Cash and Carry Management Aug 23

SPOTLIGHT: CHRIS MORGAN, WATERSIDE FOOD SERVICES

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR CASH & CARRY/DELIVERED WHOLESALERS

Exclusive!

Skip Mehta on the family irm’s soaring sales and ambitions

FESTIVE WISH LIST

Consumers’ plans and priorities for eating out CATEGORY INSIGHT Back to School/Freshers Catering Big Night In Tobacco & Next-Generation Products

AUGUST 2023

Next level heated tobacco is coming.

Are you ready?

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Contents

August 2023

This month don’t miss...

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Hancocks rolls out refurbishment programme to its 14 UK branches.

Abbey Road Studios is the venue for CRG’s An Evening With event.

Less disposable income has made the ‘big night in’ a norm.

ESSENTIALS 04

18

Industry News

FEATURES 10

In Focus Bidfood looks into consumers’ priorities for eating out this Christmas and shapes its range accordingly.

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Behind the Scenes In its 21st anniversary year under ownership of the Mehta family, Monmore Confectionery has seen a 33% surge in turnover.

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Spotlight Chris Morgan, managing director of Rugeley-based Waterside Food Services.

Chris Morgan of Waterside Food Services with daughter Rebecca, who, along with son Kieren and wife Lorraine, also works in the business.

CATEGORY INSIGHT 20

Tobacco & Next-Generation Products Low-priced options continue to find favour with shoppers.

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EDITORIAL Managing Editor Kirsti Sharratt Contributor Siobhan Kielty

Catering Back to School/Freshers

ADVERTISING AND MARKETING Publishing Director Martin Lovell Media Sales Manager Clare Phillips

The start of a new academic year provides an ideal opportunity to target students and their parents.

For media rates and feature lists, visit cashandcarrymanagement.co.uk

Big Night In Costcutter retailer Peter Juty highlights his ‘big night in’ offering.

ISSN 1352-254X

Address Winlove Publications Ltd PO Box 366, East Grinstead, RH19 4ZE Tel (01342) 712100 Email mail.winlove@btconnect.com Website cashandcarrymanagement.co.uk LinkedIn linkedin.com/in/martinlovell-98419436/ linkedin.com/company/cash-andcarry-management-incorporatingdelivered-wholesaler Twitter twitter.com/CandCManagement

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August 2023

03

[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]

Redfearn in new role Tracey Redfearn, formerly Plan for Profit category controller at Unitas, has a new group role – head of marketing and communications.

Redfearn (above) began her wholesale career in 1990 at Nisa-Today’s, where she spent more than 23 years. In 2014 Redfearn left Today’s to join Nisa Retail, and in 2020 she moved to Unitas.

Unitas is currently recruiting a replacement for the category controller role.

DiW event

Shaunagh Brown (pictured), former England rugby player, will be the guest speaker at the Diversity in Wholesale (DiW) conference, which takes place on 12 September at 30 Euston Square, London.

The theme of the event is ‘Celebrate Difference’ and the line-up also includes Holly Pennington, HR & training manager of Parfetts, and Vipin Patara, MD of SOS Wholesale. In addition, workshops will cover parental leave and age & menopause.

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Refurbishment roll-out Hancocks has relaunched its branches at Loughborough and Bristol as part of a refurbishment programme that is being rolled out across all 14 of its stores.

As soon as customers enter the store, they are met with a welcome board that displays the team and invites them to scan a QR code to view current deals.

Shoppers are encouraged to approach staff members with any queries, as the employees have undergone additional training to make sure they give customers the best service possible.

The wholesaler now offers retailers a more familiar shopping experience with directional signs on the tops of all aisles, similar to those used in most supermarkets.

Customers can also try certain lines before buying, with a selection of pick-andmix and ice lolly samples

available near the reception.

In addition, there are Sweet Deals areas with discounted products near till points, alongside a large clearance section.

Specialist areas, which are highlighted in-store with new headers and banners, are dedicated to bestsellers, new products, vegan sweets, kids novelty, multi-buy options, sweet deals and clearance.

Bigger brands also have specific sections and aisles, with promotional screens,

display examples and branded baseboards showcasing offers.

Boxed products now have a ‘look what’s in the box’ label which clearly shows what sweets are included in the box.

Jonathan Summerley, chief operating officer at Hancocks, said: “Our goal was to make it easy for retailers to navigate the store from the moment they enter until they reach the checkout.”

Bestway links with Deliveroo Bestway and Deliveroo have formed a new partnership to offer restaurants access to cheaper everyday products and a cashback deal.

The agreement will help restaurants to cut costs – on average an independent restaurant could save £5,000. The savings are available on restaurant essentials, including soft drinks, flour, rice, sugar and dairy products.

Restaurant partners are also eligible for a discount scheme through a quarterly paid cashback deal based on spend and special pricing tiers.

Restaurants who spend more than £13,000 a quarter are eligible for up to 8% cash

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Dawood Pervez: ‘Ambitious targets to grow market share with Deliveroo customers.’

back – a rebate of more than £1,000 to spend as they wish.

The offer will be available to 1,700 partner sites in Scotland from Bestway’s Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dundee and Edinburgh depots, as well as 6,800 partner sites in Central London – both with a delivery service option.

Deliveroo restaurant partners have already signed up to the scheme in London, Dundee, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with the remainder of the partnership expected to be rolled out across the UK from 2024.

Dawood Pervez, managing director of Bestway Wholesale, told Cash & Carry Management: “As we enter our new fiscal year, we have ambitious targets to grow our partnership and our market share with Deliveroo customers.

“Our collaboration is based on synergistic values – we want to help our customers grow and make more profit. That way, we all benefit and grow together.”

[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]

Gloucester will be 30th UK site Costco is to open a 250,000 sq ft warehouse in Gloucester – its 30th UK branch. A date has not yet been given for the opening.

The warehouse at Centric Park, Eastern Avenue, is on an 11.5-acre site previously occupied by Interbrew.

Justin Parker, director at Chase Commercial, which has been retained by Costco (alongside Colliers International) to deliver suitable sites in the UK, said: “We are delighted to have secured this prominent site in Gloucester on behalf of Costco Wholesale.

“The deal is reflective of Costco’s performance track record and their ability to move decisively once suitable

sites are identified. Costco are entirely self-funded.”

Costco Wholesale is actively seeking further 6-12 acre sites to provide 150,000 sq ft buildings with 650 parking spaces and the ability to develop a petrol station with EV charging.

It is particularly looking at

Own-brand range

JJ Foodservice has launched a new own-brand professional cleaning range – Clean Choice.

The selection of 21 products includes disinfectant sprays, surface cleaners, floor gels and washing-up liquids, and is suitable for use in all industries, including restaurants, hotels, schools and healthcare facilities.

With the purchase of Clean Choice products, JJ offers a complimentary

poster that serves as a visual reminder and guide, helping businesses to comply with health & safety regulations.

Suna Durakoglu, category manager, said: “We understand the importance of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for employees and customers. Our free wall planner is just one way we offer additional support.”

Own-brand sales at JJ Foodservice now account for a record 41% of turnover.

the following locations: Chelmsford, Colchester, Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge, Maidstone, Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth/ Poole, Preston, South Glasgow, South East London, Wolverhampton/ North West Birmingham, and South West Birmingham.

Abbey Road With 2023 signifying the 10th anniversary of the Country Range Group’s first ‘An Evening With’ annual celebration, this year’s event is expected to surpass all others after Abbey Road Studios were confirmed as the venue.

Taking place on 14 December, the event will include a champagne reception and a three-course dinner created by the Clink Charity. In addition, some of the guests will be invited to be part of a special track being recorded especially for the celebrations.

The night will also incorporate the group’s annual supplier and member awards.

Two more members Sugro UK has recruited two retailer/wholesaler operators: Sheffield-based Ozmen and Edinburgh-based Margiotta.

Ozmen specialises in the distribution of impulse, grocery and household goods, as well as operating café and bakery facilities. It has been serving the Sheffield community since 2010.

Director Altey Ozmen said: “Joining Sugro will govern our power to maximise and uplift our services in order to gain access for our future growth. Gaining such a network will allow us to expand Ozmen Food Centres all around the UK.”

Margiotta has served Edinburgh since the early 1970s, and the £18 million turnover business now operates 10 convenience stores with food-to-go services across Edinburgh and East Lothian. It also stocks impulse products, grocery lines, alcohol and non-food items.

Director Joseph Margiotta said: “As an independent it can be tough to secure the best prices and promotions from suppliers. Being part of the Sugro team enables us to be much more competitive for our customers, along with dealing with some great brands.”

www.cashandcarrymanagement.co.uk

August 2023

05

[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]

Fleet expanded Pioneer Foodservice has invested more than £300,000 in expanding its fleet.

Seven new refrigerated vans will be used to service customers across southern Scotland and north-west and north-east England.

The vans feature the company’s recently introduced logo, alongside a new creative developed especially for the vans.

“To cope with demand we needed to add to our existing fleet of vehicles,” said Jonny Forsyth, operations director.

LWC to open Aylesbury depot LWC Drinks is opening its 17th branch – a new 116,000 sq ft depot in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire – in October.

Joining LWC Slough and the recently opened LWC Andover, Aylesbury will be the third depot in the familyowned wholesaler’s portfolio to service London and the Home Counties, following a period of significant growth.

The new depot features a state-of-the-art warehouse management system that will allow for improved inventory and order accuracy, the capabilities to offer same or next-day delivery, and the support of a team of WSETqualified account managers.

Ebrahim Mukadam, MD of LWC Drinks, said: “I am delighted to be announcing plans to open a new depot in Aylesbury, and another significant step forward in LWC’s growth journey.

Experienced adviser Parfetts has appointed Helen Moreton to its employee trust board, which sits separately from the executive board and represents the interests of the wholesaler’s 1,000 employees.

Moreton (pictured) is the founder and director of Boombox Consulting and has been an active part of the employee-owned sector for over 20 years.

She spent 18 years at John Lewis Partnership in various independent and strategic roles and now works with several other employee-owned businesses, including Go Ape, Riverford Organic Farmers, Turley, Hockley Mint, Lush, Architype and Espace.

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Martin Race, chair of Parfetts’ employee trust board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Helen to the employee trust board and am sure that with her experience of employee-owned businesses she will prove to be a great asset to Parfetts.”

Parfetts became fully employee-owned in 2018.

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“London and the South East is a notoriously busy and demanding area, and an area in which we have had a footing for some time.

“However, as our customer base has grown, it is imperative that we maintain the same high standard of service our customers and partners have come to expect. This means investing in our local infrastructure and facilities, as we grow, to future-proof and protect our service level.

“We would never want our business successes to risk compromising our service – the foundation of our business – which is why we will always reinvest where we can.”

LWC offers a range of more than 8,500 products to over 14,500 customers. It has an exclusive portfolio of beers, wines, spirits, soft drinks and wine, as well as 40 pubs and restaurants of its own, which helps it to understand the industry.

John Schofield John Schofield, former finance director and acting managing director of the Today’s Group, has died.

Schofield (right) was integral in the merger of Today’s and Landmark to form Unitas, and before that he was the finance director at Nisa-Today’s. He retired after the formation of Unitas.

Schofield developed a brain tumour and passed away following an illness.

Tributes have flooded in following his death.

Unitas managing director John Kinney said: “I have tremendous respect for John; he was not only an excellent finance director but also a genuinely true gentleman and friend. I have very

fond memories of my time working with John. He will be sadly missed and my deepest condolences go to Dawn and family.”

Colin Graves, founder of Costcutter, said: “John, you will be sadly missed by everyone but you will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.”

[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]

Another takeover School games finale Savona Foodservice has acquired Debono Foods, supplier of high-quality foods and ingredients to chefs in London and the South East.

The development follows Savona’s takeover of EFG Foodservice’s goods and services in 2022.

As part of the acquisition of Debono, Savona merged two operations into one and completed a move to new premises in Beckton.

Customer pricing and product availability remained consistent, as did each customer’s delivery driver and sales contact.

Savona enables caterers to order thousands of ingredients, finished products and non-food essentials via its

online ordering site, telephone or third-party procurement platforms. The wholesaler partners with hundreds of local and global suppliers to service customers of all sizes and types.

Customers are notified at each stage of their order and can track deliveries via a live map, allowing them to plan their day accordingly.

Savona’s managing director Mike Morgan told Cash & Carry Management: “We’re a straight-talking, down-toearth team, who are determined to bring innovation and outstanding service to the industry.

“Our growth over recent years reflects the passion and dedication of our entire team, and our sights are firmly set on evolving further with one goal in mind – providing effortless convenience for the caterer.”

A total of 1,500 children competed across 14 different activities and events at the SPAR Lancashire School Games Finale.

Held at Stanley Park, Blackpool, the event involved children from primary, secondary and special schools.

Alongside the physical activities, winners were announced for the SPAR Lancashire School Games eco-trainer design competition, and children from both Anchorsholme Academy and

Millfield Science & Performing Arts College in Blackpool performed their successful acts after winning the recent dance finals held at Blackpool Opera House.

The Lancashire School Games, which are run by Active Lancashire and the School Games Organiser Network, have been sponsored by SPAR since 2006 through its association with James Hall & Co, SPAR’s primary wholesaler and distributor for the North of England.

Sysco own-brands now available in the UK Sysco has launched a new range of own-brand products, available to all of Sysco’s British businesses, including Brakes, kff (Kent Frozen Foods) and Medina Foodservice.

The Sysco brands portfolio has three tiers – Sysco Essentials, Sysco Classic and Sysco Premium – all backed

by Sysco’s best-in-class quality assurance guarantee.

The range already

includes 337 products and this will continue to grow.

There are 229 lines in Classic, 69 in Essentials and 39 in Premium.

Sysco Premium offers superior products that are intended to stand out for the quality of their ingredients.

Sysco Classic provides quality products that are designed to be a match for any branded product, while giving more value for the price. This extensive selection can be found in all categories, from store cupboard staples, fresh and frozen foods to prepared products.

Sysco Essentials are positioned as offering fantastic value, while delivering greater consistency than other economy brands.

Merchandising director for Sysco in GB, Stuart Smith said: “The Sysco brand is hugely successful in the US, where it has built a strong reputation for quality and value.

“The new range we’ve introduced in Great Britain will help customers here more easily identify the products they want, while giving them confidence that what they’re selecting is backed by the quality and value you’d expect from the world’s leading foodservice supplier.”

In other news, kff has created a permanent reminder of the importance of recognising and embracing diversity, with a ‘Progress Pride’ pedestrian crossing at its Aylesford headquarters.

As part of Sysco GB, kff ran events throughout the Pride month of June but it wanted to show support across the entire year.

In addition to installing the crossing, kff has introduced an on-demand training course to help line managers better understand the specific needs of LGBTQ+ colleagues.

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August 2023

07

[ INDUSTRY NEWS ]

More support instore and in communities SPAR has entered the flavoured spirits market with a new own-label raspberry flavoured vodka in a £14.99 price-marked bottle.

Adam Georgiou, senior brand manager for own-label beer, wine & spirits at SPAR UK, said: “Flavoured vodka is a growing sector of the spirits market, and within the category, raspberry has proven to be the consistent crowd favourite.”

Other additions to the SPAR own-brand range are 400g tins of rice pudding and custard. Each product has an rsp of 95p.

All three new products are being supported with PoS, internal and external

communications, and digital comms.

In other news, SPAR is currently running a summer campaign, Spinner Winner, in collaboration with the YouTuber MrBeast and Feastables chocolate bars.

SPAR is the exclusive convenience partner for the products.

The campaign, which continues until the end of this month, offers consumers

Cross-selling feature Bidfood has introduced a new ‘companion products’ feature on its online shop, Bidfood Direct.

The companion feature gets to work as soon as the customer starts searching, informing them with a ‘You may also need…’ message.

Once clicked, they will see up to four products that complement their chosen item. For example, if shopping for a coffee cup, they would see the lid, sleeve and cup carrier that fit that cup.

Bidfood’s telesales teams

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will also be able to view the companion products via their ordering platform, allowing them to suggest and cross-sell complementary products with ease while taking orders over the phone.

Bidfood Direct recently won the B2B Ecommerce Website of the Year award at the UK Digital Growth Awards.

The award win recognised Bidfood’s strong implementation of tech and innovation through its MyRecipes and Menu Planning support tools.

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a daily opportunity to spin a wheel and win prizes instantly, as well as being entered into a grand prize draw. The prize pool exceeds £150,000 and there are several big prizes including a £50,000 car and £10,000 in cash.

As well as the online game, 41 SPAR stores (serviced by AF Blakemore & Son) are hosting in-store events at which customers can win extra prizes.

SPAR has also announced the winners of its second £100,000 Community Cashback scheme.

All five SPAR UK wholesalers participated in the scheme, and the winners of

£10,000 grants were: a Ty Hapus CIO in AF Blakemore’s region a Rainbow Hub in James Hall’s region a Fox & Friends in CJ Lang & Son’s region a Air Ambulance NI in Henderson Group’s region (pictured) a Appleby Westward chose 18 local recipients to receive a slice of its £20,000 fund.

Vertically farmed

Fresh Direct – part of Sysco Speciality Group – has partnered with vertical farming firm Fischer Farms to launch a range of British-grown herbs and leafy greens for foodservice customers.

Fresh Direct will sell vertically farmed fresh produce, including basil and watercress, grown in Fischer Farms’ biosecure vertical farm in Norwich.

The four-acre farm can produce the same amount of food as 1,000 acres of conventional farmland.

Powered by renewable

energy, Fischer Farms’ processes use less land and water, and no pesticides, herbicides or insecticides.

The produce is grown all year round, independent of extreme external weather conditions, which have caused shortages of some imported crops this year.

Tom Bartlett, trading manager at Fresh Direct, said: “The partnership with Fischer Farms will lead the way in the foodservice industry. It will help to deliver year-round quality and consistency.”

NEW!

50% Longer Lasting Rolls

Even more cushiony softness

[ IN FOCUS ]

Bidfood’s festive range and menu advice satisfy consumers’ eating out priorities

F

or 57% of people, cost will be the biggest factor when deciding where to eat out during the festive season, according to research commissioned by Bidfood.

However, there cannot be a compromise on quality, as almost half (47%) say this is also high on their priority list.

The Bidfood study, which involved 2,000 adults and took place in February, also found that 44% of consumers plan to go out for food and drink at least once a week this year. In fact, with one in three stating that food and drink is typically their main way of socialising and catching up with loved ones during the festive season, tapping into this will be essential, advises the wholesaler.

In line with these findings, Bidfood’s 2023 festive range – which comprises over 600 products – features dishes that provide a sense of luxury without breaking the bank. These include Slowcooked Short Rib of Beef with rich French onion gravy and Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding drizzled with toffee sauce.

There are more than 70 new lines, including Premium Selection Mini Pork, Apple & Black Pudding Pie in the buffet section; Turkey & Smoked Ham Hock Pie in mains; and Potato Gratin with White Truffle in accompaniments.

Also new is Smoked Pulled Turkey, a versatile product ideal for Christmas sandwiches, festive tacos or as a topping for a seasonal pizza.

As well as value for money, consumers want to see choice on the menu. With this in mind, foodservice operators are advised to have a range of non-festive options to accompany the more traditional dishes. Bidfood’s range also incorporates a variety of ‘winter warmers’, such as a hearty Slowcooked Lamb & Root Vegetable Broth.

The wholesaler recommends that foodservice operators offer a strong selection of meat-free options this Christmas since a quarter of people said they would find a non-meat dish appealing. This stretches further than just vegetarians and vegans – sustainability and

health-consciousness have contributed to the meat reduction trend. Bidfood’s range taps into this trend with a number of vegan and vegetarian options, such as new Wild Mushroom & Confit Onion Tartlet; Butternut Squash, Lentil & Almond Wellington; and Premium Selection Lemon Berry Delice, which is both vegan and gluten-free.

Vicky Tripp, campaign & brand manager, says: “The Bidfood 2023 range aims to assist operators with their Christmas menu development plans as well as offering great food to consumers as we head into the winter months.

“With over 70 new products across a number of categories ranging from meat-free and seafood, luxury and indulgence to on-the-go items, there really is something for everyone in our range. And once again we’re partnering with FareShare via Work for Good.”

For every case sold of the new Premium Selection Raspberry & Pistachio Semifreddo (invoiced between 1 September and 31 December) £1 will be donated to Fareshare via Work for Good. In addition, some of the Christmas crackers available provide a £2 donation per case to the Trussell Trust.

To support its festive range, Bidfood is giving registered customers up to 5,000 extra points in their Safari loyalty rewards account when they buy products from different sections of the Christmas deals brochure from 1 CCM November to 31 December.

Smoked Pulled Turkey, ideal for putting a modern twist on Christmas menus.

New from Bidfood for this season: Potato Gratin with White Truffle.

Sticky Toffee Christmas Pudding is one item that balances luxury and value.

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For every case sold of this new dessert, £1 wil be donated to FareShare.

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Surplus happens What you do with it matters now more than ever.

“

When you have a full belly, it makes a huge difference to your overall wellbeing. We have really brought the community closer together, and we literally wouldn’t be able to do any of it without FareShare.

FareShare fights hunger and food waste by redistributing surplus food to 9,500 frontline charities and community groups in the UK.

Ellie Phillips, Matthew’s House

”

We believe that good food should go to people, not waste.

We take edible surplus from right across the food and drink industry and get it to people in need.

Give us food and make a real difference to people in need.

Scan:

Or visit: fareshareuk.com/FDM

[ BEHIND THE SCENES ]

‘An exciting new chapter’ Midlands-based Monmore Confectionery is in great shape as it celebrates its 21st anniversary under the ownership of the Mehta family, headed by managing director Skip Mehta (right).

A

33% increase in turnover, along with the opening of a large extension to its cash & carry, the acquisition of confectionery wholesaler Superb Sweets and the recruitment of 20 more employees within the last year, illustrate the success of Monmore Confectionery in driving sales from its base in Bilston, Wolverhampton, and its confidence in achieving further growth.

Managing director Skip Mehta spoke to Cash & Carry Management’s Kirsti Sharratt about the rise of the family business and its ambition to become the UK’s largest confectionery cash & carry.

What are the roots of the business?

In 2002, my wife Sant and I acquired Monmore Confectionery, which was established in 1962 in Monmore Green,

Monmore Confectionery: fast facts Turnover (2023 v 2022): up by 33% year on year Head office and depot: 50,000 sq ft premises in Bilston, Wolverhampton Number of lines: 3,000 Number of customers: Over 25,000 (trade and online) Split of business: Online sales are up by 26.5% year on year and account for 53% of total turnover but wholesale B2B supply still remains a vital part of the business Number of employees: 55 Size of delivery fleet: two delivery vehicles for local orders, with third parties used for all other distribution www.monmoreconfectionery.co.uk

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Wolverhampton. With a background in retail, we saw wholesale as the natural progression and we were very eager to take on Monmore and expand the business to the best of our abilities.

After three busy years we outgrew our original premises and moved to Oxford Street Industrial Estate, Bilston.

That same year (2005) we purchased our first state-of-the-art multi-head weighing machine to streamline our packaging process. This enabled us to meet our customers’ needs and expand our pre-packed bag range.

With increasing sales, we proceeded to outgrow those premises too, eventually deciding to move to a much larger site in Loxdale Street, Bilston, in 2008.

This is where we are currently based and where we have expanded the depot from 20,000 to 50,000 sq ft.

In 2017, my eldest son Sanjay joined the business after completing his Masters in Pharmacy. Following Sanjay’s entry, my youngest son, Aneil, quickly

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put his Masters in Computer Science into practice by implementing our ERP (enterprise resource planning) system.

Both Sanjay and Aneil now serve as directors, leading a young, diverse and enthusiastic team. I’m proud to say that Monmore Confectionery truly is a family-run business.

With the help of a newly appointed general manager Sunny Mall, our online e-commerce store was launched in 2010. Most recently we have seen 26.5% growth year on year of our online sales. The online store opened us to a wider audience.

What range do you offer and what customers do you serve?

Currently we stock a range of over 3,000 products which has doubled in recent years. The selection of products is vast and stretches from childhood favourites to the latest social media craze.

Everyone that walks in has that ‘kid in a candy shop’ feeling!

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Specialist UK trolley supplier Formbar was founded in 2005 following the break-up of a much larger business. Formbar retained the supply and distribution agreement contracts with selected convenience store symbol groups.

We continue to work closely with Marsanz, one of the largest trolley manufacturers in Europe. Marsanz is a family-owned business which has been trading for over fifty years across Europe with a worldwide network of distributors.

In 2019 Hannah Lewis took the opportunity to purchase the business after working for the company for over 10 years.

Since this change of ownership, Formbar has demonstrated substantial growth in the first three years by attracting a comprehensive range of new customers whilst introducing a range of innovative hybrid trolleys.

Our head office is located in South Oxfordshire, with our 30,000 square foot warehouse located between Bicester and Aylesbury. We maintain high stock levels which enables us to deliver items promptly to stores across the UK without the long delivery lead times associated with deliveries from the Far East.

Our warehouse team fit trolley handles, wheel brakes, travelator castors, £1 coin locks, corporate branding labels before packing and dispatching our orders. This ensures we can offer industry-leading delivery times.

Formbar sources the highest quality materials from selected companies in the UK and Spain. This enables us to maintain continuity of design and security of supply.

FIND THE PERFECT TROLLEY • Large range of trolleys and baskets • Bespoke branding & advertising holders available • NEW click & collect order picking trolleys • On-site trolley maintenance and servicing • PLUS Roll cages, checkouts, shelving and more

TROLLEY & BASKET Experts #Formbar Limited T: 01235 850368 E: info@formbar.co.uk W: formbar.co.uk

[ BEHIND THE SCENES ] We currently have over 25,000 trade and online customers. Our sales channels include walk-in cash & carry customers, delivered wholesale, and online through multiple websites. 90% of our sales are distributed across the UK using several courier networks. We also have extensive experience exporting to Europe and have fulfilled orders to countries as far as Australia, New Zealand and Bermuda.

Contract packing has always been a part of our operations following the purchase of our first bagging machine in 2005. We package sweets for a variety of customers including large retailers with multiple stores, independent sellers, online retailers and other wholesalers. A substantial growth area for us was introducing our core pre-packed range and we have continued to increase our selection to over 150 different lines. Each bag is recognised by our signature red and white stripes.

Why was the depot expansion needed and how are you using the extra space?

Have you taken on any new staff?

The expansion from 20,000 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft, which opened on 1 June 2023, was fuelled by a multitude of reasons, with the primary goal of enhancing our services and offerings to benefit our valued customers.

One of the foremost reasons behind our expansion was to cater to the growing demands of our customers. By increasing the size of our cash & carry, we can now accommodate a more extensive and diverse range of products. For example, we are now able to venture into new product areas, such as soft drinks and snacks, offering our customers even more choices.

Monmore’s exclusive core pre-packed range now includes over 150 lines.

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The renovation of the cash & carry has produced a spacious and bright environment.

The renovation of the premises allows customers to enjoy a modern, spacious and bright environment, and we have already seen them increasing their average spend.

The extended cash & carry includes an enlarged picking area, which streamlines our order processing system. This enhancement ensures that customer orders are handled efficiently, leading to faster turnaround times and improved customer satisfaction.

With the expansion came the opportunity to bring in new talent. We have increased our workforce with 20 new staff within the last year, taking the total to 55 employees.

We are thrilled with the expansion of our cash & carry, which marks an exciting new chapter in our journey. We are committed to continually improving and evolving to meet our customers’ needs and exceed expectations.

The own-brand Candycrave range features more than 50 vegan lines.

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What have been other recent developments within the business?

As a result of recent market pressures, we have been increasing our focus on importing goods from around the world. We are currently growing our own brands – our Candycrave range features over 50 new and exciting vegan sweets. We also have a traditional, premium and sugar-free boiled sweets range known as Pells Confectionery.

In April 2023, we acquired the confectionery wholesaler Superb Sweets encompassing the brands Mr Vegan and Aladdin. The recently joined management team at Superb Sweets (previously based in Smethwick, West Midlands) has over 24 years of industry experience and the acquisition has led to new and exciting opportunities.

Since the start of the year we have also expanded our office family, growing our customer service team to ensure that our customers remain central to our mission.

With the expansion, we have also brought in a new head of operations Cal Corrigan, who has a background in wholesale and foodservice, adding to our management team.

How is Monmore Confectionery performing this financial year?

Year-on-year turnover is up 33%, with a 26.5% increase in online sales contributing to this figure. We are also seeing large growth in speciality areas such as vegan and Halal sweets.

THIRSTY TO TRANSFORM YOUR SOFT DRINK SALES?

OFFERING CONSUMERS VALUE, TASTE, AND CONVENIENCE BY THE BOTTLE

YAZOO remains the UK’s number one traditional flavoured milk1 brand at £75m2 RSV - with one in nine households purchasing a bottle in the UK3. It comes in four core flavours: Strawberry, Banana, Vanilla, and Chocolate, as well as the limited-edition Choc Mint. Chocolate and Strawberry are still the most popular flavours in the dairy drinks category, whilst limited editions bring excitement and novelty to the market.

In the face of the current economic uncertainty, consumers are savvier than ever before, whilst also refusing to compromise on taste. As a consumer preferred brand, YAZOO price-marked packs (PMPs) deliver a great value, deliciously refreshing treat every single time.

Summer is a notoriously busy season for flavoured milk drink sales, and YAZOO is bringing a burst of freshness back to TV screens, representing a significant £3m investment.

Revolutionising the mundane and injecting moments of fun into everyday life, the hero advert aims to evoke nostalgia from existing fans whilst increasing brand awareness and visibility amongst new shoppers. As YAZOO’s biggest TV investment to date, the campaign is set to reach 67.6% of UK adults at least once, whilst a quarter of the population will encounter the ad an estimated five times.

Currently, YAZOO occupies a staggering 27.9%4 share of the flavoured milk market, with 95% top of mind awareness amongst consumers, and this promotional activity will cement YAZOO’s position as market-leaders and foster even more appreciation for the brand. With YAZOO on tv screens in millions of homes across the nation, it will be more visible than ever before, and retailers should stock up to ensure teens, kids and adults alike can readily access their dose of deliciously refreshing flavoured milk.

YAZOO offers permanent PMP variants of all core flavours as well as across its limited-edition flavours, meaning the range can be tailored to whatever best suits the store. Retailers can stock the flavours and sizes they know sell well in their locale, whilst communicating great value to shoppers and maintaining that point of difference - especially as the weather heats up p and consumers are looking for a milk drink fix to quench their thirst.

Now more than ever, consumers are turning to trusted brands, but still want to see value and innovation from them.

YAZOO offers consumers something new with its limited-edition flavours and PMPs are a great way to introduce new products to market, especially when shelf space remains at a premium and products have to stand out.

Within the convenience channel specifically, YAZOO is the number one flavoured milk brand, with PMP stock representing 55%5 of these sales in symbols and independents. YAZOO’s larger format 1 litre bottles are available as a £1.99 PMP, whilst the core 400ml bottle is available in a £1.49 PMP. The 400ml PMP is a great option for the impulse and drink now occasion, whilst the 1 litre bottles are perfect for take-home and sharing moments, meaning there really is something for everyone.

1. IRI Infoscan, Total Market, Volume Sales, Flavoured Milk, 52 w/e 25 Feb, 23 2. IRI Infoscan, Total Market, Value Sales, Flavoured Milk, 52 w/e 10 Sept, 22 3. Kantar Worldpanel, YAZOO Penetration, 52w/e 19-Feb-23 4. IRI EPOS data Latest MAT ending 26.05.23 5. IRI EPOS data, Value sales, Latest MAT ending 26.05.23

[ BEHIND THE SCENES ] How important is technology to your business? Do you have any plans to offer online ordering for trade customers?

Technology has become a vital part of our business. In 2021, our IT team implemented an ERP (enterprise resource planning) system which handles all of our business processes in one place. This certainly increased efficiency as we were able to cut down on many manual processes. The system also features handheld devices which the dispatch team use to pick orders, increasing speed and accuracy.

With the advances in technology and online sales, our marketing and ecommerce department has grown. By utilising various platforms we are always updating products and content.

The next project will be a brand new website where we plan to offer online ordering for B2B customers and improve usability for new and returning website visitors.

How are you managing current market challenges?

We’re making a concerted effort to absorb price increases from suppliers in order to enable our products to remain

competitive in the market. But most importantly, we understand that the cost-of-living crisis is affecting everyone, and we’re striving to keep products affordable for our customers. Our various ranges offer retailers a strong POR and our core pre-packed range can incredibly still be retailed at £1.

What are your plans for the business this coming year and further ahead?

We have big ambitions to become the UK’s largest confectionery cash & carry, showcasing to a growing audience and continuing to build brand awareness online. We have recently purchased a fifth production line to enhance efficiency and increase output for packing.

We are also keeping an eye out for future acquisitions.

What would you say is Monmore Confectionery’s USP? We are working hard sourcing the highest quality products not currently seen in the UK, adding a new dimension to the traditional pick & mix market. Our innovations are challenging convention; we are using technology and experience to disrupt the industry.

We see being a family business as a strength – it enables us to adapt quickly and offer a more personalised customer experience. We pride ourselves on personal one-to-one service. Rated excellent on TrustPilot, we stand out from competitors on efficiency, customer service and speed of delivery from the moment of ordering. I’m proud to say that we have a really good team here at Monmore Confectionery.

How has Monmore Confectionery celebrated its 21st anniversary?

To celebrate our 21st anniversary, we hosted a three-day opening event, inviting customers, suppliers and family to visit our cash & carry. We offered special deals and gave away goody bags to everyone who stepped through the door. Part of the event was a family fun day with a bouncy castle, pizzeria, ice cream van, and DJ for all ages to enjoy.

It was heartwarming to see many of our long-term customers bring their families with them – it felt like the perfect time to give something back to our loyal customers. It was an unforgettable experience and we look forward to CCM many more.

Managing director Skip Mehta (third on left) alongside his wife Sant Mehta, who together acquired Monmore Confectionery in 2002. They are pictured with fellow directors and department supervisors at the relaunch of the cash & carry on 1 June.

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Save your staff time with P&G Professional grease-cutting range Are you tired of spending countless hours scrubbing away stubborn grease stains in your professional kitchen? Do you wish there was a way to help save staff time and effort while still maintaining impeccable cleanliness? Look no further than P&G Professional range, with grease-fighting products designed specifically for busy kitchen staff.

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1 vs. water alone 2 short cycles defined as less than 55 minutes *based on typical greases found in professional kitchens

[ SPOTLIGHT ] Chris Morgan, managing director, Waterside Food Services away every month in different spots around the UK where we can switch off and enjoy the sights and different foods.

‘Dad’s never-say-die attitude inspires me’ What have been your biggest achievements in work and outside work?

Within work, my biggest achievement is building the business from the ground up with the help of my family and staff.

My wife Lorraine runs our finance department, my son Kieren is part of our purchasing team, and my daughter Rebecca does all of our health & safety and marketing. It truly is a family business through and through! Outside of work, my biggest achievement is my family. [Morgan is pictured left with Kieren, when Morgan was in his early thirties and his son was around five years old – about 20 years ago.]

the trade he hasn’t got discouraged, no matter what has been thrown at him.

Who has been the biggest inspiration to you?

My biggest inspiration is my father, Pete, as he has been in the industry for over 50 years now. He worked for a few different frozen food companies from the early ’70s. He is 77 years old and still in the industry, working part-time as one of Waterside’s sales team, chatting with customers who have now become his close friends. His never-say-die attitude inspires me because over the years in

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced and how did you overcome it?

Building the business and keeping a solid work-life balance in the process.

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What were your ambitions when you were growing up?

From a young age, I have always had an interest in food wholesale and have worked in many roles on the ladder to get to where I am now – from part-time in the school holidays to then joining the industry at the age of 16 in the warehouse/freezers on a YTS (Youth Training Scheme). Growing up surrounded by the trade, it has always been an industry I have had a lot of passion for, and I knew I wanted to make my mark in it.

What are your interests outside work?

I enjoy being down at the local rugby club to watch the games; I also try to travel down to Twickenham every year to watch the international games with my wife. We also try to have weekends

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How would you describe your personality and what approach do you take in business (and in life)?

I am a very driven person and am continually searching for opportunities to make our services better for our customers and to grow our business. I have always believed in the saying, ‘Treat people how you would like to be treated’. That is an approach I encourage in all of our Waterside team, and I believe that is how we have got to where we are with the service we offer. Our main ethos has always been service and quality, where the customer comes first.

What is your favourite film?

Any of Guy Ritchie’s films.

If you won a holiday, where would you go and who would you take with you?

I would love to go on safari with my CCM wife.

Accidental move After school Chris Morgan had planned to go into further education but this plan changed when he was involved in a motorbike accident at the age of 16. Once he had fully recovered, he went to work at a small, local, family frozen food distributor. He worked in all different areas, from warehousing to driving and from answering the phones to stock control. He stayed with the business for two decades until it was taken over. In 2015, alongside his wife and parents, he started Waterside Food Services with one van and around 150 lines. From there, the Rugeley-based business has gone from strength to strength to reach its current position with eight vehicles and over 3,500 lines.

Waterside Food Services is a member of the Confex buying group.

It’s an offence to sell tobacco to any person under 18 years of age.

For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left in the sight of consumers.

Smoking kills

[ TOBACCO & NGPS ]

Keeping up with the market Whether it’s offering added value for adult smokers or providing innovation for people making the move into the vaping category, suppliers are aiming to meet shopper demands.

D

espite the challenges faced in a cost-of-living crisis, tobacco sales continue to be a dominant force for convenience retailers and a valuable category for wholesalers.

Imperial Tobacco highlights the importance of a comprehensive value range for the growing number of adult smokers looking to make savings. “With more consumers looking for ways to reduce spending amid soaring household costs, we’re seeing a shift towards low-priced propositions across the entire tobacco category,” says Tom Gully, head of consumer marketing UK&I. “We’re now seeing the lower price tiered products account for the largest proportion of tobacco sales. For example, the sub-economy segment now makes up for 63% of factory-made cigarette sales, while the economy segment accounts for just over a half (56%) of roll-your-own, and these segments are showing strong growth at 3% and 5% year on year respectively (ITUK).”

The supplier recommends stocking accessories for rollyour-own (RYO) tobacco that offer not only value but also convenience.

Accessories is also an area where brand loyalty remains high, so established names such as Rizla are performing well.

One product that is proving popular with value-savvy tobacco customers Brand loyalty is strong in tobacco accessories, so merchandising is Rizla King Size should flag best-selling brands.

Combi Silver. With an rsp of £1.20, it offers both papers and tips in one pack.

“While it’s important that wholesalers stock a wide range of different tobacco accessories to cater to different customers – such as filter tips, papers and flavour cards – given the prevalence of brand loyalty in tobacco overall, it’s even more important that they are stocking the most popular brands that consumers will be looking for,” Gully advises.

While the tobacco category is no exception to the trend for value, it is an area that requires knowledge of customer habits and preferences in order to stock effectively from an ever-increasing array of tobacco products. “With household bills and inflation soaring, we expect value to remain the dominant trend shaping sales across all nicotine categories.

But it’s really important for wholesalers to remember that value means different things to different people,” Gully explains.

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“For some, convenience will remain a priority, with shoppers seeking out easy-to-use vaping products like blu bar, or tobacco solutions that offer added value such as Embassy Signature’s premium features, or the addition of papers and tips in RYO like we offer through Players JPS Easy Rolling Tobacco and Rizla Combi for accessories.

“Others will be looking for a leading brand that offers the reassurance of a brand name they know they can trust that also delivers on price.

Thanks to our wide portfolio of leading brands that deliver on value across every category, we’re in a strong position to help wholesalers cater for these trends in the months and years ahead.”

Republic Technologies also has a strong presence in the tobacco accessories category, with brands such as OCB and Swan providing both value and premium choices.

“As demand for factory-made cigarettes continues to decrease, tobacco accessories are very well placed to offer consumers quality and a value alternative, but they must be effectively displayed,” says Gavin Anderson, sales & marketing director.

“Wholesalers and cash & carry operators who create an eye-catching display while stocking brands such as Swan, ZIG-ZAG and OCB stand to benefit most,” he advises.

Republic Technologies has embarked on a national wholesale and cash & carry display drive to support its bestselling Swan range.

The company has updated its range of branded pallet displays with new designs. The bespoke units feature the iconic Swan image and packs of Swan Menthol and Swan Extra Slim filters, to maximise standout.

Anderson says: “We’ve always believed in the power of effective display in this category, and this is equally as important in wholesale and cash & carry as in retail. Swan continues to be the brand of choice for most RYO shoppers

Republic Technologies has embarked on a national wholesale and cash & carry display drive.

THEY WORK HARD Give them exceptional value at our lowest price*

For Tobacco Traders Only. *Based on ITUK RRPs as at April 2023. For the avoidance of doubt retailers are free at all times to determine the selling price of their products.

[ TOBACCO & NGPS ] and implementing this national roll-out of our new display units will help us to build on this success.

“We’re confident that best practice merchandising of this kind will be a major contributor in raising awareness of the Swan brand, alongside the rest of Republic Technologies’ bestselling portfolio. Ultimately, this will drive sales across all channels, filtering through to the convenience sector too, a key trading channel for us as it currently accounts for more than half of all tobacco accessories sales (IRI).”

Rolling papers are the highest-value sector in the tobacco accessories category, standing at £105 million, while the slim & tips subcategory has value sales of almost £30 million (IRI). Republic Technologies highlights the appeal of the premium format, co-existing with the value trend.

Again, the supplier emphasises understanding customer needs and ranging accordingly. “Shoppers are more demanding than ever, looking for quality and value in every purchase. Top quality products, displays and innovation are important, complemented by broad availability and distribution, but the importance of a competitive price point should not be underestimated,” Anderson concludes.

Cigars Figures for the cigar segment show that the cigarillos subcategory is experiencing growth (up 0.7% on last year), against a decline of 3.4% in the category overall (IRI). At Scandinavian Tobacco Group, the Signature Action cigarillo brand has seen sales growth of 53% in the last year. The manufacturer also notes the growing popularity of flavoured cigars and cigarillos.

“Whilst perhaps not as prevalent as elsewhere in Europe, flavoured cigars are growing steadily in popularity here in the UK,” says Nataly Scarpetta, marketing manager.

“Obviously, menthol cigarillos have exploded in popularity over the last couple of years, but it’s not the only flavour of choice. Our Signature Red Filter brand is currently the UK’s best-selling aromatic filter cigar, whose smooth taste and vanilla flavour proves consistently popular with those adult smokers who enjoy an aromatic cigar.”

To mark the 60th anniversary of the Signature brand, STG UK has launched a range of limited-edition packs. “Cash & carries should take the opportunity to stock up, as

HMRC and Trading Standards crack down on growing illicit tobacco trade More than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of handrolling tobacco were seized under Operation CeCe in its first two years, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and National Trading Standards have revealed.

The figures were published as new powers came into force (on 20 July), with the potential for penalties of up to £10,000 for any businesses and individuals who sell illicit tobacco products. The sanctions will bolster the Government’s efforts to tackle the illicit tobacco market and reduce tobacco duty fraud.

The new powers will also see Local Authority Trading Standards given the ability to refer cases of illicit trading to HMRC for further investigation. HMRC, where appropriate, will administer the penalties and ensure that the appropriate sanction is applied and enforced.

In June, illegal cigarettes calculated to be worth around £5.3 million in unpaid taxes were seized by HMRC and Border Force at Belfast Port. The cigarettes (pictured) were found packed in cardboard boxes inside a container that had been scanned by Border Force.

An independent report into the consumption of counterfeit and contraband cigarettes across the

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European Union and the UK by KPMG, commissioned by Philip Morris International (PMI), reveals that consumption in the UK has risen, increasing to 3.61 billion in 2022 – the highest volume seen by the study since it was launched in 2011.

Despite overall cigarette consumption declining, illicit consumption rose by 3.1% in 2022 to reach 21.2% in the UK. In other words, one in five cigarettes smoked in the UK is illicit.

This rise in illicit cigarette consumption, particularly counterfeits, spotlights the increasing number of adult smokers turning to illicit tobacco as a more affordable option in this period of economic uncertainty and pressure, says PMI. Nearly four in 10 smokers say increased living costs have impacted their purchasing habits, where they are now choosing to buy ‘cheaper’ (illicit) tobacco.

While the report focuses on cigarettes, PMI’s test purchase visits across the UK – carried out by a specialist team to help gather evidence and intelligence on illicit products, which is then passed to Trading Standards – have highlighted that products developed in the black market have evolved beyond traditional tobacco products to include illegal disposable vaping devices as well.

[ TOBACCO & NGPS ] limited-edition packs usually prove popular with regular smokers and will be in demand,” says Scarpetta. “In further exciting news for the brand, we have also recently confirmed that the iconic tins are permanently returning for packs of Signature Blue 20s and Signature Original 20s.”

The manufacturer’s Moments Blue brand is also a muststock as a value option, particularly after a redesign to help highlight the ‘value and quality’ message.

“Many consumers are going to be increasingly price conscious, and this will affect cigars and the wider tobacco category purchases just as much as any other category in-store, so cash & carries need to be stocking those brands and retailers should ensure they are highlighting their value brands to customers to help them save money,” advises Scarpetta. “The trend for value has been prevalent in the cigar category for some time now, which is evidenced by the success of our Moments Blue brand.”

Smoke-free alternatives Philip Morris Ltd has noted the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on the tobacco category, following its research into consumer habits and preferences.

“While the best choice anyone can make is to quit completely, convenience retailers agree that many adult smokers are looking to offset the rising cost of living by choosing smoke-free alternatives that are a better and more affordable choice to cigarettes,” says Kate O’Dowd, head of commercial planning UK & Ireland.

Earlier in the year, the manufacturer entered the disposable e-vape segment in the UK with its VEEBA brand. The product is available in nine flavours and is packaged specifically to appeal to adult smokers.

“We have purposely not looked to compete with the current market’s offerings in terms of flavours and popularity, as our moral positioning within the category holds more value to us,” explains O’Dowd.

“Subtle colours and functional flavour descriptors work together with PML’s youth-access prevention programme to focus on providing adult nicotine users and adult smokers with access to VEEBA.” The move into the disposable vaping category is part of a $10.5 billion investment by PML into the development of its smoke-free portfolio since 2008.

Imperial Tobacco highlights the current increase in demand for disposables and has catered to this with its blu bar vape range. “Following the successful launch of our blu bar disposable vape brand, we recently announced the expansion of the range with new flavours to help wholesalers 24

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tap into seasonal sales this summer,” says Tom Gully, head of consumer marketing UK&I. “With Blueberry now the topselling disposable vape flavour and Berry growing rapidly by 60% month on month (ITUK), we have responded to this demand by adding Blueberry Ice, Blueberry Sour Razz, Berry Mix and Grape Ice to the range.”

The brand now also sees Tropical Mix, Apple Ice and Mint Ice variants joining the line-up, following consumer flavour demands and the top taste trends in the market. “With a range of 13 different flavours now available, our blu bar range provides everything retailers need to cater for a wide range of consumer taste preferences,” he adds.

The manufacturer has also introduced the blu 2.0 device to the pod system segment, which accounts for 17% of the UK vaping market (ITUK).

‘Wholesalers should review their range regularly and prioritise stocking the brands that cater to fast-moving trends in order to remain current and maximise sales’ Tom Gully, Imperial Tobacco’s head of consumer marketing UK&I “Wholesalers should ensure they review their range regularly and prioritise stocking the brands that cater to these fast-moving trends in order to remain current and maximise sales. With this in mind, we’d recommend stocking a range of leading disposable products like blu bar and pod-mods such as blu 2.0,” Gully advises.

“By being informed about the market and familiarising themselves and their staff with the different products, terminologies and market trends, wholesalers can provide muchneeded guidance to retailers about what consumers are buying,” he continues. “There is a huge variety of different products available on the market today, so deciding what to stock CCM can be a daunting task.”

JTI names new general manager JTI has appointed Tom Osborne as UK general manager.

Having joined the company in 2003 as a graduate trainee, Osborne (pictured) worked in sales and marketing in the UK before leading JTI’s marketing department in Malaysia. He subsequently held various leadership roles internationally, most recently strategic projects & initiatives vice president at the company’s HQ in Geneva.

Catering to squeezed budgets For foodservice operators to maximise their profit potential, they need to appeal to consumer desire for a premium experience at a competitive price. Siobhan Kielty reports.

W

hile the current economic situation is undeniably affecting household budgets across the nation, the foodservice sector still has a number of opportunities to boost appeal and sales.

Taylors of Harrogate supplies the leading decaf tea and is a staple beverage offering on foodservice menus with its Yorkshire Tea brand.

‘Consumers are tightening their purse strings so they will be particularly discerning when it comes to what drinks they purchase out of home’ Greg Harvey, out of home sales controller, Taylors of Harrogate “Consumers are tightening their purse strings so they will be particularly discerning when it comes to what drinks they purchase out of home and will be looking for quality and value for money,” says Greg Harvey, out of home sales controller. ”Caterers will be looking to serve a high-quality brew and know that their customers will be reassured to see Yorkshire Tea on the menu.”

The company also recognises that, along with quality, 26

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sustainability is a consideration for an increasing number of customers. “Our sourcing approach allows us to tackle the sustainability challenges that tea suppliers face,” says Harvey.

To meet the demand for decaffeinated drinks, Yorkshire Tea’s Decaf is now available in a tagged and enveloped format. “For consumers who look to include non-caffeinated beverages in their drinks repertoire, one of the main concerns is taste, and whether it can match the flavour of their caffeinated brew,” points out Harvey.

“Yorkshire Tea’s offering is a specially created decaf blend, which has received a Great Taste Award for its flavour.

We believe that’s why we’re the UK’s number one decaf tea brand with an almost 30% share (IRI).”

Cash & carries are advised to stock a range of products to meet the needs of a variety of catering businesses. For example, Taylors of Harrogate Coffee Bags are ideal for hotel rooms, conferences, travel and workplaces. Available in packs of 80, they are individually wrapped and contain fresh roast and ground coffee. They work like a tea bag, brewing in just two minutes.

Valeo Foods’ Rowse Honey is now available in new recyclable single-portion sachets, with a wide range of applications for both retail and foodservice.

Developed by Rowse, the ‘Paper Snap & Squeeze’ packaging solution is

[ CATERING ]

Foodservice operators can benefit from a convenient branded range for the growing grab-and-go mission.

Adding final touches in-house to cost-effective pre-made products can help to protect profit margins.

designed to maximise convenience. It comes in 14g and 22g formats, with an innovative fold and snap action to enable easy and mess-free dispensing of a single serving of honey. The product is already on offer in Pret stores across the UK, where it is provided with Pret porridge.

“Paper Snap & Squeeze is an ingenious, mess-free, hygienic and highly convenient way to provide single servings of 100% pure and natural Rowse honey in cafés, restaurants, canteens, delis, hotels, hospitals, food boxes, and a range of other food settings,” says Samantha MacNamara, senior brand manager at Rowse Honey.

“We developed Paper Snap & Squeeze in response to customer and consumer feedback, and know that convenience is a key driver of purchase when it comes to food. This new solution unlocks several new potential channels for Rowse Honey, considering that the UK food-to-go market is forecast to value £22.2 billion in 2023 with a growth rate of 4.1% (Lumina),” MacNamara continues.

Foodservice operators need to look at current trends in both eating out and the grab-and-go mission. While indulgence is still a sales driver for that out-of-home treat, consumers are increasingly concerned with nutritional benefits.

Eat Natural, the fruit and nut bars range from Ferrero, is now available to the foodservice channel, helping businesses to boost the appeal of their on-the-go offering and tap into the demand for snacks out of home. Eat Natural bars are made using simple ingredients such as dried fruit, nuts and seeds, and are free of additives and preservatives.

The gluten-free range includes Almond & Apricot with Yoghurt Coating and Protein Packed with Peanuts & Chocolate variants in cases of 12 bars, as well as a 28-bar assorted pack. The range also includes Simply Vegan Peanuts Coconut & Chocolate, along with the Eat Natural Raw Range, in cases of 12 bars.

For a premium sweet treat, La Lorraine Bakery Group has expanded its tarts and pastries selection for foodservice.

The tartlets

on offer include Frangipane, Raspberry Crumble and Rhubarb Lemon variants, and for a chocolate hit, the Cocoa Tartlet Base Chocolate Filling product combines a cocoaflavoured shortcrust base with a Belgian milk chocolate mousse. There is also an option for operators to create their own flavours using ready-to-fill butter shortcrust pastry bases.

In the cake range, a Lemon Poppy Seed Cake is now available and is conveniently pre-sliced. Finally, two new Butter Croissants have been added to the pastries range on offer.

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‘Despite the cost-of-living crisis, consumers still want to treat themselves but are looking for more from their food experiences’ Kevin Hughes, general manager UK&I, La Lorraine Bakery Group “Despite the cost-of-living crisis, consumers still want to treat themselves but are looking for more from their food experiences. Our key focus is to ensure that all our indulgences are worth it, making sure ingredients are of the highest quality, creating products that are delicious in taste and totally rich in flavour,” says Kevin Hughes, general manager UK&I. “I believe that every one of these sweet treats can add real value to any catering set-up, offering real opportunities for businesses to drive footfall.”

For chefs looking to create dishes in-house, Henley Bridge has launched deZaan Stellar Cocoa Butter Drops.

Sustainably sourced and available in 1kg bags, the pressed organic 100% cocoa butter drops offer a versatile format for use in recipes or chocolate production processes, with easy melting and handling.

Samantha Rain, Henley Bridge’s development chef, says: “DeZaan’s Stellar Cocoa Butter Drops truly are incredibly versatile and can be used to adjust chocolate fluidity and viscosity to create a glossy finish and enhanced snap, as well as being the perfect base for spray gun applications.

Migrate swiftly to a better IT system STL Foodservice

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Your customers never quite know what quantity of which items they’ll be needing each day – but when they need them, they need them NOW so they don’t lose potential business. The STL Foodservice management system is designed to help you respond with a fast, helpful and error-free service in the PRVW FRVW HτFLHQW ZD\

The customisable Price List Order Forms (PLOFs) draw on a customer’s order history to create a suggested shopping list, automatically updated with current pricing and promotions.

This can be set up to email out on a regular schedule or on demand. The customer then simply compares this against their current stockholding, and sends an edited order by return email.

To ensure the upgrade from legacy systems to this next generation solution is swift and smooth, we’ve also streamlined our migration processes. So now nothing is stopping your EXVLQHVV IURP ñ\LQJ KLJK STL Foodservice features include:

Auto-converts quotes to contracts Its Unique Customer Pricing facility automatically converts X\V[H[PVUZ PU[V J\Z[VTLY ZWLJPÄJ JVU[YHJ[Z VU `V\Y :HSLZ Order Processing system without rekeying, saving time and reducing potential errors.

The system draws on this ‘scheduled (contract) pricing’ data every time your customer makes a new order, ensuring they get the prices they expect whilst you protect your margins.

01204 808008

No more forgotten items and last-minute panics. :;3»Z 0TWVY[ 6YKLY MHJPSP[` [OLU HSSV^Z `V\ [V \WSVHK [OL order at the click of a button into your management system for picking and invoicing – no rekeying required.

Split picking and pricing The system allows you to split your picks by product categories such as frozen, chilled and ambient yet consolidate them under a single invoice. This allows your pickers not only to increase their productivity but also maintains the quality of the food goods whilst minimising paperwork for you and your customers.

The system also allows you to manage split packs and weighted items under single product codes, helping you protect your margins whilst responding to customers’ ZWLJPÄJ ULLKZ

info@stl-solutions.com

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[ CATERING ] “Being 100% pure cocoa butter also means they’re suitable for vegans, making them the ideal base for plant-based ice creams and frozen desserts.”

Disposable packaging supplier Herald has upped its production and storage capabilities, enabling its customers to order in smaller quantities more regularly.

The supplier offers brands that include All-Guard, AluFast, Aqua, Jazzcafe, Crystaline, Brochette, Carizma, Chef Master, Lacette, Fine Dine, Tuzcani, Windzer, Micro Fast, Rootier and Mr Chip. The products available include water cups; paper hot cups, lids

and stirrers; polyethylene (PE), vinyl and nitryl gloves; microwave tubs; chef hats; PE aprons; and other workware.

“All sectors are under tremendous pressure to cut costs and Herald offers a wide and varied, competitively priced selection of disposables to suit every need,” points out Yogest Patel, managing director.

“Following substantial inward investment, we have been able to expand our warehouse space and commit to extra machinery which means we can both store CCM more and manufacture more.”

Overcoming the obstacles to introducing a more modern IT system Expansion can be extremely challenging for any business, but especially in the foodservice sector where customer demands and market variables can fluctuate wildly from day to day, points out STL. “This can make it difficult to maintain a hard-won reputation whilst battling growing pains,” says managing director Ivan Durkin.

Having confidence in decisions requires easy access to up-to-date information on all aspects of operations and market dynamics, as well as the ability to analyse it and to swiftly change course as needed. However, according to STL, many operators cling to their original ways of managing their business – whether they be based on memory and spreadsheets or a decades-old IT system.

Durkin says: “We’ve found that even when they are convinced that a new, modern IT system will make their working lives so much easier, executives put off the inevitable for two reasons: initial costs and fear of disruption to their business.”

In response, STL has been working hard to “smash the upgrade roadblock” by streamlining its migration processes and hiring a dedicated resource to support customers transitioning from outdated IT systems to the nextgeneration solution STL Evo. This influenced First Choice Foodservice to take the plunge. The wholesaler’s managing director Steve Ainger says: “STL’s team worked hard to get us ship-shape for the migration by, for example, prioritising our operational requirements and tidying up our source data. They then helped us navigate any issues as they arose.”

As a result, the migration to STL Evo was completed in just four weeks.

Now First Choice is benefiting from STL Evo’s ability to seamlessly integrate and dynamically share data with its other business systems, including its Sage 200 accounting software, SwiftCloud

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ordering app and sales-i sales enablement tool. This has put customer history, pricing and promotions at the fingertips of the telesales team, making the sales process faster and more productive. First Choice’s executives are also benefiting from Evo’s real-time key performance management reports.

There are many more benefits, says STL. For example, whereas First Choice used to print, scan, consolidate and email statements to customers, it now simply clicks a button, shrinking the process from three days to two hours.

Chapple & Jenkins has also seen rewards in functionality, productivity and cost savings after going live with STL Evo. Director Martin Jenkins says: “No-one looks forward to a big IT project, but the streamlined migration processes made it far easier than expected to gain all the benefits of a modern, responsive IT system.”

Meanwhile, a new tax regime allows wholesalers to claim 100% capital allowances for qualifying investments in IT. Multi-national bulk distributor Lubna Foods took advantage of this to write off 100% of its investment in STL Evo. Designed by wholesalers for wholesalers, Evo offers built-in superior functionality for merchandise management, sales order processing and goods inward management, and at Lubna it is seamlessly integrated with STL’s Point of Sale, Track & Trace and handheld picking solutions.

Evo’s open architecture also allows it to seamlessly share data with third-party systems, from Lubna’s SwiftCloud eCommerce app to the Unitas trend-tracking database.

In addition, Evo’s intuitive management tools and intelligent dashboard enables Lubna to benefit from broad visibility across its operations as well as the ability to drill down for incisive insights that will help it reduce costs, increase efficiency and respond quickly to opportunities.

NEW

[ BACK TO SCHOOL/FRESHERS ]

‘Back to’ basics for top marks From August to October, there is a prime opportunity for wholesalers and retailers to capitalise on the back-to-school and freshers missions by educating themselves on supplier activity and trends shaping student and parent purchases for the new term.

S

ummer sales can be given a boost by timerestricted and budgeting parents looking for convenient, healthy products for packed lunches.

Meanwhile, students heading to higher education are high-value shoppers for the convenience channel. Both demographics benefit from correct ranging and merchandising from retailers who understand the profit potential that the new academic year brings.

Products for packed lunches are an important sales driver in convenience. While Hovis recommends that retailers and wholesalers stock betterfor-you options such as Hovis Best of Both and Hovis Wholemeal, it emphasises the importance of white bread.

“Sales of white bread currently account for over 55% of pre-packaged bread units sold (NIQ).

Given the current economic climate, many shoppers are buying fewer different types of bread for their households and are increasingly moving towards pre-packaged white bread, which is most likely to satisfy the needs of multiple people. It is therefore clearly important for retailers to stock white bread,” says commercial director Alistair Gaunt.

“Creating a back-to-school occasion display can really help to drive impact in-depot. For example, displaying a range of lunchbox essentials, such as pre-packaged bread, sandwich fillers and fruit, next to or close to each other, and offering cross-category promotions can help to boost sales.”

KP Snacks highlights the potential sales uplifts in crisps, snacks and nuts available through the back-to-school opportunity. “Bagged snacks are a staple in children’s lunchboxes, making the back-to-school occasion a critical opportunity for retailers to drive crisps, snacks & nuts sales,” says Matt Collins, trading director.

“For manufacturers and retailers looking to gain sales, it is key that they are offering a core range boosted with the right promotions and in-store merchandising.”

The supplier’s Pom-Bear brand, growing in value at 24% (Nielsen), appeals to shoppers catering to a gluten-free and wheat-free diet, and is purchased by 5.7 million households every year. “Health remains a top priority for consumers, with parents seeking out healthier options for their children’s lunchboxes and after-school snacks,” Collins adds.

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Plan for Profit retailer guide Unitas Wholesale has launched a Plan for Profit Focus On guide for the back to school/back to higher education occasion. The guide, which is available online and in selected Unitas Wholesale member depots, provides insights from category expert suppliers and retailers.

Tracey Redfearn, former Plan for Profit category controller at Unitas Wholesale, says: “The ‘back to routine’ period is one of great upheaval for the UK’s 19 million families and three million students. We’re delighted to offer such a comprehensive guide for retailers to maximise their sales and profits during this crucial time.”

Five tips for ‘back to routine’ sales: 1. Create back-to-school goody bags. “The back-toschool period is very busy for us,” says Asiyah Javed of Day-Today Alloa Road, Stenhousemuir, Falkirk. “We’ll hand out free goody bags to children in the first week back. The bags will contain a bottle of flavoured water, fruit and snacks. They don’t cost us very much to make, but the loyalty it fosters makes it invaluable.”

2. Cater for pocket-money budgets. “During the backto-school period, we find retailers have more success when stocking sugar singles such as Chew Bars, to cater for those consumers who have a smaller amount to spend,” says Ben Cooper, national account controller at Swizzels.

3. Cash in on the growth of sweet bags. The driving force behind this growth is medium-size sharing bags, which are not only the biggest segment in terms of sales but delivering the most growth too – £33 million in the past year (IRI).

4. Offer healthier choices. Health remains a significant purchase driver for customers, and this becomes even more important in the back-to-school period, as parents and guardians seek to embed healthy habits.

5. Target the lunchbox opportunity. PepsiCo points to the 100 million lunchboxes in September that do not contain snacks, describing it as a “great opportunity” for convenience retailers to drive sales in 2023.

NEW

• £1 PMP Snacks k market k is i growing +14.5% YoY1 • PMP sales have increased to 75.2% of Snacks2 • 96% of convenience store retailers agree PMP snacks are as, or more, important than ever3

STOCK UP NOW!

DON’T MISS OUT

Sources: 1. Circana Market Advantage | Symbols & Independents GB | £1 PMP Single Pack Snacks | Value to 12 w/e 21-Jan-23. 2. Circana Market Advantage | Symbols & Independents GB | PMP and Non-PMP Snacks | Value 12 w/e compared to 52 w/e 21-Jan-23. 3. Plum Ideas Marketing Agency | 70 Convenience Retailers | Apr 22.

NEW TO THE £1 SHARING RANGE

[ BACK TO SCHOOL/FRESHERS ] The cost-of-living crisis is not only affecting family households. Adult students have to deal with accommodation costs, high inflation and tuition fees, so value is also key for this demographic.

Aston Manor has introduced a new range of Frosty Jack’s pack formats, offering more affordability. The new Frosty Jack’s PMPs include a 2.5-litre £5.99 bottle and a one-litre £2.99 bullet bottle. “We are here for shoppers, helping them to save with our affordable cider,” says Grace Anthony, marketing manager.

“The introduction of our new Frosty Jack’s pack formats provides shoppers with an affordable solution, without trading down on quality, so they can be assured they are not having to compromise when looking to spend less cash.”

Tayto recently introduced its best-selling Golden Wonder crisp flavours in £1 PMP packs. Cheese & Onion, Spring Onion, Salt & Vinegar and Chip Shop Curry are available in the new price-marked format and are a welcome symbol of value when the cost of higher education is leaving many students with limited options for social spending.

Matt Smith, marketing director of Golden Wonder, says: “The squeeze on consumers means independent retailers must give their customers confidence that they are getting great value through PMPs. Instead of raising the headline price of our £1 PMPs, we’re sticking with £1.”

He adds that £1 PMPs are a muststock – they have been the main driver of snacks category growth over the past four years, growing over three times faster than the market and accounting for half of all sales (Circana).

Inflationary pressure is forcing many brands to move above the £1 price-point, but Golden Wonder’s commitment to £1 has helped its £1 PMP snacks range outperform the market (+22.6% versus +9.9%, Cicada).

With the popularity of this price point, and so many students citing money worries as a major part of university life, the £1 range is ideal for social snacking on a budget. Such strong sales have led Tayto to expand its £1 PMP line-up with new Mega Rings and Mega Spicy Rings.

Meanwhile, in the £1.25 price-market format comes Wheat Crunchies Spicy Tomato, from KP Snacks. The supplier’s £1.25 PMP portfolio is growing ahead of the overall large PMP market in crisps, snacks & nuts at +53.4%.

“By expanding our market-leading PMP range we will continue to tempt and engage shoppers, driving retailer sales,” says trading director Matt Collins.

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Another £1.25 PMP comes from pladis, with the introduction of Jacob’s Crinklys Salt & Vinegar non-HFSS bags. The recipe reformulation for the Crinklys brand means that they now have 30% less fat than fried potato crisps and have Oven-Baked flashes on the range.

Convenient and budget-friendly meal solutions are also a vital range for convenience stores servicing colleges and universities. Kepak, with its Rustlers brand, has a range that taps into the ‘fakeaway’ trend and provides quick, messfree, budget-friendly options that appeal to young adults.

Marinara Meatball Sub recently joined Rustlers’ hot-eat sandwich range in the convenience channel, with an rsp of £2.30.

“As many students shop alone looking for affordable, single-serve meals which suit their on-the-go lifestyle, brands such as £107.1 million Rustlers have a key role to play in attracting them to stores,” says Ross Davison, head of convenience.

“Stocked by more than half of convenience stores in the UK, wholesalers recognise Rustlers’ pulling power among young adults. Student shoppers are extremely brand loyal and, coupled with the fact that people aged 16-24 are the main consumers of Rustlers, wholesalers can stock Rustlers with the knowledge that it will appeal to young adults who shop at their customers’ stores.”

The Gen Z age group is also the target audience for Friesland Campina’s current activity for its Yazoo brand.

The £3 million promotional advertising campaign runs until late August and aims to increase brand awareness of the flavoured milk range by airing on key national TV channels including ITV, ITVBe, Sky Media and Channel 4, and appearing on targeted video on demand. The advert, which utilises the ’90s iconography trend, is estimated to reach 67.6% of UK adults.

The campaign is supported in retail through promotions, secondary sites, competitions, in-depot takeovers and at-fixture PoS. There is further amplification across Yazoo’s social media channels, particularly TikTok, which has the brand encouraging followers to take part in a lip-syncing trend using new-look Yazoo bottles. The updated packaging has a more contemporary look and feel, with a larger focus CCM on sustainability and taste credentials.

[ BIG NIGHT IN ]

Big sales for smaller budgets With tightening purse-strings, a quality evening in is now a desirable and budget-friendly alternative to a night out. The rise of the big night in is a trend that is sticking.

T

he declaration that ‘staying in is the new going out’ has rung true for some time now. Consumers have less disposable income and over the past three years have discovered an alternative way of socialising that has fuelled the rise of the ‘big night in’ mission.

From dinners on laps and a family movie to cocktail nights with friends, there are multiple opportunities for retailers to tap into the sales opportunities all year round.

Aston Manor highlights the importance of value and choice for big night in products, and encourages the trade to consider the importance of impulse purchasing in convenience: “Cash & carries should provide the range retailers need to ensure they offer a variety of chilled drinks for customers to buy, take home and enjoy straight away,” says Calli O’Brien, head of marketing.

The manufacturer’s Knights Cider brand has seen a sharp increase in demand, with sales up by 54% (Nielsen). The UK’s No.1 strong cider brand has also seen a significant increase in new shoppers – up 11% year-onyear (Nielsen).

“This year has caused many to pay more attention to what they are spending their hard-earned money on,” says Grace Anthony, brand marketing manager.

“Our range provides shoppers with an affordable solution, without trading down on quality, so they can be assured they are not compromising when needing to spend a little less cash on cider.”

The supplier’s Frosty Jack’s and Crumpton Oaks brands are both being promoted with media campaigns this summer. TV adverts form part of wider multi-channel marketing activations for the two brands. In addition, the Straight Outta Crumpton campaign is offering retailers and wholesalers the chance to win £1,000 until 31 August, by scanning the QR code found on any case of Crumpton Oaks.

O’Brien points out that a third of shoppers only ever buy cider in cans, “so it is important that cash & carries stock both bottles and cans to provide choice for retailers and consumers”. Frosty Jack’s and Crumpton Oaks Cider come in both pack formats.

Heineken similarly emphasises the opportunities of the big night in for wholesalers and retailers through a breadth of formats and price points. “While shoppers are attempting to make savings across large expenditures, such as household 36

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bills or eating out, smaller purchases like alcohol are one area where consumers are happy to spend a little more, with the largest purchase occasion for lager in the impulse channel being as a treat (Lumina),” points out Alexander Wilson, category & commercial strategy director.

Heineken’s cider brands include Strongbow, which has a new design and a new variant, Strongbow Tropical Cider.

Cocktails are a popular choice for a big night in and the rise in variety and quality of premixed options continues.

Kingsland Drinks recently added Coffee Rum & Cola, Pink Gin & Diet Lemonade, and Apple Rum, Lime & Ginger Ale to the Mix Up line-up.

“There’s real profit potential for cash & carries as RTDs are set to be a big growth area,” says Jo Taylorson, head of marketing and product management.

“The beauty of these products is that the single-serve measures encourage trial and experimentation.”

Schloss Wachenheim notes the growing importance of the low/no alcohol sector. “Alcohol has always been seen as a core part of the big night in, but there has been a clear shift in appetite for alcohol-free options that is building momentum by the year,” says key account manager Dan Harwood.

Eisberg Selection is a new range of premium alcohol-free wines that are vegan, alcohol free and lower in calories, while offering a richer character and flavour.

Also targeting the adult soft drink market is Bottlegreen, which has introduced a new cordial flavour and three new sparkling pressé variants.

Orange & Lemon Cordial has an rsp of £4.05 for a 500ml glass bottle, while Blood Orange Spritz (a limited edition), Raspberry Lemonade and Ginger Beer (both light variants) have an rsp of £3.20 for a 750ml glass bottle.

Sarah Lawson, head of marketing – softs at SHS Drinks, says: “Bottlegreen is known for its iconicshaped green bottles and high-quality products, and our new variants will further enhance the brand’s strong reputation among consumers.”

T HE UK ’ S NO.1 STRONG A M BER CI DER BRAN D * OVER 11 MILLION CANS SOLD ANNUALLY * * +54% growth* with an 11% increase in new shoppers year-on-year***

*Nielsen Total Cider Market to 20th May 2023 **Aston Manor Cider Sales Report 10th July 2023 ***Nielsen Scantrak + Homescan, to 25th March 2023

[ BIG NIGHT IN ] For the rising number of consumers replicating the dining out experience, St Pierre Group advises wholesalers and retailers to stock premium bakery products such as brioche buns.

“Big nights in offer an affordable alternative to going out, spurring consumers to choose affordable premium options as they look for ways to treat themselves well at home rather than going out,” says Josh Corrigan, customer development director. “Shoppers’ hunger for premiumisation continues to grow, so savvy wholesalers should provide a broad range of good, better, and best big night in options across the categories, to suit every pocket.”

Retailer viewpoint How have sales of products suitable for a big night in performed during the cost-of-living crisis?

The store has seen a 25% sales increase on our big night in range compared to last year.

Which products in particular are selling well?

For the big night in, our customers want to indulge for the premium experience. For example, they are buying premium brands of crisps and snacks. They are also buying multi-cans of lager, a variety of wines and RTDs. Our frozen food meal range, Cook, remains a favourite with our customers. Our frozen pizzas are flying off our shelves too.

Do you do anything in your store (such as crossmerchandising items) to promote the big night in?

We have special promotions including ‘choose five products from the frozen meal range for £6’.

The offer includes the main meal, sides and a dessert. Our customers save around £7 with the meal deal. We change the promotion and range every three weeks. The frozen meal products are merchandised together. We use promotional materials including shelf talkers to highlight our frozen meal promotions, and we use an outdoor display stand to promote our Cook range.

We also have offers on our pizza range and Budweiser, and we merchandise these two products together.

Has the big night in become the norm now?

The big night in has become the norm – we have seen a 50% increase of sales in our chocolate sharing bars. The store started with 15 brand ranges of confectionery, and this has now increased to 35. The bigger sharing bags of confectionery – including PMPs – are also selling well, and the ready-made popcorn range is becoming popular.

Peter Juty (pictured), Costcutter, Culverstone, Kent

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Kepak similarly recognises the big night in as an alternative to eating out. ”With 29% of consumers planning to have fewer takeaways to curb spend, the rise of the ‘fakeaway’ trend (recreating eat-out favourites at home) is set to continue, with many planning to increase ‘entertaining at home’ occasions (TWC),” says Elaine Rothballer, head of marketing consumer brands.

“PMPs continue to provide a vital reassurance of value.

However, value isn’t just confined to the price of a single product; meal deals and bundle offers are popular with shoppers seeking savings.”

Sales of frozen foods are also rising as people watch their spending and try to plan ahead and avoid waste. For a treat night, dinner and a movie can be a weekend indulgence where home-cooked can replace take-away options. Pukka has launched a single-serve frozen shortcrust chicken pie, in a £1.49 price-marked pack – a format proven to boost sales in the convenience channel.

PepsiCo has an expansive range to cater to the big night in mission, and is currently supporting independent retailers’ snack sales. Until the end of the month, independent retailers and operators can enter a draw to win £2,000 by purchasing three cases of any qualifying product in a single transaction.

With the giveaway including RRP price-marked packs, the supplier is helping retailers to tap into demand for the pack format at a time when consumers are seeking reassurance. Sharing PMPs account for 42% of salty snacks value sales and are growing at 20.1% versus the previous year.

KP Snacks also emphasises the significance of the sharing sector and the big night in occasion for retailers. “49% of consumers see snacks as a must-have for an evening in (Mintel). Snacks have become increasingly popular as consumers continue to spend more time at home due to trends towards more cautious spending,” says Matt Collins, trading director. “At KP Snacks we’re tapping into the rising consumer demand for sharing with a diverse portfolio.”

He adds: “We know there is a high demand for premium lines as consumers look to replicate night out experiences in home. 46% of shoppers are more inclined to trade up to premium food and drink options when dining at home (Kantar).”

Fox’s Burton’s Companies highlights the potential of premium treating. “The convenience channel has grown premium treats sales by £7.9 million (+14.0%) year on year – significantly ahead of the total market (NIQ),” says Colin CCM Taylor, trade marketing director.