The magazine for Premier retailers
Welcome
Temperatures are rising and this issue of Talking Shop provides an equally hot read – so grab yourself a glass of something cool, sit down, and soak up the sizzling showcase of insight, innovation and inspiration that’s simmering inside.
And the summer has certainly got off to a great start, with high-profile award wins for a number of Premier retailers at the SLR Awards 2026.
More awards were also bestowed on Premier retailers at our first ever Scoot Retailer Conference, which delivered bags of insight and advice on how to make the very most of the rapid delivery opportunity, which continues to grow, opening up a whole new audience to Booker retailers.
Did you know that 80% of customers ordering via the Scoot app had never previously shopped in-store?
As summer rolls in, so too does the Premier Wine Festival, back for 2026 and packed with a plentiful press of new products, Group Exclusives and amazing value deals that are sure to help drive footfall, sales and profits for stores.
This issue also features an insightful interview with Booker’s Wine Category Manager Loris Gruarin, who devotes his days to helping your wine sales bear fruit.
There’s also a rousing update from the Disability at Booker Colleague Network. Now in its second year, Disability at Booker continues to make great strides towards its aim of reaching as many colleagues as possible and embedding disability confidence across the business.
And as ever, this issue of Talking Shop also features a sunny mix of inspirational retailer interviews and heartwarming examples of community care.
There’s also bags of news, views, new products and advice on helpful services – all designed to help you make more and save more this summer and beyond.
It’s going to be a scorcher!
Martyn Parkinson, Director of Retail Sales
Stewart Fenn, Director of Retail Customer Proposition & Forecourt Sales
COVER STORY
An innovative offer and exceptional customer service helped to make Siva Kumar’s new Premier store in Banstead the talk of the town.
THE THREE BIG STORIES
41 Premier Wine Festival
The Premier Wine Festival is back and brimming with newness.
50 Scoot Conference
Scoot’s Retailer Conference delivers.
62 Disability at Booker
Work to break barriers and build belonging continues.
Share your shop news
If you’ve got news, tips or feature ideas, please get in touch with Talking Shop: EMAIL:
yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
DISCLAIMER:
7 New Scoot and Allwyn Partnership
Scoot shoppers can add National Lottery scratchcards to their orders.
9 Premier awards triumph
Premier retailers shone at the SLR Awards 2026
11 Community News
The latest round up of inspiring stories from Premier stores.
17 GroceryAid Update
The latest news from the industry’s charity.
20 Talk of the town
Premier Nork has got local people talking and Siva Kumar is happy to chat.
28 Buzz about town
Footfall, sales and goodwill are all flying-high at new Premier Beehive.
39 Premier Wine Festival
Uncork wine’s full-bodied potential with the Premier Wine Festival – back for 2026.
45 New Product Roundup
Our pick of the hottest new products to hit the shelves.
48 Scoot Conference
Scoot’s 2026 Retailer Conference delivers - with inspiring insights and award wins.
56 Meet The Team
Booker’s Wine Category Manager Loris Gruarin tells us about the grape opportunity that is wine!
60 Added Value Services
Take better control of your energy bills with Saffron Business Solutions.
63 Booker Networks
A rousing update from the Disability at Booker Network, now in its second year.
67 ACS Viewpoint
ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall talks toughening up on crime.
Premier Beehive has shoppers buzzing.
Siva Kumar talks tactics at his Nork store.
The Booker Dragon Boat Race makes waves.
Booker builds belonging.
Hot new summer products.
THE UK’S NO.1 WATER BRAND
and Sales Value (£s), 52wks to 21/03/2026 WE DRAW OUR WATER FROM UNDERGROUND
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
New Scoot-Allwyn partnership delivers scratchcards to players’ doorsteps PremierNews
A new partnership with Allwyn has brought National Lottery scratchcards to the Scoot platform.
Scoot retailers can now offer their shoppers the ability to add scratchcards to their online orders, as part of a new partnership between Scoot and National Lottery operator Allwyn.
The collaboration is “a significant step forward for Scoot” and Scoot retailers, giving customers even more convenience and helping independent stores to unlock additional sales opportunities through home delivery.
As part of the integration, Scoot shoppers across the UK will be able to order scratchcards alongside their everyday purchases for delivery in as little as 30 minutes.
Retailers will be supported with clear guidance on how to sign up and operate the service, including safe delivery processes for agerestricted products.
Participating stores will also be required to complete relevant training modules through the National Lottery Retailer Training Centre to ensure compliance with responsible play standards.
Booker’s Head of Home Delivery, Damian Sanderson, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Allwyn to bring National Lottery Scratchcards to the Scoot platform.
“This is a significant step forward for Scoot and for our retailers, giving customers even more convenience while helping independent stores unlock additional sales opportunities through rapid delivery.
“At Booker, we’re focused on helping retailers evolve alongside changing shopper habits, and this partnership reflects the growing demand for fast, flexible access to everyday essentials and services. We’re proud to be working with Allwyn on such an exciting launch and look forward to seeing the partnership grow.”
Allwyn’s Retail Revenue & Customer Director, Alison AcquayeAcford, added: “Shopping habits are changing fast, and convenience is now a key consideration for our players. Our collaboration with Scoot is a real win for players who can now have their favourite scratchcard games delivered right to their door.
“Retailers are a cornerstone of The National Lottery, and by partnering with Scoot we are unlocking additional revenue streams for Scoot retailers. Ultimately, this helps us reach more people and continue raising millions every week for National Lottery-funded projects.”
Premier retailers shine at the SLR Awards 2026
Premier claimed a clutch of coveted prizes at the SLR Awards 2026, which celebrated Scotland’s brightest convenience stars.
Premier retailers dazzled at the SLR Awards 2026, claiming a cocktail of coveted award wins.
Premier New Elgin Service Station was one of the big winners of the night, bagging a brace of awards: Forecourt Retailer of the Year and Refit of the Year.
The 5,000sq ft store, which re-opened following a showstopping refit in March 2025, was described by judges as “one of the most ambitious and visionary stores to open in Scotland in a long time”.
The duo of wins helped owner SRJ Convenience, described by SLR Publishing Director Antony Begley as “one of the biggest, fastest-growing and most progressive local retailing chains in Scotland”, claim the Outstanding Achievement award.
The RaceTrack chain, meanwhile, won four awards. Its Strathclyde Premier store scored a hattrick in the Off-Trade, Smokeless Alternatives and Soft Drinks categories, while the #ThinkSmart Innovation Award went to Premier RaceTrack Wishaw.
Judges said that the store “continued to set the pace” with “innovation and creativity evident at
every turn”, including the introduction of a non-food range and “a class-leading” customer app.
Premier DUSA, meanwhile, won the Sustainability Retailer of the Year category for a fourth year in a row.
The inspiring Community Retailer of the Year accolade was handed to Shivakumar Kandaswamy, owner of Premier Dunbar, who helps fund and run a free community kitchen for the local needy, as well as running a school he helped set up for underprivileged children in Tamil Nadu in India.
The night was capped with an emotional presentation to industry stalwarts Dennis and Linda Williams of Premier Broadway Convenience Store, who received the Lifetime Achievement award. For more than 43 years, the husband-and-wife team have gone above and beyond to meet the needs of their local community and support their fellow retailers.
The SLR Awards were held at the Radisson blu hotel in Glasgow on 17 June.
Visit the SLR Awards website (slrawards.com) for a full list of winners.
PREMIER RETAILERS LIGHT UP THE FED AWARDS 2026
Premier retailers lit up the stage at The Fed Awards 2026 with six sparkling awards wins.
Held in Birmingham on 17 June, the awards saw Premier retailer Neil Godhania of Premier Neils in Peterborough named as the Soft Drinks Retailer of the Year while his employee Avda Kuchhadia claimed the Member’s Employee of the Year accolade.
The Community Champion awards was presented to Julie Kaur of Premier Jules Convenience Store in Telford, who judges said had consistently “gone above and beyond” to support her local community and shoppers.
The Retail Rising Star trophy meanwhile was handed to dynamic Premier retailer Karan Patel of Premier KP’s Mini Market - while his fellow Premier retailer Harman Puni of HP Premier in Chesterfield was Highly Commended.
Premier retailer Andrew Board of Core Convenience Store in Durham in claimed the Parcel Retailer of the Year prize.
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
Legendary Premier retailers celebrated at ACS Community Dinner CommunityNews
The “incredible contribution” made by Premier retailers Dennis, Linda and Sophie Williams to the convenience industry was celebrated at the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Conference and Community Dinner 2026.
The Williams family, who have been serving their local community in Oxgangs, Edinburgh, for more than 43 years, were one of six “industry legends” recognised at the conference for their positive impact, which the ACS said “continued to shape and strengthen the industry”.
The family received a personalised scroll from the ACS team, celebrating their vital support, leadership and partnership over the years.
Commenting on the surprise accolade, Linda
said: “Dennis and Sophie have spent the past two days in Birmingham for the annual ACS Conference and Community Dinner where, very unexpectedly, our family received a recognition award for retailing and working with the ACS. We are still blown away to be the first family to win this award and are so grateful.
“A huge thank you to all the team at ACS, to James Lowman, all our suppliers and brand partners, Colm at Booker and Martyn at Premier for all of the support you’ve shown us over the years –we would not be where we are without any of you.
“But most importantly, we would be nothing without our fantastic and hardworking team. Thank you to all our staff.”
PREMIER NEW ELGIN SCORES WITH SPONSORED JACKETS
Premier New Elgin in Morayshire has helped to kit out its local football team with brand-new sponsored jackets.
The Vikings’ smart new jackets feature a plain black back with a bold white Premier logo.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Premier New Elgin said: “We’re proud to support the team by sponsoring their new jackets and wish them the very best for the season ahead.
“Thank you for representing the community with pride –everyone at our shop is cheering you on!”
TALKING TACTICS
What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
CHOOSE A BEER LIKE NO
A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY
DRS operator fees confirmed IndustryNews
Exchange For Change has confirmed the fees to be paid to return point operators under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
Exchange For Change has confirmed the fees to be paid to return point operators under the DRS across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, ahead of its launch in October 2027.
The Return Handling Fee (RHF) will operate on a tiered basis across manual and automatic return points, covering a range of return volumes.
Following industry consultation, the fees have been set at 3p per container for manual return points.
For automatic return points using a reverse vending machine (RVM), the structure is split into two tiers: 5p per container for up to 225,000 in-scope items returned annually, and 1.3p per container for volumes above that threshold.
The structure is designed to reflect differences in store size and return volumes across the UK retail landscape, from small convenience stores handling lower volumes manually through to larger operators using reverse vending machines.
The confirmation of the handling fee follows Exchange For Change’s proposal of a £6,000 grant to help small, independent retailers cover the upfront
costs of installing an RVM. The funding would sit alongside the RHF and be paid in three annual instalments of £2,000.
Russell Davies, CEO of Exchange For Change, said: “The RHF reflects this diversity in our retail sector, and delivers a fair scheme for all.”
However, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has raised concerns that some retailers may not be able to cover their costs if they host an RVM.
ACS modelling indicates that the fixed costs of providing an RVM are likely to exceed £10,000 annually. This means retailers would need to see returns of at least 4,000 containers a week, or 208,000 a year, to break even.
Exchange For Change recommends that businesses seeing more than 2,000 containers returned each week should opt for an RVM due to the complexities of manual handling at those volumes.
If the ACS cost estimates prove accurate, stores with return rates of between 2,000 and 4,000 containers a week would lose money each year as a result of participating in the scheme.
FLAT 20P DEPOSIT VALUE FOR DRS CONFIRMED
Exchange For Change has confirmed that a flat 20p deposit will be applied to all in-scope containers when the scheme launches in October 2027.
The 20p deposit will be applied to all singleuse drinks in PET plastic, steel and aluminium containers between 150ml and three litres at the point of purchase, and will be fully refundable to consumers when the containers are returned.
Exchange For Change CEO Russell Davies said: “The deposit value is a pivotal part of how the Deposit Return Scheme will work in practice.
“A flat 20p deposit is the most proportionate and sustainable amount for the UK.”
TALKING TACTICS
What are you doing in-store to stand out in your local market? Share it with us and your Premier retailer colleagues at yourretailmag@booker.co.uk
International e-commerce boom fuels parcel services demand
Out-of-home parcel collection points continue to grow in importance as international e-commerce builds among younger shoppers.
With nearly half (45%) of UK consumers having purchased goods from international online retailers in the past 12 months, the role of out-of-home parcel collection points is growing in importance, Collect+ has claimed.
The parcel firm revealed that the popularity of international e-commerce has placed significant pressure on UK delivery networks and, while home delivery remains the preferred option for 81% of international shoppers, over one in 10 (11%) said they would prefer to collect from a local shop or parcel point. This figure rose to one in five (21%) among 25–34-year-olds.
Younger consumers are driving the surge in cross-border purchases, the research revealed. More than half (53%) of 18–24-year-olds and 54% of 25–34-year-olds have bought from international retailers in the past year, compared to just 32% of
those aged 65 and over.
The returns process was identified as a leading concern for those receiving international deliveries, with 34% citing it as a worry, second only to additional costs such as customs fees (43%).
Location and accessibility continue to shape consumer preferences, with 88% of all respondents saying it is important for parcel collection and drop-off points to be located close to their home or workplace.
Sam Holden, director of parcels and e-commerce at PayPoint, said: “The growth in international e-commerce is reshaping how UK delivery networks operate. It’s no longer just about getting parcels into the country, it’s about what happens once they arrive and, critically, how efficiently they can be returned.
“Pick-up and drop-off networks like Collect+ play a vital role in managing these volumes.”
ACS highlights c-stores’ two-sided employment flexibility
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has responded to the publication of a new consultation on addressing one-sided employment flexibility, highlighting the existing ways that convenience store retailers provide genuine two-sided flexibility and security for their colleagues.
Running until 25 August, the Department for Business and Trade consultation is seeking views on the implementation of rights that have become law through the Employment Rights Act, specifically: l Guaranteed hours, where the number of hours offered reflects the hours worked by a qualifying worker during a reference period.
l Reasonable notice of shifts and changes to these.
l Payment for shifts cancelled, curtailed or moved at short notice.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Local shops are responsible employers, offering store colleagues regular hours and notice of shifts. We support the government’s aim of addressing one-sided flexibility, but these proposals risk adding further cost and complexity at a time when retailers are already facing significant pressure from higher business taxes and increased regulation.”
BRITS SPEND 370 MILLION HOURS A MONTH ON PARCEL ADMIN
Brits are spending an estimated 370 million hours every month managing deliveries and returns, new research from Quadient has revealed.
The average person now spends 5.5 hours a month managing parcels, which is the equivalent of 66 hours a year per person. Across the UK population, that adds up to 4.44 billion hours a year.
The single biggest parcel admin time drain for Brits is waiting at home for a delivery, which accounts for 1.5 hours a month per person or 18 hours every year.
While parcels were once mainly associated with receiving goods bought online or an occasional present, they now play a much broader role in modern life. On average, Brits now receive six parcels a month and send seven.
Of the parcels received, four come from general online shopping, while one comes from regular subscriptions and one is work-related.
Booker Dragon Boat race makes waves
Booker’s annual fundraising event for industry charity GroceryAid proves a hit once again, as more than 40 teams raise hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The second spectacular Booker Dragon Boat Race took place last month as more than 40 teams took part and helped to raise an outstanding £420,000 for industry charity GroceryAid.
The annual event has rapidly become an important part of GroceryAid’s calendar, with more than £370,000 raised in 2025, with every penny going to the charity to help it provide industry colleagues in need with financial, practical and emotional support.
This year, more than 40 teams took part and raised an amazing £420,000. More than 450 Booker colleagues and members of the senior commercial team competed to be crowned Dragon Boat champions.
The event saw participants return to the backdrop of Bisham Abbey to row down the River Thames to the beat of the drum. Throughout the day, there were sponsor activations, entertainment, a BBQ and the allimportant prize-giving.
“The Booker Dragon Boat Race is a fantastic event in support of our charity partners GroceryAid,” said Booker CEO Andrew Yaxley. “Once again, it was a fantastic day of friendly competition, entertainment and networking, whilst also raising vital funds for such an important cause.”
CHECKOUT RETURNS
GroceryAid’s Scotland Committee has confirmed that its flagship event, the Checkout Scotland music festival, will return for the fourth consecutive year in 2026. The event will take place in Glasgow on 27 August, with over 700 industry colleagues expected to attend.
Last year saw Peter Andre and Callum Beattie among the stars on the main stage.
Please visit groceryaid. org.uk to buy tickets to the event.
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Talk of the
town
Premier Nork in Banstead has got local shoppers talking and store owner Siva Kumar is all too happy to chat.
Siva Kumar is a self-proclaimed chatterbox and, as the proud custodian of a jaw-dropping new concept Premier store on the outskirts of Banstead in Surrey, he’s certainly got a lot to chat about. In fact, he and his store are the talk of the town.
Coincidentally, it was during a chat with one of his retailer friends that the opportunity for Siva to take on the lease for the freshly developed 900sq ft Premier store in Nork arose in the first place.
The store, a former gift and clothes shop, had lain abandoned for several years before Siva’s friend took on the lease and transformed it into a state-of-the-art Premier over the summer of 2025.
“The development was a great success but my friend lives further afield and, with the distance, the new site was proving tricky to manage,” Siva explained.
So, following another constructive chat, Siva welcomed Premier Norks into his fold in October.
“I only live a few miles away and have another site nearby, so this store was a great addition for me,” he says.
And judging by the glowing customer comments and growing sales figures, the new store has also been a great addition to the local community.
“There’s a Co-op a little further down the street but no other store like this,” Siva explains.
“There are so many unique touches that
have made it a really exciting addition to the area and I knew that with this store, we would have a real opportunity to change local shopping habits and drive footfall.”
The store features a Refresh@Premier bar boasting Think Fresh Shakes, a countertop Costa coffee offer and fresh orange juice, which customers can squeeze themselves for a cost of £2.50 for a medium glass and £3.50 for a large.
“The fresh juice is a big talking point, customers love it and the freshly squeezed smell is fantastic,” Siva says.
Self-serve drinks to go are savvily positioned next to a dedicated chiller for food to go, boasting Premier’s lunchtime meal deal of a main, drink and snack for £3.75.
The tempting food-to-go offer leads
There are so many unique touches that have made it a really exciting addition to the area and I knew that with this store, we would have a real opportunity to change local shopping habits and drive footfall.
Siva Kumar } {
shoppers on a chilled journey of discovery into fresh produce and ready meals, and round to a smart six-door bank of chillers for fresh meat, yogurts, milk and juices – all of which are housed in smart black chillers with energyefficient doors.
Overhead, dark ceilings and striking halo lighting further enhance the store’s already impressive impression.
Other unique touches include twin beer and soft drinks caves, which run along the back of the store.
“The dedicated beer and soft drinks caves are huge footfall drivers,” Siva says. Both of the impeccably merchandised caves feature illuminated category signage and pale brickeffect walls, against which products shine.
The beer cave has nine internal bays and three doors for chilled wine on the outside, facing the shop floor.
Store Profile
Name:
Retailer: Siva
Size: 900sq ft
Opening hours: 7am–11pm
Services: National Lottery, PayPoint, Royal Mail parcel services Staff: 4
Premier Nork, Banstead
Kumar
*Source: Circana, Water Category, value and volume sales in the UK for 52 w/e 8th November 2025 Subject to availability
Located right next door, the soft drinks cave offers shoppers eight internal bays of chilled soft drink choice, including take-home multipacks, bottled carbonates and impulse products.
“The beer and soft drinks caves are a bit like having a walk-in wardrobe in your house! They are so impressive to look at from inside and out – and they give shoppers a unique experience that they want to keep coming back for,” Siva says.
Local cakes and cookies are another draw, with a sweet selection available fresh each day.
“The local bakery delivers a selection of cakes and bakes to us fresh each morning,” Siva says.
“They are yet another fantastic footfall driver and further help to elevate the look and feel of the store. The soft-baked cookies and red velvet cupcakes are an especially big hit!”
Crisps and snacks, meanwhile, have been allocated three 800 x 470mm bays, with the same amount given over to grocery.
“This is, after all, a neighbourhood store, so grocery, crisps and snacks do well here, especially the Jack’s own-brand products.”
“Promotions are another big draw for shoppers and we go big on deals.
“We’ve got prominent Mega Deal bays at the front of the store, and we strive to ensure perfect availability and immaculate displays at all times, to ensure that all deals have maximum impact,” says Siva.
“We are also really responsive to customer requests. It’s another thing that sets us apart locally.
“Customers have come to know that at Premier Norks they will get a truly personal service that they won’t necessarily get in multiple stores.
“We’ve got a fantastic team who go out of their way to talk to shoppers and make them feel truly welcome – finding out what shoppers need and responding to it.”
That responsiveness has seen Siva and the team adapt the range in recent months, creating more space for in-demand international products, especially within soft drinks, and more low- and no-alcohol products.
And of course, it’s not all about products and promotions – it’s also
about people.
“As I’ve said before, I’m a real chatterbox and talking to my customers always has, and always will be, my favourite part of the job,” Siva says.
“Every day is different; every day you meet someone new or learn something you didn’t know the day before and there’s not many industries like that.
“Local shoppers really appreciate that interaction and that care, especially the more elderly shoppers, it’s another thing that sets us apart and is helping us to become a true destination.”
Unsurprisingly, the store is doing “very well”.
“Brand-new stores always take a little while to bed in and change shopping habits but we’re well on our way,” Siva says.
“Momentum is continuing to build and each week we see more new faces, so you can’t ask for more than that!”
Buzz about town
Footfall, sales and goodwill are all flying at brand new Premier Beehive in Stockton on Tees.
Store profile:
Retailers: Thirumalai Gounder and Kavitha Thirumalai
Size: 1,533sq ft
Opening hours: 6am–11pm
Services: National Lottery, ATM, air pump, parcel collection, laundrette
As a former public house, there was always a bit of a buzz about the ‘Beehive’ in Fishburn.
But now, following a top-tier conversion into a new concept Premier, the abandoned old Beehive has become a veritable hive of activity – with local customers swarming through its doors morning, noon and night, hungry to gather its convenience nectar.
Opened in May 2025 following a lengthy planning and development process, the store is one of 10 owned by husband-and-wife team Thirumalai Gounder and Kavitha Thirumalai.
It’s also one of four new stores that the pair, who are also seasoned forecourt operators, opened last year.
“The old pub had been closed for a while before we took on the site. Initially, some local people did want the building to be retained as a pub, but it just wasn’t viable anymore, and we knew that we could create a modern convenience store that could serve the community far better,” Kavitha explained.
Name: Premier Beehive, Fishburn, Stockton-on Tees
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Sales of local products from the store’s Cossiga cabinet alone already amount to around £1,000 a week.
“Our store estate currently includes Premier, Budgens and Family Shopper – and we knew that Premier would be the best fit for this site: its range, great value prices and array of footfall-driving concepts would ensure that it stood out locally.”
“As forecourt operators, we are also very service-focused and another benefit of this site was that it came with a large amount of outside space that we could use for parking –but also for convenient new services for local people,” she added.
“As such, in addition to developing an incredible new convenience store, we’ve also introduced a Wash.ME laundrette which is open 24/7, InPost lockers, Royal Mail parcel lockers, a free cash machine, Calor gas bottles and a free air machine for customers to pump up their tyres.”
The valuable new services are certainly being well received, with more than 30 customers a day making use of the air machine alone – and popping into the store to stock up pre and post pump.
“Another USP is our large range of goods from local suppliers,” Kavitha adds.
Everyone, from Booker’s development team to the merchandising team to the RDMs and even the top level helped us on this journey, and I would like to thank every single one of them.
Kavitha Thirumalai
“We actively encourage local suppliers to get in touch with us and are always on the lookout for more. Recent additions include a cheesecake supplier from Redcar, along with a range of freshly made sandwiches and pastries from Taylors and they are all selling incredibly well.”
She’s not exaggerating – sales of local products from the store’s smart new Cossiga cabinet alone already amount to around £1,000 a week.
“Food and drinks to go are another big differentiator and key footfall driver. We have a fantastic Refresh@Premier bar featuring
Think Fresh Shakes, Tango Ice Blast and Costa Coffee, along with hot food including Rollover – the hot dogs have been flying out since day one, especially on warm days,” says Kavitha.
“Because this store was formerly a pub, we also wanted it to have a stand-out BWS offer and so we opted to fit a Beer Cave. It’s certainly proved to be a big talking point locally and a key footfall and sales driver. In fact, BWS is one of our top-selling categories, along with soft drinks and food to go.
“Daily essentials such as milk and bread also do very well, as do groceries, especially
the Jack’s-branded products which offer shoppers excellent value for money.”
Value is another of the store’s key strengths, with Thirumalai and Kavitha running all the Premier promotions and then some –including their own unique ‘Weekend Deals’ on Saturdays and Sundays.
“These tend to focus on sharing products such as large 2L take-home soft drinks and multipacks,” Kavitha adds.
“We’re very active on social media. Facebook is such a useful platform for communicating our deals, range and services to shoppers and getting the word out.”
And the word is clearly getting out, with the store having amassed more than 1.6k followers in less than a year from a standing start.
“All store developments throw up surprises but with this store, the biggest and best surprise has been the reaction we’ve had from local customers,” Kavitha says.
“The feedback has been so positive. It’s been genuinely wonderful to see their reactions when they walk into the new store and getting to know them.
“This is a close-knit community so to have been welcomed so warmly has been genuinely lovely.
“Thiru and I are so proud of this store, but we couldn’t have done it without our incredible team, our architect and Booker’s support.
“Everyone, from Booker’s development team to the merchandising team to the RDMs and even the top level helped us on this journey, and I would like to thank every single one of them.”
IT TANGS YOURSELF, BACK
WINE AND DINE
The Premier Wine Festival is back and serving up a goblet of opportunities for retailers to dine out on.
Contributing billions of pounds to the tills of UK retailers each year, the wine category certainly serves up an opportunity that’s well worth tucking into – especially when you consider wine’s basket-boosting powers. Think sumptuous reds paired with succulent steaks, and light whites with luscious leaves.
Just ask Premier retailer Dave Brown of Brown and Vaughn in Hebburn, who describes wine as a key footfall driver and basket-spend builder, helping to drive associated purchases across a number of in-store categories, especially since he invested in a wine and beer cave.
Booker’s Wine Category Manager Loris Gruarin certainly agrees: “Wine is a key
footfall driving category!” he enthuses. “Shoppers these days expect to be able to go to their local store to buy a bottle of wine, a meal for tonight, some milk, some bread etc. Wine is always on their radar now.
“That’s why it’s so key for retailers to keep their range relevant and on trend with exciting new products, the right prices and special offers. It’s an absolute must.”
And helping them to do just that is the Premier Wine Festival, returning during the NP6 and NP7 periods.
The Premier Wine Festival will serve up seven weeks of promotions, strong value prices and new products, including several First To Market and Group Exclusives, all backed by high-impact point of sale (POS) materials designed to help stores uncork the wine category’s full-bodied potential.
KEY WINE TRENDS AND HOW TO UNCORK THEM
l Many wine shoppers are choosing to “drink less but drink better” a fact which means that wines with a price point of between £8 to £9 boast a 41% share of sales.
Make the most of this trend by offering a strong Good, Better, Best proposition including a good mix of premium wines. Premier’s new wine planograms will help you create a corking offer.
l Sweeter and flavoured wines are helping to bring new shoppers into the category from other BWS sectors, such as cider.
Meet this demand with a good range of new world wines which tend to offer a sweeter taste and innovative new products, such as Echo Falls Blue Raspberry, which hits a key flavour trend.
l Sales of lighter white wines, rosés and sparkling products rise in the summer months, fuelled by the warmer weather and an increase in outdoor occasions.
Premier retailers now have access to more than 20 new wines including Cloudwatcher Alvarinho, Les Dauphins White Cotes Du Rhone and Canti Asti – perfect for toasting summer celebrations.
l Smaller formats, such as cans, are helping to innovate the category and appeal to shoppers searching for picnic or ‘on the go’ solutions.
Premier retailers have access to a great range of canned wines including exclusive Wairau Cove New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 187ml cans, and La Vieille Ferme Rosé 200ml cans.
Wines with a price point of between £8 and £9 now boast a 41% share of sales, performing ahead of the category and highlighting the need for retailers to have a solid premium wine offer.
The Wine Festival line-up has been finely tuned to help retailers create a compelling Good, Better, Best proposition by covering a wide range of price points and ensuring that there’s a bottle for everybody to enjoy.
Helping retailers to score with soccer-mad shoppers as football season reaches its climax this summer are a range of multi-buy deals that hit different price points.
These include a ‘2 for £12’ offer on bestselling red, white and rosé wines including McGuigan Black Label, Echo Falls, Hardys VR and Secretary Bird. Retailers in Scotland will also be able to offer shoppers exceptional value for £6.10 a bottle.
A ‘2 for £13’ offer will also apply to selected bottles of Caparelli, Barefoot, Blossom Hill, Canti and Quirky Bird, with Scotland’s Premier retailers able to offer single bottles for £6.50.
The Premier Wine Festival will also include a ‘2 for £15’ deal on brands including Jam
SMALL AND MIGHTY
Shed, Casillero del Diablo and Trivento Reserve. Scottish shoppers will be able to snap up single bottles for £7.50 each.
The need for retailers to also create a compelling premium-priced proposition has been carefully considered.
As the trend towards “drinking less but drinking better” continues to take root, wines with a price point of between £8 and £9 are growing in popularity and now boast a 41% share of sales, performing ahead of the category, Booker’s Wine Category Manager Lorris Gruarin explains.
Premier retailers will be able to serve their shoppers a bevy of bottles in this price bracket, including Kylie Rosé, Brancott Estate Flight Sauvignon Blanc, Piccini Memoro Red, Porta 6 Lisboa Red and Alamos City Malbec, all for £8.49 a bottle. Bottles of Wairau Cove Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay will also be available for £7.99 –down from £10.
With single-serve products growing in popularity, the Premier Wine Festival includes deals on a number of small-format products, including canned wines.
Booker Wine Category Manager Lorris Gruarin.
ROSÉ CONTINUES TO BLOOM
With rosé sales continuing to flourish, the Premier Wine Festival also features a number of new rosé products and value promotions on existing topsellers.
Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), recently described rosé as a “ray of sunshine for wine producers and retailers,” with volumes up 3% and value up 5% year on year, generating £882m in sales according to its latest Market Report.
During summer 2025, sales of rosé were up 1% over the 12 weeks compared with the previous year, and rosé was again up 1% over the 12 weeks to 27 December, proving that the category is now a year-round pick for shoppers and no longer just a summer sip.
In 2025, the equivalent of 129 million 75cl bottles of rosé were sold, compared with 125 million bottles the previous year, the WSTA data shows.
The Premier Wine Festival will feature a number of new First To Market and Group Exclusive rosé wines, such as Cabana California Rosé, available at an RSP of £7.99, offering a POR of 22.4%.
Shoppers will also be able to buy bottles of Jacobs Creek Refreshing and Lively Rosé for £8.49 and take advantage of Mega Deals on
NEW PRODUCTS
rosé wines from brands including Secretary Bird, Hardys VR, Jam Shed and Trivento.
Shoppers will also be able to access strong value deals on sparkling rosé products, including Plaza Centro Prosecco Rosé for £8.49, Kylie Prosecco Rosé for £9.99 and Freixenet Italian Sparkling Rosé for £11.49.
Those looking for smaller formats will also be able to snap up 20cl bottles of Canti Prosecco Rosé as part of an ‘Any 2 for £7’ deal (SC £3.50). The same deal will also apply to Canti Prosecco 20cl.
IN THE CAN
Canned wines continue to grow in popularity, driven by their convenience, single-serve and value-for-money credentials. Responding to shopper demand, the Premier Wine Festival includes deals on canned wines, including Booker’s Group Exclusive Wairau Cove New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc cans on an ‘Any 2 for £5.50’ deal. Scottish retailers can offer the cans for £2.75 each.
The same deal also applies to cans of Most Wanted Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec and Rosé, and La Vieille Ferme AKA “chicken wine,” which is now available in a 200ml canned format.
The Premier Wine Festival provides a corking line up of exciting new products including First To Market and Group Exclusives.
FLAVOURS CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT
The Premier Wine Festival also features deals on fruity flavoured wine products, including Echo Falls Fruit Fusion Blue Raspberry. With its sweet raspberry flavour, low 9% ABV and bold blue colour, the product taps into growing consumer demand for flavoured, lower-alcohol wines while helping to introduce new drinkers into the category.
Echo Falls Blue Raspberry will be available as part of the ‘Any 2 for £12’ Mega Deal during the Premier Wine Festival (SC £6.10), alongside Echo Falls Summer Berries and Watermelon Kiwi.
CORKING POS
Supporting all of the above is a suite of Wine Festival POS designed to help retailers showcase the category.
The range includes header cards, barkers and more, all designed to help retailers maximise the category’s potential.
New Products
MYTHOS PREMIUM BEER
Case size: 2x10x440ml
WSP:£ 17.99
RSP: £13.99
POR: 22.8%
APEROL SPRITZ TO GO
Case size: 12x250ml
WSP: £21.99
RSP: £2.99
POR: 26.5%
BAILEYS WHITE CHOCOLATE & RASPBERRY
Case size: 6x50cl
WSP: £75.89
RSP: £18.29
-196 PEACH SHOCHU VODKA SODA
Case size: 12x330ml
WSP: £22.99
RSP: £3.09
POR: 25.6%
FUNKIN NITRO COCKTAILS BLUE RASPBERRY MARTINI
Case size: 12x200ml
WSP: £ 14.99
RSP: £2.39
POR: 37.3%
POR: 17%
OLD MOUT CIDER BERRIES AND CHERRIES
Case size:6x4x440ml
WSP: £26.99
RSP: £6.79
POR: 20.5%
GOLDEN WONDER OINKS
Case size: 18x45g
WSP: £10.69
RSP: £1.00
POR: 28.7%
JAFFA CAKE CHOC NIBBLES
Case size: 12x135g
WSP: £6.99
RSP: £1.00
POR: 30.1%
Case size: 24x35g
WSP: £10.69 RSP: £0.89 POR: 39.9%
TWIX HAZELNUT
Case size: 30x46g
WSP: £19.89
RSP: £1.20
POR: 33.7%
MCVITIE’S SIGNATURE CHOC TRUFFLE
HARIBO RHUBARB AND CUSTARD ROLLS
Case size: 12x140g
WSP: £9.09
RSP: £1.25
POR: 27.3%
AERO PISTACHIO PMP
Case size:15x90g
WSP: £13.69
RSP: £1.65
POR: 33.6%
BetterService
IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Scoot delivering rapid growth
The first-ever conference for Scoot retailers was held in Manchester recently, with over 100 retailers attending to hear the latest news and share their experiences of using the fastestgrowing delivery platform in the UK.
440 stores now using Scoot
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
It’s hard to believe that Booker’s unique and exclusive low-cost delivery platform Scoot is only just over a year old – but it’s far less difficult to understand the massive success the platform has enjoyed in the past 12 months.
From a standing start, more than 440 customers now use Scoot, which is available only to Booker symbol group retailers. That level of growth is unprecedented in independent retailing, and Booker has no intention of taking its foot off the gas in the future.
To mark the first anniversary of the launch of Scoot, Booker recently organised the firstever Scoot conference, welcoming over 100 retailers to a very special event hosted at Makro in Manchester.
FULLY INVESTED
During his welcome speech to the packed audience, Booker Retail Manager Colm Johnson made no bones about the fact that he has huge plans for Scoot: “Our low-cost Scoot platform is a core part of our offer and it will continue to be long into the future. We are fully invested in Scoot and we are fully committed to continuing to grow it in the
coming months and years.
“We already have over 440 retailers using Scoot, a remarkable achievement in such a short space of time, and we intend to hit the 1,000 users mark in the near future.”
Boasting a fully flexible model, Scoot gives retailers the opportunity to make an estimated £34,000 additional profit per year based on weekly app sales of just £2,500 at 26% gross margin.
There are zero consumer charges and zero commission once retailers reach £5,000 of weekly sales on the app. This means retailers can save up to £16,000 a year with Scoot when compared to other rapid delivery platforms on weekly sales of around £5,000.
So it’s no surprise that so many Premier retailers are moving to Scoot or, indeed, launching a rapid delivery service in their stores for the first time.
HUGE OPPORTUNITY
The first speaker at the conference was Tom Fender, Development Director at data specialist TWC, who outlined the enormous opportunity that rapid delivery presents for Premier retailers.
“Rapid delivery is only going to keep growing,” he said. “It has become a consumer
habit and I would advise all retailers to embrace it because customers now expect it. It will be essential in retaining existing customers and recruiting new ones.”
TWC data shows that a massive 38% of consumers they surveyed have used a rapid delivery service, a figure which equates to 19 million consumers. Almost a third of consumers (32%) use home delivery more than once a week, while a quarter (25%) say they use it at least once every week.
Even more tellingly, TWC research data predicts that by the end of 2026 only 14% of consumers won’t be using rapid delivery services. A significant 55% of shoppers say they will shop elsewhere if rapid delivery is not available.
Fender also highlighted how average basket spend in rapid delivery is around £30, which is more than three times larger than the average in-store basket spend of £9.
“It may surprise some retailers to discover that the number one purchased category in rapid delivery is food to go,” he explained. “Food to go accounts for 30% of all orders, with crisps and snacks next at 22%, and chilled dairy third at 21%.”
Looking specifically at the Scoot platform, Fender revealed that TWC research found
that a huge 42% of Scoot consumers use only Scoot, four in five consumers rate Scoot at 9 or 10 out of 10, and 84% are ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ likely to order again through Scoot.
Damian Sanderson, Head of Home Delivery at Booker, hailed those final statistics as “remarkable and conclusive proof that Scoot retailers are doing an absolutely fantastic job”.
LAST MILE
Conference attendees also heard from Just Eat Go, Booker’s preferred last-mile delivery partner, who echoed the scale of the opportunity for Premier retailers. Just Eat is the UK’s number one delivery partner with a 48% market share and delivery capability in over 95% of UK postcodes.
A survey they conducted among 7,000 people found that the number of consumers
using rapid delivery services is growing at 9% a year and that the market value of rapid delivery is around £12.9bn.
Just Eat Go also highlighted how independent local stores have a significant last-mile advantage in home delivery over supermarkets and discounters, given their proximity to their customer base and the strong relationships local stores enjoy with their communities. Being a genuine part of your local community is your biggest asset.
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
Also speaking at the event was Richard Lamb, Booker Chief Technical Officer, who discussed the remarkable progress and evolution of the Scoot app over the last 12 months and also revealed the latest improvements and those in the pipeline for the near future.
Scoot is designed by retailers for retailers, and Lamb’s team is in constant contact with Scoot retailers to inform upgrades and improvements to the app on a permanent, rolling basis.
“Our job is to give Scoot retailers the tools and tooling to grow sales and profits,” he explained. “We are always working on the app and actively seeking feedback and suggestions from retailers on how we can make Scoot work even better for them. That process will never stop, and we will remain fully committed to giving our retailers the best possible rapid delivery platform.”
Lamb outlined countless major evolutions already carried out at the request of retailers, from reducing the consumer sign-up process from 16 clicks to just eight, and adding voucher codes to help recruit new customers,
RETAILER VIEW
“We had been doing rapid delivery for a little while but it didn’t really work for us until we moved to Scoot. Now we’re seeing strong growth, and we think there’s scope to keep that growing.
“It’s been fantastic to be here today to learn about Booker’s exciting plans for Scoot, and it’s also been brilliant to be able to speak to and hear from other retailers about their experiences with Scoot. We’ve picked up some fantastic ideas and tips!”
RETAILER VIEW
“Scoot has truly elevated our store. We’re reaching more customers than ever with the super-easy app. This has helped us boost sales, strengthen customer loyalty, and the low commission rates make this a profitable part of our business.
“We couldn’t be happier to partner with Scoot. The support from the Scoot and Booker teams has been fantastic.”
RUTH CALDER
Premier Whitehills
BEN MATTHEWS
Premier Meden Vale
M315907 Fuego PMP
M315912 Intense Nacho PMP
M318544 Smokin BBQ PMP
M315909 Blue Heat PMP
to introducing push notifications and adding email marketing capability.
Loyalty functionality will be tested in August, with DIY vouchering scheduled for trialling in September. He also announced that a major app update has now been completed and will be available on app stores this month.
Work is also ongoing in terms of EPoS integration with a long list of EPoS providers to ensure that Scoot will fully integrate with most of the major EPoS systems in use in Premier stores.
RETAILER EXPERIENCE
A highlight of the day was a retailer panel where Scoot retailers Ben Matthews of Premier Meden Vale, Billy Gatt of Premier Whitehills, Mandeep Singh of Premier Singh’s and Jaz Ali of Premier Grangemouth
shared their experiences of using Scoot.
All four said Scoot had helped them take their businesses to the next level and urged all Premier retailers to embrace Scoot as quickly as possible.
Their top tips for making a success of Scoot? Go hard on social media, make sure you deliver on time, and ensure you have good availability, especially on products on promotion.
It really can be that simple.
Colm Johnson closed the proceedings with a reiteration of Booker commitment to Scoot and to supporting retailers who take advantage of the exceptional opportunity it brings: “We’re in this for the long haul and we want to make Scoot the biggest and best rapid delivery platform in the UK for our retailers and their customers.”
TWC TAKEAWAYS
l 38% of the UK population have used rapid delivery = 19 million shoppers
l 32% order more than once a week; 25% order once a week
l 68% expect convenience stores to offer rapid delivery
l Only 14% say they will not use rapid delivery
l Rapid delivery average basket spend is £30 vs in-store average of £9
l 71% say in-app promotions encouraged them to buy
l Food to go is the number one purchased category in rapid delivery
l 42% of Scoot users say they use only Scoot
l 51% of Scoot users say they now shop more often
l 4 in 5 Scoot users rate the experience 9 or 10 (out of 10)
l 84% are extremely / very likely to order again
*Source: Nielsen IQ; Squash, Flavoured Carbonates, RTD Still Juice Drinks, Flavoured Water, and Energy categories; 12-month period ending 21.03.2026 ; Total Coverage. **Source: Brand Footprint 2025, data provided by Worldpanel by Numerator, YouGov, & Intage. Contains naturally occurring fruit sugars. Vimto is a registered trade mark of Nichols plc.
Scoot Retailer Award Winners 2026
The winners of the inaugural Scoot Retailer Awards 2026 were unveiled at the conference, recognising outstanding achievement by Scoot retailers across the country.
TOP PERFORMING STORE
PREMIER SINGHS STORES, SHEFFIELD
Singhs in Sheffield has passionately embraced the Scoot platform and grown its sales by more than 107% since joining Scoot.
The Singhs team embrace all major social media platforms – Facebook, Instagram and TikTok – to engage customers, as well as promoting strong hook deals to drive engagement. The team actively look for trends and jump on them quickly to capture consumer interest, helping to grow sales.
TOP PERFORMING NEW STORE TO HOME DELIVERY
PREMIER MEDEN VALE, MANSFIELD
Ben and John Matthews were new to home delivery and have enthusiastically embraced the technology and social media, especially Facebook, with Ben at the forefront posting regular engaging content to grow sales rapidly for their business, as well as offering great customer service.
JUST EAT LAST-MILE AWARD
COLDEAN CONVENIENCE, BRIGHTON
Coldean has embraced the Just Eat service with gusto, completing over 120 orders per week with minimal cancelled orders by the retailer and ensuring great customer service on the platform. Just Eat drivers are able to attend the store with orders all set for delivery, enhancing the customer experience.
BEST SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE AND CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT
PREMIER GLENKIRK, GLASGOW
Premier Glenkirk delivers outstanding social media excellence by consistently creating engaging, high-impact content that drives awareness and adoption of Scoot. Through strategic investment in hook deals, authentic team-led photo and video content, and effective collaboration with local influencers, they have significantly expanded reach and community engagement across their delivery area – setting a benchmark for digital promotion.
FASTEST ORDER FULFILMENT
PREMIER SANJAY’S, CASTLEFORD
Sanjay’s picks and delivers over 99.8% of orders within 30 minutes. This offers a great consumer experience, and reviews from consumers have been excellent. This continues to drive sales for Sanjay’s and is helping attract new consumers to Scoot and to the store.
Meet The Team: Loris Gruarin
With the Wine Festival just around the corner, we catch up with Booker’s Wine Category Manager Loris Gruarin to pour over the many sparkling opportunities the wine category will serve up over the coming months.
WELCOME LORIS, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF TO GET STARTED?
Hello! Well, I started working in trade wines for a London-based delivered wholesaler and was there for around 10 years before an opportunity presented itself to join Metro/Makro as a Wine Buyer in 2008, which I did for a couple of years. I then moved on to a new role as a Spirits Buyer for a further four years, before going back to wine. So it’s basically been wine, wine, wine for a very long time!
WHAT A FANTASTIC CATEGORY TO WORK IN!
Absolutely, there’s certainly never a dull moment! As a category, wine is hugely innovative and that’s something I find especially exciting.
As a buyer, you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing –those innovative new products that will give us, and our customers, an edge and drive the whole category forward.
Just look at the impact that Echo Falls Blue Raspberry has had. That product is a fantastic example of how an innovative new idea really can drive interest and sales within a category.
Innovations can often be a bit like playing the slot machine – you’re never 100% sure what the impact will be, but every now and again you
pull the lever and you get three lemons and it’s like boom!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR ROLE NOW – WHAT ARE YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES?
It’s a very varied role, but in essence my key responsibilities are to create and implement a range of products and a promotional strategy that satisfies our customers’ needs.
That means maintaining an assortment in line with market trends and pricing, creating appealing promotions and managing the commerciality of the deals for our retailers.
Keeping up with innovation and being on top of new trends is also imperative because, as I’ve already said, the world of wine moves very fast.
WHY WINE? WHAT IS IT ABOUT THE CATEGORY THAT FASCINATES YOU?
I’m just really passionate about it! I’m Italian – maybe that has something to do with it! But that said, I know plenty of people from non-wine-producing countries who are just as passionate about the category as me!
About Loris
Italian-born Loris Gruarin has worked in wine for most of his adult life, driven by his thirst for innovation and a genuine love for the category. Right now, he’s busy gearing up for the allimportant festive season and pouring his passion into the successful execution of the upcoming Premier Wine Festival, set to run through NP6 and NP7. The Wine Festival will herald seven weeks of fantastic promotions, new products and high-impact point-of-sale materials to help retailers uncork full-bodied wine sales this summer.
The interaction between wine and food is fascinating to me. Wine is a product of the land; there’s a synergy there and it’s wonderful to learn about the ways that different wines from different regions pair with their unique regional cuisines.
With limitless styles from numerous wine-producing regions around the world, the wine category offers an almost limitless experience; there’s always something new to see and taste – and it’s incredibly exciting that I get to try and bring our customers along on that journey.
Wine is also a category that brings people together and I have a great appreciation for its conviviality factor.
I’m also fascinated by the way in which the old art of winemaking can be blended to embrace new technologies that improve flavour and quality – as well as the science of branding and marketing.
The fascination really is endless!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
I love how dynamic it is. Every day brings a different challenge, and I love that about it.
From the economic climate to geopolitical challenges and, of course, the weather, so many different elements come into play – all of which can impact pricing, availability and how and what shoppers buy.
And then there are all the changes in consumer trends, from the move towards premiumisation to the growing demand for lower-ABV products, to name just a couple. It all adds to the excitement.
IS THERE SUCH A THING AS A TYPICAL DAY?
Not really! As I said earlier, every day brings with it its own unique
set of challenges and opportunities, but there are some elements which remain quite firmly fixed.
Each day, I’ll typically have a number of diary meetings to work through, along with planning for meetings scheduled for later in the week.
I also have daily supplier and supply chain meetings, as well as daily discussions with our sales team, to check sales performance and promotion effectiveness.
These meetings are critical, and we use the learnings and insights to help us keep driving the category forward.
HOW CLOSELY DO YOU WORK WITH SUPPLIERS?
Working with suppliers is a hugely important part of the role and I do so very closely. We are not just customers to them; it’s very much a partnership and we’re all in it together, always working on new ways to drive the category forward.
Suppliers are also a well of knowledge. They invest huge amounts of time and money understanding the market and those insights are invaluable to me, as is understanding how the promotional plans will benefit our customers.
AND WHAT ABOUT RETAILERS?
I’m very fortunate to have fostered and maintained meaningful relationships with a number of retailers from across the country during my time in the role – but one of the biggest highlights of my calendar year is attending the Booker Retail Trade Shows at Sandown and Doncaster.
The Booker Retail Trade Shows are a fantastic opportunity for me to meet our customers face to face, share ideas and learnings, and gain a better understanding of the challenges they face – appreciating the disparity of different regions and demographics.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE WINE CATEGORY TO CONVENIENCE RETAILERS?
I can’t overstate its importance enough! Wine is a key footfall-driving category. Shoppers these days expect to be able to go to their local store to buy a bottle of wine, a meal for tonight, some milk, some bread, etc. Wine is always on their radar.
That’s why it’s so key for retailers to keep their range relevant and on trend, with exciting new products, the right prices and special offers. It’s an absolute must.
WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS DRIVING SALES AND NPD THIS YEAR?
Wines with a price point between £6 and £8 account for a third of value sales, according to Nielsen data for the 52 weeks to 27 December 2025.
However, wines priced between £8 and £9 now boast a 41% share of sales, performing ahead of the category and highlighting the need for retailers to have a solid premium wine offer.
Premiumisation also addresses the current trend towards “drinking less but drinking better”, driven by increasingly health-conscious shoppers.
Health-conscious shoppers are also driving the success of the ‘low to no’ ABV wine sector – although it’s worth noting that the trend towards low-alcohol products is not as strong in wine as it is in other categories, such as beer.
Dry rosé wines are also still performing well, benefiting ‘old world’ products.
New formats, such as cans, also present a growing opportunity and one we are monitoring closely, while fruity flavoured wines are engaging young adults and helping to bring new shoppers into the category.
This year we have refreshed our range, taking all of the above factors into account and adding exciting new products such as Cloudwater Alvarinho, Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Rés White, an Argentinian Malbec called The Wanderer and, in BRP only, Fat Rooster – a red made using Portugal’s Touriga Nacional grape.
We also have exclusive rosé wines like Oriel and Cabana, first-tomarket wines such as I Heart White Zinfandel, as well as our own-label Lomas del Marqués Rioja Tempranillo and Andrew Peace Australian PG.
Small-format, great-value canned products are also driving excitement, including our exclusive Wairau Cove New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc cans and the increasingly popular La Vieille Ferme, or “chicken wine”, cans.
And, of course, I can’t fail to mention one of the most exciting new products to have launched in 2025 so far: Echo Falls Blue Raspberry, which has captured attention across the country.
WHAT’S DRIVING ALL THE HYPE?
There are a lot of factors at play. Firstly, the colour is so unique – that striking bright blue is visually very exciting.
Then there’s the flavour. Blue raspberry is a huge flavour trend across other BWS categories such as RTDs and spirits, confectionery and soft drinks, so it follows that it would also be a hit within wine.
It also has a lower ABV of 9% and has been supported by a fantastic marketing campaign – all of which has provided retailers with an outstanding opportunity to create excitement and engage shoppers.
TELL ME ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT SEASONALITY HAS ON YOUR ROLE. DOES WARMER WEATHER HAVE AN IMPACT ON WINE SALES OR BUYING TRENDS?
Seasonality is really important within wine, with Christmas and New Year driving a substantial share of annual sales and creating a big opportunity to upsell into premium wine and gifting products.
The spring and summer months tend to drive demand for lighterstyle wines, with warmer weather and the associated rise in outdoor dining and BBQ occasions prompting increased demand for rosé, sparkling and white wines. That said, rosé has now become a strong seller all year round.
WILL THIS SUMMER’S FOOTBALL SEASON HELP TO LIFT WINE SALES?
While the lion’s share of sales is likely to go to beer, there’s no doubt that football season will also create an opportunity to drive wine sales – especially when the right offer is in place.
We’ve been working hard to support retailers with an excellent mega basket featuring five major ranges on a ‘2 for £12’ multibuy offer. It includes major wine brands, including a sparkling Asti – a great option for celebrating success with friends and family.
WHAT ELSE CAN RETAILERS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SUMMER?
July will mark the return of the Premier Wine Festival, which is very exciting.
The festival will run through NP6 and NP7, delivering seven weeks of promotions and new products, all backed by high-impact POS materials designed to help retailers bring the festival to life and create theatre in store.
We’ve recently introduced 24 new wines, making the Wine Festival a strong platform to showcase all that newness!
BetterService
IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Keep a lid on energy costs
Saffron Business Solutions combines independent market analysis, supplier access and deep sector experience to help Booker retailers better control their operating costs.
With energy costs remaining one of the biggest hits to retailers’ profit pots, solutions that can help to keep a lid on costs and stop those bills bubbling over are certainly well worth tucking into.
Convenience retailers across the UK continue to face significant pressure from energy costs. While wholesale prices have eased from the record highs seen in recent years, the market remains volatile, with ongoing uncertainty driven by geopolitical tensions.
At the same time, retailers are managing rising labour costs, increased business rates and cautious customer spending. Margins remain under pressure, leaving little room to absorb higher operating expenses.
However, the good news is that energy is one of the few overheads where meaningful savings can still be achieved without changing
day-to-day operations – helping to protect profitability and cash flow.
And thanks to Booker’s business enabling partner Saffron Business Solutions (SBS) help for retailers to do just that is but a click, or call, away.
SBS combines independent market analysis, supplier access and deep sector experience to help Booker retailers make informed energy purchasing decisions and better control their operating costs.
With more than 15 years of experience working directly with Booker retailers, SBS understands the pressures of operating on tight margins, managing long trading hours and balancing rising overheads.
SBS’ role extends beyond simply securing competitive prices; it helps customers make informed decisions around contract timing, purchasing strategy and supply options that best suit their business needs, ensuring they maintain control throughout.
In a sector sometimes associated with
hidden fees and high-pressure sales tactics, SBS is committed to clear, open and transparent communication, with no hidden charges or costs.
This customer-focused approach has resulted in a retention rate of consistently more than 90%, with many customers remaining with SBS for more than a decade.
To achieve this, SBS:
l Provides honest, impartial market analysis
l Sources competitive pricing aligned to the customer’s preferred contract structure
l Monitors market conditions and supply trends to support informed decisionmaking
l Delivers dedicated customer service and ongoing lifetime support
And the savings speak for themselves. In July 2022, SBS launched the Booker Retail Energy Buying Club with the aim of helping Booker retailers access more competitive pricing
“I have been using Saffron Business Solutions for the contracting of my business electricity and advice on a range of energy-related issues since 2011 for all retail sites in our group and would recommend their excellent level of service to any business owner. Initially, I saved a great deal of money by contracting my electricity supply through SBS and I have recently undertaken our fourth renewal with them because, apart from their excellent service, I have not been able to beat the prices they have offered on renewal.”
through collective purchasing power.
Since launch, the Booker Retail Energy Buying Club has delivered savings of more than £1.4m.
Members have achieved average annual savings of £3,500, with average total contract savings of £5,450. The highest individual customer saving has exceeded £32,000.
To find out more about how SBS could help you take better control of your energy costs, you simply need to provide a recent energy invoice and SBS will do the rest: carrying out a free, no-obligation comparison against current or renewal rates and helping you to quickly understand what savings may be available.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your contract cycle; SBS can still review your invoice and then make contact at the appropriate point in your renewal window.
Get in touch today to see how SBS could help you get a lid on those costs and better protect profitability and cash flow.
Savings to smile about
In July 2022, SBS launched the Booker Retail Energy Buying Club to help Booker retailers access more competitive pricing through collective purchasing power.
Since launch, the Buying Club has delivered savings of more than £1.4m. Members have achieved average annual savings of £3,500, with average total contract savings of £5,450.
RANJ HAYER Hayer’s Premier Stores
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IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
DISABILITY AT BOOKER: Breaking barriers and building belonging
The Disability at Booker Network’s inspiring work continues, as it strives to reach as many colleagues as possible and embed disability confidence across the business.
From cakes to quizzes and lunch labs to lorries, it’s been another year of fantastic progress for the Disability at Booker Network, which celebrated its first anniversary in December 2025.
And there has certainly been much to celebrate.
Led by its dedicated committee of passionate Leads, Executive Sponsors and Co-chairs, the last 12 months have seen the network make real strides towards its goal of amplifying the voices of disabled and neurodivergent colleagues, celebrating their contributions, and embedding disability confidence across the business – ensuring that everyone at Booker feels safe, seen and supported.
table discussions, and a very, very large cake, the event brought colleagues from across the business together with the aim of celebrating progress, increasing understanding, and driving disability inclusion forward.
Held at the fabulous Winstanley House in Leicester, the network’s International Day of Persons with Disabilities event in December did exactly that.
Well over 100 colleagues from across the business attended the inspiring event, which also marked the network’s first birthday. Featuring external speakers, quizzes, round
The day opened with a welcome from the Disability Network committee, recognising executive sponsorship and marking the important milestone of achieving Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) status.
Level 3 status is the highest level of accreditation – reflecting Booker’s commitment to embedding best practice in inclusion, supporting disabled colleagues, and
continuing to drive meaningful change.
A key focus of the event was celebrating the network’s impact over the past year, including the introduction of the Workplace Adjustment Policy, awareness sessions, colleague resources, and community initiatives such as mental health support and partnerships with external organisations.
A central highlight was the guest speaker session led by Rachel Morgan Trimmer, which explored neurodiversity and how colleagues could better understand and support different ways of thinking and working.
The session combined practical guidance with interactive elements, encouraging colleagues to reflect on inclusive behaviours and challenge assumptions.
The event also placed strong emphasis on lived experience and storytelling, with colleague videos sharing personal perspectives.
Many of the powerful stories heard on the day were shared following a series of insightful neurodiversity listening groups, which had been held earlier in the year.
These stories helped to bring inclusion to life and reinforce the importance of creating a culture where people feel safe to be themselves.
Interactive table discussions, meanwhile, invited colleagues to explore barriers to inclusion and identify priority areas for improvement.
Participants were encouraged to consider knowledge gaps, workplace challenges, and the practical tools needed to build a more inclusive environment, actively shaping the future direction of the Disability Network.
The day also included opportunities for networking and learning through ‘lunch labs’, where colleagues could engage with internal and external support providers and deepen
their understanding of available resources.
Engagement remained high throughout, with an inclusion quiz and interactive learning activities, alongside a practical British Sign Language (BSL) teach-in, giving colleagues simple techniques and confidence to communicate more inclusively in the workplace.
The event concluded with a celebration of allyship and inclusion, recognising colleagues who have made a meaningful difference in supporting others and driving inclusive behaviours across the business.
Overall, the event successfully combined education, celebration and action, reinforcing Booker’s commitment to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and
able to thrive.
Another major highlight of the day was the launch of Disability at Booker’s very own branded lorry.
Proudly bearing the network’s logo, ‘Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging’, on its trunk, the new branded lorry is already hard at work on Britain’s roads, spreading the message far and wide.
And that’s certainly been far from all.
In direct response to colleague feedback, recent months have also seen the network shine a spotlight on mental health, with a key focus on reaching even more Band 1 and 2 colleagues from across the business.
As a result, May 2026 saw the Disability at Booker Network host eight individual
The authenticity of the speakers and the openness of the conversations made a real difference. It felt genuine, not just a corporate initiative.
mental health awareness sessions in support of Mental Health Awareness Week.
Open to colleagues from across the business, the sessions took place up and down the country, including Perth, Brighton, London and Exeter.
Each of the eight well-attended sessions focused on building understanding, reducing stigma, and encouraging open conversations about mental wellbeing in the workplace, in a bid to encourage positive behavioural change and equip colleagues with the mindset and tools needed to support mental wellbeing across the business.
The sessions also highlighted the business and human impact of mental health, reinforcing the message that wellbeing is not only critical for individuals – but also for organisational performance – emphasising the links between mental health, absence, retention and productivity, as well as underlining the importance of proactive support and early intervention.
They also demonstrated the clear value of creating a culture where colleagues feel safe speaking openly about their experiences, while highlighting the fact that many people will experience changes in their mental health during their working life and that support should be ongoing, visible and accessible.
The content was designed to highlight a range of different mental health experiences, helping colleagues to better recognise that mental health can fluctuate and does not always present in obvious ways – in turn encouraging a broader, more inclusive understanding of what support might look like in practice.
Practical guidance focused on how to support colleagues effectively, including the importance of active listening, empathy, and creating psychologically safe environments where individuals feel valued and understood.
The sessions also reinforced that small actions, such as checking in, adapting communication, or signposting support, could
{The guest speaker was exceptional and gave a real insight into how neurodiverse minds work. I left with a much better understanding and practical ways to support colleagues.
have a really significant impact.
Each carefully crafted session was also designed to connect mental health to the wider inclusion agenda, reinforcing that true inclusion requires understanding and supporting both visible and non-visible conditions, ensuring that all colleagues, including those experiencing mental health challenges, are able to thrive at work.
And there’s certainly lots more to look forward to in the months to come, as Disability at Booker continues the push to reach as many colleagues across the business as possible – breaking down barriers and building belonging along the way.
A special new event that will unite all four of the fantastic Booker Colleague Networks is currently in planning for September – and, of course, Disability at Booker will also be marking ‘International Day of Persons with Disabilities’ in December – so watch this space!
The Disability at Booker Network’s key aims remain to:
l Amplify lived experiences and feedback.
l Celebrate disability inclusion and awareness.
l Consult with colleagues to shape inclusive policies and practices.
l Embed disability confidence by reflecting on existing practices and building from listening group data and EVM insights, enabling the business to become more inclusive for disabled colleagues.
l Ensure all colleagues know how to get involved –whether through events or everyday support.
New police officers, more cash to fund trading standards activity and a new High Street Organised Crime Unit show that the Government is taking the challenge seriously, ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall says.
Calling time on retail crime
The new Crime and Policing Act, along with a brand new £30m taskforce aimed at tackling organised crime on high streets, are major steps forward in the fightback against retail crime – but there’s still plenty more to be done.
We know that for thousands of convenience retailers across the country, crime sits firmly at the top of the agenda. It’s not just the direct financial impact of stock losses, which can run into thousands of pounds per month for the worst affected, but also the cost of defensive investment in areas like CCTV, product tagging and even security staff to try and mitigate the problem. And then the time it takes to report incidents that occur, and the ongoing mental strain on colleagues in store who have to deal with all of this.
Finding effective ways to break the cycle of reoffending and take prolific criminals off the streets has been one of the ACS’ top priorities for a number of years, and I’m pleased to report that there is progress now being made in two important areas.
Firstly, a range of measures are coming into force to support retailers as part of the Crime and Policing Act, which received Royal Assent earlier this summer. Measures include scrapping the so-called £200 threshold for investigating shop theft offences, making attacking a retail worker a separate offence, and extending closure orders for businesses wilfully selling illicit goods (more on that specific issue later). These are meaningful policy changes that will make a positive difference, and we hope act as an effective deterrent to those considering stealing from our stores.
The second area that has become much more prominent in recent years is the battle against the illicit trade. You’ll be familiar with this problem just by walking down your local high street, observing the pop-up shops and mini marts that sell all sorts of products with questionable origins. It’s not just illicit vapes, tobacco and alcohol that these businesses are
selling; it could be other electronics, toys, premium food products and even goods stolen from other businesses. We’ve been calling on the Government to do more to stop these businesses, and while the aforementioned additional powers for Trading Standards are welcome, they’re no good if they’re not backed by additional resources and boots on the ground to actually enforce them locally.
This is why we’re pleased to say there has been major progress in this area through the announcement of a new £30m taskforce aimed at tackling organised crime on high streets. New police officers, more cash to fund trading standards activity, and a new High Street Organised Crime Unit will bring this up the list of police priorities. There is still much to be done to back responsible retailers and ensure they’re not losing out to illicit traders, but this is an important step forward and shows that the Government does take this issue seriously.