Retail Express - 28 June 2022

SOURING YOUR SWEET SPOT

• Small shops set to suffer under new government anti-obesity proposals • How your major core impulse lines will be hit Saturates

Sugars

MED

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

15%

BUSINESS FEES

STUBBING OUT ILLICIT

PROFIT

Store owners caught out by unexpected bills costing them hundreds of pounds

Tobacco licences for retailers suggested in government recommendations

Top advice on how to maintain margins without losing valued customers

P2

P4

BACK PAGE

Salt HIGH

7g

38%

W an e’r d eb in a -p ck er li so ve n!

IAA

#IAA22

GALA DINNER 13 JULY THE EASTSIDE ROOMS, BIRMINGHAM

We are delighted that this year’s event will be inperson, giving the best and brightest retailers from across the country the chance to network, share ideas and celebrate their successes

Join us for an evening of inspiration and celebration!

Scan our QR code to register your interest or find out more by visiting betterRetailing.com/IAA-Gala-Dinner or calling 020 7689 0500

SUSTAINABILITY

How to reduce plastic use in your store 28

ICE CATEGORY ADV CUTTING PLASTIC

WHERE TO CUT PLASTIC where retailers can ZLOWSKI outlines TOM GOCKELEN-KO usage and increase recycling in store reduce their plastic

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 STRICTLY FOR TRADE USERS ONLY

TICS RECYCLING YOUR PLAS genused to create a new channel di- then of product packaging. eration – like Matt Gouldsmith, CONVENIENCE retail modern rector, wholesale, at Suntory And retailers, in particular, the & Food GB&I (SBF can play a crucial role. “From so many parts of change its Beverage point of view, “One third of shoppers world – needs to relationship GB&I). choosing to buy from a recycling start by ensurapproach to and can an indus- are now doing retailers plastic waste as with plastic. And for plastic brands they believe are on good, ing as much through or environmental try that has relied possible is recycled products social of consumers say collections,” packaging to keep carry for and 92% business practices council kerbside to Tereasy for n and fresh says a spokesperso plastic us- sustainable be standard.” they can even now decades, reducing what plastic should can the industry do raCycle. “Andthe waste counage and recycling How that refor help recycle is used will be a task effort. this? The ultimate goal collect by signing and cils don’t and locations quires dedication suppliers, wholesalers a up as public drop-off recycling rewards.

But it is not without sustain- retailers should be to create for TerraCycle’s free “Becoming more supply chain for recy- programmes, or by purchasing for the fu- circular Boxes While this termiWaste able is important Zero plastic. our cled of but for the one ture of the planet, a great nology can sound complex, waste we don’t have be plastic for the programme retailers, it can itself is simple: col- a free recycling customers idea way to attract new footfall, used in the packaging is for.” recycled and available and retain existing says lected, cleaned, as well as save money,”

SOURING YOUR SWEET SPOT • Small shops set to suffer under new government anti-obesity proposals

• How your major core impulse lines will be hit Saturates

Sugars

MED 15%

Salt HIGH

7g

38%

BUSINESS FEES

STUBBING OUT ILLICIT

PROFIT

Store owners caught out by unexpected bills costing them hundreds of pounds

Tobacco licences for retailers suggested in government recommendations

Top advice on how to maintain margins without losing valued customers

P2

P4

BACK PAGE

P28

our say

Alex Yau, acting editor

Stores caught in firing line over anti-obesity proposals INDEPENDENT retailers have always been in the firing line of the government’s anti-obesity strategy and many have wrongly suffered as a consequence.

The high fat, sugar and salt legislation coming into force from October is a prime example of this. Despite confusion over which convenience stores will be impacted, many of you had invested your own time and money in tailoring your layout and ranging, only for the government to announce a sudden delay to one huge part of it.

Quite rightly, the government has been criticised heavily by store owners for making these late changes, but it appears the complaints have been met with silence. This issue’s cover story focuses on the government’s latest anti-obesity food strategy, which highlights a number of proposals that could have a major impact on core impulse QUITE RIGHTLY, products sold in your stores.

THE GOVERNMENT Most notably, it hints at further reformulation, mandatory report- HAS BEEN ing of “health metrics” and changes to packaging of affected CRITICISED products.

HEAVILY Understandably, retailers have not reacted well to the proposals outlined in the review. Chartham retailer Alan Mannings described it as a ‘pen and paper’ exercise, and told Retail Express: “Someone from the government is sitting in their office making proposals without thinking about how it affects hardworking small businesses.

These restrictions have been created with supermarkets in mind, not small shops.”

Although they are proposals, Retail Express will continue to monitor and cover developments in the review that will affect you. @retailexpress betterRetailing.com facebook.com/betterRetailing Acting editor Alex Yau @AlexYau_ 020 7689 3358

Editor – news Megan Humphrey @MeganHumphrey 020 7689 3357

Features writer Jasper Hart 020 7689 3384 @JasperAHHart

News reporter Noemi Distefano @NoemiDistefano_ 07597 588955 Deputy insight & advertorial editor Tamara Birch @TamaraBirchNT 020 7689 3361

Features editor Charles Whitting @CharlieWhittin1 020 7689 3350 Senior features writer Priyanka Jethwa @PriyankaJethwa_ 020 7689 3355

Editor in chief Louise Banham @LouiseBanham

Production editor Ryan Cooper 020 7689 3354

Production coordinator Chris Gardner 020 7689 3368

Account manager Marie Dickens 020 7689 3366

Sub editor Jim Findlay 020 7689 3373

Head of marketing Kate Daw 020 7689 3363

Sub editor Robin Jarossi

Senior account director Charlotte Jesson 020 7689 3389

Management accountant Abigayle Sylvane 020 7689 3383

Head of design Anne-Claire Pickard 020 7689 3391 Designer Jody Cooke 020 7689 3380 Junior Designer Lauren Jackson

Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 020 7689 3372

Managing director Parin Gohil 020 7689 3388 Head of digital Luthfa Begum 07909 254 949

Business delivery manager Ifzal Afzal 020 7689 3382

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42,281

The five biggest stories this fortnight 01

Retailers’ pockets hit by unavoidable BID levy ALEX YAU

STORES located in business improvement districts (BID) have started to receive unexpected bills costing them hundreds of pounds.

Reports began last month from retailers claiming they were being charged a one-off annual fee. The rate varies depending on each business’s

02

individual BID, but it ranges between 1% and 4% and is calculated on a commercial property’s rateable value. It is separate from the businessrates fee.

In one instance, an independent retailer had been charged more than £400, this month. Voted in by local companies every �ive years, BIDs are specialised areas in towns

Chiller backlogs

A BACKLOG in chiller installations across convenience stores has begun to lift, but retailers are being told to prepare for rising costs in equipment.

Last year, symbol groups and fridge manufacturers blamed the pandemic and

Brexit for delays in parts, but shop�itting specialist, The Jordan Group said the situation had improved over the past four weeks.

However, one retailer said they had recently been quoted £4,000 for one unit, up from £700 a year ago.

and cities where businesses invest together to improve surrounding amenities and resources. The levy is part of this investment.

The charge has faced criticism from businesses, with some receiving court summons after they refused to pay it. However, chartered surveyor Ian Sloane warned that retailers in BIDs are required

03

Insurance limbo

RETAILERS have been urged to persevere with insurance payout claims related to Covid-19, despite average delays of up to eight months.

In September 2020, the High Court ruled that shops who suffered a reduction of trade due to pandemic clo-

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘chillers’

04

Booker competition

TESCO’S CEO Ken Murphy has shrugged off threats of increased competition from Asda and Morrisons, which entered independent wholesale as rivals to Booker.

Asked whether this posed a threat to Booker’s retail business, Murphy said: “We are

mostly focused on our retail and catering customers and we don’t worry about our competition too much.”

Last week, Booker results revealed like-for-like sales grew annually by 19.4% for the 13 weeks ending 28 May 2022.

to pay the levy under law.

He told Retail Express: “You can’t get out of it. Once the majority of businesses in an area said they want a BID, even those who haven’t voted in favour still have to chip in.

“I worked with a few businesses that believed they didn’t have to pay the levy because they received rates relief.”

sures could make insurances claims. However, Capital Law senior lawyer Catrin Povey said the Financial Ombudsman Service was asking for “ridiculous levels of evidence” from businesses to prove they were affected by Covid-19 on their premises.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Insurance’

05

Tobacco warning

Retailers are being urged not to delete emails sent by new track and trace operator Dentsu Tracking.

As of 1 July, the company will take over the system from operator De La Rue. The ACS told store owners to expect two emails regarding

the switch. The �irst with information about changes was sent out on 13 June. A further email to register will be sent between 20 June and 1 July.

Retailers who have deleted the information sent to them can recover it by contacting uktntsupport@dentsu.com.

Audit Bureau of Circulations July 2020 to June 2021 average net circulation per issue

Retail Express’ publisher, Newtrade Media, cares about the environment.

Reproduction or transmission in part or whole of any item from Retail Express may only be undertaken with the prior written agreement of the Editor. Contributions are welcome and are included in part or whole at the sole discretion of the editor.

Newtrade Media Limited accepts no responsibility for submitted material. Every possible care is taken to ensure the accuracy of information. No warranty for goods or services described is implied.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Booker’

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Dentsu’

@retailexpress facebook.com/betterRetailing

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

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

Gov’t anti-obesity proposals criticised by retailers ALEX YAU THE GOVERNMENT’S anti-obesity proposals to reformulate and change the packaging of core impulse lines have been labelled as a “pen and paper exercise” by frustrated retailers.

This month, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) released the government food strategy, which outlined a number of recommendations to protect England’s food supply, invest in the nation’s agricultural sector and tackle obesity.

The anti-obesity proposals included a number of suggestions that could affect core impulse lines across convenience stores, if they are put into force.

Most notably, it made suggestions of reformulation following the introduction of the “hugely successful” soft drinks sugar levy in 2018.

The report said: “We must ensure that we learn from previous models to create the right incentives for change. This includes a role for government in creating a level playing �ield through regulation. Some progress has been made.

For example, in response to sharp rises in soft drink consumption, the government introduced the Soft Drinks Industry Levy. This �iscal incentive has been hugely successful, with industry reducing the to-

tal amount of sugar in the drinks within the levy’s scope by around 44%.

“At the other end of the spectrum, government intervention can cause unintended consequences. A drive to reduce portion size of chocolate bars has led to an increase in the sale and promotion of ‘multipacks’.

“Creating a healthier food environment could mean encouraging reformulation to reduce calories, reducing portion sizes, innovating and investing in new technologies, and coupling any changes with individuals making healthier lifestyle choices.

“In any case, government needs to set the right expectations of industry, provide the right regulatory interventions, and support the necessary innovation to drive a healthier food environment.”

The proposals faced criticism from independent retailers. Alan Mannings, of Shop on the Green in Chartham, Kent, told Retail Express they were a “pen and paper exercise.”

“There’s just someone sitting in an of�ice and putting these proposals forward without thinking about the consequences,” he said.

“They’re designed for supermarkets without really thinking about how they would affect the businesses of small shops.

The government had already faced criticism in May for delaying promo-

express yourself “We saw around a 10% uplift in store sales and while it was busier during the day, it was the 4pm to 7pm rush that was crazy. Soft drinks, alcohol, barbecue foods and ice were my main sellers. I sold one man 10 bags of ice. Because I’m now partnered with Morrisons I had good promotions on barbecue meat in a three-for-£10 range and also discounted bottled water. It was timed perfectly for the weather.”

Jodi Pritchard, Oaktree Road Stores, Southampton

03

GOOD WEEK WHOLESALE: Regional wholesaler Dee Bee has vowed not to impose delivery surcharges onto its retailers, despite rising cost pressures. The wholesaler said it made the decision with retailers in mind. Instead, the wholesaler says it plans to increase sales and negotiate better margins on PMPs to offset inflationary costs.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Dee Bee’ COSTA EXPRESS: Coffee giant Costa is to roll out a ‘world first’ hot-and-cold self-serve coffee machine. More than 1,100 machines will soon be available in locations across England, Scotland and Wales, following a successful trial in Bristol. The machine will serve both hot drinks alongside iced coffee and frappes.

For the full story, see p8, and go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Costa’

BAD WEEK

tional restrictions in the upcoming high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) legislation by one year to October 2023. Joe Williams, of the Village Store in Hook Norton, added: “As a retailer you want to promote healthy eating, but HFSS is causing a bit of controversy. Nobody knows what they need to be doing because it’s not very clear cut.

“The latest proposals could restrict consumer choice and that’s what it comes down to. Consumers should have the right to choose what they want to eat and drink.

“The government is on

the column where you can make your voice heard

that big strategy again and it’s a dif�icult because it depends on what products are in scope.

“If they give us time to plan in advance, that’s �ine, but they always seem to rush these things through.”

However, prime minister Boris Johnson notably rejected proposals for a rumoured sugar tax ahead of the food review.

Recommendations to change labelling were also made in the report. This included looking at existing traf�ic light labelling on the front of packaging and considering “how the current regime could be strength-

ened to support consumers to make informed and healthier choices”.

Further details are to be set out in a “health disparities white paper”.

However, Paul Patel, of Dibden Purlieu News in Southampton, said changes in packaging could provide an opportunity for retailers. “I have diabetes myself and it’s sometimes really dif�icult to see what products are suitable for me as a lot of packaging looks similar. The information is really hard to see unless you take a really close look.

Changes could really help customers.”

MORRISONS: The supermarket experienced a frenzy of whisky sales after it mistakenly listed a £36 Glenlivet Scotch at £2.50.

The pricing error was identified because minimum unit pricing legislation in Scotland and Wales would have made the charge per bottle illegal.

Morrisons apologised after angry shoppers took to social media to complain when their orders weren’t honoured.

DRS: Plans to exclude glass from the deposit return scheme in England and Northern Ireland has prompted one MP to call it “a catastrophe to our natural spaces”. Philip Hollobone, MP for Kettering, said the omission would represent “a serious threat” to the effectiveness of any scheme. Current proposals for DRS differ from those in Scotland and Wales, which include glass.

Has the sudden heatwave increased your store’s sales?

“My sales went up 15% across the week. Alcohol stayed the same as normal summer sales, but there was a huge uplift in soft drinks. I expected a rise in barbecue sales, but this wasn’t the case. Mainly, many more people were coming in after work at 5pm and we were busy until 9pm to 10pm. With energy prices rising, and needing to cover costs, I didn’t go big on promotions on any particular item, but customers bought products anyway.”

Philip Constantine, Nisa Local, Hither Green

“It was a continuation of the Jubilee weekend when we sold party food and lots of barbecue items. Last week, we saw around a 16% increase in sales from the previous year. We keep our beers, wines and spirits keenly priced, but we didn’t need to run any promotions. People still bought them, though. I don’t think the cost-ofliving crisis will hit people until the autumn and they want to enjoy the sunny weather.”

Harj Gill, Select & Save The Windmill, Birmingham

Do you have an issue to discuss with other retailers? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk

Harj Gill

NEWS

04

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

Doubt over tobacco-licence impact ALEX YAU

RETAILERS have welcomed proposals to introduce a mandatory tobacco licence, but have warned rogue traders could still find a way around the legislation.

This month, the Khan Review was published to help the government achieve its ambitions of a smoke-free England by 2030.

The independent review

it’s going to be governed, I’m all for it, but the cost to honest retailers has to be reasonable, especially as we’re facing so many cost pressures.”

Hull retailer Sam Coldbeck added that while she welcomed it, she also warned that rogue sellers could find a way around having a licence by selling outside of convenience stores in businesses such as pubs, restaurants or fish & chip shops.

MAKE YOUR MARK

SHARE THE MOMENT

REDUCED SMOKE SMELL PAPER

MODERN STAR SHAPED BORE FILTER

LIMITS LINGERING SMOKE ODOUR ON HANDS AND CLOTHES AFTER SMOKING

CREATES A UNIQUE SMOKING EXPERIENCE

TEXTURED TIPPING PAPER

RESEALABLE FOIL

SO SMOKERS CAN FEEL THE QUALITY

TO PROTECT AND SECURE THE PACK

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For Tobacco Traders Only.

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FOR GREAT SUMMER SALES

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For the full list of recommendations, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Khan Review’

MAKE YOUR MARK Age-restricted sales support

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sell only tax-paid products to adults, but are undercut every day by an illicit trade run by criminal gangs who sell smuggled tobacco to anybody who wants it.”

Serge Notay, of Premier Notays in Batley, said: “People who are going to smoke are going to find ways to smoke.

You do need legitimate licenses, but they should be there to stop dodgy shops selling dodgy cigarettes. If

MAKE YOUR MARK

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made a number of suggestions to the government that would have a big impact on convenience stores.

Notably, it called for the introduction of mandatory tobacco licences to help curb illicit tobacco traders.

Author Javed Khan said: “A licensing scheme is not just a measure to protect young people. It protects the honest small businesses up and down the country who

RETAILERS are being encouraged to join a Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) to support them in making agerestricted sales.

The partnerships are designed to make a positive difference to the well-being of

young people.

In a recent report, CAP showed that in partnership areas, weekly drinking for 13-to-16-year-olds reduced by 62% in the past six months and antisocial behaviour dropped by 42%.

For the full story, go to betterRetailing.com and search ‘alcohol’

CO-OP WASTE INITIATIVE CO-OP is rolling out a surplus food distribution app to rival similar services from symbol groups.

Launching next month across 2,500 stores following a trial, Caboodle enables shops to share surplus food with charities. Retail Express uncovered trademark applications in March. Booker has a similar service through a partnership with Olio.

For the full story, got to betterRetailing.com and search ‘Caboodle’

Petrol-duty review BUSINESS secretary Kwasi Kwarteng has demanded an urgent review into forecourt operators, amid concerns a 5p fuel-duty cut isn’t being passed on to customers by retailers.

In a letter to the Competition and Markets Authority

MAKE YOUR MARK

this month, Kwarteng said: “There remains widespread concern about the pace of the increase in prices and that prices may not fall as much or as fast as they rise.”

He went on to ask whether the fuel duty cut was being passed on to consumers.

MAKE YOUR MARK

PRODUCTS

05

RTD BuzzBallz UK launch JASPER HART READY-TO-DRINK (RTD) cocktail brand BuzzBallz has launched in the UK via exclusive distributor Hammonds of Knutsford.

The range comes in six varieties: Choc Tease, Tequila ‘Rita, Strawberry ‘Rita, Lotta Colada, Chili Mango and Espresso Martini.

Each variety comes in a 200ml ball (13.5% ABV) at an RRP of £3.50 each.

BuzzBallz originated in the USA, where they are predicted to sell 100 million balls this year. For the UK launch, the supplier is targeting 25-to-40-year-olds living in urban areas who enjoy socialising with friends while on the go and outside.

“We’ve created a real buzz in the USA and we know there’s a huge appetite in the UK for fun, convenient RTD cocktails that pack a punch,” said BuzzBallz founder Merrilee Kick.

“The RTD market is a fast-

growing category, yet it is crying out for more innovation and excitement. We believe BuzzBallz can deliver this.”

Tim Dunlop, brand director at Hammonds, added: “As the UK gears up for the summer, consumers are seeking out exciting new experiences in a big way, and the colourful

BuzzBallz range provides a fantastic solution for the convenience sector. They are fun, different and great for sharing with friends.”

Retailers also have access to bespoke PoS materials including counter and chiller racks, signage and FSDUs to drive shopper interest.

Mars launches Dark Maltesers MARS Wrigley has launched Dark Maltesers.

The launch marks the �irst innovation in the Maltesers range for nearly 10 years, formulated with 30% less sugar and 65% more cocoa than regular Maltesers.

It comes as dark chocolate has grown by 15%, with Mars Wrigley aiming to make the segment more accessible to shoppers under 25.

Dark Maltesers will launch in a £1 price-marked 59g treat bag, a 32g single and a

163g sharing pouch.

Leah Dyckes, brand director for M&M’s and Maltesers at Mars Wrigley, said: “The creation of Dark Maltesers is a direct response to our consumers who have voiced they would like a dark chocolate variety of their favourite treat. Dark Maltesers retain what consumers know and love about Maltesers while offering a richer �lavour pro�ile, widening the consumer base of dark chocolate to younger consumers.”

MOLSON Coors Beverage Company has launched limited-edition packs of its Coors lager for the summer.

The supplier is launching seven new designs highlighting the brand’s use of thermochromic ink which turns the mountain peaks on Coors bottles and cans blue when the beer is cold enough to drink.

On the limited-edition packs, a hidden word will be revealed behind a pair of sunglasses once the cans and bottles are suf�iciently chilled.

Lee Willett, brand director at Molson Coors, said: “Using sunglasses and words like ‘cool’ and ‘mates’ in the design echoes the refreshing taste of Coors and those

social occasions we all enjoy over the summer months.”

Molson Coors will support the new packs with a na-

Limited-edition Coors packs launched

tionwide outdoor and social media campaign as well as in�luencer partnerships and in-store activations.

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PRODUCTS

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

07

Geek Bar redesigns S600 range JASPER HART DISPOSABLE vape manufacturer Geek Bar has revamped its S600 range as part of its plans to “increase its market share in the UK specialist and convenience market”.

The range has a new rectangular shape to enhance its ergonomics.

It will come in Geek Bar’s new packaging which has been redesigned to protect against sales to minors and counterfeiting.

The packaging comprises a prominently displayed security code which retailers and consumers can use to check the authenticity of the product.

In addition, the age restriction for sale of the product is also pronounced on the new packaging.

The redesigned range, now available following approval from the Medicines Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA), is lightweight and compact, suitable for on-thego vaping and pre�illed with 20mg of nicotine as well as up to 2ml of e-liquid.

Offering 600 puffs per device, the S600 range is designed for mouth-to-lung vapers who want to mimic as much as possible their former experience of smoking through getting a consistent throat hit.

The updated device comes in 10 varieties including:

Absolut launches new flavoured RTD PERNOD Ricard UK (PRUK) has launched Absolut Passionfruit Martini in a ready-todrink (RTD) format.

The RTD (5% ABV) is available in a 250ml can at an RRP of £2.20 from wholesalers including HT Drinks, Crown Cash & Carry, Parfetts and United Wholesale in cases of 12.

PRUK launched the new variety in response to the popularity of the Passionfruit Martini cocktail in the on-trade, where it has a 24% volume share of serve.

Additionally, PRUK’s RTD range is experiencing value sales growth of 16%, growing ahead of the overall category’s 14% value sales growth.

There will be social media

and in�luencer activity to support the new RTD and it will also appear at summer festivals.

NICHOLS PLC is launching a new bottle design across its Vimto squash range.

The new design features a spiral fruit peel texture to help deliver standout on-shelf and highlight the brand’s ‘healthy hydration’ message.

The new recyclable bottles are made from 51% rPET. Having already begun distribution, the supplier aims to have fully rolled out the new design by mid-summer.

Nichols will support the new design with the return of its ‘Find your different’ marketing campaign.

The multimillion-pound campaign includes advertising in cinemas, on TV and on-demand, with additional social and digital activity.

The supplier expects the campaign to reach six million consumers.

Fresh design for Vimto Squash

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SHARP’S is launching an onpack promotion across Doom Bar giving consumers the chance to win a campervan adventure.

The promotion sees 16 golden compasses hidden inside cans of Doom Bar in participating four- and 10can multipacks this summer.

Each golden compass �inder will win a week’s campervan hire for two people, as well

as a £200 activities voucher, two outdoor jackets and a rucksack.

Additionally, there will be thousands of outdoor prizes, including electric mountain bikes, North Face rucksacks, outdoor ceramic grills and Rick Stein food boxes, as well as more than 12,000 gift cards.

The supplier will support the promotion with in-store PoS.

Doom Bar launches on-pack promo

Pilgrims Choice updates design ORNUA Foods has launched a new pack design across its Pilgrims Choice cheese range.

The new look is appearing across Pilgrims Choice’s range of block, sliced and grated cheese as the supplier seeks to increase the brand’s market share.

It features a greater use of colour, �lavour descriptors and new cheese imagery to increase standout on-shelf and enable easier

navigation between varieties.

According to research carried out by Pilgrims Choice, cheese consumers are moving away from safe offerings. As a result, the packaging highlights Pilgrims Choice’s higher taste pro�ile.

Ornua will support the new designs with a multi-channel marketing campaign from mid-July.

Strive for progression, not perfection LAST year, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) worked with Derbyshire retailer Amit Patel to help him improve the sustainability of his store.

Amit himself told his story to a group of convenience retailers and revealed how he had already saved more than £600 a year thanks to the changes he made.

With energy costs rising rapidly, the need to save money wherever possible has never been greater. Cutting energy bills is necessary for cashflow as well as the environment.

We asked those retailers who heard Amit speak to make their own pledges. First up, we spoke with Aman Uppal, of One Stop Mount Nod in Coventry.

He said: “One big thing we have been looking at is refrigeration. We worked out that less than 20% of our alcohol sales happen before 2pm, with the majority of sales happening from 5pm onwards. So, we’re not turning on the fridge until 2pm now, for a temporary period, to assess sales.

“There have been no complaints from customers, there hasn’t been a dip in sales, and it’s massively reducing the amount of energy we use. So, it’s good from a sustainability point of view and also our own costs.”

However small, we want to hear how you are starting your sustainability journey. Share your ideas with us via @SuntoryBF_GBI on Twitter, and together we can help the channel grow for good.

PRODUCTS

08

Hooch launches Orange variety JASPER HART GLOBAL Brands has expanded its Hooch range with the launch of a new Orange variety.

Designed to appeal to Hooch’s original 1990s consumer base, Orange Hooch will also target GenZ consumers looking for an “easy-drink orange alcoholic drink”.

Plus, with Hooch sales increasing by 41% in the warmer weather, the brand is encouraging retailers to stock up for this key sales period, especially with an increase in summer sporting events taking place.

The launch of Orange Hooch will be supported by

a ‘The Hooch is bright, the Hooch is orange’ campaign, set to reach one million consumers across social media, in�luencer activity and partnerships.

Orange options have been one of the key growth �lavours in the past three years across food and drink, and more than one-quarter of consumers typically drink orange-�lavoured serves.

Charlie Leaver, head of brand at Global Brands, said: “There is no straightforward alcoholic carbonated orange RTD in the UK market.

“Orange Hooch has been a much-loved and missed �lavour from the original lineup.”

Orange Hooch has an RRP

Swizzels’ limited Minions range SWIZZELS has created an of�icial limited-edition themed range of confectionery ahead of the release of the �ilm Minions: The Rise of Gru. Among the range are Drumstick Minions Banana and Blueberry Squashies, available in 120g plain and £1 price-marked packs in cases of 12.

The supplier has also launched Minions Tropical Chew Bars, a brand-new product available in 120g plain and £1 price-marked packs in cases of 12.

It features individually wrapped bars in Peach & Passionfruit and Mango & Pineapple �lavours, each featuring a different Minion.

The third member of the

new range is Minions Tropical Fizz, an individual chew bar available at an RRP of 15p. Minions Tropical Fizz is a tropical-�lavoured chew with a sherbet centre.

PEPSICO has launched an onpack promotion across packs of Doritos, Walkers Max and Pepsi Max as part of its sponsorship of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 in England.

The on-pack promotion features England players Lucy Bronze, Nikita Parris and Leah Williamson and offers fans the chance to win 750 pairs of tickets, including those for sold-out matches. It runs until 16 July.

Additionally, PepsiCo is also running a cash prize promotion until 31 July.

The promotion is part of PepsiCo’s �ive-year partnership with UEFA. It is also spotlighting this partnership with a marketing campaign across digital, social media,

outdoor and in-store PoS, and sponsorship of the UEFA Women’s Euro �inal show at Wembley.

PepsiCo sponsors Women’s Euros

of £3.59 for a 70cl format, available in a standard and price-marked pack.

Stockists include Costco,

Parfetts, East End, Heron and Bestway among others.

It will be stocked by Tesco from 25 July.

Mars launches Extra flavour vote MARS Wrigley has launched a Flavour Vote campaign offering shoppers the chance to win a year’s supply of their favourite Extra gum fruity �lavour.

The campaign, which runs until 17 July, gives consumers the opportunity to vote for their favourite Extra �lavour out of Apple, Blueberry,

Strawberry, Tropical, Melon Mint and Bubblemint.

Customers can vote via text, through the Extra website, or through scanning a QR code on Extra in-store PoS. Fruit gum �lavours are a growing category, accounting for more than a quarter of gum market value.

Costa Express’s ‘world first’ machine COSTA Express will be rolling out integrated hot and cold self-serve machines this summer, which it claims are a world �irst.

More than 1,100 machines will be available across England, Scotland and Wales following a successful trial in Bristol last summer.

The supplier has launched

the new machines as iced coffee continues to grow in popularity, now accounting for one in �ive global coffee purchases.

To drive interest in the new machines, Costa Express has launched a limitededition Ice Salted Caramel Frappé as part of its Summer of Ice promotional activity.

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

Barr launches Rubicon campaign BARR Soft Drinks has launched a new campaign for Rubicon, ‘Made of different stuff’.

The campaign is visible across on-demand outdoor, digital and social media advertising. It intends to highlight the brand’s af�inity with Rubicon drinkers’ desire to try “new and exciting experiences”.

Retailers will also have access to bespoke PoS and display units, and there will also be bespoke displays available to wholesalers to create theatre in national depots.

Barr estimates the campaign will reach 78% of

16-to-34-year-olds, its target market. In the past year, Rubicon has grown by 43%, selling an additional 14 million units.

MARS Chocolate, Drinks and Treats (MCD&T) has launched M&M’s Brownie Milk drink.

The new drink is available as a £1.49 price-marked pack (PMP) 350ml bottle.

Currently, the UK �lavoured milk category is worth £515m, an annual increase of 25%. Convenience sales are worth £224m and are outgrowing the total category, having seen a 31% annual increase.

Within the category, chocolate �lavours are the second-largest subcategory and are worth £116m, a 12% annual increase.

Michelle Frost, general manager at MCD&T, said: “Sales of our range of

chocolate milk drinks are outperforming this important subcategory with 20% growth and we are con�ident that the launch of M&M’s Brownie Milk will see our sales continue to increase.”

CONCHA y Toro UK has announced a redesign of its UK top-10 wine brand Isla Negra.

The redesign incorporates a reduction in bottle weight from 390g to 345g and a new label featuring a �lying seagull, as well as a tasting note on the front label of each variety in the range.

Additionally, the lighter

weight is highlighted with a 'lighter weight bottle' roundel on the label which also emphasises the bottle's reduced carbon footprint.

Heather Jones, UK senior brand manager for Isla Negra, said the new design at its current rate of sale would represent more than 9,000kg of glass not produced each year.

Mars launches new M&M’s milk drink

Concha y Toro redesigns Isla Negra

PRODUCTS

10

McCormick launches Old Bay SEASONING giant McCormick is launching Old Bay Seasoning in the UK this summer.

Old Bay is a popular seasoning in the USA, where it has sales equivalent to £46m. In contrast, the UK’s dry seasonings market is worth £53m, according to the supplier.

It is a blend of 14 herbs and spices which is appropriate for a wide range of dishes, including burgers, chicken, seafood, chips, popcorn and pasta, making it a versatile ingredient for cooks of all levels.

It will be available in fully recyclable 75g tins at an RRP of £2.99, �irst launching in Morrisons, Ocado and Amazon from June before a wider rollout later this year.

Chris Nelson, vice president of marketing EMEA at McCormick, said: “We have been inundated with requests from food fans over the past few years to bring this iconic seasoning to British kitchens, so we are excited to introduce McCormick’s most loved brand into the UK market.

“Old Bay is versatile, and its �lavour is impossible to replicate. Its launch will signi�icantly contribute to continued category growth

CONFECTIONERY wholesaler Hancocks has launched a range of Minions-branded sweets ahead of the release of the new �ilm Minions: The Rise of Gru on 1 July.

Among the releases are three types of fruit-�lavoured Minion-shaped jelly sweets – Minions Original, Positive Vibes Only and the vegan Minions Peace – each available in 200g share bags.

Minions Peace and Origi-

nal also come in 3kg bulk bags.

The wholesaler has also launched four Minion Pez dispensers with banana�lavoured re�ills.

Chris Smith, marketing communications manager at Hancocks said: “These novelty treats will de�initely be this summer’s hit because as soon as the �ilm hits the cinemas, the Minions craze will be in full swing.”

JASPER HART

and boost retailer sales at a time when home cooking is booming.”

The supplier will support the launch with digital, instore and sampling activity.

Hancocks launches Minions sweets range

McCain’s new creative director MCCAIN has named RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Baga Chipz as its �irst ever creative director as part of its new ‘Anything goes’ campaign.

As part of the partnership, the self-proclaimed Queen of Chips is tasked with elevating midweek meals and sharing her own take on classic chip dishes such as the chip butty and potato smiles and beans.

Baga has also been sharing promotional videos on her Instagram page as part of the campaign.

Mark Hodge, marketing

director at McCain, said: “With Baga’s support, we really want to highlight that any meal can be exciting when you invite McCain onto the plate – through our new series of social videos.”

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

New Smirnoff Berry Burst launched DIAGEO is adding Smirnoff Berry Burst to its �lavoured vodka range.

The new variety will be available across the off-trade and on-trade from September, having initially launched in Morrisons on 20 June.

Its launch comes as the �lavoured vodka segment is growing in the off-trade at 70%. Additionally, four in 10 bottles of vodka sold in the off-trade are Smirnoff, according to retail data company Dunnhumby.

Nick Payman, head of Smirnoff GB at Diageo, said: “Smirnoff Berry Burst is a bold new variety that taps into trending berry �lavours

and is the perfect accompaniment for key social occasions – it’s a great addition to our range following the launches of Smirnoff Raspberry Crush and Smirnoff Mango & Passionfruit Twist.”

COCA-COLA Europaci�ic Partners has announced a new on-pack promotion across Coca-Cola Original Taste and Zero Sugar offering top music-related prizes.

Until 31 August, shoppers can scan QR codes on promotional packs for a chance to win prizes and enter prize draws. Prizes include tickets to top UK and European festivals, Ticketmaster gift cards, music subscriptions and merchandise.

The promotion is running across 250ml and 330ml cans and 500ml PET bottles of Coca-Cola Original Taste and Zero Sugar.

It comes as Coca-Cola remains the UK’s numberone soft drinks brand, having

delivered £65.3m of value growth in the past year.

SUNTORY Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has con�irmed that all of its on-thego 500ml bottles, bar the cap and label, will be made from 100% rPET by the end of the year.

This includes Lucozade Sport, Lucozade Energy, Orangina and Ribena bottles.

The supplier has made the commitment despite rising costs. Currently, rPET

is 39% more expensive in Europe compared to virgin PET, but it has, on average, a 79% lower carbon footprint.

SBF GB&I estimates the switch to rPET will see a reduction in 36,058 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Its Lucozade Sport, Orangina and Ribena bottles are already 100% rPET, but the supplier wants to meet this level with Lucozade Energy bottles as well.

Coca-Cola on-pack music promotion

SBF GB&I hits recycling targets

New low-cal Fibre One doughnuts GENERAL Mills has expanded its Fibre One 90 Calorie range with the launch of Fibre One 90 Calorie Doughnuts.

Available in Chocolate and Strawberry & Cream varieties, the range consists of doughnuts coated in a �lavoured topping and sprinkles.

They are high in �ibre and are meant as a ‘permissible treat’ snack offering functional bene�its to consumers.

Fibre One 90 Calorie Doughnuts are available to convenience and wholesale later this summer, having launched in Tesco on 27 June.

The supplier is supporting the launch with a £1.5m marketing campaign including outdoor, social media, on-demand and in�luencer activity in bursts in autumn 2022 and spring 2023.

CANNED fruit brand Del Monte has partnered with British number one men’s singles tennis player Cameron Norrie.

The partnership is Del Monte’s �irst with a speci�ic sportsperson, supplementing its ongoing sponsorship of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA).

As part of the collaboration, Norrie is participating in a series of promotional activities including national media interviews and a social media campaign.

The social media campaign includes a competition running on Del Monte’s Instagram and Facebook accounts offering one winner two LTA tournament tickets,

a supply of Del Monte products and a meet-and-greet with Norrie.

He will also share tips on how shoppers can incorporate more fruit in their diets.

KP Snacks has teamed up with Bestway for the second year running to offer retailers the opportunity to win a VIP experience at cricket tournament The Hundred.

The experience includes tickets for eight to The Hundred �inal at Lords cricket ground on 3 September, access to an executive box with hospitality, travel and accommodation expenses.

There are also 20 runnersup prizes of £100 stock vouchers.

Retailers are entered into a prize draw every time they buy six of the eight Hundred featured brands at Bestway in any format between 19 June and 8 August.

The eight KP brands sponsoring The Hundred are Popchips, Butterkist, PomBear, Tyrrells, KP Nuts, Hula Hoops, McCoy’s and Skips.

Del Monte sponsors UK tennis star

KP offers cricket prizes for retailers

11

Broadland launches Twistea RTD BROADLAND Drinks has launched Twistea, an alcoholic cold brew tea RTD. The range is launching in four varieties: Blood Orange & Mandarin, White Peach & Mango, Lemon & Lime and Rhubarb & Ginger. Each variety is vegan and contains 89 calories per 250ml can.

Twistea is among the �irst alcoholic tea launches in the UK. The category has seen success in the USA, where it is worth $528m (£430m) and is predicted to double in size by 2024.

According to the supplier, millennial drinkers are looking for lighter alcoholic drinks that are less sweet

than current RTDs which still deliver on taste. There is also an established iced tea customer base, with 62% of 18-to-24 year-olds consuming iced tea.

HÄAGEN-DAZS has launched ‘The ice cream of ice creams’ campaign with the aim of driving category growth across key global markets, including the UK. It will aim to drive excitement through a series of playful adverts, which demonstrate how the brand’s ice cream can bring consumers moments of joy.

TV and video-on-demand ads are running across Sky, ITV and Channel 4, supported by social media activity and collaboration with in�luencers.

Jose Alves, marketing manager at Häagen-Dazs UK, said: “Our new campaign showcases the value of premium ice cream experiences

in an over-the-top, playful way, which builds on our iconic brand identity.”

RITTER Sport has brought back its limited-edition Taste The World chocolate range for the summer with the addition of two new varieties.

The range features returning White Mango Passion Fruit alongside new launches Salted Caramel and Cherry & Almond.

The three �lavours are inspired by Costa Rica, Southwest America and Japan respectively.

They are available until September from wholesalers including Dhamecha, Bestway, Rayburn, CJ Lang, Filshill and more.

Ben Daniels, managing director at Ritter Sport UK & Ireland, said: “Our seasonaledition Taste The World

range continues to perform really well, with the range garnering huge interest on social media each year.”

‘The ice cream of ice creams’

Ritter relaunches limited range

OPINION

12

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS

What do you think? Call Retail Express on 020 7689 3358 for the chance to be featured

COMING UP IN THE 8 JULY ISSUE OF RN

FUEL: How has the increase in petrol prices affected your business?

“I’M seeing an increase and it’s having an impact because I do some cash and carry runs in my own van. However, it’s a cost I can’t really control. I’m mitigating the impact by combining visits whenever I need to go into town. If I do a cash and carry run, I’ll combine that with a visit to my accountant.”

Key contacts for your business: who they are and how to get the support you need for your business

Ken Singh, BB Nevison Superstores, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

“I’M now paying £135 to fill the van up to full with petrol, whereas last year the cost of fuel was around £80. Where am I going to offset the costs?

I can’t because it’s an essential cost that I need to run my business and it’s just another impact of inflation and other rising cost pressures across the industry.”

Alan Mannings, Shop on the Green, Chartham, Kent

+ Healthier lifestyles: how you can react to changes in customer eating and drinking

I’m now paying £135 to fill my van up

Pricewatch: see what other retailers are charging for cola and carbonates and boost your own profits

TOBACCO: Would increasing the legal age of sale affect your sales?

At RN, our content is data-led and informed by those on the shop floor

3,451 retailers’ sales data analysed for every issue

69+ unique retailers spoken to every month

71% of RN’s news stories are exclusive

The government should invest in education

betterRetailing.com/subscribe

Suleman Khonat, Burnley Road News, Blackburn, Lancs

“ALTHOUGH the legal age of sale for cigarettes alongside lottery and alcohol is 18, I have an under-25 ID policy to safeguard the business. In terms of my shop, I operate in a community where I get to know people and they have been regularly asked to show ID.” Jason Birks, Moscis Ltd, Durham

ENVIRONMENT: How are you being more sustainable?

“WE are considering installing solar panels and evaluating the weekly cost. We have reviewed and changed the temperatures of our chillers, so they are still compliant, but less cold than before. Lastly, we have completely switched to LED lights.”

Hemanshu Patel, Saltwood General Stores, Hythe, Kent

“WE don’t have many opportunities to improve sustainability. However, as we do a lot of home news deliveries, we have taken some steps on that front.

We are trying to reduce carbon footprint by sending out fewer vans by fully using their load capacity.”

Trevor Whitehouse, Court News Ltd, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

We are considering installing solar panels INFLATION: Are your margins being squeezed on core products?

STAY INFORMED AND GET AHEAD WITH RN ORDER YOUR COPY from your magazine wholesaler today or contact Kate Daw on 020 7689 3363

“IT’S going to be even more difficult for staff to identify people aged 21. There’s no need because as far as I know the number of people smoking is not increasing – it’s as it was.

The government should be putting the money into education not legislation.”

It’s a juggling act to price reasonably

“STAPLE products are constantly going up and our margins have been squeezed overall by about 12%. Inflation has had a significant impact on milk, bread and flour price rises. Customers are not buying as much as they used to, and they go to the supermarkets instead.”

Sudesh Patel, Coulsdon Londis in South London

“OUR margins have dipped by 8%-12% overall. Newspapers prices have gone up in the past few months and our margins have been reduced. Milk, flour and frying oil prices have seen a significant hike. It’s a juggling act, as we need to price these products reasonably for our customers.”

Hetal Patel, HRDV News Maidenhead, Berkshire

Exclusively for Retail Express readers… betterRetailing Resource betterRetailing Resource is a dedicated insert featuring the products and services you need for your store. The easy-to-use format means you can quickly and easily find the products and business solutions you are looking for.

Look out fo r your copy with t he 26 July issu e of Retail Ex press

For more information, please contact Kate Daw on kate.daw@newtrade.co.uk or 020 3871 6490

LETTERS

14

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

Stop sophie One Kibble Bank, towers Burnley

Letters may be edited

Your store can always be more accessible

‘Ferrero hasn’t refunded me over product recall’ I’VE been thinking about stopping the sale of Ferrero products in my store after they have failed to refund me for stock that was recalled in a salmonella scare earlier this year.

We stocked a number of Kinder eggs which were taken off sale.

After two weeks, they asked me to provide a name

and address to process the refund, but nothing turned up. I chased them after three-to-four weeks, and still had no response at all.

It’s been almost four months and I can’t get anywhere with them.

I don’t know what to do.

The price for the affected box of recalled products was £37.

We don’t have any visits from reps, so we can’t raise the issue with anybody in person.

Someone does come into the shop sometimes, but it’s usually twice every quarter.

Hardik Patel, Swan News and Off Licence, Stockwell

A spokesperson for Ferrero

responded: “We are truly sorry that Mr Patel has not experienced the customer service he deserves. Our team have been in contact with him directly to process the refund and thank him for his ongoing support. We remain grateful to all our customers who have worked closely with us on this unprecedented situation.”

COMMUNITY RETAILER

OF THE WEEK

WIN a KP Snacks prize bundle

TO celebrate KP Snacks being the official team partner of The Hundred for the second year running, following the tournament’s successful launch in 2021, the supplier has partnered with Retail Express to offer five readers the chance to win £50-worth of KP Snacks stock, a branded water bottle and pen, and a bat and a ball.

TO ENTER Fill in your details at:

betterRetailing.com/competitions This competition closes on 26 July 2022.

Editor’s decision is final.

Christine Hope, Hopes of Longtown, Hereford – @HopesofLongtown

‘I wanted to portray retailers positively’

A FEW weeks ago, I appeared as a guest on a Sunday Times podcast, with a dairy farmer arguing in favour of independent retailers. It was an interesting experience and I wanted to portray independent retailers in a positive light. The show was about the price of milk from the farmer’s perspective versus the retailer. I explained that we can’t absorb price increases and we have to pass them on to make a living ourselves. I felt like everyone on the show made a good case for price increases and the impact on the consumer at the end.

ONE of my stores is laid out to meet the needs of customers with disabilities, in particular people with wheelchairs. We have a ramp up to the main door, which is wide enough. In front of the counter, there’s enough space for a wheelchair to do a full turn, and space so customers won’t feel under pressure if there’s a queue behind them. This extra space is also Each issue, one of seven top important for people retailers shares advice to with pushchairs. make your store magnificent Behind the till, there’s enough space for a wheelchair-using member of staff and the till is at the appropriate level for ease of access. It’s the same for the aisles. Our aisles are wide enough for a wheelchair or pushchair to go down and we watch out for shelf edges and barkers that stick out as an arm or leg could catch on them and cause injury. We’re mindful of what’s on the shelf and how far items stick out.

You need to walk the shop from the perspective of a customer and make sure everything is accessible.

It’s not possible to lay out my other store like that. It has a heritage shop front to fit with planning so there’s a step leading into the shop. We have a sign which says, ‘Please let a member of staff know if you require any help to enter the store’. The staff have a ramp that they put out so people are able to enter the store. In this shop there is also a turning circle in front of the till.

Although the aisles are extremely narrow making pushchair use and wheelchair access more challenging for people we have signs up that say, ‘please let us know if you need help’ and staff will happily shop for the customer.

It’s about getting that friendly atmosphere in place where people feel comfortable to ask for help. A part of staff training is helping them to be mindful of customers and knowing the signs to look for when a customer may need help. Good customer service really.

That’s a place where we can thrive against supermarkets and use to our advantage.

Another great opportunity for retailers and their staff is to access the Dementia Friend training for free. The charity has volunteers who will go through the training with you either in store or by zoom. I’ve attended a couple of sessions over the years, it helped me and my staff to understand dementia and think about ways we can be more supportive.

It would be great if more retailers could access this or even organise one for your local community. My staff who have completed the training told me its made a huge difference to the way the approach people. They’ve learned ways they can support people that they wouldn’t have thought about before the training and they feel more confident now.

Get in touch

@retailexpress betterRetailing.com facebook.com/betterRetailing alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3358

CORE IN YOUR STORE INTRODUCTION

16

STOCKING STORE ESSENTIALS Having a core range is essential, but what are the top products to include?

The RETAIL EXPRESS team reports

beyond to find lines that will inspire and attract customers.

At the heart of any store, however, is its core lines. Just as the majority of sales in a certain category will often come from only a handful of products, so too can we say that there are certain categories that are the core drivers of footfall and spend. They are essential purchases for many customers and, as a result, essential lines for stores. So, ensuring you are stocking the right core range in the right

E R CO GES N A R THE innovation seen within the independent convenience channel is nothing short of incredible, with retailers going above and

place is one of the most important things for retailers to consider.

That is why the next 11 pages will be full of ranging, merchandising and promotional advice on these core categories from leading suppliers.

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I will focus on that crucial component of a store’s offer: soft drinks, while Red Bull will hone in further within the category to explore the role of energy drinks in convenience stores.

BAT UK will look at nextgeneration nicotine, a category that continues to grow in importance. Advice

about packet mixes will be provided by Schwartz, while Weetabix will offer insights into cereals. Warburtons will provide retailers with a better understanding of the wrapped bakery category.

In addition, Kepak offers guidance on how retailers can take advantage of the popularity of chilled ready meals, while the crisps and snacks category will be covered by KP Snacks.

For advice on ready-todrink alcohol and spirits, such as Malibu, retailers can look to Pernod Ricard UK. Finally, Perfetti Van Melle will cover confectionery and the opportunities within it.

CORE IN YOUR STORE SBF GB&I

TOP PERFORMERS • Lucozade Energy Orange 380ml • Lucozade Sport Orange 500ml • Lucozade Energy Original 380ml

In partnership with

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

17

Soft drinks

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN SOFT DRINKS? ONE in four shoppers are consuming more soft drinks and £143m1 has been added to the category through increased multipack sales during lockdown, so it’s crucial stores understand these trends and cater for changing habits to continue to see category growth.

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has developed a strategy that breaks down the soft drinks category into four consumer need states: Enjoyable Refreshment, Uplift & Energise, Special Moments and Positive Choices.

Retailers need to have drinks that cater to all of these to maximise sales. The key pillars are to have the right pack, in the right place, for the right occasion.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK SBF GB&I PRODUCTS?

10

Simple steps to sales success

SBF GB&I has looked at what 10 favourites, including Lucozade Energy Orange, Original, Wild Cherry and Apple Blast, Lucozade Alert, Lucozade Sport, Ribena Blackcurrant, Light and Sparkling 330ml cans, can bring to convenience retailers. These favourites alone are worth more than £72m2 to convenience stores across the UK, making them crucial for retailers to stock.

With the implementation of the new HFSS rules looming, SBF GB&I’s favourite soft drinks brands are HFSS-compliant, so retailers can stock all the drinks in their range wherever they choose in store to continue to maximise impulse sales.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM SOFT DRINKS? FLOW your products by category. The quicker shoppers can find something in store, the more they’re going to spend.

Keep key brands cold and it’s vital to make sure the key brands consumers are looking for most often are displayed at ‘eye level’ within the chiller.

Hook onto growing trends. Cans are performing well, and stimulation is driving the soft drinks category. Retailers should make sure these drinks – such as Lucozade Alert – are easy to find.

th e SBF GB&I range are wor * These favourites from th ross the UK ac es or st e nc ie en nv co more than £72M to ice of these sales! sl ur yo on t ou s is m n’t Do

Lucozade Energy & Lucozade Alert: Vitamin B3 helps reduce tiredness.

Light: 80% fewer calories than most regular soft drinks. *Nielsen, GB Total Coverage Wholesale, Price-marked packs, MAT Value w/e 29.01.22.

Nielsen, GB Total Coverage Wholesale, Price-marked packs, MAT Value w/e 02.04.22

Dunnhumby data, w/e 18.10.21, 2Nielsen, Total Soft Drinks Market, Price-marked packs, MAT w/e 29.01.22; ACS Local Shop Report 2021

1

**Recommended retail price. LUCOZADE ENERGY, LUCOZADE SPORT and the Ard device and registered trade marks of Lucozade Ribena Suntory Ltd. Ribena is a registered trade mark.

CORE IN YOUR STORE BAT UK

18

TOP PERFORMERS • Velo Freeze 11mg • Velo Ice Cool 10mg • Velo Polar Mint 6mg

In partnership with

Next-gen

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN NEXT-GEN? THE nicotine market continues to diversify, and over the past 18 months has seen growth in the vaping and oral nicotine pouches segments. Alternative nicotine products offer increasingly attractive choices to consumers looking for options that suit their changing lifestyles.

The pouches category is already known for innovation and where the buzzword continues to be variety – of product choice, strength and flavours. Convenience retailers should expect to see the number of adult nicotine consumers asking about alternative nicotine products to keep rising.

It’s a prime time to build consumer loyalty and grow sales.

CAN WE REALLY

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK VELO AND VUSE?

YES WE CAN

CLAIM THIS CAN IS THE MODERN WAY TO CONSUME NICOTINE?

PRODUCTS such as Vuse and Velo provide adult consumers with alternative nicotine choices. They offer innovative products that meet changing preferences, including an increasingly broad range of flavour and strength options.

Adult consumers also prize the on-the-go convenience offered by nicotine pouches such as Velo. Velo was also recently voted the Product of the Year for innovation in a Kantar consumer survey.

The Vuse closed-system vaping product is increasingly popular and has had steady growth over the past year in a category that continues to expand1.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM NEXT-GEN? IT’S vital for retailers to stock a broad range of the products consumers want – and keep availability high. Adult nicotine consumers will go elsewhere if they can’t get their preferred products. To make the most of the opportunity in the category, retailers should give adult customers access to a full, clearly priced product range in store, across key categories, at all times.

BAT UK continues to educate retailers on the variety and range of its alternative nicotine products, including Velo, so they can help adult consumers. They offer a range of promotions and discounts. Retailers should ask their BAT UK representative about the range of promotions and discounts on offer, as well as the sales platform, My BAT Rewards, to keep themselves and their teams up to date.

Reg Vapers Mn, Kantar Incidence results, w2 2021

1

EMPTY CAN AND RECYCLE

NICOTINE POUCHES

YOU’VE GOT VELO VELO.COM/FREE-CAN

This product contains nicotine and is addictive.

For adult nicotine consumers only. For trade use only.

Winner Nicotine Pouch Category.

Survey of 9,897 people by Kantar.

CORE IN YOUR STORE KEPAK

TOP PERFORMERS • Rustlers Quarter Pounder • Rustlers All Day Breakfast Sausage Muffin • Rustlers Southern Fried Chicken Sub • Rustlers BBQ Rib

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN CHILLED READY MEALS? AS well as offering a ‘core4’ range worth more than £12m to the convenience channel, Kepak continues to evolve its Rustlers offering, adding new products which enable retailers to capitalise on trends. For example, retailers can capitalise on the 11% growth of the morning goods market with the launch of Rustlers All Day Breakfast Pancakes which rolled out in May. With 77 million fewer lunches eaten at home as we continue to return to work following the pandemic, Kepak offers a range of Rustlers ‘Cook in Box’ products, specifically designed for the growing food to go market.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK KEPAK’S PRODUCTS? IN a category dominated by own label, and against the backdrop of record sales in 2020, Kepak continues to drive growth, reporting an 8% growth. Rustlers is worth £108.7m, with two packs sold every second in the UK. With 91% of shoppers buying chilled ready meals and one in three regularly buying branded options, Rustlers helps retailers meet demand for convenient solutions that cater to food-to-go, top-up and meal-for-tonight missions.

The brand works closely with independent retailers to offer advice and practical support on areas including merchandising, recommended ranges and food-to-go solutions though its field sales team and dedicated trade website – which also hosts free PoS downloads and tailored planograms: kepaktrade.co.uk.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM CHILLED READY MEALS? OPTIMISE space for bestsellers with multiples facings to ensure products are in stock throughout the day – especially during peak consumption times.

Also, make it as easy as possible for shoppers to find products by siting PoS at fixture and offer a range of products with prices to suit all budgets. Up-weight basket spend by offering cross-category promotions at fixture and encouraging shoppers to trade up with ‘good, better, best’ options.

In partnership with

Chilled ready meals

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

19

20

CORE IN YOUR STORE KP SNACKS

TOP PERFORMERS • McCoy’s Sizzling King Prawn £1 PMP • Hula Hoops Big Hoops BBQ Beef £1 PMP • KP Nuts £1 PMP range

In partnership with

Crisps & snacks DRIVE YOUR SALES WITH KP SNACKS £1 PMP RANGE

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN CRISPS AND SNACKS? PRICE-MARKED packs (PMP) are worth £262.9m1 in the crisps, snacks and nuts (CSN) category. Eighty-two per cent of retailers say £1 PMPs are must-stocks2 as 40% of snack shoppers say they are more likely to buy PMPs3.

PMPs cater for several missions, such as hunger4.

As recessionary conditions prevail, the role of category leaders and large brands will become increasingly important as shoppers turn to brands they trust, with 42% of CSN sales going through the top five brands5.

24

Ps £1 PM

SH MORE CAOM A R F BACK

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK KP SNACKS PRODUCTS?

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM CRISPS AND SNACKS? TO MAXIMISE sales, retailers should engage shoppers by stocking new products and classic favourites in PMP formats, capitalising on consumer trust and excitement.

Retailers should stock up on PMPs to drive impulse sales, with PMPs accounting for 49% of all bagged snack sales in impulse6 and responsible for 68% of bagged snack sales7.

SN

*NeilsonIQ, Total coverage, Value Sales, MAT 29.01.2022, †NeilsonIQ, Total impulse, Total £1pmp sharing, MAT 29.01.22, **NeilsonIQ, Total coverage, Bag Snacks, Value sales, MAT 29.01.2022

KP SNACKS helps retailers by ensuring they offer the right product range in the right formats, boosted with the right promotions and in-store merchandising. Worth £76m and growing in value at 9.4% year on year, the KP Snacks PMP range offers an extension range of products with 24 £1 PMP lines, and a wide range of price-marked singles designed to excite shoppers and drive impulse purchases for retailers. Stocking high-performing brands such as McCoy’s and Hula Hoops Big Hoops drives purchases based on popularity and trust.

W N£E 1 PMP

E VAT AFCRKE!

Even more variety from our most loved brands!

W N£E 1 PMP

GROWING AT +13.6% YOY!

†

THE UK’S

NO.1

NUTS BRAND! *

THE UK'S NO.1 RIDGE CUT CRISP

*

KP SNACKS WINNER OF 90 GREAT TASTE AWARDS

THE NO.1 DRIVER

OF THE BAGGED SNACKS CATEGORY

THE UK'S NO.1 POPCORN BRAND *

**

THE UK'S

THE UK'S

PRETZEL BRAND*

FOR PRAW* COCKTAIL

NO.1

Nielsen IQ, Total Impulse, Total PMPs Value, MAT 23.04.22, HIM CTP 2019, 3HIM Wholesale Report 2019, 4Lumina Intelligence July 2021, 5Nielsen IQ, Total Coverage, Total Value, MAT 26.03.22, 6Nielsen IQ, Total Impulse, Bagged Snacks Total Sales, MAT 29.01.22, 7Lumina 12wks to w/c 24.05.21

1

NO.1 N

THE UK’S NO.1

‘BETTER FOR YOU’

SHARING CRISP BRAND *

STOCK UP NOW FOR BIGGER SNAC

2

11031 RE Mini page £1 range ad.indd 1

KPROFITS 10/05/2022 18:04

CORE IN YOUR STORE PERNOD RICARD UK

TOP PERFORMERS • Malibu Coconut • Malibu Watermelon • Malibu Pineapple RTD • Malibu Pina Colada RTD

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN SPIRITS? MALIBU is the UK’s number-one coconut rum brand and over the past two years, it has gone from strength to strength, despite challenging Covid-19 conditions, as consumers turned to trusted brands and at-home cocktail making, making Malibu the nation’s not-so-guilty pleasure.

The range has grown over the past few years and while Malibu Coconut continues to drive over half of the brand’s volume, Malibu Watermelon, Passionfruit and readyto-drinks (RTD) have allowed the brand to tap into the growing flavour trend and recruit a younger 18-to-25-yearold shopper into the category.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK MALIBU? IN June, Malibu is launching a new global campaign called ‘Do whatever tastes good’, which will run throughout summer.

The colour-drenched campaign film introduces a new energy, confidence and year-round summer vibe to the popular drink, encouraging everyone to embrace the summer mindset and ‘Do whatever tastes good’, because life is too short to not do what you want, whenever you want.

It features a wide range of ways to enjoy Malibu, from refreshing cocktails to flavours and RTD serves. The film will be supported by an integrated campaign running across online, digital and out-of-home. The brand campaign will also be amplified through media, experiential activity, festivals and branded merchandise.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM SPIRITS? MALIBU is growing by 62% vs two years ago in the impulse channel, demonstrating the increasing popularity of the brand. Retailers should therefore display Malibu products together to ensure customers are aware of its availability, and it is critical to offer the full range and maintain strong on-shelf visibility to drive sales.

Music and festivals are big passion points for the young adult audience, so, over the summer period, display Malibu RTDs prominently in store to tap into the occasion.

Retailers can speak to their local Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK) representative for further merchandising advice.

For more information on Malibu and other PRUK products, speak to your local PRUK representative

In partnership with

Liqueurs & specialities

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

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22

CORE IN YOUR STORE PERFETTI VAN MELLE

TOP PERFORMERS • Mentos Pure Fresh Tropical Gum 24x15g • Mentos Pure Fresh Cherry Gum 24x15g • Mentos Pure Fresh Bubble Fresh Gum 24x15.5g

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN SUGAR CONFECTIONERY?

In partnership with

Sugar confectionery Make sweet profits with

FLAVOUR is king when it comes to refreshment, and fruit flavours are new and unconventional. They introduce alternative occasions and attract teenage and young adult shoppers by providing a point of difference and bring a sense of indulgence to refreshment. The sugar-free aspect caters to health-conscious consumers, too.

Consumers with specific dietary requirements often seek familiar treats and snacks and want to find trusted brands, such as Fruittella. Perfetti Van Melle recently launched a Fruittella gelatine-free range, which is vegan and now worth £1.52m1.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK PVM PRODUCTS? PERFETTI Van Melle is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of confectionery and chewing gum, with products and brands in more than 150 countries worldwide. Confectionery remains one of the top impulse purchases within convenience stores.

This puts Perfetti Van Melle in a prime position to give consumers affordable sweet treats to brighten their lives, offering retailers a compelling sales generator.

Smint, the fastest-growing mint brand in the UK2 , and Mentos, the global number-three candy brand3, are muststock impulse brands to drive category sales. Smint is currently the largest mint brand with a 100% sugar-free range in the UK4.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM CONFECTIONERY?

Grow your confectionery sales Chances to win monthly and quarterly cash prizes Join the 4,500+ retailers who have already signed up

“It’s already helped us to grow our sales in such a short period of time” Samual, Valley Convenience Store Manager and the latest winner of a £1,000 Buy A Gift Voucher

scan the QR Code to access a digital copy of the membership brochure

CONSIDER stocking a variety of flavours, textures and formats to offer choice in the leading brands – they provide peace of mind and always sell first.

Invigorate your shoppers’ store journey by crossmerchandising mints and gum with drinks and snacks to refresh your on-the-go proposition. Include sugar-free products in your offering – mints and gum are not exempt from the rise of the health-conscious consumer.

IRI All Outlets, 52 w/e 04.12.21, 2IRI Sugar Confectionery, Value Sales % vs YA, 52 w/e 19.02.22, All Outlets. Brands with <15% CWD excluded, 3Euromonitor 2020, 4IRI Unify, Mint Sweets Category, Share of Sugar Free by brand, Value Sales, 52 weeks to 17.07.21 1

For further detail please contact the team at Mercieca E: perfettivanmelle@mercieca.co.uk

CORE IN YOUR STORE WARBURTONS

TOP PERFORMERS • Warburtons 6 Crumpets • Warburtons 6 Plain Thin Bagels • Warburtons Wholemeal Pittas

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN WRAPPED BAKERY? WRAPPED bakery is a key footfall driver for convenience stores1 and wrapped bread plays a vital role as part of the top up shop helping to drive shoppers into store1. Seeded and premium loaves are driving the most growth2, so offering additional range and space for these is essential.

Other wrapped bakery products, such as bagels, crumpets, pittas and rolls, are impulse driven and all drive growth for convenience stores2. Adding in range and space for these areas is also key to future-proofing the category.

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

In partnership with

Wrapped bakery STOCK the UK’s No.1

WRAPPED Bakery

Brand 1

No

Bran.1 in d Crum pets 1

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK WARBURTONS PRODUCTS? THE Warburtons product range meets different meal occasions, like the everyday occasion. To meet this mission, retailers could stock Warburtons Toastie 800g, but can also meet treat occasions with more premium loaves, such as Warburtons Tiger 600g, Seeded Batch 800g and its new seeded loaves, The Big 21, Make it Grain and Plant Power.

Warburtons also offers others wrapped bakery products, such as crumpets, bagels and rolls, which appeal to a wider audience and are more impulse driven.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM WRAPPED BAKERY? REMOVE duplication in range and brands across declining sectors such as white bread, allowing for more space for growing categories, like seeded bread, premium loaves and other wrapped bakery2. Positioning recognisable brands at eye-level can help shoppers locate the fixture more easily, too.

Use off-fixture displays for impulsive buys to drive extra sales into the category. Products such as crumpets, bagels and pittas are impulse driven and build shoppers’ basket spend3.

Lumina Intelligence, CTP 2021, 2Based on Nielsen IQ RMS Data for the Total Wrapped Bakery Category, for the 52-week period ending 23.04.22, for the UK Total Market including Discounters, Unit & Value sales vs 2YA, 3Shopper Intelligence, 2020 1

.1d Nro n a

B IN in TH E G BA LS

1

No.1

Brand in PITTAS

1

1. Based on Nielsen IQ RMS Data for the Total Wrapped Bakery Category, for the 52 week period ending 23.04.22, for the UK Total Market including Discounters, Unit Sales (Copyright@ 2020, NielsenIQ).

23

CORE IN YOUR STORE SCHWARTZ

24

Packet mixes

TOP PERFORMERS • Schwartz Creamy Pepper • Schwartz Cheese Sauce • Schwartz Chili Con Carne

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN PACKET MIXES? WITH sales increasing by 6% in value in the past two years1, packet mixes since Covid-19 have been among the fastestgrowing categories. This is due to shoppers’ increased demand for quick and easy meal solutions, while helping to inspire and vary their weekly dishes – especially as shoppers look to lead healthier lifestyles.

The category is currently worth £130m and the top 10 lines represent 46% of category sales. Sales in convenience stores for packet mixes have increased by 24%2, with strong demand and focus on the core range being a key driver of this growth. Retailers should make sure to include a wide range of packet mixes to capitalise on the opportunity.

No.1

RECIPE MI BRAND INX THE UK *

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK SCHWARTZ?

Stock the range and make a packet!

SCHWARTZ is the market leader in recipe and packet mixes, growing by 162% in convenience stores3, delivering £44m in retail sales. The entire range moved into a new recyclable pack format in 2021, reducing the amount of waste going into landfill, coupled with a new pack design giving each range standout on shelf.

The brand continues to drive growth with new products, including One Pan, Wrap It and Wok It tapping into new changing consumer eating occasions, delivering improved convenience and great taste – the two key needs of consumers in this category.

Schwartz’s innovation pipeline ensures customers keep returning to the fixture for inspirational meal ideas.

Stock recipe mixes from the market leader...

+162%

#1

YOY**

43%

OF ALL

+6%

SCHWARTZ MIXES

CATEGORY VALUE**

SALES IN IMPULSE

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM PACKET MIXES?

YOY**

THE top 10 lines within the packet mixes category represent 46% of category sales, so having the key popular core lines at eye level is key for this planned purchase. Retailers should group by segment, protein types and usage, like recipe mixes, pour-overs and bags, then by brand. This is so shoppers can find choice and alternatives. Offer meal solutions using PoS or display cross-category features with other key ingredients to boost sales and spend.

Retailers should also list new products and more sophisticated flavours to drive repertoire, trade up, but also appeal to younger families.

le inab y susta an most od comp o lf a b lo g ***

70% of Schwartz sales come from our Top 10 Visit www.schartz.co.uk/get-in-touch Source: *Nielsen MAT Jan 22, **Nielsen Convenience 29th Jan 22 MAT vs 2YGO, ***Corporate Knights Global 100 Sustainability index McCormick is #1 in foods products

Nielsen Feb 22, 2Nielsen Feb 2022 vs 2020, 3Nielsen Feb 2022 MAT vs 2YGO

1

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

In partnership with

TOP PERFORMERS • Schwartz Oregano • Schwartz Cinnamon • Schwartz Cajun

Herbs and spices +20 %

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN HERBS AND SPICES?

YOY *

GROWTH

THE herbs and spices category is performing strongly, growing by 14% and worth £258m1. This is due to 24% more in-home occasions happening compared with prelockdown2. As a result, cooking from scratch and batch cooking benefitted from this, and more people are cooking at home for lunches and dinner occasions.

Eighty-four per cent of the UK population have been buying into the category, which grew by 2.6% vs 20202.

Sales for herbs and spices in impulse have increased by 16% versus 20203 with strong demand and focus on the core range as people increased frequency in this channel to top-up their core staples.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK SCHWARTZ?

Stock the right ingredients for tasty sales!

SIMILAR to packet mixes, Schwartz is the market leader for herbs and spices, and is growing by 20% versus 2020 in convenience stores3. Schwartz also delivered £53m retail sales with the top 18 lines representing 50% of Schwartz’s total sales.

Schwartz is among some of the UK’s favourite brands used to flavour food. There’s so much to be said about the joy shoppers get from cooking and baking, experimenting, discovering new flavours, new sensations, often coming together with our loved ones to prepare and savour the end result. It’s these moments Schwartz is there for, helping consumers create moments that matter, powered by flavour and food.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM HERBS AND SPICES? CONVENIENCE retailers need to focus on availability for core staples, such as pepper, garlic and salt, which have been among the fastest-growing segments during Covid-19. Core segments, such as herbs and spices, are still key, seeing fast growth, driving 44% of the entire value growth.

We also saw the emergence of some emerging segments like dry seasonings with appeal to a younger shopper and smaller household, which we recommend to block on shelves. Retailers should focus on the core lines of the category.

Reasons to stock the market leader...

#1

SHORT SHELF SPACE

LONG SHELF LIFE

BIGGER SHOPPER SPEND

18 SKUS =798mm

18 MONTHS

2.5x AVERAGE*

le inab y susta an most od comp o f l a b lo g **

50% of Schwartz sales come from our top 18 Visit www.schartz.co.uk/get-in-touch *Source: Nielsen Convenience 29th Jan 2022 MAT vs 2YGO, **Corporate Knights Global 100 Sustainability index McCormick is #1 in foods products

Nielsen Feb 22 vs 2YGO, 2Kantar, 3Nielsen Feb 22

1

25

CORE IN YOUR STORE WEETABIX

26

TOP PERFORMERS • Weetabix 24’s • Weetabix 12’s • Alpen Original 550g

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN CEREAL? THE cereal category is worth more than £70m1 in the impulse sector. Big brands still lead the way, drawing shoppers to the aisle, and Weetabix is the UK’s numberone breakfast cereal brand2.

Cereal is also still the number-one breakfast product3 – it offers great value for money, which will be important to consumers in the months ahead.

As we all get out and about more, Weetabix is noticing people return to previous behaviours such as picking up a snack bar or breakfast drink on the way to work or buying breakfast with their morning coffee.

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK WEETABIX? Weetabix has launched big marketing campaigns this year for Weetabix and Ready Brek, as well as launching products including Weetos Orange Chocolatey Hoops and Oatibix Nutty Crunch.

Many independent retailers will be impacted by the upcoming HFSS legislation, due to come into effect from October. Weetabix-branded classics and kitchen-cupboard essentials are already HFSS-compliant, including its Weetabix Chocolate Crispy Minis and Weetabix Melts.

The UEFA Women’s Euros is also happening this summer and the first-ever winter FIFA World Cup. Weetabix will be launching more on-pack footballs campaigns for Weetabix as part of its partnerships with the Football Associations of the home nations.

Cereal GROW YOUR

CEREAL SALES WITH 1. Must stock lines

Weetabix 12’s

Weetabix 24’s

Weetabix Chocolate 12’s

STOCK US IN THE CHILLER

Minis Chocolate

Alpen Original

Focus on a core range of best-sellers to make it an easy choice for your customers

Nielsen 52 w/e 11.09.21 – Total Impulse, Nielsen 52 w/e 11.09.21, 3Dipsticks Consumption Tracker 2

Weetos

Put the biggest sellers on the middle shelves to help your customers find them easily

Ready brek

Weetabix On The Go

Include a range of PMP’s to help communicate value to your customers

3. 2m Planogram Make it easier for your shopper to find what they need

Family OTG & Hot Muesli and Granola Healthy Living Tasty

4. No1 Cereal products Best Sellers in Impulse Channel* *80% of total cereal sales in the market come from only 3% of products *Nielsen Total Impulse MAT 52 w/e 29th January 2022

2 metre

No1 Family Cereal - Weetabix No1 Muesli - Alpen No1 Tasty Product - Crunchy Nut No1 Porridge - Quaker Oat So Simple Sachets No1 OTG - Weetabix On The Go

Find out more at Weetabix.com 1

Alpen No Added Sugar

2. Merchandising tips

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM CEREAL? RETAILERS should ensure they’re stocking a variety of products, focused on a core range of bestsellers, including Weetabix Original, Alpen, Weetabix Minis, Weetos and Ready Brek. Multipacks continue to perform well for cereal bars and breakfast drinks, while Weetabix 12s are ideal for smaller stores.

Weetabix Original is a beacon for the category and always a must-stock. Weetabix On The Go is the UK’s number-one breakfast drink and we would recommend stocking in the ambient and chiller sections.

In partnership with

CORE IN YOUR STORE RED BULL

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS WITHIN ENERGY DRINKS?

Energy drinks

MORE CHOICES. MORE SALES. LL 250ml R BU

OVER

36m

£

S ER DELIV

WHY SHOULD RETAILERS’ STOCK RED BULL?

D

GE AN

RE

THE sports and energy category has had a steep upward trajectory in growth over the past year, worth over £17bn and totalling over £276.4m versus 20211. This growth has been fuelled by the increased demand for functional energy among shoppers. These drinks have added over £197.7m in value versus a year ago, and is now worth £1.2bn annually2.

Red Bull’s dominance within the category has been boosted by the increased demand for a functional boost since the pandemic. Shoppers desire more physical energy than ever before, seeking balance between enjoyment and practicality as well as for health3.

27

TH E

YOY

TH *

• Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml • Red Bull Energy Drink 4x250ml • Red Bull Sugar-free 250ml

In partnership with

W

TOP PERFORMERS

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

O MOST GR

RED Bull is the number-one brand in total sports and energy, growing by £85.6m versus a year ago and maintaining the second-largest absolute gain on any other sports and energy brand4. From the original energy drink 250ml, to sugar-free and zero varieties, all the way to Red Bull’s range of Editions flavours – the Red Bull core range has enabled the brand to fulfill the demand of functional energy consumers. The Red Bull core range is essential to stock to ensure wider appeal to a broad range of energy shopper behaviours.

HOW CAN RETAILERS GET THE MOST FROM ENERGY DRINKS? ENERGY consumers are brand loyal and will actively look for their drink of choice when seeking a functional boost, with 33% of consumers always seeking out their favourite brand in store regardless of their venue or situation5. With the iconic rhombus can making it stand out on shelf, Red Bull Energy Drink 250ml is the number-one single-serve drink the UK and worth over £156m to the category6, making it the essential sports and energy drink to stock.

Nielsen Scantrack Value Sales 52 wks to w/e 26.02.22, Kantar behavioural survey, n=3,628, 3Kantar Worldpanel, usage, 52 w/e 23.01.22 vs ya, % servings, Total Functional Drinks, 4Nielsen / Value / MAT 2022 w/e 26.02.22 vs YA, 5CGA | Brandtrack | Total Market | Energy & GB Consumers | Aug 21, 6 Nielsen Value Sales MAT vs YA weeks ending 26.02.22

COCONUT EDITION 250ml

SUGARFREE 250ml

ZERO 250ml

ENERGY 250ml

SUMMER EDITION 250ml

GREEN EDITION 250ml

RED EDITION 250ml

TROPICAL EDITION 250ml

RED BULL GIVES YOU WIIINGS.

1 2

*SOURCE: NIELSEN SCANTRACK, TOTAL COVERAGE, VALUE SALES, MAT W/E 29.01.22.

11973_Trade_Press_June_6_Retail_Express.indd 1

26/05/2022 16:37

CATEGORY ADVICE CUTTING PLASTIC

28

WHERE TO CUT PLASTIC TOM GOCKELEN-KOZLOWSKI outlines where retailers can reduce their plastic usage and increase recycling in store

RECYCLING YOUR PLASTICS CONVENIENCE retail – like so many parts of the modern world – needs to change its approach to and relationship with plastic. And for an industry that has relied on plastic packaging to keep products fresh and easy to carry for decades, reducing plastic usage and recycling what plastic is used will be a task that requires dedication and effort.

But it is not without rewards.

“Becoming more sustainable is important for the future of the planet, but for retailers, it can be a great way to attract new customers and retain existing footfall, as well as save money,” says

Matt Gouldsmith, channel director, wholesale, at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I). “One third of shoppers are now choosing to buy from brands they believe are doing social or environmental good, and 92% of consumers say sustainable business practices should now be standard.”

How can the industry do this? The ultimate goal for suppliers, wholesalers and retailers should be to create a circular supply chain for recycled plastic. While this terminology can sound complex, the idea itself is simple: plastic used in the packaging is collected, cleaned, recycled and

then used to create a new generation of product packaging.

And retailers, in particular, can play a crucial role. “From a recycling point of view, retailers can start by ensuring as much plastic waste as possible is recycled through council kerbside collections,” says a spokesperson for TerraCycle. “And they can even help recycle the waste councils don’t collect by signing up as public drop-off locations for TerraCycle’s free recycling programmes, or by purchasing one of our Zero Waste Boxes for the waste we don’t have a free recycling programme available for.”

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

29

WORK WITH BRANDS ONE supplier that has found an innovative way to increase the recyclability of its range is Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP). In May, the supplier announced it was introducing new, attached caps to its plastic bottles, making it easier to recycle the entire package and ensure no hard-to-recycle caps get left behind.

Production of the new bottles with attached caps began at CCEP’s site in East Kilbride site in Scotland, meaning that consumers in Scotland and the north of England will have already started to see new caps attached to 1.5l bottles of Fanta, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar

and Diet Coke. The switch is set to be completed for all plastic bottles across Coca-Cola GB’s range of brands by early 2024.

All of Coca-Cola’s bottles, including the caps, have been 100% recyclable for many years but not all are being recycled.

Bottle caps are often discarded and littered.

The new design means the cap stays connected to the bottle after opening, so the whole plastic bottle and attached cap can be recycled together reducing the potential for it to be littered while still giving consumers a positive drinking experience.

“The move is just one of the

steps we’re taking as part of our This is forward sustainability action plan, which targets six key social and environmental areas where the business has a significant impact and forms a key element of our 2040 net zero target,” said Stephen Moorhouse, general manager at CCEP. “It’s also one of many steps we’re taking towards our global commitment, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company, to help collect and recycle a bottle or can for every one that we sell by 2025, on our journey towards a World Without Waste.”

This initiative from CCEP co-

incides with PepsiCo’s launch of a major campaign for its Pepsi Max brand in September last year, highlighting that its flagship drink is now available in 100% recycled bottles.

The campaign, titled ‘Nothing tastes better than a 100% recycled bottle’, shows the company’s new 500ml and 600ml bottles.

SBF GB&I is another soft drinks giant that is taking a lead on recycling. It recently confirmed that all of its on-thego 500ml bottles (excluding the cap and label) will be made from 100% recycled polyethylene tetraphyte (rPET) plastic by the end of the year.

This includes Lucozade Sport, Lucozade Energy, Orangina and Ribena.

The company said the change would be a considerable investment as the demand for this material is pushing up costs – the European price of rPET is currently 39% more expensive compared with virgin PET. However, the company has committed to transitioning to 100% sustainable packaging by 2030 and Lucozade Sport, Orangina and Ribena bottles are already made with 100% rPET. Further supply is needed to meet this for Lucozade Energy, SBF GB&I said.

Recycled plastic has on aver-

age a 79% lower carbon footprint than virgin plastic and SBF GB&I estimates that this switch to rPET across its on-thego bottles will see a reduction of 36,058 tonnes of CO2.

Liz Nieboer, head of sustainability at SBF GB&I, says the latest changes were the result of “years of hard work”, but emphasises the need for improved recycling infrastructure as suppliers switch to greener packaging options.

“There has been a historic under investment in the UK’s recycling and collection infrastructures, meaning less than a third of bottles are turned back into bottles,” she says.

WHAT THE MULTIPLES ARE DOING IF cutting plastic seems like challenge too far in difficult times, it is worth noting that this is an area where the big multiple retailers are also focusing hard.

Earlier this month Heinz announced a project with Tesco to create a circular supply chain for its Heinz Beanz Snap Pots.

The trial, beginning in July, is set to recycle 22 tonnes of plastic.

The recyclable Heinz Beanz Snap Pots are made with 39% recycled soft plastics – one of the more difficult grades of

plastic to recycle. Until 2020 just 6% of UK soft plastics were being recycled.

“The new packaging gives our consumers an easy way to reduce their impact on the environment without having to give up the convenience of their favourite Heinz Beanz in a microwavable pot,” says Jojo de Noronha, president for Northern Europe at Heinz, said.

“What’s more, knowing that this type of plastic can now be made into useful food-grade packaging like our Snap Pots could encourage more people

to drop it off at their local collection point until more permanent recycling infrastructure for these materials is put in place, rather than adding them to landfill.”

Since May, meanwhile, supermarket Waitrose replaced the colourful blue, green and red milk bottle caps of its main own brand milk range with a clear version.

It means bottle and cap can now be recycled together and reused as food grade material, which was not possible with the coloured caps.

It could increase the amount of plastic available on the market back into the food sector by 1,560 tonnes per year.

What can be seen, then, is an industry that is fast waking up to it responsibilities when it comes to plastic waste and recycling. With considerable investment helping to transition the sector towards a circular economy, retailers who engage with this fast-changing opportunity can become beacons of sustainability in their communities. Are you ready take a lead?

SUPPLIER

VIEW

Matt Gouldsmith, Channel director for wholesale, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I • Encourage customers to recycle their soft drinks bottles wherever possible to help ensure every bottle has the best chance of becoming a bottle once again.

• By stocking popular soft drinks brands which also invest in being as sustainable as possible, retailers can make the first steps towards a more environmentally friendly range that will drive long-term sales success.

Not only will this help retailers make changes to their store, but it is crucial to appeal to what the shoppers want and are looking for.

• Communicating directly with shoppers on the work you’re doing is key. Sustainability is a key part of every school curriculum now, and so offering up help to local organisations that show how seriously you’re taking the topic is a great way of getting your community involved.

CATEGORY ADVICE HARD SELTZERS

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GETTING INTO HARD SELTZERS Although growing rapidly, hard seltzers have yet to take off among convenience retailers. JASPER HART looks at how they can successfully start stocking the category

HOW BIG ARE HARD SELTZERS? EXPECTATIONS were high for the hard seltzer category when it launched in the UK in 2019, partly due to its rapid rise to success in the USA, where it is now worth billions of dollars.

However, the past two years haven’t provided the most fertile ground for growth in the UK and new launches have struggled for momentum.

Suppliers, however, are confident that demand is rising and set to grow further still.

“Hard seltzers have been on a steep upward trajectory since the category hit the UK market in 2019,” says Marie Fukuura, future growth director at Budweiser Brewing Group. “The seltzer category had £17.1m

in sales last year, almost triple its £6m of sales in 2020. Based on the success of seltzers in the United States, where the category is now worth $4bn, we are predicting sales in the UK to reach £600m by 2025.”

It’s worth mentioning that plenty of convenience retailers don’t echo this view. Some told Retail Express they weren’t familiar with it at all. “I struggle with it, even when we’ve had offers on it doesn’t really shift,” says Vasanti Jesani, of Cellar 57 in Atherton, Manchester. “We’ve tried White Claw and a few others, had offers on and even given away free samples, but the sales are just not there.”

SUPPLIER

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George Blurton, co-founder, Long Shot Hard Seltzers “THE hard seltzer craze is just getting started in the UK, but with the market set to grow to over £75m by 2023, we expect hard seltzers to fully infiltrate the mainstream in the coming years, owing to their refreshing nature, and their ability to fit into a more health-conscious lifestyle.

“The obvious place to start when looking at seltzer options is to work out what currently sells well at your shop – maybe citrus-y gins or fruit berry ciders are consistently popular? If so, stocking up on some seltzer choices matching these characteristics will make winning over that first-time drinker all the easier.

“Single units are ultimately less of a commitment to the consumer who might be trying one for the first time.

No doubt chilled is best, and they sit well next to the canned G&Ts and cocktail section.”

28 JUNE-11 JULY 2022 betterRetailing.com

STOCKING HARD SELTZERS

WHO ARE HARD SELTZERS FOR? THE current and forecasted growth for hard seltzers suggests that there are convenience retailers out there who can benefit from stocking them, but there are key factors involved in making the category work. Chief among these is having the right target audience, and young, calorieconscious drinkers have been behind the initial growth.

“Hard seltzers are particu-

larly appealing to a younger demographic of legal drinking age up to around 35 years old and over-index with younger shoppers versus total alcohol,” says Budweiser’s Fukuura. Tom Smith, marketing manager at Accolade Wines, agrees. He says: “Millennials are the key demographic purchasing hard seltzers for a variety of reasons.

More likely to be health and

body conscious, millennials place a greater emphasis on product information such as calorie content.”

Leading US seltzer brand White Claw’s summer marketing activity is evidence of this, with its Wave of Summer bar experience set to appear at more than 40 festivals this summer. Michael Dean, head of marketing at White Claw, said the experience targets

millennial and Gen-Z drinkers.

For this reason, it’s entirely possible that seltzers may not take root in your store. “In a residential area I don’t think they would sell that well, they’re better in a place with a young population,” says Meten Lakhani, who stocks four seltzer variants at his Premier St Mary’s Supermarket in Southampton, near university student halls.

WHAT BRANDS SHOULD RETAILERS STOCK? THREE years on from its first arrivals, the UK seltzer market looks reasonably diverse.

Most large suppliers have brought a range to market in a bid to emulate its US success, and several smaller brands have cropped up.

There have, however, been differing approaches; some brands, such as Molson Coors’ Three Fold and Asahi’s Viper, have opted for a whole new identity, while others operate under existing brand umbrellas. Budweiser’s Fukuura says well-known brands crossing over to seltzers could be crucial to getting retailers’ sales up and running.

“If space permits, stores

should stock both a pure player seltzer brand as well as one or more category builders,” she says.

“Pure players are new-toworld brands that exist only as seltzers, and target RTD drinkers, new BWS customers or consumers adding seltzers to their existing basket.

“Category builders are hard seltzer brands that already exist in other alcohol categories, and deliver additional penetration to the category by appealing to customers switching from other segments.”

The emergence of category builders has given Meten Lakhani’s seltzer range relative success. “We’ve done well

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with Kopparberg Corona Tropical and Smirnoff seltzers.

“We also have Bodega Bay but it’s not a fast seller. If someone sees Kopparberg, Smirnoff or Corona, they know what they are famous for, so they’ll try it.”

With summer a key period for seltzer sales, stocking some r e co g n i s a b l e brands’ forays The projected UK into the categohard seltzer market ry in the chiller, worth by 2023 such as Bud Light Seltzer or Corona Tropical, could drive interest.

the stat

£75m

FOR retailers willing to take the plunge, clearly positioning seltzers will help customers understand their proposition. Because of their low ABV, low-calorie content and slimline can design, they can sit nicely alongside an readyto-drink (RTD) alcohol range.

The RTD category is already targeted by younger drinkers after new taste experiences, so having seltzers alongside it will make sure the right customers are drawn to them.

“Data from 2020 revealed the RTD category is growing slightly ahead of the current off-trade beer, wine and spirits category at 22% and we can expect this growth to continue,” says Lauren Priestly, head of off-trade category de-

velopment at Diageo. “Keeping hard seltzers and RTDs in the chiller is key to tapping into the on-the-go moment, and it’s also generally expected by consumers.”

However, according to Tashinga Garwe, senior trade marketing manager at White Claw, 52% of shoppers switching to seltzer do so from the beer and cider category, while 67% of White Claw sales are incremental from beer, wine and spirits shoppers who have added it to its repertoire.

Retailers new to the category could experiment with seltzer placement in proximity to different alcohol segments to see which attracts the most interest.

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MARGINS The RETAIL EXPRESS team finds out how retailers are improving the margins of their sales in store while retaining customers

We’re looking at margins and efficient ways of running our business. How are other retailers approaching this? – Anil Pankhania, Nisa Local Paddington

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Tariq Chishti, Netherlee Post & News, Glasgow

“THINGS like padded envelopes and stationery bring in 100% margins, which is fantastic, but it only works because we’ve got a post of�ice in our store. We’ve built up a high-margin range that works with the post of�ice.

“We’ve got a lot of newspapers and magazines. We’ve also got an extensive card range that caters to every occasion – Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, Easter, St Patrick’s Day and con�irmations. We focus on what’s selling and what’s not selling when it comes to magazines.

“We sell magazines that do monthly issues and make sure that people know we have them. They’re not titles you’d be aware of unless you were really interested in them.

“While the turnover might not be as big, we’ve got lots of high-margin products, which enables us to punch above our weight for such a small store.”

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Dan Brown, Lothian Stores, Musselburgh, Mid Lothian

“WE try to focus on food to go – quality stuff we make in our kitchen like ready meals and things for the hot counters. We can sell them for a decent price and still get a good margin. We look at wastage as well. We use the Too Good to Go app and Gander to help us to sell products we’re reducing, and we can also use those products in our kitchen.

“A good way to ensure you’re pushing quality products with high margins is to do things that give your store a better perception towards your customers. That way, they are more willing to pay more. You have to focus on the standards in the store, particularly when you’re selling food to go. If it’s not immaculately clean or organised, people won’t want to buy from you. We have to think like we’re a restaurant now. You have to look at it from the customer’s point of view. If the store isn’t immaculate you’re going to question the quality of the produce.”

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Gaurave Sood, Neelam Post Office & Convenience, Uxbridge

“WE’RE aiming at 30-40% margins these days whereas before it was just 20%. We’re doing that just to cover the basic costs because they’re all going up. So we’re looking for anything that’s offering a higher margin. That’s meant we’ve enhanced our stationery and introduced mobile accessories and disposable vapes. We’re investing space and stock into those things. Ultimately, we’re increasing selling prices around the shop.

“It used to be alright to sell high volumes, but now I’ve got to �ind an extra £5,000 for the electrics alone. When it comes to products with a shelf life you’ve got to be even more careful. Any losses in the chilled section hurt more. But looking after wastage is something that everyone should be doing right now. Look at other wholesalers as well, don’t be loyal to just one. There are promotions and deals available and the wholesalers are trying as hard as they can. We see that and appreciate it.”

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