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OCTOBER 2026 | ISSUE 282

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Above & Beyond Awards 2027 launches – p39

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STORE PROFILES

Premier New Elgin and Spar Macalpine Road

SUCCESS WITH DRS

Book your free place

FOOD PRICE CAP

Retailers raise concerns

ILLICIT TRADE

Net tightens on rogue traders

FESTIVE DRINKS

RTDs set to sparkle this Christmas

CHECKOUT ROCKS

Colleagues raise roof – and funds and awareness – at GroceryAid Scotland’s flagship event. Above & Beyond Awards 2027 launches – p39

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October 2026

Contents

Contents ISSUE 282

NEWS 08 09 10

12 14 16 26 28

Research New TWC data finds small-basket supermarket and discounter trips are pulling share from c-stores. Illicit Trade Scotland’s Community Safety Minister backs calls for tougher action on rogue traders. Property C-store values and acquisition activity remain resilient, with Christie & Co reporting a high number of store sales completed in Scotland. Crime Recorded shop theft in Scotland increased 20% in the year to June 2026, according to new ScotGov figures. Cost of Living IGD predicts El Niño, increased input costs and supply chain pressures will fuel inflation next year. News Extra Food Price Cap ScotGov presses ahead with its food price cap consultation amid retailer concerns. Product News Fanta enters the Horrorverse while KP Nuts hits the bullseye with a new Luke Littler promotion. Off-Trade News SHS Drinks launches a canned shots range while Old Mout adds some seasonal spice.

INSIDE BUSINESS 30

39 44

38 62

Success with DRS We’re giving retailers the chance to learn everything they need to know about DRS – all in one day – so make sure you don’t miss out. SLR Awards Winner’s Profile Premier New Elgin One of the UK’s most impressive c-stores follows a deceptively simple strategy to differentiate itself from the competition. Above & Beyond Awards SLR’s awards that recognise colleagues for their remarkable achievements are back. Store Profile Spar Macalpine Road Umayr Asif reveals the changes he has made to the Dundee store since acquiring it from CJ Lang. Hotlines The latest new products and media campaigns. Under The Counter News of an AI-powered shopping trolley leaves the Auld Boy predictably underwhelmed.

FEATURES 50 54 56 58

Festive Drinks RTDs are set to sparkle this Christmas as consumers seek out cocktails and convenience. Christmas Confectionery Capture Christmas shoppers’ spend with a mix of traditional treats and inspiring NPD. Winter Medicines A carefully balanced range featuring beacon brands could be just the fix consumers are seeking. Smokeless Alternatives Find out how Vape Product Duty could impact shopper behaviour.

ON THE COVER 20

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Checkout 2026 This year’s event was arguably the biggest and best yet in the five years since GroceryAid’s Scottish Committee launched the annual music festival.

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

News RESEARCH Changing shopper habits revealed

Scottish food sales slip Food sales in Scotland fell by 0.2% in August compared with the same month last year, according to the latest SRCKPMG Scottish Retail Sales Monitor. The decline came despite food sales having already fallen by 0.4% in August 2025, and left growth below both the three-month and 12-month averages.

Karan Retail buys Peebles forecourt Karan Retail has acquired David Harrison Cars & Petrol Station in Peebles in the Scottish Borders as it continues to expand its operation in Scotland. Situated on Edinburgh Road, the site comprised an Esso filling station, Spar store and dealership land. Christie & Co brokered the deal, which formed part of the former owner’s retirement plans.

New SWA President Mack salutes Slaven legacy Business Unit Director at Bidfood UK Jon Mack has paid tribute to United Wholesale Grocers Retail Director Tom Slaven as he takes over his role as President of the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA). He praised Slaven’s efforts – and those of the wider SWA team and Council – in helping create a stronger and more collaborative organisation, bringing back the annual conference and launching a new identity for the association. Mack said: “Tom brought experience to the role and real commitment. He’s been a strong

Convenience stores losing ground on small-basket trips Small-basket supermarket and discounter trips are pulling share from convenience stores, according to the latest research from TWC’s Channel Track programme. TWC defines small-basket trips as shopping occasions where less than £20 is spent. Symbols, independents, franchises and other convenience operators account for 57% of the market, while supermarket convenience stores represent 12% and small-basket supermarket and discounter trips make up 31%, found TWC. The firm estimated that almost £22bn is spent on small-basket supermarket trips each year. These purchases account for 20% of supermarket spend and 59% of all supermarket transactions. “People are going to the supermarkets to do the big weekly

shop, but also to do the top-up and the convenience and the impulse shopping as well,” said TWC Director of Insight Jayne Webb. She said that supermarkets, discounters and supermarket convenience stores over-indexed against independents for fresh and chilled, frozen and grocery purchases, while independents and symbol stores remained strongest in “legacy footfall-driving categories” such as tobacco and alcohol. However, she noted that tobacco

and alcohol were among the categories currently in decline. Webb said that the findings highlighted potential gains for indies to grow sales in fresh, chilled and grocery, where supermarkets and discounters currently perform more strongly. She suggested that understanding the missions driving small-basket supermarket trips could help retailers win back more top-up and impulse purchases. TWC said suppliers and wholesalers could use Channel Track to identify the biggest growth opportunities and help independent retailers win more shopping occasions. Development Director Tom Fender said: “£22bn worth of convenience sales go through supermarkets. Wouldn’t it be great just to get 5% of that back?”

COMMUNITY

Machete robbery victim thanks supportive shoppers with deal An East Kilbride retailer has said customers will receive half-price bread and milk for the rest of the year in thanks for their support after he was threatened by a machete-wielding robber. Customers praised Bikrant Malhotra for being “cool as a cucumber” when a masked man entered the Day Today store he manages on Alloway Road in mid-August and demanded cash while brandishing a large, bladed weapon. Brave Bikrant refused to hand over money from the till and instead attempted to keep the situation under control while the suspect, who has since been arrested and charged, demanded vodka and scratch cards.

CCTV footage released by the store shows the suspect waving a machete and causing damage inside the shop before leaving. Bikrant later described the incident as surreal, admitting he initially believed the weapon was fake and the encounter was some kind of prank before realising the threat was genuine. Despite the ordeal, he said he was relieved that no customers entered the store while the incident was taking place. After receiving numerous messages of support from shoppers, Bikrant announced that the store, which held its launch party in May, is offering bread and milk for less than £1 until the end of the year as a thank-you.

advocate for wholesale – so thank you for your leadership.” PEOPLE Remembering a retail leader

Nisa opens in Troon Troon has welcomed a new Nisa store on Church Street, which will operate from a previously empty unit. Owned by Zaib Bal of Troon Local Ltd, the 3,200sq ft store is only the second to open in Scotland with the new-look Nisa proposition. The shop offers an impressive selection of American confectionery, hot food and a Smokin’ Bean coffee machine.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Industry pays tribute to Charlie Faulkiner Retail and wholesale industry stalwart Charlie Faulkiner has died. Born in Blantyre, Faulkiner began his career in a local Co-op store before rising through the organisation to become CEO of its wholesale operations. He later joined Wiseman, serving as deputy to Sandy Wilkie. Charlie was also a member of the SLR Awards judging panel in years gone by and an active supporter of Maggie’s. He is survived by his wife Eleanor, son Scott and granddaughter Emilia. SGF boss Pete Cheema said: “Charlie was admired not only for his professional achievements but also for his integrity, kindness and unwavering support of colleagues and friends across the industry.” KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SLRMAG

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News POLITICS Minister backs tougher action

Net tightens on illicit traders Minister for Victims and Community Safety Kirsten Oswald MSP hosted the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) at the Scottish Parliament last month to discuss the growing threat of illicit trade, as the UK Government unveiled a £500m crackdown on money laundering, organised crime and rogue traders. SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema highlighted the increasing impact that rogue sellers are having on the viability of local stores. He warned that illicit trade damages legitimate retailers, funds organised crime and poses a serious threat to local communities. The trade body welcomed the work of the Retail Crime Taskforce but called for more action to tackle illicit trade, including tougher punishments for offenders and dedicated enforcement on the issue via Trading Standards.

Oswald said: “We are committed to doing everything we can to disrupt this damaging activity.” This included reviewing how closure orders currently work and considering changes that may be required to strengthen enforcement. Meanwhile, the UK Government has announced plans to recruit 500 new officers as part of a £500m operation to stop money laundering and organised crime. New officers will be deployed across police forces, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Crown Prosecution Service to track dirty money, disrupt organised crime networks and seize criminal assets. The new investigators will focus on going after the kingpins behind Britain’s dirty money trade. By blocking and seizing their money, the government aims to cut off the

Image courtesy of Scottish Government, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

SGF publishes HFSS guide The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has published a concise guide for retailers in scope of the upcoming promotion and placement restrictions on food & drink High in Fat, Sugar or Salt (HFSS), which came into force on 1 October. The guide provides retailers with a quick reference about the products in scope and details of the promotion, location and online restrictions to ensure full compliance across the sector. A customer-facing poster is also available to download.

cash that fuels organised crime, including sham businesses. The move was welcomed by Association of Convenience Stores Chief Executive Ed Woodall, who said: “Dodgy shops that act as a front for organised crime have no place on our high streets. More enforcement action against criminal assets will help shut down these operations.”

Spar Scotland unveils £50,000 giveaway Spar Scotland has kicked off a supplier-backed customer campaign called The Great Big Giveaway, which aims to reward 1,200 winners with a total of more than £50,000 in Spar Scotland vouchers. The campaign runs across 150 products and is built to encourage multi-buy and

COMMUNITY Charity work honoured

Retailer’s record fundraiser earns MSP recognition SNP MSP for Glasgow Baillieston and Shettleston David Linden has lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament recognising Londis Solo Convenience’s Main Street Pavement Festival in Baillieston, which celebrated its fourth year in August and achieved its highestever fundraising total. The motion warmly thanked retailer Natalie Lightfoot and her team for organising the festival, which took place on 8 August. It acknowledged that the festival had raised more than £3,000 for charity and congratulated members of the community who came together in what it described as “an incredible display of community spirit”. It also commended everyone involved in organising the event, noting that the efforts of the shop and the wider community represent “the very best values of East End community service, generosity and solidarity”. The motion was supported by MSPs Clare Adamson, Kate Campbell, Jackie Dunbar, Thomas Kerr, Fulton MacGregor, Alyn Smith and Paul Sweeney. Natalie said she was “genuinely surprised and incredibly proud” when given a framed copy of the motion.

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COSTS

Tax rises force local retailers to hold back on investment The Association of Convenience Stores’ (ACS) 2026 Local Shop Report, which was launched at its Heart of the Community conference, has revealed that taxes such as Employer National Insurance Contributions and business rates are holding back investment in the convenience sector. In its 2024 report, ACS showed that investment by convenience store retailers in their businesses reached a record level of more than £1bn, but this has since fallen back to around £900m annually in 2025 and 2026. ACS said the decline has come as the Government removed hundreds of millions of pounds in business rates relief and increased Employer National Insurance Contributions over the past two years.

increase basket spend across promoted supplier lines.

Racetrack relaunch supports community RaceTrack Strathclyde has marked its relaunch under a new partnership with Co-op Wholesale by donating £500 to Glasgow’s Townhead Village Hall through Co-op Wholesale’s Making a Difference Locally charity. The c-store on St James Road recently reopened carrying Co-op Wholesale’s ‘Proud To Stock Co-op’ branding. The funding will support the hall’s community activities and wellbeing initiatives.

ACS makes new appointment The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has named Laura Bates as its new Head of Retailer Engagement and Marketing. Bates joins ACS from retail trade agency Cirkle, where she was an Associate Director working across clients including Yoplait, Mars Petcare and Ferrero.

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

News PROPERTY Sellers’ market remains strong

Chancellor urged to tackle cost of trading Convenience retailers gathered in Parliament on 9 September to send a clear message to

Convenience store buyer demand continues to outstrip supply

donation to support the club.”

C-store values and acquisition activity remain resilient, with Christie & Co reporting a high number of store sales completed in Scotland. The property firm’s Retail Market Review 2026 reported a 26% increase in offers made on retail businesses in the first half of 2026, compared with H1 2025. The market continues to favour sellers, with demand significantly exceeding the supply of highquality opportunities, and wellpositioned stores attracting strong levels of interest, often generating multiple viewings and competitive bidding. “The North of England and Scotland saw a high number of sales completed in H1 2026, particularly group deals which saw portfolios of stores changing hands amid high levels of regional operator activity,” said Regional

Co-op flags ‘big shop faff’

PEOPLE Industry rising star departs

the Chancellor that the cost of trading must be addressed in this month’s Budget. The #Checkout the Cost of Trading campaign highlights the vast sums the sector contributed last year in taxes, including over £300m in business rates and over £400m in employer National Insurance contributions.

Greenock retailer supports local club Bikram Kaur, who owns KeyStore Burns Square in Greenock, joined forces with PepsiCo to donate £900 to Greenock Juniors Football Club for the purchase of new team kits. Bikram said: “It helps us build relationships in our neighbourhood, so we’re delighted to be supported by PepsiCo and the KeyStore Community Fund to top up our

Co-op Food has revealed its latest ‘Pop to Co-op’ advert, which encourages customers

Director – North & Scotland, Anthony Meadowcroft. “There is an increase in consolidation activity and a good supply of acquisition opportunities.” Independent owner-operators made up 65% of convenience-store acquisitions completed by Christie & Co in H1 2026. Christie & Co flagged the sector’s deep integration within local communities as a core strength that often attracted premium buyer interest. The report noted that retailers were under financial pressure due

Sophie Williams leaves Broadway Convenience Store

to rising staff costs, business rates and energy bills. It claimed that stores with additional services were attracting stronger buyer interest. The outlook for forecourts was equally positive, with Christie & Co naming it “one of the most attractive specialist retail markets”. Continued investment in convenience retailing, food-to-go, alternative fuels and EV charging will underpin values and support transaction activity looking ahead, predicted the firm. Steve Rodell, Managing Director – Retail & Leisure at Christie & Co, said: “Whilst challenges undoubtedly remain, particularly with several major new initiatives and regulations set to impact operators in the coming months, the market fundamentals underpinning convenience retail and forecourts are as strong as ever.”

WHOLESALE Event delivers strong turnout

UWS hails record trade show as sales rise 39%

to leave the ‘big shop faff’ behind. The ad forms part of an integrated campaign supporting the premise that shoppers do not have to compromise on shopping conveniently because of price, highlighting how Co-op offers the value of a big shop without the time, hassle and frustrations that come with it.

Cycle challenge raises more than £210k More than 80 industry riders took part in Pedal the Borders, a three-day cycle challenge in the Scottish Borders, raising more than £210,000 for GroceryAid. Held from 15-17 July, teams covered more than 200 miles of challenging terrain and climbed more than 11,000ft during the event. The funds raised will support GroceryAid’s financial, emotional and practical services for grocery industry colleagues and their families.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

An emotional Sophie Williams completed her last shift at Broadway Convenience Store in Oxgangs on 4 September. She left the store, which has been run by the Williams family since 1983, to take on a Field Sales Representative role at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners after starring in the soft drinks giant’s The Bosses campaign last year. Her parents, Dennis and Linda, are also preparing to step back from the business as they make plans to retire. Sophie used her creative talent (she has a degree in musical theatre) to take the store’s social media to new heights and has has also become a prominent figure within the convenience industry, speaking at the Scottish Parliament, the House of Commons and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation Conference. She also won Up And Coming Star at SLR’s 2024 Above and Beyond Awards.

The event marked the debut of Baggsy, the new Day-Today mascot.

United Wholesale Scotland (UWS) has reported record attendance and sales at its 2026 DayToday & Usave Trade Show. The event brought together 95 supplier partners, with retailer attendance up 34% and sales value increasing 39% compared with last year. Orders placed during the show reached close to £900,000. UWS said the results come as it continues to invest in expanding its Day-Today and Usave symbol groups and the digital transformation of its retail estate. The wholesaler is targeting £500m in sales by 2030 and plans to progress a new depot in 2027. The business now has 150 digitally enabled black fascia stores in Scotland.

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News CRIME Shopworker assaults reach 11,794

Retail Crime Taskforce unveils retailer guide

Shop theft in Scotland rises 20%

Police Scotland’s Retail Crime Taskforce has published a retailers’ guide on how to report shoplifting via its new online form. The new handbook explains the requirements for online reporting of shop theft and what action Police Scotland will take. It also contains information on common shoplifting techniques and advice on how to deter shoplifting and handle confrontation.

Barista Bar partners with Melitta Coffee-to-go brand Barista Bar will be the exclusive convenience, retail and forecourt partner for Melitta Professional’s next-generation coffee system in the UK. The self-serve machine combines Melitta’s bean-to-cup technology with an expanded menu featuring 80 drinks. The upgraded offer includes oat milk

Shop theft in Scotland increased 20% in the year to June 2026, according to the latest figures published by the Scottish Government. Recorded shoplifting crimes rose from 47,381 to 56,920 over the period. The total is also 129% higher than the 24,877 offences recorded in the year ending June 2022. Earlier official statistics showed shoplifting has increased for five consecutive years in Scotland and

is now at its highest level since 1971. The latest data also shows assaults reported under the Protection of Workers (Retail) Act 2021 have reached 11,794 as of June 2026. The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to continue funding the Scottish Retail Crime Taskforce for at least the next three years but said further action is needed to tackle retail crime. SGF boss Pete Cheema said: “While the Taskforce has made progress in improving reporting and communication, retailers across Scotland continue to face record levels of escalating crime, including organised theft, violent attacks, and a growing surge in illicit trade.” Cheema said it was “simply unacceptable” that retailers and

staff face regular threats to their safety and wellbeing at work. He added: “That is why the Taskforce must only be the first step. Ministers must also act to tackle the court backlog and ensure offenders are brought to justice swiftly and effectively.” Meanwhile, the Scottish Retail Consortium pushed for the Retail Crime Taskforce to receive more funding. Ewan MacDonald-Russell, Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: “These figures highlight the sheer scale of criminality affecting Scotland’s shops. “To stem and reverse the rise in thefts, abuse, and anti-social behaviour government funding for the Retail Crime Taskforce should be enhanced to extend the Taskforce’s reach and number of hotspots targeted.”

as a standard dairy alternative, decaffeinated espresso options and trend-led additions, such as matcha, chai and iced chocolate.

Scotmid launches Scottish Favourites search Scotmid has begun its search to find the next Scottish Favourites, giving Scottish suppliers the chance to win a listing in Scotmid stores and £2,000 to support their launch. Scotmid members will have the opportunity to decide on one of the three winners and will be invited to taste and score products from all 12 shortlisted suppliers.

C-Store Collective partners with KRM Convenience retail consultancy C-Store Collective has teamed up with Kesseböhmer Retail Merchandising UK (KRM) to help retailers improve store layouts, merchandising and overall commercial performance. KRM brings experience in store design, modular merchandising systems and categoryspecific retail solutions to the partnership.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

FINANCE Robust results despite pressures

CRIME Vulnerable youths exploited

Rising costs squeeze JW Human trafficking Filshill operating profit charges linked to west of JW Filshill saw operating profit fall from £5m to £4.1m in the year ending 31 January 2026 as higher National Insurance and wage costs hit the wholesaler’s bottom line. Despite the challenging trading environment, profit before tax increased 72% to £8.4m, primarily due to the revaluation of investment properties. Annual turnover stood at £213m and the company continues to invest in artificial intelligence, technology and sustainability initiatives. The firm also invested heavily in product development relating to its growing Eldorado Tonic Wine brand. Keith Geddes, Chief Financial and Operating Officer, said: “We have continued to deliver against our clearly defined corporate strategy and ambitions and drive efficiency throughout our operation. This improved efficiency is more essential than ever given the increase in costs driven mainly by changes to fuel, living wage and employers’ National Insurance costs.” Scope 3 emissions tracking software was another area of investment, alongside technology opportunities for KeyStore retailers such as electronic shelf-edge labels. Recent inflation and increases in the cost of living, in particular increases in the cost of fuel and food and drink, continue to cause uncertainty for the company, staff, customers and suppliers, Geddes pointed out, adding that legislation in the sector is also an “increasing risk but mitigated by close engagement with industry bodies”.

Scotland alcohol thefts

Two further arrests have been made under Operation Dynos, as Retail Crime Taskforce officers believe that vulnerable young people are being targeted to steal alcohol from stores across the west of Scotland. On 3 September, a 62-year-old man and a 61-year-old woman were arrested and charged with human trafficking offences in the Glasgow area. Constable Paul Steell said: “We remain committed to tackling retail crime, while continuing to safeguard young people from harm and coercion into criminal behaviour.” The number of adults arrested in connection with the criminal exploitation of children and young people as part of Operation Dynos since April 2025 now stands at nine.

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News MARKETS Rising wholesale costs loom

TRADING

Co-op Wholesale invests in key categories Co-op Wholesale has announced major investments in its vape and food-to-go propositions, with expanded ranges, lower prices and simplified rebate schemes. On 1 October, the wholesaler reduced invoice prices by up to 15% across its vape range, simplified its rebate model and added more than 200 new lines, taking the category to around 500 SKUs. Meanwhile, from 5 October, retailers using Greencore’s direct-to-store food-to-go service will receive the same pricing as depot orders, with rebate also applying where eligible. The move will almost double the food-to-go range to 85 SKUs and provide benefits including longer shelf life, reduced waste and single-pick ordering.

Food inflation pressure to intensify through 2027 El Niño, increased input costs and supply chain pressures are expected to fuel inflation in 2027 and 2028, according to the latest forecasts from IGD. Average inflation for 2026 is predicted to stand between 2.9% and 3.9%, rising to 5.6%-6.6% in 2027 before easing slightly to 5.3%-6.3% in 2028. Plentiful food stocks at the start of the year, hedging and moderate demand have helped retailers absorb costs to protect shoppers, but those buffers are expected to weaken as the impacts of Middle East disruption, rising costs and extreme weather continue to build. The higher inflation that was expected in 2026 has not disappeared. Instead, the timing of price pressure has shifted back, with higher inflation now expected to build through 2027 and remain elevated into 2028. One of the biggest risks is El Niño, previously identified by IGD as a high-severity risk and now affecting major producing regions. Evidence indicates an extremely severe event, with effects on yields, quality and availability likely to persist well into 2027 and beyond. From a category perspective, fruit and vegetables are expected to make the largest contribution to higher food inflation, reflecting their shorter production

cycles and high sensitivity to weather. Other foods and non-alcoholic drinks are also expected to make significant contributions, with most grocery products exposed to inflationary forces such as energy costs, regulatory change and supply chain disruption. James Walton, Chief Economist at IGD, said: “Food inflation’s current weakness will not last. Stock buffers and hedging have delayed, not removed, the pressure building from disrupted energy markets and extreme weather. Shoppers have already adapted to repeated periods of high food price inflation. Many have changed how and where they shop, switched products or reduced discretionary spend, leaving fewer options available to absorb any further price rises.”

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SLR | OCTOBER 2026

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News Extra

NewsExtra REAP THE REWARDS WITH RTDs – P50

Food price cap plans progress Convenience Matters with the SGF Scotland’s new rules on the promotion and placement of food & drink high in fat, sugar or salt (HFSS) are finally here. The Food (Promotion and Placement) (Scotland) Regulations 2025 came into force on 1 October 2026, and retailers have been busy making sure they understand what needs to change and, importantly, whether the rules apply to them. SGF has published a short guide to help retailers navigate the changes. It covers products in scope, along with new promotion, location and online restrictions. A customerfacing poster is also available. So, what does it all mean for retailers? The promotion restrictions apply to businesses with 50 or more employees. They restrict promotions such as multibuy deals – including 2-for-1 and BOGOF offers – as well as free refills on products covered by the regulations. The location restrictions apply to businesses with 50 or more employees and a shop floor area of at least 2,000sq ft. For stores in scope, HFSS products should not be displayed in entrances, checkouts or aisle ends. There’s also an important point for stores operating under a symbol group or franchise agreement. Retailers should confirm with their symbol group or franchise partner whether the regulations apply to their business. If you are unsure, check. It’s never too late to review your promotions, store layouts and online activity to ensure compliance. SGF’s guidance is available on our website, alongside the Scottish Government’s guidance and the poster. A few minutes spent confirming everything is in order and getting up to speed now could save plenty of headaches later.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

ScotGov presses ahead with food price cap consultation amid retailer concerns. Despite warnings from the Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) that a price cap on essential food items could “decimate” local shops, the Scottish Government has launched a consultation on plans for a Food Prices (Scotland) Bill. The proposals currently target supermarket chains and would apply to businesses with more than 250 employees; annual turnover above £250m; and more than 50% of turnover from grocery sales. However, the Government is seeking views on whether the policy should also apply to unaffiliated, franchise and symbol stores. ScotGov is also considering whether supermarket convenience formats may be included. The consultation recognises concerns that local stores could be put at a competitive disadvantage if supermarkets are required to sell staple items at capped prices while smaller retailers are not able to match them. Conversely, it also notes that if small stores were included within the scope, they would find it harder to implement than larger outlets. The consultation seeks views on: Q which foods should be capped Q how price caps should be set Q which retailers should be covered Q enforcement arrangements Q protections for producers and supply chains It is open until 24 November 2026. SGF Chief Executive Pete Cheema warned the measures could “decimate hundreds of small local businesses operating under a symbol group” if brought forward in their current form. He said it would be “deeply damaging and entirely perverse” if a policy designed to help consumers

instead contributed to the closure of businesses communities rely on. Cheema also warned that price caps on selected products would distort competition for out-of-scope retailers, potentially pulling customers away from local shops and towards out-of-town supermarkets. He said: “Local stores are not simply another place to shop. They are the backbone of many communities – providing essential and often lifeline goods and services, supporting local jobs, keeping money within the local economy and, crucially, serving people within walking distance of their homes.” Independent retailers were already facing pressure from rising costs, additional government regulation and global economic uncertainty, Cheema added. “They must not become collateral damage in a policy intended to target ‘large’ businesses.” Deputy Head of the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) Ewan MacDonald-Russell, was equally scathing of the proposals. He claimed the consultation paper showed “how fiendishly complex, costly, and onerous this

unnecessary exercise will be if it is implemented”, claiming that the rules on product substitution risked shortages on the shelves. He added: “Ministers have fluffed the chance to provide the clarity retailers and the supply chain have repeatedly asked for. They should scrap the cap and work with industry to get on top of inflation – including public policy costs.” Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) Chief Executive Ed Woodall was also critical. He said: “Local shops operate in an intensely competitive market and, despite rising cost pressures, are working hard to offer customers the best possible value. Retailers need support with managing the cost of trading, rather than introducing opaque price controls that will have a detrimental impact across the whole supply chain.” The consultation launch follows an open letter sent to First Minister John Swinney at the end of August urging the Scottish Government to abandon the proposal. The letter was signed by 23 business organisations, including SRC, SGF, ACS, the Federation of Independent Retailers and Food & Drink Federation Scotland. www.slrmag.co.uk

Comment

TIME TO GIVE ‘AI’ A BIGGER ROLE IN STORES? Artificial Intelligence has come a long way in the last few years and it’s fascinating to see how quickly it has transformed so much of our everyday lives. It wasn’t that long ago when very few people had even heard of ChatGPT or Claude. How quickly times change. Yet while AI is being adopted across the board into so many facets of our lives, it’s still conspicuous by its general absence in local retailing. Yes, there are some AI-driven in-store security and crime prevention systems and lots of retailers are evidently using it to generate slick social media posts, but that’s really about it. Very few retailers seem to be working hard to unleash the full power of AI in their stores. Which is curious given how damned easy AI is to use and how terrifyingly fast and efficient it is at doing certain tasks. I remember asking a retailer during this year’s SLR Awards judging whether they were using AI. They just laughed and quipped ‘No, I don’t – but if it could do my rota for me, I would use it!’ It was a joke, essentially, but I whipped out my iPad and, with last week’s rota and some details about shift preferences, ChatGPT produced a near-flawless rota in maybe 30 seconds. A few more tweaks and it was done. The retailer was floored and explained that it took her a full morning to do that most weeks. A new convert. I’ve been thinking about this after hosting a Q&A session at Snappy Shopper’s Q Commerce event in Glasgow last month. Undoubtedly the hottest topic for the panel was the launch of Snappy AI, the new AI-powered assistant that was unveiled on the day and is now rolling out to Snappy retailers. How does it work? A quick example given on the day helps illustrate it. The example was, roughly: ask Snappy AI to interrogate your historic sales data and find your bestselling confectionery SKU and your top-selling soft drinks SKU because you want to run a cross-category promo. The AI finds both products and you tell it what you want the promo to look like: 20% discount when you buy both products, for example. Then all you do is approve it and boom, the promo is live on the app. It took what? A minute? A minute and a half? You can see the potential here, as retailers get more used to using it and Snappy continues to improve it. It’s a potential game-changer. AI interfacing with tech is very probably the way forward. No more manually running reports or messing around in the back office trying to figure out how to do stuff. Ask AI. Job done. As an addendum, it also got me thinking that a Snappy AI-style interface would be a fantastic addition to most EPoS systems. In my experience, retailers only use a tiny percentage of the functionality of their EPoS because, frankly, a lot of stuff is not that easy to do and it’s not that quick. AI could sort that pronto. What are the 50 products in my store with the lowest rate of sale that I should delist? What are the 50 products in my store with the lowest cash margin? You can already do this the old-fashioned way in all EPoS systems, of course – but how many retailers actually do it? Or even know how to do it? AI could help unleash the full potential of both Snappy and EPoS.

EDITORIAL Publishing Director & Editor Antony Begley abegley@55north.com Deputy Editor Sarah Britton sbritton@55north.com Features Editor Gaelle Walker gwalker@55north.com Web Editor Findlay Stein fstein@55north.com

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing Director Helen Lyons 07575 959 915 | hlyons@55north.com Advertising Manager Garry Cole 07846 872 738 | gcole@55north.com

DESIGN Design & Digital Manager Richard Chaudhry rchaudhry@55north.com

EVENTS & OPERATIONS Events & Circulation Manager Cara Begley cbegley@55north.com Scottish Local Retailer is distributed free to qualifying readers. For a registration card, call 0141 22 22 100. Other readers can obtain copies by annual subscription at £50 (UK), £62 (Europe airmail), £99 (Worldwide airmail). 55 North Ltd, Waterloo Chambers, 19 Waterloo Street, Glasgow, G2 6AY Tel: 0141 22 22 100 Fax: 0141 22 22 177 Website: www.55north.com Twitter: www.twitter.com/slrmag DISCLAIMER The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the post. All text and layout is the copyright of 55 North Ltd. Nothing in this magazine may be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the magazine has endevoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. Scottish Local Retailer is produced monthly by 55 North Ltd.

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHING DIRECTOR 18

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

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Cover Story

Checkout Scotland 2026

THEY CAME, THEY SAW, T Checkout 2026 was arguably the biggest and best so far in the five years since the Scottish Committee of industry charity GroceryAid first launched the annual music festival. BY ANTONY BEGLEY

t all started as nothing more than an apparently daft idea at a brainstorming committee meeting for GroceryAid Scotland. What could we do to raise the profile of GroceryAid in Scotland (awareness was almost non-existent at the time) and maybe raise a few quid for the charity, as well as being something that retailers would actually want to come to? The answer? A music festival. No work, no presentations, no donations, no worries. Just a laugh and a good night out for everyone. It’s what Scotland does best, surely? And from that daft idea, and within just five years, Checkout Scotland has established itself as undoubtedly one of the major highlights of the Scottish local retailing calendar. This year’s event, held last month at Barras Art & Design, proved to be – arguably – the best so far.

HEADLINE SPONSOR Highland Spring

PLATINUM SPONSOR Irn-Bru

PARTNERS Allwyn Buckfast CJ Lang/Spar Scotland KP Snacks SHS Vape Suppliers Ltd

DRINKS PARTNERS AU Vodka Hooch Diamonde Blush Gin Pernod Ricard

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Around 600 people from across the trade gathered in Glasgow at the end of August to soak up the atmosphere, catch up with pals and colleagues, enjoy a few drinks, and see Boyzlife and Nathan Evans & The Saint Phnx Band up close and personal as they tore it up on stage in front of a packed audience. As well as the main stage acts, a host of DJs including Cassi, Babyccino, Jim Harper and DJ Naeem provided the perfect soundtrack to an exceptional evening. Retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and more all joined the party and helped make the event one of the best in the calendar. It’s now almost certainly the biggest single event in the local retailing year, in terms of the number of independent retailers who attend and it’s becoming an increasingly important draw for suppliers keen to get their brands in front of a huge retail audience in a unique, laid-back environment.

PROUD PARTNERS This year saw Highland Spring step up to the mark as Headline Sponsor, the first time we’ve ever had a headline sponsor for the event. IrnBru was back again too, as they have been for every year that Checkout has run, taking their usual VIP bar space that is eternally popular, no doubt in part due to the fact that those lucky IrnBru wristband wearers get access to free drinks all night! Among the other long-term returning supporters of the event were Allwyn, Buckfast, Spar Scotland, SHS, Pernod Ricard and KP Snacks while new partners there for the first time included AU Vodka, Hooch and Diamonde Blush Gin. Every partner played their part in making the event so special and contributing to the genuine festival atmosphere. All of this supplier support is vital as it helps fund the event and generate much-needed funds for GroceryAid. Importantly, every penny the event raises goes to the charity and every penny is spent in Scotland. www.slrmag.co.uk

Checkout Scotland 2026

Cover Story

THEY CHECKED IT OUT!

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OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Cover Story

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Checkout Scotland 2026

www.slrmag.co.uk

YOUR SALES WILL BE FLYING WITHOUT WINGS

MADE IN SCOTLAND FROM GIRDERS

Cover Story

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Checkout Scotland 2026

www.slrmag.co.uk

Checkout Scotland 2026

Cover Story

AWARENESS MATTERS Checkout Scotland plays a key role in generating funds, but it exists first and foremost to help raise awareness of GroceryAid in Scotland and make as many people as possible aware of the vital financial, practical and emotional support that the charity offers to Scottish industry colleagues, entirely free of charge and in complete confidence. In fact, since Checkout Scotland first launched, the financial support delivered to colleagues in Scotland has risen by hundreds of percent. That tells us loud and clear that more colleagues than ever now know there is somewhere they can go when they need help. So by supporting Checkout Scotland, whether that’s by sponsoring, buying tickets or just attending, you are playing an important role helping colleagues in need across the convenience sector and supply chain in Scotland. In that sense, Checkout is the best fun you can have while doing a bit of good for our sector. Next year’s date has already been announced – 26 August 2027 – so stick it in your diary and get in touch if you want to get involved with something special.

SAVE THE DATE! 26 AUGUST 2027 IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN CHECKOUT SCOTLAND 2027 AS A PARTNER OR TO BUY TICKETS, CONTACT ANTONY BEGLEY AT ABEGLEY@55NORTH.COM

www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

News

Products

Nescafé retailer comp has £1,000 weekly prize Nescafé is giving convenience retailers the chance to win £1,000 every week until 20 December as part of a winter promotion designed to drive sales during a key seasonal trading period. Retailers can enter by purchasing a qualifying case of selected Nescafé products from participating wholesalers and texting the word ‘CASH’ along with the last four digits of the product barcode.

Booker unveils autumn NPD guide Booker has launched its Autumn 2026 New Product Development Guide, featuring more than 160 new lines. The guide offers eight Booker Group exclusives, as well as 11 first-to-market products including Reese’s Caramel Bar, Red Bull Glacier x4 and Mountain Dew Pitch Black. Printed copies of the guide can be found in

Product News CAPTURE CHRISTMAS CONFECTIONERY SPEND – P54 SOFT DRINKS Range gets a spooky makeover

Fanta enters Horrorverse for Halloween Fanta has unveiled some frightful Halloween activity with the launch of ‘Horrorverse’, featuring limitededition packs across the range and a supporting marketing campaign called ‘Wanta Fanta? Run For It’. The temporary redesign sees the range take on a Halloween theme, with Ghost Face from the Scream franchise appearing alongside a cast of original Fanta horror characters who will also feature in content, creator partnerships and consumer experiences throughout the spooky season.

The limited-edition packs are supported by a multi-millionpound ‘Wanta Fanta? Run For It’ campaign spanning social media, influencer activity,

digital advertising, out-of-home advertising and experiential activations. Retailers can access free POS materials via My.CCEP.com.

depots, with booker.co.uk hosting a digital version.

Pringles Prawn PMP

ICE CREAM

Ben & Jerry’s treats Cults to picnic

Pringles has added a Prawn Cocktail £1.25 price-marked pack to its 70g on-the-go range, available exclusively through Bestway. The launch is supported by marketing activity, in-depot displays and Bestway van distribution, alongside POS materials for convenience retailers. To help drive trial, Pringles is giving indies the chance to win £10,000 by purchasing a case of the new SKU and uploading their receipt.

Celsius backs ATHX Games Celsius has become the official energy drink partner of hybrid fitness competition ATHX Games. The deal will see the brand activate its LIVE.FIT.GO. platform through branded zones and product sampling at UK-wide events. The partnership launched at ATHX Birmingham and will continue at competitions in Liverpool, London and Glasgow. Founded in 2023, ATHX expects

Ben & Jerry’s brought a community picnic to Aberdeen after Keystore Express Cults owner Chris Cobb won a UK-wide competition that marked the launch of the brand’s Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich. The competition gave retailers the chance to bring local people together while celebrating the role convenience stores play in their communities. On 25 August, Cults and District WRI Hall hosted the community event, with local residents enjoying food, live music and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Chris also received £2,000 to donate to a cause of his choice. He said: “We were so thrilled to be selected as the winner, and it was a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the people who support our business every day.”

SPORTS & ENERGY

Red Bull kicks off EA Sports FC 27 campaign Red Bull is launching Red Bull Wings Cup, a global EA Sports FC tournament supported by an on-pack promotion across selected Red Bull products. Timed ahead of the launch of EA Sports FC 27, the promotion gives shoppers the ability to unlock in-game rewards including season points and player cards, which are then added directly to their EA Sports FC 27 game. To support the campaign, Red Bull will run paid activity across PlayStation, broadcaster video on demand, social media and out-of-home channels, alongside in-store POS materials.

more than 40,000 participants across its events in 2026.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

www.slrmag.co.uk

Products

News

New Pukka packs Pukka has rolled out new designs across its entire chilled pie range, replacing its orange boxes with recipe-specific colours aimed at making

SNACKS Shoppers and retailers can both win big

KP hits bullseye with £20k darts promotion KP Nuts has launched a new ‘Hit the Bullseye’ promotion with PDC World Darts Champion Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler, giving shoppers and retailers the chance to win a £20,000 cash prize. Running until 22 November, the campaign features separate prize draws for shoppers and retailers. Both include a top prize of £20,000, alongside daily cash prizes and official dartboards.

Shoppers can enter by scanning a QR code on promotional KP Nuts packs, including £1.35 pricemarked packs, as well as 80g, 90g, 225g and 250g formats. Retailers can enter a parallel promotion by scanning a QR code on promotional cases of KP Nuts price-marked packs and pub cards. The promotion aims to tap into growing interest in darts, with 9.9 million people tuning into the

products easier for shoppers to find. The redesign gives each pie variety its own colour, while Pukka’s orange logo remains consistent across the range. The new packs also place greater emphasis on product imagery and coloured foils to help shoppers tell the pies apart.

World Championship. Around two million people have also taken up the sport in the UK since Littler’s breakthrough in 2024. Rachel Horrell, Senior Brand Manager at KP Snacks, said: “We’re excited to launch our ‘Hit the Bullseye’ promotion, once again teaming up with Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler to give shoppers and retailers the chance to experience the thrill of darts.”

Butterkist expands Paramount+ promotion Butterkist has expanded its partnership with Paramount+ through a new on-pack promotion running across its portfolio until 22 December. The promotion offers shoppers a month’s access to Paramount+ when they purchase a promotional pack of Butterkist Sweet, Sweet & Salty, Salted or Crunchy Toffee popcorn across

ADULT SOFT DRINKS Popular footfall drive returns

Schweppes launches festive campaign with The Gentlemen

CONFECTIONERY

Cadbury extends Premier League club partnerships to 2030

£1.35 price-marked, sharing and microwave formats.

Free Skwishee Day returns Thousands of shoppers headed to more than 250 Skwishee stockists across the UK for the frozen fizzy drinks brand’s second Free Skwishee Day of 2026 on 12 September. The fully funded event offered customers a free Skwishee, while giving participating retailers the

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has launched a new Schweppes campaign in partnership with Netflix series The Gentlemen. Promotional packs are rolling out now, with the campaign running until December and giving shoppers the chance to win a New Year’s Eve party experience, cocktail kits and shopping vouchers. Entry to the prize draw is via an on-pack QR code. The campaign is suported by in-store activations, events, digital, social media, influencer activity and out-of-home advertising. Promotional limited-edition packs include 1L bottles, mini-cans and mini-can 12-packs across the Schweppes range, including Slimline Tonic Water, Soda Water and Indian Tonic Water.

Cadbury has extended its partnerships with Arsenal FC, Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC for a further four years, taking each agreement to a total of 10 years. The renewed deals cover both the men’s and women’s teams at all three clubs and represent the brand’s largest and longestrunning commitment to football. The partnerships have supported a range of fan and community initiatives since launching in 2017, including ticket giveaways, exclusive experiences and local community programmes. The extended agreements will run until the end of the 2029/30 season, with Cadbury continuing to invest in supporter and community initiatives across all three clubs

opportunity to boost footfall and generate additional sales. Skwishee plans to launch a brand-new flavour later this year.

Unilever cuts the mustard Colman’s Mustard has been put up for sale by Unilever ahead of a planned merger of US food company McCormick with Unilever Foods. McCormick already owns French’s, one of the largest mustard brands in the world, creating potential competition issues if both brands were to sit within the same business. Unilever has already sold several food brands in recent years to focus on highergrowth areas of its business.

www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

News

Off-Trade

KA is king AG Barr’s KA Remix has become the top-performing new RTD launch of the past year, generating £2.2m in sales and selling more than 786,000 cans since launching last June. The Caribbean white rum-based range is available in Black Grape, Fruit Punch, Pineapple and Karnival Twist flavours. Fruit Punch is the top seller, accounting for one in three sales. The RTD category is worth £824m and continues to grow.

Chocolate Orange Baileys is back Baileys x Terry’s Chocolate Orange Irish Cream Liqueur has returned for a second festive season after a successful 2025 debut. The limited-edition product was the top-performing spirits innovation in Great Britain last Christmas and is back after consumer research found that three-quarters of shoppers said

Off-TradeNews WINTER MEDICINES: NOT TO BE SNEEZED AT – P56 RTDs Launch follows growing demand for shots

SHS Drinks unveils canned RTD shots range SHS Drinks has launched ShoTTails, which it describes as the first canned RTD shot brand for the take-home market. The range launches with Baby G, a vegan creamy coffee liqueur-style drink presented in a 125ml can containing two servings. It has an ABV of 14% and an RSP of £3. The brand is designed to bring the shared ritual of drinking shots into at-home and other social occasions. SHS Drinks said the launch responds to growing consumer

demand for shots among younger adult consumers and increasing rates of at-home drinking. The company also pointed to continued growth in the canned cocktail category across both multiple and impulse retail. Further flavours are planned as the ShoTTails range expands. The launch is supported by an Instagram campaign, alongside experiential activity, POS materials and retail activation under the ‘Shake It. Crack It. Love It.’ platform.

they would buy it again. The 50cl bottle has an RSP of £16.50 and an ABV of 17%.

Old Speckled Hen launches alcohol-free ale Damm UK has extended the Old Speckled Hen range with the launch of Old Speckled Hen Zero. The launch follows growing consumer demand for no- and low-alcohol drinks and the trend towards “zebra-striping”, where consumers alternate between alcoholic and alcoholfree beverages. The product is initially available from Asda and

CIDER

Pulp revives Caramelised Apple Pulp Cider has brought back its limited-edition Caramelised Apple Cider for Halloween after the success of the flavour’s debut last year. The Herefordshire cider maker said the product became its most successful flavour launch to date. It combines the natural tartness of apples with caramel flavours, delivering notes of baked apple, brown sugar and toffee. Pulp Caramelised Apple Cider (ABV 3.4%) is available now in 500ml glass bottles with an RSP of £2.79 to £2.99.

Morrisons in cans and bottles ahead of a wider roll out. SPIRITS Paragon’s ‘must stock’ brands come to convenience

Arbikie unveils debut single estate single malt Arbikie Highland Estate Distillery

Booker lists Biała vodka and Goslings Black Seal rum

has launched The Signature, its first Single Estate Single Malt Scotch Whisky. The Signature was produced using Odyssey barley grown on the Arbikie Estate in Angus, where it was also distilled, matured for 10 years, then bottled at 48% ABV. The whisky is limited to 1,000 bottles worldwide with an RSP of £250.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Paragon Brands has secured listings with Booker for Żubrówka Biała vodka and Goslings Black Seal rum. Biała (ABV 37.5%, 70cl, RSP £17.49) is Poland’s number one vodka brand while Goslings (ABV 40%, 70cl, RSP £33.99) brings more than 200 years of Bermudian rum-making heritage. Chris Jones, Managing Director at Paragon Brands, said the Booker agreement marked an important step in the company’s convenience strategy.

WHISKY

Borders Distillery unveils inaugural single malt

The Borders Distillery in Hawick has unveiled its first single malt Scotch whisky, marking the first whisky distilled in the Scottish Borders since 1837. The Borders Single Malt Scotch Whisky, First Release is an eight-year-old, first-fill bourbon-matured single malt finished in malmsey Madeira casks. Limited to 10,000 bottles worldwide, the 46% ABV whisky is available now, with international distribution to follow. It has an RSP of £46. The whisky has notes of sultanas, citrus and caramel, alongside honey and vanilla on the nose and hazelnut and macadamia flavours on the finish.

KEEP UP WITH THE LATEST NEWS AS IT HAPPENS – FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @SLRMAG

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Off-Trade

News

CIDER Heineken brand taps into seasonal trend

Old Mout adds spiced variant Old Mout Cider is looking to boost autumn and winter sales with the launch of a limited-edition Spiced Clementine & Cranberry flavour. The 4% ABV cider combines clementine, cranberry and warming spice flavours, giving retailers a seasonal option aimed at shoppers seeking alternatives to traditional fruit ciders during the colder months. Available now and remaining on sale until February 2027, the new flavour is rolling out in 10x330ml multipacks with an RSP of £11.75 and 500ml bottles with an RSP of £2.55. The launch is designed to help refresh the flavoured cider category outside the peak summer period, with the product suitable for drinking over ice or served warm as a mulled-style cider.

It will be supported by a consumer-facing social media and influencer campaign running from September to December across Meta and TikTok, targeting Gen Z and millennial shoppers.

RUM Overhaul is inspired by Cuba’s capital city

Havana Club unveils new bottle design for Añejo 7 Años Havana Club has revealed a redesigned bottle for its Añejo 7 Años rum, with a new look inspired by the architecture, energy and culture of Havana. Rolling out globally, the updated packaging aims to highlight the brand’s Cuban heritage. The new bottle features sunburst motifs inspired by the Cuban sun, embossed detailing, gold accents and a cigar-shaped label. Havana Club has also given greater prominence to the D.O.P Cuba designation and the seven-year age statement on pack. The new-look bottle is rolling out across Europeand will continue to be sold at its existing RSP.

STOCK UP TO

SCORE BIG! UK business owners only. 18+ only. Purchase necessary during Promotional Period of 31.08.2026 - 22.11.26. Grand Prize of £20,000 drawn on 23.11.26. T&Cs apply. See case for entry details.

www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR 15013 Scot Grocer Luke Littler_HP_vert.indd 1

17/09/2026 10:25

Inside Business

Success With DRS

HOW TO DELIVER SUCCESS WITH DRS This month SLR is offering retailers the chance to learn everything they need to know about DRS – all in one day – so make sure you don’t miss out. This month, the launch of the UK’s new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) reaches another major milestone as we hit the 12-months-to-go mark. That may seem like a long time away but, given the complexity of the scheme and the scale of the opportunities and challenges, the time to start getting your plans in place is now. The lessons from other countries that have implemented a DRS, and particularly from our close cousins in Ireland, are that the retailers that do best from DRS are the retailers that made the most of it by going early and going hard. It’s tempting to view DRS as simply a compliance issue – but there’s no question that the better way to look at it is as an opportunity. Firstly, it’s an opportunity to retain all your existing customers but, more importantly, it’s the chance to bring new shoppers to your store. Offering a convenient, pleasant return experience could set you apart – and evidence from Ireland shows retailers that embraced DRS early benefited from increased footfall and sales. You’ll hear from some at the event. Conversely, retailers that played it cagey struggled to regain lost ground, even after ramping up their efforts six months after the scheme’s launch. Shopper habits form early and are very difficult to change. DRS will bring challenges – of that there is no doubt – but the Irish experience makes it clear that retailers who fully engage on day one and provide a great experience for their customers are the retailers who will benefit most from DRS. Getting engaged on day one, however, means preparing for DRS in good time. To help you do just that, SLR is hosting a special one-day event to provide retailers with everything they need to know – and all in just one day.

AHEAD OF THE GAME Held on 28 October in Glasgow and with the support of Headline Partner Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP), Success with DRS will arm you with the knowledge and advice you need to ensure that when October 2027 rolls around, you will be fully ready to take advantage of the many opportunities that will present themselves in terms of retaining and growing footfall, sales and profits – while also helping make a massive and instant positive impact on the fantastic environment that makes Scotland famous the world over. Whether you are a knowledgeable veteran of DRS or you’ve never put much thought into it, Success with DRS will get you up to speed in a single day.

STELLAR CAST Speakers on the day will include Jonathan Kemp, former Commercial Director of AG Barr and now Non-Executive Director of Exchange for Change, the scheme administrator. Also on stage will be Chris Furey, Managing Director of Furey Smyth Retail, a family-owned independent Irish retail business that operates a network of seven community-based Eurospar stores across Ireland. Chris will share his firsthand experience of DRS since it was launched in Ireland on 1 February 2024. Chris Gallacher, Managing Director of United Wholesale Scotland, will share what DRS means for wholesalers and, ultimately, his retailer customers, while Dan Brown, owner of Pinkie Farm Convenience Store, will offer an insight into how he plans to go big on DRS. Panel sessions will take a deep dive into a number of real-world issues that are likely to

face retailers in the run-up to the launch of DRS and beyond, and an open-floor Q&A session will allow attendees to pose any questions they have to the experts on the day. Finally, in session one, we will host a Dragon’s Den-style series of brief presentations by a range of solutions providers, offering attendees the chance to learn more about some of the key options available to them.

TASTE AND TRY With the first session complete, and having learned all that they need to know about DRS, the second session will allow attendees to see first-hand a selection of reverse vending machines and semi-automated manual handling systems from the UK’s leading suppliers: Q Envipco Q RVM Systems Q Tomra Q Carnaud MetalBox RVM Solutions Q Reborn/Trovr Q Ecovend Representatives from each solution provider will be on hand to answer any questions you have about any aspect of DRS.

ARMED AND READY Our aim is for retailers to leave with a full understanding of the Deposit Return Scheme and what it means for their business. They should also 28 understand the options October available and be well on the 2026 200 SVS, Glasgow way to finding the solution City Centre that best suits their individual needs. All in one day.

EVENT PARTNERS HEADLINE PARTNER

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

SOLUTIONS PARTNERS

FREE

to attend for all local retailers

www.slrmag.co.uk

Success With DRS

Inside Business

SUCCESS WITH DRS:

AGENDA

ANTONY BEGLEY, PUBLISHER, SLR

JONATHAN KEMP, NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EXCHANGE FOR CHANGE

CHRIS GALLACHER, MANAGING DIRECTOR, UNITED WHOLESALE SCOTLAND

SESSION I

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION Antony Begley, Publisher, SLR THE ROAD TO OCTOBER 2027 Jonathan Kemp, Non-Executive Director, Exchange for Change SESSION II

SUPPLY CHAIN PERSPECTIVES Q Supplier Perspective - CCEP Q Wholesaler Perspective - Chris Gallacher, Managing Director, United Wholesale Scotland PANEL DISCUSSION Q Q&A Panel with morning speakers, chaired by Antony Begley Q Audience Q&A NETWORKING LUNCH SESSION III

RETAILER CASE STUDY Maximising the DRS opportunity in my store Dan Brown, MD, Pinkie Farm Convenience Store, Musselburgh

DAN BROWN, OWNER, PINKIE FARM CONVENIENCE STORE, MUSSELBURGH

STEPHEN JACKSON, COMPANY RISK & SUSTAINABILITY MANAGER, ONE O ONE CONVENIENCE STORES

CHRIS FUREY, MANAGING DIRECTOR, FUREY SMYTH GROUP

LESSONS FROM IRELAND – PART 1 The Irish Experience – Multisite Retailer Chris Furey, Managing Director, Furey Smyth Group SESSION IV

SOLUTIONS SESSION ONE 10-minute presentations followed by 5-minute audience Q&A per presentation. Q Envipco Q RVM Systems Q CMB RVM Systems LESSONS FROM IRELAND – PART 2 The Irish Experience – Single Site Retailer Prominent single site Irish independent retailer SOLUTIONS SESSION TWO 10-minute presentations followed by 5-minute audience Q&A per presentation. Q Tomra Q Ecovend Q Trovr SESSION V

OPEN FORUM Q&A HANDS-ON SOLUTIONS DEMOS

RETAILER PERSPECTIVE Q&A Retailer Panel, chaired by Antony Begley Stephen Jackson, Company Risk & Sustainability Manager, One O One Convenience Stores Dan Brown, MD, Pinkie Farm Convenience Store, Musselburgh To book your FREE retailer place, email cbegley@55north.com or visit slrmag.co.uk/success-with-drs/

www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Inside Business

Success With DRS | Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

HEADLINE PARTNER

WORKING COLLABORATIVELY ‘KEY TO SUCCESS WITH DRS’ Delivering a successful DRS is a complex undertaking for manufacturers and local retailers alike, but by working collaboratively across the value chain we can deliver the best possible outcomes for consumers, businesses and the environment. By Samantha Walker, DRS Project Lead, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners

We know from our experience around the world that DRS is a proven and effective way to increase collection rates for drinks packages, ensuring that more high-quality materials are recycled back into new bottles and cans and supporting a more circular economy. That’s why we’ve long supported the introduction of a consistent and interoperable scheme across the UK. We also know that working collaboratively across the value chain will help deliver the best outcomes for consumers, businesses and the environment. The insight from other markets, particularly Ireland, is that there can be a real commercial benefit for convenience retailers from hosting a return point, both in driving footfall and spend in-store. Our customers and partners, which range from the largest retailers to independent convenience stores, and from wholesalers to hospitality and foodservice businesses, will be crucial in ensuring DRS is a success and we’re working closely with them to help them prepare for the scheme going live. 32

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

The transition to DRS-compliant packaging is a complex undertaking for industry, but one that we at CCEP are well prepared to deliver and to support our customers through. Having engaged closely with Exchange for Change on the challenges for industry around the packaging changes required, we welcome the proposals that they have put to regulators on introducing a transition period and look forward to further updates in due course. We will continue to work closely with our customers and partners over the coming months, providing information and practical assistance to help them prepare as seamlessly as possible for the introduction of the scheme in October 2027. This will include insight into the opportunities the scheme presents and the changes in behaviour shoppers are likely to make. It’s vital for stores to communicate to their customers that they operate a return point through the use of leaflets, display boards, other directional signage and on social media. A big barrier stores will need to overcome from day one is communicating the products on which the deposit is applicable, particularly during the transition period where stores are carrying a mixture of new DRS products and non-DRS eligible drinks. Shelf-edge labelling that makes clear whether the deposit has been applied to the price of the product and building awareness of the Exchange for Change logo will be really important. Make sure too that your staff are aware of DRS and understand it, particularly where you’ve got a lot of face-to-face interactions. Encouraging staff to tell the story of DRS and educate shoppers as they come in will play an important role in building understanding and awareness. There is a real opportunity to be the community partner to your shoppers by operating their local return point. It helps people fulfil something they genuinely want to do to support their local community. www.slrmag.co.uk

Smart returns. Built for every space. Envipco is a leading provider of reverse vending machines, with more than 40 years of dedicated experience in beverage container recycling. As the UK prepares for the launch of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on 1st October 2027, we are helping retailers, municipalities, and the beverage industry get ready with smart, reliable solutions that make recycling easier for consumers, simpler to manage, and more scalable. Since our founding, our mission has been to support material recovery, promote reuse, and help customers contribute to a circular economy. Today, we combine proven technology with local expertise to develop solutions tailored to the unique needs of each customer and market. With the exciting announcement from Exchange for Change of the Retailer Handling Fees (RHF) heavily weighted for convenience, we are excited to showcase our most applicable machines.

Compact Compact is a space-saving RVM built for small retailers. It’s plug-and-play, easy to move, the smallest and most cost effective scheme compliant RVM. Proven in other markets, it delivers performance without complexity. Smallest footprint — just 0.42m2 Large capacity — 265L tote

Runs on standard 230V socket Most affordable scheme compliant RVM Easily moved by store staff, no engineer required Plug & play installation, ready in minutes. Eligible for scheme grant support

FLEX®

Flex® handles higher returns without taking up space. It compacts PET, cans, fits through walls, and stays easy to clean and install. Small footprint — 0.54 m² Suitable for indoor or outdoor installation Accepts PET bottles and cans Front-or rear-emptying for easy store-layout fit Easy to clean and maintain Customizable appearance (branding) Up to 45 containers per minute, fast and accurate sorting Eligible for scheme grant support

NICK TREMBLE

Director of Sales UK & Ireland +44 7961 633205 nick.tremble@envipco.com

NICK PREATER Key Account Manager

+44 07377 726738 Nick.Preater@envipco.com

Inside Business

SLR Awards 2026 Winner’s Profile | Premier New Elgin

LEVELLING UP IN NEW ELGIN

Premier New Elgin is unquestionably one of the most impressive convenience stores in the UK and follows a deceptively simple strategy to differentiate itself from the competition. BY ANTONY BEGLEY

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

f you’ve never been before, New Elgin is one of those typically picturesque little places you find dotted around the top half of Scotland. It’s a suburb of Elgin and it sits in a very beautiful part of the country – but with the best will in the world, it’s not the sort of place you expect to find a convenience store that blows your mind. But Premier New Elgin is nothing less than a revelation. I’d heard a lot about it. It’s been picking up awards since it first opened in April

last year and everyone had been raving about it. But I’d never seen it for myself, so I was keen to see what all the fuss was about. And it turns out that the fuss was well merited. It’s a forecourt convenience store the likes of which I and my fellow judges had never seen before. This place is simply stunning – and not just because of the fit-out. The thinking behind what the store is and does is also highly impressive and deceptively simple. But we’ll get to that. www.slrmag.co.uk

Inside Business

Premier New Elgin | SLR Awards 2026 Winner’s Profile

NEW KIDS Premier New Elgin is possibly the jewel in the crown of the rapidly expanding SRJ Convenience empire, headed up by Arul Palaniappan and Prabu Vaiyapuri. A few years ago, very few retailers had heard of Arul and Prabu. They had flown very much under the radar, despite already owning a significant chain of stores. In the last year, however, they’ve broken cover – and in some style. The opening of the refitted Premier New Elgin was probably the catalyst for that. You can’t open a store as gob-smacking as that without getting some attention, whether you like it or not.

And while the pair still keep a relatively low profile, it’s getting harder and harder to stay incognito the bigger the group gets. They rattle through acquisitions at a rate of knots that I haven’t seen in 25 years of reporting on this sector. They were buying and refitting stores so frequently they decided to buy shopfitters Vertex because it was easier than continually paying them as contractors. Just before the SLR Awards they acquired half a dozen stores www.slrmag.co.uk

in the Newcastle area – all in one go. They acquired a former company-owned Spar store in Lossiemouth in March. I could go on and on. In addition to all this, they have a fairly largescale business that produces and supplies chilled food-to-go to stores across Scotland. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s not easy to get an accurate picture of how many stores the group now owns, but in excess of 30 is probably a decent guesstimate. But it’s not just the fact that they’re growing fast that’s gaining them more and more attention. When they take a store on, they don’t mess about. The standards of the typical fit-

out are exceptionally high. They have top-tier expectations, and every store is pristine and rammed with staff who keep it that way.

PREMIER PLANS Perhaps the finest example, however, remains Premier New Elgin. It’s a monster for a start, at 10,000sq ft – and by the looks of it, no expense has been spared. It’s not quite at RaceTrack levels in terms of extreme fit-outs but it’s definitely on a different planet.

F or ecou rt R eta i l er of th e Yea r

R e fit of the Ye ar

SP O N SO R

W I NNER

WATCH THE VIDEO FORECOURT RETAILER OF THE YEAR PREMIER NEW ELGIN

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Inside Business

SLR Awards 2026 Winner’s Profile | Premier New Elgin

Technically, the refit was indeed just that – a refit – which is why it won the Refit of the Year Award at this year’s SLR Awards, but to all intents and purposes it was a new build. It was ripped out and knitted again over an eight-week period at very considerable expense. It had been a Family Shopper, but the refit rendered it unrecognisable, in every sense, and it’s now effectively a small supermarket that still looks like a convenience store. On the surface, the store seems to have taken a lot of cues from Ireland. It very much looks and feels like a store you would encounter over the water. Big, airy, spacious, bright and with extensive use of illuminated signage helping shoppers navigate their way around the endless series of categories and fixtures. Naturally, it has a beer cave. But at 800sq ft, it’s a beer cave that you could fit a small shop into. It also has a soft drinks cave, again on the epic end of the size spectrum at 800sq ft. As is common in Ireland, it has a huge bread and bakery section and a dedicated kitchen and hot and cold foodto-go area, as well as a couple of stunning and appropriately enormous fresh and chilled runs. Plus there’s all the confectionery, snacks, pet food, vapes and sundry other standard convenience categories that you’d expect to find in a store like this. It’s just that they’re all about three or four times the size of the fixtures you’d find in other stores. Oh, and everything is immaculately merchandised. The entire confectionery fixture – about eight or 10 metres of it – for example, makes use of spring-loaded product pushers that keep everything faced up perfectly all day long. Similar attention to detail is in evidence throughout. As I say, they’re not messing about here. Arul and Prabu’s ethos positively and proactively embraces things that are hard or time-consuming to do. The sorts of things that put others off doing them. 36

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

DIG DEEPER So far, so impressive. The fit-out is amazing, the fixtures and kit are all premium and high-end and the store has been laid out carefully and thoughtfully. But it was one line in the written awards entry for this store that had particularly caught my attention. Arul made no bones about the fact that his strategy is based on two simple things: food-to-go and a differentiated range. The food-to-go bit is obvious enough: hot and cold food-to-go throughout the day, prepared fresh in-store in the dedicated purpose-built kitchen and delivering a high rate of sale and even higher margins. Tick. The differentiated range element of the strategy is arguably even more interesting. The awards entry made it clear that SRJ stores want to offer a range that customers can’t easily find anywhere else in the area. They don’t want to compete with Tesco on the big-brand lines. Sure, they stock all the stuff you’d expect, but the focus is on the differentiated elements of the range. They want to give customers compelling and unique reasons to visit them. Typically, a differentiated range means either lots of imported – à la RaceTrack, for example

– or lots of local. SRJ’s approach is to focus on locally sourced produce and products. And, as with everything else they do, they’re not doing it by halves. Some categories in-store are absolutely awash with local product – bakery and butchery are good examples – but you can find local and regional products on every fixture and in every category pretty much. It’s local sourcing on steroids and it seems to be working. So, boil it down and Premier New Elgin has a simple, focused strategy – food-to-go and local – wrapped up in a stunning fit-out and maintained with a ferocious work ethic, a lot of staff and an admirable commitment to the very highest of standards. The store won the Refit of the Year and Forecourt Retailer of the Year awards at this year’s SLR Awards, while SRJ Convenience picked up the Outstanding Achievement award. Every award was absolutely merited, and you can be sure that this will not be the last time you hear about SRJ. They are in prime position to drive and shape the future of the local retailing sector in Scotland and beyond.

WATCH THE VIDEO REFIT OF THE YEAR PREMIER NEW ELGIN

www.slrmag.co.uk

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Annual Conference 2026, Wednesday 18th November Doubletree by Hilton, Cambridge Street, Glasgow

Customer & Community: More Than A Store

Join us for a day of forward thinking, practical ideas and networking, as we look at how the sector continues to adapt, innovate and deliver more than ever before. This year, we’ll explore the evolving role of Scotland’s local shops, not just as retail spaces, but as vital hubs supporting their communities and local economies. Bringing together retailers, industry leaders and partners, the conference will feature a mix of keynote speakers, industry insights and interactive discussions, offering takeaways in how to ensure your business is amongst the best in the UK. We will also showcase a trade exhibition highlighting goods and services to suit your business. This year’s conference will be Chaired by Rona Dougall, TV Presenter.

Stephen Flynn MSP, Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary, will address this year’s conference. Have your voice heard when he takes questions from the audience!

Why Join Us? Be inspired by hearing from industry leaders and experts on what our retailers must aspire to be More Than A Store!

Other speakers will include: Jamie Buchanan, SGF Go Local Programme Dr. Pete Cheema OBE, SGF Chief Executive Margaret Anne Clark, Scotmid Stephen Curran, A G Barr Ryan Hutchison, SPAR Scone Andy Kenney, bp & SGF Vice President Shiva Kumar, Day Today, Haddington Rhona Lawson, The Knowledge Bank Kathryn Neil, SGF Healthy Living Programme David Perks, ME Group Karl Southworth and Wendy Craig, Allwyn Graham Watson, SGF President & Owner, Moniaive Stores

Not to be missed - our INTERACTIVE SESSIONS with Exchange for Change, the company managing the UK Deposit Return Scheme, and Bobby’s Foods.

We will host the largest of our tradeshows, with over 50 companies showcasing their goods and services. Our drinks reception and gala dinner offers fantastic networking opportunities.

Book your place today:

If these are of interest to you, please get in touch: pauline@sgfscot.co.uk

0131 343 3300

pauline@sgfscot.co.uk www.sgfscot.co.uk

SLR

PRESENTS

THE ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARDS 2027

TIME TO SHINE Turning the spotlight on the real heroes of Scotland’s local stores. 2027 LAUNCH SPECIAL SLRMAG.CO.UK/ABOVEANDBEYOND

Inside Business

Above & Beyond Awards

IT’S TIME TO UNEARTH THE REAL STARS OF RETAIL! And it’s easier than ever to nominate store team members who deserve some recognition for their remarkable achievements.

sk any independent retailer what makes local retailing so very special and the chances are their first answer will be ‘our people’. It’s those unique relationships that convenience stores have with their customers that make local retailing the remarkable channel that it is – and those relationships are forged and maintained by the real heroes of our sector, the people behind the till and on the shopfloor seven days a week. Now in their fourth year, the SLR Above & Beyond Awards were created specifically to recognise and highlight the passion, commitment and often incredible actions of store staff working across Scotland’s local retailing sector that tend to go entirely unnoticed. In their relatively short lifespan, the Awards have had the privilege of honouring colleagues who have literally saved customers’ lives, staff who have entirely reworked stores and trained staff to accommodate the needs of patients at a nearby dementia hospital, and so much more. The SLR Above & Beyond Awards are all about unearthing those truly heroic actions where store colleagues have clearly gone above and beyond the everyday call of duty. As we’ve discovered in the last few years of doing these awards, heroic and selfless acts happen in local retailing outlets across Scotland on a far more regular basis than you might imagine. It’s just that these acts are rarely reported or celebrated. The SLR Above & Beyond Awards were created to put that right. Everyday heroism is what separates local retailing from all other channels, and this is what makes the Awards so vital and necessary.

EVEN EASIER ENTRY

ANYONE CAN NOMINATE A R! TA STORE SUPERS

be an in-store You don’t have to nate someone. mi no to ue ag lle co minations We will accept no olesalers from, suppliers, wh s been or anyone who ha store impressed by a item member.

The entry process is nomination-based and allows anyone to nominate a store team member for the Above & Beyond Awards. Whether you’re a colleague in the store, a supplier or a wholesaler, you can make nominations for store team members who you believe deserve recognition. The entry process is extremely simple. All you have to do is complete the very brief entry form online (find it at slrmag.co.uk/aboveandbeyond) and then provide us with basic information along with some detail on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award. We will then call every nominee to find out more. It’s that simple.

NEXT STEPS When all of the calls are complete, we will create an extensive list of finalists, and all finalists will be invited free of charge to a celebratory lunch in Glasgow in March 2027. Working with our generous sponsors, we will ensure that everyone joining us is treated to a magical day, a great meal, a few drinks and the chance to catch up with fellow shopfloor superheroes and learn more about why local retailing is the beating heart of every Scottish community. So please don’t hang around: it takes less than a minute to get a nomination in and that little bit of effort could end up making all the difference to your nominee. It’s never been more important to give our hard-working store colleagues the recognition they so thoroughly deserve.

HOW TO NOMINATE A COLLEAGUE… It couldn’t be quicker or easier: Q Find the simple nomination form online: slrmag.co.uk/aboveandbeyond Q All we need from you is some very basic information - the nominee’s name, job title and contact

CELEBRATORY LUNCH ,

10 MARCH 2027 GLASGOW

telephone number - plus some detail on why you believe your nominee should be considered for an award. Q Complete and return to events@55north.com Contact Cara with any questions: cbegley@55north.com Our judging panel will then personally call every nominee to find out a little more from them. It’s a very informal and relaxed call and allows us to gather the information we need to share your nominee’s story with the world.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

www.slrmag.co.uk

Above & Beyond Awards

NEEDING SOME INSPIRATION?

Inside Business

AWARDS CATEGORIES INDEPENDENT STORE COLLEAGUE

Alison Lennon, Day-Today Shotts Alison helped save the life of an elderly customer who didn’t arrive for his daily morning paper as usual. Alison went to his house where she discovered that he had had a serious accident and had been unable to call for help. Alison quickly raised the alarm, calling the emergency services, and the customer’s life was saved. “The Above & Beyond Awards were such a fantastic experience,” Alison says. “I’d never really considered that I was doing anything that special or ‘astonishing’ until I was nominated, so it was really lovely to be told that and to meet so many other inspiring people.”

(Sponsored by Mondelez International) Open to all colleagues working in independently owned local retailing stores in Scotland that are unaffiliated or members of any symbol group, fascia or franchise.

COMPANY-OWNED STORE COLLEAGUE (Sponsored by CJ Lang/Spar Scotland) Open to all colleagues working in CJ Lang company-owned stores in Scotland.

BUSINESS BOOSTER Salman Javed, A&J Stores Stenhousemuir Young Salman Javed just happened to step outside his parents’ store when he noticed a man suffering with chest pains in the road. He rushed over to help and before he knew it the man had collapsed. Salman dialled 999, put him into the recovery position and then sprinted for the community defibrillator which is housed outside his store. He then used the defibrillator to resuscitate the man and save his life. “It was all a bit of a blur but we had been fully trained on using the defib and, even though I was shaking with nerves, I followed the instructions and, thankfully, it worked. “I would urge everybody to have a think about some of the amazing things their colleagues may have done and make sure they nominate them. Our stores are true community hubs and it’s great that the Above & Beyond Awards helps shine a light on the stuff that usually goes unnoticed.”

Open to all colleagues who have materially improved their store’s performance by suggesting or introducing a new concept, product, service, communication method or a change in operational process.

TEAM OF THE YEAR Open to all in-store teams which have pulled together to make a positive difference to their store’s performance and/ or to their community.

UP & COMING STAR Sponsored by Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Open to all colleagues aged 25 or under working in any of the store formats detailed above who have shown themselves to be outstanding colleagues with a bright future in the sector ahead of them.

Alix Kligg, Londis Solo Convenience Store, Baillieston Quick-thinking Alix performed crucial first aid when a local lady fell and hit her head in the street outside the store last summer. An ambulance had been called but was still a long way off – so Alix calmly took matters in hand by assessing the lady and giving vital first aid before phoning back to the store for blankets to keep the poor lady warm. Alix then found the lady’s phone and called her husband, before arranging for someone to bring him to the scene. “I didn’t really think of this as anything special. It’s just what we do at the store because we’re really community focused. But the Award helped me realise that I had actually done something pretty special and I was delighted to have it recognised.”

www.slrmag.co.uk

LONG SERVICE AWARD (Sponsored by Cadbury) Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who have worked in the sector, or a single store or chain, for an extended period of time.

ASTONISHING ACT Open to all colleagues working in any of the store formats detailed above who truly went Above & Beyond to perform an astonishing act that had a massive positive impact on a customer, colleague or the community.

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Inside Business

Above & Beyond Awards

A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS:

Susan Nash, Trade Communications Manager at Mondeléz International

Frank McCarron, Company Owned Store Director, CJ Lang/Spar Scotland

Kate Abbotson, Senior External Communications Manager, CCEP

“As the supplier of iconic brands such as Cadbury, Bournville, Oreo, Maynards Bassetts, belVita and Dairylea, Mondeléz International recognises the vital role independent retailers play in connecting our snacks with consumers. We’re proud to celebrate and reward those who consistently go the extra mile for their shoppers, their teams and their communities. Mondeléz International is delighted to sponsor the Independent Store Colleague and Long Service categories at the SLR Above & Beyond Awards, honouring some of the most exceptional individuals in independent retail. Best of luck to all entrants!”

“There’s absolutely no doubt that our team members are our greatest asset and that’s a fact that is clearly recognised and appreciated by our customers in stores across Scotland. “We fully understand that convenience store staff often work tirelessly behind the scenes, truly serving as the unsung heroes of the community. It’s a genuine privilege for us to participate in the SLR Above & Beyond Awards to celebrate and honour their dedication and hard work, highlighting their invaluable contributions and the massive role they play in communities across Scotland.”

“Scottish convenience stores are a seven-days-a-week collective effort, with many unsung colleagues working quietly behind the scenes bringing new ideas to stores, delivering unwavering commitment to business continuity or going above and beyond for their team or local community. And that’s why we’re back for a third year, together with SLR, to recognise and celebrate the efforts and achievements of the behind-the-scenes heroes and rising stars in Scottish convenience – so we can share their stories, say thank you and inspire others to follow suit.”

OUR SPONSORS

A N D

S O N

L I M I T E D

SLR

PRESENTS

THE ABOVE AND BEYOND AWARDS 2027 42

MEDIA PARTNER

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

TO NOMINATE STORE COLLEAGUES, PLEASE VISIT SLRMAG.CO.UK/ABOVEANDBEYOND OR SCAN THE QR CODE OPPOSITE www.slrmag.co.uk

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

www.slrmag.co.uk

Store Investment

Inside Business

TRANSFORMING SPAR MACALPINE ROAD U

Umayr Asif reveals the changes he has made at Spar Macalpine Road since acquiring the store from CJ Lang. BY SARAH BRITTON

mayr Asif, who runs a chain of shops in Dundee alongside his father, Mohammed, purchased two Spar stores from CJ Lang last December. One of the Spar stores, based on Perth Road, has been converted into a Family Shopper, while the other on Macalpine Road will remain a Spar. However, the 10,000sq ft site, which includes a 4,000sq ft shopfloor, has just undergone a major redevelopment. “We ripped it to shreds and brought Vertex in to do a full refit,” says Umayr. It was his success with online deliveries that helped him to seal the deal with CJ Lang. The family’s Premier Nethergate store won the SLR Home Delivery Award in 2021 and their three main Snappy Shopper stores generate strong sales. “The idea was that if I kept the Macalpine store as a Spar and it performed well with Snappy, they would retain the wholesale business,” he explains. “Everyone was happy with that arrangement.” While the store is located close to Umayr’s other outlets, its customer base varies. “The Spar customer is different because the store is on the main road and gets a lot of passing trade,” he explains. For this reason, food to go is a major focus of the refit. Umayr has experience in this arena as his Premier store in Carnoustie houses a Chicken Cottage takeaway and a self-branded Lay Lay’s Dessert bar named after Umayr’s daughter, Alaiya. A Lay Lay’s has just been installed at Macalpine Road, flagged with bright neon signage. “As we already have dessert bars in two other stores, we’ve got the training procedures and experienced staff to support it,” he says. “It’s all about presentation.” The dessert bar is set to go live this month, as are Snappy deliveries. He is also planning a food-to-go franchise, along similar lines to Premier Carnoustie. “I’ve applied for Class 3 consent because the store is massive. It will be a branded franchise. There’s a chip shop and an Indian takeaway in the local area, but we have something in the pipeline that the locals will love.”

www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Inside Business

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Store Investment

www.slrmag.co.uk

Store Investment

Inside Business

The cutting-edge store now boasts 24m of refrigeration and 12m of frozen. The first aisle is dominated by chillers stocked with sandwiches, impulse soft drinks, dairy products and meats. The shop is set to make its chilled food-to-go offer more viable by preparing products in store. “We’ve built a central kitchen at the back. Now we’re using Clarks the bakers, but we’ll start making sandwiches, baguettes, wraps and rolls ourselves and supply them across the estate.” A food-to-go area on the opposite side of the shop features Rollover Hotdogs, Barista Bar coffee, Frozen Coca-Cola and Tango Ice Blast machines. The spacious entrance and LED edge-lit ceiling tiles create a modern look throughout the store, while halo lighting makes a feature of the counter area, which showcases large vape and spirit displays. Behind the signage is smart wooden panelling, which Umayr says was inspired by Co-op. Spar’s Iceland offer is located in the second aisle and has proved a big hit with customers. “Iceland is doing really well, and the Greggs frozen range is particularly strong,” says Umayr. At the back of the store lies a beer cave, which received a further cosmetic update following the refit. “The only tweak we’ve made since the refit was changing the beer cave to an all-black finish.” The store has its own car park, so Umayr is looking to extend services. The refit was supposed to take around three weeks but ended up taking the best part of two months. “We kept the store open throughout,” he says. “The ceramic tile flooring alone took about 10 days to complete.” Shoppers have been kept up to date with the changes via the store’s social media. “We’ve been telling customers about the new ownership through Facebook.” They have been delighted by the changes. “People are happy the store looks beautiful.” Umayr is pleased with the store’s progress so far. “I’ve had some teething issues, but we’re getting there. Spar are looking after me, so I can’t complain,” he says. “It’s different from Premier in terms of delivery days and how things operate, but the store is growing every week.” “Spar has been by my side throughout the whole process and without their support, the transition wouldn’t have been as easy as it was.” He is looking forward to growing sales over the coming months. “The refit did the store the world of good. Once Snappy Shopper, the foodto-go offer, the desserts and our in-store food serving is in place, the store can only get better.” www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Hotlines

Product News & Media Watch

Candy Realms Petrifying Pumpkins & Choco Skulls World of Sweets Candy Realms is introducing several frightful new products for Halloween, including Jelly Pumpkins, a 170g bag of fruit-flavoured fizzy pumpkin sweets, and Candy Skulls, strawberry and cream-flavoured choco candy skulls. Spookily enough, both lines have a £1 RSP.

CCEP adds Sprite, Fanta and Dr Pepper to Supercan range

Pistachio & Berries Winter Edition Red Bull Red Bull’s latest Winter Edition combines a nutty flavour with a berry finish. It is available in 250ml (£1.80 RSP), 250ml (£1.75 PMP), Sugarfree 355ml (£2.20 RSP), 473ml (£2.80 PMP), Sugarfree 473ml (£2.75 RSP) and Sugarfree 250ml four-pack (£5.75 RSP). The launch is backed by a national ‘In for the WINter’ campaign focused on socialising and games nights.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has expanded its 500ml Supercan range with the nationwide launch of Sprite, Fanta Orange and Dr Pepper in the larger single-serve can format. The three brands join Coca-Cola Original Taste, Coca-Cola Zero Sugar and Diet Coke in the range, with Coca-Cola Cherry also set to be added. CCEP said the 500ml cans have already generated £10.71m in value sales across the Coca-Cola brand. Sprite, Fanta Orange and Dr Pepper each feature bespoke packaging designs. Sprite is launching with its ‘Super FAN Edition x NBA’, Fanta Orange with its ‘Super FANta Edition’, and Dr Pepper with its ‘Super

2260446 Portfolio KV 500ml cans 4 Landscape v1.indd 1

Weird Edition’, linked to the brand’s ‘Try More Weird’ platform. The new variants are available now in 500ml cans with a £1.90 RSP. Retailers can access free POS materials through MyCCEP.com to support in-store displays and drive visibility for the range. Rob Yeomans, Vice-President, Commercial Development at CCEP GB, said: “For retailers, this isn’t about choosing between cans and bottles. Different formats work for different shoppers and different occasions. Supercan gives retailers another option in the chiller.”

07-09-2026 16:39

Doritos Protein Pepsico

Cheez-It £1 PMPs Kellanova

High-protein Soups Crosse & Blackwell

Cadbury Delights Oreo Mondelez

Doritos has entered the high-protein snacks segment with the launch of Doritos Protein in two flavours: Sweet Chilli Chipotle and Sizzling Steak. The new range contains 10g of protein per 48g bag (RSP £2) and is made from soya, lentils and corn. The non-HFSS popped chips are high in protein and fibre and contain 30% less fat than regular tortilla chips. PepsiCo said one in five Britons now follows a highprotein diet.

Cheez-It has expanded its convenience offering with the launch of a new two-strong 65g £1 PMP range. Double Cheese is the brand’s biggest-selling singles flavour, while Cheese & Smokey Bacon taps into growing consumer demand for bacon-flavoured crisps, snacks and nuts. Made with 100% real cheese and no artificial colours or flavours, the baked snacks are aimed at on-the-go consumption.

Available in 400g cans, the twostrong range comprises Tomato, Lentil & Chilli and Tomato & Mixed Bean flavours and has an RSP of £1.25. Tomato & Mixed Bean contains 14g of protein and is high in fibre, while Tomato, Lentil & Chilli delivers 10g of protein and is a source of fibre. Both count as one of consumers’ five-a-day and contain no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.

The new product combines Cadbury chocolate with Oreo, contains less than 100 calories per bar, and is a source of fibre. It comes in an 80g four-pack (RSP £1.25) and a 100g five-bar multipack (RSP £1.75). Both are available in cases of nine. The launch is supported by a traditional media campaign, and is designed to meet demand for lower-calorie treats and give retailers a new option in the permissible indulgence segment.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

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Product News & Media Watch Mentos Green Apple Roll Strawberry Mix Roll Perfetti Van Melle

Cotton Candy Tubes and Sour Blue Raspberry Tubes Fini

Mentos Strawberry Mix Roll offers three strawberry flavours – sweet, original and sour – in one roll. Meanwhile, Mentos Green Apple Roll brings a crisp apple flavour to the range. Both have been developed to build on the success of Mentos Fruit, described by PVM as the UK’s number one fruit single. They are available exclusively from Booker and come in 37.5g rolls (RSP 75p), with 40 units per outer.

Cotton Candy Tubes offer a take on the classic candyfloss fairground flavour, while Sour Blue Raspberry Tubes combine a fruity taste with the appeal of sour confectionery. Available in 140g price-marked packs with an RSP of £1.25, both products are designed to offer shoppers a clear value cue. The packs are also available in clip strips.

Werther’s Original Speculoos Caramel Popcorn Storck Available now with a £2.50 RSP, the limited-edition 140g sharing bag combines the brand’s caramelcoated popcorn with a speculoos flavour profile similar to the spiced caramelised biscuit taste popularised by Biscoff. A 72 x 140g FSDU is also available. The launch has been timed to coincide with Christmas trading, to give retailers a seasonal sharing snack option.

Huel Ramen Danone Available in Black Edition and Lite variants, Huel Ramen combines instant noodles with high protein, fibre and 26 vitamins and minerals. Black Edition contains 40g of plant-based protein and around 350 calories per pot, while Lite offers 25g of protein and fewer than 230 calories. All products are vegan friendly. Booker will initially stock Black Edition Katsu Curry Noodles and Lite Classic ‘Chicken’ Flavour ahead of a wider roll out in January.

Hotlines

 Now you Cee it Coca-Cola has launched ‘Taste Every Second’, its 2026/27 Premier League campaign that features UK rapper Central Cee. The campaign will be supported by retail activation, sampling, watch parties, trophy appearances and fan experiences throughout the season, alongside social media, influencer and out-of-home advertising.

Biscuit boost McVitie’s has launched a multi-million-pound campaign celebrating the role its biscuits play in everyday occasions across the UK. Running until the end of the month, the activity spans TV, online video, cinema, social media and out-of-home advertising, backed by limitededition packs and in-store support to drive biscuit sales.

Najma debut Halal cooked meats brand Najma has launched its first TV advert as part of a £300,000 marketing spend. The campaign focuses on the everyday ritual of parents placing notes in their children’s lunchboxes. Other activity includes out-of-home, YouTube, TikTok and Meta advertising, with influencer partnerships planned for later in the year.

Breakfast call Magnum Crackables Magnum Ice Cream Co. Magnum has relaunched its ice cream pint range under the new Magnum Crackables name, putting its signature cracking chocolate shell front and centre. The range has been updated with improved recipes and new packaging. It is available in three flavours – Classic, Salted Caramel and Pistachio – with an RSP of £4.95. Each features a chocolate shell on top of layered ice cream, sauce and chocolate shards.

Fox’s Chocolatey Pumpkin Spice Indulgent Creams Fox’s Burton’s Companies Fox’s new limited edition features a chocolate-coated shortcake biscuit with a pumpkin spice-flavoured cream centre combining cinnamon and ginger. The 122g packs are available from now until December in Booker and have an RSP of £3 and a promotional price of £2.50. FBC said the launch is the first branded pumpkin spice biscuit and is designed to tap into seasonal demand during autumn.

Arla has kicked off its new Feed Life platform with a nationwide campaign encouraging consumers to make time for breakfast. ‘Breakfast Yourself to Victory’ highlights the role dairy can play as part of a balanced diet and runs across TV, digital, social media, influencer activity, experiential events and outof-home advertising.

Baked in Hovis has launched a new £4m nationwide media campaign for its ‘Strength Baked In’ platform. Running across TV, video on demand, YouTube, radio, social media and out of home, the activity uses vintage Hovis ghost signs and community-themed murals to celebrate the bakery brand’s heritage and everyday resilience.

for all the latest product news, head to www.slrmag.co.uk/category/product-news/ www.slrmag.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Feature

RTDs

A VERY MERRY MIX

RTDs are set to sparkle this Christmas as consumers seek out cocktails and convenience. BY SARAH BRITTON

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

aving evolved from a niche segment into a major force within the alcohol category, ready-to-drink beverages (RTDs) continue to go from strength to strength. And with winter on the horizon, it’s time for local stores to capitalise on party-season demand and keep the category in good spirits in the run-up to Christmas and beyond. NielsenIQ describes RTDs as one of the few bright spots in alcoholic beverages right now. Across Western Europe, overall alcoholic beverages are declining, with value down 1.6% and units down 1.9%. RTDs, meanwhile, are growing 11.2% in value and 11.1% in volume, reports the group in its recently published analysis The Next Round: What’s Driving the Future of RTDs. RTDs deliver predictable portions, clear alcohol content and convenient cocktail-style serves, states the report. “This combination

is resonating with drinkers across Western Europe, where 27% of RTD consumers cite portion control as a key reason for choosing the category and 26% value knowing exactly what they are getting. As a result, RTDs are increasingly viewed not simply as packaged drinks, but as an accessible cocktail occasion.” One brand at the heart of the action is WKD from SHS Drinks, which has seen success via a broad range of flavours, formats and strengths. From alcohol-free choices with WKD 0.0%, through to 330ml cans at 3.4% ABV, alongside the higher-ABV WKD X range, the portfolio enables retailers to meet evolving consumer preferences while maximising sales opportunities across multiple drinking occasions. The launch of WKD Cocktails earlier this year has taken innovation further, bringing familiar on-trade serves such as Cheeky V, Venom and Blue Lagoon into a format designed for at-home social occasions. With party season upon us, consumers are highly likely to be on the hunt for cocktails that can help them bring the magic of Christmas into their homes. www.slrmag.co.uk

Based on a traditional recipe from the 19th Century, Buckfast Tonic Wine captivates the senses with its deep full-bodied velvety flavour and lingering warm vanilla finish. While Buckast Tonic Wine can be savoured on its own, its versatility truly sets it apart. Simply try it over ice or get creative as this exceptional drink serves as an extraordinary foundation for a whole host of cocktails.

visit buckfast.com for more serving suggestions for the facts about alcohol visit: drinkaware.co.uk

Feature

RTDs

“For retailers, success starts with making the category impossible to miss,” says Scott Bell, Marketing Director at SHS Drinks. “Chilled singles should dominate the drinks fridge for shoppers looking to consume immediately, while nearby merchandising of multipacks and larger formats helps capture those purchasing for planned social occasions.” Just in time for the festive season, SHS has launched ShoTTails, the market’s first canned RTD shot brand. At the heart of the brand is the “ShoTTails moment”, the spontaneous arrival of a round of shots that brings friends together in a shared ritual and often becomes one of the occasion’s most memorable moments. The range will debut with Baby G, a vegan, creamy coffee liqueur-style drink with a contemporary twist. Presented in a pocket-sized 125ml can containing two servings, Baby G has an ABV of 14% and an RSP of £3.40. Further ontrend varieties are planned as ShoTTails develops into a broader range of innovative shot creations. The launch responds to growing consumer demand for shots, particularly among 18 to 30-year-olds. Some 34% of consumers say they prefer shots on a night out, while 43% enjoy mixed-flavour varieties and 32% order a tray of shots, underlining the format’s strong connection with shared, sociable occasions. Shots also over-index by 14% among young adults [High Tempo 25/26 Drinks Report – CGA by NIQ], but the ritual has traditionally remained concentrated in bars and nightclubs. Increasingly, that dynamic is changing, as 67% of consumers now regularly drink at home [ibid], creating a sizeable opportunity to translate familiar on-trade experiences into accessible take-home formats. Canned cocktails are already benefiting from this shift, growing by 28% in multiples and 77% in impulse [Nielsen – Annual Volume Sales – vs Young Adults – 52 weeks to 11.07.26]. ShoTTails brings these trends together in a proposition that is unique within the take-home market yet immediately recognisable to consumers. Alex Wilcox, Senior Brand Manager for New Ventures at SHS Drinks, says: “Today’s nights out are driven as much by momentum as location. The build-up, pre-drinks and spontaneous moments surrounding the main event can be every bit as social and memorable, yet few products have been created specifically for them. ShoTTails combines the excitement and theatre of shots with the convenience and accessibility of a canned cocktail, giving consumers a completely new way to enjoy a familiar ritual.” 52

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SHS isn’t the only firm tapping into the festive season. Vogo is also hoping to take full advantage of the demand for RTDs among young adults. Vogo launched this summer with a heavy focus on the Scottish convenience retail sector and is now looking to maintain that momentum throughout November and December. The four-flavour range of premixed vodka shots is pitched at an accessible price point and comes in individual portable shot pouches. The handy pocket-sized pouches are aimed at consumers who enjoy fun gatherings in the home, get-togethers with friends, or even predrinks before a festive night out on the town. “Designed to fit into today’s fast-paced, hightempo lifestyles, these fun, convenient and innovative drinks are aimed at the 20 to 35 age group,” says David Relph, Commercial Manager at Vogo. “They can be consumed immediately with a ‘rip and sip’ format – tear open, take a few sips, then recycle. “When it comes to ranging RTDs, it’s about knowing your consumer, what they look for in a party drink, and offering products that bring a novelty element that fits into their lifestyles. Flavour is important and the Vogo range invites consumers to move through the variants to find their favourites, with taste and ease of use driving brand loyalty to keep them coming back for more.” Innovation is playing an increasingly important role in RTD growth, claims NielsenIQ. “In Western Europe, 15.4% of RTD sales come from innovations, up from 13% a year ago, while innovation contribution has declined across beer, wine and spirits,” says the report. “This highlights the category’s ability to continually attract consumers through new formats, flavours and premium propositions.” As shoppers gear up for celebrations with family and friends, RTDs are well placed to remain a standout performer. Retailers that keep pace with the latest trends, flavours and formats will be best placed to raise a glass to strong sales this Christmas and beyond.

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Feature

Christmas Confectionery

SWEETEN THE SEASON Capture Christmas shoppers’ spend with a mix of traditional treats and inspiring NPD.

espite household cost pressures, Christmas remains the biggest trading opportunity of the year for retailers. “From gifting and entertaining to stocking fillers and everyday treats, confectionery plays a role in almost every festive shopping mission,” claims Rebecca Robert, Marketing Director at Storck UK. “For retailers, the opportunity lies in stocking a range that caters to different occasions and budgets.” She says 97% of UK households bought confectionery in the run-up to Christmas 2025, spending an average of £76.50 per person (Kantar Worldpanel 12we 28.12.25). Retailers up on their Christmas game may well have already sold some of the new Cadbury Biscoff Filled Centres. The spherical treats join Cadbury Puds, which are the No. 1 product in the self-eat novelty category in independent convenience and symbol stores [Mondelez International, Brcr retailer survey, January-February 2026]. Mars Wrigley has also waved its innovation wand this season with Crispy M&M’s Mini Santas – a small sharing bag of crispy, Santa-shaped pieces, which can be sold alongside the original single ‘self-eat’ option. While September was all about smaller lines, October and November are key for sharing and gifting products. Mars Wrigley is expecting its Maltesers White Box to appeal to the under-35s who over-index in white chocolate. Meanwhile, Mondelez is hoping to crack Christmas kids’ novelties with its Smash Bauble concept (90g, RSP £2.70). Consumers crush the chocolate shell to reveal Freddo Faces or Chocolate Buttons inside. The firm has also launched a sharing pouch offering a mix of Cadbury Dairy Milk (CDM) and CDM Biscoff chunks (230g, RSP £6.29). Gifting blocks are a key sales driver, with the CDM 345g bar the number one gift block in independent retailers and symbol groups [ibid]. Come December, the ‘gifting finish’ sales period makes up 37% of total Christmas sales in independent convenience and symbol groups [ibid], states Mondelez. The Cadbury Medium Selection Box is the number one product in the category [ibid]. Mars Wrigley is targeting male gifters, who it says are under-indexed in selection box formats, with The Snickers & Friends Selection Box featuring Twix, Mars and Snickers lines. 54

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

Swizzels is livening things up with an affordable selection box (RSP £3) featuring a Mega Drumstick Lolly, Double Dip, Giant Love Hearts, Drumstick Squashies Original, Giant Parma Violets and Refreshers Original Chew Bar. “Nostalgia has been a key trend throughout the last year, with retro sweets continuing to perform well,” says Clare Newton, Trade and Shopper Marketing Manager at Swizzels. The supplier also points to its Sweet Shop Favourites tub, which is filled with classic favourites, such as Love Hearts, Refreshers and Fruity Pops, as well as Drumstick Squashies. Also tapping into the growing demand for products that combine comfort, nostalgia and value is Werther’s Original. The brand’s Golden Mix Gift Box returns this Christmas. “Featuring a selection of Butter Candies, Toffees, Creamy Filling and Chocolate Fudge, it provides caramel lovers with a distinctive gifting option,” says Robert. World of Sweets also has plenty of affordable options for consumers seeking alternatives to chocolate and claims they can work well as either stocking- or Christmas Eve Box-fillers. Products include Jelly Candy Canes, Christmas Candy Lollies and Festive Gummy Pops. Its Elves Behavin’ Badly range is upping the ante this season with new 5D Peelable Gummies featuring individually wrapped gummy cubes with a character hidden inside, while the new Reindeer Poop Prank Bag contains cola-flavoured jelly beans at £1 RSP. Kathryn Hague, Group Head of Marketing at World of Sweets, says: “Seasonal confectionery gives retailers a real opportunity to bring newness and theatre into store.”

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Feature

Winter Medicines

JUST THE TONIC A carefully balanced range featuring beacon brands could be just the fix consumers are looking for. BY SARAH BRITTON

inter Medicines is an important category for retailers, worth more than £643m a year [Nielsen Scantrack, Total Coverage, 52 weeks to 08.08.26]. “Demand can surge during December, immediately after Christmas and into early January as people spend more time together and illnesses circulate [ibid],” says Robert Slater, Sales & Commercial Director, SHS Sales & Marketing. The firm represents Reckitt and Haleon and its portfolio features Lemsip, Strepsils, Beechams, Otrivine, Nurofen, Nuromol, Anadin and Panadol. “Maintaining availability throughout this period is essential, because a missed sale caused by an empty shelf may also mean losing the shopper’s wider basket spend.” Looking back at 2025, he observes that cold and flu season arrived early, peaking during October and November before falling back significantly after Christmas. However, sales remained resilient during the first half of 2026, with cold and flu remedies up 5%, decongestants up 4% and sorethroat treatments up 3% [Nielsen Winter Meds Category, Total Market Value Sales, 12 weeks to 16.05.26 versus the same period in 2025]. While retailers understandably focus on cough, cold and flu remedies, the season presents wider opportunities across OTC, believes SHS. “Christmas is often a period of rich food, social occasions and greater indulgence, prompting shoppers to seek fast, trusted relief from indigestion and heartburn,” says Slater. “Stocking recognised products such as Gaviscon can therefore generate valuable incremental sales as customers look to ease the effects of festive excess.”

THE SELF-CARE SHIFT The wider self-care trend is creating additional opportunities for retailers. The PAGB’s 2025 SelfCare Census, found 84% of adults choosing self-care 56

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

as their first option, while 91% used an OTC medicine for a minor ailment in the past year. The study also found three-quarters of GP appointments for self-treatable conditions resulted in advice to use OTC medicines. “In the wake of Covid, consumers are increasingly willing to selfmedicate rather than immediately visiting a doctor or pharmacy, with OTC medicines sales typically 30% ahead of where they were pre-Covid in the impulse channel [SHS Sales Out Account Data],” says Slater. To maximise sales, SHS advises making medicines easy to find and shop. Although some retailers keep OTC medicines behind the counter for safety reasons, trials have shown that placing suitable products where shoppers can browse formats, compare trusted brands and select the most appropriate option can have a significant positive impact on sales. The PAGB’s 2025 Self-Care Census found that 61% of consumers say trust in a brand influences their OTC purchases, while 93% of branded OTC buyers use brand names to help them identify the right medicine. SHS advises that the main fixture should be clearly organised by need, helping shoppers quickly navigate across pain relief, cold and flu, sore throat, cough, decongestant and children’s remedies. In addition, SHS data finds winter medicines delivering significant sales uplifts when sold from an FSDU, with some products achieving increases of more than 80% compared with being stocked behind the counter. Format also has an important role to play, as Slater explains: “Cold and flu remedy sales currently divide approximately into 50% tablets, 40% sachets and 10% liquids, so fixtures should broadly represent that balance.” Retailers who combine strong availability, recognised brands and effective merchandising can ensure winter medicines remain not only an essential shopper service but also a valuable source of incremental sales throughout the colder months. www.slrmag.co.uk

SHS Sales & Marketing

Advertising Feature

ARE YOU READY FOR THE WINTER REMEDIES RUSH? Winter brings a sharp rise in demand for trusted OTC products, but the opportunity extends throughout the year. SHS Sales & Marketing explains how early preparation and strong availability can help retailers grow the category.

GETTING AHEAD OF THE SEASONAL SURGE As summer ends, convenience retailers should prepare for rising demand for cough, cold and seasonal illness remedies. When symptoms strike, shoppers want fast access to familiar products they trust. But winter remedies are far more than a seasonal necessity. Whilst the demand for winter remedies starts to build from September onwards, a solid year-round range covering pain relief, first aid, digestive health and cough and cold needs is an essential foundation. SHS Sales & Marketing brings decades of category experience and a portfolio including Lemsip, Strepsils, Beechams, Otrivine, Nurofen/Nuromol, Anadin and Panadol, helping retailers drive sales, basket spend and repeat visits. BUILDING AVAILABILITY BEFORE DEMAND PEAKS Over-The-Counter (OTC) sales remain around 30% above pre-Covid levels1, while cold and flu medicine sales can double during September once children return to school and winter illnesses start circulating2, with further peaks around Christmas and early January. In the first half of 2026, cold and flu remedies grew 5%, decongestants 4% and sore-throat treatments 3%3. As these trends carry on across the winter months, retailers have an opportunity to maximise sales by stocking up early, maintaining strong availability and ensuring a good range of options are available for shoppers.

Our work with retailers consistently shows that placing OTC medicines on the shop floor where consumers can browse the options consistently drives incremental sales. Strong signposting using familiar brands helps shoppers find the right product quickly. Seasonal FSDUs can hold extra stock, maintain availability and create visibility beyond the main fixture; some medicines have achieved sales uplifts of more than 80% compared with being stocked behind the counter alone4. Cross-merchandising with tissues, hot drinks and lip balm can make the complete winter-care mission easier to shop. Above all, we advise retailers to prepare early, stock the leading brands across the key symptoms and make products as easy as possible for shoppers to find. Robert Slater, Sales & Commercial Director, SHS Sales & Marketing

www.slrmag.co.uk

EXPERIENCE AND BRANDS RETAILERS CAN TRUST Being able to quickly find well-known and trusted brands is especially important in the OTC category. Leading brands should sit at the heart of your range, supported by preferred formats of around 50% tablets, 40% sachets and 10% liquids. Representing Brand Owners including Reckitt and Haleon, SHS Sales & Marketing covers key symptoms ranging from cold and flu, coughs, sore throats and congestion to adult and children’s pain relief and indigestion remedies. With decades of experience across convenience and wholesale, SHS Sales & Marketing combines category insight and retail expertise to help retailers anticipate these trends and convert them to in-store sales.

Sources Sales Out Account Data Nielsen Scantrack, Total Coverage, 31.08.2024 – 15.02.2025 Nielsen – Winter Meds Category - Value Sales – 12 weeks to May 16th vs 2025 4 SHS Sales and Marketing Internal Sales Data 1 2 3

To hear more about our expertise call +44 (0) 1452 378500 or visit www.shs-sales.co.uk

OCTOBER 2026 | SLR

Feature

Smoking Alternatives

CHANGE IS AFOOT Find out how the Vape Duty Tax could impact shopper behaviour.

igh puff count devices continue to be the strongest performer within the Scottish convenience channel, accounting for just over 60% of sales, highlights Elfbar. “Rising cigarette prices and cost-of-living pressures are contributing to this trend, with larger-capacity products favoured over smaller devices for their greater e-liquid volume and lower cost per puff,” says Associate General Manager Angelo Yang. Manir Ahmed, Business Development Manager at Vape Supplier Ltd, explains the impact of the popularity of high puff count devices on convenience retailers. “With disposables [before the ban] people were coming in to shops every day or every second day and buying a couple of vapes and buying other things while they were terms [IRI Marketplace, w/e 05-07-26],” says STG Head of in store. But now what’s happened with the Marketing Prianka Jhingan. “Although more sales currently big puffs, people buy one and you won’t see take place in the grocery channel, they continue to grow that person for three or four days.” fastest in the convenience channel. In fact, our latest data show But things might come full circle with the pouch volume sales have grown by 57% in the last twelve months Vape Product Duty, which comes into force on in convenience stores, with our own XQS selling particularly well 1 October, he predicts. “All the big puffs are going in this channel.” to go up in price. We think people are going to go back In the face of rising costs, XQS has priced its products at around £1 to buying the lower 600-puff products, as there won’t be as much of an cheaper than other major brands in the market, at £5.50. increase on those.” Following a brand refresh earlier in the year, XQS has introduced a mint SNU agrees that the tax may prompt users of high puff count devices portfolio comprising 6mg The Spearmint, 10mg The Peppermint and The to switch. Menthol in 11mg and 17mg. “The Vape Product Duty will add an extra £2.20 per 10ml of e-liquid, Whether consumers trade down to lower puff count devices, switch to therefore larger devices will see a significant rise in price,” says a spokesman. refillable systems or explore nicotine “Big puff vapes are likely to decline in popularity as consumers switch to pouches, the Vape Product Duty looks cheaper options.” set to be a major driver of change in He advises retailers to give consumers more choice on the pricing front. the smoking alternatives category. “Strengthening the range of more affordable formats, such as nicotine salts, can help stores retain customers who may be unwilling or unable to absorb price increases.” A FRESH START He says refillable pod kits and nicotine salts offer lower Juul Labs has launched a new starter kit with long-term costs and a broader range of flavours. “We an upgraded USB-C device, longer battery life, currently offer 52 unique flavours at Bar Juice. Nicotine salts reduced packaging and four flavoured pods. also provide retail store owners with high profit margins and Designed to help existing smokers transition, encourage repeat-purchase habits.” the JUUL2 Starter Kit includes Crisp Menthol, Nicotine pouches will not be affected by the Vape Product Virginia Tobacco, Mango and Watermelon Duty and are already seeing strong growth. “Our latest data flavours, offering more choice than the firm’s shows total UK nicotine pouch sales have now reached previous kit, which contained just two flavours. just under £250m and are growing by 46% YOY in volume The new four-pod set is priced at the same £9.99 RSP as the previous two-pack version, offering consumers significant savings and value. The revamped design offers a longer battery life and is rechargeable through a USB-C charging cable and port instead of the old USB charging dock system. Aligned with Juul Labs’ sustainability commitments, the packaging has been redesigned as a book-style single component to minimise waste.

SLR | OCTOBER 2026

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UTC

GUINN-LESS Under The Counter was shocked to discover that thirsty thieves had stolen two lorryloads of Guinness from a logistics hub near Liverpool. Detective Sergeant Gary McClatchy is leading the investigation into the theft. While the trailers involved in the heist have turned up, 800 barrels containing a whopping 70,000 pints of the black stuff have vanished. The culprits also remain at large. UTC suggests that DS McClatchy might have better luck finding them if he drops the ‘l’ from his name. Seventy thousand pints sounds a lot, but the Auld Boy was disappointed to learn it would

only fill about 1.6% of an Olympic-sized swimming pool – barely enough to submerge his claw-like toes. However, UTC is nothing if not a glass-halffull kind of geriatric. He reckons that, if poured into standard pint tumblers and laid end to end, the line would stretch for roughly 14 miles. Mind you, it would take an Olympic-sized amount of stupidity to lie one pint of Guinness horizontally, never mind 70,000 of them. So, assuming The Auld Boy hasn’t donned his hand-knitted swimming costume and is causing a stout-based stooshie at Hamilton

THROWING A WOBBLY A little piece of Under The Counter died when he discovered Morrisons was trialling AI-powered shopping trolleys. The Caper Smart Cart (no doubt named to equate The Big Shop with Ocean’s Eleven) uses all manner of fancy cameras and sensors to clock products that shoppers lob into it. It also keeps a running total of the damage you’re doing to your finances and even suggests what you might want to lob into it next. This is all very Futurama, but UTC can’t help wondering why a shopping basket on wheels requires more computing power than a space shuttle launch. As far as the Auld Boy is concerned, a trolley’s main purpose back in the day was to upset you even more about being in a supermarket instead of the pub. This was achieved via the lethal one-two combination of a wobbly wheel and the remains

SLR | OCTOBER 2026 26

of a sticky sweetie thoughtfully deposited by a previous occupant of the toddler seat. For reasons that elude UTC, the Caper Smart Cart has six wheels. He imagines every single one of them rotates perfectly thanks to sensor-driven automatic wheel balancing technology. And, far from featuring an AI-powered child infotainment system that will furnish weans with a university-level education while you ponder which brand of Coco Pops you’ll be shovelling into them this week, the trolley’s makers have done away with the toddler seat entirely. At least that’s genuine progress.

Water Palace, where the hell have 800 barrels of Guinness gone? A number of theories abound, but UTC reckons they’re safely stowed in a Liverpool lock-up and some scouse scallies are counting down to March 17 and the mother of all St Patrick’s Day parties.

DON’T MENTION THE D-WORD At the risk of oversharing, Under The Counter often struggles with diarrhoea. Not the medical condition. Far from it; his aversion to dietary fibre means he’s often found in the smallest room in the house passing extended periods of time, if not much else. No, the Auld Boy struggles to spell diarrhoea – it’s less of a word and more of an excuse to get rid of a bag of washing while playing Scrabble. So he remained unmoved, as it were, to discover that sales of Pepto-Bismol have quadrupled after the launch of its ‘Greasy Spoon’ TV ad. If you haven’t seen it, the ad stands out for its catchy jingle rattling off a list of digestive complaints that concludes with a drawnout “dia-ree-ahh”. And all accompanied by some on the nose dance moves. Nevertheless, UTC is all for more refreshing frankness around bodily functions. He wishes other brands would follow suit. Take the latest anodyne ad for Immodium Instants, for example. This blandly compares two tablets dissolving in water and ends with the tagline, ‘To calm the gut to its natural pace’. It’s okay, Immodium, nobody’s about to swoon like an elderly aunt in a Victorian novel if you mention the D-word. Although, for ease of spelling, the Auld Boy prefers ‘skitters’.

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LOW SUGAR

6FIBREg

NO ARTIFICIAL

SWEETENERS