TOP PRODUCTS OF 2025
Alex Yau, editor
WELCOME to the nal Retail Express of 2025 – and it’s an absolute blinder. Our main news story (page 3) is another example of how Retail Express ghts the corner of independent retailers.
The story details how Costcutter retailer Rakesh Bhimjiyani was able to successfully appeal a xed penalty notice issued over allegations of flytipping. A er he got in contact with Retail Express, we were able to get Camden Council to admit it had issued the ne in error and do a U-turn on its decision.
Other retailers have experienced similar issues with overzealous council o cers, but proposals put forward by government could put an end to such predatory practices.
This story is an example of the many ways Retail Express has campaigned for retailers over the past 12 months. One example included exposing a councillor who abused a retailer over a parcel collection. The story forced the foul-mouthed o cial to resign from his role.
Other exclusives include proli c business rates scammers being named and shamed by the BBC following years of investigation by Retail Express, revealing how shop violence has escalated to pregnant retailers and other female workers being harmed, and being the rst to reveal how thousands of retailers risked breaching environmental laws a er a recycling rm halted its services.
Going into the new year, Retail Express will continue to back retailers in the same way. Until then, I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
@retailexpress betterretailing.com facebook.com/betterretailing
Editor Alex Yau
alex.yau@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3358
News editor Ciarán Donnelly ciaran.donnelly@ newtrade.co.uk 07743 936703
News reporter
Kwame Boakye
kwame.boakye@ newtrade.co.uk
Production manager Chris Gardner 020 7689 3368
Senior production & content editor Ryan Cooper 020 7689 3354
Copy editor Minhaj Zia
Senior designer Jody Cooke 020 7689 3380
Editor – news Jack Courtez jack.courtez@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3371
Features editor Charles Whitting charles.whitting@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3350
Features and advertorial writer Shyama Laxman shyama.laxman@ newtrade.co.uk
Editor in chief Louise Banham louise.banham@ newtrade.co.uk
Features writer Jasper Hart jasper.hart@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3384
Major water outage a ects sales in local shops
ALEX YAU
LOCAL shops saw a boost in bottled water demand, while others lost £1,000 in sales due to a major water outage caused by blundering South East Water.
On 29 November, South East Water was forced to shut down water supply for up to
24,000 businesses and homes in Tunbridge Wells, Pembury, Frant and Eridge due to an accidental contamination.
The issue led to bottledwater shortages in supermarkets and major cash and carries.
Multi-site retailer Peter Patel, who runs a shop in Tunbridge Wells, saw a spike in
bottled-water demand following the outage. He told Retail Express: “Our water supply was �ine, but customers living in affected areas were coming in to stock up. We didn’t realise at �irst, otherwise I would have told staff to ration our supply. I then instructed the team to go to a cash and carry for more water.”
He
THE government has expanded its retail-crime crackdown, increasing police patrols and engagement with businesses as part of its Winter of Action initiative, similar to a summer campaign run this year.
Home secretary Shabanna
Mahmood said: “Shoplifting and antisocial behaviour are tearing at the fabric of our communities.
“This winter, we are launching a crime-�ighting blitz, with police patrolling our high streets across the UK.”
THE police has admitted greater funding is needed to bring suspects to trial by 2028/2029, as part of its criminal investigation into the Post Of�ice Horizon scandal.
In an update on Operation
Olympos, gold lead for the operation, commander Stephen Clayman (pictured), revealed the investigation was “interested in” 53 individuals, including eight named suspects with �ive people interviewed under caution.
Daw 020 7689 3363 Head of commercial
Reeve 07856 475 788
Designer Lauren Jackson Head of marketing
account director Lindsay Hudson 07749 416 544 Senior account manager
Managing director Parin Gohil 020 7689 3388
Head of digital Luthfa Begum 07909 254 949
King 020 7689 3387 Finance manager Magdalena Kalasiuniene 020 7689 0600
42,624
branding and ‘Mega Deals’ display units.
Tesco Express site shares similarities with UK counterparts through
However, it also has an extensive range of Tesco own-label products and supermarket-style displays for fresh produce and goods baked in store.
A LONDIS in London made its big-screen debut in a �ilm showing its contribution to the community.
Londis N16 in north London worked with independent �ilmmaker Huxley Scott on the �ilm, aired at The Rio
Cinema in London on 14 December. It highlighted the retailer’s involvement with a local supper club and how it used home-cooked food to raise awareness of the Gujarati community locally.
Image credit: Mike Martin MP
Karan Patel, of Budgens Sherwood in Tunbridge Wells, has lost nearly £1,000 in coffee sales due to the disruption.
told Retail Express: “We couldn’t connect the water pipe to the Costa Coffee machine, and it also affected hygiene for staff, as they couldn’t wash their hands.”
Retailer wins battle with council over littering ne
at the end of the day.
A RETAILER has successfully fought back against a littering penalty, after support from Retail Express forced the council to admit the �ine was “issued in error”.
On 20 October, Camden Council issued Rakesh Bhimjiyani, of Costcutter Hampstead in north London, a �ixed-penalty notice (FPN) after it alleged the retailer had �ly-tipped as part of a shopfront refurbishment.
The �ine had been issued by an of�icer from Kingdom Local Authority Support, a third party hired by the council.
Bhimjiyani disputed the FPN and appealed for it to be withdrawn, but the council did not budge and threatened court action if the �ine was not paid on time.
He told Retail Express: “There is a side window area where we display our produce and works had been going on there for approximately three weeks. We have always cleared up after ourselves.
“CCTV footage clearly shows the refrigeration engineer working no more than three metres away from the of�icer.
“The of�icer could have very easily asked: ‘Was that his waste and was he going to clear it?’ My staff also informed the enforcement of�icer that the workmen would remove the materials
“Instead, he decided to issue a penalty, even after me speaking to him and explaining that the workmen always cleared up when they �inished. The materials are always neatly placed beside securely chained commercial cages belonging to my shop.
“I have been very active in reporting �ly-tipping in the area to the council and for me to commit the offence myself is a little ridiculous. In the past 10 years, I have lodged more than 500 reports.
“When I Google ‘Kingdom Local Authority Support’, there are many reports of councils up and down the country that have ceased or reviewed association with it.
“It almost feels like it has a quota to meet and a �inancial interest in handing out as many penalty notices as it can.”
Retail Express contacted Camden Council and Kingdom Local Authority Support to help Bhimjiyani dispute the FPN.
In response, a Kingdom Local Authority Support spokesperson con�irmed it had U-turned on the FPN.
nesses in managing their waste responsibly, and sometimes this includes issuing FPNs when waste is disposed of incorrectly.
“In this instance, following a thorough review of all the evidence, we have con�irmed that the FPN had been issued in error.
They added: “Since July 2022, we are proud to have been working with Camden Council to help keep the streets of Camden cleaner, safer and more welcoming for residents and businessowners alike.
“We support local busi-
“We are pleased the business owner made use of our clear, accessible representation process and the outcome of the review has now been shared with the business owner.
“The of�icer has also received some retraining to ensure they are clear on
“I USE Excel to keep track of sta availability and hours, but will look at introducing management software in 2026. We want to use an AI system to input hourly turnover for a month and see how many hours it gives sta . It’s trying to juggle sta ng with saving time; we can’t give sta four-hour shifts and expect them to travel there and back. Rotas are complicated, especially since many of my sta work across a number of stores.” Nishi Patel, Londis Bexley Park, Kent
GOOD WEEK
what constitutes an FPN to avoid reoccurrence in the future.
“Overall, less than 0.01% of our FPNs result in a complaint, and our of�icers are dedicated to tackling littering and �ly-tipping across towns and cities across England, helping to ensure that everyone can enjoy wellmaintained public spaces.”
The victory comes as ministers have announced potential crackdowns in England, where councils would have to end contracts with private agencies who earn between 50% and 100% of �ines served
for littering.
Retailers have previously criticised councils over similar claims they had incorrectly issued FPNs.
Last year, Nishi Patel, of Londis Bexley Park in Dartford, was issued a �ine after he was accused of �lytipping by his council. Patel had placed banners in the local area with his details to raise awareness of his store’s 20th birthday celebrations.
He added that he was not contacted about the issue, despite his contact details being displayed on the banners.
ELLE: Hearst has con rmed it is to reprint its current edition of the fashion and lifestyle magazine to keep up with unprecedented demand. Demand for the joint December and January issue was driven by social media influencers and a free Charlotte Tilbury beauty light wand worth £30. Retailers have since been struggling to obtain enough copies.
DRS: The organisation behind the upcoming 2027 legislation has urged retailers to begin preparing now, stating small shops will play a crucial role. It said: “Convenience retail will be crucial in making DRS a success, providing local neighbourhood return points that will make returns easy for consumers, and help us to cut waste and increase recycling.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘DRS’
BAD WEEK
TOBACCO: Independent convenience retailers are seeing sales declines due to an “overreliance” on traditional categories such as alcohol, vapes and tobacco, according to insight company TWC. The rm claimed average annual revenue for stores reliant on these categories was £28,000 lower than a year ago.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘TWC’
SMITHS NEWS: The wholesaler’s fee for its recycling service has spiked by 42.6%, with an additional £50 annual fee. In letters sent to retailers last month, the wholesaler blamed “rising costs and inflation”.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Smiths News’
“I PAY £40 a month for the Sage software package, which enables me to manage sta rotas, holidays, wages, National Insurance and pensions. It does everything for us. Across my stores, I’ve got 22 sta , who are quite flexible and will cover shifts across both shops, so it’s not hard for us to work it out. These services can help free up a lot of a shop owner’s time. I would say the monthly investment is worth it.”
Barry Patel, Nisa Local, Luton
020
or
alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk Sta ng: how are you e ectively managing employees?
“I GOT rid of Evri parcel processing over three months ago, which has allowed me to cut sta ng hours from 360 to 275 hours per week. This has enabled me to save £4,100 a month in wages. It’s not changed my sales – I’ve not grown them, but it brings other bene ts, such as knowing that I’ve got a lot more done and feel as though I’ve put myself on a stronger footing for Christmas.”
Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow
ALEX YAU
Natalie Lightfoot
Gov’t failing stores on illicit trade
LOUISE BANHAM
THE government’s failure to properly tackle the illicit vape and tobacco trade is costing retailers a significant sum in lost sales.
Paul Cheema, of Malcolm’s Costcutter in Coventry, told delegates at the UKVIA Forum that the illicit market surrounding his two stores had resulted in a 63% decrease in vape and tobacco revenue in
the past year.
“If the Tobacco and Vapes Bill and the generational ban come in, what effect will it have on businesses?” he said.
“Smoking alternatives are very important to retailers’ businesses. Additional regulation like plain packs will make it much harder for the person on the checkout. And UK consumers will get what want from where they can get it, so we’ll lose footfall and
jobs will go.
“We need to come together as one voice and take that voice to government.”
Cheema’s call came on the same day the government announced new enforcement powers to tackle illicit vapes and tobacco.
In her Autumn Budget, chancellor Rachel Reeves said the government would “undertake additional high-street enforcement activity” to
“crack down on illicit vapes”.
Around 350 criminal investigators will be recruited as part of a new team in HMRC’s Fraud Investigation to target illicit trade.
The government also announced measures to incentivise those who provide intelligence to HMRC on alleged illicit traders.
Details of what the incentives will be exactly are yet to be announced.
Police retailer support
WANIS International Foods hosted the Metropolitan Police, inviting retailers to raise issues and ask for advice relating to retail crime.
During the drop-in session at the London cash and carry in Leyton this month, store owners were able to speak directly to Metropolitan Police officers about safeguarding, theft prevention and staff safety during the busy Christmas period. The wholesaler has previously held similar support events.
PARFETTS is launching a bespoke hub for retailers in 2026 to offer ranging and sales advice on core categories. Called Go For Growth, the service will also be available for the wholesaler’s ownlabel range. Parfetts joint managing director Guy Swindell said: “It’s our responsibility to help
PayPoint stamps error
PAYPOINT stores were charged £169.66 without consent for stamps.
Although the firm offered retailers the chance to opt out, many were unaware. A PayPoint spokesperson told
Retail Express: “As customers increasingly associate Royal Mail Shops with stamp availability, having stock on hand will help retailers to avoid disappointment and enhance the customer experience.”
Access exclusive pricing data
PRODUCTS
Grenade Creme Egg protein bar
SHYAMA LAXMAN
GRENADE has unveiled a limited-edition Soft Core protein bar in collaboration with Mondelez International’s Creme Egg, available now to convenience store retailers.
Grenade Soft Core Creme Egg protein bar can be purchased until April 2026 in a 45g on-the-go format. The bar features more than 13g of protein, making it the brand’s lowest-protein bar to date. It also contains 2g of sugar, making it HFSS-compliant.
The product has a �luffy dough and yolk-coloured Creme Egg-�lavoured �illing wrapped in milk chocolate.
According to the manu-
facturer, the protein bar category is on track to double by 2030, and Grenade is hoping the brand recognition will attract new shoppers.
Rachel Austerberry, UK retail sales director at Grenade, said: “Grenade is breaking new ground with the �irst-ever of�icial Creme Egg-�lavoured protein product. Our new Soft Core range is an innovative addition to our offering that is sure to drive consumer interest and recruit new consumers to the category, thanks to its more indulgent texture and taste.”
Hard Rock Cocktails expands distribution
HARD Rock Cocktails has partnered with Co-op Wholesale to further expand its ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail range in the UK.
Galaxy Hot Chocolate winter campaign
Butcombe launches in can format
BUTCOMBE Original is now available to independent retailers in a 440ml fourpack can format, at an RRP of £6.80. The move to cans re�lects growing consumer demand for heritage craft beers in versatile formats, according to the supplier.
Jayson Perfect, chief operating of�icer at Butcombe Group, said: “The launch of Butcombe Original in cans is an exciting step for us. This new format means more beer lovers can enjoy the same award-winning taste and quality of our �lagship session bitter. We are proud to bring Butcombe Original to an even wider audience.”
Carlsberg Britvic expands beer formats
The range includes four �lavours: Mojito, Mango Mojito, Peach Punch and Pink Coconut Breeze. The range aims to offer a distinct personality through its branding and package design, and is already proving popular among those seeking premium RTD options that deliver both quality and attitude, according to the supplier.
George Markham,
national account manager at Hard Rock Cocktails, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Co-op Wholesale. Its expertise, scale and strong relationships with independent retailers makes it the ideal partner for Hard Rock Cocktails as we continue to grow across the UK.”
Gingerbread Man’s Scottish launch
GLASGOW baker McGhee’s Bakery has launched Gingerbread Men across Spar, Scotland, Scotmid and OneO-One stores.
According to the supplier, it taps into a trend for nostalgic treats. The baker will also bring back its Empire Biscuits, citing customer demand. Aisling McGhee, commercial director at McGhee’s, said: “Gingerbread men and Empire Biscuits have both seen a revival as shoppers look for small, affordable treats that feel special in the run-up to Christmas.”
MARS Drinks & Treats’ (MD&T) new outdoor campaign celebrates its Galaxy Hot Chocolate range. According to the supplier, 35% of hot chocolate sales take place in the �inal quarter of the year.
The ads, featuring Galaxy Instant, Galaxy Light and Galaxy Drinking Chocolate, will appear across roadside and PoS panels to boost awareness and drive sales.
Kerry Cavanaugh, general manager at MD&T, said: “We believe that with the night drawing in and the arrival of
colder weather, reminding shoppers about the Galaxy Hot Chocolate range before and while they shop will help drive incremental sales.”
CARLSBERG Britvic lines 1664 Biere, Carlsberg Danish Pilsner and Holsten Pilsner have expanded their existing ranges with new 10-pack price-marked packs, exclusive to convenience stores. The new packs are available from Parfetts and Bestway, with RRPs ranging from £9.99 to £12.99.
increase basket spend and cater to more socialising occasions throughout the year, the supplier added.
Lost
Sheep lands in Southern Co-op
LOST Sheep Coffee has secured listings in 46 Southern Co-op stores across the south of England. Iced Latte, Iced Mocha and Iced Caramel Latte will be available in 250ml cans at an RRP of £2.20.
Stuart Wilson, founder or Lost Sheep Coffee, said: “Our listening with Southern Co-op is testament to how far
we’ve come on our mission to bring speciality grade Aussie-style coffee to the mainstream.
“Our cans are �illed with freshly ground and brewed beans that are 100% farm traceable and hand-roasted in Kent.”
The range is also available via Curd & Cure, Costwold Fayre and Diverse Fine Foods.
The new 10-packs will help retailers cater to more at-home gatherings, according to the supplier. 51.8% of convenience shoppers purchased a price-marked product, within the convenience channel, from late June to mid-September this year. For shoppers, price marking signals clear value, while larger formats help retailers
BrewDog updates
Punk IPA recipes
BREWDOG has updated the recipe of its Punk IPA, which is touted to be cleaner, brighter and punchier.
The new recipe will be introduced via a nationwide campaign through a series of digital outdoor activations across London and Manchester, with the tagline ‘Tastes like commercial suicide’.
The key change within the recipe is the introduction of the new Krush hop, which delivers intense, long-lasting aromatics and is the foundation of new Punk IPA’s �lavour pro�ile, alongside the original base hops of simcoe and citra, the supplier said. There will be no changes to the price, the supplier added.
World of Sweets unveils 2026 spring range
WORLD of Sweets has announced the launch of its 2026 spring confectionery range.
Products in the line-up include Candy Realms Jelly Bunny Heads, Candy Realms Jelly Filled Mallow Bag, Candy Realms Spring Hard Candy Lollies, Pick ‘n’ Mix Station Spring Mix and Candy Realms Spring Mix Cup.
According to the supplier, spring and Easter continue to be among the year’s biggest trading moments.
Seventy-seven per cent of shoppers buy products on promotion, reinforcing the importance of accessible prices and value messaging.
Fifty-eight per cent of shoppers plan to celebrate, with 75% buying products they don’t usually purchase and 40% intending to give gifts.
Social media trends continue to drive demand for shareable and novelty-led treats beyond traditional chocolate formats, the supplier added.
Word of Sweets said in 2026 retailers should prioritise value; use novelty and seasonal shapes; and maximise impulse with strong off-shelf execution.
Fray Bentos launches Festive Turkey Pie for Christmas
FRAY Bentos has launched a Festive Turkey Pie available at an RRP of £2.99.
The pie, which cooks in 30 minutes, is available via Co-op Wholesale and is intended to give shoppers a cost-saving alternative to a traditional Christmas dinner, according to the supplier.
Jude Smart, brand manager at Fray Bentos, said: “Christmas is about comfort, tradition and hearty meals, and our new pie delivers all three. It captures the classic �lavours of Christmas dinner in a way that’s simple and satisfying.”
Sephra Popcorn launches into Scotmid Co-operative
SEPHRA Popcorn is now available in more than 100 Scotmid Cooperative Stores in Scotland.
Scotmid outlets can stock Sticky Toffee Pudding and Gingerbread popcorn, as well as Sweet and Salty & Sweet in 200g and 140 tub sizes, respectively.
Callum Bond, sales & business development manager at Sephra Popcorn, said: “Being stocked in convenience stores is a key part of our overall business plan, as among other snack options, and impulse buys, many customers will �irst choose Sephra Popcorn.
“We are pleased to be offering Sticky Toffee Pudding and Gingerbread through the Scotmid Stores. They are warming and indulgent �lavours consumers are looking for at this time of the year.”
MY STAR STAFF MEMBER
OPINION
RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS
What do you think? Call Retail Express on 020 7689 3357 for the chance to be featured
Ankit Amrutiya
My role in the shop: supervisor
How did you get involved in retail?
Sasi is currently sponsoring me on a work visa. Prior to coming to work in the convenience sector, I did a degree in computer science in India and worked for seven years in a eld related to what I’d studied at university.
Are there any similarities between computer science and retail?
Computer science is a very analytical role, which transfers quite well into retail. I have to use these skills when it comes to managing promotions and stock across the shop. Although it’s a di erent eld, I can still use the skills I gained from my computer science degree.
What other roles do you have as supervisor?
I’m responsible for the social media management of the shop and help create some of the designs that go with online posts. It’s really rewarding when you see followers engage with the posts you’ve had a hand in making.
Is every day the same?
No. As supervisor, my duties vary quite widely. One day I might be helping to oversee stock management and help ll the shelves on the floor. The other, I’ll have more of a role in customer service.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role? It’s de nitely engaging with customers. We’re a community store, so we see a lot of the same faces each day. We stand out as we have created a personal relationship with these customers –something other stores nearby are unable to do.
PRET EXPRESS: Will you be affected by the loss of the machine?
“I’M the only store in the area with a Pret Express machine, and I’ll be set to lose several hundreds of pounds in coffee sales a week. Expresso Plus, the distributor, offered us an alternative with the L’Or brand, but it just doesn’t have the same recognition as the Pret Express machine.”
“IT has brand recognition among customers, and we were told the machine will be removed from the store by February. I know Pret a Manger has been focusing on its high-street branches, as customers would rather go to cafés instead of getting drinks from a machine.”
AUTUMN BUDGET: How will changes affect your business?
“I HAVE 400 staffed hours each week, with all staff aged over 21. Under my store’s current opening hours, this equates to four staff members on duty at any one time, with two shifts per day. Under the new National Living Wage, my basic wage bill will increase by £200 per week.”
Nishi Patel, Londis Bexley Park, Dartford, Kent
“I PREVIOUSLY paid no business rates because I received rural relief, and my rateable value of £11,750 quali�ied me for small business rates relief. The new rateable value of £14,500 will end my 100% exemption from paying rates. I will therefore pay a new basic rate of £462.”
My wage bill will increase by £10,400 annually
POST OFFICE: How have your experiences helped you?
“I CAME to the East End of London in 1986 to �lee from the civil war in Sri Lanka. I experienced a lot of racism, which made me a stronger person. These experiences mean I’m good with people and navigating obstacles. Having patience and tolerance certainly helps in the role.”
Nivey Jeyarajah, York Road Post Of�ice, south-west London
“BEFORE I started running the post of�ice with my husband, I was a runway and magazine model for 13 years, and then worked as a freelance photographer after that. My background means I’m savvy on social media, which I use to raise the pro�ile of the store.”
Shanaz Nandha, Biggleswade Post Of�ice, Bedfordshire
Anonymous retailer
Store owner: Sasi Patel, Go Local, Rochdale
Anonymous retailer Get in touch
Want to recommend a star member of sta ? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk
PRODUCTS: How are you differentiating?
“I WANT our new niche, our big point of difference, to be local products. This area has got a lot of convenience stores, but we’re the biggest. Now we’ve shown we look the best, our goal is to start getting a greater share of local spending.”
Kevin Polley, Nisa Local Edgemoor Road, Darlington, County Durham
“OUR whole ethos is to ‘do it differently’. The result is our products are genuinely the freshest for miles around, and as well as the loyal and regular customer base we have established, many customers travel surprising distances to come to us as a destination store.”
Ashan Chaudry, Triple ‘a’ Foodhall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Suresh Patel, Premier Upholland, Skelmersdale, Lancashire
‘We
need responsible tobacco regulation’
AS a fully compliant retailer who pays taxes, licences and follows every regulation, it is extremely frustrating to watch illicit cigarettes and vapes �lood the market, often via popup shops linked to organised crime.
This is now a major national problem and legitimate retailers face age checks,
COMMUNITY
licensing, traceability, VAT, duty and business costs. Illicit sellers face none of these and carry little risk. Customers are not to blame. During a cost-of-living crisis, people will look for cheaper products. But this growing shadow economy harms small businesses, fuels organised crime, and puts unsafe and untested vapes
‘Showing love to amazing sta ’ Bay Bashir, Go Local Belle Vue Convenience, Middlesbrough
“WE recently had a great start to a busy week with our annual sta Christmas party when we closed all our stores early at 7.30pm and gathered everyone at my home for a Christmas celebration. We gave out a few awards to a few employees who have gone above and beyond this year. It was about showing some love to our amazing sta for all the hard work they do for us. They’re working every single day on the front line and experience everything that happens in our stores. There was food, drink and a bit of dancing. It costs us to close early, but the returns with morale outweigh this.”
into children’s hands. Enforcement teams want to act, but decades of under-funding mean they are outmatched. We need to properly fund enforcement, target organised illicit supply chains, licence vape retailers and wholesalers, and create a level playing �ield for compliant businesses.
Retailers are not asking for special treatment. We are only looking for fair competition and responsible regulation.
I would be happy to hear from anyone in enforcement, health or retail policy who shares these concerns.
Mo Razzaq, Premier Mo’s, Blantyre
Young retailers shaping the future
BEING a third-generation retailer is something that is hugely important to me and makes up a massive part of my identity within this industry, so when I had the honour of being named one of this year’s RN 30 Under Thirty winners, I was absolutely over the moon.
This initiative, while still being fairly new to the retail world, has already made such an impact on the younger generation of retailers who are ready to step into the spotlight. For those of you reading who have not heard of 30 Under Thirty, it is an awards initiative for retailers and store workers under the age of 30 who are excelling and doing fantastic work in their stores. You can nominate yourself, or even nicer, you can be nominated by a colleague, manager or even in some cases by a supplier or brand. All of the 30 winners are then invited to a celebration day where they can all meet and network with each other, suppliers and all the team at Newtrade, and most importantly, all have their own moment to shine when they receive their trophy.
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
I have been lucky enough to have been a part of this wonderful event for the past three years, and in that time it has just blossomed into an ever-growing group of likeminded and exciting retailers. We have our own WhatsApp group where we can chat to each other, ask questions and share ideas, and it feels so nice to have made friends with peers in my age group in what can sometimes be quite an intimidating industry. It has also been fantastic to see the number of women on the winners list climb and climb every year; this year, we have our highest number of female winners. As a Women In Convenience ambassador, this is extra special for me.
30 Under Thirty has been so a rming for me because I am seen for who I am and the achievements that I have accomplished in the retail world; when you have retail legends for parents, you can sometimes feel like you are in their shadow, but it feels nice to be just Sophie, and not just “Dennis and Linda’s daughter”.
“A
kindness and karma. When I see the work being done on programmes like DIY SOS and many more, it reinforces my faith in the human spirit. The collective e ort of every tradesperson and volunteer, coming together to support a family or community in need, is the purest demonstration of love and warmth in action. It is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we prioritise helping others and the human kindness that does exist. It is a profound reminder of the warmth and love that collaboration and selflessness can bring to our world.”
Dee Sedani, One Stop Etwall, Derby
CHARLES WHITTING talks to retailers
and suppliers to nd out what were the bestselling products of
this year
SOFT DRINKS LEADING THE CHARGE WHAT SOLD WELL THIS YEAR?
THE soft drinks category is among the most important for independent convenience stores and has seen a large number of launches capturing customers’ imaginations, not least within the energy and sports drinks sector.
“Red Bull’s Forest Fruits Pink Edition did very well for us this year,” says Milan Vahanaka, from Heathcote Express & Post O ce in East Grinstead,
SUPPLIER VIEW
Carmelina Mancini, marketing manager, Bobby’s
West Sussex.
Other retailers point to the launches from Monster also raising sales signi cantly.
Flavour innovations have been key within this category.
“Flavoured colas have been one of the major growth drivers this year, making up 18% of growth in the £2.97bn cola sector,” says Kate Abbotson, senior external communications manager at Coca-Cola
Europaci c Partners. “Innovation has fuelled its strong 2025 performance, including the zero-sugar launches of Fanta Zero Apple, Fanta Zero Raspberry and the limited-edition Fanta Tutti Frutti Zero Sugar.”
Functionality was also a growing trend within soft drinks in 2025, with many brands focusing on sugar-free variants, but also increasing the amount of bene cial ingre-
“TO make your bestsellers shine, start with the essentials: keep them visible, stocked and easy to grab. Beyond that, small, clever touches make a real di erence. Try grouping three or four top sellers in a mini display to catch attention without extra space.
“Use micro-themes like ‘Kids’ Favourites’ or ‘Quick Snack Attack’ to give context and drive add-ons. Even a tiny tasting cup or a handwritten ‘customer favourite’ note can create buzz and encourage immediate purchases. These low-cost tweaks help your bestsellers perform harder and get noticed by more shoppers.
“Trade press, supplier updates and social media show what’s new. Your network of fellow retailers and buying groups gives early insight, and nothing beats visiting stores or talking to your shoppers to see what’s truly catching on.”
dients within their drinks.
are
“Consumers head to the soft drinks category for refreshment, hydration or functionality from brands they know, love and trust.
to date,” says Louisa Newlove,
“Sports drinks are currently seeing strong performance with 11.4% volume growth year to date,” says Louisa Newlove, head of wholesale, route to market and eld sales at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I.
Image credit: Getty Images/Valery Brozhinsky
CATEGORY ADVICE
PRODUCTS OF 2025
VAPES AND NEXT-GEN NICOTINE
THE vaping category underwent serious changes in 2025 with disposable vapes banned halfway through the year.
With disposables making up signi cant parts of many stores’ turnover, retailers turned to reusable pod devices, with many disposable suppliers introducing their own
non-disposable versions.
“With consumer demand for pod systems on the rise, it is important for retailers to be mindful of the trends that will maintain its uptake, especially around the importance of flavour options and preferences,” says Andrew Malm, UK market manager at Impe-
rial Brands.
“According to research, the top 10 most-popular flavours among UK users of disposable vapes were fruit-based – with Lemon Lime, Pineapple Ice and Strawberry Ice coming in as the top three. Fruity flavours were also popular with users, followed by mint flavours.”
CONFECTIONERY AND SNACKS
LIKE soft drinks, the confectionery and snacks categories are built around a key core range that is bolstered by interesting and attentiongrabbing product launches, particularly focused around key customer trends, with spicy flavours leading the way in 2025.
PepsiCo. “We tapped into the increased demand for spicier snacks within the savoury snacking category, with the hot-and-spicy flavour segment growing at 8.7% last year.”
in crisps sales,” he says. “I think people are becoming more health-conscious, which is a ecting the popularity of some of the lines.”
Dipak Shah, from H&R News in Camberley, Surrey, says crisps and snacks, especially in the past few months, have been underperforming compared with other categories.
“Our Extra Flamin’ Hot portfolio was a huge success this year,” says Ed Merrett, wholesale controller at
“We have seen a decline
However, Stuart Graham, head of convenience, impulse and value at KP Snacks, notes that the crisps, snacks and nuts segment is worth £5.3bn and is continuing to grow, with bagged snacks featuring in one in every ve convenience shopping baskets.
THE FASTEST GROWING
14
CATEGORY ADVICE TOP PRODUCTS OF 2025
KEY TRENDS
What to expect in 2026
Premiumisation
“In convenience, premium treats have outperformed the market, growing by 7.7% year on year,” says a spokesperson for Fox’s Burton’s Companies. “Our Fox’s Chocolatey range, for example, has seen 25.6% year-on-year growth in convenience. While the cost of living is forcing customers to tighten up their overall spend, it is also driving premiumisation in sweet biscuits. Treat and reward is the fastest-growing need since the start of 2025, returning to peaks not seen since the Covid-19 lockdown.”
Health
“Consumers are more health-conscious, actively seeking frozen ingredients such as fruit and vegetables, as well as plant-based products,” says Mitch Lee, senior national account manager at Pack’d. “Research from the British Frozen Food Federation shows that nearly one in ve consumers always look for healthier alternatives in the frozen-food aisles, while more than a quarter of consumers notice and actively buy into health food trends in the frozen section.”
Treats
“We are seeing more shoppers looking for treats to buy when visiting convenience stores, and soft drinks are their top purchases when doing so,” says David Laidler, brand director of carbonates at Carlsberg Britvic. “This is partly due to soft drinks being viewed as a ordable and mood-enhancing, making the category important for those retailers looking to capitalise on the treat occasion. Alongside this, we know rich and sweet flavours are growing in popularity, with indulgent options such as drinkable desserts in more demand.”
ENERGY DRINK IN THE US*
OTHER BIG WINNERS
BEYOND the larger categories, there have been a number of other successes over the year.
The alcohol landscape in 2025 was dominated by ready-to-drink formats, as people sought easy options and big brand names teamed up to put forward a series of successful launches.
For Vahanaka, the bestsellers in his beer section came
from Italy and Spain, with the likes of Madri, Peroni and Birra Moretti replacing Budweiser and Stella.
While many retailers have focused on the fresh-andchilled section in 2025, others have found strong sales from non-food items, with lottery, collectables and trading cards cited as a major sales driver this year.
Shah and Vahanaka said
Pokémon cards have been the “big winner” for them this year. “They’re selling very well at the moment and they come with a nice margin as well,” adds Vahanaka. “The Match Attax football trading cards for the Premier League are doing very well.”
Razzaq notes that lottery sales were up this year, adding that the product refresh has a ected its popularity.
He adds the new Hovis sourdough bread was a surprise success and captured customers’ imaginations.
There was also a growing demand from customers for local products. “We have single-slice cakes from a couple of local companies and they have been absolutely flying,” Razzaq says.
“Local has taken a bigger seat around the table.”
RETAILER VIEW
Andy Campbell, Go Local Hursthead Convenience, Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester
CONFECTIONERY has been the most-pro table category for my store this year. New products always do well and there are always lots of launches within confectionery.
The KitKat Chunky Funky is one that’s still selling well now. Haribo’s Maoam Stripes have been good as well. The nostalgia was really popular.
“Within energy drinks, Monster has been doing really well. Almost everything it has launched has worked. The Lando Norris one was selling really quickly and then they brought out the Rossi, which is also selling well. The Lucozade Ice Kick was another winner for us.
“RTDs have gone really well for us. Jack Daniel’s & Cherry Coke really took o for us, and the Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold & Cola has gone well. We generally sell them two for £4, and customers seem to like that.
“We got involved in Dubai chocolate this year. We stuck to about £3.50 rather than the £10 some people were selling it for. It can sometimes give you a bad reputation among customers because they think you’re just jumping on a bandwagon. I prefer it when people know they’ll get a fair price all the time.”
CATEGORY ADVICE
TOP PRODUCTS OF 2025
best launches
The year’s biggest new products
The Retailer Choice Awards, hosted by Retail Express’s sister title RN, saw the 13 best product launches of the year, as chosen by more than 200 retailers, celebrated at an awards ceremony in London
Alcohol: Au Vodka Juicy Peach RTD
Au Vodka’s Juicy Peach comes in a 330ml can format and has a 5% ABV. It features the brand’s ve-times distilled vodka infused with ripe peaches.
Chocolate: Cadbury Dairy Milk Bisco
Launched in March, this collaboration between Mondelez International and Lotus Bakeries arrived in three formats, including 95g (£1.69 price-marked pack (PMP), 95g plain pack (£1.75) and 105g plain pack.
Sugar confectionery: Haribo Nostalgix
This mixture of soft jelly sweets includes Rhubarb & Custard, Pear Drop, Pineapple Cube and Cola Cube. The launch was only one of Haribo’s 2025 launches, with Eggs Galore and Buzzy Bees launching at Easter.
Energy drinks: Monster Energy Lando Norris Zero Sugar
The collaboration with Formula 1 driver Lando Norris combines Monster Energy blend with a Melon Yuzu flavour and became available in June. It came in plain and PMP 500ml cans, and plain 4x500ml multipacks.
Food to go: Peperami Chicken Bites Roasted Flavour
In May, Peperami expanded its chilled snacking range with a £1 PMP
Healthier snacks: Nomadic Power Oats
Chicken Bites Roasted Flavour and a Chicken Bites Tikka Flavour. Each variant comes in 45g packs and contains 95 calories.
Nomadic Power Oats is rich in protein and vitamin D. Launched in Zing Raspberry and Vibrant Vanilla flavours, it comes in 150g pots and has a £1.50 RRP. Each pot contains 10% of protein and 142 calories per 100g (Vanilla) and 133g per 100g (Raspberry).
Ice cream: Magnum Utopia
The Magnum Utopia marbled ice cream range was launched in two varieties: Double Cherry and Double Hazelnut. They are available in single (RRP: £2.30) and three-pack (RRP: £4.25) formats.
Next-gen nicotine: Nordic Spirit Frosty Mint
Savoury snacks: Cheetos Twisted Fiery Jalapeno & Cheese
Sweet snacks: McVitie’s Digestives Pink Raspberry & Cream
Nordic Spirit Frosty Mint was one of several new additions to JTI UK’s nicotine pouch range. Frosty Mint contains higher menthol and moisture content combined with a new flavour recipe. The flavour contains 12mg of nicotine per pouch.
Cheetos Fiery Jalapeno & Cheese was launched in March, as part of a relaunch for the US snack brand. It’s available in a 105g sharing bag (£2),
Cheetos Fiery Jalapeno & Cheese was launched in March, as part of a relaunch for the US snack brand. It’s available in a 105g sharing bag (£2), 70g and 27g PMP (£1.49 and 49p). The supplier supported the launch with media spend, including a TikTok campaign with Gen Z influencers.
Soft drink: Dr Pepper Zero Cherry Crush
McVitie’s Digestives Pink Raspberry & Cream features the iconic Digestive topped with a raspberry & cream-flavoured coating. Each biscuit contains 80 calories. It originally launched in July at an RRP of £2.35, as well as in PMPs of £2.25.
Dr Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush was launched to coincide with Valentine’s Day in 330ml, 500ml, 2l and 8x330ml formats. CCEP supported the launch with influencer partnerships. It also o ered in-store sampling and out-of-home advertising.
Collectables: Pokémon TCG: Scarlet & Violet – Destined Rivals
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals trading card game was launched
full art work – cards included Team Rocket’s Houndog, Lapras, Psyduck and
Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Destined Rivals trading card game was launched in May, and was the rst pack to feature the series villains Team Rocket, which has been absent from the game for more than 20 years. Featured – or full art work – cards included Team Rocket’s Houndog, Lapras, Psyduck and its trainer range. In total, customers could collect 63 full art cards. Booster packs included 10 cards and one basic energy card.
TOM GOCKELEN-KOZLOWSKI nds out how retailers can get the best out of their banking arrangements and partnerships
WHICH BANK TO CHOOSE GETTING THE MOST FROM YOUR BANK
JOEY Duhra, of Premier Jules Convenience in Telford, Shropshire, remembers a time when there were ve bank branches around his store, but he has seen them gradually close their doors.
“Thirty years ago, we would have had a bank manager who regularly came into our business and would know us in a more personal way,” says Duhra. “We used to have a routine of picking up cash change from the bank every Friday ahead of the weekend, but people are buying everything on card now instead.
“But there are advantages to the switch to online banking, including speed, having everything at your ngertips and being able to immedi-
ately see when a payment has gone through.”
When it comes to building a great relationship with a bank manager who is rarely, if ever, going to visit your business, Dean Holborn, who runs two stores in Redhill and South Nut eld, Surrey, believes honesty is always the best policy.
“If you say your business is doing brilliantly and the accounts end up showing a completely di erent story, that is the kind of thing that damages trust and a ects the relationship you might have with a bank,” he says.
For store owners who do not have a 20-year relationship already in place, this is even more important, he says.
RETAILER VIEW
Jai Singh, MJ’s Nisa Local, She eld
“MY wife and I had backgrounds in banking before we started working in convenience retail, so when it came to choosing a bank, we were in a great position. My wife knew how Santander worked and how to get the most from its services, so we went with it.
“My advice for any retailer starting out is to look at the introductory rates di erent banks o er. At least for the rst year, it can be possible to get deals that will make a real di erence to your store’s overall pro tability – a er that, most business banking accounts will begin to apply charges.
“It might be tempting to then change bank again when the initial rate ends, but I don’t think that’s realistic. When you think about the time it can take to switch over every direct debit, a retailer’s time would be better spent thinking about everything they can do to reduce charges and fees – whether that’s how you deposit cash or which merchant bank you work with.”
OTHER ALTERNATIVES
SOMETIMES, the ‘banking solution’ a retailer needs doesn’t come from a bank at all. For card payments, Holborn has found a non-banking option suits his business best.
“We have our PDQ machines through Blakemore, which is itself part of the Spar group,” he says. “That scale means
that our costs per transaction are as small as possible.”
Jai Singh, of Singh’s Premier in She eld, recently had a representative from card payment operator Dojo visit his store and agrees that these symbol or franchise deals can be a signi cant advantage of membership.
“Dojo had a look at the rates we have with Worldpay – through Nisa – and told us it just wouldn’t be able to compete with that as part of a standalone deal, so it de nitely makes a di erence.”
Singh says stores are increasingly able to use leasing models to buy in fridges, se-
curity systems and even whole store refurbishments.
RETAILER VIEW
Dean Holborn, Holborn’s, Redhill
and South Nut eld
COUNTING CASH
American convenience store expert RTO has simple advice for counting cash in store. “Safe cash handling requires that you minimise distractions and remain aware of
“I HAVE quite a good relationship with my bank and bank manager, but I have been thinking it might be time to look around and see if there’s another option that might be better for my business.
“My approach will be to look around at businesses I admire and ask about what banks they’re with and the services available to them. I’ve got great relationships with businesses in the local area – from estate agents to greengrocers – and I would approach them rather than another convenience store in a di erent part of the country, as I think that local aspect is really important.
“At the same time, I’m not going to switch banks unless it will really help to improve my business – there is enough change that stores have to deal with without changing banks or wholesaler for no reason.
“My advice to retailers is that, if there is a service or flexibility your business requires but isn’t currently getting, investing time and e ort in building a great relationship with your existing bank manager might be a better way of achieving the same outcome.”
“You might go to a single company that will refurbish your store, and everything –from the fridges to the furnishings – will be leased via di erent rms. In this case, store owners don’t need to go into debt at all,” Singh says. CASH may be in decline but it is still important and store owners should be mindful of the risks that inevitably come with having large quantities of it on their premises.
your surroundings,” says a spokesperson. “Wait for lowtra c times to handle the deposit, and make sure you know who is in the store at the time you’ll be handling and
transporting the money.
“Discreetly let employees know what you’ll be doing. All employees should be trained to never tell anyone when you are going to the bank.”
Harshita Jand
Focus on… building a career in retail Girish’s Premier Barmulloch, Glasgow
I CAMEto the country two years ago. My dad and mum own a grocery store in India, so stacking and ordering stock is in my blood.
A er a month in the UK, I interviewed at Girish’s store. Initially, he said no as he wasn’t sure I could cope, but he called me back and said he wanted to give it a try.
Before long, I started to take on other departments in the store, including Snappy Shopper and back-o ce work. It meant I could help the store manager and halve the number of jobs she had to do.
I carry out all in-store training and help Girish with new starters’ performance reviews. I make sure standards don’t drop, even if a sta member is new. Customers shouldn’t be able to tell how long a sta member has been with us.
When I took over the store’s social media, I was given a target of adding on 1,000 followers, but managed to get 2,000. I now feel a real ownership of the store. I recently won a 30 Under Thirty award, and I’ve just joined the Women in Convenience WhatsApp group. Since joining, I have discovered more women doing great things.
If you just want to stand and operate a till, this is not the career for you. But if you’re ready to work hard, there’s so much you can get from it.
Headline partner Supporting partner
BE MORE SUSTAINABLE IN 2026
Sustainability can help save retailers money, but what are some areas to focus on? TAMARA BIRCH nds out
THE SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
WHEN margins are tighter than ever and energy costs remain volatile, operating in a more sustainable way can help alleviate some of the pressure.
However, it’s a hard balance. This is because a lot of sustain-
ability practices require a large upfront investment before they begin to see the savings, and many retailers say there isn’t much more they can do. Many are looking for cheap and quick solutions.
Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Village Store & Post O ce in Northamptonshire, has achieved this by installing sensors on his LED lighting in his stock room. The sensors leave the lights on for ve min-
CUSTOMER ATTITUDES TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY
“CUSTOMERSincreasingly want to see evidence of sustainability,” says Travis Way, managing director at EcoVend.
utes. His two sensors cost £180 to install.
“We noticed that the lights were on from opening until closing, and since installing sensors, they’re o for six hours per day,” he says.
SUPPLIER
VIEW
Stacey Williams, business development director, Gander
However, some retailers say customer attitudes towards sustainability appeared to have changed.
“They used to care, but people are more worried about their bills,” says Ken Singh,
“That means locally sourced and sustainable products where possible, environmentally friendly or reusable packaging, visible recycling points and active support for community initiatives.”
of BB Nevison Stores & Post
O ce in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. “It varies per area, and some will pay more for ethically sourced products, but our customers want to save money where they can.” Pandya echoes this and adds: “Sustainable or eco-friendly
products cost a lot more, and pockets are squeezed more than ever before.”
If you’re unsure about your customers’ perception towards sustainable products, ask them or run a survey on social media. This will help you determine if you should focus on it.
“RETAILERS using Gander have achieved clearance rates of up to 88% on reduced-to-clear stock and weekly revenue upli s of around £800, all without adding operational pressure.
“It is a simple, data-driven way to turn potential waste into pro t and to connect with today’s increasingly value-conscious and sustainabilityminded shopper. Gander’s insights show that customers actively seek out marked-down items when they are made visible, with repeat engagement driving both loyalty and footfall.”
Image credit: Getty Images/Benjamas Deekam
Snacking Made Right
We are making sure our snacks are not only right for people but also getting better for the planet - from the raw materials we rely on, to the communities we live in and the climate we all need to care for.
MoRe SuStainable SouRcing
At Mondelez International, we are working toward our goal to source all cocoa volumes needed for Chocolate brands, through Cocoa Life, our signature cocoa sustainability sourcing program by the end of the year. Cocoa Life focuses on tackling the root causes of complex systemic issues in cocoa farming. As of the end of 2024, approximately 91% of cocoa volume for Mondelēz International chocolate brands was sourced through Cocoa Life* (representing progress from 80% in 2022).
enviRonMental IMpact
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We’re focused on making our snacks more sustainably. Since 2021, we have purchased renewable electricity for six sites across the UK.
a range of great prizes
haRMony
~100% wheat volume needed for Europe business biscuits production is grown under the Harmony charter**
a range of great prizes
pack light and pack Right
From 2025, Cadbury’s iconic purple sharing bars will be wrapped in 80% certified recycled plastic. This will wrap over ~300 million bars per year across the UK & Ireland, using 600 tonnes of post-consumer recycled plastic.*** That’s the equivalent of 40 double decker buses!
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a range of great prizes
* Based on a mass balance approach, which means that the equivalent volume of cocoa needed for the products sold under our chocolate brands is sourced from the Cocoa Life program. Excludes organic certified consumer offers for Green & Black’s. For more information, visit cocoalife.org.
**Goal and reported information for wheat volume sourced under Harmony is based on a controlled blending approach, which means that we aim to have a minimum of 70% of Harmony wheat in our products under our biscuit brands in Europe. For the remaining 30%, equivalent volumes for that portion are grown under the Harmony program but may not be purchased by Mondelēz International. For more information, visit Harmony.info
***300 million Cadbury sharing bars per year: Based on forecasted 2026 sales volumes, excluding non-certified wrappers and considering the use of mass balance material, Sept 2024. 600 tonnes of post-consumer plastic each year: This figure is the forecasted volume for the first full year on the market (2026), Sep. 2024
See our progress and more details at: www.mondelezinternational.com/Snacking-Made-Right/Reporting-and-Disclosure
This is a paid for advert by Mondelēz International
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cocoa
CATEGORY ADVICE SUSTAINABILITY
MAKING YOUR REFRIGERATION WORK HARDER
New chillers are expensive, so if yours don’t need replacing yet, there are steps you can take to improve e ciency.
Some fridges can have doors added to them, while Singh had freezer partitions retro tted onto his fridges.
“We did a re t years ago and, at the time, doors were expensive, so in the mid-term, we added freezer partitions,” he says.
Singh also installed USB lights in each chiller. “We have to charge them every month or
six weeks, but it lights up the store, without adding too much onto our energy bills,” he says.
He also uses smart plugs, which he bought from Tapo, and are app-based. “You need to reduce energy where you can, and these smart plugs
mean we’re not overusing energy,” he says.
But if you’re ready to invest in new chillers, remember to look at the energy e ciency rating. Pandya recently upgraded his chillers and opted for A++ chillers.
LOOK AT YOUR WASTE
TO help streamline his process and reduce waste, Pandya and his team look through his ambient category at the end of each month, and anything that has a sell-by date for the following month is o ered at half price in their reduced-to-clear section.
e cient with sta ng as they don’t need to look daily.”
With his fresh and chilled range, Pandya reduces stock the night before. Apps such as Too Good to Go and Gander can also be used to sell stock that would otherwise be thrown away.
“Anyone willing to use those products near its sellby date saves a little money, but then we still have the option of o ering full-priced stock with longer dates for anyone apprehensive about buying reduced-to-clear,” he says. “It also makes it more
“The Gander platform integrates with retailers’ EPoS and inventory systems to automatically identify products nearing expiry and promote them to shoppers in real time via digital displays and social media,” explains Ian Bacon, sales manager at Gander.
SUPPLIER VIEW
Angelo Yang, associate general manager, UK, Elfbar
“CHALLENGES around recycling remain. An El ar survey of 6,000 UK vapers and smokers, conducted by Opinium in July 2025 a er the ban, found that while 77% of vapers know that used re ll pods and depleted devices should not be discarded in regular bins, access to recycling points is a key barrier. More than half (51%) of respondents want more collection points in convenient locations, and 49% want all retailers to provide in-store recycling bins.
“Visible in-store collection points help retailers stay compliant while giving customers another reason to return – creating natural opportunities to increase average basket spend across the store, whether through re lls or other purchases.”
Wonderful Pistachios achieves 2025 goal to transition full range to recyclable packaging
Starting in 2026, more than 25 tonnes of non-recyclable plastic will switch to recyclable lm, delivering healthy snacks in eco-friendly material and reinforcing WP&A’s commitment to building a greener future. The range will now use polypropylene lm.
Trovr launches its Qube for UK retailers
Recycling technology start-up has launched a small, smart, self-service recycling machine, Qube, for independent retailers. The system aims to o er UK independent retailers support with the 2027 Deposit Return Scheme at a fraction of the cost and space of traditional recycling solutions. The supplier said that retailers can earn handling fees of 1-2p per container, and the units are four times cheaper than supermarket-grade reverse vending machines.
NewstrAid Retailer Support Scheme
• Are you struggling with household billsorfinancial commitments outside of your business?
• Have you experienced retail crime?
If you have experienced a drop in income as a result of unexpected change, disability bereavement or illness, we may be able to support you with a financialgrant as well as provide emotional support
For more information contact us for FREE on 0800 917 8616 email: mail@newstraid.org.uk www.newstraid.org.uk/retailer-support-scheme/
Thornbury Refrigeration, an Arneg Distributor, has advertised in Retail Express for years. The regular positive response we receive leads to confirmed sales and contented customers
Robin Ranson, Thornbury Refrigeration
ADVICE
BUILDING THE BRAND
CHARLES WHITTING nds out how retailers are putting their shops on the map in their local area and beyond
1
Milan Vahanaka, Heathcote Express & Post O ce, East Grinstead, West Sussex
2
Harj Dhasee, The Village Shop,
Mickleton, Gloucestershire
“IT’S a number of things, but right now, we’re putting up Christmas decorations in the window and that really helps us to stand out. We’ll do other decorations for other holidays and in the summer, as well as have seasonally appropriate products outside the shop. So, at the moment, we’ve got de-icer and logs for the �ire, while in summer, it will be coal for barbecues and things like that.
“But it’s not just one thing. You have to take a long-term approach and build the trust of the customer with good service and good prices, so the customer remembers having a good time in your shop. There are so many shops nowadays and people can often get something cheaper elsewhere, so if you can remember what they like to buy, have a bright and tidy shop, and make sure they can �ind new and interesting things in your shop, you’ll get a reputation for those things.”
Dipak Shah, H&R News, Camberley, Surrey
“YOU need to know what your local area is doing and then get involved. The local schools are a great place to start. We have a Christmas tree that we put up at the start of December and we got the local schools involved, with the children making decorations for it. That way, the children and the community are all involved in the shop and they’ll feel pride for it. Children will want to go to the shop to see their decorations and they’ll bring their parents, which boosts footfall.
“We’ll be doing even more community-outreach initiatives and activations in 2026 when we’ve �inished our re�it. But you’ve got to start by reaching out to groups and schools to �ind out what’s happening so that you can then start thinking of ways to get yourself involved. Staff are invaluable for things like that because they often know more than you about what’s going on, so talk to them.”
“GETTING involved in local events is a very good way to build your shop’s pro�ile and brand. And, on top of that, banners and PoS from suppliers that you can put outside and inside the shop are all very useful for sticking in people’s minds.
“We’ve found that price-marked packs (PMPs) are the most effective way to get people engaged and involved in the shop. People are looking at prices all the time now and when they come to your shop, they want to know the prices are reasonable. And if your PMPs make you look better value than a local supermarket, then that’s helpful across all categories.
“About 60-70% of our products are PMPs, which means less margin for us, but it helps with turnover. Keep your shop tidy to give off good vibes. We changed the lighting recently and it looks beautiful now. If new products are launched, make sure you have the reputation as the place that can get them.”
In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out how retailers are preparing for the big spring events. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email
We’ve got the best Google reviews at the moment, but what else are retailers doing to boost their store’s pro le? – Chirak Patel, Bickley Food & Wine, Bromley, Kent