Minimum alcohol pricing‘likely by next spring’ in Scotland

Minimum alcohol pricing is likely to be law in Scotland by April next year, following the victory by the Scottish National Party (SNP) in elections north of the border earlier this month (May), reports today’s Independent Retail News.

The SNP failed to introduce minimum pricing last year because as a minority government it could not get the support of the other parties in the Scottish parliament.

But the party now has a majority and it pledged to introduce minimum pricing in its election manifesto as a“priority” in its first legislative programme of the new parliament.

Pundits expect the Scottish government to opt for a minimum price of 45p per unit of alcohol. An industry observer said it would be fairly simple for the government to re-introduce last year’s defeated minimum price plans.

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Grocers’ Federation said: “As they have got a majority in parliament they can do as they like. They have run the research and the legislation was written. It isn’t a big challenge to get it up and running again.”

The independent retail trade is fairly ambivalent about the proposals. Minimum pricing could make it easier for retailers to compete on price with the major supermarkets, but it could also limit their own scope for price promotions. There are also fears minimum pricing could fuel the illicit trade and increase cross-border and internet trading.

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The Co-op opens its third food store in London

The opening of the new£600,000 Co-operative Food outlet in Store Street, London, is the third Co-operative Food store to open in the capital within as many months. 

It follows the opening of The Co-operative Food’s flagship Strand store in February, and the opening of another convenience store in Wembley in March.

The Strand store opening in London WC2 was a major milestone as it gave the consumer-owned retailer a food store in every UK postal area, and signalled The Co-operative’s intent to deliver on its ambitious expansion plans for the next three years, with a renewed focus on stores in city centre locations, including the capital. 

The Co-operative Food plans to open more than 300 food outlets over the next three years, creating around 7,000 jobs, including around 50 stores within the first 12 months.  

So far nine new stores have opened, and a further 21 contracts exchanged– with new stores planned for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton, Liverpool, Manchester and Swansea, as well as other locations in the coming months. 

Andrew Coles, national acquisitions manager, for The Co-operative Food, said:“These are exciting times for The Co-operative Food, which is looking to expand the estate following the integration of the Somerfield estate. 

“As a result, the property team is communicating with the retail marketplace more than ever before and recently held an event in Mayfair for agents, landlords and developers, with further events of this kind planned later in the year.”

Source: The Co-op

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Vote for your female retailer of the year

Entries for the Specsavers everywoman in Retail Awards are open until Monday 23 May for the 2011, aimed to highlight inspirational role models and their accomplishments within retail.

With retailers in the UK feeling the squeeze (March 2011 sales fell 1.9% -this represents the worst figures recorded since 1996– BRC), it’s never been more important to show support for women in this sector. From florists to pharmacists, boutiques to butchers, department stores to local stores, to those who do it all for free in the thousands of charity shops nationwide.

Maxine Benson, co-founder and director of everywoman, said:“We are looking to give recognition to the talented women in retail whose success will inspire and motivate the next generation.”

Dame Mary Perkins, founder of Specsavers, said:“There are some excellent opportunities for women in the retail industry. Although there are not as many women in senior positions as there should be, there are many good prospects. At Specsavers, many of our stores are owned by female opticians who recognise the importance of excellent customer service and high retail standards.”

The NatWest everywoman Awards are open to any female business owner. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at The Savoy on 14 September 2011.

To nominate a colleague, co-worker or friend that you think would fit the billvisit:http://www.everywoman.com/ewawards/nomination

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Oddbins to sale 29 of its stores with Christie + Co

A second wave of closed Oddbins stores are to be 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.

This latest tranche will feature 29 stores, located across the UK.

Steve Rodell, head of retail at Christie + Co, said:“Once again we will be conducting a short, focused marketing campaign for these 29 stores, aiming at operators and individuals who have an interest in the sector. Nine of the second-wave stores are located in and around the Greater London area and should provoke strong interest.”

Best and final offers for these 29 stores are being sought by 5pm on Friday 27 May 2011.

Offers made for stores in the first wave of 55 are being considered by the joint administrators.

Interested parties can find more information about the latest 29 stores offered for sale by visitingwww.christie.com/oddbins

Source:Oddbins

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NIIRTA back Mary Portas’ appointment on future of high streets | TalkingRetail.com

The Northern Ireland Independent Retail Trade Association(NIIRTA) has welcomed the announcement that TV retail guru Mary Portas is to carry out a UK government-backed review aimed at halting the“decline of the high street”.

Portas will look at the problem of empty shops and how to prevent the growth of“clone towns” dominated by chain stores.

Portas is due to present her findings in the autumn and NIIRTA has called upon the new Social Development Minister Nelson McCausland to invite her to Northern Ireland as part of her inquiry.

NIIRTA chief executive, Glyn Roberts, said:“Local shops and high streets in Northern Ireland matter to consumers who use the health of the high street as a barometer for the economy as a whole. Healthy, diverse high streets mean confident consumers and vibrant local shopping holds the key to economic growth and job creation. We welcome this independent review and urge her to address the tough questions about how to put high streets at the heart of recovery.

“We would urge our new DSD Minister Nelson McCausland, who has responsibility for town centres to invite Ms Portas to visit Northern Ireland to meet with him and local stakeholders as part of her enquiry.

“We will be urging the Government not to shy away from the controversial issues and to put in place a strategy that will robustly promote the high street at a crucial time”

“We need robust decisions on planning rules that are explicitly ‘town centre first’ preventing harmful out of town development, we need an approach to business rates that encourages retailers to invest in high streets and neighbourhood centres and we must promote diversity so that consumers have real choice now and in the long term.”

Source:NIIRTA

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Asda cuts fuel prices | TalkingRetail.com

Asda has given drivers a welcome boost by slashing the price of fuel, with 4p per litre off the price of diesel and up to 1p off unleaded.

Starting today (10 May) drivers filling up at Asda will not pay more than 135.7p per litre for diesel and 134.7p per litre for unleaded at any of its 187 filling stations. 

Andy Peake, Asda’s petrol director said: “Once again Asda has led the way in saving drivers money. Unlike some retailers, our price cuts are across the board. That’s why no-one will pay more than 135.7ppl for diesel and 134.7ppl for unleaded when filling up at any one of our 180 forecourts nationwide.

“As world oil prices have fallen over recent days, we’ve moved quickly to pass those savings on, knocking up to 4ppl off diesel and penny off unleaded.”

Although fuel prices fluctuate, Asda’s aim remains the same. It always wants to be the first retailer in each part of the country to drop prices and the last to put them up. And when it does drop prices, it drops them everywhere, setting a maximum national price cap for its customer, which means they all benefit from its low prices,regardless of where they live.

Asda’s preference would be that everyone charged a national price for fuel, that way drivers would be treated as equals. As it stands though, most of its rivals hide behind local pricing policies, which take advantage of drivers unlucky enough not to have an Asda nearby. 

Source: Asda

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Waitrose reports‘strong’ Royal Wedding sales | TalkingRetail.com

Waitrose has reported an‘outstanding’ week of sales, following a flurry of festivities across the country before the royal wedding.

With the vast majority of shops closed for trade on Easter Sunday, the most accurate comparison is the week following Easter last year, compared to which the total branch sales for the supermarket were up by 23.1%, and 34.5% on the equivalent week two years ago.

Waitrose also saw the busiest Thursday ever (28 April), outside the Christmas and New Year period.

The strong performance finished off a healthy first quarter for Waitrose. Total provisional Waitrose sales for the three months ending 30 April 2011“significantly outperformed” the market, at 8.7% higher than last year.

On a like-for-like basis our total branch sales (excluding petrol) were up by 4.7%. Compared to two years ago, total provisional Waitrose sales for the quarter were 22.3% higher.

Last week’s sales patterns were reflective of the celebratory and patriotic mood across much of the country. The Heston From Waitrose Royal Trifle, created especially for the big day, was in demand and prompted many others to create their own version, with trifle sponges 370% up on last year.

Other traditional British foods that saw strong sales included strawberry sales (51% up on last year), clotted cream sales (70% higher), and cheesecake sales (62% higher).

Source: Waitrose

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Waitrose opens largest Scottish store | TalkingRetail.com

Waitrose has just opened its fourth and largest Scottish store and announced plans for a fifth shop in Scotland, in Helensburgh.

The 25,000 sq ft Newton Mearns store represents an expansion by the retailer in Scotland and is part of an ambitious UK-wide growth strategy by the employee-owned supermarket.

The planned new store in Helensburgh– if planning permission is secured– will be the retailer’s first outside the central belt cities. Waitrose will be consulting with local people over the coming weeks and will lodge a planning application later this year.

In a first for Waitrose in Scotland, the Newton Mearns store will offer toys, electrical goods and fashion accessories from its sister company John Lewis, alongside its extensive food ranges.

The store is also championing local and regional suppliers, including several new producers who are supplying Waitrose for the first time.

These include the family-run company Just Add Chilli, plus Mathiesons Foods, We Hae Meats, Argyll Smokery, Belhaven Fruit Farm, Thistly Cross Cider and Claire Macdonald Foods.

Alison Neilson, deputy manager for Waitrose Newton Mearns, said:“Waitrose prides itself on getting to know the communities it operates within and building firm relationship with residents and surrounding businesses alike.

“We want to make sure our customers enjoy the best of local produce that our Scottish suppliers have to offer and we are always keen to hear from new suppliers to add to that offering.”

Source: Waitrose

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Haldanes issue proceedings against the Co-op | TalkingRetail.com

Haldanes Stores Limited and Ruston Retail Limited have issued proceedings in the High Court against the Co-operative Group Limited from which Haldanes acquired 26 stores in late 2009, early 2010.

The acquisition of the 26 stores by Haldanes arose as a consequence of concerns by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) that the Co-op’s take-over of Somerfields would result in a substantial lessening of competition in certain areas to the detriment of consumers. To allay these concerns, the Co-op undertook in 2009 to divest itself of a number of stores including the 26 stores acquired by Haldanes.

Haldanes alleges that the Co-op has“materially breached key terms of the agreements” it and the Co-op entered into and under which it acquired the 26 stores, and also that the Co-op’s actions amount to“breaches of undertakings” the Co-op gave to the OFT. Haldanes alleges that these breaches have severely damaged the business it acquired from the Co-op, not only causing it significant financial loss, but also causing harm to consumers.

Arthur Harris, CEO of Haldanes Stores Ltd and Ruston Retail Ltd, said:“If we had been made fully aware of the true trading picture from the outset, we would not have done the deal with the Co-op.

“We have been trying to set up a meeting with the Co-op since mid September 2010 to discuss the issues and seek a resolution but have been consistently ignored or refused by Co-op’s senior management. As such, we have been left with no option but to issue legal proceedings.

“Over the last four months I, through another of my companies, have had to invest £2m into Haldanes to ensure the business could continue and staff be paid. 600 jobs are at stake here, all ex-Co-op employees.

“My frustrations, and this action, are borne out of the fact that I simply want to meet with senior representatives from the Co-op, understand each other and work out a way to do business on a level playing field. Is that too much to ask?”

Source: Haldanes Stores Limited/Ruston Retail Limited

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Dragon’s Den star James Caan backs Get Britain Trading | TalkingRetail.com

Dragons Den’s James Caan is backing a new campaign aimed at boosting the fortunes of small businesses across the UK.

The entrepreneur has pledged his support forGet Britain Trading–a campaign which was recently launched by the Forum of Private Business to highlight the huge contribution smaller businesses make to the economy.

The Forum, which is a not-for-profit support organisation for smaller firms, is also using Get Britain Trading to call on the government to tackle persistent problems affecting small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) including late payment, access to finance and excessive red tape.

Additionally, Get Britain Trading aims to spread positivity and business confidence in order to help pull the UK out of the economic doldrums– and this is what prolific investor and serial entrepreneur Caan says secured his backing for the campaign.

Caan said:“Sustainable economic recovery in the UK can ultimately be achieved by boosting and supporting our small and medium-sized businesses.

“Those businesses that have survived the recession have proven their strength and durability and I believe that with the right support, many of them could be very successful indeed.

“I have seen a great deal of businesses recently that have made cuts to survive the recession and have now stagnated in their growth. It is the responsibility of the government and also the larger business community to support these businesses to help them return to growth andGet Britain Trading.”

Caan, who regularly invests, advises and helps to grow SMEs, said:“I hope that Get Britain Trading will continue to raise awareness of the issues that small firms face and that the government will take further action to enable small businesses to grow for the benefit of Britain’s economy. 

“The entrepreneurial spirit in Britain has never been more alive than now. Despite having to struggle through the recent recession, we British remain innovative, commercially minded and motivated to be successful. Small businesses who have survived the hardships of the recession with their businesses intact will not only have learned priceless lessons about the true nature of their business but have also proven their underlying viability.

“The challenge that many of them now face is no longer survival, but growth.”

Source:The Forum of Private Business

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Sainsbury’s reports ‘good performance’ with total sales up 7.1% | TalkingRetail.com

Sainsbury’s has revealed itsconvenience stores are now a£1bn business, following good sales and profit performance for 52 weeks to 19 March 2011.  

Total sales (including VAT) were up 7.1% to£22.9bn, with total sales (including VAT, ex fuel) up 4.9% with like-for-like sales (including VAT, ex fuel) up 2.3%.

The supermarket outperformed the market in a“challenging environment”, increasing market share, with weekly customer transactions now 21 million, up one million on last year, and over 6,000 jobs created through store investment.

Sainsbury’s has also opened six new food colleges to train over 10,000 colleagues each year, plus it had a successful re-launch of its £1bn ‘Taste the Difference’ brand.

Justin King, chief executive, said:“Sainsbury’s has continued to perform well. Customer numbers are at an all-time high of 21 million transactions every week, which is up one million on last year, a clear indication of our growing universal customer appeal across all channels.

“We have added gross space of 1.5 million sq ft to our store estate, creating over 6,000 new jobs with Sainsbury’s. Strong sales growth, combined with productivity savings and tight control on operating costs, have helped to deliver good profit growth. Our colleagues continue to deliver great service, exceeding our stretching customer service targets, and we are delighted to be paying our colleagues a bonus of around £60m.

“We expect the economic environment to remain uncertain over the coming year. We remain confident that our strategy, alongside continued strong operational performance, will enable the business to make further good progress.”

Source: Sainsbury’s

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Slow growth expected this year and next, says CBI | TalkingRetail.com

The UK economy will continue to make headway in 2011, but growth will be patchy and slow, according to the CBI’s latest economic forecast, published today.

Despite a squeeze on household income and public spending cuts, the UK’s leading business group expects this year’s GDP growth rate to be 1.7%, marginally lower than the previous forecast of 1.8%. Growth of 2.2% is expected in 2012, down slightly from February’s forecast of 2.3%.

Stronger net exports are expected to make an important contribution to the UK economy both this year and next. Export growth of 8.6% in 2011 and 7.6% in 2012 is expected to outpace the rise in imports over the period, resulting in a net positive impact on GDP.

Business investment is also expected to help drive economic growth. Survey evidence shows historically strong investment intentions, with growth of 8.8% in 2011 and 8.7% in 2012 forecast.

John Cridland, CBI director general, said:“Although there are a number of risks to the UK’s economic outlook, we continue to expect that the recovery will make further headway this year and next, but the pace will be sluggish.

“The economy is battling headwinds of squeezed household budgets, weak wage growth, high inflation, and necessary public spending cuts. Concerns also remain over the volatility of oil prices and the impact of the earthquake in Japan on UK supply chains.

“But there are some brighter spots in the forecast. Global economic conditions remain upbeat and we expect to see a stronger performance by UK exporters. Business investment will also make a firm contribution to growth in 2011 and 2012. But the rebalancing of the economy is going to take time to feed through, and domestically it may not feel like much of a recovery for some time yet.”

Quarter-on-quarter growth rebounded at a modest rate of 0.5% in the first quarter of this year, following a decline of 0.5% in the final quarter of last year. The CBI’s forecast for the remainder of 2011 is broadly unchanged, with steady but modest growth of 0.6% expected over each of the three remaining quarters.

Inflation is anticipated to be higher throughout this year and into early 2012 than previously forecast, largely due to the effect of higher commodity prices, oil in particular. But as the impact of the VAT rise falls away, inflation is expected to fall back closer to the Bank of England’s 2% target rate next year.

Nevertheless, with inflation expectations edging upwards, the Bank is expected to begin the process of normalising monetary policy later this year. Modest interest rate rises are likely from Q3 2011 through to mid-2012, followed by a slightly faster monetary stimulus withdrawal over the second half of 2012. This would take the Bank rate up to 2.5% by Q4 2012.

Unemployment is expected to peak in Q4 2011, at 2.62 million. And while it will remain stubbornly high next year, it will fall back to 2.52 million by Q4 2012.

Source: CBI

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Last call for Retail Industry Awards | TalkingRetail.com

Store owners are being urged to send in their entries for this year’s Retail Industry Awards with the closing dates fast approaching.

Stores that want to enter the prestigious Independent Retailer of the Year category have just one more week to submit their completed forms before the closing date on 13 May. Those wishing to enter other retailer categories have until 27 May to get their entries in.

The awards, run by Independent Retail News and sister website TalkingRetail.com, remain the only accolades of their kind to recognise success across the whole spectrum of the UK grocery sector, from the smallest independent retailers to the largest supermarket groups.

“The Retail Industry Awards continue to raise their profile year on year and now enjoy greater recognition than ever before – both within the trade and amongst consumers,” said awards boss Helen Lyons. “Last year saw the winners using their logos more extensively than ever, in newspaper andmagazine adverts, on television and in online and in-store marketing. We’re really proud of the importance the industry now places on winning these awards.”

This year’s ceremony and gala dinner takes place on 22 September at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel in London.

Categories open to independents include: Symbol/Fascia Group, Independent Retailer, Forecourt Retailer, Community Retailer, Most Sustainable Retailer, Drinks Retailer, Most Improved Store, Independent Newsagent, Store Manager, and Fresh Produce Retailer.

For further information or additional entry forms, call Rebecca Robertson on 020 8253 8707 or seewww.retailindustryawards.com.

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Extension to Sunday trading hours is‘unlikely’ | TalkingRetail.com

Any extension of Sunday trading hours for the major supermarkets in England and Wales is“extremely unlikely”, Independent Retail News has been told by “retail sector champion” Kevin Hawkins.

Hawkins, a former director general of the British Retail Consortium, has been given the task by the government of evaluating the consumer and trade responses to proposals for the retail sector in its Red Tape Challenge.

The government included Sunday trading in the public consultation along with the red tape surrounding weights and measures, age-restricted goods, consumer protection and other issues.

Hawkins said there was“no pressure” from the supermarkets to extend Sunday trading times beyond the six hours currently allowed in the 1994 law for stores of more than 3,000sq ft. “They have all lived with it very well. What we have got is a workable compromise,” said Hawkins. “Most people seem to be satisfiedwith it most of the time.”

He said the current economic situation made it unlikely the major multiples would want to spread their Sunday takings more thinly over a longer period with the associated extra labour costs.

Almost 2,500 responses were made about Sunday trading on the Red Tape Challenge website, with the overwhelming majority of people opposed to any liberalisation of the law.

What could come out of the consultation period, which ended yesterday (Thursday), is a simplification of the“complex range” of regulation on age-restricted goods.

The Red Tape Challenge also asked for views on the use of metric and imperial measures and even regulations affecting the marketing of eggs to allow small retailers to sell more locally-sourced produce.

Almost 10,000 people have responded to the suggestions and Hawkins will now assess the responses and make recommendations to the government.“We can reduce the overall stock of regulation partly by getting rid of legislation that is not relevant and partly by simplifying it to make it easier to understand and comply with,” he said.

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Post-it creates cheeky royal message | TalkingRetail.com

OgilvyAction, the brand activation arm of the Ogilvy Group, has created a tactical Royal wedding-themed outdoor campaign for 3M’s Post-it Super Sticky Notes.

Campaign creative shows a giant Post-it Super Sticky Note with the names of the Royal couple hand-written with a heart, accompanied by the words‘May you stick together forever. Congratulations’– a light hearted connection between the product and the Royal wedding. The product strap-line is‘Holds Stronger and Longer’.

The campaign goes live on Sunday 24th April for 2 weeks and appears in high-visibility sites across London. Locations include a 48 sheet outside Fulham Broadway station and a 48 sheet on the New Kings Road. These sites have been chosen due to the traffic and footfall numbers expected in the locations.
Source: Post-it

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Marks& Spencer announces board changes | TalkingRetail.com

Marks& Spencer (M&S) has announced some changes to its board membership.

Louise Patten has served as a non-executive director since 2006 and is reaching the end of her second three-year term on the board. As a result, she has decided not to seek re-election this year and will step down from the board following the M&S annual general meeting on 13 July.

Sir David Michels, who as chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee led the search for a new chairman, chief executive and chief finance officer during 2010, has also decided to step down from the board following the end of his second three-year term in February 2012. David will remain as deputy chairman and senior independent director until then.

M&S has started the process of identifying new non-executive directors for appointment to its board.

Robert Swannell, M&S chairman, said:“On behalf of the M&S board, I would like to thank Louise for her significant contribution to the board over the last five years, during which time she has played an important role on each of our board committees.

“I would also like to thank David for his contribution to the board, particularly for leading the Nomination and Governance Committee during the past year to ensure a smooth succession. I am delighted that David will continue in his role as deputy chairman and senior independent director until next year.

“The appointment of new non-executive directors with an appropriate mix of experience will further strengthen and support the company’s plans“.

Source: Marks& Spencer

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The Co-op joins with 02 and Coca-Cola for mobile marketing campaign | TalkingRetail.com

The Co-operative Group is linking with O2 and Coca-Cola to become one of the first UK supermarkets to take advantage of“mobile proximity marketing”.

From today (4 May) until 14 June 2011, customers within 0.5 miles of a Co-operative food store will receive a text message offering them a free 500ml bottle of Dr Pepper at their nearest Co-operative store.

The initiative is being supported by O2 Media, which is providing the database of 16 to 34-year-olds who have chosen to receive location-based marketing messages. O2 customers can sign up to be part of the scheme by visitinghttp://www.o2more.co.uk/

To facilitate the scheme, virtual perimeters or“geo-fences” have been set up around Co-operative food stores and the service is triggered by the customer’s proximity to one of these stores. Eligible customers in these areas will receive an SMS/MMS text message with the offer and the address of the nearest store.

The Co-operative Group has already announced that it will become the first major UK food retailer to introduce contactless payments, which will be trialled in 150 Co-operative food stores from September, following a link up with Barclaycard.

Sean Toal, commercial director for The Co-operative Food, said:“The Co-operative is keen to make use of cutting-edge technologies, and mobile proximity marketing means we can target customers with specific offers and engage with them directly. 

“The Co-operative has almost 3,000 stores nationwide, many of which are at the heart of local communities and on high streets, which makes this initiative and technology ideal for us as a community retailer.” 

Source: The Co-operative Group

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Tesco hosts Scotland’s biggest food and drink event | TalkingRetail.com

Scotland’s free consumer food and drink event, ‘Enjoy the Taste of Scotland’, hosted and organised by Tesco, returns to Glasgow’s George Square on 28 and 29 May, following last year’s road show tour.

Enjoy the Taste of Scotland is an annual celebration of locally sourced food and drink, which brings together over 100 suppliers to showcase and raise awareness of the breadth and diversity of local produce available in Scotland.

This year’s event, sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland and Robert Wiseman Dairies, expects to attract 20,000 visitors to its George Square venue.

Angus Bell, senior local buying manger for Tesco in Scotland, said:“Enjoy the Taste of Scotland celebrates the very best of Scottish fare from our many local food and drink producers.

“Visitors will be able to find out more about the diverse range of products from Scotland, and have a great day out at the same time. We work with over 150 Scottish producers and are committed to getting even closer to local suppliers across Scotland– this event is testament to that.”

Visitors to the event will be able to take a culinary tour through a series of regional marquees, browsing delicious food stalls representing the best of Scottish produce, meeting enthusiastic producers, company owners and sampling local food and drink from all over Scotland.

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Sainsbury’s launches its first Local store in Cambridge | TalkingRetail.com

 

Sainsbury’s has opened its first Local store in Cambridge, with Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust (ACT) set to benefit from its arrival.

The charity for Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie hospitals has been selected as the St Andrews Street store’s local charity partner for the next year.

ACT has already received a£1,000 donation from the store’s construction team, Base Build Services, to buy toys and therapeutic play puppets through which children can learn about their illness and the treatment they will need.

Sainsbury’s store manager Joe Kelly, said: “What better way to mark our intention to make a difference in the community than with our first local charity partner cutting the ribbon? We’re delighted to welcome them and our new customers to our store, which will have some 40 new recruits on hand to welcome them. We’re looking forward to becoming a real part of the community.”

The 2,800 sq ft store will stock a range of fresh and convenience foods perfect to top up the weekly shop, and also boasts a bakery, cookware, fresh flowers and newspapers.

Source: Sainsbury’s

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ACS calls for more on Illegal Tobacco Trade in Northern Ireland | TalkingRetail.com

The Northern Ireland Assembly‘must put tackling the illicit trade as its top priority’ in the Tackling Tobacco Strategy, according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

In a detailed response to the consultation ACS sets out four policy proposals changes that would make a difference.

They are:

• More cross-department working at a national policy level, to ensure the Department of Health and the Home Office has joint responsibilities in tackling the illicit trade.
• Trading Standards officers to have more ownership of inland enforcement, as they are the organisation with the strongest relationships with retailers and so are best placed to identify problems.
• Tougher penalties available for those caught selling illicit product, to ensure they act as a sufficient deterrent.
• A review of the amount of tobacco that can be brought into the UK from the EU as it currently undermines government taxation policy.

ACS chief executive, James Lowman, said:“It is clear that smokers of all ages and from all social backgrounds regularly access illicit tobacco. The illicit tobacco trade is a problem that will not be solved by a quick fix, but one that requires significant consideration and investment.  If Government are serious about tackling smokingrates this must be addressed.

“The illegal trade impacts on legitimate retailers and it is therefore an issue that the industry wants to work in partnership with Government on. We hope the Northern Irish administration consider our proposals and agree to work in Northern Ireland and in Westminster to ensure they are implemented.”

Source:Association of Convenience Stores (ACS)

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East of England Co-op rolls out‘sourced locally’ branding on food and drink | TalkingRetail.com

The East of England Co-operative’s local sourcing initiative is putting more local products on its supermarket and food store shelves than ever before.

The society is working with the region’s finest producers large and small to source quality products from across East Anglia and the range and demand from customers is growing all the time.

To celebrate the contribution local sourcing partners make to the Society, special Accreditation Plaques were handed out at a Breakfast Briefing at Wherstead Park.

The event also unveiled the society’s new ‘Sourced Locally’ branding that will be rolled out to East of England Co-operative supermarket and food stores across the region, bringing all local sourcing under one banner. 

Local producers will continue to use their own packaging, clearly stating the product’s provenance, and customers will be able to easily identify local products thanks to new hanging boards, and labeling on shelves and in chilled and frozen sections.

Kevin Warden, local sourcing manager, said:  “When we say local, we mean local!  We put products into the store closest to the producer and this is often just a few miles, or in some cases a few yards, from our stores and where possible no more than a 30 mile radius.

“When fresh produce is available it can be picked, packed and in the customer’s shopping basket within a few hours.

“Our new ‘Sourced Locally’ branding will bring greater emphasis to our support for the region’s producers and highlight the wide range of products we have in store.”

Ken Green, Ken Green Fish from Clacton, said:  “I am delighted to work with our local co-operative, which plays such a valuable role in our communities and supports the local economy through its local sourcing initiative.

“The support I have received from the society means I have been able to employ new staff, and this in turn has helped me to obtain a grant for new equipment to help my business continue to grow.” 

Robert Strathern, Fairfields Farm, who grows potatoes in both Essex and Suffolk said:  “In 2009 we started supplying just three East of England Co-op stores, now we supply our potatoes and crisps direct to stores across the whole of Suffolk and Essex.

“We are really pleased that our relationship with the East of England Co-op has proved so successful, and this has helped us to take on five new staff.  It has proved very beneficial to our business as a whole, and secured jobs at a tough economic time.”

Mark Bloss, from Hollybush Farm Produce, Buxall near Stowmarket, Suffolk, said:“We are delighted to supply the East of England Co-operative, who share our values of great quality local food.  The society has become one of our biggest customers, which speaks volumes about the relationship we have with them.”

Royston Owen, of Royston’s Traditional Bakery in Long Stratton, Norfolk, said:   “The support of the East of England Co-operative is invaluable to my business and it’s a fantastic organisation to deal with.   They listen to what I say and take on board my ideas about which of my products will sell best in particular stores.  It’s a team effort and we work together to achieve the best outcome for all of us; my bakery, the society, and our customers.

“We started supplying one of the society’s stores in Long Stratton with bread and cakes and now supply several other Co-op food stores in the area.   

“The Co-op puts products into the stores that are closest to the producer and at just 192 steps my bakery can’t be much closer to the Long Stratton supermarket!” 

The society began its local sourcing initiative in 2007 with just a few suppliers. The number of suppliers and sales of their products and has grown year-on-year and this progress is expected to continue.

There are currently 95 local producers accredited by the society with more interested in linking up with their local co-operative.  

To support its local producers the society has drawn up a pledge to emphasize its commitment to local sourcing:

• To work with local producers to provide quality products and save food miles.

• To provide members and customers with more choice by putting more local products on our shelves than ever before.

• To trade fairly and honestly with local producers.

• To generate sustainable revenue for local producers and the society.

• To fully vet suppliers to ensure that they meet the society’s food safety criteria.

Source: East of England Co-operative Society

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