In this issue…
Scoot partners with Just Eat to deliver fuss-free growth.
Budgens retailers win key accolades at The Forecourt Trader Awards 2025.
A round up of inspiring stories from Budgens stores across the country.
The latest news from the industry’s charity.
Budgens Thetford is the beating heart of a development designed to regenerate the Norfolk town.
Loxwood’s locals finally have the store they’ve been waiting for in
Budgens’ banquet of support will help you enjoy juicy sales
pick of the hottest new products to hit the shelves.
volume-based price promotion rules on HFSS products now apply – are you affected?
Loxwood’s locals finally have the village store they’ve been longing for, thanks to the creation of a
*Source: NIQ Total Market Coverage, Sales Volume (Ltrs) and Sales Value (£s), 52wks to 06/09/2025
CHRISTMAS countdown
Budgens is serving up a feast of opportunities for stores to tuck into this winter and beyond.
Greetings and a very warm welcome to the last issue of Your Budgens for 2025 as we launch into the lucrative lead-up to Christmas.
The festive season always presents retailers with a package of opportunities to unwrap, and as ever, Budgens is here to help you end your year on a high note, with a harmonious song of seasonal support.
From new products to seasonal lines, Group Exclusives, ownbrand developments and sparkling special offers, we’ve got everything you need to set your sales and profits aglow this Christmas.
Turn to page 30 to find out all the delicious details.
I’m also delighted to share the merry news that home delivery just got even more accessible for Budgens retailers, thanks to the new partnership agreement between Booker’s exclusive Scoot rapid delivery solution and Just Eat.
The new service gives retailers the option to offer fast, reliable delivery without needing to manage their own fleet of drivers – helping them to grow their businesses and reach more customers without the need for a large upfront investment.
Also, keep your eyes peeled for our two new Scoot-branded lorries which are already hard at work out on the UK’s roads.
The 18 tonne rigid lorries started operating out of Wellingborough and South Elmsall in August.
With their eye-catching yellow and pink Scoot livery, and scannable QR codes, they’re sure to turn heads!
Also commanding attention are the two fabulous profiles included in this issue – each one packed with real-world insights, ideas and inspiration.
I’d also urge you to read our advice feature on the new HFSS rules which are now in place and affecting certain businesses.
Our latest feature on Booker’s valuable colleague networks is another cracker.
This issue explores the meaningful support offered by Disability@Booker – our newest colleague network – which strives to amplify the voices of disabled and neurodivergent colleagues, celebrate their contributions, and embed disability confidence across the business.
An inspiring read, I’m sure you’ll all agree.
And on that note, I wish you all the very best for the weeks ahead. Bring on 2026!
Industry News
Booker’s exclusive Scoot rapid delivery solution has partnered with Just Eat to offer Budgens retailers the perfect last-mile solution to make home delivery more accessible than ever.
Booker is making home delivery more accessible for Budgens retailers than ever through a new partnership agreement between its exclusive Scoot rapid delivery solution and Just Eat’s courier network.
The partnership, which officially launched at Budgens Buckingham Park in Aylesbury, will allow Budgens retailers grow their business and reach more customers
The new service will give retailers the option to offer fast, reliable delivery without needing to manage their own fleet or drivers.
With 80% of customers now wanting sameday or on-demand delivery, Booker’s symbol retailers will benefit from direct integration with Just Eat’s technology and trusted courier network.
Scoot partners with Just Eat to deliver fuss-free growth
By working closely with Just Eat over recent months, Scoot has developed an API integration that allows retailers to offer rapid delivery to customers with ease, speed, and minimal operational complexity.
Shoppers will continue to place orders via the Scoot app with deliveries fulfilled by Just Eat’s courier network. The move provides a convenient, affordable way for stores to enter the fast-growing home delivery space without the need for a large upfront investment.
Colm Johnson, Retail Managing Director for Booker, said: “We’ve developed this solution with our retailers in mind. By partnering with Just Eat, we’re helping stores offer a great delivery experience while keeping it simple and cost effective. We’re proud to bring this solution to life and see it already delivering results for our retailers and their customers.”
SCOOT MARKS KEY MILESTONE WITH 100th STORE
Booker’s rapid grocery platform Scoot is now live in 100 convenience stores across the UK, with more joining each week.
Since launching earlier this year, Scoot has expanded at pace, bringing fast, convenient delivery to communities across the UK through Booker’s leading symbol groups: Premier, Londis, Budgens and Family Shopper.
Damian Sanderson, Head of Home Delivery at Booker, said: “Reaching 100 stores on the Scoot platform is a fantastic achievement, and a real testament to the appetite from our retailers and their communities. We’re proud to offer a solution that helps independent stores thrive in the delivery space.”
The 100th Scoot store to go live was Premier Pant Stores in Merthur Tydfill, Wales.
Store owner Anuja Jenarthen said: “We’re really excited to be the 100th store. It’s a great opportunity to bring rapid delivery to our customers and be part of something that’s clearly growing fast.”
Budgens stores bag success at the Forecourt Trader Awards 2025
Budgens retailers were awarded an array of accolades at the Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards 2025.
Held in London on 9 October the annual celebration of forecourt sector excellence saw Budgens retailers claim a mix of key regional and category awards - including the coveted prize of ‘Best Forecourt Loo’!
The London & South East up to 4mlpa category was won by Budgens Frilford in Oxford.
Judges praised the “impressive” store, which offers an “expansive food, grocery and car care” range along with “friendly and engaging service.”
The site also claimed a second accolade - for Best Valeting Facilities.
Budgens Huntley Services in Gloucestershire was named as the winner of the Midlands and East of England over 4mlpa category.
The on the road judge “could not stop saying wow” when visiting the site - which was treated
to a show-stopping £1.1m redevelopment last year.
Highlights include an internal laundrette, free water refill station and beer cave.
The store also won the highlyprized Best Forecourt Loo award. With its smart black bathroom fittings, lavender air freshener and upmarket soaps and lotions, the Gardner family had made their forecourt toilet into a place where customers were “happy to spend time” judges said.
Creekmoor Service Station (Budgens) in Dorset also won the West Country and Wales over 4mlpa category, while the prize for Best Site Manager went to Louise King of Frasers Budgens Three Mile Cross in Berkshire.
Praising Louise’s efforts, judges said the site represented a “hugely impressive operation – and one which could only be achieved with “exemplary management.”
Government called on to step up local store support
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has urged the government to step up support for local stores – which host the majority of the UK’s Post Offices.
In its submission to the government’s Green Paper on the future of the Post Office, ACS said that supporting local stores on key areas, such as fair business rates, tackling retail crime, balanced regulation and effective enforcement, would help to ensure that they could continue to provide essential services, including Post Offices, to communities.
Nearly one in five UK convenience stores provide Post Office services, acting not just as retail outlets but as vital community hubs.
Government considers energy drink sales ban for under-16s
Around 100,000 children are thought to consume at least one high-caffeine energy drink every day, with “growing evidence” linking these drinks to harmful effects on children, including disrupted sleep, increased anxiety, poor concentration and reduced educational outcomes, the government said.
The proposal, which is currently being consulted on, would make it illegal to sell energy drinks containing more than 150mg of caffeine per litre to anyone aged under 16 years across all retailers – including online, in stores, restaurants, cafes and vending machines.
Lower-caffeine soft drinks, including tea and coffee, would not be affected.
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) welcomed the consultation and the “clarity” that a ban could provide retailers with.
High-caffeine soft drinks are currently labelled as ‘not recommended for children’,
The government is mulling a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to under-16s amid concerns over health and well-being.
but to date there is no legal restriction in place on these products.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said:
“The majority of convenience stores already have a voluntary age restriction in place on energy drinks, and will welcome the clarity of regulation on this issue.
“Our members have a longstanding track record of enforcing age-restricted sales on different products, but it is essential that the government effectively communicates the details of the ban to consumers to avoid the risk of confrontation in stores.”
Launched on 2 September, the 12-week consultation is currently gathering evidence from health experts, education leaders, retailers, manufacturers, local enforcement authorities and members of the public.
An ACS poll of retailers in 2022 showed that 80% already had a voluntary policy to restrict the sale of energy drinks to young people.
New licencing system must be fair to responsible retailers
Responsible retailers must not be unduly restricted by a new licencing system for tobacco and vapes, the Association for Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.
The appeal hails in response to the Government’s publication of a call for evidence on the implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
The call for evidence, published in October by the Department of Health and Social Care, seeks more detailed views on the tobacco and vaping market, the proposal for a licensing system in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and the proposal for a product registration scheme.
In it, the Government said it would move straight to the consultation phase on rules restricting the display, branding, colour and packaging of vape products and the packaging of tobacco products.
ACS has previously called on the Government to ensure that any
licensing system focuses on stopping rogue traders - without introducing disproportionate burdens on responsible retailers.
The Government is seeking views on all aspects of a licensing scheme, including how licenses are granted, how long they last, what the licensing conditions should be, and how the experience of other licensing schemes, such as those already in place for alcohol, can inform the process.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “We are clear that the object of a new licencing scheme should be to clamp down on rogue sellers and the billions lost through illicit sales every year, but this must not come at the expense of legitimate businesses.”
Booker upgrades website and app
Booker has completed phase one of its digital transformation with key upgrades to its website and app.
Budgens retailers are now benefitting from a faster, smarter digital experience thanks to the upgrades, which include new corporate branding and simpler navigation for both platforms.
Visual shopping lists and new high-res photography make shopping and discovering new products easier than ever before.
The website also offers smarter ordering tools, enhanced search functionality and improved print layouts for lists and favourites.
Retailers can access personalised homepages tailored to their fascia or sector and product recommendations for pairing
New Scoot lorries launch!
The UK roads are now a brighter place to be thanks to Booker’s launch of two vibrant Scootbranded delivery lorries.
Each of the 18 tonne rigid delivery lorries features the bold pink and yellow Scoot livery and a scannable QR code.
One is operating out of Booker’s RDC in Wellingborough and the other out of South Elmsall.
Scoot is Booker’s rapid grocery delivery platform, available to all its symbol retailers: Premier, Londis, Budgens and Family Shopper.
Scoot retailers receive a launch support package worth up to £2,800, including POS, digital assets, thermal bags and upweighted marketing activity.
suggestions that complement chosen items.
An enhanced checkout experience also allows them to see product images on their shopping lists for added clarity, combined with one-click add-to-basket functionality.
With quick access to delivery details, customers can also place orders with speed and confidence on desktop and mobile.
Booker’s new insights and inspiration hub meanwhile, also provides fresh ideas and practical resources to help boost business, from must-stock retail lines to trending ingredients.
Additional new features and functionality will be rolled out over the coming weeks and months.
Frasers Budgens offers tee-rific support
Community-minded Frasers Budgens has helped to raise vital funds for a local hospice.
Frasers Budgens proudly sponsored a charity golf day in aid of Sobell House Hospice earlier this summer.
The company, which operates five successful Budgens stores in the south of England, also entered a team into the competition.
The event helped raise vital funds to support the hospice’s specialist care for patients and families across Oxfordshire.
The store also held a recent competition offering shoppers the chance to win a “complete back to school food shop” including snacks, lunchbox essentials and pantry must-haves.
To enter, shoppers simply had to answer a food-related question correctly.
On a roll in Cadnam
Budgens Cadnam has helped to raise vital funds for charity Lupus UK by inviting shoppers to come and play a game of ‘Chocolate Dice’ in store.
Shoppers were invited to roll a dice and win a chocolate prize that matched their dice score.
The initiative helped to raise more than £200 for the charity Lupus UK in just three hours.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own healthy tissues, causing inflammation and damage.
Birthday bonanza
Wilks Budgens and Post Office in Stony Stratford has celebrated its second birthday with a huge prize giveaway for its loyal local shoppers.
The store, which was profiled in Your Budgens after opening in 2023, put an incredible array of prizes up for grabs, including a Ninja Foodi Multi Cooker, Ninja Blast and a Ninja Kettle.
To be in with a chance of winning, local shoppers simply had to like and share the store’s celebratory post and tag three friends.
Checkout Scotland raises more than £30k for GroceryAid
GroceryAid Scotland’s flagship Checkout Scotland music festival has raised more than £30,000 for the industry charity, helping to meet the costs of rapidly escalating demand for support.
More than 550 industry colleagues from the retailing and wholesaling sectors attended the recent Checkout Scotland music festival in Glasgow, helping to raise more than £30,000 for the charity.
Checkout Scotland is the flagship event of the GroceryAid Scotland committee and is now in its fourth year. The record number of attendees were entertained by Australian pop star and TV sensation Peter Andre and Scottish chart-topper Callum Beattie.
As well as raising much-needed funds for the charity, the event has also played a pivotal role over the years in making more colleagues than ever aware of the financial, emotional and practical support that GroceryAid can provide to those in need of a little help.
Financial support provided to colleagues in Scotland has risen more than 51% in recent times, reflecting the fact that many colleagues require support but also demonstrating that more colleagues than ever now know there is somewhere they can go to find that support.
“We are absolutely delighted that Checkout Scotland raised in excess of £30,000 for GroceryAid last month,” says Matthew Howie, Chair of GroceryAid Scotland. “Every penny of that money will be spent helping our industry colleagues in Scotland and everyone who attended Checkout or who donated in any way to GroceryAid Scotland should be proud of what they have helped achieve.”
Barcode returns for 2026
GroceryAid has confirmed that its Barcode summer celebration is set to return for 2026. The festival for the independent retailing and grocery sectors is returning to Kenwood in London on 2nd July 2026, bringing together 6,000 colleagues, including over 1,000 senior leaders from all major retailers.
Barcode offers the chance to reward and recognise your teams with a fantastic summer party while helping to raise funds that allow GroceryAid to provide free and confidential financial, emotional and practical support to all industry workers and their families during tough times.
Get your tickets at groceryaid.org.uk
Retailer Profile: Karvin’s Budgens Thetford
Regeneration game
Recently opened Karvin’s Budgens Thetford is the key cog in a new mixed-use development designed to regenerate the Norfolk town.
In June 2015, Breckland Council embarked on an £8m regeneration project designed to breathe new life into a crumbling corner of Thetford and “act as a catalyst for further development” across the Norfolk town.
Ten years on, this vision has all but been realised –the barren car park and mouldering pub banished to make way for a dazzling new development.
One side of the radiant new Riverside Leisure Complex boasts an upmarket three-screen cinema, while on the other is a state-of-the-art 24hour gym. Above lies a 64-room Travelodge, while right in the middle of it all is a brand-new Budgens.
Owned by Karvin Retail, the innovation-packed store officially opened in July 2025 – serving up a vibrant new retail offer, and more than a few surprises too, as Director Venkatesh Raja explains.
“The location of this unit was perfect – and with the gym, cinema and hotel, we knew it could provide an excellent opportunity to develop a truly unique new store,” he says.
Unique is certainly the word. Food and drinks to go are quite literally front and centre of this radical new retail offering, thanks to an innovative integrated counter that offers service – and sandwiches.
“Food to go is an integral part of the store and the till points,” Venkatesh says. “All the baking and food preparation happens on the shopfloor, where the shoppers can see it and smell it. It creates real theatre – and a delicious aroma too.”
The playfully branded ‘Way2Sub FreshBite’ offer includes a mouthwatering selection of sandwiches and subs – all freshly made to order on bread baked in-store that very day.
Shoppers can also take their pick from an array of hot Bake&Bite pastries, including breakfast, lunch and evening options which change throughout the day – plus freshly cooked box meals such as loaded nachos, fries, chicken wings and more.
“The subs do well at lunchtime – we have a large range of fillings and breads to choose from, including foot-long sub rolls,” Venkatesh says.
“Our hot boxed meals are especially popular in the late afternoons and evenings. Lots of people
FACTFILE
Store name: Karvin’s Budgens, Thetford, Norfolk
Retailer: Venkatesh Raja, Director, Karvin Retail
Size: 2,000sq ft
Staff: 9
Opening hours: 24/7
Services: Scoot, Collect+
visiting the cinema next door will pop in for some before or after their films.”
In fact, the store’s food-to-go operation steps up a gear in the evenings and especially in the early hours, thanks to a popular nightclub that is also situated nearby.
“There are also a number of factories around here, so we receive trade from shift workers who require a hot bite to eat and drink at the end of their shift – or just before it starts,” Venkatesh adds.
“These factors, plus the 24-hour gym, are what drove us to apply for 24-hour opening,” he adds.
“We’ve only been open a couple of months and already our night sales account for almost 20% of total sales. The number of sausage rolls we sell after midnight is mind-blowing!” he laughs.
On Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, the store fires up its ovens for a final bake at 9pm to meet
“There’s no baking or prep being done in a kitchen behind the scenes. Everything happens on the shopfloor, where the shoppers can see it and smell it. It creates real theatre – and a delicious aroma too.”
Venkatesh Raja
the needs of Thetford’s hungry night owls who descend upon the store for snacks and sustenance after night shifts and evenings out.
“Being open 24/7 is a strong USP – and it also gives us a great hook for local marketing, which we are investing in heavily.”
Between the hours of 11pm and 6am, shoppers are served through a large purpose-built ‘night hatch’ in the store front.
“We always have at least two members of staff on duty overnight – and it is working well,” Venkatesh says.
“It’s still very early days but already on a Friday or Saturday night we’re taking around £700 between the hours of 11pm
and 6am, so it’s certainly worth it. Sales are predominantly food to go, soft drinks and some BWS.”
Coffee sales are also doing well generally – and again, the store offers coffee with a difference.
“I have Costa Express machines in all my other stores – but I wanted a different approach here,” Venkatesh explains.
“So we offer real barista coffee and other hot drinks – all of which are freshly made to order by our friendly in-store team.”
Venkatesh’s well-oiled team are trained to work the tills and coffee machine – allowing them to offer not just express service, but espressos to boot.
“We’ve also worked very closely with Budgens on the development of a comprehensive fresh and chilled range, and we follow the planograms precisely,” he says.
“When you are running a large number of stores, sticking to planograms really is key.”
“We have just over 10 metres of chilled which is ranged along one whole wall in smart energy-efficient fridges. It’s a wide range, including lots of ready meals and quick and easy meal solutions, which are proving popular. Shoppers especially like the Meal Deals and multibuys.
“Value for money is important here – so the Jack’s products do especially well, particularly the pizzas.
“We also do an ‘Aldi Price Match’ on a number of key chilled lines which, along with our wide range of special offers, is really helping to drive our value-for-money message home.
“It’s still early days, so we are closely watching the sales data to learn what our shoppers like and are adapting the range and orders accordingly.”
With the gym next door, another category that is proving popular is Protein. Soft drinks, including sports and energy drinks, are also bubbling up.
BWS sales, meanwhile, currently account for around 20% of sales.
“We’ve also just launched home delivery via Scoot. It’s still very early days but already we can clearly see that it is adding value and we’re doing a big push on the new service on social media,” he adds.
Looking ahead, Venkatesh is eagerly awaiting the arrival of the store’s National Lottery terminal and additional parcel services, which he knows will drive further footfall to the destination store.
“We’re also planning to do a big charity day for the local community in the run-up to Christmas,” he adds.
“We’ve already had strong local support, including from local councillors, many of whom attended our opening day, so it will be great to give back,” Venkatesh says.
“Our long-range target for the store is to hit £40,000 a week and we’re on track to get there, with sales growing encouragingly week on week.”
Hardly surprising given the glowing Google reviews that it continues to accrue. Just a couple of months on from opening, Budgens Thetford already has more than 80 fivestar reviews praising its products, prices and service.
“Amazing prices, I love the shop and that it is 24/7 is brilliant – highly recommend and the staff are very friendly. Will definitely go there every time I need anything,” says one.
“Great new shop with friendly staff. I now go in most days. Has pretty much everything I need and is open 24 hours,” says another.
“Shoppers are responding so well to the new store and we are already building up a strong base of regular faces, as well as attracting new ones every day, which is wonderful to see,” Venkatesh says.
“Thetford has never seen a store like this before – and the best bit is – there’s so much still to come.”
Heart of the matter
Loxwood’s shoppers finally have the village shop they’ve been waiting for, thanks to a brand-new Budgens store right at the heart of a new development.
When Antler Homes revealed the details of the new village shop which would eventually form the heart of its new Knights Green development on the outskirts of Loxwood in West Sussex, managing director Andrew Rinaldi said: “Being a customer-centric firm is one of our key values, and that means more than providing just houses. The new village shop in Loxwood will serve as a bustling hub where locals can find all their daily essentials, from groceries to the morning papers.”
Rinaldi must have had a crystal ball because one year on from the press release that is precisely what has come to pass.
Owned by independent retailer Ponnampalam Anpalakan (Anpu) – brand-new Budgens Of Loxwood has already become the development’s darling – and highly prized community centrepiece.
Anpu, who already owns a successful Londis near Brighton, had spotted the opportunity back in 2024 – when the new retail unit and surrounding houses were still under construction.
“The development includes 19 new-build houses and sits on the outskirts of the village of Loxwood, which itself has been crying out for a local store for many years,” Anpu explains.
“The store was to be a key part of the development and as soon as I heard about it, I contacted the developer to register my interest,” he says.
FACTFILE
Store name: Budgens Of Loxwood
Retailer: Ponnampalam Anpalakan
Store size: 2,300sq ft
Staff: 4
Opening hours: 7am–9pm
Best-selling categories: Fresh, chilled, frozen
But the process of securing the new store wasn’t as easy as all that, with Anpu then having to undergo a gruelling vetting process to ensure that he was the right man for the job.
“The developers were clear that they wanted the store to be the heart of the new development –and they didn’t want to give it away to just anyone – it had to be the right person – with the right experience and approach,” he explains. “They asked me so many questions!”
They clearly liked his answers, because the spring of 2025 saw Anpu handed the keys to the brandnew store – which he immediately set about badging up as a Budgens.
“Budgens was the perfect fit for the location. It’s quite an affluent area with lots of family homes and I knew that fresh, chilled and frozen foods would be in high demand, especially fresh fruit and vegetables,” he says.
Retailer Profile: Budgens Of Loxwood
No expense was spared on the fit-out, with Anpu investing more than £300,000 kitting out brandnew Budgens Of Loxwood ahead of its opening on 22 August 2025.
Fresh and chilled forms the backbone of the new store’s offer and, just two months on from opening, already accounts for 40% of sales.
“We have a full 2.5 metre chiller entirely dedicated to fresh fruit and vegetables which shoppers love. Fresh produce flies off the shelves – no sooner have we filled them then it’s gone!”
The store also boasts a full eight-door run of fridges for chilled foods, including ready meals, meat, fish and poultry – and an additional eight for dairy, milk and juices.
There’s also a dedicated chiller for chilled food to go, located next to the store’s six-door impulse soft drinks chillers.
“Chilled foods are doing incredibly well, with sales driven by ready meals and pizzas in particular –we sell so many pizzas!” Anpu says.
“Take this week for example: On Monday, I had 250 cases of fresh and chilled products delivered – and by Thursday, almost everything from that delivery was gone.”
Budgens Loxwood also offers its shoppers a choice of premium frozen ready meals from Cook, which are housed in three large chest freezers facing the store’s own five-door frozen offer.
Freshly baked bread is another star seller – with store staff arriving for work by 6am to fire up the ovens for the first in what will be many bakes of the day.
“The first bake is done by 6.30am and by 7.30am we have to refill the lot,” Anpu adds.
“Lots of shoppers come in for freshly baked bread, including sticks and rolls first thing in the morning to make sandwiches for their children’s packed lunches.”
Hot food to go is another massive seller, with lots of shoppers popping in for a freshly baked croissant or pastry on their way to work or after the school run.
“It’s all Country Choice,” says Anpu. “In fact, we have already become one of their best-performing customers in the area.”
“We get lots of shoppers who come in multiple times in one day – parents who pop in just before, or after the school run, then again at lunchtime and often once more in the afternoon with the children in tow after school.
“Drinks to go are another strong performer; we have a Lavazza coffee machine that uses fresh milk and a Tango Ice Blast, which is popular with local teens and young adults.
“Fridays are one of our busiest days, as locals stock up for the weekend on baked goods, fresh produce, pizzas and wine.”
Chilled wine is housed within the new store’s striking walk-in chiller, ‘The Cellar’, along with beers, ciders, RTDs and more.
“The Cellar is a very unique concept in this area and has created a major talking point since we opened,” Anpu says.
“It’s a big draw – shoppers from surrounding villages have been driving over just to see it.”
When they arrive, they can park up in one of the store’s 10 dedicated bays.
“All in all, the new store is proving to be a smash hit with the local community and shoppers from further afield too.
“They are thrilled with the range that we offer and the friendly service that we give them – we get lots of compliments about that.”
The store has seen baskets costing more than £120, and Anpu says it rarely gets a basket that’s less than £15. “I really need to look into getting some shopping trolleys – I’ve already had quite a few requests for some!” he laughs.
In the first week of trading, the brand-new store took £30,000 – with weekly takings rising steadily since then as the store continues to win further footfall and spend.
“I wasn’t expecting to hit the £30,000 mark until our sixth month of trading, so to hit it in week one was truly fantastic – and shows how much shoppers value us,” Anpu says.
“Local shoppers have been waiting for years for a village shop like this, and I’m delighted that are the ones who have been able to give it to them.”
“We’ve had baskets costing more than £120 and we rarely get a basket that’s less than £15. If I’m honest, I really need to look into getting some shopping trolleys – I’ve already had quite a few requests for some!”
Ponnampalam Anpalakan
Festive Feast
Budgens is helping retailers to tuck into a feast of sales and profit opportunities this Christmas.
The mulled wine is brewing, mincemeat is stewing, choirs are crooning and shopping bags are groaning under the weight of festive fancies.
It can mean only one thing: Christmas is coming – and Budgens retailers are set to enjoy a truly fabulous festive spread for 2025, thanks to platters of new products and dishes of deals.
Confectionery will of course play a starring role in the Christmas 2025 opportunity. Last year, chocolate and sweets reached a total value of £2.7m over Christmas – an impressive year-on-year growth of 8.3% that retailers will be hoping to replicate – if not better – in 2025 [IRI Unify 12 we 28.12.24].
Chocolate once again led the confectionery pack during 2024’s festive season, with value sales up 9% to £2.2m – driven by boxed chocolates, limited editions and novelty formats which tapped into the spirit of gifting and sharing.
Sugar confectionery played an instrumental role too, with sales exceeding £522m and growing at 6.1% year-on-year.
This year, Budgens retailers will be able to offer shoppers a sleigh load of seasonal sweetness, thanks to great-value prices on key novelty products such as 140g packs of Haribo Elf Surprises – which, in the NP10 promotional period, will be available to shoppers for just £1 – offering retailers a POR of 25.1%. Cadbury Puds will also be available to Budgens shoppers in packs of five for just £3.50.
Perfect for stocking fillers, workplace sharing or as seasonal self-treats, brand-new M&M’s Crispy Santa five packs will also be available for a tasty RSP of £3 – offering retailers a POR of 20.4%.
Also ideal for gifting is the Cadbury Medium Selection Box – which Budgens retailers will be able to sell for just £2.50!
But of course, Christmas isn’t all about sweet stuff! As the party season builds towards the big day itself, the NP10 promotional period also features a bevy of marvellous Mega Deals on key BWS brands, including the I Heart range –where variants including Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Bubbly and more will all be available for just £6 a bottle.
There’s an array of cracking lager deals too – including 10x400ml packs of Fosters for just £9 and Poretti, 1664 Biere and Carlsberg Export for just £12.
New and Group Exclusive products are also sure to lend your sales some added Christmas sparkle.
Look out for brand-new and exclusive multipacks of Brewdog Reinbeer! Available to retailers in cases of 8x330ml for £7.45 and with an RSP of just £12, these seasonal sensations are sure to fly off the shelf faster than Rudolf himself.
And with the low to no beer and cider category currently seeing impressive volume growth of 39%, fuelled by the 30% of UK adults now drinking more low to no products than they were a year ago [KAM Low and No: Drinking Differently], Budgens’ festive line-up also includes amazing-value pricing on 0% lager brands, including four-packs of Estrella 0%, Madri Zero, Birra Moretti 0%, Heineken 0%, Peroni Zero, Corona Cero and more – all of which will be available to shoppers for just £4.75.
Soft drinks have certainly not been left out of the Mega Deal mix either – with 18x330ml packs of
Diet Coke and Coke Zero set to be available for just £6.99.
Price-marked £2.19 packs of 2L Pepsi Max, Pepsi Max Diet and Pepsi Max Cherry will also be available on an ‘Any 2 for £3’ deal.
Budgens shoppers will also be able to bag great-value deals on leading crisp and snack brands including Pringles, Wotsits and more, with price-marked £2.99 tubes of Pringles Original, Sour Cream and Onion, BBQ, Cheese & Onion, Salt & Vinegar and more, set to be available for just £1.50.
Flaming hot deals will also apply to 130g bags of Wotsits Giants Flamin Hot and Cheese –with both available for just £1.65.
The Jack’s brand also looks set to play a starring role in
SWEET PICKINGS
Confectionery reached a total value of £2.7m over the 2024 Christmas season – an impressive year-onyear growth of 8.3%.
A sweet 97% of UK households purchased confectionery during the holiday season, spending an average of £73 per person –highlighting the category’s broad penetration and the opportunity for retailers to drive incremental sales by offering the right mix of festive confectionery.
the build-up to Christmas 2025 thanks to an array of delicious deals and greatvalue prices on key fresh and chilled products.
Look out for a fantastic multibuy deal on Jack’s festive sides including: ‘Buy a pack of Jack’s Yorkshire Puddings and Jack’s Roast Potatoes for just £2.50!’
A selection of Jack’s vegetables, including Mixed Veg, Brussels Sprouts, Broccoli Florets, Cauliflower and Baby Carrots will also be available as part of an ‘Any 3 for £3’ deal.
Shoppers will also be able to get more bangers for their bucks with greatvalue pricing on Jack’s sausages –including 400g packs of Premium Pork, Cumberland and Lincolnshire for just £2.99 each – offering retailers a POR of 23.8% on single packs.
And of course, no festive fiesta would be complete without a mince pie to round off affairs. Helping retailers to earn a serious crust are six Jack’s Mince Pies – back for 2025 for the great-value RSP of just £1.99.
And as ever, Budgens’ seasonal support doesn’t stop at products and prices. A cracking suite of high-impact point of sale materials, featuring festive red and gold colourways and ‘Merry Christmas’ messaging, will also help Budgens retailers to create dashing displays and sparkling shelves.
Elves not included!
£7.45
£16.99
16.08%
WSP: £18.99
24.04%
All fi red up
Booker’s NPD Range Guide for Autumn is packed with new products, Group Exclusives and seasonal lines to help you rake in extra footfall, sales and profits this autumn season.
Range Guide for Autumn is here to help retailers stoke up footfall, sales and profits.
Laden with more than 170 new lines, including 22 Group Exclusives plus first-to-market products, the 2025 edition is sure to help stores secure a smoking-hot end to the year.
GROUP EXCLUSIVES
In today’s ultra-competitive retail marketplace, the ability to get your hands on new and exclusive products before anyone else offers a powerful advantage – and that’s where Booker’s Group Exclusives come in.
Booker’s NPD Range Guide for Autumn includes 22 Group Exclusive products from across the key BWS, impulse and grocery categories, allowing you to surprise and delight your shoppers.
Highlights include 8x330ml multipacks of Brewdog Reinbeer, 12x300ml multipacks of Kopparberg Dark Nights, and Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Blackberry, which offers a minimum POR of 20%.
Shoppers will also want to tuck into new and exclusive ontrend biscuit products including Jaffa Cakes Yuzu Lemon and Fox’s Chocolatey Dubai Style Pistachio.
INSIGHTS TO INGEST
The NPD Guide for Autumn is also packed with enlightening insights and top tips into key market trends and footfall-
driving categories such as energy drinks, confectionery, fresh, food solutions and more.
With the ‘artisan inspired’ bread category growing at 26% year on year, highlights include new and exclusive Hovis Signature White.
And as shopper demand for gluten free products continues to soar, the guide also shines a light on Booker’s great range of long-life gluten free products, including an expanded range from Dr Schar.
With noodle pots and spicy flavours also in “huge demand”, new products from the Namdong and Fuel brands are also called out – as are new pouches of Ben’s Original Street Food noodles, available to Booker retailers in Korean BBQ and Spicy Indonesian-style flavours.
SEASONAL STARS
And with Christmas just around the corner, the guide also showcases some of the fantastic new seasonal products sure to help you unwrap success in the run-up to the big day, including Reese’s Peanut Butter Crème Filled Santa Heads, Maltesers Gingerbread Reindeers and Terry’s Chocolate Orange Caramel Ball, to name but a few.
With 42% of unplanned Easter impulse sales having taken place in January and February last year, the guide also includes a cracking selection of Easter treats, including 16 new products and four Group Exclusives to help retailers get ahead of the game early.
BAILEYS AND TERRY’S CHOCOLATE ORANGE LIQUEUR
HARIBO RAINBOW STRIPS
MR KIPLING LUNCHBOX SLICES
TYRRELLS MATURE CHEDDAR & CHIVE
MINI CHEDDARS CHEESE AND RED ONION
HERSHEY’S COOKIES N
New HFSS rules in place
From October, new volume-based price promotion legislation on high fat, salt and sugar (HFSS) products are in place.
From 1 October 2025, volume-based promotions on HFSS (high fat, salt, sugar) products have been restricted for ‘affected businesses’.
WHICH PRODUCTS / PROMOTIONS ARE AFFECTED?
Under the new rules, volume-based promotions on HFSS products will be banned, meaning affected retailers will no longer be able to display the following promotions:
l Multi-buy offers like “3 for £10”
l Free product deals such as “Buy One Get One Free” (BOGOF) or “50% extra free”
l Loyalty point incentives linked to HFSS items
l Promotions on party-style platters containing HFSS products
Meal deals and pre-packaged multipack offers will still be allowed under the legislation.
WHO IS AFFECTED BY THE NEW HFSS REGULATION CHANGES?
Your business is affected if, as at 1 April each year, you employ 50 or more people. If your business is affected, then you will likely already have been operating under the location restrictions that have been in place for some time, which apply online and (depending on the size of your store’s relevant sales area) in-store.
It is your responsibility to determine whether your business
is affected and bear in mind that if you have several stores under the same business, it is the scale and the arrangement under which that business operates in practice that matters.
For example, if you operate multiple stores under the same company then it is the employees of all stores that are operated by that company that counts. Similarly, if you operate multiple stores under the umbrella brand of a larger organisation you will need to consider with them whether that brings your store(s) under the definition of a franchise, in which case it is likely that your store(s) will all be affected.
If your business is in scope, then in addition to the existing restrictions on online and in-store placement of HFSS products, you are restricted in what you can sell on volume price promotion – products that are HFSS cannot be sold on volume price promotion. If your business is not in scope, then you are not restricted by the HFSS rules relating to placement and volume price promotions.
HOW CAN I FIND OUT WHICH BRANDS ARE HFSS COMPLIANT, AND WHICH ARE NOT?
Booker flags products on its website with information provided to us by suppliers as to whether products are or are not likely to be considered HFSS. Booker has not independently verified this information so cannot guarantee it is complete or correct and is not responsible for any inaccuracies. There are also some products where suppliers have provided us with no information. It is for retailers to make their own checks as to whether products are in scope of the HFSS restrictions.
HOW WILL MY BUDGENS PROMOTIONS BE AFFECTED?
Booker will continue to offer consumer-facing volume price promotions for retailers.
Budgens will remove any volume promotions on noncompliant products and will move these deals to single price promotions. We will continue to offer volume promotions where we believe the products are HFSS compliant.
It is important that if your business is affected by HFSS restrictions that you carefully review your promotions and do not run them where HFSS restrictions apply to you. Booker does not accept any responsibility for promotions or placements of HFSS products which are contrary to the applicable restrictions.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE BOOKER OWNBRAND ON-PACK MULTIBUYS?
You will continue to see some on-pack volume price promotions for several months, as packaging already printed sells through and there is a period allowed for the sale through to consumers of products marked in that way. Retailers should not mark products themselves with volume price promotions and all products with on-pack volume price promotions should be sold through as soon as possible, and in any event, removed from sale by 30 September 2026.
CAN HFSS PRODUCTS BE DISPLAYED ON A RETAILER’S ONLINE WEBSITE HOMEPAGE?
If you have a website where you are offering HFSS products for sale to consumers then you will need to comply with the volume price promotions restrictions that apply to online sales, in addition to the existing restrictions on placement.
I AM A SCOOT RETAILER, HOW DOES HFSS AFFECT ME?
If you are a Scoot retailer, then it is important you assess whether your business is affected by HFSS – if it is, you will have to determine which of the Scoot promotions you are able to opt in to.
Where can I find more detail on the new HFSS regulations?
Restricting promotions of products high in fat, sugar or salt by location and by volume price: implementation guidance - GOV.UK
https://www.acs.org.uk/advice/ hfss-regulations
Willing and able
Shining the spotlight on Booker’s newest Colleague Network: Disability@Booker.
Over the last few months we’ve been taking a closer look at Booker’s four flourishing Colleague Networks, which all share one common goal: to advocate, applaud and aid Booker colleagues from all backgrounds and walks of life.
Recent issues of Your Budgens have introduced you to Race and Ethnicity@Booker and Women@Booker – and now it’s time to say hello to Booker’s newest colleague network: Disability@Booker.
Launched on 3 December 2024 to coincide with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, Disability@Booker seeks to amplify the voices of disabled and neurodivergent colleagues, celebrate their contributions, and consult on ways to embed disability confidence across the business.
Like the other colleague networks, Disability@Booker is backed by a structured committee with designated leads for different areas including Events and Comms, Colleague Feedback and Insights, and Talent and Development.
It also benefits from the support of two dedicated executive sponsors, co-chairs and SteerCo co-chairs.
BOOKER’S FAB FOUR COLLEAGUE NETWORKS ARE OPEN TO ALL AND INCLUDE:
l WOMEN@BOOKER
l RACE AND ETHNICITY@BOOKER
l LGBTQ+@BOOKER
l DISABILITY@BOOKER
Strengthening the committee’s power is the fact that many of its members bring lived experience of disability, neurodivergence or caring responsibilities to their roles.
These personal insights not only help to shape the network’s priorities, tone and approach, but also ensure that work is grounded in real-world understanding –and not just policy.
Leaning into their own experiences, the committee can spot gaps in support or accessibility that others might miss, design events and resources that reflect what actually helps, and create safe spaces where colleagues feel seen and understood.
This blend of structured leadership and lived experience is what gives Disability@Booker its authenticity and impact.
The network combines its strengths to offer a robust and meaningful support framework to include:
l A Teams Channel open to disabled colleagues, neurodivergent individuals, those with long-term health conditions, carers and allies, where we can share information to increase awareness and promote events.
l A safe, supportive space to ask questions, share experiences or simply listen and learn.
l Creating awareness to develop understanding and knowledge to better support colleagues and continue to promote allyship.
l Influencing and advising on policies and changes to the business to ensure that they’re inclusive to disabled colleagues.
l Informing the business of tailored resources.
“What a brilliant session, I have learned so much, thanks to all the Network for pulling this together. It’s so important we ensure all colleagues feel able to be themselves, this helps so much to improve all our understanding, so that we can all work better together and support each other.”
Booker colleague
“Thank you for organising this call, and it has really opened my eye to what Neurodiversity is all about. I have learnt so much on this call.”
Booker colleague
“I’m delighted to sponsor our Disability@Booker colleague network because inclusion is not just a corporate initiative – it’s essential. This network plays a vital role in ensuring that disabled colleagues are empowered, heard and valued. By fostering accessibility and championing diverse abilities, we’re building a workplace where everyone can thrive, which in turn brings huge benefits to our business.”
Executive Sponsor, Helen Williams
l AMPLIFY LIVED EXPERIENCES AND FEEDBACK.
l CELEBRATE DISABILITY INCLUSION AND AWARENESS.
l CONSULT WITH COLLEAGUES TO SHAPE INCLUSIVE POLICIES AND PRACTICES.
l EMBED DISABILITY CONFIDENCE BY REFLECTING ON EXISTING PRACTICES AND BUILDING ON THEM.
l Providing psychological safety to share the needs and support required.
l Reducing stigma around disability to support colleagues to feel that they are not alone and able to speak about it.
l Educational sessions on accessibility and inclusive design.
And despite having launched less than one year ago, Disability@Booker has already welcomed colleagues from across the business to a raft of relevant events and celebrations, including Neurodiversity Listening Groups, an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness virtual event, and a celebration of listening in support of National Samaritans Day on 24 July 2024.
Helping to mark the day, Disability@ Booker proudly unveiled its new Disability Network lorry that bears the powerful strapline: “Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging”.
A series of communications were also deployed through the network’s Teams Channel in support of International Week of Deaf People (23–29 September) and International Day of Sign Languages (23 September) – with resources for learning the BSL Finger Spelling Alphabet and videos using BSL.
And with the network’s first birthday fast approaching, plans are currently being made for a big celebration to tie in with International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2025.
As ever, listening will play a powerful role in the festivities as the network strives to harness thoughts and insights that will help to shape its focus for 2026 and beyond.
business
Getting down to
The ACS has written to the Chancellor outlining a series of measures that would help support local shops with their rates bills and invest in their long term sustainability.
The business rates system is in desperate need of change to establish a fair playing field for the businesses which trade on our high streets, while ensuring that online retailers pay their fair share, says James Lowman.
After a year of weathering the storm of increased costs from regulation changes, National Living Wage increases and Employer’s National Insurance contributions, local shops are now facing down another wave of cost increases on business rates. In April next year, the latest revaluation will come into effect, likely increasing the business rates bills of thousands of convenience stores across the country, coupled with the looming threat of a further reduction of the Retail and Hospitality Relief that was introduced at 100% during the pandemic, then reduced to 75% and most recently to a 40% reduction in rates bills this year.
The outlook seems bleak, so what can be done? We’ve written to the Chancellor outlining a series of measures that would mitigate these increases if announced at the Budget in November. Firstly, government need to deliver on their new Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Multiplier by using it to the full extent of the powers given to it in legislation, which would mean reducing the multiplier by the full 20p. In practical terms, this would save an average sized high street convenience store several thousand pounds next year enabling to invest in their stores and managing rising employment costs.
Next, we need to make sure that fiscal drag doesn’t take hold of the small business rate relief thresholds and that they’re indexed against the rise in property values to ensure that
those who receive relief now continue to do so next year. Failure to act on these thresholds would see the smallest shops, often in the most isolated areas, hit by increased business rates bills.
Thirdly, we are proud of the record that convenience stores have when it comes to investing in their businesses, but they shouldn’t be hit with higher rates bills soon after as a result. The Improvement reliefs in place for stores that invest should be extended from 12 months to three years to give businesses a chance to see that investment pay back. Finally, we know that convenience store retailers’ number one priority is making their business safer for themselves, their colleagues and their customers. But if a retailer improves their CCTV system, their rates bills go up as a result. This cannot be allowed to continue, so we’ve called for CCTV to be excluded from business rates altogether.
It’s pretty clear that the business rates system is being held together with string and sticky tape at this point, in desperate need of change to establish a fair playing field for businesses that trade on our high streets while ensuring that the online businesses who have seen massive recent growth pay their fair share.
If this Government is committed to growth, supporting retailers on rates can go a long way to achieving that aim.
