Read what’s happening in the convenience & independent retail space. Who are the latest innovators & winners in this marginalised retail sector?
Spar has opened a new service station and store in Alnwick, Northumbria, In collaboration with Northumbrian Fuel Services. The store is reported to have been fitted out to the highest standards with Paul Abbott, a director of Northumbrian Fuel, describing
Scotmid Co-operative has signed a deal with WiFi provider The Cloud to install high-speed public WiFi in a number of stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland. From this summer, customers of Scotmid Co-operative will be able to use the free
Spar Austria is planning to open 50 forecourt stores in partnership with Shell Austria by 2013. The move follows a trial of two Spar Express forecourt stores in Wattens (Tyrol) and Feldkirch (Vorarlberg) in summer 2011. Spar Austria plans to
Latest grocery market share figures from the IGD may suggest subdued growth compared to previous years, but the future for global retailers may be brighter than it appears, according to new research from TCC, a leader in retail marketing programmes.
Spar UK has launched promotions in 2,200 of its stores across the country, in support of British Food Fortnight, which kicked off on Friday (27 July 2012). Spar retailers have been sent a British Food Fortnight POS pack including lollipop
One year on from the launch of One Careplast Plasters into The Co-operative Food and Pharmacy stores nationwide, the three A-Level students behind the “One Big Idea” have travelled to Malawi to see the difference that has been made from the sales
The People’s Supermarket is teaming up with Spar to help secure the future for the central London co-operative supermarket. Under the partnership agreement, Spar wholesaler and retailer, AF Blakemore, will become the main wholesale grocery supplier for The People’s Supermarket; alongside
Sale-based Nisa retailer, Patidar, is converting a run-down public house into a standalone convenience store. Funding to support the development has been provided by Barclays with a £600,000 term loan. Patidar is a group of convenience stores operating in the Sale
Developing strong partnerships was the key theme at this year’s AF Blakemore Spar conference on 12 June 2012. Opening the conference, group managing director Peter Blakemore spoke of the success of the Capper/Blakemore integration and detailed how the two separate companies had become
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
