NEWS, AWARDS, INSIGHTS, INTERVIEWS, NEW PRODUCTS, PROMOTIONS AND MUCH MORE…
s w e N
T DON’ .. MISS.
Londis Beer & Cider Festival returns Add tens of thousands in profit Get ready for the Jubilee Vol 35 Issue 2 April 2022
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New JUUL2 Available from May 2022 Designed for adult smokers. Not for sale to minors. JUUL is an e-cigarette. This is an age-restricted product and age verification is required at sale. TM and © 2022 JUUL Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.
WARNING: This product contains nicotine Londis News March 22.indd 2
20/04/2022 17:29:05
otine which is a highly addictive substance. Londis News March 22.indd 3
20/04/2022 17:29:05
S I R E T MONS ST E T S A F Y G THE R E N E G N I GROW D IN GB. BRAN
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GET IN CONTACT TO FIND OUT MORE AT CONNECT@CCEP.COM OR CALL 0808 1000 000 © 2022 Monster Energy Company. All rights Reserved. MONSTER ENERGY®, ®, MONSTER ENERGY ULTRA® are all registered trademarks of Monster Energy Company. Fastest growing energy brand, Nielsen – Total GB, MAT Value sales growth, min 30% ND, W/E 01.01.22. No.4 biggest IC SKU in total soft drinks, Nielsen – Total GB, MAT Value sales IC, W/E 01.01.22. Fastest selling flavoured stimulation energy drinks, Nielsen – Total GB, MAT UROS, W/E 01.01.22 . No.1 zero sugar energy brand, Nielsen – Total GB, MAT Value sales, W/E 01.01.22, Monster delivered 70% of Total NPD sales – Nielsen – Total Coverage, Value Sales: MAT to W/E 01.01.22 - Monster delivered 56% of IC NPD sales – Nielsen Total Coverage Value Sales: MAT to W/E 01.01.22.
Londis News March 22.indd 4
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Contents
In this issue...
Park life A customercentric approach and streamlined operations are paying dividends
76 New stores
56 Top New Products An overview of the latest products to hit the shelves.
77 Birthdays
58 Meet the Buyer
Retailers celebrate success with Londis.
at Londis
Confectionery buyer Chris Dennis talks
Eltham Park.
sweet profits.
30
The latest stores to join Londis.
60
60 Beer & Cider Festival A great opportunity for retailers to rack up
The annual
additional footfall, sales and profits as the
9
Claims procedure updated New claims procedure easier than ever for retailers.
11 Booker supports needy
Cider Festival is
64 Jubilee year
66 Legislation update
2021.
laws.
news.
19 Calorie counting New calorie labelling laws on the horizon.
68 Rewarding efforts Top tips on winning industry awards.
75 ACS Viewpoint It’s time to start thinking about new HFSS rules.
22 Fresh beginnings
56
New Londis retailer sees life revitalised.
38 New lease of life Londis and Penny Petroleum bring Clifton Service Station back to life.
44 Small and mighty Strict focus helps Londis Chertsey to outsized sales.
52 Profit boosters Great solutions to add tens of thousands to you bottom line.
Londis News March 22.indd 5
back once more.
How to cash in a huge opportunity.
What you need to know on calorie labelling
A round-up of the latest Londis community
Londis Beer &
Beer & Cider festival returns.
Booker redistributed 1.8 million meals in
17 Community News
Beer & Cider Festival
NPD New products from your favourite suppliers.
n i t e G ch Tou Booker Retail Partners Tel: 0870 050 0158 Opening hours: 8am–5:30pm Monday to Friday
IT and Customer Services Opening hours (Monday to Friday): For customer services: 6am–9pm For IT: 7am–9pm Email: For customer services: londis.claims@bookerretail.co.uk or enquiries@londis.co.uk
Helpdesk: 0800 298 0758 Londis News team: Email: londisnews@londis.co.uk
20/04/2022 17:29:16
Londis News March 22.indd 6
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Here comes
WELCOME
is News! Welcome to our March issue of Lond
summer! New seasons bring exciting new opportunities for Londis retailers.
A very warm welcome to your latest issue of Londis News as our thoughts turn to a new season and a fresh set of opportunities over the coming months. As well as the warmer weather, we are certainly looking forward to a number of key seasonal opportunities before summer is upon us and we gear up for what we hope will be another productive, profitable season. You’ll find plenty of great advice, promotions and support in this issue to help you get the very best out of the months that lie ahead. Our annual Londis Beer & Cider Festival is
in strong demand in recent times and these new lines will
back with another fantastic selection of products and deals,
help you increase basket spend and unlock new sales and
all supported by a full POS pack to help you really bring the
profits.
festival to life in your store. Talking of unlocking new profits, in this feature you can With summer on the horizon, we are also taking a closer
read about some great ways to quickly grow your profits
look at the Jubilee occasion in this issue, a brilliant
with a range of fantastic food and drink-to-go solutions that
opportunity to grow sales in a wide range of categories as
deliver very significant PORs and require minimal attention
shoppers head outdoors to enjoy great times with family
from your team. You could follow other Londis retailers
and friends. Getting stocked up early to accommodate all
who have adopted solutions like Tango Ice Blast, Costa
those street parties and get-togethers will be key - and if
Coffee and home delivery and grow your bottom line by
you’re planning to hire bouncy castles, face painters or any
tens of thousands of pounds a year. It’s a great opportunity
other entertainment to bring the Jubilee to life around your
to attract new shoppers and grow sales with existing
store, the time to start booking is now. It’s sure to be a huge
shoppers.
occasion across the country so be sure to get involved and make the very most of a superb opportunity. Also worth checking out as the summer months come over the horizon is a new range of frozen products from Londis, including a new selection of ice cream and ice lolly multipacks. Larger format packs and multipacks have been
Look forward to seeing you in-store! Stewart Fenn Sales Director, Booker Retail Partners
7 Londis News March 22.indd 7
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YOUR LONDIS
Stories from around the Londis Family...
Booker streamlines retailer claims process A new online claims form will help simplify and speed up the retailer claims process for deliveries with damaged stock, shortages or other discrepancies.
Booker has responded to feedback from
photographs or other documents to support
Londis retailers by launching a new and
their claim.
improved claims process for retailers who receive deliveries with discrepancies, for
The system automatically validates the claims
example damaged stock or shortages.
as they are submitted and eliminates the risk of human error problems such as typing
While retailers previously had to call or email
the wrong invoice number or selecting the
the customer service team with any issues
wrong delivery.
around deliveries, the new process sees all claims managed online, directly through the
As a result, claims will be processed much
Booker website.
more quickly and efficiently, ensuring that once a credit is reviewed and approved,
To submit a claim, all that Londis retailers
credit notes will be issued instantaneously.
now need to do is click ‘My Account’ on the home page and then ‘Submit a Claim’.
The seamless process also allows retailers
After selecting the delivery date, the invoice
to track the progress of their claim on the
number can be chosen and the relevant
website at every stage of the process.
products selected. Retailers can even attach
Find us on
1
Home Screen My Account link is top right
2
Claims buttons once clicking ‘My Account’
3
Claim logging screen
4
Claim review screen
@myLondis
@myLondis @LondisRetail
@myLondis
Londis News March 22.indd 9
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STOCK UP NOW
MAXIMUM TASTE NO SUGAR Time to
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20/04/2022 17:29:23 2022/02/18 12:51
Working with the FareShare network of charities Booker has redistributed 773 tonnes of food to the needy, enough to provide the equivalent of 1.8 million meals.
Case Study:
Glyn Ceiriog Glyn Ceiriog is a
YOUR LONDIS
Booker distributes 1.8 million meals to the needy in 2021
voluntary support organisation run by Community Agent
Your Overall Impact in 2021
Davena Davies who
l 773 tonnes l 2,063 tonnes Co2e prevented from going to waste l 1.8 million meals l 3,792 charities l 1.6 billion litres water saved l 2.6 million cars miles off the road l 35,500 trees planted
works out of the local community hall in Glyntraian near Wrexham. It supplies food packages to anyone that is struggling to buy food themselves and supports between 60 and
Booker redistributed over 773 tonnes of
at Booker said: “These are some
food to communities across the UK in
impressive achievements but it’s worth
2021, the equivalent of more than 1.8
noting that Booker only started working
During the festive period,
million meals. Working with FareShare, the
with FareShare in April 2021 in a phased
with a lot of other local
UK’s biggest charity fighting hunger and
launch. It wasn’t until October 2021
organisations closed for
food waste, Booker is the first wholesaler
that all 198 Booker branches were fully
the holidays, Davena
to redistribute food directly to FareShare’s
involved – so we expect the results to
was offered extra food
network of charities through the FareShare
be even more impressive in 2022 when
by Booker Wrexham
Go programme and the free sharing app
we have a full year’s activity across all
for a special Christmas
OLIO.
branches to report.
community dinner.
OLIO’s ‘Food Waste Heroes’ collect food
“We are delighted that our teams across
“Everyone loved it
directly from Booker and Makro branches,
the whole Booker business have worked
and we were able to
which is then added to its app for people
so hard with their local partners to reach
supply it for free,” said
in the local area to collect.
this fantastic milestone. Not allowing any
Davena. “They were
edible food go to waste is something
very, very grateful that
In 2021, Booker helped an astonishing
that everyone at Booker is passionate
they were able to enjoy
3,792 individual charities through its work
about and we are proud to be the first
a Christmas dinner. The
with FareShare. Over 8,600 families were
wholesaler to work in such a collaborative
food we receive through
fed and almost 550,000 individuals were
way with FareShare and OLIO.
FareShare and Booker is
80 people.
very important, it helps
supported. Through FareShare Go, Booker sites are In addition, the activity also helped deliver
matched with charities and community
enormous environmental improvements.
groups in the local area that collect the
Well over 2,000 tonnes of CO2 was
items and turn that into food parcels or
prevented from going to waste, more
hot meals for the people they support.
us such a lot.”
than 1.6 billion litres of water were saved and some 2.6 million road miles were
The food redistributed by Booker includes
prevented. All in all, that’s the equivalent
a range of large catering size packs,
of planting 35,500 trees!
vegetables, deli and sandwich fillings, as well as smaller packs of meats, fish and
Catherine Marston, Head of Sustainability
fruit.
11 Londis News March 22.indd 11
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20/04/2022 15/02/2022 17:29:25 17:07
Three Booker butchers joined the elite ranks of Institute of Meat-accredited Master Butchers at their annual prizegiving last month.
Booker’s renowned butchery team further enhanced its
Keith Fisher, Chief Executive of the IoM, said: “Being
reputation and accreditations at Butchers Hall on London
granted accredited Master Butcher status is one of the
on 24 February as three Booker butchers joined the elite
highest accolades a butcher can achieve. In almost three
ranks of Institute of Meat (IoM) accredited Master Butchers.
decades of the prizegiving we have accepted less than 60
Peter Howarth, Kevin King and Roy Mason all joined the
applications. The process of assessing an application is
hallowed ranks of Master Butchers.
rigorous and in fact we only consider applications from the
YOUR LONDIS
Booker butchers awarded highest butchery honour
most experienced and skilful butchers.’ The new Master Butchers were honoured at the IoM’s annual prizegiving last month. The event has been running
Also recognised at the event was Booker apprentice Letitia
for almost 30 years and was attended this year by HRH
Redfern who won the Best Apprentice award who was
The Princess Royal. The prizegiving seeks to celebrate and
presented with her certificate of achievement by HRH The
reward individual achievement in the meat and poultry
Princess Royal.
industry.
Spending up by 13.7% in February
Camelot to lose Lottery Camelot is set to lose the right to operate the National
Consumer card spending
a further 12% in February.
Lottery in the UK after the Gambling Commission
grew 13.7% in February
Part of this increase was
announced that its preferred bidder is multinational
compared to the same
driven by an 11.2% rise in
lottery operator Allwyn Entertainment. Camelot has held
period in 2020 – the
spend on fuel, due in part
the licence for three decades but Allwyn is set to take
highest growth since
to climbing prices at the
over the running of the National Lottery in 2024.
November 2021 –
pump.
following the lifting of Covid restrictions and
The survey also found
work-from-home guidance.
that 59% of shoppers are
Since the announcement, however, Camelot has announced that it has decided to issue proceedings in the High Court against the Gambling Commission.
“seeking greater value
Camelot CEO, Nigel Railton said: “We are launching
Data from Barclaycard,
for money to help reduce
a legal challenge in our capacity as an applicant for
which sees nearly half of
the cost of their weekly
the Fourth Licence because we firmly believe that the
the nation’s credit and
shop”. Almost half of
Gambling Commission has got this decision badly wrong.
debit card transactions,
these shoppers (45%) are
Despite lengthy correspondence, the Commission has
revealed that spending
buying budget or own-
failed to provide a satisfactory response. We are therefore
on essential items like
brand goods over branded
left with no choice but to ask the court to establish what
food, drink and fuel rose
goods.
happened.”
Londis News March 22.indd 13
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20/04/2022 17:29:27
Londis News March 22.indd 15
20/04/2022 17:29:27
OUR ITALIAN FAMILY JUST GOT
BIGGER N EW 4X 440M L PA CK
ENJOY BIRRA MORETTI RESPONSIBLY
Londis News March 22.indd 16
BREWED IN THE UK
20/04/2022 17:30:07
COMMUNITY NEWS
Key issues of interest to you
Community matters Londis retailers around the country have been busy engaging with their local communities and supporting local good causes.
Despite the many pressures on Londis
BLOOD BIKES COLLECTION
retailers at the moment, many are still
Perranporth Texaco & Londis in north
managing to find time to support local
Cornwall has collected £59.10 for Cornwall
charities and good causes and engage
Blood Bikes. The charity transports urgently
proactively with the local community, as
needed blood, drugs, and human tissues
well as helping communities further afield.
between hospitals, clinics, laboratories, and
Here are just a few examples...
doctors.
TIME IS PRECIOUS
COLLECTING CASH
P & I stores in Stoke St Michael in Somerset has raised more than £135 for the Time is Precious charity through an in-store collection. The funds will be used to help create a more comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for children with illnesses or disabilities and their families in hospital or at home. The charity said: “A huge thank you for all the wonderful customers!”
Londis Woolacombe, North Devon, has been collecting for the people of Ukraine.
WAIST NOT WANT NOT
The store helped collect donations of
Londis Greenhills Square in Kilbride has
toiletries, blankets, bedding, towels, adults
sponsored two races at racenight to raise
and child’s clothing and shoes, baby items,
funds for local charity Waist Not Want Not.
feminine sanitary products, and non-
The charity provides a clothing exchange
perishable food. The items were boxed up
scheme, as well as a range of community
and shipped to Poland and distributed to
activities that will allow participants to learn
the refugees arriving in the country.
new skills and access information.
CANCER CARE CAKES FOR UKRAINE
Londis Cardiff Road, Barry in South Wales, is collecting money for a local three-yearold boy with leukemia. Harri was diagnosed when he was just six months old and has been treated at Cardiff and Great Ormond Street Hospital ever since. The store is helping his parents fundraise to pay for £1m treatment abroad.
Londis Hykeham, in Lincoln, has raised £960
COMIC CAKES
for the people of Ukraine by holding an
Londis Convenience Store & Post Office
in-store cake sale. The store was inspired
in Hall Green, Birmingham, held an in-
to act when it heard the story of a Polish
store cake sale for Comic Relief. Charlotte
woman who has taken in 14 evacuees in
Jenkins, sales team leader, said: “Each staff
a home especially rented for them. The
member brought in a bake and there was
money raised will be used to help pay for
something for everyone, including people
everyday necessities.
with allergies.”
17 Londis News March 22.indd 17
20/04/2022 17:30:07
give your customers a chance to win prizes they’ll love
2.7M
loyal drinkers buy Diet Coke 7x per year M265219 Diet Coke Multipack PM275 6x330ml M913690 Diet Coke Contour PET 500ml
For more info on how else we can support you please visit MY.CCEP.COM
Londis News March 22.indd 18 44310a GB2018 55 North DC 40th AD 210x280mm v01.indd 1
© 2022 The Coca-Cola Company. All rights reserved. DIET COKE is a registered trade mark of The Coca-Cola Company. *T&Cs Apply. For full T&Cs visit coke.co.uk/fashion. GB 16+ (U18s req parental cons’t) excl apply. Inter’t reg & valid email req’d. Find unique code on promo pack,inside M/P board (6/8x330ml) or under cap (500ml/2l) to enter for chance to win one fashion voucher in wkly draw (250x£50 & 2x£2000 vch prizes avail p/wk for 8wks). Each valid ent, entered into draw to win one of 2 experiences each worth £15000. Bonus draw for 1x£2000 fashion vch for ents (9.5-6.6.22). Max 2 ents/pers/day.Max 1 win/pers/prize type. Promoter: Coca-Cola GB.
20/04/2022 17:30:21 02/03/2022 10:17
INDUSTRY NEWS
Key issues of interest to you
New calorie labelling laws come into force in April Symbol stores have been included within the scope of a new law which comes into force in April requiring retailers to display the calorie content of non-prepackaged food and drink for instant consumption. From 6th April 2022, many retailers
Failure to comply with the Regulations
will be required by law to display the
may result in a food business being issued
calorie content of their food. Following a
with an improvement notice while failure
consultation in 2018, the Government is
to comply with an improvement notice
now requiring large food businesses with
could lead to a £2,500 fixed penalty being
250 or more employees to comply with
imposed.
the new legislation. Critically, however, all symbol store outlets are designated as
The new rules will extend into the digital
being within the scope of the regulation.
space and will cover food sold on a website or mobile app, including third party
The law affects the entire ‘out of home’
delivery apps. Where food in scope of the
food sector, covering all outlets where food
regulations is sold on a website or mobile
or drink is prepared in a way that means it is
app, the business responsible for that
ready for immediate consumption, on or off
website or mobile app is required to display
the premises.
the calorie information of food offered for sale by any qualifying business. The regulations require calorie information to be
Retailers selling via third-party delivery
displayed at the point where
websites or apps will be required to provide
a shopper chooses what
calorie information to the website or app
food to purchase, such as on
provider for all products listed for sale on
menus and on labels next to
the website or app.
food on display. Calorie information must be made available
LABELLING SPECIFICATIONS Businesses selling food in scope of the Regulations must: l display the energy
content of the food in kilocalories (kcal) l reference the size of
the portion to which the calorie information relates l display the statement
that ‘adults need around 2,000 kcal a day’
The legislation is primarily
to the shopper when the food is delivered
aimed at hospitality business
in the form of, for example, a calorie
but will affect Londis retailers
labelled menu with the order or stickers
offering non-prepacked food-
on food containers displaying calorie
to-go in their stores or Londis
information.
retailers with an in-store dining area.
Certain categories of food are exempt from the new legislation, including fresh fruit or
The Government says the
vegetables (including potatoes), as long as
new legislation is geared to
they are not added to other food, or sold
making it easier for shoppers
as an ingredient in food consisting of more
to make informed, healthier
than one ingredient.
decisions when purchasing food out of the home but also
For example, loose fresh fruit does not need
to “encourage businesses
to display calorie information. However, if
to reformulate the food and
prepared into a fruit salad, the fruit salad
drink they offer and provide
must be calorie labelled.
lower calorie options” for their shoppers.
For more information, visit www.gov.uk
19 Londis News March 22.indd 19
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Londis News March 22.indd 21
20/04/2022 17:30:22
RETAILER PROFILE
Fresh beginnings
Londis News March 22.indd 22
A steep
learning curve New Londis retailer Suloban Sundaramoorthy’s life has changed almost beyond recognition in the past six months since opening his store.
20/04/2022 17:30:23
While cooler autumn winds set leaves tumbling across Halifax in October 2021, Suloban’s mind was on fresh beginnings and the green shoots of new experiences. Keen to embark on a totally new way of life after
Top tips! 1
Make the most of your team’s local knowledge and connections.
2
Always keep a keen eye on availability of key lines. Shoppers can be incredibly loyal to certain brands.
3
Locally made products such as sandwiches can help to set you apart.
4
A free-to-use cash machine can act as a valuable footfall driver.
his recent marriage, newlywed Suloban and his wife uprooted themselves from their former home in London to begin afresh in the Halifax town of Southowram, where they would be closer to friends and family. For Suloban, the move also involved him buying his very first convenience store – a former Go Local on
RETAILER PROFILE
Suloban Sundaramoorthy doesn’t do things by half.
Towngate main road. “Sometimes I can’t believe how much my life has changed in just six months,” Suloban laughs “but it’s certainly been a change for the better. In London I was working night shifts and was exhausted. I knew that I wanted a totally new way of life after our marriage, one that would allow me to spend more quality time with my family in the evenings.
STORE INFO Store name: Londis Southowram,
m
ra w o h t Sou
Towngate, Halifax
Retailer: Suloban Sundaramoorthy Size: 1,200 Store Type: Community Key categories: Chilled, food-to-go, wine Services: National Lottery, Payzone, Costa Coffee, free five-bay carpark
23 Londis News March 22.indd 23
20/04/2022 17:30:25
®
ALIVE WITH THE TASTE OF
REAL BERRIES STOCK UP NOW
ROBINSONS BRAND ENJOYED BY 12M SHOPPERS** GREAT TASTING FLAVOURS, WITH NO ADDED SUGAR*
ALSO AVAILABLE IN RASPBERRY & APPLE AND PEACH & MANGO *Contains naturally occurring sugars ** Source Kantar Worldpanel, Take Home panel. Total Robinsons brand (Dilutes & RTD), L52w/e 26 Dec’ 21
Time to
Londis News March OMG291085 - SM 22.indd - RTM - 24 Amends to LN & TS RTD & PEPSI - 210 x 280 - V01.indd 1
20/04/2022 17:30:27 2022/02/18 12:51
closer to my wife’s family and my brother-in law, who is also a Londis convenience retailer and has helped me enormously in this process. “I’m new to retail so it’s been a significant learning curve but thanks to the family’s support and the help of my Londis RDM Rick Tamplin, things are going very
I’m new to retail so it’s been a significant learning curve but thanks to the family’s support and the help of my Londis RDM Ricky Turner, things are going very well! Suloban Sundaramoorthy Londis Southowram, Towngate, Halifax
RETAILER PROFILE
“We had decided to move to Southowram, which was
well!” After taking the village-centre store on in October, Suloban spent £80,000 on a full refit. “We totally gutted the site, taking walls down to open up the interior and give us a much larger shop floor space. I wasn’t going to do anything by halves, I’m a big believer in getting things right the first time, especially with a move as important as this one. “We fitted new ceilings, floors, bought all new fixtures, fittings and equipment and of course put up the smart new Londis fascia and window graphics which have transformed the outside.” Incredibly, the refit took just two weeks to complete and on 19 November 2021 Southowram’s new-era convenience store opened for business with Suloban at its helm. “The in-store team must also take a great deal of credit for our successful launch,” Suloban adds. “I kept the original team on and their support has been second-to-none. Many of them had worked in the old store for a number of years, and in fact one lady has been here for more than 30 years! “That kind of local knowledge is invaluable. They know the local shoppers and are on first name terms with many of them which has been such a help to me as I try to build new relationships.” the shop floor, as possible in a bid to soak up insight “There’s a very strong sense of community here in
into local trends and ways.
Southowram,” says Suloban. “It’s made up of lots of families who have lived here for years and it’s not at
“One thing that has become very clear very quickly
all uncommon to have three or four generations of the
is how brand loyal many of our local shoppers are,”
same family in the store at the same time which is just
Suloban adds. “Some of our tobacco shoppers, for
wonderful and quite rare these days.”
example, will absolutely only buy one specific brand and won’t even contemplate a switch, meaning that
As the new face of the business Suloban also strives
we have to keep a keen eye on availability for those
to spend as much time behind the counter, or out on
lines. It’s important that shoppers know that they can
25 Londis News March 22.indd 25
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Londis News March 22.indd 26
20/04/2022 17:30:29
The store’s new Costa Coffee machine is also proving
products in stock, come rain or shine.”
popular, having sold more than 20 cups on its very first day and upwards of 40 cups a day now, with
It’s a learning that certainly sunk in back in February
that figure growing month-on-month thanks to a
2022, when a trio of named storms hit the UK in
substantial food-to-go trade.
the space of a week. Two rare red warnings were issued for storm Eunice which brought major weather
The store’s proximity to building and landscaping
impacts.
merchant Marshalls’ Southowram site means that it
RETAILER PROFILE
always reply on us to have their preferred brands and
also benefits from a significant daily influx of hungry “The store became a real lifeline for shoppers during
workers.
that week as many locals chose to forego their normal weekly trips to the town centre to do their big
“Marshalls employees flock here in their droves
shops,” he recalls.
between midday and 2pm to grab a sandwich, snack and drink to go.”
“The new store has a vastly different offer from what was there before, and we sell a large range of fresh and chilled products from Londis including fresh ready meals, meats and dairy meaning that shoppers can now truly rely on us in ways they’ve not been able to before. “Shoppers are very promotionally driven though and offers such as the ‘2 for £5’ deal on chilled ready meals are hugely popular, as are the Londis promotions on certain crisp and snack lines. Happy Shopper crisps at ‘2 for £1’ fly out! “Wine is also a big seller and we have a 3.75m chiller for white wine and rosé plus a further 3m for red wine.”
To cater for this trade Suloban stocks a large range of locally made sandwiches from the nearby bakery. “The sandwiches, rolls and wraps are a huge seller. They are all made fresh every day and local shoppers love them.” Earning Suloban a margin of more than 20%, he’s also rather impressed with the range too. The new-look store also features a large and increasingly popular American confectionery display
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RETAILER PROFILE
and is just about to augment its ‘to-go’ offer yet further with the introduction of a new Jolly Rancher slush machine. “Total sales are already hitting £15,000 a week but I’m expecting that to grow to more than £20,000 as we approach the summer months, thank to innovative ranges such as the slush,” Suloban says. He’s also hoping to install a Post Office a little further down the line as he seeks to become a “true one stop shop”.
“Local shoppers are in real need of more services at
and advice that I need,” he says.
this end of the village to save them having to travel further-afield,” he explains.
“It’s been a tough six months and there’s no denying that I’m exhausted but I’m so pleased, I wouldn’t
“For that very reason, just last week we also installed
change a thing.
a free cash machine. Local shoppers were clamouring for one as there was nowhere else in this part of the
“I’m feeling really optimistic about the future and
village for them to get cash unless they walked all
especially our first summer of trading. Shoppers have
the way down the hill and into the town. That’s a
welcomed us with open arms and each time we get a
10-minute walk, which is not really an option for our
new face through the door, the overriding response is
more elderly shoppers.”
‘wow!’
As a first-time retailer, Suloban isn’t afraid to ask for
“Shoppers are so appreciative of what we’ve done
assistance. “My Londis RDM Ricky was a huge help
and what we plan to do going forward.
with getting the cash machine, he’s been such a rock and visits every week without fail and often twice a
“I might be new to retail but I’ve got all the right
week. If ever I’m unsure of something I know I can
support in place and the right attitude, so I can’t wait
pick up the phone and he’ll be there with the support
to see where it takes us.”
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RETAILER PROFILE
Customercentric approach
Park life A customer-centric approach and streamlined operations are paying dividends at Londis Eltham Park.
“I only came in here for one thing!” It’s
“This refit was all about introducing food-
a phrase that Sapna Patel hears all too
to-go to the store’s offer,” Sapna explains.
often, as smiling shoppers heft brimming
“It was something that we had just
baskets up to the till point. And given the
dabbled in before, but we knew that with
picture-perfect state of her fully refitted
lockdown over and shoppers returning to
and merchandised Londis store in the
the high streets and their places of work,
affluent Greenwich suburb of Eltham Park,
now was the time to go big on it.”
it’s really no surprise. For Sapna, “going big” meant the The major refit, carried out in June 2021,
introduction of a new range of hot food-
was the latest in a long line of refits that
to-go options including Rollover hot dogs
Sapna and her family have carried out
and baked goods from Country Choice as
since they first took over the site in 1996.
well as a Fwip Machine and Snow Shock
But it’s been one of the most impactful,
slush, which were sourced through Londis.
investing the store with a new show-
Londis News March 22.indd 30
stopping food-to-go offer and elevated
The store also features a new My Coffee
fresh and chilled ranges – in line with
Station to cater for local shoppers’ coffee
shopper demands.
needs, as well as a large new chiller in
20/04/2022 17:30:34
1 2
Heed the advice of your Londis RDM, especially when it comes to merchandising.
RETAILER PROFILE
Top tips! If your location allows, food-to-go can bring a whole new dimension to your offer.
3
Londis central billing can help you introduce standout products from small suppliers to your range.
4
Never lose sight of the unique needs of your own local shoppers.
which to house an extended range of soft drinks. “Coming out of lockdown felt like a slightly risky time to invest in the business but we couldn’t deny the opportunity any longer,” Sapna explains. “We were fortunate enough to have the space, so we just had to go for it.”
The difference since moving over to full Londis supply has been mind-blowing. The variety is great as is the quality, and it’s really increased the amount that we sell. Sapna Patel, Londis Eltham Park
The refit also involved a “total overhaul” of the store’s chilled range, a process during which Sapna leaned heavily on the support and expertise of her Londis RDM Brian Neve. She explains: “Prior to the refit I sourced a proportion of my chilled range from RK but it all looked quite disjointed as I bought lots of ones and twos of things. Now, I get everything through Londis and it’s made the whole offer just look so much more professional. “Brian helped me to re-range it all and it’s really paid off! Before the refit and re-merchandise our chilled
31 Londis News March 22.indd 31
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sales from Londis were about £300 a week but now they are well over £1,000, It’s helped so much. We have also introduced new chilled lines such as salmon, which is becoming an increasingly strong-seller and an array of meat products. “We’re also stocking full evening meal solutions, plus some really nice
STORE INFO Store name: Londis Eltham Park, London Retailer: Sapna Patel Size: 1,200sq ft
accompaniments such as cheeses. This is
Store Type: Neighbourhood
a wealthy area and shoppers do like those
Key Categories: Chilled, food-to-go, wine,
more premium added extras. It’s not just about what’s in the chilled range though, it’s also about how it’s presented and we take great pains to ensure that our chilled displays really look the part.
RETAILER PROFILE
m a h t l E
ambient grocery
Staff: Three part-time plus Sapna and her parents
who all work full-time.
“It’s been the same story for fresh. Prior to the refit we bought a few vegetables from First Fresh on sale or return, but again it all looked a bit bitty. The difference since moving over to full Londis supply has been mind-blowing. The variety is great as is the quality, and it’s really increased the amount that we sell. The whole offer just looks better and the profits on return are very reasonable too so I’m doubly happy. “I think what we have now is a very professional-looking store and hand on heart, I don’t think that there are many other stores of this calibre in this area.” “Brian does need a special mention though, as he has been such an invaluable support and had a huge hand in creating the store that you see today.” And despite the addition of new and extended ranges, with Brian’s help, the sense of light and space which shoppers had always prized in Londis Eltham Park has not been lost. “It feels good to walk in here,” Sapna says. “We’ve been able to maintain that
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Londis News March 22.indd 34
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room to move about which is so important given the high volume of parents with young children who shop here.”
RETAILER PROFILE
open airy feel and shoppers have plenty of
The store’s proximity to a number of good local schools and colleges means that its shopper base includes a high mix of young families, as well as affluent middleaged locals and of course lots of passing trade. “We’re based on a main road in a very suburban area; there are lots of homes, offices, churches and schools nearby but also lots of local competition. That’s why we’ve worked so hard to introduce some of these more innovative ranges that our local competitors don’t, such as the Fwip machine for example. “We’ve also worked hard to elevate our range of everyday essentials with some premium options, including a number of deli items via Londis central billing. “Through central billing we get access to some brilliant small suppliers and I stock quite a few more unexpected items such as dried field mushrooms, deli-style passatas, premium biscuits and even caviar, which our shoppers love.” “Those little points of difference really add up and ambient grocery is actually a star performer in our store. Alcohol is too. Wine is a strong seller, especially on weekends and we also do really well with beer thanks to the Londis promotions. We also do a permanent 3 for £6 on ales which is a great sales driver and I always try to create a good deal of in-store theatre with the Londis POS.” The store also sets itself apart with a large American confectionery offer. “We’d
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“For me, supporting local initiatives
industry, if you stand still, you fall
for around 10 years so were ahead
such as these is a way of life
behind.
of the curve there already, but we’ve
and something I want to do, not
extended the range too as part of
something I feel I should,” she says.
“Later this year for example, I’m
the most recent refit, in line with what
“It brings me so much joy and I’m
planning to move into home delivery
local shoppers need. They are at the
fortunate enough to be in a position
with the help of a Londis partner. I’m
heart of everything that we do,” Sapna
to help, so I do. We donate a wide
certain that there’s a big opportunity
adds.
array of items from essential toiletries
there and, as ever, I know that Londis
and sanitary towels but also things to
and of course my parents will have my
Putting shoppers at the heart of its
give disadvantaged people a boost
back.
plans has helped Sapna to maintain
such as chocolate bars and flap jacks.
the higher levels of footfall seen
These are relatively simple gestures
“My parents are and always have been
during the worst months of the
that make a world of difference.
so supportive of everything I do. This business is a real team effort, nothing
pandemic as new shoppers became “I have put a lot of emotion into
that we’ve achieved here could have
this business. This is so much more
been done without everyone having
“Our shoppers are for me, the best
than a store to me. It’s grown really
pulled together, no one person can
thing about this business. I know
organically and it’s still a work in
ever take all the credit!”
it sounds like a cliché but it’s true.
progress. Lots of shoppers come in
Helping them to get what they need
and say ‘wow, you’re really there now,’
makes me feel so good and comments
but I’m definitely not, I don’t think you
like ‘I knew you’d have it’ make my
can ever be ‘there’ in this industry.
regulars.
RETAILER PROFILE
been doing American confectionery
day. “There’s always something new to And it’s not just the needs of local
explore! I’m also the kind of person
shoppers that Sapna caters to. For
who gets bored quite quickly, I don’t
the last 10 years Sapna has been
like standing still for long and I’m
making regular donations to the local
constantly on the
foodbank as well as supporting the
lookout for new
homeless with donations to the local
things. I think that’s
soup kitchen.
how you have to be though. In this
Londis News March 22.indd 37
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RETAILER PROFILE
Revitalised site
New lease
of life
Working together, Londis and Penny Petroleum have brought Clifton Service Station back to life.
“One man’s trash is another man’s
operates 77 forecourt sites with stores
treasure,” or so the well-known idiom
across England and Wales, was keen to
tells us. And it’s a saying that is certainly
snap it up and set it straight.
proving true for independent forecourt retailer Penny Petroleum and its most
Penny Petroleum business development
recent site acquisition.
manager Vicky Hennessy explains: “We knew we had to act quickly when the
The site, a small, closed-down
site came up for market to not miss
forecourt on a busy stretch of the A1 in
out on what we knew could be a great
Northumberland, had ceased trading
opportunity.
several years before when it was put up
Londis News March 22.indd 38
for sale in mid-2021. However, unfazed
“The previous retailer had closed the
by its neglected state, the group, which
site down some time ago and it was very
20/04/2022 17:30:42
“We knew that the site represented a
deal of work, not just in the store
huge opportunity for development and
but on the forecourt as well, but
we couldn’t wait to begin the process of
that didn’t faze us. Buying sites that
bringing it back to life.”
are run-down, closed, or haven’t been invested in for some time and
That process involved a significant six-
bringing them back to life is one of
week build and fit-out during which the
our key strengths and something we
forecourt itself was revamped and the old
are passionate about.
kiosk store extended by more than half as
RETAILER PROFILE
rundown and in need of a great
internal walls were demolished. “Personally, I get an enormous amount of pleasure watching our sites
A new office space at the rear of the
evolve from places with low or no
store was also constructed, while new
footfall into busy vibrant stores that
ceilings and floors were also added to the
local shoppers come to depend on.”
makeover mix. On the forecourt Penny Petroleum partnered with BP, while for the
“For us the Clifton site was absolutely
store, it was Londis all the way.
perfect. The location was one of the major draws as not only was it
“We’ve traded with Londis for many years
right in the middle of our heartland,
now and have a really good relationship
but it was also just off the busy A1
with them,” Vicky explains. “We know
between Newcastle and Edinburgh
what to expect and we know that they can
and close to a number of small
deliver on what they say and on what our
villages and pockets of housing.
shoppers need.
n
Cli o STORE INFO
Store name: Londis Clifton Service
Station, Northumberland Size: 900sq ft Store type: Forecourt
Opening hours: 6am – 10pm Key categories: Alcohol, chilled
sandwiches, coffee-to-go
Staff: 10
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RETAILER PROFILE
“The Londis brand was also a perfect fit for the area given the local competition. There is Co-op store just a mile away, so we knew that we needed a strong retail brand with high standards and a good solid range to stand up to it,” she adds. After weeks of inclement weather conditions, the new-look store and forecourt finally opened for business in the last week of December 2021, much to the delight of local shoppers and passing trade, who now have a brand-new
“The store doesn’t have a vast footprint in
convenience store and fuel site, complete
terms of its size but we’ve tried to pack as
with a carwash and jet wash, in a location where for many years there has been nothing. “The value of local stores has really grown in shoppers’ minds in recent years,” Vicky says. “They truly are seen as places of great worth in the community, and we’ve been inundated with positive feedback from local shoppers since opening, who
We’ve been inundated with positive feedback from local shoppers since opening, who are just so happy that we are here. Vicky Hennessy, Penny Petroleum business development manager
many key services and ranges in, as well as strong well-known brands to deliver as much as possible for local shoppers. “The team at Londis deserve a great deal of credit here as they have done a fabulous job of filling the store with an impressive array of best-selling lines and features, yet without it feeling overcrowded.
are just so happy that we are here,” she adds.
“The whole store has a lovely bright and airy feel which is maximised by a crisp white brick effect on the walls in the chilled and food-to-go zone and low-level shelving units in the centre. “Clear and professional-looking monochrome category signage has also been positioned throughout the store to help shoppers find what they need as quickly and efficiently as possible. “In a forecourt store, speed really is key. Shoppers are generally in more of a rush and do not want to have to hunt around for what they need. However, that certainly doesn’t mean they can’t be swayed by impulse purchases, so again eyecatching professional looking POS is so important. The store is also quite heavily promotionally driven with three ‘Special Offers’ gondola ends in the lead-up to the till points and an array of deals around the store which do drive sales.
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RETAILER PROFILE
“Our Londis RDM Mark Faragher was such a help during the fit-out process and helped us with a lot of planning and merchandising solutions. What we’ve ended up with is fantastically ranged store, which despite its small size, offers local shoppers a really great mix of fresh, chilled and off-licence goods plus food and drinks to go. “We’ve got three metres of chilled with a good mix of ready meal solutions such as pizzas and pasta, plus lots of chilled snacks and sandwiches, which all come from Londis.” Because of its location, the store is very ‘grab and go’ focused and lunchtimes are already proving to be popular for shoppers nipping in for a sandwich and a
was all about driving footfall to the site,
coffee en-route to and from places.
driving the message home that we are
Top tips!
here and showcasing what we have to “The ‘Meal Deals’ in particular are proving
offer,” offers Vicky.
popular and the Costa Coffee machine is a big draw,” says Vicky. “The power of a
“As we are a totally new site, local
big-name brand such as Costa really can’t
marketing has also been particularly
be overstated, it really is a magnet.
important to get the message out there
1
Make sure you have the correct signage up around the store to help shoppers find what they want quickly and easily.
2
Wide aisles and lowlevel shelving can help shoppers to navigate the store more efficiently.
3
If you run promotions, be sure to support them with the Londis POS.
and to try and change local shoppers’ “Our proximity to a number of small
habits and think of us first!
villages and homes also means that we are getting busier in the evenings too as local
“We are doing lots of work to promote the
shoppers pop in for a bottle of wine or a
site on Facebook and we’ve also dropped
ready meal after work. We have a strong
more than 1,000 leaflets at local houses.”
off-licence offer which is backed by the Londis promotions. Wine is a strong seller,
And early indications certainly suggest
especially chilled white wine and rose and
that the plan is working, according to
we are also selling an increasing number
Vicky. “We’ve only been trading for five
of multipack beers, especially when they
weeks, and sales are already up to £5,000
are on promotion and supported with the
a week and growing week-on-week. This
Londis POS.”
is really encouraging considering that they are coming from a totally standing start
The store held a grand opening
and during what is traditionally one of the
celebration in February 2022 which saw
quietest times of year,” she says.
local shoppers treated to free Costa coffees and sandwiches, along with the
“We’ve been doing this for a long time
change to win a hamper full of Londis
now and we know the area well, so we
goodies.
have high hopes for the site’s future potential and with Londis’ support we’re
“The celebration was a great success and
Londis News March 22.indd 43
4
Local leaflet drops can really help to drive footfall and awareness of your range and offers.
confident of achieving them and more.”
20/04/2022 17:30:49
RETAILER PROFILE
Price, presentation and innovation
Small and
mighty
A strict focus on price, presentation and innovation, is helping Londis Chertsey to rack up higher sales than stores of double its size. Good things, they say, come in small
Overseeing this standout performance is
packages and, at just 800sq ft, Londis’
long-serving independent retailer Satha
Chertsey store on Bridge Street
Somaundaram, who originally bought the
couldn’t be a more perfect example
site, his second, back in 2007.
of just how accurate this saying can be. Despite its small size, the busy
“I’ve worked in the convenience industry
forecourt store on the outskirts of the
since 1996 but I bought my first freehold
affluent Surrey village of Chertsey is
site in Witney back in 2004 and then we
turning over £35,000 a week.
purchased Chertsey in 2007,” he explains. “We ran it as a Spar store for a number of
Earning just shy of £45 per sq ft, this
years but in 2019 we made the switch to
is a store where every last millimetre
Londis.
of space is being maximised and working as hard as it possibly can.
Londis News March 22.indd 44
“My first store was a Londis and I was
20/04/2022 17:30:50
format and offer worked very well for us and I was keen to align the two operations. “We did a refit at the time of switching which
1
Use Londis POS and price messaging to really make your promotions sing.
involved changing all the signage, updating many of the fixtures and fittings and adding new elements such as the Costa coffee machines and a new chiller, in which to house a larger range of chilled products –
2
Ensure strict disciplines and routines to keep availability and merchandising tip-top.
3
Get behind mini seasonal events early to drive excitement in-store.
4
Never stop looking to evolve your offer.
namely sandwiches and ready meals.
RETAILER PROFILE
Top tips!
very impressed with their way of doing business. The
“This is a wealthy area and we are based on the main road in and out of Chertsey and also very close to the bank of the river Thames which in the summer becomes a magnet for boaters, kayakers, paddleboarders and just generally people out to enjoy the water, especially on sunny days and warm summer evenings. “There’s also a great deal of housing nearby and not much in the way of other convenience competition so we do benefit from a bit of a captive audience in that sense,” Satha explains. “The forecourt itself is also of course another key draw especially as we are the only forecourt site for a couple of miles and we are also open 24 hours a day.” However, despite its prime location, Satha is certainly not a man who rests on his laurels.
STORE INFO
y
se t r e h C
Store name: Londis Chertsey BP Service Station Retailer: Satha Somaundaram Size: 800sq ft Store Type: Forecourt Key categories: Food- and drink-to-go, chilled, alcohol Staff: 10 Services: Cash machine, Off-licence open 24 hours, Jet Wash
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RETAILER PROFILE
Almost half of all shoppers just come in just for the store, while the other half come in primarily for fuel. Our challenge is to inspire those fuel shoppers to pick up additional items as well as increasing the overall basket spend of our purely store-based shoppers. Satha Somaundaram, Londis Chertsey BP Service Station
“We might have a captive audience and very pleasing sales but that doesn’t mean we can sit back and relax,” he says. “Almost half of all shoppers come in just for the store, while the other half come in primarily for fuel. “Our challenge once they walk in is to inspire those fuel shoppers to pick up additional items, as well as increasing the overall basket spend of our purely store-based shoppers.” And with an average basket spend of £30, Satha is clearly rising to this challenge. “The new positioning also gives shoppers more “We are constantly on the lookout for new products
space when they are preparing their coffees which is
and services with which to update our offer and keep
important, especially in a small store such as this and
shoppers excited and wanting more,” he says.
with shoppers still being more wary of getting too close to others.”
As such, the store kicked off 2022 with another mini makeover involving the introduction of a new F’real
“I’m pleased to say that our coffee sales have actually
machine.
increased and we are also selling more than 40 cups of F’real a day and that’s in the winter, so I have high
“We installed two Costa Express machines back in
hopes for the summer months when impulse and
2019 which have always done well for us and we
food- and drink-to-go sales traditionally boom,” he
used to sell around 110 cups a day on average,” says
adds.
Satha. “However, on the advice of my Londis RDM we decided to position the new F’real machine between
“This store is a very busy location all year round but
our existing two Costa coffee machines which has
in the summer we also benefit from a significant
actually made them more visible and really elevated
seasonal uplift thanks to a large caravan park just a
our whole ‘to-go’ offer.
stone’s throw away too.”
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RETAILER PROFILE
Price is only half the battle. Presentation is also crucial, especially in a small store. Prices have to stand out and we emphasise this through rigorous use of Londis’ simple yet effective black on yellow price messaging. Satha Somaundaram, Londis Chertsey BP Service Station
“Food-to-go is a big seller and we offer a range of hot options but our chilled sandwiches are especially popular and we have one 2.2m chiller just for chilled food-to-go. “We also have a small yet strong range of chilled foods including key dairy and deli items as-well as meal solutions in a separate 2.2m chiller to cater for that seasonal trade but also for our local shoppers. “Alcohol also accounts for just over 10% of turnover. Sales really accelerate from 5pm in the afternoon when local shoppers and passers-by pop in for a bottle of wine or some beers after work. “We are open 24 hours a day and sales do remain steady throughout the evening although at midnight we switch to a night hatch service operation. “Beer and chilled wine lead the sales charge and because this is a relatively upmarket area, it’s the more top-end mid-priced brands that are the biggest sellers, bottles priced around £9 to £10 sell the fastest.”
49 Londis News March 22.indd 49
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RETAILER PROFILE Cider does well too, especially the flavoured varieties
minute. The team and I are incredibly disciplined
and the store usually has them on offer at ‘2 for
on this point and it’s a constant process of stocking-
£4.50’.
and facing-up to keep the offer looking as fresh and inviting as possible.
However, despite this being an affluent area, the store is also very promotion-driven and there are some
“We get two deliveries a week from Londis but at
categories where promotions can be particularly
least once a week I also visit my local Booker branch
powerful.
to top up and ensure that availability stays where it needs to be.”
“Beer is one of those and we do a lot of ‘2 for £5’ on bottled beers. Chilled multipacks are also increasingly
Looking to the year head, Satha is planning to
strong sellers, especially chilled 4-packs of 440ml cans
introduce a third chiller in a bid to offer a wider range
and we run as many Londis promotions as we can on
of chilled snacking items, ahead of the busy summer
these.
period.
“However, price is only half the battle. Presentation
“Summer 2022 is shaping up to be a successful one
is also crucial, especially in a small store. There’s no
with restrictions having eased and an array of special
point having great prices if shoppers can’t see them.
events to get behind such as the Queen’s Platinum
Prices have to stand out and we emphasise this
Jubilee and, of course, Wimbledon.
through rigorous use of Londis’ simple yet effective black on yellow price messaging.
“We’ll be backing all of them with a strong array of Londis promotions and POS. We certainly never miss
“Merchandising also has to be impeccable. In a
a chance to drive a bit of in-store excitement and
store as busy as this you can’t lose sight of it for one
make our shoppers smile.”
51 Londis News March 22.indd 51
20/04/2022 17:31:02
MAKE MORE PROFIT
Profitboosting ideas
Add tens of thousand to your bottom line! Keen to grow your profits this year? Read on for some great ideas on how you can add tens of thousands of pounds to your bottom line.
If the idea of adding tens of thousands of pounds of profit to your bottom line this year appeal to you, then Londis has some fantastic tried and tested ideas for you to consider. These suggestions have been implemented by Londis retailers and have helped them massively grow their profits – so why not take a look and see how many could benefit you and your business?
PERFECT THE BASICS l Food To Go (Costa Coffee, Tango Ice Blast, Slush, Rollover, Fwip, Bake Off) l Fresh Offer l PMP Confectionery l Fractional Spirits l Home Delivery
Londis News March 22.indd 52
20/04/2022 17:31:02
£5.5K PROFIT PER YEAR
£2.4K PROFIT PER YEAR
COSTA COFFEE LECHLADE – BEN
FRACTIONALS BEXLEY PARK - NISHI
l Enhanced Deal l 175 cups per week l Improved Rebate +6.5%
l Improved Pricing l Improved PORs -Up to 30% l £10.4k sales per year
£20.8K PROFIT PER YEAR HOME DELIVERY CHESTERFIELD RD - TERRY CATON l Free Home Delivery l Average order £40 l £4k Sales per week
MAKE MORE PROFIT
WHAT ‘PERFECT’ LOOKS LIKE
£7K PROFIT PER YEAR TANGO ICE BLAST BEXLEY PARK - NISHI l 105 cups per week l 15 cups a day l 38% POR
53 Londis News March 22.indd 53
20/04/2022 17:31:02
*
Inch’s Medium Apple Cider has been voted Product of the Year 2022 in the Alcoholic Drinks Category Winner Alcoholic Drinks Category. Survey 9,897 People by Kantar.
*
Londis News March 22.indd 54
20/04/2022 17:31:06
As part of the Fit For The Future 2 programme, Londis has been actively seeking out the most efficient ways to grow profits. Step one in this process is to perfect the basics. This involves embracing ideas that can work in every Londis store and includes five key elements: food to go, fresh produce, PMP confectionery, fractional spirits and home delivery.
you communicate
Once you’ve got the
Develop
basics perfected,
the Offer
that value message
BREAD MILK MEAT MARKET FRESH PRODUCE
in-store and a little
it’s time to consider developing your offer in other areas. These could include bread and milk, further
time spent shouting about your Every Day Low Pricing on social
media will pay dividends.
growing your fresh produce offer and taking a fresh look at
Last but not least, adding the
your chilled meat offer.
Meat Market range of products to your chilled section can be
Staples like bread and milk are
a great way of broadening the
Food and drink to go represents an enormous opportunity for retailers and Londis offers a wide array of solutions such as Costa Coffee, Tango Ice Blast, Rollover, Fwip and bake off options.
massively important in driving
choice you offer your shoppers
daily footfall for retailers but
as well as delivering high
the fact that Londis offers
quality, great value solutions
Many of these solutions are self-serve and require very little additional work for your team at the store. Profit margins on many of these solutions are well in excess of 70% and a dedicated food and drink to go section could help transform your business by generating extra footfall, sales and profits.
improved pricing on bread
that meet the needs of your
and milk means that you can
shoppers.
Many Londis shoppers simply expect a strong fresh offer these days and with a little space and a little effort, retailers can meet these shopper demands and grow sales of fresh produce as well as boosting sales in other categories. With both multipacks and price-marked products in growth over the last two years, Londis’ range of £1PMP confectionery multipacks is a great way to grow basket spend and profits. Many Londis retailers have created a dedicated section of the range – and have seen profits grow. Sets of £1 shelf edge labels are available to bring the fixture to life and highlight the amazing value. Another outstanding opportunity exists with fractionals. They require little space and help you offer more choice to shoppers, as well as growing profits as fractionals offer strong PORs of up to 30%. Finally, home delivery represents one of the biggest opportunities of all for Londis retailers. It can be relatively easy to implement and many Londis retailers have added thousands of pounds a week to their sales with home delivery. Over the course of a year, this alone could add tens of thousands of pounds a year to your bottom line. Terry Caton of Londis Chesterfield Road, for instance, generates around £4,000 a week in home delivery sales which equates to additional profits of more than £20,000 a year.
MAKE MORE PROFIT
START AT THE BEGINNING
compete effectively with all competitors as well as keeping
Why not consider a dedicated
profits strong.
1m shelf for the range and make it unmissable in-store
A range of great POS lets
Case study: MILK, PRODUCE & BREAD JD - Broadstairs & Ramsgate The improved pricing on bread and milk has enabled us to compete locally following a multiple which recently opened up opposite our store. The eyecatching POS demonstrates the great value in store and also helps to attract some new shoppers.
with the free POS?
Case study: MEAT MARKET Ranjit - Bridge, Canterbury We recently introduced the Meat Market range to complement our chilled section in store. With the help of our RDM we set up a 1 metre shelf with the POS provided. The quality of the meat is fantastic, and as we are a local store word has travelled quickly through the village! This will now be a permanent fixture in our chilled section.
THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE FANTASTIC PROFIT-BOOSTING IDEAS FROM LONDIS – AND IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MORE, PLEASE SPEAK TO YOUR RDM.
55 Londis News March 22.indd 55
20/04/2022 17:31:07
Top new products Every issue we bring you the latest product launches from your favourite suppliers
CCEP
MONSTER ENERGY ULTRA RANGE According to the latest Nielsen data, Monster is one of the biggest energy drinks brands in independent retail, and energy drinks is one of the fastestselling categories in independent retail - so the launch of two new lines from Monster offers Londis retailers fresh opportunities to generate excitement in-store and on social media as well as driving footfall, sales and profits. With demand for tasty, zero sugar energy drinks growing, the two new fruity Monster Energy Ultra lines fit the bill perfectly. Available in standard 12-can cases, both products offer Londis retailers strong PORs of 37.8%. Site the new lines prominently in the chiller in the energy drink section where the eye-catching cans will help drive trial and draw more shoppers to the fixture.
Mondelez International
CADBURY CARAMILK BUTTONS Following the hugely successful launch of the Cadbury Caramilk brand in June last year, Cadbury is bringing the popular products to market in a new format: Cadbury Caramilk Buttons. Available in 90g hanging bags, the caramelised white chocolate buttons help bring the brand to a wider audience and offer Londis retailers the chance to freshen up their hanging bag fixture and grow sales and profits. The Caramilk brand has quickly become a favourite with all ages and the new line is expected to be a hit with existing Caramilk fans, as well as helping bring new shoppers into the brand. Feature the new product on your hanging bag display Monster Energy Ultra Watermelon NEW
and consider siting them at high traffic points in your store like tillpoints and aisle ends to drive trial and impulse purchases.
Monster Energy Ultra Gold NEW Cadbury Caramilk Buttons RSP
£1.65 POR 37.8% RSP
£1 POR 25%
56 Londis News March 22.indd 56
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*Ingredients Water, Barley, Malt, Maize, hops, sugar, natural flavours. ©2022 AB InBev UK Limited, all rights reserved. Londis News March 22.indd 57
20/04/2022 17:31:09
MEET THE BUYER
Say
‘hello’ to...
Chris Dennis Category Lead Manager for Confectionery
Category: Confectionery
TELL US ABOUT WHAT BEING THE LEAD MANAGER FOR CONFECTIONERY INVOLVES?
partners. Part of the job sees me work
I oversee an excellent team of four
integrating them into our plans to help
category managers who look after
retailers bring those elements to life in
different suppliers, which then also
store is when its most rewarding.
closely with a wide range of supplier partners, taking their brand plans and
includes the seasonal confectionery offer. I also enjoy working on seasonal offers
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE ROLE?
and finding new ways to help Londis
Since a restructure in September 2021.
Talking to retailers is another big draw.
Prior to that I was working on the BRP
We’ve got to be listening to what our
side as Buying Manager for impulse. In
retailers want, getting out into stores
that role I used to manage all the impulse
and talking to them directly is the most
categories including confectionery, soft
beneficial way of landing our key activities.
retailers create a buzz on the shop floor.
drinks and snacks. I joined the business back in 2008.
WHAT ARE YOU FOCUSING ON NOW?
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?
This time of year is always busy as we’re
There are so many facets I enjoy! However,
working across different seasons. We-re
if I had to pull one bit out it would be the
well under way with Spring, we’re also
work that we do with our key supplier
in the middle of sending out summer
SEASONAL MINI EVENTS Alongside the key seasonal events, the year ahead also holds a number of important seasonal mini events which will really help to drive footfall and sales. The most notable will be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which will see shoppers celebrate with a four-day weekend from Friday 3 June. The event is bound to drive confectionery sales as shoppers get behind it with street parties and celebrations. Later we will have the Fifa World Cup, set to kick off on 21 November while a number of more traditional seasonal mini events such as ‘Thank You Teacher’ happen at the end of the school year and Back To School in the autumn.
Londis News March 22.indd 58
20/04/2022 17:31:10
starting supplier sessions for Christmas!
Chris’
Top tips!
HOW IS CONFECTIONERY PERFORMING? Londis has done really well in confectionery this year. We finished the year double digits up on last year. That’s the second-highest growth category behind soft drinks. A key driver is the success of the ‘on-the-go’ format. Chocolate ‘on-the-go’ is the biggest segment within confectionery at 34% and has grown by 13% as the country has opened
1
Always back the core ranges, the best-sellers and work with the best-selling confectionery lines.
2
When there is new product innovation in the market, always try to get on board with those early sales benefits.
3
In particular look out for ‘Group Exclusives’ such as the upcoming launch of Kit-Kat Chunky Lotus Biscoff which will only be available through Tesco and Booker for 16 weeks and is sure to be a big seller.
4
If you don’t already, start building a good range of multi-packs, which can really help to drive the ‘value for money’ message in store.
back up. There’s been a big shift with more people out and
MEET THE BUYER
ranges and pre-sells to get ready for that. And we’re already
about. Interestingly, take-home products ,which had grown massively in the past two years, have also continued to perform really well. Mints and gums have also performed really well, up 32%.
WHAT TRENDS SHOULD RETAILERS BE AWARE OF? With the inflation pressures shoppers are facing, PMPs will remain very important. A credible range of PMPs will be paramount for retailers looking to highlight value. We’re also seeing a lot of movement into multi-packs as part of the value trend. Shoppers are picking up a multi-pack for £1, which represents great value. American confectionery is another huge trend and it’s increasingly visible in stores. To meet this demand, Booker launched 16 new American confectionery products towards the end of 2021. We’re working on phase two which will see us expand that range later in the year.
WHERE ELSE WILL YOU BE FOCUSING IN 2022? It will be a busy year with key events such as The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Fifa World Cup, plus of course the advent of the national HFSS legislation. The HFSS legislation is due to come into force in October and will impact on what we can do from a promotional perspective,
5
by removing some promotional mechanics such as BOGOFs and multi-buys. In addition, stores of over 2,000sq ft
Support Mega Deals, Wow Deals and Core Promotions in-store to further cement your value proposition in shoppers’ minds.
will also be impacted with restrictions for displaying confectionery around the front of store, till points and gondola ends. With costs and inflation also set to continue rising, we are
6
Don’t overlook the ‘mini seasonal event’ opportunity.
working hard with our suppliers to mitigate where possible along with providing value solutions for retailers such as driving multi-packs and introducing PMP solutions. Similarly, we are focusing heavily on own brand with the new brand of Jacks that includes over 20 sharing confectionery products soon to launch.
59 Londis News March 22.indd 59
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FESTIVAL FUN
Beer & Cider
Annual festival returns
festival
returns!
The Londis Beer & Cider Festival returns soon, offering a great opportunity for retailers to rack up additional footfall, sales and profits.
Londis Craft Basket Did you know that craft beer sales make up 9.9% of grocery beer sales yet only 2.6% of sales in independent retail? That’s a huge opportunity for Londis retailers, particularly as craft beer was the only beer segment in growth in impulse last year, up 4.9%. To help retailers cash in, Londis has created a special Craft Basket of 4-packs for the Londis Beer & Cider Festival. The range is available in Period 3, from 26 April, at a special Festival price of just £5.50, before moving to an EDLP price of £6 after the Festival.
Londis News March 22.indd 60
Code
Product
Case Size
WSP
RSP
POR
M267043
Camden Hells
6x4x330ml
£20.69
£5.50
24.75%
M265954
Camden Pale Ale
6x4x330ml
£20.69
£5.50
24.75%
M261632
Brewdog Punk IPA
6x4x330ml
£22.19
£5.50
19.31%
M265935
Brewdog Hazy Jane
6x4x330ml
£22.19
£5.50
19.31%
M276384
Planet Pale NEW
6x4x330ml
£22.19
£5.50
19.31%
M276767
Brooklyn NEW
6x4x440ml
£22.19
£5.50
19.31%
20/04/2022 17:31:16
New products for the Festival include
temperatures creeping up it’s time for
Stella Unfiltered, a hazy Stella aiming to
retailers to begin turning their attention
bridge the gap between premium lager
to what should be a busy and profitable
and craft beer, and Heineken Silver, a new
summer. To get the season kicked off in
premium and refreshing variant targeted at
style, Londis will once again be bringing
Generation Z shoppers and backed up by a
back its annual Beer & Cider Festival in
£15m media campaign.
the
days
getting
longer
LONDIS BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL
and
With
Period 3, from 26 April. Also new is Spanish premium beer Madri With Covid restrictions eased, this summer
in a 660ml bottle and, for cider lovers,
is shaping up to be a sales scorcher as
Strongbow Ultra which is a low calorie fruit
UK shoppers make up for lost time and
cider that contains only 95 calories per can
socialise with friends and family. The Londis
and that is being launched with the help of
Beer & Cider Festival offers the perfect
a £13m media campaign.
opportunity to help get your shoppers back into the swing of things.
BASKET SPEND While these big brands and new products
WHAT’S NEW?
are likely to be a huge hit in your store
This year’s Festival is set to generate huge
during and after the Festival, thereSU isM an ME
excitement among your shoppers thanks
increasing number of craft beer fans
to a raft of new beer and cider products,
out there – and Londis has responded
some fantastic multibuy deals and a new
with a new ‘Craft Basket’ of premium
‘Craft Beer Basket’ that will help Londis
4-pack craft beers, all available to
retailers cash in on the continued growth
shoppers at just £5.50.
R POS—BE
To help add excitement to the Londis Beer & Cider Festival 2022, a collection of new products will be available to help retailers generate interest and attention both in-store and on social media.
Stella Unfiltered 2% ‘hazy’ Stella to bridge the gap from premium lager to craft beer
Madri 660ml Spanish Premium lager
Heineken Silver 4x330ml Premium, refreshing 4% lager. Aims to recruit gen Z shoppers with a £15m media campaign including the Women’s Euros.
Strongbow Ultra 4x330ml Low calorie fruit cider, only 95 calories! Backed by a
FESTIVAL
Beer&CIDER
B C
Fe
FeStIvAl
of craft beers.
Brand new Festival products
ER & CIDER
HANGING
Beer& CIDER
CARDS
HAVE YOUR SAY…
FeStIvAl
Beer CIDER
& The power promotions FeSof tIvAl cannot be overstated in the beer and cider categories, so communicating them to shoppers is key. The Londis POS kits are invaluable and the Beer & Cider Festival will be so much more successful if you really make great use of the free POS. When it comes to promotions the devil really is in the detail and we use all of the POS provided to really capture shoppers’ attention and create that in-store theatre. Off-shelf displays can also create a great impact.
POSTER
BEER & CID ER FESTIVA L
FINS
Dave Hiscutt Londis Westham Road
£13m media campaign.
61 Londis News March 22.indd 61
20x30
20/04/2022 17:31:21
ASAHILTD-2022-0039 Grolsch Londis Brochure Feature_210x280 AW_HR.pdf
1
28/01/2022
15:43
STOCK GROLSCH NOW. IMPORTED 4% PREMIUM PILSNER
PREMIUM LAGER CATEGORY IS GROWING FASTER THAN THE TOTAL BEER CATEGORY AT 25% DRIVEN BY 4% ABV* AVAILABLE IN 12 x 330ML NRB – M269612 4 x 440ML CAN – M270562 *NIELSEN, MAT, MAY 21
Londis News March 22.indd 62
20/04/2022 17:31:30
Beer and cider are among our strongest sellers, and we do particularly well with them all year round – but the Londis Beer & Cider Festival lets us really supercharge sales. Promotions play a key role so we always look forward to the Festivals. We benefit from professional and eye-catching point of sale which really helps to draw shoppers in and I get such a buzz when a promotion goes well and kick-starts sales. The Londis POS includes a wide range of different formats from posters to hanging cards and even bunting which we always make the best use of.
EDLP Basket Updates As part of the Londis Beer & Cider Festival, retailers will be able to access some fantastic 2-for-£4.50 deals on large bottles and some 3-for£6 deals on cider. These deals are sure to grow footfall as well as
LONDIS BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL
HAVE YOUR SAY…
driving increased basket spend and profits.
Sapna Patel Londis Eltham Park, London
Craft beer sales make up 9.9% of beer sales
two new products featured in a 3-for-£6
in supermarkets, yet account for only 2.6%
shopper deal: Rekorderlig Blood Orange
of beer sales in independent retail. This
and Old Mout Strawberry & Apple.
represents a huge opportunity for Londis
Beer Deal: 2 for £4.50 POR: 24.5%
retailers and the Craft Basket will help them
These fantastic brands and outstanding
grow profitable sales during the Festival
products will help you grow basket spend
What’s Included:
and beyond.
and footfall, especially if you flag them up
l Singha 630ml
to your shoppers on social media.
l Madri 660ml – NEW
Alongside popular products from Camden
l Stella Unfiltered
and Brewdog, the Craft Basket also features
BRING IT TO LIFE
two new lines: Planet Pale and Brooklyn.
To maximise the opportunity presented by the Londis Beer & Cider Festival, it’s
Stock all six lines and you will be well
important to start talking to your shoppers
equipped to attract more craft beer fans
now about it and to build excitement as the
and grow incremental sales across your
Festival draws closer.
store.
660ml – NEW
Cider Deal: 3 for £6 POR: 25.0%
Londis will provide a full eye-catching POS
EDLP UPDATE
kit that retailers can use to bring the Festival
What’s Included:
Also featuring in the Londis Beer & Cider
to life in their stores. Why not create a
l Rekorderlig Blood
Festival will be two exciting EDLP baskets
dedicated Festival fixture in-store, if you
featuring large format beer products
have the space, to make sure the event is
and cider products, most of them new to
unmissable to your shoppers.
Orange – NEW l Old Mout Strawberry & Apple - NEW
Londis. And don’t forget to keep reminding Three large bottle beers will be featured in
shoppers on social media, highlighting
a 2-for-£4.50 shopper deal: Singha 630ml
deals and new products and maybe even
and two new lines, Stella Artois Unfiltered
running a ‘like and share’ competition
660ml and Madri 660ml.
offering some of the new products as a prize to grow your social media following
For cider fans, the EDLP basket will see
and increase engagement and footfall?
63 Londis News March 22.indd 63
20/04/2022 17:31:30
PLATINUM JUBILEE
Celebrations offer opportunities
Are you ready for the Jubilee? The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on the 5th of June is a huge opportunity for Londis retailers to engage with their communities and grow footfall, sales and profits.
Queen
The Queen’s official Jubilee website –
celebrates becoming the first ever British
platinumjubilee.gov.uk – offers detailed
monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee,
guidance on how to organise both a street
commemorating a remarkable 70 years
party and a Big Jubilee Lunch. In the case
of service. While there are many events
of the Big Lunch, you can even order a free
marking the occasion throughout the year
pack of materials to help you advertise and
the focal point will be the official Platinum
promote the event.
This
year,
Her
Majesty
The
Jubilee party on Sunday the 5th of June. Both events are designed to be fantastic are
celebrations of community and neighbours,
being actively encouraged to take part
making them the perfect opportunity for
in the Jubilee to both mark the Queen’s
Londis retailers to become driving forces in
reign and bring communities together.
this once in a lifetime celebration.
Communities
across
the
country
The festival offers a clear opportunity for Londis retailers to engage with their own
GET THE PARTY STARTED
communities and to drive up footfall, sales
Organising a street party or Big Jubilee
and profits.
Lunch isn’t a complicated process. There is no licence required and even if you need
There are two simple ways that retailers can
the street to be temporarily closed, all
join in with the official celebrations: either
UK councils are being encourage to grant
by organising a street party (or taking part
temporary road closures for the Jubilee.
in one organised by the local community)
They will need six weeks’ notice but the
or by organising a Big Jubilee Lunch on the
request is usually a formality.
5thof June.
Londis News March 22.indd 64
20/04/2022 17:31:31
QUEEN’S JUBILEE
HOW TO ORGANISE A STREET PARTY Street parties are set to be a major feature of the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations, so why not organise one near your store? Here’s some advice from the UK government: Organising a street party for residents and neighbours is very simple and does not need a licence - though your local council may require you to complete a simple application form. Plan early and to share jobs out amongst your team and residents. If you need a temporary road closure, get in touch with your council at least six weeks in advance. You should not need a risk assessment. As long as consideration is given to the safety needs of those attending, common sense precautions should be enough.
Find out more at: platinumjubilee.gov.uk
If you plan to sell alcohol you will need to check whether you need a Temporary Events Notice, a temporary permission for licensable activities which currently costs £21 and covers events of fewer than 500 people. There is no requirement to have public liability insurance. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that one-off events such as street parties aren’t usually considered food businesses, so there are no forms to fill in. You do not have to register a lottery (which includes raffles, sweepstakes and tombolas) if you are running an ‘incidental lottery’, but tickets must be sold at the event and prizes cannot be rolled over from one event to another. Anyone at the event (including children) can take part and no more than £100 can be deducted from the proceeds to cover organisational costs. No more than £500 can be spent on prizes (not including donated prizes).
Plan ahead!
June may still seem like a long time away but the Jubilee celebrations are set to be huge this year, so there are plenty of things that require planning, such as: l If you plan to organise entertainment or equipment for a street party like a marquee, bouncy castles or face painters, it’s probably best to book them now.
You do not need a risk assessment – a common sense approach will do, says the Government – and you don’t need public liability insurance.
l If you plan to use bunting, street signs, posters and other informational materials for the party, it makes sense to order it all
If you are planning a street party, or considering one, it’s probably
now to avoid missing out later.
wise to start the ball rolling now. Ask for volunteers to help with your preparations from among your team and your shoppers, allocate simple tasks to them and give them set deadlines.
l If you need to have a temporary road closure for your street party, your local council will need around six weeks’
It’s also important to remember that, with street parties likely in
notice.
many communities across the UK, entertainment and equipment suppliers will be in huge demand. So if you plan to hire a tent or
l If you want to sell alcohol at the party,
marquee, or you intend to hire bouncy castles, trampolines or face
you may need a Temporary Events
painters, it makes sense to book them now.
Notice, so it’s worth checking that now.
And if you intend to host a BBQ, street food stalls or any other form
l If you are planning a BBQ or street food
of food and drink offering, why not speak to your RDM now? They
offering, speak to your Booker RDM now
will be able to help you with the planning and will help ensure that
to make sure that your food and drinks
your order is in early so that everything goes smoothly on the day.
order is in place in plenty of time.
65 Londis News March 22.indd 65
20/04/2022 17:31:31
LEGISLATION UPDATE
New calorie labelling law
Londis News March 22.indd 66
Calorie
counting From April, Londis retailers who offer non-prepacked food and drink for immediate consumption will have to prominently display the calorie content for shoppers.
As part of the Government’s drive to encourage healthier eating among shoppers and to make it easier for them to make informed, healthier decisions when purchasing food out of the home, many retailers will be required by law to display the calorie content of non pre-packaged food from the 6th of April. The regulations require calorie information to be displayed at the point where a shopper chooses what food to purchase, such as on menus and on labels next to food and drink on display.
WHAT’S ON THE LABEL? Businesses selling food ‘in scope’ of the Regulations must: l
display the energy content of the food in kilocalories (kcal)
l
reference the size of the portion to which the calorie information relates
l
display the statement that ‘adults need around 2,000 kcal a day’
WHO WILL THE RULES AFFECT? The new rules will affect Londis retailers who: l
offer non-prepacked food and drink to go
l
offer in-store dining facilities for shoppers
l
offer home delivery of food and drink ‘in scope’ of the new regulations
20/04/2022 17:31:31
The new law follows a consultation in 2018 and,
HOME DELIVERY
from April, the Government is now requiring large food businesses with 250 or more employees to comply with the new legislation. All symbol store outlets have been designated as being within the scope of the regulations.
If you offer home delivery services to your shoppers and you deliver non-prepacked food and drink, the following rules apply from the 6th of April: l
The new rules will cover food ‘in scope’ sold on a website or mobile app
l
This includes food and drink sold via third party delivery apps.
l
The business responsible for the website or mobile app is required to display the calorie information of food offered for sale.
l
Retailers selling via third-party delivery websites or apps will need to provide calorie information to the website or app provider for all products listed for sale on the website or app.
l
Calorie information must be made available to the shopper when the food is delivered in the form of, for example, a calorie labelled menu with the order or stickers on food containers displaying calorie information.
These new rules affect the entire ‘out of home’ food sector and cover all outlets where food or drink is prepared in a way that means it is ready for immediate consumption, on or off the premises. While the legislation is primarily aimed at hospitality business, it will but affect Londis retailers offering non-prepacked food-to-go in their stores or Premier retailers with an in-store dining area. It will also affect retailers offering food and drink ‘in scope’ of the regulations for home delivery. Failure to comply with the Regulations may
LEGISLATION
PLAN AHEAD
result in a food business being issued with an improvement notice while failure to comply with an improvement notice could lead to a £2,500 fixed penalty being imposed.
Fresh Exemptions
Londis retailers are being urged to plan ahead
The Government says the new rules are also
for the new regulations and ensure that they are
designed to “encourage businesses to reformulate
ready in good time for the 6th of April deadline.
the food and drink they offer and provide lower calorie options” for their shoppers.
Delivery challenges
Certain categories of food are exempt from the
The new rules will extend into the digital space and will cover food
(including potatoes), as long as they are not added to
and drink sold on a website or mobile app, including third party
other food, or sold as an ingredient in food consisting
delivery apps. Where food in scope of the regulations is sold on a
of more than one ingredient.
new legislation, including fresh fruit or vegetables
website or mobile app, the business responsible for that website or mobile app is required to display the calorie information of food
For example, loose fresh fruit does not need to
offered for sale by any qualifying business.
display calorie information. However, if prepared into a fruit salad, the fruit salad must be calorie labelled.
Retailers selling via third-party delivery websites or apps will be required to provide calorie information to the website or app
The implications of the new rules are considerable
provider for all products listed for sale on the website or app.
and it makes sense for Londis retailers to get ahead of the game and get ready for the new rules now.
Calorie information must be made available to the shopper when the food is delivered in the form of, for example, a calorie labelled menu with the order or stickers on food containers displaying calorie information.
For more information, visit www.gov.uk
67 Londis News March 22.indd 67
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INDUSTRY AWARDS
Be a winner
It’s your time
to shine! Entering industry awards can be a great way of sharpening your game and if you win, so much the better. Londis News asked some award-winning Londis retailers for their advice on building a winning entry.
It should hardly come as a surprise that
is that they treat regularly entering awards
more and more Londis retailers have
as a key way of keeping their store in great
proven themselves fantastically successful
shape all year round. By constantly taking a
at winning industry awards over the years.
fresh look at their store these retailers make
What might be less obvious is the hugely
sure that standards are maintained and
beneficial effect winning awards can have
improved, and that the business is always
on the business. And it’s not just winning
making progress.
awards that helps: even the process of entering awards delivers benefits.
One of the best ways of improving your business is by learning from other Londis
Firstly, deciding to enter awards forces
stores. If you’ve got the time to visit some
you to take a step back and see your store
stores, great. If you don’t, an easy alternative
through the eyes of your shoppers. It’s easy
is to simply take a closer look at the many
to get caught up in the daily challenges of
store profiles featured in Londis News.
running the store and lose sight of what’s right in front of your eyes. Taking a deep
You can learn a lot from other Londis
breath and casting an objective eye over
retailers and more often than not they will
every aspect of your store will help you
be perfectly happy to offer advice and
figure out what you’re doing well as well as
support when it comes to building a strong
where there is room for improvement.
entry for an industry awards programme, and there are a lot of them out there. So why
The one thing that most multi-award-
not start planning today and you too could
winning Londis retailers have in common
be a winner!
We have so many great Londis retailers with brilliant shops that represent the brand so well. They are in the hives of our communities serving their shoppers and we urge all of them to enter the various retail awards programmes and get the recognition they truly deserve. “Winning a category at any retail awards is a great opportunity to show off the great work they are doing and allows them to raise the profile of the their stores. Awards also recognise the hard work and achievements of the store colleagues so winning one can help boost morale and improve motivation. Colleagues are focused on what’s great about the shop they work in and can feel proud to be a part of it. Vince Brown, Londis RDC
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Take half an hour and sit down and plan the awards that you intend to enter in 2022. We’ve listed the major ones here to help you with that process. Then you can build a calendar of activity and ensure that you give yourself enough time before each entry deadline to compile everything you need for a strong entry. Once you’ve decided, add these into your
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Plan ahead!
There are countless benefits to winning industry awards, the largest of which is probably exposure. Winning an award raises your store’s profile to new heights, especially among suppliers. Suppliers want to work with successful businesses and winning an award is a perfect demonstration of success. It’s also great for raising your profile with local shoppers who love the reassurance that they are shopping at an award-winning store. Dave Hiscutt, Londis Westham Road, Weymouth
calendar now, whether that’s on your phone, your computer or on a traditional desk or wall calendar.
Take a deep breath!
When you’ve decided to put together an entry, it’s tempting to just get stuck in straight away – but it can pay to resist that temptation. Take a deep breath and, before you do anything else, take the time to read the entry form carefully. It’s vital that you know what the judges are expecting before you put pen to paper.
Focus on the positives!
Entry forms for the various awards tend to be fairly similar, but be sure
The best place to start is to
to read and fully understand every question because they all have subtle
focus on areas of your store that
differences.
you feel you have made good progress with over the last year.
Always try to provide precise answers to every question on the form – and resist the urge to miss any questions. Try also to avoid including information
It’s tempting to enter as many
that doesn’t add anything useful or informative to your entry.
categories as possible but that can be counterproductive. It’s quality not quantity that matters
Be concise!
Nothing puts judges off more than pages and pages of text that they have to
here. It’s better to focus on the awards categories where you genuinely feel you’ve made progress in the last 12 months.
wade through, so keep it short and to the point. Many entry forms specify a word count so be sure to keep within those limits. Go over the limit and it gives the judges an easy excuse to discount your entry. Even if the form doesn’t specify a word count, try to provide only information that is relevant and try to avoid including data that you find interesting but the judges might not. If the point you’re making doesn’t add to your entry, it’s perhaps best to ditch it. Try to structure your entry one point at a time with one point leading neatly and logically to the next. Show the judges you understand your business.
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With a huge pile of entries in front of them, judging panels are looking for hard facts and specifics, not generalisations, to help them sift out the stronger entries. Try to avoid vague statements like ‘sales rose’ or ‘footfall
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Be precise!
…but don’t miss anything out! While it’s vital to be concise, it’s also
improved’. Instead, make it clear that ‘sales increased by 13.2%’
important that you don’t submit an
as a direct result of your actions or ‘footfall grew by 12% on a
incomplete entry.
monthly basis’, for instance. Answer all questions and provide all Similarly, try to give precise financial information where possible.
supplementary evidence requested, even
If you are not prepared to give specifics (‘sales rose by £2,800 per
if you’re not sure it’s important.
week’), then provide percentage figures (‘sales rose by 14.7%’). If an entry form requests photographs, Avoid using statements that you cannot back up with evidence.
include them. If it asks for supplementary
This might include things like ‘my shoppers are much happier’
evidence such as Epos data, provide it.
or ‘my staff love it’, unless you back them up with some sort of research or testimonial statement.
With cameras on every smartphone, there’s no excuse for not
An award win is a fantastic way to boost staff morale and show how much you value all of their hard work. It’s also a fantastic way of engaging with local shoppers, especially if you chart your awards journey on social media. Shoppers love to read posts about your store’s progress through the judging process and if you win, it creates such excitement. Shoppers love to feel part of it all and they are. Without our shoppers we wouldn’t be here!
providing good quality photos to illustrate entries.
Claire Tonkin, Londis Goonhavern, Cornwall
Include visuals!
A picture is worth a thousand words so make sure you include good quality photos that highlight your entry and bring energy and colour to your submission. It’s often easier to show what you’ve done than explain it in words.
Critically, only send photos of what you are discussing in your entry. It’s tempting to include photos of everything in you store but if they don’t relate to the specific entry at hand, it’s perhaps best to leave them out. It’s increasingly common to submit video footage these days, so that may be an exciting option to really bring your entry to life.
Do your homework!
If you do it, do it right!
If you’re going to take the time to enter awards then do it enthusiastically and well. It takes time to build a good entry so if
You can really get an edge on the competition by doing some research into
you commit to entering then commit to
the awards you are entering. Look at past winners and see why they won to
making it the best entry it can be.
help inspire you. Judges can easily spot a hastily prepared If the category you are entering has a specific industry supplier sponsor,
entry and will be able to dismiss your entry
don’t be afraid to flatter them by mentioning them by name in your entry
quickly if you didn’t fully commit to the
and including their products in your photos!
process.
71 Londis News March 22.indd 71
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Londis News March 22.indd 72
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GUEST COLUMN
New calorie labelling law
It’s time to prepare for
new calorie labelling laws Booker Technical Director Angela Hughes discusses the impact that forthcoming new calorie labelling legislation will have on many Londis retailers. A new law is set to come in to force on the
and if they then fail to comply with that
6th of April this year that will have a profound
improvement notice they could be issued
impact on all Londis retailers who sell food-
with a £2,500 fixed penalty fine.
to-go, offer in-store dining facilities to their shoppers or provide home delivery services
So it’s vital that Londis retailers prepare for
for food and drink within the scope of the
the new regulations in good time.
regulations. The new regulations will also affect retailers From that date, retailers offering these
offering home delivery. If you sell food in
solutions will be required by law to display
scope of the regulations on a website or
the calorie content of most of their non-
mobile app - including third party delivery
prepacked food and drink. The law covers
apps – you will be required to comply. The
all ‘out of home’ food businesses where food
website or app will need to display the calorie
or drink is prepared in a way that means it is
information of food offered for sale.
ready for immediate consumption, on or off the premises.
If you sell via a third-party delivery websites or apps, it’s also worth noting that you will be
What does that mean for retailers? Essentially,
required to provide calorie information to the
the regulations require calorie information to
website or app provider for all products listed
be displayed at the point where a shopper
for sale on the website or app.
chooses what food they are going to buy. So that will mean calories information has to be
Additionally, calorie information must be
added to menus, for instances, or on labels
made available to the shopper when the
next to food and drink on display.
food is delivered. That could mean a calorie labelled menu with the order, or stickers
While the legislation is principally aimed at
on
hospitality businesses like restaurants and
information.
food
containers
displaying
calorie
bars, it will affect Londis retailers offering non-prepacked food-to-go in their stores or
Certain categories of food are exempt from
retailers with an in-store dining area.
the new legislation, including fresh fruit or vegetables (including potatoes), as long as
The Government says the new legislation
they are not added to other food, or sold as
is geared to making it easier for shoppers
an ingredient in food consisting of more than
to make informed, healthier decisions but
one ingredient.
it also hopes to encourage businesses to reformulate the food and drink they offer and
These are significant new regulations and
provide lower calorie options for shoppers.
retailers should familiarise themselves with their new requirements from the 6th of April
The penalties for failing to comply are severe.
as soon as possible. For more information,
If a retailer fails to meet the regulations, they
visit www.gov.uk
could be issued with an ‘improvement notice’
73 Londis News March 22.indd 73
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Londis News March 22.indd 74
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VIEWPOINT: ACS
Make your voice heard
Time to start
planning for HFSS New legislation on products deemed high in fat, sugar and salt come into force in October and have major implications for how retailers set out their stores and promote products.
Convenience stores are used to adapting
going to be on the right side of the law
when the rules change, and the last two
come October, because the enforcement
years have shown that retailers are fantastic
community are going to be looking at this
at changing swiftly to ensure that their
issue specifically when they’re out visiting
business can continue trading effectively,
stores (it’s not confirmed yet whether they’ll
not just through the restrictions forced by
be bringing a tape measure with them, but
the pandemic but also significant recent
it’s not outside the realm of possibility).
developments like the introduction of Natasha’s Law, fuel grade changes on
There are exemptions for stores with a
forecourts, and calorie labelling for some
relevant floor space of under 2,000 sq ft and
food products in force from April.
for those with fewer than 50 employees, but as with everything, it’s not quite that simple.
As we now hopefully look beyond any issues
The Government’s intention is to include
in stores associated with the pandemic in
symbol and franchise stores within the rules,
2022, preparation has begun for the next
so the ’50 employees’ definition could
big shift in the way that
include everyone working in stores under a
we can set out our stores
symbol fascia. This is a live issue right now
and promote products to
and something ACS is attempting to gain
customers as we count down
clarification on.
to the introduction of HFSS restrictions in October.
We’ve been working on HFSS since its inception several years ago and have now
James Lowman ACS Chief Executive
This legislation, which aims
launched a comprehensive guide for retailers
to restrict the location and
which details every step of the process to
promotion of over a dozen
ensuring that your store is compliant. In the
product categories, will affect
coming months there are likely to be more
thousands of stores and will
questions on interpretations of tiny details
require many to carry out a
of the rules, and we’ll be covering those as
fundamental rethink of their
well through our partnership with Surrey and
strategy and the way that
Bucks Trading Standards. If you think there’s
their store is laid out. The
a chance that you’re going to be in scope
rules on both where you
of these regulations, our guidance can help.
can put products and which
Just go to ACS.org.uk to download the
promotions are allowed
guide and get in touch at acs@acs.orguk,
are complicated, so it’s
or on Twitter @ACS_localshops with any
crucial that you know you’re
questions.
75 Londis News March 22.indd 75
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LET'S CELEBRATE
with our new members and longstanding partners
New stores Shara Petroleum Ltd
Kerrys Mini Market Ltd
Swindon, Wiltshire
Lowestoft, Suffolk
Khalsa Superstore Ltd
Jayanu Ltd
Far Cotton, Northamptonshire
Leeds, West Yorkshire
Emerald Retail Ltd
Sreevatsa Uk Ltd
Airdrie, Lanarkshire
Stockport, Cheshire
K. G Glasgow Ltd
Eastgate Service Ltd
Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Narberth, Powys
Skca 3 Ltd
M R D Service Station Ltd
Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Worcester, Worcestershire
Tk Retail Ltd
M Perera Blackwater
Chelmsford, Essex
Truro, Cornwall
Adastra Retail Ltd
Yogaaa Ltd
Market Drayton, West Midlands
Cardiff, South Glamorgan
A K Retail Ltd
Malar Retails Ltd
Lanark, Lanarkshire
Nether Poppleton, West Yorkshire
Bs Global Stores Ltd
Wine Well Ltd
Reading, Berkshire
Colchester, Essex
Suresh Ltd
J Fernando
London, Greater London
Coventry, West Midlands
Rftm Ltd
Hockenhull Garages Ltd
Glasgow, Lanarkshire
Wellingborough, Northamptonshire
P Kogulathas
S Soni Traders Ltd
Wirral, Cheshire
London, Greater London
Kaiisun Ltd
Tsc Traders Ltd
Camberley, Surrey
Stevenage, Hertfordshire
B Sivarajah
The Kay Group (Uk) Ltd
Richmond, Greater London
Deeside, Flintshire
Orchid Cash & Carry Ltd
Kaj Trading Ltd
Chorley, Lancashire
Bromley, Kent
76 Londis News March 22.indd 76
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LONDIS BIRTHDAYS
Londis birthdays Many happy returns to all those celebrating their time with us. More than just a brand, Londis is a family of like-minded convenience retailers whose focus is to provide a much-needed service to their local community
5
1
YEARS
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Petrogas Group Uk Tipton, West Midlands Petrogas Group Uk Basildon, Essex
23
Uga Ltd Bradford, West Yorkshire
24
Bobby & Praba Limited Southall, Middlesex M Kaur North Shields, Tyne And Wear
Petrogas Group Uk Lutterworth, Leicestershire
19
20
10
27
YEARS
Premier Group Nj Ltd Barrhead, Renfrewshire
28
Londis Bispham, Lancashire
29
Londis Littlehampton, West Sussex
B Kular Goole, North Yorkshire
18
26
Petrogas Group Uk Accrington, Lancashire
14
17
25
Londis - Glassford Street Motherwell, Lanarkshire
Coldean Local Store Brighton, East Sussex
16
22
The Shop @ Shop Limited St Merryn, Cornwall
13
15
21
15
30
YEARS
31
32
Redwood Service Station South Shields, Tyne And Wear Langford Po & Store Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
33
Londis Hunstanton, Norfolk
34
Londis London, Greater London Brandhall Oldbury, West Midlands R Hughes Dolton, Devon
20
35
YEARS
36
C Cox Southminster, Essex
37
Meehu Limited Middlesborough, North Yorkshire
38
S Sivarajah Chatham, Kent K Shivarajan Birmingham, West Midlands S Srikantharajah Abercynon, Mid Glamorgan Eastry Village Supermarket Ltd Eastry, Kent
25
39
30
40
YEARS
YEARS
41
Tower Services (Drayton) Ltd Market Drayton, Shropshire Landport Food Stores & P.O Lewes, East Sussex Mk Suri Food & Wine Store Leeds, West Yorkshire Londis Newark, Nottinghamshire T.J’s Lateshop Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire
Riverhead Londis Sevenoaks, Kent Chilworth Stores Chilworth, Surrey
10
YEARS
TP Garages West Bromwich, West Midlands S Ratnasingham & S Suthakaran Folkestone, Kent 20-22 Longmore Road Walton On Thames, Surrey
20 YEARS
T/A Reddish Service Station Reddish, Greater Manchester Londis Thetford, Norfolk Langley Supermarket Slough, Berkshire Smith News London, Greater London
20 YEARS
Vimco Food & Wine Watford, Hertfordshire
77 Londis News March 22.indd 77
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s i d n o L the m u r o F l i Reta
LONDIS RETAIL FORUM
. .. r e h t e g o t g in Work
NATALIE LIGHTFOOT
Londis, Lanarkshire, Glasgow Tel: 0141 7710490 Mobile: 07915 059101 Email: londis.solo@hotmail.com
JAMIE WOOD
St. Michael’s Services, Dumfries Tel: 01387 254304 Mobile: 07759 260621 Email: stmichaelsservicesltd@gmail.com
TERRY CATON
Londis, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Tel: 01246 208565 Mobile: 07769 644853 Email: tcaton.londis@gmail.com
BEN SIMONS
Londis, Lechlade, Gloucestershire Tel: 01367 252202 Mobile: 07901 711659 Email: ben@oxringltd.com
ROGER PERRY
Londis, East Riding, Yorkshire Tel: 01964 544200 Mobile: 07786 330164 Email: perryroger9@aol.com
ASHTON GARDNER
Gardner Garages, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire Mobile: 07826 857797 Email: ashton@gardnergarages.co.uk
ALPESH PATEL Londis, London N4
SARAH COPE
Londis, Lynton, Devon Tel: 01598 753326 Mobile: 07808 831379 Email: scope71@hotmail.co.uk
Tel: 020 8340 1919 Mobile: 07939 944557 Email: alpeshspatel@hotmail.com
ARJAN MEHR
Londis, Bracknell, Berkshire Tel: 01344 425565 Mobile: 07710 567008 Email: arjanmehr@aol.com
STEVE BASSETT
Londis, Weymouth, Dorset Mobile: 07875 286657 Email: steedthrust@googlemail.com
Supporting the Londis retail family! We are always happy to hear from you, so please give us a call or send us a message on our contact details above…
79 Londis News March 22.indd 79
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