The Week In Retail Issue 45

RETAIL

THE WEEK IN

BUDGET 2021

WHATEVER IT TAKES

CHANCELLOR’S BUDGET PLANS REVEALED WALKERS’ 20% FREE ‘GIFT’ ANOTHER CO-OP TRIALS SNAPPY GOING LOCAL IN IRELAND

RETAIL CRIME

SGF UNVEILS CRIME CAMPAIGN

PAVING WAY FOR NEW RETAIL CRIME LAW

COVID-19

JEREMY HUNT’S COMMUNITY HERO MP LAUDS COSTCUTTER RETAILER AS COVID HERO

+ WATCH POPCHIPS’ FIRST EVER TV AD

Symbol Partner:

Brought to you by:

Issue 45 Wednesday 3rd March 2021

SUMMER CHOICES. SUMMER SALES. 5M

£

TO

R E C AT E G O

T

H

Y*

RED

ADDED

NGE RA

LL 250ml BU

*SPORTS & ENERGY CATEGORY. SOURCE: NIELSEN SCANTRACK, SPORTS & ENERGY, LATEST 26 WEEKS TO W.E. 16.01.21).

THE WEEK IN RETAIL

EDITOR’S COMMENT SHARE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS WITH ME AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM

THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO INVEST The local retailing industry finds itself in a very unusual position these days. With a year’s worth of chart-topping sales and profits under its belt and the prospect of the end of Covid, most retailers will find themselves facing a quandary.

What to do with the new reserves? Stick or twist?

Pocket the cash or invest?

It’s not an easy problem to tackle. With so many tough years behind the sector, it’s obviously tempting to enjoy the benefits of a huge year. A new set of wheels maybe, or a nice wee holiday for the family once that sort of thing is allowed again.

But the problem, as always, is a lack of clarity.

If and when Covid does meaningfully end, what will the world look like?

Will a portion of the weekly elevated sales be retained? Or will it go back to exactly the way it was before?

Your thoughts on this matter will have a massive impact on the confidence you have in investing in your business.

But one thing is for sure: the world will be a changed place later in 2021 and ensuring that you are well as prepared for that New World Order as possible can only benefit you and your long term prospects.

The rash of major refits seen across the sector in recent months suggests that many retailers are taking this longer term view – and are perhaps spending some of their hard-earned profits rather than handing them over to the taxman.

There are many factors that could be interpreted to suggest that there has never been a better time to invest in your store and your business. Sitting tight and hoping for the best is never a sound strategy. Act now. Be bold. Build your own future.

ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY ANTONYBEGLEY

ANTONY BEGLEY, EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 3

CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

6

11 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

COMMUNITY HEROES: MINESH & JAY PATEL

Chancellor Rishi Sunak says he will do ‘whatever it takes’ to steer the UK back towards economic recovery.

A Surrey Costcutter retailing duo’s hard work is recognised by local MP Jeremy Hunt.

8 COVID-19 UPDATE

A ROUND-UP OF THE LATEST

STORE PROFILE: SPRINGISLAND SUPERMARKET A new extension leads to a hugely expanded range of fresh, local produce.

14 HOME DELIVERY: CHELMSFORD STAR CO-OP

CORONAVIRUS-RELATED NEWS. 13 RETAIL CRIME: SGF CAMPAIGN

12

CHELMSFORD STAR CO-OP BECOMES THE

25 OUT THE BOX: FOOD WASTE ACTION WEEK

COOK AND TV PRESENTER NADIYA

LATEST GROUP TO TRIAL HOME DELIVERY

HUSSAIN TACKLES FOOD WASTE AND

WITH FAST-GROWING SNAPPY SHOPPER.

FIGHTS CLIMATE CHANGE.

SGF PREPARES SCOTLAND’S LOCAL

18 PICKS OF THE WEEK

27 BEFORE YOU GO...

RETAILERS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF

THE NEW PROTECTION OF WORKERS ACT.

TWITTER.COM/SLRMAG

A LOOK AT THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS AND MARKETING CAMPAIGNS.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SLRMAG

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A DRAWERFUL OF 30-YEAR-OLD KENSITAS CLUB COUPONS?

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

NISA RETAILERS HIT £100K

NEWSTRADE

a milestone amount of over

MENZIES UNDER PRESSURE ON CARRIAGE CHARGES

£100,000 for local causes to

PRESSURE IS MOUNTING ON MENZIES DISTRIBUTION TO FOLLOW

date with Making a Difference

THE LEAD OF TWO NEWS WHOLESALERS SOUTH OF THE BORDER

Locally collecting tins sited

IN FREEZING CARRIAGE CHARGES.

Nisa retailers have raised

in their stores. Funds were raised via more than 1,000 tins in stores across the UK and Ireland, for retailers to donate to a local good cause of their choice through Nisa’s charity.

ACS SUMMIT21 The Association of Convenience Stores has confirmed the date of its biggest annual conference, taking place virtually as an

Scotland’s local retailers are waiting to see if Menzies Distribution will follow the example set by News UK DTR (Direct to Retail) in suspending any review of carriage charges.

Smiths News was first to act, announcing a suspension of any review

of carriage charges until September 2022, prompting the NFRN to call on Menzies to follow suit.

Then, less than 24 hours after the Smiths announcement, News UK increased the pressure on Menzies by saying It would postpone any review until May 2021.

Branding carriage charges as “unfair and illogical,” NFRN National President Stuart Reddish warned that any further increases “could push yet more newsagents out of business”.

immersive event on 13 April.

Summit21 will cover three key themes in relation to the convenience sector: recover, retain and reimagine. The sessions will be co-chaired by ACS chief executive James Lowman and Central England Co-operative chief executive Debbie Robinson. To register your interest, please contact viki.neaves@acs.org.uk.

LET UNDER-18s KEEP SELLING LOTTERY Independent retailers are calling for sales assistants under the age of 18 to be allowed to continue to sell national lottery tickets and scratchcards to customers when new age to play restrictions take effect later in the year.

The NFRN has written to Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden explaining the difficulties that retailers will face if sales assistants must be 18 or over to sell these products.

The letter said: “It would assist independent retailers managing their businesses with a minimum level of staff in the store, if, in line with sales of tobacco and other age restricted

6 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

products, staff members in the 16 to 17-year-old age range could continue to sell lottery products.

“Staff in this age group provide an important part of the staffing of convenience stores at key times, including the weekend staff who are selling lottery tickets in the hours before the Saturday lottery draws.”

NEWS DIGEST

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

AIRDRIE SPAR BOOST

DUDGET

‘WHATEVER IT TAKES’

Independent retailer Jignesh

CHANCELLOR RISHI SUNAK SAYS HE WILL DO ‘WHATEVER IT TAKES’

Chauhan has moved his store

TO FIX THE UK ECONOMY.

in Airdrie in Lanarkshire into Spar after more than four

Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out his plans for how he intends to lead the country to economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic in his Budget statement today. Sunak predicted that it would take “a long time to recover” but he will do “whatever it takes”.

Among the measures announced are an extension of the furlough scheme which pays 80% of employees’ wages until the end of September with employers asked to contribute 10% in July and 20% in August and September.

The 5% reduced rate of VAT for tourism and hospitality will be extended for six months to the end of September and the 100% business rates holiday in England will continue from April until June.

On income tax, the threshold for

years with Day Today. The 695sq ft store has undergone a substantial conversion, improving both its range and its appearance.

paying the basic rate will rise to £12,570 next year while, for higher-rate payers, the threshold will be £50,270. Both rates will stay the same until 2026.

Corporation tax will rise to 25% in 2023 but only for businesses with profits of £250k or over.

Sunak accepted that government borrowing levels are comparable only with that during the two world wars and it will be the work of many governments, over many decades, to pay it back.

SAINSBURY’S FLAK Retail trade union Usdaw has hammered Sainsbury’s for its pay offer for 2021 for Sainsbury’s and Argos staff as it fails to meet the £10 per

REFIT DRIVES 15% SALES BOOST

hour aim of the union’s New

A full refurbishment of a Cornish Nisa Local convenience store has resulted in an initial sales uplift of 15%.

The Nisa Local store in St Stephen underwent the re-fit in January with the entire interior of the store ripped out to enable a complete overhaul of the property which now boasts a contemporary design with new fixtures and fittings, refrigeration and

an increase to £9.50 per

Deal for Workers campaign.

The company has offered

freezers, lighting, flooring and new services including the installation of a f ’real machine. The counter area has been halved with a till taken out and a self-service checkout relocated into the food-to-go area.

Owner Gary Batten said: “I was actually thinking about getting rid of the shop last year when Covid came along and then it just went whoosh.”

hour, which falls short of the deal Usdaw negotiated with Morrisons to pay staff £10 an hour from April.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 7

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

UNIVERSAL CREDIT CALLS Over half of workers on Universal Credit are

SIX YEARS OF GROWTH ‘WIPED OUT’ BY PANDEMIC THE LATEST BRC ECONOMIC BRIEFING REPORT STATES THAT THE

struggling to pay bills,

PANDEMIC HAS DELIVERED AN “EXTRAORDINARY SHOCK” TO THE

leading shopworkers’ trade

UK ECONOMY, WIPING OUT SIX YEARS’ GROWTH IN 2020 ALONE.

union Usdaw to call on the Chancellor to retain the £20 uplift. Usdaw has released survey results showing that 57% of workers on Universal Credit are struggling to pay their gas and electric bills and 80% said they would be worried or very worried if the Government removed the £20 weekly uplift.

BOOTS JOBS RISK High street pharmacy Boots has announced a further restructure of its head office in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. The

The latest BRC Economic Briefing Report for February 2021 from BRC Retail Insight and Analytics has shown that the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered an “extraordinary shock to the UK economy”. In 2020 alone, the effects wiped out six years of consecutive growth.

In Q4 last year, GDP rose by 1.0%, down from 16.1% in Q3. In December, it grew by 1.2%, following November when it contracted by 2.3%.

Consumer spend recovery is expected to be the driver of economic rebound in 2021, but to what extent that will happen is unclear. The Bank of England estimates that between March

and November, excess savings reached £125bn, or around 8% of annual household income, significantly above historical levels.

However, it is mostly retired households and households in the top 40% of the income distribution that have experienced marked increases in savings.

The UK’s labour market is running well below any measure of full employment. 800,000 jobs have been lost since the March 2020 lockdown. Employment fell to 75% in December from 76.6% in February, unemployment rose to 5.1% from 4% in February, and inactivity is rising.

move puts 300 jobs at risk.

SPAR NHS BOOST Scottish Rugby, a long-term partner of healthy hydration drinks company iPRO, has teamed up with Spar Scotland to donate iPRO Hydrate drinks to NHS Tayside to keep staff healthy and boost morale.

Over 6,000 iPRO drinks will be on hand to help NHS staff over the coming weeks, as key workers continue the fight against the pandemic.

UK ONLINE SHOPPERS ‘OUTSPEND THE WORLD’ New research shows that the average Brit spent £3,379 online last year – a world-beating figure – suggesting that the re-opening of non-essential stores on 12 April may come too late to save the High Street.

The study was completed on behalf of home delivery specialist ParcelHero and shows that UK consumers spent more online than consumers in any other country, and significantly ahead of America’s £2,753 average.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer

8 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

Research, David Jinks, says: “Our figures are supported by research from payment machine comparison site Merchant Machine, which found that, although China and the USA have a higher overall online spend, those nations have a far higher population than the UK. Merchant Machine found China spends £954.9bn and the USA £621.6bn, compared to the UK’s £174.3bn.

Both England and Scotland are set to reopen non-essential stores in April.

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE FOR ALL THE LATEST CORONAVIRUS NEWS, HEAD TO WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK/CATEGORY/NEWS/

RETAILERS NOT PRIORITISED FOR VACCINE

BESTWAY ROLLS OUT JISP

THE INDUSTRY HAS RESPONDED WITH DISMAY THAT RETAIL STAFF

T

WILL NOT BE PRIORITISED FOR THE COVID-19 VACCINE, DESPITE CLEAR EVIDENCE THEY ARE AT HIGHER RISK.

Bestway is making Jisp’s technology available to all its retail partners and corporate stores following a successful trial period. The awardwinning shopping and payment app partnered with Bestway in November 2020 with the trial officially commencing in January this year.

disappointed with the announcement.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, says: “Our members in the food supply industry are deeply disappointed by the news. The ONS last month demonstrated that many key workers, who are providing essential services during the pandemic, have an elevated Covid-19 related death rate. It is clear that close proximity to the public and other workers, as well as an indoor working environment are key factors in the spread of coronavirus infection. We strongly urge the Government to reconsider the decision.”

A THIRD OF ELIGIBLE SCOTS VACCINATED The Scottish Government has announced that over 1.5 million people have had their first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine, representing one-third (33.4%) of those eligible.

In addition, the roll-out among those aged 65-69 has already exceeded the 80% take-up rate set out in the deployment plan and currently stands at 85% (255,266).

Meanwhile, second doses of the vaccine are being given to residents in care homes and the staff who care for them. Frontline Health and Social Care workers are also receiving their second injections. Supplies of vaccines were held back in order that these second doses could be delivered on time to these cohorts.

Heath Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “That is 1.5 million people in the groups which were prioritised to address 99% of preventable deaths associated with Covid-19.”

TECH SOLUTIONS

he Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has rejected prioritisation by occupation which means that retail staff will not be prioritised, despite a wealth of evidence showing that they are at higher risk. Last month the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released evidence on Covid death rates by occupation, which showed that many key workers are at a higher risk.

Retail trade union Usdaw has consistently campaigned for shopworkers to be prioritised for vaccination, so the union is deeply

Dawood Pervez, MD of Bestway Wholesale, said: “We are delighted with the results of the pilot scheme that we unrolled with Jisp at the back end of 2020, which forms part of our commitment to our customers through supporting our retailers with service and innovation that is relevant and drives value into their business.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 9

TM

NO. 1 SPANISH

WINE BRAND IN THE UK

*

STOCK UP NOW THE UK’S FAVOURITE RED WINE*

CAMPO VIEJO

£1M ATL

THE CATEGORY*

THROUGHOUT MARCH

GROWING OVER X2 MARKETING CAMPAIGN

*Nielsen Total Coverage, Value Sales & Share % MAT 02/01/21.

Enjoy Campo Viejo responsibly.

COVID-19

COMMUNITY HEROES MINESH & JAY PATEL

JEREMY HUNT DECLARES MINESH AND JAY ‘COMMUNITY HEROES’ SURRREY COSTCUTTER RETAILERS MINESH AND JAY PATEL HAVE BEEN RECOGNISED BY JEREMY

A

HUNT AS OFFICIAL ‘COMMUNITY HEROES’ UNDER THE INITIATIVE THE MP LAUNCHED TO RECOGNISE THE WORK OF LOCAL STARS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

Costcutter retailer’s commitment to supporting his local community during the pandemic has been recognised after he picked up a South West Surrey Heroes Award.

The Community Heroes Scheme, launched by local MP Jeremy Hunt, saw Minesh Patel and his wife Jay nominated for the award in recognition of their huge efforts at the height of the pandemic.

The couple have owned and run the store – known locally as Bourne Stores – in Lower Bourne, Surrey, for the past 20 years. During the first lockdown they worked round the clock to ensure their community had access to essential items.

Sourcing milk, eggs and bread from local farmers, they then delivered free of charge to elderly and vulnerable shoppers in their local community. The couple sold a record 13,000 litres of milk, 8,000 boxes of eggs and over 5,000 loaves of bread between March and June 2020.

“I’m absolutely delighted that we, along with our staff, have been recognised by our local community in this way,” said Minesh. “Whilst my wife was out doing daily deliveries, my team and I were stacking shelves, serving on the tills, baking in the bakery and manning the post office. It truly was a team effort.

“Lower Bourne is a close-knit community and one that

has supported us for 20 years, so it was a pleasure to be able to help them, when they needed it most.”

Jeremy Hunt, MP for South West Surrey, personally thanked Minesh and said: “Without individuals, groups and organisations like you, life would have been even more difficult for many people in the community. On behalf of all those you have helped and supported during this difficult time, which of course regrettably continues, please accept my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation.”

“Without individuals, groups and organisations like you, life would have been even more difficult for many people in the community.” [ Jeremy Hunt MP ]

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 11

STORE PROFILE

SPRINGISLAND SUPERMARKET PETER RICE

IRISH NISA STORE FOCUSES ON LOCAL PRODUCTS WITH HUGE EXTENSION

SPRINGISLAND SUPERMARKET IN COALISLAND, COUNTY TYRONE, IS MAKING A HUGELY EXPANDED RANGE OF FRESH, LOCAL PRODUCTS AVAILABLE TO SHOPPERS THANKS TO A NEW

S

EXTENSION THAT ADDED 60% TO THE STORE’S FOOTPRINT.

hoppers at a family-run Nisa store in Co. Tyrone are enjoying an abundance of locally made fresh products thanks to an impressive extension that has seen the premises grow by a massive 60%.

Springisland Supermarket in Coalisland now stands at 16,000sq ft after work was undertaken to develop the 10,000sq ft store, enabling an expansion of an already vast range of locally produced goods.

The development, which includes the addition of an ice cream parlour to target the younger generation of shoppers, was finished at the end of last year having been largely completed during lockdown.

Owner and Nisa partner Peter Rice, said: “It took quite a long time to get planning permission and so we started work as soon as we got it passed; it just happened to coincide with the start of the pandemic!”

The additional space has enabled the retailer to build on an already incredible range of freshly prepared foods, something local shoppers are extremely receptive to.

Peter said: “We already had a good business before the extension but adding on the extra space allows us to develop what we were already doing and expand.

12 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

“Our baking is something for which we have been renowned for many years, especially our scones, and we also do lots more cooking and bakery products, prepared fruit and vegetables for shoppers to take home and cook, baby meals, cakes and desserts.

“We make it all on site in the shop and customers can see the work being done behind the scenes and that is an element they also enjoy with our bakery being part of the shop. The extra space allows us to build on that and increase our offer.”

The extended fresh food offer, teamed with a butchery counter supplied by Rice’s own cattle, ensuring Farm Quality Assured Irish Beef and now the enticing ice cream parlour, are all key to future proofing the family business.

“We have a very loyal customer base but as our loyal shoppers get older, we needed to ensure we continue to attract the younger market and get them coming in and shopping with us.

“The ice cream parlour is one way we’re targeting them – getting the families into store for the ice cream treats and then they move into the store and pick up their shopping.”

STORE PROFILE

SPRINGISLAND SUPERMARKET PETER RICE

“Our baking is something for which we have been renowned for many years and we make it all on site in the shop and customers can see the work being done behind the scenes.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 13

HOME DELIVERY

CHELMSFORD STAR CO-OP SNAPPY SHOPPER

CHELMSFORD STAR CO-OP LAUNCHES SNAPPY SHOPPER TRIAL

C

CHELMSFORD STAR CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY HAS BECOME THE LATEST GROUP TO TRIAL HOME DELIVERY WITH FAST-GROWING SNAPPY SHOPPER.

helmsford Star Cooperative Society, an independent Cooperative Society based in Chelmsford, Essex, has kicked off a home delivery trial with Snappy Shopper, the home delivery app and web platform.

The new home delivery service with Snappy Shopper started on Monday on central Chelmsford. It will initially be offered to those closest to the Chelmsford city centre, and will enable shoppers to order their convenience shop online and see it arrive at their door within 60 minutes.

Head of Food at Chelmsford Star Co-op, Joe Kerr, said: “The pandemic has brought about many changes to the way we live our lives. Lockdown rules mean people are worried about popping to their local convenience store for a top-up shop like they used to, so are often going without key household items. But this has led to a wider cross-section of our community being comfortable using the internet.

We hope this move will bring the ‘convenience’ back into convenience store shopping.”

A broad range of food, drink and toiletry items will be made available through the service, including some of the most popular meal deals.

Andy Batt, Head of Group Development at Snappy Shopper, said: “We are thrilled to be collaborating with Chelmsford Star Co-Op on their proof of concept. Our home delivery/ click and collect app will provide their customers with a friendly, convenient and trusted service direct to doorsteps.

“This hub and satellite model trial with Chelmsford Star has proven to be very successful with other Co-ops. It allows the supermarket to operate the fulfilment which enables smaller stores

14 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

to offer a greater range of products to their customer base and maximise revenue potential.

“Our marketing teams are collaborating closely to ensure existing members are aware of and can use the new service. We are also undertaking a hyper-local promotional strategy to attract and acquire new shoppers who will benefit from an assured same-day/ next day service.”

Chelmsford Star Co-op hopes to expand the service into other areas of Essex soon.

Snappy Shopper now works with seven regional Co-ops and is available in over 700 stores across the UK.

RETAIL CRIME

RETAIL CRIME CAMPAIGN SGF

SGF TARGETS RETAIL CRIME WITH NEW CAMPAIGN THE SCOTTISH GROCERS’ FEDERATION IS HELPING THE LOCAL RETAILING INDUSTRY IN SCOTLAND GEAR UP FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW PROTECTION OF WORKERS ACT WITH A NEW

W

CAMPAIGN AGAINST RETAIL CRIME.

ith Daniel Johnson MSP’s Protection of Workers Act having now cleared all hurdles before it passes into law later this year, the battle against retail crime is set to enter a new era.

For the first time, a new offence will be created to specifically deal with instore crime. For the Act to be effective, however, it is crucial that retailers report retail crime every time it occurs in and around their stores.

Late last year, the Scottish Government approached Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) about implementing and delivering a retail crime campaign to help prepare for the new legislation, and to ensure its effectiveness.

One of the major concerns around retail crime is the fact that there is serious under-reporting of incidents. The cost and inconvenience of reporting may have become a deterrent as are concerns about how seriously the authorities take retail crime.

To tackle this challenge, a new SGF campaign has been created to encourage retailers to report all retail crimes. The key campaign message is DON’T PUT UP WITH IT and the call to action is REPORT RETAIL CRIME. The key asset is the campaign video shown here, which will be supported by a social media campaign. The campaign is fully endorsed and supported by Police Scotland.

As part of the campaign, the Minister for Community Safety, Ash Denham MSP, met with a group of local retailers to discuss their experiences.

The government has committed to facilitating discussions between the senior leadership team at Police Scotland and SGF to look at reporting, response times and flow of information after incidents have been reported.

Please watch the video – and report every crime.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

“For the first time, a new offence will be created to specifically deal with in-store crime. For the Act to be effective, however, retailers must report retail crime.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 15

£1.25M

sales generated by our top retailer in 12 months (1)

17.6K

av. weekly delivery sales by top 10 stores in January (2)

£27.74

average basket spend vs £7.60 industry average (3)

Fully supported onboarding, sales ramp up and dedicated Account Manager to help you succeed call: 0333 900 1250 email: contact@snappyshopper.co.uk web: retailers.snappyshopper.co.uk

(1)

12 Months to 31st January 21 /

(2)

Sources: Lumina UK Convenience Market Report 2020 /

(3)

Sales W/C 31st January 21.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – POPCHIPS TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

POPCHIPS MAKES TV DEBUT

KP SNACKS HAS UNVEILED ITS FIRST EVER TV AD CAMPAIGN FOR POPCHIPS AS PART OF A £2.3M INVESTMENT.

KP Snacks has announced a £2.3m investment in its flagship ‘better for you’ brand, popchips, with the launch of a new campaign including the

Francis Boulle, Off Menu, and Shagged, Married,

first ever TV advertising for the brand.

Annoyed.

The

campaign

aims

greater

Zoe Cashin-Howe, Marketing Controller at KP

awareness and excitement for the brand which

Snacks says: “This is the first time that popchips

recently moved to No. 2 ‘Better for You’ Brand

has been on TV and it comes at an extremely

in the Crisps, Snacks and Nuts (CSN) category.

exciting time as the brand continues to grow

Available in all formats and for a range of

within the healthy snacking market. The new

consumption

creative is fun and witty and brings the popchips

occasions,

to

drive

popchips

appeals

to young shoppers who are looking to make empowered choices.

brand personality to life.

“CSN

products

have

remained

hugely

The new creative will appear in a £2.3m TV/

important in the wider healthy snacking space and

video-on-demand and online campaigns until the

the aim of this campaign is to drive awareness

end of March. A 30” TV ad will run initially then

and trial, keeping popchips front of mind for

cut down to 20” for the remainder of the month.

consumers looking for a tasty and balanced

The ad will then run again for a second burst in

snack to share.”

September, whilst a social media campaign will

The new campaign follows a reduction of

create little uplifting moments for consumers,

packaging and a new pack design for popchips.

with content running throughout 2021.

A brand new look and feel for popchips was boosting

launched at the end of 2020 giving the brand a

its association with positivity with podcast

Alongside

this,

popchips

more modern look and feel, with fresh and vibrant

partnerships which will see popchips sponsor

colours. Alongside the new pack design, KP

and run branded segments across a hand-

Snacks also reduced brand packaging saving an

picked selection of fun light-hearted shows,

estimated 23 tonnes of material, the equivalent

including Private Parts with Jamie Laing and

of over five million fewer packs per year.

18 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

is

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL – SEABROOK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

BRILLIANT BY THE BAGFUL

SEABROOK CRISPS UNVEILED NEW NATIONAL TV AD CAMPAIGN FOR FOUR WEEKS.

Seabrook Crisps launched a new national ad campaign on Monday with the theme ‘Brilliant

By The Bagful’. The ad is set to run on TV for

FASTFACTS Q As Britain’s original crinkle cut crisp,

four weeks in partnership with ITV, covering

Seabrook is based in Bradford,

core flavours Sea Salt & Vinegar, Sea Salted,

Yorkshire and is 75 years old.

Cheese & Onion, Prawn Cocktail and Beefy.

Q The entire Seabrook range is gluten-

The campaign is supported by digital and social

free, vegetarian friendly and is the only

media advertising.

mainstream crisp brand to be Coeliac

The Seabrook brand continues to grow at over 20% YOY, growing faster than the overall market. Manufactured by Calbee UK, the brand is the number one multipack in crinkle cut crisps on a volume basis.

The TV campaign will achieve over 58 million

accredited.

Q The business employs around 160 people at its Bradford base.

Q Seabrook is manufactured by Calbee UK, a subsidiary of leading global snack company, Calbee Inc which

impacts with an average seven opportunities to

has a US$2.3bn turnover with 13

see. As well as TV, social and digital execution,

subsidiaries and 3,800 employees

the campaign will be back with in-store activity

worldwide.

to increase visibility and impact across all selling channels.

Jon Wood, Commercial Director at Calbee UK, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be taking the Seabrook brand back on TV after an absence of almost 15 years. The new campaign marks the start of a three year investment programme to improve the brand’s national awareness and in our view, really captures Seabrook’s personality and positioning. We aim to remind people just how brilliant Seabrook Crisps are and we will communicate this through television, digital and social media.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 19

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL - RED BULL TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

RED BULL PLANS SALES SPIKE WITH CACTUS SUMMER EDITION

RED BULL LAUNCHED THE LATEST OF ITS SEASONAL EDITIONS YESTERDAY – CACTUS FRUIT – IN TIME TO HELP RETAILERS GROW SALES OVER SUMMER.

Red Bull has unveiled the latest in its seasonal Editions series with the launch of the Red Bull Summer Edition in a cactus fruit flavour. The product delivers all the functional benefits of Red Bull Energy Drink along with a burst of berry that “blooms into an exotic fruit and violet flower taste”. With Red Bull Editions growing +32.6% in value last year [Nielsen, Feb 2021], now is the perfect time for retailers to stock up on new flavours to maximise sales over summer.

Red Bull Summer Edition was popular it has now become a permanent SKU known as the Red Edition. Following this, the company believes the cactus fruit Summer Edition will continue to drive category growth within Sports & Energy whilst satisfying energy drink consumers who would try a tropical fruit flavour.

To help drive overall category growth, the launch is supported with 360° in-store marketing investment and is available in eye-catching 250ml green cans.

RSP: £1.35

20 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK SPECIAL - WALKERS TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

WALKERS OFFERS ‘20% EXTRA FREE’ THANK YOU TO RETAILERS WALKERS IS GIVING RETAILERS AND SHOPPERS AN EXTRA 20% FREE ACROSS ITS £1 PMP RANGE TO THANK RETAILERS FOR THEIR COVID EFFORTS AND HELP THEM DELIVER EVEN BETTER VALUE FOR SHOPPERS.

Walkers is adding 20% Extra Free to many of its bestselling £1 PMPs snacks, helping symbols and independent retailers offer greater value to shoppers. A “20% Extra Free!” flash will be included on nine Walkers snacks SKUs. The pack is PepsiCo’s innovative way of saying a huge ‘thank you’ to the entire independent retailing sector for its fantastic efforts throughout the Covid pandemic.

Matt Goddard, Wholesale Trading Director at PepsiCo, comments: “Value for money is becoming increasingly important for shoppers in Symbols and Independents, as the financial pressure of Covid continues. 62% of shoppers are becoming more careful with their money [Lumina, 2020], which is why we’re launching this campaign to give our retailers and shoppers more value.

THE 20% EXTRA FREE RRP £1 PRICE-MARKED PACKS INCLUDE:

Q Quavers Cheese 54g Q French Fries Cheese & Onion 54g

“Sharing PMPs are the largest segment in symbols and independents and they were the number one contributor to value sales growth in 2020, growing +16% [Nielsen, Dec 2020]. We’re focusing

Q Wotsits Cheese 60g Q Wotsits Flamin Hot 60g

our 20% Extra Free campaign on this pack type as retailers can also

Q Wotsits Steak 48g

expect to see a strong return.

Q Monster Munch

“Retailers can really benefit from the added value now offered instore, ensuring they’re stocking all nine of these bestselling £1 PMPs snacks and driving awareness of the offering in-store.”

Pickled Onion 72g Q Monster Munch Roast Beef 72g

Walkers is supporting the launch with heavyweight shopper

Q Monster Munch

marketing alongside social and digital advertising, as well as offering

Flamin Hot 72g

POS kits to help drive visibility of the added value products on shelf.

Retailers should speak with their account manager to access materials

Q Walkers Squares Salt & Vinegar 72g

for in-store and their own social and digital channels.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 21

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

COFFEE CRIMES

READING MATTERS

SPICY PRICING

19 Crimes is claiming to be the

CCEP’s latest on-pack promo

Pernod Ricard UK has

first leading brand to launch a

for Diet Coke offers consumers

introduced a price-marked

coffee blended wine, with 19

a free trial to digital magazine

pack for 70cl bottles of

Crimes Red infused with a shot

and newspaper subscription

Lamb’s Spiced Rum in the

of Cold Brew Coffee, available

service Readly. From now

convenience channel. Packs

from April. The product is

until 18 April, unique codes on

are designed to appeal to the

aimed at under-35s intrigued

promo packs can be redeemed

core audience of 18 to 28-year-

by wine fusion products.

against a free two-month

olds.

RSP: £10

Readly membership.

RSP: £13.99 PMP

CUP WINNERS

CHILLI NUTS

FAST CORNERING

Hancocks has added two new

KP Snacks has expanded its

Britain’s fastest woman, Dina

Bonds pick ‘n’ mix products to

nuts range with the launch of

Asher-Smith, has helped

its range. Just Desserts Berry

KP Aromatic Thai Chilli Coated

launch her perfect Müller

Mess Mix Shaker Cup (285g)

Peanuts. The new product is

Corner yogurt: Müller Corner

is inspired by Eton Mess while

available in a price-marked

Creations. Available initially

Just Desserts Chocky Road

format as part of a month-long

in six-packs in Asda and

Mix Shaker Cup (360g) is a

‘2 for £1.50’ promo across the

Morrisons from this month, it

Rocky Road-style treat.

£1 PMP nuts portfolio.

is supported by a multimillion

RSP: £3

RSP: £1 PMP

pound marketing campaign.

22 I SLRMAG.CO.UK / ISSUE 45 / WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK TO GET YOUR PRODUCT LISTED PLEASE CONTACT RAITKEN@55NORTH.COM

BERRY EXCITING

GRAZE B GOOD

SPLIT PERSONALITY

Tango has added a Dark Berry

Unilever’s healthy snacking

McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes brand is

flavour to its sugar free range.

brand graze is celebrating

back on national TV with a five-

Combining raspberries and

being certified as a ‘B

week advertising campaign

blackberries, the Dark Berry

Corporation’, joining a

amplified via social media

launch is being supported with

strong line up of businesses

partnerships and an AR digital

a digital campaign and in store

committed to being a force

platform. ‘Be What You Want

activation to drive trial and

for good in the world when it

To Be’ suggests McVitie’s Jaffa

awareness. The brand will also

comes to people, planet and

Cakes are proof that we can all

feature on TV from May.

profits.

be anything we want to be.

HEARTWARMING

LARGER FINGERS

KIDS PASS

Aunt Bessie’s is bringing back

Spiced Rum brand Dead Man’s

Dolmio’s first ever on-pack

its heart–shaped Yorkshire

Fingers is now available in

partnership with The Digital

puddings for Mother’s Day.

1.75 litre bottles across six of

Rewards Group gives

Packs of six will be available to

its flavour variants – Spiced,

shoppers exclusive discounts

Co-op and Nisa retailers from

Pineapple, Mango, Raspberry,

and offers for the whole family.

March 10 to 30. The innovation

Passionfruit and Lime. The

Kids Pass UK will feature

was originally created for

new sizes are designed for

on 20 million special packs

Valentine’s Day in 2019.

barbeques and big nights in.

offering deals on retail, dining,

RSP: £1

RSP: £50

days out, cinema and more.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 23

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…

OUT THE BOX FOOD WASTE ACTION WEEK

LOVE FOOD, HATE WASTE COOK AND TV PRESENTER NADIYA HUSSAIN HAS JOINED FORCES WITH THIS WEEK’S FOOD WASTE ACTION WEEK TO TACKLE FOOD WASTE AND FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE.

WHO’S ORGANISING IT? Love Food Hate Waste with a number of partners including Zero Waste Scotland. It’s being fronted by cook, TV presenter and author Nadiya Hussain.

WHAT ARE THE GOALS? The initiative hopes to help tackle the climate emergency and challenge the nation to reduce its household food waste and tackle the devastating impact food waste has on the planet.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT Q 30% of global greenhouse gases come from producing our food, more than all commercial flights combined.

Q If food waste were a country, it would have the third-biggest carbon footprint after the USA and China.

Q If every UK household stopped wasting food for one day, it could do the same for greenhouse gas emissions as planting 640,000 trees per day.

Q Almost 280 tonnes of poultry goes to waste in the UK every day.

Q We throw away the equivalent of 3.1 million glasses of milk every day.

Q Every day 4.4 million potatoes go to waste in UK homes.

Q 20 million slices of bread are thrown away at home in the UK every day.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? The first ever Food Waste Action Week, which began on Monday and runs until next Monday.

WHY NOW? Research shows that public awareness of the impact food waste has on climate change is less common than other environmental factors. While 81% of people in the UK are concerned about climate change, less than a third (32%) link it to food waste.

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED? People will be encouraged to share their top tips on Instagram using #FoodWasteActionChallenge and @lfhw_uk – from storing food, using up leftovers and making sure none of it ends up in the bin. You can also help flag the initiative up to shoppers both in-store and on social media. For more information, click here.

WHAT IS NADIYA HUSSAIN SAYING? “Most of us don’t realise it, but wasting food is a major contributor to climate change. If we each make small changes we’d dramatically reduce the amount of food that ends up in the bin, and really make a difference. From avoiding buying or preparing too much to storing food correctly, Food Waste Action Week is about helping people make the most of their food and help protect our planet.”

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 25

SUPPORTING GROCERY COLLEAGUES The GroceryAid Covid-19 Fund is designed to help colleagues who need support now and throughout the full impact of the pandemic.

Grocery colleagues have access to:

“Amid the huge challenge of Covid-19 our trade has done a great job of keeping the nation fed. GroceryAid has raised a special Covid-19 fund to help our industry colleagues at this time of need. The 24/7 Helpline will deal with concerns and assist with financial stress caused by this terrible virus.”

- Charles Wilson, GroceryAid President

Mental Health Support Offering ‘in the moment’ emotional and practical support for colleagues dealing with shock, anxiety and stress through BACP trained counsellors, our Health and Wellbeing portal and Woebot, our AI Robot App. Bereavement Financial Assistance Providing financial assistance for the loss of a loved one through Covid-19. Available to colleagues who lose a partner or the immediate family of a colleague who has passed away as a result of Covid-19 whilst working in our industry.

Crisis Grants Non-repayable grants, designed to help with financial emergencies. This is available for colleagues experiencing unexpected financial difficulties due to Covid-19 with a year’s industry service.

GroceryAid Helpline: 08088 021 122 Visit: www.groceryaid.org.uk Follow us:

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS POST OFFICE / KENSITAS CLUB

WHAT DO YOU DO WITH A BILLION RUBBER BANDS? In another of those random press releases that arrives in our inbox most days, we got an email from BusinessWaste.co.uk asking what we’re sure they hoped was a controversial question: Is the Royal Mail the nation’s top litterer?

Bear with us on this one. Entitled ‘Delivering kerbside waste to a street near you’, the clickbait-style release does contain at least one ‘fact’: a freedom of information request apparently confirms that nearly one billion rubber bands are purchased by Royal Mail each year.

The release also pointedly suggests: “If you take a close look at the pavements up and down the UK, you might notice that they are littered with rubber bands.” Having taken a close look, we beg to differ. We couldn’t even find one on the street outside.

Anyway, the release insists that the culprit is your local postie and the company says that the amount of rubber bands thrown on the ground around the UK is in the millions which, therefore, makes the Royal Mail one of the nation’s biggest litterers.

Case closed. With a ping.

AH, THEM WERE THE DAYS

The Week In Retail is eternally indebted to a loyal reader who, for no apparent reason, dropped us an email to let us know he’d found a load of old Kensitas Coupons gathering dust in a drawer.

The more experienced retailers among you might remember the good old days when Kensitas Coupons were a thing. You got a coupon in every pack of Kensitas Club and you could save them up to buy whatever you liked from the Kensitas catalogue. In Scotland they were effectively a form of currency.

Anyway, David Anderson got in touch to tell us he got these coupons around 30 years ago and he’s wondering if he can still use them. We’ve promised we’ll get onto JTI and get it sorted for him.

WEDNESDAY 3RD MARCH 2021 / ISSUE 45 / SLRMAG.CO.UK / 27

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