All articles by Aidan Fortune
-
NewsSouthern Co-op staff volunteer to work on Christmas Day
Southern Co-op is to open 67 of its stores and forecourts on Christmas Day, following colleagues volunteering to work
-
NewsLocker use for festive parcels soars to 44% of shoppers
InPost UK research reveals a significant surge in parcel locker usage ahead of Christmas, with 44% of consumers planning to use the service for festive deliveries, up from 34% over the previous three months.
-
Product NewsCalypso adds new range and reformulates in brand push
King Juice Europe has announced an expansion strategy for its Calypso brand including a new line of sparkling zero-sugar lemonades and a formulation refresh
-
Product NewsCelsius launches four new zero sugar flavours in UK
Functional energy drink brand Celsius is launching four new zero sugar, fruit-forward flavours in the UK and Ireland from January 2026, including Sparkling Raspberry Peach and Sparkling Mango Lemonade.
-
Products In DepthTobacco, Vape & Next Generation: Consumer Education
The tobacco, vape and next generation category has undergone significant change following the disposable vape ban, with consumers transitioning to reusable devices and refill pods driving category growth despite ongoing confusion among shoppers
-
NewsGroceryAid looks to reach more grocery staff through rebrand
Industry charity GroceryAid has revealed new branding that aims to make more people in the sector aware of the support available
-
NewsEast of England Co-op adds Deli to Go offering
Hoping to target shoppers looking to purchase high-quality produce, experiment with flavours and try new foods, the ‘grab and go’ Deli To Go section are now open in stores across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex
-
NewsTout’s Group renews partnership with Co‑op Wholesale
Award‑winning forecourt operator Tout’s Group has renewed its long-term supply partnership with Co‑op Wholesale
-
NewsCrunch time: Maximising snacking sales through efficiencies
A PepsiCo category management trial at Spar Minster Lovell achieved 2% snacks sales growth by streamlining range complexity and improving fixture layout, proving even high-performing stores can benefit from expert guidance
-
NewsMusgrave acquires fresh supplier Delifresh
Irish retail and wholesale business Musgrave has acquired Bradford-based fresh produce supplier Delifresh as part of its strategy to strengthen its position in the premium foodservice sector across Great Britain
-
NewsLumina Intelligence Category Management & Insight Awards winners revealed
The winners of the inaugural Lumina Intelligence Category Management & Insight Awards have been unveiled
-
NewsNational Living Wage set to hit £12.71 per hour in April 2026
The Government has accepted the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations on the future rate of the National Living Wage
-
NewsGroceryAid Sporting Lunch raises more than a million for charity
The GroceryAid Sporting Lunch has helped raised £1,061,476 for the industry
-
Product NewsImperial Tobacco launches Zone nicotine pouch range
Zone nicotine pouches are available in five flavours
-
Products In DepthFive things you need to know about Christmas Soft Drinks
Christmas delivers huge opportunities for convenience retailers to drive soft drinks sales if they get their offering right
-
NewsCo-op to open 50 more stores by end of 2025
Co-op has announced plans to open more than 50 new or transformed stores across the UK before Christmas, including the first permanent retailer at Brent Cross Town and five new micro-format ‘on the go’ stores
-
NewsPolice and retailers unite for Safer Business Action Week
Police forces, Business Crime Reduction Partnerships and retailers across the UK are joining forces for Safer Business Action Week (10-16 October)
-
NewsACS warns against including glass in Welsh deposit return scheme
The Association of Convenience Stores has urged the Welsh Government to exclude glass from its proposed deposit return scheme, warning it would make the system “unnecessarily expensive” and create supply chain issues across the Wales-England border.
-
Product NewsWinter soft drinks sales opportunity revealed by Carlsberg Britvic
New research from Carlsberg Britvic reveals a significant opportunity for convenience retailers to drive soft drink sales during winter months by pairing beverages with hot food offerings
-
NewsInPost reports record UK quarter with parcel volumes tripling
InPost has delivered a record-breaking quarter in the UK with parcel volumes tripling year-on-year to 80.2m, while domestic revenue surged 307% as the company’s out-of-home network expanded to over 17,000 points