Read what’s happening in the convenience & independent retail space. Who are the latest innovators & winners in this marginalised retail sector?
The Co-operative has won two gold awards for an own brand vintage Champagne and is celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a Champagne offer. The Co-operative Les Pionniers 2004 Champagne, which is available in Co-operative food stores across the UK and is named
The Co-operative is kicking off Euro 2012 (8 June 2012) with a range of deals on food and drink to help shoppers enjoy Europe’s biggest football tournament. They include a three-for-£10.00 deal available on a selection of products, including The Co-operative Truly
Spar wholesaler and retailer, AF Blakemore, has relaunched its shopfitting business, Complete Shopfitting, as Blakemore Design & Shopfitting. According to the company, the rebranding heralds a new era of design innovation, workmanship and great customer service. Operating under a new
Sports and energy drinks brand Emerge is offering independent retailers an opportunity to win their own two-week billboard advertisement, close to their shop. Rewarding current stockists, and enticing new customers to the brand, the prize draw will run from 23 April
Premium Somerset meat brand, field&flower, has won a listing in award-winning Spar Walthamstow and is looking to expand to other independent food shops and delis in 2012. The move follows success for the monthly meat box scheme, established by James
Spar Kincaidston in Ayr is ensuring its local primary school’s ‘Cooking Bus’ Initiative will carry on for at least another two years. The initiative is one of two, designed to engage children in the skills and knowledge required to make healthy
The Co-operative Food has added new main course products to its own-brand ready-to-cook Eat In range. The Eat In range provides pre-prepared meat, poultry and fish main course products, plus ready-made vegetable side dishes that are easy to cook. New main dishes
Spar retailer and wholesaler AF Blakemore has been presented with a certificate of appreciation for its ongoing support of the Poppy Appeal by The Royal British Legion. The certificate presentation (11 April 2012) was arranged by The Royal British Legion
The Co-operative claims it is helping couples enjoy an Italian meal at home, with a new two-course meal deal for only £5.00. From 18 April to 8 May 2012 inclusive, customers can pick up a sharing-size main meal, side dish
Award-winning Walthamstow Spar and its neighbouring Eat 17 restaurant have launched Bacon Jam – a cult condiment, which the duo claim will get foodies’ pulses racing country-wide. Described as a delicious, addictive snack in its own right; the versatile relish,
Spar UK is offering six young people the opportunity to travel the world and report back on Spar in countries all over the world – 14 countries in four continents in four months – via social media. The See the World with
Retail Times editor, Fiona Briggs, talks to David Martin, joint managing director at brand design agency, M Worldwide, about future retail trends Brand design agency, M Worldwide, has a hawk-eye view of the latest retail trends and concepts. The business
Spar is partnering with website Very.co.uk in a voucher offer, which it claims will help boost income for retailers and reward their customers. The move follows trials at the end of last year with Very.co.uk and Vista Print. In the
Torex, a leading global provider of innovative technology to the retail, hospitality and convenience and fuel markets, is introducing a new e-learning system for its convenience and fuel customers. According to the company, it will ensure retailers are up-to-date with
The Co-operative is extending its own label ready meal range and claims the new products provide cost-conscious shoppers with a great-value alternative to a pricy evening out. Launching on 2 May 2012, the new lines include: Truly Irresistible Beef Bourguignon
National Lottery operator Camelot has recognised Spar retailers for raising a total £1.2bn for National Lottery good causes since the National Lottery was launched in 1994. Spar received two special awards in the shape of Milestone Achievement plaques from Camelot
Spar is reopening its Romsley, Worcestershire, store next week after a five-month demolition and re-build project. The store will open on 6 March 2012 with an official launch taking place on 10 March 2012 at 12pm. To celebrate the store
In his regular column for Retail Times, Simon Chinn, lead consultant at retail research agency, Conlumino, reviews the new U Express LM format in France, which marries the U Express convenience chain of Systeme U with the discount ranges of
The Co-operative Food is launching a money-saving promotion with iTunes to target Mother’s Day (18 March 2012). From 7 March – 3 April 2012 inclusive, Co-operative shoppers looking to treat their mums will be able to save £3.00 on the
Spar UK is launching its second national Cider Event in stores following the success of its debut promotion in August 2011. From 8-28 March 2012, Spar will be running the cider promotion in stores across England, Scotland and Wales. According to
Spar Austria has signed actress and part-time vegetarian Gwyneth Paltrow as the promotional face of its new vegetarian private label, Spar Veggie. According to Spar, the partnership follows the success of celebrity campaigns with Marcia Cross, Cindy Crawford, Heidi Klum,
The Co-operative Food claims it is putting its weight behind Fairtrade Fortnight 2012 (27 February-11 March 2012), with a host of offers on Fairtrade food and wine. The retailer is encouraging its customers to “take a step for Fairtrade” by offering
Spar retailer Jackie Jones is playing host to the Olympic Flame in her store in Skipton, North Yorkshire, tomorrow (10 February 2012). Olympic Torch Relay sponsors Coca Cola are staging a series of promotions in the countdown to the 2012
Spar UK is aiming to increase its wine sales by 15% this year with the launch of its third annual Wine Festival in March 2012. According to Spar, the in-store promotional campaign will build on the success of last year’s
A Co-operative Food customer is celebrating the start of 2012 with a new car, after winning the food retailer’s Best of British competition. Paula Jones, from Beighton, near Sheffield, won a Union Jack-branded Mini Cooper, after buying potatoes in her
