The Voice of Independent Retailers
Symbol Supplement
What’s yours?
Brit Corner Shop
Phoenix rising!
7th March to 20th March 2025
Volume 37 No. 959
Data Cart
Smoke without fire Beer
Is less better?
Delivery
Pushing it out
27
Strong start of 2025 for retailers
as food stores sales volume rises
Wholesale
Lager, Beer and Cider
17
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4 NEWS
Leader: Up and down like Tower Bridge
Strong start of 2025 for retailers as food stores
sales
Community group calls to boycott ‘anti-social’
self-checkouts
Specialty wholesaler spending ‘fortune’ to
combat rising crime
Council urges retailers to ‘act now’ as
disposable vape ban looms
Retail sales surge in January despite stormy
weather
M&S chief slams government for raiding
retail ‘like piggybank’
Extreme weather may lead to volatile food
prices
Over £663m paid to Post Office Horizon
victims, says government
Guest column: Trends in gin – how to build
your range
Guest column: The High Street Crisis – How
Many More Warnings Does Government
Need?
9 MOVERS AND SHAKERS
Keeping up with the latest industry moves
and promotions
10 NEWS FEATURE: The way
forward
Rapid delivery is opening new doors of growth
for convenience stores with a promise of
phenomenal success, finds Pooja Shrivastava
12 DATA CART
Your at-a-glance guide to the big issues in the
sector
13 “NOT” TWITTER
The best observations and comments from
retailers (and friends) on the ground
14 RETAIL CORNER: Like a
Tardis inside!
Fuelled by innovation and passion, this
convenience store in Glasgow proves that size
is no limit to success
15 WORLD OF WHOLESALE
A regular round-up of news and views in the
wholesale sector
16 INTERVIEW: British
Corner Shop
Former-retailer cousins who are behind
phoenix-like revival of legendary shipper,
British Corner Shop, are ready to soar higher
,
17 FEATURE: LAGER, BEER
AND CIDER
The “less but better” phenomenon continues
to gain momentum as health-conscious
consumers seek beer experiences that put
quality over quantity
24 MUST STOCK
The latest product news
27 FEATURE: WHOLESALE
Wholesale operates as a well-oiled machine,
always in motion, adapting and evolving,
moving forward. Here is our deep dive to
understand what is happening now.
33 SYMBOL, FRANCHISE
AND FASCIA SUPPLEMENT
Our survey looks at the variety and role of
symbol groups that are currently available,
performance, conditions, terms and their
offers to retailers
42 FEATURE: IN-STORE
SERVICES & DELIVERY
With the pressure firmly on across the
grocery sector, and retailers chasing ever
fussier shoppers, it’s what you can do for them
as well as sell to them that counts
49 GUJARATI
Mints & Gum
7th March to 20th March 2025
THE VOICE OF INDEPENDENT RETAILERS
VOLUME 37 NUMBER 959
NEWS
4 ASIAN TRADER 7 MARCH 2025
Taking aim at self checkouts in
stores, Bridgwater Senior
Citizens’ Forum recently stated
that such automation is
replacing workers and damag-
ing customer service.
“More and more supermar-
kets are replacing staf with
machines, and we must help to
reverse the trend,” BBC quoted
Forum chairman Ken Jones as
saying.
“The knowledge and advice
of retail staf is invaluable, but
we also value human interac-
tion above machines and
artificial intelligence.
“Just saying hello to
someone makes you come back,
especially in dark days of winter.
The feelgood factor, you can’t
put a price on it can you?”
Self-checkouts are present in
96% of grocery stores worldwide.
In the UK’s convenience
channel, about 17% of conveni-
ence stores have a self-service
till, states the ACS in its “Local
Shop Report”, signifying a
significant portion of the
country’s convenience stores
ofer self-checkout options.
C-stores often see self-check-
out tills as an asset as they save
time and queues at the counter
in case of staf shortage.
Community group calls to boycott
‘anti-social’ self-checkouts
Up and down like
Tower Bridge
nflation is up to 3%, but if you think we have it bad in the
UK, a dozen eggs are now $8 in the USA. That’s down to
bird flu, though, and some wise folks are now suggesting
that instead of slaughtering the entire flock as soon as one
case is confirmed, perhaps keep the hens that don’t fall ill
and use those germ-resistant birds as breed stock.
Well, it’s an idea, and perhaps the government should
apply it to the UK economy as a whole: instead of enacting all
the planned budget measures in April, and killing the entire
retail sector, perhaps give certain vital, proven sectors (we are
thinking of convenience retailers, here) a bit of a break, so that
their energy and entrepreneurialism can survive and thrive in
the future, instead of culling entirely what used to be UK plc.
It has been announced that film studios are going to get
40% relief on gross business rates bills until 2034 (worth
nearly £50 million a year), so perhaps running a fascia at
Shepperton or Pinewood is the way forward. Some interest-
ing priorities from the Chancellor, there!
On the other hand, the battered and browbeaten UK
consumers, whose confidence is ever lower – so we are daily
informed – has surprisingly bucked the trend by going
shopping more, so far this year.
January is usually the quiet time after Christmas, but in
2025, according to the ONS (see story opposite), the trend –
like bond yields? – has inverted, with people spending more
money in the new year. But here’s the catch: it is defensive
spending, money going on relatively cheaper goods to take
advantage of economical alternatives to previous spending
patterns. Splashing out on good ingredients and meals
cooked and consumed at home is defensive (saving money
on restaurants). Tasty treats are an alternative to more
expensive options such as going to the movies or a theme
park, or buying a new outfit. All are defensive decisions.
People are clever; this is how they are dealing with what
they see in the economy (and the economy is always best
seen on the street, not in the news programmes).
“The jump in headline inflation to 3% in January adds to
evidence that the UK is heading for ‘stagflation’ – a nasty
combination of stagnating economic activity, rising infla-
tion, and increasing job insecurity,” says Julian Jessop,
Economics Fellow at the free-market think tank the
Institute of Economic Afairs.
The problem is that as inflation goes up (not a lot, it has to
be said, even though it is already 50% higher than the bank of
England’s target), UK productivity is going down – not
necessarily because people are lazy or there are too many
unemployed or on benefits, but more that there is not
enough investment, because government policies are
proving to be disincentive.
Jessop believes that what we are in for on 2025 (the up and
down, if you like), will be “mild by past standards, and so best
described as ‘stagflation-lite’.
So there’s that.
Following a disappointing
“Golden Quarter”, retailers
had a strong start to the new
year, as latest data shows rise
in total UK retail sales
volumes with a particular
considerable rise in food
stores sales volume, prompt-
ed by more people eating at
home.
According to Ofce for
National Statistics (ONS)
retail sales figures for
January, retail sales volumes
are estimated to have risen
by 1.7% in January 2025,
following a fall of 0.6% in
December 2024.
ONS figure shows that
food stores sales volumes
rose by 5.6% on the month.
This is the largest rise since
March 2020, putting index
levels at their highest since
June 2023.
This follows four consecu-
tive falls on the month,
ending in December 2024
when index levels were their
lowest since April 2013.
Supermarkets, specialist
food stores like butchers and
bakers, and alcohol and
tobacco stores all rose over
the month. Retailers
suggested that the increase
was because of more people
eating at home in January.
Non-store retailers’ sales
volumes rose 2.4% on the
month, partially rebounding
from a 3.4% fall in December
2024. Retailers in this sector
reported post-Christmas
sales remaining strong.
Non-food stores – the
total of department, cloth-
ing, household and other
non-food stores – fell 1.3%
over the month. Clothing
retailers and household
goods stores suggested the
fall was because of reduced
consumer confidence.
Despite gloom, public enjoys eating at home
Strong start of 2025 for
Strong start of 2025 for
retailers as food sales up
retailers as food sales up
NEWS
7 MARCH 2025 ASIAN TRADER 5
Warwickshire County
Council’s Trading Standards
Service has issued an
advisory for retailers to act in
advance of the ban on
disposable vapes that soon
comes into force on 1 June.
Retailers should consider
stopping buying new stocks
of single use vapes and selling
of any existing stocks now.
Warwickshire County
Councillor Andy Crump,
Portfolio Holder for Commu-
nity Safety said, “Disposable
vapes, also known as
single-use vapes, are a
wasteful use of resources.
“Many single-use vapes
end up in landfill or are
incinerated, which can cause
fires. I strongly urge War-
wickshire retailers to read
our guidance and act now.”
The council stated that
from June 1, retailers must
stop selling or ofering for
sale single-use vapes
(whether or not they contain
nicotine), remove them from
their store (including online
stores) and arrange for them
to be collected by a registered
vape recycling service.
Retailers who fail to
follow the law and continue
to sell disposable vapes after
the ban face having these
products seized and receiv-
ing a £200 fine. Repeat
ofenders could be prosecut-
ed.
Retailers can continue to
sell reusable vapes.
Council urges retailers to ‘act now’
as disposable vape ban looms
Trends in gin – how to
Trends in gin – how to
build your range
build your range
Nick Gillett is
Co-founder and
Managing
Director of
successful spirits
distributor
Mangrove
Global, as well as an industry
expert and commentator. In his
column for this issue, Nick
discusses the best ways to
capitalise on Britain’s afection
for gin
The British love afair with gin is
well-known, but after a decade-long
“gin boom”, the last few years have
seen a substantial slowing of sales as
hundreds of smaller brands shut up
shop and drinkers experimented with
diferent categories. Even the bigger
brands were afected – with the UK’s
favourite, Gordon’s, reporting a
£72.8m loss in April 2023. Neverthe-
less, gin is still a staple for your shelf:
you just need to be smart with your
choices.
British history is punctuated with
gin booms, and in the consequent lulls
between it still remains a top pick for
millions of adoring UK customers. The
last boom of the 2010s saw thousands
of sweet, synthetic flavoured varieties
flood the market. Unless you have
compelling sales data to suggest
otherwise – ditch those and instead try
more sophisticated flavours such as
Glendalough, or Nordes Gin with its
refreshingly sweet flavour that comes
purely from the botanicals. If ready to
drink options sell well, East London
Liquor Company have some great
cans, like Grapefruit Gin and Tonic
which are as well branded as they are
delicious.
Make sure you also have a classic
London Dry but be sure to mix up your
mixers and provide multiple options.
There are some great brands experi-
menting with tonics and sodas,
FeverTree and London Essence Co.
have so many options that can be
bundled up to make an appealing ofer.
In short, the UK loves gin. And by
stocking the brands that are innovat-
ing to drive the category forward, you
might just remind your customers how
much they love a good old-fashioned
Gin and Tonic.
Specialty wholesaler Cotswold
Fayre has been paying a hefty
amount to combat rising crime
and theft on its depots by
installing CCTVs and extra staf
on the shop floor.
Paul Castle, managing
director of Cotswold Fayre, a
specialty wholesaler based in
Reading, said it “paid a fortune”
to have CCTV cameras installed
in its two sites while employing
extra staf to reduce theft loss.
Castle said, “I think the
independent sector is always
going to get hit harder than the
multiples, because we don’t have
as many security guards and all of
the barriers.”
Castle said that to prevent
theft, Cotswold Fayre has had to
hire extra staf to be on the shop
floor.
He explained that while this
has stopped some of the stock
loss, it has also increased the
company’s overheads.
“You either sufer the loss of
the product or you pay extra
wages to prevent it going in the
first place. The reality is, we’ve
got no other protection or
backing or support from
anybody or anything. It’s your
wits against that of the thief.”
The cost to businesses is
about more than just the value of
the lost stock.
Castle said, “If somebody
comes in and pinches three
bottles of vodka and they’re the
only three bottles of vodka I’ve
got and I’ve got to wait another
week [for more], I lose the sales
as well as the product.”
In the year to last August,
customer theft rose by more
than 20% to £2.2 billion, taking
the total cost of retail crime to
nearly £4.2 billion.
Huge sum spent on security is a tax on retailers, consumers
Specialty wholesaler spending
Specialty wholesaler spending
‘fortune’ to combat rising crime
‘fortune’ to combat rising crime
NEWS/COMMENT
NEWS
6 ASIAN TRADER 7 MARCH 2025
January sales kicked of a
solid month for retail
with stores delivering
their strongest growth in
almost two years, show
just released figures.
According to retail
body British Retail
Consortium (BRC), UK
total retail sales in-
creased by 2.6% year on
year in January, against a
growth of 1.2% in January 2024.
This was above the 3-month
average growth of 1.1% and
above the 12-month average
growth of 0.8%.
Food sales increased by 2.8%
YOY against a growth of 6.1% in
January 2024. This was above
the 3-month average growth of
2.3% and below the 12-month
average growth of 3%, accord-
ing to a British Retail Consorti-
um (BRC) report.
Commenting on the figures,
Helen Dickinson OBE, Chief
Executive of the BRC, said,
“January sales kicked of a solid
month for retail with stores
delivering their strongest
growth in almost two years,
albeit on a weak comparable.
“Whether this strong
performance can hold out for
the coming months is yet to be
seen. Inflationary pressures are
rising, compounded by £7bn of
new costs facing retailers,
including higher employ-
er national insurance
contributions, higher
National Living Wage,
and a new packaging levy.
“Many businesses will
be left with little choice
but to increase prices and
cut investment in jobs
and stores. Government
can mitigate this by
ensuring its proposed business
rates reforms do not result in
any shop paying more in
business rates.”
Commenting on food and
drink sector performance,
Sarah Bradbury, CEO of IGD,
said, “The current climate of
economic uncertainty is
reflected in IGD’s January
shopper confidence index,
which has declined by 3
points.”
Cold and rain fail to deter plucky UK consumers
Retail sales surge in January
Retail sales surge in January
despite stormy weather
despite stormy weather
The retail industry is being
“raided like a piggy bank”, the
Marks & Spencer CEO has
stated, calling on the UK
government to delay or ease
planned tax and recycling
charges.
Stuart Machin said that
without pausing or staggering
the changes to national
insurance and business rates,
which come into efect this
April, UK retail would get
smaller.
He also speculated on
whether successive govern-
ments were guilty of a
“snobbery” about retail.
Machin said a plan to lower
the threshold at which
employers’ national insurance
contributions (NICs) kick in
should be phased in over two
years.
Machin has stated previ-
ously too that changes to NICs
would add £60m to the
company’s costs which
equated to about half a total
rise in wage costs for M&S,
including an increase in the
legal minimum wage.
“The sector already pays an
efective tax rate of 55 per cent
and the chancellor’s budget
will add £7 billion of extra
employment costs and an
increased packaging levy to a
sector working on margins of
3-5%,” said Machin.
“While businesses like
M&S will fight tooth and nail
to hold down prices for
customers, the British Retail
Consortium and Institute of
Grocery Distribution are
already projecting food
inflation of more than four
per cent.”
Machin further warned
that UK food manufacturing
and farming would contract,
domestic products would go
up in price and more food
would be imported with
potentially less stringent
quality and environmental
standards.
The retail boss also attacked
the upcoming Deposit Return
Scheme, which is slated to go
ahead in 2027, calling it
“nonsensical”.
M&S chief slams government for
raiding retail ‘like piggybank’
Deliciously Ella founder
Deliciously Ella founder
rescues Allplants
rescues Allplants
Plants, a UK-based health-food
brand and business set up by
Deliciously Ella founder Ella Mills,
has acquired the Allplants assets
from administration.
According to a statement signed
of my Mills and her husband
Matthew, Plants has bought Allplants
“name and associated brand assets”.
Founded in 2016 by Jonathan
Petrides, Allplants produced frozen
vegan meals, mainly sold online but
also in select independent retailers.
London-based Allplants was
put into the hands of advisory firm
Interpath in November, resulting in
65 staf losing their jobs.
Sweeping changes on
Sweeping changes on
baby formula
baby formula
Regulators have proposed sweep-
ing changes for the baby formula
industry after finding that parents
could save about £300 a year by
switching to lower-priced products.
The Competition and Markets
Authority (CMA) said issues such as
high prices and branding in the
industry were leading to “poor
outcomes”.
Some brands cost more than the
weekly value of family benefits,
leading to claims that some parents
opted to forgo food to buy the
product.
Labelling of infant formula in
hospitals or other healthcare
locations should be standardised.
NewstrAid’s Retailer
NewstrAid’s Retailer
gives out record grants
gives out record grants
Industry charity NewstrAid has
announced a major milestone,
awarding over 100 grants to retailers
in need since the launch of its Retailer
Support Scheme in May 2024.
Providing financial, emotional,
and practical support, the scheme
has already paid out around
£50,000 to retailers facing ill
health, family crises, bereavement,
and retail crime.
The Retailer Support Scheme
also provides vital emotional
assistance for those afected by
shoplifting or retail crime, as well as
financial aid for households
experiencing a loss of income due
to these incidents.
NEWS
7 MARCH 2025 ASIAN TRADER 7
NEWS
The start of 2025 has deliv-
ered a devastating series of
blows to Britain’s high
streets, with WHSmith
considering the sale of all
500 UK stores, Lloyds
Banking Group announcing
136 branch closures, Sains-
bury’s cutting 3,000 jobs,
Morrisons reducing its
workforce by 200, and Tesco
eliminating 400 positions.
This isn’t just another cycle
of retail change – it’s a
fundamental collapse of high
street infrastructure.
The sheer scale of these
closures should sound alarm
bells in Westminster. We’re
witnessing the systematic
dismantling of services that
have supported local commu-
nities for generations.
The government’s
response to this crisis has
been woefully inadequate.
While ministers talk about
levelling-up and supporting
local communities, their
inaction tells a different
story. The cost of running
physical stores has become
nearly impossible to sustain,
with business rates, energy
costs, and staffing expenses
creating an unsustainable
burden for retailers.
Banks justify their
closures by pointing to
online banking uptake, but
this ignores the vital role
these branches play in our
communities. Since 2015,
Britain has lost over 6,000
bank branches. The prom-
ised alternatives – banking
hubs and Post Office services
– are struggling to fill the
void, particularly in rural
areas. Now, with WHSmith
potentially selling their
stores, many of which house
Post Office counters, we face
losing yet another essential
community service.
These closures create a
domino effect. When anchor
stores and banks close,
footfall decreases dramati-
cally. This impacts every busi-
ness in the area, particularly
independent retailers who
rely on the customer traffic
generated by these larger
establishments. Each closure
makes the next one more
likely.
The government must
wake up to this crisis. We
need meaningful reform of
business rates, support for
modernisation, and incen-
tives for businesses to
maintain physical premises.
The current approach of
watching from the sidelines
while our high streets
crumble is not just
short-sighted - it’s destruc-
tive.
Online shopping will
continue to grow, but
physical retail remains vital.
High streets aren’t just about
transactions, they’re about
community, employment,
and the character of our
towns and cities. When we
lose these spaces, we lose
more than just shops – we
lose the heart of our commu-
nities.
How many more major
retailers need to close? How
many more jobs must be lost?
The time for half-measures
and empty promises has
passed. We need decisive
action now to save what
remains of our high streets
before it’s too late.
In his regular column, Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre surveys the
damage done to retail so far in 2025.
The High Street Crisis – How Many More
The High Street Crisis – How Many More
Warnings Does Government Need?
Warnings Does Government Need?
Bird flu measures
Bird flu measures
intensify as numbers rise
intensify as numbers rise
The government has further
expanded bird flu housing
measures as case numbers continue
to rise nationwide.
The avian flu outbreak continues
to spread in the UK, with almost 1.8
million farmed and captive birds
culled over the past three months.
The government said it had
acted quickly to cull all poultry on
infected premises “to protect
Britain’s food security” but
recognised the devastating impact
it was having.
There have been over 33
outbreaks of the virus on farms, with
almost 1.8 million farmed and
captive birds culled.
Fed praises InPost
Fed praises InPost
Newstrade for changes
Newstrade for changes
InPost Newstrade, formerly Menzies
Distribution, is making some
changes to its carriage charge
model.
In a letter to its UK customers,
the news wholesaler has announced
it is lowering the base charge to
support retailers with lower sales.
For all other customers, the
increase – which takes efect from
April 5 – is being capped at £4.99
per store a week.
The Fed’s National President Mo
Razzaq said, “The Fed has been in
discussion with InPost Newstrade
about the difculties our members
are facing in such challenging
financial times.”
Trump tarifs haunt
Trump tarifs haunt
Scotch whisky makers
Scotch whisky makers
President Donald Trump has
launched trade wars with Canada,
China and Mexico and has Europe in
his sights - spooking Scotland’s
export-focused whisky industry.
The US remains the primary
export market for Scotch whisky,
accounting for £1 billion per year.
Scotland’s whisky industry is
well-acquainted with the toll of
tarifs, having sufered a £600
million hit during Trump’s first term.
Few spirits companies are
talking aloud about the policies, but
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said she’ll
make the case to Trump that Scotch
whisky should be spared.
By Andrew
Goodacre, CEO
of Bira (British
Independent
Retailers
Association)
NEWS
8 ASIAN TRADER 7 MARCH 2025
Extreme weather
events are expected to
lead to volatile food
prices throughout
2025, supply chain
analysts have warned,
after cocoa and cofee
prices more than
doubled over the past
year.
According to recent
research by Inverto,
steep rises are
observed in the prices
of food commodities in the year
to January that correlated with
unexpected weather.
The highest were cocoa and
cofee, up 163% and 103%
respectively, due to a combina-
tion of higher-than-average
rainfall and temperatures.
Sunflower oil prices
increased by 56% after drought
caused poor crop yields in
Bulgaria and Ukraine, which
also continued to be afected by
the Russian invasion.
Other food commodities
with sharp year-on-year price
rises included orange juice and
butter, both up by more than a
third, and beef, up by just over a
quarter.
The research findings come
close on the heels of a report by
National Preparedness
Commission (NPC), stating that
UK food supply chains face
severe risks from climate
change, trade barriers and global
instability.
NPC warned that the
country is not
prepared for the risks
facing its food supply.
From climate change
and geopolitical
tensions to economic
shocks and trade
barriers, these
challenges are making
the current system un-
sustainable.
The NPC report
calls for legislative
action, suggesting
food security should be a
significant legal mandate, akin
to national security or energy.
A proposed Food Security
and Resilience Act could
possibly enshrine food security
into law, recognising it as a
critical element of the UK’s
national infrastructure.
The report recommends a
comprehensive overhaul,
urging the establishment of a
National Food Security
Council.
2025 at the mercy of global climate events – none of it good
Extreme weather may lead
Extreme weather may lead
to volatile food prices
to volatile food prices
Approximately £663
million has been paid
to over 4,300 claim-
ants across four
schemes for the
victims of Post Ofce
Horizon scandal. This
is up from £594
million figure
reported last month.
Sharing the latest
report, Department
for Business and Trade (DBT)
stated that £315 million has
been paid under Horizon
Shortfall Scheme (HSS),
including interim payments
while £128m has been paid
under Group Litigation Order
(GLO) Scheme.
£65 million has been paid
under Overturned Convic-
tions (OC) and £156 million
has been paid under Horizon
Convictions Redress Scheme
(HCRS).
Initial interim payments
are available to eligible
postmasters upon getting
their conviction overturned
on the grounds that it
was reliant on
Horizon evidence,
states the depart-
ment.
As of 31 October
2024, all 111 eligible
claimants have either
reached full and final
settlement or have
received a minimum
of £200,000 through
interim payments.
From these 111, Post Ofce
Ltd has received 82 full and
final claims.
Of these 82 claims, 66
have been paid and a further 7
have received ofers. The
remaining 9 are still awaiting
ofers from Post Ofce Ltd.
Over £663m paid to Post Ofce
Horizon victims, says government
Spice supplier fined over
Spice supplier fined over
safety checks
safety checks
A food importer and distributor has
been fined after failing safety checks
on potentially toxic foods it imported.
Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court
heard that Southall-based Al Noor
Ltd failed to notify port authorities
about a shipment of spice mixes
from Pakistan in May 2022, meaning
it did not undergo the necessary
checks.
The court heard that Al Noor Ltd,
in Johnson Street, had intentionally
obstructed authorised ofcers. It was
ordered to pay fines and costs
totalling £9,424, while Akhlaq was
ordered to pay a total of £3,285.
Diageo sees ‘big oppor-
Diageo sees ‘big oppor-
tunity’ in low alcohol
tunity’ in low alcohol
Diageo believes the no- and
low-alcohol category is a “big
opportunity for the industry”.
Speaking at a press briefing for
Diageo’s financial results, CEO Debra
Crew voiced her optimism for the
no-and-low segment and noted that
the group’s non-alcoholic portfolio is
up by approximately 56%.
The firm’s alcohol-free portfolio
includes Seedlip, Ritual Zero Proof
and non-alcoholic alternatives for its
Gordon’s, Tanqueray and Captain
Morgan brands.
Crew believes the zebra striping
trend – switching between alcoholic
and non-alcoholic drinks when
socialising, “keeps people” within the
group’s alcohol-free brands.
Coca-Cola reports strong
Coca-Cola reports strong
2024 results
2024 results
The Coca-Cola Company announced
robust fourth-quarter and full-year
2024 results, demonstrating the
efectiveness of its “all-weather
strategy” amidst a dynamic global
landscape.
The beverage giant reported a 6%
increase in net revenues for the fourth
quarter, reaching $11.5 billion
(£9.24bn), while organic revenues
surged by an impressive 14%. For the
full year, net revenues grew 3% to
$47.1bn, with organic revenue up 12%.
Fourth-quarter organic revenue
saw a 14% increase, fueled by a 9% rise
in price/mix and 5% in concentrate
sales. Full-year organic revenue grew
12%.
MOVERS AND SHAKERS
7 MARCH 2025 ASIAN TRADER 9
PML appoints Iain Levy as
Head of Field Force
Keeping up with the latest industry
moves and promotions
Movers and Shakers
Simon Kerry has been appointed
Managing Director of Molson
Coors Beverage Company’s
Western Europe division.
He takes over from Phil
Whitehead, who
became President and
CEO of the interna-
tional brewer’s EMEA
& APAC division last
month.
Kerry, who has
been at Molson Coors
for 13 years, was
formerly Finance
Director for the UK
and Ireland before becoming
EMEA & APAC Chief Finance
Ofcer in 2019.
“Simon knows our local and
international business very well
and has been an instrumental
part of our company’s perfor-
mance over a number of years.
He has the drive and vision
required for the next stage of our
journey and the continued
evolution of our brand portfo-
lio,” said Whitehead.
“A great leader and passion-
ate ambassador for our
wider beer and
hospitality industry, I
can think of no one
better to take us
forward from here.”
Simon Kerry said:
“What this business has
achieved over the past
few years, particularly
coming out of the
pandemic and rebuilding in a
very volatile economic environ-
ment, is a testament to the
passion and commitment of our
people and the strength of our
brands. I feel privileged to take
on this role and to have the
opportunity to lead this business
through its next chapter.”
Simon Kerry takes the helm
at Molson Coors
Philip Morris Limited (PML), the
afliate of Philip Morris
International (PMI) in the UK
and Ireland, has appointed Iain
Levy to the role of Head of Field
Force.
As the new Head of Field
Force, he will be working
directly with PML’s
customers in the
convenience and vape
channels, developing
a pipeline of dedicated
retail activations that
support the channels
consumer needs, particu-
larly in the face of the upcoming
Tobacco and Vapes legislation.
Iain began his journey at
PML as a Regional Area Manager
in 2014 and most recently
National Vape Manager. His
expertise saw him rise to the
position of Commercial
Manager for Ireland, before
moving back to the UK, where
he successfully expanded the
market’s multi-category
portfolio of smoke-free
alternatives, replacing ciga-
rettes with breakthrough
alternatives, like IQOS, the UK’s
number one heat-not-burn
system.
Prior to PML, Iain held
senior positions at
Coca-Cola Enterprises,
Allied Bakeries and
Brakes Group. His
background in
commercial opera-
tions makes him
well-equipped to drive
engagement with trade
partners, providing multi-cate-
gory leadership for retailers
embracing the smoke-free
future during this critical period
for the sector.
Iain assumes the role from
Cem Uzundal, who was recently
appointed to the position of
Head of Commercial Operations
EU Region, at PMI.
Sarah Baldwin joins Kingsland
Drinks as MD
Manchester-based wine and spirits
firm Kingsland Drinks Group has
announced the appointment of Sa-
rah Baldwin as Managing Director.
Baldwin will lead the employ-
ee-owned, full-service drinks
company from April, leaving Purity
Soft Drinks, where she sat as chief
executive for over six
years.
With a strong back-
ground in FMCG cover-
ing retail, consumer
brands and own label, she
has extensive commer-
cial experience earned in
senior leadership roles
at Gü Puds as MD, Arla
Foods as VP marketing
(UK) and Asda as category director.
Baldwin is a long-standing board
member and executive council
member of the British Soft Drinks
Association.
Sarah’s appointment follows
the departure of Ed Baker, who led
the business until November 2024.
Andy Sagar, Kingsland Drinks
Group chairman, said: “Sarah’s
extensive experience in drinks and
the wider FMCG industry will play
a considerable role in the coming
years as we continue to build our
position as a competi-
tive full-service drinks
company.”
In recent years King-
sland has upweighted its
focus on spirits and no
and low alcohol creation
and increased its capacity
to pack wines and spirits
in new and emerging
formats.
Baldwin said, “I very much
embrace the opportunity to
embark on this new chapter at
Kingsland Drinks Group and be
part of how the firm grows in the
long term.”
JTI announces Stephane Berset
as General Manager
JTI has announced the appoint-
ment of Stephane Berset as UK
General Manager.
He has taken over the position
from Tom Osborne, and having
been with the business 24 years
has extensive knowledge
of the company having
worked in various
roles in Hong Kong,
Switzerland, Turkey,
Austria, Greece, Italy,
Czechia and the United
Kingdom.
His previous role was as GM
for JTI Czech Republic, Hun-
gary & Slovakia, and before that,
Stephane held the position of Mar-
keting Vice President at JTI UK.
“I’m pleased to re-join the
exceptional JTI UK team after my
time in Europe,” said Berset. “My
priorities are to maintain JTI’s
leading market share in the UK,
grow our presence in Reduced Risk
Products and adapt our business to
any new regulation in the Tobacco
and Vapes Bill.
“JTI UK remains com-
mitted to supporting
our retail partners to
ensure that together we
can continue to thrive
and stamp out illegal
activity.
“It is more important
than ever for the voice of the local
retailer to be heard. We encourage
retailers to continue to speak with
trade bodies and contact MPs.”
Tom Osborne has moved to a
new role as Regional President
North Asia at JTI and is now based
in Japan.
NEWS FEATURE
10 ASIAN TRADER 7 MARCH 2025
uick delivery is no longer a luxury or a
gimmick, it’s the clear roadmap to
profitability and a guaranteed route
to expansion for convenience stores aiming to
increase turnover, finds Asian Trader.
For decades, convenience stores have
thrived on their ability to provide instant
access to essentials. Propelled by Covid
lockdown and changes in habits, the consum-
ers’ definition of convenience now also
includes within-minutes delivery at home.
Currently, between physical and online
stores, the physical option remains the most
prominent, although with the increased
popularity of rapid grocery delivery services,
shoppers today are comfortably open to the
idea of buying groceries and food online to
save time and hassle.
In fact, the penetration of Brits shopping
online for food and other groceries has nearly
doubled since 2016. The UK grocery delivery
market is projected to skyrocket to £31.38
billion by 2025, a clear indicator of where
consumer preferences are weighted.
While 59 per cent of Brits prefer to buy
their groceries in-person at a traditional
storefront, the rest of the consumers are open
to shop either online or in-stores, shows
Statista’s recent data, signifying the huge pool
to tap into.
The last edition of Asian trader explored
how the convenience sector is seeing a dip
contrary to the overall grocery retail move-
ment. Among the many measures discussed
that can arrest this trend, delivery emerged as
one of the ways forward.
In fact, many retailers with a
keen focus on the delivery side
are reaping some great benefits.
Just like retailer Natalie
Lightfoot whose store Londis
Solo Convenience Store in
Glasgow has doubled sales since
launching a delivery service.
She now services about 85
delivery orders each day from
her 620-square-foot store.
“For me, since growth
couldn’t happen through
physical expansion, I decided to
just start bringing the store to
customers’ doorsteps.
Rapid delivery is opening new doors of
growth for convenience stores with a
promise of phenomenal success, finds
Pooja Shrivastava
promotions, tie-up with diferent brands and
suppliers helps us compete with the big boys,”
Patel told Asian Trader.
Budgens Berrymoor now has a dedicated
bespoke branded car for delivery with staf
doing the rounds from eight in the morning
until eight o’clock at night.
Sweet Success
Meanwhile in Glasgow, retailer Girish Jeeva is
taking his store’s delivery service to another
level altogether.
The owner of Girish’s Premier
Barmulloch, in collaboration with
Snappy Shopper, has recently
launched a 24-hour delivery
service, the first of its kind
in Scotland.
It has been just a month
since the launch, but the
response, he says, has been
“phenomenal.”
Jeeva shared with Asian
Trader, “We started the
delivery service about two years
ago since we saw a market for it. We
have been doing great since the start.”
Jeeva’s store’s growth was not accidental.
He has been strategic, investing in two
eye-catching, vibrant wrapped cars, which
turn vehicles into moving billboards, reaching
potential customers across a wide geographi-
cal range.
Zooming around the town or even in the
parking lots, such well-designed car wraps
work as a great marketing tool as they attract
attention while the eye-catching graphics
increase brand recognition and recall.
He also employs 10 drivers throughout the
week, with five on standby, ensuring that the
service remains smooth without afecting
in-store operations.
Elevating the delivery service to 24-hour
service came to Jeeva as an epiphany.
“I was thinking what new I should do in
A sure-shot way forward
“The customer on the end of
the order line doesn’t care what
the size of the store is, as long as
he is getting what he ordered well
in time,” Lightfoot told Asian
Trader.
With delivery accounting for
30 per cent of her sales, Lightfoot
is confident that rapid delivery is the way
forward.
In Middlesex, Londis retailer Atul Sodha
shares similar sentiments. As shared previ-
ously with Asian Trader, he feels that online
quick delivery expanded his store’s reach to
people who wouldn’t normally visit it.
Clearly, rapid delivery can elevate c-stores
expand beyond physical limitations thus
increasing sales and turnover.
By placing indie stores on the digital map,
the platforms like Snappy Shopper,
Deliveroo, and Just Eat are now
leveling the playing field.
These platforms help
convenience stores bridge
the gap between local
service and professional-
level logistics, fielding
them on the same playing
field as major grocery
delivery players such as
Sainsbury’s Chop Chop, Asda
Express Delivery, Tesco Whoosh,
and Ocado Zoom.
In Wellingborough, when retailer Biren
Patel thought to start a delivery service during
Covid at his Budgens Berrymoor store, he
wanted to do it in a “profes-
sional way”. After a quick
consideration of all the
platforms, he decided to join
Snappy Shopper.
Results started clocking up
immediately.
“Deliveries added another
chapter in my store’s turnover.
Snappy Shopper helped me to
sell not just locally, but about
five miles down the road; I
otherwise would never have
got those customers.
“Snappy Shopper has been
very supportive. Their
Natalie Lightfoot
Girish Jeeva