The Week in Retail 91

RETAIL THE WEEK IN

STORE OPENINGS

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL RETAILER OPENS LANDSCAPE FILLING STATION IN BELFAST

● Post Offices roll

out coin marking Platinum Jubilee

● Chancellor

urged not to ignore struggling businesses

● PayPoint Counter Cash service reaches milestone

SYMBOL GROUPS

FESTIVE FIGURES

SPAR REPORTS BUOYANT CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR TRADING WHOLESALERS

HANCOCKS CELEBRATES 60TH BIRTHDAY

SPECIAL EVENTS WILL TAKE PLACE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

+

TUA L GAM E PLOT CAR REF OUR ENT ERS METAVE RSE WIT H VIR

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Issue 91 Wednesday 9th February 2022

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

EDITOR’S COMMENT

Too much information This week has been a week of data and research and to be honest my head hurts. We’ve had figures from Barclaycard, BRC-KPMG, Deloitte, IGD, Lumina Intelligence, NielsenIQ, and The Post Office.

As you can imagine, most of the research highlights the difficult situation in the country at the moment, with businesses and consumers battling soaring energy prices, rising interest rates and increased national insurance contributions, leading to falling consumer confidence and spending.

The trade associations have this week been in action to help ease the problems for their members.

The British Independent Retailers Association met with energy regulator Ofgem to discuss energy price increases and was keen to restrict the increases to business customers, where no cap is in place.

Meanwhile, the NFRN has written to chancellor Rushi Sunak urging him to extend the £350 help package for households to small businesses struggling amid rocketing costs.

This call has been backed by the Federation of Small Businesses. National Chair, Mike Cherry, asked: “Planned support via the council tax system will leave struggling community cafes, convenience stores and restaurants wondering where is the support via the business rates system? Equally, where is

the help to spread bills for the small businesses that create jobs and ensure growth in local economies?”

Recent research by payments service NatWest Tyl shows almost 65% of SMEs are spending up to one-fifth of their total business costs on energy consumption, while 8% of SMEs are spending a whopping 35-50% of their total business costs on energy. The research also shows that nearly 70% of small and medium businesses believe that energy costs impact their growth, so it’s clear that something needs to be done to help businesses weather this storm.

Thankfully some of industry data released this week paints a more hopeful picture. NielsenIQ reports increasing sales in the convenience channel, Lumina data shows the growing potential of delivery and click-and-collect, while TWC’s data shows the opportunity for convenience retailers from highlighting their sustainability credentials.

So at least there is good to be had.

LIZ WELLS, DEPUTY EDITOR

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 3

CONVENIENCE STORES

WANTED

AS A RAPIDLY GROWING CHAIN OF CONVENIENCE STORES, WE ARE CONSTANTLY LOOKING FOR NEW SITES. If you own a site, store or group of stores that fit the below criteria and you are considering a sale, then please contact us for a confidential and swift discussion

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR Freehold and Leasehold sites considered (with additional premium for freehold sites) Goodwill premium paid for existing trading convenience stores throughout Scotland (ideally trading at 20k per week + excluding services) All sites must be a minimum of 2000 Sq. Ft. retail space (no maximum) All existing property / store (trading and vacant units) conditions considered Locations throughout Scotland considered

RAPID DECISION & COMPLETION AVAILABLE! For a discreet & confidential no obligations discussion - please send details to

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CONTENTS

WEDNESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91

6

10 THIS WEEK’S NEWS IN BRIEF

Digital wallets are launched for Scotland’s DRS pilot and shopper confidence hits an all-time low.

9

Covid-19 update

12 Business services

19 COVER STORY

STORE OPENINGS

Independent Spar retailers Helen and Gavan Wall open Landscape Filling Station on the Crumlin Road, Belfast after a £3m investment.

West Midlands-based Dougall Group opens the doors to its fifth convenience store with the launch of a Nisa Express in Solihull.

20 Symbol groups CJ Lang bolsters its independent retailer

PayPoint’s Counter Cash service proves

sales team and Spar reports a buoyant

popular with customers.

Christmas and New Year.

13 Retail crime

A return to shopping little and often sees

illicit cigarettes is jailed.

convenience sales grow.

ACS welcomes the publication of the Government’s levelling up white paper.

16 Store sales

One-third of consumers believe shopping at c-stores is better for the environment.

30 Post Office

23 Shopping patterns

A construction worker caught with 324,000 14 Trade associations

29 Sustainability

Cash deposits were up almost 50% in January compared with a year ago.

32 Wholesale

22 Consumer confidence

Confectionery wholesaler Hancocks marks

Consumer confidence falls further as

its 60th anniversary year.

33 Tobacco

inflation starts to bite.

25 Home delivery

Tobacco manufacturer JTI transitions its

Award-winning Brownlies of Biggar, in

Home delivery and click-and-collect

sales force into JTI Business Advisers, with

South Lanarkshire, goes on market.

occasions keep growing in number.

the creation of 58 new jobs.

17 Business services

26 Trading

34 Picks of the week

Post Offices roll out the new 50p coin,

Food sales start 2022 on a downbeat note,

marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

down 0.5% on a like-for-like basis.

18 Community

28 Consumer spending

Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally charity

Supermarket spending sees its smallest

to fund celebrations for the Queen’s

rise since before the onset of the

Platinum Jubilee.

pandemic.

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39 Out the box: the metaverse French retail giant Carrefour joins the metaverse after buying a plot of land in virtual game The Sandbox.

41 Before you go...

Our latest Retail Randoms.

WWW.SLRMAG.CO.UK

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 5

NEWS DIGEST

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

SMART PRICE Asda will stock its full Smart Price and Farm Stores ranges in all 581 food stores and

DEPOSIT RETURN SCHEMES

Digital wallets launched for DRS pilot

Consumers can now be digitally rewarded for every container they return through their ‘Recycle Glasgow’ app.

online to provide customers on a budget with more value choices. The supermarket currently stocks 150 Smart Price and Farm Stores products in 300 stores and will introduce all 200 products in these value ranges to all food stores by 1 March.

BISCUIT BUTLER McVitie’s has launched a Biscuit Butler service on Uber Eats, which will see shoppers receive delivery of a platter of McVitie’s Blissfuls, hot chocolate, a mug and scented candle. The service is available in London, Birmingham and Manchester from 9-11

Sustainable payments provider HELPFUL and Mastercard have launched the first ever digital wallets and micropayments for Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme pilot.

The system, designed to make it easier to collect rewards for returning single-use plastic bottles, will reward users with 20p for each bottle collected.

HELPFUL is trialling its digital wallets and micropayments in Glasgow.

Consumers will be digitally rewarded for every container they return through their ‘Recycle Glasgow’ app, which makes recycling single-use plastic bottles as simple as scanning the barcode on the bottle, returning the bottle into a smart recycling bin or handing it to the shopkeeper, and getting the 20p refund into their HELPFUL digital wallet.

Consumers can download the Recycle Glasgow app from their app store and return their plastic bottle to one of the participating conveniences stores across the city.

For every bottle recycled a tree will be planted via Mastercard’s Priceless Planet Coalition.

February.

SELECT OWNERS The Select & Save store on Jubilee Crescent in Radford, North Coventry, has been sold on a leasehold basis to husband-and-wife team Viraj and Vaishali Sheth. The store offers a wide range of convenience goods and post office facilities. They will take over the existing 25-year lease to operate the store.

Newsagents urged to seize Waitrose opportunity Independent retailers should seize the sales opportunities offered by Waitrose’s decision to scrap its free newspaper offer for its loyalty card customers, the NFRN says.

The supermarket emailed myWaitrose card holders to advise that from 22 February, they could no longer receive a free newspaper when spending £10 or more.

NFRN National President, Narinder Randhawa, said: “The announcement

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should provide retailers in the vicinity of its stores an excellent opportunity to pick up more casual sales. We will be encouraging members in those areas to ensure their newspapers are prominently displayed at point of sale and, if possible, on their shop counters too.”

The NFRN said it will also be working with news wholesalers to ensure its members have extra copies to capitalise on the opportunity.

NEWS DIGEST

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

AMAZON THE GROCER

CONSUMER INSIGHTS

Shopper confidence lowest on record

Research shows 89% of shoppers now expect food prices to rise in the next year and financial confidence reached its lowest level since 2013,

The Competition and Markets

Shopper confidence plummeted in January to the lowest levels recorded by the IGD. The organisation’s latest ShopperVista data reveals an average score for the month of -14, down from -9 in December – the lowest it has been at any point in IGD’s data. Despite the lifting of Covid restrictions, confidence dropped in the first week of January to -11, and by the end of the month it had dropped to -17.

The research found 89% of shoppers now expect food prices to rise in the next year, the highest level since September 2011.In addition, financial confidence reached its lowest level since 2013, excluding the initial 2020 lockdown period, with 39% stating they expect to be worse off in January.

under the Groceries Market

Amazon as a grocery retailer Investigation Order. As a result, Amazon and its relevant UK subsidiaries must now comply with the rules setting out how grocery retailers should treat their suppliers.

EG APPRENTICES EG Group plans to create about 500 apprenticeships

Rhian Thomas, Head of Shopper Insight at IGD ShopperVista, said: “From our data we’re seeing shoppers indicate they’re spending more than they want to and buying less as a result.

Going forward, businesses should prepare for shoppers being more planned in their shopping.”

over a three-year period.

Opportunities will be available at EG’s head office, as well as fast-food chain LEON, and bakery business Cooplands.

Apprentices will be trained in foodservice, fuel, grocery and merchandise workstreams.

CRIME SEMINAR

One Stop franchisee celebrates apprentices One Stop franchisee Amarjit Singh has been upskilling his store team with an apprenticeship programme, helping them to gain valuable expertise in the retail field, alongside helping him to grow his business.

Amarjit, who runs the One Stop store in Alderwood Precinct in Northways, Dudley, worked with apprenticeship provider Lifetime Training to build

Authority has designated

The ACS Crime Seminar and

a robust programme designed to meet the needs of three members of his staff and the store.

Singh said: “I’m a strong believer in progression and have supervisors in my store who started with me delivering newspapers. It gives us all great pride to hand over these certificates and celebrate the work our apprentices have done – often during difficult times.”

Security Showcase will be held on 8 March at London’s Vue Cinema in Leicester Square.

ACS’ 2022 Crime Report will launch at the event, followed by the Security Showcase – an opportunity to hear about the latest crime prevention measures that can be used instore. Retailers can click or tap here to book their place.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 7

snacKing made right

We are making sure our snacks are right for people and planet – from the raw materials we rely on, to the communities we live in and the climate we all need to care for.

environmental Impact

uK facts

100

swItched to usIng

%

renewable electricity at 6 uK manufacturIng sItes

2021

global facts

20% 30% reduction reduction in total waste from

manufacturing*

in co2 emissions across

manufacturing*

sustainable sourcing

over 50% of the products in our uK biscuit range are made with sustainably sourced wheat through our harmony program**

the cocoa used in cadbury chocolate is sustainably sourced through cocoa life^

pacK light & pacK right

mondelēz International has removed 955 tonnes of pacKaging by switching dairylea and philadelphia products to widely recyclable material and reducing plastic elements in seasonal products while optimising pacKaging design. from 2022 cadbury dairy milK, made in bournville, is set to use pacKaging containing up to 30% recycled plastic.

955 tonnes

For further details on all the above go to mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right/Reporting-and-Disclosure *From 2013 baseline to 2020

^Cadbury.co.uk/Cocoa-life

**Harmony.com

NEWS SPECIAL

COVID-19 UPDATE

Pandemic costs some cities nearly a year’s worth of sales

FRESH FORECASTING US grocery retailer Albertsons Companies has teamed up with AI tech

Research finds that Central London, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Cardiff all lost nearly a year’s worth of sales.

company Afresh to monitor inventory, optimise fresh forecasting, and advance its own sustainability goals.

Albertsons hopes to improve its management of fresh product supply, including fresh replenishment, inventory, ordering, merchandising and operations. It also expects to reduce

Burnley’s city centre lost the fewest weeks of sales (eight weeks) during the pandemic, followed by Warrington and Huddersfield.

The report suggests that to avoid permanently levelling down prosperous places, policy makers should run campaigns to encourage leisure visitors back when safe to do so and provide part-time season tickets to encourage workers back to the office.

In addition, it says that the policy makers drafting the Levelling Up White Paper should focus on dealing with the fundamental economic problems of struggling places to address high street decline.

water consumption and food waste by predicting demand and monitoring inventory more accurately.

TECH SOLUTIONS

C

ovid-19 has cost businesses in city and large town centres more than one-third (35%) of their potential takings and shut down thousands since March 2020, according to a report from Centre for Cities.

The report finds Central London is worst affected, losing 47 weeks of sales between the first lockdown and Omicron’s onset. Businesses in Birmingham, Edinburgh and Cardiff city centres have also lost nearly a year’s worth of potential sales.

Across the 52 city and town centres studied, 2,426 commercial units have become vacant during the pandemic, against 1,374 between 2018 and 2020.

greenhouse gas emissions,

Susan Morris, EVP and CEO of Albertsons Companies, said: “By partnering with Afresh, we are now able to improve our processes to better manage our fresh product supply and provide our store teams with a tool to better predict demand and monitor inventory.”

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 9

S TO R E O P

THE WAL

Another bric The new Landscape store is more than five times the

I

ndependent Spar retailers Helen and Gavan Wall, operating as The Wall Group, have opened Landscape Filling Station on the Crumlin Road, Belfast, after a £3m investment.

The retailers’ first store opened in November 2008 and there are now eight in the portfolio, including four Spar stores around the Belfast area. With 140 staff, the stores serve more than two million customers per annum with the Spar, Subway and YoggieBerrie brands.

The new 5,000sq ft Landscape store, which is more than five times the size of the previous site adjacent to the original store, boasts an 8-pump GO Fuel forecourt, 22 car parking spaces, and is open round the clock seven days a week.

SIGNATURE CREDENTIALS The Landscape store will bring Spar NI’s signature fresh credentials to the area, with a range of locally sourced products

by Henderson Wholesale.

In addition, the store’s food-to-go offer includes Barista Bar coffee machines, a Nugaleto Ice Cream concession serving all flavours and toppings, and Spar’s DailyDeli which includes a range of fresh options for sandwiches, salads and wraps and hot food such as fresh, homemade chicken curry.

The new store employs 50 team members, with 30 new jobs created.

The store also features Electric Self Edge Labels (ESELs) from Henderson Technology, which were launched in

January 2020, and integrate into its EDGEPoS system.

AUTOMATED SYSTEM The automated system reduces time and cost for pricing management, improves pricing accuracy, and allows dynamic pricing.

Helen Wall, Co-Owner of The Wall Group, said: “When we were researching

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Electric Self Edge Labels for our newly refurbished store, we visited a local EuroSpar and immediately we were struck by how professional, modern and smart the ESELs looked.

“We wanted to keep everything as high tech as possible in our new store and decided to install EDGEPoS ESELs from Henderson Technology in Landscape Filling Station. We were initially

PENINGS

LL GROUP

ck in the wall size of the previous site adjacent to the original store.

The store, which has 50 staff, features Electric Self Edge Labels (ESELs) from Henderson Technology, which were launched in January 2020, and integrate into its EDGEPoS system. instore including ESELs and two Self-Checkouts and the investment that we have made into these innovative products, we aim to increase sales, see a growth in our margin and utilise staff activity and productivity instore.”

50TH EDGEPOS INSTALL

concerned by the cost of the ESELs, but learned that Henderson Technology offered the product on a seven-year rental agreement.

“When we were looking at ideas for the store, we were also focused on sustainability. There is lots of waste from paper SELs and we wanted to reduce the amount of paper and ink we were using instore.”

Wall Group Manager Colin Cunningham added: “The results have been immediate. We already completed two promotion changeovers and it has been so straightforward. Just a click of a button and the ESELs are updated instantly.

This means we have been able to free staff up to concentrate on other tasks.

“With the ability to change ESELs on the shop through the handset within seconds, this has saved us many personnel hours. Previously an employee had to scan the product, get access to the back office and print out SELs – which could be time consuming and laborious.

Our employees no longer need to leave the shop floor.”

Wall concludes: “With all the retail technology that we have introduced

Landscape Filling Station marks the 50th EDGEPoS install for Henderson Technology. Darren Nickels, Retail Technology Operations Director, said: “We are very proud to work with Helen, Gavan and the team onsite in all four of the Wall’s stores in Belfast. They are a shining example of introducing innovative, forward-thinking retailers, adding retail technology products to their EDGEPoS system and future proofing their business.”

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BUSINESS SERVICES

PAYPOINT COUNTER CASH

Service hits 2,000 store milestone Data shows consumers withdrew more than £300,000 over the counter during the last week in January, with an average value of £24.18.

P

ayPoint has revealed that its Counter Cash service, which provides vital access to cash services for communities, is now live in more than 2,000 stores.

The ‘Cashback Without Purchase’ service provides a new way to access cash on the high street, allowing consumers to withdraw cash in convenience stores without the need to buy anything or pay a fee. Consumers can also check balances for free and withdraw any value of notes and coins from 1p and £50, rather than being restricted to notes dispensed by ATMs. Participating retailers are remunerated for offering the service as they would do for an ATM, as well as benefitting from reduced banking charges.

The service, which launched at the end of last year, saw consumers withdraw more than £300,000 over the counter during the last week in January, with an average value of £24.18. Almost half of the participating stores have carried out a transaction to date, PayPoint added.

The next phase of the Counter Cash programme will see a measured and continued growth of the network, enhanced support for participating retailers to improve customer experience and adoption, and a co-ordinated campaign to drive further consumer awareness.

Nick Wiles, Chief Executive of PayPoint, said: “Our Counter Cash service has proven popular with consumers and retailers since launch and this important milestone demonstrates our continued, long-term commitment to ensuring that cash access is protected.”

Colleen Johnson, a PayPoint retailer partner from Dafarn Newydd stores in Mid-Wales, said: “The nearest cash

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machine is over nine miles away and the nearest bank is over 24 miles away, so offering the Counter Cash service was an obvious choice for us to expand the services we offer.

“We’re looking forward to it growing even further as tourists return to the area this year, cementing our position as a destination where people can access a wide range of vital community services.”

R E TA I L C R I M E

ILLEGAL TOBACCO

Man caught with 324,000 illicit cigarettes in hire van The boxes of illegal cigarettes were found when police officers stopped the van on the motorway near Wamphray, Dumfries and Galloway.

A

construction worker has been jailed after illicit cigarettes worth £95,000 were discovered inside a van on the M74.

Thomas Donnelly, 39, of Kilmarnock, was interviewed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) officers after the hire van he was driving was stopped by police on the motorway near Wamphray, Dumfries and Galloway.

After carrying out a search of the vehicle they found several boxes containing thousands of cigarettes. HMRC were contacted and after examination, found there were more than 324,000 illicit cigarettes worth £95,000 in lost duty and taxes.

HMRC officers seized the goods and began interviewing Donnelly, who

admitted travelling down to Manchester to buy the cigarettes. Donnelly pleaded guilty to Excise Duty fraud and was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Lynsey Thompson, Operational Lead, Fraud Investigation Service, HMRC, said: “The sale of illegal cigarettes will not be tolerated by us or our partner agencies. This is theft from the taxpayer which undercuts local businesses and now Donnelly is paying the price.

“Cheap cigarettes come at a cost as they often fund organised crime and other illegal activity. If you know anyone smuggling, selling or storing illicit cigarettes, you can report it to HMRC online.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson explained the circumstances around

Donnelly’s arrest: “Officers received a report of a vehicle speeding on the motorway near Wamphray, Dumfries and Galloway, on the morning of 28 February 2019. The vehicle was stopped, and a search of the vehicle was carried out.

“A sizeable amount of illegal cigarettes were discovered and the recovery shows the good work of officers in preventing these cigarettes from reaching our communities.

“We will continue to work closely with our partners to disrupt, detect and deter such criminality and would encourage anyone with information or concerns about illegal or counterfeit cigarettes or tobacco within the local community to contact Trading Standards or Police Scotland on 101.”

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TRADE ASS

LEVELLING UP

ACS welcomes white paper on levelling up Government focuses on improving standards of living and working in disadvantaged areas through the delivery of 12 ‘missions’ by 2030.

T

he Association of the Convenience Stores has welcomed the publication of the government’s levelling up white paper, specifically the commitments to tackle crime in communities and boost connectivity in rural areas.

The white paper, which will become law through the new Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill, focuses on improving standards of living and working in disadvantaged areas across the UK through the delivery of 12 ‘missions’ by 2030 These include:

● Homicide, serious violence, and

every area of the UK, with the gap

neighbourhood crime will have

between the top performing and

fallen, focused on the worst-af-

other areas closing.

● Pay, employment and productivity

● Pride in place, such as people’s

will have risen in all of the UK, with

satisfaction with their town centre

the gap between the top perform-

and engagement in local culture

ing and other areas closing.

and community will have risen in

fected areas. ● The UK will have nationwide gigabit-capable broadband and 4G coverage, with 5G coverage for most of the population. ● The gap in Healthy Life Expectancy between local areas where it is highest and lowest will have narrowed and by 2035 will rise by five years.

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ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “It’s encouraging that the white paper recognises the importance of tackling crime, which is central to how people feel about their local area. This rhetoric needs to be backed with resources and powers for Police and Crime Commissioners and Neighbourhood Policing Teams to improve their response to crime in shops and elsewhere in communities.”

The full levelling up white paper is available to download from the UK Government website.

O C I AT I O N S

ENERGY COSTS

Chancellor urged not to ignore struggling businesses NRFN will be writing to Rishi Sunak to ask him to give independent retailers help and support as their bills rocket.

T

he NFRN is calling on the government to extent its £350 package to help households cope with a rise in energy bills to small businesses.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced the package after Ofgem revealed that the new energy bill price cap will rise by 54% from April. This means energy prices will rise by £693 a year for millions of households after regulator Ofgem hiked the price cap on bills to £1,971 for an average property.

NFRN National President Narinder Randhawa said: “Independent retailers kept Britain going during the lockdown, but now it is essential that the government helps us.”

Randhawa said NFRN members face a string of cost hikes in April, including minimum wage and national insurance rises, the reintroduction of business rates, and “rocketing” energy bills.

“To satisfy customer demand and to keep everyone safe, our members’ stores

contain chillers, freezers, EPoS, bright lighting and CCTV. As each year passes, it becomes increasingly difficult to cut these costs,” he said.

He also pointed out stores in towns and city centres saw footfall drop during lockdown and that this is yet to fully recover.

Randhawa added: “We will be writing to Rishi Sunak to ask him not to turn his back on independent retailers and to give us help and support as our bills rocket.”

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced plans to help UK households after Ofgem revealed that the new energy bill price cap will rise by 54%

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 15

S TO R E S A L E S

BROWNLIES OF BIGGAR

Brownlies of Biggar put on the market

The popular store has been run by Donna and Bruce Morgan for around 15 years.

A

ward-winning Brownlies of Biggar Convenience Store & Post Office, in South Lanarkshire, has been put on the market.

The store is located in Biggar, a market town, which is 70 miles north of Carlisle and 30 miles south-west of Edinburgh. The town has a population of about 2,500 people.

The 1,837sq ft store, which had a turnover £1.4m in the year ending 30 June 2020 and Post Office Commission of £26,786, has been run by Donna and Bruce Morgan for around 15 years.

Property specialist Christie & Co is marketing the store. Christie & Co said: “The store is currently the mainstay of

the local community and would suit a first-time buyer or an experienced operator looking to expand their portfolio.

Although the current owners have maximised the sales area and the offering, the store could introduce a larger food-to-go

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solution utilising the bakery prep area of the back store to prepare a bigger range of goods for breakfast and lunchtime solutions instore.

“Another area which any new owner may wish to exploit would be the growth of home deliveries, whether that be directly or by using a company such as Snappy Shopper. This will increase turnover and ultimately profit going forward.”

The freehold store has an asking price of £400,000. All the main equipment within the shop is owned outright and will be included within the sale, stock at valuation is in addition to the sale price, and TUPE regulations will apply to any remaining staff.

BUSINESS SERVICES

POST OFFICE

New 50p coin marks Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

The new coins are expected to be highly sought after due to the limited release of 1.3 million coins by the Royal Mint.

P

ost Offices across the UK have started rolling out the new 50p coin, marking the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

The coin features a large number 70 design with the Royal Cypher and the dates of the Queen’s reign inside the zero. The Queen’s usual portrait appears on the other side.

The Platinum Jubilee 50p coins are expected to be highly sought after due to the limited release of 1.3 million coins by the Royal Mint to enter circulation via

Post Office’s 11,500 branches. The maximum coin mintage is set at 5,000,070 coins – in a special nod to the Queen’s 70 years on the throne.

Post Office branches in Windsor and close to Sandringham are among the first to get the new coin.

Postmaster Umesh Sanghani and his wife Rashmita have run Dedworth Green Post Office in Windsor for 23 years. He said: “We have had many customers coming into our Post Office to check that we are going to get the special

50p coin. They don’t want to miss out on this souvenir. I am a Royalist. It is amazing that the Queen has reached her 70th anniversary. I am really looking forward to the celebrations this year.”

Nick Read, Chief Executive at the Post Office, added: “We are thrilled to be part of the celebrations for Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee year and that our 11,500 Post Offices across the whole of the United Kingdom will exclusively start the circulation of this special 50p coin today.

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COMMUNITY

QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Nisa charity to fund community celebrations Local groups, charities and good causes will receive up to £1,000 of funding to help communities celebrate the historic occasion.

N

isa’s Making a Difference Locally charity has launched a third round of its Heart of the Community Awards initiative, which will support communities across the UK in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year.

The Heart of the Community Awards will this time allow Nisa retailers to nominate a local group, charity or good cause to receive up to £1,000 of funding from Making a Difference Locally, to help communities celebrate the historic occasion with events such as afternoon teas, garden parties, and street parties.

Nominations will be accepted from Nisa retailers via a dedicated website until 18 March and 70 winners, to mark the Queen’s 70-year reign, will be selected to receive funding for their community celebrations. Donations could be used towards entertainment, equipment, food and drinks, venue hire or decorations, and each winning good causes will also receive a decorative MADL POS kit with bunting.

Kate Carroll, Nisa’s Head of Charity, said: “We received a fantastic response to our two previous rounds of funding, so we’re delighted to be able to bring back

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the Heart of the Community Awards for a third round of donations.

“This special Jubilee edition of the Awards will give the opportunity for 70 of our fantastic Nisa retailers to celebrate this exciting and joyous event with the communities they serve, bringing people together to mark the Queen’s historic reign.”

Almost 90 good causes have benefitted from donations totalling more than £310,000 in previous rounds of the Heart of the Community Awards initiative, making it Making a Difference Locally’s biggest funding giveaway to date.

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

DOUGALLS GROUP

Family business opens fifth store

Dougalls Group bought the West Midlands-based store last summer and made a series of changes before relaunching it as a Nisa Express.

A

family-owned convenience retail business based in the West Midlands has opened the doors to its fifth store with the launch of a Nisa Express in Solihull.

The 1,000sq ft store, which was previously a One Stop, is the family’s second Nisa symbol store in the Birmingham area – the other stores are located in Coventry – and it is the retailer’s first store to incorporate a Post Office.

Dougalls Group acquired the store last summer and made a series of changes before relaunching it as a Nisa Express

in January. A new fascia was installed and a small amount of work completed internally, with the addition of some new bays and modernised signage, with new vinyls erected.

The chilled and frozen offer was much enhanced after a full range review, alongside a significant increase in grocery and non-food offerings.

Meanwhile, the promotional package available to shoppers is now much stronger and the own-brand range has been strengthened with the addition of a selection of Co-op products.

Matthew Roberts, Head of Retail at Dougalls Group, said: “The key changes we have made initially to the business are to the range with a far-improved offer to shoppers in terms of both the choice and the quality.

“We chose to partner with Nisa due to the flexibility it offers in terms of ranging and the breadth of range on chilled.

“The Nisa IT also gives us greater visibility of commercial data and allows the store team to be focused on customer shopping habits and routines.”

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 19

SYMBOL

SPAR SCOTLAND

CJ Lang looks to growth with its latest appointments The company says the new appointments will enable it to put dedicated focus on retail recruitment.

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J Lang & Son has appointed Neil Ogilvie and Craig Lynn to strengthen its independent retailer sales team.

Neil Ogilvie joins as Business Development Manager covering Aberdeenshire to Kirkcaldy. Ogilvie has been in retail for more than 30 years following roles at several leading retail brands.

He commented: “Spar is the most recognised symbol group in the country and the opportunity to join a Scottish company, with a strong family background,

was an opportunity too good to refuse. I am looking forward to working in partnership with our community-focused independent retailers and supporting new retailers as they join the CJ Lang family.”

In addition, Craig Lynn returns as Head of Recruitment and Key Accounts.

He will be responsible for new business Spar accounts and wholesale business.

Lynn has been involved with convenience retailing for the past 20 years, originally starting his career with CJ Lang

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as a Field Sales Executive. He moved to United Wholesale Scotland to head up recruitment and store development in 2015, where he was responsible for store standards and creating a retailer recruitment framework.

Lynn said: “I am delighted to return to the company and focus on leading retailer recruitment.”

CJ Lang’s Wholesale Sales Director Steve Irons said: “These two new appointments reflect the growth of the company over the last 12 months, and allows the business to put dedicated focus on retail recruitment.

“We now have a full strength, excellent team in place to ensure CJ Lang continues to be Scotland’s leading symbol group.

“We have ambitious plans to grow the independent side of our business and are positioned well to deliver a truly Scottish offering to grow market share and to support our customers further.

“I’m looking forward to working with Craig, Neil and the rest of our highly experienced sales team in the months ahead.”

GROUPS

SPAR UK

Spar reports buoyant Christmas and New Year The symbol group said its Spar own-label Christmas packaged lines performed “very well”.

S

par has reported a 2.3% year-onyear increase in Christmas and New Year sales, which was an increase of 13.2% on pre-pandemic figures. In the four weeks to 2 January 2022, the total grocery category rose by 14% year-on-year.

Medicines had the highest year-onyear sales rise (+47%), with cold and flu remedies driving this growth. Baby products sales grew by 25% year-on-year,

with baby food up by 24% year-on-year, Spar revealed.

The symbol group reported that total fresh sales grew by 7.1% year-on-year.

Notably, soups sales grew by 26% year-on-year, with an increase in readyto-serve soups sales 31%.

In addition, crisps and snacks grew by 19%, propped by everyday sharing subcategory, which saw growth of 53% year-on-year. Soft drinks had the highest

contribution to the overall grocery sales with impulse sports and energy drinks subcategory driving the growth.

Louise Hoste, Spar UK Managing Director, said: “Our busiest days during the four-week period were Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in cash sales and number of transactions showing how shoppers are motivated to use our stores.”

The symbol group said its Spar own-label Christmas packaged lines, particularly the savoury range and the new party food lines, performed “very well”. The ‘2 for £2’ was a very popular price mechanism, Spar said.

Hoste added: “We had a really strong Christmas week for Spar Brand sales, which were up 5.4% year-on-year, and Spar Brand continues to deliver growth.

It is worth over £350m annually and is the twentieth biggest-selling food brand in the UK. “We have a great pipeline of development, covering a number of categories coming up in the next few months. We have had a great response from shoppers to our relaunched paperware range and additions to our frozen category.”

She added: “We have a number of exciting new projects landing in stores this year which will validate our position as the leading symbol group in the UK.”

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

NIELSENIQ

Convenience channel sees sales grow in January The growth in the convenience channel is a result of old habits returning.

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ales in the convenience channel rose 2.1% year-on-year in the four weeks ending 29 January, according to new data from NielsenIQ. The company said the growth in the convenience channel is a result of consumers shifting their spend back to shopping little and more often, continued home working, as well as the return to school and commuting.

The data show sales increasing for sandwiches (+60%), prepared salads (+29%), flavoured non-carbonates (+27.5%), and mineral water (+19%).

Meanwhile, total till sales at UK supermarkets fell -2.9% and there were significantly fewer online shopping occasions than last January (-14%), which was compensated by more visits to stores (+12%). Shoppers continued to adopt an omnichannel mindset in January, with the share of online sales rising to 13.1%, up from 11.3% in December.

The research shows shoppers have opted to spend less on categories that were popular during the lockdown periods, such as beers, wines and spirits (-14.2%), frozen foods (-11%), and packaged grocery (-8.3%). However, as students returned to school and workers back in the office there was strong growth in delicatessen (+11.1%), health and beauty (+9.4 %), petcare (+8%),

soft drinks (+5.6%), and fresh bakery (+4.5%) categories.

Mike Watkins, NielsenIQ’s UK Head of Retailer and Business Insight, said: “Our latest data shows a continued resilience in online grocery shopping and rising sales at convenience stores in recent weeks. This suggests that shoppers are continuing to adopt omnichannel shopping habits, now that all remaining restrictions are lifted.

“January is also traditionally a month where shoppers are keen to keep household costs low, and along with the added convenience of online shopping, consumers have the opportunity to shop savvy by editing previous shopping lists, searching for lower cost alternatives, and managing the total ‘checkout’ spend if they are looking to economise when shopping for groceries online.”

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 23

BUSINESS IN

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Consumer confidence falls second consecutive quarter The latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker shows the fall in sentiment among consumers is in stark contrast to business executives.

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onsumer confidence fell by one percentage point in the fourth quarter of 2021, reaching -11%, as consumers started to feel the squeeze of inflation and pockets were hit with higher household bills.

The latest Deloitte Consumer Tracker show personal expenditure increased for 41% consumers in the final quarter of 2021, up from 36% in Q3. Of these, 74% revealed it was due to rising prices.

Céline Fenech, Consumer Insights Lead at Deloitte, said: “With the expected

squeeze on spending power and higher quarter-on-quarter decline, falling eight inflation, another fall in confidence may percentage points. However, the fall in dent the hopes of a consumer recovery. sentiment among consumers is in stark However, some consumers are still in contrast to business executives who the fortunate position of having higher intend to make increased capital investlevels of savings compared to before the ment a strong priority for the year ahead. pandemic, indicating some financial Ian Stewart, Chief Economist at resilience.”

Deloitte, said: “Sharply higher inflation Of the Consumer Tracker’s and a squeeze on consumer spending power has hit consumer seven measures of confidence, sentiment around confidence. With inflation Consumer sentiment around the state of the economy set to rise further, a tough the state of the econrecorded the largest few months are in prosomy recorded the largpect. However, high savest quarter-on-quarter ings, strong consumer decline, falling eight percentage points. balance sheets and rising employment should help soften the blow to spending This is in caused by higher inflation.” stark contrast to The research shows sentiment business executives who say they intend to around job security and career make increased capital opportunities and progression investment a strong are both up, by two and one perpriority for the centage points, respectively. year ahead.

Stewart continued: “A strong recovery in activity as lockdown restrictions eased has ensured most furloughed workers have been able to return to the workforce. At the same time, the ratio of unemployed people to vacancies sits at a record low meaning, theoretically at least, there is a job available for almost every person out of work.”

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NTELLIGENCE

LUMINA INTELLIGENCE

Delivery/click-and-collect occasions grow New data also shows retailers primarily located in suburban areas also benefitted from a rise in footfall in the fourth quarter of 2021.

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elivery and click-and-collect occasions grew in the 12 weeks ending 9 January, new research reveals.

The latest 12-weekly data from the Lumina Intelligence Convenience Tracking Programme shows delivery accounted for one-in-10 c-store occasions across the period, driven by the rise of Omicron and shoppers looking for more conveniece over Christmas.

The data reveals retailers predominantly located in suburban areas, such

Purchase of price-marked packs also increased by 2% to 50% in past 12 weeks.

Chilled foods (including milk), bakery and chilled products each saw a 1% increase in PMP purchases.

Senior Insight Manager at Lumina Intelligence, Katherine Prowse, said: “Omicron caused a significant amount of uncertainty and a shift to local shopping, with suburban convenience stores seeing the benefit of increased footfall.

Once again, we see the opportunity that delivery can offer convenience stores – accounting for one-in-10 convenience occasions. Whilst Covid cases will have played a role, we still expect delivery to be a key growth driver for the future.

“The last three months of 2021 truly showed, once again, the importance of convenience stores to the UK economy and local communities.” as Co-Op, Best One, Budgens, and Costcutter, benefitted from a rise in footfall over the 12-week period.

In addition, newsagent missions increased by a further one percentage point and food-to-go missions decreased by the same amount as consumers were less likely to be out and about due to the Omicron variant. However, Lumina Intelligence expects food-to-go to increase over the next quarter as more consumers return to offices.

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BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

RETAIL SALES MONITOR

Food sales struggle in January Data shows food sales have started 2022 on a downbeat note.

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ood sales decreased 0.1% on a total basis and 0.5% on a like-for-like basis over the three months to January, new data reveals.

The latest BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor also shows that food sales were in decline year-on-year.

Susan Barratt, Chief Executive of IGD, said: “After a welcome uptick in food and drink sales at Christmas, 2022 has started on a downbeat note with sales struggling to match those of January 2021. Although it was always going to

be a hard benchmark as we were in the financially in the year ahead, up 8% from peak of a third national lockdown in last month. Therefore, we can expect more January last year, with food and drink shoppers to increasingly focus on tightensales surging as a result.” ing their spending in the months ahead.”

She added: “With the cost of living The data also showed that total UK rising at its fastest rate in 30 years, our retail sales increased 8.1% on a like-forShopperVista insight reveals that 89% of like basis from January 2021, when they shoppers expect food to get more expen- had increased 7.1%. sive in the year ahead. Coupled Paul Martin, UK Head of Retail with the energy price cap set at KPMG, said: “With Covid With the cost to rise sharply from April, restrictions now eased, and of living rising at its some 39% of shoppers people heading back to fastest rate in 30 years, workplaces, retailers will expect to be worse off BRC-KPMG’s ShopperVista be hoping consumer insight reveals that 89% of shoppers expect food to get confidence remains more expensive in the robust to help offset the year ahead rising cost challenges that they are likely to experience for a while.

“We could see a challenging few months ahead if wider macroeconomic conditions start to squeeze household incomes to the point that they start cutting back on retail spending. Retailers are facing their own inflationary pressures and will need to take tough decisions on whether and how to pass on the increase costs they have been sitting on for some time to consumers facing their own financial challenges. We could easily see the health of the sector start to deteriorate if consumers choose to sit on savings to weather the storm.”

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BUSINESS IN

CONSUMER CARD SPENDING

Supermarket spending saw smallest rise in January Barclaycard data shows Brits plan to spend more on Valentine’s Day this year.

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upermarket spending saw its smallest rise (13.6%) since before the onset of the pandemic, according to new data from Barclaycard.

The research shows that one reason for the slow growth was consumers shifting their spending to food and drink specialist retailers, such as butchers, bakeries and recipe box services, which grew 67.3%.

The data from Barclaycard, which sees nearly half of the nation’s credit and debit card transactions, reveals that spending on essential items grew 10.4%, the smallest rise in nine months. This can largely be attributed to fuel spend seeing its slowest

rate of growth (6.7%) since October 2021, as Plan B Covid restrictions throughout most of January meant Brits travelled less and worked from home.

Overall consumer card spending rose 7.4% year-on-year in January – the smallest uplift since April 2021.

In addition, the data shows that 89% of Brits say they’re concerned about the impact of rising inflation on their household finances, while 30% say they expect increasing household bills to affect the amount they spend on discretionary purchases.

Barclaycard reveals that 28% of Brits plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day, with

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this year’s budget set to increase from an average of £63 during lockdown in 2021, to an average of £77 this year. Those celebrating will be looking to spend this increased budget eating out at a restaurant (30%) and buying a gift for their partner, such as chocolates or jewellery (29%).

Jose Carvalho, Head of Consumer Products at Barclaycard, said: “The lifting of Plan B restrictions should also provide a welcome boost to many sectors, as workers travel back into the office and socialise over post-work drinks, while businesses will likely start to see the benefits of increased inbound tourism on retail sales too.”

NTELLIGENCE

SHOPPING TRENDS

Retailers have a chance to promote benefits of c-stores

Research shows that currently consumers are unsure of the environmental impact of shopping at convenience stores.

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ore than a third of consumers believe that shopping at convenience stores is better for the environment, new research reveals.

A report from data and digital specialist TWC shows that more than 70% of consumers are concerned about environmental and sustainability issues. While the youngest consumers, Gen Z (aged 18-24) were most likely to ‘strongly agree’ with this statement, overall agreement

was highest among Baby Boomers (aged 55+).

The TWC Trends ‘Do Good, Feel Good’ report reveals that sustainability concerns are already affecting where consumers shop. Over four in 10 respondents agreed with this statement – and almost half said that it will be an even greater influence in the future.

Sarah Coleman, Communications Director at TWC, said: “Almost

two-thirds of consumers agreed that food retailers who don’t take sustainability or environmental issues seriously are likely to lose out in the future – this is a big watch-out for all businesses.”

The research shows that currently consumers are unsure of the environmental impact of shopping at c-stores, with 35% agreeing it is better for the environment, 33% disagreeing, and the remaining 32% unsure.

Coleman said: “There is an opportunity here to talk up the environmental benefits of shopping at convenience stores. For example, walking to store (both customers and staff) and collaborations with local businesses that drive the local economy. We believe this would really resonate with consumers.”

She added: “However, we also have to recognise the challenges of implementing sustainability initiatives – whether that is for example the investment required to fit energy efficient chillers or lighting or offering a range of locally sourced produce.

“By their very nature, local lines from small suppliers are not going to deliver volume and so these demands can be at odds for the retailer and wholesaler.

Range recommendations must therefore balance core lines, plus more, to meet this increasing need.”

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BUSINESS IN

CASH

Post Office data highlights recovery in the use of cash

The figures show cash deposits and withdrawals amounted to £2.9bn in January – £1bn more than a year ago.

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ost office cash deposits were up almost 50% in January compared with a year ago, new data reveals.

The figures show business and personal cash deposits totalled £2.24bn in January compared to £1.51bn a year ago.

Business cash deposits were up over 70% compared with last year, but this January (£995m) was the first-time business cash deposits had dipped below £1bn since June 2021.

Meanwhile, personal cash deposits were steady at £1.24bn in January, compared with £1.27bn in December.

In total, cash deposits and withdrawals amounted to £2.9bn in January – £1bn

more than January 2021 when the UK was in lockdown, highlighting a recovery in the use of cash and continued economic recovery from lockdown last year.

Personal cash withdrawals were up over 36% year-on-year with £630m withdrawn at Post Offices in January.

Martin Kearsley, Banking Director at Post Office, said: “Our figures show the significant recovery cash use has made since the country was in a full lockdown a year ago. The vast majority of businesses have been able to trade uninterrupted in January and rely on their Post Office which is open long hours to deposit their cash takings.

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“Cash withdrawals are always lower in January and we’re closely monitoring whether the focus on the cost of living could see consumers reduce the amount of cash they’re spending. People who are budgeting can always withdraw the amount of cash they need to the penny at our branches thanks to our agreement with 30 UK banks and building society brands.”

Kearsley added: “Post Offices play a vital role in supporting consumers with cash and this is emphasised by our announcement last week that the agreement has been extended for a further three years.”

NTELLIGENCE

COST OF LIVING

Two in five Brits forced to choose between food or bills Research reveals that Brits are worried about their financial situation over the next three months.

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wo in five people had to make the decision between buying food versus paying household bills, new research by Post Office reveals.

The figures reveal that 41% of this group have gone without food to feed other members of their family at some point over the past 12 months.

The research shows the impact of inflation, as 38% of Brits have had to reduce spending on either food, essential household items or utilities in the past three months. Three-quarters (75%) of these people have done so due to the increased cost of living, including higher food prices and rising energy bills.

In addition, the data reveals 76% of people who had to reduce their spending are also worried about their financial situation over the next three months.

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of anti-poverty charity Trussell Trust, said: “Over the last five years, we have seen more and more people struggling to afford the essentials – such as food and clothing – for their families. Figures from our food bank network reveal more than 5,100 emergency food parcels were provided for people every day from April to September last year, and with the looming cost of living crisis, need for food banks looks set to increase.”

To help ease the pressure on struggling families, the Post Office is donating 1p for every cash withdrawal made in any of its 11,500 branches to the Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of more than 1,300 food banks, until 31 March 2022.

Laura Joseph, Customer Experience Director at Post Office, added: “Millions of people will be paying bills over the counter at their local Post Office in the coming months and many of these customers may be facing very difficult financial decisions and need support from organisations like the Trussell Trust.”

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WHOLESALE

HANCOCKS

Hancocks celebrates 60th birthday

Anniversary celebrations will be taking place across the Hancocks depots throughout the year.

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onfectionery wholesaler Hancocks is marking its 60th anniversary year with a big in-store event for customers and suppliers in Loughborough.

The wholesaler has its roots in Loughborough in the East Midlands and was founded by Ray and Liz Hancock who began wholesaling confectionery from their sweet shop in 1962. The Loughborough depot first opened in 1962 and is one of 14 located around the UK for the sweet wholesaler. The company has retained its Loughborough connection, with the head office still based in the town and its wholesale store

next door. The depot, on Jubilee Drive, will be celebrating the milestone anniversary on Thursday 17 February.

The event, sponsored by Haribo, Nestle, Mondelez and Frisia, will include more than 160 offers for retailers to enjoy with hundreds of pounds worth of savings, and big prize draws and giveaways including high street vouchers, stock, hampers, and a Premier League stadium tour.

More anniversary celebrations will be taking place across the Hancocks depots throughout the year.

Hancocks Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Summerley said: “Reaching such

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a milestone anniversary is a testament to how our teams across the business work together, the service and products we’re able to supply to retailers, however large or small and the suppliers we work with on a daily basis.”

Manager of the Loughborough store Dean Miller added: “This is a chance for us to talk to retailers to show them what we have planned for the coming year, the offer available to them, and the new confectionery lines we’ll be introducing.

“Most importantly though, it’s a chance to thank them for being an integral part of the Hancocks’ journey.”

TO BAC C O

JTI

JTI expands and evolves sales team

The company says the move will result in increased speed, agility and efficiency in the field.

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obacco manufacturer JTI is transitioning its sales force into JTI Business Advisers, with the creation of 58 new jobs.

The JTI sales force historically operated as a dual entity with an internal JTI team and a third-party sales force that was split across channels. The transition will see JTI consolidate the team and create an in-house sales force of JTI Business Advisers.

The JTI Business Advisers will be allocated smaller, dedicated catchment areas where they will be responsible for every trading channel within it, including convenience stores, supermarkets

and wholesalers. JTI said the move will result in increased speed, agility and efficiency in the field and allow Business Advisers to provide a more bespoke, personal service.

Ross Hennessy, JTI’s Sales Vice President, said: “The industry is moving forward at a rapid pace and as a business we are always looking at ways we can innovate to help us to continue delivering world class service to all of our trade partners.

“The transition to Business Advisers is the biggest change that JTI has made in the last 20 years and has been in planning for over two years to ensure that the move is as seamless as possible

for our customers. Our highly skilled Sales Force has always operated at a high level, but we have taken the time to upskill our JTI Business Advisers to a superior standard. Combine this with the fact that this role is completely customer-centric, we are confident that the transition can only be of benefit to our trade partners as they will receive an even greater level of service than they have come to expect from JTI.” The transition will take effect from February 2022.Retailers can find out more information on who their new Business Adviser will be by calling JTI’s Customer Care line on 0800 163503.

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – BATCHELORS PEAS

BATCHELORS PEAS RENEWS RUGBY LEAGUE PARTNERSHIPS The brand is set to feature on matchday programmes, pitch perimeter boards, and on official competition backdrops.

Batchelors Peas has renewed its Rugby League

Rugby League season and Batchelors Peas is

partnerships, seeing the brand drive category

pleased to extend its partnerships for 2022.

awareness through press competitions, on-pack promotions, and digital support.

“We’re a brand which promotes families and friends spending time together and we’re looking

Following the renewal, the company became

forward to engaging again with fans up and down

official partner of the Betfred Super League

the country at match day events and with compe-

and Official Partner of the Challenge Cup for

titions throughout the season.”

the seventh consecutive season and official

The campaign continues to increase usage

partner of the England Rugby League team

and drive purchase of mushy and marrowfat peas

for the fifth year.

among existing and new consumers through the

Betfred Super League fans will notice the brand

promotion of the products as the ‘ideal’ accompani-

featured on all matchday programmes, on pitch

ment for fish and chips, and other family favourite

perimeter boards and on all official competition

meals.

backdrops at more than 180 games.

Princes Marketing Director, Dean Towey, said: “We arrive again at the start of another exciting

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The 2022 season kicks off on 10 February 2022 with a match between St Helens and Catalan Dragons at 8pm.

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – BABYBEL

BABYBEL PARTNERSHIP WITH COMIC RELIEF CONTINUES Promotional packs will feature fun and inspiring ways for consumers up and down the country to raise money for the charity.

Babybel has announced it is again supporting

The brand is urging retailers to stock up on

major UK charity Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day

promotional packs and drive visibility in-store to

campaign, marking the continuation of their

maximise the opportunity.

established 22-year relationship.

Ollie Richmond, Brand Manager at Babybel,

The partnership will see Babybel donating 5p

said: “At Babybel we’re calling the UK public to

to Comic Relief for every limited-edition promo-

‘Join The Goodness’ and become a hero by fund-

tional pack sold. The money raised will be used

raising for Comic Relief.

to support vital life changing work in the UK and

“We’re extremely proud of our long-standing

around the world, which includes tackling home-

relationship which has raised over £1.5m for this

lessness, domestic abuse, poverty, and mental

brilliant charity to date and we really hope that this

health problems.

year’s campaign, through the support of our retail

The packs feature fun and inspiring ways for consumers to raise money for the charity.

partners, will result in even more money going to this worthy cause.”

Babybel’s fundraising activity with Red Nose

The limited-edition Red Nose Day Babybel

Day is set to drive further consumer engagement

packs are available to retailers from 18 February

and will be maximised through significant market-

and will be available in all major supermarkets

ing investment including TV, video-on-demand,

and convenience stores across the country while

social and fun-filled influencer collaborations.

stocks last.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 35

NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK – COCA-COLA EUROPACIFIC PARTNERS

COKE ZERO TARGETS GAMERS Gaming fans can scan QR codes on promotional packs for a chance to access instant wins and to enter weekly prize draws.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has

media, out-of-home advertising, in-store activation

announced a new on-pack promotion for its Coca-

and digital advertising – along with a new online

Cola Zero Sugar range that taps into young adults’

advert featuring the League of Legends video

passion for gaming.

game team.

From 14 February until 25 April, gaming fans can scan QR codes on promotional packs of Coca-

Convenience retailers can request POS materials via My.CCEP.com.

Cola Zero Sugar for a chance to access instant

Martin Attock, Vice President of Commercial

wins and to enter weekly prize draws. Prizes up

Development at CCEP GB, said: “There are more

for grabs including Xbox Game Passes for PC

than 35 million gamers in the UK, 71% of whom

and exclusive Coke-branded HyperX headsets.

regularly consume soft drinks while they play, so

The promotion will run across the Coca-Cola

bringing together GB’s fastest-growing cola brand

Zero Sugar range, including the cherry- and

in retail with a huge part of the entertainment

vanilla-flavoured variants, and will include both

industry is a perfect partnership.

on-the-go and take-home pack formats.

“We’d therefore encourage retailers to get

The on-pack promotion will be supported by a

behind this campaign in-store to benefit from the

multi-million-pound marketing campaign entitled

growth momentum behind the Coca-Cola Zero

‘Real Thrills, Real Magic’ which includes paid social

Sugar brand.”

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NPD AND MEDIA

PICKS OF THE WEEK

JOIN THE CLUB

SOUR THEN SWEET

INFUSED WATER

McVitie’s Club has introduced

Sour Patch Kids has launched a

Britvic is adding a Blood Orange

a Salted Caramel variant, avail-

new Watermelon flavour. Each

& Mango flavour to its Aqua

able now in packs of seven or

jelly sweet is watermelon-fla-

Libra range of infused sparkling

eight individually-wrapped bars,

voured with a coating of sour

waters, available from 10 Feb-

with an RSP of £1 to £1.70. The

sugar. Like the other variants,

ruary in 330ml cans with a £1

biscuits consist of a light, gold-

the flavour changes from sour

RSP. The launch aims to sup-

en-baked bar, layered with a

to sweet. It is available in shelf-

port retailers in offering shoppers

salted caramel-flavoured cream

ready cases of 10 with an RSP

more choice within the flavoured

and coated in milk chocolate.

of £1.32 per 140g bag.

water segment.

PEACE POP

BN IS BACK

PMP SNACKS

Ben & Jerry’s has launched

McVitie’s BN biscuit brand is

Pladis is adding Jacob’s Mini

Salted Caramel Brownie Peace

back after a four-year absence.

Cheddars Sticks Grilled Cheddar

Pop, which consists of a sweet

Two formats are available: full-

and Sizzling Steak (75g) to its £1

cream ice cream with a thick

sized biscuits in packs of 16 and

price-marked pack range. The

brownie sauce centre covered in

mini-sized in packs of five. Full-

range currently includes Origi-

a gooey Salted Caramel coating

sized biscuits come in chocolate

nal, Smoky BBQ, Red Leicester,

and popped on a stick. Multi-

or vanilla flavours and the smaller

Nacho Cheese & Jalapeno and

packs are available now, with

size in chocolate or strawberry.

Ploughman’s Cheshire Cheese

an RSP of £4.

RSP is £1 for all formats.

Mini Cheddars.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 37

NOW THAT’S A

OUT TH

Carrefour enters metaverse with virtual game plot The initiative will enable players to build and monetise their experiences.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA? French retail giant Carrefour has officially joined the metaverse after buying a plot in virtual game The Sandbox, where players can build and monetise their experiences.

SAY WHAT NOW? First things first: the metaverse. Think of it as another name for virtual worlds, or an amplified virtual experience of the likes of Fortnite.

FORTNITE? It’s a multi-player video game. Ask an 11-year-old.

since Facebook’s announcement to enter the race.It was only a matter of time before heavyweight retail names made their move, and Carrefour has chosen to do it on The Sandbox.

WHAT DID CARREFOUR DO? Essentially, Carrefour bought a virtual field upon which to build its virtual store. According to the company, the area acquired is equivalent to “30 supermarkets in the metaverse”.The area – or parcel number 33,147 as it’s called – is expected to house some of the retailer’s plans for digital transformation, assuming the metaverse catches on.

SO, WHAT’S THE METAVERSE IS IT REALLY SOMETHING AGAIN? The metaverse is literally the com- I SHOULD BE THINKING bination of the digital and physical ABOUT? worlds. This virtual world consists of avatars (persons) who buy clothes, houses, and experiences just as their physical counterparts would in the real world, making the benefits for companies endless.

There is currently a proper land rush going on for investors looking to buy virtual plots in the metaverse, with prices for some of the land having soared as much as 500% in the last few months,

It is no secret that virtual games such as Fortnite, Sandbox and Decentraland have made the concept of metaverse a lot more widespread than it used to be in the early 2010s.

Remember, although the metaverse is not a new concept, this type of attention on it is. It was only in 2003 that Second Life allowed people to create an avatar or themselves and live in the virtual world the game offered them.

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I’M NOT CONVINCED You’re not alone. “It is not our objective to sell virtual sneakers at €10,” LVMH CEO Bernard Arnault recently said.

He doesn’t outright rule out the positive impact the metaverse will have on retail – besides, LVMH has already made some moves towards the new virtual world, having partnered with

A GOOD IDEA…

HE BOX

other luxury companies to create the Aura Blockchain Consortium and having teamed up with gaming company League of Legends in the past.

But it just remains to be seen whether the actual metaverse is something dreamed up by Facebook to sell some virtual clothes or whether it will truly translate into a retail revolution.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 39

UK & ROI, 18+. Promotion Period: 00.01 17/01/22 – 23.59 01/05/22. No purchase necessary for Northern Ireland & ROI. Purchase necessary in GB. Visit website or scan QR code on back of promotional pack and follow the instructions for entry. Internet & personal details required. Main Prize: 1 trip to Warner Bros World in Abu Dhabi for winner and guest (exclusions apply). Instant Win Prizes: 2 pairs of cinema tickets to be won daily for the duration of the promotion (choice of cinema at the discretion of the Promoter). Wrap Up Prize: Entrants who enter between 00.00 02/05/22 – 23.59 30/11/22, will be placed in a final draw for a chance to win £500/€ equivalent. Max 1 Instant Win entry/household/day. Max 1 Instant Win Prize/person/household. Max 1 prize draw entry/person.

Prize fulfilment subject to C19 guidance and circumstances beyond the control of the Promoter. Receipt may be requested. Visit www.oreo.eu for full T&Cs, prize details and NI/ROI NPN.

BEFORE YOU GO

RETAIL RANDOMS

y s a t s c e e h t d n a y n o g a The Here at The Week In Retail, we know a thing or two about the German discounters. You could say we’ve been to Aldi and bought the T-shirt.

We’ve also bought garden furniture, power tools, colouring books, dumbbells, a couple of children’s wetsuits and a rubber dinghy.

So, we doff our cap (also a Specialbuy) at Aldi Scotland’s latest offering: relationship advice.

You don’t even need to root about in the middle aisle to patch up your love life. Simply share your receipt on Aldi’s social channels and an “up and

coming” agony aunt will offer dating tips based on your purchases.

After spending 10 years asking people if they’re getting made-up for anything special, Glaswegian

beautician Dear Ashleigh also started offering relationship advice to clients.

She explained: “It’s the small things that they themselves haven’t noticed which reveals the most.”

Given that her massive glasses must be more powerful than the Hubble telescope, we imagine Dear Ashleigh can spot some very small things indeed.

“I’m looking forward to helping Aldi shoppers find out a bit more about themselves and where they should be looking for love,” she concluded.

Hopefully not in that inflatable hot tub they’ve just purchased.

I’M TOO SEXY FOR THIS SURVEY Oh dear. A survey of 1,500 men and women across the UK has “conclusively” revealed that men with hair are sexier than their bald brethren.

Fair enough. The opinion of a whopping 0.002% of the population is cast iron proof as far as we’re concerned.

In the poll, held in January, 72% of women said they thought blokes with a full head of hair were sexier than bald men. Depressingly, 73% of men thought that’s how women would answer.

Apparently, the research “aimed to get to the core of the urban myth that bald men are thought to be sexier”.

No it didn’t. The research aimed to add to people’s insecurities – cultivated by a constant drip of social media poison – and drive them to an online

pharmacy which sells products that allegedly combat hair loss.

A separate Week In Retail poll concluded that there’s nothing sexier that someone who’s entirely at ease within their own skin. Whether it’s hairy or not.

WEDNESDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2022 / ISSUE 91 / SLRMAG.CO.UK I 41