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BETTER RETAILING FESTIVAL & AWARDS

Learn what makes the top retailers in the UK and Ireland so successful P24 BR FESTIVAL

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

A DAY OF MASTERCLASSGES AND LEARNIN ts from the of A round-up of insigh FESTIVAL’s series BETTER RETAILING panel discussions masterclasses and

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

THE EVOLUTION OF

FOOD TO GO

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‘PROTECT OUR LOCAL SHOPS’ • PO boss says only business

rates overhaul can aid shops • Rising bills harming future

of POs and other retailers, claims chief exec

E V I S U L C EX

MODERN SLAVERY

RETAIL CRIME

PRODUCTS

New report shines light on slavery and exploitation in convenience stores

Boy who stabbed hero shopkeeper and teenage girl in stalking incident given court sentence

Don’t miss these big launches from Red Bull, Cadbury and Doritos

our say

Alex Yau, editor

There’s one year until the Deposit Return Scheme A RECENT long weekend away in the Netherlands coincided with the year-long countdown to the Deposit Return Scheme’s (DRS) UK launch. The trip provided me with a glimpse at how it may work ahead of October 2027. Introduced in the Netherlands in 2006, the sustainability scheme has evolved over the years from only accepting large plastic bottles to eventually allowing the public to deposit small plastic bottles and aluminium cans at participating sites. I managed to witness the scheme in action at two of the country’s largest food brands: the supermarket chain Albert Heijn and Spar. Although both brands differ greatly in store size and product offering, what struck me was how IT SHOWS HOW similarly customers interacted SUCCESSFUL IT CAN with DRS. The machines accepting BE WITH PROPER drinks containers were situAWARENESS ated between the exits and checkouts, and customers were making returns seamlessly during their shop. There were no instructions or staff assistance required. Admittedly, DRS has been in the Netherlands for 20 years, so public education has been given more than enough time to bed in. However, it shows how successful it can be for retailers when they create the proper awareness. Coverage of the recent Better Retailing Festival (page 24) stresses why you shouldn’t ignore DRS and provides advice on how to prepare. And over the next year, Retail Express will give you everything you need to know to make the right choices about the upcoming scheme for your business.

The five biggest stories this fortnight 01

Convenience stores named worst for modern slavery

ALEX YAU

CONVENIENCE stores and supermarkets accounted for the largest share of suspected modern slavery victims in retail, according to anti-slavery charity Unseen. In new �igures released last month, the charity said food, drink and supermarket busi-

nesses accounted for 76% (201) of all potential modern slavery victims across retail between January 2025 and June 2026. It added the most common method of exploitation involved abusing a staff member’s immigration and visa status. An account of a modern

slavery victim, whose name has been changed, said: “Cumar was brought to the UK by a man who offered him work and promised to cover the costs of his travel and visa. Cumar’s employer had, in fact, not arranged an appropriate visa for him. “He used Cumar’s insecure immigration status to control

him. He was forced to work in a shop for less than £100 per week and was threatened with violence if he didn’t comply. “ Other forms of reported abuse included withholding wages and making salary deductions, while 60% were living in accommodation tied to their employment.

@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/Yuliya Hrelik/anuwat meereewee

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.

New Tomra RVM

TOMRA’S compact reverse vending machine (RVM) can be leased or rented by retailers ahead of the DRS launch in October 2027. The unit, which occupies

0.45sq m of space, can also be purchased directly with hybrid agreements available. Exchange for Change is due to release its list of approved RVMs this month.

Labour Conference

THE Fed and ACS both raised issues affecting independent retailers at this year’s Labour Party Conference. Hosting a fringe event, the ACS warned that “rogue trad-

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

Evri parcel woes

ers must be stopped to restore pride to high streets”. Meanwhile, the Fed was involved in a session on the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme legislation.

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

InPost unconcerned

POST Of�ice (PO) has con- central depots to smaller local INPOST Distribution (ID) �irmed Evri services across depots”. claims losing around half its its branch network were disAn Evri spokesperson said: national newstrade volumes rupted following changes to “We’ve introduced a number of will have only a “limited” imthe delivery �irm’s network. measures, including addition- mediate �inancial impact. PO said the issues stemmed al routes, which are supportNews UK, Daily Mail from Evri moving “from larger ing service improvements.” Group and Frontline award-

ed Smiths News exclusive rights to supply all stores in Britain between July 2027 and April 2030. ID directors described this as a decision by “a small number of newstrade customers”.

@retailexpress facebook.com/betterretailing

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk 07814 677528

Gov’t urged not to ignore struggling post offices ALEX YAU RISING business rates are threatening the ability of Post Of�ice (PO) branches and local shops to serve their communities, the organisation’s boss has warned ahead of the Autumn Budget. Writing exclusively for Retail Express, PO chief executive Neil Brocklehurst warned that post of�ices were facing more pressure from increased business rates and bills which were also having a negative impact on investments and employment. According to a survey of 192 subpostmasters conducted in August this year, 92% said rising business rates were impacting their ability to invest, while 88% added it affected their optimism for the future. Respondents also stressed that rising costs had reduced recruitment and led to staff being given fewer hours. New services and expansion were being impacted by increasing bills, while some branch owners said they were dipping into their own �inances to manage the costs. Explaining the impact, one respondent warned: “We are in a deprived town centre. Our customers are often more vulnerable and not digitally literate. They use us for access to cash and many basic services. Our recent rates increase is making us consider viability.”

Writing for Retail Express, PO chief executive Neil Brocklehurst: When politicians talk about growth, it’s often in terms of major infrastructure projects or national investment programmes. But growth also happens when a retailer opens its doors to trade every morning. Each week, more than 10 million people and businesses visit a post of�ice. Those visits create footfall and are estimated to generate £3bn of spending in nearby shops annually. Ministers want to see thriving high streets and growth in every postcode. Yet many of the small businesses which support exactly that are facing a sharp increase in costs. Most post of�ices are run by independent business owners. Like retailers across the country, they are dealing with rising wage bills and higher costs. As part of our Transformation Plan, PO has made changes to increase postmaster remuneration by more than £90m last year, but many postmasters continue to tell me that the economics of running a branch remain challenging. Business rates are a growing part of that challenge. Following recent changes to the ratings system, post of�ices are expected to pay almost £45m in business rates next �inancial year. That’s around £29m more than branches paid under the previous relief regime.

express yourself “BEFORE, we used to use a broker locally, and they just sorted it out for us. To be honest, we just went with whoever was the cheapest. However, I recently switched to Five Rivers Insurance, which recommended that I separate my property insurance from my business insurance and go for a tailored policy for each store. Now I pay around £6,000 for buildings and contents insurance across my five stores. I saw a reduction of £600-to-£700 this year.” Sid Ali, multi-site retailer, Aberdeenshire

GOOD WEEK OPPORTUNITY: Retailers are generating more than £1,000 in average monthly sales through a claw machine supplier seeking expansion in more convenience stores. The Gigo-branded machines, supplied by Genda Europe, stocks plushies from popular Japanese franchises, such as Dragon Ball, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Chainsaw Man and My Hero Academia. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Gigo’ DRS: Retailers and drinks producers can now register their interest to be return points for October 2027’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The first phase of registrations opened on 29 September. Scheme administrator Exchange for Change is urging businesses to “register as soon as possible”. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘DRS’

BAD WEEK

Image credit: Post Office

Nearly 600 additional post of�ices are expected to begin paying business rates for the �irst time, while the average bill will rise to around £3,700. The rates are already in�luencing the decisions postmasters make about investment, recruitment and growth. Recent PO research found that 92% of the postmasters surveyed say business rates have affected their ability to invest in their branch, while 89% say they have affected employment decisions and

the column where you can make your voice heard

growth plans. Three in �ive (60%) say business rates have stopped them recruiting additional staff. At a time when ministers are focused on growth, productivity and job creation, this should give pause for thought. Higher business rates are not just increasing costs for post of�ices, they are discouraging investment in retail and reducing employment opportunities. That is why PO is calling for targeted business rates relief in each of the four nations.

We are not asking for special treatment. It is about recognising the unique role post of�ices – and small business owners – play in supporting local economies and ensuring they can keep operating. Ahead of the Budget, ministers have an opportunity to back one of the UK’s most important community assets: the PO. If the government is serious about growth in every postcode, it should help with support for the postmasters already delivering it every day.

BLACK MARKET: New vape duty, which came into force this month, could drive consumers towards illicit trade, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has warned. UKVIA said the biggest increases would be seen on lower-cost products, which it claimed were more commonly used by lower-income vapers. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘vaping’ COST OF LIVING: More than half of consumers concerned about the economy are cutting their spending on everyday items, with grocery prices remaining their biggest cost-of-living concern. KPMG UK’s latest Consumer Pulse survey found 55% of UK consumers believe the economy is worsening. For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘KPMG’

How are you ensuring your store is insured properly?

“I ADVISE breaking your stock down into categories when insuring stock, such as tobacco, vapes, alcohol and ambient products. You declare the overall value of goods in your store. Let’s say £50,000, and out of that what percentage or value is alcohol, tobacco, vapes, freezer and chiller goods. The more details you give, the more likely you are to be covered for a lot of things.” Vidur Pandya, Kislingbury Village Store & Post Office, Northamptonshire

“BUSINESS interruption in the event of a fire or flood is an important element to get insured for. You may not get your entire turnover, but you will get the profit you need to operate your business such as wages, bills and overheads. It’s also a common misconception among many businesses to say just because you have more stock on your site, you will pay more insurance.” Priyesh Vekaria, One Stop Carlton Convenience, Salford, Manchester

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

Priyesh Vekaria

NEWS

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Shop stabbing teenager sentenced ALEX YAU

called to Upper Churnside in Cirencester following a report of a stabbing. The boy, armed with a kitchen knife, had followed a girl from his school into a convenience store. After grabbing her forcefully and striking her repeatedly with the knife, the shopkeeper attempted to grab the boy and pull him away. The shopkeeper was then struck in the back with

A 14-YEAR-OLD who stabbed a hero shopkeeper while attacking a teenage girl has been sentenced. Appearing at Bristol Crown Court on 21 September, the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a 12-month referral order and a three-year restraining order. On 15 March, police were Image credit: Getty Images/luplupme

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“The victim was stabbed multiple times with a knife and has been very, very lucky to get away with only minor injuries. “We could easily have been looking at a fatal incident if that knife had pierced her anywhere else. “My hope now is that the victim is able to move on from these deeply traumatic events and start to rebuild her life again.”

the knife before the boy �led the scene. The girl, also 14, sustained cuts to her neck, hands and face, and bruising to her back, while the shopkeeper had a cut to his back. Speaking after the sentencing, detective superintendent Ian Fletcher, head of serious and complex investigations, said: “This was a frenzied attack that took place in broad daylight.

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NEWS

Scottish symbol invasion

KeyStore expan ds efforts to conve rt English store ownemore its brand Page 5 rs to

NEW PAYPOINT SMART SAFE PAYPOINT has launched a smart safe allowing retailers to deposit cash for 30p per £100. Small enough to fit under a shop counter, the device counts, checks and stores notes deposited by retailers. Funds deposited before 8pm are settled the next working day, while the safe is emptied weekly by a cash collection service.

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

Supermarket sell-offs LARGER retailers are increasingly selling their stores to independents as the weekly sales needed to make sites viable have roughly doubled. According to property �irm

Christie & Co, some stores had previously been viable for corporate operators at around £20,000 in weekly sales, but many now require closer to £40,000.

For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Christie & Co’ Phil Walker

PRODUCTS

Go nuts for the new Red Bull SHYAMA LAXMAN RED Bull has launched its Winter Edition – Pistachio & Berries �lavour. It is available in full-sugar and sugar-free variants across the following formats: 250ml (£1.80 plain and £1.75 PMP), Sugarfree 355ml (£2.20), 473ml (£2.80 PMP), 473ml Sugarfree (£2.75) and 4x250ml Sugarfree (£5.75). The launch is supported by a national campaign, ‘In for the WINter’. Nielsen �igures reveal that Red Bull Editions have witnessed year-on-year growth, with stores now stocking an average of nine Editions. Furthermore, 60% of energy drinkers are aware of Red

Bull Editions, underlining the opportunity for retailers to tap into seasonal launches. Additionally, Vypr research shows that more than twothirds of 22-to-44-year-olds would consider a pistachio�lavoured energy drink. The new �lavour comes as sports and energy drinks continue to outperform total soft drinks, according to Nielsen data, while NIQ research reveals that �lavoured energy has been outperforming un�lavoured energy over the past three years.

Cadbury Twirl gets a golden dipped glow CADBURY has widened its Twirl range with the launch of the limited-edition Twirl Golden Dipped. The new chocolate variant features Twirl �ingers dipped in a layer of caramelised white chocolate, retailing at 99p. The launch follows the success of other limited editions, such as Cadbury

Twirl Orange, Cadbury Twirl Caramel and Cadbury Twirl Mint. Cadbury Twirl White Dipped, which launched last year, became the numberone singles product launch, according to Nielsen.

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Doritos launch taps into protein demand PEPSICO has expanded its Doritos portfolio with the new Doritos Protein range. Priced at £2 (48g), Doritos Protein is available in two �lavours: Sweet Chilli Chipotle and Sizzling Steak. Doritos Protein has 10g of protein per bag. The range also has 30% less fat, giving retailers a HFSS-compliant option for shoppers looking for highprotein snacks. Research reveals protein is moving beyond traditional �itness occasions, with almost half (49%) of UK consumers

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

agreeing that high-protein foods will soon be found in every food category.

Damm Old Speckled Hen turns zero

Baileys x Terry’s makes a comeback

DAMM UK’s newly acquired Old Speckled Hen brand has launched an alcohol-free variant of the popular premium ale. Old Speckled Hen Zero has been developed in response to the growing popularity of 0% ABV drinks and the rise of the ‘zebra-striping’ trend,

BAILEYS x Terry’s Chocolate Orange Irish Cream Liqueur is back for the second year by popular demand. Consumer research last Christmas found three in four shoppers said they would buy it again, prompting its return. Priced at £16.50 – with an ABV of 17% – the collaborative drink comes in a 50cl bottle and is available now from wholesalers including Bestway Wholesale, Booker and CJ Lang. The limited-edition product was the number-one innovation in GB spirits over

Christmas 2025, according to Nielsen.

90g and come in multipacks of three, priced at £4.95 as well. They are available in Thai Chicken, Classic Tomato and Spinach & Leek �lavours. Both launches are available through wholesalers such as CLF, Cress Co, Cotswold Fayre and CN Foods.

wherein people alternate between full-strength and no/low-alcohol options. It’s available as a 500ml bottle, priced at £2, and in a multipack of four 440ml cans, priced at £5.50.

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Müller joins forces on co-branded lines

A cracking relaunch for Magnum pints

Freja makes a move into soup category

MÜLLER UK & Ireland has joined forces with Mondelez International’s Oreo, and Pladis’ McVitie’s Jaffa Cakes and Flipz, to launch a range of yoghurts. The yoghurts come in a 124g single pot, priced at 90p, as well as a four-pack multipack, priced at £3. The launch is supported by an integrated campaign across TV, VOD, retail media, shopper marketing, audio, out-of-home and socials. The campaign builds on Müller Corner’s new ‘You Know How You Like It’ brand platform, launched in April.

MAGNUM has relaunched its ‘ice cream pints’ as Magnum Crackables, available via wholesale. The relaunch comes nine years after Magnum Pints �irst landed. The new name celebrates the ritual of cracking through the chocolate shell before digging into the ice cream beneath. The range features three �lavours: Classic, Salted Caramel and the new Pistachio. Retailing at £4.95, Magnum Crackables has also undergone a recipe and packaging update.

BONE broth brand Freja has ventured into the soup category with two formats: ready-to-eat soup pouches and instant soup sachets. The ready-to-eat option comes in three �lavours: Classic Chicken & Vegetable, Pea, Leek & Lemon and Tomato & Red Pepper. The 560g pouches are priced at £4.95. The instant soup sachets weight

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Enjoy Responsibly

PRODUCTS

PepsiCo unveils its festive snacking range SHYAMA LAXMAN

PEPSICO has launched its festive savoury snacking range, featuring returning limited-edition �lavours. They include Doritos Gingerbread (RRP £2.50 180g), back for a second year after generating more than one million organic TikTok views last Christmas. Sensations Honey Glazed Roast Ham (RRP £2.50 150g) also returns, building on an 82% repurchase intent in 2025. Also making a comeback are Walkers Pigs in Blankets (5x25g RRP £2.30) and Roast Potatoes (5x25g RRP

£2.30) multipacks, which last appeared in 2023 and 2021, respectively, both with new HFSS-compliant recipes for this year. The range will be supported by shopper marketing activity to drive visibility throughout the festive period. Fan favourites remain key for Walkers, Doritos and Sensations during Christmas, with core �lavours having accounted for more than 95% of total crisps sales in 2025, according to NIQ �igures. The brand has also updated packaging across its Walkers, Doritos and Wotsits Giants lines, featur-

KP Snacks launches Butterkist promotion KP SNACKS has extended the partnership between Butterkist and Paramount+ through a new on-pack promo. Live until 22 December, it gives shoppers a month’s access to Paramount+ when they purchase Butterkist Sweet, Sweet & Salty, Salted or Crunchy Toffee popcorn across £1.35 PMP, sharing and microwave formats. Shoppers need to �ill out a form on the promotional website and input the eight-digit code on the promo pack to receive a Paramount+ gift code, giving them access to the Paramount+ Standard Monthly Plan, currently worth £9.99 for a month.

NEW CAMPAIGN

KitKat spearheads Nestlé festive range NESTLÉ Confectionery has unveiled its Christmas 2026 range, helmed by new KitKat lines. First up is the KitKat F1 Tin, a collectable gifting tin containing 12 KitKat F1 milk chocolate cars. It’s joined by the KitKat F1 Selection Box and KitKat Santa Orange. The

KitKat Giant Chunky Gift Box contains eight full-size KitKat Chunky bars, while the KitKat 2 Finger Collection offers a festive wreath-inspired assortment designed for seasonal sharing and gifting.

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ing Christmas cues, such as Christmas trees, stars and festive baubles. According to the supplier, this will help fan-favourite lines stand out on shelf, giving retailers a strong seasonal offering to compliment the returning limitededition lines.

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Mars Drinks & Treats range expansion MARS Drinks & Treats (MD&T) has expanded its range of Mars-branded milk drinks by launching Mars Milk Drink White. The new �lavour comes in a 350ml bottle, retailing at £1.69. The launch comes as the UK’s �lavoured milk category continues to grow, now

worth £898.3m, according to Circana. The �igures indicate that chocolate-�lavoured milk alone is worth £167.5m and accounts for 19% of total category sales.

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Kahlúa launches coffee crème liqueur PERNOD Ricard has expanded its Kahlúa brand with the launch of a Coffee Cream variety. Kahlúa Coffee Cream is made with 100% Arabica coffee beans, real cream, and Kahlúa’s signature rum and coffee liqueur. The launch

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comes as drinking habits are shifting with growing demand for more relaxed, early-evening occasions, according to the supplier. A recent survey commissioned by Kahlúa Coffee Cream among UK adults aged 18+ found that seven in 10 Brits (71%) are excited about classic spirits being reinvented.

Hyttis Swedish-style candy drops in UK WORLD of Sweets and Bobby’s have secured exclusive UK distribution rights for Hyttis, a new Swedish-style range of candies. Hyttis combines soft foam gummy textures and fruity �lavours and is available in two types: Hyttis Candy Fun Mix, which combines Strawberry & Vanilla with Blueberry & Strawberry, and Hyttis Magic Candy Mix in Raspberry & Lemon, Strawberry & Vanilla, and Tutti Frutti �lavours. The candies are vegan and come in 100g bags with an RRP of £1, supplied in cases of 12.

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Mr Organic unveils two new soup lines

ORGANIC Italian food brand Mr Organic has added two new soups to its ambient range. The new �lavours – 10 Plant Vegetable Soup and Tomato & Basil Soup – are available in 350g recyclable

jars, priced at £2.75 each. The soups will be available in November from wholesalers such as Suma, CLF, In�inity, Greencity, and CN Foods.

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MY STAR STAFF

MEMBER

OPINION

RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS

What do you think? Call Retail Express on 07814 677528 for the chance to be featured SNAPPY Q-COMMERCE DELIVERED 2026: How was the event? “BEING invited to the Snappy Q-Commerce Delivered 2026 event in Glasgow and seeing our work recognised made the event even more special. The event delivered on so many levels – from where online retail is heading and scaling delivery to the digital shelf, customer loyalty, social media and future growth.”

Stephanie Martin

Dev Patel, MJ’s Premier, Royton

“THE event brought together more than 250 independent convenience retailers, brands and technology partners. One of the standout moments for me was the launch of Snappy AI. I’m excited about exploring how AI can support our business and enhance the shopping experience.” Bisi Osundeko, Go Local Junction Lane, St Helens

My role in the shop: sales assistant What led you to working at the shop? I was a customer, and had previously worked at Wilko and Greggs. One day, Natalie approached me and said the shop was looking for staff. As I live in the area, I already knew the whole community and decided to take the opportunity. It’ll be three years in November, and my retail experience transfers well into the role.

The event delivered on so many levels

What do you like most about your role? The most rewarding part is the community and the people we serve. I usually start at 5am, so I see the same people every day. I get to know a lot of them and they get to know you. Some of them have become friends, and we have conversations about their day and where they’re going on holidays. There are customers who are pensioners, so we help them with their shopping. Don’t you have an annual Halloween walk? Yes, and we love it. It’s a big community event for us. We dress up each year as there’s usually a theme. Last year’s theme was Beetlejuice, and all the kids absolutely loved it. Tell us about a typical day for you I open the shop and start arranging the morning bread rolls as well as the newspapers. We have certain customers who get a regular paper or a magazine, so we get these ready for them. Snappy Shopper home delivery is also big for us, so I help organise some orders.

ACS HEART OF THE COMMUNITY: Why was the event important?

I was honoured to represent the ACS

“WE spoke about the realities behind rising costs and the decisions retailers are having to make to keep serving their communities. Reports and statistics are hugely important, but sometimes the best way to bring them to life is simply hearing directly from the people living it day in, day out.” Neil Godhania, Nisa Heacham, King’s Lynn

“I WAS honoured to represent the ACS on a panel. Having the opportunity to speak inside parliament in front of MPs and policymakers was a fantastic experience and a great reminder of the importance of making sure the voice of convenience retail is heard.” Suki Athwal, Shop Around the Clock, Tenterden

STORE DEVELOPMENT: What unique products have you introduced? “PEOPLE started coming in and asking for screwdrivers, hammers and brushes. So, I started adding them in. Instead of renting the next-door unit out, why don’t I build a hardware store? And why not incorporate it into my store, so it’d be easier to manage?” Shiv Gill, SimplyFresh Stourbridge, Dudley

“WE offer a ‘Pick ‘n’ Sip combo, which is BuzzBallz combined with a soft drink for £11.99. There’s also a Refresher, which is a drink with a cup and ice for £4. We’re currently selling around 15-20 Pick ’n’ Sip combos per week with a wide range of �lavours.” Arun Srithar, Mowgli Coffee & Convenience, London

We’re selling around 15-20 combos per week ENERGY DRINKS: How are you boosting sales?

Store owner: Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow

Get in touch

Want to recommend a star member of staff? Call 07814 677528 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk

The Monster fridge is a clear differentiator

“I HAVE generated around £2,000 in sales after stocking American Monster lines. We started off with three �lavours in our range – White Blue Razz, Strawberry Lemonade and Voodoo Grape – which we source from VSL Wholesale and Renex Limited.” Alex Batten, Phoenix Stores St Stephen, Cornwall

“VOODOO Grape Monster is our biggest �lavour, followed by Strawberry Grape. Across the full range, we have a monthly drop-off of around 15 cases from a London-based wholesaler. We have a branded Monster fridge, which is a clear differentiator.” Craig Warren, The Corner Stores (Costcutter), Bury St Edmunds

LETTERS

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Meon Vale

jeet Londis, bansi Stratfordupon-Avon

Letters may be edited

Start your store’s seasonal prep now

‘Business rates are hindering my growth’

INCREASES in business rates are really impacting my business. I’m currently paying £500 per month in business rates. When I �irst took on this business nearly two years ago, I was paying around £350, which was bad enough and already a signi�icant increase on what the previous owner of this branch was

paying, which was around £160 per month. It’s not just business rates that has me worried. It’s also rent and service charge, among other bills. To ensure I can cover these costs, I’m also working long hours in another job. I try to run the best, most ef�icient business I can, which means I have to

COMMUNITY RETAILER

OF THE WEEK

Jonty Collinson, Spar Scorton, Lancashire

employ two full-time staff members, which the previous owner didn’t. I’m proud of my reputation of running a good business, but paying all my bills plus the salary of two full-time staff members means that I’m barely making a pro�it some months, and it makes me question what I’m doing. My view is that the govern-

ment should reduce business rates for post of�ices – we need some help to make our businesses more pro�itable. We provide a lot of government services and are such an important part of the community – they should be helping us, not hindering us. Ashah Nadeem, Chadderton Post Of�ice, Oldham

COMMUNITY RETAILER

OF THE WEEK

Emily James, James Convenience Retail, Derbyshire

‘Sponsoring cricket ground equipment’

‘A family business brings history’

“MYSELF and fellow Spar retailer Mark Follen have recently gone out to bat for Shireshead and Forton Cricket Clubs by covering the cost of new ground equipment and covers. The covers really stand out and look fantastic on the ground. One of the downsides of the fantastic summer we have enjoyed, however, is that they have hardly been used, so we have had to wait until September for the rain. Cricket covers are an expensive purchase, and you need to invest in quality to ensure the ground is properly protected from the elements when it rains.”

“PEOPLE often ask how my brother Joshua and I know so much about convenience retail at our age. The honest answer is that we had very little choice. We spent a lot of our childhood ‘helping’ in the shops, which mostly involved stacking shelves, chatting to the team and acting as free labour. People sometimes forget that behind a family business is an actual family. That brings shared history, trust and a genuine commitment to making the business successful. Working in the same industry has undoubtedly brought us closer.”

THE summer has gone, so now we move onto the opportunities that are Halloween and Christmas. We’ve already taken advantage of the Londis presells for both of these, so we have Halloween and Christmas stock coming in, and it’s all being merchandised accordingly. We’re moving stock out to make way for more Each issue, one of seven top seasonal lines. retailers shares advice to With Halloween, make your store magnificent it’s the £5 bags of Haribo, which have mini bags in them. It’s a great line for people to pick up. And because people still have birthdays and parties in the lead-up to Halloween, they’ll still be buying and using them now. There’s no suggestion that someone buying the Haribo now is going to keep hold of it until the actual day. It’s about priming customers and letting them know what you do have to sell. They need to be aware of what your offer is. We have a special seasonal section in the store, and we’ll make a display and features for it. We’re already seeing the results of it now. Halloween confectionery will be stocked there, but also prominently displayed in the confectionery aisle as well. In the Halloween display, we’ve also got other novelty lines such as face paints, pumpkin-carving kits, witch hats and trick-or-treat baskets. These all have 35-40% margins, and the advantage is they’re not perishable. So what doesn’t sell this year we’ll put out next year instead. We’ll do seasonal version of existing lines as well – Mr Kipling does spooky versions of its cakes. This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, so that’s really good and a real opportunity for retailers. But with Halloween, it’s not much of a lead-up and it’s over in a very short space of time. Christmas is the one to focus on because it has such a long lead-up time. And we’ll be getting started on that very soon.

Get in touch

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

MUST-STOCK BRANDS

MUST STOCK BRANDS RETAIL EXPRESS takes you through core convenience categories and the brands that should be a part of them

t s mu cks sto IN this feature, Retail Express will share insights from five of the biggest brands driving sales in key convenience stores categories. Haribo spotlights its range of treats that tap into

different consumer needs all year round, with Tangfastics, Starmix, Supermix, Giant Strawbs, Goldbears and Maoam Pinballs making up nearly 20% of total sharing bag sales in symbols and independents. Building on the importance of core lines, KP Snacks’ ‘25 to Thrive’ ranging guide advises retailers on how to optimise their core PMP range of crisps and snacks. The downloadable guide spotlights 25 core lines that deliver a third of all crisps and snacks sales in the channel.

With Christmas not far off, Lindt argues why its boxed chocolate brand Lindor is a must-stock in the build-up to the festive period. Chocolate boxes are the numberone gifting option during this time of year, with Lindor Milk and Assorted generating a cumulative £18m in annual sales. Moving on to beer, Molson Coors showcases how its Carling Black Label, which launched in March this year, is helping retailers offer more choice to lager drinkers. With 4.7% ABV, Carling Black Label is

positioned as a premium option encouraging shoppers to trade up, while building on the familiarity of the Carling Original line. Finally, as the ready-todrink (RTD) category continues to grow, SHS Drinks shows how its WKD X RTD range is ideal for tapping into higher-strength and caffeinated RTD segments. Created for 18-t0-24-yearold Gen Z consumers, the range is available in seven flavours, helping retailers tap into a significant shopper demographic and generate incremental spend.

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

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DRIVE YOUR SALES THIS AUTUMN

NEW CADBURY PRICE MARK PACK RRP REDUCTION*

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SIGNIFICANT MEDIA INVESTMENT: TV, RADIO, OUT OF HOME AND SOCIAL

STOCK. DISPLAY. SELL MORE. CONFECTIONERY IS THE SECOND BIGGEST FOOTFALL DRIVER IN CONVENIENCE^ Retailers are free to set their own prices. Non price marked packs available *Cadbury Singles pmp packs now 89p were 99p ** Maynard Bassetts £1 pmp 110g now available *** Mondelez offer comprehensive category advice and display material via its sales force and website Snackdisplay.co.uk ^Lumina Attitudes & Behaviour Study June 2025

MUST-STOCK BRANDS CONFECTIONERY

In partnership with

No.1 Sweets Brand in Convenience*

*Source: Circana EPOS data 52 we 27th December 2025 – S&I

HARIBO t- THE PRODUCT s u m ock st

HARIBO, the UK’s number-one sweets HARIBO brand1, has a wide range of treats that tap into established and emerging consumer needs. Its core six – Tangfastics, Starmix, Supermix, Giant Strawbs, Goldbears and Maoam Pinballs – deliver shoppers’ favourite treats all year round, representing nearly 20% of total share bag sales in symbols and independents1. Available in 140g £1.25 PMP bags, these bestsellers drive unbeatable price-per-gram value with almost universal brand recognition1.

GETTING THE MOST FROM HARIBO HARIBO’S tips for driving sales and interest are to balance essential ‘must-haves’ with innovation, building non-traditional flavours and novelty formats into the range as they pull new audiences. Build shopper trust and encourage impulse buys with PMPs, especially at the £1.25 share bag price point, and make sweets highly visible, as 51% of sweet-buying decisions are made in store2. Capture year-round occasions like ‘tuck shop’ and ‘big night in’ with the right ranges while leveraging seasonal peaks such as summer holidays and Halloween.

why it RETAILER ck sto

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Bobby Singh, BB Superstore, Pontefract, West Yorkshire “HARIBO’S core PMP range is a must-stock for my store. With the cost of living squeezing budgets, sweets offer an affordable everyday treat, with PMPs delivering strong sales. Haribo and Maoam are instantly recognisable and have immediate appeal, so these brands sell particularly well. “I also always stock their seasonal lines to give customers something new to try, with occasions like Halloween being important for increasing impulse purchases in store.”

Circana EPoS data 52 we 27.12.25 – S&I, 2Giraffe Insights, Hitting the Reset: Usage and Attitudes within the UK Confectionery Category, Market Research Report, 2025

Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of Haribo!

For more information, visit haribo.com

MUST-STOCK BRANDS CRISPS & SNACKS

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

In partnership with

KP SNACKS t- THE PRODUCT s u m ock st

KP Snacks’ ‘25 to Thrive’ ranging advice provides clear guidance to retailers on the optimum core range of the bestselling products in PMP formats to deliver a perfectly balanced range for today’s convenience shopper needs. PMPs are fundamental to effective ranging, offering clear value and winning the trust of the shopper. They also offer clear shelf standout. The core 25 lines are foundational to any range, delivering almost a third of all crisps and snacks sales within the symbol and independent channel, helping retailers make the right choices in a saturated category with more than 500 lines to choose from.

25 to Thrive

is a core range recommendation to deliver all the needs of today’s convenience shopper

GETTING THE MOST FROM KP SNACKS

to Thrive

THE ‘25 to Thrive’ guide can be easily applied to stores of all sizes, and KP Snacks’ in-store trials have shown that implementing the guidance could add 15% to a retailer’s category sales. KP Snacks over-indexes in the PMP segment with a 37.1% share, growing ahead of the market at more than 8% year on year1, with Big Hoops and McCoy’s ranking as the number-one and number-three top PMP brands2.

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Atul Sodha, Londis Harefield, Uxbridge, west London

Bagged Snacks are a £5.4bn category and growing!**

Bagged Snacks feature in 1 in 5 Convenience Baskets‡

Implementing 25 to Thrive could add 15.5% to your Bagged Snacks Sales*

“WE found the ‘25 to Thrive’ guidance useful when we were reviewing our bagged snacks range. It helped us take a fresh look at what we had on the fixture and make sure we were giving enough space to the lines our customers actually pick up. We’ve increased our PMP offering and added a few new products where we felt there was a gap. “Since then, we’ve seen a positive impact on sales and the fixture feels much easier to shop.”

Give your snack sales a boost! Download the full guide NOW!

Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 11.07.2026, 2Nielsen NIQ, Total Coverage, 52 weeks w/e 11.07.26, value sales

Download the ‘25 to Thrive’ guide featuring KP Snacks’ recommended range from kpsnackpartners.com/product-guides

Price Mark Packs (PMP) are over 60% of sales†

*KP Snacks Independent store trials 2024. ** Nielsen NIQ Total Market 52w/e to 11.07.26 †Nielsen NIQ Symbols & Independents PMP Value Sales 52w/e to 11.07.26. ‡Lumina Intelligence 52w/e 24.05.26.

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MUST-STOCK BRANDS CHOCOLATE

In partnership with

LINDOR 111544 JT Retail Express Lindor Ad Christmas 339x.pdf

12/08/2026

08:49

t- THE PRODUCT s u m ock st

AS the UK’s biggest chocolate box brand, Lindor is a must-stock. Chocolate is the biggest impulse category in the UK – bigger than crisps, biscuits, sugar and nuts – and at Christmas, boxes are the number-one chocolate gift that shoppers are looking for. As retailers are under increasing pressure to drive footfall and maximise basket spend, stocking the right boxed chocolate range has never been more important. Lindor Milk 200g is the number-one boxed chocolate SKU in convenience1. Together, Lindor Milk and Assorted 200g account for more than half of Lindt’s boxed sales in the channel and generate almost £18m in annual sales1.

GETTING THE MOST FROM LINDOR AS consumers continue to seek affordable premium treats and gifts, ensuring distribution of proven bestsellers such as Lindor Milk and Assorted 200g remains one of the simplest ways for retailers to grow boxed chocolate sales and capture additional category spend, especially during the key festive period. Prioritise space and range for boxed chocolate, focusing on the most-loved brands to maximise sales. Ensure the Lindor range is front and centre on shelf and on in-store displays to signpost this valuable mission.

Stock up with the No.1 boxed brand this Christmas

why it SUPPLIER ck sto

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Alex Hillhouse, convenience and wholesale controller, Lindt & Sprungli UK “LINDT has continued to strengthen its convenience proposition by developing better all-year-round ranges, making it easier for retailers to stock premium confectionery that delivers strong rate of sale, cash profit and value growth. The introduction of smaller case sizes and PMPs across Lindt’s key bars and singles lines has helped retailers stock a focused premium range that meets multiple shopper occasions while maximising fixture efficiency.” Circana, 52w/e 08.08.26

Circana, 52 w/e 11.07.26, Total Market, Value Sales

For further information, please check out lindt.co.uk

In partnership with

CARLING BLACK LABEL

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Image credit: Getty Images/ultramarinfoto

MUST-STOCK BRANDS BEER

t- THE PRODUCT s u m ock st

CARLING Black Label is a 4.7% ABV fullflavoured lager that launched in retail in March. It helps retailers offer a broader choice for core lager drinkers, with a premium option from a trusted brand complementing Carling Original, the UK’s leading core lager brand1, helping stores cater for shoppers seeking something more premium. Available in 4x568ml and 10x440ml packs, Carling Black Label has secured distribution in more than 10,000 stores and generated £1.5m in retail sales, equivalent to more than one million pints2, demonstrating strong early demand across the off-trade.

GETTING THE MOST FROM CARLING BLACK LABEL RETAILERS should range Carling Black Label alongside Carling Original, giving shoppers a clear choice between a popular favourite and a premium trade-up. Its striking visual identity can be used to disrupt shopper journeys throughout the store, so secondary displays in high-traffic areas can attract further attention. Retailers can use these displays around key sporting, social and seasonal occasions to create additional visibility and help shoppers quickly identify a more premium option when planning gatherings or nights in.

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Max Bashir, Go Local Extra – Belle Vue Convenience Store, Middlesbrough “CARLING Original is already one of our top-selling beer lines, and Carling Black Label has added incremental sales while generating real excitement among customers. “The in-store launch activation was one of the best we’ve had for a new product. Giving shoppers the chance to try Carling Black Label, alongside a limited-time offer of a free four-pack with every 10-pack purchased, really helped drive interest and sales. “The branded merchandise was also a huge hit.”

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04/09/2026 10:29

MUST-STOCK BRANDS RTD ALCOHOL

In partnership with

WKD X t- THE PRODUCT s u m ock st

WKD X is a must-stock in the fast-growing higher-strength and caffeinated RTD segments. Created for 18-to-24-year-old Gen Z consumers seeking a bolder, more intense drinking experience, it combines WKD’s distinctive fruit flavours with caffeine, taurine and guarana at 7% ABV. The range is available in 12x440ml cases across seven flavours: Blue Raspberry, Mango Passion, Purple Grape, Citrus Ice, Tropical Crush, Dark Berry and Pink Pineapple, with an RRP of £2.99 per can. WKD X is delivering 56% value growth, a performance significantly ahead of the total RTD market1. It attracts incremental shoppers, unlocks new occasions and delivers genuine category growth.

GETTING THE MOST FROM WKD X RETAILERS should position WKD X in the chiller alongside single-can RTDs, cocktails and other enhanced products to capture growing demand. Support this with prominent front-of-store displays and secondary sitings around key seasonal occasions to encourage impulse purchases. Keep bestselling WKD X Blue Raspberry consistently stocked, with clear pricing and impactful PoS support. Backed by the ‘Got A WKD Side?’ campaign, WKD X helps retailers convert demand from Gen Z shoppers seeking higher-strength caffeinated RTDs.

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Charlotte Thickett, sales director, SHS Drinks “WHAT makes WKD X exciting is the relationship the brand has already developed with young adult drinkers. This is an audience that understands WKD’s personality and sees it as part of the fun, sociable occasions they enjoy together. WKD X takes that connection somewhere new, giving existing consumers another reason to engage, while inviting new consumers into the category. For retailers, that creates an opportunity which brings colour, energy and relevance to the chiller.” Nielsen Take Home 52W to 11.07.26

To bring more energy to your fixture, stock up on WKD X from your regular wholesaler

CATEGORY ADVICE GRAB AND GO

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

THE GRAB-ANDGO OPPORTUNITY TAMARA BIRCH talks to retailers about the grab-and-go sales opportunity, and where they’re focusing their efforts

GRAB-AND-GO INITIATIVES FOR YOU HOT food to go and machines are driving sales for retailers, with both Vrajesh Patel, of Londis Dagenham in east London, and Nishi Patel, of Londis Bexley Park in Dartford, Kent, having Country Choice and Rollover units. Nishi Patel started with a countertop unit around 15 years ago, and now has three hot food towers. He generates around £7,000£8,000 per week.

“Country Choice helped us from the very beginning and its hands-on approach makes it easy for any retailer to join it,” he says. “But make sure you have the freezer space in the back of your store, as well as the right electricity suppliers in the right areas.” Vrajesh Patel has also had Country Choice in for 20-30 years and says that when installing the machine, it’s key to consider the cost of waste

and how much space you want to allocate to the range. “We have a one-metre cabinet for Country Choice, which is about a third of our food-to-go area, but it offers higher margins of around 4555%, so it makes sense for us,” he says. “We also have a coffee deal with Costa to offer a croissant with a free coffee. Costa reimburses us for the cup and we get a rebate from Booker, too.”

CATEGORY ADVICE GRAB AND GO

WHAT ARE CUSTOMERS LOOKING FOR? CUSTOMERS are looking for convenient but filling options within food to go, according to Nishi Patel. “Customers want fresh, filling options, such as Rollover or Country Choice sausage rolls or hot dogs,” he says. “They then add on snacks and drinks for a complete lunchtime solution.” Vrajesh Patel echoes this and says it’s key to time things correctly when it comes to preparing hot food or sandwiches in store. He also advises look-

ing at the shelf life and planning your day accordingly. “Customers are looking for value options, so if fresh, hot food to go isn’t in their budget, we have packaged options, too,” he says. “For example, we do long-life pre-packed, single-serve croissants and pains au chocolate for a lower price, but customers also have the choice to buy a twin-pack of fresh options.” Shoppers will also be looking to save money in any way they can, so meal deals are a

smart way to capture these customers. “Meal deals are perfect for shoppers out and about, and even hybrid workers looking for a quick treat,” says Ed Merrett, wholesale controller at PepsiCo. “What’s more, one-tenth of sandwiches on the go are consumed with a bag of crisps. This means that pairing sandwiches with snacks in meal deals isn’t just convenient, it’s also a proven way to boost basket spend.”

Launches & PROMOS The latest new lines and campaigns PepsiCo launches Walkers Snacks promotion Walkers Snacks has partnered with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Doomsday, with an on-pack promotion and a new limited-edition line: Wotsits Bag of Bones in Really Cheesy flavour. The promotion runs until 31 December and spans across Wotsits, Quavers, Monster Munch and Squares. Prizes include official Hasbro Marvel merchandise, snack clips and 2,440 pairs of Vue cinema tickets. Red Bull Winter Edition Pistachio & Berries The new flavour is available now and has an RRP of £1.75 PMP to £5.75, in 250ml, 355ml (sugar-free), 473ml and 250ml four-pack formats. Mars Drinks & Treats Mars Milk Drink White The new white chocolate, malt and caramel flavour drink is available in a 350ml bottle, with a £1.69 RRP. The brand has also reformulated its original Mars Milk Drink to make it HFSS-compliant, as well as given it a refreshed packaging design. CCEP expands ‘Supercan’ success across more brands The supplier has expanded its 500ml Supercan line-up with Sprite, Fanta Orange and Dr Pepper. The cans are available now at an RRP of £1.90. Free PoS materials will be made available.

SUPPLIER

VIEW

Doritos teams up with Peperami Earlier this year, Peperami launched a collaboration with Doritos. The Peperami x Doritos BBQ Sweet Tang range combining Peperami’s protein-packed meat snacks with Doritos’ iconic flavour credentials. It has an RRP of £1.30 (28g single) to £3 (5x20g and 10x10g).

Paid for by Rollover

Tony Owen, general manager, Rollover “WE’VE seen grab-and-go missions continue to evolve, with shoppers looking for hot food-to-go options that fit around flexible routines without compromising on taste, quality or choice. That creates a real opportunity to expand your range with products that meet different on-the-go needs throughout the day. “We’re continuing to expand our range with products created with these changing needs in mind. Our Pepperoni and Margherita Pizza Twists reinvent a familiar favourite in a premium, handheld format. Meanwhile, our new Chicken Tenders Snackbox pairs crispy chicken tenders with a hot honey dip, tapping into growing demand for ‘swicy’ flavours1. Alongside our Boneless Chicken Wings with smoky Texas BBQ dip, these products give retailers more ways to cater for today’s grab-and-go shopper.” Mintel 2025 UK Menu Trends Report

REASSURING CUSTOMERS ABOUT QUALITY PRODUCTS PRE-PACKAGED food-to-go options, such as confectionery, snacks, crisps, and soft drinks, are clearly marked and well-established, so retailers don’t need to do much to give their customers peace of mind that they are good quality. However, if you prepare food fresh in store or have food provided by a local sup-

plier, there’s a chance some customers will hesitate. So, what can retailers do to reassure their customers? Vrajesh Patel recommends enticing customers through the smell of baking and running sample days. “Some customers feel more at ease when they can tell something is baked in store, or smell the

products after being prepared in store,” he says. “We also run sampling days, but if you offer a Subway-style grab-and-go solution, make sure it’s visible and that they can see it. If they see it’s fresh, they are less likely to worry about where the ingredients have come from.” Displays also need to be

clean and tidy, and in the right place, according to Nishi Patel. “If you get a reputation of having a dirty store, no-one will come to you,” he says. “But if you have a clean store, the right range and a strong team, word will spread. If you don’t have the right look, it will be hard to get things off the ground.”

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

PRODUCTS OUTSIDE THE TRADITIONAL FOOD-TO-GO CATEGORY AWAY from traditional food-togo products, slushies are also a way of driving footfall to your grab-and-go range. Nishi Patel offers Blue Iced flavours, has done sour slushies in the past and recently had Jolly Rancher installed. Elias Ebert, managing director of iSqueeze, says there’s an opportunity for smoothies if you’re looking to offer healthier

and fresher alternatives. “Provide the customer with the unique experience of watching the drink being blended in front of their eyes, bringing novelty to the act of just grabbing a drink,” he says. If space is an issue and you’re unable to offer drinks, Nishi Patel preps food in store to give him a point of difference. “We prepare sandwiches in store,

and we expanded a while ago to offer a whole grab-and-go meal solution, too,” he says. He makes up meal boxes that contain nuggets and fries that shoppers buy with hot dogs. But he recommends adding in a sweet treat, like cakes, to capture an entirely different graband-go audience. “We have cakes, but you can also sell cookies. This doesn’t

have to be challenging, either. Find a supplier that offers thawand-serve treats,” he says. Tony Owen, general manager at Rollover, recommends introducing premium options to meal deals to tempt customers: “Value and premium propositions to shoppers is becoming increasingly important for a hot food-to-go offering to cater to a wide range of shoppers.”

CATEGORY ADVICE GRAB AND GO

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

MANAGING WASTE WITH GRAB-AND-GO PRODUCTS WASTE is inevitable when it comes to food to go. In fact, Nishi and Vrajesh Patel say to expect waste in the first few months, adding there are ways to offset this elsewhere. Vrajesh Patel says: “The first month of offering hot food to go, for example, overbake and expect high waste. Then give it away on Too Good To Go. That way, you’re minimising waste and reaching new clientele that might visit your shop to see your full range.” This method worked out well for Vrajesh Patel and sales have increased. Over time, he has reduced what

WHAT TO ASK ABOUT FOR YOUR MACHINE WHEN you are considering a new food-to-go option, whether it’s a machine or a supplier, it’s important to understand the terms and conditions that will be involved, as well as the support which will be provided and costs – both ongoing and upfront – involved. Talk to other retailers about their experiences – you want to find out how reliable the

machines are, what the quality and consistency of the finished products are, and how ready and willing the suppliers are to fix any problems that come down the line. With Rollover, both Vrajesh and Nishi Patel say the machines are low maintenance and recommend the company. Vrajesh Patel says: “It installed the machines for us,

and the rep showed me and my team how to use the machine and did a sampling day, which helped sales.” Both retailers have the machine on loan and have to achieve a minimum spend, which Vrajesh says is around £400-£500 per month, on average. This might differ per retailer, so it’s best to ask a Rollover rep when enquiring.

he bakes in store as he has monitored sales data and understood better what demand is out there. He has also become more cautious when adding to his range, adding limited-edition products more often than permanent sellers, and then making that a monthly feature. Nishi Patel also recommends Too Good To Go, and advises retailers to look at data and understand which products are selling or any that they’re wasting regularly. “If you’re wasting five sausage rolls consistently per week, but you’re running out

of pies, then your data will show this and you can reduce how much you prep in store,” he says. “Be reactive to your sales, but seasons, too. Offer cold food in the summer and hot food in the winter.” Emily Lea, head of category & customer strategy at Bel UK, says retailers should ensure that shopper demand is there before introducing a new product or adding to their range. “Retailers should monitor which products sell, at what times of day and on which days of the week, and use this information to adjust availability accordingly,” Lea says.

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BR FESTIVAL

A DAY OF MASTERCLASSES AND LEARNING A round-up of insights from the BETTER RETAILING FESTIVAL’s series of masterclasses and panel discussions

THE EVOLUTION OF FOOD TO GO

THE panel discussion on food to go featured retailers Atul Sodha and Thomas Ennis alongside retail expert Scott Annan. Together they urged retailers to invest in food to go, stating size should be no barrier to developing a foodservice offer that would bring a point of difference to a store of any size. “If I was opening stores to-

day, that would be my numberone category,” Annan said. Sodha’s 650sq ft store generates around £2,000 a week from a 25sq ft kitchen and he said food to go now accounted for around 6% of his overall sales. He said the margins involved in food to go made it a “no-brainer” for retailers to consider introducing.

However, Ennis stressed the need for retailers to commit wholeheartedly to a food-to go project because there would be pain through wastage at the beginning. Annan noted that the market share of independent and symbol retailers in Britain had fallen from 6.5% to 1.3% over 21 years, while independent re-

tailers held around 50% of the market in Ireland and Germany. He identified food to go as one factor behind the difference. To get food to go right, Ennis encouraged retailers to talk to customers about what they want to see, while also seeking ideas from other successful operators before putting “your own twist on it”.

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

From one great line up to another.

Congratulations to all the winners!

A massive well done to all of you for your fantastic achievements. We’re looking forward to working with you in the future and seeing where your brilliant retail careers take you. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners is the proud sponsor of the Better Retailing Effective Ranging & Availability category. Don’t forget to sign up to our trade website MyCCEP.com or download the MyCCEP app for business advice, the latest POS and promotional offers. Email connect@ccep.com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit MyCCEP.com

SCAN TO VISIT MyCCEP.com

MyCCEP.com

BR FESTIVAL

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TECHNOLOGY SHAPING THE FUTURE OF CONVENIENCE

THE importance and availability of technology was discussed during a second panel session. Dee Sedani, of One Stop Packmoor and Londis Etwall in Derbyshire; retail futures senior partner at IGD Bryan Roberts; and Amrit Singh Pahal, managing director of SV Wholesale, discussed where technology was already having an impact on retailers’ businesses, what changes might the future offer, and how retailers can ensure they actually get the most out of what’s on offer. A survey by Better Retail-

ing Club Rewards had found that three-quarters of retailers were relying on technology to reduce crime, two-thirds planned on investing in it in the future, but a majority were concerned about upfront and ongoing costs. But Roberts urged retailers not to feel as though they had to shoot for the moon when it comes to technology. “A lot of technology is actually quite low-tech,” he said. Sedani highlighted the time saving and administration streamlining of back-office technology, including his own creation, Store Angel, but also

spoke about i-mops, which hoover and mop his store at the same time and save 40 minutes of labour a day. Singh Pahal focused on how retailers can use technology to make their lives easier, whether that was learning how to get the most out your current systems or using AI to optimise purchases. However, they cautioned against investing in technology simply for the sake of it. “The big rush towards technology can be beneficial provided we’re not replacing ourselves in not very constructive ways,” concluded Roberts.

A LOOK AT THE FUTURE OF CONVENIENCE

MONDELEZ International held a masterclass that considered the potential challenges that retailers will be facing, while also holding up ideas for how they can turn potential problems into sales opportunities. Joe Laidler, senior customer category development manager at Mondelez International, stressed the importance of independent convenience,

but also cited the “enormous growth opportunity”, claiming that only one in 10 baskets in convenience contain a sweet snacking product. “Only a 1% conversion improvement would deliver £28m in category growth, which is £800 extra per store, per year,” he said. Laidler identified four key shopper missions and three

key pillars around which retailers could grow sales of confectionery: the Food-For-Later shopper, the Top-Up shopper, the Food-For-Now shopper and the Treat shopper. The three pillars were getting the right range for your customer base, with pricemarked packs cited as key; availability, whether that was keeping shelves full or mak-

ing purchasing as easy as possible; and excitement, which can be achieved with dedicated PoS material, digital tools, social media assets and more that Mondelez are offering. A video tour of a ‘store of the future’ included multiple sitings, chocolate in chillers next to pizzas and ready meals, and an array of streamlining and eye-catching technology.

Proud Partners of the Better retailing festival

BR FESTIVAL

PREPARING FOR THE INCOMING DRS

EXCHANGE for Change’s masterclass aimed to support retailers as they prepared for the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) in October 2027. “You, as grocery retailers, are the most important part of returns of containers,” advised EfC lead DRS advisor Raymond Gianotten. The launch of the DRS has faced numerous delays over

the years, but Gianotten assured retailers that this iteration is going ahead. The major concerns for retailers about the scheme included the potential upfront costs and the space they would take up in store. Gianotten said up to 10,000 small independent retailers will be eligible for £6,000 grants to fund an RVM, while smaller stores with limited space might be exempt – or

able to apply for exemption – from having a reverse vending machine (RVM) in their store. “If any RVM supplier is already saying they are certified, do not buy their machine because that is not possible as we don’t have any published list,” warned Gianotten. Customer education was also highlighted as a key facet of DRS, with plans in place for the middle of 2027. But

with up to 18 European countries already using DRS, there are many opportunities for retailers to learn from their experience. “There will be lots of documentation to inform customers about how DRS works and even well-established schemes do a lot of consumer campaigns for years,” said Gianotten. “Getting the right information is vital.”

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SHOP ADVICE ON SOFT DRINKS

THE importance of soft drinks was highlighted by Kate Abbotson, senior manager external trade communications at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). She noted that soft drinks saw a 1.7% volume growth year on year across symbols and independents, and urged that more space should be diverted to them. “Soft drinks have 53% share versus confectionery at 27%, crisps and snacks at 14%, and biscuits at 6%,” she said. “So, the macro space in store should reflect the performance and opportunity.” Abbotson pointed out key areas where retailers could focus to improve soft drinks sales. First was having the right range to meet the demands of that store’s specific clientele, such as more energy

drinks for a younger demographic. Positioning them appropriately – single-serve cans near the front for “immediate refreshment”, for example – is also key. Product launches were cited as a great launchpad for additional sales, particularly if linked to large-scale moments such as the World Cup. Amy Burgess, commercial development senior manager – convenience, fuel & wholesale at CCEP, highlighted the four key shopper missions – top-up, food to go, meal for tonight and treat occasions – and spoke of the importance of dual siting, core ranges and signposting. “Stack your multipacks next to your barbecue coals,” said Kaual Patel, of Nisa Torridon in Catford, south London. “And always make sure you’ve got cold to replenish cold if you can store it.”

Proud sponsor of the Customer Engagement award

Congratulations to all the finalists of the Better Retailing Awards 2026!

BR FESTIVAL

USING SERVICES TO DRIVE SALES

PAYPOINT’S masterclass focused on the different kinds of in-store services the company offers for partnered stores, and how retailers can highlight and promote each to encourage more customers to visit their store, and then turn that footfall into increased sales. Vikki Bath, head of multiples at PayPoint, highlighted the importance of driving additional footfall during challenging times within the industry, with research finding that seven in 10 service shoppers

make an impulse purchase when visiting a store. “It’s not just about earning commission from transactions, it’s attracting a different type of consumer, one that visits more often, who spends more and adds value to the store beyond the original service,” she said. Josh Lloyd, head of field operations at PayPoint, highlighted the services the company offers: cash deposits and withdrawals, digital vouchers, retailer rewards and more.

Finally, Andrew Brace, owner of Costcutter Wormley in Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, spoke about how his parcel service with Collect+ handles around 6,000 parcels a month, and how his BankLocal has paid out more than £1,500 a month, both contributing to a growing customer base. “People are finding my store, even people who live at the top of the road who moved in a couple years ago and didn’t know the store was there,” he said.

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Masterclass partner

Networking partners

Workshop partner

BR AWARDS

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THE 2026 BR AWARDS WINNERS RETAIL EXPRESS takes you through the winners of the Better Retailing Awards 2026 and what made them stand out to the judges

Team Development

Chloe-Taylor Green, Spar Western Downs, Staffordshire

Taylor-Green used Kelsius to offer training systems and modules for her team, funds apprenticeship courses and offers team incentives.

Sponsored by

Store Development

Merchandising & In-store Display

Lois Dant, Spar Ulceby, Lincolnshire

The store underwent a re�it last year, introducing healthy ranges, international options and 24/7 hot food to go, featuring a hand-painted mural.

Marcus Mulgrew, Mulgrews Food Hall, Carryduff, County Down

New lines and ranges, including ready meals and food to go, have been bolstered by strong merchandising to deliver 20% sales growth.

Sponsored by

IROF founder Scott Annan picking up the award on behalf of Marcus

Community Hero

BR AWARDS Vimal Pandya, Halai General Store, Southwark, London

Vimal took his community outreach beyond his store’s walls, setting up his own foodbank which has served more than 29,000 meals to date.

Responsible Retailing

Christine Hope, Hopes of Longtown, Herefordshire

Christine uses CCTV to protect staff, tackle crime and address issues early. She supports her community and provides tailored training for her team.

Effective Ranging & Availability

Aaron McGuigan, Mulkerns Eurospar, Newry, County Down

To maintain a huge range of local products, Aaron analyses his EPoS data and backs this up with secondary sitings and wellpromoted deals.

Sponsored by

Retail Innovation

Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow

A store re�it in a small store still saw more space created and extra storage discovered, all while new technology improves the overall experience.

Sponsored by

Customer Engagement

Lewis Woodward, Nisa Local Colley Gate, Halesowen, West Midlands

Growing Facebook followers to 14,000, Lewis has marketed protein to parking, while connecting on a personal level through WhatsApp groups.

Rising Star

Sebastian Hawtree, Hawtree & Sons Riverside Garage, East Stour, Dorset

Sebastian’s store improvements include impressive in-store seasonal displays, a dedicated food-to-go and deli section, and a host of local produce.

Sponsored by

Parin Gohil, managing director of Better Retailing Awards owner Newtrade Media, welcomes guests

Retailer Michael Dadra picking up the award on behalf of Lewis

6-19 OCTOBER 2026 betterretailing.com

Overall Best Shop (1,500sq ft and under)

Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow

Newtrade Media’s Stefan Appleby, head of retail engagement, and Louise Banham, editor in chief, open the Awards

Overall Best Shop (1,501sq ft and above)

Proudly sponsored by

Lois Dant, Spar Ulceby, Lincolnshire

CATEGORY ADVICE DIWALI

BOOST BASKET SPEND THIS DIWALI DIA STRONACH finds out how retailers can set their stores apart this Diwali with these tips and tricks for the festival of lights

SHAREABLE FORMATS ARE KEY

Image credit: Getty Images/Liudmila Chernetska

PLANNING AHEAD SOME holidays, such as Christmas and Eid, can see retailers prepping months ahead of the day itself. For Diwali, according to retailer Abdul Arain, stores can be a bit more flexible and simply expand some of their existing stock as the day approaches. “We already stock a range that may be called on for Diwali,” he says. “We add in

some more products like Indian sweetmeats around three weeks in advance, and plan anything else we want to do about a month in advance.” Tilda’s head of marketing, Anna Beheshti, agrees that stocking up on staple products such as rice is a good idea. Making stock that performs well year-round work for Diwali is key for retailers who want to make the most of the day, but

Date of Diwali 2026 8 November

don’t have a sizeable Hindu demographic, like Mo Razzaq, who told Retail Express: “I’d love to organise something for Diwali, but it’s a lack of numbers. My area is mainly Christian.” For these retailers, stocking up on shareable treats and snacks can bring in incremental Diwali sales without risking being left with specialised stock that won’t sell.

DIWALI is a great time to promote sharable snacks and treats as well as ingredients for cooking to host Diwali gettogethers. Retailers therefore need to ensure their range is covering all the customer missions, with large formats for those preparing for gatherings, and premium gifting lines and impulse options ahead of spontaneous gatherings. “Formats that offer shareability and sociability, like

sweet biscuits, are a must stock for retailers looking to boost basket spend,” says Fox’s Burton’s Companies chief sales and trade marketing officer, Jo Harwood. “We see a value uplift of 4.1% during the Diwali period, backing this trend.” Shareability is also a key feature for drinks, with multipack formats performing particularly well at Diwali, according to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners senior external com-

munications manager Kate Abbotson. “Diwali is all about bringing families and communities together to celebrate,” she says. “Price-marked packs (PMP) are particularly effective in convenience, where clear price communication can help shoppers make quick purchase decisions. Soft drinks PMPs deliver nearly a 48% higher rate of sale than plain packs across symbol and independent convenience stores each week.”

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IN-STORE MERCHANDISING AS well as offering all the essentials and incremental add-ons in your store, it’s important to create a shopping experience that allows customers to find everything they need in a dedicated space. Becoming a one-stop shop for Diwali not only increases the basket spend, but also your reputation for future visits. “Retailers should make the most of seasonal PoS and culturally relevant signage to give the fixture greater visibility

and impactful, celebratory instore theatre,” she says. “Smart merchandising around the festival should make it easy for shoppers to find everything they need for the occasion. “A dedicated Diwali fixture in a high-footfall area can bring together key products such as rice, lentils, flour, ghee and spices, while cross-merchandising can help inspire complete meal solutions and encourage bigger

basket spend.” Benedict Selvaratnam, from Freshfields Supermarket in Croydon, south London, makes sure to stock his store with Indian sweets, candles, and light displays. He buys most of his Diwali stock from Shankar Foods Limited, which has both own-label and branded options that perform well in his store, as well as spices and other products from TRS Food. “Diwali presents an opportunity to light up stores and

TOP TIPS instil a feeling of the festivities through visible and occasionled displays, particularly in areas of high footfall,” adds Harwood. “The scale of the activation should reflect the local customer base: retailers serving a significant South Asian community benefit from a more prominent seasonal fixture, while others can still draw attention to relevant products within the occasion through tactical PoS and shelf strips.”

Three top tips from Anna Beheshti, head of marketing, Tilda Planning First, get ahead of the occasion. Make sure key rice staples are well stocked in the run-up to Diwali, with larger formats particularly important for shoppers cooking for extended family and friends. Availability Second, keep trusted brands front and centre. Diwali is not the time to run out of the products shoppers know and rely on, so retailers should prioritise strong availability of bestselling lines. Going further Finally, think beyond the festival. World food is continuing to attract a broader audience as shoppers become more confident experimenting with global flavours at home, so use Diwali to inspire shoppers and showcase products with year-round relevance. Combining traditional rice staples with convenient formats and complementary ingredients can help retailers turn a seasonal visit into a longer-term shopping habit.

GET INVOLVED CELEBRATING Diwali can be a real boost to both team spirits in store and within your local community, so it’s worth consulting staff and customers to find out how you can get involved. “We try to embrace celebrations from all these cultures around us, not just because we love those cultures, but because it’s exciting and different. It’s something that can set us apart from the big

supermarkets,” explains Selvaratnam. He has a large team with a lot of Indian staff who celebrate Diwali, and they put together in-store promotions and social media posts in the run-up. “Small gestures can go a long way,” adds Beheshti. “Where possible, retailers should offer flexible shift options so staff can celebrate with friends and family, particularly around the main days

of the festival. “Simple touches, such as putting festive treats in the staff room or sharing educational resources about Diwali’s origins and significance, can also help staff feel supported and create a more inclusive workplace. Staff discounts on Diwali cooking essentials could be another thoughtful way to help colleagues stock up on the ingredients they need to celebrate at home.”

ADVICE

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SAVING YOU TIME CHARLES WHITTING finds out what tools retailers are using to save themselves time within their business

We’re not speeding things up much in store at the moment. What are other retailers doing? – Rahat Shamsi, Premier Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy

John Vine, Vine & Co, Church Stretton, Shropshire

“LESS is more is one of our mottos that helps us save time. Fewer people doing things often means there’s less confusion and it happens faster. But it’s also about having the right systems in place. With newspapers, my son and I have shaved half an hour off the timings in the morning to get the paper rounds ready and out, purely by having the team set out the tables for us when they close up the night before. The paperwork is set out, so we can come in and crack on straightaway. “Additionally, we still do the shopping for some local people and deliver on Thursdays and Fridays. They’ll usually call on Wednesday, so now we get the baskets out early and just starting topping them up as we go. It means we can hit the ground running. It used to take us until 3pm on Friday to get everything delivered, now we’re often done by midday. Everyone has to be on the same page.”

Mike Nijjer, Costcutter Bull Street, Birmingham

“WE’VE now got an AI system, which we’ve had for about three months. It identi�ies gaps on our shelves and sees what we’re selling the most of, so we know what to order. It’s been a big help. It used to take us two or three days to go through all the stock and rotation to �ind out what we needed to be ordering, but the AI is now doing all that for us. So, now we know what we need to order more at the click of a few buttons. We pay a subscription of about £390+VAT a month, but it’s more than paying for itself. “It also looks at the prices of the products compared to all the other wholesalers and suppliers. We’ve plugged all the wholesalers into the system and now it tells us the prices and saves us the time going through and comparing. We’re using a system that’s been outsourced from India, so they can handle everything in our back of�ice.”

Mike Nicholls, Costcutter Dringhouses, York

“SOCIAL media has been the biggest thing for us recently. We’ve found a way to use AI to put some of our promotions together in a way that saves a huge amount of time. Putting together social media campaigns is very time-consuming, but we’re using cameras and different AI to create the imagery and promotions. “We’re then also working with a local print company that prints out those exact promotional pictures that we’re putting on Facebook and Instagram, so we can hang them in the store. That means that when people see a post on social media, they can come into the store, see it again and really re�lect on it. “For each store, we’re probably doing two or three posts a week, maybe more. It’s a massive game-changer for us. Before, you’d have to spend so much time and money taking the photos and sending them off to a design studio. But this way, we can unify our own promotions.”

In the next issue, the Retail Express team finds out how retailers are making best use of local suppliers. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email charles.whitting@newtrade.co.uk

RE - 6 October 2026