Since joining Appleby Westward, I have met a lot of retailers, but I am conscious there are many retailers I have yet to meet. Therefore, I would like to use my first blog as an opportunity to introduce myself.
My name is Duncan Jelfs and I joined Appleby Westward as the Commercial Director in January 2023.
I have overall responsibility for the sales and new store recruitment team, marketing, and price and proposition which involves ensuring our pricing is competitive within the retail sector. I have worked in retail and wholesale my whole career and I am passionate about independent retailing and dedicated in helping retailers drive their sales, profit and above all succeed in a very competitive market.
I joined Appleby Westward from Bestway Wholesale where I was responsible Bargain Booze and National Accounts. Prior to Bestway, I was also Southern Sales Director at Costcutter looking after independent retailers in the Southwest and Northern Ireland.
Commercial Director
I hope you are all as excited as I am with our Big Deals of Christmas sales drive which is being supported with an 11-week TV and social media advertising campaign. With Brian Blessed as our big voice of Christmas we are set to have our biggest every Christmas. It’s great to be back on TV, but I must stress with new customers visiting our stores, it’s really important to have good availability of the Big Deals and where possible big bold displays with POS at the front of the store. Equally, we must all ensure great store standards of availability, hygiene, quality, and service. This will help secure repeat visits and increased purchases from any potential new customers.
The other key area of focus, I am looking for your support on please is the sales and participation of SPAR own label. We have several lines on low distribution which are now at risk of suppliers and manufacturers stopping production of these products. We clearly don’t want this to happen as it would significantly dilute the customer proposition in store. Therefore, we are about to embark on a sales push of all these lines by allocating these lines out to the stores who haven’t ordered the. As a SPAR Retailer, I am
asking for your full support for this initiative by merchandising the stock on shelf as soon as it arrives. Please contact your BDM if you need support, we are here to help.
I am delighted to inform you we will be holding a SPAR Appleby Westward conference and trade show in the Spring next year. I don’t want to give too much away at this point, but we want to share our future plans and some exciting new innovations and developments with you, all designed to support you in driving sales, profit and reducing costs. This will also give us the opportunity to meet on a personal level, something we are really looking forward to. Please look out for our communications, we will be sending out ‘a save the date for your diaries’ soon.
Lastly, If I don’t get the opportunity to meet you before the Conference and Trade Show, have a great Christmas trading period and I look forward to meeting you in the new year.
WESSEX GUILD MEMBER SEB HAWTREE
Christmas is very much just around the corner now and I for one, can’t wait. There’s always a massive opportunity to showcase your store, attract new customers and make some extra sales. We’ve had a really successful first couple of rounds of Big Deals, the Coca Cola packs were a big hit in both of my stores and customers are excited about what’s coming up next.
As the cost of living continues to rumble, shopping habits change as customers look to save. It’s now more important than ever to review your SPAR own brand range. These great products are unique to SPAR, giving you a point of difference over your competitors. They’re an affordable option for the customer and return a decent margin.
Rinaldi’s final paragraph from last month’s Guild Member piece – The guild is here to represent all retailers. I’m really keen to get out and meet retailers in my area, please do get in touch; Sebastian. hawtree@gmail.com.
BIG DEALS DISPLAY INCENTIVE
Display Incentive
In support of our ongoing promotions, we’re offering an enticing incentive to our retailers – a chance to win an allexpenses-paid trip to the SPAR National Conference in Sun City, South Africa, happening in March 2024.
The Grand Prize Immerse yourself in the stunning landscapes of Sun City, South Africa, with the opportunity to secure a pair of tickets for the SPAR UK National Conference
More details on the Big Deals and the display incentive will be supplied by your BDM but trust us, you don’t want to miss out! Show us your BIG
taking place from March 12th to March 16th, 2024.
Our conferences have a rich history of bringing together SPAR retailers, suppliers, wholesale partners, and SPAR UK colleagues for networking in extraordinary global locations, and Sun City will be no exception.
Nestled in the heart of South Africa, on the fringes of Pilanesberg National Park, Sun City is an opulent resort spanning 62 acres of lush jungles, gardens, and themed adventure zones. You’ll have no shortage
of activities, as the resort offers two golf courses, six swimming pools, a water park, a crocodile sanctuary, and various wildlife reserves. Moreover, there’s an exclusive guided game drive in the National Park, providing an opportunity to observe a diverse array of wild animals in their natural habitats. After a day filled with adventures, you’ll savour dinner with your colleagues at one of the resort’s upscale restaurants, showcasing the finest South African cuisine.
DON’T MISS OUT!
If you have a story for the next issue of Your SPAR please send all information and high quality images to emma.bull@applebywestward.co.uk
BIG DEALS TV ADVERTS
Please see the schedule below to find out when you can expect to see the TV adverts, plus other interesting info such as what programme they will be running alongside, the featured products, and the advert duration.
ITV West Country Thu 02/11/2023 14:30 30
JAMES MARTIN AMERICAN ADVEN RP
ITV West Country Thu 02/11/2023 17:58 30 THE CHASE RPT
ITV West Country Fri 03/11/2023 11:10 30
ITV West Country Fri 03/11/2023 16:15 30
ITV West Country Fri 03/11/2023 16:58 30
ITV West Country Fri 03/11/2023 19:28 30
ITV West Country Fri 03/11/2023 19:59 30
ITV West Country Sat 04/11/2023 12:10 30
THIS MORNING
TIPPING POINT RPT
TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
EMMERDALE
AINSLEYS MEDITERRANEAN COOKBOO
ITV West Country Sun 05/11/2023 16:53 30 TIPPING POINT BEST EVER FINALS
ITV West Country Mon 06/11/2023 09:58 30 LORRAINE
ITV West Country Mon 06/11/2023 11:55 30
THIS MORNING
ITV West Country Mon 06/11/2023 17:30 30 THE CHASE RPT
ITV West Country Mon 06/11/2023 19:45 30
EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Tue 07/11/2023 15:45 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Country Tue 07/11/2023 16:30 30
TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 11:05 30 THIS MORNING
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 16:58 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 19:59 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 20:30 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 20:45 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Country Wed 08/11/2023 23:25 30 PESTON
ITV West Country Thu 16/11/2023 19:05 30
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Country Thu 16/11/2023 20:28 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Thu 16/11/2023 23:30 30
TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Country Fri 17/11/2023 17:45 30 THE CHASE RPT
ITV West Country Fri 17/11/2023 19:59 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Fri 17/11/2023 20:30 30
CORONATION STREET
ITV West Country Fri 17/11/2023 23:05 30 TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Country Sat 18/11/2023 23:05 30
TBA LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
ITV West Country Sun 19/11/2023 23:15 30 TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Country Mon 20/11/2023 15:58 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Country Mon 20/11/2023 20:59 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Country Tue 21/11/2023 16:45 30 DEAL OR NO DEAL
ITV West Country Tue 21/11/2023 17:30 30 THE CHASE
ITV West Country Tue 21/11/2023 23:30 30
TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Country Wed 22/11/2023 15:30 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Country Wed 22/11/2023 18:45 30
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Country Wed 22/11/2023 19:45 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Wed 22/11/2023 20:30 30
CORONATION STREET
ITV West Country Thu 30/11/2023 14:58 20 DICKINSONS REAL DEAL
ITV West Country Thu 30/11/2023 19:05 20
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Country Thu 30/11/2023 20:15 20 EMMERDALE
ITV West Country Thu 30/11/2023 20:58 20 TONIGHT
ITV West Thu 02/11/2023 14:30 30
JAMES MARTIN AMERICAN ADVEN RP
ITV West Fri 03/11/2023 11:10 30 THIS MORNING
ITV West Fri 03/11/2023 23:30 30 NFL MAGAZINE SHOW
ITV West Sat 04/11/2023 10:45 30 SATURDAY MORNING WITH JAMES M
ITV West Sat 04/11/2023 23:13 30
ITV NEWS
ITV West Sun 05/11/2023 23:13 30 ROLF HARRIS HIDING IN PLAIN SI
ITV West Mon 06/11/2023 12:28 30 THIS MORNING
ITV West Mon 06/11/2023 15:58 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Mon 06/11/2023 16:30 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Mon 06/11/2023 18:45 30
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Mon 06/11/2023 23:05 30 THE GRAVE
ITV West Tue 07/11/2023 15:45 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Tue 07/11/2023 16:45 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Tue 07/11/2023 17:58 30 THE CHASE RPT
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 11:05 30 THIS MORNING
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 15:58 30 LINGO RPT
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 16:45 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 18:28 30 LOCAL NEWS
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 19:59 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 20:30 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 20:45 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Wed 08/11/2023 23:25 30 PESTON
ITV West Thu 16/11/2023 14:58 30 JAMES MARTIN AMERICAN ADVEN RP
ITV West Thu 16/11/2023 16:45 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Thu 16/11/2023 17:15 30 THE CHASE RPT
ITV West Thu 16/11/2023 19:05 30 ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Thu 16/11/2023 20:28 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Fri 17/11/2023 16:45 30 TIPPING POINT RPT
ITV West Fri 17/11/2023 19:59 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Fri 17/11/2023 20:30 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Fri 17/11/2023 23:05 30 TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Sat 18/11/2023 09:50 30 SATURDAY MORNING WITH JAMES M
ITV West Sat 18/11/2023 16:58 30 TBA
ITV West Mon 20/11/2023 16:30 30 DEAL OR NO DEAL
ITV West Mon 20/11/2023 17:15 30 THE CHASE
ITV West Mon 20/11/2023 17:58 30 THE CHASE
ITV West Mon 20/11/2023 20:59 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Tue 21/11/2023 16:58 30 DEAL OR NO DEAL
ITV West Tue 21/11/2023 17:45 30 THE CHASE
ITV West Tue 21/11/2023 23:30 30 TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
ITV West Wed 22/11/2023 13:52 30
ITV West Wed 22/11/2023 18:45 30
ITV LUNCHTIME NEWS
ITV EARLY EVENING NEWS
ITV West Wed 22/11/2023 19:45 30 EMMERDALE
ITV West Wed 22/11/2023 20:30 30 CORONATION STREET
ITV West Thu 30/11/2023 19:45 20 EMMERDALE
ITV West Thu 30/11/2023 20:15 20 EMMERDALE
ITV West Thu 30/11/2023 20:58 20 TONIGHT
ITV West Thu 30/11/2023 23:30 20
TBA FACTUAL PROGRAMME
PREMIUM WINE RANGE
Elevate Your Celebrations with Our Exquisite Premium Wine Collection
We’re thrilled to announce that, just in time for P11, we are introducing our muchanticipated premium range of wines. This exquisite collection has been carefully curated to bring our customers a taste of luxury and sophistication, making it the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations. Whether you’re on the hunt for exceptional Christmas gifts or simply seeking to elevate your wine experience, our high-quality wines are sure to impress and delight.
This holiday season, we’ve gone the extra mile to ensure that our premium wines offer an unparalleled level of quality, taste, and craftsmanship. Each bottle has been meticulously selected to cater to the most discerning palates, making it a standout choice for both
connoisseurs and those who are new to the world of fine wines.
Our premium range features a diverse selection of varietals, from rich and velvety reds to crisp and refreshing whites that will truly make your holiday season extraordinary. Whether you’re pairing wine with a festive dinner, giving the gift of sophistication to loved ones, or simply savouring a well-deserved treat, our premium wines will exceed your expectations.
These exceptional wines will be available in our stores, and we can’t wait to see the excitement they’ll bring to our customers. Get ready to indulge in the art of wine-making and experience the extraordinary flavors and aromas that our premium range has to offer. From elegant packaging to the enchanting taste profiles,
these wines are poised to become the stars of this holiday season.
So, as the holiday season approaches, make sure to explore our premium wine collection, and allow us to elevate your celebrations with the finest in wine craftsmanship. Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or someone who appreciates the finer things in life, our premium wines are here to make this P11 season truly exceptional. Cheers to a festive season filled with joy, warmth, and the exquisite flavors of our premium wine range!
SPOTLIGHT WINE
Châteauneuf-du-Pape stands as the renowned jewel among Southern Rhône appellations, showcasing the pinnacle of Grenache grape and Grenachebased blends.
The majority of the fruit for this wine was carefully selected from high-quality vineyards situated near the charming village of Loché, in the southwestern region of Mâcon within southern Burgundy. Crafted in a vibrant and crisp manner, it presents delicate notes of green apple and pear, culminating in an enjoyable minerally finish. While it’s an excellent choice for an apéritif, it also complements white fish dishes beautifully.
P11 DRINKS FESTIVAL
Get into the Spirits of the Season: The Drinks Festival Returns!
Mark your calendars and get ready to elevate this holiday season from the 9th of November to the 12th of December! Our highly anticipated Drinks Festival is here, and it’s set to transform our customers’ festivities. Running throughout P11, this festival promises an abundance of beverages to enhance the celebrations.
Explore a splendid array of beverages, wines, and spirits all available at enticing promotional prices. It’s a golden opportunity to ensure the festive season is well-equipped with the finest drinks, making any gatherings and moments of celebration truly exceptional.
As we embark on this festive journey together, rest assured that our selection is not only
diverse but carefully curated to cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences. From premium wines to popular beers and exceptional spirits, we’ve got it all. The Drinks Festival is not just a shopping experience; it’s a gateway to discovering new flavours, enriching your palate, and elevating your holiday traditions. Cheers to a delightful and spirited holiday season ahead!
How To Run A Wine Tasting
When to run the tasting:
Day: When do your wine sales peak? Choose a day when customers are purchasing wine in store. Thursday/Friday/Saturday night for the weekend.
Time: Choose a time when customers are most likely to purchase wine and it isn’t peak footfall times in store, so staff have time to run/monitor a tasting.
Location: Ensure there is adequate room for customers to try the wine without causing bottle necks in store.
How will it be advertised:
Will you be advertising the tasting in store and online to make customers aware?
How to use equipment:
Napkins: Before tasting, have customers hold up napkins close to glass; this will allow them to see the colour of the wine, which is important for determining weight/alcohol content.
Pre-booked or adhoc:
Decide if you are doing adhoc tasting for customers or a pre-booked session.
Adhoc: For customers visiting the store for their regular shop. The wine tasting should be set-up for people to sample, learn about, and buy the wine.
Pre-booked: The store pre-communicates the event for customers, and they are aware of it in the future
Spittoon/Bucket: Some customers will be driving so having a spittoons allows them to try the wine without drinking it.
Water: Use water to rinse out cups between red and white wine, if possible.
Information about the wine:
On the back of this document are key attributes about the wine, so staff feel confident when talking to customers. (Tasting notes, pairing with food, information about the vineyard)
Challenge 25! Always ensure when running a tasting the customer is of legal age!
SPAR Prosecco Valdobbiadene DOCG
What is it?
A fantastic DOCG prosecco from the valdobbiandene region. Valdobbiadene is a town in the Veneto in northern Italy making high quality sparkling wine - it’s one of the best regions for producing Prosecco. This sparkling wine is made using the tank method where a still wine is refermented in steel tanks which creates the bubbles.
What does it taste like?
Deliciously perfumed prosecco with an elegant, light and fruity taste.
Food pairing:
Perfect with canapes, and light dishes such as salad and white fish, or enjoy as an aperitif.
Did you know?
DOCG stand for ‘Denominazione di origine Controllata e Garantita’. Introduced in 1980 throughout Italy to highlight the best wine italy has to offer. Any wine that has DOCG on the label has gone through stringent quality controls.
LIMITED EDITION CHRISTMAS SANDWICHES
Festive sarnies return with proceeds going Marie Curie!
This holiday season, SPAR Brand is spreading joy and goodwill with a delightful selection of three exclusive limited edition sandwiches that are sure to make your Christmas celebrations extra special. These festive creations include the mouthwatering “Pigs Under Blankets,” the classic “Turkey Feast,” and the delectable “Cheese Feast.”
As you indulge in these scrumptious sandwiches, not only will you savour the flavours of the season, but you’ll also be contributing to a worthy cause. During the festive period, specifically during P11 and P12, SPAR Brand is committed to making a difference by donating 10p from every sale of these limited edition sandwiches to the Marie Curie charity.
So, when you choose one of SPAR Brand’s Christmas sandwiches, you’re not just treating yourself to a delightful meal; you’re also spreading the warmth of the season and helping those in need through your generosity. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy the spirit of Christmas and make a positive impact on the lives of others.
PREMIUM LIMITED EDITION PIZZAS
Indulge your taste buds in a culinary delight like no other as SPAR Brand proudly reintroduces two of our premium limited edition pizzas. Feast your senses on the exquisite flavours of the Ventricina salami and the enticing tapas-style pizza, both of which have previously earned the title of bestsellers. These savoury creations are back by popular demand!
The Ventricina salami pizza is a true symphony of flavours,
combining the richness of premium salami with buffalo mozzarella and sweet mini peppers. On the other hand, the tapas-style pizza is a unique fusion of Mediterranean influences, offering a delicious medley of tastes that transport your palate to the vibrant streets of Spain. It’s an opportunity to savour the classics that have delighted our customers in the past and experience the timeless appeal of these exceptional pizzas.
But there’s a catch - these limited edition pizzas will only be available for a short time. Make sure to grab them while you can, as they’ll only be available until we unveil our new premium pizza range set to go live in Spring 2024. This means you have a unique window of opportunity to relish these beloved classics once more before they make way for the exciting and innovative pizzas that will usher in a fresh culinary era next year.
Old Favourites, New Excitement: Pizzas Return!
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SPAR UK CELEBRATES RAISING £3M FOR MARIE CURIE
SPAR is celebrating a huge fundraising milestone by raising £3 million for its national charity partner Marie Curie.
SPAR UK chose to start its national charity partnership with Marie Curie in 2016 and has since reached this incredible landmark through in-store fundraising, customer donations and on-pack product donations.
During the partnership SPAR colleagues and customers alike have made a huge difference to those living with a terminal illness and their families, by fundraising for the Great Daffodil Appeal, Blooming Great Tea Party, Go Yellow, Scare to Show you Care, and many more events.
SPAR stores have complemented fundraising efforts with own label products donating to Marie Curie, from fresh cut daffodils to Christmas sandwiches, with individuals
and groups taking on epic treks, hosting events and baking treats.
SPAR suppliers have also demonstrated their continued commitment to the
partnership, most recently supporting the Go Yellow campaign with a generous £35,000 donation.
In addition to raising vital funds, SPAR stepped up and helped
respond to the coronavirus pandemic by distributing over 1 million pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Marie Curie Nurses delivering frontline care.
The £3 million raised by SPAR colleagues, customers and suppliers is enough to fund an incredible 130,000 hours of care from Marie Curie Nurses, making a huge difference to people living with a terminal illness, and their loved ones, across the UK.
Matthew Reed, Marie Curie Chief Executive, said: “My huge gratitude to SPAR for the support they have given Marie Curie since our partnership began. Not only have SPAR colleagues, customers and suppliers come together to raise a phenomenal £3 million, they have shown that supporting Marie Curie’s vital
work is at the heart of what they do. This has included distributing vital PPE to our staff during the pandemic, selling daffodil pins during the Great Daffodil Appeal and featuring our fantastic nurses on sandwiches sold in-store which include a donation to Marie Curie.
“We continue to be immensely grateful for the passion and commitment that SPAR colleagues, customers and suppliers bring to our partnership. Thank you for continuing to fundraise and support Marie Curie’s mission and work to close the gap in end of life care.”
Ian Taylor, SPAR UK Retail Director, said: “A huge thank you to all our SPAR colleagues, customers and suppliers who have supported Marie Curie and helped reach this tremendous
milestone! The commitment and support for Marie Curie has been exceptional.
“We have a long tradition of helping good causes and giving back to communities in which our stores serve. Our partnership represents our collective commitment to help Marie Curie Nurses reach more people by creating a better end of life for all in the UK.”
Every five minutes someone in the UK dies without getting the support they need. By 2048, the need for end of life care will have increased by up to 25%.
Marie Curie currently reaches just 10% of those people and the need for their work has never been greater, with people living longer and with multiple conditions.
For more information on how to support Marie Curie, visit www. mariecurie.org.uk.
