Talking Shop
Sign up and score with Scoot
New developments, more reasons to join
Net profits
Get match fit for the FIFA World Cup 2026
The ‘wow’ factor
Premier Hartlepool Services continues to turn heads and smash sales targets two years on from launch
Welcome
A very warm welcome to the latest packed issue of Talking Shop as we head into the all-important summer season – and what a season of opportunity it promises to be!
Kicking off in early June, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is sure to prove a sizzling highlight.
Taking place over three countries and featuring a record number of teams from across the globe, the tournament looks set to provide a hat-trick of opportunities for retailers to score additional footfall, sales and profits as shoppers stock up to enjoy the sporting spectacle with friends and family.
In this issue you’ll also find an insight-packed interview with Booker’s Beer & Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan, including a lowdown on the many striking deals, bundle promotions and NPD that Booker has in its kitbag to help support you this summer.
And that’s far from all. As the home delivery opportunity continues to grow, so does the number of reasons to sign up to Scoot – Booker’s exclusive low-cost delivery solution.
Well over 400 retailers now use Scoot and that number is set to keep climbing over the summer months, thanks to a wave of new improvements and enhancements recently made in direct response to retailer feedback. Check out our Scoot Update feature to get the full development details.
We also look back at our recent hugely successful Retail Trade Shows at Sandown and Doncaster.
Retailers from across the country flocked to both shows to stock up on key insights, news, products and prices. It was wonderful to see so many of you there!
This issue also features a moving update from the Women at Booker Colleague Network as it enters its fourth year and an important transition – with new leadership and a new name: The Gender Equality Network.
And of course, this issue also provides the usual fantastic mix of inspiring retailer profiles, innovative new products and helpful advice.
It’s certainly set to be a cracking summer for Premier retailers, and we wish you all the very best of trading over the next couple of months – and the best of luck to England and Scotland at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Martyn Parkinson, Director of Retail Sales
Stewart Fenn, Director of Retail Customer Proposition & Forecourt Sales
COVER STORY
Two years on from opening, SRJ’s Premier Hartlepool Service station continues to grow from strength to strength.
THE THREE BIG STORIES
49 Striking opportunity
Get match fit for the FIFIA World Cup 2026.
62 Scoot scores
Key upgrades set Scoot shining brighter than ever
77 Meal milestone
Booker has provided 25 million meals with FareShare partnership.
Share your shop news
If you’ve got news, tips or feature ideas, please get in touch with Talking Shop:
7 Premier retailers score key awards wins
Premier retailers scooped a duo of industry accolades at The Convenience Awards 2026.
Heroic delivery driver celebrated
Premier Whitehills driver Edwin Pirie wows at the SLR Above and Beyond Awards 2026.
11 Community News
The latest round up of inspiring stories from Premier stores.
21 GroceryAid Update
The latest news from the industry’s charity.
24 Picture perfect
Brand new Premier Childers Street has opened its doors and the result is a work of art.
32 The ‘wow’ factor
Arul Palaniappan explains the “phenomenal success” that is Premier Hartlepool Service Station.
43 The Booker Retail Trade Shows 2026
The Booker Retail Trade Shows allowed retailers to bag unrivalled choice, price and service.
49 Back of the net
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, Premier has everything you need to score.
57
New Product Roundup
Our pick of the hottest new products to hit the shelves.
62 Scoot Update
A wave of enhancements deliver even more reasons to sign up to Scoot.
71 Meet The Team
Beer & Cider Category Manager
Ailbe Heffernan talks us though this summer’s hottest opportunities.
77 Meal milestone
Booker celebrates 25 million meals after five years of partnership with FareShare.
83 Booker Networks
An inspiring update from the Women at Booker Colleague Network.
91 ACS Viewpoint
Words of wisdom from ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall.
Premier Childers Street is a work of art.
Women at Booker marks a major milestone.
Strike gold with the FIFA World Cup 2026.
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
Premier retailers claim key industry award wins PremierNews
Two high‑profile industry accolades were awarded to Premier retailers and their stores at The Convenience Awards 2026.
Premier retailers scooped a duo of high‑profile accolades at The Convenience Awards 2026.
The coveted prize of Refit of the Year was awarded to the showstopping Premier New Elgin Service Station in Moray.
Owned by SRJ Convenience, the 5,000sq ft forecourt store reopened following a significant redevelopment in early 2025.
After years in the planning and an investment of more than £700,000, judges said that Premier New Elgin Service Station was “a worthy winner of the Refit of the Year 2026 prize”.
The shop floor was entirely reimagined, with a brand‑new layout and standout features such as two “cavernous” caves – including an 800sq ft Beer Cave the largest in Scotland.
Other standout features include an open‑plan Hot Food Kitchen, which features bespoke signage and a wide array of freshly cooked meals and products to
go – many of which are made using locally sourced products.
The prize of Community Retailer of the Year, meanwhile, was won by community hero Julie Kaur of Premier Jule’s Convenience Store in Shropshire.
Judges said the prize, which celebrates retailers who care about their local area and strive to use every resource at their disposal to help it, was well deserved by Julie, who has raised tens of thousands of pounds for her local community in the 35‑plus years she has run the store.
Praising all the finalists and winners, Convenience Store editor Aidan Fortune said: “The sector is operating in an incredibly tough trading environment and to see businesses go above and beyond in this fashion is inspiring.”
The Convenience Awards 2026 took place on Wednesday 11 March at the Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
INBRIEF
BOOKER CELEBRATES MEAL MILESTONE
Booker has celebrated a major sustainability milestone after providing the equivalent of 25 million meals to families and individuals facing food insecurity over the last five years.
The achievement is thanks to Booker’s longstanding partnership with food redistribution charity FareShare.
The 25 million meal milestone highlights the scale and impact of the partnership, which sees surplus food from across Booker’s estate redistributed to charities and community groups nationwide - helping to support the families and individuals who need it most - and preventing good food from going to waste.
To find out more info, turn to page 77.
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
Premier Whitehills delivery driver awarded for heroic act
Edwin Pirie, of Premier Whitehills in Aberdeenshire, was awarded for his astonishing bravery during the January snowstorms at SLR’s Above and Beyond Awards 2026.
A heroic delivery driver has been celebrated for his selfless bravery and community care at SLR’s third Above and Beyond Awards.
Edwin Pirie, of Premier Whitehills in Banff, Aberdeenshire, was one of two individuals to be awarded the ‘Astonishing Act’ accolade at the Above and Beyond Awards, which celebrate the impact that convenience store colleagues and teams have in their local shops and communities.
Judges said that Edwin was “a true snow angel during the terrible winter storms that lashed Aberdeenshire at the start of the year”.
“While other delivery companies gave up, Edwin stepped up”, braving cut‑off roads and knee‑deep snowdrifts in his dual Premier and Scoot‑branded delivery van to deliver essential groceries to shoppers in need.
On one especially treacherous day, Edwin personally carried out 45 home deliveries, some to addresses more than 10 miles inland – and virtually cut off by the snow.
However, the challenging conditions didn’t stop Edwin, who braved the roads, often parking his van
long distances away from the delivery address and walking the rest of the way – sometimes through two feet of snow – determined that those in need didn’t go without.
Store owner Billy Gatt described Edwin as a “true hero and asset” to his team and the wider community.
“As one of our delivery drivers, the whole community know him as he has lived in the area his whole life, and benefit from the person he is,” he added.
SLR’s Above and Beyond Awards 2026 took place on 18 March at Glasgow’s Corinthian Club.
RETAILERS CRACK EASTER 2026 WITH DYNAMIC NEW APPROACHES
Easter has now evolved “far beyond” chocolate,” with many stores having displayed a “broader, more dynamic approach to seasonal retail” this year, IGD said.
From Easter crackers to floral wreaths, toys and even festive trees, alongside a renewed focus on the Easter roast, many retailers turned the occasion into “a multicategory celebration”. According to IGD’s ShopperVista research, 61% of UK shoppers intended to celebrate Easter in 2026, making it the fourth most widely celebrated occasion after Christmas, birthdays, and New Year.
Plus, 44% of those celebrating planned to buy gifts, primarily foodfocused, highlighting Easter’s power as a driver of incremental basket spend.
IGD Retail Insights
Analyst Seth Russell said: “This year’s Easter activations show that with a bit of creativity and a willingness to break the mould, retailers can unlock new seasonal opportunities.”
M-code 4x440ml Cans: M318237
NEWS, ACHIEVEMENTS AND OPINIONS FROM ACROSS PREMIER
Premier New Elgin offers dashing community support
Premier New Elgin has held an in‑store ‘Basket Dash’ in support of the Cash For Kids charity.
The showstopping new Premier store auctioned off the prize, which offered “one lucky winner” the chance to take part in a one‑minute dash around the shop floor.
A post promoting the auction read: “Grab a basket, dash through the aisles, and take home as
much as you can in just 60 seconds!
“The best part? Every bid helps support an amazing local cause and makes a real difference in our community.”
Cash For Kids supports children from birth up to and including 18 years of age who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or who have additional needs.
HATS OFF TO PREMIER WESTERHOPE
The folk at Premier Westerhope Convenience Store in Newcastle donated more than 1,000 free woollen hats to those in need during the sudden cold snap in March.
The hats from ‘Urban Bear’ came in all shapes and sizes and were offered free to all those who needed them, alongside free bread rolls and buns.
Store owner Sheraz Awan has become well known for his generosity, which sees him donate free bread and buns to those in need almost every day of the week.
Premier Jarrow makes doughy donation CommunityNews
Premier SR’s Convenience in Jarrow has started donating free bread to local shoppers struggling with financial hardship.
On each occasion, eight full trays of fresh loaves have been placed on the shop floor, along with a sign inviting anyone who was struggling to purchase food to take up to two loaves free of charge.
The move has been welcomed by local shoppers and widely shared online.
Commenting on Facebook, one shopper said “lovely thing to do”, while another added “that’s very kind”.
Store owner Rajkumar Mani said it was the least they could do.
“Some people can’t afford but we can afford sometimes to give free bread and so we do,” he told Talking Shop.
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
A DIGEST OF NEWS FROM THE INDEPENDENT RETAILING INDUSTRY
ACS launches new DRS Guide for retailers
The ACS has launched a new in depth guide on how the coming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will impact on convenience retailers.
As the start date for the new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) draws ever closer, the ACS has launched an in depth guide to help retailers make preparations. The guide details the operation of the scheme and the things that retailers need to consider when deciding whether to operate a manual return point, install a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or seek an exemption from collections. All retailers will be required to charge a deposit on eligible containers.
The UK Government is introducing a DRS in October 2027, which will operate in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and be overseen by Exchange for Change.
The Welsh Government intend to introduce a DRS by October 2027 that also includes glass. Glass containers in Wales will not have a deposit applied to them until 2031, but must still be accepted in stores.
Customers will pay a deposit when purchasing a drink in a single use container and receive the deposit back when they return the empty container to a return point operator.
Single use containers in scope include PET plastic
bottles and metal cans (volume between 150ml and 3 litres).
If you sell drinks in single use containers, you are obligated to:
l Register your store with Exchange for Change
l Pay the deposit back to consumers at the point of return (payment methods are to be determined by Exchange for Change)
l Ensure that customers can redeem their deposit through a voucher at the checkout
l Display information so customers know how the scheme works
You can apply for an exemption from operating a return point. However, every store must charge a deposit on containers, even if they are exempt from hosting a return point.
In April, amendments were made to permitted development legislation allowing RVMs to be installed without requiring full planning permission.
For more info, view the guide at www.acs.org.uk/ advice/deposit return scheme guide retailers
LOCAL SPENDING ‘HOLDS STRONG’
Local spending is holding strong in the current climate, with repeat customers anchoring local economies despite squeezed budgets, new data from global technology company Square has revealed.
According to the research, 70% of UK shoppers shop locally every week.
What’s more, 80% of shoppers said their relationship with their favourite local business was more than transactional.
The research found that 40% described the relationship as familiar –while another 29% said they felt connected by a personal bond with staff.
Loyal regulars also generate up to five times more annual revenue for British local businesses, the report found.
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
Spending on crime prevention tech sees shop theft fall
Retailers are spending more than ever on crime prevention and detection measures, the ACS says.
Record investment by local shops in crime prevention and detection measures has led to a year on year fall in the number of shop theft incidents recorded in the UK convenience sector, according to The Association of Convenience Stores’ (ACS) Annual Crime Report.
Over the last year there have been 5.8 million incidents of shop theft recorded by retailers, down 6% from 6.2 million last year.
Meanwhile, verbal abuse incidents have dropped by 20.5% from over 1.2 million incidents to 954,000+.
The fall in shop theft and verbal abuse incidents comes as convenience retailers spent a record £313m on crime prevention and detection measures, investing in areas like CCTV, security tagging, protective screens, facial recognition and AI store monitoring to keep their stock secure and their colleagues safe.
ACS also observed more reporting of crime, with 64% of retailers stating they are reporting more crime to the police than last year.
Worryingly, the number of violent incidents has increased by 13.6% from 59,000+ to 67,000+, while
61% of retailers believe that anti social behaviour in or around their store has increased over the past year.
Over half (52%) of retailers believe incidents involving organised crime groups have increased over the past year.
Thankfully, incidents of robbery have decreased significantly, down 36% from an estimated 9,200+ incidents to 5,900+.
The 2026 ACS Crime Report reveals that, taken together, the cost of crime and the cost of investing in crime prevention amounts to an 11p ‘crime tax’ on every transaction that takes place in local shops.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Convenience stores are doing everything they can to keep their colleagues and customers safe, investing in defensive measures to protect their businesses. The latest numbers on theft and abuse are moving slowly in the right direction, but still represent a daily battle for thousands of local shops against hardened criminals and organised gangs that are brazenly clearing entire shelves and targeting high value products to sell on elsewhere.”
BRITS BACK STORE BANS FOR REPEAT SHOPLIFTERS, WITH 85% IN FAVOUR
The vast majority of shoppers support tougher action to tackle shoplifting, including the use of facial recognition technology and banning repeat offenders from returning to shops, a new study conducted by market research agency The Harris Poll UK.
More than eight in 10 people (82%) agree that shoplifting is not a victimless crime and has real consequences for businesses and retail workers, while 85% support the idea of restriction zones that would prevent known shoplifters from returning to stores they have previously targeted.
The public is also open to facial recognition and AI technology, revealed the survey, with more than three-quarters of people (77%) agreeing that facial recognition and AI technology should be used to alert shop staff when repeat shoplifters enter stores.
Food inflation could surge amid Middle East conflict
Food inflation could briefly hit over 8% in June if disruption to global energy markets persists, new IGD modelling warns.
The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) has released updated inflation forecasts for the UK food and drink sector, warning that food inflation could briefly reach over 8% by June 2026 if disruption to global energy markets persists, in the most severe but short lived energy shock scenario. This is more than double the current food inflation rate of 3.6%.
It comes on top of a sustained rise in prices, with UK retail food prices now around 38% higher than pre Covid levels, leaving households far more exposed to further price spikes.
Under this high impact scenario, the sharp rise in prices would be short lived but severe, with average food inflation of around 6.4% across 2026, adding over £150 to the average household’s annual grocery bills, intensifying the pressure on family budgets which are already stretched by elevated housing, energy and essential living costs.
Even in IGD’s baseline scenario mapping, which assumes no Middle East conflict, retail food inflation is forecast to average 3.8% in 2026, implying that UK shoppers collectively would still need to find close to £10bn more to buy the same basket of food.
IGD’s modelling also highlights a middle scenario, where a more moderate but temporary energy shock would lift average food inflation to around 4.8% in 2026, underlining that even relatively short lived disruption in energy markets can have a meaningful impact on food prices.
The new forecasts take into account the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a key energy producing region. The disruption is expected to impact food production directly, due to the energy intensive nature of the supply chain, where oil and gas play critical roles at every stage.
UK wildlife to star on next series of notes
Images of the UK’s wildlife are to feature on the next series of banknotes following a public consultation run by the Bank of England.
The nature theme received the highest proportion of nominations in last year’s consultation, as well as support in focus groups commissioned by the Bank.
Within the nature theme, much of the feedback from respondents referred to wildlife that was native to the UK.
The Bank has also judged that wildlife images would be most effective for developing banknotes with security features that are easy for the public to recognise and distinguish.
The Bank will run a second consultation this summer to gather the public’s views on the specific wildlife they would like to feature on the next series of banknotes.
Victoria Cleland, Chief Cashier at the Bank of England, said: “I was delighted by the level of public engagement during our banknote theme consultation last year. The response underlines how important banknotes remain to people. The key driver for introducing a new banknote series is always to increase counterfeit resilience, but it also provides an opportunity to celebrate different aspects of the UK.”
POST OFFICE IMPLEMENTS MAJOR REMUNERATION RISE
Subpostmasters are set to receive one of the “most significant increases in remuneration in recent years.”
The changes, which came into force in April form part of Post Office’s five year transformation plan.
Under the changes, banking and travel products will now deliver a minimum 55% revenue share to postmasters. All other products will deliver at least 50%.
Post Office said the rise would ensure postmasters’s income would grow in line with customer demand.
Postmasters will also have a chance to earn up to 5.5% additional remuneration – up from 5% – as part of Post Office’s Operational Excellence Incentive which rewards subpostmasters who meet additional objectives. This will increase to 6% later this year, alongside the introduction of a new incentive for effective management of stamps.
ACS flags up retailers’ rising costs to Low Pay Commission
The ACS has urged the Low Pay Commission to consider the rising operating costs and financial pressures on local shops, as a consultation on the future minimum wage rates for April 2027 is launched.
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage increased by 4.1% to £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over.
The Low Pay Commission’s consultation on the 2027 rates sets out an indicative National Living Wage range of £13.02 to £13.34, with a central estimate of £13.18.
ACS will be submitting evidence to the Commission, highlighting the impact that rising labour costs are having on retailers and the difficult decisions that many businesses are already making as a result of the increases taking effect from April 2026.
The consultation also comes as retailers prepare for further changes arising from the Employment Rights Act, including reforms to Statutory Sick Pay.
ACS is urging the Government to ensure that these measures are implemented in a way that is
proportionate, workable and does not place further unnecessary burdens on local shops.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Local shops are facing multiple increases in operating costs, alongside new regulatory requirements, which are having a material impact on their hiring and investment decisions in their businesses.
“We want the Low Pay Commission to understand the challenges facing local shops when forming its recommendations for 2027 wages. Convenience stores play a vital role in communities and want to invest in their people, but achieving this depends on having greater stability and certainty around the costs they face.”
ACS’ forthcoming Employment Survey will gather further evidence from retailers on the effect that recent wage increases and food inflation are having on their businesses.
FED MEMBERS VOICE EMPLOYMENT LAW CONCERNS
The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel has written to business secretary Peter Kyle calling for the government to implement the Employment Rights Act carefully and communicate clearly with independent retailers so they can prepare.
In the letter, Mr Patel wrote: “Fed members are responsible employers and value a positive working relationship with their staff members, so we fully understand the measures in the Act and their positive intentions.
“However, we continue to have concerns that the Act will have the unintended consequence of making recruitment of staff less flexible, ultimately adding to unemployment, which is not in the interests of anyone.”
The letter comes at a time of unemployment rising to 5.3 per cent, and youth unemployment now at 16.1 per cent among 16–24-year-olds.
Pedal the Borders –for GroceryAid!
A contingent of Booker colleagues is joining industry charity GroceryAid’s annual three‑day cycle challenge this year with a ride across the Scottish Borders.
Industry charity GroceryAid has chosen the beautiful Scottish Borders as the location for its annual three‑day cycling challenge this year with a strong contingent from Booker taking part in the fundraising challenge.
The ride will take place from Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 July with two stunning routes planned for intermediate and advanced riders to test endurance while celebrating Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes, all in support of your industry charity.
Last year’s ride raised more than £190k and the charity hopes to top
that figure in 2026. The event presents a unique opportunity to network and host key contacts in a memorable setting.
With a full support crew, organised training rides, and a celebratory dinner to round off the experience, this challenge offers an exceptional experience for cyclists.
So if you would like to get involved and helped raise much‑needed funds for GroceryAid, please contact: felicity.patterson@groceryaid. org.uk.
Picture perfect
After a very long time in the planning, brand new Premier Childers Street has opened its doors – and the result is a work of art.
Perseverance pays off, and when it does, it can look pretty as a picture: just ask seasoned convenience operator Rajalingam Mathusan (Mathu) who has turned the art of perseverance into a masterpiece.
His ‘pièce de résistance’? A showstopping 1,300sq ft Premier store on London’s Childers Street, which is now a gallery for new Premier concepts.
But it certainly wasn’t always this way. Roll back the clock five years and in the place of the now picture perfect Premier was a beaten down, boarded up pub, where graffiti, not graphics, adorned the walls. However, armed with a plentiful supply of perseverance – and a fair bit of paint – Mathu knew he could transform the bleak canvas from grim to great.
“It took almost 18 months to get through the planning process,” Mathu explains. “At times it was a real struggle with a lot of hurdles to overcome, but we persevered because we knew that in the end it would be well worth the hassle.
“We knew that converting the building into a store would open up a wealth of opportunity: not only was there not much in the way of other convenience stores around – but there was also major regeneration taking place in the area, with more than 3,000 new apartments being created, including new student accommodation, in addition to the existing housing estate nearby.
“There’s also a public park in close proximity and the store is located on a busy cycle route, so I knew it could become a popular stopping point for cyclists.”
After almost two years of planning pain, permission to convert the abandoned public house into a vibrant new convenience store was granted, with work beginning in May 2025.
“I have three other Premier stores and one Londis, but this was my first Premier concept store, so it was a really exciting project,” Mathu says.
“Prior to the work starting, I’d spent a lot of time visiting other new concept stores and reading the profiles in Talking Shop and I couldn’t wait to get stuck in.”
Opened in October 2025, Mathu’s brand‑new concept store has transformed what had become a local eyesore into a feast for the senses –creating a new cornerstone for the people of Childers Street and beyond to enjoy and rely on.
Outside, a striking illuminated Premier fascia tops the old pub’s tiled exterior, while inside, shoppers are welcomed onto a slick new shop floor
starring Premier’s latest thinking.
There are, however, multiple nods to the building’s heritage, including a floor‑ to‑ceiling black and white photograph of the pub, formerly known as The Lord Palmerston, back in its heyday.
Right at the front of the store is a bold and bright food‑to‑go zone boasting a footfall‑ and profit‑driving selection of drinks and snacks for shoppers to refuel and refresh themselves with – from Costa Coffee to freshly baked pastries, pasties, Rollover hot dogs, muffins and burgers – plus a whole host of shakes and iced drinks.
“Food to go is one of the store’s key strengths and I always knew it would be,” Mathu says.
“I knew from the start that we had a major opportunity to create an outstanding food‑to‑go offer here because of the student demographic, the passing trade – and the cyclists.”
The Rollover offer, in particular, has been a strong performer since launch.
Store profile
Retailer:
Size: 1,300sq ft
Staff: 6
Opening hours: 7am–11pm
Services:
Name: Premier Childers Street, London
Rajalingam Mathusan
Scoot, PayPoint, National Lottery
So far, food to go has been one of our biggest success stories and we’re already planning to expand this in the months to come. We’ve just enhanced our Rollover range with a new larger unit and we’re currently exploring the addition of a new chilled sandwich offer – plus a new slush offer in time for the summer.
Mathu
“We only opened with a small unit and, five months in, I had to upgrade to the larger unit because of the volumes we were doing,” says Mathu. “In the first five months we ordered more than £6,500 worth of stock which was pretty pleasing!”
The store also boasts a Beer Cave and a Soft Drinks Cave – plus a striking Vape Vault featuring vault style steel effect plating on the outside.
“We were really excited by the Vape Vault, as to my knowledge we are only the third Premier store to have one,” Mathu says.
Like the Beer and Soft Drinks caves, the Vape Vault is a dedicated room which houses the store’s comprehensive range.
Shoppers enter the ‘vault’ by pressing a
button on the power assisted door, with access only granted after age verification has taken place.
“The Vape Vault is located right next to the counter, so staff always have eyes on the shoppers who wish to enter,” Mathu explains.
“All the Challenge 25 rules apply and if we aren’t convinced, we challenge shoppers at the counter and only grant admittance after they have shown us ID. It’s very simple and very effective.”
Once inside, adult vapers can browse Premier Childers Street’s large range of vaping products at their leisure.
The store’s offer also includes more than six metres of fresh and five metres of frozen –both of which are “exceedingly popular” with
its sizeable student demographic.
“Everyday convenience foods, such as pizzas, pasta dishes and other ready meals are in strong demand, especially the Jack’s branded products which offer our shoppers fantastic quality at great value for money prices that they can’t resist. It really is such a strong USP,” says Mathu.
“Grocery also does well, fuelled by quick cook products such as noodles.
“We’ve also responded to our unique local demographic by introducing a number of ethnic lines. For example, we sell a lot of fresh herbs for scratch cooking, large formats of rice, as well as Supermalt drinks which are very popular with people of African and Caribbean heritage.
DESCRIPTION
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Original 12x25g M317844
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Sweet & Hot 12x25g M317845
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Teriyaki 12x25g M317843
“We also have a fabulous local bakery offer from the Arch Bakery which is very popular. The range includes a number of different sourdough lines, plus Middle Eastern flatbreads such as lavash, pitta and pide.”
The store also operates Too Good To Go’s Magic Bag initiative, helping to keep food waste low and supporting disadvantaged shoppers.
A variety of convenient new services have also been added to the store’s offer, including PayPoint, National Lottery and – very recently – Scoot Delivery.
“So far, food to go has been one of our biggest success stories and we’re already planning to expand this in the months to come. We’ve just enhanced our Rollover range with a new larger unit and we’re currently exploring the addition of a new chilled sandwich offer –plus a new slush offer in time for the summer,” Mathu adds.
“We’re already doing more than £25,000 a week and growing – which is pretty great from a standing start and I’m confident that things will only get better.”
Everyday convenience foods, such as pizzas, pasta dishes and other ready meals are in strong demand. Especially the Jack’s branded products which offer our shoppers fantastic quality at great value for money prices that they can’t resist. It really is such a strong USP. Mathu
Remarkable results
Two years on from opening, SRJ’s Premier Hartlepool Service Station continues to go from strength to strength, offering surprise and delight at every turn – even to director Arul Palaniappan.
Arul Palaniappan isn’t easily surprised. As the director of the enormously successful and enormously acquisitive SRJ Convenience, his years of experience and convenience clout have endowed him with first class forecasting skills – he’s a man who knows precisely what to expect from new store developments and openings. But sometimes, just sometimes, there’s a store that takes him by surprise – and when it comes to SRJ’s ever expanding estate, that store is Premier Hartlepool Service Station in north east England.
At just 2,000sq ft, this fabulous forecourt store is less than half the size of SRJ’s multi‑award‑winning 5,000sq ft Premier New Elgin – but what it lacks in square footage it certainly packs in sales, both in‑store and at the pumps.
Located on an old car wash site bordering the busy dual carriageway between Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, SRJ built the spectacular store from the ground up over the course of 2023 – ahead of opening on 19 April 2024.
And, as Arul explains, it’s been “a phenomenal hit” from the off.
“In all my years of working in this industry, I have never known a store as successful as this one right from day one.
It’s been astonishing. ” he says.
“The local area was in desperate need of a quality convenience and forecourt offering and we’ve delivered!
“From that very first day, people were literally queuing along the dual carriageway just to get in and that lasted for the whole of the first week.”
And the buzz certainly hasn’t waned in the two years since.
“It’s quite simply the best petrol station and one of the best stores that we’ve got – it just keeps on beating targets,” Arul adds.
“This is a store that once shoppers have visited for the
In all my years of working in this industry, I have never known a store as successful as this one right from day one.
Arul Palaniappan
“I was there this morning –excellent service station! I can’t believe the variety of food and drink options, it does something for everyone. Amazing.”
first time – it becomes their store for life.”
And local love for the site is clear to see. While the car park queues have eased since that first frenetic week, the glowing customer comments are still stacking up – especially on social media.
“First visit today was very impressed; the staff were so friendly. This will be my favourite from now on,” says one customer.
“Best service station in Hartlepool,” says another.
So what exactly is fuelling the site’s remarkable results?
“Put simply, it offers the whole package, the whole time,” Arul says.
“Like all our stores, it’s fitted out to the highest standards and there are ‘wow’ factors at every turn.
“When shoppers come here, they get the best of everything: the best experience, the best products, the best prices and the best service.”
And they get it 24 hours a day, with Premier Hartlepool Service Station currently the only store in the area licensed to trade around the clock.
And from the moment they pull onto the forecourt, shoppers are treated to the top‑tier experience that’s become synonymous with SRJ’s sites.
From the car park fencing to the exterior cladding, pristine pumps and glittering glass frontage – every element exudes excellence.
“Attention to detail is something that we pride ourselves on,” Arul laughs.
But he’s not kidding. Take the store’s arresting exterior signage, for example.
“When we first opened, the large Premier lettering above the door wasn’t in white, as it is today, but in purple,” Arul says.
“It looked great in the plans but as soon as I saw it up in person, I knew that it didn’t stand out enough against the dark glass windows, so I immediately had it taken down and commissioned new white signage.
“It cost us about £4,000 to make the change but in my opinion, it was worth every penny. It needed to be perfect and now it is!”
And the path of perfection continues in‑ store, where every detail, from the bespoke neon category signage to the striking overhead lighting, smart stone floors and high‑end fixtures is picture perfect.
Even the labels are lovely – with electronic shelf‑edge labels having been fitted across the store, a fact which Arul says adds to its overall pristine presentation in addition to driving major efficiency and accuracy gains.
The customer journey is also peppered with a generous twist of unique selling points, such as its large range of locally sourced products
Store profile
Retailer:
Size: 2,000sq ft
Staff: 16
Opening hours: 24 hours
Services:
Name: Premier Hartlepool Service Station
Arul Palaniappan
Fruity cider? Stock up now
Biggest
and homemade delights – chief of which are cheesecakes.
Available in a range of indulgent flavours, and dual‑sited in the chillers and at the store’s striking service counter, the Hartlepool store alone sells around 300 cheesecakes over the course of just one weekend – pretty great going considering their individual RSPs of £3.80.
The store also sells a large range of chilled locally made sandwiches, wraps and salads – popular with its steady stream of on‑the‑go shoppers.
“Local products have always been a key point of difference in our stores and Hartlepool is certainly no exception,” Arul adds. “It’s a big footfall‑driver.”
Unsurprisingly, food to go is one of the jewels in the store’s crown, with its range also including a feast of hot ‘to go’ options from Rollover and Bake & Bite over at the Refresh Zone.
Hot and cold foods are complemented by an equally impressive drinks‑to‑go offer including Costa Coffee, Think Fresh Shakes, Skittles Slush and Tango Ice Blast –plus an extensive range of soft drinks.
Sited over seven bays in smart open‑deck chillers, soft drinks are currently the store’s top‑selling category, followed by food to go, BWS and vapes.
Further footfall‑driving features include a clever walk‑ through Beer Cave which houses the store’s extensive range of chilled beers, wines, ciders, RTDs and kegs.
“I know it’s just a service station but... Amazing fresh food available, a walk‑ in beer and wine fridge, fresh cakes and sandwiches, nice coffee. The staff are also outstanding. Every time I’ve seen a queue, more staff come on to the tills.”
Featuring two doors, one near the rear of the store and another near the counter, the glossy glass cave helps to improve customer flow and adds to the overall experience.
Price is another strength, and whether shoppers are looking in its fabulous six‑door frozen zone or vibrant fresh and chilled bays, they can discover value at every turn.
Customer service is another USP.
“Service is another thing we absolutely don’t compromise on,” adds Arul. “We take genuine pride in our service not just at Premier Hartlepool but at all our sites, and I’m confident that all our teams, whichever store you walk into, will give you the warmest welcome and best service.”
Convenient services are another boon – and the store offers a lot of them, from a three‑drum Wash.ME self‑ service launderette on the forecourt to Snappy Shopper home delivery, free ATM, PayPoint and more.
Since opening the store, SRJ has gone on to acquire more land around the back, creating more space for parking and eventually new jet‑wash and EV charging facilities – all of which are sure to drive even greater success for this super site going forward.
“Hartlepool was crying out for a petrol station like this for years and we’re just beyond delighted that we’ve been the ones to give it to them,” Arul concludes.
M318129
M302112
M302108
Score with GB’s #1 Soft Drink Brand * this
FIFA World Cup 26™
EXCLUSIVE PANINI STICKERS UNDER EVERY LABEL.
Racing ahead
The Booker Retail Shows 2026 helped retailers get off to a racing start this spring, bursting with the best choice, price and service.
Forget hooves, it was the thunder of footsteps pounding the ground at Sandown and Doncaster racecourses on 5 and 12 March 2026 as retailers from across the country galloped to Booker’s Retail Trade Shows –champing at the bit to take stock of innovative new products, exclusive deals and spectacular new services and support.
NEW PRODUCTS
The shows were the perfect platform on which to showcase Booker’s fresh flush of innovation, with the unveiling of its Spring 2026 New Product Development (NPD) Guide.
Featuring more than 130 new lines, including over 16 Group Exclusives, both shows brought the guide to life – with bold stands showcasing its innovation‑packed offering, which also includes nine First To Market products designed to help retailers drive footfall and sales this spring season.
RETAILER VIEW
LAURA THOMSON AND SHARNA ELLIS
Premier, Sir John Moore Barracks, Folkestone
Our Premier store is based inside the Sir John Moore Barracks in Folkestone which is the base for 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles.
It’s a very unique customer demographic with quite specific needs so it’s great to come to the show and be inspired by all the new products on offer.
We have a large chilled range, and hot and spicy flavours are in strong demand so that’s mainly what we’re here looking for today.
We’ve already seen some great new chai drinks and spicy chicken sticks which we know will prove popular. There are some great deals to be had too!
cider profit perfection
From handheld ice creams to canned wines and chilled meal kits, many of the innovative products have been designed to tap into the spring trend towards lighter flavours and on‑the‑go formats.
New own‑brand products, including Jack’s Snacks and Crisps Variety Packs, also played a starring role.
CHILLED RANGE
Both shows also allowed retailers to see Booker’s chilled range in all its glory, via a prominent bank of chillers featuring fresh produce, meats, ready meals, dairy and a dedicated fridge for chilled food and drinks to go.
Booker’s fresh and frozen range includes more than 1,800 lines across key categories, including over 300 own‑brand lines, helping retailers to take a sizeable bite out of the lucrative market.
HOME DELIVERY
With the home delivery opportunity continuing to gather pace, retailers were also inspired to join the 400‑plus stores which are already part of the Scoot family.
The vibrant and interactive stands were a hive of activity at both Sandown and Doncaster alike – constantly buzzing with retailers keen to find out how they could make more and save more with Booker’s home delivery service.
Retailers attending the shows were also able to learn about a number of new updates to the Scoot service, including the new and improved vouchering system with analytics, driver‑tracking capabilities and handheld terminal (HHT) functionality upgrades – including better pricing, promotion and reporting management.
Stores that sign up to Scoot receive dedicated Business Development Manager and RDM support to help them navigate set‑up and beyond – including product‑file set‑up, training, live support and a customised growth plan.
Retailers visiting the trade shows could also see the vast range of app‑only Scoot Star Deals on offer, including a show‑stopping ‘All 3 for £6’ bundle deal on Birds Eye Chicken Dippers, Potato Waffles and Mixed Vegetables.
SUPPORT
From staff training to store development and social media, both shows also laid out the sizeable package of support available to Booker retailers.
The shows’ training stands showcased the impressive spread of free online training courses specifically designed to help keep stores and staff compliant.
It’s a fantastic show and so busy! It’s always a fantastic opportunity to meet existing suppliers as well as new ones. There are also some great new products and tasty samples to enjoy. I’m glad we got here early as there’s so much to take in!
NILESH PATEL Bedmond Premier Store, Watford
RETAILER VIEW
Powered by CPL Learning, retailers can access 11 endorsed courses covering essential topics such as Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Age Verification.
A number of new and updated courses are now also available, including Natasha’s Law, Slips, Trips & Falls, and Working at Height Awareness.
All courses are free and can be completed online via a web browser or through dedicated mobile apps, with access provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The social media stands, meanwhile, allowed retailers to soak up the swathe of digital support designed to help them boost engagement and reach, including Booker’s recently released Social Media Training Guide.
They could also learn more about the cache of free content available to them and the many benefits of Booker’s dedicated WhatsApp channel.
Booker’s army of Added Value Services was also brought
to life on an inspiring stand which showcased the many ways in which Booker’s business‑enabling partners could help them to ‘Make More and Save More’ – with exclusive rates and discounts across a vast range of products and services, from security to shelf‑edge labels, sustainability and much more.
FORECOURT ZONE
New for 2026 was a large Forecourt Zone designed to showcase Booker’s forecourt expertise – highlighting its forecourt‑focused range, dedicated account management team and end‑to‑end store development and planogram support.
More than 2,000 forecourt stores are now part of the Booker family, including a number of award winners.
DEALS
Both shows also allowed retailers to take advantage of jaw‑dropping Wow Deals and Exclusive Trade Show Prices such as ‘Save £6’ on cases of AU Vodka Cherryade, Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, Black Grape and Juicy Peach, and savings of £1.50 on cases of key soft drinks lines such as Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Coca‑Cola Cherry.
NETWORKING
And of course, both shows also offered retailers an unrivalled opportunity to catch up with key suppliers and see, taste and learn about their new products and brand plans for 2026.
The shows also provided the perfect platform for retailers to meet new suppliers as well as network with fellow store owners, trade associations and key members of the Booker team.
Get set to score with the FIFA World Cup 2026!
Premier has everything you need to get your store match fit in time for kick off – and net striking sales and profits.
FOOTY FACT
62% of shoppers say football is more enjoyable when watched in a group.
[Savvy Shopper Panel data February 2026]
Whether it’s parents cheering from the sidelines, friends sharing strawberries over the tennis, cyclists saddling up for a ride or retirees on a ramble, sport has always had a wonderful way of bringing people together.
And this summer is set to host the mother of all sporting events when the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday 11 June.
Taking place over three countries, with a record number of teams from across the globe competing (48, to be precise!), the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest ever – providing an unrivalled opportunity for people to unite in anticipation and celebration.
As with any large scale sporting event, this year’s football fiesta is sure to prompt a surge in
at home entertaining and match night socialising, as friends, families and whole communities come together around the telly to toast their teams.
According to shopper panel research by marketing agency Savvy, 58% of UK shoppers say that they are “quite” or “highly likely” to get involved in the tournament, with interest spanning a range of ages and demographics, and with the highest intent among families.
In fact, the sporting spectacle’s pulling power is so strong that even the 47% of shoppers who don’t usually describe themselves as football fans say they will still tune in to watch their country play – highlighting the World Cup’s unique power to capture attention well beyond the core football crowd.
The stats are clear – the biggest ever World Cup looks set to create equally big moments –both on the pitch and in the aisles.
And retailers with a match fit offer will
have a striking opportunity to turn every kick off into a kick start for sales.
The fact that games will be taking place across three different countries and time zones means that many of England’s and Scotland’s games will kick off in the evenings – in most cases post‑9pm – setting the scene for extended Big Night In occasions across a range of categories, including BWS, soft drinks, crisps, snacks and chilled foods such as pizzas, curries and desserts.
Key games and weekend matches will prompt shoppers to plan ahead, buy for groups and look to recreate the matchday atmosphere at home.
And Premier has just the offer to help retailers make the very most of the opportunity. When it comes to beer and cider, new and Group Exclusive products such as limited‑edition World Cup‑themed host country cans of Budweiser are sure to score with shoppers looking to share in the excitement. Each 10x440ml multipack contains a selection of limited‑edition cans
© 2026
The Coca-Cola Company. Powerade is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise. Pantothenic acid (vit. B5) contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Consume as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
displaying World Cup host country logos from across the ages, with eleven in total to collect.
The launch will also tap into the trend towards larger take‑home formats and multipacks that look set to be especially important over the summer as shoppers look to cater for groups.
As such, new and Group Exclusive Kopparberg Berry Variety Packs also look set to help stores net sales.
With an RSP of £10, each 10x330ml multipack includes two cans of Raspberry, Mixed Fruit and Cherry flavoured cider –along with four cans of Kopparberg’s new limited‑edition Blueberry & Raspberry variant.
Away from beer and cider, Premier retailers will also be able to offer shoppers some corking deals on leading wine brands, including cross‑category promotions such as a special offer which allows shoppers to buy any £8.50 bottle of McGuigan Black Label – including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Shiraz, Red and Chardonnay – and get a six‑pack of McCoy’s for free!
Other wine deals sure to appeal to shoppers hosting a crowd include ‘Any 2 for £12’ on 75cl bottles of Canti Asti, which is also a new wholesale exclusive. Scottish retailers will be able to sell the bottles for £6 each.
The ‘2 for £12’ deal will also apply to red, white and rosé varieties of La P’tite Pierre, Isla Negra Seashore, Hardys VR, Hardys Bin 161 and Caparelli Italian Pinot Grigio and Blush.
Signage to score by
Meanwhile, an ‘Any 2 for £15’ offer (£7.50 each in Scotland) will apply to Jam Shed Tempranillo Red, Shiraz, Rosé, Malbec and Chardonnay, along with Casillero and Casillero del Diablo varieties – all of which offer PORs of 15%.
And then of course there’s the fizz to toast winning performances. Premier retailers can help their shoppers get into the celebratory spirit with I Heart Prosecco and I Heart Prosecco Rosé for £8.49 each – offering PORs of 20%. In addition, 20cl bottles of Canti Prosecco and Prosecco Rosé will also be available on an ‘Any 2 for £7’ deal (Scotland £3.50 each), while brand‑new 200ml bottles of Freixenet Prosecco will be on ‘Any 2 for £8’ (Scotland £4 each).
And, helping shoppers mop up any celebratory spills, Premier retailers can also offer a BOGOF deal on Regina Blitz Kitchen Towel for an RSP of £3.99!
SOFT DRINKS
With the World Cup set to capture interest across a wide range of ages – especially among families – soft drinks are also expected to shine, with multipacks and larger 2L sharing formats set to sparkle in particular.
The NP4 promotional period will allow Premier retailers to offer an ‘Any 2 for £3’ deal on Diet Coke, Coca‑Cola Zero, Cherry, and Coca‑Cola Zero Cherry Float.
Premier retailers in England will also be able to offer their shoppers a chance to win a
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will provide retailers with a striking opportunity to create compelling displays and in-store theatre. Premier retailers will have access to a host of high-impact POS to help their shelves and stores shine during the tournament and to signpost key categories including shelf strips, barkers and more.
TOP TIPS
l Match-day shopping is highly mission-driven, making in-store execution crucial. Ensure your store offers excellent availability, strong visibility and clear pricing in high-footfall areas.
l The World Cup will provide retailers with an opportunity to build bigger baskets by tapping into match-day food and drink pairings. Why not consider linking beer and cider with sharing snacks and pizzas to help shoppers build a complete solution quickly and easily?
l Secondary sitings and themed displays are especially effective during large-scale events, helping shoppers visualise the occasion and encouraging incremental spend.
CRISP AND SNACK DEALS
Product
Wotsits Giants Flamin’ Hot
Cheetos Twisted Sweet & Spicy 9x120g £1.65
Walkers Cheese & Onion 6pk
Pringles Sweet Chilli (PM£2.75) 6x160g
SPARKLING SOFT DRINKS DEALS
Product
personalised England football shirt as part of a new promotion with Lucozade!
Great value deals and prices on leading crisp and snack brands will also be in play –along with brand‑new products such as 55g packs of Takis Smokin’ BBQ.
A new tie‑up between the Pringles and Burger King brands also looks set to raise a cheer from shoppers.
Available now until the end of September, brand‑new Pringles x Burger King Bacon Double Cheese XL Flavour and Pringles x Burger King Chicken Royale Flavour have been designed to bring a taste of two “fan‑favourite burgers” to the snack aisle –and tap into the summer sharing opportunity that will be fired up by the World Cup.
Premier retailers will be able to offer the limited‑edition tubes to shoppers for an RSP of £2 – giving them a margin of 21.5%.
CHILLED CHAMPIONS
And of course, with most games set to take place later in the evenings, this summer’s World Cup also looks set to create a meaty opportunity for retailers to drive fresh and
chilled sales – with convenient, crowd‑pleasing evening meal solutions expected to win big.
Pizza has to weigh in as one of the ultimate crowd‑pleasing sharing foods, and Premier retailers can offer shoppers a delectable range of the doughy delights from Jack’s and Franco Manca in the chilled aisle, as well as Chicago Town pizzas in the freezers.
During the NP4 promotional period, Premier retailers will be able to offer an outstanding deal of ‘Any 2 Jack’s pizzas and a garlic baguette for just £5’ – perfect for feeding a crowd.
And that’s far from all!
Another tasty Jack’s deal will also offer shoppers an opportunity to ‘Buy any 2 Jack’s curries for £6.50 and get a Mission Naan free!’
The Jack’s curry range includes Chicken Korma, Chicken Jalfrezi and Chicken Tikka Masala, with Mission Naans available in Plain, Garlic and Mini Garlic & Coriander.
Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of a fabulous frozen deal on Chicken Shop Ultimate Burgers which, when they buy any £4.85 pack, will get them a 356g pack of McVitie’s Vibes for free!
The 2026 FIFA World Cup: Fast Facts
l The 2026 World Cup will be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
l Sixteen cities will host games: 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
l There are three 2026 World Cup mascots – one representing each host nation: Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA).
l The opening match will take place on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City, with the final set for 19 July in New Jersey.
l The tournament is being expanded to include 48 teams for the first time in its history.
l Its new larger format will see it last for a record 39 days.
l The new format will also feature 12 four-team groups and an extra knockout round.
l England have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama and will begin their campaign in Dallas on Wednesday 17 June against Croatia. The game will kick off at 9pm UK time.
l Scotland are in Group C along with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Their first match will be against Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14 June, kicking off at 2am UK time.
NEW AND GROUP EXCLUSIVES!
KOPPARBERG BERRY VARIETY PACK
CASE SIZE: 10X330ML CANS
RSP: £10
POR: 15.4%
CADBURY DAIRY MILK BISCOFF & MORE
CASE SIZE: 195G
RSP: £2.50
POR: 20%
NEW!
SQUASHIES CHERRY COLA
CASE SIZE: 12X120G
RSP: £1.15
FOOTY FACT
56% of shoppers plan to watch World Cup games from their own living rooms, with many planning to invite others over.
DEAL: ‘ANY 2 FOR £2’ POR: 25.1%
NEW GROUP EXCLUSIVE PACKAGING!
BUDWEISER
LIMITED-EDITION CANS
CASE SIZE: 10X440ML
RSP: E/W/I £10, SC £12.87
POR: 10.01%
Don’t get red carded
Remember! Regulations are now in place to restrict the location and promotion of products that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). If your store is in the scope, you cannot run volume promotions on HFSS products in-store or online. You also cannot display HFSS products within certain distances of checkouts, queuing areas, aisle ends and entrances. For more information speak to your RDM or visit acs.org.uk/ advice/hfss-regulations/.
BIG BREAKFAST
[Savvy Shopper Panel data February 2026]
Shoppers hungry for a post‑match night fry‑up will also be able to rely on their local Premier to deliver a fantastic serving of brunch essentials, including 12‑packs of Jack’s Medium and Large free‑range eggs for an RSP of £3.50 and Jack’s Smoked and Unsmoked Back Bacon for £2.19.
Also available are 410g packs of Richmond Sausages, which during NP4 will be backed by a tasty ‘Any 2 for £4’ deal, and 800g Hovis Simple White and Wholemeal loaves which boast an RSP of just £1 and offer a POR of 25%.
And, with no decent fry‑up complete without some veggies, there’s also great‑value Jack’s Vine Tomatoes and Closed Cup Mushrooms for just £1.75 and 99p respectively.
Hot‑drink lovers, meanwhile, can also enjoy an indulgent coffee on the side thanks to brand‑new and exclusive £1.49 price‑marked packs of Nescafé Latte Barista and Barista Caramel – both of which are available on a delicious ‘Any 2 for £2’ deal.
STRIKING IN-STORE THEATRE
And of course, getting your World Cup offer match fit is about more than just products and prices – presentation is also key.
As with any major sporting event, the FIFA World Cup 2026 will also provide retailers with a powerful opportunity to create engaging in‑store theatre that can excite shoppers and encourage incremental spend.
With this year’s World Cup set to be hosted across three countries, why not think about creating country‑themed displays for key matches?
Premier retailers will also have a wide range of professional POS in their kitbags to help create excitement on the shelves and in the aisles.
So, while which team gets to lift the trophy remains to be seen, there’s little doubt that convenience retailers are on the cusp of a winning opportunity to score golden sales and profits. It’s all to play for – are you ready for kick‑off?
*Source: Circana, Water Category, value and volume sales in the UK for 52 w/e 8th November 2025 Subject to availability
New Products
Stella Artois
0.0%
Case size:6x4x440ml
WSP: £13.49
RSP: £4.99
POR:45.9%
Cruzcampo Sevilla Orange
Case size:6x4x440ml
WSP: £15.99
RSP: £4.49
POR:28.8%
KitKat FI Caramel
Flavour Milk Chocolate
Bar
Case size: 32x4pk
WSP: £54.99
RSP: £2.75
POR:25%
Starbucks Frappuccino Caramel Brownie
Case size: 8x250ml
WSP: £7.15
RSP: £2.25
POR: 60.3%
KitKat F1 Chunky Caramel
Flavour Milk Chocolate
Bar 40g
Case size: 24x40g
WSP: £16.45
RSP: £1.15
POR: 28.5%
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.
A playful blend of iconic shapes and top flavours nostalgia meets zing.
New Products
Monster Energy
Rio Punch
Case size: 6x4x550ml
WSP: £19.65
RSP: £5.99
POR:34.4%
Red Bull Spring Edition Cherry Sakura
Case size: 12x250ml
WSP: £11.65
RSP: £1.75
POR: 33.4%
Monster Energy
Viking Berry
Case size: 12x500ml
WSP: £11.35
RSP: £1.85
POR: 38.7%
Fanta Grape
Case size:12x500ml
WSP: £9.55
RSP: £1.40
POR: 31.8%
New
Products
Kopparberg Sweet
Vintage Strawberry & Lime
Case size: 8x500ml
WSP: £16.19
RSP: £3.59
POR: 32.59%
Thatchers Gold Somerset Cider
Case size: 6x4x568ml
WSP: £23.69
RSP: £6.69
POR:29.2%
BetterService
IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
Scoot delivers even more reasons to get on board
Well over 400 retailers now use Scoot, Booker’s exclusive rapid grocery ordering platform, and that number is set to keep growing thanks to a wave of improvements and enhancements to the solution in direct response to retailer feedback.
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
There aren’t many options out there for retailers keen to grow their weekly sales by thousands of pounds in very short order, but home delivery is certainly one of them – and there’s no better way of taking advantage of that opportunity than with Scoot.
Booker’s exclusive rapid grocery ordering platform is so simple to implement and so cost effective that well over 400 retailers are already making use of it to grow their sales and profits – and that number is rising on a weekly basis.
Before Scoot, implementing a home delivery service was perceived by many retailers as a daunting, complex and expensive task. Scoot was designed by retailers to overcome those challenges and was created with one simple goal in mind: to help retailers make more and save more.
How much more? Booker calculates that there’s £34,000 more profit available each year to retailers using Scoot, based on weekly sales of just £2,500 at 26% gross margin.
With only 1% commission charged up to £4,999 of weekly in app sales – and zero
commission once you hit £5,000 a week – Scoot delivers an outstanding low cost app that facilitates home deliveries to shoppers in as little as 30 minutes.
There are also no shopper charges – giving you the flexibility to offer the service for free, should you wish –or set your own delivery, service or minimum order fees.
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
So it’s easy to understand why so many retailers are embracing the unique opportunity delivered by Scoot – but it’s important to bear in mind that the Scoot platform will always be a work in progress.
The Booker Scoot team work ceaselessly with retailers to perfect and improve the solution to ensure it works how they need it to in order to maximise sales and profits.
To illustrate this point, read on to discover just some of the retailer informed improvements that have been made in recent months.
SCOOT ON BOOKER.CO.UK
All retailer assets for Scoot are now available on the main Booker.co.uk. website. This provides a one place portal
where retailers can access all brand assets, marketing materials and Scoot training videos.
It covers all functionality and intuitive advice and guidance on how to run Scoot, all third party access details for Just Eat, DNA Payments and the IT help desk as well as Scoot star deal tiles for marketing, uniform, social media guides and videos.
VOUCHERING
Booker has been piloting vouchers by sending them directly to consumers who have accepted marketing when they sign up to Scoot. The pilot has run across a number of stores, with consumers getting a voucher notification on their phone for free delivery or money off when they next order on Scoot.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with retailer sales growth of 50%. The piloting will be continued and further developed in response to the learnings from the trials. Booker is also discussing with suppliers the opportunity to offer free products for consumers via Scoot home delivery.
NEW CLUSTERS
EPOS API
Last month, Booker launched a new pilot with RDP trialling an EPoS API integration which will further streamline and automate many aspects of the Scoot platform for retailers by directly integrating the in store EPoS with the Scoot platform. A full launch is planned in the next few months.
ANALYTICS-ACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
Booker’s bespoke, in house analytics capabilities allow Booker to deeply understand how users interact with the Scoot app. By tailoring the Scoot experience based on these insights, Booker can drive repeat business, increase basket spend and generate long term loyalty.
This also enables the Scoot team to turn data into action. For example, the system recently flagged more than 400 searches for eggs that were out of stock. This insight allowed Booker to immediately advise retailers on stock gaps, turning missed opportunities into future sales.
REDUCED CONSUMER SIGNUP FRICTION
Booker has overhauled Scoot onboarding with the aim to minimise friction in the consumer signup experience. By making the Scoot app more accessible, Booker has lowered the barrier for customers to place that all important first order. This improvement has resulted in a superior user experience and has helped users overcome the psychological barrier of placing their first Scoot order.
INTELLIGENT SEARCH
Intelligent search functionality allows Scoot to understand how consumers naturally search for products, including the words, phrases and terminology they use. When a search returns no results, Scoot analyses those unsuccessful queries and applies relevant alternatives and related terms. This helps identify missing products, correct spelling issues, and improve search relevance so customers can find what they’re looking for. This improves the accuracy and flexibility of the search function, helping customers quickly find the products they want, add them to their basket, and complete their purchase with ease. This data also helps stores adjust their range to match real demand, ensuring the app becomes more intuitive while guiding smarter range decisions.
BEST IN CLASS HHT
After taking feedback from retailers, it became clear that the Scoot Hand Held Terminal (HHT) was a key point of difference in the marketplace. Consequently, Booker invested heavily and challenged its software team to push the boundaries of what was possible with an HHT.
Today, the Scoot HHT empowers retailers to manage products and promotions, process Scoot orders, carry out order picking, chat with customers in real time, view sales reports and manage driver allocations – all from one device.
About Ailbe
Remarkably, Ailbe Heffernan has been with Booker for no fewer than 42 years. He began his career working part‑time on checkouts in Booker depots before working his way up to become an Area Manager.
Around 18 years ago he moved into Category Management and in that time has looked after Chilled, Soft Drinks, Grocery and Confectionery. For the last seven years, Ailbe has looking after the vital Beer & Cider category.
His long experience at Booker means he is perfectly placed to help ensure that retailers have the products, prices and promotions they need to maximise revenues and profits in the beer and cider category.
Meet the team: Ailbe Heffernan Category Manager, Beer & Cider
With the World Cup just around the corner, we catch up with Beer & Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan to explore the opportunities that lie ahead over the next few months.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AILBE…
Where do I start? I’m Ailbe Heffernan and I’m Category Manager for Beer & Cider. I’ve been in that role for about seven years but I’ve actually been with Booker for over 42 years, believe it or not.
THAT’S A LONG TIME!
It is indeed. I spent the first 24 years in Branch, working my way from part‑time shifts on the checkout to becoming an Area Manager in numerous locations. After that I moved into Category Management and during the last 18 years I’ve looked after Chilled, Soft Drink, Grocery, Confectionery and now Beer & Cider.
SO YOU’VE SEEN AND DONE IT ALL?
I wouldn’t say that but I have had the privilege of watching Booker and our customers develop and grow for over four decades. When I first started with Booker we didn’t even have barcodes! We just used paper price tickets!
ALL THAT EXPERIENCE MUST HELP IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
It definitely does. I know the business and, most importantly, I know our customers – and that’s the part of the job that has always been most important to me. We are nothing without our amazing customers. So, I am one of three Category Managers in the Booker Group looking after Beer & Cider and together we are responsible for offering our customers the best possible choice, price and service. It’s a simple mantra but it gets to the heart of what makes Booker special. Our goal is always to give our customers strong enough margins to flourish.
WHAT DOES A CATEGORY MANAGER DO?
We oversee everything to do with Beer & Cider. We are constantly reviewing the range, we negotiate the costs, we work closely with suppliers with a lot of time spent working on promotions which are extremely important in this category. Availability is also vital so making sure we always have 100% availability is key. The most important part of the role, however, is the customer. A key function of my role is spending time with our customers and listening to their needs and concerns so I spend a lot of every week with customers in one way or another.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
It varies from day to day. Usually I would be dealing with several suppliers negotiating pricing and planning for future promotions to make sure our customers have competitive deals to sell to their consumers. Another important part is securing as many first to market and exclusive packs as we can to give our customers the edge over their competitors. We can only be successful if our customers are successful.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
I like a lot of things about it but the element I really enjoy is the pace and energy the role brings. There’s always lots going on and there’s always lots of opportunities for me to exploit that allow me to help my customers stay competitive.
HOW CLOSELY DO YOU WORK WITH RETAILERS?
Very, very closely. Over 42 years in this trade have taught me that nothing matters more than spending good time with customers. I make it a point of visiting customers at least a few times a week. They give you great insight into all aspects of convenience. And I tell all my suppliers that they should do them same. Nothing helps you understand the trade like actually getting into stores and talking to retailers about the reality on the ground.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BEER AND CIDER CATEGORY TO CONVENIENCE RETAILERS?
I would say it is one of the most important areas of their business, not least because it has one of the highest spends per trip (£9.51) of any major product category. It’s a vital category and it’s an exciting one because it’s always changing and evolving.
SO WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS FOR THIS YEAR?
The continued growth of low and no alcohol beer and cider means it’s now becoming firmly mainstream. Low and no remains a relatively small part of the overall category but it’s growing every year. More and more people are moderating their alcohol intake and that’s been reflected in huge growth in the number of low and no alcohol lines available and, I would have to say, the quality of products. Going back five or six years, the quality wasn’t quite there yet but these days you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind taste test.
UK’S FASTEST GROWING CEREAL BAR BRAND
HOW ABOUT PACK FORMATS?
We’re seeing strong growth in slightly larger mid‑packs and that’s definitely something that retailers could focus on, if they have the space, and ideally chilled 4‑packs for immediate consumption as 4‑packs of beer and cider are still the biggest part of the category.
WHERE ELSE ARE YOU SEEING GROWTH?
A massive opportunity for retailers is in home delivery. It’s one of the few ways that retailers can relatively quickly add thousands of pounds onto their weekly turnover, particularly now that we have our own low‑cost Scoot home delivery platform. It can be transformative and it’s never been easier to implement.
HOW IS THE BEER & CIDER CATEGORY GENERALLY?
The total Beer & Cider market is in good shape but it faces challenges mainly due to shoppers’ changing lifestyles. The young generation is more aware of physical and mental health and that impacts on purchasing behaviours. Premiumisation continues to be important at the Total Trade level as Premium beer is driving the highest value uplifts.
WHAT’S THE SCALE OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 OPPORTUNITY?
Absolutely massive! The stars are aligning this summer because, unlike the last FIFA World Cup which was held in winter, this one is in prime summer season. This opens up the opportunity to target wider get‑togethers like BBQs and parties. Some of the timings of some of the games aren’t ideal but there’s no doubt that the FIFA World Cup 2026 presents a huge opportunity for convenience retailers.
Major football tournaments are among the biggest beer and cider occasions for UK shoppers, especially during summer with evening game times. During the Euros in 2024 there was a 2.9% volume uplift during the tournament period compared to the previous year.
It shows shoppers are more likely to purchase beer and cider within the convenience channel during tournament period as a quick top‑up shop, especially the closer we get to the Finals.
HOW DO RETAILERS SCORE DURING THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026?
We’ve got plenty of fantastic opportunities for retailers to exploit, such as pre‑game bundle promotions like beer plus main meal for the evening game and a half time top‑up package with beer and snacks. This will help maximise basket spend and drive footfall with creative promotions.
In terms of pack formats, one of the biggest opportunities is the mid‑pack can (i.e. 10x440ml). This pack format is growing within the Convenience channel year on year because it offers a higher value proposition than the small pack. Singles and Small packs (4x), however, both over‑index during the tournament period so keeping a good range of pack sizes is important, as is chilling beer where possible.
Small pack can lager, for example, remained the largest pack format with 47.0% volume share of Total Beer in the convenience channel during Euros 2024 and we expect a similar trend for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Lastly, we shouldn’t forget that with some games being shown late at night, many consumers may take it a bit easier with work the next morning so no and low alcohol products will come into play – and we have lots of great promotions on great brands in that space during the tournament.
HOW WILL YOU BE SUPPORTING RETAILERS?
With Budweiser being one of the main sponsors of the FIFA World Cup 2026 we have secured an Exclusive Budweiser World Cup nostalgia pack with limited edition cans at a cracking £10 deal for consumers (subject to licensing laws). On top of this we have a whole array of new and exclusive lines being launched to help drive more footfall into our retailers.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TOP TIPS FOR RETAILERS?
Absolutely! Keep it simple: make sure you have enough stock for the Home Nations games and try to do off‑shelf displays on the mid‑packs. Stock up on the leading deals for the day of the games. Display the available POS in your windows and around the store to create theatre. It’s also a great idea to get busy on social media and have your customer‑facing leaflets at the tillpoint to really drive awareness home.
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IDEAS TO GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE EDGE
25 million meals donated!
Booker is celebrating a significant milestone of donating 25 million meals to food redistribution charity FareShare over the last five years.
Booker is celebrating a significant milestone with FareShare, providing the equivalent of 25 million meals over five years through its long standing partnership with UK’s leading food redistribution charity.
The 25 million meal milestone highlights the scale and impact of the partnership, which sees surplus food from across Booker’s estate redistributed to charities and community groups nationwide, helping to support families and individuals facing food insecurity while preventing good food from going to waste.
Since the partnership began, Booker has worked closely with FareShare as part of its waste reduction strategy while ensuring surplus food reaches those who need it most. The milestone comes as Booker also marks five years of involvement in the FareShare Go programme, which helps charities access additional surplus food direct from branches.
Alongside FareShare, local communities are also supported to access surplus via OLIO’s Food Waste Hero volunteers, while colleagues can also take advantage of Booker’s Colleague Shop.
INCREDIBLY PROUD
Angela Hughes, Technical & Sustainability Director at Booker, said: “Reaching 25 million meals donated with FareShare is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. This partnership is about more than reducing food waste – it’s about making a meaningful difference to people’s lives, supporting local communities and creating long term, positive impact. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on this work and ensuring that no good food goes to waste.”
Kris Gibbon Walsh, Deputy CEO of FareShare and The Felix Project, said: “We are enormously grateful to everyone at Booker for their ongoing support. Reaching the milestone of providing the equivalent of 25m meals alongside celebrating five years partnership with the FareShare Go programme is hugely important. This food will have a life changing impact on communities right across the UK, meaning more good to eat food goes to the people who need it most instead of going to waste.
“With the support of Booker, thousands of charities and community groups in every region of the UK can run transformative services for local people. By saving on food, our amazing charities can focus on providing the services that matter most to their communities – we are so grateful for Booker’s support.”
Saasha Celestial One, Co Founder of Olio, said: “We’re incredibly proud that, together with FareShare, we’ve been able to help Booker redistribute 25 million meals back into communities. Thank you to every single Olio and FareShare volunteer that’s made this possible, as well as the Booker HQ team and colleagues – whose flexibility and commitment to sustainability have been so crucial in making our partnership a success. Here’s to the next 25 million.”
We are enormously grateful to everyone at Booker for their ongoing support. This food will have a life changing impact on communities right across the UK.
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Deputy CEO, FareShare
STOCK UP NOW
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REAL IMPACT
Across the UK, FareShare’s charity partners are seeing the tangible benefits of Booker’s ongoing support.
Susan Ward, Kersiebank Food Project, said: “At Kersiebank Food Project we exist to help those who need support in the Grangemouth area in Scotland with a weekly food bank. Recently we have seen demand for our services increase and it’s difficult to keep up with the need.
“We’ve been collecting from Booker for five years now and collect a range of fresh food and long-life cupboard supplies. These donations enable us to provide a variety of food for the people we support to make well-rounded meals – thank you Booker!”
Mark Graham, Development Officer at Holbrooks Community Care Association, said: “Booker’s contributions have made a significant difference to our social supermarket over the last few years enabling us to offer high quality food to the people who rely on us.
“Their regular donations of essentials – often the items that place the greatest strain on our budget, such as bread, eggs, and meat – allow us to provide a wider and more reliable range of food. Their support has strengthened our service enormously, and we’re truly grateful for the impact it has on our community.”
Lola Owoseni, Volunteer at The Vine Sanctuary, Manchester, said: “The Vine Sanctuary runs both a food bank to support people with immediate need, and also offers support services including skills training, mental health support and career guidance to help people in the community build more positive futures.
“We’ve been collecting from Booker Openshaw and Middleton regularly to support our food bank service. Booker food is fantastic and very fresh, and the staff are polite and helpful. We receive lots of vegetables, bread, sandwiches, and pre-made meals, and for this we would like to give them a big thank you for helping our food bank.”
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Women at Booker: Three years of progress, purpose and possibility
In our latest update feature on Booker’s inspiring Colleague Networks, we turn the spotlight back onto the powerful work of Women at Booker as it celebrates its third anniversary and evolution to The Gender Equality Network.
THE BOOKER
COLLEAGUE NETWORKS
BOOKER’S FAB FOUR COLLEAGUE NETWORKS ARE OPEN TO ALL AND INCLUDE:
l Women at Booker – newly named The Gender Equality Network.
l Race and Ethnicity at Booker.
l LGBTQ+ at Booker.
l Disability at Booker
Three years ago, the Women at Booker network began with a simple but ambitious intention: to create a space where women across Booker could connect, grow and be heard.
What started as a small group of passionate colleagues has evolved into a powerful community that now spans 308 members, touches every part of the business and continues to shape the culture of Booker for the better.
From the outset, the network aligned itself with the Tesco Group’s wider colleague‑network purpose to ‘Amplify, Consult and Celebrate’ – a commitment which has guided every event, conversation and milestone since – the principles having become the heartbeat of Women at Booker.
A JOURNEY MARKED BY MOMENTUM
The last three years have been rich with activity, energy and impact. The timeline below tells a story of a network that has not only grown in size, but in confidence and influence.
l March 2023: The official launch during International Women’s Day brought together 450 colleagues, signalling the appetite for change.
l June 2023: The Women Exec Career Panel created space for honest dialogue about progression, attended
by 65 colleagues.
l November 2023: The Allyship event drew 150 colleagues, reinforcing that gender equity is everyone’s responsibility.
l 2024: A year of learning and visibility – from Bite Size Learning sessions on Personal Development Plans, mentorship and interview skills, to Women’s Health Week and Inspire Inclusion panels.
l 2025: The network continued to expand its reach with wellbeing events, including a well‑received event focused on how colleagues could ‘own’ their careers, which was attended by 170 colleagues.
Last year was also a record breaker for International Women’s Day nominations, with more than 180 nominations celebrating women from across the business, as well as a fantastic 120 nominations for its International Men’s Day event recognising amazing male allies. Alongside internal progress, the network has also gained external recognition – including colleagues being named on the INvolve Hero Global Role Models List 2024 and representation at the Diversity in Workplaces Conference. This is a network that has not stood still. It has built confidence, created community and contributed to a broader culture shift – exactly as the strategy intended.
LEADERSHIP THAT BUILT THE FOUNDATION
Much of this progress has been shaped by the dedication of Abbie Hackwell and Maria Chittenden, who have served as chair and co‑chair since the network’s inception. Their leadership has been rooted in empathy, ambition and a deep belief in the potential of women across Booker.
Under their guidance, the network has aligned with the Group’s DE&I commitments, supported the rollout of inclusive policies and helped embed inclusion into the everyday culture of the business. As the document highlights, this sits alongside wider organisational progress – from enhanced family‑friendly policies to inclusive recruitment practices and the Women’s Development Programme.
Abbie and Maria have not only built a network; they have built momentum.
A NEW CHAPTER: RISING WITH PURPOSE
As the network enters its fourth year, we mark an important transition. Leadership now passes to Stacey Gooch and Trudy Wilson, who step into the roles of chair and co‑chair with a clear vision for the future.
The 2026 strategic objectives set out a clear and ambitious direction:
l Capability building: helping everyone to be the best version of themselves, whatever their aspirations, recognising that this benefits colleagues regardless of gender.
l Confidence and visibility: increasing the visibility of emerging female talent at all levels.
l Connection and community: strengthening the peer network and fostering collaboration.
l Culture shift: continuing to influence a more inclusive, equitable and gender‑aware organisation.
l Cross‑functional engagement: ensuring women thrive in every function, not just the ones where representation is already strong.
l Developing early careers: linking with universities, colleges and industry partners to attract the next generation of female talent.
The essence of this next phase is captured here: “Rooted in strength, rising with purpose – building our next chapter is about connecting with more women.”
This is not just a handover. It is a continuation of a movement.
LOOKING AHEAD
The network has achieved a remarkable amount in just three years – but its greatest impact may still lie ahead.
With Stacey and Trudy at the helm, a refreshed strategy and a growing community of women and allies, the network is poised to deepen its influence and broaden its reach.
And as the network evolves, so too has its name, with Women at Booker having changed to The Gender Equality Network – as was revealed at its rousing International Women’s Day event and third‑anniversary celebrations on 26 March.
Three years on from its launch, a new chapter is about to unfold for the network.
This next chapter will be about visibility, about opportunity and, above all, about ensuring that every woman, in every role, in every function, at every stage of her career, feels supported, represented and empowered to thrive.
Every retailer across the UK will soon need to decide how they’re going to interact with the coming Deposit Return Scheme, and with many updates still to come, retailers must stay close to the developments, ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall says.
DRS decision time is looming
Important new details about the incoming Deposit Return Scheme have emerged in recent weeks and for the most part, things are looking positive for retailers, the ACS says.
In recent weeks, we’ve started to see more important details emerge about the incoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) coming into force in October 2027.
The headline news on DRS is that scheme administrator Exchange for Change have confirmed that there will be grants available for small independent retailers who are seeking to put a reverse vending machine (RVM) in store.
Hosting an RVM won’t be right for everyone, but we’re pleased that there is an acknowledgement that the cost of RVMs is challenging and that independent retailers need more financial support to make that option viable.
The £6,000 over three years that’s being made available as part of a £60m pot of funding for retailers is a step forward, but we need confirmation of the retail handling fees to complete our modelling of how many containers you as a retailer need to sell and return to make participation with the scheme cost neutral.
We know that if the scheme is going to `be a significant net cost, it will lead to more retailers seeking exemptions and communities losing local access to return points.
While some details are being confirmed, there are still plenty of unknowns about the scheme to be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
We were thrilled with the level of engagement that we received from retailers in the room at our Safe and Responsible Retailing Conference in late March.
There were dozens of really well thought out questions on the operation of DRS, many of which we couldn’t get to on the day, but that we’re putting together into a wider ‘frequently asked questions’ resource alongside our comprehensive DRS guide on the ACS website. This will be a living resource that changes and updates over time, so please check back on a regular basis for the latest.
For retailers in Wales however, there are more concerning developments. The Welsh Government have decided not to appoint Exchange for Change (the scheme
administrator that has already been appointed to deliver DRS in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland) but has not presented a viable alternative.
This leaves a vacuum of responsibility in Wales with less than 18 months to go until the scheme comes into force, which is especially problematic as Wales’ proposals on the inclusion of glass make the scheme significantly more expensive and complex to deliver.
Elections will be held to elect the next Welsh Government in May, and we’ll be pushing for more clarity on the plan as a matter of priority for whoever emerges from the ballot box in power.
Every retailer across the UK is going to have to make a decision about how they’re going to interact with the scheme, so it’s important to stay close to the developments to understand whether seeking an exemption, operating a manual scheme or installing an RVM is right for you.
If you have any questions get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.
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and Sales Value (£s), 52wks to 21/03/2026 WE DRAW OUR WATER FROM UNDERGROUND
