The Week in Retail 112

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

EPOS

EDGING AHEAD WITH EDGEPOS PREMIER BURNPARK SERVICES FINDS SOLUTION A REVELATION

● Parfetts invests

in digital agency

● Go Go Local store opens in the Midlands

● One One Stop/Young Lives vs Cancer team up

REGULATIONS

FUEL COSTS

ROAD TO HELL

FUEL PROTESTS KICK OFF ACROSS UK

HFSS RESTRICTIONS

SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT OUTLINES HFSS PLANS

+

WALKERS D N A S E IK B U T S E- C A R G O AMAZON DEB

Brought to you by:

Commercial Partner:

Issue 112 Wednesday 6th July 2022

T H E W E E K I N R E TA I L

EDITOR’S COMMENT

The road to hell This week, one story that didn’t get the press I think it deserves was the fuel protests that took place around the UK. I know, big smelly lorries, yawn. However, everything sold by convenience retailers and forecourt operators arrives on the back of a lorry, therefore everything grinds to a halt when lorries aren’t running properly.

Back in 2000, the country came to a halt when a nationwide protest was staged by farmers and haulage companies in the face of rising petrol and diesel fuel prices. They blockaded several oil refineries around the UK and the knock-on effects caused huge queues at the pumps and thousands of forecourts around Britain to close due to a lack of fuel. People were left unable to run their vehicles to get to work and some NHS trusts cancelled non-essential operations due to staff difficulties in reaching work.

The post stopped being delivered as The Royal Mail didn’t have enough fuel supplies to maintain deliveries and schools began to shut.

The fuel shortage also led to panic buying and supermarkets began rationing food due to difficulties in getting food deliveries through.

Eventually the government was forced to start deploying military tankers to maintain essential services and some deliveries from the refineries were made under police escort.

The fuel protests left and lasting impact on me because I was a junior reporter for a haulage trade magazine at the time.

This time around the protests are being organised by Fuel Price Stand Against Tax - a Facebook group with more than 52,000 members. However, there are also additional groups plotting similar action, while online petitions are also calling on the government to act over soaring fuel costs.

A few weeks ago Chancellor Rishi Sunak said he would carefully consider calls for a “more substantial” fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.

However, Sunak has now left the position, replaced by former Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi.

Let’s hope tackling soaring fuel costs is on top of Zahawi’s ‘to do’ list otherwise things could be about to become a lot harder for businesses and shoppers alike.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

HYDRATE WITH OUR recyclABLE

bottles *

*Bottles and caps are 100% recyclable.

1.5ltr Buxton Still Water bottles in this exclusive pack for Sainsburys are made from 100% recycled content PET plastic, excluding caps and labels. Water contributes to the maintenance of normal physical and cognitive function and normal regulation of body temperature. At least 2L of water, from all sources, should be consumed per day, as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. ® Reg. Trademark used in agreement with the Trademark Owner.

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 6 JULY 2022 / ISSUE 112

6

10

17

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

CASE STUDY

PARTNERSHIPS

Post Office staff are set for further strike action in the coming weeks and fuel protestors bring motorways to a halt.

Retailer Robin Bawa has installed Henderson Technology’s EDGEPoS system in his Premier Burnpark Services in Kilmarnock.

Wholesaler Parfetts has invested in digital agency Pixel to enable the development of new mobile and online platforms.

8

Business services

21 Cost-of-living crisis

Compensation confirmed for postmasters

Over half of shoppers believe local shops

that helped uncover Horizon scandal.

provide a convenient alternative to delivery

9 Legislation The Scottish government has outlined its plans for future HFSS restrictions.

11 Covid-19 update 16 Store openings Retailer Subas Subaskaram has opened

apps, new research by the ACS reveals.

22 Smoke-free products Third of store owners would ditch cigarettes and Lake Research shows.

23 Rapid deliveries Half of consumers find the delivery of

Birmingham.

groceries in half an hour - or less –

More than 2 million illicit cigarettes have been seized in Glasgow.

20 Consumer priorities

One Stop is selling four badges for the Young Lives vs Cancer charity.

27 Retailer events Bestway welcomed retailers and suppliers to its Drinks at Home conference.

for smoke-free products, analysis by KAM

the third Go Local fascia store in 19 Retail crime

25 Charity

29 Picks of the Week A look at the latest new products and marketing campaigns 30 Picks of the week

appealing, according to research from

A look at the latest new products and

TWC reveals.

marketing campaigns.

22 Retail sales

32 Out the box: Amazon’s first UK

Retail sales overall fell by 0.5% in May, as

micro-mobility hub

British shoppers are looking for

consumers spent less on food due to the

Amazon is planning for more sustainable

‘cleanliness, customer service and low

cost-of-living crisis.

deliveries in central London by e-cargo

cost’, according to Colliers’ Midsummer Retail Report.

24 Community Spar reveals the winners of the UK-wide

bikes and walkers.

35 Before you go...

£100,000 Community Cashback scheme.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

POUNDLAND SPEEDS UP FOOD ROLLOUT Poundland has confirmed that it will be focusing on the value of single items, so customers

POST OFFICE

Post Office staff set for further strike action after rejecting latest pay offer

The Post Office collection and cash delivery workers will stage their own one-day strike on 14 July.

are freed from the “tyranny of being forced to buy in bulk to save money”. The retailer will also be accelerating the rollout of chilled and frozen food departments.

SOUTHERN CO-OP FIGHTS WASTE Southern Co-op is partnering with food waste app Too Good To Go. The retailer also plans to rollout other initiatives to save food that has gone past its best before date – either by reducing it to 20p or donating it to local good causes..

PRET BOUNCES BACK Pret a Manger has returned to profitable operations after two years. The company said its UK business has bounced back, although the pandemic has changed the pattern of sales, with the strongest growth outside London. CEO Pano Christou said Pret “grew fastest in some of the places where we only had a handful of shops before”.

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

Post Office staff will strike for the third time this year on 11 July after the company’s pay offer was rejected by The Communication Workers Union.

The news comes after the CWU rejected a 3% pay offer with effect from 1 April and a £500 lump sum fee which it called “woefully inadequate”. Union members voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action by 97.3%.

This will be the third national strike

by Post Office workers in 2022 after industrial action was taken in May and June.

In addition, Post Office collection and cash delivery workers will stage their own one-day strike on 14 July.

Andy Furey, national officer for the CWU’s Post Office members, said: “Everyone knows that the only solution here is a fair pay rise that properly rewards members for their extraordinary efforts in serving the public and delivering a profitable Post Office, while also taking due account of the extreme cost of living. And there most certainly is money available, but the management do not want to give our members their fair share.”

Parcel firm DPD trials delivery robots Parcel delivery firm DPD is to start autonomous robot deliveries in two Milton Keynes neighbourhoods.

The DPD branded robots, which will operate out of the firm’s Knowlhill depot, will navigate the city’s traffic-free Redway network to access the Shenley Church End and Shenley Lodge neighbourhoods.

Parcel recipients will be notified of a robot delivery in advance, and once they confirm that they are at home to accept

the parcel, the robot will be d i s p at c h e d .

Customers will be able to track the robot’s progress on a map and will be notified when it reaches their property. They will then use a code to open the secure compartment and access their parcel. If the trial is successful, DPD intends to extend the solution across the city.

NEWS DIGEST

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

SERVICES

Fuel protestors bring motorways to a halt More fuel protests are planned for London in the coming weeks, according to reports.

PAYPOINT CASH FLOW IMPROVES PayPoint has launched a next business day settlement service for PayPoint One customers signing up to integrated card

Fuel protesters who brought UK motorways to a standstill on Monday (4 July) are set to target London within weeks, reports suggest.

The fuel protests, organised under the banner Fuel Price Stand Against Tax (FPSAT) - a Facebook group with more than 52,000 members, carried out a rolling roadblock on the M4 and the M180 between Doncaster in South Yorkshire and Grimsby in Lincolnshire during the morning rush hour.

Protests were also held on the M54 in Shropshire, near the Ferrybridge services in West Yorkshire, on the A64 in the York area, on the M180 near Scunthorpe, and on the A12 in Essex.

The protesters are now planning to cause traffic chaos in the capital on 22

payments with a preferred acquirer. The service will enable retailers to receive funds from transactions directly into their nominated bank account the following business day. .

July, according to reports.

Meanwhile, a petition calling on the government to reduce the tax on fuel by at least 30% to ease the rising cost burden has been signed by more than 141,000 people.

The former chancellor, Rishi Sunak, said he would carefully consider calls for a “more substantial” fuel duty cut after the 5p per litre reduction implemented in March failed to halt price rises.

Kellogg’s loses HFSS court challenge Kellogg’s has lost a High Court challenge against the government over incoming high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) regulations. The Coco Pops and All-Bran maker brought legal action against the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) over the regulations that are due to come into effect in October.

At a hearing in April, Kellogg’s argued the regulations are unlawful because the nutritional value of breakfast cereals will be assessed by their dry weight

as sold, rather than how they are eaten – usually with milk.

However, a judgment this week dismissed the claim, finding the issue of how cereals are consumed and should be measured had been considered and resolved in consultations. Kellogg’s said it was “disappointed” with the judgement, but does not intend to appeal.

GREGGS’ ECO-SHOP Greggs has launched its first eco-shop to trial future in-store sustainability initiatives. The shop in Northampton’s Great Billing will help the retailer reduce the environmental impact of its operations, with successful ideas and technologies rolled out across its estate.

NISA’S NEW PROMOTION Nisa has unveiled a Midweek Meal promotion that features everything needed to serve up a fish dinner. The offer includes Co-op Skinless Cod Fillets 2pk on a two for £8 multi-buy deal, Co-op Babyleaf Salad Bag 115g at £1.15, Co-op Baby Potatoes 750g at 85p, and Coop Cherry Tomatoes 330g at £1. Available until 19 July.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

BUSINESS SERVICES

POST OFFICE

Compensation for postmasters that helped uncover Horizon scandal confirmed The £19.5m interim compensation package has been welcomed by the Post Office.

G

overnment is to provide a £19.5m interim compensation package to the postmasters who played a crucial role in exposing the Horizon scandal.

Starting in the late 1990s, the Post Office began installing Horizon accounting software, but faults in the software led to shortfalls in branches’ accounts. The Post Office demanded sub-postmasters cover the shortfalls,

8 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

and in many cases wrongfully prosecuted them between 1999 and 2015 for false accounting or theft.

In 2019, a number of postmasters who had taken the first legal action against the Post Office over Horizon received £43m plus legal costs in a settlement. However, much of this money was swallowed up by the associated costs of funding their case, and they were ineligible for the Historical Shortfall

Scheme that was subsequently set up to compensate other affected postmasters.

Postmasters in the Group Litigation Order (GLO) group will be contacted

by Freeths – the firm that represented them during that action – very shortly with application details and will receive payment, once their application has been processed, within a few weeks.

Postal Affairs Minister Paul Scully said: “These postmasters and their families have shown immense courage in the face of terrible circumstances.

I hope this initial step provides some comfort to these pioneering postmasters while reaffirming our commitment to ensuring they receive their fair share in compensation.”

A Post Office spokesperson said: “Ensuring full, fair and final compensation for all Horizon Scandal victims is a priority as we put right the wrongs of the past. Almost two thirds of postmasters in the Historical Shortfall Scheme have received compensation offers, the majority of which are already paid.

“We welcome the government taking action on final, equitable compensation for the postmasters who were part of the Group Litigation settlement and those whose Horizon-related convictions are overturned.”

L E G I S L AT I O N

HFSS

Scottish government outlines plans for future HFSS The proposals include restrictions on meal deals, temporary price reductions, and location restrictions on island/bin displays.

T

he Scottish government has outlined its plans to restrict the promotion of high fat, salt or sugar (HFSS) products in a new consultation.

In the consultation, the Scottish government sets out a range of options for the number of categories of product that would be included within the restrictions, which fall into two main categories – location restrictions and promotional restrictions.

The Scottish proposals include restricting the placement of HFSS products in the following areas: ● checkout areas, including self-service; ● end of aisles; ● front of store, including store entrances and covered outside areas connected to the main shopping area; ● island/ bin displays.

The proposals also include restricting the following types of promotion for HFSS products in-store: ● ‘X for Y’ promotions, such as buy one get one free, extra free, and 3 for 2 offers; ● ‘X for £Y’ promotions such as 3 for £2; ● temporary price reductions, such as 10% off for a limited period; ● meal deals;

● unlimited refills for a fixed charge.

The proposals are different to those coming into force in England, which do not include restrictions on meal deals and temporary price reductions, or location restrictions on island/bin displays. They do however closely mirror the proposals currently being considered in Wales.

The consultation does not set out a

preferred approach to exemptions from the regulations, instead asking whether the exemption should be based on the number of employees in a business, or the relevant square footage of the store. The regulations in England set out exemption criteria for businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and stores under 2,000sq ft.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “We remain very concerned about the prospect of slightly different and even more confusing rules on restricting HFSS products and promotional activity in Scotland and Wales compared to England, and will be responding to the consultations in due course to outline the problems that differing HFSS rules will have on our members.”

The full consultation document is available here.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

THE SCOTTISH BUYING GROUP FOR INDEPENDENT RETAILERS SINCE 1976 Scotland’s best kept retail secret, working with independent retailers for over 40 years providing access to one of the leading convenience retail groups while allowing you to run your store, your way with great ranges and great support delivered direct to your store.

Delivery direct to store, small minimum order quantities.

14,000 SKU count across all categories including Food to Go Access to the excellent Co-op Fresh Range 3 weekly promotion cycle available Year round Seasonal sales opportunities Fascia and branding opportunities through the well established brand Rebate scheme for qualifying members, spend level applies Extensive supplementary Direct to Store ranges and services Central Invoicing*, 1 weekly statement and 1 Direct Debit

If you want to remain independent and have the support of PGMA behind you, drop us an email at pgma@pgma.co.uk or call Martin Devlin, Commercial Manager on 0131 343 7607.

www.pgma.co.uk

Scan here to be taken direct to the PGMA website

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

BANKING APP REVOLUT LAUNCHES FIRST CARD READER

Northern Ireland introduces new self-isolation rules

Banking app Revolut has introduced its first hardware device marking the tech entrepreneur’s move into

Some groups of people are also likely to be offered further Covid-19 vaccinations this autumn, including vulnerable people and those aged over-64.

in-person payments.

The Revolut Reader

T

transactions made with debit and credit cards, as well as contactless payment methods The payment terminal is described as “easy-to-use”, enabling businesses accept, settle and store payments within a single account.

It also comes with pricing of 0.8% + £/€0.02 per transaction fee and a one-off

said that some groups of people are likely to be offered further Covid-19 vaccinations this autumn, including vulnerable people and those aged over-64.

Health and social care workers would also be offered, he added.

Speaking to BBC News NI’s Talkback programme, Prof Young said that past vaccines continued to provide protection against severe illness.

“Unfortunately, however, with the new variant, ba4 and ba5, people can become re-infected with those, even when they’ve been vaccinated,” he said.

cost or customised pricing

TECH SOLUTIONS

he self-isolation period for adults who test positive for Covid-19 in Northern Ireland has been reduced to five days after the day of the test or from the day the symptoms started.

People are still advised to avoid contact with individuals known to them who are at higher risk from the disease for the full 10 days, but testing to end isolation is no longer advised.

The move comes as the Department of Health in the country has decided to extend availability of Covid-19 lateral flow testing until 31 July.

“I have always said I would keep Covid-19 measures under review. It is clear that after a period of reducing case numbers we are now seeing a rise in cases,” Health Minister Robin Swann said.

“Whilst prevalence continues to be relatively high, thankfully the overall risk of serious illness, hospitalisation and death for those who contract Covid-19 is much lower than during previous waves.”

What’s more, speaking to the BBC, Northern Ireland’s chief scientific advisor

accepts instant and secure

for businesses dealing with high volumes.

In the coming months, Revolut Business will be extended with a POS solution, aiming to bring more flexibility to larger retailers that need to integrate Revolut Reader with POS systems already used.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11

INSIDE B

EPOS CAS

BURNPARK SERVICES

Edging ahead with EDGEPoS Robin Bawa installed Henderson Technology’s EDGEPoS system in his Premier Burnpark Services in Kilmarnock last year and has found the solution a revelation, as he told The Week In Retail.

Can tell us a bit about yourself and your business?

My name is Robin Bawa from Burnpark Service Station in Kilmarnock on the Ayr Road. We started using EDGEPoS from Henderson Technology last year

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

and we are very, very happy with it.

We came into the forecourt business in 2016 when we inherited this unaffiliated petrol station at the time. We then joined Certas Energy, originally with Pace branding and now with Gulf branding.

What challenges are you facing and how are you tackling them?

Business is getting a little bit harder because of the price of fuel continually rising so it’s critical to us that we maximise efficiency. When we took over

USINESS

SE STUDY

the store it had an EPoS system but we found it horrendous to work with. We quickly changed to a different system but, again, it just wasn’t right for us, so we changed again. In total we trialled four systems and none of them did what needed them to do.

What happened next?

We eventually moved to EDGEPoS and we have been absolutely delighted it with it. It has some brilliant features that I haven’t seen in any other system.

Such as?

Well, if a cashier puts a sale of fuel through as cash instead of credit card, in most systems you can’t bring it back.

If a customer wants to pay by fuel card, it is an issue because they only go through if it’s a fuel sale, you cannot do any other product like grocery or soft drinks. So, when you do a refund for that fuel sale on Henderson POS, which was put through as cash, the fuel drops straight onto the pump. That’s great! I’ve never seen that before. So you can bring that sale back up and put it through as a fuel card,

which has saved us a lot of hassle over the years. We used to have to phone the fuel card company to ask them to manually process the transaction and then have to wait another week or two weeks for it to come through before double-checking the stock, which is a lot of hassle.

What other features do you benefit from?

We do manual dips, we don’t have electronic dipping just yet. Over the years we found it really hard to find a system which can very easily do our wetstock

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 13

INSIDE B

EPOS CASE STUDY | B

management, instead of having to pay an outside company to do it. Henderson Technology has reduced the cost when it comes to wet stock management. We used to have to do it every day. Now we do it once or twice a week and the fuel stock is always perfect to within a litre.

What has your relationship with

her for nearly two-and-a-half months to make sure it was the right system for us.

Everything she promised, she delivered on. We even asked for things that were not available at the time, but they went away and fixed them and made them available to us. Henderson just keeps working with the retailer to make sure all their needs are getting looked at.

Henderson been like?

How was the installation process?

Ever since I first spoke to Christine, our sales rep, she has been phenomenal. She was so helpful. I did my homework, and I was going forward and backward with

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

The customer support was exceptional.

We were initially advised that down time would be eight hours and they

eventually did it in just one hour and twelve minutes, to be precise, which was phenomenal. Even after that, you can give them a call any time. With many companies, all you get is voicemail when you call them out of hours – but not with EDGEPoS. You phone them at 6am on a Sunday morning and someone always answers, straight away. There’s no down time on the system with support like that. We haven’t had any problems at all with down time, but if we had any hiccups over the past year, if it’s a Saturday morning – and it mostly always is! – the guys are brilliant. They answer

USINESS

BURNPARK SERVICES

immediately, are straight onto the system then boom! Job done.

What else do you use EDGEPoS for?

We have an integration through EDGEPoS with our Navarra cigarette vending machine. I don’t know if many retailers are looking at the Navarra link but it’s brilliant and very secure. Before I started using Navarra, I asked Henderson for advice and they told me they have great links with them, and it worked seamlessly. I had heard horror stories

about other EPoS companies when the installation goes ahead then cigarettes aren’t dispensing, the stock’s not right, the wrong cigarettes dispense and so on. I had no down time with Navarra and EDGEPoS. We’ve been using it for nine months and I haven’t had one issue.

Everything ran very smoothly. The links are brilliant. They deliver on what they say, which is very good.

Final thoughts?

EDGEPoS is a very robust system, they have delivered everything they promised

on. From day one the customer service has been brilliant, whether it’s out of hours or during the day. They have cut my costs when it comes to stock management.

What I was paying before was a little bit more every month. Then there’s the no-headache element and the customer service, and the system is so robust and easy to use.

I think I made a very good decision last year to adopt EDGEPoS and I hope many of you can join me on this journey because it’s one of the most amazing systems in the market for forecourts.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 15

S TO R E O P E N I N G S

GO LOCAL

Birmingham’s newest Go Local store opens The former derelict off-licence in Oldbury now takes around £6,500 a week.

R

etailer Subas Subaskaram’s new Birmingham convenience store has become the third Go Local fascia store in the city.

Subaskaram acquired the former derelict off-licence on Bleak House Road, in Oldbury, and worked closely with Parfetts on the original concept and store layout with further advice on merchandising and stock levels.

The 1,000sq ft store features a fresh groceries section, a National Lottery counter, and an extensive beer, wines and spirits section. With a big South Asian

16 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

community nearby, Subaskaram is stocking lots of authentic South Asian foods.

Subaskaram said: “This was a great opportunity to turn a derelict building into a well-positioned convenience store that the whole community can use. It was an easy decision to partner with Parfetts and Go Local for my first store.

I was already familiar with Parfetts as a reliable and great value wholesaler, having bought stock from them in a previous job. However, now that I have my own store, I wanted to partner with Parfetts from day one for stock and become

a Go Local store as it’s a great fit for the store’s catchment area.”

The store also runs regular promotions, which have proved a great success, with store takings increasing on average by £350 per week. Total weekly takings are currently at around £6,500 and rising weekly.

Subaskaram said: “Since opening, we have already built up a regular customer base. Parfetts have provided invaluable support throughout, helping to get the store ready with everything from layout and design to launch marketing and strong promotions.”

WHOLESALE

PARFETTS

Parfetts invests in digital agency

The partnership with Pixel will enable the development of new mobile and online platforms.

W

holesaler Parfetts has invested in Manchester-based digital agency Pixel to help build new technology for convenience retailers and shoppers.

Pixel is a Manchester-based digital studio specialising in the design, development, and architecture of custom-made online applications. The deal sees Parfetts take a 25% stake in the digital agency for an undisclosed sum.

The Stockport-headquartered wholesaler currently supports more than 1,000 retailers within its Go Local fascia group and operates seven depots across the UK. It has collaborated with Built by Pixel

on the evolution of its own digital platforms for more than a decade – the companies worked together to develop the wholesaler’s online ordering platform.

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, said: “Pixel is a long-standing and trusted partner for Parfetts. We’ve made a strategic investment to help us accelerate our plans and develop new technology that will raise the bar for retailers and shoppers alike.”

Ben Price, managing director of Pixel, said: “It’s great that a client relationship has evolved over time, and Parfetts has the confidence to invest in our business to help drive digital

transformation in the wholesale and convenience sector. We have big plans for the partnership.”

Parfetts has also further invested in its digital offering by expanding the existing digital marketing team.

Mel Bruton has joined as digital marketing manager and comes with over eight years of experience across a number of corporate and retail roles.

Bruton will work closely with Pixel, the Parfetts marketing and IT teams to ensure the wholesaler’s digital offering is best in class, delivering the same experience that customers enjoy in the cash & carry environment.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 17

Let’s create a great recycling experience.

The deposit return scheme (DRS) is coming to Scotland.

Make it easy with TOMRA.

The global leader in reverse vending technology tomra.com/uk | Get in touch to find out more: tcs.uk@tomra.com

R E TA I L C R I M E

ILLEGAL TOBACCO

Over two million illicit fags seized in Glasgow

Two men, aged 57 and 53, were charged with the fraud after being arrested and interviewed by HMRC officers.

T

wo men from Glasgow have been charged with Excise Duty fraud, after the seizure of approximately 2.2 million suspected illicit cigarettes.

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers searching a business unit in Glasgow’s Southside on Monday (27 June) uncovered eight pallets of cigarettes believed to be worth £795,000 in lost duty.

Two men, aged 57 and 53, were charged with the fraud after being arrested and interviewed by HMRC officers. The 57-year-old was also

charged with a £408,000 Excise Duty fraud related to another seizure of 1.1m suspected illicit cigarettes in Whitburn, West Lothian, on 27 April 2022. The pair have been released while enquiries continue.

The news follows an unrelated operation where 1.8 tonnes of compressed raw tobacco leaf was discovered and seized by HMRC officers from a haulage depot in Wishaw on 24 June. When processed, this would produce two tonnes of illicit hand-rolling tobacco with an estimated duty loss

of £782,000. Enquiries are ongoing.

Joe Hendry, Assistant Director, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “The trade in illicit cigarettes and tobacco damages funding for essential public services and undermines legitimate traders including small, independent corner shops that serve local communities.

“HMRC continues to work closely with our partners in Scotland’s Serious Organised Crime Taskforce to relentlessly pursue the determined minority who refuse to play by the rules.”

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

CONSUMER PRIORITIES

Brits demand ‘three Cs’ when shopping

Research reveals that consumers now rate affordability and customer service higher than cleanliness.

B

ritish shoppers are looking for ‘cleanliness, customer service and low cost’ when they go shopping, according to Colliers’ Midsummer Retail Report.

The report reveals that measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 are no longer seen as important, but a legacy of the pandemic seems to be that people have become more fastidious in their approach to cleanliness.

When asked what would influence them to spend at shops, affordability and customer service scored 13 times higher than any other considerations.

Paul Matthews, Co-Head of Retail Strategy at Colliers, said: “After more than

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

two years of restrictions on how and where they shopped, UK shoppers have emerged with a new set of attitudes and priorities.

“Whilst the habits of mask-wearing and social distancing are diminishing, there is clearly a new emphasis on cleanliness and this has ramifications for retailers and the landlords of shopping centres and retail parks.”

Matthews added: “As the costs-ofliving crisis bites, it’s understandable that there is a new focus on affordability.

This should be positive news for the UK’s value and discount retailers in the short-term, but also a call to action for all occupiers and landlords to reflect on their strategies and ensure that there are

ongoing changes in consumer behaviours and expectations.”

The survey also makes it clear that if people are going to be coaxed away from online retailing and back to ‘real life’ shopping they want excellent customer service.

This may pose a challenge for retailers who are trying to manage their own costs and may be struggling to find staff.

David Fox, Co-head of Colliers’ Retail team, said: “The research shows that there is a growing trend for people to research products online but then purchase them in a store. It shows the importance of physical stores where people can see, feel and try products and to speak to someone about them .”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

Local shops help communities manage cost-of-living crisis

Research shows that more than half of shoppers believe local shops provide a convenient alternative to delivery apps.

S

hoppers see local shops as part of the solution to manage their money in the cost-of-living-crisis, new research by the ACS reveals.

The data shows that being able to save money on fuel by walking to a local shop instead of driving to a larger store is seen as the most popular benefit of shopping locally.

Key findings from the research include: ● 78% of consumers agree that using local shops is better for the environment because they don’t have to travel as far; ● 61% of shoppers believe that local shops help people save on multiple trips by providing a range of different services in one place; ● 57% of consumers agree that

Grocery sales continue to improve at UK supermarkets

local shops provide a convenient alternative to delivery apps like Deliveroo or Uber Eats; ● 53% of shoppers think that buying little and often helps them manage food waste.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone’s decisions day to day, with consumers looking for simple ways to manage their money.

Local shops are well placed to help their communities with the cost-ofliving crisis, not just through their

convenient locations, but by helping people manage food waste, save fuel, and providing local access to services like ATM machines. Thousands of retailers also have relationships with food banks and discounted grocery apps like Gander and Too Good to Go, as well as promoting Healthy Start cards for healthy food and milk that is a huge help for young mothers.

“Local shops’ commitment to helping their communities through the costof-living crisis is despite the ongoing

cost of trading crisis that they’re currently facing.

Retailers are reporting that they are doing everything they can to avoid putting prices up in the face of huge increases in energy costs, supply chain and delivery costs, insurance premiums and employment costs and instead are looking at every inch of their businesses to see where they can make small savings that will allow them to keep trading competitively.” ● The research is available here.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

TOBACCO

Third of store owners would ‘ditch cigarettes for smoke-free products’

Industry report highlights a growing movement of retailers motivated to help their customers quit smoking.

A

third of all convenience store owners in England would stop the sale of cigarettes in favour of smoke-free products to help adult smokers switch, new analysis by KAM and Lake Research has revealed.

The Big Switch Report, commissioned by Philip Morris, shows a growing movement of retailers motivated to help their customers quit smoking, by shifting their businesses towards smokefree products.

Other key findings from the report include: ● 42% of store owners think it likely

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

their community will be smokefree by 2030. ● 42% of store owners say the main reason to stock smoke-free products is to switch adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke to a less harmful alternative. ● 59% of store owners consider the smoke-free category ‘the future of sales’. ● 64% of former smokers feel a convenience store is an appropriate place for smokers to be advised about smoke-free products.

The report also highlights several challenges preventing retailers from helping to switch smokers to alternative products. Many lack sufficient knowledge in the smoke-free category, which has impacted consumer confidence, and a percentage worry about building a sustainable business without combustible products. There are also regional variations on the willingness to go completely smoke-free, with Coventry (58%) and Northampton (16%) at either ends of the spectrum.

Aman Uppal, who runs One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry, said: “I’ve converted three generations of one family to smoke-free alternatives. As a retailer, I have an opportunity to introduce these products into my community and get people away from cigarettes which is something I believe in. I am seeing other retailers doing the same thing, which is hugely positive.”

Christian Woolfenden, Managing Director at PML, said: “Rather than retaining customers as cigarette smokers, convenience retailers are building stronger connections over the countertop to improve awareness of, and access to, alternative products like e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn products.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

Shoppers find the idea of rapid grocery deliveries appealing

Half of consumers find rapid deliveries ‘appealing’ A TWC report reveals awareness of the individual operators was highest for Getir and Gorillas.

H

alf of consumers find the idea of rocery deliveries in half an hour - or less – appealing, new research from digital and data experts TWC reveals.

The TWC Trends research shows that 51% of consumers found the idea of rapid grocery delivery appealing, rising to 69% of those living in London. This over-index coincides with the greater presence of the quick commerce tech start-ups such as Gorillas, Getir, GoPuff and Zapp, but also relates to the demographic make-up of the capital, for example London has the

highest proportion of people working, who are more likely to need rapid delivery solutions.Awareness of the individual operators was highest for Getir and Gorillas at 17% (total GB). Within London, Gorillas was best known (46% awareness), followed by Getir at 41%.

The primary reasons consumers cited for using rapid delivery firms were that the shops are too far away (42%); the shops are closed (35%); not having to wait long for delivery (35%); and bad weather (28%).

Consumers reported typical spends of more than £20 on each occasion, with over

half exceeding this level of spend, which is more than double the typical in-store convenience basket and reflects the willingness to pay a premium for the convenience of delivery, as well as the premium selection of goods on offer via some of the apps.

Sarah Coleman, Communications Director at TWC, said: “We are seeing really high levels of consumer interest in rapid delivery of grocery and there is strong evidence that these services attract a different consumer to traditional convenience stores, as well as driving bigger baskets.”

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

COMMUNITY

SPAR

Spar unveils £100k Community Cashback winners The scheme, which launched in April, received more than 4,000 applications during the application process.

S

par has revealed the winners of the UK-wide £100,000 Community Cashback scheme launched in April.

Consumers from across the UK applied for a grant for an organisation they felt deserved funding, by sharing the exceptional contribution they have made to their community and what the grant would be put towards. More than 4,000 applications were received during the process, which ran from 14 April – 4 May. The scheme has awarded 30 grants - 5 x £10,000, 5 x £5,000, 5 x £2,000, and 15 x £1,000 - to local voluntary or community organisations from all regions across the UK. The five worthy winners of £10,000 are: ● Voluntary organisation Northumbria Blood Bikes that provides a vital out-of-hours transportation service to the NHS and transport anything

Guy Swindell: staff appreciation

from blood to baby milk and equipment through to medication across

backpack filled with new clothing,

the entire Northeast area.

comfort, and personal care items

● Stoke & Staffordshire Downs

that they can call their own.

Syndrome Social Group offers

● Woodlanders Pre-school which

children and adults with Downs

provides early years care and edu-

Syndrome a safe, fun, and socia-

cation to children in Ashburton

ble place to meet with others who have Downs Syndrome.

and the surrounding area in Devon ● Community Rescue Service pro-

● West Dunbartonshire-based Bags

vides all aspects of search and

Full of Love that aims to pro-

rescue operated by volunteers

vide every child entering foster

from communities across North-

and kinship care receive a new

ern Ireland.

24 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

Suzanne Dover, Spar UK Brand and Marketing Director, said: “Our Spar stores around the UK believe in nurturing their neighbourhoods and supporting the communities they serve, and we are delighted to be able to supplement their local efforts with this national campaign.

“Times are tough for charity and support groups who are looking to fundraise at the moment, and it is great that the £100,000 Community Cashback scheme can provide deserving local organisations with some extra financial help at this time.”

COMMUNITY

ONE STOP

One Stop and Young Lives vs Cancer team up The symbol group is selling four Care Bear badges for the charity that helps children, young people and their families face cancer.

O

ne Stop is raising money for the charity Young Lives vs Cancer in July by selling a set of four Care Bear badges and donating all proceeds to the charity.

Young Lives vs Cancer helps children and young people and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. The charity’s social workers offer specialist support, its grants help families to navigate the costs of cancer, and its Homes from Home programme offers families a free place to stay, near their child’s hospital.

Julie Millar, Partnership and Philanthropy Manager at Young Lives vs Cancer, said: “Everyday 12 more children and young people hear the devastating news they have cancer and each badge sold is going to help us raise vital funds for children and young people with cancer across the UK.”

Millar added: “We know that children and adults alike love Care Bears and these badges are going to put a smile on everyone’s faces. The theme of Care Bears has so much synergy with us as a charity and truly represents what we do. A huge thank you to everyone at One Stop, it’s been great working together with them on the campaign.”

Earlier this year, One Stop revealed

a record year for fundraising, with £902,000 raised in 12 months for many local and national charities and good causes. Between March 2021 and February 2022 One Stop raised £147K for Children in Need – signifying a record year for this charity alone and the most raised by One Stop. In addition, £111K was raised for Alzheimer’s Society and £54,000 for Macmillan.

One Stop: Raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer this month

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25

COMMUNITY

CO-OP

Co-op partners with UK Youth The partnership aims to give young people a voice through social action in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

C

o-op has formed a new partnership with UK Youth that will see young people in Scotland and Northern Ireland given opportunities to make a difference through social action in local communities through the #iwill movement. The #iwill movement is a collaboration of more than 1,000 organisations and 700 young #iwill ambassadors and champions from across the UK, supported by charities UK Youth and Volunteering Matters.

Co-op is partnering with UK Youth to grow the #IWillScotland and the #iwill movement in Northern Ireland, working with YouthLink Scotland and Volunteer Now in Northern Ireland.

26 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

The £250,000 investment from Co-op, funded by Co-op Members through the Co-op Community Partnerships Fund, will be used to recruit, train and support new #iwill ambassadors across the nations. The 10-25 year-olds will work together to make a difference in their communities through social action.

Ambassadors will receive training and mentoring, supporting them to drive change at a local, national and UK-wide level. In addition, 150 new #iwill Champions will be recruited, who will help spread the word and develop their own social action initiatives. More than 2,000 young people in Scotland and Northern Ireland will benefit from

Co-op’s investment in #iwill.

Social action can have a life-changing impact on young people and their communities, helping them develop essential personal and social skills such as self-confidence, resilience, leadership, and motivation. Research has shown that 77% of young people say volunteering has improved their mental health and 84% said it increased their confidence.

Rebecca Birkbeck, Director of Community and Membership at Co-op, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with UK Youth to grow the #iwill movement so that even more young people can access support and make positive change”

R E TA I L E R E V E N T S

BESTWAY WHOLESALE

Bestway welcomes retailers to Drinks at Home conference The event was attended by more than 350 retailers and 100 key supplier partners and Bestway Retail stakeholders.

M

ore than 350 Bargain Booze, Select Convenience, Costcutter, and Best-one retailers attended Bestway Wholesale’s 6th Annual Drinks at Home Live Exhibition in Liverpool.

The event was also attended by more than 100 key supplier partners and many key Bestway Retail stakeholders.

Dawood Pervez, Managing Director at Bestway Wholesale, said: “We were delighted to welcome all of our retailers to, what we believe, was the best Drinks at Home tradeshow yet. Our suppliers certainly pulled out all the stops with show-stopping stands and great content for our retailers.

“A key highlight of the day was

showcasing our innovative ‘store within a store’ concept. These dual-branded Bargain Booze within a Costcutter stores have been launched at Meopham and Whiston and seen strong outcomes….

This is an exciting milestone for us as a business – and there is more to come.”

Retail Director at Bestway Retail Mike Hollis and Head of Bargain Booze & Coop Franchise at Bestway Retail Duncan Jelfs highlighted how franchisees and retailers can successfully drive sales and margin in their stores. There were also presentations from suppliers including Pernod Richard on a Summer Cocktail Masterclass, and SHS Drinks on WKD. In addition, 100 key supplier partners had stands where they shared best

practice, gave retailers an update on new product developments and an opportunity to sample their products, as well as offering retailers exclusive show deals. In addition, there were seven premier stands from Diageo, AU, Halewood, Molson Coors, Coke, NZO, and Phoenix Rentals.

There was also a Booze Bar where the Bestway Retail marketing team showcased its summer advert and offered retailers digital advice and guidance.

Hollis said: “The Drinks at Home event is the perfect opportunity for our retailers to engage with suppliers and Bestway stakeholders. This year is particularly special as it’s the first time that our Costcutter retailers have been able to join us.”

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27

BO O K NO W! THE SLR AWARDS ARE BACK AND THEY’RE LIVE FOR OUR 20TH ANNIVERSARY!

LIV E EV ENT:

7 S EPT 2022 R ADIS SO N, GLASGOW

TICK ETS AVAILABLE NOW TAB LE OF 10 £ 125 0 EX VAT TICK ET £ 14 0 EX VAT

Scottish Grocers’ Federation

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – MADRÍ EXCEPCIONAL

THIS WEEK MADRI EXCEPTIONAL WEETABIX + PICKS OF THE WWEK

MADRÍ EXCEPCIONAL UNVEILS £3.5M AD CAMPAIGN

Campaign aims to build on the brand’s early on-trade momentum and establish it in the off-trade in the UK.

The three-month campaign is the brand’s first above-theline marketing campaign and includes TV, video-on-demand, out-of-home, experiential and social activations. At its heart is a new 60” TV ad, shot on location in Madrid, which combines the historic soul of the city with its open, urban, convivial present.

The campaign also includes three large, striking murals – in London’s Shoreditch, Manchester’s Northern Quarter and Birmingham’s Digbeth, hand-drawn by artist The Red Dress.

Madrí Excepcional, the European-style lager

Ryan McLaughlin, Marketing Controller - Premium

taking the UK by storm, has unveiled its first ad

Beers at Molson Coors, said: “The reaction to Madrí

campaign.

Excepcional since launch, from venues, retailers

The £3.5m ‘Door Roja’ campaign aims to build

and above all the public, has been, well, exceptional.

on the brand’s early on-trade momentum, establish

While less than two years’ old, it’s clear it represents

it in the off-trade in the UK, and celebrate ‘El alma

a unique, exciting, and sought-after option.

de Madrid’ – or ‘The Soul of Madrid’.

“This bold campaign – backed by significant

Despite only launching in October 2020,

investment – captures the soul of Madrid spe-

Madrí Excepcional is already available on

cifically, not just

draught in more than 7,500 venues, as well as

Spain, enabling

in cans and bottles in supermarkets and off-li-

the brand to con-

cences and convenience stores across the UK.

tinue to stand out

During the past 12 weeks, Madrí Excep-

against the sea of

cional has broken into the top 10 draught

largely undifferenti-

lagers by sales value in the on-trade, and

ated Mediterranean

currently has the highest value and volume

lagers in the growing

rate of sale per venue in the world lager

world lager cate-

category.

gory.”

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – WEETABIX ON THE GO

WEETABIX ON THE GO BOOSTS DISTRIBUTION The brand’s upcoming field sales blitz will ensure retailers are also maximising the Women’s Euros this summer.

Breakfast drink Weetabix On The Go says it has

is the leading brand in the breakfast drink sector,

seen “brilliant results” from its recent field sales

accounting for 83% of all sales in the impulse

activity.The field sales team secured 1,172 new

channel. Convenience stores are therefore vital

distribution points and sold 1,618 cases over the

for this popular grab-and-go product, and we want

course of one week, triple the usual rate. The

to support independent retailers however we can.

campaign saw an average of 11.5 store calls per

This field sales burst aims to increase distribution

day, with more than 700 pieces of POS and drinks

and educate retailers on how to capitalise on the

chiller merchandising assets provided to retailers.

growing breakfast on-the-go trend, with the right

Another burst of field sales activity will take place

products in the right place for their store.

in July, focused on Weetabix’s football on-pack part-

“Our upcoming field sales blitz will ensure

nership to coincide with the UEFA Women’s Euro

retailers are also maximising the Women’s Euros

2022, while showcasing Weetabix On The Go’s

this summer. Products from Weetabix’s portfolio,

popular Caffé Latte edition.

including Weetabix On The Go (Core range, multi-

Awareness for Weetabix On The Go will also

packs and 1L) Weetabix Original, Weetabix Crispy

be supported across June and July by a consumer

Minis and Weetabix Protein are part of our on-pack

sampling campaign touring cities nationwide, with

promotion offering ‘money can’t buy’ prizes, such

sampling staff distributing chilled products from a

as tickets to matches at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022

bright yellow milk van.

and signed shirts. It’s a great way for retailers to

Christian Sarginson, Marketing Manager of Weetabix On The Go, said: “Weetabix On The Go

30 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

guarantee their breakfast offering is part of the summer football spirit.”

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

LOADED SNACK

LIGHTER BISCUIT

Calbee has unveiled new Loaded

Pladis has launched McVitie’s

Dunnet Bay Distillers has

Rings in a tangy Sour Cream &

Digestives Wholesense – a

launched its latest gin expression:

Onion flavour, available in multi-

lighter version of the brand’s

Rock Rose Gin Smoked Orange.

pack, sharing bag and £1 PMP

McVitie’s Digestives. McVitie’s

An initial batch of 600 bottles will

formats. The launch coincides

Wholesense offers 30% less

be released on 5 July before the

with a packaging redesign for the

sugar and 50% more fibre than

gin becomes the ninth member

Loaded range, which launched

the average digestive biscuit, and

of Dunnet Bay’s core range in

last year under the Seabrook

will be exempt from England’s

November.

brand and is worth over £8m.

upcoming HFSS restrictions.

SHAKE COCKTAIL

TONIC RTD

CANNED TEA

Spirits producer Shake Baby

Dutch-Indonesian gin and jenever

Teapigs has launched a range

Shake is to roll out a new range

company Bobby’s has rolled out its

of ready-to-drink iced tea cans

of premixed celebration bottles

first RTDs – a gin and tonic, and a

in Super Fruit and Black Tea

are hitting the shelves of Sains-

gin and pink lemonade. The cans

with Peach varieties. The range,

bury’s across the UK. Passion

feature a traditional Indonesian

sweetened with agave, has no

Fruit Martini and Strawberry

‘Ikat’ pattern. For the Pink Lem-

artificial flavours or sweeteners.

Daiquiri bottles are the two

onade, the company partnered

The range, which is available

best-selling flavours from the

with Pinkyrose which produces

now from Teapigs’ website, has

current range.

handmade lemonade syrups.

an RRP of £1.99 per 250ml can.

SMOKEY GIN

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Amazon debuts e-cargo bikes and walkers in London The retailer aims to see more than five million deliveries a year carried out by e-cargo bikes and walkers.

Amazon has launched its first UK micro-mobility hub for more sustainable deliveries in central London, including e-cargo bikes and walkers.

WHAT’S THE CONCEPT? Sustainability is the name of the game for any self-respecting tech company these days.

32 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 112/ WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022

Amazon’s new plans for the new hub aims to see over five million deliveries a year across more than 10% of London’ Ultra Low Emission Zone be handled by e-cargo bikes and walkers, along with the company’s electric fleet already in operation.

The aim is for this means of delivery to directly replace thousands of traditional van trips of London’s roads.

The tech giant has created the new hub in collaboration with the London Borough of Hackney and is set to expand its fleet of zero-emission vehicles further as more e-cargo delivery hubs are expected to launch across the UK in the coming months.

WHAT’S THE BIG PICTURE? “Our new e-cargo bikes, walkers and

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX

growing electric vehicle delivery fleet will help us make more zero-emission customer deliveries than ever before across London and the UK,” said John Boumphrey, UK Country Manager, Amazon.

The initiative is in line with the company’s ambition deliver 50% of Amazon shipments with net-zero carbon by 2030, along with the ultimate goal of being net-zero carbon by 2040 – 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement.

To this end, it has also announced plans to have more than 30,000 new modular solar panels installed on its facilities in Manchester, Coalville, Haydock, Bristol and Milton Keynes by the end of the year.

The company has confirmed 18 on-site solar projects in the UK and plans to more than double the number of projects by 2024.

This investment supports Amazon on its path to power its operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025 – five years ahead of its 2030 commitment.

Once operational, the new rooftop solar panel projects are expected to produce more than 13,000 MWh of electricity, enough to power the equivalent of more than 3,500 UK homes each year.

WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING? Trudy Harrison, Transport Minister, said: “Industry and government are both work-

ing hard to achieve our net zero goals and support the growth of sustainable transport that will help create economic opportunities and support thousands of jobs across the UK. Amazon’s plans will not only boost green job opportunities, but ensure that customers will continue to receive their packages while working to protect our planet from climate change.”

Energy Minister, Greg Hands, added: “It is great to see Amazon taking the lead in moving away from expensive fossil fuels. This is a fantastic vote of confidence from Amazon in British energy security, renewables and electric vehicles, and a huge boon for green jobs across the UK.” Councillor Mete Coban, Hackney Council Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, commented: “Tackling transport emissions is key if we’re to reach net zero. We’re really pleased to have worked with Amazon to support them to take traditional vans off the streets and replace them with e-cargo bikes. This will help to reduce emissions and improve air quality for people in Hackney and beyond.”

ARE OTHER RETAILERS FOLLOWING SUIT? Becoming sustainable in every way is at the top of every company’s agenda.

Going back to basics is often a good way of taking the first step; we recently reported on Co-op’s decision to re-introduce walking deliveries. UberEats and Deliveroo have already been doing bike deliveries for some years now.

It’s unclear whether other retailers are considering similar plans, but ditching traditional vans for more planet-friendly options might just be the way forward.

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 33

01.09.2022

George Bowie • DJ Cassi • Pretty Ugly Simon Cordiner • Rebecca Vasmant BOOK NOW

For tickets and information visit groceryaid.org.uk/events/checkout-scotland

Money raised from this event will go to GroceryAid, the grocery industry charity. A Registered Charity Reg No. 1095897 (England & Wales) & SC039255 (Scotland).

A company limited by guarantee. Registered in England & Wales No 04620683

G O L D PA R T N E R S

S I LV E R S U P P O R T E R S

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

WHAT’S

YOUR

BEEF?

Great news for the meat lobby as France announces its ban on plant-based meat terms, which has long been in the works. The French authorities have noted that it was intended to reduce ‘confusion’ for shoppers, because let’s be honest; who hasn’t confused a pale-looking, magenta-coloured fake bacon for a proper rasher and far be it from us to throw in the barbie a Beyond burger and actually like it.

Some might say this column is overtly suspicious, but it surely would have nothing to do with certain negative meaty headlines hitting the news lately? Something perhaps about carbon emissions, health concerns, and a recent spell of salmonella? Just a thought.

SUMMER OF CONE The TWIR newsroom had to do a double take when Häagen-Dazs announced its new Ice Cream Van of Ice Cream Vans, a pop-up van touring the UK this summer, to promote the (wait for it…) Ice Cream of Ice Creams.

To top it all, the ice cream giant has released a promotional picture of the new campaign akin to the 60s, complete with an acid colours palette, and even a man (with an excellent quiff) riding a spoon-shaped see-saw.

Now, that’s a sentence we never thought we’d write!

WEDNESDAY 6TH JULY 2022/ ISSUE 112/ SLRMAG.CO.UK I 35

Make sweet profits with

Grow your confectionery sales Chances to win monthly and quarterly cash prizes Join the 4,500+ retailers who have already signed up

“It’s already helped us to grow our sales in such a short period of time” Samual, Valley Convenience Store Manager and the latest winner of a £1,000 Buy A Gift Voucher

scan the QR Code to access a digital copy of the membership brochure

For further detail please contact the team at Mercieca E: perfettivanmelle@mercieca.co.uk