Read what’s happening in the convenience & independent retail space. Who are the latest innovators & winners in this marginalised retail sector?
The Co-operative Food claims it is getting into the Christmas spirit with the launch of a range of stocking fillers for all the family. With a store in every UK postal area, The Co-operative said it is perfectly placed for shoppers looking to
Even though most retailers have been planning their Christmas operations for months, it’s still worth making a list – and checking it twice – when it comes to preparing for the busiest shopping period of the year, claims DX, an
Sainsbury’s Local represents 27% of the growth in the convenience market, according to research by Nielsen. Presenting at the IGD’s Convenience Retailing 2012 event, Sainsbury’s new convenience director, Simon Twigger, said the business was growing rapidly – it has opened
Shopper behaviour has fundamentally evolved and they have developed a new rationing instinct, according to the IGD’s ShopperVista research. Speaking at the IGD’s Convenience Retailing 2012 event, Tim Maton, IGD shopper insight manager, revealed shoppers were dialling up new bahaviours
Convenience stores will deliver the biggest cash growth in the UK grocery market over the next five years, according to the IGD’s chief economist James Walton. Speaking at the IGD’s Convenience Retailing 2012 event, Walton said convenience store sales are
Midcounties Co-operative is launching a new food-to-go format. The first store will open in Gloucester in 2013 and a further four to five stores are in the pipeline, according to Andy Cresswell, deputy chief executive, trading. Speaking at the IGD’s
Spar UK and multi-temperature supply chain specialist, Oakland International, have taken home the Environmental Contribution Award at the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards in the category of Contribution to Environmental Improvement: Climate Change. They were presented with the award in
Spar Trethomas, Caerphilly, has held a pyjama day to raise money for Help For Heroes. Store manager Gaynor Grist and her staff all took part in the fun and raised £180 for the cause. The store is owned by multi-site retailer Robert
Sainsbury’s has posted a 1.7% increase in like-for-like sales in the first half and a record market share, driven in part by increased penetration of its own label ranges. In the 28 weeks to 29 September 2012, total sales rose
The Co-operative Food is cutting the prices of its own-brand premium Truly Irresistible products in the run up to the festive period. Truly Irresistible Christmas Puddings (454g) are half price, reduced to £2.99 each. The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Cranberry Sauce
Spar UK is rolling out a Fresh for Less promotional campaign in stores across the country in a bid to boost sales in the growing fresh foods category. It includes specially designed mobile display units with four shelves, which can
Wanzl, the largest supplier of retail equipment in the UK, is calling on British retailers to inject some colour into their customers’ lives by introducing its brightly coloured plastic Tango trolleys to their stores. Following a €40m investment in Tango plastic
The Co-operative Food says it is getting into the festive spirit with a £10,000 party fund to give community groups and neighbourhoods across the UK the chance to win one of 100 Christmas parties. Local groups looking to organise festive
The Co-operative is launching a range of festive flowers and plants and claims it is perfectly placed for those looking to pick up a beautiful bouquet to treat that special someone this Christmas, or to brighten up the home with some
Spar is launching a range of own label Family Pies in its Tonight’s Tea range. According to the retailer, they are perfect for sharing on a cold night in. Made with British meat, the Chicken & Gravy and Steak &
A new shopping website designed to enable local, independent retailers to set up shop online is being launched today in the South West of England. MyHigh.St is the brainchild of former Marks & Spencer executive, Loaye Agabani, and mobile internet
A new film telling the story of the birth of the co-operative movement in Rochdale in 1844 is set for its TV premiere on 11 November 2012. The Rochdale Pioneers tells of the 28 men who battled a backdrop of poverty and
CollectPlus, the company that provides a parcel delivery and returns service through convenience stores, supermarkets and garages, reports it has now signed up 5,000 stores in its network. According to the company, 87% of the UK’s online shoppers are within
The Co-operative has chosen the young adult carers charity, Carers Trust, as its Charity of the Year, 2013. The charity was formed in April this year when The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care came together. It is now set
The Co-operative Food has launched a multi-million pound Christmas advertising campaign featuring a series of commercials, directed by Peter Cattaneo, the Oscar-nominated director of the film, The Full Monty. According to the retailer, the campaign marks a change in marketing
Spar UK is launching a 17-strong own label Italian foods range to meet customer demand for easy to create convenient meals. The Italian range, in store on 1 November 2012, will comprise four fresh pastas, two pasta sauces, four pizzas, five
The Co-operative Food is relaxing its rules to allow smaller or misshapen fruit and vegetables onto its shelves to help support British farmers and growers following one of the worst summers on record. The dreadful summer weather has devastated harvests
Plusfood is targeting its CHIXXS brand of frozen chicken snacks at convenience stores following a listing in wholesaler Palmer & Harvey. According to the company, the brand will bring innovation to time poor consumers who are looking for tasty, quality
The Co-operative Food is extending its ready-to-cook Eat In range with a selection of seven new products, which it claims provide great alternatives to home-cooked dishes. At the same time, the entire Eat In range is re-launching with a fresh
The Co-operative is introducing new self-checkout units in stores, which feature a hopper to allow cash shoppers to feed in coins and notes at the same time to save time at the checkout. About two thirds of the retailer’s customers
