IN conversations I’ve had with retailers about trading standards, opinions have o en been mixed. Some individual departments have been praised for their proactiveness in supporting small shops, while others have received flack for failing to tackle issues such as the illicit trade.
However, one area the government body doesn’t seem to be slacking on is reminders of the upcoming disposable-vapes ban and mandatory recycling legislation that retailers must meet around the category.
It has been ramping up enforcement checks of WEEE in stores, and sending reminders to retailers who should be complying with the recycling legislation. This issue’s cover story on p3 highlights how thousands of stores are at risk of breaching WEEE, following Green Wings Project’s decision to pause its service following government intervention.
What’s potentially worrying is the lack of awareness from retailers around their recycling obligations. In a recent conversation I had with Kent County Council Trading Standards, only a quarter of retailers in the region were WEEE-compliant. Those who fail to abide by the law risk prosecution and he y nes.
WE’RE HERE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INDUSTRYLEADING ADVICE
The cover story is part of Retail Express’s Countdown to the Disposable-Vapes Ban campaign, which has been running every issue since the start of the year. It’s here to provide you with industry-leading advice on preparing for the ban. If you’re unsure how to get your store ready, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Retailers hit back at lack of support in Spring Statement
ALEX YAU
THE government’s Spring Statement has been slammed by retailers for not doing enough to support the sector.
Delivered by chancellor Rachel Reeves last month, the statement con�irmed there would be no further tax increases, but provided no speci�ic support for retailers and
small businesses.
ACS chief executive James Lowman warned that without increased support from the government, store closures would become inevitable.
He said: “The chancellor again stated that promoting business investment is central to her strategy. She needs to look carefully at how increases in employment costs
and business rates are in fact making it harder for businesses to invest.
“We will see store closures and with them the loss of essential local services unless the government provides more help through investment incentives, mitigations against growing employment costs and more business rate relief.”
Raising similar concerns, Fed national president Mo
Razzaq criticised the additional �inancial pressures faced by retailers with increases in National Insurance contributions and the National Living Wage. He added: “Higher government costs come when the overall economic outlook looks challenging, with growth underperforming, in�lation ticking up and government spending being taken away from the economy.”
THE Tobacco and Vapes Bill has overcome another hurdle to approval, after passing through the House of Commons last month.
The latest reading passed with a vote of 366 to 41, and is now set for debate in the
The Times has reported.
Yodel is reportedly losing an estimated £1m a week according to the paper, with InPost said to have in-
For the full story, go to
House of Lords on 23 April. It received industry support for the proposed retailer licensing scheme, but others measures such as the upcoming display bans were criticised by retailers and industry �igures
NEARLY 1,500 Costcutter stores face “massive disruption” at the start of 2026, when Nisa will cease supply into the Bestway-controlled symbol group.
Nisa con�irmed it has not entered negotiations to renew the contract, with separate sources close to Bestway claiming Sainsbury’s and Morrisons were “frontrunners” to take over. Bestway said its “numberone priority” was supporting customers.
vested £35m into the provider since last autumn to help keep it a�loat.
In exchange for the support from the cash injection, InPost is understood to have an option to buy Yodel, which can be triggered this month.
PARFETTS, AG Barr, Bestway, Suntory Beverages and Food GB&I, Unitas and Carlsberg Britvic are among the suppliers that have con�irmed they remain unaffected by sugar tax rises and will not increase prices accordingly.
The tax applies to soft drinks containing at least �ive grams of sugar per 100 ml. Effective from this month, the lower rate of 18p per litre rose to 19.4p, while the higher rate increased from 24p to 25.9p per litre,
Image credit: Getty Images/johan10
Retailers put at risk of vape eco breaches
THOUSANDS of retailers are in danger of breaking vape recycling laws, after Green Wings Project (GWP) halted its waste collections following government intervention.
Last month, partnered stores received communication from the charity announcing a restructure “guided by the Environmental Agency (EA)”.
The communication, seen by Retail Express, said: “This includes renegotiating agreements with our logistics partners and suppliers to create a more streamlined process that better serves the environment and our supporters. We are temporarily pausing the issuance of DPD return labels.”
The company added it was unable to offer alternative solutions for retailers.
Under GWP’s scheme since 2023, retailers are provided with free disposable vape bins to help them comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) regulation.
According to a 2023 Companies House report, GWP distributed 19,000 bins to more than 6,000 retail sites across the UK.
The restructure puts the 3,000 retailers partnered with GWP at risk of breaking WEEE regulations unless they �ind an alternative partner.
Under WEEE, stores selling more than £1,923 in electronics, including vapes, must offer a service for customers to return used devices for recycling, with unlimited �ines being the most-severe penalties for non-compliance.
Last month, the Of�ice for Product Safety and Standards sent letters to noncompliant stores urging them follow the regulation.
Store owners affected by GWP’s restructure expressed frustration over a lack of clarity on what to do with leftover vapes.
Challenged on this by Retail Express, GWP responded: “We are not restructuring our charity, but we are changing the way we collect and transport the depleted vapes.
“We recently moved our storage operation from a warehouse in London to a dedicated one in the Midlands, and the EA quite properly came to meet us there, by appointment, to observe that vapes were being held safely and securely.
During this discussion, it gave us guidance on the consignment note system we have employed.
“We take our responsibilities seriously and, following the guidelines of EA, we are currently updating our operational system to develop an improved, more ef�icient, compliant and sustainable service.”
Prior to the pause, retailers were being asked by the charity to email it with the weight of a bin’s contents once full. GWP then generated a DPD label and sent it to the retailer so that vapes could be posted to its warehouse.
Recycling experts told Retail Express vape bins used commonly by small shops can store around 150 devices, depending on size.
However, by doing so, retailers have been unknowingly breaching other regulations by sending used vapes through DPD.
Businesses moving hazardous waste, which includes vapes, must provide a Hazardous Waste Consignment Note at the point of transfer.
This outlines the contents of what is being delivered. Failure to do so could lead to prosecution for retailers.
GWP failed to clarify when its service would resume when asked by Retail Express, while the EA stated it “cannot comment on individual companies”.
“It was very satis�ied by its inspection. During its visit, we had a convivial, professional and productive discussion about the processes we follow in collecting vapes and transporting them to our warehouse.
Several partnered stores told Retail Express they were not made aware of this obligation by GWP.
The DPD return labels generated by GWP for retailers, seen by Retail Express, also offered no op-
“SUNSHINE & Smiles is a charity based in Leeds that supports children and young people with Down syndrome. I’m among several retailers in the area who have helped raise more than £4,000 for the organisation. Supporting Sunshine & Smiles is incredibly important to us. As a retailer embedded in the community, it’s rewarding to know our contribution will help provide vital support for families in need.” Nikul Patel, Nisa Local Gateway Express, Leeds
tion for the retailer to list the contents.
One retailer, who asked not to be named, said: “I was sent a label to print out, but there was no paperwork to be �illed out.
“If I’d known they were not doing things in the right way, I would never have got involved.”
DPD con�irmed to Retail Express it had paused its partnership with GWP, after discovering it had breached its contract by asking retailers to send used vapes through its UK network.
The courier said: “We can con�irm that Green Wings Project does have a contract with DPD to ship disposable vapes, which covers the speci�ic materials involved while being shipped within the DPD network.
“However, the contract does not currently cover the vapes being returned into shops. As a result, we have paused the account temporarily while we work with it to re�ine the service to ensure we continue to support it in a safe and compliant way.”
GWP claimed to have formal partnerships with several councils including Orkney Islands Council, London Borough of Hounslow, Cambridgeshire County Council, En�ield Borough Council and Eastleigh Borough Council.
These councils denied any of�icial partnership when asked by Retail Express.
The company had also
“THIS year I participated in the ‘Great Tommy Sleep Out’ at Swansea Airport. I was not alone, as there were other attendees at the event. Many veterans around the UK are sleeping out, homeless and feeling alone, so I feel it’s important that I not only raise awareness, but also raise funds for our homeless veterans. Tommy Club is a community of incredible people who try to make a real di erence.”
Trudy Davis, Woosnam & Davies News, Llanidloes
talks to formally partner with DHL. However, the courier con�irmed to Retail Express it has never had GWP as a customer.
Stressing importance for retailers to be compliant with vape legislation, Scott Butler, executive director of Material Focus, said: “With the single-use vape ban due to start at the beginning of June, and with new vape products coming onto the market, it’s important that retailers work with reputable waste-management companies to comply with their takeback and recycling obligations.
“Material Focus has a brie�ing paper that provides information on how retailers can comply with vape and other electricalrecycling regulations.”
Advising on how retailers can �ind the right partner for WEEE, one senior recycling industry �igure told Retail Express: “One of the most overlooked factors when selecting a recycling partner is that your waste remains your legal responsibility until it has reached a fully compliant recycled outcome.
“Always request their Duty of Care documentation. Beyond con�irming basic requirements – such as whether they’re a licensed waste carrier, or have the necessary insurances – this document clari�ies whether they act as an intermediary or a full-scale recycler.”
PARFETTS: The wholesaler and symbol group operator has updated its retailer app, giving retailers improved oversight of their spend. It has improved search capability to make it easier for retailers to locate products and o ers, while an upgraded barcode scanner o ers quick and more accurate product scanning.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Parfetts’
SLUSH PUPPIE: The soft drinks supplier is to add a zero-glycerol line, weeks after further restrictions on the ingredient were backed by a medical study. The latest guidance from the Food Standards Agency warned slush with glycerol should not be sold to children under ve years old, but studies suggested upping the limit until “at least eight years”.
PAYPOINT: The company has made i-movo vouchers available in WHSmith stores, intensifying competition for independent retailers. The tie-up with the digital-voucher service makes WHSmith the rst UK retailer to implement the service across assisted and self-checkout tills, bringing the service to 61,500 points of sale.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘PayPoint’
EGG SHORTAGE: Supplier Bird Bros has warned wholesalers it will struggle to meet demand following “large-scale” outbreaks of bird flu. It said: “We will limit the impact as best we can, and please be reassured that we’re working to ensure longer-term supply issues are avoided.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘egg shortage’
“I RAISED money for good causes through the plastic bag levy. I log [bag sales] on the till and use the end-of-day report to keep tabs. Since the requirement was introduced in 2021, I’ve raised £1,533.68 for four UK-registered charities close to my heart that empower the plantation community in Sri Lanka through funding educational services – The TEA Project, The Tea Leaf Trust, Blossom Trust and Malayaga Makkal Ondrium.” Ravi Raveendran, Colombo Food & Wine, Hounslow
HELENA DRAKAKIS AND ALEX YAU
Ravi Raveendran
tion
Post Office solo Horizon lawsuit
HERO former postmaster
Lee Castleton is to be the first individual to challenge the Post Office (PO) and Fujitsu in court over the Horizon scandal.
As shown in last year’s ITV drama about the historical failings, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Castleton refused to give in when subjected to a vindictive two-year legal case
brought by PO in 2007 where he was falsely accused of theft
The discrepancies were one of many faced by other subpostmasters as part of widespread glitches in the Horizon Fujitsu IT system. More than 700 subpostmasters were prosecuted for theft and false accounting.
Castleton was bankrupt after defending the case left him with a £321,000 legal bill.
“I want justice and to be
publicly vindicated,” Castleton told the BBC, adding: “I’d like to effectively have my day in court as well.”
Last month, Castleton reportedly instructed his solicitors, Simons Muirhead Burton, to issue proceedings at the High Court against PO and Fujitsu on his behalf.
“Lee faced a David versus Goliath battle against the PO and we are fully ready to take this all the way to trial should
we need to,” Castleton’s lawyer told the BBC.
They added: “What we’re effectively going to be saying is that the claim against him was an abuse of process. It was never about recovery of the sum of money – it was to make an example of Castleton.
“We also believe the judgement was obtained by fraud in that PO and Fujitsu knew perfectly well the Horizon system wasn’t working properly.”
Santa booze news
tured Father Christmas doling out alcohol to customers.
The ASA ruled the advert had “particular appeal to under-18s”.
BARGAIN Booze was put on the Advertising Standards Authority’s (ASA) naughty list, after a Christmas advertisement was deemed in breach of guidelines.
The December advert by the Bestway-owned chain fea-
Bestway argued that “Santa was for everyone”, appealing to adults as well as children.
EPOS provider ShopMate has launched ShopMate 360, a till system that helps small retailers simplify store operations.
The new hardware helps improve category management, while wholesale pricing and promotions are automatically updated.
Brian Eagle Brown, managing director of ShopMate, said: “We understand that convenience retailers need a reliable, easy-to-use solution that helps them run their stores efficiently.”
Raj Aggarwal Golf Day
THE fourth annual Raj Aggarwal Golf & Family Day is to be held on 1 May, in remembrance of the retailer who passed away from Covid-19 in 2020.
Being held at the Forest of Arden Golf & Hotel Resort in Birmingham, proceeds will go to the Boparan Charitable Trust.
Raj’s widow, Sunita, said: “This special event is held in memory of Raj. To date, the event has raised over £250,000 for incredible causes.”
ALEX YAU
PRODUCTS
Cheetos launch gets Fiery
AS part of a major UK relaunch for Cheetos this year, PepsiCo has unveiled a new Fiery Jalapeno & Cheese variety.
It is available now in a 105g sharing bag (£2 RRP), and two price-marked packs (PMP), one that is 70g (£1.49 PMP) and another that is 27g (49p PMP).
The brand will also be updating its packaging across its existing Twisted Sweet & Spicy range, which is growing by 31.1%. It will also upweight the packs from 65g to 85g.
The new Sweet & Spicy packs are available now in a 120g sharing bag with a £2
RRP, an 85g £1.49 PMP and a 30g 49p PMP.
Phoebe Chapman, senior brand manager at Cheetos, said: “Cheetos is an iconic brand in the US, and we see a huge opportunity to bring the same level of energy, innovation and cultural relevance to the UK market.
Absolut and Sprite’s Watermelon RTD
RETAIL Express can exclusively reveal that Dolly Wines, a collaboration between US country star Dolly Parton and Accolade Wines, is now available to convenience stores.
The range consists of Dolly Rosé and Dolly Prosecco, both in 75cl bottles. Both launched exclusively in Asda last September, but Retail Express has now seen listings for the range in Booker and Nisa.
Booker says the prosecco has an RRP of £10, while the Rosé has a £9.49 RRP. Meanwhile, Nisa has the prosecco on allocation with an £8 RRP and the Rosé at £9.25.
The supplier will support the launch with a marketing push, including a TikTok campaign with Gen Z in�luencers.
Prosecco and rosé from Dolly Parton
Level up with
cash prizes from Rockstar
ROCKSTAR Energy is turning up the excitement with the launch of a wholesale competition in Bestway and Unitas.
Running now until 31 May, this exclusive competition offers retailers the chance to win an incredible £5,000 prize to facilitate a store makeover, as well as 30 £250 cash prizes.
To enter, all retailers have to do is buy three participating cases of Rockstar Energy and text ROCKSTAR plus their full name, business name and postcode
Buy participating packs in
to 85100 to be in with the chance of winning.
COCA-COLA Europaci�ic Partners (CCEP) has extended its partnership between Sprite and Absolut Vodka with a Watermelon ready-to-drink (RTD) variety, Retail Express can exclusively reveal.
The new product is currently listed at Bestway Wholesale with an RRP of £2.29, delivering a margin of 36.7% when bought at its current promotional price at the time of writing.
This launch comes off the back of several major RTD
launches this year from brands such as Jack Daniel’s, Cîroc and Smirnoff.
Walkers Minecra on-pack promotion
WALKERS has partnered with Warner Brothers for an on-pack Minecraft promotion. It consists of limited-edition packaging running across Wotsits, Quavers and Monster Munch until 18 May.
The promotion gives shoppers the chance to win prizes, including tickets for the �ilm, hoodies, T-shirts and backpacks.
Entrants will also be added to a prize draw to win a trip for two to Hollywood.
Costa’s new Creamy Tiramisu Frappé
CCEP has expanded its Costa ready-to-drink coffee (RTD) range with the addition of a new Creamy Tiramisu Frappé variety.
Get new Edge Liq Nic Salts with CDU
NEXTGEN360 is giving away a brand-new Edge display cube �illed with 10 Edge Liq 10ml Nic Salt 20mg �lavours to 200 convenience retailers. Each retailer will receive �ive units of each �lavour, RRP £3.50 per unit.
Edge Liq 10ml Nic Salts are a new range from the leading e-liquid brand in convenience launching in April that will provide consumers with the very best �lavours inspired by disposables. There are 15 �lavours in the range in total.
“Rated ‘best �lavour’1 , beating brands such as El�bar and Elux, Edge Liq is
designed to excite customers before and after the disposables ban to drive your pro�its,” said Nextgen360 head of sales Stuart Vaughan.
Retail Express has seen listings in a major wholesaler’s most recent product brochures for its customers.
The new variety is being rolled out throughout April across CCEP’s wholesale, convenience, high street and grocery customers, and has an RRP of £2.09.
an RRP of £2.09.
Frappé-style coffee drinks appeal to Gen Z consumers, according to the supplier.
In addition, 53% of the demographic drinks RTD coffee at least once a week, with 43% doing so twice a week.
A sweet new twist for Cîroc Vodka
RETAILERS can now stock Cîroc Strawberry Limonade, a new limited-edition variety of Diageo’s premium vodka range.
The �lavour is available in a 70cl bottle with a 30% ABV, which is lower than the Cîroc range’s usual 40% ABV. The launch will be supported with social media and digital outdoor advertising until September.
Pippa Lewis, senior brand manager for Cîroc Vodka, said: “I’m delighted to launch Cîroc’s �irst coloured liquid, a shade of pink that mirrors the hues of a Riviera sunset.”
Cîroc Strawberry Limonade is made with vodka distilled �ive times from
French grapes infused with strawberry, lemon and other natural �lavours.
JASPER HART
Yorkie’s Biscuit & Brownie Duo
NESTLÉ Confectionery has rolled out a limited-edition Yorkie Biscuit & Brownie �lavour in a Duo format, Retail Express can reveal.
The line initially launched in Nisa, Parfetts and Hancocks, but Nestlé Confectionery has now con�irmed the Duo bar is available more widely.
The launch comes just over a year after the supplier axed its Yorkie Biscuit chocolate bar, citing declining sales.
The new format’s RRP varies depending on the list and ranges from £1.10 to £1.45.
Duos have been a growing format in confectionery, driven by looking for more
value for money, and in April last year, the duos format was in 36% growth.
Pro Classic added to Elfx vape series
ELFBAR has added the Elfx Pro Classic Edition to its pod vape range.
It is designed as an accessible entry point to open-pod vaping systems with a focus on convenience.
It also has features for greater customisation and performance, and a colour screen for precise control.
The device can be re�illed with nic salts, including El�liq. The top-�ill design of the pod has been designed to make it easy to �ill and features a leak-proof structure.
It also has Economy and Turbo performance modes. It has a 1,200mAh battery that can be fully recharged in 30 minutes, as well as two 2ml re�illable pod cartridges.
Cheez-It cash prize worth £10,000
US SNACK brand Cheez-It has launched an exclusive competition for retailers, offering a £10,000 prize.
To be in with a chance of winning, retailers need to order a free PoS bundle, which consists of a wobbler, shelf strips and aisle �ins via the QR code which is live now across all print and digital adverts, or the Kellogg’s Vantage website.
Once someone has received the kit, they need to text photos of all three assets displayed in store to 81155, where the winner will be chosen at random.
Since its UK launch last summer, the brand has at-
tracted more than 2.5 million shoppers, with 8.6% penetration and a 26% repeat rate.
Four Loko launches Camo Mango RTD
THE latest Four Loko RTD is now available: a new Camo Mango variety. The 8.4% ABV can comes in a camou�lage-themed can, and brings the total Four Loko range in the UK to 10 varieties.
to consumers seeking more than just a drink, it’s a statement of individuality.”
McVitie’s Penguin Milkshake Cake Bars
PLADIS UK&I has expanded its McVitie’s Penguin Cake Bar range with Strawberry Milkshake and Chocolate Milkshale varieties.
Both �lavours are available from mid-April in packs of �ive individually wrapped bars.
69%
Zeynep Daghan Erol, brand manager at Pladis UK&I, said: “We are building on the popularity of our original Penguin Cake Bar.
“We have introduced what we know are two popular milkshake �lavours to our cake bars, and they performed particularly well in testing, where
There will be a nationwide campaign across social media, in�luencer collaborations, sampling events and merchandise release, inviting consumers to share their boldest Four Loko moments via user-generated content. It will feature the hashtags #CamoLoko and #PartyInACan.
Clark McIlroy, managing director of Four Loko distributor Red Star Brands, said: “Designed to appeal
Hobgoblin launches Amber Beer
past year. Overall premium ale value sales are down by 6.4%, according to Nielsen.
CARLSBERG Britvic has launched Hobgoblin Amber Beer in Tesco, with further retail availability to be announced in the coming months. It will be available in 4x568ml cans and single 500ml bottles.
Its launch comes as the brand is in growth despite a capital downturn, growing in value sales of 13.9% in the
Jo Marshall, director of marketing for ales and craft at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “Hobgoblin Amber offers drinkers a new �lavour experience.”
of consumers found the Penguin Milkshake concept to be unique.”
Zeynep Daghan Erol, brand
Max Your Snacks with new PepsiCo guide
JASPER HART
PEPSICO has launched Max Your Snacks, a snacking category guide designed to help retailers increase savoury-snack sales.
The guide follows research from the supplier that found convenience retailers could be missing out on an average of £17,800-worth of savoury snack sales every year, and could drive an additional 16% uplift by optimising their range.
Max Your Snacks is available exclusively via the Shopt app with an account. PepsiCo is also giving retail-
ers the chance to earn cash rewards for downloading the guide, as well as an exclusive competition for those who engage with its advice.
Retailers who download the guide will earn £2 in credit on their Shopt account. Additionally, retailers who have downloaded the guide will be able to participate in a follow-up offer to stock �ive of PepsiCo’s recommended price-marked pack lines.
If they upload a photo of the stocked items, they will be entered into a prize draw, with 30 winners each receiving £100.
Wray’s 43 gets Booker exclusive launch
EXCLUSIVE to convenience stores through Booker Wholesale is the new Wray’s 43 rum from Jamaican rum supplier, J Wray & Nephew.
The limited-edition release is a blend of unaged Jamaica white rum with notes of rich fruits, charred pineapple and molasses. It has a 43% ABV, which is lower than the 63% of Wray & Nephew Overproof.
The supplier recommends pairing it with mixers, such as pineapple juice, ginger ale or coconut water.
David Morrison, deputy master blender at J Wray & Nephew, said: “The launch of Wray’s 43 is an exciting new exploration for us. We have listened to our community and are providing rum lovers
with a fresh new way to experience the tropical �lavours of Jamaica rum.”
Butterkist sales drive for movie moments
KP snacks has launched a Butterkist campaign across movie content on video-ondemand to drive its association with watching �ilms.
In a new £1m media investment running until 19 July, Butterkist will appear across movie content on major video-on-demand services ITVX, Sky Cinema and Disney+. It features the tagline, ‘For every movie moment, Go Grab The Butterkist’, and the
To fee movie night on-pack promotion goes live this summer
STORCK has launched an onpack promotion across packs of Tof�ifee, offering shoppers the chance to download �ilms with a £5.50 Rakuten voucher.
From 1 May to 30 June, there will be 1,000 chances every week for shoppers to win.
To do this, they need to buy
a 125g promotional pack, scan the QR code and enter the unique code found inside. Winners will be chosen through weekly prize draws.
Rebecca Robert, marketing director at Storck, said: “Value-added initiatives like these, that extend beyond price promotions, are key to driving shopper interest.”
campaign includes a series of 10- and 20-second incidents.
The campaign will also run across social media.
Rachael Rayner, brand manager for Butterkist at KP Snacks, said: “We are keen to reinforce the brand’s position as the must-have snack for movie nights.”
Mentos joins forces with Fortnite
MENTOS has partnered with the Fortnite gaming franchise.
Until mid-April, Mentos Fizzookas – custom rocket launchers that have the appearance of Mentos tubes – will be dropped into some of the game’s most-popular maps.
This is the �irst branded tactical item to be released
in Fortnite Creative, appearing in maps that see more than a million players a day combined.
Perfetti Van Melle is supporting the partnership with a campaign encompassing in�luencers and social media across more than 20 countries.
The brand is trying to build
cultural relevance among growing audiences, with research showing a third of Gen Z play video games daily.
Boost adds limitededition sports drinks
an increasingly diverse range of drinks that tap into multiple consumer trends and �lavour desires.”
BOOST has added limitededition Blue Raspberry Energy and Cloudy Lemonade Sport to its range. Blue Raspberry is available in a 250ml can and caters to the 40% of consumers looking for new �lavours with energy, while Cloudy Lemonade Sport taps into a growing �lavour pro�ile.
It is the third limitededition Sport line in the past three years, following Raspberry & Mango in 2023 and Watermelon & Lime in 2024.
Adrian Hipkiss, head of energy brands at AG Barr, said: “These latest limited-edition launches across Energy and Sport are helping us provide
Hula Hoops adds
Smoky Bacon line
KP SNACKS is expanding its Hula Hoops range with the launch of a Smoky Bacon variety in a 6x24g multipack. The launch is another meaty �lavour addition to the range, with Hula Hoops BBQ Beef the bestselling multipack within the “meaty & BBQ” �lavour segment.
It’s available in Asda now with a further launch in Morrisons on 19 May, but the supplier has con�irmed it will also be available through wholesale and convenience.
Sash Finan, brand manager at Hula Hoops, said: “The release of the new Smoky Bacon variety is a key step in driving incremental shoppers to the brand by tempting customers with new �lavours.”
You can feel Berry Good with Mentos
PERFETTI Van Melle has launched Mentos Feeling Berry Good sharing bag, which is vegan and consists of Cherry, Blueberry and Raspberry �lavours. Its launch is a response to the growing demand for sharing bags, which now account for 71.4% of sweet value sales within confectionery. Additionally, berry �lavours are outperforming the total sugar confectionery market, growing by 22% annually. It will be available to independent retailers later this year following an initial Morrisons launch this month. The supplier will support the launch with PoS material and a wider Mentos campaign this summer, spanning
outdoor, video on demand, YouTube, in�luencers and social media.
NEW CAMPAIGN
Blu adds more kits and pods
JASPER HART
IMPERIAL Brands has added three new kit varieties and 11 new pod varieties to its Blu Bar vape range.
The new kit �lavours are Watermelon Ice, Blueberry Ice and Blueberry Sour Razz. Each comes with a rechargeable device and �lavoured pod at an RRP of £5.99.
Meanwhile, the new pod �lavours are Blueberry Ice, Lemon Lime, Strawberry Ice, Berry Mix, Kiwi Passionfruit, Mini, Apple, Grape, Banana Ice, Blueberry Cherry and Triple Melon.
These are available in packs of two pods, also at £5.99 RRP. Each pod allows up to 1,000 puffs.
‘Share
The supplier hopes the launches will help retailers provide alternatives to disposable vapes as customers look to switch to rechargeable systems ahead of the ban on 1 June.
Yawer Rasool, consumer marketing director UK & Ireland for Imperial Brands, said: “The vape market in the UK is being driven by two key factors – �lavour choice and ease of use.
“As the availability of disposable vapes comes to an end in the UK, our extended Blu Bar range has been designed to be just as easy to use as a disposable vape product, while offering the most-popular �lavours in a reusable pod format.”
Lost Sheep’s new Iced Caramel Latte LAUNCH
COCA-COLA is bringing back its ‘Share a Coke’ campaign, offering shoppers the chance to get their own customised Coca-Cola cans.
The campaign features an on-pack QR code enabling shoppers to go to the ‘Share a Coke’ digital hub where they can make a can with their
LOST Sheep Coffee has added Iced Caramel Latte to its range.
a Coke’ campaign is back with customised cans
name on it. It is supported by an advert and outdoor advertising. Participating packs will be available from 1 May.
The new variety is available in a 250ml can at a £2.30 RRP, and is the brand’s third RTD, joining Iced Latte and Iced Mocha.
It is available to independent retailers from wholesalers Cotswold Fayre, Chapple & Jenkins and Lansdell Soft Drinks, with more to follow.
Stuart Wilson, Lost Sheep Coffee’s founder, said: “Consumers expect coffee-shop quality. Our cans use speciality grade coffee beans, which are traceable from origin and freshly ground and brewed into our cans.”
‘Crossed Fingers’ promotion on packs until 1 July
MONDELEZ International has brought back its Cadbury Fingers ‘Fingers Crossed’ promotion for a second year.
packs. If they �ind a winning ticket, they could win cash prizes from £50 to £20,000.
Rob Yeomans, vice-president, commercial development at Coca-Cola Europaci�ic Partners GB, said: “With cola remaining the largest soft drinks segment in GB retail, and almost two-thirds of its sales value generated by the Coca-Cola portfolio, there’s no better time to celebrate the connections that our brands continue to inspire.”
The on-pack campaign runs until 1 July and gives consumers the chance to win if they �ind a crossed chocolate �inger in their pack.
To win, shoppers have to buy promotional
Shoppers can also claim thousands of cash prizes using the QR code on pack and entering the bar and batch code at �ingerscrossed.cadbury.co.uk to �ind out how much they’ve won.
New Twix campaign highlights that two is better than one
TWIX has launched a global brand platform, ‘Two is more than one’, in a nod to the brand’s two-bar design.
The platform is part of a global campaign across 75 countries.
It will be supported by a $70m marketing campaign, including outdoor, TV, social and PR activity.
This includes a digital audio experience, an AR Snapchat lens, and targets social
content deployed across TikTok and Meta platforms.
Irn-Bru introduces Pwr-Bru Dynamo Fruit Punch drink
AVAILABLE to Scottish retailers only is the new Pwr-Bru from Irn-Bru.
Fair elds launches Chorizo & Red Wine flavoured crisps
FAIRFIELDS Farm has expanded its range with a limited-edition Chorizo & Red Wine �lavour.
The new variety will be available from May, and will be vegan and gluten-free.
It is made using natural �lavourings including paprika.
The supplier said the �lavour replicates the smoky pro�ile of chorizo, with hints of garlic and complemented by red-wine undertones.
Robert and Laura Strathern, co-founders of Fair�ields Farm, said: “We can’t wait for
crisps fans to try our new �lavour.
The Dynamo Fruit Punch is available now in a 500ml big can format.
Kenny Nicholson, head of Irn-Bru brand, said: “PwrBru has been delivering a powerful �lavour in the fast-growing Scottish energy market since its launch. The
range provides something unique and individual.
“This latest �lavour innovation is arriving with retailers just in time to maximise pro�it opportunities in the summer sales peak.”
In consumer research, 93% said they would buy Dynamo Fruit Punch and 81% of shoppers said they liked the taste.
A full range of PoS will be available for retailers in Scotland to help them drive sales.
LAUNCH
James Hall goes bananas with new ethical brand from Fy es
Consumers are always seeking new and exciting �lavour experiences.”
Chorizo & Red Wine
Fair�ields Farm’s Chorizo & Red Wine will be launched in 150g sharing bags and available to buy from wholesalers and the brand’s website.
SPAR North of England has launched Fyffes’ new ethical trade brand, Trudi’s, in a UK exclusive for bananas.
‘Good Fruit, Doing Good’ is the brand’s claim aimed at consumers.
The premium bananas are free of plastic packaging and are available in branded paper packs of �ive or loose, including as part of Spar meal deals.
This includes supporting the building of school facilities, empowering women in their careers and providing nutritious meals to communities where Fyffes’ farms are located.
Wilf Whittle, trading controller at James Hall & Co Ltd, said: “Consumers like to know where their fruit comes from.”
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
Sam Baldwin
My role in the shop:
What do you like most about working in convenience?
It’s like going to work with my friends. I’ve been here nearly nine years and it’s the best job I’ve had. We hear a lot of stories, especially from older customers who love a good chat.
What is the funniest thing that’s happened to you in the store?
I’m quite clumsy and things are moved out of my way. Once, a customer came in with underpants on her head. She walked in to use the cash machine and walked out.
What’s been the most exciting product you’ve had in store lately?
We had freeze-dried sweets last year, which were made in the shop and the demand was manic. Mini beer kegs have also been massive and customers love them.
What has been your biggest achievement in retail? I used to be really shy and my con dence has gone through the roof. I can have a full-blown conversation with anyone now. Going to work is like going to a friend’s house.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I’m always excited for what’s to come. We get a lot of school kids and a lot of older customers who we get to know. Unfortunately, we’ve lost a few good ones over the years.
I am more prepared for what is going to
CRIME: How are incidents impacting you and your staff?
“CRIME is rife in my shop. We don’t have a neighbourhood policeman anymore. We used to have a neighbourhood guy who used to know a lot of the youth, and I never had any issues. I’d tell him about issues and he’d go speak to those involved. The incidents would instantly stop.”
Judith Mercer, Hamilton News, Belfast
“THE only way some real change will happen is when this ends in tragedy. That is going to be the only catalyst for this to be taken seriously. I don’t think people are doing it because they’re hungry; it’s purely and simply people abusing the system because they can.”
The incidents would instantly stop
RECYCLING: Have you prepared for new legislation?
“A WEEK before the requirements for businesses with 10 or more full-time employees to separate their waste came into force, I was not given much information. However, I had a brie�ing with my waste collector. I am more prepared for what is going to come now and how to remain compliant.”
“I HAVEN’T really looked up any information about the upcoming changes to recycling as a business. I know trade bodies have sent out information, which I will look at eventually. It’s just more legislation impacting retailers. It’s becoming more challenging to run a business as an independent retailer.”
Anonymous retailer
CUSTOMERS: How have you gone above and beyond?
“A COUPLE of years ago, I had a mural of Boost Energy painted on my shop at no cost to the taxpayer or the local council. People did come to get their picture taken with the sign, and through using social media, it became very relevant to people.”
Eugene Diamond, Diamond Newsagents, County Down
come I am personally big on charity
“I HELD a wedding photoshoot for newlyweds. They got married in a church, but they got to know each other over a period of time after meeting in the shop during the pandemic. The photoshoot was to capture how they met.”
Sid Sidhu, St John’s Budgens, Kenilworth, Warwickshire
Anonymous retailer
I held a wedding photoshoot
COMMUNITY: What fundraising activities have you taken part in?
“I WAS recently recognised by the National Lottery for donating £650,000 to Good Causes. I am personally big on charity and that’s why I know how important the National Lottery is to people and communities. At my shop, we always do as much as we can.”
Rashid Khalid, Broadway Post Of�ice, Cardiff
“WE’RE proud to have been able to contribute £1,000 to St Stephen’s CE Primary School, which will help fund valuable resources and activities for local children. Last year, LA Foods donated £100,000 in total through Nisa’s Making a Difference Locally initiative.”
Malik Zameer, LA Foods, London
Kaual Patel, Nisa Torridon, London
Store owner: Vas Vekaria, Kegs N Blades, Bolton
store assistant
‘Police
must do better on tackling retail crime’
ON Boxing Day, my store was broken into and the cash machine was stolen, alongside damage worth £50,000.
When theft incidents happen, my staff tend to blame themselves, which has an impact on their well-being.
I’ve got a majority of female staff and the males are young boys, aged around
17-to-18 years old. I don’t want them to protect my livelihood. They don’t need to be doing that.
When they’re on shift and something happens, they do blame themselves, and it does have an impact.
My experiences reporting crime to the police are mixed. I acknowledge and understand that they do
COMMUNITY RETAILER
Serge Notay, Notay’s Convenience Store, Batley
“I AM incredibly proud of my daughter, Jeevna, for her strength and empathy in the face of bullying. This month, she experienced unkindness from peers regarding her limb di erence, but instead of responding with anger, she chose a path of understanding and compassion. She took it upon herself to read ‘What Happened to You?’ by James Catchpole, a book that beautifully addresses di erences and kindness. She also requested that I speak with her teacher to arrange for a presentation at school. She wants her friends to understand that being di erent is something to celebrate, not to mock.”
have more pressing matters to investigate, but the silence that follows once a crime is reported has to be criticised.
I’ve got an incident outstanding from October. I’ve given them two names, a car registration and I’ve heard absolutely nothing. That was £130 worth of coffee, champagne and steak that was stolen at the time.
They’ve been very good over the break-in, the followup, the support and everything, but that was a very serious attack.
But certainly, in any of the other incidents that I report, they are just terrible at getting back to it.
Ian Lewis, Spar Minster Lovell, Oxfordshire
OMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK
“LAST month was Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and we were very pleased to sponsor some tests for prostate cancer a er talking to the Ironbridge & Severn Gorge Lions, a local volunteers organisation. We learned that one in eight men in the UK are diagnosed with this type of cancer each year, but for black men, the rate is one in four. These tests are free and we want to encourage as many men over 40 in the Hadley and Leegomery area to take a simple, painless blood test that can detect raised prostate-speci c antigen levels, which could be an early indicator of prostate cancer.”
Working more closely with suppliers
I’VE been working very closely with Nestlé these past couple of months, which has meant we can concentrate on getting our core products and product launches sorted in really good time.
There’s even been a case where we couldn’t get the products, so the reps were really helpful and went to pick up stock from the cash and carry for us to make sure we had the stock in before the big chains and the multiples.
Working closely with suppliers is so important because they know that whatever they can get to us, we’ll be able to o er to customers far faster than other competitors. We have a personal touch when it comes to dealing with customers, but it’s really important to do the same with suppliers. I think it gives us a real point of di erence compared to the supermarkets and multiples because we can move that much faster and link that much more closely with suppliers.
We’ve worked with Coca-Cola Europaci c Partners on its Monster brand and we were able to o er customers lots of little prizes in the store through competitions and promotions. We’ve done a couple with them now. We get given a load of free merchandise and then whenever someone buys a speci c promoted product, they get to spin the wheel. And they can win pens, water bottles, notebooks and all kinds of things.
For this Valentine’s Day, we did a promotion in league with the new Dr Pepper Cherry Crush that involved giving the winner a voucher for £20 for Just Eat. But this month, we’re all working on the Raj Aggarwal Golf Day, which is happening in its fourth year on 1 May and has been a huge success so far.
You’ve got to reach out to suppliers and give them the time and space to do what they need to do. Be patient with them and work with them to nd out how to increase your sales. If you play it up on social media, they’ll help with that, too, and you can get those increase sales as well. We’ve even done it a bit with local suppliers. We’re working with a local baker who makes pies, and while they don’t have the same budget to o er lots of prizes, we want to do lots of things with them, too.
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
Julie Kaur, Jules Premier, Telford
SPRING CHAMPION
Chocolate remains a cornerstone of sales for independent retailers and is showing steady 5% growth, as SIMON KING reports
SEASONAL OPPORTUNITIES
AS a category, chocolate is affected by seasonal spikes and troughs more than other confectionery items.
While Easter and Christmas are the biggest occasions in the retail calendar for the category, other seasonal spikes, such as Valentine’s Day, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Diwali and Halloween, can also be maximised in store to unlock more sales.
Susan Nash, trade communications manager at Mondelez International, says: “Easter is an exciting time of year. Despite the challenging economic circumstances throughout 2024, last year was our best Easter yet, growing ahead of the Easter category in 2024 by almost 4%.”
Ahead of ordering products for Easter, Fiona Malone, of Tenby Stores & Post O ce in
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, says she looked at last year’s sales to see whether she should increase her order and also checks what others are doing.
“We get an allocation from Booker, and we up that accordingly,” Malone says. “Last year, we ran out of Cadbury Creme Eggs, but I understand that this year, Tesco hasn’t taken as many, so Booker is pushing them.”
Now in sharing bars.
SUPPLIER VIEW
Lydia Stubbins, group marketing director, Divine Chocolate Ltd
“PREMIUM Chocolate has shown year-on-year revenue growth of 13.1% in independents, ahead of the mainstream chocolate category, which declined by 0.4%.
“This shows that despite things being tough nancially for many consumers, they aren’t willing to give up little treats. This is known as the lipstick e ect, when consumers still spend money on small indulgences during recessions, economic downturns, or when they personally have little cash.
“When it comes to what kind of chocolate consumers are currently enjoying, dark chocolate has seen the strongest growth recently, with revenue up 19% compared with only 9% value growth for milk chocolate and a decline of 6% for white chocolate.
“Shoppers are also becoming more ethical with their brand choices and we’re seeing a rise in consumers caring about how the products they purchase are produced, the ingredients used and the treatment of those involved in the supply chain.”
CREATING A STRONG RANGE
“TO build a strong chocolate range, retailers should focus on several key strategies based on current trends and consumer preferences, including innovation, popular categories and novelty products,” says Jo Atchinson, Mars Wrigley category strategy leader –bars and bitesize, UK market.
“We had two cases of Dubai Chocolate on a Thursday, and within 24 hours, we had sold out – I ordered another 12 cases today. We’re going to build up the excitement and then we’re going to put it on social media,” he says.
“By keeping an eye on these trends and regularly refreshing their ranges, retailers can ensure they stay relevant and competitive in a constantly evolving market.”
Dubai Chocolate is a current trend, driven by videos on TikTok. Jeet Bansi, of Meon Vale Londis in Stratford-uponAvon, Warwickshire, sells Dubai Chocolate at £4.99, but has heard of shops selling the same product for £13.99.
Nishi Patel, owner of Londis Bexley Park in Dartford, Kent, sold 50-60 large bars of Dubai Chocolate at £25 per bar.
“We then got a cheaper version in and sold 90 bars in a week at £10 per bar – with a margin of more that 45%,” he says.
“By looking at these trending products, I’m growing my business. We’ve come up with a plan with a lady on TikTok to make a more a ordable bar for us – we’ll sell the product at £15 a bar.”
Latest LAUNCHES
Cadbury Dairy Milk teams up with Lotus Bisco Cadbury has launched Cadbury Dairy Milk Bisco , which pairs Dairy Milk chocolate with Lotus Bisco ’s biscuits. The launch is being supported a range of co-branded PoS materials, showcasing the coming together of Cadbury and Bisco ’s branding.
Mars Wrigley adds Twix and Bounty variants to Crispy Rolls range
Mars Wrigley has heralded the return of Milky Way Crispy Rolls, and the launch of two brand-new variants: Twix Crispy Rolls and Bounty Crispy Rolls. Available in a single format, the new range taps into growing shopper demand for nostalgic and exciting new products alike. Mars Wrigley says the launch reaches new shoppers while also driving growth in the bars subcategory.
New Baileys Easter Egg from Lir Chocolates Irish chocolatier Lir Chocolates has expanded the Baileys Chocolate range with the launch of the new Baileys Mint Chocolate Easter Egg. The new Baileys Mint Chocolate Easter Egg consists of a mint chocolate shell with crispy pieces and a hint of Irish Cream. The egg is embossed with the Baileys logo and is accompanied by Baileys Chocolate Mint Tru les.
Cox & Co 15g bar
Single-origin dark chocolate brand Cox & Co has launched its new 15g bar selection. The new bars are available in Miso & Caramel (47% cacao), Blood Orange Crunch (60% cacao), Mint Crunch (60% cacao) and Plain Milk (41% cacao). Cox & Co’s chocolate bars are made from single-origin Colombian cacao.
100% of our cocoa is sourced through independently managed sustainability standards, such as Rainforest Alliance, Cocoa Horizons, Fairtrade and others.
PATEL says his customers are looking for value, and that’s where price-marked packs (PMPs) come into their own.
“The margin is going to be a bit lower, but I’m all about volume, so by doing ‘two for’ o ers on them, the PMPs just bring volume sales in general. Value is such an important thing for customers this year,” he says.
Andy Mutton, managing director of Storck UK, says PMPs o er reassurance by clearly
Lauren Godfrey, Twix brand manager, Mars Wrigley
“A KEY trend we are seeing within the chocolate category is the growing demand for multi-textured treats, with 70% of shoppers actively seeking unique chocolate experiences. Chocolate wafers now make up 20% of the chocolate bars category, growing at 10% year on year, highlighting a clear pro t opportunity for retailers1.
“Featuring beloved brands from the Mars Wrigley portfolio, Crispy Rolls o er a unique mix of crunch and creaminess, sure to drive excitement in confectionery aisles. By highlighting these iconic brands and their new formats, retailers can boost sales while tapping into the growing trend for multi-textured treats that combine familiarity with something new. Additionally, retailers can capitalise on this by using eye-catching displays, o ering sampling opportunities and leveraging storytelling in marketing to engage shoppers.”
demonstrating value, helping to build trust between retailers and consumers. “In addition to providing clear prices, PMPs are versatile, catering to a wide range of occasions and shopping needs,” Mutton says.
“To meet these demands, retailers should ensure they stock a diverse selection of PMPs from leading brands.”
However, retailers shouldn’t just assume a PMP will drive sales from value-focused cus-
tomers. Ken Singh, of BB Superstore in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, said Mondelez recently increased the price of the PMP hanging bags of chocolate to £1.69. “Those PMPs have gone up from £1 to £1.25, to £1.35 to £1.50, and now it’s £1.69,” he says.
“We are now reaching the threshold where chocolate is becoming a luxury item.”
Kelly Busby, owner of Seaborn Stores – Londis in
Morecambe, Lancashire, says di erent pack formats within PMPs can also be confusing to customers looking for value.
“A single Mars Bar now is 80p, but you can get three slightly smaller ones in a PMP for £1.35,” she adds.
“If you point that out to customers, they’ll go for that cheaper option instead of the PMP, which increases the basket spend slightly, but margins are not amazing.”
SUPPLIER VIEW
THE RISING PRICE OF COCOA
THE rise in cocoa prices is largely due to a global cocoa shortage, which has persisted since early 2024.
Disease pressures, climate change and adverse weather have ravaged crops in West Africa, which contributes around 80% of the world’s cocoa output, and cocoa availability is at historic lows.
All of this could contribute to rising prices and shrinking
margins. “I’ve relayed this back to big suppliers,” Patel says. “Every time a price goes up, my margin goes down. We’re getting squeezed by 0.5% margin every time.
“I’ve lost 4% because of the price increases over the past 18 months.”
Vidur Pandya, of Kislingbury Post O ce in Kislingbury, Northamptonshire, is already taking action in his busi-
ness and reducing his chocolate range and increasing confectionery.
“Sweets o er a better margin and you’re not a ected by cocoa-price fluctuations,” he says.
Malone concedes that while people will always buy chocolate, her customers will probably trade down to the smaller bars if prices continue to rise.
Jo Atchinson, Mars Wrigley category strategy leader –bars and bitesize, UK market
“CONVENIENCE is key for consumers, as they want to be able to enter a store and easily nd what they are looking for. Nearly half (45%) of confectionery products are picked up from main xtures.
“Retailers should place their confectionery items on these xtures to increase visibility and drive sales. Additionally, the use of engaging PoS will play a large role in increasing basket spend, alongside placing the items at eye-level, or buy level, which has been shown to boost sales by up to 20%.
“Confectionery is an emotional purchase; it is fun, and it is a treat, but it is also an impulsive category with a high need for visibility. There’s an opportunity for retailers to bring it to life in store and create a visibility that will excite customers and tap into their sense of enjoyment.”
SUPPLIER VIEW Paid for by Mars Wrigley
1Top Chocolate Trends 2024_Barry Callebaut report
STORE DEVELOPMENT
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If the answer is YES, enter the Better Retailing Store Development Award, and gain the recognition you, your store and your team deserve.
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CATEGORY ADVICE CHOCOLATE
Susan Nash, trade communications
manager, Mondelez International
“WE’RE seeing a continued focus on value, with PMP sales increasing in convenience at a total level. PMPs help deliver a value message in store, tapping into consumers’ need for ‘a ordable’ treats, so they’re an important part of a convenience retailer’s range.
“However, there is still a demand for premium products, and we see consumers not wanting to hold back on seasonal treats, in particular. It’s also important to note that consumers are focused on value, not price.
“Despite economic uncertainties putting pressure on household budgets, consumers are still looking for treats from trusted brands, so the chocolate category is incredibly important for the convenience sector. Retailers should ensure that they’re o ering the right treats in the right formats and flavours, stay on top of best-in-class innovation and tap into key seasonal moments to see sales success throughout 2025 and beyond.”
SUMMER SALES
THERE are many di erent options that convenience retailers can consider to maximise their chocolate sales over the summer months, when sales traditionally dip in favour of ice cream, sugar confectionery and frozen treats.
Malone says: “We have got a Mondelez bay, and it has sparkly headers which at-
tracts customers to it. It’s a one-metre bay we have had for about two years.
“In the summer, people see it and quite often grab some chocolate on on their way out from the post o ce.”
In summer, Pandya makes sure to run o ers on chocolate to keep a constant flow of stock rotation that keeps the choco-
late from melting and maintains category interest.
Retailers could also consider placing some chocolates in the fridges to keep them cool.
Busby leads with promotions and multipacks for chocolate to cater to families and other
groups out and about in the sunshine.
“Families going out for the day will come in and get multipacks, and will then also pick up multipacks of crisps and soft drinks,” she says.
TO GO
DRIVE FOODTO-GO SALES
TAMARA BIRCH explores the food-to-go opportunity and what customers are looking for
THE FOOD-TO-GO OPPORTUNITY
FOOD to go is built up of several subcategories, but they start with single-pack formats of soft drinks, ready-todrink co ees, crisps and even biscuits. All these categories are growing, according to core suppliers in the industry.
Snack value sales are growing at a rate of 2%, according to Becky Allan, marketing manager at Takis, while there has been a 6% year-on-year increase in on-the-go missions within healthier biscuits, as noted by Susan Nash, trade communications manager at Mondelez International.
Beyond the pre-packaged
options, retailers can take food to go even further.
They can choose from cookfrom-frozen options in pastries and pies, a range of machines providing hot and cold food and drinks, and then there’s the option of making food to go from scratch in your store’s own kitchen.
Most retailers, including Amy Bullen, manager at Costcutter Epsom in Surrey, say a lot of food to go is trial and error.
“It’s gauging how many sales you’re going to make that day and adapting accordingly, especially if you make fresh food to go,” she adds.
WHAT’S BIG IN FOOD TO GO FOR RETAILERS?
AN important part of maximising food to go is knowing which trends to cater to, according to Nash. What it looks like will be di erent to everyone, whether they’re counting calories or increasing protein.
Retailers are adapting to this by including protein shakes, such as Huel, or protein bars, such as Grenade.
Many customers buying food to go are likely to be time poor as well, so make sure your chiller and snack displays are
easy to navigate.
“Food to go is growing quickly online and as we’re near a city centre, and students and workers are buying healthier options,” explains Priyesh Vekaria, owner of One Stop Carlton Convenience in Salford, Greater Manchester. However, Bullen’s food-togo o ering is dominated by hot food and freshly prepared products with less of a focus on health and greater focus on easy, warming meals.
The store has a Rollover machine and works with Country Choice to supply sausage rolls, steak bakes and other pastries.
“We also have a Costa machine and a sandwich selection, as well as a slush and ice cream machine,” she explains.
The machines are all merchandised in the same area to help customers navigate the food-to-go range available and to o er a wide choice for every mission.
“Demand for food to go changes across di erent day parts. In the morning, consumers are looking for breakfast items such as pastries, co ee and bacon rolls, often as part of a meal deal,” says Phil Carratt, head of marketing and strategy at Country Choice.
“In the afternoon, the focus switches to sweet treats like doughnuts and cakes. In the evening, demand moves towards more substantial options, such as pizza.”
Susan Nash, trade communications manager, Mondelez International
“WE’VE recently seen a 6% year-on-year increase in on-the-go missions within healthier biscuits, with shoppers increasingly looking for healthier snacks while out and about, which aligns closely with the typical biscuit occasion. We are seeing customers looking for a range of snacks, among some consumers, of replacing meals with snacks as they take advantage of being ‘out and about’ more frequently.
“Our biggest advice for a retailer looking to start a food-to-go o er in store is create awareness of new products and other lines with your customers using campaigns, competitions and seasonal promotions as a talking point. Also, use PoS from shoppers’ favourite brands to highlight products and optimise incremental sales.”
FIRSTLY, determine your muststocks. Most shoppers will be buying food to go during breakfast, lunch or on their way home from work or school, so consider introducing a few entry lines in popular varieties of pre-packaged sandwiches.
This could be chicken and ham, egg and a vegetarian option. From here – once you’ve established a customer base –you can think about expanding. You will also need to o er snack options, which can in-
CATEGORY ADVICE FOOD TO GO
clude crisps, protein bars and confectionery, which are already key parts of a store’s offer, but can add to a food-to-go basket.
Some retailers merchandise these products around the chiller in boxes for added convenience. This is especially important for commuters or workers, as they’re often time poor.
Vekaria says to grow food to go beyond on-the-go snacks, it’s all about patience. This is largely due to waste levels and
possibly low sales.
“When you start food to go, it can take a while for customers to buy into you, it took us around eight months,” he explains. “After three months, some retailers will give up as they’ve had to waste food, which is a barrier to adoption, but perseverance is key.”
Another challenge in navigating hot food to go is the need to follow guidelines since the introduction of Natasha’s Law. The biggest challenge to
arise from these new laws has been how time consuming it has made the process.
“We have to package everything up now, as well as schedule in time to bake everything, and label it up with the ingredients,” explains Bullen.
“The whole process takes a bit of time, but we have almost solved it by having a dedicated bakery team and we’ll have one on each shift pattern who does all the baking, packing and labelling.”
IS A MEAL DEAL RIGHT FOR YOU?
VALUE is high on the agenda right now, as shoppers navigate the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Within food to go, one of the biggest ways to highlight value is a meal deal.
“We have a meal deal for £4, and all our range is either One Stop or Tesco own label, but we have some branded products, too,” says Vekaria. “It helps with online sales, but
we charge £6 for our meal deal online.”
Vekaria says there’s a delivery cost, which customers are more than happy to pay. He has no minimum order spend and customers will always buy more than one meal deal.
“What we’ve seen is people use a company card and expense it, so the delivery cost doesn’t matter as much to
them,” he says.
Vekaria’s meal deal is a sandwich, a snack and a soft drink, but he plans to include his Costa machine co ees soon.
A meal deal won’t be for everyone, though. Bullen removed her meal deal after she noticed her customers were becoming confused about what and wasn’t included.
She says: “Not every drink was included and it caused confusion, and if we changed anything, it became more confusing, so we removed it.”
If you have a lot of competition nearby, a meal deal might be worth it for your store.
Highlight what’s included on shelf through PoS or attach a ‘bubble’ of ‘snack, main or drink’ next to the price.
CATEGORY ADVICE FOOD TO GO
SUPPLIER VIEW
Becky Allan, marketing manager, Takis
“BRANDS using ‘better for you’ attributes, such as reduced salt, high in protein and so on will continue to hold consumer interest. Well-being trends and evolving HFSS regulation means their interest in products with ‘healthier’ attributes will continue to grow.
“At the same time, it’s important to remember that consumers snack for a variety of reasons, and crisps and snacks are primarily bought as treats. While shoppers are being more mindful of their health, we expect them to continue seeking out their favourite brands as a way to treat themselves.”
WHAT IS THE RIGHT LOCATION?
WHERE you merchandise your food-to-go range will depend on a lot of factors, from space, customer type and whether you want to encourage them to the back of the store or offer a quick solution for timepoor customers.
Bullen and Vekaria have decided to position their food-to-go ranges at the front of their stores, but for di erent reasons. “It needs to be front and centre so you can make it theatrical and disrupt your customer’s thought pro-
cess of where they are going,” Vekaria says.
“You want to encourage impulse purchases and having it at the front automatically opens that mindset to what else you o er in store.”
Bullen’s reasoning is due to space. “We have a lot of machines in store, so our foodto-go section is at the front of the store to the left so they are all in one place and easy to nd, but we put milk at the back of the store so customers will travel,” she adds.
Confectionery
Yorkie launches Biscuit & Brownie Duo Nestlé Confectionery has launched a limitededition Yorkie Biscuit & Brownie variety, available now from select wholesalers in a Duo format. The line is currently available from Nisa, Parfetts and Hancocks, according to listings seen by Retail Express and retailers partnered with the wholesalers. Its RRP ranges from £1.10 to £1.45. .
Crisps and snacks
Takis Blue Heat
Takis Blue heat is a chilli-lime combination and is available in 55g £1.25 PMP formats. Retailers can buy the product in Booker, Bestway, Dhamecha and AF Blakemore.
Soft drinks
Tango Strawberry Smash
In February, Tango launched its latest Editions flavour, Strawberry Smash, which blends strawberry and pineapple flavours. The fruit-flavoured carbonate will be available for a full year and is available in 330ml cans, 500ml bottles (including price-marked packs), 2l and multipack (eight or 24 cans) formats.
Boost’s limited-edition Sport and Energy flavours
Boost Drinks has launched Blue Raspberry Energy (75p PMP) and Cloudy Lemonade Sport (89p PMP). Blue Raspberry is available in a 250ml, while Cloudy Lemonade is available in a 500ml bottle.
Lost Sheep Co ee Iced Caramel Latte RTD
The new variety is available in a 250ml can at a £2.30 RRP and marks the brands third RTD, joining its Iced Latte and Iced Mocha varieties. It’s available from Cotswold Fayre, Chapple & Jenkin and Lansdell Soft Drinks, with more stockists set to follow.
Lipton Kombucha
The range is available in Strawberry Mint, Raspberry and Mango Passionfruit flavours. These combine fruit flavours with the fermented blacktea drink, which grew by 39% in 2024 and is now valued at £33m.
HOW TO KEEP WASTE TO A MINIMUM
ANY hot-food o ering in-store will put a retailer at risk of high waste if not managed effectively. However, Bullen’s strategy means it remains relatively low.
“We cook our usual amount in the morning and assess stock levels throughout the day, so we won’t make anything new until our stock levels reach a certain point,” she explains.
“It’s largely trial and error,
though.”
Bullen adds that there’s certain food-to-go products you can gauge won’t sell after a certain time. For example, she says croissants and pastries are typically a morning seller.
“There’s no right way with waste for us, as we have a lot of passing trade, so it is a case of monitoring it regularly. One day we could have a store full of builders, which will clear us out, and the next, it could
be full for much longer,” she continues.
Vekaria, however, joined Too Good To Go.
“We know we have waste and what we tend to do is create one big bag that equates to around £15 RRP, but will sell at £8,” he says.
“This is then a cost we consider an acceptable loss. Doing it this way means our waste is at less than 1% across the store.”
ADVICE
BOOSTING STORE SECURITY
CHARLES WHITTING nds out the steps retailers are taking to keep their stores, sta and stock safe
Maqsood Akhtar, Blackthorn News & Food, Rotherham, South Yorkshire 1
“WE’RE lucky that 99% of our customers are known to us, so if someone we don’t know comes in, we know to keep an eye on them. I know other shopkeepers have real problems.
“It’s about keeping an eye on people and not putting highprice items in places where they’re easy to grab and hard to spot. If something’s at the back of the store, even if there’s a CCTV camera on it, people might still try to pick it up and walk out with it.
“They are that brazen now. Put high-price products where you can keep an eye on them and make sure customers know you’re doing that. It’s also worth being careful because you don’t know if someone might have aggressive tendencies.
“If something happens, I’d always rather they took stock than us try to stop them. I wouldn’t tell any shopkeeper to put themselves in that position.”
Girish Jeeva, Girish’s Premier, Glasgow 2
Arjan Sanghera, Nisa Local Banbury, Oxfordshire 3
“WE’VE done a few different things. I’ve been posting lots of things about shoplifting on our LinkedIn page. We work with Retail AI and have got other CCTV systems and technology to keep our products safe.
“Retail AI is connected to our radio system, so if a customer picks up a product and puts it in their pocket, the music in the store stops and it plays an audio warning over the loud speaker that a theft has just taken place. It also replays the past 20 seconds on the screen so you can react instantly.
“We’ve seen a marked drop in theft since we installed that. Everyone knows we’ve got it and everyone can hear it and know what’s going on. It’s a warning for us and a deterrent to them.
“We’ve also got age-veri�ication devices at the tills, and the beer cave we’ve installed means that underage people can’t even really access alcohol, which is a good thing.”
“WE check our deliveries and sales with our EPoS system, ITS. It helped us understand that expensive meat and cleaning equipment were being targeted because we would look at what was missing and check it against our sales data.
“The main thing for us is having an extra staff member on the shop �loor to put potential shoplifters off. Poor visibility can be a real problem – if there are any dark or hidden corners, it will lead to theft. Having someone on the �loor there is really helpful.
“We have CCTV systems that are easily accessible for all staff members, so they can monitor what’s going on in the staff room. If we catch them stealing something, we ban them and don’t have to deal with them again.
“You’ve got to think about the hot-spot times for theft as well, and be more wary, for example, during the lunchtime or school rushes.”
In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out whether retailers are prioritising volume or margins. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email
Store security is a real issue for stores, when they’re open and closed. What are retailers doing to deter and deal with thieves? – Ketul Desai, Leiston Londis, Su olk
Thornbury Refrigeration, an Arneg Distributor, has advertised in Retail Express for years. The
