CJ Lang reinforces commitment to closer supplier collaboration

SPAR Scotland wholesaler and retailer CJ Lang & Son engaged more than 200 suppliers across the UK during its latest virtual business briefings.

Held last month, the sessions provided a trading update and outlined key priorities for the year ahead.

Despite ongoing challenges across the convenience sector, SPAR Scotland continues to demonstrate resilience, outperforming the wider Scottish market through sustained investment in its customer proposition, store estate, operations and supply chain.

Josie Cattermoul, trading director, said: “While it’s a challenging trading environment, our focus remains firmly on driving profitable growth through strong supplier partnerships, disciplined execution and a clear customer-first strategy. We are performing ahead of the market, and that’s a testament to the strength of our model and the collaboration we have with our supplier base.”

SPAR Scotland is trading ahead of the total convenience market, despite overall market decline, with strong transaction levels and customer engagement continuing to differentiate the brand.

A key focus of the sessions was the importance of listening and acting on supplier feedback, with SPAR Scotland sharing results from its latest Advantage Survey. The business was ranked number one in the convenience sector and number two in wholesale.

However, the feedback also highlighted clear opportunities for improvement, particularly around communication, data visibility and collaboration.

Cattermoul said: “The Advantage Survey is invaluable in shaping how we work with our suppliers. It’s clear we’re doing a lot well, but equally there are areas where we must go further. Our commitment is to act on this feedback and strengthen how we work together.”

The business also underlined the critical role of new product development in driving growth, innovation and customer engagement. Suppliers were encouraged to prioritise relevant, insight-led NPD that supports SPAR Scotland’s mission to dominate top-up and food-to-go missions, while delivering differentiation in a competitive market.

The company continues to invest in tools and infrastructure to support this, including its Relex demand planning and forecasting platform, now live across the supplier network, enabling improved forecasting accuracy and collaboration.

Customer engagement remains a key strength, with the recent ‘Spin into Spring’ campaign delivering ‘standout’ results, including 20,000 unique customers, 175,000 daily plays and 166,000 vouchers issued.

The business is also accelerating its digital and local marketing strategy, with expansion of SPAR Scotland store Facebook pages to 90 locations by June, alongside influencer activity and broader social media engagement.

Looking ahead, SPAR Scotland is actively inviting suppliers to collaborate across a range of initiatives, including:

• Major campaigns such as the World Cup and SPAR’s Great Big Giveaway

• Enhanced promotional programmes and store activations

• Hyper-local marketing and retail media opportunities

• First-to-market innovation through its Media Hub

Food to go remains a key footfall driver, supported by a £3.49 morning roll and coffee deal, expanded ranges, and the upcoming launch of a Barista Bar loyalty app.

The business also reaffirmed its commitment to Scottish sourcing, with 50% of products sourced from Scottish suppliers, aligning with strong customer demand for local, high-quality products.

Cattermoul concluded: “There has never been a more important time for collaboration. By working closely with our suppliers, focusing on innovation through NPD, and delivering consistently for customers, we are confident in driving sustainable growth together across SPAR Scotland.”

Suppliers were encouraged to register for SPAR Scotland’s annual tradeshow event that will take place in Aviemore on 24 September. Suppliers looking to register should contact sara.higgins@cjlang.co.uk