THE UK’s Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is just over a year and a half away, but awareness of the sustainability legislation di ers greatly among small shops.
Speaking to many retailers, the responses I get vary from being unaware of the October 2027 implementation date to not even knowing what the regulation is at all. This isn’t just restricted to convenience stores, however. Your nearest wholesaler might also be unaware.
Speaking at the Unitas Wholesale trade show this month, Food & Drink Wholesale UK chief executive James Bielby admitted there was still a “big communication job” to do in ensuring wholesalers can support retailers properly.
Despite the lack of knowledge, the trade body announced it was part of a larger wholesale group already examining what this help could look like (page 4). There is plenty of support elsewhere, too. Recently, I spoke to Aco Recycling. Based in Türkiye, the rm is manufacturing machines to exclusively help small shops manage bottle returns for DRS.
The body managing DRS, Exchange for Change, is also ramping up advice for stores, although some vital information such as how much retailers will get paid to take back containers are still to be announced.
THERE IS STILL A BIG COMMUNICATION JOB TO DO
Sixteen months might seem far away, but as previous legislation has shown, the months can creep by quickly. As always, Retail Express will be providing the vital information to ensure you don’t get le behind.
ONE of the UK’s youngest subpostmasters has become an internet sensation through his mission to dispel myths that the Post Of�ice (PO) is behind the times.
Billy Burrows, the 23-yearold manager and co-owner of Crookes Post Of�ice in Shef�ield, works with assis-
tant manager Alex Bake to use TikTok and Instagram to give the public a behindthe-scenes glimpse of life in a post of�ice branch.
The humorous videos, which have amassed more than 63,000 likes on TikTok, include the pair Irish dancing and pretending the �loor is made of lava. The clips also highlight vital modern services offered by the
branch, including passport renewals, banking and parcel collection.
Speaking to Retail Express, Burrows said the internet fame has led to people recognising him on the street.
He added: “We started a year ago and did it for a laugh. I’m not really a social media per-
son. I have to psych myself up, as it can be daunting when you know so many people are going to see the videos.
“All you have to do is go for it. If you talk about something you know and understand, you �ind it a lot easier. People really like the passion when it’s natural.”
Head of marketing
Kate Daw 020 7689 3363
Head of commercial Natalie Reeve 07856 475 788
Senior account director Lindsay Hudson 07749 416 544
RETAILERS face higher delivery charges and energy costs if the con�lict in Iran continues, newspaper wholesaler Newspread has warned.
Messages sent to stores in Northern Ireland by the �irm claimed the price of fuel in the country had risen by 26p – “about 20%”.
Senior �igures at several smaller wholesalers con�irmed to Retail Express they were “monitoring” the crisis, but had no plans to raise delivery costs.
Tobacco and Vapes Bill has cleared the House of Lords, giving retailers a picture of what the regulations will mean for them.
Measures include an upcoming ban on anyone born after 1 January 2009 be-
ing sold nicotine products. The Bill also legislates for a licence to sell tobacco and vapes.
The Bill will face one more reading in the Commons, but this is unlikely to result in any further changes.
EVRI is to cut commission rates on one of its ParcelShop categories, sparking anger from retailers.
From 5 April, commission for ‘shop-to-shop’ parcels will fall from 20p to 15p per parcel for drop-offs, among other cuts. When asked for comment, Evri said its 10,000 ParcelShops play a “vital role” in its business and highlighted its recent investments, including the rollout of new printing devices for shops.
STORES partnered with Snappy Shopper can earn £300to-£600 a year for publishing adverts on their social media pro�iles.
The home delivery �irm’s new Snappy Media Connect platform will see food and drink brands place advertising messages across “hundreds of trusted local retailer [social media] pages” at the same time. Snappy Shopper added the service could also lead to increased sales for partnered shops.
Burrows (le ) and Bake (right)
Small shops fall victim to 8,000 spike in violent crime
VIOLENT attacks across the convenience sector surged annually by 8,000 incidents, despite retailers spending a record £313m on crime prevention.
The �igures from the 2026 ACS Crime Report, published on 16 March, revealed there were an estimated 67,000 instances of violence between 27 November 2025 and 16 January 2026, up year on year from 59,000.
During the year, investment on crime-prevention measures by small shops rose annually from £265m to £313m, equivalent to £6,213 per store, up from £5,259. The money was spent on CCTV, security staff, external shutters and facialrecognition technology.
Despite the rise in violent abuse, the ACS claimed investment helped reduce estimated shop theft incidents from 6.2 million to 5.8 million. However, the volume of shop theft recorded by police rose from 492,914 to 519,381.
Several independent retailers told Retail Express their recent experiences of retail crime re�lect the ACS’s �indings.
Mo Razzaq, of Premier Mo’s in Blantyre, Glasgow, said investment in arti�icial intelligence has sometimes led to increases in abuse, when the technology has detected a potential thief.
He added: “Shoplifting is happening less often. The problem is that shoplifters are stealing higher-value items. It’s gone from products such as a can of soft drink to larger items like big packs of cheese, fabric softener and washing powder.
“Abuse has gone up, mainly because of alerts when someone is in the process of shoplifting. That creates a problem for the shoplifter, and when they’re caught, they’re really kicking off about it, which causes further problems.”
The ACS report added that 64% of retailers had reported crime to the police, up annually from 36%. However, some retailers still lack con�idence in their nearest police force’s ability to tackle crime.
Amy Sohal, of Premier Ken’s Convenience in Cheshire, said: “A lot of shops are suffering with shoplifting now, and in terms of reporting, the police are not doing anything about it. We need help from the police. It’s higher-value items that are being stolen.
“A lot of retailers are not speaking up and saying how they feel. Items such as deodorants and other products people can sell on are targeted.
“[Shoplifters are] not scared of anything now – they know nothing will be done.
“My shop is in the middle of an estate, and the older generation really respects
“WE recently took on a new Go Local store in South Wales. This store has been a major investment for us, and we wanted to create something the community could be proud of. We have spent time getting to know local residents and neighbouring businesses, and have made sure the store reflects the town. Bilingual signage is in place, and we are stocking a number of Welsh products.”
Kevin Berzh, Go Local Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent
GOOD WEEK
LOYALTY: More independent retailers are to get access to supermarket-style loyalty schemes, as part of a new partnership between C-Store Collective and Ubamarket. Shops with access to Ubamarket’s app will be able to o er their customers personalised promotions, instant discounts and the ability to scan items as they conduct their shopping.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Ubamarket’
and cares about us. We try to keep situations very calm with them. Overall, the situation of retail crime is really bad, and it’s only a matter of time before something bad happens to us.”
Recent �igures from the British Retail Consortium mirror the ACS Crime Report, with the trade body claiming more than a �ifth of the population have witnessed racial or sexual abuse, physical assault or threats with weapons while shopping.
ACS chief executive Ed
Woodall said: “Convenience stores are doing everything they can to keep their colleagues and customers safe by investing in defensive measures.
“The latest numbers on theft and abuse are moving slowly in the right direction, but still represent a daily battle for thousands of local shops against hardened criminals and organised gangs that are brazenly clearing entire shelves and targeting highvalue products to sell on elsewhere.
“Recent efforts from the government and the police to tackle retail crime on our high streets and in our town centres are welcome, along with an increased police presence that makes the biggest difference to how safe people feel in their communities.
“We must continue this momentum when the Crime and Policing Bill comes into force, and send a clear message that together, retailers, the police and the justice system will not tolerate theft.”
Store expansion: What are your plans to grow?
“WE’VE recognised that there are areas of the UK without an Abu Bakr store, and our expansion is about addressing those gaps. We want to encourage more people across the UK to consider a career in retail, starting with high-quality training and development that gives people the skills and con dence to succeed. As we open more stores, we’re creating more opportunities for people to start building rewarding careers with us.” Hamza Hussain, Abu Bakr Supermarket, Batley
“I OPENED my rst pop-up shop three years ago and it’s fun. Everyone was doing a pop-up back then, but no convenience stores were. It is what it says on the tin and we operate it on a short-term lease. Everything is plugged in and we can put stock in quickly. We’ve got another one opening up and we’re going to add to it. We didn’t have a deli in the rst pop-up store, but we’re going to add one into the second site.”
DEE BEE WHOLESALE: The rm has launched a support package for its flagship Today’s symbol retailers, o ering boosted support for social media and waste management. Symbol development manager Claire Buckel told Retail Express: “We’ve linked with social media experts Empros. Gander also comes as standard to reduce food waste.”
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Dee Bee’
BAD WEEK
TOBACCO: Criminals are impersonating sta in attempts to steal tobacco. City of London Police superintendent Lisa Maslen told Retail Express of several incidents where criminals called stores to collect large quantities of tobacco. Stores in the West Midlands and Merseyside areas have been the primary targets so far.
MUSGRAVE: Workers at the wholesaler’s drinks distributor, Drinks Inc, have threatened to halt all alcohol deliveries to o -licences, restaurants and bars across Northern Ireland as part of strike action over pay disputes. The ballot opened by trade union Unite will close on 31 March, with potential industrial action to follow by mid-April.
For the full story, go to betterretailing.com and search ‘Musgrave’
Thomas Ennis, Spar Merrion Row, Dublin
ALEX YAU
Thomas Ennis
Vape blaze prompts safety checks
RETAILERS selling vapes have been urged to check their �ire risk assessments are up to scratch, after severe disruption in Glasgow city centre was caused by a vape shop blaze.
The �ire, which broke out on 8 March in Union Street, led to the collapse of many of the surrounding buildings. This included damage to
Glasgow Central train station, resulting in the suspension of national and regional rail services.
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) said the �ire was an “isolated incident” and that its exact cause was still unknown, but added: “Even one case like this is one too many.”
UKVIA director general John Dunne said: “The UKVIA has long advocated for a ro-
bust, �it-for-purpose licensing scheme for vape retailers, including provisions to ensure the highest possible safety and compliance standards, which is now being considered as part of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.”
He added the UKVIA is “advising all our members to check their �ire risk assessments and to get in touch with their local �ire authorities to seek any further guidance”.
The �ire comes as the longawaited Tobacco and Vapes Bill passed through the House of Lords this month.
“While we await the �indings of the full investigation, we will be proactively engaging with the �ire service and relevant authorities to understand what lessons can be learned to help ensure the highest possible safety standards across vape retailers,” Dunne added.
Delivery Drop loss
GROCERY delivery �irm Delivery Drop lost a County Court battle after allegedly failing to pay a partnered shop for their completed orders.
STOCK THE BRANDS YOUR CUSTOMERS WANT TO BUY
Documents seen by Retail Express show that, in late November, judges ordered the �irm to pay a �ive-�igure sum to Ravinder Rai, of Go Local Extra Southey Avenue in Shef�ield.
Delivery Drop challenged the retailer’s account and said its solicitors were reviewing the case.
BUDGENS SHOP REBRAND
BOOKER has rebranded its Budgens fascia, with the rst store under the relaunch based in Ascot.
Formerly a Londis, the new site is operated by retailer Roli Ranger.
The store’s Facebook page has teased the launch, revealing an updated Budgens logo, bolder font and a brighter colour scheme than the brand’s traditional dark green.
DRS cash and carry
WHOLESALERS are examining ways to allow retailers to use their nearest cash and carry as a bottle return point for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Speaking at the annual
Unitas trade show, Scottish Wholesale Association chief executive Colin Smith said the support would include the return of containers to cash and carries, or on a wholesaler’s delivered network.
ALEX YAU
PRODUCTS
Bacardi & Coca-Cola get spicy
SHYAMA LAXMAN
COCA-COLA Europa-
ci�ic Partners (CCEP) has launched a Spiced variant of its Bacardi & Coca-Cola ready-to-drink (RTD) can.
Available now at an RRP of £2.30 in a 250ml slim can, the launch builds on the momentum of the original Bacardi & Coca-Cola can, which launched last year and has generated £1.65m in value sales.
The launch will be supported by the ‘Bring the Party Home’ on-pack promotion. Running for 12 weeks from 7 April, Bacardi & Coca-Cola Spiced cans will carry a QR code inviting shoppers to scan for the chance to win weekly prizes – including Bluetooth
turntables, speakers and headphones.
Each month, one winner will also receive a Bacardi & Coca-Cola DIY House Party Kit. The kit includes party gear and lighting, a Polaroid camera, disco ball and Bacardi & Coca-Cola Spiced cans packed inside a travel kit.
CCEP’s current RTD portfolio includes Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola, including Zero Sugar and Cherry variants; Absolut Vodka & Sprite, including a Watermelon �lavour; and Schweppes Gin Twist and Paloma Bliss.
Nestlé unveils new Yorkie variant
NESTLÉ Confectionery has launched a limited-edition Yorkie Salted Caramel Pretzel Duo bar.
Weighing 66g, the bar is available in a case size of 24 units. It retails for between £1.15 and £1.29, and offers retailers 24.5% pro�it on return. Yorkie Salted Caramel
Capri-Sun taps into tropical flavours
M&M’s launches Cookie Dough flavour
MARS Wrigley has expanded its M&M’s portfolio with a new Cookie Dough �lavour.
Available to convenience retailers, M&M’s Cookie Dough will be a permanent addition to the line-up that currently includes Peanut, Chocolate, Crispy and Minis variants. It is available in a 102g sharing bag retailing at £1.85.
The launch comes at a time when cookie dough �lavours are over-indexing among Gen Z, Millennials and young families.
Pretzel Duo bar follows a series of launches from Nestlé Confectionery this year, across its KitKat, Polo, Aero and Rowntree’s portfolio.
KIDS’ drink brand Capri-Sun has added a Mango & Passion Fruit variant to its portfolio.
The new variant is available to convenience retailers and via wholesale in a 330ml pouch,retailing at £1.35 or a £1.19 PMP. Mango & Passion
BATCHELORS has unveiled the biggest rebrand in its 130-year history, spanning all 200 products across its Super Noodles, Pasta ‘n’ Sauce and Cup a Soup ranges.
of its microwavable Pasta ‘n’ Sauce range and �irst-ever Ravioli in 2025, which are and bringing new shoppers into the category. The rebrand is supported by a £3.5m investment including digital media campaigns and in-store activations.
BEL UK has launched single pouches of its GoGo Squeez fruit smoothie snack brand.
The launch is speci�ically aimed at the convenience channel to help retailers offer children healthier on-thego snack options. The new singles, retailing at £1.20 per pouch, are available in Apple & Strawberry, Apple &
GoGo Squeez rolled out for convenience
Mango and Multifruit varieties, and join the convenience channel-friendly Grab & Go Flow Packs for Babybel Original and Babybel Protein, which launched last year.
Alpen’s the ‘GrownUp Thing to Do’
WEETABIX has brought back its ‘Alpen: It’s the Grown-Up Thing to Do’ campaign to support its muesli brand. Following the campaign’s debut last year, Alpen has invested £1.5m across TV and social media, and expects to reach up to 32 million UK consumers. It will also conduct sampling activations across London train stations,
The new look aims to create consistency across the brand, make the products easier to �ind on shelf and increase sales of easy meals, a category that has grown by more than 122.6% year on year, according to Circana �igures.
The relaunch builds on Batchelors’ innovation pipeline, including the launch
SCANDINAVIAN Tobacco Group UK (STG UK) has announced a rebrand across its XQS range of nicotine pouches.
targeting up to 100,000 commuters. While the muesli segment has been in long-term decline, consumer demand for high-�ibre, low-sugar and natural breakfast options has never been stronger, with four in �ive shoppers now seeking healthier diets and two-thirds actively looking for natural choices. a
The updated packaging will not result in any changes to the brand’s �lavours or £5.50 RRP. The refresh includes
Fruit joins the current line-up that includes Orange and Cherry �lavours.
Two to Tango with new Sours flavours for younger shoppers
TANGO has added to its range by introducing zerosugar Tango Sours.
in Watermelon and Tropical �lavours in a 4x330ml multipack at an RRP of £4.09 and 1.5l bottles retailing at £3.35. Meanwhile, 500ml bottles retailing at £2.39 will be launched in May.
nied by the ‘Brace yourself, it Tangs back’ campaign, targeting younger consumers looking for more adventurous �lavours.
Get ready to party with 1664 Bière Supreme shopper promo
1664 BIÈRE ‘House Party Suprême’ onpack promotion, running until 31 May.
Coca-Cola launches ‘Supercan’
Big sales.
Lipton’s Tropical flavour Ice Tea
SHYAMA LAXMAN
LIPTON has launched a new ice tea �lavour called Tropical.
The new variant combines mango and passionfruit, and is available now in 500ml plain and £1.35 price-marked bottles, as well as a 1.25l sharing format. The launch will be supported by an outof-home media campaign across April and May.
Lipton Tropical taps into the popularity of bold �lavours, with Nielsen �igures indicating that tropical is a popular soft drink �lavour in the UK. Other �lavours in Lipton’s Ice Tea portfolio include Peach, Lemon, Mango and Raspberry.
EXCLUSIVE
KP SNACKS has launched sharing bag formats of McCoy’s Salt & Malt Vinegar and McCoy’s Flame Grilled Steak. Retail Express has seen information in a wholesaler’s catalogue, which reveals that
Sharing is caring with new McCoy’s
Relentless expands flavours with citrus
the 140g bag comes in a case of 12, retailing at £2.75. A spokesperson for the brand said that the new format is aimed at capitalising on “the strength of sharing as the largest segment in bagged snacks”.
Tony’s Chocolonely launches price-marks
TONY’S Chocolonely has forayed into price-marked packs (PMP) by launching a 90g PMP. Retailing at £2.25, the PMPs are available exclusively via Booker, in the brand’s two most popular �lavours – Milk Chocolate and Milk Caramel Sea Salt.
Designed speci�ically for the convenience channel, the strategy seeks to compete with the rest of the category as most of the chocolate volume is driven by PMPs, according to the supplier.
COCA-COLA Europaci�ic Partners (CCEP) has launched a White Citrus variant of its Relentless energy drink. Available in £1 plain and price-marked 500ml cans, the new �lavour joins the existing Relentless Origin, Cherry and Guava range. According to Nielsen �igures, Relentless is the numberone energy drinks brand in the affordable energy subcategory.
The launch will be supported by in�luencer and ambassador partnerships and in-store sampling. PoS materials and digital assets are available to download from MyCCEP.
EXCLUSIVE
Nestlé is set to expand its Aero range with a Pistachio�lavoured sharing block.
Nestlé adds Pistachio to Aero portfolio
able from April in a case size of 15.
According to information seen by Retail Express in a leading wholesaler’s brochure, Aero Pistachio weighs 90g and will be avail-
Retailing for £1.65, it is set to offer retailers 26.1% pro�it on return. The brand also launched Aero Bubbles Caramel earlier this year.
Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese hits the UK
PEPSICO has launched Doritos Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese into the UK market.
It is available in a 163g sharing bag, retailing at £2.50, and a 70g pricemarked pack, retailing at £1.35.
The non-HFSS variant originally launched in the US in 2024. Since then, Doritos Flamin’ Hot Nacho Cheese ranked as the number-one Flamin’ Hot Doritos variant and became the biggest �irst-year �lavour launch in Doritos’ history.
According to Nielsen data, Doritos Flamin’ Hot has generated more than £20m in sales since launching.
Mars unveils new Hazelnut Twix variant
EXCLUSIVE
MARS Wrigley is set to launch a Hazelnut �lavour of Twix, available to retailers from April.
30 to a case. Twix Hazelnut single retails at £1.20 and offers 37.1% POR. Meanwhile, Twix Hazelnut PMP retails at 89p and will offer 27% POR.
This new soda is giving health vibes
SIMON Gray, founder of Boost Drinks, has launched It’s Giving, a new £1 price-marked functional soda.
This is the �irst launch under the brand Fizz with Purpose, founded by Gray. The It’s Giving range will be
available from 30 March and comes in three �lavours: Apple & Elder�lower, Black Cherry and Mango & Passionfruit.
Maryland’s Potterinspired cookies
MARYLAND has partnered with Warner Bros Discovery Global Consumer Products to launch Butterbeer cookies inspired by Harry Potter. Maryland Butterbeer Cookies will be available throughout ‘Butterbeer Season’, from now until 31 May.
The cookies are available in a 200g standard roll-wrap (RRP £1.65) and Minis format (RRP £1.50).
The launch is supported by an on-pack competition giving hundreds of fans the chance to win Harry Pot-
ter merchandise, with one grand-prize winner receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.
Retail Express has seen information in a wholesaler’s brochure, with details of the launch. Twix Hazelnut will be available in Xtra, single and price-marked packs. Twix Hazelnut Xtra weighs 75g and comes in a case of 24, retailing at £1.69. It is expected to offer retailers 26.4% pro�it on return (POR). The single and PMP versions weigh 46g and are
New lines across Magnum’s portfolio
THE Magnum Ice Cream Company has added new varieties to its Solero Bon Bon, Magnum Bon Bon, Calippo and Cornetto ranges, as well as a Wall’s ice cream stick in partnership with Minecraft.
The Wall’s Minecraft Ice Cream Stick is now available, alongside Magnum Bon Bons Milk Chocolate & Cherry, Cornetto Max Hazelnut & Chocolate, Solero Bon Bon Exotic and Solero Bon Bon Strawberry, and Calippo Strawberry.
According to the supplier, all new lines are available to convenience retailers. Retail Express has seen con�irmed availability from Booker and Consort Frozen Foods.
Cherry soft drinks variants have delivered over £305m in value sales over the past year, and it’s showing no signs of slowing down.1
To find out more, request POS kits and download digital assets email connect@ccep. com, call 0808 1 000 000 or visit myccep.com
try UK&I at The Magnum Ice Cream Company, said: “We’re con�ident these additions will drive impulse purchases.”
Jamie Farrell, head of coun-
Parfetts
expands Lancer cider range
PARFETTS has expanded its own-brand Lancer cider range with the launch of Lancer White.
The new range joins the existing Lancer portfolio, which includes Lancer Original and Lancer Black. Lancer White is available in several price-marked for-
mats, including 500ml cans retailing at £1.35, 1l bottles for £2.49,2l bottles available at an RRP of £4.99 and 2.5l bottles that retail at £5.89.
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
Christopher East
My role in the shop: supervisor
How did you get your role?
I started during the pandemic. I had just nished college and was looking for jobs. I came across Budgens Caterways, and it ended up being my rst job. I’ve worked my way up the ranks since becoming employed.
Did you intend to work in retail?
When I le college, I never envisioned a role in retail, but I’ve really learned to enjoy it. I took a business course at college and have applied some of the skills I learned. These include graphic design to helping run the Facebook page.
What do you like most about retail?
It’s all the friendly customers. We have lots of regulars who come in each day, and it’s lovely to chat to them. I enjoy hearing about their lives and what they’re doing. We also like to have a bit of a joke and a giggle.
Are your regular tasks quite varied?
Yes. When I’m at the shop, I serve customers and deal with customer queries over the phone. There are a lot of back-of-house jobs so I don’t get bored, too.
Have you had any interesting products come in recently?
We get new products all the time, but one that stands out is a new line of cheese from a local supplier. They look amazing, but also taste amazing. There are a lot of di erent flavours and customers have been loving them.
MIDDLE EAST: How is the conflict impacting you?
“THE recent invasion of Iran has got me concerned about the potential impact on independent convenience stores. There’s been a lot recently about what the con�lict will do to fuel and energy prices globally. Experts have predicted potential rises in cost price.”
Seelan Thambirajah, multi-site retailer, Bedford
“I OPERATE a forecourt business, and have been examining fuel prices regularly. The government says it will clamp down on petrol retailers raising their prices, but I do need to make a living. I’m not trying to pro�iteer, and my prices will be adjusted based on the wholesale cost of fuel.”
Anonymous retailer
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: How did you celebrate the occasion?
“IT’S a time to celebrate the strength, leadership and impact of women. It was lovely to reconnect with Rosa, someone I worked alongside on the executive committee of the Labour women’s network. Connecting with women supporting other women in leadership is always uplifting.”
Bisi Osundeko, Go Local Junction Lane, St Helen
“RETAIL can still be a maledominated industry, but one thing I have learned along the way is the power of a strong network of women. I would not be where I am today without this retail family. Here’s to all the amazing women in retail. Your impact matters more than you realise.”
Nathalie Fullerton, Go Local Dumbarton Road, Glasgow
Here’s to all the amazing women in retail
NOVELTY ITEMS: What salesboosting tactics are you using?
“I USE Plus Marketing, Click Distribution, Asmodee and others to source the most sought-after collectables. Unlike news wholesalers, these distributors provide goods on �irm-sale only, but can pay stores 40% margin rather than the usual 25%.
Andrew Howell, Loch Lomond News in Balloch, West Dunbartonshire
“ONE way of boosting sales is to add books to your magazine selection. I’ve been doing this by working with The CutPrice Bookstore. The partnership has worked for me as I now average £1,500 extra sales per month, and this has also led to greater footfall in my magazine area.”
Tony Hewson, KeyStore Express Central Stores, North Yorkshire
I’m
Store owner: Amish Shingadia, Budgens Caterways, Horsham
Want to recommend a star member of sta ? Call 020 7689 3358 or email alex.yau@newtrade.co.uk
NICOTINE POUCHES: What is working for you?
“SALES of nicotine pouches are around £700-£800 per week.
Around 12 months ago, we expanded our range of nicotine pouches by probably a third.
Velo is by far my bestselling nicotine pouches brand, and Nordic Spirit is number two. Two other brands that perform well are Pablo and Zyn.”
Avtar Sidhu, St John’s Budgens, Kenilworth
“FOR us, it is a slow category, but there is growth, and with the Tobacco and Vapes Bill progressing through parliament, it may increase sales of nicotine pouches. Our weekly sales are around £120 per week, up from £25-£30 per week. Growth has come since the disposable-vapes ban.”
Judith Smitham, The Old Dairy –Pydar Stores, Truro
‘We helped to prevent a £1,300 phone scam in store’
WE recently prevented an elderly customer from being scammed out of £1,300. They came in to post a mobile phone, while on a call with someone giving her instructions. They ordered a new SIM card from their provider, but a new phone turned up instead.
We believe someone had
stolen and used the customer’s identity to order a phone. The customer had been given a fake number for customer services and the scammer had sent a pre-paid QR code to return the device. This would have actually gone to the scammer.
While they were in the branch, we managed to con-
COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK
‘Helping
Julie Duhra, Jules Convenience, Telford
local causes means a great deal’
“It’s been an interesting task putting together an overview of the business in 2025 and looking at how Jules Convenience supports our local community. Initiatives we’ve been involved with as part of this task include providing cakes for men’s mental health groups and sponsoring sports kits for kids. We also notably did an Easter giveaway for community groups, donated 100 cases of so drinks to worthy causes and conducted ward walks as a local councillor. Helping these small hyperlocal causes means a great deal to us.”
tact the fraud department of the mobile phone company.
We got the genuine address and a pre-paid label to return the phone safely to the right address.
Then we spoke to the scammer on the phone, who was still trying to persuade the pensioner that the return address was genuine, but we
gave the scammer an earful. The shop is in a community and people know each other. Lots of people were asking us and the elderly customer if everything was okay.
David and Sam Carr, Harrogate Road Post Of�ice, Bradford
‘Thank
“WE would like to thank everybody who donated ra le prizes to the recent fundraising activity at the Minerva Arts/Quilt Centre, and also give a big thank you for all who came along to support us and bought a few ra le tickets. Minerva Arts is raising money to pay for repairs to the roof, so all funds raised with the ra le will go to supporting this. We had fun, singing, live music, cake and even a little bit of impromptu dancing. A special little thank you to our lovely young helpers on the day: Lina, Daria, Nina, Shellbel and Mataio.” COMMUNITY RETAILER OF THE WEEK
Encouraging people to spend more in store
WE o er a ‘good, better, best’ strategy across the store so people can trade up or down depending on their needs. With our ketchup, we have Euro Shopper and Heinz varieties, with barbecue sauce it’s Jack’s and Heinz. And with baked beans, we stock Euro Shopper, then Heinz, then Branston. With co ee, we have Jack’s Gold, Nescafé Gold and a Euro Shopper option as well.
You’re giving the customer a choice right on the shelf. O en, simply by having a more premium option next to a less premium one, you can sell the more expensive one because people will have the perception that it must be better. The till is another place to encourage people to spend more. We used to have chocolate and confectionery at the till before HFSS, but we use that dwell time of people queuing to site other lines: medication is a good example. We have a full range out on the shelves, but by the queue, we have a seasonally appropriate smaller selection: cold and flu medication in the winter, and hay fever wipes and tablets, and kids sunglasses in the summer.
Dump bins at gondola ends are also a good idea. You’d be surprised at the pick-up we get from these bins, especially if you put something in there that’s not a traditional impulse line. We bought a load of Lynx Shower Gel and handwash, and people were scooping up three or even six at a time. They’re not impulse lines, but they’re items that people only realise or remember they need when they see them.
We also always look to stretch the price of things just a little. So, if something is £1.75, can you stretch it to £1.79? Unless it’s a price-marked pack, everything has a price that ends in ve, nine or zero.
Meon Vale Londis, Stratfordupon-Avon
Trudy Davies, Woosnam & Davies News, Llanidloes
Each issue, one of seven top retailers shares advice to make your store magni cent
CATEGORY ADVICE REFRESH YOUR RANGE
REFRESH YOUR RANGE
RETAIL EXPRESS gets the lowdown from top suppliers on how retailers can optimise their ranging across the cra beer and low- & no-alcohol categories
GETTING RANGING RIGHT
NOW more than ever, it’s vital for retailers to know what is driving customer spend and footfall by stocking the right products that respond to their shoppers’ wants and needs.
The alcohol category in particular is undergoing transformation as demographic changes and shifts towards health and moderation influence the beer brands and segments seeing growth.
This is why Retail Express has partnered with two leading alcohol suppliers to help retail-
ers keep track of these trends, make the most of sales in their respective categories and drive growth in key areas.
BrewDog highlights the ongoing importance of the craft beer segment within alcohol. With IPA the most popular style of craft beer all year round, the supplier’s Punk IPA is an important category lynchpin, which has been supported by the launch of price-marked four-can multipacks, which play into shopper trends. BrewDog also emphasises its
new pint can four-packs and the need to keep the craft beer range varied. Meanwhile, Asahi UK looks at the rapidly growing low- and no-alcohol category, and o ers advice for retailers to make sure their ranges are delivering maximum returns. The supplier spotlights the key brands driving sales and support retailers can seek from its Asahi Super Sales trade site, as well as its new Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% lines injecting some excitement in the category.
BOOST YOUR CRAFT BEER SALES
RANGING EFFECTIVELY
THE beer category is vital to the success of convenience, growing ahead of grocery –and it all starts with range.
Lager continues to be the most popular style of beer, delivering 83% of total beer growth1, so this should be reflected in the chiller.
However, beer is no longer de ned by lager. Shoppers’ tastes are changing, so it’s important to o er choice through growing subsectors, such as craft beer, helping to provide a point of di erence.
IPA is the most popular style of craft beer all year round in convenience, worth 67% of the market2. The heartland is Punk IPA, the number-one craft beer brand and BrewDog’s bestseller2 This recognition means it acts as a category signpost, something shoppers will look for in the chiller.
Punk is BrewDog’s recommended initial o ering, supported by Hazy Jane New England IPA four-can multipacks, price-marked at £6.99.
1
THREE TIPS FOR RANGING
The four-pack pint can is the top format for lager buyers in impulse, growing +9.4%3, so it is the best format for shoppers in this market. BrewDog Cold Beer and Lost Lager are now available in 4x568ml price-marked packs (PMPs).
2
PMPs account for 55% of four-pack sales in impulse3, so are important to consider, helping to o er value to end consumers, while also delivering stability for retailers with a consistent price.
3
The craft consumer also enjoys new products and the variety craft beer has to o er4. BrewDog recommends rotating ranges twice yearly, alongside the core, to drive excitement and trial, while also reflecting seasonality.
“BEER continues to be a core category for convenience, so getting it right has a huge impact on total store pro t. Shoppers nd products through brand signposting, so it is important to group alcohol products by segment and then brand, using well-known brands to highlight the category. We also know that shoppers continue to look for the best value as cost-of-living pressures remain, so we are seeing a lot of support for PMPs, which are driving solid growth for the beer category.”
DRIVE GROWTH IN NO & LOW
RANGING EFFECTIVELY
PERONI Nastro Azzurro 0.0% is the leading contributor to no- and low-alcohol lager growth in the UK1, and the segment is an area that brand owner Asahi UK has been studying for years. The company has identi ed that more than 60% of sales within the category are coming from just three brands – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, Guinness 0.0% and Heineken 0.0%2 – making them must-stocks for stores.
Asahi UK has also recently launched a new supplier web-
site – Asahi Super Sales – to equip retailers with mustknow ranging advice, insights and category opportunities delivering for the channel. Innovation will be key to sustaining growth long term in the low- and no-alcohol lager segment, which is why Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% has launched two new flavoured beers – Limone di Sicilia (Sicilian Lemon) and Arancia Rossa (Blood Orange) – to satisfy the demands of the modern customer.
1
THREE TIPS FOR RANGING
Aim for the top. Group alcohol-free lines together and place them on the top lager shelf or second shelf down to clearly communicate to your customers that you o er an alcoholfree range.
2
Focus on three. Well-known brands such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0%, Guinness 0.0% and Heineken 0.0% are leading the way, together accounting for more than 60% of sales of no- and low-alcohol beers2.
3
Pair with food. Where licensing allows, boost baskets by placing no- and low-alcohol products near snacks or linking to ‘dinner for tonight’, the fastest-growing shopper mission (+11%)3.
Rob Hobart, marketing director, Asahi UK
“RANGING a core o ering of no- and low-alcohol lagers from leading brands is a great way to repeatedly bring customers back to your store. Keep tight on the number of brands you stock, but make space for innovation, such as Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Limone di Sicilia and Arancia Rossa. “With Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% generating a price premium of +21% versus the wider category4, the brand is the right ranging choice for retailers looking to drive sales and pro ts from alcohol-free, the fastest-growing segment of the beer market.”
To nd out more tips and advice to grow your noand low-alcohol sales, go to asahisupersales.co.uk
MAKE YOUR WINE RANGE SING
CHARLES WHITTING nds out where retailers are seeing success with their wine ranges
WHAT’S SELLING WELL IN WINE?
WINE can be a dauntingly vast category, so when deciding what to stock, it’s important for retailers to avoid confusing customers and risking slow sellers by understanding what’s selling well and building a range from there.
“We try to rotate things like we do with soft drinks, but it’s important to keep that spine of bestsellers,” says Isaac Chapman, from Fressing eld General Stores in Suffolk. “That way, you can learn what else people like without having to get too much stock in. It’s a bit of trial and error with the other brands, but the
I Heart wines sell well, as do the Isla Negra ranges. We’ve got ve lines of Hardys in and they’re very popular.”
Chapman adds that customers are likely to be driven by what’s on promotion, so he makes sure to have good deals running constantly.
Don Antony Manavalan, from Nisa Local North elds in Stamford, Lincolnshire, says I Heart, Hardys and 19 Crimes are strong sellers.
“We look at the Nisa data on the bestselling wines in the country and we make sure that we’re stocking whatever is doing well there,” he adds.
John O’Neill, retail sales controller, Parfetts
“FIRST, simplify the range so customers can choose quickly. Second, ensure key white and rosé wines are chilled where possible. Third, promote strong-value own-brand wines that deliver margin and con dence. Small changes in layout and emphasis can deliver noticeable upli without needing extra space.
“In England and Wales, wine can be a strong driver within evening meal or big-night-in deals. Pairing wine with pizza, ready meals or premium snacks increases basket spend. Using a ordable own-brand options makes deals accessible while protecting margin. Clear signage helps shoppers understand the value without sta intervention.”
Image credit: Getty Images/Xavier Lorenzo
It’s givingblue
WINE TRENDS
What to look out for this year*
Bag in a box
Data shows that consumers are switching to wines in this format. It’s a great format to have in the house for party evenings, summer gatherings and beyond – bag-in-box wines stay fresh for up to six weeks so can cover a whole weekend, or multiple gatherings.
Canned wine
Canned wines and cocktails have worked their way into the mainstream, with a loyal following among younger generations. Their approachable packaging, lower alcohol content options and diverse flavours have appealed to a wide range of consumers, especially younger adults and those new to alcohol.
Eastern European wines
The burgeoning Eastern European wine region as a whole is currently outperforming the wider UK wine market: value sales are up 5% and volume is up 0.1%, compared with a 4% volume decline across the total UK wine market.
*Provided by Jo Taylorson, head of marketing and product management, Kingsland Drinks
HOW TO ARRANGE YOUR WINE RANGE
THERE are a number of di erent ways to sort your wines out – country of origin, grape variety or by price – but ultimately, you need to understand how your customers are looking for and choosing wines.
If they are solely motivated by price, then stacking them with the cheapest at the bottom, getting more expensive as the eye line rises might be the answer. But many people are looking for a wine to
suit an occasion, so arrange your wines to make that decision as easy and navigable as possible.
“Always start with mission clarity: are you serving tonight’s dinner, a weekend treat, a last-minute gift or a party top-up?” says Edward Vellacott, commercial director at Bijou. “This should then help shape your range, price points and space allocation on the shelves. Then nail the fun-
damentals. Clear shelf labels, strong facings, good lighting, visible prices and no gaps on bestsellers. Be ruthless on the rate of sale. Wine ties up cash quickly. A smaller range that turns quickly will always outperform a wide xture that gathers dust.”
Alexandra Colson, head of customer marketing at Vinarchy, recommends arranging wine according to ve clear customer missions:
flavour favourites; great value; perfect for tonight; party essentials; and gift, treat and celebrations.
“If you can cater to those treats or celebration gifting occasions, that is obviously going to help increase that basket size,” she says.
“Make sure there’s whites, reds and a handful of rosés, so they’re going to suit each of those missions or occasions and price points.”
SEASONAL SCOPE
WHILE retailers should be making changes to their wine range to see if they can nd more popular options, they should also be making range and display changes according to the seasons.
At a basic level, white and rosé wines sell better in the summer months when people are drinking outside, while reds perform better in the colder, more Christmassy months. But a seasonal approach also enables retailers to build more interesting promotions and weave basketbuilding plans with their wine ranges.
“Summer, Christmas and key social moments are prime opportunities to introduce something new or premium,” says Dan Harwood, managing director at Eisberg’s SW Wines Europe. “Promotions don’t have to be price-led. Added-value mechanics, gifting, limited-editions and experiential activations can all be powerful.
“We’ve seen strong engagement through discoveryled promotions – such as curated tasting boxes and advent calendars – where the excitement comes from trying something unexpected.”
SUPPLIER VIEW
Alexandra Colson, head of customer marketing, Vinarchy
“IN convenience, people might not be as familiar with wine in terms of country of origin, labels, varietals, etc. It’s occasions that will really set that out in a user-friendly way. Remove the terminology and make it customer-centric, so things are more familiar.
“We know that 64% of shoppers know what wine they want to buy when they go into a store, so they probably already know the price and the occasion they’re purchasing for. Making sure there’s a range within those parameters can be quite helpful.
“One thing we’ve seen in convenience is that the £9-£11 price range has been outperforming the rest of the category. In terms of the purchasing power of the average consumer, this is actually quite a stretch, so it’s important to make that e ort to ensure there’s something at every price point.”
SCAN
CATEGORY
FRESH & CHILLED
COOL PROFITS
ANNE BRUCE nds out what retailers are doing to grow fresh and chilled sales
GROWING FRESH AND CHILLED
IMPROVING the fresh and chilled o er was a key reason behind big changes at Girish Jeeva’s store in Barmulloch, Glasgow. Jeeva moved from Booker to Costcutter, and a key reason was the Co-opbranded fresh and chilled range.
A major re t is now underway, with the chilled area a focus. The chilled area was 10 metres, but it is being increased to 18.5 metres in the re t to achieve a supermarket feel. Opening hours are being extended to 24-hour trading to increase convenience for shoppers.
“We plan to double annual turnover on fresh and chilled
from £6,000 to £12,000 within the rst six months,” says Jeeva. He hopes that Coop-branded deals and o ers, such as three for £7.50 on ready meals, will boost sales across the category. He is also stepping up his locally sourced o er, bringing in new lines, especially meat. The local o er is currently allocated to only two shelves, but sales are strong. He will source more fresh and chilled products, such as ready meals, from local suppliers. Currently, overall store turnover is £75,000-to£80,000 a week; the target is for that to rise to £100,000 after the re t.
SUPPLIER VIEW
Bill Randles, managing director, SuperNutrio
“SUCCESS in the chilled category relies on getting the basics right. Shoppers expect fresh, well-stocked essentials, and delivering on these consistently underpins both loyalty and sales performance.
“Supporting innovation and introducing higher-value lines enables retailers to re ne their chilled assortment while strengthening overall category margins.
“While many chilled xtures are currently dominated by everyday household staples – creating clearly de ned segments, such as high protein or high bre –strong, visible signposting can attract health-conscious shoppers and drive trade-up.
“Grouping these items together improves visibility and comparability, helping customers quickly spot nutrient-rich options and explore a broader selection within a structured, accessible format.”
CATEGORY ADVICE FRESH & CHILLED
SUPPLIER VIEW
Shaun Whelan, head of convenience, Jack Link’s
“BY focusing on availability, visibility and the right range mix, retailers can unlock greater value from fresh and chilled. Visibility and simplicity are critical in chilled food to go, where speed of choice drives purchase.
“Secondary siting in high-footfall areas can signicantly boost performance. For example, placing meat snacks next to sandwiches as part of a meal deal, or adjacent to carbonated and energy drinks, taps into strong cross-shop behaviour.
“Clear brand blocking at eye level and maintaining strong stock levels are essential to avoid lost sales.
“By focusing on core bestselling lines and ensuring consistent stock levels, retailers can reduce the risk of slow-moving lines and unnecessary waste.
“Price-marked packs also continue to play a vital role in driving food-to-go sales, o ering shoppers reassurance on pricing in an increasingly value-led retail environment.”
WASTAGE EQUATIONS
RETAILERS must balance acceptable wastage levels in the fresh and chilled category with acceptable stock levels.
Jeeva expects a signi cant increase in wastage when he doubles the size of his fresh and chilled area during the re t currently underway. At the moment, he is seeing only around £30-£40 a week wastage on turnover of £6,000,
FOOTFALL DRIVER
CUSTOMERS judge a shop on the quality of its fresh and chilled o er, says Sedani. He uses multi-buys and meal deals to drive sales of fresh and chilled products.
A typical meal deal sells for around £4.50, which he believes makes the store a lunchtime destination. Seda-
ni says every retailer should view fresh and chilled as a growth engine and a driver of footfall.
The store relies on range and planograms from One Stop to determine what appears in the chiller, rather than looking for local suppliers, he says.
which is “really low, because we manage it well”.
He is expecting this to rise to £300-£500 a week following the re t, but then already partners with apps such as Too Good to Go to reduce waste.
“We are going to be on top, removing old stock and giving customers the best possible dates,” he says.
Dee Sedani, of One Stop
Matlock in Derbyshire, says waste is around £500 a week, and the store gives away and reduces what it can.
“You are always looking at your range to see what you can do to reduce wastage. Waste is part of your business,” he says. “Quality of fresh fruit and veg is key, if you have a good o er, you get regulars.”
Vanessa Riley, of Levens Vil-
lage Shop in Kendal, Cumbria, has near-zero waste on fresh and chilled. Stock is ordered day by day, and orders are adjusted in line with demand, so shelves stay full and wastage is minimised. Any unsold items are frozen for the owners’ use or composted.
“I can honestly say we throw practically zero away,” says Riley.
In partnership with:
Arla
news
Launches and campaigns
Arla Cottage Cheese was launched in Natural and Low Fat Natural in 500g (£3 RRP) and 300g (£1.90 RRP) formats in January. New flavours and formats are planned for rollout later this year. Arla is supporting the launch with digital and in-store activation to drive trial.
Leerdammer
Lactalis UK & Ireland has brought back its Leerdammer TV campaign for 2026, investing around £1m. The activity will be supported by in-store activation in September. The advert follows a shopper repeatedly returning to a supermarket sampling counter, each time in a new disguise, to enjoy extra samples.
SUPPLIER VIEW
Lucy Grogut, marketing director, Quorn Foods
“WE know that meat-free shoppers are highly valuable. On average, these shoppers spend 86% more than nonmeat-free shoppers, making the category a crucial driver of total store performance and a clear opportunity for retailers.
“Ultimately, the future of meat-free lies in making it a truly mainstream choice. Clear, simple nutrition cues, such as high protein, a source of bre or low saturated fat, are now a priority for many. The future is about positive protein.”
LOCAL SOURCING FOR THE WIN
LOCAL sourcing is key to Riley’s chilled success, with around 60% of the store’s £6,500 weekly fresh and chilled sales coming from local products.
“We are only a small shop at 650sq ft, but we do have a great range and our superpower is our local suppliers and delivery routines.”
The store works with many
producers within a 25-mile radius, which keeps the range fresh and appealing while minimising waste. It receives frequent deliveries from local suppliers such as Endmoor and Hazelmere bakeries, More? Bakery, Plumgarths Farm Shop, Cartmel Valley Game, Woodbine Dairies and several local cake bakers. Local cheese and
unusual cheeses come from the family farm Carron Lodge in Preston. Nisa and Warburtons supply daily staples.
Jeeva is also stepping up his local sourcing game, following a re t, with local lines already strong sellers. The shop works with seven or eight local suppliers on fresh and chilled.
“It’s mainly for meat as well
as fresh fruit and veg, they do really well, but we don’t give them space, just a couple of shelves,” he says.
Following the re t there will be a whole bay for local suppliers, flagged up, with existing and new suppliers o ering a wider range, particularly on meat, fresh fruit and veg, and ready meals.
Focus
building
I’VE been attending events for about 10 years or so. I like to go to them because it helps me to motivate myself.
When you’re stuck in the shop, you can end up in a hole. You’re not listening to others. And when you’re a retailer in Devon and Cornwall, it feels like you get le behind by a lot of the big suppliers, so you have to put yourself out there.
Going to events motivates me as I’m inspired by the other people there, and I nd out about new things and di erent trends. I look at what they’re doing and see if I can adapt it for myself. You have to be flexible with new ideas.
I also use it to network with suppliers. I rst heard about Snappy Shopper at an event around the time of the pandemic. I brought it into my store and was the rst to do it in north Devon.
Locally, I have good connections with my reps and various people within the council and police that I speak to regularly. I also make sure to build connections with my customers. They’re changing all the time, so you have to keep up with them.
And nally, I use the Women in Convenience WhatsApp group for support. Recently, I’ve had conversations with Sophie Williams and Amy Sohal about deliveries. It’s always useful. It used to be that retailers were stuck on their own, but we can now share a lot with each other.
MOMOE LOWRY
Headline partner
ADVICE
EXTERNAL APPEAL
CHARLES WHITTING talks to retailers about how they are making their store frontages more inviting to customers
“WE’VE recently repainted the store. Spar has this anthracite grey that gives it a modern look. People are also looking at black, which seems to be the colour of choice now. If your shop looks a bit run down, a splash of paint makes a big difference.
“Lighting is massively important as well. If you’ve got big windows, then having good LED lighting will help you stand out. A friend of mine changed the lighting and it’s changed the entire look of the store.
“You need to keep things nice and clean, and, with windows, you have to allow people to see through them. Don’t overindulge with stickers and posters. You want people to be able to see what’s inside your store when they’re outside. From outside our store, you can see our deli and food to go. Everyone knows you’re selling chocolate and drinks, so make sure they can see the special stuff from outside.”
“LAST year, we had the entire front of the store revinyled. It was starting to look a bit tired. We used to have pictures of the surrounding countryside, views from the top of the building. Then we saw that Waitrose were doing the same countryside vinyl, so we wanted to go somewhere different.
“We went with our burgundy colour scheme and now we have lots of information about the store, its history and the community. As you walk up to the store now, there’s a big 3x2metre window that says ‘Proudly serving this community since 1851’, which is really strong and also true. That makes a big impact, especially on newer customers. It helps us gain that trust and build that loyalty.
“Beyond that, it’s about making sure the outside is clean and there are no weeds. It’s an easy one to miss, but it de�initely affects customers.”
“RIGHT now, we have our digital signage out at the front of the store. That currently displays all our promotions. I don’t have to touch it, it’s all done automatically these days. We also have had a Velo projecting sign put up, and then we’ve got the main fascia sign, with a light bar on top.
“We then have two posters – one of which focuses entirely on images of what we sell and the other celebrates the services we offer. As we add more services, we’ll add more to the services poster. We’ve also got a swinging A-board highlighting that we’ve got an ATM and another one advertising the Royal Mail.
“It’s about keeping the space clean and not covering your shop with posters. If people see a shop where windows are covered in posters, they might think you’re hiding something or that the shop is messy.”
In the next issue, the Retail Express team nds out what categories retailers are introducing into their stores. If you have any problems you’d like us to explore, please email
We have signs outside for new products, co ee and hot food. How are retailers generating kerbside appeal? – Kajan Thayalan, Go Local Extra Cambridge Street, Manchester
