SLR October 2025 Edition

ANY SPACE. ANYTIME.

Have you unlocked your Nicotine Pouch category?

TRULS HAUG TALKS

DRS 2.0

It’s time to engage

STRUMMING UP SUPPORT

Checkout festival raises £30k+ for GroceryAid Scotland

SLUSH SCARE

Toddler hospitalised ABUSE INCREASES

Vape ban fuels spike

NEWS

06 Trade Organisations Chief Executive James Lowman to leave the Association of Convenience Stores in early 2026.

07 Own Label Co-op Wholesale restricts access to its ownbrand products as it secures a new Costcutter deal.

08 Crime A firebomb attack outside a Glasgow convenience store sparks safety concerns.

09 Politics The Scottish Retail Consortium publishes the first of three mini manifestos ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliamentary Election.

10 Safety Irvine mum slams retailer after slush leaves a threeyear-old child in A&E.

11 Vapes Nearly one-in-five Scots shop workers report a rise in verbal abuse following the disposable vape ban.

12 News Extra Shoplifting Pressure mounts on ScotGov to extend Retail Crime Taskforce financial support.

20 Product News Edinburgh’s Broadway Convenience Store features in a new campaign for Extra gum.

22 Off-Trade News Thatcher’s Vintage launches in cans as Smirnoff Crush makes its UK convenience debut.

INSIDE BUSINESS

25 Above & Beyond Awards 2026 It’s easier than ever to nominate colleagues who deserve some recognition.

30 Advertising Feature SPAR Scotland Discover why SPAR Scotland is perfectly placed to help grow your business at an Open Day later this month.

32 The Big Interview Truls Haug DRS 2.0 should deliver a sustainable, workable solution that benefits consumers and retailers, says Truls Haug of TOMRA Collection.

37 SLR Awards Winner’s Profile Balfron Filling Station Not only a top-notch modern forecourt store, Balfron Filling Station has also revitalised the small village it serves.

40 New Stores Greens Retail launches a new 24/7 ‘foodvenience’ format called Greens on the Go.

42 Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns.

70 Under The Counter The Auld Boy is dismayed to discover local retailers aren’t on a list of the UK’s unsung heroes.

FEATURES

44 Smoking Alternatives The single-use vape ban has disrupted the market, but retailers are riding the storm and identifying areas of growth.

52 Christmas Confectionery We unwrap all the festive confectionery bestsellers in Scottish convenience with CD:UK data from Talysis.

60 Forecourts SLR speaks to Ascona Group about creating a winning food-to-go offer for forecourt customers.

66 Alcoholic RTDs Alcoholic RTDs hold great potential for retailers who can keep up with this fast-moving category.

DRS operator names Chair

The UK Deposit Management Organisation (UKDMO) has appointed John Bason as Chair, marking a key milestone in the rollout of the deposit return scheme across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The DMO, a business-led not-for-profit organisation, was confirmed by all three governments in May 2026 and is tasked with designing, delivering and operating the scheme, which is due to go live in October 2027.

Ascona extends Co-op Wholesale partnership

Forecourt retailer Ascona Group has signed a new five-year contract with Co-op Wholesale. The agreement will see Co-op Wholesale continue to supply all 62 Ascona forecourts, including two Scottish sites in Grangemouth and Aberdeen, with groceries, including Co-op’s own-label range.

England

business rates to become fairer

Local retailers in England could find it easier to expand after the UK Government published its business rates interim report, which states that the Chancellor will explore fixing sudden jumps in business rates – known as “cliff edges”. The report confirms that the government will review how Small Business Rates Relief can support business growth, potentially lifting growth and living standards in the future for those who work in these small businesses.

Allwyn brings back Local Retail Champions

Retailers have the chance to win one of two £15,000 top prizes as part of Allwyn’s Local Retail Champions 2025 campaign. The National Lottery operator is seeking to crown the two most community-minded retailers in the UK and will award a further 16 £5,000 cash prizes for regional winners. In order to be in with a chance of winning, retailers must receive a customer nomination before 19 October.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman to step down

James Lowman will leave ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) in early 2026 a er nearly three decades with the trade organisation.

Lowman joined ACS in March 1997 and became Chief Executive in November 2006. During his tenure, he led lobbying campaigns on product regulation, trading hours, employment rules and planning policy, and appeared before parliamentary select and bill committees. He also represented the sector in print and broadcast media, and sat on boards including Community Alcohol Partnerships, the Proof of Age Standards Scheme and the London Food Board.

He chaired and spoke at industry events in the UK and overseas, and under his leadership ACS expanded

its membership to include major retail groups and more than 100 suppliers.

ACS Chair Ramesh Shingadia praised Lowman’s leadership and long-standing contribution to the organisation, saying he had transformed ACS since becoming Chief Executive in 2006.

He said: “James leaves behind not only a remarkable legacy of achievement, but also a solid foundation for ACS’s future growth and success. His in uence will be felt for many years to come, and he departs with the respect and admiration of colleagues, members, and industry partners alike.

“James’s leadership has le ACS in a position of real strength, with the structures, talent and momentum to continue building on

Phil Ponsonby to become next ACS Chair

Midcounties Co-op CEO Phil Ponsonby has been named as the new Chair of e Association of Convenience Stores, following on from Ramesh Shingadia, who completes his two-year term in November. Spar retailer Susan Connolly will take on the position of Vice Chair, alongside Booker Retail MD Colm Johnson.

Ponsonby took up the role of CEO for one of the UK’s largest independent Co-operative Societies, e Midcounties Co-operative, in August 2018 having originally joined to run its food retail business in 2015. Prior to that, he was at the Southern Co-operative, where he was Chief Operating O cer for seven years.

Phil Ponsonby commented: “It has been my privilege to have partnered with the ACS for over 15 years, serving on the Board for nine of those. I am immensely proud to have been elected by the Board as its new Chair.”

Ramesh said: “Phil’s chairmanship will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition following James Lowman’s departure as Chief Executive early next year.”

Ramesh said Ponsonby would, with the support of the Board, play a key role in securing a strong successor to Lowman and continue the trade body’s mission to champion and support convenience retailers.

his achievements. We are con dent that his work has positioned the organisation for an even brighter future.”

Lowman commented: “ is is the best sector anyone could hope to represent. Every day I’ve been inspired by the people around me and by what local shop operators do.

“I’m rooting for the organisation and all of its members… It is a wrench to leave this behind, but the right decision for me now.” e ACS board has begun the process of recruiting a successor.

LOCAL SOURCING

ScotGov celebrates ‘Go Local’ with Scotmid butchery tour

Scottish Government has marked the success of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation’s (SGF’s) Go Local programme with a visit to the new butchery at Scotmid’s South Queensferry store.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands, Mairi Gougeon MSP, representatives from Scotland Food & Drink and the SGF joined Scotmid staff for a tour of the new in-store butchery department, operated by Edinburgh-based Charles Wilson Butchers.

Research has shown that taking part in the Go Local programme results in an average growth in sales of goods sourced from local producers of 44%.

Co-op Wholesale restricts own brand as it secures new Costcutter deal

Co-op Wholesale and Costcutter Supermarkets Group (CSG) have joined together in a new supply agreement, whilst Co-op has cut own-label supplies to several other symbol outlets.

e group ended a chilled supply deal with United Wholesale (Scotland) earlier this year and has also contacted a number of non-Nisa and Costcutter symbol retailers to end their supply of Coop branded goods.

South Ayrshire Costcutter retailer Ross Macpherson was pleased to hear that the contract had been extended with Co-op Wholesale and was also glad of its decision to stop supplying other symbols. “You’re either Nisa or Costcutter or you won’t get Co-op,” he said. “ at’s good from our point of view,” he stated, noting that some retailers tended to locate

HOME DELIVERY

Dawood Pervez, Managing Director at Bestway Wholesale and Katie Secretan, Managing Director of Co-op Wholesale.

Co-op branded lines against more budget own-label lines from other symbols, which “doesn’t make sense. It doesn’t help the loyalty or the brand itself”.

Bourtreehill Supermarket le the Day-Today symbol group when store owner Imran Ali could no longer access Co-op products. “ e Nisa model doesn’t suit us because the everyday prices are a wee bit higher and it’s harder to hit rebates

with them,” he told SLR. “As much as I wanted Co-op stu , I decided to change [to Booker].”

However, this has been “a blessing in disguise,” said the retailer. “Since we have changed to Jack’s by Tesco products, we are selling three plus items minimum for every Co-op item we sold and have reduced wastage by over 50% as we tightened up our range, so it’s a win-win for us.”

e store gave customers 50% o all remaining Co-op items to “save them from gathering further dust”.

A spokesperson for Co-op Wholesale said: “Co-op own brand is a unique di erentiator in the market, and together with our service and proposition, it is available exclusively to our partners. We welcome discussions with retailers who are interested in growing alongside us.”

Scoot and Just Eat launch national delivery service for Booker symbol stores

Booker has rolled out a new last-mile delivery partnership between Scoot and Just Eat, enabling its symbol retailers to offer rapid grocery delivery without managing their own fleet.

The service is available to retailers trading under the Premier, Budgens, Londis and Family Shopper fascias, with integration into Just Eat’s courier network and technology. Orders will continue to be placed via the Scoot app and fulfilled by Just Eat couriers.

HOME DELIVERY Nationwide roll out follows success of Glasgow store

Premier Linktown Local in Kirkcaldy and Premier Forfar Road Services in Dundee went live with the service last month, and additional locations across Great Britain are being added weekly. Scoot has developed an API integration with Just Eat to simplify delivery operations for retailers. The service aims to meet growing demand for same-day and on-demand delivery, which now accounts for 80% of customer expectations.

Snappy launches multi-platform aggregation tool and 24/7 deliveries

Snappy Shopper has made its 24-hour delivery capability – spearheaded by Glasgow’s Girish Jeeva – available to stores nationwide, and has also launched a tool that helps retailers manage multiple delivery platforms at once.

Premier Girish’s @ Barmulloch became the rst store in Scotland to o er 24-hour delivery using Snappy Shopper’s new technology. Since launching the service in February, the store – which recently won the SLR Awards’ # inkSmart Innovation Award – has seen a surge in overnight orders and surpassed £100,000 in GMV over a 30-day period.

In addition, the technology rm has launched an order aggregation tool that allows retailers to manage up to six major delivery platforms, including Snappy Shopper, Just Eat, Deliveroo, Food Hub, Uber Eats and Snappy Shopper’s white-label solutions, from a single device.

Scotmid and Aldi to open adjacent stores in Uddingston

Scotmid has announced plans to lease its current retail site in Uddingston at 317-319 Old Edinburgh Road to Aldi in early 2026, while simultaneously opening a new food store in its adjacent retail units. Scotmid’s new smaller-format food store will feature an enhanced Kitchen food-to-go offer as well as a tailored retail offer that is designed to meet the convenience needs of the local community.

UWS opens London branch Glasgow-based United Wholesale (Scotland) launched its first England-based cash and carry depot in Rainham, London, on 18 September. The opening follows the group’s acquisition of Time Wholesale Services in May.

Consumer confidence drops as food inflation outpaces wages Consumer confidence has dipped as the latest Consumer Prices Index (CPI) figures show that food inflation rose above 5% in the 12 months to August 2025. While the CPI in the 12 months to August 2025 remained unchanged from July at 3.8%, the rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages was 5.1%, up from 4.9% in July, the Office for National Statistics has revealed.

Students put DRS

to test Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful teamed up with New College Lanarkshire and Coca-Cola Europacific Partners last month to trial a financial incentive to encourage recycling through the use of reverse vending machines (RVMs). Students at New College Lanarkshire received a 20p reward – redeemable at the University’s canteens – for every can and plastic bottle recycled through RVMs on campuses during September.

England

consults on U-16s energy drinks

ban

The UK government has launched a consultation on banning the sale of highcaffeine energy drinks to under-16s in England due to negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health. The consultation will run for 12 weeks, gathering evidence from health experts, education leaders, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement authorities and the public.

Scotmid raises £288,000 for Maggie’s

Scotmid’s charity partnership with Maggie’s has raised an incredible £288,000 to support people with cancer and their family and friends. Over the past 12 months, Scotmid colleagues, members and customers have taken part in a wide range of fundraising activities, from a daring Jailbreak Challenge, to a sponsored abseil down The Kelpies.

Aldi targets East and West Dunbartonshire

Aldi has announced plans to open new stores in Bishopbriggs in East Dunbartonshire and Dumbarton in West Dunbartonshire as part of its £1.6bn expansion plan over the next two years. In its annual trading update, the discounter said it planned to open 80 stores across 2026 and 2027. The investment will also go towards upgrading existing outlets, as well as the development of Aldi’s distribution network.

One

Stop marks 50 years

To celebrate its 50th birthday, One Stop launched a month-long activation plan of in-store and online special deals, customer giveaways and £25,000 worth of community grants. The in-store campaign kicked off with goldthemed point-of-sale including hanging signs and bunting. The activity also included promotions on leading brands including Cadbury, Coca-Cola, McVitie’s and Pot Noodle.

Firebomb attack outside Glasgow c-store sparks safety concerns

Girish Jeeva has spoken out a er a suspected rebomb attack outside his Glasgow store le a luxury car destroyed.

e retailer was working late at Girish’s @ Barmulloch when CCTV captured someone pouring fuel over his ancée’s Porsche, parked in a sta -only bay yards from the shop entrance. e vehicle was then set alight in what Girish believes may have been a targeted act linked to recent disputes over parking.

AWARDS

Girish risked his own safety to remove a fuel canister from the burning vehicle, fearing it could explode with sta still inside the shop. Emergency services arrived shortly a er 11pm, less than an hour a er the store had closed.

Footage of the attack shows the suspect arriving in what appeared to be a red Ford Fiesta, watching from a distance before approaching the vehicle, pouring ammable liquid over it, and setting it alight.

“I think it’s to do with the car park because we’ve had threats about it on Facebook,” Girish said. “I think someone who doesn’t like us in the area is trying to send a message.”

e incident follows Girish’s decision to introduce designated bays in the store’s car park speci cally for sta and delivery drivers, a er repeated issues with overnight parking and the from supplier vehicles. “Suppliers have said unless we give them a parking space they can’t deliver,” he said. e attack came a week a er the store clari ed the parking situation on its Facebook page, saying that, while the store owned the car park and that four of the eight bays were reserved, shoppers were “more than welcome” to use any of them if they were unoccupied.

Natalie Lightfoot wins 2025 Raj Aggarwal Trophy

Natalie Lightfoot of Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, Glasgow, has been crowned winner of the 2025 Raj Aggarwal Trophy, which celebrates exceptional community retailing.

Natalie, who also picked up the Community Retailer accolade at the SLR Awards back in June, was given the Raj Aggarwal Trophy at a parliamentary reception following the Association of Convenience Stores’ Heart of the Community Conference in Westminster.

Natalie, who runs her shop with husband Martin, is devoted to her community and is a co-founder of peer-to-peer mental health support group, Retail Family – Online Safe Space.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “Natalie is an incredible example of what it means to be an outstanding community retailer.”

He was also full of praise for award finalists, Nathalie Fullerton of One Stop Dumbarton Road and Chloe Taylor-Green of Spar Western Downs in Stafford, who have both shown “unwavering commitment to their local communities”.

Natalie said: “Becoming a community-focused store is not only a moral choice but it is a commercial strategy. We all can sell the same stock but what sets us apart is the feelings we create in our community – a sense of togetherness that builds strength and pays back in loyalty.”

Three Scottish indies fined £40,000 for hiring illegal workers

e Government has ned three c-stores in the Central Belt £40,000 each for employing illegal workers.

A store on Duns Road in Gi ord, East Lothian, run by Prasath Baskaran; Lochend Store in Edinburgh; and VSR Stores Lifestyle Express and Post O ce in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire, have each been hit with nes of £40,000 for hiring illegal workers.

e stores were named by the Home O ce in its quarterly Illegal Working Penalties report.

Employers can be sent to jail for ve years and have to pay an unlimited ne if they’re found guilty of employing someone who they knew or had ‘reasonable cause to believe’ did not have the right to work in the United Kingdom.

SRC reveals High Streets mini manifesto

e Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) has published the rst of three mini manifestos ahead of next year’s Scottish Parliamentary Election. is rst paper, ‘Scotland’s Future High Streets’, focuses on the challenges facing towns and city centres across the country and a ve-point plan highlighting the policy solutions the retail industry believes are necessary. SRC’s ve-point plan:

Q A renewed push to make Scottish High Streets competitive to invest in through a meaningfully more competitive business rate than England.

Q A drive to make new and re tted stores simpler through an improved planning and building warrants system.

Q A clear focus on combatting retail crime through increased investment in Police Scotland and introducing a directly elected Scottish Police & Crime Commissioner to replace the current Scottish Police Authority.

Q A commitment to improve local authority support for the industry, including compensating Local Authorities who use existing powers under the Community Empowerment Act to o er non-domestic rates relief for high street businesses and to explore creating a Greater Glasgow Local Authority with a directly elected Provost to drive growth in Scotland’s largest city.

Q A renewed push to improve transport infrastructure for private and public transport to make town and city centres more accessible.

Convenience sector sees investment, sales and jobs fall

Pessimistic consumers and increased costs for retailers are putting the UK’s 50,000 local shops under pressure, resulting in a fall in jobs, investment and sales, The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

The 2025 Local Shop Report revealed that – despite a slight rise in the number of UK c-stores to 50,486 – the number of jobs that they provide has fallen from 445,000 to 443,000; the amount invested by retailers has fallen from £1bn to £900m; and total projected sales this year have fallen to £48.8bn from £49.4bn last year.

Local retailers have faced spiralling employment costs caused by National Living Wage increases and changes to Employer National Insurance rates and thresholds, in addition to major challenges with limited consumer spending.

Retailers have also had to deal with the additional cost of vape recycling in their business, and most recently the impact on their sales from the introduction of a ban on disposable vapes.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “These figures should serve as a warning to Government that we cannot continue taking the brunt of additional costs and other burdens without the impact being felt by the communities that these essential stores serve.”

Co-op could lose Skye monopoly

Tesco has unveiled plans to open a superstore on the Isle of Skye, meaning that Co-op could lose its position as the main food retailer on the island. Concerns were previously raised over Co-op’s dominance of the island, when the retailer, which has two stores in Portree and one in Broadford, fell victim to a cyber attack earlier this year, causing supply issues.

DCBL and VARS Technology extend contract to fight fuel theft

Ethical debt resolution specialist DCBL has extended its partnership with forecourt protection expert VARS Technology for a further three years in order to tackle fuel theft. The partnership combines VARS’ advanced prevention systems with DCBL’s recovery services to help retailers combat fuel crime, which has surged in recent years. The British Oil Security Syndicate revealed that drive-offs rose from 7.6% of crimes per site in 2020 to 28.4% in 2024.

Over 100 fake Labubu toys seized from Elgin

Moray Council’s Trading Standards team has uncovered over 100 fake Labubu monster dolls at shops in Elgin town centre. The toys were poorquality copies of the collectibles made by Pop Mart, which have gone viral on social media.

Mark Aylwin chairs Wholesale Group

Mark Aylwin has been appointed non-executive Chairman of The Wholesale Group. Aylwin, who previously chaired Unitas Wholesale, brings more than 35 years of senior experience in the UK food and drink industry. The Group has also restructured its Executive Board. Jess Douglas is now Managing Director for People and Operations, Tom Gittins is Managing Director for Retail, and Coral Rose is Managing Director for Foodservice.

Irvine mum slams retailer after slush leaves child in A&E

An Irvine woman, whose daughter was rushed to hospital a er su ering slush-induced glycerol intoxication, has criticised the store that sold her the drink for failing to make her aware of the dangers.

Laura Allan’s three-year-old daughter, Holly, spent ve hours in A&E a er she fell to the oor an hour a er drinking the slush and projectile vomited for 45 minutes before her eyes rolled back into her head and she went oppy.

ankfully, the little girl has since recovered, but her mother vented on Facebook about JH News, which sold her the drink. “ e person that sold it in that shop knew it was for her [my daughter] and said nothing, there was no signs anywhere near those slushie machines at the front of the store. Pro t over health clearly!!”

However, JH News, which is based inside Rivergate Shopping Centre in Irvine, has disputed that the shop was at fault, posting pictures of multiple warning signs located by the slush machine and till area. “We have heard that there is some unfortunate news circulating on Facebook about a terrible reaction that a little girl has had a er having some slushie from our shop,” said the retailer. “We are so sorry to hear this, and we hope that the wee girl is doing better and our heart goes out to her.

“We cannot take responsibility for something which is the parent’s duty. We have clear signs displayed on our slushie machines informing all customers and responsible parents of the unhealthy ingredients included in the slushies and advisories on age restriction.

It is the parent’s job to judge what is suitable for their children and make a decision accordingly. We cannot police all of our customers at the till about who the slushie is for – that is their own responsibility as a parent. Again, we are sorry to hear of what’s happened to the wee girl and hope she’s all better now.”

In June Food Standards Scotland (FSS) updated its voluntary guidance, advising that slush ice drinks containing glycerol should not be sold to children aged under seven.

CRIME Man jailed for attempted murder of Inverness shopworker

A 28-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for the attempted murder of an elderly shop worker in Inverness.

Richard Wilson was convicted of attempted murder, assault and robbery after pleading guilty at The High Court in Inverness on 5 August 2025 and was sentenced at The High Court in Glasgow on 1 September.

The horrific attack took place on 12 March 2024 at a store on Torvean Avenue. The

84-year-old victim was punched multiple times and had his head stamped on after he refused to hand over £50. The attacker took several vodka bottles and made to leave the store, but then returned for a second attack on the victim and stole vapes.

After leaving the store, Wilson attempted to return for a third attack, but a brave shopper intervened and protected the victim.

Detective Inspector Caroline Mackay said: “This was an extremely vicious and despicable display of violence against an elderly shop worker.

“The man suffered serious injuries and the long-term recovery time, as well as the emotional trauma caused by this attack, cannot be underestimated.

Lanarkshire retailer wounded in slash attack

Police Scotland Lanarkshire are appealing for information a er a shopkeeper was seriously injured in an attack in Coalburn on 7 September 2025.

At around 8.50am, the 53-year-old retailer was putting rubbish in bins beside the convenience store on Coalburn Road when he was approached by a man with a bladed weapon and slashed. e attacker then ran o towards Dunns Crescent.

e injured man was taken to Wishaw General Hospital for treatment.

e suspect is described as male, 6 , of a slim build, and was wearing black jogging bottoms, a black North Face hooded top with white writing, a black snood, white trainers and orange gloves.

Vape ban sees abuse rise for nearly one-in-five Scots shop workers

Since the single-use vape ban came into force on 1 June, nearly one-inve Scottish shop sta surveyed by e Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) have seen an increase in verbal abuse.

e survey, which covered 16 member stores around the country, also found 75% of shop sta think the ban has encouraged illicit trade, while almost 90% are concerned about the impact of future restrictions on illicit trade. A cost increase and avour restrictions are seen as the steps most likely to encourage illicit trade, while there is also concern that restricting avours will prevent smoking cessation among those who wish to quit.

SGF Head of Policy and Public A airs, Luke McGarty, said: “Scotland has been a trailblazer

UNDERAGE SALES

Stores breaking rules

on smoking harm reduction. But to take the next step towards the Scottish Government’s goal of a smoke-free generation, we need to make sure that the restrictions we put in place do not have unintended consequences.

“ e members we have spoken to are deeply concerned about what they see as a growth in illicit

Up to 20% of retailers sell vapes to kids, says SCOTSS

Scottish Trading Standards has found that up to one-in- ve retailers are selling vapes to kids.

One in seven premises visited by Scottish Trading Standards o cers sold cigarettes to an under-18 volunteer, while one in ve sold vapes to the underage tester, revealed a report from e Society of Chief O cers of Trading Standards in Scotland (SCOTSS).

“ ese are signi cantly worse results than expected and may in

large part be caused by the childappealing nature of vapes, and their wide availability in shops and service premises,” said SCOTTS.

Last year, o cers with young volunteers attempted 662 test purchases of vapes and 251 test purchases of tobacco at premises across Scotland with 131 failures for vapes, and 36 failures for tobacco, where sales were made to under-18s. In total, 263 xed penalties were issued by Trading Standards o cers.

Alexandra Connell, Chair of SCOTSS commented: “ e health of young people is a key priority for Trading Standards and smoking is the greatest threat to their health and development, especially for younger children.

“ ese results are very concerning and we will be stepping up e orts this year to support sellers with advice and continue to take enforcement action where sellers break the law.”

trade. We need to listen to them, and ensure that future restrictions – particularly those around vape avours and store placement – do not make the situation worse.

“Vaping should be for adults who wish to quit smoking, and it is right that the government take strong action to stop non-smokers – particularly children – from accessing vapes.

“But this is about striking a balance that achieves both those aims, and as usual we stand ready to help the Scottish Government to strike it.”

SGF will continue to work with the Scottish Government to ensure that future restrictions on vaping products do not result in negative unintended impacts, including fuelling illicit trade and verbal or physical abuse of sta .

CRIME

Four arrested as over 30k suspected illegal cigarettes seized

Over 30,000 suspected illegal cigarettes, 15kg of rolling tobacco and £8,000 in cash were seized from a premises on Dumfries High Street on 5 September after community officers carried out a search.

Four men, aged 24, 28, 28 and 31, were arrested and charged and are due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.

This follows the previous recovery of illegal cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco worth approximately £3.5m in Dumfries on 23 July 2025.

12th round of Heart of the Community fund launches Co-op Wholesale charity, Making a Difference Locally, has launched the latest round of its Heart of the Community initiative, with £100,000 available to support local projects across the UK. Retailers supplied by Co-op Wholesale, including Nisa partners, are invited to nominate local causes to receive up to £2,000 in funding.

Welsh government consults on DRS

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its proposals for a deposit return scheme, which includes plans to add glass from day one and introduce a system for collecting more reusable drinks containers for refilling. The rest of the UK is set to introduce a deposit return scheme for plastic, aluminium and steel drinks containers in October 2027.

David Cooke joins Unitas Unitas Wholesale has appointed David Cooke to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer as part of a wider reshuffle of its executive team. Cooke joins Unitas from AF Blakemore, where he served as Group Commercial Director. His arrival will see Managing Director John Kinney move to Chief Executive Officer, while recently appointed Trading Director Gurms Athwal will report directly to Cooke and join the Unitas Board with immediate effect.

Over £1m deposited with BankLocal

In just three weeks since its launch, over £1m has been deposited with Paypal’s BankLocal service run in conjunction with Lloyds. The service sees Lloyds become the first major UK bank to launch a mobile app feature which allows up to £300 per day in cash to be paid in at over 30,000 PayPoint locations nationwide, using a simple barcode.

NewsExtra

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

Convenience Matters with the SGF

SGF is incredibly proud of our sector. We know that our members are a critical part of the communities they serve. Not just essential local businesses, many retailers know their customers as neighbours and friends.

That is why our watchwords are ‘responsible community retailing’, and that is the message SGF consistently shares.

At a time when both Westminster and Edinburgh are bringing in tighter controls, restrictions and bans across a wide range of product areas, it’s more important than ever that we show our members are doing the right thing – before the rules are made even stricter.

News that counterfeit and dangerously high-strength nicotine pouches are being sold to children in Scotland risks every retailer being tarred with the same brush.

While counterfeit branding will always be illegal, there are currently no laws on selling compliant nicotine pouches to children. Nonetheless, the Tobacco & Vape Bill will soon change that, making it illegal to sell all nicotine products to under-16s.

We have already seen that Trading Standards don’t have the resources they need, giving rogue sellers an unfair commercial advantage over compliant retailers.

If you know of anyone selling vapes or tobacco to under-18s, or supplying counterfeit and potentially dangerous products, please report them immediately. Or, if you are unsure of your responsibilities, please check our website for guidance (sgfscot.co.uk/advice-all).

That is the only way we can protect the safety of our customers and our valued sector from an ever-growing regulatory burden.

New Scottish shopli ing gures, revealing an increase of 17% yearon-year, have prompted renewed calls from e Scottish Grocer’s Federation (SGF) for sustained funding for Police Scotland to tackle retail crime.

e number of shopli ing incidents rose from 40,554 to 47,381 crimes in the year ending June 2025, according to newly released government gures. is marks a shocking 124% surge since 2021, and SGF highlights that the true numbers are likely far higher as many crimes go unreported.

SGF’s annual Crime Report 2024/2025 shows the average cost of shop the and vandalism has risen to £19,673 per store – up 38% from the previous year – with a total annual cost of approximately £102.7m.

e Scottish Government allocated an additional £3m to Police Scotland for retail crime in the 2025/26 budget, but that funding has not been extended beyond the current nancial year.

Luke McGarty, Head of Policy & Public A airs at SGF, claimed that retail crime was rising across every metric, including organised crime, and warned that the impact on sta , businesses and communities was becoming overwhelming.

“Shop sta who provide an essential local service are facing abuse and violence every day,” he

Scottish shoplifting spike fuels demands for police funding

Pressure is mounting on ScotGov to extend Retail Crime Taskforce financial support.

said. “Businesses are forking out thousands of pounds for extra security and in lost goods. at is completely unacceptable.”

He said SGF welcomed the extra funding allocated last year and had been working closely with Police Scotland to support the new Retail Crime Taskforce. While progress was being made, McGarty stressed that the funding must be renewed in the autumn budget, “before the situation gets even worse”.

In the meantime, the Retail Crime Taskforce continues to work on multiple projects.

In August, local o cers acting on intelligence gathered by the Retail Crime Taskforce arrested a 45-yearold and 37-year-old in connection with 21 shopli ing incidents from supermarkets and convenience stores in Causewayside and Marchmont in Edinburgh.

While over in the west end of Dundee, a 35-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with 25 shopli ing o ences.

On Tuesday 9 September, the Taskforce supported o cers in Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray as they held their rst Day of Action. Organised by Retailers Against Crime in partnership with Police Scotland, the event saw 35 crimes detected.

In total, 13 people were arrested for shopli ing, the s from tills,

assaults and robberies committed against retail workers, possession of bladed weapons and warrant o ences.

Other crimes recorded included drugs, breaches of bail, and antisocial behaviour.

Detective Chief Inspector Jackie Knight from the Retail Crime Task Force said: “ is positive collaborative working with a number of retail partners and Retailers Against Crime is vital as we detect and deter these types of o ences.”

Detective Inspector Andy Machray, North East Division’s operational lead on acquisitive crime, said: “Tackling shopli ing and other forms of retail crime is a priority and local o cers continue to work alongside the Retail Crime Taskforce colleagues to identify o enders and bring them to justice.”

Intelligence Co-ordinator at RAC CIC, Natasa Wilson, said: “ e feedback we received from the retailers was incredibly positive, with many sharing that the event was encouraging, reassuring and a reminder that they are not alone in tackling these challenges.

“ is is exactly why Days of Action are so valuable. ey bring us all together, build con dence within the retailer sector and create a stronger united front against retail crime.”

DOING GOOD SHOULDN’T BE THIS MUCH FUN

If you were lucky enough to be at the recent Checkout Scotland music festival in Glasgow, I hope you agree with me when I say that helping raise money for charity shouldn’t be this much fun.

As a general rule, raising money for charity involves something deeply unpleasant like running a marathon or jumping off a bridge with a length of rubber attached to your leg the only thing between you and certain death.

So to rock up to a music festival, enjoy a few beers with around 550 industry colleagues and then listen to Peter Andre and Callum Beattie knocking out some banging tunes seems like one of the more pleasant ways to raise money.

I must declare a personal interest here as Checkout Scotland 2025 was the fourth running of the event, but it was the first year that I had the privilege of chairing the Checkout event committee. Thanks must also go to GroceryAid Scotland chair Matthew Howie who committed endless hours to helping deliver what was a massively successful event.

So I’m doubly chuffed that the event went so well and feedback from sponsors and attendees was uniformly and unequivocally positive. With your support, we raised more than £30,000 for GroceryAid Scotland and every penny will be spent supporting industry colleagues in Scotland.

Even more important than the cash, however, is the role that Checkout has played in transforming awareness of the charity and the free and confidential emotional, practical and financial support it can provide to colleagues in Scotland. The more people up here know that GroceryAid is there and can help, the better.

The number of people in Scotland requesting support has more than doubled in the last couple of years and that’s partly down to the sustained challenges we all face in this industry but it’s also down to the fact that colleagues needing help now know there is somewhere they can go.

And we achieved all of that by putting on a party, coming together and having a laugh. Doing good really shouldn’t be this much fun – but at Checkout, it is. So make sure you get involved next year, either by sponsoring or by buying a ticket. It’ll be the best £95 you ever spend.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

EDITORIAL

Publishing Director & Editor

Antony Begley abegley@55north.com

Deputy Editor Sarah Britton sbritton@55north.com

Features Editor Gaelle Walker gwalker@55north.com

Web Editor Findlay Stein fstein@55north.com

ADVERTISING

Sales & Marketing Director Helen Lyons 07575 959 915 | hlyons@55north.com

Advertising Manager Garry Cole 07846 872 738 | gcole@55north.com

DESIGN

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

EVENTS & OPERATIONS

Events & Circulation Manager Cara Begley cbegley@55north.com

Scottish Local Retailer is distributed free to qualifying readers. For a registration card, call 0141 22 22 100. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail).

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

DISCLAIMER

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of 55 North Ltd.

Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher.

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

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

Scottish Local Retailer is produced monthly by 55 North Ltd.

5 UK HOUSEHOLDS*

A BANGER OF AN EVENING!

More than 550 people from the retailing and wholesaling sectors attended last month’s spectacular Checkout Scotland music festival as the charity event continues to go from strength to strength.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

550+ attendees

£30K+ raised

As industry events go, it’s probably no exaggeration to say that last month’s Checkout Scotland at BAaD in Glasgow is right up there with the best in the calendar. A record audience of more than 550 people attended the fourth running of GroceryAid Scotland’s agship annual event and feedback makes it clear that a jolly good time was had by all.

Australian pop star and TV sensation Peter Andre drove the audience ‘Insania’ with a blend of pop, reggae and R&B from the main stage and was clearly a highlight of the evening for many, closing a high-energy set with his biggest hit, Mysterious Girl.

Headline act Callum Beattie then took to the stage to blast out a mix of his chart-topping hits and crowd-pleasing cover versions. ese included the James classic Sit Down (everyone did) and an emotional rendition of Dougie MacLean’s iconic Caledonia to round o his set.

In between times, George Bowie hit the decks and had the room bouncing o the walls while DJ Naeem closed the evening with his unique mashup of beats and Bhangra, complete with live drummers.

And even before all of that, attendees had the chance to chill out in the outdoor courtyard, listen to DJs, sample products from sponsors, get themselves decked out in Buckfast hats and Four Loko Hawaiian shirts, and catch up with old friends while making some new ones too.

Created principally to help raise awareness of the GroceryAid charity in Scotland, Checkout Scotland is now in its fourth year and provides the perfect platform to make more people than ever aware of the nancial, emotional and practical support that GroceryAid can provide to industry colleagues in need of a little help.

GROWING AWARENESS

ere’s no question that Checkout Scotland has been pivotal in increasing awareness of GroceryAid up here and that can only be a good

thing with the retail environment tougher than ever in so many ways. Demand for GroceryAid’s services has risen dramatically in the last couple of years which re ects the fact that more colleagues then ever need some support, but it also shows that more colleagues than ever now know there is somewhere they can go to get that help.

Checkout Scotland has been key in driving that transformation, but the event also plays a major role in generating vital funds for GroceryAid to allow the charity to continue ramping up the services it provides north of the border and the money it spends on grants and other nancial support.

“We are absolutely delighted that Checkout Scotland raised in excess of £30,000 for GroceryAid last month,” says Matthew Howie, Chair of GroceryAid Scotland.

“Every penny of that money will be spent helping our industry colleagues in Scotland and everyone who attended Checkout or who donated in any way to GroceryAid Scotland should be proud of what they have helped achieve.

“Just as important however is the fact that awareness levels of GroceryAid are higher than they’ve ever been in Scotland and that’s in no small part down to the success of Checkout Scotland. Our plan from day one has always been to create a truly enjoyable, relaxed event with a great atmosphere that most de nitely has a Scottish avour to it.

“ e feedback from retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and everyone else from last month’s event has been truly overwhelming and it’s clear that Checkout Scotland has a bright future.

ere’s no other event like it in Scotland and I would urge everyone in our sector to get involved next year whether that’s as a sponsor or just in buying some tickets. ere’s no better way of doing your bit while also having an unforgettable night out with colleagues from the industry.”

If you are interested in getting involved in Checkout Scotland 2026, get in touch with the Event Chairs:

Antony Begley –abegley@55north. com

Matthew Howie –matthew.howie@ groceryaid.org.uk

New Weetabix PMP

Weetabix

Crispy Minis

Caramelised Biscuit is now available in a new £3.89 pricemarked pack from BestwayBatleys, Booker and Unitas. The flavour, which debuted earlier this year, is the fastest-growing new variant of the last year within the cereal category and is worth over £1m already. The product has also been named a finalist in the Store Cupboards category of The Grocer’s 2025 New Product Awards.

Gulf’s cinema giveaway

Gulf UK has partnered with Sony Pictures to launch a nationwide giveaway tied to new movie, A Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey, which stars Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie. The promotion offers Gulf UK customers the chance to win a road trip along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, including car hire, flights and four-star accommodation. Instant win prizes such as cinema tickets and movie merchandise are also up for grabs.

Empire

Bespoke

Foods

unveils first Easter range

Empire Bespoke Foods has launched its first Easter range, featuring biscuits, chocolates and luxury seasonal treats from leading European bakeries and confectioners. The range has been curated to help retailers offer something different to their usual Easter lines, with a focus on premium products from family-owned German and Italian producers. All products are suitable for vegetarian diets.

Bagels roll into Booker

New York Bakery has launched into 192 Booker depots with two of its bestselling lines – New York Bakery Original Bagel and New York Bakery Sesame Bagel. With a 29-day shelf life, the Original and Sesame bagels help to minimise wastage while maintaining freshness. Bagels continue to grow in popularity, with recent Kantar data showing they score highest for enjoyment versus other morning goods.

FRESHEN UP YOUR FORECOURT’S FOOD TO GO – P60

MINTS AND CHEWING GUM Broadway Convenience Store helps stressed-out shoppers unwind

Edinburgh store features in Extra campaign

Mars Wrigley’s gum brand Extra brought its new ‘Boss Breaks’ campaign to Edinburgh last month, transforming Broadway Convenience Store into a moodboosting reset space for young professionals.

From 19–25 September, Dennis and Linda Williams’ store hosted a ‘Boss Breaks’ takeover, o ering friendly chats, a listening ear, and free packs of Extra gum. e initiative is part of a campaign positioning independent retailers

CONFECTIONERY Shhh! Secret Santa Postal Service is back

Cadbury is relaunching its Secret Santa Postal Service, giving consumers the chance to send a free bar of Cadbury chocolate anonymously in the lead-up to Christmas.

The campaign will run throughout November and December, with entry via QR codes on digital and static posters nationwide.

The campaign will be supported by TV, video on demand, cinema, out-of-home advertising, social, print, radio and digital activities.

as community connectors, helping workers reset during their day. e campaign is rooted in new Extra research showing that 94% of Gen Z frequently face work-related micro-stresses, with 69% saying that chatting with a shopkeeper could help li their mood.

Retailers involved were trained by a life coach to help shoppers pause and de-stress. Each store also bene tted from national PR and social media support to drive awareness and footfall.

Doritos dips into darkness

Doritos has launched a limitededition Black Garlic Dip and Stranger Things-themed partysized bags to coincide with the final series of the Netflix show.

The spooky black-coloured dip is designed to complement Doritos crisps and is available in the run-up to Halloween.

Stranger Things-themed pack designs also roll out across Monster Munch, Wotsits, Quavers and Squares.

Coke launches Fantasy Prem promo

Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners (CCEP) is giving Premier League fans the chance to win thousands of football-themed prizes with its new Fantasy Premier League Challenge on-pack promotion.

e promo is backed by a marketing campaign that includes a Sky Sports tie-in, social media and in uencer activity, and online, TV, digital and out-of-home advertising. POS and digital assets are available from My.CCEP.com.

SNACKS

SOFT DRINKS New competition runs across Coca-Cola Original Taste and Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

Bolder Brunch, bigger box

Fanta teams up with horror icons

Fanta has partnered with Universal Pictures and Blumhouse to launch a global Halloween campaign featuring four horror characters: Chucky, Freddy Fazbear, e Grabber and M3gan.

e collaboration coincides with the release of Black Phone 2 (in cinemas 17 October) and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (5 December), both from Blumhouse.

e characters appear on limitededition Fanta cans, including a new avour: Fanta Forest Berries Zero Sugar, created for Chucky. Other

pairings include e Grabber on Fruit Twist, Freddy Fazbear on Orange Zero Sugar and M3gan on Lemon. Fans can scan QR codes on cans to access exclusive content.

to the end of October, with the

e campaign will run through to the end of October, with the horror icons appearing on packaging, in stores, vending machines and popping up in real-life experiences.

e full Fanta Halloween Collection is now available nationwide.

FUEL Classic cars take centre stage at Gulf forecourts

A host of classic cars took over forecourts across the UK last month – including this Morris Minor from the Glasgow Moggies club seen at Gulf Lowmoss in Bishopbriggs – as part of Gulf’s Big Journey campaign. The event, organised by Certas Energy in collaboration with Gulf forecourts and car clubs nationwide, was held to celebrate the UK’s rich motoring heritage.

Besides checking out the vintage motors, Gulf customers also had the chance to enter prize draws for special Gulf UK merchandise, cinema tickets and a road trip around the Amalfi Coast.

Purdey’s unveils packaging makeover and new flavours

Purdey’s has launched a new identity across its natural energy drink range, including refreshed packaging and new avours.

e updated line-up includes Berry & Dragon Fruit, Orange & Mango, and a reformulated Apple & Grape. Each variant contains 34–35% fruit juice, natural ca eine, B vitamins, botanicals and guarana. e drinks deliver at least 60mg of natural ca eine per can.

e reformulated Apple & Grape blends crisp apple and grape juices. Berry & Dragon Fruit combines blackberry and dragon fruit, while Orange & Mango o ers a citrus and tropical mix.

e brand refresh aims to capitalise on the growth of natural energy drinks, which are expected to reach £156m by 2027.

e new packaging features a sleek design with clearer avour callouts to aid shopper navigation.

Purdey’s is available in 330ml sleek cans (RSP £1.95), 4 x 250ml slim can multipacks (RSP £4.75), and 12 x 330ml sleek can online packs (RSP £18.49 via Amazon, Ocado and TikTok Shop).

Cadbury Brunch has unveiled new packaging featuring bolder graphics and a stronger use of the brand’s signature purple, designed to highlight taste credentials and ingredients. The revamped range also now includes a 10-bar value pack for Chunky Choc Chip which is available now in shelf-ready cases of six with an RSP of £2.49 per 280g pack.

Cheez-It Snap’d hits

£24m in first year

Cheez-It Snap’d has reached £24m in value sales just one year after launching in the UK.

Kellanova’s newcomer has shifted 16.3 million units to date – equivalent to one pack sold every two seconds. The milestone coincides with the brand receiving a star at the Great Taste Awards 2025 for its Double Cheese snack.

Chocomel cans cans

Chocolate drink brand Chocomel has ditched its 250ml can in favour of a 300ml bottle, following a sell through period. The new packs offer easy sleeve removal, with a tethered cap to reduce littering. The move to a bottle format removes the risk of dented cans, which will reduce wastage. The change will be supported with significant marketing support over the next year across all channels, including a mainstream media campaign in 2026.

Storck’s festive makeover

£18.49 via Amazon, Ocado and TikTok Shop). e launch is supported by in-store activations, point of sale materials, sampling,

e launch is supported by in-store activations, point of sale materials, sampling, PR and in uencer partnerships.

Storck has launched limitededition Christmas-themed packs for its Werther’s Original, Toffifee and merci brands. The new packs are supported by festivethemed POS for retailers to increase visibility and shopper engagement. Last year, the seasonal confectionery market reached £2.7bn in value in the run-up to Christmas – year-onyear growth of +8.3%.

SOFT DRINKS Freddy Fazbear and friends put the frighteners on Fanta

SPORTS & ENERGY New look for Carlsberg Britvic’s natural energy brand

Advertising watchdog bites

Jägermeister and Strongbow have withdrawn social media ads following rulings by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The ASA said two offending Jägermeister adverts implied alcohol was “a key component of social success”. A sponsored post on comedian Al Nash’s Instagram account was also panned, for suggesting that Strongbow was more important than personal relationships and significant life events.

UKHospitality

backs Scotch Whisky duty freeze call UKHospitality has joined the Scotch Whisky Association in urging the UK Government to freeze alcohol duty in next month’s Autumn Budget. The call comes amid rising concern over job losses in hospitality and whisky production, and cost burdens in both the on- and offtrades. Whisky and other spirits face the highest tax burden of all alcohol categories, and the highest rate in the G7.

BrewDog

co-founder Dickie calls time

Martin Dickie, co-founder of BrewDog, has left the business after 18 years. In an internal email to staff, Dickie cited personal reasons for stepping down. He founded BrewDog in 2007 alongside James Watt, who stepped down as CEO last year to take up the new role of “captain and co-founder”. It is understood that Dickie has invested £20m in a new medicinal cannabis venture.

Hoppy hour

Belgian beer brand Chouffe has launched its 9% ABV IPA in the UK (RSP £3.25/330ml). It is initially exclusive to Waitrose, with a wider distribution planned for the coming months. The IPA offers a vibrant hoppy character with Chouffe’s signature fruity and spicy notes. The UK debut coincides with a global rebrand, featuring a refreshed gnome mascot, Marcel, on new packaging.

CRACK OPEN THE ALCOHOLIC RTDs MARKET – P66

CIDER Launch comes in response to growing consumer demand for more sustainable formats

Thatchers Vintage launches in cans

atchers Cider has launched its award-winning atchers Vintage in 440ml cans.

e move re ects what the brand says is growing consumer demand for premium cider in a more versatile, portable and sustainable format.

atchers Vintage is a medium dry 8.3% ABV cider produced at Myrtle Farm in Somerset using a mixture of bittersweet and modern apple varieties. It is pressed, blended, matured and canned on site.

RTDs

e cider is the fastest-growing established premium cider, up 104.4% over two years, while the premium cider category is up 23.7% year on year.

Jon Nixon, Commercial Director at atchers Cider said: “Cans continue to grow in popularity –they’re lighter, easier to recycle, and as consumers increasingly look for sustainable options, even in premium products, they o er a great alternative.”

atchers Vintage 4 x 440ml can packs are available now, RSP £6.49.

Hard Rock Cocktails hit UK

Hard Rock Cocktails has launched in the UK, bringing six pre-mixed drinks inspired by classic Hard Rock Cafe recipes to shelves in ready-to-drink cans.

Each flavour is designed to deliver bar-quality taste with no mixing required. The range includes Mojito, Peach Punch, Mango Mojito, Pink Coconut Breeze, Piña Colada and Passion Fruit Martini. It is available in Scotland from Booker in 250ml cans (ABV 5%).

Strongbow adds Navilens

Strongbow has started rolling out NaviLens QR codes across all of its SKUs. e high-contrast markers are readable by smartphones and link to the NaviLens app, which provides blind and partially sighted shoppers with key product information including ingredients and ABV, as well as brand content and store navigation.

SPIRITS Speciality Brands unveils shochu

Japanese shochu brand iichiko has signed an exclusive partnership with spirits distributor Speciality Brands.

This sees the launch of three expressions in the UK: Saiten (70cl, 43% ABV, RSP £42.50), Shinwa (70cl, 43% ABV, RSP £42.50) and Silhouette (72cl, 25% ABV, RSP £25).

Shochu is a traditional Japanese distilled spirit typically made from barley, sweet potato or rice. Unlike sake, which is brewed, Shochu is distilled – giving it a cleaner, drier profile.

CIDER Heineken brand makes major inclusivity move

Smirnoff Crush debuts in UK convenience channel

Smirno has launched a new ready-to-drink range in the UK called Smirno Crush, featuring two fruit-forward avours: Mango & Peach and Lemon & Lime.

e 6% ABV drinks come in 440ml cans and are available exclusively from Booker depots and One Stop stores. A national rollout is planned for early 2026.

Smirno Crush was previously launched in Australia, where it became

LIQUEURS Quincentenary celebrated with five new designs

Disaronno marks 500 years with limited-edition bottles

Disaronno is marking its 500th anniversary with the launch of ve limited-edition bottles, available from October across grocery, convenience and specialist retailers.

e designs – titled Passione, Bellezza, Dolcevita, Stile and Eleganza – aim to drive shopper interest in the run-up to the festive season.

e launch will be supported by a multimillion-pound campaign spanning in-store; in-bar; traditional, retail and social media; and PR.

It follows a strong year for Disaronno Originale, which grew +2.7% in value and +0.4% in volume, outperforming the Non-Cream Liqueurs market. Parent company Disaronno International UK was the only top 20 spirits brand in growth MAT, up +0.2% against a total spirits decline of -8.9%.

Disaronno’s origins date back to 1525, with the current recipe rediscovered in 1600 by Giovanni Reina. e brand is now sold in over 160 countries.

the most successful premix category launch since 2022. According to Smirno , 72% of Australian consumers who tried the product went on to repurchase.

e launch is timed to coincide with the back-touniversity period and the lead-up to the festive season. It will be supported by a marketing campaign focused on impulse and convenience channels, alongside in uencer activity on social media.

Jura rolls out simplified single malt range

Jura has replaced its 10 Year Old Single Malt with a 12 Year Old expression as the new entry point to its aged range and has unveiled new pack designs aimed at making whisky easier to shop.

The move follows consumer tests which found Jura 12 Year Old was preferred by a wider audience, including younger and more frequent whisky drinkers.

To support the change, Jura has redesigned packs across its single malt range, featuring a simplified flavour scale that highlights the three most prominent notes in each whisky. New packs also feature a larger age statement and an enhanced bottle silhouette, alongside a QR code linking to further information.

Win a big weekend with VK RTD brand VK has launched a new on-pack promotion that gives shoppers the chance to win 48 hours of non-stop partying for themselves and three friends on a Butlin’s Big Weekender. There are five weekend breaks up for grabs and the prize also includes a hamper full of VK goodies worth more than £200 to help get the party started. The promotion runs until the middle of December.

Pernod’s UK brands hold firm in global slowdown

Pernod Ricard has reported a dip in global sales for the year to June, but its key brands in the UK convenience channel remain steady. In the UK, Pernod Ricard maintained market share, with strong performances from Jameson and Chivas Regal helping offset wider European declines. RTDs grew 7% across the group’s portfolio, reflecting the continuing popularity of the category with drinkers.

Glen Moray’s tequila foray Glen Moray has launched two limited-edition single malts: Glen Moray Tequila Cask Finish (RSP £85) and Glen Moray Peated Tequila Cask Finish (RSP £95). The 10th release in the Elginbased distillery’s experimental Warehouse 1 Collection, the new sweet and herbal whiskies mark Glen Moray’s first foray into tequila cask maturation. Only 474 bottles of each have been produced.

Get the skinny

Low-calorie canned cocktail range, This Is Skinny, is now available to convenience retailers. The 250ml, 4% ABV range includes Long Island with Earl Grey, Mojito with Rhubarb, and Passion Martini with Strawberry. Each contains fewer than 66 calories and no added sugar. They are also gluten free, keto friendly and suitable for vegans. Email jan@thisisskinny. co.uk or call 0203 773 5743 for stock enquiries.

WHISKY

TELL US ABOUT THE STARS IN YOUR BUSINESS!

SLR’s unique and hugely successful Above & Beyond Awards are back for 2026 – and it’s easier than ever to nominate colleagues who deserve some recognition.

The SLR Above & Beyond Awards are now in their third year and have been hugely popular thanks to their unique goal of recognising and rewarding the shop oor heroes that help demonstrate why the local retailing sector is so very special to communities across Scotland.

e Awards were created as a platform to highlight the o en incredible actions of store sta that more o en than not go entirely un-noticed. From literally saving customers’ lives to totally reworking stores and training sta to accommodate the needs of patients at a nearby dementia hospital, the Awards have already unearthed some truly heroic actions where store sta have clearly gone above and beyond the call of duty.

is is what separates local retailing from all other channels, and this is what makes the SLR Above & Beyond Awards so vital and necessary.

EVEN EASIER ENTRY

e entry process is nomination-based and allows anyone in a store to nominate a colleague for the Above & Beyond Awards. is year we are making the entry process even simpler than before. All you have to do is complete the very brief entry form online ( nd it at slrmag.co.uk/ aboveandbeyond) and then provide us with some basic information

like the nominee’s name, job title and phone number along with one or two bullet points on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award.

We will then call every nominee to nd out a little more and gather the information we need to share your nominee’s story with the world. It’s that simple.

NEXT STEPS

When all of the calls are complete, we will create an extensive list of nalists, and all nalists will be invited free of charge to a celebratory lunch at the exclusive Corinthian Club in Glasgow on the 18 March 2026.

Working with our generous sponsors, we will ensure that everyone joining us is treated to a magical day, a great meal, a few drinks and the chance to catch up with fellow shop oor superheroes and learn more about why local retailing is the heartbeat of every Scottish community.

So please don’t hang around: it takes less than a minute to get a nomination in and that little bit of e ort could end up making all the di erence to your nominee. It’s never been more important to give our hard-working store colleagues the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.

HOW TO NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE…

It couldn’t be quicker or easier:

Q Find the simple nomination form online: www.slrmag.co.uk/aboveandbeyond

Q All we need from you is some very basic information like: the nominee’s name, job title and contact telephone number.

Q one or two bullet points on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award.

Q Complete and return to events@55north.com

Q Contact Cara with any questions: cbegley@55north.com

Q Our judging panel will then personally call every nominee to find out a little more from them. It’s a very informal and relaxed call and allows us to gather the information we need to share your nominee’s story with the world.

AWARDS CATEGORIES

INDEPENDENT STORE COLLEAGUE

Sponsored by Mondelez International

Open to all colleagues working in independently owned local retailing stores in Scotland that are unaffiliated or members of any symbol group, fascia or franchise.

COMPANY-OWNED STORE COLLEAGUE

Sponsored by CJ Lang / Spar Scotland

Open to all colleagues working in CJ Lang companyowned stores in Scotland.

BUSINESS BOOSTER

Open to all colleagues who have materially improved their store’s performance by suggesting or introducing a new concept, product, service, communication method or a change in operational process.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Open to all in-store teams which have pulled together to make a positive difference to their store’s performance and/or to their community.

UP & COMING STAR

Sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

Open to all colleagues aged 25 or under working in any of the store formats detailed above who have shown themselves to be outstanding colleagues with a bright future in the sector ahead of them.

LONG SERVICE AWARD

Sponsored by Mondelez International

Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who have worked in the sector, or a single store or chain, for an extended period of time.

ASTONISHING ACT

Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who truly went Above & Beyond to perform an astonishing act that had a massive positive impact on a customer, colleague or the community.

SCOTTISH SUN REJOINS AS OFFICIAL MEDIA PARTNER

We are delighted to confirm that The Scottish Sun, Scotland’s best-selling newspaper, is once again our official Media Partner for the SLR Above & Beyond Awards 2026.

The Scottish Sun will run national editorial encouraging readers to nominate local store staff who have been particularly helpful and deserve recognition at the Awards.

In addition, the editorial on past winners plays a vital role in highlighting to readers the important role that local stores play in communities across Scotland.

Scottish Sun Editor-in-Chief Gill Smith said: “The Scottish Sun is once again delighted to be Media Partner for the SLR Above and Beyond Awards.

“We rely on convenience stores to sell our papers day in and day out, and these awards honour the often unseen work of the people who run them. From life-changing community schemes to going beyond the call of duty to help individuals, local retailers are a vital lifeline for many Scots and it’s fantastic to be able to celebrate them.”

NEEDING SOME INSPIRATION?

Alison Lennon, Day-Today Shotts

Alison helped save the life of an elderly customer who didn’t arrive for his daily morning paper as usual. Alison went to his house where she discovered that he had had a serious accident and had been unable to call for help. Alison quickly raised the alarm, calling the emergency services, and the customer’s life was saved.

“The Above and Beyond Awards were such a fantastic experience,” Alison says. “I’d never really considered that I was doing anything that special or ‘astonishing’ until I was nominated, so it was really lovely to be told that and to meet so many other inspiring people.”

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondelez International

“As the provider of iconic brands such as Cadbury, Bournville, OREO, Maynards Bassetts, belVita and Dairylea, Mondelez International recognises the vital role independent retailers play in connecting our snacks with consumers nationwide. We’re proud to celebrate and reward those who consistently go the extra mile for their shoppers, their teams and their communities.

“Mondelez International is delighted to sponsor the Independent Store Colleague and Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards, honouring some of the most exceptional individuals in independent retail. Best of luck to all entrants!”

Frank McCarron, Company Owned Store Director, CJ Lang/Spar Scotland

“Our team members are undoubtedly our greatest asset, a fact that is clearly recognized and appreciated by our customers. We understand that convenience store staff often work tirelessly behind the scenes, truly serving as the unsung heroes of the community. It’s a privilege for us to participate in industry awards that celebrate and honour their dedication and hard work, highlighting their invaluable contributions.”

Kate Abbotson - Senior External Communications Manager CCEP

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is proud to celebrate the exceptional contributions of independent retailers through our sponsorship of the Independent Store Colleague & Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards. As the distributor of some of the world’s most loved brands—including Coca-Cola, Fanta, Sprite, Schweppes, and Monster—we recognise the vital role independent retailers play in bringing our drinks to communities across the UK. Their dedication ensures that consumers can enjoy our products wherever and whenever they choose. We’re delighted to support and honour those who consistently go above and beyond for their shoppers, their teams, and their local areas. These awards shine a light on the passion and commitment that drive independent retail forward. Best of luck to all the nominees.

COME ALONG AND DISCOVER SPAR SCOTLAND FOR YOURSELF!

If you are interested in learning more about why SPAR Scotland is perfectly placed to help you grow your business, why not join us at our Open Day this month?

SPAR Scotland is uniquely placed to help you grow your business in the months and years ahead thanks to our unmatched proposition – and we are o ering every local retailer in Scotland the opportunity to come along to our Open Day this month and nd out precisely why.

To help retailers nd out more about the unique capabilities of SPAR Scotland we are hosting an Open Day on Wednesday 15 October at our Depot in Dundee.

Why not come along and bring a retailer or two who would like to Discover SPAR Scotland and nd out for themselves why we are the number one team in the country when it comes to growing independent retailers’ businesses?

The Open Day includes an introduction to SPAR from CEO Colin McLean and Independent Sales Director Brian Straiton, followed by a depot tour. This takes retailers from the point of order capture all the way through to the stock being loaded onto the vehicle.

Retailers will also be given a demonstration of our telematic software which tracks our vehicles and ensures they are on time.

Following this, retailers return to the conference room for lunch, and some interactive sessions with our Executive Team who will present the key functions of their department.

Retailers are encouraged to ask questions and will be given the opportunity to have one-toone chats with Executive Team.

Email discover@sparscotland.co.uk to book your place or nd out more.

Day: 15 October

DISCOVER WHAT YOU CAN ONLY ACCESS WITH SPAR SCOTLAND

Award-winning SPAR own-label range – a unique point of di erence

Exclusive partnership with Barista Bar hot drinks

First-to-market access to NPD – like Prime, Feastables and MAS+

The only Scottish wholesaler to regularly advertise on STV

Not just a wholesale partner, we’re a retailer with stores across Scotland

SWA Symbol Group of the Year – for three consecutive years

DISCOVER THE BEST SUPPORT NETWORK IN SCOTLAND

A one stop shop from the moment you onboard to the SPAR family of retailers

A local brand with a national and global support network

Market-leading business development team

Regular multi-temp deliveries – ensuring stock when you need it most

Championing Scottish produce, with over 50% of our lines sourced in Scotland

Retailer-speci c website

DISCOVER FANTASTIC PROMOTIONS, PROFITS AND EVERYDAY VALUE

Up to 6% rebate

Three-weekly promotions

Bene t from our continuous adverts on TV with our STV campaigns

Seasonal event activity driving additional footfall

Digital and gami cation activities

Strong value package on everyday staples – bread, milk, eggs, bacon and more

Depot Open Day Depot Open Day Wednesday 15th October Wednesday 15th October

Join us at our Open Day in Dundee

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

• Experience a full tour of our award winning distribution centre

• Meet the CJ Lang & Son Ltd team

• Learn more about our local brand that has national and global support services 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 discover@sparscotland.co.uk

Truls Haug, Vice President, New Markets EMEA for TOMRA Collection.

DRS 2.0: THE COUNTDOWN STARTS NOW

2.0 is on course to deliver a

The Scottish Government’s attempt at introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will go down in history as a masterclass for the ages in how not to do something that most people wanted to do, including retailers. DRS became one of the most contentious issues in the history of local retailing in Scotland, so the less said about that sorry episode the better. Not erstwhile Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater’s nest hour.

ere’s little value in rehashing that divisive debate, however, but the one thing that stuck with me throughout is the comment I heard from so many retailers at the time: “We want a DRS, we just don’t want this DRS.”

So if retailers didn’t want that DRS, how will they feel about DRS 2.0? Well, there’s certainly a lot more to like about the new scheme that’s scheduled to come into force in October 2027. Or, to put it slightly di erently, there’s a lot less to dislike about it.

First and foremost, the scheme is now UKwide, more or less – Wales is still debating glass – but the likelihood is that the scheme will be UK-wide, massively reducing cross-border complexity.

Secondly, and no less importantly, the UK scheme is being driven and managed not by the government but by a standalone businessled not-for-pro t organisation, the UK Deposit Management Organisation (DMO). One of the biggest criticisms of Slater & Co was that they didn’t meaningfully engage with the trade and therefore didn’t actually understand what it was they were trying to legislate on. e DMO has learned from that mistake and is sta ed by people that know the trade inside out, people like former AG Barr Commercial Director Jonathan Kemp and Bestway Director of Trading Richard Booth.

ere’s also people like Raymond Gianotten involved, a former Director of the Netherlands DRS Scheme, and Seamus Clancy, former interim CEO of Re-Turn, the scheme administrator in Ireland.

All good, positive stu – so are we actually going to get it done this time around? “It’s been a long, long journey but something positive is happening,” laughs Truls Haug, Vice President, New Markets EMEA for TOMRA Collection, the global leader in reverse vending machines (RVMs).

“We have a well-designed scheme and having the DMO in place from day one has been critical. ey have built up a lot of momentum in a relatively short space of time and they have achieved a lot in that time. It’s a truly businessled organisation and they have recruited well so the people involved in creating the new DRS understand the many complexities and challenges.

“ ey have clearly learned a lot from the last attempt at introducing a DRS in Scotland and they have used those learnings to make a better system, a system that will work for consumers, for retailers and for producers.”

From his interactions with the DMO, Haug says the operator has been very open-minded, pragmatic and committed to making progress.

“ ey understand the needs of the various stakeholders such as retailers and producers, and they’re working towards the best possible solution,” he explains. “Importantly, they’re communicating well and are being very open about their work and are inviting everyone with an interest in DRS to engage.”

As Haug says, the DMO has done a pretty decent job of communicating its progress and being transparent about its plans, unlike the Scottish Government.

Or to put it another way, the DMO is doing the job properly, unlike Ms Slater.

Introducing a scheme like this however, even a very well-designed one, is not going to be entirely pain free. ere are many challenges to

CLEANER, SIMPLER TECH

Along with a new, fit-for-purpose DRS, retailers are also set to benefit from enhanced tech from major reverse vending machine (RVM) manufacturers that simplifies and elevates the customer experience.

A great example is TOMRA’s new R2 machine, unveiled for the first time just last month. The innovative multi-feed RVM allows users to pour a whole bag of containers in at once. The R2 features a wall-mounted front unit which minimises the amount of valuable store space required. The machine has no batch limit, meaning customers can pour all their plastic bottles and cans in at once and carry on with their shopping.

The R2 is only 0.8 sqm and can simply be plugged in and is ready to use.

overcome and a lot of water to go under a lot of bridges before October 2027.

“All big changes come with consequences,” says Haug. “We are talking about a major step forward for Scotland, for Scottish people and for the Scottish environment, so there will be consequences for everyone involved.

ose consequences will be di erent for each individual and for each store, but retailers can minimise those consequences by preparing early.”

ere is, of course, another incentive to get DRS delivered on time: the new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations which come into force in 2028. EPR basically requires producers to pay the full costs of dealing with the waste generated from when a product is placed onto the market through to the end of its life.

“ e EPR regulations provide a huge nancial incentive to producers to have a DRS in place in 2027,” explains Haug. “If we don’t have DRS in place by March 2028, producers will need to pay the EPR fee, which will be higher than the DRS fee. And it’s worth noting that the biggest

producers in the UK are actually the major retailers like Tesco and Asda.”

e point being, it’s in the nancial interests of the major multiples to get DRS done in time and we know only too well how much in uence the supermarkets have behind the scenes.

So the big question is: what should local retailers in Scotland be doing about all this? Haug’s response is a single word: “engage”.

Last time around, very few local retailers actually had their plans in place and that was probably down to the fact that they had little con dence that the scheme would actually happen. Turns out they were right. But this time around its di erent.

When asked, on a scale of one to 10, how con dent is he that DRS 2.0 will be in force in 2027, Haug looks up to the skies, grimaces a little and says “eight or nine”.

“It may be delayed by a month or two but my feeling is that it will happen this time,” he says. He quickly quali es that statement with a chuckle and an addendum: “Having said that, I was pretty con dent it was going to happen last time!”

Even at this stage, however, it does feel di erent this time. e political will is there, the DMO is in place, and the consumer sentiment seems to be there.

“We all know that consumers want to be greener and want to play their part,” says Haug. “And DRS is a brilliant way to make a massive positive change in a very short space of time. e new scheme makes it as painless as possible for us to make that change.”

So if it’s coming, it’s time for retailers to engage and get involved. “My personal view is that last time, retailers were slow to engage. We can’t a ord to make that mistake again.”

To highlight his reasoning for urging retailers to get on board now, Haug does some simple maths. “We’re doing installs at the moment at a rate of about 50 a month. From the start of 2026, we will only have about 20 months le before October 2027. If retailers leave it too late, they may run into problems.

“To be clear, the problem is not manufacturing RVMs or getting them here. e challenge is installing them because every install is di erent. We have challenges with oor space, with electricity, with internet access and so on. ose take time to resolve, so retailers need to be ready and to have their stores ready for the install. at takes time and thought.”

Ultimately, Haug thinks RVMs will quickly become just another service in store for shoppers. ey will soon become second nature and then the most important factor for retailers to consider is the shopper experience, just as it is with a co ee machine or a hot dog unit.

“Customers like tech, that much is very clear,” explains Haug. “ ey like solutions that work,

that are slick and that are quick and convenient to use. Retailers will need to provide a great user experience because if they don’t, someone else will. We all know how easy it is to lose customers and how hard it is to get them back.

“Our experience in Europe shows that customers typically bring their returns between two and four times a month and it’s a planned trip. If you o er a great experience you can retain your customers and generate new business into the bargain.”

Not all retailers may wish to install an RVM and exemptions do apply in the new scheme which allow retailers to be fully exempted or they can simply do manual takeback, but Haug o ers a word of caution: “Our data from DRS systems cross the globe shows that manual takeback is tricky. In a typical store with an RVM selling around 100,000 bottles, something like 70,000 to 80,000 of those will be returned to the store. In a store doing manual takeback, it’s less than 10,000.”

at’s a lot of custom to lose and, interestingly, it was a problem encountered during the rollout of DRS in Ireland. Over the water, the Irish DMO went to the lengths of subsidising smaller stores to allow them to install RVMs so they wouldn’t be put at a competitive disadvantage. is may be something the UK DMO is considering too.

And while the new DRS looks a lot more t for purpose, the major RVM manufacturers have also been busy in the last few years evolving and developing their own tech to better suit the needs of independent retailers.

“We o er an RVM that’s only 0.6sqm,” says Haug. “Most stores will be able to nd a place for that. And even the machine we would

recommend to most local retailers is only 0.8sqm so retailers don’t need to worry about how to t enormous machines into their stores.”

Most recently, TOMRA introduced its sleek new R2 machine which allows customers to dump entire bags of containers into the machine in one go, rather than one at a time, signi cantly enhancing the user experience.

In terms of advice that Haug would o er to retailers now, he comments: “Engage with the DMO and sign up for their regular updates. Engage with trade bodies like SGF and BRC. Spend some time understanding the new DRS and begin talking to potential partners to nd out what they have available and whether they are capable of delivering for you – and remember that cheap isn’t always better. ere’s no point in buying a cheap product if it doesn’t work.”

e key takeaway for retailers here is to ‘start now’. Implementing a solution in your store that works for you and also works for your customers isn’t complex or di cult, but it will take a little time to get it just right before you push the button.

But perhaps the most important shi here is away from simply complying with legislation and towards delivering great customer experience, as Haug concludes: “Local retailers are successful because they are the heart of the communities they serve and they deliver fantastic experiences every time a shopper walks through the door. DRS will be no di erent. When the scheme is live, regular recycling at a store will become normalised and when that happens, shoppers will choose stores where the experience is best. DRS is a fantastic opportunity to drive loyalty and recruit new customers.”

DRIVE YOUR SALES WITH RUSTLERS BIG NIGHT IN!

TRANSFORMING A COMMUNITY

Highland Fuels newbuild Balfron Filling Station is not only a top-notch modern forecourt store, but it has also played a major role in revitalising the small semi-rural village it serves.

BY ANTONY BEGLEY

W INNE R

Operated by Highland Fuels, Balfron Filling Station is remarkable on a number of levels and was a very worthy winner of the Forecourt of the Year Award at the SLR Awards earlier this year. e win also made a little bit of history by marking the rst victory in the Awards by a Morrisons Daily store.

Acquired by Highland Fuels back in 2022, the site had been a Ford car dealership for more than 20 years that had a small 100sq ft kiosk that served as the token gesture to retail. Balfron is a small semi-rural village with a population of about 2,000 people and it sits around 16 miles north of Glasgow and 18 miles west of Stirling.

With little in the way of competition, however, and little of any description in the village, to be frank, the new owners could clearly see the potential for building not only a fantastic, modern store and forecourt but also a site that would play a critical role in revitalising the entire community.

STARTING AFRESH

e rebuild was a true ‘knock it down and start again’ job and delivered a stunning 2,800sq store that acts as a one-stop-shop for the local populace. On the forecourt there’s a modern four-pump o er including premium unleaded grades and a 24-hour pay at the pump service.

The site has 22 parking spaces with two accessible bays, two jet wash units, an electric charging unit and customer toilets with baby changing facilities.

But it’s the store itself that truly blew the judges away. Being a new build, the store has been designed as a perfect rectangle and features everything most customers could want.

Food to go is covered by an Auld’s hot and cold range as well as a bank of self-serve units including Pret Express coffee, Reece’s Hot Chocolate, Skiwshee slush and a Rollover Hotdog machine.

There’s a very extensive fresh and chilled range, as well as a large focus on locally and nationally sourced Scottish products and freshly baked Morrisons products. The standard convenience offer – confectionery, crisps, BWS, vapes, frozen and so on – are all given plenty of space and there’s also a wealth of services including National Lottery, PayPoint, a free-to-use ATM, Inpost Parcel Lockers and self-service checkouts alongside the manned tillpoint.

While the forecourt itself will act as a big footfall driver, manager Duncan McMillan

estimates that fuel sales will account for “only about 50% of our turnover”, a reflection of the strength of the retail offer.

DONE RIGHT

ere’s no question too that the t-out has been done well. e store is big, roomy and brightly lit, making for a modern, relaxed and engaging shopping environment.

The fixtures and fittings used throughout are high spec and great quality, and the attention to detail is commendable, in no small part down to Duncan and his team. An experienced store management team are supported by an engaged group of colleagues, all trained routinely using online training platforms and powered by formal competitor reviews and data-driven analysis of EPoS data to continually refine and hone the range and pricing.

The store is also meticulously maintained and cleaned with all fixtures chock full and beautifully merchandised.

The judges found the store a pleasure to browse and shop; the range has clearly been designed to ensure that shoppers can find everything they need for every mission, whether they’re looking for a hot breakfast, a healthy lunch, or ingredients to prepare tonight’s dinner.

All told, it’s a thoroughly modern and slick convenience store that wouldn’t be out of place on a high street in Glasgow or Edinburgh. But it’s not in a big city, it’s in a small village. It’s clear that the new store and forecourt have already had a massive impact on the local community, providing the village with a much-needed hub and saving locals from having to drive many miles to a supermarket or petrol station.

COMMUNITY FOCUS

is community hub focus is arguably the most impressive aspect of Balfron Filling Station. For the rst time ever, the 2,000 locals have all of their daily needs met and it requires nothing more than a 30-second drive or a ve-minute walk. And the store is at least the equal of any forecourt you’ll nd in Scotland.

And that’s not to forget the 13 new jobs that the store brought to Balfron.

Quantifying the positive impact a store has on the community it serves is a tricky task but it’s crystal clear from the looks on the faces of the customers visiting Balfron Filling Station that it has been enthusiastically embraced by the local community – and it’s not hard to understand why.

GREENS RETAIL SERVES UP 24/7

‘FOODVENIENCE’ CONCEPT

Take a visual tour of Harris Aslam’s groundbreaking new store.

Greens Retail has launched a new ‘foodvenience’ format called Greens on the Go, focused almost entirely on ‘Food for Now’ and ‘Food for Later’.

Inspired by Asia, Scandinavia, North America and Europe, the rst store opened on 2 September in central Edinburgh, with further locations planned and learnings to be rolled out across Greens’ existing 27 stores.

Open 24/7, Greens claims to have introduced several sector rsts, including a customisable noodle station with more than 50 varieties, unlimited re ll co ee under the G.O.A.T Co ee brand, a nacho station, cereal bar, salad bar, and FroMo mocktails by Skwishee.

It also o ers milkshakes, smoothies, frappes, iced co ees, so -serve ice cream, boba tea and a wide range of hot and cold food-to-go options, including sushi, bagels, loaded fries, baked potatoes, breakfast rolls, soups, pizzas and international dishes. Vegetarian, vegan, glutenfree and halal options are available too.

e store also features Greens’ partnership with the Fisher & Donaldson family bakery.

Located in a busy retail and commuting area on Edinburgh’s Morrison Street, Greens on the Go aims to ll a gap in the market by remaining open all day and night. e store will o er deliveries via Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo.

Greens boss Harris Aslam says the new format took two years to develop and hails it as “the boldest move in Scottish convenience retail for decades”.

He says: “We set out to rip up the rulebook… it is unlike anything the sector has ever seen. is is bigger than the launch of Greens itself, given it’s not just a new brand – it’s a completely new proposition.”

Harris claims that the initial response had been “extraordinary”.

He says: “From early morning to late evening, we had queues outside and an electric atmosphere inside, as customers came to experience what is a revolutionary new concept for UK retail.”

Kinder Bueno Multipack Ferrero

Designed exclusively for the convenience and wholesale channels, the new £1.99 pricemarked pack contains five individually-wrapped bars in cardboard packaging and is available in Classic Milk and White Chocolate variants. It is available now from a number of wholesalers, including Bestway and Booker. The launch will be supported by digital and POS activations in depot.

Tropical Fruit Twists The Fruit Factory

Irn-Bru unveils festive limited edition

Irn-Bru is launching a new limited-edition flavour to help retailers make the most of their seasonal soft drinks’ sales peak.

Winter Bru, available for eight weeks from 1 November, infuses Spiced Cinnamon & Ginger flavours with the familiar taste of Irn-Bru.

The new five-packs (90g) feature a blend of watermelon, pineapple, mango and passionfruit. Made with real fruit juice, each pack contains 64 kcal and is free from artificial colours and preservatives. Nearly 650,000 shoppers bought the brand in the past year, with 70% making repeat purchases. Twists are a key driver of performance, with a peelable format that fits lunchboxes.

Starbucks Frappuccino Multiserve

Arla Foods

Starbucks has introduced two chilled coffee flavours in a new 700ml Multiserve format: Starbucks Frappuccino Caramel and Starbucks Frappuccino Creamy Mocha Delight. Each bottle contains multiple servings and stays fresh for up to three days once opened. Made from 100% recycled plastic (excluding sleeve and cap), the new format is designed for sharing at home or work.

It comes in 330ml plain (RSP £1.09) and 79p pricemarked cans (cases of 24) and 8 x 330ml multipacks (RSP £4.50).

The launch is supported by a “huge” PR, social and influencer marketing campaign.

PoS, including display units, is also available for retailers and wholesalers to create some festive theatre throughout the winter months.

Hi-veg smoothies Innocent Drinks

Innocent has expanded its core range with two new high-veg smoothies, Green Goodness and Red Goodness. Each smoothie contains over 25% vegetables, no added sugar, and provides a source of vitamin C, potassium and fibre. Both count towards one of your five a day and are available in 750ml and 250ml formats. The range is available now in Sainsbury’s and will roll out further in the coming months.

Commenting on the launch, Kenny Nicholson, Irn-Bru Brand Director, said: “We know that our limited-edition flavours are hugely popular and a big incremental sales driver. Retailers have sold more than nine million cans of Irn-Bru Xtra limited editions in the last two years, with almost half attributed to new category shoppers.

“Sales of ginger-flavoured drinks are also increasing by 27%, so we know that this is the perfect time for Winter Bru.

“A spicy hit in every sip, we’ve combined our iconic Irn-Bru taste with a truly delicious festive flavour that we know will have shoppers running back for more before it’s gone.”

The touchscreen-enabled open pod device has an RSP of £26.99 and is compatible with the InnoGate app, letting users control the device via smartphone, offering access to settings such as power levels, usage tracking, and child lock activation. It uses refillable ELFX pods with a 2ml capacity and is compatible with all nic salts, including ELFLIQ – the same e-liquids used in ELFBAR’s prefilled pod range.

The new SKUs (RSP £1.25) join the brand’s existing range, which includes Smoky BBQ and Roasted Tomato & Pepper. The new products are designed to attract a broader consumer base, with options for both heat-seekers and those who prefer milder flavours. They also form part of Old El Paso’s latest sustainability initiative, with fully recyclable packaging.

ELFX Ultra Elfbar

Old El Paso Extra Mild and Fiery Hot Fajita Mixes General Mills

Mr Kipling Mince Pie Whirls

Premier Foods

Launching in time for Christmas, Mince Pie Whirls combine the brand’s classic whirl format with brandy-flavoured creme and mincemeat-flavour sauce. The new product is available now with an RSP of £1.50. Mince pie sales have grown by 34% over the past five years and are now worth £79.6m.

Wicked Bars Stoats

Inspired by the new Wicked: For Good film, the new limitededition bars — Enchanting Apple & Blueberry and Magical Berry Fusion — are themed around the film’s witches Elphaba and Glinda. Both bars are HFSS-compliant and made with wholegrain oats, crisped rice and real fruit. With an RSP of £2.50, the bars are available now exclusively in Tesco stores, with a wider rollout planned ahead of the film’s 21 November release.

Quaker Oats & Fruit

PepsiCo

Quaker’s new breakfast line is made with more than 80% wholegrain oats and real fruit, and no artificial ingredients. It is naturally sweetened with date powder and comes in two varieties: Exotic Fruits, which blends mango, pineapple and coconut; and Summer Fruits, which features peach, raspberry and strawberry. Packs display every ingredient on the front for transparency. RSP £3.75.

Bournville back

Honey Glazed Christmas Tree Tortillas Golden Wonder

Launching as part of the brand’s festive range, Golden Wonder’s new sweet and crunchy Christmas Tree Tortillas come in a sharing bag format and are ideal for “decorating snack bowls”. The range also includes Glazed Ham Baubles, Turkey & Stuffing Crisps, Beef & Gravy Ridges. The launch is supported by social media and shopper marketing.

Cadbury’s Bournville brand is back with ‘Made to be enjoyed, not endured’, its first campaign in 50 years. The campaign positions Bournville as the antidote to bitter, hard-to-enjoy dark chocolate. A new 30-second film is airing across out-of-home, radio, YouTube, video-ondemand and social, alongside a 90-second cut and supported by out-of-home posters.

Boldly biting

Cheddar brand Pilgrims Choice is encouraging consumers to embrace flavour and reject blandness with a new brand marketing campaign, ‘Bite into Bold’. The three-month campaign aims to differentiate Pilgrims Choice from other cheese brands by highlighting its distinctive taste profile and encouraging adventurous usage occasions.

Tatty tat

Ginger beer brand Old Jamaica has rolled out the next phase of its relaunch with a new campaign, ‘Keep it Ginger’. Running across the brand’s social channels until the end of the year, the new campaign is spearheaded by a short film featuring a fan who had the old can design tattooed and must now get the offending ink reworked.

Spine chiller

The 40g dry cured pork snacks (RSP £1.50) contain up to 11g of protein per pack and are gluten free. They are made using traditional techniques and are designed as a more premium alternative to crisps, nuts and jerky. Packs have a 240-day shelf life and products are available to indies in Scotland from Bobby’s Foods.

Red Bull’s new Winter Edition combines the taste of Fuji apple with the spiciness of ginger. It is available in single 355ml and 473ml cans and 4 x 250ml multipacks, with and without sugar. A full-sugar 250ml can is also available in plain and price-marked formats. To drive trial, the brand has also introduced a £1 price-marked pack of the new flavour as a WIGIG.

Strongbow’s new ‘Spine-chilling Refreshment’ campaign focuses on Strongbow Dark Fruit and aims to help retailers maximise cider sales in the build-up to Halloween – the biggest trading week of the autumn for the cider category. Dark Fruit will be promoted via social media, influencers and sampling activations targeting university campuses.

Pop art pop-up

Absolut took over one of London’s busiest tube stations for two days last month, as Charing Cross became ‘Haring Cross’ to mark the launch of the Absolut Haring Artist-Edition bottle. The new limited edition celebrates the brand’s association with pop artist Keith Haring, with two of his original 1986 Absolut Vodka paintings also displayed at the station.

Red Bull Winter Edition Red Bull

Mad Butcher Chorizo Bites and Salami Bites

Sigma Alimentos

FORGING A WAY FORWARD

The single-use vape ban has disrupted the market, but retailers are riding the storm and identifying areas of growth.

BY SARAH BRITTON

THIS PRODUCT CONTAINS NICOTINE. For existing adult smokers and vapers only. 18+ only. Not a smoking cessation product. © Fontem 2025

It’s certainly been a testing few months for vape retailers as they and their customers navigate the single-use vape ban, which came into force on 1 June.

e ban hit UK convenience sales volumes hard, noted TWC, with a -16% drop in week one, impacting additional categories such as crisps, snacks, confectionery, and so drinks.

e insight consultancy labelled Tobacco Alternatives as a sales ‘drain’ over the third quarter of 2025, with the category su ering signi cant value and volume declines.

“Vapes have de nitely slowed down,” says Ross MacPherson, Costcutter Barrassie and Coylton, South Ayrshire. “We’ve got a lot of vape customers still, but they are buying re llable pods now. ey’ve moved on, which is probably why the sales have dropped, because they’re buying one every week, or one every three days as opposed to two a day.

SKE claims that the 600 Pro’s similarity to its disposable counterpart is exactly why the product has seen “robust demand”.

e brand’s CEO Jack Dong says: “By adapting our bestselling disposable into a fully compliant re llable product, while keeping the familiar shape, avours and experience, we’ve o ered consumers continuity at a time of change. Subtle updates to colours, avour descriptors and branding ensured the product remains adultfocused and understated.”

Imperial Brands was also ahead of the game, launching its rechargeable blu bar kit in summer 2024 to help consumers gradually transition away from disposables. is has since been followed up with the blu box kit.

Before the ban came into force, Ross says that the Barassie store was turning over £3,000 a week in vape sales, but four months down the road this has now plummeted 60% to £1,200. However, this sharp drop is not representative of the shop’s overall sales. “It’s the same in Coylton,” he claims. “We’ve lost a few thousand on vaping, but we’re up £2,000 to £3,000 a week overall.”

SAME BUT DIFFERENT

Rather than take risks on up-and-coming vape brands, Ross generally only stocks household names.

“We have a core range,” he says. “We stock IVG Pro and IVG Smart, they both have 10,000 pu s, they’re re llable. en there’s a Crystal one [SKE 600 Pro] that’s got pods, but they’re single use if you don’t change the pods. ey’re very popular still, so I don’t know if folk just like [the idea of] that single-use vape in their hand with the smaller pod.”

“Since the ban has been implemented, there has been high cross-usage of vape device types amongst adult vapers who previously used disposable devices,” says Andrew Malm, UK Market Manager for Imperial Brands. “May 2025 data from Vape Hub reveals that more than 60% of these disposable users have purchased a pod device – with up to 35% buying replacement pods.

“As consumers become used to a post-ban purchasing experience, it remains important that users feel con dent about how to use re lls within their reusable devices so that they make the most of the podbased devices. Informed retail sta can play a key role here acting as a source of help and advice.”

WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOUR?

Malm also advises retailers to keep a close eye on what avours are in demand. “In vapes, with consumer demand for pod systems on the rise, it is important for retailers to be mindful of the trends that will maintain its uptake, especially around avour preferences and format favourites,” he says, citing a recent VapeHub study, which surveyed 450 UK vape users. “When asked for their three most-preferred avours, 64% mentioned fruit – more than double that of any other avour type [VapeHub: online survey, data collected between July 2024 and January 2025].”

e blu box kit and blu bar kit are compatible with the brand’s 15 intense pod avours, including Strawberry

REPUBLIC TECHNOLOGIES GETS SMARTER

Ice, Mint, Watermelon Ice, and Blueberry Sour Razz –along with the additions of Cherry, Pineapple, Lemon Lime, and Triple Melon.

Asim Iqbal stocks a wide variety of vape avours at Roslin Convenience Store in Midlothian and claims they all sell well. “We have a very big mix of avours, menthol ones and fruit ones. Because we have such a high in ux of customers, all the avours move.”

Asim’s vape sales have been performing well since the ban, which he puts down to expanding the xture as more big pu ranges became available. “ ere weren’t as many [when the ban rst came in] as now – we’ve brought in quite a few new products,” he says.

“With the single use vapes we weren’t too heavy on multi-buys, but now we have to be with the bigger ones. e IVG Pro 12 (sold at £12.99 per device or three for £20, plus pods for £6.99 or 10 for £50), are fast movers, as well as the Hayati Pro Max+ 6000+ [priced at £8.99, with re ll pods for £6.99]. ey’re the main ones for us.”

He also stocks some smaller pu devices but claims his customers have wised up to getting more pu for their pound.

“I’ve got the Lost Mary BM600 pu re ll pods, they’re ve for £20. So that’s roughly 600 pu s for £4 or you can go for 10,000 or 12,000 pu s for £6.99. Most people are going for the bigger [pu ] ones and then getting the re lls of those purely because they’re better value for money,” he explains.

In a category first, the Smarter range from Republic Technologies incorporates new technology featuring Scotland’s first vaping range with a no-mesh coil pod system.

The Smarter range comprises the compact Smarter Mini (RSP £9.99, 120g) which provides up to 800 puffs per replaceable pod, and the long-lasting Smarter 6K (RSP £12.99, 103g), which enables users to enjoy up to 6,000 puffs per refill, with a 2ml + 10ml rechargeable tank.

The Smarter Mini incorporates a replaceable, longerlasting ceramic coil (as opposed to a mesh coil) which sits outside the pod.

The rechargeable Smarter range incorporates the 12 most popular vaping flavours, as conducted by consumer research, including ‘Strawberry Ice’ and ‘Cool Mint’.

Gavin Anderson, Sales and Marketing Director at Republic Technologies, comments: “The Smarter products are just that, breaking new ground with their use of smart, innovative technology. Featuring a sleek design and packaging which we’re confident will appeal to those consumers looking for the best quality, cost effective vaping experience.

“Users will be able to switch pods with little or no residue and the eco-friendly, rechargeable devices will also reduce wastage.”

The Smarter products are backed by an extensive range of PoS to drive in-store visibility and awareness, including display units, wobblers, tent cards, flyers and posters.

66% of vapers prefer to purchase from local retail, compared to just 16% in specialist vape stores and 10% online.

Source:VapeHubMay2025

FUMI

STOCK FUMI. SATISFY DEMAND.

41% Growth since launch in July 2025

THE ORAL NICOTINE SCENE

Meanwhile, pouches are performing well at Roslin Convenience Stores. “I used to have a stand with eight spaces for pouches, but now I’ve got 25 easily,” says Asim. “Because we’ve boosted the range and because we’ve got good deals on them, the sales have gone up. Pablo, Killa and Nordic Spirit are our bestsellers.”

Ross MacPherson’s pouch sales have risen too, up an impressive 100%, albeit from a small base compared to vapes. “We’re selling more Velo and Nordic Spirit, and we’ve got Pablo Gold in, which seems to be very popular,” says Ross.

Although more sales take place in the grocery channel, sales of nicotine pouches are growing much faster in convenience, where they are up by 88% YOY in volume terms, compared to 58% YOY volume growth in grocery [IRI Marketplace, w/e 06-07-2025], states Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK.

“Our XQS brand is selling particularly well in convenience stores, where it is already the sixth-biggestselling brand, with huge potential for further growth,” says Prianka Jhingan, STG Head of Marketing.

John Rennie, Director of Commercial Operations at PMI UK&I, which makes Zyn pouches, says: “Adopting a multicategory product approach is critical if retailers are going to meet di erent consumer tastes and preferences. ere’s clearly an opportunity for retailers to switch single-use adult vape users to an alternative smoke-free option, preventing them from reverting back to cigarettes while also protecting their store’s bottom line.”

He claims that the rm’s IQOS ILUMA heated tobacco device is a great smoke-free alternative because it provides real tobacco taste and satisfaction and emits 95% less harmful chemicals compared to cigarettes –plus it enables savings of up to £3,400 a year. “It’s these attributes, coupled with evolving preferences among adult smokers and nicotine users, which have helped to establish IQOS as a leading alternative for those directly transitioning

IMPERIAL’S TOP TIPS ON BOOSTING SALES

Andrew Malm, UK Market Manager for Imperial Brands, explains the best ways to grow the category: “It’s important to remember that not every customer who walks into a store is an experienced vaper, so retailers and staff that can provide relevant information and advice will help customers make an informed purchasing decision and ultimately build trust in the store. Being well versed and knowledgeable about the products you can offer is vital.

“Retailers should analyse customer buying habits and stock flavours that sell best locally. We’d advise engaging with customers to understand key trends within your store and take notice of the products and flavours that customers are frequently purchasing. This will also help you to refine your vape offerings over time.

“Whilst refinement shows a personal touch, offering a variety of products and flavours is important too. Stocking products such as our blu bar kits, as well as replaceable pods in a variety of flavours and essential accessories, will help appeal to customers and drive returning business. Additionally, providing staff education through training on pod-based systems is crucial to assist customers so they know what product is best for them.

“Highlighting the benefits of alternatives to disposables, including long-term cost savings, advanced technologies like mesh coil systems, and portability, can further drive interest and customer satisfaction. Outlets can also entice customers to return if they also regularly stock products with alternative flavour options for them to try. Here, highlighting offers tied to reusable systems or multi-buy discounts on pods and devices can also incentivise repeat purchases.”

from cigarettes,” says Rennie. ILUMA has expanded its avour portfolio with the launch of TEREA Pearls. e TEREA Pearls range features innovative capsule technology, enabling users to switch seamlessly from a traditional tobacco blend to a unique avour with a single click.

He adds: “Recognising that no single smokefree product can cater to every smokers’ preference, embracing a multi-category approach becomes indispensable for those investing in their smoke-free portfolio.”

Image by saibo from Pixabay

VAPING REDEFINED DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

SCOTLAND’S FESTIVE FAVOURITES

We unwrap all the Christmas confectionery bestsellers in Scottish convenience with CD:UK data from Talysis.

BY SARAH BRITTON

It’s no surprise that chocolate and sweets enjoy a hearty sales spike come Christmastime. “Notably, 97% of UK households purchased confectionery during the holiday season, spending an average of £73 per person [Kantar Worldpanel 12we 29.12.24],” says Andy Mutton, Managing Director at Storck UK, which is bringing back its Werther’s Original Golden Mix Christmas Gi Box for 2025.

“ is highlights the category’s broad penetration and the opportunity for retailers to drive incremental sales by o ering the right mix of festive confectionery.”

But which confectionery segments are really bringing the magic for Scottish local retailers?

SLR’s exclusive data from CD:UK, powered by Talysis, provides an in-depth insight into the

Scottish convenience market, identifying exactly which areas are worth your attention.

ere was cause for celebration all-round as Seasonal Confectionery in Scottish convenience grew 5.7% in the 16 weeks to end December 2024 versus 2023, while general sharing confectionery (including boxed chocolates) soared 13.7% and impulse confectionery leapt up 12.7%, reveals Talysis.

NOVELTY FACTOR

Novelties was the best-performing seasonal confectionery sub-category for c-stores in Scotland for Christmas 2024, with remarkably high growth of +39%, according to CD:UK ndings.

While Cadbury Puds was the number one SKU for indies and symbols UK-wide in 2024, growing 5% [Nielsen, Total Christmas, 24 Weeks to 28.12.24], CD:UK data reveals that Cadbury Mini Snowballs 80g were in fact the top-selling novelty in Scotland over the festive period, with an impressive 12.2% value share. For 2025, the 80g bag will be replaced by a 74g pack due to increased input costs across the supply chain. In the bestsellers list, Mini Snowballs 80g were followed by 2024’s new releases Cadbury Mini Puds 43g bag, and M&M’s Crispy Milk Chocolate Santa Treat. Cadbury Christmas Puds ranked in fourth place, while new sugar confectionery line, the Haribo Merry Mix 140g bag, squeezed into the h slot and sixth place was taken by festive favourite Maltesers Merryteaser Reindeer. It’s a close-run competition with each

Feature Christmas Confectionery

product ranked from second to sixth commanding around a 7% value share of novelties. Cumulatively, the top six lines account for almost half (48%) of novelty sales within Scottish convenience.

Mars is continuing to keep things fresh in 2025, expanding its Malteser Reindeer range with a new Ginger variant available in single (29g) and mini bag (59g) formats, as well as featuring in the 240g Maltesers Christmas Mix.

e rm is also building on the M&M’s Crispy Milk Chocolate Santa (29g) –which drove a 55% upli in the total single category [Nielsen IQ Scantrack Data to: W/E 28.12.24] – with the launch of a ve-pack.

Laura O’Neill, Senior Brand Manager, Christmas at Mars Wrigley says: “Refreshing product ranges with new avours and formats is essential during the festive season. Innovation is a key driver, with new product development contributing 27% of Christmas 2024 growth [Nielsen IQ Scantrack Data to: W/E 28.12.24]. During this time, shoppers naturally turn to trusted brands for moments of nostalgia and indulgence. By combining nostalgic avours, exciting innovations, accessible price points and premium choices, Mars Wrigley is providing retailers with the tools they need to drive sales, grow their audience and make the most of the festive trading period.”

e best way to take advantage of the popularity of novelty lines at Christmas is

to get a “fast start” claims Cadbury brand owner Mondelez International, meaning that smaller festive treats should already be on shelves. “Self-eat is about 50% of the sales in indies and symbols during this period,” says trade communications manager Susan Nash. “ e quicker you’re in it, the quicker you’re going to win with Christmas, so it’s really important not to start too late.”

Not only do retailers make plenty of Christmas novelty sales during the pre-Halloween period, but displaying products in good time can also help to plant a seed for further down the line. “As consumers visit stores, they clock –sometimes consciously, sometimes not – that Christmas is there,” says Nash. “ at’s great because as the season moves on people think ‘Last minute gi – I know where to go’ because it’s been signposted to them.”

Having a dedicated seasonal area that can be rethemed throughout the year is ideal, suggests Nash, adding that a secondary display can help retailers to “really harness and connect with people”. is year, Cadbury has introduced clip strips for its Mini Puds bags, making additional sitings even easier and enabling retailers to disrupt the shopper journey and drive pickup.

CALL FOR CALENDARS

Advent Calendars were another Christmas winner for Scottish local stores with value growth of +21.7% in 2024,

TRY BEFORE THEY FLY!

NEW GINGERBREAD FLAVOUR

No.1 self eat product,

No.5 product in small sharing with +44% growth~

notes Talysis. Cadbury took the top spot again with its 90g Dairy Milk calendar, the biggest seller by far, accounting for almost a quarter (24%) of the segment’s value sales in Scotland.

However, there’s clearly strong demand for premium options too as Lindt’s milk chocolate advent calendar took the number two spot with just over 14% of value sales. Kinder Bueno 167g comes in at number three, while Mars Wrigley’s Galaxy 110g, Malteser Tru es 218g, Milkybar 85g and new Celebrations Tree 215g took slots four to seven respectively. e top seven lines represented 75% of sales within the segment.

Cadbury has a new premium o er for 2025 with its Bisco Advent Calendar (236g, RSP £7.79), featuring 12 solid Cadbury Dairy Milk chunks and 12 with Lotus Bisco pieces and Bisco spread.

“It’s a great option for those looking to tradeup this year and makes the countdown ritual even more special,” says Nash.

Mars Wrigley is also appealing to consumers seeking elevated gi ing and indulgence options during the festive season with the national release of its Maltesers Assorted Tru es Advent Calendar (216g).

As Christmas draws closer, gi ing becomes a key focus.

Sales of Giant Tubes were relatively at for Scottish c-stores in Christmas 2024 versus 2023 (-0.5%), states Talysis. e segment is dominated by Nestlé, which owns nine of the top 10 brands by sales value. e Smarties 120g Giant Tube is number one with over a quarter (26.1%) of value sales, while Rowntrees Fruit Pastilles, Smarties Elf Treats, Aero Bubbles Peppermint and Milkybar Buttons making up the top ve.

Selection boxes saw sales down -5.3% in Scottish c-stores in 2024. Cadbury dominates this area with four of the top ve bestsellers, including the Medium (125g) and Small (78g) Santa Selection Boxes,

which rank rst and second. Each boast more than double the value share of the 170g Cadbury Stocking Selection Box, which comes in third. e top three account for over half of value sales in this segment.

BOXING CLEVER

Over in boxed chocolate, Maltesers 110g box nabbed the top spot in Christmas 2024 with a 7.7% market share, followed by Cadbury Heroes 290g and Cadbury Milk Tray 360g. e top-selling tubs were Quality Street 600g and Celebrations 550g.

“ e great thing about our range is you can o er a mixture of traditional Christmas gi s, but also Heroes and Roses and Cadbury Dairy Milk bars,” says Nash. “ ey’re a gi , but they’re not tied to Christmas, so they de-risk to some extent. If they don’t sell through, they can be ready for the next mini season because it’s not long a er Christmas before we then get Valentines and Mother’s Day.”

New for 2025, Mondelez is extending its Toblerone Tru es range, which launched in 2023, with Toblerone Assorted and Toblerone Golden Caramel Tru es.

Baba’s Kitchen in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire, has come up with a sure re way to grow Christmas confectionery gi ing sales, whilst making a decent margin and avoiding being le with excess seasonal stock.

“Boxed chocolate always sells well at Christmas, so we keep the stock low during the year and then really ramp it up towards the end of the year,” says Supervisor Amy Bennett.

Milk Tray is a good seller and tubs of Celebrations, Roses and Heroes are also in demand, however it’s nighon impossible to make much money from the latter, she claims.

“We de nitely can’t beat the supermarket price for tubs. Funnily enough, most of the time we have to buy the stock from the supermarkets actually because they’re cheaper than our suppliers, so we don’t really make much o of the tubs, but we sell quite a lot in volume. I wouldn’t say they bring people into the store, but I would say folks just expect it to be there. We almost always sell out of those every year, so they do go well.”

Recognising the high demand for gi ing lines, Amy started making up cellophane-wrapped hampers that contained chocolate and alcohol to give the store a point of di erence from its rivals in the area.

“We do some in late November at a lower price point that don’t have alcohol in them for pupils to give to their teachers as gi s,” she says. “ en we do alcohol with chocolate for people to give friends and family. e hampers tend to start at about £10 and range up to £50.

“We sell the products inside at their normal price and then we add on £5 for wrapping and packaging, so it’s probably on average about a 40% margin.”

In the past she used to make up batches of hampers in advance, but sometimes at the end of Christmas she’d have to break a few down because they didn’t sell out. “None of the stu gets wasted, although my eye starts twitching because I’ve spent ages making them all and someone’s just cut them open!” she laughs. “So we’re moving more towards custom-made ones where we ask the customer to give us 24 hours to make it up and then they can have whatever you want in it.”

e store also buys in cardboard Christmas boxes, which it uses to create gi sets. “ ey look like a book on the outside, there’s usually a wee Christmas message on the front and then the cover opens and the stu is inside,” explains Amy. “ ey always go really well and it’s less manual labour time making them up, it’s just a case of adding a bit of tinsel and chucking the chocolates and drinks in.

“We sold about 50 of the cellophane ones last year and around 50 of the books.”

Combine our Scottish convenience insights from Talysis with your own EPoS data and local knowledge, plus a generous sprinkle of creativity, and your seasonal sales are set to sparkle.

Image generated by OpenAI

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Hof its forecourt business seriously. “Years ago, a forecourt would just be o ering so drinks, crisps and confectionery,” says Area Manager Marc Burgess-Main. “People aren’t expecting the full extent of a massive store, but they are expecting you to o er a competitive selection, so groceries, bread and cakes.”

What began as two sites in Pembrokeshire, Wales, in 2011 has grown rapidly into a 62-strong UK-wide estate, with two sites in Scotland, and the rm hungry for more.

“We are looking to grow in Scotland over the next year or so,” Burgess-Main says. He claims that the group has a clear strategy for expansion, based around taking on “unloved” sites and redeveloping them – a process they refer to inhouse as “Asconarisation”.

“We’re just looking for the correct opportunity for a store that we can bring up to the expected standard with sta we’ll employ locally,” he says. He claims that simply meeting customers’ fuel requirements is no longer enough to guarantee success in the forecourt sector. “When you’re out on the road, you’re thinking ‘I need fuel, but where am I going to get a co ee? Where am I going to get food?’”

THE TASTE TEST

Competition is erce, so forecourts must provide a strong food-to-go o er if they want a piece of the action. “Because there are so many di erent types of forecourts out there – for example, in Glasgow you’ve got the Racetrack stores, they do something totally di erent to what everyone else does, and then customers go to other sites, like EG on the Move, and they may have a Greggs or their own style of food to go – so customers are looking for that when they go to a forecourt. ey’re looking for your Rollover, your Tango Ice Blast, your Greggs or Country Choice.” e rm’s Re nery Service Station in Grangemouth, is home to Starbucks Co ee,

Tango Ice Blast, Rollover Hot Dogs and a Gregg’s franchise run by store sta . e group has also found local suppliers to up the store’s appeal to local residents. “We’ve also brought in goods from a local bakery in Cumbernauld,” says Burgess-Main. “ e products from him are all sale or return as well, which has helped us, and we’ve had a little bit free rein as to what he wants to put in and the customers are liking what they’re getting.”

Meanwhile, up in Aberdeen, the group upped its game by switching out its Gregg’s o er for Country Choice, a move which has seen sales more than double. e store has also reached out to local suppliers and o ers sandwiches, bread and cakes from Aberdeen bakery JG Ross, which have been well received.

Sourcing new lines to keep customers coming back is also a big focus. “We’ve recently just put in a supplier called Snak Shed into both sites. ey do food to go [think individually wrapped apjacks, mu ns and cookies], which is helping push a little bit more sales. We’ve also introduced Bonds sweet tubs, which have sold really, really well. So we’re trying to do di erent things to see what’s working.”

CHANGING THINGS UP

And it’s not just Ascona doing things di erently. Rollover Hotdogs is upping its game too in a bid to give consumers a food-to-go o er that caters

JET CHARGES AHEAD

Cooper Bros in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, is reaping the benefits of installing JET CHARGE, an ultra-rapid EV charging station.

Operations Director, Garry Gibson, says: “EV customers have all been complimentary about how easy to use and accessible the chargers are, with many taking the opportunity to use the shop – which is good to see.”

Launched in February 2023, and featuring up to 360kWh ultra-rapid charging, pay-as-you-go payment, and no minimum charge, JET CHARGE has quickly become popular with EV drivers. One customer told JET: “This is what charging should be like. Rock up. No waiting. Present card, plug in. Pause. Present card, unplug, and away you go.”

JET Hillside Terrace in Selkirk in the Scottish Borders cited JET CHARGE as a significant factor in its decision to switch to the JET brand. It’s a similar story at JET Oasis in Hull, where Operations Director, Oliver Blake, explains that JET’s EV arrangement was “too good to turn down.” Similarly, JET Brentford recently re-signed a four-year contract, identifying JET CHARGE as a pivotal factor.

“Customers want the confidence to know that we can offer everything they need at our site – be it fuel, food or a quick and easy-to-use re-charge,” says Manoj Agnihotri, Business Development and Operations Manager, JET Brentford. “JET CHARGE is a great addition to the JET brand, and for dealers like us, who operate in high-density urban areas with a higher concentration of EV drivers, it’s the missing piece of the puzzle.”

Rupert Turner, Managing Director, UK Marketing, Phillips 66, says: “JET CHARGE is bringing new customers to the JET brand every day, many of whom shop while waiting to power up. Add increased footfall and a commitment from us to meet the costs of installation, and it’s a compelling offer more and more of our dealers are looking to explore.”

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DOUBLECOOL DOES IT AGAIN

It was all change for Mansfield Crossroads Service Station in Nottinghamshire this summer when the site revamped the chillers at its Nisa store.

DoubleCool installation experts Ben and Terry fitted 14 doors to three runs of open chillers: four doors to keep the beers chilled, three for cool wines, and seven for soft drinks.

Adding doors to chillers creates massive energy savings, meaning significantly reduced energy bills and a more sustainable business.

Retailers who’ve had DoubleCOOL lightweight, acrylic fridge doors fitted to open chillers have experienced energy savings of 45% to 60% and payback periods can be as short as 12 months, claims the firm.

The store opted for frameless doors, which provide customers with a clear view of products. What’s more, adding doors regulated the store’s temperature, which in turn helped to lower food wastage.

BIG TECH FOR SMALL STORES

The convenience store located at the Murco filling station in Jaywick, Essex, has served the local community for over 30 years, but until recently the shop lacked the technology needed to provide a thorough overview of the business.

“I didn’t know our gross profit,” says Veer Patel, owner of Spar Nash’s Jaywick. “I didn’t know what was selling well and what wasn’t.”

An investment in Henderson Technology’s EDGEPoS system has enabled Veer to regain control of the store’s performance. He checks reports daily, tracking gross profit margins, category performance, and product trends in real time. He’s also learned to schedule price increases on selected items, helping to protect profitability when wholesale RSPs drop.

At the same time as bringing in the EPoS, Veer also introduced electronic shelf edge labels. He reckons that this alone saves him 10 hours of staff time each week. “Before, we used to get 10 pages of price changes daily — that’s over 200 products,” he says. “Now it’s automatic. You press a button, and it’s done.”

Veer says the investments significantly improved staff efficiency, pricing accuracy, and overall confidence in running the business. He is convinced that technology is the way forward. “This isn’t just for big stores,” he says. “I’ve got 3,000 SKUs in 1,250 square feet, and it works brilliantly.”

better for di erent day parts. Bacon, sausage and egg are shoppers’ top-three breakfast items [Lumina, Breakfast Food Items, w/e 16/02/25], so Rollover has incorporated them into portable options with its new bacon & sausage baguette and sausage, egg & cheese mu n.

e supplier is supporting retailers with more targeted merchandising and ranging advice to create greater visibility and encourage consumers to think of breakfast as a more complete meal. “For example, retailers can bundle our breakfast mu n and sausage baguette with complementary items like fresh fruit or juices as part of a meal deal to increase spend,” says Tony Owen, General Manager at Rollover. “It’s all about creating a varied breakfast o ering that aligns with current consumer preferences.”

When it comes to lunch, there is more demand for higher protein o erings, which has seen a 50% growth in the last four years, making it the fastest-growing food category [6 Kantar Category Gold | % value growth | 52wk data from 29.11.20 to 07.07.24], states Rollover.

e rm is meeting this demand with its amegrilled quarter pounder bacon cheeseburger, which is also the second most popular food-togo dish [Lumina, FTG Dishes, w/e 16/02/25], and boneless chicken wings.

Wild Bean Cafe is also giving consumers new reasons to visit forecourts with a tonguein-cheek creative that challenges people’s perceptions of lling station food.

Despite serving freshly prepared co ee in BP retail sites for over 25 years, the brand realised that it had a poor reputation, with many drivers simply passing it by, claims ad agency TBWA/ MCR.

So the new campaign reframes the brand’s high-quality food and drink as one of life’s pleasant surprises, encouraging customers to reappraise the o er. “In a category where assumptions run deep, we leaned into scepticism instead of ignoring it,” says TBWA/MCR. “Petrol station cafés are rarely associated with quality, so rather than shy away, we tackled these preconceptions head-on.”

Running across out of home, audio, social, ad vans, in-store activation and even on in-car navigation systems – the ads rave about the brand’s delicious co ee and bacon baps, and carry a ‘well that was wildly unexpected’ tagline.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES

Outside of food, forecourts are also thinking outside the box when it comes to attracting customers. “We benchmark our fuel pricing three times a week,” says Ascona’s BurgessMain. “In Grangemouth we have matched our competitors’ pricing multiple times, which will pull people in as well because we’re BP, so people perceive it to be better quality than a supermarket brand of fuel.”

e store also boasts two jet wash machines, two air and vac machines, and a car wash.

Amazon lockers give customers another reason to visit, and Burgess-Main claims that Ascona is in talks with Royal Mail about rolling out their lockers to stores too.

Wash.ME washing machines and dryers are another big draw for Grangemouth. A er their initial success, the site recently upgraded with a second unit. “It’s surprising how much they’re used,” says Burgess-Main. “With our sites in Scotland, they’re near housing areas, so we try to cater for both the local customer, as well as people travelling through.”

With additional services galore and an inspiring food-to-go o er, forecourts that invest and innovate are fuelling sales like never before.

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A canny investment

Alcoholic RTDs hold great potential for retailers who can keep up with this fast-moving category.

BY SARAH BRITTON

When the big boys start investing in an area then you know it’s worth your while. at’s de nitely the case with Alcoholic Ready To Drinks (RTDs), where Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners has put its almighty weight behind the category.

“Alcohol ready-to-drinks are worth over £656m in GB [Nielsen Total Alcohol RTD Value MAT 14.06.25] and are growing faster than any other alcohol segment [Nielsen Strategic Planner Total GB MAT 18.05.2025],” says Senior External Communications Manager Kate Abbotson.

“Convenience is a big factor to support this with 70% of alcohol RTDs consumed within two hours of purchase [Coca-Cola’s BEACH measurement system], so availability, visibility and strong chiller presence are key.

“With growth forecast at nearly 4.4% by 2028 [Global Data, Segment Insights (GB data 2024 to 2028)], the long-term opportunity is clear. at’s why we’re backing our portfolio with fullfunnel marketing that builds awareness, drives trial and positions [alcohol] RTDs for sustained success.”

e rm has recently expanded its Jack Daniel’s (JD) RTD portfolio with a Cherry Cola variant, and the JD & Coca-Cola range, including Original (with and without sugar) has generated £65m worth of sales since launch [Nielsen Total Coverage to 30/12/2024].

e combination of Absolut and Sprite has also wielded impressive results. Absolut Vodka & Sprite was 2024’s top readyto-drink launch [Nielsen, Total Coverage, YTD to 07.09.24] and is the largest value growth contributor in Pre-Mix Vodka RTDs [Nielsen Value Sales 14.06.2025], claims CCEP. “We’ve now added Absolut Vodka & Sprite Watermelon to the range – a bold new avour that’s helping us reach even more shoppers,” says Abbotson. Schweppes has now entered the category with its Gin Twist (5.5% ABV) and Paloma Bliss (6% ABV) Mix variants and CCEP also released a Bacardi and Coca-Cola SKU in April.

Jack Daniel’s is a popular choice at Costcutter Coylton and Barassie stores in South Ayrshire. “Jack Daniels & Coke sells really well,” says

owner Ross Macpherson. “It sells at four times the speed of Dead Man’s Fingers Rum & Cola!” He claims that Captain Morgan’s and Gordon’s RTDs are also fast movers.

Ross has acknowledged the growth and future potential of alcoholic RTDs within convenience and has a full chiller bay (8.4m) dedicated to the category. “When we re tted our Coylton shop, [alcoholic] RTDs went from ambient to chilled. We also doubled the size [of the display]. We had a lot of facings before, but they were in twos. Now we can move to three facings [for bestsellers] and have a bit more range as well. Sales have already increased by around 10% as a result.”

AU is another big hitter within Ross’ xture with 18 facings, four of which are cocktails, while another four are AU Ultra. “AU Ultra has

been fairly successful in that it’s remained in our chilled as a Stalwart line, but it’s not a fast seller,” he says. “But the AU smaller cans in the 330ml format – Blue Raspberry, the Cherryade, the Black Grape, they’re fast.”

AU recently revealed strong summer sales, showing that the brand had grown 32% vs YA, against alcoholic RTD growth of 12% [Nielsen Total Market, 12 weeks to w/e 9/8/25].

by

Ed Roberts, MD at sales data analyst Talysis

Four Loko – recently cited in SLR as “the top performing [alcoholic RTD] brand in Scotland” by Ed Roberts, MD at sales data analyst Talysis

STAY BOLDWITH FOUR LOKO

– is also a star performer for Ross. He has given the brand 15 facings, while Dragon Soop has 11. “ ey’re both top sellers,” he says.

Four Loko has seen double-digit sales growth in the last 12 months across the independent channel, performing exceptionally well in urban, student-heavy areas as well as seeing signi cant traction in festival retail, claims Red Star Brands. It is now one of the fastest-growing alcoholic RTD brands in the UK, delivering +28.1% growth in the last 52wks, with 760 cans sold every hour [IRI FAB Total Market, 18.05.25].

“A signi cant factor in the growing popularity of [alcoholic] RTDs, such as vodka-based Four Loko, is the expansion of avour pro les,” says

SMIRNOFF SET TO CRUSH IT

After major success down under, the Smirnoff Crush RTD has hit UK convenience shelves.

Available in Mango & Peach and Lemon & Lime, the 6% ABV drinks come in 440ml cans.

They are currently exclusive to Booker depots and One Stop stores, with a national rollout planned for some time early in 2026.

Jessica Lace, Head of Smirnoff GB, comments: “We are bringing Smirnoff Crush to Great Britain after a brilliant launch in Australia, where it is the most successful premix category launch since 2022.”

In Australia, 72% of consumers that have tried the product have repurchased. This, says Lace, “is a testament to the great taste of the drink”.

Clark McIlroy, Managing Director, Red Star Brands. “Consumers are increasingly demanding innovative and unique avour combinations with all the convenience and excitement of a show-stopping pre-mix.”

He claims that avour trends are fast moving towards tropical pro les, hybrids (e.g. candy-inspired), and nostalgia-based avours. “Demand for fuller avour pro les is also growing, as evidenced by Four Loko White, which is the fastest-selling SKU in GB Convenience, Dark Berry Burst and our latest addition to the range, Hawaii – a fresh and punchy tropical fusion of pineapple and raspberry combined with Four Loko’s signature 8.4% ABV vodka-based, ca eine-free recipe.”

Nevertheless, there is still plenty of demand for traditional cocktail avours within alcoholic RTDs. “While innovation continues to drive excitement in the [alcoholic] RTD category, the demand for timeless classics remains incredibly strong,” says Emily Seddon, Brand Manager for Flare. “At Flare, we’re meeting this head-on with a standout range of tried-and-true favourites, including our best-seller, the Passion Fruit Martini, and the always-popular Mojito, both of which form part of the ‘Core Four’.

“While it’s essential that we continue to innovate through exploring seasonal twists and new formats to drive incremental sales, it’s just as important to recognise the enduring appeal of the classics. ere’s a ne balance to strike and at Flare we haven’t lost sight of the goto preferences that consumers come back to time and again, allowing shoppers to rely on us whatever the occasion.”

Another brand, which is capitalising on the popularity of classic cocktails is BuzzBallz. Ross stocks the eye-catching “bar strength” 13.5% ABV RTDs in Pornstar Martini, Strawberry ‘Rita and Tequila ‘Rita variants. “Buzzballz have been successful this summer and actually even into August and September,” says Ross. “ ey seem to sell really well depending on what’s coming up.

It’s quite an expensive drink to buy just for the house because it’s a cocktail, and it’s £4/£4.10, but when people were taking the train to Oasis concerts, we sold lots!”

While some brands have own, he has seen demand dwindle for others. “We’ve got the Funkin Nitro cans, which come in Strawberry Daiquiri and Martinis,” says Ross. “ ey’re in our chiller, but they’ve slowed down, so we’ve gone from ve SKUs down to about three.”

As the temperature dips, he is tightening up his range. “Moving into winter, it’s good to look at your sales data on your tills and see what your top lines are and actually start to cut back on slower sellers,” he says. “Some people might have single or double facings of each product to get more out. I would be looking at getting three or four or four facings [of a bestseller], which means a case can go out, rather than single cans. “You do get long dates on them, but if you’re not careful you could get to November and realise you’ve got a few that have gone out of date.”

He believes that shelf-ready packaging can be put to good use in the alcoholic RTDs category, helping brands to stand out and avoiding products getting knocked out of place, which happens more easily with single facings. “ ey come in shelf ready packs of 12 with e ectively three facings,” he says. “If you can keep the RTDs in their actual boxes, you’re winning in winter, so it gets bigger visibility.”

for the facts about alcohol visit:

NO MORE HEROES

Under The Counter was shocked to discover that local retailers failed to make a list of the UK’s top 40 unsung heroes.

How times have changed since the pandemic. UTC remembers retailers and their staff hailed as “the fourth emergency service” – which must have got right up the noses of His Majesty’s Coastguard.

Now they’ve been forsaken for pets, vets and even Amazon’s smart speaker, Alexa.

Under The Counter was but a middle-aged man when the Stranglers released ‘No More Heroes’ in 1977. He can only wonder what the punk rockers would make of a list that includes ‘people who tell you if you’ve got loo roll on your shoe’, and ‘drunk girls in nightclub toilets’ – both noble, but hardly frontline.

JUST (H)EAT

Under The Counter saw the news (see p7) about Booker’s partnership between Scoot and Just Eat, that lets retailers offer home delivery without employing their own drivers.

That a glorified speaking clock made the list was bad enough for the Auld Boy, but he was further dismayed to see mechanics and plumbers there too. It’s his firm belief that the only heroic thing about spanner monkeys is the size of their invoices. Although anyone prepared to stick their hand round UTC’s u-bend surely deserves a medal.

The list was compiled by greetings card marketplace, thortful. UTC has no idea what a greetings card marketplace is, but he was pleased to learn that thortful’s card production process sets “the gold standard for eco-consciousness” by using vegan inks.

It warmed the cockles of his sclerotic heart to know that any avocado fundamentalists who hadn’t been given a birthday cake could always eat their cards instead.

SHADDAP YOU FASCIA

Under The Counter’s pulse quickened recently when an email flooded in.

The email proposed a collaboration with Garry Lineham — a bloke who, after a decade of study, has declared himself a fascia expert.

This puts Gaz in the same exclusive club as UTC, who has spent a suspiciously undocumented number of years scribbling about symbol groups. At least he says he has; much like a computer’s Scroll Lock key, nobody is entirely sure what UTC actually does.

The Auld Boy’s excitement was, predictably, short-lived.

It turns out Lineham is not an expert on shop signs. Instead, he knows all about the sheaths of fibrous tissue that enclose muscles and organs, also known as fascia.

And he has developed a series of simple exercises manipulating the body’s fascia that release stress in minutes.

Apparently, Scoot has developed an API integration with Just Eat to simplify delivery operations for retailers. UTC has no idea what that means but hazarded a guess it was something to do with computers. In his world, API is pub-related, short for, “A pint, immediately!”

Anyway, UTC has a word of warning for retailers thinking about signing up: don’t sell ice cream.

Technically those are three words, but you get the picture. You might be slightly less clear on what the Auld Boy is wittering on about now.

Well, it turns that some slightly less than honest Just Eat customers are exploiting a loophole in the delivery service’s platform that is leaving struggling businesses out of pocket.

Cake shop owner Andrea Blow reckons she has been diddled out of more than a grand by a series of spurious complaints left by unscrupulous Just Eat users. Besides people saying their orders never arrived, Andrea claims that the Just Eat app lets users order ice cream and then get a refund by saying it was delivered cold. Actual.

You can’t fault their logic.

If only the same could be said for UTC’s. After having “a think about it” i.e. disappearing from the office with a rolled-up newspaper for 15 minutes, the Auld Boy revised his warning. He now advises that if someone orders a box of Magnums, retailers should pop them in a microwave oven for two minutes before sending them out the door.

As someone whose blood is often at pressures usually found in the Mariana Trench – a submarine-crushing seven miles down at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean – the Auld Boy could do with releasing some stress. Unfortunately, for UTC’s hypertension, the fascia course sits behind a paywall. Sadly, for Lineham’s bank book, SLR’s parsimonious pensioner promptly binned the email on discovering financial outlay was involved. However, it got UTC pondering his own fascia course. Luckily, his colleagues persuaded him that a 10-part lecture series on the evolution of Londis signage (Episode one: The Helvetica Years) would gather more dust than the Scroll Lock key on his Windows 3.1-era keyboard.