INDEPENDENT retailers this month really showed the extent they will go to in ensuring their customers remained fed and cared for under extreme conditions, demonstrating what separates small shops from the big corporate supermarkets.
Severe snow across Scotland and parts of Northern England caused disruption, closing roads and restricting vital access to many towns and villages. Yet, as this issue’s cover story (page 3) shows, those independents in a ected areas refused to let the inclement weather stop them.
Many of you trudged through thick snow to deliver essential goods to care homes and the vulnerable, while others took on additional hours amid sta shortages to ensure food was delivered to nearby residents.
Similarly, a major water shortage across the south of England disrupted services, impacting sales, water supply to, and availability of bottled water to, independent shops. Like their counterparts in the north, these retailers went above and beyond to minimise the impact of the water crisis on those living close to their stores.
This was all made possible by the flexibility of independent retailers, many of whom were able to jump into action immediately. In contrast, supermarkets couldn’t act so quickly, most likely due to arduous approval processes required by head o ce.
SUPERMARKETS
COULDN’T ACT SO QUICKLY
These are recent examples of why independent retailers are so vital to communities across the UK, and I’m sure there’ll be plenty of others in the future.
Air India sued by dependents of retailer crash victim
ALEX YAU
DEPENDENTS of a valued independent retailer who tragically died on Air India Flight 171 are suing the airline.
Court documents �iled last month, seen by Retail Express, show two dependents of Ketan Shah, 43, are among 11 claimants �iling for personal injury and damages
at the High Court in London. Shah’s dependents, Megha and Vyom, alongside nine others, are being represented by Keystone Law. Shah, who ran Parkhouse Store in Tidworth, Hampshire, was among 260 people who lost their lives after the �light crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad Airport on 12 June, 2025. He was described by Caroline Nokes,
Conservative MP for Romsey and Southampton, as “a valued member of the local community”.
A social media tribute posted shortly after the incident stated: “It is with a heavy heart that I have to write this post. Our boss and dear friend Ketan lost his life aboard the
TESCOhas not ruled out potential increases to Booker delivery fees, but stressed the wholesaler will “do all it can” to minimise costs.
Asked by Retail Express during a trading update whether cost pressures
would change its stance this month, Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy responded: “I can tell you that Booker will do everything in its power to be very, very competitive and to minimise cost to retailers.”
representing a signi�icant boost.
Speaking at the PO’s monthly Town Hall event in January, chief executive
Neil Brocklehurst said: “We will fully align the variable rates for Mains and Locals branches from April, bringing Locals up to be in line with Mains rates.” It means PO will pay 50% of service revenue to branches.
PEPSICOhas con�irmed the return of Walkers reps to stores, just months after axing its van sales operation.
The supplier’s senior sales director, Nic Storey, said: “Over half of those who previously had van visits [have] now being incorporated into our call �ile for regular visits from our existing team of sales development representative.”
Gateshead-based Premier retailer Ali Awan was one of the �irst retailers to receive new support.
COLLECT+ sites were given less than a week’s notice that InPost and Yodel parcel services were being axed.
The affected retailers were informed about the removal, effective from 19 January, through letters received around 14 January. A PayPoint spokesperson told Retail Express: “We are supporting our retailer partners actively by taking the opportunity to grow other carrier volumes in these locations to offset any impact.”
India �light 171. He had been visiting family. Ketan loved this village and people, and I hope you will join us in sending condolences to his family.”
London Nisa retailer Sunny Patel and his wife Monali were also reportedly among the casualties who died on the London-bound �light.
RETAILERS and wholesalers in Scotland braved treacherous snow and ice conditions to provide food and care to communities hit by severe weather.
Since mid-January, northern and central parts of Scotland had been disrupted by heavy snowfall and ice, with snow levels in some areas reaching up to 30cm. An amber warning for snow was put into force on 11 January, alongside �lood warnings.
Multi-site convenience group Greens Retail, which has nearly 30 stores across Scotland, went above and beyond to help the communities it serves. This included working with suppliers, Warburtons and Graham’s Dairy, to physically deliver stock to customers, while donating milk and bread to care homes and community groups.
heard that Grange Park Care Home in Peterhead was struggling and knew we had to help.
Jacqueline Gerrie, of Greens of Fraserburgh, said: “We received a request from a lady in London. Her uncle was stuck in his farmhouse a few miles out of town, so we delivered some essentials to him. We had to leave the car at the end of the farm road as he was snowed in, but we walked down the farm road and handed him his shopping.”
Libby Holt, of Greens of Peterhead, added: “With the pavements and roads in such poor condition, we
“We gathered donations and set out to make sure they reached those who needed them. Staff members Shannon and Libby were the �irst to step up, bravely trekking up to the care home, even pulling trollies through the snow.
“What should’ve been a simple 14-minute walk turned into a 40-minute mission as they got repeatedly stuck in thick sludge and snow. A huge thank you to local legend Gavin, who saw the struggle, stopped without hesitation, loaded both the donations and the members of our team into the back of his car, and got everything safely the rest of the way.”
Anil Grandhi, of KeyStore Neuk in Aberdeen, told Retail Express snow levels were the worst he had seen in his 20 years of retailing. He said: “Home deliveries took much longer to make because of the heavy snow. I’ve been in Aberdeen for 20 years, and I’ve not seen snow this bad. Some drivers couldn’t make it, so I took on a few deliveries myself. Our home delivery sales in one week increased from £2,000 to £5,000.”
Cameron Cheyne, of Cheyne’s of Banff, Aberdeenshire, added: “Demand for our home delivery services increased noticeably, and we were taking essential goods to care homes and the vulnerable. It took longer because of the snow, but it was vital to serve the community.”
Spar Scotland stores also remained open. Posting on social media, the symbol group said: “Despite the heavy snow affecting some areas of Scotland, Spar Scotland stores are open and operating as normal.
“Our local store teams are there to keep communities stocked with everyday essentials – thank you to our colleagues who’ve worked hard to keep stores running.”
Meanwhile, JW Filshill highlighted the efforts of its staff in ensuring KeyStore customers received timely deliveries during the recent spell of snow.
John O’Neil, Filshill’s senior operations manager outbound, said: “Our drivers delivering across Aber-
deenshire in particular deserve huge praise for their resilience, attitude and determination.
“Drivers have had to be pulled out from deep snow while attempting deliveries – yet they continued to do everything possible to ensure vital supplies reached communities, including those in areas declared a major incident.”
Meanwhile, a major water shortage caused by Storm Goretti in mid January left convenience stores struggling to meet demand for bottled water and forced changes to dayto-day operations. Despite the disruption, some stores made water deliveries to elderly and vulnerable people near them.
“AS the issue of increasing retail crime continues to be a major concern to independent retailers, I have written to all police and crime commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales. As well as reiterating our concerns and outlining the alarming statistics, I have invited all PCCs to meet with Fed members in their police-force areas to hold further discussions on how to tackle this growing and serious problem.”
Hetal Patel, Stop ’n’ Shop, Maidenhead, Berkshire
Crime: how are you engaging with authorities on the issue?
“WITH the Fed, myself and fellow independent retailers met with Democratic Unionist Party MP Jim Shannon to raise our concerns about the impact of retail crime on small independent shops. We were pleased that Shannon took the time to visit the business and listen to the points that I raised. I will be happy to work with him in the future and to continue to work on the points we raised.”
Julie Brown, Livingstones, Newtownards, County Down
“I WAS really pleased that the West Midlands police and crime commissioner, Simon Foster, came to join us and independent retailers at a recent Fed meeting. He gave a useful update on how he and the police were tackling retail crime locally and nationally. Foster promised to work closely with us on an ongoing basis and we invited him to update us further in a meeting this time next year.”
Amy Sohal, Premier Ken’s Convenience, Cheshire
GOOD WEEK
ACS: The trade body has appointed Ed Woodall to succeed James Lowman as its chief executive from 1 March. He said: “I want to build on our past and lead businesses into an exciting future where we can engage more people and achieve even greater influence over key policy issues.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘ACS’
WING YIP: The Chinese wholesaler has launched a small-format convenience store called DiDi. Based in Watford, the site combines traditional Asian goods with new food-togo ideas, such as a self-serve ramen station. Other notable features include digital screens and electronic shelf-edge labels.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Wing Yip’
BAD WEEK
ENERGY BILLS: A new scheme requiring all energy meters to take half-hourly readings could land convenience store owners with signi cant bill increases. While some stores are already on half-hourly metering, many will be on hourly or estimated readings. The changes would mean those with high continuous refrigeration usage would be vulnerable to demand-based pricing.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘MHHS’
CO-OP: The convenience chain has been shamed into taking down all point-of-sale vape promotions from its stores. Online influencer Simon Squibb called out the rm on social media after spotting a two-for-£10 promotion on Lost Mary vape devices at a checkout.
ALEX YAU
Amy Sohal
Warburtons working with retailers
Greens Fraserburgh delivering supplies to the vulnerable
Gov’t support needed for shops
THE ACS has hit back at the government for not providing independent retailers with the same business rates relief as pubs.
According to the trade body, the government claimed its support package for pubs is unlikely to be extended to retail, arguing hospitality was hit severely by loss of trade during the pandemic.
The ACS has written to exchequer secretary Dan Tomlinson, urging for retailers to be included, and warned that the removal of the remaining 40% Covid business rates relief in April would put significant financial strain on the sector.
It said local shops, particularly trading in and around transport locations, had lost footfall and sales during the pandemic.
ACS chief executive James Lowman said: “The increases in rates bills coming in April will have a direct impact on investment, employment and services.”
Meanwhile, the Scottish government announced retail business with a rateable value of up to £100,000 will receive 15% retail, hospitality and leisure relief for three years under the 2026/27 Scottish Budget.
Fed Scottish president Hussan Lal welcomed the support for Scottish businesses, and added: “The Fed will continue to call for the Scottish government to back small independent retailers like Fed members through action to reduce retail crime – such as through targeted security grants and to control and reduce business rates bills – and further work to protect small shops after the election.”
Booker increase
PREMIER retailers have criticised Booker for increasing allocations by several hundreds of pounds during the quiet January trading period.
uary 2025.
One affected retailer told Retail Express: “I have concerns over the promotions being the worst on weak brands. Booker should be highlighting value in January, but instead have chosen lesser-known lines.”
Some retailers claimed their allocations were equivalent to £1,100 this year, compared to just £300 in Jan-
Allwyn has appointed Bridget Lea as its new managing director of retail.
In her new role, she will lead initiatives to create growth opportunities and strengthen partnerships
Dodgy tobacco fines
MORE than £1m in fines has been issued to retailers and individuals selling illicit tobacco since July 2023, according to figures from National Trading Standards (NTS). The penalties of £1.4m were made possible due to combined efforts between NTS, local authorities, Scottish Trading Standards and HMRC.
NTS chair Michael Bichard said: “The vast majority of retailers play by the rules. These sanctions demonstrate that we are taking decisive action against those who don’t.” NATIONAL Lottery operator
ALEX YAU
PRODUCTS
Mars unveils Easter campaign
SHYAMA LAXMAN
MARS Wrigley has launched its Easter campaign, giving shoppers the chance to win £10,000, plus hundreds of instant cash prizes.
Running until 10 April, The Great Easter Bunny Off invites shoppers to vote for their favourite Easter bunny from among three seasonal favourites – Maltesers Bunny Milk Chocolate, Maltesers Bunny Popcorn and M&M’s Crispy Bunny. They can scan the QR code in store to cast their vote and discover if they’ve won an instant prize.
The campaign is supported by point of sale, including free-standing display units,
dumpbins, aisle �ins, shelf barkers and digital retail media.
The 2026 Easter line-up also features major launches, including Maltesers Mini Eggs and the national rollout of Galaxy Minstrels Mini Eggs, supported through tailored displays across “treat hunt, gifting and baking occasions”.
Steve Waters, senior brand manager of Easter at Mars Wrigley, said: “For Easter 2026, we’re expanding our portfolio with a line-up that combines �lavour innovation and playful seasonal design.”
Popcorn Kitchen has gone ‘corn’y
POPCORN Kitchen has launched Crunch Corn, a range of snacks made with Peruvian Chocolo Giant Corn.
Available via wholesale and Amazon, Crunch Corn comes in three �lavours: Spicy Chilli, Sea Salt and Salt & Vinegar. It’s �ibre-rich and HFSS compliant, according to the supplier.
Popcorn Kitchen founder
Louise Monk said: “We wanted to create a more complete savoury treat for those underwhelmed by potato crisps and frustrated by spiralling costs of allergyrisking nuts and seeds.”
RRP: £3.49(100g)
Ben & Jerry’s taps into new format
BEN & Jerry’s is expanding into new formats with the launch of a Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich. It is available in single and four-pack variants, and is rolling out to convenience stores via Consort Frozen Foods.
Cookie Dough Ice Cream Sandwich features two soft vanilla-and cocoa-swirled cookies either side of vanilla ice cream packed with chunks of cookie dough. It uses the same �lavour as Ben & Jerry’s number-oneselling pint variant, as the supplier
New flavours from The Protein Ball Co.
THE Protein Ball company has launched three new �lavours for its ‘Stuffed’ range of on-the-go protein snacks. The �lavours include Pistachio, Matcha and Hazelnut. The brand’s co-founder, Matt Hunt, said: “Our commitment to bold, full-bodied �lavours means we’re always on the lookout for new ways to differentiate ourselves from the
stodgy, run-of-mill protein bar brigade. Our bigger vision is to build on The Protein Ball offer by providing an indulgent yet well-rounded sub-range that offers added foodie theatre to a number of popular snacking scenarios.”
RRP: £2.50
KP brings back Bank of McCoy’s
looks to tap into consumer appetite for ice cream within the snacking sector.
RRP: £2.50 (single)
KP Snacks has relaunched its ‘Bank of McCoy’s’ promo, offering retailers and consumers share of a £125,000 prize fund, as well as stock prizes. From now until 6 April, across the brand’s pricemarked and grab bag formats, shoppers can win from a £100,000 prize vault. Prizes range from free crisps to £1,000 in cash. They can enter by scanning the onpack QR code and entering a unique code. Retailers can win from a £25,000 prize vault by scanning QR codes across all McCoy’s PMP cases.
Juul Labs rolls out new Peach flavour
JUUL Labs has added a peach variant to its Juul2 portfolio.
Juul2 Peach offers a crisp, delicately sweet experience, according to the supplier. Two-pack pods will be available across all channels, but there will also be four-packs sold at selected key accounts. Retailers can contact their Juul Labs representatives for point of sale materials.
Melissa Wisdom, managing director of Juul Labs UK, said: “This launch serves to further our core mission –to provide high-quality, effective and responsible alternatives for adult smokers.”
RRP: £6.99-£13.99
Arla launches Cottage Cheese line-up
ARLA Foods has entered the cottage cheese category with the launch of a range of Natural and Low Fat Natural varieties. The supplier says the range will tap into demand for high-protein dairy, particularly among younger shoppers. Cottage cheese is currently seeing a revival, bought by one in four UK households. Arla Cottage Cheese has been developed for broad, everyday usage across meals and snacks – on toast, in bakes and sauces or as a high-protein topping. The supplier will support the launch with digital and in-store activations.
RRP: £1.90 (300g), £3 (500g)
UFB expands licensed bakes portfolio
in bakery formats at an accessible price.
UNITED Food Brands (UFB) is set to grow its licensed bakery portfolio with the launch of Galaxy Croissants. It joins the distributor’s existing Milky Way and Mars Croissant range, and is available in a four-pack at an RRP of £2.50-£2.89, via Booker, Nisa and Farmfoods. With this launch, UFB seeks to engage with shoppers looking for premium brands
Richard Reeves, CEO of UFB, said: “Galaxy has the brand power to shift behaviour in store, and we’re already seeing strong appetite from retailers. As we move into 2026, our focus is on expanding distribution, elevating quality and bringing genuinely incremental innovation to the aisle.”
PRODUCTS
Walkers redesign and launches
SHYAMA LAXMAN
WALKERS has unveiled “the largest brand refresh in its history”, with a new visual identity across its core range, as well as a new Hot Honey variety.
The refreshed design features a new sun-inspired logo, while championing real ingredients and 100% Great British potatoes. Each pack also bears the signature of the founder, Henry Walker.
The new look also extends across Walkers Oven Baked range, including two new additional �lavours: Slow Roasted Beef and Sun Dried Tomato & Basil, available in 150g sharing bags.
From mid-February, Walk-
ers 45% Less Salt will be renamed Walkers Lightly and retain its ‘45% less salt than average potato crisps’ claim on pack.
Walkers has also launched a ‘Golden Potato’ promotion, offering consumers the chance to win more than 500,000 prizes.
The national treasure hunt invites shoppers to �ind a ticket with a golden potato inside Walkers Ready Salted, Cheese & Onion and selected variety multipacks to win £10,000, or a gold pack that secures a pack prize instantly.
Skip launches Lion’s Mane drink range
FUNCTIONAL soft drinks brand Skip has launched its �irst range of Lion’s Mane �lavours in Blood Orange and Cloudy Apple varieties.
Each 250ml can contains 2,000mg of organic Lion’s Mane extract, celebrated for its cognitive and neurological bene�its, as well as fruit juices plus vitamin B6 and vitamin B12.
The drinks are available at an RRP of £1.69, suitable for vegans and contain no added sugar, according to the supplier.
Pistachio excellence in a dark bar
Hofmeister brings in new distributor
INDEPENDENT lager brand
Hofmeister has appointed King�isher Drinks as its national distributor following the collapse of its former
distributor Keystone Brewing Group.
The appointment comes as the brand seeks to expand further into the off-trade after its sales volume increased by more than 30% annually in Q4 2025.
It ensures that Hofmeister is available across the UK immediately, guaranteeing supply security for the trade throughout 2026.
Spencer Chambers, CEO of Hofmeister, said: “The market data is clear: beer drinkers are moving away from mass-produced ‘fake’ world lagers and demanding the real thing. As an independent, authentic Helles brewed in Bavaria, we are perfectly placed to lead that charge.”
LINDT is continuing its expansion into pistachio �lavours with the launch of the Lindt Excellence Pistachio Dark Bar.
It combines dark chocolate with caramelised nutty pistachio pieces, enhanced with a touch of sea salt. The launch follows last year’s Lindor Pistachio Truf�les and will be available to convenience retailers later this year.
Stefan Bruderer, master chocolatier at Lindt & Sprüngli, said: “Our unrivalled quality of Lindt Excellence chocolate makes this new
Mondelez launches Bisco Shell Egg
MONDELEZ International has extended its partnership with Lotus Bakeries by launching a Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff Shell Egg for Easter.
It is a Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate egg with crunchy Lotus Biscoff biscuit pieces and eight individually wrapped Cadbury Dairy Milk Biscoff chunks. Part of
Valeo launches Poppeggs for Easter
VALEO Foods UK has launched Poppeggs, a seasonal chocolate product under its Poppets brand to drive Easter sales.
Poppeggs consists of smooth, solid milk chocolate wrapped in a crisp sugar shell, presented in a bright, bite-sized and shareable format. It’s available at an RRP of £1.50.
The supplier says the product was designed to meet growing shopper demand for affordable, smaller-format
seasonal treats, suitable for multiple occasions including snacking, sharing and
Vievé expands into protein category
VIEVÉ has expanded its portfolio with a range of protein bars in Pistachio Punch, Strawberry Blondie and Coconut Crunch varieties.
Each bar contains 15g protein and 12g �ibre. The range is gluten-free with no added sugar and under 160 calories per bar.
The launch marks a new category entry for Vievé, which has previously offered
protein water and collagen powder.
“Launching into the healthy snacking sector is a completely new venture for us, and part of an ongoing brand expansion project,” said Vievé founder and CEO, Rafael Rozenson.
WALKERS has kicked off its partnership with Fifa 2026 World Cup with an on-pack promotion across its Walkers Max range.
Running until 8 March, shoppers can win tickets to the opening match of the tournament, alongside thousands of of�icial Adidas footballs available to be won instantly.
The promotion runs across Walkers Max Punchy Paprika, Sizzling Flame Grilled Steak, Jalapeño & Cheese and Hot Chicken Wings, spanning both grab and sharing for-
Pistachio Dark Bar the perfect permissible treat this new year.”
KitKat debuts F1 chocolate car
KITKAT has marked its appointment as the of�icial chocolate bar of Formula 1, by launching a chocolate shaped like a racing car.
The KitKat Formula 1 chocolate car comprises a smooth milk chocolate shell with creamy �illing and crispy cereal pieces. It is available in single (29g RRP 99p) and multi-pack (5x11g RRP £2) formats across the UK and Ireland.
The partnership also includes social media engage-
ment, exclusive merchandise, in-store activations, prize promotions, and innovative, limited-edition products, according to the supplier.
Mrs Elswood goes Middle Eastern
EMPIRE Bespoke Foods has expanded its Mrs Elswood pickled vegetables line by launching the ‘Made for Mezze’ range, available from 1 February.
The line-up includes semidried Tomatoes (RRP £2.50 for 215g), spicy Kebab Peppers and �lame-roasted Red Peppers (£2 for 300g).
These preserves aren’t seedy
BRITISH jam brand, Fearne & Rosie, has added a new ‘Seedless’ range to its preserve’s portfolio.
Raspberry Seedless Preserve and Strawberry Seedless Preserve will be available via wholesale from February at an RRP of £3.50. They are made with 70% fruit and contain 40% less sugar than standard jams, according to the supplier. Both lines are also vegan-friendly, the supplier added.
Rachel Kettlewell,
founder
of Fearne & Rosie, said: “Seedless is 14% of the category, and we’re excited to provide a fruit-�illed, lowersugar option for consumers.”
be a big hit with consumers seeking a way to explore this culinary journey.”
Jonathan Hehir, senior innovation manager at Empire Bespoke Foods, said: “As more people discover Middle Eastern cuisines, we’re con�ident that the Mrs Elswood ‘Made for Mezze’ range will
SPORTS nutrition brand Warrior has expanded its UK convenience distribution through nationwide listings with Booker and Bestway.
The new listings come as Warrior’s protein bars have grown by 72% year on year, aided by recent distribution gains with Filshill and EG Group.
Dairy Milk ‘Made to Share’ returns
Wendy Stephen
Spar Clyne Condorrat, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire
Focus on… supporting your community
I’VE been running the store since 2012 with my sister, Nicola, and brother, Neil. We’re third-generation retailers – my grandmother instilled in me a belief in how important it is to give back to the community.
We funded a de brillator for the community that has been used successfully three times, so we started looking into a choking rescue device called LifeVac, featured on the BBC, to help save lives.
Warrior bars go into Booker and Bestway
retailers
balanced mix designed to maximise impulse conversion. The bars are supplied in 12-bar cases, with an RRP of £1.79 per bar.
MONDELEZ has relaunched its Cadbury Dairy Milk Made to Share limitededition range. Shoppers can choose from 12 new designs inspired by everyday acts of generosity.
The range is available on the 180g bar and 95g pricemarked pack. Moreover, an in-store competition gives shoppers the opportunity to win prizes that can be shared. To enter, they must purchase a Cadbury Dairy Milk Made to Share bar, scan a QR code on in-store PoS and enter through the Made to Share website.
Due to red tape, it took around 12 months to get the go-ahead, then over the past year we’ve been gettingthe devices out to schools, nurseries and care homes.We completed our 33rd LifeVac installation on 9 December, and would like to continue the scheme to reach every care home in the area.
To fund it, we use money from the plastic bag charge. We also get support from suppliers, so we run competitions and give-aways, where all ticket money goes to fund LifeVacs.
Divine Chocolate undergoes rebrand
PREMIUM chocolate brand
Divine Chocolate has unveiled a new look for 2026.
The rebrand is part of Divine’s new ‘Made to Matter’ communications platform, which highlights the brand’s longstanding ethos of celebrating the expert hands that create the premium bars. The new packaging puts the Kuapa Kokoo cocoa farms and farmers of Ghana front and centre, paying homage to them as co-owners of the brand and communicating the bars’ unique selling points, while meeting modern shoppers’ expectations of premium
The new packaging is supported by a national television and out-of-home campaign, live from 15 February, as well as a revamped website and digital presence.
We see ourselves as a community hub, tackling things such as period poverty and giving away essentials like toothpaste. Some things are available from the council, but they’re only open for a few hours, whereas we’re open from 6.30am-10pm.
We also do Showcase Sundays on social media, where we highlight the di erent associations o ering people support.
Bestway is listing three lines from Warrior’s Raw range, while Booker will stock four lines across Warrior Raw and Crunch, offering
a
chocolate.
Headline partner Supporting partner
MY STAR STAFF MEMBER
OPINION
RETAILER OPINION ON THIS FORTNIGHT’S HOT TOPICS What do you think? Call Retail Express on 020 7689 3357 for the chance to be featured
Shazad Hussein
My role in the shop: food-to-go specialist
How did you get involved with Abu Bakr?
I’ve always had experience in retail and had previously worked for another supermarket in Nottingham. I applied for a job at Abu Bakr because I felt the skills I gained in my previous role would transfer well.
What happens in your regular day to day?
I work on the food-to-go counter, which is one of the busiest parts of the business. My role is quite a varied one. I engage with and serve customers, while other days, I can be more involved in the preparation and packing of food.
What is your favourite part of the role?
Customer engagement is de nitely one of my favourite parts. There are a lot of customers at the counter each day. Whether you’re a new customer or a regular visitor, I enjoy making their experience as pleasurable as it can be.
Are there any funny moments you can recall?
My boss is quite a smart dresser and has some swagger about him. One day, we had a customer who was dressed as smart and was similarly con dent. There was quite a bit of banter between them, which was funny.
Do you have any lessons from your role?
We all make mistakes from time to time, but it’s about working as a team to correct them and make sure they don’t happen again. We’re all human, so mistakes can crop up sometimes.
Helping contributes to the economy
SECURITY: How are you protecting your store from crime?
“WITH the Fed, we are calling on all parties standing to put small independent Welsh shops at the heart of their agenda. Part of the proposals put forward includes a £6,500 grant to help independent shops install modern CCTV to tackle retail crime.”
Clive Birkby, Maesycwmmer Stores, Mid Glamorgan
“RETAIL crime has been a major issue for us. We’ve recently begun working with a company called AI on smart security systems, which alert us to any potential shoplifters and criminals. It’s an investment which will help us reduce the likelihood of crime.”
Kaual Patel, Nisa Torridon, south London
KENT WATER SHORTAGE: How was your business impacted?
“WE go tothe cash and carry, and other supermarkets try to do the village thing and all stick together. Keeping stocked with water has been dif�icult. There were no water deliveries for elderly and vulnerable people, so we did home deliveries ourselves. We turned off the coffee machine and lost sales as a result.”
Tracey, Nisa Local, Maidstone
“THE shop was struggling to meet demand for bottled water. Customers were coming for bottled water, but we didn’t have enough water to give to them. Without water, our coffee machine wouldn’t work so we were having to use mineral water for the coffee machine as well.”
Store, Tunbridge Wells
We lost sales because our co ee machine was o
COMMUNITY: How are you supporting your area?
“I DONATED £750 to the Little Stars charity, which provides clothing and bedding to families across Shropshire. What they have accomplished in just a few years is truly inspiring. I’m delighted that our fundraising can play a part in helping families get the support they so desperately need.”
Julie Kaur, Jules Premier, Telford
“I’VE been helping promote the services of a local burger company called Smash Bros. I’ve been promoting a lot of local companies because it can only help the area. The more successful a business is, the more likely they will be to employ more people and this all contributes to the economy.”
Natalie Lightfoot, Londis Solo Convenience, Glasgow
It’s an investment to help reduce crime
COFFEE TO GO: Are the big brands still worth it?
Store owner: Hamza Hussain, Abu Bakr Supermarket, Batley, West Yorkshire
Want to recommend a star member of sta ? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk
We’re assessing whether the margins are worth it
“CURRENTLY, we’re seeing a period where coffee-to-go solutions are not reliable, and big brands are being placed under a poor spotlight. We’re pleased to have partnered with a company called Hubb to bring something unique and aesthetic to market while retaining awesome quality.”
Mital Morar, General Stores, Manchester
“WE’RE assessing whether the margins are worth it. Some companies pitch you decent margins, but these are often smaller once you factor in staff costs and maintenance. We’re asking whether customers actually come to store because you have certain brands in.”
Ian Lewis, Spar Minster Lovell, Oxon
Gokul, Dunorlan Park
HAVE YOU TRIED IT?
ZERO CALORIES
‘Co
ee rms need to wake up and smell the beans’
PROFIT matters, and in these hard and challenging conditions, UK brands in the coffee business need to wake up and smell the beans.
How can a retailer survive on commissions of 5-20 %, pay for the milk from their own pocket and pay for the electric, while turning
a pro�it? This doesn’t even cover the cost of cleaning the machine for our employees.
The UK convenience coffee model is broken. No retailer in the UK should carry a burden in the name of a brand and certainly Pro Gro will not support it anymore. If it doesn’t make money, negotiate. If it still doesn’t work for
COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK
Sophie Williams, Premier Broadway Convenience, Edinburgh
‘Giving back to our amazing customers’
“PREMIER has hit 5,000 stores in the UK. To celebrate this milestone, a number of Premier stores nationwide are running a scratchcard competition until the start of February to give back to all our amazing customers. Customers who spend £10 in store (excluding lottery, PayPoint and tobacco) will get a scratchcard. Some of the prizes as part of the scratchcard promotion include Burger King Whopper meals and more than £5,000 in cash prizes. Congratulations to Premier on this amazing achievement and thank you to all of the Premier and Booker team.”
you, then stop supporting it in your business.
We had a strong relationship with Pret Express, but they’ve unfortunately exited the convenience market. They recently removed their solution from our Hope Street branch, and it will be missed. I wish Pret Coffee the best, but I’m also disap-
pointed they walked away from the sector. If they’d stayed, I’d have installed Pret across our estate without hesitation.
Now we’re deciding what goes into those spaces next. There are plenty of options.
Jay Javid, Pro Gro Group, Glasgow
“I’M the rst retailer with a Go Local fascia in London. I was aware of the company before, but did not realise they served London. Once I understood what they o ered, it was an easy decision to make the switch. I have brought in new customers through catering for a growing demand in quick meal solutions. The store’s appeal to commuters and local families has also increased. The support from the team and the strength of the promotions have made a real di erence. We can already see the bene t in customer feedback and in the performance of the store.”
Getting into meal deals
WE’RE very late to the party, but we’ve just launched a meal deal in the shop. It has gone down an absolute storm.
I’ve included our hot food range like sausage rolls and bacon baps, and it means that o en people will come in to get their breakfast meal deal, but will also buy a second one for their lunch and take it with them.
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
The price is set at £4.50, which is competitive. There are some losses that I make on some of the products, but I’ve made sure to promote the lines which give me a better margin more closely with the meal deal.
I have a section in the fridge highlighted as the meal deal section, and that’s where I put all the high-margin meal deal options. Customers can nd the other ones around the shop, and some will go looking elsewhere, but most don’t. I think it’s something that I saw in M&S or Sainsbury’s.
One problem is I’ve not yet been able to include hot co ee in it. I’ve fallen out of love with our Costa machine and I am now looking for another option. I’ve looked into the sales data and I’ve found the margins have dropped considerably on Costa and maintenance requirements have gone up, so it’s time to move on.
Now I’m looking to see if there’s something out there that will match my store and my customers’ needs. Co ee really provides that complete meal deal solution, whether it’s breakfast or lunch, so I’m keen to include it. I really want to make sure we’ve got a good hot tea o er as well, because I think that’s an overlooked part of hot drinks in convenience stores. We are still a nation of tea drinkers, but we don’t talk about it enough.
Posikan Sivakumar, Go Local Plaistow Lane, Bromley
NEW Water is a £ 1.8bn category*
Functional water growing at 43%*
25% of functional water shoppers choose electrolytes* £1.8bn
HEALTHIER SALES
TAMARA BIRCH explores the healthier food and drink opportunity for retailers
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR RETAILERS
HEALTH is often the talk of the town in January as shoppers adopt their annual ‘New Year, New Me’ mentality. Retailers say shoppers are becoming more influenced to choose higher-protein products, lowsugar or low-calorie options.
“Shoppers are getting smarter, and it’s newcomers to the tness industry that are buying into the category,” says Suki Athwal, of Shop
Around the Clock in Tenterden, Kent.
Scott Graham, of McLeish in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, says it’s less about increased education and more about social media. For years, Graham says low-sugar soft drinks have had traction, but most recently, shoppers are switching out carbonated drinks for healthier alternatives.
“We noticed it last year
when people started swinging towards non-carbonated drinks, like sugar-free flavoured water,” he says. This trend then expanded to his meal deal o erings where shoppers were trading in Coca-Cola and other carbonated drinks for something else. Graham is still getting requests for healthier alternatives, as well as healthier snacking options.
PROTEIN REMAINS KING
PROTEIN remains a core focus for retailers. Athwal extended his range and introduced Huel at the end of last year.
He has a variety of flavours to o er customers choice, but doesn’t have a set range and chooses products that o er him the biggest margin as well as the right price to his customers.
“It keeps customers engaged,” he says. “It’s just as important to have a good flavour pro le as well, so we stock strawberry, chocolate and vanilla or banana. We always make sure to stock more than one brand to suit preferences.”
While the likes of protein shakes and bars are strong products to stock, don’t underestimate everyday prod-
ucts that are naturally high in protein. On social media, a lot of ‘high-protein, low-calorie’ recipes feature cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt or lean meats.
Athwal also stocks electrolytes and energy gel packs for runners.
NEW Perfect for Healthy Jan when your shoppers are looking for “better for me” options
CHERRY
CITRUS
STRAWBERRY & PEACH
HEALTHIER SNACKING
HEALTHY snacks are strong alternatives for shoppers on a health journey, and are an ideal option for buying on the go. Beef jerky, for example, is a quick, easy snack, according to Shaun Whelan, convenience/wholesale and out-of-home controller for Jack Link’s.
“Jerky and biltong is one of the fastest-growing segments within crisps, nuts and bagged snacks, worth more than £40m and continuing to expand in value and volume,” he says.
It’s not just adults buying healthier snacks, they’re being purchased as lunchbox llers, too. Jo Agnew, marketing director at Lotus Natural Foods, says there’s an ongoing demand for natural, goodfor-you snacks.
“Our 100% real fruit snacks count as one of your ve a day, contain no added sugar
and are naturally high inbre,” she says.
Throughout the entire snacking category, shoppers are ditching diet bars and sugar pick-me-ups, according to Ash Byrne, marketing manager at Nakd. Instead, the snacking category is evolving to natural ingredients, functional bene ts that align with added well-being.
“In the past two years, the better-for-you segment of snack bars has grown by £44.1m, while caloriecontrolled, weight management bars have declined by £35.9m,” Byrne says. “It’s clear that shoppers are moving from restriction to replenishment.”
This is evidenced by Graham, who says customers are ditching crisps for healthier options, like meat snacks or fruit and veg when buying a meal deal.
CATEGORY ADVICE HEALTHIER FOOD & DRINK
HOW TO POSITION YOUR HEALTH RANGE HYDRATION IS VITAL
SOME shoppers will buy lowsugar soft drinks for taste, but the king of health is staying hydrated, which comes from drinking water.
Bupa UK says most adults need 2l to 2.5l, which is around eight glasses. Being
dehydrated can impair muscle function, circulation, brain function skin and sleep.
Rob Long, category controller for Highland Spring, says: “Retailers must prioritise year-round availability for healthy options like water. “It
acts as a basket builder – it’s an ‘and’ purchase, not an ‘or’ purchase.”
To capture this additional spend, Long recommends retailers create a secondary site for water to trigger impulse healthy option buys.
HOW you position your healthier snacks and drinks range will depend on your customers. Graham ties his ranges in with their ‘non-healthy counterparts’.
He says: “Our range is all grouped together, no matter the product. This is so customers have the choice whether to buy a healthier product or not.”
Athwal, in contrast, decid-
ed to have a clear section of healthier alternatives.
“We have a one-metre shelf for protein shakes and a little extra for protein co ees,” he says. “It’s nice to have it all in one place rather than have to shop around for it.”
venturous taste buds, as well as adults packing their workfrom-o ce lunch boxes, parents want options that suit the whole family,” Agnew says.
Agnew recommends that when building your range to cater for all ages. “From little ones starting school at four to older kids with more ad-
“It’s also important to offer the right balance of trusted, nutritional products that kids genuinely enjoy. While parents want to make the healthiest choices, they also need options their kids will actually eat.”
recent launches
Vieve protein bars
Protein water brand Vieve is expanding its portfolio with the launch of a protein bar range in Pistachio Punch, Strawberry Blondie and Coconut Crunch varieties. Each bar contains 15g protein and 12g bre, with no added sugar, gluten-free ingredients and under 160 calories per bar. The range is available now, with a £2.49 RRP.
Skip Lion’s Mane Blood Orange & Cloudy Apple
Functional soft drinks brand Skip has launched its Lion’s Mane range in Blood Orange and Cloudy Apple flavours, available at an RRP of £1.69. Each 250ml can contains 2,000mg of organic Lion’s Mane extract, as well as fruit juices plus vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. The drinks are suitable for vegans and contain no added sugar.
Arla launches cottage cheese range
Arla Foods has launched its own range of cottage cheese in Natural and Low Fat Natural varieties to tap into the demand for high-protein dairy. The range has been developed for broad, everyday usage across meals and snacks – on toast, in bakes and sauces or as a high-protein topping. The launch is being supported with digital and in-store activations.
BOUNCING INTO SPRING
Easter is a key occasion in the confectionery calendar, and combined with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, makes spring the season for confectionery, as KATE BAKER nds out
WHEN TO START SPRING PROMOTIONS
EASTER falls at the start of April this year, and while some retailers choose to begin building their displays in January to generate early excitement, others opt to introduce displays after Valentine’s Day.
But Kathryn Hague, head of marketing at World of Sweets, recommends looking at the entire season as a sales opportunity for confectionery.
Gifting promotions and premium options for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day allow for a crossover as shoppers looking at one will be reminded of
the next, before the full Easter promotions start coming in from March onwards, with eggs, novelty items and fresh displays.
Suki Athwal, from Shop Around the Clock in Tenterden, Kent, starts stocking mini eggs in December. “It gets customers talking, even if they moan about it, but it gets their attention and alerts them to availability,” he says. “People tend to buy close to Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, but for Easter will buy further ahead. Stock buying in
pre-sale saves getting in too much stock.”
Sunita Aggarwal, of Spar Hackenthorpe in She eld, brings in Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter stock in January. Displayed separately in prominent positions, she nds that due to the nancial climate, people “pick up bits and pieces when they can rather than big shops”. She continues: “Once Valentine’s Day has passed, some items will be moved into the Mother’s Day and Easter displays.”
CATEGORY ADVICE EASTER CONFECTIONERY
WHAT TO SELL AT EASTER
WITH 56% of households taking part in an Easter egg hunt, eggs remain the principal product to sell, but a range of selftreat options and complementary gifting lines can appeal to a wider range of shopper.
“Retailers should stock a variety of formats at di erent prices to meet shoppers needs,” says Clare Newton, trade and shopper marketing
manager at Swizzels. “A mix of novelty, limited-edition items alongside a core range of bestselling confectionery will appeal to di erent preferences and reduce the chance that retailers are left with stock after the occasions.”
Miriam Al-Bazz, from Stannington Road Post O ce in She eld, says cards sell well for Valentine’s Day and
Mother’s Day, but chocolate and sweets less so. However, she nds combining cards with chocolates and other gifting items, such as candles, works well.
Athwal has a mixed demographic in a more prosperous area, but customers are still price-conscious. He stocks more expensive items, , which sell well, although children are
very keen to come in and buy lower-price confectionery.
“Mid-range eggs are dying as customers are not seeing the value in them anymore,” he says. “They are buying more big posh eggs and lowend stock in the £2-£3 price bracket. People are spending less, but when they do buy, they will buy premium. They want something a little nicer.”
tips
Ensure good stock
By stocking bestselling seasonal products from January all the way through to mid-April, retailers can meet the needs of all shopper missions.
Utilise eye-catching displays
Bright PoS materials will remind people that the events are coming up, encourage impulse purchases and making store navigation simple.
Make the most of your space
Overlapping occasions works well as products can often appeal to those shopping for all spring events.
SPRING TIMELINE
Ranging advice from World of Sweets
January
Retailers should begin introducing spring-led products in January, starting with small novelties, gummies and early impulse lines.
February
By February, retailers should layer in gifting products such as Bonds Pun Boxes for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.
March
From March onwards, retailers should be in full Easter execution when eggs, novelty items and oshelf displays should dominate.
POSITIONING AND DISPLAY
NOVELTY and colour are key to creating theatre and excitement in store. With people increasingly opting for small, thoughtful gestures and affordable luxuries, Hague advises creating a seasonal bay that evolves through each event from Valentine’s Day to Mother’s Day and Easter. Impulse items should be kept at the tills and front of store, while pastel colours and spring
PoS will keep the xture fresh.
“Themed displays play a key role in driving seasonal sales, and retailers should ensure these are clearly visible or signposted in high-tra c areas to make it easy for shoppers to navigate the store and nd what they need,” says Newton. Al-Bazz displays promotions at the front of the shop with cards and bigger eggs, and has small eggs and smaller items
at the counter.
“Customers need time to think,” she says. “They normally come in with a speci c goal and when at the counter see the small promotions such as small eggs, then they return to the large displays to make their purchases, often buying for multiple occasions.”
Athwal also displays his items separately, with Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and
Easter in dedicated bays at the front of the shop. “This brings these occasions to mind,” he says. He displays Creme Eggs at the till with other lowerprice items, but stresses that people get blind to these items if they are not refreshed, so he maintains a rotation of lowerpriced items. He also creates a bit of theatre around the displays, such as balloons for Valentine’s Day.
LAUNCHES & PROMOS
The latest launches and promotions
Mars Wrigley
Mars Wrigley has unveiled Maltesers Mini Eggs and Galaxy Minstrels Easter Eggs, and, in response to the demand for larger, higher-quality formats, the Milky Way Large Egg and the Twix White XL Egg. The supplier has also launched ‘The Big Easter Bunny O ’. Running until 10 April, customers are invited to vote for their favourite Easter bunny for a chance to win £10,000 and other instant cash prizes. Utilising Maltesers Bunny Milk Chocolate, Maltesers Bunny Popcorn and M&M’s Crispy Bunny, the promotion will be supported by a suite of PoS merchandise to ensure maximum visibility.
World of Sweets
World of Sweets has unveiled a special spring range designed to help retailers maximise seasonal opportunity through value, novelty and impulse purchasing. New products include: Candy Realms Jelly Bunny Heads (170g, £1 RRP), Candy Realms Jelly Filled Mallow Bag (90g, £1 RRP), Candy Realms Spring Hard Candy Lollies ( ve for £1 RRP), a 1kg Pick n Mix Station Spring Mix and Candy Realms Spring Mix Cup (215g, £1.99 RRP).
Empire Bespoke Foods
Empire Bespoke Foods has launched its rst-ever Easter range from leading European bakeries and confectioners. Featuring hand-iced individually wrapped shortbread bunnies, eggs and chicks from German manufacturer Pertzborn, sugar and chocolate glazed Easter rabbits from the Wicklein bakery, an Easter lantern containing allerlei (soft gingerbread) biscuits, and gift boxes of assorted Italian luxury chocolates from Vergani, all are suitable for vegetarians.
Valeo Foods UK
Valeo Foods UK has launched Poppeggs, designed to meet demand for smaller-format seasonal treats. Available in an 80g bag (£1.50 RRP), Poppeggs are made using Rainforest Alliance Certi ed cocoa.
Mondelez International
Mondelez International has launched an Ultimate Cadbury Dairy Milk Bisco Shell Egg. The new product is an extra-large egg designed for premium gifting occasions at Easter. It has also launched the Cadbury Creme Egg White Shell Egg nationwide supported with a new above-the-line campaign, in-store activations and retailer competitions. In addition, Mondelez is redesigning its ‘Special Gesture’ range, making a clear distinction between the traditional shell egg range and the Ultimate shell egg range. A limited-edition Oreo Creme Egg biscuit is available until Easter.
BUILDING BIGGER BASKETS
GIFTING remains at the heart of the Easter season. Worth £75m annually, it is a key driver across the category. The premium chocolate gifting segment is up 13% year on year, as shoppers trade up to higher-quality formats and with larger egg formats continuing to perform strongly.
To complement Easter egg sales, retailers should o er novelty confectionery, impulse self-treat lines and sharing bags. Cross-merchandising
with drinks, cards, flowers and other items helps to drive higher basket spend, and siting novelty items near tills and front of store can signicantly increase impulse purchases. Mixed price points will appeal to every customer, and displays that highlight excitement and new products will refresh customer interest.
Athwal does not bundle things, but may do a deal at Valentine’s Day with prosecco and chocolates. He also uti-
lises leftover Christmas confectionery to make preloaded hampers.
Al-Bazz says: “We are a small community shop and we listen to our customers and try to o er what they want.”
She also reads trade magazines to nd out about the trends and upcoming promotions, and follows social media to see which products are going to be promoted. She notes that it is also important to assess pro t margins.
Easter
• Build a seasonal Easter zone
How to get events right in your store
• Use front-of-store areas to showcase products
• O er a ‘good, better, best’ range
• Use bright PoS and simple value messages
Mother’s Day & Valentine’s Day
• Prioritise quick, heartfelt gifting
• Last-minute, emotional, a ordable gifts perform well
• Dual-site with cards, flowers or wine DISPLAY TIPS
A TREAT FOR ALL OCCASIONS
CHARLES WHITTING nds out how retailers can drive sales of biscuits and cakes this year
VALUE VS PREMIUM
OPPORTUNITIES
IN the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, retailers and suppliers alike are reporting an increased demand for value options within their biscuits and cakes. Karan Patel, from Budgens Sherwood in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, says his Jack’s range of own-label biscuits is very popular, while his customers are turning away from
Mr Kipling cakes – which cost £2.99 for a six-pack – in favour of 300-400g slabs of cake from Regal, which cost the same.
Yogesh Patel, from Warwick Convenience Store, backs this up, saying: “Our bestsellers are the McVitie’s range and the own-label products. With cakes, our Mr Kipling sell well, but also our Jack’s range of
sponge cakes and jam tarts.”
However, while customers are searching for lower prices, they are also looking for value for money, prompting many to pay a little bit more to guarantee a premium product.
“Premium biscuits are delivering the strongest growth within convenience, worth £44m, growing at 13.3% year
at
on year,” says David Hebson, trade marketing director at Fox’s Burton’s Companies. “We expect this growth to continue throughout 2026 as shoppers look for a ordable indulgences in a costconscious environment. Fox’s Chocolatey range is outperforming the market, growing 39% in value sales.”
RETAILER VIEW
Karan Patel
Budgens Sherwood, Tunbridge Wells, Kent
“OUR cakes and biscuits sell well; nothing ever runs out of date. Biscuit-wise, it’s cookies that are doing well for us, from Fox’s, Maryland and McVitie’s.
“We get most of our cakes from a company called Regal that o ers good value for money and sell really well. But we also stock Booker’s Coolmore cake range – which is more of a luxury product – and they’re popular as well. We’ve also recently started using a local cake supplier called Piece of Cake. He sells wafer rolls and things we can’t get from Budgens, things like European brands, which gives us a point of di erence.
“We do promotions on biscuits when they come from Booker, but we don’t generally do them on cakes. Look out for what you’re customers want. If they want higher-end products, then make sure you’re stocking those brands.”
WHERE TO STOCK FOR BEST IMPACT
BISCUITS are often an impulsive addition to the shopping basket, so positioning them prominently and near to shopping essentials can help to boost spend considerably.
Karan Patel has his biscuits in the same aisle as the bread, with the cakes not far away.
“Up to 63% of biscuits are bought on a top-up mission, so it’s important for shoppers to be able to nd them easily in the store,” says Yvette Murphy, trade and commer-
cial communications manager UK&I at Pladis. “Biscuits and cakes are typically bought on impulse, so where space allows, retailers should give them proportionate space outside the main xtures in high-tra c areas, with multiple touchpoints to maximise impulse buys and meet shoppers’ needs e ectively.”
Frances Booth, head of marketing at Lotus Bakeries UK, suggests positioning biscuits near to the home baking sec-
tions to encourage customers to spend more.
Fox’s Hebson adds: “We nd that sweet biscuits positioned alongside o erings like tea and co ee work well, as they align with usage occasions. In 80% of occasions, our Paterson’s 300g Shortbread Fingers are consumed with a hot drink.
“Another option is using impulse locations, like on aisle ends or in wire baskets, to promote deals and in turn help bolster sales.”
MAKING AN IMPACT WITH BISCUITS AND CAKES
WHILE many biscuit brands are well-established favourites that retailers say customers pick up almost automatically, there are also ways to keep the range fresh and interesting. For example, the continued drive for healthier eating could mean that a low-sugar option could drive sales.
“We’ve seen a 6% yearon-year increase in on-the-
go shopper missions within healthier biscuits as shoppers are being more mindful when snacking while out and about,” says Susan Nash, communications manager at Mondelez International. “Therefore, we encourage retailers to stock healthier biscuits.”
Product launches are prevalent within the category, and making sure to stock them
early and prominently is key to ensure you are getting customers’ attention before the novelty wears o . Nash adds that 53% of shoppers are looking to try new flavours, meaning that getting on top of launches is key for retailers.
“People aren’t always after product launches for that long,” says Yogesh Patel. “We get them in because Booker
will put them on promotion and then people will buy it to try it, but you’re unlikely to get those repeat purchases.”
Within cakes, retailers are also nding a point of di erence by introducing locally sourced cakes, as these tap into a growing desire to support local businesses and can’t be purchased in more mainstream competitors.
Oreo
Ecotone
product launches
Oreo has launched a limited-edition Oreo Creme Egg biscuit, as an Easter-themed snack. It is available until Easter. The launch is being supported with in-store activations and a playful advertising campaign.
Ecotone UK recently launched Lemon French Madeleines, tapping into growing popularity of citrus flavours – now the third most popular in the cake category. Each sponge cake comes individually wrapped.
Belvita
Belvita recently launched Belvita Duo Crunch Choco Hazelnut, a limited-edition product that combines chocolate, high bre and Belvita’s signature blend of ve wholegrains. Available to independent retailers until December, the new line of products comprises two Belvita biscuits sandwiched together.
What’s new in biscuits and cakes
ADVICE
REVIEWING THE OFFER
January is a time for evaluating and evolving a store’s o er. CHARLES WHITTING nds out what changes retailers are making
Sag Hussain, The Avenue Convenience Store, Middlesbrough
“RANGE reviews are standard procedure for this time of year, but we religiously look at our slow sellers on a monthly basis. It also helps us with our date checks as well. But you need to look back over the past four months at a slow seller before asking if it’s worth continuing to stock it at all.
“Right now, we’ve been increasing facings of protein and non-alcoholic drinks to cater for people who are feeling ‘new year, new me’ and want to live that healthy lifestyle in January. We’ll bring the non-alcoholic products right to the front, so it’s in your face with some more branding.
“With the protein, we’ll put them at the counter and in the doorway, as well as their normal place to give them more exposure. But these are seasonal changes. By and large, our offer stays quite consistent, and we try not to jump on trending toys and fads.”
2
Rachel Rowbottom, Treeton News, Rotherham, South Yorkshire
3
Simon Taylor, Taylor’s of Acomb, North Yorkshire
“I’M very much a ‘suck it and see’ type of store. I’m changing my facings all the time because we’re a small community store and we want to be able to give our customers everything they might need. We had snowfall forecast last weekend, so I went and got sledges in. I found out the children needed purple pens for their classes, so I got in a couple of boxes of them.
“We switch things around all the time. I’ve bought things from B&M because it often has great things and new stuff. I’ll add a bit to the price, but it means people don’t have to go miles out of their way to get it.
“We’ve been pushing the local angle a lot recently. We get cakes from a local baker, and a lot of the milk we sell comes from a farm a mile away. Even with all the new things we bring in, we don’t tend to have to delist much to make space. It’s like we’ve got elastic walls. We always �ind somewhere to put them.”
“WE’VE been leaning more into organic and vegan products, as well as re�illable zero-waste products. We’ve got cereals, rice, beans and pasta, but also cleaning vinegars, washing-up liquid and shampoos. It’s a varied range, and people are making a beeline for us because of that.
“We’ve also been increasing the amount of local products in store. We do preserves, coffees and beers, and we have a local company that makes pre-made spice bags for your meat. It’s become a big part of the shop, and we are growing it more. We have a Morrisons supermarket 300 yards away, a One Stop, a Co-op and a Heron Foods not far away, either. So, we’ve had to do something different.
“We’re about to put in fresh fruit and veg from a local wholesaler. We want to be that local greengrocer as the village doesn’t have one right now.”
In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out how retailers are making their stores more familyfriendly. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email
We’re pretty proactive with our range reviews, but what are retailers doing with their o ers this year? – Mandeep Khela, Spar Sandygate Street, She eld
