The Week in Retail 121

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

POLITICS

HELPING HAND NEW PM TO TACKLE COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS HOME DELIVERY

TEAMING UP

BOOKER WHOLESALE AND JUST EAT GROW PARTNERSHIP SERVICES

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

PAYPOINT RAISES AWARENESS OF ENERGY BILLS SUPPORT SCHEME

+

● ACS calls for consistent approach to HFSS ● Kids go bananas for Healthy Living Programme ● York gets first Go Local Extra

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Issue 121 Wednesday 7th September 2022

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Time will tell The story of the week has been the appointment of new prime minister Liz Truss; sadly there’s no getting away from it.

Immediately after her appointment, Truss pledged to cut taxes to reward hard work and boost business-led growth and investment, and to take action to deal with energy bills and secure the UK’s future energy supply.

Truss revealed her new-look cabinet, which features Kwasi Kwarteng as chancellor of the exchequer and Jacob Rees-Mogg as business minister, shortly after her appointment, Kwarteng, the son of Ghanaian immigrants, is the country’s first black chancellor. He quickly acknowledged the “extraordinary challenges” that families and businesses across the UK are facing.

He stressed that the government will immediately focus on supporting families and businesses to navigate the gas crisis this winter and next, supporting the economy to grow, and be committed to fiscal sustainability.

He said ministers need to be “decisive and do things differently”, which means relentlessly focusing on how to unlock business investment and grow the size of the British economy, rather than focusing on “how we redistribute what’s left”.

Meanwhile, hardline Brexiteer and controversial figure Jacob Rees-Mogg was appointed as Britain’s business minister. Many commentators believe his appointment could prove a risky move as the government is set to continue with a series of difficult

labour negotiations this autumn, which could be interesting given Rees-Mogg’s inflammatory nature. Let’s just hope he’s not caught sleeping on the job again.

At least things seem to be moving quickly and Truss is expected to sanction a freeze on household energy bills to prevent steep hikes this winter, and possibly beyond, at a cost of tens of billions of pounds.

Unsurprisingly, what Truss has said so far has not gone down well with retail union Usdaw, which says it is “totally underwhelmed” by what it has heard. “It appears we are destined for more of the same until we can get a general election and a Labour Government,” Usdaw General Secretary Paddy Lillis said.

As The Week in Retail went to press, Truss was clashing with Labour Leader Keir Starmer on energy and tax cuts at first Prime Minister’s Questions.

At this stage it is hard to know what to think, I guess the devil will be in the detail of her plans, and only time will tell.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121

6

10

14

THIS WEEK’S NEWS

COVER STORY

STORE OPENINGS

New shared banking hubs will provide a cash lifeline for 13 communities, and Booker Wholesale and Just Eat strengthen their partnership.

The appointment of Liz Truss receives a mixed reaction, as trade bodies outline the support the retail industry needs from the new prime minister.

York retailer Abhishek Sidhpura extends his relationship with Parfetts and opens the city’s first Go Local Extra store.

9

Covid-19 update

12 Bill payments Utilita customers can now top up their credit at any Payzone store or PO branch.

13 Services

17 Regulations

20 Community

The ACS calls for a consistent approach to

Scotland’s Public Health Minister Maree

HFSS regulations across the UK.

Todd sees first-hand the benefits of SGF’s

18 Retail sales

Healthy Living Programme at an in-store

August’s food value sales were propped up

event at Spar Bo’ness.

Paypoint raises awareness of the Energy

by inflationary pressures, according to the

21 Picks of the week

Bills Support Scheme.

latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

28 Out the box: at-home testing

15 Bill payments

19 Consumer spending

On-demand delivery app Zapp teams up

PayPoint agrees multi-year contract

Supermarket shopping sees its largest

with digital health firm Certific to launch a

extensions with energy firms Utilita and

year-on-year uplift since February 2021,

Scottish Power.

according to the latest Barclaycard data.

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31 Before you go...

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

E ar xhi SO ea bit LD is noion O w

UT !

NEWS DIGEST

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

Aviemore ‘22

! k c a B e We’r

Tradeshow

ACCESS TO CASH

Shared banking hubs to provide cash lifeline for residents

The banking hubs enable customers of any bank to access their accounts, deposit cash and cheques, and withdraw money at any time.

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Another 13 locations have been chosen for shared banking hubs to ensure services are available in areas where the last bank branch has closed, reports suggest.

The hubs, run by the Post Office, enable customers of any bank to access their accounts, deposit cash and cheques, and withdraw money at any time. Trickier enquiries are dealt with by representatives from each of

the major banks who each visit once a week.

The new shared banking hubs will be in located in Brechin in Angus, Forres in Moray, Carluke in Lanarkshire, Kirkcudbright in Dumfries and Galloway, Axminster in Devon, Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire, Lutterworth in Leicestershire, Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire, Cheadle in Staffordshire, Belper in Derbyshire, Maryport in Cumbria, Hornsea in Yorkshire, and in Kilkeel, County Down.

John Howells, chief executive of Link, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Cash is disappearing at a frightening rate, and so are ATMs and branches and it is not acceptable to leave communities without access to cash.”

Retailer’s ‘pay later’ receipt wall

To find out more contact the SPAR Scotland Tradeshow Team on 01382 512000 6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 1XX / WEDNESDAY XX XX 202X

Retailer Abid Hussain, from Teesside, has a “wall of receipts” with thousands of pounds in unpaid shopping left by customers without the money to buy food and other essentials.

Abid, who runs the Family Mart convenience store on High Street, Lingdale, told Teeside Live that his staff have been giving items “on tick” for years, but more so in recent weeks

and months. “Some are a bit embarrassed; they promise you next week.

I don’t count it. But there must be £2,000 worth of receipts on the wall, it goes right round,” he said.

In addition, Hussain wants to give away 20 to 30 free hot meals during the winter and is hoping to work with the parish council on a voucher scheme.

NEWS DIGEST

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

GROW YOUR BUSINESS with

HOME DELIVERY

Booker Wholesale and Just Eat strengthen partnership

The partnership will enable Booker stores to reach thousands more customers in their local areas.

Londis, Premier, Budgens and Family Shopper stores will soon be able to offer a range of fresh food, everyday essentials, drinks, and tobacco for delivery within 25 minutes.

As Just Eat has a customer base of over 18 million and a delivery reach of 97% of UK postcodes, the partnership will let Booker stores reach thousands more customers in their local areas.

Booker’s sales team will promote Just Eat

delivery to their store customers as a preferred partner. Retailers can also sign up via the Booker Retailer Bulletins. Once a site is live on the food delivery platform, it can then begin receiving orders from the Just Eat app and website.

Amy Heather, Strategic Accounts Director at Just Eat, said: “Consumers are increasingly looking to have anything and everything delivered to the door .

That’s why convenience stores are among the fastest-growing sectors for delivery. Just Eat’s position as the UK’s leading food delivery app coupled with Booker Wholesale’s scale means we’re well positioned to help Londis, Premier, Budgens and Family Shopper retailers capitalise on this surge in demand.”

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SGF threatens legal action on DRS The SGF has issued a pre-action letter to Circularity Scotland Limited (CSL), which was appointed by the Scottish government in 2021 to administer the country’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

With the scheme due to go live next August, SGF is of the opinion that the proposed retailer handling fee levels will “not cover the costs borne by retailers following the introduction of DRS. This

will impact on their sustainability and business survival is at risk with potentially thousands of businesses facing closure next year.”

CSL proposes that, for manual take back, retailers will receive 2.69p per container, while for automated returns the fee will be 3.55p for the first 8,000 containers and 1.35p for each additional container.

To find out more and join our award winning team email Recruitment Manager, Craig Lynn: craig.lynn@cjlang.co.uk SparScotlandOfficial @SparScotland

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CJ Lang & Son Ltd, Longtown Distribution Centre, 78 Longtown Road, Dundee, DD4 8JU

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NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

SURESITE AND TSG LAUNCH NEW PAYMENT SOLUTION

UK Covid alert reduced to level 2

Forecourt retail specialist

The summer BA.4 and BA.5 wave is subsiding.

Suresite Group has partnered with fuel and retail service provider TSG UK to introduce a new point-to-point encryption payment solution developed specifically for the forecourt market.

Orion aims to offer a onestop-shop as hardware, installation, software and customer support are all housed together from one provider. What’s more, addressing a longstanding issue among forecourt retailers, those adopting the new solution will have just one point of contact.

TECH SOLUTIONS

T

he UK’s Covid alert level has moved from 3 to 2, based on UKHSA advice.

While hospitals and the wider healthcare sector remain “extremely busy” overall, the summer BA.4 and BA.5 wave is subsiding and direct Covid severe illness is now a much smaller proportion of this, the UK chief medical officers and NHS England national medical director said.

“Covid remains present in the community, and we may see an increase in cases with BA4.6 and BA.2.75 circulating but we do not expect this to lead to an immediate increase in hospital pressures,” they said in a statement.

What’s more, severe Covid cases, direct Covid healthcare pressures, direct Covid deaths and ONS community positivity estimates have all decreased.

In the meantime, researchers have invented a phone app that can detect Covid in people’s voices with “potentially high precision” using artificial intelligence (AI).

Results can be provided in less than a minute, but users will be required to give information about their medical history, smoking status and demographics and record some respiratory sounds.

The app was created using 893 audio samples taken from both healthy and non-healthy people.

Wafaa Aljbawi, a researcher at the Institute of Data Science at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, said: “These results show a significant improvement in the accuracy of diagnosing Covid-19 compared to state-ofthe-art tests such as the lateral flow test.

The lateral flow test has a sensitivity of only 56%, but a higher specificity rate of 99.5%. This is important as it signifies that the lateral flow test is misclassifying infected people as Covid-19 negative more often than our test.”

The new device is backed

by TSG’s team of service engineers and field technicians, accepts all major bank and fuel cards, and is PCI-approved.

It circumvents customer service issues created when retailers have to ring around numerous providers in the event of a payment problem.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

C OV E R

POLI

Helping hand

Retail trade bodies have this week been outlining the support the sector needs from the new prime minister.

L

iz Truss has this week been voted in as the new Conservative Party leader and Prime Minister.

A longtime favourite to win the election, the former Foreign Secretary beat ex-Chancellor Rishi Sunak, garnering the support of 81,326 Conservative members, compared to 60,399 for him.

Truss is yet to announce a full plan to tackle the cost-of-living crisis but has pledged cuts to National Insurance contributions and to introduce green energy levies to help with rising prices.

Media reports suggest the government is planning to pay energy firms to subsidise bills so that customers

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will not be expected to repay the support. The reports suggest energy bosses believe that a ‘government-backed superfund’ from which they could borrow to subsidise bills “is the only game in town”. Further details are expected to be revealed on Thursday (8 September), the reports suggest.

S T O RY

TICS

Meanwhile, the appointment of Truss has received a mixed reaction from across the retail industry.

created. That would be a disaster for the country.”

USDAW

Welcoming the announcement of Truss, Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “She will need to demonstrate strong leadership as the cost-of-living crisis deepens. Retailers continue to play their part, keeping prices as low as possible and helping households by offering discounts to vulnerable groups, expanding value ranges, raising staff pay, and offering reduced-cost or free children’s meals. The retail industry is ready to work with the new government to shore up consumer confidence and help deliver economic growth.

“Businesses need clarity on the government’s intentions as soon as possible so they can understand the inflationary impact of any policy decisions. One immediate way the government can help retailers support their customers is to freeze the business rates multiplier for all retail businesses for the next financial year, protecting the industry from rates

Retail trade union Usdaw called on Truss to put aside the promises of tax cuts for higher earners and threats of divisive trade union restrictions that featured prominently in her leadership election campaign.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: “What we need are urgent plans to eliminate low-pay and insecure work, along with tackling the cost-of-living crisis and action on energy prices. The new PM would do well to adopt Keir Starmer’s plan for an energy price cap freeze that will help protect against future price shocks, along with Labour’s New Deal for Workers.

“With an estimated 12 million households facing fuel poverty, the British public will be disgusted with a new Prime Minister that prioritises unfunded tax cuts and attacking trade unions over tackling the cost-of-living crisis that the Tories themselves have

BRC

increases linked to inflation, and giving greater scope to hold down prices, protect jobs, and support the economy.”

BIRA In addition, the British Independent Retailers Association’s chief executive Andrew Goodacre urged Truss to look at support for the high street and deliver.

He said: “In the short terms we need to see financial support given to the smaller retailers who are facing 50% increases in energy costs. The new Prime Minister needs to bring forward a Covid-19-type response by introducing a 100% rates relief for the rest of this tax year. At the same time, we need to improve consumer confidence for the all-important final quarter of the year.

To do this the government needs to give certainly to the energy bills being paid with no more increases.

“This will allow households (and businesses) to budget and plan ahead.

Find another way of stimulating demand is to reduce VAT, and this should also be considered.

“In the medium term, the government needs to introduce a grant or loan system that encourages smaller businesses to invest in energy-saving technology, therefore reducing the demand for energy. This could also be done in the form of tax breaks and wholesale reform of the business rates system.”

Goodacre added: “Independent retailers are integral to high streets. High streets are integral to communities and so they need support and protection form this toxic economic situation. For many smaller retailers, Covid-19 has drained them of cash, and we must not let perfectly viable businesses disappear from the communities they serve.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 11

BUSINESS SERVICES

BILL PAYMENT

Post Office and Payzone win long-term contract with Utilita Customers with a Utilita smart Quantum gas or Talexus electricity meter can top up at any of the 24,000 combined Payzone stores and Post Office branches.

P

ost Office and Payzone have won a contract with Utilita, the specialist pay-as-you-go smart energy supplier, to make paying bills easier for thousands of customers across the UK. The long-term contract means that customers with a Utilita smart Quantum Gas or Talexus electricity meter can top up their gas and electricity at any of the 24,000 combined Payzone stores and Post Office branches.

Gas and electricity top-up cards for a wide range of energy and utility companies can be paid in cash at post offices or Payzone stores, as can bills.

Simon Lambert, commercial director for Payzone Bill Payments, said: “We are very pleased to welcome Utilita on board to make paying bills easier for thousands of people across the UK. “Utilita is the latest energy contract acquisition, and we look forward to announcing many more in the coming months.

“Utilita is one of the big eight energy suppliers and we’re pleased to be improving the lives of customers, postmasters, and Payzone retailers with this latest partnership for energy bill payment solutions.

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 121 / WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

“This is an exceptionally challenging time for families, individuals and vulnerable people across the country as energy prices continue to climb. We must not forget that millions of people rely on cash to budget, save and survive, and many more people will turn to budgeting with cash as energy bills become more burdensome on their finances. Our post office branches and Payzone stores provide a convenient location to pay bills or top up energy cards using cash as well as enabling customers to complete other everyday banking transactions involving cash.”

BUSINESS SERVICES

PAYPOINT

Paypoint works with Citizens Advice to raise awareness of Energy Bills Support Scheme The campaign will be promoted at all PayPoint locations via receipt advertising and social media channels throughout September.

P

ayPoint is working with Citizens Advice to support the organisation’s campaign encouraging prepay energy customers to make sure their details are up to date with their supplier ahead of the launch of the Energy Bills Support Scheme in October.

The £400 discount will be paid to consumers over six months with payments starting from October 2022, to ensure households receive financial support throughout the winter months.

Prepayment meter customers will be provided with EBSS Energy Bill discount vouchers or Special Action Messages from the first week of each month, issued via email or post. Customers will be able to redeem these at their usual top-up point, including PayPoint locations. Customers with smart prepayment meters will either receive the discount directly or via vouchers.

The campaign will be promoted in all PayPoint locations via receipt advertising and social media channels throughout September. Information will also be sent directly to PayPoint’s retailer partners advising of the campaign and where to direct consumers for more information, including the dedicated Citizens Advice webpage.

Steve O’Neill, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Director at PayPoint, commented: “Our retailer partners continue to play a pivotal role in delivering vital community services across the UK, particularly in helping us distribute over £100m in government support funds over the past year through our Cash Out service.

“The upcoming Energy Bills Support Scheme will be another important service for the millions of consumers who use PayPoint regularly to top up and we’re delighted to be working with Citizens Advice to raise awareness of the scheme to ensure that funds reach the members of our communities that need it most.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 13

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

GO LOCAL EXTRA

York gets its first Go Local Extra store

Abhishek Sidhpura’s Beckfield Lane store has undergone renovations and improvements since changing symbol group.

Y

ork retailer Abhishek Sidhpura has extended his relationship with Parfetts and become part of the Go Local Extra network.

The 1,350sq ft Beckfield Lane store is the city’s first Go Local fascia store.

Abhishek, who has operated the store since he acquired the premises in 2017, also has another store in Ripon, which he has operated since 2019.

The store, which employs a team of 10 people, has undergone significant store improvements as part of its move to Go Local Extra. This includes Go Local Extra branding, a new front

counter unit, and an improved store layout with increased shelving space for greater stock variety.

Abhishek said: “With the combination of a fresh new look and a range of relevant new offers and promotions, we are serving the local community by giving them a competitive convenience store that ticks all the boxes.”

New range additions to the store include an enhanced food-to-go offer, featuring Tango Ice Blast and hot beverages.

Abhishek added: “The entire Parfetts team have been very positive, and

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 121 / WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

getting hold of competitively priced stock has not been an issue. The support is also first class with a team who are always on hand to help us operate more efficiently.

“What I like is the feeling that, as retailers, we’re more than just a number – there’s a genuine family feel to the whole setup, which is great and perfectly suited to me as a businessman and the future development of the store.

“It’s great to be able to rely on this level of professional support and guidance without any interference in the day-to-day running.”

BUSINESS SERVICES

PAYPOINT

Multi-year contract extensions with energy firms secured Extensions mean Utilita’s 800,000 customers and Scottish Power’s five million customers will continue to be able to top-up gas and electricity across PayPoint’s network of 28,000 UK retailers.

P

ayPoint has secured multi-year contract extensions with Utilita, the specialist pay-as-you-go energy supplier, and energy company Scottish Power.

The extensions, effective immediately with no disruption to existing services, mean Utilita’s 800,000 customers and Scottish Power’s 5,000,000 customers continue to be able to top-up gas and electricity across PayPoint’s network of 28,000 UK retailers.

Danny Vant, client services director, PayPoint, said: “PayPoint will always strive to ensure consumers have consistent, local access to top-up their energy accounts wherever they are based in the

UK. Our multi-year contract extensions with Scottish Power and Utilita are a continuation of that commitment to almost six million people and are great news for our retailer partners who help deliver these vital services at the heart of communities across the UK.” The contract extensions follow the launch of a PayPoint campaign in partnership with Citizens Advice. Ahead of the Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) starting in October, the campaign encourages prepay energy customers to make sure their details are up to date with their supplier. When the EBSS commences, prepayment meter customers

will be provided with redeemable Energy Bill discount vouchers or Special Action Messages from the first week of each month. Customers will be able to redeem these at their usual top-up point, including any PayPoint location.

Vant added: “During the current period of energy and cost-of-living crises, we also want to do whatever we can to make sure that people are set up to take full advantage of national support initiatives like EBSS, which is why we will continue to work with Citizens Advice to amplify their consumer information services across our full network of 28,000 retailer partners nationwide.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 15

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R E G U L AT I O N S

HFSS

ACS calls for consistency to HFSS regulations across UK

Trade body responds to Welsh Government consultation on introducing restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar products.

T

he Association of Convenience Stores has responded to the Welsh Government consultation on introducing restrictions on high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products highlighting the impact on retailers and need for a consistent regulatory approach across the UK. The consultation looks at HFSS products in terms of placement, promotions, and defining what products are impacted. The Welsh Government’s proposals are like those being introduced in England on HFSS products, but there are some key differences:

● The Welsh Government is proposing to restrict ‘temporary price reductions’ of HFSS products and meal deals including HFSS products. ● The Welsh Government is proposing to restrict the siting of HFSS products on free-standing display units in addition to at store entrances, at the tills, and at the end of aisles. ● The Welsh Government is seeking views on how to define HFSS products, via differing nutrient profiling models.

In its submission, ACS calls for the Welsh Government to ensure that the regulations are fully aligned with those being introduced in England to ensure consistency, reduce the burden on businesses across the food supply chain and avoid confusion among retailers.

Regarding the restrictions on the placement of HFSS products, ACS has called for an exemption for small shops under 280sq m (3,000sq ft), including shops operating under a symbol group.

There are currently no set timescales for the introduction of the proposals after the consultation period.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 17

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

RETAIL SALES

Sales growth slows

The BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor shows food was in growth year-on-year for the month of August.

F

ood sales increased 3.8% on a total basis and 3.3% on a like-forlike basis over the three months to August, above the 12-month total average growth of 0.8%, according to the latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor.

The data also reveals that food was in growth year-on-year for the month of August.

The monitor shows overall sales increased by 1.0% in August on a total basis, against an increase of 3.0% in August 2021. This is above the threemonth average of 0.7% and below the 12-month average growth of 2.5%.

UK retail sales increased 0.5% on a like-for-like basis from August 2021, when they had increased 1.5%, this was

above the three-month average growth of 0.1% and below the 12-month average growth of 0.7%.

Susan Barratt, chief executive of IGD, said: “Food and drink sales volumes spent the entire month of August in negative territory, with value sales propped up by the ongoing inflationary pressures that are being steadily fed through the supply chain. IGD’s latest Shopper Confidence Index data shows another record-breaking low, down six points from July. Confidence has been steadily declining over recent months, but now we can really see that people are worried about their personal finances.

“August has been dominated by increasing inflation, with talks of this

18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 121 / WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

going even higher, along with energy price increases. People are reacting – taking action now to try and get ahead.

Our data shows that shoppers are investing more time in how they can save money by planning more and searching for value with private label options and seeking out discounts.”

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of British Retail Consortium, commented: “With some predictions of inflation reaching 20% in the new year, households and retailers are preparing for a particularly tough time ahead.

As retailers face into their own rising costs from all directions, they continue to do all they can to protect customers from price rises.”

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

CONSUMER SPENDING

Food retailers boosted by rising inflation

Barclaycard data shows supermarket shopping saw its largest year-on-year uplift since February 2021, while specialist food and drink stores returned to growth for the first time in eight months.

C

onsumer card spending grew 4.7% year-on-year in August – the smallest uplift since March 2021 – as rising living costs hampered the retail sector, according to new data from Barclaycard.

The figures reveal that spending on essential items grew 7.2% year-on-year – its highest growth since December 2021. Supermarket shopping saw its largest year-on-year uplift (4.7%) since February 2021, while specialist food and drink stores returned to growth (0.6%) for the first time in eight months. These uplifts are likely due to rising inflation, Barclaycard said.

However, spending at supermarkets and food and drink specialist stores

has declined compared to July 2022 – down -3.6% and -1.6%, respectively, with nearly half of Brits (47%) seeking to obtain more value from or to reduce the cost of their weekly shop. Of these shoppers, 55% are cutting down on luxuries or one-off treats for themselves, and 53% are buying budget or ownbrand goods over branded items – an increase compared to July’s data (52% and 47%, respectively).

Spend on fuel rose 23.9%, its lowest growth in 12 months, owing to a slight decline in petrol and diesel prices and drivers opting to reduce vehicle use to save money. More than one in 10 workers are choosing to walk or cycle to work instead of driving due to rising fuel

costs, and 11% have started to commute by public transport.

José Carvalho, head of consumer products at Barclaycard, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is clearly leading Brits to cut-back on some non-essential purchases to ensure they can afford the increasing costs of their weekly grocery shop and household utility bills. Yet, despite these inflationary pressures, consumers have still been keen to enjoy the summer weather by eating and drinking out and going on staycations.

“However, an energy price rise on the horizon means the majority are understandably very concerned about whether their finances can stretch far enough to afford rising household bills.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19

COMMUNITY

HEALTHY LIVING PROGRAMME

Kids go bananas for Healthy Living Programme

The HLP team demonstrated the work that they carry out with local convenience stores at an in-store event last week.

S

cotland’s Public Health Minister Maree Todd saw first-hand the benefits of SGF’s Healthy Living Programme (HLP) at an in-store event at Spar Bo’ness last week.

Senior pupils from both Bo’ness and Kinneil Primary Schools took part in the event, participating in sporting activities before touring the store, where they learned about the healthier products that Spar offers customers.

the Spar store. The events are intended to link the store with the community, encourage parents and children to visit the store and increase the awareness and sales of healthier products.

Commenting on the event, Kathryn Neil, SGF HLP lead, said: “It was a great opportunity for the HLP team to demonstrate the work that they carry out with local convenience stores and linking the communities together. Now more than ever it is important to lead a healthier lifestyle and it is promising to witness the work that convenience stores are carrying out to achieve the awareness of a healthy lifestyle.”

Spar Scotland boss Colin Mclean said: “Our ongoing work with the team at the Healthy Living Programme is another vehicle from which we can encourage school children and teenagers to really look at their eating habits.”

Through Spar’s sponsorship with the SFA, Scotland and Celtic midfielder Lisa Robertson was on hand to speak to the pupils about fitness and the importance of leading a healthier lifestyle.

The pupils are now tasked to return to school and lead an assembly to the rest of the pupils and discuss what they learnt. The HLP team will then visit the schools in November and carry out a big breakfast event which will be funded by

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 121 / WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – PREMIER FOODS

PREMIER FOODS CAMPAIGN AIMS TO TACKLE FOOD WASTE The food manufacturer has developed an online tool that displays recipes based on the food items most commonly found at the back of the fridge.

Premier Foods has launched a new campaign

“Through this campaign we want to encourage

to help consumers transform their leftovers into

consumers to take simple, easy steps in making

meals.‘Fresh Take on Food Waste’ is an online

leftovers go a little bit further, and the versatility

tool, developed alongside WRAP UK, that displays

and affordability of cooking sauces makes them

recipes based on the food items most commonly

the ideal choice for people wanting to do just

found at the back of people’s fridges. Users can

that. ‘A Fresh Take on Food Waste’ is all about

select the ingredient they want to use up and then

championing those overlooked ingredients that

pick from a bank of recipes to make at home that

often get thrown away and changing the way we

have been developed by Premier Foods’ chefs.

look at leftovers. It’s been great working with our

Shoppers can access the website by scanning a

chefs to develop these recipes and I look forward

QR code located on the top-selling products within

to seeing our customers get creative in the kitchen

Premier Foods’ Homepride, Loyd Grossman, and

and doing their bit to reduce their food waste.”

Sharwood’s cooking sauce ranges.

Andrey Sokirkin, brand director for cooking sauces and accompaniments at Premier Foods,

The national in-store execution for ‘Fresh Take on Food Waste’ will run from September to October in selected stores.

said: “Every year, an astonishing amount of food is

There will be in-store POS marketing support

wasted in UK homes – the equivalent of 490,000

to help raise awareness of the campaign among

bin lorries, according to WRAP UK.

shoppers.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 21

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – FANTA

FANTA REVEALS 2022 HALLOWEEN CAMPAIGN AND ON-PACK PROMO Last year’s activity saw 12% value growth for the brand.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners has revealed this year’s Fanta Halloween campaign, including an on-pack promotion offering prizes and surprises.

From 12 September, shoppers are invited to scan QR codes on limited edition, ghoulish packs of Fanta to find out instantly whether they’ve won an epic prize from a £50k pool of goodies. Prizes range from cauldrons of cash to home entertainment systems and supplies for the ultimate scary movie night in. Those who don’t win will receive exclusive digital content to scare their friends and family with instead.

What’s more, this year marks the first time Fanta Lemon, Fanta Fruit Twist Zero, Fanta Grape Zero, and Fanta Raspberry Zero are included in the brand’s Halloween activity.

The promotion will be supported by a multi-million-pound marketing campaign which includes the return of 2021’s TV ad, paid social media, digital and out-of-home advertising. In addition, free POS

“Fanta Zero is doing particularly well

materials will be available whilst

and led growth during the spooky season

stocks last from My.CCEP.com by

in 2021, which is why we’re including more

mid-September.

of our popular zero sugar flavours this time

“Worth more than £270m and

around. Retailers can create in-outlet theatre

in 13.3% growth, Fanta is the no.1

with the front-of-store and aisle-end displays –

flavoured carbonates brand in GB

where HFSS-compliant ranges like Fanta have

and has become synonymous with

a key role to play. This, combined with our

Halloween in recent years,” Martin

£50,000 prize pool and the other marketing

Attock, vice-president of commer-

activity we have planned, will help Fanta

cial development at Coca-Cola

and our customers achieve another year

Europacific Partners GB, said.

of strong growth at Halloween.”

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – ECO VAPE

ECO VAPE PARTNERS UP TO LAUNCH NEW HYBRID DEVICE The new Bear + Aspire Hybrid R1 promises more than 3,500 puffs.

E-liquids manufacturer Eco Vape and vape coils

to the R1’s 3,500 puffs for an recommended selling

producer Aspire have teamed up to list what has

price of £9.99.

been described as the UK’s first hybrid product

“We have been working hand in glove for two

designed to meet an increasing demand for higher

months with Aspire fine tuning the e-liquid to pro-

capacity disposable devices.

duce what will be a game-changing product in the

The new device boasts a nicotine salt range

industry. The Aspire team have been the epitome

of e-liquids, providing the customer with over 24

of professionalism and it is our pleasure to work

flavours from the Eco Vape Bear Flavours range.

with them,” Robert Sidebottom, group managing

The Aspire R1 is capable of more than 3,500 puffs

director, Eco Vape, said.

and, because it is rechargeable, has a “significantly reduced impact on the environment”.

It is launching into 927 forecourt stores in September 2022.

Shay Kastro, Global BD & marketing director, Aspire, added: “Working with Robert and the team at Eco Vape has been a delight, their vision for the future of vaping is perfectly aligned with ours at

According to recent retail data, the top 10

Aspire and we look forward to the success of the

products have sold over 20 million units (through

‘Bear + Aspire R1’ and the many benefits it will

registered tills) in the last twelve-week reporting

provide millions of vapers in the UK and beyond.”

period alone, with an average retail price of £6.14

The new device can be ordered from Eco Vape

per unit for an estimated 600 puffs. This compares

Wholesale.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – CADBURY FINGERS

CADBURY FINGERS TEAMS UP WITH NATIONAL DEAF CHILDREN’S SOCIETY The initiative encourages people to learn some British Sign Language

Cadbury Fingers has partnered with National Deaf

additional resources and learning, provides deaf

Children’s Society to launch a new integrated

awareness and inclusion advice, and discusses

marketing campaign urging the nation to learn

the various other communications methods deaf

British Sign Language (BSL).

people use beyond BSL.

‘Sign with Fingers Big and Small’ aims to ensure

“The new campaign encourages the nation

that deaf people do not miss out on moments in

to learn some British Sign Language – a lan-

the future. Spearheaded by a film on video-on-de-

guage in which hands and fingers play a crucial

mand, connected TV and YouTube, the campaign

role,” Susanne Nowak, Senior Brand Manager

also features lessons with sayings such as ‘Fancy

for Cadbury Biscuits said. “The launch of the new

a cuppa?’ or ‘Having a good day?’ to help kickstart

campaign presents a big opportunity for retailers,

people’s BSL learning journey.

who should stock Cadbury Fingers for all to con-

Illustrated animations of these phrases will

sume and share.”

feature on digital billboards, on YouTube and in

Brand owner Mondelez urged retailers to stock

social activity on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

up on Cadbury Fingers to ensure they are prepared

These illustrated phrases direct to BSL lessons,

for the buzz it expects to be generated from the

taught by the lead actor in the film, on the ‘Sign

campaign, which includes out-of-home, digital,

with Fingers Hub’, which also includes links to

social, influencer and partnership activities.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – GEEK BAR

GEEK BAR LAUNCHES POD REFILL SYSTEM WITH RECHARGEABLE BATTERY Geek Bar’s latest device has been developed specifically for the UK and offers a pod refill system.

Vape manufacturer Geek Bar has launched its J1

Meanwhile, it boasts the company’s newly

Pod in the UK, featuring a disposable pod refill

designed packaging, which features a more visible

system and a rechargeable battery.

age restriction warning against the sale to minors.

Developed with the UK market in mind, the

The J1 Pod offers 11 different flavours: Ginger

J1 Pod allows consumers to switch flavours at a

Soda, Tropical Skittles Blast, Orange Vanilla,

lower cost.

Tropical Fruit, Lime Cherry, Mango Smoothie,

Available through specialist vape retailers and

Watermelon Ice, Pink Lemonade, Kiwi Pas-

convenience stores, it has a recommended retail

sion Fruit Guava, Cheesy Blueberry Jelly, Lime

price of £8 for the pod system while a twin-pack

Cactus.

of 2ml pod refills will cost £5. The 500mAh battery

The devices are lightweight and compact,

can be recharged via a USB device. Featuring the

suitable for on-the-go vaping and prefilled with

latest KA mesh coil technology, the J1 Pod aims to

20mg of nicotine as well as up to 2ml of e-liquid.

provide more vapour and a more consistent flavour.

Offering 600 puffs per device, they are designed

What’s more, it hopes to offer an alternative

for mouth-to-lung vapers in particular, who want

vaping experience for people looking to give up

to replicate the experience of smoking through a

smoking tobacco products.

consistent throat hit.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 25

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – ROCKSTAR

ROCKSTAR KICKSTARTS FRESHERS WEEK The campaign will see samples and experiential activity across universities.

Rockstar is rolling out a new global messaging

Rockstar also provided its top tips for mer-

campaign to drive awareness of the Britvic-

chandising during the freshers period. It suggests:

owned energy drink brand. Over 900,000

● Stocking PMP ranges offering variety and

samples, targeting Fresher’s Week specifically, will be handed out during September with a further 500,000 samples and experiential activity across universities.

The ‘Fuel Every You’ creative is running across

value. ● Leveraging key events, like Freshers Week, using POS, supplier and brand assets. ● Leveraging activation based on key passion points for students.

PoS, as well as in and around convenience and

● Considering digital pre-shop communica-

impulse stores. The aim is to provide a call to action

tion through social media or by geo-target-

for consumers with variations of the ‘Fuel Every

ing shoppers.

You’ message, including ‘Fuel The Do It All You’.

● Keeping fixtures easy to navigate by brand

“Students are in many ways the ideal custom-

blocking, so that products are easy to find.

ers for the convenience retailer as they are likely

● Where appropriate, linking with other cat-

to visit often, buy on impulse and are keen to try

egories such as crisps, snacks and nuts

new things,” Ben Parker, GB Retail Commercial

offering drink and snack promotions at key

Director at Britvic said.

times of the day, such as mid-morning or

“With many away from home for the first time,

afternoon.

they will be looking for offers and bargains, new

● Within large stores, considering stocking

ideas and tastes, quick meals, snacks and drinks

up on HFSS-compliant products for student

to fit in with their busy lifestyles.”

promotion.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

CLUB TROPI-CORONA Corona has rolled out a new

CASK STRENGTH

CHRISTMAS CALLING

Orkney-based single malt dis-

alcoholic sparkling water made

McVitie’s Christmas line-up

tillery, Highland Park, has

with fruit juice in three exotic

includes the new-for-2022 Bliss-

added a new whisky to its Cask

flavours – Guava & Lime, Rasp-

fuls Belgian Milk Chocolate &

Strength series. Launching as a

berry & Lemon, and Grapefruit

Cream and the revamped Vic-

permanent addition to the High-

& Lemongrass. Launching in an

toria and Family Circle sweet

land Park range, Highland Park

8 x 330ml format, they contain

biscuit assortments. Jaffa Cakes

Cask Strength Release No.3 has

96 calories and 2.4g of sugar

Orange & Cranberry is also back

been created using the traditional

per can.

for 2022.

‘straight from the cask’ method.

FRUITY VODKA

CHOCOLATE FUN

HUMMUS LOVE

Smirnoff has added the new

Milkshake and smoothie brand

Eat Real has added a new Sea

Mango & Passionfruit Twist pre-

F’real has expanded its UK port-

Salt & Balsamic Vinegar flavour

mix RTD to its growing flavour

folio of self-serve shakes with the

to its Hummus Chips range. The

portfolio. The new 250ml format

new Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

new addition is vegan along with

is being rolled out across the off-

The new flavour will be availa-

being free from gluten, artificial

trade from September onwards,

ble to stockists from the end of

colours, flavours and ingredients.

available to purchase as a single

September, launching in a new

The 45g grab bags have an RSP

slimline or a price-marked pack.

cup design. Downloadable pro-

of £1.20 while the 135g sharing

RSP £2.39.

motional assets are available.

bags have an RSP of £2.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 27

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

UTI and STI tes Zapp will deliver the tests same day, promising

O

n-demand delivery app Zapp has teamed up with digital health firm Certific to introduce a rapid delivery service for UTI and STI tests.

Customers can now order testing kits for UTI and STI screening (including gonorrhoea and chlamydia) via Zapp to receive diagnosis and treatment for these common infections.

WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR THIS? There were approximately 317,000 cases of STIs diagnosed in England during 2020, and according to data from Statista, 51% of these were chlamydia. Similarly, 40% of women are expected to suffer from a UTI during their lifetime, with 4.8 million women in the UK suffering from one each year. Yet, testing and treatment for these infections are not accessible enough.

According to the two companies, other providers can take a week to process test results, which delays diagnosis and treatment, leaving the patient uncomfortable or unknowingly infecting others. Certific offers same-day results combined with Zapp’s help to get the tests to patients fast.

The delivery service will enable patients to receive same-day turnaround of results and diagnosis for STIs, and results and diagnosis for UTIs in 60 minutes – without the need for a

medical centre visit. Certific’s service can be accessed through a secure and private application with guided screening to reduce inaccurate results, diagnosis, and what it described as “the unnecessary prescription of antibiotics”.

HOW IS IT SIGNIFICANT FOR RETAIL? Covid testing made the idea of medical

28 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 121 / WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022

testing at home a reality for people who had never thought they would use this kind of service before. There are some conditions for which the need for proper medical examination is absolutely necessary, but digital health start-ups – which largely made their debut in the past decade – aim to convince a bigger slice of the population that remote testing and diagnosis should be embraced.

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX A new feature from Farmstead reminds you what’s in your refrigerator to reduce food waste.

sts at your door to make testing for these infections accessible.

The partnership with Zapp will enable us to give patients 24-hour access to medical diagnostics with the same convenience of other essential items.

“The partnership with Zapp will enable us to give patients 24-hour access to medical diagnostics with the same convenience of other essential items.

Covid-19 has proven that patients can perform simple medical tests to a standard that we can diagnose, without needing to see them,” commented Dr Jonathan Andrews, Chief Medical Officer of Certific.

Retail could play a significant role in this. “The needs of our customers are the key drivers of our catalogue and hence we stock thousands of products to give customers the best possible selection for when they ‘need something now’,” Steve O’Hear, VP of Strategy at Zapp, said. “We were the first rapid delivery company to stock Covid-19 tests and we launched the first dedicated ultra-fast

delivery Period Store earlier this month, and we’re excited to build on this with our move into medical testing which will enable patients to order STI and UTI testing kits safely, quickly and conveniently.”

Now imagine a world where the physical connects with the digital via c-stores: it might just be a win-win for everyone involved – including patients.

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 29

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BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

A TALE OF TINOPOLIS Ever wondered where tin cans come from? No, neither have we.

However, the answer is Llanelli. Specifically, Tata’s Trostre works, which makes tinplated steel and counts Heinz among its customers.

The works, which celebrates its 70th birthday this year, knocks out around

400,000 tonnes of coated steel a year.

That’s enough to make a whopping 7.5 billion cans. If these were laid end-toend, there would be nothing to put beans in.

Llanelli has a rich history of tin production and was known as ‘Tinopolis’ in the late 19th century. Which goes

to show that, despite their numerous breakthroughs in the arts and sciences, the Victorians were a fairly unimaginative bunch.

The seaside town’s connections to the grocery industry don’t stop at canned goods, though. In 1958, six years after Trostre started production, the first supermarket in Wales opened in Llanelli.

The Co-operative store was described as “the most modern and hygienic food store in the principality” and shoppers were lured through its doors with the promise of gift parcels and free entry into a cake weight guessing competition.

Guessing the weight of a cake? The Victorians would have been giddy at the prospect.

TAKING THE BISTO If you need to beef up your

The event is straightfor-

sauces and condiments

ward: competitors wrestle

sales, then you could do

in a pool of gravy for two

worse than rip off the World

minutes, with points given

Gravy Wrestling Champion-

for fancy dress and entertain-

ships.

ment value. Wrestling ability

As in-store events go, it’s a

doesn’t appear to be that im-

bit more exciting than guess-

portant. The fire brigade is on

ing the weight of a Victoria

standby, ready to hose down

sponge.

contestants after matches.

Back after a two-year

Lloyd Clarkson won the

coronavirus-induced break,

men’s event, with Imogen

the 12th annual Champion-

Young claiming the women’s

ships were held at the Rose

crown.

‘N’ Bowl Pub in Rossendale,

Commenting on proceed-

Lancashire on 29 August to

ings, a laconic Carol Lowe –

raise funds for East Lanca-

the Rose ‘N’ Bowl’s manager

shire Hospice.

– said: “It’s very messy.”

WEDNESDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER 2022 / ISSUE 121 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 31

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