Your Budgens December 2023

December 2023

Merry sales at Smith’s Budgens in Codford Jack’s dishes up festive favourites for knockdown prices Budgens secures major InPost deal Volume 23

FESTIVE DRINKS • ELECTRIC VAN TRIAL • NPD • GET SET FOR 2024

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YourBudgens: Contents

… e u s s i s i In th FORECOURT SUCCESS

09

Budgens retailers triumph at the Forecourt Trader Awards

COMMUNITY NEWS

JACK’S UPDATE

37

Latest news from the great value Jack’s own brand.

13

The latest round-up of community news.

NEW PRODUCTS

39

Some of the latest new products to hit the shelves.

FOOD AND DRINK SALES CLIMB

15

Sales through independents grow by 5.9%.

SPRING CLEAN

40

Get your store fit for 2024.

GROCERY AID UPDATE

19

A new retail support kit is available to Budgens retailers.

FAMILY AFFAIR

46

Say hello to Booker’s new PR & Press Manager Jess Horton

20

The Rispin family business has entered a new phase in its long history after joining Budgens.

STEP CHANGE

MEET THE TEAM POSTING SUCCESS

48

Budgens has secured a major new deal with InPost.

26

ACS VIEWPOINT

51

New retail crime plan is a step in the right direction.

Small steps are adding up to positive results at Smith’s Budgens in Codford St Mary.

26

GET INTO THE SPIRIT

32

Budgens’ sparkling drinks offer has all you need for festive success.

45

NPD New products, new sales

BUDGENS Email enquiries@bookerretail.co.uk Your Budgens Team Email yourbudgens@budgens.co.uk IT and customer services helpdesk Tel 0800 298 0758 All rights reserved. ©Booker Retail Partners.

All information within correct at time of printing.

Volume 23: December 2023

last

32 minute

xmas drinks Exclusive offers to get into the spirit!

Cover Story Sales are on the up at Brendan Smith’s family-owned Budgens convenience store following a raft of insightful changes.

5

UP TO

700

PUFFS* VUSE GO 700

UP TO

800

PUFFS* VUSE GO EDITION 01

DESIGNED FOR EVERY MOMENT NEWAND IMPROVED VUSE GO RANGE Vuse e-cigarettes contain nicotine which is addictive.

Dispose of responsibly.

This product should not be discarded in household waste but in the nearest WEEE collection bin. *Based on laboratory testing of newly manufactured product and may vary depending on individuals usage behaviour. For tobacco trade use only. Not to be left in the sight of consumers.

Welcome: Stewart Fenn

Fresh focus A fresh new year opens up a world of opportunities for Budgens retailers.

A very warm and festive welcome to this, your final issue of Your Budgens for 2023. It has been another very positive year for Budgens, albeit with a few challenges along the way – but we’re certainly looking forward to a fantastic 2024 together.

collection and returns service which presents a great opportunity to drive fresh footfall and incremental sales.

Before we get to that however, we have the exciting Christmas opportunity ahead of us and another great chance to grow footfall, sales and, of course, profits.

I would also like to extend congratulations to Budgens Frilford for its double success at the recent Forecourt Trader Awards.

The drinks opportunity at Christmas is clearly huge and Budgens has an extensive range of exclusive products and fantastic deals to help make sure you squeeze every penny of profit out of the festive period.

There is also a really exciting package of Jack’s Christmas essentials fresh produce deals that offers shoppers huge savings of up to £1.39 on lines like Brussels sprouts, potatoes, carrots and parsnips. These fantastic-value promotions mean all four lines are available to shoppers for just 39p with retailer PORs north of 25%.

When the new year does roll around, one opportunity that is certainly worth having a look at is a new deal we have secured with InPost that allows retailers to install a parcel

Volume 23: December 2023

It’s always fantastic to see great stores receive the recognition and credit they deserve.

I wish you all a very merry Christmas and fantastic trading over the festive season.

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Get in the festive mix

To find out about further ways we can support you please visit MY.CCEP.COM © 2023 European Refreshments UC. All rights reserved.SCHWEPPES is a registered trade mark of European Refreshments UC.

Industry

s w Ne

Budgens Frilford shines at Forecourt Trader Awards Budgens Frilford claimed not one but two awards at the recent Forecourt Trader Awards in a fantastic night for BRP. Budgens Frilford in Oxfordshire was among the stars of the show at the recent Forecourt Trader Awards 2023.

The store claimed not one but two awards on the evening by winning both the regional ‘London & The South East – up to 4mlpa’ award and the ‘Best Valeting Services’ Award.

The awards are the most prestigious in the UK petrol retailing industry’s calendar and this year saw Booker Retail Partners star as principal sponsor.

winning their awards. It was a great achievement for Budgens Frilford, and thoroughly deserved.

“At Booker, we are proud to serve over 2,500 forecourt retailers across the UK and what we saw at the awards was brilliant entrepreneurs continuing to evolve and adapt the industry. It is our job to help the retailers develop their stores, unlock the growth, and amplify opportunities.”

Food Waste

In the last year, Booker redistributed 91% of all surplus food, a 34% improvement on the base year of 2015/16. Over five million meals were donated to the Fareshare charity by the Group in the last 12 months.

To play your part, why not make use of Booker’s Fareshare donation boxes?

Booker offers solutions to sell short-dated food and recover costs through the Too Good To Go initiative.

You can also donate surplus food to your local community and save on food disposal costs through OLIO. Visit toogoodtogo.co.uk and olioex.com/business to find out more.

Vape Recycling Service Booker also works with Valpak to help retailers comply with the WEEE recycling legislation that applies to disposable vapes.

Visit recycle-more.co.uk/ vapes to find out more about Valpak’s services.

Alternatively, email info@ valpak.co.uk or call 03450 682 572.

The event provides an excellent stage to acknowledge and reward the sector’s skills and achievements and all those who contribute to it.

Colm Johnson, Managing Director – Booker Group Retail, said: “What a fantastic evening it was celebrating the best in our industry, and special congratulations to our retailers on Volume 23: December 2023

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News: Industry Update

Booker trials 100% electric delivery vans

Booker continues to make major strides forward in its sustainability retailing journey.

Booker has continued to make major strides forward on its sustainability journey, having recently pressed go on a trial of 100% electric delivery vehicles.

Five new 100% electric vans are being used as part of the cutting-edge delivery trial, which is helping Booker get even closer to its green goal of operating a zero-emission fleet of vans by 2030.

The sustainably powered electric vans are being trialled from Booker’s Brighton, Kettering and Stoke branches.

The Booker-branded vans feature striking green messaging which explains that they are ‘100% electric’ and ‘helping to deliver a sustainable future’.

The vans are on the road now and making deliveries to Booker-supplied convenience retailers as well as its catering customers.

Early results of the electric van trial are proving to be very encouraging, Booker branch managers say.

Volume 23: December 2023

Booker Stoke Area Manager Garry Matthais said: “Early indications are overall good.

The vehicle has slotted in with very minimal disruption to being part of our fleet and does the job well. The enhanced payload is also a benefit versus the majority of standard Transit van-type vehicles.

“The vehicle has only had positive feedback from customers, including customers who are receiving the deliveries and customers who take note of it when coming and going from branch.”

Booker’s Brighton and Hove Area Manager Paul Harris said that delivery drivers were also reacting positively to the new electric vans.

“The drivers like the fact we have gone green and are playing a part in reducing the carbon footprint,” he said.

Booker has also carried out extensive surveys of electrical capacity at all of its sites, to help in the future development of on-site electric vehicle charging.

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100% ELECTRIC VANS BEING TRIALLED

CO2 progress continues

Booker has also continued to make headway with plans to move all operations to natural refrigerant (CO2) by 2035, with nine branches and three distribution centres now completed. A further 10 branches will be switched to natural refrigerant by the end of this financial year, taking the total completed to 18%. Initial results have already delivered savings of 42% over the old F-gas refrigeration.

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STOCK TH E NO.1 PERFORM I NG C O R E S TA N D A R D L A G E R *

Probably the best beer in the world

*Source: Nielsen Total Coverage, YOY % change (vol/value) & Value Share Growth in Core Standard Lager Category (includes Fosters & Carling) – MAT data to 20th May 2023. Brewed in UK, the Danish Way. Enjoy responsibly.

News: Community Update

Fighting crime Nick said: “We believe this did make an impact and can only hope it will go some way towards making even the smallest difference.”

Following the meeting, Barber commented: “I’m really pleased [Sophie and Nick] agreed to be part of the work to help improve the response from Thames Valley Police and work to reduce retail crime.”

In addition, Sophie spoke at the Thames Valley Police Neighbourhood Policing Conference at the Kassam Stadium, Oxford.

Independent retailers Sophie Roberts and Nick Fraser, from Fraser’s Budgens of Yarnton, Oxfordshire, have met with Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, Matthew Barber to highlight the problem of retail crime.

The retailers told Barber about their experiences of in-store crime and of their dealings with the police.

The event was attended by more than 200 police officers.

Barber added: “Big thanks to Sophie who spoke so powerfully about the real impact of shoplifting on businesses and staff. A real effort being galvanised to improve the response to tackling retail crime.”

Animal magic Budgens Uppingham in Rutland, East Midlands, has raised £205 for NANNA Animal Rescue.

The retailers held an in-store raffle, selling a strip of tickets for £5.00, for prizes including HD merch, AU vodka, chocolates, and pet treats.

In addition, store staff dressed up in animalthemed customs to raise awareness.

Helping homeless Budgens Wooler - Riverside Store, in Northumberland, is helping keep the homeless warm this winter. The retailer is collecting plastic packaging that the Crisp Packet Project can turn into blankets which they give to people living on the streets. It takes 75 crisp packets to make one blanket.

Shining stars Fraser’s Budgens of Three Mile Cross in Shinfield, Berkshire, has put a team in this year’s Starlight Hike to raise money for palliative, neurological and bereavement support charity Sue Ryder.

The event involves a 5km walk around the grounds of Pangbourne college at night.

Sue Ryder is Fraser’s Budgens’ principal charity, and the store is also raising money for it at the tills over the next few weeks.

In addition, Fraser’s Budgens of Three Mile Cross also played a key role in organising the Spencers Wood and Three Mile Cross Halloween Trail, which raised £1,060 for a new defibrillator for the community.

The store is also going to keep two of the charity’s collection boxes on the counter.

Volume 23: December 2023

13

Get ready

festive season a little better with Costa Express to make the

Sticky Toffee Latte* Sticky Toffee Hot Chocolate

This year we’re launching a new festive flavour- Sticky Toffee! Special edition drinks drive both incremental sales and festive cheer- so ensure your machine is clean and ready to go when the campaign kicks off in November.

Our festive range will be supported by heavy weight advertising out of home, on the radio and on your phone - so stock up and staff up to maximise sales.

Contact us on bookergroup@costacoffee.com to arrange a chat about bringing Costa Coffee to your customers. *Toffee pieces not included. Adults need around 2000 kcal a day.

For full calorie and allergen information, please visit www.costa.co.uk. Subject to availability.

News: Industry Update

Food and drink sales ‘up 5.9%’ in October Sales in independent retailing outlets continued to grow in October, up 5.9%, having grown 8.0% in September.

‘Smoke-free generation’ consultation

Food and drink sales in independent retailing outlets continued to grow in October, despite shopper concerns over rising energy bills and the cost of Christmas, according to the latest data from Barclays.

Card spending slowed slightly from 8.0% YOY in September to 5.9% in October but independent stores continued to perform ahead of supermarkets which saw growth of 5.3% in October.

The Barclays report combines hundreds of millions of customer transactions with consumer research to provide an in-depth view of UK spending.

Total shopper card spending grew 2.6% YOY in October, noticeably less than the latest CPIH inflation rate of 6.3% and the smallest uplift since September 2022 (1.8%).

Most shoppers – 69% – say they are continuing to look for ways to reduce the cost of their weekly shop with more than half of this number (56%) saying they plan to cut down on eating out in restaurants, potentially presenting an opportunity for retailers.

Looking ahead, over a third (36%) expect Christmas to be more expensive than in 2022, and a fifth (21%) have concerns about keeping up with outgoing costs during the festive period.

Deadline looms on Lottery switchover Retailers are being reminded that the deadline for completing their Transfer of Retailer Agreement (TRA) for the National Lottery is fast approaching. Retailers must complete the TRA on or before 18 December or their National Lottery terminal may be switched off.

New operator Allwyn is set to take over from Camelot on 1 February 2024 and retailers who have not yet completed their TRA are being asked to do so urgently.

To do so, visit the TRA portal at www.TNLPartners.co.uk or scan the QR code here [INSERT QR code]. Then watch the simple ‘How To’ video to help you complete the TRA process. You will require the last three digits of the bank account used to pay your current National Lottery invoice and proof of identity such as an image of your driving licence, passport, birth certificate or another form of approved ID. Volume 23: December 2023

The UK government says more than 12,000 responses have been received as part of its consultation on plans to create a smokefree generation and crack down on youth vaping.

The consultation, which closes on 6 December, also details proposals to prevent underage and illicit sales of tobacco and vapes.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced plans to introduce a historic new law to stop children who turn 14 this year or younger from ever legally being sold cigarettes in England.

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News: Industry Update

Be accessible for all this Christmas Budgens retailers are being urged to ensure that their stores welcome all shoppers this festive period, including disabled shoppers and those with support animals.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW…

l 1 in 4 people in the UK has a disability l The annual spending power of disabled people in the UK is £274bn.

With the busy Christmas period underway, retailers are being asked to help ensure that their stores are welcoming to all shoppers this Christmas including disabled shoppers, those who require extra assistance and those with support animals.

Business Disability Forum has published a series of short guides offering advice to retailers explaining the different types of animals that some disabled people

rely on in their daily lives.

The guides also cover what businesses should consider when deciding whether to allow shoppers to bring in different animals and how to anticipate and meet the needs of disabled shoppers with animals.

The guides are available free of charge from the Business Disability Forum website and retailers can find a host of other helpful information on the site.

Bela Gor, Head of Legal at Business Disability Forum, said: “We know that animals can offer vital assistance and support to many disabled people making it possible for people to shop and socialise independently.

For businesses, however, there are legitimate concerns about the impact of different animals on

The guides are available free of charge at: businessdisabilityforum.org.uk/disability-essentials/ Volume 23: December 2023

other shoppers and the wider business. Our guide explains what businesses need to know in order to be able to make reasonable adjustments and make sure all customers can access your business.”

Welcoming shoppers with assistance animals l Businesses must not refuse entry to shoppers with guide dogs and assistance animals – as long as the animal is quiet, wellbehaved and not disruptive. l Shopper-facing staff must be made aware that refusing entry to shoppers with guide dogs and assistance dogs is against the law. l Stores are allowed to advertise a “no dogs” policy – but if they do, they must also advertise that guide dogs and assistance dogs are exempted from this policy. l Retailers should look at shopper spaces and identify any barriers to a person accompanied by a guide dog and remove those barriers where possible before a shopper raises an issue.

More shoppers to spend more at Christmas New data from Deloitte’s Consumer Tracker report suggest that 26% of shoppers plan to spend more this Christmas than they did in 2022, a 7% increase on this time last year when only 19% planned to do so.

The survey of more than 3,100 UK shoppers also found that the number of shoppers who said they will spend less this year has also fallen, from 36% in 2022 to 29% this year.

Oliver VernonHarcourt, head of retail at Deloitte, said: “Those businesses that focus on creating a good customer experience, through engaging promotions and convenient offerings, such as click and collect and extending store hours, will help attract thrifty shoppers.”

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WOW GUESTS WITH SPARKLING SURFACES THIS FESTIVE SEASON

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News: Industry Update

Help spread the word!

To help Budgens retailers ensure that new and existing colleagues are aware of the free and confidential support available from the charity, GroceryAid has published a new independent retailing support kit.

Industry charity GroceryAid offers an unrivalled support service covering financial, emotional and practical support of all kinds – but that support can only be accessed by retailers and colleagues who know that it exists.

That’s why GroceryAid has launched a new leaflet and support kit to help independent retailers inform new starts and existing colleagues about the charity’s free and confidential support available to them from the first day of employment.

The newly launched document is designed to enhance the onboarding process for independent retailers, as well as remind existing employees about GroceryAid’s support. It provides an introductory guide to the charity’s welfare services, explaining the emotional, financial, and practical support available, including the free and confidential Helpline.

Full Printed Materials Kit As well as the new Independent Retailing leaflet, on the GroceryAid website you can also order a full Printed Materials Kit, for free, which includes: 1 10 x A5 leaflets

Independent retailers can order the leaflets from the GroceryAid website for delivery to their store. There is no cost for the leaflet or delivery.

Mandi Leonard, GroceryAid’s Welfare Director, says: “GroceryAid is here to support anyone working in the grocery industry and we are committed to making it as easy as possible for employers to inform their staff about how we can help them. Now more than ever, GroceryAid is a valuable resource to colleagues, and we hope retailers will take advantage of this new information leaflet to spread awareness.”

2 10 x wallet cards 3 1 x sheet of stickers

Visit groceryaid.org.uk/get-help to see the full range of support services available.

To order the new leaflets, visit groceryaid.org.uk/get-involved/independent-retailers Volume 23: December 2023

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Retailer Profile: Charles Rispin

Family affair Charles Rispins’ heritage-rich store has entered a new phase in its history, having recently joined the Budgens brand.

While all stores have a history, not all have a heritage and not that many at all have a heritage quite as extraordinary as Charles Rispin’s 1,570sq ft convenience store on the outskirts of Hull.

The much-loved neighbourhood store has been trading from its current position on Priory Road since 1934, but the Rispin family can trace the history of its grocery business back even further – back five generations, to 1882.

Charles even has a number of World War II ration books in his office, along with numerous photographs of the business throughout the ages – precious prints which chronicle its evolution in sepia-tinted tones.

Charles himself entered the Rispin family business back in 1978 and over that time has overseen a further dramatic evolution of the store’s range, services and look – whilst never losing sight of its unique heritage and the authentic, community-focused ethos that sets it so far apart.

FACTFILE Store name: Budgens Rispins, Hull, Humberside Retailer: Charles Rispin

Store manager Steve Casey

“Our store is very well known in the local area and much loved by local shoppers,” Charles explains. “We have some elderly shoppers who have been coming in here for over 80 years and their parents shopped with us before that. Lots of things have changed over the years but our mission to meet the needs of our loyal local shoppers has never faltered.”

Store size: 1,570sq ft Staff: 20 Opening hours: Mon-Sun 7am-10pm Services: National Lottery, ATM, PayPoint, Epay, CollectPlus, InPost lockers Best performing categories: BWS, soft drinks, fresh and chilled

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The store prides itself on its enviable levels of “good oldfashioned service” and boasts a long and impressive list of community support, regularly raising funds for local good causes such as hospices, sports teams, social clubs and many other worthy initiatives.

Volume 23: December 2023

The Rispin family’s grocery business has been operating since 1882 with the current store trading since 1934.

“Our offer has evolved to become more convenience-focused in recent years and especially since the pandemic, when local shoppers relied on us more than ever before for access to essential products and fresh and chilled goods,” Charles adds.

The store underwent a comprehensive refit in September 2020, creating a smart new interior complete with new flooring, ceilings, energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration, plus a striking backlit spirits display.

However, perhaps one of the most significant changes in its recent history came in the summer of 2022 when the Volume 23: December 2023

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Retailer Profile: xxx

store, which had previously been supplied by Nisa, joined the Budgens family.

“The Budgens offer was exactly what we needed to take the business forward,” Charles explains.

“It’s gigantically better.

“The Budgens team just understand convenience retail in a way that no-one else currently does.

“There are so many benefits when it comes to the numbers. The margins are great – when we sell something we actually make money on it! We also get a 5% to 6% Spend and Save rebate every four weeks.

“There’s also hardly any surcharges, no extra charges on volume, fuel or recycling.”

Charles also praises Budgens’ “excellent” promotions: “Value for money is so important to shoppers these days, even in a store with us much heritage as ours, and now we have an offer that delivers value for money in spades.

“The Jack’s brand provides another key medium through which we can offer great value. The brand is exactly what shoppers want these days. They tell me that the quality of Jack’s products, particularly the chilled ready meals, is as good as M&S but with the value price tag. The PORs that we can make on Jack’s products are also very strong and the shelf life is fabulous too. Products last for weeks in the fridge! I’ve not had one complaint about Jack’s since we introduced the range – only positive reactions. What more could you want?”

The store’s range includes just over five metres of chilled alcohol, which Charles says is one of the store’s bestselling categories, and another which has been buoyed by the move to Budgens and its sterling suite of promotions and special offers.

There’s also 10 metres of fresh and chilled produce including dairy, deli items, fresh meats, and ready meals including pasta dishes, curries and classic British cuisine from the Jack’s brand.

Volume 23: December 2023

“Retail can be tough but being with Budgens has made things a whole lot easier for us, switching to Budgens was definitely the right decision.”

Charles Rispin

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Choose a bottle made from recycled plastic* To find out about further ways we can support you please visit MY.CCEP.COM © 2023 The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved. COCA-COLA, COCA-COLA ZERO, Sprite Zero and Fanta Zero are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company.

“The Budgens offer was exactly what we needed to take the business forward. It’s gigantically better.”

Charles Rispin

The store’s external look has also been updated with a brand-new Budgens fascia, while inside new Budgens signage, promotional ends and POS help shoppers navigate its compelling range.

The store has further enhanced its offer since joining Budgens with the addition of footfall-driving services such as InPost lockers. Part of an exciting new deal with Budgens, the parcel collection and return service also provides a guaranteed rental income and is helping to boost sales and profits by inspiring additional purchases when shoppers visit.

The store’s existing Fanta Frozen drinksto-go offer was also just complemented in November with the addition of a new Smokin’ Bean coffee offer in place of Volume 23: December 2023

the store’s old Tchibo machine.

“Retail can be tough but being with Budgens has made things a whole lot easier for us, switching to Budgens was definitely the right decision,” says Charles.

“Shoppers have been very supportive and encouraging about the latest change. They love the new range of products that are now available to them and the additional services that we are bringing in.

“Going forward we’ll continue to do what we do best, which is serving the needs of our loyal local shoppers and adapting accordingly – and we can do that even better now that we have the Budgens brand above the door.”

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Retailer Profile: Brendan Smith

Step to it

Small steps are helping Smith’s Budgens in Codford St Mary to achieve leaps and bounds.

While big-ticket store refits often lead to explosive results, the positive impact of smaller, targeted improvements should certainly not be underestimated.

Just ask Budgens retailer Brendan Smith, whose 2,300sq ft family-owned convenience store is currently enjoying a fresh flurry of footfall and sales following a “mini facelift” in August 2023.

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meal solutions including Cook frozen foods, local products and essential homewares.

Based on the busy A36 between Salisbury and Warminster, the store has also become something of a hot spot for passing trade – with busy commuters and tradesmen pouring in from 6am to fuel up on caffeine and croissants.

The forecourt store, which has been owned by the Smiths since 1971, was re-built from the ground up in 2012 at which point it also joined the Budgens family.

“It was becoming increasingly clear that we could make more of the food-to-go opportunity, so in August 2023 we decided to embark on a mini refit that would allow us to do just that,” Brendan explains.

The business has continued to evolve its offer over the years, responding to the unique needs of its local community with the addition of key services and quality

“Our old food-to-go offer was a bit disjointed, so with Budgens’ support we’ve created a new and enhanced foodto-go zone with striking new wood signage, smart fixtures Volume 23: December 2023

Retailer Profile: Brendan Smith

“We’ve got big plans for the future, but we needed to make these key smaller changes first to help give us the springboard to development. Small steps can lead to big changes.”

Brendan Smith

and a bigger and better range that meets a wide variety of different shopper needs.

“Unlike before, now everything has its place. All products are contained within a clearly defined zone, which creates real impact and makes it easier for shoppers to navigate.”

The attractive new zone includes a dedicated hot food cabinet, brimming with freshly baked Country Choice goods, plus a Rollover hot dogs offer.

A new four-door chiller has also been added to the mix, offering shoppers a comprehensive new range of chilled food-to-go products, including sandwiches, wraps, pies and snacks. “For the first time ever, we can now also offer shoppers a meaningful Meal Deal which is another bonus.”

Volume 23: December 2023

On the drinks front, the store has also invested in a new Jolly Rancher slush machine which complements its existing Costa Coffee offer – which Brendan jokingly refers to as the “life support machine”.

“Coffee is a big footfall driver for us; we’ve the only store to offer Costa for miles around so it’s a key draw,” he says.

“Since the mini makeover, coffee sales have risen by just over 10% and we’re now hitting an average of 65 cups a day. When we hit 70, I plan to install a second machine to help speed up service times.”

Budgens also supported the initiative with smart new wooden bakery display units to enhance its store-baked bread and pastry offer which now looks as good as it smells.

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Retailer Profile: Brendan Smith

Coffee sales have risen by more than 10% since the refit, with the store now hitting an average of 65 cups a day.

“We didn’t stop there though,” Brendan adds. “We also took the opportunity to move tobacco into drawers under the counter to create space on the back wall for a striking new backlit spirits and vape display.”

New promotional end bays or “gold ends” were also created to help give Budgens’ promotions greater standout.

“All these little touches have added up to quite a big change in shoppers’ eyes and lots of shoppers comment on how nice the produce looks now.”

“Fresh and chilled produce is one of our bestselling categories, alongside BWS and food to go, so it’s vital that it always looks its best.

Recent improvements to Budgens’ horticulture offer also enabled Smiths Budgens to make more of its fresh flowers and plants ranges. “We’ve expanded the range of flowers and plants that we offer, and we’ve also re-merchandised them in an attractive new wooden display unit which creates some lovely theatre at the front of the store,” Brendan says.

“The Jack’s brand is also helping us on this front. Shoppers are very happy with the range and often comment about the great quality of the fresh produce and the variety that they can now get.”

“Lots of shoppers now comment on how attractive this display is, especially at this time of year.”

Outside the store, Budgens has also supported the Smiths with new Budgens signage and graphics, lending the store a fresh new look that complements the enhanced offer within.

The store’s footfall-driving fresh produce range has also been re-merchandised in attractive wooden baskets. “It’s a small touch but one which makes another big aesthetic difference,” says Brendan.

Volume 23: December 2023

Adding to that variety are local products, including local potatoes, pies, honey, jams, and eggs.

“I’m so pleased with the results of the work,” Brendan says.

“They might only have been small changes, but they’ve certainly added up to one big positive impact.

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Keeping the little helpers, Merry and dry.

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“Footfall and sales have increased across the board and are building month on month.

“Shoppers are delighted, and the changes are also good for staff morale.”

With footfall, sales and profits all on the up, Brendan is now planning ahead for a more significant store refit in 2025 which will eventually see workshops adjoining the business converted into additional store space.

FACTFILE Store name: Smith’s Budgens, Codford St Mary, Wiltshire Retailer: Brendan Smith Size: 2,300sq ft Staff: 25

“We’ve got big plans for the future, but we needed to make these key smaller changes first to help give us the springboard to development,” Brendan explains. “Small steps lead to big changes.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 6am-8pm, Sun 8am2pm Services: ATM, Post Office, PayPoint, National Lottery Best-performing categories: BWS, fresh, soft drinks, food to go

“I’m really proud of what we’ve done and really excited for what is to come.”

Volume 23: December 2023

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Your Budgens: Last Minute Christmas Drinks

Exclusive opportunities to get into the spirit!

With Christmas only weeks away, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of a series of amazing deals and group exclusives on key drinks brands to help you drive festive footfall, sales and profits.

The festive season is upon us once more, bringing with it another sleigh-load of Christmas opportunities for Budgens retailers to put on a show and set their drinks sales singing.

To help retailers do just that, this year Budgens is offering retailers a truly sparkling range of fantastic deals and group exclusives of some of the biggest names in the beers, wines and spirits category. These deals have been carefully curated to allow you to cater for all tastes, budgets and occasions.

cash profits this Christmas.

With the cost of living continue to affect shoppers, Booker has some fantastic deals to allow you to offer great products from great brands on truly great deals, helping shoppers secure the value they will be looking for this Christmas.

New Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant PMP cans are also available on a Group Exclusive deal with a specially discounted WSP of £24.49, allowing you to sell a 4-pack to your shoppers for just £6.25, a great saving on the pricemark of £6.69. The POR on the new line is an outstanding 21.6%.

EXCLUSIVE BONANZA As all retailers know by now, nothing drives footfall and excitement quite like Group Exclusive products, those products that your non-Booker competitors don’t have access to.

For Christmas 2023 Booker has a stellar line-up of exclusive deals across beer, vodka, RTDs, lager, cider and liqueurs – with every product only available from Booker.

The new AU Vodka RTD Mixed Pack is available on a MEGA DEAL and is not to be missed. Available at a specially discounted WSP of just £12.30 – a saving of £1.39 on the standard WSP – the Mixed Pack will be on offer to shoppers at just £16.99, compared to the RSP of £20.99. With a deal that good, expect sales to be huge – and with a POR of 13.1% on every pack sold, this deal will definitely help drive

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Also likely to be popular is the Group Exclusive Elf Lager from Brewdog. The standard WSP on the festive-themed lager is £8.29 but retailers are invited to take advantage of a reduced WSP of just £7.19, a saving of £1.10 a case, with outstanding PORs of 21.6%. Your shoppers will also benefit in the form of a great deal of just £11.00 per 8-pack, a saving of £1.99 on the standard price.

Last but not least, Booker is also offering the new Boe Vodka Raspberry Cream Liqueur on a Group Exclusive deal which allows retailers to save a whopping £21.00 per case against the standard WSP. That lets retailers offer the product to shoppers at just £13.49 a bottle, a massive £6 saving on the RSP of £19.49, while still securing PORs of 15.7%.

These Group Exclusive deals are perfect for setting your store apart and driving fresh footfall, especially when you flag the deals up on your social media channels.

KEY PROMOTIONS In addition to all these Group Exclusive deals, Booker is also offering retailers access to a suite of 21 fantastic promotions on key products in the run up to Christmas.

Volume 23: December 2023

Your Budgens: Last Minute Christmas Drinks

Group Exclusives!

Booker has secured a number of outstanding deals offering retailers exclusive access to some fantastic new products alongside some amazing deals.

Product description

Case size

WSP

DEAL

RRP

POR

AU Vodka RTD Mixed pack MEGA DEAL

1x8x330ml

£12.30

£16.99

£20.99

13.1%

Boe Vodka Raspberry Cream Liqueur

6x70cl

£56.89

£13.49

£19.49

15.7%

Brewdog Elf Lager

8x330ml

£7.19

£11.00

£12.99

21.6%

Thatchers Apple & Blackcurrant PMP

6x4x440ml

£24.49

£6.25

£6.69

21.6%

Key Deals Booker is also offering an array of fantastic deals on a range of drinks products over the next few weeks to help retailers maximise footfall, sales and profits.

Product description

Case size

WSP

DEAL

RRP

POR

Smirnoff Red PM1699 – WOW DEAL

6x70cl

£64.49

£13.99

£16.99

7.8%

Plaza Centro Prosecco Rose – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.79

£6.49

£9.29

5.1%

Plaza Centro Prosecco DOC – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.79

£6.49

£9.29

5.1%

Casillero Merlot – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Casillero Diablo Chardon – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Casillero Diablo Cab Sau – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Casillero Del Diablo Malbec – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Casillero Del Diablo Pinot Grigio – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Casillero Diablo Sauv Blanc – MEGA DEAL

6x75cl

£30.49

£7.49

£9.49

18.6%

Funkin Mixed Pack – WIGIG MEGA DEAL

3x8x200 ml

£24.59

£12.00

£15.00

18.0%

*All prices correct at time of going to press.

Volume 23: December 2023

33

JUS LET FESTIV FESTIVE TIMES ROL

Stockup now!

Variant Code

Description

M206032 M207239 M209002

Jus-Rol Shortcrust Pastry Sheets Jus-Rol Chilled Filo Pastry Jus-Rol Puff Pastry Sheets

For more Christmas recipe inspiration, visit www.jusrol.co.uk Selected stores. Subject to availability. Serving suggestion shown.

Your Budgens: Last Minute Christmas Drinks

MEGA DEALS - Beer & Cider Cases Product description

Case size

WSP

DEAL

RRP

POR

Fosters

1x10x440m

£6.75

£10.00 / ANY 2 FOR £18*

£12.99

10.0%

Carling

1x10x440m

£6.75

£10.00 / ANY 2 FOR £18*

£12.49

10.0%

Coors

1x10x440m

£6.75

£10.00 / ANY 2 FOR £18*

£13.99

10.0%

Inch’s Medium Apple Cider

1x10x440m

£6.75

£10.00 / ANY 2 FOR £18**

£12.49

10.0%

*England, Wales and Ireland only. Scotland deal £9 per case. ** England and Ireland only. Scotland and Wales deal £9.90 per case (Minimum Unit Pricing).

GROUP EXCLUSIVES - Hardy’s Bin 161 Product description

Case size

WSP

DEAL

RRP

POR

Hardys Bin 161 Rose PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Sauv Bl PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Chard PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Pinot Grigio PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Shiraz PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Merlot PM699

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

Hardys Bin 161 Jammy Rich Red – NEW

6x75cl

£24.49

ANY 2 FOR £12* £6.99

18.4%

* England, Wales and Ireland only. Scotland deal £6 per bottle. *All prices correct at time of going to press.

Covering wines, beers, ciders, spirits and more, the deals allow retailers to build full drinks promotional campaigns around exceptional shopper deals that are sure to grow sales and profits.

Don’t miss the WOW deal available on Smirnoff Red which allows retailers to offer £16.99 price-marked bottles of the UK’s favourite vodka to shoppers at just £13.99.

A special promotional WSP means that retailers still secure a POR of 7.8% on every bottle sold.

There are also MEGA DEALS available on cases of Fosters, Carling, Coors and Inch’s Medium Apple Cider.

Another MEGA DEAL on Funkin Mixed Packs is also available on a WIGIG basis, so get in there while stocks last!

Volume 23: December 2023

When it comes to wine, retailers are spoilt for choice this Christmas, with an array of MEGA DEALS, special promotions and a brand-new Group Exclusive wine variant.

MEGA DEALS on two Plaza Centro Prosecco wines mean retailers can meet the demand for Italy’s favourite fizz with rose and standard variants available to the shopper at just £6.49 a bottle, Additionally, six variants from the popular and Group Exclusive Hardy’s Bin 161 range are being offered as part of a ‘Any 2 for £12’ deal in England, Wales and Ireland and on an ‘Only £6’ deal in Scotland.

Finally, Booker has recently announced the launch of a new Hardys Bin 161 Jammy Rich Red variant which is also available on a Group Exclusive basis, once again helping retailers set themselves apart from the competition and drive new footfall.

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M144607

To find out about further ways we can support you please visit MY.CCEP.COM

Your Budgens: Jack’s Update

Festive essentials at knockout prices!

Jack’s Brussels Sprouts Case size: 10x450g Promo WSP: £2.90 Shopper Deal: 39p RSP: £1.09 POR: 25.6%

Jack’s Parsnips Case size: 8x500g Promo WSP: £2.32 Shopper Deal: 39p RSP: £1.09 POR: 25.6%

Jack’s Carrots Case size: 10x500g Promo WSP: £2.90 Shopper Deal: 39p RSP: £0.79 POR: 25.6%

Jack’s White Potatoes Case size: 10x2kg Promo WSP: £2.90 Shopper Deal: 39p RSP: £1.69 POR: 25.6%

Volume 23: December 2023

Booker is launching a fantastic series of promotions on Jack’s fresh festive essential produce, offering shoppers a range of products at just 39p – a saving of up to £1.30 per pack!

HUGE SAVINGS

Savings of up to £1.30 per pack!

25.6% POR

Savings of up to £1.30 per pack!

Jack’s White Potatoes, for example, carry a standard RSP of £1.69 but during the period of the FRESH FESTIVE With the cost of living still promotion will be on sale at VALUE! very much a concern for just 39p. Similarly, Jack’s 11 DECEMBER many shoppers as the both Jack’s Parsnips and – 2 JANUARY festive season approaches, Jack’s Brussels Sprouts carry Booker is helping cut the a standard RSP of £1.09 but will cost of Christmas by launching a also be available for just 39p. series of outstanding promotions on key Jack’s fresh produce lines.

This represents a massive opportunity for retailers to deliver the critical value The new deals are available from 11 that many shoppers will be seeking December all the way through to 2 this Christmas – and it also represents January next year and will see the a great chance to drive fresh footfall price of four key lines slashed to just and incremental sales by flagging the 39p. Jack’s White Potatoes, Brussels deals up prominently in-store and on Sprouts, Carrots and Parsnips will be social media. on offer at specially discounted WSPs to ensure that retailers benefit just To support the promotions, retailers as much as shoppers, with strong will have access to a POS kit which PORs of 25.6% available on all four will help make these outstanding products. promotions unmissable in-store.

For shoppers, it means they can buy packs of all four Christmas essential products for just 39p each, a fantastic saving of up to £1.30 per pack.

The Jack’s brand continues to perform exceptionally well in stores and these new lines are certain to drive yet more trial and bring more shoppers in.

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W E N s t c u d pro

What’s new: Products

HOVIS SOFT WHITE HALF LOAF Case size: 1x400g WSP: £0.85 RSP:

POR: 22%

THATCHERS APPLE & BLACKCURRANT CIDER

BLOSSOM HILL Case size: 6x75cl

Case size: 6x4x400ml

WSP: £9.39

WSP: £25.79

RSP:

£2.69

WARBURTONS MEDIUM SOFT WHITE

£8.49

WSP: £1.19 RSP:

RSP:

POR: 30.2%

Case size: 1x800g

WSP: £32.99

THATCHERS APPLE & BLACKCURRANT CIDER

Case size: 6x500ml

RSP:

Budgens brings you all the latest new products

£1.09

£1.69 POR: 29.6%

POR: 22.3%

£6.69

POR: 22.9%

VUSEGO EDITION 01 Case size: 10xsgl WSP: £35.34 RSP:

£6.49

POR: 34.7%

STAROPRAMEN Case size: 12X330ml WSP: £10.49 RSP:

£1.29 POR: 18.7%

WARBURTONS SUPER TOASTIE Case size: 1x800g WSP: £1.29 RSP:

£1.79 POR: 27.9%

VUSE GO 700 Case size: 10xsgl WSP: £32.31 RSP:

£5.99

POR: 35.3%

NEW VAPE DEALS WITH IMPROVED WSP AND POR ON ELF BAR, SKE CRYSTAL, LOST MARY RUNNING FROM 4 -31 DECEMBER. ASK YOUR RDM FOR MORE INFO. Volume 23: December 2023

39

Your Budgens: Housekeeping

Clean start for 2024

With the new year fast approaching, it’s the ideal time to set aside some time to take a deep breath and have an objective look at your store to ensure that your range, service and offer is tip-top and your business is on track for the year ahead.

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Volume 23: December 2023

Your Budgens: Housekeeping

Exterior

The best place to start is outside as that’s the first thing new and existing shoppers see when they visit your store – and first impressions count: l Is the signage neat, tidy and clean? l Are all posters up to date and in good condition? l Has the exterior been swept and is it litter-free? l Do the exterior walls need fresh paint or professional cleaning? l Are the windows clean, tidy and free of clutter? l Do you have a bin available for shoppers?

For retailers and shoppers alike the start of a new year has always represented a great opportunity to start the year with a clean page: clear out the clutter and reset the dial to regroup, refresh and refocus.

Following the festive frenzy, January is traditionally a quieter trading month for stores, making it the perfect period for retailers to take the time to look at their stores through fresh and objective eyes.

Volume 23: December 2023

41

One great way to do that is by taking a step back and trying to see your store the way your shoppers do.

Spending every day in your store, it’s easy to get used to the little issues and problems that you’ve been meaning to get round to but have never quite found the time for. View your store through the eyes of the shopper, however, and you’re likely to find lots of things you can do quickly and easily to improve the shopper experience.

That could be as simple as a spring clean, a re-merchandise, a refresh of your in-store posters and notice-

boards, or even a lick of paint. It could also mean instigating a new programme of online staff training or checking that all hygiene, health and safety documentation and rules are up to date.

So why not set aside a day or two, or take a few hours out to have a look around your store and start making a list of all the little jobs that need doing.

Not sure where to start? Your Budgens is here to help you tick those boxes with some key tips and handy advice to get your store ship shape for the new year ahead.

INTERIOR Once your shoppers step inside, what is the first thing they see? Does it make a good impression and is it how you want your store to be perceived? After that, take a good walk around the store, just the way a shopper would, and make sure that everything is just as you want it. Ask yourself: l Are the floors clean?

“The start of the new year can sometimes be a little quieter so it’s the perfect time to get things in order and complete all those niggly little jobs you don’t always have time for during the year. “ Brendan Smith, Smith’s Budgens Codford

l Are aisles easy to navigate for shoppers with mobility issues or prams? l Do all the lights work? l Is the ceiling clean and free of marks? l Are the shelves clean, neat and well merchandised? l Is there any old POS that’s dirty or no longer relevant? l Is all in-store signage accurate and in good condition? l Are all shelf-edge labels and price tickets clean, tidy and up to date?

Volume 23: December 2023

43

NEW PERFECT FLAVOUR RELEASE IN 60 SECONDS. 60 S ND C SE O

S TO C K UP NOW!

MORE FLAVOUR

MORE REFRESHING

LOOK OUT FOR SPECIAL PRICE MARKED PACKS.

Your Budgens: Housekeeping

Health, Safe and Legal With the basics dealt with, it’s time to move onto more complex areas. Health, safe and legal are massively important issues and no more so than if you operate a hot food-to-go counter. Areas to pay particular attention to are those with specific hygiene challenges like milk chillers, hot and cold food storage, and preparation areas. l Is the milk chiller spotlessly clean? l Have any hot food storage units been deep cleaned recently? l Have all chillers been serviced as specified by the manufacturer? l Are your temperature checks up to date, accurate and within safe guidelines? l Has the shelving in the soft drinks cabinet been thoroughly cleaned to remove sticky residues? l What about your food prep areas? It is a legal requirement that these must be cleaned and sanitised then left for 30 seconds before using again. l Is your EHO certificate displayed as it should be? l Is your CleanPro+ manual available to staff, and are they aware of it? l For products that you yourself package for sale, is the ingredient labelling fully compliant with Natasha’s Law?

Storage areas

While the shopper-facing parts of the store naturally get the most attention, it’s still vital that all storage areas are kept in good shape to avoid accidents, hygiene issues and out-of-date stock.

Ask yourself: l Are the floor areas of any store spaces clean, tidy and trip hazard-free? l Has all shelving been checked recently to ensure it’s safe and sound? l Has all the stock in the storage room been rotated properly to avoid out of date stock and wastage? l Do all the lights in the storage spaces work? l Could reconfiguring the stockroom make restocking of the shopfloor easier and quicker?

STORE TEAMS Clearly, one of the most important factors on how shoppers judge your store is your team. Some basic questions to ask yourself include: l Do any uniforms need replacing? l Does your team greet every shopper with a hello and a smile? l Are your team that handle food wearing the appropriate aprons, bibs, gloves and hair nets?

Volume 23: December 2023

45

Your Budgens: Jess Horton

Meet The Team:

Jess Horton In this issue we meet Booker’s new PR & Press Manager Jess Horton to find out more about her role and her exciting first few months with Booker.

JESS, TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF… I’m Jess Horton and I’m the relatively new PR & Press Manager for Booker across both the retail and catering divisions. I only joined Booker in August of this year so I’m still very much in the process of learning about the company, its people, its ethos and its customers – but I can already say that it’s a fantastic place to work with endless opportunities for me to help Booker and its customers continue to grow and develop.

WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE YOU JOINED BOOKER? I was with Weetabix as Brand Execution Manager, which basically means that I oversaw how the brand

46

was presented to the world. My role was to ensure that, from start to finish, projects and initiatives were executed efficiently and in line with our overall corporate strategy and goals. In practice that meant I got to work across virtually every aspect of the company and had the opportunity to get involved in a wide range of projects, promotions, events and more.

Much of my role was shopper-facing but I also dealt widely with retailers around executions such as on-pack promotions, in-store activity and general brand awareness projects.

AND YOU WERE INVOLVED IN SOME INTERESTING PROJECTS? Yes, I was fortunate enough to work on a lot of interesting and exciting Volume 23: December 2023

Your Budgens: Jess Horton

projects. For example, I managed Weetabix’s sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup, which was really fulfilling. I worked closely with the Football Association and it was a truly multi-disciplinary project and I had to work with all sorts of different teams and individuals to deliver the project – and that experience is really helping me in my new role at Booker.

WHAT DOES YOUR ROLE AT BOOKER INVOLVE? As PR & Press Manager, I’m essentially responsible for all aspects of internal and external PR and communications.

That means, for example, that I manage all of the Booker magazines, including Talking Shop.

I also write all of our press releases; liaise with the trade media; organise and oversee our attendance at various industry events; and manage our internal communications as well as all of our external communications, including queries from a wide range of people.

SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE REALLY BUSY? Yes, I’m very busy! But that’s one of the things that I really enjoy about the job. No two days are ever the same and there are always challenges and deadlines to meet, but I thrive on that sort of role.

I like to think I’m a very organised sort of person and I enjoy the challenge of having so many opportunities and tasks to deal with every day.

Volume 23: December 2023

AND ARE YOU ENJOYING YOUR NEW ROLE? I’m loving it! Everyone at Booker has been so welcoming and supportive and it’s made my first few months really enjoyable. It’s a really nice culture within the company and I think that allows us to deliver a great service to our customers. In my role I have to deal with just about every department at Booker to make sure that all of our PR and communications, in the widest possible sense, is co-ordinated, joined up and timely. There are so many opportunities out there for both Booker and for its customers and I get a real sense of satisfaction out of helping unlock some of those opportunities, particularly so early in my career at Booker.

DO YOU HAVE TO SPEND MUCH TIME ON THE ROAD? Yes, I do, particularly at this time of year. At the moment I probably attend two to three events per week, usually in evenings – so I spend a lot of time travelling and in hotels, but the events provide a brilliant opportunity for me to meet our retailers, caterers, suppliers, trade organisations, media partners and the many Booker colleagues who aren’t based in the same office as me. It’s a great way of fast-tracking my learning about the company and our all-important customers. We are lucky to have so many amazing retail and catering customers and the more I meet them and the more I find out about them, the more excited I am about the opportunities that lie ahead in 2024 and beyond.

About Jess Jess Horton joined Booker as PR & Press Manager in August this year from Weetabix, where she was Brand Execution Manager with a wide range of responsibilities, that saw her oversee a range of largely shopper-facing projects and brand initiatives from start to finish.

She also had responsibility for many of Weetabix’s major event activations, including the Women’s World Cup. At Booker, her role is equally varied, covering all press, PR, events, internal and external communications and trade marketing.

47

Your Budgens: InPost

New footfall, sales and profits with InPost Budgens has recently agreed an exciting new deal with parcel collections and return service InPost which provides a guaranteed rental income on lockers as well as driving footfall, sales and profits.

Budgens has recently agreed a major new deal with parcel collections and return service InPost which offers Budgens retailers an exciting new way to drive footfall, sales and profits as well as providing a guaranteed rental income.

Retailers can choose between having in-store lockers or external lockers, with InPost paying a guaranteed rental income to retailers for providing the service.

Retailers can also offer an in-store Pick Up Drop Off (PUDO) point.

Over 5,000 businesses in the UK already offer InPost, including Tesco, and the service has been proven to drive new and repeat footfall as well as boosting in-store sales.

In an InPost survey of almost 650 users, almost half (46%) said they would visit the location again after using the InPost locker. Similarly, 54% of locker users in a survey of almost 2,200 users at Lidl had made a purchase in-store during the visit to use the InPost service.

48

InPost is incredibly easy for both retailers and shoppers to use. For retailers, there are no sign-up fees or hidden fees, and the entire process is delivered completely free of charge to the retailer. For retailers with space for a locker inside or outside their stores, the installation is entirely non-intrusive and lockers can be configured to fit any available space.

Additionally, the lockers require absolutely no maintenance from you or any members of your team.

For shoppers, the service offers a seamless, efficient way to send and receive parcels. The service is completely labelless and all that shoppers need is a QR code which can be printed at home or displayed on any smartphone or mobile device. InPost offers an entirely digital shopper journey with users able to track and manage returns and collections from their smartphone or device. It also helps make re-selling items easy, helping to unlock the circular economy.

In stores that are open 24 hours or stores that offer external lockers, the service is available to shoppers 24/7.

Volume 23: December 2023

Your Budgens: InPost

What is InPost? l InPost is a collections and return service for e-commerce and other online ordering. l The service is provided either through on-site lockers or through InPost’s Pick Up Drop Off (PUDO) in-store service. l Lockers can be either internal or external. l All retailers offering InPost are added to the InPost online platform, helping to drive fresh footfall.

Retailer benefits

l Guaranteed rental income – InPost pays for the locker. l No sign-up fees or hidden charges. Zero cost to retailer. l Having InPost as a service has been proven to drive footfall and spend. l InPost helps recruit new shoppers with over 250 e-commerce partners. l Locker installation is non-intrusive. Lockers can be configured to fit any space and lockers require no maintenance.

l Over 5,000 UK businesses already offer InPost, including Tesco.

l 46% of locker users said they would visit the location again after using an InPost locker.*

l InPost has over 250 e-commerce partners in the UK.

l 54% of locker users made a purchase in store after visiting a locker.**

l The service has many loyal, regular users and has a Trustpilot score of 4.4.

InPost already enjoys partnerships with over 250 e-commerce partners in the UK and has a Trustpilot score of 4.4.

All retailers signing up for the service are automatically added to InPost’s online platform, again helping to drive fresh footfall and bring new shoppers to your door with more than half of them likely to make additional purchases in-store while they are there.

* based on InPost survey of 647 locker users at shopping locations ** based on InPost survey of 2,166 locker users at Lidl

Shopper benefits

l Label-less service. InPost users only need a QR code which can be printed at home or presented on a smartphone. l Lockers can be accessed 24/7 (in stores open 24/7 or using only external lockers). l Completely digital customer journey: InPost users can track and manage returns and collections from any smartphone or device. l Makes re-selling items easy, helping to unlock the circular economy.

This represents a fantastic opportunity for Budgens retailers to take advantage of the huge growth in parcel delivery and collection while guaranteeing new rental income as well as generating fresh footfall, sales and profits.

Retailer options

l Lockers: internal or external. If your store has space, a locker can be placed. l InPost Shop (PUDO): If your store does not have space to accommodate lockers, InPost can still provide all the materials needed to host collection and returns service. A handset is provided for quick and efficient parcel management.

To find out more, speak to your RDM, visit inpost.co.uk/business/host-a-locker/booker or scan the QR code.

Volume 23: December 2023

49

GREAT NEWS

Starting today, all applicable* Premier, Londis, Budgens, and Family Shopper locations across the UK will be eligible for a

There’s no better time to accept.

If you are already set up to accept American Express® Cards and would like to have this rate applied to your business, please call our Servicing team at

0800 032 7216 to get this updated.

new rate of 0.8% for American Express Card transactions.

Did you know?

AMERICAN EXPRESS® CARDMEMBERS SPEND 3.8X MORE ANNUALLY COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE UK CREDIT AND CHARGE CARDMEMBERS?1

Otherwise, if you are not set up to accept American Express and would like to take advantage of this rate, all you need to do is send an email to wthuk@aexp.com including your name and phone number and our team will call out to you to complete the set up or follow the QR code for a digital form.

Once you receive your American Express Merchant Number(s), simply contact your payment provider who will program your terminal(s) to accept American Express Cards.

Keep an eye out for Amex decals to display in your store that will be sent out shortly!

Ready to accept Amex?

SCAN TO APPLY

* Please note that stores currently accepting will not be given a rebate. Please note that your rate will be updated within 60 days. This rate is not available for franchise stores linked to a petrol forecourt. Certain exclusions apply to this offer, including, but not limited to, stores that operate with a Payment Facilitator.

1. American Express 2022 Internal data for United Kingdom Cardmembers spending across Europe compared to GlobalData Payment Card analytics for transactions with domestic cards at terminals in the country and outside the country. Including at physical terminal and initiated remotely.

American Express Payment Services Limited has its registered at Belgrave House, 76 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9AX. Registered in England and Wales with number 06301718. American Express Payment Services Limited is authorised in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Services Regulations 2017 (reference number 484347) for the provision of payment services. Copyright © 2023. American Express Company. All Rights Reserved.

ACS Update: Retail Crime Action Plan

A step in the right

direction

The new Retail Crime Action Plan, published by the National Police Chiefs Council, has been welcomed as a step in the right direction in tackling the blight of retail crime.

James Lowman hails the new Retail Crime Action Plan as a step in the right direction.

Recently, there has been a lot of media attention on the theft will now be treated more seriously and, with that, issue of shop theft, something that we’ve been talking it is absolutely crucial that you report any and all about for many years now. Sadly, the vast incidents to the police with any evidence that majority of you reading this will have your own you have to illustrate the detrimental impact IF YOU experiences to draw upon about the impact that these offences have on you and your WOULD LIKE TO that these incidents have on your store, local community. We recently wrote to all GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICAL WORK OF ACS colleagues and your own wellbeing.

PCCs encouraging greater collaboration CALL between retailers and the police to share We have welcomed the new Retail Crime evidence with the aim of arresting the Action Plan, published by the National thieves who are targeting your stores on a OR LOG ON TO Police Chiefs Council, which sets out daily basis. www.acs.org.uk the way that police should respond to and investigate thefts. The plan sets out a series of We know that theft is one of the biggest triggers guidelines for the police on the following areas: for violence and abuse against our colleagues and l prioritising attendance at the scene of crimes where the plan will see prioritisation of incidents where violence violence has been used; has been used. Violent and abusive behaviour towards l the use of facial recognition technology to check CCTV our colleagues is never acceptable and should always evidence against the Police National database; be reported and we’re pleased to see that the plan has l identifying ‘hot spot’ locations where additional patrols recognised the urgent need to protect shopworkers. would be beneficial; l dealing with organised crime through the creation of a For too long, shop theft has been thought of as a victimless new dedicated intelligence team. crime and we have been working to make sure that the scale and severity of the problem is understood by the So, what does this mean for you and your business? The Government and the police, and it appears that the reality new strategy signals a step in the right direction as shop of this issue has finally gotten through.

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Volume 23: December 2023

51

Deck the halls with spotless dishes

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