RN - 22 July 2022

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How to boost profits in one of the most important ranges in convenience RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

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NEWSTRADE

COST-OF-LIVING CRISIS

Retailers react to Smiths News’ latest 2.9% price hike set for next month Page 8 »

Rising costs leave retailers helpless, as industry calls for more gov’t support Page 4 »

Carriagecharge increase

p1 Cover.indd 1

Forecourt pumps closed

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CONTENTS Acting editor

Editor in chief

Megan Humphrey

Louise Banham

@MeganHumphrey_

07597 588972

@LouiseBanham

Senior news Reporter

Features editor

Alex Yau

Charles Whitting @CharlieWhittin1

@AlexYau_

020 7689 3350

020 7689 3358

Features writer

Deputy insight & advertorial editor

Jasper Hart

Tamara Birch

@JasperAHHart

@TamaraBirchNT

020 7689 3384

020 7689 3361

Senior features writer

News reporter

Priyanka Jethwa

Noemi Distefano

@PriyankaJethwa_

@NoemiDistefano_

07597 588955

020 7689 3355 Head of design Anne-Claire Pickard

Senior account director Charlotte Jesson 020 7689 3389

Designer Jody Cooke Junior designer Lauren Jackson Production editor Ryan Cooper Sub editors Jim Findlay, Robin Jarossi Production coordinator Chris Gardner 020 7689 3368

Account manager Marie Dickens 020 7689 3366 Business delivery manager Ifzal Afzal 020 7689 3382 Senior Account Managers Barry Lavis 020 7689 3372

Digital content editor Lindsay Hudson Jody Porter 020 7689 3366 020 7689 3378 Management Head of digital accountant Luthfa Begum Abi Sylvane 07909 245 949 020 7689 3383 Head of commercial Managing director Natalie Reeve Parin Gohil 020 7689 3372 020 7689 3363 Printed by Warners Midlands plc Distributor Seymour Distribution, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT Audit Bureau of Circulations July 2020 to June 2021 average net circulation per issue 8,296

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WELCOME

L

ast week, the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Gala Dinner returned for the first time since 2019. It was absolutely fantastic to see so many familiar faces once again, as well as meet a lot of new ones.

The past two-and-a-half years have been among the most challenging to date in retail, but seeing so many store owners, from up and down the UK, serving their communities in the most wonderful of ways was truly inspiring.

Despite everything, store owners went above and beyond to Acting editor develop their staff, update their shop layouts and improve sustainability – to name just a few.

Megan Humphrey It was an honour to celebrate everyone’s achievements, and @MeganHumphrey_ have a carefree knees-up on the dancefloor. For a full rundown of 07597 588972 all the category stars from the evening, see page 3.

We also took the opportunity at the event to formally launch our Women in Convenience initiative.

Women play an essential role in convenience businesses, and their contribution is often overlooked. This is evident through research we’ve carried out on representation on retailer panels, in editorial content, at industry events and in recognition programmes.

At RN, we are keen to address this. We aim to give women working in the sector a voice, and a platform upon which to share their successes, as well as a support network to enable them to discuss the issues that are unique to them.

To help us do this, we are keen to secure insight from female retailers to help us focus on the areas that matter most. If you’d like to contribute, please scan the QR code on the right, and fill in our survey – it will only take five minutes. I’m really excited about this from a professional and personal perspective. I’ve worked in journalism for more than six years, and I’m not afraid to admit that my gender has, at times, created challenges for me.

It’s because of this I’m passionate about creating a safe space for you. I will be sure to update you on our progress; we have some exciting announcements coming up to help kick things off.

SCAN ME

HEADLINES 3 INDUSTRY NEWS All the category stars from this year’s IAA Gala Dinner

Forecourt retailers forced to close pumps in a bid to battle rising costs 5 SYMBOL NEWS

Bestway to launch 25 dual-brand fascia stores by end of next year

6 FED NEWS

Newtrade Media Limited, 11 Angel Gate, City Road, London EC1V 2SD Tel 020 7689 0600 email letters@newtrade.co.uk RN is published by Newtrade Media Limited, which is wholly owned by NFRN Holdings Ltd, which is wholly owned by the Benefits Fund of the National Federation of Retail Newsagents. RN is editorially independent of the NFRN and opinions, comments and reviews included are not necessarily those of the Federation and no warranty for goods or services described is implied. Reproduction or transmission in part or whole of any item from RN may only be undertaken with the prior written agreement of the Editor. Contributions are welcomed 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.

For trade use only RN’s publisher Newtrade Media cares about the environment.

p2 Contents.indd 2

Welsh retailers prioritised in

Cross-Party Group on Small Shops

INSIGHT 12 PRODUCT NEWS

Win £10,000 with Tropicana 16 PRICEWATCH

Compare take-home soft drinks prices 18 STORE PROFILE

How the IAA’s Overall Best Shop is working to keep profits high

22 NEXT-GEN NICOTINE

All you need to know to tap into this growing market

7 INDUSTRY PROFILE

26 GET MORE FROM YOUR SYMBOL GROUP

KP Snacks helps you embrace HFSS

How to get the best support and deals

8 NEWSTRADE NEWS

30 DAIRY DRINKS

Smiths News announces 2.9% carriage-charge hike

10 YOUR VIEWS

‘Menzies deliveries are even worse’

Ranging advice and the most-popular products

33 THIS WEEK IN MAGAZINES

Get your share of Minions mania

Correction The correct price of the Mail+ Ultimate pack (print & digital) subscription is £26.80 per month.

We apologise for an error in RN’s 15 July issue.

19/07/2022 11:43

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RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

NEWS IAA unveils star retailers for 2022 at Gala Dinner

by Megan Humphrey megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk

Last week, the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) named its 12 category stars for 2022 at its Gala Dinner in Birmingham.

It was the first time the event has been held in person since 2019, due to Covid-19.

The Gala Dinner recognises the achievements of independent news and convenience retailers across the UK and Ireland, who are excelling in the core principles of retailing.

Vince and Fiona Malone, of Tenby Stores & Post Office in Pembrokeshire, won for Customer Service and were also named Overall Best Shop.

For customer service, the couple have increased staff knowledge on their products, launched a WhatsApp group and changed the shop’s front door.

Speaking about how investing in staff training improved customer service across the store, Vince Malone said: “We took a bold step in looking at what we were doing wrong, and realised that, quite often, when we do something wrong, we

won’t admit it. We’ve turned this on its head and encouraged an open and transparent ethos.

“This has allowed us to talk about mistakes, improve on them and make it work.”

H, Jodie and the Singh Family were recognised for Marketing to Customers at H & Jodie’s Nisa in Walsall, West Midlands.

The team prioritised growing its social media presence over the past year, particularly on Facebook, set up an ownbranded app and invested more than £30,000 on events for the community, helped by two new junior professionals.

Kirti Patel, of Londis Ferme Park Road in London, was acknowledged for Effective Ranging, who demonstrated in-depth analysis of EPoS data to

see what products are selling, leading to delisting slow ones and multifacing bestsellers.

Steve Bassett, of Bassett’s Londis Abbotsbury Road in Weymouth, Dorset, was category star for both Availability and Shop Layout.

Enya McAteer, of Mulkerns Spar in Jonesborough, County Armagh, was recognised for Merchandising & Display, most notably for her instore theatre.

Elsewhere, Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, from Budgens of Hinchingbrooke in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, took home Responsible Retailing; Sunita Kanji, of Family Shopper – Little Hulton in Manchester, came out on top for Staff Development; Trudy Davies, of Woosnam & Davies News in

Llanidloes, Powys, picked up Service to the Community; Bart Dalla-Mura, of Tysoe Village Stores in Warwick, Warwickshire, picked up Environmental Sustainability; and Atul Sodha, owner of Londis Harefield in Uxbridge, west London, was recognised for Innovation.

Lastly, Asiyah and Jawad Javed, of DayToday Alloa Road in Stenhousemuir, Falkirk, were named the IAA’s Rising Star.

The pair operate a cheesecake business from their store, and its dedicated Facebook page has 48,000 followers, with people travelling from across the UK to make a purchase. l You can find full coverage from this year’s IAA in next week’s issue of RN

New fines needed for illegal vapes A national licensing scheme and fines of up to £10,000 could be introduced to crack down on the selling of illicit vapes to children.

Last week, the UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) set out the measures in proposals to the Department of Health.

Among the proposals was the introduction of a licensing or ap-

p3 Breaking news.indd 3

proved retailer scheme, which would result in store owners paying a fee and committing to age-verification practices, alongside increased penalties of up to £10,000 per instance on traders flouting the law, with retailers losing their ‘approved retailer’ status.

It would also include a national test-purchasing scheme to ensure all op-

erations are performing to high standards.

Recent evidence suggests vaping among teenagers is rising. In March, a YouGov survey for Action on Smoking and Health found the proportion of children aged 11-17 years old who vape has risen from 4% in 2020 to 7% this year.

It also named disposable vapes as the most

popular product among 52% of underage vapers.

Concerns have also been raised that vaping products being sold to young people and promoted on social media platforms are fake and contain illegal amounts of nicotine and e-liquids.

A BBC investigation revealed 8,000 illegal vapes had been seized from one premises in Leicester.

ACS calls for wage caution The ACS has called for a “cautious approach” to future National Living Wage (NLW) rates in line with the current challenges facing employers.

Giving evidence to the Low Pay Commission (LPC) last week, chief executive James Lowman called for a careful approach due to the problems facing convenience retailers, driven by the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy and supplychain costs, and regulatory challenges.

“Local shops are experiencing rising operating costs in a similar way to households, and many retailers have had to absorb costs, pass on increases through higher prices, and reduce staff hours and numbers,” he said.

“It is vital the government seeks to set wage rates that avoid negative effects on businesses and support the good-quality employment available in our sector.”

Shoppers cut back spending Data has revealed that 42% of consumers are buying fewer treats to reduce their spending, due to the costof-living crisis.

The TWC Trends research, published last week, revealed two-thirds of consumers are using at least one tactic to cut back on grocery spending, with trading down on product choice the next-most-used strategy. This was followed by reducing other retail spending, such as on clothes (39%), and fewer days or evenings out (31%).

Just under a third (29%) said they were buying groceries in cheaper stores.

19/07/2022 14:00

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

NEWS Up DRS scope, MPs urge

A cross-party group of MPs has called on the UK government to widen to the extent of its deposit return scheme (DRS) to include cartons.

In a letter to environment secretary George Eustice MP, 20 Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrat MPs asked the government to align the scheme in England more closely with household recycling.

They wrote: “We urge the government to raise its ambitions and widen the scope of existing proposals for the DRS to include cartons. A DRS with cartons is better for the environment, better for consumers and better for recycling.”

The letter adds that including as many materials as possible will help to increase recycling rates and better secure access to high-quality recycled material for the packaging industry.

CMA in Morrisons inquiry The UK’s competition watchdog, the CMA, has “sufficient information” to launch an investigation into the takeover of convenience chain McColl’s

by Morrisons.

The supermarket brokered a £190m rescue deal in May when McColl’s fell into administration.

Shortly afterwards, the CMA filed an initial enforcement order suggesting it would probe the deal.

Now, it says it has sufficient information to launch a formal inquiry with a September deadline for a phase-one decision – the first stage in its merger review process.

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Forecourts forced to shut pumps as fuel costs rise

by Helena Drakakis editorial@newtrade.co.uk

Independent forecourt retailers are being forced to temporarily shut down petrol pumps to mitigate the impact of rising costs, amid wider concerns over their survivability.

Prices of diesel and petrol began to soar at the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Last month, they rose to record levels, increasing the cost of filling up an average-sized car by £9.

Andrew Johnson, owner of Dafarn Newydd Store in Powys, announced this month that it would temporarily close its fuel pumps, for the first time.

He told RN: “The decision was very difficult to make, but it’s essential in helping bring down business costs. We are reviewing the situation every day. We used to buy 1,000l of fuel for £1,400, and now it’s £2,000.”

The store is situated in a popular tourist spot, and Johnson said the number of visitors has fallen due to rising costs.

“We are just not getting

the day-trippers filling up,” he said. “Our roads feel quieter than they did during lockdown.”

He added: “I can’t compete with the supermarkets, and customers are making the decision to fill up whenever they do a larger shop. We are hoping that when the campsite reopens, we will get a lot more day trippers, and will be able to offer fuel again.”

However, the Petrol Retailers Association’s executive director, Gordon Balmer, warned that rural forecourt retailers are under the biggest threat during the current cost-of-living crisis.

“These retailers, who often know their customers on a first-name basis, are under constant pressure through high fuel prices, low margins and increased operating costs. If this continues, many will close, forcing motorists in rural areas to drive farther to fill up.

This will further squeeze household budgets as the cost of living continues to rise.”

In March, the government announced a 5p fuel duty cut to help with increasing costs.

Simon Williams, a spokesperson for breakdown cover and car insurance firm RAC,

is lobbying for a further duty cut.

“Smaller retailers in rural locations don’t buy fuel as often and are now being hit by big costs when they have to buy,” he said. “These forecourts are badly needed, as they serve communities, and many people are struggling.”

Williams added that retailers in limited parts of Scotland and England may be eligible for the Rural Fuel Duty Relief Scheme which compensates fuel retailers in rural areas with high road fuel prices.

The scheme isn’t available in Wales.

Dentsu: ‘no tech issues with T&T’ New track-and-trace (T&T) operator Dentsu Tracking is managing “about half a million messages on a daily basis” since it took over from De La Rue on 1 July.

The company, appointed by HMRC under a five-year contract, operates a database of registered tobacco suppliers, helping to give police forces and trading standards more resources to detect and crack down

on illicit stock.

Launched in May 2019, T&T requires businesses involved in the supply of cigarettes and handrolling tobacco to have an economic operator identifier code (EOID).

Since its takeover, a spokesperson for Dentsu told RN: “The system shows 100% availability and no technical issues have occurred.”

When asked how it continues to support

independent retailers, they added: “Dentsu has provided, and carries on providing, increased support activities for all economic operators during the first two weeks of operations of the UK T&T system. After this date, businesses will still be able to contact Dentsu online, or by phone, for issues they encounter.”

In June, RN revealed legitimate tobacco

products would probably return a “warning” message under T&T when scanned at cash and carries, to ensure reporting can continue against all products in the supply chain.

Last week, a Dentsu spokesperson confirmed this will continue for a six-month “grace period”, but it will not prevent the economic operator moving or selling the product.

19/07/2022 12:13

RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

SYMBOL NEWS Bestway to launch 25 dual-brand fascia stores

by Megan Humphrey megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk

Bestway has revealed it intends to launch 25 stores under its new dual-branded fascia with Costcutter and Bargain Booze by the end of next year, with plans to target retailers from different symbol groups.

The wholesaler opened its first ‘store within a store’ concept at Costcutter Meopham in Kent at the start of the year, and its second at Costcutter Whiston in Liverpool, in July.

To be eligible, stores must be at least 1,800sq ft; have a minimum 10 metres of refrigeration for chilled alcohol; a minimum 14 metres of refrigeration for chilled and fresh foods; and preferably space for parking.

Retail director Mike Hollis told RN there were 20 projects “in the pipeline” and confirmed an “aggressive increase” in store openings would begin after the next year.

“Some are at the assessment stage, and some are progressing,” he added.

“By the end of 2022, we are aiming for 10 stores and at

The second ‘store within a store’ concept at Costcutter Whiston in Liverpool least 25 by the end of the second half of the year.

“Following the further key learnings we will take over the next 12 months, we then expect an aggressive increase in our rollout numbers and will be targeting in excess of 75 stores per annum.”

Since its opening, Costcutter Meopham has experienced growth in several categories, including fresh, chilled food, and beers, wines and spirits.

“The Bargain Booze section is doing exceptionally well and is delivering weekly sales that are, on average, 55% higher per week than the comparable stores we are tracking against,” explained Hollis.

“We are very pleased

with this initial performance, as the 1,800sq ft store trades less than 100 yards from a multiple convenience store [Tesco Express] that has been there for many years.”

He went on to confirm the wholesaler is working with key partners on future plans for expansion.

When asked whether Bestway is considering offering the concept more widely to other retailers, Hollis said: “Yes. We are working with existing Costcutter retailers who want to take their beers, wines and spirits offer to the next level, as well as our Bargain Booze larger format stores – Select Convenience – which may be looking to rebrand and

maximise the opportunity within convenience with a relaunched offer.

“This concept is also available to our Best-one retailers that are looking to develop their offer.”

He added: “We are also targeting outside of our business estate – retailers from other groups who are planning to redevelop their own stores are enquiring.

“We are talking to retailers who are looking at new-to-industry locations for a new store. We know the concept can compete against all convenience operators, so sites previously viewed as borderline due to competition, are coming back to the table for fresh consideration.”

Wholesale chiefs slam DRS ‘shambles’ Senior wholesale bosses have branded the deposit return scheme (DRS) a “shambles” after UK counterparts fail to agree on a unified approach.

DRS will enable shoppers to bring single-use drinks containers back to a store and redeem a 20p deposit from the retailer.

However, speaking at the FWD Conference at the end of last month,

p5 Symbols News.indd 5

Bestway managing director Dawood Pervez warned the lack of alignment between counterparts will create problems across convenience and wholesale.

“It’s not going to work very well for convenience or wholesalers,” he said.

“It’s completely ridiculous. The fact is, you’ll end up with a different scheme in Scotland than

England and Wales. The fact that Scotland has jumped the gun and come up with a scheme that’s not municipal means we have something that’s suboptimal.”

Unitas Wholesale managing director John Kinney added: “It’s an absolute shambles. The real risk is that it will change the market for consumers, and it is favouring

large-format stores. It should not change the route to market.”

The scheme is due to be rolled out in Scotland next August, whereas retailers in England and Wales should see it implemented by the end of 2024, while Northern Ireland could take until 2025. Northern Ireland is expected to golive in the first half of 2024 at the latest.

5

Blakemore ups minorder fee Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore has increased its minimum-order threshold fee for retailers by £20, from £40 to £60.

In a letter sent to Spar retailers, Blakemore Trade Partners’ commercial director, Louis Drake, blamed the move on “further increases which are affecting the entire supply chain and driving inflationary pressure on the cost of goods”, leading to a “further review” of “delivery criteria”.

The charge will come into force from 26 July.

In the same communication, Drake also revealed plans to increase single pick charges. Chilled will rise from 5p to 6p per pick, with wines and spirits increasing from 20p to 22p per bottle.

The news came a day after Nisa implemented another fuel levy delivery fee increase, from £9.77 to £13.43.

C-store for Asda in Scotland Asda has opened its first convenience store in Scotland, in partnership with EG Group.

The ‘Asda On the Move’ site in the Almondvale Centre in Livingston includes more than 2,500 branded and own-brand products, featuring 140 lines from local suppliers, as well as a wide range of fresh produce.

It also houses one of four Leon self-serve coffee kiosks in Scotland.

This brings the total sites launched to 36, as the supermarket continues to build on its ambition to increase roadside and neighbourhood locations.

14/07/2022 15:07

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FED NEWS Scotland

Views wanted on HFSS The Scottish government is calling on retailers and trade associations to have their say on upcoming high fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) restrictions.

Under plans, there would be a ban on selling HFSS products in checkout areas including selfservice, end of aisles, store entrances, and on island bins and displays.

Additionally, there would be restrictions on multibuy deals, temporary price reductions, meal deals and unlimited refills.

The government also wants feedback on whether exemptions should be based on the number of employees or whether a shop is under 2,000 sq ft.

It follows HFSS restrictions passed by the UK government.

The consultation picks up on previous work carried out by the Scottish government in 2018, but was shelved due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Head office

Heatwave health guidance Retailers are being advised

by The Fed to follow official guidance to keep shops and backrooms cool as UK temperatures soar.

The guidance, issued by the Health and Safety Executive, advises employers to ensure air-conditioning units or fans are on, and staff have access to cool water, as well as identifying employees more at risk of heat stress.

There’s currently no law for maximum working temperatures, but it must be ‘reasonable’.

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

In partnership with

Wales

Retailer concerns to be heard by Welsh gov’t

by Helena Drakakis editorial@newtrade.co.uk

The Fed has pledged to bring the concerns of Welsh retailers to government to ensure town centres and high streets thrive in the face of ongoing challenges.

The comments follow a meeting organised by the Cross-Party Group on Small Shops to discuss the government’s recently published strategy to regenerate the retail sector in Wales.

Head of political engagement Adrian Roper told RN: “With so many challenges facing the independent retail sector, The Fed is pleased to be playing its part in helping the Welsh government frame its retail strategy.

“At these meetings we will ensure our members’ concerns are fully aired so they can be addressed.”

The meeting, chaired

by Vikki Howells MS, covered escalating running costs for businesses, such as rising fuel and employment bills. Local challenges, such as car parking restrictions

and costs, were also on the agenda.

Following the meeting, Howells tweeted: “A very useful session with lots of action points to follow up to ensure our small shops sector gets the support it needs to survive the costof-trading crisis.”

This was the first roundtable meeting since the Welsh government unveiled its strategic vision for retail on 22 June.

Among the key areas for action it identified were improving pay and conditions for employees in the retail sector, and ensuring greater job security, such as guaranteed hours.

Up-skilling existing

workers and attracting new entrants to the sector is also included.

Additionally, the strategy set out the importance of financial intervention, such as ‘transforming towns’ regeneration investment, support for non-domestic rates, and attracting inward investment by making towns and cities desirable locations for businesses to migrate to.

Sara Jones, head of the Wales Retail Consortium, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic shone a spotlight on just how important a role our retailers play, as drivers of the economy and as community cham-

pions at the heart of our towns. The industry continues to face structural challenges. However, we know there are opportunities to flourish.”

A Welsh government spokesperson added: “Ministers are committed to working with partners to support a sustainable and prospering retail sector that remains at the heart of Welsh communities, which offers people fair work and real career opportunities.”

The meeting was attended by several trade associations and the strategic vision will be followed by a full action plan in the coming months.

Republic of Ireland

Gov’t assessing newspaper VAT The Irish government has confirmed it is considering either reducing or scrapping VAT on newspapers ahead of September’s budget.

Print and online publications are currently subject to 9% VAT. In a bid to address the difficulties facing the news industry, The Fed is calling for the tax to be removed altogether.

The Fed’s Irish president, Martin Mulligan, who owns a store in Athlone, said: “We strongly believe that VAT on newspapers should be abolished completely. This would reduce cover prices and encourage more people to buy newspapers, and benefit everyone in the news industry, including publishers, wholesalers

and retailers.”

The call comes after the Future of Media Commission, set up by the government in 2020, recommended VAT be reviewed in its July report.

Mulligan also repeated calls for wholesalers to abolish carriage charges and an end to dual supplies of newspapers by publishers. Newsagents

in Ireland pay higher carriage charges because they receive newspapers from two wholesalers.

He added: “Retailers are paying up to €150 a week in service charges and it’s crippling small businesses.

The fact our newspapers are supplied by two different wholesalers just makes the situation worse because we’re paying twice.”

Contact Megan Humphrey with your trade news on 07597 588972, megan.humphrey@newtrade.co.uk or @MeganHumphrey_

19/07/2022 10:07

RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

INDUSTRY PROFILE Helping retailers understand and embrace HFSS

7

In partnership with

Matt Collins, trading director at KP Snacks, talks to RN about retailer support; the crisps, snacks and nuts (CSN) opportunity; and the upcoming high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) legislation Matt Collins Trading director, KP Snacks

RN HFSS restrictions applies

to retailers with more than 50 employees and an internal floor space of over 2,000sq ft, who won’t be able to display HFSS products within certain distances of checkouts and designated queuing areas. How is KP Snacks helping retailers prepare?

MC We believe we have a duty of care, and we’re using our category expertise to help retailers navigate the legislation and create certainty through these changing and challenging times. We’ve created a complete package solution for retailers, from our HFSS-compliant range to our comprehensive advice and support.

Our step-by-step HFSS guide is helping retailers adjust and drive sales, and our product cases, stamped with a KP Snacks nonHFSS flash, provides reassurance and visibility, helping retailers shop the wholesale aisle with ease and when displaying products in-store.

How is HFSS likely to impact an affected store’s range of products?

How is CSN affected by the legislation?

The legislation will affect both ranges and store layouts, shifting shopper demand into healthier options by using high-impact space to display healthier products. For CSN, retailers will need to create more space for HFSS-compliant products and move products that aren’t exempt in aisle.

We’d advise retailers to ration-

px KP Snacks Industry profile.indd 7

alise their ranges to help focus on bestsellers and create more space for HFSS-compliant products. This doesn’t have to be a radical overhaul, but should be a planned and managed transition ahead of October.

There’s also an opportunity to drive sales of nuts, which are exempt. KP is the number-one brand in nuts and perfectly placed to help retailers drive higher-value impulse purchases and replace other restricted items at the till and impulse areas.

Which lines are HFSS-compliant in KP Snacks’ range? How can retailers’ merchandise these to maximise sales?

By October, we will have 110 HFSScompliant lines – a quarter of our range will be HFSS-compliant, and we’ve been able to deliver this without compromising on taste.

Popchips is a beacon brand in healthy snacking and will be reformulated across the entire range. Tyrrells includes Tyrrells Lightly Sea Salted and new Tyrrells

Our stepby-step HFSS guide is helping retailers adjust and drive sales

THREE TOP TIPS Get prepared. Draw on suppliers and wholesalers to provide advice and guidance – we’re the experts and here to help.

Review your range. Retailers should look to rationalise ranges and focus on bestsellers, moving non-exempt products in aisle, creating space for HFSS-compliant products in primary impulse areas.

Ramp up event space. Capitalise on seasonal events with repurposed and relocated event space to help drive seasonal growth. Test and learn ahead of time.

Mediterranean Herb, which are both HFSS-compliant and exempt from location restrictions, as is our Hula Hoops Puft range and Penn State brand.

We’ve also introduced key innovations in the KP brand to help drive growth in natural and tasty nuts. KP Flavour Kravers is a brandnew flavour platform, available in Flame Grilled Steak, Smokin’ Paprika and Fiery Caribbean Jerk Sauce flavours. We also have a comprehensive price-marked range, giving consumer value reassurance while not compromising on taste. Through our retailer trials, we’ve seen a significant uplift in nuts sales when located in the right space, adding profit with a higher RSV per space.

How will HFSS impact key seasonal opportunities within CSN, such as Christmas? How can retailers maintain sales?

Looking at space restrictions, it’s about having the right space execution, the right store layout and merchandising the right way. Event execution is going to be important in this changing environment and will need to be repurposed and relocated in store to help drive seasonal growth.

The last quarter of this year is a critical 12-week trading period and a huge opportunity for retailers, with Halloween, the World Cup and Christmas. It will be about how retailers can make that event space exciting with header boards, PoS and a great product mix, complementary purchases and how you direct shoppers to the space using floor stickers, for example, to make the event aisle a destination. l

14/07/2022 14:53

8

NEWS & MAGS

Menzies delivery failure

Menzies failed to meet its target of on-time deliveries of newspapers and magazines last year, according to its latest annual results.

Published last week, for the period ending January 2022, the news wholesaler reported 91.9% of its deliveries were made on time, 0.6% lower than expectations of 92.5%.

The company previously told RN it had “recently faced increased challenges” as a result of driver shortages, but it has implemented “robust recruitment plans”.

However, Menzies did meet its targets elsewhere. The results showed 99.9% of newspapers were packed accurately, exceeding ambitions of 99.5%. In addition, 99.8% of magazine packing met the standard, exceeding its target of 98%.

It reported revenue is up by £20m, equating to £943.6m through the year.

The News printing site shuts A printing site in Portsmouth that was the home of local title The News for 53 years has been closed.

The decision was taken by publisher DMG Media, which has owned the site since 2020 when it acquired it from JPI Media Print Holdings.

In a message to readers, editor Mark Waldron said: “The heart of our operation – our trained and trusted journalists – remains based in the city, and our coverage of Portsmouth and surrounding towns and villages will not be diminished by this change.”

The News will now be printed in Thurrock, Essex.

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

Smiths announces 2.9% carriage-charge hike

by Noemi Distefano noemi.distefano@newtrade.co.uk

Smiths News announced a 2.9% carriage charge increase last week, which will result in many retailers paying more than £63 a week, on average, for newspaper and magazine deliveries.

In a letter sent to stores, the news wholesaler stated the charge will be effective from 28 August.

This marks the first increase by Smiths News since 2020, after it took the decision to freeze the charge in 2021 due to the pandemic.

In the letter, seen by RN, commercial director Simon Gage said: “This year’s review has highlighted that all businesses, including ours, are facing significant cost inflation, particularly fuel and living-wage increases. This is in addition to the widely discussed increases to delivery costs brought about by the shortage of drivers across all industries.

“In previous years, we have been consistent in implementing a template that took account of the inflationary measures of RPI, labour costs and fuel

as published by the government at the time of review. This ensured any delivery service charge increase was proportionate to the additional costs of delivering to your business.

“Due to the current economic environment, had we taken the same approach this year, it would have meant passing on a cost increase of more than 8% to our customers – and we fully recognise that this is an amount that many retailers would not be able to bear given other challenges.”

In response, The Fed’s national president, Jason Birks, said that although the increase had been expected, he was “dismayed”. He said: “While Smiths News’ action is not surprising – in fact, its

CEO, Jon Bunting, alluded to it at our April national council meeting – as the cost of living continues to bite and our bills go upward, we are dismayed.

“Also, there is no guarantee from Smiths News as to how, or even if, this new income from carriage charges will be reinvested into its business. If that were to be the case, at least members would see some service improvements. Currently, for too many of our members, the service levels they are receiving remain unsatisfactory.”

Ray Monelle, owner of Orchard News in Westonsuper-mare, North Somerset, added: “It is concerning as it’s not feasible for us. It’s no secret that the newspaper business is becoming less viable every

day for independents.”

However, Smiths News told RN it accepted “the category can be complex to manage for smaller retailers” and promised to look at “ways to improve things” for customers by “monitoring” and “reviewing” its services, “investing in training customer services teams and working closely with other members of the supply chain”.

A spokesperson told RN: “We are also working closely with The Fed to provide improved range and stock management for retailers through Newspro, which has proven sales and cashflow benefits.”

The firm also said it had “no plans to increase delivery service charges over the next year”.

Waitrose in mag-placement talks Waitrose is in talks with publishers to explore the possibility of moving its magazines next to specific product categories on the shop floor to help accelerate sales.

Marketing and distribution company InterMedia first reported the news on 22 June in its newsletter.

The excerpt read: “Waitrose is exploring opportunities to feature

magazines in incremental spaces around the branches, linked to other categories.”

It also stated a “schedule is being proposed to the internal stakeholders and, if signed off, could be implemented within the next few months”.

An industry source confirmed the news to RN, and said it was “a blunt attempt to generate some

cash from publishers”.

They referenced Tesco, which did something similar a few years ago, but said: “It fell apart quickly. Stores don’t move the stock to the new places and different teams fill the space, meaning a newspaper and magazines colleague won’t walk around the store to find the missing spaces.”

In response to the

claims, a spokesperson for Waitrose said: “It’s routine for retailers to talk to suppliers about potential ideas, to make sure any ranges continue to meet customers’ needs.

“While we have asked some of our magazine suppliers for their feedback and ideas, we do not have any current plans to make any changes in this area.”

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YOUR VIEWS

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

Get in touch

letters@newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3357

VIEW FROM THE COUNTER with Julie and Joey Duhra

Menzies deliveries are even worse Nothing has changed since the last time we complained about late deliveries from Menzies’ Wakefield depot in June.

If anything, things have become even worse.

Last week, our papers were late every single day, reaching my store after 7.30am, or even 8.30am. It’s not a few days a month, it’s been every day.

The number of customers in my shop were decreasing every hour, as they looked from the

window on their way to work, didn’t see any papers and therefore didn’t come in.

If they did, they just asked what had happened to my paper supply, and walked out without buying anything.

I need Menzies to take action to fix this problem for me and all the other retailers who are in the same situation.

The fact that Menzies says it is recruiting drivers is not enough for me.

I don’t have time to be on the phone to customer service, and then be promised someone will help me, when in fact I then never hear back.

I don’t have the energy to cope with all the stress this is causing me.

I will give it another month, and if the problem doesn’t get fixed I will be left with no choice but to give notice and stop stocking newspapers.

Ukesh Patel Carlinghow Store, West Yorkshire

A Menzies spokesperson said: “Mr Patel, like all independent retailers, is very important to us as a customer.

We have been in direct contact with Mr Patel to discuss his concerns and offer him support.

We are also taking further measures to address specific issues that have emerged on his route.”

A period of exciting business and community events had started for us. Julie and five volunteers from the store are currently taking part in a series of walks, and in September will turn their attention to Macmillan cancer support fundraising. This is a good team effort and an important cause for us. Julie will also be part of the Commonwealth Games starting next week. She is getting ready to be the baton bearer, carrying the torch.

Last week, we attended the Independent Achievers Academy (IAA) Gala dinner in Birmingham, and it was a great opportunity for us to network with retailers and suppliers. It’s important to meet retailers who have upgraded their stores and get feedback on what is working for them. It was also the first time retailers from The Fed’s West Midlands district – which Julie presides – occupied two tables at the IAA, and many of them were attending for their first time.

WHAT WE’VE LEARNED THIS WEEK Even though Jubilee ‘season’ is over, sales continue to remain strong. The good weather and school-and-college closures are contributing factors to sales uplifts across product categories such as ice creams and soft drinks.

Our focus is always to remain well stocked.

This year, the sports season is likely to have a positive effect on our business.

YOUR SAY

EXEMPTIONS ARE KEY TO IMPLEMENTING HFSS FAIRLY Pete Cheema, chief executive, SGF The Scottish government earlier this month published its muchanticipated consultation on restricting promotions of food and drinks high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS), which runs until 23 September.

Essentially, it seeks views on restricting the promotion of confectionery, cakes, crisps, savoury snacks and sugary soft drinks at checkouts and front of store, and on multibuy discounts.

Say it quickly, and

p10 Your Views.indd 10

maybe it doesn’t seem all so encompassing, but the reality is rather different.

Retailers are going to have a lot to think about over the summer, but don’t they already have enough on their plates?

Price promotions, for one, are an important tool for retailers to show they are delivering value to customers – any restrictions are going to impair this.

Then we have potential restrictions on location of promotions.

Granted, if it is a superstore or a large retailer, there may be room for manoeuvre, but some shops are of such a small size, what will they be expected to do in order to comply and at what cost?

The intention is that these proposals will apply to any place – including online – where in-scope products are sold to the public including retailers, out of home, wholesale and other outlets, though there will be some exceptions.

The national economic

recovery from Covid-19 is a key priority, and the Scottish convenience sector is very much front and centre of this.

If, however, convenience stores are to remain ‘open all hours’ through this disruptive trading environment, there needs to be a conversation around all of these proposals including exemption criteria for the sector, in terms of internal-floor-area limits and number of employees.

Watch this space.

Yes 71%

No 29%

Have your business insurance premiums risen significantly?

NEXT WEEK’S QUESTION Have you increased your own-label range to encourage customers to spend and save?

Vote now @ThisIsRN

18/07/2022 15:45

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

PRODUCT NEWS Imperial Leather gets a makeover

£5m campaign from Cathedral City

On sale now

Campaign spans TV, video-on-demand, YouTube and social media

Brixton Brewery targets London and SE

Welcome to the plant age

Campaign spans digital, outdoor and video placements

Campaign spans TV, new packaging, in-store support and outdoor advertising

Jam Shed drives awareness

Florette partners with Mr Plant Geek

Campaign spans outdoor and social media

Campaign spans partnerships and digital

Imperial Leather has relaunched its range with improved fragrances and formulations. It aims to bring “everyday luxury” to consumers with an affordable collection. New features include jasmine and vanilla orchid to add moisturising product qualities, and a Muscle Recovery Bath Soak in a Bergamot & Sea Salt fragrance. The new bottle structure contains 30% PCR plastic and is recyclable, with NIR caps and refillable options.

Brixton Brewery is investing in its first major campaign, aimed to drive awareness of the brewery and attract new drinkers to the craft brand. ‘Get a taste of Brixton’ will celebrate the brand’s south London roots and promote its accessibility to the wider market and shine a light on the people who make Brixton diverse. It will span digital, outdoor and video placements across London and south-east England.

Jam Shed’s new ‘Shedloads’ campaign is designed to increase brand awareness among wine drinkers. The campaign will feature on large-format displays, digital road-side screens and bus supersides in major cities. In addition, six-second animations will run on YouTube, as well as Facebook sponsored ads to engage and disrupt consumers. The brand is worth £77m and is the 11th-largest wine brand in the UK.

p12-14 Product News.indd 12

Cathedral City has launched a £5m ‘Our make it better cheddar’ campaign. It spans TV, video-on-demand, YouTube and social media. Central to the advert are a young boy, his dad and a talking cow, who uncover what makes the cheese taste “delicious”. It aims to focus on the dedication behind making the cheese. Currently worth £285m in total market, Cathedral City is bought by almost 44% of all UK households.

‘Welcome to the plant age’ is the new £4.4m campaign from Birds Eye, as it relaunches its Green Cuisine brand. Going forward, the brand will include animated characters on marketing material and will span TV, new packaging, in-store support and outdoor advertising. The campaign aims to challenge consumers’ beliefs about plant-based diets and encourage them to reassess their current eating habits.

Florette has announced a partnership with gardening influencer and TV presenter, Michael Perry – better known as Mr Plant Geek. The collaboration will see Perry producing exclusive content for the brand alongside sponsorship of The Plant Based Podcast. The collaboration forms the first part of Florette’s campaign, which seeks to reposition the brand, highlighting its farmer-owned credentials.

19/07/2022 11:33

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RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

Visit the website betterRetailing.com/products to find out more about the products listed

Senior features writer Priyanka Jethwa @PriyankaJethwa_

020 7689 3355 priyanka.jethwa@newtrade.co.uk

In partnership with

Alpesh Mistry,

Sales director, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I

KP Snacks supports The Hundred

New study: shoppers stop treating plastic bottles as waste in just seven weeks

KP Snacks will be hosting five depot activations across Bestway, East End, Parfetts and United Scotland. The activity offers retailers the opportunity to celebrate The Hundred, and each will be provided with theatre displays, PoS materials and a VR cricket game from KP Snacks, alongside prize giveaways, with stock vouchers and The Hundred merchandise up for grabs.

A deposit return scheme (DRS) helps to encourage a circularity mindset for consumers by rewarding recycling. Scotland’s DRS is due to be introduced in August 2023, and details of the schemes rolling out in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are expected to be published later this year.

Depots East End Birmingham, Bestway Park Royal, Parfetts Stockport, Partfetts Aintree and United Scotland

How will DRS affect your shoppers?

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has unveiled some major new research on what the effect of the planned schemes will be on shoppers and retailers. The study found that it takes just seven weeks for most shoppers to rethink their relationship with plastic bottles and to appreciate their value after living with the scheme.

The research comprised four distinct behavioural studies involving almost 8,000 people. It was observed that shoppers experience a three-stage mental shift when compelled to pay a deposit in a retail environment: surprise, review and reset.

Toastie from Country Choice

Country Choice has launched a Toastie range designed for shops with limited labour and cooking facilities. The four varieties of individually wrapped toasties come frozen and readyassembled in oven film, ready to bake in around 25 minutes.

They can then be displayed in a hot unit for up to four hours.

Varieties include Four Cheese & Onion, Ham & Cheese, Tuna Melt and BBQ Chicken. They come in packs of 20.

RRP £3.95

To learn more about shopper behaviours and the other findings of the research, download the full report Deposit Return Schemes: What’s in Store? for free at suntorybeverageandfoodeurope.com/en-GB/gbi/sustainability/planet/ deposit-return-scheme

Win football prizes with Lucozade

Lucozade Sport is partnering with The Football Association this summer to bring shoppers and retailers the chance to win a host of football prizes. Consumers can win prizes such as pitch-side access prior to an international match with hospitality and signed merchandise. Retailers, by scanning the QR code on PoS material in depot when buying any case of Lucozade Sport, can win a full football kit for their community.

»

1

Campaign spans social media and PoS materials

Germany: Wie funktioniert das deutsche Pfandsystem? | Wissen & Umwelt | DW | 17.11.2021

What is a DRS? A DRS puts a small returnable fee on the cost of an item of drinks packaging, which is given back to the consumer when the item is returned to a dedicated return point. Such schemes have had widespread success across Europe in countries including Germany and the Netherlands where there are now redemption rates as high as 98%1.

p12-14 Product News.indd 13

19/07/2022 11:33

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

Visit the website betterRetailing.com/products to find out more about product launches

Senior features writer Priyanka Jethwa @PriyankaJethwa_

020 7689 3355 priyanka.jethwa@newtrade.co.uk

Win £10,000 with Tropicana, Naked and Copella juices

by Priyanka Jethwa priyanka.jethwa@newtrade.co.uk

Building on the success of last year’s trade-exclusive juice activation, Tropicana is offering one retailer the chance to win a £10,000 cash prize.

To be in with a chance of winning, retailers have to buy any two cases of Tropicana Smooth Orange (250ml or 850ml), Tropicana Original Orange (250ml or 850ml), Naked Blue Machine (300ml), Naked Green Machine (300ml) or Copella Cloudy Apple (300ml), and text ‘Juicy’ to the number on the PoS materials in store.

Once notified of their win, retailers will need to upload an image of their receipt of purchase.

The campaign will run until 15

September, with runner-up prizes consisting of 10x£500 cash prizes.

Lucy Kent, head of impulse at Tropicana Brands Group, said: “We know chilled fruit juice and smoothies remain an important category for retailers during the summer months when consumers are looking for more refreshing options to purchase.”

Tropicana and Naked are proving popular within convenience stores, with Tropicana Smooth the number-one chilled juice, and Naked Green Machine the numberone smoothie in the category.

Kent added: “This campaign will give retailers a chance to win even bigger and better cash prizes and increase their sales by stocking up on bestsellers from our varied range.”

CLAIM YOUR FREE WRAY & NEPHEW POS KIT

FREE POSTER SET 1 x A2, 1 xA3

FREE COUNTER MAT

FREE WINDOW VINYL SET 2 x Large, 2 x Small

DE SCAN THE QR ECO STORE TO VISIT THE ONLIN DAY AND ORDER YOURS TO

How to Claim

Visit www.wrayandnephew.co.uk/c-stores/pos, select the POS items you wish to order and complete the online form to provide your details (name, store name and address, email address, and contact telephone number) and click submit.

No purchase necessary; however, internet access and a valid email address are required.

T&Cs apply: wrayandnephew.co.uk/storepos-terms

p12-14 News.indd 141 RN 1-2 Product page horizontal.indd

19/07/2022 11:37 11:34 15/07/2022

RN 30 Under Thirty: Shining a light on the rising stars of independent retail

Entries for 2022 are now open!

RN 30 Under Thirty recognises and celebrates the young retailers who are shaping the future of independent retail with their innovation and drive.

After a successful first year that saw retailers from across the UK and Ireland receive recognition for their achievements, we are delighted to announce that the 2022 campaign is now open!

We are looking for retailers, owners and managers under the age of 30 who are driving their businesses forward through innovation, modernisation, leadership and dedication.

Nominate yourself or put forward a fellow retailer who you admire, who inspires you or who really deserves recognition for their hard work and commitment.

“

You get recognition for what you are doing and if you’re doing something well. Why not apply? I’m so happy I applied and now I can shout about my success and bring new ideas back to my business.”

Enya McAteer, Mulkerns Spar, Jonesborough, Co. Armagh

Scan our QR code to enter your submission or find out more by visiting betterRetailing. com/RN-30-under-thirty-2022 or email michael.sharp@newtrade.co.uk

Proudly supported by

RN 30 under 30 adX.indd 1

28/06/2022 15:27

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

PRICEWATCH

Profit checker Take-home soft drinks PEPSI MAX 2L Price distribution % 100% 90% 65.14% of transactions are processed at £1.75

80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10%

£3.30

£3.20

£2.99

£2.95

£2.80

£2.69

£2.59

£2.49

£2.39

£2.35

£2.29

£2.20

£2.19

£2

£1.99

£1.89

£1.85

£1.50

£1.79

0%

Behind the numbers Drink-later formats still make up 62% of the soft drinks category, despite on-the-go soft drinks returning post-lockdown. Getting pricing right over the summer period is key, but where are the opportunities?

Most of the lines analysed this week are charged at their most-common price by most

Sudesh Patel STORE Londis

Coulsdon LOCATION Croydon SIZE 1,100sq ft TYPE Residential

TOP PRODUCTS Coca-Cola Original Taste 1.75l Pepsi Max 2l R Whites Lemonade 2l

pxx-xx Pricewatch.indd 16

retailers, with two key outliers. Sixty per cent are selling Pepsi Max 1.5l for as much as £2.49, nearly double the most-common price of £1.29, set by 38%. This contrasts with the brand’s 2l format, which 70% of retailers charge the most-common price of £1.99 for, with just 29% going as high as £3.30.

Our range spans 12 metres and is non-refrigerated. Sales have dropped slightly because people are back at work. I’d say they’ve declined by about 10%. We haven’t had a summer uptick.

Our multipacks do extremely well, especially the Coca-Cola range – eight- and 10-packs. Londis has been running good promotional prices on those packs for the past several months. Pepsi Max, Tango and 7Up 24-packs are also popular. We don’t have any own-label brands and we only stock 2l bottles, with the exception of Coca-Cola, which is 1.75l.

Fanta Lemon 2l presents the other main opportunity, with 58% pricing it as highly as £3.09, a 70p increase on the most-common price set by 41%. Still soft drinks show much less potential – 83% of retailers charge Robinsons Orange Squash 1l and Sunpride Pineapple 1l at their most-common prices of £1.89.

Dennis Williams STORE Broadway

Premier

LOCATION Edinburgh SIZE 1,700sq ft TYPE Residential

TOP PRODUCTS Coca-Cola Original Taste 1.75l Barr Irn-Bru 2l Barr Lemonade 2l

We have quite a big take-home soft drinks range, spanning about two metres, and it’s all refrigerated. People go for small sizes, but if you’ve got a family, it’s good to have that option. Small bottles are for on-the-go missions, it’s a different purchase. We sell a lot of multipacks now, partly due to promotional pricing. Some are on everyday low price, but a multipack is always good value for money. We don’t have any own-label take-home bottles or have a cheap value brand. With refrigeration costs, you need to be selling popular brands.

14/07/2022 15:03

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RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

Next week’s Pricewatch: Take-home ice cream

Data supplied by

Price distribution chart

Tamara Birch

Visit the website

Retail Data Partnership is a specialist data and EPoS supplier committed to serving the independent retail sector. To find out how they can help you improve your business, call 01780 480562

Deputy insight & advertorial editor @TamaraBirchNT

020 7689 3361

betterRetailing.com/ pricewatch

tamara.birch@newtrade.co.uk

Percentage of stores selling above, below and at the most-common retail price PRODUCT NAME

LOWEST PRICE

MOST-COMMON PRICE

HIGHEST PRICE

VOLVIC TOUCH OF FRUIT STILL LEMON & LIME REDUCED SUGAR 1.5L

£1.19

£1.75

£2.10

PEPSI MAX 2L

£1.50

£1.99

£3.30

PEPSI MAX 1.5L

£1

£1.29

£2.49

ROBINSONS REAL FRUIT ORANGE SQUASH 1L

£1.25

£1.89

£2.33

PRINCES ORANGE 1L CARTON

£1

£1.69

£2.10

R WHITES DIET LEMONADE 2L

£1

£1.59

£2.29

SUNPRIDE PINEAPPLE 1L CARTON

£1

£1.89

£2.29

LILT 2L

£1

£2.75

£2.99

FANTA LEMON 2L

£1.89

£2.39

£3.09

OASIS SUMMER FRUITS 1.5L

£1

£1.99

£3.35

COCA-COLA ORIGINAL TASTE 1.75L

£1.50

£2.29

£3.29

MOUNTAIN DEW 2.25L

£1.99

£2.49

£2.99

Must-stock products Volvic Touch of Fruit Still Lemon & Lime Reduced Sugar 1.5l

86%

Pepsi Max 2l

70%

Pepsi Max 1.5l

29%

38%

60%

Robinsons Real Fruit Orange Squash 1l

83%

Princes Orange 1l Carton 12%

19%

60%

Sunpride Pineapple 1l Carton

28%

83%

Lilt 2l

16% 91%

Fanta Lemon 2l

5%

41%

Oasis Summer Fruits 1.5l

58% 35%

63%

Coca-Cola Original Taste 1.75l

74%

Mountain Dew 2.25l

12%

0

1

25%

54%

20

40 Below mostcommon price

pxx-xx Pricewatch.indd 17

16%

80%

R Whites Diet Lemonade 2l

How to use this data

13%

Use the price-checker table to see what the most common prices are for a key line in the category.

2

35%

60

80

Most-common price

Use the price distribution chart to see the range of prices being charged on 12 key lines.

3

100 Above mostcommon price

Use the must-stock products table to see the percentage of retailers charging above, below and at the most-common price.

14/07/2022 15:03

18

STORE PROFILE

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

The UK’s Overall Best Shop

Charles Whitting finds out how the achievements of Vince Malone at his Tenby Store & Post Office in Pembrokeshire have seen him receive the IAA’s top accolade

V

ince Malone’s Tenby Store & Post Office in Pembrokeshire is split into three core areas – grab & go, grocery and the post office. However, it also serves two very different demographics, from the small, elderly local population in winter to the tens of thousands of tourists that descend on Tenby for their summer holidays or for Iron Man Wales.

To cater for these demographics, Malone has altered his range slightly to include more local and seasonal lines, and an increased focus on clever promotion on social media has helped to bring in more shoppers and increase their basket spend.

“We linked up with Jisp for home delivery and we’ve gone to the Scan

p18-21 Store profile.indd 18

& Save feature, which is performing incredibly well,” he says.

“By extending the local products, we’ve boosted our margin and given our store a point of difference. We consolidated all our efforts on instore theatre and promoted them on Facebook. We don’t advertise prices.

We promote the overall offering.”

As well as being recognised as this year’s IAA Overall Best Shop, Malone has also been recognised for Customer Service, an aspect of the business that he describes as “why we do the job”. He has improved his team’s customer service by increasing their product knowledge, confidence and communication with each other, as well as working to make his store as accessible to people with disabilities

as possible.

The introduction of an operational group has also had a transformative effect on staff morale and skills.

“It’s changing how we develop as a team and enables us to look at what we’re doing and how we can improve and then share with everyone,” says Malone. “It’s a journey we haven’t quite got right and we’re having to talk about being open and transparent. It makes you vulnerable to admit a mistake, but we’re using it as this black box approach – if we don’t tackle what’s going wrong, we’ll never change them.”

To see what other stores are doing, go to betterRetailing. com/store-profiles

By extending the local products, we’ve boosted our margin VINCE MALONE

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RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

Cutting costs

In today’s increasingly difficult financial situation, retailers need to be finding ways to reduce their outgoings, whether that’s in staff wages, energy bills or wastage. To cut down on spending, Malone has put his alcohol chillers on timers, so they turn off half an hour before the store closes and turn on just after it opens again.

“We’ve had no negative comments, but it means our chillers are off for 11 hours a day,” he says.

He’s also reduced staffing hours by 5%, which has allowed him to increase wages without his wage bill going up. “We looked at our staffing and trading hours and made sure we had staff on shift when they were needed.”

Finally, Malone has pushed forward with recycling projects, using the local food bank and encouraging his team to recycle wherever they can. This has resulted in a 10% reduction in waste costs.

Working with the team

Every improvement in Malone’s store is underpinned by his staff members, with whom he works tirelessly to develop skills, improve well-being and maintain engagement. This begins at the recruitment stage and continues through to ensuring that every staff member has been trained to do everything, but is also given the chance to shine and become “champions” in certain areas of the store.

“We didn’t employ our team on experience, but on personality,” he says. “You wouldn’t have 11 Ronaldos in your football team, as he can’t play every position, so why would you do that in your business? You need a team that fills every position.”

A WhatsApp group and monthly 121s also allow for strong communication and focused improvements on customer service, availability and vulnerable customers.

p18-21 Store profile.indd 19

»

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STORE PROFILE

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

Finding new suppliers

Availability has been one of the main talking points for the industry, and Malone has staff members at all levels doing three availability walks around the shop every day.

He used the introduction of the Booker delivery charge to reassess his entire supplier network and now he has three different suppliers for milk and bread, ensuring that his customers’ essential purchases will always be on the shelves.

“We increased our deliveries to three days a week and have multiple wholesalers for our core lines, like bread and milk. This means we’re able to spread the load and have a plan in place to ensure we’re achieving our 96% availability target or 99% on our core lines,” he says.

He has also empowered a team member to ensure the ticketing and PoS is kept full and up to date, which has allowed for more accurate measurements.

Future plans

To find out how being part of the IAA can benefit your business, visit bit.ly/checkoutIAA

p18-21 Store profile.indd 20

Malone still has further plans to improve his store and the experience that his staff and customers have in it. Some of these are technology-focused, with plans in place to install a new phone system that will allow people to answer the phone and immediately transfer the call to someone who can help and deal with the query straight away. He is also looking at improving staff access to online training that they can do while they’re at work. “We’ve got a new screen set up to do that in the back,” he says. “We’ll need a separate room for it.”

He recommends retailers look at big and small companies for inspiration, as well as talking to local stores and suppliers, and reading trade press. “Look at bigger companies and the training they have in place. Look at their systems, they keep staff for years for a reason. Look at small independent stores.

They’re always busy because their service is great.” l

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21

PROGRESSION NOT PERFECTION

Helping the convenience channel become more sustainable

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 at an event in London in August 2021 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. Most recently, we spoke with Leicestershire retailer Jack Matthews.

Facts STORE NAME: Tenby Stores & Post Office LOCATION: Tenby, Pembrokeshire SIZE: 1,495sq ft NUMBER OF STAFF: Eight full-time, seven part-time

“We’ve made a number of larger steps across the business. Towards the end of last year, we purchased a fully electric van, so for all our home deliveries and trips to wholesalers we’re now using the fully electric vehicle, which has saved us costs throughout the business but has also helped to improve our environmental standpoint. We’re also currently trialling a craft paper sleeve for the breads we bake in-store rather than in the plastic bags we were using before, so hopefully making a bit of a positive impact with little steps at a time.”

However small, we want to hear about the steps you’re making on your sustainability journey. Share your ideas with us via @SuntoryBF_GBI on Twitter, and together we can help the channel grow for good.

DEMOGRAPHIC: Located in a seaside town, the demographic changes from 4,000 elderly locals in off-season to more than 50,000 tourists in summer

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

NEXT-GEN NICOTINE

The state of nextgen nicotine Jasper Hart looks at which aspects of the market retailers should be focusing on to keep sales growing

S

ince the pandemic temporarily diverted many shoppers away from specialist vape shops and into their local convenience stores, the next-gen nicotine category has become a fundamental part of almost every convenience retailer’s range. According to Tom Gully, consumer marketing manager UK at Imperial Tobacco, the category is worth £1.2bn in the UK, with 38% of sales taking place in the convenience channel. As cigarette usage declines, vapes and other next-gen tobacco alternatives can fill the gap, generally offering margins between 30% and 40%. The category has also had a big legitimacy boost thanks to the possibility of certain e-cigarettes getting prescribed on the NHS as part of the government’s aim for England to be smoke-free by 2030.

Crucial to the category’s growth in the past year has been the rise of disposables which have become ubiquitous, especially among younger vapers. According to a study from University College London, the percentage of 18-year-old vapers using disposable vapes grew from 1% to 57% between January 2021 and January 2022. Brands such as Elf Bar and Geek Bar have become bywords for high-volume, high-margin products that don’t require a partnership with a big supplier or extensive staff training to sell.

“Disposables have taken over everything. We do about £2,500 a week on them alone, while our total vape sales are about £3,000,” says Mike Lakhani, of St Mary’s Supermarket in Southampton. “We’re making good margins and not taking up that much space.”

Meanwhile, at Harj Gill’s The Windmill Select & Save in Birmingham, disposables make up

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90-95% of his weekly vape sales.

Other retailers have told RN the addition of disposables has led to a triple-digit percentage increase in their next-gen sales, with demand for disposables leading some to cut down on their range of traditional open and closed systems.

A disposable decline?

Currently, retailers continue to show faith in disposables, and it’s easy

38% of vape sales take place in the convenience channel

to see why. Their ease of use makes them just as appealing to retailers who are otherwise uninterested in vaping personally as it does to customers. Retailers save time from not having to train staff about the intricacies of the wider vaping category, and when on the shop floor, staff save time not having to make a sale – a customer can simply pick their preferred flavour and purchase it.

However, some suppliers believe that, barely a year after it began to take off, there are signs that the disposables market is starting to settle down. Long-term costs are a key factor. While disposables look cheap, regularly costing £5 or £6 for a 600puff device, sustained use can cost a lot more than an open system or pod device. Ultimately, open-system devices are the most cost-effective in the long-term, but pod systems provide an ease of use that may appeal

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15/07/2022 12:37

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NEXT-GEN NICOTINE SUPPLIER VIEWPOINT Tom Gully

Consumer marketing manager UK, Imperial Tobacco

Every store and its customer base is completely unique, so there’s no ‘one size fits all’ approach to follow. But, as a general rule, we recommend stocking at least one open and one closed system from a big brand. Pod systems should also be a focus as they have become increasingly popular thanks to their ease of use and flexibility.

As an incredibly fast-moving category, it’s also important for retailers to keep one eye on the emerging trends in nextgeneration nicotine products and be prepared to adapt their range to incorporate any new products they think would work for their customer base.

Making room for a small sample of new products on a regular basis enables retailers to trial the products and assess shopper interest in them prior to investing heavily or making them a permanent part of their range.

It is also a good idea to have a strong visual display of vaping products, positioned away from the main gantry where possible, with clear information on pricing to enable customers to browse at their leisure without the need to handle and inspect products.

Where space is limited, even a small countertop unit can help achieve this, especially if it is well organised and fully stocked. Making sure it is positioned in a well-lit part of the counter will help increase visibility of products even further.

p22-25 Next Gen.indd 24

to disposable users. Furthermore, they also offer a range of nicotine strengths, allowing consumers to not just divorce themselves from the harmful effects of smoking, but reduce their nicotine intake over time.

“I predict we will see consumers moving back to prefilled pod systems and refillable systems over the next 12 months, as the recurrent cost of disposable vapes is higher over time compared to other vaping systems,” says Benedict Jones, UK branding manager at Innokin.

Hannah Rubery, content writer at Pod Salt, says the importance of maintaining traditional vaping products is important as part of keeping younger customers on a vaping journey. “We think closed pod systems are going to come back to popularity,” says Rubery. “With the boom of disposables and the market growing with more new vapers than ever who missed the initial wave of pod systems in 201819, there’s a gap opening to introduce these new vapers to the in-between vaping method pod kits offer.”

She adds that the relative lack of waste generated by pod and open systems compared to disposables could also be a key factor. “[Pod systems] are much more beneficial due to their reusability, which is great from an environmental standpoint. Although not perfect, it’s a step in the way of reducing waste from countless disposable devices,” she says.

As pod systems will be new territory, retailers should make sure their staff are refreshed and aware of the range on offer. “Having an answer to a consumer’s question can be the deciding factor between making a sale or losing a customer,” says Rubery. “Staff should be trained at least to a basic understanding of vaping and nicotine replacement products, or perhaps hire staff specifically for this sector. Many smokers are unaware of the benefits of vaping and next-gen nicotine, and being able to answer potential questions is important to helping smokers make an informed choice.”

The other drawback posed by disposables is the proliferation of illicit devices, with some claiming to offer users upwards of 1,500 puffs, which would be impossible without exceeding the maximum prefilled e-cigarette liquid capacity of 2ml.

Many retailers have stocked these devices and had sales success, but as the vaping market matures, expect them to become harder to find. “We do miss out on that sort of market, but we have strict standards,” says

Gill. “We always get two or three people each week asking for them, so I imagine they’re getting them somewhere.”

Beyond vaping

Amid the disposables boom and keeping an eye on more traditional products, retailers should also consider other next-gen growth categories, such as nicotine pouches and heated tobacco.

Nicotine pouches sit apart from the vaping category, as an oral product that customers place between their lip and gum to absorb nicotine.

Heated tobacco (sometimes referred to as heat-not-burn technology), meanwhile, involves tobacco sticks, which are inserted into electronic devices. When activated, the device heats the tobacco, instead of burning it. This makes heated tobacco devices appealing for customers who are looking to give up smoking but are not yet ready to give up tobacco.

Unlike vaping, both of these segments are characterised by prominent market leaders and are comparatively small. According to Gemma Bateson, UK sales director at

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JTI, the nicotine pouch sector is now worth £2.6m a month, while heated tobacco is now worth nearly £2m a week across traditional retail, having grown by 43.6% annually.

JTI’s Nordic Spirit brand is comfortably the nicotine pouch market leader, with a 71.2% market share, and was the fastest-growing brand in the UK in the 12 months to June 2021. Other recent launches include Zyn, which supplier Swedish Match claims is America’s bestselling nicotine pouch, and Velo, from British American Tobacco UK, which has taken the top spot in Scandinavia.

Meanwhile, Philip Morris Limited’s (PML) Iqos Heets was the first heated tobacco device in the UK when it launched in the UK. “The number of stores selling Heets has increased sevenfold since January 2018,” says Kate O’Dowd, head of commercial planning at PML. “PML is now selling almost 40 times the volume of Heets each month than it did on average in 2017.”

The only other major heated tobacco launch is JTI’s Ploom, which is only available in convenience from select accredited retailers in London, alongside its Evo tobacco sticks.

These devices are naturally less varied than vaping devices, in terms of manufacturers, flavours and strength options, so if retailers are stocking them and find they are proving difficult to sell, they need to be ready to explain what distinguishes them from vapes. Additionally, having the right range rather than a broad one can help: strong and extra-strong nicotine pouches make up 72.6% of sales, while menthol flavours make up 77.6% of sales.

Meanwhile, sales of tobaccoflavoured heated tobacco account for 52% of segment sales, with menthol sales accounting for a further 44%.

As these fairly nascent subcategories continue to grow, starting off with the established popular lines can drive sales. l

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betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

SYMBOLS

Get the most out of your symbol I

Charles Whitting finds out what retailers need to do to ensure they’re getting the best support and deals from their symbol group

n previous issues of RN, we have explored the questions and considerations retailers need to be thinking about when pondering which symbol group to join – or even whether to join a symbol group at all. One of the major appealing aspects of being part of a symbol group is the

p26-29 More from symbol.indd 26

support offered by the larger company and its team of experts. But retailers shouldn’t take this support as just a given. It is important that they make sure they are getting everything that is owed to them and then pushing for more.

In an increasingly challenging retail environment, those running

I would want a review process every quarter with my fascia supplier

independent convenience stores need all the help they can get and if they’re not getting it from their symbol groups, they need to be asking why.

However, while it can be beneficial to be demanding when it comes to what your symbol can do for you, it doesn’t necessarily help to start looking to leave early. Having done your research on what a symbol group can do for you and having made the decision to go with them, it’s better to stick with them and make your demands rather than threatening to head off to another competitor.

“Bargaining chips don’t tend to work,” says David Gilroy, founder and managing director of Store Excel. “Once you’ve made your decision, you have to stay with it for a few years. You’ll confuse your customers otherwise. You can’t be

»

15/07/2022 15:00

Latest giveaway

Win £1,000 to spend on your store

DEADLINE: 8 AUGUST 2022

We are giving one RN reader £1,000 to spend on their store, staff or community For your chance to win, complete the form below, telling us how you would spend the money, and return to: RN Giveaway, Newtrade Media Ltd, 11 Angel Gate, London, EC1V 2SD Or enter online at betterRetailing.com/rn-giveaway Name:

How I would spend the money:

Shop name: Address: Post code: Tel: Email: Box number (wholesale customer number*):

I am happy for RN’s parent company, Newtrade Media Ltd, to contact me regarding other promotions or products

For more information, please call Kate Daw on 020 3871 6490 or email kate.daw@newtrade.co.uk Terms & conditions: Entries received after 8 August 2022 will not be counted. The winner will be announced in the 26 August issue of RN and contacted via telephone. The winner will be determined by the editor of RN. The giveaway is only open to readers of RN and only one entry is permitted per reader. One reader will receive a cash prize of £1,000. *We’re asking for this information as the giveaway is exclusively for RN readers

15 July Competition 2022.indd 25

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SYMBOLS too promiscuous, but you can be very demanding and keep asking questions if availability and prices aren’t reliable or if other retailers at the same fascia are getting things that you’re not getting.”

REGULAR CONTACT As a member of a symbol group, retailers should be in regular contact with their retail development manager (RDM), scheduling appointments and making sure that they are kept to. These people are there to help your business grow, whether that’s through advice on the best products to introduce into your store or changing the layout to improve customer flow, or preparing for a large-scale event that could bring huge footfall and sales into the store.

Retailers are often waist-deep in the day-to-day running of the store, so these people should be bringing you information that you can act on swiftly. You want honest feedback from them, but they should also expect honest feedback from you.

“I would want a review process every quarter with my fascia supplier, and I would want to know what the account manager’s brief and remit are,” says Gilroy. “What are they supposed to be doing for me as a retailer, what should I expect from them, and how can I manage

and rate their performance? Retailers need to know what’s going on and how to react because they won’t have all the answers. They need information and advice. A cup of tea and a check-in is nice, but it won’t push a business forward and this is a business partnership.”

Retailers also need to make sure their account managers are arriving when they say they will. Stores are busy places and most retailers can’t spare much time for people dropping in without an appointment. If the appointment is missed or an RDM is late, an opportunity is missed.

“Account managers need to know how to manage their time,” says Jay Patel, from Jay’s Budgens in Crofton Park, south London. “It doesn’t matter how they do it, but if my manager says he’ll be with us at 1pm and he turns up at 3pm, then neither of us has time for each other.”

Additionally, there is no guarantee that your RDM will be available at all times or will remain the same person for your entire tenure at the store. With this in mind, retailers shouldn’t settle for just having one port of call when they want to get in touch with their symbol group for whatever reason.

“You want more than one contact for the organisation, that’s for sure,” says Gilroy. “The account manager re-

If my manager says he’ll be with us at 1pm and turns up at 3pm, neither of us has time for each other

lationship is vital, but I’d want some other links as well so if the relationship with the account manager isn’t going well, I have someone else I can contact. If you’re not happy with your account manager, you need to know where to go.”

Dilmeet Singh is now on his third Londis rep for his Londis Gerrards Cross store in Buckinghamshire and the changeovers have generally been smooth. He speaks to them regularly and knows that if there’s an issue, they are just a phonecall away. If they’re not available then he goes through Londis’ retailer helpline. But he doesn’t accept every

RETAILER VIEWPOINT David Sellers Three Nisa stores in Yorkshire

I report to my RDM once or twice a week or whenever we have a new development in store. We speak to the store development team every now and again as well. Nisa has a WhatsApp group chat for all the stores in the area, with fresh-food managers, a regional manager and my own RDM in that group. It’s important to allow people to talk about what they know and their expertise. Take it on board whether you know all about it or not.

The key relationship is with the RDM and seeing what they can do for us. One of the things we deal with most is IT, whether it’s systems and updates. There is more support out there from symbols than most people think. It’s about having someone you can ring.

I’ve got a good relationship with my RDM, but I have contacts higher up as well. It’s good to be on these people’s radars so if something goes wrong and I can’t get in touch with my RDM, I feel alright calling his boss. It’s about putting yourself out there and building a network of people you know in the business. I attend events and make the effort to speak to these people.

I think the most important part of it is the joining and finding out about the support you get when you join and getting that set up. Some symbols offer much better service in terms of that.

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EXPERT VIEWPOINT David Gilroy

Founder and managing director, Store Excel

If I were a retailer, before I joined a fascia group, I’d be asking these three questions: l How are you going to help me improve my proposition to my customers? demand that is made upon him and his business.

“Sometimes the rep will say that we have to do something in order to get this assistance from them. ‘You must meet the conditions otherwise this work won’t be done’. We try to negotiate on this and sometimes it works,” he says.

IT’S A PARTNERSHIP The word ‘partnership’ is often used one when it comes to the relationship between symbol groups and retailers. It is important not to lose sight of that. While you should be pushing to get as much information and assistance as you can from your fascia, you should also be giving them as much information and data as they require as well.

“It’s quid pro quo. I’d be happy to share information with them because that’s what a partnership is,” says Gilroy. “If an account manager can read over your numbers, it will tell them a lot about your business before they set foot in the store – sales trends, market trends, sales mix – and they can then see if what’s being done is actually working much faster. You’ve got to play your part and you’ll get more reward if you do.”

That being said, retailers shouldn’t think that symbol groups are working entirely in their favour. After all, their business is to make money from the retailers. For everything they give, they expect to take, regardless of how good your relationship is with your account manager.

Jay Patel has been with Budgens for more than 15 years and always recommends that retailers join a symbol for the products and the protection of being part of a larger group. But he says retailers need to demand more information from their symbols, whether it’s training in areas where they lack knowledge and understanding, or what rights

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l How are you going to help me increase sales? l How are you going to help me enhance my profit margins?

These questions should continue to be asked after you’ve joined. There are lots of other valid questions to be asked – about PoS material provided, digital strategies, data sharing and more – but they all hang off those three questions.

I’d want accessibility to my account manager for short- and long-term problems. I’d want proper business partnerships with my supplier so we’re building the business together.

They’ll have recommendations on layouts, planograms and where to invest. But ultimately, it’s your money, not the wholesaler’s, so if you spend £20,000 on refrigeration on their advice, you need to ask whether you’ve seen a return.

If not, you need to be asking them how you are going to fix that problem together.

they have within the symbol group and what their targets are.

“They’re not used to giving you 100% good promotions and good deals,” he says. “They don’t give you advance notice of deals or let you know whether you’re short of a budget that would give you a 4% rebate.

They know the system and where we are in it, but they won’t tell us.

“They need to train retailers more as well. They are experts and we are shopkeepers who are poor in time and knowledge. Budgens hasn’t trained me how to know what to buy and what not to buy, how to keep

Symbols need to train retailers more

records, how to deal with fake IDs. Symbol groups should be jumping on crime fighting and helping us there as well.”

Retailers should expect support, assistance, training and insight from their symbol groups regardless of their own experience in the industry. The support and information is there, but retailers need to demand regular and constructive interaction with RDMs and other members of the symbol to make sure they get everything they need to run a successful business in partnership with their symbol. l

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DAIRY DRINKS

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

Get the most out of dairy drinks this summer Priyanka Jethwa looks at how retailers can best range and merchandise dairy drinks to generate extra profits

D

airy drinks are a big part of retailers’ soft drinks offer, in the fridge and on shelf.

Milkshakes are a big part of this, but as health concerns pervade food and drink categories, it has opened up the opportunity to sell more yoghurt-based drinks that claim to offer ‘healthy gut’ benefits, alongside drinks that are vegan and plant-based.

Overall, the soft drinks sector makes up some 9.2% of a convenience store’s offering, with dairy drinks making up 2.1% of this.

Philip Rayner, co-founder of Glebe Farm, tells RN that dairy drinks are a vital part of any convenience store’s offering – from

p30-32 Dairy drinks.indd 30

milkshakes to protein shakes, breakfast shakes to milk and milk alternatives, milk is a “key item in most people’s shops”.

“With 11.9 million households buying into the milk drinks category, household penetration is at a record high, up by 4.2% year on year,” he adds.

FLAVOURS AND FORMATS Data from IRI reveals the total flavoured milk category is worth £515m, an increase of 24.5% year on year. Within convenience, sales have grown by 31%, with value sales now totalling £224m.

Interestingly, the flavoured milk category in convenience also makes up 41% of all flavoured milk sales in

With the increase in travel, sales of on-the-go formats will rise

the market, indicating how vital this segment is to independent retailers.

Latest IRI data from 24 April also tells us that chocolate remains the most popular flavour across the market, with over 50% market share.

However, Yazoo says its strawberryflavoured option performs just as well as its chocolate flavours, demonstrating the breadth of the segment in convenience.

One supplier to have capitalised in the chocolate-flavoured milk segment is Mars Chocolate Drinks and Treats, which offers a selection of branded milk drinks including Mars, Galaxy, Mars Caramel, Milky Way, Bounty, Maltesers, Snickers and Twix varieties.

The supplier’s general manager,

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RANGING AND MERCHANDISING ADVICE FROM YAZOO • Include sharing sizes of popular brands and products – consumers are likely to continue shopping less frequently this year and will stock up on larger formats to ensure they do not run out of their favourite brands and home comforts as quickly.

• Position on-the-go formats of drinks front of store and at eye level – hijack purchase occasions by targeting those impulse buyers that are looking for something good, quickly to increase basket spends.

• Adjust in-store placements to target high-footfall areas – though Yazoo is an ambient product with a shelf life of up to nine months, consider stocking the drinks in chiller aisles with more footfall than back-of-store sections. This allows the product to be seen more regularly by consumers and can lead to more frequent upsell opportunities.

• Dedicate space to bestselling flavours and launches from popular brands – shoppers are likely to try new varieties and formats from brands they already know and trust. They help keep your offering different, and consumers already trust their reputations when they want to try something new.

Michelle Frost, says: “Our milk drinks enable consumers to enjoy some of their favourite confectionery, which is what makes our range popular.

“With the increase in travel, we anticipate that sales of on-the-go formats will rise in tandem, continuing the growth of our range.”

On the other hand, some people might continue with a flexible approach to working, so whereas travel and on-the-go consumption might rise, there is also those at home to think about. This is where balancing your range with multiple formats becomes important.

Wayne Thompson, business unit controller for out of home at FrieslandCampina, says Yazoo’s

p30-32 Dairy drinks.indd 31

range taps into two key consumption occasions: at home and a pickme-up in between meals.

The range comes in four- and six-multipacks, alongside 1l formats in different flavours and ranges, including price-marked packs. It has benefited from 15.8% growth year on year, driven largely by takehome packs. Forty-three per cent of the brand’s sales come through convenience stores.

Sharing packs currently occupy more than 31% of the dairy drinks category.

“Over the past six months, Yazoo’s sharing packs continued to gain category share at the expense of single-serve packs, experiencing value sales growth of 34% versus single-serve, which has grown by 8.8%,” explains Thompson.

This trend is seen most clearly through the grocery channel where sharing formats have grown 11.8%.

“Yazoo’s performance reflects this trend – our large packs have grown by 76% and single-serve packs by 19.6%,” says Thompson.

PLANT-BASED OPPORTUNITIES Plant-based and dairy-free products have seen a huge growth in demand over the past few years, and as they continue to rise in popularity, it represents a key market convenience retailers should be aware of.

A recent Mintel study showed up to one in three Brits now drink plantbased milk, with oat drinks officially topping

»

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DAIRY DRINKS

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

RETAILER VIEWPOINT Minesh Patel

Costcutter Lower Bourne, Farnham, Surrey

the list of alternatives, reaching a market value of £146m.

Alpro estimates that by 2025, 50% of consumers will be asking for plant-based dairy alternatives in independent and convenience stores.

Glebe Farm’s Rayner says health and functionality is also playing a key role in the drinks consumers are buying. “According to Nielsen client analyst Vanessa Pollard, drinks with added health benefits and functionalities are also growing in demand,” he says.

“At Glebe Farm, we recently launched Pure Oaty enriched, which is fortified with calcium and vitamins D, B2 and B12.”

Milks fortified with added benefits are popular among those who lead dairy-free lifestyles as a key source of nutrition that they cannot attain from dairy.

Sustainability is another major contributing factor to people opting for dairy alternatives, and Rayner explains the bestselling format for plant-based alternatives is one that is made in the most sustainable way.

p30-32 Dairy drinks.indd 32

When it comes to demographics, there are two main shoppers to be aware of: those who consume dairyfree products for lifestyle choices (environmental, provenance, animal welfare, sustainability, etc) and then those who do it for health (allergies and intolerances).

A recent study into provenance, commissioned by Glebe Farm, highlighted that while 92% of UK consumers insist they prefer to buy dairy-free milk made using UK ingredients and 60% of Brits say product provenance is a priority.

The majority of vegan products sold in the UK are made using ingredients that have travelled distances across Europe to reach supermarket shelves. As such, the company grows and mills its oats locally.

When it comes to how to range your drinks, displaying dairy-free drinks alongside dairy counterparts is a viable option. However, it’s probably best to keep dairy-free options for babies separate.

Instead, Glebe Farm says it recommends focusing more on seg-

We’ve got all sorts of drinks in this category because in my store there’s lots of demand from my customers. We have Yop, Yazoo and Delamere, which comes in glass bottles.

In addition, we’ve got milkshakes from Mars, Twix and Maltesers among others. We put most of the dairy drinks in our soft drinks chiller, but the Delamere brand goes in with the normal milk.

We find that it’s the kids who go for the milkshakes from chocolate brands like Mars. With Yop and Yazoo, they’re most popular among 25-to-35-year-olds.

There are fewer kids buying the Delamere glass bottles – they’re purchased by older customers.

The glass bottles are selling really well. I would recommend all retailers stock some of them if they have space in their chillers. They have such a big range of flavours.

Otherwise, demand for these drinks depends on location, customer demographic and the kind of shop you’re running. We have many different stores in the family, and dairy drinks don’t sell as well uniformly across them all. My store has a post office and is the only shop in the village.

ments, keeping different product types grouped together.

For example, putting flavoured milks together, yoghurt-based drinks together, and breakfast and functional drinks together.

“Depending on how many dairyfree products you stock, you can either merchandise these separately (within dairy) or within the different product sections. We’d recommend keeping all ‘milk’ together (skimmed, semi-skimmed etc), alongside your dairy-free milk alternatives, such as oat milk, almond milk and soya milk,” says Rayner. l

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THIS WEEK IN MAGAZINES

In partnership with

GUEST COLUMNIST

Opportunity of the week

ULTIMATE MINIONS

With Minions: The Rise of Gru in cinemas across the UK, editor Richard Clare reveals why this special edition of Ultimate is likely to be a summer bestseller in your store

Rebecca Smith, head of circulation, Panini UK

Richard Clare Editor, Immediate Media, Pre-Teen

What is the idea behind this special edition of Ultimate?

With Minions: The Rise of Gru coming out, we wanted to produce a magazine that enables fans to delve even further into the world of the Minions and continue riding that wave of excitement.

In Ultimate Minions magazine, we’ve produced a product that aims to build upon the anticipated success of the film released in cinemas across the UK this July. We are confident this launch will be really popular.

What will this month’s special issue feature?

The first thing readers will notice when picking up the title from the newsstand is that the issue is bagged so it can hold the three gifts that come with the title – a Splat ’Ems Minion toy (worth £4.49), a Minions sticker album and a packet of stickers.

Inside the issue, readers will find pages bursting with facts on all the big characters, colouring and drawing challenges, jokes, puzzles, posters, quizzes

GET READY TO TAP INTO A SUMMER OF SPORT

What do you expect from its sales performance?

I wouldn’t want to put a figure on it, but the film is doing very well, so we hope the magazine’s sales will be successful, given the popular subject matter.

Why should independent retailers make sure they stock Ultimate?

Ultimate Minions magazine will be big, and independent retailers won’t want to miss out on that, as it is likely to have a positive impact on their sales. We could be looking at the biggest seller of the summer.

What does the market look like for children’s magazines right now?

Some titles have experienced a difficult time, but the titles that are aimed at a similar audience to Ultimate Minions have been doing well and we always see an uplift in sales during the school summer holidays. We’re right to have confidence in this title doing well.

Are there any more special issues of the title planned?

Immediate has a Minions sticker special coming out next month to round off its Minions coverage.

The issue will come with more than 130 stickers for readers to use throughout their copy of the magazine, plus games, puzzles and slick door hangers to cut out and use.

and a pair of cut-out Minion goggles.

Football fever is in full swing, and Panini is gearing up for what will be an unprecedented period of sales, as it launches Premier League and World Cup collections.

Panini kicked off its World Cup campaign on 7 July with the launch of the Official FIFA 22 World Cup Trading Card collection and has been blown away by the significant increase in revenue versus the previous 2018 collection.

Panini quickly moved onto the launch of the Official Premier League Adrenalyn XL Trading Card game – the fourth collection with Panini at the helm. New for the 2022/23 season is a completely redesigned collection. Bigger, and more exciting than ever, the collection launches on 4 August.

Panini is printing 5,000 PoS packs to send out to independent retailers. These will include a letter explaining the collection and key timings on marketing support, in addition to an A3 window poster and shelf talker.

Panini also has the launch of the World Cup Stickers, arguably the highest revenue-driving opportunity of the year. Many retailers may not be familiar with the intensity of sales that come following the launch of the collection and into the run-up to the start of the World Cup on 21 November.

Panini will be supporting retailers with more PoS packs and large volumes of promotional albums to give away to their local community. For retailers that take a broad range of collectables and displays them prominently, there are some incredible incremental revenue opportunities coming in the next few months.

NEW LAUNCH FROM £1m Annual RSV! RN banner.indd 1 HT_01_BANNER.indd 1 p33 TWIM 1.indd 33

© 2022 MARVEL

FREE GIFT EVERY ISSUE!

ON SALE 13TH JULY! 15/07/2022 11:31 30/06/2022 16:48 18/07/2022 14:48

34

betterRetailing.com // 22 July 2022 RN

THIS WEEK IN MAGAZINES

SYMBOL KEY

Terms change

Launch activity

One Competition Special shot issue

Free gift

Sales Bumper Redesign Spotlight Newspro issue recommends trend

SPECIALIST CHOICE MY WEEKLY COVER NOT YET RELEASED

l This bumper summer special edition includes a mini magazine with tips on how to pull off the perfect barbecue. l Stocking this title will be a good opportunity for retailers to maximise their newsstand sales on women’s weeklies.

CONTINENTAL MODELLER

l Continental Modeller is a title dedicated to scale models of railways located outside of the UK, featuring illustrations, tips and plans. l The pages of this summer issue are filled with highlights from Italy, Germany and Belgium among others.

YOUR DAY

l The title offers insights and tips on how to plan a perfectly modern wedding. This autumn issue includes photography advice, specifically. l Readers will also find an exclusive interview with wellness guru Rachael Sacredoti and style advice for grooms.

MATCH OF THE DAY

l With the new Premier League season ap-

COVER proaching, Newspro anticipates this title will NOT YET be a great sales opportunity for retailers.

RELEASED l This issue includes a huge table for young football fans to track the fixtures and scores from the upcoming season.

On sale 23 July Frequency weekly Price £2.35 Distributor Frontline Display with Take a Break, Best, Bella Barcode 9770262026919

On sale 21 July Frequency monthly Price £5.99 Distributor Marketforce Display with British Railway Modelling Barcode 9770955129163

On sale 21 July Frequency quarterly Price £9.95 Distributor Marketforce Display with Wedding Journal Barcode 9772753158000

On sale 27 July Frequency weekly Price £4.99 Distributor Frontline Display with Kick, Strike It Barcode 9771756625977

CARL PICKERING, TOP SHOP NEWS, PRESTON

On sale now Frequency monthly Price £4.99 Distributor Frontline Display with Good Homes, Homestyle Barcode 9772049895084

LANDSCAPE What’s it about?

This title covers a wide range of topics within the home interest segment, including country heritage, garden tips, cookery, travel and even craft.

Who buys it?

It tends to attract more-mature magazine readers who have the time to dedicate to their homes and hobbies.

Bestsellers VOGUE

l The August issue of Vogue is all about Pride, the LGBTQ+ community and the gender revolution. l The title celebrates the 50th year since the first official Pride march in London by bringing exclusive interviews with 12 stars from the LGBTQ+ community at almost half of its standard price.

FAIRY PRINCESS

l This issue of the title for young children who love princesses, fairies and magical worlds comes with a colourful mermaid doll. l Building on the success of the Disney children’s TV series, Sofia the First, readers will find exclusive content on one of their favourite characters.

p34 TWIM 2.indd 34

Collecting On sale 19 July Frequency monthly Price £2 Distributor Frontline Display with Vanity Fair, Elle Barcode 9770262213999

On sale 22 July Frequency monthly Price £4.75 Distributor Marketforce Display with Princess Friends, Barbie Barcode 9771475276146

Title

On sale date

1 Treasure Hunting

04/08

2 Diecast Collector

02/08

3 Gibbons Stamp

18/08

In stock

The Searcher 29/07 5 Blocks 04/08 6 Collectors Gazette 19/08 7 Coin News 27/07 8 Stamp Magazine 11/08 9 Stamp Collector 12/08 10 Dolls House Miniature 28/07

4

Data from independent stores supplied by

18/07/2022 14:32

35

RN 22 July 2022 // betterRetailing.com

editorial@newtrade.co.uk 020 7689 3357 f facebook.com/thisisRN

Partworks and collectables Title

No Pts

£

Byline

Title

No Pts

Title

£

Panini Partworks 21 41 16.99 15 120 6.99

Bob Dylan Vinyl Total Tarot

148 200 11.99

F1 Collection Rossi Bike Collection

50

66 11.99

DeAgostini Title

Fast & Furious: Build The Dodge Charger

41 110 9.99

Hachette

2000 AD Ultimate Collection 127 140 9.99 Build Eddie Stobart 43 140 9.99 Build The Spitfire 112 120 9.99 Build The Titanic 21 140 9.99 DC Comics Heroes & Villains 40 100 9.99 Disney Cross Stitch 96 120 3.99 Disney Dolls’ House 27 120 9.99 Disney My Little Library 98 112 2.99 Marvel Legendary Collection 12 100 11.99 Peter Rabbit Patchwork Quilt 135 139 4.99 The New Marvel Ultimate Graphic Novel Collection (Relaunch) 167 170 9.99 The New Marvel Ultimate Graphic Novel Collection 273 280 9.99 46 80 8.99

Warhammer Imperium

Starter Stkrs/cards

Panini Baby Shark My First Sticker Album Disney Frozen 2 Sticker Collection Disney Princess 2021 Sticker Collection Disney Pixar Luca Movie Sticker Collection FIFA Road to the World Cup 2022 Qatar Official

0.70

3.99

0.90

3.99

0.90

3.99

0.90

3.99

3.99

Pixar Fest Sticker Collection Premier League 2022 Sticker Collection

3.99

0.90

3.99

0.70

Premier League Adrenalyn XL

5.99

1.00

Turning Red Sticker Collection

4.99

0.90

Title

Starter Stkrs/cards

Match Attax Xtra 5.00 Match Attax Xtra 21/22 – UEFA Nations League Stkrs 4.99

1.00 1.00 1.00

5.00

1.00

WWE Sticker Collection

DeAgostini Magiki Princesses 2.50 Magiki Unicorns 2.99 Sharks & Co 3.50

Creative Toys Company

3.99

SoccerStarz Foil Bag 2.99 SoccerStarz Blister Pack 3.99

Intermedia

Squishy 2.99

Magic Box

Brown Box

Zomlings Series 6 0.50 Star Monsters 1.00 SuperZings Series 2 5.00

Hot Wheels 1.85

0.90

Topps

Pokémon

2.70

1.00 Cricket Attax The Hundred 10.00 5.99 1.00 F1 Turbo Attax 2021 I Love Bunnies Figurines – 2.50

Pokémon Battle Style Pokémon Chilling Reign Pokémon Darkness Ablaze Pokémon Evolving Skies Pokémon Fusion Street

Fortnite Official Trading Card Collection Series Two 8.99 Harry Potter Anthology Sticker Collection Puppies and Me! Sticker Collection Minecraft Treasure Sticker Album

Starter Stkrs/cards

0.90

I Love Koalas Figurines I Love Panda Figurines WWE Slam Attax UEFA Champions League Best of the Best

3.99 0.90 3.99 0.90

Frozen 2 3.99

– 2.79 6.50 2.50 – 1.75 –

3.99 3.99 3.99 3.99 3.99

3.00

Newspapers Daily newspapers price/margin pence/margin % Sun

80p

16.8p

21%

Mirror

£1

19.5p

Mirror (Scotland)

£1.10

Daily Record

Saturday newspapers

Sunday newspapers

Sun

£1.10

23.1p

21%

Sun

£1.40

29.4p

21%

19.5%

Mirror

£1.70

32.3p

19%

Sunday Mirror

£2.10

40.95p

19.5%

22p

20%

Mirror (Scotland)

£1.60

32p

20%

People

£2.10

40.95p

19.5%

£1

19.5p

19.5%

Daily Record

£1.60

30.4p

19%

Star Sunday

£1.40

28p

20%

Daily Star

75p

14.25p

Daily Star

£1.20

22.8p

19%

Sunday Sport

£1.50

36.45p

24.3%

Daily Mail

80p

17.85p

Daily Mail

£1.20

25.2p

21%

Mail on Sunday

£1.90

39.9p

21%

Express

£1.10

20.9p

19%

Express

£1.65

31.35p

19%

Sunday Mail

£2.30

44.85p

19.5%

Express (Scotland)

90p

17.1p

19%

Express (Scotland)

£1

20.6p

20.6%

Sunday Telegraph

£2.50

51.25p

20.5%

Telegraph

£2.80

51.25p

Telegraph

£3.50

61.5p

17.6%

Sunday Times

£3.50

63p

21%

Times

£2.50

46.2p

Times

£3

52.5p

21%

Observer

£3.50

85.7p

24.5%

FT

£3.10

62p

FT

£4.50

94.5p

21%

Scotland on Sunday £2.50

55p

22%

Guardian

£2.50

55p

22%

Guardian

£3.50

77p

22%

Racing Post

£4.20

84p

20%

i

70p

15.4p

22%

iWeekend

£1.30

27.95p

21.5%

SundayHerald(Scotland) £2

42p

21%

i (N. Ireland)

70p

15.4p

22%

Racing Post

£4.50

90p

20%

Sunday Express

£2

39p

19.5%

Racing Post

£4.20

84p

Herald (Scotland)

£1.95

42.9p

22%

Sunday Post

£2.20

44p

20%

Herald (Scotland)

£1.50

33p

Scotsman

£2.40

54p

22.5%

Scotsman

£1.90 42.75p

19% 22.31%

18.3% 21% 20%

20% 22% 22.5%

Weight Watchers Watchers 16-17 17-18July December Weight Total Total Supplements Supplements15 weight weight weight weight Sunday Times Telegraph Daily Telegraph Sunday Times Observer Times Sun Daily Mail Daily Mail Guardian Mail on on Sunday Sunday Mail Guardian Observer The Times Sun

965g 730g 760g 720g 575g 700g 565g 565g 515g 555g 405g 540g 370g 525g – 395g

490g 140g 510g 200g 30g 115g 220g 200g 440g 285g 395g 140g 350g 175g – 160g

Scale of third-party advertising insert payments Ad Ad inserts inserts Number Number of of 30 weight Inserts weight Inserts 60g 3 10g 2 0g 85g 10g 20g

0 3 21

100g 55g 75g 20g

5 3 3 2

10g 10g 20g 15g

11 21

– 30g

– 2

Heaviest Heaviest ad insert insert ad

Insert weight

Original Mail Mirror News Express Guardian Telegraph scheme UK

50g 5g 0g 50g

Cumulative?

10g 10g 35g 35g

70-100g

35g 15g 10g 10g 10g 15g – 25g

0-69g

Observer

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

no

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

1.5p

3.1p

2.57p

2.7p

2.93p

2.93p

2.93p

2.75p

101-200g

2p

3.9p

3.36p

3.3p

3.65p

3.65p

3.65p

3.35p

201-300g

4p

6.65p

6.09p

5.5p

6.26p

6.26p

6.26p

5.75p

301-400g

5p

8.5p

7.43p

6.7p

7.06p

7.06p

7.06p

7p

401-500g

*

9p

*

*

*

*

*

*

Over 500g

*

9.5p

*

*

*

*

*

*

* By negotiation

Insertion payment guide Per copy sold Guardian Newspapers =2p. News UK =2p. DMGT =2p. Reach Plc =2p. Telegraph Group =2p.

Per copy supplied JPI Media =2p. Financial Times =2p. Reach Plc =2p

p35 TWIM 3.indd 35

18/07/2022 16:45

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

COMING UP IN THE 29 JULY ISSUE OF RN Keg sales gold rush Stores taking up to £35k per week fuels race to secure 75 trade accounts up for grabs Page 4 »

The new vaping lines stores need to know about

PayPoint parcel locker plan revealed

»

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

l How local shops can act now to protect

sales from potential Christmas disruption

»

CEO discusses plans for parcel, payment and newspaper voucher services Page 4 »

l How stores of any

l Why your store is missing

shape and size can win more passing trade

out on younger shoppers, and eight ways to fix it

Page 23

STORE ADVICE

Free body cameras for stores

Low-cost team building

Nine tips to grab bigger baskets from your sofa-loving customers Page 20 »

Give staff rewards and responsibility without breaking the bank Page 26 »

p1 Cover.indd 1

30/11/2021 15:47

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STORE ADVICE Page 17

IN VE R ST N IG AT IO N

»

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

07

Page 4

United Wholesale Grocers and Booker said to be in talks with delivery services Page 3 »

Bestway ups weekly fee for marketing support to £12.50 per week Page 5 »

Costcutter stores get £650 bill

50

How retailers best use supplier visits to get stock, support and sales for their stores Page 30 »

Discover new store concepts pushing the limits of big-night-in promotions Page 7 »

Booker and One Stop’s new ideas

p1 Cover.indd 1

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

What your soft drinks range should look like in 2022 RANGE REVIEW Page 18

●

Booker own label replaced

NESCAFE

PINGDEMIC

WHOLESALE

Go beyond eggs and take a chunk of the wider Easter opportunity Page 22 »

Understand how last Underst month’s cover price increases dented store sales Page 9 »

Advice for retailers on what the latest rules across the UK mean for staffing Page 7 »

How availability issues have left stores on the brink of missing payments Page 4 »

Paper price rises sales impact

Tesco reveals plans to replace more Booker lines with its Jack’s-branded products Page 4 »

How sustainability is improving the margins, sales and reputation of local shops Page 22 »

23/02/2021 15:29

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Make a success of opening another store

WHOLESALE

How any sized store can profit from selling this high-margin, takeout staple Page 18 »

Wholesaler’s new strategy helps retailers reduce wastage in their store Page 5 »

24

08/06/2021 15:41

»

GROCERY DELIVERY

supply ‘ringfenced’

‘race against dark stores’ Delivery firm plans

35

CATEGORY ADVICE Page 26

FREE INSIDE: The Big Issue sales poster

»

Make money from digital magazines for the first time with this exclusive poster Page 19

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

Stores: prepare now for the impulse sales comeback Discover the top-selling lines set to make a return as lockdown eases Page 28

»

LEGISLATION

COMPETITION

Latest sales data reveals the muststocks and the major flops Pages 6 & 32 »

Expert Scott Annan shows how ROI leads the way forward for convenience stores Page 20 »

Publisher concern as supermarket follows Waitrose in banning most covermounts Page 6 »

Data from Too Good To Go confirms stores are struggling with shortdate stock Page 4 »

Carrier-bag charges are changing. Here’s how stores are getting ready Page 7 »

Exclusive photos and analysis on what the new chain means for rivals Pages 5 & 18 »

Tesco pulls plug on mag plastics

Why food waste is on the up

p1 RN Cover.indd 1

06/07/2021 16:41

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Get ready for the 10p bag charge

69+

NFRN tackles late deliveries

National president Stuart Reddish to approach publishers and wholesalers head on Page 6 » 03/08/2021 16:17

AMBIENT GROCERY

RN uncovers plan to add Post Office services to Payzone devices Page 4 »

The tech that is changing how local shops are run Page 13 »

Your shop’s spectacular summer

Vol 132 No 19 £2.50 FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

19

Top tips for a successful season as restrictions lift Page 24 »

p1 Cover.indd 1

BEERS

SPIRITS

of RN’s news stories are exclusive »

IMPULSE SOFT DRINKS

RANGING

04/05/2021 16:40

CASH AND CARRY

Trading standards target wholesalers and order ‘illegal’ top lines to be removed from sale Page 4 »

For stores from 480 6,000sq ft

FROZEN

SEASONAL EXTRAS

Disposable vaping crackdown

17 Xmas must-stock products

Discov the lines that Discover will bag stores extra sales in the final run-up to Christmas Page 26 »

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STORE ADVICE Page 14

PRODUCE

STORE ADVICE

Vol 132 No 48 £2.50 FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

48

Sharing your store duties

How shops delegate tasks to staff and family to focus on growing their business Page 22 »

p1 Cover RN.indd 1

23/11/2021 14:23

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

23/03/2021 16:09

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

How these familyowned stores keep things professional to drive shop performance STORE ADVICE

Page 20 RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

STORE ADVICE Page 14

● Why the latest government measures will leave

this independent retailer £8,863.92 worse off ● Compare your store to see how much

more you will be paying in April Page 10 »

BUSINESS RATES STORE SERVICES

MINIMUM WAGE

TOBACCO DUTY

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

● betterRetailing.com ● 28.01.2022

ANALYSIS Page 18

»

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

● betterRetailing.com ● 08.01.2021

Government and Camelot under fire over National Lottery’s pivot to online games Page 4 »

Bargain Booze in Costcutter

Leaked floorplans detail new off-licence concession planned for local shops Page 3 »

SOFT DRINKS

Vol 132 No 45 £2.50 FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

an advantage over supermarkets

Tesco ditches PayPoint for Payzone

Discover what the swap means for nearby independent stores RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

● betterRetailing.com ● 08.10.2021

FASCIAS

Pick the right symbol group The questions retailers

»

ALCOHOL

Improve your gin range

Uncover the flavours,

Page 3

Broker advice, contract negotiations, smart meter opportunities and more… Page 15 » NEWSPAPERS

XR targets papers in stores Industry activates

SYMBOLS

Booker delivery fee

Charges for Premier,

PAYMENTS

Minimum card spend removal

Why cutting card spend

NFRN

Energy crisis closures Scottish district

SUSTAINABILITY

A greener store for leaner costs Quick and affordable

SERVICES Page 4

»

Camelot could owe your store hundreds of pounds ● Lottery operator accepts ‘breakdown of communications’ may have prevented stores getting funds owed for old scratchcards

unhealthy goods sold near tills or on offer ● What retailers can do to prepare stores and protect sales

soft drinks and snack sales

Use US lines and flavour trends to add value to your range while keeping core sales Page 28 »

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

● Small shops caught up in plans to ban

l The challenges ahead in confectionery,

Shake up your cola sales

02/11/2021 13:44

betterRetailing.com/subscribeconvenience stores your store

45

p1 Cover RN.indd 1

of 2019’s top-sellin convenie g lines affecnce ted

l Why the ban gives independent shops

ALCOHOL DUTY

FASCIAS

MPs call for Lottery advert ban

»

ORDER YOUR COPY from your magazine wholesaler today 40% or contact Kate Daw on 020 7689 3363 What the new junk New promo Getting the food ad ban means restrictions to hit best energy for your store deal for l betterRetailing.com l 02.07.2021

»

● betterRetailing.com ● 05.11.2021

Know the right time to keep or ditch price-marked packs

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

Retailers reveal their top tips for saving time and money in depot Page 23 »

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Retailers plan for success with these January to-do lists

Striking a PMP balance

»

13

Explained: how the budget will affect your store

Simple changes to increase sales in these hard-to-get-right sections of your shop

»

New tools for small shops

»

71% Page 37

Better cash and carry visits

Vol 132 No 13 £2.50 FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

Retailing with relatives

Your store’s ranging guide

unique retailers spoken to every month

Payzone stores get PO access

Page 3

● betterRetailing.com ● 26.11.2021

STORE ADVICE

Iceland’s c-store launch

PayPoint’s new cashback threat to ATM services

»

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

TECHNOLOGY

»

● betterRetailing.com ● 26.03.2021

SUSTAINABILITY

‘Want 40% margin?

Copy Ireland’

Learn what’s in demand, what to avoid and how to turn new launches into cash, according to 500 convenience shoppers

SERVICES

Why going from four shops to just one worked for this retailer Page 15 »

07/09/2021 16:27

MAGAZINES

● betterRetailing.com ● 07.05.2021

Page 22

NEWSTRADE

37

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GUEST COLUMN

How to make more from new products in your store

»

Top tips to attract weekly shoppers to your store postpandemic Page 28 »

Page 4

HOME NEWS DELIVERY

Vol 132 No 35 £2.50

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

Check whether you are stocking the newest and top-selling lines ● betterRetailing.com ● 09.07.2021

Downsizing for a sales boost

Vol 132 No 37 £2.50

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Seven convenience retailers reveal their plans for 19 July Page 3 » Five shopfront tips to win more passing trade Page 22 » Build a core chilled range ready for on-the-go customers Page 34 » Bestway’s top trends for post-lockdown revealed Page 5 »

Mag and paper ABCs revealed

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

STORE PROFILE

Booker cuts promo allocations

Get your store ready for ‘Freedom Day’

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Retailer tips for a more profitable and easier-torun stock room

»

RN 29 July 1 HND Mail Forward Sell.indd Snappy’s

Energising on-the-go sales

Your sports and energy drinks makeover

Get more from your back of store

to two months of disruption

New scheme prevents

Discover the tactics stores are using to grow sales in a declining market Page 26 »

STAY INFORMED AND GET AHEAD WITH RN

l How to maintain sales despite up

Seven ways retailers

SYMBOLS

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Experts warn murky status of CBD products puts stores at risk

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putting 26% of your top snack lines at risk

Spend less time at cash and carry

COFFEE

NEWSTRADE

LEGISLATION Page 3

p1 Cover.indd 1

l Hack causes complete delivery shutdown,

STORE ADVICE

Retailer rebates at risk

»

7

Bringing in ‘big shop’ customers

Supermarkets avoid caps and shortages on popular lines, unlike indies Page 3 »

Prepare your store for KP Snacks’ supply meltdown Page 4

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

»

NEWSTRADE

The role of newspapers in stores

Vol 132 No 24 £2.50

Page 25

»

p1 Cover.indd 1

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

24/08/2021 16:41

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

FEATURE

Mults beat indies on availability

Retail veterans reveal the secrets of building your convenience-store count STORE STRATEGY Page 30

Booker, Bestway, Nisa and others hit by supply issue affecting more than 40 major brands Page 5 »

Wholesaler chilled meltdown

Cannabis law confusion

● betterRetailing.com ● 06.08.2021

Page 23

18/01/2022 14:53

l betterRetailing.com l 11.02.2022

Nearly half of local shops are failing to comply with new 10p bag charge Page 3 »

Plastic bag charge ignored

»

p1 Cover RN.indd 1

Your guide to growing sales, reaching more customers and driving profits

Retailers discuss tips to prevent store upkeep from breaking the bank Page 14 »

03

AVAILABILITY

Page 19

Counter Cash service is for low-cashaccess areas, so why is it going to stores with free-to-use ATMs?

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

Minimising store repair costs

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

LEGISLATION

»

At RN, our content is data-led and informed by those on the shopfloor:

AND MORE…

Vol 133 No 3 £2.50

Page 30

l Exclusive independent pricing data

● Six retailers reveal their plans for a postpandemic summer

better-selling evening meal range

Pricewatch: see what other retailers are charging for take-home ice cream and boost your own profits STORE ADVICE Page 14

»

p1 RN Cover.indd 1

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

Isolation change guidance

How do retailers pick winning new products?

STORE ADVICE

24 ways to a greener store

TECHNOLOGY Page 18

»

NEWSTRADE

Ultimate guide to Easter

retailers’ sales data analysed for every issue

LAVAZZA

● Build a simpler and

Electronic shelf labels explained

● betterRetailing.com ● 27.08.2021

EVENTS ADVICE

ways to keep your home delivery service relevant

SUSTAINABILITY

+

»

●

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

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COSTA COFFEE

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

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Find out which of these nine top profit-generating hot drinks machines is right for your store CO-OP

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Page 25

Work out the time and money you could save by scrapping paper labels

Discover the trends and new products you need to win more on-the-go shoppers

3,451

WHOLESALE

07/04/2021 16:42

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Why cereal bars deserve more space in your store

Coffee machines compared Page 26

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Hot or not

Discover the changes customers want to see in your chiller that can deliver bumper sales ● betterRetailing.com ● 21.01.2022

STORE ADVICE Page 16

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Customer habits Ranging Footfall Trading hours SYMBOL GROUPS

07/12/2021 15:00

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

Page 16

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Cash in on festive snacking

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SUPPLIER SUPPORT

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SERVICES Page 4

l betterRetailing.com l 10.09.2021

l Make mega margins

Babycare: how to leverage and grow this profitable category for convenience stores

Page 3

Get more from rep visits

Vol 132 No 50 £2.50

Vol 132 No 15 £2.50

How your store can seize opportunities in the four phases of ending Covid-19 restrictions

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FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

● betterRetailing.com ● 26.02.2021

Retailers reveal the categories, lines and tips that convince customers to spend more

How shop owners keep their stores ticking over when taking a break

FOR TRADE USE ONLY FIRM SALE

What Boris’ lockdown exit plan means for local shops

than one in 20 stores by local authorities ● Find out how these errors could be causing stores like yours to miss out on rates relief SYMBOL GROUP

What stores need to know about the 2021 magazine launch boom Page 6 »

Vol 133 No 7 £2.50

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

l New products and must-stocks

Page 23

Need a holiday?

Camelot addresses your concerns ahead of new legislation next month

The grocery changes all stores need to make to win today’s shoppers

● Discover the ● Ten must-stock simple bread trend bakery brands and up 60% year on year their top-selling lines

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New mags for your shelves

15/02/2022 16:04

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

● Bad business rates advice given to more

Wholesalers eye rapid deliveries

Pages 5 & 18

Trading up for bigger baskets

Council blunders: is your store owed thousands of pounds?

REVEALED

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THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Store owners share how they tackle complaints, keep staff safe and protect sales

● betterRetailing.com ● 10.12.2021

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NEWSTRADE SUCCESS

Dealing with difficult customers RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

l Bestway trial shows these healthier lines sell anywhere l Discover the new lines ready for the junk food promo ban l Retailer plans for growing lower-sugar sales

How to get your free toy-vending machine

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Lottery age change

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● betterRetailing.com ● 11.06.2021

The benefits of working with local suppliers, and how to build those relationships Page 16

STAFF DEVELOPMENT

Make more from the big night in

The rules stores follow to fill gaps and win custom through local partnerships Page 18 »

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SALES OPPORTUNITY

Get more from local suppliers

Police and BID praised for ‘pilot’ scheme to fight crime with free gear for staff Page 6 »

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

LO 1 AD OK- 3-P VI BO AG CE O E GU K A ID ND E

PayPoint ramps up services

l betterRetailing.com l 09.04.2021

healthier lines that help deliver £250 extra weekly profit to indie stores

Get more customers through your door

the reintroduction of mandatory Covid-19 control measures

SHOPLIFTING

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

80

l Advice and resources for stores on

STORE SERVICES

l betterRetailing.com l 18.02.2022

NEWS Page 4

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: Revealed

What the new Covid-19 rules mean for your store

Page 3

STORE SERVICES Page 3

E RE XCL SE US AR IV CH E

l betterRetailing.com l 03.12.2021

CO UP VID DA -1 TE 9

RETAIL NEWS THAT MATTERS

CATEGORY ADVICE Page 21

18+

Footfall, customer trust and sales being damaged by mistake that takes under five minutes to fix

PayPoint working towards more sales, more margin and more stores for its parcels network

Inside the latest opportunities in e-cigarettes and what they mean for local shops

THE LEADING TITLE FOR NEWS AND CONVENIENCE RETAILERS

Revealed: 63% of convenience stores list the wrong opening hours

Page 5

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PARFETTS

New ownlabel range revealed Wholesaler quietly

NEWSTRADE

Vol 132 No 2 £2.50

The new must-stock magazines Discover the titles

CATEGORY ADVICE

The winter meds you need to stock Stock up to sell up

15/07/2022 60% caught10:44 LEGISLATION

out by allergy law Mistakes by shop staff

OWN-LABEL

Booker to change own label Happy Shopper,