Retail Express - 18 November 2025

LOCAL SHOPS STEP UP WITH HURRICANE MELISSA AID

Yau,

THIS month, I attended a brie ng by Uber Eats where the home delivery rm held a panel with partnered businesses Co-op and Zapp.

During the event, Co-op highlighted plans to leverage the Uber Eats driver network, helping it expand its reach to more parts of the UK and create more potential competition with local shops.

For those unfamiliar with Zapp, the London-based grocery delivery rm tries to di erentiate by o ering 24/7 delivery and high-value items such as Apple AirPods, Nespresso co ee machines and perfumes.

Zapp’s business model isn’t that convincing for me. Although the odd customer will buy these items on impulse, I imagine the majority would rather go directly to Apple or Nespresso.

Independent retailers stand out on home delivery because you focus on the basics and create a personal relationship with customers. There are no gimmicks.

Many of you deliver direct to elderly customers who aren’t mobile enough to go to their nearest supermarket. Meanwhile, retailers such as George Phillips and Natalie Lightfoot are creating amazing social media posts which add humour and personalisation. I recommend you take a look if you haven’t already.

The eventual demise of rapiddelivery rms Getir and Gorillas show what can happen if you try to add gimmicks.

INDEPENDENT RETAILERS DON’T NEED TO USE GIMMICKS

Retailers urged to speak up on violent crime

ALEX YAU

NEARLY a quarter of shop staff were physically assaulted in the past year, as store owners have been urged to speak up on government efforts to clamp down on violence.

According to a survey of 1,000 staff by trade body Retail Trust, more than threequarters of shop staff faced intimidating behaviour over the 12-month period.

Of those receiving abuse, 43% are “looking to quit their job”, 43% of all respondents reported weekly abuse and 30% said they had been �ilmed without consent.

The abuse comes as the National Business Crime Centre (NBCC) concluded its Safer Business Action Week, designed to raise awareness and encourage retailers to speak up about retail crime.

During the week, police visited retailers to �ind out more

about their issues, held joint patrols and organised events to educate stores. Last year, the national initiative led to 750 arrests.

Superintendent and NBCC lead Lisa Maslen said: “Safer Business Action Week is a valuable opportunity to focus attention on the various

challenges businesses face every day.

“The results we’ve seen from these collaborative efforts show the real impact of bringing together police, local authorities and the business community to reduce harm and create safer places to work and shop.”

The fact that both Co-op and Zapp are turning to Uber Eats for support shows one battleground where they cannot compete with independents on – hyper-local retailing.

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Editor Alex Yau

alex.yau@ newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3358

News editor Ciarán Donnelly ciaran.donnelly@ newtrade.co.uk 07743 936703

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Kwame Boakye kwame.boakye@ newtrade.co.uk

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

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42,624

POST Of�ice hero Alan Bates has secured a reported £4£5m in government compensation, after 20 years spearheading his campaign over the Horizon scandal.

A government spokesperson con�irmed the compen-

sation and stated: “We can con�irm that Sir Alan’s claim has reached the end of the scheme process and been settled. We pay tribute to Sir Alan Bates for his long record of campaigning on behalf of victims.”

marts are fuelling

working and black-market sales, a BBC investigation has found.

The BBC exposed Kurdish ‘�ixers’ helping mini marts evade £60,000 illegal working �ines and propping up a

widespread system of employment for mostly Kurdish asylum seekers. Targeted raids on premises such as mini marts, vape shops, barbers and takeaways have seen more than 920 people arrested by the police.

PAYPOINT has apologised after incorrectly charging retailers more than £300 from a “system loading error”.

A PayPoint spokesperson told Retail Express: “An overnight system loading error added an additional PayPoint transaction to a number of sites across the network, causing the £321.33 charges. All retailers were noti�ied in advance of the debit taking place and fully refunded either in advance of the debit or the very next day.”

THE ACS has urged the Welsh government not to include glass in its Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), warning retailers lack the appropriate infrastructure.

Responding to the Welsh government’s consultation,

ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The Welsh government are, by their own admission, attempting to put in place a more complicated system than one that has taken over a decade to get right in the rest of the UK.”

Alex

editor

GOOD WEEK

Shops and depots unite for Hurricane Melissa aid

RETAILERS and wholesalers have banded together to provide tens of thousands of pounds-worth of urgent support to those devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

The category �ive hurricane, with wind speeds of up to 185mph, has destroyed many parts of Jamaica since making landfall on 28 October, causing �lash �looding and landslides. It has caused the death of at least 32 people in Jamaica and 43 in Haiti, while 13 are missing.

Derina Douglas, of Mitcham Lane Post Of�ice in south London, has set up donations of food, clothing and non-perishable goods to be sent to Jamaica through several charities in the region. The service has been advertised through lea�lets being posted in other local shops, GP surgeries, pharmacies and social media.

She told Retail Express the response from the community has been amazing, with customers going out of their way to �ill 6ft crates with clothes, nappies, toiletries, cooking oil and pasta, among other essentials.

Douglas added: “I wasn’t expecting so many people to donate. We have a big blue drum about waist height for donations, and it’s been �illed up within two days. We’ve had to take it off the shop �loor and empty it

multiple times.

“There’s a shipping company we operate alongside the post of�ice, which we have used to send donations. We’ve made huge 6ft crates which we �ill with the donations. They’re being sent to organisation Food For The Poor, and to children through a charity in Montego Bay.

“Everyone working for the business is of Jamaican descent. We’ll be going out there ourselves in January to provide aid. I believe there are many smaller rural areas in Jamaica which require help. I’d just ask that anybody can donate what they can, whether it’s non-perishable items or PPE.”

Similarly, Great Leighs Village Store & Post Of�ice in Chelmsford noti�ied customers that any Western Union transfers from the UK would have no fees implemented until 7 November. At the time, the branch said: “This initiative is part of their commitment to support relief efforts and assist those affected by the disaster.

“We offer Western Union here at the post of�ice, if anyone needs to send money over to friends or relatives in Jamaica at this time.”

Meanwhile, ‘MarCus Bee’, community champion for Tesco Springhill in Birmingham, took to social media to ask customers to also provide donations of nonperishables and clothing to victims of the hurricane.

Elsewhere, Londonbased cash and carry Wanis International Foods raised tens of thousands of pounds-worth of aid during a major charity drive on 5 November.

The wholesaler enlisted famous reggae artists Maxi Priest and Luciano, alongside comedian White Yardie, to encourage “bighearted” retailers at the depot to donate. Customers �illed trolleys with rice, tinned �ish and beans, while additional backing came from major food brands including Tropical Sun and Tilda. The support will be distributed by Food For The Poor.

Wanis head of community Paul Harrison said: “This crisis feels very close to home for many of us. I have family in Jamaica, including my elderly parents. To witness so many organisations and individuals uniting so quickly to provide practical help is genuinely heartening.”

Sanjay Wadhwani, managing director of Wanis International Foods, added: “We have worked closely with Jamaican producers and communities for more than 60 years. Our connection is deep and enduring. In moments like these, it is essential that we act swiftly and meaningfully to sup-

BARISTA BAR: The co ee concept is rolling out to more convenience stores in England and Wales, with existing partners generating more than £1,000 in additional weekly sales. There are currently more than 1,000 partnered retailers, with the majority of them being based across Northern Ireland.

“I POST three to ve days on Facebook and once every three days on TikTok. I have a dedicated sta member called Amy who handles TikTok. She’s 25 years old. Her initial reticence towards the platform has evolved over time, and the content has improved. Amy has authority on the kind of content that’s created, with occasional tweaks from myself, demonstrating one can get younger sta members interested.”

Umar Majid, Baba’s Kitchen, North Lanarkshire

“I HAVE been active on LinkedIn for around three years now, but it is only in the past 18 months that I have understood its potential. My posts on the social media platform have opened doors with brand partners, helped secure exclusive activations and positioned our store as a go-to site for national campaigns. That visibility has translated into real-world bene ts including increased brand support.”

Priyesh Vekaria, One Stop Carlton Salford, Manchester

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

port those facing unimaginable hardship.”

Birmingham-based Lioncroft Wholesale has also stepped up to aid those impacted by Hurricane Melissa. Posting on social media, the �irm’s CEO, Jason Wouhra, said: “What has happened in Jamaica is truly devastating, and the least we could do was donate some of our stock to support those in distress.

“A huge thank you and well done to everyone at Island Delight Foods for organising donations from across the West Midlands to help those Jamaican communities in their time of greatest need.”

Social media: How is it improving your business?

“I OPENED a second store in June this year, and using social media has helped increase business to the shop by 40%. It’s worth using the power of storytelling to connect with your customers on a much deeper level. While the shop was undergoing the re t, I shared behind-the-scenes footage with customers on social media. I think people were moved by just how much work went into that.”

Bisi Osundeko, Go Local St Helens, Greater Manchester

PRICING: An independent retailer is launching a service called Pro tWhale, designed to help fellow store owners compare pricing across di erent wholesalers. Currently in early stages, the founder came up with the concept due to their own frustrations with wholesale pricing.

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

BAD WEEK

SOS WHOLESALE: The collapsed wholesaler owes more than £6m to 200 suppliers, who are not expected to be paid back. A report by administrators Interpath revealed the wholesaler, one of the biggest discount suppliers to the convenience sector, owed more than £10.5m to suppliers, lenders and the rm’s founders at the time of its collapse.

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

POKÉMON: Retailers unable to secure branded trading cards have blamed o cial distributor Asmodee for favouring major chains. An email from Asmodee stated: “We have currently reached capacity of new accounts.”

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

ALEX YAU

Bisi Osundeko

Strict vape regulations proposed

JACK COURTEZ

RETAILERS could be forced to sell vapes at a minimum legal price of at least £30 under proposals to the Tobacco and Vapes Bill debated in the House of Lords this month.

The third scheduled day of Committee Stage, held on 3 November, saw amendments suggesting that instead of fines, shops flouting upcom-

ing laws for the first time would be hit with warning notices.

Proposals also suggested a ban on the supply of cigarette filters in England and Wales, while retailers could be also required to use age-verification technology.

Lords also reiterated broader calls for “an impact assessment before further regulation” of tobacco, as well as clarification on how

the government will define a vape flavour.

Lords had previously tabled raising the age of sale for all tobacco products to 21 years until the ‘Smoke-free Generation’ law comes into place, and a ban on manufacturing high-strength oral nicotine products.

During the first day of debate on 27 October, Conservative peer Lord Bethell proposed to outlaw all tobacco

products from 2040, regardless of customer age or shop licences.

Although the proposals mainly suggested restrictions on retailers, several benefits were also suggested. These included a proposed criminalisation of all online sales of tobacco, proposed by Lord Young.

The debate on the proposed amendments closed on 17 November.

RETAILERS can access an AIpowered age-checking tool for free, helping de-escalate confrontations linked to underage sales.

The AgeGate Pro app can be downloaded onto Android phones or tablets, using the device’s camera to verify a customer’s age and alert till staff if they are likely to be under 25 when purchasing agerestricted products.

Founder James Van Aalst said: “It’s trained on around 250,000 faces.”

SYMBOL group SimplyFresh has rebranded with a brighter design and potential revival of its foodhall concept. The flagship store under the rebrand opened on 31 October in Central London. SimplyFresh managing director Kash Khera told Retail Express the rebrand would help the company “redefine” the convenience sector for the next 10 years.

Police trust down

POLICE, trading standards and councils were named by retailers as some of the leasttrusted sources of advice.

In a survey by trade agency

MTJ PR, who represents major convenience brands, two in five shop owners put local government in last place, one in four gave Trading Standards the lowest ranking and one in five named the police as their least-trusted source of information.

• Are you struggling with household billsorfinancial commitments outside of your business?

• Have you experienced retail crime?

If you have experienced a drop in income as a result of unexpected change, disability bereavement or illness, we may be able to support you with a financialgrant as well as provide emotional support

Jimmy’s new Caramel Wa le

SHYAMA LAXMAN

JIMMY’S has added a new limited-edition Caramel Waf�le variety to its readyto-drink iced coffee range.

This is the brand’s second limited-edition launch this year, following the launch of the Donut variety in May.

The Caramel Waf�le variant is available to convenience retailers at an RRP of £1.70. The launch of the new �lavour presents retailers with the perfect opportunity to capture shopper attention and drive category sales during the autumn period, according to the supplier.

Jimmy’s Caramel Waf�le iced coffee has a biscuity, caramel �lavour that tastes like the centre bite of a stroopwafel, the supplier added.

The launch comes as Jimmy’s continues to invest in �lavour-led innovation to fuel brand growth and entice more shoppers to the category.

The Caramel Waf�le �lavour is set to do just this by appealing to shoppers seeking premium and indulgent ready-to-drink coffee options.

With its rich and warming pro�ile, the new variant is perfectly timed for autumn and winter, as consumers look for more comforting �lavours.

Nomadic’s Yogurt & Oat Bar is chilled

A sweet new line with Jammy Red Devil

CASILLERO del Diablo has entered the sweeter red wine segment with the addition of a Jammy Red Devil variety to its range.

A blend of shiraz and carmenere, the new variant aims to tap into the fast-growing ‘jammy’ red blend segment, which has expanded rapidly in recent years to reach a retail sales value of more than £200m. According to the supplier, the new Jammy Red Devil is rich with blackcurrant, raspberry ripple and vanilla �lavours.

It is available to independent retailers from Bestway and Unitas.

Tropicana gets a festive makeover

TROPICANA has introduced limited-edition Christmas festive packaging across core juice lines to boost seasonal sales.

The new designs will appear on 900ml and 1.5l cartons of Smooth Orange, Original Orange with Juicy Bits, Tropical Fruits, Orange & Mango, Orchard Apple and Extra Pulpy Orange with More Juicy Bits. Festive branding will also feature

NOMADIC has launched a Yogurt & Oat Bar, which the company says is the �irst chilled bar of its kind in the UK.

The 28g bar features a soft oat base topped with yogurt and covered in dark chocolate. The bar contains 134 calories and includes live yogurt cultures. The move comes two decades after the company �irst entered the chilled snack segment with its Rumblers range, which has since evolved into the brand’s Yogurt & Oat Cluster pots.

RRP: £1.50

Heineken launches campaign for Moretti

on 500ml cartons of Smooth Orange and Original Orange with Bits, along with 250ml single-serve bottles of Smooth Orange and Orchard Apple. The festive-themed packs are available until the end of this year.

Tropicana Brands Group marketing director Caroline Wilding said the limited-edition festive packaging will give shoppers “an incentive to trade up”.

HEINEKEN UK has rolled out a £2.4m campaign for its premium Italian lager brand Birra Moretti, designed to boost visibility and drive sales over the festive period. The campaign includes a new TV advert, out-of-home activations and limitededition packaging. The new festive packaging will feature on 10x330ml, 12x330ml

and 18x330ml multipacks of Birra Moretti L’Autentica. The design incorporates bespoke Birra Moretti snow�lakes with a foil �inish to improve shelf standout and appeal to shoppers buying for gatherings or gifts.

Lee Kum Kee expands into noodles

ASIAN sauces and condiments brand Lee Kum Kee is expanding into noodles for the �irst time with its Plain Noodle range.

The range is launching in Egg, Ramen, Knife-Cut and 4-Flavour varieties. Each product is ready to eat in under three minutes, apart from the Knife-Cut noodles.

Shuang Cheng, director – convenience foods at Lee Kum Kee Europe, said: “We are now bringing quality noodles to elevate everyday cooking experience, all delivered in a convenient, quick and easy-to-cook format.”

Delice de France unveils winter range

DELICE de France has launched its limited-edition winter range.

It features two doughnuts – in Apple Pie and Chocolate Orange �lavours, and a trio of muf�ins – Spiced Stollen, Gingerbread and Cranberry & Orange varieties. Other lines include Shortcrust Mince

STG adds to XQS nic pouches range

SCANDINAVIAN Tobacco Group UK (STG UK) has added two new variants to its XQS nicotine pouch range: Cola Lime and Fizzy Peach, exclusively available from Vape Supplier. Both varieties have an 8mg strength and are inspired by beverages, which the supplier says is a growing consumer trend. The launch brings the �lavour count to 11 since the brand’s UK launch in April 2024. It comes as the nicotine pouch category is worth £182m in in-store

retail sales, having seen volume growth of 65% in the past year.

Crowns, Puff Lattice Mince Pies and a Rich Fruit Cake. The range includes two savoury options – a Christmas Cracker Roll, which is puff pastry �illed with pork, turkey, cranberries and a savoury seasonal stuf�ing – and the returning Pigs in Blankets Slice.

IMPERIAL Brands is set to launch its value cigarette brand Paramount in Northern Ireland after a successful rollout in the rest of the UK.

The supplier has retained the RRP of £12.50, and Paramount is available in king-size and super king-size formats.

fastest-growing cigarette brand in the UK in 2025 since launching last November, achieving more than 5% market share in independent stores.

According to the supplier, Paramount has become the

Additionally, the value sector now represents nearly 37% of the UK cigarette market and has grown in Northern Ireland by 18% in the past year.

JTI UK has launched Nordic Spirit Frosty Mint Max, a 17mg variety that’s the brand’s strongest pouch to date. It is available now from wholesalers and symbol groups, as well as the supplier’s retailer platform JTI 360. According to Circana and IRI �igures, highstrength varieties are the fastest-growing in the nicotine-pouch category, accounting for 16% of sales.

The launch also marks the debut of Nordic Spirit’s new pack design for Max.

The new “dialled-up”

Nordic’s strongest nic pouch to date

Carling extends FA Cup partnership Paramount extends to Northern Ireland

design elements and a darker colour scheme have been designed to provide greater on-shelf standout.

CARLING has con�irmed it will continue its role as the of�icial beer partner of the Emirates FA Cup and Adobe Women’s FA Cup until at least 2027.

As part of the deal, Carling will be rolling out promotional activity throughout the competitions to bring fans even closer to the action. This includes the continuation of Carling’s Could it

be Magic podcast hosted by ex-footballers Joe Cole and Ashley Cole, activations and on-pack partnerships.

Speaking about the extended deal, James Gray, commercial director at The FA, said: “We look forward to working together over the years ahead and seeing even more magical moments be created around our �lagship competitions.”

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SHYAMA LAXMAN

Ghost eyes UK growth

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AMERICAN energy drink brand Ghost Energy has set its sights on UK convenience growth after securing major listings.

Since launching in the UK in July, the brand has secured a distribution partnership with World of Sweets and is available from Scotmid Co-operative and Motor Fuel Group stores.

Currently available varieties include OG Original, Blue Raspberry, Cherry Limeade and Sour Watermelon, which is made in collaboration with confectionery brand Warheads.

They are available from Hancocks at an RRP of £2.25

Green Giant reveals centenary pack promo

SWEETCORN brand Green Giant is marking 100 years of brand icon Jolly the Green Giant with its “largest ever” on-pack promotion.

Live until 31 December, quad packs of Green Giant Original and Salt-Free varieties offer shoppers the chance to win £100 cash

Andy says ‘Bring Out Your Best Side’

prizes, out of a total prize pool of £25,000. This comes amid the brand’s ‘100 Years of Irresistible Sweetness’ campaign, which recruited new shoppers to the brand.

In the past four weeks, household penetration is up by 0.1%, while value share has increased by 1.5%.

ALBERT Bartlett has launched its �irst ad campaign with long-term partner and tennis legend Andy Murray, called ‘Bring Out Your Best Side’.

Featuring products from the brand’s fresh, chilled and frozen ranges, the campaign celebrates how Albert Bar-

tlett potatoes can fuel life’s big and small moments, from family mealtimes to moments of personal triumph. Its set to run across TV, VoD, outdoor and digital channels through December.

Żubrówka Biała gets winter glow-up

POLISH vodka brand

Żubrówka Biała has unveiled a new blue- and white-sleeve design for its 1l bottle, available in convenience.

The sleeve continues to lead with the brand’s bison icon but features blue and white colours meant to evoke Poland’s Bialowieża Forest in winter. Additionally, a new ‘King of the Forest’ motif adorns the bottle.

The Bialowieża Forest is where bison grass grows, a blade of which can be found in every bottle of Żubrówka

Biała.

According to Paragon Brands, the vodka’s UK distributor, Żubrówka, is currently the UK’s number two imported vodka brand.

NON-ALCOHOLIC aperitivo

brand Botivo has expanded its range with the launch of the ready-to-drink (RTD) Botivo Sparkling Botanical Aperitivo, now available through wholesale.

The RTD is crafted with real ingredients and has no �lavourings, preservatives or essences, according to the supplier. Botivo’s move into cans re�lects growing

Botivo launches in RTD can format

demand for premium RTD aperitifs.

The new format also taps into younger audiences seeking elevated drinking at an accessible price point.

The fully recyclable aluminium cans also come with a lower carbon footprint than glass bottles – part of Botivo’s commitment to a more sustainable drinks culture, the supplier said.

Convenience Stores’ (ACS) Innovation & NPD Showcase on 21 October, Ghost Energy was highly commended by a panel of judges from the ACS’ independent board.

Country Choice unveils Xmas range

COUNTRY Choice has unveiled its 2025 Christmas range, which includes two new sweet treats and four savouries.

Some of the products in the line-up include the Salted Caramel Cupcake and Boston’s Chocolate Orange Doughnut on the sweet side. Meanwhile, the savoury selections include the Jerk Turkey Bake, the Festive Bake, the Festive Sausage Roll and the Caramelised Onion & Camembert Tart.

The new launches

complement established favourites like Pigs Under Blankets Toastie and Brie & Cranberry Ciabatta.

Fiery Mango launches new format

TENZING has re-launched its Winter Edition Super Natural Fiery Mango �lavour energy drink in a revised �lavour and format. It will be available in a larger 500ml can via selected wholesalers from the end of November. Developed together with nutritionists, the new recipe is a combination of natural ingredients from vitamin D and C to magnesium and lion’s mane, according to the supplier. The drink, which launched to market last year, was the �irst ever energy drink to be designed speci�ically for winter, when vitamin D levels, energy levels, mood and immunity are low, the supplier added.

‘Deck the Shelves’ with Kellanova

KELLANOVA has launched a new competition, offering one retailer a chance to win £10,000 in cash. Running until December, the ‘Deck the Shelves’ competition runs on price-marked packs of Pringles and CheezIt, in both large sharing and single formats. Retailers can participate by purchasing a case of the qualifying product, and either scanning the QR code in depot or visiting the campaign microsite. They’ll be directed to

complete an entry form and upload a copy of the receipt. One winner will be selected at random.

Añejo 7 Años gets design makeover

Aagrah’s new Butter Chicken Tarka paste

AAGRAH Foods has added a vegan-friendly Butter Chicken Tarka Paste to its range of premium Indian cooking sauces.

The new variant – available at an RRP of £3.75 –combines a creamy tomato base with aromatic spices and subtle sweetness. The

according to the supplier.

HAVANA Club has collaborated with fashion house Martine Rose to launch a limited-edition design for its Añejo 7 Años rum. The new design unites Havana Club’s Cuban spirit and craftmanship with Rose’s Jamaican British heritage and creativity. Designed in tandem with Rose’s Autumn/ Winter 2025 collection, the bottle is layered with bold emblems, expressive colours and delicate watercolour tiles inspired by Havana’s mosaic architecture. Premium �inishes including shimmering foils, pearlescent varnishes and textured labels create a sense of depth and movement. It also features a custom motif engraved on

Urban Eat Teenage Cancer Trust combo

including shelf barkers, digital screen visuals and social media content.

FOOD-TO-GO brand Urban Eat has launched its limitededition festive range in partnership with Teenage Cancer Trust, with 10p from every festive pack sold donated to support the charity. The range includes two seasonal sandwiches: Festive Feast, featuring chicken, sweet cure bacon, sage and onion stuf�ing, and cranberry sauce; and a vegetarian Brie & Cranberry option. The limited-edition packs feature festive artwork intended to drive impulse purchases during the key trading period. Retailers can avail PoS and assets

the bottle neck and Rose’s signature embossed on the front label.

Monster’s Call of Duty

SHYAMA LAXMAN

MONSTER Energy has brought back its on-pack promotion in partnership with Call of Duty to help retailers tap into energy drinkers’ love for gaming.

The promotion will run across individual cans and multipack cans of Monster Original, Zero Sugar, Absolute Zero, Ultra White, Ultra Rosa, Juiced Mango Loco, Ultra Strawberry Dreams and Pipeline Punch to drive maximum engagement with shoppers.

Gaming fans across all platforms can scan unique QR codes on speci�ic packs

or enter codes found under ringpulls to unlock exclusive in-game content, including double XP tokens, as well as unique operator skins and gear to help gamers level up faster and look the part while doing it. Following the success of last year’s programme, the new campaign

will run through 31 March 2026, with code redemption available until 30 April 2026.

Promotional packs will also feature the Cerberus logo inspired by prominent ingame feature, the Wolf King, designed to capture the interest of shoppers and enhance in-store experience.

Ginsters launches two festive food-to-go lines

GINSTERS has expanded its festive range this Christmas with three limited-edition products.

The range includes Festive Chicken & Stuf�ing Pocket, and Festive Pork & Cranberry Roll, and the returning Festive Chicken & Stuf�ing Slice. All products are made with 100% British meat and contain no arti�icial colours, preservatives or �lavours, according to the supplier.

The Festive Chicken & Stuffing Slice, �irst launched in 2021, returns as part of this year’s line-up.

Christmas games made up over 37% of total Scratchcard sales in the run up to Christmas last year*

VK unveils Squashka RTD inspired by student fanbase

READY-TO-DRINK (RTD)

brand VK has announced a new addition – VK Squashka – inspired by the brand’s student fanbase.

Launching end of November, VK Squashka is a vodkabased RTD, available in three �lavours: Apple & Blackcurrant, Orange & Pineapple and Cherries & Berries. It has an ABV of 7% and comes in resealable 500ml tetra packs at an RRP of £3.49. The graband-go format is ideal for students and young adults seeking better value.

“Suggesting a Christmas game as a gift idea at the till, helps

me increase my sales.”

*Based on peak November 2024 sales figures Rules & Procedures apply. Players (and gifters) must be 18+. Max 10 Scratchcards per transaction in a single visit to store.

MY STAR STAFF MEMBER

OPINION

RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS

What do you think? Call Retail Express on 020 7689 3357 for the chance to be featured

Hassan Masood

My role in the shop: store manager

How did you get involved in retail?

I’ve been working with Mike for two-and-a-half years. Before, I was in his other Morrisons Daily store in York. Previously, I was working in retail in Pakistan before moving to the UK. Through some recommendations, Mike called me to come work for him.

What is your favourite part of working in convenience?

It’s de nitely engaging with the customers. We have such a diverse customer base, which includes students, hospital workers and residents. I can always have a great conversation with them.

Have you had any interesting products come in recently?

We have a vast range and focus a lot on local suppliers. We have ice cream which we serve all year round from a local dairy, and we also have an extensive line-up of Indian products provided by a company called Heera.

What are your usual duties?

As store manager, I’m tasked with overseeing the entire operation of the shop. This can involve managing sta rotas, helping manage deliveries and engaging with our suppliers.

Why is this store particularly special?

It’s a brand-new store. We’ve taken lessons from retailing in Ireland. Although we can’t replicate everything 100%, we can take some elements, such as the self-serve food to go, to help us stand out.

MEDIA LIBERATION DAY: How did the planned protests impact you?

“LOOK at every newsstand. If you want a left-wing paper, you can �ind one. If you want a right-wing paper, you can �ind one. The UK has a long tradition of free speech. I don’t think any group attempting to hide views they don’t agree with is within this tradition.”

Julia Bywater, Bywater News, Dudley, West Midlands

“THEY are absolutely right, some papers are totally far right, but they should be protesting the publishers. Many shop owners are migrants and immigrants, and will have sympathy with the protestors. As soon as there’s a far-right headline, I put that newspaper at the bottom of the pile.”

Mo Razzaq, Premier Mo’s, Blantyre

It’s not the fault of the newsagents

NISA: Will the recently unveiled rebrand work well?

“NO, and it’s something I will not accept for my store. The new design looks like something a discounter would have.

I currently have the premium silver fascia, which looks good and offers a point of difference. Co-op Wholesale’s rebrand does not look premium at all. It’s also a hassle if you’ve recently re�itted.”

Anonymous retailer

INNOVATION: How is your new shop leading the way?

“WE’RE the �lagship store under the new SimplyFresh rebrand. We’re focusing a lot on growing products, such as food to go, and will be adding a fresh sushi counter in the coming weeks. The shop �loor is a lot brighter and more inviting.”

Ashok Trada, SimplyFresh City Road, London

Store owner: Mike Nicholls, Morrisons Daily Wilmslow Park, Manchester

Get in touch

Want to recommend a star member of sta ? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk

It’s a positive move and creates a uniform brand This will add more pressure on retailers

“WE’VE been in the community for 25 years, but recently switched to Go Local. We’re glad we made the move and can’t believe we hadn’t done it sooner. We appreciate the great service from the team, and having the store re�itted has led to an increase in sales.”

Rajbir Rai, Go Local Hartlepool, Hartlepool

“I THINK it’s a positive move and creates a more uniform brand, getting rid of the ‘Local’ and ‘Express’ taglines. If you look at supermarkets such as Waitrose or Sainsbury’s, they have consistent branding across their stores. It’s good to see that Co-op Wholesale is looking at changing things up.”

Mike Sohal, Nisa Dallam Stores, Warrington

We are changing urban convenience

WAGES: Will proposed changes to statutory sick pay (SSP) be abused?

“THE new legislation proposed for sickness from day one is something some employees might take advantage of. For example, if they haven’t had their holiday approved, sickness is a little loophole because they know they’ll get SSP.”

Vidur Pandya, Kislingbury Mini Market & Post Of�ice, Northamptonshire

“THIS will add more pressure on retailers who are already paying out of their own pocket. We’re already paying staff members a lot. If day-one sick pay comes in, it gives some staff an extra automatic advantage – they’ll get paid as well as time off. It creates another loophole.”

Sifat Hayat, The Market, Stratford, London

PAID FEATURE HIRE WITH EASE

In partnership with UK government

FIND THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR YOUR BUSINESS

Companies across the country looking to recruit the right people for their businesses are increasingly harnessing the bene ts of the no-fee recruitment service provided by JOBCENTRE PLUS

A NO-FEE RECRUITMENT SERVICE

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No matter how many vacancies you have, Jobcentre Plus employer advisers can help to take the hassle out of recruitment, leaving you to get on with business. TOP TIPS

This comprehensive support includes providing expert advice on recruitment best practice, help with advertising your

WITH more businesses nding it hard to ll their vacancies with suitable candidates, the Jobcentre Plus professional recruitment service aims to back your business, while providing opportunities for jobseekers in the local community.

jobs locally, nding the right candidates for your business, shortlisting CVs and even giving you the space to interview at a local Jobcentre. Jobcentre Plus employer

advisers can also assist with setting up work trials, work experience and apprenticeships, and provide guidance on employing people with disabilities or health conditions.

A NEW APPROACH TO RECRUITMENT

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If you’re ready to advertise your vacancies, you can post and manage them on Find a Job, its easy-to-use online jobs board.

HOMEFAIR Blinds & Shutters, a leading manufacturer and retailer of window blinds, curtains and shutters, is one of many businesses already bene tting from this service. Retail and customer service manager Dave says: “The advice and guidance we have received is worth its weight in gold. If there was a cost, it would be worth it. But there isn’t, so it’s brilliant.”

Before using the Jobcentre Plus professional recruitment service, Dave had his fair share of challenges in nding the right candidates for his business while using digital recruitment platforms.

“I was nding quantity over quality. The reviewing process was lengthy and at the end of it, the candidates were not always speci cally suited. It just wasn’t e cient.”

Like many other businesses, the Homefair Blinds & Shutters team were not initially aware of this service. “We were very

close to the local Jobcentre, so I popped in and said I was looking for some help,” Dave says. “Everything has surprised me. I would recommend other employers to use this service. You can spend hours looking at candidates yourself, or you can have experts do it for you. It just makes sense.”

Visit business.gov.uk/recruit and ll out the simple enquiry form. A local employer adviser will then call you back to discuss your recruitment needs*.

Michaela, employer adviser, Jobcentre Plus EXPERT VIEW

“SUPPORTING the recruitment e ort at Homefair Blinds & Shutters has been a wonderful partnership that has evolved over time. I had several conversations with Dave to make sure that I could deliver exactly what they needed.

“I sat down with work coaches and asked them to go through their list of candidates together so that we could speci cally match people who had the required attributes. The person has to be right for the role.

“I encourage more employers to get in touch with Jobcentre Plus. Let’s work together because you have got what we need, and we have got what you need.”

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GROW SALES WITH KP SNACKS

WHAT’S THE OPPORTUNITY?

CRISPS, snacks and nuts (CSN) is a key category to back for independent retailers, worth almost £5.3bn1.

To win in this critical category, retailers need to stock the right range of flavours and formats, and tap into the right occasions and missions.

Helping retailers bag their share of CSN, KP Snacks’ impartial ranging advice, ‘25 to Thrive’, is designed speci -

cally with independent retailers in mind, delivering category-wide guidance that helps them meet today’s shopper needs, with something for all snacking occasions.

KP Snacks keeps the advice relevant, providing tested recommendations of products that tap into channel and category trends, giving retailers con dence that they’re stocking the right products.

WHAT’S TRENDING?

TRUST and familiarity remain paramount, with 40% of category sales going through the top ve brands2. Shoppers are gravitating towards iconic brands they know and love, making stocking category leaders more valuable than ever in driving basket spend.

Value also continues to be critical, with price-marked packs (PMPs) playing an increasingly important role.

PMPs represent a 71% share of bagged snacks sales in independent stores3, and most of the products featured in the ‘25 to Thrive’ recommended range are PMPs. PMPs also play well in food-to-go missions, which are on the rise.

The big night in is another growing occasion, with shoppers looking to bagged snacks as an a ordable treat for athome occasions. Nuts and popcorn perform well in this occasion, meaning retailers who stock a comprehensive CSN range, including popcorn, are best placed to capture all snacking opportunities.

Find the ‘25 to Thrive’ ranging advice on the KP Snacks website at kpsnackpartners.com/retailer-guides/

3

Stuart Graham, head of convenience and impulse, KP Snacks SUPPLIER VIEW

“THE beauty of ‘25 to Thrive’ is its simplicity. Rather than overwhelming retailers with complex ranging decisions, we’ve done the hard work by identifying the 25 must-stock lines that deliver for today’s shoppers.

“The results speak for themselves. Retailers implementing our ‘25 to Thrive’ advice are seeing remarkable sales upli s of 15.3% on average4. In a category worth almost £5.3bn and still growing, there’s a huge opportunity for independent retailers to maximise their share.

“Our portfolio covers every occasion, mission and price point, ensuring retailers can con dently meet all their customers’ snacking needs. By giving these products the space, availability and prominence they deserve, retailers can unlock signi cant category growth.”

‘Questioning whether retail is worth it’

LAST month, I had my lowest point in retailing. What should have been a high – a buzzing Halloween weekend – turned into something I’ll never forget.

Just 10 minutes before closing, a man came in, bandana over his mouth, only his eyes showing and went to buy half a bottle of Buckfast.

As always, I held the bottle until payment went through. The card declined – and he snatched it from my hand and ran.

Without thinking, I ran after him. When I caught up (out of sight of CCTV), he turned, called me a racial slur and waved a knife in my face.

COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK

Simon Hooper, Nisa Local, Salisbury

‘Supporting young people’s well-being’

“WE donated £500 to the charity Alabaré, helping to support its health and well-being programme in young people’s homes and parent-and-baby homes. It helps thousands of people across England and Wales. The donation was made through Nisa’s Making a Di erence Locally (MADL) charity. It was fantastic to welcome the Alabaré team into the store to celebrate this donation. They do vital work in supporting vulnerable people locally, and we’re proud to play a small part in that. Thanks to MADL, our store has now donated almost £20,000 to good causes in Salisbury and the surrounding area.”

And in that split second it hit me – what was I even doing? Running after a full-grown man for a £5.75 bottle?

The saddest part? I didn’t even call the police. He was in fancy dress – I couldn’t properly identify him. It all happened out of view of CCTV, so even if he was

caught, it would just be my word against his.

After last night, I’ve genuinely questioned whether it’s all worth it anymore. Something has to change. Retailers deserve to feel safe in their own stores.

Nathalie Fullerton, One Stop Dumbarton Road, Glasgow

COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK

Benedict Selvaratnam, Fresh elds Supermarket, Croydon

‘Building community in Croydon’

“THE paint is barely dry, but the spirit of The Croydon Smile Hub is already alive. This is more than a building; it’s a movement, a home for creativity, learning and local leadership within the community. It will be a place where young people, families and businesses can connect, grow and build a brighter Croydon together. The Smile Hub will feature several areas to help bene t the community. This will include a community café and training space; digital, creative and business workshops; a well-being and ecotherapy space; mentoring, gaming and media creation; and a home for connection and care.”

Londis Harefield, Hillingdon

Reducing waste with food to go

SUNTORY Beverage & Food (SBF GB&I) continues to support its retail partners in the convenience sector to make their stores more sustainable by o ering practical and actionable advice. To illustrate how sustainability is driven by small, consistent steps forward, SBF GB&I is revisiting three pledges from retailers in a three-part series to report on what advice they’ve implemented and the progress they’ve made.

Atul Sodha, from Londis Hare eld, creator of Curry in a Hurry, shares how he’s reassessed how to reduce waste with his food-to-go o ering.

“Curry in a Hurry was born out of the desire to become more sustainable,” he says. “Initially, we used surplus food from within the store to make samosas, which was followed up with ‘Get in the Queue for Stew’ and ‘Who’s Ready for Roasts’. The food-to-go o ering has become a major part of my business and has allowed me to expand my fresh ingredient o ering and sell more spices across the store.”

Top tip: Repurpose and reuse

• Take a creative approach and see where you can reuse or repurpose items in your store.

• Understand your customers’ needs and look for gaps in your community.

• Keep track of what is being thrown away to identify where a reduction in waste can be made.

“Curry in a Hurry has become an award-winning o ering that we’ve looked to make even more sustainable, by incorporating more sustainable packaging,” adds Sodha.

No matter how small, SBF GB&I wants to hear about the steps you’re making on your sustainability journey. Share your ideas with it via @SuntoryBF_GBI on X, and together we can help the channel grow for good.

FOCUS ON FASCIA GUIDE

Find your fascia’s strengths

RETAIL EXPRESS looks at what the symbol groups have been doing for their retailers over the past year and what their retailers like most about their o er

THERE are so many variables at play in convenience retailing, that when it comes to joining a symbol group, it can be dif�icult to know who to turn to in pursuit of your store’s aims. Retailers may want more own-label options, �lexible delivery times or increased investment in a particular category.

That’s why, in this fascia guide, leading symbol groups talk about what differentiates their offer in an increasingly

competitive landscape.

Parfetts outlines how it has increased its own-label range, expanded its trading team and invested in its online channels to make sure retailers are up to date with its latest promotions and have easy access to them. One Stop makes mention of its streamlined home delivery system, which allows retailers to manage four major platforms in one place. Spar talks about its new planograms, which prioritise growth categories

in convenience, such as food to go, to help its retailers future-proof their business.

And, in a �irst for a Retail Express fascia guide, in editorial sections, members of these symbol groups have been surveyed directly about what they like the most about them, and the top three answers revealed. From kerb appeal to brand recognition, this guide dissects what retailers like most about their fascias, and how these fascias are responding to demands.

Parfetts

PARFETTS outlines the major investments in its retailers it has made this year

Three improvements from Parfetts in 2025

PARFETTS continues to invest in giving independent retailers a real edge in a competitive market. The Go Local own-label range has expanded to cover more than 250 lines and recently added Go Local Paracetamol Tablets. With strong margins and trusted quality, the range allows retailers to deliver everyday value while protecting pro ts.

PARFETTS has invested more than £1m in enhancing the customer app, web ordering system, WhatsApp and email channels to ensure retailers receive the latest information, support and deals. The app was redesigned with features such as spend tracking, shopping lists, improved search, promotional calendars, daily deals and supplier activations.

Expanded trading team

PARFETTS has expanded its trading team to further enhance its industry-leading service. This means access to Big Ticket events, weekly specials, trade weeks, as well as the Parfest showcase. Campaigns backed by major brands generate strong consumer interest and help retailers drive footfall, increase basket size and remain competitive.

Steve Miller

National sales controller, Parfetts

“IN today’s tough economy, independent retailers need more than a wholesaler. They need a partner that’s genuinely invested in their success. Parfetts’ employee-ownership model means every colleague has a stake in helping retailers grow, and pro ts are reinvested straight back into the business to deliver real value.

“That commitment is reflected in the services Parfetts provides, from

Southampton to the Scottish Borders, encompassing outstanding customer support and transparent pricing, as well as digital tools that simplify and enhance the e ciency of running a store. A fastgrowing Go Local ownlabel range now spans everything from bakery to medicines, giving retailers access to great-value products and strong margins.

“Combined with a busy promotional programme and the backing of major brands, Parfetts helps retailers attract new customers, build loyalty and protect pro ts. When every penny counts, Parfetts stands with independent retailers as a true partner.”

Symbol Group

for

Keep your independence but enjoy the support of an experienced retail team offering a dedicated promotional programme, a bespoke solution for every store and deals guaranteed to increase profits.

Shop & Go is our new symbol format designed to meet the needs of retailers who operate stores with a transient shopper mission in high footfall locations such as city centres, bus stations, train stations or forecourts.

n No joining fee

n Free delivery with low minimum order levels*

n Access to our best promotional prices and deals across the year

n Dedicated support from our field team of retail specialists

n Access to 3 weekly promotions, deep dive trade weeks and retail club promotions

n Access to over 7,000 lines

n A 2% compliance reward –for simply running our promotions in full (with no retro to claim)

n Full store review and redevelopment advice, including category and store layout advice to build a tailored range to support a time sensitive shopper mission

n Free EPOS system, extensive POS kits and digital marketing support

One Stop

ONE STOP outlines the ways in which its franchisees bene t from a trusted brand

Three improvements from One Stop in 2025

ONE Stop has listened to its franchisees to improve its service and revolutionise online delivery. Franchisees can call on dedicated resources to grow online delivery. The changes made to the service have allowed them to generate signi cant additional revenue and extend customer reach, helping them to future-proof their businesses.

WHOLESALERS have begun imposing delivery or case-picking charges, which can signi cantly impact pro tability. Therefore, One Stop has committed to keeping delivery

charges free. The introduction of single-pick lines and the ‘WhyWaste’ smart reduction system have helped reduce food waste, increase pro ts and boost fresh sales.

ONE Stop launched its most successful in-store marketing campaigns, signi cantly increasing customer engagement, footfall, sales and pro ts for its franchisees. This was supported with a refreshed brand identity for its franchise business and evolution of the brand as it celebrates its exciting 50-year milestone.

Carl Traill Head of franchise development, One Stop

“ONE Stop franchise o ers independent retailers a successful blend of support, brand strength and innovation. Backed by Tesco, franchisees bene t from a trusted name, as well as a scalable business model designed to make their lives easier, and increase sales and pro ts.

“Also included as part of the partnership is a wide product range, competitive promotions, dedicated busi-

ness support, plus its fully managed, award-winning online delivery platform. This streamlined system – featuring one device, one app and one simple way of working across four major platforms – helps unlock an additional revenue stream and simplify operations.

built for growth. Its community-focused approach also helps stores connect with customers.

“With more than 360 franchise stores nationwide, One Stop’s model is

“One Stop continues to set the standard for convenience retail – o ering a forward-thinking, commercially sound franchising opportunity for retailers.”

Spar

SPAR outlines the strides it has made this year to future-proof its retailers

Three ways Spar delivers for retailers

1. Strengthening own label

IN 2025, Spar has invested signi cantly in expanding and refreshing its ownlabel range, ensuring Spar retailers can o er quality, great-value alternatives that resonate with today’s shoppers. From chilled ready meals to on-trend snacking lines, the portfolio helps retailers di erentiate their ranges and build loyalty while supporting margins.

2. Regional retailer events

SPAR’S regional and national retailer events have gone from strength to strength this year, bringing together the Spar family with leading suppliers. These events provide practical advice, rst-hand access to innovation and a forum for retailers to share ideas. The sense of being part of a wider community is as valuable as the business deals struck.

3. The future of convenience

SPAR is helping retailers pivot towards growth categories that are critical to long-term pro tability. Food to go, food for later, fresh produce and ready meals are being prioritised through new planograms, re t guidance and shopper behaviour insights. Spar retailers can future-proof their businesses and deliver the convenience shoppers demand.

Ian Taylor

Retail & brand development director, Spar UK

“INDEPENDENT retailers are navigating a fast-changing convenience landscape, but with the right fascia partner, it’s also full of opportunity. At Spar, we believe the key to success is remaining mission-led and focused on real shopper needs.

“Over the past year, we have expanded our flagship store programme to align with missions such as ‘food for now’ and ‘food for later’. These formats allow

retailers to deliver quick, high-quality meals while also supporting top-up shopping for home cooking, ensuring stores stay relevant to evolving shopper habits.

“What sets Spar apart is the combination of national scale with local flexibility. We provide retailers with the strength of the Spar brand, alongside the inde-

pendence to tailor their offer to their own community. That balance, supported by investment in tools, technology and category insight, is what helps our retailers grow sustainably, pro tably and with condence for the future.”

JOIN SPAR INDEPENDENT RETAILERS

“Having the full support of SPAR Scotland allows us to offer our local shoppers a substantial range of quality products alongside great service. With competitive pricing, SPAR Brand delivers great value to our customers while giving me, as an independent retailer, higher margins and greater control.”

David Sands SPAR David’s Kitchen, Glenrothes, Scotland

FANCY DOUBLING YOUR BASKET SPEND?

Co-op fresh products have completely changed our business. Customers come to us now over the supermarket and we’ve doubled our basket spend.

Sunny Mann, Nisa Local Mansfield

As a Nisa Fascia retailer, we helped Sunny grow his business through an innovative store refit, extended fresh range and great quality own-brand products. Our retail experts can help you grow your business too.

Give us a call on 0800 542 7490 or scan the QR code to see Sunny’s story.

FUNCTIONAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

TAMARA BIRCH explores the functional drinks opportunity in convenience stores

WHAT ARE ‘FUNCTIONAL’ DRINKS?

FUNCTIONAL drinks di er from other soft drinks because they o er consumers ‘added bene ts’, typically in the form of additional vitamins, minerals, magnesium, protein or creatine.

The category is growing, and now stretches from energy waters to vitamin-packed beverages, according to Bill Randles, managing director of SuperNutrio, as UK consumers look for drinks that do more than just quench their thirst.

Retailers consider functional drinks as anything that o ers energy, low calories and

has added vitamins, or anything that plays into the wellness trend.

“There’s a lot to choose from now, and customers choose these functional drinks because they’re trying to be healthier and they have 12plus vitamins in,” says Vidur Pandya, owner of Kislingbury Village Store & Post O ce in Northamptonshire.

However, Randles stresses the importance of focusing on ingredients for functional drinks, with processed products a major concern.

“The challenge lies not in

avoiding processing, which enables safe, accessible nutrition, but in eliminating the non-essential ingredients that transform functional beverages into something counterproductive,” he says.

“Many products marketed as ‘high protein’ or ‘functional’ can often contain sugars, additives or other ingredients that can outweigh the bene ts.”

The solution is a tough one, but the key is talking to your customers, understanding what they want and researching based on that, especially if you’re new to the category.

HOW TO DRIVE SALES OF FUNCTIONAL DRINKS

IF you’re new to the category, it can be a mine eld knowing what to stock. James Stead, of White’s Calver and Calver Service Station in Hope Valley, Derbyshire, has recently expanded his functional drinks range following a re t.

He says: “Spar has created a new planogram, and functional drinks are everywhere throughout the soft drinks

category. There’s brands I’ve never even heard of.”

Prior to his re t, Stead stocked around six brands within the functional drinks segment, such as Purdey’s, but this has now increased to around 30 brands.

“Functional drinks is where the market is going,” he says.

“Spar looked at other stores and what they’re doing, but

we are conscious of how many we’ve introduced. It’s new to us, but we now have ginger shots and smoothies as well.”

To help the category sell and get o to the best start, Stead plans on monitoring the category using his EPoS data by Henderson Technology to help streamline and determine his core range. He also plans on doing social media posts

to highlight the range to his customers.

Pandya, however, recommends ensuring you have the right availability and the right placement.

“Shoppers want healthier options, so merchandise functional drinks with other lowsugar drinks or water, as that’s what consumers associate with the category,” he says.

new PRODUCTS

Recent functional drinks launches

iPro launches into 550 Morrisons Daily stores nationwide

iPro Hydrate is ca eine-free, contains no arti cial colours or flavourings and is naturally sweetened with stevia. Mango and Berry Mix are now available in 550 Morrisons Daily stores across the UK, and each bottle delivers 100% of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. It also contains vitamins B5, B6, B7 and B12, along with electrolytes to support hydration and recovery. The brand is low sugar, vegan-friendly and halal certi ed.

Trip Mindful Blend

Trip Mindful Blend is an added-bene t drink that focuses on magnesium and lion’s mane. The range includes 120mg of magnesium per can and contains just 30 calories. Some flavours on its website include Blood Orange Rosemary, Apple Blossom and Sicilian Lemon.

U t Brekkie Shake

U t has expanded its ready-to-drink protein range with the launch of U t Brekkie Shake, available through wholesale. U t Brekkie Shake comes in Banana and Blueberry flavours, and contains 28g of protein. The launch taps into rising demand for on-the-go breakfasts, which have grown 8.5% in the past year as work patterns return to pre-pandemic norms, the supplier said.

Reign Storm Clean Energy

Reign Storm o ers plant-based ca eine that’s sourced from green co ee beans, guarana and green tea. It contains vitamin A, B6, B12, C and zinc to contribute to the normal function of the immune system. It also contains other vitamins and minerals, including biotin and chronium. The range is available in three flavours: Kiwi Blend, Peach Nectarine and Valencia Orange.

Huel RTD Lite

Huel has expanded its range with the launch of a Lite version. Available from Epicurium Wholesale in three flavours – Chocolate, Strawberry and Banana – each flavour contains 25g protein and has 190 calories. Each portion also delivers 26 essential vitamins and minerals, and is free from dairy, gluten and arti cial sweeteners.

FUNCTIONAL drinks are still a relatively new category, and customers are likely looking for guidance. Retailers therefore need to start doing some research on the type of vitamins featured in these drinks and what they do.

For example, a lot of drinks o er magnesium, which can help aid digestion, relaxation and even focus. Vitamin D helps keep bones, teeth and muscle healthy, vitamin B12 helps produce red blood cells. All of these help contribute to our overall health. Educating yourself now can

translate into higher sales.

When you notice a customer purchasing from the functional bene ts category, start a conversation with them and ask why they bought that particular drink. This will give you the tools to make informed recommendations to subsequent shoppers.

Pandya tries any new functional drinks so he can talk to his customers about them.

“With Trip, I’ve tried all three flavours and when customers pick one up, I talk to them about it and o er my recommendations as well,” he says.

SPORTS DRINKS BRAND

EDUCATING CONSUMERS BACK THE NO.2

CATEGORY ADVICE FUNCTIONAL DRINKS

WHAT ARE THE MUST-STOCKS IN FUNCTIONAL DRINKS?

VITHIT juice drink is a strong seller for Pandya because he says it’s a low-calorie option that tastes good for his customers, but he adds that an ongoing must-stock comes from health brand Trip.

“Trip Mindful Blend has magnesium and other botanicals, and I think magnesium will be the next best trend,”

he says. “Shoppers have been switching to Trip as a relaxing drink in the evening, as opposed to a bottle of wine.”

The brand is a 250ml can format and it’s advertised as o ering functional ingredients for a true refreshment. Pandya says the packaging is strong and the brand went viral on social media.

“It’s all about o ering good marketing with popular products, and Trip is a key example. They pour the drink into a premium glass with ice, and it entices shoppers to try it,” he says.

Pandya stocks his range blended in with the rest of his soft drinks range. More speci cally, Vithit is in the same

space as non- zzy drinks, such as Ribena and Oasis.

“This is because it makes it clear that it’s not a cola drink or an energy drink,” he says.

“With Trip, it’s underneath our energy drinks range next to water and Celsius. Customers will also often buy water in addition to it, which helps boost overall spend.”

Kate Abbotson, senior external communications manager, Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners

“MANY people are looking for drinks with added bene ts to fuel them during their workout, which is why performance energy drinks are growing in popularity. Reign Storm Clean Energy is aimed at a di erent occasion and audience in a smaller niche market compared to Monster and Relentless.

“The clean energy range forms part of the emerging wellness energy segment. The range uses natural colours and flavours, with no added preservatives and zero sugar. It also contains vitamins and minerals alongside naturally sourced, plant-based ca eine from green co ee beans, guarana and green tea. Just over a year from launch, it has already delivered £2.4m in value sales – a clear sign of growing appetite for clean energy options.”

ENERGY bring the

TIPS FOR SUCCESS

The annual Better Retailing Festival provided retailers with valuable advice on how to make their businesses thrive. RETAIL EXPRESS outlines the main lessons

LEADING retailers shared how they’re making customers come back to their stores during the Retail Resilience masterclass.

Ashan Chaudry, of Triple ‘a’ Foodhall in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, said his main focus is on “keeping the consumer interested”. He said: “Consumers’ expectations are now

higher. That’s why we steered towards high-quality food. It allows us to be rst in the UK to trends like gelato cakes.”

Similarly, Chloe TaylorGreen, of Spar Western Downs in Sta ord, is focusing on catering to di erent occasions. She said: “There are 21 meal moments in a week per customer – are you prepared so

when they come in, they buy from you?”

Boost founder Simon Gray urged retailers not to ignore price-marked packs (PMPs). He said: “You have seen unique flavours for the channel and investment in more PMPs, that’s because brands see the attractiveness of the local shops.”

INVEST IN THE FUTURE

KAUAL Patel, of Nisa Torridon in south London, has added a reverse vending machine (RVM) to the front of the store, despite the Deposit Return Scheme not becoming law until October 2027.

He explained: “We’re really laying down that footprint and creating that impression with customers, 18 months before

anybody else. It guarantees the future of your business.

“You can have the best product range and price, but this doesn’t make a di erence if you don’t have people coming through the door. I can guarantee every supermarket will have an RVM.”

Other investments Patel has made to future-proof his

shop include electronic shelfedge labels, helping him save time in updating promotions and pricing.

He said: “Electronic shelfedge labels are also one of the best investments we have made for our store. They can be costly in the short term, but in the longer term, investment pays o .”

BALANCE YOUR RANGE 03

COCA-COLA Europaci c Partners’ (CCEP) Amy Burgess urged retailers to examine their drinks range and ask whether it creates the impression of choice or confusion.

Advising on what to do, Burgess advised store owners to consider whether it’s easy for customers to scan the drinks chiller, nd their favourites and make a decision.

Burgess added that 96% of total sales within the soft drinks category come from core lines. Meanwhile, 42% of sales growth stems from these core products, indicating the category appeals to various shopper missions.

“There are a lot of key missions that they tap into –whether it is top-up, planned and distressed, meal occa-

sions like breakfast on the hoof, lunchtime or meal for tonight, for example,” Burgess said.

However, retailers were also urged not to ignore innovation.

Middlesbrough-based retailer Bay Bashir said: “If someone is buying a multibuy of, say, Coca-Cola, they will always pick up one core product and one new one – without fail.”

ADAPT TO CHANGING DEMANDS 04

MARTA Ziolkowska-Sequeira, senior customer category development manager at Mondelez International, stressed that by 2030, 75% of the total convenience shoppers will be aged between 25 and 54. The key for winning these “impulse-driven” customers is how retailers interact with them even before they come

into the store, she said. This includes social media, and then displays and activations when they step into your shop.

“Winning online will be key,” she added.

“If you want to convert them to buy something they didn’t come to your stores to buy, they will need to be convinced by amazing displays,” she

said. A modern retail experience that includes self checkouts is crucial to appeal to this demographic.

Lastly, younger shoppers seek brands with purpose. “If they don’t support what the brands you have in store stand for, it probably will be di cult to convince them to purchase,” she said.

MANAGE VAPE LEGISLATION 05

EDDIE Devine, head of symbols and independents at BAT UK, warned there will be more vape legislation on the way, despite confusion over existing regulations and new products already creating a challenging market for retailers.

He said: “My prediction is there’s going to be more changes coming again.

“We’ve had the disposablevapes ban [come into force in June] and people are still buying devices and using them like disposables.

“We don’t want that, but the consumer probably isn’t educated enough on what’s going on in the market right now.”

Devine advised retailers to speak to suppliers, who an o er guidance on regulation and category manage-

ment to help retailers stock the correct items.

He also stressed the importance of educating consumers on legislative changes to ensure shoppers understand shifts are regulatory rather than store driven.

TACKLE SHOP CRIME 06

SUPERINTENDENT Lisa Maslen, of the City of London police, who heads up the National Business Crime Centre, addressed the issue of retail crime impacting shop owners in her masterclass.

because the call handler is experienced in assessing quickly what the harm is in your call versus the other ones they’ve heard. Don’t be too proud.

If a retailer is unfortunate enough to experience a criminal incident of any sort in their shop, Maslen emphasised the need to not downplay the experience out of pride, especially if it involved legitimate danger.

She said: “It’s really important not to downplay the violence that has happened,

“Say: ‘A person had a knife, threatened me, used hateful language, I’ve had to shut the shop, my customers are scared. And, by the way, they’ve taken a bottle of wine.’ The theft should be the last thing you say. The focus on the human impact of crimes is likely to get police to pay closer attention.”

BR FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 07

IN Allwyn’s masterclass on driving footfall, Hannah Courtney, senior retail communications manager, and Jo Wonham, senior retail excellence manager, acknowledged the challenges facing retailers such as the cost-of-living crisis and space constraints.

However, to overcome these challenges, Wonham highlighted the importance

of “great partnerships which bring sales opportunities”, as suppliers and retailers can work together to make stores more inviting to passing trade.

While the National Lottery’s campaigns focus heavily on the winners, attendees and Wonham agreed that more could be done to showcase the community investment that is made with lottery funds.

Highlighting the good work that lottery funds are doing within the local area, Wonham mentioned that retailers can go to Allwyn’s website, enter their postcode and nd out what’s been in their local area. “Our new PoS has a wing that points towards local good causes, so it’s worth keeping that on the stand to highlight that messaging,” she added.

08 THE DISPOSABLES BAN

ALASTAIR Williams, commercial manager at Altria Ventures, said that despite the disposable-vapes ban posing a challenge for retailers, it has also provided new opportunities.

During his masterclass on Educating Shoppers, Williams explained that disposable-vape users had moved into di erent segments rather

than sticking with a single path, suggesting they are shunning traditional tobacco products for a wide variety of alternatives.

He added: “The sales trends are reasonably positive. An increase of re llable vape products by 24%, and we’re starting to see the rise and increase in nicotine pouches. That segment saw 5% growth

in the immediate aftermath of the ban, and has continued to see signi cant and gradual growth. It’s something that’s becoming more and more relevant to your customer base.” Sales of nicotine pouches grew 15% in the second quarter of 2025. It’s up 112% year on year in independent convenience, and 104% in symbol group stores.

HOW TO BE THE BEST

RETAIL EXPRESS nds out what the winners of the Better Retailing Awards did to improve their stores and win their categories

Store Development

“Peter took on and re�itted a rundown convenience store, increasing its footprint, its range and its weekly turnover by 87%.”

Merchandising & In-store Display

“Ashan continued where he left off last year, adding more innovations to the food-to-go offer and increasing turnover by 23%.”

Team Development

“Chloe has retained and developed staff through monthly rewards, a staff feedback scheme and internships that build a career in convenience.”

Chloe Taylor-Green, Spar Western Downs, Sta ordshire

Peter Patel, Costcutter/Bargain Booze, Purfleet, Essex

Ashan Chaudry, Triple ‘a’ Foodhall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire

Bobby, serving Pontefract for 41 years.

Kaual, serving Catford for 24 years.

Bay, serving Middlesbrough for 27 years.

Sophie, serving Edinburgh for 42 years.

Chris, serving Swanage for 117 years.

Sunita, serving Wigston for 41 years.

Community Hero

BR AWARDS

Dilmeet Singh Gaba, Londis Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire

“Dilmeet serves his community with contributions, sponsorship, pay-it-forward schemes, free home deliveries for vulnerable customers and more.”

Responsible Retailing Shiv Misra, Kindly of Brighton, East Sussex

“Staff trained in �irst aid, accessible aisles and rest rooms, and an alarm system linked to the local authority help look after Shiv’s customers.”

E ective Ranging & Availability

“With a focus on local goods in a small store, Marcus uses EPoS data to manage stock and social media to �ind out what his customers want in store.”

Retail Innovation

“Dee has invested in new IT and technology, added new lighting and security, and has introduced food to go and an expanded chilled section.”

Customer Engagement Kopi Kalanathan, Freshgos Carcroft, West Yorkshire

“Kopi’s food-to-go brand launched this year, but he also launched his own app for customers to order groceries and food. His Google rating is 4.9 stars.”

“Lewis

Dee Sedani, Londis Etwall, Derbyshire

Rising Star

Lewis Woodward, Nisa Local Colley Gate, West Midlands

has monitored every section of the store, removing slow sellers and improving popular options like kegged beer.” Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Sponsored by

Marcus Parkinson, Windermere Convenience Store, Cumbria

Pictured (centre) Andy Hutchings, retail development controller, Booker, picked up the award on behalf of Marcus

Sponsored by

© 2024, NielsenIQ).

BR AWARDS

Pictured (centre) Andy Hutchings, retail development controller, Booker, picked up the award on behalf of Marcus

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

Marcus Parkinson, Windermere Convenience Store, Cumbria

Overall Best Shop (over 1,500sq ft)

Ashan Chaudry, Triple ‘a’ Nuneaton,Foodhall,Warwickshire

Congratulations to all the winners at the Better retailing awards

SELLING THE WORLD

KATE BAKER nds out which international cuisines are driving sales for independent convenience retailers

WHICH GLOBAL CUISINES ARE DRIVING SALES?

GLOBAL cuisine choices have expanded exponentially over the years and continue to evolve. World food has become a multimillion-pound segment for convenience as shoppers seek authentic flavours and diverse ingredients.

The rising cost of living means people are dining out less often and are looking to treat themselves at home. Consequently, there is a growing

demand for convenient yet authentic meals without compromising on flavour or quality.

While Italian food continues to lead, Indian cuisine is holding strong at number two. But the rise in social media and travel to distant shores has excited an enthusiasm to try new international flavours, and younger people are particularly adventurous and keen to experiment and try new cuisines.

“Strong demand comes from Asian, Middle Eastern, Caribbean and Latin American cuisines,” says Stuart Law, head of trading for grocery and foods at Parfetts. “Popular lines include Indian spices, Thai curry pastes, Mexican sauces and Korean snacks. These categories appeal to both heritage shoppers and adventurous cooks looking for restaurantstyle meals at home.”

ASSESSING DEMAND AND GETTING STARTED

RETAILERS considering an international food o ering need to understand their local demographic to assess the existing demand and consumers’ openness and enthusiasm to try new products.

“Begin with a focused range and order small volumes to test demand,” says Law. “Check all imports meet UK labelling and allergen rules. Train sta to rotate stock carefully and monitor sell-by dates.”

Eleanor Bridgman, direc-

tor of marketing at Geeta’s, recommends retailers use seasonal or cultural occasions such as Diwali or ‘fakeaway Fridays’ to “spotlight authentic flavours and drive incremental sales through crosscategory promotions”.

Abdul Arain, of Al-Amin Stores in Cambridge, uses historical data and experience, but adds that trends on social media, magazines and TV point the way forward. “Last year, we saw a rise in demand for South American food,

while this year shows growing interest in Nigerian and Eritrean cuisine,” he says. Eighty per cent of his purchases are repeat with 20% try and see.

Kumar Patel, of Patsons

Local in Bradford, West Yorkshire, also a specialist food store, has found a strong demand for Slovakian, Czech and Polish food as both ready meals and cook-at-home ingredients. This was established through trial and error in an area with a fluid demographic.

Healthy options are becoming more important, and meatfree is also gaining popularity with customers drawn to highprotein pulses and regional vegetarian recipes.

“The popularity of cooking Japanese food at home is also on the up, partly due to the perceived health bene ts of the cuisine,” says Upuli Ambawatta, brand manager at Empire Bespoke Foods.

Essential considerations from

Demand forecasting

Start with smaller, data-driven orders to test customer interest before committing to large volumes. Analyse local demographics and sales data to gauge which cuisines or products are likely to perform well.

Regulatory compliance

Ensure all products meet import, labelling and food safety regulations, including allergen declarations.

Supplier veri cation

Work only with trusted and accredited suppliers who can provide traceability, certi cation and consistent quality.

Stock management

Avoid overstocking by ordering in line with product shelf life and storage capacity.

Customer education and merchandising

Support products with clear signage, recipe ideas and cultural storytelling to build customer con dence and encourage trial.

BECOMING A DESTINATION

AS their range expands, some retailers can become a world food destination shop. Patel’s customers travel up to 20 miles to buy from him.

“Our reputation was initially built on word of mouth but is now supported by social media, which influences demand and encourages impulse purchases and experimentation,” he says.

“Tastings, cooking demonstrations and social media recipes spark interest and encourage repeat purchases,”

says Law, but it is important that sta are educated on the international o ering so they can assist customers.

Presenting world food recipes with paired ingredients, such as noodles with fresh vegetables, encourages home cooking and helps shoppers build con dence and visualise simple meals. “World foods can perform strongly when presented as part of an inspirational meal solution rather than a standalone xture,” says Bridgman.

TOP TIPS

Upuli Ambawatta, brand manager, Empire Bespoke Foods

SOURCING PRODUCTS

TO meet the expectations of ever more knowledgeable consumers, retailers should ensure that suppliers are reliable not only in terms of quality, supply and presentation, but also that their products meet current safety regulations.

Patel goes straight to the suppliers, but ensuring regulation and compliance can be time-consuming, especially with frequent regulatory updates and amendments.

“Direct sourcing from

producers is possible but requires careful checks on safety standards and logistics,” says Law.

meet

“A trusted wholesaler simpli es compliance, maintains competitive pricing and ensures products meet UK regulations and customer expectations.”

from a single supplier, using

Geeta’s

PRODUCT NEWS

New products and promotions

Goran Raven, of Raven’s Budgens in Abridge, Essex, prefers to source mainly from a single supplier, using smaller ones for more niche products.

Geeta’s has launched several new product developments combining microwavable sides, wrap meal kits and cooking sauces, which are supported by the Geeta Bit Naughty campaign, including the Love Me or Your Money Back promotion.

Empire Bespoke Foods

Working with chefs to create bold Asian flavours, Empire Bespoke Foods is working on a range of Heat & Eat Indian Dal + Rice kits under the Master Cook brand, which captures regional Indian flavours that are somewhat new to the customers. It is also developing a range of Asian sauces including a gochujang paste and a gochujang ketchup.

SET-UP AND MERCHANDISING

RETAILERS can stock international cuisines in a bespoke section or combine products with the general o ering. Patel, for whom 90% of sales are for world cuisine, displays drinks in one place and groups similar items such as crisps to-

gether as they are similar and so o er alternatives.

Arain displays speci c cuisines together but acknowledges there is some crossover, but Raven stocks world cuisines separately so people can nd it easily.

Whichever is more suitable, retailers should consider space allocation and turnover. Presentation can bring excitement and adventure to an otherwise everyday shopping experience. Retailers should focus on proven bestsellers that meet

the demand of the local demographic to drive sales and encourage new consumers.

“World food sections bene t from strong signage, country-themed displays and logical grouping by cuisine,” says Law.

Thornbury Refrigeration, an Arneg Distributor, has advertised in Retail Express for years. The regular positive response we receive leads to

and

Robin Ranson, Thornbury Refrigeration

ADVICE

NEW YEAR’S EVE

CHARLES WHITTING nds out how retailers prepare for the end-of-year festivities

1

Mehmet Guzel, SimplyFresh Bethnal Green, London

“NEW Year’s Eve is particularly good in the evening. We focus on fresh and chilled items – vegetables and grocery – but also wines and champagne. We have lots of premium wines, but we try to get even more in for New Year’s Eve, especially from France. People want something a little bit nicer than your average bottle of wine.

“But fresh items are also so important. Things like smoked salmon and cheeses that people can use for canapes for their parties sell really well. We found that pre-prepared party food didn’t sell as well. For New Year’s Eve parties, our customers wanted to make it from scratch. It’s a premium event for our demographic. We don’t extend our opening hours beyond the normal 11pm because we want to be out earlier as well. Remember, it’s an important holiday for your staff, too, so offer some food and drink for them on a table to make them happy.”

2

Ashish Pirami, Your Local Convenience & Booze Store, Bradford, West Yorkshire

3

Ashish Pal, Mount Pellon Newsagents, Halifax, West Yorkshire

“FOR Halloween this year, we held a raf�le and we’re going to do something similar on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve as well. People liked the idea that they were spending money in the shop, but also getting a ticket in the draw.

“Speaking to customers, they said that Christmas and New Year’s Eve would be good times to do another raf�le. But generally, we don’t see much of a bump in sales around New Year’s Eve. There’s a rise in sales of alcohol, but people have stocked up too much for Christmas so they have enough left over for New Year’s Eve. The idea of spending after the over-purchasing tends to put people off. And generally, if they want something, they’ll order it online to be delivered.

“We’re going to keep the same opening hours, because I’d like to spend New Year’s Eve with my family, but we’ll be open on New Year’s Day to cater for our customers once again.”

“CHRISTMAS and New Year’s Eve are very close together, so in that �irst week of December, we put lighting outside and inside the shop along with banners and decoration to give it that festive feeling for a festive season.

“If I can get any good deals from the cash and carry, we’ll put on an offer and make sure we pass on those savings to our customers. I’d rather keep my margins the same and generate more sales from more customers. We’ll have multibuy offers on things such as soft drinks and crisps, which will increase customer spend overall.

“The most important thing is to keep the shop neat and clean, and a comfortable place to be in, with lots of lighting and decoration. People should feel like they’re in a festive location when they come into the shop. We might also give out some cards and �lowers to customers as a gesture.”

In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out what retailers are going to do to push sales in January. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please

We don’t do much di erent for New Year’s Eve, but I’d be interested to hear what other retailers focus on. – Simon Grewal, Premier Crabbs Cross, Worcestershire