Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

The latest c-channel performance figures are in

The latest c-channel performance figures are in

Wholesale and convenience data experts TWC Group, reports the latest sales performance for 13 weeks to 9 July 2023, from its SmartView Convenience market read for independent convenience retail and wholesaler-supplied symbol stores in GB.

The latest data reports a strong value performance for impulse categories, including soft drinks (+15.7 per cent), confectionery (+19.8 per cent) and crisps, snacks & nuts (+21.0 per cent). Total sales through the channel grew +5.0 per cent in value terms for the 13 w/e 09 July 2023.


“Despite very tough trading conditions, value sales through the independent convenience channel increased by five per cent in the last 13 weeks, driven by strong growth across impulse categories, with a particularly stellar performance in the last four weeks due to the warm weather,” said Tom Fender, Development Director at TWC.

“Tobacco sales declined three per cent but the category remains a huge footfall driver and sales of vape continue to expand rapidly. We’ve also seen modest growth coming through beers and lagers despite continued promotional activity in the supermarkets.”

More for you

Supermarkets under fire over 'race to bottom' vegetable price war

iStock image

Supermarkets under fire over 'race to bottom' vegetable price war

Farmers have slammed supermarkets over their practice of slashing the cost of vegetables to lure Christmas shoppers, saying that heavy discounting can impact consumer expectations about the real value of British produce.

Around Christmas, most supermarket giants, even upmarket chains Waitrose and Marks & Spencer, cut the price of festive basics by at least half at their busiest time of year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office renews Fujitsu deal; Scandal's oldest victim slams 'paltry' compensation

Post Office renews Fujitsu deal; Scandal's oldest victim slams 'paltry' compensation

Post Office has signed a one-year contract extension with Japanese tech giant Fujitsu to run Horizon until March 2026, dumping its replacement after setbacks caused costs to skyrocket to as much as £2 billion.

The in-house New Branch IT system (NBIT) was supposed to be finished by March 2024 at an initial cost of £200m over three years. However, difficulties in its development led to expensive delays.

Keep ReadingShow less
M&S given green light to demolish flagship Oxford Street store

(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

M&S given green light to demolish flagship Oxford Street store

Marks & Spencer has finally been given the green light to knock down its the 1920s art deco Oxford Street store.

After a three-year legal battle, housing secretary, Angela Rayner, ruled on Thursday (5) that the plans of demolition could go ahead.

Keep ReadingShow less
Parfetts recognises best in convenience retail

Parfetts recognises best in convenience retail

Go Local retailers from across the UK gathered in Manchester to celebrate the best in convenience retail at the wholesaler’s annual Retailer Awards.

The event highlights retailers that go above and beyond and their commitment to community involvement, digital innovation, and outstanding customer service. Award judges commended the exceptional quality and high number of entries.

The regional winners on the night included Sathiyarekha Sabaratnam of Go Local Extra in Crewe (North West winner), Aimee and Raf Kaldani of Go Local Extra in Redcar (North East), Andy Robinson of Go Local Extra Summer Lane in Barnsley (Yorkshire and Humber), Rizwan Rafiq of Go Local Extra Sandyford Stores in Stoke (Midlands and South), and Mike Fletcher, Go Local Extra in Oxton, Merseyside (North Wales and Wirral).

Andy Campbell of Go Local Extra in Cheadle won the Retail Execution of the Year, and Anil Velji of The Local in Walmersley, Bury, was crowned Digital Retailer of the Year.

Best Newcomer was announced as Jeevan Chatha of Go Local Extra in Southowram, Halifax. The Most Improved Store accolade was awarded to Ellis and Max Bashir of The Local Saltersgill in Middlesbrough.

Guy Swindell, joint managing director of Parfetts, commented: “Now, as an annual highlight in the retail calendar, our awards get bigger every year and provide an excellent opportunity to bring together retailers from around the country and celebrate the industry. The standards for retailers and suppliers continue to increase, and we take pride in contributing to their success and helping them reach their objectives.

“We’ve had an outstanding past 12 months, which has seen the business go from strength to strength, surpassing last year’s record turnover and welcoming more retailers to Go Local than ever before. Together, we have much to be proud of, and the awards provide the perfect platform to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our team members, retailers, and suppliers.”

The awards also recognised innovative and retailer-focused suppliers. Heineken won Go Local NPD of the Year – licenced for Cruzcampo. The Go Local NPD of the Year – Non-Licenced went to PepsiCo Walkers for its Extra Flamin' Hot snack range.

Diageo was named Retail Store and Digital Activation of the Year – Licenced for the Guinness campaign, and Kellanova won Retail Store and Digital Activation of the Year—Non-Licenced for Cheez-It.

Own Label Supplier of the Year Licenced was awarded to Westons for the Darwins Fox wine range. Aston Manor won Own Label Supplier of the Year Non-Licenced for Zenergy Power, while George Marriott from Asahi UK was named Most Engaged Account Manager Licenced. The Most Engaged Account Manager Non-Licenced was awarded jointly to Brian Penkethman of AG Barr and Lucy Dickinson of Suntory.

Budweiser Brewing Group was awarded Go Local Supplier of the Year Licenced for the second successive year, while Nestle Confectionery was awarded Go Local Supplier of the Year Non-Licenced.

Depot Takeover of the Year – Licenced was awarded to Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company for Kronenbourg 1664 Biere, while Depot Takeover of the Year—Non-Licenced was presented to joint winners PepsiCo Walkers for Doritos and Britvic for Pepsi.

Parfetts operates the fast-growing Go Local symbol group and retail club with over 1,300 stores and one of the largest retail clubs with over 5,000 members. It operates across the North, Midlands, South East and Wales through a national logistics network, digital channels and eight wholesale depots.

Parfetts is an employee-owned business, and its employees play a significant role in the company's and its retailers' success.

Public urged to support Small Business Saturday

Public urged to support Small Business Saturday

The public is being urged to show support for small businesses this weekend as Small Business Saturday returns with a mission to deliver a vital boost for firms heading into another challenging winter.

Amid reports of falling small business confidence, research from the campaign found the festive season could deliver a lifeline for small businesses, with over £20 billion estimated to be spent by UK households over the "Golden Quarter" – the peak season from October to post-Christmas sales.

Keep ReadingShow less