Talking Shop ISSUE 144 – September-October 2026
The magazine for Premier retailers
PLUS
Bagging success Award-winning Premier Dunbar continues to raise the bar
Scoot delivers
Vouchers now available after successful trial
Spooktacular! Take a bigger bite out of Halloween 2026
Talking Shop | September-October 2026
Welcome
Talking Shop ISSUE 144 – Septembe
r-October 2026
The magazine
After what has been a long and very hot summer in parts, autumn is here and bringing with it the promise of crisper days and cooler nights to come. However, while temperatures might be dipping outside, in stores, the opportunity to harvest additional sales and profits is just about to hot up. The wind-up to the crucial festive period presents an array of golden sales opportunities, including ‘Back To School’, Halloween and then Bonfire Night shortly afterwards. It also heralds the return of the Big Night In opportunity, as shoppers seek out the warmth and comfort of their sofas once more. Whatever the occasion, Premier has a bumper crop of support, promotions, NPD and more, to help you make the very most of each one. Our Halloween feature, for example, is packed with insights and information to help you take a bigger bite out of this year’s opportunity, which looks set to be especially plump - given that it falls on a Saturday and during the half term holidays. And, naturally, we also have a feature to help you get your all-important Christmas preparations off to a cracking start. I also urge you to check out our Meet The Team interview with Booker’s Interim Head of Marketing Sophie Porter, who talks about the power of POS and how Premier’s suite of expertlydesigned materials can help you squeeze every drop out of all these opportunities. You can also read about our latest Scoot developments, including the successful addition of vouchering functionality. Vouchers were first piloted at the end of January with very successful redemption rates since then. This issue also showcases the inspiring progress made by Booker’s LGBTQ+ Network over recent months, as well as some great advice on staff training. So happy reading, and very happy trading over the next couple of months!
for Premier retaile
rs
Bagging success
Award-winning Premier Dunb continues to ar raise the bar
PLUS
Scoot delivers
Vouchers now available after successful trial
Spooktacular! Take a bigger bite of Halloween out 2026
COVER STORY Just under two years on from opening their multiaward-winning Premier store, Shiva and Shanthi Kandaswamy are busier than ever. THE THREE BIG STORIES 38 BIGGER BITE Get your teeth stuck into this year’s extrajuicy Halloween opportunity. 65 SCOOT SUCCESS Scoot retailers can now offer vouchers after a successful trial. 80 BOOKER NETWORKS An inspiring update from the LGBTQ+ Colleague Network.
Share your shop news
If you’ve got news, tips or feature ideas, please get in touch with Talking Shop: Martyn Parkinson, Director of Retail Sales
Stewart Fenn, Director of Retail Customer Proposition & Forecourt Sales
EMAIL:
yourretailmag@booker.co.uk DISCLAIMER: Prices are correct at time of going to press, but may be subject to change.
This magazine is exclusively for Premier retailers, and not for consumer use.
4 TalkingShop September-October 2026
59
New products to drink in this Autumn.
28
Premier Dunbar shows us how it’s done.
18
Community calls at Premier Jules Convenience Store.
46 Get set for a cracking Christmas.
15 COMMUNITY NEWS
46 ALL WRAPPED UP
A round up of inspiring stories
Christmas is on its way – are
from Premier stores.
you ready?
77 SPEND WITH BENEFITS American Express Cards are now being welcomed at all
80
Booker’s LGBTQ+ Network’s proud achievements.
17 GROCERYAID UPDATE
55 NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK
The latest news from the
Look out for Booker’s brand-
industry’s charity.
new Autumn NPD Guide!
Booker locations.
80 BOOKER NETWORKS An inspiring update from the LGBTQ+ Colleague Network.
18 EYES ON THE PRIZE
59 NPD ROUNDUP
Julie Kaur explains her
Our pick of the hottest new
87 TRAIN TO GAIN
award-winning approach to
products to hit the shelves.
Up-skill your staff and
community retailing.
28 RAISING THE BAR
keep compliant with free
65 SCOOT VOUCHER TRIAL
Shiva and Shanthi
The results are in and Scoot
Kandaswamy are an
has delivered again!
unstoppable force.
38 THRILLS AND TILLS
accredited training.
91 ACS UPDATE ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall talks tactics for
70 MEET THE TEAM
healing the UK’s high streets.
Say hello to Booker’s Interim
Get your teeth stuck into this
Head of Marketing, Sophie
year’s extra-juicy Halloween.
Porter. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
5
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IndustryNews A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY
Local shops among businesses that communities want more of Local shops and post offices once again top the public’s ‘most wanted services’ list.
PAYPOINT LAUNCHES COMMUNITY AWARDS PayPoint has launched a new Community Champion Awards Programme to celebrate retailers who go above and beyond. The initiative comprises four awards, one of which will be announced each quarter. The categories are: l The PayPoint All Rounder l Parcels Retailer of the Year l PayPoint | BankLocal Retailer of the Year l Most Improved Retailer of the Year. Winning retailers will be able to select a local
Local shops and post offices have once again starred
highstreets, while 39% would like to see improved
community initiative
at the top of the public’s ‘most wanted services’ list.
cleanliness. An additional 30% said they would also
or club to receive a
like to see more shop units occupied.
donation of £3,500, plus
Banks, specialist food shops, pharmacies, post offices and convenience stores all featured in the top-10 list of businesses that local people said they wanted to see more of in their communities,
More than 30% of people said that “dodgy” shops were making their highstreets worse. In
addition,
hairdressers,
charity
free PayPoint service fees for 12 months.
shops,
Jo Toolan, Managing
the Association of Convenience Store’s (ACS)
takeaways, pawnbrokers and specialist vape shops
Director, Network
Community Barometer 2026 has revealed.
were all named as businesses that the public believe
Services, said: “We
are too numerous, and would like to see less of their
want to recognise those
highstreets.
retailers who consistently
The Barometer also highlighted the essential role that local shops play in community cohesion, with 51% of people agreeing that their local shop acted as
“The evidence points to a clear and consistent
go above and beyond,
a community hub, and 54% agreeing that it helped to
set of priorities: addressing crime and anti-social
supporting local people
reduce loneliness in their community.
behaviour, returning empty units to use by reducing
day in, day out.”
Just under 45% of people said that would also like to see a greater range of shops and services on their
the cost of trading, maintaining clean environments, and ensuring accessibility,” the Barometer said. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
7
Fall in recorded shop theft offences welcomed Local shops have welcomed a 4% fall in the number of recorded shop thefts. 530,324 the year before.
BETTER MANAGERTEAM RELATIONS HELP HALT RETAIL WELLBEING DROP Wellbeing in the retail industry has improved for the first time in a
Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:
year as relationships
“Shop theft has now fallen for a second consecutive
between managers
period – dropping 4% in just the last year.
and staff strengthened,
“Charges are up 19% in the last year alone, and
according to the latest
almost one in four shop theft offences now lead to
Retail People Index
a charge.
from Retail Trust and
“After years of neglect, we are making a difference. This is what happens when retail crime is finally treated with the seriousness it deserves.”
global consulting firm AlixPartners. The index calculates
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Tackling
retail worker wellbeing
welcomed a fall in the official number of shop thefts
theft, abuse, robbery and other retail crime remains
scores out of a possible
recorded by the police over the last year.
a top priority for local shops, with over half a
100, with anything
billion pounds spent in the last two years on crime
below 60 indicating that
prevention and detection measures.
people are struggling
The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales, published by the Office for National Statistics has shown that following a period of increases in
“The official figures continue to highlight the
with their mental health.
shoplifting, there has been a 4% decrease in the year
challenges facing convenience stores, but we
The results show overall
to March 2026, when compared with the previous
welcome significant positive steps that have been
wellbeing scores rose to
year.
made throughout the last year on increasing the
62 out of 100 between
visibility and accessibility of police forces in
January and March this
communities.”
year. This is up from 57 at
In the 12 months to March 2026, there were 507,086 recorded shop theft offences compared to
the end of 2025, when
Facewatch to launch UK-first real-time police alert capability
wellbeing had continued to deteriorate.
Facewatch has announced plans to launch the UK’s
carried out by a minority of prolific repeat offenders,
first real-time crime management platform, which
an increasing number of which are using weapons to
measures the likelihood
will alert police in just four seconds when high-risk
threaten shop workers.
of staff quitting or
offenders enter stores.
The report also
“We’re calling time on prolific repeat offending
working while unwell
The platform feature will trigger a real-time
with a unique technical development that will warn
to show the impact
notification the moment a high-risk offender is
police within an average of four seconds the moment
of happiness levels on
matched by live facial recognition as they enter a
the worst offenders are matched and flagged on our
businesses.
protected store, enabling police to respond while an
network.”
incident is still unfolding. Facewatch CEO Nick Fisher said: “To support the
There was a 9% fall in the number of retail employees likely to leave
wider community and government fight against retail
their jobs and an 11%
crime, the capability to alert police instantly when
drop in those going into
serious offenders trigger a live facial recognition
work while unwell during
match will take evidence-backed crime reporting to
the first three months of
the next level.”
2026.
Fisher added: “The majority of retail crime is September-October 2026 TalkingShop
9
Great sales. are on us..
Shoppers increasingly prioritise delivery choice
BOOKER ACHIEVES MSC CERTIFICATION FOR OWN BRAND TUNA PRODUCTS
The findings reinforce the importance of extensive and accessible parcel networks.
All own-brand tuna supplied through Booker is now
Research from PayPoint has revealed that shoppers
Marine Stewardship Council
increasingly value having a choice of delivery and
(MSC) certified.
collection options when buying online, highlighting
The development
the growing need for retailers to offer a breadth of
means that all Booker’s
choices.
own brand tuna,
The research, based on a survey of more than
including tinned
2,000 UK consumers, found that 86.5% consider it
products, can carry the
important to have a choice of delivery or collection options at checkout.
blue MSC ecolabel.
Nearly one-third (32.6%) of consumers said
The development
The findings come as wider industry research
having flexible delivery and collection options
comes as shoppers
shows UK consumers are increasingly willing to
matters more than receiving the fastest delivery
increasingly seek
pay for delivery services that meet their individual
available, while a further 24.7% said speed and
confidence in where
needs, with 61% prepared to pay a premium for a
flexibility are equally important.
their food comes from -
Convenience also remains a key factor for
with seafood being no
The findings suggest that while fast delivery has
consumers using parcel collection and drop-off
exception. With global
become an expectation for many shoppers, choice
services. Almost nine in ten (88.3%) respondents
supply chains often
is emerging as a key differentiator for retailers.
said it is important for parcel collection and drop-
stretching across several
Industry data shows 63% of UK consumers now
off points to be located close to their home or
countries and processing
expect a typical online order to arrive within two
workplace. Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (64.8%)
stages, traceability is
days as standard, reinforcing the need for retailers
said they would only be willing to travel up to 10
an important part of
to compete on more than speed alone.
minutes to collect or return a parcel.
responsible sourcing.
chosen or faster delivery option in 2026.
Booker has been working with suppliers
Powerball makes an impact with UK launch
and industry experts to improve visibility across
The new game gives UK
5am on 21 July.
its seafood supply
players the chance to play the
The game is behind some of
chains, supporting
world’s biggest rolling jackpot
the world’s biggest lottery wins,
responsible sourcing
game for the very first time.
including a record-breaking
standards for both wild-
Priced at £4 per line, UK
jackpot worth more than $2.04
caught and farmed fish.
players play for a chance to win the shared jackpot by matching
billion won in 2022.
A key focus has been
With 20p commission per £4
increasing the amount
five main numbers plus the
line sold, alongside additional
of seafood sourced from
Shoppers have been flocking
Powerball, with the jackpot paid
earning and footfall opportunities
independently certified
to stores to buy tickets for
to UK winners over 30 years.
from in-store prize payouts,
fisheries.
The first UK Powerball ticket
Allwyn claims the game offers
Powerball game after its official
was sold at Sewell On The Go
clear commercial benefits for
UK launch in July.
in Pocklington, York at just after
retailers.
The National Lottery’s new
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
11
Energy drinks ban to be enforced in England in April A mandatory ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s is expected to come into force in England next year.
GROCERY SPEND REMAINS TOP PRIORITY FOR CASH-STRAPPED SHOPPERS Shoppers continue to prioritise spending on groceries despite planning to cut back
The Department of Health and Social Care has
elsewhere, the latest
confirmed that a mandatory ban on the sale of
British Retail Consortium
energy drinks to under-16s is expected to come into
Consumer Sentiment
force in England next April.
Monitor shows.
But, the Association of Convenience Stores
The research,
(ACS) has argued that retailers need more time to
published in July, found
implement the ban.
groceries and food
Under the proposals, drinks that contain more
remain consumers’
than 150mg of caffeine per litre will be illegal for
strongest spending
sale to anyone aged under 16. Tea, coffee and lower
priority, with 39%
caffeine soft drinks are not set to be affected by the
activity around compliance, and for retailers to train
expecting to spend
ban.
staff on the new policies required.
more over the next three
In November 2025, ACS responded to the
ACS polling of independent retailers in 2022
Government’s consultation on the ban of energy
showed that four in five already have some form
11% who expect to
drinks to under-16s in England, highlighting the
of voluntary policy in place to restrict the sale of
spend less, giving the
need for a longer implementation period to ensure
energy drinks to young people.
category a net score
that retailers and customers are prepared for the change, allow enforcement authorities to plan their
months compared with
High caffeine soft drinks are currently labelled as ‘not recommended for children’.
of +28%. All other retail categories recorded negative net spending
Brits reveal what they look for in a service station
intentions. By contrast, overall retail spending expectations have fallen to a net +1%, the lowest level recorded since
Clean toilets, a wide range of snacks and good parking are the top priorities for service station shoppers.
February. Although the
As millions of Brits took to the roads over the summer holidays, new
report shows a third
research conducted by Gulf revealed what holidaymakers most desired
consecutive monthly
from their service station stops.
improvement in
Clean toilets were rated a top priority by almost two-thirds of drivers
consumer confidence,
(63%) followed by a comprehensive range of food and drink options, with
consumers are feeling
good parking options ranking third.
largely negative about
A full range of fuels, good customer service, family facilities and EV charging were among the other facilities drivers also appreciated most.
the wider economy with 37% of consumers
With the average staycationer travelling 191 miles to reach their holiday destination, service stations are a major feature of the long holiday drive
expecting the UK economy to worsen.
- with 34% of drivers using a service station once and 38% at least twice. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
13
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CommunityNews NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
That takes the biscuit!
WORKING IT OUT Premier retailer Julie Kaur has welcomed a group of four work experience students from Hadley Learning Community – an all-through school for students aged five to 16 located in Hadley, Telford. The four students spent a whole week with Julie and her friendly in-store team, learning all aspects of running a convenience store, including back-office operations, stacking shelves, merchandising and customer service skills.
PAWFECT SUPPORT Premier Village Store in Fivehead, near Taunton, has helped support its local animal shelter by asking shoppers to donate any small change they have. In a matter of weeks,
Inspirational Premier retailers Linda and Dennis Williams were treated to some tasty local bakes in
the village store
celebration of their recent Lifetime Achievement Award from Scottish Local Retailer (SLR) magazine.
collected just under £30,
Local supplier Stephens Bakery surprised the dynamic duo with a beautiful box of handmade iced biscuits featuring edible photographs of them receiving their award.
which was donated to the St Giles Animal
Commenting on the touching and very tasty treat, their daughter Sophie Williams said: “Our relationships with our suppliers are just so special! Our fabulous friend Graeme from Stephens Bakery surprised us this
Centre. The centre helps care
morning with personalised biscuits to celebrate mum and dad’s amazing Lifetime Achievement Award at
for pets as they await
the SLR Awards.
rehoming.
“Thank you to all the team at Stephens for our fantastic working relationship all these years.” September-October 2026 TalkingShop
15
Tekkz RBLZ Pro
EA SPORTS FC 27 IN-GAME REWARDS Includes optional in-game purchases (includes random items). 18+ only; T&Cs & exclusions apply. Promotion and competition not available on Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2. Competition closes 30/11/2026 and is not available on PC.
Angry Ginge Red Bull Player
Barcode Festival raises record £1.19m Industry charity GroceryAid’s flagship Barcode music festival raised a record £1.19m in July.
Industry charity GroceryAid has announced the return of
help nourish people in need across London experiencing food
Barcode Festival on 1 July 2027 following another hugely
poverty. Some 20,535 meals were delivered to charities feeding
successful event this year that brought together thousands of
communities across London, through City Harvest’s charitable
grocery industry colleagues for a day of live music, networking
network, after the event.
and fundraising at Kenwood House, London. Barcode 2026 welcomed more than 4,600 attendees from 378
Kieran Hemsworth, CEO of GroceryAid, said: “Barcode is a celebration of an industry that genuinely cares for its people. To
companies and raised £1,190,025 for GroceryAid, helping the
see thousands of colleagues come together to connect, celebrate
charity continue its vital work supporting independent retailing
and raise vital funds for GroceryAid is incredibly special. Every
and grocery workers and their families across the UK. The
ticket purchased, every activation delivered and every donation
charity provides financial, emotional and practical support to
made helps us continue providing financial, emotional and
grocery people when they need it the most.
practical support to grocery workers and their families across
Surplus food from the event was donated to City Harvest who
the UK.” September-October 2026 TalkingShop
17
CUSTOMER PROFILE | PREMIER JULES CONVENIENCE STORE
Eyes on the prize Julie Kaur is a multi-award-winning retailer – and as soon as you step into her recently redeveloped Premier store in Telford, it’s abundantly clear why.
18 TalkingShop September-October 2026
S
hoppers who step into the pleasant,
helping out there,” she explains. “I was no stranger to
polished interior of Jules Convenience
hard work, even from a young age. There were certainly
Store in Telford instantly register two
no lie-ins! It taught me so much about responsibility,
things: one – this is not your average
thinking on your feet, working with other people and it
convenience store; and two – ‘I’m going
helped me to build really strong communication skills
to need a bigger basket’.
too.”
And that’s largely because its namesake and owner,
Skills which she would eventually put to further good
Julie Kaur, is anything but your average retailer – as
use when she later met and married her husband, whose
the sparkling sweep of trophies that shine from her
parents owned what was then a small general store in
countertops so clearly communicate.
Telford.
And with her welcoming smile, infectious enthusiasm and, not to mention, her distinctive Jules Premier football
And so Julie’s retail era began. “We started to make plans to fit the store out all nicely
shirt (the fruit of her sponsorship of local team AFC
and, as it happened, the work began on our first wedding
Broseley Town), Julie herself is no less resplendent.
anniversary back in 1991,” she recalls fondly.
The trophy trove is testament to her extraordinary achievements – many of which centre around her outstanding community commitments and charitable
Then, in 1992, they had their first child, followed by their second in 1994 and their third in 1996. “It was such a wonderful time. I’d be behind the
endeavours – along with her business acumen and
counter at nine months pregnant and our regular
advocacy for women.
customers would pop in every day to check on me – and
And what makes Julie’s tapestry of triumphs even
grab their groceries at the same time.
more impressive is that she wasn’t stitched from a retail
“A lot of them had allotments and they’d bring me
background – her early years were woven in knitwear.
fresh vegetables to eat and little knitted clothes for the
“My family owned a knitwear factory and I spent most of my free time on weekends and during the holidays
babies. It was so nice, I just loved being there and being a part of that lovely community.” September-October 2026 TalkingShop
19
M121844 – Desperados (8x) 3x330ml bottles M177728 – Desperados (12x) 1x650ml bottle M301529 – Desperados (6x) 4x440ml cans
*Source: Kantar world panel online MAT P5 26
Now, almost 36 years on (the last 25 of which have been with Premier), she’s no longer just a part of that community – she’s at the very centre – with Jules Convenience Store, as it’s now known, having evolved into a genuine community hub and destination convenience store. “People often ask me how I still have so much passion for the job after all this time and I say it’s simple: it’s the people. It’s my shoppers, my team, my community, my fellow retailers, it’s the relationships I have with all of them that means that no two days are ever the same. “I’m very hands on as a retailer. I’m in store most days and I think that’s really key. It’s what makes my relationship with my shoppers so unique – they mean everything to me. They could shop anywhere but they chose to shop with me because of that relationship that exists.” However, that cosy relationship has certainly not meant that Julie’s rested on her laurels. No siree! “In this industry, or in any really, you should never ever take your eye off the ball. I’m always looking for the next big thing, for new ways to develop the business and drive it forward.” September-October 2026 TalkingShop
21
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
And that’s exactly why she’s recently invested in a topto-bottom refit. “In my eyes, my old shop looked lovely; but when you go to the trade shows and the awards ceremonies, you notice other retailers’ shops and you see the new concepts. It just made me think that now was the time. “And then I spoke to Premier, and I was blown away by their vision for my store. The plan was astounding. “What I especially liked was that everyone, from members of Booker’s senior management team to my RDM, came to visit me. The support was fantastic.” And so, in the summer of 2025, work began. “We’ve had loads of mini refits over the years, but this was the first time that we took the plunge and stripped it right back to the bare bones. It was quite the project!” Julie explains. But, Julie being Julie, she didn’t just rip it all out and toss it away. Not a chance! She took it upon herself to redistribute as much of the old store’s fixtures and fittings as possible to those in need. “We had all this old aluminium shelving that was still in very good condition, so I went to my local Booker branch and told a number of the customers there that it was going spare. There’s a lot of people just starting out who can’t afford to buy everything new and I wanted to help them.”
Store profile
Store name: Premier Jules Convenience Store, Telford Retailer: Julie Kaur Services: Royal Mail, DPD, UPS, YEEP, InPost lockers, cash machine, National Lottery, community defibrillator. Opening hours: 6am-8pm Size: 1,500sq ft
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
In the end, eight different retailers came to the store and took away her shelving for use in their own businesses. Some of it even went to the local Sikh temple and a local community shop. The chillers also went to another local business. And that wasn’t all. She even gave away her suspended ceiling – splitting the old ceiling tiles and LED lights between another six local stores. “I was so pleased that nothing was wasted. It was a really lovely thing, and they were all so grateful.” And just a few weeks later, there were even more reasons to be grateful when local shoppers got a first glimpse of their brand-new store. “This new concept store has been designed to reflect how shoppers shop these days,” Julie explains. “There’s a lot more fresh and chilled produce, a lot more frozen and a lot more food to go.”
machines outright too.” The store also offers shoppers a dedicated double-door chiller of food-to-go choices, including Premier’s £6 Meal Deal. There’s also a feast of locally made pastries, pies and sweet treats to go, all of which are housed in smart new chillers up at the counter. The range also includes chilled cheesecake portions which have quickly become a top seller. “We buy frozen cheesecakes in from Booker and we thaw a few slices from three different types a day. “There’s less wastage that way and they look and taste fantastic. By the end of the day, every day, they are all gone.” Soft drinks are another bestseller, buoyed by the store’s vastly expanded range that’s now housed in its footfalldriving Soft Drinks Cave.
“Food to go has been one of the biggest changes.
“The idea was to create a unique and modern feature
We never did a great deal before and now we have this
in the store that would appeal to a younger demographic
fabulous Refresh@Premier bar with Lavazza coffee,
as well as to shoppers who are choosing an alcohol-free
Jolly Rancher slush and Fresh Shakes. I bought all the
lifestyle,” Julie explains. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
25
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Selected depots, check your local depot listings.
And the Soft Drinks Cave certainly does that.
And of course, Julie’s unique stamp can still be felt all
“We now have so many more under-30s coming in
around the store, from her trove of trophies to the large
– and they are seeking out the things that they see on
family photographs that adorn many of its pillars, walls
TikTok. I’ve even seen some of them creating their own
and doors.
content in there! “There was nothing like this in the local area before, so it’s made us even more unique.”
“And of course I’m still tweaking things,” she laughs. “I regularly walk the store as a customer with my notepad in hand so that I can write down any observations I make
A custom-made Beer Cave drives further footfall, with
and identify any slow sellers. If something’s not sold in
big wins being noted in growing sub-categories such as
two months, I get rid of it and bring in something new.”
RTDs.
Her meticulous merchandising standards have also
“Multi-pack sales of beer and cider have also soared
been clearly maintained, with every inch of this modern
because we can sell them all chilled now. It means that
marvel of a store perfectly presented around the clock.
many shoppers are now coming to us to buy them – plus we offer great value for money,” says Julie. “Sales of crisps, snacks and biscuits are also up.
“Standing here today in this wonderful five-star store, I’m just so happy that we did what we did,” says Julie. “Additional footfall and sales are great, of course, but
They’re positioned just opposite the Beer and Soft Drinks
you don’t just do it for that. You also do it for yourself
Caves because that’s how shoppers shop.
because, at the end of the day, it’s nice to have a really
“Also, I just think shoppers are snacking more these days – it’s an affordable way to treat themselves.”
nice store!” And she certainly does. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
27
CUSTOMER PROFILE | PREMIER DUNBAR
Raising the bar Shiva and Shanthi Kandaswamy’s unquenchable thirst for perfection and progression never fails to inspire.
A
retailer’s work is never
impressive 350sq ft space – creating a truly
done. There’s always
corking range that draws shoppers in from
another job on the to-do
miles around.
list, another check to
The wine selection caters for all tastes
make or call to take.
and budgets, from great-value bestsellers to
And one dynamic duo who know this all
too well are Shiva and Shanthi Kandaswamy of Premier Dunbar. Just under two years on from opening
premium-priced fine wines with RSPs of £40 and up. A number of bottles are also unique smallbatch, biodynamic, organic and vegan –
their multi-award-winning Premier store,
making Premier Dunbar a true destination for
they’re busier than ever, as they strive to not
grape aficionados.
just maintain, but magnify, the marvellous
And of course, it’s not all about wine.
offer for which they’ve been so deservedly
Premier Dunbar’s BWS range also includes a
decorated.
generous serving of top-selling beers, ciders,
Opened in November 2024, in what was
RTDs and spirits.
a former hardware store, Premier Dunbar
“All credit for the wine cave goes to
boasts an impressive toolkit of USPs – chief
Shiva,” Shanthi says. “His knowledge of
of which is a truly outstanding beer and wine
wine knows no bounds - he can talk about it
cave.
for hours!”
Former head sommelier Shiva, who also
In fact, for many shoppers, a chat with
owns the specialist off-licence Haddington
Shiva, whose early wine career took him on
Wines and Whiskies, has poured every last
nine round-the-world trips, is just as much of
drop of his wine industry expertise into the
a draw as the wine itself.
28 TalkingShop September-October 2026
Store profile
Name: Premier Dunbar Retailers: Shiva and Shanthi Kandaswamy Size: 3,000sq ft Opening hours: 7am-10pm Staff: 7 Services: Parcel collection, National Lottery, home delivery, PayPoint
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
29
“He’s so enthusiastic and passionate about the category. It’s rare that someone leaves this store with one bottle – that might have been their intention when they came in, but they usually leave with six – and a whole lot of new learnings!” she laughs. And shoppers aren’t the only ones learning. “As a retailer you are always learning – or at least we are!” Shanthi says. “We’re always on the lookout for new trends, new products and new ideas to move the business forward. Every day is a school day!” “We learn from our customers too. Shiva and I spend a lot of time in the store – me personally, I am here for at least six hours a day, five to six days a week.” That hands-on approach has allowed Shanthi and Shiva to build deeply meaningful connections with many of their local shoppers – from whom they also regularly seek feedback – using those learnings to enhance the business further. “Our high levels of personal and personable customer service are another thing that sets us apart – it’s definitely another USP,” Shanthi adds. And their hard-working team of six staff receive ongoing training to help them deliver the same memorable customer experience. All staff receive extensive training not just in compliance, but in service standards and customer expectations, with every member of their enthusiastic and highly engaged team making a conscious effort to chat to each and every shopper who enters the store – finding out what they need and how they can help. And not all those shoppers are local – far from it. Between the months of May and September, the vibrant seaside town of Dunbar is flooded with tourists – and gaggles of golfers keen to take a swing along “Scotland’s Golf Coast”. “The tourist trade provides a big opportunity for us in the summer months,” Shanthi says.
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
31
#1 SELLING JUICE SKU
$4.4BN GLOBAL CATEGORY
The UK's number one selling juice SKU across take-home and on-the-go, with 1 carton sold every second.
Coconut Water is now a $4.4bn global category, backed by elite athletes and growing consumer demand for functional refreshments.
M160035 VITA COCO ORIGINAL 330ml
THE FASTEST-GROWING TOP 10 JUICE BRAND BUILT FOR EVERY CHANNEL Enjoyed on its own, in smoothies or as a mixer & sold everywhere from retail to QSR, gyms, pubs, and vending Ambient stable with a long shelf life, it's the Swiss Army Knife of beverages NAT OCCUURALLY POTA RRING SSIUM
Driving more volume growth than any other juice brand, adding 4.5 million litres to the category and outperforming the energy, juice and soft drinks categories combined.
GREAT
OUTT WOFRREK SHMEN RE
*SOURCE: NIELSEN COCONUT WATER CATEGORY 52 W/E 11.07.2026 ** SOURCE: EUROMONITOR 2026 *** SOURCE: INTERNAL SALES
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
“And thanks to the range we have created, we are able to offer them a true one-stop shop.” She’s not kidding. In addition to the picture-perfect wine and beer cave, Premier Dunbar also boasts a large soft drinks cave that’s brimming with chilled, ready-to-drink refreshments. Shoppers who stop in can also treat themselves to an appetising array of chilled or hot drinks to go from the store’s Refresh@ Premier bar, including Fresh Shakes, CocaCola Frozen, Lavazza coffee and Rollover hot dogs, muffins and burgers. There’s also a load of local! “East Lothian is the larder of Scotland,” says Shanthi, “and shoppers can see that on our shelves! “Local and regional produce is another big USP of ours and as such, it’s a category that we are continuously investing in and looking to grow.” Locally and regionally sourced products elevate the store’s offer to another level. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
33
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
From beers to biscuits and cream to curry
chilled but if shoppers want them heated up
– not forgetting spirits, meat, fish, cheese,
to go then I can do that for them,” Shanthi
chocolate and more – there really is a
says.
local product for every shopper and every occasion. The store’s fantastic seven-door frozen
The Indian delights are merchandised in a smart glass and wood-effect chilled cabinet at the front of the store, alongside other local
range is elevated with a dedicated six-shelf
food-to-go products, such as bridies and
freezer for authentic Indian ready meals from
Scotch pies, sourced from the local bakery.
the award-winning Perth-based chef Praveen Kumar. Praveen’s frozen ready meals, which Shanthi describes as “astounding”, have been a runaway success for Premier Dunbar – which has swiftly risen to become one of the range’s top-10 customers. Shanthi and Shiva have also recently bolstered their chilled offer with the
“Chilled is an important category and we feel that we’ve still got a lot more room to grow it, so we’ll be exploring new ways of doing that going forward,” Shanthi says. She’s also got her eye on the seasonal ball – or beach balls to be exact. “We try to squeeze every drop out of the seasonal opportunities – especially summer,” she explains.
introduction of chilled Praveen Kumar sides
As such, the store also offers shoppers a
and snacks, including samosas, bhajis and
carefully curated range of children’s toys and
pakoras, plus homemade dipping sauces for
beach accessories.
shoppers to take away with them. “We buy them in frozen in big two-kilo boxes and thaw them for sale. We sell them
“I like to buy nice books for the children and fun beach toys – not those squishy dumplings!” she says.
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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OUR RANGE AVAILABLE AT BOOKER
“We then promote those products with attractive, eye-catching displays. In-store theatre is another strength for sure and something we are passionate about. “We’ve tried to create a cozy farm-shop feel, using nice props such as rustic wooden wine barrels, which we use to display new products and nice wicker baskets for local breads and things. “We also run 100% of the Premier promotions and we always ensure that we make full use of the whole POS kit to give the deal maximum impact.” And Shanthi’s shelves certainly do have some sparkle. “We have really high standards for presentation. Whatever time you visit our store I can guarantee that it will be looking great,” she says. “The team are always facing up, as am I. It never stops. In a store this busy, it can’t!” With a range and standards like that, it’s little wonder that Premier Dunbar’s average basket rings in at £25 with £100-plus baskets not uncommon – especially for shoppers buying fine wines. “Running a store of this size, with this range and such high standards certainly takes a lot of work, but we love it,” Shanthi gushes, “and I think that’s another key to our success,” she says. And that’s before we even get to Shiva and Shanthi’s equally impressive community and charitable work – but that’s another feature entirely! “Don’t get me wrong, at times it can be tough and we do face challenges like every store does, but those aside, we really enjoy being here, we love the customers, the service, the team, the products, all of it. “People often ask me when I’ll retire and I say, I’m nowhere near ready! We’ve got so much left to do!” September-October 2026 TalkingShop
37
FEATURE | HALLOWEEN 2026
Thrills and tills Missing out on this year’s extra toothsome Halloween opportunity would be a grave mistake!
HARIBO STARMIX BUMPER BOX! Case size: 1x800g Promo WSP: £3.35 Consumer Deal: £5 POR: 19.6%
38 TalkingShop September-October 2026
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
61984 Booker
Halloween_A1
Poster HR.pdf
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Ghoulishly good value Product Monster Mix
Case size 20x150g
Promo WSP £11.49
Cons Deal ‘Any 2 for £2’
POR 31.1%
Scary Spiders
20x150g
£11.49
‘Any 2 for £2’
31.1%
Haribo Bone Shakers
12x140g
£7.99
£1.25
36.1%
C
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Maoam Halloween Mix
14x140g
£9.29
£1.25
36.3%
Haribo Sour Bats
12x140g
£7.99
£1.25
36.1%
Cadbury Family Treatsize
14x223g
£29.69
£3.50
27.3%
Sweet Shop Favourites
4x650g
£13.95
£5.99
30.1%
S
and
of Halloween celebrators make their plans just
yet the Halloween season has
one week in advance – highlighting just how
Hot stuff
already got its claws into stores,
key it is for retailers to keep the momentum
You can also unearth great
with retailers up and down the
going right up until 31 October.
sales and profit opportunities
ummer’s
barely
spent
country pulling skeletons out
in the grocery aisle. With 11%
of their closets in preparation for 2026’s
SWEET OPPORTUNITY
spooky season.
“Halloween continues to be one of the
And with just under half of all GB adults
biggest seasonal events in the retail calendar,”
now celebrating Halloween – and growing,
Booker’s Confectionery Category Manager
according to a recent YouGov survey – it’s
Nicola Cranwell says. “Confectionery is
frightfully clear why…
undoubtedly the standout category.”
A spooktacular 49% of all GB adults said
In fact, the latest data reveals that Halloween
they celebrated Halloween in 2025 – up
confectionery is now worth £263m [NielsenIQ
significantly from 28% in 2024.
Scantrack & Kantar WPO | Total Halloween
And there’s more good news to come –
Confectionery | 6W to WE 01/11/25].
because with Halloween falling on a Saturday
So what are they buying and why?
this year, and during the October half-term
Buying sweets to hand out to trick-or-
break, consumer participation is expected to
treaters is the most common way that GB
be stronger than ever – giving retailers the
shoppers participate in Halloween, with well
chance to take an even bigger bite out of the
over a quarter doing so (28%) according to the
opportunity.
YouGov findings.
But not if they leave it too late! Did you know that more than a quarter of shoppers (28%) like to start making their Halloween plans at least a month before the big night?
For that reason, fun-size confectionery and novelty products are the key drivers of sales
treats, it clearly pays to ensure your shelves are fully stocked with key homebaking essentials including plain and self-raising flour, sugar, butter and eggs. And don’t forget the icing sugar – a common distress purchase. And with Halloween 2026 falling during many schools’ October half-term breaks, Halloween baking is also likely to prove a popular pastime for parents and carers this year. Why not stock some fun and convenient home-baking kits to make even more of the opportunity?
peaks in the final two weeks leading to 31 October, with 80% of shoppers purchasing only chocolate and fruity fun-size products,
fully stocked, high-impact seasonal and
underlining the importance of maintaining
promotional displays as early as possible in
availability during this critical trading period,
the season.
Mars Wrigley adds.
Doing so will help you to stretch out that all-
This year, Premier retailers will be able
important seasonal window and fire up those
to offer their shoppers the Haribo Starmix
all-important incremental sales and profits.
Bumper Box – an ideal solution for trick-
According to the same YouGov survey, 57%
season by baking Halloween
In fact, demand for these types of products
it is for retailers to invest in the creation of
But it’s in the final lead-up to the main event
they celebrate the spooky
during the Halloween season.
This YouGov stat shows just how important
that Halloween buying really peaks.
of GB shoppers saying that
or-treaters, offering a convenient mix of individually wrapped favourites in a format
Pumpkins also provide a fleshy opportunity to carve out additional sales and profits! Just under a quarter of all GB shoppers (22%) will buy a pumpkin to carve, according to YouGov’s 2025 Halloween spending and shopping trends survey.
designed specifically for Halloween. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
39
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
Treat-sized Cadbury Family Favourites will also be available for just £3.50 per 223g multipack between NP8 and NP9 – they’re on a WIGIG though, so don’t miss out! And of course, sharing is big news too. With just under a quarter of GB shoppers (24%) saying they celebrate the spooky season by holding scary movie nights at home, demand for sharing products soars in the lead-up to the night itself. Sharing bags represent the largest Halloween segment according to Mars Wrigley and were also the fastest-growing format for Halloween 2025, growing 7.1% in value sales – with large and extra-large sharing formats driving both penetration and basket spend. Retailers should also keep their eyes peeled for Haribo Sour Bats Share Bags – a wholesale channel exclusive “that taps into the continued popularity of sour flavours while adding a fun, seasonal twist to the sharing category,” Booker’s Nicola Cranwell adds.
Frightfully good facts 61984 Booker Halloween_A3 Header Card HR.pdf
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According to YouGov’s 2025 Halloween spending and shopping trends survey, just under half of all GB adults celebrate Halloween (49%) – this is up significantly from 28% in 2024. Buying sweets to hand out to trick-ortreaters is the most common way that GB shoppers participate in Halloween, with
C
M
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CM
well over a quarter doing so (28%).
MY
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CMY
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Just under a quarter (24%) celebrate the spooky season by holding scary movie nights at home. While more than half (55%) of GB adults say they spend less than £25 on Halloween
SPOOKY SALES DRIVERS
products, 20% say they spend between £26 and £50, with spending in this region highest among shoppers aged 35 to 44.
When asked what would encourage them to buy more Halloween products, the vast majority of GB shoppers named better prices (21%), better quality (16%), and better offers (15%) as the key motivators.
Younger shoppers aged 18 to 24 are
A greater choice of products also ranked highly (13%) while 10% of shoppers said location mattered – with being able to buy locally a key driver of sales.
YouGov data.
[SOURCE:YOUGOV]
the age group that spends the most on Halloween, with 10% of 18- to 24-year-olds saying they spend between £100 and £200 on the season, according to the
While online sales continue to rise, a solid 39% of GB shoppers say they prefer to buy their Halloween products in-store.
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
41
TOP TIPS l Prioritise availability during the final trading push: With more than half of shoppers planning their Halloween celebrations just a week ahead, late October is critical for promotions and shelf visibility. l Ensure bestselling lines, particularly fun-size confectionery and sharing formats of both chocolate and sugar confectionery, remain available as demand peaks closer to 31 October.
Retailers not in the scope of new HFSS
movie nights at home and Halloween get-
regulations will also be able to offer their
togethers with family and friends, sharing is
shoppers an ‘Any 2 for £2’ deal on Vidal
also really big news within the crisps, snacks
Monster Mix and Scary Spiders – both of
and nuts (CSN) category – in fact, it’s the
which are also Booker Group exclusives.
headline!
Tins and tubs also shine at Halloween – and
With a value of £2.1bn and growing,
were bought by eight million shoppers last
according to KP Snacks, sharing is the largest
season, Mars Wrigley says.
segment in CSN and proves that sharing really
And, with nearly half of Halloween tin and tub purchasers buying them again at
is caring – especially when it comes to your sales and profits.
Christmas, the category really does help
And thanks to an array of great-value deals,
retailers to create valuable cross-seasonal
Premier retailers have certainly got sharing in
loyalty.
the bag this year.
This Halloween season, Premier retailers
Take non-HFSS 140g bags of Doritos Chilli
will be able to get their claws on Swizzels
Heatwave, Cool Original and Tangy Cheese,
Mummy Mix 340g tubs, which they can use
for example, which are all available as part of
to create great in-store theatre and encourage
an ‘Any 2 for £3.50’ deal.
impulse purchases. Swizzels’ Sweet Shop Favourites will also feature a great-value RSP of £5.99 – offering retailers a POR of 30.1% during NP8-9. And of course, it’s not all about the sweet stuff. With shoppers stocking up for spooky
The same deal applies to dips including Sour Cream and Chives and Mild Salsa. Thrilling limited-edition crisps, such as Walkers Grilled Cheese and Chilli Jam and
l Drive the value-for-money message home. Price-led messaging, multipacks, and affordable Halloween costumes resonate across demographics. l Boost visibility with dedicated displays and merchandising support: Make full use of your Premier POS across a range of key shopper touchpoints to maximise visibility and drive impulse purchases. l Cross-merchandise confectionery with drinks, snacks and party products to increase basket spend. l Maximise the October half-term opportunity. With Halloween and half-term aligning this year, plan for increased footfall and family-focused shopping missions.
Walkers Salt and Pepper Chicken crisps, are also sure to help retailers give their sales and profits some extra bite too. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
43
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
The two new takeaway-inspired
Look out for NP8’s ‘Any 2 for £3’
flavours are the result of Walkers’ ‘Do
deal on 2L bottles of Coca-Cola Zero,
Us A Flavour’ competition, which
Coca-Cola Zero Cherry, Cherry Float
invited shoppers to submit their dream
and Diet Coke – perfect for pouring at
crisp ideas.
parties.
Premier retailers will be able to offer
Shoppers after a fully loaded movie
their shoppers the two winning flavours
night experience will also be able to
in 70g packs price-marked at £1.49.
take advantage of a frightfully great-
And of course, the benefits of
value frozen meal deal offering them
creating compelling seasonal sharing
the chance to ‘Buy 2 Chicago Town
offers and displays extend well beyond
Takeaway Pizzas and a Walls Viennetta
Halloween.
for just £6.99!’
l
Remember! Regulations are now in place to restrict the location and promotion of products that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS).
l
If your store is in scope, you cannot run volume promotions on HFSS products in-store or online.
l
You also cannot display
With the days shortening and the
So, with all that said and done, it’s
HFSS products within
weather turning colder, the arrival of
clear that no matter the time, or the
certain distances of
the Halloween season coincides with
occasion, Premier has the products,
the return of the Big Night In occasion
promotions and prices to help you sink
more generally, as shoppers swap picnic
your teeth into all the 2026 spooky
rugs for comfy snugs and cosy nights in.
season has to offer – right from its
As such, 2L bottles of soft drinks also provide a sparkling opportunity.
{
Don’t get caught out!
thrilling start to its terrific end.
checkouts, queuing areas, aisle ends and entrances. l
For more information, speak to your RDM or visit acs.org.uk/advice/ hfss-regulations/.
Halloween continues to be one of the biggest seasonal events in the retail calendar. As shoppers increasingly leave purchases until the last minute, local stores become the go-to destination for trick-or-treat sweets, sharing bags, decorations and impulse purchases. By stocking the right range and creating impactful seasonal displays, convenience retailers can drive incremental sales and increase basket spend throughout October.
}
Nicola Cranwell, Category Manager – Confectionery, Booker Group September-October 2026 TalkingShop
45
FEATURE | GET SET FOR CHRISTMAS
Deliver this Christmas With multiple missions throughout the season, retailers who plan ahead for Christmas will tuck into the merriest sales and profits.
T
rot on Rudolph! When it comes to Christmas, Premier is the master of delivering bags of festive sales and
unwrap the festive season’s full potential. And it’s a potential that just keeps on giving. “Christmas is the biggest seasonal
entertaining and stocking fillers in the run-up to Christmas,” she adds. “In the final days before Christmas, convenience stores play a vital role for top-up
trading opportunity of the year, with a much
shopping, forgotten gifts and last-minute
needed – unless, of course, they are the
longer selling period than Halloween and
purchases.”
chocolate kind.
multiple shopper missions throughout the
In other words, at Christmas, flexibility
And this year will certainly prove no
season,” Booker’s Category Manager for
is key, with retailers who plan ahead and
exception, with a sleigh-load of footfall-
Confectionery Nicola Cranwell explains.
adapt their ranges throughout the season
“Demand begins building from late
best placed to tuck into the festive sales
profits, with no reindeer
driving special offers, great-value prices and new and Group Exclusive products all set
September as shoppers start buying gifts and
opportunity that extends right across every
to land in stores just in time to help retailers
festive treats, before shifting towards sharing,
stage of the Christmas shopping journey.
46 TalkingShop September-October 2026
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
EXPERT EYE
“We expect Christmas 2026 to remain a key opportunity for convenience retailers. While shoppers continue to look for value, they are still keen to celebrate and are likely to spread their spending across the longer festive period. “This makes it important for retailers to stock the right products at the right time, evolving their range as shopper missions change from early gifting and impulse treats to sharing, entertaining and last-minute top-up purchases. “Availability will be critical, particularly in the final fortnight before Christmas when convenience stores see increased footfall.” Booker Category Manager, Confectionery, Nicola Cranwell
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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available now
EXPERT EYE
“Early shoppers focus on value-driven gifts, festive novelties and stocking fillers, while later missions centre around entertaining, sharing and forgotten purchases. Convenience retailers are well placed to capture these last-minute shopping occasions thanks to their accessibility and extended opening hours. “Shoppers are also looking for products that offer great value while still delivering festive excitement, with trusted brands and our range of Exclusive SKUs, NPD and Mega Deals expected to perform well.” Booker Category Manager, Confectionery, Nicola Cranwell
CHRISTMAS CLASSIC LINDT GOLD REINDEER Case size: 16x100g Promo WSP: £42.49 Consumer Deal: £4 POR: 20.3%
Confectionery, of course, delivers one of the merriest opportunities at Christmas, with growth seen across self-treat, sharing, gifting and novelty formats throughout the season.
LINDT TEDDY WITH GIFT TAG Case size: 15x100g Promo WSP: £39.99 Consumer Deal: £4 POR: 20%
l
Plan for the whole season, not just Christmas week. Christmas shopping missions change throughout the season, so adapt your range as demand evolves.
l
Create impactful festive displays using seasonal POS to inspire impulse purchases.
l
Stock a variety of formats, from self-treat and stocking fillers through to sharing and gifting options.
l
Cross-merchandise confectionery with soft drinks, snacks and festive essentials to increase basket spend.
l
Keep bestselling lines fully stocked in the final weeks before Christmas, when convenience stores become the destination for top-up shops and last-minute gifts.
l
Make the most of our exclusive products and NPD to give shoppers a reason to visit your store over larger competitors.
This year, Premier shoppers looking for an affordable self-treat will be able to indulge themselves with the brand-new KitKat Orange Santa 29g – an exciting new product that Cranwell says is “well placed to drive impulse sales throughout the festive period”. Other novelty products including the M&M’s Crispy Santa, Maltesers Reindeer and Merryteaser Gingerbread Reindeer are
CHRISTMAS CLASSIC
Top Tips for merry sales and profits
sure to prove popular picks too. Retailers not in scope of HFSS regulations will also be able to offer them as part of a WIGIG ‘Any 2 for £1.60’ deal from NP8 onwards. “Boxed chocolates and seasonal novelties then become increasingly important as Christmas approaches,” Cranwell says. This year, the Cadbury Biscoff Bauble 5pk looks set to offer shoppers “an exciting gifting and stocking filler option that’s exclusive to the convenience channel,” she adds.
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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Bring in the
back to school
crowds
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What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
GROUP EXCLUSIVE! TERRY’S EXPLODING CANDY BALL Case size: 12x147g Promo WSP: £15.99 Consumer Deal: ‘Any 2 for £4’ POR: 20.1%
NEW AND GROUP EXCLUSIVE REESE’S WHITE TRIO Case size: 40x63g Promo WSP: £23.99 Consumer Deal: ‘Any 2 for £2’ POR: 28%
COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS Last year, just under half of Britons (48%) planned to buy an advent calendar for at least one person – with younger adults being the most enthusiastic. Just over a quarter of Britons (26%) said they would buy an advent calendar for children, making them the most common recipients. Around one in five (21%) said they would get a calendar for their own use. This rose sharply among younger adults, with four in 10 18-24-year-olds (41%) saying they bought advent calendars for themselves. When asked what type of advent calendar they would most like to receive, chocolate was by far the favourite, at 62%. Only 18% plumped for drinks-based calendars, 14% for beauty or cosmetics calendars and just 13% for other food delicacy calendars. Premier retailers can offer their shoppers an array of chocolate advent calendars including the classic Cadbury Dairy Milk Advent Calendar, which will have an amazing value RSP of just £3.25 during the NP8-NP11 promotional period. [SOURCE:YOUGOV CHRISTMAS 2025]
Retailers should also look out for the Terry’s Chocolate Orange Toffee Crunch – another Group Exclusive that is set to build on the popularity of the iconic brand with an indulgent festive twist. Premier retailers will also be able to offer their shoppers the Terry’s Chocolate Orange Toffee Crunch Ball as part of an ‘Any 2 for £4’ deal that also applies to the Orange Milk, White Orange and Exploding Candy balls. “Sharing bags also perform especially strongly as families come together over the festive period,” says Cranwell. And Premier retailers have sharing in the bag too thanks to new seasonal Group Exclusives including M&M’s Peanut and Chocolate 200g pouches. And of course, “soft drinks, crisps and snacks also benefit as shoppers prepare for entertaining, making cross-category merchandising a great way to drive basket spend,” Cranwell adds. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
51
1 BOTTLE SOLD * EVERY 10 SECONDS NP8
CONSUMER DEAL
STOCK UP NOW * Nielsen Total UK Unit Sales YTD W/E 21/02/2026
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
Festive favourites Product CDM Biscoff Bauble
Case Size 48x33.5g
Promo WSP £23.49
Consumer Deal ‘Any 2 for £1.60’
POR 26.6%
M&M’s Crispy Santa
32x29g
£14.89
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
30.2%
Maltesers Reindeer
32x29g
£14.89
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
30.2%
Gingerbread Reindeer
32x29g
£14.89
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
30.2%
Cadbury Puds
48x35g
£23.49
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
26.6%
KitKat Orange Santa
30x29g
£12.65
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
36.8%
KitKat Santa
30x29g
£12.65
‘Any 2 for £1.60’
36.8%
Celebrations Mini Box
12x69g
£11.25
‘Any 2 for £3’
25%
Reese’s Trees King Size
24x68g
£22.49
‘Any 2 for £3’
25%
CDM Coins
24x70g
£27.99
£1.75
20%
CDM Mini Snowballs
24x74g
£27.29
£1.75
22%
CDM Robins
20x77g
£22.75
£1.75
22%
CDM Mini Puds
22x73g
£24.99
£1.75
22%
Terry’s Exploding Candy Ball
12x147g
£15.99
‘Any 2 for £4’
20.1%
CDM Freddo Faces Smash
9x90g
£12.75
£2.25
24.4%
CDM Buttons Smash
9x90g
£12.75
£2.25
24.4%
Christmas is also a boom time for the BWS category and again, Premier’s Christmas 2026 promotional package has been designed to deliver exceptionally merry sales and profits across the season. New and Group Exclusive products to look out for include 6x20cl multi-packs of Dead Man’s Fingers Spiced Rum for just £5.49 and Yellow Tail Signature Series Red for a promotional RSP of £8.99 – down from £10.50. ‘Any 2 for £12’ Mega Deals will also apply
Festive facts l
l
l
l
Last Christmas, 78% of British adults said they expected to spend under £300 on Christmas food and drink, with 31% budgeting between £100 and £199.
to Hardys VR Pinot Grigio, Rosé, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc (Scotland £6 each), along with Isla Negra Seashore Rosé, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
27% of consumers said they would look for lower-cost or alternative food or drink options, while 55% thought they would spend the same as the year before.
and Chardonnay, and La Petite Pierre Rouge,
83% of respondents said that roast potatoes or vegetables were essential to their Christmas meals, followed by 61% who prioritised roast meat and stuffing.
stock up on a bevy of big-brand multi-packs
69% said they made their main dish from scratch and 77% prepared side dishes at home, but 62% bought desserts ready-made.
[SOURCE:YOUGOV CHRISTMAS 2025]
Blanc and Rosé. Beer and cider drinkers will also be able to including 6x440ml packs of Cruzcampo, Fosters, Staropramen, Budweiser, Stella Artois, 1664 Biere, Carlsberg Export, Holsten Pils, Inch’s Cloudy Apple Cider and John Smith’s Extra Smooth for just £5.50 each (Scotland £5.72). September-October 2026 TalkingShop
53
NEW! The Sweetest Life
®
60 years of global sweet-making expertise. Now in the UK with a range of first to market products.
A classic reinvented for today’s shopper.
A pick-and-mix favourite now with a juicy gooey twist.
M318602
M318567 A playful blend of iconic shapes and top flavours nostalgia meets zing.
M318603
vidalcandies.co.uk
Autumn Guide | FEATURE
Fire up your sales this
Autumn
T
emperatures may be falling and grocery. Booker’s brand-new Premier retailers will be among the first outside, but in-store, things to be able to offer their shoppers brand new are just about to heat up! Autumn NDP Guide Autumn, the gateway to Cherry Cola variant of Shades - the viral for 2026 offers up smoking seasonal sales is sunshade shaped sweets created by YouTuber here, and so too is Booker’s brand- new Niko Omilana which are also vegan and halalan explosive mix of Autumn NDP Guide for 2026 – a hotbed of certified. sizzling NPD, First To new products, first to market goods, Group They will also be able to get their hands on two new great-value formats of Red Bull Exclusives and more! Market and Group Live online now and available alongside Glacier. The new ice raspberry flavoured Exclusive products to your NP9 POS kit, the NPD Guide for Autumn drink is now available in a 250ml format 11 First To Market products across pricemarked at £1.75 and a 473ml format get your Autumn off features a number of key convenience categories pricemarked at £2.80. The same can sizes are to a bang. including soft drinks, confectionery, BWS also available in non-PMP formats. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
55
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
Other First To Market products that are
Exclusive advantage!
sure to help retailers stand out from the crowd include Mountain Dew Pitch Black and a new
Group Exclusives are key to create unique value and competitive advantage. Stocking and providing these products can allow you to foster deeper customer loyalty by providing products that can’t be found elsewhere!
Limited Edition Haribo variant of Ritter Sport.
GET EXCLUSIVE� The power of Group Exclusive products is well-known – gifting retailers a potent way to set themselves apart and drive footfall and excitement in their stores. Booker’s Autumn NDP Guide also includes five red-hot Group Exclusive products across the key impulse and BWS sectors. These include: l Kinder Crispy: The popular chocolate and wafer snack is now available in a new Group Exclusive 5-bar multipack format, which offers shoppers even better value for money! l McVitie’s Digestives Mint Club – two nostalgic products have been combined to create an innovative Group Exclusive product that’s sure to give sales some extra bite. l Fox’s Chocolatey Indulgent Creams Matcha – Maximise the ever-growing matcha trend with this Group Exclusive biscuit! l Thatcher’s Apple & Blackcurrant – A lower ABV product from the fastgrowing cider brand that’s sure to drive volume. l Stoli - Premium Vodka in a Group Exclusive 35cl pricemarked at £12.69
brands are sure to help retailers add some zing to their sales.
a bang. Keep your eyes peeled for new Wotsits
Likewise, new launches from the Huel
Bag of Bones – the new cheesy flavoured
brand will also help them to make even more
bone-shaped crunchy corn puffs which are
of the shopper trend towards high-protein
sure to help stores capitalise on the sizeable
products and meal replacement shakes.
Halloween snacking opportunity.
Growing at 34%, Huel is currently the
The Guide also includes a helpful ‘Focus
Booker’s Autumn NDP Guide for 2026
largest Ready To Drinks (RTD) sports
on Frozen Pizza’ to help retailers create
is also packed with enlightening insights
nutrition brand in the UK - with its new Lite
a compelling range of convenient meal
into market trends to help you identify new
range offering a lower calorie alternative
solutions for cozy autumn nights in.
opportunities to help drive footfall through
compared to the brand’s standard edition.
your doors.
Other new products sure to help retailers
For example, did you know that sour
light up their shelves include Poppi – the top-
flavoured confectionery is 12% of the UK
selling functional soda brand in the US which
market at £171m and growing at over 4.5
is now available to Premier retailers.
times more than the market?
And with Halloween, Bonfire Night and
Well over a quarter of shoppers (29%)
Christmas just around the corner, Booker’s
specifically seek out sour flavours when
Autumn NDP Guide also showcases some
choosing new products, meaning that new
of the sizzling new seasonal products that
launches from the Sour Patch Kids and Shades
are sure to help you get your Autumn off to
BOOKER’S AUTUMN NPD GUIDE 2026! MORE THAN 160 NEW LINES INCLUDING: FIVE Group Exclusives! 11 First To Market products!
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
57
STOCK UP ON
THE UK’s No 1 COFFEE BRAND
Over
281
Million c Iced Coups of ff sold lasee t year* *Source Circana (UK) Ltd. All Outlets. UK, 52 WE 27 Dec 2025.
New Products ASAHI SUPER DRY BEER Case size: 6x4x440ml Promo WSP: £23.89 RSP: £7.99 Promo POR: 40.2%
BUDWEISER 0% Case size: 12x330ml Promo WSP: £5.65 RSP: £12.99 Promo POR: 47.8%
YFOOD RTD MEAL BANANA, CHOCOLATE, VANILLA, BERRY Case size: 6x500ml WSP: £14.69 RSP: £3.50 POR: 30.1%
IT’S GIVING MANGO & PASSIONFRUIT, APPLE & ELDERFLOWER, BLACK CHERRY Case size: 24x330ml WSP: £12.49 RSP: £1.00 POR: 37.6%
RUBICON RAW ENERGY CHERRY BURST Case size: 12x500ml WSP: £6.49 RSP: £1.00 POR: 33.5%
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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New Products WOTSITS CRUNCHY REALLY MEATY PMP Case size: 15x48g WSP: £11.79 RSP: £1.35 POR: 30.1%
WALKERS MAX KFC ORIGINAL CHICKEN SHARING BAG Case size: 9x140g WSP: £13.09 RSP: £2.50 POR: 30.2%
WOTSITS CHEESY Case size: 18x6x6.5g WSP: £25.29 RSP: £2.25 POR: 25.1%
WALKERS MAX KFC PMP ORIGINAL CHICKEN, ZINGER CHICKEN Case size:15x70g WSP: £13.05 RSP: £1.35 POR: 22.7%
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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New Products CADBURY DAIRY MILK PMP BARS
SOUR PATCH KIDS PEACH, PARADISE
Case size: 22x56g PROMO WSP: £13.99 RSP: £1.29 POR: 40.92%
Case size: 10x105g PROMO WSP: £7.29 RSP: £1.25 POR: 30.%
KIT KAT CHUNKY COOKIE DOUGH PMP Case size: 24x42g PROMO WSP: £12.45 RSP: 0.89 POR: 30.1%
HARIBO BALLA BITES ZING Case size: 12x140g WSP: £9.09 RSP: £1.25 POR: 27.3%
MAYNARDS BASSETTS TROPICAL FRUIT MIX
KINDER CRISPY 5-Pack
Case size: 10x100g WSP: £6.45 RSP: £1.00 POR: 22.60%
Case size: 16x5x34g WSP: £36.99 RSP: £3.99 POR: 30.5%
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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EXCLUSIVE TO BOOKER THIS OCTOBER **Recommended Retail Price.
SCOOT UPDATE | FEATURE
Scoot adds vouchering to continue progress Booker’s exclusive low-cost rapid delivery service Scoot continues its programme of continuous improvement with the addition of vouchering capabilities, in direct response to retailer requests.
T
here are very few quick and
that Scoot is a solution designed by retailers
easy wins in the world of
for retailers. That’s why Scoot can help
independent retailing but one
you make more and save more. There’s an
solution that might just tick
estimated £34,000 more profit available each
those boxes is Scoot. From
year, based on weekly sales of just £2,500 at
a standing start, Booker’s exclusive low-
26% gross margin.
cost delivery solution has flourished and, as
With only 1% commission charged up
Talking Shop went to press, the number of
to £4,999 of weekly in-app sales – and zero
retailers now using Scoot has reached 468 –
commission once you hit £5,000 a week –
a remarkable growth curve by any standard.
Scoot delivers an outstanding low-cost app
Part of the reason why Scoot has seen such
that facilitates home deliveries to shoppers in
spectacular growth is down to the simple fact
Why Scoot? l Fully flexible model l Make an estimated £34,000 additional profit per year (based on weekly app sales of £2,500 at 26% gross margin) l ZERO commission once you reach £5,000 of weekly sales on the app l ZERO consumer charges giving you the ability to offer the service for free l 0.7% average card transaction fee l Save up to £16,000 per year with Scoot vs other rapid delivery platforms based on weekly sales of £4,999 l Want to get to the next band of Spend and Save? – Scoot can help you l Dedicated onboarding and setup support, including POS package
as little as 30 minutes. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
65
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
There are also no shopper charges – giving you the flexibility to offer the service for free,
on board and that’s a huge plus.”
should you wish – or set your own delivery,
VOUCHER VICTORY
service or minimum order fees.
A fantastic example of Booker responding to
CONSTANT PROGRESS
retailer requests is the addition of vouchering functionality. Vouchers were first piloted at
Another major reason why Scoot continues
the end of January 2026 with the first voucher
to grow is the fact that the dedicated team at
being redeemed by a customer on the 29th of
Booker continue to develop and improve the
January.
solution, often in direct response to requests
been redeemed which represents a redemption
from retailers. Ben Matthews who runs Premier Meden Vale
Convenience
Since then a total of 5,630 vouchers have
in
Nottinghamshire
explains: “Scoot is essentially made by retailers for retailers. Booker understands retail inside out, so the app was always good
rate of 10% which by industry standards is very successful. Those redeemed vouchers saved customers a whopping £17,400. Participation
has
been
extremely
but what’s more encouraging is that it keeps
encouraging with a total of 99 Scoot stores
getting better.
having had a redeemed voucher. The average
“If we make comments or requests on how
customer spend on vouchers was £29.72 after
to improve the app, more often than not they
voucher discount compared to £26 without a
get implemented. Booker takes the feedback
voucher.
VOUCHER TYPES AVAILABLE l £x or % off a total basket spend l £x or % off a fees and charges l £x or % off a product l Buy X product get £x or % off product Y
468 retailers using Scoot! September-October 2026 TalkingShop
67
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
What’s more, a total of 814 new customers
as all customers, lapsed customers, high
have used new customer vouchers with 450
frequency shoppers or high spenders, for
shopping again. The average spend of new
example.
customers is £23.95 after the discount is
Vouchers can even be used to manage
applied (with an average discount of £6.70)
customer service issues by, for instance,
so total basket spend was a very solid £30.65.
automatically issuing vouchers for slow
To make the vouchering model as flexible
deliveries or offering free delivery or money-
as possible for retailers, Scoot offers four
off vouchers to shoppers as part of a complaint
different voucher types including:
handling process.
l £x or % off a total basket spend
And the process of continuous improvement
l £x or % off a fees and charges
doesn’t stop there. In the near future, Scoot
l £x or % off a product
will roll out further enhancements such as
l Buy X product get £x or % off product Y
retailer-controlled vouchering and voucher automation for new customers.
Additionally, voucher codes that can be
It’s no surprise then that Scoot continues to
configured for any of the above scenarios and
make massive headway and is bringing more
these vouchers can be set to exclude certain
retailers on board on a weekly basis. Is it time
departments and have minimum spend criteria
you gave Scoot a go?
and valid days when issued, as required by the retailer. They can also be automated.
RETAILER VIEW
FLEXIBLE APPROACH Vouchers can also be set to be purchasable by the consumer, sharable with other users, set as being valid on certain days of the week or scheduled to coincide with major events. To assist with targeting, retailers can choose
BEN MATTHEWS
Premier Meden Vale Convenience
“Booker understands retail inside out, so the app was always good but what’s more encouraging is that it keeps getting better. If we make comments or requests on how to improve the app, more often than not they get implemented.”
to target a range of customer segments, such
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
69
MEET THE TEAM | SOPHIE PORTER
Meet The Team:
Sophie Porter
As we approach WELCOME SOPHIE! TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOU TO GET one of the most US STARTED. Hi! I’m Sophie and I work in the Retail important seasonal Team. My background has always opportunities of the Marketing been in retail, starting in electricals (both on the floor in-store and later in eCommerce) year, Sophie Porter before moving over to the fast-paced grocery talks about the power sector in 2014. I’ve worked across all the Booker symbol brands over the years and of POS.
now have an overview of them all and a great team to make things happen.
SO WHAT DOES THE RETAIL MARKETING TEAM DO? We’re responsible for bringing to life all of
store look and feel and supporting branding across our new home-delivery service, Scoot! We also support new stores with branding and launch packages to help put them on the map within their community and work closely with the Product Team to produce New Product brochures and the Pre-Sell brochures, which help retailers plan and order stock for big events in the year, primarily Easter and Christmas. And the main event of the year is the Booker Retail Trade Shows, where we deliver all of the visuals and key messages from across the wider Booker team.
(POS) that are sent to stores, as well as
WOW, THAT MUST KEEP YOU BUSY?
seasonal and event POS, retailer Promotional
It certainly does! It also means that every day
Trading Packs, supplier-led shopper activity
is different and I love that.
the promotional leaflets and Point of Sale
70 TalkingShop September-October 2026
(competitions and prize draws), plus the in-
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
HOW IS YOUR ROLE CHANGING OVER TIME? ARE YOU HAVING TO LEARN ANY NEW SKILLS, OR WAYS OF WORKING?
WHAT GIVES YOU THE GREATEST SATISFACTION AT WORK?
SOPHIE’S TOP TIPS FOR PERFECT PROMOTIONS
I get a huge amount of satisfaction from
l
There are many things that keep us on our
incredibly hard, and if I can provide them
toes – consumer regulations, legislation
with the right tools, promotions and in-store
changes, new technology and evolving
materials to help them grow their business,
shopper trends and behaviour are all things
that’s a success for me.
Even a great offer won’t perform well if customers don’t know about it! Place POS materials in high-traffic areas to significantly improve the chances of success.
l
Using the full kit will help you create multiple customer touchpoints throughout the shopping journey. Window posters attract customers before they enter, aisle signage highlights promotions as they shop, and shelfedge materials help convert interest into purchases.
l
Utilise in-store space for secondary displays and importantly, ensure good availability through the full campaign!
supporting independent retailers. They work
that have an impact on our role. We need to
What I enjoy even more is spending time
be at the forefront of these changes to ensure
in stores and observing how shoppers interact
we continue to get things right and support
with the POS and promotional messages.
retailers.
IS THERE A PROJECT OR ACHIEVEMENT YOU’RE PARTICULARLY PROUD OF? Launching Scoot was a great project to work
Seeing a customer stop, notice an offer, pick up a product or add an extra item to their basket is a powerful reminder that effective marketing can make a real difference in a retail environment.
feedback on the name, colourways and logo
IF YOU COULD SHARE ONE KEY LEARNING WITH RETAILERS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
to ensure we launched a brand that resonated
To take full advantage of their free POS
and stood out in the market.
material kits (promotional and seasonal) to
on. From a branding point of view, shoppers were involved from the start – we gained
maximise the impact of every promotion! September-October 2026 TalkingShop
71
M314337
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
About Sophie Sophie Porter is a key cog in Booker’s Retail Marketing Team, the hardworking bunch responsible for bringing to life all the promotional leaflets, POS and branding that help your stores to shine! And, having worked across all the Booker symbol brands over the years, she certainly knows her stuff. Helping to launch Scoot has been one of her favourite projects to date, but it’s her ability to support independent retailers, by providing them with the right tools, promotions and in-store materials to grow their businesses, that gives her the most satisfaction.
OK – TALK US THROUGH THIS. HOW EXACTLY DO POS KITS HELP TO DRIVE SALES? Promotions give customers a reason to buy now rather than later. They create excitement, drive footfall, increase basket spend, and help highlight products that shoppers may not have otherwise noticed. Well-executed promotions can also encourage repeat visits and improve customer loyalty!
ARE THERE ANY OTHER BENEFITS BEYOND DRIVING SALES? Strong promotional displays create a more professional and engaging shopping environment and can help build loyalty by showcasing value, highlighting key deals, and delivering a retail experience customers expect from larger chains. Promotions can also help shoppers discover new products and help increase spend in store. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
73
stock up now
Tetley 80 Original Tea Bags M306204
Tetley 40 Original Tea Bags
Tetley Decaf 40 Tea Bags
Tetley 20 Pure Green Tea Bags
M306203
M302499
M305515
View the full range from
at Booker.co.uk.
What are your views? Email yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
SO WHAT DOES A WELLEXECUTED PROMOTION LOOK LIKE THEN?
products and offers. Promotional displays remind them about current deals, encourage
WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST MISTAKES RETAILERS MAKE WITH PROMOTIONS?
Ensure promotions are visible at different
them to try new products, and help increase
Not putting them up early enough
touchpoints (front of store, in-store, digital
spend during every store visit. From time
displays and even social media), correct POS
to time, kits also contain supplier-led POS
Even a great offer won’t perform well if
is used and displayed tidily. Utilise in-store
supporting shopper competitions. Displaying
customers don’t know about it. Using all
space for secondary displays and importantly,
this is a great way to reward shoppers and
available POS materials and placing them in
ensure good availability through the full
give them a chance to win fantastic prizes!
high-traffic areas significantly improves the
campaign. Focus on your shoppers’ missions and ensure everything is seasonally relevant.
AND THEY’RE FREE, RIGHT? Completely free! Additional or replacement items can also be ordered directly through Premier Printshop.
ISN’T A SHELF-EDGE LABEL ENOUGH? DO RETAILERS REALLY NEED TO USE THE WHOLE KIT? The full kit creates multiple customer touchpoints throughout the shopping journey.
Even regular shoppers can overlook
Not giving promotions enough visibility.
chances of success. Slow replenishment, leaving gaps on shelves
SO, HALLOWEEN AND CHRISTMAS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER, CAN RETAILERS EXPECT ANYTHING SPECIAL THIS YEAR? Yes! We will be supplying things like header cards, shelf strip and seasonalised promotional posters to help them really bring the seasons to life in-store. Halloween as an event continues to grow
Window posters attract customers before they
every year and now appeals to a much
enter, aisle signage highlights promotions
broader audience than just younger children.
as they shop, and shelf-edge materials help
Think pumpkins and friendly ghouls to get
convert interest into purchases. The more
shoppers into the ‘spirit’!
visibility your promotion has, the greater its impact. Seasonal POS supporting things like Halloween and Christmas also really help to create theatre within a store.
A LOT OF RETAILERS ARE TIGHT ON TIME, ARE THE FULL POS KITS REALLY WORTH THE EFFORT OF PUTTING UP? Yes! The kits have been professionally designed to maximise visibility and create a consistent promotional message throughout your store. A few minutes spent installing the materials can significantly increase awareness of an offer and help improve sales performance. If you are tight on time, focus on the Mega Deals, which are our best deals, designed to drive the most footfall. What about well-established stores with very loyal customers – do they still need promotional displays? September-October 2026 TalkingShop
75
WHY ALPRO MATCHA?
AMBIENT UHT = EASY STORAGE ● NON-HFSS REASSURANCE ● VERSATILE ACROSS HOT AND ICED FORMATS ●
MatchA
Made
easy
SIMPLY SHAKE, OPEN AND POUR NO WHISKING, NO WAITING OVER 75% OF CONSUMERS WANT MATCHA WITH A PLANT-BASED ALTERNATIVE RATHER THAN DAIRY MILK Serving Suggestion
SOURCE: ALLEGRA WORLD COFFEE PORTAL LTD. (COFFEE SHOPS & BARISTAS ACROSS THE UK. DEML. PL)
BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Spend with benefits
American Express® Cards are now being welcomed at all Booker locations across the UK – meaning you can bag a whole load of extra benefits when you spend.
Enjoy all the great Amex Card benefits1 whenever you shop with Booker! Benefits vary depending on product type.
P
erks: A little extra value goes
cards, shopping. They can even be transferred
a long way - particularly
to participating airline and hotel loyalty
when it’s built into your
programs.
everyday business spending. And the great news is that
Other key benefits include American Express
SafeKey®
–
Amex’s
online
Premier retailers can now enjoy a whole host
authentication service that adds an extra
of extra perks, now that American Express
layer of security for online and in-app Card
Cards are being welcomed at all Booker
transactions – helping you rest assured that
locations across the UK.
your spend is safe.
Whatever’s on your list, whenever you shop
There is also around-the-clock Fraud
with Booker, you can now enjoy all the great
Protection, emergency card replacement
Amex® Cards benefits1 that you’re used to.
benefits, and Purchase and Refund Protection
Benefits vary depending on product type.
when paying with an Amex Card – all of which
In other words: you can now earn
mean that you can stock up with confidence.
Membership Rewards® points on every
Commenting on the development, Stuart
pound you spend using your Card1 at Booker.
Hyslop, Chief Operations Officer at Booker,
Benefits vary depending on product type.
said: “Our customers regularly tell us they
Those points can be redeemed for rewards such as travel bookings, statement credits, gift
value flexibility and choice when it comes to making purchases. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
77
Stock a delicious
e r a h s to
M321153
Now in
Standard non flashed price-marked packs also available. Retail pricing is at the sole discretion of the retailer.
NEW Milk Chocolate For illustrative purposes only. ®Reg. Trademark of Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.
BAGS OF BENEFITS From everyday essentials to your bulk business orders, whenever you shop with Booker you can now enjoy all the great Amex Card benefits that you’re used to, including1:
“Expanding our partnership with American
group retail estate.
Express is a direct response to that feedback
Back in 2023, Premier, Budgens and Londis
and gives customers another convenient way to
retailers began accepting American Express
pay, both in branch and online. We’ll continue
as a payment method – and enjoying all the
to invest in initiatives that make it easier and
additional perks that doing so brings.
more rewarding for foodservice operators,
Compared to the average UK credit and
retailers and independent businesses to shop
charge card, UK Amex® Cardmembers
and work with Booker.”
spend2, on average:
Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK
l 3.4x more annually
Merchant Services at American Express,
l 2.7x more frequently
added: “American Express is now accepted for
l 1.3x more per transaction
payment at more locations than ever before in the UK, and we’re committed to ensuring our
And that’s not all: seamless integration with
Cardmembers can use their American Express
your existing payment provider is another
Card at all the places they want to spend.
perk.
“We’re
delighted
that
more
Booker
Keen to bag all those additional benefits?
locations can now welcome the spending
The opportunity for you to do so is just a few
power of American Express® Cardmembers.”
clicks away.
The enhanced agreement follows the
Simply visit go.amex/takeamex or email
positive response from retailers and shoppers
booker@aexp with your name and phone
after a successful introduction of American
number to receive a call about accepting
Express acceptance across Booker’s symbol
American Express Cards.
l Earn Membership Rewards® points or cashback on every pound you spend using your Card. Benefits vary depending on product type. l American Express SafeKey® makes sure all your online spend is safe. l 24/7 Fraud Protection and emergency card replacement, so you can shop with confidence. l Purchase and Refund Protection when paying with an Amex Card.
Terms and Conditions: 1 Benefits vary depending on product type. 2 Disclaimer: American Express internal data for Local UK Cardmembers spending globally (local and outbound) at all merchants including Proprietary. Payment Facilitator acquired merchants compared to Global Data Payment Card Analytics 2025 for transactions with UK domestic cards at terminals in the country and outside the country, including all physical terminals and initiated remotely. Membership Rewards: To earn or redeem Membership Rewards points, Cards must be registered to the American Express Membership Rewards programme, and be active and current in their payments. Full Membership Rewards Terms and Conditions can be found here https://www. americanexpress.com/en-gb/benefits/rewards/membership-rewards/. Purchase Protection: Eligible Cards, 18+. Purchase Protection covers eligible items stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase, up to £2,500 per incident. £50 excess per claim. Terms and Conditions apply. Learn more about American Express here https://www.americanexpress.com/en-gb/company/about/information/. 18+. Subject to Status, Terms apply. American Express Payment Services LTD. Registered office: Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX. Registered in England and Wales with number 06301718. American Express Payment Services Ltd is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority under the payment services Regulations 2017 (reference number 454347) for the provision of payment services. Copyright © 2026 American Express Company. All Rights Reserved.
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
79
BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
80 TalkingShop September-October 2026
Pride of place I
In our latest update feature on Booker’s four inspirational Colleague Networks, we turn the spotlight back onto the powerful work of LGBTQ+ at Booker. n recent months, we’ve been updating you on the many inspiring developments that have taken place within Booker’s four Colleague Networks – the pistons of progress
that power the common goal of ensuring everyone feels welcome at Booker. In this issue, we return the spotlight to the LGBTQ+ at Booker Colleague Network which, it’s fair to say, is shining brighter than ever before – having undergone quite the evolution since it was first launched in 2023 and even since it was last profiled on these pages back in late 2025. Since then, LGBTQ+ at Booker has continued to grow both its reach and impact across the business – learning every step of the way and leaning into those learnings with the creation of more structured approaches and new initiatives that seek to drive improvement and lasting change. Initiatives include executive mentoring through Trans in the City – the UK-based organisation founded by LGBTQ+ advocate Bobbi Pickard, which helps businesses create environments where all employees feel safe and supported. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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THE LGBTQ+ AT BOOKER NETWORK Created in 2023, LGBTQ+ at Booker has the overriding aim of making sure that everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity, feels welcome at Booker and that Booker is a place where all LGBTQ+ colleagues can thrive. Run by members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies, the Network offers a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies to come together, share experiences and learn from each other.
The Network has also strengthened its approach to gathering feedback – enabling it to better understand colleague experiences and prioritise the actions that will have the greatest impact. Feedback gathered from colleagues has also led to the creation of a cross-functional working group focused on identifying and prioritising areas for improvement across the business. The Network has also strengthened the involvement of senior leaders within it, ensuring that LGBTQ+ inclusion remains a visible priority and that colleagues have advocates at every level of the organisation. However, one of the biggest learnings the Network has made is just how valuable listening can be. Conversations held at Pride events and ongoing colleague engagement revealed that colleagues wanted practical ways to celebrate and support LGBTQ+ inclusion in their own locations. This directly influenced the development of the Network’s ‘Pride in a Box’ initiative, which provides Pride resources, flags, decorations and educational materials to branches and distribution centres across the Booker network. The incredibly well-received initiative, which was expanded again in 2026, enables local teams to celebrate Pride in ways that feel meaningful to them – while raising awareness of why Pride remains important today. Listening has also enabled the Network to learn that while awareness is important, colleagues increasingly want to see tangible action. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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BOOKER’S FAB FOUR COLLEAGUE NETWORKS ARE OPEN TO ALL AND INCLUDE: l The Gender Equality Network l Race and Ethnicity at Booker l LGBTQ+ at Booker l Disability at Booker
As such, by combining colleague feedback with insights from the UN Gap Analysis Tool, it’s been able to move beyond discussion and into developing clearer priorities for the future. So what are those priorities? Above all, LGBTQ+ at Booker’s driving ambition is to continue creating an environment where every colleague feels safe, respected and able to bring their whole self to work – building on its strong foundations and ensuring that LGBTQ+ inclusion becomes increasingly embedded in the business’s culture, leadership and ways of working. Increasing visibility, strengthening allyship and providing opportunities for colleagues to learn from one another also remain key. And with a packed schedule of activity designed to connect colleagues from across the business coming up, they will certainly have a great many opportunities to do just that. Planned activity for the months ahead includes support for important awareness dates, such as Bi Visibility Day, World AIDS Day, LGBTQ+ History Month and Lesbian Visibility Day. LGBTQ+ at Booker will also continue to collaborate with Booker’s other Colleague Networks and with Tesco Group to share learnings, make LGBTQ+ voices heard and ensure that allyship continues to grow across the business. Doing this will help to ensure that inclusion remains everyone’s responsibility. Because meaningful change only really happens when colleagues, networks and leaders all work together to create a culture where
Events to be proud of One of LGBTQ+ at Booker’s standout moments was its Pride event in London on 4 July 2026, which brought together more than 200 colleagues from across Booker. The event celebrated Pride as both a celebration and a reminder of the importance of visibility, inclusion, mental wellbeing and identity. Importantly, it also gave colleagues the opportunity to share their lived experiences and ideas on how Booker could further support LGBTQ+ colleagues. These discussions became a valuable source of insight for the Network and wider business. Alongside this, the Network also continued to host its learning and awareness sessions – covering topics such as intersectionality, HIV awareness and Trans+ inclusion. Other proud highlights included a virtual fireside chat with LGBTQ+ advocate Bobbi Pickard and its continued support of mentoring opportunities through Trans in the City – helping senior leaders to strengthen their understanding and allyship.
people can thrive – and everyone feels that they belong. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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BetterService IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Train to gain As a Premier retailer you have access to free on-line training courses to help you build confident, compliant teams.
I
n today’s ultra-competitive retail environment, a confident, well-trained team is as essential to your business as being in-stock of milk and bread. And, Premier is committed to help
you do just that. As a Premier retailer you have access
to a raft of fully-endorsed training courses which have been specifically designed to help you build strong, confident and crucially, compliant, teams.
FREE ONLINE COURSES
Powered by CPL Learning, Premier retailers can access 11 essential compliance courses covering key topics such as Health & Safety
l
Allergen Awareness
l
Age Verification
l
Award in Underage Sales Prevention (AUASP)
which give you the necessary training for fresh
l
COSHH
for as part of HACCP regulations and the store
l
Emergency First Aid
Food Hygiene Rating.
l
Fire Awareness
and Age Verification. Courses also include Food Safety Level 2 foods that your local authority will be looking
A number of new and updated courses are
l
Fuel Safety
now also available, including Natasha’s Law
l
HACCP Level 2
and Slips, Trips & Falls.
l
Health and Safety
l
Manual Handling
l
Natasha’s Law
l
Slips, Trips and Falls
l
Working at Height Awareness
web browser and accessed 24 hours a day,
l
Food Safety Level 2
seven days a week, meaning there’s always
And it gets better! Not only are all courses free, they have also been designed to fit around you and your team’s schedules. All courses can be completed online on a
time to shine! September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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THE MARKET LEADING coffee brand Full Size Machine
Countertop Machine
1m x 1m space required
600mm x 1m space required
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Available with or without Costa stand
WHY CHOOSE COSTA EXPRESS? We sell 5 cups of coffee every second. Offer your customers the Nation’s No.1 coffee brand in store. You provide the milk and we provide all other consumables, marketing materials, field service support and training.
Please speak to your Booker RDM to find out more about getting Costa Express into your store. Alternatively, email bookergroup@costacoffee.com for more information.
One retailer who is certainly reaping the rewards of a well-trained, confident team is Jeyaseelan Thambirajah of Premier Hemingford. “At Premier Queen Street we believe that investing in our people is just as important as investing in our stores,” he says. “That’s why we’ve introduced CPL Learning across our field and office teams, with seven colleagues currently completing regular training every six months. It helps everyone stay up to date with legislation, compliance and best practice,
Premier is committed to supporting retailers in keeping compliant CPL Learning offers: l
Endorsed courses that keep you and your staff compliant in line with the latest legislation.
l
Simple set up for your entire team with their own logins and courses.
l
Courses and statistics can be accessed 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
l
Easy access to your certification.
while also giving them more confidence in their day-to-day roles.” And signing up couldn’t be easier either. Simply email vicki.edwards@booker.co.uk and register your store today. You won’t regret it!
RETAILER VIEW
Register your store today!
JEYASEELAN THAMBIRAJAH Premier Queen Street
Email Vicky.edwards@ booker.co.uk
“At Premier Queen Street, we believe that investing in our people is just as important as investing in our stores. That’s why we’ve introduced CPL Learning across our field and office teams, with seven colleagues currently completing regular training every six months.
Please provide:
The training covers a wide range of areas and has been particularly valuable for our Retail Support Manager, Services & Maintenance Manager, and our office teams responsible for Accounts, HR, Administration, Inventory and Systems. It helps everyone stay up to date with legislation, compliance and best practice, while also giving them more confidence in their day-to-day roles.
l Brand l Name of Store l Account Number
We’re always looking for ways to improve both our people and our operations. Having knowledgeable, confident teams who understand the importance of customer service, compliance and retail standards has made a real difference to the way we operate and has helped us deliver a consistently better experience for our customers. We’d happily recommend CPL Learning to other independent retailers. It’s a simple, effective way to keep teams engaged, knowledgeable and ready for the challenges of modern retail.”
{
l Address l RDM name l Contact Name l Contact Number
One of the things we like most about CPL Learning is that the courses are practical, easy to follow and relevant to what our teams do every day. It gives managers and colleagues a consistent approach to training, and because it’s flexible, people can complete it around the demands of a busy retail business.
}
Jeyaseelan Thambirajah, Premier Queen Street
September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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ACS Viewpoint | Community
The ACS’s new Community Barometer provides a blueprint for the new Prime Minister to deliver a robust high street strategy and a starting point for how to deliver good growth on every high street, ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall says.
Healing our high streets The Community Barometer 2026 paints a clear picture of what people value. Post offices, pharmacies and convenience stores are viewed as the services that have the most positive impact locally, as well as being seen as the most essential.
A
change of leadership in
economy every year.
live there.
Westminster has created
Our Community Barometer report explores
When we ask what people want more
an opportunity to deliver
what it means to put place first through the lens
of, specialist food shops rank as one of the
a genuine “high street
of local high streets and community services.
services that people are most keen to see
renaissance”,
a
Drawing on the views of people across Britain,
locally, along with banks, which will come as
decade in which too many local parades,
it examines what people value locally, what
no surprise to anyone who’s attempted to visit
high streets and town centres have been
makes a good (or bad) high street, and the
a branch in person recently.
allowed to drift.
policy interventions that are needed to make
The interventions that are needed to create
local high streets more vibrant and appealing
diverse and thriving high streets are not new
to their communities.
or necessarily complicated. We highlight the
after
Andy Burnham has put the principle of place at the heart of his agenda. On winning Makerfield, he called for a “Makerfield test”
The findings of this year’s report paint
burden of business rates, the impact of dodgy
at the centre of British politics, judging
a clear picture of what people value. Post
shops locally, and the need for robust town-
every decision by its impact on the many
offices, pharmacies and convenience stores
centre-first planning decisions as three
communities that Westminster has too often
were viewed as the services that
overlooked.
had the most positive impact
If the Makerfield test is to mean anything,
locally, as well as being
it must be applied where people encounter
seen as the most essential.
the condition of their community. Putting
Convenience
areas where the Government can make a positive impact.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL WORK OF ACS CALL
stores
place first means recognising that a thriving
were also ranked as the
local shop, a clean and safe parade, and easy
top service for promoting
access to everyday essential services are not
local growth – a testament
nice-to-haves. They are the infrastructure of
to the recognition of the
community life, and the clearest measure of
400,000-plus jobs and £10bn
whether a place is working for the people who
in GVA that we contribute to the
Together, these findings provide a blueprint for the new Prime Minister
01252 515 001 OR LOG ON TO
www.acs.org.uk
to deliver a robust high street strategy and a starting point for how to deliver good growth on every high street, in every
part of the country. September-October 2026 TalkingShop
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Talking Shop
ISSUE 144 – September-October 2026