Mace convenience stores in north-east England go patriotic for royal wedding | TalkingRetail.com

Mace convenience stores across the north-east of England are gearing up for festivities across the royal wedding and bank holiday weekend with fancy-dress and fundraising fun days. 

Participating stores, run by Mace retailer, Darren MacDonald, will be decked out in patriotic British colours, giving away free balloons and crowns, and playing party music. Store staff will don fancy-dress outfits, with costumes ranging from royalty to vicars and brides.

Additionally, Parkhead Service Station, New Coundon, and Red Tiles Service Station, Witton Gilbert, will both be raffling hampers for charity.

Alongside these activities, stores will be helping to keep Britain celebrating by staying open throughout the bank holiday and offering promotions on party essentials such as beer, wine, crisps, nuts, biscuits and sweets. They will also be setting up barbecue party displays and promotions to help customers take advantage of the spring weather.

Darren MacDonald, group operations director of Bishop Retail and of nine Mace stores across the north-east of England, said:“The royal wedding is important to our customers so it is important to us. We wanted to do something fun to mark the day and create excitement in our stores.

“We’re holding ‘fun days’ for both the customers and ourselves so that everyone can relax and enjoy what is the most exciting event for a generation.”

Mace stores up and down the country will be getting into the patriotic spirit with a range of royal wedding and British-themed activity. Mace shopkeepers will also be handing out free crowns and balloons to their customers.

Source: Mace

Source

Appleby Westward launches new website for Spar retailers | TalkingRetail.com

Appleby Westward, the regional distribution company for Spar in the south-west of England, has launched a new website featuring online tools for the company’s retailers, including the ability to download promotional material, planograms and a magazine-style bulletin.

Future development of the website will allow customers to track the location of the vehicle delivering orders for their stores.

Jonathan Burrows, the systems analyst at Appleby Westward largely responsible for the new website development, said:“Our new website has an edgy and modern design which sets out to present a clear corporate identity of the Appleby Westward Group.

“The internet is becoming more and more a part of our lives, no more so than in business and it was necessary to develop a new site that was fast, easy to navigate and have the potential for many enhancements in the future.

“We are committed to helping our retailers run their businesses effectively, and we are planning to develop the website with some other major enhancements which we will be announcing in due course,” he said.

New technologies such as Google Maps Street View have been incorporated on the site, and bulletins, newsletters and magazines are also now available through easy-to-read flip-page formats.

In addition, most information can now be placed on the website by the department responsible for generating it, rather than having to wait for a web developer to do it for them.

To visit the new website, go towww.swspar.com

Source: Appleby Westward

Source

Today’s and Nisa ‘set to part company by early next year’ | TalkingRetail.com

The Today’s Group will split from Nisa by January next year if its wholesaler members give the go-ahead to proposals to turn it into a standalone business. A consultation process kicked off at the group’s Stoneleigh trade show earlier this month (April), reports the latest edition of Independent Retail News.

Nisa-Today’s chief executive Neil Turton told Independent Retail News a decision was likely by the summer. “It’s looking like a popular idea,” he said. “But there’s a lot of work still to be done; it’s not a done deal. If we do de-merge, it will be January next year.”

He said the idea to split the company had come from some of its major wholesale members, who felt the group was“very retail-centric and didn’t focus on Today’s issues as much as it ought.”

It was likely the Today’s Group would become a member company of Nisa, he added, with its own board of directors that could give 100% focus to wholesale issues.

Mark Pullen, non-executive chairman of Nisa-Today’s, said: “The plan at the moment is there will be a formal vote, but it’s very early days. I suspect what’s going to happen is it will become fairly obvious there’s one direction of travel. It wouldn’t have got this far if it didn’t seem the pressure was there to do it.”

Turton also revealed Nisa would be embarking on two new bursts of TV advertising for its Nisa Local stores later this year, following the success of its first-ever TV campaign at the start of 2011.

Symbol group director John Heagney said there would probably be a four-week campaign starting in late summer, followed by a six-week burst launching just after Christmas.

The symbol group has now reached 790 stores, with 500 under its new Store of the Future Format. Turnover through Nisa Central Distribution is about£400m a year. Heagney said the group aimed to get to 1,050 stores by March 2013.

The Today’s Group is also growing its symbol offering – under the Today’s Local, Today’s Extra, Today’s Express and Today’s Local Drinks fascias – which is available to cash and carry customers of 17 of its leading wholesale members. It now has 235 stores, having added 45 over the past 12 months.
The Today’s retail club has grown too, from just under 1,000 members to more than 1,200 in the first three months of 2011.

Source

Saracens rugby team go nuts for Dormen | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The Aviva Premiership rugby side, Saracens, has unveiled its secret weapon in keeping its team fully energised this season.

Saracens’ nutritionist, Kate Baker, has teamed up with Dormen nuts to create the unique ‘Saracens Nut Mix’, a healthy blend of Californian almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts and pecans which will form an important part of the team’s training diet.

The exclusive 18-month partnership will be supported by a PR and online marketing campaign to drive sales and consumer engagement of Dormen nuts.

Kate Baker, Saracens Sports Scientist, says:‘Nuts are an important part of the daily nutritional support at the training ground, providing a great source of healthy fats, minerals and vitamins which are key in preparing for optimal performance. Dormen has provided a blend of nuts containing key nutrients which not only aid repair and recovery,  but assist players in coping with the physiological and metabolic demands of training.

‘They are an ideal food for players  to snack on between sessions; functional, convenient and above all else, the boys love them!’

David Collard, Managing Director of The Dormen Food Company, says:‘Supporting Saracens as an official supplier is a real accolade for Dormen. The premium snack market can be crowded but unlike crisps, we can rightfully claim a ‘healthier’ territory with our baked ranges providing us with the perfect opportunity to join forces with this fantastic club.

‘After months of research we arrived at a blend that was in perfect balance for the team. We involved the team very early in our discussions to ensure they were happy with the blend.’

Source: Dormen

Source

Longer Sunday trading hours‘opposed by public’ | TalkingRetail.com

The vast majority of people remain opposed to any relaxation of Sunday trading laws to allow the big supermarkets to operate longer opening hours.

The government is currently seeking the views of the public and businesses on the future of Sunday trading laws and the restrictions on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day trading as part of its Red Tape Challenge initiative.

A consumer poll in April 2010 commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) revealed three-quarters (76%) of people supported existing laws introduced in 1994 that limited trading by stores over 3,000sq ft to six hours on Sundays. Only 5% of people favoured longer opening times on Sundays.

Under current laws, larger retailers are also blocked from opening at all on Easter Sunday or Christmas Day.

Comments on thewww.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.ukwebsite from more than 1,700 people showed an overwhelming percentage of the public either wanted the Sunday trading laws to stay as they were or for them to become even more restrictive,.

Asda tried to revive the campaign to change Sunday trading laws in 2007, but other supermarket rivals, most notably Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Marks& Spencer, were reluctant to back such a bid.

The Red Tape Challenge also looks at the bureaucracy involved in a number of other retail issues, including the complex rules on age-restricted goods, health and safety and waste regulations. The government is looking at areas of red tape that could be amended, abolished or remain in place.

ACS chief executive James Lowman said local shops were“crippled by the time and money required to comply with bad regulation” and he welcomed the opportunity to comment on red tape regulations. “We will be encouraging our members to have their say across all the regulations being considered,” he said.

Comments can be made on the government website (see web address above) until 5 May.

Source

Scotmid Co-op reports solid performance but‘challenging year’ awaits in-store | TalkingRetail.com

Scotmid– the largest independent Scottish co-operative– has posted a“solid” set of results in the year ended 29 January 2011 with operating profits of £9.1m, despite “substantial challenges”.

Top line turnover grew by£24m to £378m, helped by £16m of additional turnover from the acquisition of Botterills Convenience Stores. The bottom line surplus after tax was £9.6m, a record result for the Society, benefitting from the one-off profit from the sale of its Leith superstore. Additionally the Society’s assetbase has increased by £10m to £100m.

John Brodie, chief executive of Scotmid, said:“A change in economic conditions was experienced in our final quarter and although less of an issue than the general economy the prolonged period of adverse winter weather was also a factor that impacted on all the Society’s trading businesses. I have, however, to pay credit to our staff many ofwhom had to battle through horrendous conditions to help ensure that our stores were kept open.

“All our divisions showed progress with the exception of Semichem which was the main reason for the reduction in the Society’s surplus. Semichem was hit particularly hard by the economic downturn in Northern Ireland; a reduction in cross border trading and the rise in VAT.

“Food convenience retail delivered solid profit growth and property also made progress despite the ongoing difficulties facing the general property market. The funeral business had an exceptional year with significant increases in the number of funerals arranged and funeral bonds written.

“It has been a year of change for the Society in many respects. Externally the change was felt in the form of a significant downturn in the economy in the markets we trade. Internally we have managed significant strategic change through the disposal of our largest food store in Leith and the acquisition of 51 Botterills Convenience Stores.

“We continue to grow our new fine fragrance brand The Fragrance House which now has five stores in Scotland attracting customers looking for a broader selection of fine fragrances.

“During the last 12 months, further progress has been made implementing the democratic changes arising from the constitutional review. The regional committees are now fully established and a new membership strategy is nearing completion.

Source: Scotmid

Source

Nisa’s Andrew J Mouse shortlisted for sales director award | TalkingRetail.com

Nisa’s group sales director, Andrew J Mouse, has been shortlisted for the Sales Director of the Year award at the Institute of Sales& Marketing Management British Excellence in sales and marketing awards.

The awards received a high volume of entries and the winner of the award will be announced at a ceremony held at Lancaster London, Hyde Park on Thursday 26 May.

Mouse has recently“crafted and implemented” a brand new trade marketing campaign working with marketing agency Mercieca, which features trade adverts, direct mail and a brand new microsite. He also oversees Nisa’s recruitment strategy, welcoming 193 new members and a total of 445 new stores to the group in 2010, and leading a sales team of 30.

Mouse said:“It is a great honour to be shortlisted for these prestigious awards and I am looking forward to the awards ceremony in May. Everyone at Nisa works extremely hard to ensure the best possible service is provided to its members and we are constantly looking to welcome new members into the group.”

Source: Nisa’s

Source

Tesco acquire stake in movie service blinkbox | TalkingRetail.com

Tesco has announced that it has acquired a majority stake in video-on-demand pioneer blinkbox. The acquisition positions the supermarket for the next stage in the internet-driven revolution in home entertainment.

blinkbox is the UK’s leading movie streaming service, offering thousands of titles streamed on the internet to two million users each month. Their catalogue of more than 9,000 titles is available to rent or buy, alongside a host of free-to-view movies, TV shows and trailers, on PC, Mac, PS3 console, tablet devices and internet-enabled connected TVs.

Tesco has bought an 80% stake in blinkbox from Eden Ventures and Nordic Venture Partners.

Richard Brasher, Tesco UK CEO said,“Whether customers want to own the DVD, download a digital movie, stream a rental or all three, Tesco is committed to giving customers choice. We want to allow them to decide how they access entertainment content and on which devices, whether it’s on PC, TV or tablet.

“The acquisition of blinkbox, together with a range of other services currently in development, means we can link physical purchase of a product to the building of digital collections in a new and seamless way. Working with the blinkbox team and our content partners, we will bring these compellingpropositions to life for our customers.”

blinkbox CEO Michael Comish, said:“We are pleased that our partnership with Tesco allows us to bring the best in entertainment from our library of over 9,000 titles to even more people across the UK. It’s a hugely exciting time, looking at how accessible entertainment is becoming for consumers. This partnership represents another step forward, bringing the leading movie streaming service together with the UK’s biggest retailer.”

Source: Tesco

Source

Consumers‘deserve to know where their food comes from’, says NFU | TalkingRetail.com

As the European Parliament moves closer to introducing mandatory rules for country of origin labelling, National Farmers’ Union (NFU) believes consumers deserve to know where their food comes from.

The Committee for Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted to push forward with plans to label all meat, poultry, dairy products, fresh fruit and vegetables with country of origin. Members also backed country of origin labelling for meat, poultry and fish when used as an ingredients in processed foods.

NFU deputy president Meurig Raymond said clearer labelling would help consumers to choose food produced to higher standards. He said:“Shopping trends tell us consumers want to support British produce but under current labelling laws there is no requirement to state the country of origin.

“It’s crazy that you can buy a chicken sandwich processed in Britain and labelled as British even if the chicken has come from Thailand.

“We believe that clear and accurate labelling will allow consumers to make an informed choice and support high welfare and environmental standards. People buying meat and poultry products want to know where the animal was reared so they know exactly what they are eating.”

This week’s Environment Committee vote forms part of the parliament’s second reading on the Food Information to Consumers legislation after MEPs failed to reach an agreement with the Member State Ministers in the first reading.

Raymond said the NFU Brussels office would now lobby all MEPs to support the rules when the vote comes before full parliament in July. He said:“We have been lobbying on this issue for years and there is now light at the end of the tunnel. But given some influential UK MEPs did not support today’s country of origin vote it is clear we still have some work to do before July.”

All MEPs will vote on the country of origin laws in a plenary vote July.

Source: NFU

Source

}7

Source

Christie + Co to market 55 closed Oddbins outlets— TalkingRetail.com

Fifty-five closed off-licence stores in the Oddbins estate are being marketed for sale by Christie + Co on the instructions of Lee Manning and Matthew Smith (Deloitte LLP), joint administrators of Oddbins Limited and Oddbins Properties Limited.

Christie + Co is to conduct a marketing campaign for the 55 stores across England, Scotland and Wales, with‘best and final’ offer bids to be submitted no later than 5pm on Monday 2 May 2011.

Steve Rodell, head of retail at Christie + Co, said:“We will be conducting a short, focused campaign aimed at individuals and operators with an interest in this sector. These off-licences offer both independent and multiple operators an excellent opportunity to acquire stores of varying size in prominent locations across the country.”

Interested parties can find more information about the 55 stores offered for sale by visitingwww.christie.com/oddbins

Source:Christie + Co

Source

Jme; Jamie Oliver’s food collection proves a hit | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The new Jme range, created exclusively for the independent food sector in collaboration with Jamie Oliver, has proven a hit with delis, farm shops and garden centres throughout the country and is set for an exciting launch this April.

Distributed exclusively through Andover-based Pride of Place, the new Jme range was unveiled at the Farm Shop& Deli Show last month and has received an incredible response from trade customers.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the initial feedback we have had to Jme,” said Simon Hurley from Pride of Place.  “Orders have already been confirmed with some of the industry’s top retailers such as Windsor Farm Shop, Lewis and Cooper, Blacker Hall Farm, Van Hage Garden Centres, Gog MaGogand Hollies, among others, and we are set to really hit the ground running when the range launches in store this week.”

The Jme collection is a collaboration between the team at Jamie Oliver and a hand-picked group of award-winning food producers, including Ess Foods, Olives Et Al, Cocoa Loco and Steenbergs.

With input from Jamie and his team of food experts, there are more than 50 products available in the range, created specifically with independent retailers in mind.  From handmade Fairtrade chocolate bars to dressings in vibrant flavour combinations and store cupboard essentials such as Real Tomato Ketchup, Jme covers everything from everyday essentials to gorgeous gifts.

Simon continued:“Early indications show that Jme will be a real pull for customers and we are hoping that it will introduce a new audience to the independent food sector.

A stockists list will be featured on the Jamie Oliver website to make sure that consumers can easily find retailers in their area and a comprehensive consumer marketing and PR campaign is in place to support them.”

Source: Pride of Place

Source

Majority of retailers have‘no mobile shopping strategy’ | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Kony, the leading mobile application provider, has announced the results of a study into the driving factors behind current mobile trends, which analysed UK consumer and business attitudes towards mobile shopping and the impact that mobile is having on traditional shopping methods.

The research, conducted by Vanson Bourne, revealed that 42% of retailers believe mobile commerce is already affecting shopping behaviour at physical retail locations, while a 89% believe mobile will be as popular as e-commerce. However, despite this, less than one in five retailers surveyed reported having a mobile strategy fully in place, and almost a third have no plans to implement one at all.

David Eads, head of product marketing at Kony, said:“The aim of this study was to assess the preparedness of UK retailers for mobile in relation to consumer expectations and demands.

“The results show a significant discrepancy between retailers’ anticipations of the impact of mobile and the strategies that they currently have in place to facilitate this demand. It is clear that mobile is already affecting shopping habits and has the potential to overtake e-commerce in the next few years.”

The shift towards mobile is happening in diverse ways and across a number of different channels, with retailers currently placing different emphasis on each area– 45% of retailers identified native mobile applications as the most critical mobile commerce channel to their business, while 40% believe mobile web is more important. 

SMS is clearly waning with just 10% naming it most important. On average, retailers expect to spend 21% of their budget on the development and implementation of a mobile strategy, but notably 10% are already investing between 40 to 50% of their budget into mobile.

The research also demonstrated how the rapid fragmentation of the mobile market is leading to increasingly varied consumer preferences and demands. The consumers surveyed expressed a clear preference for mobile during the decision making process, with 60% claiming to use mobile internet to make decisions in a store or while shopping online.

Similarly, 40% use mobile applications to make shopping decisions and 37% use a mixture of the two. While 74% of retailers have a presence on the iPhone, 58% of consumers prefer to shop and browse on other platforms, meaning that by developing for just the iPhone, retailers are ignoring a significant portion of their customer base.

Eads, said:“The discrepancy between what retailers know they should do and what they are actually doing demonstrates how difficult it is to deliver mobile applications across the wide variety of phones, tablets, and browsers.

“Companies need a partner to manage the mobile chaos so they can focus on growing their business. Retailers are limiting themselves by only serving customers in a few channels. If retailers don’t serve their customers, they will go somewhere else. The data clearly shows some retailers are investing significantly in this channel to win those customers. They will attract those customers. The only way to leapfrog the competition and ensure the success of any mobile strategy is to provide customers with a comprehensive offering with those must-have mobile features and functions.”

Source: Kony

Source

Welsh retail manifesto sets out plan for growth and jobs | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Politicians vying to form the next Welsh government are being urged to limit regulation for retailers and offer practical support to town centres as part of a plan which will enable the retail sector to make the best possible contribution to the future economic success of Wales.

TheManifesto for Welsh Retail 2011being launched by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) sets out a framework which will help the retail sector to grow, attract investment and create jobs, to the benefit of the country.

Retail generates 10% of the Gross Domestic Product of Wales, compared with 7% for the UK as a whole, and employs nearly 140,000 people. Retail is the largest private sector employer and one of few sectors to have increased its workforce in the past few years, although a recent slowdown in sales shows the sector may still have difficult times ahead. 

The BRC is setting out a range of priorities for the next Assembly Government which include:-

-       champion the importance of the Welsh retail sector in creating employment opportunities

-       avoid increases in the overall burden of regulation

-       deliver a simple and consistently applied planning regime, with a presumption in favour of sustainable development

-       provide a range of affordable travel options to town centres

-       work with the sector to support locally sourced Welsh products for the Welsh market and beyond

Director general of the BRC, Stephen Robertson, said:“The numbers speak for themselves. Retail is the engine room of recovery and matters even more to the Welsh economy than to the UK as a whole. Given the right support, the retail sector will help Wales towards a secure and sustainable future.

“Retail is not a sector that looks for subsidies. It is naturally entrepreneurial. Even in these challenging times it is creating jobs and investing in growth. We simply ask that the next Welsh government works with us to provide the best conditions for success.

“We are now in a crucial period where policy-makers can do a lot to help or hinder the private sector’s ability to lead the recovery. By removing unnecessary obstacles and providing a business-friendly environment the new Welsh Assembly will help the retail sector to continue creating jobs and boosting regeneration, while competition within the sector keeps prices down for consumers.”

Source: BRC

Source

Mace helps retailers celebrate royal wedding | Independent News | TalkingRetail.com

Wholesaler Palmer and Harvey is helping its Mace retailers engage with local communities and increase profits over the royal wedding period with a bespoke marketing and PR guide.

Mace’s guide to the royal wedding includes promotional advice, recommended products to stock and detailed planograms for the upcoming celebrations.

Mace stores across the country can get into the patriotic spirit with union jack shelf barkers, and free children’s crowns and balloons to give away to their customers over the celebratory period.

The guide also includes ideas for a range of royal wedding and British-themed activity, from street parties to royal wedding competitions, such as best Kate and Will look-a-likes.

Additionally, the‘how to’ pack suggests how retailers can spread the word about their royal wedding celebrations with advice on how to engage the local press and template press releases. 

Julia Maunder, symbol brand manager at Mace, said:“This is one of the most prestigious events of the year, making it the ideal time for Mace retailers to engage with their local communities and introduce themselves to new customers.

“Not only can customers rely on their local Mace store for those last-minute party purchases, they can also get great deals everyday on a wide range of essential items.”

Mace stores will be open throughout the bank holiday period.

Source: Mace

Source

Retailers must look beyond just Facebook for social commerce, says nToklo | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Top retailers in the UK have on average 10 times more unique users on their websites in one month than they do on their main Facebook pages, according to nToklo.

The comparison made by social integration and recommendations engine, suggests that these retailers have a much larger captive audience on their own sites to draw on for brand loyalty than they are likely to garner through developing a store on Facebook.

 nToklo urges brands to take advantage of their large existing communities by adding social features to their existing sites, rather than just focusing on developing a Facebook store to “satisfy a social commerce proposition”. Social features will also help retailers to ‘get to know’ theirwebsite users and play a similar role to loyalty schemes in developing a clearer audience view for more targeted marketing.

 nToklo looked at the monthly website traffic of 10 top online retail sites from a UK and global audience and compared this with the number of global Facebook ‘likes’ (using this measure as a loyalty metric) on each brand’s main official page. 

The biggest difference came with Tesco and John Lewis which had 3.2 million and 1.5 million unique UK users respectively, compared with just over 61,000 and 31,000 Facebook fans. These statistics show that these retailers have a captive audience on their website of 52 and 48 times the size their corresponding Facebook page audiences.

Gareth Mee, CEO at nToklo said:“While Facebook ‘likes’ is certainly not the be-all and end-all when it comes to measuring a brands’ engagement on the social network, it does give a good indication of how much larger the captive audience top retails brands already have on their website is than the audience they are likelyto reach through a Facebook store, certainly in the short term. 

 “The message here is not ‘don’t try to sell on Facebook’, but retailers should be taking a multi-pronged approach to social commerce, adding social features to their own sites to drive engagement, sales and to get to know more of their users.”

 Source: nToklo

Source

Sainsbury’s cocktail bay creates 8% jump in sales | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Following the launch of Sainsbury’s new cocktail bay in stores nationwide earlier this month, new sales figures show shoppers have responded positively to the new layout, with an 8% increase in volume within the spirits category since the cocktail bay arrived in store on 6 March.

The new cocktail bay displays everything customers need to make impressive cocktails; spirits, liqueurs and syrups as well as new glasses, shakers and other mixology equipment. 

Justin James, category manager, of beers, wines and spirits, said:“Sales of cocktails in the on-trade have soared recently, so in recognition of this renewed consumer interest we have identified an opportunity to develop the market for cocktail-making at home by making it more accessible for our customers.

“We’re delighted with the response to the cocktail bay so far, the sales figures show that there is indeed a real appetite for cocktails at home, as customers enjoy easy access to all they need to get started.”

For additional guidance and inspiration, Sainsbury’s is also launching a new cocktail book, which includes 50 cocktail recipes, plus a guide to understanding the techniques and equipment used in cocktail-making.

Source: Sainsbury’s

Source

Warburtons–top dog this summer | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Leading UK baker launches hot dog rolls and burger buns. This spring  the UK’s no. 1 branded baker, Warburtons,  is set to launch new burger buns and hot dog rolls to enhance the quality of the Wrapped Rolls category and maximise key seasonal opportunities.

The new range– on shelf in April and backed by a strong in-store marketing campaign – will comprise:
•    Warburtons Hot Dog Rolls – uniquely sliced from the top, making them easier to hold and fill (6 per pack, with an RSP of £1.15)
•    Warburtons Seeded Burger Buns – great tasting and topped with sesame seeds (6 per pack, with an RSP of £1.15)
Richard Hayes, Marketing Director for Warburtons says,“The summer season always sees a peak in  outdoor eating occasions such as barbeques and picnics and with the royal wedding, a succession of bank holidays and a hot summer forecast , this is an ideal time to bring some new news to the Rolls market.

“Within the rolls sector, Warburtons is out performing the market*, so by launching two new high quality products under our trusted brand, we will drive growth in the category and increase sales opportunities.”

Packaging for both products will feature the new Warburtons branding, which has been refreshed to enhance consumer appeal and increase stand-out on shelf.  The packs also boast a subtle star design to hint at the products’ American inspiration, as it was famously US culture which popularised both the burger and‘top sliced’  hot dog.

The wrapped rolls category is currently worth£238.4 million and this launch is expected to increase sales in the category.  The new products will be widely available across the multiple and convenience sectors.  They will join the existing Warburtons rolls range, which includes 8 and 12 pack Sliced

White Rolls, 6 packs White Lunch Rolls, Wholemeal Lunch Rolls and Grains& Seeds Lunch Rolls, plus 3 pack White Soft Sandwich Rolls, Wholemeal Soft Sandwich and Seeded Soft Sandwich Rolls.

Source: Warburtons

Source

Entries open for Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars 2011 Awards | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The search for retail’s brightest stars has begun as entries open for this year’s Skillsmart Retail Rising Stars Awards.

The annual awards, organised by Retail Week and headline sponsored by Skillsmart Retail, recognise the“best talent in all areas of retail, from the shop-floor to head office.” 

Each of the 14 award categories will identify individuals who demonstrate outstanding talent, intuition and ambition in their roles– singling them out as the ones to watch for the future.

For the first time retailers can also enter the new customer service category. This award celebrates the highest service standards in retail, recognising those who have shown they understand the need for delivery of consistent, top-quality customer service across their business.

Anne Seaman, chief executive of Skillsmart Retail, said:“These awards are an excellent way to recognise the breadth and depth of skills in retail. We want to celebrate those individuals and teams who not only work hard, but make a real difference to the companies they work for.     

“The awards cover all sections of retail. Whether you are an independent or high-street store this is your perfect chance to recognise those who have been a real asset to your business.”

Two awards, the Skillsmart Retail Apprentice of the Year and National Skills Academy for Retail Learner of the Year, give special praise to learners in retail who have chosen to fast-track their careers and gain qualifications while at work. 

Those that encourage and help individuals into retail will also be celebrated with the National Skills Academy for Retail awards Trainer of the Year, recognising training excellence and Ambassador of the Year, thanking those who inspired students to take a career in retail.  

The closing date for entries is Friday 3June, after which a team of retail experts will shortlist the individuals and teams that stand out as excellent retailers. The winners will then be announced at an awards ceremony on 8 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.

Entries can be made online atwww.retailweekrisingstars.co.uk

Source:Skillsmart Retail

Source

Pound stores‘to grow’ in economic upturn | Independent News | TalkingRetail.com

Discount pound shops are predicted to keep attracting shoppers away from supermarkets and convenience stores even if the economy begins to improve, according to research from YouGov reported in today’s Independent Retail News.

The stores, such as Poundland and 99p Stores, continue to thrive in the high street and have created loyalty amongst‘savvy’ shoppers. The latest research from YouGov reveals almost one-third (32%) of adults have shopped at a pound store in the last three months.

Almost a quarter (23%) of respondents have bought products from one or more key categories in the past three months and they are spending less at supermarkets and other stores as a result.

Cleaning products are the most popular pound store purchases, with 21% of consumers having bought them in the past three months, while 18% have purchased toiletries, 17% have bought chocolate and/or sweets and 13% have purchased snacks and/or crisps.

YouGov said saving money was the“overwhelming reason” for using pound stores for 60% of respondents. This is particularly true for women (67%) and older respondents (66%). The stores do not just appeal to poorer people, as fairly affluent people now shop there as well.

Pound stores, along with discount outlets such as Wilkinson and B&M Retail, have started to expand their grocery offering in recent years to become even bigger competitors to supermarkets and c-stores.

Rob Cushen, consulting director at YouGov, said pound stores were likely to grow their share in some categories, most notably in cleaning products.“Our research suggests shoppers aren’t simply planning to head back to supermarkets when the financial situation improves,” he said.

Source

ACS and the BRC react to the Red Tape Challenge | Independent News | TalkingRetail.com

The Secretary of State for Business has launched a major and innovative new public consultation that gives local shops the opportunity to explain which regulations that cause them a burden should go.

The website,www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.ukwill be live for four weeks and the feedback received will be closely analyzed over a period of three months. The working presumption is that unless there is a compelling case for a regulation to be retained it should be scrapped.

James Lowman, ACS chief executive, said:“Local shops, particularly independent retailers, are crippled by the time and money required to comply with bad regulation. By bringing out open scrutiny for all regulations affecting retailers, the government and retailers themselves can identify the ones that bring bureaucracy and costs withoutdelivering their objectives. ACS will play an active role in advising what regulations need to go in order to get the balance right.

“We will be encouraging our members to have their say across all the regulations being considered. We are particularly keen for members to find the ones they want scrapped, but they will also be able to explain why others are needed.”

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) is also pleased the government is putting its promises on reduced regulation into action. Along with its members, the BRC will be getting to work providing feedback on which measures should be scrapped, and identifying any missed opportunities.

Director of Business and Regulation at the BRC, Tom Ironside, said:“After all the promises which have been made about reducing the burden of regulation on businesses, this is a good start. But it won’t be enough only to remove the trivial rules which affect a handful of businesses.

“Red tape isn’t just an inconvenience. It ties up time and money that retailers would rather spend growing their businesses and expanding their workforces. It’s in everyone’s interests to make sure the regulations we do have are proportionate and genuinely needed.

“Some rules are useful. Those that keep people safe and protect consumers’ rights will stay. When other regulations are put to the test, we’re confident many will turn out to be unnecessary or to duplicate other legislation.

“This clear-out of old rules must be accompanied by a commitment on keeping new regulations to a minimum. The government can prove its good intentions by reducing the impact of major new burdens being introduced for retailers, such as the supermarket adjudicator and tobacco display ban.”

Source

Recession getting worse, Scottish retailers told | Independent News | TalkingRetail.com

The recession is going to get substantially worse before it gets better, Scottish retailers have been told, according to today’s Independent Retail News.

Delegates at this year’s Scottish Grocers’ Federation annual conference, held in Dunblane last weekend, were warned of dire times ahead by two key speakers.

Leigh Sparks, professor of retail studies at Stirling University, and Stephen Robertson, director general of the British Retail Consortium, both revealed worrying trade scenarios.

Set against a backdrop of government spending cuts, 2.5 million unemployed, rising oil and manufacturing costs and an interest rate that can only go up, they said the worst of recessionary trading was yet to come.

“Scottish retailers are having a tougher time than the rest of the UK and it’s going to get substantially worse before it gets better. The recession hasn’t even begun in Scotland,” Sparks said.

Robertson added:“There is very little volume growth in food sales in Scotland. This year is going to be tough for consumers and there will not be much happiness between now and the year end. We know the cupboard is empty, there’s no money to be handed over. When people talk of seeing green shoots in the economy, be very nervous.”

The speakers urged independent retailers to keep investing in their businesses and instil consumer confidence in the sector. They also called for strong leadership from the government, in Holyrood and Westminster, to help the industry trade out of the recession.

Source

Scottish Grocers’ Federation ‘disappointed’ with minimum wage increase decision | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF) has expressed disappointed at the decision taken by UK government to increase the national minimum wage by 2.5% to £6.08 an hour.

John Drummond, chief executive of SGF, said:“An increase in the national minimum wage combined with the impact of the economic slowdown on retailing and consumer confidence will add additional pressure to retailers already struggling in these challenging times.

“SGF supports the principles of a national minimum wage. However, at a time when the public sector is freezing pay and the UK government is calling on the private sector to lead the economic recovery this increase is unhelpful and places an additional burden on local shops.

“The Chancellors decision to increase the national minimum wage by 2.5% will force retailers to reduce hours and reconsider plans to employ new staff. 

“This increase will threaten jobs and investment.”

Source: The Scottish Grocers’ Federation (SGF)

Source

Midcounties Co-operative announce record profits | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

The Midcounties Co-operative has defied tough economic conditions with a 35% increase in trading profit to a record£26m.

The member-owned community retailer announced its year end results for 2010/11 and will recommend an increase in its dividend from 1.5p to 1.8p per point to ensure all its members share in the Society’s success.

Its food stores, travel branches, pharmacies, funeral homes, childcare nurseries and employee benefits businesses all helped to ring up a 3.4% increase in total gross sales (excluding the figures for its Motor Group, which was sold in January last year).

The regionally focussed retailer also expanded outside its core area by growing its network of nurseries and this summer it will launch its new nationwide Co-operative Energy business supplying electricity and gas to the public. It is the UK’s only energy supplier that is owned by and rewards its members.

Chief executive Ben Reid said:“It has been a very challenging but rewarding year and now we have to focus on the future. There is every indication that the economic climate is going to remain difficult and it is into these conditions we will be launching Co-operative Energy and developing Co-operative Childcare.

“We are really optimistic that both ventures will quickly establish a foothold in the market. It is exciting for a regionally based society to be extending its reach in this way, and we believe that with the continuing engagement of our colleagues and support from our membership we can continue togo from strength to strength.

The annual report for the 52 weeks to 22 January 2011 details are: 

• Trading profit up 35% to£26m (£19.3m 2009/10)
• Food (30%) and Pharmacy (23%) showed the largest growth in profits
• £2.9m distributed to members as a share of the profits 
• Buffer Bear chain of 24 nurseries acquired

Source: The Midcounties Co-operative

Source

Brits cook with European products, reveals new survey | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

New research shows that 79% of us now cook with European products at least once a week according to a survey by Discover the Origin.

Not only are consumers keen to try out European ingredients, with 46% saying they like to experiment with foreign produce, but 62% even incorporate them into traditional British dishes.

The survey also revealed 91% of us state that the quality of the ingredients we use is important. And for women, the main assurance of quality is knowing where our food comes from with 64% believing that origin matters;  this is why labelling systems such as the PDO* on food and the AOC* or DOC* appellation on wine are such important guides which provide an easily recognisable guarantee of quality.

This predilection for origin guaranteed ingredients is now so ingrained in the British psyche that it remains a key purchasing criterion, even during difficult economic times; as a result, products such as Parma Ham (+31%), Parmigiano-Reggiano (+22%), Burgundy wines (+20%), Ports and Douro wines (+1.6%) have all seen an increase in sales in the last two years, defying recession and ensuing market challenges. 

Source: Discover the Origin

Source

National Wine Month consumer website goes live | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

National Wine Month has launched the consumer facing website, ‘Make Time for Wine’www.maketimeforwine.org, designed to take the average wine drinker beyond their normal wine boundaries and to“explore, discover and enjoy the wide variety of wines available in the UK.”

 

As a key element of the‘Make Time for Wine’ communication programme, the website will allow users to engage with the industry initiative, find out about events in their area throughout May, as well as learn more about wine, competitions and retailer activity.

 

Ian Harris, chief executive of WSET and co-ordinator of National Wine Month, said:“The aim of the ‘Make Time for Wine’ website is to engage consumers and increase their enjoyment of wine.

 

“To coincide with the launch of the website, the digital communications programme of the campaign is also underway, with Facebook and Twitter sites now live. These pages are intended to get people involved in National Wine Month and communicate via all platforms what we are doing.”

 

Twitter and Facebook will host regular feeds and updates about National Wine Month. These pages will be highlighted through all media relations, along with support from industry leaders, helping to drive the viral marketing aspect of the campaign.

 

Harris said:“We are now a month away from National Wine Month and there has been fantastic support from the trade so far. There is still time for companies to get involved with the initiative and utilise the tools and information available on the trade websitewww.nationalwinemonth.org, in order to create a peak of awareness for wine in May to the benefit of their own businesses.”

 

Source: National Wine Month

Source

Waitose launch‘royal’ William and Kate smoothie | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Waitrose has paired the Catherine Peach with the Williams Pear to create a commemorative smoothie Brits can enjoy during the upcoming royal wedding party season.

Waitrose expects its newest fresh fruit coupling, the Catherine Peach and Williams Pear Smoothie, to be a“huge hit” with shoppers when it arrives in-store on 11 April.

Waitrose juice buyer, Chloe Graves, said:“Waitrose is delighted to debut the first Catherine Peach and Williams Pear Smoothie. The flavour combination of peach with pear is an ideal match– just like William and Kate– and it is the perfect drink for Brits looking for something refreshing to mark the upcoming royal nupitals on 29 April”.

The smoothie, which will retail at£1.29 for 250ml, balances the flavour of the traditional Williams Pear and the less well-known Catherine Peach. The Williams Pear originates from England and dates back to the eighteenth century. It’s a pale green and shapely pear with a sweet, juicy flesh while the Catherine Peach is a continental peach with a yellow, pinky colour to its juicy and sweet flesh.

Source: Waitrose

Source

Pineberries are back in Waitrose stores | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Pineberries are once again available in Waitrose store, following huge consumer demand since they were first launched last year. 

The tiny berries, which are white and covered in red pips, have the same genetic make-up as the common strawberry, and the smell and taste of a pineapple.

Waitrose is the only supermarket to sell Pineberries, which went in stores yesterday in the UK and they will be available in 45 stores nationwide for the next five weeks while they are in season.

Originating in South America, the Pineberry started life as a wild variety of strawberry. It was threatened with extinction until seven years ago when Dutch farmers began growing it on a commercial level.

Each Pineberry is smaller than a common strawberry measuring between 15 to 23 mm. They are grown in glasshouses, growing on coir like other strawberries.

Nicki Baggott, fruit buyer for Waitrose, said:“Last year Pineberries were seen as an April Fools’, but these tasty little berries are no joke. I’m sure they will be as popular as last year where we saw them selling out as fast as we could stock our shelves.”

Source: Waitrose

Source

Waitrose to create 600 jobs with new north-west distribution centre | Industry News | TalkingRetail.com

Waitrose has announced plans for a new regional distribution centre (RDC), which will create up to 600 jobs and provide a platform for the chain’s future expansion within the north of England and in Scotland.

Subject to planning consent, Waitrose has reached an agreement with Evander Properties and British Airways Pension Fund to develop and lease a 30-acre warehouse site in Chorley, Lancashire.

Under this agreement, the brownfield site, a former BAE defence systems site, would receive investment, which would total nearly£35m. Evander Properties will develop the new buildings with funding from British Airways Pension Fund and Waitrose would fit out the warehouse and picking equipment. Waitrose would then lease the site from BA Pension Fund for 25 years.

The 360,000sq ft warehouse, 50,000sq ft of office space and a vehicle maintenance unit will allow Waitrose to service up to 80 branches as part of its rapidly growing portfolio of shops in the north of England and in scotland.

In the short-term, the new RDC will support the supermarket’s plans to double its estate in the north within the next three to five years. Until six years ago the most northerly Waitrose store was in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Waitrose has since embarked on the biggest period of expansion in its history, including opening seven stores in the north-west, seven in Yorkshire, three in the north-east and three in Scotland.

The new site would become the supermarket’s fifth regional distribution centre to support its plans to open 25 to 30 convenience stores and 10 supermarkets across the UK each year. Its current most northerly regional distribution centre at Bardon in Leicestershire is already operating to capacity.

David Jones, Waitrose’s supply chain director, said: “We’re delighted to be making such a significant investment in the north-west and creating up to 600 new jobs for the region.

“We’ve made no secret of our plans to take the Waitrose brand to more people in more places and we’re currently still under-represented in the north, a key area for our growth ambitions.

“This new regional distribution centre will provide a vital platform for future expansion and unlock significant opportunities for us to open more shops in the north of England and in Scotland.”

Over the coming weeks, Waitrose will reach a decision on whether to manage the new warehousing space itself or through a third-party logistics specialist.

Source: Waitrose

Source

Spar’s Jerry Marwood becomes non-executive director at eXPD8 | TalkingRetail.com

Jerry Marwood, who is leaving as managing director of Spar in September, has been appointed as a non-executive director of field marketing agency eXPD8, with effect from April.

Marwood is a board member and a previous chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) and also sits on the Board of the British Retail Consortium (BRC).  

Sarah Wilson, eXPD8 non-executive and director of consulting operations with Egremont, said:“We are absolutely delighted that Jerry is joining us, his industry knowledge and experience will be invaluable to us.”

eXPD8 co-founder Mark Thurgood said:“We have been very successful in growing our business in non-food categories, and Jerry’s appointment will underpin our expansion into grocery particularly within the convenience sector.”

The 2010 Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100 put eXPD8 at number 82 in the list that recognises the UK’s 100 fastest- growing businesses. It also ranked eXPD8 in seventh position in the top 10 biggest employers.   

Based in Bristol, the business was established in 2002 by Pete Bailey and Mark Thurgood, who were members of the Somerfield trading board.  

The company handles a wide variety of products, such as cosmetics, DVDs, phones and jewelry, and works for high-profile companies such as Sainsbury’s, Filofax, Dyson and Sony.

Marwood was appointed as Spar managing director in May 2002 and during his time the organisation has grown to a£2.7bn business.

Source