Bedford retailer Kashif Jaffar has won the Convenience Chain of the Year award at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards ceremony held on 5 November at London's Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel.
Jaffar is a serial retail entrepreneur who has built a highly successful chain of convenience stores across the south-east of England.
He started out with a single store in 1994 and gradually built a chain of stores. Jaffar believes that multiple stores enables him to manage costs more effectively and strike better deals. Most important of all though, he says, is the team, who he empowers to take ownership of the stores and drive sales and profit through enthusiastic and sincere customer service.
Jaffar built a chain of 13 stores before selling seven to the Co-op. His remaining tally of eight operates under the Welcome banner of Southern Co-Op. He runs the business with his brother and they also run Costa and Pizza Hut franchises, which they say is the perfect balance, allowing them to devote their attention to ambience and merchandising detail, such as outstanding displays at the entrance and enticing impulse baskets by the checkouts.
Jonathan Reynolds speaks at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds attended as chief guest at the ceremony, which celebrated excellence in convenience retail across the UK. The event marked its 35th anniversary this year, continuing its tradition of recognising outstanding achievements in the sector.
Speaking at the event, Shefali Solanki-Nair, associate publisher of Asian Trader, highlighted the crucial role of convenience retailers in local communities, amidst the many challenges facing the sector.
“With rising energy costs, inflation, and changes in taxation, many retailers are feeling the pinch more than ever. It’s a tough environment for convenience retailers who are already working with narrow margins while striving to offer exceptional service and products,” she said.
“These challenges are daunting, but the ability to adapt and innovate speaks volumes about retailer’s character and dedication.”
Attendees at the 2024 Asian Trader Awards
Noted impressionist Rory Bremner hosted the event, which also saw 15 other retailers being honoured in different categories, including Shaan and Arshan Chaudry of Costcutter, Triple A Foodstore in Nuneaton, who won the top prize, Asian Trader of the Year.
Bestway Sher Depot, Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow won the Wholesale Depot of the Year award. Six new product launches from the last year, voted for by the retailers, were also feted.
Ramniklal Solanki Editor’s Award, instituted in the memory of Ramniklal Solanki CBE, founder of Asian Media Group, went to the sub postmasters and mistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal. Seema Misra and Vijay Parekh collected the award, representing them.
The event also raised funds for Lepra, a charity that support people affected by leprosy.
Winners of the 2024 Asian Trader Awards
Winners List
Ram Solanki Award For Excellence in Convenience and Wholesale: Sub postmasters and mistresses caught up in the Post Office Horizon scandal
Product and Manufacturer Awards
Snack Brand of the Year: McCoy's Epic Eats (KP Snacks)
Soft Drinks Brand of the Year: Coca Cola Lemon (CCEP)
Confectionery Brand of the Year: Cadbury Starbar Duo (Mondelez International)
Vape and Next Generation Brand of the Year: Blu Bar Pod (Imperial Brands)
Lager, Beer and Cider Brand of the Year: Birra Moretti Sale di Mare (Heineken)
Grocery Brand of the Year: McVitie’s Signature (pladis)
Asian Trader Awards 2024
Responsible Retailer of the Year supported by Imperial Brands: Priyesh Vekaria, One Stop Carlton Convenience, Salford, Manchester
Wholesale Depot of the Year supported by Tilda: Bestway Sher Depot, Kilbirnie Street, Glasgow
Convenience Chain of the Year: Kashif Jaffar, Southern Co-op Bromham Stores, Bromham, Bedford
Best smokeless alternatives Retailer of the year supported by VELO: Prashant and Trupti Patel, One Stop Brockworth in Gloucester
Bakery Retailer of the Year supported by Warburtons: Jess Read and Gary Hunt, Budgens of Holt, Norfolk
Next Gen Award: Harman Puni, HP Convenience Premier, Chesterfield
World Food Retailer Award supported by Tropical Sun: Reji Thomas & Siddique Chenganakattil, Essentials Supermarket, Bedford
Independent Retailer of the Year supported by Booker: Jenarthen Saravanamuthu, Premier Rassau Stores, Ebbw Vale, South Wales
Food to Go Retailer of the Year supported by KP Snacks: Priyesh Patel, Londis, Stoke Newington, London
Spirit of the Community Award supported by Mondelez International: Amarjit Singh Rakhra, Budgens Pomeroy Street, London
Symbol Retailer of the Year supported by Bestway: Kersheaup Vagadia, Costcutter Kearsley, Bolton
Off Licence of the Year supported by Molson Coors (Cobra): Pradeep Thangaraj, Wine Rack, Bicester, Oxford
Impulse Retailer of the Year supported by pladis: Bharat Khunti, Shivom Convenience Go Local, Nuneaton
Tobacco Retailer Award supported by JTI: Suresh Arulanantham, My Costcutter Murco, Rye, East Sussex
Local Hero Award: Nathalie Kaur, One Stop Partick Convenience Store, Glasgow
Businesswoman of the Year supported by Philip Morris Ltd: Sue Nithyanadan, Costcutter, Epsom, Surrey
Asian Trader of the Year: Shaan and Arshan Chaudry, Costcutter, Triple A Foodstore, Nuneaton, Warwickshire
Local councils across the UK have been handed new powers to tackle the scourge of empty shops as High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs) took effect on Monday (2 December).
Local authorities will be able to auction off leases for commercial properties that have been empty for long periods, with the HSRAs creating a ‘right to rent’ for businesses and community groups, giving them access to city, town and village centre sites.
The changes will stop disengaged landlords sitting on empty lots for more than 365 days in a 24-month period, before councils can auction a one-to-five year lease.
The government has committed over £1m in funding to support the auction process, which is expected to create jobs for local people and boost trade by bringing local businesses back to the heart of the communities.
“Small businesses need our support and that’s why we are creating a ‘right to rent’ so that high street lots that have been left empty for far too long can be brought back to life,” local growth minister Alex Norris said.
“We want shops and shoppers back on the high street – and that’s what these changes will help to bring.”
Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds added: “Empty shop premises that gather dust aren’t doing any good to high streets, jobs and the economy. This is why we said we’d lift the shutters, and today we are delivering on that promise.
“Paired with the wider small business strategy to tackle late payments, getting more SMEs exporting, and boosting access to finance, we are unashamedly backing small firms, to get more people into well paid jobs and help grow our economy.”
The government has announced that four local authorities will lead the way as Early Adopters of the new high streets powers. Bassetlaw, Darlington and Mansfield councils will set an example for other local authorities across England, while Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council will join the Early Adopters programme in an advisory role as critical friends.
Additional local authorities have been invited to join the programme at a later stage.
Originally introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023, the High Street Rental Auctions powers came into force after legislation was laid in November. Before putting a property to a rental auction, a local authority must first seek to resolve the vacancy by engaging with the landlord.
The changes come ahead of Small Business Saturday this week, and the business secretary kicked off a week of activity ahead of the event by visiting several small businesses in and around Walthamstow High Street in North-East London.
Broadcaster and DJ Mollie King surprised shoppers and staff at independent homeware and giftware boutique, Lark in Southfields with an impromptu DJ set to launch American Express presents Small Business Saturday Sessions.
The star, whose partner is a small business owner, is the headline act for Small Business Saturday Sessions, which will see performances in London, Manchester and Birmingham on Small Business Saturday (7 December), an initiative of which American Express is founder and principal supporter.
Launched in 2013, the day takes place on the first Saturday in December each year.
The Sessions, created to celebrate small businesses and the important role they play in the communities, will include another DJ set from Mollie at Lark Southfields, as well as performances from Amex Unsigned artists, singer Kianja who will be performing at Unagi Manchester and singer songwriter Riya Gadher at café Kilo Ziro in Birmingham.
To book a complimentary ticket to attend Mollie King’s set at Lark Southfields, guests should head to https://small-business-saturday-sessions.eventbrite.com to secure a spot. Attendees to the Manchester and Birmingham performances can do so by booking a table directly with the host venue.
Mollie King at Lark
Small Business Saturday Sessions forms part of American Express Shop Small, a long-running campaign which aims to support small businesses by encouraging the nation to champion their local high street and enjoy the benefits of ‘shopping small’, whatever their budget.
“I know firsthand how much hard work and care goes into running a small business, so I am proud to be a part of the American Express presents Small Business Saturday Sessions this year,” Mollie King, Amex Shop Small Ambassador said.
“Local independent shops are often places that bring communities together and I can’t wait to perform again at Lark.”
Dan Edelman, VP & UK general manager, Merchant Services at American Express, said: “As founder and principal supporter of Small Business Saturday, we are delighted to add American Express presents Small Business Saturday Sessions to offer a new way to celebrate this important moment in the year. Small businesses are the heartbeat of our communities and we hope these events, as part of our ongoing Shop Small campaign, shine a spotlight on independent businesses and inspire people to get out and show their support.”
With the Scottish budget looming, leaders across retail, hospitality and tourism are calling for targeted measures to alleviate financial pressures and support the sectors' recovery amid rising costs and regulatory demands.
Stuart McCallum, head of consumer markets in Scotland at RSM UK, highlighted the strain on businesses due to increasing costs from regulations, employers’ National Insurance hikes, and the persistent burden of business rates. He warned that without intervention, these challenges could force businesses to pass costs onto consumers or face unsustainable employment costs.
“A permanent lowering of the [business] rate would not only ease the burden on retailers and hospitality operators, but offer a competitive advantage against counterparts across the rest of the UK,” McCallum said.
He also urged the Scottish government to reconsider income tax policy, warning that higher tax rates could drive talent away and reduce consumer spending.
“They could even go a step further and increase income tax thresholds in line with inflation, particularly to relieve financial pressures on lower and middle income earners. With increased consumer confidence comes an increase in spending, which the industry would hugely welcome,” McCallum added.
David Lonsdale, director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said the budget should be “unambiguously pro-business” to ease burden on the retail sector which is in a precarious state.
“Economic growth is weak, retail sales are flatlining, and shopper footfall has fallen. This reinforces the need for an unambiguously pro-business Scottish Budget which injects much needed confidence into the economy, prioritises competitive taxes, and which avoids piling extra costs onto retailers who are still reeling from the chancellor’s increase to employers’ National Insurance contributions,” Lonsdale said.
Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance, echoed the need for urgent financial relief.
“Tourism and hospitality businesses are telling us loud and clear they need to see measures that will immediately ease the financial burden on them and that will directly support the sector to grow and be more competitive,” Crothall added.
“The tourism and hospitality sector has felt overlooked in recent years as a key economic driver. We must see a budget that protects, restores and invests to have long-term success.”
The Scottish budget for 2025 to 2026 will be presented on 4 December.
A good majority of young shoppers prefer shopping at independent retailers, with many even willing to pay extra, states a recent report.
According to a survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by global online wholesale marketplace and Bira partner Faire, a majority of people aged 18-27 prefer the "personal touch" of an independent store, with 40 per cent of the Gen Z age group also most inclined to avoid chain stores for indie retailers.
74 per cent of Gen Z shoppers prefer shopping at independent retailers, with 62 per cent willing to pay more at indie shops. Among the items most likely to be purchased from independent shops by Gen Z, according to the survey, were clothing (29 per cent), gifts (23 per cent), and home décor or homewares (17 per cent).
The survey also found that a large majority (82 per cent) of adults think their high street needs reviving, with 40 per cent believing more independent shops are key to bringing it back to life.
The survey, carried out through OnePoll, reports that over half of all adults surveyed (56 per cent) cite the cost of living as the main factor driving them to bigger chain stores, while over a quarter (27 per cent) state that they shop at independent retailers more frequently than they did two years ago.
Charlotte Broadbent, UK general manager at Faire, said, “The independent retailers we work with at Faire tell us that it’s often their youngest shoppers who most value the uniqueness and personal touch that independent stores offer over larger retailers.
"The fact they’re also prepared to pay extra for products sold by independent stores shows just how strongly they feel and how optimistic we should be for the growth of the independent retail sector in years to come.”
Charlotte added, “The number of people who want to see local high streets thriving again is huge, and we believe that supporting independent businesses is key to making this happen because they offer so many unique products and experiences that bigger retailers can’t.”
Food sales edged up in the three months to November as more shoppers plan to increase spending this Christmas, shows industry data released today (3).
According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC), the industry lobby group, and KPMG, the consultancy, retail sales slid by 3.3 per cent last month, down from growth of 0.6 per cent in October.
Food sales increased 2.4 per cent year on year over the three months to November, against a growth of 7.6 per cent in November 2023. This is below the 12-month average growth of 3.7 per cent. For the month of November, Food was in growth year-on-year.
Commenting on the figures, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive at the British Retail Consortium, said, “While it was undoubtedly a bad start to the festive season, the poor spending figures were primarily down to the movement of Black Friday into the December figures this year.
"Even so, low consumer confidence and rising energy bills have clearly dented non-food spending. Spending on fashion was particularly weak as households delayed purchases of new winter clothing, while health spending was boosted by the season’s arrival of coughs and colds.
“Retailers will be hoping that seasonal spending is delayed not diminished and that customers get spending in the remaining weeks running up to Christmas. If not, retailers will be feeling the squeeze from both sides as reduced revenues are met with huge additional costs next year.
"The Budget, as well as the introduction of new packaging levies, will cost retailers over £7 billion extra next year. How effectively the government works the industry to mitigate these costs will determine the extent of price rises and job losses in the future.”
Commenting on food and drink sector, Sarah Bradbury, CEO, IGD, said, “Post-October Budget, shoppers have likely noticed the media reaction from businesses, but this hasn’t significantly shifted their behaviour.
"November’s grocery market performance shows year-on-year growth in both value and volume. IGD’s latest research highlights signs of festive cheer, with 5 per cent more shoppers than last year (41 per cent vs 36 per cent in 2023) planning to spend what they want this Christmas.
"However, despite this uplift, it's unlikely to be a bumper Christmas for all, as many remain focused on budgeting. The festive optimism is there, but the underlying caution means spending will still be influenced by economic pressures, especially on out-of-home activities.”
Linda Ellett, UK Head of Consumer, Retail & Leisure, KPMG, said, “Along with the cold snap at the end of the month, retail sales also went into minus numbers for November.
“An upturn in health product buying also signalled that the winter months had arrived and, along with food and drink, was one of very few categories to see in-store or online sales growth.
“While the majority of November’s data tells a disappointing tale for the retail sector, this reporting didn’t include Black Friday week, so the hope for retailers is that consumers were being savvy shoppers and that the promotional push in the last days of the month saw held-back consumer spend materialise and mitigate what is otherwise a disappointing month. If not, then we may see some retailers launching Christmas sales early.”