The Coca-Cola Company. Powerade is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company. Carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions enhance the absorption of water during physical exercise. Pantothenic acid (vit. B5) contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Consume as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
Pedal power
Booker colleagues join GroceryAid’s three-day cycle challenge across the Scottish Borders.
Score with Scoot this summer!
A wave of enhancements offers even more reasons to sign up to Scoot.
9 LONDIS RETAILERS SCORE KEY AWARDS WINS
Londis retailers scooped a duo of industry accolades at The Convenience Awards 2026.
11 COMMUNITY NEWS
The latest round up of inspiring stories from Londis stores.
23 GROCERYAID UPDATE
The latest news from the industry’s charity.
26 THIRST RESPONDER
When Londis retailer VJ Patel spots an opportunity he acts on it – and fast!
33 CREATING WAVES
Shoppers are awash with praise for Londis Sussex Avenue following a mini-makeover.
44 THE BOOKER RETAIL TRADE SHOWS 2026
The Booker Retail Trade Shows allowed retailers to bag unrivalled choice, price and service.
50 BACK OF THE NET
As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off, Londis has everything you need to score.
57 NEW PRODUCT ROUNDUP
Our pick of the hottest new products to hit the shelves.
61 MEET THE TEAM
Beer & Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan talks us though this summer’s hottest opportunities.
69 SCOOT UPDATE
A wave of enhancements delivers even more reasons to sign up to Scoot.
75 MEAL MILESTONE
Booker celebrates 25 million meals after five years of partnership with FareShare.
79 BOOKER NETWORKS
An inspiring update from the Women at Booker Colleague Network.
Booker Retail Partners
Tel: 0870 050 0158
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Opening hours:
For customer services: 6am–9pm (Monday to Friday)
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Email: For customer services: londis.claims@bookerretail.co.uk or enquiries@londis.co.uk
The summer season is almost upon us and promising a sizzling set of opportunities for retailers to net additional footfall, sales and profits.
A very warm welcome to the latest packed issue of Londis News as we head into the all-important summer season – and what a season of opportunity it promises to be!
Kicking off in early June, the FIFA World Cup 2026 is sure to prove a sizzling highlight.
Taking place over three countries and featuring a record number of teams from across the globe, the tournament looks set to provide a hat-trick of opportunities for retailers to score additional footfall, sales and profits as shoppers stock up to enjoy the sporting spectacle with friends and family.
In this issue you’ll also find an insight-packed interview with Booker’s Beer & Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan, including a lowdown on the many striking deals, bundle promotions and NPD that Booker has in its kitbag to help support you this summer.
And that’s far from all. As the home delivery opportunity continues to grow, so does the number of reasons to sign up to Scoot – Booker’s exclusive low-cost delivery solution.
Well over 400 retailers now use Scoot and that number is set to keep climbing over the summer months, thanks to a wave of new improvements and enhancements recently made in direct response to retailer feedback. Check out our Scoot Update feature to get the full development details.
We also look back at our recent hugely successful Retail Trade Shows at Sandown and Doncaster.
Retailers from across the country flocked to both shows to stock up on key insights, news, products and prices. It was wonderful to see so many of you there!
This issue also features a moving update from the Women at Booker Colleague Network as it enters its fourth year and an important transition – with new leadership and a new name: The Gender Equality Network.
And of course, this issue also provides the usual fantastic mix of inspiring retailer profiles, innovative new products and helpful advice.
It’s certainly set to be a cracking summer for Londis retailers, and we wish you all the very best of trading over the next couple of months – and the best of luck to England and Scotland at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Look forward to seeing you in-store!
Martyn Parkinson Director of Retail Sales
Stewart Fenn Director of Retail Customer Proposition & Forecourt Sales
Londis retailers claim key industry award wins
Two high profile industry accolades were awarded to Londis stores at The Convenience Awards 2026.
Londis retailers were celebrated at The Convenience Awards 2026, scooping a duo of high-profile accolades.
The hotly-contested prize of Independent Convenience Store of the Year was awarded to seasoned Londis retailer Nishi Patel of Bexley Park in Kent.
Judges said Nishi and his team had “worked hard to make the store a destination, by blending modern aesthetics with innovative technology”. They were further impressed by its many community initiatives and engaging in-store activations.
The Small Convenience Store of the Year trophy, meanwhile, was awarded to Londis Merton Park in London.
Owned by independent retailers Yogesh and Mukta Patel, the 1,500sq ft store opened in May 2025 and features a host of unique touches, including an innovative in-store deli selling freshly cooked curries, sides and snacks to take away - often made using locally grown ingredients.
The store also features a Beer Cave, Treat Stop, Cook freezers, local produce and more.
Praising all the finalists and winners, Convenience Store editor, Aidan Fortune said: “The sector is operating in an incredibly tough trading environment and to see businesses go above and beyond in this fashion is inspiring.”
The Convenience Awards 2026 took place on Wednesday 11 March at the Rum Warehouse at Titanic Hotel in Liverpool.
Key issues of interest to you Londis N16 cooks up a storm
Londis N16 in London enjoyed such success with its latest supper club collaboration that it was forced to put on a second date.
Its first event held in partnership with “purpose-driven” bakery and café The Dusty Knuckle, sold out in a matter of minutes, prompting a second date in March to be added.
All food served at the exclusive events was cooked by store owner Anju with the help of her sons Alpesh and Priyesh, who run Londis N16.
Londis
The menu included a host of Gujarati delicacies such as Dahi Puri, Misal Pav and Mohanthal.
Broad Haven
helps customers learn shop lingo
Londis Broad Haven in Pembrokeshire has been helping shoppers learn key convenience lingo with fun “behind the scenes” explainers.
In March alone, shoppers learned the meaning of WIGIG, EPoS and SELs.
A Facebook post educating shoppers on the finer points of EPoS read: “Ever wondered what that beep at the till means?
“That’s our EPoS system working hard so you can get back to the beach quicker. It tracks stock, keeps things moving and helps us know when something’s about to become… WIGIG.
“Small seaside shop. Lots happening behind the scenes.”
Londis Solo sends mums to spa
Londis Solo Convenience Store in Glasgow has treated one lucky local lady and her niece to a luxurious spa day.
The store ran a special Mother’s Day Facebook competition in partnership with Snappy Shopper which offered customers the chance to win the getaway.
All shoppers had to do was ‘like’ the post and comment on it, tagging their mother or a mother figure.
The lucky winners received a voucher for the McDonald Forest Hills Spa in Stirlingshire.
INDUSTRY NEWS
Key issues of interest to you Booker celebrates meal milestone
The company’s long-term commitment to tackling food waste and food insecurity has reached a major milestone.
Booker has celebrated a major sustainability milestone after providing the equivalent of 25 million meals to families and individuals facing food insecurity over the last five years.
The achievement is thanks to Booker’s longstanding partnership with the UK’s leading food redistribution charity FareShare.
The 25 million meal milestone highlights the scale and impact of the partnership, which sees surplus food from across Booker’s estate redistributed to charities and community groups nationwide - helping to support the families and individuals who need it most - and preventing good food from going to waste.
To find out more about Booker’s meal milestone, turn to the feature on page 75.
Fed members voice employment law concerns
The Fed’s National President Hetal Patel has written to business secretary Peter Kyle calling for the government to implement the Employment Rights Act carefully and communicate clearly with independent retailers so they can prepare.
In the letter, Mr Patel wrote: “Fed members are responsible employers and value a positive working relationship with their staff members, so we fully understand the measures in the Act and their positive intentions.
“However, we continue to have concerns that the Act will have the unintended consequence of making recruitment of staff less flexible, ultimately adding to unemployment, which is not in the interests of anyone.”
The letter comes at a time of unemployment rising to 5.3 per cent, and youth unemployment now at 16.1 per cent among 16–24-year-olds.
It also comes as new BRC data highlights how important flexibility at work is for younger workers especially, which could be more challenging by measures in the Act, including reasonable notice of a shift change.
ACS launches new DRS Guide for retailers
The ACS has launched a new in-depth guide on how the coming Deposit Return Scheme will impact on convenience retailers.
As the start date for the new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) draws ever closer, the ACS has launched a new guide to help retailers make preparations.
The guide details the operation of the scheme and the things that retailers need to consider when deciding whether to operate a manual return point, install a Reverse Vending Machine (RVM) or seek an exemption from collections. All retailers will be required to charge a deposit on eligible containers.
The UK Government is introducing a DRS in October 2027, which will operate in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and be overseen by Exchange for Change.
The Welsh Government intend to introduce a DRS by October 2027 that also includes glass.
Glass containers in Wales will not have a deposit applied to them until 2031, but must still be accepted in stores.
Customers will pay a deposit when purchasing a drink in a single-use container and receive the deposit back
when they return the empty container to a return point operator.
Single use containers in scope include PET plastic bottles and metal cans (volume between 150ml and 3 litres).
If you sell drinks in single-use containers, you are obligated to:
l Register your store with Exchange for Change
l Pay the deposit back to consumers at the point of return (payment methods are to be determined by Exchange for Change)
l Ensure that customers can redeem their deposit through a voucher at the checkout
l Display information so customers know how the scheme works
You can apply for an exemption from operating a return point. However, every store must charge a deposit on containers, even if they are exempt from hosting a return point.
For more information, view the new ACS guide at www.acs.org.uk/advice/depositreturn-scheme-guide-retailers
Local spending 'holds strong'
Local spending is holding strong in the current economic climate, with repeat customers anchoring local economies despite squeezed budgets, new data from global technology company Square has revealed.
According to the research, 70% of UK shoppers shop locally every week.
What’s more, 80% of shoppers said their relationship with their favourite local business was more than transactional.
The research found that 40% described the relationship as familiar – that feeling of being recognised when you walk through the door –while another 29% said they felt connected by a personal bond with staff.
Loyal regulars also generate up to five times more annual revenue for British local businesses as they typically return to a business 11 times throughout the year, according to Square.
Spending on crime prevention tech sees shop theft fall
Retailers are spending more than ever before on crime prevention and detection measures, the ACS says.
Record investment by local shops in crime prevention and detection measures has led to a year-on-year fall in the number of shop theft incidents recorded in the UK convenience sector, according to The Association of Convenience Stores’ (ACS) Annual Crime Report.
Over the last year there have been 5.8 million incidents of shop theft recorded by retailers, down 6% from 6.2 million last year.
Meanwhile, verbal abuse incidents have dropped by 20.5% from over 1.2 million incidents to 954,000+.
The fall in shop theft and verbal abuse incidents comes as convenience retailers spent a record £313m on crime prevention and detection measures, investing in areas like CCTV, security tagging, protective screens, facial recognition and AI store monitoring to keep their stock secure and their colleagues safe.
ACS also observed more reporting of crime, with 64% of retailers stating they are reporting more crime to the police than last year.
Worryingly, the number of violent incidents has increased by 13.6% from 59,000+ to 67,000+, while 61% of retailers believe that anti-social behaviour in or around their store has increased over the past year.
Over half (52%) of retailers believe incidents involving organised crime groups have increased in the past year.
Thankfully, incidents of robbery have decreased significantly, down 36% from an estimated 9,200+ incidents to 5,900+.
The 2026 ACS Crime Report reveals that, taken together, the cost of crime and the cost of investing in crime prevention amounts to an 11p ‘crime tax’ on every transaction that takes place in the UK’s local shops.
Association of Convenience Stores chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Convenience stores are doing everything they can to keep their colleagues and customers safe.”
Retailers crack Easter 2026 with dynamic new approaches
Easter has evolved “far beyond” chocolate, with many stores displaying a “broader, more dynamic approach to seasonal retail,” IGD said. From Easter crackers to floral wreaths, toys and even festive trees, alongside a renewed focus on the Easter roast, many retailers turned the occasion into “a multi-category celebration”.
According to IGD’s ShopperVista research, 61% of UK shoppers intended to celebrate Easter in 2026, making it the fourth most widely celebrated occasion after Christmas, birthdays, and New Year.
Plus, 44% of those celebrating planned to buy gifts, the majority of which were food-focused.
Food inflation could surge amid Middle East conflict
Food inflation could briefly hit over 8% by June 2026 if global energy market disruption continues, IGD warns.
The Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) has released updated inflation forecasts for the UK food and drink sector, warning that food inflation could briefly reach over 8% by June 2026 if disruption to global energy markets persists, in the most severe but short-lived energy shock scenario. This is more than double the current food inflation rate of 3.6%.
It comes on top of a sustained rise in prices, with UK retail food prices now around 38% higher than pre-Covid levels, leaving households far more exposed to further price spikes.
Under this high-impact scenario, the sharp rise in prices would be short-lived but severe, with average food inflation of around 6.4% across 2026, adding over £150 to the average household’s annual grocery bills, intensifying the pressure on family budgets which are already stretched by elevated housing, energy and essential living costs.
Even in IGD’s baseline scenario mapping, which assumes no Middle East conflict, retail food inflation is forecast to average 3.8% in 2026, implying that UK shoppers collectively would still need to find close to £10bn more to buy the same basket of food.
IGD’s modelling also highlights a middle scenario, where a more moderate but temporary energy shock would lift average food inflation to around 4.8% in 2026, underlining that even relatively short-lived disruption in energy markets can have a meaningful impact on food prices.
The new forecasts take into account the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, a key energy-producing region. The disruption is expected to impact food production directly, due to the energy-intensive nature of the supply chain, where oil and gas play critical roles at every stage.
Brits back store bans for repeat shoplifters, with 85% in favour
The vast majority of shoppers support tougher action to tackle shoplifting, including the use of facial recognition technology and banning repeat offenders from returning to shops, a new study conducted by market research agency The Harris Poll UK.
More than eight in 10 people (82%) agree that shoplifting is not a victimless crime and has real consequences for businesses and retail workers, while 85% support the idea of restriction zones that would prevent known shoplifters from returning to stores they have previously targeted.
The public is also open to facial recognition and AI technology, revealed the survey, with more than three-quarters of people (77%) agreeing that facial recognition and AI technology should be used to alert shop staff when repeat shoplifters enter stores.
ACS flags up retailers’ rising costs to Low Pay Commission
The ACS has urged the Low Pay Commission to consider the rising operating costs and financial pressure on local shops, as a consultation on future minimum wage rates for April 2027 is launched.
From 1 April 2026, the National Living Wage increased by 4.1% to £12.71 for workers aged 21 and over.
The Low Pay Commission’s consultation on the 2027 rates sets out an indicative National Living Wage range of £13.02 to £13.34, with a central estimate of £13.18.
ACS will be submitting evidence to the Commission, highlighting the impact that rising labour costs are having on retailers and the difficult decisions that many businesses are already making as a result of the increases taking effect from April 2026.
The consultation also comes as retailers prepare for further changes arising from the Employment Rights Act, including reforms to Statutory Sick Pay.
ACS is urging the Government to ensure that these measures are implemented in a way that is proportionate, workable and does not place further unnecessary burdens on local shops.
ACS chief executive Ed Woodall said: “Local shops are facing multiple increases in operating costs, alongside new regulatory requirements, which are having a material impact on their hiring and investment decisions in their businesses.
“We want the Low Pay Commission to understand the challenges facing local shops when forming its recommendations for 2027 wages. Convenience stores play a vital role in communities and want to invest in their people, but achieving this depends on having greater stability and certainty around the costs they face.”
ACS’ forthcoming Employment Survey will gather further evidence from retailers on the effect that recent wage increases and food inflation are having on their businesses.
UK wildlife to star on next series of notes
Images of the UK’s wildlife are to feature on the next series of banknotes following a public consultation run by the Bank of England.
The nature theme received the highest proportion of nominations in last year’s consultation, as well as support in focus groups commissioned by the Bank.
Within the nature theme, much of the feedback from respondents referred to wildlife that was native to the UK.
The Bank has also judged that wildlife images would be most effective for developing banknotes with security features that are easy for the public to recognise and distinguish.
The Bank will run a second consultation this summer to gather the public’s views on the specific wildlife they would like to feature on the next series of banknotes.
Victoria Cleland, Chief Cashier at the Bank of England, said: “I was delighted by the level of public engagement during our banknote theme consultation last year. The response underlines how important banknotes remain to people.”
Pedal the Borders –for GroceryAid!
A contingent of Booker colleagues is joining industry charity GroceryAid’s annual three-day cycle challenge this year with a ride across the Scottish Borders.
Industry charity GroceryAid has chosen the beautiful Scottish Borders as the location for its annual three-day cycling challenge this year with a strong contingent from Booker taking part in the fundraising challenge.
The ride will take place from Wednesday 15 – Friday 17 July with two stunning routes planned for intermediate and advanced riders to test endurance while celebrating
Scotland’s most beautiful landscapes, all in support of your industry charity.
Last year’s ride raised more than £190k and the charity hopes to top that figure in 2026. The event presents a unique opportunity to network and host key contacts in a memorable setting.
With a full support crew, organised training rides, and a celebratory dinner to round off the experience, this challenge offers an exceptional experience for cyclists.
So if you would like to get involved and helped raise much-needed funds for GroceryAid, please contact: felicity.patterson@groceryaid.org.uk.
RETAILER PROFILE
Thirst responder
Londis retailer VJ Patel and his team respond to change with innovations and alterations, faster than you can say ESEL.
Agility: it’s always been one of the independent sector’s most potent superpowers. In the time it can take a multiple retailer to schedule a meeting about a meeting – the agile indie can identify a change, respond to it, tweak it, perfect it and be shouting about it to their shoppers.
A lot of that has to do with VJ’s influence. Having studied Business Information Technology before he joined the family firm in 2009, technology has always played a key role in his supersupple strategy.
For example, the 1,200sq ft store was an early adopter of electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) – way back in 2021.
One Londis retailer who deploys his powers of agility to the absolute max is Vrajesh Patel – known as VJ to his shoppers.
His family-owned store in Dagenham has been trading for more than 40 years – yet despite its longevity, it remains as flexible and agile as it did on day one – often implementing innovative technology way ahead of the pack.
Costing in the region of £35,000 back then, it was a weighty investment to make, but one which VJ says has proved to be worth its weight in gold.
“The ESELs have more than paid off. Just thinking about the efficiency gains alone, the time saving is huge –especially at promotional changeovers,” he says.
“I never understand it when other retailers spend £100,000–£200,000 modernising their stores with a refit – but then baulk at the extra cost of ESELs.
“They are such a fantastic investment and a huge asset to the business, not just in terms of efficiency but also the visual impact they have. They just look great!
“Customer confidence is another boon. With ESELs your customers are reassured that the price they see on shelf is the price they will pay at the till.”
The ESELs are also a treasure trove of information, as VJ explains: “They can also give you so much data! There’s a discreet button under each one of ours which, when pressed, allows members of our team to access key information such as how much of a particular product we have in stock and when the next delivery
day is. It also helps with gap filling. If we see a gap on shelf, we can quickly check what should be there and where the missing product is.
“Just a few weeks ago, we had a gap on the shelf where coffee should have been. The ESELs were telling us that we had six jars in stock – except we didn’t. The disparity didn’t make sense, so I went back and checked the CCTV and unfortunately discovered that a shoplifter had come in a few hours before and stolen the jars. While they didn’t help prevent the crime, at least I knew almost immediately what had happened.”
And ESELs are far from the only tech triumph this agile store has in its armoury.
Innovative pay pods fitted under the counter also remove the need for staff to handle cash – allowing shoppers who wish to pay in cash to feed it into the pods for the till system to accept and distribute any change.
Top tips!
Electronic shelf edge labels (ESELs) have helped us drive major efficiency benefits and give the store a smart, professional look.
2 3
We’ve increased space for great-value bagged confectionery and multi-packs in line with local demand.
Scoot home delivery has been a fantastic new addition to our service – allowing us to engage with new generations and shoppers from further afield.
“This year the big focus for me is on streamlining the business and making sure that every product earns its space on the shelf,” VJ adds.
“The start of the year can be a quieter time, so we made the most of that relative calm – taking the time to analyse all our data and look at what was selling well, what had slowed down and then reducing or removing products accordingly to make space for new lines,” he explains.
“The exercise prompted us to cut back on some of our US confectionery lines. In the current economic climate, we were seeing shoppers becoming increasingly reluctant to spend on those typically pricier products.
“So we’ve given over that space to bagged sweets, multi-packs and seasonal products – and we also went bigger than ever on Easter with a dedicated seasonal display this year.
NEW CLUSTERS
“We’re also focusing more than ever on highmargin products – especially food and drinks to go, where sales are on the up.”
Londis Halbutt Street boasts a striking Snack Shack zone at its entrance featuring Tango Ice Blast, f’real, Snowshock slush, Reese’s and Hershey’s Freeze, and Costa Coffee – along with a range of hot foodto-go products from Rollover and Country Choice, plus some local bakery products – with VJ currently exploring further new additions.
“We also offer F’wip gelato, but we swap it in and out throughout the year as it creates great excitement for shoppers,” he adds.
“We removed the unit over the winter and replaced it with a promotional end bay which generated pleasing sales – and now it’s back for the spring and summer months – much to shoppers’ delight!”
Responding to local demand, the store has also expanded its frozen food offer of late, increasing from two small doors to seven tall doors – featuring a base plus six shelves.
“It’s been a really positive move,” VJ says. “Shoppers were asking us for a wider range of frozen products, so we gave it to them and we’re seeing pleasing growth.”
World foods are another star performer. “The local demographic has changed and again we’ve been
STORE INFO
Store name: Londis Halbutt Street, Dagenham
Retailer’s name: Vrajesh Patel (VJ)
Store size: 1,200sq ft
Opening hours: 7am–7pm
Staff: 6
quick to respond with a new range of halal products – including halal frozen foods, fresh meats and halal confectionery.
“Thanks to our agility, we’ve got a store that truly caters to everyone!”
Home delivery is another new addition, with Londis Halbutt Street very recently launching Scoot.
“Offering a home delivery service like Scoot is simply a must these days. It allows me to target those customers who, for whatever reason, don’t have time to come to our store, or who might live further out. In my opinion, it’s now an essential service that all stores should be providing. Gen Z interact very differently with stores – they live their lives much more online and you’ve got to move with the times and cater to them in that space.
“The service is still in its infancy at the moment and we’re carrying out all the deliveries ourselves, but I’ve already got an eye on getting an electric bike and a dedicated member of staff to do the deliveries,” VJ adds.
“The other big thing we’re working on at the moment is flexing our relationships with suppliers. I want to do more high-impact in-store activations going forward as they are such a unique and fun way to engage with shoppers.
“We’re currently working on exciting plans with Budweiser and Walkers – so watch this space!”
VJ is also exploring the possibility of launching an innovative in-store balloon range – offering shoppers the chance to order personalised balloons, arches and stacks for birthdays, weddings and other celebrations.
“We’re also making the very most of any seasonal opportunities and national events – and this summer holds its fair share with the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Formula One World Championship,” he says.
“We’re also really looking forward to the Londis Beer and Cider Festival and will be sure to deck the store out and create as much theatre and excitement as possible.
“As independent retailers we have a unique ability to tweak our offer, surprise our shoppers and ensure that we always remain front of mind – and that’s exactly what we do!”
Offering a home delivery service like Scoot is simply a must these days. It allows me to target those customers who, for whatever reason, don’t have time to come to our store, or who might live further out. In my opinion, it’s now an essential service that all stores should be providing.
Vrajesh Patel
RETAILER PROFILE
Chilled Champion
Creating waves
Shoppers are awash with praise for long-serving Londis retailer Soheil Haji and his loyal team following some swell store upgrades.
When it comes to retail, making a splash is great. From full-scale Knock Down Rebuilds to revolutionary refits, there’s nothing like a bit of stud wall to whet shoppers’ appetite.
However, as veteran Londis retailer Soheil Haji knows, you don’t always need to make a great big splash to create waves – small strokes can also lead to a swell in sales.
The end of last year saw Soheil make a series of small, yet highly informed upgrades to his long-standing store’s range and offer – and six months on, he’s certainly feeling the ripple effect.
“We’ve been trading from this store for more than 33 years, so it’s fair to say that we’ve got a very good understanding of exactly what our local shoppers need from us,” he laughs.
“We’ve always tried to be a cornerstone of the community and there’s a lot of great spirit here – a lot of heart. Our customers are brilliant and we take care to show them our appreciation. As the age-old saying goes: if you look after your customers they will look after you.”
And it was that spirit of looking after his customers and giving them more of what they needed that guided Soheil’s recent store upgrades.
“We’re based on a large housing estate with approaching 2,000 chimney pots and are close to a newly opened school too – so the vast majority of our trade is local,” he explains.
“The nearest supermarket is some distance away, so many of our shoppers rely on us to meet their daily needs.”
As such, the first of Soheil’s recent changes was to upgrade all the store’s chillers to new, larger and more energy-efficient units that have allowed him to increase the fresh and chilled range by more than 12%.
“The new chillers have a whole extra tier of shelving, which has allowed us to introduce more cooked deli meats and also more fresh meats, such as whole chickens, chicken thighs, gammon, mince and more, which we never did before,” he says.
“It’s not a dramatic change but it’s had a dramatic impact because it means our loyal local shoppers now have so much more choice on their doorsteps – and it’s definitely driving bigger baskets.”
The smart new chillers with doors have also elevated the look of the store – and are driving truly electrifying savings on Soheil’s bills.
“Changing all the chillers cost us about £26,000 but the new chillers are already saving us over £1,000 a month on our electricity bill, which is incredible!” he explains.
“We had to empty the whole store to get the new chillers in, but thankfully the work was all done in just over two days.
“Members of the Londis Merchandising Team came in to help us put the store back together once the new chillers were in and my RDM, Natalie, was a fantastic support too – exceptional, in fact.”
The store’s large new six-tier, three-metre soft drinks chiller was further upgraded with the addition of a Bev Track system, which Soheil also credits for adding even more sparkle to his soft drinks sales, which are now up 8.7%.
A new tier of shelving was also added to the grocery aisle, allowing for an increase in packaged breads, cakes and groceries, while a fourth freezer was introduced at the rear of the store, creating more space for frozen meal solutions and the Londis Frozen Meal Deal.
STORE INFO
Store name: Londis Sussex Avenue, Canterbury
Retailer: Soheil Haji
Size: 750sq ft
Staff: 11
Services: National Lottery, PayPoint, Payzone, parcel collection, Scoot
Opening hours: 6am–8.30pm
Fruity cider? Stock up now
Biggest
“We also took the opportunity to introduce a hot food-to-go offer –something that was totally new for us,” Soheil adds.
“It’s all from Country Choice and, because of the size of our store, we could only fit in a small counter-top unit, but that tiny unit is having a huge impact!
“Despite its small size, we’re already averaging more than 51 sales a day on individual items, such as sausage rolls, and we’ve only been doing it a few weeks. We’re having to bake up to three times a day just to keep up with demand.”
“The fresh Parisiennes have been a huge hit, and we sell at least 15 of those a day and counting, which has been a really pleasant surprise.
“The overall effect is simply fantastic, and shoppers agree that we’ve managed to elevate their whole shopping experience just by having made a few considered changes.”
But the changes don’t end there. Just ahead of Christmas the store also launched Scoot – the first in Kent to do so.
And it’s going “really well” – helping Londis Sussex Avenue to attract totally new shoppers from outside its local demographic.
“Last week we had 27 orders and 16 of them were totally new customers who had never come into the store because they live three or four miles away,” Soheil explains.
Top tips!
Our small yet mighty new counter-top hot food-to-go offer is driving additional footfall and sales.
2 3
New fresh meats are allowing us to meet more local needs and driving bigger baskets.
Scoot home delivery is helping us to reach new customers – some of whom live more than three miles away and didn’t shop with us before.
“We’re now in the process of purchasing a dedicated vehicle for our Scoot deliveries that will be totally branded and that should help get word of our new service out even further,” he adds.
And that word ‘service’ is key because Soheil and his dedicated, long-serving team offer a very personal one.
“All our deliveries are carried out by our team, which allows us to be very hands-on. If there are ever any substitutions needed, we always call the shoppers to check if they are happy, or if they would like to make any changes,” he explains.
“We also call them in the event of a delay, due to traffic or some unforeseen problem. We’re very open and honest and shoppers really appreciate that.
“My team have played a huge role in the success of all these changes.
“They’ve had a lot of new things to learn but they’ve adapted so admirably to them all. They are a very experienced and committed bunch and I’m so proud of them all.”
In store, customers are showing their appreciation too, in the form of higher footfall and basket spend.
“The overall result is brilliant – our turnover is up and our average basket spend is up by almost 10% to £10.84 too, when you consider our size,” says Soheil.
“It really shows the power that a few small but well-considered and executed changes can make.”
M318129
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Score with GB’s #1 Soft Drink Brand * this
FIFA World Cup 26™
EXCLUSIVE PANINI STICKERS UNDER EVERY LABEL.
TRADE SHOWS OutStanding!
Racing ahead
The Booker Retail Shows 2026 helped retailers get off to a racing start this spring.
Forget hooves, it was the thunder of footsteps pounding the ground at Sandown and Doncaster racecourses on 5 and 12 March 2026 as retailers from across the country galloped to Booker’s Retail Trade Shows – champing at the bit to take stock of innovative new products, exclusive deals and spectacular new services and support.
NEW PRODUCTS
The shows were the perfect platform on which to showcase Booker’s fresh flush of innovation, with the unveiling of its Spring 2026 New Product Development (NPD) Guide.
Featuring more than 130 new lines, including over 16 Group Exclusives, both shows brought the guide to life – with bold stands showcasing its innovation-packed offering, which also includes nine First To Market products designed to help retailers drive footfall and sales this spring season.
I’ve recently opened a brand‑new Londis store after having moved from my previous old premises. We’re only four months in, so it’s a very busy and exciting time and it’s great to be here at the show today to see all the fantastic new products and trends that we can bring in over the coming weeks and months.
There’s so much newness here and it feels like blue is the big summer trend for 2026 –blue raspberry is everywhere! There are also some great deals and Trade Show‑only prices which I will be taking advantage of!
Hemal Agraval Sheerwater Londis, Surrey
cider profit perfection
From handheld ice creams to canned wines and chilled meal kits, many of the innovative products have been designed to tap into the spring trend towards lighter flavours and on-the-go formats.
New own-brand products, including Jack’s Snacks and Crisps Variety Packs, also played a starring role.
CHILLED RANGE
Both shows also allowed retailers to see Booker’s chilled range in all its glory, via a prominent bank of chillers featuring fresh produce, meats, ready meals, dairy and a dedicated fridge for Booker’s £4.50 meal deal.
Booker’s fresh and frozen range includes more than 1,800 lines across key categories, including over 300 own-brand lines, helping retailers to take a sizeable bite out of the lucrative market.
HOME DELIVERY
With the home delivery opportunity continuing to gather pace, retailers were also inspired to join the 400-plus stores which are already part of the Scoot family.
The vibrant and interactive stands were a hive of activity at both Sandown and Doncaster alike – constantly
buzzing with retailers keen to find out how they could make more and save more with Booker’s home delivery service.
Retailers attending the shows were also able to learn about a number of new updates to the Scoot service, including the new and improved vouchering system with analytics, driver-tracking capabilities and handheld terminal (HHT) functionality upgrades – including better pricing, promotion and reporting management.
Stores that sign up to Scoot receive dedicated Business Development Manager and RDM support to help them navigate set-up and beyond – including product-file set-up, training, live support and a customised growth plan.
Retailers visiting the trade shows could also see the vast range of app-only Scoot Star Deals on offer, including a show-stopping ‘All 3 for £6’ bundle deal on Birds Eye Chicken Dippers, Potato Waffles and Mixed Vegetables.
SUPPORT
From staff training to store development and social media, both shows also laid out the sizeable package of support available to Booker retailers.
There are so many benefits in coming out to this show! It’s a fantastic opportunity to get up close with brands and touch and taste new products, especially as we come into the all‑important summer season.
It’s also just great to get out from behind the counter and network with other retailers, suppliers and contacts face to face.
I’m also here promoting the Retail Family Support Group which I helped to establish last year. Taking time out for mental health is so important in these challenging times.
Atul Sodha
Londis Harefield, Middlesex
M-code 4x440ml Cans: M318237
The shows’ training stands showcased the impressive spread of free online training courses specifically designed to help keep stores and staff compliant.
Powered by CPL Learning, retailers can access 11 endorsed courses covering essential topics such as Health & Safety, Food Safety, and Age Verification.
A number of new and updated courses are now also available, including Natasha’s Law, Slips, Trips & Falls, and Working at Height Awareness.
All courses are free and can be completed online via a web browser or through dedicated mobile apps, with access provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The social media stands, meanwhile, allowed retailers to
soak up the swathe of digital support designed to help them boost engagement and reach, including Booker’s recently released Social Media Training Guide.
They could also learn more about the cache of free content available to them and the many benefits of Booker’s dedicated WhatsApp channel.
Booker’s army of Added Value Services was also brought to life on an inspiring stand which showcased the many ways in which Booker’s business-enabling partners could help them to ‘Make More and Save More’ – with exclusive rates and discounts across a vast range of products and services.
FORECOURT ZONE
New for 2026 was a large Forecourt Zone designed to showcase Booker’s forecourt expertise – highlighting its forecourt-focused range, dedicated account
management team and end-to-end store development and planogram support.
More than 2,000 forecourt stores are now part of the Booker family, including a number of award winners.
DEALS
Both shows also allowed retailers to take advantage of jaw-dropping Wow Deals and Exclusive Trade Show Prices such as ‘Save £6’ on cases of AU Vodka Cherryade, Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, Black Grape and Juicy Peach, and savings of £1.50 on cases of key soft drinks lines such as Coke Zero, Diet Coke and Coca-Cola Cherry.
NETWORKING
And of course, both shows also offered retailers an unrivalled opportunity to catch up with key suppliers and see, taste and learn about their new products and brand plans for 2026. The shows also provided the perfect platform for retailers to meet new suppliers as well as network with fellow store owners, trade associations and key members of the Booker team.
Get set to score with the FIFA World Cup 2026!
Londis has everything you need to get your store match fit in time for kick-off – and net striking sales and profits.
Whether it’s parents cheering from the sidelines, friends sharing strawberries over the tennis, cyclists saddling up for a ride or retirees roving out for a ramble, sport has always had a wonderful way of bringing people together.
And this summer is set to host the mother of all sporting events when the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday 11 June.
Taking place over three countries, with a record number of teams from across the globe competing (48, to be precise!), the FIFA World Cup 2026 will be the biggest ever – providing an unrivalled opportunity for people to unite in anticipation and celebration.
As with any large-scale sporting event, this year’s football fiesta is sure to prompt a surge in at-home entertaining and match-night socialising, as friends, families and whole communities come together around the telly to toast their teams.
As Booker’s Beer and Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan explains: “Major football tournaments are always among the biggest beer and cider
occasions for UK shoppers, especially during summer with evening game times. During the Euros in 2024 there was a 2.9% volume uplift during the tournament period compared to the previous year.”
According to shopper panel research by marketing agency Savvy, 58% of UK shoppers say that they are “quite” or “highly likely” to get involved in the tournament, with interest spanning a range of ages and demographics, and with the highest intent among families.
In fact, the sporting spectacle’s pulling power is so strong that even the 47% of shoppers who don’t usually describe themselves as “football fans” say they will still tune in to watch their country play – highlighting the tournament’s unique power to capture attention well beyond the core football crowd.
The stats are clear – the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup looks set to create equally big moments – both on the pitch and in the aisles.
Retailers with a match-fit offer will have a striking opportunity to turn every kick-off into a kick-start for sales.
l Match-day shopping is highly mission-driven, making in-store execution crucial. Ensure your store offers excellent availability, strong visibility and clear pricing in high-footfall areas.
l The FIFA World Cup 2026 will provide retailers with an opportunity to build bigger baskets by tapping into match-day food and drink pairings. Why not consider linking beer and cider with sharing snacks and pizzas to help shoppers build a complete solution quickly and easily?
l Secondary sitings and themed displays are especially effective during large-scale events, helping shoppers visualise the occasion and encouraging incremental spend.
The fact that games will be taking place across three different countries and time zones means that many of England’s and Scotland’s games will kick off in the evenings – in most cases post-9pm –setting the scene for extended Big Night In occasions across a range of categories, including BWS, soft drinks, crisps, snacks and chilled foods such as pizzas, curries and desserts.
Key games and weekend matches will prompt shoppers to plan ahead, buy for groups and look to recreate the match-day atmosphere at home.
And Londis has just the offer to help retailers make the very most of the opportunity.
When it comes to beer and cider, new and Group Exclusive products such as limited-edition World Cup-themed host-country cans of Budweiser are sure to score with shoppers looking to share in the excitement.
Each 10x440ml multipack contains a selection of limited-edition cans displaying World Cup host-country logos from across the ages, with 11 in total to collect.
The launch will also tap into the trend towards larger take-home formats and multipacks that look set to be especially important over the summer as shoppers look to cater for groups.
As such, new and Group Exclusive Kopparberg Berry Variety Packs also look set to help stores net sales.
With an RSP of £10, each 10x330ml multipack includes two cans of Raspberry, Mixed Fruit and Cherry flavoured cider –along with four cans of Kopparberg’s new limited-edition Blueberry and Raspberry variant.
Away from beer and cider, Londis retailers will also be able to offer their shoppers some corking deals on leading wine brands, including sparkling varieties such as ‘Any 2 for £12’ on 75cl bottles of Canti Asti, which is also a new wholesale exclusive. Scottish retailers will be able to sell the bottles for £6 each.
Londis retailers can help their shoppers get into the celebratory spirit with I Heart Prosecco and I Heart Prosecco Rosé for £8.49 each.
A ‘2 for £12’ deal will also apply to rosé varieties of La P’tite Pierre, Hardys Bin 161 Shiraz and Pinot Grigio.
Meanwhile, shoppers will be able to buy bestselling bottles of McGuigan Black Label Shiraz, Chardonnay and Red for £6.99, and Jam Shed Rosé, Casillero del Diablo Sauvignon Blanc and Casillero del Diablo Malbec for £7.49.
And, helping shoppers mop up any celebratory spills, Londis retailers can also offer a BOGOF deal on Regina Blitz Kitchen Towel for an RSP of £3.99!
SOFT DRINKS
With the World Cup set to capture interest across a wide range of ages – especially families – soft drinks are also expected to shine, with multipacks and larger 2L sharing formats set to sparkle.
As such, the NP4 promotional period will allow Londis retailers to offer an ‘Any 2 for £3’ deal on Diet Coke, Coca-Cola Zero, Cherry and Coca-Cola Zero Cherry Float.
Londis retailers will also be able to offer shoppers a variety of great-value prices on leading crisp and snack brands.
A new tie-up between the Pringles and Burger King brands certainly looks set to raise a cheer from shoppers on the hunt for half time snacks.
Available now until the end of September, brand-new Pringles x Burger King Bacon Double Cheese XL Flavour and
Pringles x Burger King Chicken Royale Flavour have been designed to bring a taste of two “fan-favourite burgers” to the snack aisle – and tap into the summer sharing opportunity that’s sure to be fired up by the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Londis retailers will be able to offer the limited-edition tubes to shoppers for an RSP of £2 – giving them a margin of 21.5%.
CHILLED CHAMPIONS
And of course, with most games set to take place later in the evenings, this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026 also looks set to create a meaty opportunity for retailers to drive fresh and chilled sales – with convenient, crowd-pleasing evening meal solutions expected to win.
Pizza has to weigh in as one of the ultimate crowd-pleasing sharing foods and Londis retailers can offer a delectable range of the doughy delights in the chilled aisle thanks to the great value Jack’s range.
Iced delights can also be found in the freezers thanks to a frozen pizza deal of ‘Buy 2 Goodfella’s pizzas and get a tub of Cadbury Caramel, Dairy Milk, Brownie or Oreo Ice Cream for £6.99’.
Shoppers will also be able to take advantage of a Mega Deal on packs of Chicken Shop Ultimate Burgers or Salt & Pepper Goujons and get a 356g pack of McVitie’s Vibes for free!
The FIFA World Cup 2026: Fast Facts
l The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be co-hosted by three countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
l Sixteen cities will host games: eleven in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada.
l There are three FIFA World Cup 2026 mascots – one representing each host nation: Maple the Moose (Canada), Zayu the Jaguar (Mexico) and Clutch the Bald Eagle (USA).
l The opening match will take place on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City, with the final set for 19 July in New Jersey.
l The tournament is being expanded to include 48 teams for the first time in its history.
l Its new larger format will see it last for a record 39 days.
l The new format will also feature twelve four-team groups and an extra knockout round.
l England have been drawn in Group L alongside Croatia, Ghana and Panama and will begin their campaign in Dallas on Wednesday 17 June against Croatia. The game will kick off at 9pm UK time.
l Scotland are in Group C along with Haiti, Morocco and Brazil. Their first match will be against Haiti in Boston on Sunday 14 June, kicking off at 2am UK time.
Signage to score by
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will provide retailers with a striking opportunity to create compelling displays and in-store theatre.
Londis retailers will have access to a whole host of high-impact POS including ‘Bring On The Football’ shelf strips and football-shaped barker ears.
Londis retailers in England will also be able to offer their shoppers a chance to win a personalised
BIG BREAKFAST
Shoppers hungry for a post-match night fry-up will also be able to rely on their local Londis to deliver a fantastic serving of brunch essentials, including twelve-packs of Jack’s Medium and Large free-range eggs for an RSP of £3.50 and Jack’s Smoked and Unsmoked Back Bacon for £2.19.
Also available are 410g packs of Richmond Sausages, which during NP4 will be backed by a tasty ‘Any 2 for £4’ deal, and 800g Hovis Simple White and Wholemeal loaves for just £1.
And, with no decent fry-up complete without some veggies, NP4’s Fresh Four promotion stars Jack’s Vine Tomatoes and Closed Cup Mushrooms for just £1.75 and 99p respectively.
Hot drink lovers can also enjoy an indulgent coffee thanks to new and exclusive £1.49 PMPs of Nescafé Latte Barista and Barista Caramel – also available on an ‘Any 2 for £2’ deal.
STRIKING IN-STORE THEATRE
And of course, getting your FIFA World Cup 2026 offer match fit is about more than just products and prices – presentation is also key.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also provide retailers with a powerful opportunity to create engaging in-store theatre that can excite shoppers and encourage incremental spend.
With this year’s FIFA World Cup 2026 set to be hosted across three countries, why not think about creating country-themed displays for key matches?
Londis retailers will also have a wide range of professional POS in their kitbags to help create excitement on the shelves and in the aisles.
So, while which team gets to lift the trophy remains to be seen, there’s little doubt that convenience retailers are on the cusp of a winning opportunity to score golden sales and profits.
CRISP AND SNACK DEALS
Don’t get red carded
Remember! Regulations are now in place to restrict the location and promotion of products that are high in fat, salt or sugar (HFSS). If your store is in scope, you cannot run volume promotions on HFSS products in-store or online. You also cannot display HFSS products within certain distances of checkouts, queuing areas, aisle ends and entrances. For more information speak to your RDM or visit acs.org.uk/advice/ hfss-regulations/.
SPARKLING SOFT DRINKS DEALS
All prices correct at time of publication.
size: 10x440ml
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STELLA ARTOIS 0.0%
RIBENA SUMMER
FANTA GRAPE
Case
WALL�S VOLCANIX CARAMEL LAVA & CRUNCHIES
Case
KITKAT F1 CHOCOLATE CAR
CRUZCAMPO SEVILLA ORANGE
Case size:6x4x440ml
WSP: £15.99 RSP: £4
POR:20.1%
DESCRIPTION
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Original 12x25g M317844
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Sweet & Hot 12x25g M317845
Jack Links Mr Beast Beef Jerky Teriyaki 12x25g M317843
new products
SWEET & SPICY PMP
*Source: Circana, Water Category, value and volume sales in the UK for 52 w/e 8th November 2025 Subject to availability
MEET THE BUYER
Say ‘hello’ to...
Name: Ailbe Heffernan
Title:
Category Manager Category: Beer & Cider
With the World Cup just around the corner, we catch up with Beer & Cider Category Manager Ailbe Heffernan to explore the opportunities that lie ahead over the next few months.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AILBE…
Where do I start? I’m Ailbe Heffernan and I’m Category Manager for Beer & Cider. I’ve been in that role for about seven years but I’ve actually been with Booker for over 42 years, believe it or not.
THAT’S
A LONG TIME!
It is indeed. I spent the first 24 years in Branch, working my way from part-time shifts on the checkout to becoming an Area Manager in numerous locations. After that I moved into Category Management and during the last 18 years I’ve looked after Chilled, Soft Drink, Grocery, Confectionery and now Beer & Cider.
SO YOU’VE SEEN AND DONE IT ALL?
I wouldn’t say that but I have had the privilege of watching Booker and our customers develop and grow for over four decades. When I first started with Booker we didn’t even have barcodes! We just used paper price tickets!
ALL THAT EXPERIENCE MUST HELP IN YOUR CURRENT ROLE?
It definitely does. I know the business and, most importantly, I know our customers –and that’s the part of the job that has always been most important to me. We are nothing without our amazing customers. So, I am one of three Category Managers in the Booker Group looking after Beer & Cider and together we are responsible for offering our customers the best possible choice, price and service. It’s a simple mantra but it gets to the heart of what makes Booker special. Our goal is always to give our customers strong enough margins to flourish.
WHAT DOES A CATEGORY MANAGER DO?
We over see everything to do with Beer & Cider. We are constantly reviewing the range, we negotiate the costs, we work closely with suppliers with a lot of time spent working on promotions which are extremely important in this category. Availability is also vital so making sure we always have 100% availability is key. The most important part of the role, however, is the customer. A key function of my role is spending time with our customers and listening to their needs and concerns so I spend a lot of every week with customers in one way or another.
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?
It varies from day to day. Usually I would be dealing with several suppliers negotiating pricing and planning for future promotions to make sure our customers have competitive deals to sell to their consumers. Another important part is securing as many first-to-market and exclusive packs as we can to give our customers the edge over their competitors. We can only be successful if our customers are successful.
WHAT
DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR ROLE?
I like a lot of things about it but the element I really enjoy is the pace and energy the role brings. There’s always lots going on and there’s always lots of opportunities for me to exploit that allow me to help my customers stay competitive.
HOW CLOSELY DO YOU WORK WITH RETAILERS?
Very, very closely. Over 42 years in this trade have taught me that nothing matters more than spending good time with customers. I make it a point of visiting customers at least a few times a week. They give you great insight into all aspects of convenience. And I tell all my suppliers that they should do them same. Nothing helps you understand the trade like actually getting into stores and talking to retailers about the reality on the ground.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THE BEER AND CIDER CATEGORY TO CONVENIENCE RETAILERS?
I would say it is one of the most important areas of their business, not least because it has one of the highest spends per trip (£9.51) of any major product category. It’s a vital category and it’s an exciting one because it’s always changing and evolving.
SO WHAT ARE THE KEY TRENDS FOR THIS YEAR?
The continued growth of low and no alcohol beer and cider means it’s now becoming firmly mainstream. Low and no remains a relatively small part of the overall category but it’s growing every year. More and more people are moderating their alcohol intake and that’s been reflected in huge growth in the number of low and no alcohol lines available and, I would have to say, the quality of products. Going back five or six years, the quality wasn’t quite there yet but these days you’d be hard pressed to tell the difference in a blind taste test.
About Ailbe
Remarkably, Ailbe Heffernan has been with Booker for no fewer than 42 years. He started out working part-time on checkouts in Booker depots before working his way up to become an Area Manager.
Around 18 years ago he moved into Category Management and in that time has looked after Chilled, Soft Drinks, Grocery and Confectionery. For the last seven years, Ailbe has looking after the vital Beer & Cider category.
His long experience at Booker means he is perfectly placed to help ensure that retailers have the products, the prices and the promotions they need to maximise revenues and profits in the beer and cider category.
HOW ABOUT PACK FORMATS?
We’re seeing strong growth in slightly larger mid-packs and that’s definitely something that retailers could focus on, if they have the space, and ideally chilled 4-packs for immediate consumption as 4-packs of beer and cider are still the biggest part of the category.
WHERE ELSE ARE YOU SEEING GROWTH?
A massive opportunity for retailers is in home delivery. It’s one of the few ways that retailers can relatively quickly add thousands of pounds onto their weekly turnover, particularly now that we have our own low-cost Scoot home delivery platform. It can be transformative and it’s never been easier to implement.
HOW IS THE BEER & CIDER CATEGORY GENERALLY?
The total Beer & Cider market is in good shape but it faces challenges mainly due to shoppers’ changing lifestyles. The young generation is more aware of
physical and mental health and that impacts on purchasing behaviours. Premiumisation continues to be important at the Total Trade level as Premium beer is driving the highest value uplifts.
WHAT’S THE SCALE OF THE FIFA WORLD CUP 2026 OPPORTUNITY?
Absolutely massive! The stars are aligning this summer because, unlike the last FIFA World Cup which was held in winter, this one is in prime summer season. This opens up the opportunity to target wider get-togethers like BBQs and parties. Some of the timings of some of the games aren’t ideal but there’s no doubt that the FIFA World Cup 2026 presents a huge opportunity for retailers.
Major football tournaments are always among the biggest beer and cider occasions for UK shoppers, especially during summer with evening game times. During the Euros in 2024 there was a 2.9% volume uplift during the tournament period compared to the previous year.
It shows shoppers are more likely to purchase beer and cider within the convenience channel during tournament period as a quick top-up shop, especially the closer we get to the Finals.
HOW DO RETAILERS SCORE DURING THE FIFA WORLD CUP?
We’ve got plenty of fantastic opportunities for retailers to exploit, such as pre-game bundle promotions like beer plus main meal for the evening game and a half time top-up package with beer and snacks. This will help maximise basket spend and drive footfall with creative promotions.
In terms of pack formats, one of the biggest opportunities is the mid-pack can (i.e. 10x440ml). This pack format is growing within the Convenience channel year on year because it offers a higher value proposition than the small pack. Singles and Small packs (4x), however, both over-index during the tournament period so keeping a good range of pack sizes is important, as is chilling beer where possible.
Small pack can lager, for example, remained the largest pack format with 47.0% volume share of Total Beer in the convenience channel during Euros 2024 and we expect a similar trend for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Lastly, we shouldn’t forget that with some games being shown late at night, many consumers may take it a bit easier with work the next morning so no and low alcohol products will come into play – and we have lots of great promotions on great brands in that space during the tournament.
HOW WILL YOU BE SUPPORTING RETAILERS?
With Budweiser being one of the main sponsors of the FIFA World Cup we have secured an Exclusive Budweiser World Cup nostalgia pack with limited edition cans at a cracking £10 deal for consumers (subject to licensing laws). On top of this we have a whole array of new and exclusive lines being launched to help drive more footfall into our retailers.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TOP TIPS FOR RETAILERS?
Keep it simple: make sure you have enough stock for the Home Nations games and try do off-shelf displays on the mid-packs. Stock up on the leading deals for the day of the games. Display the available POS in your windows and around the store. Get busy on social media and have your customer-facing leaflets at the tillpoint.
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Score with Scoot
Scoot delivers even more reasons to get on board
Well over 400 retailers now use Scoot, Booker’s exclusive rapid grocery ordering platform, and that number is set to keep growing thanks to a wave of improvements and enhancements to the solution in direct response to retailer feedback.
There aren’t many options out there for retailers keen to grow their weekly sales by thousands of pounds in very short order, but home delivery is certainly one of them – and there’s no better way of taking advantage of that opportunity than with Scoot.
Booker’s exclusive rapid grocery ordering platform is so simple to implement and so cost-effective that well over 400 retailers are already using it to grow their sales and profits – and that number is rising on a weekly basis.
Before Scoot, implementing a home delivery service was perceived by many retailers as a daunting, complex and expensive task. Scoot was designed by retailers to overcome those challenges and was created with one simple goal in
mind: to help retailers make more and save more.
How much more? Booker calculates that there’s £34,000 more profit available each year to retailers using Scoot, based on weekly sales of just £2,500 at 26% gross margin.
With only 1% commission charged up to £4,999 of weekly in-app sales – and zero commission once you hit £5,000 a week – Scoot delivers an outstanding low-cost app that facilitates home deliveries to shoppers in as little as 30 minutes.
There are also no shopper charges –giving you the flexibility to offer the service for free, should you wish – or set your own delivery, service or minimum order fees.
CONSTANT IMPROVEMENT
So it’s easy to understand why so many retailers are embracing the unique opportunity delivered by Scoot –but it’s important to bear in mind that the Scoot platform will always be a work in progress.
The Booker Scoot team work ceaselessly with retailers to perfect and improve the solution to ensure that it works exactly how they need it to in order to maximise sales and profits.
To illustrate this point, read on to discover just some of the retailer-informed improvements that have been made in recent months.
SCOOT ON BOOKER.CO.UK
All retailer assets for Scoot are now available on the main Booker.co.uk. website. This provides a one-place portal where retailers can access all brand assets, marketing materials and Scoot training videos.
It covers all functionality and intuitive advice and guidance on how to run Scoot, all third-party access details for Just Eat, DNA Payments and the IT help desk as well as Scoot star deal tiles for marketing, uniform, social media guides and videos.
Why Scoot?
l Fully flexible model
VOUCHERING
Booker has been piloting vouchers by sending them directly to consumers who have accepted marketing when they sign up to Scoot. The pilot has run across a number of stores, with consumers getting a voucher notification on their phone for free delivery or money-off when they next order on Scoot.
The results have been overwhelmingly positive, with retailer sales growth of 50%. The piloting will be continued and further developed in response to the learnings from the trials. Booker is also discussing with suppliers the opportunity to offer free products for consumers via Scoot home delivery.
EPOS API
Last month, Booker launched a new pilot with RDP trialling an EPoS API integration which will further streamline and automate many aspects of the Scoot platform for retailers by directly integrating the in-store
l Make an estimated £34,000 additional profit per year (based on weekly app sales of £2,500 at 26% gross margin)
l ZERO commission once you reach £5,000 of weekly sales on the app
l ZERO consumer charges – giving you the ability to offer the service for free
l 0.7% average card transaction fee
l Save up to £16,000 per year with Scoot vs other rapid delivery platforms based on weekly sales of £4,999
l Want to get to the next band of Spend and Save? – Scoot can help you
l Dedicated onboarding and setup support, including PoS package
ANALYTICSACTIONABLE INSIGHTS
Booker’s bespoke, in-house analytics capabilities allow Booker to deeply understand how users interact with the Scoot app. By tailoring the Scoot experience based on these insights, Booker can drive repeat business, increase basket spend and generate long-term loyalty.
This also enables the Scoot team to turn data into action. For example, the system recently flagged more than 400 searches for eggs that were out of stock. This insight allowed Booker to immediately advise retailers on stock gaps, turning missed opportunities into future sales.
REDUCED CONSUMER SIGNUP FRICTION
Booker has overhauled Scoot onboarding with the aim to minimise friction in the consumer signup experience. By making the Scoot app more accessible, Booker has lowered the barrier for customers to place that allimportant first order. This improvement has resulted in a superior user experience and has helped users overcome the psychological barrier of placing their first Scoot order.
INTELLIGENT SEARCH
Intelligent search functionality allows Scoot to understand how consumers naturally search for products, including the words, phrases and terminology they use. When a search returns no results, Scoot analyses those unsuccessful queries and applies relevant alternatives and related terms. This helps identify missing products, correct spelling issues, and improve search relevance so customers can find what they’re looking for. This improves the accuracy and flexibility of the search function, helping customers quickly find the products they want, add them to their basket, and complete their
purchase with ease. This data also helps stores adjust their range to match real demand, ensuring the app becomes more intuitive while guiding smarter range decisions.
BEST IN CLASS HHT
After taking feedback from retailers, it became clear that the Scoot Hand-Held Terminal (HHT) was a key point of difference in the marketplace. Consequently, Booker invested heavily and challenged its software team to push the boundaries of what was possible with an HHT.
Today, the Scoot HHT empowers retailers to manage products and promotions, process Scoot orders, carry out order picking, chat with customers in real-time, view sales reports and manage driver allocations – all from one device.
25 million meals donated!
Booker is celebrating a significant milestone of donating 25 million meals to food redistribution charity FareShare over the last five years.
Booker is celebrating a significant milestone with FareShare, providing the equivalent of 25 million meals over five years through its long-standing partnership with the UK’s leading food redistribution charity.
The 25 million meal milestone highlights the scale and impact of the partnership, which sees surplus food from across Booker’s estate redistributed to charities and community groups nationwide, helping to support families and individuals facing food insecurity while preventing good food from going to waste.
INCREDIBLY PROUD
Angela Hughes, Technical & Sustainability Director at Booker, said: “Reaching 25 million meals donated with FareShare is a milestone we’re incredibly proud of. This partnership is about more than reducing food waste – it’s about making a meaningful difference to people’s lives, supporting local communities and creating longterm, positive impact. As we look ahead, we remain committed to building on this work and ensuring no good food goes to waste.”
Since the partnership began, Booker has worked closely with FareShare as part of its waste reduction strategy while ensuring surplus food reaches those who need it most. The milestone comes as Booker also marks five years of involvement in the FareShare Go programme, which helps charities access additional surplus food direct from branches.
local Waste
Alongside FareShare, local communities are also supported to access surplus via OLIO’s Food Waste Hero volunteers, while colleagues can also take advantage of Booker’s Colleague Shop.
Kris Gibbon-Walsh, Deputy CEO of FareShare and The Felix Project, said: “We are enormously grateful to everyone at Booker for their ongoing support. Reaching the milestone of providing the equivalent of 25m meals alongside celebrating five years partnership with the FareShare Go programme is hugely important. This food will have a life-changing impact on communities right across the UK, meaning more good-to-eat food goes to the people who need it most instead of going to waste.
“With the support of Booker, thousands of charities and community groups in every region of the UK can run transformative services for local people. By saving on food, our amazing charities
About The Felix Project and FareShare
l The Felix Project and FareShare have joined forces to become the UK’s leading food redistribution charity.
l The charity rescues good- to-eat surplus food, that cannot be sold and would otherwise go to waste, from across the food industry. That food is repurposed and shared to support more than 8,000 community organisations across the UK. The charity manages seven depots and works with 16 network partners to operate a total of 35 depots across the UK.
l FareShare was established over 30 years ago, born out of the belief that no good food should go to waste. In the last financial year, 2024-25, FareShare redistributed 62,000 tonnes of food, or the equivalent of more than 148 million meals, reaching people in every corner of the UK.
l The Felix Project was started in 2016 by Justin and Jane Byam Shaw in memory of their son Felix who passed away from meningitis in 2014 aged just 14. It became part of the FareShare network in 2020. In 2025 it rescued over 18,000 tonnes of food, which is the equivalent of more than 44 million meals.
l www.fareshare.org.uk
l www.thefelixproject.org
can focus on providing the services that matter most to their communities – we are so grateful for Booker’s support.”
Saasha Celestial-One, Co-Founder of Olio, said: “We’re incredibly proud that, together with FareShare, we’ve been able to help Booker redistribute 25 million meals back into communities. Thank you to every single Olio and FareShare volunteer that’s made this possible, as well as the Booker HQ team and colleagues –whose flexibility and commitment to sustainability have been so crucial in making our partnership a success. Here’s to the next 25 million.”
REAL IMPACT
Across the UK, FareShare’s charity partners are seeing the tangible benefits of Booker’s ongoing support.
l Susan Ward, Kersiebank Food Project, said: “At Kersiebank Food Project we exist to help those who need support in the Grangemouth area in Scotland with a weekly food bank. Recently we have seen demand for our services increase and it’s difficult to keep up with the need.
“We’ve been collecting from Booker for five years now and collect a range of fresh food and long-life cupboard supplies. These donations enable us to provide a variety of food for the people we support to make well-rounded meals – thank you Booker!”
l Mark Graham, Development Officer at Holbrooks Community Care Association, said: “Booker’s contributions have made a significant difference to our social supermarket over the last few years enabling us to offer high quality food to the people who rely on us.
“Their regular donations of essentials – often the items that place the greatest strain on our budget, such as bread, eggs, and meat – allow us to provide a wider and more reliable range of food. Their support has strengthened our service enormously, and we’re truly grateful for the impact it has on our community.”
Women at Booker: Three years of progress, purpose and possibility
In our latest update feature on Booker’s inspiring Colleague Networks, we turn the spotlight back onto the powerful work of Women at Booker as it celebrates its third anniversary and evolution to The Gender Equality Network.
Three years ago, the Women at Booker network began with a simple but ambitious intention: to create a space where women across Booker could connect, grow and be heard.
What started as a small group of passionate colleagues has evolved into a powerful community that now spans 308 members, touches every part of the business and continues to shape the culture of Booker for the better.
From the outset, the network aligned itself with the Tesco Group’s wider colleague-network purpose to ‘Amplify, Consult and Celebrate’ – a commitment which has guided every event, conversation and milestone since – the principles having become the heartbeat of Women at Booker.
Hit your sales
There’s good, then there’s
Stock up for the World Cup
A JOURNEY MARKED BY MOMENTUM
The last three years have been rich with activity, energy and impact. The timeline below tells a story of a network that has not only grown in size, but in confidence and influence.
l March 2023: The official launch during International Women’s Day brought together 450 colleagues, signalling the appetite for change.
l June 2023: The Women Exec Career Panel created space for honest dialogue about progression, attended by 65 colleagues.
l November 2023: The Allyship event drew 150 colleagues, reinforcing that gender equity is everyone’s responsibility.
l 2024: A year of learning and visibility – from Bite Size Learning sessions on Personal Development Plans, mentorship and interview skills, to Women’s Health Week and Inspire Inclusion panels.
l 2025: The network continued to expand its reach with wellbeing events, including a well-received event focused on how colleagues could ‘own’ their careers, which was attended by 170 colleagues.
Last year was also a record breaker for International Women’s Day nominations, with more than 180 nominations celebrating women from across the business, as well as a fantastic 120 nominations for its International Men’s Day event recognising amazing male allies.
Alongside internal progress, the network has also gained external recognition – including colleagues being named on the INvolve Hero Global Role Models List 2024 and representation at the Diversity in Workplaces Conference.
This is a network that has not stood still. It has built confidence, created community and contributed to a broader culture shift – exactly as the strategy intended.
LEADERSHIP THAT BUILT THE FOUNDATION
Much of this progress has been shaped by the dedication of Abbie Hackwell and Maria Chittenden, who have served as chair and co-chair since the network’s inception. Their leadership has been rooted in empathy, ambition and a deep belief in the potential of women across Booker.
Under their guidance, the network has aligned with the Group’s DE&I commitments, supported the rollout of inclusive policies and helped embed inclusion into the everyday culture of the business. As the document highlights, this sits alongside wider organisational progress – from enhanced family-friendly policies to inclusive recruitment practices and the Women’s Development Programme.
Abbie and Maria have not only built a network; they have built momentum.
A NEW CHAPTER: RISING WITH PURPOSE
As the network enters its fourth year, we mark an important transition. Leadership now passes to Stacey Gooch and Trudy Wilson, who step into the roles of chair and co-chair with a clear vision for the future.
The 2026 strategic objectives set out a clear and ambitious direction:
l Capability building: helping everyone to be the best version of themselves, whatever their aspirations, recognising that this benefits colleagues regardless of gender.
l Confidence and visibility: increasing the visibility of emerging female talent at all levels.
l Connection and community: strengthening the peer network and fostering collaboration.
l Culture shift: continuing to influence a more inclusive, equitable and gender-aware organisation.
l Cross-functional engagement: ensuring women thrive in every function, not just the ones where representation is already strong.
l Developing early careers: linking with universities, colleges and industry partners to attract the next generation of female talent.
The essence of this next phase is captured here: “Rooted in strength, rising with purpose – building our next chapter is about connecting with more women.”
This is not just a handover. It is a continuation of a movement.
LOOKING AHEAD
The network has achieved a remarkable amount in just three years – but its greatest impact may still lie ahead.
With Stacey and Trudy at the helm, a refreshed strategy and a growing community of women and allies, the network is poised to deepen its influence and broaden its reach.
And as the network evolves, so too has its name, with Women at Booker having changed to The Gender Equality Network – as was revealed at its rousing International Women’s Day event and third-anniversary celebrations on 26 March.
Three years on from its launch, a new chapter is about to unfold for the network.
This next chapter will be about visibility, about opportunity and, above all, about ensuring that every woman, in every role, in every function, at every stage of her career, feels supported, represented and empowered to thrive.
DRS decision time is looming
In recent weeks, we’ve started to see more important details emerge about the incoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) coming into force in October 2027.
The headline news on DRS is that scheme administrator Exchange for Change have confirmed that there will be grants available for small independent retailers who are seeking to put a reverse vending machine (RVM) in store.
Hosting an RVM won’t be right for everyone, but we’re pleased that there is an acknowledgement that the cost of RVMs is challenging and that independent retailers need more financial support.
The £6,000 over three years that’s being made available as part of a £60m pot of funding for retailers is a step forward, but we need confirmation of the retail handling fees to complete our modelling of how many containers you as a retailer need to sell and return to make participation cost neutral.
We know that if the scheme is going to `be a significant net cost, it will lead to more retailers seeking exemptions and communities losing local access to return points.
While some details are being confirmed, there are still plenty of unknowns about the scheme to be revealed in the coming weeks and months.
Retailers will soon need to decide how they will interact with the coming DRS, making staying close to the developments a must, ACS Chief Executive Ed Woodall says.
We were thrilled with the level of engagement that we received from retailers at our recent Safe and Responsible Retailing Conference.
There were dozens of really well thought out questions on the operation of DRS and we’re putting together a wider ‘frequently asked questions’ resource alongside our comprehensive DRS guide on the ACS website.
For retailers in Wales however, there are more concerning developments. The Welsh Government have decided not to appoint Exchange for Change and has not yet presented a viable alternative.
This leaves a vacuum of responsibility in Wales with less than 18 months to go until the scheme comes into force, which is especially problematic as Wales’ proposals on the inclusion of glass make the scheme significantly more expensive and complex to deliver.
Elections will be held to elect the next Welsh Government in May, and we’ll be pushing for more clarity on the plan as a matter of priority.
Every retailer across the UK is going to have to make a decision about how they’re going to interact with the scheme, so it’s important to stay close to the developments to understand whether seeking an exemption, operating a manual scheme or installing an RVM is right for you.
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