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SPORTS AND ENERGY DRINKS Top tips to ensure you get the most from this core category 28

ICE CATEGORY ADVRGY DRINKS SPORTS & ENE

P28

DRIVING SALESD IN SPORTS AN ENERGY

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

finds out how CHARLES WHITTING their sales within retailers can grow drinks sports and energy

GY SPORTS AND ENER OTHER SUPPORTING EACH

focus on not to see even more 30% of category innovation, just flavour driven cate- contributing , too,” says “The sports and energy growth.” are now look at but functionality WHILE energy drinks is thriving, and continues Retailers should Abbotson, senior external drinks sub- gory soft drinks, and the wellness trends online and Kate the dominant soft ons manager at of off- to outpace to see communicati In fact, this year, c Partners category, a number visit their local gyms have wider market. Coca-Cola Europacifi for and energy contributed what’s on offer there. As funcshoots and evolutions “Many are looking opportuni- sports and protein (CCEP). benefits to created additional of all soft drinks growth, The growth 35% has been great for all tional, health to gain trac- drinks with added ties for retailers. continue during their workoptions that which in the category,” says products sports fuel them why performance of health-focused brands their influence on is tion, which from ts, out, Bull. benefi unRed for can’t be growing in contain added and energy drinks has a spokesperson energy drinks are energy is the big. vitamins to electrolytes, a point “Functional for derestimated continue popularity.” given certain products segment, accounting “In 2026 we will retailers can gest value and of difference that 16% of soft drinks use to grow sales.

MECHANDISING ADVICE

From Red Bull’s spokesperso

visible Apply strike-zone placement ng lines in the most Position top-performi areas of the fixture. clearly Segment the range by sugar content, flavour and Group energy drinks easy to shop. size to make the fixture from shopLeverage adjacencies near cola to benefit Place energy drinks category footfall. per overlap and drive

POKÉMON – ABUSE ON THE CARDS • Sales frenzy fuels abuse

of shopworkers

• Why retailers are restricting sales –

and how you can defuse shopper anger P3

TOBACCO

POST OFFICE

PRODUCTS

UK smoking rates fall to record low – here’s what the drop means for your store

Firm in the final stages of extending the already-lucrative government contract

The biggest Cadbury, Mountain Dew and Coca-Cola releases coming to your shelves

our say

Alex Yau, editor

Co-op’s recent setbacks are a lesson for independents IT’S been an eventful month for Co-op, and not for reasons the convenience chain would want. Last month, the firm announced it had shuttered all five of its standalone On The Go stores, more than a year since launch. Co-op set lofty goals of opening several hundred On The Go sites, which focused on serving hot food quickly to busy commuters. The small-store format will instead be integrated as concessions across its convenience estate. The failure of the format mirrors what we’ve seen from rival supermarket chains: Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Amazon. They’ve all notably abandoned experiments with checkout-free stores, which had a lack of staff in branch. While not entirely unmanned, Co-op’s On The Go sites only had one staff member on shift at certain points of the A SHOP’S SUCCESS day. You can make a store as fancy as you want, but a shop’s IS DRIVEN BY THE success is driven by the human HUMAN ELEMENT element behind it. More recently, Co-op scrapped its Peckish home delivery service and opted to go fully with Snappy Shopper. Notably, it failed to hit its ambitious target of 1,000 sign-ups within a year of launching. In comparison, Tesco’s Whoosh service is still going strong due to the supermarket fully backing it with its own infrastructure. As veteran retail expert David Gilroy states: “Not getting the service right will kill any attempt at business.” In other news, I’m excited to announce that Retail Express will be rebranding to Better Retailing from 3 November. Although the title will get a fresh look, we will still be bringing you the best industry breaking and product news.

The five biggest stories this fortnight 01

Smoking rates across the UK fall to one in 10 adults

ALEX YAU

THE number of smokers in the UK has fallen to nearly one in 10 adults for the �irst time, according to the latest Of�ice for National Statistics (ONS) �igures. An estimated 4.9 million adults smoked in 2025, down from 5.3 million in the previ-

ous year. Meanwhile, more than a million people who have never smoked said they took up vaping, up from 940,000 in 2024. Those aged 25 to 34 were most likely to vape, with 16.4% doing so daily or occasionally. The decline comes ahead of the planned generational

tobacco ban coming into force from 1 January 2027, which is expected to impact smoking rates further. Once implemented, it will become illegal to sell tobacco to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. John Dunne, director general of the UK Vaping Industry Association, welcomed the �igures, but warned that

further restrictions on vaping could undermine progress in reducing smoking rates. He said: “That’s why we’re calling on the government to commit to a fair deal for vaping, one which protects young people, cracks down on rogue retailers and preserves the public health power of vaping.” For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘smoking’

@retailexpress betterretailing.com facebook.com/betterretailing Editor Alex Yau alex.yau@ newtrade.co.uk 07814 677528

Associate editor Jack Courtez jack.courtez@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3371

Editor-in-chief Louise Banham louise.banham@ newtrade.co.uk

News editor Ryan Butcher ryan.butcher@ newtrade.co.uk

Features editor Charles Whitting charles.whitting@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3350

News reporter Kwame Boakye kwame.boakye@ newtrade.co.uk

Features & advertorial writer Shyama Laxman shyama.laxman@ newtrade.co.uk

Deputy insight & advertorial editor Jasper Hart jasper.hart@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3384

Production manager Chris Gardner 020 7689 3368

Head of marketing Kate Daw 020 7689 3363

Finance manager Magdalena Kalasiuniene 020 7689 0600

Senior production & content editor Ryan Cooper 020 7689 3354

Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 07856 475 788

Managing director Parin Gohil 020 7689 3388

Copy editor Minhaj Zia

Senior account director Lindsay Hudson 07749 416 544

Head of digital Luthfa Begum 07909 254 949

Senior designer Jody Cooke 020 7689 3380

Senior account manager Tommy King 020 7689 3387

Designer Lauren Jackson

Cover image: Getty Images/apilarinos

42,624

Retail Express is printed and distributed by NewsAudit Bureau of Circulations July 2024 to June 2025 printers at Broxbourne and delivered to news average net circulation per issue retailers free by their newspaper wholesaler. Published by: Newtrade Media Limited, 11 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2SD Phone: 020 7689 0600 Retail Express’ publisher, Newtrade Media, cares about the environment Reproduction or transmission in part or whole of any item from Retail Express may only be undertaken with the prior written agreement of the Editor. Contributions are welcome and are included in part or whole at the sole discretion of the editor. Newtrade Media Limited accepts no responsibility for submitted material. Every possible care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information. No warranty for goods or services described is implied.

Parfetts rebrand

PARFETTS is rebranding to Go Local Wholesale from January 2027, as it sets targets to become a national wholesaler and expand its symbol group from 2,000 to 3,000 sites.

PayPoint parcels

Parfetts said the new iden- INPOST is axing services from tity was a better represen- more PayPoint stores, as part tation of its growth from a of the parcel giant’s shift toregional cash and carry oper- wards lockers. ator to a national wholesaler The �irm told Retail Exand symbol operator. press: “While the overall size For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Parfetts’

Booker investment

BOOKER’S focus on “better buying” helped weather the impact of an annual like-forlike sales decline of 2.6%. In Tesco’s recent H1 2026/27 interim results, Booker blamed the fall to

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘PayPoint’

Magazine campaign

£4.6bn on declining tobacco MAGAZINE publishers have sales. launched a campaign encourThe supermarket’s chief �i- aging shoppers to buy more nancial of�icer, Imran Nawaz, titles. ‘Magazines: In the World’s said the �irm had several initiatives enabling it to pass Best Interests’ is organised by the two major magazine savings to retailers. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Booker’

of the InPost out-of-home network is growing, we will unfortunately no longer partner with some stores in the provision of pick-up and drop-off services.”

distributors and the PPA. It is supported by Bauer, DC Thomson, Immediate, Future, Hearst, Condé Nast, Anthem, Egmont and New Scientist. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘magazines’

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Pokémon card store abuse

ATTENTION RETAILERS:

STOCK POKÉMON CARDS

ALEX YAU A GROWING frenzy over Pokémon cards has led to retailers facing increased customer abuse after restricting sales. Several retailers told Retail Express they have introduced purchase limits to ensure fair allocation to customers and to prevent people buying cards to resell at pro�it. Kaual Patel, of Nisa Torridon in south London, told Retail Express: “They’re in high demand, and I’m only selling them to children or parents I know and trust. It’s one piece per person, and regular customers get priority. “I’ve had adults come in offering to pay double for all my Pokémon cards, but I’ve refused sale as I suspect they’re trying to pro�iteer from them. A few have kicked off, but it’s my store and I can choose who I sell to.” At Patel’s store, individual packs cost £4.30, while sought-after special edition packs range from £15 to £60. Vince Malone, of Tenby Stores & Post Of�ice in Pembrokeshire, has also received complaints from customers over purchase

limits. He added: “We always limit to three packs per customer a day and we advertise this policy. Not everyone is happy, but it’s about diffusing the con�lict early by communicating clearly and consistently.” Asked how retailers can prevent abuse, Faisal Azam, director of Pokémon card distributor Plus Marketing, said: “The launch of the 30th celebration boxes have been really popular, causing retailers to restrict supply. Shop owners should explain to customers that they are doing this to ensure the product remains available. Offer an alternative where you can. Japanese and Korean cards are available at lower price points.” Counterfeit Pokémon

express yourself

cards have also reportedly been sold to capitalise on demand. Asked how to spot a dodgy card, Azam added: “If someone walks in with a box trying to sell them at a lower price point, alarm bells should be ringing. The artwork isn’t as high quality, either.” The restrictions come as Currys has begun pulling Pokémon cards from sale following reports of staff abuse. A notice photographed inside one branch said: “Do not ask us to check stock levels at this store or other stores as we are not going to pass the abuse onto them. All CCTV and details have been passed onto the police, and any future examples of this behaviour will also be reported.”

the column where you can make your voice heard

How are you reducing time spent in store? “I RECENTLY launched a new compliance platform to help other shop owners overcome the paperwork and management challenges I face running my own stores. I ended up with 20 odd staff at one point through multiple stores. Ensuring their documents and the training records were all up to date was a big issue. RetailShield Compliance allows retailers to record daily checks and manage staff training records in one place.” Sag Hussain, multi-site retailer, Middlesbrough

“ONE new appliance I’ve introduced into the shop are little robots which mop up the floors. We activate them at the end of each day, and they take around 40 minutes to mop up the shop. They’re not perfect, but they manage to do a good job at cleaning up the floors. It saves so much time for staff as we can just leave them running. Any potential trip hazards are also eliminated, so it’s been a really good investment.” Dee Sedani, multi-site retailer, Derbyshire

Do you have an issue to discuss with other retailers? Call 07814 677528 or email alex.yau@ newtrade.co.uk

Minimum order Value £200+Vat

Free Delivery Huge range of Collectables APPLY FOR AN ONLINE TRADE ACCOUNT TODAY:

WWW.PLUSMARKETING.CO.UK info@plusmarketing.co.uk

Tel: 0344 330 1278

We are an independent wholesaler and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Pokémon.

NEWS

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Post Office close to DVLA extension ALEX YAU

POST Of�ice (PO) is in the �inal stages of securing an 18-month extension to its contract with the DVLA, which would allow branches to continue providing vehicle tax and driving licence renewal services until 30 September 2028. In an update to subpostmasters, seen by Retail Express, PO said: “We wanted to

update you about the DVLA contract, which is due to expire on 31 March 2027. “Over the past year, we’ve worked closely with DVLA to secure an 18-month contract extension through to 30 September 2028. “We committed to giving you six months’ notice in case there was any risk of the contract ending. While a risk remains until the extension is signed, we hope to con�irm

the extension by the end of October, once all required approvals are in place.” The letter added that DVLA and PO have signed a ‘letter of comfort’ con�irming their intention to extend the contract. The DVLA has also con�irmed that PO will be listed as a place to pay on vehicle tax reminders in due course, “which you’ve told us you feel strongly about”.

If approved, the extension would follow similar contract renewals from previous years. However, PO is not the only provider of DVLA services. In 2024, rival PayPoint was awarded the exclusive contract to issue international driving permits. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Post Office’

Co-op axes Peckish CO-OP Wholesale is shutting down its rapid delivery service Peckish and switching its focus to Snappy Shopper. The wholesaler launched Peckish in February 2025 with an initial £1m invest-

THE NO. 1 REASON FOR A LOST MAGAZINE PURCHASE IS BECAUSE CONSUMERS CAN’T FIND WHAT THEY’RE LOOKING FOR.

ment and targeted a �irstyear sign-up of more than 1,000 stores, following a 30-store trial. The app is due to close on 2 November, according to The Grocer.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Co-op’

CLAW MACHINE OPPORTUNITY RETAILERS are making £1,000 to £2,000 per month through a claw machine supplier that’s after more shops to work with. The Gigo claw machines – similar in size to floor-standing coffee machines – are provided by Genda to stores free of charge on a revenue-share model and require only a power socket to operate. Customers play with a £1 token, purchased from a separate dispenser.

DON’T MISS A SALE AGAIN Get your free Just Ask point-of-sale at betterretailing.com/just-ask

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Genda’

Scotland HFSS law STORES in Scotland must comply with new restrictions on the promotion and placement of pre-packaged products high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS). The law bans multibuy of-

Got a question? Just ask us! Email marketing@newtrade.co.uk Or call Kate on 07886784465.

RN page ad.indd 1 JustFull ask_Retailer ad 1.indd 1

04/11/2024 27/09/2024 09:59 11:55

fers on affected products at retailers employing 50 or more people. Retailers with 50 or more employees, and a sales area exceeding 2,000sq ft, are banned from siting these products at checkouts.

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A fresh new look and more of what matters to you Sorting the news that matters most so you don’t have to More product news than any other title A bigger spotlight on retailer views and opinions A new colour key so you can ﬁnd what you want, fast

New name. Fresh content. Still the news you rely on.

PRODUCTS Cadbury Crunchie drops Duos SHYAMA LAXMAN CADBURY Crunchie is expanding into Duo format available from this month. Each bar features Cadbury Crunchie’s signature golden honeycomb centre, coated in smooth Cadbury milk chocolate. Available in cases of 32

bars, Cadbury Crunchie Duo retails at £1.35 per 52.2g bar. The new addition looks to tap into the popularity of the Duos category, which is growing by 11.3% in value year on year, almost twice the rate of the wider chocolate single market, which is growing by 6.1% accord-

ing to Nielsen. Cadbury’s Duo range is also growing strongly, up 10.4% in value and outperforming the total market. This follows two recent additions to the category – Cadbury Twirl Xtra and Cadbury Starbar Duo – now Cadbury’s number one and

number two performing Duo bars. Nielsen �igures further reveal Crunchie single is also in growth, with value sales up 5.5% year on year, providing a strong platform for the brand to expand into the Duo format.

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20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

A delightful Cadbury and Oreo collab CADBURY Delights has teamed up with Oreo to launch the new Cadbury Delights Oreo. It combines the taste of Cadbury chocolate with Oreo, to create a snack that has �ibre and contains under 100 calories per bar. It’s available as a four-pack multipack priced at £1.25 and �ive-pack multipack priced at £1.75. Cadbury Delights Oreo joins the existing Cadbury Delights range, sitting

as a permanent addition alongside Salted Caramel and Hazelnut & Caramel.

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‘Hit the Bullseye’ with KP Nuts promo

Just Brazils has just made a comeback

Unitas expands Local Living sweets range

KP NUTS is celebrating its partnership with PDC World Darts Champion, Luke Littler, with its new ‘Hit the Bullseye’ promotion. The customer and consumer promotion runs until 22 November. Both feature a £20,000 cash prize, alongside daily cash giveaways. Shoppers can enter via a QR code on promotional KP Nuts formats, including £1.35 PMPs, 80g, 90g, 225g and 250g packs. Retailers can enter by scanning the QR code on promotional cases of KP Nuts PMPs and pub cards.

PREMIUM Brazil nuts brand Just Brazils has returned to UK shelves. Just Brazils combines South American Brazil nuts and smooth milk chocolate. The 150g carton retails at £3.99 and is available via Co-op Wholesale, Hancocks, Unitas and Sugro. According to the supplier, the format appeals to shoppers looking for an indulgent treat for themselves or gifting solutions ahead of the festive season. The product therefore gives retailers the opportunity to tap into the demand for premium yet affordable chocolatebased treats.

UNITAS has widened its roster of Local Living confectionery products. The range comprises Fizzy Mix, Giant Fizzy Strawbs, Mini Pencils, Tangy Mix, Sour Snakes and Party Mix. They are available in a 130g sharing bag price-marked at £1. It’s supported by the ‘Our £1 just got sweeter’ campaign. The launch comes at a time when price remains an important part of the confectionery �ixture, with pricemarked packs accounting for 47% of total confectionery sales, according to Circana.

NEW CAMPAIGN

Lion’s mane crisps land in c-stores A KIND Mind Ltd has launched Lion’s Brain, a range of premium crisps containing lion’s mane mushroom extract and zinc. Three �lavours are available: Wild Mushroom & Black Garlic, Shiitake Mushroom

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& Truf�le Salt and Raclette Cheese & Shallot, in 40g single-serve bag (£1.50) and 150g sharing bag (£3.75). The 40g bags come in 24 packs per case while the 150g sharing bags come in 12 packs per case. There are no minimum order quantities. Lead time is four-to-six days from ordering to delivery.

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Sunny & Luna are US brand Svedka vodka lands in the UK getting saucy

SAZERAC has launched American vodka brand Svedka in the UK. Svedka was established in 1998 and was acquired by Sazerac in 2025 from Constellation Brands. This is the brand’s �irst international

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launch under the new ownership. Nielsen �igures show it is the fastest-growing spirits brand in the US. Svedka is available to independent retailers through One Stop and Booker in 1l, 700ml and 50ml formats.

FEMALE-FOUNDED pasta brand Sunny & Luna has expanded its portfolio with the launch of a trio of fresh Italian sauces. According to the supplier, the sauces – made in Veneto, Italy – are inspired from classic Italian recipes, but “reimagined for modern meal-

times”. The range comprises Aubergine & Salted Ricotta Tomato Sauce, Sundried Tomato Pesto and Courgette & Pistachio Pesto. They are available via wholesalers like CLF and CN Foods, retailing at £3 each.

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PRODUCT NEWS

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Mountain Dew goes Pitch Black SHYAMA LAXMAN MOUNTAIN Dew is expanding its range with the launch of Mountain Dew Pitch Black, a new citrus grape-�lavoured drink. It is available now exclusively through Booker, in 500ml price-marked packs (PMPs) in cases of 12, before rolling out nationally from November. The launch is supported by PoS, including a full barker, A4 poster, window vinyl and strut cut. Bottle cut-outs will also be available for independent retailers to order through Carlsberg Britvic’s At Your Convenience platform. Retailers can also get digital assets, including

a static till screen, Facebook post and Instagram post. The �lavour launch builds on Mountain Dew’s strong position in the category, with the brand now worth £32.6m in retail sales value, according to NIQ �igures. It is also the third-fastest growing �lavoured carbonates brand in convenience.

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Biotiful launches Greek Recipe Kefir BIOTIFUL Gut Health is expanding its core Ke�ir range with the launch of Greek Recipe Ke�ir. Three percent fat and 0% fat variants are available now in supermarkets, with wholesale and convenience availability from December. The launch follows new Biotiful research which found that 78% Brits consider gut health important and 74% believe small daily habits

are more effective than major lifestyle changes. To promote the research, Biotiful has launched ‘The Con�idence Report’ a new paper designed to share educational information on the importance of healthy routines.

Walkers teams up with Avengers film WALKERS has launched an on-pack promo and a limitededition line in partnership with Avengers: Doomsday. The new Wotsits Bag of Bones in Really Cheesy (RRP £2.50) has Doctor Doomthemed packaging. The promo – running until 31 December – spans multipacks and sharing bags of Wotsits, Quavers,

Monster Munch and Squares. Prizes include Hasbro Marvel merchandise, Vue cinema tickets and two holidays to Tokyo. Shoppers must scan the QR code on promo packs, sign in or register on the Joy by PepsiCo platform and enter the code for a chance to win.

NEW CAMPAIGN

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Unitas unveils ownlabel baking range

Wall’s rolls out highprotein scotch egg

UNITAS has expanded its Local Living own-brand range by launching a home baking line. The range comprises Local Living Cupcake Kit (PMP £2.29), Local Living Brownie Mix (PMP £1.99) and Local Living Batter Mix (PMP £0.69). The launch comes as data shows that own brand is number one in home baking by volume, underlying the strength of demand for the category among retailers and customers. The new range also delivers up to 45% pro�it on return for retailers.

WALL’S has expanded its high protein snacking range with the launch of Wall’s High Protein Scotch Egg. The 113g scotch egg is priced at £1.50 and delivers 15g protein per serving. The launch comes as consumer demand for high-protein foods continues to grow and

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builds on the success of the Wall’s High Protein Sausage Roll, which saw 32% of sales come from shoppers new to the category at launch, according to NIQ.

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PRODUCTS

WIIINGS FOR YOUR WINTER. AVAILABLE IN 250ML AND 473ML.

NEW

Pistachio & Berries

Coca-Cola drops festive flavour SHYAMA LAXMAN COCA-COLA Europaci�ic Partners (CCEP) has launched a limited-edition Coca-Cola Holiday Creamy Vanilla variety to drive festive sales. The new �lavour combines the classic Coca-Cola taste with a vanilla twist. It is aimed at encouraging shoppers to take a moment for themselves during the busy Christmas period. The new �lavour is available in both Original Taste and Zero Sugar versions in packaging featur-

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ing vanilla-inspired colours and a soft-serve swirl icon. Formats include 330ml cans, 8x330ml multipacks, 500ml and 1.75ml bottles for Original Taste variants, while Zero Sugar is available in 330ml cans, 8x330ml multipacks and 500ml and 2l bottles. Price-marked 500ml and 1.75l bottles will also be available for convenience retailers. The new �lavour launch is supported by free PoS materials available via CCEP’s online portal, helping retailers create theatre in store and drive visibility.

Biona adds functional Golden Wonder unveils festive range drinks to its roster ORGANIC brand Biona has launched a trio of functional drinks. The range comprises 95ml Immune and Fibre Shots retailing at £2.99 each, and a 1l pack of Coconut Water priced at £4.69. The launch comes at a time of growth for the UK functional beverage market, with more consumers now choosing drinks with health bene�its over traditional sugary soft drinks. In fact, research conducted by Savanta found that 40% of consumers buy functional drinks several times a month.

GOLDEN Wonder has dropped its Christmas range to help retailers capitalise on the festive opportunity. The range comprises a trio of products: Turkey & Stuf�ing and Pigs in Blankets Baubles and Turkey & Stuff-

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BrewDog gets crafty STG to transition with new campaign XQS nic pouches BREWDOG has launched the ‘Choose Craft’ campaign, continuing its consumer push since being acquired by Tilray Brands. The campaign champions quality ingredients, brewing passion and community spirit. It’s led by murals in prominent locations in Man-

NEW CAMPAIGN

chester and Edinburgh alongside static and digital adverts across major nationwide railway and underground stations, roadside locations and proximity advertising close to major stockists. The activity aims to take BrewDog back to its craft roots with visuals that focus on real-life scenarios and stories from those who love craft beer.

SCANDINAVIAN Tobacco Group UK (STG UK) is set to increase all its 8mg nicotinepouch variants to 10mg. The transition comes in response to changing category trends, which indicate consumer demand for nicotine pouches favours mediumto-higher strengths. However, the brand will make no changes to its lower-strength Tropical (4mg) and Spearmint (6mg) varieties in order cater to new entrants to the category. Additionally, STG UK is adding a nicotine-free Virgin Peppermint line to

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ing Crisps The Baubles are available in 150g sharing bags with 12 packs per case, priced at £1.25 each. The 25g Turkey & Stuf�ing Crisps come in multipacks of six and are 16 in a case.

05/10/2026 14:48

its range, albeit initially available online only through websites such as Haypp.

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Lucozade’s new flavour has a twist

Captain teams up with Pepsi Max

SUNTORY Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has expanded its Lucozade Energy range with Sherbet Twist Zero Sugar. It is available now in a 500ml bottle, and in plain and £1.50 price-marked versions. The launch builds on the continued growth of Lucozade Energy, which generated £395.3m in value sales over the past year. SBF GB&I has also expanded other popular Lucozade lines by launching a 900ml PMP and 500ml standard fourpack of the Grafruitti and a 900ml standard format of Lucozade Energy Zero Sugar Pink Lemonade.

CAPTAIN Morgan and Pepsi Max have teamed up to launch the Captain Morgan x Pepsi Max Cherry ready-todrink (RTD) cocktail. Tapping into the growing popularity of cherry �lavours, the launch combines Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold and Pepsi Max Cherry in a 5% ABV can. The cocktail is available in a plain 330ml can priced at £1.99 and 250ml price-marked can of £2.25. Nielsen research indicates

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WIIINGS FOR YOUR WINTER.

cherry is ranking as the RTD category’s fastestgrowing �lavour.

AVAILABLE IN 250ML AND 473ML.

NEW

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Smirnoff Ice expands Imperial’s on a ready-to-drink range mission to add value

DIAGEO has launched three new �lavours of its Smirnoff Ice RTD. The new lines are Green Apple, Tropical and Raspberry – and each has an ABV of 4%. The brand has also released a 10-can mixed Party Pack format. The products are available now in 250ml cans each priced at £1.75,

while the Party Pack retails at £10. The RTD continues to be a major growth area for retailers, with the segment growing by 8% in the past three years, according to IWSR data.

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IMPERIAL Brands has expanded its Paramount value cigarette brand with the launch of the Paramount Red Superkings variety. The new pack is available now with an RRP of £14.80. The launch comes as value segments are in growth, accounting for 17% share

of the total tobacco market. In August this year, Imperial Brands added a new fullstrength value cigarette to its Players portfolio called Players Classic, priced at £14.60.

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Juul Labs launches starter kit for Juul2

Naked shakes up the smoothie fixture

JUUL Labs has released a new reusable pod vape kit called the Juul2 Starter Kit. The kit includes one Juul2 device and a USB-C charging cable, with a twoyear limited warranty. It comes with four types of �lavoured pods: Crisp Menthol, Virginia Tobacco, Mango and Watermelon. Priced at £9.99, the kit is designed to help adult smokers transition away from cigarettes.

ON-THE-GO smoothie brand Naked has launched a new variant called Fibre Machine. Available to convenience retailers and via wholesale, every bottle delivers 4.2g of �ibre per serving from a blend of kiwi, apple and spinach. The smoothies come in a 300ml single-serve format priced at £3, and a 750ml take-home pack priced at £4.50. Naked Fibre Machine follows the successful launch of Naked Protein Machine, a protein smoothie available in Strawberry & Raspberry and Pineapple & Mango �lavours.

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Pistachio & Berries

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05/10/2026 14:48

Image credit: Getty Images/ Lemon_tm AILERS ENCE RET D CONVENI NEWS AN G TITLE FOR THE LEADIN

THE LEADING

RANGE ADVICE

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RETAIL NEWS

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CATEGORY ADVICE

OPINION

How Elfbar, Lost 88Vape are prepariMary and ng restrictions and for legal bans REGULATIO

.2023 ● 06.10

-and-mix Bespoke pick 65% profit ing units deliver sales for and extra like yours storesPage 4» MARKETING

CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Changes to your top vape lines revealed

mustThe seven of Xmas es stock typ and cakes » biscuits RETAIL

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20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Alternative snacking brands

Eight brands and 10 launches in healthie snacking deservin r on your shelves g space Page 34

IMPROVE YOUR

RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS

What do you think? Call Retail Express on 07814 677528 for the chance to be featured VAPE DUTY: How have you prepared for price increases?

RANGE

Your area’s top beers and ciders

Make sure you’re not missing out on bestselling lines in your region Page 28

WHOLESALE

NEWS

Scottish symbol invasion

KeyStore expands efforts to convert more English store owners to its brand Page 5

“I’VE been told there’s no shortage of non-duty stock, and we’ll be comfortable up until the end of this year. Customers haven’t been confused because they’ve seen it in the news. However, that awareness will die down in the coming weeks, so we must ensure we keep informing them.”

● How to refresh

your colas and carbonates range with products that stand out

Kay Patel, Best-one Wanstead, London

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Seelan Thambirajah, multi-site retailer, Bedford

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“CUSTOMERS will think we’re the ones choosing to increase prices and they’ll get angry with us, when it’s the wholesalers. When we do increase prices, we’ll be looking at a margin increase from 35% to 40%, but sales will likely drop off. Hopefully, the increase in pro�it will make up for that.”

HND MONTH: Why are you excited for the annual event?

The support has been encouraging

“HOME news delivery remains a vital backbone for many retailers and for the wider industry. The support we’ve received from publishers and wholesalers has been extremely encouraging, demonstrating what can be achieved when we work together for everyone’s bene�it.” Hemanshu Patel, Saltwood General Stores, Kent

“WE’VE given newspapers and magazines a proper look at. I know papers and mags are the forgotten, underloved corner of most convenience shops these days, but with TG Jones now closed in town and HND Month in full swing, it just seemed daft not to. Two more deliveries signed up.” Vince Malone, Tenby Stores & Post Of�ice, Pembrokeshire

STORE OPENING: What’s special about your shop?

EXCLUSIVE PRICING DATA TO BOOST YOUR PROFITS Pricewatch: discover the most profitable price points on top-selling colas and carbonates

“THE new Spar store at Swansea University now has expanded refrigeration, digital screens, improved layout and a signi�icantly broader range. The change has brought a noticeable uplift for customers and the layout makes the store easier to shop.” Emma Snaydon, Spar Swansea University, Swansea

“THE move from Bargain Booze to Parfetts’ Local fascia has improved margins by up to 3%. We wanted the freedom to set the range and prices in each store around what our customers actually buy. The promotions give us plenty of opportunities to offer good value.”

Jackie Scott, The Local, Carlisle

GIFTING: What are you doing with your range?

KNOW MORE ● SELL MORE ● MAKE MORE ORDER YOUR COPY from your magazine wholesaler today. Find out more at bit.ly/RNMagazine

We wanted the freedom to set the range

We sold four of them in one week for £30

“I RECENTLY introduced something to help people with anxiety. It’s a toy that does breathing exercises. I sold four of them in one week for £30, bringing in £120. I put them in a see-through plastic gift box with some �lowers. I get my ideas from Pinterest.” Stilyana Trifonova, Frome Valley Village Store, Bristol

“WE use B&J Toys, OPC, Words N Wishes, Card Connection, Jacksons, Budget, Lomond and Widdop & Co. Widdop isn’t sale or return and has a minimum spend of £500, but it’s good. I’d recommend any retailer looking to get into gifts to start with sale or return.” Judith Mercer, Hamilton News, Belfast

All grants are nonrepayable

We help shop staff as well as business owners NewstrAid’s Retailer Support Scheme • Do you work in a shop that sells newspapers and magazines?

For more information, contact us for FREE on 0800 917 8616 email mail@newstraid.org.uk

www.newstraid.org.uk/retailer-support-scheme/ NB. Financial support must be for commitments outside the business and will be subject to eligibility checks.

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LETTERS

Torridon KAUAL Nisa Convenience, PATEL south London

Letters may be edited

Chase the viral trends, but keep customers in mind

‘Being targeted by council for no good reason’ EPPING Forest District Council recently issued me with a £300 �ine for not producing any waste transfer notes between 9 September 2024 and 9 September 2026. I do believe they are targeting me for no good reason. For the past 15 years, I have always disposed of my waste at Dhamecha’s En�ield cash

and carry with their permission. I have a similar arrangement with Enzo Wholesale, and their predecessor Abra Wholesale in Edmonton. I know other retailers have permission to do the same. Not once during this 15-year period was I asked by the council for a waste transfer note, or told that this was a requirement. I take my

COMMUNITY RETAILER

OF THE WEEK

Priyesh Vekaria, One Stop Carlton Convenience, Salford

role as a responsible retailer seriously. The only waste I have is dry waste, and this is always stored properly. In the meantime, I have tried three times to pay the �ine through the council’s website, but the reference number is not recognised. I have also been asked to purchase a suitable commercial waste bin, which costs

around £500. Business has not been good lately, so any additional cost adds further pressure. Bhavin Patel, Tylers Green Stores, Epping, London

Epping Forest District Council failed to comment as Retail Express went to print

COMMUNITY RETAILER

OF THE WEEK

Bisi Osundeko, Go Local Junction Lane, St Helens

‘Being there to help when it matters’

‘Celebrating Black History Month’

“A HUGE thank you to Reach for sponsoring the Community Champion Award, presented through the Fed and for recognising the work we continue to do within our local community. For us at One Stop Carlton Convenience, community has never been an add-on to the business. It’s part of how we do business. Often, it is much simpler than any initiative or programme. It is knowing your customers, noticing when somebody needs help and being there when it matters.”

“I RECENTLY did a BBC Radio Merseyside interview about the divisive statement made by the leader of St Helens Council. To be frank, I am not shocked. I think when a council leader describes Black History Month as a ‘racist celebration’, that says a great deal. Celebrating Black history does not alienate other races. Even though the council leader has said that the council will not be celebrating, community organisations, charities and community leaders will be coming together to ensure it is.”

EVERYONE is looking for the latest viral trend to get on their shelves to create a point of difference. At the moment, one of the hottest commodities out there are Pokémon 30th anniversary cards, and my advice to retailers is to jump on this bandwagon. They are so valuable in terms of driving footfall, but I think you’ve got be Each issue, one of seven top careful about how retailers shares advice to you’re pricing and make your store magnificent selling them. I’m selling mine at retail for £60, but I have seen them on sale at wholesale for £175. If you go onto eBay, you can see them selling for more than £200 or even up to £400. These are insane prices, and while it must be tempting to up your own prices, you’ve got to think about the reputational damage that could do to your business in the long term. I have been selling the nonanniversary cards at £4.50 and I know there are retailers selling for £10 and saying the market dictates the price. But you’ve got to also think about your customers. In the pandemic, people cranked up the prices on things like paracetamol, and people were desperate and they bought them, but they remembered who scalped them on price. I’ve heard of people queuing up overnight to get their hands on these cards, taking the day off work, so my approach has been to get them to come to my shop to buy at a reasonable price. I have a sign on the cabinet that says you can only buy one piece from the collection, no ifs, no buts. I have a WhatsApp group with all the local parents who have been supporting my business for many years, and I will message them when we get new stock in and let them know what we’ve got so my locals will benefit first. But it’s brought in customers I’ve never seen before as well. I’ve not allowed them to buy up lots of the cards because I know they’re just going to resell them. It’s not fair, and it doesn’t make sense to destroy my reputation in the community for a quick profit. I’ve had people offer me double if I’d sell them two, but I have to ask myself whether an extra £100 in profit is worth a child’s smile or the goodwill of my community. And it’s an easy decision for me.

Get in touch

@retailexpress betterretailing.com facebook.com/betterretailing alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk 07814 677528

RETAIL

IN ACTION

PAID FEATURE BRAND SPOTLIGHT

In partnership with

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

What’s new from Lindt?

FOCUS ON:

THE LINDT TREAT RANGE Turn growing demand for premium chocolate into stronger sales with the LINDT TREAT RANGE. It covers everyday indulgence, trending flavours, dark chocolate and a nut-based bar

What to know MAKE it easy to find: group Lindor Milk Treat Bar, Lindor Pistachio Treat Bar and Nocciolatte in a clear, branded block to aid browsing. Stock the full range to cater for more tastes and occasions.

GET placement right: keep the range in shoppers’ natural line of sight, maintain strong availability and position Excellence with similar-sized bars.

Circana, 52 w/e 14.02.26, Total Market, Value Sales, 2Kantar CatMan 52 w/e 28.12.25

THINK beyond the aisle: one in three shoppers avoid the confectionery aisle, so use relevant high-traffic and crossmerchandising locations.

Top products

Key stats

61% £556m

PREMIUM chocolate isn’t just for special occasions anymore. Shoppers are increasingly looking for higher-quality treats as part of their everyday shop, creating a clear opportunity for convenience retailers to encourage trade-up and drive higher-value sales. From the number-one premium bars and snacking brand1, the Lindt Treat Range brings together Lindor Milk Treat Bar, Lindor Pistachio Treat Bar, Lindt Excellence and Lindt Nocciolatte. Together, they cover familiar everyday indulgence, an in-demand flavour, richer highcocoa chocolate and a premium nut-based choice. Stocking the range helps retailers cater for more tastes and occasions, giving shoppers more reasons to choose premium chocolate and creating more opportunities to grow basket spend. The Lindt Treat Range gives you a clear way to capture growing premium demand.

Lindor Milk Treat Bar RRP: £1.35

of shoppers now view premium chocolate as an affordable luxury1 lost opportunity in convenience due to retailers not stocking a credible premium range2

Lindor Pistachio Treat Bar RRP: £1.35

Alex Hillhouse, convenience and wholesale controller, Lindt & Sprungli UK “RETAILERS are seeing a clear shift towards premium chocolate as shoppers seek high-quality treats and affordable indulgence. Stocking the full Lindt Treat Range gives retailers a premium snacking offer for multiple occasions, helping drive stronger sales. ‘Stock. Sell. Win.’ is designed to drive rate of sale through a ‘Win £100’ shopper promotion, while giving retailers the chance to win a bill paid for six months, helping ease the pressures of a challenging trading environment.”

Lindt Excellence RRP: £3.50

From 14 September to 1 November, stock the Lindt Treat Range for the chance to win a business bill paid for six months. Terms and conditions apply. Find out more: winwithlindt.co.uk/retailer

CATEGORY ADVICE NEXT-GEN NICOTINE

NEXT-GEN NICOTINE: WHAT’S NEXT The next-gen nicotine category is always changing, so where are retailers seeing the biggest growth opportunities? TAMARA BIRCH finds out

NEXT-GEN NICOTINE: A REVIEW OVER the past 18 months, the next-gen nicotine category has been subject to a lot of legislation, which has made growing the category a challenge, as noted by Vidur Pandya, of Kislingbury Mini Market & Post Office. “The whole category has struggled since the disposable-vapes ban, to be honest,” he says. “Customers are still getting used to the new way

of vaping and it means sales have been impacted.” However, Pandya says that nicotine pouch sales have grown. “Velo and Pablo are our biggest sellers, but I think Velo has grown because BAT has invested so heavily in its marketing that customers are noticing it when they’re out and about,” he says. Bobby Singh, of BB Nevison Stores & Post Office in Ponte-

fract, West Yorkshire, has also noticed a rise in demand for nicotine pouches. “They are slowly growing, and I think they will continue to grow,” he says. Singh’s biggest challenge, however, has been customer education around nicotine pouches. He says that it can be difficult to switch vapers or tobacco users to the category.

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

SUPPLIER

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Angelo Yang, associate general manager, UK, Elfbar and Lost Mary “PREFILLED pod kits now dominate the vaping category, with high-puff-count formats accounting for just over 60% of the market and driving category growth. “Refills represent a growing opportunity within the reusable category, driven by a shift in consumer behaviour and their role in repeat sales. Alongside value considerations, access to a range of flavours plays an increasingly key role in purchasing decisions. A recent Elfbar survey shows that 72% of adult vapers use fruit or other related flavours, reflecting continued preference for non-tobacco and menthol flavour options.”

HOT SENSATIONS CATEGORY ADVICE NEXT-GEN NICOTINE

TRENDING STRENGTHS, FLAVOURS AND SIZES THE sales growth of nicotine pouches is clear in independent convenience stores, but it’s backed by supplier insights, too, as evidenced by Andrew Malm, UK market manager for Imperial Brands. “Pouches are proving popular with existing nicotine users for providing a

This product contains nicotine which is a highly addictive substance.

discreet, effective and affordable form of nicotine delivery, meaning the category has grown significantly,” he explains. “Usage among 18-to-24year-olds has also grown to 4% in 2026, with roughly 7.5% of men in this age bracket now identifying as regular pouch users.”

From a flavour perspective, Pandya says that fruit flavours in vapes specifically continue to thrive, and are particularly popular among social vapers. “Social vapers are on the rise,” he says. “It’s similar to smokers at the pub, they’ve just switched to vaping instead.”

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

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Prianka Jhingan, head of marketing, Scandinavian Tobacco Group UK “WHILE fruit flavours should certainly be included in any retailer’s range, it’s worth noting that mint flavours account for more than 75% of all pouch sales, so these are the most important to stock. While in general there is a move towards higher strength pouches, it makes sense for retailers to stock a range of strengths to cater for new entrants to the category up to experienced nicotine pouch customers and everyone in between.”

To become a stockist please visit: trade.vapesupplier.co.uk

CATEGORY ADVICE NEXT-GEN NICOTINE

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

LATEST LAUNCHES

Zig nicotine pouches Produced by Republic Technologies, Zig became available from August in three strengths, 8mg, 12mg and 17mg, across six flavours: Berry Cool, Citrus, Ice Mint, Peppermint, Power Mint and Tropical. The range has a £4.50 RRP. Snu Fizze Energy The range is available in 6mg, 12mg and 18mg per pouch, and combines tropical flavours with the fizz of an energy drink. There’s also a 60mg per gram option in Snu’s extra-strong ‘Xtra High’ range. Fizzy Energy becomes the fourth flavour available in the brand’s extra-strong range. IVG’s five new flavours to Pro 10mg range The five new flavours in the IVG Pro 10mg lineup are Mixed Berry (strawberry, blueberry and raspberry), Strawberry Hub (strawberry with a bubblegum twist), Hub Blast (bubblegum), Raspberry Blast (tangy, sweet-and-sour raspberry) and Cherry Ice (ripe cherry, cooling menthol finish). The new flavours are available from all major wholesalers and distributors. Riot Labs Japanese-inspired Kuro e-liquid range The eight-flavour collection is available now and includes two formats under one brand – 10ml nicotine salts (5mg, 10mg and 20mg) and 100ml short fills (0mg). Flavours include Kakigori Blood, Ryu Berry, Matcha Latte, Sakura Nights, Tokyo Mule, Umeshu Plum, Akiba Grape and Momo Fuji.

WHAT DO RETAILERS PLAN ON DOING IF NEXT-GEN NICOTINE GOES DARK? AS part of the Tobacco and Vapes Act, the government has the power to implement a display and flavour ban. While retailers have been focusing on the Vape Duty Tax, many have made initial plans on what they will do with their gantries.

“We’ve gone through this before, with the tobacco ban,” Singh says. “So, it’s about learning from the first time.” Singh currently has his gantry behind the till, but says from a practical point of view, it’s easy having it there as they

can open the doors. However, from a business perspective, he plans to inquire about drawers underneath the till. “Both thoughts have occurred to us, and the additional counter space having drawers would give us is worth consid-

PREPARE YOUR CUSTOMERS FOR THE VAPE DUTY TAX A NEW vaping duty came into force on 1 October, meaning that all vaping products now have a duty stamp and the rate is £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid. Retailers have six months from 1 October to sell through non-compliant stock. Some retailers stocked up prior to the date, however Pandya hasn’t bought additional stock and is communicating to his customers about inevitable price hikes. “The customer is ultimately

losing out with this Duty Tax,” he says. “Instead of threefor-£10, the same range will become two-for-£10 or threefor-£17.” Pandya also adds that he believes big-puff devices, like those with 30,000 puffs, will struggle to sell. “These kinds of devices currently sell for around £15 each, and it will go to £21 after the £6 tax hit,” he says. To prepare his customers for the tax, Pandya reviewed his range and cleared stock

that was no longer selling, or will struggle to sell now the Vape Duty Tax is in place. What’s more, from 1 April 2027, all vaping products outside of duty suspension must carry a stamp featuring a digital element, such as a QR code. This must be scanned at set points in the supply chain. Each business handling the product will be responsible for scanning the stamp to allow HMRC to track product movement and ensure compliance.

ering, too,” he says. Pandya also says he would consider removing his gantry: “The sales opportunity is too hard to ignore. We could use it for another category that might not even exist yet.”

For Trade only. Not for distribution to Consumers.

QUALITY IN EVERY PUFF 9 flavours available to explore

STRICTLY CONTROLLED INGREDIENTS IN OUR E-LIQUIDS FOR RELIABLE TASTE *Based on puff duration of 1 second. May vary depending on individual usage patterns.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: 18+ THIS PRODUCT IS NOT RISK-FREE AND PROVIDES NICOTINE, WHICH IS ADDICTIVE. ONLY FOR USE BY ADULTS.

If I need to know the latest retail trends or industry news, I start by looking at Better Retailing Dave Hiscutt, Better Retailing survey, 2024.

We ﬁnd the news and trends that matter, so you don’t have to. Join thousands of successful retailers who rely on Better Retailing to stay informed, competitive and proﬁtable.

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CATEGORY ADVICE WORLD FOODS

BRINGING THE WORLD TO YOUR STORE DIA STRONACH finds out how retailers can turn global foods from an added bonus to a footfall driver

GETTING GLOBAL NINETY-ONE percent of UK consumers are eager to try international food and drink, with half treating global cuisine at home as a costeffective alternative to restaurants. Shoppers are actively looking for these products on your shelves, whether they are from the same countries as these cuisines are not. Anna Beheshti, Tilda’s head of marketing, says 54% of younger shoppers are trying foods from a variety of cultures. “The world foods category continues to be anchored by core ethnic shoppers, while

also attracting a broader audience of consumers exploring global flavours at home,” she says. With these young shoppers looking for quality, authentic products, adding just a couple of global brands can capture high-margin impulse sales. These don’t have to be exotic products. Many shoppers assume a premium quality to authentic world alternatives. With the UK rice category worth around £1bn annually, for example, offering brands from multiple cuisines can give your store a reliable anchor for repeat local trade.

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

CATEGORY ADVICE WORLD FOODS

WHICH CUISINES ARE WORKING? KAY Patel, who runs five stores in east London and Essex, highlights the South Korean section of his store as a solid performer in boosting basket spend. “South Korean is a growing category,” he says. “It’s been around for a while, but with the popularity of things like Buldak and K-pop, people are still buy-

ing it. That’s mostly the younger generation, aged 16-25. The ingredients to make South Korean food are more bought by older customers.” Patel has a wide world foods section, with a range of products that include lines from Asian, Indian, Caribbean, Chinese and Thai cuisines, all of

Product LAUNCHES

New products for your shelves S&B S&B has expanded its condiments range with the launch of Spicy Crunchy Garlic Umami Topping. Available in 110g jars, it has an RRP of £3.75, and is packed with rich umami flavour and a robust crunch in chili oil. Adding to its authentic Japanese range, S&B has also introduced Umeboshi Paste, which comes in 40g tubs and is priced at £1.99. This traditional salted plum puree is designed for dressings and marinades. Balconi Balconi has broadened its sweet treats selection with the Italian Cake Bar Cocoa. Featuring an oven-baked sponge cake filled with a luscious cocoa cream and wrapped in a rich cocoa coating, it provides an indulgent, premium snack bar option for shoppers. Master Cook Master Cook is aiming to tap into surging consumer demand for regional Asian flavours with the launch of its Korean-style Gochujang Ketchup. Priced at £2.19 for a 285g bottle, this is a fusion condiment. Maggi Maggi has introduced its Kimchi Chicken noodles, featuring a flavour profile that is spicy, tangy and sour. Delivering a distinct medium heat level, this bold noodle option aims to meet the growing appetite for exciting, restaurant-style Korean flavours at home. Tilda Tilda has expanded its popular ready-to-heat microwaveable range with Jamaican Spiced Pumpkin Rice, crafted in partnership with chef duo Original Flava. Combining white rice with pumpkin and scotch bonnet chilli, the 250g pouch has an RRP of £1.25.

which have combined to build a reputation for his shops. “Not all of it sells, but it creates theatre in store,” he adds. “People that shop in the store notice.” Moving world foods out of hidden corners into mainstream displays makes it easier for busy shoppers to spot them.

Curating a high-impact selection of trusted global brands allows retailers to position their store as the go-to local hub for flavour discovery, maximising both sales and customer loyalty. As this grows, it’s possible to create a dedicated part of the store that can form a destination aspect.

BIGGER AND BETTER EXPANDING your world foods section and creating a dedicated display can help to capture adventurous shoppers and boost local basket spend. You do not need to rely solely on local ethnic demographics to stock these lines; world food is driven by a universal consumer desire for flavour exploration, bold seasonings and global cuisines. Kumar Patel, from Patson Local in Bradford, West Yorkshire, says while most of his eastern European foods are bought by eastern European shoppers, he also sees a lot of trade from other shoppers, particularly of snacks.

“Lay’s has become more recognisable from people seeing them on holiday, so you do get British customers trying those,” he says. As well as ready meals and ingredients for cooking from scratch, food to go is another area where stores can give shoppers an easy way to try something new. Eszter Somogyi, director of Europe, Middle East and Africa at the USA Rice Federation, says these formats have seen sustained growth because they offer “consumers speed and convenience without compromising on premium texture or quality”.

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

23 In partnership with 27

WHICH CUISINES TO FOCUS ON WHILE your local demographic will go a long way in helping you decide which international cuisines to focus on, it’s also worth looking at wider trends and the fastest-growing international cuisines currently captivating shoppers. Japanese food is booming, contributing 7.3% to the category and growing at 12%. Akash Mittal, brand manager at Empire Bespoke Foods, says: “With Japanese food

now one of the fastest-growing cuisines in UK world food aisles, there’s never been a better time to capitalise on this trend. “These exciting new ingredients are an easy and convenient way to add truly authentic flavours to a wide range of dishes, from Asian cuisine to western favourites.” Alongside Japanese lines, Indian cuisine remains a favourite, with 67% of UK con-

sumers reporting they ate Indian food at home in a threemonth window. Caribbean cuisine is also rapidly emerging as a major growth opportunity, particularly for engaging younger shoppers. Tilda’s Anna Beheshti says: “Caribbean cuisine is emerging as a significant growth opportunity, particularly among younger consumers who are looking to experiment with bold, authentic flavours

at home.” Highlighting the demand for culturally rooted recipes, she adds: “Twenty-four percent of Brits say Jamaican cuisine is the cuisine they most want to try next, ahead of Japanese (16%) and Mediterranean (14%).” By curating a compact display featuring quick-heat pouches and popular regional ingredients, it’s possible to effortlessly turn casual browsers into loyal, repeat customers.

October is Menopause Awareness Month

VASANTI JESANI Brooky Local, Runcorn, Cheshire

Focus on… supporting women through menopause WE used to have multiple convenience sites, but trading has changed, and after the Covid pandemic, I was burnt out, so we sold my store, while my husband kept his. I took two years out of the business and put my experience in customer interaction to use. I retrained as a clinical hypnotherapist and a menopause coach. I went through surgical menopause when I was 35; GPs didn’t offer help and I was too young for HRT. I had brain fog, my moods changed, and I had hot sweats and insomnia, which brought on anxiety. As women, we just carry on and the last person we look after is ourselves, but I’ve been on a journey of self-care. When we have staff going through menopause, we need to listen, train managers to recognise symptoms, offer flexible working and breaks and adapt uniforms to make dealing with hot sweats easier. Retailers should provide a private space to have sensitive conversations, signpost staff who are struggling to see their GP or occupational health therapist, and check in regularly. Making small changes, doing breathwork, talk therapy and coaching can make a big difference.

UPGRADE TO A DESTINATION SEVENTY-EIGHT percent of world foods shoppers already know which cuisines they love, and want to try new things from those ranges. This means you can attract dedicated shoppers who will travel specifically to you to get what they need. “For residential convenience stores, world foods can be a genuine destination category,” says Shezad Aslam, managing director of Aagrah Foods. “Once a shopper finds us, they tend to stay.” By anchoring your fixture with a well-curated range of regional essentials – such as cooking pastes, poppadoms, naans and chutneys – you can easily support a meaningful weekly shop for food-confident households. However, building this destination requires careful consideration around sourcing, compliance and product quality. While you might be tempted to source international products from abroad yourself, doing so introduces significant hurdles.

“Sourcing direct can run the risk of missing out on a number of critical benefits such as product development and refinement, demand forecasting, regulatory compliance, supplier verification and stock management,” says Akash Mittal, brand manager at Empire Bespoke Foods. Partnering with established distributors ensures that every item on your shelf is fully compliant with UK trading standards while securing authentic goods sourced directly from countries of origin. However, Kumar Patel has been specialising in eastern European foods for more than 20 years and sources his products himself. He says this gives his store an unrivalled reputation among customers. “We had to go out there, find the most popular foods, learn everything from scratch and implement it,” he says. “Now we get customers coming to us from across the country.”

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Shezad Aslam, managing director, Aagrah Foods “PREMIUMISATION is shaping the world foods category more than pure adventure. Shoppers are increasingly discerning, rejecting foods that they perceive to be lacking depth, overly processed and of poor quality. With hospitality still under pressure, brands that deliver a credible ‘fakeaway’ are the ones enjoying growth. “Consumer demand for authenticity is also a major factor in shaping the category. Consumers are spending longer looking at back-of-pack to understand the story and ingredients, but authenticity doesn’t necessarily mean procuring from abroad. Local producers with cultural legacies in any cuisine continue to disrupt the category, utilising time-honoured cooking techniques and recipes passed from generation to generation.”

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CATEGORY ADVICE SPORTS & ENERGY DRINKS

DRIVING SALES IN SPORTS AND ENERGY CHARLES WHITTING finds out how retailers can grow their sales within sports and energy drinks

MECHANDISING ADVICE

SPORTS AND ENERGY SUPPORTING EACH OTHER WHILE energy drinks are now the dominant soft drinks subcategory, a number of offshoots and evolutions have created additional opportunities for retailers. The growth of health-focused options that contain added benefits, from vitamins to electrolytes, has given certain products a point of difference that retailers can use to grow sales.

“The sports and energy category is thriving, and continues to outpace soft drinks, and the wider market. In fact, this year, sports and energy contributed 35% of all soft drinks growth, which has been great for all brands in the category,” says a spokesperson for Red Bull. “Functional energy is the biggest segment, accounting for 16% of soft drinks value and

contributing 30% of category growth.” Retailers should look at wellness trends online and visit their local gyms to see what’s on offer there. As functional, health and protein products continue to gain traction, their influence on sports and energy drinks can’t be underestimated. “In 2026 we will continue

From Red Bull’s spokesperson to see even more focus on not just flavour driven innovation, but functionality, too,” says Kate Abbotson, senior external communications manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). “Many are looking for drinks with added benefits to fuel them during their workout, which is why performance energy drinks are growing in popularity.”

Apply strike-zone placement Position top-performing lines in the most visible areas of the fixture. Segment the range clearly Group energy drinks by sugar content, flavour and size to make the fixture easy to shop. Leverage adjacencies Place energy drinks near cola to benefit from shopper overlap and drive category footfall.

20 OCTOBER-2 NOVEMBER 2026 betterretailing.com

CORE CHOICES AND LAUNCHES THE sports and energy category is one that continues to evolve, whether it’s new flavours coming from established brands, new brands entering the space or new benefits that a drink can bring to the table. With this in mind, retailers can keep their range interesting by investing in – showcasing prominently – any launches or emerging trends they can get their hands on. “I have a customer who de-

signed his own sports drink – Aquatonic – and we’re selling that now,” says Nishi Patel, from Londis Bexley Park in Dartford, Kent. “People are moving into the vitamin-style drinks like the shots in the morning or protein meal replacement drinks. We’ve also added more US versions into our range, which give a more premium edge to what we offer.” Patel recommends leaning into the added benefits of

sports drinks as people become more savvy and younger customers in particular start looking for different drinks, with the energy drinks ban incoming next year. However, despite its diversity, sports and energy as a sector is perhaps even more reliant on its biggest sellers than other categories, so maintaining strong availability of your top few bestsellers – and ensuring they are always kept chilled –

will ultimately build more than a base for your sales. “The amount of launches and new brands entering the soft drinks category is a clear indication to its strength and popularity,” says the Red Bull spokesperson. “However, with the top three energy drink brands (Red Bull, Monster and Lucozade Energy) making up 88% of all sales, it’s vital that these products have good representation in store first.”

OVER 1.5 MILLION DRINKS SOLD EVERY DAY* Source: Total Nielsen Coverage, 26weeks to 26thSept26, Total Suntory Portfolio, Average Unit sales per day

CATEGORY ADVICE SPORTS & ENERGY DRINKS

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MAXIMISING SALES WHEN it comes to driving sales of sports and energy drinks, retailers agree that multibuy options are a great way to boost basket spend. With people often looking for something to consume now, while also knowing they will need one later, sacrificing a bit of margin to encourage multiple sales is a tactic employed by all the retailers who spoke to Retail Express. Patel offers Monster at two for £3, citing a preference to shift volume over chasing margins. “We have deals for people

buying three Red Bulls or two Monsters,” says Arneet Thakker, from Woking Wines in Surrey. “It was slow at first, but then people started comparing prices to elsewhere and it’s really worked well.” Dee Sedani, from One Stop Packmoor in Derbyshire, echoes this and says that these days, customers are chasing promotions across all categories rather than focusing on preferred brands. “A lot of sales now are based on promotional activity and price,” he says.

NEW PRODUCTS The latest launches and campaigns Lucozade Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has expanded its Lucozade Energy range with the launch of Lucozade Energy Sherbet Twist Zero Sugar. The new variety is available in a 500ml bottle, in plain and £1.50 price-marked versions. A 900ml format launched initially through Tesco. SBF GB&I is also expanding the Lucozade portfolio with the launch of several new formats across some of its most popular drinks this autumn. A new 900ml PMP and 500ml standard four-pack for Grafruitti has launched. Lucozade Energy Zero Sugar Pink Lemonade has also launched in a 900ml standard format. Red Bull Wings Cup In September, Red Bull launched a global EA Sports FC tournament, supported by an exclusive on-pack promotion across selected Red Bull packs. Through coded tabs on promotional cans, shoppers can buy a participating Red Bull product, scan the QR code and log in with their EA account via an exclusive microsite to unlock in-game items. The promotion is available across Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml, 355ml and 473ml plain and PMC packs, Red Bull Sugarfree 250ml, 355ml and 473ml packs and Red Bull Zero 250ml.

RETAILER

VIEW

Arneet Thakker, Woking Wines, Surrey “ENERGY is absolutely huge for us. Monster and Red Bull are our bestsellers, but Celsius is also doing really well. The launches do well for a while, as people want to try it, but it always dies down and they come back for the original flavours. We get a lot of trade from students for that. “Functional water brands are doing well. We had six flavours of Vitamin Well, although we reduced it down to four because the isotonic one wasn’t selling. It’s got good flavours, is £1.99 each and feeds that healthy drinking trend. You see it in a lot of gyms, but not that many stores, and I know that I’m selling it cheaper than the gyms. People see it and then they come back for it. We’ve even got a branded fridge for them.”

Red Bull Winter Edition Red Bull has unveiled its latest limited-edition launch for winter – Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries. Research shows that more than two-thirds of 22-to-44-year-olds would consider a pistachioflavoured energy drink. The launch will be supported by a national campaign, ‘In for the WINter’, designed to give consumers the energy they need to be at their best when competing with friends. C4 x Twister Pineapple In August, C4 teamed up with The Magnum Ice Cream Company to launch C4 x Twister Pineapple. The drink combines Twister’s blend of strawberry, lime, and pineapple with C4 formulation. It contains 160mg of caffeine alongside vitamins B3 and B12. It has zero sugar and is also low in calories. Monster Nitro Blue In August, Monster expanded its Additions portfolio with the launch of Monster Nitro Blue Flash. It is available in a 500ml can retailing at £1.85. The launch builds on the success of the Nitro Range, which first launched in August 2024 and is now worth £8.7m, according to Nielsen.

THE THIRST FOR NEW

£83.6M NPD SALES IN THE 1 LAST YEAR

SOFT DRINKS PRODUCTS.

IS YOUR SHELF READY FOR WHAT’S NEXT?

WANT TO TRY NEW FLAVOURS MORE OFTEN.³

DESPITE REPRESENTING ONLY 4% OF SINGLE-SERVE VALUE SALES, NPD GENERATES 26% OF VALUE GROWTH.²

4 WAYS TO WIN 1

KNOW WHAT’S NEXT Keep up-to-date with the latest flavours and trends so you know what to stock.

26%

New Product Development (NPD) drives Soft Drink growth, and in the Energy category, flavour is leading the way. Make space for the new products and flavours that matter, and bring them to life in store.

GROWTH HACKS

PUT NPD NEXT TO TOP SELLERS Make space beside your best sellers to draw the eye.

78%

FLAG IT ‘NEW’ Drive impulse with ‘NEW’ POS on shelf and in secondary placements.

OF NEW FUNCTIONAL ENERGY SHOPPERS BOUGHT A FLAVOUR.4

OF NPD SALES COME FROM THE SPORTS & ENERGY CATEGORY.1

GET SOCIAL Showcase NPD on social to capture younger shoppers.

NEW NEW

ARE YOU READY TO MAKE SPACE, STOCK NPD, AND DRIVE SALES?

Fuelled by

ADVICE

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SOURCING LOCAL PRODUCTS CHARLES WHITTING finds out how retailers are sourcing local suppliers and using their products to create a point of difference

We don’t tend to use local suppliers in our store, but are other retailers doing so? – Stilyana Trifonova, Frome Valley Local Store, Bristol

Chloe Taylor-Green, Spar Western Downs, Staffordshire

“WE’VE just changed our entire food-to-go range, and now, as well as getting sandwiches from Blakemore, we’re also sourcing them locally. It does its own salad bowls, sandwiches and baguettes, and we’ve brought them in at the same time as we’re introducing a new coffee offer with Philpotts. “We’ve also got Staffordshire oatcakes, which are absolutely delicious and provide a big point of difference. You can get them in the big multiples, but the homemade ones from smaller, local suppliers are more popular and tend to be better quality. “See what’s out there in your local area. Our manager, Margaret, has been with us since the store opened, and she knows what’s going on. You need to be looking for products that people can’t get elsewhere. Sometimes, you can also get a better deal with suppliers who are local, and often your community will buy into it as well.”

Manjit Sohal, Bronllys Garage, Brecon, Powys

“WE have lots of local products from local suppliers. We’ve been here for 20 years and have always tried to use them. We’ve got local eggs, sandwiches, cakes, cheese, butter, honey, teabags, beers and ciders. We’re with Morrisons Daily and will get whatever it’ll allow us to get and it’s very supportive of that. “I think it’s something more people should do. These suppliers are supporting us by using the shop, so we want to support them; we’ve had long-term customers start up a business and will always try to stock what they’re making. The most recent is a local man who’s making fudge. It’s not a big seller for us yet, but it’s my duty as a local person supported by local people to help them out as well. “Start looking for local suppliers on the Facebook community pages – everyone is on there these days. That’s where we go to �ind them.”

Jay Javed, Nisa Local Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire

“WE have worked very closely with local suppliers since the pandemic. We’re currently working with around 12. During the pandemic, it was very hard to get hold of supplies, and these local producers really helped us out. It’s about availability and closeness. If you run out, they’re often quick to turn something around and get you some deliveries. But then it’s also an extra bonus and unique selling point for the shop as well. “We get local ice cream from Equi’s, and we’ve actually got dedicated ice cream stands at some of the bigger stores. We’ve got crisps from Mackie’s as well. We have bread and cakes, eggs and milk. On top of that, we’re using local wholesalers to get products that are generally Scottish. “You can Google them and build a relationship on LinkedIn. Find out what your competitors are doing – or aren’t doing – and then try to do something better.”

In the next issue, the Retail Express team finds out how retailers maintain store standards. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email charles.whitting@newtrade.co.uk