Read what’s happening in the convenience & independent retail space. Who are the latest innovators & winners in this marginalised retail sector?
The ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) is calling on the Low Pay Commission to recommend a freeze in the National Minimum Wage (NMW) after 1 October 2010 claiming two in five convenience stores have laid off or not replaced
Morrisons, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket, is to trial a new convenience format in the first half of 2011. The retailer is also investigating the opportunities for Morrisons online – it is the only grocery retailer in the top four,
Spar UK has posted a 3.1% sales increase in the three months to end July 2010, lifted by the trend to shop locally and growth in sales of own brand products, fresh food and wine. Spar said its 2,583 stores
The Co-operative has scooped the Best Sausage award at the annual SuperMeat & Fish Awards. The prize was awarded to the retailer for its own-brand Truly Irresistible Gluten Free Sausages. The SuperMeat & Fish Awards aim to reward excellence in
Spar wholesaler AF Blakemore is investing £1m to reduce the wholesale prices of volume lines including milk, Fosters/Carling cans, granulated sugar and Red Bull. According to Blakemore, the savings are worth on average £5,000 per annum per store and build
Henderson Group, owner of the Spar, Eurospar, Vivo and Vivoxtra retail brands in Northern Ireland, has reported strong sales growth in 2009, despite tough economic conditions. Compared to 2008, sales increased by 11% to £500m last year. Ron Whitten,
The Co-operative is running a promotion with iTunes to target Father’s Day gifts. From 7-20 June 2010 inclusive, Co-operative customers will be able to save £5.00 on the purchase of £25 iTunes gift cards in over 500 stores nationwide. According
Spar (UK) is spending more than £2m on promotional support to help retailers back the world’s biggest sporting events this summer. Throughout June and July this, Spar retailers across the UK will support the World Cup, European Athletics Championships and
Spar has launched the Change4Life healthy living campaign at its Filton Avenue, Bristol, store. It is the first convenience store in the south west of England promoting the initiative, which is designed to help families achieve and maintain a healthier
Retailers who play background music in their stores will be able to reclaim up to £20m in overpaid fees after an appeal from the music licensing body PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) was rejected by the high court. The Copyright Tribunal
The Co-operative Group has teamed up with Hallmark Cards to raise money for the 2010 Variety Club Gold Hearts Appeal Valentine’s Day. Five pence from the sale of every Hallmark Valentine’s card sold in Co-operative stores will go directly to
Spar wholesaler, AF Blakemore (AFB), and the retailers it supplies are gearing up for 2010 following a series of road shows. More than 125 retailers attended four regional events to discuss current industry forecasts and AFB’s plans to help retailers
