bowl of avours, and you’ll be set for summer.

YES SIR, WE CAN BOOGIE

Don’t Embarrass Scotland. Enjoy Buckfast Responsibly.

gets creative

Suppliers have been busy thinking up new ways to make confectionery fun, engaging and irresistible.

BY SARAH BRITTON

It’s not been plain sailing for confectionery of late. It was named by James Walton, Chief Economist at IGD, as one of the categories most a ected when food and drink in ation increased to 3.7% in March.

But despite this, it remains a category that consumers turn to for both enjoyment and comfort. “Sugar Confectionery is a resilient category as it delivers li s and treats for its consumers,” says Mark Roberts, Marketing & Trade Marketing Director at Perfetti Van Melle. “As we continue into a challenging economic landscape, confectionery remains an a ordable treat, giving retailers a compelling sales generator.”

However, the formats consumers are choosing are changing as they adapt to the rising cost of living. Shoppers are opting for larger pack sizes and sharing options within confectionery, which they perceive to be better value, notes Talysis in its Q1 convenience report. Countlines saw a dip of -8.4% in volume during Q1 2026 vs the same period last year, despite value growth of +4.5%, reports Talysis. At the same time, large bag formats increased by +9.6% in both value and volume terms, growing their value share of the category by 1.5% in the process.

Mentos has both countlines and sharing covered with its new Sour Tones sweets, which are available in both a 37.5g roll and a £1.25 120g price-marked bag. e confectionery brand behind the number one Fruit Single [Circana All Outlets, United Kingdom, Sweets to Format – Singles, Value Sales, 52 w/e 27 Dec 2025] has jumped on the ever-popular sour trend.

Victoria Gibson, Mentos Junior Brand Manager at Perfetti Van Melle, said: “Sour continues to be one of the fastest-growing avour trends, making up 12% of the market and worth £171m in sales. Sour- avoured products are growing 4.5 times faster than the Total Market [Circana All Outlets, Sweets to Sector – Fruit Sweets (Filtered by Flavour), Value & Volume Sales, 52 w/e 27 Dec 2025].

“Sour Tones hits the sweet spot for Gen-Z consumers while o ering retailers a compelling opportunity to drive incremental sales and pro ts from this high growth avour space.”

Available in Strawberry, Orange and Apple avours, Sour Tones is available in Dhamecha, Spar, Parfetts, United Wholesale (Scotland), Filshill and United Wholesale Grocers.

e new product sits in the £99m Hard Chews sweet category [Circana All Outlets & KWP Bargain Stores, Sweets to Type – Hard Chews, Value Sales, 52 w/e 27 Dec 2025] and has been strategically developed to help retailers drive sales from Gen Z shoppers, where avour is the number one reason to try something new [Innova Market Insights, Gen Z and Trends in Flavours report, 2023].

Sour sweets are a winner for Northamptonshire retailer Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Village Store & Post O ce. “We stock a variety of sour- avoured sweets across di erent brands and they are great sellers,” he says. “We nd how sour a product is creates a talking point in store too, connecting our sta with our customers.”

World of Sweets has also hit on the power of sour with its upcoming Traitors range, which ramps up the fun with ‘play-led’ treats.

Tapping into the hit BBC TV show, the interactive sweets are designed for at-home

FILM LOVERS’ FODDER

Toffifee has launched its biggest on-pack promotion, which is giving shoppers the chance to win a year of streaming and thousands of movie codes on packs of Toffifee 125g boxed chocolate.

“With 68% of UK households now subscribing to at least one streaming service [GB TGI –November 2024 – October 2025, Kantar Media, Total Audience 1.7m], and families making up 33% of boxed chocolate buyers [Kantar Boxed Chocolate, 52 w/e 27.12.25], the promotion taps into the nation’s love of watching films and TV together while sharing treats and snacks,” claims Storck.

Rebecca Robert, Marketing Director, says: “With shoppers continuing to feel the impact of rising living costs, value-driven promotions help retailers catch their shoppers’ attention while offering something extra for families to enjoy at home.

“Our latest Toffifee on-pack promotion builds on the success from last year, which saw an increase in sales. By offering even more chances to win prizes that bring people together through shared entertainment, we’re confident we can help retailers to drive even more sales this summer.”

socialising, sharing and surprise challenges.

Inspired by the tension, twists and social gameplay of e Traitors, the range has been developed to bring a stronger play element into confectionery. Surprise and reveal mechanics include sweet vs sour experiences, which World of Sweets expects will result in TikTokstyle reaction moments and ‘shareable content’.

‘shareable

“ is makes the range particularly relevant

“ is makes the range particularly relevant for retailers looking to drive incremental sales through products that o er entertainment value, not just taste,” says World of Sweets.

e Traitors range includes sweet or sour challenge Chews (120g, RSP £1.50); a Jelly-

e Traitors range includes sweet or sour challenge Chews (120g, RSP £1.50); a Jellybean Spinner Game (100g, RSP £3); Chocolate Coins (72g, RSP £1.75); and a Chocolate Shield Medallion (26g, RSP £1.50).

e range will be available from September, and World of Sweets claims that it has strong potential for secondary siting and branded FSDU activation to maximise visibility and encourage impulse conversion.

layered in eight avours: cherry, strawberry, orange, pineapple, lemon, green apple, blue raspberry and grape.

Gumi Yum Surprise, which made its UK debut last year, has delivered strong results, achieving £4.6m UK RSV and becoming one of the strongest-performing singles lines in convenience multiples.

e rm has a playled launch for younger consumers too, with its Gumi Yum Surprise Minions range, which launches this month, ahead of the release of Minions & Monsters in cinemas on 1 July 2026.

e product offers fruit- avoured gummy candy strips, which can be unwrapped from an egg inner to reveal a surprise toy inside. e sugar-dusted candy is

Director of Sales and Marketing at World of Sweets, Helen Bradshaw, says: “Gumi Yum Surprise has had a fantastic launch year in the UK, proving there is real appetite for confectionery that combines great-tasting candy with collectability and play value.

“ e launch of Gumi Yum Surprise Minions takes that momentum to the next level. With Minions & Monsters arriving in cinemas this summer, retailers have a brilliant opportunity to tap into a globally recognised family brand at a key sales period.”

Gumi Yum Surprise Minions will be available in 26g single units, packed 18 per case, with an RRP of £1.50, making it an a ordable treat for cash-conscious parents.

Tapping into the play-led trend and sourcing interactive sweets that stimulate the senses and capture consumers’ imaginations can help to keep confectionery sales sweet in 2026.

EXTRA! EXTRA!

No longer satisfied with simply having their thirst quenched, today’s soft drinks consumers are demanding functional benefits.

Faced with rising commodity prices and wavering consumer con dence, many categories are struggling, but So Drinks is positively thriving.

“So Drinks continues to be one of the most dynamic and resilient categories in Scottish convenience,” says Simon Gray, Founder of Fizz with Purpose and Exited Founder of Boost Drinks.

“Despite the challenges facing the wider grocery market, the category is growing at +6.4% year on year [Circana Scotland Convenience value sales to 11.04.2026] – but that headline gure masks a more nuanced story. Growth is increasingly concentrated in speci c sub-categories, and the retailers best positioned for the summer ahead are those who understand where momentum is really coming from.”

He claims the category is going through its “most signi cant structural shi in a generation”, highlighting that growth is not evenly distributed.

“Traditional pillars like Cola (-0.1% YoY) and Flavoured Carbonates

(+2.2% YoY) are performing well below the total category [ibid].”

at’s not to say the cola category isn’t worth attention. “Big brands remain key,” states CocaCola Europaci c Partners Senior External Communications Manager Kate Abbotson.

“And that includes the Coca-Cola portfolio, accounting for 63.1% of value sales in cola [Nielsen, Total Coverage, value sales, 52 weeks MAT to 26.01.2026]. Coca-Cola Original Taste continues to hold its position as GB’s number one so drink and is now worth £904.25m in retail value [ibid], while Coca-Cola

Zero Sugar has grown to £483m [ibid].”

Meanwhile, avour-led innovations like Coca-Cola Cherry Float, launched in February, tick the nostalgia box as well as tap into the cherry trend.

“Cherry variants in particular have delivered £287m in value sales over the past year [ibid],” says Abbotson. “Re ecting this momentum, Diet Coke, now worth £499m [ibid], has added a permanent cherry variant to its range with Diet Coke Cherry.”

While certain cola lines from the big hitters are guaranteed to y o shelves, the category powerhouse within so drinks is Sports & Energy, which contributed 35% of all so drinks growth [Nielsen Scantrack, Total Coverage, 52 weeks to 10 Jan 2026].

Monster is now worth over £856m [Nielsen GB, Total Coverage, L52 weeks to 27.12.2025] and its innovation has driven more than half of energy drinks’ innovation sales in the last year [Nielsen, Total GB, MAT to 22.03.26], says Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners.

energy drinks’ innovation sales in the last year

Monster Ultra Vice Guava is the brand’s latest NPD, rolling out nationwide from late July. Guava avours have grown by over 22% in the last two years [GlobalData Flavour Review], and Monster Ultra Vice Guava has become Monster’s bestselling Ultra avour in the US [Nielsen Total US xAOC + Convenience L13 weeks, units sold and UROS to 12.07.2025].

NEW SOFT DRINK, EXTRA BENEFITS

Monster is not the only hero in Sports & Energy. Red Bull claims it accounts for over 37% of category sales and delivers double-digit growth year on year [NIQ Scantrack, Total Coverage, 52 weeks to 31.01.2026].

e brand recently released its Summer Edition Citrus Zest, avoured with Sudachi lime, which will be supported by a ‘Work O . Summer On.’ marketing campaign launching this month.

Red Bull recognises that the energy market is evolving, with certain ingredients and functions coming to the fore. “Gut health, protein and emerging functional ingredients are creating new categories within categories,” says a spokesperson. “However, the biggest bene ciary of the ‘functional trend’ in cash terms is functional energy – driven by Red Bull and Monster.”

Red Bull adds that energy drinks typically require signi cantly more space than they did a year ago. “Ensuring enough space is available for fast sellers needs to be a focus – with 88% of Sports & Energy sales coming from just three brands (Red Bull, Monster and Lucozade Energy).”

Functionality has become an increasingly important driver when choosing a so drink, concurs Lucozade brand owner Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I. e company recently added Grafruitti Zero Sugar to Lucozade Energy’s permanent line-up, following a fullsugar limited-edition launch in 2015.

“Well over half (61%) of so drink purchasers would like to see more so drinks with additional health bene ts [Mintel So Drinks Review 2025],” says Sales Director Alpesh Mistry. “ is desire for ‘something extra’ is particularly strong among young adults, with interest in functional so drinks peaking at 77% among 16–34-year-olds [MTP Trends Framework 2026–28]. Consumers are primarily looking to so drinks to provide the bene ts they need, with two-thirds (67%) preferring to drink a so drink with added health advantages rather than take a vitamin supplement o ering the same e ect [ibid].”

Gray is also aware of the category’s appeal to young adults, noting that nearly half of Gen Z (49%) are already switching towards functional drinks [VYPR Predict, 500+ 18–45-year-old OFC/Adult So Drinks/Wellness Drink buyers, Sept 2025]. “With this cohort set to account for 39% of UK retail spend by 2030 [Accenture Strategy and Clearpay], their in uence on the category will only accelerate,” he says.

He points to Modern Soda – clean-label, better-for-you carbonates o en featuring functional attributes – as a segment well placed to meet this demand.

“Modern Soda is perhaps the standout story, up +684% in value year on year in Scotland from a still-small base [Circana Scotland Convenience value sales to 11.04.2026], which tells you two things: the momentum is extraordinary, and the headroom for further growth is enormous,” says Gray.

It’s Giving from Fizz with Purpose, a gutfriendly modern soda, launched on 30 March 2026 in three avours: Apple & Elder ower, Black Cherry, and Mango & Passionfruit.

“Functional so drinks have historically entered the market at £2.50, £3 or more – price points that limit their relevance in convenience,” says Gray. “At £1 PMP in a 330ml can, It’s Giving changes that proposition entirely, opening up a much larger pool of potential shoppers and making gut-friendly so drinks a realistic everyday purchase rather than an occasional treat.”

Consumers are also seeking out water with added functionality. Water and Water-Plus are delivering strong year-round growth in Scotland, up +10.2% year on year, while wellness-led so drinks are up +23.8% year on year [ibid].

e Flavoured Water category, such as Rubicon’s Twist range of still spring waters available in Tropical Burst, Peach Punch, Berry Blast and Mango Mist, is driving growth, says an AG Barr spokesperson. However, products layering functional bene ts on top are doing

“even more heavy li ing”, with functional waters now among the fastest-growing segments in so drinks.

“ is growth is driven by an accelerated consumer trend for hydrating more e ectively, with 30% of functional water shoppers choosing electrolytes [Global Insight Services, Functional Water Market Analysis, July 2025],” he says. Boost Water+ is meeting this demand with its zerosugar electrolyte waters, available in Cherry, Citrus and Strawberry & Peach avours. Consumer research shows 94% of shoppers loved the taste, with more than 90% saying they would buy them [AG Barr Consumer Market Research 2024].

Retailers looking to strengthen their so drinks xture this summer should ensure the right balance of established bestsellers and emerging trend-led products. As CCEP’s Abbotson puts it: “By understanding key trends, optimising product selection and leveraging activations linked to summer occasions, wholesalers and retailers can unlock the full potential of so drink sales.”

WIIINGS FOR YOUR SUMMER.

REGISTERED TRADESNARK

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the UK’s first trademark – Bass & Co’s red triangle logo – which was registered on 1 January 1876.

Under The Counter remembers the day well; he was at a Hogmanay party getting stotious with Treasure Island author Robert Louis Stevenson.

However, there is no truth in the rumour that a legless UTC was the inspiration for Long John Silver. The Auld Boy does love his long johns, mind.

To mark the milestone – the first trademark, not UTC getting stotious – the Intellectual Property Office has revealed the 10 trademarks voted most iconic by Joe and Janet Public.

The list was topped by the fairly iconic Rolls-Royce.

However the Auld Boy couldn’t get his misshapen napper around ship-based Radio Caroline’s inclusion at number

two. Twinings taking bronze was also a surprise, even to someone who enjoys 15 cuppas a day.

Surely, the notoriously sweettoothed Auld Boy pondered, fourth-placed Cadbury is more iconic than a bunch of tea bag floggers and a boat which – after a storm – went from broadcasting on top of the North Sea to festering on the bottom.

More than 400 trademarks registered in the Victorian era are still active today, including some of UTC’s favourite brands. These include Bovril, Lyle’s Sugar, Andrew’s Liver Salt and – speaking of festering on the bottom – Anusol.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

Under The Counter was shocked to discover an advert for a £49 face serum has been banned over misleading claims that it made users look up to five years younger.

Beiersdorf – a German skin care company, not an electroclash DJ from back in the day –fell foul of the Advertising Standards Authority thanks to a billboard touting its Eucerin Hyaluron Filler Epigenetic Serum. Try saying that straight after a Botox injection.

The poster claimed the serum was “clinically proven” after a whopping 160 people used it for four weeks and were asked how much younger they thought they looked.

GALLIC MUG

Under The Counter thinks Walkers has scored an own goal by plastering Thierry Henry’s mug all over its World Cup limited-edition salt & vinegar crisps.

It’s not that he reckons the French former footballer looks more like a cheese & onion sort of guy, but because Walkers is Ireland’s number three crisp brand.

So what, you may well ask. Well, if your memory was as long as the list of UTC’s medical conditions, you’d recall that Henry infamously handled the ball in the build-up to the goal that propelled France to the 2010 World Cup finals – at the expense of Ireland.

It’s fair to say that the so-called ‘hand of frog’ incident did not go down well in the Emerald Isle.

Balls went unkicked as outraged football fans played online keepyuppy instead – with Henry’s head standing in for a Mitre 5.

Jaws went unshaved after a boycott of Gillette, which employed Henry as brand ambassador at the time. This was possibly history’s worst ambassadorial appointment until Peter Mandelson packed his bags for Washington.

And carpets went uncleaned when people refused to use Henry vacuum cleaners. Some went as far as to scrawl ‘cheat’ on the inoffensive wee hoovers.

This Irish ire has not subsided and, if it wants to keep that top three position, the Auld Boy reckons Walkers should drop Henry and hire him instead. He too was handy on the left wing as a youth, although he’s mostly confined to dribbling down his chin these days. And the less said about keepy-uppy the better.

You might, like the advertising watchdog, think that 160 isn’t a massive sample size but it’s 160 times the number of people who grassed up the ad in question. It must have been a slow day at the ASA.

In its defence, Beiersdorf wheeled out the classic “up to” excuse. The Auld Boy was not impressed; he’s lost count of the number of times he’s been fooled by posters screaming “50% off” in six-foot-tall type accompanied by a microscopic “up to” lurking in the corner.

The ASA was having none of it either. Remarkably wrinkle-free knuckles rapped, Beiersdorf said the billboard was no longer

live in the UK – meaning it is probably still misleading punters further afield.

Given that his skin is as wrinkled as a bulldog’s scrotum, Under The Counter was keen to give the serum a bash. That was four weeks ago, and the Auld Boy is pleased to report that he does indeed look five years younger. Now he easily passes for 152.

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