The Convenience Mix: Recent Episodes
William Reed Business Media
The Convenience Mix is the four-weekly podcast dedicated to the UK convenience retail market. Brought to you by the market leaders in data, coverage and insight, Conveniencestore.co.uk, Lumina Intelligence and The Grocer - the podcast focuses on specific trends impacting the sector, sharing the latest data, news and insight to give retailers, suppliers and wholesalers the information needed to support business critical decisions.
The Convenience Mix is back for a very special episode dedicated to the rising cost of living crisis. In this episode, our experts look at the impact of the rising cost of living on shopper behaviour across the UK convenience retail market. We share tips on how retailers can mitigate the challenges around rising costs, the government support that is needed and how wholesalers can and are working with retailers and suppliers. We also here from two special guests to get the view of wholesalers and retailers on how they are dealing with the pressures of trading in the current economic climate – Dawood Pervez, Managing Director at Bestway Wholesale and independent retailer, Chaz Chahal.
Episode twelve – Brexit: Where Are We And What's Next? - sees our experts look at the impact of Brexit on the UK convenience sector, both short and long-term. Since the UK decided to vote to leave the EU back in 2016, the issue has dominated headlines and remained on top of business agendas. The situation has changed so many times since the referendum and even at the start of 2022, the parameters for trading changed again. To help provide some clarity on where the UK is at in terms of trading with its EU neighbours, we also hear from chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation Shane Brennan...
Episode eleven – UK Convenience Retail in 2022 – sees our experts look to the year ahead and highlight three trends, using the Lumina Intelligence Future of Retail 2022 Report, that we believe will impact UK convenience retail in 2022 and beyond. These trends are La Dolce Vita - the demand for treating during recessionary periods, Radical Transparency - consumer/brand relationships going beyond the transactional and Net-Hero - the rise of sustainability-led consumers and the demands they place on retailers. Throughout, we hear from sector leaders, including David Charman of Spar Parkfoot, Chris Noice of ACS, Michael Fletcher of The Co-op and Anila Anwar of Costcutter Sandy Hill Road...
Episode ten – The Recipe For Plant-Based Success – sees our experts unpick the ever-growing trend towards plant-based consumption. How much has the plant-based category grown in recent years? Has this been impacted by the pandemic? What exciting products have hit the market recently? Where should retailers start when entering the plant-based category? What are the opportunities this Christmas, particularly with turkey shortages hitting headlines? We also catch up with Thea Brook, Founder of The Brook: Plant-Based Feasting. Thea discusses the growth of plant-based, why it is so important to driving footfall, the different options available to retailers when merchandising the category and her advice for retailers starting out in the plant-based category...
Episode nine - Stocking Up For Christmas - sees our experts tackle the upcoming festive period. One of the most important trading periods for the convenience sector, however it hasn't come without its challenges over recent times. 2020 saw Christmas plans thrown out the window, as travel restrictions were imposed at the last minute and some regions entered local lockdowns. With shoppers keen to make up for lost time, we analyse the opportunities for convenience this coming Christmas. How do we expect shoppers to behave? What are the key categories to be stocking? How will the HGV driver shortage impact supply? When do we expect to see shoppers start purchasing food and drink for Christmas? We also catch up with Susan Connolly, Sales & Marketing Director at Connolly Spar to understand her plans for the festive period and her expectations versus a very different 2020...
Episode eight - A Healthy Approach To HFSS - sees our experts analyse the upcoming HFSS legislation that is due to be implemented in October 2022. What store types does the legislation apply to? What challenges are on the horizon? What are the opportunities for retailers and brands? How might suppliers react to the legislation? What support and teamwork is necessary? Our hosts also discuss the introduction of new legislation to protect retail workers in Scotland and challenge why similar measures have not been introduced in England, Northern Ireland and Wales...
Episode seven - Reviving Food To Go - sees our experts turn their attention on food to go within UK convenience retail. They analyse the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK food to go market, the potential impact that new HFSS legislation could have, the differences in shopper behaviour between city centre and suburban locations and best-in-class examples from across the sector. We also discuss the surprise announcement that Sainsbury's has decided to close down its wholesale business...
Episode six – Tech in Convenience: What's Next? – sees our experts focus on the role of technology within the UK convenience retail market. What technology should every convenience store retailer be using? How can technology be tailored to a variety of different budgets? What are the challenges and opportunities posed by tech enhancements across the sector? In addition, we are delighted to be joined by Richard Inglis, Director of Parkview Retail Ltd. Richard owns three Welcome stores in Southampton and shares his experiences of using technology within his stores...
Episode five – Sustainability: Being Green in 2021 – sees our experts focus on the ever-growing trend towards sustainability and the expectations that shoppers place on grocery retailers to play their part. Within this episode, we discuss the advantages and barriers of refill stores, veganism, deposit return schemes, 10p carrier bags and the impact of the pandemic on sustainability. In addition, we are delighted to be joined by Michael Fletcher, Commercial Director at The Co-op. Michael discusses the importance of sustainability at The Co-op and the different measures that they have introduced....
Episode four – Caring For The Community – sees our experts focus on community engagement and the opportunities available to convenience store retailers. Convenience stores are often at the heart of local communities, so they know what the key issues are and, more importantly, how they can help. In this episode, we look at the benefits of stepping up community engagement and are delighted to be joined by 2020 Community Retailer of the Year at The Convenience Awards, Faraz Iqbal of Premier Linktown Local to discuss the important work he does in his local area.
Episode three – Low2No Alcohol: The Untapped Opportunity – sees our experts take a deep dive into the growing low and no alcohol category. Is Low2No the future of drinking? How far can the category go? Where do the opportunities lie for convenience store retailers? What do shoppers want to see from the category? What are the barriers to purchasing the category? As well as sharing their own views and experiences, our experts are joined by Daniel Woolfson, Food & Drink Editor at The Grocer and Chris Miller, Chief Operating Officer at JW Filshill to get a holistic view of the category and how retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers are adapting.
Episode two – Delving into Delivery – sees our experts unpick the convenience store home delivery trend. How have retailers embraced home delivery? What challenges have they had to overcome? Which categories offer the biggest opportunities? Will delivery continue to grow post-lockdown? What can we expect for the future of convenience store home delivery? They also speak exclusively to Amrit Pahal of Nisa Local High Heath, an independent retail with a thriving delivery offering to get his perspective and opinion
It’s the first ever episode of The Convenience Mix podcast. To kick us off, our experts focus on the legacies of 2020, including the suburban migration, online revolution and the recessionary revival. How will each of these trends shape UK convenience retail in 2021? What will the impact be on shopper behaviour? And what are the opportunities for retailers? They also briefly reflect on the news of Bestway acquiring Costcutter and the repercussions for the industry. Listen now to find out…