Londis News, Vol 36, Issue 4, September 2023

Page 1

Score with the Rugby World Cup

New and improved horticulture range

Jack’s adds familyfriendly meal solutions

Vol 36 Issue 4

September 2023

NEWS, AWARDS, INSIGHTS, INTERVIEWS, NEW PRODUCTS, PROMOTIONS AND MUCH MORE…
DON’T MISS...

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9 AMEX PREFERENTIAL RATE

Booker Group secures preferential rate from American Express.

11 COMMUNITY NEWS

The latest round-up of community news from Londis stores.

17 GROCERYAID UPDATE

Industry charity sees huge rise in demand for help.

18 A BIGGER BITE

Store development helps drive meatier profits in Denby Dale.

24 FLYING HIGH

Sales are soaring in Lynton following a clever refit.

32 ROAD TO SUCCESS

Refit and reimagined range take Yarnton forecourt up a gear.

38 CHANGE OF FACE

Londis Belmont benefits from a fresh new look and tech innovations.

44 SUMMER OF SPORT

Packed sporting calendar presents huge opportunities for retailers.

50 JACK’S UPDATE

Jack’s updated once again with a new range of family-friendly meal solutions.

56 FLOWER & HORTICULTURE RANGE

New and improved horticulture range is helping profits bloom.

60 NEW PRODUCTS

Some of the latest new products to hit the shelves.

62 SELF-SCAN TILLS

New, affordable self-scan solution available from RDP.

66 FIT FOR THE FUTURE

Cut cost and grow profits with the Fit For The Future masterplan.

73 CLIMB THE RANKINGS

Yext lets Budgens retailers improve their web search results and boost sales.

Family-friendly

New Jack’s lines perfect for families

50

Sales in bloom

Improved horticulture range drives profits

56 Booker Retail Partners

Tel: 0870 050 0158

Opening hours: 8am–5:30pm Monday to Friday

IT and Customer Services

Opening hours: For customer services: 6am–9pm (Monday to Friday)

For IT: 7am–9pm (Monday to Friday) Email: For customer services: londis.claims@bookerretail.co.uk or enquiries@londis.co.uk

Helpdesk: 0800 298 0758

Londis News team: Email: londisnews@ londis.co.uk

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Bring

it on!

There’s plenty to look forward to over the next couple of months as we enter the autumn period and a series of opportunities to grow footfall, sales and profits.

A very warm welcome to your latest issue of Londis News as our thoughts turn to autumn opportunities and we gear up to make the most of the second half of the year – and there’s plenty to get excited about.

After the drama of the recent Women’s World Cup we move straight into the Rugby World Cup and, as it’s being held in France this year, the matches will kick off at more sales-friendly times of day, typically 4.45pm and 8pm. With all four of the home nations having qualified, there will be back-to-back games that will generate huge interest across the nation. With a total of 48 matches across 51 days in September and October, this represents an enormous opportunity to drive sales in a range of key categories like alcohol, snacks, food-to-go, confectionery and soft drinks.

In this issue you’ll also learn more about some new ranges we are introducing that we are confident will help generate interest and sales. Firstly, we have added a new and improved horticulture range that is perfect for Londis stores. Mintel data from this year shows that 77% of shoppers deem flowers and houseplants an “affordable luxury”. Best of all, the entire range delivers PORs of at least 30%.

Secondly, we have continued to expand the Jack’s offer with the addition of a new range of family-friendly meal solutions, perfect for cost-conscious shoppers with a lot of mouths to feed.

Don’t miss the article on Yext, our new and completely free solution to help you improve your web search results and boost sales. There’s also a great refresher on our Fit For The Future programme which brings a world of opportunities together into one place and all geared towards helping you increase your profits. And do check out the new self-scan till option that’s available to retailers with an RDP till – it’s a game-changer.

I wish you all fantastic trading over the next couple of months.

Look forward to seeing you in-store!

7 WELCOME Welcome to our August issue of Londis News!

Ofgem targets reforms to improve service for retailers

Energy regulator Ofgem has proposed a series of reforms to “tackle poor behaviour by energy suppliers” and raise customer service standards for retailers.

In the midst of the ongoing energy crisis, energy regulator Ofgem has announced that it is proposing a series of reforms to “tackle poor behaviour by energy suppliers” and raise the standard of customer service provided to retailers and other business customers.

Following extensive engagement with energy suppliers, businesses, shoppers and other organisations, Ofgem has announced a NonDomestic Market Review and consultation. The review summarises the challenges retailers and other businesses face and proposes a number of actions for the sector, Ofgem, and government to address.

Some of the immediate changes Ofgem has taken include working with industry to adopt the Retail Energy Code to avoid excessive delays and unreasonable requests for documentation during tenancy changes and urging suppliers to be more flexible with businesses who signed up for peak fixed rate prices.

Additionally, Ofgem will consult on introducing better complaint handling between suppliers and retailers, extending micro business protections to all businesses so energy bills spell out what is being paid to energy brokers plus allowing retailers to resolve disputes through a redress scheme and creating better guidance over ‘deemed contract rates’ between customers who have not yet agreed contractual terms with a supplier to avoid problems like overcharging.

Tougher penalties to tackle illicit tobacco

Tough new penalties aimed at clamping down on illicit tobacco sales came into force on 20 July. Under the new rules, any business or individual caught selling illegal tobacco products will now face fines of up to £10,000.

Furthermore, Local Authority Trading Standards can now refer cases to HMRC for further investigation. HMRC, where appropriate, will administer the penalties

and ensure that the appropriate sanction is applied and enforced.

HMRC and National Trading Standards said more than 27 million illicit cigarettes and 7,500kg of hand-rolling tobacco were seized in the past two years and that the trade in illicit tobacco costs the Exchequer more than £2bn in lost tax revenue each year, as well as damaging legitimate retail business.

YOUR LONDIS Stories from
Find us on @myLondis @myLondis @myLondis @LondisRetail
around the Londis Family...

Preferential Amex rate agreed for Londis retailers

Booker has negotiated a special preferential rate for Amex transactions for Londis retailers, helping reduce cost.

Booker has concluded a new deal with Amex that offers Londis retailers a specially discounted preferential rate of just 0.8% on Amex transactions for all applicable stores*.

The deal offers Londis retailers another great way of driving down the cost of doing business. New and existing customers of Amex are eligible for the preferential rate although existing customers will not see the discount applied immediately. The rate they pay will, however, be updated within 60 days of application.

l If you are not set up to accept American Express, simply email wthuk@aexp.com with your name and phone number and a member of the Amex team will call out to you to set up.

l If you are already set up to accept American Express cards and would like to have the preferential rate applied, please call the Amex servicing team on 0800 032 7216.

Stewart Fenn, Sales Director Booker Retail Partners, commented: “We know how challenging it is at the moment for Londis retailers and we are always looking at ways to leverage the scale of the Booker Group to drive cost savings for our retailers. This preferential rate from Amex is just the latest in a long series of benefits we have secured to help Londis retailers drive down costs and drive up profits.”

* Stores already accepting Amex will not receive the rebate immediately. The new rate will be updated within 60 days. The rate is not available to stores linked to a petrol forecourt.

Alcohol Duty overhauled

August 1st saw the implementation of a new Alcohol Duty system which means that all alcoholic drinks are now taxed based on their alcohol by volume (ABV), with drinks with a higher alcoholic percentage subject to higher rates of duty. The net effect is a 10% increase in duty, the largest single increase to date.

The point of the reform, says the Government, is to encourage customers to choose products with lower ABVs. Lower-strength drinks below 3.5% ABV are now charged

Lottery commission levels unchanged

Allwyn, the incoming licensee for the National Lottery, has set out the next steps for National Lottery retailers ahead of the changeover on 1 February 2024. All retailers will need to be transferred over from Camelot to Allwyn by 18 December 2023.

Under the new agreement, commission levels will remain exactly the same for National Lottery draw-based games, Scratchcards and prize payments, and payment terms will remain the same for all games.

In addition, any bonds and direct debit mandates already in place will automatically transfer from Camelot to Allwyn.

Allwyn will also be removing the monthly lease fees, saving some retailers up to £600 per year.

at a new lower rate of duty to “encourage the growth of health-conscious consumption”.

The new system, however, means that the excise duty levied on the vast majority of commonly purchased alcoholic products has increased. Wines with ABVs lower than 11.5% are, however, being treated more favourably. Furthermore, separate duty rates for still and sparkling wines have been abolished. This means bottles of Champagne, Prosecco and other sparkling wines will have their duty reduced by 19p.

9 9
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Key issues of interest to you

Londis Solo has a big heart

Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston, Glasgow, has donated £3,662 to a number of charities including the British Heart Foundation.

Londis retailing husband and wife team Natalie and Martin Lightfoot, who own Londis Solo Convenience in Baillieston in Glasgow, have raised over £3,660 for three charities: the British Heart Foundation, Versus Arthritis and Beatson Cancer Charity.

The pair held a Main Street Pavement festival in June where they kicked off their fundraising efforts, raising nearly £1,000. The day was supported by local businesses and suppliers.

In July seven team members raised a “phenomenal amount” in sponsorship for

doing the 132-feet Highland Fling Bungee jump from Killiecrankie Bridge. The store also managed to win a competition for social engagement and bagged £500 from Four Loko UK, which was added to its total.

Natalie, a Londis Retailer Forum member, said: “A tiny shop like us wants to make a huge attempt at fundraising and what can I say?! The team absolutely smashed it! I am so very proud of them, and it just shows what you can achieve when you put your minds together and when you are a part of such an amazing community.”

Theatrical support

Londis Seaton Fore Street, in East Devon, has raised £126 for The Gateway Theatre Seaton.

The store ran a raffle for a luxury hamper with all proceeds to its local theatre, which provides access to arts and entertainment for people in Seaton and across East Devon, through live gigs and classical music seasons, children’s theatre, and other world-class theatrical productions.

The Gateway Theatre Seaton said: “Huge thank you to Mike and Will at Londis Seaton Fore Street for their generous donation. We are so grateful for their support.”

COMMUNITY NEWS
11

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Beach party

Food bank

Kenton Londis, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, has been supporting nearby Kenton Foodbank.

The food bank provides low-cost emergency food parcels, five days a week.

Kenton Foodbank said: “Without your continued support none of what we do would be possible. Thank you from everyone at Kenton Foodbank.”

Siop Hoffnant Stores Londis in Cardigan, South Wales, has sponsored this year’s Tresaith Mariners Beach Parties.

The five-day event featured a sailing regatta, open water swimming, a sandcastle competition, a bar, and live bands.

Essential items Store credit

Londis Inveraray, in Argyll and Bute, has donated essential items to the Inveraray Community Food Share.

The food share takes place three days a week, supplying food and free period products to those in need.

The store, which rebranded as a Londis in July, also has a collection box in-store for anyone who wishes to donate.

TJ’s Late Shop in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, is offering its customers the chance to win £30 store credit for the school holidays.

The retailer has introduced an in-store height chart and is encouraging customers to take photos of their children in front of the chart and post them on the store’s Facebook and TikTok page to be entered into a raffle to win the store credit.

Table toppers

Londis Stour Road in Christchurch, Dorset, raised more than £430 for The Isabel Baker Foundation by holding a tabletop sale.

The Foundation supports families living with childhood cancer, helping over 925 families to date, by providing food vouchers and memorymaking holidays at its newly-launched holiday home.

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Key issues of interest to you Convenience stores play ‘vital’ role in communities

Independent convenience stores and Post offices both rank in the top three vital services that shoppers say have the most positive local impact.

The critical role that independent convenience stores play in positively impacting upon local communities has been confirmed by new research from the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

In the ACS 2023 Community Barometer report, convenience stores and Post offices both rank in the top three services that shoppers say have the most positive impact on a local area. These services were also rated highest among local people as the most essential, second and third only to pharmacies.

The Barometer, which looks at how people value the services in their area, what they would like more of, and how they would prioritise investment in their community was put together from the findings of an Omnibus poll of 1,000 UK consumers.

Commenting on the research ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “UK shoppers are sending a very clear message. Convenience

stores are increasingly acting as service hubs, including post office counters, prescription collections, and banking services within their businesses, which are highly valued by their customers.”

In this year’s report, 18–24-year-olds were the most keen on having more convenience stores in their local area compared to other age groups, and were the most positive about their local convenience store being a community hub, reducing loneliness, and helping to keep people safe at night.

Lowman continued: “The importance of convenience stores to older customers is well documented, with stores acting as social hubs and a support network for those that are vulnerable or less mobile, but these figures show that on areas like reducing loneliness, local shops are incredibly important to young people as well. It’s encouraging to see the continued relevance of convenience stores to the next generation of shoppers.”

Impulse driving convenience

Traditional Impulse categories drove strong growth in independent convenience in the 13 weeks to 9 July, with total value sales through the channel growing 5.0%, new data reveals.

Wholesale and convenience data expert TWC

Group’s latest SmartView Convenience market report revealed a strong value performance for soft drinks (+15.7%), confectionery (+19.8%), and crisps, snacks and nuts (+21.0%).

commented: “Despite very tough trading conditions, value sales through the independent convenience channel have increased by 5%. Sales of vape have also continue to expand rapidly and we’ve also seen growth coming through beers and lagers.”

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Requests for GroceryAid support ‘up 44%’

GroceryAid’s Impact Report for 2022-23 has revealed a huge 44% increase in demand for support from industry colleagues.

Industry charity GroceryAid has published its Impact Report for 2022-23 revealing the steeply growing requirement for the charity’s financial, emotional and practical support services from independent retailing and grocery colleagues.

IMPACT REPORT 23

The report shows a massive 44% increase in the number of requests from industry colleagues for support over the last year.

In total, GroceryAid spent £5.6m supporting colleagues including a record £642,000 awarded in School Essentials Grants. This ensured that more than 2,340 children had the right equipment and clothing when they returned to school in September 2022.

The charity’s free and confidential helpline also received over 10,000 calls from colleagues which resulted in more than 5,000 in-the-moment counselling sessions with a fully qualified and accredited counsellor.

Key highlights

l 44% increase in requests for support

There was also a 14% increase in referrals for legal advice from Law Express and 1,282 Relate relationship counselling sessions were delivered.

in referrals for legal advice from relationship counselling sessions is

l £5.6m spent supporting industry colleagues

l 10,000 calls made to the helpline

Allan Leighton, GroceryAid President, commented:

“GroceryAid is here for every colleague working in the independent retailing and grocery industry and we have been doing this for over 165 years. More colleagues than ever before are coming to GroceryAid for support, and last year GroceryAid provided more than 40,000 incidents of support to colleagues: a 44% increase compared to the previous 12 months. This reflects the increasing number of businesses engaging with the charity and telling colleagues about how to access our support.

“We understand the challenges that the industry is facing and the importance of our services remaining relevant. Thank you once again for helping us achieve this.”

l 5,000 inthe-moment counselling sessions

l £642,000 awarded in School Essentials Grants, helping 2,340 children

l 1,282 Relate relationship counselling sessions delivered

l 14% increase in referrals for legal advice

Barcode 2024 date unveiled

GroceryAid has revealed the date for Barcode 2024, its flagship event. Barcode will be back next year on Thursday 4 July at Magazine London.

The event raised more than £1m for the charity this year –vital income to help support the huge growth in requests for support GroceryAid is experiencing from industry colleagues. Visit barcodefestival.co.uk to purchase tickets, which are on sale now.

17 NEWS
SUPPORTING INDUSTRY COLLEAGUES 24/7

A bigger bite

Londis Denby Dale is cooking up meatier sales and profits thanks to its recent store development project.

For a small Yorkshire village, Denby Dale has got a fair bit of fame to its name –not of least of which is its global renown for baking giant pies.

Dating back to 1878, this extraordinary pie-making heritage includes creating the record breaking 12-tonne Millennium pie, which fed 22,000 hungry people in the year 2000.

And now, thanks to a perfectly baked refit of its highly prized local convenience store – Denby Dale has an even tastier offering for the many shoppers and visitors to the area.

Owned by the Bahia family since 1981 and run today by Rav Bahia and her two sons, Sunnie and Sanjay, the 1,300sq ft Londis store was totally overhauled in November 2022.

Sunnie explains: “Londis Denby Dale has been a focal point in the local community since the early 80s and we are heavily involved in community life, including sponsoring local teams, supporting the local school and making regular charitable donations to the local hospital’s Children’s Ward. We’ve always traded successfully, but the last major refit was back in 2007 so we felt that the time was right for a significant refit that would give the store a fresh new look and focus for the future.”

The top-to bottom refit cost around £120,000 and included new flooring, branding, signage, fixtures and fittings.

The store was also entirely remodelled, with aisles and till-points repositioned to make a better use of space and create more room for new ranges and lines.

RETAILER PROFILE Forward thinking

“Prior to the refit, the aisles ran vertically down the store and the counter was located on the left. The Londis store planners advised us to flip the layout; the counter is now on the right with the aisles running horizontally. The change has enabled us to get more stock in and, at the same time, increase the sense of space so it’s been a real double win. Shoppers are constantly asking us if we’ve extended, so clearly the change has had the desired effect.”

Making a better use of the existing space, the new layout has enabled the family to expand growing categories such as vape; American confectionery and snacks; and fresh and chilled foodand drinks-to-go. New, taller shelving has also enabled the expansion of other strong-selling categories such as pet food.

“We’ve added a dedicated 1.5m Vape Station which has enabled us to make so much more of the growing disposable vape opportunity,” Sunnie says. “Our vape display is located next to the counter but out on the shop floor and for now we have decided against putting doors on it. The fact that adult vapers can browse the offer and select what they want to buy at their leisure has been game-changing.

“Shoppers now pick up two to four disposable vapes at a time. We do ‘2 for £10’ deals and – as this is an affluent area – it’s not uncommon for shoppers to buy four to six at a time.”

Relocating tobacco from a gantry into drawers under the counter has also led to the creation of a new four-metre spirit display.

“We now dedicate a metre to each of the key spirits categories, so we have

RETAILER PROFILE
Turnover has risen from around £17,000 a week to more than £23,000 post refit

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Moving vape products on to the shop floor allows shoppers to browse the range freely and has led to a significant increase in our sales.

2 3

Denby Dale

STORE INFO

Store name: Londis Denby

Dale, Huddersfield

Retailers: Rav, Sunnie and Sanjay Bahia

Size: 1,300sq ft

Store Type: Village

Key Categories: BWS, grocery, vape, drinks-to-go

Staff: 5 part time

a wide range of Vodkas, including bestselling brands such as AU and Ciroc; a dedicated section for Gin, including Gordons and Tanqueray in wide range of different flavours; and then a section for Spiced Rums, which are doing well.

“When it comes to spirits, we’ve now got an unrivalled range to offer local shoppers. Shoppers used to come in and ask us: ‘Have you got [this?]’ but now they say: ‘I can’t believe you’ve got [this!] They are bowled over by the choice they now have.”

That choice also extends to Beers, Wines and Ciders, thanks to the creation of a dedicated Beer Cave.

“The Beer Cave has enabled us to more than double our alcohol range, from just over six metres before the refit, to 15 metres now. The change has made us

Use different social media platforms to engage different shopper demographics. TikTok is proving to be a big hit for us.

Try to support local where possible, it provides another key USP from the competition.

into a proper destination store, pulling in shoppers from all around the area.”

The Beer Cave’s exterior wall also serves as a soft drinks chiller – another clever move which also means that all soft drinks and alcohol are chilled within just one unit and with the use of only one condenser.

“The Beer Cave accounted for a significant chunk of the total refit outlay, but long term, it’s energy efficiency benefits will save us a lot of money,” Sunnie says.

The store’s fresh and chilled range was also expanded by 1.25 metres to allow for the creation of a larger 2.5 metre fresh fruit and vegetable range and a 1.25 metre section for chilled snacks. The store’s range of chilled ready meals were also expanded: “We now stock a

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1

wider range of Jack’s ready meals and dairy products,” Sunnie adds.

“The Jack’s brand is performing really strongly. It offers great value for shoppers but the margin for us retailers is also really attractive. We’ve expanded our range of Jack’s cheeses – which are on offer for ‘2 for £4’ and the deli-style salads and dips also do well.

“We have a lot of elderly shoppers who live alone and for them, the Jack’s ready meals are brilliant. They come in a wide range of classic flavours that taste great and shoppers can buy two for £6 which offers them fantastic value for money. They really do cater well to this audience. The pizzas meanwhile are really popular with our younger demographic.”

The store’s drinks-to-go range has also been boosted with new slush options from Tango Ice Blast, plus a countertop Costa Coffee machine, selling around 30 cups a day.

“We also decided to introduce a local slush solution from Mr Slush as we have always been big on

The Beer Cave has made us into a proper destination store, pulling in shoppers from all around the area. Sales are growing week on week and back in June it was so busy that I was tempted to charge people 50p to get in!

supporting local enterprise,” Sunnie adds.

The store’s support of local enterprise also includes local bread, sandwiches, water, milk and Denby Dale pies.

“We’re also pushing harder than ever before on social media as this is an area which is proving to be an increasingly powerful footfall driver,” Sunnie adds.”We’ve been on Facebook for years, but we’ve recently started devoting more time and effort to TikTok with fun and engaging posts – one of them has been viewed more than 200,000 times!

“All in all, the refit has been a huge success. Turnover has risen from around £17,000 a week to more than £23,000.

“Customer count has also increased – we’re serving about 400 shoppers a day now and basket spend has gone up from £8.47 to £10.08 which is all very encouraging.”

23

RETAILER

Looking lovely

Sales are soaring at Sarah Cope’s Londis store in Lynton following a clever refit designed to give the store greater kerb appeal.

Twenty-one years ago Sarah Cope cut ties with her old job and way of life to make a fresh start with her family as the owner of a small convenience store in the picturesque coastal resort of Lynton in North Devon.

Such an uprooting was – of course – a big risk for Sarah, but as she tells Londis News, it was a risk that has not just paid off, but blossomed into something beautiful.

The family’s 1,200 sq ft Londis convenience store is located directly opposite the entrance to the world-famous Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway - the highest and the steepest water powered railway in the world, that connects the postcardpretty village of Lynton, up at the top, to Lynmouth down below.

“The store just ticked so many boxes,” Sarah recalls. “The location is sensational. We’ve got the sea just a stone’s throw away and all around us is the beautiful Exmoor countryside. The village itself has a population of 1,200 people so we have a good neighbourhood base all year round, but it’s also a tourist hotspot, with half a million people a year visiting the Cliff Railway.

It’s also a very popular area with hikers and in the summer months we receive a huge amount of day trade from walkers coming along the South West Coastal Path.

“There’s also a number of small campsites and holiday rentals in close proximity to us.”

The store’s unique customer base and significant seasonal swing has led to the creation of a different and successful offer that caters to the everyday needs of local shoppers as-well as tourists and hungry hikers.

However, following a remarkable refit and re-merchandising exercise carried out last May, this summer, Sarah is anticipating her most successful season yet.

“The whole refit was designed to inspire shoppers to trade up and add extra items to their baskets,” Sarah explains “but to do that we had to literally gut the place and start again.”

The re-location of BWS and fresh produce to more prominent locations at the front of the store were the two key hinges upon which the refit hung.

PROFILE Pretty Clever

“We always had a good fresh produce range and a comprehensive BWS offer, but prior to the refit, BWS was stuck right at the back of the store while fresh produce was the last thing that shoppers saw at the end of their journey around the store. It was clear that we had a massive opportunity to grow both categories by moving them to more prominent locations,” Sarah explains.

That massive opportunity is most certainly being realised now, with Sarah’s fresh produce sales having grown by a stonking 87% since the refit, while her

25 RETAILER PROFILE

total fresh sales mix has ballooned to 39%.

“The results have been staggering,” she explains. “We haven’t really expanded the range, we’ve just moved it and merchandised it better in a new 12-metre run of energy-efficient chillers at the front of the store.

“Fresh produce is now one of the first things that shoppers see from the door. It instantly sets the tone for the rest of the store and almost compels shoppers to take the time to look at everything else.”

The store’s off-licence offer has also been shifted to centre-stage and a significant investment made in chilling the range.

“BWS is now at the front of the store and we have a new 3.75m chiller in which to house our range of beers, ciders and wines, whereas before I only had space to chill about six bottles!” Sarah laughs.

“The results of these moves alone have been phenomenal and our alcohol sales are now up 42% year on year.”

The installation of a commercial kitchen in the store’s basement has also allowed it to introduce a new bake off and hot food to go offer from Country Choice’s Swan Bakery and Bake & Bite, featuring freshly baked loves, baguettes, pastries and savoury snacks.

Complementing the range is also a new Costa Coffee offer.

“The new bread and bakery range is proving to be a real hit with local shoppers and tourists alike,” Sarah says.

It’s also proving to be a powerful driver of incremental sales. “When we first launched the offer I assumed that many shoppers would substitute one product for another. I thought that a shopper who picked up one of our new freshly baked Parisienne baguettes for example, would do so instead of a sliced loaf, but what we are actually seeing is that they are buying both.

“Freshly-baked products such as our Parisienne baguettes have become impulse purchases, which then make shoppers want to carry on exploring our range further.

STORE INFO

Store name: Londis Lynton, Devon

Retailer: Sarah Cope

Store size: 1,200 sq ft

Top tips!

Don’t be afraid of wastage. Try to give all new products and initiatives a go, you might be surprised at the results!

Product positioning can have a huge impact on sales. Our produce sales have grown by 80% since re-locating produce to the front of the store.

Make the most of presells to stock up on key seasonal products and generate valuable instore theatre

Number of staff: 7 plus Sarah

Opening hours: 8am-9pm

Services: National Lottery, Payzone, Costa Coffee, Food to go

Lynton
27
1 2 3
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Those shoppers will then go on to buy things like grapes, salami and cheeses to go with that baguette.”

On frozen, Sarah also swapped the store’s old chest freezers for a new four door upright model, a move which she also says has boosted frozen sales, as “shoppers can see the full range much more clearly now.

“The whole refit has totally changed shoppers’ perceptions of our store and the way in which they shop it. We suddenly have real kerb appeal” she adds.

Adding to that kerb appeal is also a cheerful display of fresh flowers outside the store – a display which has been

enhanced this summer thanks to the launch of Londis’s new horticulture offer.

“We also try to make the most of key seasonal opportunities or big Londis promotions and often hold in-store tastings to support initiatives such as the Londis Beer, Cider and Wine Festivals,”Sarah adds.

“I also invest very heavily in the Londis pre-sells and always dedicate at least three whole bays to seasonal.

“I love to add interest to the range with indulgent and unusual products that will hopefully inspire an impulse purchase.”

All in all, sales at Londis Lynton are currently up 50% year on year following the refit, with average basket spend now £11 and growing.

“Shoppers love what we’ve done. The feedback from locals and visitors alike is exceptional and I can’t wait to see how high we can soar,” she concludes.

Shoppers love what we’ve done. The feedback from locals and visitors alike is exceptional and I can’t wait to see how high we can soar.
29
Sarah Cope

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Road to success

Having worked his way up the retailing ranks from sales assistant to manager and eventually store owner, Londis retailer Aamir Khoka knows potential when he sees it. And despite highly-publicised plans for a lengthy road improvement scheme on Oxfordshire’s busy A44 –Aamir was bowled over by the potential that he saw in a small forecourt site located on the key duel carriageway.

“I first viewed the Yarnton site in autumn 2022 and despite the major roadworks that I knew were set to take place on the road directly outside, I knew that it would offer a fantastic opportunity if developed correctly,” he explains.

“I could see the potential straight away. I knew I could make a really big difference here with a comprehensive refit and the right range.”

Prior to Aamir’s purchase, the site featured a tiny 250sq ft Spar store which contained just one central gondola – an

impractical layout that Aamir said forced shoppers to travel all the way around it to get to the counter and pay.

“The first thing we did after I purchased the site in late 2022 was plan a significant refit that would double the size of the shop floor and allow us to introduce a far more compelling convenience range,” he explains.

With Aamir already operating two other Londis stores in the South West, the decision to partner with Londis on his third site was also clear cut. “Londis is a fantastic partner to have.” He explains. “The range is great quality and perfectly meets the needs of today’s convenience shoppers. The support that I receive from my RDM Steve Griffin and the wider Londis team is also unrivalled.”

Yarnton Service Station re-opened as a brand-new 500sq ft Londis store in May 2023 – the extension achieved by having knocked down and moved the

A comprehensive extension, refit and re-imagined range has placed Londis Yarnton firmly on the road to success.
RETAILER PROFILE
for
t
Primed
profi

Aamir and the Londis team have also totally re-imagined the store’s layout and range. “Given the store’s location on the busy A44, we wanted the range to major on quality food and drinks to go, supported by innovative and fast-moving categories and strong core range,” Aamir explains.

The extra space allowed Aamir to kit the new shop floor out with three smart new gondolas offering shoppers “significantly more choice than they ever had before”. He adds: “We have also invested heavily in the Jack’s brand with a wide range of Jack’s lines across all the key categories, including ambient grocery, snacks, fresh and chilled and most notably on confectionery -where we have a broad array of Jack’s hanging bags. Hanging bags are currently in significant growth and thanks to their quality and great value for money, Jack’s hanging bags are currently outselling branded competitors.

“The Jack’s-branded crisps and snacks are also top performers and we have merchandised these next to our

RETAILER PROFILE
wall between the old shopfloor and stock room.

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brand-new alcohol offer, to encourage additional impulse purchases.”

Running along the back wall, a smart 2.5 metre chiller now houses an extended range of beers and wines, which is complemented by a one-metre ambient bay for red wines.

The chilled alcohol offer also includes multi-pack lagers and ciders, as well as a focused range of best-selling canned RTDs. The footfall-driving category is prominently signposted with smart monochrome signage that stands out against attractive brick-effect walls.

The store offers thirsty shoppers a full three-metres of chilled soft drinks choices with around a third of the range dedicated to sports, energy and protein drinks, which Aamir says are seeing “a significant growth in sales,” driven by growing brands such as Huel.

“Soft drinks have already grown to become the store’s second biggest selling category – with sports, health and protein drinks really driving sales,” he explains.

The store’s top selling category is vape. Currently positioned just behind the new-look counter, Londis Yarnton’s vape range is “significantly larger” than what was available before and includes an extensive selection of key disposable brands such as ElfBar and Lost Mary, all of which are available individually, or as part of multibuy offers. “We also introduced a number of totally new categories such as American Confectionery and Food to Go,” Aamir adds.

Shoppers who enter the fresh new store now have an entire wall of choice to help them meet their food and drinkto-go needs. The range encompasses

a Rollover Hotdogs offering with three different options and Walls Breakfast Sausage Baguette.

“We’ve also added a hot food to go offer from Bake & Bite offering a section of freshly baked goods such as pasties, steak bakes and toasties along with a brand-new Costa Express machine,” Aamir adds.

“We now have a really compelling foodto-go offer that shoppers can see as soon as they enter. The combination of two big brands like Londis and Costa really helps to pull passing trade in off the main road.”

A new chilled food-to-go offer includes freshly-made sandwiches and baguettes from Fresh Foods 4u and Fresh Bite.

The new store dedicates just over one-metre of space to chilled foods, including key dairy and fresh items, while a slim-line upright freezer offers a core range of frozen meal solutions and

35
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Given the store’s location on the busy A44, we wanted the range to major on quality food and drinks to go, supported by innovative and fast-moving categories and strong core range.

Yarnton

STORE INFO

Store name: Londis Yarnton

Service Station, Oxfordshire

Retailer: Aamir Khoka

Store size: 500 sq ft

Staff: 5

Opening: 24 hours

Services: Costa Coffee, Food To Go, Vape, 24-hour offlicence

accompaniments including pizzas, frozen fish products and vegetables.

The store also boasts a strong promotional focus thanks to bold yellow aisle ends displaying compelling Londis ‘Special Offers’ on key categories.

In addition, there’s a dedicated promotional end for alcohol deals, including offers on big brand ciders, lagers and wines.

Despite the roadworks, Londis Yarnton attracts a steady flow of trade between the key hours of 6am to 7pm, with shoppers popping in to refuel their vehicles and themselves on the store’s quality new offer.

“The vast majority of shoppers who pull in for fuel will now pick up a coffee and some food to go at the same time. Vape

products, soft drinks and BWS are also very strong sellers and the number of shoppers who now visit the site purely for the store alone is also growing,”Aamir says.

Aamir knew from the start that the roadworks would have an impact on trade but despite that he says he is “still delighted with the store’s early performance”.

“We have been overwhelmed by shoppers’ positive reactions to the change. Most people come in and the first thing they say is ‘wow!’ The roadworks are scheduled to end in September 2023, and I just can’t wait for that day to come and for the store to really hit its stride.

“I always knew that this site had so much potential and it’s now primed and ready to take flight.”

Aamir Khoka
37

Change of face

Londis Belmont Service Station is reaping the rewards of a fresh new look and tech innovations

A change, they say, is as good as a rest. However, there’s been absolutely nothing restful about the change made to Londis Belmont Service Station, where a comprehensive refit is propelling a jumpstart in footfall, sales and profits.

Owned by Petrocell Holdings, the store and Jet-branded forecourt, is located in a neighbourhood setting and surrounded by flats and housing along the busy Belmont Road in Erith, south-east London.

The store, which joined the Londis family back in 2008, had received little major investment in recent years, rendering it in real need of a top-to-bottom refresh.

In early 2023, the Petrocell team decided that the time was right for a total reform of the store’s old and outdated offer –which placed too great an emphasis on grocery and non-food products and not enough on fresh, chilled and food-to-go.

June 2023 saw the store closed for a full three weeks, while its generous 1,695sq ft interior was stripped back to the bare brickwork before new walls, ceilings, lighting, and fixtures and fittings were brought in.

Smart and practical ceramic wood-effect flooring was also fitted throughout – its light honey colour enhancing the newly created sense of space and airiness which

RETAILER PROFILE Refresh for success

has been achieved following a targeted range rationalisation.

Londis Belmont Service Station RDM Steve Griffin explains: “The refit was designed to rationalise slow-selling grocery and non-food ranges, whilst allocating more space to on-trend and footfall-driving categories, such as fresh and chilled foods, and food- and drinksto-go.”

The store, Steve says, has now been “properly zoned out” with the front section totally reimagined to focus on grab-and-go products, while the rear now majors on bread, bakery, non-food and grocery.

The grab-and-go-focused front of the store now features three vertically positioned gondolas which greet shoppers upon entry.

Each of the three front-facing gondolas feature six bays for key impulse categories, including savoury snacks and confectionery.

Three bays have been dedicated to single crisps, with two for sharing formats, while a whole bay now displays Londis’ range of great-value multipacks.

When it comes to confectionery, six bays now feature an impeccably merchandised array of bestselling multipacks, block and boxed products, and singles. One whole

1000x400mm bay has also been devoted to on-trend American confectionery.

A further three bays at the very front of the store have also been allocated to fastselling bagged confectionery products, sales of which are in significant growth.

The store has also been granted a strong new value-for-money focus with seven brand new promotional ends throughout the store, including a whole end dedicated to Euroshopper products.

Facing the tills are also three bays of indemand car care products, along with showstopping BWS promotions.

Top-up shopping, including fresh, chilled and frozen needs, are met by brandnew zones running along the store’s lefthand side and back wall, including a new seven-door run of Arneg Brema freezers – boasting a stellar range of top-selling frozen meal solutions and desserts.

Chilled space has also been expanded by 25%, with Londis Belmont Service Station now boasting a brand-new bank of six double-door chillers for fresh and chilled foods, including pizzas, ready meals, deli and dairy items – plus a further four doors of chilled space for chilled food-to-go.

Chilled soft drinks meanwhile, are now housed in a smart new bank of six double-door chillers which sit pretty to a new-look food- and drinks-to-go station.

Top tips!

Involve

2 3 4

Shelf-edge labels can be clearer for shoppers to read and drive key operational efficiencies

Price-marked packs can help to drive footfall and sales

39 RETAILER PROFILE
your team in any changes that you implement and explain the insight behind them
A regular schedule of cleaning, merchandising and maintenance is crucial, especially on a busy forecourt
1

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Another key aim of the redevelopment was to grow the store’s food-to-go offer. As such, food-to-go space was increased by 200%, with a much larger Bake & Bite offer added, plus a new Rollover hot dog unit.

A second Costa Coffee machine was also introduced to better meet the needs of caffeine-craving shoppers and the store is now on track to hit sales in the region of 90 cups a day.

A new food preparation area for staff was also created in the store’s back-office space, featuring a new ceiling, lighting, walls and sinks.

The store’s alcohol offer has also grown by 25%, with a new bank of 10-door

chillers which run along the back wall towards the till points and are devoted to footfall-driving beers, ciders and wines.

Removing the old back wall tobacco gantry and relocating tobacco to drawers under the counter has also enabled the store to double the size of its spirit range.

Vape has also been expanded to two bays in a bid to make more of the growing disposable opportunity.

All products in the store are also now supported by a £25,000 investment in electronic shelf-edge labels (ESELs).

The labels, which display crisp and clear pricing info for shoppers, also drive key operational efficiencies for the in-store team – with changes made in a matter of seconds rather than minutes.

The move, Operations Director Tommy Dowling says, is already helping the store team to make significant time savings, especially when it comes to promotional

41

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Belmont

STORE INFO

Store name: Londis Belmont Service Station, Erith

Company Director: Tommy Dowling

Store size: 1,695sq ft

Staff: 11

Key categories: Off-licence, soft drinks, confectionery

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am-10pm, Sun 7am-10pm Services: ATM, PayPoint, National Lottery, hot foodto-go, Costa coffee, fuel, car and jet wash

changeovers.

The ESELs are also expected to help the store make key cost savings in the future by eliminating ink and paper costs.

In another innovative development, the store’s new and welcoming two-person till point also features a novel ‘Manager’s Station’.

Housed behind the counter, the smart new workstation enables management staff to conduct daily store admin out on the shop floor, as opposed to tucked away in the back office.

Significant attention has also been paid to category and store signage. Crisp white Londis signage fitted atop the store’s new sleek dark walls works to clearly signpost key categories.

The store’s new gondolas meanwhile, have also been fitted with attractive, larger-than-life product visuals to help busy mission-focused shoppers quickly locate the aisles they need.

The store’s exterior has also not been forgotten, with smart new dark Londis facia boards fitted above the door and striking new floor-to-ceiling visuals featuring the Londis brand a packed

shopping basket, fitted along its front wall.

"We set out with a plan to rationalise the range, make more of growing categories and generally enhance the overall shopping experience,” Tommy adds.

“It’s only been a matter of weeks since we re-opened but things are looking very positive.”

Despite the three-week closure, store sales returned to their pre-refit levels “almost immediately” and overall figures are expected to rise by 20% in the coming weeks.

43

Good sport!

With a packed schedule of sporting events, retailers have a winning opportunity to score additional sales and profits over the coming weeks.

This summer the stage has been set for what is proving to be a rip-roaring season of major sporting events and tournaments, sure to help retailers create highimpact in-store theatre and boost footfall, sales and profits.

The Lionesses set the nation roaring with pride in July and August as they made it all the way to the FIFA Women’s World Cup final and now, excitement levels are once again at fever pitch, thanks to the start of the 2023 Men’s Rugby Union World Cup.

Held between 20th of July and 20th of August, the FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) already helped many Londis retailers to net greater sales, as shoppers from across the country eagerly stocked up before tuning in and cheering their favourite teams on.

Sunnie Bahia of Londis Denby Dale in Huddersfield said the tournament had offered a fantastic opportunity to create in-store excitement and drive sales.

“We always strive to make the most of key sporting events and thanks to our brand new Beer Cave, large multi-packs of key brands sold exceptionally well over the WWC period. Savoury snacks such as crisps and nuts also did really well,” he says.

SEASONAL UPDATE Summer of Sport
OF THE TOTAL VIEWERS, 19.1M (87%) ARE SET TO WATCH THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOMES. VOUCHERCODES.CO.UK

Among a number of major brands who helped retailers make the most of the event was Budweiser, the official beer of both the Lionesses and the FIFA Women’s World Cup which ran a highimpact ‘scan to win’ on-pack promotion offering a range of great prizes that included top-end TVs.

Londis also ran a special promotion on 660ml bottles of Budweiser throughout the WWC tournament, offering shoppers ‘Any 2 for £5’ – a mechanic which was also in play across a range of other large-format bottled beers, including Birra Moretti, Kronenbourg 1664, Heineken, Becks, Peroni, Stella Artois and Corona.

Meanwhile, having kicked off in Paris on Friday 8 September, the Men’s Rugby Union World Cup is providing even more opportunities for retailers to cash in, as France hosts what is already proving to be one of the most hotly-contested series in the tournament’s history.

With England, Ireland, France, New Zealand and South Africa all boasting

MEN’S RUGBY WORLD CUP KEY

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Supporting stars

The buzz around big sporting events such as the Women’s World Cup and the Rugby World Cup provide a fantastic opportunity for Londis retailers to create some high-impact in-store theatre.

l If space in your store allows, why not create an offshelf display to promote key promotional lines on popular categories such as Beer, Soft Drinks, Snacks and Confectionery?

l Use all available POS to give your displays some extra kick!

l Be sure to promote your range and any supporting promotions on social media too. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok offer a great way to engage with shoppers of all ages.

strong potential to win, the stage is set for one of the most open championships ever, including the possibility of the first Northern Hemisphere victory for 20 years, since England claimed the prize in 2003.

The tournament began with an explosive match between host nation France vs New Zealand, at France’s national stadium in Paris.

Saturday 9 September saw the England team kick their way to victory against Argentina in their first match of the tournament, while on Saturday 10 September, Scotland’s national team faced a tough opener against defending

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champions South Africa.

In addition to alcoholic drinks, the tournament is also providing ample opportunities for retailers to boost sales of soft drinks, sharing snacks and key meal solutions with an array of deals on big-name brands, as well as Jack’s products.

Londis retailers will be able to tempt their thirsty shoppers with a winning selection of great soft drinks promotions focusing on larger pack formats ideal for sharing that are sure to help drive up basket spend.

Deals include 2L bottles of Pepsi Max, Pepsi Diet and Pepsi Max Lime at ‘2 for £3’.

Other standout soft drink deals running during the Rugby World Cup will include ‘Any 2 for £3’ on 500ml bottles of a wide range of top-selling brands including Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Dr Pepper and Oasis.

In confectionery, a special ‘Any 2 for £1.40’ deal is also running across key impulse bars including Aero Milk, Kit Kat

PRODUCT SIZE CONSUMER DEAL DORITOS TANGY CHEESE CORNCHIP 150G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS CHILLI HEAT FLAVOUR 150G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS COOL ORIGINAL CHIPS 150G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS LOADED PEPPERONI PIZZA 180G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS FLAME GRILLED WHOPPER 180G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS MILD SALSA DIP 300G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS SOUR CREAM/CHIVES DIP 280G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 DORITOS NACHO CHEESE DIP 280G ANY 2 FOR £3.50 47 SEASONAL UPDATE
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RETAILERS COULD EARN A £464M BOOST AS SHOPPERS STOCK UP FOR THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP

Across the 10 host cities and around the world, excitement is at fever pitch. From ticket sales to international visitors, records are tumbling and there is a genuine air of expectation as to which nation will ultimately lift the biggest prize in men’s rugby, the Webb Ellis Cup.

Chunky, Toffee Crisp and more.

Londis has also put together a fantastic package with Walkers that allows retailers to offer shoppers an ‘Any 2 for £3.50’ deal on 140g bags of Walkers Max Pizza Hut Pepperoni Feast and Walkers Max Pizza Hut Texas BBQ, helping to shoppers to host Big Match Nights Night In at home.

Sweet-toothed sharers can also watch the games with 100g packs of Butterkist Cinema Sweet, Sweet & Salted, and Hazelnut Chocolate popcorn – available on a ‘2 for £2.50’ deal.

With so many of the matches set to kick off in the afternoon or around dinner time, Londis shoppers can also take advantage of a whole host of great-value deals on key fresh and frozen products including pizzas, chips and ice creams.

One standout deal includes ‘Any 2 Chicago Town Takeaway Pizzas and a Magnum Classic 3-pack for £6’ – the perfect partner for shoppers to cheer their teams on with.

With so much excitement to come, this packed summer of sport certainly looks set to help retailers score!

49 SEASONAL UPDATE
World Rugby Chairman Sir Bill Beaumont

New Jack’s family meal solutions

Retailers can now offer an array of family-friendly meal solutions for four, at a great-value price of less than £2.50 per person.

While food price inflation continues to slow, value for money remains front of mind for shoppers and especially for busy families with lots of mouths to feed.

Fortunately, Booker’s exclusive Jack’s brand is here to help, with a brandnew initiative offering a wide range of palate - and pocket-friendly family meal solutions.

The new Jack’s Family Meal Initiative will enable Londis retailers to offer their shoppers a different family meal solution

each new promotional period.

From ‘Bangers and Mash’ to ‘Spaghetti Bolognese’ and ‘Chilli Con Carne,’ all of the easy-to- cook recipes in the new collection have been carefully designed for broad appeal and maximum convenience.

Each of the recipes has also been carefully crafted to create delicious meals that will feed a family or group of four people, for a great-value price of less than £2.50 per person.

HAVE YOUR SAY…

I’ve invested very heavily in the Jack’s brand and it’s doing so well, especially on the fresh produce and chilled side. Thanks to our recent store refit, fresh and chilled produce are now far better merchandised, allowing the Jack’s brand to shine.

“The whole range is very good quality, and you certainly can’t argue with the price points either. The profit margins for us retailers are very attractive too.

The recipes have also been designed to showcase the quality, value and breadth of the full Jack’s range, by encouraging shoppers to buy across the categories.

Each of the simple family-friendly recipes features Jack’s products from across the fresh, chilled and ambient categories, to help shoppers cook up the crowdpleasing meals.

The initiative kicked off with a recipe for delicious ‘Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice’.

Using Jack’s Easy Cook Long Grain Rice, Jack’s Sweet and Sour Sauce and Jack’s Chicken Breast Fillets, the recipe allowed Londis shoppers to feed a family of four for just £2.30 per person.

Following on from that, from 11 September to 1 October, the NP8 promotional period will see Londis stores be able to offer their shoppers a juicy ‘Beefburgers and Chips’ choice, perfect for autumnal evenings.

Each of the new recipes will also be supported in-store with a range of high-impact POS, including Posters and Shelf Cards, featuring prominent Jack’s branding and the key ‘Part of the Tesco Family’ message.

Pricing information and cost per portion will also be boldly displayed to really drive the value-for-money message home.

In-store POS will also be supported by a web tile for retailers to make use of on social media.

In addition to the new Jack’s Family Meal initiative, retailers can also offer their shoppers a fantastic range of quality chilled ready meals which offer the ultimate in convenience and value for money.

From Asian to Italian and traditional British fare, plus vegetarian options, the Jack’s ready meal range caters to a broad array of style and flavour

Jack's Family Meals

The Jack’s Family Meals initiative uses a number of Jack’s products from across the categories to help shoppers create an array of family and pocket-friendly recipes.

Recipes that will feature in the initiative include:

l Sweet and Sour Chicken and Rice

l Beefburger and Chips

l Chilli Con Carne

l Bangers and Mash

l Sausage Casserole

l Spaghetti Bolognaise

l Lasagne

l Chicken Tikka Masala

l Macaroni Cheese

l Tuna Pasta Bake

l Chicken Korma

l Spaghetti and Meatballs

51

preferences, with all meals available for an RSP of just £3.35 or on a ‘Any 2 for £6’ deal – offering great value for money.

The Jack’s chilled range also includes an array of crispy Stone Baked Pizzas, featuring bestselling toppings such as Three Cheese, Pepperoni and Meat Feast for £4 each or at ‘2 for £7’.

Shoppers seeking out the ultimate in convenience can also visit the frozen

Media Magic

Social media offers another really effective way to drive trial and repeat purchase of the fantastic Jack’s range.

Use key social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok to highlight Jack’s promotions and flag up new products. Booker offers a professional suite of social media assets that you can easily use to showcase your Jack’s range, helping you to create engaging posts in just a few simple clicks.

The new Jack’s Family Meal initiative lends itself perfectly to social media and is sure to help drive footfall, sales and profits in store.

The initiative will be supported by a special web tile for use on social media.

NEW JACK’S BAKERY PRODUCTS!

JACK'S GINGERBREAD MAN

Case size: 12x55g

WSP: £7.15

RSP: 95p

POR: 37.3%

JACK'S CHOCOLATE BROWNIE

Case Size: 12x70g

WSP: £7.15

RSP: 89p

POR: 33.1%

The Jack’s brand is performing really strongly. It offers great value for shoppers but the margin for us retailers is also really attractive. We’ve expanded our range of Jack’s cheeses –which are on offer for ‘2 for £4’ and the deli-style salads and dips also do well.

“We have a lot of elderly shoppers who live alone and for them, the Jack’s ready meals are brilliant. They come in a wide range of classic flavours that taste great and shoppers can buy two for £6 which offers them fantastic value for money. They really do cater well to this audience. The pizzas, meanwhile, are really popular with our younger demographic.”

Sunnie Bahia, Londis Denby Dale, Huddersfield

53 JACK’S UPDATE

Mix and Match

The Jack’s cheese line-up has also been boosted with the addition of Grated Mozzarella. Available now, the “delicate and creamy” cheese is sold in resealable 180g packs pricemarked at £ 2.49. Packs can also be purchased as part of the ‘Any 2 for £4’ deal which spans the Jack’s cheese range.

aisles, where a selection of Jack’s branded pizzas, which can be cooked straight from frozen in just 22 minutes, are available.

Bearing the Jack’s branding and the key ‘Part of the Tesco Family’ messaging, pizza packs also feature a prominent £2.29 pricemark, offering shoppers exceptional value for money.

Londis shoppers can select from two tasty variants: Deep Meat Feast and Deep Cheese variants.

And with no good meal complete without a dessert, Londis retailers can also offer their shoppers an array of sweet treats at the end of their family meals.

The Jack’s line up also includes a wide range of chilled desserts, including indulgent stacks of Chocolate Profiteroles, creamy Caramel Panna Cottas and zesty Limoncello Desserts.

There’s also a range of ice cream choices too - and with sweet profits available across the Jack;s range, retailers also have plenty of reasons to smile.

Serving Suggestion FEED THE FAMILY FOR £2.08 PER PERSON * BEEFBURGER AND CHIPS Serving Suggestion Jack’s Quarter Pounder Burger 454g | £4.39 Jack’s Salad Tomatoes 300g | £1.29 Jack’s Cooking Onions 1kg | £1.19 Jack’s Thin & Crispy Oven Fries PM £1.39 750g | £1.39 Jack’s Mild Cheddar Slices PM £2.49 180g | £2.49 Jack’s Iceberg Lettuce Single | £0.99 Baker Street 4 Mega Seeded Burger Buns Pre-Sliced 4 pack | £1.25 AVAILABLE IN STORE NOW *Based on portion cost for a family of four 114123 MealSolutions_LONDIS_POSTERS_420x594_NP08.indd
55
EACH JACK’S MEAL SOLUTION FEATURES A SIMPLE RECIPE THAT WILL FEED FOUR PEOPLE FOR LESS THAN £2.50 PER PERSON.
JACK’S UPDATE

Blooming marvellous

A new and improved flowers and horticulture range is helping sales and profits to bloom in Londis stores.

With their kaleidoscope of colours, shapes, textures, scents, and in some cases even tastes, flowers really do deliver a feast for the senses, adding a splash of beauty and spreading smiles wherever they are.

Little wonder then, that the UK’s floral industry continues to make such a significant contribution to the economy, with the UK market for fresh flowers and indoor plants valued at £2.2bn, according to the Flowers and Plants Association.

From birthdays to anniversaries, as tokens of thanks and as marks of condolence, flower sales are also prompted by an equally vibrant rainbow of drivers.

A great many shoppers also purchase flowers for personal use, buying blooms to beautify their homes – which for many shoppers also continue to double up as their place of work.

In fact, according to a 2023 Mintel study and despite the current squeeze on shopper spending, 77% of shoppers deem flowers and houseplants to be “an affordable luxury” that they are happy to treat themselves too.

Whatever, the motivation, it’s clear that flowers account for a significant part of many shoppers’ spending habits and now,

Despite the cost-of-living crisis, 6% of shoppers buy flowers or houseplants once a week while 17% buy them up to three times a month. (Mintel Flowers and Houseplants 2023)

CATEGORY
Fresh thinking
UPDATE

Flowers require a bit of management and care but it’s well worth the effort. Initially our flower offer was inside the store, but we have now moved it outside and sales are growing and growing.

“The developments that Londis has made have also been very beneficial, the flowers are really good quality, and the range keeps on improving. The offer is now much more akin to what you would find in a flower shop, which is lovely.

“You have to be careful on hot and sunny days if your flowers are displayed outside as they can wilt more quickly. It’s also really important to change to water in the buckets every day and check for quality throughout the day.

“In addition to cut flowers, we also offer a range of bedding plants which, due to our rural location, do really well for us too.

Key UK floral industry trends

l Sustainability: There has been a growing emphasis on sustainability in the UK floral industry, with some shoppers seeking out eco-friendly options for their flower arrangements – including dried flowers.

l Local businesses: Shopper interest in supporting smaller local businesses is prompting a rise in popularity of locally grown flowers.

l Seasonal: Shoppers are also becoming more interested in flowers that are in season.

l Exotic: Consumers are becoming more adventurous in their floral choices and are starting to seek out more exotic flowers and plants.

(Source: The Last Bunch)

Seasonal selling

A Mintel study of 2,000 shoppers in 2022 revealed Mother’s Day to be the biggest seasonal occasion for flowers:

l 27% of shoppers bought flowers for Mother’s Day in 2022

l 14% of shoppers bought flowers for Easter 2022

l 14% of shoppers bought flowers for Valentines Day 2022

NEW PLANTS RANGE

ROSE IN CERAMIC

Case size: 6

RSP: £4.99 POR: 35%

GIFT ANTHURIUM

Case size: 6

RSP: £6.49 POR: 35%

FOLIAGE GIFT

Case size: 8 RSP: 3.99 POR: 35%

KALANCHOE

Case size: 12 RSP: £1.99 POR: 35%

NEW FLOWER RANGE

 Everyday Range now features eight SKUs – up from six

 All lines renamed with Florist style names

 Range includes premium £15 Aqua Bomb Bouquet

 Additional Seasonal Range to feature across the year

 Cash profit per case increase on new range vs previous

Great Value!

CUPCAKE GIFT

Case size: 6 WSP: £17.34

RSP: £5 POR: 30.6%

Premium Gifting

TRUE LOVE AQUA

Case size: 2 WSP: £17.50

RSP: £15 POR: 30%

57 CATEGORY UPDATE
Open to Independent Businesses only. UK 18+. Opens 00:00 29.6.23, closes 23:59 31.8.23. Purchase necessary of any 3 cases of a qualifying product* in a single transaction during the Promotional Period from any participating wholesaler. Retain invoice/receipt. Max 8 entries per business. First 5 x winners randomly drawn each receive £2,000. The next 5 x winners randomly drawn each receive £1,000 (10 winners in total). All prizes paid by cheque or BACS into Business owner’s bank account. Max 1 prize per Business. Full terms at Prizeology.com/sunshine. Promoter: Walkers Snacks Limited. *Qualifying products: All 32.5g x 32 Walkers, all 45g x 32 Walkers, all Walkers Max 50g, all Walkers Baked 37.5g, all Doritos 40g x 32 & 48g x 24, Popworks Sweet & Salty 85g, Popworks Sour Cream & Onion 85g, Popworks Sweet BBQ 85g, all Walkers snacks single serve and grab, all Snack A Jacks 23g x 24, all £1.25 PMP. PRICE MARKED PACKS ARE RECOMMENDED RETAIL PRICE ONLY text sunshIne , your full name, busIness name and postcode to 85100 Texts charged at your standard network rate. a chance to wIn £2000 buy 3 qualIfyIng cases to enter 284408 281098

thanks to a perfectly timed development by Londis, flowers and plants also look set to contribute more significant sales and profits to retailers’ tills.

GROWING SALES

Londis has recently launched a new and improved horticulture offer in a bid to help retailers make even more of the blooming flower opportunity.

Available now, Londis retailers have access to an enhanced Every Day Range of Summer Bouquets, in a larger lineup of eight beautiful SKUs.

Featuring the Booker Group’s exclusive ‘Olive & Acacia’ brand, the high-quality flower range has been carefully designed to offer shoppers an authentic floriststyle feel. All products in the beautiful new range are sourced directly from the growers, a feat which not only helps to maximise the life of both cut flowers and plants but also their quality.

In fact, from the point of purchase, all products feature a minimum five-day life guarantee for shoppers, including the last shelf-life day.

The new range also offers retailers a more generous cash profit per case compared to previous ranges, with all products in the new line-up offering PORs of at least 30% and some offering as much as 35%.

All eight of the beautiful new Summer Bouquet SKUs have also been graced with names that more closely replicate florist naming conventions, further reinforcing their quality credentials.

New mid-priced Summer Bouquets feature sweet juice and patisserieinspired names such as Cupcake Gift, Strawberry Shortcake and Blackcurrant

Fabulous Flowers

The new and improved range of flowers and plants available to Londis retailers is bursting with benefits. These include:

l Minimum 30% POR

l Minimum Five-Day Life Guarantee for home user from point of purchase including last shelf-life day

l Florist feel

l Excellent customer value

Smoothie. The new Summer Bouquet range also includes a striking Rose and Lily arrangement which features an RSP of £7 and a POR of 31.6%, along with a classic bouquet of 12 red roses, which also features an RSP of just £7 and a lush POR of 35%.

Answering the call for more premium options, Londis has also launched a new Everyday Premium Line. Enrobed in a smart Aqua Bag, the £15 True Love bouquet includes premium-quality roses in a burst of bright colours.

The new horticultural range also includes additional seasonal lines such as Sunflowers, Tulips and Gladioli which will help retailers to inject added interest and appeal to their floral displays all year round.

So what are you waiting for, isn’t it time you put some more petal to your metal?

59
CATEGORY UPDATE

Top new products

Every issue we bring you the latest product launches from your favourite suppliers

NEW PLANTS RANGE!

ROSE

GIFT ANTHURIUM

KALANCHOE

IN CERAMIC Case Size: 6 WSP: £17.36 RSP: £4.99 POR: 30% 60
Case size: 14 WSP:
RSP:
POR: £30%
GLADIOLI
£24.50
£3.00
Case Size: 6 WSP: £22.69 RSP: £6.49 POR: 30%
Case Size: 12 WSP:
RSP:
POR:
£13.96
£1.99
30%

COMELLE ICE CREAM MIX

Case size: 12x1L

WSP: £16.99

JACK’S GINGERBREAD MAN

Case size: 12

WSP: £7.15

RSP: 95p

POR: 37.3%

KITKAT CHUNKY HAZELNUT CREAM

Case Size: 24x42g

WSP:£12.59

RSP: 85p

POR: 25.9%

COOLMORE LOAF CAKES

COFFEE AND WALNUT, FRUIT CAKE, CLASSIC CARROT, CHOCOLATE FUDGE, LEMON CAKE

Case size: 6x400g

WSP: £13.29

RSP: £2.99

POR: 25.9%

JACK’S CHOCOLATE BROWNIE

Case Size: 12X70g

WSP: £7.15

RSP: 89p

POR: 33.1%

CALIFIA FARMS COLD BREW COFFEE

CARAMEL AND OAT, ALMOND MOCHA

Case size: 6

WSP: £12.55

RSP: £2.99

POR: 30%

61

Save time and cost with selfscan

Offering a range of great benefits and increasingly popular with shoppers, self-scan tills provide a great way to reduce the workload of your team, cut queues and enhance the buying experience.

Self-scan tills have been around for a while now and recent years have seen the ultra-convenient technology being embraced by a growing number of convenience stores.

Many shoppers are now familiar with the technology and lots of people, particularly those in the younger generations, are perfectly comfortable with the speed and simplicity of scanning a few items through themselves, paying and getting back on with their day.

Thanks to Booker’s long-standing relationship with EPoS specialists Retail Data Partnership (RDP), self-scan

technology is now available to Londis stores.

FAST AND EFFICIENT

RDP’s ShopMate self-scan solution offers a number of important benefits, not least in helping to reduce queues and in significantly reducing the workload for your in-store team.

The interface is user-friendly and intuitive for your shoppers and can help enhance the buying experience, particularly for shoppers keen to get in and back out as quickly as possible.

SELF SCAN Free up staff

The benefits of self-scan

l Reduce staff workload

l Improve buying experience

l Age restriction approval

l User-friendly retailer interface

l Easy transition between self-scan and regular till

l Card payment only in self-scan mode

PRICING

l £4.00 ex VAT per week service fee per till, in addition to any existing ShopMate service fees.

l This includes the addition of the Self-Serve software to the customer till and six QR key fobs per store that allow staff members to operate and administrate the program.

Additional options*

l Techpole 400/600mm pole**: £62.00/£75.00

l Techpole 75/100 vesa mount: £50.00

l Techpole 250/350mm arm: £42.00/£45.00

l Techpole printer holder: £35.00

l Techpole universal pin pad holder: £50.00

l Melford status light: £180.00

The tills can quickly and easily swivel, which allows them to be used as shopper-facing self-scan tills at busy times and rotated to be used by your team as normal tills at other times. When in self-scan mode the tills will accept card payment only to speed up transaction times and simplify the process.

that allow team members to operate and administrate the program.

l Avery Berkel 9300i Scanner Scales: £1,540.00

l Speakers: £30.00

process.

Additionally, the technology features an automated age-restriction alert which sounds a buzzer and flashes a warning light when an age-restricted product is scanned and approval is required from a member of your team.

AFFORDABLE SOLUTION

Unlike many other self-scan systems which require expensive new tills and hefty service charges, RDP’s ShopMate system is available for just an additional £4 per week per till if you already have a compatible ShopMate till. That minimal fee includes the addition of the Self-Serve software to the till and six QR key fobs per store

If you have a ShopMate 325 till, you can simply have the software installed and you’re ready turn the till around and switch it into Self-Serve mode, although an additional mount may be required.

Alternatively, you can swap your till for a free like-for-like refurbished till bundle which will make it easy to swivel the till. Upgrade options are also available including a new till for £399 and full kit for £699, which includes a till, A4 printer, receipt printer, scanner, cash drawer and media screen.

Installation is absolutely free to swap for a brand-new compatible till.

If you have a Flytech 455, Toshiba T10, Varipos or Onyx till, these can be upgraded with the self-scan software and mounted on a Tech Pole to facilitate easy swivel with a MediaMaster Screen if needed.

* There will be an installation fee payable, if these additions do not form part of a new till installation

** One MediaMaster screen mount is included but additional mounts should be charged

ALREADY HAVE A 325 TILL?

If you already have a ShopMate 325 till, you can simply turn the till around and place the till into Self-Serve mode. An additional mount may be required. Alternatively, you can swap your till with a free like-for-like refurbished till bundle which will make it easy to swivel the till. Upgrade options also available:

l £399 (till only)

l £699 (includes A4 printer, receipt printer, scanner, cash drawer and media screen

Installation is free to swap for brand new compatible tills. Once upgraded, you can add various options including status lights, scanner scales, speakers and tech poles and holders for receipt printer and chip and pin units.

63

If you already have any of these tills, they can be mounted on a Tech Pole to facilitate easy swivel, with a MediaMaster Screen if needed.

A Self-Serve package can be added to these tills and, once mounted, you can add various options including status lights, scanner scales, speakers and tech poles and holders for receipt printer and chip & pin units.

RDP can check compatibility with your existing hardware over the phone so you don’t have to invest in expensive new hardware or give up valuable selling space to a whole new unit. ShopMate allows you to simply adapt what you’ve already got.

And if you want to take your selfscan service to the next level, you can even add a range of options including status lights, scanner scales, speakers and tech poles and holders for receipt printer and chip & pin units.

COST SAVER

With the rising costs of doing business, particularly in terms of wages, ShopMate self-serve is a great way to offer your customers speedy checkouts while protecting your operating costs. Self-scan allows you to reduce staffing hours or to re-allocating staff onto other tasks in the store, now that they don’t have to spend hours standing behind the till.

As the self-scan tills only accept contactless or card purchases, it

means you’ll deliver fast turnaround and secure transactions. The till is very customer friendly, accepts barcoded items and has programmable hotkeys.

Age-restricted items can be approved using the interface that your team is already familiar with and light poles alert staff to shoppers requiring help, while allowing them to continue scanning other items in the meantime.

For those stores who need it, a fitted scale is available to let customers buy fresh or loose produce by weight.

About ShopMate

ShopMate is the UK’s leading EPoS technology for the convenience sector. ShopMate has partnered with retailers, service providers and wholesalers for 25 years and has a deep understanding of independent retailing and the pressures that stores face.

ShopMate is designed to make easy work of pricing and promotions with automated price updates. It can help you manage your stock and automate your orders as well as providing reports and insights that you can turn into actions to help improve your turnover.

Our suite of value-added services is designed to supercharge ShopMate. You can access your store remotely, run automated MediaMaster screens, enhance the shopper experience with Local Loyalty and capture new markets with home delivery. ShopMate also offers Self-Serve Electronic Shelf Edge Label solutions.

65 SELF SCAN
ALREADY HAVE A FLYTECH 455, TOSHIBA T10, VARIPOS OR ONYX TILL?

Helping you get Fit For The Future

The regularly updated Londis Fit For The Future guide is an invaluable tool to highlight some of the biggest opportunities around for Londis retailers to grow sales and profit.

FIT FOR THE

Identifying the best opportunities for your business can be a difficult task when you and your team are busy with the day-to-day running of your store. Finding the time to visit other Londis stores, staying on top of the latest trends and finding new ways to grow sales and profits is undoubtedly challenging – but that’s precisely why Londis first launched its Fit For The Future series of guides.

Fir For The Future is now in its fourth edition and has been regularly updated and improved to help highlight some of the biggest opportunities around for Londis retailers to grow sales and profits.

Critically, everything you will find in the guide has already been tried and tested in the real world by other Londis retailers. In other words, the solutions found in the guide have been proven to work.

Essentially, everything in the guide will either help you grow sales or cut costs, with the net effect being an increase in your bottom line.

To help you do just that, the Fit for the Future 4 Guide focuses on four key areas: energy, value, availability and ‘Make More, Save More’. If you haven’t seen a copy yet, just visit booker. co.uk to read it or ask your RDM for a copy and they’ll be delighted to help.

ENERGY

Reducing the amount of energy your store uses has never been more critical, which is why the first section of the latest Fit for the Future guide focuses on this vital area.

One of the easiest ways that Londis retailers can make sure they are getting the best deals possible is by joining the Booker Energy Buying

Grow sales and profit
FUTURE
4 KEY PILLARS There are four key areas featured in the latest Fit for the Future 4 guide, as follows: 1. ENERGY Helping you to save more money. 2. VALUE Delivering Choice, Price and Service. 3. AVAILABILITY Tools to help and improve your availability. 4. MAKE MORE, SAVE MORE Ways to increase cash profit and save money.

Club. Run by longstanding Booker partners Saffron Business Solutions, the Buying Club allows Londis retailers to take advantage of the fact that, as part of a much bigger group, they can benefit from increased buying power.

The Buying Club allows Saffron to negotiate on behalf of Londis retailers and potentially secure better terms for your energy bills.

To find out more, speak to your RDM or contact Saffron direct on 03448 222 802 or by emailing info@sb-solutions.co.uk or by visiting them at sb-solutions.co.uk online.

You can also make savings of up to £20,000 a year by following the tips featured in the panel within this article.

These tips include the use of alternative technologies such as solar arrays, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers. Booker works with Hawley Energy, an independent business that specialises in this area and can carry out an audit on your business and help advise on where you can improve your energy usage and how to do it.

Call 0333 8000 771, email energysaving@ hbsmep.co.uk or visit hsmep.co.uk for more information.

VALUE

Thanks to the current challenging economic environment, value has never been more important to shoppers and one of the ways many shoppers have found to get more value for their pound is by turning to own-brand products.

Indeed, according to the latest data from IGD, some 37% of shoppers have switched to own-brand options – a huge

ENERGY SAVING TOP TIPS

£20K SAVINGS FOR AN AVERAGE STORE

LIGHTING

l Upgrading to LEDs can generate savings of around 30%

l Install motion sensors in low traffic areas

l Use timers so lighting is only on during opening hours

l For outdoor areas consider “dusk to dawn” photocell lighting

HEATING AND COOLING

l Heat and cool your shop sensibly

l Maintain Heating, Ventilation and Air Con (HVAC) systems

l Check thermostats are in the most suitable position – e.g. not next to a window or heater and not at a high level

l Don’t use extra electric heaters – these are expensive to run

l Keep main/front doors closed in colder temperatures

REFRIGERATION

l Retrofit doors to upright refrigeration and save around 50%

l Upgrade old refrigeration to see savings of around 40%

l Review your current refrigeration and frozen temperatures

l Review the temperature and timers of soft drinks & BWS chillers

l Regularly check and clean the condensers and evaporators on your fridges

OPERATIONS/MANAGEMENT

l Incentivise team members to come up with energy saving ideas

l Use an external audit company to identify possible savings

l Use alternative technology such as solar panels and smart meters

l Review all hot food units and ensure these are switched off at non-peak times

l Don’t leave IT equipment on standby overnight

MAKING THE MOST OF PROMOTIONS?

To help you ensure you are communicating your value proposition effectively to your shoppers, the Fit for the Future 4 guide asks some helpful questions:

ARE YOU USING YOUR EXTERNAL POSTER FRAMES FULLY?

l Mega Deals

l Fresh 4

l Key Deals

HAVE THE PROMO ENDS BEEN MERCHANDISED PROPERLY?

Is the POS kit used throughout store? How do you use your leaflets?

l Distributed?

l Placed in baskets?

ARE YOU ACTIVE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

l Facebook

l Instagram

l Tik Tok

l Do you use the Londis social media assets?

MAKING THE MOST OF FOOTFALL DRIVERS?

With so many tools available to Londis retailers to maximise footfall, the Fit for the Future 4 guide provides a brief reminder of areas where you can ensure you are doing all you can to drive footfall:

Milk & Bread

l Competitive pricing

l EDLP POS

l Improved choice – Hovis Simple

EDLP

l Over 350 SKUs

l New improved EDLP POS

Food to Go

l Do you have a hot food offer?

l Do you sell frozen drinks?

l Do you offer coffee?

Vape

l Extended range available

l Over 130 lines

l Wholesale deals now available

l Do you run multibuys?

l Now qualifies for Spend & Save

Tobacco Club

l Marketing leading WSPs & RSPs

l Earn up to 12% POR

Frozen Meal Deal

l Feed the family for £5.50

l Impactful POS kits available

Group Exclusives & NPD

l Do you stock?

l Are you highlighting with POS?

l Do you upsell to customers?

Sandwich Meal Deal

l Are you running the deal?

l FREE POS kit available

67
Try the Irresistible Taste New HEAT HAPPENS STAY COOL GET YOUR FILL OF NEW IRRESISTIBLE CHILL M144606 To find out about further ways we can support you please visit MY.CCEP.COM ©2023. The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved. Sprite is a registered trade mark of The Coca-Cola Company.

increase on the 17% of shoppers who said the same thing less than two years ago. That’s precisely why the Fit for the Future 4 guide dedicates a section to the Jack’s and Euro Shopper ranges.

Euro Shopper delivers the amazing value that many of today’s shoppers are seeking on more than 75 everyday essentials.

This exclusive to Booker Group range lets Londis retailers offer their shoppers a fantastic value alternative on a wide array of products that they need every day in life, helping reduce the cost of the shop and helping them manage their budgets more effectively.

All Euro Shopper lines carry a POR of at least 30% so Londis retailers also benefit from stocking this exceptional range.

The Jack’s range, meanwhile, now extends to more than 500 lines across most product categories, again delivering a minimum 30% POR on the vast majority of products. Exclusive to the Booker Group, Jack’s delivers Tesco-quality products at fantastic prices.

Jack’s has been constantly enhanced with the addition of a selection of ‘2 for’ deals and ‘Fresh 4’ marketleading deals each promotional period as well as the addition of new product lines like the new range of Jack’s family meal solutions.

AVAILABILITY

Having the products your shoppers want on-shelf at all times is critical to growing footfall, sales and profits.

The Fit for the Future 4 Guide reminds retailers that Booker offers a wealth of tools and resources to help you manage availability. These include:

New availability report

l Reason & Resolution dates

l Product Search available

l Every Monday & on website

New lines

l Headstarts & POF

l Category guidance

l Pre-sells

Use of planograms

l Provides latest range and insight

l Different sizes to suit store type

l Now with barcodes to order products

Adds & deletes

l Weekly updates for new lines and deletions

l Available every Friday

Comms

l Daily email for latest updates

l Weekly Bulletin

l Historical comms available

Booker.co.uk

l Are you using all the tools?

l Single location for all information

MAKE MORE, SAVE MORE

The Plan for Profit 4 Guide concludes with Londis’ outstanding ‘Make More, Save More’ model which can add up to £146,000 of improvements for Londis retailers every year!

It’s worth finding the time to find 10 minutes in your hectic day just to read this section alone. The section features 14 different solutions that Londis retailers can adopt to add more than £123,000 to their sales and three solutions that can help you save as much as £23,500 a year.

The question to ask yourself is: how many of them are you taking advantage of?

69 FIT FOR THE FUTURE 4
TO READ THE LATEST FIT FOR THE FUTURE GUIDE VISIT BOOKER.CO.UK OR ASK YOUR RDM FOR A COPY

M199303

M239569

THE NO.1 FROZEN TAKEAWAY PIZZA BRAND

CIRCANA VALUE SALES SYMBOLS AND INDEPENDENTS 52 W/E TO 10TH JUNE

Boost your online presence

Drive footfall and sales with Yext

Absolutely free!

77% increase in ‘Get Directions’ searches on Google Maps

Improved web search results = better sales

A new Booker partnership with Yext is helping Londis retailers to improve their web search results and boost sales.

The World Wide Web has been revolutionary in its ability to help customers quickly find what they want and help retailers grow footfall and sales. Now, thanks to a new partnership between Booker and online data management platform Yext, Londis retailers have a meaningful and significant opportunity to drive even more shoppers and spend to their door.

If you’ve ever spent time trying to ensure that all your various online listings and data are correct and up to date, you’ll know how time consuming that process can be. Regularly updating every listing on every major search

73 SERVICE UPDATE
NEW ime to CLAIM YOUR FREE POS KIT BY SCANNING THE QR CODE 1. ACTIVATE POS KIT INSTORE! 2. SUBMIT PHOTO TO YOURPOS@BRITVIC.COM 3. 50 WINNERS TO BE CHOSEN 4. WIN £100 18+ Booker store owners residing in UK only. Promo Period 12:00 02.08.23 – 23:59 05.09.23. No purchase necessary. Internet access required. To enter prize draw, scan the QR or visit www.atyourconvenience.com/pepsimango to claim your free POS kit. 750 kits available, max 1 per outlet. Display this kit in your outlet, take a photo and email it to yourpos@britvic.com. Max 1 entry per person and per store. Max 1 prize per store. Prizes: 1 x £100 paid via BACS. 50 prizes in total. Draw 7 working days after promotional end date. Prizes must be claimed in 7 working days from initial winner notification. Exclusions apply. Full T&Cs: atyourconvenience.com/terms-conditions/pepsi-mango-competition/ Promoter: Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd. M288075

engine as well as various relevant directories is clearly important, but it’s a huge task – and that’s precisely where Yext comes in.

Available to all Londis retailers now and absolutely free, Yext enables stores to keep all their online information in one place and update all major search engines and directories with just one simple click.

The initiative represents a significant investment by Booker Group but it is forecast to be money well spent. It is estimated that Yext could help generate a £20m retail sales opportunity across the group.

WHAT IS YEXT?

Yext is an online data management platform where you can update your business information once in just one place and it then updates it everywhere for you.

It helps you to manage key information about your business, such as its address, phone number, opening hours, products, menus, services and more, across all search engines and social media platforms. No more inaccurate opening times or out-of-date information!

Critically, Yext also helps to improve your store’s visibility and ranking in web searches. In other words, ‘you’ appear much closer to the top of the page in online searches.

HOW WILL YEXT HELP YOU?

Yext will help Londis store owners to ensure that Google and all other major search engines have your most up-to-date information on their platforms.

In trials, a 77% increase in ‘Get Directions’ searches was seen for stores on Google Maps – proving that Yext really can help to drive footfall to your store.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

Nothing! Booker is providing access to Yext for all Londis retailers FREE OF CHARGE.

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?

If you haven’t claimed your Google business listing, then you don’t have to do anything.

If you have claimed your business, then follow the below guidance:

STEP 1

GOOGLE LISTINGS PERMISSION EMAIL

If you have already claimed ownership of your Google Business Listing, you will have received an email from Google with the subject line: ‘You’ve received an ownership request’.

l Click on the blue ‘Respond’ button.

l Click on the link to accept Booker as an owner of the profile.

l If you don’t respond to your Google Listings Permissions Email, Google will send a postcard in the post.

l The postcard will contain a five-digit code and link to complete your registration.

STEP 2 USING YEXT

l Following launch, you will receive an email from Yext. This will invite you to register with the platform.

l Click on the link at the bottom of the email.

l Set up your account and password.

l Your store information can be updated in the Knowledge Graph panel and Entities sub menu. All amendable information is indicated using a pen icon.

l You can also enable SMS updates to make changes using your mobile phone.

Harnessing the power of Yext, Londis retailers really do have the opportunity to be at their digital bests, improving their web search results and ultimately boosting footfall and sales into their stores.

Talk to your Londis RDM or visit help.yext.com for more details or if you need some extra help on how to use Yext.

75 SERVICE UPDATE –YEXT

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Make your voice heard

Keep it local

The long-running ACS Community Barometer report has once again found that the majority of shoppers would prefer to see investment in their local area, rather than in nearby town or city centres.

At ACS, we recently launched our Community Barometer report which looks at how people value the services in their area, what they would like to see more of, and how they would prioritise investment in their community. The report looks at a total of 16 different local services from petrol stations and pubs to takeaways and charity shops.

We first launched this report in 2014 and over the years the findings have revealed the important role that local shops play in their communities, providing essential services and acting as social hubs for their customers.

This year’s report has seen Post Offices rank the highest for the most positive impact on a local

area followed by pharmacies and convenience stores. These three services were also rated highest among local people as the most essential, with pharmacies topping the list, followed by Post Offices and convenience stores.

Convenience stores have continued to adapt and evolve to meet the needs of their customers and many stores do this by recognising gaps in their local area and then expanding to meet these needs. This can be anything from hosting Post Offices to offering banking services and prescription collections.

As a retailer, this report is a useful tool not only in validating the important role that you play in your local community but also to give you an idea of the services that your customers might be looking for and that you might be able to offer.

A key area that the report investigates is where people think investment should be directed. This year’s report has revealed that around twothirds of people would want to see investment in their immediate local area rather than in their nearest town or city centre.

The shift to hybrid working has meant that many people are spending less time commuting and more time near where they live and with this shift there has been an increase in demand for high quality services closer to home. This is something that the Government should take into consideration to ensure that local parades, villages and rural hubs are not left behind in the levelling up agenda.

The full Community Barometer report is available on our website and as always, if you have any questions please get in touch.

VIEWPOINT: ACS
This year’s report Visit toacs.org.uk access the full finding of this year’sBarometerCommunity survey 77

HOW

FABULOUS.
FOX’S. STOCK UP
FOX’S MILK CHOCOLATEY ROUNDS WORTH OVER £11.7M, +£3.7M YOY 1 1 IN 3 SHOPPERS REPEAT PURCHASE 2 1. NIQ, Total Coverage 20.05.2023 2. Kantar 14.05.2023 Product Code: 285964 OUTPERFORMING THE SPECIAL TREATS SEGMENT WITH GROWTH OF +46.7% YOY 1
HOW
NOW!

LET'S

with our new members and longstanding partners

New stores

Londis - Churcham Service

Priory Hay, Gloucestershire

Londis - Nts Coach House Petersfield, Hampshire

Londis - The Old Job Centre Bacup, Lancashire

Londis - Bridgend Freuchie, Fife

Londis - Saltaire Saltaire, Bradford

Londis - Nts Maynes Services

Camborne, Cornwall

Londis Thunder Lane Nts Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich

Londis - Bignall End

Bignall End, Staffordshire

Londis - Abercynon Servic Abercynon, Mountain Ash

Londis - City Service Sta

Hereford

Londis - Stanwell Stanwell, Staines

Londis - Croydon Road

Wallington, Sutton

Londis - Park View Road

Welling, Bexley

Londis - Imperial Greenock

Londis - Stanley Road

Swanscombe, Kent

Londis - Valley Services

Cwmbach, Aberdare

Londis - Gulf Hemel Hemps

Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

Londis - Glastonbury

Glastonbury, Somerset

Londis - Nts Falmouth Gar

Penryn, Cornwall

Londis - Bexley Heath

Bexleyheath

Londis - Bromley Service

Bromley

Londis - Farningham Services

Farningham, Dartford

Londis - Sidcup Service Station

Sidcup

Londis - Swanley Service

Swanley

Londis - Weekes Food & Wi

East Grinstead

Londis - Flixton Road

Flixton, Manchester

Londis - Anson Service Station

Gosport

Londis - Scorton Services

Richmond

Londis - Kingsley Moor

Kingsley Moor

Londis - Devonshire Squar

Loughborough

CELEBRATE
GB, (England and Wales) 18+ only. Promo Period 09:00 28th June to 23:59 1st August 2023. Entrants must have a mobile phone to enter this promotion. Purchase necessary. To enter purchase any 3 cases of participating Robinsons products from Booker stores only (Available for online purchase), then text CRICKET to 66777 during the promotional period. Max 10 entries per person/mobile. Max 1 prize per household. Prize: 16 pairs of tickets to The Hundred to be won. 16 prizes available. Prizes allocated through two prize draws throughout the promotion. 11 pairs of tickets available from 28/06/23 - 17/07/23. 5 pairs of tickets available from 18/07/23 – 01/09/23. Standard network rates apply. Prizes must be claimed in 7 working days. Retain receipt. Exclusions apply. Full T&Cs, prize details & entry: https://www.britvic.com/terms-and-conditions/ Promoter: Britvic Soft Drinks Ltd. Selected stores. Subject to availability.
M282716 M268886
M276213

Londis birthdays

Many happy returns to all those celebrating their time with us. More than just a brand, Londis is a family of like-minded convenience retailers whose focus is to provide a much-needed service to their local community

Londis - Orpington

Derry Downs, Orpington

Londis - Kingston Upon Thames

Kingston Upon Thames

Strensall Service Station

Strensall, York

R N Convenience Store

Leicester

Huntley Service Station

Huntley, Gloucester

Cheltenham Services

Westal Green, Cheltenham

Westgate Services

Levis Court, Gloucester

Boxmoor Village Store

Hemel Hemstead

Londis - Arlesey

Arlessy

Chaddesley Garage

Kidderminster

Londis Bilton Road

Greenford

Londis - Nutley Service S

Nutley, Uckfield

Londis Awsworth

Awsworth, Nottingham

Bp Service Station Northolt

Londis Stockport Road

Marple, Stockport

Londis - Amersham Road

Chesham, Buckinghamshire

Londis - Colnbrook

Datchet, Slough

Londis - Greenford

Perrivale Village, Greenford

The Pantry

Gawbar, Barnsely

Londis - Chesham 7 Greenw Chesham, Buckinghamshire

Londis - Chesham 3 Greenw

Chesham, Buckinghamshire

Londis Albrighton

Albrighton, Shropshire

Nts Manor Garage

Rogiet, Monmouthshire

Hemsby Service Station

Hemsby, Norfolk

Limes Service Station Walkden, Salford

Horwich Service Station Horwich. Bolton

Londis Barking Road Newham

Londis - Rosliston Road Burton Upon Trent

Shop Inn Reading

The Pop In Hartland, Devon

Londis - Oakley Stores Corsham, Wiltshire

Sandford Stores North Somerset

Treowen Stores

Newbridge, Caerphilly

Londis Wembley Brent

Londis - Pitsea

Pitsea, Basildon

Londis Anstey Anstey, Leicestershire

Kannan News

Hinckley

Londis - Horton Heath *Te Horton Heath, Hampshire

Londis Barford

Milton Keynes

Avenue Stores Mayfield, Edinburgh

Londis Redbridge Lane East Redbridge

Caenby Corner Garage Lincolnshire

Cunliffes Garage

Boundary Park, Blackpool

Turnham Food & Wines Hounslow

Wivelsfield Green Po & St East Sussex

Londis Barnes Richmond Upon Thames

Londis Burgess Hill

Burgess Hill, West Sussex

Rushi Stores Wokingham

Londis - Watney Street Tower Hamlets

Londis Haxby Road The Groves, York

Roberts Stores Chiddingfold, Surrey

Londis Ashford Supermarket Ashford, Surrey

Barley Stores Barley, Hertfordshire

Southside Stores South Molton, Devon

Coxhoe Discount Store Coxhoe, County Durham

Fordingbridge Service Sta Fordingbridge, Hampshire

Cross Hands Garage *Tet* Hartpury, Gloucestershire

81
LONDIS BIRTHDAYS
Gwalia
Caeathro, Gwynedd 1 20 40 2 21 41 3 22 42 4 23 43 5 24 44 6 25 45 7 26 46 8 27 47 9 28 48 10 29 49 11 30 50 12 31 51 13 32 52 14 33 53 15 34 54 16 35 55 17 36 56 18 37 57 19 38 58 39 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 10 YEARS 15 YEARS 15 YEARS 15 YEARS 15 YEARS 15 YEARS 20 YEARS 20 YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 YEARS 25 YEARS
Garage

the Londis Retail Forum Working together...

JAMIE WOOD

St. Michael’s Services, Dumfries

Tel: 01387 254304

Mobile: 07759 260621

Email: stmichaelsservicesltd@gmail.com

ASHTON GARDNER

Gardner Garages, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Mobile: 07826 857797

Email: ashton@gardnergarages.co.uk

SARAH COPE

Londis, Lynton, Devon

Tel: 01598 753326

Mobile: 07808 831379

Email: scope71@hotmail.co.uk

ARJAN MEHR

Londis, Bracknell, Berkshire

Tel: 01344 425565

Mobile: 07710 567008

Email: arjanmehr@aol.com

STEVE BASSETT

Londis, Weymouth, Dorset

Mobile: 07875 286657

Email: steedthrust@googlemail.com

Supporting the Londis retail family!

NATALIE LIGHTFOOT

Londis, Lanarkshire, Glasgow

Tel: 0141 7710490

Mobile: 07915 059101

Email: londis.solo@hotmail.com

TERRY CATON

Londis, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Tel: 01246 208565

Mobile: 07769 644853

Email: tcaton.londis@gmail.com

ROGER PERRY

Londis, East Riding, Yorkshire

Tel: 01964 544200

Mobile: 07786 330164

Email: perryroger9@aol.com

NISHI PATEL

Londis, Bexley Park, London

Tel: 01322 527052

Mobile: 07799422372

Email: londisbexleypark@outlook.com

ALPESH PATEL

Londis, London N4

Tel: 020 8340 1919

Mobile: 07939 944557

Email: alpeshspatel@hotmail.com

We are always happy to hear from you, so please give us a call or send us a message on our contact details above…

83 RETAILER FORUM

LET THE BATTLE OF THE BREAKS BEGIN LET THE BATTLE OF THE BREAKS BEGIN

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